Freakin' Springtastic!

Oh how I LOVE the Spring!! And it seems this year that winter has been going on FOR-EV-ER!! It's trying-trying-trying to warm up around here ... I hope it sticks sometime SOON! If you've been hopping around the tour, you would have just seen Patty Bennett's wonderful spring-y projects. She NEVER disappoints!


First of all ... NOTHING says spring to me more than tulips!! I absolutely ADORE them!! This card just kinda fell out of my fingertips ... as soon as I thought of tulips, this kinda just came to mind (this only happens to me ONCE in a while ... so I guess I'm gonna hafta wait for a while for it to happen again!!)!

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Real Read, Gumball Green, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Window Frames Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing folder, Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Large Oval Punch, Small Heart Punch, Dimensionals

AMENDED FOR TULIP INSTRUCTIONS: OKAY, OKAY ... since I have been emailed, messaged and sent requests on the tulips, here's how ya do it!! I used the heart-shaped punch from the Bitty Punch Pack … then cut each heart down the middle (you will need three heart "halves" to make one tulip). The heart half on the top got trimmed just a tiny bit to round the edge that was originally the top center of the heart. That's pretty much it! The stems were just strips I cut, and the leaves were from the large oval punch. Cut the punch out; then re-insert the piece you just cut back into the punch and slide the edge just a little so that all you ended up punching is just a little bit from the side of the oval … does that make sense? Not hard at ALL!! It really took me very little time! Go make some tulips!!

And every once in a while I "CASE" myself ... this is a re-vamp of a card I did quite some time ago (I can't remember it exactly, but it kinda popped into my head when I was thinking about Spring). It's kinda fun to use Crystal Effects to "pop" images up. I just have a hard time being patient enough to wait for it to "harden" ...

Stamps: Field Flowers, Wonderful Words
Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Basic Black
Accessories: Postage Stamp Punch, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Pearl Basics, Linen Thread

Now, it's time to hop on over to the super-fantastic Connie Babbert!! Check it out!!

Not Too Late to Sale-a-Brate!!

Hey and Happy Monday, friends!! What a CRAZY weekend!! Cooking, baking, creating ... and flood watch! Not to mention a big ol' family get-together yesterday!! (The flood was at my mom's condo building, not my house!! Thankfully, she was not too greatly affected!). I was finishing up my last project at about 11:20 p.m. last night (with a due-date of midnight, I barely made it!)! Some weekends are just like that ...

It WAS great having my two-(too?)-far-away college kids home for the weekend, as well as being with my closer-to-home college kid and the rest of our extended family. AWESOME!!

Wanted to remind everyone that it is NOT too late to jump in on the great deals for this year's Sale-a-Bration promotion (see brochure by CLICKING HERE!)! For every (ANY?) $50 ya spend, you can choose any one item from the brochure for stinkin' fa-REE!! That's right!! And who DOESN'T love FREE??? This card here was creating TWO of the "free" items available ... the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper AND the Vintage Verses Stamp Set. Don't miss out!! (If ya haven't noticed, I DO have a "Shop 24/7" button on the sidebar to the right ... just sayin' ...)

Stamps:  Vintage Verses
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink:  Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  Scallop Trim Border Punch, Rich Razzleberry Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone Basics

'Tis a Monday, so I'm headed out the door for a run and then off to work! I hope today's Monday goes MUCH better than the Monday I had at work last FRIDAY ...

Fab Friday #14

It's time to play with our Fab Friday Friends once again!! I really look forward to these every other Friday ... it's so great to get inspiration from so many talented people!

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Petite Pairs
Paper:  Calypso Coral, Sahara Sand, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  Ovals Framelits Collection, Bird Builder Punch (leaves), Decorative Label Punch, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Calypso Coral Dotted Scallop Ribbon, Whisper White Baker's Twine





This week, we're playing with a GORGEOUS color combo, see?






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
Justin Krieger
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Amy O'Neill
Marla Reed
Pam Steckman
Jan Tinklenberg

Can't WAIT to see what all-y'all do with this one!!

