Tweet Birdie

That Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch from the Occasions Mini has really gotten a work out. It makes an easy and fun card. This card is a CASE (Copy And Share Everything) of a card by Sandi MacIver. It's a shameful CASE too. It was hard to change anything. The embossing was done with the BIG SHOT machine and the Finial Press Embossing Folder. Sandi showed how to cut the Embossing Folder so it would emboss across instead of up and down. Warning, don't cut it until you are sure you aren't going to need the whole folder in the near future! :>0 Oh my, what a jolt when I realized I couldn't use it as planned for my class!

The Designer Series Paper is from the Raspberry Tart package. It is no longer available but there are lots of other DSPs to choose from. I need to use up some of the old to make room for new! Hope you enjoy this and a big THANK YOU to Sandi for sharing her great ideas. (Link to her blog is on the left.)

Card Recipe
Stamps: Whimsical Words (Free with $50.00 order during Sale A Bration)
Paper: Rose Red, Whisper White, Raspberry Tart DSP, Old Olive
Ink: Old Olive
Acc.: Extra Large 2 step Bird Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch (Free with $50.00 order during Sale A Bration), Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Big Shot Machine, Finial Press Embossing Folder.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Bonnie

Olympic Village

I combined 2 challenges for this card. The Color Challenge this week was to use 1 or more of the Olympic colors. As near as I could make out by the picture and rings, the colors were Brilliant Blue, Garden Green, Bordering Blue, Real Red and Crushed Curry.


Here is the picture we could pick the colors from plus the neutrals of choice. Dessert was something metallic.





Here is the Sketch Challenge for this week.




This is what I came up with.
I used some paper from the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad to do the triangles in the background (free with a $50.00 order until March 31st). These were adhered to a Whisper White card. You can almost imagine a ski slope beneath the clouds. Well I can anyway. I stamped the trees from Lovely as a Tree in Sahara Sand on the design piece and stamped the clouds with Bordering Blue. The houses & roofs were stamped on scraps, cut out and mounted over the trees with dimensionals. (The trees & clouds are from the Good Neighbors set also free with a $50.00 order during Sale A Bration.) The design is matted with Bordering Blue. Welcome is stamped in Basic Black then cut out for a banner and adhered to a piece of Bordering Blue. I used the corner rounder punch on both of the blue & the white pieces and added 3 silver brads on the bottom. (I tried gold and bronze brads with the silver, but I really liked the silver better.)

Hope you enjoy your visit to the Olympics, SCS style. Thanks for coming by.

Bonnie

Ginkgo Makeover

The CAS challenge this week is to makeover a previous design. This is made from a Hostess set that's free for holding a $500.00 or more Workshop. It has lots of stamps and beautiful sentiments. Since my friend Donna loves Ginkgo so much and silhouettes, I had used this stamp to make her a Thank You card last summer. You can see it here. Sorry the picture is a little blurry.

I'll give you a hint. After I stamped the gingko, I filled it in with a Black Stampin' Write Marker. I used the marker to ink the sentiment too. Hope I can keep this in my samples for a long time.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Acc.: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Basic Black Marker

Blessings,

Bonnie

Spring Flowers

We were traveling over the weekend and I'm still trying to catch up! I enjoyed the ride and seeing buds in the trees. Spring can't be far behind. While driving, I listened to "The Da Vinci Code". I listened to it when it first came out. (I can read/listen to a book several times and it's still like the first time.) If I can't stamp, at least I can "read". When I stamp, I can "read" too. I love audio books!

I had a great time getting together and stamping with my Roanoke Rapids friends on Saturday. They always have such good ideas and make beautiful cards.

This card was put together with discards from preparations for classes this month. I love the Vintage Vogue and especially love the big flower in Crushed Curry. The main flower was stamped, then clear embossed, cut out and popped up with dimensionals. I used the vine stamp from the set to stamp on the background of both the card base and the design. I'll add a sentiment when I'm ready to send it.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Paper: So Saffron, Taken with Teal, Whisper White
Ink: Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Certainly Celery, So Saffron
Acc: Scallop Trim Border Punch (free with a $50.00 purchase during Sale-a-Bration), Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Brad

Oh, I finished really reading a book over the weekend too. It was "Wild Swan" by Celeste De Blasis. It's one of my youngest daughter's favorite books. It was a good read but very long. It was published in the 80's. (If it was published now it would have been at least 3 books in a series.) It was an awesome book reminding me in some ways of Gone With the Wind. It had a lot about horse racing and history of England & America in the 1800's. It's the first book in a trilogy. I'm not sure when I'll read the next one, but I definitely will read it.

