Emily's Birthday

Emily was 1 year old yesterday. We didn't get to see her because we had 5" of snow, ice and sleet. As much as I love the snow, I hated to miss her first birthday party. She hasn't seen her card yet. Maybe if her mommy checks my blog she will show it to her. We hope to celebrate with her next Saturday. On the up side, I can play with her birthday present for another week, LOL. You can meet Emme, Emma, Em, Emly, Emily (we can't seem to decide what to call her) here.

I saw this card in Paper Crafts Magazine, March/April 2009. The Designer was Debbie Olson. I loved it when I saw it and downloaded the pattern. Since Emme's signature color is pink (so far anyway), I had to go with the pink. She will probably try to eat it.

I made a slip for the inside using my Hallmark Card Studio Deluxe. Once I printed the inside of a quarter fold card, it was easy to cut it down and scallop the edges.

It's so much fun to have a granddaughter. I love and enjoy my grandsons, but I'm a girly girl and it's much more fun to do girly stuff!

Card Recipe

No Stamps:

Paper: Melon Mambo Textured, Printed Vellum (Non SU), Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Computer Paper
No Ink:
Acc.: Eyelet Border Punch, Flower from the Pretties Kit, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.

I love you,

Nana

Thoughts and Prayers

Remember last week Ruthann & I stamped together and made some sympathy cards? Well here's two more.

First Ruthann made one like this.

And I did one like this.

Then I made one like hers and she made one like mine. I'll let you in on a secret. I made a boo boo on mine. That's why it has that little oval with the sentiment.

Ruthann's Card Recipe

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Going Gray

Isn't it lovely? I love the clean and simple design and the Going Gray is a beautiful color.

My Card Recipe
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Paper: Naturals White, Old Olive
Ink: Close to Cocoa & Old Olive Stampin' Markers
Acc: Large Oval & Scallop Oval Punches.

Note this stamp set is double mounted. You get 1 block for 2 stamps. One stamp is mounted on the top of the block and the other on the bottom. Most of us aren't crazy about this arrangement. I raided Luke's blocks and found some in sizes that worked to mount the stamps. Then I cut the pictures of the stamps out of an old (extra) catalog and mounted it on the top of the block. (You could make a photocopy of the page if you don't have an extra catalog laying around.) Some clear packing tape over the picture will protect it from inky fingers. It would be wonderful if Stampin' Up! did this set in the clear mount stamps. It has such nice sentiments as well as the two beautiful graphics and the clear mount stamps make it easy to place exactly where you want it.

I hope we don't need to send these cards for a long time.

Tell somone you love them today.

Bonnie

Pretty Mambo Blossoms

This weeks color challenge is to use Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, and Blush Blossom. Dessert was a red heart but I'm on a diet this week. No dessert today! Hope this helps me lose the pounds I gained during the holidays. (LOL) I love these colors together. I love pinks anyway and these are happy colors.

I got a new toy yesterday and I love it! It's the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder. (Try to say that 3 times fast!) I used it with my Big Shot Machine and I love the texture it added to the card. The ornament punch is no longer available for sale. If you didn't get it, you can make a vase with the Wide Oval Punch by flattening both ends. It will be tall and skinny but you can use 1 flower and it will be fine.


Card Recipe

Stamps: Bella's Bloom

Paper: Melon Mambo, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Melon Mambo

Acc.: Big Shot Machine, Flower Daisies #2 Bigz die, Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder, Ornament Punch, Flat Back Pearls from the Pretties Kit, Linen Thread (for stems)

Happy Day,

Bonnie

Another Challenge

This weeks CAS challenge is to use DSP (Designer Series Paper). I'll confess that I did this card a few weeks back. Some of you have actually seen it but only for a moment. This is the sweetest little stamp set. It has four Thank You stamps and each time this stamp set is sold, Ronald McDonald House gets $2.00. I love the Peacock (posted earlier) and I used the Turtle for a Valentine. A truly versatile set. I used markers to ink this stamp since I wanted more than one color. I love the control I get with the markers. Does that make me a control freak? Hope not! I think this would work well for a manly card. Don't you?

