September-December Highlights

Every year I like to go back through my blog and pick a few of the cards and projects that I truly loved throughout the year.  Today we're taking a look at September-December.  I've linked back to the original posts on all of them so you can check there for specific details on each projects. This sweet angel is so pretty and made the list for September. 

I love the colors on the birthday card as well as all the little details. 

This year I made a lot of shaker cards, so I thought it was only fitting to include this gem of a card from this month.  They've become a huge favorite of mine.  I can't wait to make more next year!  This is the last post of 2016, thank you for sharing my Stampin' Up! journey with you throughout the year.  I can't wait to see what 2017 holds in store!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

July-September Highlights

Every year I like to go back through my blog and pick a few of the cards and projects that I truly loved throughout the year.  Today we're taking a look at July-September.  I've linked back to the original posts on all of them so you can check there for specific details on each projects.  This rainbow light card is still one of my favorites. 

My sloshing eyeball card has to make the list of favorites this year!!  It's such a cute card!!!!

In September I made a fancy fox and he's still a favorite.  I made 2 others with him, a Santa and a moose and it was a touch choice to pick one.  Check out the post to see all three.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

April-June Highlights

Every year I like to go back through my blog and pick a few of the cards and projects that I truly loved throughout the year.  Today we're taking a look at April-June.  I've linked back to the original posts on all of them so you can check there for specific details on each projects.  This glittery birthday greeting was a favorite from April.  I love the colors and of course the glitter!

In May, I had a little Pineapple addiction.  I loved all the cards that were produced that day, this is still one of my favorite sets of the year. 

This amazingly realistic bear was a favorite from June.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!! 

January-March Highlights

Every year I like to go back through my blog and pick a few of the cards and projects that I truly loved throughout the year.  Today we're taking a look at January-March.  I've linked back to the original posts on all of them so you can check there for specific details on each projects.  First is January and this sweet bunny.  I love our Balloon Builders set.  This is one of my favorites from this set!  

This sweet bike that moves is one of my favorites from February.  I love the colors on this card and I love the movement, so sweet!

March brought an adorable Easter card.  I love the soft colors and the vellum card front. So very cute!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Hey Chick

I have another adorable sneak peek from this years Sale-a-Brations offerings to share.  This Hey, Chick set is so cute I think I screamed out loud when I saw this one.  This chicken is probably my favorite in the set.  I just love that it's kind of a hot mess.....sometimes like me!  It's a very relate-able chicken 

I once again use my new Watercolor pencils to color it.  You'll see these pencils on a regular basis, they're so much fun!!!  We're preparing for Santa's visit this weekend.  I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.  I'll be back on January 2nd with more sneak peeks!!!  Next week I'll be showcasing some of my favorite project from the year.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!! 

One In A Dozen!

The new Perfect Mix set in the upcoming Occasions catalog is right up my alley.  It has lots of fun baking stamps like a hand mixer, measuring spoons, a grater and more.  Plus it has lots of puns.....you guys know how I feel about puns :)  This little carton of eggs is super cute!!!!  How could you not love it!?!?!  

I colored one egg with the Gold Wink of Stella pen.  It's such an easy quick way to add shimmer and highlight that one in a dozen egg :) 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Sale-A-Bration So Very Much

I have another Sale-a-Bration preview today.  This years selections are pretty awesome guys!  I can't wait to share them all with you!!!  This is a pretty simple and quick card featuring the new So Very Much Sale-a-Bration set.  I used the Moroccan DSP and white embossed this gorgeous greeting.  I added some gold stars, sequins and bakers twine to finish it.  So pretty!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Taco Truck!

This ADORABLE little truck is one of this year Sale-A-Bration's free options.  This was a MUST HAVE in my book.  Now you don't have to make a taco truck, you can make almost any kind of truck you want!  The stamp set also includes images of a cupcake, ice cream cone, hot dog and the cutest stack of pancakes you'll ever see!!!  I went with tacos because the taco greeting and pun is too cut to ignore but we'll get to that in a minute....

The truck is colored with.....wait for it........our NEW Watercolor Pencils!!!!!  These pencils are incredible and blend so easily.  The pencils were literally the first thing I pulled out of my box.  I couldn't wait to use them!  They color so smoothly and blend so easily.  If you're a fan of coloring you need these pencils! 

Now my truck is on a slider so he 'drives' down the road, if you want to reveal the greeting you gotta get the truck moving.  It's so cute and slides back and forth.  I may or may not have spent a fair amount of time playing with the truck on the slider, that's for me to know :)  When the drives away the greeting is revealed and it says "Let's taco 'bout how awesome you are!" You guys I love that!  I love puns, I love tacos, I love cards that move, there's nothing about this card I don't like!  Put this one on your list too!  This is a set you can only get free with a qualifying order during Sale-a-Bration.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Window Box Preview

There was once a girl who when creating her Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog preorder didn't give this hexagon box a second thought and passed right over it in the catalog.  Then that same girl watched a video from the Stampin' Up! demonstrator only event called On Stage.  That girl saw Sara Douglass, SU CEO make this ordinary hexagon box open from the side and not the top, that one side opening box changed that girls mind on this once ordinary hexagon box and suddenly it was at the top of her preorder list.....it's true I'm that girl!

