Pal Paper Arts Color Challenge

Do you play at PPA? This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge was a Color Challenge featuring Old Olive, Perfect Plum, and Pumpkin Pie. I managed to take a break from creating my Swaps for Regionals Saturday and made this card:



My card base is Whisper White scored on the top. This was followed by a layer of Perfect Plum and then Old Olive that I first ran through my Big Shot with the Texturz Backgrounds 1 Large Dot Plate. A pretty little Perfect Plum 1/4" grosgrain ribbon accents the left side of my card and balances out my three cute-as-can-be trees from Trendy Trees, stamped in Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Perfect Plum on Soft Suede tree trunks.

So what do you think? Tomorrow I'll be in Wichita, but I'll be posting more swaps I've made. I can't wait to get back and post all my pictures and tell you all about it!

Wichita Regionals this weekend!

One of the many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is the opportunity to attend one of their many events throughout the year. There are cruises you can earn, the yearly Convention, and many Regionals throughout the country. I'm super excited because this Saturday I'll be attending my first Stampin' Up! event-the Wichita Regional!

We'll be receiving a FREE stamp set, learning new techinques, doing make-and-takes, and of course there will be lots of swaps! Here are some cards I've been working on for my swaps:

 

This card features the gorgeous Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper with Soft Suede Ribbon, and my "deer" friend Dasher. (I couldn't pass that one up....it was just too funny!)

What do you think? I hope everyone at Regionals likes my swaps! If you'll be there and would like to meet, just let me know!

Christmas Cocoa Flocked Paper

Have you seen the gorgeous Christmas Cocoa flocked Designer Series Paper? It is gor-geous!!! You seriously can't go wrong with this paper, it instantly gives a formal, festive look to any card. I made this card based off this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge:

 

 

If you have a workshop booked with me this month, you'll get to see how gorgeous it is in person when we make this card.

 

Email me to book your workshop and not only can we make this simple and cute card, but you can take advantage of the awesome hostess specials we have available this month, get the all-new My Digital Studio™ software for 50% off when you host a $400 workshop! Plus, get any one item from the Holiday 2009 Mini Catalog for just $10 when you host a $250 workshop!

Easy Embossed Notecards

I don't believe I've ever told anyone how I began stamping...it was actually last November and I used to occassionally watch The Martha Stewart Show during my children's naps. She did an entire series called "Homemade Holidays" and I happened to see one episode where she showed how to make embossed Christmas Cards. I thought it was mesmirizing when they showed the embossing powder melt into this beautiful foil-like image. I had always seen the stamp aisle in the craft stores but had no idea you could actually make things like that yourself.

Fast forward a few months and I was a woman obsessed! I signed up as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator a few months later, mostly to get the great discount on all the goodies I wanted and later realized that I could make extra income for my family while sharing what I have so much fun doing.

Anyways, back to my point, I still can't get enough of embossing. Today while my boys were napping I started my Christmas gifts-sets of embossed notecards.

 

I started by making two sets of monogram notecards for some family members. I used my Versamark pad and Gold Stampn' Emboss Powder to create the monogram. I then used a scrap of paper to make the band around the card set. I stamped it with the bottom of the tree from Snow Swirled in Soft Suede to create the pattern.

 

I then made these little 3 by 3" notecards for another family member (being intentionally vagtue in case they read this!) using Rich Razzleberry cardstock and the Herb Expressions stamp set. This time I embossed with White Stampin' Emboss powder. My band around the notecards was another scrap stamped with the main flower stamp from Bella's Bloom in Rich Razzleberry.

 

I was very pleased with the way these notecards turned out and it took me only about 35 minutes to make all three sets. You can bet I'll be making lots more before December! Such an easy but cute and personal gift!

The holidays are a great time to explore your creative side, there are so many cards, bags, and small gifts you can make with Stampin' Up! products. What are your favorite homemade gifts for the holidays?

Something a Little Different...

This card is definitely a lot different than the cards I usually make and I'm on the fence about it.

 

My card base is Soft Suede scored on top. I then layered textured Crushed Curry Cardstock over top. I added a Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon overtop. I made my pumpkin by punching out three large ovals out of, you guessed it, Pumpkin Pie! I sponged around the outside edges with Soft Suede Ink to add dimension) I hand cut a little stem from Chocolate Chip and then cut a very thin sliver of Old Olive Cardstock from a scrap I had...(the sliver was so thin it natural curled itself to form my vine.)

