Congratulations

Ok so I don't know who I am congratulating (yet) but I do know that I will more than likely congratulate someone!

The saying is from the new Sale-A-Bration stamp set and also comes with a variety of sayings that will go along with the "Congratulations". I am thinking I will probably use the one that says "you've outdone yourself again!" and use it as a thank you. This set is sooo versatile.

I also have been trying to use up some of my designer papers - this being one of them. It is from the Fall Winter catalog and one of my favs. I love the colors. Other than that everything is new and current.

For the leaves, I stamped in Versamark and then brought out my pastels, blew the dust off, and used the old but still cool technique called Poppin' Pastels. This just simply required stamping the leaves with versamark, a clear sticky ink. Then rub over the versamark ink with pastels and a cotton swab and the color magically appears!! That is how I was able to achieve several tones of green. Very cool.

I also stamped the bird and birdhouse separately and cut them out - thus ensuring proper placement and no branches "showing through".

All supplies Stampin' Up!
Congrats stamp set - Sale-A-Bration
Branch Out - new this Spring (Love it!!)
Baja Breeze, Old Olive and White cardstock
Close to Cocoa, Baja Breeze Real Red (for the bird) and Versamark ink
Old Olive Grosgrain and White Taffeta ribbon
Flower Fusion in Baja Breeze with Button (new) attached
Ticket Corner punch

Thanks for showing interest.
Lisa

Spring Get Well

I promised a Get Well for Spring so here it is! It was so much fun to create because I got to use new stamps and accessories from Stampin' Up!

I think it will be sure to cheer the recipient whoever it may be!

Now let me explain some of this card before I give the recipe. I absolutely fell in love with the new Thoughts and Prayers stamp set. However -I am not crazy about the fact that it is double mounted. In other words there are 2 images per wooden block. It just makes it a little tougher to figure out what stamp is where.

But so many people complained to Stampin' Up! about double mounted stamp sets that they will no longer be producing them! That's the GOOD NEWS. The BAD NEWS is that will be true only for the future. What is double mounted now, stays double mounted. But at least they listened to demonstrators and customers. LOVE that company!!!!

The crocheted flower and flower brad in its center are all new from Stampin' Up! and oh so fun. I thought they really added texture to the card.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Thoughts and Prayers stamp set

Kiwi Kiss and Pink Pirouette designer paper.

Pink Pirouette and Shimmery white cardstock

Old Olive and Pretty in Pink markers

Kiwi Kiss/Vanilla Satin Ribbon

Flower Assortment Brad

Fleurette (crocheted flowers)

Photo Corner punch, Eyelet Border punch (new)

And that is it. Thanks for stopping by.

Lisa

Branch Out

Another large card - sort of. It is sized to fit in a business size envelope. Again I used a sketch only this time from this blog. Beate Johns is one talented stamper and a real inspiration. Although this was a difficult sketch and not one of my favorites, I was pleased with the results.
I used Stampin' Up!'s new circle cutter and glass mat. Even though I still love my coluzzle, the circle cutter has advantages: the circles can be matted at 1/8" larger instead of 1/4" and a circle "outline" can be made as is evidenced by the chocolate chip one I placed on my card (center left).
Now for the details. I have to say, this is now my favorite stamp set from the new catalog. I love everything about it!!
All supplies are from Stampin' UP!
Branch Out stamp set; Really Retro stamp set
Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun and Vanilla cardstock; Kiwi Kiss designer paper
Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey, Kiwi Kiss and Summer Sun ink
Kiwi Kiss corduroy button, Chocolate chip ribbon, Word Window punch, Horizontal Slot punch, Crystal Effects
After cutting the circles and matting them, I adhered them to the front of the card slightly overlapping them. I stamped the image and then punched a slot for the ribbon to slide through. You can't really see it, but the boots were stamped, colored and then painted over with Crystal Effects to make them look like glossy vinyl boots.
The final step was adding a button (love those buttons!) and the sentiment . This card will probably go to one of my daughters. They are never far from my thoughts and I am always missing them but that is another story for another time.
Thanks for stopping by,
Lisa

New Stamps

There is nothing like new stamps! When I got the new Stampin' Up! catalog I immediately fell in love with this stamp set, especially the bird. I really don't send alot of "friends" cards - I send more of the "miss you", "love you", "thinking of you" cards as well as alot of "thank you". But this set is really my style and I ordered the new Parisian Breeze Specialty designer paper to go with it. WOW! that paper is beautiful - just beautiful.

