bundle of love challenge

Updated to add on 1/20/12...I'm so excited that the following card was chosen and I was the "Monkey Princess" at A La Card Monkey!


It's been soooooo long since I've participated in a sketch challenge and yesterday I was really wanting to make a card for fun...not for an upcoming event, birthday, or any other reason. Just for fun! So, I visited A La Card Monkey and joined in their sketch challenge #91...with "a bundle of love" theme!

This week's sketch...

I wanted to stretch myself and go a little outside of the box I usually stay in and picked up a stamp set I didn't think I'd ever ink up, but decided just to go for it! The colors were inspired by a card I had seen on Stampin' Connection (a Stampin' Up! demo only website). I just loved the look of Pool Party and Blushing Bride, so those are the colors I stuck with (adding a little Early Espresso in there, too). Most of the products used on this card can be found in the *NEW* Occasions Mini Catalog!


You can't tell very well from this photo, but I used the *NEW* Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz. I sprayed it on the Blushing Bride card stock framelit behind the heart. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!! It's gorgeous in person...and sparkles beautifully!

Stamp Set: Take it to Heart (available in both wood and clear mount), sentiment - "Be Mine" from an upcoming Sale-A-Bration stamp set called Outlined Occasions!!
Paper: Pool Party, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewel Accents, Stampin' Dimensionals, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin ribbon (I pulled out the pleats as I just wanted a little splash of Blushing Bride...click on the link to take a peek at how cool this stuff looks!), Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled ribbon, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz
Tools: Fashionable Hearts Embosslits die, Hearts Collection Framelits Dies (this punched out the heart shaped stamp), Labels Collections Framelits Dies

Head on over to A La Card Monkey to play along!! You have until Thursday at midnight to link up your own take on their sketch.

conversation hearts

Updated to add on 1/15/12 - What a treat it was to find out that Tiffany at My Crafty World chose my Conversation Hearts as one of her Crafty Picks #48. Thanks, Tiffany!!

I am so excited to have had a chance to play in my craft room the last couple of days! (Although I have to admit my house is suffering because of my "play time".) By yesterday, I had all three cards planned for next week's card night, and today I finished planning the "add on" project for that same event. Another goal I have for 2012 (in addition to sending out more cards this year!) is to have my cards and projects for my events planned at least one week before the event. I was too stressed last year in trying to get things done last minute! I know it will often depend on the month of how busy things are, but thankfully I have one event planned ahead of schedule and for that I'm proud of myself! Now, the cutting card stock and other things to have all the supplies prepared for the event? That will have to come this weekend after I get more confirmations of those attending! It's looking to be a pretty good turn out, so I'm glad!

Since I was such a good girl and I completed my tasks, I decided to make a few little treats I could have ready to go for Valentine's or to bring to the local consignment store where I have my cards for sale. You can never start thinking Valentine's Day too early, especially when you're a stamper!! I used the 1x8 Cellophane Bags newly introduced in the Mini Holiday Catalog...they carried them over and you are still able to purchase them!!

Conversation Hearts Skinny Bags
{with matching tag}

For the tag: I used the Candy Conversations single stamp in the new 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog. To match the candy hearts, I stamped it in various colors...Almost Amethyst (retired), Marina Mist, and Pretty in Pink. Then I punched out each heart using the Small Heart punch and used Stampin' Dimensionals to place them on the Modern Label punched out shape. The ribbon is 1/4" Marina Mist & Pretty in Pink grosgrain. I kind of like that the colors aren't your typical red and pink!

Helpful hint for filling the skinny bags with candy hearts. Use a marker to push them down into the bag. It will help the candies go in straight.

Candy Conversations
{wood mount single stamp - $8.95}

Have a blessed day and thanks for stopping by!

sharing a little bit of Christmas with you...

Updated to add on 11/27/11 - Thank you to Tiffany at My Crafty World for choosing my snowman punch art card (3rd card below) for one of her crafty picks from Sunday's Crafty Picks #44. What an honor it is to be chosen among so many talented stampers and crafters!

A couple of weeks ago I held two events on back to back evenings! Probably not my smartest idea ever, but I had a great time at each event, so I would do it again if I had the choice (well...only if my mom was still able to help me with the prep work...and my sanity!)

The first event was at my mother-in-law's home. I come visit her and her friends every other month and hold a 3 for $6 card making night since the distance is a little longer for her friends to commute to me. It has turned out to be a great idea since there is always a packed house!

CARD #1

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Real Red, Red Glimmer Paper, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Pearl Accents (largest size)

Tools: 1-3/8" Square punch, 5 Petal Flower punch, sponges

Tips:

• Ink the edges of the bottom layer of the flower "leaves" (Wild Wasabi card stock) using Wild Wasabi ink to make it a little darker from the base of the card.
  
• I used SNAIL adhesive to assemble the poinsettia together and then used a Dimensional to pop it up from the card.
  
• Make sure to push hard on the pearls to make them stick well to the Red Glimmer paper.

CARD #2

This card was inspired by the talented Andrea Walford. Her card can be found HERE.

Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations, Christmas Greetings (sentiment)

Paper: Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Garden Green

Accessories: 5/8" Real Red Satin ribbon, Linen Thread, Rhinestones, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (on the ornament), Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools: Ornament punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

CARD #3

This card proved to be a bit more time consuming than the first two cards! In hindsight, I probably would have punched out all of the pieces. There was just too much of wanting to know where this punch was or that punch. But the end result (in my opinion) is worth it! He {or she} is just too cute!! I found a couple different versions of this snowman all over the web, so I'm not exactly sure who to give credit to, but just so you know...I did not create this out of thin air! *wink*

**Note: The size of the card below is 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" and will still fit in a regular envelope without extra postage.

