Summertime Fun New Release!

This is my favorite of the July releases from CC Designs! Of course I wasn't surprised since I love ALL of the Lucky and Lulu sets! Isn't Lucky just the coolest "dude" ever?!?!

Let me start off by mentioning that the cute little sand pail, shovel and pile of sand do NOT come in this set. I pulled these ones out of another CC Designs set called Summer. It is a set that features Daphne and Donald but several of the stamps work perfectly with the new set Summertime Fun. I used Kraft card stock from Stampin' Up! to simulate the sand and ripped two strips of it. I stamped on one strip and them mounted the stamped strip on dimensionals on top of the 2nd strip.

I stamped Lucky with Staz On Black ink on Whisper White card stock from Stampin' Up! and colored him with various inks and markers. I mounted him on dimensionals as well. This was a really fun card to make and one that I had in my head as soon as I got a peek at the images in this set. This project turned out even a bit better than it looked in my mind.

Supplies Used: Soft Sky cs, ink, Whisper White cs, Black Staz On, Kraft cs, Real Red Stampin Write Marker, Summer Sun Stampin Write Marker, Going Grey ink, Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (Stampin' Up!), circle punch, dimensionals, Summertime Fun stamp set.

CC Designs Releases AGAIN!!

I can't get over how busy Christine is at C.C. Designs...she keeps us design team members VERY busy! I bet you didn't think I was even a Stampin Up demo any longer did you?!? Well, I am but right now I'm working on some projects for the release at All That Scraps. The July stamps will be available 7/8 at midnight. These are some great summer stamps! This first sneak peek is of the new kitty set that will be available. I'll admit I'm not a real cat fan. I can take them or leave them. I've had a cat or two in my lifetime but as an adult I am boycotting cats because I don't to deal with a litter box. I have 3 kids, a husband and dog to clean up after so I just can't make room for a cat too. NOW, my middle daughter LOVES cats. She squeals with delight when she sees one, has several stuffed animal cats and pretends to be a cat quite often so I knew she would love this set.

This is part of the set Pretty Kitties and comes with 2 different kitties, a mouse and three sayings. I wanted to create a diva cat and the band in the middle of this card is supposed to remind you of a collar. The words are not actually curved at all, but I wanted to create a kitty tag with my circle punches so I just bent the words a bit to make them fit. That is one thing that I do like about un-mounted stamps. Sometimes you can manipulate them just right to work for your project! Do you like all the bling? Between that and all the pink, my daughter is in love with this card!

Supplies Used: Staz On Black ink, Black cs, Stampin Write Marker, Pretty in Pink cs, Stampin Write Marker, Regal Rose cs, Stampin Write Marker, Whisper White cs, Signo White Gel Pen, Black Ribbon from Walmart, Paper Piercer, 1 3/8" circle punch (SU), 1 1/4" circle punch (SU), self adhesive gems (source unknown), Polka Dot Big Ole Background (CC Designs), .

Winter?

Today's Challenge at All That Scraps is to use glitter on your project. I LOVE glitter so I was quite excited to participate in this challenge. And, anytime you can combine glitter and ribbon I am especially happy. I don't know why I settled on a winter themed card except that the CC Designs set I really wanted to use I can't show you yet!! Maybe I'll do one with that set after all and just post it on July 4 when the design team members can post samples made with a fun new Lucky and Lulu set.

Anyway, enough of the teaser and back to this card and a little chit chat about glitter....

I LOVE this card sketch! I believe it was Beate's sketch last week (but I've been known to be wrong - my husband will probably print this entry out for use against me later)...I wish I knew who made the cute snowflake paper but it is from another stack that my mother shared with me. I stamped the adorable LuLu stamp from Wintertime Fun and added some snowflakes from that set stamped in Bashful Blue. The image was colored with Stampin Write Markers. I added some glitter as snow on the snowman, the ground and a couple spots on LuLu's hood and coat. Under the Happy Winter greeting I used some Robin's Nest Dew Drops. These came from the Water collection. I LOVE the collections of Dew Drops that Christine carries at All That Scraps because there are usually 3 different colors in one bottle, all of which coordinate together. Why bother "making" your own when you can open the lid, pour them out and be done with it?

NOW...as for the glitter discussion....I love the ease of Stickles. It is so nice to just open one cap and put it just where you want it. BUT, when I want REAL glitter and sparkle - lots of it - I go back to my glue and Dazzling Diamonds from Stampin' Up! There really is a huge difference in my opinion.

I hope you have a great day. Be sure to check out what the other design team members have done with glitter later this afternoon on the All That Scraps blog!

