Celebrate the Tropics

We had a good and busy day Tuesday, time with the kids, errands (some new bar stools for the kitchen :)!), and I reorganized my stamps in preparation for a HUGE retired stamp sale I'll be having in August. There are probably 100 sets I'll be hoping can find a new home! It feels good to have some breathing room. But of course...then you want some new stamps! :)

So tonight I saw Roxie's sketch challenge, I had some pretty colors and a set in mind already. Things came easy then!

I am crazy about this color combo right now. Bermuda Bay, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White. I think I first saw something like it on Chat's blog.

I watercolored the striped flowers in Bermuda, and the lily flower in Kiwi and cut it apart to create leaves, neat hey?

I embossed the striped flower on the Bermuda layer in the background with overstamping in Bermuda. The largest white layer shows the debossed Manhattan Floral folder, which goes so well with this set.

That's the word from me today!

Recipe: Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Sweet Little Sentiments; Ink: Black Stazon, Craft White, Bermuda Bay; Paper: Bermuda Bay, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss Patterns; Accessories: Big Shot, Manhattan Flower Folder, Dimensionals, Reinkers, In Color 10 Markers, Corduroy Brads, Bermuda Bay Dotted Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, White Embossing Powder

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Celebrate the Tropics

Teacher's Stationary Sets

******* BLOG CANDY ALERT click HERE*******

Well, I thought I'd show you what we're taking to the Elementary Teachers today as Thank You presents for another year of school (yippee one more day after today!). Our kids are very blessed to have such great schools, our daughter's first year of Junior High went wonderfully, and our sons have a fantastic Elementary school. You don't always find that and we don't take it for granted.

But, seriously what do you get a Teacher when you're on a budget? I mean, how can you say thank you for something so important as what they do each day? What's something they might want or can use? I decided this year to make something practical - something very me, something inexpensive to me, but shows my heart for them because of the time I invested in creating it.

I made each of them six Personalized Monogrammed cards, stamped envelopes and a pretty stationary box. Do you have go-to gifts? This is mine!

I started out by asking the boys, "What are your Teacher's Favourite colors?" Well, I got the answer from one son...(sigh)...so then I asked the other, what colors does your teacher wear most often...that worked. So we had two blues and a burgundy. Here we have one of the blues:

Simple cards with the Top Note, some great papers (I really wish this set of papers hadn't retired so early on). I chose this Lovely Letters Alphabet set for this specific purpose - making pretty monogrammed things. Can you just see the very light flourished stamp tone on tone around the Monogram M? It's Versamarked for a very light but elegant look. The card base has the Bella Toile Background on it and the edges are sponged.

This second set...very much the same, with my favourite Bella Bleu paper. The box I made for the cards is my go -to box, Beate's tutorial for an A2 Box on Splitcoast.

I rolled the box tops with the wheel from the old Carte Postal set I also stamped the envelopes to give it a very finished and personalized feel. It's all the in the details isn't it?

I really like how the tags turned out for the boxes. I layered the large oval, scalloped circle and 1 3/8 inch circle together. The nice thing about Lovely Letters is that there are several flourishy type stamps, so I used that on the ovals. After layering I put a simple black eyelet and tied it to the pretty ribbons on each box with Linen Thread.

On this one I just oriented the card horizontally. This Rich Razzleberry colors is awesome I think. The perfect mix between burgundy and purple. My early In Color favourite.

Think they'll like them? Hope so! I'll be back tomorrow with something pretty :)

Recipe: Stamps: Lovely Letters Alphabet, Bella Toile Background, Leaves al la Carte Wheel, Sweet Little Sentiments; Ink: Baja Breeze, VersaMark, Not Quite Navy, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede; Paper: Baja Breeze, Prestwick DSP, Kraft, Confetti Cream; Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Kraft, Bella Bleu DSP; Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP; Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Modern Label Punch, Vintage Brads, Scalloped Edge Punch, Large Oval Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, Wide Baja Grosgrain, Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Black Eyelets, Sponge, Dimensionals.

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Teacher's Stationary Sets

Marrakech Blooms

******* BLOG CANDY ALERT click HERE*******

Thank you for listening to that public service announcement :) I have lots to give away!