Stamp Set: Seasons of Joy (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Candy Cane Christmas DSP (retired)

Ink: Real Red, Baja Breeze, White Gel Pen

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals

Tools: Decorative Label punch, 3/4" Circle punch, Small heart punch, Two Step Owl punch, 1-1/4" Square punch, Ornament punch, Word Window punch, Scallop Edge punch, Scallop Oval punch, Crop-A-Dile

Tips:

• Sponge each of the edges of the white parts of the snowman using Baja Breeze ink. It helps the pieces stand out without being too stark white.
• The last two pieces to attach to the card should be the "hands" using Dimensionals, so that they go over the sign the snowman is holding.

If you would like a copy of the page I created to show all of the pieces of the snowman with tips on how to assemble him, leave me a comment below with your e-mail address.

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The next evening was a workshop at a friend's house I met through my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. She invited a handful of friends to come over so that I could share about Stampin' Up! and demonstrate a couple of fun things and then at the end they were able to make a card for free!

Stamp Set: Delightful Dozen, Pennant Parade

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso, markers - Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, sponges

Tools: Top Note die, Pennant Punch, Heart to Heart punch

Tips:

• To make two colors on the sentiment, use Stampin' Write markers to color each of the sections (Cherry Cobbler & Old Olive). "Huff" on them to make the ink a little juicy and then stamp onto the paper.
• The middle tree is raised with a Stampin' Dimensional and the baker's twine is attached with a little bit of SNAIL adhesive.
  

I have a couple more Christmas cards to come...

and lots of craft fair items, too!

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And, don't forget about the Online Extravaganza happening now through November 30th! There are so many great deals to snag up...some at 60% off!! Check out my online store to order!

{click on each picture below to view larger}

baby {girl} shower sweetness

Updated to add on 11/10/11 - Thank you to Tiffany at My Crafty World for choosing my baby shower items for one of her crafty picks from last Sunday's Crafty Pick #41. I feel so flattered!!

I had a wonderful opportunity to host a baby shower a couple of weeks ago for a friend and her newest arrival, sweet baby Kate! Over the last 5+ years I have been a part of a community of friends who had once been in a small group together when we all attended the same church. We have since all (in some way or another) gone our separate ways, but every few months we still come together to enjoy some fellowship and fun. Sometimes we come together as families and other times just the girls or just the guys. This time, the ladies got the chance to come together to shower Julie and her sweet new baby and it was a great time to reconnect and catch up with each other. This little girl has two older brothers, so we spoiled her with lots of pink!

I offered to host and was happy to put together a fun "girly" shower invitation I could send to each of the ladies (even though we all decided on a date and time through e-mail!) There's just something special about getting "fun snail mail".

The invitations were pocket cards.
(I used the hostess "Cheerful Treat" DSP)

Pull up the tab to reveal the details...

I wanted to add a special little touch to the food table, so I created some pinwheels out of the same "Cheerful Treat" DSP as I used on the invitation. I wonder if any of the ladies noticed it matched! *wink*

Candy favors to send home with each of the guests.

And, here is the card I gave her with my gift...

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment), A Slice of Life (retired hostess set)

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, marker: Melon Mambo (colored in the heart)

Accessories: 1/2" Melon Mambo Scallop Dot ribbon

Tools: Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Polka Dot Embossing folder (used with the Big Shot)


Special Notes: I stamped the onesie image onto the white card stock using Chocolate Chip and then I stamped the same image onto Pink Pirouette DSP (polka dots), cut it out using my Paper Snips and added some Dimensionals to make it pop up off the page.

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Only 3 days left to enter to win a FREE September Craft Project Central subscription. Visit THIS POST to enter to win! Giveaway ends Thursday, October 6th.

Witch Hat Treat Box & Card...On CPC (and I was featured!)

Only a few more projects to go (and one is mine!) until I have shared all of September's Craft Project Central projects! Today's project (created and designed by Heidi at Stampin King) is this very cool witch's hat treat box that any Halloween-lover would adore! It would be perfect for your child's teacher, a co-worker, or friend (and I have a friend in mind who might like this!) The gift set include a three-dimensional witch hat treat box, candy "stick", and matching card.

This project is this month's BONUS PROJECT, so in order to gain access to the complete tutorial, you will need to complete the bonus project requirements of subscribing to two or months in a row, putting a badge or blinkie on your blog, or referring a friend and letting CPC know when they have subscribed.

Subscribe to Craft Project Central to get access to 10 tutorials for the projects in September (or any month!) for only $10 per month!

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More September Projects you may have missed...

Mini Milk Carton Hexagon Box & Card
Pentagon Roll-Up Compartment Box & Card
Pumpkin Gift Box & Card
Friends Gift Box
Halloween Luminaria & Candy Containers
Pin Cushion & Card Gift Set
Beautiful Seasons Tags & Cards Box Set


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AND
In other fun news...

...for the Season of Friendship frame decor class I shared last week!
I should really be giving the credit to my upline Andrea because it was her idea...I just took it and ran with it! *wink*

Thanks, Andrea!!

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Come back tomorrow for a chance to win a FREE September subscription to Craft Project Central...and I will be sharing my project for the month, plus it's my little boy's 4th birthday tomorrow!!

Have a happy day!