Here are a couple of cards I made using the Day of Gratitude stamp set along with the medallion background stamp. I saw something similar on splitcoaststampers but didn't note the original. I will be better about that in the future. Sad to say I made two other fun cards that I forgot to take pictures of before I used them.

Welcome Christmas

I absolutely love the "Welcome Christmas" stamp set. I have been having fun playing with it. Here are a couple of the cards I came up with. I have made a set of coasters using the kids and the sled that I will photograph and post later. The first card uses crumb cake, Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze paper. I don't love this combination but wanted to try something different.

Come to Bethlehem stamp set cards

Here are a couple of cards I made with the "Come to Bethlehem" stamp set. I used shimmer paint on the second picture (although it doesn't photograph well.) I have redone these cards using my Night of Navy craft ink rather than the classic ink. I will post these later. The image is much more bold with the craft ink. The paper lace technique I got from here.

Fun with Punch Potpourri Hostess set

I have been playing around with the heart from the hostess level one Punch Potpourri set. The card designs are very similar but I made some slight changes. I think the one using the riding hood red is my favorite. I also used my Big Shot movers and shapers to cut the heart. For the embossing I used my brayer to roll crumb cake ink onto the Elegant Lines embossing folder. Then I ran it through the Big Shot using vanilla paper. I saw the technique on splitcoaststampers but I can't remember where. I will be using this technique more in the future.

More "Because I Care" Cards

I have enjoyed the level 1 hostess set "Because I Care" a lot. I think it is currently one of my most used stamp sets. Here are three more cards I came up with.

For the above card I used Espresso, Cherry and crumb cake paper. My favorite part of this card is the taffeta ribbon and safety pin from the vintage trinkets accessories. I also used the French Filigree background stamp set using crumb cake ink.

I cased this card from the latest issue of Stampin Success (a magazine for Stampin Up demonstrators). I embossed the flower and sentiment using versamark ink and gold embossing powder. I also used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. This card is simple but elegant. It would also make a great anniversary, wedding, or sympathy card.

For the last card I used Marina mist paper and ink. The punch is one of my favorites and can be found on page 25 of the holiday mini catalog. I have been using the Vintage Wallpaper EF a lot but I have to admit that I think the Final Press EF used on this card is one of my favorites.

Cracked Glass Technique- Lovely as a Tree

For these two cards I used the cracked glass technique found here. This is one of my favorite stamps sets (Lovely as a Tree)- it is timeless and so versatile.

For the first card I used Espresso, Artichoke and Vanilla paper. I stamped the tree using the espresso ink. Then I used my woodgrain background stamp over it. If you double click on the picture you can enlarge it to see this better. Then I used the cracked glass technique. The hardest part was holding the paper and trying not to burn myself with the heat gun. I used my Vintage Wallpaper EF for the texture. I also sponged espresso ink on top to make it look more vintage.

This bottom card is very similar to the top one with a few minor changes. I used cajun and crumb cake paper instead of the artichoke. When I stamped the tree. I stamped it in cajun ink first then rolled my stamp in the espresso ink. I got to use some of my favorite accessores on this card - the espresso taffeta ribbon and the vintage trinkets. I also used the Tiny Tags stamp set and punch for the mini tags on the safety pin.

I have been having such a good time stamping lately. I think I have taken some of the pressure off myself when making a card and just having fun playing with my stuff.

TFL.

I have been wanting to try some new techniques and www.splitcoaststampers.com has some great tutorials and this was one of them. The tutorial can be found here. It is hard to see in the picture but I stamped one of the leaves from the Autumn Splendor set on the espresso paper using espresso ink. The I embossed it using my square lattace EF. The paper on the right of the card is actually gold paper that I stamped with the woodgrain background. I stamped the large leaf from the Autumn Spendor set using chocolate chip craft ink then embossed with clear embossing powder. I did this on the polished stone paper I made. Finally, I stamped the sentiment from the Day of Gratitude stamp set using versamark and gold embossing powder. Despite the above description it actually went together fairly quickly (which is good for me as it usually takes me a LONG time to come up with a layout.)

A birthday card for a friend

This card is for my friend Heidi who had a birthday this last Thursday. I used the thumping technique on the flourish stamp. I first stamped the image in Baja Breeze ink then used my Not Quite Navy marker to thump (color) various parts of the stamp. I also used my new Very Vintage Roller. I used Baja Breeze ink on Baja Breeze paper. The embossing was done with my favorite embossing folder - final press.

Day of Gratitude Cards

I have been really busy making a lot of cards. I usually have a hard time using my DSP. Most of the cards I make are without any DSP. I love Stampin Up's Designer paper. Once I purchase it I always have a ton left over - so my goal is to try and use it more on my cards. Another reason it is hard to use is because when I only get two pages of each design I have to be careful when planning my craft night so that there is enough paper to go around. But here is what I came up with for some of my fall cards.
I knew when I saw the Day of Gratitude stamp set I wanted it. And the thick textured DSP is so beautiful and fun.

For this card I used a Sizzix tags die I got at Michaels. Don't you just love the buttons that Stampin Up has? I love that the colors match perfectly. I embossed with the Polka Dots embossing folder and the Autumn Spice DSP. Also, I love the deep rich color of the cajun craze paper & ink.


Again, on this card I wanted to use my new tag dies for the Big Shot. Besides using the Day of Gratitude stamp set I also used my new woodgrain background stamp (it is hard to see in the picture because I wanted a real light background). I used crumb cake ink on the woodgrain stamp and stamped off once. The leaves are from the Autumn Splendor stamp set. I colored them using my blender pens and ink pads (I got the coloring technique from here.

This last card is one of my favorites. For the main image I used the Wandering Words stamp set that was in last years holiday mini (I just didn't use it enough last year and couldn't wait to bring it back out). I colored the stamp with my markers. Again, I used the Polka Dot embossing folder. On the green DSP I used my Baroque Motifs stamp using old olive ink. I stamped the leaf using the Day of Gratitude stamp set and then cut the leaves out and used dimensionals. This card took me awhile to come up with but I had a great time creating it!!

TFL

Halloween M&M Treat holders

I recently received my Wicked Fun DSP and couldn't wait to use it. However, I do have to admit that I have a hard time cutting the paper. I don't want to make a mistake because once its cut it will never go back. For the Frankenstein M&M holder I cased Becky Roberts here. Then I just varied this template to make the additional 3 designs.

Stamps Used: Wicked Cool, Batty for you, Smarty Pants, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Using left over DSP

I had some of last years DSP - Parisian Breeze left over. I want to clean out some of the supplies I am not using anymore. I ended up making 6 cards and have a small amout left over. Maybe I will make some 3x3 cards as gifts for the upcoming holiday's. All four of the cards posted today use the Friends 24-7 stamp set. The paper is chocolate chip, Baja Breeze and crumb cake.

Two new cards - one new layout

The first card pictured I used the Upsy Daisy stamp. I love this stamp - it is one of the stamps I chose in my new demonstrator package. This card will be one I will be offering in my stamp-a-stack of Birthday cards coming up next week. I was so sad when SU! retired ballet blue but I am loving the new marina mist color. I love combining it with the new early espresso color. The impression was made with the Final Press embossing folder.

The second card was so fun as I wanted to try a new layout. I found this layout here on her post dated 7/28/10. The card I cased was done by Karen Moody. The sentiment "24-7" is holding the card closed. You can't tell from the picture but the bird is cut out and popped up using dimensionals.

Criss Cross Box

This next project is one we made at my monthly craft night. The box is called a criss cross box and I got the template from here. I used the tag punch stamp from the level one hostess set "Birthay Bakery". I added dazzeling diamonds to the cupcake. This was a pretty simple project but fun to do. In the picture I put strawberry whoppers in the one of the boxes (I wanted pink candy to match the project).

More Coasters - I just can't stop

It seems that every new stamp set I get I have to try and make coasters. I just can't stop and I have some ideas for using Bells and Boughs from the holiday mini for coasters. I just need more time!!!!! For this set I used the Days of Gratitude stamp set and the sanded background. I stamped the images using craft ink in mustard (sanded stamp), olive and rust and chocolate chip for the edgets. Super fun and easy.

3x3 cards

I have been busy making some 3x3 cards. Kimberly Van Diepen at www.stampinbythesea.com has some great videos on her blog where she answers viewers questions. She talk quite a bit about growing your business. One of her ideas is to put a package together of the holiday mini catalog, a 3x3 card using one of the stamp sets from the mini, a business card and any flyers of current promotions. These are some of the projects I have included in my packages. Now I can hand them out to new potential customers and existing customers for inspiration and a thank you for purchasing with me. If you get a chance these videos are great.

Soon to post are my halloween projects.

Masculine Cards

I needed to make a couple of masculine cards. This card is for my brother's birthday. I used 3 stamp sets on this card. For the trees I used my markers by adding colors of mustard, cajun, old olive and espresso and I stamped it on vanilla - and sponged the edges. For the strip on the left I stamped one of the leaves and nuts on crumb cake then embossed it with the lattice EF. The I sponged the edges and top with espresso ink. I really like how it turns out. I wanted a nice card for my brother.

This card is for my uncle who has not been feeling well. I used the stamp set Day of Gratitude from the holiday mini set. I stamped the background and emobssed it with the lattice EF then sponged the card stock.

Same card with a few changes

I made this card before but added a few changes. Instead of just using the cherry cobbler paper and the crumb cake I added the espresso. I think I like it better. The colors stand out more.

I will be sending this card to a lady in my Bible study who just lost her mom.

Just Believe Cards

I cased the card from the new Idea Book and Catalog. It was simple but I love the look.

For this card I used rose red and wild wasabi. I am really liking the wasabi color. I also used the final press embossing folder.

This second card is one of my favorites. I used saffron, riding hood red and black.

Sorry I am not sure why the pictures are uploading all weird. I have to look into it.

Wicked Cool Tile

I wanted to make a tile for halloween. I used the Wicked Cool and Season of Friendship stamp sets. I stamped the images with craft ink of various colors. The purple however, is orchid which is one of the colors Stampin Up no longer carries.

This was just for fun to have around the house at halloween.

Playing around with my new stamps

I spent quite a bit of time the other day playing with the new hostess set Because I Care. I also love the new colors, cherry cobbler and early espresso. I also used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. Most of the cards have the same feel as I was just trying some things with the same papers.

This card folds towards the center and the bow with button hold the card closed.

It really bothers me that I got the sentiment on crooked. I guess thats what I get for not using the stamp-a-ma-jig.

I have made a card similar to this using the Vintage Vogue stamp set. I got the idea for the medallion circle from here. I also used the background stamp French Filigree. The cherry cobbler color was embossed using the Final Press embossing folder (which is probably my favorite).

I really like how this card turned out. I based it on a coaster I made. I used the French Filigree background stamp using white craft ink and then stamped the flower image using black craft ink and then I heat embossed it using clear embossing powder. I also used the swirls Texturized plate for the second layer of crumb cake and then sponged on black classic ink.

A picture of one of the coasters is below.

For this coaster I used Travertine tiles. I washed off the dust then used my craft inks to stamp with. After stamping I baked them for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Once cooled I sprayed them with an acrylic spray to seal them. The bottom also has cork on the bottom to prevent scratching on table tops.

For this card I used Artichoke, very vanilla and cherry cobbler. Again I used the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

Baby Shower decorations

My mom and I hosted a baby shower for my cousin. She is having a boy and her colors were green and brown (which I think are beautiful!!!).

I watched a few videos on utube on how to make a diaper cake. It was so much fun I hope I get to do it again.

I got the ribbon from my local craft store.


I made a few decorations including two milk carton containers. I used the giraffe from the Fox and Friends stamp set. I also purchased a stamp set from Papertrey inc - Argyle. The tutorial for the milk cartons I got from Becky Roberts blog. I made the baby buggy from a tutorial that I purchased from mytimemadeeasy.com.

Here is picture of the other two milk cartons and baby buggy. The only real difference is that I used different colors. I filled the milk cartons with wash cloths for the baby. Inside the baby buggy are baby socks.

Here is a picture of the cake. The bakery made it look like the card (which I do not have a picture of). But it looks a lot like the cake.

The shower was so much fun. Thanks Tracey for letting us do this!!