Bonjour...

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It seems like forever since I stamped (okay, it's been three days, which is the same thing!) so I really wanted to create something today. I decided to make one for the Moxie Fab Olympics of Stamping Challenge in the Hello/Thinking of You category. I am an Olympics nut, so this is a perfect way to get into the fun side of competitive card-making!
For this card, I wanted something clean and modern. I began with stamping these images from Circle Circus in Dusty Durango and Soft Sky ink on white cardstock. Next, I used a square punch to punch them out (I purposely went off-center for some visual interest.) I rounded specific corners and then layered coordinating color cardstock so that I would have a nice vertical panel. I stamped my sentiment a Francais before adhering any of my elements and first glued down a strip of Soft Sky with matching ribbon and popping up my panel. For a final touch, I rounded out more corners and added a pretty metal brad.
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) Circle Circus and Adorable parc (sentiment) Stamps; Dusty Durango and Soft Sky Classic Dye Ink; Neenah Solar White Cardstock; Dusty Durango and Soft Sky Cardstock; Soft Sky Grosgrain Ribbon; EK Success 1-3/8" Square Punch; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper
HAPPY BEANS: Filigree Metal Brad

Celebrate, It's a Girl!...

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A co-worker of my husband just welcomed a third baby and I can never seem to pass up an opportunity to make a baby card. They had a little girl, and as their two older children are darling, I'm sure she's lovely. Though they are only acquaintances, the proud parents don't seem like the "cutesy" type, so I thought I'd go for elegant baby!
For this card, I decided to create a monochromatic one for the fabulous Kris Kilcoyne's Kween Bee Kreations Challenge. I created a custom stamp and colored it in with Copic Markers. I've been very curious about Stampin' Up's Glassy Glaze Enamel and thought I'd try it out (since it's been sitting on my desk for weeks!) I have to say that I just love it. After heat embossing a few times, I was left with a wonderfully glossy, raised star that allowed my sentiment to shine through. I stuck with Blush Blossom cardstock, stamping this pretty flourish in the same color, and only added some tiny Liquid Pearls and silver brads to finish off what I hope is a card that will help celebrate a sweet new edition to a happy family.
BEAN NOTES: JustRite Custom Design Cardmaking Kit and Papertrey Ink Flourishes Stamps; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Copic Sketch Markers; Stampin' Up Blush Blossom Classic Dye Ink; SU Blush Blossom, Whisper White, and Groovy Guava Cardstock; Pastel Raspberry Liquid Pearls; Tim Holtz Tattered Rose Distress Ink; Silver Brads (generic) HAPPY BEANS: SU Glassy Glaze Enamel

Inchies of Thanks...

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The third of Jen del Muro's February Sketch for You to Try sketches had me immediately thinking about some inchie stamps I've never used. For this thank you card, I clear embossed the same bird image on Real Red and Bashful Blue, colors I chose to match my wintery mood. I kept things simple with a clean, white cardbase, adding a bright red rick rack ribbon and a tiny tag for my sentiment. Just a bit of paper piercing along the ribbon's edge completed this inchie card. (Finished size: 3-1/2" x 3-1/2")
BEAN NOTES: Inkadinkado Butterflies & Birds and Stampin' Up Tiny Tags (sentiment) Stamps; VersaMark Clear Ink; SU Real Red Classic Dye Ink; Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White Cardstock; Filigree Clear Embossing Powder; Foam Dimensional Dots (generic); Red Rick Rack Ribbon(generic)
HAPPY BEANS: SU Medium Tag Punch; Red Embroidery Thread

Bloom Where You Are Planted...

