BACKYARD & BIRDHOUSE

Only a few of my trees have their leaves still on. These are volunteer Honey Locust trees right next to my deck that my poor hubby just can't part with.  I don't think we've had the discussion here on my blog about how much my husband loves trees.... He has planted a forest in my back yard and can't stand to remove the ones that grow up next to the deck.  Those two are only a couple of years old. We now have 15 trees in our back yard, granted, our house backs up to a busy street and there are huge commercial properties that use to be within viewing distance- (if the trees were'nt there)! SOOOO, as an inspiration to my backyard, I made this Birdhouse to keep indoors.



Mr Cardinal came to visit.



UNBELIEVABLE SALE MONDAY ONLY!

MONDAY ONLY!

We are having a demonstrator contest to earn FREE stamp sets from the upcoming 2013 SPRING CATALOG. I would love to win some prizes from Stampin' UP! and you will benefit too!

Your discount for every stamp, stamp set, cookie stamps and backgrounds is 15% EACH that you order on MONDAY ONLY!

If you order, I will be giving you a card or 3D item that I make with the new SETS when they go live. It's a WIN/WIN for both of us!

Call me, Email me, between now & Monday & I will take your order. OR Order Online- 1 a.m. CST Monday morning-12:50 a.m Tuesday morning (Stampin' Up! is Mountain time).

The not so fine print:

This means all stamps in the current catalogs including

• Background stamps
• Personalized name stamps
• Incentive stamp sets from the supply list
• Cookie press stamps
• Single-image stamps

This DOES NOT include

• Hostess sets
• Bundled stamp sets
• Digital stamp brush sets

View the Catalogs online.
     

NEWSingle Stamps Available ( yes, they are included in the sale too!)
View Assortment 1
View Assortment 2
Perfectly Penned
Seasonal Sayings
Word Play

FABULOUS SCARECROW

After posting the Scarecrow last week, I have been wanting to make a mini version using the Curly Label Punch.  It reminds me of a mini Top Note, which was used on the Scarecrow Card. The theme for the challenge at The Paper Players #118  is FRAMES and I put this lil' guy on several Frames. First- using the Big Shot-Peekaboo Frames in the Midnight Muse. Second- a straw burlap frame using the Lattice Embossing Folder. Third- Framed Tulips Folder on the base of the card stock. The Fabulous Phrases Stamp Set adds the sentiment needed to make this a Fabulous Scarecrow indeed!

Card Ingredients:

Stamp Set:  Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Soft Suede, Primrose Petals, Early Espresso Marker

Card Stock:  Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse

DSP:  Comfort Cafe

And More:  Curly Label Punch, Peekaboo Frames, Framed Tulip Folder, Lattice Folder, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, Pearl, Linen Thread, Googlie Eyes, Mini Muffin Cup Liner

Tip:  Sponge the Muffin Cup Liner with Soft Suede on both sides, fold in half, fold in fourths. While holding point, make snips 1" from the bottom to make a frayed edge for his collar. Glue to the back of the Scarecrow's head.

Scarecrow Ensemble

This cute pot is filled with the Scarecrows on the miniture Tootsie Pops.  They are attached using mini glue dots... just continuing the "mini" theme!

CHEERS!

A change of pace... conquering 2 Challenges for today's card AND sending it to my friend with a Cocktail Recipe in it! The Happy Hour Stamp Set is so bright & cheery! I paired it today with DSP International Bizaar.  The Challenges are Stampin' Celebration (SCIC#59) & Pals Paper Arts ( PPA 145). If you ever need inspiration for making a card or project, these challenges get your creativity brewing.

Stamp Set:  Happy Hour

Ink:  Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party

DSP:  International Bizaar

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Pacific Point

And More:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Circle Punch, Bright Brads



Happy Hour 126642 (clear) 126640 (wood)



WINTER WONDERLAND

I wish you could see the Shimmer Paint that I sprayed on top of the trees to give this card some additional sparkle!

Stamp Sets:  Lovely as a Tree & Sweet Essentials

Ink:  Versa Mark & Basic Gray

Card Stock: Bashful Blue & Whisper White

Specialty Paper: Silver Glimmer Paper

And More: Embossing Folders- Polka Dot, Lattice, & Fancy Fan

White Embossing Powder, Glimmer Brad

PEEKING SNOWMAN

When the snow flies, it's time to cozy up inside while the kids make a snowman! Make a window using Window Sheets and add your focal point to the inside of your card.

