Artisan Wednesday Wow - 02/27/13

Hooray!! It's Artisan Wednesday Wow time!! I am always sooo awed by what my fellow-Artisan-Design-Team Members come up with each week!! Like my good friend, Sarah Sagert! That women is a GENIUS!! Click on her name to check out what she made!! Or, just follow the "click here" button at the bottom of this post and you will be able to see what EVERYone did (and it'll park ya right back here once you have gone through!!)!

I think y'all NEED some of this canvas ... it's called "Canvas Creations" ... and it's SO MUCH FUN!! I made the rosette using the canvas and the Distressed Dots background stamp. I love the how the canvas takes the ink ... it's not bold and heavy, but it gives it a really cool look!

I kinda struggled with the layout on this one ... I had SUCH a great idea in my head, but for some reason I couldn't get it from my head to the tips of my fingers! (I'm sure you have ALL been there/done that!)!! And I am hoping to evoke a little SPRING with this color combo!! I'm needin' it!!

Stamps: Collage Curios, Distressed Dots, Sweet Essentials
Paper: Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Soda Pop Tops, 1" Circle Punch, Canvas Creations, Rose Red Seam Binding, Elegant Eggplant Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon, Word Window Punch Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Silver Basics Designer Buttons

And now? Look at what my super-talented friend, Amy Bollman, has created!! Incredible!

Choose the Right ...

Last week, my adorable little cousin, Emma, turned 8 years old. I actually remember turning 8 years old myself (which was a reaaalllly long time ago!)!! I remember the little white, lacy dress I had with the navy blue grosgrain ribbon tie that went around my (then-non-existent) hips. I wore that dress on the day I was baptized.

For children raised in the LDS faith, turning 8 is a big-mega-deal!! That is the year you can choose to be baptized. And the little shield on this card is an icon that helps us remember to choose the right in all that we do (hence, the acronym CTR). Back in the day (when I was a young girl of 8), children were given little silver rings with a green CTR shield logo at church upon turning 8. In recent years, CTR rings have kinda become a fashion statement (coming is all sizes, shapes, colors and designs!), if you will. I have seen so many different incarnations (MUCH better than the little adjustable, wrap-around dealio I got when I was little that not only had a green shield, but also turned my finger green! Which I still have, btw, but I digress ...)

Of course, adding flowers, ribbon and blingy rhinestones to the CTR logo also goes a long way in winning the smile from an 8-year-old (I was TACKLED with hugs when I gave Emma this card). What better response to giving a hand-made card is there than getting crushed by hugs from a 8-year-old??? Can't thing of one single response I have EVER had that made me happier!!

Truth be told, I actually still wear a ring with the CTR shield on it ... every day. Reminds me to try to be my best in all that I do (and it was pointed out to me that I WAS wearing it by the same 8-year-old!!)! Certainly put a happy on MY day!!

The other day when I answered the phone at work, the person on the other end asked the ever-common question "How are you?," to which I gave the ever-common reply, "Great! How are you?" His response? "Happy!" That was my FAVORITE!! Think I'm gonna use that one whenever anyone asks "How are you?" Made my day!!

Have a gloriously-fabulous weekend, everyone!

Stamps: Raining Flowers, Bloomin' Marvelous (SAB)
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Cricut, (CTR logo was an SVG file I found online), Melon Mambo Taffeta Ribbon, Oval Punch, Little Leaves Sizzlets Die, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Basics

Artisan Wednesday Wow - 02/20/13

Welcome to another "Artisan Wednesday Wow" ... Wasn't Sarah's project great?? (If you haven't seen it, you can click on her name to go back, or follow the hop all the way around and see it that way!)




I haven't done a butterfly card for a while (and y'all KNOW how I am about butterflies!!). I bought the Bitty Butterfly punch on my first order from the Spring Catalog, but somehow put it away so well I couldn't find it!! (It was actually right where it belonged in my punch drawer, it was just turned on its side, so it was hiding!) SOOO fun that the Bitty Butterfly punch is PERFECT for layering with the Elegant Butterfly punch, right??

Stamps: Feel Goods
Paper: Not Quite Navey, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Parker's Patterns DSP
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies, Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon, Soda Pop Tops, 1" Circle Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Boutique Boxes Designer Printed Kit (Doily and Baker's Twine), Silver Mini Brads, Festive Paper Piercing Pack

Moving on to the ever-wonderful Amy Bollman!!!

Springy Freaky Fun!

It's coming up on Spring (I HOPE!!) and it's time for The Freaks to share some of the things from the new Spring Catalog. Did you see JanTink's AMAZINGNESS? She is AWESOME!!






First of all ... I am happy-happy-happy with the Rain or Shine stamp set!! These little umbrellas are just the ca-YOOT-est things ever!! I see myself having lots and LOTS of fun with these!

Stamps: Rain or Shine
Paper: Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
Accessories: 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Word Window Punch, Rosette Bigz Die, Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

And one more for ya ... I seem to get "reeled" in on every single stinkin' ocean/fishing stamp set Stampin' Up has ever made! Sooo good for "dude" cards ...

