Build a Bouquet

Quick post today about the Stampin'Up! Build a Bouquet kit that is in the Occasions Catalog... First, I loved the looks of it; second, I'm never great with floral arranging and that's why I work with paper or knit or quilt; third, I am not a glue gun ninja.

Given all that, I decided to give it a try and so far, so good, except for the daisy which was unexpectedly difficult (not in this picture).  Anyway, I will continue to persevere on the fairly unscheduled weekend and see where I get.   Here's the results so far:

If you are interested and want to try it, I'll be offering some classes on "How to".  You will need the kit and a glue gun. Contact me for details and we'll probably do these in March and April. Wouldn't this make a wonderful Mother's Day Bouquet?!

Happy Stampin'!

Sarah

Who doesn't love punches, except the ones to the face ;)

I LOVE it when Stampin'Up comes up with new punches!  They make papercrafting so much easier. I don't have to cut my image or paper with a scissors, I can add even more layers to jazz something up a little and they are unbelievably handy for quick, small projects like gift tags!  Now, there's even one that makes a cute little bow!  I experimented a while back with this punch and here's what I came up with:

I wanted to try it with cardstock to see if it would work and although it was a little bulky, it did work. I'm going to try it next with a lighter weight paper and I'll bet that is even easier!  Lots of fun stuff in the Occasions Catalog.... be sure to check it out and let me know if you are interested in anything or have any questions. I love to help!

Yahoo, it's Friday!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

@birthdayboy, #stilllookinggood

The card I have for you today is a bit of an oxymoron... It doesn't completely make sense, but I still love it!  It's a vintage look and design but uses hashtags, which couldn't be any more non-vintage!  I'm always on the lookout for how to combine my wonderful Stampin'Up! products with the random accumulation of other stuff in my room and this is one of those times!  Here's the card:

I combined alot of elements:  embossing with a folder and my Big Shot, a little piece of thin cardboard, some burlap, a metal sprocket of some kind and some hashtags using the Word Window punch.  Have you ever just stared at a pile of stuff and wondered "what can I do with this?"  That is a legit creative process in my mind and I use it often!  Truth be told, it's also how I cook alot of the time... what can I do with this stuff so I don't have to go to the grocery store ;)  !!

I still have a few spots in my classes this week!  I have some fun classes planned and we'll try some sponging, some envelope making, some heat embossing on vellum and more!  The classes are Friday at 9 a.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. They are the same class so you can attend whichever is more convenient.  Please RSVP!

Back to the pile o' stuff,
Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

You're a Whole Lot of Wonderful

Hi friends! I can't believe how quickly February is flying by. It doesn't seem like winter can make up it's mind here this year, although I know that's not true everywhere. I'm enjoying a little more free time lately and love coming up with new ideas!  My "Intro to Card Making"  class was really fun last night and in fact, I will do it again! Watch for the next one, sometime in March or April.

The card I have for you today features one of the first stamps I got from the annual catalog, "Vivid Vases", last May I think!  I love it because it can be used alone or combined with another sentiment, like I did here:

I always need birthday cards, but sometimes I get bored with my "birthday" stamps, so it's fun to see what else I can use and then try to modify, adapt or add to it to make it a birthday card.   I colored the vases and flowers with Blendabilities. I'm no expert, but they are fun to play with. I limited myself to 3 colors, Coastal Cabana, Rich Razzleberry and Daffodil Delight (except for the Old Olive leaves) . Right now, during Sale-A-Bration, you can get a set of Blendabilities for free with any $50 purchase. I started my collection with a couple flower colors and a green. That gave me plenty to play with at first, then I slowly added some more over the months. Each set comes with a light, medium and dark colored pen so you can get some shading effects in your coloring.  Don't forget to purchase a Momento Black ink pad as well. That is what you need to stamp your image with and then when you color, your stamped image won't bleed!

Well, I'm headed back to my craft room to see what inspires me today!

Have a great one~~

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Lotus Blossom for You

One of the fun freebies in the Sale-A-Bration brochure is the "Lotus Blossom Stamp Set". It's a set that comes with 3 different stamps for the flower, to do 3 step stamping, right on top of each other. The idea is to use 3 different inks and automatically get some gorgeous shading as you stamp with each layer.   Here's my card and then I'll try to explain more about it!

The set comes with three different flower stamps, all in differing layers of ink saturation. I used three colors and stamped on top of each other from darkest to lightest:  Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant.   It also comes with two stem stamps so I used Garden Green and Wild Wasabi.  This was a really fun technique and the stamps have tabs on them to orient your stamping, i.e. always place the tab portion of the stamp at 12 o'clock.   The "for you"  is a framelit from the Mini Teat Bag framelit set, also available in the Occasions Catalog. 

