As Clean and Simple as it Gets

For those of you that know me, you know that I really like Clean and Simple (CAS) stamping.  It is how I would describe my stamping style.  Well, these little 3x3's are about as clean and simple as CAS can get! :)  I really enjoy making single-layer cards.  It can be very challenging, and I think that if you haven't made any in a while (or ever) you should give it a try!  Have a lovely day!

All items used are SU!

Stamps: Silhouette Sentiments (hostess level 1), Curly Cute
Ink:  Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso classic ink
Paper:  Whisper White CS
Accessories:  Clear-Mount Blocks

Funky Mojo

I finally got a chance to use this week's Mojo Monday sketch, which you can check out HERE.  I had fun using one of my favorite new stamp sets, some fun new papers, and the Glimmer Brads that are in the Holiday Mini Catalog - which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

I hope you are having a great weekend!!!

All items used are SU! unless noted

Stamps:  Funky Four and Apple Blossoms (level 2 hostess)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Old Olive and So Saffron Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Whisper White CS, Play Date DSP
Accessories:  Glimmer Brads (Tempting Turquoise), Flower Brad (Tempting Turquoise - Brights Assortment) Designer Buttons (Real Red - Brights Assortment), Scallop Edge Border punch, So Saffron 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Janome Sew Mini, White Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig

Long Story Short....

So, it's a rather long story, but I will condense it for you.  About a month ago, we were told that we would be moving next spring/summer, on schedule.  My husband was also told that he would have normal duty until then which consists of typically 2-3 weeks gone each month flying missions on the C-17.  Well, last week he was stopped by his Commander and was told that he is deploying to Afghanistan, will be flying a new jet, and it will all start to happen (training followed by the deployment) in February.  This sounds like a long time from now, but when he's gone at least half of the month each month, that leaves us with 2 months where we'll be together to get packed up and ready to move me and the kids to Kentucky for the nearly 16 months that we'll be separated.

I can't go into details about his deployment, nor do I probably even know them all (for security reasons), but suffice it to say it's not "as" safe as his last deployment. It also was a shock, plain and simple, that he got it.  Of course in the military we all know that deployments happen - that's a fact of military life.  BUT, when you're told you won't be going on one, and then your wife takes that to heart and gets comfortable, it's a shocker when she hears one day when you come home for lunch that you'll be leaving.

We are getting down to business though now, already, preparing to move a whole house.  I also have to wrap up my Master's classes for now.  Because I am seeking certification to teach, I have to have a mentor at a local school and moving will throw a kink in that and set me back a semester or two.  Not to mention that I now have to decide what to store, what to take, what to throw away, and what to give away in order to pack.  I thought I had until next spring!!!!!

Your kind words, thoughts, and prayers are appreciated.  It is what it is, and we will get through it like we always do. I can tell you that I have such a strong testimony of the purpose of families and the roles of parents, and being apart only strengthens it. I know that my Heavenly Father will not give us more than we can bear.  As part of Psalms 2:12 says, "Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."  I know that Peter will be safe, and we will make it through this difficult time.  We are doing all that we can together - trying to build some memories - as a family during the days/weeks that Peter is actually here in town before we move in February.  That will explain my sparse stamping.  Not to mention that the kids have school, soccer, I have my Master's classes, volunteer work, and we have all of our other normal obligations to meet that don't "care" if we're going to move in a few months.  Packing up a 4-bedroom house is going to be fun - or NOT!! ;)  Ha ha ha.

So....have a wonderful day and a fabulous weekend!

PS - thanks for "following" me!! I think the most fun about having some followers (in my sidebar) is that I can "see" who you are :)

Yellow...Really?

This card was extremely quick to make, and I was playing around with a new stamp set and punch.  I have realized that I am really enjoying Daffodil Delight, and I am totally not a yellow person.  I am more of a blues and greens gal.  Anyway, I love sentiment stamps too, and when I saw this one in the new Idea Book & Catalog back in July, I just had to have it.  The punch is the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.  Isn't it fun!?!?  The circle was pierced using my SU! Piercing Tool, Template and Pad.  It's so fun to make circles with it!

