Pugs and Kisses Card [for The Paper Players Challenge PP263]

Hey, folks!

Here to share this card I made...


I love that little pug! :o)  Here he is jumping out of a pile of leaves, some of which were die-cut from corrugated paper and the rest from various cardstock colours.  I drew on the cardstock ones with Stampin' Write Markers just to add some detail!

I'm entering my card in the current challenge over at The Paper Players [PP263]:



The adorable pug and sentiment are from this stamp set:


Hot Diggity Dog Clear-Mount Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!
Hot Diggity Dog Wood-Mount Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!

Some of the other fun things I used:



For the embossed panel, I used the Argyle folder [the debossed side].  The sentiment was punched out with the Washi Label Punch.  The little leaves were die-cut with one of the dies from the Square Pillow Box Thinlits set -- the die cuts three leaves at once, so the leaf pile was created pretty quickly! :o)  I used Crushed Curry cardstock for my card base, and the speech bubble die-cut is from the Watercolor Wishes Card Kit.

Hope you got a smile here today, and thanks for stopping by! :o)

'Tis the Season Snowman Card [for Mojo Monday Challenge MOJO416]

Hey, folks!

Hope you had a great weekend!  I made a bunch of things over the past several days, so I'll have cards to share throughout the week. :o)  Today I'm sharing something I made earlier today for a challenge...


I'm really happy with how this card turned out! :o)  I used this sketch from the current Mojo Monday challenge [MOJO416]:


I've gotta say that no ideas came to mind at first...until I looked at the sketch sideways!  Then I thought, "SNOWMAN!" :D

I had to play around with the placement of his googly eyes and carrot nose a little because he looked a little creepy at one point, but I think he looks rather friendly now! :o)

Here are some of the things I used to make my card:



To build the snowman, I used three of the Circles Collection Framelits.  For the background, I used the Softly Falling folder [the debossed side].  I used Lost Lagoon 5/8" Striped Cotton Ribbon for the snowman's scarf and Silver 1/8" Ribbon along the left side of the debossed panel.

I drew on the snowman's smile. :o)  I stamped and die-cut the little holly using the Snow Place Photopolymer Bundle.  The stamped sentiment is from Peaceful Pines, and it was die-cut with a die from Square Pillow Box Thinlits.

Hope you got a smile here today, and thanks for visiting! :o)

Thank You Floral Card [for Global Design Project Challenge GDP002]

Hey, folks!

I hope you've been having a good week so far!  I'm here to share this card I made...


So I fussy cut one of the printed pieces from the Cottage Greetings Card Kit.  BECAUSE I'M CRAZY.  Seriously, I wouldn't recommend fussy cutting that design unless:

a) you have a lot of patience
b) you have really sharp scissors

You'll drive yourself nuts otherwise. :D

I started off with a Lost Lagoon card base.  For texture, I used some corrugated paper, adhesive-backed cork from my stash [old stuff from QuicKutz], and linen thread.  That great 'thank you' stamp is from A Whole Lot Of Lovely, which is a stamp set you can only get with Stampin' Rewards.  Once I spent enough to earn Stampin' Rewards, that was the first thing I chose because I love that 'thank you'.  I inked it with Stampin' Write Markers in Lost Lagoon, Mint Macaron and Tangerine Tango.

I'm entering my card in the current Global Design Project challenge [GDP002]:


Thanks for stopping by -- until next time! :o)

Snow Place Snowman Money Holder Card [for Mojo Monday Challenge MOJO415]

Hey, folks!

This is my second post for today.  Click here to see the baker's box I shared earlier!

I'm back to share this card I made with the Snow Place Photopolymer Bundle...
 

My card is based on this sketch from the current Mojo Monday challenge [MOJO415]:


When I saw the sketch, the first idea that sprang to mind was to make a gift card or money holder greeting card, so that's what I went with!  That $20 looks pretty festive, doesn't it?

Here's the bundle I used to create the cute snowman:


Snow Place Photopolymer Bundle from Stampin' Up!

