Happy New Year!!

Hello there!  My apologies for the 2 month disappearance.  Between the holidays, an emergency surgery, and working on converting my PDF inserts into a new program.  The time just flew by!  So I'll be posting some Christmas card samples for you in January.  You can always pin them to your Christmas card board on Pinterest right??

This is going to be a short post today, but I'm still here and I've survived 2015.  Yay!!

I'm working on the new inserts for the SU! 2016 Occassions Catalog.  As soon as the catalog goes live, I'll be able to complete them for you to order.  So check back a couple days after January 4th for those new inserts.

As this year comes to a close, I think back on all the ups & downs I've had this year.  I want to cry, smile, laugh, and scream all at the same time.  There are things I plan to do for this coming year and hope I can keep up with them.  Have you seen the whole jar of thoughts thing on pinterest?  You jot down something that happened at least once a week.  Then at the end of the year you will have at least 52 memories to re-live.  So be sure to write down the best ones.

I wish each and every one of you a wonderful, prosperous, health, and happy 2016.  I'll see you all next year!!

Thank You For Your Kindness

I was asked to join a card swap last week.  I haven't done one of those in a very long time.  At first I thought about making Christmas cards, but since we will be submitting cards the first weekend of every month...I thought I would hold off on those until December.  So this is the card I will be submitting for the November swap.  What do you think?  I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!
I was going through my stash of designer series paper, and came across this retired collection called Orchard Harvest.  I thought...what am I ever going to use this for?  A fall thank you card!  So here it is.

SU! Supplies Used:

Card stock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Designer Series Paper: Orchard Harvest
Stamps: Occasional Quotes (Hostess Set)
Ink: Early Espresso
Tools: Banner Framelits, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Medium Oval Punch, Sponge, Cutter Kit
Adhesive: Snail, Dimensionals

Non-SU! Supplies Used:
Sewing Machine
White Thread

Friendship

Hi there!  Happy Friday my friends.  I wanted to share a quick card I made for a friend.  Just to let her know I was thinking about her.  The supplies I used are older and retired.  But you can easily re-create this card with a different stamp set if you don't have this one on hand.  I'm so sorry that I can't recall the name of the stamp set at this time.

I'm back!!

So sorry for not posting much in September!  I had some medical things to take care of and am now on the mend.  Yay!!  I'm still going strong with the inserts for your clear cases.  I've worked on some for the Dies By Dave framelits, and I ended up ordering some myself.  LOL!!

But I will begin posting again soon.  I just started putting out my Halloween stuff today.  So be prepared for some cute ghosts and pumpkins coming up.

Have a wonderful day!!  :)

PDF Inserts for 2015 Holiday Catalog now available!!!

I have finished creating the inserts for the 2015 SU! Holiday Catalog!  So if there are any you need, let me know.  Just a reminder, I require a minimum $3.50 purchase via PayPal.  Thank you!!

Just For You

Happy Friday everyone!  Every now and then I just want a little note card to put with a small gift.  A friend of mine was having a real tough work week and I wanted to let her know I was thinking of her.  This note card size is 3x3 and using a 12x12 sheet of cardstock, you can make a 8 cards without wasting any paper.  Stampin' Up! even sells little square envelopes that work perfectly with them.

For this card, I used mostly retired products I had on hand. So Saffron textured cardstock, Three For You stamp set, ribbon (I can't remember the name of).  But you could use the smooth cardstock, change out the stamp set and embellishment to make it work with the supplies you have on hand.

Just a simple, quick 3x3 card to let someone know you are thinking of them.  :)

ICON Foundation Card

I work for a large company that has its own foundation to help locals in need.  Its a great cause, and I've seen how it helps those who are struggling.  At Christmas time, they put together baskets and deliver them to people who have been having a hard time.  This past year, I offered to make handmade cards to go with the baskets.
I used their standard long postcard, cut out the bird logo and punched out the "from".  Of course the coordinating colors they use are retired SU! colors.  So its been difficult to keep up with this design.  Once I run out of those colors and can't find anymore, I'll have to re-design it to use other colors.

Life Is Good...

A few years back, Stampin' Up! offered a line called Decor Elements.  This included vinyls and stencils.  Most of them matched some stamp set in the catalog.  They had lots of cute ones, and I bought a few while they were available.  So plan on seeing a few more vinyl projects in future posts.  :)

When I bought this one, I couldn't decide what to do with it.  I knew I wouldn't be living where I was at the time for too long.  So I didn't really want to put it on the wall because it wouldn't be re-usable once removed. Flash forward 2 moves and a different state to now.

