Stampin' Celebration Guest Designer

Hi All, I'm honored to be chosen as a guest designer for one of my favorite challenge sites, Stampin' Celebration! Krystal and her team always has the most beautiful inspirational photos. The ones for this week have such beautiful colors!

I was drawn to the upper right photo. I would love to make some whimsical decor like that! But for now, I stuck with a card. I used some accordion flowers, using the same lollipop flower layout I used a few days ago.

Paper: Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Peach Parfait, More Mustard, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Brights Collection DSP, In Color DSP pack, Wild Wasabi DSP; Ink: Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist: Accessories: Circle punches, Scallop Circle punch, Sponges, Stylus, Birds & Blooms die, Petal Cone die, Big Shot, Dimensionals, My Digital Studio for sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!

More Confections

I was playing along with the inspirational photo from the ColourQ challenge this week.

I didn't hit all the colors, but I think you know which little confection I was after.

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Bella Rose DSP; Ink: Rich Razzleberry reinker; Accessories: Crimper, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Rosette, Linen thread.

After Shelli's cupcake challenge this month, I've been fussing with the idea of a cupcake pin cushion. That didn't quite happen, but Mom helped me make a cupcake confection out of fabric. The cake part is made out of Early Espresso-colored felt, and the frosting is yo-yos from Deck the Halls and Candy Cane Christmas fabric.

Supplies: Deck the Halls DSP, Deck the Halls fabric, Candy Cane Christmas fabric, Felt, Brights Collection buttons, Linen thread, Circles #2 die, Perfect Setting die, Big Shot.

Between the two projects, I did hit the ColourQ colors. Does that count?

Thanks for stopping by!

PCS Template: Miniature Birdhouse

Hi-Ho,

Today I have another template from Paper Crafters Sampler, a miniature bird house. This thing is soooo cute!

Melanie is offering last year's issues, including templates, for purchase at a discounted rate. Want to grab a template for yourself? Go to the PCS Library site for instant download. There are examples of each template there too. If there is a place to make a comment, use code PCSHB or my name so Melanie knows I sent ya!

It's hard to get a feel for the size of this baby in the photo. It's about 3 x 3", and like I said, soooo mini and cute! And real easy to put together! I've been wanting to make a vintage house that I saw, so I thought I would adapt that here.

DH's plant got a haircut for the photo. I hope he doesn't mind!

I finally pulled out my Baja Breeze glass glitter. What was I waiting for?? I was going for grass or bushes with a vintage color. Did it work?

Paper: Very Vanilla, Le Jardin DSP, Newsprint DSP; Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Soft Suede marker; Accessories: Sponge, Antique brad, Button, Linen thread, Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Baja Breeze glass glitter, Scallop Trim edge punch, Dowel.

Thanks for stopping by!

Satisfying Challenges And Gettin' Er Done

I have a bunch of personal cards to whip up, and I always look to challenges for inspiration. A couple challenges I love are SplitCoastStamper's Try a New Technique and Ways to Use It. I haven't been there for a while, and my mind was spinning last night with ideas.

Here's a few challenges I'm hitting with this card -
SCS demo challenge Creative Crew, create a project with the "Growing Up" section of the catalog, SCS TLC311 Sliding Pop-Up,

and Friday Mashup.

This is a card for my nephew, who loves Bambi. Well, he's beyond high school, but why not? I think he'll still appreciate it. So I say this card uses exotic African deer and Asian rabbits, which you of course would visit in a zoo!

My card was heavily influenced by Kim Score's example.

Now that I've been through the process, I would have changed up the papers a bit. But that's how it goes with moving cards; you've got to go one round first.

Stamps: Forest Friends, Season of Friendship, Sincere Salutations; Paper: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Whisper White, Haiku DSP; Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede; Accessories: 1" Circle punch, MS grass punch, Coluzzle, Birds & Blooms die, Cloud die (non-SU), Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

PCS Template: Easter Bonnet

Whewie, I have been so busy. I had to drive DH and Little Missy to JFK last week, and somehow that just messed up the whole week. So they are off enjoying DH's family in the Netherlands, and you would think I would have plenty of time to get things done. Well, two classes scheduled, Mom coming for a couple days, a couple coffee dates, lunch with friends, all this catching up with the social side of life, well perhaps I won't catch up.

This is the first installment of seven highlighting templates from Paper Crafters Sampler that were available in last year's issues. Melanie is now offering last year's issues, including the templates, for purchase and instant download at a discounted rate (use code PCSHB). I had my eye on some of these, so I'm thrilled I get to play with all seven! Continue to come back through April 30 to get a peek at all seven of them. You can click on the "PCS" label at the bottom of this post or the sidebar to bring up all the PCS posts on my blog.

First up is the Easter Bonnet template, which would be cute for a table center or side table decoration or even place settings for a garden party.

These little 3-D items made from templates are just so adorable!

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla; Ink: Marina Mist; Accessories: Sponge, Circle punches, Marina Mist satin ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, Little Leaves die, Big Shot.

Want to grab a template for yourself? Go to the PCS Library site for instant download. If there is a place to make a comment, use code PCSHB or my name so Melanie knows I sent ya!

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

Lollipop Flowers

The cat's away, so this mouse is staying up to play along with ColourQ for a quickie birthday card.

I just followed a layout from a swap card I received from Kay Kalthoff at Convention. Pretty easy to bang out.

A fun little hello card!

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Bashful Blue, Concord Crush, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White; Accessories: Circle punches, Rhinestone jewels, Stylus, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Scrapbook Friday: School Days Plus Cupcake Box Tutorial

For this week's Project 52, I started with a hybrid My Digital Studio project that is shown on Stampin' Up's You Tube channel as inspiration. I thought the embellishments reminded me of school-ruled paper, so I made a "first day of school" page.

The only special trick here is that I placed three Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon strips on top of each other, and for the two overlaid ones, I used drop shadows to the left. Then I added brads to "hold" the gathered ribbon together.

MDS elements: Stamps: Presto Patterns Overlay, Greatest Moments; Paper: Old Olive; Accessories: Hoppy Memories Labels, Summer Home Flowers.

Project 52 progress: This is week 12 (of the year), and I have made and shared 9 pages so far.

Cupcake Box:

There has been some requests for directions to the cupcake box. I'm pressed for time, so a sketch out of steps will have to do.

The plethora of photos is on the post earlier this week. Here is an outline of how I made it -

1. Cut one Petal Cone die-cut out of Very Vanilla CS. Cut two cones apart and cut off side tab. Cut the bottom of each cone flat so that the score line to the bottom measures 2-1/8". Emboss with Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.
2. Pierce holes on cupcake top with paper piercer and stitch with Linen thread, using a back stitch. Repeat Step #1, without embossing, and attach to the back of embossed and stitched cupcake pieces to hide stitching.
3. I used a simple box design: 4-1/4" square piece, scored 1" on all sides, cut tabs along score lines on two sides and glue box together (box bottom). Do the same with 4-3/8" square piece (top of box). Glue box to cupcake shape, laying down the length of ribbon before gluing on box bottom.
4. Punch 2-1/2 x 7" piece of Botanical Gazette or other DSP with the Scallop Edge punch. Punch a hole in every other scallop with the small hole-punch of the Crop-o-dile. Fold back and forth to create the cupcake bottom ruffle. I did this by folding one mountain fold line just left of the scallop with the punched hole (lining up the scallops). For the valley fold to the left of that, you don't want to line up the scallops. Do something like a "half-scallop fold". You may have to go back and repeat the Crop-o-dile punching after folding. Trim left and right sides of ruffles as needed to fit onto cupcake shape. Glue onto cupcake with Tombo multipurpose glue (my best friend).
5. The pink felt flower was die-cut with the Baskets & Blooms die. Stitch on button and attach with a glue dot. Embellish further as desired. I used chipboard pieces decorated with DSP.
6. Enjoy and come back to share your creations here!

Thanks for stopping by!

3-D Thursday: Nature Walk Projects

Hi dee ho, I thought it would be great to share the projects from Hartford Regionals today, featuring the stamp set from the Occasions mini, Nature Walk. One of the projects is a 3-D banner, hence 3-D Thursday. I have never made a banner. Lots of vintage details and embellishments. I love it!

Here are some 3 x 3" notecards, along with a little holder for the second set -

And a couple of cards -

Order the Nature Walk stamp set and coordinating Botanical Gazette DSP from me through the end of the Occasions mini (April 30) and receive step-by-step instructions on how to create these projects for yourself!

Hope you enjoyed the projects! And don't forget, we would love for you to join us at the next Stampin' Up event, but you need to sign up! Lots of incentives! Check here for the details. Hurry! Some of the incentives expire on March 31.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hey, Good Lookin'... What'cha Got Cookin'?

Confessions of a Stampin' Addict diary, March 23: Sometimes, really so infrequently though, I cheat on my Stampin' Up stamps. I know, horrible! Don't tell them! I love them too much to hurt them. I'll suffer in silence.

I've been meaning to play with the Taylored Expressions set I picked up last year, What's Cookin'. With Ms. Baker's birthday this month, it was the perfect opportunity. Taylored Expressions holds monthly customer blog hops, using formerly released sets. Why not? What fun to play!

The theme of this hop is Spring. I used Baja Breeze-colored paper, and I really like the funky-modern color of the aqua blue-colored mixer. Think robin eggs. Martha would be proud. Hope that isn't too much of a stretch for Spring.

Stamps: What's Cookin' by Taylored Expressions, Vintage Vogue; Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Parisian Breeze DSP; Ink: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers; Accessories: Sponges, Small Oval punch, Baker's twine, What's Cookin' Taylored dies, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Jump ring, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Artsy Fartsy

I love combining two of my favorite challenge blogs, Friday Mashup and Stampin' Celebration. The problem with challenges is I always have to move my blog post up so I can submit the card before the challenge closes. All the more pressure to keep creating further down the road so I have something for the blog. And... I am usually creating birthday cards with the challenges, so there's the risk of spoiling the surprise. The prices we pay to play along.

