Hello and welcome to my blog today. I'm so glad you stopped by. As some of you know, I've been laying low for a while. I'm still recouping from my ankle surgery so my postings have been a little sporadic the last couple months. But one thing I've learned is that life doesn't slow down a bit, even though I have. There are still fun things happening.....fun celebrations that I need cards for. With May and June fast approaching I don't want to be caught without a couple graduation and wedding cards on hand so I'm back in my craft room playing with a few of my Catherine Pooler stamp sets and dies.
I pulled out one of my favorite Catherine Pooler Designs stamp and die sets:
(more info on how you can win it below!)
I love using this proud peacock on graduation cards!
What I love most about this set is that
it's so fun to stamp. I never seem to be able to make up my mind which
colors to use so this little guy never gets stamped with less than three
colors of inks. I love to pick three coordinating inks and blend them
together on his body.
Here I used Catherine Pooler Design inks:
I also used Catherine Pooler's fabulous new Stained Glass Coverplate die for
the background. I simply cut out the large circle in the center to make
room for the large sentiment from the You Did It! stamp set. I love how the Paisley Peacock nestles into the shape of the circle.
I sprinkled some diecut paisleys and coordinating color sequins over the front of the card like confetti and spread the party to the inside too! What started out as three little paisleys on the inside exploded to many because I just couldn't stop myself. There's just nothing like some good old fashioned stamping therapy!
For my second project I needed a country themed wedding card. June weddings usually bring beautiful outdoor weddings and country themes seem to be the rage here in the midwest. I love how couples are keeping things simple yet elegant by using handmade country decor and wildflower bouquets. When I think country, I think of faded denim, so for this card I decided to stamp a soft paisley "denim" background using Catherine Pooler's fabulous Stone Blue ink. It's the perfect shade of blue!
To create the tag I also used Catherine Pooler's:
You Did It! stamp set
And Sentiments stamp set
Lovely Flowers stamp set
All that blue and white is beautiful but to top off this country card, it really needed a pop of Rockin' Red! I also added some Sauna yellow and Eucalyptus green. A little leftover flower adds a teeny surprise on the inside!
And.............
I don't normally do this but I just had to come back and add one more new peacock card that I made today. I thought it turned out so cute stamped in all the bright colors from Catherine Pooler Design's
Party Collection: Rockin' Red, Orange Twist, Tiara, Lime Rickey, Fiesta Blue and Midnight
The sentiment is from one of Catherine's newer stamp sets: Zen Feather. The arrow diecut is from the Lovely Flowers & Banners die set. I made this card for my little niece so there must be some bling!
Are you liking those paisleys and peacocks? Well guess what! I have a whole Paisley Peacock stamp and die set to give away to one lucky winner! Yep, you heard me! Here's your chance to own it! All you have to do is leave me a comment below by 7pm Sunday, April 15th. I'll choose one random winner from here in the U.S. (Sorry, open to US only, due to shipping restrictions.)
Don't know what to say? I would love to know:
Do you decorate the inside of your cards?
What is your favorite event to make cards for?
Do you make your cards ahead of time or do you make them as each event comes along?
Good luck and happy stamping!
Just FYI: I have a few friends who are also having giveaways on their blogs this weekend. If you get a chance click the links below:
Tracie Pond at Tracie Pond Designs
Karen Baker at The Bald Dragonfly Designs
Susan Powell at Creating With Susan
Ilina Crouse at Creativity Within
Don't know what to say? I would love to know:
Do you decorate the inside of your cards?
What is your favorite event to make cards for?
Do you make your cards ahead of time or do you make them as each event comes along?
Good luck and happy stamping!
Just FYI: I have a few friends who are also having giveaways on their blogs this weekend. If you get a chance click the links below:
Tracie Pond at Tracie Pond Designs
Karen Baker at The Bald Dragonfly Designs
Susan Powell at Creating With Susan
Ilina Crouse at Creativity Within
I love the colors and the peackock!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI do make some cards ahead of time as in all occassion. I do not decorate the inside of my cards, maybe I should. I only usually make all occassion cards and birthday cards.
ReplyDeleteThanks you Tami. I don't always decorate the insides of mine either but I'm always happy with the results when I do.
DeleteI generally do not decorate the inside of my cards. But - if I've used patterned paper on the front, I will put a strip of it inside along an edge. I do both - make cards ahead of time, when I just want to play -with a new or never used stamp set, or to try out a new technique. But I also frequently fine I need to make a card specific to an upcoming occasion. your cards are really pretty - I have both of those occasions coming up to make cards for!
