Hip Hippo Ray!

 I have one last punched friend to show you today.  Every time I have a class I always give my guests a little gift to take home.  This time I did little bags of cookies.  Though that wasn't my original plan.  I made all the tags, the Wild Wasabi is cut with the Chalk Talk label, my plan was to attach them to our skinny cello bags.  I got pretzel rods and chocolate and make chocolate covered pretzels to put in the bags.  Well after the pretzels were dipped in chocolate they were too big to fit in the bags :(  So the cookies were plan 'B'. 

The hippos are super cute!  The 'Hip Hippo Ray For You' was just printed on White cardstock on the computer.  They're still cute, even though they're 'Plan B'  :)   I do love the little hippo.  I make about 20 of them in one night, so they're quick and easy to put together!!!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!

Meet My Feathered Friends

Here are the final cards from my punch class.  No punch class is complete without some version of the owl punch.  The owl punch is one of those punches that you HAVE to own!  You can make a million things with him!  But for this class we kept him as an owl, just sent him back to the old west!  Here comes the sheriff owl coming through the saloon doors. 

He's stinkin' cute!  I love the huge cowboy hat!!!  His vest is layered with 3 layers of cardstock.  It just adds lots of dimension to him and in all movies I've seen those cowboys wear layers :)  We added some boots on him and his 'star' that makes him official!  You might notice that the backgrounds of my cards are pretty simple.  I do that on purpose with punch art.  I want the punch art to speak for itself.  So generally on all my punch art the card bases are kept really simple. 

Finally we have Mr. Bluebird.  I love him, because often punch art isn't huge, take the little owl for example, he's on one of our note cards, which are smaller than the standard card, so he's not a very big owl.  But this sweet bird is big, he takes up almost half the card. We use the 2 1/2 circle punch for his body and wings.  So he's a good size, which makes assembly so much easier! 

I just love him though, he's simple, but adorable!  He's easy enough to make a bunch of these in no time!  It's hard to tell from the picture but he's sponged in Pacific Point ink to add to the feathered look.  In real life it's easy to see and makes a huge difference. 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

It's More Than Just A Punch

Our Stampin' Up! punches are easy to use, fun and with a little imagination you can make the sweetest cards.  I'm always asked to do punch art classes.  I try to do 2 a year, they're pretty popular.  So this month's class was a punch art class.  First card is our sweet puppy card.  Isn't he just adorable!!!?!! 

He's super simple, made mostly of circles.  His nose and ears are the only non circles there.  Make sure you sponge darker ink on the lighter cardstock.  I know that sounds like such little step but that little ink can make the difference in texture and dimension. 

Speaking of the importance of sponging, I bring you to the next card.  This card required the fewest punches.  All we used was the new Hexagon punch.  But with creative sponging you can give the box shading, shadows and really makes it pop!  We used post it notes to mask portions of the box to get accurate shading. 

But this card wasn't complete until you added the little tissue box on the inside.  What a cute, fun card!!!  I was a little worried going into the class with this card, I thought it wouldn't be a favorite but it ended up being one of the most popular ones.  I think it's the hidden box inside :)  It's stinkin' cute!!!  I have a couple more cards to share tomorrow, so check back!

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

The Tough Choice

Normally on the Monday's after a class I have tons of fun projects to share, don't worry they're coming tomorrow.  However today I have a much more pressing issue at hand.  I'm just starting (I know a month later!) our Disney Album.  Saturday evening I created two covers.  I created one and wasn't 100% pleased with it so I created another one.  Dan likes one I like the other (I'm not sharing who likes which one).  But we're torn.  So I'm reaching out to you for help.  Please comment on this post and let me know which you like better.  The top is the classic one, Mickey pants, simple.  The bottom is more fun and cute, also simple to put together.  So please take a second and let me know which one: top-classic or bottom-cute.  I have LOTS to share from my FUN punch class over the weekend!!  The cards were great and the company even better!!  Check back tomorrow and the rest of the week! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

A Colorful Blog Hop!

It's a really colorful blog hop this month!!  Our theme is New In Colors.  We all just love these colors so it was easy to create projects this month!  You might have just hopped over from Michelle's blog.  In that case Welcome!  If this is your first stop make sure you hop all the way through to see every one's creations.  For my card today, I was inspired by a card I saw on Pintrest, that had a similar layout.   I Incorporated all the incolors.  The four colors that make up the four butterflies are my favorite, though I love Crisp Cantaloupe I haven't pulled it out to use it much but I did use it for the 'splatter' on the card.  The splatter by the way was created using the stamp set Gorgeous Grunge.  LOVE that set!!!!  