God bless,

Bonnie

Bird in a Plum Tree

Hello everyone and happy Friday. Today I'm sharing a card I made for this week's color challenge. The colors are Pale Plum, Perfect Plum & Soft Suede with any neutral. Dessert is to add a critter. This wasn't what I had in mind when I went to my craft room but my hand just pulled out this stamp set. I CASEd myself with the layout. Since Soft Suede isn't my favorite color, I used it sparingly. I actually like it in this case (pun hee! hee!) and I'm glad I was challenged to use it.

The branch is stamped in the Soft Suede and I inked the flowers with markers in both Plum shades. Then I stamped flowers in both shades on scrap paper and cut some of the large ones out to add with dimensionals. The bird is stamped on the branch, then on scrap paper, cut out and also added with dimensionals. The picture doesn't show the 3 dimensional look of the card very well. Sorry. I'm not the greatest photographer. I keep trying new things and eventually I will get the right combination. I hope!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Bird on a Branch

Paper: Pale Plum, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Ink: Soft Suede, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum (both Stampin' Spots & Markers)

Acc.: Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals

I will be stamping with my Roanoke Rapids friends tomorrow. I can't wait to see them. I'm sure I will come back with new and fresh ideas.

Have a good weekend. I hope you get to do something you love to do.

Bonnie

Another Touch of Spring

I've been trying to clean up all the discards from preparations for classes. This was one of them and since the CAS challenge is Wishing for Spring, I thought I would submit this. Yellow is such a bright and springy color, don't you think? Crocus, Daffodils, Forsythia, Dandelions...all beautiful shades of yellow. I don't think this is any North Carolina flower but it is pretty in yellow anyway. I love the crispness of monochromatic cards and I set it a jaunty angle on purpose. Sometimes I slip, but this time I didn't.

Card Recipe

Stamps: Eastern Blooms
Paper: So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Ink: So Saffron, Crushed Curry,
Acc.: Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon, 5/16" Jumbo Brad, Ticket Corner Punch

I hope you see some sunshine today and maybe a sign of Spring.

Bonnie

Welcome Spring

I've had an idea floating around in my mind ever since a Cyber-friend had mentioned that she had a daffodil blooming. I had lots of daffodils in my old house and since they were sheltered and on the south side of the house, they bloomed very early. I always loved taking a bouquet to the library to remind everyone that Spring was almost here. I wonder if they are blooming yet?

I love the Vintage Vogue stamp set in the Occasions Mini Catalog. (I especially love that it is a clear mount stamp.) When I started thinking daffodils, I could see one in this Vintage flower.

First I stamped both the large and small flower on YoYo Yellow with Crushed Curry ink and cut both out. I fastened the small flower over the center of the large flower with a brad and snipped the small flower a few times so it would make a cup. I cut the leaves and stem freehand out of a retired In Color, Wild Wasabi. It was just the shade I was looking for. (Glorious Green would probably work ok too.) I used the Crushed Curry marker to do squiggles next to the border. I finished it off with the Welcome stamped in Always Artichoke and punched with the Large Oval Punch. I inked the edges with the Artichoke so it would stand out a little better.





Card Recipe

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Warm Words
Paper: Whisper White Textured, YoYo Yellow, Crushed Curry Textured, Wild Wasabi Textured
Ink: Crushed Curry, Always Artichoke
Acc: Large Oval Punch, Earth Elements Brad, Scallop Trim Border Punch (free with $50.00 order), Crushed Curry Marker

I wish you a daffodil kind of day. Spring is just around the corner.
Bonnie

Luke is 2

Our dear Luke turned 2 years old last Friday. It's hard to believe that it's been 2 years since he was born. He is such a delightful child (usually) and really loves Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends. He can call all of them by name and corrects us often when we get mixed up! I meant to post this earlier but between Birthday Parties and leaving my camera at the Birthday Party, I am a bit late with it so today will be a double post day.



This design was CASED from a design posted on Splitcoast Stampers by Michelle Wecksler. I just couldn't resist it! It's made almost entirely with punches. Hope I can remember which ones I used. The only head I had was from the "Very Thankful" set so I inked just the head and stamped it. I freehand cut the hat. It only took 3 tries to get it right! Since I don't have the "Right on Track wheel", I had to freehand the tracks too. They're a little bumpy but I only got one try with them. The wheels look a little bumpy too so it all goes together. I don't sponge edges very well do I? Guess I need to practice more on that technique! The 2 is not SU but a sticker from my misc. envelope. The sentiment was generated on the computer.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Very Thankful
Paper: Confetti White, Brilliant Blue, Basic Gray, Going Gray, YoYo Yellow, Whisper White, Patterns Pack DSP Ink: Creamy Caramel
Acc.: Wide Oval, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Word Window Punches, Stampin' Write Markers



Happy Birthday Darling Boy,


Nana

For You

I wish you all....

....a day spent in touch with someone you love,

....a day to do something you love,

...a day to know that you are loved,

...a day of simple pleasures,



Card Recipe


Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, For All You Do, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded Background

Paper: Sahara Sand

Ink: Sahara Sand, Real Red, Soft Suede, Old Olive

Acc.: Stamp-a-ma-jig



Happy Valentines Day.

Bonnie

Hearts or Flowers

This is one of the cards that I did with the Cary Newcomers Club Creative Arts Group on Tuesday. They had so much fun with it! They could do either hearts or flowers and they had such a good time punching and sticking. Everybody's card was different! I wish I had a picture of them all. What a talented group of ladies!

Card Recipe

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Paper: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Rose Red, Raspberry Tart DSP, Summer Sun

Ink: Mellow Moss, Rose Red

Acc.: Eyelet Border Punch, Boho Blossom Punch, (Heart to Heart Punch), Tiny Scallop Punch (non SU)

Thanks for visiting with me today.

Bonnie

Dusty Bird

This is the card I made for yesterday's color challenge to use Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow & Dusty Durango with patterns for dessert.

I couldn't get a really good angle on this picture to show the fold. The fold idea came from Sandi MacIver, an extremely talented lady who lives in Oregon. You can see her card here. The front piece of the card is 4 1/4" long by 4 1/2" wide. The back is 1" wider than the front. Make any sense? It was a good fit for the design since I didn't want a square card.

I'm really loving this Extra Large Two Step Bird punch (p. 10 in the Occasions Mini Catalog) and the Scallop Trim Border Punch from the Sale-A-Bration catalog (p.9). Are you tired of seeing it yet? I had this paper left over from the 2008 Holiday Mini catalog. I bought it for the autumn colors and also the Sage Shadow since it is one of my favorite colors. How nice to have a good excuse to use it. I made the fence by scoring lines between all the scallops. I don't have one of those fancy score thingys so I just laid it on my paper cutter and drew the stylus down the line. I sponged the edges of the bird with a little Dusty Durango ink to give him a little depth.

Card Recipe
Paper: Naturals White, Chocolate Chip, Autumn Vine DSP, Dusty Durango
Acc.: Extra large 2 Step Bird Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Stylus, Fiskars Paper Cutter

Hope you have had some fun today.
Bonnie

Another Book Report

I finally finished an audio book late last week, "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks. I love listening to a book while I am cutting out card elements, ironing, washing windows and in the car. Now that I don't have to drive to work every day, I don't listen much in the car unless I'm driving. When I drive, I take control of the CD player. I think that's only fair. This one took a while, especially since it didn't grab my interest as much as some do. I think it was the readers. I didn't care for the voices they used and unfortunately it detracted from the story.



It's a sweet story, almost too sweet. It's hard to believe it is written by a man! There is a love story between teenagers. The boy (Will) is a little too perfect. (Bet if a woman wrote the book, he wouldn't have been so nice.) The girl (Ronnie) has trouble as a constant companion until she meets Will. Ronnie & her little brother are sent to spend the summer with their father at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Ronnie hasn't spoken to her father since her parents divorced three years before and is not happy about having to spend time with him. Right off to bat she gets in trouble with the Islands bad kids. Her father is ever patient with her, giving up playing the piano to pacify Ronnie. When he shows her a nest of turtle eggs outside their house, Ronnie begins the process of losing the hostility, meets Will and gets to know her father. The love between father and daughter, between Ronnie and her little brother, between Ronnie and Will is inspirational. It's a feel good book and one I wish I had read instead of listened to. Although I would probably still be waiting for the book from the library. The waiting list was over 6oo people when I added my name!



