Blog Candy Winner and Surgical Update

I apologize for not posting this yesterday as I should have!  The winner of the UStamp Blog Hop Blog Candy is ...

lisa808

Congratulations Lisa!  Your ribbon sampler should be arriving around June 22!!!  Please let me know when it arrives :)

I am hoping to get back to creating in the next few days.  I had my nasal surgery on Monday, May 21 and have been taking it very easy.  Since my craft room is upstairs and I wasn't supposed to climb the stairs for several days, I have not been able to create anything.  I tried to go up a few days ago, but I still tire quite easily.  I had the stents removed yesterday and it's amazing how much of a difference that made!  I'm noticing more and more energy and fewer and fewer naps :)  I am still on post-surgical restrictions but am slowly feeling myself again.  Actually, I'm feeling better than myself!  As I said, I hope to share something with you very soon!

Thank you all so much for sticking with me.

Until next time ... Happy Stamping!

Let's All Do The Hop!!!!

Welcome to the UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! 3rd Anniversary Celebration Edition 2012 World Showcase Blog Hop.

If you have been following the Blog Hop from the beginning, you have just been wowed by Erika Clark's amazing Stash Smash Book.  What an innovative way to use up your stash!  Erika is a FABULOUS Designer and always shares something special for UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!




If you are just joining the Blog Hop, no problem, as you can start at any point. All the Designer's Blogs are linked together so you will be able to see ALL the FANTASTIC projects we have for you.  Since it is National Scrapbooking Month, I couldn't resist creating a fun
accordian tag book.  These are so quick and easy and pack a powerful punch! 




The accordion style and pockets make it easy to add photos and journaling to an easy to carry scrapbook!

As a Special Thank You for stopping by my blog I am giving away BLOG CANDY!!


Please leave a comment about my project to be entered for a chance to win a dynomite prize of 12 inches of ALL the BRAND NEW Stampin' Up! RIBBONS!! These NEW Ribbons will be available as part of the NEW Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Catalog!! I will randomly select a winner to be announced on Tuesday, May 29th so please check back to see if you are the lucky recipient!

AND there's MORE...LOTS MORE!!

■
You have the opportunity to get the downloadable PDF Tutorial for my project FREE!! It's a GIFT from UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Woohoo!!

■Click below to access the FREE BLOG to get your FREE PDF Download.

The FAB Projects, FUN and Friendship continues


AFTER the Blog Hop ends!!


SAVE $$$ and JOIN US NOW for


the Early Bird Pricing for "KEEP CALM AND USTAMP ON"!! Inspired by the upcoming

2012 Summer Olympic Games in London,


the BEST of the BEST Designers

are coming together to showcase their


Medal worthy talents for YOU!!


Here is what you can expect....


40+ WORLD CLASS PROJECTS

created with

BRAND SPANKING NEW

Stampin' Up! Products from the 2012-2013 catalog will

WOW, INSPIRE and EXCITE YOU!!

20 days of creative fun for EVERYONE!!

NEW Project posted every 12 hours!!

TONS of Bonus Projects!!

FREE PDFS for every project, LIVE Designer Hosted Chats, Prizes, Member Photo Gallery and so much MORE!!

UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! is

THE BEST VALUE on the planet!!

Early Bird Pricing of ONLY $19.99 ends Friday June 1st

First Project Posted on Opening Day: Jun 22nd

Last Project Posted: July 11th

Click the blinkie below to $AVE and SIGN UP TODAY!!




Ready to get hopping again??!!

Of course YOU are!!

Click below to check out what

FABULOUSNESS

Tara Bilbao is waiting for YOU on her blog to share!!


If you would like to hop back to Erika's Blog, please click below.

Thanks again for the opportunity to share my creativity with you!!

Mojo Monday 241

I know, I know, two posts in one day!  Can you imagine?  I just had to make a card for this weeks Mojo Monday sketch.  I've never used a Mojo sketch in time to link to their blog, but this time I think I'm going to make it in just under the wire! 

Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

There are A LOT of sneak peaks on this card.  In fact, the only thing here that isn't a sneak peak is the Jewels Basic Pearls. 

It's dark here and the lighting in my room isn't that great, but let me tell you, these colors are DIVINE!  I've used Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse, two of our 2012-2014 In Colors as well as the beautiful Patio Party Designer Series Paper.  The stamp sets are Betsy's Blossoms and Itty Bitty Banners.  The banner was cut out with the fabulous new Bitty Banners Framelits! 

