Card Sketch Books

(this book was made for a friend...I ran out of letters, and knew she had her own chipboard letters she could adhere which would match the Paisley Petals DSP. Only a true crafter would give/and love to receive a "partially made" giftie! LOL!)

Morning Friends! Check out these great sketch books I created following Kristina's video tutorial, and freebie page printout. I always have a ton of loose scrap papers covered with card sketches (which I lose), or notebooks filled with sketches (which my dogs eat. Seriously.), or photos I've taken and never refer back to. This book can fit easily in my purse, be stored safely from dog mouths on my desk, and can travel with me to events preventing the forgotten-photo-idea-syndrome many of us probably suffer from :o) I am LOVING it! By printing 5 double sided pages, I have room enough for 70 sketches...should keep me going for a while!

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
Flirtatious Specialty DSP, Paisley Petals DSP, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 1" Circle Medium Punch, Melon Mambo DSP, Not Quite Navy DSP, White Signo Gel Pen, chipboard letters from my crafty stash.

Playing around after Friday Nights Valentine's Day Class

Oh my goodness we had such a fabby time at class Friday night! We actually finished a bit early, and talk moved onto the paper heart chains and wreaths that are popping up on the internet. Well, we couldn't resist playing a little longer, and out came the Flirtatious Specialty DSP, the Paper Trimmer, the Lace Ribbons Border Punch, the Scallop Trim Border Punch and the stapler. We went to work and look what we all made! I have to apologize about the wonky photo above. My hallway isn't wide enough to get a head on shot, so I hope you can see the heart shaped wreath and garland well enough. :o)

Sigh....LOVE the delicate look with the Lace Ribbons Border Punch, don't you?

The Scallop Trim Border Punch was used on Melon Mambo and Pretty In Pink 11x1" strips, so these hearts are a bit smaller than the ones made with the DSP. They are very pretty!

The Flirtatious Specialty DSP was the PERFECT paper for this project, frilly, and girly and delicate! I was glad I had so much on hand!

Want to join us at my next class? Check the side bar for my class schedule, and contact me ASAP to save your seat!

Definitely NOT a class card! :o)

Hey friends! I've mentioned on occasion the Stampin' Success magazine that Stampin' Up! Demo's get each month. They are chock full of great ideas and samples, and I always look forward to getting them. This card has been created from a photo of a 12x12 scrapbook page in the most recent mag. I love that you can take elements of designs, colors, ideas and layout, and change it up a bit to suit your needs. When I first started playing with this card, I had planned on using it in my Valentine's Day Class. After 2 days of (on and off) work at it, I finally conceded it was too intensive for a card class! :o) Hope you all like it as much as I do!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Baja Breeze Classic Ink, and CS, Very Vanilla CS, Pear Pizzazz CS and Classic Ink, Island Indigo Classic Ink and Stampin' Write, Soft Suede, Classic Ink, Basic Grey Classic Ink, Blushing Bride Classic Ink, School Book Serif Alphabet, Take it to Heart, Aqua Painter, Color Spritzer Tool, Newsprint DSP (retired), 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Bits Shapes Punch Pack, Heart to Heart Punch, Full Heart Extra-Large Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Mini Brad, Button and large Brad are retired.

Santa Paintbrush Ornament

Good Morning! Is this guy stinkin' cute or what?!? I was in Lowe's the other day, and picked up their new freebie mag (obvi trying to lure the women in, and I say "Good job, Lowe's! You got me!!!" ;o) called "Lowe's Creative Ideas for Home and Garden". This little Santa Brush was in it, but of course I had to adapt it to SU! LOL! Come on back Sunday to see another super sweet ornament CASEd from the Lowe's mag!

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
Many Mustaches Stamp Set, Crumb Cake CS, Whisper White CS, Soft Suede Classic Ink (stamped off once), Scallop Trim Border Punch, Paper Snips and Tombo Glue, the Pom Poms, googly eyes, and fishing wire are from my crafty stash, paint brush is from local dollar store (Sorry Lowe's...you had the mag at the exit and I picked it up when I was paying and leaving, and didn't read it until I got home...too late to go back and buy your brushes...)