Stamp Set:  Stylin' Snowfolk, Woodgrain Background Stamp

Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie

Card Stock:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Silver Glimmer

DSP: Polka Dot- Old Olive

And More:  Pennant Builder Punch, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Jewelry Tag Punch, Circle Punches, Candy Cane Christmas Fabric (retired), Window Sheets

DOUBLE TREAT POCKET

What a cute idea that I got from Dawn Griffin! It goes together so quick and easy! You can put in two pieces of candy (one on each side) OR you can put in one piece, eat the other and slip a note in the back side pocket.... jus' sayin'!

Stamp Set: Mixed Medley

Card Stock: Whisper White, Champagne Glimmer Paper (it matched the candy wrapper soooo well!)

Ink: Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple

DSP:  In Colors 2012-14 Raspberry Ripple

And More: Raspberry Ripple Ribbon, Small Scallop Punch, Scallop Punch, 1/2 " Circle Punch

SCARECROW SWING CARD

Here's a cute swing card that I CASED (copy & share)  from another demonstrator (Rae Harper)  and we made them at October's Card Class!  Thanks to the awesome and talented demonstrators who share their projects! I made a few changes to accomodate it to swing open.  It has a brad that is hidden behind the fabric to create the swing.

Stamp Set:  Word Play

Card Stock:  Sahara Sand, Cajun Craze, Whisper White, Basic Black

DSP: Comfort Cafe

Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Primrose Petals

And More:  Googlies (eyes), Crimper, Top Note Die, Bird Builder Punch, Spice Cake- Fabric, Linen Thread, Sponges, Lattice Folder, Pennant Builder Punch- nose, Jewel -Pearl.

MISS YOU OWL

There's a Color Challenge going on at PPA144. Yummy Fall Colors! I've neglected my Owl Punch lately and thought I would dust him off and give him a sporty fall vest to wear! I cut down an envelope to customize a size to fit the 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" square card. 

Stamp Sets:  Confetti, Lacey & Lovely, Take Care

Ink:  More Mustard, Cajun Craze

CS:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

And More:  Owl Builder Punch, Brights Buttons, Linen Thread, Corner Rounder

Thank you PPA for selecting my card this challenge!



KICK UP YER HEELS!

It's time for a Masculine Card!  Yee Haw! October's Card Class featured a masculine theme.

Someone is a 3+ Star in your life who would love to get a handmade card.

I challenge you to give out 1 card a week to someone not expecting it.... kind of a pay it forward incentive! 

Mark your calendar every Monday for 1 month and send, deliver, & surprise the recipient. It will add joy to their life and yours! If you write a cute note on a post it and place it inside, they can reuse the card for someone else!

Stamp Set:  Bootiful Occasions
Ink:  Black Stazon
Card Stock:  Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
DSP:  Howlstooth & Herringbone
And More:  Herringbone Embossing Folder, Mini Brads, 3" Circle, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.

TAKE CARE

There's a new challenge this week at Butternut Sage Designs.  It brought me out of my comfort zone for sure! One Layer & Make your own Designer Paper.  Thanks to Robbie & Donna, I learned a new technique (for me!).  Watch Robbie's video on the Shaving Cream Technique. 

Stamp Set:  Take Care

Ink:  Soft Suede, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue

Reinkers: Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Wisteria Wonder

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Soft Suede

And More:  Crimper, Crystal Effects, Glue Gun, Shaving Cream

nest made with small strips of crimped paper and crumpled up

AMAZING BALLOON RIDE

Today's card was made for a going away party invitations.  My only regret was that each card was made using 4 passes through the Big Shot - Chevron Embossing Folder &  Edgelits. But the redeeming factor was only using 1 color of ink- Basic Black! After completing 52 cards, I have to say, I didn't get tired of it.  It is for a dear friend and well worth it.

Stampin' UP! has some amazing products that coordinate with each other.  The stamp set You're Amazing and the Stampin' Around Wheel- Take a Ticket really pair well together.  I like to take the rubber stamps off the wheels and convert them into a flat stamp.  

Stamp Sets:  You're Amazing, Take a Ticket Wheel

Ink:  Basic Black

Card Stock:  Sahara Sand & Basic Black

Specialty Paper:  Red Glimmer Paper,  First Edition - DSP

And More:  1/8" Basic Black Ribbon, Jewel- Rhinestone, Framelits- Apothecary & Window Frames, SU! Spritzer Tool.