ReplyDeleteThank you Avra. Graduation cards are always a challenge for me because I don't have many specific stamps for that occasion. Patterned paper on the inside is a nice surprise.
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful cards! And as for your Peacock one Hello that is my favorite bird! I even have a Pinterest board just for Peacocks! Your work is amazing! I really love the colors you chose for each card too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like peacocks Cindy. They seem to be trending right now don't they? I love that this one is so simple to stamp.
DeleteI love the wedding themed card! I also have some summer weddings coming up so I know what I'll be doing! As much as I would love to say I make my cards up ahead of time (looking at you StampNation birthday cards done!) I usually end up making them for the event. I think thank you cards are my favorite to make because they can be so varied. And I love the decoration on the inside. I have done that before but not regularly - I may need to rethink that. I also like to decorate the envelope to coordinate. Just depends on how much time (never enough) I have to play. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCoordinating envelopes really bring a card to the next level. People know you are a serious card maker when they see that pretty envelope coming! ;)
DeleteOh WOW you cards are gorgeous and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes decorate the inside of the card and
I like to make cards ahead of time, too.
Hi Helen! Thank you. I make so many ahead of time I could stock my own storefront, LOL! But it's so great to have them on hand.
DeleteTerrific work on your
ReplyDeletecards. Love the peacock
and the colors. I do add
embellishments inside my
cards. I make cards for
all the holidays.
Carla from Utah
Hi Carla, thank you! Friends come to expect those cards in he mail too don't they? If I forget to sent a bday card out I know I'm in the doghouse! ;)
DeleteGreat cards....love the peacock colors with the stained glass cutout die. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Kathy!
DeleteWhat an amazing trio of cards! My favorite is the last one! It reminds me of the opener shot for Partridge Family! One of my favorite childhood shows!
ReplyDeleteGreat colors and perfect placement of the lovely images! TFS!
OMG Barbara! That is exactly where I got my inspiration! I was watching the Partridge Family today and had a lightbulb moment, LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove the colors!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy!
DeleteThese are gorgeous! I love the background on the first card!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! Thanks so much!
DeleteAll of your cards are beautiful but that row of rainbow peacocks is a stunner!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! I'm glad you like it!
DeleteBeautiful cards! LOVE the paisley peacock set.♥
ReplyDeleteOh I try to decorate the inside of my cards. If I'm running out of time, I'll forget. I tend to make them as I need them and I am a TERRIBLE procrastinator.
Hi Brandi! I'm a fellow procrastinator which is why I make most ahead. Waiting until the last minute gets me in trouble. ;)
DeleteThe peacock against the stained glass background is wonderful! Love them!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteOh Lisa I love your cards every single time. Love love love these 3!! I don't want to win your giveaway because I already have it! I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your designs and that I'm definitely going to copy! Hope your ankle is healing fast!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sarah! Does this mean there are some more rainbow peacocks in the works? ;)
DeleteLove your cards. The peacocks are great. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Carol, thank you!
DeleteGorgeous cards! Love the peacock stamp set. Thanks so much for sharing...
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Jeanne!
DeleteBeautiful cards! Love the peacock set and the colors you used! Love that pretty tag with the Stone Blue ink for the paisley design!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Denise!
DeleteLove your rainbow of peacocks! So clever! All three cards are fabulous & I love the color combos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Patti!!
DeleteAll beautiful cards. the peacocks are fantastic,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
DeleteStunning cards! Love the color combinations and clean designs. Hope you continue to heal well!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dana!
DeleteI love this peacock set. The cards turned out so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Glad you stopped by.
DeleteWOW! You really did an amazing job with this set and created so many spectacular designs. They are all beautiful but that rainbow of peacocks really caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteThe decor on the inside of the Card is awesome! My favorite are the wiggle eyes/necklace and the way you dressed up the peacock to make her stand out! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alli!
DeleteWow Lisa! I am in awe of how absolutely gorgeous your cards are from the way they are designed to your use of color ! The Peacock card definitely stole my heart with that wonderful sentiment ! Our oldest daughter is graduating college in a week and a half so your congratulations you did it cards really made me smile !!! Beautiful work! TFS! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Congrats to a mom who I'm sure is proud as a peacock! ;)
DeleteWay to make that Peacock sexy and dressed to the hilt!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think we all have that friend who stands out in the crowd. Or maybe we are "that friend". LOL!