I hope that you are having a great day!!  Thank you so much for stopping by and for the kind words that many of you either posted or e-mailed me with after my last post.  The news is to come, shortly.

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Curly Cute
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Early Espresso, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White CS
Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Piercing Tool, Template and Pad, mini glue dots, Clear-Mount Blocks

FTL 107 and...

This will be a quick post because there are some big changes happening for my family in the next several months.  I am going to try really hard to keep posting several times a week, but soon I will share with you what is going on and I think you will understand why I may not be stamping as much as usual.  But, NO, it's not a baby.  It's actually not really "good" news, but it is what it is and we're making sure family hears from us first ;)  Have a great day!

This layout comes from the FTL 107 sketch.  Check it out!

All supplies used are SU!

Stamps:  Funky Four, Apple Blossoms (level 2 hostess)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron (colored part that ended up under the brad - oops!) and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Poppy Parade (doesn't coordinate with the DSP, but I wanted it a tad lighter than Real Red so that the card would be "lighter" in general), So Saffron, Old Olive and Whisper White CS, Play Date DSP (Designer Series Paper)
Accessories:  Paper Piercing Tool, Template and Pad, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Glimmer Brad (Real Red - Holiday Mini Catalog item), Clear-Mount Blocks

Simple Card Box

I saw a box like this as one of the items made at a past SU! Convention - not even sure which one, I can't remember.  I saved a photo that I nabbed on the internet of the directions for it, since I'm not even sure if I went to that particular Convention (or if I did, I didn't have my own photo) and made this fun box for my August SIM kits to hold the cards that we made using the Just Believe Stamp set.  It was easy to make, and I love using my Big Shot and the Top Note Bigz die is one of my absolute favorites!!  Enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that you have a fabulous day!!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Just Believe
Ink:  Marina Mist classic ink
Paper:  Whisper White and Marina Mist CS
Accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Marina Mist 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Marina Mist brads (from Subtles assortment), Filigree Designer Brad, Clear-Mount Blocks

Sweets for a Sweet Girl

I made this card back in August and forgot to share it with you.  It uses the really fun stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog called Sweet Scoops.  Unfortunately for the stamp set, it hadn't seen ink when I pulled it out for this card, but I know that my girls' friend, Savannah, deserves the sweetest blessings that life has to offer, and I thought she would think that this card was fun to receive for her 6th birthday.  The color combination was inspired by Shelli's (then current) Creative Challenge to use color combinations from the wonderful SU! Color Coach.  This color combination comes from the back of the Blushing Bride card, and includes Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso.  Love it!

I hope that you are having a fabulous day, and I am thrilled that you stopped by to visit my blog.  Thank you so much for your sweet comments - I truly do appreciate each one of them!!!

PS - If you have a blog, make sure that when you comment you link to it (if it's not linked to your profile that you comment with) so that I can check yours out.  I enjoy returning the love!! :)

All supplies used are SU!

Stamps:  Sweet Scoops, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride and Early Espresso classic ink
Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2-way Glue Pen, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Sponges, Scallop Edge Border punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear-Mount Blocks

{Thank You} Just Believe

I made this card after being inspired by one that Lynn Put made, which you can see by clicking HERE.  Hers is gorgeous and a lot more elaborate, but that's the beauty of a CASE - you don't have to exactly copy everything :)  I have a hard time doing anything not CAS (Clean And Simple), so this my version of her lovely card.  It also uses the Mojo Monday 151 sketch for the LO.  Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate it!  I hope you are having a lovely week!!!

All supplies used are SU!

