Stay Tuned....

Hello faithful blog followers!

It has been a while and, over that time, I have accumulated so many fantastic projects to share with you (some of mine own and others from fabulous fellow crafters).

Stay tuned....

Up, Up, and Away!

Another Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has come and went…and what a beautiful sight it was – as always. The week started at a friend’s home with a front-row seat to the Mass Assencion (without the lines and crowds of the event itself). One couldn’t ask for a better way to see such a great sight: spending it with great people, enjoying fantastic conversation, and enjoying an amazing breakfast. Beautifu!

During the Fiesta, I was able to capture a photo right as the sun was poking up over the Sandia Mountains and I was inspired. Though I had already made a card for my Card Club’s challenge, an idea came to me:

I love this card. The card is just a white piece of paper with a hole cut from the front panel and then sponged with a plethora of different colors and then popped with hot air balloons…simple and lovely. I added a bit of thread as a throw-back to the ropes and strings used in ballooning.

At the end of the week I found myself at the office on an early Saturday morning. Usually I would not be happy to be there (and if I had a choice, I wouldn’t have been there that morning either), but being there gave me the opportunity to see the balloons again since my office is just a couple blocks from the Fiesta field.

All in all, it was a great Fiesta!

Recipe: Whisper White, Basic Black, and Poppy Parade cardstock; So Saffron, More Mustard, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, and Not Quite Navy ink; linen thread; sponges.

An Initial Attempt

First of all, I need to apologize for the image...I can't get it rotated upright.

For Card Club this month we were challenged to create a card using a template created by the operators over at Stampin 411. Since I knew how busy the forthcoming weeks were going to be, I jumped right on it. The template called for a square card with a large circle and some type of division across the center. I don’t know why, but knocking one inch of the long end of a card makes the plane so much more difficult to plan. I decided to make the circle front and center by finding the perfect section of patterned paper and rim it with some ruffled ribbon (I’ve only tried it a few times – maybe after a few times more I may be able to make it presentable); duplicating the ribbon and adding a coordinating bow followed naturally. So, now I had a frilly circle, a ribbon, and a bow on a blank piece of cardstock; well, that just wouldn’t do. One of the things I love about Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper is that each “series” comes in a pack; I pulled out the package again and saw so many various coordinating patterns which would have been excellent choices. However, my final decision wasn’t in the pack, it was in my scrap pile. I used more of the green and the reverse razzleberry pattern as well.

I thought it turned out well and I was going to use it. Unfortunately, after a few days, though I still liked it, I was inspired to create something different.

Stay tuned….

Recipe: Pocket Full of Posies DSP; Rich Razzelberry and Night of Navy cardstock; Rich Razzelberry polka-dot and 1/8” taffeta ribbon; 2¾” circle punch; dimentionals.

Amazing, Awesome, Talented…You

This card is one of a kind, just as the woman for whom it was created.

This plan for this card was very simple: lots of flowers and lots of green. Utilizing a monochromatic green as the background of this card (matted with white and green to offset) left the wind open for a plethora of flower choices. Honestly, at this point I didn’t know what to do next – in what direction to proceed.

All I knew what I wanted flowers. I sorted through my paper and decided on five different possibilities for flowers. Still unaware of what flowers, what specific colors, or what design I wanted to use, I just started punching – punching flowers of different shapes, sizes, and colors. I shaped the pieces of paper flowers to give them dimension and added pearls to each center (thinking that those which I didn’t use for this project could be used on another). What do flowers need? Leaves. I used other punches to add leaves to each blossom; as I attached each leaf, I put the completed blossoms into a small pile off to the side (which just so happened to be on top of the green paper). When I finished the last one and tossed it into the pile, I looked over and saw the pile of flowers down the side of the green…I liked it. With a little manipulation and a fitting sentiment the card was complete.

I love it - fitting since I also love the woman for whom it was created.
Happy Retirement!



Recipe: Perfect Words stamp set; Old Olive, Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Concord Crush, Sahara Sand, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, and Pool Party cardstock; Old Olive Designer Series Paper; Old Olive ink; Three Flower, Itty Bitty, Perfect Petal, and 1¼” Square punches; Basic Jewels: Pearls; mini glue dots.

Time Well Spent

Once in a while I am able to combine all (if not all, then definitely most) of my favorite techniques into one project; this is just that instance.

Pattern Paper: three different patterned paper are combined in this card: I like how the square pattern offsets the roundness of the flowers; the stripe pattern could mimic a picket fence; the flower pattern could be the sky with birds.

Punches: so many were used in creating this card – all of which work together cohesively.

Sponging: adding a sponged edge to all the pieces unifies and softens the edges.

Accents: the layered buttons accent the flowers nicely and the touch of linen thread finishes them off. Additionally, utilizing dimension creates interest and depth.

There isn’t much else to say besides: I love this card!


Recipe: Time Well Spend stamp set; Cherry Cobbler, Mellow Moss, and So Saffron cardstock; Washington Apple DSP; Circle Scallop, oval Scallop, Small Oval, 1 3/8” Circle, Scallop Border, and Build a Blossom punches; Subtles, Brights, and Regals Designer Buttons; linen thread, dimensionals, mini glue dots, sponges.

Transformation

Of all crafting tools, my favorite would have to be punches. They are easy to use, add dimension, and create the perfect accent to a project. More than ever, what I love to do most with punches is to transform them into something different. Whether it is using ovals and circles to create an owl card or recreating the Twelve Days of Christmas, punches can be used to create so many different things.

In this card, a scallop-edged square was transformed into a funky three-petal flower. Accented by other punches, shapes, accents and color, the flowers add just the right touch and pop of fun to this card.


Recipe: Well Scripted stamp set; Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, and Crumb Cake cardstock; Baja Breeze and Wild Wasabi ink; Scallop Square, Wide Oval, Boho Blossoms, and Modern Label punches; Basic Jewels: Pearls; sponge dauber; sponges; paper piercer; dimensionals, hobby blade.

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.