The fun sentiment is from the B.Y.O.P. Photopolymer Stamp Set, and the patterned paper I used is from Home For Christmas Designer Series Paper.

Thanks for stopping by! :o)

Just For You Baker's Box [for The Paper Players Challenge PP262]

Hey, folks!

Hope you had a great weekend!  I meant to get this posted yesterday, but I was feeling kind of wiped out.  I've been sleeping odd hours lately, and it's starting to get to me!  Here's the gift box I made to share...


I'm kind of in love with the Baker's Box Thinlits Dies [I got myself the bundle]!  Even if the gift you're giving is not very exciting, just packaging it up in a handmade box or bag can make it look special, I think. :o)

I'm entering my baker's box in the current colour challenge over at The Paper Players [PP262]:


I want to thank Sandy for choosing my card for the last challenge at The Paper Players -- her kind words and punny comment made me smile! :o)

Here's how I made my baker's box...

I started by die-cutting Lost Lagoon patterned paper from Sweet Dreams with the main Baker's Box Thinlit die -- you'll need to die-cut two pieces to make a box.  I used Tear & Tape Adhesive to stick the pieces together.

I die-cut two leaves using a die from Leaflets Framelits, one in Tangelo Twist and one in So Saffron.  I debossed the So Saffron leaf with the Elegant Dots folder, then used just a bit of glue down the center to stick the leaves together.  I offset them a little, which kind of creates a shadow effect!

I inked the stamp from Homemade For You with Tangelo Twist and Lost Lagoon markers, then trimmed around the circle by hand.  I layered it with a So Saffron pinking-edged circle, a banner I cut from corrugated paper, and a Tangelo Twist label.  The pinking-edged circle and label dies are from the Baker's Box Thinlits set.  I added a couple of So Saffron Candy Dots just for fun.

You know that trend of putting a little 'nest' of thread on projects?  This is the first time I've ever done that.  I just wanted to add a little something extra behind the label, but I didn't know what to add!  I thought, why not add a bit of linen thread.

Here's a look at the bundle I used to make my box:


Homemade For You Clear-Mount Bundle from Stampin' Up!

Before I go, I wanted to say hi to those who subscribed to get my blog posts in their e.mail -- I appreciate that! :o)

Just Because Floral Card -- A Non-Holiday Card with Reason For The Season

Hey, folks!

When I signed up to become a demo last month, my wish list was crazy long and it was tough to edit it down.  I wanted the Reason For The Season bundle, but I also really wanted the Garden In Bloom stamp set!  I wanted watercolour-y looking floral stamps like the ones in Garden In Bloom.  I thought, maybe I can just use the flower and leaf 'filler' images from Reason For The Season as watercolour-y flowers without the poinsettia outline.  So this card idea has been in my head for weeks!


While the poinsettia image from Reason For The Season kind of screams Christmas, the 'filler' images can look like any flower, making the stamp set more versatile.  I love that!!  To get a more watercolour-y look, I lightly spritzed the stamps with water after I inked them [I used a Stampin' Spritzer].

My attempts at "saving money" were FEEBLE because I just ended up buying the Garden In Bloom stamp set later anyway.  Ha!  I couldn't resist the sweet sentiment, "Friends are kind to each other's hopes & cherish each other's dreams."  I really love that. :o)

Back to today's card!  I used my Elegant Dots folder for the first time -- I really love it!  Both the embossed and debossed sides look great, but I chose to use the debossed side.  I used watercolour paper because I like the texture of it.  To tell you the truth, that panel reminded me of a paper towel or loo roll paper -- but a REALLY NICE paper towel or loo roll paper.  Ha! :D

I used Pool Party, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango and Sahara Sand inks, and my card base is Tip Top Taupe.  I love those colours!  The sentiment is from Tin Of Cards, and I punched it out with the Washi Label Punch [sounds kind of angry, eh?].

Here's a closer look at the stamp set I used...


Reason For The Season Photopolymer Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!

