Spring Sampler Meets Sunshine & Sprinkles

It sounds like some cutesy thing from a Disney movie, doesn't it?  LOL  I was surfing the net for a different layout when I ran across this one.   You can see the card here that I took the layout from.  It did take a little doing to get it right.  What I ended up doing was  I made a template for the squares.  First I punched out a 1-1/4" square.  Then I cut a piece of card stock to work with.  I found the center of the card stock (along the right side) and set the square in place.  I traced it and then moved it to the top space and lined up everything and traced the square again. And then I moved to the bottom and did the same thing there.  Once I had them all traced and they looked straight I lined up the punch and punched out the squares.  Now I had my template.  I set it on my card stock and traced the squares (on the backside) and then punched them.  

To stamp my images I just made sure my stamp was centered on the block.  I set the template on the card stock and then stamped each image.  It took longer to make the template than it did to make the card.  But now I have a fun template to use and you will probably see a few more of those layouts. I have several stamp sets with small images.  I LOVE them.  I have a lot of fun with them and I find them easy to work with.  Especially with layouts like this!  I may even try to make a template using circles!! But not today!  I need to catch up on some beading stuff.

This is such a bright and cheery looking card.  I'm SO ready for the fun spring colors.  I'm SO ready for spring.  As much as I love winter, I'm just ready to have the windows open and see some green outside!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Spring Sampler Card - Fun Layout

I bought this "Spring Sampler" set because I'm such a sucker for those small image stamp sets.  I feel that I get a lot of bang for my buck with them.  There's so many different images (24 in this set) that I can make a lot of different cards and even fun backgrounds.  

I used the cute boots for this set because I felt it went well with the water dripping decorative paper from the fun Sunshine and Sprinkles" pack.  

This is one of my favorite layouts.  I have a sample sitting out all the time with the measurements so I can make this layout anytime.  And as I was looking at my very old sample I could see that it had gotten wet.  It must have been accidentally been set or dropped on the stamp scrubbing pad.  

You can find the instructions here.  I used Not Quite Navy and Daffodil Delight for my colors.  

I do have a tip to share with you when it comes to punching the circles.  Line the two top pieces of paper up as if you were going to tape them together.  You can add a little bit of tape to the area where you think the circle will be punched from or you can use removable tape.  Once the pieces are lined up, drop the pieces all the way into the punch.  Eye up the sides so they are even.  Then take the 1-1/4" punch and punch out both pieces.  Now take your decorative paper and place a piece of scrap copier paper behind it.  Line up the circle inside the 1-3/8" circle punch.  Make sure the circle is as even as possible all the way round.  You will be punching out a think ring.  You don't have to worry about getting the paper all the way down the punch, you are just punching a ring out.  Now put the decorative paper on top of the card stock and see how nice they line up.  Or you can do it Karen's way!  LOL  I like doing it this way, it's quicker and I don't have to trace anything.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Serene Silhouettes Faux Airbrush Technique

Today's card went out in today's mail!  I was playing with the Faux Airbrush technique.  It's a very fun and easy technique too.

For my card I used the "Serene Silhouettes" set and the words were done on my computer and printed out. I used the Dotted folder for the dry embossed background. 

For this technique you pick some shades of a color.  Here I used shades of blue and shades of green.  As with most coloring you start with the lightest color first.  So I started with the green.   You take a stipple brush and run it across your ink pad to pick up ink. This is also a great time to get those little pieces of glitter of the pads and any dust or pet hairs too!  I took advantage and got all the pieces of glitter off my pads.  Ok, once you have your brush inked up, holding it straight up you just tape it on the paper.  Then I moved on to the next darker shade of green.  And I did the same with the blue.  Looking at this card now I think I should have brought in some oranges and reds in to make it look like a sunset.  And then darken on the grass more for a better evening look.  But I didn't so this is what I got.  Make sure when you go from green to blue you wash the brush and dry it off before going to the next shades of colors.  It's a fun and easy technique.  A short bristled, stiff stipple brush works best.

Give it a try!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Serene Silhouettes Stampin' Up! Card

This is one image in the "Serene Silhouettes" set that I don't use much at all.  I don't know why. Perhaps it's that the other 3 images are so much more prettier to me.  I don't know.  But today I was in need of a round image to fit the scalloped circle punch I did.  I suppose I could have done something else there but hey, I had the scalloped circle punch all done!!!  So I searched my stamps to see what I had that would fit and this is what I came up with. 

