february card club - consider it CASEd...and simple!

February Card Club has come and gone by a week and a half, so it's better late than never to share with you the cards we made! With the busy-ness that February brought I knew that I needed to keep everything simple this month. To help with that I did some browsing of the web (and Pinterest!) to help me out with layouts and ideas. So, my theme for the night was simple and CASEd (Copy And Share Everything). Because I did keep the cards a little more simple than normal, I let the ladies make four cards instead of three. Lucky stampers, right?! And, although I did CASE these cards, I wanted to add my own little touch to each one just to make a little bit different than the original.

CASE - Jill Franchett

How I changed it up ~ I stamped and then punched out a small circle from the center of the largest shape, then popped it up with a Dimensional. I also added rhinestones to the center of each image.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Lacey & Lovely

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Island Indigo, Wild Wasabi, Pool Party

Accessories: Dimensionals, Rhinestone Accents, Island Indigo Satin Ribbon (SAB)

Tools: N/A

CASE - Mary Fish

How I changed it up ~ I decided to go with brighter colors (sorry about the picture...the Calypso Coral looks more red in the above picture). I also added some leaves and used Dazzling Details for the center of each flower to give it some sparkle.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Bloomin' Marvelous

Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Baja Breeze, Lucky Limeade, Black Staz-On

Accessories: Dimensionals, Dazzling Details

Tools: N/A

CASE - Julie Davison

How I changed it up ~ I stayed with the color scheme, but instead of lining up the circles in a row, I laid them down in a wavy pattern. I also chose to use a different image and sentiment.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Spring Sampler, Fabulous Phrases

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Summer Smooches DSP

Ink: Lucky Limeade, markers - Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade

Accessories: Dimensionals

Tools: 1-3/4" Circle punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

CASE - Deena Boos

 

How I changed it up ~ I used a slightly different color scheme and added polka dotted paper for the background. I also went with a star punch and rhinestone instead of a button and added a sentiment onto the front.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Moving Forward, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Real Red, Polka Dot Parade DSP (Pumpkin Pie)

Ink: Pacific Point, markers - Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Dimensionals, Rhinestone Accents

Tools: Word Window Punch, Scallop Edge punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Cloud Days Embossing Folder

Come on back again soon...we just had Big Shot Club on Tuesday this week, so there's more to share!! Leave me a comment if you have any questions!

you're the sprinkles to my cupcake

I hope everyone had a fun Valentine's Day with your loved ones! I shared my son's class valentines earlier this week, but I didn't have the chance to share my daughter's until now, but I figure even if it's after Valentine's Day I can still share, right?

Last Valentine's Day (or was it the one before?) I purchased these awesome sprinkles at Target in hopes that I would create a stamping class that would use them. Well, all good ideas don't always come to fruition, so for the last year+ they have been taking up space in my craft closet. When I was thinking of ideas that Mikayla could do for her class valentines I came across all 35 jars of sprinkles (yes, I bought 7 packages!!) Mikayla has 25 classmates, so this was going to perfect!

Next, was to come up with a cute little saying to go with the sprinkles. My mom and I brainstormed a bit together and I chose... "You're the sprinkles to my cupcake." I created a document in Word and printed out a page full using red ink. Then I die cut them into tags using one of the Apothecary Framelits. And all it needed after that was a stamp!

 My daughter was a part of the process with me...she loves to craft just like her momma!! We chose to make the cupcake (from the Sale-A-Bration set "Patterned Occasions") all different colors using markers. She wanted me to do that part!

 And, she helped with the stamping.

 After they were all stamped, I trimmed the bottom of each of them.

 She signed her name on the back of all 25 tags.

 She put all of the jars of sprinkles in baggies and then I tied on the tags.

 You're the sprinkles to my cupcake!

Happy Valentine's Day!

bugs and kisses on valentine's day!

I am sooooooo excited for my son's class valentines this year. I think I have one more year to be "cutesie" before he starts to get a real opinion (he's in pre-school, Jr. K). I saw this idea on Pinterest where you attach a plastic bug to a paper jar cut out and it was so cute! I looked high and low (well, honestly I probably could have looked a little harder) until I realized that there weren't any plastic bugs I thought were cute enough. Really?! Can plastic bugs even be cute??

