Card Case: Sassy Salutations

I've been on the fence about the 'Sassy Salutations' stamp set from Stampin' Up.

Then I saw THIS CARD, and my mind was made up :)

I just HAD to get that stamp set!

Here's my version...

Stay tuned for a fun project I made using this stamp set!

Supplies Used (all are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Yellow (non SU!), Orange (non SU!)

Ink: Basic Gray

Stamp: Sassy Salutations

Punches: 1/2" circle, 3/4" circle, 1" circle, 1-1/4" circle

Other: Basic Rhinestones

'Happy, Happy Birthday to You' Card

I don't think it would come as a surprise to anyone if I openly admitted 

that I'm a scrapbook paper hoarder.  I buy cute paper with every intention 

of immediately using it on a card...then it sits on my table for months.  

Such is the case with this paper.  

I bought it in April, and am now just getting around to using it on some cards.  

Maybe I need to exhibit some self-control and not allow myself 

to buy any more new paper until I've used what I've got.

Okay...don't know if I can stick with that, but it's a good thought!

The card I'm sharing today was inspired by THIS ONE.  

I used some pop up dots on the scalloped circle to give it some dimension.

Here's a close up shot...

Supplies:

Paper: Kraft cardstock, "Dream Come True" (Leeza Gibbons 'Wishes & Dreams'), "Banana Tiny Dots" & "Banana Stripes" (Echo Park 'Dots & Stripes')

Stamps: Card Chatter-Birthday (CTMH)

'Hip Hip Hooray' {Birthday Card}

After a summer of busyness and not much craftyness, 

I'm happy to finally have a new card to share!

The inspiration for this card came from THIS SKETCH.  

I don't usually do much on the inside of my cards, 

but thought it would be fun to showcase the stamped sentiment.

The kraft flower was made by cutting notches out of 1" and 3/4" circles.

Such a fun card!!  I think I may officially be out of my summer craft slump...yay!

Supply List:

Paper: "Scattered Wishes" & "11:11" (Leeza Gibbons Wishes & Dreams line), 

"Banana Stripes" (Echo Park Dots & Stripes), kraft cardstock

Punches: 1", 3/4", & 1/2" circle punches

Stamps: Card Chatter-Birthday (CTMH)

Mother's Day Card 2013

I've been wanting to make some changes around here for quite some time, but have been too afraid to actually DO it!  Well, I got brave over the weekend and gave my blog a little face lift.  What do you think?  

I'm not through with it just yet, so you may notice a few more changes over the next little while.

Now that Mother's Day is over (by the way...hope all you Mother's had a GREAT day!), 

I can finally show you the card I made for my Mom and MIL.

I was inspired by THIS CARD by Amy O'Neill.  

I've never thought of making my own flowers by using different circle punches.  

So glad Amy shared this...I'll be doing it a lot more!

Later this week I'll share a gift that my kids and I made for their Grandma's for Mother's Day.
See you soon!

Paper: Pebbles Inc. 'Sister' from Family Ties Collection
Sentiment: made on my computer
Punches: 1-3/4", 1-1/4", and 1" circle punches

'It's Your Special Day' Card

I haven't been able to get much craft time in lately, and it looks like that's not going to be changing anytime soon.  This time of year is always busy for us.  My oldest daughter is involved in our area's Recreation Volleyball League, and my other 4 kids are starting soccer.  So between clogging, the kids' sports, and Young Women activities, there's not a whole lot of extra time!!  But I love it, and wouldn't change a thing!

This card was inspired by the awesome Karen Pedersen.  Love her cards!!

And a close up shot.  The flower was made using this tutorial.  I'll definitely be making more of those!!

Have a great week!!

'Way To Go' Card

I decided at the last minute to participate in the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #12.  I don't participate in card challenges very often (okay, I don't know if I ever have!), but I do like to use sketches for card inspiration.

So here's my interpretation of the sketch...

You might recognize the paper I used on this card!  It's one of my favorite combinations at the moment.  Another card I made with these papers can be found HERE.

What a fun sketch!!  Who knows, maybe I'll get brave and try my hand at other sketch challenges too!   

'Thanks SO Much' Card

One of my goals for 2013 is to say 'Thank You' more often.  One way I'll be doing this is with cards.  I don't know about you, but I love it when I get a little surprise note in the mail.  It makes my day to know that  someone was thinking of me and took the time to write a note and mail it to me.

