Best of 2017-November and December

Every year I take a week and look back on all my many many creations from the year.  I actually love going back through my blog for the year and seeing how my stamping has progressed, style changes and favored techniques-it's always embossing!  I've picked two projects from every month to showcase.  For more details on the projects click the provided link under each project and it will take you to the original blog post.  Today we'll look at favorites from November and December. 

 This sweet skunk had to make the cut!  I love him so much!  

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Our new Stampin' Blends are a huge favorite of mine!  This beautiful set of cards showcases them beautifully! 

Click here for the details on these cards.  

 December is a month of sneak peeks and playing with all the new stuff coming in 2018, this unicorn is for sure a favorite and you can expect to see lots more in 2018 of this unicorn!

Click here for the details of this card. 

 I mentioned a couple days ago that Lemon Lime Twist was a huge favorite of mine this year, it seems only fitting to end the year featuring this color once again.  

Click here for the details of this card.

With that I wrap up 2017 and look forward to all the cards, boxes and other projects I'll make in 2018!  Thank you for checking out my blog, whether this is your first time visiting or you've been following me for years, I truly appreciate you allowing me to share what I love to do! 

Have a wonderful and safe New Years! 

Thanks for looking, see you next year! 

Best of 2017-September and October

Every year I take a week and look back on all my many many creations from the year.  I actually love going back through my blog for the year and seeing how my stamping has progressed, style changes and favored techniques-it's always embossing!  I've picked two projects from every month to showcase.  For more details on the projects click the provided link under each project and it will take you to the original blog post.  Today we'll look at favorites from September and October. 

 This card is so elegant and pretty!  I love all the watercoloring and details put into it!

Click her for the details on this card. 

 This cute 'Wonderland' themed card is still a favorite.  The watercoloing is all quick and easy and it was so fun to stack those cups!

Click here for the details on this card.  

 I would be crazy if I didn't include, what was probably the biggest event of the year in this post!  My full wrap up of my Tips and Techniques Summit obviously had to make this years list!  

Click here for the all the Summit details! 

 I love this sweet set of cards.  With the Color Theory DSP these were easy and quick to make! 

Click here for the details of these cards. 

A lot of the posts in October were focused on sharing lots from my demo at the Summit.  This card was one of my favorites.  It's made with the baby wipe technique.  

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Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Best of 2017-July-August

Every year I take a week and look back on all my many many creations from the year.  I actually love going back through my blog for the year and seeing how my stamping has progressed, style changes and favored techniques-it's always embossing!  I've picked two projects from every month to showcase.  For more details on the projects click the provided link under each project and it will take you to the original blog post.  Today we'll look at favorites from July and August!

Lemon Lime Twist was definitely a big part of 2017, I couldn't get enough of it!  It's still one of my favorites!  This sweet and easy watercolor card was perfect to show it off!

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 I love this sweet sloth card, and though it took a crazy amount of time I still love it!  

Click here for the details of this card. 

 August was my Star Wars loving son's birthday.  This light up light saber card was a huge hit.  He still loves to play with it! I got to feel like a mad scientist making the electrical circuits for this card!

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I love these letter framelits.  This is one of my most favorite cards that I've ever made with them!  I made a few different colors of this card.  

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Thanks for looking, see you soon. 

Best of 2017-May and June

Every year I take a week and look back on all my many many creations from the year.  I actually love going back through my blog for the year and seeing how my stamping has progressed, style changes and favored techniques-it's always embossing!  I've picked two projects from every month to showcase.  For more details on the projects click the provided link under each project and it will take you to the original blog post.  Today we'll look at favorites from May and June!

 May brings the preorder of the annual catalog for demonstrators.  I was so excited to get to play with new stuff.  This is still a favorite card of mine!  I sent this card to Shannon West from the Stampin' Up! home office for her birthday.

Click here for the details on this card.  

 Punch art always makes me happy, this punch art with Disney friends made me extra happy!  Such a cute card! 

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 I love the bright colors and fun patterns on this card!  If you haven't had a chance to play with embossing paste, give it a try!  You'll love it! 

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 This card also uses embossing paste, but the real winner of this card is no doubt the adorable pig! 

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Thanks for looking, see you soon!! 

Best of 2017-March and April

Every year I take a week and look back on all my many many creations from the year.  I actually love going back through my blog for the year and seeing how my stamping has progressed, style changes and favored techniques-it's always embossing!  I've picked two projects from every month to showcase.  For more details on the projects click the provided link under each project and it will take you to the original blog post.  Today we'll look at favorites from March and April!

