Happy Friday! and a sketch for you, too!

Hi - I'm back with a quick post for you! It's a little bit of a sneak peek, too!  This is a new Stamp Set from the SU! Summer Mini that will be available on May 1st (tomorrow!).  It's called Elements of Style.  I just love all the images from this set.  I also used the Peony from the tutorial I posted here.  Here's the 2S4Y #51 sketch that gave me the inspiration:

I like the simple and clean lines of this sketch.  Here's a look at the full card for you:

Are you wondering what color blue cardstock I used?  I actually pulled that one out of the vault - it's the SU! retired Cool Carribean paper, which I just love.  Luckily, I bought an extra pack and bring it out every once in a while to use that pretty aqua blue.  Here's the recipe for you:

{Peony Style Card}

All supplies Stampin'Up! except where noted

*Stamp Sets: Elements of Style

*Cardstock: Cool Carribean, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink

*Inks: Melon Mambo Classic Pad, Creamy Caramel Classic Pad (used with a sponge dauber to soften up the oval punched edges)

*Accessories: Scallop Border, Impressions Square Lattice embossing folder, Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon, Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches; button and twine {PTI}

Thanks for coming by! Have a great Friday!

Oh - and if you haven't seen who the lucky winner is of April's Freebie Friday giveaway, you can find out in the post below!! Bye for now :)

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Hi Blog Peeps!! Sorry for being so quiet on the blog front this week.  It has been super hectic for me, so sadly, I haven't had time to post.  However, it is that time to announce the winner of April's Final Friday giveaway!!!  Are you ready to find out?  I read a lot of interesting responses to my question about going back anywhere in time and it sounds like I've got mixed responses.  Some want to go back to simpler times, or historically significant times.  Others didn't want to be anywhere but the current day.  Still others wanted to revisit times with loved ones.  It was great to find out what you guys thought!  Now, as far as my own thoughts, I think I would love to relive my wedding day too - perhaps as an observer so I could watch the events as they unfolded.  That would be an awesome experience.

Well, let's find out who the lucky winner is, shall we?  This month's lucky winner is....

Lucky number 36!  And this happens to be an international visitor - Moka, from Italy!  Here's what she had to say:

I'm sure you all understood that, right?  Well, thankfully, translation tools have come a long way.  Here's what Moka had to say (I think you guys will get the gist):

Thanks so much for playing this month!  Stay tuned for May's Freebie..I'll be posting that next week!

{Mother's Day} SWAP parade

Hi there!  How was your weekend? Hope you had a good one.  I had a fantastic weekend!  We went down to San Diego for a quick weekend trip to celebrate one of my good friend's birthdays and just got back today.  It was so nice to catch up, hang out, and celebrate!  We don't get to see our friends as often as we'd like because with everyone's busy schedules, it's hard to carve out the time to travel - even if it's just a few hours away!  But what's great about good friends is that you realize no matter the distance, your friendship never skips a beat.  That's what I've come away with, and it's a wonderful feeling. 

For today's post, I thought I'd share the Mother's Day Cards I received from my swap group for our April swaps.  Lots of great ideas here!  I think you'll enjoy them as much as I did receiving them!  Here we go:

First up, we have Carole'Anne, who is a super talented stamper from Canada.  I love this color combo, and what an cool technique she did!  This card is just gorgeous.

Then we have Krista, from the Netherlands, who's got an awesome clean and crisp style!

Our next creatively talented stamper is Lee, who made this pretty and happy card using the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set.  I love how she made her lovely bow:

This next card by Liane  has gorgeous detailed hydrangeas that literally pop off the page!:

Now how amazing is this card by Sandi MacIver!  Love how she used the lattice background.  Very delicate and beautiful card!

And last, but definitely not least, we have a lovely and sweet card by Sharon.  I love the soft colors of this card!

Now, wasn't that card parade fun?!!! Aren't these stampers amazing?  Hope you got some great Mother's Day ideas from these!  I know I did. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 

Thanks for coming by!

