I have loved this hostess set since the moment I laid eyes on it in the new catalog--Faith in Nature. I'm normally not a huge fan of "realistic" stamp sets like these, but my opinion toward this genre are slowly changing with each new catalog (and maybe with my increasing age...) :)
I was inspired by the sample on page 13 of the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. I loved the watercoloring that was done on the pear image. I'm not a huge fan of watercoloring, so I just used a sponge dipped in the classic ink pad. I really like how this one turned out!
I used More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Soft Suede, and River Rock. I found this beautiful color combination from the Spice Cake Designer Series Paper in the 2011 Holiday Mini. Love.
Happy Stamping!
Cari
10.24.2011
Faith in Nature Thank You
10.11.2011
Flirtatious
I LOVE this new Specialty Designer Series Paper! The colors are so fun: Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Wisteria Wonder, and Pretty in Pink. I saw a nice tutorial on paper quilling over on Mary Fish's blog, and I loved the card she made so I changed a few things and made one of my own!
Another great new accessory I used on this card is the Melon Mambo 1/2" Scalloped Dots Ribbon. I have it in several other colors as well, and I am LOVING it! The border punch I used was the Scallop Trim Border Punch, and the Basic Pearls were perfect centers for my rosettes. Such a fun card! Now I just have to decide who to send it to... :)
Happy Stamping!
Cari
9.22.2011
Wish Big
Here is the card I made for my mom for her birthday last month. I was just planning to play with a few new products that I had just ordered, but the card turned out way cuter than I was planning, so I sent it to my mom! Now, this idea goes completely opposite the mantra from my first stamp club: "Oops! I messed that up! Oh well, I'll just send it to my mom..." (we were operating under the assumption that moms always love things their daughters make for them--even when they're messed up!). I know my mom loves everything that I make for her, but when I make something that I think is especially cute I have to send it to somebody that will appreciate the time I took to make it! That person is almost always my mom! Plus, this card had the super cute Concord Crush Stitched-Poly Ribbon. My mom's favorite color (by far!) is purple, so I knew this was the perfect card for her! Happy Birthday, mom!
Happy Stamping!
Cari
P.S. My Little turned 14 weeks this past Monday! Whoa! And I love baby shoes even more than I love my shoes. That's sayin' somethin'...
Oh, and sparkle jeans? Yes please!!
9.18.2011
Thank You's
Charlotte is growing up! She's finally gotten much better at napping in her crib (instead of my arms), so I have much more time for creating and blogging! Yay! I've got tons of stuff to show you, it's just a matter of getting it up here!
Before Charlotte was born, we were lucky enough to have several friends throw us baby showers.
And my coworkers threw me a shower at work also. I have pictures somewhere, but I can't seem to locate them right now!Anyway, we got some AMAZING gifts, but I quickly realized that I was going to need to get busy making thank you's for all our gifts! This was one of the cards I made:
I love the technique of crumpling the paper before I adhere it with Stampin' Dimensionals. I never knew how much fun it was to crunch my paper into a ball! Ben even joined in on the fun...he didn't know how much fun stamping could be either :) The card turned out to be a simple design--perfect for duplication!
I used a (now retired) hostess stamp set. I'm not usually one to stamp with "nature" images, but I absolutely LOVE how this one turned out! I've since bought another "nature" set--I'll show you a sample with this set in a few days.
Happy Stamping!
Cari
8.05.2011
Embossing Technique
My husband's brother-in-law had a birthday a few weeks ago. I wanted to make him a birthday card...but you know how making cards for guys usually goes... Thankfully, I really liked the card I had made for my dad's birthday, so I decided to go with the same color combination and the same stamp set. I had seen this technique and layout over on Andrea Walford's blog a few weeks ago, so I decided to use the same idea for this card.
I stamped the circle image in Versamark, then embossed with clear embossing powder. I then took a sponge, rubbed it on the classic ink pad, then rubbed the ink over the embossed image. This technique allows me to color the "negative" part of the image. I think the effect is really cool! Again, the "Happy Birthday" stamp is from a retired stamp set (sorry again!)--the same hostess set that I used for my dad's birthday card and my sister's anniversary card. I guess I should have done some more stamping last year since I really like this set!
