Last Card Patterns DT Card

Today is a sad day for me.  I have LOVED every minute of being on the Card Patterns Design Team, and wish that my husband wasn't deployed so that I could have stayed on for another term as Michelle so graciously offered.  Well, I guess I wish he weren't deployed for other reasons too ;)  I have to bring a little humor to a long, not fun, time without him.....

This is my take on the sketch this week from Card Patterns, which you can see HERE on the CP blog.  The Digi Shack is still the sponsor of the prizes for the winner of the drawing too, so don't miss out on that!

I hope you like my card and please continue to check out the CP sketches each week, I know I will!  I hope to be able to play along still, as time permits, I'll just have to wait like the rest of you to see the lovely sketches as they are posted instead of before-hand.

Don't forget that each week you can enter (by posting a link to your card using that weeks sketch) via Mr. Linky (or by leaving the link in the comments section if Mr. Linky is "down" as it has been very often of late) for a chance not only to win a great prize, but also a spot as a Guest Designer over at CP on a future sketch.

See you over there!

All items used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Digital Image (Sentiment) from The Digi Shack
Paper:  Riding Hood Red and Whisper White DSP, Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  Riding Hood Red Designer Buttons (Button Bouquet), Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, Sizzlets "Stampin' Up! Lots of Tags", Big Shot, Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Clear Adhesive Rhinestones (Icon - at Michael's), White Twill (Papertrey Ink), Stampin' Dimensionals, Janome Sew Mini (stitching across white twill)

Flowers in Silhouette

I don't know how many of you have looked at the single stamps in the back of the Idea Book & Catalog, but this is one of the ones that SU! offers to purchase all by its lonesome.  It's a lovely stamp and I enjoyed using it on this card.  The other stamp (the sentiment) is a Papertrey Ink stamp from the set Mixed Messages.  This is another one of those cards that "looks better in real life" but I think it's still pretty in 2-D.  Hope you like it!!!

All items are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Flowers in Silhouette, Mixed Messages (PTI)
Paper:  Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White CS, Raspberry Tart DSP
Ink:  Rose Red classic ink and marker and Kiwi Kiss classic ink
Accessories:  Rose Red brads, Blender Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

A Change of Color

I still have more Stamps in the Mail items to share with you, but I thought I would share these TWO cards with you today!!!  In TypePad I could tell you to click on a small picture to see it larger, but I just noticed today that in WordPress, if that's possible to do, I don't know how to enable that feature.  Clicking does nothing on smaller sized pictures in WordPress.  Anyone know how to make this possible so that people can see full-sized shots of smaller pictures?????

I wanted to give you more posts in a week so I was really tempted to make these cards two different posts, but I decided not to since they're so similar.  I was inspired by and CASED THIS card by Stamp'nScrap over at SCS.  I pretty much only changed the colors/papers, sentiment, and added some paper piercing (can't go without it!!!) to the one strip of CS in the middle. 

I really love the Upsy Daisy stamp set.  It's so versatile and I sure hope that SU! keeps it around for a long time.  It is one of my favorites and I really like the silhouette style of stamp.

Hope you like them!!!

All items used are SU! unless otherwise noted

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy
Paper:Whisper White DS (both), Urban Garden DSP, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy CS (blue card); Raspberry Tart DSP, Cameo Coral and Rose Red CS (pink card)
Ink:  Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze classic ink (blue card); Rose Red and Cameo Coral classic ink (pink card)
Accessories:  Scallop Edge punch,  Breeze ribbon from Valet Ribbon Originals Assortment (blue card),  Whisper White Organza ribbon (pink card), paper piercing tool and template

The Final Countdown....

4, 3, 2, 1....Earth below us, drifting, falling....  I LOVE that song, and the countdown has begun for my final days on the Card Patterns Design Team. I have loved every minute, and I'm excited that my leaving gives someone else this awesome opportunity to grow and be challenged creatively.  Michelle has really amazing talent and an eye for good sketches.  So...this was my card for challenge #16, which you can check out HERE.  Toni, owner of  The Digi Shack is still the sponsor of all of the fun prizes that one lucky winner will receive.  Toni is actually the sponsor all the way through my last sketch, which is next week.  She offered to sponsor for 3 weeks in a row!!  How awesome is that?!?!?