Then I wanted to do a butterfly on the top part but I punched out the wrong paper and wasn't happy with the color.  So I took out my "En Francais" set and stamped the image using VersaMark and I clear embossed it. Then I sponged over it with the Pacific Point ink and punched out the butterfly. The sponged on ink is not as dark as the card stock ink but it works.  

The pretty paper is from the new "Pretty Poetry" designer paper pack.  It's a fun stack of paper with 48 sheets in it, measuring about 4-1/2" x 6-1/2".  Perfect for card making!  And the dotted paper also came from that pack.  I'm on a mission to actually use up the pack of paper.  Or at least 75% of it before it retires!!  

This is a very versatile card too. It can me used for many occasions such as Thinking of you, Get well, Birthdays, Sympathy and possibly even a Wedding card (in a pinch!).  

I did enjoy making this card a lot. It was quick, easy and fun to make.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Elegant Butterfly Punch Card

I have a friend who was in a car accident and I thought I would send her a card to cheer her up.  With all the snow and cold here, butterflies seem to be a nice way to send a "warm" greeting.  Spring IS just around the corner.  You all know how much I LOVE winter but I'm SO ready for this one to be over.  

This is a very simple card to make.  First you take  a half sheet of card stock and fold it in half on the long side.  Then you take a piece of white or vanilla card stock and cut it (after you dry emboss it) to 5-1/4" x 4".  Then find some decorative papers that you like and punch out 3 butterflies.  

The white strip is cut 1-3/8" x 3" and the layer behind it is cut 1/4" larger.  The three butterflies fit perfectly on that strip with their wings touching.  I set them in place on Dimensionals.  

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and they were punched out using the Word Window punch.  That piece was set in place using the Modern Label punch.  And that is it.  So quick, so easy and pretty too!

Now to get it addressed and ready for the morning's mail.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Horse Frontier Masculine Card

I am trying to build up my stash of masculine cards.  I don't have very many samples at all.  

This card was made at Terri's Stamp-a-Stack (SAS).  It was quick, easy and fun to make.  Plus it helped that all the pieces were cut for me!! LOL  That is what I love about the SAS.  Nothing to do but stamp, assemble and have a great time! I just went to Terri's Open house today and made a fun project I'll show you soon.  I've got a few other things scheduled and almost finished so I will be showing them first. You'll just have to be patient!!! LOL

I don't have the "Horse Frontier" set and I probably won't be buying it.  The horse was the only image that I personally liked in the set so I would have to pass on it.  The masculine set I have now that is current and that I use the most is "The Need for Speed".  And there are a few other sets that will work for masculine cards.  I think sometime in March I'll do a few days of masculine cards again.  It's always good to have some new ones on hand!

The decorative paper used here is from the International Bazaar pack.  Another item that I didn't purchase.  But I do love how this design goes perfectly with the horse theme.  Terri sure has a great eye for these things!  And I love how the card opens.  Well, it opens like a "normal" card but the front is cut at 1-3/4" and then the focal part is attached to make up the rest of the front of the card.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Mixed Bunch Birthday

Today's card comes to you via one of Terri's fun Stamp-a-Stacks.  I had set these aside for "another day" and today happens to be that day!

The sets used here are "Curly Cute" for the words and "Mixed Bunch" for the flower.

This is a very simple and quick card to make too. It only took a few minutes to cut around the flower.  SO worth it because it gives the image a more defined look.  Then the Early Espresso card stock was punched and the flower was set on top using Dimensionals.  

I don't remember the name of the decorative paper but a Lucky Limeade ribbon was tied around that layer and the card was assembled.  Talk about simple, quick and pretty!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Bordering on Romance Thank You

I did not buy this stamp set and I do regret it.  I had bought the download so that's pretty close to having the set.  I printed it out on my laser printer so I could use my blender pen with it.  Though I didn't use the blender pen.  I just used markers.  I used Pirouette Pink and Pretty in Pink.  

The base of my card is Pirouette Pink and I added a layer of Whisper of White and the dotted folder.  The images came from the "Made for You" set.  I bought this set last fall and forgot I had it until sometime last week.  I ran across it and was glad I did!!!  You know what that means, right?  I'll be using it to death.  LOL

The ribbon is Lucky Limeade and the leaves were colored in with that marker.  

