Thinking Of Poppies

  I don't have a major new product on this card, there is one small sliver of a new product....but we'll get to that.  I saw a card similar to this on Pintrest and LOVED it!  I stamped the flowers twice, once on the white and once on some of the DSP from the This and That collection.  Then I cut out all the flowers.  I love the look of the DSP but boy was that alot of cutting :)  I really didn't take that long, but I probably won't be planning this technique for a class anytime soon :)  I used markers to color the stems and that was pretty much it.  I love the linen thread bow and scallop border on the top and bottom of the greeting, it gives it a nice soft look.

So where's this sneak peek?  Well in the photo it's not easy to see, sorry!  But there is a new embossing folder one that matches the cute mosaics from yesterday's card.  The Wild Wasabi cardstock on the right side of the card is embossed, you can kind of see it :)  Don't worry I'll show case it much better a little later :)   

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

A Look Ahead

Are you super excited! I have tons of new stuff on this card to share with you.  All (except the greeting) are brand new and will be in the new catalog!  Whooo Hooo!!!  Let's start with the colors, this sweet card showcases 4 of the 5 new In Colors!  We have Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Baked Brown Sugar-YUM!!!!  This is the first year that I LOVE ALL the In Colors, normally there's a couple in each group that I love but this year I LOVE all 5.  The 5th one is Coastal Cabana, I'll share that one later this week  on a project :)

Not only are the colors new but the stamp set and punch are new too!!!  Don't you love it!!!?!!  Can you see anything else that's new......the button!!!!  But it's no ordinary button it started out as a chunk of clay.  This product I'm so excited about, I think there's tons of possibilities with it and I can't wait to use it more.  The button was made with a mold, you put the clay in, it molds it and tada a button!!  It started out white, I wasn't sure what to expect with the clay so I started with just a piece of white clay, you can die the clay prior to shaping it with our reinkers-I'm looking forward to that :)  Once I saw how cool this clay was going to be I knew I wanted it a different color other than white, so I took my aqua painter (not to wet, hardly wet at all in fact) and some re inker and painted my button.  Cool huh!  This clay is not like the play dough that your kids might have, it's super light and NOT STICKY!  That's a HUGE bonus in my eyes!  I can't wait to use it more!!!  You'll be seeing LOTS more of this clay!  Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek today!

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Paper Pumpkin-SERIOUSLY!

This was the super fun Paper Pumpkin this month.  I thought I had made at least one card like the example but now that I'm looking at my cards I see that I did not :)  You'll get the idea.  With the paper pumpkin I try to use only what's in the kit.  I did add a little more ink and a different button to the cards but basically used what I was given.  The kit this month came with 3 stamps, the silver buttons (which I LOVE!), the linen thread and of course all the cardstock. 

I love the little thought bubble and arrows.  Both very trendy :)  I like that they're masculine cards, something I always struggle to have on hand.  I do hope though that we get some pretty girly Paper Pumpkin kits in the future :)  My cards are all pretty simple.  I love how I can end up with 4 completely different cards with one kit!!!  Gotta go, I'll be stocking the door today waiting for UPS, he's got all my brand new stuff from the upcoming catalog!  Can't wait to play!!!!  You'll defiantly want to check back next week!!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Enjoy Reading

Logan is quite the reader.  He'll go through chapter books in no time!  I stopped by the library last week (on Friday) and picked him up a bag full of books, some were picture books and there were 3 or 4 chapter books in there.  By Sunday he had finished all the books!  He wouldn't even stop reading to eat dinner!  I'm so glad that he loves reading!  I took this picture Sunday when he was near the end of the book, he didn't even look up when he saw the flash :)  Anyway this page is fun!  I love the layers, if you want layers and dimension on your MDS projects, use your drop shadow tool.  It will work wonders!  Nothing is straight on this page and that's one of the things I love too!  This is one of my favorite MDS pages!!!  LOVE IT!!!!!

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

MDS Thanks!

Did you check out the retired lists?!  If not scroll down I posted in the wee hours.  I haven't gone into the list too much but there are a few shockers on the list, there always are :)  Today's card is a quick card done in MDS.  This is a 5x7 card.  I'm one of the directors for my church art gallery and every show we send out thank you cards to the artists.  This is the card for this show.  It's a pretty simple card but still so fun!  I'm LOVING the This and That MDS download :)  Hate to keep it short but time to go pull out all my retiring stamp sets.  I'll have a final count of the sets I'm loosing later :(

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!!

Say Goodbye!!!!

