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Fresh Birthday

Fresh Birthday published on 19 Comments on Fresh Birthday

I wanted a little change of pace from the “clean” cards I made for the blog hop last weekend.  I must say that Funky Four pretty much demands a clean style.  For today’s card, I pulled out a set that has been languishing in my stamp drawer for far too long…Fresh Cuts.  I found yet another great sketch from the Operators at Stampin’ 411:

They really have a knack for a great layout!  I, like many of you, have a stash of designer paper.  When things retire, I hold on to my very favorites.  One of the DSPs from last year that I just loved was Nouveau Chic.  The colors are so pretty together and seemed to fit my stamping mood.  Gray, icy, a little distressed…just like the view outside my window today.

As a starting point, I stamped the “background” image from Fresh Cuts in Sage Shadow (retired) and then stamped the leaf image in Basic Gray over it.  After that I chose the papers for the panels and distressed everything.  It was still missing something so I stamped the words and punched them out with my Large Oval Punch and put on a Scallop Oval base.  Finally, I added some Basic Gray Taffeta ribbon using the scrunching technique and frayed the ends a bit.

Hint:  Once you have distressed the edges of your designer paper, sponge some color on the edges to finish the look (Basic Gray used here).

So glad you were able to stop in today.  I hope you are not adversely affected by the huge weather pattern crossing the U.S. today!!  See you again on Thursday for another ColorLab Challenge.

Stamp:  Fresh Cuts (111634); Paper:  Nouveau Chic DSP (retired), Basic Gray (121044), Very Vanilla (101650); Ink:  Sage Shadow (retired), Basic Gray (120966); Accessories:  Basic Gray Taffeta (retired), Large Oval Punch (119855), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Antique Brads (117273), Sponges (101610), Dimensionals (104430)

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Stylish Blogger?

Stylish Blogger? published on 6 Comments on Stylish Blogger?

Who would have thought that I could be stylish??!!  Apparently, two of my favorite stampers do and that means a lot to me!!  Cindy over at Heart’s Delight Cards and Heidi at RunningwScissorsStamper have awarded me this honor.  Thanks to both of them!!

Now the rules of this are:

I have to tell you 8 things that you may not know about me and pass this on to 8 of my favorite stampers.  So here goes with what you may not know:

1.  I grew up in Orlando, Florida and much of my family still lives in Florida.

2.  I was a Math major at Florida State University and was in Air Force ROTC there.  This is where I started flying and had the good fortune of being selected to go to Pilot Training.

3.  I lived in the country of Panama for three years.

4.  I have been qualified on lots of airplanes in my life:  T-37, T-38 (Instructor), C-130E/H, B727 (Flight Engineer), B737, B757, B767, Airbus 319/320.

5.  I look forward to the day that the pilots and other employees of United Airlines get reprieve from the bankruptcy contract where they took 50-65% pay cuts to save the company.

6.  I love stamping with my friends!  They make the most beautiful cards and they have a wonderful variety of styles.  I always learn something from them.

7.  I really, REALLY want to go to Stampin’ Up’s Convention this year so that I can meet in person some of the lovely stamping friends I have met through my blog.

8.  I have never been very artsy until the last few years.  While I was on maternity leave with my oldest, my husband deployed for the beginning of the Iraq war.  In order to fill time, I went to Stampin’ Up classes, sewing classes, cake decorating classes.  One of the reasons I love Stampin’ Up so much is that the products proved to me that I have a creative side and made it easy to make beautiful things!  Oh, and I still make cakes too.

Cindy and Heidi are a great source of inspiration.  Others whose blogs I love (in no particular order):

1.  Sarah Wills – http://sarahsinkspot.com/blog/

2.  Debra Burgin – http://heartfeltinkspiration.com/

3.  Krystal De Leeuw – http://krystalscardsandmore.blogspot.com/

4.  Yapha Mason – http://yaphamason.com/

5.  Lisa Young – http://addinkandstamp.blogspot.com/

6.  Jen Mitchell – http://www.jen-icreate.blogspot.com/

7.  Jennifer Weide – http://www.sunflowerstamper.com/

8.  Karen Barber – http://karenbarberstamps.blogspot.com/

I hope you have learned a little about me and maybe found a new favorite blog to go visit.  Thanks for stopping in today.  I’ll be back next Tuesday with SUO Challenge #11 and I’m busily working on my projects for the Stampin’ Addicts SAB Blog Hop that starts in a week.  See you soon!