This was a very simple card to make. And you guessed it.  I found it here on Split Coast Stampers.  I bet you're surprised I didn't say Pinterest?  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

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Feeling Sentimental

I saw this card here on Pinterest and thought I'd give it a try.  I didn't have the ticket image or ticket punch so I used a Sizzlet button instead.  Ya gotta make due with what you have sometimes, don't you?  I can't own every stamp!  Where would I put them all?  LOL

This was a very fun and quick card to make.  The base of the card is a half sheet of Early Espresso card stock folded in half on the long side.  The Very Vanilla layer was cut 5-1/4" x 4" and sponged on the edges with Early Espresso.  The image was stamped on a piece of Very Vanilla cut 2-5/8" x 2-1/2".  The layer was cut 1/8" bigger.  

The words came from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and the Word Window punch was used to punch them out.  They were set in place on a "Modern Label" punched piece.  Dimensionals were used to set that piece on the card.  Dimensionals were also used on the button.  

This is not exactly like the one on Pinterest but I do like how it turned out.  I may make another one to have on hand but using the "happy birthday" words from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  I have a few masculine birthdays coming up.   

There, now that I made the card I REALLY wanted to using this set I'm going to go try one on my own!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Clockworks

I don't know what it was about this card that made me HAVE to make it.  I tried my best to copy the side panel.  It's not like the original but I do like how it turned out.  

I saw this card by Miss Vicky on Split Coast Stampers.  You can view it here.    And what is really great about this card is it came with step by step instructions!!!  And those you can find here.  I like to provide instructions when I can but some cards get a bit involved, I sometimes don't have the time to measure every thing and sometimes I'm just lazy!!  But I do try to give as much information as I can.  And today you get ALL the information to make this card by clicking the links above. 

This is such a perfect masculine card. And I just can't say it enough, there's not as many masculine cards out there as there are feminine ones.  So when I find a masculine card I like I just have to make it or work with it to get a card I really like.  Here I liked everything about the card so I just copied it all.  The time on the stop watch is different than the time on the original card but it doesn't matter. I was just glad to get it centered enough to use!  LOL

So now you have all the instructions.  Go make yourself one or two.  If  you are planning on making more than one card leave the strip piece intact and make a One Sheet Wonder page out of it. Just keep stamping the images on it and then cut it later.  You can always fill in the white areas with some of the image that has been stamped off.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

You Are Loved

Today's card comes to you via Terri's fabulous Stamp-a-Stack that my sister and I attended last month.  Or was it earlier this month?  I don't remember!!! The mind is going! LOL  It was a fun time, it always is.  My sister and I try to pick which we think is our favorite out of all the cards.  Most of the time it's difficult to have a #1 and many of them tie for first place.  Though I would have to say this was my #1 pick and I think it's because of several things. I love the glitter paper.  I love the monochromatic theme to it and I love how it opens.  I think it would be a fabulous wedding, anniversary and Valentine's day card.  Now I don't think this was my sister's #1 pick she had another one that was her favorite above all of them.  And I'm sure if I see which one she picked I may lean towards it being my favorite too!! LOL  See, I told you it was difficult to pick a favorite!

This was a super fun and easy card to make too!  You just need 1/4 sheet of Basic Black card stock.  5-3/8" x 4-1/8" piece of Whisper White card stock.  On top of that you add the Basic Black strip and the glitter paper strip. Tie a bow around them before you set them in place. Then you add the Basic Black layer and on top of that is the Whisper White piece that was folded in half before it was set in place on the card front.  And then the oval with the words.  The image and words came from the "You are Loved" set.  I don't have this set and I may be looking at the catalog again!!! LOL

Like I said, this is a very fun card to make.  It is also a very quick card to make too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Secret Garden Birthday

I got the new "Secret Garden" set and I thought I would play with it before I set it aside and forget about it like I've done with a few other sets I have.  That just tells me that I have too many sets.  I need to play with what I have before I over do it on new stuff!  I know that but do I live it?  Let's not go there!!! LOL

My card today was very easy to make.  I don't play much with the Calypso Coral color but today I thought I would try to make it work with the "Sycamore Street" decorative paper.  I wasn't sure where I was going with this card when I started out and as I was making it I just kept rolling with the ideas that came.  And it wasn't until just now I could see how little decorative paper I used for this card.  You could probably make about 100 cards from a 12" x 12" sheet using that little sliver of a piece of decorative paper.  Not that I would want to make 100 of these!  Maybe a couple more.  One more for sure.  I'd like to take one of the other flower images and stamp in VersaMark on the background some.  It's kind of blah.  I didn't notice that until I saw it on here.  In person it doesn't look as bad.  

The flower came from the "Secret Garden" set and it was set in place using Dimensionals. 

