The Time Has Come

I cannot even tell you how long I have been waiting to make this card; well, not this exact card precisely, but the opportunity to create these adorable strawberries and show them off in a “delicious” card. What do you think? Don’t they look good enough to eat? I have to say, there is nothing to bring one out of the gloom of a rainy day than a reminder of the sweetness of Summer.

These strawberries are used using a large heart and topped with a five-point flower, trimmed and layered. However, having seen these strawberries being created, what I feel puts the cuteness factor over the top are the small blossoms. Now, I know that the strawberry blossom turns into the strawberry itself, but I just couldn’t help myself here.

Aren’t they delicious?



Recipe: Just Believe and Swirls & Curls stamp set; mellow Moss, Whisper White, and Poppy Parade cardstock; Poppy Parade DSP; Polka Dot embossing folder; Mellow Moss ink; subtle brads; Three Flower, Five-point flower, Heart, and 1/16” punches; mini glue does.

Kindness Knows No Bounds

After a couple not so successful attempts at a beautiful card, I feel that I finally hit one out of the park. One of my favorite techniques is tone-on-tone, and, even though this card uses several different colors, I think it is a good example.

Instead of using two different colors for the flowers, I used a technique which utilized the second “generation” of a stamp image. For the solid color in the flower, I inked the stamp and then stamped it onto a scratch piece of paper to get the dark image off the stamp and then, without re-inking it, stamped it again onto the white paper. This makes the color a lighter shade, yet the same hue. Then, then accent portion is stamped over the first directly from the ink pad. I love the look.

Some perfect patterned paper, offsetting mats, a few grounding stamps, and some appropriate coordinating buttons is all this card needed to take it over the top. I love it…and hope you do too.



Recipe: Build a Blossom and Heard from the Heart stamp set; Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, and Perfect Plum card stock; Greenhouse Gala DSP; So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Perfect Plum, and Lucky Limeade ink; size B clear block; Bitty Buttons; Blossoms Petals and Perfect Flower punches.

Mixing Patterns

Have you seen the not-so-new Take a Spin stamp set? I have an issue with this set: I love it but cannot figure out a good way to “use” it. I have only felt super successful once (when I used it as the center of a flower) and as you can see – this is not that time. Other than that one use, how else can these spinners be used in a way which doesn’t make them look odd or out of place?

What do I like about this card? Mixing patterns is one of my favorite things to do – polka dots, toile, floral, and geometric…I love them all. By sealing them all together with the Square Lattice embossing folder I think they make one cohesive element of on this card.


Recipe: Take a Spin stamp set; Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, and Natural Confetti cardstock; 2 1/2?” Circle punch; metal spinner; Chocolate Chip DSP; jumbo eyelets; ¼” Ivory taffeta ribbon; Square Lattice embossing folder.

A Brief Departure

Even now, when I look at this card, I am pleased and surprised that I made it. I saw a sample of a card at my sister’s and enjoyed the layout and style of it; I decided that I would attempt to duplicate it.

The patterned pater is from the new package of designer series paper from Stampin’ Up! called Domestic Goddess. Initially, I was not interested in this set of paper, but after looking at the patterns more closely (and individually as opposed to as a set) I realized that they are quite lovely: a subtle marble pattern, a light plaid pattern, a delicate flower pattern, and more.

I picked my color palate (another departure for me) from these patterns. I also utilized My Digital Studio to alter the two stamp images to suite this project (in both size and color). Overall, I enjoy the outcome of this card. Particularly, it was my first chance at using the new ruffled ribbon – and it won’t be my last.



Recipe: Define Your Life (MDS) and Watercolor Trio (MDS) stamp sets; Pool Part, Whisper White, and Calypso Coral cardstock; Domestic Goddess DSP; 1/8” Corner Punch; Pool Part ruffled ribbon; dimensionals.

What a Difference a Pearl Makes....

This is a hybrid card utilizing both digital imaging and “live” accents. The template of this card is not one which I would have put together on my own, but was “nudged” to try it by a fantastic card from my sister’s place. This card also gave me the opportunity to use a plethora of decorative pearls; though I love the pop which rhinestones bring, sometimes they are too sparkly for a card. In these circumstances, substituting a pearl for a rhinestone is the perfect solution.

I also layered some ribbon. Unfortunately, I don’t think it was very successful. How should I have done it? What would have worked better? Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.


Recipe: Flower Fancy, Oval All, and vine (MDS) stamp sets, Old Olive, Night of Navy, and Whisper White card stock; Night of Navy and Old Olive ink; Small Oval punch; 1/2” Old Olive Satin and 1/8” Night of Navy Taffeta ribbon; Jewel Basics: Pearls; dimensionals.

Less is More

Here is my first example of inspiration in action. I love the simplicity of this card – the pops of purple against the white plane. Add in the perfect embossing and a beautiful card emerges. As far as the sentiment is concerned, I have seen this stenciling technique on several different projects around the “crafting circuit” and have wanted to give it a try. The heart was the perfect shape – I was thrilled how perfectly the sentiment fit (even the curve from the “v” follows the contour). I think it was the perfect way to add just a little more of the Sahara Sand pop of color.

Recipe: Well Scripted stamp set; Elegant Bouquet embossing folder; Sahara Sand, Concord Crush, Whisper White card stock; Heart, Three Hearts, and Itty Bitty Shapes punches; Jewels: Basic Pearls; sponge; mini glue dots.

Back in the Saddle Again…

Take a visit to my sister (chalked full of more lovely card/crafting projects than one could think of) and mix in the need for an outlet and what do you get? NEW CARDS! Stay tuned for some new “lovlies” on the way.