Last Minute Christmas Project

Need a little last minute Christmas gift?  Well, how about one of these?

This is a little stamping box full of love.  Well, not really - but it is practical!  On the outside, I've slipped in a piece of Delightful Daisy DSP that I decorated with die cut flowers, leaves, and a butterfly.  I also stamped the sentiment and die cut it and a matching framed piece using the oval dies.  I used the Glitter Enamel Dots for the center of the flowers and on the body of the butterfly.

 Inside, I created a little folder on the bottom of the left side and decorated it to match the outside.  I adhered a sticky notepad with this cute purse that matches the colors from the DSP. 

 On the right side, I adhered a little 2018 calendar above a notepad and pen that I used some more matching DSP on.

This was a relatively quick and easy project once I decided on the DSP and colors for the flowers and butterflies.  I think it will make a nice little gift for someone as well!

Want to see what the other ladies created?  Check out their projects here!

Thanks for looking and have a great week!

Quick & Easy Party Favor - For Christmas

Today's SIS theme is "quick and easy party favor"

I love to cover things with DSP and decorate them.  So, that's exactly what I did for my creation.  I grabbed a kraft rounded box I bought at one of the craft stores and covered it with some Be Merry DSP.  I love this DSP - can you tell?  ;)

Here is kind of an angled-from-the-top view.

 I covered the base and the edge of the lid with matching paper.  I then used a die to cut the scalloped round piece for the top of the lid.  I then stamped the sentiment, cut it out using the oval dies, and finished it off with some punched out bows and pearls.

 I punched out the bow pieces and put it together so I could adhere to the front of the box. 

Here is a better picture of the top of the lid.

I'll be able to use this for a gift or a favor box full of chocolates!  It was quick and easy and perfect for a little something for Christmas!

Check out the other party favors here.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

A Gift Card Holder Card

With Christmas right around the corner, it's always nice to have gift cards on the ready!  Why not do double duty and use the card as the gift card holder too?  That's just what I've done for this week's Sisters In Stamping theme of gift card holder.

I've made some before, but I always put the gift card holder on the inside of the card.  This time, I chose to put it on the outside of the card!

I used one of my little dollar store frames, covered it with DSP, die cut a matching DSP stocking, and put it all together! 

It was quick and easy and I know I'll be able to use this!

Check out the other gift card holders here.

Thanks for looking and have a great day :)

A little inspiration!

This week's SIS challenge was to create something using this picture as inspiration in honor of Black Friday.

It's country elegance to me - so happy and nice :()

I had an idea that was just not working, so I scrapped it and started all over again.  I thought I should go simpler!  So, I grabbed the cardstock in Whisper White, Basic Black, and Daffodil Delight.  I then started looking at my dies and it came to me - the Detailed Floral Framelit!

And this is what I created:

I wanted to really showcase the Black, set off by the white with just a hint of the Daffodil Delight.  I even got to use my new ribbon.  It's so shimmery and beautiful!  I added a couple Pearls to the flowers and was done.  I love it!  That framelit is really great.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day shopping and having fun!

Check out the other creations here.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful weekend!

Thankful

This week, the Sisters In Stamping are all truly thankful for many reasons and wanted to create projects around this word.  Check out the other creations here.

I'm truly thankful for so many things:  Family, Friends, Health, Love, Hobbies, Job, and the list goes on and on.  I know I have a lot to be thankful for and as I get older, I realize I need to remember that each and every day.

Since next week is Thanksgiving, I decided to make a Thanksgiving card. 

This is the card I made.  The leaves are mostly all turned here in Virginia and many have fallen to the ground.  But, it is beautiful with the Fall colors.  So, I grabbed my Lovely As A Tree set and chose this image.  I used my Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, and Early Espresso markers and colored in the image.  I then stamped on to Very Vanilla cardstock.  I did the same to the little leaf stamp and cut them out with scissors.  I stamped the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set using Cajun Craze.  I pulled the same color cardstock and found the triangular piece of Cajun Craze and decided to use it!  I punched out the sentiment and Crushed Curry using the Duet Banner punch.  I just got this new Copper Trim ribbon and knew I had to use it.  It's so pretty and shiny!!!  I then adhered everything and was done.  Thankful to have completed it ;)

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

"K" is for...