Today's color challenge colors are VIVID! Summer Sun, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango. I was perusing through my papers this morning thinking how I'd make it work, when I saw the pattern and color in this Basic Grey Marrakech paper. It would work perfectly, and give it a really warm exotic feel.

This set is new to me from Flourishes, Summer Blossoms. I love it because of the delicate flowers in it and the great leaves and swirls. The blooms are watercolored and popped up. i did rock and roll in Summer Sun/Pacific Point to give the swirls behind the flowers (to make it a little green but stay to the challenge colors). I gathered the pretty Bittersweet ribbon and then added a gorgeous Finishing Touches brad. I touched the centers of the stamens with a white gel pen to give them some definition too. Otherwise, pretty simple!

Recipe: Stamps: Flourishes - Summer Blossoms; Ink: Tuxedo Black Momento Ink; Paper: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Pacific Point, Basic Grey - Marrakech DSP, Watercolor Paper; Accessories: Big Shot, Octagonal Nestabilties, Modern Label Punch, Reinkers, Aqua Painter, White Gel Pen, Flourishes Finishing Touches Brads (Copper), Dimensionals, Bittersweet Ribbon (Flourishes)

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Marrakech Blooms

Under the Big Top

New rubbah again! Today's color challenge (Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, Whisper White) worked well for me as I needed a birthday card for our youngest's son's friend's birthday this weekend.

This is a new set called Animal Stories. I thought the colors gave it a circus feel, so I tried to recreate that feeling.

The elephant and the owl are popped up (OK, I realize there are not owls in a circus, but work with me here :) ) I embossed the owl on DSP in White Craft ink and White embossing powder. I also embossed the greeting.

I gave it a little whimsy with the Paisley textured background. To create the tent topper all I did was measure the width of my focal image (about 3 1/8 I think), then cut a piece of cardstock about 3 1/8 x 2 inches. I used the scallop punch on the edge, then scored 3/4 and 1 inch. This makes your folds and you have a large enough section to tuck behind and adhere. White gel pen gives you the stripes.

Hope you have a great joy filled day today!

Recipe: Stamps: Animal Stories, Party Punch; Ink: White Craft, Ruby Red, Baja Breeze; Paper: Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP; Accessories: Big Shot, Texturz Plate, Ruby Red Brads, Ticket Corner Punch, White Embossing Powder, Dimensionals.

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Under the Big Top

An Amazing Hurrah

Ok, somebody take my temperature! This is two Clean and Simple cards in one week! This is Amazing! So unlike me. But today's color challenge was to use an all white card base with one color as accent. One layer. GASP!

So I decided to pull out Pretty Amazing another set on the Last Chance list.... There are some really pretty stamps in this set. I really love the branch stamp but decided to use the flowers and a little Rock and Roll for this one.



I inked the flowers in Baja Breeze and then rolled some of the edges in Pacific Point, masking the bottom half of the card off. After I liked the look of the flowers, I ran the bottom half of the card through my Big Shot with the large Dotted Texturz plate. A pretty Baja Satin bow in the middle keeps your layers defined. I also added a row of punched scallops along the bottom layer.

But then I looked at it and it still needed something...I think that's what's hard for me about CAS cards. What do you add? How does it stay clean and simple and still be interesting? So I got out my Crystal Effects and my Dazzling Diamonds and gave it sparkle and texture. A sure fire way to add interest without becoming too complex.

Alrighty! Back tomorrow with one of my favourite times of the month...sneak peeks of new releases :)

Recipe: Stamps: Pretty Amazing; Ink: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point; Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: Big Shot, Texturz Plate, Scallop Edge Punch, Baja Breeze Satin Ribbon (Valet Ribbon Originals), Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

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An Amazing Hurrah

Garden Note for You

Hi Everyone!

I'm still feeling a little under the weather, but better than yesterday. I got a good night's sleep and that always helps doesn't it?

Today's color challenge at SCS was Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip. So here's what I created....a good departure from all the greens I've been using.

This little set goes on sale tomorrow in the Occasions Mini Catalogue. It has a real sweetness to it. I inked the "bench" just as a shelf in this one on watercolor paper and added the Windmill Birdhouse and bird on the shelf...it could almost be a branch looking at it that way...but a very straight branch! Watercoloring with reinkers, cut out with the coluzzle and sponged with Pink Pirouette.

I paper pieced the little boots (are they not the sweetest!)