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The Friday Challenge: Beautiful Botanics is one I was drawn to because, well, who doesn't love flowers? I decided to be a little ambitious and create a scene to house my lovely blooms, in the form of a shuttered window with a flower box and awning. Let's see if I succeeded.
For this card, I first stamped my flower image from Plant a Little Love three times on plain white cardstock, using a mask to create the full image I wanted. This would serve as my base. Next, I stamped three times, separately, on Wild Wasabi and then again on Perfect Plum. Finally, I stamped six times on So Saffron. After coloring with Copics, I carefully cut out each image that I needed. I wanted a lot of depth, so I used dimensional dots to pop out certain blooms and buds.
I then cut out my shutters and cut frames for each, mitering the corners. My awning and flower box were made from textured cardstock and some fun border punches, and I adorned each with some pearls. My window was cut from a bit of textured paper and I adhered some clear acetate and vellum behind it to create "glass." With a Copic, I added some shadows behind the glass and then assembled the whole card.
I didn't think it wise to try to add a sentiment to the front of the card, so I decorated the inside in a similar fashion to the outside and attached the nice sentiment. I thought the card would be appropriate for a housewarming or for someone who has moved on to a new career, somewhere where I hope they can bloom!
BEAN NOTES: JustRite Plant a Little Love and Seeds of Kindness (sentiment) Stamps; Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi and Elegant Eggplant Classic Dye Ink; SU Designer Paper (name unknown); Papertrey Ink Kraft Cardstock, Vellum and Clear Acetate; Dark Plum Textured Cardstock (generic); Kate's Paperie White Text Sheet; SU Kiwi Kiss, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, So Saffron, and Perfect Plum Cardstock; Copic Sketch Markers; Martha Stewart Simple Scallop and SU Scalloped Border Punches; Paper Shapers 1-3/4" and 1-1/4" Circles Punches; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Kaiser White Pearls HAPPY BEANS: Hobby Knife; Craft Scissors

Five for One...

I recently discovered a sketch challenge with an interesting twist: create 5 different cards from the same sketch -- it's amazing how many different ways you can interpret a sketch! I decided to try it out and following are all five takes.

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With Sympathy (Challenge Sponsor: Kristie Larsen)
If you only look at one of my cards for this challenge, I hope it is this one. Taylor VanBruggen is sponsoring a card drive to benefit a very special place. The labor and delivery unit of the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. The hard-working nurses there try their best to bring comfort to parents suffering the loss of a newborn. My own son is such a miracle and source of joy for our family that I cannot even begin to imagine the pain of losing a child. Taylor has asked for cards featuring the dragonfly, which is the symbol of hope and love at the Center. Here is my contribution. If you'd like to find out how to send your own dragonfly card, please click here.
BEAN NOTES: Inkadinkado Patterned Bugs and Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamps; SU Close to Cocoa Classic Dye Ink; Memory Box Gossamer Designer Paper; SU Close to Cocoa and Pink Pirouette Cardstock; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Hero Arts Gemstones
HAPPY BEANS: Ranger Glossy Accents

Thanks a Bunch (Challenge Sponsor: Julie Detlef)
My second card included an additional challenge, which was to use flowers and buttons. I thought I'd take care of both with some button flowers! I love this funky, retro color combination. My swell Mom-in-Law was nice enough to share some of her winnings from this years's World Card Making Day win, and I've used some of the cool paper here.
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Everyday Button Bits and Verve Grateful Elegance (sentiment) Stamps; Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Wild Wasabi Classic Dye Ink; Fancy Pants The Daily Grind Designer Paper; SU Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi, and Whisper White Cardstock; Blue Stitched Satin Ribbon (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Buttons! (generic)

Thinking of You (Challenge Sponsor: Linda Beeson)
The third card in my stack was simple to create. I scored a piece of cardstock at equal 1/4" intervals and folded to create an accordion panel. As this piece was already quite raised, I made some flat flowers using some punched shapes and some mini brads. A border punch created my sentiment strip.
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) Chit-Chat Rub-On; Designer Series Paper (name unknown); Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss Cardstock; 5-Petal and Spring Flowers Punches; Scallop Trim Border Punch; Mini Brads (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Scor-Pal

Many Thanks (Challenge Sponsor: Samantha Sibbet)
Number four brings me to cherries. I found this piece of Designer Paper among a stack that I got from my stupendous Pal Ann Schach. Unfortunately, I think the paper is from before my Stampin' Up fandom, so I have no clue as to what it's called. But, I did have the Tart & Tangy stamp set that seems to coordinate! I used Stampin' Write Markers to ink up the pretty cherries and added some Glossy Accents to shine them up. I then stamped my sentiment directly on some left-over Christmas ribbon...don't you love when you can recycle?
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up): Tart & Tangy and All-Year Cheer (sentiment); Stamp; Designer Series Paper (name unknown); StazOn Black Ink; Stampin' Write Markers (Always Artichoke, Old Olive; Basic Black, and Real Red); Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White, and Wild Wasbi Cardstock; Scallop Border Punch; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Ruby Red Liquid Pearls; Black Brads (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Red Grosgrain Ribbon (generic)