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 110

Happy Saturday, blog peeps!  I've got just a quick post for you today - it's a card/CD Holder I created for the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 110.  Here's a look at the sketch:

And now for my full card:

I really do have the Hawaii theme on the brain...counting down the days til our summer vacation, I guess!  I've also been playing with the different flower combinations I can create from the Island Floral Bigz die. The center flower is from the Blossom Party die, however.  Here's a little bit of a brighter shot:

How about those leaves?  I used the Ornament punch and then ran it through the new Impressions Square Lattice embossing folder available in the SU! Summer Mini on May 1!  I also even stenciled it up a bit in the background, using the Kind Thoughts Brocade Stencil.  Wanna see the inside of the card?  Here it is:

More of the island theme carried into the card too!  These CD holders are fun to use - lots of things you can do with them! 

I've actually got to get going, so I'll catch up with you guys a bit later!  Have a great weekend! Thanks for visiting!

Peony Flower Tutorial!

Happy Friday, blog peeps!  As promised, I have the tutorial on what I'm calling the Peony Flower that I created on this post.  I really love how this flower looks!  I've seen many renditions of it now, using different flower dies (scallop circle, flower layers, etc), but the flowers I'll be using today are from the Stampin'Up!Blossom Party Bigz die.  Here's a look at the flower pieces:

Aren't those flowers fun? Ready to get started?  Here's what you'll need: 

{Supplies}:

*4 large blossom die cuts and 1 small flower die cut on Whisper White cardstock {or any color cardstock}

*spray bottle filled with water and a small towel (to absorb the water spray!)

*paper piercing tool and mat

*brad

*2 ink pads - I used Melon Mambo and Pretty in Pink {basically 2 colors, one lighter than the other}

1.  Spray the flowers with water until they are moist.

2.  Scrunch up each of the flowers into a little ball.

3.  Gently open up the large flowers, then place them directly onto the Pretty In Pink ink pad.

You'll see that the ink will absorb on the creased parts of your flower, creating a "veiny and mottled" appearance:

5.  For the center small flower, place that direcly onto the Melon Mambo ink pad:

6.  Once all your flowers have been dipped (face down) in the ink pads, stack them up and create a hole in the center with your paper piercing tool.

 

7.  Secure your flower with a small brad.  It's starting to come together!  You can stop at this stage if you want your flower to look more like a dahlia. 

8.  If you want to keep going, take that pretty flower and spray lightly with the water bottle just to moisten it up a little.  Then, scrunch it back up into a ball - so it sorta looks like a clam at this point.

9.  Now for the big reveal - slowly uncrumple the petals and and scrunch as you go.  You'll get a flower that looks like this.

Viola!!! You've now created a beautiful peony flower!  It may be a little damp, so set aside and let dry.  You'll see that the petals will hold the nice and scrunched shape. Too fun! Enjoy!!!

Thanks for coming by!

a card for my niece

Hello there friends!  How goes it?  Hope your week is going well.  I know I had a flurry of cards earlier this week - perhaps it was the wind that blew them all onto my blog!  It has been super windy here these last couple of nights!  I don't want you to get spoiled and think my 3 posts in one day is a standard ;)  Let's just say that was out of the norm, and had lots of pent up creative energy going for me!

For now, I've got just a quick card share for you - it's a fun card I made for my niece, Marina's upcoming birthday.  I used one of Jane's digistamps that I had won {woohoo! - gotta love that!}. She's named the stamp "Mia and Bosko", which I affectionately refer to as "Marina and Milo."   It's amazing the uncanny resemblance of this stamp and my niece - she even has those boots, for goodness sakes!! For the background, I used a new Stampin'Up!set that will be available in the Summer Mini called Watercolor Trio.  I'm hoping to create some more SU! sneak peek samples for you next week, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, hope you enjoy this little happy image and have a wonderful day!

Bye for now!

{bonus} Sketch!....

