Thinking about...Chickens?

I don't normally think about chickens but when I see new picture books for children that have a chicken on the cover I do think of my former coworker/boss. Let me briefly explain.

I work in the children's department of our local public library and part of my responsibilities is to order juvenile fiction chapter books. This requires me to read reviews from various sources. Our department head traditionally orders the picture books, among other things. Sad to say our dept. head left in June to become the director of another library - big step up. We miss him for many reasons, not the least of which, he made us laugh... alot!

When he was still working with us I noticed that every order of picture books had one or more books with a chicken on the cover. I used to tease him about this every time. To his defense there are alot of great picture books with chickens on the cover. Here are a few: Interrupting Chicken, Chicken Little by Ed Emberly , Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken, and my personal favorite chicken - Minerva Louise.

So while reading reviews the other day, I noticed some picture books with chickens on the cover and thought of my co-worker/boss, and how much I miss him and the everyday banter our department shared. It hasn't been the same without him and his sense of fun. So I decided to make him a card and send it to the library where he is now working - hopefully it will make him  cluck, crow, chuckle.

I used the new Netting Background stamp on my first layer. This is wonderful background stamp because it is so subtle.

My little chicken from the Countryside stamp set, was stamped on Watercolor Paper and colored with markers and an aquapainter. Then I just did some distressing with Soft Suede ink. 

I wanted to keep it fairly simple since it is going to a guy.

Yeah, I got a little carried away with the Color Spritzer Tool and Soft Suede marker!

Stamps: Countryside, Tiny tags, Netting Background

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, First Edition dsp, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Soft Suede, various SU Markers.

Other: Color Spritzer Tool, Vintage Trinkets, Sponge, Hemp Twine, dimensionals

Thanks for hanging in there with my "brief" post! 

Hurricane, Sneak Peak, and directions to box

Well Hurricane Irene passed through yesterday and dropped lots of rain on her way. She was a Tropical Storm by the time she reached Western Massachusetts so we didn't feel the full impact but it was enough to make us nervous. Our city's rivers and creeks are super high and in some places have overflowed into roads and streets. We fared way better than other parts of New England. I hope to post some pictures later this week.

I have received some requests for the directions to the box I made for the Stampin Addicts Blog Hop. I wrote them out at the end of this post.

I wanted to show you this card I made for a wonderful hostess. It is a combination of an old stamp set, Aviary, and a Holiday Mini set, called Lighthearted. I guess now would be a good time to remind everyone that the Summer Mini order period ends August 31st which means the Holiday Mini order period begins September 1st. 

I sewed a border around a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock, then sponged it and layered onto a Crumb Cake card. Just for interest I added a Red Glimmer Paper punched heart to the sentiment. No extra postage required for this card! lol. 

Stamps: Aviary, Lighthearted (Holiday Mini)

Paper: Crumb Cake, Red Glimmer Paper

Ink: Early Espresso

Other: Small Heart Punch

My online store can be found Here.

Now for those directions. You can see all of the pictures by going to this post.

Bottom of the box: 

1. Cut a piece of Real Red cardstock to measure 6" x 6"

2. Score all 4 sides at 1-3/8". 

3. Cut into the score lines on 4 sides.

4. Emboss with Northern Flurry embossing folder.

5. Bend in the tabs and adhere.

Top of the box:

1. Cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock to measure 4-5/8" x 4-5/8" 

2. Score all 4 sides at 5/8"

3. Cut into the score lines on 4 sides.

4. Emboss with Snow Burst Embossing Folder.

5. Bend in the tabs and adhere.

Belly Band:

1. Cut strip of Silver Glimmer Paper (Holiday Mini) to measure 1/2" x 11"

2. Wrap it around the box loose enough to slide on and off. Crease and adhere ends with Sticky Strip.

3. Punch a piece of Real Red cardstock with Decorative Label Punch.

4. Punch a piece of Whisper White cardstock with Oval punch and adhere to Decorative Label.

5. Stamp and punch Stocking of choice. Adhere to label.

6. Attach label and stocking to the belly band with Sticky Strip. 

7. Add Stitched Felt Holly (Holiday Mini) with Mini Glue Dot.

8. Add bow made with 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon with Mini Glue Dot.

Any questions? Feel free to email me. 

Happy Monday!

Holiday Mini Blog Hop - Stampin Addicts Style!

Welcome to the Stampin Addicts Holiday Mini Blog Hop! 

Friday, August 26 - Sunday, August 29

Officially it starts at noon so if you arrive early, please check back later because the links may not be working till then!

Every stop features something from the Holiday Mini Catalog (products available Sept. 1)!

