Weekend Quickie!

Seriously, it is a weekend quickie. It's all I had time to do this past Family Day long weekend. For some reason, I thought I would have a bunch of time to myself. But, oh no, Family Day kind of means you have to spend the weekend with your family :)  Not that I am complaining, of course...

I had some cupcakes go out for a client, and I knew it was for a birthday, so I made a quick little tag and attached it to the box. A beautiful, fully-opened rose perfectly matched the Melon Mambo cardstock. It's these little added extras that make the difference to my cupcake deliveries. Not only are my cupcakes the best tasting, the whole package is the prettiest.

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess)
Ink: Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Big Shot: Two Tags Bigz Die
Punch: Decorative Label Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch (to thread ribbon)
Other: Sponge Dauber, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, non-SU ribbon

Enjoy!

Spring Fever!

Honestly, this feels like cheating. If you can't tell, I used the Spring Fever Simply Scrapping Kit from the Occasions Mini to create this card. Actually, I really used leftovers from the Simply Scrapping Kit. I attended a workshop last weekend, and we made about 8 cards and a box, and there is so much leftover that I cannot bear to not do something with it.
The colours absolutely scream SPRING with Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzaz. The Designer Paper is beautiful - I like them with small prints, as I am not into scrap booking so much (yet), so the smaller prints work well for me on cards and tags.

 I used the heart punch to make the petals on the flower - just punch out 8 and fold in half. Stick one side down with Snail and you are done. Everything co-ordinates, it all works well together, and the finished product looks so great (like you spent hours creating it all).

All the images on the inside of the card are stickers..you heard correct, they are stickers! I added some more pearls for a touch of luxe, a Dimensional for pop, and then I was done. I still feel like I cheated :)

I used the layout from PPA 129 Sketch Challenge for added inspiration too. 

Stamp Set: Mixed Bunch, Petite Pairs

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Punches: Full Heart Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch

Other: Spring Fever Simply Scrapping Kit, Large Pearl Basic Jewels, Basic Pearls (love the multiple sizes in the one pack), 1/4" Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon, Snail Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

Enjoy!

Regally Inspired!

These are colours I never use. I have no idea why, just one of those things. The Bravo Burgundy is still the original cardstock I bought a couple of years ago, and for some strange reason I must have felt like More Mustard was my own personal in-colour, as I have two new packages stored away. And, I never use them. I love Always Artichoke as a colour, but am stumped as to how to use it creatively.

This card was inspired by a napkin I saw at my friend's house (my good friend, who I am going to convention with) a while back - early January, possibly. The colours on the napkin (scroll to bottom) really popped out at me and I thought the shapes would be interesting on a card.

I used my 1" square punch to punch the shapes, and then punched opposite corners with my corner rounder punch. I love that little punch so much.

It's my father-in-law's birthday in early March, so this will be set aside for him.

The inside, same colours - soft suede, very vanilla and more mustard.

Here is the napkin that gave me inspiration this week - love when that happens!

Stamp Sets: Best Dad Ever, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess set)
Ink: Always Artichoke
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Soft Suede
Punches: 1" Square Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch
Other: Natural Hemp Twine, Antique Brads, Stripes Embossing Folder, Snail Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Paper Piercer, Stampin' Dimensionals

Enjoy!

Pennant Parade Be Mine

It's Valentine's Day tomorrow! Fingers crossed the roses have been ordered, the chocolates are wrapped and dinner will be delivered. These days, with three kids under 3, we don't eat out as much as we'd like to. We never really ate out on Valentine's Day either.
Being in the industry, I know what a crazy mess dining out on Valentine's Day is. Only tables of 2, two or three different seatings mean you have to get in, eat the set menu and get out before the next round of diners files in. It's not particularly romantic to eat out on Valentine's Day.
My husband and I much prefer to go out for a long brunch the first Sunday following the day of romance. It's less rushed, we eat slowly, read the newspaper, drink lots of coffee and we love brunch. You can eat anything and get away with it - eggs & bacon, roast beef and potaotes, desserts - you name it, it's all up for grabs.