Lemons Life Love (Challenge Sponsor: Kelly Schirmer)
My husband looked at my fifth card and said, "I don't get it." He was befuddled by the sentiment on this card, which is "Lemons Life Love." I actually think it's rather profound in a very existential way, don't you? Either way, this card had to fulfill the additional challenge requirement of using the paper piecing technique, which I employed here on these luscious lemons. I again used some of the fab designer paper from my Mom-in-Law and I like the rustic, yet happy look of this card. We all know what you do when Life hands you Lemons...and don't we all Love lemonade?
BEAN NOTES: Flourishes Lemons Life & Love Stamps; Memento Rich Cocoa Ink; Stampin' Write Marker; GCD Studios Whoop De Doo Designer Paper; SU Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, and Wild Wasabi Cardstock; Crop-A-Dile; Large Eyelets (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Tim Holtz Scattered Straw Distress Ink

Birthday Wishes...

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My sweet Mom-in-Law, Susan, recently came for a visit to keep me and the rugrat company while my husband was away for a 2-week business trip. She is an avid card-maker, and I thought it might be fun to do our own little card "workshop" while she was here. This is one of the cards we made. I was inspired by a cute card made by the fabulous Dawn McVey.
For this card, I actually stamped last. First, I cut a piece of white cardstock to fit and ran it through my Big Shot with an embossing folder. Then, I punched a pretty border and affixed the piece to my Melon Mambo card base. Next, I stamped this whimsical birthday cake image in white craft ink and then a second time in Pink Pirouette and cut out the cake to pop out over the image. Finally, I added a ribbon/button treatment and finished off with some gold Liquid Pearl flames and a very happy sentiment!
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Birthday Whimsy and Papertrey Ink Everyday Button Bits (sentiment) Stamps; SU Whisper White Craft Ink; SU Pink Pirouette Classic Dye Ink; SU Melon Mambo and Whisper White Cardstock; SU Scallop Border Punch; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Light Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Pink Button (generic); Pink Thread (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Gold Liquid Pearls

A Little Birdie Told Me...

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This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge is just the kind I like. It's a KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetie) and, when you've had a week like mine, that's perfect. This is such a simple card, that I made it in 10 minutes, making liberal use of my Big Shot and some fab punches.
For this card, I die cut a large scallop circle as the base of my card. Then, I punched out the bird and branch, running the chickie's wing though the Big Shot with an embossing folder before adhering. The Modern Label Punch was an easy way to frame my sentiment, and, for just that little something extra, Liquid Pearls circled my sweet little chickadee.
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Everyday Button Bits (sentiment); Stampin' Up Bashful Blue Classic Dye Ink; SU Soft Suede Textured Cardstock; SU Bashful Blue, Whisper White, and Certainly Celery Cardstock; SU Modern Label and 2-Step Bird Punches; Sizzix BIGZ Scallop Circle Die; Big Shot; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Baby Blue Liquid Pearls

With a Bit of Luck...

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Whew! Valentine's Day was a flurry of card-making activity, and I thought I might be able to take a breather, but then I remembered that St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner. It may not be as popular a holiday as V-Day, but who can resist something that celebrates the happy color GREEN? I hadn't realized that Everything But the Kitchen Sink had introduced a sketch challenge and was tickled when I found out. The sketch immediately gave me an idea on how I could get a head start on my St. Patty's Day cards!
For this card, I used a heart punch for my lucky 4-leaf clover's "leaves." To give them a little something extra, I outlined each with Liquid Pearls and sponged on a bit of Wild Wasabi. For the center element, I stamped my image and popped out a little clover before sponging around my rounded corners. After adhering my heart leaves to some cute polka-dot designer paper, I was ready for what I hope will be a lucky streak of creativity!
BEAN NOTES: Studio G "St. Patty's Day" Clear Stamps; Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi Classic Dye Ink; DCWV Nana's Kids Designer Mat Stack; SU Whisper White, Certainly Celery, and Wild Wasabi Cardstock; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper; SU Full Heart Punch; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Sakura Clear Jelly Roll Pen HAPPY BEANS: White Opal Liquid Pearls

Dream...

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It's been a busy card-making weekend! I wanted to do another of Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try card sketches, and I was in a bit of a Romantic (as in the literary era) mood. For this card, I started with the horizontal element from Jen's sketch, stamping these wonderful silhouettes in Whisper White on Chocolate Chip Cardstock. This whimsical dragonfly was stamped twice and then colored with Copics and assembled with some foam dimensional squares. I wanted some kind of text element and am a huge John Keats fan, so I used my computer to print out his poem 'Ode to a Grecian Urn' and cut it to fit the circular element of the sketch. With just a little embossing in the background, my Romantic card was ready to 'dream'...
BEAN NOTES: Taylored Expressions Discover Your Wings Stamps; Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, and Chocolate Chip Cardstock; Copic Sketch Markers, SU Pretty in Pink Classic Dye Ink; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Spellbinders Classic Circle and Classic Scallops Nestabilities HAPPY BEANS: Computer, Printer, Poem

You Make Me Smile...

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The lovely Jen del Muro is back with her wonderful Sketch For You To Try Challenge, but I didn't realize it until this weekend. So, I'm playing catch up and thought I'd pair her cool sketch with this week's Color Throwdown. I wasn't sure about the colors at first, but after finishing my card, I am now in love with this color combo (Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, Riding Hood Red).
For this card, I was inspired by Jen's sample card and chose to make use of some pretty embossed butterflies. After die cutting and punching out all of my elements, I assembled the card and included a nice grosgrain ribbon. Liquid Pearls added some "body" to my butterflies, and I was left with a whimsical card to make someone {smile}!
BEAN NOTES: JustRite Seeds of Kindness Stamps; Papertrey Ink Pretty Pastels Designer Paper; Stampin' Up Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow, and Riding Hood Red Cardstock; SU Sage Shadow Classic Dye Ink; Paper Shapers 1-3/4" Circle Punch and Marvy Uchida 2" Circle Punch; SU Beautiful Wings Embosslit; Big Shot; Brads (generic); SU Sage Shadow Grosgrain Ribbon; Martha Stewart Double Loops Border Punch HAPPY BEANS: Petal Pink Liquid Pearls

Bunny Baby...

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Happy Valentine's Day! Today I have the honor of being the inimitable Mary Fish's (Stampin' Pretty) Guest Stamper. I know it's the big V-Day, but I recently received the wonderful news from a cousin of ours that she is expecting a baby girl. I just had to make her a card to help her celebrate this exciting bit of news. This card will be featured on Mary's blog today, and, if you are visiting from her site, please feel free to stay awhile and browse around my little creative corner!
For this card, I really wanted to try out my sewing machine. I have a generalized fear of sewing (it was just one of those things I never learned how to do!) and so I decided to do something simple for my first time out. I just love this little bunny image and I created a little scene for her to help me spread the news of the soon-to-be here baby. Bean Tip: to create some three-dimensional "grass," simply use a scallop border punch and then snip each scallop with a pair of sharp scissors.
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up!) Picnic Parade and Tiny Tags Clear-Mount Stamps; Chocolate Chip and Melon Mambo Classic Dye Ink; Stampin' Write Markers; Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad; Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White Cardstock; Foam Dimensional Squares (generic); Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Yellow Button (generic); White thread and Sewing Machine
HAPPY BEANS: Scallop Border Punch

A Bit of Sunshine...