MDS Blog Hoppin'!

I am sooooo excited to have been invited to join in with some of my friendies on their MDS Blog Hop!! Gives me at least ANOTHER excuse to play around with MDS (not like I NEED one!)

The theme this week is St. Patrick's Day, Easter or Spring ... and I hafta admit this layout kinda ran away from me before I knew what I was doing. I knew I wanted to highlight this picture of my oh-so-cool brother-in-law being OHSOCOOL!!! But I got lost in the "fun" of it and didn't really add any flowers ... but it IS outdoors ... and SPRING is starting to happen outside (at least I HOPE it is for most of ya!), so there ya have it!!

Go check out what the other blog hoppers have created!  Pretty amazing stuff!

1. Amber Meadows 2. Jeanna Bohanon 3. Julie Leblanc 4. Rochelle Gould 5. Aly Schilling 6. Mandy Grant 7. Kimberly Van Diepen 8. Holly VanDyne 9. Erica Shaw 10. Cindy Schuster 11. Wendy Weixler - guest blogger!

InLinkz.com

Artisan Wednesday Wow - 03/13/13

Thanks so much for joining us for another Artisan Wednesday Wow!!! Did you see what was over on Sarah's blog?? That girl has got it goin' on!!




I haven't made a gift card or $$$ holder in a very long time, and this little elephant just BEGGED to be put on the cover of one, so I did it!! Once I had finished it (the "girlie" version), I just KNEW that I had to give equal opportunity for a "dude" version ... which is why there are TWO of them (there is a LOT of cute DSP in the Print Poetry tablet of paper ... just sayin' ...)





Here is what it looks like on the inside ... and before ya ask, I WILL be giving instructions on how to fold this coming up in a future post (not too far off!), so stay tuned ...









And of course, here it is in blues and greens ...

Stamps: Henry Says
Paper: Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Print Poetry DSP, 2012-2014 In Color Designer Series Patterns Pack DSP
Ink: Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Basic Black
Accessories: Simply Scored (with Borders Scoring Plate), Small Oval Punch, Ticket Duo Punch, Gumball Green Satin Stitched Ribbon, Primrose Petals Satin Stitched Ribbon

Now, it's time to hop on over and check out Amy Bollman's awesomeness!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Quack!!

Sometimes punch art is just SOOO dang fun!!! My cute little niece, Sammy, just had her first birthday ... and she LOVES ducks!!! So, I knew I was just gonna HAFTA make one for her!

After searching all over the 'net (mainly Pinterest), I was able to put together some punches that I needed to make this little guy ... isn't he cute??? He makes me happy!!

I think the sun has FINALLY decided to come out of hibernation ... I think ... I hope!! It has been SOOOO gloriously beautiful the past few days (okay, well ... we have had SOME gray skies, but the blue and the sun have been getting at least EQUAL time!)! I really hope that ol' man winter has gone on a VERY long vacation! We've seen WAY too much of him this year!!

Have an awesome week!

Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners, Fabulous Florets
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, Basic BlackPolka Dot Parade
Ink:  Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, White Signo Pen
Accessories:  Bitty Banners Framelits, Scallop Square Bigz Die, Wide Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Small Heart Punch, Ornament Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Typeset Alphabet Bigz Die, Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon, Old Olive Brads, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Artisan Wednesday Wow - February FB Project!

It's WEDNESDAY ... and y'all KNOW what that means!! This week the Artisans are sharing the projects we made for Stampin' Up's Facebook page for the month of February. Did you SEE Sarah Sagert's BEAUTIFUL boxed card set??? She.ROCKS!!