Anyway, this is my card for today!   Thank you for visiting,
Wanda

Blooming with Kindness Birthday Wishes

My daughter-in-law is having her 30th birthday on Sunday and I thought I would make a card for her.  I did find this on the net at Split Coast Stampers.  The original card can be seen here.  I didn't make it exactly like the original one.  I omitted the butterfly on the flower.  To me it blended in too much with the flower and kind of got lost.  What I did like about the butterfly on there was that it hid the stem of the flower.  I thought of adding a different colored butterfly but I wasn't seeing a color that I really liked that would go with the Cherry Cobbler.  I know there's colors that compliment it but they just didn't do it for me in the form of a butterfly. So I just omitted it and I think it looks fine with out it.  This is a CAS (Clean And Simple) card.  I like those a lot!

If you are in need of a really quick card to make, this is the card for you.

It only took 5 minutes to make this card.  You emboss the background with the Cuttlebug folder.  Then you stamp the flower and add the words.  It took longer to clean the stamps and put the stuff I used away than it did to make the card.  And I hope you didn't fall over.  I actually did put the stuff away!!!  But I am going to take some of it back out.  I had a fun idea for the flower (again!).  Hope you're not sick of seeing that flower.  I'm not. As much as I LOVE winter I'm ready for some flowers.  A few weeks back the grocery store had the daffodils on sale and when I was finally able to get to the store, the ones they had for sale were all opened.  What fun is there in that?  Isn't it a bit early for the daffodils anyway? I remember getting some last year and setting them in a vase on the table on the deck.  I don't recall any snow on the ground and I don't recall it being cold out!  I am willing to wait for the daffodils to come back in the store.  I am anxious though to start growing seedlings.  We have a small greenhouse on the deck and we had a few things in it last year but it was SO blasted hot that not much grew in there.  I got it a bit late in the growing season too so that may have had something to do with it.  Once the temps warm up (and the snow is gone, of course) I'll be growing "stuff" in there and getting them ready for the gutter garden.  If you did not see my gutter garden last year, here one of the pictures I took of it.  We learned a lot from having it last year (our first year).  Radishes do not grow well in it.  The peas did ok but do much better in the ground.  Carrots really do need room to grow deep, deeper than a gutter but they did grow and they were true baby carrots!  Plus they were VERY sweet!  Spinach did not fair well at all.  I don't think it likes the hot sun ALL day.  The celery did well and so did the parsley.  This year I am going to dehydrate a lot of things so we will have them for soups in the fall.  I also plan on buying a few herbs this year too.  It will be fun.  Well, as long as it's not too hot outside. I'm really hoping for a much cooler, milder summer than last year.  One can hope, can't they?

Thank you ever so much for visiting today,
Wanda  

A Blooming with Kindness Birthday

Ok, I will admit I have not put this stamp set away yet.  I have always liked it and there are SO many pretty cards out there using this set. 

I saw a card similar to the one I made.  The base of the card is Soft Suede and the side panel is the Comfort Cafe decorative paper and that is about the extent of copying the other card. Well, other than using the flower image.  I don't have the link for you to see where I got the inspiration from, sorry.  

This flower is so pretty that you don't even need to color it to make a beautiful card.  

I used Soft Suede ink and stamped the flower.  I used the Midnight Muse card stock for the layers and ink for the words.  The words are from the "Made for You" set.  And yes, I have not put that set away yet either!!!  The top layer is set in place using Dimensionals.  I felt it needed to be lifted off the base of the card.  

I have been making a lot of birthday cards lately. I need to stop and see how many I'm keeping for me and how many I'm setting out for inspiration for my stampers!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blooming with Kindness

While snooping around on Split Coast Stampers I ran across this pretty card and I just had to make one!!  After all, I did have all the "stuff" to do it!  You can see the original card here.  

This is a very easy card to make too.  I just took a half sheet of Whisper White card stock and folded it in half.  The decorative paper was cut 2-3/8" x 3-3/4".  Then I cut a piece of Whisper White 2-5/8' x 4-1/8".  The Night of Navy layer behind it was cut 2-3/4" x 4-1/4".  

I didn't have a big corner rounder so I rounded the corners using the 1-1/4" circle punch.  Just turn the punch upside down so you are looking at the cutting side.  Slip the card stock in between the "blades" and punch the corner.  You punch a corner on the base of the card and the two layers.  

The "ribbons" at the top are cut 5/8" wide.  I didn't measure the length because you will need to make them long enough to reach the area you want to reach on the front and fold some over on the back.  You will need it long enough to fold it over and be able to tape or glue it in place.  

The butterflies were made using the Sizzlet.  I have used that butterfly Sizzlet so much that I may need to replace it.  It's showing a lot of wear and I'd hate to have it break and not be able to get another one.  

