Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Just Breathe

One of the two cards that I did make at Craft Weekend was this card. I used the Colorful Seasons stamp set. When I saw that little cup with the straw I knew I had to make a fun background with it.  I love all those little cups! I added a heat embossed greeting from the set and the chair which is just inviting you to sit down and rest!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

80's Weekend Wrap Up

The 80's craft weekend a couple weekends ago will go down in history for a couple of reasons.  1) It was my most unproductive weekend yet (in terms of stamping projects). 2) It was probably the most fun weekend ever (YET!). While I got a total of 2 cards completed-yes TWO (not counting the ones I did for my class or for other people)! It was by far the best time I've had a craft weekend yet.  Everyone comes to craft weekend for different reasons. Some come to work on projects they haven't had time to do at home, some come with specific and sometimes large projects in mind, some come to tryout new stuff they haven't used, some come to catch up on their scrapbooks, some come because it's often the only time they get to craft.  I go because it's a fun girls weekend, and I get to hang out with my BFF's and relax and have some much needed down time.  I stamp every day at home, I don't go to these weekends to stamp and be creative, I'm fortunate to do that at home every day.  I love being there to help with a crafty problem, (I did a lot of helping!). I love seeing friends I haven't seen in a while and some that I have.  I love meeting new friends. Mostly I love being able to see my downline, Michelle, thrive in the success of her weekends.  She graciously allows me to help out with these weekends. The ideas, projects, and joy she brings to the weekend is all her.  I'm just there to help out where I'm needed. She amazes me every time with how she can take ANY theme and come up with craft games and give always that somehow fit perfectly.  I leave every weekend amazed by her wisdom and creativity that she puts into every weekend. 
Like I said previously, this was an 80's themed weekend.  I was born in the 80's so most of my experience with the 80's was as a very young child.  My 80's knowledge has come from pop culture, movies, TV and music.  I think I did ok though.  On Saturdays we always dress for the theme, I have to tell you I was so excited about leg warmers for months!  We had a great time on Saturday all dressed up! It was so much fun! 
Michelle plans games and prizes for everyone.  These were a few of the fun gifts we received!  Normally I take a picture of everything that I bring home from the weekend.  There were soooooooo many gifts, so many amazing generous friends who shared a little gift with me and there was just no way to get it all in one picture.  Not to mention my children can smell candy and treats and raided my gifts LOL.  But to everyone who gave me an amazing gift THANK YOU! I loved all of it.  When I was unpacking all the gifts brought back so much joy! We really do get spoiled at these weekends!
I mentioned before that probably the best thing about these weekends is a whole weekend to spend with my squad.  These women are not only my BFF's but they're my downline and my family.  I wouldn't know what to do at a weekend without these ladies! From L-R it's Anne, Me, Michelle, Nikki and Kim. We have the best time and I know that one of the reasons I love attending craft weekends so much is these 4 women.  Ladies I can't wait to do it all again in JULY!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Monday, February 26, 2018

Lavender Soaps

I have one more gift to share from the 80's weekend that I made for everyone.  After Christmas I found a really cool gem shape silicone mold and I decided I would make everyone little lavender scented hand soaps.  So cute! 
The tag on top is super cute and I love it so much! I used some Framelits from the Mini Treat Bag, as well as the Celebrate You Thinlits and the Sweet and Sassy Framelits for the heart.  The heart is from the Heart Happiness set in the Occasions Catalog.  I have a full wrap up of the weekend tomorrow!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!

Friday, February 23, 2018

You're Cool Boxes

I have a couple more fun things to share of all my pre-work before the 80's weekend.  Look for the full wrap up on Tuesday! These simple boxes were really easy to make.  I made one for everyone who attended.
The boxes slide open like matchboxes and had a fun gift inside.  If you want to make this box here's the measurements.  For the Berry Burst Box you'll need a 3"x6" piece of cardstock, score at 1" on all 4 sides.  You'll trim the tabs and assemble like you would any box.  For the piece it slides into you'll need cardstock that measures 4"x4 3/4" on the 4 3/4" side score at 1 1/16", 2 1/8", 3 3/16", and 4 1/4".  They're pretty precise but you need them scored that closely to fit the box snugly.  Fold on all the score lines and adhere to make a square.  Super easy!
The box slides out and inside were fun lipstick pens for everyone!  I got these on Amazon a while ago and I've been waiting for the perfect occasion to use them! What's better than a fun 80's weekend!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Jungle Juice Tags

Jungle Juice anyone?  Now being a rather young child in the 80's I wasn't sure what Jungle Juice was, I had to have it explained to me. But these cute tags are pretty fun and so cute with our Fruit Basket Bundle!  These were attached to one of the gifts during the weekend. 
The Fruit Basket Bundle is so cute, if it's not on your wishlist it should be.  This would also make a cute tag or card for a smoothie lover or juice lover in general.  So many possibilities. 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

