What?? No Stamps???

Sorry for the two-day absence . . . I had out-of-town company and didn't get a chance to "play" as I would have liked. I DO have a fun little card to show you that I did for the gallery on Spellbinders' website (part of being on their Design Team is a monthly assignment to create fun, new projects using Spellbinders dies . . . FUN!!).

I posted a bunch of fun and funky folded cards last month. This card is a repeat of one of the folds, but definitely different in that I didn't use a single darn stamp (and here i go with some more "primary-type" colors!!). This card was really fun to make, and I can't wait to give it to someone for their birthday. It seems so bright and cheerful!! Start with a piece of cardstock that measures 4 1/4" x 11". Score at 1 1/2", 3", 5 1/2" and 8". (In this case, the black cardstock).

I used a Permapaque opaque marker to fill in the embossed areas on the cake and the "birthday" sentiment. The beauty of the Spellbinders dies is that you can leave the cardstock in the die once you have run it through your Wizard (or Cuttlebug or Sizzix or BigShot or whatever) and "stencil" the image with the ink of your choice. This includes coloring with markers (as I did here), sponging ink, airbrushing . . . any way you can get the ink to the paper works. It is one of my FAVORITE features of the Spellbinders dies! Stenciling just adds that wonderful little "extra" that makes the images "POP!"

I also sprayed a little bit of Paper Glide onto the cardstock before I ran it through my Wizard with the Fiskars texture plates to get a deeper emboss. I LOVE how it works!!

Spellbinders Dies: Birthday 1, Party Edgability
ColorMates Cardstock: Deep Sunshine Yellow, Medium Tempting Tanzanite, Light Berry Red, Deep Heritage Black, Light Heritage White (SU substitutes - YoYo Yellow, Ballet Blue, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White)
Ink: Permapaque Fine Point White Opaque Marker (you could use White craft ink and a sponge also).
Accessories: May Arts yellow organza polka dot ribbon, Fiskars texture plates (Party, Dots, and Vines)

Oh My Gosh . . . Again?!?

I know I keep joking about using primary colors a lot lately, but this time it is NOT my fault!! LSC161 - this limited supply challenge asked us to use some embellishment that we own that had remained unloved since we got it. Now, while I didn't actually BUY this ribbon myself (a friend sent it to me - I can't remember who exactly, but I think it may have been Sandy, from SUDTTF, a Yahoo group I've been a member of for a while, but have NOT visited forEVUH - HEY GIRLS!! - but I digress . . .)

Anyhow, this ribbon is really super cute, but I have never been able to figure out exactly WHAT to do with it. This challenge pushed me into action . . . so there ya go! These little buggies have been sitting in their box feeling neglected as well. I was happy that I was able to pair them up with the ribbon. This also took me outside the box again. I love how the SCS challenges help me create things that I NEVER would have thought up if not for the challenge!

Stamps: Bugs and Kisses
Cardstock: Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Whisper White
Ink: Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Real Red
Accessories: 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, paper piercing tool, crazy polka dot ribbon (unknown), dimensional, Spots & Dots and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folders

Hope your weekend is productive, or at least fun!!!

Marker Misting?

How come I can NEVER seem to get this right???? I mist it too much and it's totally washed out . . . I don't mist it enough and you can't tell I even did it! Believe it or not, I sprayed my stamp TWICE before stamping this. I just can't seem to get it!! I DO love this "Essence of Love" set, however . . . it's so purdy!!!

This was for WT159 over on good ol' SCS - the challenge was to spray SOMEthing on your card - Glimmer Mist, airbrushing, marker misting - I guess I'm going to have to keep trying (but if I do it with this stamp again, it'll all have to be one color, 'cause I ain't inking it up with FOUR again for a while!! It takes a looooonnnngg time!!)

Stamps: Essence of Love
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Garden Green, Perfect Plum, Summer Sun, Pale Plum
Accessories: Designer label punch, 1" circle punch, large oval punch, Wild Wasabi double stitched ribbon, paper piercing tool, dimensionals

For those counting, I am up to #32 in my butterfly challenge. See the link on the sidebar to your right if you wanna read more about THAT!!

Bold & Bright

Here i come with those primary colors again!! This is so unusual for me, as I seem to have been stuck in the same color scheme for soooo long (love, love, LOVE Chocolate Chip!!). I must be feeling the change of seasons coming on!

I did this card for SCS SC169 - I think I have mentioned before that the sketch challenges are my very favorite! Sometimes it feels like we do the same old layout over and over! These sketch challenges make me do something different, which is always good!!

It's hard to see in this photo, but there is an additional row of double piercing down the left side of the card, on the Garden Green cardstock. I couldn't imagine not having that little tool in my arsenal . . . I use it all the time!!

Stamps: Garden Whimsy, Tres Chic
Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Garden Green, Basic Black, Real Red, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Cameo Coral, Summer Sun, Garden Green
Accessories: Paper piercing tool, 1" and 1 1/4" circle punches, red rhinestone brad, black gingham ribbon, dimensional

Have a wonderful day!!

Loving Papertrey

I have always kind of been a Stampin' Up purist. That is, 'til I discovered Papertrey Ink last year. They are the only other company for which I own multiple stamp sets . . . there is a lot of variety, and the designs are fun, clean, and sometimes elegant (as is the case for the set I used today - Wedding Day).

I used my largest Nestabilities circle dies to create this round card. Fold your cardstock over and lay it on top of the die before you run it through your Wizard (or Cuttlebug, Sizzix, or whatever machine you have). Just make sure to move your cardstock down just a little (slightly more than 1/4"), so that there is a gap at the top of the die . . . this is were you place the fold for the top of your card.

The inspiration for this card came directly from Nichole Heady, one of the founders of Papertrey. She has an AWESOME blog! Lots of great ideas. I cased her medallion/band idea for this card. Here is her card that gave me the inspiration for this card. I love it!!

Nichole's Card

The color challenge on SCS yesterday, CC159, was to use Basic Gray, Soft Sky and Whisper White (in this case, I used Shimmery White - love how elegant it looks!). I think this would be the perfect card to put on top of a wedding gift (which I would probably have to wrap in white paper, since I'd never be able to find a perfect match for this card!)

Stamps: Wedding Day (Papertrey)
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Soft Sky, Shimmery White
Ink: Soft Sky
Accessories: Nestabilities (circle), large and small oval punch, silver cord, self-adhesive pearls (Kaiser)

Now, I just gotta find my craft room under the piles I created yesterday! TTFN!!