Christmas Lane Stamp a Stack

Good Morning friends! If you are joining Deb and I today for the Christmas Lane Stamp a Stack, these are the cards and the card holders you will be making. I just love all that yummy Quilted Satin Ribbon, all the sweet little jingle bells and mini brads, and the rustic bakers twine. I can't wait for the fun to begin!

Toddler Advent Calendar

Hi friends! So I have all these grand plans for the new 25 & Counting Stamp Set released in the Current Holiday Mini (pg 37). Cards, and gift tags and advent calendars....I got to thinking however, that the ideas I had in mind weren't very child friendly, and wondered how I could make an advent calendar for a toddler to actively use. Voila! The idea for my White Board Advent Calendar was born! I'm hoping that a toddler could easily mark/circle/scribble over the Staz On stamped images, and feel like a sense of ownership in the tradition of counting down. The difficulty I had with this was keeping it very simple. I really was itching to add bows and ribbons and jingle bells to the top and bottom, but did not want anything that could be pulled off and swallowed. I've given this little gifty to my friend's 2 yr old, and hope he really enjoys it!

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
25 & Counting Stamp Set, Christmas Greetings Stamp Set, Four Frames Stamp Set, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin' Kit, Black Staz On Ink, Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink, Early Espresso Stampin' Write, White Board from my local dollar store.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! A quick card using lots of retired Stampin' Up! products. Hope you all have a great day and eve, and that your L'il Gobblins have a great night!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Pumpkin Pie CS, Retired Halloween DSP, Glimmer Brads in Bright, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Whisper White Craft Ink, Iridescent Ice EP, Scary Skeleton Stamp Set (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals

Sympathy Chocolate

At a sad time, like the loss of a pet, maybe a sweet little decorated tin, with paw print wrapped chocolates inside would bring a smile? At least it would let your friends know you were thinking of them...

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
DSP retired, Old Olive CS and 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Whisper White CS, Basic Gems, C is for Cat, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Not Quite Navy Classic Ink, tin form local craft store.

Doggie Love!

A few weeks back, kidlets and I went to Canada's Wonderland. Knowing this was a full day event, and knowing I couldn't leave my dogs that long, I hired AllyCats Pet Services to come in to see to the dogs. Now. For those of you who know me and my dogs, I realize this won't be shocking to you. For those of you who don't, here's quite a story! LOL!

I have 2 dogs, a (mostly) well behaved beagle, and an incredibly dumb but sweet Great Dane. Unfortunately said Great Dane has health issues, and isn't allowed to walk very far. So instead of a walk, ALL the pet sitter had to do was let the pups into the back yard for a 1/2 hr romp, some puppy love, a bathroom break, and some yummy treats. Sounds easy, right? Now factor in that it's MY dogs, and it's that PARTICULAR dog!!!! Don't I get a call that silly puppy broke a nail (seriously) and it wouldn't stop bleeding! My 1/2 hr visit turned into at least a 2 hour visit (I am guessing longer though!), a vet trip, AND my morning dishes and pet food bowls washed!!! (We noticed Allyson! ;o) So to thank the incredibly responsible, patient, kind, sweet Allyson, we whipped together a set of 8 3x3 cards for her. I think she enjoyed them!

So...for anyone in the Kitchener Waterloo Region looking for a pet sitter...I'd totally recommend AllyCats Pet Services!!!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
CS: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Melon Mambo
Classic Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Basic Grey, Cajun Craze:
Stamps: Man's Best Friend (retired, but for obvious reasons, a set I'll always keep!)
Punches: Scalloped Border Punch, Corner Rounder

Gatefold Sympathy Card

One of the things I really like about this card is the gatefold. Slip off the belly band, and you have the open card below.