Now I want to finish that story because I don't want to give you the impression that I didn't initially like the box but with a million other things that I *needed* in the new Occasions catalog it just wasn't going to make my first order....until Sara Douglass changed my mine, blew my mind.  This box is gorgeous as is, I can't deny that! 

But when it opens from the side.....Oh. My. Gravy! I lost it!!! Isn't that the cutest thing EVER!??  Now this box, if you put it together as directed opens from the top, which is also super cute, believe me I've done it!  But this side opening box is so unique and so cute that how could you resist?!?!

Inside my box I have 6 super mini cards, they're about 1 7/8 x 3, just the cutest little card to attach to a gift, to put in a lunch box, leave on a desk.  Super cute!!  The cards were also an idea from Sara, she is incredible you guys!  I cannot wait to play more with this box!!!!  Put the Window Box Thinlits on your wishlist NOW!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Non Traditional Challenge

I'm showing off some of my demo friends cards again!!  A couple weeks ago I posted that I wanted to see Christmas cards in non-traditional Christmas colors.  A few played along with my challenge and the cards are so fun!!!!  This one is from Kristin.  I love that watercolored look.  

This Carol's.  First of all it has glitter so obviously I love it!  I love the pink too.  So cute!!!!  

This is Anne's.  Her little mouse is so cute watercolored!!!

Finally Kim's. I love these soft subtles colors together and all the rhinestones!  Great job ladies.  Next week I have tons of NEW stuff to share!!  I've been playing with all my new Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalog toys and I have tons and tons to share!!!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Christmas Poinsetta Gift Card Holder

First I must apologize for the harsh pictures today but this box was too cute to share.  I had to take pictures in less than ideal light because the box was on it's way out of the house :)  This poinsettia is so pretty!  Plus it's super easy with the Festive Flower Builder Punch.  I have a confession, I didn't own this punch until the Online Extravaganza sale in November.  It went on sale and I thought I'll get it, why not right?!!  What was I thinking!  This punch is amazing!  I should have bought it so much sooner!!!! I wasn't really sure how to make the flower so I just keep punch and building until it looked full enough.  

The flower is attached to a belly band that's on a gift card box.  This is my all time favorite way to package a gift card.  This box is super easy to make and it's so cute!!!!  For more directions on the box check out this post from 2 year ago (wow!!!).  I have more details on the box and a link to the step by step directions.  I encourage you to check it out, especially if you're giving gift cards this year :)

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

Mini Thank You Notes

Yesterday I shared the hot cocoa gift boxes, if you didn't see yesterdays post check it out here.  It gives all the dimensions for these sweet little cards.  After I made all the hot cocoa boxes I had all these fun pre-scored strips of cardstock.  I didn't know what to do with them at first but I knew they'd be useful.  So I came up with these super cute mini thank you notes.   

They have a cool fold to them and it makes them kind of a tri-panel card which is pretty fun!  the stamping and coloring couldn't have been easier!  I stamped and and then packed them up to be colored them on the go!  I took my 2016-2018 In color markers and a wink of stella pen in a stamp case along with the pre stamped images.  Then, while sitting in the car waiting for kids to get out of school, I colored on the stamp case with the markers picked up the color with the wink of stella and colored my images.  I got about 16 of them done in about 20 minutes.  Super easy!  Then all I had to do was attach them to the card. 

I stamped a greeting on the first panel on the inside.  Keeping the entire card super simple.  I did add some bakers twine to tie them closed and to add just a little more cuteness!  I really love them!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Hot Cocoa To Go

A while ago I saw this video by Erica and I loved this idea, so I went out and grabbed some of these tiny treat cups with the intention that someday I would make something similar because it was such an amazing idea!  I found the cups at Target in the paper plate/ziplock row. Of course this was months ago but I assume they're still there :)  I was brainstorming some gifts for my guests at my class over the weekend and I remembered I had these cups. Lucky for me it worked out perfectly that the hot cocoa and marshmallows fit perfectly in the cups!  I remembered Erica's idea but none of the instructions so I made up my own measurements to fit my project.   

I think this is the cutest little gift.  I actually made a ton of them, more than I need for my class.  I'm going to keep them on hand and give them to teacher, friends, anyone really.  These are the best little gift!  They're not hard to make.  The cup of hot cocoa holds about 1/4 cup of hot cocoa.  

I used an 8.5 x 11" piece of cardstock, if you're in another country that has a different size cardstock you may need to adjust the measurements.  Everything is a whole number because that's just so much easier!!!  Make all your score lines first.  There's only 5 score lines and you'll do them all on the 11" side of the cardstock.  In the diagram you score on the blue lines and cut on the black.  Easy peasy! Those two pieces that are 7.5x3" will be your box, you'll just adhere them together on the bottom.  There is an extra piece on the top that's 7.5x2.5 I'll share a fun creative use for that tomorrow.  The top right corner with the X is the only scrap from this piece.  Just punch your circle and adhere the pieces to hold the cups on the inside of the box.  It's so so cute!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Customer Appreciation Class

December is always a busy time of year.  Typically I don't do a lot of classes in December, but the one I always hold is my customer appreciation class.  This is a free class that I offer to my wonderful customers who have supported me all year long.  They can come make 3 cards and enjoy yummy snacks and an hour or so of some stress free time with friends. 