Hello!
The retired lists are out!!!  Can you believe that the new catalog is right around the corner!  Retiring stamp sets will be available until June 3rd.  If there are stamps on the list that are on your wish lists get them now!!  After June 3rd they'll be gone!  Retiring accessories are only available while supplies last!  I can't stress that enough!  Don't wait!!!!  The accessories WILL GO FAST!  The fastest way to order is directly through my online store. 
Check out the lists and I'll be back in a few hours with a project :) 

Retiring Stamps
Retiring Accessories

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Crazy For The Big Shot!

Here are the last of the cards that my guests made at my Big Shot Class last weekend.  I shared the first two yesterday.  I love all the cards but these two I thought were just extra cute!  This sweet 'thinking of you' card is simple and you might not have known your framelits could do this!  We laid the framelit on the cardstock with the smooth side down on the cardstock.  Normally you'd put it cutting side down, but we don't want it cut, we want it embossed.  After you run it though the big shot you're left with a frame embossed instead of cut out.  Cool huh?!?!?   For the bird we just used markers to color him and finished the card with some twine and a button. 

The final card, though it looks elaborate and complicated really isn't.  The dress is made just by ruffling scraps of ribbon onto the dress form, cut out with the dress framelits.  The part that really makes this card amazing is the background.  We used the elegant bouquet folder and colored the flowers with markers.  Then right before you run it through the big shot spritz it with a little shimmer mist spray.  The spray re-moistens the ink on the folder and gives it a little shimmer.  It's a win win!!!!  The retired list will be out tomorrow!  Make sure to check early what's on it!  Remember accessories will only be available while supplies last!  If there's something on there you'll want or need don't wait to order!  Check back tomorrow or LATE tonight :) for links to the lists :)
 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

It's Been A Big Weekend

I had a class on Saturday that was all about the Big Shot!!!  This is a tool that I know I use with nearly every project that I make.  It's fun, easy and there's so much that you can do.  So this class this weekend was all about using those tips and tricks and hopefully for my customers learning a few new ones.  The first card we made used the Top Note die.  Cut your top note and then turn it 90 degrees, run it through again and you'll get this fun square.  There was really no mind blowing tip on this one just showing you that if you think outside the box you could use one die in multiple ways  :)  I'm all about the doilies so of course we added one on this card.  We used vellum for the greeting, it's soft and sweet. 

The next card I wanted to show how you could cut different materials with your big shot.  Of course we love it for our cardstock but the big shot also works great for cutting cardboard, chipboard, aluminum or other thin metals and yes of course fabric!!!  I wanted the fabric to be a little more stable on the card so we adhered the fabric to some cardstock with the multi purpose adhesive sheets.  I'll share the other two cards tomorrow! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Include Yourself

I'm working really hard this year on trying to include myself in some of the pages in our scrapbook.  I think over the last two years of books I'm in two maybe three pictures total in both books!  So I'm trying to be in more pictures :)  It doesn't help that I've been soooooo bad at taking pictures all together this year.  I have more pictures on my phone then I do my camera for the year, I HAVE to take more pictures :)  But thankfully I can still use the pictures on my phone :)  This is one of them.  This is me and Megan riding the carousel for the 3rd or 4th (maybe more) time at Cliffs, our local amusement park.  She just loved the carousel and as soon as she got off, she ran to the line to get back on.  This page is one of the pre done pages, you just plug in your pictures.  I did add a few things and change a few things.  The texts, title, tag, just to name a few.  It's a cute page!! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Is Paper Pumpkin Your Friend?

Have you joined My Paper Pumpkin yet?  I LOVE this program.  I think it's a fantastic program for everyone.  If you're just starting out in the stamping world, this is a great place to start!  If you've been around a while, that's me, it's a fun little escape with new stuff, new ideas and it all comes right to you!  What could be better!!?!  If, however you're still unsure of the whole Paper Pumpkin thing, is it for me, etc.  You can get this cute Try It Kit from SU.  It's a regular item you can get in the online store, or a workshop, or class. 

I added a few more little embellishments to mine that didn't come with the kit, the pearls and extra punched butterflies.  But that's one of the great things about it.  You can customize and create to suit YOU!  This little journal is so cute and you get two in the Try It Kit!  One for you and one for a friend (or two for you)!

So if you haven't signed up for Paper Pumpkin because you're not quite sure it's for you, check out the try it kit. You won't be disappointed.  If you do want to sign up for Paper Pumpkin head to the Paper Pumpkin site, if you're not already working with a demonstrator you're welcome to select me as your demonstrator.  If you do have a demonstrator check with her about signing up under her. 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Super Heros

My kids are their own version of super hero's.  Logan has a cape that he likes to wear whenever he gets the chance.  He loves to run through the house with it on, he plays outside with it on and just loves it!  Then I saw (on Pintrest) how to use adult tee shirts to make capes for kids.  You're supposed to use tee's with the 'hero's' logo printed on it, but I thought I'd get some plain shirts and iron on Logan's 'own' super hero logo.  So, with his guidance, we made a logo for him in MDS.  He chose the colors and the star and it was all pretty simple, it was done in just a few minutes. 