June 1 is just around the corner.  You can get all these goodies and more then! 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time ... happy stamping.  

Another Swap Card Reject

As I stated in a previous post, I am participating in a fun fold swap over at VC Rocks.  I wasn't overjoyed with my last card, so it was back to the drawing board for me.  I've done this type of center-step card before and I really like it.  I have TONS of the Everyday Enchantment DSP left (because I'm a paper hoarder and this is one of my faves), so I had the basics in mind for my color scheme and card type.  Then i had to come up with the stamp set and sentiment.  Here's what I came up with:

I honestly like this card , but it still wasn't quite right for me, so I did change a few things up.  I'll share the finalized version with you after I mail in my swap. 

I will be having sinus surgery tomorrow, so I will be away from my blog for awhile while I recover.  However, I will have a post for the UStamp with Dawn and Friends Blog Hop coming up on May 22-25.  Be sure to stop by and check it out!!!

Thanks for stopping by today and until next time ... happy stamping!

Supplies:

Soft Suede Card Stock (115318)

Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (SAB retired)

Poppy Parade Card Stock (119793 - No Longer Available)

Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)

Lucky Limeade Classic Ink (122935)

Calypso Coral Classic Ink (122939)

Simply Soft Stamp Set (Hostess - W-122565, C-122567) only available thru 5/31

Kindness Matters Stamp Set (W-122900, C-122902)

Everyday Enchantment Ribbon Bundle (SAB retired)

Jewels Basic Pearls (119247)

It's National Scrapbooking Month!

Just a heads up, in honor of National Scrapbooking Month, UStamp with Dawn and Friends will be hosting a free blog hop!  There will be full project tutorials available for each project shared.  Be sure to mark your calendars for May 23-25! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Although I believe we should honor our mothers every single day, today is THE day on which mothers everywhere are treated even more special!  I have many special mothers in my life ... My mother, my mother-in-law, two sisters-in-law, my grandmothers (I only have one living grandparent and that's my Granny), my aunts, my cousins and the list goes on!  Too ALL of you mothers out there, I hope this day is just as wonderful for you as it is for me.  No other job in my life has been as fulfilling or rewarding as that of being a mother.

Today's share is a card I created (and rejected) for a Fancy Folds Swap over at VC Rocks.  As I was working on it, I liked it, but it just didn't feel right for the swap to me.  I decided to take it in a different direction and turn it into a Mother's Day Card for one of the ladies listed above (not going to say who, as they haven't received it yet). 

Overall I'm happy with the way the card turned out.  I wasn't sure at first, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. 

Again, Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers out there!  Enjoy your special day.

Thanks for stopping by today and until next time ... Happy Stamping!

Supplies:

Blushing Bride Card Stock (No Longer Available)

Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (117152)

Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (125406)

Messages for Mom Stamp Set (W-117016; C-118580) Available until 5/31

Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker (119801) Available While Supplies Last

Baja Breeze Stampin' Write Marker (120965) Available While Supplies Last

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad (119670)

Hearts Collection Framelits (125599)

Full Heart Punch (119883)

Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit (117332)

Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Baja Breeze 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon (122331)

Are We Done Yet????

And the answer is ... YES, as far as pre-challenge cards go!  Our 12th and final pre-challenge for VC Rocks was:

What is life without a little bling? Create your WELCOME or FRIENDSHIP card with bling appearing somewhere. A little bling, lots of bling or colored bling. Embossed (gold or silver), rhinestones, glitter, pearls or shimmer spray/paint bling...even foil that's been run through an embossing folder... the bling is up to you

Here is what I came up with:

I know it's simply, but I really, really like this card!  I used the Designer Cuts cards and envelope set from the Occasions Mini (and in all fairness, I created the card while the Mini was still current).  I layered a piece of Designer Series behind the cut out image and added Jewels Basic Rhinestones to random spots in the cut out.  Then I stamped my sentiment from With All My Heart in Blushing Bride Classic Ink.  This one was easy peasy for me and I think it's such an elegant look! 

Thanks for stopping by today and until next time ... Happy Stamping!