If you want to read a book that doesn't keep you on the edge of your chair but enhances your life and sends a good message, this is the one for you. Or any other Nicholas Sparks books for that matter.



What are you reading?

Bonnie

Yummy Bird

This weeks CAS challenge is to visit a Candy Crate's Retro Candy Store and make a card representing the candy of our choice. The soft brown of this card looks like chocolate Necco Wafers to me. Almost makes my mouth water, and the memories..... I remember going to the movies and having a nickel left for candy. (Does that date me or what? LOL) I loved to get the Necco Wafers because they lasted through the whole movie, unless my brother convinced me to share. My favorite ones were the chocolate and I can remember looking at all the packages to check for the one that had the most chocolate. I liked the yellow and pink too, but not as much as the chocolate. OK, enough down memory lane.

We did a card very similar in the Stamp A Stack on Saturday. I jazzed this one up a bit by adding some color instead of just the neutrals. I like the neutrals too, especially for sympathy cards. (You can see the other one further down on my blog in the Stamp A Stack post.) I love the little scalloped pieces called Hugs. I especially love that they come already scalloped so I don't have to punch them out! They and the ribbon are in the Occasions Mini Catalog on p. 19 & 27.

Recipe for this card

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Whimsical Words

Paper: Kraft, Hugs Notes, Old Olive, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Summer Sun

Ink: Whisper White Craft, Chocolate Chip

Acc.: Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Ancient Scallop Mini from ?, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, 5/8" Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

Thanks for coming to see me. Have a sweet evening.

Bonnie

Creative Arts Class

Since we are new to the area, I joined the Cary Newcomers Club. It's a great club with lots of interest group meetings throughout the month. One of the interest groups is Creative Arts and I jumped into that one. I have really enjoyed meeting these creative ladies and look forward to seeing lots of them in the future. I am hosting the group this month and this is what we are going to do....

I hope they like them. I've got to start cutting them out so I will have to share the details with you later. Remind me if I forget.

I had a great time at the Stamp A Stack yesterday and I hope the participants enjoyed themselves as much as I did. You can scroll down to see what we did.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Bonnie

Slow and Steady

It's been a busy week. I had an order for 8 Valentines and sent 15 so she could choose. She bought 11! I was so excited. I can order some Watercolor Crayons now! I have a tutorial for some gorgeous cards done with them and I want to give it a try . I'll let you know how it works.

This is one of the guys I sold. He is from the Very Thankful set. Did you know that if you purchase this set, Stampin' Up! will send $2.00 to the Ronald McDonald House? There are 4 great stamps in this set. My favorite is the peacock but this little turtle is so sweet. Doesn't he look like he's saying "hi"? I punched hearts from Real Red card stock and slit the top of the wagon with my craft knife so the hearts would go "in" the wagon. I miss this little turtle, but he found a good home and hopefully will make someone very happy on Valentine's Day.

Recipe

Stamps: Very Thankful, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Real Red
Acc.: Hemp Twine, Word Window Punch, Small Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Blender Pen


Enjoy,
Bonnie

Thinking Razzleberry

I am itching to do a challenge but really need to prepare for Saturday's Stamp A Stack so I'll share this Thinking of You card. I love this set despite having to find some of my own blocks so I could single mount it. (Ok, Ok, Luke's blocks, but he really didn't mind.) The saying came from the Bird on a Branch set and has the most beautiful script. I bought this set primarily for the saying, although I have enjoyed the bird and branch too.

I can't believe I didn't like this Rich Razzleberry color when it first came out. As with past years, the color I liked the least in the In Color collection ended up being my favorite. I especially love it with the Whisper White. It has a clean and crisp look to it.

Card Recipe
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Bird on a Branch
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive & Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Markers
Acc.: Scallop Trim Border Punch (Free during Sale A Bration. Check my website for details)

A Clean and Simple card. My favorite kind! Too bad it didn't fit the challenge this week.

Until next time, I'm thinking of you,
Bonnie