Stamps: By the Tide, Best of Birthdays
Paper: Calypso Coral, Not Quite Navy, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink: Calypso Coral, Not Quite Navy, Pool Party, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, 1" Square Punch, Large (Wide) Oval Punch, Linen Thread, Wooden Skewer

Moving on to the SUPER-TALENTED LeeAnn Greff!!

Oh, Hello!

Other than products featured in the Sale-a-Bration catalog, we (the Artisan Design Team) were asked to "feature" this stamp set ... "Oh Hello!" ... and it was SOOOO hard because SU hadn't received their shipment of oval dies (which go PERFECTLY with this set since it has an oval-shaped stamp in it!). I REALLY had to dig deep to come up with ideas ...

This first card was my favorite one I made with this set (although, it seems I "retooled" it about 6 times!) ...

Stamps:  Oh, Hello!
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango
Accessories:  2 1/2" Circle Punch, Large (Wide) Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Tangerine Tango Taffeta Ribbon


This card ended up being WAY "busier" than I had planned, but I really love this color scheme.

Stamps:  Oh, Hello!
Paper:  Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  Elegant Eggplant Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon



And THIS scrapbook layout was the bane of my existence!!! I musta rearranged this thing forEVER!! Just could NOT get it laid out the way my brain had pre-envisioned it!! YIKES!! HATE when that happens. I told my son I had used these pictures of him AFTER I had mailed this to SU ... MUCH easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right??

Stamps:  Oh, Hello!
Paper:  Polka Dot Parade DSP, Marina Mist, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink:  Basic Black
Accessories:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Bold Brights Buttons, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Typeset Alphabet Bigz Dies

I almost NEVER get Mondays "off" ... but today is President's Day ... headed out for a run and then I am gonna come home and work from HOME (so, not really a day off, but I don't hafta sit in an office, so that helps!)!

Fab Friday #12

Welcome to another Fab Friday!! And it's a Color Challenge Day!!

I love color challenges ... I sometimes get stuck in the same-ol'-same-ol' color schemes So getting new ideas of things to put together helps me shake out the cobwebs, know what I mean??

Stamps: Rain or Shine
Paper: Blue Bayou, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink: Blue Bayou, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bitty Punch Pack, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Certainly Celery Brad (Soft Subtles), Wild Wasabi Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon






Pretty, pretty color combo, don'tcha think??







Here's a link to the Fab Friday Challenge Blog so you can play along:

Fab Friday Challenge Blog

Check out the Fab blogs of my fellow Fab Friends:

Mindy Backes
Cindy Beach
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Amy O'Neill
Marla Reed
Pam Steckman
Jan Tinklenberg

Very excited to see what y'all come up with!!

Happy Day of LOVE!

It's Valentine's Day ... and frankly, I'm feeling a little sad. Mostly because all three of my children are spread to the far corners of the earth (between Logan and Provo!)! They aren't here for me to squeeze!!! Soooo hard!! I may actually see ONE of them today, but the other two will be out of hugging range ALL DAY!!! Sigh ... I am NOT old enough to have a sorta empty nest ...

A couple more cards to share today. I made both of these for the get-together I had a week ago last Friday at my friend's house (I've already shared one of the other cards we made). Always fun to get together with others who share your passion for a fun hobby, right???

Stamps:  Hearts a Flutter, Fabulous Phrases
Paper:  Whisper White, Red Glimmer
Ink:  Basic Black, Real Red
Accessories:  Honeycomb Textured Impessions Embossing Folder, Hearts a Flutter Framelites Die, Little Labels Punch Pack, Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Simply Scored


And this is the last one we made. I always love black/red/white (or as on this one, Very Vanilla) together. Sooo classic. The little splash of "champagne" (via glimmer paper) also makes me happy!

Stamps:  Ciao Baby
Paper:  Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Red Glimmer, Champagne Glimmer
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Scallop Square Bigz Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Hearts a Flutter Framelits Die, Petite Curly Label Punch, Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler Scallop Polka Dot Ribbon, Large Scallop Edgelits Die

Be sure to share the hugs and don't be afraid to tell EVERYone in your life who is special to you that you LOVE them to you!! Love to ALL OF YOU!!

Artisan Wednesday Wow - 02/13/13

Welcome to another "Wednesday Wow" ... brought to you by Stampin' Up's very own Artisan Design Team (still having a hard time believing I'm even here!)!! Following the hop all the way around, you should have just come from the incomparable Sarah Sagert. She inspires me with EVERYthing she does!!

This month, we are focusing on some wonderful goodness from the 2013 Spring Catalog. And I am IN LOVE with the "Parker's Patterns" designer series paper!! I think it is the absolute PERFECT paper when you need to make a "dude" card (and y'all KNOW how I have struggled with those!)! So, once again, I am resorting to a more "pieced quilt"-lookin' sorta creation. I have a feeling that I am going to be getting a LOT of mileage out of this paper (as well as the Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon ... LOVE THAT, too!)

Stamps: A Little Greeting
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Parker's Patterns DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Postage Stamp Punch, 1" Square Punch, Small Oval Punch, Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon, Silver Basics Designer Buttons, Linen Thread
Next up? Amazing Amy Bollman!! Her creations are wonderful!!

Love-ly Pillow

I'm in trouble!!! I have been making a LOT of Valentine-y types of projects, and i only have a few more days in which to post photos of them!! AND with Artisan Wednesday Wow coming on, well, Wednesday ... sit back and fasten your seatbelts!!

I had SOOO much fun making this pillow ... it's approximately 19"x19" ... it took me a LOT longer than I had planned when I started, but it makes me pretty happy!!

And, despite the fact that I was trying to talk myself OUT of doing any sewing by hand, I sewed 16 buttons and 8 ribbons on to the front of this baby after I had done the machine quilting. Sometimes I should just quit fighting the ideas that pop into my head and just roll with 'em!!

Paper: Pool Party
Accessories: More Amore Designer Fabric, Hearts a Flutter Framlelits Dies, Real Red ¼” Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Bitty Buttons (Circles), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (Circle), Red Fabric, White Fabric, Dacron (for quilted top and pillow), Heat & Bond Iron-On Adhesive, Sewing Machine, Thread

Valentine Blues ...

I was asked by my BFF, Tootie (hey, girl!) to come up with a few card ideas that we could make together with a couple of HER BFF's last week. We had a GREAT time ... good food, good company ... and STAMPIN'!!

This is one of the samples I came up with. Wanna know something funny? Her one friend who had NEVER picked up a SINGLE stamp before was the first one done with all three of the cards we made ... and she did an AWESOME job, too!! Made me smile ... I think I may have ignited the "bug" in her ...


I spent most of yesterday cooking soup. My book group girlfriends came over and we talked and laughed and ate and listened to a FANTASTIC book review. Now, my house smells like onions, and garlic, and ginger, and cerrano chiles, AND a little bit of spicy sausage ... not a bad thing, right (I made three different soups, so that would account for the cacophony of smells!)???

And there are PLENTY of leftovers so I won't have to cook at ALL today!! YAY!!!

Stamps: Hearts a Flutter, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pool Party
Accessories: Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Vine Street Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bitty Buttons, Pool Party Baker's Twine, Word Window Punch

Artisan Wednesday Wow

Welcome to the first "official" Artisan Wednesday Wow blog hop!! If you have been following the hop around, you just "jumped" here from Sarah Sagert's BEAUTIFUL scrapbook page creation!! The "More Amore" suite of goodies is AWESOME!!

Today we are sharing the projects we made for Stampin' Up's Facebook page ... and I made a Valentine "Countdown" board. I bought some cork tiles at a local store ... I added a little layer of batting on the top tile, wrapped it in the BEAUTIFUL fabric from the More Amore Designer Fabric kit, then added another layer of cork tile to make the board thick enough to bury pins in!!

I bagged up some little treats and pinned them to the board, then hung the little numbered tags I made off of each treat. Fun way to count down to the "Day of Love", right????

Stamps: MDS Typewriter Numbers Stamp Brush Set
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Ink: None
Accessories: Hearts a Fluttter Framelits Dies, Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/2" Circle Punch, Medium Transluscent Clear Envelopes, Linen Thread, Dacron, Cork Tiles, Push Pins, Assorted Candy


Now, it's time to "jump" on over to peek at the WONDERFUL scrapbook page created by Amy Bollman ... it makes me SMILE!!

Whoooosh!!!

That sound?? Just the sound of another weekend come and gone!! Honestly, how DOES that happen so quickly every single weekend??? And I never seem to get HALF the stuff done that I plan to!! Yikes!!! While there was a MAJOR sporting event going on downstairs on the tv there (I have never been able to "get" how you can stayed glued to a 4+-hour slow-moving game of football!), I was upstairs playing with MDS on my computer and watching old episodes of "Bones" on Netflix ... but, I digress ...

This card was a lesson in stamp-a-ma-jiggin'! I went several years stamping where I NEVER even TOUCHED a Stamp-a-ma-jig! Have NO idea how I got along withOUT one!! I can't seem to stamp "straight" to save my life!! This is quite simple (which is something you KNOW I struggle with), but I kinda like how it turned out ...

Stamps: Madison Avenue (SAB), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Calypso Coral
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (SAB), Rhinestone Basics, Word Window Punch

And remember a few years back when we were ALL rushing to buy these tea tins so that we could embellish the heck out of 'em??? Well, like so many things I HAD to have ... I HAD to have more than one ... which means I STILL have several in a box in my storage room, so I decided to pull one out and play with it!!

Close-up on the left ...

Close-up on the right ...

And here is HOPING-HOPING-HOPING that Punxsatawney Phil got it right this year (apparently, he did NOT see his shadow on Saturday, which was Groundhog Day, so he predicts an early Spring). I need some sunshine and warmer temps VERY VERY BADLY!!

Be sure to tune back in on Wednesday ... the Artisan Design Team will be starting our weekly Wednesday Wow blog hops!! You won't wanna miss it!!

Stamps: Vintage Verses (SAB), Bloomin' Marvelous (SAB)
Paper: Sycamore Street DSP (SAB), Island Indigo
Ink:, Island Indigo,Pool Party, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (SAB), Rhinestone Basics, Tea Tin