I think I used at least 75% of the goodies in the current Sale-a-Bration catalog on this silly little card (well, maybe NOT, but I DID use a LOT!) ... I just got started and could NOT stop myself! I had this thing for dresses with pleats when I was a little girl. I had several of them (which means my mom, obviously, ALSO had a thing for 'em!)! I loved spinning in them AND fanning the skirts out to show everyone how pretty they were. Which is what inspired this little card ...
Stamps:
129642: Pretty Petites Stamp Set
Paper:
127540: Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper
122925: Calypso Coral Cardstock
122924: Pool Party Cardstock
100730: Whisper White Cardstock
Ink:
126983: Calypso Coral Classic Stampin’ Pad
126982: Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pad
123002: 2011-2013 Stampin’ Write Markers (Calypso Coral)
Accessories & Tools:
125594: Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die
130159: Hearts a Flutter Framelits Dies
129381: Oval Framelits Dies
130492: Vine Street Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
117335: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
130812: Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Pack (Pool Party Ribbon)
129405: Petite Curly Label Punch
119854: 1 ¾” Scallop Circle Punch
119680: 1 3/8” Circle Punch
118874: 2 3/8” Scallop Circle Punch
119869: ½” Circle Punch

See what I mean??? I kinda used it ALL up on this card ... sometimes I can't HELP myself!!

Onward to the superlative scrapbooking skills of Amy Bollman!! I LOVE the layout she did for her darling son's third birthday!!

Baby Pooh Bear ...

'Tis the season ... or SOMEthing!! Seems like I have SOOO many family members and friends who are expecting babies soon (I have one friend and a cousin who are BOTH due in the next week or so!)! I also currently have one other cousin and two of my nieces who are ALSO expecting a bundle of joy this year ... where DOES the time go???

I made this little Pooh Bear baby card for my cousin, Sarajane ... she is expecting her first little one this week, and they decided not to find out what they are having, so we are ALL anxiously awaiting his/her arrival!! I actually made a fleece blanket that had Baby Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger on it, so I HAD to make a matching card (that rarely, if EVER happens, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity)!

Stamps: Petitie Pairs
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, More Mustard, Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Basic Black, More Mustard
Accessories: Cricut Pooh Font Cartridge, Photo Corners Punch (retired), Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch (which is now the "small" oval punch), Small Oval Punch (retired), Large Scallop Edgelits Die, Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

And don't miss out on all the RETIRED stamps I have listed HERE on eBay! I priced 'em VERY reasonably, so you won't wanna miss out!!

Shameless Self-Promotion ...

Thanks to my BFF (and fellow Artisan Design Team Member), the ever-awesome Jane Lee, I am now LEGIT on eBay!! She taught me how to get my act together ... so I have posted FIFTY retired stamp sets for sale!!

You can check 'em out HERE!!

WENDY'S RETIRED STAMPS FOR SALE ON EBAY!!

(I added a tab for a new page at the top of my blog, so you can find the link there, too!)

And this card'll give ya something to look at (has LOTS of Sale-a-Bration goodies on it!) ...

Stamps: Vintage Verses (SAB), Madison Avenue (SAB)
Paper: Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Sycamore Street DSP (SAB)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories:  Labels Collection Framelits, Vine Street Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (SAB), Linen Thread, Pearl Basics

Fab Friday #13

Welcome to another FAB FRIDAY STAMPIN' CHALLENGE, my friends!! I {{{heart}}} Fab Fridays!!! It's always fun to have someone ELSE come up with an inspiration to get me started, and today was a sketch ...

I feel like lately I keep making the same cards over and over ... you ever feel that way? No matter what I try to do to "shake things up" ... all my cards end up looking alike to me after a while. Which is why I LOVE that I didn't have to think as hard for today's sample!!

Stamps: Oh Hello, Friendly Phrases
Paper: Island Indio, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Vellum, Domestic Goddess DSP (retired)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Island Indigo
Accessories: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Hearts A Flutter Framelits Dies, Little Leaves Sizzlits Die, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 1 3/8" Square Die, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Basics

Fun sketch, right??? (And the fact that the focal image is a BUTTERFLY isn't hurting my feelings, either!! (Although you could really use ANY shape where the butterfly is and it would still "count" ... but y'all know me and butterflies ...)

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
Amanda Mertz
Brenda Myers
Amy O'Neill
Marla Reed
Jan Tinklenberg

Time to PLAY!!