{Tech Tip Tuesday}: #6 - Foxy framelit hearts

Hello there my dear crafting friends!  I'm glad to say I'm back with {Tech Tip Tuesday} #6!  If you've put away your heart crafting products after Valentine's Day, I'm giving you a reason to take them back out and keep 'em around for your paper crafting projects year-round.  How do you like my little fox?  Other than his eyes, he's made from all hearts…isn't that sweet?  Mr. Fox is now quite in vogue again, thanks to the viral video that musician Yvlis has put together.  But I digress….now how about checking out how to make this festive little fox card?  Before we get to the quick tutorial, wanna see the inside of the card?

My friendly fox says, "hey there!"

So, let's check out the tutorial shall we?

1.  To create this Foxy card I, I used the Hearts Collection framelits, Chevron Embossing Folder, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder {from the Sale-a-bration catty}, 1/2" Circle punch, Small Heart Punch, Whisper White, Basic Black, and Poppy Parade card stock.
2.  The trick to the card is aligning the top of the heart with the folded edge of the paper just enough to keep your card together.  I tried to eyeball a width of  "2 scallops" just past the folded edge of the cardstock, on the top of each heart bump.
3.  Next step is to die cut and punch out your hearts: 1 large scalloped heart for the card base, 2 of the 2nd smallest hearts for the ears, 2 of the smallest hearts for the inside of the ears, 1 of the 3rd smallest heart for the snout, 2 half inch circles for the eyes.  One last heart not shown is for the inside of the card, which is the 2nd largest heart framelit.
4.  Emboss the card base with the Chevrons embossing folder and the snout with the decorative dots.  You can always opt to go smooth, but I find the texture to be fun and add a nice dimension to our little fox friend.  After embossing, assemble the card using the Tombow glue.  Viola, you're done!

Here's one last look at the finished card.

Isn't he a fun little fox?  Feel free to experiment with different colors and sizes.  I'd love to see what you come up with!  Hope you liked this week's {Tech Tip}!  Thanks so much for coming by to visit! 

Bye for now!

Stampin'Up!'s weekly deals {Feb 25}

Hey there blog friends! How are you?  A good Tuesday evening to you! It has been a nutty week on the day job, so it's definitely my bad for the lack of posting.  I really wish there were more hrs in the day! I'm getting a wee bit of a late start posting to my blog today and I definitely wanted to share this week's fun deals with you:

I was excited to see the Backyard Basics Framelits because it also coordinates with the cute Hostess Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini:

I think this stamp set is so cute, and I didn't have the Backyard Basics Framelits yet, but now, I'm motivated to get it so that I can die cut the cute butterfly and bird images!  Woot woot.  How about you?  See anything you like?  You can check out the entire site at my online store!

I also wanted to let you know that my Tech Tip Tuesday post is coming soon - before today ends, Pacific Time, so be sure to check back so can see what this week's tip is!  Bye for now :)

Stampin'Up!'s Weekly Deals {Feb 18}

Hi all!  I know it's been a little quiet on my end for a Tuesday.  Suffice it to say, I'm having technical difficulties and will need to resume my {Tech Tip Tuesday} segment next week.  Time just escaped me…even with the long President's day weekend! :(  Not to worry - I promise I'll make up for it next week. :)

I do have a quick update for this week's deals though…would you like to see?

There are a couple of crafting "must have's" for sale this week - namely, the 3/16th inch corner punch and the silver metallic encore pad.  Metallic is all the rage right now, so it's great to have silver or gold on hand to spruce up your crafting projects, don't you think?  Well, these products and more are available at my online store 24/7, so feel free to hop over there if you want to take a peek!

I just want to leave you with a few pics from this weekend - our little family went to visit the California Science Center to check out the Space Shuttle Endeavour…boy was it amazing!  The shuttle was so massive and to see it in person was awesome!  I'm glad we got to witness a little piece of history. The Endeavour's weathered exterior says a lot and tells a great story of its incredible journeys.  

We had a fun time at the science center and even got to make our way over to the Natural History Museum, which was so cool, too!  If you're in Southern CA, it's definitely worth the wile to check out these museums {especially if you've got little kiddies in tow!}

Thanks for coming by to visit.  I'm glad your journey brought you here today! Have a great one. :)

Stampin'Up!'s Weekly Deals {week of Feb 11}

Hi all! I'm back for a quick post. It's a new week of deals at Stampin'Up!  Check out these great products and scoop them up at a discount!  