Anyway, I knew I still wanted to go with the bug in a jar theme because Austin LOVES bugs (mostly plastic ones) and I figured it was still boy enough. I wanted to try to go the Stampin' Up! route as much as I could, so I pulled out the little jar from the Perfectly Preserved stamp set (and the coordinating framelit from the Cannery framelits) and started brainstorming. Then, one day browsing my favorite blogs, I saw this post on Becky Roberts' blog where she shared that the little jar fits perfectly inside the pretzel bags...and it all suddenly came together!

I called up my mom because I knew she had the retired Bugs & Kisses stamp set and once I had the set in my hands, I got to work and this is what came together...

 

The jar was actually a little bit smaller than what I first envisioned so the only bugs from the set that truly fit inside was the ladybug or the ant. And, since I was going for "love bugs" I opted for the red ladybug. To show you how small these came out to be, I put it next to a regular size pack of Tic Tacs to compare. Teeny tiny, but so cute!

 

Don't you just adore this sentiment ~ bugs and kisses!! Love it! I topped it off with a bow using retired 1/4" Real Red grosgrain...gotta use up that retired stuff sometime!

Now, since I had the "bug" part, I needed the "kisses" part, so behind the jar are chocolate kisses!!

Oh me oh my I just love when an idea comes to life!!

Just two days left to get those valentines completed!! My daughter's class valentines are up next. She's at the age where she is part of the process, so we'll be working on these together...stay tuned!

monkey & owl toppers for valentine's day!

I have been busy punching out monkey faces and owls over the last couple of weeks! I was so excited to get a couple of Etsy orders for my monkey class valentines I had made for my son's class last year. On top of those two online orders, I also had two friends who wanted these for their kids. Overall, I punched out and inked the edges of 83 monkey faces! Whew...my punching hand got a work out to say the least! *wink*

One of the gals who ordered through Etsy wanted me to make these same valentines, but in pink and suggested adding a heart onto the ear. I went along with her vision and came up with another option that I ended up really loving...and so did she! Super cute for any little girl who loves pink!! (My original design was in red as seen HERE.) These are great little toppers for a baggie filled with banana flavored runts or banana flavored Laffy Taffy. So fun!

30 out of 83 monkey toppers...

...all packaged and ready to ship! 

I also had a friend who asked if I might have an idea for a treat topper to go along with the theme of owls for her son's preschool class. And, of course, I grabbed my owl punch and started punching away...

 I added a 1-3/4" circle and 2-3/8" scallop circle behind the owl.

 

 And then attached a banner tag with the message...

"Owl be your friend forever."

 

 These will be toppers for a skinny bag filled with treats!

 

 I also wanted to see what it would like using a top note topper attached to a baggie filled with even more goodies. I think they are both adorable!!

 

 

 Now it's onto making my OWN children's class valentines!

Have a great weekend, Stampers! Feel free to leave a comment with any questions or just to say hello!

Stylin' Stampin' Squad February Blog Hop - fabric!!

Another month has zipped on past and it's time for another blog hop with the Stylin' Stampin' Squad!! I am so glad you have come for a visit and if this is your first time to my blog ~ welcome! If you're making your way through the talented crafters of the Stylin' Stampin' Squad then you have probably hopped on over from Justin's blog at JK Cards!

February's theme was to create a project or card using Stampin' Up!'s beautiful fabric. I'll be honest - this was no easy task for me! I don't sew and I haven't even attempted using fabric in any of my creations. But, I am trying to step outside of my comfort zone this year, so I was up for the challenge! Thankfully there was no sewing necessary to join in the fun! It took me a little awhile (OK, a long while) to come up with what I wanted to make, but in the end I am excited about how it turned out. I may be giving this to my daughter...I think she'll love it!

{Fabric-Covered Magnetic Board}

Project Recipe 
Stamp Set: A Fitting Occasion
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Tangerine Tango

 Fabric: Flirtatious Designer Fabric
Accessories: Dimensionals, Soda Pop Tops
Tools: 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch

Some added touches...

