Send Me Soaring & a Fab Frame

I love this stamp set from the Occasions Mini, it's called Send me Soaring. Isn't it a versatile and fun set? Unfortunately, after taking ages to sponge my clouds and make the hills, I placed the 3 kites too close together and not in a very pleasing 'order'. BUT, once you've inked those tails you're committed! I tried to retrieve it with the 3 birds from 'Up, Up & Away' to balance out the left upper side. It's OK, good enough to send to a friend in Russia who has the flu. Get well soon, George!

Here's a closer look at the kites.

Recipe

Stamps : Send me Soaring, Up Up & Away (birds), Confetti

Ink : Marina Mist, Basic Black, Old Olive

Cardstock : Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Shimmery White

Accessories : Sponge, Circle Punches, Edgelit Die (to make the hills)

One of my sweet customers (and now friend!), Linda Leslie, came along to club this weekend with a 'show and tell'. I thought this was just the sweetest thing and she graciously allowed me to take a pic so I could share it with you all. She got the frame (10"x10") from Michaels, removed the glass and has now made this Valentine frame, a Halloween one and also a Christmas one. How adorable is this? I love it! Going to have to find one of these frames next time I'm out shopping. Thanks Linda for sharing it with us all. You are a talented papercrafter!

Sympathy & a Birthday

This first card is a quick and effective sympathy card. I stamped the tree in 2 colours, the trunk is Early Espresso, and the leaves are Always Artichoke. Once the image was stamped, I took the writing end of my Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker and highlighted the bottoms of the leaves. Then I tried a similar effect on the tree trunk. It's a VERY subtle way to add some shade and dimension to a solid stamp. Like I said, it's subtle so here's a closer look :)

 ... and on a slightly more cheery note, it's my friend Sue's birthday today! Happy Birthday, dear friend! Elaine and I are taking her out to lunch, then we're going to see Iron Lady all about our former PM, Margaret Thatcher (yes, we're ALL English!). Looking forward to a fun afternoon with my girlfriends. Oh, and look! It's another rolled flower ...

This card uses a Sale-a-Bration set WHICH YOU CAN EARN FOR FREE with every $50 spent called Elementary Elegance. Isn't it gorgeous? Lots of samples floating around out here on the internet if you google search it :)

Recipe

Card 1 ~ Stamps : Thoughts & Prayers, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink : Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Tea Stain

Cardstock : Very Vanilla, Artichoke, Espresso

Accessories : 1/2 Pearls, Scallop Trim Punch, Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon, Circle Punch, Sponge

Card 2 ~ Stamps : Elementary Elegance

Ink : Pool Party

Cardstock : Shimmery White, Pink Pirouette

Accessories : Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Curly Label Punch, Pirouette 1/4" Taffeta Ribbon, 1 1/4" circle Punch

Rolled Flowers

Have you tried 'rolled flowers' yet? They're surprisingly easy to make ... I keep seeing the most beautiful cards by the wonderful Heather of DownstairsDesigns and thought it was about time I had a go ... this could be my new obsession!!!!

Recipe
Stamps : Loving Thoughts
Cardstock : Shimmery White, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Blushing Bride
Ink : Poppy Parade
Accessories : 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2 Pearls, Bird Punch (leaves), Label Framelit, Polka Dot EF, Big Shot

Leadership & a Sketch

I was in San Antonio for Leadership last week. Wow, that's one experience not to be missed! I know a lot of online Demos have blogged about it, so I shan't bore you with my details, BUT, if you're not sick of hearing about it and would like to see some of my pics, then click here for more photos.

I'm busy prepping for my Clubs this weekend, but I thought it may be a good idea to get my mojo going with this week's SCS sketch.

Did you see the make n' take from San Antonio regionals? It's such a cute flower and it's made with our punches. Here's a close up. The flower base and 2nd layer are made with the layered 'triple flower punch' and the centre is made using the dotted kite from 'Send me Soaring' and then punched out with the small heart. You need 4 hearts to make the flower centre. It's topped off with an itty bitty button and twine. Cute, don't you think?

 Here's a close-up of my version of the Regionals flower. I used Tuesday's colour challenge colours and thought the black layer would make it all 'pop'.

Recipe
Stamps : Send me Soaring, Outlined Occasions (sentiment)
Cardstock : Shimmery White, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
Ink : Lucky Limeade
Accessories : Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Black Button, Limeade Baker's Twine, Small Heart Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Triple Flower Punch, Dimensionals, Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Word Window Punch

Framelits ~ An Exciting Discovery

I'm going to San Antonio, TX next week for Leadership ... excited? Ya think?!!!!!

I've been working on a swap I'm participating in and whilst trying to figure out a great layout, I made an exciting discovery. I wanted to use one of the new framelits, Lables Collection. I ran the smallest one through my big shot and mounted a trimmed image onto it but something was missing. So I started playing around and look what I discovered! The large oval punch fits PERFECTLY in the centre of the Labels Framelit to make yet another beautiful effect! Just had to share ...

Stamps used : Tea Shoppe
Accessories : Wisteria Wonder, Big Shot, Smallest Labels Framelit, Large Oval Punc, Wisteria Ruffled Ribbon

A Splitcoast Sketch

 Look at this great SCS sketch for today's challenge. I love its simplicity, you could really gussy this one up ... I stayed CAS and went with the new SAB set Outlined Occasions and the DSP Everyday Enchantment. The ribbons and brads are ALSO available during SAB which starts on Jan 24th, I can't wait!

Here's a closer look at the sentiment

Recipe
Stamps : Outlined Occasions
Cardstock : Shimmery White, Lucky Limeade, Everyday Enchantment DSP
Ink : Black StazOn
Accessories : SU Markers, Everyday Enchantment Ribbons & Brads, Edgelit & Big Shot