Stamps:  Just Believe
Ink:  Certainly Celery and Marina Mist classic ink
Paper:  Marina Mist and Whisper White CS, Marina Mist Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack
Accessories:  Blender Pen, Modern Label Extra-Large, Word Window, Scallop Trim Border, 1-3/8" Circle and 1-3/8" Circle Large punches, Silver brads, Marina Mist 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

FTL106 - With Ribbon

Well, first I must say that this "followers" thing is kind of fun.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, see THIS post.  Now I just have to figure out where I want you to "follow" me to ;)  I'm wondering - do you get updates of new posts like in Google Reader or some other kind of subscription method when you "follow" a blog?  Do I want to start doing it, instead of subscribing to your blogs via Google Reader?  Shari's comment on my post makes me think that following doesn't really give you any kind of notifications.  If that's so, why follow?  Enlighten me.... :)

On to the card...As soon as I saw THIS sketch over at clean&simple stamping, I knew I wanted that horizontal piece of the LO to be a piece of large ribbon.  I feel like this card pretty much turned out how I wanted it to, and I used the SU! Color Coach to come up with the combo off of the Basic Black card of {Basic Black, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive}.  Isn't it a great combo?!?!  I used Crumb Cake as my neutral.  Boy oh boy does Crumb Cake have a lot of fibers in it!!  Take a close-up look at the card and you'll see what I mean.  I love it!!

Well, I hope that you are having a fantastic weekend, and I certainly appreciate you stopping by to visit my blog. Take care!!


All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Punch Potpourri (Level 1 Hostess), Occasional Quotes (Level 3 Hostess)
Ink:  Black StazOn, Old Olive Classic Ink
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White CS
Accessories:  Butterfly Extra-Large and Corner Rounder punch, Basic Black 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black Brads (from Neutrals assortment), Daffodil Delight flower Designer Button (from Brights assortment), Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear-Mount Blocks

{Just Believe} in FTL 99

When I saw FTL-99 I tucked it away for future use.  I didn't actually see it when it was the current week's sketch challenge, because I was on a bit of a self-imposed blog-surfing hiatus, but my Google Reader helped me not miss a thing out there in blog-land when I made it back to my computer.  As I was coming up with the three cards in my August Stamps in the Mail, I just knew that this sketch would work lovely, and I envisioned a monochromatic card in my head.  I love the balance of the rounded corners in the sketch!  Without further ado...what do you think?

 
Thanks for stopping by, and I appreciate the time you take to leave comments on my blog.  Have a beautiful day!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Just Believe
Paper:  Certainly Celery and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Certainly Celery classic ink
Accessories:  Certainly Celery 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls, Corner Rounder punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear-Mount Blocks

Followers?

Well, I don't know who would actually want to, but I finally got "with it" and added the "Followers" widget-thingy to my sidebar (about half-way down my sidebar) if you would like to somehow make it easier to "follow" me.  I have no idea what it does, or how it works - I personally use Google Reader.  Apparently, however, many people use this method to keep track of blogs.  Well, you asked, so now it's there ;)  Hopefully I'll have at least one person follow me so it's not an empty, sad little box!! LOL

{just for you}

I made this card using the 100th sketch over at clean&simple stamping.  I had saved it for my Stamps in the Mail program because I had chosen to use the Just Believe stamp set, and when I saw this sketch, I knew it would be PERFECT for this stamp set.  It highlights one of the main images in the set well, and lets you use a sentiment too.  Plus, I was able to do a fun technique with this card, that I call the blender pen outline technique.  I use a blender pen to drag some of the color of the image around the outside of the image.  I'll post a picture "up close" of the image below the card for you to see.  If you click on it, you can see it in it's gigantic (but not perfect up that close!!!) glory ;)  It's a really fun technique though that adds some softness to your stamped image.  What do you think?  Have you ever done this before with a blender pen?  *****A note: sometimes your image may not allow the blender pen to pull as much color as you would like as you outline your shape, so you might have to just barely dab your blender pen in some of the appropriate ink color as you trace.****

So, up close, you can tell that it's not too exact, or perfect, but I didn't want it to be.  You have to know by now that I'm a perfectionist, so if I had really wanted each little leaf and stem outlined, I would have done it ;)

I would love to hear your thoughts, and appreciate each and every one of you for visiting my blog!!  Have a wonderful day!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Just Believe
Paper:  Whisper White and Certainly Celery CS
Ink:  Certainly Celery and Marina Mist classic ink
Accessories:  Scallop Edge Border punch, Certainly Celery 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Blender Pen

Oh...my...WOW!!!