I decided to make a few Thank You notes to have on hand, and was inspired by THIS CARD.  I loved the simple design, and knew it would be a cinch to mass produce.  Here's my version.

These cards are a perfect way to use up some of those scraps you've been hoarding saving!  I've got a box full of scraps that I just can't bear to throw away....now I can use a bunch up to make some more of these cute cards!  I just knew I was saving them for a reason {wink, wink!}.  

Duct Tape Flower Rings

My oldest daughter REALLY wants an ipod touch.  And she has really mean parents who won't just go out and buy one for her.  They are making her earn her own money to buy it.

She loves duct tape.  Actually, she's obsessed with duct tape!  Several months ago, she learned how to make duct tape flower rings.  They're adorable!  When we talked about ways she could earn money, she decided to try selling her rings to people we know.  They turned out to be a BIG hit!

Here's a sampling of the rings she's made. 

Some people like their 'bling' big...

And if you're like me, you prefer smaller 'bling'.

So far, she's had a hard time keeping up with the orders people have placed.  I have a feeling she'll stay pretty busy this summer making these!  And it won't be too long before she has enough money earned to buy herself that ipod touch.  My hope is that along the way, she'll learn a new appreciation for how hard her Dad works to support our family, and that it really does take HARD WORK to get the things you want in life.  I think she's well on her way!

Baby Shower Gift #2

Today I'm finally able to share another baby shower gift with you.  This set went to my friend who is expecting her baby girl later this month.

I appliqued a polka dot flower on the onesie, and added a red center to match the shoes.

Oh, these shoes...I am in LOVE with them!  I think this color combo is my favorite so far.  Love the black/white/red together! (pattern here)

And, of course, the hair bows.  (tutorial here)  

If you didn't see the first set I shared, you can find it HERE!

Mother's Day Corsages

Mother's Day is just a few short days away...how did that happen?! 

I've been planning/working on gifts for my Mom and MIL for weeks, and am thrilled to be sending them these adorable Mother's Day Corsages!   

Oh, how I LOVE THEM!!  They were a little time consuming, but TOTALLY worth it!!  I wanted the packaging to be as cute as the corsages, so I used some empty plastic strawberry containers and left over paper Easter grass. 

Here's a closer view...

They went off in the mail yesterday just to be sure that my Mom and MIL will get them in time for Mother's Day.  And since I loved them so much, I may have made myself one (or two) as a Mother's Day gift to myself....shhhhhh! 

Flower Bows

For some reason, making bows is at the top of my 'Things I'm Obsessed With' list again.  My obsessions seem to go in cycles.  One month I'm totally obsessed with one thing, only to leave it by the wayside the next month for something else.  Sound familiar?  I hope I'm not the only one like this!!

Here's what I've been making lately....Layered Flower Bows.

This blue flower bow is my absolute favorite...

I used THIS TUTORIAL from Ten Cow Chick as a guide for my bows (she has some GREAT hair bow tutorials!).  To make the smaller flower in the middle, I followed Mariesa's instructions for the large flower, but cut my ribbon at 5".

Blessings Boards & Tissue Paper Flowers

I was able to attend a wonderful Stake Women's Conference last Saturday.  The theme was "Count Blessings", and our feature speaker was Emily Freeman, author of several books including '21 Days Closer to Christ', and 'A Christ Centered Christmas'.  My ward was in charge of the table decorations, and I ended up getting asked to make them.  This is what I finally came up with:

Blessings Boards!

The inspiration for these was the ever popular 'Lost Socks' boards that are all over the blogosphere.  They were a HUGE hit!!

I also made 29 (or so) tissue paper flowers (a tutorial can be found HERE) for the tables.  If you look closely in the picture above, you can see some in the background.

This picture is just to show you the size of the tissue paper flowers.  Love them!!

These decorations were truly a labor of love.  I had a vision in my head of what I wanted them to look like, but didn't think I'd be able to get that vision into reality.  Luckily, my SIL was able to get me the vinyl for dirt cheap, and my MIL helped me decide on what paper to mod podge to the clothespins.  After I got the first board finished (I made a total of 12), I wanted to jump for joy.  They turned out exactly how I had pictured them in my head!!  I love it when that happens!!