Of course remember that if you're printing out and plan to iron on letters, words or anything that has a specific left right orientation than you need to print the reverse image so that after it's ironed on it's correct.  In MDS this is easy to do.  After you're done designing your page, just go to your top tool bar and click insert, then insert page reversed (or something along those lines).  You'll get your exact page with everything reversed for you :)

Of course there would have been one little upset girl if Logan got a special cape and she didn't :)  So I made one for Megan too.  She didn't have as much say as Logan but I think she'll still like it!  To do both the capes, I started with and 8.5x11 project then added a punch for the circle, just so I knew how big it would be.  The circle is pretty big and takes up almost the whole sheet at least width wise. 

After that it was simply just adding their initials, and customizing it to them.  Next step I guess I need to go to the store and get some shirts :)  This would be a super cute project to do at a birthday party, and everyone could leave with their own cape!  How fun would that be!!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!!

Thanks So Much

I have a class this weekend all about the Big Shot.  One of my favorite accessories, and one of the most versatile accessories we sell.  You can do so much with it!!  This was one of the cards that I was considering do for my class, it didn't make the cut however.  This card is fun and whimsical, which is of course why I love it!  Here's how you get the layered label look.  I started with a piece of white cardstock, stamped and embossed in clear the En Francais background.  Then I layered 3 of the label framelits and cut them out at the same time.  I sponged each piece in a different color.  Of course the embossed images resists the ink.  They all nestle back together and ta da you're done!  Fun and easy right! 

There's still time to sign up for my big shot class this weekend.  Email me for all the details :)  I have the other cards figured out and I sure LOVE them!!!!  I'll show them to you next week.  Gotta go, it's another jam packed day.  When will things slow down :)

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Simply Sweet

Sometimes all you really need is a simple card.  This card is that!  It's simple, beautiful but striking.  I actually love this card.  I stamped the flower twice and punched one out and popped it up to add a little dimension. 

I embossed the greeting on velum.  I love using velum (I need to use it more often).  This card is mounted on a piece of Garden Green with a gate fold.  That means both sides open.  If that makes sense :) 

Here's the card open, I hope that clarifies things a little :)  It's a short post today, lots on the never ending to do list :)

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Wait, Two In A Row!

 I have a second post today-who would have thought!?  Certainly not me, it wasn't in the plans for today, but who cares I'm going with it.  If you're on the birthday hop, no fear you can still participate in the hop, scroll down or go here for my blog hop post :) then you can continue on the hop.  So as I was sitting here this morning drinking my tea, watching Megan throw a kicking screaming fit because she got the wrong juice this morning (even though she was given 3 cups of 3 different kinds-apparently none of which she wanted) I thought, "Hmmmm it's going to be one of those days."  So while Megan was kicking and screaming as only a two year old can do I stumbled across Kimberly Van Diepen's blog today and she issued a challenge.  Make something with only what's on your desk!  A challenge I can get on board with and do this morning.  So I headed to my stamp desk, (making sure Megan could see-as she loves to join me when I stamp).  Sure enough she was better and ran into join me.  She picked her ink pad and one of the many stamps on my desk, I pulled her out some paper and she was finally content.  So I got to work.  I have tons of stuff on my desk.  Probably stamps from 4-5 different sets, punches, ribbon, ink, you name it, it's on my desk (except doilies!  I'll get to that later)!  So here's what I came up with. 

 

Remember this card from Monday, I told you I had stamped and cut out WAY too many of the little arrow things.  Well they too were on my desk so instantly I knew what to do!  I love this card!  It was quick to put together and I did truly use what was on my desk!  I did have a little breakdown when I realized I didn't have any doilies on my desk, as they were going to be an important part of my card!!!  How on earth could that be!  I used them less than 48 hours ago and they weren't there.  Sure those were the ONE thing I put away!  REALLY!??  What was the matter with me!!!!?!   But then I noticed the flower trim on my desk, all was saved!  Though I did contemplate 'cheating' and grabbing the doilies, yes they're put away but only about 5 feet from my desk--that still counts right???  But I refrained.  Anyway, Megan and I are going to go create a few more things, I have a thousand other things that I could do, probably SHOULD do but we're going to stamp instead!  Have a great Friday!!!

