Peace on Earth

DH and I just returned from San Antonio, TX.  Our oldest daughter came in from Afghanistan and we wanted to be there to welcome her home and to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with her.

While in Texas, I checked the SCS website to find today's challenge (F4A197 - Let It SNOW!) found here. "Let It Snow" is also SUO Challenge #84 challenge found here.  I decided to CASE this card that I have had in my favorites forever.   I titled my card "Peace on Earth" because  this is my wish.



Stamps: Christmas Lodge, Lovely As a Tree, Serene Silhouettes, Calm Christmas, Gorgeous Grunge
Inks: Chocolate Chip, VersaMark, White Gel Pen
Papers: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Silver Glimmer Paper
White & Clear Embossing Powder
Embellishments: Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Christmas Memories

Another SCS Creative Crew Project

Holiday focus: Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla.

Stripes DSP: Stripes embossing folder, swiped the Always Artichoke inkpad over it, ran it through the big shot to make the striped card stock

Dotted DSP:  Punched out small circles using the Small Circle Punch from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack, adhered to Always Artichoke card stock.

Evergreen Stamp set from the SU! Holiday Carryover.

It's a Wrap

This is one of my submissions for the SCS Creative Focus: KITS! Creative Focus: KITS! I used the 'Merry Little Christmas Kit' (Digital download) to add the sentiment and digital stamp on the image panel. The Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board was used to make the box.

I used the 'Merry Little Christmas Kit' (Digital download) to make these bows. Although I own the Bigz Bow die, I find the digital image is a great space-saving alternative. I used my Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board to make the large box. The small boxes are also digital downloads.

Family Time

DSP/Color Focus: I used the Envelope Punch Board to make a File Folder Card and adjusted the measurements of the pages inside based on instructions from the Altered File Folder Tutorial found Here

My SCS Gallery
Stampin' Up! - MDS Digital Kits

October SCS Creative Crew Projects

"Cutest Baby Ever!" ... my little grand

'Dare to Dream":  My husband loves to read so I made him a book-shaped card. I must say he has always actively pursued his dreams so the sentiment, 'Dare to Dream', from the Loving Thoughts stamp set, was perfect for the title of the book.

'Swirling Butterflies': I am not a Halloween person but I love this season and the colors that It brings. I wanted to bring a bit of Fall into my Craft Room so I used my SU Big Shot to make a decorative wreath for my wall.

Gaudy Gift Card Holder - Closed

Gaudy Gift Card Holder - Open

For You

Here is my final submission for the September Creative Crew Challenge: Scrapbook and More Focus: Make a gift for a good neighbor as you celebrate National Good Neighbor Day (September 28th).

For You: This little Photo Wallet/Mini Scrapbook is for Alda, a dear friend who has been wonderful to me these past few months.  I have been having a few health issues and she has been right by my side supplying me what whatever I need as well as encouraging me whenever I am down.  I altered the tutorial a bit for my project but basic instructions can be found here.


Supplies:
DSP: Eastern Elegance
Card Stock: Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Basic Black
Inks:  Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate
Embossing Folders: Square Lattice,
Framelits Labels Collection, Big Shot Machine,
Stamp Sets: Everything Eleanor, Layered Labels,
Other Products: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Neutrals Brads, and Half-Back Mini Pearls,
Simply Scored Scoring Tool & Stylus, Bone Folder

So Grateful

Here is my third submission for the September 2013 Creative Crew Gallery - Holiday Focus: 911 Remembrance. It's not a holiday, but it's a day that has been imprinted on our minds.  Make a project with the Big Shot that allows you to remember a day from your past. If you wish to share the significance of this day, we'd love to read about it.

So Grateful:  9/11 will forever be a part of my memory.  I was in my office that morning when one of the ladies ran in crying uncontrollably.  She had been listening to the radio at her desk when the news broke.  I had a small TV in my office and we all gathered around and cried together as we watched in disbelief as the events unfolded.  We worked for the Court system and it was rumored that there would be an attack on Atlanta.  The Chief Judge of our Court issued an Order to close down so that we could go home and be with family.  I remember this day as both a tragic day but also as a day that brought us together as a Nation.  As Lee Greenwood sings in his song, “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free...”  I am so grateful and appreciative of the freedom we enjoy.