{a fabric bow}

{soda pop top magnets}

{no-sew fabric flowers}

Although I was a little scared at first to get started, these flowers really are super simple to make. I used varying lengths of fabric to create the three different sizes, but the width of the fabric strip was 1-3/4". I used Sticky Strip on the top of the fabric strip (not pictured) and folded it in half and adhered together. Then I cut slits 1/4" apart. As to not waste more Sticky Strip, I used hot glue instead and started rolling my flower. (A little more detailed tutorial can be found HERE by Nancy Ferb.)

 I even made a flower for my daughter's hair. I simply attached it to a barrette.

 Next up on the hop is Jennifer at NW Stamper!
Thanks for stopping by...please come back again for a visit!

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Shellie G. of Craft Smashup
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps-A-Lot
4. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
5. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
6. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
7. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
8. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
9. Justin K of JK Cards
10. Heidi B of Stuck on Stampin'
11. Jennifer B of NW Stamper
12. Bree of Craft-somnia
13. Diana E of Stampin' Fun with Diana
14. Darcy J of Dj's Stampin Place

my stuck on stampin etsy shop!

Almost two weeks ago I started a new adventure and opened up my Stuck on Stampin' Etsy shop! I'm super excited about it and although I currently only have Valentine's Day items listed, I will be adding more soon!! I would love it if you could stop by to check it out!! And, if you have your own Etsy store, please leave your link in the comments and I will come by for a visit. 

Have a blessed weekend!

hello buzzing bees

Along with the two Valentine's Day treat holders that we made for Big Shot Club, we also made a card using some of the new embossing folders in the Spring Catalog. I love the Cloudy Day and Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folders and I thought that combining them together into one card would create a fun look. These sweet little buzzing bees came from the new set Spring Sampler. How cute are all of these images?!

Clear Mount - $27.95 (#125512) or Wood Mount - $38.95 (#125510)

I used Dazzling Details for the bees' wings...it gives it that extra sparkle!

Can't forget the inside...

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Lacey & Lovely, Spring Sampler

Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze

Ink: Black Stazon, marker - Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Dimensionals, Dazzling Details, Black Gingham Ribbon (retired)

Tools: 2-1/2" Circle punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Cloudy Days Embossing Folder, Honeycomb Embossing Folder

valentine's treats - big shot style!

My monthly Big Shot Club met last night. What a fun group of ladies...they always keep me laughing!!

I wanted to create some Valentine's treat holders for the gals to make since Valentine's Day is fast approaching. First up is this cute little Scallop Square treat holder filled with a baggie of heart-shaped cherry flavored gummies. I have seen many different tutorials on how to make this fun box. However, I created my own short "how to" for my club gals and thought I would share it here, as well.

1. Cut a 5x5 square of cardstock and with the Big Shot Die-Cutting machine, cut a scallop square using the Scallop Square Clear Bigz Die (#115950, $21.95). 
2. Using the Simply Scored Scoring Tool, score at 1-1/2” and 2-7/8”. 

3. Rotate the square and score again at 1” and 3-3/8”.

4. Crease all of the scored lines with your bone folder. Snip the two middle pieces on both sides (see picture below).

5. Place sticky strip as seen below on both sides.

6. Fold into a box by adhering together on both sides.

7. Embellish for any occasion! (If desired, add a handle.)

Project Recipe

Stamp Set: Itty Bitty Banners

Paper: Primrose Petals, Pool Party, Whisper White, Red Glimmer Paper, More Amore DSP

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Dimensionals, Rhinestones, Soda Pop Tops, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Scallop Square Clear Bigz Die, Doily Sizzlits, Itty Bitty Banners Framelits, 1/2" Circle punch, Two-Step Owl punch (mini heart)

Our second Valentine's treat holder uses the Petite Pocket Die (#123131, $42.95). I used a skinny cello bag filled halfway with red, pink, and white M & M's and tucked it into the open pocket. I added a piece of DSP for the top inside to add a little extra and added my own stamped heart background on the front of the pocket. It's decorated with images from the new Hearts a Flutter stamp set (love!)

Project Recipe

Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Summer Smooches DSP

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Dimensionals, Rhinestones, 1/4" Whisper White Stitched Ribbon

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Petite Pocket Die

We also made a fun card using a couple of new embossing folders from the Spring Catalog, so come on back tomorrow! Happy stamping, friends!