Vacation with Overlay

Just a quick post for this busy weekend!
This week's MDS Monday sketch wanted us to use an overlay. I thought the sketch worked great with a few pictures from one of our stops on our recent vacation! Everything on this page uses just one kit- and I recolored the "overlay" and the background DP. LOVE that feature!!

Supplies:
MDS: Lemonade Stand, Recolor Tool

Previous Paper Pumpkin

And now to completely switch gears for just a moment...!
Now that the kids are back in school and I have a little more time, I was going thru my supplies and rediscovered a My Paper Pumpkin kit I was given, back in November! I pulled it out and took a little time to play!
(This kit was before the re-design, so it doesn't have as many supplies as we're getting now.)
So, the kit was designed to make Christmas cards almost like this:

Supplies:

November My Paper Pumpkin kit, Very Vanilla card stock

(I adjusted it slightly...the card base was the striped card stock, but I cut it to card front size, to get more out of it and mounted it onto Very Vanilla card stock!)

And while I can always use a few more Christmas cards, as soon as I saw the stitched stars I knew I wanted to use it for this...!
Ta-da!

Supplies: November My Paper Pumpkin kit, Real Red & Whisper White card stock, Lost Lagoon Ink, Skinny Mini ABC

So in the kit, the stars were stitched together, maybe 30 of them in a string? and I immediately thought it would be so fun to accent a page!! With the kit instructions, we were supposed to wrap it around the pennant piece of the card. I snipped it for both the card and for the page!

I really am loving the My Paper Pumpkin kits! I like that you can make something quick and cute, or you can personalize it and make it your own! Don't miss out on the chance to sign up for the kits to come to you- for half off your first two months by September 10!

August Paper Pumpkin Kit!

Yesterday I took some time to play with my latest My Paper Pumpkin kit!
The first two are basically what the kit has you make, except that I cut the striped card bases and made them card fronts. This lets me play with stripey scraps later!

And these two I mounted onto colored card stocks instead of white.

Supplies:

August Paper Pumpkin Kit: (Hello Honey ink & card stock, Strawberry Slush ink & card stock, Mossy Meadow ink)

You can also make mini cards but I see some scrapbooking in my future...! And of course I'll share other ideas as I get to make them!

Man Birthday!

Happy Monday to you! Are you ready for another week? This is our first full week of school and I can tell you we have not adjusted to the new wake-up time...!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday, and this is the card I sent him! I used the Freshly Made Sketch, and I'm getting this in under the wire, but I had to wait to post it til he got it!
His favorite color is yellow, and the camera and globe images suit him for sure!

Supplies:
Stamps: Traveler, World Map, Itty Bitty Banners
Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Hello Honey
Paper: Hello Honey, Crumb Cake & Baked Brown Sugar card stocks, Park Lane DP
Accessories: Neutral Buttons, Linen Thread, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Yes, the inks and card stocks are different...the listed color of brown in the Park Lane DP is Soft Suede. I wanted to use two shades of ink for the images, to make the camera stand out more. I also wanted the map more subtle, hence the tone on tone. I noticed how nicely the Crumb Cake card stock went with the DP so I used that. Annnd the Baked Brown Sugar was simply the wrong package of brown- I thought I was using Soft Suede til I went to put the scrap back- whoops! haha...but I think it worked out just fine!

Back to School

Just in case I needed more challenges to keep up with, haha, I've joined a couple of MDS facebook groups. Today's page uses the sketch from one of them, along with a back to school suggested theme. Well, my kiddos went back to school this week! Done and done!
The journaling lines and the letters under the photos are part of a digi stamp set called School Days - I don't think I've ever used it before. Love that!! All the DP, including the lined paper, are from Just Add Cake.

Supplies:
MDS: Just Add Cake DP, Punches, Ink Splatters, Button Bouquet, 2014 SAB Content (twine), School Days

Mapped Page

Good morning! Today's is a project I am particularly happy with, so lets get right to it!

Yesterday when I was making cards I was perusing my favorite sketch/challenge blogs (most of which are listed on the side bar) and even tho I was looking for card sketches, I opened the MDS Monday blog. And while I almost always love to play along with their sketches, I was very excited about this one! I knew exactly what to do, too! Last month my family took an actual vacation, just the four of us, and we're pretty sure that's the first time ever. This page features one of our many stops- and one of my favorites!

Supplies:
MDS: Lemonade Stand content disk (hexagon & stitching) Keep In Touch content disk, SAB 2014 content (stitched pennant)

I took a photo of the Zion's National Park brochure, which includes Kolob Canyon. That's what I used for my background. Then I grouped a few of the smaller photos, which is why I'm labeling this as a 10-photo layout. Some of those views cannot be cropped! I left off the arrow pointing to the destination on the map, because I thought the brochure did a pretty good job pointing it out on it's own, haha!
What do you think?