CARD RECIPE

Stamps: Very Thankful

Paper: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Brocade DSP

Ink: Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Regal Rose & So Saffron Markers

The Night of Navy under the DSP is cut 4 1/4" x 2 1/4" and 2 1/4" x 1 1/4", under the Thank You is 1 3/8" x 2 5/8"

The DSP is cut 4 1/4" x 2" and 2" x 1 3/8"

The Whisper White is cut 1 1/8" x 2 1/2"

Don't forget to "huff" on your stamp after you finish inking.

Enjoy,

Bonnie

Raspberry Hope

The other night my friend Ruthann came to stamp with me. She recently had to buy a sympathy card (gasp!) so guess what we made? I stamped these flowers and didn't like them but the next morning they didn't look so bad. I mounted them on the Rich Razzleberry, and set it off center on a white card. I have to confess that the sentiment is not Stampin' Up! It was in the drawer and I don't know who to give the credit for it. It was so right for this card that I just had to use it.


I used markers to ink the flowers and the sentiment and finished off the card with that great new Scallop Trim Corner punch from the Occasions Mini Catalog. There's a scrap of Rich Razzleberry behind the scallops to show them off.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Close as a Memory

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive Stampin' Markers

Acc.: Scallop Trim Corner Punch

Now I'm glad I didn't toss the flowers. Hope you like it.

Bonnie

Stamp A Stack Coming Up

Our next Stamp A Stack is February 6, 2010. These are the cards we will be making then. Participants can make 1 of each for $10.00 and 2 of each for $20.00. Let me know if you would like to reserve a spot. You can see that I have included a variety of cards. The horizontal pink & vanilla card at the bottom can be done with flowers instead of hearts.

Thanks for stopping by and don't be afraid to leave a comment.

Got to stamp!

Bonnie

Bashful, Suede Rubies

This weeks colors are Bashful Blue, Soft Suede and Ruby Red with stripes for dessert. Again this is a color combo I would have never thought of. It amazes me how the ladies at Splitcoast Stampers can come up with these ideas every week. I am thankful that they share their ideas, because they are a never ending source of inspiration to me.

I used the Movers and Shapers again to punch a heart out of the Very Vanilla and the Bashful Blue Decorative Paper. (The stripes don't show up on the heart, but believe me they are there.) I used punches for the other hearts. The stamping is done with the floral vine from the Vintage Vogue stamp set in the Occasions Mini catalog. I stamped it randomly to make my decorative background. The hearts are all popped up on dimensionals.

I had some trouble getting the stamps to cling to my blocks last Saturday. I have since cleaned the blocks and the stamps cling much better now. Lesson learned....clean works better! Sorry ladies that I didn't think of that before I tried to show you how wonderful they are.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Paper: Bashful Blue, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Ruby Red Textured, Bashful Blue DSP

Ink: Soft Suede

Acc.: Big Shot, Movers & Shapers, Full Heart & Small Heart punches, Pearl from the Pretties Kit, Dimensionals.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it.

Bonnie

Pretty as a Peacock

I love peacocks and think they are one of the prettiest of God's creatures. I also have a healthy respect for them. When I was a young girl, we visited some cousins that had a peacock. I learned that when they spread their beautiful tail, it was time to get out of the way! Every been chased by a bird? I have but not before I enjoyed seeing his beautiful tail spread out.


Since I wanted more than one color, I inked the stamp with Stampin' Markers then huffed before I stamped. I used a marker to darken the peacock after it was stamped with the Taken with Teal marker. The picture doesn't do a very good job of showing the double eyelet border on the sides, but I assure you it is there. I scored 2 lines beside the border using a stylus and the guide on my paper cutter.

CARD RECIPE

Stamp: Very Thankful (This stamp is available as a Sale-A-Bration item. See back page)

Paper: Take With Teal, Whisper White

Ink: Stampin' Markers, Taken with Teal, Old Olive, Night of Navy

Acc.: Eylet Border Punch, Stylus

Here is another version. Which do you like best?