Supplies:
DSP: Eastern Elegance,
Card Stock: Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
Inks:  Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate
Embossing Folders: Square Lattice, Lacy Brocade
Framelits Labels Collection, Big Shot Machine
Stamp Sets: Flower Shop, Apothecary Art
Stamp-a-ma-jig, Neutrals Brads, and Half-Back Mini Pearls
Simply Scored Scoring Tool & Stylus, Bone Folder

Just For You

This is my second submission for the Creative Crew September Challenge - Catalog Focus: use any of the stamp sets on pages 111-119 in the annual catalog.  Make a project in a new way to you by using a technique you've never tried or a special fold never used by you before. Continue to use at least two of the colors from the color focus, crushed curry, coastal cabana, smoky slate or whisper white.

Supplies:
DSP: Eastern Elegance,
Card Stock: Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
Inks:  Coastal Cabana and Smoky Slate Stampin’ Write Markers
Paper Piercing Pack (Festive), Sticky Strip, Half-back Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Elegant Butterfly Punch, Word Window Punch, Framelits Labels Collection, Big Shot Machine
Stamp Sets: Beautifully Baroque, Papillon Potpourri, Label Love
Simply Scored Scoring Tool & Stylus, Bone Folder

Just For You:  The Carol Duvall Show was a crafting show that I looked forward to watching a few years back and was sad to see it cancelled.  One of her guests made a ‘Flag’ Album as a closing gift to Carol on her very last show.  I loved this album and was happy to see the instructions in the SCS Resources section (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/mini_album/).  I was really amazed at how easily it came together.  I plan to add pictures and journaling of my little grand and give it to our daughter & SIL (her parents) as one of their stocking stuffers this Christmas.

Butterfly Wall Art

Had to go back and re-add this post.  My original post disappeared into Blogland...

This is the beginning of my quest to make home decor projects using SU! products.

The walls of my craft room are bare and I am going to use products from Stampin' Up! to liven them up. One of my favorite stamps is this Swallowtail Butterfly. It is in the 'Background Stamp' category and is large enough to use as 'Wall Art'. My project today is 3-fold: decorating one of my craft room walls, SUO Challenge #78 - Ribbons and Bows!, and TLC444 - Stamping on Designer Paper,

I stamped the butterfly using VersaMark ink on Modern Medley DSP; embossed with black embossing powder.  Colored wings with markers then cut wings using craft knife but left body intact so that wings could pop-up.  Matted using card stock and DSP.

All products are from Stampin' Up!
Swallowtail Butterfly Stamp
Bigz L Bow Die & small die from Labels Framelits collection
Inks: Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana, Versamark
DSP: Modern Medley & Afternoon Picnic
Card Stock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana.

Memories

I have been selected to be one of the guest members of the Stampin' Up! Creative Crew Design Team on the Splitcoaststampers Website (big ole smile on my face because this is such an honor for me ... my Creative Crew Badge is on the right). This is my exciting news that I referred to in my post on July 29th.

This "Memories" box is my submission for our first assignment:

DSP/Color Focus: Our journey of self improvement begins with Eastern Elegance designer papers or the colors crushed curry, coastal cabana, smoky slate and whisper white.  Make a project using these colors for someone you admire. Tell us why this person is significant to you.

This memory box is for my mother, my go-to person ... my encyclopedia of knowledge these past few years as I traced our family lineage.  Most of the information I needed was not available on the ancestry.com website but my mother’s memory of family history filled in the gaps for me.  She turned 93 this past March and she is one of the strongest women I know.  She still cooks huge family meals for holidays and, during inclement weather, she calls each of her children (there are 10 of us) and many of her grands to make sure we are safely tucked in from the storm.

I have not placed photos in her memory box yet but there will be plenty of room to add photos of each of her children.  The pockets give additional space to add photos of her grands, great grands, and great-great grands.  I added a butterfly in the center of the box to represent my mother as being the nucleus of our family and to exemplify her strength because she became stronger as a result of the many trials and struggles she endured over the years.

Supplies:
DSP: Eastern Elegance
Card Stock: Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
Inks:  Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate
Embossing Folders: Square Lattice, Lacy Brocade,
3/4” Circle Punch, Framelits Labels Collection, Gift Bow Bigz L Die, Bigz Butterfly Die, Papillon Potpourri Punch, Big Shot Machine
Stamp Sets: My Friend, Beautifully Baroque, Label of Love, Too Kind, Blooming with Kindness
Simply Scored Scoring Tool & Stylus, Bone Folder

Good Thoughts

Just got my new Thinlits Label Dies from Stampin' Up! Using them was like cutting butter; I can't wait to order the other set. This card was made using SUO products (of course).  I am entering it into the "Just Add Ink" JAI#177 Colour Challenge: Smoky Slate, Soft Sky,  Calypso Coral.  Stamps: Too Kind; Nature Walk; Embossing Folder: Lacy Brocade. I also used a tiny brad from the Subtles collection.

