A Flower for all Seasons Thank You Card

I have had such a busy two weeks that I forgot I wanted to send out a "thank you" card. We figure we have one or two more (at the most) Saturdays of painting. I will be SO glad when it is done. And when this hot humid weather is done too. Bring on winter, I'm SO ready for it!!! Ok, I'll take a long fall first because I do love fall too!

Ok, onto my fun card.

I used the "A Flower for all Seasons" stamp set. This is one of the images in the set I had not used yet. I'm not sure why but from the looks of the images in the set that were used I believe I am working my way through the four seasons!!!

I thought the sunflower image would be a perfect one for fall. Plus I wanted to use the new Brights designer paper pack. I think I have all four of them (one from each color group) so I have paper to match every color of card I want to make! I like it too that it is economical. And don't forget my favorite word when it comes to stamps and stamping stuff, VERSATILE! These papers can be used for so many occasions and events! It was a wise purchase!

Back to the card (my how I get distracted so easily!). I colored in the image with markers. I punched it out with the 1-3/4" circle punch. I punched out the large scallop and layered the two together. I put Dimensionals behind it.

My layer was cut as follows. The black piece was cut 2-1/8" and the decorative paper was cut at 2". Both were cut to 5-1/2" long. I taped the two layers together and then I wrapped a piece of black satin ribbon around it and taped it to the back. I slipped a little piece of the black ribbon on the front, tied a knot and trimmed the ends. SO simple and easy to do. I LOVE tying my ribbon on this way because it allows me to move the knot if it is not quite where I want it.

I taped the ribbon layer in place. Then I stamped the "thank you" on. Of course it's from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set! Honestly I do put the set away, it doesn't sit on my worktable all the time! After doing the words I then set the scalloped layer in place. And that was it. Very easy and quick to do too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Circle Circus Card

I have had this "Circle Circus" stamp set and have yet to use this. I had gotten this card from Sue. it's such a LOVELY card. This is one of those cards that doesn't take long to make. It's got a nice elegant look to it and can be used for many many occasions.

The stamp from the "Circle Circus" was stamped using Cherry Cobbler. I SO love that new color! The Cherry Cobbler card stock was run through the Big Shot using the "Floral Press" embossing folder. Some white was also ran through it. The white that was embossed was punched out using the 1-1/4" circle punch and taped on the upper white part of the card. That part of the card is actually the base of the card. It was cut on the short side of the full sheet of card stock and folded in half.

The Cherry Cobbler card stock was taped on the bottom part of the card. A ribbon was tied around the middle of the card to hide where the Cherry Cobbler meets the white.

The "hello" was stamped and then punched out using the "Jewelry Tag" punch. Such a cute little punch. I don't have the word set or the punch! On the wish list goes the punch! The piece was set in place on the card with a dimensional. It was set just under the knot. I just love this card. It's simple, sweet and elegant all at the same time. Oh and not to mention QUICK to make.

Thank you Sue for the beautiful card!

Thank you all SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Apple Blossoms Just a Little Note Card

Here is another card I did not make. It would appear that I have not been making any cards lately. Well, for the past couple of days I have not. I've been spending some time trying to get this silly house painted!!! I have the garage window, the living room window, the patio window, and the trim around the front door and I am done. That doesn't mean we are done. Hubby has to do the windows on the second level. I won't climb higher than the third step on a ladder. Don't know why, just won't do it! And we have 4 pieces of Masonite to replace and we are finally done!!! I think it will take a couple more weekends to do and we should be done. I'll keep you posted! You know I will! LOL

So onto the card. This card was made using the "Apple Blossoms" set. I want to play with that a few more times before winter hits. I can see using this set for a few fall cards in the warm oranges and yellows. It will be fun!

This card was done using Marina Mist ink and card stock along with Crumb Cake card stock and ribbon.

Once the flowers were stamped the card stock was run through the Big Shot using the "Square Lattice" embossing folder. One of my favorites. The ribbon was tied around it and then it was then layered on a piece of Marina Mist card stock.

The scalloped oval was done using the Movers and Shapers die. Those are so fun because you can put your openings on any spot on the card. Not just where the punch can reach! It gives you a bit more freedom when making a card.

It's such a sweet and adorable card. I'm not sure who designed this one but it has a touch of "Denise" to it. It looks like her clean and simple look. If it wasn't Denise and it's your card, please let me know!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sock Monkey Children's Birthday Card

I do not own the "Sock Monkey" stamp set but I did have fun playing with it at DIVA Day! This card was designed by Juliann. What is very interesting about this card is the way it opened. If you look closely at the bottom part of the card. See that orange strip at the bottom of the card? It is folded at the left like you would normally fold a card. You open that strip and the card (with the monkey image) now opens from the left. It is VERY different but kind of cool too.

The monkey is colored in with Soft Suede. The hat was cut out and taped in place (after coloring) and the tassel on top of the hat was drawn on.

The balloon was stamped, colored and then cut out. It was set on a Dimensional and put in place on the card. Once in place I took the Soft Suede marker and drew the balloon string line. Wouldn't it be awful to actually have to hang onto a balloon with the string all tangled like that? LOL

It's a wonderful, fun and cute birthday card for a child or for someone who really LOVES sock monkeys! I never had one so I have no opinion on them either way.

Thank you Juliann for letting me share your adorable creation on my blog.