The words are from the "Made for You" set.  It's a cute little set that has 3 stamps in it.  The birthday one, a thank you and an especially for you one.  I don't use the especially for you one much.  Actually I don't think I've used it at all.  

Anyway, back to my card.  I added the button and a bow made of hemp and that was it!  Very simple with a touch of elegance!!!  I think it was the layout of this card that I liked the most.  

Ok, now you know how to make one.  Get busy and give it a try!!!  LOL

I thank you so much for visiting today,
Wanda

Donut Valentine from Pinterest

I ran across this cute idea on Pinterest.  I think most of the fun and cute stuff has now gone over to Pinterest.  I have spent a lot of time there but have enjoyed every minute of it.  You can see the original one here. It was made for someone going on an interview.  

I saw this a couple of days ago and knew Iwanted to make one for hubby for Valentine's Day.

I printed out the words on my computer and used the Sizzix die to cut out the heart.  

The red heart came from the new "More Amore" designer paper. I just took one of the hearts on the sheet and cut it apart from the sheet, taking care to cut the little bumps to match the ones on the heart and now you can't even tell where I cut the heart from the big sheet!  

I taped the words in place and then I tried my best to cover the small label on the package.  Fortunately for me Rainbow Foods doesn't use large labels on their packages so I was able to hid most of it.  I tried to get the label off but it just tore a bit and some of the top layer came off.  But this hid it enough.  Hubby likes donut holes and I bet  you anything he's not even going to notice there was a label on the container at all!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blog Candy Card Winner

In the post where I originally had this card I added at the end that I had made extra and if anyone left a comment I would enter their name in a drawing.  I was to draw the name on Monday. But Monday came and went, didn't it?  Sorry about that.  Well, I did remember that I needed to do the drawing and since there were only two comments left that day I will send each of them a card.  So, Christi and Colleen, please email me with your snail mail address and I will pop those cards in the mail.

Thanks SO much for leaving your comments,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Gifts

I have a group of people I wanted to make something fun and special for Valentine's Day.  I had made these before using the milk carton die.  You can see that one here.  I've also made them by filling wider bags and just making a nice header for them.  You can make them as simple or complex as you like.  

Today I stayed in the middle.  Not simple but not very complex either.  I made a pouch, filled a bag with bird seed and and decorated it.  

The pouch was simple to make. I took a piece of Real Red card stock and cut it 6-3/4" x 7".  On the 7" side I scored the piece at 1/2" and 3-3/4".  Fold the scores nice and sharp using a bone folder.  About 1-3/4" down on the front I marked the edges and cut them straight across.  Then I took a large cardboard Stampin' Up! ribbon spool and lined it up so it touched each side on the top and I traced the arch it created.  Then I cut out the arch. Once the arch was cut I could see where I needed to trim up the 1/2" piece.  I just used my scissors and cut below the front panel.  Once it's glued you won't be able to see if it's crooked or not.

Next I cut the front panel piece.  Cut the decorative paper 4-3/4" x 3".  I created the arch the same way as I did on the card stock.  Then I cut the inside decorative paper 3" by at least 5".  Mine were cut at 6" because I just cut the decorative paper in half to make it easier for me.  

Now you must first tape or glue the inside panel in place.  Then you will need to glue the bottom part plus the 1/2" strip.  Press the edges.  I used glue because it sticks better than tape.  You can use the bone folder if necessary.  Because I was making 15 of them I just did them assembly line style.  Once I got all the pockets glued together I taped the front panel on.  

I got on my computer and printed out the following words for the front.  

I gave a hundred Valentine’s

A hundred, did I say?

I gave a thousand Valentine’s

One cold and wintry day.

I didn’t put my name on them

Or any other words

Because my Valentine’s were seeds

For February Birds!

I cut them out and then I cut the panel behind them 1/8" bigger.  I taped the two pieces together and then set them in place on top of the panel.

I printed out the "Happy Valentine's Day" words on my computer and I punched them out with the heart punch.  I used the heart Sizzlet die and cut out 30 hearts.  I took the two Sizzlet hearts and glued the top bumps together.  You need 2 hearts per packet.  

I filled a 3" x 5" zip bag with bird feed and then I took the glued red heart and slipped it between the bag.  Then I stapled the heart to the bag.  I took a pliers and flattened the bumps of the staple down.  You can also use a hammer but the pliers is much quieter!  I do this because I like to tape my card stock over them so they don't show.  The back side will have the smooth staple on it and it will look a lot neater.  Plus you won't have to worry about anyone getting poked by the end of the staple.  Because of the texture of the Sizzlet heart I glued on the words heart.  