Supplies Used: Bashful Blue cs, ink, Pretty in Pink cs, SW Marker, Certainly Celery cs, SW Marker, Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Going Grey ink, Aqua Painter, Black Staz On, Paper Piercer, Slot Punch, Black Stampin Write Marker, Robin's Nest Dew Drops - Water, Dazzling Diamonds, Liquid Glue, Stampin Dimensionals, Wintertime Fun set CC Designs.

Hoppy Birthdaaaayyy and Hoppy Mail for You!

No one has a birthday here at my place (but if it is your birthday, or if you just want to let me know when your birthday is, leave a comment here and I'll choose a random number on Monday morning and send you this card and some goodies inside the card too!) I don't know what you do with images that you stamp and start working on but then determine your project just "isn't workin for ya", but I leave mine laying on a small table next to my workspace. Sometimes I get sick of looking at them and they end up in the trash, and other times I glance at them periodically and they start to grow on me. Sometimes I even pick them up and try again. That is what happened with this image from CC Designs set Froggie and Friends. I created this image with the balloons and the stretched out frog. I thought he looked like he was flying so I added the balloons and colored him in. After water coloring I added some spots to give him some personality and promptly sat him on my table for a couple weeks. Tonight I picked him up and a both the strip of patterned paper and the scalloped edge and put this card together lickity split! Stamping Mo-Jo isn't a made up word you know...it is an honest to goodness "thing". This story is just evidence that sometimes your "mo-jo" isn't in the right place and then other times it just works out!

Supplies Used: Pumpkin Pie cs, ink, Old Olive cs, ink, SW Marker, Real Red ink, Bashful Blue cs, ink, Summer Sun SW Marker, White Signo Gel Pen, Versa Mark ink, SU Slit Punch, Handheld Circle Punch, Black Staz On, Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper (SU), Dimensionals, More Mustard Brads (SU), Froggie and Friends set (CC Designs)

Retirement List Chat....

Well, I have counted them up, I'm losing 19 total stamp sets (this includes 3 back ground stamps). Really this isn't high at all, last year I think it was near 30 sets! Now, which sets am I surprised are leaving? I'm CRUSHED to see that Peaceful Wishes will be retiring. I think this is my all time favorite set. I have used this set on Christmas cards for every year since it has come out. I know my customers love it as well because every time I demonstrate it someone buys it. Snowflake Spot is another one of those sets that I seem to sell a lot of. Unfrogettable hasn't gotten much use around my house lately but not because I don't think it is the most adorable set ever! As always I am looking forward to seeing the sets that will replace these but I will sure miss my Peaceful Wishes! Now we just have to wait to see the retiring accessory list!

Stampin' Up! New Product Line

Stampin' Up! announced a couple weeks ago that they would be sharing some exciting news with its demonstrators about a new product line. Yesterday they spilled the beans and it was nothing like I thought it would be! Decor Elements is a new line of self adhesive wall art! They coordinate with our stamp art which makes it that much easier to coordinate the decor in your home! The fun thing about these is that you can order them in a couple different colors. But the neatest thing about following this link: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/decorelements_web.pdf is that you will get an idea of some of the new stamps that are to come! Some of the Decor Elements are of images I have never seen before such as, Manhattan Flower, Lollipop Flower, and Long Stem Silhouette. And there is an alphabet so you can put initials on a wall or even spell out words. You can start purchasing these on July 1st so mark your calendar!

Stampin Up Retirement List is Out!

The Retirement List has been released and you can check it out by clicking on this link: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/Retired_Lists_0608_US_A.pdf. It's a busy morning so I'll pop back in later with more chit chat about the retiring stuff!

Snail Mail

I just adore this image! It is from the CC Designs set, Froggie and Friends. (Don't forget, Christine is having a sale at All That Scraps - check out the link on the sidebar!) I wanted something really simple because I wanted something that was cute but the words inside are the focal point. We are so lucky to have the internet to keep in touch, but I miss the written letter. One of my aunt's and I used to keep in pretty good touch through the mail when I was in high school and part of college but I discovered that when you have e-mail you take it for granted that you can send a note any old time and I hardly ever send them at all. Does that make sense? Anyway, this is going to be sent to my Aunt Beryl. She is very special to me and I hope she likes this cute little fella! The little gems on the end of the Snail Mail strip are Robin's Nest Dew Drops from All that Scraps. These are from the Water collection..you get oodles (and I mean more dew drops than you will ever use!) of dew drops in several colors, this one here matches wonderfully with Soft Sky paper don't you think? I just adhere them with a Stampin Up mini glue dot. They work perfectly!

Supplies Used: Soft Sky cs, Always Artichoke cs, ink, Really Rust cs, ink, Whisper White cs, Fall Flowers Designer Paper (Stampin Up), circle punches, SU Circle Scallop Punch, Robin's Nest Dew Drops (Water), Black Staz On, Aqua Painters, Froggie and Friends.

We Live on a Farm

Here is the card my husband will receive on Father's Day. The only thing it is missing is the retired background stamp that was chicken wire...the background is really plain on this but otherwise I liked how it turned out. We live in a subdivision with about 1/2 acre and my husband has always wanted at least 5 acres so we could get chickens, a horse, have a larger garden than we already have, etc. (We do have several bee hives but it just isn't enough farm for him) Anyway the other day we were just saying to one another how there never seems to be any peace and quiet around here...so when I thought about his Father's Day card I was going to do something related to animals. At first I was going to use the Wild About You set and put something in it about us living in a zoo and he being a great zoo keeper, but when I remembered that I kept this retired Stampin' Up! set, On The Farm, I decided it was perfect for him. The three animals represent each of our three girls. Inside it says, "You have always wanted to have a farm but God already blessed us with three animals. You are a great farmer!"

Supplies Used: Real Red cs, striped ribbon, SW Marker, Bashful Blue cs, SW Marker, Summer Sun cs, SW Marker, Whisper White cs, Creamy Caramel SW Marker, Close to Cocoa SW Marker, Pretty in Pink SW Marker, Regal Rose SW Marker, Certainly Celery SW Marker, Circle Punches, White Signo Gel Pen, Paper Piercer, On The Farm set.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Here is the Father's Day card I made for my dad. I used CC Designs Jack that was released a couple months ago. My dad enjoys working with wood so I knew this image would be perfect for him. The ribbon and card stock look black in the picture, but it is actually Night of Navy. The jumbo eyelets along the side are also by Stampin' Up! As I look at this it seems pretty plain and not amazing...but I also keep telling myself that my dad doesn't care how fancy it is and sometimes you just have to make some simple cards. It seems anytime I make a manly card that is how I would describe it - simple. Do you have anything special planned for Father's Day? We are going to my parents after church on Sunday for lunch and just hanging out. Nothing exciting, but just making memories is pretty exciting.

All That Scraps Challege - Gate Cards

This week's challenge at All That Scraps is to make a gate card. Gate cards are fun and simple ways to make your card a bit different from the traditional card. You fold each side in and then adhere your image in between the two. You just have to remember to only put adhesive on one side of the image or else you gate will be stuck shut! I can't help you with the patterned paper (came from a stack and my mother shared some sheets with me) and the ribbon was some ribbon that came on a package of CC Designs Stamps that Christine sent awhile back. The Dew Drops were placed on the ribbon with Stampin' Up!'s Mini Glue Dots...they are the perfect size. If you have time, play along and post your link here. Let me see what your gate card looks like! Supplies Used: Certainly Celery cs, ink, Pretty in Pink cs, ink, So Saffron Stampin Write Marker, Old Olive Stampin Write Marker, Black Staz On, Aquapainter, Poinsettia Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Hey Chicky stamp set (CC Designs).

Strawberry Thank You's

Here are the Thank You cards for my daughter's party this past weekend. I just realized I never shared the picture of the invite, but I also never took a photo of it! What was I thinking!?!? Anyway, this one uses a retired set Sweet and Sassy is the name I think. A super simple layout but it would be perfect for all those little images like Amuse or Stampin' Up's set, ABC Images. On the focal image I just stamped the strawberry in Black Staz On and scribbled my Pretty in Pink marker inside. Then I used some Cotton Candy Stickles on the seeds of the strawberry to make it shimmer just a bit. The scalloped edge is made with the slit punch and the ribbon is Stampin' Up's! Pink Taffeta ribbon. My dh just pulled some strawberries out of the garden last night...mmmmm!

Supplies Used (All Stampin Up unless noted*): Real Red cs, Certainly Celery cs and marker, Pretty in Pink cs and marker, Versa Mark ink, Slit Punch, Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Cotton Candy Stickles*, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Sweet and Sassy set.

SALE!!

All That Scraps is having a sale! Check out the announcement Christine posted on the All That Scraps Blog: "We need to move out some of the slower moving items that are taking up space. We are starting out at 25% on most items and will continue to discount them until they are gone. But once they are gone they are gone, they will not be restocked. Some of the items are Cuttlekids, Disney Cuttlebug, Pattern Paper, Tins, Alterable Purses, Cardstock (Bazzil and Prism), Big Shot. Instead of having the items in the main category they have all been moved into the *Sale*Sale*Sale* category to make it easier to find the items that are on sale. We will also have 4 or 5 -8 1/2" x 11" Paper Racks that we will be getting rid of. We will sell them for $50.00 plus you pay shipping. If you are interested please let me know. Make sure to check back as we will be adding items." I hope you find some good bargains!