If you want to see some of these products and techniques in real life, come to a class! These are low stress, fun and creative. You will come away with 3 cards  that you made yourself! The satisfaction and sense of achievement is huge! Check out my calendar for details or contact me with any questions. The classes are Friday morning at 9 a.m. and Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Happy Stampin'!

Sarah

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Intro to Card Making

I'm trying a new thing tomorrow evening -- an "Intro to Card Making" class at my home, 7:00 p.m.!  I have known that anytime you start something new, even when you are motivated and excited, it is very overwhelming!  There are the tools of the trade to become acquainted with, there is the jargon and vocabulary to learn to speak and understand and then there's the whole creative process. All of that can be so intimidating to the point of making you give up before you start!

If that sounds like you, and yet you are curious about rubber stamping, paper and ink, please come tomorrow night for a friendly and accessible introduction to this world. There's no charge and it will be a show and tell with some hands on practice to ease you into stamping gently . You will make a card or two but only after you have practiced a little and had a chance to get completely comfortable with what you are doing. Please RSVP if this sounds like something you are interested in and I'll give you the address to my house.  You can reach me at scade403@hotmail.com

Here's a fun card that is perfect for any baby and SIMPLE! The clouds on the paper from the new "Sweet Dreams" Designer Series Paper is what inspired me and banners are so popular now. Here's a mini one to celebrate the precious new arrival!

Check your calendar and see if tomorrow night works for you. You're welcome to bring a friend and I promise you'll have fun!  By the way, if you already are a card maker, don't forget my regular monthly card classes are this week as well: Friday at 9:00 a.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m.! Please RSVP! Newbies are always welcome to this class as well. You'll get the extra help you might need!

Check back tomorrow! I'll have some new Sale-A-Bration products to show you that are coming up in March, as well as another card!

Blessings,
Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Baby boy card

My day got away from me yesterday so I'm posting this today!  Using some of the new paper and stamp sets from the Occasions catalog, I've been having fun making some baby cards!  Here's my boy card:

This card features using some great paper and then actually stamping right on it, taking advantage of the pattern.  I started with the original color choices of Baked Brown Sugar and Lost Lagoon and later in the creative process, decided I need one additional color and decided Tangelo Twist was a perfect fit.  Everything I used is current product except the washi tape which was from a couple years ago, in a Halloween set of stuff. 

I had the pleasure of spending a couple hours with a new recruit yesterday and that always energizes me about Stampin'Up! and our awesome papercrafting art. If you've ever considered signing up, for the discount alone or as a potential business to earn some extra money, I would love to talk to you! It's a great time to get in on the fun!

Have a great weekend!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

A sweet Onesie card!

I'm officially off  Valentine's Day and on to playing with some of the things I've purchased from the new Occasions Catalog but haven't played with yet. I'm having fun!  I was extremely short on baby cards and decided that should be first. The color palette of the free Sale-A-Bration paper was just what I wanted to inspire me. I try to make cards that could be for either gender and also cards that are clearly girlish or boyish.  Here's what I came up with a girl:

The Designer Series Paper is clearly the feature of this card as I used three different sheets of paper.  I used the "Baby's First" framelit set to cut the onesie and flower. I used an old retired set for the sentiment and some retired tag punches.  If you look close, you will notice I used the new Note Tag punch as the bottom layer! Layering makes everything better ... cards, winter days, burritos,  desserts, etc.!  I also couldn't resist adding some pearls!  I'll be back with a boy card tomorrow!

Don't forget there are several ways to get cards; 1) make them yourself (I can show you how to get started), 2) purchase kits from Stampin'Up! (several to choose from); 3) Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin and get a kit with all you need in the mail every month! and 4) buy already made cards from me (see details on the right side bar).

Until tomorrow, have a great day!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Sympathy card for a military family

Recently, my husband and I attended a funeral for a highly decorated 86 year old Army veteran. We had known him for many years and knew his daughter and her husband even better. He was a helicopter pilot and flew many missions in Korea and VietNam. His service was one with full military honors including a helicopter hovering over the Veterans' part of the cemetery with an enormous American flag hanging from it. It was a moving service and made me so thankful for our military and proud of our country.  I wanted to send a sympathy card that captured much of what I was feeling that day and this is what I came up with.

I wanted to keep the card simple and dignified and yet obviously a military theme. Stampin'Up! has just the stamp set for my design, called "For Your Country". I could have used so many of the images, but I chose the silhouette soldier and flag.  I heat embossed this image over some "Under the Tree" paper that is a thicker Kraft type paper. A simple paper clip was just what I needed for an extra touch without making it to fussy.  As an aside, if you have the opportunity to go to a full military honors funeral or memorial service, GO!  You won't regret it.

