Rockabye Baby

Today I have a sweet little baby boy card for you using the Little Cuties stamp set along with the Cupcakes and Carousels DSP.  

I am still trying to master watercoloring, but for how quickly this card was created, I am pretty happy with it.  I thought the fun patterns in this DSP would be a perfect match to the rocking horse on this cute stamp set.  It won't be around forever, it is retiring, so you better get it soon!  The DSP is also retiring and it's on sale and it is perfect for carnival crafting this summer.  After watercoloring the horse I added some clear Wink of Stella Glitter.  I finished the card off with some ribbon and enamel shapes.  For a complete supply list, check out below.  For more cute baby cards, head over to SSI.

   

Beautiful You and Watercolor Pencils

So the Beautiful You stamp set is...well Beautiful!  It has three lovely ladies and lots of great sentiments.  There are also little extra stamps to add some quick color to the stamped images of the ladies.  But of course I had to use the AMAZING NEW Watercolor pencils with this great stamp set.  

In fact, just to let you know how easy this was, I packed the Beautiful You stamp set and a clear block, the Basic Black Archival Ink along with the Watercolor Pencils and a pack of the Notecards in my son's swim bag.  See he recently graduated from his Parent Child Class to going to a group class.  This means I have 30 minutes to myself while he is swimming.  It is great!  So I stamped and colored while he had his class.  Here is what I made:

I also took a blender pen to blend the colors in a little bit more once I got home.  I actually had a little girl come up to me while I was coloring and we chatted about how we loved to color.  It really is a great stress relief!  The list of products I used is below.  I just realized that it costs a little bit over $50 (without the Blender Pens) which means you could buy all these products now and qualify for a Sale-A-Bration item.  And with these pencils, you should totally get the stamp set Hey Chick or the Inside the Lines DSP.  

For more projects using the Watercolor Pencils, head over to SSI!

CASE the Occasions Catalog - Swan Lake

Now the fabulous Occasions Catalog has been live for a few days now, you have had lots of time to pour over all the fabulous new products.  But have you really looked at all the amazing samples?  Aside from great products, Stampin' Up! has given us tons of inspiration in these catalogs.  The projects in there are super CASE-worthy (Copy And Share Everything)!  When you are CASEing you don't have to replicate a product...sometimes you just use the same colors or layout or technique.  

Today at SSI we are CASEing from the Occasions catalog.  Here is a picture of the sample I am CASEing first, it can be found on page 53 of the Occasions Catalog:

I received the Swan Lake stamp set at a Stampin' Up! I attended.  I was happy to win it since it was something I probably would not have bought myself.  I love so many things that they did with the little mini-treat bag so I decided to turn that into a card:

I took some Shimmery White and stamped the swan and the the other images with the Basic Black Archival Ink.  Then I grabbed my blender pens and watercolored.  I really liked the Pool Party with the Sweet Sugarplum in the catalog sample and added a Wild Wasabi card base.  I also loved the simple bow by the sentiment in the sample so I made sure to have one as well.  As you can see I didn't recreate the card in the catalog, but I definitely used it as a springboard to create my own card.  

Want to see more CASE'd cards from Occasions Catalog?  Head over to SSI!

A Special Dragonfly Day

The 2017 Occasions Catalog from Stampin' Up! is chock full of stamps for just about occasion you might have coming up.  And one special occasion that happens year round is birthdays!  There are several birthday specific stamp sets in the occasions catalog, but today I am sharing a set that happens to have a birthday sentiment in it, Dragonfly Dreams:

I shared a project with you earlier this week using this set, but I have another one this time using some of the fabulous new Inside the Lines DSP from our Sale-A-Bration brochure.  Here is my card:

I just love the watercolor pencils...they color like a dream and then afterwards you can blend them together for an even better look with a blender pen!  This card was super easy  and I love how quick it came together!  For a complete supply list, look below.  Head back over to SSI, where are designers are sharing their favorite birthday stamp sets from the new Occasions Catalog.

Tasty Trucks Meets Festive Birthday DSP

So Sale-A-Bration is almost here are let me just tell you, there are so many fabulous products to choose from!  Today I am showing off a must have, or must earn I should say, Tasty Trucks.  I made a little Taco Truck and combined it with the Festive Birthday Designer Series Paper!  