I used Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry from this years In Colors for this one. Again, I used Stampin' Markers to ink the stamp then huffed on it. I just had to use my new favorite Scallop Trim Border punch from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. It has turned out to be a favorite with my Stampin' Friends also.

CARD RECIPE

Stamps: Very Thankful (Available as a Sale-A-Bration choice)
Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Night of Navy
Acc: Scallop Trim Border Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack

Off to straighten my stamp room. It looks like a wild woman has been in there!

Enjoy,
Bonnie

Hearts, Hearts, Hearts

Another Valentine for you. I used the Movers & Shapers with the Big Shot to cut the heart out of the front and both pieces of DSP. The trickiest part was inking just the Love on the Love You much stamp. After I stamped it, I went over the love with my white gel pen to make it stand out, then doodled around the heart with the same pen. The inside has a piece of DSP identical to the front and the punched heart in the punch out.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Well Scripted

Paper: Whisper White, Rose Red Textured, Tea Party DSP

Ink: Whisper White

Acc: Big Shot, Movers & Shapers, Magnetic Movers & Shapers, Scallop Trim Border, Full Heart, & Horizontal Slot Punches, Rose Red & White narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Flat Back Pearl from the Pretties Kit

Enjoy,

Bonnie

Book Report

A few days ago I mentioned that I was reading a really good book. Well I finished it last night. It was the second book by Karen White that I read. Both stories take place in my favorite place ever, Charleston, SC. They are modern day stories but hold lots of history and lore of the Charleston area.

In "The House on Tradd Street", Melanie Middleton unwillingly inherits a house in the south of Broad area of Charleston. The deal is that she has to live in the house for 1 year and restore it to it's former glory before she can sell it. She has lots of interesting characters to help restoring it, but most interesting of all are the other "occupants" of the house. There are ghosts residing in the house and Melanie sees them all. The good ghosts want her to discover their secrets. Of course there is a handsome gentlemen to help her discover the story behind the hauntings and the hidden treasure. I enjoyed it so much that I immediately got the follow up book.

"The Girl on Legare Street" picks up soon after "The House on Tradd Street" leaves off. Melanie's mother, who deserted her family when Melanie was 7 returns and wants to buy the Legare St. home that she had grown up in. Melanie reluctantly agrees to help her buy and restore the house. Guess what? This house is haunted too! Fortunately for Melanie her mother has the ghost gift too. Unfortunately there is a really angry ghost residing there that wants nothing more than to remove mother & daughter permanently. Jack, the hunk from the previous book is still around and obviously taken with Melanie except that Melanie can't see it. You'll have to read for yourself to see what happens. This one in particular is a sit on the edge of your chair and read all night book.

Check out your local library for copies of these books.

Enjoy.

Bonnie

Vintage Valentines

I got the Ever After stamp set for Christmas and thought I'd break it out to do some Valentines. This is the first one I did. The Limited Supplies Challenge (last Friday) was limited to pink, red, black & white or some of those colors and add polka dots for dessert. The black just never quite made it on these cards. Which do you like the best. Number 1........


or Number 2?

I'm really obsessed with the Scallop Trim Border punch. I used the corner punch (available in the Occasions Mini) on #2 too. The hearts are cut with decorative scissors and punched with the paper piercer. The polka dots are embossed on #1 with the Big Shot.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Ever After, Holiday Best (Hostess Level 1)**

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Real Red

Ink: Real Red

Acc: Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Trim Corner & Wrought Iron Corner Punches, Flat Back Pearl from the Pretties Kit*, Paper Piercer, Decorative Scissors, Real Red & Pretty in Pink Stampin' Markers**, DSP from a past hostess pattern pack**

* Card 1

** Card 2

Enjoy,

Bonnie

Monochromatic Monogram

The Lovely Letters Alphabet stamps are so pretty and the new Vintage Labels set is a perfect frame for the letters. I used the Movers & Shapers die to cut the blue mat behind the curly label. It's just a tad bigger than the punch. I love the shadow effect. The embossed lines were done on my cutting board with a stylus. I used the groove as a guide. Don't you think a set of these would be a great gift especially for a new bride or graduate? It's quick and easy.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Lovely Letters Alphabet, Vintage Labels*
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy
Ink: Night of Navy & Old Olive Stampin' Markers**
Acc: Scallop Trim Border Punch*, Big Shot, Movers & Shapers Die, Stylus

*Each is available free with a $50.00 order during Sale-A-Bration.