 This card is so simple but so pretty with all the white embossing!  What I love most though is that all the flowers are colored with a clear Wink of Stella pen.  It doesn't change the color but it gives great shine and sparkle!  I made this card is two other colors as well!

Click here for the details on this card.

I loved this fun unique twist on a fall set to use in the spring.  Really anything in these colors makes me happy!

Click here for the details on this card. 

One of the most popular challenges that I gave my team this year was a Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  I'll be doing it again in 2018 too!  I hope you will play along too!  This card was a favorite of mine from the Tic Tac Toe Challenge!

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There's so many things on this card that I love.  I'm not quite sure where to start! 
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Thanks for looking, see you soon!!! 

Best Of 2017-January and February

Every year I take a week and look back on all my many many creations from the year.  I actually love going back through my blog for the year and seeing how my stamping has progressed, style changes and favored techniques-it's always embossing!  I've picked two projects from every month to showcase.  For more details on the projects click the provided link under each project and it will take you to the original blog post.  Today we'll look at favorites from January and February!

 I did a shaker class in January and this was one of my examples at the shaker class.  I love this fun and unique way to package up money or even a gift card!  

Click here for the details on this card.  

I love this card! I love the look of the white embossing on the black and all the little details on this card.  Click here for details on this card.

 

 This was a card I made at a craft weekend and I remember it took so long to get that ink blended background perfect.  In the end it was worth it!  

Click here for details on this card. 

This was another Sale-a-Bration set, I loved how simple it was to make layered medallions.  So pretty! 

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Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Let The Good Times Roll

This week has been all about Christmas baking!  I've spent more time in the kitchen then the craft room this week baking yummy treats, and eating them and yes all the dishes that go along with them!  Christmas is at our house this year so I've also spent a fair amount of time cleaning, only to have it destroyed within minutes thanks to the tiny humans that live with me.  Oh well.  Our home is lived in and it shows.  Between all that it hasn't left much room for crafting.  But I did find some time and have a really cute card to share today!  This bundle is from the new Occasions catalog and it creates the sweetest little roller coaster!  Isn't that just the cutest little card!

The real star of the show is when you open it up and there's a pop up roller coaster in side!  WHAT!!?! That's incredible!  This card is pretty amazing and though it's packed with lots of tiny details it wasn't that hard to make.  Don't get more it was a little time consuming but over all it came together pretty easily.  I love the final look to it!  The stamp set is full of little amusement park images to really make your scene come to life.  I cannot wait to play with this bundle more and make lots of fun pop up cards!   

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Sliding Unicorn

Once of my most favorite suites in the new Occasions catalog is the Myths and Magic suite.  I love the set and all the coordinating products!  This unicorn comes in the set and I'm in love with it!  Before we get to the nuts and bolts of this project there's another sneak peek bundle on this card too!  The rainbow and clouds are all made with the Rainbow Builder Framlits.  They coordinate with the sweetest rainbow set!  I can't wait to use it!  This is an interactive card, and the unicorn actually flies over the rainbow!  OMG! I was so excited when I made this card! EEEK!!!  

So how did I make the unicorn move.  Well if you checked my blog on Friday you probably saw the cutest sliding panda card.  I got a few questions over the weekend on how the sliding mechanism was made so I updated that post with some more details.  This card works with a similar theory, this one is slightly more complicated but still works the same way.  I encourage you to check the panda post for the basics of the slider.  For the unicorn I cut the channel with the framelit I used for the red layer of the rainbow.  The rainbow is adhered right over the channel so you can't see it but it's there!  To make the slider I did it the same way as the panda.  There's a piece of cardstock behind the channel, then a dimensional in the channel-this time a mini one! Then instead of adhering my image to the front of the dimensional I adhered a small piece of a window sheet.  If I would have adhered the unicorn right on top of the dimensional my unicorn would have been behind my rainbow.  So instead I added a window sheet on it.  The window sheet is probably only an inch tall and about 1/2" wide, but it's tall enough to stick up over the rainbow.  Where the window sheet is sticking up is where you add your unicorn again with a dimensional.  Again make sure you look at my panda post to see the sliding card basics.
Thanks for looking, see you soon!!! 

Party Pandas

It is downright impossible not to love the adorable panda bears in the Party Pandas Sale-a-Bration stamp set.  Who doesn't love a panda!?  I have so many cards in mind for these pandas I can't wait to make them all!  This card is one of the first cards I had to make and it came out great!  Do you see that little pull tab at the top of the card? 

