Ashley's Birthday Card

Hello all, hope you are all getting ready to have a great Thanksgiving. I will start my cooking tonight, but wanted to make a quick post of the birthday card I made for my friend Ashley. She became an Angry Birds fan while recovering from surgery this past year so I thought she would appreciate it. Like the last card I posted, it was easy to make, but time consuming. Ashley is worth it though, she is a great friend!

I can not take any credit for the design any of the characters etc. as I CASED the front of the card from a fellow demonstrator Maria Cameron and the inside from a Canadian demonstrator Leena Girsa.

Here is the front.

And here is the inside.

Isn't it amazing what other people can think of making? I am just happy to be able to CASE (copy and share everything) from them, because I am not that creative!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Diane

Happily Ever After

Good morning, just a quick post of a cute pop up card I made for a friend's wedding anniversary this week. The card idea was CASED from Lynn Pratt here. She used a 3D pop up template that was FREE from Robert Sabuda. You can see all that information on Lynn's blog.

Here is the front of the card:

and when you open the card you see:

I used the new scoring tool to make the bricks on the castle, instead of drawing them like Lynn. This was easy to make, but took me a while. Not a card to mass produce, but great for those special occasions! Here is a close up of the castle.

Hope you have a great day!
Diane

Fall Fling Offering

I am getting ready to be a participant at a Fall Fling next weekend. You might ask, "What is a Fall Fling?" Well a Fall Fling is an event put on by one of my friends who will be spotlighting home based businesses for her friends to do a little holiday shopping and get together. There will be 7 other home based businesses and myself spotlighting Stampin' Up. A lot of the women attending will be moms, so I wanted to showcase something that would be practical. I am planning on displaying some of the beautiful cards we make with our products, but wanted to make these cute cello candy bags.

The topper is made with the new stamp set Stitched Stockings and the Stocking Builder Punch from the new Holiday Mini catalog. I plan on having all the 1x8 cello bags filled with candy already, and then the women can stamp the toppers and put them together. These cello bag treats are great for Halloween, school classroom parties, birthday parties, fun Secret Santa items, etc. I have mine filled with 3 different candies so far - mini Tootsie Rolls, Jolly Ranchers and Pixie Sticks. Other suggestions include M&M's, Skittles, pencils, Candy Corn, Red Hots. You can see where I am going with these, they are perfect for any holiday!

As an extra incentive to see the practicality of our products, I am going to have the 5 cards I am planning for my next Stamp Camp in November which uses the Stitched Stocking stamp set and Stocking Builder punch on display. The 5 cards will include not only 2 Christmas themed cards as expected from these products, but a baby card, a young child's birthday card and a get well card.

Enjoy your evening!
Diane

So excited!

I am so excited as we had a FANTASTIC day yesterday afternoon at my Halloween/Fall Stamp Camp. I love when my stamping friends share their love of stamping with their friends. We had a pretty full house yesterday with 12 stampers! This was the first time I had to set up 2 different tables. Thank you all for coming! To start off I wanted to share a couple pictures of the happy stampers. In the first picture we have (from left to right) Dena, Sarah, Paula, Alma, Jenny and Kiara.

Table number two had (from left to right) Leetah, Ashley, Whitney, BreAnna, Miranda and Shelby. What I love about all these ladies is that they are all different levels of stampers and each one helps the others to make the cards. Now that is really cool!

The first card I am going to share is a case of a card I made at my demonstrator Project Share day last month. The card was designed by Tere Crowcroft and I copied it just like it was! It was my favorite card from our demonstrator share. It uses the new 2 step stamp set Gently Falling with Spice Cake designer paper.

I have been waiting a year to make this next card. I originally saw it on my fellow demonstrator freind Pam D'Urso's website. I knew right then I needed to make it. It is just darling and had all the ladies hungry for pumpkin pie.

One of the aspects of our catalog is that it is not just a book to order your stamping products from, but it is an actual idea catalog also! Whenever I am in need of inspiration I just open my catalog. This next card comes from page 26. I changed the cardstock color and added in some Halloween designer paper instead of newsprint, but the card is the same in all other ways.

I love the next 2 projects. Both are items I CASED (copy and share everything) from some VERY creative demonstrators. First of all, we have a member in our demonstrator group who always amazes us with her creations. Her name is Kirsteen Gill and she is just bursting with creativity. She originally made a card using this vellum moon technique an LED tealight with the Out on a Limb stamp set. I didn't have that set, but absolutely LOVED her idea so I used what I had. I stamped the tree from Season of Friendship stamp set and decorated it with bats made with the Bitty Bat punch. (Now retired, but on the clearance rack on my online store while it lasts for $6.99!) I also used the tag punch to make graves which I distressed by crumbling and sponging with black ink. The matchbox grave was an idea I got from the Stampin' Up demonstrator website. It makes a perfect little gift to go along with the card. That is if anyone will ever give the card away! I know I am keeping mine! :)

When you open the matchbox it conceals 4 little Hershey's Nuggets covered in Halloween designer paper.

