Thanks From the Heart

So, I was playing with the chalkboard technique last month, and I had just made some fun paper lunchbag treat holders for one of the blog hops. The SAB paper from last year was still sitting there needing to be used.... I do so love last year's SAB paper (and did you know it is on the Clearance Rack for 2.19 right now!!) So I couldn't resist  making a couple more of the treat holders!

This is the larger of the 2, and it is really blinged out. Lots of rhinestones and ruffled ribbon. And lookie! the sentiment fits so nicely in the Window framelit! The lacy detail from the Delicate Designs embossing folder adds just the right touch to the top of the pocket flap. I left the bag pouch open to add cookies or some other treat.

• Stamps: From the Heart, Papillon Potpourri
• Ink: Illuminate, Craft White, Peach Parfait, Pool Party
• Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP (2012 SAB), Basic Gray, Core'dinations Pool Party, Very Vanilla
• Other: Big Shot with Windows framelits and Delicate Designs embossing folder, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercer and Mat, Embossing Buddy, White embossing powder, Heat Gun,  Signo white gel pen, sponge, dimensionals, White Seam Binding ribbon, Sticky Strip, sewing machine and thread, brown lunch bag, Sanding Block, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

 Here is a little close up of the chalkboard technique, which is really easy and a bit addictive, lol!

This is the matching insert which is note-style. The sentiment is from From the Heart and the butterflies are from Papillon Potpourri.

This is a smaller pocket with another insert, I used the Crochet trim at the top edge of the pocket, and make a rose with Seam Binding ribbon I colored with Crumb Cake ink.

The insert note card for this one has some sponging but is otherwise blank. It isn't very big and I wanted plenty of room for a personal message.

Be sure to check out this year's SAB offerings, they are also quite spectacular!!

Romantic Roses

So, I have to work tonight and can't spend Valentine's day with my sweetie, but he came home last night with a dozen roses in a gorgeous red vase, a giant box of chocolates, and plans to take me out to dinner on Friday night since we are both off that night. Oh, and did I mention lots of extra random hugs & kisses? Yup, I married a romantic :)
What better time to share what I think is an incredibly romantic spray of roses on this card?!

Sylvia's card here is the inspiration for this one, and mine is almost and exact replica. I think hers is prettier though. I stamped the main image in Stazon on Naturals White and colored it with reinkers and Aquapainter. This is a single layer card, but if I ever make another one, I would probably use watercolor paper and layers... I also like how Sylvia added yellow centers to her flowers.

• Stamps: Elements of Style, non-SU hexagons and sentiment
• Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
• Paper: Naturals White
• Other: Aqua-painter

 Inside, the roses are stamped in Crumb Cake

So, what are you doing for Valentine's Day this year?

Peeking Umbrellas

There is a cute technique that involves folding back parts of a layer of paper to reveal another image or message. OI thought I would give it a try with the Rain or Shine set.

The cheery umbrellas peek out of the bright and vibrant DSP. I think this will brighten someone's day soon :)

• Stamps: Rain or Shine
• Ink: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron
• Paper: Whisper White, Floral District DSP
• Other: Brights Designer button, White Baker's Twine

 A little fun on the inside too :)

Fluttering Anniversary

February is a romantic month, we all know that. Here in Minnesota, there isn't all that much to do in the middle of winter, so snuggling with your special someone sounds darn good right about now :)
And as I was going through my perpetual birthday and anniversary calendar, I noticed that I have three, count 'em, three anniversaries in the family this month!!!

So guess what kind of cards were on my to-do list this week!

 

This one is going to be for one of my brother-in-laws and his wife. Not too girly, and kind-of modern... I think it turned out great! I even stitched down the ribbon.

• Stamps: Hears a Flutter, Memorable Moments
• Ink: Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals, Early Espresso
• Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White
• Other: Big Shot with Woodgrain EF and Hearts a Flutter framelits, Natural Trim ribbon, Rhinestones and Pearls, sewing machine, dimensionals, Signo white gel pen

Inside I added some more hearts and outlined again.

I made this one with some non-SU stamps and I got my inspiration from Heather Nichols, who is one of my favorite stampers. I am sure many of you know her work, she is quite famous :) AND she is a fellow Minnesotan! She made a tag that was stamped with woodgrain and had several snowflakes scattered over it, and it was all stamped on Kraft paper. Ok, so my imagination went another way with it, but that's what inspiration is all about!

Vintage in Pink

Going for a vintage feel with this card, and I did lots of sewing on it to. I really like to sew on my cards, it adds such a lovely texture and feel to them.

Does anybody else have a hard time mixing prints? I never am quite confident with it, but I am working on it. Don't you love how the Ferris Wheel nestles into the design of the DSP?

• Stamps: Feeling Sentimental, Oh Hello
• Ink: Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals 
• Paper: Naturals Ivory, Very Vanilla, Primrose Petals Core'dinations, Print Poerty DSP pack
• Other: Primrose Petals Stitched Satin ribbon, Victoria Crochet Trim, 1¼" Square punch, sewing machine and thread, sanding block

I think I should have gone with a darker ink for the Ferris Wheel, maybe next time.

"Life...

...is a daring adventure or nothing." I love that quote from Helen Keller. And yes, it does fit with the phone booth because I can't think of it as anything other than the TARDIS from Doctor Who. Time and space travel with the Doctor are always an adventure!

This was my first attempt at a swap and I honestly don't know why I decided not to use it as a swap... maybe I just wanted an excuse to play with this stamp set more :)  Then again, maybe I had done too much paper piercing on all of my other swaps, lol! My recurring tendonitis in my right arm does start to act up when I do too much of the paper piercing, and stamping too! Good thing I have a high pain tolerance and am stubborn because I would hate to give up this hobby!

• Stamps: Feeling Sentimental, Daring Adventure
• Ink: Crumb Cake, Pacific Point, Old Olive
• Paper: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
• Other: Big Shot with Lacey Brocade Embossing Folder,  Paper Piercer with Essentials Paper Piercing Pack and Mat Pack, Silver mini brad, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Signo white gel pen

Free tutorial with $35 purchase

Just place your order on my demonstrator website!
More details on the Virtual Stamp Club tab.

Calling All Whovians!

SAB has started!! Time to get in on all the free stuff , and what better way to kick it off than with a Time Machine! What, you don't see a time machine here? Really? It's right there! The TARDIS from Doctor Who! I may have mentioned this before, but my family is a bunch of Sci-Fi freaks, and we love Doctor Who, so I had to get this set :)

I tried to give a little impression of the opening credits with the watercolored piece behind the main image. First I did a wash of Wisteria Wonder over the whole piece of watercolor paper with an Aquapainter, then while it was still wet, I dabbed the Aquapainter with Island Indigo reinker all over the paper. After I had all 10 of those done (for the swap) I decided I needed to add a little shimmer to the watercolored piece, so I stamped the TARDIS (phone booth) all over it in Illuminate ink. I had a great time making this card, and my boys already have plans for who to give my copies too, lol!

• Stamps: Feeling Sentimental (SAB 2013)
• Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo, Illuminate
• Paper: Naturals White, Wisteria Wonder, Watercolor, Whisper White
• Other: Big Shot with Lacey Brocade embossing folder, Aquapainters, Island Indigo and Pool Party ¼" Satin ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Free tutorial with $35 purchase

Just place your order on my demonstrator website!
More details on the Virtual Stamp Club tab.