Hello Baby - Freshly Made Sketches #49

Today's card is a little gem created using a wonderful sketch by Jen Mitchell over a Freshly Made Sketches:

So clean and simple! My card came together in no time at all and I just love how the colors work together:

I wanted to create a gender neutral baby card and this striped pattern paper from the Birds of a Feather Designer Paper Series worked perfectly for me! I chose soft complimenting colors from various papers and used my 3/16" corner punch to add a tad more softness to the card. A bit of Primrose Petals cardstock just peeking out is a nice compliment to the soft colors. The zig-zag was created using my Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies and the circles were created with my 1" circle punch. That's it!

Design note: I used a bit of post it tape to tack the zig zag edgelit die to the cardstock so it wouldn't move during the cutting process. 

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Sweet Essentials

Paper: Primrose Petals, Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White CS; Birds of a Feather, Patio Party, Twitterpated DSP

Ink: Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad

Tools: Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits Die, 1" Circle Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch

Embellishments:  None

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Bloom

Hi There! Thanks for popping in! Today was a long headachy day so at the end of it I found some 'me' time in my craft room and made something bright and cheery to end the day on a positive note!

For this card I utilized one of my new favorite stamps set, Blooming with Kindness, my new Window Frames Collection Framelits Die and some cheery designer paper from the Floral District Designer Paper Series. This card came together so easily! I just love how the colors pop off the Wisteria Wonder cardstock:) I used my Finishing Touches Edgelits Die to add a bit of softness between the DSP and the card base. A bit of bling, some sponging, and an appropriate sentiment and that's it (wait for it)...ez peasy!!

The layout for this card came together in minutes and is so versatile, change the colors, papers, sentiment for an endless assortment of cards!

Note: I always add a bit of matching or coordinating DSP on the envelope flap, so that the recipient has a taste of what's inside. The paper is just so pretty I can't help but add it to everything!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Blooming with Kindness, Bring on the Cake

Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White CS; Floral District DSP

Ink: Rose Red

Tools: Big Shot, Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies, Finishing Touches Edgelits Die

Embellishments:  Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Thanks for stopping by!

Hocus Pocus - Freshly Made Sketches #48

This week's sketch is by Tui Nathan and is definitely a winner!

My creation for this sketch started in my mind with a pretty, delicate, Lucky Limeade DSP with a flower center...apparently the card had other ideas!! I'm okay with this because I just loved how it turned out!

This card uses a pattern paper from the "Howlstooth and Scaringbone" Designer Paper Series. I mean, really, with a name like that, it just has to be great paper, right?? I just love it, it reminds me of witchy-poo stockings and I carried that theme on with the 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon, both from the Holiday Catalog. Both of these reminded me of one of my favorite VERY bad witch Winifred Sanderson from the movie Hocus Pocus! 

I ventured into the realm of embossing with this card. The stamped image "Frightening Feline" (Binks from the movie Hocus Pocus) was stamped with Versamark Ink. I then poured a bit of black embossing powder followed by some dazzling diamonds and then heated the image with my embossing tool until the powder set up. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get the glitter to come across on camera, but it is unexpectedly sparkly in person!

I used bright glimmer brads on the right side of the image to offset the weight of the patterned paper on the left...design note: feel free to improvise with your colors! I did not have a glimmer brad in Tangerine Tango so I substituted for one in Pumpkin Pie but because the colors are separated, the difference is indistinguishable!

I hope you enjoyed my early foray in Halloween and feel free to leave me a comment so I know you stopped by! Happy Stamping!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Frightening Feline

Paper: Basic Grey, Basic Black CS; Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP

Ink: Basic Black (sponging)

Tools: Paper Piercing Tool (to pierce holes in ribbons to set brads)

Embellishments:  1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon, 3/8" Glimmer Brads in Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie, Black Emossing Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Heat Tool

Thanks for stopping by!

August Pals "Holiday Catalog" Blog Hop

Glad you could join us for some holiday crafting with the Stampin' Pretty Pals! You've probably hopped over from Lynn Hoyt at Cattail Designs, I'm stop number 2 on the Pals Hop and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for Stampin' Up! projects featuring the new Holiday Catalog! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up below and you'll be back on track.

Making a project for this month's hop was easy...choosing which product to use from such a wonderful holiday catalog was not!! In the end, for me it always boils down to versatility. Can I use the product after the various holidays/seasons have past? The answer is yes! 


The Designer Paper I have featured today is from the Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper and it is just fabulous. A great fall pattern on one side and an all-occasion or fall pattern on the reverse! That is a win, win in my book! I have also highlighted a new stamp set called Friendship Preserves and the matching Window Framelits Dies. And if that isn't enough matchy matchy for you, I have also used the Festive Paper Piercing Pack! What a great set of templates!! And SO easy to use! A simple embellishment using the new 7/8" Stampable Cotton Ribbon topped off with some linen thread and one of the new Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons, so pretty! The idea for the ribbon, linen thread and button was taken straight from page 29 of the Holiday Catalog! Not just for shopping, there is SOOO much inspiration on every page! Love, love this catalog :)

Quick and easy AND fun! One quick design note...I layered the pierced piece of So Saffron onto the base so the inside of the card would be prestine.

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Friendship Preserves

Paper: So Saffron CS; Orchard Harvest DSP

Ink: Lucky Limeade Classic Ink Pad

Tools: Big Shot, Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies, Festive paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Dimensionals

Accessories: 7/8" Cotten Ribbon, Linen Thread, Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons

Now hop along for more inspiring ideas from Debbie Pierce at Stampin Sunshine, stop number 3 on the Pals Holiday Catalog Blog Hop! Thanks for "hopping" by!

1. Lynn Hoyt at Cattail Designs
2. Shannon Jaramillo at ezpeasycards.com
3. Debbie Pierce at Stampin Sunshine
4. Jennifer Takacs at Stamped in Full
5. Julie Trevett-Smith at The Stampin' Affair!
6. Cathy King at chattycathycardcreations
7. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
8. Beth Beard at My Little Craft Blog 
9. Rae Harper at Wild West Paper Arts 
10. Mary Fish at Stampin Pretty
11. Kim Czenszak at Live Love Stamp
12. Diane Roberts at Scoreatfourandaquarter
13. Claire Crotteau-Hutt at stamppaperscissors
14. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
15. Barb Furlong at The Love of Stamping
16. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin' Space
17. Naki Rager at My Stampin' Blog
18. Brian King at Stamp with Brian
19. Kim Luithle at Kim's Stampin Stuff
20. Mikki Sarkisyan at Mikkis Creative Corner
21. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers
22. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards
23. Susan Lankford at Stamp and Scrap With Susan
24. Nicole Watt at Impressions by Nicole
25. Bobbi Mangas at My Therapy
26. Angie Blake at Angies Musings
27. Kris Kilcoyne at Kween Bee Kreations
28. Nicole Picadura at Scraps & Stamps
29. Sherrie Gross at Stampin Sunshine
30. Nina Dee at Deesigns by Nina Dee

Wishing for Snowflakes - Freshly Made Sketches #47

The inspiration for today's post is the weather! It's been so hot here this week that I have been having some wishful thoughts about Christmas weather! Hello there! Thanks for stopping by to check out my project for Freshly Made Sketches:  Edited to add that I was selected as one of the "perfect princesses" by Allisa from Freshly Made Sketches for this challenge!!

Can you blame me really? With so many wonderful products in the Stampin' Up! holiday catalog, I just can't wait to craft for Christmas!

 I am very pleased with the sketch this week, this card came together in no time at all. I am particularly happy with the option to include whatever shape my heart desires, I just love options! I immediately chose to use the new Snow Flurry Bigz Die in silver glimmer paper. Nothing like a sparkly snowflake at Christmastime! (I wouldn't really know, I live in Southern California, but I can dream!)

I used the new Core'dinations cardstock in Cherry Cobbler, I love the subtle texture it has. A few snippits of Snow Festival DSP, cut into banners because lately it has been all about banners for me. Hmmm, it was a bit plain on the Whisper White cardstock so I ran another piece through my Big Shot with the Argyle Emobossing Folder to add a bit of interest to the background.

Lastly, a designer button in Cherry Cobbler and this Christmas Card is ready to drop in the mail! Okay...maybe I will wait for a few months...

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: None

Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations CS; Snow Festival DSP

Ink: None

Tools: Big Shot, Argyle Embossing Folder, Snow Flurry Bigz Die,

Embellishments:  Designer Button in Cherry Cobbler

Thanks for stopping by!