Happy Stamping!
Cari
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Something to Celebrate (retired)
Paper & Ink: Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, River Rock, Basic Black
The Little Something Extra: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Sponges, Silver Brads
7.30.2011
Happy Birthday Dad!
Well, Happy Belated Birthday...
My dad's birthday was July 11. I did send him the card a little closer to his birthday, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. Oh well...at least it's not a spoiler for him!
This is one of the first cards I have made since last summer. After I got pregnant last fall, I experienced some pretty severe morning sickness (such a misnomer!!), plus I was tired and working full time. Then my little sister got engaged so we started working on her invitations, programs, menus, etc. Hence the reasons why I have not stamped a card in almost a year! Anyway, when it's been a while since I've created something, I usually have to start by copying something almost exactly. I had just received my copy of the new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog, so I started flipping through it. I found this card on page 142 and knew it would be perfect! By the way, you'll probably see at some point soon a rendition of the other card from this page as I really like it too :)
This is a pretty straight-forward card. Nothing too fancy--perfect for a "beginner" card for me! I hate making cards for boys (one of the reasons I hope I have all daughters...at least I'm starting out well!), but I thought this color combo and stamp set worked well. I won't tell you how old my dad turned this year, but let's just say that next year's card won't have so many bright colors...hehe :)
Happy Stamping!
Cari
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Something to Celebrate (retired)
Paper & Ink: Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, Cherry Cobbler, River Rock, Basic Black
The Little Something Extra: Brights Buttons, Linen Thread, Curly Label Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/8" Circle Punch
7.25.2011
1-Month Anniversary
It's so much fun to get stuff in the mail...especially when you've just moved to a far away place! I've been meaning to send my little sister a card in the mail ever since she and her husband moved to Virginia. Unfortunately, the thought doesn't always count :) I finally decided that since her 1-month anniversary is today, that an anniversary card would be the perfect excuse to send her something.
Here's a little card I made up for Danielle & David:
I am absolutely in love with this Happy Anniversary stamp...unfortunately, it was part of a hostess set from the last catalog. I have a feeling that I'll be using some retired stuff for the next few weeks. I'm ashamed to say that I have several stamp sets that are still unmounted from Sale-A-Bration and from the hostess section of the last catalog. Oops!
Danielle's wedding colors were this bright green and several shades of purple, so I went with the same color theme for her card. This is another simple card, and I stole the layout from a card sample on page 90 of the current catalog.
Happy Stamping!
Cari
Stamp Sets: Always Elegant, Something to Celebrate (retired)
Paper & Ink: Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush, Whisper White
The Little Something Extra: Concord Crush Stitched Poly Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch
7.23.2011
I'm Back!
I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted here! So much has happened! Yes, I'm still a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator...and yes, I still stamp and scrapbook :) But I also have a new baby, an almost-attorney husband, and a new brother-in-law!
Charlotte Irene was born on June 13. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 20-1/2" long. She is almost 6 weeks old now! I can't believe how fast time flies. I will likely be posting pictures of her here occasionally, but I plan to keep my blog focused on paper crafting. I've been doing some digital scrapbooking with some of her pictures, so I'm sure you'll see plenty of pictures of her that way as well.
My little sister Danielle became a Mrs. on June 25. Her husband David is in the Army, and they promptly moved to Virgina after their wedding. I helped design and make all of the invitations, programs, menus, place cards, etc. for their wedding. Although we didn't use all Stampin' Up! materials, I'm still planning to post those designs in the next few days. Danielle is always full of great ideas for projects, and I just tried to make her ideas come to life :)
Ben just finished his 2nd year in Law School, and he's working at a firm this summer. He has 2 more weeks of work, then 1 more year of school. We don't know yet what the future holds for us after he graduates, but I'll be sure to keep you up to date (in case you care...).
