April Blog Hop

I am so thankful for this blog hop, otherwise you may never see me on here! Life has been busy like a bee on crack, so I haven't had any free time to take for stamping or crafting (other than the wedding invites you're about to see.)

I was commissioned to make 130 of these darling invitations. The bride, her mom, and I worked together to transform her mind's design into a real life paper one. I love her concept and had fun making these (as proven true by the glue on my fingers when I was done).

Front

 

Inside (with info blurred out)

Supplies used:

Cardstock: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory

Punches: Decorative Label, 1" Circle

Stamp set: Farm Life

Supplies: Hemp twine, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pals, Gold embossing powder, Black embossing powder, Tombow

Other: Retired alphabet set, retired punches (slit, notch, double circle), Burlap

Part of my crazy spring has involved getting back into my exercise routine by walking outside. I was loving looking at all the blooms, until the rain we've gotten recently beat them back into submission for a while. So, I decided for my 3-D project to make my own flower box. The great thing about this box is that it will transport easily to work with me, and I can't kill the flowers! (unless the cat tries eating them)

For the box, I cut out two of the Fancy Favor dies, and glued them together inside out so they score lines didn't show. For the "dirt" I ran Chocolate Chip through my Paper Crimper (which I haven't used in about 6 years), and then ran that through my shredder! 

I love the new Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, which can be purchased as a sneak peek this month. Also, the Summer Smooches fabric brads can only be purchased in April. Aren't they fun?

Supplies used:

Card stock: Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Wisteria Wonder, Chocolate Chip

DSP: Flirtatious, Summer Smooches

Punches: Mixed Bunch

Ribbon: Melon Mambo 1/2" Scallop Dots, Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta, Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding, Whisper White 5/8" Organza

Supplies: Big Shot, Fancy Favor XL die, XL cutting plates, Paper Crimper, Brights collection Buttons, Summer Smooches fabric brads, Glue Dots, Distressing Kit

Other: packing peanuts

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the rest of our April blog hop!

1. Shellie G. of Creative Electica
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
4. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps a Lot
5. Anji C. of Altered Scraps Blog
6. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
7. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
8. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
9. Patricia T. of Sunnyone Stampin'
10. Heather W. of Heather's Stampin' Blog
11. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
12. Linda O. of Stamp at Linda's
13. Marla R. of Marla's Stampin' Spot
14. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
15. Nicole B. of Creations by Mommy
16. Pam S. of Sunny Girl Scraps
17. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim

March Stylin' Stampin' Hop

It's that time again! Can anyone else believe that it's March 1st? February escaped me, and I'm sure I'm not the only one this happened to. Therefore, I decided to make this month's projects "simple, and easy to duplicate!"

My friend's daughter turns 1 at the end of March, so my card project this month is a postcard invitation made with My Digital Studio.

Front

Back

My favorite feature in My Digital Studio is the ability to change the opacity on the Designer Series Papers. I used Concord Crush on the top half of the card, and it was just too dark at 100%. I also changed the opacity of the bottom of the cupcake, which allowed you to see barely see the polka dots showing through from the Pear Pizazz paper.

My 3-D project is a bookmark. I was just hired to make some bookmarks for a co-worker, so they are fresh in my mind. However, since I used retired product on those, I designed a new one for you!

Supplies:

Card Stock: Rich Razzleberry, Naturals White

Stamp set: Elements of Style

Classic Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze

Adhesive: 2-way glue pen

Accessories: Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit

I love Elements of Style; it really is one of my most often "go-to" stamp sets. I also love that the Blossom Builders kit is double-sided; it doubles its versatility!

Thanks for stopping by, I'm anxious to hear which of my projects you liked most and why. Whether you are hopping forward or backward, I hope you enjoy Michele's, Nicole's and everyone else's projects!

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Shellie G. of Creative Electica
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
4. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps a Lot
5. Anji C. of Altered Scraps Blog
6. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
7. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
8. Amanda H. of Live Laugh Craft
9. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
10. Patricia T. of Sunnyone Stampin'
11. Heather W. of Heather's Stampin' Blog
12. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
13. Linda O. of Stamp at Linda's
14. Marla R. of Marla's Stampin' Spot
15. Michele M. of Michele's Stampin' Blog
16. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
17. Nicole B. of Creations by Mommy
18. Pam S. of Sunny Girl Scraps
19. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim

February's Stylin' Stampin' Blog Hop

Welcome! I'm so excited to be participating in my first Blog Hop! Plus very blessed to join some of my Stampin' Up! sisters on the Hop!
My first project is a Valentine's card featuring some great new products from the Occasions Mini catalog, and of course, some Sale-A-Bration items. I fell in love with the Cherry Cobbler/Pool Party combination I used for some of my Christmas cards, and it's carrying over into Valentine's for me!