Using my Little Leaves Sizzlet and my Big Shot I cut my leaves from Old Olive, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, and Dusty Durango. I cut apart all but the Old Olive leaves to make it look like fall with leaves on the ground, my Old Olive branches I left whole and glued to the top of the page.

I'd really love your feedback on this card, it was way outside my comfort zone.

Oh! And don't forget about this month's Card Kit of the Month! I've had more orders than expected so I will fill them as they come in, 10 at a time so you could get your kit earlier than the 20th.

Fun Favors!

Need a quick and easy favor for a wedding, birthday party, or quick holiday gift? Look no further than Stampin' Up's adorable Pillow Box Die!

 

When I first started papercrafting I didn't particularly want to branch out beyond cards and the occassional scrapbook page. However, a baby shower for a friend that needed to be thrown together quickly convinced me to try the Pillow Box die to make favors and I'm so glad I did! It makes the fastest, cutest gifts!

 

For this cute Christmas stocking stuffer I simply ran some Merry Moments Designer Series Paper through my Big Shot with the Pillow Box Die and tied a 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon around it. A cute gift tag made with the Delightful Decorations Stamp Set and my Ornament Punch quickly adds an extra special touch-I'll be making lots of these this holiday season!!!

 

Hostessing a luncheon or wedding shower? How about this cute pillow box made with the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper and some Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. I created the "window" in the favor box by punching a hole with my 1 3/8" Circle Punch before assembling the box and using a small piece of Stampin' Up's window sheets to cover the hole. This makes the perfect sneek peek at the treats inside (Dark Chocolate Kisses, my favorite, and a perfect Razzleberry match!)

 

Quick and cute favors for a children's party or baby shower! This one is hiding stickers, my son's current favorite prized possesssion! He'll get this surprise this afternoon!

What I used

Stamps
Delightful Decorations 116517

Paper
Merry Moments Deisgner Series Paper 115672
Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper 115671
Tall Tales Designer Series Paper 115678
Whisper White 100730

Ink
Chocolate Chip 100908

Ect
Ornament Punch 116794
1 3/8" Circle Punch 104401
Pillow Box Die 113466
Real Red 5/8' Grosgrain Ribbon 109052
Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon 115613
Apricot Appeal 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon 109040
Window Sheets 114323
Big Shot Die-Cut Machine 113439

October Card Kit of the Month!

It's here! The October Card Kit of the Month! This month's kit uses the Delightful Decorations Stamp Set from page 24 of the Holiday Mini Catalog as well as Many Merry Messages from 33 of the big Idea Book and Catalog.

With the purchase of the kit you will receive all the consumable supplies (Cardstock, Designer Series Paper, Elastic Silver Cord) to make 10 of this design. You wil also receive detailed step-by-step instructions. The complete card kit including shipping is only $15! Order today, kits will begin shipping October 20!

As a bonus, with purchase of the card kit you can get the stamp sets used for 10% off! If you would like to add on any of the following accessories with your card kit purchase, please email me and I will send you a Paypal invoice for the full total. (Tax and shipping apply to accessories.)

Optional Accessories:
Delightful Decorations normally $21.95, yours for only $19.75
Many Merry Messages normally 34.95, yours for $32.45
Ornament Punch $15.95
SNAIL Adhesive $6.95
Stampin' Dimensionals $3.95
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad $5.95
Bone Folder $6.95

Feeling Festive!

I am so in love with the Patterned Pines Hostess set from the Holiday Mini Catalog!

 

I started off my card with a Whisper White card base scored on the top. I added a layer of Old Olive followed Real Red cardstock I textured using the Filligree plate from Texturz Backgrounds 1. (Hint: to really make your texture POP use this layer from bottom to top: Multipurpose Platform, texture plate, cardstock, silicone impressions pad, cutting plate; with multipurpose platform all the way closed...it will be hard to crank through but worth the elbow grease!)

My Patterned Pines were stamped in Real Red and Old Olive and snipped out with my Paper Snips. I popped my red tree with Stampin' Dimensionals. A Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon wraps around my Old Olive and Whisper White mat and a Sentiment from Snow Swirled stamped in Old Olive finishes it off!