When you pull it the little panda floats up and away!  Isn't that the cutest!!!?  Love it!!  I used the Classic Label punch and a dimensional behind the panda to attach him to the pull tab.  I could play with this panda card all day!  On a personal note, today is the last day of school for the year for the kids.  I know YIKES!!!  I still have some sneak peeks to share and I'm sure I'll be stamping over the winter break but sometimes it gets challenging to post consistently and on time when the kids are home.  But I hope to have lots to share over the next couple of weeks! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!! 

*Note added after original publication.* 
I received a few questions on how to create the slider.  Sliders are really easy and you can make it with any image, you just need a front (panda), a back (a strip of cardstock), a channel (made with the Classic Label Punch) and a dimensional.
To create the slider I punched two of the Classic Label punch in my white layer, the size of this layer doesn't really matter as long as it's wider than the panda. Make sure your two punches over lap to create one long channel.  Slide a strip of cardstock behind the punched out channel (this piece is about 3/4" wide, but you could go wider if you wanted, it does have to be taller than your card to poke out the top).  Slide the piece until it's at the bottom of the channel.  Add a dimensional onto the strip INSIDE the channel.  Add your panda to the other side of the dimensional. Your panda should slide up and down the channel now.  To keep everything straight I added some dimensional strips on the back on either side of the sliding piece.  Trim the top of your sliding piece if necessary.  You want a little to poke out but not a lot.  Then just add it to a card base.   

Amazing You

I have another sneak peek of a couple pretty awesome Sale-a-Bration items to share.  On first glance through the catalog this set, Amazing You, didn't grab my attention but I got it anyway because it coordinated with the other Sale-a-Bration item I'm sharing today (more on that one in a minute!).  Even though this set wasn't number one on my list, for some reason it was the first thing I played with and I'm so glad I did because now I couldn't love it more!!!!  It's a gorgeous set, I don't know why I wasn't more excited about it!!!  This card just makes me so happy! There's so much to love about it.  I love the colors, the images, the greeting.  It all coordinates and works great together! 

The 'celebrate' thinlit is also a Sale-a-Bration option this year.  It comes in a set that coordinate with all the greetings in the Amazing You set.  It's definitely a must have this year!  I know I'll get lots of use out of mine!  More sneak peeks tomorrow! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Beautiful Peacock

The sneak peeks continue!  I hope you're as excited as I am!  This is a new Sale-a-Bration stamp set, which means you can only earn this set with your purchases, you can't buy it.  When you spend $50 (before tax and shipping) you can choose this set FREE for your Sale-a-Bration reward! Who doesn't LOVE free stuff!?  Plus this peacock is pretty amazing!  The body and wings are separate so you can come up with a million different ways to stamp this guy! I found it was easier to stamp the wings first, then fill in his body. 

I stamped it on our new Narrow Notecards which are pretty small and cute!  You can't mail these, they're just a little too small, but they're so cute to have on on hand to give out.  I put a standard size card base behind it so you can see how small these are.  They measure 2.5"x4.5".  I love them and their size!  I think they'll be a big hit!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Sure Do Love You

I have a sneak peek for you today!  It's a fun one!  EEEK!  This is a fun new box framelit, new DSP and a new stamp set!  EEEK!!  So much new stuff!!  Let's dive in one thing at a time.  First the stamp set.  This set is called Sure Do Love You, it is such a sweet Valentine's Day set but the images are so classic you could use them year round!  I love the stamped heart with the vines and how sweet is that greeting in the heart!!!  There's framelits that coordinate, though I did fussy cut the heart with the vines.  Let's move onto some DSP and OH. MY. GOSH! This DSP is so gorgeous! It's the Painted with Love DSP and every single sheet, EVERY. SINGLE. SHEET!, has metallic gold foil in it.  It's just stunning!  This one has some gold hearts in there along with the Melon Mambo, Powder Pink and Rich Razzleberry hearts.  So amazing! 
Now the box.  It's a simple box but it's so cute! and SOOOOOOO easy to put together!  I love it!  It's the perfect size for the NEW Narrow Note Cards.  You can fit a whole bunch in there!  You could also fit lots of treats, or other small gifts!  I have some great ideas for this box!  I can't wait to play with it more!  I have lots more sneak peeks this week and next!  I can't wait to share!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Customer Appreciation Class

Saturday I held my annual Customer Appreciation class.  December is such a busy time and it's always nice just to slow down for a few minutes and take some time for you.  I always hold my customer appreciation in December to give my customers that much needed break from the holiday hustle and bustle.  The cards are always simple-remember it's a busy month, you don't want to be dealing with a crazy new technique!  But it gives them a few cards to have on hand and the best part this class is free!  My gift to all my customers for helping me have a great Stampin' year!  This first card features the Blooms and Wishes set.  I love this set.  If I'm looking for a fun floral set, this is a go to for me!  Those colors together are gorgeous! Crushed Curry, Rose Red and Lemon Lime Twist!   