If you came from Jennifer Timko's blog, Stampin' on the Fly, you are at the correct place. If you just hopped on, that is ok too because the Hop goes full circle - just follow the links!

For my contribution to the Holiday Mini Blog Hop, I am featuring the stamp set, Stitched Stockings (as well as other Holiday Mini products)!

When I think of Christmas stockings I think of a fireplace so I created a fireplace using Well Worn designer paper and some cardstock. I went for a homey, country look with this card.

Holiday Mini Products used:

• Stamp: Stitched Stockings
• Stocking Builder Punch
• Mini Jingle Bell on the first stocking

Other products used: Woodgrain Background, Four the Holidays stamp sets, Well Worn dsp, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla cardstock; Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Night of Navy, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red ink; Metallic Brads, Button, Linen Thread, Sponge, Basic Pearl

Stockings aren't just for Christmas! They can also be Baby Booties! We have a new baby boy in our church family so this will be mailed to the proud parents.

Holiday Mini Products used:

• Stitched Stockings stamp set
• Stocking Builder Punch

Other products used: Petite Pairs, Distressed Dots Background stamp sets; Whisper White, Bashful Blue cardstock; Bashful Blue ink; Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots, Stripes embossing folders, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die, Bashful Blue Satin Ribbon, Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Baker's Twine, Buttons, dimensionals, sponge

And best of all, the stamp set, Stitched Stockings is perfect for 3 x 3 cards and/or tags. Here are some I made using lots of texture and embellishments. Since they won't be sent through the mail, they can really be jazzed up. I also made a simple square box with a belly band to hold them, (and envelopes), all together.

I wanted to give a close up of the box's top because of the texture from the new Snow Burst embossing folder, as well as the Silver Glimmer Paper and Stitched Felt Holly!

Holiday Mini Products used:

• Stitched Stockings stamp set
• Stockings Builder Punch
• Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
• Silver Glimmer Paper
• Mini Jingle Bell
• Stitched Felt (Holly)

Other products used: Petite Pairs stamp set; Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White cardstock; Red Glimmer Paper; Real Red, Garden Green ink; Decorative Label Punch, Oval Punches, Circle Punches, Doily Triple Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots, Houndstooth, Northern Flurry, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folders, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die, buttons, Real Red 1/8" ribbon, Mini Clothespin, Baker's Twine, Hemp Twine, Basic Rhinestones, brads, sponge, dimensionals, 3x 3 envelopes

I hope you are enjoying yourself so far! For more creative ideas, hop on over to Holly's (and her dog's) blog, Ink Paper Scissors. Wow!

Thank you so much for stopping. If you have time, I would love to hear your comments!

Not another one!

What a crazy summer! First a tornado hit our area for the first time ever. Then we had an earthquake this week - largest ever. And now Hurricane Irene is heading our way! We have had hurricanes before but still - enough already!

Fortunately the weather doesn't affect my stamping. And hopefully you haven't tired of the Delicate Doilies stamp set because it sure is popular! Pair it with the Flirtatious Specialty paper and has even more possibilities. 

And speaking of the Flirtatious Specialty paper - it comes with 2 sheets of diecut doilies attached to each other to make 2 pieces of 12 x 12 paper. When these doilies are cut apart they can be used as accents or layers! The best part is they are white on one side and Melon Mambo or Pumpkin Pie on the other. I used one for this card.

The large doily is from the Flirtatious Specialty paper. Its center is stamped and punched with one of the new In Color Brads for its center. My original card didn't have the white punched doily at the top. I added it as an afterthought right before I took the photo. 

All supplies are Stampin' Up! Just in case you would like to order, click HERE for my demo website. Once there, click on Shop Now in the upper right corner. Thanks for choosing me!

Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Petite Pairs

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Flirtatious Specialty paper

Ink: Wisteria Wonder

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Wisteria Wonder Ribbon, Circle punches, Oval punches, In Color Brad

Have a wonderful day whatever you may be doing.

Coming soon: Stampin Addicts Blog Hop featuring the Holiday Mini Catalog

Friday, August 26th - Sunday, August 28th

I have been working so hard on swaps and the upcoming Blog Hop, I haven't been able to stamp just to stamp. I did find this card in my photos. I can see why I didn't feel like sharing it - the stitching at the top is terrible! But I do like the rest of it so I added my watermark over half of the stitching. Don't look too close. Ok?

The flowers from Field Flowers stamp set is stamped directly on the Beyond the Garden designer paper, then layered on Whisper White, and layered on Whisper White again. 

Once I stamped the designer paper I cut it into 2 panels - just for the heck of it. And as an afterthought I stamped and cut out the flower centers. That's why the center of the bottom flower overlaps the divide. One more reason I didn't want to share this card!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Field Flowers

Paper: Whisper White, More Mustard, Beyond the Garden dsp

Ink: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: More Mustard Scallop Dots Ribbon, Circle Punches, Button, Twine

Thanks for stopping!