How adorable it that little truck, right?  You can make it a Hot Dog truck, an Ice Cream truck but I love me some tacos, so I made a Taco Truck!  I stamped it with some Basic Black archival ink onto some Shimmery White card stock and then used blender pens to color it in.  I had wanted to use the new watercolor pencils, but I decided to match my colors from the DSP.  I used a Tempting Turquoise card base and layered on two sheets of Festive Birthday DSP. Here is a close up:

I added some enamel shapes and some Emerald Envy Ruched Ribbon.  I was so pleased with this card.  Now just who am I going to send it to?  For more peeks at the upcoming Sale-A-Bration offerings, head over to SSI.

Cupcakes and Carousels Suite

I know we are in the full swing of the Christmas Season, but I have to give you a peek at some of the brand spankin' new products that will be here in the new year. And there are so many fabulous things to choose from!  I am showing off the Cupcakes and Carousels Suite, which has an awesome stamp set and beautiful coordinating DSP stack.  Check it out:

I started with a Bermuda Bay card base and layered on some of the fun DSP.  I added a stripe of Calypso Coral that was embossed with the Festive embossing folder.  I stamped the horse on some whisper white and colored with the new WATER COLOR PENCILS and fussy cut it out.  For the sentiment, I layered some Peekaboo Peach with some Very Vanilla cut with the Stitched Shapes and Layering Ovals Framelits.  I finished it off with some fun enamel shapes.  Here are some close ups: 

After coloring the horse I did at a coat of Clear Wink of Stella.  I did used some dimensionals so the horse would pop off the page.  

I can't rave enough about the Stitched Shapes framelits and how they work with the Layering Circles/Ovals/Squares.  It adds such a perfect touch.  Here is the inside:

I love the tent, so I had to add it to the inside.  This stamp set also has a Ferris Wheel to and I can't wait to play with this.  This set makes me think of Carnival and Circus fun and long for the warm spring weather.  Unfortunately for me, today in my area it is supposed to be ridiculously cold today with a chance of a winter snow tonight.  So these thoughts of warmer weather activities will have to keep me warm!

I am so happy that you stopped by today!  For more looks at some of the great new products in the 2017 Occasions Catalog, head over to SSI!  

Fairy Celebration

We are talking about our favorites over at SSI and I have lots of them.  But I am picking my daughter's favorite stamp set today and that is Fairy Celebration:

So cute right?  I have big plans for this stamp set.  Here is the first card I created with it:

I used the Blooms and Bliss DSP for the background and for my color palette.  Mint Macaron is like my absolute favorite color and it pairs so nicely with Blushing Bride!  I added some Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper for some extra sparkle.  Instead of the cherries, I added some flowers on the tree branch.  I had to watercolor that little fairy on some Shimmery White DSP, here is a closer look:

I love using the aqua painter here to give it a true watercolor look.  I used Sahara Sand for her skin, Soft Suede for her hair and the tree branch, Mint Macaron for the leaves on the branch and her skirt and Island Indigo for her shirt and Blushing Bride for the inside of her wings.  I used an Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker for the edge of the wings and coated them with the clear Wink of Stella Glitter Pen.  Here is a peek at the inside:

I like the idea of the the little fairy subtly stamped on the bottom.  Of course she has some glitter on her wings as well!  

Thanks so much for looking.  Head over to SSI to see the other designer's favorite news stamps.  

Fairy Celebration Meets Blooms & Bliss

Don't you love it when you find the perfect Designer Series Paper to go with your stamp set?  That is what happened to me today.  And I paired these things with a great sketch from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.  Here is the sketch:

Here is my card:

I love the color palette from the Blooms & Bliss DSP and I knew it would be a perfect match for the Fairy Celebration stamp set.  And if we are taking fairies, we need some glitter, or in this case glimmer.  This card was so fun to make.  Here is a close up of how I water colored that fairy.  It might be hard to see in the picture but I also added some of the Clear Wink of Stella Glitter on the wings.  In person it truly sparkles!  

This would be a perfect card for a little one who loves fairies.  Thanks so much for visiting my blog today!  I can't wait to do more with both this stamp set and the DSP.  