This card was made at the last minute, but when I saw the sketch about a week before I had this idea in my head.  I didn't really want to use an image, I wanted to use a sentiment as the focal point.  This is because I don't own Copics and SU! markers make digital images smear.  I was not too enthusiastic about using my Prismacolor Pencils again - they take a lot of layers to get the colors nice and bright, so I did go with the sentiment instead of a line art image this time.  This card pretty much came together exactly as I imagined in my head, except for the fact that my sewing machine went a little wonky on me and messed up the zig zag stitches in about a 1-1/2" spot.  I hid it the best I could with my flower, but I'm not one to pretend I'm perfect and I'll usually point out my flaws to you so that you can learn from them.  Hide, hide, hide when you make a mistake and don't want to trash the card!! ;)  I'm feeling too lazy to post the recipe, so if you have any questions, please ask.  That's a Heidi Swapp ghost flower over some SU! Sweet Always DSP.  The other DSP I used was Raspberry Tart.

Anyway, I hope you like it and I hope that you're having a great Memorial Day weekend.  This year, this weekend is even more meaningful for me.  Not only am I a veteran of the US Air Force, my grandfather, father-in-law and grandfather-in-law and many other relatives in both my own and my husband's families are veterans, but my husband is currently deployed in service to our country.  He is a C-17 pilot for our great Air Force, and I am so proud of him and what he does day in and day out to help us to enjoy the freedoms that we sometimes take for granted in this fabulous country of ours. 

In the midst of shopping all the great sales that stores shove in our faces over this holiday, and during the picnics, pool time and parties with friends, I would encourage you to stop and thank someone who has served this country.  It is through them, and those that have fallen before them - sacrificing the most that one can possibly give, that we are able to go about our daily lives in pursuit of our dreams. 

Take care and Happy Memorial Day!!!

I haven't done one of these in a while....

It's late, I'm up and setting this to publish at 6:00 am, less than six hours from now.  My kids are sick, I don't feel too well, but I am so excited because a friend and fellow stamper took the plunge to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I'm just so excited for her!!  I still remember how fabulous it was when I first signed up - and it still is, I just have more on my plate now and don't get to enjoy it as much....  Anyway....  I thought I would do a Friday Fill-In:

1. Moving  sucks a lot - a whole lot.

2. Live free.

3. My best quality is my empathy.

4. Attention to details.  (Sorry, it's the Air Force Academy in me....)

5. In nearly 10 years, I have moved 10 times.

6. A husband at home is what I need right now!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe getting more than 6 hours of sleep one night, tomorrow my plans include getting my kids well and Sunday, I want to hopefully make it to church with germ-free kids!

CAS Friends 24-7

This is one of those cards that is a lot prettier in person.  It uses a favorite layout of mine, which you can see as a sketch HERE on SCS.  It's the "K-dub" layout.  For anyone who follows Kristina Werner's blog, you'll know that she's the one who made this LO all the rave, and I think it's one I've used more often than any other.  Anyway, there's nothing complicated to this card, so I'll just leave the "explanation" at that :)

All items used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friends 24-7
Paper:  Kraft and Very Vanilla CS, Bella Bleu DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Kraft Taffeta ribbon, paper piercing tool and template, Stampin' Dimensionals

Last Chance!!

Today by 8:00 pm is the last chance you have to sign up for Stamps in the Mail for June-August.  The information is all HERE, except I left out (and just added in to the original post) that you will make 4 projects each month, 2 of each (so you can keep one and give one away), for a total of EIGHT projects in each kit!!!  Just to give you an idea of some of the techniques that will be coming:  
 
- EMBOSSING (yes, you will get EVERYTHING you need to heat emboss along with a list of ideas for different ways to emboss)
- POPPIN' PASTELS (you'll get pastels and the little finger daubers needed to really make your projects "pop")
- "GLITTER-IZING" (I love everything glitter, and you will get what you need to start making your creations really sparkle)
 
...and so many more!!!! 
 