Temporarily upside down

I think this year's SU charity stamp set (benefiting Ronald McDonald House) is the BEST ever! It is called Turtle and Co. and the images and sentiments are adorable.

Today's card was made for my Stampin' Addict friend (Hi Deb!)who was having back issues a few weeks ago. I turned the turtle on her back and added the sentiment which fit the situation perfectly! Notice the red toenails?

If you look closely (or not) at my card you can see that something is missing. Count the bling in the corners. One, two, three,... yeah, four is missing! The rhinestone fell off somewhere between my desk and my photo area. I can't remember if I replaced it or not so Deb - I hope 4 rhinestones were on your card! lol.

Supplies - Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Turtle and Co. 

Paper: Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Watercolor Paper, Just Add Cake dsp

Ink: Black Stazon, Stampin' Up! Markers

Other: Basic Rhinestones, Ticket Corner Punch, Circle Punches, Blender Pen

Thanks for stopping!

Little bird in its nest

Last month, as you may recall from an earlier post, I decided I needed to make some "Thinking of You" cards to have on hand because they are so versatile. I haven't been too successful in keeping any on hand because I send them out - which is a good thing!


One of my faithful customers has been having a rough year, even more so recently. No details but I felt she needed a card. This is the card I made and sent. It uses the new stamp set, Best of Everything and has a few notable details which I thought you might like to see.

1. I used the Stripes textured impressions embossing folder, after I stamped the flowers along the bottom, to make my fence. It is similar to what I did with this card I made HERE (click). Below is a closeup of today's card but it still doesn't show as much detail as I would like it to.

2. I rolled up some of our Twine and made a nest for my birdie! Sticky Strip kept it in place. 

3. I am not one to sew on my cards but I tried it with this one - just to add some detail around the edges.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! (except the sewing stuff)!


Stamps: Best of Everything, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade (new In Color), Early Espresso
Ink: Lucky Limeade (new In Color), Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Wisteria Wonder (new In Color)
Accessories: Twine, Sticky Strip, dimensionals, Oval Scallop punch, Oval punch, Scallop Border punch, Basic Pearl, Itty Bitty Punch pack, Wisteria Wonder Ribbon, Big Shot, Stripes tief


Thanks for stopping. I hope you will also take the time to make a "Thinking of You" card and bless someone in your life!

What I love about Delicate Doilies

One of the things I love about the Delicate Doilies stamp set is the way it can be used by itself or as a back drop for other stamped image. That is what I did with this card.

The doilies are embossed in white and are layered behind the stamped images from Flower Fest stamp set. For the flowers I used the ever so lovely Flirtatious Specialty paper. That way I didn't have to do any coloring! And to speed up the process even more, I was able to punch the images rather than cut them by hand. 

I wanted the embossed edge to stand out a little so I lightly sponged White craft ink over it. I suppose I could have sanded the edges but sponging was easier. 

This is a card I made for the ladies in my Stampin Addicts monthly swap. I only had to make 4 but it was very easy to reproduce!


All supplies are Stampin' Up! If you are interested in ordering, just click here.


Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Flower Fest, Petite Pairs
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Flirtatious Specialty paper
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, White Craft
Other: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, White embossing powder, Basic Rhinestones, Wisteria Wonder Ribbon, Scallop Circle punch, Fancy Flower Punch, Circle Punches, dimensionals


Happy Friday!

Always upload photos of cards before it's too late.

Let me explain. Last week we went to a wedding so I made a card the morning of the wedding. I don't always have the foresight to photograph my card before I give them away or mail them! But this time I did. That is the good news. The bad news I didn't upload the photos until after the wedding and you can probably guess where I am going with this right? 

The photographs were not very good at all. And of course it was too late to take some more. I did the best I could with photoshop but as you can see (or not), the details are not clear.

I stamped the card with white on white and embossed with white which makes a lovely wedding card. For this particular wedding card I stamped the background with En Francais and then stamped over that with the swirly stamp from Creative Elements. It is subtle but elegant.

The stamped background is layered onto the square white base card. 

Note: it looks like the embossed oval frame is surrounded by pearls but it really isn't. The photo just makes it look that way. Wouldn't that be gorgeous if it was!?

Supplies:

Stamps: En Francais, Creative Elements, Happiness Always (Summer Mini)

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Whisper White craft

Accessories: Big Shot, Designer Frames embossing folder, Basic Pearls, White Organdy Ribbon, Oval Punch, White Embossing Powder, dimensionals

See anything you like? If you would like to place an order from me,  it is easy to do so. Just click here to go to my demonstrator website and click on shop now in the upper right corner. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Those new designer frames

ETA: My first published post didn't include the photo for some reason! I have no idea where it went!