The cards are all very simple but so cute!  I think this sweet birthday cupcake is my favorite!  I love that the cupcake is detailed with only 2 ink pads!!!  We only used Watermelon Wonder (icing) and Chocolate Chip (cake). 

The holiday season will fly by and we'll all be looking for Valentine's cards soon!!!  I thought I'd give everyone a jump start with this card.  Thanks to all my amazing customers!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Shaker Diamonds

Ready for some shocking news.......I like things that sparkle!  Ok so maybe that wasn't the breaking news flash you were hoping for but literally if it sparkles and shines I'm all over it!  I rarely make a card without some kind of glitter or shine.  So while at a big box store on last week I found a bag of tiny diamonds I had to have them!  I knew instantly the card I wanted to make too.  It would be a diamond shaker card!!

A few months ago, I think it was the August Paper Pumpkin there was this fantastic gem stamp set that came with the most adorable gem boxes.  I have yet to make the boxes but the stamp set was so cute and it has the best greetings!  (PS if you're a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you can still get this kit and the refills!)

The diamond shape was hand drawn and cut with an xacto knife, we're lucky I still have 10 fingers.  I added some Silver Glimmer Paper and a strategically placed greeting to hide where I may or may not have messed up the cutting ;)  I used the stamp set to stamp the background of the paper and clear heat embossed it.  Then I sponged some Pool Party ink over it in an ombre pattern so it goes light to dark.  I love the way all those little gems pop out of the color! 

Here's a closer look at these little diamonds.  There's so much sparkle to them in real life!  This card is loaded with sparkle!!!  I love it!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Grateful For A Friend

Yesterday I talked about how I struggle with groups of flowers, it's true.  But flowers one on one I can handle!  I saw this color combo on another card on pintrest with a flower and I was blown away!  Blue leaves!  That's incredible and it looks amazing!  I went with that plan and I also threw in some Silver Glimmer Leaves too.  

I've been pulling out my Striped Background a lot lately.  I just love that pop of stripes in the back.  It's a step that only takes a minute but adds so much detail.  I white heat embossed the greeting.  I love the finished card.  It's so pretty!! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Birthday Blooms and Wishes

Believe it or not I struggle with floral stamp sets.  You wouldn't know that because I have a trillion of them. But when stamping a background of floral images I really struggle with the balance and where to put them and what colors work together, ahhhh!!!!  So you can understand my anxiety when making this card.  Over all I'm pleased with how it came out even though it looks more planned then randomly placed flowers.    

I love the greeting embossed on black and the little pop of the doily on the bottom.  So pretty!!!  I used some Emerald Envy Ink and my Wink of Stella Pen to add 'splatters' of green instead of leaves.  I love the sparkly splatters, not sure why I've never done that before, it won't be the last time!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Watercolor Birthday

I'm such a huge fan of watercolor washes.  I'm also a HUGE fan of this years In Colors, I mean in case you haven't figured it out.  I seem to grab Peekaboo Peach for almost every single card now.  When I'm not grabbing that color I'm reaching for Sweet Sugarplum.  I can't get enough of these colors!  I decided to pair them with Flirty Flamingo and make a fun watercolor wash for my birthday greeting.  

It was really easy! I started with some watercolor cardstock I got it wet with a big flat brush and and clean water, then I picked up the color on my brush and added it to the already damp cardstock.  Since the paper is already wet the color moves and blends on it's own.  I added Sweet Sugarplum, Flirty Flamingo and then Peekaboo Peach.  Then I just put it aside to dry.  Once dry I embossed the greeting in white and die cut it with our new Stitched Shapes framelits, added some stars and banners and the card was done!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

November Paper Pumpkin

Our last Paper Pumpkin was so cute!!!  I love the little scenic scene with the tiny houses and trees.  I immediately wanted to make it into a shaker card.  I love it so much!!!  I assembled the front of the card as the instructions indicated but without the vellum piece and I glued everything down, no dimensionals inside the shaker.   

Then I cut some frames large enough to show the beautiful winter scene inside.  I added a window sheet to the back of the frame and some dimensional strips.  The last step was to add my shaker bits.  This time I went with lots of different sequins.  There's a bunch of blue one and some snowflakes.  It's almost like a snow globe on a card!  I love the 'sending smiles' greeting on this because it can be used for a winter card and not just a Christmas card.  So fun!!!

I made 2 shakers and the rest of my cards I made the traditional way, I did mount them on a larger note card, but more because that's my preference of card size then the size that came in the kit.  Over all this kit was so cute and I love the stamp set!!  You may see more from it soon!  If you're not subscribed to Paper Pumpkin there is no better time than now!  Sign up here!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!