Birthday Blooms Stepped Up

Today we are showing you how to step up a card with some extra paper or accessories.  I am using one of my favorite returning sets called Birthday Blooms.  Here is the first card:

This is a basic two color card, Sweet Sugarplum and Whisper White with some ribbon, gold Wink of Stella and a rhinestone (confession, I get a smudge on my card...every mistake is an opportunity for an embellishment!).  Let's see how to step it up:

Same basic card but this time I used markers to color the stamp and then blender pens to color it in and added a layer of Emerald Envy.  

Both card are pretty and I would be delighted to get either in the mail.  Thanks for checking out my project today.  For more stepped up cards, head back to SSI.

Coloring with Stampin' Write Markers

Stampin' Up! has so many great products for all you creative needs!  Today at SSI we are spotlighting our markers.  I used the Brights Stampin' Write markers in the card I created today. Check it out:

I stamped the robot image in the Basic Gray Archival Ink.  And I just added little pops of color here and there and finished the robot off with some Smoky Slate.  I used a Tempting Turquoise card base and added some of the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack strips.  It is hard to see in the picture but there is a strip of the Silver Foil Sheet with some stars punches out.  For the background I stamped some splatters from Gorgeous Grunge and added some sequins.  I love how this turned out and coloring the robot was so easy!  Check out the other projects using markers over at SSI!

A Watercolored Peacock

As much as I love all the new Occasions Catalog items, it is nice to dig back in my stash and show some love to a stamp set from the Annual Catalog.  And when I saw the color challenge over at Watercooler Wednesday, I knew exactly which stamp set would be getting some ink.  I decided to combine it with a flipped around version of the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches.  Here are both challenges:    

Here is my card:

I love that peacock!  When I saw all those colors, I knew I had to use it!  I used my Aqua Painters and had to channel my Inner Elsa and "Let It Go" when the colors ran together.  I am new to watercoloring, but I ended up liking it once I was done.  I was so happy to use that little strip of Silver Glimmer paper because it was a scrap and that along with the sequins gives it just the right mount of sparkle and shine!  The stamp comes from the Watercolor Wishes kit.  I always forget about that great stamp set but when I was looking for a small sentiment to fit that area, that was perfect!  Below you can find a shopping list.  Thanks for checking out my card!  

Back to School Already?!

Can you believe it is already that time again?  We already got our kids book bags and done some of the back to school shopping.  My daughter will be going into second grade and my son will be starting preschool, going just one day a week.  I am not sure what I will do with myself!  I did want to do some paper crafting to prepare for this busy time of the year.  I decided to make a quick, little hello gift for my daughter's teacher.  Check it out:  

I thought it might be nice to put a little something sweet in here for that first day of school.  Thinking back to my first days when I was a teacher, it was such a busy time of the year and a little treat would have been awesome.  Just a quick run through the big shot, stamp, punch and tie and this little treat holder is ready for giving!    

I also decided to make a few notes to sneak in my daughter's lunch box.  I used the super cute stamp set You're Sublime and tried my hand at water coloring.  

Here are some close ups:

Thanks for looking!  Do you do any special projects to get ready for the first few days of school?  Be sure to check out the other projects over at SSI!  

Watercoloring

Today I have some fun watercolor and watercolor inspired cards to share with you.  I had purchased the Aqua Painters a long time ago and finally broke them out for this post.  And I will be using them again because they are so fun!   And I got to use some fun new stamp sets as well.  

Here I used From Land to Sea and By the Tide along with And Many More for the sentiment.  That turtle is so cute and I had so much fun coloring him.  I used my favorite color Mint Macaron along with Tip Top Taupe.  I decided to add some Night of Navy accents as well.  I love how this card turned out.  I made a few to swap with at Convention!!!!

I used that beautiful flower from You've Got This and colored it with Watermelon Wonder and Mint Macaron.  I added some of that Watermelon Wonder Lace on the side as well.  And this doesn't show as well in the photograph but I used my two way glue pen and then sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds on the flower.  Ooooo sparkly!

And finally here is my water color inspired card.  I used the Watercolor Wash background in Pool Party and added the sentiment from Watercolor Words in Tip Top Taupe.  Then in Calypso Coral, I stamped and fussy cut some seahorses from By the Tide.  I finished the card off with some Linen Thread and the White Perfect Accents.  This was a fun card to make!