80's Game Boys

If you're a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you might have quite a few extra boxes lying around.  Well did you know you could turn your boxes inside out and you'll have a plain brown box?  They're so easy to reverse and this is a great way to recycle those boxes.  At craft weekends we use them to hold our door prizes!  For the 80's weekend we made them into adorable Gameboys! 
I printed still shots of 6 different 80's Gameboy games.  I love how cute these are!  I still have my Gameboy from the 80's so I used that as inspiration for these.  So cute!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

80's Eight Ball

One of our activities for the weekend involved Magic 8 Balls. Of course you had to ask your ball a question then open the card for the answer.  These were so much fun to make.  When I told my 11 year old that I had to make a bunch of 8 ball cards he just couldn't imagine it in his head.  He was actually pretty impressed with the final project. 
There were different Magic 8 Ball predictions in them all, two cards were winners for a special prize! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Monday, February 19, 2018

80's Cassette Tapes

Over the weekend was our 80's Craft Weekend and it was Totally Rad! I can't wait to share all that I created as well as a full wrap up and all the projects I made leading up to the weekend. Look for the full update later this month.  I have sooooo many pre-weekend projects to share first! Get ready for a blast from the past, starting with the adorable cassette tapes! They're so cute!  They're pretty close to the actual size of cassettes.  We added them to the front of everyone's pencil and notepad holder.  They weren't added on until set up at the hotel or I'd have a final picture for you.  Look for them in the 80's recap post! Every tape had a different hit song from the 80's on it.  So cute!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Friday, February 16, 2018

Brusho Pop Up Butterfly

I have one last example to share with Brusho.  For this card I used all 5 of the Brusho Colors, Prussian Blue, Brilliant Red, Yellow, Gamboge and Moss Green.  I ended up covering up the Moss Green section.  Not on purpose, just how the card ended up.  I love this design of the card and I may make more of these because they're just stunning.  
The butterfly is Gold Heat Embossed on the cardstock, then I used a craft knife and cut around the wings only, so the whole butterfly is still intact, just the wings pop up.  I added some dimensionals under the wings so they'd stay popped up.  I love it, there was no plan to do it that way just sort of happened, I thought how could I make this card different.  I'll be doing this a lot more!  It's so pretty and so easy!  

Today is the first day of our 80's Themed Craft Weekend.  As always you can follow me on Facebook, I'll posting lots and lots of updates!  I'll have lots of projects to share in the upcoming weeks.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Brusho Butterfly

I shared one example with Brusho yesterday and the technique I used on yesterdays card will leave you with different results every time.  If you're looking for a more controlled way to use Brusho I have this card to share. I Gold Heat Embossed the butterfly but instead of sprinkling the Brusho over the image I sprinkled some on some wax paper then dropped water onto it.  Doing it this way gave me a 'pool of paint' to work with and I could paint the image as I would using ink.  I like this way of using Brusho more than the sprinkle method.  I like the control it gives, and because Brusho is a watercolor tool, the colors blend easily and effortlessly.  For the butterfly I only used the Prussian Blue and the Brilliant Red.  With just these two colors I ended up with a variety of shades.  I have one more sample using Brusho that I'm sharing tomorrow!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Beautiful Day and Brusho

I had a class featuring Brusho yesterday so I decided to play with it to create some samples with Brusho.  If you're not familiar with Brusho, it's tiny watercolor crystals that when they come in contact with water dissolve into beautiful color.  Working with Brusho is a little different than working with ink.  But if you love the watercolor look and struggle to get the look you want with ink Brusho is a great option for you. 
Because the colors instantly dissolve in water you get great results with minimal effort.  For this card I clear embossed the flower from the Beautiful Day set onto watercolor paper and then sprayed it with water using my Spritzer.  Once it was nice and wet I simply sprinkled the Brusho over it and when the crystals hit the water they just start dissolving and blooming.  Let it completely dry and you're left with a beautiful flower.  The embossing will resist the water and the color.  For the flower I used the Gamboge, Yellow and a tiny bit of Moss Green on the leaf.  I have a couple more examples using Brusho to share this week.  Check back!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Petal Passion Suite

I've been using all the products in the Petal Passion Suite so much lately!  I love, love, LOVE the stamp set and framelits.  The DSP!  WOW!  So many possibilities with it! Check out all that the Petal Passion Suite has in store then head to my store and shop now!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!

Friday, February 9, 2018

Lots Of Lavender Eclipse

One of our most popular framelit collections is the Large Letters Framelits.  It is on the pricey side ($99) but it's so worth it when you get a finished card like this!  I stamped the Lots of Lavender stamps on my white cardstock then cut out the HI with my Large Letter Framelits.  While I was cutting them I also cut out about 4 of each letter from some Powder Pink cardstock too.  I adhered all the H's together with the stamped image on top and all the I's together of course with the stamped image on top.  I then adhered the entire card together sticking the letters back into their cut out spots.  The HI is elevated up and really stands out.  So pretty!!!!
I did mention that the framelits were $99.  Did you know that our starter kit to join my team is also $99 and you can get them in our starter kit?  Our starter kit is completetely customizable, you get to choose what you want in it.  If the Large Letter Framelits are already on your wishlist purchasing the starter kit is a great choice.  You not only will get the framelits, but you also get to choose another $26 in products, PLUS during Sale-a-Bration you can choose TWO additional stamp sets free!!!  Why not add on the coordinating Letters For You set (a $49 value!)?  Now is the BEST time to join and if you've ever wanted these framelits why not invest in them now and get LOTS of other FREE stuff too!!  I'd love to talk to you more about joining my team.  Please contact me if you have questions.  Or if you're ready to join my team sign up here.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!  