SCS Challenge - Flap Fold

For those of you who have been hangin' out on my blog for a while, you KNOW I absolutely LOVE fun and funky folds! The technique challenge on SCS yesterday featured a really fun one! AND I got to try to do a dahlia fold as well (a previous challenge that I never got around to). I incorporated both into this card! Love 'em! The dahlia does take a little extra time, but it wasn't bad and sooo worth it!!

Here is Rose Ann's tutorial on the flap fold:

Flap Fold

And HERE is Donna's dahlia fold tutorial on SCS:

Dahlia Fold

I figured I wouldn't "reinvent the wheel," since both of these gals do such a fabulous job with their instructions!

Have fun with it!!

Stamps: Twill, Amazing to Zany
Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, Shimmery White, Afternoon Tea dsp
Ink: Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Circle Nestabilites die (large), 1 1/4" and 1/2" circle punches, orange rhinestone sticker (Doodlebug), corner rounder punch, CM circle cutter, hodgepodge hardware, Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes ef

Spring Butterfly

I am hoping that by making cards with a spring theme that I can WILL spring into coming (it's still cold here in SLC - the sun is shining, but it's being deceptive!).

I made this card as part of Beate's WSC40 - she always comes up with the most wonderful sketches for us to play with!!

Check out her blog here:

Fresh & Fun

I am now up to card #31 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge, and am proud to say that I haven't reused a single butterfly (yet)!! You can see the link on the sidebar for more details . . .

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Cute Converse, Watercolor Minis
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Pretty in Pink, Shimmery White
Ink: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Barely Banana
Accessories: Cuttlebug Stylized Flowers ef, Scallop circle, 1 3/8 and 1 1/4" circle punches, Seaside Ribbon Originals (SU), dimensional

C'mon, Spring!!!

Why Aren't I Cleaning?

It's Saturday, the day before Easter . . . I have company coming for Easter Dinner tomorrow, my house needs attention and so does my laundry . . . so why am I stamping???? EASY answer . . . 'cause it's waaayyyy more fun!!

The LSC challenge on SCS yesterday has been swimming in my head for over a day and I needed to let it out so I could get busy with what I really SHOULD be doing! Here is what I came up with for LSC160 - the challenge was to use white or vanilla cardstock, up to two additional colors of cardstock and three or four of the same stamps on two or more different cards. It's amazing how you can come up with ideas that look soooo different using the same basic supplies. LOVE IT!!

Stamps: Time for You, Polka Dots
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Rose Red, Whisper White, Cutie Pie DSP
Ink: Black Stazon, Rose Red (ink and marker), Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue (ink and marker) and So Saffron markers
Accessories: Rose Red single stitched ribbon, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, corner rounder punch, paper piercing tool, dimensionsal, red rhinestone brad

Now, I am off to get to my REAL work!! Happy Easter to all!!

Fun Challenge!

I totally LOVED the sketch challenge on SCS yesterday (SC168)!! Initially, I wasn't sure I could come up with a combo that would incorporate so many different colors/patterns of paper, but I had just received a new order (hooray!), and I couldn't WAIT to ink up my new "Tart & Tangy" stamp set. I think it is sooooo darn cute!!!

I also LOVE adding a sentiment by hanging it from a piece of ribbon and a piece of hodgepodge hardware . . . I have done it with squares, ovals and circles and I always love how fun it looks! (And who doesn't LOVE polka dot ribbon???) This card seemed to just make itself . . . every once in a while the idea just seems to jump from head (but not very often!!)

Stamps: Tart & Tangy, So Very
Cardstock: Summer Sun, Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green
Ink: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green
Accessories: Hodgepodge hardware, May Arts polka dot organza ribbon, large and small oval punch, paper piercing tool, dimensionals

Can you believe it?? Three days in a row! I even surprise myself!! Hope y'all get a chance to do something FUN today!!

Daily It Is!

Okay, not a SINGLE person who responded to yesterday said they wanted weekly posts, so I am vowing here and now to try to post daily (or at least as often as I make something!!).

I will make a concerted effort to post things as I do them so that there is less to wade through!

I think we all have color combos that we like. In fact, I try to stir it up and do different things, only to find I am back to the same ol' combos, just in different shades! Yesterday's color challenge on SCS kinda took me waaaaayyyy out of my comfort zone. The challenge (CC158) was to use Orchid Opulence (and I had to open a package of that that I have owned for at least three years!), Sage Shadow (which is also neglected in my pile!) and Kraft. I had almost finished this card when I realized that I had grabbed Mellow Moss instead of Sage! So I had to readjust my thinking all over again! That is why they call these challenges! Really puts me outside my box!!

After I started making "butterfly" cards as part of my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see link on sidebar), several of my SCS friends sent me stamped images and embellishments featuring butterflies! How awesome! My son is getting butterflies from all over the world! It truly is amazing. My good friend, Christine (chrisations.ink on SCS) sent me this little organza butterfly. I finally found a place to use him! Isn't he cute??

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Elegant Greetings, Weathered, Twill
Cardstock: Orchid Opulence, Sage Shadow, Kraft, Shimmery White
Ink: Orchid Opulence, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Family Treasures Daisy punch, 1/2" circle punch, Organza Butterfly, paper piercing tool

I think I like this daily post thing! I sure takes a lot less time to just do one (or maybe two occasionally) things at a time! Have a happy day!!

Viewer Participation Required!!

First of all, today’s post is going to require some audience participation!! I’m taking an informal poll . . . do you guys prefer to read blogs that post daily (or more frequently), or those, like mine, that only post once a week or so (although I have been posting more than that the last couple of weeks)?? Would it be better if I loaded each project as I did it, or do you like having a bunch lumped together? Just curious!! Please leave a comment on this post and let me know!!

I’m doing my best and trying to think spring-like thoughts (it snowed again here last weekend!). I have a few more cards to share with you. The first two are ones that I submitted for Papertrey Ink’s monthly Guest Star Stamper contest (I didn’t get chosen - insert sad face here!).

I love this set – Women of Life. I made this card for my mother for Mother’s Day. It describes her to a "T" . . . Grandmother, Mother, Aunt, Sister, but most importantly, friend!

Here are some basic instructions:

Base layer (Pumpkin Pie): 5 3/8" x 4 1/4"
Bottom folded card layer (Elegant Eggplant w/Shimmery White panel): 9 3/8" x 4", scored at 2 1/8" and 4 1/4"
Top folded card layer (Garden Green): 8 3/4" x 3 1/4"; score at 4" (the larger "half" is taped to the dsp layer).
Shimmery White (Women of Life image) layer: 3" x 3 3/4"

Fold the Elegant Eggplant cs on score lines. Tape the outer 2 1/8" flap toward inside. Make a panel and stamp images to place on flap (dimensions 1 7/8" x 3 3/4"). Tape ribbon under this layer on left-hand side. Don't forget to use a slot punch to punch a hole for the ribbon to go through on the top layer!!