Be sure to check out my {Tech Tip Tuesday} #5 post today to get an idea for using Window Sheets in your projects! :)

{Tech Tip Tuesday}: #5 - Stamped Banner Window Card!

Hi blog friends!  Welcome to {Tech Tip Tuesday}!  This week, I'm sharing the technique of stamping on a window sheet using StazOn ink. I started off with a trifold card base, which I created from a 12x12 sheet of Core'dinations paper.  I also got to use my Perfect Pennants Clear Mount Bundle (which includes the Banner Framelits and the Perfect Pennants clear mount stamp set - an excellent combo!). Are you ready to check it out?  Let's get started, shall we?

1. Cut out a 5 1/2" x12" piece of card stock and score the 12" side at 3 1/2" and 7 3/4".

2. Use the Big Shot to die cut the 2nd largest banner framelit on the 4 1/4"x5 1/2" panel of your trifold card.

3.  Cut a 3" x 5" piece of window sheet and adhere on the inside of the card using glue dots along the edges.

4. Stamp the "Make a wish" sentiment {from the Perfect Pennants stamp set} to the front of the card using white StazOn ink.

5.  Die cut the largest banner framelit using a sheet from the Sweet Sorbet DSP.  Next, die cut the 3rd largest banner framelit using a scrap of Pool Party Core'dinations paper.  Then lastly, die cut the 2nd smallest Labels framelit in Basic Black card stock.  Assemble these layers on the 3 1/2"x 5 1/2" panel of your trifold.  Tip: line up the Sweet Sorbet DSP banner piece along the inner edge of the card panel. This will make all the banners align with your front banner window.

6.  Embellish the front of the card. I used the Banner punch from the Sale-a-bration catalog and the Itty Bitty Shapes flower. I added the Pearl Basics to the flower centers to give my flowers that fun dimension.  Viola - you're done!

Here's a couple more views of the card for you.

Here's the card recipe:

{Make a Wish Banner Window Card}
Stamp Set: Perfect Pennants
Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe and Pool Party Core'dinations card stock, Sweet Sorbet DSP, Basic Black
Inks: White StazOn ink
Accessories: Banner and Labels Collection Framelits, Banner Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punches, Window Sheets, Glue Dots

Product Recommendations for this project - click on the images to check them out on my online store!:

Now, it's your turn to give this technique a whirl! I'd love to see your creations. Thanks for stopping in today.  Have a great one!

Happy Birthday {Greeting}

Happy Monday, dear blog friends! Did you have a good weekend?  It was pretty chilly and drizzly here in Southern CA, so I was happy to have a mellow, quiet weekend to just relax, catch up a bit and hang out with my boys.

For today's share, I've got a birthday card I created last week for a dear friend, Sandy Hancock.  Her birthday was last Friday and I wanted to make her a special card, since she is such a Stampin'Up! inspiration for me.  I hope she liked it! It was so fun to make with goodies from the Sale-a-bration and Occasions catalogs.  I was also really excited to finally get to play with the Core'dination card stock, too. After embossing the Pool Party card stock with the Chevron Embossing folder, I sanded the paper  to bring out the white core and give it that weathered and faded look.  It's such a cool effect! Here's a look at the full card:

I used the See Ya Later stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog. It's a super cute set that comes with four clever sentiments.  And, how about the pretty Sweet Sorbet DSP? The colors and patterns are so happy and fresh - they're the perfect palette for spring.  Wait til you see them all.  You'll love it! I know I can't get enough. These colors really do put me in my happy place!  Last but not least, I added just a wee bit of embellishment with the sweet Petite Petals punch and a touch of twine.  Whaddaya think? Here's the card recipe for you.

Happy Birthday {Greeting}
Cardstock: Subtles Core'dination cardstock in Pool Party, Sweet Sorbet DSP {Sale-a-bration}
Stamp Set: See Ya Later {Sale-a-bration}
Inks: Calypso Coral Classic Ink Pad
Accessories: Chevron Embossing Folder, Banners Framelits, Deco Labels Framelits, Labels Framelits, Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes flower punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Crisp Cantaloupe twine from the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack {Sale-a-bration}, sanding block

Hope you all have a great week! Thanks for coming by. I'm so glad you stopped in for a visit! :)

Valentine Mini Cupcakes!