So here's the challenges for this week -

I used Studio Sketches. This art form probably has some name like Fresca or something, but I don't have any art background whatsoever. I had no idea what to use for a post title. The images in Studio Sketches remind me of the European table, and they have a vineyard or two over there, so it seemed like a good choice for a card for Hubby's side of the family.

I tried to recreate some white grapes with this solid, two-step stamp. I would have liked more gradiation, probably with a line stamp and watercoloring, but I think it works. I kept telling myself to not sponge, leave it clean. But then the sentiment tag didn't pop, so I inked the edges. Well, then I had already jumped into the pool. It highlights the stitching better anyway.

Stamps: Studio Sketches, Gorgeous Grapevine, Clearly For You; Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP, Greenhouse Gala DSP; Ink: Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, So Saffron; Accessories: Aquapainter, Sponge, Curly Label punch, Daffodil Delight taffeta ribbon, Button, Linen thread, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC15 Birthday Cards!

Hi Everyone!

Time for another Stampin' Up Only challenge. Today challenge is to create a birthday card or project.

While on vacation, I saw these really cool cupcake boxes.

And So Shelli's challenge this month is cupcakes. Well, I got to thinking about combining them. Inspired by the Petal Cone die and a magazine cover I had seen, I started working it out.

Since I used the "sweet" sentiment on the cupcake, I had to tie in birthday specifically by creating a little matching notecard with the "sweet celebration" sentiment.

Some side views of the box. The box has an upper and lower lid, which opens up once untied, and is perfect for holding a little gift.

And close-up of the notecard -

Stamps: So Very, Sweet Scoops; Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Botanical Gazette DSP, Love Impressions DSP; Ink: Early Espresso, Real Red marker, Chocolate Chip marker; Accessories: Brights Collection button, Mat pack, Linen thread, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Holiday Collection kit, Simon Upper chipboard, Crystal Effects, Scallop Edge punch, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Build-a-Cupcake punch, Small Oval punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Crimper, Petal Cone die, Basket & Blooms die, Big Shot, Pink felt, Dimensionals.

ETA: An outline tutorial for this cupcake box can be found on this blog post.

I had a lot of fun making this one, and I plan on sending it off to someone special. Thanks for stopping by!

Hartford Regionals

Well, as always, the latest Stampin' Up event was a blast! It was so great to go with a group of ladies!!

Wanna see a cool sneak peek? The set Sunny Fun is going to be in the upcoming mini. And as part of a Regionals promotion, if you sign up with me as a demostrator by April 3, both you and I get the set before it is available for FREE! Click on photos to magnify. It is a cute, summery, fun set!

Now, you'll want to sign up before March 31, so you'll also get all the great benefits of joining during Sale-a-bration. During SAB, there is 15% off the starter kit, plus SU is adding $50 bonus bundle to each starter kit!

Item	Page	Description
121620	165	Color Coach (or multiple languages Color Coach)
120806	183	Something Special Simply Sent (or any Simply Sent kit)
117114	183	Live, Laugh, Love Stamp Set (or any Simply Sent Stamp Set valued at $12.95 or less)
119883	202	Heart to Heart Punch (or any punch valued at $17.95 or less)

Why wait? You know you love the stuff!! And attending Stampin' Up events with friends! And first access to upcoming catalogs! Click here to check out more.

Here is a little memento pin they gave us to remember the day.

And here is our group (minus Melissa, who missed the shot, but she did enjoy most of the day!). And Sue won a free, not-yet-available stamp set!!

It is time to start saving your pennies for Convention. Registration opens next month. Do you want to go? Three full days of parties, dinners, and stamp-rockin' goodness? Freebies, first peek at the Holiday mini and upcoming product, swapping and more! Well, sign up, Silly! You can only attend if you are a demonstrator.

I'll have some pics our Make & Takes, featuring Nature Walk, soon. Thanks for stopping by!

A Recycle Challenge Of Sorts

A swimming friend was cleaning up her house and found an old stamp. She asked me if I wanted it, rather than throw it away. Well, yeah! Turns out to be a PSX stamp, vintage 1988.

I made a little notecard for her as a thank you. I thought this would fit in nicely with the challenge over at Our Creative Corner, Don't Throw that Away, although I didn't quite follow directions with reusing packaging. I saved a stamp, and that's important! I'm also working my way through the SplitCoastStampers Creative Crew challenges, and this one works for Reuse, Recycle, Repackage, and Alter.

This one's a popped-up beautiness!

Stamps: PSX stamp; Paper: Whisper White, Travel Journal DSP; Ink: Night of Navy, Early Espresso, Soft Suede; Accessories: Crumb Cake seam binding, 1-3/8" Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Blender pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Craft knife & mat, Glue pen, Dimensionals, Glue dot.

Have I joined the ranks making Christmas cards throughout the year? Nah! I still haven't recovered from the Christmas blitz last year.

And, completely unrelated, here's my cat Xena laying in a box full of TWO shoebox swaps, including some 3-Ds. Well, if I didn't love her...

Thanks for stopping by!