4th of July!

Yay! The 4th of July is almost here--just one more week! Too bad I pretty much hate fireworks... Thankfully my mom also hates fireworks, so I'm never alone in the house watching the fireworks through the window! My mom, however, has a reason to hate fireworks. When she was younger, her two brothers set off one of those spinning fireworks which somehow got wound up in her long hair. It was obviously a traumatic experience for her, but I think her fear may have rubbed off on me. In fact, even when I was very little, I was terrified of fireworks. My mom has a picture of my dad holding me down on his lap about 3 feet from a "snake"...you know, those slow burning black discs that simply "grow" into a long black snake. Pretty much no real danger there...but yeah, I was afraid of those (too bad I don't have the picture--it's really quite funny!). Unfortunately, my fear has only grown with age. I don't mind the snakes too much anymore, but I really don't like my dad and husband lighting off those huge fireworks that could at any moment fall and shoot flaming balls straight at me! Okay, so I'm a little irrational...

Nevertheless, I do like making paper decorations that help celebrate the holiday in a safe, non-dangerous way :-)



I used a Pringles can and a Hershey's Cocoa can for this project. I have a whole package of Pacific Point pattern DSP, and since it and the Riding Hood Red paper I have are retiring in a few days, I figured I could use those!

This is the taller can:



I cut slits in the lid and stuck in little strips of card stock that I had curled around my finger. I mounted the accordion flower on a popsicle stick that I had embossed with White Embossing Powder to make a little holiday "flag". Here's a little tutorial on how to make those accordion flowers:

1. Cut a strip of DSP 1-1/2" x 12" and score every 1/2" (for glitter along the edge, place sticky strip along the edge of the front side of the paper BEFORE you score the paper. Leave the red cover on the tape until your flower is done)
2. Fold the strip like an accordion
3. Using sticky strip, adhere the two ends together and shape into a flower. Use a shape with a pop up glue dot to hold the flower in place. I used a star punch on the front and back sides.
4. Remove the red covering from the sticky strip along the edge and add glitter.

Here is the smaller container:



I used both clear and silver embossing powder to emboss star images from the In the Stars stamp set (retired). Because the lid of the cocoa can was brown, I covered it with DSP. I added another accordion flower on the top with swirl strips as well. This time, I put glitter on the star using the Two Way Glue Pen to adhere the glitter to the star:



Well, I'm looking forward to the fireworks show here in Chicago that I'll basically be able to see from my window! I've heard it's a beautiful show off the Navy Pier. I'm sad that I won't be able to spend it with my family like I usually do, but maybe I'll make some homemade ice cream and a fruit pizza made to look like a flag to make it feel more like home on the 4th of July :-)

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up!
Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Paper: Riding Hood Red (111348)*, Pacific Point (111350)*, Brushed Silver (100712), Pacific Point Patterns DSP (112150)*, Summer Picnic DSP (retired)
Ink: VersaMark (102283)
Punches: Large Star Punch (110710), Star Punch (109045)
The Little Something Extra: Silver Brads (104336), Chunky Essentials Glitter (108797), Pop Up Glue Dots (104183), Sticky Strip (104294), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon (111374)*, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon (111365)*

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)
**Occasions Mini Catalog Items--only available through June 30

Retiring Birthday Hugs & Wishes

...starting today off with a little more Mojo from the Mojo Monday blog! This card was so quick and simple to make. I highly recommend the Mojo Monday sketches. They always make my card-making so much simpler! :-)



Just a reminder...all the items on the Last Chance list will only be available until June 30...that's just 4 days away! Place your order today! This card used the following items from the Last Chance list: Hugs & Wishes stamp set, Riding Hood Red card stock and double striped ribbon, and Washington Apple Designer Series Paper. Please scroll down for more information on ordering these products!