I can't wait for this go-around.  I have some GORGEOUS projects lined up, and you will be so glad you joined.  The NEW CATALOG will come out while we're doing this round, and I plan on including some of the new colors in some of the projects.  Don't miss out!!!  E-mail me at mariemc01@gmail.com

Friendly Brag Book

I got one of these brag books as a gift in a Friend to Friend swap I was in.  It used the Inspired by Nature stamp set and was so pretty.  My partner in the swap was Carmen, and you can click on her name to check out her blog.

Well, I decided that this would be a fun little project to use in my Stamps in the Mail (SIM) program for April.  I looked at the one I got from Carmen, measured it, and made this one of my own. 

Ironically, after I made this and took some photos of the folds and inside for my SIM participants, I found THIS tutorial over on SCS.  So, go check it out, and you'll see that these are SUPER EASY to make.  I've posted some little photos of the inside of the book so you can get a better idea for what it is like, inside and out.

This book would make the perfect gift for someone that you want to give a few pictures to.  I put 5 clear envelopes in which should mean it can hold 10 photographs, but I am pretty certain that you could at least put 5 more in without causing any kinds of problems with the "binding".  It was very easy to assemble this book and it would make a GREAT Stamp Camp project.  If only I had Stamp Camps anymore!!! ;)  Anyway....I hope that you like it!

If you like this project and the others you see with the "Stamps in the Mail" label, don't miss out on my next round of SIM starting in June.  Check out THIS post for more information.  Sign-ups close on May 20th - TOMORROW!!!!

All supplies used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friend 24-7
Paper:  Kraft, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla CS, Bella Bleu DSP
Ink:  Not Quite Navy classic ink
Accessories:  Eyelet Border punch, Kraft Corduroy Brads, Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, 5 clear envelopes, piercing tool and template, Stampin' Dimensionals

Only TWO more to go!!!!

After this sketch from Card Patterns, I have only two sketches left to create with before my term on the DT over at CP comes to an end.  I just love Michelle's sketches and while I know that I will probably become a stamping slacker when I don't have any "deadlines", I will definitely still join in over at CP as much as possible!!!  Maybe I do need to get back on a DT since it makes me stamp.  Of course, my Stamps in the Mail program gets me stamping too, and a new round of that starts in June.  See THIS post to join me!!!

Over at CP this week the sponsor is Toni from The Digi Shack.  She has some really awesome images over on her site and you really should check them out.  She also has donated a great prize package that you can check out over at the link I provided above to the Card Patterns blog.

If you've never used digital images, I think you'll love them.  You can get them at great prices, you can make them ANY size that you want, and they really are just so versatile.  Anyway, hope you like my card!!!

All items are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Flower Bunch digital image from The Digi Shack
Paper:  Kraft, So Saffron and Stamper's Select White CS (PTI), Pink Pirouette Patterns DSP, Bella Birds DSP
Ink:  None
Accessories:  Letter stickers from Michael's, Prismacolor Pencils, Diamond Stickles, Tombow Gray Shadow Marker, Pink Pirouette 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Bouquet and Latte Designer buttons, Old Olive button (retired), White Vintage button (PTI), linen thread, Paper Piercing Tool and Template, Stampin' Dimensionals

Upgrading Upsy Daisy

You might remember this card from THIS post.  Well, I feel like I'm "cheating" because including this post and the one I just mentioned, this card has been on my blog 3 times!!  That post with the link above actually has a link to the card when I originally made it ;)  Well, what I did was take one of my leftover card fronts and added some Stickles to the flowers and put it on a Whisper White card base.  I think the white base really lightens the card up.  The glitter in the Stickles also does that, and I like this version the best!  Of course, I love anything (and everything) that sparkles!!!  What do you think?  I've added a little pic of the close-up that you should be able to click on to enlarge.   Have a great day!

