Bold Patio Party Blossoms

I received a pack of the Patio Party Designer Series Paper as a demonstrator incentive and I am really liking it.  I don't know if I would have thought to put the colors together, but it has really inspired me and I'm loving the results.  Raspberry Ripple and Pool Party are so fresh and fun!  I also used Summer Starfruit and Lucky Limeade on this card.  I used Betsy's Blossoms (can you tell I am hooked on that set) and I actually made the stems with a stamp from the   The Top Note die for the big shot frames in the flowers and a bit of Pool Party seam binding ribbon finishes it off.  Have you tried the new firm foam ink pads yet?  They are great and give such nice ink coverage.  I only have them in the new In Colors, but I wouldn't be surprised if I pick some up along the way in the near future.

Sassy Thanks

Here's another card using the color combo from this week's color combo challenge on Splitcoast--Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, and Pool Party.  I just ordered this new Sassy Salutations stamp set and I think it is going to be my new "go to" word set (my old "go to" word sets were just retired).  I wanted the words to be the focus of my card, so the "thank you" is the only stamp I used on the card.  I made the flower with the blossom punch and the 3/4" circle punch all embossed with the petals-a-plenty textured impressions embossing folder (with a glimmer brad in the center).

Sailing Along

Each year Stampin' Up! comes out with a stamp set that benefits the Ronald McDonald House.  This year the set is called Moving Forward.  $3 from each set sold this year is donated to the Ronald McDonald House charities.  Years ago I had the opportunity to volunteer at the RMHC with other Stampin' Up! demonstrators and offer card making classes.  It was a great experience that taught me a little about their organization.  Then a few years later I learned a whole lot more.  My daughter was born 13 weeks premature and we spent months in the NICU.  During her stay, I got to know some of the other moms pretty well.  One mom was from Montana and was here in Utah, alone (with her baby in the NICU).  Her family came to visit occasionally, but they needed to be home and work and take care of life.  She was staying at the local Ronald McDonald House for months so that she could be nearby the hospital and spend time with her baby.  At that point I gained a greater appreciation for what they do--offer affordable housing for families during hard medical times.  It made me more grateful that I could live close to the hospital and have my family and friends surround me during the difficult time, but I was happy that this sweet mom could have a nice place to stay.  I'm glad that Stampin' Up! can help support a great cause.  Even better, we can buy stamps (which we all like to do anyway) and know that it helps someone else just a little bit.

This card is a simple nautical card using the sailboat stamp from the Moving Along set.  I decided to keep the colors simple and used two of the new In Colors--Midnight Muse and Raspberry Ripple.  The Midnight Muse card stock is textured with the polka dot textured impressions folder to match the dots along the top of the sailboat.  I love the patterns designer series paper stacks and just got my new stack for the In Colors, so I used a bit of the Raspberry Ripple and punched the edge with the scallop edge punch.  The greeting is from the same stamp set and is punched out with the word window punch.  Finally I tied a piece of the new white stitched grosgrain.  The layout for this card was inspired by Freshly Made Sketches #38 go here for the challenge.  This is the first time I've done one of these challenges and I'm excited to try out more.  I love how quickly I was able to put this card together with the sketch inspiration.  Go ahead, give a challenge a try!

Polka-dot Party Cake

New stamps are so much fun!  I saw yesterday's color combo challenge on Splitcoaststampers.com and decided that it would be a perfect combo for some of my new stamps.  This color combo is Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, and Pool Party.  I used the new Topsy-Turvy Celebration set to make this card.  To help some of the layers stand out more, I added a bit of Basic Gray card stock and some basic gray stitched grosgrain ribbon.  The polka-dot background is done with punches (it's a bit more tedious than most of my cards, but the end result was worth it)!  I was inspired to do the circles from the bottom layer of the birthday cake, so I used the 1/2", 3/4", and 1" circle punches. 

Embellished Cake

My new stamps came yesterday.  I couldn't wait to get busy stamping, so I took advantage of some nap time as well as a bit of time after dinner.  Is it bad that as soon as I get a new order, I'm already wishing for more new things?  I think it's because once I really get into stamping, I find things that I wish I had (like extra ribbons, etc.). 

I made this card with several of my new products.  The stamps are from the Embellished Events stamp set (I inked up the cake using my Stampin' Write markers for the multi-colored look).  The flower paper is a small strip from the Floral District DSP.  I used my old scalloped edge punch on the pool party card stock and my new Chevron embossing folder on the Daffodil Delight card stock for some texture.  The card base is the new Primrose Petals card stock.  The finishing touch is the Pool Party seam binding ribbon around the stamped image.  Stay tuned this week for more ideas with new stamps!