Well, I must say that when I checked my e-mail today after getting home from church, my first thought was, "somebody is playing a trick on me!!!"  In my inbox was an e-mail from a gal saying that Shelli Gardner (Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!) had picked one of my little cards as a winner for her August Creative Challenge!!!  I'm sure that the e-mail is "real" now (because I checked on Shelli's blog ;) LOL), but I was definitely a bit doubtful and very much surprised! 

I was inspired by her color challenge and shared my cards thinking that maybe someone would come visit my blog and be inspired by them.  I never thought I would actually win!  Well, I just had to share the news with you because I think it's so neat (and my last name is spelled wrong on her site so some of you might not realize it's me, he he he). 

I don't ever send stuff in for contests.  I consider myself a clean-and-simple stamper that doesn't cause many  to say "wow!!!" when they take a look at my stuff, but it makes me happy to create my cards and other projects and give them to others to brighten their day.  So... pretty neat, right?  :)

Click here to see my card that she picked.

Click here to see the other August Creative Challenge winners.

Congrats to everyone else.  I know I enjoyed looking at all of the submissions, and recommend that you do too if you would like some fabulous inspiration.

I {Heart} Marina Mist

Marina Mist is definitely a new favorite of mine. This card is rather CAS, but instead of my normal linear paper piercing, I wanted a circle. I love using my paper piercing template to make circles! It's not that hard, either. You pierce one hole and before removing the paper piercing tool, you pivot the template to where you want the next hole, and so on, until you've got a circle (or something pretty close - LOL!). Hope you enjoy the card and have a lovely weekend!!!

All items used are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Just Believe
Paper: Marina Mist and Whisper White CS
Ink: Marina Mist classic ink
Accessories: Curly Label and Modern Label Extra Large punches, Subtles Brads (Marina Mist), Paper Piercing Tool, Template and Mat, Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear-Mount Blocks

friends

This card was inspired by one that is found on the workshop invitation postcards and is on page 140 of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog as well. I just love all of the ideas and inspiration that can be had from things as little as the postcards, the samples found online on the demonstrator websites, those in the mini catalogs and of course those in the Idea Book & Catalog. I challenge you to use them for inspiration the next time you get stumped, and I promise that you won't be stumped for long!

Some of you are aware that I was a falconer while in college, and I really like birds of prey. I ADORE owls, so when I saw this set I just HAD to get it. I love it!!

All items used are SU!

Stamps: Aviary, Just Believe
Ink: Concord Crush and Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Markers
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White CS
Accessories: 3/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta ribbon, Scallop Edge Border punch, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Clear-Mount Blocks

It's Here!!

This FANTASTIC Holiday Mini Catalog is now available to order from. I'm placing my first order from it soon, and can't wait for the items to arrive. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any help ordering!!

Click the catalog to download in .pdf format!

TOTE-ally Awesome!!

 

Imagine sharing your love of Stampin’ Up! with this stylish and practical tote, patterned after our Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper and large enough to carry 12" x 12" card stock and a Paper Cutter, as well as punches, ink pads, and accessories. And with two Starter Kits to choose from—Standard and Digital+—at a brand-new lower kit price, there’s never been a better time to join the Stampin’ Up! family.

Craft Tote Recruiting Promotion

Dates: September 1-October 18, 2010, or while supplies last 

Details
New recruits who join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator during the promotion period will receive a FREE craft tote (valued at $39.95) with the purchase of their Starter Kit.

Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote Description

• 100% twill nylon exterior; 100% nylon interior
• Dimensions: 15-3/4" x 7-5/8" x 8-7/8"
• Includes attachable shoulder strap for easy transport
• Center section fits 12" x 12" card stock, Craft Keepers, and Paper Cutter
• Outside pockets fit extra-large punches perfectly
• Outside flap pockets offer secure spot for accessories
• Back zipper pocket holds up to seven Stampin' Pads

Things to Remember:

• This incentive is available to all new recruits, including first-time joins, rejoins, etc.
• Free Craft Tote will automatically be added to Starter Kit and shipped at the same time, but in a separate box.
• Free Craft Tote will also be shipped for free.
• Free Craft Tote is not substitutable. 

Contact me for more information or to become a demonstrator!