Let me explain the paper: it is slightly more expensive than the other designer paper because it is textured and slightly heavier but worth every penny. Stampin' Up! has 3 other specialty papers as well.

Oh - and the corduroy buttons? Love them!! They are just so different and a great way to add dimension and texture to a project. And a great price too!

Card sketch from splitcoaststampers sketch challenge

All supplies are Stampin' UP!

Friends 24-7

Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Shimmery White cardstock; Parisian Breeze Specialty paper

Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze ink

1" double stitched grosgrain ribbon, flower fusion, chocolate chip corduroy buttons and corner rounder punch

I stamped and watercolored the bird. The baja breeze base card was stamped with the filigree stamp from the stamp set.

Last but not Least

My final Valentine Card and for this one I used another Mojo Monday blog sketch. It is a great sketch with lots of possibilities.
All supplies Stampin' Up!
Just B stamp set
Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, White cardstock
Riding Hood Red designer paper and Ribbon
Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip ink
Heart punch, Scallop Border punch, Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch
Flower Fusion and Square Rhinestone brads Glitter
I sponged all the edges and popped up the scallop circle with dimensionals. Other than that it is what it is!
New Stampin' Up! goodies have arrived!! And oooh I am loving them. More on that tomorrow.
Lisa

Another Valentine Card

Another Valentine card. I know - but I wanted to show the sketch which is a variation of the one I used for my husband's valentine card - see

Feb. 14th post. This card, instead of being square, is the normal size card. I gave this card to another of my 3 daughters.

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Just B stamp set

Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip and White cardstock

Riding Hood Red designer paper

Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip ink

Heart punch, Photo Corner punch, 1 ¼"square punch, 1 3/8" square punch and Scallop border punch

Rhinestone brads, flower fusion, 1" double- stitched chocolate ribbon

Just one more tomorrow. LOL

Lisa

Post Valentine's Day

I love how this card came out! It was the card I sent to my eldest daughter for Valentine's Day. I got the sketch from Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge.
All supplies are Stampin' Up!
Just B stamp set
Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip cardstock, ink, marker
Bella Rose designer paper, Heart punch, ¼" circle punch, flower fusion, 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain and 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon, vintage brads
I sponged all the edges and added a ¼" circle (punched) under each brad.
Enjoy!
Lisa

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is the card I gave my favorite Valentine today cause he really does "float my boat". He is not just my husband, but my best friend. I got the sketch for this card from Mojo Monday blog. Sometimes it is hard to come up with a masculine card, especially at Valentine's day which really isn't a "masculine" kind of holiday. LOL. I rounded all the corners and I really like the effect. It is different from the usual fare.
The heart was colored and cut out then popped up with a dimensional. You can't really see it in the picture.


This is the inside of the card.
Supplies: Everything is from Stampin' Up! and current. LOL
Boatloads of Love stamp set
Pink Pirouette, chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red cardstock and ink. Bella Rose designer paper
Shimmery White cardstock and Basic Brown ink.
Pink Pirouette ribbon and Jumbo Eyelets
Photo Corner punch and corner rounder punch

More Valentine cards tomorrow. Until then, enjoy the day!
Lisa

Pre Valentine's Day

I found this idea on another blog so I cannot take the credit for it. I didn't have the dimensions so I had to make it up on my own. That took lots of trial and error but I finally came up with something that worked. I made these for each of my 3 daughters on Valentine's Day. They already received them so now I can post the pictures!


The boxes within the box are made like the 2-4-6 boxes that are so popular. Only I used Stampin' UP!'s designer paper and because it is so heavy, it worked perfectly. And to add a "valentine" look I punched the heart in the front and added a square of window sheet on the inside. Add the candy, fasten the top and it is good to go.



The image was stamped with - sorry - yet another retired stamp set. I loved these stamps when they were available and use them any chance I can get.

Besides the 2-4-6 boxes filled with candy, I also wrapped a box of gum with paper and tied a ribbon around it. The lollipops are covered on both sides with a scallop circle and heart punched designer paper. These items I tucked in around the boxes.

Supplies: From the Heart stamp set (retired) from Stampin' Up!

Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, and Shimmery White cardstock and ink. Bella Rose designer paper, Pink pirouette and Riding Hood Red ribbon, Key Tag Punch, Rhinestone Brads, Flower Fusion

More Valentine goodies tomorrow.

Lisa

From The Garden

Another sketch from Mojo Monday Blog. The colors are from Splitcoaststampers Color Challenge. I don't know why but I wanted this card to be big - and it is! The card fits Stampin' Up!'s Extra Large Envelopes. This card definitely requires extra postage! It is 8 1/2 inches x 5 1/2 inches in size.

Supplies: Retired stamp set, From The GardenBlack Stazon, Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Old Olive and Kiwi Kiss ink. Watercolor paper, Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Kiwi Kiss cardstock/paper.

1 1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon, Flower Fusion, Button Bouquet, Word Window punch and glitter

The card is pretty straightforward. After I stamped the image with stazon I watercolored it and added the glitter to the center. I then punched the slot on the left side of the image so the ribbon would slide through. I then added the flower and button with glue dots.

Note: I can't remember where I learned this trick but to add the "thread" to the button all I did was cut a very thin piece of cardstock and slid it through the button holes securing it on the other side with a glue dot.

Thanks for looking,

Lisa

Things Gone By

Just about everything on this card is from days gone by and boy did it feel good to use things that are retired. Sure they can no longer be purchased, but they still give me immense satisfaction!

I used an old sketch from Splitcoaststampers.

Ingredients: a retired Stampin' Up! set called The Beary Best, retired Stampin' Up! paper and snowflakes
Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red cardstock and Ink. The punch and brads are current as well.

I always like to have a Get Well Card on hand. Now what was I thinking when I made it a winter card??? But that's okay, I can use it next winter. And now I have an excuse to make a spring Get Well Card! Not that I need an excuse to stamp!!

Thanks for looking,
Lisa

Playful Petals Substitute

I love Stampin' Up!'s new stamp set called Playful Petals but can't justify buying it cause it is so close to the retired hostess set Time Well Spent which I also love.

I used an old sketch from Mojo Monday blog. These talented ladies post a sketch every Monday. I print it off and try to get to it before the next sketch is posted. It just never seems to happen though until weeks later.

Supplies: Time Well Spent stamp set, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Garden Green card stock and ink. Baja Breeze paper. Flower designer Brads. Coluzzle and glitter

To make the card, I stamped, colored and cut out the flower and butterfly. For the center of the flower, I punched out the center and popped it up. I then added glitter to the flower and butterfly and added the dashed lines with a marker. You can't really tell but the edges of the butterfly and flower are bent upward to give them added depth. Oh and I added the flower brads - one to the flower center and one to the corner.

Enjoy,

Lisa

Monkey around

and this is what I came up with.

I don't usually use clear stamps but I couldn't resist this set by Autumn Breeze. I purchased it from my co-worker who owns her own scrapbooking business.

I needed a card to send to my daughter (along with college payment) and since she loves monkeys, I thought this would be appropriate.

I used 2 of Stampin' Up!'s old In Colors - Wild Wasabi and Groovy Guava cause I still love those colors! Some brads on the flowers and brown flock on the monkey add just enough "extras". I didn't want to add too much or I would have to pay the extra postage.

Have a great day,

Lisa

Sale-a-bration time, Sale-a-brate! La la la.....

And once more Stampin' Up! has come up with awesome choices for this awesome time of year!
What's it all about? Glad you asked!

Every year around this time (shake off the winter blues time), Stampin' Up! offers a
Sale-a-Bration sale. Here is how it works:

• February 1 - March 31, 2009
  
• For every $50 purchase, choose 1 of the 6 Free items offered in the special Sale-a-bration catalog. No limit on how many you can receive or how often. In other words, spend $100 and pick 2; spend $250, pick 5 and so on.
• Hostess a party and the total comes to $300, pick 1 of the 6. If your party comes to $600, pick 2 of the 6 items, and so on. You can also be a customer at your own party and receive free sale-a-bration stamps/products as long as your order is $50 or more.

The catalog/brochure is available for your online perusal to the right of my blog page.

I just placed my first catalog order today, along with my sale-a-bration choices so it will be a

few weeks before I can post any brand new stuff. It will be a looooong few weeks while I wait!

Thanks for stopping by,

Lisa