The other In Colors featured on this card are of course: Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Coastal Cabana and Baked Brown Sugar.  They coordinate so well with each other!!!  The butterfly image is from the Best Of Butterflies set in celebration of Stampin' Up!'s 25th Anniversary.  Of course no card of mine is complete without a few rhinestones.  Those that know me best know that :)   Well rhinestones and dimensionals :)

Now it's time to continue on the blog hop.  Next up is Amber.  She's sure to have something that will spark your creativity!!

 

Here's the line up in case you get lost along the way.

Ruth Norton YOU ARE HERE!!!

Amber Wilson

Nichole Gonzales Jaramillo

Kay Jantz

Liz Kay

Carmelita Wasson

Cassie Rogers

Michelle Carrion 

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

Simply Beautiful

I've been working like a mad woman this week. In between getting ready for my class Saturday, taking Logan to camp everyday oh and cleaning up our backyard that was washed away in a huge rainstorm on Monday night.   I had planned to get in some MDSing this week, (I'm pretty behind on my scrapbooking) that didn't happen :) But I do have a great project for you.  This was our make and take at our meeting last week. Angela provided it and I just love it!!! It's simple, elegant and beautiful!  Make sure you check back tomorrow it's our blog hop. This month we're focusing on our new in colors.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!

Pumpkin Love

I just LOVE Paper Pumpkin! I think that June's kit was the best one yet!  Yes I JUST put it together!  Just in time for a new kit :)  It's not too late to sign up for Paper Pumpkin, head to the website and sign up today and you'll get a kit mailed to you THIS month! If you sign up tomorrow or later your first kit won't come until August.  Remember if it's your first month with Paper Pumpkin you'll receive the welcome kit which includes an acryllic block to use with the rest of your kits. 

Aren't these four cards cute!!  I did add the twine and I used Pumpkin Pie and Primrose Petals ink instead of the ink that came with the kit.  But that's the great thing about it, you can customize it to what you want!  So don't wait any longer sign up today!  Seriously today, you don't want to have to wait a whole month to get it :)

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Coastal Butterfly

Ever make a card that perhaps you copied but just love your version so much, both are great but you love yours?  This is that card.  I used this card for my inspiration.  I loved it, it's simple but bold and so pretty!  But I knew I wanted to add some sparkle.  And I knew I was going to incorporate the ribbon somewhere else.  I LOVE ribbon, but I wanted this one to be mailable (even with the rhinestones, I'm pushing it).  So I knew that a big knot wouldn't work.  So instead I reached for our YUMMY ruffled ribbon!!  It's seriously the best ribbon ever!!!  Get used to me gushing about it, we have 2 years with this fab ribbon!  So after I cut the butterfly I just added the ribbon to the edge, it's subtle but looks so great in real life. 

 

The ribbon was done, I knew I'd be scattering rhinestones everywhere, I needed a background.  Plain cardstock was just that plain. Even stamped or embossed didn't give the look I was going for so I crumpled up my cardstock-literally!  I crumpled it, smashed it, squished it, rolled it until it was falling apart.  Once all the fibers in the cardstock were broken I was able to gently pull it apart giving me a faux suede look.  LOVE doing this to cardstock.  *NOTE: SU cardstock works great for this technique because it's thick and dyed all the way through, other thinner cardstock might not work.*  I splattered a little ink on it and it was done, the textured look was perfect!  There you have it.  Lovely isn't it?  This is one of my favorites! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Birthday Swaps

Our meeting was last week.  I'm finally getting around to sharing the swaps.  Did I mention it's been a busy summer already?  This week Logan is in a camp at the aquarium.  I'm sure it will be so much fun for him, and lots of driving for me :)  Here's our swaps from the meeting, the theme was birthday, you might remember my swap here. 

 

This is Kim M's swap.  This stamp set is so cute, and on my wishlist.  I love this color combo too, it's so rich!

This is Kay's swap, lots of new incolors on this card!  Plus the fun butterflies!!! 

This is Angela's swap, this DSP is so pretty it's Venetian Romance.  So many of the patterns just look painted!  So pretty.

This is Amber's swap.  Looks like this kitty is a popular one!  I love how Amber watercolored him. 

This is Karen's.  The shoe is embossed and just makes the card look so elegant! 

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!!

Rejected!

Well not really :)  I'm preparing for my Punch Art class in just over a week.  This class is always one of my more popular ones.  I always try to come up with fun new things that people might not have seen.  I ALWAYS make about 6 or 7 cards then narrow it down to the top 4 (with the helpful advice from a couple people).  The penguins didn't make the cut this time.  This would make the sweetest Valentine or Anniversary card though :)  I do love them, they are adorable!!!!  But the four cards that did make the cut are just as cute----maybe even a little cuter!!! 

Want more info on my punch class?  Here's all the details.  There's still time to sign up and attend!!! 