All items used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Inspired by Nature and Best Yet (retired Level I hostess set)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White CS, Really Rust Textured CS, Baja Breeze Patterns DSP
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories:  1-3/8" and 1-1/4" circle punches, Crop-a-Dile, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets, Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain, Crystal Stickles

This will remain at the top until May 20th - SEE BELOW for newer posts

I have had a request for another round of Stamps in the Mail (SIM).  As long as at least 4 people want to participate, I will do this program and will begin it in June. 

 

Due to needing to charge enough to cover all of the expenses and not shortchange myself not only monetarily but also with the time and effort involved in the program, the cost now will be $55 a month, and the program will run in 3 month increments (Jun-Aug).  This way you can decide if you want to continue every 3 months. 

 

What is the benefit of doing the SIM program? 

You get everything you need (stamps and accessories) in a box that will arrive at your doorstep each month - pre-cut and ready to stamp!!  You get to make 2 each of FOUR projects for a total of EIGHT projects each month.  You will need some common crafting items (common ink colors like black, brown, green, etc., adhesive, scissors, paper trimmer, bone folder) but all of the other items needed to make the projects will come in the box!  Each month you will also receive an e-mail with full color pictures of the actual projects, pictures of the sketchused for each card, and step-by-step instructions on how to put together each project.  If something is created, like a ribbon rosette, a tutorial will even be included with step-by-step instructions and full color pictures.   You can see some of my past SIM projects by clicking on the Stamps in the Mail category in my right-hand sidebar.

 

If you would like just the tutorials/instructions each month, I charge $5/month and will e-mail you each set of sketches/photographs/tutorials/instructions and you are obligated to a three month increment just as the regular SIM participants.

 

THE STAMP SET WE WILL BE USING IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES - UPSY DAISY(pg 87 in the SU! IB&C, item #111710) and if you ALREADY HAVE IT - you can substitute it for any other stamp set of the same or lesser value (or pay the difference).  That is what happens each month - any items you have already you can make substitutions for.

 

Just to demonstrate that my pricing is no different than that of other demonstrators, if you look around at other demonstrators offering this program, the lowest price I have found for a similarly run program (includes the monthly boxed kits AND instructions/tutorials/photographs/sketches) is $52 PLUS an additional $7 to cover shipping.  So, that demonstrator's grand total comes to $59.  My total is slightly less at $55.  Here is the break-down of the cost:

 

$35 in merchandise each month

$10 goes towards shipping (it has to ship from SU! to me, and then from me to you)

$5 goes towards consumables

$5 goes towards my time/labor (Stamp Camps/Classes usually cost $10 but that includes food, so this is a comparable price)

 

If you live in the Dover area, I will subtract $5 from the cost of the kit if you would like to pick it up from me each month (I can bring it to you if we are going to be at the same place for whatever reason after the kits are assembled so check with me about that to save yourself a drive).

 

So....if you have any questions, please let me know.  I will open this program to sign-ups from now until Wednesday, May 20th at 8:00 pm.  At that time I will let all those that have signed know if we have enough participants.  On Friday, May 22nd, I will e-mail the participants the exact details for the first round, and checks will be due in my hands by the 2nd Monday of June (June 8th).  You can e-mail me at "mariemc01 'at' gmail 'dot' com"   Yes, that's a "zero" after the "c".  I am typing my e-mail this way after getting some spam from not doing so in the past ;)

 

If you get someone to sign up for my SIM program that is not on my customer e-mailing list, I will give you your choice of any Classic Ink Pad for FREE ($5.95 value) or any item of the same or lesser value.

SCS WT217

What's all that gibberish in the title, you may ask?  Well, over at Splitcoast Stampers, the challenge last Thursday was "Ways to Use It" #217.  Anyway, I made this card for the challenge, which was to use Kraft CS on your card.

So....I really like this card.  I meant to post it the day I posted it to SCS, but I forgot.  Sorry.