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Birthday Hop!

Welcome to this month's Ladybug Blog hop.  You might have just joined me from Michelle's blog.  If this is your first time on the hop welcome!!!  This hop is done by our local group of stamper here.  They are an amazing talented group!  You'll make an endless loop around stopping at all our blogs.  This months theme is 'Birthdays'.  Birthday cards are by far the card that I make the most of, followed closely by thank you cards.  But I love making birthday cards.  Today's birthday card is a favorite of mine.  It's super girly, frilly, and pink!!!  All the things I love in a card!!!  This card looks elaborate and time consuming, but I'll let you in on a secret.  It's easier than it looks :)

I used the hexagon embossing folder to add some texture to the background.  The main image is cut out using our oval framelits.   I used four of the doilies to add all the frill around it.  To get this look cover the back with adhesive.  You really need a good amount, especially around the edges.  Crumple up your doilies and unfold them, then just go around the edge pleating them as you go.  I have lots of pleats and folds, so I needed four, if you want a less 'full' look you can use less of the doilies.  I finished the card with a banner and lots of randomly placed pearls.  I hope you like it and it's time to continue on the blog hop!! 

 

Next up is my upline Amber!  I love her style of stamping and I CASE so many of her projects.  I know you'll love her stuff too! 

 

In case you get lost along the way here's our blog hop line up.

 

Ruth Norton YOU ARE HERE!!!!

Amber Wilson

Nichole Gonzales Jaramillo

Liz Kay

Camelita Wasson

Cassie Rogers

Michelle Carrion

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Coming soon!!!

Had to share the news!  I can't wait for these cases!!!!  When the new catalog debuts on May 31st, our wood stamps will come in new and may I add awesome cases!  You'll also be able to order these cases empty!!  Just think of the possibilities!!!!  If you need some help check out this video!!!
 

One More This And That Card

I have one more card showing you the This and That products.  Again I can't stress enough how much I love this DSP.  If this DSP is any indication of the what the new catalog has in store I think we'll all be very happy!!!  But anyway back to this card.  I found the inspiration for this card here.  I love Mercedes sweet birthday card!  Her idea of cutting out part of the hexagon pattern is brilliant! 

The buttons are from the Artisan Kit in the Spring Catalog.  I love the fun frilliness of the Artisan kit paired with the vintagy look from the This and That line.  I know I've kind of made this week all about the This and That line, really it was unintentional, just what I've been working on lately :)  And I haven't even showed you some of the best products in this line.  That's for another day though.  Make sure you check back tomorrow, we have a special birthday blog hop!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Washi Tape!

I shared some of the This and That line with you yesterday, wasn't that card cool?  Today I have another element of the line to show you.  The Washi Tape, it's pretty fun to say.  Since you're reading this you'll have to just say it out loud to yourself.  Go ahead, nobody is watch......WASHI TAPE!  See FUN!  The Washi Tape trend is so hot right now!  After using it I see why!!!!  It's so easy to use and thanks to SU our Washi Tape all coordinates with everything, don't you just LOVE that!!!!  My favorite is the Caylpso Coral one with the little hexagons! 

 

For this card I used all 3 of the Washi Tape patterns and ran a line of each one along the bottom of the card.  I did add a little gray cardstock under the top piece so that the scallop ruffle would stand out.  You'll never guess where the ruffle came from!  I'm so excited for this tip from Heather Summers, it's one of the flowers from the flower trim ribbon!!!  NO JOKE!!!  I simply unrolled the flower, (it doesn't just unravel, there is a little work involved, but it's worth it!).  When your flower is unrolled you're left with a little scallop ribbon!  Whooo Hooo!!!  Great tip right!!!!  So that's the Washi Tape.  So FUN! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

This, That And A Little More....

Isn't this a cute card?!  I love it, and it's super duper simple, aren't those the best cards.  This is a CASE from Kimberly Van Diepen's card.  I loved her version of the card.  I don't have the canvas that she has, perhaps it should go on my wishlist ;)  So I used cardstock and dressed it up a little with the a doily.  The doilies are some of my favorite accessories.  It's so easy to add them to ANY card!  Plus.  The DSP on this card is from the This and That Product Line.  It's very rustic, vintagy and the colors are so fun!!!