I'm entering my card in the current Pals Paper Arts challenge [PPA267]:



Thanks for stopping by -- hope you have a great weekend!  I was hoping to get a post done for tomorrow, but I think it'll have to wait until Sunday.  I need to get into a rhythm of photographing projects and editing pictures ahead of time, but I'm not very good at that.  I'll be hanging out with my dad for a while tomorrow, so a day away from blogging wouldn't hurt me. :o)

Very Vanilla Poinsettia Gift Box

Hey, folks!

Here to share this gift packaging project that I put together...


To create the dimensional poinsettia, I used the Reason For The Season Photopolymer Bundle, which comes with the Reason For The Season stamp set and coordinating Festive Flower Builder Punch.  The cute little gift box is from the August 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit, "Chalk It Up To Love" -- the refill kit is in the store now and includes three of the boxes.

I used Real Red ink on Very Vanilla cardstock for the poinsettia petals.  I wanted a subtle tone-on-tone look for the leaves, so I used Sahara Sand ink on Old Olive cardstock for those.  I used a bone folder to score a line down the center of each petal and leaf, then folded/bent them for dimension.

The ribbon I used is Cherry Cobbler 1" Sheer Linen Ribbon from the Clearance Rack.  The cute miniature tag was die-cut from Kraft cardstock with a die from the Cutie Pie Thinlits set, and the nice "to" stamp is from the Oh, What Fun stamp set.

Here's a look at the bundle I used to make the dimensional poinsettia:


Reason For The Season Photopolymer Bundle from Stampin' Up!

Before I go, I wanted to mention that I've updated my Order Info page with the current list of backordered items from Stampin' Up!  Thanks for stopping by -- I'll be back tomorrow with a non-holiday project using Reason For The Season! :o)

A Card with Paper Pumpkin July 2015 Kit [for Mojo Monday Challenge MOJO414]

Hey, folks!

Here to share a card I made using some of the things from the July 2015 Paper Pumpkin refill kit, "Thanks A Latte"...


I didn't subscribe to Paper Pumpkin until last month, so I missed out on the full July 2015 kit.  I was kicking myself because the full kit came with a really cute stamp set and two Stampin' Spots -- dang!  I still wanted to get the refill kit, though, because I liked the supplies.

I used the sketch from the current Mojo Monday challenge [MOJO414] as my jumping off point:


Here's a look at the refill kit I used for some of my card's elements:


Thanks A Latte Refill Kit from Stampin' Up!

Since I didn't have the stamp set to stamp the cup die-cut, I stamped it with stripes in Tangelo Twist to give it some colour [I used one of the stamps from Amazing Birthday].  The sentiment is from the Sweet Stack stamp set, stamped in Basic Gray Archival ink.  The card base is Basic Gray, and the larger banner was cut from paper out of the Moonlight DSP Stack.  The wood veneer heart is from the Watercolor Wishes Card Kit.  The rest of the supplies are from the refill kit!

Thanks for stopping by -- I'll be back tomorrow! :o)

Clearance Rack Crafting: Huge Congrats Card

Hey, folks!

Welcome to my first Clearance Rack Crafting post! :D  When I was considering becoming a demonstrator, I brainstormed ideas for my blog, and this was one of 'em.  I wanted to show projects made with mostly Clearance Rack products [not entirely, but mostly] because I love a good crafty deal!  And just because something isn't brand spankin' new doesn't mean it's not fun.  Here's the card I made...


Some great stuff was just added to the Clearance Rack, including the Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit, which is my choice for best deal on the Clearance Rack right now.  I got this kit a while back when I wasn't a demonstrator, and I thought it was well-priced at the regular price considering all the stuff you get.  And now the kit's only $9.99 CAD!  What?!  I couldn't believe it.  Had to get myself a few more. :D  With kits, I usually like to come up with alternate ideas for the contents instead of making the cards according to the instructions, so I just used one of the card bases from the kit for my card today.