Cool Colored Blossoms

I've been stamping with the new In Colors quite a bit lately and I'm loving how well they work together.  This cool color combo is Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, and Midnight Muse.  I used the new Betsy's Blossoms set along with the new Itty Bitty Banners set.  The banner is cut out with on of the Bitty Banners framelits dies for the Big Shot and the strip of textured card stock was made with the Petals-a-Plenty textured impressions embossing folder.

Tangerine Blossom Thanks

Here's another card with the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set.  I've been having some fun creating with this set and I'm liking it more and more as I stamp with it!  The greeting comes from A Word for You, one of my newer go to word sets.  The printed paper comes from the new Floral District Designer Series Paper.  Do you like the ribbon?  It's the new 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon in Daffodil Delight--I just ordered more colors and am excited to get them on Monday!  In addition to Daffodil Delight, I've used Tangerine Tango and the new Primrose Petals for my color palate.

In Color Pinwheels

I love pinwheels.  I love them even more lately because my children love them.  It's fun to see my little guy light up when he is holding one and I have to be sure to have two out so that both kids can play together.  We participated for the fifth year in the March for Babies to celebrate my daughter and we passed out pinwheels to all of the kids who walked with our team.  I knew it was going to be a windy day so the pinwheels were perfect!  They became our little team trademark since they were on our Ambassador Avenue poster as well.  Now pinwheels hold an extra special place in my heart, so I couldn't resist ordering the Sweets for the Sweet stamp set so that I could stamp my own pinwheels.

Since I just received my new In Colors, I had to put them to use.  I love how all 5 rich colors work so well with each other.  The pinwheels on this card are stamped in Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals with sticks in Summer Starfruit.  The card base is Primrose Petals and the yellow layer is Summer Starfruit.  The greeting comes from the set A Word for You and is stamped in Midnight Muse ink.  I finished off the card with some of my new favorite ribbon (I wish I would have ordered it in more colors) the 3/8" satin stitched ribbon.

Raspberry Bird

Today is the day!  You can order from the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  I placed my first order within minutes of it going live and I can't wait to get my new products.  While I wait (which thank goodness won't be too long--my order already shipped) I'm creating with a few of my sneak peek products.  I LOVE the new In Colors for 2012-2014.  I was so sad to say farewell to the retiring in colors, and while I will miss them, I have moved on. 

This card was made with the new colors Raspberry Ripple and Gumball Green.  I ran a strip of Raspberry Ripple card stock through my Big Shot in the polka dot Textured Impressions folder for the bottom of the card.  The argyle-style patterned paper comes from the new Patio Party Designer Series Paper pack.  The stamped images are from the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set and the ribbon is the new satin 3/8" satin stitched ribbon in Gumball Green.  Everything (except the white card stock) is new to the Stampin' Up! catalog, how is that for the first day of the Stampin' Up! year!!!

Sweet Birthday Pinwheel

This new Patio Party designer series paper lends itself well to the Sweets for the Sweet stamp set (the pinwheels to be exact).  I used three of the new In Colors--Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, and Midnight Muse.  The greeting banner is from the new Itty Bitty Banners set and is punched out with one of the matching framelits dies (in the Big Shot).  I also used the Big Shot to make the striped Midnight Muse paper--gotta love those textured impressions embossing folders!  I used the designer label punch to punch out the pinwheel.  Pretty quick and simple card!

Raspberry Primrose Petals

Sometimes less is more.  CAS (Clean and Simple) cards are nice to make for a change and I find the white space refreshing.  Now, most of my cards are fairly simple because I like to make them easy to duplicate, but this seems more clean and simple than most.

I've been trying to use the new In Colors (that are in the catalog that starts on June 1st) and I am hooked on them!  This card uses Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, and Gumball Green.  Stampin' Up! is offering 3/8" satin stitched ribbon in all of the new In Colors.  So far I just have it in Gumball Green (pictured here) but it's on my wish list for my next order. 

Polka Dot Balloons

I find that almost all of my cards are more feminine, with flowers or ribbons or "girly" colors.  Even when the colors may be more masculine, I have a hard time not adding a bit of ribbon to a  card to finish it off.  I made this card as part of a color combination challenge.  The challenge was to use Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, and Night of Navy together.  I decided that this was a great color combo for a more masculine card, so I resisted the urge to dress it up or add any bling, and this is what I came up with.  In real life, the orange balloons do match the card stock, so it looks better in person.  I added a strip of my favorite paper--the patterns designer series paper in Night of Navy to the bottom of the card and then stamped the images and layered everything.  Pretty easy!  I think I'll have to try this same color combination in a girly card as well.

