I LOVE winter!

In my desire to squeeze in as many challenges as possible this Sunday afternoon, I created this card with the sketch from Stamping 411 in mind, and I was still thinking about the Friday Mashup, too. I didn't take the easel part of the challenge, but I still have lots of snowflakes on this bad boy!

I have a Whisper White base. Then I have a layer of Baja Breeze on which I stamped the long row of snowflakes from this set across again (and again and again and again). I did that in Baja Breeze ink. I used two small strips of Marina Mist that are embossed with the new snowflake embossing folder. The center has a big 2 1/2" circle of white. I stamped the two snowmen on it and used my sponge daubers around the edges. I colored the stamps with my markers to make the snowmen multi-colored. Then I added a Bashful Blue snowflake punch with a 1" white CS sentiment in the middle. The sentiment reads, "love doesn't melt." Don't you just love that sentiment?!? I think it's so sweet! I added the red heart because of the love sentiment. Then I added a white grosgrain ribbon with a cheater bow that has a rhinestone center in the middle. Sparkly... like snow. I love it! Thanks for looking...

Two Snow Dudes For Two Challenges

I created this card to fulfill two different challenges. The sketch is from Inkspirations weekly challenge. The second challenge is part of the Friday Mashup. I didn't mashup the two ideas... I just went with the snowflake idea. I decided to use my new stamp set. This is the first time I added any ink to it!

I started with a base of Whisper White. Then I used Baja Breeze and Marina Mist. I did emboss the Marina Mist with the new snowflake embossing folder. I used my markers to ink up my stamps so they could be multi-colored. I punched a Bashful Blue snowflake with my snowflake punch. I also punched a 1" circle of white with "merry wishes" in marina in the center.

I also used a small strip of the blue stripped ribbon (it's not SU ribbon, but it still is super cute!)

Here's a close up of the snowflake, which I popped up using stampin' dimensionals.

Thanks for looking!

Snowy Hello Color Challenge

I created this card tonight for Create with Connie and Mary's color challenge. The challenge was to use Bravo Burgundy, River Rock, and Baja Breeze. Those are the colors I used here.

I used the Gift Givers set. I also used the new embossing folder (Snow Burst). I used the scallop circle punch and the ribbon punch (I'm sure that's not the name).

I also used Baja Breeze ribbon and moonlight smooch and Dazzling Details on my girl. Finally, I used the paper piecing method to give her a Burgundy coat.

Thanks for looking...

Pumpkin Stamped Stamps

This is a clean and simple card that does meet two different challenges that I am a fan of. This card works for the Friday Mashup weekly challenge (a Halloween themed card and a color challenge). It also fulfills the Stamping 411 weekly sketch challenge.

I think it's pretty self explanatory. I got the color challenge in by sponging the purple on the edges (I have to admit, I don't have Concord Crush so I used Elegant Eggplant... am I a cheater?) This is the first time I've used my 1" square punch.

It's a cute card... simple but cute. Thanks for looking!

Three little pumpkins....

This card is almost matches the idea I first had when I saw this week's sketch challenge on Stamping 411. But I just couldn't cover up those cute pumpkins with my sentiment!

I LOVE Halloween. I just love it! But I don't have very many Halloween stamps because I always go for the ultimate value in the stamp sets that I buy and since there is really only one use for the Halloween stets, I don't feel tend to buy those. However, these cute pumpkins are from a set called The More the Merrier. The paper is a very old set of DPS, but again, it's the only Halloween paper I have!

I did have to ink up one pumpkin at a time and then stamp it. I colored them in with my markers. I used some moonlight smootch on the mouths, eyes, and noses of the jack o'lanterns.

Also, I wanted to point out this paper behind the pumpkins that is covered in spider webs. It's so cool, and it's really only visible if you are holding the card and see it up close. Maybe you can see it in this shot.

I added some more mustard ribbon and the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I used some very tiny black brads in the modern label punch. Thanks for looking!

Boo... to you!

I created this fun Halloween card for this week's challenge over on the Friday Mashup. The challenge is to make a Halloween themed card or a color challenge of Basic Black, Concord Crush, Lucky Limeade, and Pumpkin Pie. Or you can mash it up (as I've done here) to do both.

I made two cards when I made this one. Look how cute, how sweet, how fun these Halloween cards are!

Here's a closer view of one of my cards. There's a base of Lucky Limeade. Then I have a layer of Concord Crush. Here's the cool part: I embossed the concord paper with a non-SU embossing folder, but before I embossed it, I used my brayer and brayered a layer of versamark on the embossing folder itself. Then I embossed it, and then I covered the whole thing with black embossing powder and heat embossed it. (It's a technique I learned from Dawn O.- thanks Dawn!)

Then I made a pumpkin out of 5 pumpkin ovals, the smallest one. I sponged the edges of the ovals and then attached them together with a limeade stem and curly vine.

I used a medium oval to bring a ghost from behind the pumpkin. I finally tried the fraying ribbon technique with the black ribbon, and I added the sentiment from The More the Merrier set. I stamped it and then cut a 3/8" strip of the white. Then I punched it out using my modern label punch. Then I punched a limeade layer for under the sentiment. On one card, I used pumpkin colored brads and on the other I used concord colored brads. You know, I like to change things up.

Do you notice that I heat embossed the different sides of the embossing folder? Again, just shaking things up! I hope you like! Thanks for looking!

Notebooks.... The October Class

Just look at these great little notebooks! I didn't take the picture in great detail because I am giving these to some friends and family this year for a Christmas gift...

That's right! I said Christmas! I know it's hard to believe, but it is only about 11 weeks away. By the time this class rolls around, it will be about 9 weeks away.

Picture giving a friend or family member this cute, personalized little binder with a notepad inside. You can individualize each binder you make for the recipient with color, sentiments, designs, or initials.

Here's how this will work...

I have a bunch (and I do mean a bunch) of notepads. I have matched the notepads to papers that match the colors. I have tons and tons of stamps and punches that will allow you to make the gift you give very personal for the person you plan to give it to, and I have lots and lots of ideas to help you complete your gift in a way that will make that person and you very happy.

Here are a few pictures of some of the notepads I have just to give you some ideas of what's waiting for you here.

Due to the variety of note pads I have, there is no way for you to reserve a specific notepad. It's going to be first come, first served. When you come over, you'll have a large variety of options to choose from; so many, in fact, that I am sure you'll find something that will work perfectly for you. The best part? Each note pad will cost only $5.00! Think about all those people you know who you'd like to give a little something to during the holiday season... wouldn't this be perfect? It's cute, it's hand made, and it's something the person will actually use and will definitely love.

All you need to do is let me know when you are coming. I am offering this class on Friday, October 21st, any time after 5:00 or Saturday, October 22nd at any time of the day. Please let me know when you are coming so I know to expect you! Make your holiday gift list (don't forget your coworkers, your neighbors, those people you want to remember with a little something), RSVP with me, and come get your gifts taken care of early!