Bright Spring Sunshine with Cottage Garden

We need a little spring sunshine in the Pacific Northwest, as we're getting treated to the liquid variety this week...  I love the stamp set, Cottage Garden and I'm sad to report that it'll be retiring in a little over a week's time (May 31, to be exact).

The 5-Petal Flower Punch likewise retires at the end of May, so I thought I'd pay homage to them both in this project.  The colors I used were Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White.  

The tone-on-tone flowers in the Melon Mambo piece are courtesy of VersaMark ink...

If you're lovin' Cottage Garden and you'd like to see another project, click *here*, *here*, but page down a bit, *here*, and the sentiment is used *here*.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Cottage Garden (W117068, C120003)

Paper:  Melon Mambo (115320), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Daffodil Delight (119683), Pretty in Pink (100459) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Ink:  Melon Mambo (115656), Tempting Turquoise (100814), Daffodil Delight (119667), and Pretty in Pink (101301) Classics and VersaMark (102283)

Accessories:  Large Tag Punch (119876), 5-Petal Flower Punch (119880), White Baker's Twine (124262)

{Stamp Set Spotlight} A Cardinal Christmas: Day 2

This card includes another image which was embossed in clear embossing powder for a subtle, yet clear image. The berries were likewise embossed in clear embossing powder (on Cherry Cobbler card stock), snipped out and adhered to the cardinal image.

The cardinal image was fed through the Big Shot, using the Top Note die, which gives it that shape. Quick and easy!

Our sentiment also comes from A Cardinal Christmas and was inked in Cherry Cobbler and then the Crumb Cake piece was punched using the Modern Label punch. Cherry Cobbler was used to sponge some ink along the Very Vanilla tag. Some time soon, I'll post a video showing how I achieved that extra-long tag (using my normal tag punch!). Simple and easy and a great way to sssttttrrrreeeettttttcccchhhh your supplies... I love the homey look of the Victoria Crochet Trim, which I used here with my stand-by, Linen Thread (I must order miles of that every year!). Finally, used my Color Coach to guide me in my color choice. Rose Red is a companion color for Cherry Cobbler. Phew!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Rose Red and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Cherry Cobbler Classic, VersaMark

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz die, Clear embossing powder, heat tool, Victoria Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Stampin' Sponge, Modern Label, 1/16-inch circle and Tag punches.

Hope you're able to enjoy some of the magic of this season!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} A Cardinal Christmas: Day 1

This card was made for a vintage-themed challenge a while back in which I was to include a stick pin. Unless I was sending it in a bubble envelope, I'd hand-deliver this baby...

The large image is the background stamp from A Cardinal Christmas, embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. It's layered on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock, as it helps the piece stand out from the stripes of the Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper.

A simple knot is tied through the loop in the top of the stick pin and then beads are added. I used Mini Glue Dots to adhere the whole thing in place (I didn't want the knot to spin).

The sentiment is one of my favorite punch treatments. I've layered the Modern Label over the Designer Label. They're both popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas

Papers: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla card stocks, Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper

Inks: VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler Classic

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Modern Label and Designer Label punches, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Hope you are able to enjoy this fun, anticipation-filled time before Christmas! Thanks for your visit!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 1

As I plan my cards this year, I have been trying out a couple of different ideas using the set, Season of Joy. I love its versatility; the swirls can be used all year long, as can the "hand stamped" stamp with the star. I love the flower and I'll get use out of the snowflake all winter long. I love the possibilities that abound with the block of sentiments, too (more about that later this week)!

For this card, I'm using a new color combination for me, courtesy of the fabulous (and indispensable) Color Coach. I've used Basic Grey, Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze. Three colors I never would have thought to combine, but I like what I got here!

I love how the Perfect Details Texturz Plate coordinates with the swirls from this set. I fed the Baja Breeze piece that backs the Christmas tree through my Big Shot and voila -- instant texture!

I also added a touch of glitter...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Baja Breeze and Basic Grey Classics, VersaMark

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, White Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Tag Punch, Oval Punch (#119855)

Thanks for the visit! I look forward to sharing more of my Stamp Set Spotlight this week...

