Bright Birthday Greetings

Hi everyone!  Today I'm posting a quick little card I made to celebrate a special day.

This card features that awesome Boxed Up Birthday Greetings die from Lil' Inker Designs!

Behind the boxed greeting I stamped some balloons using the HB2U stamp set that was included in the

Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection. 

For this card I used the following supplies:

Stamps: HB2U (Stamp of Approval: Young at Heart Collection), Pinstripe Background (My Favorite Things), Good Times (Clearly Besotted)

Ink:  butter bar, pale tomato, orange soda, lime green, soft granite (Hero Arts Shadow Ink), onyx black (Versafine)

Paper:  audrey blue, orange peel (Simon Says Stamp), white 140 lb cardstock (Neenah Exact)

Accessories:  Blueprints #15 dies, Chevron Stripes dies (My Favorite Things),  Boxed Up Birthday Greetings die (Lil' Inker Designs), clear sequins (unknown). 

And to finish up today, I wanted to share a peek into the awesome challenge that's going on over at StampNation this week.  There's a whole lot of fabulous backgrounds being shared by our Dream Team and our members.

Can you tell which one of these cards is mine??

If you're not a member of StampNation yet you're missing out on all the fun.  Just click on the above photo to find out how you can sign up to be part of this awesome community of cardmakers.  See you there!!

Get Well Spoon

Hello and welcome!  I've been a little absent from my blog the last week or so because I was down with the flu.  I wasn't feeling up to making cards but that sure didn't stop me from thinking about them.  Of course I started thinking about all my friends and family who were also sick and I came to the realization that I didn't have even one get well card to send out. I didn't own any stamps or dies that said "get well soon" either.   I decided to fix that with a little trip over to Papertrey Ink. My friend Kristie told me they had a great selection of stamps and dies over on their website and boy she was right.  I could go crazy over there....and I did!

I fell in love with this little stamp and die set.  A real feel better, chicken soup, ice cream scoop Comfort Food stamp set that I know will make some adorable cards to cheer up all those sickos out there.  

Here's a peek at the first of many "get well" cards I plan to make and keep on hand.  I started out stenciling the background to set the kitchen counter scene.  I diecut and then popped up the top white panel with some fun foam and that  gave a dimensional area to set up the soup can and bowl.

I wanted to give Paper Smooches "get well" diecut a little twist by hanging it from the little spoon.   I know it's a little punny but I just couldn't resist.  ;)

For this card I used the following supplies:

Stamps:  Comfort Food (Papertrey Ink), Mini Banner Day Alphabet (My Favorite Things).

Ink:  buter bar, pool, soft sand, red royal (Hero Arts Shadow ink), onyx black (Versafine), clear watermark (Versamark).

Paper:  black cardstock (Simon Says Stamp), white 140 lb cardstock (Neenah Exact).

Accessories:  Tiny Tags die (Simon Says Stamp), Get Well Phrase die (Paper Smooches), Textile Rectangle Frame die, Blueprints #15 die, Grid stencil (My Favorite Things), Comfort Food dies (Papertrey Ink), wink of stella glitter pen (Zig), white embossing powder (WOW), Real Brush Watercolor Markers (Zig Kuratake), bakers twine (unknown).

That's it for today.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

Gold Chandelier

Hello and welcome back.  I wanted to share another card with you today.  This one uses a pretty chandelier die from My Favorite Things.  It's a die that I think is so beautiful but rarely have an occasion to use it on a card.  I decided to make a card today that I can keep on hand to use as either an encouragement card or a birthday card simply by adding the appropriate sentiment to the inside.

Using this fabulous gold sparkle cardstock from My Favorite Things I was able to add some amazing texture and shine.

For this card I used the following supplies:
Stamps: Christmas Glamour (TPC Studios), Watts Up? (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  onyx black (Versafine), clear emboss (Versamark)
Paper:  sea glass, vellum cardtock (Simon Says Stamp), gold sparkle cardtock (My Favorite Things), white 140 lb cardstock (Neenah Exact)
Accessories:  Chandelier die, Blueprints #15 die, Harlequin stencil (My Favorite Things), sunshine die (Simon Says Stamp), Birthday Journal Card die (Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection/Sugar Pea Designs), clear embossing powder (WOW), sequins (unknown).

And since it's Wednesday, I also want take a minute to remind everyone that the new challenge has been posted over at StampNation.  This week we're all playing with a fun sketch....check out this sneak peek of the awesome cards made by the Dream Team!  Sistah's it's time to get creative!!  If you're not a StampNation member yet just head over ---->HERE<---- for more information on how you can sign up today. 

Quick....can you guess which one is mine? ;)

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day!