Happy Friday!

This week's theme for the Sisters In Stamping is to create a project that is monogrammed or personalized.  I knew I wanted to make a set of note cards.

Each year, my mom's friend makes me a pumpkin roll.  She knows I love any kind of pumpkiny goodness and it is always a welcome treat once we hit Fall!

So, I decided to make her a set of note cards with her first name's initial.  The funny thing is, my mom's first name also starts with a "K" and so does my younger niece's!  I didn't realize how many people I knew had "K" names!

Anyway, I started with the In Color Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper.  I then pulled the matching solid cardstock and started die cutting the letter "K" and shapes from the Eastern Medallions thinlits.  I tried different combinations until I came up with these.  I ended up making two sets (yes, Ma, you are going to get one too! 💗 you!).

Here are what some of the cards look like. 

Here are the other two cards with the matching envelopes I created.

 

And here is what the set looks like packaged in a clear box with matching ribbon. 

These were really easy to create once I had all of the pieces die cut.  I like the simplicity of them too.

Thank you for looking and have a wonderful day and weekend!  Check out the other personalized and monogrammed projects here.

JOY Banner

Happy Weekend!!!  I hope everyone has some good plans this weekend.  I was lucky enough last weekend to sit and enjoy some crafting.  So, I went ahead and made this week's project for the Sisters In Stamping - a holiday banner.

I pulled some frames I bought at the dollar store years ago and decided to cover them with Be Merry designer paper.  I love this paper!!!!  I then used matching colored cardstock (Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler) to die cut the letters for JOY.  I also pulled out my bell, holly, and small bow punches and punched out shapes in matching colors.  I die cut the stocking from the same designer paper.  I then threaded the Cherry Cobbler double stitched ribbon through the back of each frame, adhered the ribbon, and I was done :) 

Sorry this isn't such a good picture, but you can see the finished product.  The bell on the "J" frame is cut off a little.  I punched the bell from one of the designer papers, put a small bow from the holly punch on it and punched out a piece of Shimmery White from the holly punch for the round piece.  I also used Shimmery White for the top of the stocking on the "O". 

Thanks so much for looking and have a wonderful day and weekend!

Please see the other banners that the SIS created here.

Navy Day

Today is National Navy Day.  In honor of the Navy, the Sisters In Stamping created projects featuring Night of Navy.

Here's a little history of Navy Day:

Navy Day is the original day to celebrate the U.S. Navy, and though this celebration officially was replaced by Armed Forces Day (Third Saturday in May for the U.S.) in 1949, the celebrations of Navy Day continue on, especially within the Navy itself. Additionally, research undertaken in the 1970s showed the ‘true’ birthday of the US Navy to be October 13th, and the date was officially changed – however, the entrenched celebration still holds sway, and October 27th is still generally celebrated instead.

History

The 27th October was suggested as a date to recognize the birthday of one of the Navy’s supporters who was Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897, Theodore Roosevelt.
Before 1949 the U.S. Navy would send its ships to various ports for Navy Day, with 1945 having a large celebration; the current President (President Harry S Truman) reviewed the fleet in the New York Harbor, and there are pictures of ships docked along the Hudson River for the celebrations.
Navy Day was last officially observed on October 27th 1949 when Louis A. Johnson directed that the U.S. Navy’s participation in such events would occur in May, On Armed Forces Day. He was the secretary of the newly created Department of Defense.
The Navy League was not affected by this decision as it is a Civilian Organization, and they continued to organize events as before.

I should have created a more masculine card for this week's theme, but somehow the Detailed Floral Thinlits was calling to me.  I've been meaning to use it for a while now and this was the perfect time!

Here's my card:

I decided to keep it very simple as the thinlet's design did all the work for me.  I added the silver edged ribbon and some pearls.  I used a simple Whisper White card base and the card took me 10 minutes the most!  I love it; will be making more of these for sure!

Please check out the other SIS creations here.

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Color Combo Challenge!

