Strength & Hope butterfly with Sunny Garden dsp...

The Tangerine Tango scalloped strip really pops on this Strength & Hope card. I started with a So Saffron card, and added a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Sunny Garden dsp on top. The Tangerine Tango scallop was die cut on the Big Shot with the Tasteful Trim die. The 1/8" Whisper White taffeta ribbon is knotted around the top two layers. I stamped the butterfly first in Daffodil Delight and then Tangerine Tango. It's difficult to see in the photo, but the yellow stamped first adds warmth and color. The sentiment is from the retiring set, All Holidays. And I used Basic Pearls for embellishment. I CASE'd this card from Teneale Williams.

Variety of swaps from American Ink downline

Mary Ann's swap uses the Four Frames stamp set

Karen's swap uses Elegant Lines embossing folder, Strength & Hope, and Butterfly Punch

Barb's swap with Just Believe and Elegant Soiree dsp

All in the Family/Best Dad Ever swap by Terry S.

Alaska Cruise update: We'll be at sea all day. There'll be plenty of time for good food, swimming, stamping, taking in a show, and more!

Frankie shares diecut cards...

Several demonstrators brought things to share at Saturday's American Ink team gathering. Frankie brought these two circle scallop easel cards. You may use any Big Shot die. Diecut the shape three times, folding one of them in half. That will be what the top piece is adhered to and the one that props the easel card in the up position. The top card uses the Elegant Lines embossing folder, Elegant Soiree dsp and Butterflies embosslit. The card below uses the  Strength & Hope stamp set ($2 from each set sold go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation) in Pretty in Pink and Early Espresso colors.

If you'd like to spend one day a month having fun stamping with other demonstrators, please contact me! We stamp and swap, chat and eat. It's all good fun!!! And this month, the Digital Starter Kit is only $122 for approximately $320 worth of Stampin' Up! product.

Strength & Hope Beyond The Garden...

My club members made this card this month. It uses the Strength & Hope stamp set and gives another sneak peek of a Summer Mini dsp called Beyond The Garden. Two dollars from every Strength & Hope set hold go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This stamp set would make an excellent gift for your favorite crafter! Back to the card - I CASE'd it from Lianne Carper. I think it's beautiful even with fewer things on it. My version uses 5/8" Whisper White satin ribbon, different dsp, and we used the thumping technique on the butterfly.

Strength & Hope thumped butterfly card for 411 challenge...

Yes, another butterfly card. I'm really pushing the Strength & Hope stamp set, available now, because sales of the set raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This time around I inked the butterfly in Baja Breeze ink and then thumped it with an Early Espresso marker. Then I added 2-way glue all over and dumped on Dazzling Diamonds glitter. It's gotta sparkle, right?

I decided to add a few buttons too. The little blue flower button is adhered to the brown one with mini glue dots, then there's a big rhinestone adhered to the middle of the blue button. I like it!

I used the sketch challenge at Stamping 411. If you're up for a new challenge, try http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com/. You can combine both this sketch and the theme challenge of Nature at my new challenge blog, A La Card Monkey.

Stamps: Strength & Hope;

Ink: Baja Breeze pad, Early Espresso marker;

Paper: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Whisper White card stocks, Greenhouse Gala dsp;

Accessories: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Sweet Stitches designer buttons, Brights Designer Buttons, Basic Rhinestones, Baja Breeze seam binding, Scallop Border Punch.

Strength & Hope in blue...

Okay, I know I've been posting a lot of this Strength & Hope set lately, but this is the last one for awhile. It uses a strip of Paisley Petals dsp (available to buy now), plus Night of Navy card stock run through the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch and the 2-1/2" Circle Punch. I pierced holes around the circle to pick up the circles from the border punch. The butterfly has a few pearls on it, and that's it! Simple and pretty. Now have a wonderful Friday!

Four Frames with Strength & Hope...

I really love this Paisley Petals dsp with the Four Frames and Strength & Hope stamp sets. All of these items are available to purchase tomorrow (Friday, April 1). Hope you're enjoying our last day of March! I have been!!!

Melon Mambo Strength & Hope...

I was playing with faux tearing and rock 'n' roll techniques with the Strength & Hope card above. I stamped the butterfly in Pretty in Pink and rolled it in Melon Mambo. After looking at the photos, I think I could've added more Melon Mambo around the edges of the butterfly. I added 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds glitter and a few rhinestones for lots of added bling. You can see a close-up photo below.

For the Faux Tearing Technique, you simply tear a piece of paper and lay it down over the Whisper White (in this case). Sponge Melon Mambo up to it. Then when you move the paper you see a torn edge without adding another paper layer! I sponged all over the left side after stamping the words repeatedly.

Strength & Hope will be available to purchase Friday, April 1, throughout the month. Two dollars from every set sold will benefit Breast Cancer research. Email me if you'd like to get this set!