To participate in this challenge, jump on over: http://just-add-ink.blogspot.com/

Post Cards

Decorated Box (Closed)

Add caption

Box - Complete - Undecorated

Box - Assembled

Box - Scored.

This box is for Inspiration Challenge 401 - Michele Varian.  I was inspired by the Wooden Postcards found HERE.  I just ordered and received this Post Card stamp from Stampin' Up! and thought it to be perfect for this project.




Here is the box decorated and open.  I made extra Post Cards to go inside but I am not finished.  I will probably give this to my sister-in-law who is in Germany.  Maybe she will drop us an occasional line so that we will know what she is up to.




This is the box, closed, completed, and undecorated. All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

• Ink: Cherry Cobbler
• Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory
• Ribbon: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding
• Brads: Regals (Cherry Cobbler)
• Stamps: Post Card; Designer Typeset Photopolymer

Assemble the box using strong adhesive.

This is what the completed, undecorated box looks like open.

• 8 1/2" x 11" Card Stock
• Score at 1", 5", 6", and 10"
• Turn once and score 1" on each of the remaining ends (box will have a one-inch scored border all around)
• On the long side, cut on score lines up to the score line.

Just For You

I have not decided who I will send this card to.  I have made quite a few sympathy cards lately and it feels good to make a card without having a reason to... other than to enter a challenge (SUO; CC437; SC447, WT437).

I used today's sketch challenge (SC447), last Thursday's 'Ways to Use It' challenge (WT437), and Tuesday's color challenge (Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, and Pistachio Pudding).  The dessert was to make your own DSP (CC437).  Here are the steps I took to make my DSP:

• Stamped the flower from the 'Mixed Bunch' set on Whisper White card stock in VersaMark Ink.
• Embossed with clear embossing powder.
• Sponged over sections using Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, and Pistachio Pudding.

Products (All Products are from Stampin' Up!)(SUO)

• Embossing Folders: Square Lattice, Lacy Brocade
• Stamps: Mixed Bunch (Flower); Just Believe (Sentiment)
• Card Stock: Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White (to make DSP)
• Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, VersaMark
• Punch: Word Window; Blossom
• Antique Brads
• Ribbon: Whisper White dyed with Strawberry Slush dye ink pad

Exciting News

Stay tuned for some exciting news. I can't share it yet... Waiting until it is really official. Meanwhile I will just have to continue Stamping and Creating.

Hope

This is the second of two Get Well Cards that I am submitting for CC435 and SUO Challenge #74.  Click Here for more information on the other card.

I did not add as many embellishments to this card as I did on the Hidden Butterflies card.  I added the SU! Designer Clips to the sides of the stamped and cut-out image from the 'Everything Eleanor' stamp set. I decided not to add ribbon and butterflies to this card but I did tuck butterfly wings under each side of the circle punch with the sentiment.

Stamp Sets: Everything Eleanor; Silhouette Sentiments, With Gratitude, Papillon Potpourri 

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla (Neutral)
Accessories: SU! Designer Clip, Half-Back Pearls (Large & Small), Scallop Punch, Circle Punches, Very Vanilla Ribbon, Butterfly Punch.

Hidden Butterflies

This is the first of two Get Well Cards that I am submitting for CC435 and SUO Challenge #74; the cards are very similar in nature because I doubled up on the embellishments as I stamped, water-colored, punched, and cut out the images.

SUO Challenge #74 was to make a Get Well card. CC435 (SCS) Challenge was to use Wisteria Wonder, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe,  Very Vanilla (Neutral), then add a pin or clip as a dessert option. I didn't have any pins so I used SU! designer clips. 

These cards are for sick friends.  I've sent ''Get Well' cards to both friends before but they are still 'under the weather' ... I want them to know that I am still thinking of them. I stamped 'Hope' in the bottom right corner as a reminder that there is always hope, regardless of the situation at-hand. 