And finally you insert the seeds into the pocket and they are ready to go!

Have fun making these and thanks for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Flower Garden Thank You

Today's card comes to you via Pinterest.  Another one I remembered to mark where I found it.  

I used the "Flower Garden" embossing folder.  I had a lot of problems with this folder squishing the paper so much that it cracked.  I saw on the net on how to prevent that from happening using the wood grain embossing folder so I thought I would try that out on this one and it worked.  You take a piece of thick vellum and cut it to fit the embossing folder.  Tape it to the inside of the folder.  I don't think it matters if you tape it to the lid or the bottom, it will do the job the same either way.  But you can test it out to see if you think there is a difference.  Once it's taped on add your card stock and run it through the Big Shot.  The edges appear to be smoother, no rips or tears and those wrinkles that happen to the flat part of the card stock are less and sometimes not visible at all.  What a fun technique to use on those folders.  No more ruined impressions!  You gotta LOVE that!

So now lets talk about the card.  After you get done with the embossing you stamp the words on.  These words are from the "Kindness Matters" set.  

Punch out a butterfly.  I used Real Red decorative paper.  I colored in the body of the butterfly with a black marker and I drew on the antenna with a fine point marker.  I set the butterfly in place using Dimensionals.

The piece was then layered on top of a piece of Real Red that was cut just 1/8" larger.  And then that was set in place on top of a folded half-sheet of Whisper White card stock.  And there you have it.  Another quick and every so beautiful card!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Summer Silhouettes Birthday

I'm on a roll here.  I remembered where I saw this card!  It was such a pretty and simple looking card but it just called out to me.  I found the original card here on Pinterest.  

I used the "Summer Silhouettes" set to make this card.  I also used Pacific Point ink and paper.  I think the original one was done using Pool Party ink and paper.  

Before I stamped the images on my card stock I practiced on some scrap paper.  I wanted to make sure I got the flowers just on top of the stems or whatever those things are called!  LOL

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set. The original card was a thank you card.  I didn't need any of those at the moment.  I am trying to fill up my birthday calendar reminder book so I'm set for the year.  Now don't be jealous.  Having all the birthday cards you need for the year is one thing.  Getting them mailed out on time is another!  LOL

This was a super easy and very fun card to make.  I can see myself making more for birthdays and even a thank you if I need one. It would also be a sweet sympathy card.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

What a touching Sympathy card this is.  I saw this on Pinterest and I actually remembered to mark where I saw it!  Shocker, I know!

The only thing I did different on mine was the bow.  I tied a knot with a piece of ribbon instead of adding a bow.  I never did mind embellishing and layering Sympathy and Wedding cards.  Those are the cards we usually hand deliver so I can make them as thick as I want.  

This was another quick and easy card to make.  I must be in a "quick and easy" mode this week.  It's been a crazy week and it's almost over!!!  We have a snowstorm headed our way for the weekend and I think I'm just going to stay indoors and hang out in my messy workroom.  I'll clean it up a bit and work a bit and switch off and in no time it will be clean and my little projects will be done.  My plan for Saturday is to work on a few cards, do some laundry (the laundry room is just off my workroom), clean up the room a bit and then work on some clay.  I have my heart on a pair of mini bunny slippers.  Let's hope they will look as good out of clay as they do in my head! That doesn't always turn out the way I hope sometimes!!! LOL  And my plan for Sunday is to work on some beading patterns.  I'm not so great with the graphics so it takes me a long time to get one step set up.  I'll show you my project when I'm all done with it! I've got a billion things to do before the Demo and Do in early April.  I have never been to this before. I am scheduled to teach 3 classes there!  I am SO looking forward to it!

Anyway, back to my card.  It was super easy to make.  And there's LOTS of images that would work with this card and lots of other themes too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Punched Stars Birthday

Oh my, I did it again.  I was on Pinterest and I found this adorable card and I just HAD to make it.  But I forgot to mark where I got it from.  UGH!!  If you know who made this card, please let me know so I can give them the credit they deserve.

This was such an easy card to make too.  I didn't have the same word font that was on the original card so I just hunted in my stamps for one that was long enough to go across a lot of the card.  This one worked perfectly.  It's from the "Happiest Birthday Wishes" set, which is a retired hostess set from the 2011-2012 catalog.  Soon to go into my pile of sets to sell.  I have to clean house here, I just have too many.