DeleteLove all these cards, especially the first one. Hope your ankle heals quickly. I to discovered how much the Stone Blue Ink looks like denim. Great color.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your well wishes. And yes, I have denim on my mind every time I use Stone Blue. I need to find a die that looks like a little blue jean pocket. Oh Catherine.........
DeleteWow! What a collection of beauties! I love how you incorporated the die cut in the first one!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marcia!!
DeleteBeautiful cards.I like to decorate the inside of my cards for certain people.Like my grandchildren.Sometimes I think I put too much.But they love it.I want to make cards a head of time but I feel I have to know who I’m making the card for.I guess I’m an emotional card maker!? Lol. I enjoyed everyone’s answers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Sharron. It's easy to get carried away with stamps in your hands and all that blank space in front of you. That's what it's all about right?
DeleteThis peacock is really special! As are your pretty cards!
ReplyDeleteLove the bling on the last one. :-) To answer your questions:
I always decorate the inside of my card; it simply finishes the
card. I guess my fave event is birthdays, since that's what I
make the most cards for (but I love Christmas, too!!). And I TRY
to make cards ahead of time, but that just doesn't always happen. lol
Hi Rebecca! I love birthday cards the most too. Seems like anything can be turned into a birthday card so I have a lot of cards made up that I leave blank inside until I need them. The I finish them off with a sentiment.
DeleteWonderful cards! Each one is unique and so beautiful! Love this set :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway, I would love to win :) I do have a shipping address in the US if I'm chosen :)
Thank you so much! And that shouldn't be a problem as long as it's shipped within the US.
DeleteThese cards are beautiful. love making birthday cards ahead of time. Love how you decorated the inside of the card - I have never done this BUT will start to do so now:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dee! Decorating inside just prolongs the fun!! ;)
Deletebeautiful cards! Now I half to add to my wish list!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, thanks for stopping by! Wish lists are always growing aren't they? Mine is a mile long! ;)
DeleteFirst of all your cards are fabulous. I love the added elements on the inside of the first card. Yes, I do use stamping on the inside of some of my cards. Now I'm also decorating the envelopes. I make more birthday cards than any other kind. My goal is to make cards ahead of time but I can't seem to do that very often. Frequently I am a "last minute get it done & to the post office" card maker.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I admire you because even with cards made up ahead of time I'm usually late getting them to the post office.
DeleteYes, I love peacocks and paisley. wonderful cards you have created. I like to decorate the inside of my cards with something from the front of the card.
ReplyDeleteslrdowney at hotmail dot com
Hi Sue! Thank you so much for stopping by!
DeleteOh, My! These are all wonderful. I love all the bright colors, but my favorite may be the very creative way you used a pinch of bright on the blue and white wedding card. It turned out awesome! I tend to create ahead of time, especially this year as I am in the midst of trying to sell my house and move and stuff is already packed up. I had all the family birthdays through June 1 done by Valentine's day. (But then I pulled out youngest grand-girl's bd card and all the Valentines to have ready to give and couldn't find them again in the mess. They eventually got their cards, but now I will keep them all together until actual time to give away!) Thank you for today's dose of creativity.
ReplyDeleteHi Bev, thanks for stopping by! Good luck on selling your house and I hope you get a new craft space soon!
DeleteBeautiful cards! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Peggy!
DeleteThis stamp set is on my wish list!! (of course, so is everything else from CP!) But seriously, maybe because my favorite colors are blue and purple and those are the colors I picture when I think of peacocks! And also, because I live next to someone who has real life peacocks, and I've realized how NOISY they are, a nice stamped peacock will do just fine thank you!I love your cards - thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi Lori! Oh my yes, those are some LOUD birds! I'll take a paper peacock any day! LOL!
DeleteCongratulations Lori! You won Catherine Pooler's Paisley Peacock stamp and die set. Check your messages here in your profile or email me at olleharr @yahoo.com for more info.
DeleteWonderful to see how many different ways this stamp set can be used. All of your cards are great. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Gayle, thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThe peacocks are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWe saw some up-close and personal
when my daughter and I were on
safari. They roamed free on the
hotel grounds. Fantastic birds.
thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
You are so right. They are gorgeous birds. Mesmerising!
DeleteWhat lovely peacock cards you have made! Thanks for the ideas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Jeanne!
DeleteThose blues and greens on your peacock design are outstanding. All well done creations, so colorful and happy =)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracie!
Delete