Ever cut your ribbon too short for a bow? I did, so I rescued it by just tying a half bow and letting the ends dangle. The Chocolate Chip Corduroy brad is yummy and adds just a little texture.

Thanks for stopping by! And welcome to all the new subscribers ...so nice to see you here! Anyone know how to add the widgit to your blog that says how many subscribers you have? I've looked EVERYWHERE and can't find it. There's about 250 of you joining me here on this creative journey (thank you! I'm was so touched when I went to look at my subscribers list! I'm honored you'd join me! :)

Recipe: Stamps: Scene in a Garden, Sweet Little Sentiments; Ink: Brown Stazon, Pink Pirouette; Paper: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose DSP, Watercolor; Accessories: Sponge, Big Shot, Top Note, Coluzzle, Piercer, Aqua Painter, Reinkers, Oval Punch, Scissors, Dimensionals, RHR Taffeta Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Brad, Scallop Eyelet Punch

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Garden Note for You

Ruffled and Inspired Tulips

Well, I've been home-bound all week with sick boys....so the thought of spring is really appealing to me! Last fall I planted a bunch of tulips and can't wait to see them come up this spring.

The Inspiration Challenge at SCS shows the amazing art of Glenda Mosher, oh MY she is so talented..it's no wonder so many of her painting bear the watermark "sold".

I picked this beautiful tulip field painting full of reds, oranges, yellows and greens.

Here are my tulips!

I've watercolored them, trimmed them out and placed them on a stamped nestability rectangle, which I also sponged. I really love this paper too, it's K & Co Que Sera Sera....it has such a great collage feel with fantastic colors.

And look at this amazing ribbon! It's SILK...new from Flourishes. It ties just amazingly

And here's my two sickies at work today on cards. I generally let my kids stamp with me, but just on scrap paper, today we made full cards together. You should have seen the joy in their eyes to use REAL cardstock. I was watching our little one as he was looking at his completed card - and he didn't see me watching him...but he had this look of absolute delight and pride in his work. Oh it just made my heart dance. It reminded me again, that yes when they stamp with me, I really don't get much done, because I'm helping them...but oh how good it makes them feel!


You can see they're both not feeling well, they're not quite themselves...but they are sure precious!


Thanks for stopping by today!

Recipe: Stamps: Flourishes - Thank You; Ink: Black Stazon, Certainly Celery, Tangerine Tango; Paper: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, K & Co Que Sera Sera, Watercolor; Accessories: Big Shot, Nestabilities, Sponge, K & Co Gems, Ticket Corner Punch, Flourishes Silk Ribbon, Dimensionals, Piercer, Scallop Edge Punch

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Ruffled and Inspired Tulips

Fabulous Friends Challenge & Ribbon Rose Tutorial

Well, it was such a fun time at the SU Regionals with Laura and Dawn last weekend. Laura suggested that we do something that Beate and Sharon Harnist did when they went to a Regional....keep one of the make-and-takes to do at home...each adding their own creativity to it and then uploading their creations the same day.

Well, we decided to do the same! We kept out one of the Make and Takes...I only stamped the image there (we could choose if we wanted to use that image or a different one), and we're all uploading them today. The rules were that you had to use everything that was supplied...but you could add anything. It was a pretty clean and simple make and take, so of COURSE I added :)

That day we saw a great WOW demo by an Alberta Rising Star Demonstrator Dorothy Seatter (it really brought the whole room to gasp WOW!) ...she had seen a Ribbon Rose tutorial on a blog from someone in the US...she thought it was someone called imasillystamper, but despite all of Dawn, Laura and my looking, we can't find her or her blog...so remember this didn't originate with me...and if you know the original source let me know

...ETA I've found her! Or at least she found me! Kirsten Brown was the source for this woman at Regionals. Her blog is imstampsilly.blogspot.com...and her tutorial link is here! Thanks so much Kirsten!
So I thought I'd give you a little Tutorial on it...then after I'll explain more about the card. Ok...keep in mind that I've been painting for 3 days...and my hands look terrible! Even with using nail polish remover - I can't get some of the primer off! Instructions below each picture.



Here's the ribbon, she said about 6 inches minimum, this one is about 12 inches long.

At the center point fold over as shown above.

