Teacher Appreciation!

School ended this week, and that means Teacher Thank You's. I could never be a teacher of a classroom full of any age, and I appreciate them so much, so I feel this is important. Also, My kids have been very blessed to have truly wonderful teachers, and that cannot go unrewarded! This year we needed gifts for each teacher, the bus driver, the choir teacher and a counselor!

I looove these note card ideas from Becky Roberts, so I made up a couple more for my son to give. I was going to just use the pencil image, but I realized we just gave the teachers the pencil stamp card a few weeks ago, so for his teacher I went with the grunged up butterfly!

This is what the table looked like while we were assembling the thank you gifts...everyone got candy, two people got a drink, lol, one got popcorn, and they all got an assortment of cards for them to use, along with a thank you from me and my child(ren).

And here they are, ready to go, the night before! 

Happy end-of-school year to all of you! Bring on summertime!

Week 21!

Today's Weekly Page actually fits a challenge! As I've mentioned, Stampin' Up! has partnered wtih Project Life so the latest MDS Monday challenge was to create a page either using Project Life downloads, or in the Project Life style! Can do! *grin
altho I suppose the ribbon isn't quite correct....
Oh well!

Supplies:
MDS, Playful Polka dots Suite

Retiring Butterflies!

Just a quick post for today...last week of school and it sure is busy!!
Here's another bright, sunny card for a teacher! I used up some more supplies that are so close to retiring! The butterfly stamps, the DP and the arrow clip are almost gone!
This time I used a Freshly Made Sketch, but I was too late to link it.

Supplies:
Stamps: Creative Elements, Lots of Thanks, Gorgeous Grunge
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar
Paper: Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango & Whisper White card stocks, Retro Fresh DP
Accessories: Hung Up Cute Clips

Sunshine!

I took a little time this weekend to get some cards made. End of year "teacher appreciation" is coming up and I needed some fresh cards to use, and to replenish my stash!
This time I used a "new" sketch challenge...I follow Mary Fish's blog and she has a challenge group that I think might be her downline! Anyway, I finally decided to play along with one of their sketches, and use up some almost-retired DP! Its a simple, straightforward card but it suits the teacher well.

Supplies:
Stamps: Feel Goods
Ink: So Saffron & Coastal Cabana markers
Paper: Coastal Cabana & Whisper White card stock, I Am Me DP
Accessories: Dimensionals

Week 19

Happy Memorial Day to my American readers! I'm off enjoying my family, but I still have a blog post for you today!

Here's the next up from my weekly page project. This time I didn't have many photos to put on the page, so I picked a sketch from my scrapbook Pinterest Board. The link didn't seem to go anywhere, but the sketch designer is credited on the pin, so I guess that's ok... Pinterest is so weird sometimes!

Anyway, once again I used the color combo tool on MDS to choose colors that worked well together and ended up with Peach Parfait, Sahara Sand, Pool Party & Lucky Limeade! I recolored the flowery paper from the Days to Remember content, from a red shade to Limeade! And I recolored the brads from a Sale-A-Bration content disk from Soft Suede butterflies to Pool Party butterflies!

Supplies:

MDS, Days to Remember, Sale-A-Bration 2012? content disks, recolor tool

Featuring Watercolor DP

As you likely know, the catalog, and the Occasions Mini catalog are both about to retire. You can only order from them until June 2. Well, I haven't got to play with this gorgeous paper very much yet and I really wanted to show it off a little more before it is no longer available! So the other night I had some time and made these three cards!

We had an occasion recently to need sympathy cards and I thought the soft flowers were perfect for restocking. This first card used the latest Viva La Verve sketch for May, and only one sheet of DP! The dotty print is the reverse of these pretty Island Indigo and Gumball Green flowers!

Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Island Indigo
Paper: Smoky Slate, Island Indigo card stocks, Watercolor Wonder DP
Accessories: Regals Candy Dots, White Baker's Twine, Petite Petals Punch, Dimensionals

This next card uses an older Freshly Made Sketch, but it was on my list and I like the sketch...and the doily went well with the roses, I thought. Once again, the green chevron and the roses are one sheet of DP, just the two sides. Love!

Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Calypso Coral
Paper: Whisper White card stock, Watercolor Wonder DP
Accessories: Tea Lace Doilies, Basic Pearls

The third card was based on an older Clean & Simple sketch. This one is not two sides of the same sheet, but the punched flowers were out of the top print. I just love this!! And since this one was brighter, I went with a Thank You instead of sympathy.

Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Tangerine Tango
Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe card stock, Watercolor Wonder DP
Accessories: Petite Petals punch, Brights Candy Dots, Dimensionals 

Sneak Peek!

Just in case mine is the only blog by a Stampin' Up! demonstrator that you read (haha), here is a fun little sneak peek to what is coming in the new catalog!! How many new products can you find on here?

Supplies:
Stamps: Work of Art
Ink: Real Red, Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey, Wild Wasabi, Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Basic Gray
Paper: Tangelo Twist, Lost Lagoon & Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals

I used the latest Mojo Monday sketch, and had some fun making this happy little rainbow. Can't wait to send a card like this off!

Weekly Page catch up!

I finally took some time to catch up on my weekly pages. I had skipped over these two, and still had two more to go before I could get to the current week, haha! Between not babysitting so much anymore, and my husband needing the computer in the evenings, it just hadn't happened. So I'm glad I am officially caught up on 2014 because I am still lacking pages from 2013! sigh...and giggle...
Both of these are very simple layouts with just a little pop of something to break it up.

Supplies: MDS, Stacks of Millions DP

Supplies:
MDS, Lemonade Stand content disk

Flowers on wood

This is the last sample from last week's Occasions Mini  class, and this one {mostly} uses the latest Nacho Average Challenge. We stamped the blue flowers directly onto the wood background, and we punched out the pink flowers and two are popped up on Dimensionals. I thought about having the greeting popped up too, but I liked it better tucked in the flowers. I let class attendee's decide what they liked best. Funny enough, only the greeting (hostess only) and the shade of blue (Midnight Muse) are retiring from this one.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hardwood, Petite Petals, Banner Greetings
Ink: Soft Suede, Midnight Muse, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizazz
Paper: Pear Pizazz & Very Vanilla card stocks
Accessories: Petite Petals Punch, Dimensionals

Mother's Day cards

At my church I am one of the leaders over the 8-11 year old girls, for their bi-monthly activity. At our last activity we helped them make bath salts and cards for their mothers, as a Mother's Day gift.
(I really don't know much about the bath salts, my daughter is in this same group and didn't want me to see what she did, so I really just stayed with the cards, haha.)

I used up long-retired products for the girls to make cards with, and provided three designs. I prepped seven sets of each card and we still had a couple left over from each design, so that worked out great. And then my kids used a few of the leftover kits to make cards for their grandmothers! Super handy!

Even tho its completely retired, I thought I'd go ahead and share them here since I put time and effort in to it. *grin I just had to wait til after Mother's Day in case any of their mom's check my blog...which they might...!

Card 1:
Stamps: God's Beauty (retired)
Ink: Pumpkin Pie
Paper: Pumpkin Pie card stock, First Edition DP (retired)
Accessories: Peach Parfait twill ribbon (retired), Always Artichoke button (retired), Staple

Card 2:
Stamps: Crazy Daisy (retired)
Ink: Bashful Blue (retired), Certainly Celery (retired)
Paper: Bashful Blue & Whisper White card stock, Cutie Pie DP (retired)
Accessories: Whisper White grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Card 3:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Whisper White card stock, Berry Bliss DP (retired)
Accessories: Early Espresso quilted ribbon (retired)

Watercolor Print!

My classes yesterday were so much fun! Thanks to all who came! For the rest of you, here is the fourth card we made at the class, and possibly my favorite! This card uses the latest sketch from the Viva La Verve blog.
I have been waiting to get this collection and my punch took, I think, an extra two weeks to arrive! I've seen so many pretty ways to use this watercolor paper and I was very excited to finally play with it! And this time I was able to fit three patterns on the card! I even used Crushed Curry!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Perfect Pennants
Ink: Island Indigo, Crushed Curry marker
Paper: Crushed Curry card stock, Watercolor Wonder DP
Accessories: Petite Petals Punch, Regals Candy Dots, Brights Candy Dots, White stitched grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Have a great weekend and see if you can fit some stamping in! :)

Hello Friend

Are you coming to the class today?! Hope so! I really like this card! Its simple and happy- which is perfect! This is the third card from my class and uses the latest Clean & Simple sketch.

