I'm in the process of packing my bag for today's workshop and wanted to show you the door prize.  This isn't the actual one, but I made something very similar (I left off the "with love" tag for obvious reasons).  This was very easy to assemble and came together quickly.

I came across the idea here, which eventually led me to the pattern here.  I'm a little short on time today, but I hope you give this little box a try.

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Cameo Coral, and Rasberry Tart DSP

Stamps: Yummy (SAB '09)

Accessories: White taffeta ribbon, silver eyelets, large heart punch, scallop punch and markers

Have a great weekend.

I'm in the process of preparing for a workshop this weekend and wanted to create a card that showcases a number of Sale-a-bration items.  It's a simple card but uses 3 items that can be earned for FREE through March 31 - click here for more information.  This will be one of three projects each guest will be completing.

Supplies

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches and Curly Verses

Ink: Bashful Blue and Basic Black

Paper: Certain Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White

Accessories: Saffron ribbon, Flower punch, 3/4" circle punch

Thanks for stopping by!

Yesterday I spent some time rearranging a few things in my craft room and that included shuffling some stamp sets around.  I try to make those sets that I use often more accessible and move those less loved sets to a drawer.  I originally placed the set A Happy Heart on the "to be filed" pile, but changed my mind when I realized how much I have enjoyed using that set.  I purchased the set to make Valentine's cards (which I did), but realized it can be used for other occasions as well. 

Today's post is my attempt to make a card that has a general rather than specific purpose.  I used non-traditional Valentine colors so it wouldn't appear valentine-related.  This also gave me an opportunity to use some of the new ribbon Stampin' Up! released in the new catalog called Pig Tails (part of the Ribbon Originals collection on page 178).

Just when you think you've used a set all you could, look again!  You may see a new purpose for it!

Supplies

Stamps: A Happy Heart

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, and Sweet Always DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Jumbo brads, Pig Tails ribbon, dimensional

Have a great day.

Happy Friday!

Today's post is a quick and simple project.  It uses a fantastic new stamp set called Thoughts and Prayers.  I also brought out the Big Shot and the Circle Scissor Plus to complete the card.  It may be difficult to see in the photo, but I used the Stampin' Up! exclusive Swirl Texturz plate on the Chocolate panel.  These background plates are a great addition to your stamping supplies.  It adds subtle definition without taking away from the focal point of the card. 

Supplies

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers

Paper: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla

Accessories: Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke marker, jumbo brad (hiding behind the knot), satin ribbon (retired), Circle Scissor Plus, Big Shot and Texturz plate

Have a great weekend.

This is probably something I shouldn't be bragging about, but I love reality TV shows.  Survivor, Amazing Race, Big Brother..I love 'em all.  One of my favorites - The Bachelor - is coming to an end.  I've spent the last 6 weeks filtering through 25 women, trying to find the perfect match for Jason and his son, Ty.  I credit myself as having a keen eye and strong intuition.  Up to this point, Jason has done a stellar job listening to all of my suggestions.

I was nearly giddy with excitement when this week's show finally came on.  There were only 3 girls left and I knew exactly who would be going home.  "Good ridden's, Molly", I thought to myself.  "You've been around far too long."  Now, for those of you who know me, this may come as a surprise.  I'm a Michigander - born and raised - I should be rootin' for the "Home Girl", right?  NOT!  This is about Jason, not me.  Trust me, she's not right for him and his little boy.   I digress...

So I sat with great anticipation for the rose ceremony.  They all looked lovely, eagerly waiting to hear their name to receive a rose.  I smiled and said, "Sorry, Molly, you're time is up".  Or, as the Soup Nazi would say, "No rose for YOU!".  Just as planned, Melissa (that cutey patooty) got her rose first.  Jillian would be next.

Wait a minute...Did he do what I thought he just did?...Did he give that stinkin' rose to MOLLY?  WHAT?   @#&(*@(#!!   ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  That rose was for JILLIAN, you knucklehead!  Oy vey! 

So, to that I say this...

Jillian, my Canadian sister, (I can say that 'cause I'm half Canadian - eh?), will you accept this rose?  Jason is an idiot.  He blew it.  Take your cute self and your size 0 jeans back to the Motherland and find yourself a good man worthy of your time.  You had my vote, Girl.

For those of you who are not Bachelor fans or have no clue what I just wrote about, don't worry, I won't waste any more time blogging about it.

Phew...feels good to have that off my chest.  Now I can get back to stamping.

Supplies

Stamps: Fifth Ave Floral, En Francais

Paper: Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Black Stazon, Almost Amethyst

Accessories: Black gingham ribbon, Texturz plate - Background 1, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds and glue pen.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'll admit it...I have a lot of "stuff".  Stamps, paper, ribbon, brads, eyelets, rub-ons, 3-D items (I swore I'd do something with), punches, etc.  More do-dads than any one person needs.  But, here's what happens.  Now that Stampin' Up! releases a catalog 2 times a year, I, some how, some way keep acquiring new things.  How does that happen?  There are so many "things" that I would still love to have, but I have decided that I need to use what I have - at least once (hee, hee).

So, today's post uses some of those items that I have had and have either never used or only used once.  The stamp set, Echoes of Kindnessis a level 2 hostess set that I was able to pre-purchase before the release of the new catalog.  Today is my first time using it.