With All My Heart

Are you getting tired of my challenge cards yet?  I sure hope not!  However, if you are, rest assured that the end is near (for the pre-challenges, at least).  For Pre-challenge #11 the VC Rockers were asked to take the half folded section of card stock stamped with a background from prechallenge 2. Combine this base with any 2 scrap pieces from prechallenge 4 along with the selected embellishments. You may cut, trim, punch, tear, die cut the scrap pieces anyway you choose... big or small. Stamp any image of your choice in any color... this will become your focal point. You may ADD any other paper item of your choice  but the scrap pieces must appear somewhere on the card.

I don't know why these challenges were so tough for me, but I guess that's why they're called "challenges" LOL!  Anyway, I went and dug through my trusty Mojo Monday sketches and found one I liked (April 5, 2010).  That got me started and the rest just came together. 

It's hard to see, but my Poppy Parade card base was stamped with the Chamomile Stampin' Around Wheel in Poppy Parade Classic Ink.  I layered a piece of Poppy Parade card stock onto a piece of Crumb Cake card stock then ran a piece of Chocolate Chip 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (retired) across those layers.  I added a piece of Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (retired) over that.  I took some scrap pieces of Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper and added a strip of Chocolate Chip Card Stock to each piece then adhered them to my Poppy Parade Card Stock above and below the ribbon.  I stamped my image from With All My Heart onto a piece of Whisper White Card Stock, punched it out with the Fancy Flower Punch, sponged it with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Then I added three Jewels Basic Rhinestones above and below the ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by today and until next time ... Happy Stamping!

Supplies:

Poppy Parade Card Stock (sold out)

Crumb Cake Card Stock (120953)

Chocolate Chip Card Stock (102128)

Whisper White Card Stock (100730)

Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper (122349)-available while supplies last

Chocolate Chip Classic Ink (100908)

Poppy Parade Classic Ink (119782)

1-1/4" Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (retired)

Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (retired)

With All My Heart Stamp Set (W-118134; C-118623)-available until 5/31

Chamomile Stampin' Around Wheel (125432)

Fancy Flower Punch (118073)

Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)
Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Simply Sent Stepped Up

Here is another card I created for one of the VC Rocks pre-challenges.  Our challenge was: 

Remember that moment (or moments) that you first fell in love with rubber stamping? Was is quick and easy 2-step style? Coloring? Treat holders for the kids? Adding stamping to your scrapbooks? Whatever 'it' was that put that spark in you... or released that inner artist in you... go back to that for today's challenge!  Create a card or scrap page that shows why you fell in love with stamping. Update it to your current style.

My love of stamping began when I attended a World Card Making day event with my future upline (although I didn't know it at the time).  She had us make several cards utilizing the Simply Sent kits.  I couldn't believe how quickly and easily I could create amazingly beautiful cards!  I bought every Simply Sent kit that was available that year. 

At that time, I created the cards exactly as the instructions said with absolutely no variance.  I decided for this challenge to simply use my Simply Sent kit as a starting point. 

I started off with the card base from the Simply Sent Everyday Elegance kit.  Although it is absolutely beautiful on its own, I decided to "dress it up" a bit.  I layered a piece of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (which is STILL available!) onto a piece of Blushing Bride Card Stock.  I then wrapped a piece of the luscious Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon (sadly, no longer available).  I punched a piece of Blush Blossom Card Stock with the Blossom Punch and added that to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Then I stamped an image from the Mixed Bunch stamp set (also STILL available), punched out the center with the 1" Circle Punch and layered it onto my Blossom punched piece with a Stampin' Dimensional.  Lastly, I stamped the word friend from the With All My Heart stamp set onto the cute die cut sticky label that came in the kit.  I am absolutely THRILLED with this card!  I hope you are too!

Thanks for stopping by today and until next time ... Happy Stamping!

Supplies:

Simply Sent Everyday Elegance (122377) - available while supplies last

Blushing Bride Card Stock (sold out)

Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (125406)

Riding Hood Red Classic Ink (111836)

Mixed Bunch stamp set (W-125535; C-125537)

With All My Heart stamp set (W-118134; C-118623) - only available until 5/31

Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon (retired)

Blossom Punch (125603)

1" Circle Punch (119868)

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

VC Rocks Pre-challenge #8

For today's post, I will share with you the card I made for VC Rocks Pre-challenge #8.  The challenge was to take Take the word you used to describe yourself (I had used the word BUSY). Cross out any duplicate letters. Use the remaining letters as a guide to choosing card stock or embellishments. The letter used must be found in the name of the item. Extra colors are permitted.  For example- If you choose LOVELY, you'd cross out the extra L and work with the letters L, O, V, E and Y. L could be lucky limeade, O could be organza ribbon, V for vanilla, E for eggplant and Y for calYpso.Another example- CHEERFUL... cross out the extra E. C could be cherry cobbler, H for heart shaped punch, E for eyelets, R for rose red, F for 'friend' and use a stamp that says 'friend', U for sqUare (include a square shape) and L for lace.

So, without further adieu -

 

 

I created a 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 square card using the following elements from my word Busy:

 

(B) Baja Breeze Card Stock; Basic Jewels Pearls; Blender Pen

(U) Umbrella in my image from Easy Events Stamp Set

(S) So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker; 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch

(Y) EarlY Espresso Card Stock

 

I absolutely love how this card turned out!  It just came together so quickly and easily. 

 

Remember, if you want to join in on the fun, head on over to VC Rocks and ask to join.  New members are only being accepted through the end of May!  Hurry on over and join in!

 

Thank you for stopping by and until next time ... Happy Stamping!

 

Supplies:

Baja Breeze Card Stock (111352)

Early Espresso Card Stock (119686)

Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)

Early Espresso Classic Ink (119670)

Baja Breeze Classic Ink (111833)

Blender Pen (102845)

So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker (105114)

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker (105115)

Easy Events Stamp Set (W-116958; C-123225)

Jewels Basic Pearls (119247)

2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906)

2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874)

Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882)

VC Rocks Pre-challenge #7

Since Pre-challenge cards for VC Rocks is what I have been creating, that's what I'll be sharing over the next couple of days.  For this card, we had to pull from Pre-challenge #6, which went something like this:  Grab 3 different quarter sheet sized sections of card stock- one must be white or vanilla, one any color of your choice and one black.  For the white or vanilla piece- stamp all over with any color ink. Stick to one color or use 2-3 colors. If you have embossing folders, run this stamped piece through the embossing folder of your choice. If you don't have embossing folders you can use a paper crimper, dry emboss with brass stencils, texturizing plate or crumple up in your hand. Then using one of the ink colors you stamped with, gently swipe the ink pad across the raised or embossed portions. This layer of ink does not have to be perfect... stray marks are fine.  For the colored section- run through your embossing folder, texture plate, paper crimper or dry emboss with a brass stencil. No additional inking.  For the black section- spritz with plain water, crumple up in your hands and then press flat. Tear the straight edges by hand or use your tearing edge tool. The final size of this black section will vary.

Onto my card.  For Pre-challenge #7, we had to take the torn and crumpled piece of BLACK card stock from preview challenge 2 and combine with the folded half sheet with a BLACK stamped border from preview challenge 2 to create an encouragement or friendship card. You may add white or vanilla but otherwise only the color from the base card and black. Colored embellishments are encouraged. 

Again, tough challenge!  I don't know why, but I just had a very difficult time with this one.  In fact, I think it may have been one of the last challenges that I completed because I kept putting it off. 

Not my favorite card, but I did complete the challenge, so that makes me happy! 

 

If you want in on all the fun, be sure to head on over to VC Rocks and ask to join!  New members are only being taken until the end of the month!

 

Thank you for stopping by and until next time ... Happy Stamping!

 

Supplies:

Blushing Bride Card Stock (119796)

Basic Black Card Stock (121045)

Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)

Basic Black Ink (101179)

Occasions Alphabet Stamp Set (W-117090; C-123598)

Patterned Party Stamp Set (W-123065; C-123067)

Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set (123130)

Ovals Originals Die (114525)

Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859)

Large Pearls Basic Jewels (125577 - SO glad these carried over from the Occasions Mini!)

VC Rocks!

I belong to a super fun group called VC Rocks. 

As a returning member, I have early access to all the fun.  We did several pre-challenges.  These ranged from cleaning our stamping areas in preparation of all the good times to come to actually creating cards.  I was super excited that I was actually able to complete ALL 12 challenges in the designated time frame!  Keep in mind that for all of these challenges we were allowed to use retired items, which I try not to share on my blog, but this is all in good fun and you can surely get some inspiration from it.

What is VC Rocks?

VC Rocks is a virtual celebration of the rubber stamp company Stampin' Up!

Our annual celebration runs from mid-April through August.

It's a CELEBRATION of Stampin' Up!'s new catalog release and annual convention.

It's a gathering spot for both Stampin' Up! demonstrators and customers.

It's an expression of our ENTHUSIASM for Stampin' Up!'s new stamps and products.

It's a SHARING of creative stamping and scrapping ideas through swaps, make and takes, challenges and classes.

It's SUPPORT for our SU demos with swaps and ideas for their business,

And it's ENCOURAGEMENT of friendships based on our common interest in stamping and Stampin' Up!!! 

The card I am sharing with you today is from Pre-challenge #5.  However, you will need a little background information.  For Pre-challenge #2, we had to take 3 half sheets of card stock (not black, white or vanilla) and fold them in half.  Then we were to stamp one at the bottom edge, take one and create a cut edge (punched, die-cut, torn, etc.) and the third we had to stamp a background on it.  Then for Pre-challenge #4, we had to choose 5 scraps and 5 matching embellishments.  Then came the fun part! 

Pre-Challenge #5

Take the folded half sheet of card stock with the cut/punched/torn border and two of your scrap selections from preview challenge 4. You will create a birthday card from these beginnings. The scrap selections will be trimmed, punched or cut to create two panels on the card. You may add white, vanilla or crumb cake in any size or shape to layer or stamp on to add to the card. Use the 2 embellishments that you choose with your scrap pieces somewhere on the card.

So, here's my card:

For my cut/punched/torn border, I used Concord Crush Card Stock that I had edged with my Adorning Accents Edgelits Die.  My scraps were a piece of Chocolate Chip Card Stock and Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper.  I edged those with the Adorning Acccents Edgelit and lined up both pieces with my card base.  I stamped my image from Apothecary Art onto Very Vanilla Card Stock, colored in with my markers and die cut that with the coordinating Labels Collection Framelit.  I tucked a piece of Chocolate Chip 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (the only retired item) behind the Framelit and added an Antique Brad to finish it off.  This one was tough for me as I really didn't think my colors would go well together, but in the end I think it actually turned out quite nicely! 

If you want in on all the fun, be sure to head on over to VC Rocks and ask to join!  New members are only being taken until the end of the month!

Thanks so much for stopping by and until next time ...  Happy Stamping!

Supplies:

Concord Crush Card Stock (119792)

Chocolate Chip Card Stock (102128)

Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)

Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper (122349)

Basic Black Classic Ink (101179)

Concord Crush Stampin' Write Marker (Only available as a set - 119801)

Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker (Only available as a set - 119801)

Adorning Accents Edgelits Die (125595 )

Labels Collection Framelits Die (125598)

Antique Brads (117273)

I'm Back With Something Easy!

I finally got my craft room somewhat put together ... okay, who am I kidding, it's still a mess, but at least I can stamp in it!  I just had to sit down and do something since I finally had my own space and decided to start off easy.  I pulled out one our wonderful Simply Sent kits (hurry, they are only available While Supplies Last until the end of this month).  My plan was to create the card exactly as it is laid out in the kit.  Sadly, that idea went out the window when I cut my ribbon incorrectly.  That's okay, though.  It got my creative juices going a little (and I do mean a little) and I went with it!  I cute the card from the kit in half, wrapped the ribbon that I'd cut around the card and taped it to the back.  I then layered that onto a Rich Razzleberry card base.  Then I decided that rather than just put the adhesive sticker that comes in the kit straight onto the card, I would pop it up with a Stampin' Dimensional.  It's easy to do.  You just tap the sticker onto something (in my case, I used my jeans -- you could use some baby powder, if you want) to get rid of the stickiness and there you go!  For the sentiment I used the Petite Pairs stamp set.  Finally, since I don't like to leave the inside of my cards bare, I added the other half of the card from the card kit, embellished with a few more of the adhesive stickers from the kit and added the other half of the sentiment from Petite Pairs. 

The Simply Sent kits are a GREAT way to start yourself off.  They come with everything you need to create beautiful cards with stamp sets you already have in your stash!  And if you're like me and you make a boo boo, you can just use it as a starter for your own creation! 

Supplies:

Simply Sent Great Day (122375)

Rich Razzleberry Card Stock (115316)

Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink (115658)

Petite Pairs Stamp Set (W-122495; C-122497)

Until next time, Happy Stamping!!!