Blasted Thanks

These are a wee bit late since my sons Birthday was in November but I figured I'd still post them...better late than never, right? 

We had a Buzz themed party at our favorite playground and when I saw this cute rocket paper, I just knew I had to use it for his thank you cards. He even helped put the Stampin' Dimensionals on the back of the Top Note! Can't believe my baby boy is 3!!

Happy Birthday Alasdair!!

Thoughts of Purple

I've recently come across The Simple Wife's blog though a friend and have been lost in thoughts and prayer for Joanne and her family ever since reading about her stroke on January 11th. She has two young daughters and a wonderful adoring husband who has been keeping up with her blog and posting updates about Joanne's progress. Their strength and trust in God's will at this time is unwavering, uplifting and beautiful. 

Today's card I wanted to dedicate to Joanne. May you have Peace as you wake, Hope in the days ahead and Love surround you always. God Bless!

I started off using the above sketch from Get Sketchy and added the simple color pallet from The Play Date Cafe of black/white with a splash of PURPLE.

 I chose Elegant Eggplant as my purple, rolling out a scalloped circle with my SU! Sizzix scallop circle #2, using my Big Shot. After randomly scattering a background of circles from one of the small stamps from Circle Circus in black and one in Elegant Eggplant, I layered two strips of 3/4"X5-1/2" black cardstock, fancied up with a bit of 5/8" White Organza Ribbon, to my canvas. I embossed my bird with Craft Ink and Black Embossing Powder and then punched my little guy out with the 2-1/2" Circle Punch (note: I'm giving one away during Sale-A-Bration!!) I found this lovely little sentiment in my stash of RETIRED SU! rub-ons and it fit perfectly on the 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch. I added a bit of purple bling for added texture and of course the bird was in need of an eye as well.

Happy Sunday!

Hot Stuff

I never did used to be a fan of pink but grew to love the color after high school. There are just so many possibilities with pink; cupcake frosting, shoes, hair bows, scarves, a tiny sweater for your Yorkie, cute cute Kaaute! I gathered inspiration for this card from two sources, first this sketch from Card Patterns

and second, the 3 Musketeers Color Challenge from Our Creative Corner

otherwise known as an analogous color scheme, where you are to choose any 3 colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. I whipped out my handy dandy (for all of you Blue's Clues fans) SU! Color Coach and choose a VERY pink theme with Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose & Melon Mambo. I found some RETIRED Regal Rose DSP in my ever growing paper stash. Added a bit of detail to my sassy little lady with her pearl earring, sparkily fluffy scarf & Crystal Effects eyewear. The SU! Sizzix Circles, Scallop #2 had the PERFECT sized scallop to help my little lady stand out even more. I used a bit of 3/8" Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon and tied it onto the Melon Mambo Trim Pompom. This is the first time I've worked with the pompom trim and I wasn't really sure how I was going to adhere it to my card but after folding a piece of Sticky Strip in half, lengthwise, it was the PERFECT size to stick it to! (Hooray for late night creative thinking!)

(sorry for the early morning sunlight tint to the photos, I wanted to get as much sparkle as possible and figured the hue would just "go" with the whole pink theme!)

Punches Used: 1" & 2-1/2" Circle

B is for BOY

Using this weeks Color Throwdown colors of Early Espresso, Kiwi Kiss, Marina Mist & Old Olive and this fab sketch from The Paper Players, I pulled together this cutie patootie card. 

PP31

 One of my all time favorite baby themed sets from SU! is of course

RETIRED but I just love the detail of this little foot from the I'm Here Stamp set. I stamped my little piggies in Early Espresso as well as the sentiment. After a bit of edging with the Cutter Kit tool on two of my circles, a few Stampin' Dimensionals and a scrap of 1/8" Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon tied through my button and viola'!

Punches used: 2-1/2", 1-3/4" & 1-3/8" Circle

Give-A-Way

The FIRST person to place a $200 SU! order during Sale-A-Bration (through me), I will promptly ship or hand deliver a BRAND NEW UNOPENED 2-1/2 XL Circle Punch from SU! 

Sale-A-Bration is HERE!!

It's one of my FAVORITE times of the year with Stampin' Up!® There are not 1, not 2 BUT 3 easy ways to earn FREE products starting TODAY!! 

(click HERE to view catalog)

1. Spend $50* and earn one FREE Sale-A-Bration product of your choice

(did I mention it was FREE??)

2. Host a workshop of at least $300* and earn one FREE Sale-A-Bration product in addition to the generous hostess benefits.

(note the FREE part??)

3. Join Stampin' Up!® by becoming a demonstrator during Sale-A-Bration

 and get 15% off your starter kit. Plus, get a bonus bundle filled with over $50 in FREE products.

(ummm...need I say more??)

*net sales before s/h & tax

Sale-A-Bration isn't here for long, it starts today, January 25th-March 31st, 2011

contact me today to learn more about this AWESOME once a year event!

Sweet Valentine

SSSC101

This weeks Sweet Sunday Sketch inspired me to make a manly Valentine for my DH. I've been chomping at the bit to ink up my new "Be My Valentine" solo stamp and Basic Black was the color of choice. Didn't really think my man would be too fond of pink on his card, so I kept it simple with black and red with a touch of glitter...okay, maybe a tad more than a touch with the Red Glimmer Paper from the Occasions Mini but I don't think he'll mind too much!

Hard to believe there's any green with all the snow everyone has been having everywhere...but in Texas, surprisingly enough, the plants in the front of our house are still green! Hooray for slightly warmer temps.

I drew the sketch on a piece of paper and didn't realize I had goofed where I had drawn my ribbon till my card was already put together, oops! I used a piece of Glossy White card stock to stamp my image onto in Basic Black Craft Ink, which I then heat embossed with Black Embossing Powder. I felt like the white was just too sharp so I used my Brayer and layered on Riding Hood Red till I got the desired color and then touched up a few spots with a sponge. To get your glossy paper glossy again, it's best to wipe or buff it with a clean, dry Swiffer wipe or a kleenex. I love using odd ribbon and pulled this big red beauty out of my Christmas wrapping basket. So a manly card with girly flair, LOVE it!

NEW MINI!

It's here, it's HERE!! The new Occasions Mini Catalog..filled to the brim with loads of fun new colorful goodies!! Red Glimmer Paper, Lovey stamp sets-in time for your Valentine, new Seam Binding colors, Buttons, Rosettes, Punches galore and terrifically yummy DSP packs, not to mention new STAMPS! You'll be able to order from this mini January 4th-April 30th, 2011.  

Check out the virtual Occasions Mini HERE or shoot me a comment or email and I'll mail you one.

Hope you all had a terrific holiday season and Happy New Year!!