I bought my first ever home (by myself!) and decided it was time for decorating.  By this time, Stampin' Up! had discontinued their decor elements line so I was hesitant, again, to put it directly on the wall.  Would if I wanted to paint the walls?  Would if after a few years I upgraded to a bigger home?  I don't think it would be appropriate to cut out that piece of wall...would it?

By this time, pinterest was a common thing and pallet projects were All.The.Rage.  I saw lots of DIY headboards, garden planters, tables, etc.  So I thought, why not put this on some pallet board and that way it moves with me!!

I have this AWESOME friend who works in a model shop.  He is a genius with his job and I have been blessed to have his help with many of my home projects.  His expertise, time, and willingness to help me has been a godsend.

So I talked to him about what I wanted to do.  I wanted to get some pallet boards, make them really thin and light so I could hang this without anchors.  I said I wanted to whitewash it to look kinda like weathered.  And he took on the challenge with a big smile.

I whitewashed each slat individually with just cheap acrylic paint from Michael's, mixed with water.  I did a few layers until I was satisfied with the look.  I wanted to still be able to see the wood grain through the paint.  Then he put some slats across the back to hold all the front pieces together and to give me something to attach to the wall.  I chose to use a screw on each end and wire across.  Applied the vinyl and DONE!!!

Here is the final result!  I love it and couldn't be happier!!

Sympathy Card

A friend/co-worker lost his dad recently.  My heart has been breaking for him and his family.  I wanted to let him know we all were thinking about him so I made this card for everyone in my department to sign.  He and his dad are ranchers so I was trying to come up with something masculine, simple, and rustic.  This is what I came up with.

I liked the simplicity of it.  The inside was left blank so everyone would have space to write a short note to him.  You can't see from the picture, but I used the woodgrain embossing folder on the matte and DSP to add some texture to the card.

Thanks for looking!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso
Designer Series Paper: Well Worn
Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Embellishments: Linen Thread
Tools: Big Shot, Labels Framelits, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponge

Added more PDF inserts!!

I've had a great response to my inserts for the clear cases that SU! sells.  Thank you!!

I've added more stamp sets and if you have some sets not listed, I can do them.  All I need is an image, stamp quantity, and item number.

The holiday catalog will be coming soon!!  I'll be able to add the new framelits they will offer as soon as the catalog goes live.  So check back with me then!

So go check out my PDF Inserts page HERE  and make sure to click on the link "How do I order?" for more information.

Thanks again!!  Have a wonderful day!!

Palm Tree Birthday Card

My sister and I love, and I mean LOVE the beach!!!  We live in landlocked states, but try to take vacations to beaches whenever possible.  I saw a super cute card while scrolling through pinterest one day and saved it.  Because I just knew it would make the perfect birthday card for her.  I do want to give credit to Jenny Engelke @ GiddyStamper for the idea!  My sister loved her card, and I loved creating it for her.

Products used:

Punches: Modern Label, Oval, 1/2" Circle
Framelits: Squares, Bitty Banners
Stamp Sets: Tropical Party, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Positively Pink, Welcome Neighbor DSP
Embellishments: Basic Jewels-Rhinestones

PDF Inserts are now available!!!

Wow, as I looked back on Stampin' Connection (a SU! demo only site), the first time I posted inserts I had made for the markers was July 1, 2011.  Its crazy I've been doing these for 4 years!!!  The first ones were okay, served their purpose.  After some sad news of hearing my files were being altered (removed my name), copied and sold, I decided to re-vamp them.  They look so much better!  I tried to stay consistent with the styling of all inserts.  The only ones with their own design are the markers and ink refills.  I wanted to use colors from their color families instead of the standard green.  I tried to make the framelits and stamp inserts similar to what Stampin' Up! offers.

Here's the reason I started making these.  When I originally ordered the markers, I bought the whole set at once.  They came in this nice box where each marker had a slot.  But trying to find "the one" became an annoyance.  Then Stampin' Up! came out with their clear DVD cases.  Guess what...a color family of markers fit PERFECTLY in them!!  So I moved mine over right away.  But had no way of knowing which case had which family.  After measuring, creating and printing I tried them out.  They didn't fit quite right, the information on the spine wasn't centered.  So back and forth I went until I was satisfied they looked good.
Then came the framelits and edgelits.  They came in an envelope which didn't have an image of what they looked like.  So back to the computer I went!  Most of the framelits fit in the case, and if you buy some of those magnetic vent covers, you can cut them to fit and hold the framelits as well.

Speed ahead 4 years, Stampin' Up! changed the case their stamp sets came in.  They stack wonderfully on a shelf.  So I started the big project of moving all my stamp sets into the new cases.  By this time, Stampin' Up! created their own case inserts you could download and type in the stamp set name, item number and quantity of stamps.  Personally I didn't like how they worked.  It left a white box where my stamp set name was.  And I couldn't add stamp images to the front or spine.  So again, I decided to make my own.
During this process, I decided to purge my supplies.  I found a lot of sets I didn't need anymore, so I sold a lot.  But what I had left were moved to the new cases.  I think my shelves look so nice and organized now!

If you're interested in getting the files I've created, click on the 'PDF Inserts' on the top right side of my blog.  That will give you all the information you need to know and how to get them.  

Thanks for stopping by!  

Happy Fourth of July!!!

It's almost Independence Day!!  I cannot believe that half of 2015 is already gone.  Wow!  I wanted to show off my cute door hanger to you.  Isn't it cute?  I bought the unfinished wood at a store here in Utah last year.  I couldn't decide how I wanted to paint and decorate it.  It was too big to use a sheet of 12x12 for the back star and I really didn't want to cut out paper for all the beadboard on the front star.  So this is what I came up with.

I used acrylic paint on the back star in cherry cobbler.  With the beadboard star, I used some gel stain I had left over from my kitchen cabinets.  Rubbed that all over, set it out on the back patio to dry.  Wait, wait...then I used acrylic paint in white on top of it.  Lightly sand, then used wood glue and some heavy books to let it set overnight.
Embellishing it was an even harder decision than the initial star painting.  But I really like the simplicity of it.  I wanted to add some navy but all I had was that skinny ribbon.  Luckily I also had some burlap ribbon from Stampin' Up!.  I cut enough to wrap the front and used scotch tape to hold it on the back.  That way I didn't waste a bunch wrapping all the way around.  Then I took some navy ribbon, taped one end and looped it around the burlap.  Taping it securely on the other side.  I also used some rusty wire I picked up at a craft store in Salt Lake City to make the hanger portion. Wrapped the ends around a pencil a few times and woo lah!!

Thank You!

I decided to take a much needed vacation in April and since no one could go with me, I went by myself.  Was I nervous about it?  Heck yes!  But I think this will be something I can do more and more in the future.  It was so freeing to only worry about what I wanted to do.  I stayed busy the whole time and enjoyed every second of it!

Since I was taking a super early flight to get outta dodge, I asked a friend, who lived about an hour closer to the airport than myself, if I could crash at her house the night before.  She was soooo sweet!  She left me these adorable little pillow gifts...

Isn't she such a sweetheart?  She does nails part time and the items on the pillow in the middle are nail decals.  They are so stinking cute!  I have just loved using them.  And couldn't appreciate her more for her kindness and hospitality.  So I decided to make her a cute card with a gift card to Kneaders.  I remembered someone posting a picture using the owl punch to make nail polish bottles.  So I set out to find it again.
Dianne Sisneros does some awesome work with punch art!!  Click here to see her sample and other cute punch art cards.  I took her punch art idea and put my own spin on it.  Here is the result!

What do you think?  I think it turned out pretty cute!!  I used mainly retired Stampin' Up! products I had on hand.  But you can easily re-create your own!

Graduation Card

Oh my gosh!  I really fell off the blog bandwagon!!  It has been over 2 years since I posted anything and I'm a bit embarrassed.  *blush*

I've been focusing on family things (my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer), buying my first home by myself, and trying to keep my head above water.
I am trying to learn more about blogging and hopefully will be able to keep up with this more and more.  I will be posting more than just cards in the future.  I work on a lot of different projects, so planning to add a bit of variety here.

But for today, I'm showing you a card I made for my nephew's graduation.  I got the idea from Pinterest, but cannot find that pin to give credit.  So if whoever that was, thank you!  And let me know so I can give credit where its due.  :)  

I love being able to CASE (copy and share everything).  I like to tweak things to match my style and have the tendency to make a mash-up of several cards I see.

Products used from Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Smoky Slate
Tools: Big Shot, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Labels Framelits
Stamps: Word Play
Ink: Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant
Embellishments: Silver Mini Brad, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive
Non-Stampin' Up Product: Black Bakers Twine