You may have noticed on a few of my projects, namely the ones I made for the Stampin Addicts Blog Hop, I used small embossed frames. These were made with the new Designer Frames textured embossing folders. 

The embossing folders come 2 to a package - one oval, one rectangle. I really, really love these 2 frames/folders and hope Stampin' Up! makes some more!

I used the rectangular frame for today's card. These frames aren't die cut so they need to be torn or, as in today's sample, cut with scissors - if you want to layer them, that is.

       

I wanted the script to "skip" spots so I embossed the frame first, then stamped.

My focal images are the 3 darling little butterflies from the Kindness Matters stamp set. The sentiment and curly-q thing also belong to that stamp set. It is such a great stamp set and inexpensive too!

Stamps: Kindness Matters, En Francais

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party

Ink: Pool Party

Other: Big Shot, Designer Frames tief, mini glue dots

Happy Friday, happy stamping!

Good enough to eat!

Another swap card today. This one was one I made for the Control Freaks (a group of stampers) Pre-order swap. I am so humbled and honored to be in this group because those ladies are so talented.

This was a swap using pre-ordered sets from the new catalog. I chose Cherish Friendship because of the delightful images, all requiring coloring of some kind.:)

Here is my card.

To make this card, I used the Black Stampin' Journaler and a straight edge to draw the lines on the cards background. This made a frame for the focal point. 

The stamped bowl of cherries was done with Watercolor paper, Black Stazon, and Stampin' Up! Markers. After I layered it on my card front I added a strip of pleated First Edition designer paper. Love that paper!

Stamps: Cherish Friendship and Tiny Tags

Paper: Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla cardstock, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Black Stampin' Journaler, SU Markers

Other: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Jewelry Tag punch, Sticky Strip, dimensionals, Blender Pen, Circle Punch

Thanks for stopping!

On the Grow Swap

This is yet another swap card! I made it for an ongoing swap over at Stampin Addicts. We can use any stamp image, so for this particular card I chose On the Grow from the Summer Mini. This set contains the  lovely vase of flowers as seen in this post HERE. And it contains this darling little scooter. I love the basket on the back! 

Once again I used Black Stazon on Watercolor Paper and Stampin' UP! markers. The markers really give the image lots of vibrant color. One of the requirements of our swap is an embellishment. I tend to go overboard on embellishments because there are so many to choose. But in this case I added just one button threaded with Baker's Twine, and placed off to the side to balance the sentiment.

Stamps: On the Grow (Summer Mini)

Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Water Color Paper, First Edition dsp

Ink: Black Stazon, Crumb Cake, SU markers

Accessories: Button, Baker's Twine, Blender Pen

Click here if you would like to order from my demonstrator website.


And thank you so much for taking the time to stop in.

Flower Fest all gussied up

Sometimes I create clean and simple cards, sometimes I don't. Today's card is one of the latter. I embossed, sponged, punched, layered - you name it! lol.

It's hard to see but the first layer of cardstock was embossed with the Perfect Details Texturz plate to give the impression of lattice.

To create my stamped images I used the Flower Fest stamp set and Versamark ink. Then I embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and sponged on the colors.

You can see the layers from this angle. 

The card is 5 inches square and fits in our square envelopes. I know they require extra postage but sometimes they are so worth it!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! If you would like to place an order from me, just click here to go to my demonstrator website.

Stamps: Flower Fest, Happy Greetings (Summer Mini)

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Versamark

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Scallop Oval die, Scallop punches, Butterfly punch, Scallop Oval punch, dimensionals, sponges, White Satin Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping!

Touch of Kindness Control Freaks Swap

I keep forgetting to post this card - I have had it waiting for quite a while now! It is my swap card that I made for the Control Freaks Summer Mini Swap.

I chose to use the darling, Touch of Kindness stamp set. It is my kind of set - cats, birds, and coloring.

You know me - I like to give illusions sometimes and this is one of those times. I embossed the background to give the illusion of a flower garden. The bird bath is in the garden, the sun is shining and the kitty is behaving but is he, "thinking of the birds" perhaps?

I used Black Stazon to stamp the images on Watercolor Paper and then used Stampin' Up! Markers to do the coloring. If you haven't tried Black Stazon for watercoloring, you should. It is a nice permanent black!

Stamps: Touch of Kindness (Summer Mini)

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight ink; Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango markers

Accessories: Blender Pen, Basic Rhinestones, Circle punch, Scallop circle punch, Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, Pear Pizzazz ribbon, dimensionals

Thanks for checking in. Happy Monday!