July 13, 2013 at 9:30am
Get Punchy With Me!
Back by popular demand! Come create cards featuring animals, or anything created using our punches (and maybe a die or two)! We have a few new punches with this catalog so it should be fun!!! This class is always popular so make sure you sign up early! You'll make 4 cards, this class is FREE with a $35 catalog order placed the day of the class or $20. Please RSVP by July 8th. 

On another note, have a very happy and safe Fourth of July to my US Friends!!!!

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

Faux Watercoloring

You know all those amazing cards out there with the beautiful watercolored background.  Well I've tried to do them and can't, they never come out just right.  Then while sitting at my desk one day staring at my markers and acrylic blocks it hit me, the best watercoloring technique ever!!!  I'm sure I did not create this, this is just my variation on it.  I've stamped with a blank acrylic block before, it gives a nice shadowed look.  But I've never colored my blocks........

That's right I used my markers and colored directly onto the block.  I stared with my lighter colors first, then blended them with my darker colors.  I used block E for this card.  Once your block is colored you can't just stamp it on your paper, not if you want the watercolored look.  I did this about 4 times before I got the desired look.  I started with shimmer spray (because wouldn't that be pretty) but it dries too fast.  Then I grabbed my stampin' mist-that's right it's for more than just cleaning!  (Side note: I'm sure plain water would work, but let's face it I'm a lazy stamper, the stampin' mist was there, the water was not.)  Once your block is colored, spray it with the stampin' mist, you want it to be pretty wet, not dripping, but wet enough to blend the colors.  Then immediately stamp it onto your paper.  Hold it for a few seconds, then carefully lift up.  Of course you'll need to set it aside to dry, or if you're in a hurry whip out your heat tool.  Once it's completely dry you can stamp your image over it.  I used staz on for mine.  Don't you just love the watercolored look!!!!  Finally don't forget to clean your block, make sure you get the maker and stampin' mist residue off or your stamps won't stick properly, next time you want to stamp.  Again I'm sure this is not my original idea, but it's super fun!!!!

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Swappin' Birthdays

Tonight is our monthly demonstrator meeting.  I missed last month, so I'm really excited about this months!  They're so much fun, they're full of great ideas and it's so nice to get together with the demonstrators in our group and just catch up over the last month.  The swap theme this month is 'Birthday'!  I hear from my customers all the time, that birthday cards are always needed.  I used my new favorite flower set, Too Kind and my new favorite in colors (Strawberry Slush and Pistachio Pudding) and got to work!

I love love love that little ruffle of ribbon.  The doily is key too, the card looked a little incomplete without it.  Don't you just love the Vanilla and White together!!!?!  Finished with a sweet little button from the Very Vintage buttons.  Love it!!!  I'll have more swaps to share later this week! 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!

Big Girl Bed

First, I've been slacking this summer.  I missed Friday's post, that makes two Friday's in a row!  It's certainly not because I don't want to post, it has far more to do with the kids and their numerous activities that I've been driving them to and from, and to and from and to and from...well you get the idea.  This summer we're going non stop! It doesn't leave much time for stamping!  So I've decided that instead of worrying about it, I'll take Friday's off this summer.  There might be an occasional Friday post....you never know!  Now onto today's project and MDS page, which is a classic example of my stamp time being interrupted by the little ones.  I was planning on having lots of stamping time yesterday, Dan was home and could entertain the children.  But to our surprise Megan greeted us on the opposite side of her crib in the morning.  She did it, the day we feared.  She learned to climb out of the crib.  So as Dan and I agreed, when she learned to climb out, our crib glory days would be done.  Fortunately for us she did it on a weekend.  So we pulled the bed out that some friends gave us and with the help of my handy parents the bed was put up.  But instead of stamp time, there was bed building time.  As you can see from the pictures, we were very unprepared for this.  No bedskirt (or in her case, we're just getting another fitted sheet for the box spring), either way it's an ugly exposed mattress.  Not to mention Dan and I are just not ready to play 'back to bed duty'.  But she did great during her first nap (this was typed before she went to bed last night).  During her nap she played for a little while but went straight to sleep, never getting off her bed.  When Logan transitioned into a real bed he was on and off and on and off.  It was exhausting!  Fingers crossed Megan will take to it much easier!  But back to the page.  It's pretty simple, the layout is based on a sketch I saw on Pintrest.  I wanted to keep it pretty simple.  Truth time:  I haven't opened MDS in about a month!  GASP!!!!!  I'm so out of practice!!  It's horrible too, I really want to get started on my Disney album but just haven't found the time to sit and MDS.  So nothing fancy on this page, some quick stitching, some doilies, and some sequins (LOVE!).  So that's it from me.  Have a great Monday!!!

 

Thanks for looking, see you soon!!!