Celebrating birthdays with Sweet Cake card

This birthdy card looks yummy enough to eat! It was one of the designs at my 10-card class a few days ago. It uses the Sweet Shop Specialty Paper, Jelly Bean Brads, and the Sweet Cake stamp set. What made this card really quick was stamping the entire image in Early Espresso and then punching out a circle of Calypso Coral for the cherry, and stamping the sentiment in that same color.

Elementary Elegance in cool Pool Party

This is my favorite kind of card - monochromatic, simple and quick. It's also one of the designs from a 10-card class I had Sunday. I have a ton of birthday cards to send out this month, so having a couple like this on hand will help out a lot! The card is Pool Party card stock with a layer of Whisper White that's been punched with the Scallop Border Punch at the bottom. The designer paper is from the Attic Boutique pack, and has a knot of Pool Party ruffled ribbon around it. The stamps are from the Elementary Elegance stamp set (free with a $50 order thru March 31). The sentiment was punched using the 1-3/4" circle punch, then sponged around and adhered to the card front with dimensionals. Hope your day was productive! I kept very busy going through file folders, organizing tax items and creating new folders. I took the tax papers to our accountant, so it's in good hands - and out of mine! Hooray!!!

My first Scallop Square (aka Rag) Quilt!

I love Stampin' Up!'s Spice Cake fabric, and have been wanting to make a simple quilt with it for some time. Yesterday I finally found a few hours to diecut the scallop squares, add batting and sew them together.

Here's why it's called a Rag Quilt. This is the back side:

You see all of the scallop edges on this side. I started with four packages of Spice Cake fabric. I didn't iron or wash it first, though you may choose to. I ran the fabric through the Big Shot on the Clear Scallop Square die.

It'll cut 8 layers at a time. I got 15 squares out of each fat square (or 45 squares per box of fabric).

I sandwiched batting between two squares and sewed it in an X to hold it all together.

Then I sewed the squares into rows, and the rows into the quilt. Four packages of fabric gives you a baby blanket-sized quilt (9 squares x 10 squares). I added a few more rows this morning, and may still add to it. When I've used up all the Spice Cake fabric I have (4 more boxes!), I'll add a seam binding all the way around. Then I'll wash it to make it feel all soft and squishy. I know I'm a hack quilter, but it was the one way I could think of that I could have a quilt the same day I started it! I made my first quilt last year with my neighbor's help. She's a professional who assisted while I created a twin-bed sized blanket. Then I took it down the hill to get the all-over stitching. So what do you think?

Beautiful Butterfly die with First Edition dsp

I spent a lovely Saturday at a butterfly class. I brought this card for everyone to make. It uses the Beautiful Butterfly die, pearls and Early Espresso ink.

You can see I used the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the Pink Pirouette panels, then added a knot of ribbon and a vintage tag with a sentiment from Tiny Tags.

This is a view showing how the Pink Pirouette butterfly under the patterned one has been run through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. The butterflies are adhered together in the middle only with a dimensional, then with a dimensional to the card front. When you "fluff" the wings, the butterflies look stunning. Hope you like it!

Kindness Matters thanks card

This card was one of five designs in my 10-card class a few days ago. It starts with a Crumb Cake base, with a few 1-inch strips of Everyday Enchantment dsp., and a little bow of Everyday Enchantment ribbon. Kindness Matters, one of the stamp sets you can choose for free with a $50 order, was stamped then cut out using a labels framelit. Then we sponged around it and added it to the card front with dimensionals. Rhinestones on the butterflies are the final touch. I flipped a card I CASE'd from North Shore Stamper.

MDS for Stampin' Royalty and Stamping 411 challenges

It's been awhile since I've had the time to participate in other challenges, so when I was surfing tonight, I came across a color challenge at Stampin' Royalty



and a sketch challenge at Stamping 411.

I used My Digital Studio for my card. The clover is from All Holidays, and the sentiment is from a hostess CD called Simple Snapshots. I hope you like it!

Aviary card for Monkey Sketch Challenge #97

I finally cracked open my pack of Nursery Nest dsp and found these adorable patterns. The little owl in Aviary matches the paper, but I got the cake from Gnome Sweet Gnome and the sentiment from Send Me Soaring.