It's hard for me to make a card that does not include ribbons and/or butterflies so I tucked both in on this card. You may have to look closely to find the butterflies because I used the same colors on them as on the flowers. I even tucked butterfly wings on each side of the oval with the sentiment.  I used the oval scallop punch and a SU! designer clip as the top left corner treatment; I knotted a piece of Very Vanilla ribbon and added it to the bottom right corner above the 'Hope' sentiment. 

Stamp Sets: Everything Eleanor; Silhouette Sentiments, With Gratitude, Papillon Potpourri 

Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Baked Brown Sugar, Crisp Cantaloupe, Very Vanilla (Neutral)
Accessories: SU! Designer Clip, Half-Back Pearls (Large & Small), Scallop Punch, Circle Punches, Very Vanilla Ribbon, Butterfly Punch.

Little Angel

In making a card for my niece and her husband who are first-time parents, I was inspired by This Card.  I looked through all my Stampin' Up! stamps trying to find a suitable image of a baby but to no avail.  I settled for this stamp I bought from some company on the Internet a few years back .... wish I remembered the name of the company.  I also wish Stampin' Up! offered stamps with more realistic images of babies and children, but, since it doesn't, I periodically end up purchasing products from other companies.  The rest of the materials used are Stampin' Up! products.

 

Wish I could add this card to the SUO Gallery.

Happiest Birthday

SUO Challenge #74 – Favorite Stampin’ Up! Accessories.  
SCS challenge, WT435 (It's Not Hard to Use) I added six brads as my hardware on this card.

There are so many Stampin' Up! products that I love; it was really hard for me to make a decision as to which accessory was my favorite since it constantly changes. I needed to make a birthday card for a friend of mine and decided to start out with one of my favorite stamp sets, Apothecary Art.  One of the things I love about it is that it includes a birthday greeting and had an accompanying die in the Framelits Labels Collections.

I stamped the image on card stock vellum (another of my favorite accessories) and colored the flowers and leaves on the back of the vellum with Stampin' Write markers. Since I wanted a 'Window' effect over this image, I double-stacked my Stampin' Dimensionals on my panel before layering it over my vellum image to give added height. I stamped the butterflies with VersaMark ink, embossed with white detailed embossing powder, colored the backs of the butterflies with the Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write marker, then punched them out. I added a half-back pearl to the center of three Boho Blossom punched flowers, then added a flower to the back of each butterfly with a glue dot.

Stamps: Papillon Potpourri , Apothecary Art

Card Stock: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Vellum

DSP: Sycamore Street

Inks:  Black StazOn, VersaMark

Stampin' Write Markers: Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi 

White Detailed Embossing Powder

Stampin' Dimensionals

Brads (Brights Collection 3/16")

Embossing Folders: Petals-a-Plenty, Textured Impressions

Dies: Adorning Accents Edgelits, Framelits Labels Collections

Punches: Bitty Butterfly, Elegant Butterfly, Boho Blossoms

Adhesives: Glue Dots, Snail

Since retirement, my friend and only I keep in touch with each other via birthday and Christmas cards with an added 'catch-up' letter included.  I do hope she likes her card.

NOEL ... Christmas in July

Lately I've been making a lot of Christmas cards and I am really getting in the mood to start my Christmas shopping. I've already started making a list of things to purchase (and make) for friends and family.   The CC434 Challenge falls right in line with my train of thought... Christmas in July. My card for this challenge is pretty simple... no sketch... I just free-formed it. 


Card Stock & Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Gumball Green
Embossing Folder: Petals-a-Plenty
Stamps: Seasonal Sayings, Ornament Keepsakes (stamped on letters and corner of card
Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine (untwisted Whisper White from Cherry Cobbler before tying to letters)

I used my Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green Stampin' Write markers on the sentiment stamp and added it to the bottom left-hand corner of the Crumb Cake panel, then ran it through the Big Shot machine using the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.

For a 'Chipboard' effect of the letters, I cut each color of card stock to 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" (5 layers for each letter), stacked and glued them together, brayered over them to remove any air bubbles, then let them dry. I ran my heat gun over them a few seconds to make sure they were completely dry before running the stacks through the Big Shot machine with the die.

I used one of the ornament stamps from the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set to add interest to each letter.  I stamped each color of ink on the same color of letter (tone-on-tone).  The corner treatment is from one of the ornaments in the same stamp set.  I stamped it on Crumb Cake card stock in Cherry Cobbler, used one of the Ornament Keepsakes Framelets  to cut out the ornament, them used the corner punch to turn it into my corner treatment.