**If you ink the Vintage Label stamp with an ink pad, be careful not to get ink on the inside as it will smudge. I used the markers but the ink spots would work well by sliding it over the design.

Enjoy,
Bonnie

Valentine in Bermuda

I've made a lot of cards this week but somehow just don't seem to have enough time to both make and post. I've had lots of giggles and hugs from that adorable almost 2 yr. old and got to spend time with all of my daughters and some of Kelli's friends to boot. I've been reading a great book too. I'll share that with you when I finish it.

Here is another card for the CAS Valentine challenge. I've made Valentines in traditional colors too but thought I'd be daring and try something different. The Movers & Shapers die came out of the package and went to work for me. I love that you can cut a design out of the front of a card. A punch just won't quite work for that. The piece that is cut out is just a little bigger than the punch so you can use it as a mat for a punched piece. I'll show you that tomorrow. The actual punced piece is on the inside of the card popped up on dimensionals.



Card Recipe

Stamps: For All You Do, Short & Sweet, Vintage Labels (Sale-A-Bration)

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red

Ink: Basic Black

Acc: Big Shot, Movers & Shapers Die, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Curly Label Punch, Word Window Punch
Heart to Heart Punch

By the way, the Vintage Labels set is clear mount. I didn't even have to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the border around the sentiment. On second look, maybe I should have. oops! Hope you like it anyway.

Blessings,

Bonnie

Going Green

The Color Challenge this week is Bermuda Bay, Certainly Celery& Handosme Hunter adding a touch of pink that is not card stock. The Clean And Simple Challenge is love so......I may use this for Bruce's Valentine or maybe anniversary cuz he likes green and tree stuff. (The pink is "splatters" with the Color Spritzer tool. It's hard to see in the picture unless you look real close.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded

Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Handsome Hunter

Ink: Certainly Celery

Acc: Scallop Edge Punch, Soft Suede & Handsome Hunter Markers for pine bough, Regal Rose & Rose Red Markers with Color Spritzer Tool, Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon (I used the back side), and a Ribbon Slide from a retired Hodgepodge Hardware set. (I inked the sentiment with the Soft Suede marker.

Enjoy,
Bonnie

Hubby's Birthday

It's been a busy few days. Between company, birthday celebrations and Luke being sick there hasn't been much time for anything else. I did get Bruce's birthday card done before the company came. I love this stamp set and plan to use it for all the men's cards this year. The layout for the Sketch Challenge last week was perfect for this. The card is 5 1/2" square. Bruce said he really liked it. I'm glad because I loved making it for him.


Card Recipe

Stamps: Autumn Days
Paper: Very Vanilla, Handsome Hunter, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel, Handsome Hunter, Dusty Durango
Acc: Stampin' Markers (Really Rust, Garden Green, Ruby Red, Soft Suede), Stampin' Pastels, Sponge Daubers

I cut the Handsome Hunter & Dusty Durango 5 1/4" square then cut the Durango on the diagonal. Using the same colors, I stamped the wheat on each piece. The pheasant is stamped in Soft Suede and colored with markers. Then I stamped the wheat and berries in Creamy Caramel & Soft Suede. I daubed some brown & yellow Stampin Pastels (I opened my pastels upside down once so I don't know which color is which. Oops!) around the pheasant and plants to soften the look. I think the layout really makes the card. I love those challenges.

Hope you have been able get inked up. My stampin table is back up and Big Shot is out. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to make a card.

Enjoy,
Bonnie