And thank you all for visiting today,
Wanda

Jumbo Snowflake Wheel Christmas Card

I suppose this could be used for more than just a Christmas card. A winter card perhaps, even thank you cards. I LOVE this wheel. I know it is retired and will be for sale in my web store sometime next week. I am trying to go through some of my retired sets and wheels and selling them. I am learning to let go!! LOL Actually I am learning that there just isn't enough time in the day to get the chores done, stamp and sort through the retired stuff. Of course stamping is top on the list but some chores do have to get done before the stamping can take place. Stamping can sometimes occupy most of my afternoon. Between surfing on the net for inspiration to answering your questions in email, I can spend a few hours before any ink touches rubber! And I love every minute of it!

Ok, onto this ever so simple card. I took the wheel and Bashful Blue ink. I have a cartridge for my wheel so it goes much faster. I just wheeled across the card stock and then I wheeled across the envelope. I stamped the words on using the "Sincere Salutations" set and Bashful Blue ink. And that was it. SO simple and SO quick. I don't think it gets much quicker than that! Plus it looks great too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Deck the Halls Fabric Cup Cozy Weekend Project

I am having fun with the new "Deck the Halls" fabric that Stampin' Up! is coming out with. The colors here are so rich. And I also got to play with the new "Big Designer Buttons". The buttons also give the cozy something more to grip on. Ever feel your cup slipping out of your hands? Well, the buttons will stop that from happening!

The cozy was easy to make. I just took the one off my cup from the coffee shop and traced it on the fabric and on some fabric lining. I hand stitched all around the cozy and then hand stitched it shut. I sewed the buttons on and it was done. Not much to it at all. You could machine stitch it. I didn't because my sewing machine has issues and acts up when I use it. It's old and doesn't do what I want it too. It probably needs a good cleaning and a fine tuning but I don't sew on it anymore and I find hand stitching much quicker for what I do. By the time I get the machine out and oiled I could have been done with the hand stitching. SO I hand stitch!

It's an easy project to do and fun too! Wouldn't they make great Christmas gifts for those at the office? Or a Stamp Camp item. How about a Hostess Appreciation gift or a Customer Appreciation gift? I am not sure how well they'd go over at a Craft Fair but it's worth a try.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Holiday Lineup Wednesday Sketch Challenge

I know I told you I was going to have a fun weekend project for you today. Sorry! I forgot it was Wednesday and I always (almost always) do the Sketch Challenge.

This week it was a very fun challenge. It was a bit on the easy side and I SO needed that today.

For my card I got to use the new "Candy Cane Christmas" decorative paper. The whole pack is full of fun designs. Some of them have glitter and embossing too! I'll be playing with those another time and share them with you.

On the background of my card I used the snowflakes paper from that wonderful pack. The next layer (#2) I used the snowmen from the "Holiday Lineup" set. I just love those guys! I colored them in with a blender pen and markers. I like how they turned out. Soft pastel colors to go with the wonderful Marina Mist color.

For the final layer (#3) I just stamped the "Merry Christmas" from the "Glad Tidings" retired set. I kept that set because of the words.

And for the layer #4 I used a couple of snowflakes from the Northern Flurrys die. I had a couple left over from the last card I had made. These snowflakes have the Smooch spray on them plus a pearl. I am SO longing for winter now! I'm tired of the heat, though today was cooler and dryer. I don't know how those of you in the southern states do it. I've heard people say, "you get use to it." I guess it's so, up here we get use to the snow and cold in the winter. But the heat and sweat dripping off you? I just can't get use to that. I can get use to the cool air in my home, the car and the mall!! SO spoiled by modern conveniences!!!

Anyway that is pretty much it for my card. It was very simple to put together. The coloring took the most time and it was easy. SO I would have to say that this card was done in under 20 minutes and it was easy to do too! If you have time play with this card layout. Check on SplitCoast too and see what others have done with the layout. Just scroll down on the right to Wednesday "Card Sketch". The screen that pops up will have all the challenges on it. Click on the one that has "Sketch Challenge #295" on it. In the new screen scroll down to where it says "gallery submissions" and click on it. The next page that comes up will have all the cards submitted by such fun and talented people!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Northern Flurrys Snowflakes Card

I really do like this "Northern Flurrys" die. I LOVE snowflakes and what an easy way to crank out a bunch of them at one time! I don't think my hand would get tired making these as opposed to punching them out with a handheld punch. These are just SO pretty too!

For my card I used a half sheet of Whisper White card stock. Then I layered a piece of Cherry Cobbler on top. The final large layer is another piece of Whisper White card stock. I cut out my snowflakes and then sprayed them with the Smooch spray. I set them aside to dry. They have a very pretty shimmer to them. Click on the photo for a closer view of the shimmer!

I stamped the "dec. 25" image using Cherry Cobbler ink and Whisper White card stock. I then punched it out with the new larger label punch. I also punched out 3 basic black pieces to use as a layer behind it. I added Dimensionals to the back of ti and set it aside.

Next I cut a piece of the new "Deck the Halls" decorative paper. I layered it on top of a strip of Basic Black card stock. I taped it in place on the top Whisper White layer. I added a piece of black satin ribbon to the top and taped it on the back of the white piece. I then taped the white piece to the Cherry Cobbler piece and that I taped on top of the card base.

I added the label piece and then the snowflakes. In the center of each snowflake I placed a half pearl. It was just what the snowflake needed. I was going to add rhinestones but I wanted to keep the card looking soft. Plus the pearls enhance the pearl look the snowflakes have from being Smooched!

It was a very fun and easy card to make!

Stay tuned tomorrow. I have a fun weekend project for you!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Got Treats Christmas Card

This "Got Treats" set is such a fun, wonderful and versatile set. It covers a few fun occasions like Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day, it covers birthdays (both masculine and feminine) there is a "a little treat for someone so sweet" word stamp and a Clover. Plus some wording for the milk cartons! Just TOO cute!