Today is Tuesday so that means there are new weekly deals!  I'm actually getting FOUR things which is pretty rare for me, so it's a good sale!  Here's a peek:

WEEKLY DEALS Show:  All   4  8  20  40  80  All      1    Sort By:  A-Z   A-Z  Z-A  < Price  > Price  NEWEST  OLDEST

2014-2016 IN COLOR BACKGROUNDS DESIGNER SERIES PAPER STACK Price: $21.95 $16.46 AMPED UP AMPERSANDS KIT - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $9.95 $5.97 CELEBRATION BASICS KIT Price: $14.95 $11.21 DAFFODIL DELIGHT 1/4" COTTON RIBBON Price: $5.95 $4.46 MOSAIC PUNCH Price: $15.95 $11.96 PANSY PUNCH Price: $15.95 $11.96 PUMPKIN PIE 1/4" COTTON RIBBON Price: $5.95 WHAT'S UP PUNCH Price: $16.95 $12.71

You can get these by going to the store (ride side of web page) and click on weekly deals! For those of who you are big punch fans, this is your week!

Have a great Tuesday!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's a final card celebrating the month of love, although really, we should be all about love all the time,right?!! I used some retired stamps for this that are no longer available so I apologize for that inconvenience.  With that, here's the card!

And, Happy Valentine's Day!

Sarah

AAARRGGHH- You are my treasure!

Hi friends,
I'm back to a couple more Valentines in celebration of the day tomorrow.  My husband and I never make a HUGE deal of the holiday as we try to treat each other lovingly most days ;)  Some days are easier said than done!  Stampin'Up! had some great kid's sets this year for Valentine's Day. I made several including the two you'll see today and my school teacher daughter borrowed one for her class room. If you ever had a project ahead of you and still want to "make it" rather than "buy it", stamping is a wonderful way to go. Depending on the design, you can mass produce your creations in no time!
Here's the first card, hence the title of the blog post:

I even got a chance to use some sequins... I'm usually at a loss for what to do with bling! I'm hoping you get the idea that the sequins represent the gold coins (treasure), right?!!

Here's another fun kids card, with a different stamp set:

The information for my supplies, including the stamp sets are below. I'll have one more Valentine tomorrow and then I'll be back to the drawing board for a whole new batch of cards!

Have a great weekend!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

TBT- You have to start somewhere

Here's one of the very first cards I made and the first one I ever put online anywhere. I was so proud of it!  I punched out some flowers, glued on some buttons, stamped Happy Birthday and BOOM... a card!  It really can be that simple. My style has evolved considerably and also my knowledge of techniques, tools, design, etc. My inventory of supplies has exploded (i.e. a room full) since that time (Fall of 2011). It's fun to look back at prior work and see what is different, what you like, what you would change. Guess that's true of life, right?

Hopefully there is some progress along the way but never forget, starting it what counts! I would love to talk to you about starting your own journey with a fun, new hobby like papercrafting and card making! Drop me a comment and we'll get you started!

Happy Throw Back Thursday to you, too!

Sarah

Custom Wedding invite

Late this past fall, I was asked by a very close friend if I would consider making some wedding invitations for her daughter's wedding this spring. They wanted a "Montana" sort of theme and mentioned pine cones. I made several samples and after combining some elements from two of them, came up with the final design and then made 80 of them!  They were safely delivered to the bride-to- be and I was honored to receive one back in the mail last week!  Now that I know they are addressed and sent, I wanted to share them with you!  The main feature is a pocket made with the Stampin'Up! Gift Card Enclosure!  I glued 3 sides together and left one  unglued. I then combined some paper, ribbon, twine, buttons and stamps to come up with the final design. Take a look!

I used Crumb Cake cardstock for the insert, just to contrast a little. I also used our awesome Alphabet rotary stamp to stamp their names!  This was very fun and I think everyone was happy with the results! (note:  the pine cone stamps are retired.  The green paper is retired but available on the Clearance Rack!) What you won't see is the back of the insert card which provides all the details for the wedding. 

Have you ever thought of making your own invitations?  Maybe not for a wedding but how about a baby shower, a bridal shower, a special kid's birthday party, a milestone anniversary party?   The possibilities are endless!  I can help with some ideas and products to make your event even more special!  Give it a try!

Happy Hump Day!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Warm enough for tulips

We are having an unseasonably mild winter here in Montana, so much so that we opened a bunch of windows yesterday and enjoyed the smell of fresh air in our house. I've lived here long enough to know this is just faking us all out and March will be a beast; or maybe April; or maybe May. It will come though!

