Design Contest -- Dogwood Build-a-blossom

Okay, folks!  Here is a card I am really proud of.  Generally speaking, I'm not very talented at "thinking out of the box" when it comes to card making -- i.e. I am no Jackie Topa! (You REALLY ought to visit her blog if you haven't already, as she is simply amazing!).  Anyways, I came up with this idea for dogwood flowers using the Blossom Petals Punch from the new Occasions mini.  My mom's favorite flower is the dogwood, so I was thinking of a Mother's Day card when I created this card.

First, I punched some of the short/fat petals out of shimmery white card stock.  Then I stacked the petals on top of each other and used the small round punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to punch a bite out of the top of each petal.  I then used the Early Espresso marker to add brown to the tips of each petal.  I stamped the little flower center from Build a Blossom in Old Olive ink, and punched it out with another punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes punches.  The rest is fairly self explanatory.  I plan to enter this card in a SU contest -- please wish me luck!  I've never won before....

Without further ado!  Here is my creation!

 Here is a close up of the blossoms:

Supplies used:  Early Espresso, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White, Shimmery White Card stock
Ink: Early Espresso, Old Olive
Punches:  Scallop trim border and corner punches, two step bird, scallop oval, large oval, Blossoms Petals punch
Big Shot and square Lattice emb folder
Stamps: Build a Blossom, Baroque Motifs, Oval All

Simple Build a Blossom

Here is the third project we are making at my upcoming Happy Hearts Day Class.  It is a very simple card featuring the new Build a Blossom stamp set and matching punch, as well as the new Framed Tulips embossing folder from the Occasions Mini.  I never use the color, River Rock, so I challenged myself to try using it.  I actually like it! and Old Olive is a nice compliment to it.  After embossing the folded River Rock card with the Framed Tulips embossing folder, I used RR ink direct-to-paper to highlight the embossed area, making the frame stand out.

 Supplies:
River Rock, Very Vanilla and Old Olive Card stock
River Rock, Cherry Cobbler, and Old Olive Ink
Build a Blossom stamp set
Blossom punch, cherry cobbler seam binding, Basic pearls, vintage brads, Framed Tulips embossing folder, shimmer mist spray (made with rubbing alcohol and champagne shimmer paint)

Happy Hearts Day Class

I had put off buying the XL Bigz matchbox die, thinking it wouldn't be something I would use much, but I have definitely changed my mind!  There are hundreds of super cute project ideas using this die -- my favorite being an advent calendar shaped like a Christmas tree -- with all the little matchboxes stacked on top of each other to make the tree shape.  I really want to try this idea next year for Christmas.
But, since Christmas is over, I decided to see what I could come up with for Valentine's Day -- and ... ta dah! here it is.  I used the heavy weight window sheets for the outside sleeve, and Real Red card stock for the little box that pulls out.  Because the outside is clear, you can see the little treats inside without opening it. It is the perfect size for three of the little Ghirardelli chocolate squares.  I used some of the new red glimmer paper from the Occasions Mini and the Daiseys #2 die for the cute little flower on top.  The leaves are punched with the new Build a Blossom punch.
This is one of the projects we will be making at my upcoming class -- Happy Hearts Day Class on Jan 23rd, 2 pm.

Supplies:
Real Red, Whisper White, and Old Olive card stock, red glimmer paper, Heavy Weight window sheets
Real Red classic ink
Tiny Tags stamp set
Build a Blossom punch
Big Shot and Daiseys #2 die, square lattice embossing folder, and matchbox die
Vintage Brads
tiny tag punch

Brighten up the Month!

When I went to my stamp room to "play" today, I was longing for color and brightness and sparkle! -- and this is what I came up with!  This card features the Build a Blossom stamp set and matching punch as well as the Tulip Frame embossing folder and the new fabric brads from the new Occasions Mini.  I love all of these products.  The flower set and punch can create a lot of different looks.  After building the flower, I spritzed it liberally with shimmer mist (made from rubbing alcohol and champagne shimmer paint), so in real life, it is SOOO sparkly!

I curled the second layer of petals using my bone folder -- and stuck them all on with a square of sticky pages.

Here are a couple of other cards using this same stamp set and punch.

 Supplies: Build a Blossom stamp set and punch, tulip embossing folder, Baroque Motifs stamp set, Elements of Style stamp set.  Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz card stock.  Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, and White Craft inks.
Basic Pearls
Fabric brads -- from new Occasions Mini
Shimmer spray

Cupcake fun

Happy New Year Everyone!  I've finally had a little time to play with my new cupcake punch.  Wow! Is it ever fun! -- and very versatile.  I made birthday, Valentine's, and friendship cards -- all using the same basic template.  I can see a darling little girl (or boy's) birthday party invitation using this punch and a die cut number as an embellishment. The options are endless!

This is a pretty simple card -- the only real technique shown here is making a scallop square using the scallop trim corner and scallop trim border punches.  Start with a square measuring 3 1/4 x 3 1/4".  Punch all four corners with the scallop trim corner punch, then punch all four sides using the border punch -- lining it up with the pattern already created with the corner punch.

Another exciting feature of the Valentines card shown below, is the new red glimmer paper (see the punched heart on the cupcake) from the Occasions Mini -- it is fabulous -- AND the glitter doesn't rub off even though it's super sparkly.  LOVE this stuff!  I hope they make more colors of it!

Supplies List:
Card Stock:
Whisper White (2 3/4 x 2 3/4)
Early Espresso (2 7/8 x 2 7/8)
Real Red (3 1/4 x 3 1/4")
Melon Mambo
Pear Pizzazz
Baja Breeze
Pretty In Pink

Ink:
Classic Basic Grey, Real Red, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze

Stamps:
Friends 24-7
Tiny Tags

Accessories:
Punches -- Build a Cupcake, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Heart to Heart, Dotted scallop ribbon border, scallop trim corner punch, scallop trim border punch
Basic Pearls
Basic Rhinestones
Big Shot and embossing folders -- Square lattice, polka dotted, finial press
Crimper
Red Glimmer paper
Crystal Effects to make the cherry shiney

Hope you enjoy this cupcake punch as much as I am!