Have you seen Stampin' Up's new personalized stamps? Not only can you tell the world that you created these beautiful creations, but these stamps comply with the Stampin' Up! Angel Policy allowing you to sell the cards you make!

 

What I used:

Stamps
Patterned Pines (Hostess Level 1) 116525
Snow Swirled 111690
"Handstamped by" Stamp Flourish 115600 (personalized, must be ordered through demonstrator, not via website)

Ink
Old Olive 102277
Real Red 103133
Crushed Curry 115659

Paper
Whisper White 100730
Old Olive 100702
Real Red 102482

Etc.
Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon 109052
Stampin' Dimensionals 104430
Stamp-a-ma-jig 101049
Texturz Backgrounds 1 114512
Big Shot Die Cut Machine 113439
Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber 114615

A Sweet Birthday...and Important Announcements!

This birthday card is for one of the most special people in my life, my stepmother. She is a wonderful person so I had to try and step up my usual simple style to make her something extra special.

 

The sentiment and cupcakes are from The More the Merrier Hostess Level 3 set (want this set, have a workshop and earn it for free!) I watercolored the cupcakes with my blender pen and ink pads. I added a little "bling" to the middle cupcake with a clear rhinestone brad. (This stamp actually has five cupcakes lined up, I only wanted three so I used some regular old tape to cover the cupcakes I didn't want while inking my stamp, then removed the tape and stamped my cupcakes!)

My background paper is the Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper-which is sooooooo pretty, I love it! I matted all my layers on Rich Razzleberry Cardstock and rounded all the corners using my corner rounder punch-a must have!

I love the way the card turned out but I needed to make it even more special so here's what I added inside:

 

That's right! I just got my brand new 3D Pop Up Cake Die for my Big Shot and this was my first attempt at it...I don't think it turned out too bad! My Happy Birthday sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and fits perfectly with my Modern Label Punch. (Hint: I punched out three extra Modern Label Punches out of Orchid Opulence and used them to make "mat" for my Whisper White Punch.)

 

Now, thanks for sticking with me this far down the post...I have some VERY important announcements!

First, My Digital Studio is available for order today!!!! Normally priced at $79.95, order this week and I'll give you 10% off!!

Second, Stampin' Up! will be offering "Deals of the Week" this entire month, and the first ones are awesome! You can get the Trio Flower Punch (109183) and 5-Petal Flower Punch (109041) for only $10.99 (regularly $15.95) and the My Way Punch (110709)for $11.99. You can see all our punches on page 186-187 of the Idea Book and Catalog. (Need a Catalog? Email me to get your copy!)


Now, the last announcement, and its a doozy! A New Starter Kiot Special that INCLUDES My Digital Studio!!! This starter kit is only $185 and contains over $295 worth of products and best of all, it includes the awesome My Digital Studio Digital Scarpbooking and Cardmaking Software! I've listed the kit contents below, don't forget you can substitute your stamp sets, ink, and cardstock for different items of equal or lesser value to customize your kit to fit you perfectly!



My Digital Studio software
Party Hearty and Petal Pizzazz stamp sets
Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pads
Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Stampin' Write markers
Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
Real Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
Button Latte Designer buttons
Stampin' Dimensionals
Mini Glue Dots
SNAIL Adhesive
Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)

This kit is awesome because you get markers, ribbon, and buttons; which aren't included in the normal kit. This way not only can you make cards, but you can design scrapbook pages with My Digital Studio, print them out, and then embellish them more to make awesome "hybrid" pages! Visit my Stampin' Up! website and click "Join Now" to order your starter kit and join my team! My password is Saucystamper!

Mojo Sketch Challenge

I have to admit I have been slacking on my Mojo Monday Challenges lately. For some reason I have been having a creative block with some of the more complicated sketch challenges. I was determined to make something for it this week however and I finally came to the realization that these challenges are inspiration-I didn't have to do exactly the same layout, but rather use it as a jumping off point. I was so glad I forced myself outside of my comfort zone a bit because I just love how this card turned out!

 

My card base is Garden Green scored on the top. I used Merry Moments Designer Series Paper matted on Very Vanilla. A Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon accents my "tag" on the left side of the card. My sentiment is from Many Merry Messages, stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla. The snowflake is from the Patterned Pines Hostess Level 1 set from the Holiday Mini Catalog, and it is also stamped in Real Red.