Today I took the gingerbread boy and stamped it on a piece of scrap white card stock. I used the card layout I LOVE for smaller images. This image fit perfectly in it (without the "Got Merry" words under it). The beautiful holiday paper is from the new "Candy Cane Christmas" decorative paper pack. There's SO many adorable images in that pack. There's a snowflake sheet that I'm SO eager to play with!! Anyway, back to this card...

On the gingerbread boy I added 3 tiny little pearls down the front of him. Just TOO cute! I used Cherry Cobbler and Blushing Bride card stock. They seemed to match the decorative paper the best. They are SO pretty together.

I added a piece of 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon around the front panel, put a few Dimensionals behind it and it was done! Such a simple layout to play with and a super easy card to make.

I would like to do a snowman card like that but there is no snowman in the set. Though there is a little snowman in the other new (soon to be favorite) set, "Jolly Bingo Bits." I LOVE every image in that set too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Northern Flurrys Penguin Christmas Card

Ok, I'm testing the waters here for this year's Christmas card. I know I want to use the new "Northern Flurry" embossing folder on my card. I LOVE those snowflakes. I don't think I want the penguin. It is from the "Tag Along" set. I taped over the "to and from" on the belly of the penguin. I really can't see myself masking that off for 130 cards. Another reason not to use the penguin. I usually (traditionally) put a snowman on my card. If it's not a stamped image one then it's a photo of a snowman that I have made. I did make two snowmen last year and I do have photos but my heart is set on the embossed snowflakes.

I kind of like the card I made a few days ago (click here to refresh your memory). I like the snowflakes. I'm not so sure about the words. I may see if I can find some different words for the front or maybe a different snowman. I'm going to have to play around with it and see what I can come up with. I have a few months to figure it out. I'll start working on the snowflakes. I think that will be the part of the card that will take the most time. The rest is just the main part of the card and the stamping! I'm going for simple this year. And I won't have to run to the post office to see if it weighs too much so I won't have to pay any extra postage! Love that!

SO please bear with me as I try to figure out my Christmas card. A few years back I was playing around with different samples and someone left a comment about all of the cards I had made and they said to just send out the ones I made while trying to figure out our Christmas card!! I did make a lot of cards that year in my quest for "the" card! I hope it doesn't take that many this year!!!

SO this is sample #2 and all I like on it is the snowflakes!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Color Mix and Matching Site

While I was blog surfing I ran across this wonderful gem. A while back there was a site that allowed you to pick a color or colors of Stampin' Up! card stock and it would mix and match for you to give you a perfect color scheme! Well, there is a site up and running that is doing just that. It's called My Create Ink Color Lab. I have downloaded the link to the Color Lab. It is posted on the side bar on the right. Just scroll down and you'll find it. Click on it and have fun mixing and matching colors for your next fabulous card or scrapbook page!

Have a GREAT day,
Wanda

Bat, Owl and Branch Punch Halloween Card

I found this most adorable Halloween card while surfing the net. I had gotten the new bat punch and was wanting to find something on the net to inspire me. Well, the card was just TOO cute so I had to copy it! The original card was made by "starzlmom28." Sorry I don't have a link for you. The link is to a demo's only site and it won't work unless you are a demo registered there.

There are a few slight differences. Her background textured area (on the Concord Crush) is different and I think the orange color she used was Pumpkin Pie and I used Tangerine Tango. But other than that it's pretty close to identical!

Isn't this just the most adorable Halloween card? Six different punches were used here. The moon was done using a huge 2-3/4" circle punch. The owl is from the new owl punch, the branch is from the bird and branch punch, the bat is from the new bat punch, I used the word window punch and under that is the label punch. LOTS of punches and the only stamping is the word "happy halloween" that came from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set. And the colors on the moon were sponged in using Daffodil Delight and More Mustard ink pads!! Just SO simple and quick too! Gotta LOVE those kinds of cards.

Thank you starzlmom28 for creating such a fabulous card!

And thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Envelope Card Holder Weekend Project

It's time for a Weekend Project! I've been working on this project for a few days. And no, it doesn't take a few days to make. I just didn't have a lot of time so I worked on it a little each day between other projects and chores. I can see myself making more of these. It was actually fun once I knew what I was doing!

I did not design this project but I did alter it a bit. I found it at Inking Addict Designs, it was made by Paula. Click here to get the instructions. I wanted to make mine using card stock and decorate the card stock. Her instructions show how to make this using decorative paper. I also changed the folds. I made the center fold shown in the instructions but I did not add the other two scores for the folds. When I make another one I will probably add those two folds but not as wide as she has them. I want to have room for my cards and envelopes (when using card stock). I'm sure everything will fit nice if you use the decorative paper that she tells you to use. Me, I never follow instructions well!!! LOL Actually I did take a piece of retired decorative paper and I followed along with the instructions. That is when I found I didn't want the other two scores and folds. I wanted my top flaps to fold shut and I wanted the card holder to be tied shut. Ok, I know it looks nothing like hers but the basic folding of the 12" x 12" paper is from her post.

My post here has LOTS of photos, more photos than words and I'm hoping that when it comes time to download the pictures that I will be able to get them all on here.

There is a photo of the inside of my holder. I used the Ribbon punch for the edges. You really need to put something over the edges, especially the top edges because once they are folded over they line up exactly and you see a small gap. I added 2 cards and 2 envelopes to each side of the holder.