Supplies:
Stamps: Peachy Keen
Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana
Paper: Very Vanilla, Tangerine Tango card stocks, Retro Fresh DP
Accessories: Hung Up Cute Clips, On Film Dies, Big Shot

This card actually has several layers. First its a full Very Vanilla base. Then I added a 2.5 inch strip of the DP at the top. Next, I tore the Tangerine Tango card stock strip, and glued it to the back of the little Vanilla strip, and then glued it all down! Could you tell? hee hee...
Tip: Stamp the arrow before you die cut it! *grin

Nautical Card

Here is the second card from the class this week. Yep- two masculine cards, just incase you need some for Father's Day!
The patterned paper comes from the Occasions Mini. I am such a sucker for nautical things, and I really don't even know why, haha! I tried to use more patterns from the pack but the card just looked too busy. The clean, solid card stock makes it look nice I think, and I used the latest Retro Sketch this time. And if you don't need a Father's Day card, this works for any thank you or thinking of you masculine card you need!

 

Supplies:
Stamps: The Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Pacific Point, Smoky Slate
Paper: Smoky Slate, Whisper White & Soft Sky card stocks, High Tide DP
Accessories: Silver Mini Brads, Dimensionals

Switching Gears!

On Thursday I have a stamp class here at my house. I'm featuring the products I've purchased from the Occasions Mini before it too goes away. (which it will on June 1!)
Here's the first card from that class- perfect for Father's Day! I used the recent Retro Sketch, the soon to retire Gumball Green and Natural Buttons.

Supplies:
Stamps: Look Up To Father, Hardwood
Ink: Gumball Green marker, Chocolate Chip marker
Paper: Gumball Green Textured card stock, Chocolate Chip & Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Chevron Ribbon, Natural Buttons, Linen Thread, Glue Dots

I actually trimmed the words off from the bottom of the tree (hence the large gap) because I can see myself using the tree without the words or with different words, and that's the easiest way for me to make that work. Those coming to the class could use it as a birthday card or thinking of you, or pretty much anything else they want. But I love the sentiment, and the tree, for my own Father's Day cards. What do you think?

Tennis!

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day weekend! I definitely did!

Remember I shared a bunch of scrapbook challenges the other day? Well here's another page I made- this time for a quote challenge. I thought it was fitting for photos of my son trying something new- tennis lessons! And I thought this photo layout was perfect with tennis balls (made from the Great Sport download) and the grid paper reminded me of a racquet! Sweet!

Supplies:

MDS, Great Sport download

Butterfly Congrats!

Last year my mom taught a class of young children at church, and a girl invited my mom to her baptism next week. My mom asked me to make a card for the girl, because she is in the process of moving and all her stamp stuff is packed!
I looove the long retired Presto Patterns DP for baptism cards and had some of this flower print already sized for a card front! Then I just made the latest Clean & Simple sketch work with the butterfly punch and stamps! I like how the punched butterflies show the marbled pink and purple. I thought the Congrats banner by itself was too short so I added another one, and I like that look, so here she goes!

Supplies:
Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners, Papillion Potpourri
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink (retired)
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White card stocks, Presto Patterns DP (retired)
Accessories: Bitty Butterfly Punch, Hexagon Punch, Dimensionals

love birds!

Since last weekend was National Scrapbooking Day, there were a bunch of great challenges with my favorite thread on Splitcoaststampers.com. I didn't even see these til Tuesday, and I had some time that evening so I put a page together! This was for a photo-inspiration challenge.

When I first saw the photo I thought to myself "annnd that will be the only one I can't accomplish" - but then I thought it would be great for some 'couple' photos...and we took several in February... huh! Page completed. haha!
You can see the greens and browns, along with a dash of red (from the branch/leaves in the photo) in the page. I'm pretty happy with it!

Supplies:
MDS, Seam Binding download, Recolor Tool, 2014 SAB content (hearts)

Bold & Bright

Today I've got a birthday card to share, with colors the absolute opposite of yesterdays!
Ever heard of "Dressing Your Truth" or "The Child Whisperer"? Well, this card is for a Type 3 friend so bold, rich colors were just right for her. Also, I thought I'd use up some of the retiring In Colors- perfect match! I also used the Verve April 2 sketch for this one.
...and the greeting looks a lot more straight irl...weird.