Oh my!  Yes - it's me AGAIN.  I couldn't help myself.  I was inspired to make yet another card for the 2S4Y bonus sketch.  Doesn't that sketch look so fun?  Of course, had to do a flower, since I seem to be obsessed with the Island Floral Bigz die! Here's a look-see at what I made:

The flower reminds me of a dahlia, which I think are just gorgeous flowers!  I used the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch to layer with the large Island Flower, and the center flower is also from the Island Flower Bigz die.  Don't you just want to get it?!  The die will be in the Summer SU! Mini catalog.  For the background I used the Circle Circus stamp set, which I hadn't used in a while, so I'm glad I've revisited it :)  I LOVE all the circle prints - too fun!  And of course the sentiment.  Another stamp set revisited - On a Pedestal is a fave of mine.  It's amazing how going through your stamps can bring back even not-so-old favorites!  Every now and then, it does help jump start my creativity to look at stamp sets I haven't used in a while.  These are all current in the SU catty :)  Here's one last look at that big flower:

I like the Basic Gray/Crushed Curry combo because there's a clean, crisp and modern feel to it.  What do you think?  Here's the recipe for you: 

{Sweet Island Circus Flower}

All supplies Stampin'Up!

*Stamp sets: On a Pedestal, Circle Circus

*Cardstock: Basic Gray, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

*Inks: Crushed Curry Classic Stamp Pad; Crushed Curry and Basic Gray markers

*Accessories: Island Floral Bigz die, Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, corner rounder punch, Crushed Curry polka dot grosgrain ribbon, basic gray corduroy button

Sidenote - It's pouring here in Southern CA!  Maybe that's what inspired me to use the gray ;)

Thanks for stopping in!

Edited to Add:  Thanks to LeAnne for telling me about this week's Curtain Call challenge over at Stacey Shafer's blog.  While it's completely happenstance that I used these colors, they were close enought to the challenge (3 out of 4 colors), that I thought I'd throw my hat in ;)

Sew Lovely for 2S4Y Challenge

Hey there!  Can you believe I've got another post today?  I was excited to play in this week's 2S4Y Challenge and wanted to use the Sew Lovely set from Lawn Fawn.  I have been eyeing that dress form stamp for a while now and just had to get it!  I kept seeing so many pretty projects with it and I love the girly feminine dress form shape, too.  Wanna see what I made? Here's a look at the finished card:

Isn't that stamp fun?  I created my dress using Stampin'Up!'s Sweet Pea DSP.  Also, I had to try my hand at making the pretty paper mache-looking flowers.  So fun and so easy!  For this flower, I used the SU! Blossom Party Bigz die.  I'll share a quick tutorial later this week.  In the meantime, here's an up close look at the flower:

Hope you like it!  Thanks for the visit.  Bye for now!

Island Flower Mother's Day Card

I think I'm on a roll with the new Island Flower Bigz die!  Or maybe it's just my fascination with 3-dimensional flowers on cards these days.  Here's a card I created using both the Island Flower and the Stampin'Up! Exclusive Blossom Party Bigz die as well.  I even threw in the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, which layers nicely with the big flower in the Island party die.  Doesn't this have summer written all over it?  Here's a look at the full card:

I think my current new favorite background is the Impressions Square Lattice embossing folder - it gives such a fun, almost canvas-like texture to the cardstock.  Did you happen to notice the pink circles peeking out behind the flower on the top note die?  Well, I also incorporated the stencil technique by making my own polka dot pattern on cardstock.  How'd I do that?  Well, I created a top note template and then punched random circles of different sizes on it.  Then I layered it over my clean Whisper White Top Note die and sponged in my circles.  After that, I put the top note piece of cardstock in the embossing folder.  My end result -  a fun pattered and textured top note die!  Hope you like it!

Have a great day and I'll catch you guys later!

{delicate} tissue flower

Wow - is it really Monday already?  Well, to start you off on your week, the card I created for today is based on a tissue flower technique that Liz Miller demonstrated at the WooHoo event this past weekend.  Of course I had to go home and try it! In making it, I was amazed at how delicate the flower looked as I crumpled and ruffled up the tissue!  Here's a close up of the flower:

Aren't those petals so natural looking?  I had fun making this flower - so easy and the finished flower looks so impressive!  Here's what I did to create this:

1.  I used the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch and punched out about 10 layers of gift wrapping tissue.  In order to punch it out properly, you'll need to sandwich the tissue between regular copy paper to create the firmess needed for your punch to go through all the tissue layers. 

2. Then I sponged the tips of the petals with s sponge dauber. 

3. Once I completed that, I stacked up all the flowers and used my paper piercing tool to create a hole in the center of the flower for my brad to go through. 

4.  After securing the flowers with the brad, I crumpled up the entire flower and mashed it into a ball.

5.  Then, I fluffed up and scrunched each of the layers until I was satisfied with my flower.

6.  For the petals, I used the new Island Floral Bigz die {available in the Summer Mini}

So whaddaya think?  I also tried my hand at making a vintage card.  I love seeing vintage cards, but I feel like I struggle creating the look.  So I decided to take baby steps.  I sponged the edges to create a vintage-y feel, but I think I've got a ways to go.  This is a technique I'll have to continue practicing!  Anyways, in the meantime, here's the recipe for the card for you:

{Delicate Flower Birthday}

*Stamps: Happy Moments, Tiny Tags

*Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Sweet Pea DSP

*Accessories: Island Floral Bigz die, Impressions Square Lattice embossing folder, Old Olive Grosgrain striped ribbon, Square Ice Rhinestone Brad, Scallop Oval, Large Oval, and Modern Label punches, brads, tissue

Have a great day!  By for now :)

{my swap} and highlights of the WooHoo Stampers event

Good Morning, blog peeps!  Happy Sunday to you.  Are you guys having a fun weekend?  Hope so.  I know I had a fun day yesterday.  I was at Michelle Halleen's WooHoo Stampers Event in Valencia, CA and I even got to speak, too!  About blogs, no less! :)  It was defnitely a fun filled day.  So, I thought I'd share some highlights from the event.  The picture above is the swap card I created. Quick and simple, it did the trick for me to be able to mass produce the swap in a short amount of time!  Lucky for me, the Fifth Avenue Floral daisy stamp is pretty as is, so I didn't have to do much to it :)  Here's a look at one of them close up:

One of the ways I was able to make this card quickly, is I used the Scallop Square die to do my little pink scallop border.  I cut strips that were 4"x1" and was able to do 8 of these strips through the big shot at one time (4 strips along the top and bottom of the scallop square die).  Makes mass production go pretty fast, and still gives your card a fun element :)  It's a great way to make your Big Shot work for you.  It's probably the workhorse of all of my papercrafting projects!  Here's the quick recipe before I get to the event details:

{Daisy Just For You card}

All supplies Stampin'Up!

*Stamp Sets: Oval All, Fifth Avenue Floral {it's on sale this month!}

*Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Regal Rose

*Inks: Basic Black Classic Pad, Pretty In Pink and Regal Rose markers

*Accessories: Scallop Square Clear Bigz die, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, Basic Black grosgrain ribbon

There was definitely lots of AWESOME ideas at the event yesterday.  Here are some highlights of the fun projects that were being showcased.  TIP: If you click on the picture below, you'll be able to see a bigger picture:

At the beginning of the event, we got to swap our cards and watch some live demonstrations of a variety of papercrafting techniques.  I especially loved watching how to make a lot of different 3 dimensional flowers.  I can't wait to try it out and share samples with you, so stay tuned! We also got to make 4 projects while we were there, too.  Even more inspiration, I tell you!  Between the speakers, stamping, swapping, demonstrations and visiting with other demonstrators and guests, it was a great day.

The ringleader for this awesome event is none other than Michelle Halleen.  She lives in New York now, although she makes a point to do this event for her California demos - isn't that awesome?  It's just one example of the dedication she shows to us as a group.  WooHoo for you, Michelle!!!