Anyway, I'm inspired today by one of my favorite flowers.. the tulip! This is a cute stamp in the new Occasion's catalog that was on my first order. I used the Pirouette Pink and Wild Wasabi  Blendabilities to color the flowers and stems, which is always fun. Hope you like it!

Just to make it a little more interesting, I folded up some newsprint paper from the "Typeset" paper and tied a little thick Baker's twine around it... Very fun and easy card!  The supplies are listed below in case you are interested!  

As always, feel free to contact me if you are interested in any of the Stampin'Up! products or curious about the papercrafting hobby. I'm a firm believer that hobbies are good for the soul, especially when some of your former duties have faded from your life (i.e. babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kids in school, Scouts, sports, music lessons, etc.!!!!) . 

Happy Monday!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Seasonally Scattered Love

Today's post features a retired set that has been well loved and used by me and featured for a few of my classes over the past year or so. I used the "love" one in my card buffet.  This card showcases something known in the card world as "CAS", i.e. Clean and Simple. It's always good to be reminded that not every thing a person makes has to be over the top. Over the top usually involves much time, cost and effort and we don't always have much time, cost and effort!  Here's the card:

Here's how I did it:

1)  Stamp "Love" or any stamp you want with black Stazon ink, which is a permanent ink that is NOT water soluble.

2)  Using an Aqua Painter (brush tip tool with water chamber to create a water color look), I swished on some Strawberry Slush ink. Here's a  trick:  instead of drawing up ink from the ink pad directly, squeeze your ink pad together gently while the cover is still on. You will draw up a little ink in the lid and that is what you dip your Aqua Painter in. Believe it or not, you need very little ink. It will take a couple of minutes for this to dry.

3) Decorate with washi tape, paper clips or embellishments of your choice. 

That's it!  Couldn't be easier. This is a technique/card idea that is particular good for mass producing. If you have 20 valentines to make, you could do it with this in under an hour, I promise!

My Card Buffet was a great success and very fun! Watch for the next one, coming sometime this spring, featuring Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation and more!

I am putting in an order in on Monday if there is anything you need~~ let me know. This is a great time to buy the stuff on your wish list and stock up on basics like paper, ink and adhesives. For every $50 you spend, you choose a free item from the Sale-A-Bration brochure. Check out my Staimpin'Up website for all the details... link is located on the right side bar!

Have a glorious Sunday!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

More love from Montana

I know there are 50 states in the country. I also know that all of them have unique and special places and characteristics which make them loved dearly by their citizens in many cases. I'm also pretty sure that Montana ranks very high on the best place to be list!  I'm biased, but that's okay. I live here. Here's another Valentine card with a regional flare that is hard to miss:

This is another card you can choose to make TODAY!  Hope to see you if you have time to stop by for a minute or too at my Valentine Card Buffet.  Doors open at 9 a.m. and we'll go until 3 or so. 

Have a great weekend!

Sarah

Have a treat, make a card!

Today's blog post is a reminder that my Valentine  Card Buffet is tomorrow, from 9 to 3!  I have 18 card choices ranging from romantic, childish, silly, funny and one that is in a class all by itself! For those who have strongly negative opinions about this holiday, here ya go:

I couldn't resist (pun intended) as I used our new "Irresistibly Yours" emboss/resist paper from Sale-A-Bration, red ink and a sponge dauber to get my background paper look. This card won't appeal to everyone, or possibly even very many at all, but there's got to be somebody out there that will think this is the perfect sentiment for them!

I've also got some treats, courtesy of the January My Paper Pumpkin kit!  

I hope you can stop by and eat a treat and make a card ( or two or three!)

Have a great weekend!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Gosh You're Adorable!

Quick post today... I'm madly getting ready for my Valentine Card Buffet which is Saturday, at my house, from 9 to 3! I hope you can come and engage in a lost art of a handmade card to those you love!  I'll have all the supplies and I promise it's a little more interesting and creative than construction paper, lace paper doilies and heart stickers ;)

Here's a quickie for you today!  I rarely make cards that are not a standard size because finding an envelope is tricky. Of course, with our Envelope Punch Board, you can make one.. duh!  I used a fun new photopolymer set called "Snuggles and Smooches" and cut this card to about a 5" x 5" size. I used the largest size heart framelit to cut the shape, just overlapping the framelit from the paper a bit on the left so I still had a fold. It's easy and fun to make shaped cards with Stampin'Up!'s framelits!

Hope to see you Saturday!

Sarah

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog