Card Sketch

Unfortunately, I was not feeling well this evening so I couldn't go to the shoe box swap.  There will always be next time.  Tonight I decided to try a card sketch and I think it came out pretty cool.  I think I am going to have to try some more card sketches in the near future.  The sketches give you an idea where to start when you need some next inspiration, but they it leaves a lot of room for creative.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Pumpkin Pie Ink, Tag It Stamp Set

Non-Stampin UP Supplies:  Creative Memories Star Punch, Polka Dot Cardstock

A Simple Card

Since I had to prepare for my shoe swap tomorrow night, I didn't have much time left over to create tonight's card.  I settled on an easy card since I wanted to get to bed a little bit early.  My simple card turned out great and I really like it.  Sometimes the simple cards turn out the best.  Just because it is simple doesn't mean it is any less of a card.  It is still created from the heart and the person still joins the thought and effort put into it.   I sometimes feel bad when I make an easy card since I know that I am not challenging myself, but I have to remember that I live a busy life and I can't always challenge myself everyday.  On another note, I got another package from my Secret Sister today and I received a stamp set with coordinating punch that I have been wanting to buy for awhile now.  Who knew getting "happy mail "would make going to the mailbox so much more exciting.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.  

Stampin UP Supplies:  Whisper White Cardstock, Rich Razzleberry Cardstock & Ink, Petite Petals Stamp Set & Punch, Sassy Salutations Stamp Set, Pearls, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today was a wonderful day.  It was great seeing my students after having 4 days off even though they tired me out.  Tonight's creation is another Valentine's day card.  I do not know who will receive this card, but it is always nice to have a few extras on hand.  This card turned out super cute just like the others I have made.  I wish I would have had a few more choice when it came to Valentine paper, but it happens.  I have all of these cute Valentine cards, but I have not made one for my Fiance yet.  Good thing I still have time to come up an idea since it seems like making cards for him is getting a little tougher this days.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Brown Sugar Cardstock, Strawberry Slush Cardstock & Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Language of Love Stamp Set, Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, Owl Punch, Jewels

Non-Stampin UP Supplies:  Creative Memories Heart Punch, Valentine's Day Cardstock

Rubber Ducky

Since my nephew will be here in less then 7 weeks, I am starting to create a few baby shower cards for those attending the shower in early February.  It is always fun creating cards for others and for different events/occasions.  This card was created using my Silhouette and it is absolutely adorable.  I hope it is liked by others as much as I like it.  I think my favorite part of the card is how the "Congratulations" fits perfectly on the bath tube.  I was hoping to put bubbles on the overlay, but I felt like there wasn't even room so I skipped that part.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Happy Congratulations Stamp Set

Non-Stampin UP Supplies:  Cardstock, Sillhouette

Flower Shop Birthday

Today was a very relaxing day.  I didn't get as much done as I would have liked in my craft room, but I got a little R & R so it not all a waste.  After relaxing on the couch for most of the day, I decided to created today's card of the day for my Secret Sister since her birthday is in the month of February.  I used a framelit to cut out the center of the overlay which you can't really tell anymore due to all of the flowers.  It didn't turn out quite the way I was exacting it too, but it still turned out and I hope she likes it.  I love how all of the colors come together nicely.  I probably should had a little more pink in the card, but there is always something you want to change once the card is completed.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Flower Shop Stamp Set, Label Love Stamp Set, Artisan Label Punch, Pansy Punch, Rich Razzleberry Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Smokey Slate Cardstock, Daffodil Delight Ink, Primrose Petals Ink, Deco Label Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder

Monster In Love

With another cold wave starting tomorrow, I got a phone call from my school saying "we were closing both Monday and Tuesday."  I love having days off when they are unexpected, but I am not looking forward to making up all of these days come June.  Having the next two days off gives me extra time in my craft room to work on cards for my three Secret Sisters.  I will definitely enjoy it and it will be great way to send my time since it will be super cold outside.  But enough about having two days off, let's discuss tonight's creation.

Tonight I used my Silhouette to make my Monster In Love.  This image was a free SVG file from Miss Kate Cuttables.  I always love downloading here freebie of the day and thinking of different ways I can use them in my project.  When I just saw the Monster In Love, I knew I had to make a Valentine card with it since he was so cute.  Also, what kid won't enjoy getting an Valentine card with this guy on it.  I feel like this card is missing something on the front, but it is cute none the less.  I will have to make another card, but this time with a girl monster.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

A Typical Busy Saturday

It seems like we are always busy on Saturday doing something and this Saturday is no different.  We are spending most of the day shopping and then we have my Fiance's company party this evening.  It will be an interesting night since I have heard so much about his co-workers, but never meet them until tonight.  Since we are leaving soon for the day, I created my card a little earlier than normal, but it is ways nice to have it done and out of the way.  This card came together quite well since my envision changed well creating the card.  I was inspired from Pinterest, but once I started making the card it turned out a lot different then my inspiration.  Now that my card is done, it is time for shopping which is fun but sad at the same time.  I will be visiting Archiver's one last time before they shut their doors in mid-February.  It is sad to see them leave, but what can do you when you are not making enough money to stay open.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Perfect Pennants Stamp Set, Petite Petals Stamp Set, Petite Petals Punch, Banner Framelits, Real Red Cardstock and Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper, Crumb Cake Ink

Envelope Card

Just when I thought we were going to have a heat wave today, the wind had to pick up and ruin that dream. It was warmer today then it has been in the last week, but I was hopping for a little more sunshine and a little less one.  Even though it wasn't as warm as they said it was going to be due to wind chill, I will take it since we are going to be -50 below zero with wind chill on Monday.  Spring is not coming soon enough for this girl.  I can handle snow, but this cold weather is not fun.  But enough about the weather and my complaints, let's discuss tonight's creation.

Since I am on this new kick of trying something new at last once a week, I thought I would try something new again tonight.  Tonight's creation is made using my envelope punch.  It is an envelope card.  An envelope and a card all in one.  It turned out pretty neat.  I should have used a lighter color for the purple dots on card overlay, but you can still read what it says.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Label Love Stamp Set, Bring On The Cake Stamp Set, Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set, Artisan Label Punch, Envelope Punch, Melon Mambo Cardstock and Ink, Bermuda Bay Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Card Stock

Sun!

I don't know about you but it has been super cold around here so a little sun would be nice.  We will be getting some sun tomorrow before it turns cold again.  I thought this card was very fitting since we will finally get to see the sun after not having it around for days.  We will have to get out and enjoy the sun tomorrow because you never know when it will come back.  I used my banner punch from the Sale-A-Bration to make the sun and you get it free when you spend $50 dollars.  This card turned out super cute and it would be a perfect to give to someone that might be feeling under the weather.  Until next time, happy carding everyday.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Banner Punch, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Circle Framelits

Non-Stampin UP Supplies:  Cardstock, Silhouette

Baby Onesies

Today was a great day filled with lots of information, but it was a bit overwhelming at the same time.  I had a 1:1 Chromebook training and they give us a lot of great information.  Now I just need to figure out where to start.  I love going to conferences and different trainings, but they give you so much great information you don't have any idea where to begin.  I do have one thing I will be doing tomorrow with the students and I hope they like it.  Since today was filled with lots of information and my brain feels like it is in overdrive, I made an easy card using my Silhouette.  Even though this was an easy card to create, I love how it turned it.  It is a pretty card for a baby shower.  I might have to make one in blue for my sister in law's baby shower in February.  Until next time, happy carding everyday.

Bargello Technique

Tonight I decided to try a new technique called Bargello.  It is a very neat technique that can have several different outcomes depending on how you lay the strips of paper.  I love trying out new techniques and this one turned our pretty neat, but I already know what I will change for next time so it works even better.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Stampin UP Supplies:  Bring On The Cake Stamp Set, Deco Label Collection Framelits, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper, Whisper White Cardstock, Real Read Cardstock, Marina Mist Ink

Non-Stampin UP Supplies:  Happy Birthday Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Directions:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/bargello/

Two Pocket Treat/Card Holder

It never seems like the weekends are long enough and before we know it, it's Monday again.  Monday wasn't a horrible day, but it was very exhausting as usual.  Those students must catch up on their sleep on the weekends because they have way more energy then I usually do.  Today I wanted to try something new and it wasn't too complicated so I decided that I could tackle it on a Monday.  My Secret Sister sent me a Two Pocket Card Holder and I absolutely loved it.  Her holder held four cards each with a different sentiment and it was so cute.  Instead of holding four cards, I created one mini card and will put candy on other side.  This will make a great gift for someone on Valentine's Day.  I would love to make one for each one of my students, but with 400 plus students that is a little hard to do.  The holder was super easy to create after I watched the video.  I wish I would have had cards for the holder, but the flower works as well.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Mini Card

Two Pocket Treat/Card Holder

Stampin UP Supplies:  I {heart} Hearts Stamp Set, Mix Bunch Stamp Set, Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set, Blossom Punch, Real Red Ink, Melon Mambo Ink, Polka Dot Parade Designer Paper, Whisper White Cardstock

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7fRPgdWIDs

Just Another Lazy Sunday

Sundays are our day to be lazy and do absolutely nothing.  It is a great way to start the week.  Having to make a card is always in the plans for a lazy Sunday, but it something I enjoy doing so it is never a hassle. Today's creation is part of an order that I received last week for their Grandma.  After looking at Pinterest for a few ideas, I came across some inspiration and decided to use my Silhouette to create this card.  It came together very nicely.  When I was finished with the card, I decided to add the butterflies as something extra since I felt like there was too much open space.  I hope her Grandma enjoys her card as well as her birthday on Saturday.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Card In A Box

Today I had a few friends over that love to make cards just as much as I do.  They wanted to learn new techniques and of course learn how to make a new card.  Since I have been wanting to make a card in a box for a few weeks now, I thought this would be a perfect card for all of us to learn to make at the same time. It took us a while to get through all of the steps, but we caught on quickly.  Once the box was completed, the hard part was done.  The card in a box turned out very neat.  This is the smaller version and I hope to make the larger one in the near future for one of my Secret Sisters.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Stampin UP Supplies:  Label Love Stamp Set, Flower Shop Stamp Set, Petite Petals Stamp Set, Bird Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Artisan Label Punch, Pansy Punch, Black Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Melon Mambo Ink, Bermuda Bay Ink, Rich Razzleberry Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Designer Paper

Video Tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_IUKzv07AE

Thank You

Sending Good Thoughts Your Way

After a very long day at school, I decided an easy card was in order tonight.  Tonight's inspiration came from Pinterest of course since I am too tired to think.  I love how all of the colors come together and really make this card pop.  I sure can't get enough of the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper from Stampin UP.  I will have to make sure I order a few extra packs before the end of June.  Since I feel like I have been doing a lot of easy cards this week, I am going to try some new techniques and card ideas this weekend.  It does help though that I am having a friend over that loves to make cards as well.  It is always more fun with a friend or two.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Perfect Pennants Stamp Set, Banner Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper, Baked Brown Sugar Cardstock, Coastal Cabana Card Stock, Calypso Coral Cardstock, Basic Gray Ink

Happy Congratulations!

After looking on Stampin Connection, I found two cards that I really likes so I decided to take an element from each card to make tonight's creation.  I thought this was going to be an easy card and I would be done in 30 minutes or less.  Boy was I wrong.  It took me about an hour to make this card since I was having a hard time getting the measurements correctly, but it was all worth it in the end.  The one thing I love about this card is how the inside of the banner lined up so well using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.  I have only used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig once before, but today I fell in love with it since everything lined up like I wanted it too.  Even though this card took longer then expected, I love how it turned out.  Can't wait to make another card like this one, but for a different occasion.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Happy Congratulations Stamp Set, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Heat Gun, Black Embossing Powder, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper, Basic Black Ink, Coastal Cabana Ink, So Saffron Ink, Tangerine Tango Ink, Whisper White Cardstock, Baked Brown Sugar Cardstock

Whale you be mine?

Today was a great day.  We had an early release at school due to the weather so I was home a few hours earlier than normal.  I decided to relax for a little bit before creating tonight's creation.  Before I decided on a theme for tonight's card, I checked out Miss Kate Cuttables website and found this adorable whale with a cute saying to go along with it.  Using my Silhouette, I cut out the different layers of the whale and the message.  This card turned out absolutely adorable.  I know the saying is a little cheesy, but "be mine" gets boring after a while.  I can't wait to give this card to someone special.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Supplies:  Silhouette,  Miss Kate Cuttable SVG files, cardstock

Monday's Got To Love Them!