Tangerine Blossoms

Here's another card that uses the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set.  I used Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive.  Stampin' Up! introduced a new stitched grosgrain ribbon, and I was able to preorder it in daffodil delight.  On June 1st we can order from the new catalog and you can bet I'll be ordering it in more colors!  The ribbon is a great way to add a little something to cards!  The greeting is from the set called A Word for You and is punched with the oval punch and layered on the scalloped oval punch.  This is a quick and simple layout that works for a lot of cards.

Birds and Blooms

The new Stampin' Up! catalog starts in less than a week!  I was able to pre-order a few new items and I had a little time to stamp with them this week.  This card uses the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set.  I stamped the bird image in Basic Gray and the flowers in Pink Pirouette (sorry they didn't photograph very well).  I used the Petals-a-plenty textured impressions folder on the gray card stock and mounted everything on a Pretty in Pink card base.  The Basic Gray satin ribbon finishes off the card.  If you love this ribbon like I do, you'll want to hurry and order it by Thursday before it is retired!

Mixed Bunch Strips

It's fun to see how different a piece of designer series paper looks when it is cut into strips and then glued to a page with gaps between it.  I like the look of it :)

The center of the flower is stamped from the Mixed Bunch stamp set and then punched out with a circle punch and layered on the Melon Mambo blossom punch.  I gave it a little dimension by adding a Stampin' Dimensional to pop the flower up off the card.  The organza ribbon adds a bit of elegance to this simple card.  I also used DSP that is in a hostess pack right now and then the coordinating Concord Crush and Old Olive card stock.  Pretty quick and easy.

Razzleberry Wedding Wishes

The Easy Events stamp set is a great all-occasion set.  I used the birds from this set for a wedding card.  The card base is Rich Razzleberry and the images is mounted on Daffodil Delight.  I love those two colors together!  The greeting is from the set called A Word for You and is stamped with the white craft ink pad.  I tied a little piece of the 1/8" taffeta ribbon in Daffodil Delight around the card for a finishing touch.

Blushing Pear Mixed Bunch

Mixed Bunch was my #1 seller during the Occasions Mini Catalog.  If you have this set, here is another sample to give you inspiration.  If you don't have this set yet, don't worry, you can still order it :)

I used the Mixed Bunch set along with Sincere Salutations (my old go to for word sets, which is only available through May 31st).  I'll have to find some new favorite word sets to start using.  I stamped the blossom in Blushing Bride and punched it with the Blossom punch.  The center was stamped with Pear Pizazz and punched with the 3/4" circle punch.  The glimmer brad adds just a bit of bling to the card.  The textured impressions folder for the Big Shot added the textured flowers to the background. I'm going to miss the 2010-2012 In Colors and the ribbon to match.  Order while you can!

Mambo Crush Mixed Bunch

I am so excited about the new Stampin' Up! catalog that starts in just over a week!  I can't wait to order a few new products to play with.  I am pleased to announce that (my favorite) Mixed Bunch made it into the new catalog.  I've posted several cards on this blog using the Stampin' Up! Mixed Bunch stamp set and I will continue to share more cards with it since I use it a lot.  I love how versatile it is, and how easy it is to stamp and then punch out the image with the matching blossom punch.  This card uses Melon Mambo, Concord Crush, Blushing Bride, Wisteria wonder, and Pear Pizazz.  I used the Modern Label Punch, the Blossom Punch, and the 3/4" Circle Punch.  The DSP is from a pack of paper available as a hostess gift right now.  Finally, the Concord Crush textured card stock was made with a textured impressions folder for the Big Shot.

Patterned Party Presents

I don't know how people can blog daily.  I try.  I fail.  Life gets in the way.  This is supposed to be "a card a day" and in reality it is a card some days.  Oh well.  I won't give up.  It's better to get posts up when I can.  I've had four cards sitting on my kitchen counter for weeks, ready to be photographed and uploaded.  Why did they sit so long?  Kids, dishes, laundry, playtime, errands, cooking, etc.  Well, those were my excuses for a couple of weeks.  Then the piles came.  You know, those piles that show up on the kitchen counter and hide things at the bottom.  I uncovered that pile today and decided that now is the time to post the cards.  Stay tuned for the next few days for new blog posts.  Oh, and guess what!  I have the NEW CATALOG!  Maybe that is another excuse.  I love looking through the pages and imagining what I can create with the fabulous new products.  I've even been able to order a few sneak peek products.  Hopefully I'll manage to escape reality for a few and make some cards to post here.  June 1st is the day that I can order anything from the catalog, so I'll be sure to post some new cards in June.  Until then, I'll have to get creating!