What do you think?

Don't forget my two specials-today is the last day for my birthday special-a chance to win one of four stamp sets with every $30 ordered, and my My Digital Studio 10% off special running through the end of the week!

My Digital Studio Available October 1st!

Check out these digital scrapbook pages from Stampin' Up's new My Digital Studio software!





These were so easy to make, anyone that wants to make family keepsakes needs this software! I was actually introduced to Stampin' Up! through a gift of a Simply Scrappin' kit when my oldest son was born. I had never scrapbooked before and the kit made it super easy to make a keepsake scrapbook when my son was small. However, since the birth of my younger son, I just don't have a ton of time to scrapbook. (That's why I like cards, they're quick and easy-instant gratification!) Plus, all my pictures are taken digitally and before you can even work on your scrapbook I would have to decide which pictures I wanted to use, what size I wanted them, then print them out.

That is why this software is so awesome, I can just upload some pictures from my camera or hard drive and either use their professionally designed templates or create my own pages! You can also make cards, calendars, and other gifts! Last year I made calendars for family gifts with pictures of my boys and am planning to do the same this year, but I can design my own!

I'm so excited about this software that I'm offering 10% off through the end of the week (making it $71.96 instead of $79.95) Or you can gather orders with friends or hostess a workshop and earn it half price with a $400 workshop! Email me to reserve your copy today!

Must...Shimmer.....Everything!

I got the new shimmer paints from page 27 of the Holiday Mini Catalog over the weekend and oh-my-goodness! I L-O-V-E them! I have an uncontraollable urge to shimmer everything in sight. The only thing I don't absolutely love about them is it seems pretty impossible to capture how gorgeous they are with my camera!

 

So you understand-this card is breathtaking in person. It is literally one the best cards I have ever made....I mean, so much so that this baby is staying right here in the craft room, just for me! I turn 30 today so I guess I'll consider it my birthday card to me, right!?!

 

I used the Little Leaves Sizzlet and some scrap paper to make a stencil. Holding the stencil down on my card stock I first sponged Old Olive, then the shimmer paint to create two fronds in the background. I then used Old Olive Textured Cardstock and cut out a third little frond using my Big Shot. The contrast of textures is awesome!

I matted my little leaves on Soft Suede and then a Pale Plum card base scored at the top. A Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon and sentiment from Of the Earth finished it off!

Sorry to gush, but this is my favorite card ever. If you don't like it, I don't know if we can be friends. (Okay, maybe we can be friends, but we might require therapy to get past this.)

Leave me a birthday comment please!!!!!

More Patterned Pines

When I saw the new Holiday Mini Catalog and the hostess sets in it I knew I had to have the Patterned Pines Level one Hostess set. You can't go wrong with this set, no matter what color you stamp it (or in this case, emboss with!) it's gorgeous.

 

How simple but elegant is this card? Simply Night of Navy and Whisper White with some embossing with Stampin' Emboss powder. (Not sure how to emboss? Check out my You tube tutorial here.) And if you liked yesterday's Pop Up Christmas Tree card, see this tutorial on how easy-peasy it was to assemble!

This set can be yours FREE with a minimum $150 order. Can't spend $150 right now? Contact me about having a catalog party, or if you're local to the Kansas City area, an in person workshop to earn this set FREE!

Wow! Pop Up Christmas Tree!

So yesterday afternoon I was visited by the "Big Brown Truck" as my son likes to call it; and he brought me a box filled with glorious goodies to play with in my craft room. Among them was the NEW My Digital Studio Digital Scrapbooking Software (available October 1st!) and my new Pop Up Christmas Tree Die from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Did you know that with our current Hostess promotion, when you hostess a workshop over $250 you can get any item in the Holiday Mini Catalog for only $10 (not including hostess sets or My Digital Studio)? That means you can get this awesome die for only $10! AND after October 1st if you hostess a workshop over $400 you can get My Digital Studio for half price!!

 

Anyways, using some of my new goodies I made this lovely Christmas card. It is 5 by 5" card scored on the side. My card base is Whisper White, followed by a 4 7/8" square of Real Red. My Center square is Old Olive matted on Whisper White and using my Big Shot, I cut out the "Joy" from the "Joyful" sizzlet. (Awesome buy-only $5.50!) My trees are from the Level 1 hostess set from the Holiday Mini Catalog-Patterned Pines, inked in Real Red and Old Olive and snipped out with my Paper Snips. Some Stampin' Dimensionals give them some "pop."