Love is in the Air! Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had hoped to get this post up a little earlier in the week but I've been fighting off that dreaded flu bug that's going around.  I did manage to pop a few cards in the mail to some of my friends and munchkins though.  Thank goodness I made them up ahead of time!

First, I made this one for my little card making buddy Rylee.  I knew this girl would be looking over every little detail so I had to make them count.  I would not be surprised to find out she dissected this one on February 15th to figure out how I put it together.  ;)

Diecutting three layers of doll pink cardstock and gluing them together really helps lift this sentiment up and gives it extra dimension.  You can see here I only used one layer for the arrow and boy, what a difference it makes.

For this card I used the following supplies:

Ink:  soft sand (Hero Arts Shadow Ink)

Paper:  khaki, doll pink cardstock (Simon Says Stamp), white 140 lb cardstock (Neenah Exact)

Accessories:  split diagonal stencil (My Favorite Things), Love You die (Technique Tuesday), Of the Heart dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Peek a Boo Heart Frames, Hip Clips dies (My Favorite Things), Birthday Journal Card dies (Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection/Sugar Pea Designs), bakers twine, sequins (unknown).

This cute little Valentine was sent as a surprise to my nephew Drue.  I found the cutest little fox stuffed animal that matched him perfectly.

I added a little texture and depth with some diecut grass and a little glossy accents on his eyes and nose.

For this card I used the following supplies:

Stamps:  Woodland Pals (Clearly Besotted), Myriad Dot Background (My Favorite Things), The Big, The Bold, The Happy sentiment (Winnie & Walter),  Chickadees sentiment (Technique Tuesday).

Ink:  soft sand, cup o' joe, green hills, pale tomato (Hero Arts Shadow Inks), really rust (Stampin' Up), tumbled glass (Ranger distress), onyx black (Versafine) 

Paper:  green leaf, lipstick red cardstock (Simon Says Stamp), white 140 lb cardstock (Neenah Exact)

Accessories:  Grassy Edges, Heart STAX, Peek-a-Boo Heart Frames (My Favorite Things), Stitched Mats: Long & Skinny Rectangles (Lil' Inker Designs), Woodland Pals dies (Clearly Besotted), Corner Chomper (WeRMemory Keepers), Glossy Accents, white gel pen, pale pink marker (Zig Kuretake Real Brush), dimensional tape (3M).

For this next card I pulled out my Zig real brush markers and my favorite little flying couple.  I had so much fun coloring that I decided I would duplicate this one a few times to send to some of my out of town friends.  They know my husband is my A #1 flying ace so the theme fit perfectly.  I also found this great sentiment stamp over at Lil' Inker's that said it all for me...and in big bold letters too!

  I'm no expert colorist but I sure have fun coloring this stamped image!  And stenciling these cloud backgrounds is an all time favorite technique for me.  I just used a cloud shaped edge die to make my own stencil, then doing  a little light blending with some Tumbled Glass distress ink. 

For this card I used the following supplies:

Stamps:  His & Hers Flying High (Art Impressions), All You Need is Love (Lil' Inker Designs)

Ink:  tumbled glass (Ranger Distress Ink), onyx black (Versafine)

Paper:  white 140 lb cardstock (Neenah Exact)

Accessories:  Border Builders dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Zig Kuretake Real Brush Markers, Glossy Accents, Wink of Stella clear glitter marker, hear punch (Martha Stewart), dimensional tape (3M)

And for my final card I kept it clean and simple.  I often see my friend Kristie Goulet use this layout with her cards and I absolutely love how beautiful the angle of the cardstock looks, raised up off the back panel.

I followed that angle with some diecut arrows.   Then I and added three diecut layers of gorgeous schoolhouse red cardstock to make this heart pop!

For this card I used the following supplies:

Stamps:  The Big, The Bold, The Happy (Winnie & Walter)

Ink:  onyx black (Versafine)

Paper:  fog, schoolhouse red cardstock (Simon Says Stamp), white 140 lb cardstock (Neenah Exact).

Accessories:  Scribbles & Splat dies (Sizzix), Of the Heart dies (Lil' Inker Designs), clear sequins (unknown).

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope you're having a wonderful day with your special Valentine.  XXXOOO!!!

Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Release Day

Are you ready?!!  It's the day we've all been waiting for!  

The Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection 

is on sale.......NOW!!!  WOOHOOO!!!  You can click on this link for more information on how you can order this awesome collection of stamps and dies.

Looking for more ideas and inspiration?

I thought I'd celebrate this very anticipated day with a couple more cards using the 

Young at Heart Collection.  

Let's do it!!

First up........A clean and simple topsy turvy cake using this awesome Bring on The Cake stamped sentiment that you can color to match any card design!

