Sheltering Tree meets white crayon resist

Happy Saturday, crafty peeps!

At my last stampers' techniques club, we did this card featuring a new stamp set -- Sheltering Tree -- from the Occasions catalog.  I LOVED this set from the first time I saw it.  It has great possibilities for every season, and good for showcasing a number of techniques.  I've been wanting to show the white crayon resist technique for a while, and this was the perfect set to do it.  For best results, use glossy card stock.  SU used to sell it but doesn't anymore, however, I think you could order it online or purchase it from Staples or somewhere?  Anyways, I think your ink blends better on the glossy.

First, I cut out a glossy card stock die cut, using my starburst framelits.  Next, stamp the tree in tuxedo memento black ink and let dry a bit.  Next, use a white crayon -- raid your kids' crayon stashes!-- and outline the branches with crayon, and make a snow bank at the bottom.  Next, sponge ink over top -- I used Lost Lagoon.  Rub a paper towel over the top to wipe off excess ink -- the crayon areas will resist the ink, and look like snow.  For that awesome background panel, I used the new FREE Sale-a-bration freebie paper -- the Irresistably Yours Specialty DSP.  It has a glossy (like embossed) pattern in the paper that resists the ink when you sponge or spritz over top.  I love the patterns -- stripes, vines, dots, stars, little flowers, and scallops.  To me, this paper doesn't look all that exciting at all until you use it and you realize how versatile and awesome it is. That sweet little embellishment, is also front the Occasions catalog -- Something borrowed embellishments.  Love these little beauties.  Really adds a touch of flair.  When the card was complete, I added some dazzling details to the branches of the trees and the snow bank to look a little bit 3-D on the snow.  Everyone seemed to love this card and decided they liked that SAB paper after all!

Wishing each of you a Happy Saturday!  Be sure to check out all the fabulous treasures you can get for FREE right now during Sale-a-bration with a $50 order.  I am most excited about the DSP featured in today's project, the Lotus Blossom stamp set, and the HUGE selection of Blendabilities markers you can get for free! Yippee Skippeee!!!

One Last "Wondrous Wreath" for the season!

Happy Monday before Christmas, Everyone!

Here is my personal Christmas card this year!  I loved the Wondrous Wreath set from the first time I saw it.  AND the good news, is that it will be available for a little longer -- it is one of the carry over products in the new Occasions catalog coming out.  Many of you on my list should have received your new Occasions catalog and Sale-a-bration brochure.  Awesome pick of products this year!

Ok, back to Wondrous Wreath!  I used Whisper White, Marina Mist, Smokey Slate, and Silver Glimmer paper for the card stock colors.  Ink colors: Marina Mist, Pool Party, Versamark and silver embossing powder (for the silver berries), and Smokey Slate.  I used the Hardwood background stamp for the background (stamped in Smokey Slate ink) on the right hand card, and used the woodgrain embossing folder brayered with Smokey Slate ink on the left hand card.  I love the Noel and Joy words in this wreath set -- gorgeous font!  Of course, I added some bling using the silver sequins from the little frosted sequins from the Holiday catalog.  So pretty and add such a nice touch.

Happy Christmas to all of you!!!!

Elegant Festival of Trees

Happy Saturday, Everyone!

Quick post today to share an easy Christmas card made with another Holiday catalog favorite -- the festival of trees bundle.  I love how fun the different little trees in this stamp set look.  Some modern looking ones, elegant, and traditional.  Cuteness!  Simply stamp and then punch!

Colors used: Early Espresso, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Champagne glimmer paper, and the retired Candlelight Christmas DSP.  Stamp sets used: Festival of Trees, Endless Wishes.  Other products used: Itty Bitty Accents punch pack, Labels Collection framelit set, cherry cobbler dazzling details -- for the red glitter on the tree.

Ok!  Off to ski with the family!

If you haven't yet, check out the SU Year End Closeout Sale -- items up to 80% off.  Still some amazing treasures in there!!!!

Bright and Beautiful

A family tradition we have, is making gingerbread houses every year with the kids.  In these pics, my son, Bryn, was 4 1/2 and we got together with our close friends for some house making fun. It also happened to be the day that we found out that our long wished for second child was on the way -- our precious little Sabina!  I remember decorating these houses with the kids, with my heart full up to the top with happiness and anticipation and hope....  Preserving memories -- isn't that what scrap booking is all about?!!!

One of the many stamp sets from the Holiday Catalog that I absolutely love, is the Bright and Beautiful stamp set with the matching star framelits.  I wanted to create a starry Christmas layout for my last scrap club class of the year, and here it is!  I used the star confetti border punch (also from the holiday catalog) to punch that little star border out of black.  A sparkly strip of scalloped Champagne glimmer paper -- cut with the retired Tasteful Trim die -- that is currently in the clearance rack for a killer price -- just sayin'!  That 3-D star is several of the star stamps from the Bright and Beautiful stamp set -- stamped in Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, and Memento Black ink and then cut out with the coordinating star framelits.  I cut out 3 sizes of other smaller stars to make that "sprinkling" of stars across the pages -- glimmer paper, retired black and Cherry Cobbler coordination card stock (embossed with the star embossing folder and sanded), scraps from the Typeset DSP, and a few stamped and die cut small stars, as well as a few gold sequins.