Stamps: Women of Life (Papertrey)
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Shimmery White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green, Whisper White craft
Accessories: Doodlebug jewels, horizontal slot punch, purple and orange gingham ribbon, small oval punch, dimensionals

This card was made using Papertrey’s “Everyday Blessings” set. I used the cross stamp from "Everyday Blessings" to create a patterned background paper of sorts. I then put a layer of acetate on top of this image. It is kind of hard to see in the picture, but it reminds me of a stained glass window.

Guess I'll have to try again next month!!

Stamps: Everyday Blessings and Beautiful Blooms (both from Papertrey)
Cardstock: Rose Red, Old Olive, Soft Sky, Shimmery White
Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red, Soft Sky
Accessories, Soft Sky double-stitched ribbon, pearl sticker embellishments, acetate, dimensionals, tag die (Spellbinders – Tags 5), paper piercing tool, Crop-o-dile

This was created for TLC160 – a reverse Cuttlebugging technique. If you ink up the inside of your Cuttlebug folder (the negative side – the one that says “Cuttlebug” on it), then place your paper inside and emboss, it gives it a whole new look. I took it one step further. I was having a little bit of an issue with ink sticking in the “positive” space, so I tried to wipe it off. I didn’t do very well, and ended up wiping down the entire piece of cardstock (I used a baby wipe). I really like the effect, so I kept it! Since I used glossy white cardstock, the baby wipe worked really well.

Stamps: Wanted, Just Jeans (bg)
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Glossy White Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue
Ink: Real Red (craft), Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Build a Brad, scallop circle punch, 1 3/8”, ½” circle punches, jumbo eyelet, red gingham ribbon, navy organza ribbon, Cuttlebug Paisley embossing folder

I have recently discovered the “Weekend Sketch Challenge” that Beate Johns posts on her blog . . . http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ . . . she has always been such an amazing inspiration and I appreciate the chance to play with some of her ideas. This card was for WSC39. I really liked this layout, although the card didn’t turn out quite how I envisioned it. It was fun to make, though, and I used my beloved “Crosshatch” background stamp, which is one of my all-time faves . . . hated to see SU retire it!!

Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Print Pattern (bg), Crosshatch (bg), Lots of Thoughts
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Nestabilities (rectangle), photo corner punch, artichoke single-stitched ribbon, square rhinestone brad, Stickles (on the flowers), paper piercing tool

Don’t forget to let me know how you feel about the frequency of blog posts!! Have a terrific day!!

Moving Right Along!

Can you believe I’m posting again already? I’m even surprising myself! I have been taking some “me” time and just been doing some stamping therapy . . . something I have been seriously in need of the last little while. So . . . here I am again!

I’m starting off today with this little “Boatloads” butterfly card. I’ve honestly had this set since it came out, only this is the first time I have used it. It is so darn cute! I coupled it with some of my favorite things . . . “Basket Full of Fun”, which in my opinion should never have been a hostess set, but rather one offered to everyone, AND my new Copic markers and airbrush system. This was really fun to make.

I cut a little cloud shape out of some paper and laid it down to airbrush the sky behind the little boat. I am soooo loving this tool! Great fun to play with. Plus, I fulfilled card #29 in my “Follow the Butterflies” challenge (see link on sidebar for details). I just discovered this week that I was off on my card count . . . somehow, a card I did last November was either not posted to my SCS gallery at all, or it was deleted. Not sure which. But, I have always used the gallery to help me count. For some reason I remembered that card the other day and realized I hadn’t seen it in my gallery. So I went and added it a couple of days ago. It’s not really my favorite, as I was doing it in a hurry, but I had to add it so I could keep track of what I have done!!

Stamps: Boatloads of Love, Basket Full of Fun
Cardstock: Summer Sun, Brocade Blue, Real Red, Shimmery White
Ink: Black StazOn, Whisper White craft,Various Copic Markers
Accessories: Red stitched grosgrain ribbon, brads (inked with Whisper White and then embossed with WW embossing powder), silver cord, dimensionals

I did this one for CC157 – and I goofed! The challenge was to use Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate and Basic Gray. I must’ve been zonin’, ‘cause I ended us thinking it was Going Gray, which is what I used. I haven’t done a criss-cross card in a while (see TLC104 on SCS for details), so I really wanted to take a stab at this challenge again. I also love it when I can contain myself to one stamp set on a card, as I have been known to use up to SEVEN on the same card! I must be NUTS!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Cardstock: Basic Black, Going Gray, Purely Pomegranate, Shimmery White
Ink: Going Gray, Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black craft
Accessories: Scallop circle, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle, horizontal slot punch, May Arts black swiss dot organza ribbon, smoky gray rhinestone sticker (Doodlebug)

Finally, this card was done when I was having a brain freeze. The whole time I was making this for SC167 I kept thinking, “Where in the heck am I GOING with this??” I still think it is kinda funky, but I have received a lot of comments on it, so I must be in a funk or something, ‘cause I’m still not quite sure about it. I used a blender pen and reinker to color around the outside edge of the large flower.

Stamps: Office Accoutrement
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Happy Me SS dsp
Ink: Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Polka dot pomegranate satin ribbon, rhinestone stickers (Doodlebug), dimensionals, Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder

I’m listening to the rain outside my window as it hits the street. A very spring-y sound, if you ask me. At least it’s not SNOWING!! Have a great day!!

Lotsa Cards!

Here we are again! I think I’m going to have to admit that I need to update my blog more often . . . I have been making a lot of cards lately, and it would just be easier to upload them as I make ‘em!

I had sooo much fun putting this card together as part SCS SC166. It made me giggle as it was very similar to the challenge layout I did the day before, put out there by none-other than the amazing Beate from SCS. So I made two cards in a row with a very similar layout! Oh well, I DO like it!!

I used the jumbo “Classic Stars” wheel from SU to create all the stars. I rolled them out on a variety of cardstock colors (in this case, Real Red, Barely Banana, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy), using a variety of inks (again, Real Red, Barely Banana, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy AND Whisper White craft). I was happy to find out that both star punches from SU can be used with the images on this wheel. From that point it was just a matter of sticking the stars down on the card. I am also still loving the “Swiss Dots” embossing folder from the Cuttlebug people (Provo Craft). It is really fun.

Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel, Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Real Red, Barely Banana, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy
Ink: Real Red craft, Barely Banana, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White craft
Accessories: Making Memories red/white striped grosgrain, rhinestone brad, paper piercing tool, dimensionals, Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss ef, large and small star punches

Next, this is the card I made for WSC37 – Beate’s weekend sketch challenge. See how close it is to the sketch challenge?? Crazy weird that they got posted back to back like that!! I also incorporated CC156 – Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate and So Saffron. I really like these colors together! AND I used all FIVE stamps in my new Friendship Blooms stamp set! Hooray for me!!

Stamps: Friendship Blooms
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron, Whisper White, French Lace Light paper from Making Memories
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron
Accessories: Build a brad, pomegrante double-stitched ribbon, dimensionals

Moving on . . . I am not sure that I LOVE this card, although it did stretch my imagination. The whole idea behind LSC158 was to make a quick and easy LITTLE card. The actual production of this card was pretty quick . . . getting it out of my head, however, was a slower process! Once again, I used the fun “Swiss Dots” embossing folder. I also used the scallop circle punch, rotated the punched image and then punched it again, giving it a more “flowery” look. All in all, pretty simple, which is actually a challenge for me, as I tend to be a more complicated kind of gal! The finished card measures 3”x3”.

Stamps: Big Flowers, Little Flowers, Many Happy Returns
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop circle, 1" circle, 1 3/8" circle, 1 1/4" circle, 1/2" circle punches, word window, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots ef, Blue Bayou double stitched ribbon

Next, I did this card for my husband, Ron, as we celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary last Saturday – March 8. It is sooo hard for me to believe that I have been married more than half my life! On the other hand, when you marry your best friend, the years just fly by! I consider myself very blessed! This was for Beate’s WSC38. I was so excited to discover her weekend sketch challenges. She is so creative and always comes up with some fantastic ideas!! Using sets from SU and Papertrey Ink, I came up with something that I hope was not too girly (although, all my cards tend to be girly anyway!!) So, there ya go!

Stamps: Print Pattern, Crosshatch, Sweet Love (Papertrey) and Out on a Limb (sentiment, also Papertrey)
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Going Gray, Real Red, Shimmery White
Diecuts: Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals (Small)
Accessories: Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, rhinestone stickers, Dazzling Diamonds ep, dimensionals, Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy ef

Ya still hangin’ with me? This is the last one for today. I recently broke down and bought myself some lovely Copic markers (which I swore I would NEVER do, but had to backpedal once I became Copic certified!!). I can’t believe I did a PASTEL colored card! This is DEFINITELY out of my box! This was card #28 for my personal “Follow the Butterflies” challenge (see the link on the sidebar for more deets). I colored the butterfly panel THREE times! This was my first attempt, as I really didn’t like what I came up with the other two times (trying to do something NOT pastel!). The layout is also kinda funky, as I was trying to do something a little different there, as well. I even dragged out my trusty sewing machine. Nothing too complicated. I DO like the look of real stitching on a project, though.

Stamps: A Little Bit of Happiness
Cardstock: Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, Pretty in Pink, Shimmery White (which I am reaching for more and more often!)
Ink: Black Brilliance, Assorted Copic Markers
Accessories: 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain, ticket corner punch, flower brads (Paper Accentz), sewing machine

I have already started working on a couple new things, so I think I should be posting again soon. That way, you won’t have to read a marathon-length entry next time!!

March Already??

Okay, I'm not quite sure what happened to January and February - they seem to be sort of a blur. I think I must be losing my mind, as time seems to be just whipping right past me!!! I guess I'm too busy!! My schedule seems to be starting to clear out, though. With all of the running around I've done as part of the Spellbinders design team (our retreat in January and CHA in February), I have had to keep on my toes! I think I'm staying put for a few weeks now, though!

This is one of those cards that seemed almost effortless to me. The idea just popped right onto the paper! This was for last weeks color challenge on SCS - CC155 - to use Basic Black, Whisper White and River Rock. I also decided it was time to make a pocket card again, as I hadn't made one in a while. You start with the same size piece of paper as a standard card, you just make a "flap" by folding down the longest edge on the "open" side of your card. In this case, I folded it down by 1 1/2". I trimmed the flap a little, as I wanted to add the scallops and it just looked to bit to me somehow. The actual flap on this is just under 1 1/4". The inserted card needs to be scaled down a bit so that it will it in the pocket once the pocket has been taped or glued shut. The base for the insert is 5" x 4".

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, River Rock
Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Out on a Limb (Papertrey - for sentiment, which I LOVE!)
Ink: Basic Black, River Rock, Real Red
Accessories: Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy embossing folder, smokey gray rhinestone jewels (Doodlebug), Liquid Pearls, Kraft taffeta ribbon, paper piercing tool, dimensionals, corner rounder punch

I was slow getting my butterfly card done last week, so I am sending it out today. Which means, I'll have to send another one Friday. Two in one week! It's a good think the mail to Germany/Austria is kinda uneven - I don't think my son will even notice!! This makes card #27 in my own personal "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see the link on the sidebar of this blog for more details). I made this in conjunction with TLC158 - debossing. I haven't done this technique in the longest time!! Basically, stamp an image on some vellum (vellum cardstock works a little better, as it is a heavier weight; I also like to use StazOn ink so that the ink will not smear, and line images work better than solid ones). Then, flip the image over. From the back side, use an embossing stylus to outline or fill in any of the details from the image that you want to "pop" off the front. Make sure to put a mouse pad or polymer mat under the vellum so that it will have a little give as you use the stylus on it. That way it will be less likely to tear.

I trimmed the right front edge of my card back 3/4" of an inch so that the designer series paper (Palette of Prints) underneath would be visible. Sometimes it's fun to do something even a LITTLE different!

I haven't used my "plums" for quite a while, either. I love both shades of plum offered by SU, I just feel that I neglect them far too often!! I can't ever seem to get away from either a shade of green or Chocolate Chip, though. I am proud that there is NO brown in this one anywhere!!

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Palette of Prints (celery), Vellum
Stamps: Time Well Spent
Ink: Black StazOn, Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities (love 'em!!), corner rounder punch, paper piercing tool, stylus, rhinestone brads

I'm still hopeful that SPRING will be making a real appearance some time soon. It snowed again last Saturday. Maybe the sun will come out today, but I'm not holding my breath!!

Where is Spring?

I'm soooo tired of the nasty, cold, gray, icky endless winter!! I don't think I've ever been so ready for Spring to start! Why did that dang groundhog have to see his shadow, anyway!

With that in mind, I was pretending it was Spring when I created this card. I got the layout from Mary Jo Albright on SCS. She was the featured stamper this week (FS55), and I "cased" this card of hers:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/ photo/798488?cat=500&ppuser=108913

She, in turn, got the sketch layout from Beate's WSC33. Here is a link to THAT challenge:

http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ 2008/02/01/weekend-sketch-challenge-33

(Sorry, but Blogger is being retarded and won't actually let me "link" these, so you'll hafta cut and paste! Dang!)

The finished dimensions on this baby are 4" x 8 1/2". It's a big ol' card, but I really like it!! I also incorporated TLC157, which was to use two patterned papers together.

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Provo Craft dsp
Stamps: Beautiful Blooms (Papertrey) and Fancy Flexible Phrases (SU)
Diecut: Cuttlebug Flower
Ink: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose
Accessories: Dimensionals, Rain Dots, Doodlebug Jewels, 1" & 3/4" circle punch, May Arts polkadot organza ribbon, SU brad

This card was one I did for WT154. The challenge was to use a "window" of some sort in your creation. Having just come back from CHA where I created at least a zillion "window" cards as part of the make and take we did in the Spellbinders booth. We used the heart Nestabilities there, but I chose to use the great Star diecuts. It is kind of like a Nestie set, it just doesn't have a scallop set that coordinates. By rotating the five point star and recutting the window, I was able to create a 10-point star. I then layered stars, rotating them and filling in the spaces. (Using pop-up glue dots between every two layers made it more three dimensional).

This also brings me up to card #26 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see sidebar for details).

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Linen prints dsp
Stamps: Out on a Limb (Sentiment - Papertrey), Butterfly (unknown)
Diecut/machine: Spellbinders Stars, Wizard
Ink: Chocolate Chip craft, Whisper White craft
Accessories: Vanilla satin ribbon, pop-up glue dots, SU brads

I've also been busy creating things for the Spellbinders online gallery. I'll be posting them here soon! Have a great week (and think SUNSHINE!!!)

Fun & Funky Folding

Okay, so I promised to be back, and here I am! I can't remember the last time I sat down and made something for fun, just for me because I felt like it (well, I DID do one card like that last week, so I guess I CAN remember!)

I am always on the hunt for fun and funky ways to fold my cards. I had a LOT of fun this weekend playing with some fun ideas I found on Scor-Pal's website, PLUS replicating a fold on a card I received a while back in a swap. So, without any further adieu, here is what I've been up to . . .

This is just the MOST FUN! The layers and folds on this were so much fun to replicate, that I made TWO different cards with it. The finished card actually opens on the opposite (or right-hand) side than we are used to. That is one of the things that makes me love this card even more!!

Nichole Heady is my hero! All of the wonderful stamp sets she keeps creating for Papertrey Ink just blow me away! I LOVE this "Out on a Limb" set . . . and the fact that the acrylic images allow you to align everything perfectly!!!

Base layer (Cameo Coral): 5 3/8" x 4 1/4"
DSP layer (Linen Prints): 9 3/8" x 4", scored at 2 1/8" and 4 1/4"
Top folded card layer (Chocolate Chip): 8 3/4" x 3 1/4"
Very Vanilla (Out on a Limb image) layer: 3" x 3 3/4"

Fold the DSP on score lines. Tape the outer 2 1/8" flap toward inside or outside, depending on which side of the dsp you want to show. Tape ribbon under this layer on left-hand side. Don't forget to use a slot punch to punch a hole for the ribbon to go through on the top layer!!

Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Linen Prints dsp
Stamps: Out on a Limb - Papertrey
Ink: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Old Olive
Accessories: May Arts organza polka dot ribbon, horizontal slot punch, 3/4" and 1/2" circle punch, Stickles

Here is another card using the same basic layout. This also makes card #25 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see link on sidebar for more details). I think it would be really difficult to make an ugly card using this layout!!

Base layer (Soft Sky): 5 3/8" x 4 1/4"
DSP layer (Happy Me Scrappin Kit paper): 9 3/8" x 4", scored at 2 1/8" and 4 1/4"
Top folded card layer (Soft Sky): 8 3/4" x 3 1/4"
Groovy Guava (music) layer): 3" x 3 3/4"

I also used a clear Spica pen to add a little glitter to the butterflies, but it is hard to see in the photo. I also used yet another new embossing folder - this one is called Allegro. Love it!!

Cardstock: Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Whisper White, Happy Me DSP
Stamps: Priceless (SU)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky
Accessories: Cuttlebug Allegro ef, Wonder charm (unknown), Purely Pomegranate double-stitched ribbon, horizontal slot punch, clear Spica pen, flower/gem sticker (Sandylion Stickers).

Yet another fun and funky fold idea I snatched off of Scor-Pal's website (you go, Diana!). What a fun little accordian card! Start with a piece of cardstock that measures 4 1/4" x 11". Score at 1 1/2", 3", 5 1/2" and 8". Layer, embellish and fold 'er up!! This one elicited a lot of oooh's and aaaahhh's from my daughters friends (who are 13 and 14 - they think I rock!). I even let one of the girls choose the colors I should start with (she chose the Ruby Red and some Cameo Coral, which I switched out for the Groovy Guava, as I had just finished the "Out on a Limb" card using the CC).

I have also included a "closed" photo, so you could see what this baby looks like when it is all folded up. It's smaller than an A2 card, so I'm going to have to make a custom envelope for it (which is fine, since I need to relearn that skill, anyway!!)

Cardstock: Ruby Red, Groovy Guava, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Stamps: One of a Kind, Boho Backgrounds
Ink: Groovy Guava, Ruby Red, River Rock
Accessories: River Rock double stitched ribbon, red rhinestone brads, Designer Label punch, 1 3/8", 1" and 3/4" circle punch, Daisy punch (Family Treasures), 1/2" circle punch

This is a fold/layout I borrowed from a card I received from my friend, Pam Findlay (hello Control Freaks!!). Isn't it fun (okay, so have I used that word a bunch today or what??) The finished card is a 3" x 6 1/2" trifold. Start with a piece of cardstock that is 6 1/2" x 8 1/2". The left hand panel is formed with a score folded in at 2 3/4"; the right-hand panel is scored and folded at 5 3/4" (these measurements are taken from the left edge of the cardstock). The left-hand panel is then cropped 1 1/4" from the top; the right-hand panel is cropped down by 2". Both of the cropped panels then have the top corners trimmed off. I hope that makes sense!!

Cardstock: Rose Red, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Cutie Pie dsp
Stamps: One of a Kind, So Many Scallops
Accessories: Large oval punch, scallop circle punch, build-a-brad, Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls ef, Rose Red brads

And, as promised, here is a picture I took of me and some of my "dirty girl" friends at CHA (sorry, Jeanne, that your eyes are closed - should've taken more than one pose!! You're still gorgeous!!). I love these guys! I had only ever met Kittie and Linda in person before CHA, but loved making personal connections with (from left to right - front) Sherry (BadSherry), ME, Kittie (Kittie747), Tosh (stamps4funinCA), and back row -LindaD (Linda Duke, who I met in January when we went to a Spellbinders retreat - both of us are on their DT), and Jeanne (Jeanne S). What a fun bunch of gals!!

Ribbon & Paper & Toys, OH MY!!

Well, after spending nearly a week in sunny, lovely Anaheim at CHA Winter, I am now convinced that the California Girl in me has re-emerged! I soooo miss the lovely weather!! (I should probably explain that I was born and raised in the Bay Area . . .)

CHA was a mind-boggling, body exhausting experience! Working the booth with all of my lovely friends from Spellbinders (Jeff, Stacey, Kim, Beth, Cathy, Mary, Holly, Heidi, Donya, Michelle, Eli, and the two Jerry's - not to forget Sharon and Linda, who were at the show in other capacities, and our dear Jenn and Jenni, who couldn't be with us this time!) was an experience and a half!! We were busy, busy, busy from sunup to sundown!! In my two-hour daily break I wandered around the Convention with awe and amazement . . . there was sooo much to see and sooo much to absorb! I think my brain is ready to explode!!

So, now it is officially okay to share with you photos of the projects I made for display in the Spellbinders booth. We got to see the new Xcalibur in action, too! Man, oh man!! I sooo want one! No doubt, many of you are going to feel the same!!

This first card was a long time in coming! I made 48 passes through the Wizard to cut out all the components (which I was watching old episodes of "I Love Lucy" no less!) I had a lot of fun with it. I used a Spirellabilities die and the button from the Timeless Heritage die set. I sprinkled the "holes" in the buttons with a little Dazzling Diamond glitter, as they were stuck on with Glue Dots, and the "sticky" part was showing through!

Cardstock: ColorMates – Light Racy Raspberry, Medium Racy Raspberry, Deep Ray Raspberry, Medium Pretty Pink & SU Shimmery White
Ink: Purely Pomegranate
Ribbon: Creative Impressions Lime & White Mini Gingham
Stamp: Words to Live By - Rita Marie
Diecuts: Spellbinders Spirellabilites Petals and Timeless Heritage

Isn't this little peapod just the cutest??? I pulled out my airbrush tool and Copic markers to color it in and spritz the background. I also love the oval shaped Nestabilities! Making shaped cards is now one of my favorite things to do. With all of the many shapes available in the Nesties, I hate to admit that I own almost all of 'em!! I used my Scor-Pal to create the scored lines that run diagonally across the card front.

Cardstock: ColorMates Dark Fairy Tale Pink, Dark Spring Green & SU Shimmery White
Stamp: Sweet Pea in a Pod - Lockhart Company
Ink: Assorted Copic Markers
Ribbon: Lt. Pink grosgrain
Diecuts: Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities (regular and scalloped) and Valentine Sentiments (the little pink hearts)

Here I go again with those darn little "Target" mailboxes! I hate to admit how many I stocked up on LAST year!! I still have a few in my arsenal!! Isn't the paper on this awesome??? It is from "Fancy Pants"! And I went a little bit crazy with the flowers as I LOVE these diecuts! They are so much fun to mix and match!!

Cardstock: Prism Cardstock – BR176-D Tawny, R049-E Brush Red Dark, B561-E Intense Teal and ColorMates Cardstock – Deep Creamy Cocoa
Ribbon/Accessories: Stitched Ribbon – Burgundy w/Cream; ½” Organdy Ribbon – Brown w/Brown Swirls; Mini and Jumbo Round Fasteners – Burgundy all by Creative Impressions
Diecuts: Spellbinders Flower Creations, Cameo & Brooch and Julius Alphabet

This card was done to introduce one of our new "Tag Trios" diecut sets, designed by the ever-amazing Debbie Olson. She rocks and so do these dies! They are perfect for adding little sentiments to your cards, 3D items or whatever! I actually redid this card about three times, as the idea was having a hard time leaping from my head to the paper!!

Cardstock: SU Soft Sky, Fancy Pants Bluebell and Head Over Heels designer paper
Ribbon: May Arts
Ink: Copic markers, sponged basic black
Accessories: Brad and felt flower - Creative Impressions
Stamp: Simply Stated - Fancy Pants
Diecuts: Spellbinders Butterflies 2 and Tag Trio

Last, but certainly not least, I did this candle the night before I left for CHA! It was to showcase yet another one of the new "Tag Trio" diecut sets (there are four new sets in all!). I love stamping on candles! It seems like magic every single time the tissue paper "disappears" into the wax, but the image remains! What fun!

Cardstock: Real Red and Shimmery White
Ink: Copic markers and Spica glitter markers by Copic
Stamps: Simply Stated - Fancy Pants
Ribbon: SU black/white gingham, Offray red/polka dot gingham and black/polka dot gingham
Diecuts: Spellbinders Tag Trio and Bumblebee Flowers

I have some more pictures to share with you of friends I met and a few of the things I saw. Stay tuned and I'll post those in the next couple of days! I think I need a nap!!!

CHA . . . Hooray!!

Hard to believe, but I am actually on an airplane headed to Anaheim and the wonders of CHA. This is going to be such an exciting week. It’s probably not good that I have exhausted myself in order to get ready to go (it is sooo hard when you are the mom!). This has been one of the craziest and busiest weeks I have had in quite a while, but I have, surprisingly, found time to do a little stamping for myself! AND, I was able to do a two-for-one challenge card on SCS this week, combining the color challenge and sketch challenge (CC152 & SC162).

This card was so much fun. I actually did something kind of similar last year with my Big Pieces and Little Pieces sets. When I saw that the color challenge was Real Red, Ballet Blue and Apricot Appeal, I thought to myself, “No way!” But when I looked at some of the samples, I was surprised at how much I liked it.