Crazy about MDS!

Crazy about MDS! published on 10 Comments on Crazy about MDS!

You may have noticed that I have updated the look of my blog banner!  It may even look familiar and you would be right.  It is the Travel Journal DSP from last year’s Summer Mini made into a Digital Kit for My Digital Studio (MDS).  The digital kit not only includes the paper but the stamp set too!  I have to admit that it seems tailor made for a blog called Stampin’ on the Fly!!  All I had to do was copy the paper as a JPEG file and insert it into my header.  Easy, peasy!! 

With that done, I moved on to making my own shopping button.  As promised, I now have an on-line store and wanted my button to match the blog header.  I started with a blank card template, filled an oval punch with “paper” then added my airplane stamp and a text box.  A little swirl (made with low opacity) and I was done.  I love it!  I also love that I can change the look anytime I want.

I have a couple more pictures to show you from an MDS calendar I created for my husband as a Christmas present.  I downloaded the Notable Desktop Calendar Kit and all I had to do was put in the pictures.  I changed very little because the pages are so great! 

I might be a little biased but aren’t these pages awesome??!!  This is what the kit contains:

The “paper” in the set is really fantastic and you can see how well done the layouts are.  Both of these kits are available for MDS in Window or Mac OS X.  I am a My Digital Studio Certified Instructor so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  If you want to see more of the downloads available, take a look at the Digital Crafting section of my online store.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Let me know what fabulous things you have created with MDS…I’d love to see them! 

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Sale-a-bration Starter Kit Bonus Bundle

Sale-a-bration Starter Kit Bonus Bundle published on No Comments on Sale-a-bration Starter Kit Bonus Bundle

We all know that Sale-a-bration (SAB) is truly a time for celebration at Stampin’ Up!  If you have received your SAB flyer, take a look at the back page and you will see a special offer.  If you start your Stampin’ Up business during Sale-a-bration (Jan. 25th – Mar. 31st), you will receive a bonus bundle of over $50 in free products.  That’s right, more free products!!  Take a look at what you can get:

Color Coach   p. 155

Something Special Simply Sent (or any Simply Sent Kit)   p. 183

Live, Laugh, Love Stamp Set (or any Simply Sent stamp set)   p. 183

Heart to Heart Punch (or any punch values $17.95 or less)   p. 202  

 This is in addition to the amazing savings already offered on the Starter Kit!  There are so many advantages to starting your business during Sale-a-bration!  When you sign up to be a demonstrator, you save 30% on your first demonstrator order (made within 45 days).  During SAB, you will also receive your SAB benefits and free stamps for that order along with any hostess benefits.  WOW!!

I’d love you to consider starting your business with me.  If you have questions or need further information, you can click here for my contact information.  Becoming a Stampin’ Up demonstrator is one of the best decisions I have ever made.  Let me help you take your next step on your creative journey!

My Blog-iversary Celebration!

My Blog-iversary Celebration! published on 24 Comments on My Blog-iversary Celebration!

Technically, my blog-iversary was last week (Jan. 5th) but this seemed a better week to celebrate.  As promised, I am bringing you a box tutorial today and, as part of the celebration, some blog candy!  Ohh, I love blog candy!!  Since the box used to make the tutorial is already spoken for, I made another one with a little set of matching cards.  Now in order to be in the running to win this set, you have to do two things.  First you have to leave me a comment and (a little harder) tell me which of my cards has been your favorite over the last year (I love to see which ones are really hits!).  I will randomly choose a winner from all the comments left through 10pm EST on Sunday, Jan. 16th and announce the winner on Monday.  Winner must have a U.S. mailing address.  I think my favorite is from the post Monochromatic Wish and I used this as a model for some of my Christmas cards this year. Now to the tutorial.