Supplies:
Stamps: Yippee Skippee
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Crushed Curry
Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Tangerine Tango, Gumball Green, Tag A Bag Accessory kit (striped paper)
Accessories: Big Shot, Arrows Embossing Folder, On Film Framelits Dies, Hexagon Punch (to flag the ends), Dimensionals

Create!

Here's a soft card that I made to thank my recent hostess for hosting a workshop! I used the Viva La Verve May sketch, and color challenge- aqua, gray and yellow
And a glimpse into my brain...I had making and sending this card on my to-do list (yes, I write down each card that needs made and mailed!) but then I thought maybe I'd already sent one....?? Nice, haha... I decided to make this and send it, I mean, no harm in two cards, right? I took advantage of the chance to use Creative Elements again, and some retiring Washi Tape too.

Supplies:
Stamps: Creative Elements
Ink: Soft Sky, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight
Paper: Soft Sky, Smoky Slate & Whisper White
Accessories: Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Mini Silver Brads, Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder

Scrapbooking!!

I just discovered that Saturday was National Scrapbooking Day! I missed it?! What?!
Well, that gives me a reason to share the news about Stampin' Up! partnering with Becky Higgins and Project Life!
If you're already familiar with Project Life, just imagine it with Stampin' Up's exclusive colors and images! If not, check this out...!

1. 135346 Project Life Corner Punch Rounds the corners of photos and cards $7.95
2. 135785 Project Life Day to Day Photopolymer Stamp Set 42 stamps $25.95
    136706 Project Life Au jour le jour Day to Day Set in French $25.95
3. 135787 Project Life Point & Click Photopolymer Stamp Set 26 stamps $15.95
4. 135301 Everyday Adventure Project Life Accessory Pack Four (4) 3" x 4" specialty cards; Eight (8) sticker sheets; One (1) acetate accents sheet; Eight (8) wood accents; Two (2)epoxy stickers; Four (4) arrow paperclips; One (1) roll washi tape (5 yds.) $9.95
5. 135294 Variety Pack 12" x 12" Project Life Photo Pocket Pages 12 pages: 2 ea. of 6 designs $6.95
6. 135707 Cards & Labels Project Life Framelits Dies 5 dies $24.95
7. 135298 Everyday Adventure Project Life Card Collection 100 double-sided, color -coordinated cards in 3 sizes: 4" x 6", 4" x 4", and 3" x 4" $15.95
8. 135304 Project Life Journaling Pens Two (2) pens (01 and 05) $4.95

Looks like fun, doesn't it? Well, Project Life is meant to make scrapbooking quick and easy! I've been doing this same concept already with pages like this one:

Maybe now I'll have to switch back to traditional paper crafting! *grin!

Blog Hop: Last Chance!!

Hello again! First of the month means, of course, another blog hop, and this time we're featuring soon-to-retire items! That means the things you see in this hop are going to be gone by June 1st (if not sooner!) so order them fast if you want them!!

Today I've got two cards to share with you...

This one is nothing but retiring products! The only thing sticking around is the white card stock of the front panel! For this card I used the current Mojo Monday sketch.

Supplies:
Stamps: Simply Sketched
Ink: Gumball Green marker, Raspberry Ripple marker, Basic Gray
Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Whisper White card stocks, I Am Me DP
Accessories: White stitched grosgrain ribbon, Vintage Trinkets


This next card used the latest Nacho Average Sketch and some retiring stamps and products. The colors stick around, but the Tag A Bag Accessory kit, and the stamps, do not! As I said at my workshop last weekend- I love how easy collage stamping is with the Creative Elements set! I am really going to miss it! And again, using the tags is just as cute on cards as it is on gifting! Isn't this one fun?

Supplies:

Stamps: Creative Elements

Ink: Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate

Paper: Bermuda Bay & Whisper White card stocks, Tag A Bag Accessory kit (striped yellow and blue frame)

Accessories: Hexagon punch, Big Shot, Banner Framelits dies, Tag A Bag Accessory kit (gray pennant)

 

Now head on over to Cheryl's blog and see what she's made with her retiring stash!

And be sure and hop thru all the blogs and leave some comments. We all love to know what you think of our work! *grin