I also got to use one of my new Cuttlebug embossing folders . . .they announced this at CHA last July, and they were just barely available in my local store (Roberts, to be exact) last Monday. This one is “Swiss Dots”! I have been sitting, waiting and wishing for this baby (any Jack Johnson fans out there??) I LOVE it! Plus, I used my new “Love & Happiness” rub-ons from SU!

Stamps: Big Flowers, Little Flowers, Boho Backgrounds
Cardstock: Real Red, Ballet Blue, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Ballet Blue, Apricot Appeal
Punches: 1 3/8”, 1 ¼”, ¾” and ½” circle punches, horizontal slot punch
Accessories: Cuttlebug “Swiss Dots” embossing folder, red/white polka dot grosgrain ribbon, SU Love & Happiness rub-ons

Once again, I was headed off into “Butterfly Land” with this next card. It is card #23 in my own personal “Follow the Butterflies” challenge (see the link on the sidebar for more details). I can’t believe I have made 24 butterfly cards and haven’t used the same stamp set more than once! Scary! I actually have a lot more butterflies I haven’t used yet as well. I never knew I had so many!! (To be fair, several of my friends have stamped images and sent them to me! I’ve even had other friends sent me stamps and stamp sets with butterflies as well . . . hugs to all of you!!)

Once again, I got to play with the heart-shaped Nestabilities. I totally ADORE them (even though they are hijacked from my good friend, Eli!). I love these colors together. I made a similar gatefold card last summer when the new “In Colors” came out in SU’s catalog. I just mixed it up, using yet ANOTHER new Cuttlebug embossing folder. This one is called “Floral Fantasy”. I think texture is so great!! I’m sneakin’ those butterflies in everywhere I can . . . even on this Valentine’s Day card!!

Stamps: Butterfly (unknown), Houndstooth (background), Small Sayings
Cardstock, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi
Diecuts: Nestabilities Hearts
Accessories: Black/White gingham ribbon, rhinestone sticker, Stickles, Word Window Punch

I’ll post this after I get to the hotel. I look forward to my adventures this week. I will take some pictures and post them here as I get a chance! As always, thanks for lookin’!!!

On Your Mark, Get Set . . .

. . . GO! In just four more days, I will be on my way to CHA in Anaheim, California!! (For those who don't know what CHA is -it's the Craft & Hobby Association trade show, and it's AWESOME!! It's where all the vendors get together and showcase what new merchandise they will be releasing over the next several months . . .)

I'm sooo excited! This is going to be such a riot! I will be with several members of the Spellbinders Design Team, along with several of my other friends from SB, including the owners, Jeff & Stacey Caron (hi guys!!). We will be working like dogs, but it will be such a fun and new experience.

Anyway, here are a few things that I have been working on this past week (and, surprisingly, they don't ALL have butterflies on them!!)

I LOVE these new large heart-shaped tins from Papertrey Ink!! There are adorable!!! I had to come up with a Valentine's Day craft to do with some of the girls from church. I made some fun cards with them last year, but decided to do something a little different this year. These were super easy to cover, and will be a GREAT way to give that special someone a treat or whatever you want to fill this tin with! I used ZipDry craft glue to adhere the paper to the tin. I love that stuff! It dries pretty quickly, but gives you just enough time to "adjust" the paper before it is permanently stuck!! I used a borrowed set of Heart-shaped Nestabilities (thanks, Eli!) to embellish the lid. I now need to go BACK to Roberts to get some more ribbon, as I wasn't planning on using the brown gingham, so I don't have enough for the girls to do theirs (AND I forgot to buy some more Glue Dots - another thing I can't live without!!)

Stamps: Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Patterned Paper: Sweetheart True Love/Swirl & Sweetheart Stripe/Circle by Pebbles Inc.
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic & Craft
Diecuts; Heart Nestabilities

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Copics!! I have discovered that I don't have nearly enough, however (I have 17, which sounds like a lot, 'til you go to mix and match!!) When I saw this hummingbird image in the new SU catty, I knew I HAD to have it!! It is hard to tell from this photo, but I did use my airbrush system with my Copic markers to create a slightly light blue "sky" behind the bird and flowers. I need to get me a little compressor, as I have been using canned air and it's almost gone :( . . .

I also used my circle Nestabilities to cut out this card. I have decided that it is my new favorite thing to make shaped cards using the largest Nestabilities (in all shapes, of course!). It's really fun and challenging to have a different shaped "canvas" to work with. And the embossing! Oh my goodness!!!! My Wizard is the BEST at embossing. Kicks booty on everything else I have ever used in that department (sorry to all you Cuttlebug lovers, but the Wizard really rocks socks in this department!! And I HAVE a Cuttlebug, so I've done both!!)

Stamps: Spring Song, Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Lovely Lilac, Shimmery White
Ink: Graphite Black Brilliance (Tsukineko), Assorted Copic Markers
Diecuts: Large Scallop and Classic Circle Nestabilities

Finally, I DID do a butterfly card this week, as I am on card #23 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see the link on the sidebar for more details!).

I started out with this card trying to do the sketch challenge that was posted on SCS last week. I kinda ran amok and ended up doing my own thing. This card actually served two purposes . . . I was supposed to come up with a card for a swap in my upline/sideline group using at least one of the new Sale-a-Bration sets. I was able to sneak a few butterflies in there as well (I only had to make 5 of 'em, so it wasn't so bad!)

Stamps: So Many Scallops, Twill background, Sprinkles
Cardstock: Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant
Punches: Scallop, 1", 3/4" & 1/2" circles, Ticket Corner

More than likely the next time you will hear from me I'll be in Anaheim!! I'll share some pictures of some of the fun things I see and drool over, so stay tuned . . .

Xcalibur!! Ain't It a Beauty???

I am happy to give you a little "sneak peek" to Spellbinders all-new motorized diecut/ embossing machine. Isn't it awesome looking???? This is the first machine of its kind EVER . . . ANYWHERE!! All of the details about it will be posted on the Spellbinders website starting tomorrow, January 30. For details, click on the Spellbinders logo on the sidebar (right-hand side) of the page!! They won't be available 'til late spring, but will be soooo worth the wait!! (Can you tell I'm excited????)

"Spellbinders Paper Arts, continuing in their tradition of innovation, introduces the first motorized die cutting and embossing system. A touch of the button gently feeds and slowly releases mats for cutting and embossing. The mats used in Xcalibur will be the same mats currently used in the Wizard, Universal Craft Tool. Xcalibur will
cut, emboss and texturize virtually every consumer die from leading manufacturers making it the universal system of choice. Xalibur will revolutionize the die cutting world...

Please be assured that this is not a replacement for the Wizard. The machines can share the same mats, pads and dies but Xcalibur's main features are to cut and emboss. The Wizard, Universal Craft Tool, continues to provide many additional functions such as cutting chipboard, replicating charms and transferring images, just to name a few.

Be the Ruler of your Creative Kingdom!!"

Baby, It's Cold Outside!!!

Brrrrr!!! I'm soooo ready for Spring. We've been as low as -2 degrees and I'm ready for some warm weather. I have spent several days this last week making projects for my first trip to CHA as a member of the Spellbinders Design Team. It has been so much fun. I can't give you a sneak peek, because the projects were created specifically for CHA, BUT I will be able to post them here in a few weeks after CHA is over.

Sooooo, once again I have a couple of butterfly cards for ya (which seems to be all I have had time for!). This first one was a hybrid of products between Stampin' Up and Spellbinders. I'm going to have a lot of fun creating these over the next year! I finally broke down and bought some white taffeta ribbon and it's AWESOME. I used a sponge and some Perfect Plum ink to color the ribbon to match. Having white pretty much gives you any color you want!! I also made this card a horizontal gate fold (folded 2 1/8" from the top and the bottom, so that it opens across the middle!).

I used my airbrush tool and some Copic markers to color the butterflies . . . another thing I love about the Spellbinders diecuts - you can stencil 'em!!! With the airbrushed color and a little bit of Stickles, I really had fun creating these!

Stamps: Tres Chic
Diecut: SB Butterflies 2
Cuttlebug: Spots & Dots embossing folder
Cardstock: Perfect Plum, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Ink: Perfect Plum, assorted Copic markers

I LOVE the "Like it a Latte" set that SU came out with last year . . . was soooo sad that it never made the main catalog!! I am embarrassed to admit that, as much as I LOVE this set, this is the first time I have actually used it (ducking, ashamedly!!). It is always going to be a favorite. I knew I had to include a butterfly, so I made one from the peppermint stick stamp and the little hearts from the retired "Sweet Talk" set. This was #21 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge, and I still have a looonnnggg way to go, so I'm starting to see butterflies in stamps that weren't really there!!

Stamps: Like It a Latte, Sweet Talk
Diecuts: Large and Small Scalloped and Classic Oval Nestabilities
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip
Ribbon: Offray 5/8" Oatbran Polka Dot Ribbon

I can't WAIT to share my CHA stuff with you!!! Until then, I'll just have to keep posting new things (and I'm sure there will be more butterflies flitting around in there as well!)!

Keep warm!!

Wowsers!!

As promised, here area a couple of pictures from my Spellbinders retreat in Phoenix. Okay, well actually, these are pictures I took AFTER I got home of all the cool goodies I got! I hardly know where to begin to play!! I should also mention that I took this first photo with a WIDE angle lens standing over the top of my 6-foot-long table!!

I got TONS of cardstock, chipboard, rub-ons, stamps, diecuts (LOTS and LOTS of those), pens, markers, ribbon, foil paper, embellishments . . . I had a very difficult time struggling to get my baggage checked in at the airport. I'm only 5 feet tall, and I had over 100 lbs. of stuff to drag along (cardstock is very heavy!!)

To be totally honest and truthful, I DID buy some of the diecuts myself, but most of this stuff came as part of my design team "kit". The stuff you see was donated from "partner" companies. Waayyyy toooo coooolll! I'm not even sure where I'm going to start!

I haven't created one single thing since last week! Between all the training, and then getting back home into my "mom" duties (plus going back to work a bit), I'm really behind. I definitely plan to get a card done today, so I'll try to post it by tomorrow!

It's so cold here this morning that I'd love to just stay under the covers all darn day (not gonna happen)!! I think the high is not going to get very high - it is currently 12 degrees! Brrrrr!! Hope it is warmer where you are!!

Holy Spellbinders, Batman!!!

Happy Saturday, everyone! I am posting this from Sunny Arizona (which is actually still quite dark as it is only 6:00 a.m.!!). I am just about ready to begin day 4 of my retreat at Spellbinders' headquarters. For those of you who may have forgotten, I was recently chosen to be a member of the 2008 Design Team for Spellbinders, the makers of the Wizard (the most awesome, amazing and wonderful diecut/embossing machine!! I am now convinced there is almost NOTHING that baby can't do!! This next year is going to be sooo awesome, and I'm going to be stretching my creative wings more than I could ever have imagined! You are DEFINITELY going to be seeing a lot of new things here over the next several months. We didn't make anything that I can show you yet (as virtually all of what we have been doing here is learning how to run the machine and do cool techniques with it), but I can assure you, excellent things are on the horizon. AND, Spellbinders has been busy working with a TON of vendors, who have agreed to be "partner" companies with them over the next year. Which means, I have a MOUNTAIN of new product to play with, as many of these companies have graciously provided us with things to play with!! I'll take a picture once I get home so y'all can see what we got an drool a bit - I know I'm totally in drool mode myself!!

Needless to say, I have only done a couple of cards in the last week (both of which, surprise!, have butterflies on them!!) before coming to Arizona. This first one I made as art of a swap I signed up for (HELLO fellow Control Freaks!!), using a set from the SU Preview Mini (actually, I featured one of the new hostess sets - Cause for Celebration - AND a great new sentiment set called Celebrate Everything). I also used a color combo that SU has featured in the new catty and I love it!! It's Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa (these colors are all featured in the new Berry Bliss designer series paper - can't WAIT to get my hands on some of that stuff!!) Since I had to make about 30 of these babies, I have had little time to make anything else, especially since I was trying to get ready to get outta town!

Stamps: Cause for Celebration, Celebrate Everything
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate

In my rush to get packed and out the door on Wednesday, I got up at 3:30 (as in A.M.)!!! Couldn't sleep, anyway. I needed to get another card out for my son (see the "Follow the Butterflies" link on the sidebar here for more details). I have been thinking about this card for weeks, and decided I needed to take a stab at it. While I was in Phoenix LAST month, I found some really fun acetate (12 x 12!) that was covered with lots of sheet music. I used it as an overlay for the butterflies on this one. Since my son is a music FANATIC (he LOVES all choral music, plus he sings beautifully and plays the piano!), I thought he would enjoy this card.

Stamps: Butterflies (Stampendous), Elegant Notes
Cardstock: Handsome Hunter, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Music Acetate (not sure who makes it)
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron

Hope everyone has a great day! I know I'm going to! We're off to play some more. I'll post some pictures of all the fun we are having when I get back home!