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Petal Palette and Blends

You guys! How pretty is this card!  EEEEEK!  I love it!!!!  The Petal Palette Bundle is the BEST!  I'm so in love with it! There's so many elements going on with this card so let's dive right in.  First and foremost.  Obviously that flower is so pretty!  I colored it with a combination of Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends.  I love the two tones of colors this gives and really brings life to the flowers! I colored the leaves with Old Olive with a little Daffodil Delight too, giving the leaves just as much depth of color.  LOVE!!!!  I did some partial die cutting on this card, meaning that I only cutout the right half of the flowers. Partial die cutting is a fancy technique that's actually really easy to achieve.  I placed the cardstock and paper on my magnetic platform as usual, the top plate is key with this technique.  I only placed the top plate about halfway over my image and then ran it through.  The framelit will only cut where there are two plates so the part that the top plate was covering cut the rest didn't.  
After you have your piece partially die cut just stick it in your trimmer and carefully trim the excess cardstock away.  You want to cut from the top down to where the cutting of the framelit started.  Then lift up your blade and cut up from the bottom stopping where the framelit cuts begin as well.  It's really easy and really makes your card stand out!  I finished the card with some stamped leaves and a greeting also from the Petal Palette stamp set.  Finally I added some DSP and a Baker's Twine bow.  Love this card! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Lots Of Lavender

The Lots of Lavender set is so pretty and a great Sale-a-Bration option.  It's sooo easy to get beautiful results! The stamp set is a Two Step Stamp and comes with the line image and the solid images of the flowers, leaves and even the bow and stems.  Creating this card was a breeze!  I used Wisteria Wonder and Elegant Eggplant for my flower and added the leaves and stem with some Pear Pizzazz.  Finally I used Rose Red for the bow.  I also used two other Sale-a-Bration options for this card the Amazing You Stamp Set and Framelits.  I love how simple and pretty they all look together! 
This card is a fun fold card that has two layers to the front.  The piece that the lavender is stamped on is it's own card that's just attached to a standard size card.  The standard size card is cut short in the front, but I did add a piece of vellum to soften the inside of the card base.  It's a really fun card!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!! 

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

One Of My Favorite Suites

I've had a sick kiddo at home all weekend and he's on his second missed day of school.  All signs point that he'll be back in school tomorrow, unfortunately for me that has meant little to no crafting.  So today while I don't have a new project to share I wanted to share one of my favorite suites from the Occasions Catalog.

I just love the Sunshine and Rainbows Suite.  I haven't had too much time to play with this set but I have so many ideas and I can't wait to sit down and really break it in at Craft Weekend NEXT WEEK!!  Yay!!!  Look for lots of projects featuring this suite!




I'm hoping to be back tomorrow with some fun projects!
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Monday, February 5, 2018

Petal Palette-Congratulations

If you don't have Petal Palette on your wishlist you need to add it!  It's a gorgeous set and I'm having so much fun playing with it!  This was a quick card that I needed and I love how it came out!  It's super simple but that beautiful flower really makes it stand out. 

There are so many ways to color this flower.  For this card I simply used my Stampin' Write Markers. I love it!  I used two colors for the flowers.  Berry Burst and Powder Pink and two colors for the leaves. Pear Pizzazz and Lemon Lime Twist.  I used the darker color to add sketchy lines to color the image then I went over it with the lighter color to fill in the gaps.  I love the final look of it!  Of course you could always pull out your Blends, Watercolor Pencils or any other coloring medium.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!! 

Friday, February 2, 2018

Text Ya Later

We all know the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalogs are pretty amazing! What about the great products in the annual catalog? I pulled out a set I bought months ago but never got a chance to ink it up.  I'm so glad I did.  I LOVE IT!  What a fun card for teenagers or friends.  I think my son would love to play with this set!
I love that you can make a fun phone screen with it and there's so many messages you can use to customize your card.  Text Ya Later is a stamp set of 59! WOW!  Most of them are greetings.  There's fun greetings for all Occasions! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Panera Birthday Cards

Once a month I host a card class at a local Panera Bread.  My guests can stop in and grab a cup a coffee and make a couple of quick and fun cards for only $5.  It's a great way to stock up on some cards and it's a great chance to have some one on one time with me if you have any questions on anything I'd love to sit and talk with you over a couple of cards! 
Yesterday I hosted the class and I decided the cards were going to be all about birthdays!  I love these fun and bright birthday cards! Mark your calendar for the last Wednesday of the month and join me at Panera! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!