Hi there, blog friends!  Happy Friday! This past weekend, I was feeling festive and inspired to make some Valentine mini cupcakes for my workshop.  I couldn't resist the cute sprinkles that were calling my name at the grocery store and so I thought, why not? Well, I'm pleased to say I had fun making them.  I think that since it involves "creating", it was a very therapeutic, yet fun task for me. :)  So, the picture above is a subset of my finished baking project.  Of course, I had to embellish with some flags made out of Polka Dot Parade DSP.

Well, wouldn't you know it - the batch made 30 cupcakes, so I definitely had a bunch left over.  Way too many for my little guy, hubby and I to eat up.  So, I decided to share with my neighbors.  This is where packaging at the ready comes in handy!

This cute Decorative Window Gift Box was a perfect size for 4 mini cupcakes!  The height and width really were just perfect!  Here's what my little neighbor goodie looked like after packaging them all up!

I got to use the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch yet again!  I love having this punch.  It turns out, it's been pretty handy to have!  My heart tags were super easy and quick to put together, too! I used the Full Heart punch and then embellished the bottom of the tag with a little fringe border, which I whipped up in a snap with the Fringe Scissors.  All in all, my overstock of mini cupcakes turned into a fun little neighbor gift-giving moment. Not only that, but back at the home front, I got to cherish my little guy's enjoyment of savoring his cupcakes.  Or, as he says "cut cakes." :)

Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Stampin'Up's weekly deals {week of Feb 4} + new personalized stamps!

Hi all!  Did you know Stampin'Up has weekly deals available? These cool deals are announced in my online store every Tuesday and are available while supplies last, so if you see something you like AND you like the price, better scoop it up while you can!  

I'm also excited to share the new personalized circle stamp, available in photopolymer! 

Here's a closer look at the stamp detail and format:

With this personalized stamp you can create a fun address label or use it for a bunch of things like from labeling books or other belongings to having a super cute way to give a personal touch to gifts and goodies.  Pretty nifty, huh?  This cool photopolymer personalized stamp is priced at $23.95 and it can be matched up with the clear block "B".  I can't wait to order one myself…though I'm actually thinking I may need to get a few with different personalized sentiments!  Very exciting stuff, indeed!

Thanks for taking a peek!  Have a great one!

{Tech Tip Tuesday}: #4 - Heart flowers!

Hi all!  How are you?  I can't believe we're already into February!  With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought I'd incorporate some hearts in this week's {Tech Tip Tuesday}.  These fun heart flowers are super simple yet have such a pretty way of fancying up a card! It's not a new technique, but it's definitely a goody to revisit.  Ready to check it out?

1.  Punch or die cut 5 hearts. For this card project, I used the smallest heart from Hearts Collection framelits for the big flower and also used the Small Heart punch for the 2 small flowers.

2.  Fold the hearts in half. Doesn't get much easier than that!

3.  Once you have the hearts folded, position them into a five petal flower onto your card and adhere one side of the heart with a glue dot.  Repeat the steps as necessary until you have all the flowers you want on your card.

4.  I finished off my card by adding the sweet sentiment "you make me Happy" from the Happy Watercolor stamp set in the Occasions catalog.

Here's a bigger look of the full card for you:

Don't you love the card base?  It looks like I watercolored those pretty chevrons, doesn't it?  Well, it's actually one of the designs from the Watercolor Wonder Designer Note Card set.  Isn't that so pretty?  I love all the designs in this card set as well as the texture of the paper.  It's a handy stash to have at the ready - all you need to do is embellish the front of the card, or even just stamp a sentiment and you're done! Here's the recipe for this card.

{Happy heart flowers}
Stamp Set: Happy Watercolor
Cardstock: Watercolor Wonder Designer Note Cards & Envelopes, Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Inks: Calypso Coral
Accessories: Hearts Collection Framelits, Small Heart punch, glue dots

Product Recommendations for this project:

Thanks for coming by today.  Now, I encourage you to give this fun technique a try.  It's so easy peasy and looks so cute on a card!  Would love to hear what you think about this technique.

Hope you have a fab Tuesday! Bye for now :)