ETA...some people are telling me they are getting lost from the above picture to the next picture....I'll try and describe it because I don't have another picture. The ribbon in the above picture that is on top, coming toward you now will be folded underneath and away from you over the right pointing ribbon at 90 degrees - leaving the tail end of the (formerly down) ribbon pointing up. Then the right side ribbon will fold underneath (away from you) ending up with the tail pointing left......does this help? This gets you to the next picture...



Then, continue taking each tail, fold backwards behind each tail of ribbon, criss-cross at 90 degree angles.


Fold till you have almost the entire ribbon in a square shape. Then carefully grab the back of the ribbon (the short pieces with the tails hanging) and turn upside down.



Holding onto the tail ends firmly let the folded pieces drop away from you (sorry that one picture was blurry...it's really hard to do the ribbon at the same time as taking pictures! lol!)



Still holding firmly to one of the ends (top ribbon above picture) , begin pulling the other loose end (lower end ribbon in above picture) - gathering up the ribbon in folds (like rose petals).



Isn't it COOOOOL???? (this was when everyone went WOW!). She said it works with any type of ribbon. I've tried Satin (which looks unbelievable), and I've tried grosgrain, taffeta and organdy. All perfection. I don't know if velvet would work - haven't tried yet!


Alright - to adhere...quickly fold the rose upside down and run a tiny bit of Tombow Snail under the loose end attaching it to the rose. Then I added dimensionals on the back to attach to the card. Trim the ends and you have a beautiful rose, with leaves! I think it's stunning!

.........Alright back to the card - I did run the watercolor piece through the Big Shot with the Top Note Die - but I used the reverse end, only hanging the top portion (about 3/4 inch) of the watercolored piece over the die (the rest of the watercoloring hanging out). This created that pretty shaped effect and I just added the cut piece on top.

I also added the sentiment flower popped up (don't you think it matches well?).

OK...be SURE to check out Dawn and Laura's Fabulous Friend creations! This was fun girls!

Recipe: Stamps: Soft Summer, Bella Toile Background, Oval All; Ink: Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red; Paper: Confetti Cream, Chocolate Chip, Walk in the Park DSP, Watercolor Paper, Ruby Red; Accessories: Aqua Painter, Reinkers, Big Shot, Top Note, Piercer, Grosgrain Ribbon, Scalloped Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Large Brads, Sponge.

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Fabulous Friends Challenge & Ribbon Rose Tutorial

Choo Choo Celebrate

Do any of your kids have Thomas the Tank Engine trains? Our boys were just crazy about them. They would set up tracks all over our living room. They don't play with them as much anymore, but last night our daughter set up a whole room full of track downstairs. They'll be playing with it for a while again!

Well, I thought I'd get ahead of the game and make a card for a boys birthday, since my boys seem to have a party to go to every weekend lately! And the train theme was in my head.

This is another new SU set about to be released in the Spring Mini on April 1st. Since as you know, I have so few boy sets...and yet need them so often, I thought this set would make a cute boy cards, and could be used for scrapbook pages too.

The sketch challenge over at SCS has these narrow panels in the background that I thought would make for great *track* background. I rolled the Right On Track wheel over the panels and then ran it through the track-like Texturz plate. Here's a closer picture of the texture.

The trains are popped up as is the steam. The only non-SU thing on here is that fun ribbon, I picked it up at Michaels a long time ago, and it works perfectly here. Fun fun fun!

Recipe: Stamps: Choo Choo, Right on Track Wheel, Sweet Little Sentiments; Ink: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point; Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Pacific Point; Accessories: Big Shot, Texturz Plate, Black Brads, Dimensionals, Michael's Ribbon, Slit Punch, Word Window Punch

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Choo Choo Celebrate

Sunshine!

Yum doesn't some warm sunshine sound good? We're getting there...but not there yet, spring will arrive here with lots of snow still on the ground.

But today's color challenge at SCS gave me that longing for the warmth of sunshine and the beach. (Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, Kraft and Black). I adore this cute new set coming out April 1st in the Spring Mini...it's called Just Beachy.

I created the feeling of three pairs of little feet playing on the beach by tearing and sponging the Kraft paper to create *sand*, stamping and coloring the flip flops and popping them, the sun and the pail up. The sentiment is rolled from the Lazy Days Wheel and it's also rolled on the Designer Paper.

Here's a closer picture of the dimension:

Thanks for popping over today!



Recipe: Stamps: Just Beachy, Lazy Days Wheel; Ink: Black Stazon, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun; Paper: Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, Basic Black, Kraft, RHR Patterns DSP; Accessories: SW Markers, 1/4 circle punch, Black Brads, Dimensionals, RHR Striped Ribbon, Sponge

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Sunshine!

Sweet and Sentimental Day Two!

Well, how did you enjoy the Sweet Pea Sneak Peeks yesterday? Didn't the girls do a beautiful job with all their designs? Would you like some more sneak peeks today?

This set today called Ornamental Elements has a very essential design feel to it, parts of it can be used for the main show case on a creation or as background, or as accent....really very versatile and will be available Friday after the release party over at Splitcoaststampers in the Flourishes Forum

I like the swirly feel to one of the stamps, but wanted to used it as a vine for flowers. So I watercolored the flourishes on the watercolor layer, then added pretty felt flowers and a lot of little beads as flower centers or accents. I also kept all of the design elements along a horizontal feel...the beads, the sentiment, the ribbons to keep that sense of motion along a horizontal plane.

I've also used the same stamp as a background stamp to the Basic Gray layer of paper too. It has an elegant and dreamy feeling to me.

Want to win this very beautiful and versatile set today? Head on over to the Flourishes Newsletter for your chance to win! And remember, participating in our March Sentiment challenge qualifies you for a chance to win all 3 new releases!

Stop by the Design Team members' blogs today for more great sneak peeks:

Cindy Lawrence

Faith Hofrichter

Latisha Yoast

Laura Fredrickson

Leslie Miller

Stacy Morgan

Julie Koerber
Nancy Kirk
Jan Marie Caruso

Back tomorrow with some more sentimental sweetness for you!

Recipe: Stamps: Ornamental Elements, Signs of Spring; Ink: Black Stazon, Basic Grey, Baja Breeze; Paper: Watercolor paper, Urban Garden DSP, Basic Grey, Baja Breeze; Accessories: Word Window Punch, Beads, Mono multi glue, Felt Flowers, Baja Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Aqua Painter, Reinkers, Sponge.

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Sweet and Sentimental Day Two!

Another Birthday? Piece O Cake

It's another weekend...it's another boys' birthday party! I actually forgot about this one needing to be done, so I needed something quick and simple. And it's for a 10 year old, so you can't do *little boy* anymore.


I wanted to do something orange and grey, so tonight's inspiration challenge had this great web-site called Spunky Sprout (here's the link to my pic)....and I picked this bag as inspiration. I like the colors and patterns.



I grabbed my Flourishes Birthday Celebrations set and the slice of cake stamp, gave it some color with a tiny bit of Tangerine Tango reinker and a C2 and an N6 Copic marker for the greys.




To make a quick card really look great, sometimes its just about the combination of papers you grab. I wanted these great contrast colors with the rich orange and Basic Grey, lots of layers, but simple ones, and a simple layout too.


Thanks for looking!


Recipe: Stamps: Flourishes Birthday Celebrations; Ink: Black Stazon; Paper: Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White Prestwick DSP, Haiku DSP; Accessories: Piercer, Dimensionals, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Brads, Copics, Reinkers, Aqua Painter

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Another Birthday? Piece O Cake

Here for You Baby Bird

I have a new.......Niece? Nephew?

Honestly - I don't know yet! My brother and sister-in-law had their baby this morning! She was induced a couple of weeks early, too much baby....too little of a mama. And my brother called to tell that the baby was born BUT WON'T TELL US if it's a boy or girl. He said we have to come see! What kind of person does that? Huh??? And I can't go without the kids, who won't be home till later this afternoon. Crazy. So, I'm a new Auntie, I'll tell you tomorrow who this little person is.

So, for the color challenge today I made a card for my sis in law and my brother. I'm going this afternoon to get some *new parent* items for a basket. You know all those little things that you might not know you need that are helpful.

The colors today were Kiwi Kiss, Pink Passion and Chocolate Chip.

I watercolored these pretty flowers before popping that baby bird on top, I saw a really pretty card by Mary Jo Albright using the plants this way. I also love the look of the out of the box spray of flowers too.

The Pink Passion layer is sponged and has the damask stamp stamped on it, and the friends wheel is on the Kiwi Kiss base.

Labels Sizzix die for the sentiment, a few buttons and retired satin ribbon, and a whole lot of layers and it's a lovely card.

Lots to do....still knitting that blanket for them (about 1/2 way done) and I still have to get started on the rest of the 50 Baby Thank you cards! I really did not expect the baby this early...though I did tell her on Friday I thought she'd be induced early....look at that I was right!

Recipe: Stamps: Friends 24/7, Friends Wheel; Ink: Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Passion; Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Passion, Chocolate Chip, Water Color, Bella Rose DSP, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP; Accessories: Big Shot, Sizzix Labels, Buttons, Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Reinkers, Aqua Painter, SW Markers, Sponge, Piercer.

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Here for You Baby Bird

Blooms on the Avenue

A really cool looking sketch today on SCS... it has a sort of geometric feel.

I've been dying to watercolor this gorgeous 5th Avenue set, so I pulled out the smallest blooms and watercolored them with deep Riding Hood Red shades.

I paired this pretty set with the really cool Fifth Avenue Patterns background set, I clear embossed the boxy stamp on the Riding Hood Red layer (though it's not perfect, I didn't line it up 100 %...but pretend it is ok?). So the geometric feel to the sketch is even more enhanced by the patterned background stamp, and the piercing...I think the embossing really gives it a more classy 5th Avenue feel too.

Because of the angle I took the picture you can see my dimensionals behind the sentiment (sigh)...ok pretend that's not there too....just pretend you're walking down 5th Avenue in New York and it's spring and you see these lovely red flowers at a flower shop...that's what I was going for :) Can you see it? Thanks for using your imagination with me! :)

The black inside of the flowers are dotted with a Sharpie for precision. But I love the rich red on these flowers, isn't it pretty? There's just something about this color combination that's a WOW factor too.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Recipe: Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Fifth Avenue Patterns, Beautiful Borders; Ink: VersaMark, Black Stazon; Paper: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Mellow Moss, Watercolor; Accessories: Reinkers, Aqua Painter, Sharpie, Piercer, Dimensionals, RHR Taffeta Ribbon, Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Sharpie, Dimensionals, Black Brads.

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Blooms on the Avenue

Stripedy

Don't you love when Tigger calls himself *Stripedy*? I always think it's so cute.


Today's Ways to Use It Challenge at SCS was to use stripes. Well, it wasn't until this afternoon that I could get to anything, but sheesh I almost didn't upload. The ideas in my head did not translate the best to paper.


Glitterfied Stripes



Last week my upline showed me a fabulous card with the sticky cuts, a heart that was in stripes...she said they cut the top layer (red/pink layer) of the sticky cuts with a craft knife and then added the different colors of superfine glitter in stripes! So SMART! And boy was it fabulous looking. So I thought I'd try it, but it wasn't as easy as it looked...I think I remade this card 4 times. In the end, it's cool looking...just frustrating!! Yes it really is that glittery (and more) in real life!




Scooters and Stripes




This was for a boys birthday party (again!) I love this little retired set The Wheel Thing...I don't think I'll ever part with it. And remember *The Donna* technique? Where you stamp once then do repeated stamping to give the feeling of motion? So cute.


I paper pieced the parts of the scooter in the paper colors. My sentiment isn't quite straight...but I was in such a rush to finish it so he could get out the door to the party.


New large brads on the wheels too as hub caps! Hee hee!


Recipe: Glitterfied: Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment; Ink: Tempting Turqouise, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black; Paper: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss Prints, Tempting Turqouise, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss; Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Black Brads, Ribbons, Dimensionals, Supernova Fine Glitter, Sticky Cuts


Scooters: Stamps: The Wheel Thing, sentiment SU but unknown set!; Ink: Tempting Turqouise, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Wild Wasabi; Paper: Whisper White, East Coast Prep DSP, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise; Accessories: Turquoise Brads, Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Striped Ribbon

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Stripedy

Botanique Garden

Hi Everyone!

I'm back! We had a few days at a retreat as a family. It was fun - particularly for our kids.

When I returned my other order of new items arrived, and as tired as I am...I wasn't sure I'd stamp, but I managed a quick card here with the new set Le Jardin Botanique.

Do you know what the #1 set ever with Stampin Up is? It's Lovely as a Tree....I've never purchased it, because I keep thinking it's going to retire. So when I saw this new set with a tree and other pretty botanicals, I knew it would be a good set for me.

Today's sketch challenge at SCS is a good one. I've done the sketch with simple watercoloring with reinkers, and added sponging of Kiwi Kiss around the edges and some pretty piercing. The Pomegranate DSP is retired, but I love the color combination with Kiwi.

And LOOOK Corduroy buttons! I didn't really believe they'd be REAL corduroy...I thought they'd be the texture of corduroy but plastic. NOPE they're the real thing. Fantastic texture and lush feeling.

Love the new eyelet border punch too!

Recipe: Stamps: Le Jardin Botanique, Pocket Silhouettes; Ink: Black Stazon, Kiwi Kiss; Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate, Retired Pomegranate DSP, Watercolor; Accessories: Kiwi Satin Ribbon; Corduroy Buttons, Piercer, Eyelet Border Punch, Dimensionals

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Botanique Garden

Sweet Love

The color challenge tonight is a pretty one, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, and Garden Green.

I've been working on some designs that I can't show you YET :) but soon!

But I put this one together tonight, and I like it's sweetness.

The main image and the little butterfly are colored with Copic Markers, and Bella Toile is used as the lower portion of the Top Note. I hardly ever use the Pretties Kit...I think it intimidates me! But I put together a pretty hat pin and ribbon as accent.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Recipe: Stamps: Dreams Du Jour, Bella Toile; Ink: Palette Noir, Pacific Point Paper: Pacific Point, Garden Green, Gina K Luxury White, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP; Accessories: Pretties Kit, Copic Markers, Dimesionals, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon

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Sweet Love

My Red Bird

When I first received this Home Tweet Home set by Marcella...I had all these great ideas in my head for creations. There's just something so beautiful and delicate about a well-drawn bird.

The Inspiration Challenge (IC164) the week is of some beautiful Lang Calendars....gorgeous illustration and when I saw the beautiful bird calendars I knew this set would be perfect.

I liked these two pictures, but wanted a red bird...so it's sort of a combination.




















Here's my card:

I think it might be my favourite one I've done so far with this set. I really like the simplicity of the design yet the pop of red in the bird. Bird is watercolored and cut out. I love the colors of Chocolate, Riding Hood Red and Artichoke. And the Top Note really gives it lovely shape. I sponged the edges of the Watercolor paper to give it a softer yet richer look, added some pretty piercing details around the edges. Doesn't he look SO real? Happy Saturday everyone!

And just a note to all of you I have a special invitation from Flourishes:

Here is the scoop:

Flourishes Stampers Dream Weekend February 21-22, 2009

Join us for a full weekend of stamping with some of the best Flourishes Designers! In addition to making cards with artistic elegance, you'll learn techniques and have a chance to sit in on a free lecture given by Marianne Walker on the theory of color.

What: Flourishes Stamping Weekend

Where: 4140 Lyric Lane, Pensacola, Florida

When: Saturday February 21:

Stamp the day away with a morning and afternoon class featuring Flourishes designers Becca Feeken and Faith Hofrichter. You'll learn how to create wonderful cards in their original style. Instruction, lunch, snacks, and all supplies are included.

Sunday, February 22: The morning is free for you to sleep in or enjoy some of the sights. Join us in the afternoon for a class with Jan Marie Caruso, where you will come away with finished cards and a limited addition stamp set. Then join us afterwards for a lecture on Color Theory by Copic Instructor Marianne Walker. We'll provide an afternoon snack and all supplies.

Price: $150 per person Payment is due by February 8 AND IS NONREFUNDABLE!

Space is limited for these classes. To register and pay for the Flourishes weekend go to the Flourishes website: www.flourishes.org; click on the CLASSES category

Monday: Copic Certification Class with Marianne Walter. See the I LikeMarkers blog ilikemarkers.blogspot.com

Recipe: Stamps: Flourishes- Home Tweet Home; Ink: Brown Stazon, Chocolate Chip; Paper: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor, Always Artichoke Prints; Chocolate Chip Prints DSP; Accessories: Oval Punches, Top Note, Big Shot, Piercer, Antique Brads, Dimensionals, Riding Hood Red Taffeta, Reinkers, SW Markers

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My Red Bird