But the real "pop" is inside the card!

 

Wooo-weeeee! I have never used a 3-D die before but it was surprisingly easy! I just used my Big Shot to cut out the pieces and using the very clear instructions and diagrams on the packaging, assembled the tree (all the while fending off my two year old son who was entranced by Mommy's Paper Tree!)

 

My sentiment on the inside is from the very useful Christmas set Many Merry Messages, stamped in Old Olive and matted on Real Red.

I'd love to hear what you think of my first 3-D card! Oh, and don't forget my birthday special on the right sidebar...Monday is the big day! I'm sure my thirties will bring much more creativity, what do you think?

Pal Paper Arts Inspiration Challenge

This week's Pals Paper Arts Inspiration Challenge instantly brought to mind a Fall themed card for me. I used Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive.

 

My card base is Soft Suede, followed by a layer of Old Olive run through my Big Shot with the Texturz Backgrounds 1 (don't you just love adding texture to your cardstock?) A snippet of Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon floats under my sentiment, from the Hostess Level 1 set Holiday Best (inked in Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Soft Suede of course!) To finish it off I added two More Mustard buttons tied with faux thread made from Soft Suede cardstock. (See my tutorial here.)

 

Don't forget to check out my New Recruit Special here and time is quickly running out for my Birthday Special as well!

Diva Coffee Break Color Challenge

A great way to step outside the box and find inspiration is to participate in one of the many challenges out there. Today I used this week's Diva's Coffee Break Challenge, which was a color challenge to use Very Vanilla, Bermuda Bay, Real Red, and Soft Suede.

When I work with a color challenge I first like to gather my supplies in those colors so that I can get an idea of how the colros work together and figure out how I want to design my card, what stamp set I want to use, etc. When I first looked at these colors it took a few minutes to see how they really did work together in a very unique and pleasing way and for me at least, they immediately took on a mod Christmas feel, so I grabbed my handy Dasher stamp and got to work!

 

Unfortunately I didn't have Very Vanilla so I had to use Whisper White instead. I stamped my Dasher stamp in Soft Suede on Whisper White. (Dasher is one of my top 3 Must-Have stamps-you can get him FREE when you sign up to be on my Team by the end of the month, see this post.)I matted my image on Bermuda Bay cardstock cut 1/8" larger on each side than my White cardstock. My card base is again Whisper White, topped with Real Red. A Bermuda Bay Polks Dot Grosgrain Ribbon lines the bottom edge of the Red Cardstock for a sharp contrast. I used the "Noel" stamp from Many Merry Messages to add my sentiment to the bottom of the card in Real Red.

 

Bold and Bright

Many times, while looking for inspiration I browse online galleries to look at the work of others. I came across this card, which I thought was adorable and used as inspiration for today's card.

 

I rarely use my Bold Brights color family but I love the bright, cheerful look of this card! I started with a Whisper White card base, topped with Pixie Pink and then another layer of Whisper White. My image from Its a Stretch was stamped in Basic Black on Whisper White and colored using a blender pen and my ink pads. (See my tutorial here.)

I ran some scraps of Pixie Pink, Only Orange, and Yoyo Yellow through my Big Shot with the Small Dots Texturz Plate from Backgrounds 1. I then punched our circle with my 1 3/8" and 1/2" circle punches and glued them to my Whisper White to create a fun pattern. (I tried my best to show the texture of the circles but had difficulty getting it to show up in the pictures, sorry!)

 

Super cute, right?

Don't forget to check out my YouTube channel for three brand spankin' new tutorials! Want personal lessons in cardmaking? Email me to set up an in person lesson or personlized video tutorial!

New Recruit Special!

Do you love Stamping? Want to earn some extra money for the holidays? Want at least a 20% discount on all your papercrafting supplies? How about getting to preorder cool stuff before everyone else? Then join my team!

If you sign up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by September 30th I'll throw in a FREE Dasher stamp and FREE pack of paper of your choice to help you get started making gorgeous cards like this:



As a member of my team you will have my personal support as you build your business. Not interested in building a business? That's okay too! (What kind of demonstrator are you?) In addition to my personal support you also join the team of my fabulous upline Lisa Freeman, one of the top 10 demonstrators in the country!