Once again I was able to use the diecut balloon strings in a whole different way.  This time as a topper for this three tiered cake.  I also added some yellow confetti pieces included in the die set.

For this card I used the following supplies:

All stamps and dies from the Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection.

Ink:  onyx black (Versafine) picked raspberry (Ranger distress marker)

Paper:  doll pink, sunshine yellow, black (Simon Says Stamp), 140 lb white cardstock (Neenah Exact)

Accessories:  wink of stella clear glitter pen, dimensional tape (3M)

Next I wanted to tone down the party scene a little and use some softer shades of color.  For the background I stamped some gray balloons then added an angled strip of gray cardstock to the bottom of the panel to mimic a table.  This worked great to ground the cake a little.  The only thing we want floating around this card are the balloons, right?

I gave the purple watercolored balloons and the cake a little lift with some dimensional tape.

For this card I used the following supplies:

All stamps and dies from the Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection.

Ink:  tide pool, soft granite, passion flower (Hero Arts Shadow Inks), milled lavender (Ranger Distress Ink), clear embossing (Versamark)

Paper:  black, lavender, fog, slate, audrey cardstock (Simon Says Stamp), watercolor (Canson), 140 lb white cardstock (Neenah Exact)

Accessories:  bright white embossing powder (WOW), glitz embossing powder (Recollections), dimensional tape (3M)

And finally, here's a little peek at what's happening over at StampNation right now!  The DreamTeam is pulling out all the stops to give our StampNation members a challenge that will be jam packed with inspiration for the arrival of  their new box of Young at Heart goodies.  While we're winding down here, the party is just getting started over at  StampNation.  If you're not a member yet this would be great time to join in on the fun.  Go --->HERE<--- to learn more and sign up today!!

I hope you all have a chance to purchase this awesome Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection made possible by Catherine Pooler.  She really has outdone herself this time.  This is an amazingly coordinated set of supplies for any card maker, no matter what your style.  The blog hop yesterday was a fantastic mix of styles and ideas that I hope inspired you, so that soon we'll be seeing your wonderful creations all around StampNation and the internet.  I can't wait!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and thanks for all of the nice comments you left for me yesterday on the blog hop!  I appreciate each and every one of them!  

  Have an awesome day!!

Welcome to the Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Blog Hop!

It's BLOGHOP time!!  Wooohoo!!

WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN! WIN!

The Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection goes on sale tomorrow, February 3rd!  Be sure to get on that mailing list --->HERE<--- so Catherine Pooler can contact you as soon as it goes on sale Wednesday morning.  Don't worry, if you purchase a box and then find out later you are one of the lucky winners, you will be reimbursed.

Ok, let's talk cards!   I made a very special birthday card for my BFF,  Dusti.  She has been my best friend for 34 years.  She's one of the most special people in my life and is the #1 recipient of my card creations.  

Happy Birthday Dusti!!

Using all dies and stamps from the Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection, I wanted to create a big birthday party on paper for Dusti.  I wanted her card to look like a celebration of bright colors and party favors with a crazy big cake!  When she opens this card I want her cheer!!

I focused most of my energy on stamping.  I stamped a 6 layer cake up the side of this card using all of my favorite bright colors and every cake layer in the Young at Heart  Bring on The Cake stamp set.  I left room for one candle at the tippy top! (sorry Dusti, no room for 50 more  ;)   Then, in the same colors I added some crazy streamers.   I repurposed the large striped cake layer by stamping it multiple times along the left side of the card in black ink to make a nice, slightly wonky striped edge.  

 Then I stamped the sentiment in black to give it some balance. 

I topped it off with some diecuts: a balloon and some confetti.  Let the party begin!!

For this card I used the following supplies:

All stamps and dies from the Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection

Ink:  tide pool, butterbar, ultra pink (Hero Arts Shadow Ink), onyx black (Versafine)

Paper:  140 lb white (Neenah Exact), audrey blue, sunshine, doll pink (Simon Says Stamp), silver sparkle (My Favorite Things).

Accessories: wink of stella clear (Zig) dimensional tape (3M), fun foam (unknown)

Thank you so much for hopping by!  Be sure to leave a comment before you go, for another chance to WIN the 

Stamp of Approval Young at Heart Collection.   Good luck!!

Keep going!  Head on over to Joni Andaya's blog for more Young at Heart stamping fun!  A full list of all the designers participating in this Stamp of Approval Young at Heart blog hop is listed below.

Have fun!!

Catherine Pooler

Maureen Merritt

Kristie Goulet

Heather North

Allison Cope

Laurel Beard

Lisa Harrolle<---(yep that's me)

Joni Andaya

Nicole Picadura

Simon Hurley

Chaitali Narla

Have a great day!