This last picture is a side view of the LED tealight inside the card. Thanks Kirsteen for your creativity!

I've set the date for my next stamp camp as November 19th from 2 to 5 pm. Save the date as you will not want to miss this camp. I will be highlighting the versatility of the Stitched Stocking stamp set and Stocking builder punch from the new Holiday Mini catalog. We will be making 5 different cards (not all Christmas) with the one stamp set!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Diane

September Stamp Camp - A Little Bit of Everything

We had a great turnout at this last Stamp Camp. It really is true that the more the merrier! At this camp we made 3 cards, a quick Halloween treat 2 times and the cute little 3x3 card holders and purses leftover from my Open House.

The first card uses the stamp set "Friends Never Fade". We ended up stamping the main image 4 different times in 4 different colors and then cutting out different pieces to get the achieved effect. I used the new in colors- Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Island Indigo and Wisteria Wonder. The card is finished with Very Vanilla satin ribbon and 3 small pearls.

I bought the new cello bags Stampin' Up has in the New Holiday Mini catalog and made these cute Halloween treats. They are quick and easy to make. The most dificult part of the whole treat is putting the M&M's in the cello bag. I always have to fill a couple then eat a couple, so maybe that is why it took me longer!

When looking for ideas for cards, I often look at our demonstrator database, but with this card I went straight to the Stampin' Up catalog. I cased the general idea of the card on the front of this year's catalog, making due with stamps and punches I had. I really like how this card turned out. (Also I like my photography of this card. Too bad I don't really know how it turned out that way!)

Last but not least is a very cute Get Well card I cased from Carrie Gaskin from our demonstrator website. Carrie came up with the idea to make a cute little kleenex box for the front of the card! The box was a little challenging, but we had 4 fairly new stampers and all cards were gorgeous!

My next Stamp Camp is set for October 8th. We will be making more Halloween and Fall items. Come join me, there is always room for one more!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Diane

Open House

I held my New Catalog Open House today and we made these fun, cute little 3x3 note card purses/totes with 4 - 3x3 cards inside. The purse is a box in a bag template that I sized down to fit the 3x3 cards better. We used the new Flirtatious DP combined with melon mambo, black and pumpkin pie card stock and colors.

Wouldn't this be a cute gift for a friend? Fill the purse with some candies and place a card inside and they'll love it!

Enjoy your weekend,
Diane

July's Cards

We made these 5 beautiful cards last Saturday at my July Stamp Camp. Every camp I fall in love with the cards, and this one was not an exception. I am so happy as a demonstrator we have so many talented demonstrators who share their artwork on Stampin' Connection, Splitcoaststampers and their blogs. I love to CASE people's beautiful cards. (CASE means to copy and share everything)

The first card uses the first stamp set I purchased from the new 2011-12 catalog, Delicate Doilies. I used the different doilies to make a light background on the top stamped with Pink Pirouette. I also embossed a doily with white embossing powder on black paper then punched it out with the circle punch. The circle is then popped up with dimensionals on the black bottom piece which was run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. Of course you may notice the elegant lace punch in the center. This is a new punch which adds a lot of detail to the project. I just love it!

The next card uses my favorite colors - red and black! The butterflies were made with the butterfly embosslits. If you have not used it before let me tell you how it works. You place your paper in the embosslit, place it in your sandwich in the Big Shot and when it comes out, not only is it die cut but it is embossed also! Very neat! I layered 2 of the butterflies together and then adorned them with a small string of rhinestones.

I was inspired for this card from Carol Stafford from Stampin' Connection. Stampin' Connection is a website for demonstrators only where we can share our creations and get ideas for cards. The surf boards are from the stamp set Summer Splash which is in the summer mini catalog. Perfect for a cute summertime card. I used 3 of the new in colors on the card - Pool Party, Lucky Limeade and Island Indigo.

What else does summer say to you? Weddings of course! I made this card for an anniversary, but it could be used for a wedding also. I made the flower from the Build a Blossom punch with vellum paper embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. The flower is held together with a vintage brad topped with a flat backed pearl. The card is monochromatic styled in Very Vanilla.

Lastly I have a very very cute punch card I CASED from DOstamping with Dawn. I did not change a thing because it was perfect how she made it. It is a punch card and you can find her original instructions here. Thank you Dawn!

I would love to have you at my next Stamp Camp. Look for upcoming details/countdown on my sidebar or the information will also be posted on my SU website. All supplies used above can be purchased on my website. Happy Stamping!