There is a photo of all four of the cards I put inside the holder. I used the Soiree digital download paper. That just means I purchased the download and printed out my own paper. I used my Sizzix and cut out the butterflies using the "Beautiful Wings" embosslet. It cuts and embosses at the same time!!! Just too cool! I added the new "Basic Pearls" jewels. They are becoming my favorite embellishment. I used Marina Mist for my blue, it matched the blue in the decorative paper. The ribbon is the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in Marina Mist, I used about 20 inches of it. The words are from the "Sincere Salutations" set. One of my favorite word sets!!

I really did have fun making this and am hoping to have some time this weekend to make a few more for the upcoming craft fair!

If you have time give this project a try! It really doesn't take all that long to do and it was really a lot of fun!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Elegant Lines Wedding Card

My "Elegant Lines" embossing folder is on back order BUT I did get an email today saying that something on back order is being shipped. I am hoping it's the folder. I'll have to check tomorrow when I have a few extra minutes. Anyway, during DIVA Day at Sue's last Sunday I brought some card stock with me and embossed a few pieces. Today I got to play with them.

I took out my new "Basic Pearls" and placed a pearl in each of the circles on the paper. Don't you just LOVE it? The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set. I stamped them using black StazOn. I wanted the words to be as black as possible and StazOn is perfect for that.

I taped the embossed piece on a piece of Basic Black card stock. This was an extremely simple card to make. Setting the pearls in place was very simple since they are sticky on the back and it was actually the longest part of the card. The rest was super quick and the whole card was simple. Oh and not to mention elegant too! I can see myself making more of these!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Awash With Flowers Wednesday Sketch Challenge

This is the card I made for this weeks Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers. I seriously considered NOT taking part in the challenge this week. I loved all the layers of this card but I just don't do square! Yup, it's a square card. I see those in the challenge and I just want to run from it. Square? I can't do square!

I printed out the sketch for my album and I was going to shut the page when I realized that this is called a "challenge." SO I decided to take on the challenge and work with the square card. At first I thought I would just alter the sketch a bit and make it fit into the "normal" size card. But then where's the challenge? I cut the card stock and was then committed to make the card square. After I got all of the pieces cut and away I went! What you see here is what I came up with.


I used the "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder for the background layer #2. After putting that layer on I realized I completely missed layer #1. But maybe the black border may work for that. Not really but I'm going to run with that one!!! The next layer, 3# is just a piece of Very Vanilla. Layer #4 is the "Soiree" Decorative Paper from the Digital Download. Layer #5 was made using two punches, the "Scallop" border punch and the "Ribbon" punch. The top layer, #6 is a piece of Very Vanilla card stock. I stamped the stem image on it and colored it in with the Wild Wasabi marker. The flower was stamped on Whisper White card stock, cut out and then colored in using a Marina Mist marker.


All in all it wasn't so bad. Making the layers and assembling the pieces is the same process for any size card. It's just the thought of a square card that sends me running. I'm glad I stuck with the challenge and finished it.


If you have time play with this sketch! Take the challenge and try a square card!! I did it!


Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

All Holidays Friendship Card

Today I have a fun, quick and simple card for you. I started out with a piece of Perfect Plum card stock. Then I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock for the top layer. On top of that I put a triangle piece of decorative paper on top. I added a little strip of Basic Black card stock that I had punched out using the "Pinking Hearts" border punch. Then I stamped the words using the "All Holidays" set. I layered that on a piece of Basic Black card stock and taped it in place.

That was it. Not much to this card at all. It was quick, clean, simple and SO fun!!

And that really makes this post a short one. But that's ok, now you have time to whip up a few of these for a set of cards to sell or give!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Jolly Bingo Bits and Northern Flurry Christmas Card

Is it too early for a Christmas card? After the heat and humidity we've had here a Christmas or winter card sounds a bit refreshing. I am SO ready for summer to be over. I'll take winter anytime. There is a lot less outside work to do in the winter than there is in the summer. I'm getting lazy in my old age!!! LOL

I got my pre-order for the new mini catalog last week and have not had time to play with anything. SO today I thought I would play with the two things I wanted most in my order. I am going to be using the "Northern Flurry" embossing folder for the front of our Christmas card this year. I want to make it a simple card. I usually have several layers and lots of coloring. This card has one layer and a little bit of coloring on the scarf of the snowman. Oh and the Pumpkin Pie dot for his nose. I HAVE to have snowmen cards. It's a tradition!!

The words are from the "Sincere Salutations" set. I don't know if my ink pad was too wet or if it was because I huffed on the stamp before I stamped it on the card stock. I sometimes do that, especially when the pad is a bit dry. But this time I'm not sure what happened. But it's ok, it's just a test run for this card anyway.

On the inside I stamped the snowman from the new "Jolly Bingo Bits" set. I didn't purchase the bingo image that goes with it, I just wanted these adorable images! They are just TOO cute! You get 24 of them in the set and they are all about this size. I LOVE every image in the set and I think I could make a card with each one of them! I got some of the new decorative papers so I'm going to play with those sometime this week too! There's just so much I want to play with on such limited time. This is such a busy week for me but I am sure I'll find some time to play. Especially if I keep the cards quick and simple.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Comment Posting Issues

Is anyone having problems leaving comments? I've had a couple of people email me and tell me that they are not able to leave a comment. I'm not sure what the issue is with that. I don't know if it is something on Blogger's end or if it is an issue with an upgrade to the computer system of those posting. Would a few of you be willing to test that out for me. You can just leave a comment on this post.

Thank you so much for your help,

Wanda

Two Step Owl Punch Notebooks Weekend Project

This owl punch was one that caught my eye right away in the new catalog and it went to the top of my wish list. I've been having a lot of fun with it too.