Another of my very favorite products, is the Wondrous Wreath Bundle  -- also from the Holiday catalog.  That sparkly champagne glimmer paper "Noel" is from the wondrous wreath framelits.  There is also the word "Joy"in that set.  Beautiful set that can be used for all seasons.  I love making my journaling block look like a notebook page by using the spiral border punch to punch the edge.  Small thing, but adds to the look, I think.

On the background, I used the star masks and added some random stars to the pages -- using a sponge dauber and Cherry Cobbler ink.  I also stamped the two stars from Bright and Beautiful directly on the pages and used the eclectic paper piercing pack to pierce an outline around the stars -- see the last photo below to see this subtle, but cute effect.

If you haven't checked out the Year end Closeout sale, hop onto my website and see what you have to get.  There are so many gorgeous products from the past in there for a super great price.

Thankful for "World of Dreams" stamp set

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!  Before I get cooking and baking (my signature dutch apple pie :) I wanted to post these simple thank you cards I made with the (new to me) "World of Dreams" stamp set.  I recently won this stamp set for free from SU, because I achieved a demo challenge that I participated in.  Yippee Skipeee!  I LOVE free stuff, and I have wanted this set since the new catalog came out.  I especially love this little flower/or grasses silhouette stamp in the set.  Perfect for creating a sunset/moonlight scene.

I used one of the oval framelits to create a reverse mask, through which I sponged the inks to create my moonlight/sunset scenes.  For the moonlit one, I used Bermuda Bay, Pool Party, Soft Suede, and Early Esspresso inks.  I used a 1 1/4" circle punched from a sticky note to mask the moon.  When I was done with the initial sponging of the sky colors, I removed the circle mask and then used another sticky note torn in a wide "V" shape, and laid that on top, so just the bottom of the "valley" overlapped the edge of the moon, and sponged more Bermuda Bay ink along the edge to create that mountain in the background look.  I love how it looks like the moon is peaking up over the mountain.  For the Sunset one, I first sponged the panel with Crushed Curry ink and then put my circle mask on for the sun, as I wanted the sun to be yellow, then sponged Tangelo Twist ink over top.

The thank you sentiment is from the set "Lots of Thanks" -- an absolute must for all your thank you card needs.

If you haven't checked out the Online Extravaganza sale going on through Dec 2nd, you simply must!  This is truly one of the best sales I've ever seen SU offer -- many wonderful punches on the 50% off list, the Big Shot magnetic platform for 40% off, and tons of ribbons and glimmer paper 50% off!

AND, if you've ever thought about joining SU, there is a pretty sweet recruiting deal going on this week as well -- join between now and Dec 2nd for 25% off the starter kit price -- get $125 worth of product for $75! AND get an additional 5% cash back on all commissionable purchases during the month of December.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving Day! and take the time to make a list of all the things, both big and small, that you are thankful for today....

Grateful for you! -- curvy keepsakes die

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

The new curvy keepsakes die in the holiday catalog makes the perfect little Thanksgiving giftie.  I created several of these, and filled them with chocolates, to give to my kids' teachers.  There are HUNDREDS of cute ideas for many creative critters you can create with this die on pinterest.  For this project, I had limited time and just wanted to whip up a cute little project in record time.  I used a retired fall stamp, Fantastic Foliage, to stamp the die cut pieces, first.  That cute little tag is created with the Merry Everything bundle.  Love that "Grateful for You" sentiment -- and so easy -- just stamp and punch.  The leaves are made with the Autumn accents Bigz die and embossed with various embossing folders.

Don't forget about the amazing online Extravaganza sale going on right now through Dec 2nd!  OR join SU (between now and Dec 2nd) and save 25% off the starter kit.  Get $125 worth of SU product for $75! Contact me for more details.

Daydreams Medallions goes Christmas!

Happy Saturday, friends!

Today, I have a scrap layout to share with you that I created for my scrappers' club earlier this year.  It features some retired DSP from last year's holiday catalog, as well as the Daydreams Medallions stamp set and coordinating Floral Frames framelits.  I love how these stamps can be used for lots of different occasions -- beautiful as a floral theme, as well as a holiday wreath kind of look, (see the Christmas card with the birds in this link) or how I've used it here -- basic Medallion.  This layout is pretty self explanatory -- colors used are Pool Party, Island Indigo, Smokey Slate, and Whisper White.  Of course, a little of the retired silver shimmer paper gives it that "pop".  The silver word, "Merry", is from the retired expressions thinlits.  LOVED those dies! A bit tricky to cut out, but a gorgeous result.  That little silver frame for the title, is also retired.  They were in the Clearance Rack for a long time for a really good price, so I acquired quite a few. :)

New weekly deals started this past Tuesday!  The Window frames framelits are on sale, as well as the half inch circle punch and the 7/8" scallop circle punch, some ribbons and buttons.  Good deals to be had!  Don't forget about the Holiday supplement as well!  A fabulous star kit in there!  Simply assemble 26 amazing 3-D stars to decorate for the holidays, create place setting decor, or create ornaments to give to all your favorite peeps.

Ok! Off to prepare for "Family Fun Night" tonight at West Valley School.  I am signed up to make four batches of white chili, as well as do the Costco shopping for the event. :)  Sure am glad I will have Bryn along to push the second cart, as I know I won't be able to fit it all into one cart.  Costco on a Saturday.... Hmmmm ... CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Happy Day to you!