I kept true to the sketch with the addition of the LOVE tag (Hearts Trinkets) tied onto the dotted scallop Marina Mist ribbon with Whisper White Baker's Twine. There are three Pear Pizzazz Decorative Label punched pieces cut in half and adhered to the top and bottom of the strips.

I've designed almost 100 sketch challenges, so be on the lookout for Blog Candy!



Mixed Bunch flower on Pocketful of Posies dsp

This week has been a blur. I guess because there was a holiday on Monday. That made it one day shorter than normal. Then I had a bunch of deliveries to make Wednesday, and an all-day fieldtrip with my daughter's class yesterday. I had a 10-card class Monday night, and am just now getting around to posting the projects. This Concord Crush/Old Olive card is one of them. It uses the Mixed Bunch stamp set, Blossom Punch, leaves (two petals from the 5-Petal Punch), Pocketful of Posies dsp, as well as Teeny, Tiny Wishes. It uses a layout similar to one I did last July here with the Array of Sunshine stamp set.

Saying Happy Birthday with Elementary Elegance

I absolutely adore the Everyday Enchantment dsp you can get free with every $50 order (Sale-a-Bration special that goes till March 31). I saw a card that used a couple of different patterns of the dsp on Calypso Coral card stock with a small border of Pool Party, then on an embossed Lucky Limeade card. I borrowed the colors and much of the layout from Gisela. I also used the Elementary Elegance stamp set (another free item through SAB), cutting out the crown and adding a rhinestone, as well as some free ribbon (Everyday Enchantment ribbon and brad pack).

Apothecary Art treat with Labels Framelits

I saw something very much like this - just different colors - at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference last month, and chose to make it one of my make &  takes at todays' Opportuni-Tea Event. The Bashful Blue body is made using two of the largest label framelits, which were run through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Then there are layers of Crumb Cake, Pacific Point dsp, and a Melon Mambo banner under the smallest label framelit that uses an Apothecary Art stamp. The stamp was inked once in Pacific Point and punched using the 1" circle punch, then ink again in Rich Razzleberry and adhered with dimensionals. I used a Crop-a-dile to make a 3/16" hole for the taffeta ribbon.

Tea Shoppe notecard with Attic Boutique dsp

Stampin' Up!'s notecards are a great purchase and great to have on hand for those times you need a card fast. For only $5.95, you get 20 notecards and envelopes (item 107311). This card uses the Tea Shoppe stamp set, a handful of punches - 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches, and the Scallop Trim Border Punch, along with Attic Boutique dsp.

Sweetly Said with SWAK and Many Mustaches

I had fun making this card for my team swap last week. It uses a single mustache from the single Many Mustaches stamp, as well as S.W.A.K., which was stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I used a 2" strip of Timeless Portraits dsp, with a Scallop Trim border-punched strip of Cherry Cobbler. The banner is from the Petal Cone die, and the sentiment is one from Sweetly Said.

Moments matter with Monkey Challenge #96

I felt Every Moment was an ideal stamp set for the A La Card Monkey Challenge #96 this week: Moments + Sketch. Life is all about the moments, and the journey. I try to remember that often, and focus on mostly good moments.

 

For this Baja Breeze card, I used some Pocketful of Posies dsp layered on Night of Navy, a little pleated satin ribbon, a few pearls and a scalloped Night of Navy card stock strip that I ran through the Tasteful Trim die in the Big Shot. I watercolored the main image, using So Saffron to outline the image to give it more depth. I hope you like it! Here's the sketch:

Hubby's valentine and critter update

I adore my hubby - even more when he makes a card for me! Though he said he didn't feel like stamping on Valentine's Day, he used bits and pieces of projects that were laying on my desk unused. He's so proud he cut the textured white paper into thinner strips and used SNAIL to make the letter "L" (for Love, he says). We've been together 23 years and married for 17 next month. Life is good!

Now updates on other members of our family:

Our orange tabby, Frito (middle name "Lay"), is turning 1 year old tomorrow. He loves the top of our new couch. I love that he's the only cat I've known who comes when called - by my daughter. Most cats have that "I'll come when I feel like it" attitude. Frito weighs more than 14 pounds now, and when stretched tall, his claws can touch the top of my kitchen island!

Our mutt, Isabelle, is happy, which makes us happy. She just turned 5 a few weeks ago. She's guardian of our home, and lives for lovin's from all of us. She enjoys chasing Frito now and then, and loves her rubber goose toy and treats.

The kids only had school for a few hours this morning and get a three-day weekend because of President's Day. I'm hoping I can not only start a rag quilt (with scallop squares cut by the Big Shot), but finish it for a throw for the couch. I have several fat squares of Spice Cake fabric I want to use. Hope you have a great weekend!

Elegant Bird card with Twitterpated dsp

I used the notebook cover in the Occasions Mini Catalog as inspiration for this Elegant Bird card. It uses the Bordering on Romance stamp set, along with the Twitterpated dsp and buttons. I think the hardest part was threading the buttons with Baker's Twine!

"You're the bomb" treat

We enjoy sharing the love on Valentine's Day! Once again, I got this idea off of Pinterest (yes, I'm having fun with that site). It's three rolls of Rolos wrapped in Real Red card stock and tied up with natural hemp. I used a bit of hemp for the "fuse." I typeset the words on the computer, printing them out on Whisper White card stock. My daughter gave this "bomb" to her bus driver, and has another for her teacher. Quick and easy - and fun!

A sweet valentine for school kids

This is my what my daughter's valentines look like this year. She made 30 for her class (biggest class yet!). I took the photo outside, but she punched the holes, added the lollipop and the sentiment.

The photo is layered on Real Red card stock, and the phrase comes from the P.S. I Love You stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog, punched with the Designer Label Punch. This is another idea gleaned from Pinterest! Happy Valentine's Day!



Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

Happy Valentine's Day! This heart easel card (CASE'd from Diana Gibbs) reminds me of a box of chocolates. I used the Hearts Framelits and Riding Hood Red pleated satin ribbon, as well as a handful of punches - Word Window, Modern Label, and Full Heart. This was one of the projects I had at my Valentines Class a couple of weeks ago. Sweet, eh? I wish you all an absolutely lovely day!

Apothecary Art smooch card for the Happiest Birthday

My clubs got to make this embossed Apothecary Art Baja Breeze card. It's CASE'd from the Occasions Mini Catalog cover. It's got a bit of everything - smooch spritz, crochet trim, pleated satin ribbon, punched flowers, a brad, pearls, a trinket and more! I did the Faux Suede Technique on the Riding Hood Red flag behind the main image. Using a bone folder, I ran the card stock between my thumb and bone folder to break down the fibers. The card stock splits in half and when you pull the layers apart, they feel like suede.

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts;

Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz,  Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette;

Paper: Confetti White, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red;

Accessories: Trinkets, Cherry Cobbler/Whisper White Baker's Twine, 8mm Pearls, Labels framelits, paper piercer/mat pack, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz, crochet trim, Blushing Bride pleated satin ribbon, scallop border punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Everyday Enchantment brads & ribbon, Adorning Edgelits and embossing folders.

Lego cakes for my boy's birthday

Okay, I normally don't put photos of food on here, but I'm making the exception because I made Lego bricks. I used two yellow cake mixes and two cans of frosting for the two bricks and cupcakes shown in the photo. My daughter ate one cupcake. I used loaf pans for the bricks, cutting off part so they laid flatter. I used cupcakes (the top cut off) for the tops of the bricks. We don't like colored frosting - my son asked for chocolate. I got the idea for doing the Lego brick cakes from Pinterest. What do you think?

Shimmer paint and P.S. I Love You Forever and Always

One of my clubs was all about shimmer and shine this month. I used a sponge dauber to rub White Frost Shimmer Paint all over the polka dot-embossed Attic Boutique dsp. The next two layers are the Paper Doily sizzlit die in Soft Suede (with twine holding on the trinket heart charm) and a doily cut from a piece of Flirtacious dsp.

The stamped heart images are from P.S. I Love  You. It's my favorite set to use for valentines this year. We rubbed shimmer paint on the smaller heart after punching it out with the Full Heart Punch. Finally, the sentiment from Loving Thoughts and the empty banner from Take It to Heart finish the card. This card was inspired by one on page 26 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Stamps: P.S. I Love You, Take It to Heart, Loving Thoughts;

Ink: Poppy Parade, Soft Suede;

Paper: Whisper White, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Flirtacious dsp, Attic Boutique dsp;

Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Paper Doily Sizzlit die, Big Shot, Trinket Hearts, Early Espresso/Whisper White Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge daubers, Full Heart Punch, Heart Framelits, Cutter Kit, sanding block

Secret Stampin' Sister reveal at demo gathering today

Today is the day of the big Secret Stampin' Sister reveal! It's exciting stuff!!! A dozen members of my American Ink group have been sending cards each week to their SSS. It ends at the demo meeting today with a gift and reveal. This is the last card I received from one of my downline. Sweet, eh?

Hershey's kiss mice for valentine treat

How cute is this mouse kiss? I made a bunch for favors for today's American Ink gathering at my studio. I used googly eyes and Mini Glue Dots, 3/4" and 1" punches with Pink Pirouette and Basic Gray card stocks, and 1/8" Whisper White taffeta for the tail (adhered with a glue dot). The hardest part of the whole project was taking the photo!

Button Buddies valentine for Monkey Challenge #95

My A La Card Monkey blog is closing in on 100 challenges. Come and see what it's all about! This week it's Monkey Challenge #95: Sweet + Sketch. I think the Button Buddies pig with googly eyes is pretty sweet. I'm really diggin' the Pool Party and Poppy Parade colors. I also used the Stripes Embossing Folder on the Poppy Parade layer, sanding it a bit to make the stripes stand out.

Stamps: Button Buddies, Take it to Heart, Loving Thoughts

Ink: Basic Black, Poppy Parade;

Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Everyday Enchantment dsp;

Accessories: Stripes Embossing Folder, Pool Party ruffled ribbon, dimensionals, Big Shot, Hearts framelits, Circles 2 die, Scallop Circle punch, Brights buttons.

Everyday Enchantment dsp for L-O-V-E banner

I love the colors and patterns in the Everyday Enchantment dsp you can get for free when you order $50 (thru March 31) from the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog. I used Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Early Espresso and Calypso Coral.

I used the Big Shot and the Hearts Framelits to cut these two heart sizes. You can mix or match the double-sided patterned paper however you like. There are a lot of options!

To make the rosette, accordian-fold on the 1/4-inch score lines and adhere the ends together.

Just push down the center and stick it on your hot glued heart or Sticky Strip. Since I was prepping 10 banner kits, and each kit gets 4 rosettes, I scored 12" x 12" pieces of Everyday Enchantment dsp every quarter inch on the Simply Scored tool, then cut them into 1-1/4" strips. Again, you have a lot of choices for which pattern you want. Hot glue works the best to hold the rosettes together, as well as onto the layered hearts, and it's faster than using Sticky Strip.

I used the Full Heart punch for these hearts, and ran Very Vanilla card stock through the Big Shot with the Alphabet Simple Letters dies. The letters are attached with Stampin' Dimensionals.

My downline, Michelle, actually had the idea of using these Blossom-punched flowers to hold the banner together. There's a solid flower and a patterned flower. Mix and match for the combo you like and add an Everyday Enchantment brad (another SAB freebie that also comes with two colors of ribbon!). I used a bone folder to curl up the petals.

There are a couple ways to connect the hearts together - with Pool Party ruffled ribbon - with bows at each end. Or hot-glue the blossoms onto the hearts to hold them together, and the ribbon is just at the ends. Either way is cute! I have my L-O-V-E banner hanging in the foyer area of my house. That sounds really elegant, but it's a small area with this washstand, lots of shoes and coats! lol

Outlined Occasions valentine treat

There's nothing like a nice bite of chocolate (Ghiradelli, in this case) to say, "Love." The stamp is one you can get FREE when you order $50. It's a Sale-a-Bration offering called Outlined Occasions. Then there's a label framelit behind, with a Twitterpated button. I CASE'd this Scallop Envelope treat idea from Jill Hilliard.

Stamps: Outlined Occasions;

Ink: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink;

Accessories: Twitterpated buttons, Labels framelits, 1-1/4" Pretty in Pink striped grosgrain, 1/8" Very Vanilla taffeta, dimensionals, Scallop Envelope die.