Beautiful People

Our beautiful niece has been going through some serious health issues the past few years.  She was dealt a really devastating blow this past Monday and our nephew (her husband) wanted to do something to cheer her up.  Her birthday was Friday (2/8) and he decided to put together a last-minute surprise birthday bash for her.  It was beautiful and she was caught completely off guard.

I wanted to make a really special card for her to go along with her birthday gift. Thank you, Laura, for sharing the instructions for the 'Building Block Card'.  Instructions/Directions can be found Here.  The card is really easy to make.  The most difficult thing about making it is deciding how you would like to decorate it.  I had to pull out a lot of stamp sets to find the sentiments that fit the occasion as well as the size of the stamping area.


Card Recipe:  All products are from Stampin' Up
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Island Indigo
Inks: Island Indigo, Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry, StazOn Black, VersaMark
Stamps: People Like You, Happy Watercolor, Express Yourself, Bloomin' Marvelous (Retired Sale-A-Bration), Field Flowers, hodgepodge Happiness, Vintage Labels (Retired Sale-A-Bration), Papillon Potpourri
Punches: Elegant Butterfly, Decorative Label
Stampin' Up Jewels

Swirling Butterfly Sympathy

Sympathy cards are ones we don't really want to need but they are necessary.  I am always caught off guard and, as a result, ending up making one at the last minute.  I really love this stamp set from Stampin' Up! because it makes a quick and easy card with minimal coloring.  It's been a while since I've used the Center Step Fold method and this stamp set seems perfect for it.  This is for one of the ladies in our church choir who recently lost a family member.

This is the outside of the card.  Below is a view of what the card looks like inside.  The image is colored with Island Indigo and Pear Pizzazz markers and the sentiment is stamped in StazOn Black.  I stamped the butterflies in VersaMark ink then embossed in white detailed embossing powder.  I used the Honeycomb embossing folder also.  Card stock: Very Vanilla and Island Indigo.

Thank You

Just playing around with one of my new stamp sets as I participate in a few challenges.  I remember reading a statement from Karen Barber a few weeks back that not enough members participate in the SCS Color Challenge and I made a decision to try to be more diligent in participating in more challenges, whether I am pleased with my finished results or not.

This card is for the following challenges: SUO, SUO Challenge #89 - No Layers, CAS, CC463 Coastal Saffron Tango,


Stamps: Peaceful Petals, Blooming With Kindness (Inside Sentiment)
Inks: So Saffron, Tangerine Tango, Coastal Cabana, VersaMark
Clear Embossing Powder, SU Jewels
Key Words: SUO 89, CAS

Get Well Soon

This card is not for a challenge... sometimes I like making cards just to use my supplies.  I purchased this stamp (Summer Afternoon) from Stampin' Up! and it retired before I used it... matter of fact, this is the first time I've used it.  This is also the first time I've inked up my 'En Francais' stamp and it was one of my 'Had-to-Have' stamps.

I've got so many more 'retired' stamp sets that I've purchased and never used.  I've also got packs and packs of retired, unopened DSP.  My mission this year is to use those 'retired' stamps and that 'retired' DSP on projects and cards so that I can free up space in my craft room for current products.

This is today's project using some of those unused products... a card using the old (retired) and the new/current.  One of the members of our weekly Noonday Bible Study group was hospitalized last week and I've made this card to send to him.

Stamps: En Francais, Summer Afternoon
Inks: Marina Mist, VersaMark. pear Pizzaz, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, White Gel Pin
Other products: White Embossing Powder, Black Embossing Powder, Sizzix Thinlits, Candy Dots, Piercing Pack

Whoo Hoo! We Got Snow Today!!!

Tulip Blessings

It’s really cold here today and the SCS WT463 Challenge was to use Cool or Warm Colors... if the low temperature of the day is 32 degrees or below, use cool colors.  The current temperature  is 22... we had a low of 12 last night.  The challenge can be found here

I combined this with WT462 found here. The challenge was to use tape. I  used washi tape to create a background for my card.  I cut off pieces of  tape, pressed it against my VersaMark pad, pressed it on my card, removed it, poured clear embossing powder over, heat set, then sponged the colors on.

This is also for SUO Challenge #88 - Fun with New Toys found found here.  My new toy is my Blessed Easter stamp set from Stampin’ Up!.  I separated the image from the sentiment in order to make the stamp set more versatile.

For You

Today is my husband's birthday and this card/money holder is for him.  My plans are to prepare a nice breakfast for him, then treat him to lunch/dinner at a really nice restaurant later today.  Our daughters are banding together to treat him to some type of  'Biggie Surprise' tomorrow.  They won't give me a clue as to what they have up their sleeves.  I can't wait to see what they have planned for him.

This project is also for the SCS WT460 Challenge... Crafty Goals 2014.  One of  my goals  is to make at least one project per week and my husband's birthday gave me the incentive for week one... one down, 53 to go.

Chalk Talk Stampset & Framelit Die
Inks: StazOn Black, Always Artichoke, VersaMark
Card Stock: Always Arichoke, Naturals Ivory
TIEF: Square Lattice, Fancy Fan
Ribbon: Always Artichoke Seam Binding

2014-2015 Calendar

For our final challenge, we were to make a calendar, to do list, booklet or journal for a friend to use in 2014.

I altered, rather than making a calendar.  This time of year, you can pick up these 2-year calendars for $1.00 and I grabbed a bunch to alter and give away as last minute Christmas gifts. The shaded section on the Crumb Cake card stock on the back of the calendar is from the gloss of the plastic holder.

Stamps: Everything Eleanor & Wetland
DSP: Soho SubwayDSP, Season of Style DSP,  Crumb Cake Card Stock
Inks: VersaMark, Chocolate Chip
Embossing Powder: Clear; Cherry Cobbler
Neutrals Brads

Chocolates For You

Holiday Focus:  Since December 24th is National Chocolate Day, we were challenged to make a card using chocolate chip on it.  I CASED this card from Grannytranny's gallery.

Since my card has 'pretend' chocolate on it, I decided to make a mug and fill it with real chocolate (DH's fav).

Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, & Crumb Cake Card Stock;  Chalk Talk & Chalk Talk Framelits; Stripes & Fancy Fan TIEF; Neutrals Candy Dots & Brads; Inks: Chocolate Chip, VersaMark & Clear Embossing Powder

Imagine

This SCS Creative Crew Challenge was to copy someone's artwork who loves brads or candy dots; we are to use candy dots generously on our projects.  I CASE'd Jan Tink's 'Papillon Potpourri meets Hello Lovely & World Map' found here.

Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri; Loving Thoughts, Very Vintage Wheel
Punches: Bitty Butterfly; Elegant Butterfly
DSP: Modern Medley
Card Stock: Very Vanilla; Basic Black
Neutrals Candy Dots; VersaMark Ink; Black Embossing Powder

There's You

This is a card I made for my daughter who is currently serving a tour in Afghanistan.  If all goes well and her tour is not extended again, we will celebrate Christmas with her this year.

As part of the SCS Creative Crew, our color focus is the Modern Medley Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!) or  Stampin' Up!'s Basic Black and Very Vanilla card Stock.  We were also to C.A.S.E. (Copy And Share Everything) someone we admire and give them credit.  I CASE'd the very talented Karen Barber.  I love every card she creates and this is the card I chose to case.

Karen used the 'Elements of Style' stamp from Stampin' Up!.  Since my daughter is so far away, I used the Stampin' Up! 'World Map' background stamp.


Stamp Sets: 
World Map, Chalk talk, Wetlands

Inks:
Black StazOn

Papers:
Very Vanilla, Basic Black, and Vellum Card Stock

Other Supplies:
Very Vanilla Ribbon; Lacy Brocade TIEF; Large Pearl Basic Jewels

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.