I always feel like I am ready when Monday comes, but it never fails I am either too tired or I forgot to do something for school.  Today is no different.  I didn't forget to do anything for school (YAY!), but I am super tired since I didn't sleep well last night.  It seems like the going trend is an easy card on Monday so why break that trend.  Tonight's inspiration came from Pinterest.  When I first saw this stamp set, I didn't know exactly what kind of cards I could make with it.  After seeing a few examples and making one at a workshop, I fell in love with the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  That is the stamp set I used tonight along with Sassy Salutations for the "Happy Birthday" sentiment.  This card is bright and fun.  It is a great card to give to anyone for their birthday.  It would for sure pick them up if they were having a bad day with the bright colors used.  Until next time, happy carding.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set, Sassy Salutations Stamp Set, Daffodil Delight Ink Pad, Melon Mambo Ink Pad, Old Olive Ink Pad, Pacific Point Ink Pad, Pumpkin Pie Ink Pad, Real Red Ink Pad, Raspberry Ripple Ink Pad, Daffodil Delight Cardstock, Pumpkin Pie Cardstock

Thinking of You

Today was a very productive day.  I finished my January swap for my two Secret Pals.  They both will be receiving a pocket calendar with a custom cover based on their favorite colors and two cards.  Tonight's creation is for one of my Secret Pals since her favorite stamp set is Lovely As A Tree.  I used embossing powder for the stamped image and then colored in with my ink daubers after I heated it up with my heat gun. It turned out quite lovely even though I changed my idea halfway through since I didn't like how the card was turning out.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Heat Gun, Black Embossing Powder, Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set, Ink Daubers, Old Olive Ink Pad, Marina Mist Ink Pad, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Designer Paper, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch 

Retro Fresh

Tonight's creation took a lot of cutting and estimating the size of the paper that I needed.  I had a few problems with the trimmer as well, but after changing the blade it started to work fine again.  Even though I wasn't really sure if the size of the paper was cut to the correct measurements for this size card, it still turned out pretty remarkable.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Note:  Since I am trying to keep my blog post shorter, I will be posting the supplies used at the bottom of the blog.  If you ever have questions on how to make a certain card, please don't hesitate to ask.

Stampin UP Supplies:  Baked Brown Sugar cardstock,  Tangerine Tango cardstock, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper, Arrows Textured Impression Embossing Folder, Bring on the Cake stamp set, and Gorgeous Grunge stamp set

Hi

Since I decided to go to a friend's house after school, I decided to create an easy card tonight.  Tonight's creation is inspired from Pinterest of course.  I used my Blossom punch and Pansy punch  with coordinating stamp set to cut out the flowers.  The "Hi" sentiment came from the Regarding Dahlias stamp set and the butterfly that acts as the dot for the I comes from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set.  Even though this card is super easy to make, it turned out pretty cool and would be a great card to send someone to brighten their day.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Be My Valentine!

Since Valentine's Day is the next holiday, I decided that I should focus on Valentine's cards for a few weeks. Also, I recently got an order for about 10 of them too so I want to give my customer a few different choices. Tonight's creation was made using my Silhouette and images from Miss Kate Cuttables.  The background was made using the Hexagon thinlit and the Big Shot from Stampin UP.  Even though this card didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it too, it still turned out pretty cute.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Thanks so much to someone that makes others happy!

After having the past two days off and returning to school today, it was like we were returning from break again.  The students were excited to be back and tell us all about their 4 day vacation.  They were not very impressed by the subzero temperatures either, but they enjoyed having two snow days in a row.  Since I was completely exhausted from a wonderful day at school, I decided to make a Peek-A-Boo Message Card that I saw on Julie Davidson's blog.  She has a wonderful tutorial so I will put the link at the bottom of my blog instead of boring you with all of the details.  This card turned out super cute though.  I love how all of the colors and designer paper coordinate together.  I will have to make another card like this one for my Stampin UP Secret Pal.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Front of the Card

Hidden Message

Link to video tutorial:  http://juliedavison.blogspot.com/2013/09/video-peek-boo-message-card-tutorial.html

Another Valentine's Card

After being home for the past two days due to snow days, I decided that I wanted to tackle something that was a bit more challenging for me.  When I attempted to make a shaker card last year, it didn't turn out to well, but I found a great tutorial today by another demonstrator and just had to try it.  (Since I am trying to make my blog post shorter, I will post the link for the tutorial at the bottom of the page.)  After reading the demonstrator's blog, I would have never thought to use the outside parts of the dimensionals.  It was a great tip that I learned today and worked beautifully.  Since I have not purchased the heart framelits yet, I used my Silhouette to cut out the heart from the overlay.  This card turned out way better than my first attempt, but it still needs some works.  I think I put too many hearts in the inside since they don't move very well when you shake it.  Overall, the card was a success and there is always something that needs to be changed.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Directions: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lauralaures/blogdirectBlogUrl=/blog/104779/entry/shaker_card_valentine