Good morning everyone! I hope you've had a fabby long Easter weekend. Where we are, the kiddies get one more day off of school, and I have to say, it almost feels like summer here! 4 whole days of playing outside, biking, walking, doors open, lovely weather....can't wait until the summer holidays start! Whatever you've been doing this long Easter weekend, I hope you've been enjoying yourselves.

This card is one we'll be making at the "Spring is Blossoming" card class, held Fri. May 27 from 7:30-9:30 pm, and Sat. May 28 from 1-3 pm. (see sidebar on the right hand side) Come join us to make six cards (2 each of 3 designs) and a 12x12 scrapbook page! (btw, you can add any sentiment you want, I chose "With Sympathy" merely because when I need a sympathy card I don't feel like making one, so I appreciate having them on hand)

Ingredients: (All SU!)
River Rock CS, Whisper White CS, Not Quite Navy CS and Classic Ink, Baja Breeze CS, Basic Pearls, Paisley Petals DSP, Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, Four Frames Stamp Set, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Decorative Label Extra Large Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, folding and belly band from the Stamipn' Success Mag February 2011.

SFF 041511

Morning everyone! I made this card for the Sketch Frenzy Friday Challenge. I thought I was being all that, and created a new technique for the Decorative Label Punch (see my sentiment, it's on an adapted Decorative Label Punch)...however when I was looking at the other SFF entries there was another person who did the same thing! Apparently I'm not so original! LOL! I must have seen it somewhere and kept it in my subconscious...

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Marina Mist CS and Stampin' Write, Bravo Burgundy CS and Stampin' Write, Whisper White CS, the NOT YET RELEASED Paisley Petals DSP, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Decorative Label Extra Large Punch, Petals Aplenty Embossing Folder, Crumb Cake, Saharha Sand, Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Old Olive, Always Artichoke and Soft Suede Stampin' Writes, Basic Pearls, Teeny Tiny Wishes, A Flower for all Seasons, StazOn.

My newest journal

Hello friends! I always have a journal on the go, and love when it's time to decorate a new one. There's always a new product, technique or style I'm dying to try, and lets face it, a pretty journal begs to get used doesn't it??? ;o) This time I've used the NOT YET RELEASED Four Frames Stamp Set and Paisley Petals DSP! Loving these products? Place a $25 CAD order this month, and you can pre-purchase these items too! (Or host a $460 CAD workshop and earn both of these items for FREE!) Contact me today to learn more!

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
River Rock CS, Not Quite Nave CS, Whisper White CS, Chocolate Chip Ribbon (retired), Brads (retired), Four Frames Stamp Set, Botanical Blooms Stamp Set (retired), Paisley Petals DSP, Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Decorative Label Extra Large Punch, Flowers from my crafty stash.

French Kisses Workshop

This is the last of the 4 cards made at the Momma Mar and RobbynW French Kisses Workshop on Jan. 29th, and the 4th of 5 Valentine's Day Cards we are making this weekend. It's fairly simple, but so classic, it's a fave of mine!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Real Red CS, Classic Ink and 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Whisper White CS, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Upsy Daisy Stamp Set, Well Scripted Stamp Set.

Soft Thank You

Hey girlies! I looove this card! The softness of it really speaks volumes to me! The secret here is to loosely color on your stamp with your Stampin' Write markers then spray the rubber with a bottle of water. The more water added the softer the look you achieve. To get a crisp image on top of a softer image (like the words "Thank You" at the bottom of the card), wait until everything is dry, then using your Stamp-a-ma-jig, line it up and stamp your desired image on top of the softer (dry) one. So simple, so soft, so pretty!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Certainly Celery CS and Stampin' Write, Soft Suede Stampin' Write, Pink Pirouette Stampin' Write, Chocolate Chip 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Whisper White CS, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Fresh Cuts Stamp Set.

Artful*Inkers Design Team, Birthday Cards

Good morning everyone! The Artful*Inkers Design Team is in full swing displaying our cards made with the suites we were assigned. The suites come from the new Mini Catty which went LIVE January 4th. (Eeeks! So gorgeous, have you seen the catty??? Call me to set up a workshop so you can earn some of this product for FREE!) I've been selected to show you all the Botanical Gazette Suite, so here is the third project I am sharing:




I just love having little sets of 3x3 cards ready to gift to others! And really, aren't these the cutest? I have a set of my own on the go too!

Tomorrow will be my last day of posting for the Artful*Inkers DT under the Birthday Cards category, but then the schedule is as follows:

Jan. 15, Valentines Day
Feb. 1, All things "book like"
Feb. 15, 3D Items
Mar. 1 to Mar. 30 Anything we desire!

Please visit the rest of my super creative DT girls, to see the other suites in action!
Jessica, shows off the Hugs and Kisses Suite
Janessa, shows off the Springtime Vintage Suite
Dion, shows off the Bring on the Cake Suite
Michelle, shows off the Oh Sew Suite

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Whisper White CS and mini square envelopes, Botanical Gazette DSP, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Nature Walk Stamp Set, Afterthoughts (Level 1 2010/11 Hostess Set), Black Stayz On Ink, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write, Not Quite Navy Classic Ink, Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink,

World Card Making Day, Project #1

Hello Ladies! A quick post today, as I am expecting the doorbell to start ringing shortly. We are celebrating World Card Making Day today, and I thought I'd share one of the 5 gifts cards and folders I designed for my guests to make. Peek back all week, as I will get to posting the others as well. Hope you enjoy them, and I hope my friends enjoy making them! LOL! The idea for the following 5 envelope/folder/3x3" card holders was demo'd at Convention (with a thank you theme...that would work great as a gift too!), and while I wasn't there, one of my sidelines was, and I saw her sample.

Ingredients: (All SU! unless otherwise mentioned)
Envelope from office supplies, Whisper White CS, Certainly Celery CS, Classic Ink, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired) and DSP (also retired), Contempo Christmas Stamp Set, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Petals Aplenty Embossing Folder, gems from my crafty stash, 3x3" Square Envelopes (not shown)

I think you 2 are tweet!

Hey Friends! Here is card #2 of the set I sent to the kids each day of the first week of school. I love to send them little notes to let them know I am thinking of them, but particularly the 1st week I like to get one to them every day. I think they enjoy the surprise too! (At least the humor me, and tell me they like it!!! LOL!)

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Baja Breeze CS and 5/8" striped ribbon (retired), Whisper White CS, Daffodil Delight Classic Ink, Real Red Classic Ink, Pop Dots, Aviary Stamp Set, Scallop Trim Border Punch,

You (2) Rock!

Hey girlies! I am going to try to catch up my posts this week with the cards I sent to school with the kiddies everyday for their first week of school! (At least until Saturday, when I plan to post my Stampinpalooza swap card, and maybe Sunday post one of the projects we are making at my "World Card Making Day" Open House) I made the following cards for the kidlets, but didn't want to post them until after they received them all (and gave their permission! ;o) So this fun one was created using the new Color Coach. I picked this combo merely because I couldn't imagine this combo together, and you know what? I love it! It would look fabby on a birthday card, a thinking of you card, an invite...just about anywhere you want bright fun colors!

Ingredients: (All SU!)
Concord Crush CS and Classic Ink, Pear Pizzazz CS and Classic Ink, Peach Parfait CS and Classic Ink, Extreme Elements Stamp Set, Extreme Skateboard Stamp Set, Just Jawing Stamp Set, Scallop Trim Border Punch,

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge 20, OCCC

Yay me! My mom and dad took the kids to hockey Fri night and I had a quick chance to dust off the mojo, and create a card for Keesh's Inkspiration's Sketch Challenge 20 this week! I also got to use some of my new DSP's, Stamps, and Punches. Woohoo being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, and earning FREE stuff!!! I'm also entering this in the Our Creative Corner Challenge-which is to make an Easter or Spring card.

Ingredients: (all SU!)
Melon Mambo CS, Kraft CS, Pretty in Pink CS and Classic Ink, Old Olive CS and Classic Ink, Welcome Neighbor DSP, Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Well Scripted Stamp Set