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I've long admired crafters who make their own embellishments (also known by the affectionate term, "embellies.") They make terrific gifts, and so I thought I'd send along a little bit of sunshine to my very crafty Mom-in-Law, Susan. She's been under the weather, and so I hope these little embellies brighten her day. Plus, Nichole Heady is putting on a fun embellies challenge, so, really, what choice did I have?
I've enjoyed experimenting with felt and so for my embellies and matching card I decided to make some happy yellow daisies. After running the felt through my Big Shot, I layered the blooms and added some paper leaves and a nice brown button. Instead of thread, I used some Liquid Pearls to "stitch" my buttons to each flower.
For my card, I made a much larger embellie in the same manner and put together a simple card. I'll send this package along to Mom Susan and hope she feels better soon.
BEAN NOTES: Stampin' Up Chat Room Rub-On; Papertrey Ink Kraft Cardstock; SU Bashful Blue and Kiwi Kiss Cardstock; Quickutz Diamonds and Dots Embossing Folder; SU Sizzix Top Note Die; SU 5-Petal Flower Punch; Big Shot; Brown Buttons (generic); Lemon Yellow Liquid Pearls; Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Yellow Crafter's Felt; SU Sizzix Flower Daisies #2 Die

A Hundred Cupcakes...

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I realize that I already made a card today, but when I saw that Taylor was celebrating her 100th Sketch Challenge, I just felt the need to make another! When I saw the sketch, I thought it would be appropriate to incorporate Taylor's adorable Cuppie cupcake image, and I adapted the elements to create a big, happy hot air balloon just for Cuppie.
For my hot air balloon, I cut a circle out of some pretty cardstock and then cut to fit the sketch. I drew my own basket and placed the little sweet Cuppie inside, complete with a Liquid Pearl cherry on top. For rope, I used some hemp twine. Instead of the circle element, I substituted a cloud, cut out of felt and stamped my sentiment directly on the material. For a final touch, I broke out the sewing machine and stitched around the cloud-filled sky. Happy 100 to Taylor's challenge, and I hope my card brings someone some high-flying birthday wishes!
BEAN NOTES: Taylored' Expressions For the Love of Cupcakes (sentiment) and Holiday Wonder (Cuppie); Stampin' Up Real Red and Close to Cocoa Classic Dye Ink; SU Stampin' Write Marker (Chocolate Chip); DCWV Sweet Stack Designer Mat Paper; SU Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper; SU Baja Breeze, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray, and Close to Cocoa Cardstock; Sewing Machine and White Thread; Mini Brads (generic); Foam Dimensional Squares (generic) HAPPY BEANS: White Craft Felt; SU Hemp Twine

An Origami Bloom...

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A quick little post today for a card I made for Nichole Heady's fun origami challenge. I've always enjoyed origami, but I find it tricky to do for cards as origami on a small scale can be hard to pull off. For this card, I made a sweet flower growing from a crock. I do think the sentiment is true, and that all things DO grow with love! For easy-to-make origami tutorials, visit the Origami Club.
BEAN NOTES: Papertrey Ink Background Basics: Retro and Everyday Button Bits (sentiment) Stamps; PTI Kraft Cardstock; Stampin' Up Very Vanilla Cardstock; SU Dusty Durango, Pretty In Pink and Green Galore Classic Dye Ink; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper; Velvet Brad (generic) HAPPY BEANS: Origami Paper

One Last Valentine...

It's been a long road between New Year's and Valentine's Day...but a fun one! For this week's Pals Paper Arts, I had the honor of being the Featured Artist. As an added bonus, this was a sketch challenge with another one of the wonderful Margaret Moody's fab sketches. So, for one last chance to tackle a V-Day card before the big, smoochy day, I followed my heart to make one for someone I love!
I had been itching to use my new I {Love} Love Jumbo Wheel. As soon as I saw it, I knew that the heart image would look great in red. I love to use holiday designer paper year round, and so I was tickled that this Christmas Cocoa paper looked great with the Basic Gray and Riding Hood Red color scheme I had in mind. I ran just part of my cardstock through my Big Shot with an embossing folder for some visual appeal and added a big, satiny bow. For a vintage feel, I sponged on Basic Gray with a light touch all around every element. I hope everyone has a Valentine you can give your heart to and one that will give theirs right back. XOXO
BEAN NOTES: (Unless otherwise noted, all materials are Stampin' Up) I {Love} Love Jumbo Wheel and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp; Riding Hood Red and Basic Gray Classic Dye Ink; Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper; Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, and Basic Gray Cardstock; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Heart-to-Heart Punch; Scallop Border Trim Punch; Pewter Brads (generic)
HAPPY BEANS: Red Satin Ribbon (generic)