I know it's the same color as all of my SIM cards, but that was random because when the challenge was to use Kraft CS, since I had all of this Bella Bleu DSP sitting around I just had to use some more of it.  And, the Friends 24-7 stamp set called out to me.  I figured I would make an Anniversary card out of it since I needed one.  So...this was the result.  I'm pleased with it.  What do you think?  Go check out the SCS WT217 challenge - it's a fun one and very easy to get creative with!!!

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Hugs & Wishes

Paper:Kraft and Not Quite Navy CS, Bella Bleu DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Kraft Taffeta ribbon, Very Vanilla Button, Linen thread, paper piercing tool and template

Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to wish a happy Mother's Day to ALL the women out there who read my blog (are there even any men that do?!?!)!!!  Whether you are a mother, grandmother, sister or daughter, you are able to have a motherly influence and relationship with others.  Never doubt the impact of your kindness, compassion, love and service for others.  Women are able to touch the lives of others as no one else can, and our nature is just that, natural, and it's there whether we are actually someone's mother or not.  Don't forget all of the ways that we can serve others and be that role-model for them, as a volunteer, friend, advisor, or yes...mother.  Thanks to all of you for the lives that you touch, and have a very happy Mother's Day!!!

Card Patterns Sketch #14 meets Damask Designs

So...I love the Damask Designs stamp set.  I decided that one of the smaller damask images would fit perfection on a 1-1/4" punched square, and I was right!!  I stamped 5 of them on Cameo Coral, stamped the "Celebrate" on the 6th one and added some paper piercing.  Next I popped them up on Stampin' Dimensionals, added the scalloped Kiwi Kiss layer, added some PTI True Black Saddle Stitch Ribbon, a vintage white button (also PTI) tied on with some shredded thread, and there you have my card!  Can you tell I'm obsessed with bows and buttons right now?  I think that this is yet another sketch where we will be delighted to see all of the different ways that stampers out there can get creative and think outside the box with the different elements on the card.  I can't wait to see what everyone creates!!

Head on over to the Card Patterns blog to check out Sketch #14 HERE.  Our sponsor this week is Mackenzie Mae Designs, and Pam is donating so many goodies to one lucky winner that it took 2 photographs to show it all!!!  Not only will one random person be selected to win the goodies, but as always the CP DT will pick their top 5 submissions and one of them will be selected to earn a spot as a Guest DT member over at CP.

If that's not enough and you need more sketch, don't forget to take some time to create something for the DT Call over at CP using the sketch (and guidelines) that you can find HERE.  CP is a wonderful opportunity - you really should try!!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Damask Designs (PTI)
Paper:  Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss and Basic Black CS
Ink:  Black StazOn
Accessories:  Scallop Edge punch, True Black Saddle Stitch ribbon (PTI), Vintage White button (PTI), paper piercing tool and template, white thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

Regretfully.....

The end of May will bring an end to my stint on the Spring DT over at Card Patterns.  I have LOVED every minute of it!!!  Michelle comes up with the greatest sketches, and I'm so honored to be in the company of the other gals on the DT.  Three of them have been able to commit to staying on at CP, so Michelle is looking for four people to fill the shoes of those leaving the DT.  I would never leave if I didn't have to, but with the husband gone (he's currently deployed with the US Air Force in support of operations "over there" - he's a C-17 pilot), and traveling in our future this summer, I just couldn't commit to being able to stamp every week.  So....head on over to THIS post on CP to check out the details for the DT call.  I encourage you all to apply, we are our own worst critics!!!!

Sketch For You to Try

So, for those of you not familiar with Jen del Muro's blog i{heart}2stamp, you can check it out HERE.  I saw her sketch (Sketch For You To Try as she calls them, and in this case, SFYTT12) a few weeks ago in THIS post (it's inserted to the right), and just knew that I had to save it to use sometime soon. 