Diane

Happy Birthday Alma

Getting things ready for my July Stamp Camp tomorrow, but wanted to share this picture of the fabric flip flops I made for my friend Alma's birthday yesterday. The flip flops were bought from Walgreens (love the pattern) and then decorated with Stampin' Up! fabric cut into 1/2 inch strips and tied to the flip flop.

Thanks Michelle for the article on how to make the fabric flip flops!

Have a great day,
Diane

Cards from June Stamp Camp

Where did June go exactly? This summer has been flying by. Thought I should get these posted before my next Stamp Camp this upcoming weekend on the 16th!

As a preface, all cards were CASED from other demonstrators on the demonstrator website. I apologize as I no longer have individual names that I CASED from.

This first card is a shabby Sympathy card. Though blue isn't my favorite color it lends itself well to this card.

I tried the faux shaving cream technique on this card. I just used an acrylic surface and smudged my ink pads on it. I then took a piece of glossy paper and pressed onto the ink. Fun technique and you make it as detailed as you like.

I bought this next stamp set - "Have a Seat" because it reminded me of something my mom would like. This card was quick and easy to put together, but just has enough embellishments to make it interesting.

Last but not least, I had to make a penguin card from the Owl punch. It takes a little cutting, but isn't he cute?

Hope you all have a good weekend!
Diane

Happiness Always

I had no idea where I was going with this card, but wanted to use these cute Cuttlebug Butterflies that a friend let me borrow. It comes with a die to cut the butterfly and 4 different embossing folders. I used a beige colored vellum and I love the way the embossing looks on the vellum.

I played along this week with CR84FN's color challenge. The 3 colors to be used were light blue, pale yellow and kraft. I thought what am I going to do with those colors!? In the end it just fell together. The end product makes me happy, and that is why I chose the sentiment "Happiness Always". Though we all have a lot going on in our lives with work, family, etc, we need to remember to make ourselves happy. I needed this right now and the 30 minutes I spent making this card made me happy.

Thanks for looking!
Diane

Surprise Stamp Camp Cards

We had a blast Saturday making these 5 cards at my Surprise Stamp Camp. The first card I have to share is a knock off of a card I saw on Stampin' Connection made by Stephanie Sullivan. I thought this BBQ punch art card would be perfect for Father's Day. The Grill and the sun are both punched from the 1 3/8 circle punch. I used the Build a Cupcake Punch for the cloud and the Word Window Punch for the bottom part of the grill attaching the legs. The wheel on the one leg of the grill was also punched using the Word Window punch by punching out a portion then putting it back in the punch to punch a small circle.

Who doesn't love chocolate? I know I fell in love with the tutorial I found here on Dawn's Stamping Studio to make this Faux Chocolate Bar Card. I changed the colors and the designer paper, but the concept is the same. So easy and adds so much to the card. Like I said I just love it!

This next card just looks so crisp and clean to me. I love how the yellow and black go together. Maybe a throwback to my college days at Purdue? I CASED this card from Stampin' Connection also. The original card was made by Rosemarie Diehl. The card uses the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Butterfly Punch, Curly Label Punch and Eyelet Border Punch.

One of the blogs I visit daily is Sweet Pea - Bunny by Pam D'Urso. I found this card there and knew I wanted to CASE it. The stamp set used was a free set that was earned during Sale-a-bration called Sweet Summer. I love all the different layers and textures on this card. This card would make a perfect set of cards for a gift by using different colors and sentiments.

Last but not least is a very cute shabby chic card I found once again on Stampin' Connection. This card was initially made by Cherie Franklin. Cherie made her flower by punching scalloped circles from cardstock, distressing by crumbling and layering together to make the flower. While I was surfing my blog lists the other day I found a tutorial by Dawn Olchefske on DOstamping by Dawn on how to make a flower by heating our Satin Ribbon. Take a look at the tutorial here. I did not have the sheets of sticky paper but improvised by punching a 1 3/8 circle then attaching red sticky strip to the circle and trimming the excess. These flowers are the bomb! They make a great embellishment for your cards and you can match your cards/flowers with our ribbon.

It is hard to pick my favorite as I enjoyed making all of these cards. Can't wait for next month's Stamp Camp to do it all over again!

Have a good night,
Diane

Season of Friendship CASE

This is the card I shared with my fellow demonstrators at the TOPICS Project Share Day on Sunday. Evey so often we get together and put together cards others have prepared for us, so when we are done we go home with tons of samples. I CASED Kim Cantrell from Stampin' Connection for this card. The colors go so well together and I love the hearts on the tree. I'll be sharing more samples from the Project Share over the next few days.

Supplies used:
Stamps: Season of Friendship
Card Stock: Rose Red,Whisper White, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette
Inks: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Misc: White SU Ribbon, Linen Thread, Bitty Buttons, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Small Heart Punch, Big Shot

Enjoy your day!
Diane

Celebrate Spring Stamp Camp Items

What a beautiful day we had here in Katy yesterday. Spring is definitely here, sunny, bright but not too hot. I just love taking my photos outside because I love how the greenery looks behind the pictures.

My first share item from my Stamp Camp is this darling little bunny box. I CASED this totally from Diana Ball a fellow demonstrator on Stamper's Connection. The box is made from attaching 4 scalloped envelopes together with sticky tape. The rest is punches to make the bunny. I used the 1" circle punch, small heart punch, hole punch, wide oval and large oval punches. I filled it with pink Easter grass and some chocolates.

This card makes me think of Dogwood trees and how they flower in the spring. I used the stamp set Season of Friendship. I stamped the tree base in Early Espresso and the leaves in Certainly Celery. The flowers were stamped in Pink Pirouette then cut out popped up with Dimensionals and adorned with a pearl. I simply love how this card turned out!

When I saw this card on my friend Penny's blog, I knew I had to make it at this Stamp Camp. I added and changed a couple of things but just love how the butterflies pop with color against the newsprint designer paper. If you have tried our butterfly embosslits...DO! They made this card come together in a snap. (Or should I say one quick turn through the Big Shot!)

This afternoon I am off to Penny's house for a Project Share with other demonstrators. I can't wait to spend the afternoon stamping and getting new ideas from others. Enjoy your afternoon also!
Diane

Eat Chocolate

Trying out another new stamp set, Eat Chocolate. I wanted to make some thank you gifts for the girls from another bank branch that helped our location out while my assistant branch manager was out for a month for her second back surgery. These gals were always available to answer any questions we had and even helped us out when our fax was down. I'm hoping they will be surprised and enjoy this little gift.

I made a classic slider card, but used the word punch for the ribbon so I could use the striped grosgrain. I then tied the top with linen thread and added a button from the subtles collection along with a bitty heart button. The crumb cake base was run through the Big Shot with a cuttlebug folder then sponged over with ink to highlight the embossed areas.

Supplies Used:
Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla and Passion Pink.
Ribbon - 1 1/4" Grosgrain Striped Early Espresso
Stampin' Write Markers - Passion Pink and Early Espresso
Misc - Subtles Buttons, Bitty Buttons, Linen Thread, Cuttlebug Folder, Big Shot, Tacky Strip, Rhinestones and Dimensionals.

Now off to work! Have a great day!
Diane

Butterfly Prints

I just love these little butterflies from the Butterfly Prints stamp set. The set is in the regular idea book and I have been wanting it for a while now. The butterflies were stamped on Very Vanilla card stock and then adorned with a flat backed pearl. Don't you just love the black hounds-tooth butterfly?! I do!

Finally had a chance today to play along with CR84FN in their color challenge. Once I sat down this was a quick card. The stamp set has a coordinating punch that punches out the butterflies quick and easy. Now that is my style!

Supplies Used:
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette,Basic Black and Designer Paper First Edition
Stamp Set: Butterfly Prints
Punches: Butterfly, Oval and Eyelet Border Punch
Stampin Write Markers: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Basic Black
Misc: Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Flat Backed Pearls, Dimensionals, Terrific Tulips Embossing Folder and Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!
Diane

No brayer, no problem!

I made this card for a friend for her husband's birthday. I CASED Michelle Zindorf from this post. She has great step by step tutorials.

Since I didn't have a brayer, I simply followed her instructions but used sponges instead of a brayer. I think the look is comparable and not bad for my first try.

Have a great evening,
Diane

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Spongebob Squarepants! A coworker requested a card for her niece who is turning 2 tomorrow and she loves Spongebob. I CASED this card from Stampin' Connection for demonstrators. My husband recognized who it was supposed to be so hopefully my coworker will like it.

Now off to find something to take to work for a silent auction for the March of Dimes. Surely I have something here I am not using that would work.

Have a good night!
Diane

Get "Whale" Soon

My cousin asked me to make her some Get Well and Thinking of You cards as unfortunately she has had a need for these lately. I made several different card designs for her but couldn't resist a little word play for a Get Well card.

I used an old Stampin' Up stamp for the whale which was paper pierced and placed on the 'waves' made from the Stampin' Up Scallop Punch. The clouds are actually the icing from the new Build a Cupcake punch. :) I made the sentiment from alphabet letters.

I also wanted to play along with CR84FN this week in the CR84FN Challenge 19. Below is a graphic of the colors to be used on the card. It was challenging as I am not a big blue color fan, but the image just fit in with the color scheme.

Thanks for stopping by!
Diane