Valentine's Day

Since Valentine's is a little over a month away, I decided to start making some to get ahead start.  I decided to use a new technique tonight.  Using my Creative Memories heart punches, I punched out the different sized hearts and then adhered them onto the white overlay.  I then ran the overlay through the Big Shot and embossed the overlay with Decorative Dots.  To finish the card, I stamped "Happy Valentine's Day" from one of my Hero Art collections.  This technique was pretty simple, but it turned out pretty cool.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Happy Birthday!

Since one of my good friends birthday is at the end of the week, I decided to make her a card tonight using her favorite colors.  Tonight's card was made using my Silhouette and an image from Miss Kate Cuttables. Even though it took me a few tries to get everything cut out, it turned out pretty cute and I can't wait to give it to her on Friday.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Happy Birthday!

Today is a very busy day.  We are going to go visit our parents for a late New Year's celebration so I decided to make an easy card before we go.  After searching through my bin of wood stamps, I found this cute butterfly that I wanted to use.  I stamped three butterflies and then punched them out with my Creative Memories 1" square punch.  Using my 1-1/2" square scalloped punched, I punched out three backgrounds for the butterflies.  I then used my trimmer to cut out the card base and the two overlays.  Once the card was adhered together, I stamped "Happy Birthday" onto the white overlay.  This was an easy card to make and could be made for several different occasions.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

You make me happy when skies are gray!

After looking at Pinterest for inspiration, I came across that was similar to the one I made tonight.  I added my own little twist though so it was my own creation.  Using my favorite stamp Flower Shop, I stamped two flowers and then punched them out.  Also, I stamped the yellow overlay with yellow flowers from the Flower Shop stamp set.  I then stamped the center flowers from the Petite Petals stamp set and punched them out with the coordinating punch.  Using my stamp markers, I colored in the stamp from the See Ya Later stamp set.   Once everything was stamped, I cut three strips that were 1", 3/4", and 1/2" thick, and cut them to look like banners.  After my banners were adhered together, I used my Big Shot to cut out the white overlay with the Deco Framelit and I cut out the saying using a framelit from the Chalk Talk framelit collection.  I then used my Big Shot to emboss the Deco shape using the Arrow Textured Impression Embossing Folder.  This card turned out great.  I love how everything came together.   I am not usually a banner type of person when it comes to cards, but I am beginning to love them more and more.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Thank You!

Today was my first day back to school since winter break started a week and a half ago and I am exhausted.  It was great to see my 2nd graders today but they wore me out.  I love hearing about their breaks and what they got for Christmas.  Enough about my day though and the love for my students, let's discuss tonight's creation.

Using my trimmer, I cut the card base, strip of rich razzleberry designer paper, and the different overlays that I needed.  I then used the Regarding Dahlias stamp set to stamp the flower and "thank you" onto the small white overlay.  Once everything was completed, I then assembled my card.  It was a pretty easy card to create.  It only took me about 10 minutes to make.  I will have to keep this card in mind when I am doing Thank You cards after my wedding.  Knowing me though I will change my mind several times before then and have a different one in mind.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Happy 2014!

Wow, 2014.  I still can't believe another year has past, but we have a lot doing on this year.  One of my best friends is getting married in October and in March, I am welcoming my first nephew into the world.  Plus we are planning our own wedding so it will be a busy, but exciting and fun year all at the same time.  Well enough about what is going to happen this upcoming year and let's discuss the first creation in 2014.

Since today is the 1st day of the year, I decided to stamp "Make a Wish" from the Perfect Pennants stamp set, since everyone is setting their new goals/resolutions and making wishes for the upcoming year, onto a banner that I cut out using my framelits.  Using my Big Shot again, I cut out the backing for the banner as using the next size banner framelit from the one that the stamp is on.  Once the banners were done, I cut three 1" strips of paper of paper and then used my hexagon punch to make them look like banners.  I then cut them down to the size that I wanted so that all three banners were visible at the bottom of the card.  After that was finished, I adhered everything onto the overlay.  This is one of the cards that I will be sending my Stampin UP Secret Sister this month and I think it turned out great.  I hope she likes it just as much as I enjoyed making it.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.