Today I thought I would play around with some notebooks since I had a lot of the inside (copier) paper cut and waiting in a stack to be punched. The stack was getting a bit high and I thought I'd better punch the holes in it with my Rubi Coil machine before the pile gets bumped and the papers land all over the floor.

After I cut out the front cover using Chocolate Chip card stock I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock for the top layer. Then I punched out the owl and all the components to make the owl.

I finished it off by adding a small rhinestone to the center of the flower. I had gotten the rhinestones in my pre-order and had not used them. Hoarding already!!! LOL SO I thought I'd better use these things. Plus there's SO many in a package! It gave the notebook a bit of bling. Though I don't usually put things like that on my notebooks because of the odds of it falling off inside a purse. But it was just too cute having it on there so I ran with it.

Aren't they fun notebooks? I LOVE making them when I have time. I have a few other stamp sets that I want to play with using these notebooks. And of course I will share them with you!!

I made a bunch of these one year and sold out on them at the craft fair. I may start making some each day so I have a bunch ready for this falls craft fair. Ya gotta make what sells!! They would even make great Make n Takes and a fun Stamp Camp item as well.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Morning Cup Card

I saw this set in the new catalog and I wasn't sure if I liked it enough to buy it or not. It's not that I didn't like it, it was just one of those sets that are put on the back burner, not so high on the wish list.

BUT!

It's always that big but that gets in the way! After making a couple cards using this set at last week's Shoebox Swap I am leaning towards getting it. It has potential for more "things" other than just cards. SO up higher on the wish list it goes! Plus the wheel that goes with it too!!! I do LOVE wheels. Maybe I'll start out with the wheel and then convince myself that I have to have the set now that I have the wheel. See how easy it is to work that need thing in??? LOL

Anyway, this is the card that I put together at the swap. This one was designed by Sandy. She has such clever ideas. I don't know if you can see it or not but at the upper left corner where the card stock is torn. We put a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock there and then tore them together. It gave it that nice dark edge on the top. What a fun idea that was. I think you can see it if you click on the photo.

The words read "a morning without coffee ... is like sleep" Too funny. SO with the (crooked) words on the card I would probably use it as a friendship card. Oh and with crooked words, ummm, all the more reason to get the set so I can redo that piece and get them straight!!! See how easy it is to convince myself I need that set???

It was a fun card to make, thank you Sandy for allowing me to share it with everyone here.

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Eastern Blooms

Take a really close look at this card. You can even click on the photo (of the front of the card) and look at how cool the green square on the inside of the card lines up as a frame around the image on the outside of the card. It was just amazing to me to see that.

I LOVE different folds on cards and this one is a very fun one to see and to play with.

The Crumb Cake card stock was textured. Actually it was textured for us (this card is from the Shoebox swap last Sunday. It was designed by Amy.

The image is from the "Eastern Blooms" set. Once the image was stamped on the piece was run through the "Square Lattice embossing folder. I have SO much fun with these embossing folders. I have one more to buy and I think I have them all!!! They make the most wonderful backgrounds.

Once again I am guessing at where the "just for you" words came from and I think it is from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.

The little flowers were done using a punch and I'm not sure if it is retired or on the dormant list. I forgot the name of the punch and I didn't see it in the new catalog.

The center of the flowers you can see those FABULOUS rhinestones. I LOVE it that there are different sizes in the package and there are a LOT of rhinestones in it too!

This is such a fabulous card and it can be used for quite a few different occasions!

Thank you Amy for letting me share your wonderful and fun card on my blog!

Thank you for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Tag Alongs Wedding Card

This card was from the Shoe Box swap last Sunday. This one was Autumn's card. This set is such a fun one too. Each of the 4 images in it has a "to and from" on them. What was cool about this card was the image was punched out just above the "to and from" to create a very fun wedding card.

I don't remember what set the "Mr. & Mrs." came from but I'm going to guess that it's from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.

I love the two rhinestones on either side of the "Mr. & Mrs." It was a quick card to put together too. I love how Autumn added the Smooch spray on the black square. I can see myself making more of these cards. Lately I am SO loving the quick and simple cards.

Thank you Autumn for letting me share your beautiful card with everyone!

And thank you everyone for visiting today,
Wanda

Friends 24-7 SplitCoastStamper's Sketch Challenge

The Sketch Challenge this week has to be one of my favorite layouts. It had some nice layers and a focal piece with ample space to play! I was going to flip the sketch a quarter turn and use the "Upsy Daisy" set but as I was looking though the catalog to see what sets I had that would fit in this space I also ran across the "Friends 24-7" set. I hve not used that set much and thought I should play with it. I actually like how it turned out too! There is no bling on my card, no buttons or bows. This is just a layered but simple. The most difficult part of the card is cutting the bird out. And cutting is really no big deal unless you are making a lot of them!!! Fortunately for me I was just making one. Though it wasn't that bad to cut out and I could see myself making more!

My colors here are as follows:

Basic Black card stock, Whisper White card stock and the Certainly Celery DP is from the "Subtles" pack. I LOVE that pack. It's such a great value too. You get 40 sheets of double sided decorative paper. The designs are soft too so they blend well with your colors. I used the stripes and on the back side was the design in my big background piece. It was just soft enough and pretty enough to work with this layout.


I didn't specify what occasion this is for. I'm just going to leave it as it is. Though it can be used for several occasions. A birthday card, a friendship card, a thinking of you card, a get well card and even a sympathy card.


If you have time play with this layout. And be sure to check it out at SplitCoastStampers to see what other's have done with it. I LOVE looking at what others have done with it. It's SO cool to see these similar layouts done in different ways.


Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Serpentine Bracelet

I thought I would take a moment off from stamping and show you another of the bracelets I've made. This stitch is called "Serpentine." It's a bit tricky to figure out at first but once you get going on it, it goes pretty fast. It's like that with any bracelet, once you get the first part over and learn the repetitive part it's easy. It takes most people about 3 of the waves in the bracelet to catch on and then they can just do it on their own. I LOVE the look of this and have made it using black fire-polished beads with silver seed beads and garnet fire-polished beads with silver lined gold seed beads. That one is my favorite, though I am partial to garnets. And this one is made using olive quartz and silver lined gold seed beads. I LOVE working with beads. Another of my addictions. Though I still believe and stand firmly on it that there are worse things to be addicted to!!! Perhaps some of those worse ones may be less expensive but I'll stick with the addictions I already have!!! LOL

I have a few other beaded projects I've been working on that I will show you in the weeks to come. SO tomorrow it's back to stamping. I did enjoy the "Simple Card" week and from some of the comments left here and emails I received you enjoyed it too. I will have to do that again or at least try to do a simple card every couple of weeks. They make great cards for Stamp-a-Stacks or Make & Takes.

I will be putting this bracelet in my web store in a few days. I need to learn how to resize photos and how to insert them in my store. I've been having the webmaster do it for me and he squeezes me in when he has time. I am one of those who wants it done right away but for the price I'm paying to him I can't complain. SO I just wait. But I can get it up in the store and post a link to this post with the photo of the bracelet so there is a round about way to see it! Not so convenient but doable!! Anyway, click on the photo for a closer view. That quartz is SO pretty!!

Thanks for indulging me today with my bracelet!
See you tomorrow!
Wanda

Animal Stories Animal Crackers Weekend Project Sizzix Die

I am one of those people who love boxes. I use to save every box I ever got. Now I just save them if I know I have some project I'm going to be finishing and I need a box for it. And as for small boxes, well these Sizzix dies are just perfect for that. I need a little box I just go make one. And in any color I want! Simple as that!

When I got this set I was planning on using it on some scrapbook pages of animals at the zoo. I have yet to make those pages!

I had the die out and of course the set was sitting on the table (I never put anything away right away!). I stamped the elephant and cut it out. I used Pacific Point card stock and Pacific Point ink. VersaMark just wasn't dark enough.

I ran a piece of Pacific Point card stock through the Big Kick with the Box #2 die. Before I folded the score lines I took a piece of "Blueberry Crisp" decorative paper and cut a strip to fit around the box. I punched a 1-1/2" hole in the Blueberry Crisp paper and set it in place on top of the box. I took a pencil and lightly traced that circle on the inside of the box. I punched out the circle on the box using a 1-3/8" circle.

Next I glued a piece of clear Window Sheet to the inside of the box over the circle. I assembled the box and then taped the decorative paper around it. I added a piece of the decorative paper to the top of the box for a little more added color. Then I took a piece of the twill tape and cut it for a handle. I took my craft knife and made a couple of slits in the box and pushed the twill tape through. I glued them on the inside.

The box was ready to be filled. I had bought some fun animal crackers and put them in a sandwich bag and set that inside the box. I didn't want to put the animal crackers in there without the bag, I thought it might leave grease spots on the box and they could get stale in there. And to me it just seemed more sanitary.

I set the elephant in place on the front of the box using Dimensionals and it was all done! I thought it was a very simple and quick project to make. I could see myself making these for a child's birthday party and not even complaining about it, they were that simple to do!

Thank you SO much for visiting,
Wanda

Sweet Scoups Tissue Holder Weekend Project

WOW, two posts from me in one day and two weekend projects too! Well, I just had to finish those ice cream cone bath fizzies. I am going to try my hardest to finish up projects like that. I tend to do one for the blog and the rest just get boxed up and forgotten. And I have a LOT of boxes of forgotten items! Time to finish them up and get them out of here!

Ok, onto today's weekend project. I ran a cross a package of tissue that had ice cream cones all over it and wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it until Stampin' Up! came out with the "Sweet Scoops" set. I cut out the holder. The pattern can be found here. I also have 10 other tissue holder posts and you can check them all out by clicking here.

I didn't put an opening in my holder yet. I am not sure if the tissue opens on the top or if it is on the top and side. I have to check it out more and then punch the hole to get at it. Anyway, that's a minor detail.

I stamped the top of the cone using Blushing Bride ink and the cone is stamped in Crumb Cake. I did score the piece and cut it according to the directions and then I stamped on it. After the stamping I folded the scores and put it all together. I'm debating if I should add a ribbon or not. I'm leaning towards not because they are not fun when they get caught up in "stuff" in your purse. And they come untied too. I guess it's just best to leave it off.

It was a fun little project and get this, I only purchased one!!! Shocker, huh? LOL

Be sure to check out my other weekend projects. Just click here to see them all, there's over 100 of them. A couple every weekend and you'll be set! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Did You Take Bets?

I honestly thought I would have set these other two ice cream cone bath fizzies aside and never do a thing with them. But I must have gotten a bit of extra ambition because lookie, lookie! All three of them are done! Shocker I know. Hope you were sitting down for that one. Check out yesterday's post for the details of these boxes. See, they were so much fun to make I actually finished them! This time I did stamp the images before I folded the box and I was much happier with the end result! I think I'm going to put them in the box I have going for the fall craft fair. I have not done a craft fair in a few years and I'm SO out of touch with it. If I were smart I would price them before I put them in the box, then I would be more organized and ready for the sale! Now wouldn't that be the smart thing to do? Let's hope I do it. I have a box going and nothing is priced so you see the trend here? LOL

Thanks for not taking bets!!! LOL
Wanda

Sweet Scoops Bath Fizzy Weekend Project

I have not posted a Weekend Project in a while and thought it was time. I just LOVE using these Sizzix box dies. They sure do make making a box a simple task. I have always loved making boxes but with the help of these dies I can whip them out in no time. And they don't make it feel like such a chore either!