Hip Hip Hooray Card Kit from Stampin' Up!
The kit includes 20 printed kraft card bases [Stampin' Up! Note Card size, so they'll be 5" x 3.5" when folded], 20 kraft envelopes, lots of stickers, rubber stamps and an acrylic block to mount them on, a Basic Gray Stampin' Spot, Dimensionals, cute little clips and twine.  Even though I do like the quality of the Crumb Cake envelopes in the Crumb Cake Note Cards & Envelopes set, the kraft envelopes in this kit are a nice warm-toned kraft, and the paper is a little thicker [think grocery bag kraft].

See that great patterned paper?  That's from this paper set from the Clearance Rack [I *love* this paper!]:


Sweet Dreams Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up!
Coordinating colours: Basic Gray, Crisp Cantaloupe, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Sahara Sand and Whisper White

Some of this Clearance Rack kit's contents make an appearance on my card, too:


Tag A Bag Accessory Kit from Stampin' Up!
Coordinating colours: Basic Gray, Blackberry Bliss, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Hello Honey and Whisper White
This kit is only $4.79 CAD right now.  The regularly-priced Thick Baker's Twine in the store is $4.50 CAD for 15 yards.  This kit includes 60 feet [20 yards] of Whisper White Thick Baker's Twine, so the sale price for the kit is a great deal.  The spool is tall and skinny -- not like the one shown.

The regularly-priced supplies that I used are Brights Candy Dots, plus a sentiment and wood veneer butterfly from the Watercolor Wishes Card Kit.  I chose that sentiment because I liked how the curve of the word "HUGE" follows the curve of the die-cut!  You could use any embellishments and any sentiment that would fit, though.

Thanks for stopping by! :o)

Be-leaf in Yourself Card [for The Paper Players Challenge PP261]

Hey, folks!

I'm a little late to share my card, but better late than never, right? :o)  I wanted to say thanks again to Nance for choosing my pillow boxes for the last challenge at The Paper Players!  Her kind words were very encouraging, and so I was inspired to make an encouragement card for the current challenge...


I smiled a lot when I made this card. :D  The design is similar to the card from my last post, but this card is much more kid-friendly -- or maybe it would also be good for us grown folks who need some encouragement sometime. :o)

Here's what the current challenge over at The Paper Players is all about...


This is a small card measuring 3.5" x 3.5".  The idea to make leaves into characters has been floating around in my head for a little while, along with that punny sentiment!  I have a huge, abnormal love for puns. :D  And I love googly eyes, too!  Everything is better with googly eyes. :D  When I use them, I often like to mix sizes like I did on my card -- I think they look even funnier that way!

I wrote the sentiment and drew on the mouths.  The super-cute orange paper is from my favourite paper set in the annual catalogue, Sweet Li'l Things.  I used the Washi Label Punch for the sentiment, the little bow from the Snow Place set, and Brights Candy Dots to accent them.  The cute clip with the ribbon bow is from the Thanks A Latte Refill Kit, and the embossing folder I used is the Argyle one from the Clearance Rack [I used the debossed side].

My leaf characters were created using dies from this set:


Leaflets Framelits Dies from Stampin' Up!

Hope you got a smile here today!  I'll be back later! :o)

Stampin' Up! Give Thanks Card [for Pals Paper Arts Challenge PPA266]

Hey, folks!

Here to share this card I made...


I used my favourite stamp set from the holiday catalogue, Thankful Forest Friends!  I inked the stamp with Stampin' Write Markers.  I just want to mention that I did NOT come up with the two-tone sentiment idea myself [didn't want to take credit for someone else's idea!].  I was inspired by the awesome treat boxes shown on page 42 of the holiday catalogue!

I'm having fun with challenges lately.  I've shied away in the past because I'm not a very confident person, but it's fun to enter challenges and see what creative things others come up with!  For my card, I used the colour scheme from the current Pals Paper Arts challenge [PPA266]:


A very fall-friendly colour scheme.  I used Old Olive and Cajun Craze cardstock, as well as Delightful Dijon patterned paper from the 2015-2017 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack.

Here's a closer look at the stamp set I used...


Thankful Forest Friends Clear-Mount Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!
Thankful Forest Friends Wood-Mount Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!

The beautiful leaf design was die-cut with one of these dies:


Leaflets Framelits Dies from Stampin' Up!

Thanks for stopping by -- I'll be back tomorrow with an entry for The Paper Players challenge! :o)

For You Floral Gift Bag with Paper Pumpkin August 2015 Kit

Hey, folks!

Here to share this gift bag I made using some supplies from the August 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit, "Chalk It Up To Love"...
 

The kit makes six cards and three gift boxes, but I decided to use some of the supplies in a different way.  The kit supplies that I used here are: one of the foiled card bases [which I die-cut for the banner], die-cuts to create the dimensional flower, the "FOR YOU" stamp and black ribbon.  I also cropped one of the black label die-cuts from the kit for my "FOR YOU" banner.

If you haven't heard of Paper Pumpkin, it's a fun monthly kit offering from Stampin' Up!  I've written some more about it on this page.

The kits are really affordable, and they're great for those who like to get crafty but want to skip to the fun part instead of shopping around for supplies or looking for things that coordinate.  The full kits come with stamps and ink -- you'll get a Classic Stampin' Spot [small ink cube] in each kit.  Some kits even come with two Classic Stampin' Spots!

If you subscribe, you'll also be able to order select past kits and refills.  The refills include most of the supplies that are in the full kit but do not include stamps and ink.  They're a great value at only $10 CAD -- I've bought several of them and just substitute with stamps and ink that I already have.

If you subscribe, you won't be able to get the full August 2015 kit, but if you sign up by September 10th, you'll get the September kit.  The kits are supposed to be a surprise each month, but I've heard that the September kit is a fun Halloween/fall treat packaging kit!

There's a great promotion going on right now, but it's only good through September 10th:
 

Use the code HALFOFF to get your first two months at half the price!

As I mentioned before, you won't be able to get the full August 2015 kit, but subscribers can order the refill kit, which is in the store now:
 

Chalk It Up To Love Refill Kit from Stampin' Up!

Here are some of the other fun things I used for my gift bag:
 



Petite Café Gift Bags
Banners Framelits Die
Clothespins
Blushing Bride Sequin Trim


Thanks for visiting today!  If you have any questions about signing up for Paper Pumpkin, let me know! :o)

I'm Always Here For You Card

Hey, folks!

Here to share this card I made...
 

A lot of times, I'll buy stamp sets if they remind me of Humble. :o)  The sentiments from Friendly Wishes remind me of him, so I had to get it!  It's one of my favourite items in the annual catalogue because of the sweet sentiments, the charming look of the stamp designs, and also because they're so great for inking with Stampin' Write Markers!

I mentioned before how much I love these markers -- they're so fun to use!  I find myself wanting to buy stamps that look like they'd be fun to colour with them.  The stamped impressions remind me of the kind of look I would get when I used to hand-carve my own stamps!  You may not be able to get a super-solid impression every time, but I think the look you get is very charming and has a lot of character.

Here's a closer look at the sentiment...
 

Here's a look at the stamp set I used:
 

Friendly Wishes Clear-Mount Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!
Friendly Wishes Wood-Mount Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!

Some of the other fun things I used:
 




2014-2016 In Color Stampin' Write Markers
Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack
Chalk Talk Framelits Dies
Banners Framelits Die
On Point Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder


Crafting Tips & Notes:

• Don't forget the old stuff!  As fun as all the new holiday supplies are, I have to say that my favourite page in the store is the Clearance Rack. :D  There are lots of amazing deals -- great if you're crafting on a budget.  The patterned paper and both of the embossing folders I used are things I got from the Clearance Rack!
• Try using the debossed side from your embossing folders to get different looks from your folders!  After I embossed the Tangelo Twist banner with the Argyle folder, I ended up liking the debossed side more than the embossed side!

Thanks for stopping by -- hope you have a great weekend! :o)