Boy Birthdays!

This weekend my son has a combined birthday party to attend. That means I needed to make two boy birthday cards!
First up, I used the current Clean & Simple sketch, and! I got to play with my Blendabilities again! Check out the parachute!

Supplies:
Stamps: Boys Will Be Boys, Gorgeous Grunge
Ink: Pacific Point, Memento Black, Pumpkin Pie marker, Old Olive Blendabilities
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive & Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Brights Candy Dots

And then I used the current Nacho Average Sketch for this card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Boys Will Be Boys
Ink: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point
Paper: Marina Mist & Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Hexagon Punch, Dimensionals

So instead of added three things across the side of the card (since I turned the sketch) I punched holes, and stamped on the card base! I started by punching the holes out, then using a pencil to lightly mark the corners of the hexagons. Then I used a 'frame' punched out of a post-it note to make sure I didn't stamp where I didn't want it showing, and erased the pencil marks. Then I put the card stock on Dimensionals!

Pretty handy, huh?

News!

There are three major things I think you should know about....

1. Thursday a very quick promotion begins- From only Aug 21- Aug 28, anyone who signs up to become a demonstrator will get $150 worth of products, for only $99!
*Did you know you can start your own business?
*Did you know that you can teach others to do what you love to do?
*Did you know you can get the starter kit at that awesome low price and not do anything else to keep your business going?
Does any of that apply to you?

2. The Big Shot promotion only goes til Aug 31. You have 12 more days to buy a Big Shot and get a select stamp set and coordinating die for FREE! Or, if you own the Big Shot, you have 12 more days to get a stamp set and die for 15% off!

3. If you sign up for My Paper Pumpkin before Sept 10, you can get your first two months half off!! That's a really fun, full kit, for only $9.97! You cannot beat that, anywhere....except that starter kit listed above.... Plus, the kit is completely ready for you to play with it, using the instructions or your own way- and comes straight to your door!

Last week of summer!

Happy Monday once again!
Today I have a scrapbook layout for you! Remember I was doing a page of each week? Yeah, I've almost forgotten too! haha.... So this is just picking up where I would have if I had kept up, which means I have plenty to catch up on!
This page also uses the sketch found HERE, and an inspiration challenge found HERE. I did the ombre background I first tried for THIS page but this time I went for a hot summer sunset feel. Also, I figured game nights, harvesting & preserving fruit, back to school, pool time, water fights, and bike rides about covers SUMMER. haha....

Supplies:
MDS; Punches, Opacity tool

A beach page

Happy Friday! Its the last weekend of our summer vacation...what are we going to do with it...?!

Lets end the week with some scrapbooking, shall we?
This time I used some old photos along with some newly retired DP, and some brand new stamp sets, haha... It was designed around a Virtual Scrapbook Night Challenge, found HERE. I actually went thru and selected photos for four more challenges, and I'm extra excited to be using printed photos!

Supplies:
Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Skinny Mini ABC
Ink: Pacific Point, Soft Sky, Smoky Slate
Paper: Soft Sky & Whisper White card stocks, High Tide DP
Accessories: White Baker's Twine

Soft & Simple!

Here is yet another stamp set I have wanted for a long time, but again with that really long wish list....I just might never get it. But I did get to play with it last week so that helps, right? haha....
I had a few ideas to try but ended up keeping it super simple, and I really love how it turned out! I haven't added a greeting yet, til I need it, but I think it would look nice stamped in gray, next to the ribbons.

Supplies:
Stamps: Postage Due
Ink: Pool Party
Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White & Smoky Slate card stocks
Accessories: White taffeta ribbon, Soft Sky seam binding

Coral Thank You

Here is a card I started a few weeks ago. I was using the then-current Mojo Monday sketch and I wanted to try the Blendabilities on the buttons! Do you see my pretty green button?? Fun, huh?? I didn't get it put it together til that night at my friend's house tho, and got to use her Floral Frames die, and background stamp, for the flower the button is stuck to. Always fun to play with new things!
And on that note!

• Don't forget that ALL Blendabilities are now available! 
• And don't forget the super awesome Big Shot deal going on this month!!! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Lots of Thanks, Dictionary background
Ink: Calypso Coral, Early Espresso
Paper: Calypso Coral & Whisper White card stocks, Park Lane DP
Accessories: Chevron Ribbon (the back of it), Vintage Faceted buttons, Paper Doily, Big Shot, Floral Frames die, Old Olive Blendabilities

Kindness

This is a stamp set that has been high on my wish list since the catalog came out, (there is a LOT on that list!) but first I got to play with it (and the butterfly punch!) last week! Whoo hoo! I stuck with the newest In Colors and loosely based it on Retro Sketch 126, and I LOVE how it turned out!
Also, this thought keeps running thru my head....a long time ago I got it as a fridge magnet from church, but it said "a little kindness goes a long way...gossip the good and make someone's day!"