For this one I used the Box #2 die. I used a 1-3/8" square punch several times over the front to make the window hole in the box. I covered that opening with a piece of transparency.

I stamped the ice cream cone from the "Sweet Scoops" set all over the box. What I really should have done was stamped the image first and then cut the box out. Or at least stamped the images and then folded the box. The folds made some of the images incomplete. But it's still cute like it is.

I had gotten my hands on these ice cream cone shaped bath fizzies a while back and I forgot about them. As I was digging though one of the piles in my workroom I saw them and thought I would actually make the project before the set retires. I had also purchased an ice cream cone mold to make my own fizzies in it. It's actually a candy mold but it works just fine for fizzies. For a while that is. The fragrance oils will eat away at plastic but you can get a lot of images off the candy molds before that happens. I plan on keeping the stamp set for a while. Perhaps long enough to sell some fizzies to recoup the cost of the set plus other materials! Then I won't feel so bad about letting the set go! BUT I really like this set! I often keep a set a very long time if I can still make money off it. This may be one of those.

I did copy the instructions and ingredients off the original package and I printed them out along with the copyright symbol and "Stampin' Up!" to cover the angel policy rules. This is very important if you are going to be selling anything using Stampin' Up! images.

I will probably use these as gifts, not really sure yet. But they are ready to sell if I opt to do that.

I tied a white ribbon around the box to hold the top shut. It is staying shut but I did trim the flap a bit because it showed through the window.

The fizzies came 3 in a pack and now my challenge is to make up two more boxes and get the other two fizzies boxed up like the first one. I'm SO bad at making the one and never touching the other two. Hopefully this weekend I can box up those other two. Wish me luck there! If I finish them I'll post them on here. They will look better than this one because I will stamp before I fold the score lines!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Apple Blossoms Quick Card

Here is another quick card for you to make. This one went together very fast. Plus it is easy to do too! Three colors of ink, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi. And two stamp sets. "Apple Blossoms" and "Teeny Tiny Wishes." I even got to play with the new ribbon, "Crochet Trim Victoria". I liked how it just laid so nicely over the card stock and it was so easy to tie the bow too. The material is 100% cotton and ties so nicely. It didn't slip at all. I just took the piece of ribbon and tied the bow without any fumbling at all.

On the background of the card are some circles. It's from one of the images in the set. I stamped it using Crumb Cake ink. I wanted the part of the background that was showing the most to have something on it. This was just enough to not distract from the flower image.

This card didn't end up how I had started it out. Originally it started out with the Crumb Cake card stock as the base of the card. But it ended up with Melon Mambo as the base. After I had layered on the flower I thought it looked too blah and needed a bit of a punch. SO I cut the Crumb Cake piece and added the Melon Mambo behind it and liked it much better. I should have taken a picture of it the other way so you could see what I meant. But this way is much better!

It's quick, it's simple and it's a clean looking card. It's great for a swap because it's easy enough to put together and it's also great for a shoe box swap because it's quick enough to put together. Oh and I didn't want to forget to point out the tiny pearl in the center of the flower. I LOVE those little pearls! It's a nice soft touch!

This card can also be used for other occasions like birthdays, thinking of you, get well and sympathy. I like images and layouts that are versatile.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Apple Blossoms Thank You Card

I wanted to make sure I got this thank you card made that I need for this weekend. I used the "Apple Blossoms" set. Yes, again! It's just such a fun set to play with. This time I thought I would play with the small flower. I want to try to use every stamp in the set. I don't do that very often. But with this set I just might think I will be able to do that!

And once again I made a very simple card. I think (other than the Sketch Challenge) this is a week of simple cards. I should do that a few times a year. Have a week of card samples that are simple and quick to make. Works for me!

The base of this card is Marina Mist. It's such a pretty blue. On top of that is Sahara Sand and then the Whisper White.

I even got to play with the new Ribbon punch. It creates such a sweet looking ribbon. I like to tuck that ribbon behind the edge of a layer and have a dotted scallop edge.

The flowers on the card are stamped in the same colors as the card stock used. The stem is stamped in Wild Wasabi.

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set. And that is pretty much all there is to this card. Quick and simple to make and pretty too! What more can you ask for? But wait there is more. You can use this card for other occasions too such as birthdays, thinking of you, get well, sympathy and Mother's Day. Just stamp up a bunch and leave the verbiage off until you need a card, then add the words you need for that occasion.

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Fast & Fabulous Sketch Challenge

WOW, this was such a fun sketch. I was just in awe of the size of the main part of the card. It was cut at 3-1/2" wide and 5-1/2" long. Once the strips were added the card measured 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". How cool is that? It was such a stunning layout.

SO for my card I used the "Fast & Fabulous" level 2 hostess set. I really enjoy using the two step stamp sets. I did line up the second step using the Stamp-a-ma-jig but it isn't designed to line up perfectly. But I wanted it as close to centered as I could. Such a pretty image.

I used Perfect Plum for the front layer and the perfect Plum designer paper from the Soft Subtles pack. The "thank you" is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set (again). I seem to be using that set a lot lately.