Stampin' Up! Starter Kit
SAVE 40% ($335 value) on supplies with the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit for $199 and get FREE Shipping.


Here's what is included in the Stampin' Up! Starter Kit:



Stamp Sets

• Fun & Fast Notes (p. 56) or your choice up to $33.95
• On a Pedestal (p.71) or your choice up to $19.95
• Eastern Blooms (p. 108) or your choice up to $21.95
• Elegant Thank-You (p. 144) or your choice up to $8.95
• Teeny Tiny Wishes (p. 145) or your choice up to $36.95

Stampin' Around Wheel (Fast Flowers, p. 56) or your choice of a regular sized wheel
Stampin Around Wheel Handle (regular size)
Stampin' Around Ink Cartridge (Pixie Pink or your color choice/uninked)
Stampin' Pastels (51 Stampin' Up! colors, 6 applicators, 1 eraser)
2 Packages Bold Brights Assorted Color Card Stock (8.5 x 11") or any color family (including In Colors). Both packs must be identical.
Whisper White Card Stock (8.5 x 11") or your choice up to $7.50
SNAIL Adhesive
Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Eastern Blooms (or other Decor Elements Choice of the same or lower price)
Décor Elements Applicator Tool
Stampin' Scrub
Stampin' Mist
VersaMark Pad
Blender Pens
5 Classic Stampin' Pads (Basic Black, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Pixie Pink or your choice of any five Stampin' Up! Classic ink colors)
8 Catalogs, Business Forms and Tools to Help You Get Started
SHIPPING IS INCLUDED!!! (Sales tax is additional)

OPTIONAL STAMPIN' MEMORIES SCRAPBOOKING ADD-ON: $50 (Valued at $80+)



1 Package Bold Brights or Your Choice Assorted 12 x 12 Colored Card Stock (p. 156)
Schoolbook Serif (p. 151) or your choice of Alphabet Stamp Set Up to $43.95
Simply Scrappin’ Petal Party (p. 166) or your choice of Kit
Craft Stampin’ Ink Pad. Whisper White or your choice of Craft Stampin' Pad
Stampin’ Write Journaler (p. 190). Basic Black or your choice of color.
SHIPPING IS INCLUDED!!! (Sales tax is additional)

NOTE: Stampin’ Memories Add-On must be ordered in conjunction with the starter kit

Click here to see some of the many demonstrator benefits. Ready to take the plunge? Click here and hit the "Join Now" button on the left sidebar to order your starter kit! My password is saucystamper!

Design Inspiration

Do you ever get those mojo-less days? The days where you sit at your stamping table and start creation after creation but nothing looks "right?" That was me yesterday, all-day-long.

Luckily for me, hubby needed a quick run to the hardware store and the kids were getting stir crazy so we made a family trip of it. While pushing my cart up and down the aisles I passed the paint section and grabbed a couple inspiration pamphlets, thinking I could get some color combo inspiration, and boy did I get inspired once I got home and got those babies to my craft area! I whipped this card up in 5 minutes flat!

 

Such a simple color combination and design concept! I love the way this card turned out! Here you can see the card with my inspiration picture:

 

My card baseis Whisper White, topeed with Real Red. I tied a 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon along the bottom edge of my Red cardstock. My image and sentiment are from my much beloved but often forgotten set Fifth Avenue Floral.

I'd love to hear your comments on my card! Let me know what you think! And don't forget-I've just entered the last week in my twenties and to celebrate my upcoming thirtieth birthday I'm giving away FOUR FREE stamp sets! See the right sidebar for details!

Simple Sunday Card

Here is a simple and easy card I made for someone special's birthday.

 

My card base is Orchid Opulence, followed by layers of Rich Razzleberry and Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper. The sentiment comes from Herb Expressions and is matted on Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive. A Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon finished it off!

This layout is basic but my "go-to" layout when I don't have a lot of time or creative energy.

What you need:

Stamps
Herb Expressions 113224

Ink
Rich Razzleberry 115658

Paper
Orchid Opulence 100969
Rich Razzleberry 115316
Old Olive 100702
Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper 115671

Etc
Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon 115613

Don't forget my Thirtieth Birthday Special-for every $30 you spend with me you are entered to win one of FOUR FREE stamp sets!