Another Year Older

My middle daughter turned 6 on Wednesday and her birthday party will be on Saturday. It is great having kids with birthday's in the summer (the youngest turned 4 on the 24th of May) because we are can have parties outside...very little necessary for decorating and you can have virtually as many kids as you like. She decided she wanted a Strawberry Shortcake party this year. I found these pencils at the Target Dollar Spot several months ago. They are the ones that have the little individual leads you take out when it is dull and then put it through the end. I saw some adorable pencil holders on Laurie Schmidlin's blog, http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/01/pencil-holder-p.html, awhile back and decided this is what I wanted to make for the kids party favors. I used a retired Stampin Up! set (I think it is called Sweet and Sassy) for the strawberry and the tiny flower from Simply Said. They aren't difficult to make at all. If you need a visual check out the link above....

1) You'll need a sheet of paper that is 6 3/8" x 3 5/8".

2) Score it along the long sides of the paper at 3/8", 1 5/8", 2", and 3 1/4".

3) Turn your card stock 90 degrees (so it is wide) and score one end at 3/8" (this forms the bottom of your box).

4) On the little bottom you have created you will snip each of the tiny scored sections.

5) Remove one end section (either one it doesn't matter).

6) Fold up the box and secure with Sticky Strip.

The band at the top is made with a strip that is 3 5/8" x 1 1/2" and scored at the same measurements above minus step 3.

SO simple...it reminds me of a 2, 4, 6, 8, box which you could also make to match and fill with some candy. Too bad the party is tomorrow or I would make some of those too!

Supplies Used: Regal Rose cs, ink, Real Red cs, Black SU ink, Signo White Gel Pen, Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Red Gingham Ribbon, Rough Edges Alphabet, Simply Said set, Sweet and Sassy set.

All That Scraps Challenge

Jenn O., another designer for All That Scraps, is going to be heading up some weekly Challenges. This time I was able to play. The challenge was to use these colors on your card - Summer Sun, Wild Wasabi and Chocolate Chip. I don't have any Wild Wasabi so I substituted Old Olive instead. This is the project I came up with using Froggie and Friends...As soon as I saw the frog image I knew he had to be riding on the back of his turtle friend. All supplies are from Stampin' Up! except the patterned paper and the stamps. The patterned paper is from the Mellow Collection from Basic Grey. I hope you have a friend who you know would stick their neck out for you. I have several and count myself as being very blessed because of that!

Supplies Used: Summer Sun cs, ink, Chocolate Chip cs, ink, Old Olive ink, cs, Black Staz On, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain, slit punch, brads, dimensionals.

Froggie and Friends and a Turtle Too!

Let me clue you in on one of the fun things about being on the CC Designs design team. Christine will draw a set and show us a few images before the set is ever turned into glorious rubber images. I was able to see some adorable images to the new set called Froggie and Friends in March I believe, and I was immediately excited to get that set in my hands! I love frogs and turtles. So here is my first sample with Froggie and Friends. This set is huge, has lots of words, 2 frogs, dragonfly, snail, turtle, cat tails, and more!

I can't tell you much about the supplies on this one because Christine has been doing something else that is such fun! She has been sending us little kits with the new stamps that include card stock and embellishments and on at least one sample we can only use the supplies provided. This is one of those kits. I really like how it turned out! The fly, cat tails, turtle and hat are all separate images as is the greeting "Sorry I'm late..." Inside it says "did I miss cake?" Funny huh? I LOVE this ribbon! It matches Bashful Blue from Stampin' Up perfectly! Enjoy your day and if you have any birthday cards to make you best get busy or you'll have to make a card like this!

Hello Layla!

Isn't she cute?!? This is another one of the new cuties from CC Designs new set Layla and Virginia. I paired it with some pretty paper from My Minds Eye. I just love this paper and keep thinking I need to order some more! I water colored the main image with Stampin' Up! inks and an aqua painter, added some Certainly Celery brads and some sweet little prima flowers with More Mustard brads and Ruby Red brads as well. You can get the My Minds Eye paper at All That Scraps and the new girls that Christine has designed will be released on June 4th at 12:01 am. Check it out at All That Scraps: http://www.atsblog.typepad.com/

Supplies Used: Pretty in Pink cs, ink, Ruby Red cs, ink, Pumpkin Pie ink, Soft Sky ink, Certainly Celery ink, Creamy Caramel ink, Black Staz On ink, Certainly Celery brads, Ruby Red brads, More Mustard brads, prima flowers, Stampin Dimensionals, Layla and Virginia set.