Embrace Life

   I took a short "detour" from my scrapbooking commitment to work on my first love: cardmaking. I just had to use the new stamp set I got from my trip to the New Hampshire Creative Memories Convention. I thought this set was a hoot. And it seemed to represent my family of sisters when we go off on a road trip to do something for the "sheer fun of it"!!!

Whoopeeeeee!!!!

 The set is called "Girlfriends" by Art Impressions. There is a front and a back. I put the back inside the card with the sentiment.
  I used silicone gel to raise certain elements of the stamp. I had wicked fun coloring with my Copic Markers. I used Martha Stewart's border punch to give the card a little more fun to it. The stamps I used were Stampin Up's Embrace Life and the tree is from SU's Lovely as a Tree set.

This is a Mark Twain quote... I liked it.

   I had to off set the car because it seemed to express the excitement "The Girls" are having on their shopping trip.
   The flowers complete the "girlieness" of this card.

   The second stamp to this set is the back of the first stamp. I loved how using it on the inside shows the girls moving on.. I had to check back to the front of the stamp I had colored to make sure it matched. A little tricky at times.
   Anyway, it was fun to make and helped me with my cardmaking fix. I can now go back and continue working on my scrapbooking goal. Ohhh, I bet I'll be sidetracked again, though.

Easter Sunday Basket

One side

  I've been working every morning for about three days on finishing this basket. I used a Wheat Thins box that I thought had just the right shape for a basket. (The crackers are really good, too.) I love using recycled items for my paper crafting, but the shape has to be just right, though.

Good crackers...

   I used paper I purchased on sale from JoAnn's Fabric Store. It's from DCWV called the Mariposa Stack. It's beautiful paper with lots of butterfly sheets. The flower is from Prima. Don't you just love their flowers?
   I really love the fleur de lis  die cut shape  from Nestabilities. I used two together, but slightly askew. The "Happy Easter" stamp is from Print Works. I found it at JoAnn's.

The other side

   I used my Nesties for the oval around the bunny.  The bunny stamp is from Stampendous, I think. I colored with  my Copic markers. I just bought this swirly die cut from Sizzix and I love it. It was just right for this basket.
  The butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch, that I double layered.  I was really excited to find this lace with the loops already added at Tate's Store in Bath,Maine. They have recently expanded their crafting section. Loads of different lace priced by the bolt. Really inexpensive compared to other stores. I am definitely going back there for more. I used white ribbon around the bunny oval using the technique found on Splitcoast Stampers. The little bow was also purchased at Tate's.
   I continued to use the swirly die cut on both side of the basket; adding the Prima flowers and Tim Holtz's bird die cut. I ran the lace with ribbon along the handle after I covered it with the same paper that I put on the basket. Brads hold the handle on with tape inside for extra strength. It seems to be quite strong as it will hold Easter candy;including a chocolate bunny. I haven't purchased this yet as Easter is a ways away and chocolate does not have a long "life" in my house as it calls to me especially in the afternoon.
   I had a great time making this basket for my son. I hope he likes it even though it's not very masculine. I think the chocolate will win him over, though. Can't wait 'til Easter Sunday....

Side view

Other side