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up!
Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Sets: Petal Pizzaz (113417--pictured above), Hugs & Wishes (114986--pictured above)*
Paper: Riding Hood Red (111348)*, Pumpkin Pie (105117), So Saffron (105118), Whisper White (100730), Washington Apple DSP (112461)*
Ink: Pumpkin Pie (105216)
Punches: Scallop Edge Punch (112091)
The Little Something Extra: Riding Hood Red Double Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111374), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)
**Occasions Mini Catalog Items--only available through June 30

New In Color Thanks

It's almost here--the new 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog! Along with this new catalog, we're getting 6 new In Colors! Yay! The new colors are: Bermuda Bay (blue), Crushed Curry (yellow), Dusty Durango (orange/red), Melon Mambo (pink), Rich Razzleberry (pink/red), and Soft Suede (brown).

I made this card using Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, and Bermuda Bay:



I used this fun Mojo Monday sketch and a little inspiration from Mary Fish:



I think the thing I am most excited about with the new In Colors is the matching ribbon! Each year with the introduction of new In Colors, Stampin' Up! includes matching ribbon in a new style. This past year's In Color ribbon was the double striped ribbon, but this year's In Color ribbon is 1/2" grosgrain polka dot ribbon! I love it! As an added bonus, it is only polka dot on one side, so the other side is easily used as plain grosgrain ribbon. It's perfect! Remember that the new In Colors become available on July 1, but the current In Colors are only available through June 30. Be sure to place your order today if you'd like any paper, ink or ribbon in the current In Colors. But remember that those accessories are only available while supplies last!

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up!
Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Sets: Petal Pizzaz (113417--pictured above), Thank You Kindly (111700--pictured above)
Paper: Crushed Curry (115319--available July 1), Soft Suede (115318--available July 1), Bermuda Bay (115317--available July 1)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Crushed Curry (115659--available July 1)
Punches: Scallop Oval Punch (114889)**, Large Oval (107305), 3/16" Corner Rounder (109047)
The Little Something Extra: Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads (109110), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)
**Occasions Mini Catalog Items--only available through June 30

Tri-Shutter Thank You

I've seen a "Tri-Shutter" card before, but had forgotten all about it until just the other day when I went blog-hopping to find some inspiration for my next card. I visited Connie Babbert's blog and saw that she had posted a Tri-Shutter card that she had received as a birthday gift. Using her card for inspiration, I figured out how to make a Tri-Shutter card and created one for myself!







If you'd like to make one of these cards yourself, click here to get the pattern. It's really not as hard as it looks!

I did use a retired set for the flowers on the front, but the scallop oval in the center of the card, the Designer Series Paper (patterned paper) and the Baja Breeze felt flowers on the back panel are only available until June 30, so be sure to place your order TODAY!

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,
CLICK HERE!

Stamp Sets: Oval All (113790--pictured above), Friendship Blooms (retired Sale-A-Bration 2008)
Paper: Basic Gray (108692), Cameo Coral (100475), Baja Breeze (111352)*
Ink: VersaMark (102283)
Punches: Scallop Oval Punch (114889)**, Large Oval (107305)
Cool Tools: Heat Tool (100005)
The Little Something Extra: Filigree Designer Brads (112577), White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132), Flower Fusion Too (112006)*, Silver Brads (104336)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)
**Occasions Mini Catalog Items--only available through June 30

Family Reunion

Well, I am gone to the Black Hills (South Dakota) for a family reunion! Yay! I will not be back until next week and probably will not post anything until the middle of next week--I just wanted to let you know :-)

I also wanted to remind you that time is running out on the Last Chance Promotion being offered by Stampin' Up! Be sure to click the "Shop Now" button in the right hand column to place your order today! You will be redirected to my Stampin' Up! Website, and you'll need to click on the "Shop Now" button at the top of that page.

I hope you have a great weekend and I'll see you next week!

Kindness Comes in Many Forms

I know I posted a card similar to this one about a year ago, but I just really liked the layout, so I used it again with new colors and a cute addition:



I made this card for my Great Uncle who lives here in Chicago who has been more than wonderful to us since we got here. It's so nice to have some family here to make it feel more like home, even when we're hundreds of miles away from home :-)

Well, I hope you all are having a wonderful Wednesday! Why don't you sit down today and just write a quick thank-you note to someone who has been extra kind to you or has done something that meant a lot to you. You know they'd be happy to know that you noticed and cared :-)

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,
CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set: Heard from the Heart (111644--pictured above)
Paper: Kiwi Kiss (111353)*, Pacific Point (111350)*, Summer Sun (103124)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
The Little Something Extra: Filigree Designer Brads (112577), Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (111367)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)

Thank You Catalog CASE

Well, I mentioned CASE'ing in a post a few days ago, and this card is also a CASE from the current Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog (p. 132):



I (unfortunately) do not have the beautiful background image SU! used on their card (the image from Organic Outlines p. 87), so I had to improvise. I have saved the large flower stamp from Sale-A-Bration about 2 years ago because I just loved the stamp! I'm glad it came in handy today :-)

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,
CLICK HERE!

Stamp Sets: Big Blossom (retired Sell-A-Bration 2007), Celebrate Everything (114942--pictured above), Short Order Alphabet (115062--pictured above)*
Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128), Real Red (102482), Apricot Appeal (105124), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Baja Breeze (111833)*, Chocolate Chip (100908)
Cool Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Punches: Office Hole Punch (non-SU)
The Little Something Extra: Apricot Appeal 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109040)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)

Dad's Day

I have one more project to show you with these lovely colors! This card is actually made with the Urban Garden DSP, which uses Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy. It's so hard to make cards for boys--even though the two boys I most often make cards for (my husband and my dad) don't really care what the cards look like and just love them because I made them :-) Anyway, I used a Mojo Monday sketch for this card:





And I won't lie--if you scroll down on the Mojo Monday post, you will see two cards that are very similar to mine. I was obviously inspired by these wonderful ladies' creations!

Don't forget that Father's Day is this Sunday! Be sure to (make and) send your Dad a card this week!

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,
CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set: Letterpress Alphabet (retired)
Paper: Basic Gray (108692), Baja Breeze (111352)*, Kiwi Kiss (111353)*, Not Quite Navy (101722), Urban Garden DSP (112042)*, Hostess Level 1 DSP paper pack
Ink: Basic Gray (109120)
The Little Something Extra: Baja Breeze Corduroy Buttons (114344)**, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Mat Pack (105826)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)
**Occasions Mini Catalog Items--only available through June 30

Scallop Oval Thank You

Well, I loved that Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper (DSP) so much, that I just had to make another card with it!



I CASE'd (Copy And Steal Everything) this card from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalog (p. 8). Normally when I copy a card, I try to change it at least a little, but I just liked this card so much that I copied it pretty much exactly. I guess I did use a different button than the one they used, but just because I didn't have that button :-)

Thankfully, it's perfectly okay to copy cards out of the Stampin' Up! catalog for your own use! That's half of the catalog anyway! It's called a "Catalog & Idea Book" for a reason! Stampin' Up! takes extra time to design plenty of projects and cards to inspire you in your own creations. That's one of the thousands of reasons why I love Stampin' Up! Take some time today and flip through your catalog & idea book to find a card you want to copy and just copy it! Sometimes it's easiest to flip to a page that features a stamp set you already have--then you're sure to have the stamps necessary to "CASE" the card for yourself :-)

By the way, if you're curious as to what materials were used for each project, you can click here or you can always visit my Stampin' Up! website (www.createwithcari.stampinup.net) and click on the "Stampin' Up Products" tap on the top of the page.

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,
CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set: Oval All (113790)**
Paper: Basic Gray (108692), Baja Breeze (111352)*, Kiwi Kiss (111353)*, So Saffron (105118), Walk in the Park DSP (115123)**, Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Cameo Coral (100475)
Cool Tools: Circle Scissor Plus (112530), Dotto Temporary Adhesive (to hold paper in place on the Circle Scissor Plus) (103305)
Punches: Scallop Oval Punch (114889)**, Large Oval (107305), 1-3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1" Circle Punch (109046)
The Little Something Extra: Button Bouquet (112092)*, Baja Breeze 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111375)*, Mini Glue Dots (103683), White Gel Pen (105021)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)
**Occasions Mini Catalog Items--only available through June 30

Thanks for Everything

So, about two months ago when the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog came out, I purchased the Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper (DSP). I just LOVE the colors used in this paper (Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Cral, Baja Breeze, & So Saffron)! I realized today that this paper would be retiring in just a few weeks (June 30), so I figured I should pull it out and use it! I made this card today:



I started with a sketch from SplitCoast Stampers:



I wanted a Basic Gray DSP that was a little more subdued than the basic gray that came in the pack, so I pulled out my Hostess DSP Pack (Current Level 1) and found the polka dot paper used under the bird. I also wanted to use some of my Chit Chat Rub-Ons because I love the look of a white sentiment on the card!

If you're interested in the DSP or the Kiwi Kiss ribbon, be sure to order it now since it won't be available after June 30!

By the way, I am LOVING my new apartment in Chicago! My old apartment in Manhattan, KS was in the basement of a house, so I had little natural light. As a result, the color in the pictures of my projects would never turn out. I'm so excited now because two walls in my living room are completely windows! I have all the natural light I could ever want! I just love taking pictures of my projects now because of the beautiful light :-) I just wanted to share my excitement! It's fun to get excited over such little things (which, by the way, I have been second most excited about my new apartment because it has a dishwasher...little thing, big excitement)!

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7,
CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set: Best Wishes & More (111602)
Paper: Basic Gray (108692), Baja Breeze (111352)*, Kiwi Kiss (111353)*, So Saffron (105118), Walk in the Park DSP (115123)**, Hostess Level 1 DSP paper pack
Ink: Baja Breeze (111833)*
The Little Something Extra: Fresh Favorites II Buttons (107422)*, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Linen Thread (104199), Kiwi Kiss 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111372)*, Chit Chat Rub-Ons (111804)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through
June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)
**Occasions Mini Catalog Items--only available through June 30

Happy 25th Anniversary!

My parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last week! I am so proud of them :-) Here's the card I made for them:





I'm not going to lie--this card took quite a while to make, and the instructions are really too complex to post here. If you are really interested in learning how to make a card like this, please let me know. I would be happy to forward on the instructions. I can at least explain how to stamp one image with three colors:


First, I stamped the entire image with Chocolate Chip Classic ink on my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig. I chose Chocolate Chip because it is the darkest and easiest to see. I then cleaned off the stamp with my stampin' scrub, but also I rubbed the stamp on my jeans to make sure it didn't have any residue from the scrub. Not kidding--I almost always clean my stamps that way. Otherwise the stampin' scrub usually leaves a little bit of grayish residue on my stamps.

Anyway, after I was sure my stamp was clean, I used scotch tape to cover up the "forever" and the flower. I then inked up the stamp with the Baja Breeze Classic ink. I then took off the tape so that the stamp would only stamp "together" in Baja Breeze. Using my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, I stamped the "together" on the Naturals White card stock. After I had thouroughly cleaned my stamp again (on my jeans), I covered up the "together" and the "forever" with tape and inked up the stamp with Kiwi Kiss Classic ink. After taking off the tape, I realigned the Stamp-a-Ma-Jig so that I could stamp the flower in the correct spot on the Naturals White card stock. I cleaned the stamp once more, but this time because I have a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, I used the brush tip of my marker to color in "forever." I used the Stamp-a-Ma-Jig one last time to finish off the stamp. If I had had markers in all three colors, I probably would have just used the markers for the whole stamp. But because I didn't, I used the tape masking technique instead. Ta-Da!

That's all for today!

To Order Current and Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamp Set: Eastern Blooms (111626), Forever (114494)*
Paper: Kraft card stock (102125), Baja Breeze (111352)*, Kiwi Kiss (111353)*, Naturals White (102316)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), Baja Breeze (111833)*, Kiwi Kiss (111835)*, VersaMark (102283)
Cool Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Crop-a-Dile (108362),
Punches: Scallop Edge (112091)
The Little Something Extra: Flower Fusion Too (112006)*, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Pretties Kit (109114), 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (111367)

*Last Chance Stampin' Up! Products--only available through June 30 (for accessories until supplies last)