Well, I finally got around to using it for my Stamps in the Mail gals, and I know that they'll love her sketch as much as I did.  You should try it out and give Jen some love when you visit her blog!!  This was a really fun sketch to use, and of course I love the Friends 24-7 stamp set andbeing that it's the only stamp set that my SIM participants have gotten so far, it was the obvious choice for making this card.  As always, I picked a package of Designer Series Paper to work with on each of the 4 projects in the SIM kit, and I used Bella Bleu DSP this month so you'll notice the color scheme is Not Quite Navy, Kraft and Very Vanilla.

Next month is the last round of SIM for this group of ladies, and I am going to throw in a 2nd stamp set - Trendy Trees, to make some fun projects with, so you won' t have to bear with a 4th month of Friends 24-7  :)  LOL  We'll be using the Good Morning Sunshine DSP so be ready for some fun, bright cards.

Anyway, I hope you like the card I made!!!

All supplies used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friends 24-7, Thank You Kindly
Paper:  Kraft and Very Vanilla CS, Bella Bleu DSP
Ink:  Not Quite Navy classic ink
Accessories:  Blender Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Card Patterns Sketch #13

So, you got to see the inside of this card in THIS post.  Well, above is the outside of the card that I made for our friend who was retiring from the US Air Force.  This sketch is another great one that Michelle put together, and you'll want to be sure to go check out the other fabulous cards from the fantastic Design Team members, along with this week's Guest DT member.  You can see CP Sketch #13 HERE.  Enjoy, and have fun with it!  As usual, here's a reminder that each week someone is chosen by the Card Patterns DT to be a Guest Designer, so don't forget to add a link to your card via Mr. Linky at the bottom of the Sketch #13 post.  There's also a great prize of Close to My Heart product that will be given to one random winner, so check it out!!!Have a lovely week!!

All items used are SU! unless otherwise noted

Stamps:  Congrats (SAB 2009), Artifacts (retired SU!)
Paper: Kraft and Very Vanilla CS, Patterns DSP Pack I (retired Level I Hostess item) in Not Quite Navy and Always Artichoke
Ink:  Not Quite Navy and Always Artichoke classic ink
Accessories:  Piercing Tool and Template, Stampin' Dimensionals

It's National Scrapbooking Month!!!

 

May 1 is the beginning of National Scrapbooking Month and Stampin' Up! is celebrating with the following three special offers:

1)  Now is the time to stock  up on Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous Designer, Specialty and Textured Paper.  Buy three, get one free on Designer Series paper and 12" x 12" textured card stock.  This includes the Specialty Designer Papers but does not include Taste of Textiles.

2)  Join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator by choosing a limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit for just $75.  Get all of the fabulous demonstrator discounts and benefits (and earn extra money while you're at it!)!  If you click HERE, you can see the full-color flyer about it, but following are details:

Start your own business for as little as $75 with the limited-time Scrapbooking Starter Kit. The Scrapbooking Starter Kit contains the following:

• Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set


• Simply Scrappin' Petal Party


• Earth Elements Assorted textured card stock (12" x 12")


• Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad

You may substitute items of equal or lesser value for the ones listed (ie - you can get a different alphabet set, Scrappin' kit, assorted textured card stock (12" x 12") or craft pad).

ADDITIONALLY, this specially-priced Starter Kit contains all the business supplies found in the regular Starter Kit.

See the flyer linked above for more info on this special promotion, or visit my online store HERE to shop now!

So, if you're one of my customers, becoming a demonstrator is easier than ever!!!

***Just so you know, when you place an order online, add your three packs of Designer Series paper and/or 12" x 12" textured card stock to your shopping bag along with any other items you wish to purchase. When you check out, you need to click a link in the Special Offers section that will bring up a pop-up window directing you to choose your FREE pack of paper.  Please let me know if you have any problems!!!***

3)  Enjoy a sneak peek AND the opportunity to purchase the Jumble Alphabet stamp set (set of 52) from the upcoming Fall/Winter Catalog at 20 percent off.  Click HERE to purchase it now. 

Item #	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
115199	Jumble Alphabet stamp set	$43.95	$35.16