The This and That line is so fun.  I wasn't sure I'd like it but I love it!!!  If you want to see the entire This and That Product Line check out my online store.  The journal is amazing, the pages are preprinted, it's durable and I can't wait to use it.  I'm just looking for the right things to put in in........stay tuned :)  But even with the journal I think my favorite piece in the This and That line is the DSP.  I'm such a paper junkie though :)  But on this card I LOVE that flower.  It's one of the pieces from the Artisan Embellishment Kit.  I love, love, love everything in this kit, but haven't used ANY of it until this card.  The kit is so affordable and there's so many cool trinkets in there.  Check it out!!!  I have another card tomorrow made with more of the This and That line, come back tomorrow! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Hey There!

At first glance you might think, 'Whoa! Somebody used their stamp a ma jig'  :)  But when you look closer you'll see that each one of those little flags, arrows or whatever you want to call them is stamped and cut out.  It's not as much cutting as you might think.  Plus it's really easy cutting.  It's all straight lines and it goes really fast.  I wasn't sure how many of each color I would need so I stamped a ton and then cut them all out.  Well I stamped way too many and could probably make another 2 cards with what I stamped and cut out.  This is the card that I cased.  I loved Connie's color combo, but wanted to do something with Baja Breeze.  I'm having trouble letting go.....

I love the ribbon ruffled around the edge of the oval.  The flower is so simple but so pretty.  Next time though I think I'll stamp my greeting first and then my flower.  I think they look a little squished off to one side, but not thinking I stamped my flower first then barely had room for the greeting.  Live and learn :)  Don't forget today is the last day for the free shipping!!!  Get your orders in by today.  You'll be surprised how much you can save!!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Swaps

The swaps from our meeting were great!!!  The theme was embossing and everyone did such a great job.  This week has been a little crazy! On Wednesday, out of the blue, I decided to clean, and I mean a huge clean, my stamp room.  I cleaned out the closet, rearranged everything and basically spent the day going through tons of stuff.  Some stuff that I knew I had, some I had no idea :)  Anyway I hope my new layout to my room will help keep me organized and neat :)  We'll see.  In other news you may have heard about the new color refresh from Stampin' Up!, if not I'll share it with you at the bottom of this post.  I'm really trying to be positive about this but I have to be honest, I have very mixed feelings about it.  I won't go into the details but I'm hoping that with time and use I'll learn to love the new color families.  But onto the swaps!!!!!

 

This one is Cassie's.  Love the butterfly.  Butterflies and flowers seemed to dominate the swaps.....spring must be in the air :)

This is Stephanie's.  This banner is too cute!

This is Kay's.  Isn't this a fun bright card!?!

This elegant card is Karen's.  Don't you love it!  Do you see that butterflies were popular :)

This is Amber's first swap-she did 3 because she has 2 new recruits!  Yay Amber!!  I love this card! 

This is Amber's second card.  I love this card! 

This is Amber's final card.  It's so pretty!!!!

This is Carmelita's swap.  I haven't invested in this set but I sure do love this card! 

Finally, Kim's card.  I love how she embossed the vintage brad and put in in a bottle cap.  Great job to everyone!  I love them!!!! 

 

Now onto the color refresh.  Here's the new color families, you'll see on the bottom the colors that are leaving us.  I'm especially sad to see Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze and Certainly Celery go! :(  But like I said I think with time we'll all love the new colors.  You'll see that all but one of the colors are old incolors.  I'm excited that we can keep Pool Party :)  But if some of your favorite colors are on the going away list make sure you stock up now.  That means cardstock, reinkers, markers, pads, ribbon, brads, etc.  And do it fast!  You don't want them to sell out before you stock up, plus if you do it this weekend SU is giving FREE shipping!  You can order anything this weekend and get free shipping on your order!!!  Isn't that great!?!  The free shipping is only offered through Monday though so act fast!  You can email me your order or shop online at my website.  Orders over $150 not only get the free shipping but get hostess benefits too!!!  It's a win win!!!  Have a great weekend! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!!

Another Sweet Notebook

Apparently I'm on some kind of notebook, monogram kick right now :)  I love to have little notebooks around, I'm always writing little things down, lists, things I have to do, etc.  So I've been making all kinds of little notebooks :)  I've also been monograming them all :)   Not sure why, I just love the monogram look on notebooks.  I was in charge of the make and take at the meeting this week, so I had everyone make notebooks. 

You might not recognize that DSP, it's brand new!!!  Don't you love new stuff!!!  Stampin' Up! has introduced a new line of products, it's the This and That line.  It's so much fun!!!  I love the DSP, it's sort of aged and has a vintage look to it.  But what I really, really love about the This and That line is the journal (shocker!).  It's so much bigger than I thought it would be!  And it's so much more than a journal.  All the pages are printed in fun patterns and there's pockets to store treasures :)  Check out the This and That line on my website.  This is a line that SU will continue to add too!  I'm excited to see what else is coming! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!