So are you into watercoloring now?  Whether you actually watercolor with the Aqua Painters or Blender Pens or just use some of the fabulous watercolor inspired stamps, the sky is the limit...or should I say the ocean?  Thanks for looking!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is right around the corner.  I am going to take my mother and grandmother out to a tea room later this week.  I will have to remember to take lots of pictures!  I already have cards made for them but I took some time to make another when I realized that a new stamp set I picked up recently had a perfect sentiment.  Here is the my card:

I used the Corner Garden stamp and colored it in with the retiring in colors.  I added the "best mother ever" sentiment from And Many More.  The butterfly is from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits.  That are one of my favorite dies... it cuts and embossed!  Thanks so much for looking.  I hope you are ready for Mother's Day.  For more card ideas,  check out SSI.





Easter Cards

Easter is definitely early this year and where I live, I am just hoping the snow is all gone!  It would make for a challenging egg hunt though, especially if we didn't dye the eggs.  We are spotlighting Easter Cards today at SSI.  There are several Easter stamps in the Occasions Catalog so we have lots of options.  Here is my card:

I chose to use the In Colors that will most likely be retiring this year.  I just love them...so soft and so pretty and perfect for Easter.  I used my Stampin' Write Markers to color in that stamp and then a blender pen to color the in the bunny.  It might be hard to see in the picture but I added some Dazzling Details on the bunny's belly and tail.  So fun!  Be sure to check out all the fabulous projects over at SSI!  

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Single Layer Cards

Today at SSI we are sharing our Single Layer Cards.  I signed up for this because it is something I struggle with.  My cards tend to have multiple layers and use lots of embellishments and techniques.  So I thought this would be good practice.  And of course, I struggled at first and then I remembered a very cool, very simple and very relaxing technique - zentangling!  Here is my card:

I was never a big doodler when I was younger (I was partial to MASH).  But when I first saw this technique, I knew I had to try it.  I love how easy it is and how forgiving...I made mistakes but because it's "doodly" it's no big deal.  Thanks for looking!  Be sure to check out other Single Layer Cards over at SSI. 

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Blendabilities

I just LOVE these alcohol based markers from Stampin' Up!  I love to sit and color, I find it so relaxing.  I am still working on my shading and blending but for now I am loving all my creations.  And I love that you can earn a set of Blendabilites free for Sale-A-Bration.  Here are a few of my recent creations using these fabulous markers.  

I just love this lemon from A Happy Thing.  I actually used lots of Sale-A-Bration items in this card.  Here is a close up of the coloring:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Here is a card I made using the gorgeous peacock from the Annual Catalog:

Here are a few close ups, one of the coloring and the other of the sponged Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper.  

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for looking!  Be sure to check out all the great samples from the designers over at SSI!

Masculine Monday

Over at SSI we have some fabulous Masculine cards for you.  Here is my card:

I used the Guy Greetings stamp set as well as the Adventure Bound DSP.  Here is a close up of the anchor that I colored in with the fabulous Blendabilities!   

Thanks for looking!  Be sure to check out more masculine cards over at SSI.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

This is ME!

Happy New Year!  I am thrilled to announce that I am now a design team member of Stylin' Stampin' Inkspiration.  So from here on out you will see my contributions to that fantastic blog as well as challenge entries to other blogs.  I will be posting every Monday, for what I will be calling Must Have Monday featuring my favorite new product.  I will also be posting every Thursday for my own version of Throw Back Thursdays featuring retired Stampin' Up! products.  Be on the lookout for me to share other creations and specials as well.

I thought I would take this opportunity to show off my absolute FAVORITE product, Blendabilities!  If you haven't tried them yet, you can earn a pack of three for FREE with Sale-A-Bration this year.  Here are just some of my creations with these fabulous markers.  First up we have some basic coloring on the Notecards.  I actually colored 20 of these (four of each type) and gave them as a gift to my grandmother.    

 

For this card I did some fun shading and layered the flower by cutting up the petals.  

For the next card, I embossed some vellum and colored on the back with the Blendabilities.  

Here is the This and That Documented Journal where I colored the rhinestones with the Pumpkin Pie Blendabilities marker.

And finally here I used the Calypso Coral Blendabilities to color the Irresistibly Yours DSP  to create an ombre effect.  I also used the Butterfly Basics bundle which will be a favorite of mine this spring!

Thanks so much for looking!  Come meet the other design team members at SSInkspiration.