{Catalog Countdown: Day Five} All Sara

Welcome to another day of our Catalog Countdown! This card was created for a recent challenge in which we were to make a card that truly represented who we were as stampers. So here's what would be "All Sara":

• I *LOVE*, *LOVE*, *LOVE* blue,


• I am a big fan of sweet little song birds,


• I'm not a fussy person,


• Sometimes I'm pretty rumpled, and


• My style is pretty casual. If I could decorate in any manner (other than Fischer-Price), it would be English country (with a little French flair thrown in).

This is another card for which I wanted to use my retiring items: Spring Song stamp set and Bordering Blue (sniff!) card stock and Classic ink. The Kraft card stock that makes up the base of this card will be doing a bit of "The Artist Formerly Known As...", as its new name will be Crumb Cake. The exciting tidbit associated with the name change is that Crumb Cake now comes with coordinating ink and accessories! Happy dance! The Twill Tape will also be repackaged and will only be offered in a 3/8-inch width.

The songbird pops up from the card, as it's been heat-embossed, giving it a simple, sharp emphasis...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Spring Song, Tiny Tags

Paper: Kraft, Night of Navy, Bordering Blue and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Night of Navy and Bordering Blue Classics and VersaMark

Accessories: Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Twill Tape, Linen Thread, Jewelry Tag Medium and 1/16-inch Circle Punches
Retirees: Spring Song, Bordering Blue card stock and inks

Thanks for your visit to the Studio today! Stay with me all week for more Retirees! June 30 is the last day on which to order (and it's a busy day for my family). Get your last order to me as soon as possible so that we can assure inventory of your items!

Contact me to preorder your new catty, too! I'm lovin' my advance copy!

{Tuesday: Technique Video (Distressing)}

Today's topic is distressing. I mean to say that the technique we'll be discussing is the practice of distressing, not that the very discussion of it will be distressing...

I've got another video for you! No jammies, promise! Below the link you'll find pictures of each of the projects I discussed in the video. Unfortunately, the video camera's resolution isn't that great, so the best way to see them is here, in still-life...

Here are some of the cards I shared...

Herb Expressions with Torn Edges:

Fruit and Nut Catalog Inspiration Challenge with Sueded and Crumpled Card Stock:

Dreams Du Jour with Sueded Paper and Distressed Edges:

Sense of Time with Crumpled Paper (or the smooth side of a Sueded piece):

and up close:

Wanted with Mellow Moss Sueded piece:

Wings of Friendship with a flower stamped on the smooth side of Sueded Paper:

Baroque Motifs with a Sueded piece of Barely Banana:

Deets on the first card (created in the video):

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Garden from the Heart and Thank You Kindly sets

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Basic Brown Classic, Whisper White Craft and VersaMark (Not Quite Navy and Ruby Red Classic Inks for watercoloring)

Accessories: Distressing tool from Cutters Kit, Wide Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, linen thread, Clear Detail Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Modern Label Punch, Blender Pen

Thanks again for your visit! The teacher in me thrills at the idea of making these tutorials. Please let me know if there's something specific you'd like me to cover! Have a great day!

Happy Valentine's Day, George!

Oops! I made this valentine for my sweet son, George, who is forever schooling me at tic-tac-toe. I forgot to post it!

Here we go:

I used the set, A Happy Heart, to make this card and chose Pink Passion, Gable Green, and Brocade Blue as my colors. My Scallop Edge punch made a fun border along the top and bottom of the tic-tac-toe board. I also used my 1/2-inch Circle Punch to pop out some circles to add dimension. Finally, I used the heart from You & Moi (one of my Sale-A-Bration freebies) with VersaMark ink to make the background on the right side. I love the subtlety of VersaMark!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: A Happy Heart and You & Moi

Papers: Pink Passion, Brocade Blue, Gable Green and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Pink Passion, Brocade Blue, and Gable Green Classics and VersaMark

Accessories: Scallop Edge and 1/2-inch Circle Punches, Brocade Blue Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for visiting the Studio!

Feeling a Little Blue...

Actually, I'm not, but I *LOVE* blue! The Ad Inspired Challenge this week at 365 Cards was right up my alley. I'm sure I've got this very ad tucked away in my inspiration journal.

As I type that, it sounds really presumptuous, so I'd better explain. Years ago, it was recommended to me that I keep a journal (in my case, a composition book covered in pretty paper) of favorite color combinations, pictures of things that inspire me, quotes that I like, etc. It was excellent advice and I love to add to it! I'm a major fan of tearing things out of magazines and catalogs, so this gives me some license and reason to do it. I have all sorts of things in my journal, from the aforementioned pages to quotes from the Mary Engelbreit calendars that my mom gives me every Christmas. I also use a 1-inch Circle punch to punch circles of card stock in colors I'd like to tinker with (or that I've seen elsewhere). Some day, I'll take a photo of the journal and some of its bits and post them here. Until then, I'll return to the Ad Inspired Challenge.

Here's the ad:

And here's what I came up with:

I love the clean lines of blue with white and so I tried to replicate that using one of my faves, Night of Navy, with Brilliant Blue. I used Whisper White Craft ink on Night of Navy for the circles from the Circle Circus set (and heat-set them so that they'd dry quickly). I punched them out with a 3/4-inch punch and then using a Stampin' Dimensional, adhered them to a 1-inch punch of Whisper White card stock. The circles on the Brilliant Blue piece are also from Circle Circus (I used VersaMark for those). For a high-value, sure-to-be-a-favorite, VersaMark is a must-have for beginner and advanced stampers alike.

"Thanks" from the Thank You Kindly set is simply inked in Brilliant Blue Classic ink and stamped upon Whisper White card stock (and adhered to a bit of Night of Navy). The Brilliant Blue piece is also adhered to the rest of the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Circle Circus and Thank You Kindly

Papers: Night of Navy, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Whisper White Craft, Brilliant Blue Classic and VersaMark

Accessories: 3/4-inch and 1-inch Circle Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks so much for looking!

My Hat's off to You!

This sweet snowman is courtesy of a Hostess set I earned for an order I put together early last month. The name of the set is "Snow Buddies" and it can be found in the Holiday Mini Catalog. The challenge from the 365 Cards folks is to include a hat... Here's my take:

Studio Suggestion: I used the Round Tab Punch to punch the Basic Black card stock and snipped it in half to create the bowler hat for my snowman. The cute hat band is the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper.

Studio Suggestion #2: To make the snow effect on the ground, I tore a piece of Vellum and then dusted it with my Stampin' Pastels (blue).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Buddies, Fun & Fast Notes

Papers: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Old Olive and Whisper White card stocks and Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Inks: Basic Black Classic Ink and VersaMark

Accessories: Round Tab and Word Window Punches, Stampin' Pastels, Blender Pen, Paper Snips

Thanks so much for your visit!

Birthday Card for Mom

My mom's birthday was in April and I made this card back in mid-March. That's saying something, as I'm usually racing around at the last minute, sweating bullets because I can hear the postman's truck coming... The punchline is that *I LOST THE CARD* in my slovenly stamping area (I've been drooling over the pics of people's stamping areas, but that's another post). Back to Mom...

Here's the card I made (actually, re-made) to send for her birthday. Love you, Mom!Stampin' Up! Supplies:

• Stamp Sets: Fresh Cuts; Holiday Blitz
• Inks: Chocolate Chip; Bordering Blue; VersaMark
• Papers: Bordering Blue, So Saffron and Very Vanilla Card Stock; Bella Birds DSP
• Accessories: Chocolate chip 5/8-inch grosgrain; Linen Thread; Natural Hemp; Sizzix Big Shot; Petal Card Bigz Die; Distressing Tool from Cutter Kit; Scallop Edge punch; Button Latte

**A cute photo of my Crazy3 are inside of the Petal Card at the upper left**