ooohh...Shiny!

I love that the Stampin Up Big Shot works on other elements besides cardstock.  I can use the hand powered machine to cut fabric, paper, tin & aluminum, acrylic, and lots more. For today's card, I embossed a window sheet (transparency) with the new striped embossing folder.

It was so easy and so much fun! Window sheets are a nice way to add a layer with out the heaviness of paper.  The stripes embossed are vertical (the lines running zig zagged horizontally are the reflections from my window blinds) and turn an otherwise boring card into a eye catching work of art.

good job! way to go! fantastic!

Anyway you spin the card, and it really does spin, you'll be saying something great to the person you are giving it to.

What a fun stamp! 

Lovin' the Banner Train

I'm usually slow to hop on the train for a new trend. 

And true to form, it took me a while to appreciate all the banners I have been seeing in the craft world recently.  I've seen paper banners, fabric banners, sock banners, pine cone banners.....all kinds of banners (I made up the sock banner but wouldn't that be cute?  A sock --clean of course--from each member of the family strung up across your fire place the night before some gift giving holiday?  oh wait....we do that already don't we?  Darn! I thought I was on to something unique!).

Stampin Up makes banner making incredily easy with a punch for paper crafting and a die for everything else (fabrics included).  Oh the fun I'm going to have now that I love banners!

Layered Scallops

When I first received the new Stampin Up 2011-2012 Idea Book, I was a little dismayed to see most of the 5/8" grosgrain ribbon had retired. 

hmmm......how can I make a card with out 5/8" grosgrain ribbon?

I flipped through the catalog a few more minutes and realized layers of paper replaced ribbon on most of the sample cards.  Interesting idea.  And actually, as beautiful as 5/8" grosgrain ribbon is, those knots required extra postage when I mailed out my cards!

The layers of paper were usually in the form of multiple scallop edges like in my card today.  See how I used the Scallop Border Trim punch on the Indigo Island paper, two pieces actually, and layered them to peek out beneath the Very Vanilla cardstock? Simple but resulting in a nice textured finish.  And no extra postage for those layers!

Of course, I couldn't help but add a mini clear button so I ended up having to spend an extra 20 cents at the post office anyway, but buttons are always worth the extra postage.  Kind of like icing on the cake is always worth the extra calories!

I'm back....a little rusty but enjoying crafting again

A couple of weeks ago I held an open house to reintroduce myself to my stampers.

Seems like the six months I took off (for health and personal issues regarding one of my children) created a void in the lives of everyone around me.  Well, maybe not a void.  But, I did have quite a few stampers approach me and ask me if I'm going to have Stamp Class again.

And every time I went to the basement, my stamp area would whisper enticing words to me, promising rest and relaxation via paper and ink.

So, I put in a quick order to Stampin Up, purchased a few new colors and papers, and requested a box full of 2011-2012 catalogs.  I set a date for an open house, invited some great ladies, and I am back in business!

This is the free card everyone made. I used some retiring products and some new colors.

The design is one that Dawn created for her blog. I love her style because it is so easy to duplicate and always looks nice.

forgotten wedding card

This is the card that we forgot to bring with us when we went to a wedding a few weeks ago.  I thought The Accountant had it.  He thought I had it.

It was so strange to eat at the reception knowing that we forgot the card with the gift in it.  Almost like we were stealing the food.

Is that strange or would you feel like that too?

For you vs. To you??

I made this card to send to my teen age niece in Boston. 

Originally, the Happy Birthday sentiment was not on there.  It just said 4 U (for you) and was created to hold a gift card.

It looked a little boring so I added the Happy Birthday.  Then, I realized it should have had 2 U (to you) as in Happy Birthday to You but I couldn't exchange the 4 with a 2 with out ruining the card.

I'm not sure a 15 year old cares though so it's OK.

Have a great weekend!