Supplies used:

Cardstock: Pool Party (SAB), Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Stamp set: Outlined Occasions (SAB) 
Punches: Ticket corner and 2 1/2" Circle
Accessories: Pool Party Baker's Twine, Big Shot, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits
Adhesive: Tombow, Glue dots, Stampin' dimensions

When I was brainstorming for a good 3-D Valentine's project, I kept thinking about the paper mailboxes we made in grade school to get all of our Valentine's in. This little mailbox was super simple and so much fun to make! (Wonder if it will give my hubby the hint that I'd like a Valentine???)

Supplies used:

Designer Series Paper: Everyday Enchantment (SAB)
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade (SAB), Naturals White

Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack (SAB), Crop-A-Dial, Big Shot, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits, Timeless Type Alphabet Sizzlets

Adhesive: Tombow, Glue dots

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you've enjoying seeing my latest project adventures as much as I enjoyed making them! Head on over to Pam's blog and enjoy the rest of the Stylin' Stampin' Blog Hop!

Blog Hop Participants:

1. Shellie G. of Creative Electica
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
4. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps a Lot
5. Anji C. of Altered Scraps Blog
6. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
7. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
8. Amanda H. of Live Laugh Craft
9. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
10. Patricia T. of Sunnyone Stampin'
11. Heather W. of Heather's Stampin' Blog
12. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
13. Linda O. of Stamp at Linda's
14. Marla R. of Marla's Stampin' Spot
15. Michele M. of Michele's Stampin' Blog
16. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
17. Pam S. of Sunny Girl Scraps
18. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim

Boy, does time fly

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and almost Happy Valentine's Day, all at one time! 

I can't believe that January is already over! But I'm loving this weather we've been having lately here in the Heartland!

So many exciting things in Stampin' Up! land. The new Occassions Mini and Sale-A-Bration are both live and in full swing now. Check them out over there to your left. Plus, starting today, you can get a FREE 30-day trial of My Digital Studio Express. This is a great way to try out the software before taking the plunge! You can download it in my online store.

This afternoon I'm finishing up preparations for my first ever Blog Hop. The Hop goes live at 6 am (CST) tomorrow. Come back to check out the fun projects that I've made with some new products, then follow on the journey with 20 of my fellow demonstrators to see their creations too!

Cookie Press stamps

What better way to gear up for the holiday baking season than with these Cookie Press stamps? So fun and easy to use!

Check out the sidebar button to get yours today!

A few of the sneak peeks are here!

I'm getting very excited for fall: cooler weather, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and all sorts of other fun fall activities!

Of course, I'm most excited about sharing the Holiday Mini and it's great new products with you!

First up: the new Simply Scored Scoring Tool! The possibilities are endless with this one! Scoring cards becomes effortless; and you can make these fun lollies to decorate anything and everything with!

Fancy Favor Box

Side view

Next up, the Spice Cake Designer Series Paper and Pewter Embossing Powder. These are two of my favorites that I will be using on everything this fall!

Close up of Pewter embossing powder

Fun fall layout

And finally, just one of the many fall card ideas floating around in my head. Wouldn't you love this to be the make & take at your September workshop? Let's get it booked so you can earn lots of free stuff!

Mmm, can't wait for Pumpkin Pie!

Blog Candy Alert: Everyone that leaves a comment on this post will be entered to win a Pewter embossing powder. Anyone who correctly guesses in their comment all of the punches used on the pumpkin card will have a chance to win a pack of the Spice Cake DSP!

Let's get inky!

Sneak Peek blog candy

Who can believe August is almost over? That means only 6 more days to take advantage of the Buy 3 Get 1 Free special on Designer Series Paper! Better get yours ordered today.
 I've been having a great time showing my dear stamping friends how to make paper flowers this month.

Tonight I'm going to be working on projects for my September workshops which will feature some fabulous new items from the Holiday Mini that goes live September 1st! Keep an eye out, I'll be posting pictures of these projects in the next couple days for you to get a sneak peek at some of my new favorites. 

BLOG CANDY ALERT: Want to "score" a sweet deal? Everyone who posts a comment will get their own new 2011 Holiday Mini. Refer your friends to my blog and the person with the most referrals will be the lucky recipient one of my new favorites from the mini (hint: they have to tell me that you referred them).  Comments for blog candy will be accepted until I post my next blog, so you've only got 24 hours to get your friends here!