Here's a picture of Michelle and I.  She's one amazing upline! 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

{sneak peek!} of Tropical Party and a 2S4Y challenge

Happy Friday, blog peeps!  Boy oh boy did this week fly by!  I got some super cute SU! Summer Mini sneak peek goodies in the mail the other day and decided to put them to use for this week's 2S4Y Challenge #50.  Here's what the sketch looks like:

I liked the idea of doing a long and skinny card.  I loved the nice and simple lines of the sketch and thought I would add a big splash of color with the Island Oasis DSP.  Here's a full view of the card I created:

I created a "ribbon" element with the Pinking Hearts Border punch, and I layered a piece of embossed cardstock using the new embossing folder called Impressions Square Lattice, which is also in the upcoming summer mini!  Are you wondering how I got it 2 toned?  Well, after embossing, I brayered over it in Old Olive, and viola!  Now, for the adorable stamps - that's from the new set called  Tropical Party.  These stamps and papers remind me of summer and are totally getting me excited for our trip to Kauai!  Here's one more snapshot of the card, just a tad closer up:

Are you excited about these summer mini products?!!  They'll be available from Stampin'Up! starting on May 1st!  Here's a recipe for this card:

{Tropical Party Birthday Card}

All supplies Stampin'Up! except where noted

*Stamps: Tropical Party , Well Scripted

*Cardstock: Whisper White, Island Oasis

*Inks: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel (sponge daubered on the edges)

*Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Impressions Square Lattice Embossing folder, Large Oval Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlits, Linen Thread; the buttons and wood wallpaper used for the tag are non-SU! supplies I had on hand :)

Thanks for taking a peek!  Enjoy your weekend

I can't believe I WON!

Yes!  It's true.  I can't believe it myself! I've never won anything like blog candy online in the almost 2 years I've been blogging, and finally that changed this past weekend.  I was so excited to discover that my card was picked for the 2S4Y (2 Sketches For You) Card of the Week!!!  So, not only did I get some fun card props from the awesome gals, Laura and Kazan at 2S4Y, but that also meant that I won this week's Sponsor's giveaways.  WooHoo!  I was SOOO ECSTATIC when I found out that my prizes included homemade buttons and Digistamps created by the talented Jane Beljo, along with 6 gel pens to boot!  How fun is that?!  I've had the pleasure of "virtually" meeting Jane, online and she truly is such a sweet and awesome person.  I'm a big fan.  I couldn't wait to create something with her adorable stamps, so here's what I made.

I created this card for my niece Lily's upcoming birthday next month.  It's amazing how much the little princess (who was modeled after Jane's daughter) looks so much like my niece, too (once I colored her hair brown, that is)!  I even paper pieced this card - her dress, shoes, the cake, and banner....this is defnitely the most paper piecing I think I've ever done!  Here's a look at the card in full view:

I used Jane's Digistamps, a PTI button and twine, and Stampin'Up! of course for the pretty Sweet Pea DSP, cardstock, ribbon, and punches.  What do you think?  Hope you like it.

Sorry for being so quiet this week...I had to contain my excitement til now because I've been super busy at work.  I haven't had a whole lot of time to get my crafting on!  Anyways, hope you guys had a great week.  Thanks for popping by for a visit.  I really appreciate it! :)

I promise I'll catch up with you guys in a bit.  Ciao for now.

2S4Y Card Sketch

Morning blog peeps!  Hope you're enjoying your Saturday so far.  I had a nice and relaxing morning and did a bit of blurfing, which was fun.  That's how I came across doing this challenge today and also came across my inspiration to create the flower on my card!  Here's a look at Laura's Sketch 49 from 2S4Y:

Then, I saw this flower tutorial on The Wedding Chicks blog, so I wanted to figure out how to incorporate it on the card!  Here's a look at the full card.

Isn't the flower fun?  Here's another look at it, from the side view:

Turns out, it's so easy to do! I'd love to make a vase of these...yet another project I'll have to get to.  And lastly, the butterfly - I sponged the edges with Creamy Carmel to soften it up a bit:

Now, you've gotten a look at all the card elements...Here's the recipe for you.

{Bloom and Butterfly for Mom}

*Stamps: SU! Messages for Mom; PTI Turning a New Leaf

*Inks: SU! Regal Rose and Old Olive

*Cardstock: SU! Sweet Pea DSP, So Saffron, Very Vanilla Textured CS, Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP {retired}

*Accessories: Flower Layers die, SU! Beautiful Butterflies die, Scallop Circle punch (for the flower center); PTI Button and string

Hope you like it!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Enjoy your weekend :)

ETA:  Pals Paper Art's got a flower challenge this week, too, so I'm adding this card in as my second entry ;)