...in other words, we've had a busy summer :)
So, on to a little stamping! Stampin' Up! just came out with their new 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog. There are 5 new BEAUTIFUL In-Colors and tons of new stamp sets, accessories, and digital scrapbooking downloads. I'm so excited about the new catalog, and I'm looking forward to getting back into the stamping scene and sharing with all of you!
This card showcases all 5 new In-Colors. I love the fresh fun colors that Stampin' Up! always chooses for their In-Colors. This year's colors are especially bright and fun.
This card was super simple. I copied the design from a sample in Stampin' Success, a publication specifically for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. Also, I got a sewing machine for Christmas and hadn't opened it yet! I wanted to try it out on this card, and I really like the way it turned out. Don't worry, mom, I plan to use the sewing machine on clothes too :)
That's all I have for today. I have several other scrapbook pages and cards to post here in the coming week...it's just a matter of getting little Charlotte to sleep long enough so I can type a blog post.
I've missed you all! Happy Stamping!
Cari
Stamp Sets: Happy Together (retired), Thank You Kindly (111700)
Paper & Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
The Little Something Extra: Concord Crush Stitched Poly Ribbon, sewing machine
8.17.2010
An Update
Wow! It's been a while! But it's good to be back :) I thought I'd give you all a little update on my life, and I've got a card to share as well (it's at the end, so feel free to skip now to the good stuff!)
So the main reason I've been MIA this summer is because...well, it's summer :) Ben has had marginally more time to spend with me this summer, so I'm spending as much time with him as he'll allow! We've had a couple of major achievements this summer as well, which have contributed to our busyness and my absence from the stamping world (yes, not only have I not been posting here, but I haven't even been stamping! At all!). The first major achievement is that of my husband. Ben earned admittance to the University of Chicago Law Review (a prestigious law journal, of which only 29 of 190 students in each class earn admittance to the staff). This was a HUGE deal for him. He worked so hard this past year, and all his hard work has paid off...and it has paid him with more work :) Oh well. This achievement will almost certainly aid him tremendously in his search for a job once he's out of school. Obviously this is important, especially considering today's job economy. So I guess we're in for another year of even more work than last year...so that means you'll probably be hearing even more from me!
The second of our major achievements this summer was my getting my first "real" job! Last summer, I had worked several short-term temporary positions before landing a long-term temporary assignment with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Unfortunately, the office I was assigned to was a hour drive from my house, each way. Although I enjoyed the position, I hated the commute. I started looking for a position in the Blue Cross Blue Shield office that is only a short 15-minute train ride from my house. After a long hiring process (that included three interviews!), I was offered a position. It was such great news! I started in mid-July, so I've had about a month in the new position. So far I LOVE the job. The people are great, and I love the work. It's so perfect for me, and I'm so thankful God had everything planned out perfectly (as always!).
So although we're technically still in "summer" as Ben doesn't start classes until the last week in September, both of us are so busy that it sure doesn't seem like summer (except for the crazy heat of course). I am very excited by all the new products Stampin' Up! has created for us with this new catalog. I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the new colors! I could not be happier with the new Color Renovation. It's so nice to have a bin full of totally stylish colors...but it's so hard to choose which colors to use!
Now...on to the stamping! Speaking of the color renovation, this card features one new "regular" color and one new "in color":
Sorry the colors are a little off in this picture. I just made this card tonight, and the lighting in my living room is not ideal for picture-taking :) I used the new Greenhouse Gala DSP along with the polka dot embossing folder and a retired (sorry!) Sale-a-Bration set from this past spring. The flower is actually yellow--I used one of the small Paper Daisies (p. 188) and dyed it using the Daffodil Delight ink. The card stock colors are Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Pear Pizzaz.
5.03.2010
Happy Wedding, Jenny!
One of my very good friends from high school, Jenny, got married a few weeks ago (congrats!). I made this card to send to her. I used all retired stamps (because they just worked PERFECTLY for the card...you know how that happens sometimes!), so I apologize that you cannot purchase the stamps used on this card, though all the colors and accessories are current.