I can't stop using the Year Of Cheer DSP!  I love the metallic patterns! I've had soooo much fun with it this season!  But it's not just for holiday cards.  You can use it year-round in a fun card like this one.  You can change up the greeting to nearly any occasion!  The Black Rhinestones and Crochet Trim is so pretty on this card!

Finally, it's almost time to think about Valentine's Day, what's better than this sweet card using the Watercolor Words set!  The greeting is white heat embossed on both the Berry Burst card stock and the black. The 'you' greeting is from the Sunshine Sayings set.  So cute! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Peppermint Penguin Boxes

These penguin boxes are toooooo cute!  I love them so much!! Plus they're super easy to make it's a win win win!  I filled the penguins with some York Peppermint Patties.  To make the boxes you'll need a piece of cardstock that's 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", as if you needed a reason to love them more, that's your standard cardstock cut in half, two penguins per sheet of card stock!  YES!  On the 5 1/2" side score at 1 1/2".  Turn and on the longer side score at 1/2, 2, 4 1/2 and 6 inches.  The box is held together with the ribbon bows on top. 

To make the cute little penguin I used the following punches. 
Tummy-2 1/4" Circle
Wings- 1 3/4" Circle
Eyes-1" and 1/2" Circle
Beak-Bow Builder (I used the piece that makes the loops of the bow and just folded it in half and trimmed the ends to a rounded point. 
Feet-Blossom Builder (the biggest petal)
That's it!  So cute!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!! 

Christmas Cards At Panara

It's been a while since I did my Panara class, too much of life kept getting in the way.  Last week I was happy to return and my guests got to make some fun and cute Christmas cards.  My Panara class is always laid back with simple and fun cards.  It's so nice to just chat and get to know my customers a little more! 

If you want to join me at Panara my next scheduled Panara visit is January 31.  More details will come in January.  These classes are a great time to bring a new friend to stamping or come get some individual one on one time with me if you have any questions about any projects you're working on.

Thanks for looking, see you soon! 

Christmas Gift Card Holder Class

Last week I had a Christmas Gift Card Holder class.  Gift Card giving is so popular! I know for us it's one of the easiest and quickest ways to give a gift.  But just because you're giving a gift card doesn't mean you can't dress it up!  These are the three holders made at my class last week.  The first one uses the Trim Your Stockings Thinlits.  These Thinlits make the the cutest stocking pillow box, or you can use it year round and just make a regular pillow box.  I love this Tranquil Tide stocking with the pops of Gold Glimmer and Berry Burst Ribbon!   

The next holder is unique in that in holds two cards.  The outside is really festive with Old Olive and Real Red.  There's an embossed snowflake on the card base, and that fun doily really adds to the details! The finished holder is 5"x5" so I just took a piece of 5"x10" cardstock and scored it in half. 

Inside like I said, there's room for 2 gift cards!  I thought this would be a great gift of dinner and a movie. Or you could theme it, coffee lovers-a couple gift cards to a local coffee shop, ice cream lovers, etc.  You could give it to a couple you know and do 'his' and 'hers' cards.  The possibilities are endless! I used the envelope punch board for the little envelopes inside. 

Finally the last holder is probably my favorite.  Isn't that penguin super duper cute!!!  I love him!!!  Shannon West demoed how to make this penguin at my Tips and Techniques Summit back in September.  I wanted to make a matchbook style holder but I didn't want the card just to sit in there. 

When you open the top the gift card slides up!  So cute and it's actually really easy and fun to make!  The Basic Gray base of the holder measures 3"x10 1/2".  On the longer side score at 1 1/4" and 6 1/4".  The white piece inside measures 2 1/2" x 5 3/4", again on the longer side score at 1/2" and 4 3/4".

Your shorter 1/2" score line will get adhered to the base right above the middle score line.  The larger end on the white piece folds up in opposite direction to tuck your card into.  If you find your gift card is a little wobbly you can use a glue dot to hold it in place. 

Finally back to the penguin!  Here's how the penguin is made.  I use the Many Mittens framelits for his body. For his feet I used the piece in the Many Mittens Framlits that cuts out the flower.  We just cut off 3 petals for his feet.  For his beak I used the bow in the Holly Berry Builder Punch.  The same punch was used to make the holly on his hat and eyes.  That's it!  I loved these gift card holders!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!