Supplies:
Stamps: Kinda Eclectic
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey, Mossy Meadow
Paper: Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White
Accessories: Hexagon Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals

Sneaky Peek!

Happy Monday to you! How was your weekend? We are diving into the very last week of summer and I am not ready to give it up yet!!!
Here is another card I made a few nights ago. Actually I only stamped it that night, because I didn't bring Cajun Craze card stock with me, nor the Early Espresso button. This card uses the latest Clean & Simple sketch, and it also uses a stamp set from the upcoming Holiday Mini! Of course this one is my favorite image of the three, and it's also the next season (my favorite season!) which is why I chose to use this one!

Supplies:
Stamps: Seasonally Scattered
Ink: Cajun Craze
Paper: Very Vanilla, Mossy Meadow, Cajun Craze, Hello Honey
Accessories: Neutral Buttons, Linen Thread

BFF's

Well, this page was done for the latest MDS Monday sketch, and DT call...which I am very interested in, but since it's too late for the linkup I'm sure it doesn't count...whoops!
Oh well, you can't stop life from happening, and anyway, you get to see a new page today! I think this turned out really nice, and lends itself well to a second page with the rest of the photos from this day. The long, narrow photos are a good change for me and made for a good challenge too, haha!

Supplies:
MDS: Everyday Enchantment DP, Sara's Sequins, Lemonade Stand stitching

Hello Love!

It's been a full week since I posted anything, which means it's been a full week since I created anything! Sad! But summer gets like that.......!
Last night I had the chance to spend an evening with a fellow demonstrator and her downline, to just hang out and stamp! Awesome! Her stamps and inks were available for our use so I took the opportunity to use stamp sets I don't have- so that's what you'll be seeing the next few posts!
Today's card uses the latest Freshly Made Sketch, and a hostess stamp set! It's pretty simple but perfectly mailable!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hello Love
Ink: Soft Sky, Real Red
Paper: Whisper White & Soft Sky card stocks, Maritime DP
Accessories: Brights Candy Dots

Blog Hop: Featuring the Big Shot!

...and all the things you can do with it!
Happy August to you, and welcome to another fun blog hop!
(also, if you're a regular reader of mine, today I have cards!!!)

This month, Stampin' Up! is offering a really awesome promotion with the Big Shot! If you don't own a Big Shot, this is the best time to buy one! Until August 31, you can buy a Big Shot and get a Framelits and Stamp Set bundle for FREE! Already own a Big Shot? No problem- you can get a 15% discount on the same selected bundles!! YEAY!
(check the list of bundles at the bottom of this post)
And that is why our August Blog Hop features the Big Shot- to show you the fun things you can do once you get one of these in your house too!

My first card uses the very fun On Film framelits. There are lots of cute framelits in that set but my favorite is this polaroid frame! I also used the Calypso Coral Blendabilities which! you should know that ALL Blendabilites are available for you to order today!

Supplies:
Stamps: Swallowtail
Ink: Memento Black Ink, Calypso Coral Blendabilities
Paper: Park Lane DP, Calypso Coral & Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Big Shot, On Film Framelits, Linen Thread

The second card fits the NAC100 challenge- and I used the #53 sketch. In case it isn't obvious, my favorite way to use the Big Shot is to emboss chunks of paper. Here I used the Honeycomb embossing folder and then scuffed an ink pad across it! Such a quick, cool look! But I also used another die - the Banners Die, for the greeting tag!

Supplies:
Stamps: Summer Silhouettes, Lots of Thanks
Ink: Island Indigo, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Crumb Cake
Paper: Island Indigo, Crumb Cake & Very Vanilla card stocks
Accessories: Big Shot, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Banners Framelits Dies

Alright, now go check out the rest of the Blog Hop, see what you could do if you owned the Big Shot and figure out your August order! *grin!

Discounted Bundles during August: 
Sumthin' Sumthin' stamp set & Word Bubbles framelits
Oh My Goodies stamp set & Deco Labels Collection framelits
Day of Celebration stamp set & Chalk Talk framelits
Daydream Medallions & Floral Collection framelits
Bright & Beautiful** stamp set & Stars framelits
(**stamp set available in Holiday Mini- released August 28, let me know if you want one mailed to you!)