I copied the idea for this card from page 6 of the current Idea Book & Catalog. I tend to miss some of the projects shown on these "non-product" pages in the catalog because I usually skip those pages when I'm looking through the catalog. However, I have to remind myself that this book isn't just a catalog--it's also an idea book...with ideas on EVERY page! I just love it!
One of my favorite parts of this card is the ribbon with the staples. I always forget that I can use such a simple tool as a stapler to add some nice dimension and spice to a project.
I also LOVE the Pretties Kit (p. 178 #109114)--especially the clear rhinestone brads and the pearls. The kit is just full of pretties to use on your project. When my sisters and I were little, my mom used to call our hair bows "hair pretties," so using the pretties kit always reminds me of the good ol' days with hair pretties :-) Yay for pretties!
Happy Monday!.jpg)
4.22.2010
Quick & Easy
Here's another quick, easy, and bright card for this lovely spring day! The dimensions are 6" x 3".
You know, I really didn't like Bermuda Bay at first...but now that it's almost time to retire this lovely color, I have totally fallen for it! I think I just needed to find the right colors to pair it with. This combo (Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Kraft, and a little Real Red) make such a happy card! Try those colors on a card and make your day happy too!
Stamp Sets: Well Scripted (117072-Wood; 118601-Clear —pictured below)
Paper: Bermuda Bay (115317)Crushed Curry (115319)Kraft (102125)
Ink: Real Red (103133)
The Little Something Extra: 1/2” Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Bermuda Bay (115610)
4.20.2010
Bold Thank You
I would have never dreamed of putting these colors together on a card, but I absolutely LOVED how they turned out together! This color combo (Brilliant Blue, Elegant Eggplant, and Pumpkin Pie) make for an extremely bold look. This color combo could work well for a masculine card as well...and you know coming up with those kinds of color combos is difficult to do--especially for a girly girl like myself *smile*
I used one of the new Clear Mount stamp sets in the Occasions Mini catalog, "With All My Heart". I think this stamp set was kind of intended as a Valentine's Day stamp set, but it seems to work well for any kind of card!
This card was so simple to make, and this layout is easy to copy. Try it for yourself!
Stamp Sets: With All My Heart (118134-Wood; 118623-Clear —pictured below)
Paper: Brilliant Blue (100721)Elegant Eggplant (105126)Pumpkin Pie (105117), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Brilliant Blue (100691)Elegant Eggplant (105210)Pumpkin Pie (105216)
Punches: 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403)
The Little Something Extra: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070)
4.19.2010
Square Mojo CASE
In my last post, I showed you the circle version of this Mojo Monday sketch:
For today, here is the square version:
I basically CASE'd (copy and share everything) this card from Mary Fish because I absolutely LOVED her card as soon as I saw it. I (of course) did not have all the same elements as she used on her card, so I substituted with what I had on hand *smile*
Hope you all have a lovely Monday!
Stamp Sets: Whimsical Words (SAB 2010: 118386-Wood; 119119-Clear)
Paper: Sahara Sand (105328), Taken with Teal (101584), Pumpkin Pie (105117), So Saffron (105118), Chocolate Chip (102128), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Taken with Teal (103257)
Punches: Star (109045), Large Star (110710)
The Little Something Extra: Fresh Favorites II Buttons (107422), Silver Brads (104336), 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon Chocolate Chip (109051), 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon Pumpkin Pie (109030), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)
4.16.2010
Some Mojo...a Little Late!
Like I mentioned in my last post, I have TONS of cards that I've been making over the past month and a half that I simply haven't posted yet. This one was a Mojo Monday sketch (from February!). Today's card uses the circle version of the sketch...but tune in tomorrow for the square version!
I sent this card to my niece a few weeks ago (she was turning 5!!), so I hope she liked it! It even has glitter :)
3.08.2010
Clean & Simple x2
Happy Monday! This week's Clean & Simple sketch caught my attention right away. I really liked this sketch, so I made a card by hand AND I made a card in My Digital Studio *big smile*
Here's the sketch:
Here's my "real" card:
Here's my digital card:
...and the inside:
Yay! That was so much fun! Hope you have a lovely Monday!.jpg)