Here's a card using the Patterned Party stamp set.  I'm always looking for birthday stamp sets, and while this set has been out for a year now, I still love coming up with new cards using it.  I colored the presents by coloring directly on the stamp with my Stampin' Write markers.  The greeting is from Curvy Verses.  The ribbon and patterned paper are Blushing Bride, which is retiring next week!  I'll miss that color. Other colors are Pear Pizazz (also retiring) and Wisteria Wonder.  I love the In Colors and am excited to start using the new in colors soon!

Textured Wedding Cakes

Happy 14 year anniversary to my sister!  It's crazy to think she's been married that long, but this year I'm coming up on 10 years--wow!  How time flies!  This is a quick and simple card thanks to the textured impressions folder for the Big Shot. I love how a little textured pattern adds a lot of elegance to the card.  I used Pink Pirouette and Pool Party for this card.  The stamp of wedding cakes comes and the greeting come from the Fun & Fast Notes set.  I punched the word window punch through the pool party card stock and stamped the greeting on the actual white card base.  I colored the image with my Stampin' Write markers.

Turquoise Party

Today is a beautiful day filled with sunshine, and it's supposed to be sunny and warm for the next week!  We've had a lot of storm systems pass through lately, so it's nice to have some prolonged and much needed sunshine. 

I thought that a bright card would be a perfect match for this weather.  This card uses the Stampin' Up! Patterned Party stamp set along with the Happiest Birthday wishes hostess stamp set.  I used some of the builder wheels to make the tone on tone background (you may need to click on the image for a closer look).  Daffodil Delight and Tempting Turquoise are just the colors for a sunny day!  Enjoy!

Off Topic...but for a great cause!

Today's post is not stamping related, but it is for a cause that is near and dear to me.  I'm participating for the 5th year in the March for Babies and would love your help!

My daughter was born 13 weeks early and spent 100 long days in the NICU.  She is happy and healthy thanks in part to the March of Dimes.  We participate in the March for Babies to help give back to this cause, which funds research and programs to help prevent (and treat) prematurity.  My son was born full term thanks to some prenatal treatments I had to prevent a repeat of our first experience.  Some of these treatments were a result of March of Dimes funded research!  Please consider sponsoring our team by clicking on the badge at the right, or by visiting my fundraising page at http://marchforbabies.org/stampinshauna

You can see why we participate in this video:

Pink Party

Sometimes I do my best stamping under pressure.  There's just something about having to get something done that makes my creative juices flow.  This is a card that I put together last minute for a 5 year old's birthday party.  I know she loves pink and I'm hooked on the Blushing Bride and Melon Mambo color combo, so that's what I chose for this card.  I used a 2" strip of the Patterns Designer Series Paper for the polka dot bottom and tied a piece of white grosgrain ribbon to separate that from the card base.  The cake was stamped from the Patterned Party stamp set and then I layered it onto some card stock and added the scallop punched edge for some fun.  The birthday greeting comes from the Happiest Birthday Wishes hostess set--a set you can get FREE with a $150+ order (you could host a workshop, do a catalog party, or just place an order yourself).

Simple Wedding

Here's a quick card using the Fun & Fast notes set.  I punched the image out with the 1-3/8" circle punch and then the scalloped circle punch.  The edge was punched with the scalloped edge punch and I glued a 3/4" strip of Marina Mist card stock to the inside edge of the card.  The card base is Pink Pirouette.  I actually had scraps from a card I made with the Patterned Party set that I used to put this card together.

Just a few more days to Sale-a-Brate

Sale-a-Bration ends on Saturday, March 31st.  That means you have just a few more days to earn FREE stamps and other products.

Every $50 order earns you a free Sale-a-Bration item.

Sign up to be a demonstrator and get $50 off the kit.  The kit is already a great deal as the value is over $300, so with the discount you are only paying $125 plus tax (even shipping is free this time)!  You also get a free digital download or pack of Designer Series Paper each month through the rest of this year. 

HURRY, you have less than 3 days to get in on the fun!

Sprinkled Flower

It's so nice when a little strip of Designer Series Paper adds a whole lot to a card.  This card literally takes a couple minutes to make.  The card measures 3x6, so you can make 4 of them out of a 12x12 sheet of card stock.  The base is Wisteria Wonder with Melon Mambo Patterns DSP.  I used the Sale-a-Bration Sprinkled Expressions stamp set for the flower and the Short & Sweet set for the greeting.  The wide strip of DSP is from the pack that you can get free by being a hostess. 

Mixed Bunch Box

Today I've decided to show you something besides a standard card.  This is the Fancy Favor Box that I cut with my Big Shot.  This little project is a quick and easy favor that takes just a few minutes to put together.  The box is cut with So Saffron card stock and then I wrapped a one inch piece of Baja Breeze Patterns Designer Series Paper around it.  I stamped the large blossom from Mixed Bunch in Wisteria Wonder, punched it with the blossom punch, then stamped the center circle with Baja Breeze and punched it with the 3/4" circle punch.  I used a Stampin' Dimensional to adhere the flower to the box.  That's it!  Thanks for stopping by!

Razzleberry Mixed Bunch

Ready for another Mixed Bunch idea?  I just LOVE the Stampin' Up! Mixed Bunch set (in case you haven't noticed).  This card is a quick one that uses Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, and Daffodil Delight.  There's just some stamping and a bit of layering and ribbon and voila, it's done!  Stay tuned for more inspiration this week.

Shamrock Cookies

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

I made these fun cookies with Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps.  Did you know you can stamp on cookies?  Just make up a batch of sugar cookie dough, roll it into balls, then stamp!  It's WAY easier than rolling out cookie dough and it is a lot of fun too.  My 4 year old can even do it and she loves to help.

Outlined Occasions Box Wrap

Here's a quick little project from my Mystery Hostess Party.  The "thanks" stamp comes from the Outlined Occasions Sale-a-Bration set and we punched it out with a label punch.  We used the Big Shot to cut out the box (Box #2 die) and then wrapped a 2-1/2" wide strip of Designer Series Paper around it, punched out a 1-3/8" circle, then tied a ribbon to finish it off.

Sprinkled Love

This is one of those cards that started as one thing and then it changed and came out completely different than I had planned.  I had an idea in my head with the Blushing Bride card stock and the two different Designer Series Papers, so I tried it and then didn't like the size, so I cut it down.  Then I mounted it on the Melon Mambo to make a smaller note card and decided that it could still be improved.  So then I mounted it on the white and voila...good results!  I used the Sale-a-Bration sets Sprinkled Expressions and punched the image out with the 1-3/4" circle punch (much easier than cutting it out).  This is a quick and simple card to make, and a great way to use up some designer series paper scraps.  I made this card about a week ago, but today it is very fitting as I'm thinking about someone I love!  Way to go you know who!!!  Love you!

Pool Party Fresh Vintage

So have I convinced you to order the new Blossom punch yet?  How about a few more samples using it!  This card pairs the blossom punch with the Fresh Vintage Sale-a-Bration set (you can get it free with a $50 order).  The round image from the set works perfect with the 1-1/4" circle punch and then fits nicely as the center of the blossom punch.  I used the larger floral image from the set as the color on color background.  I'm starting to find that Basic Gray is an amazing color and it works so nicely with other color.  I'm sure you'll see plenty more ideas using gray in the near future!  The best wishes greeting is from Sincere Salutations.  Now if I just had a bit of gray ribbon....that will have to go on my next order!

Sprinkled Hearts

It's kind of nice to be able to put together a card and use up some scraps at the same time.  This card uses a half sheet of Pink Pirouette card stock for the card base, and the rest of the layers are scraps of Melon Mambo card stock and Melon Mambo Patterns Designer Series Paper.  I used the scalloped edge punch along the side of the card and the 1-3/4" circle punch to punch out the heart.  The heart comes from the Sprinkled Expressions Sale-a-Bration set and the Love stamp comes from Outlined Occasions Sale-a-Bration set, both of which can be earned for FREE with $50 qualifying orders!  This card is a fun under 5 minute card.  Try using up some of your scraps sometime and see what you can come up with!

Fresh Vintage Scalloped Flower

It's fun to layer the small/round flower from the Fresh Vintage set with different punches and see how different the results look.  On this card, I layered it onto the scallop circle punch instead of the blossom punch that I've been using a lot lately.  At first my card was going to be a 3x3 size, but then I decided to attach the 3x3 card to a standard sized card and this is what I came up with.  Colors are Daffodil Delight and Pacific Point.  The "best wishes" comes from Short & Sweet and then I added the little flower from the Fresh Vintage set next to the words.  Quick and simple!

Simple Mixed Bunch

Here's a CAS card (CAS means Clean & Simple).  So many times we get caught up in making beautiful but elaborate cards that we forget that simple is okay and white space isn't necessarily a bad thing.  I for one need to do things pretty simply lately otherwise I just don't have time to stamp.  This card was SO FAST to put together.  All it took was stamping a flower from the Mixed Bunch set, punching it out with the blossom punch, layering it onto a gray blossom punch, layering it onto a strip of Melon Mambo DSP, layering it onto a strip of Basic Gray cardstock, then layering it all onto a white card base.  The thank you comes from Short & Sweet.  This card doesn't use a lot of supplies so it is pretty inexpensive to make as well!  Hmmm, maybe a good use of some scraps :)

Fresh Vintage Bright Trio

I think 99% of the time, I make the "standard" sized card (1/2 sheet of card stock folded in half).  It's fun to go against my norm and try a different size, even if it doesn't fit in a regular envelope.  There are a lot of different sizes of envelopes, so something will work, but sometimes I even attach a card to a gift without an envelope (that way the fun card shows up instead of a boring envelope).  This card is a 3x6 card when folded (so you can make 4 out of a 12x12 sheet of card stock).  I stamped the stamp-type image from the Fresh Vintage Sale-a-Bration set in Tangerine Tango, punched it with the scallop square punch, layered it onto a square of Daffodil Delight Patterns DSP, then onto my Tangerine Tango card base with a strip of Tangerine Tango DSP along the bottom.  The thank you stamp comes from one of my favorite word sets--Short and Sweet.  It really was a quick card to put together and I'm loving the brightness of the Tangerine and Daffodil colors.  I'm so over the muted colors right now, just like I'm over Winter and ready for a warm and bright Spring and Summer!

More Mixed Bunch

I have more cards with the Mixed Bunch set photographed and ready to post, so keep checking back.  Here is one that was a quick card to come up with.  I actually had the layered rectangles leftover from a floral card I did a while back that morphed into a Christmas card and now it's back to a different floral card.  When I was stamping a week ago, I didn't have a lot of time, so I grabbed a bunch of precut pieces that were leftover from past classes.  I need to do this more often!  It's fun to see how quickly cards can go together and I love finding how different the cards can look with the same basic parts.  I used Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight on the flower, and then stuck a Pear Pizzazz Glimmer Brad through it and mounted it onto the card with a Stampin' Dimensional.  My regular "go to" greeting set is Sincere Salutations, so I used that to stamp the "thanks so much" on the card.  The card base is Crumb Cake, which reminds me, I need to order more of that!  If there's anything you need to order, let me know :)

Sprinkled Stars

I'm hooked on the In Colors.  I find myself using them more than any of the regular colors right now.  I love how the current colors coordinate so well with each other.  This card uses Pool Party and Island Indigo (sorry, the Island Indigo looks off on my photo, it isn't as bright as it is shown, but it is an awesome color).  Stampin' Up! even has bakers twine that matches the 2011-2013 In Colors, so I used the Island Indigo twine on this card.  The bakers twine is a nice addition that doesn't make the card too girly like ribbon might.  The stamp set featured on this card is the new Sprinkled Expressions set (a Sale-a-Bration set).  Do you have the current In Colors?  Make sure to add them to your collection while you can (and order a refill too)!  Even better, add them to your collection and get a FREE stamp set with every $50 purchase for Sale-a-Bration through the end of the month.

3x3 Bright Blossom

I LOVE the blossom punch (surprise, surprise, I know).  It not only coordinates great with the Mixed Bunch set, but also with the Fresh Vintage Sale-a-Bration set, which is shown here.  I stamped the circle-like image with Melon Mambo, then punched it with the 1-1/4" circle punch, then layered it on the blossom punch.  I adhered this to the card with a Stampin' Dimensional to give it a little depth.  The leaves were made by punching the blossom with the Subtles Patterns DSP (the Wild Wasabi paper to be exact) and cutting the petals apart.  Everything is layered on a small strip of Melon Mambo Patterns DSP.  This is a great way to use those little scraps that you have leftover from other projects.  I'm finding that the 3x3 cards are quick and easy to make, and they are perfect for little gift tags and such (and you don't have to write a whole bunch on them).  Enjoy!

Blossom Punch Out

I'm back to posting samples using the Mixed Bunch set :)

When I started this card, I had stamped one of the large flowers from Mixed Bunch and then punched it out with the fabulous new blossom punch.  I set the scrap down and found that it looked great and I had to use it (little did I know that the stamped flower was what I was going to discard this time around--I ended up using that for a different card).  I love how the punched out shape shows the bold Melon Mambo that is layered underneath.  The yellow center is actually the only part of this card that came from the Mixed Bunch set.  "Best Wishes" is from Short and Sweet.  As you can probably tell from so many of my card samples, one of my favorite products is the Patterns Designer Series Paper.  It comes in stacks of 20 sheets sold by color family and is a great value compared to the other paper.  I used a small scrap of Melon Mambo Patterns DSP and layered it onto some Melon Mambo card stock punched with the scallop edge punch.  The card base is Daffodil Delight.  This card just screams Spring or Summer to me.  Are you ready for warmer weather yet?  I am!

Monochrome Vintage Floral

I think I've done more stamping in the past three days than I have done in the past three months, and it has been nice.  I'm hooked and want to just keep stamping!  I've limited myself to a few stamp sets and it is fun to see what I can come up with using the three Sale-a-Bration sets and one set (Mixed Bunch of course) from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

This card was made with the Fresh Vintage Sale-a-Bration set.  I stamped the larger stamp all over the background in Poppy Parade, then stamped the smaller stamp, punched it with the 1-1/4" circle punch, layered it on the fabulous new blossom punch, and stuck a glimmer brad through it.  The best wishes greeting comes from the good old Sincere Salutations set.  I think I should try making this same card with another color to see how different it might look.  Challenge yourself to try a monochromatic card sometime, they're fun!

Gray & Daffodil Fresh Vintage

Okay, I decided to take a break from posting Mixed Bunch ideas (but not a long break, more to come).  Sale-a-Bration is in full swing with just over a month left.  For every $50 in product that you order, you get to select a Sale-a-Bration item for FREE (stamp sets, accessories, digital downloads).  This is a fantastic offer that you should take advantage of!

One of the exclusive Sale-a-Bration sets is called Fresh Vintage, which I used here.  I combined Basic Gray with Daffodil Delight to create this card.  The greeting is from Short & Sweet.  Hope you enjoy this little bit of inspiration!

Mambo Mixed Bunch

I am loving my new Mixed Bunch stamp set (you can probably tell from the number of posts I've done about it lately--and there are more to come)!  The flowers just lend themselves to great color combinations.  I'm looking at the cards that I stamped yesterday and bright colors are definitely calling out to me.  I'm ready for Spring!

This card uses the Mixed Bunch set and the Heard from the Heart set.  Colors are Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Basic Black.  I finished off the card with a little bit of 1/8" black taffeta ribbon.  I think I'll be using a lot more of that in the future, I love the boldness and the white edges of it!

Quick 3x3 Flower

Hooray!  I got a little bit of stamping in again today.  I still have so many ideas in my head and notes written about cards to make with the Mixed Bunch set, so hopefully I'll get more time to stamp again soon.

This is a quick 3x3 note card.  I actually had a few of the pieces already cut from an old project, so this was a cinch to put together!  The flower was made with a stamp from the Mixed Bunch set and with Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango ink.  First I stamped it in Daffodil Delight, then I rolled just the edges in Tangerine Tango for the effect (it's called Rock and Roll).  I punched it out with the scallop circle punch and then layered it onto a couple of pieces of paper from the Brights Designer Series Paper stack.  The "wish big" comes from the Short & Sweet stamp set.  I love quick and easy, I'll have to make up more 3x3 cards!

Baby Bundle

I love to go to Baby Showers.  Before I had children of my own, I thought they were fun to go to, but now that I've experienced the joys (and sleeplessness, and trials, and pain, and laughter, and craziness) of motherhood I enjoy them oh so much more.  It's fun to visit with the mother-to-be or new mother and share ideas, listen to her reactions to gifts, listen to other mothers share advice, and just get out and socialize.  I helped throw a baby shower a few weeks ago (see yesterdays post for the STAMPED snack) and this is the card that accompanied my gift. 

I bought the Baby Bundle set a couple of years ago when I was expecting #2--I just couldn't resist the adorable onesies!  I made the invitations for the shower, yet I forgot to photograph them and I didn't keep one for myself.  If I can find one, I'll post it here.  Since I stamped a row of 3 onesies on the invite, I decided to keep with the theme and stamp them on my card as well.  I chose a couple of this year's In Colors for my color scheme: Pool Party and Island Indigo (those names just sound fun, don't they)!  The dot background was made with a textured impressions folder and then I punched the sentiment with word window and modern label punches. Pretty straight forward and simple to do!

Cookie Stamps!

 Have you stamped on cookie dough?  Stampin' Up! has cookie stamps and they are a ton of fun!  I helped throw a baby shower a couple weeks ago and I stamped some cookies to go with the other refreshments.  The color is a little bold, but we had a whole blue/turquoise theme going on so I tried to match it.  There are 2 sets of Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps: one with a Jack-O-Lantern, snowflake, and a heart and one with a bunny, a shamrock, and a flower.  Each set comes with a nice wood handle and the 3 silicone (and dishwasher safe) stamps.  All you do is make up a batch of cookie dough (non-sticky and low rising cookies work best), roll it into balls, then press it down with the stamp.  There are a couple of recipes included, and the sugar cookie recipe is great!  Try them sometime!  They are way easier than regular sugar cookies, a lot of fun (especially for my 4 year old), and cuter too!

Mixed & Modified

I {think} I'm addicted to stamping.  Can you really be addicted if you only get 15-30 minutes total in a given week to stamp?  'd like to be addicted to it (in the sense that I'd like to spend more time doing it).  Now that I've started using some of my new Occasions Mini and Sale-a-Bration sets, I can't wait to stamp more.  I'd love to take hours to sit and explore the possibilities, but my kids have other plans for me at this time.  I have so many ideas bookmarked that I want to try, but it is the actual stamping that I just can't convince them to let me do.  On Sunday, I had a few minutes to stamp, so I didn't want to waste any time.  I looked through leftover pieces of cards from my previous card classes, and I came across the pieces that turned into this card.  I almost felt like I was cheating, because I already had the card base put together--all it needed were the stamps.  Score!  I was so excited that I could pull out a few ink pads and my new Mixed Bunch set and have this card finished and ready to photograph in UNDER 5 minutes!  Do you want to see what the card was originally going to be?  I had good intentions to make up a bunch of these and then never got around to it.  Now that the holidays are long past, it was fun to change it up and turn the same colors and layout into a bright springy card.  I used Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, and Daffodil Delight.  Now I want to go see what else I can come up with for my leftover scraps.

Case's Mixed Bunch

I case'd (copy and share everything) this card from the talented Julie Davidson.  I just loved how simple yet how fabulous the design was, so I had to make one of my own and share it with you.  I used two of the current In Colors: Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party.  The texture on the card base was done with the paper crimper, a tool that I honestly haven't used in years, but I love how it adds to the card.  The greeting is a stamp that I got for FREE (from the Outlined Occasions set--part of the Sale-a-Bration promotion)!

Quick Mixed Bunch

I just ordered some new stamp sets and I am excited!  The Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration catalog are available to order from right now and so I couldn't resist.  I LOVE this time of year when I can order cute new stamps and then pick FREE items with every $50 purchase--it is definitely a great time to stock up.

Anyway, my favorite new purchase is the Mixed Bunch stamp set that I used for this card.  It is bold, sassy, and fun!  I just stamped a few stamps in Poppy Parade and Pool Party, layered it on some card stock, and tied a ribbon.  It's quick and simple!  Yesterday I had 30 minutes without the kids, so I had to do a few cards as quick as possible and here is one of the cards I came up with.  I can't wait to steal a little more solo time so that I can stamp more with this fun set. 

Wisteria Flowers

I'm in the mood for Spring with the warmer weather we're having this weekend.  I've even spotted a few flowers trying to come up in the yard!  Here's another card with the Raining Flowers stamp set (I posted several this past summer).  I've combined a couple of In Colors: Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush along with So Saffron.  It's a quick and easy card to make, one that could be done in a variety of colors. 

Don't forget that Sale-a-Bration is going on right now!  If you spend $50, you get a FREE item (stamp set, paper pack, accessories, etc.).  Click on the link to the right for more details and for a brochure of what free items you can pick. 

SALE-A-BRATION is here again!

TODAY is the day!  Sale-a-Bration is back!  It's the biggest sale of the year.  With every $50 you spend, you get to select FREE products.  Hostesses get extra hostess products as an extra thank you.  Those who want to sign up to be a demonstrator get a discounted starter kit AND a free pack of Designer Series Paper or a free digital download every month for the rest of the year!  It's time to SALE-A-BRATE!  Contact me to place your order soon!  Sale-a-Bration runs through March 31st, don't miss out!  CLICK HERE to see the products!