Start with 2 pieces of card stock measuring 4 1/8″ x 6″, 2 pieces of designer paper measuring 3 1/4″ x 4 3/8″ and 2 pieces of designer paper measuring 3 1/4″ x 7/8″.  Any additional embellishments are up to you.  Score the card stock along the long side at 4 1/2″ and 5 1/2″ and on the short side at 3/4″.  Fold along all the score lines and cut off the little rectangle as shown in the picture.

Attach the designer paper and then run a line of Sticky Strip down the narrow flap on each piece of card stock.  Pull the red protection layer off of one strip and attach it to the inner side of the large rectange on the sister piece of stock.  Finish the sides of the box by doing the same with the other narrow flap.

Tuck the little bottom flaps in first and then run another line of Sticky Strip along one of the bottom flaps (the one that will be at the outside of the box bottom).  Now you can decorate the box however you want!  This will hold 4-5 cards and their envelopes depending on the decorations on the cards.  I like that you can see the top part of the cards and any stamping on the envelopes.  It is also great because it is super quick to put together…perfect as a gift or blog candy!!

Oh, yes…back to the blog candy!  Here are some pictures of the set you are entering for:

This is a four card set with two “thanks” cards and two “for you” cards.  Only four fit in the box because of the size of the bow.  That said, it would be easy to give the box more depth by simply making the stock a little longer and scoring wider apart.  I used the Friends Never Fade stamp set and the Greenhouse Gala DSP to decorate this box and make the cards.  They are done in Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso and Whisper White.

I pulled out the tag punches and flowers cut from Greenhouse Gala to make the little tag on the box.  It was stamped with Teeny Tiny Wishes, a wonderfully versatile set that I reach for all the time!  The bow on the cards uses the technique I showed in a previous tutorial – Ribbons and Bows.  The only difference is that I left tails on the cards’ bows.  This is a bow I use all the time and I can show that further if there is enough interest (just let me know by your comments).  The bow on the box uses a threaded button to cinch it down but is very similar.  I tried to keep the embellishments down to a minimum since the simplicity is part of the joy of this project!

This first year with the blog has had quite a learning curve and I so appreciate the lovely comments and support you have given.  Things to look for in the upcoming year…a new Demonstrator Based Web Site (DBWS) where you can order from the comfort of your home (coming Jan. 17th), added features to help with the blog ease of use and, of course, more projects!  Thanks for stopping by today.  I can’t wait to see your comments!

Stamps:  Say It Simply (Occasions Mini), Friends Never Fade; Paper:  Greenhouse Gala DSP, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso; Accessories:  Espresso Satin Ribbon, Neutrals Buttons, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots

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Delightfully Dazzling

Delightfully Dazzling published on No Comments on Delightfully Dazzling

As promised, today’s card is actually not made by me but came all the way from Australia to my little mailbox in Virginia.  What a lovely, lovely treat!!  Monica made this beauty and I must say that, while it is stunning in the picture, it is spectacular in person!  The camera simply can’t capture the sparkle of the Dazzling Diamonds on the ornament.

I just love how that ornament from Delightful Decorations is suspended in the oval.  Make sure you go over and check out the other wonderful things she has made on Monica’s Blog and don’t forget to leave her some comments about this card. 

I’ll be back tomorrow with a new color challenge from ColorLab that uses one of my all time favorite colors (it returned because I think I wasn’t the only one!)…hint, hint!  Have a great Wednesday!

Here comes Santa…

Here comes Santa… published on 6 Comments on Here comes Santa…

And he is all ready for your presents.  This is another of my tags for my class last week.  It is a pretty direct CASE of “Melbarkwith” over at Splitcoaststampers.  Melissa’s blog is great and here is the card I used.  I love that these are perfect for my kids’ presents.  Even better, some of my class members are going to use them for teacher gifts.  I added the Dazzling Diamonds with my Two-Way Glue Pen to give ol’ Santa a little sparkle.  His face has a little Blush Blossom to make him rosier.  I am just in love with stamp set and all of the possibilities.  While the previous tags I posted were my favorites, my boys liked this one the best.  I guess Santa just has that effect on children! 

Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope to see you again soon!

Hoopla Holiday Tree Tags

Hoopla Holiday Tree Tags published on 11 Comments on Hoopla Holiday Tree Tags

I have decided that I must use the word ‘hoopla’ more since it seems to perfectly describe the feeling I have during holiday preparation.  More tags today!  This may be my favorite for this year.  I used the tree from the Holiday Hoopla set and colored with my Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler markers.  The versatility of this set is just wonderful!!  And guess what…the Free for All Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers uses songs from the Nutcracker Suite as inspiration.  I chose Act 1:  Number 1 The Christmas Tree.  I love that music and will now be humming it all day! 

The tag base is the Two Tags die for my Big Shot and the paper used is the Jolly Holiday DSP from the main catalog.  I like that this is so cute but easy enough to make in quantity. 

Now that my tags are pretty much done, you can expect to see some more cards in the upcoming days.  It is crunch time and I still have some work to do to get my card list completed. 

Have a great weekend and take time to enjoy the hoopla!!

Stamps:  Holiday Hoopla, Short & Sweet; Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP; Ink:  Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler; Accessories:  Big Shot, Two Tags Die, Dimensionals, 1/8″ Vanilla Tafetta Ribbon

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Deck the Halls with Two Tags

Deck the Halls with Two Tags published on 12 Comments on Deck the Halls with Two Tags

It may not show it from my lack of posting, but I have been busy, busy, busy!  I have a Christmas Tags Class tomorrow (actually two) and have been putting the finishing touches on the designs and cutting paper.  I’m so excited about the tags and will show the rest later this week but here is a sneak peek for those who are coming tomorrow.  Conveniently enough, Our Creative Corner has a tags challenge this week and Diva Coffee Break Designs has a layout challenge, DCBD#205.  I saw these trees from the fabulously talented Heidi Baks and I knew I had to try them.  I used two versions with my Two Tags die.  I can’t wait to make these with my stampers tomorrow!!

Aren’t these trees cool??!!  And not nearly so hard as they look!  I used my Deck the Halls paper along with Always Artichoke and Crumb Cake.  I particularly like the darker Cherry Cobbler background paper because it has the words for ‘O Christmas Tree’. 

Well, off to finish the last cutting.  Hope you are enjoying your first day of December!!

Birthday 411

Birthday 411 published on 10 Comments on Birthday 411

This was supposed to get posted yesterday but it has been THAT week.  Yes, the phone line/DSL line went weird, the garage door opener quit opening and we came home from church yesterday to find that the dishwasher was leaking in the kitchen.  The phone line is still crazy, the garage door is fixed and my brilliant husband found the cracked fitting and stopped the leak.  But the insanity didn’t allow time for posting. 

I had some little boy birthday cards to make this weekend and needed them fast.  So I got the Stampin’ 411 sketch for this week and got to work.  Actually, I had looked at the sketch in the morning and then remembered that I hadn’t made the cards for the party and then panicked and started stamping.  Fortunately, the layout was one that stuck in my head (love that kind of layout!!) and I think I mostly kept it right.

I started with my Play Date DSP (it is currently on sale as part of the Online Spectacular!) and added in a little of my Brights Pattern Paper.  Minimal stamping and maximum use of the DSP…a sure way to keep it quick!  My favorite part of the Play Date paper is that you can pop up the special birthday number!  The cupcake comes from Party Hearty and the little sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  These are pretty basic cards so I think the rest is self-explanatory.  Here they are:

With any luck my DSP connection will stay working and I will be able to post a little more tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by today and I’ll see you again soon!

Card 1:  Stamps:  Party Hearty, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Brights Pattern Pack, Baja Breeze, Whisper White; Ink:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze; Accessories:  Bright Buttons, Dimensionals, Thread

Card 2:  Stamp:  None; Paper:  Play Date DSP, Brights Patterns Pack, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise; Accessories:  Brights Buttons, Thread

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