My inspiration for this card was the ribbon.  This beautiful double stitched Bashful Blue ribbon has sat on my ribbon rack for...uh...er... a really long time.  It was almost too pretty to unwrap.  But I did it and I knew that my card was going use Bashful Blue as a main color.  I also reached for my designer paper.  This Certain Celery paper was part of a promotion about a year ago (or more) and it has been begging to be used.  Today is it's lucky day.  The other items are obvious - the filigree brads (which, by the way, were a gift from my 4th level upline - thank you, Pennie), the watercolor paper and last but not least, I resurrected the corner punch.  I have to admit, this was a lot of fun.  I am challenging myself to do it again.  Besides, it's getting hard to justify all these Stampin' Up! boxes landing on my doorstep to my husband when he can barely find me in my craft room as it is.

I hope I encouraged you to visit the dark chasm of your craft space.  You never know what hidden treasures you may find!

Have a great day.

Inspired by a recent magazine cover, I finally broke open my new favorite stamp set, Friends 24-7 to create today's post.  A great addition to this stamp set is the coordinating jumbo wheel called Friendly Words.  These two coordinate so beautifully together.

I started by using the Friendly Words wheel on Sahara Sand paper.  I wanted a monotone look so I used Sahara Sand ink on the same paper and then sponged the edges in Sahara Sand ink.  I also used new designer paper called Bella Bleu and coordinating colors (Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip and Vanilla).   This designer paper has such a nice romantic feel to it and the colors and patterns are beautiful.

What would a great card be without some great new accessories?  I LOVE the new corduroy buttons and this card was a perfect home for them.  There are three sizes of the buttons/brads and for this card, I used the smallest brads.  To finish off the look, I tied a piece of 5/8" chocolate grosgrain ribbon at the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by.

At my stamp camp on Tuesday we created a tri-fold card that featured a number of items from Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-bration promotion.  Stampin' Up! has made creating complete projects SO easy with this promotion.  Not only are there awesome stamp sets, but great accessories to include designer series paper and ribbon too.  The stamp set, designer paper and the ribbon for this project were all earned for FREE with Sale-a-bration.  The set used for this card is Botanical Blooms.  It's a two-step stamping set with 2 different flowers, leaves and a sentiment for a total of 7 pieces.  

To create the tri-fold card, I stated with a piece of So Saffron card stock measuring 4.25 x 11 and then scored it at 4" and 7-5/8".  (NOTE: The completed card will measure 4.25" x 4 which is smaller than the typical A2 card.  This card can be made larger, but by keeping it this size, I was able to get two cards out of one piece of 8.5" x 11" card stock.)  The Delicate Dots designer paper was cut at 3-3/8" x  4" and adhered to the front of the card. 

I used a lot of punches for this card.  The larger center circle is the 1-3/4" circle punch (save your scrap piece because you'll use it again).  The flower was stamped on Whisper White and cut using the 1-1/4" punch followed by a piece of Certain Celery using the 1-3/8" punch.  The sentiment was cut out using the small and the large oval.  And finally, while you can't see it in the first picture, the slit punch was used to create a tab to hold the card shut.  You can't see it too well in the photo below either, but it is in the lower right corner.

I used the reverse side of the scrap piece from the large circle to adhere the celery and the flower to. To complete the card I lined up the flower with the 1-3/4" opening and taped it to the left panel so it will show through the hole when closed.

That's it!  Give it a try.  You'll see how fun and easy tri-fold cards are to make.

Just a quick post today to show you the great little Valentine box I made for my husband.  It uses the Big Shot and the Box #2 die.  While the finished box only measures approximately 2x3 it can hold a lot of "stuff" - at least when it comes to candy.

This box was made out of the To The Nines designer paper.  This paper is fantastic because is it textured and has the weight of card stock.  It's perfect to use with the Big Shot when you are creating boxes or things that may require more durability.  The heart was created using the same paper as the box.  This design is the reverse side of the paper and I had enough scrap left over from the box to punch out the heart using the new large heart punch.  I wrapped some 5/8" Chocolate Chip ribbon around the box and I was done.  The husband is not into "fluff" so I didn't want to over do it.

I hope all of you have a great Valentine's Day.  Spend it with someone you love.

Be sure to come back tomorrow to see the tri-fold card made with Sale-a-bration freebies!

Last Summer, Stampin' Up! announced their partnership with Sizzix and as a result released the Big Shot as part of their product line.  I was reluctant to buy the Big Shot mainly because I already had a versatile die cut machine.  As each month passed and as new exclusive dies were released, I couldn't resist any longer.  I am now the proud owner of a Big Shot and have been having a blast with it.  Today's project combines the use of my new Big Shot and a few items that I received for free for Sale-a-bration.  I'm calling it my Top Note Tote.

In addition to the Top Note Die (an SU! exclusive), I also incorporated Delicate Dots designer paper.  I earned this paper for FREE with my Sale-a-bration order.  (If you are unfamiliar with Sale-a-bration, click here).  I pulled out a few of my favorite punches for the project too: the large oval, eyelet border punch and the trio flowers. 

The contents of the tote are as cute as the tote itself.  I added a few gift notes created by the Scallop Envelope die (exclusive to SU!) and the Delicate Dots paper.  These envelopes fit perfectly in the tote.  While only three gift notes are shown, the tote can easily hold up to six. 

Enjoy this Friday the 13th!  Thanks for stopping by.