TGIF!  Am I right?  I thought this weekend would never get here ;)

Today, the Sisters In Stamping have a color challenge:  Calypso Coral, Rich Razzleberry, Powder Pink and Whisper White.

The Calypso Coral in this combo made this a challenge for me.  So, I have to admit that I used very little.  See?  LOL!

My base cardstock and ribbon are Powder Pink, the butterfly embossed cardstock is Rich Razzleberry, and the flowers of the stamped image is in Calypso Coral.  I'm not sure that it really works on this card, but it's what I came up with :)

Thanks for looking and check out the other creations here.

Have a wonderful day, weekend, etc!

Easy Masculine Card

I do struggle with masculine cards, but always need them!  So, it was great to have Masculine Cards be the theme for the Sisters In Stamping this week.

I really love the Naturally Eclectic DSP.  I saw this sheet from the pack and immediately grabbed it for this challenge.  Here are the cards I made:

I wanted to see what the DSP would look like against Night of Navy and Fresh Fig.  I think both look great and masculine.  I tried it with Lemon Lime Twist, but it just didn't do it for me.

 I decided to pull the Tranquil Teal color out of the paper for the stamped image (Badges & Banners set).  I needed just a little something to set off the stamped image, so I grabbed some more Navy and Fig cardstock and the Triple Banner Punch to punch out the pieces to place the stamped badge on.

This card was quick and easy!  I'll definitely make some more to have on hand.

Check out the other masculine card creations from the Sisters In Stamping here!

Thanks for looking and have a great day.

Sympathy Card

Unfortunately, I've been needing a lot of sympathy cards lately.   I've used most of my stock, so it was good that this week's SIS theme is to make a sympathy card.  I created two. 

I decided I wanted to use the Thoughts & Prayers set since I haven't used it in a long time.  I then decided to grab some DSP, but didn't want anything very busy so as it wouldn't take away from my stamped image.  I decided to grab the Fresh Florals DSP, specifically a Berry Burst paper.  I cut out some pieces and adhered them to the Whisper White card base.

I then used my Tranquil Teal and Berry Burst markers to color in the stamp.   After stamping the image, I cut it out using the paper cutter and then mounted the imaged piece on a piece of Tranquil Teal cardstock.  I wanted to see what the image would look like if I didn't center it, but adhered it at an angle.  Both cards needed a sentiment, so I stamped out both, then die cut each using the Layering Ovals Framelits.  I popped them up using dimensionals and adhered them.  I felt like they needed just a little something more, so I took out the Pearl Basic Jewels that I love and put the smallest ones in the center of each of the flowers.  To finish up the card, I tied some Tranquil Teal ribbon on each. 

Here is a closeup of each card:

Please click here to see what the Sisters In Stamping created.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Big Shot Favorites

This week's SIS theme is to pick a favorite Big Shot accessory.  I find that I could not live without my butterfly dies:  Bold Butterfly Framelits and matching Butterfly Thinlits.  I think I have used these dies more than any other that I own.  I just love them and how quickly they can turn out such beauty.

This is the card I made:

I usual, I first grabbed some DSP to start.  I love this Delightful Daisy DSP.  There are so many beautiful papers in this set.  This one spoke to me, so I then grabbed some Delightful Daffodil and Night of Navy cardstock to cut out my butterflies on the Big Shot.  After adhering the butterflies, I decided I needed a sentiment.  So, I stamped out the "happy birthday" (Teeny Tiny Wishes set) using Night of Navy ink on the Daffodil cardstock.  I then used some of the Layering Ovals Framelits to cut the sentiment out and frame it.

I love the Pearl Basic Jewels.  They are perfect for adding just a little something more, especially to the butterfly body and head.  I got a little carried away on the sentiment piece, but what girl doesn't love pearls, right?

So, those are my favorite Stampin' Up! Big Shot accessories; couldn't just pick one!  Check out what the Sisters In Stamping chose as their favorites here.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Bundle Up!

Stampin' Up! has great bundle deals.  Each catalog seems to have more and more too - yay!

Today's Sisters In Stamping theme is to pick an SU! bundle to create a project.

I have a lot of them, but decided to focus on two:

The first is the Coffee Cafe Bundle which includes the Coffee Cafe stamp set and the Coffee Cups Framelits Dies.  I love coffee and other than water and wine, is the only other drink for me ;)  When I saw this bundle, I had t have it!  I didn't utilize the stamps with the dies as much as I thought I would, but that's the beauty of having both - you can do sooooo much!

The second bundle I used is the Label Me Pretty Bundle with includes the Label Me Pretty stamp set and matching punch.  I love stamps sets and matching punches - you can quickly knock out a card in no time!  This card took me about ten minutes tops!  

Well, that's about it for me!  Check out the bundles the Sisters In Stamping decided feature here!

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Personalized Gift

Happy Weekend!!!  Today's Sisters In Stamping theme is "Personalized Gifts".  I had so many great ideas running through my head, but work was really stressful this week and I was only able to make one thing.  But, I feel it is a personalized gift for a couple reasons.  I'm meeting a friend soon to celebrate her birthday.  I picked out a beautiful pair of earrings that will look great on her.  I decided to "personalize" the gift wrapping!

This is what I created.

I used a little tin I bought at the craft store to "wrap" her gift in.  This paper from the Naturally Eclectic DSP set just has her name written all over it!  I love that it also uses 3 of the new In Colors. 

This was a great wrap because this took me about 10 minutes to do; not much more than wrapping with gift wrap!

I can't wait to see what the others created.  Please check here to see their personalized gift ideas.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Time to Embellish!

I love embellishments!  So, I was very happy that this week's theme for the Sisters In Stamping is to use an embellishment from the SU catalog (from either page 196 or 197).  I recently bought the new In Color felt bows and thought this was the perfect chance to use them.

I wanted to keep the card simple.  I like this sentiment from the Layering Love stamp set.  So, I stamped it on Whisper White cardstock first.  I'm not a fan of a lot of white space, so I decided to  use some of the new In Color ribbon and adhered some strips.  Next, I adhered the stamped/ribboned sheet to a card base in the new Tranquil Tide.  To finish it up, I placed the little bows on and the card is finished.   I think I should have stuck to the Tranquil Tide, Fresh Fig, and Powder Pink colors only.  But, I can go back and replace the two bows later.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Thanks for looking.  Please check out more embellishment ideas here.

Birthday Gift Box

Happy Weekend!  I thought it would never get here this week!  I was able to join the Sisters In Stamping again this week with a fun theme - boxes!  I found this great and easy box on the Gathering Beauty blog.  I love it because it uses a full 12 x 12 sheet of cardstock.  You can find directions on her site here.

This is the finished box I created.  I started with SU!'s new In Color cardstock stack called Fresh Florals - I used the Lemon Lime Twist colored paper and ribbon.  It's so summery and pretty! 

 I stamped the Happy Birthday image from the Label Me Pretty stamp set and punched it out with matching Pretty Label punch.  I then punched out two pieces from the Lemon Lime Twist cardstock and adhered them to the back of the stamped image.

Oh,  I colored in the image using my In Color markers before I punched it out!  I only put a little piece of sticky red tape behind the top of the stamped/punched piece to secure to the lip of the box top.  This way, you can open the lid without destroying the box and it can be reused if you want.

The finished box is a very nice size:  6" long, 3" tall, and 2 1/2" deep.  I did make it more sturdy by adhering pieces of cut cardboard on the inside.   You could put a lot of very nice things inside :)

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day and weekend!  Check out the other boxes the SIS ladies made here.

Pretty Kitty

Well, I finally had a chance to sit down and play with my new SU! items - yay!

Today's Sisters In Stamping theme is "animals".  I was going to make a card and had an idea all lined, up, but when I started to pull things, I saw some honey jars and got a totally different idea.

I decided to make/decorate a kitty treat jar!  I used my Pretty Kitty set and stamped the image.  I then used my heart thinlits to die cut her out.  I also die cut a slightly larger heart using the new Berry Burst cardstock.  I then colored my kitty using some Smoky Slate ink and a paint brush.  I mixed a little water with the ink and painted her in.  I then used the Berry Burst and Powder Pink markers to color in her bow, ears, and nose.  I used the new In Color DSP in Berry to cover the jar and lid.  I also tied the hearts to the jar with the Berry ribbon.  I thought there was just a little too much white space around the kitty, so I used the new Glitter Enamel Dots to fill it in.

I think I'll put in some treats and give to one of my cat friends!

Here is the finished treat jar.  It was really fast and easy!  So, save those jars and here's a quick gift idea for a friend!

Check out the other Sisters In Stamping animal creations here.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for looking.

Color Challenge!

I love a color challenge!  This week's Sisters In Stamping theme is a color challenge:  Pool Party, Early Espresso, and Whisper White.  This is a GREAT color combo - very sophisticated and classy, I think!

I love this amazing satin ribbon, so knew I wanted to use it.  I also have been wanting to use my new Mediterranean stamp set.  This set reminds me of my trip to Greece and Italy - wish I were there now!  Anyway, I decided to try several techniques on some watercolor paper.  The best ended up being using a blending pen and pulling ink from the stamp pad.  I'm horrible with a water painter, so...I'll keep trying!

Here is the card I made.  It isn't well colored, but it'll have to do for now ;) 

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

It's Bunny Season - My Favorite Time of Year :)

Today, the Sisters In Stamping are featuring Easter projects.  I love this time of year because there are cute bunny things in abundance!  This is because I have had pet rabbits for 25 years, I love seeing all things bunny :)

I decided to make a little treat box for my project.  I used the Baker's Box Thinlit, and cut it out Emerald Envy DSP from the In Color Designer Series Pack.  I used the new Basket Bunch stamp set to stamp the basket bottom, bunny, and sentiment.  I then die cut the basket, bunny, and bow using the accompanying die set Basket Builder Framelits.  I used the Banners Framelits to die cut the sentiment.  I "tied" it all together using the Whisper White Thick Bakers Twine.  I filled the little box with Easter M&Ms.  Not only are they pretty colors with speckles, they are larger too!  Did I say how much I love this time of year????

Here's my project:

Please check out the other projects here!

Thanks for looking and have an awesome day and weekend!

Hello, Cupcake!

Today, we are all about cupcakes :)  The Sisters In Stamping are celebrating cupcakes with projects featuring them.

Here is the card I made:

I decided to use my cupcake punch and highlight my cupcake by popping it up with dimensionals within die cut circles on my cardstock.  I love this color combination - Melon Mambo, White, and Black.  I also stamped the sentiments and punched them out with my banner punch.  I "tied" it all together with this cute Melon Mambo ribbon :)  Cute and simple!

Hope you have a weekend full of cupcake goodness!

Thanks for looking!

Hello Friend!

Happy Friday!  Today's Sisters In Stamping theme is a "Hello Friend" project. 

This is the card I made:

I thought this image of Bella and her little turtle friend was perfect.  I also used the Thoughtful Banners stamp set to create the banner with the words "Hello Friend" and then punched it out using the Duel Banner Punch.  The background paper is from the Festive Birthday DSP - such happy colors :)  I used my SU! markers to color in the stamped image and then embellished with some matching Emerald Envy Enamel Shapes and Ribbon. 

Reach out to a friend today and tell them you are thinking about them!  I was lucky enough to spend some time with two great friends today - one, a total surprise (shout out to Michelle!!!!)

Have a great rest of the weekend and thanks for looking!

National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Today is National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.  I have several friends that I'm thinking of today.  I adore them, support them, and I made this card especially for them!

Love and Hugs!  Thanks for looking.

Laugh Out Loud!

Today is National Let's Laugh Day.  I love this one!  There is nothing better than letting loose and laughing.  Feels great, doesn't it?

I have some really cute stamps that make me laugh.  So, I decided to make this card.  It combines a couple of my favorite things ;)

Hope you find yourself laughing today!  Have a good one and thanks for looking.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Everyone!

Today, the Sisters In Stamping are celebrating the day by sharing projects that include green (Debbie's favorite color!)  Check out what the other ladies created here!

Here is the card I made:

I love this Emerald Envy color.  It's beautiful, isn't it?  I also thought I'd make some four leaf clovers made with hearts.  The sentiment just stuck out to me and I thought it was perfect for this card, so I stamped it, die cut it, and adhered it!

Here's a cute little poem I found on this site.  Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Leprechaun Kisses

Just a bit of Ireland

That I’m sending you today

To bring you luck and happiness

On this fine St. Patrick’s Day

It’s a wee and tiny present

Full of good luck and good wishes

Seems the little folk of Ireland

Have sent you some

Leprechaun Kisses

Butterflies- Learn something new today!

Today is National Learn About Butterflies Day!  I love this.  I had no idea and I work in a museum that has a butterfly pavilion ;)  I'll have to check to make sure we are doing something fun today.

I decided to celebrate by making this card:

I also decided to share some facts about butterflies, so we can all learn something!  I found these facts on this site (The Butterfly Site).

·  Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge almost 12 inches.

·  Butterflies can see red, green, and yellow.

·  Some people say that when the black bands on the Woolybear caterpillar are wide, a cold winter is coming.

·  The top butterfly flight speed is 12 miles per hour. Some moths can fly 25 miles per hour!

·  Monarch butterflies journey from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of about 2,000 miles, and return to the north again in the spring.

·  Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.

·  Representations of butterflies are seen in Egyptian frescoes at Thebes, which are 3,500 years old.

·  Antarctica is the only continent on which no Lepidoptera have been found.

·  There are about 24,000 species of butterflies. The moths are even more numerous: about 140,000 species of them were counted all over the world.

·  The Brimstone butterfly (Gonepterix rhamni) has the longest lifetime of the adult butterflies: 9-10 months.

·  Some Case Moth caterpillars (Psychidae) build a case around themselves that they always carry with them. It is made of silk and pieces of plants or soil.

·  The caterpillars of some Snout Moths (Pyralididae) live in or on water-plants.

·  The females of some moth species lack wings, all they can do to move is crawl.

·  The Morgan's Sphinx Moth from Madagascar has a proboscis (tube mouth) that is 12 to 14 inches long to get the nectar from the bottom of a 12 inch deep orchid discovered by Charles Darwin.

·  Some moths never eat anything as adults because they don't have mouths. They must live on the energy they stored as caterpillars.

·  Many butterflies can taste with their feet to find out whether the leaf they sit on is good to lay eggs on to be their caterpillars' food or not. 

Have a wonderful day and thanks for looking!

 

Butterflies range in size from a tiny 1/8 inch to a huge almost 12 inches.

Butterflies can see red, green, and yellow.

Some people say that when the black bands on the Woolybear caterpillar are wide, a cold winter is coming.

The top butterfly flight speed is 12 miles per hour. Some moths can fly 25 miles per hour!

Monarch butterflies journey from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of about 2,000 miles, and return to the north again in the spring.

Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.

Representations of butterflies are seen in Egyptian frescoes at Thebes, which are 3,500 years old.

Antarctica is the only continent on which no Lepidoptera have been found.

There are about 24,000 species of butterflies. The moths are even more numerous: about 140,000 species of them were counted all over the world.

The Brimstone butterfly (Gonepterix rhamni) has the longest lifetime of the adult butterflies: 9-10 months.

Some Case Moth caterpillars (Psychidae) build a case around themselves that they always carry with them. It is made of silk and pieces of plants or soil.

The caterpillars of some Snout Moths (Pyralididae) live in or on water-plants.

The females of some moth species lack wings, all they can do to move is crawl.

The Morgan's Sphinx Moth from Madagascar has a proboscis (tube mouth) that is 12 to 14 inches long to get the nectar from the bottom of a 12 inch deep orchid discovered by Charles Darwin.

Some moths never eat anything as adults because they don't have mouths. They must live on the energy they stored as caterpillars.

Many butterflies can taste with their feet to find out whether the leaf they sit on is good to lay eggs on to be their caterpillars' food or not.

- See more at: http://www.thebutterflysite.com/facts.shtml#sthash.1CjIQRgJ.dpuf