My last card celerating Love for this year uses Pennant Parade and the new stamp set from SAB - Outlined Occasions. Although any stamp with a small greeting/sentiment would work well here.
I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow, and if you aren't with the one you love, at least treat yourself well - buy some flowers, head to the spa, buy some nice bubbly wine on the way home and then order in your favourite dinner.

Stamp Sets: Outlined Occasions (SAB), Tiny Tags, Pennant Parade
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, StazOn Jet Black
Punches: Petite Pennants Builder Punch, 1/2" Cirlce, 3/4" Circle, Small Heart Punch
Other: 5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Snail Adhesive, Stampin Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots (to hold ribbon/bow in place).

Enjoy!

Ribbon Valentine

Valentine's Day is almost upon us, so if you haven't made your Valentine's cards, this is the last weekend to get crafty and get them done. 
I have never really embraced Valentine's Day until this year. Don't get me wrong, I love to receive flowers and a card from my husband, but it wasn't until I had children that I started enjoying all the holidays the year brings. I love the decorations, the cards and the candy. I love the way we can turn any occasion into a celebration.
This is the card I will send to one of my sisters in Australia. I doubt she reads my blog, so she won't know it's coming, and it will hopefully be a big surprise.
I used the new Hearts Collection Framelits Dies (love, love, love them) and then, if you can tell from the photo, I used strips of ribbon to make the heart. I just looked for all my little bits that I keep in a jar because I can't bear to part with them. I like to give everything a second chance :)

My card measures 5" x 5", with Real Red and Whisper White. It should fit nicely into a Medium Whisper White Square Envelope.

Stamps: Petite Pairs, I (Heart) Hearts
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Real Red
Big Shot: Hearts Collection Framelits Dies, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder
Punch: Small Heart Punch, Small Oval Punch
Ribbon: (Sorry, a lot of these seem to be retired), Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (Pretty in Pink, Real Red)\
Other: Sticky Strip, Stampin Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive

Enjoy!

Creating Pretty Cards #8

 It is hard to believe my twins turn one tomorrow. This past year has flown by so fast, and the twins have grown so big. From just 5lbs each at birth (one a little under, one a little over) to 25lbs now, they are in their 12-18 month clothing already.
We don't really have anything special planned. I will bake them each a cake, I have made them a card each and we will take some photos. No party, no huge celebration. I kind of wish we did, but I just don't have the time. Two babies, and a toddler, take a lot of work and energy.
I made them each a card though, so that's something special. And, yes, it's the same card - one in pink and one in blue. I dress them the same - one in pink and one in blue, so why not the same card?
You can also see how easy it is if you see a layout you like, but don't have the exact same paper and accessories, to change it up to suit.
My stamp sets and designer paper are all retired, but there are some stamp sets I can't bear to part with yet. And the paper, well, I picked it up on the clearance rack. I made the sentiment on my computer and then punched it out.

Stamp Sets: Happy Moments (SAB retired), A Slice of Life (Hostess retired), Swirls & Curls Verses (Hostess retired)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Chocolate Chip, StazOn Jet Black
DSP: Nursery Suite (retired)
Punches: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Corner Punch
Other: 5/8" Satin Ribbon (Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue) Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Two-Way Glue, Snail Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blender Pen

Enjoy!

Simple Valentine

A simple and sweet Valentine's Day card today. My card measures 6.25" x 3" and will slide nicely into a small open-ended envelope by Stampin' Up!
I very simply punched three heart shapes into a strip of Whisper White card stock and mounted the designer paper (now retired) behind each window. A quick trim of Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine and a button finish this off super quick.

Inside I just used a small strip of the designer paper, topped with Real Red and then punched out some co-ordinating hearts. And, I just realized, no stamping required for this one!

Super simple, super sweet!

Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red
Designer Paper: Retired from Stampin' Up (but any would work in this situation)
Punches: Full Heart Punch, Small Heart Punch
Other: Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Real Red Button, Mini Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive