Big Blooms

So, I didn't originally order Big Blooms, the Petals & Paisley double sided Designer Series paper, the round tab punch, or the spiral punch on my original Spring Mini pre-order but I broke down and got them about a week after my original pre-order arrived.

I'm in love!!!! The paper is just yummy, the punches are awesome, and Big Blooms is an amazing set!

I got some time to stamp this afternoon during Maya's nap. I whipped out these 4 cards and I love all of them! All cards use Big Blooms and either Happy Everything or Amazing to Zany. The colors used are inspired by the Petals and Paisley paper and are Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, and Whisper White (cardstock and ink). One is blatantly CASE'd from Kristin Werner (SCS starofmay) and the others are inspired by the wonderfully talented stampers at SCS. I used a few odds and ends for accessories but I love how these all turned out.

Paisley Blossom

I got a little stamping done this morning. It looks like a rainy day today and if we don't go anywhere, it looks like I may have the chance to do more stamping. :-) I love this color combination--Cool Caribbean, Black, and White. I inked up the Paisley background with Cool Caribbean and then kissed the Big Blossom stamp to it. I then stamped the background on Whisper White. I stamped Celebrate from Wonderful Words in Black Craft ink and embossed with Iridescent Ice EP. I love how sparkly it is. Then I wrapped Black Organdy ribbon around the front and tied a clear button on it. I matted this on Basic Black and then attached it to a Cool Caribbean Card.

Lilian--this is headed your way with the stamp you won. Sorry it's taken so long but I haven't had time to stamp and wanted to send you a card as well :-)

Thanks for stopping by.

More Doodles

Here's another one that I did for a swap I'm in. I got the Doodle Numbers because I absolutely love the little winged heart that comes in the set. . .and I'm sure that I'll use the numbers at some point, right? I stamped the swirly corner piece from Doodle This in Vanilla Craft ink on Pretty in Pink. I colored in the flowers with my Versamarker and then embossed that with Iridescent Ice EP. I stamped Happy Birthday with Pretty in Pink Craft and also embossed that with the Iridescent Ice EP. I stamped the numbers in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla and then colored them in with Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, and Close to Cocoa markers. I matted this piece on Regal Rose and Close to Cocoa and then punched a hole in the corner with my CropADile and set a silver eyelet--I'm loving the CropADile since I can now set eyelets when I stamp and not make too much noise! I tied a small piece of pink gingham ribbon through the hole. I stamped the winged heart with Chocolate Chip and then colored that in with my Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose markers. I then colored over it with my Versamarker and embossed that with Iridescent Ice EP as well. I cut it out and mounted it with a dimensional and then mounted the whole focal piece with dimensionals as well.

I like how it turned out and it's a sweet, easy Sweet 16 birthday card. Thanks for visiting!

Best Bar Codes

So, this was one of the sets that I knew I had to have when I first saw the Spring Mini catalog online. I really like it and I like how it's really different from most of the other sets that I normally reach for or that Stampin' Up! normally has available. I cased the colors and layout from a card that I saw on SCS and I can't remember who it was at this time but if I find it, I'll definitely give credit where credit is due. I stamped the focal image with Versamark on Whisper White and then embossed it with Black Detail Embossing Powder. I then cut it out and mounted it on Pretty in Pink and Real Red. I tied some Red Grosgrain ribbon around the front of the card and then attached the focal image with Stampin' Dimensionals. I finished it off by stamping Many Thanks from All Year Cheer I on the bottom in White Craft ink. I have AYC I & II and don't always reach for them and I really need to--I forget how versatile these sets are!

Thanks for visiting!

A winner!

Lillian--you won!!! I had Mason pick a number between 1-5 and he picked 5 so you will be the proud owner of a new stamp set. Email me your address and I'll get it out to you (it's scheduled for delivery tomorrow).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hi all, it's a gorgeous day here in the Bay Area!!! I'm thrilled that it's about 60 and not raining! I want to thank all of you who visit and read and I'm encouraging you to come out of lurkdom! So, here's a pic for your pleasure :-) I haven't gotten much stamping time lately but I love this pic of me, dh, and the little ones (my oldest was at his grandma's for the summer). My Valentine's and I will be going out for Mexican tonight--margaritas and enchiladas--what more out of life could I want?

On the way in today, the dj on the radio was talking about twisted Valentine's cards. Here's one that cracked me up. "Valentine, I loved you alot and thought you were the tops. . .but if you don't stop stalking me, I'm gonna call the cops!"

Leave me a comment with a twisted Valentine before 10 pm PST tonight and I'll have one of the kids randomly pick a name. The winner will receive a brand new and unmounted Big Blossom stamp set :-) I've got an extra one on the way and thought I could be generous today.

Doodle This

Guess, what? I had time to stamp last night!!!!! I finished mounting my stamp sets while I was watching The O.C. (yes, I'm 37 and watch The O.C.) and then whipped this card out before I went to bed. I know that many people don't like Vintage Violet and complain that the ink is too dark and looks black but I really like it and decided to use it. I love this set. I love the flourishy doodles and thought they would make a nice background so I stamped it with White Craft ink on the Vintage Violet card. I stamped the focal image with Basic Black on Confetti White and then colored it in with my blender pens and Vintage Violet, Rose Red, More Mustard, and True Thyme ink pads. I distressed those edges and layered it on More Mustard and Rose Red which also have distressed edged. I used my small horizontal slot punch to punch a hole in the fold of the card to slip some ribbon through and then threaded Black Gingham through that. I tied on a little snippet of White Grosgrain and then took another piece of White Grosgrain and smooshed it into the Rose Red pad (I'm too lazy to use my reinkers to dye my ribbon but maybe one day I'll have more time to do things like that) and then I tied that on as well. I stamped giggle with Vintage Violet (and ok, it does look black!) and then attached my image with dimensionals. This is my style card--quick, easy, and simple! One day I'll have time to make more complicated cards but for now, it's the quick and easy ones for me!

You see this little girl?

Ok, you see this pic of this adorable little girl? Isn't she cute? I love her to death but sometimes I think she'll be the death of me. She's currently going through an "I don't want to sleep" phase and I'm exhausted! She's been my good sleeper, especially compared to the boys but with daddy out of town this week, she's decided that she's not sleeping and she's not sleeping alone. Now, I don't necessarily mind having one of the kids in bed with me but she's not falling asleep at a reasonable hour. . .and she wants to play with my hair, my face, my arms, my shoulders, etc. . .and talk, talk, talk. . .

So, needless to say, I haven't gotten all my laundry folded that I've been diligently washing and I haven't gotten any stamping done! I told the boys I'd made Valentine's cards for them and I have a couple swaps I joined. . .plus, I just want to stamp so I can have some time for me to do something that I enjoy. Sigh. . .dh will be home tomorrow and I'm sure that my little princess will sleep better.