Anyway, I punched out 5 stars using Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green and Pacific Point.  

All you do is set the stars on the paper, line them up so you know where to stamp the words.  Stamp the words and then affix the stars.  I layered mine on a piece of Real Red card stock.  And once again you have a very quick and easy card to make! This would make a great kids card or even a masculine card!

I made an extra one of these.  If you would like a chance at receiving it, I will hold a drawing for it.  Just leave a comment on this post and on Monday I will draw a name from the list and I'll send it off in the mail to you.  Good luck!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Teeny Tiny Wishes on Valentine's Day

Here's a very quick card to make and you can whip up a lot of these in not time too!

I punched out a heart using the red glitter paper.  The words are from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set and I used the Textured Impressions embossing folder for the tiny hearts band.  The words were punched out using the Word Window punch and then layered on the Modern Label punched out of Real Red card stock.  

The piece was layered on top of a piece of Real Red card stock and then that was set in place on top of a piece of Basic Gray card stock.  

The punched out heart was set in place using Dimensionals and so were the words.

See, I told you it was very simple.  Now you try one and tell me how quick it is too!

Thank you for visiting today,

Wanda

Clear Blocks Vinyl Sheets

I've had a few questions about yesterdays post on how to make your clear mount stamps stick better.  The clear vinyl "things" are called Clear Mount Perfectly Placed Guides.  They are on page 7 of the 2012-2013 catalog.  

I just leave mine on the block and I place my stamp on the vinyl side and it sticks tightly to it.

Hope that helped!
Wanda

A Clean Stamp is a Happy Stamp

I have a love hate relationship with the clear mount stamps.  I love them because I can see where I'm stamping.  They are cheaper and they are easier to store.  They don't take a lot of room.  I hate them because they don't stay on the block when I'm trying to clean them.  

I read on someones blog to go to the fabric store and get some clear vinyl.  The kind of stuff you use for tablecloths.  They suggested they suggested the medium thickness one.   So I made a note to get some next time I was at the fabric store.  The other day I was stamping and I had left one of the measuring marker vinyl cling things on my stamping block.  I took my stamp and stuck it on the vinyl side and stamped my card.  Then when I went to clean it I was amazed.  The stamp stayed on the vinyl covered block.  So I crossed off the vinyl from the fabric store because my problem was solved.  I could use pressure when I was cleaning the stamp and even the thinner stem part didn't come off!!  The solution was in my workroom all along!  So these vinyl stamping guides not only help with getting things lined up right but they help to keep the stamp on the block when you are cleaning it!  What a great find!  Just make sure you put the stamp on the vinyl side of the block!!

Updated 2-7-13
The vinyl  measuring marker clings are called "Clear Mount Perfectly Placed Guides".  They are on page 7 of the 2012-2013 catalog.  You can order yours here.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Greeting Card Kids Valentine's Day Candy Project

This did not photograph well but you can get the idea.  I used one of those 1"x8" Cellophane bags I bought through Stampin' Up! quite a while back.  I still have a bunch of them left.  

I added some of those Conversation hearts to the bag and folded it shut.  I punched out two red scalloped circles and taped them together between the bag.  Then I stapled the circles to the bag.  I usually turn the stapler around the other way so the bumps are in the front and the smooth part is in the back but today I forgot to do that.  So with the bumps sticking out in the back I was about to scrap this piece and I got a bright idea. I took out my hammer and hammered those bumps flat.  Nothing is sticking up to poke or catch on anything.  Color me happy there!

Next I taped the white circle on the front.  But before I had taped it I with a sponge dauber, I sponged the center with Daffodil Delight and dragged the color outward.  If you click on the photo you can get a closer view of this.  

The image was cut out and colored and then taped in place.  An easier way to make this is to stamp directly on to the circle piece but I had this little girl cut out so I thought I would use it.

I took a fine point permanent marker (005 point) and wrote "Be Mine" in the tiny heart the girl is holding.  I didn't need any more wording than that.  And that was it.  Quick and easy yet cute!! Now I need to make a bunch more of these for some friends.  I hope they like these candies.  Personally I think they are horrible, I have never ever liked these.  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Stampin' Up! Birthday Cards

I had made a super UGLY Valentine's Day card and I have to think about it more before I post it on here!! I know I always said I share with you "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"  but I may be asking too much of your eyes on that card!!! LOL

I was at Terri's VERY fun and fabulous Stamp A Stack on Thursday and this was one of the sets of cards we made.  I LOVE attending her events, she's so creative and her cards are always SO fun to make.  This is a card that I could see myself making lots more of in the future.

I love the decorative paper.  The paper is from the "Sycamore Street" designer pack.  I have some coming sometime this week!  

The base of the card is Pool Party and the accent color is Island Indigo.  The words came from the "Made for You" set.  I think I have that!!!  

We also got to play with the new large rhinestone and the Sycamore street buttons.  

The flower was done using the Blossom Punch and the petals were clipped and then curled with a bone folder.

It's such a fun and pretty card.  The papers in that pack were so pretty and it made it difficult to pick which side of the paper to use and which side to tape!  

This was a very fun card to make!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Wacky Wishes Valentine

I totally forgot I even had the "Wacky Wishes" stamp set.  It's a hostess set and I guess I felt I needed to own it!!!  I need to start looking through my sets more to see what I have and use them!!!  What a novel idea!  LOL

I had punched out some red glitter paper hearts and wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, so I thought I would make a Valentine's day card.

I'm not overly fond of this card though.  I think if I would have done the words in black I may like it better.  It's just too blah.  

I do like the font the words were done in,  Wacky really does describe it.  It gives it a fun look.  But again, it's pretty blah.  It needs a bit more something.

I think if I were to redo this card I would keep the base of the card red and add a layer of black behind the white and then stamp the words in black.  Just a few simple things would make a huge difference.  What do you think?

Please keep these words in mind:  "They all can't be winners"  LOL

I do thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Candy Bar Holder

Get out your favorite Valentine's Day decorative papers and make one or more of these fun and easy candy bar holders.  

I went a bit further on mine and used the "Edgelits Adorning Accents" dies to give the front of the candy bar holder a more elegant look.  It takes a bit more time to do it plus a bit of thinking and measuring to get it straight.  Hence the other two being straight on the front!!! LOL

I got my pattern for these cute holders at Scor Pal.  I need to head over there more often, they have lots of fun things going on!! Here is the link to where you can get the instructions.  Just scroll down and you can see the download icon and get your own copy of the instructions.  They are easy to follow too.  They refer to this as a candy bar card.  I didn't make the front into a card, I just dressed it up simply because a card was going to accompany these.  They are more like a gift than a card!

Have fun making these.  I'm off to work on another fun project for you.  I should have it ready in a couple of days.  And no, it doesn't take that long to make, I just work on things a little at a time.  I sneak a few minutes here and there to get these projects done.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Greeting Card Kids Valentine

I thought I would finish up my Valentine's Day card today.  I had this little girl stamped and colored but had not gone anywhere with the card.  I actually wanted to make a card on my own and not one off Pinterest or Split Coast Stampers for a change!  And this is what I came up with.

I do like the layout of this card.  It is from the Split Coast Challenge Sketch #409.  I have not done a sketch in a while and I'm not sure why.  I think maybe because at one point they started to become too involved.  There were just too many layers.  Which is sad because I love doing the sketches and I love layers!

I had a lot of making this card.  I got to use lots of punches too.

The background was super fun.  I had used the "Adorning Accents" folder.  It's just a tiny strip folder so I had to run it through the Big Shot and then move it down, run it through and keep doing that until I got the whole card covered.  And yes, the last row of hearts got squished a bit on each pass.  But to take care of that I just turned the card stock over and took my stylus and pressed the hearts back into place.  It only took a few minutes to do too!

I enjoyed making this card and I can see myself making another one!  Ok, I'm off to work on my little Valentine's Day project so I can get it done and show you so you can make them in time for your special Valentine if you want.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

More Amore Valentine's Day Card

Today I'm going to share a card with you that I made at Terri's FABULOUS Stamp-A-Stack last night.  My sister and I love to go to them. It's good to get together with her and catch up on things, chat, laugh, stamp, shop and just have a fun time!  We try to put the cards in a numerical order according to our favorites.  Many times it's just too difficult.  This time was no different.  I found it difficult to pick a #1.  

This card was made using the new "More Amore" decorative paper.  I needed a few Valentine's Day cards so when I sat down to make my cards I made two of them Valentine's Day cards and on a birthday card.  

I took the photo of this card at an angle so you can see how it opens.  Terri is known for her fun fold cards.  I love them but don't think of that while I'm making cards.  It's one of those detail things I tend to overlook!

This was a very fun and easy card to make.  Well, easy for us because we didn't have to do any of the cutting!!  

I am working on a couple of fun Valentine's Day projects.  I should have them ready in a few days. I don't want to show them too close to Valentine's Day, just in case they are something you'd like to make a bunch of.  So I'm off to work on them a bit more before I call it a night.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda