Gently Falling

I was very undecided about this stamp set.  I think its beautiful but I already own a really nice leaf set.  I placed an order in early August and decided I didn't really need it.  And then of course I saw lots of beautiful projects and just had to place another order!  I rationalized that I don't own a two step stamping leaf set.  Good thinkin...right?? 
So, here's my first project.  The sketch is an old Mojo Monday that caught my eye.  I didn't have time to play along at the time but I filed it away for future use.  The DSP is from the Holiday mini called Spice Cake.  I punched a few circles for the bottom of each strip to give it a scalloped look.  The leaf is also punched with a circle punch and layered on two Fancy Flower punches.  I used the rock and roll technique with the base stamp.  My colors are Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Soft Suede and Pool Party.  I added a little velvet ribbon behind my focal image.  The sentiment is from the set Fabulous Phrases.  Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Button Buddies

I rarely make any Halloween cards but the pumpkin from the Button Buddies set is so darn cute I just had to use it!  My card base is made with the Scallop Circle die.  I placed the fold in the card stock just off the edge of the die so it wouldn't cut all the way around.  I stamped three pumpkins and layered them on circle punches.  I added a button to the middle pumpkin.  My color combo is Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade and Pumpkin Pie.  The background strip is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  My sentiment is from the set Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched with the Word Window punch.  Thanks for stopping by!

Holly Berry Pinecones

I really like the pinecone image in the new Holiday mini set Pines & Poinsettias.  I colored the stamp with my markers and then layered it on a couple circle punches.  This set coordinates with the new DSP, Holly Berry Bouquet.  The bottom panel of my card was made with the Festive Finishes letterpress plate.  This plate has two patterns to pick from.  I used the stripes for this card.  I added some dotted scallop ribbon.  I used the plain side here.  My sentiment is from the same stamp set.  I cut it out and popped it up on some dimensionals.  Finally I added a strip punched with the scallop border punch.  My color combo is Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi.  Thanks for stopping by!

Button Buddies CAS

Here's a really quick clean and simple card I made with the set Button Buddies.  I stamped the pig and punched it out with a big circle punch.  I used my Circle Scissors Plus to cut the outer circle.  The sentiment is from the hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes.  I layered that on a strip punched with the scallop ribbon punch.  My color combo is Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip and Rose Red.  I finished it off with a button for the pig's nose.  Too cute!  I really love this set.  I think its my favorite set in the current catalog.  Finally I rounded the bottom two corners of the card base.  Thanks for stopping by!

Leaves of a Tree

This stamp is another sneak peek from the Holiday mini.  This tree is a single stamp called Leaves of a Tree.  The artwork is beautiful.  I'm still working on good ways to showcase it but I thought I'd start with the emboss resist technique.  I stamped the tree in Versamark and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  Next I sponged Early Espresso ink over the whole thing.  I used my Circle Scissors Plus to cut it out.  It's just a little bit too big for a large circle punch.  The background panel was done with the Fancy Fan letterpress plate.  I added some embellishments in First Edition DSP.  The flower rosette was punched with the Blossom Bouquet punch.  I punched three and inked the edges.  I added an antique brad to the center.  The sentiment is from the set You're a Gem.  My color combo is Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla.  Thanks for stopping by!

Pines & Poinsettias

I was lucky enough to have a couple new recruits in July.  SU was having a promotion so as a perk I got the new set Pines & Poinsettias from the Holiday mini.  For this card I paired it with Holly Berry Bouquet DSP.  It matches so nicely and I really like the paper.  I colored the stamp with my markers and used my color spritzer on top.  I rounded the corners and sponged the edges.  My color combo is Real Red, Wild Wasabi and Chocolate Chip.  I made a flower rosette with First Edition DSP.  I punched three scallop circles and inked the edges.  Then I crinkled them up to make them look a little distressed.  I added an Antique brad to the center.  The sentiment is from the retired set Warmest Regards.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Sunday Sketch 130

I haven't played along with many challenges lately but the Sweet Sunday Sketch is one of my favorites.  I decided to give it a shot this week - SSSC130.  I used the new Stitched Stockings set again.  I punched these with the coordinating Stocking Builder punch.  The tops, toes and heels are all covered with Dazzling Diamonds.  With my last order I decided to try the Big Shot adhesive sheets.  I stuck the adhesive to some Whisper White and then punched them out.  I peeled the backing off the adhesive and then sprinkled on the Dazzling Diamonds.  I stuck really well.  I think I'll be doing glitter this way from now on!  My background is embossed with the Snow Burst folder.  The sentiment is from the set Petite Pairs and layered on a couple circle punches.  My color combo is Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green.  Thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Mini Sneak Peek

Here's my first card with some new Holiday mini goodies.  I didn't order too many new sets but I just couldn't resist the new Stitched Stockings set.  This set coordinates with the Stocking Builder punch.  Making a super cute card is a snap!  I used this week's sketch challenge at Splitcoast - SC345.  My color combo is Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist and Whisper White.  The DSP is also new.  Its called Frostwood Lodge.  My sentiment is from the set Pennant Parade.  I stamped that on a strip punched with the scallop border punch.  I used a couple different embossing folders - Perfect Polka Dots and Snow Burst.  Snow Burst is a sneak peek from the Holiday mini also.  I think I'm going to get a lot of use from this folder.  I really prefer a small all over pattern in my embossing folders.  This one is great.  I think it will work for non Christmas cards too.  Thanks for stopping by!

Faith in Nature CAS

I made this card for my brother-in-law.  I always struggle with masculine cards but this one came together pretty well.  I kept it very simple.  I stamped the leaf from the Faith in Nature set four times.  I rounded the opposite corners to add some interest.  My colors are Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze.  I added a strip punched with the scallop edge punch.  My sentiment is from a retired hostess set called Occasional Quotes.  I finished it off with a corduroy button.  I hope he liked it!  Thanks for stopping by.

Up, Up & Away Birthday Scene

I've seen some really great cards made with the Up, Up & Away set lately.  I decided to try my hand at creating a little scene for this card.  I sponged the background to look like sky and then stamped the birds and clouds.  I stamped my three balloons and then cut them out.  I sponged the edges with a little Crumb Cake ink to give them some depth.  I popped these up on dimensionals.  My sentiment is from the Create a Cupcake set.  I glued it to a piece of chipboard from the Merry Medley set.  I added a few pearls at the top because the Happy Birthday ended up a little lower than I was planning.  Good place for an embellishment, right?  I rounded all the bottom corners and embossed the card base with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  My color combo is Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi and Baja Breeze.  Thanks for stopping by!

Sail Away CAS

I made this card using the direct to paper technique.  I took my ink pad and rubbed it directly on Whisper White card stock.  It took me a couple tries to get the look I was going for.  I used Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Pool Party inks.  Next, I stamped the Sail Away boat in Basic Black.  It took the black ink a little bit longer to dry than usual.  I think that's because of the extra layer of ink underneath.  Because I didn't wait long enough before trimming my piece, I ended up with a little smudge down near the boat.  So, I just hand drew in another little bird to cover it up.  Problem solved!  I stamped the boat a second time and cut out the sails.  I popped these up on some dimensionals.  My sentiment is from the hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Thanks for stopping by!

Up, Up & Away Banner

I've seen a lot of cards lately that use a banner for the focal image.  I decided to give it a try with the Up, Up & Away set.  I colored the stamp with my markers in Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Pink Pirouette.  The sentiment is from the same set and it fits perfectly with these cute balloons.  I notched the end of my banner with a square punch.  I added a couple strips punched with the scallop trim border punch to finish off the banner.  My card base is embossed with the Elegant Lines folder.  I added a few pearls for embellishment.  Thanks for stopping by!

Love & Sympathy in Calypso Coral

I made another card with my new set Love & Sympathy.  This set makes a beautiful card.  I colored the stamp with my markers.  My combo is Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi and Very Vanilla.  I embossed my card base with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  I also rounded the corners on the base.  I added a little strip punched with the scallop border punch on top of my focal image.  My sentiment is from the set Petite Pairs.  I punched that with my oval punch and layered it on a Lots of Tags die cut.  I finished it with a couple pearls.  Thanks for stopping by!

Field Flowers with Woodgrain Background

Here's another card I made with the Field Flowers set.  I also just got the background stamp Woodgrain so I wanted to try to incorporate that as well.  I stamped the Woodgrain on some polka dot DSP.  Its a little hard to make out in the photo.  Next I stamped the flowers and stem on top of the Woodgrain background.  I decided that the flowers got a little lost in the pattern so I stamped them again and fussy cut them to pop them up.  I rarely cut out images but I like how this turned out.  I distressed the edges and inked them a little.  My colors are So Saffron, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Old Olive.  I layered my sentiment in a couple circle punches and finished it off with some linen thread.  Thanks for stopping by!

Love & Sympathy Doily

I got a few new goodies last week.  I needed a good sympathy set and there is a beautiful one in the new catalog.  Its called Love & Sympathy.  The flower is from this set.  I colored it with my markers and then ran the piece through one of the new Designer Frame embossing folders.  I cut out the frame and popped this up on some dimensionals.  My background is stamped with the Hello Doily stamp on First Edition specialty DSP.  My color combo is Pool Party, Lucky Limeade and Very Vanilla.  My sentiment is from the set Tiny Tags.  I punched several with the Jewelry tag punch.  I attached my tags to some ruffled ribbon with a Vintage Trinkets safety pin.  Thanks for stopping by!