I tied a piece of 1/4" white grosgrain ribbon around the #3 focal panel. It was actually a fairly simple card to make. I just LOVE the look of it. When I was looking in the gallery at SplitCoastStampers I was amazed and in awe of all of the fun cards people were making with this layout. You can see they were having fun with it. I know I did. If you have some time play with this layout. Isn't it just the coolest layout?

This is one of those cards that can be used for several occasions other than just a thank you card. I would want to make it again for a birthday card, a thinking of you card, a get well card and even a sympathy card. If I can find "Happy Mother's Day" that is smallest enough to fit I would use that too. I suppose it could be stamped on card stock and then punched out and layered on. There's always a way to work wording in on a card!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Inspired by Nature Card - Keeping it Simple

I'm keeping it simple here. Sometimes we are in need of a card we can quickly whip up but yet it doesn't look like we just whipped it up!

I have had a lot of fun with this "Inspired by Nature" set. It's fun to stamp it solid and sponge over it or stamp it in Versa Mark and use chalks on top or like I had done here. Just color on the rubber with markers. I like that technique but I don't think the colors are as dark as I would like them had I used the ink pad. BUT you can't get the colors like this on an image like this using the ink pad! Such a dilemma!

Coloring on the stamp is a technique called "Direct to Rubber" and it is very simple to do. Just ALWAYS remember to start out with the lightest colors and work your way to the darker ones. In doing this you will not get colors on your lighter markers that you don't want. It's ok for the darker marker to pick up some of the lighter color, it really doesn't have an effect on the marker but the other way around is not good at all. That being said I will move on.

Once the image is colored you "huff" on it. That just means you exhale over the image, the steam from your breath is just enough to moisten the ink so you can stamp the image on your card stock. As simple as that!

A piece of ribbon was tied at the bottom and then placed on top of the layers. SO simple!

It's a fun card and can be used for several occasions like a birthday, thinking of you, thank you, get well and even a sympathy card.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Apple Blossoms Birthday

This card is not what I started out making. I am just LOVING the "Every Little Bit" set with it's 28 fun images! There is a snowflake in the set and I thought I would play with some blue pieces of card stock and the snowflake. Well, the snowflake wasn't doing what I wanted it to and when I got it where I wanted I realized I needed ribbon but I don't have any new ribbons yet! SO I scrapped that idea (plus I think it's just a bit too early for winter cards).

Since I had the card base cut and folded along with the layers cut I thought I would play with the "Apple Blossoms" set (again!). It's such a cute set.

I stamped the flower image and cut it out. Why do I do that? I have no idea. It does look nice that way on the card but I don't know why I feel I have to cut these things out all the time!!!

SO after I got done cutting it out I set it aside and stamped the stem in Wild Wasabi. Then I used Dimensionals on the flower and set it in place on the stem. I wasn't sure what kind of card I was going to make. This card is great for many occasions. I used the "happy birthday" from Teeny Tiny Wishes. But it would make a wonderful get well card, a fun thank you card and even a sweet sympathy or thinking of you card. It's simple and clean looking. The Scallop Lace punch was used on the Marina Mist piece on the left. The card needed just a little something and since I didn't have any of the new ribbons I went with the punch and it worked!!

It is a fun card and a very quick one to make too! Even with the cutting!!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Animal Stories Children's Card

I don't make very many children's cards because I don't have much of a need for them. But some of my stampers and readers of my blog do so I thought I would make one. I wanted to use this "Animal Stories" set I've had for a while. It's a cute set and I'm working on a little project using an image from this set. And of course, I will share the project with you when it's done later in the week. I only work a little on it each day. It's not a big project, just one I'm trying to fit in my schedule. It gets under 5 minutes a day but it's coming along. It's kind of how I spend time cleaning. I will sometimes set a timer and clean for just a few minutes. When a room has gotten so cluttered a few minutes is about all I can stand in there!!! I do all I can in that little time and when the time is up I walk away until the next time. When our son moved out I began putting "stuff" in his old room and it became overwhelming to go in it. SO I started a little "rule" that when I enter a room (any room, not just the messy ones) I have to do one thing to improve it and that does not include me leaving the room!!! LOL Even if it's just picking up a piece of card stock and putting it where it belongs. One thing! After a while I only had a small pile of stuff to deal with and it was not overwhelming at all so I just finished up that pile and the room was neat and tidy once more! The den is the last room that is overwhelming but it's slowly coming along!! See, another thing you really didn't need to know about me. But take notes, there may be a quiz!! LOL

Shall we get back to this cute card? I copied it from "mandypandy" at SplitCoastStampers.com. Not a complete copy though. Her card is made with oranges and reds. I thought I'd do mine with blues since the whale lives in the water!! Hers had no wording either but I thought I would make this into a birthday card. Once again I took out my "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and found the happy birthday image. I do like how this card turned out. As I was using the image I had wondered why I purchased this set. But I don't think I did. I think it was one of the free sets you could pick from the catalog during Sale-A-Brations. I want to play with the owl next!! I think it's adorable and I've seen some cute samples around. I'm in a CASE mood lately. (CASE= Copy And Share Everything) And I will be sharing that one with you once I finish it too!

My colors here are as follows: The main part of the card is done using Not Quite Navy. The next layer is Marina Mist and the top layer is Whisper White. The ink used is Pacific Point. The circles were all punched out of Not Quite Navy, Marina Mist and Pacific Point card stock. I like how it gave the card the look of bubbles. I think that is what drew me to the card in the first place.

Mandypandy did a great job on the card. Be sure to go over to SplitCoastStampers and take a look at her wonderful card too!

This card would also be great for a baby announcement and a birthday party invitation!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda