Happy Retirement, Bette!!!

   I have been working on a retirement card for my sister-in-law. I happened to be surfing youtube when I came across this wonderful idea on using your corner punches to creative medallions with circles or squares. Check out the video below to help you make some of your own..
   You can use circles to make medallions, too. I really love using my tools as much as I can so that I feel like I didn't waste my money. Here is the card I made using these YouTube tutorials.

Love the silhouette...

I used my Martha Stewart corner punch to make the circular medallion. Then I made my own rosette with a 3/4 inch wide and 12 inch  long strip. I scored this strip every quarter inch and then folded the strip like an accordian.
I printed out the cameo from my computer, but shrank the image.  I love this paper from Stampin Up, I believe.
The flowers are from Tate's in Bath, Maine. They look lovely with the ribbon already attached.
Check out the video below to see a tutorial on how to use your corner punches to make medallions.Making Medallions using circles

Another medallion with Martha's punch

I am going to look at corner punches alot differently now that I know I can use them alot more.  Here is a picture of another one I made using a corner punch I have now.
I have a few of the ones mentioned in both videos, but I think I will use my coupons to visit A.C. Moore and Michaels real soon. 

Halloweening...

   I have been working on making my Halloween coffins for the upcoming sale in Berwick. (See previous post.) I used Martha Stewart's template from her website. Here it the link, if you would like to make some of your own. It is really not very hard to do.Martha has a video to help you with the construction.

Halloween treat boxes


   It is best to use double sided paper with black being the other side, but I didn't have any so I just glued a sheet the size of the template to the other side.
   Before I constructed my box I added the details you see in the picture. Using Stampin Up's white ink I stamped the cover with my Inkadinkadoo clear stamps.   Great fun!!.
   Next I made these flowers from my punches with silver sparkly paper and added them to the coffins. 
   My spider is from Sizzix. I added the white eyes with my white enamel accents. I picked up these cute skeletons from The Dollar Store. I plan on putting one in each coffin with some candy for the upcoming sale. I think kids will love these.. Thanks, Martha!

Another Easter Card!!

   I finished my son's Easter card today. I used my brand new Spellbinder's Shapeabilities fleur de lis accents.I put the border on the top and the bottom to frame the card more. I placed the circular fleur de lis accents with the sentiment on it off to the side to show more of the rays. I liked the golden circle behind it to high-light "He Lives".

Love the embossing folder...

    I used Cuttlebug's embossing folder to make the background look like a sunrise. Martha Stewart's butterfly punch adds more interest to the card, I think. Flowers are from Mark's Finest Papers. I like how itty bitty there are here. 

Got the poem online.

 

 

 









  I found the Easter poem online. I thought it was cute. I have one more Easter card to make and  then I am done for the year. I love Easter and don't mind marking our Lord's resurrection by making someone happy. Hope you have  a Blessed Easter, too.  

Black & White Card

My Inspiration

   I was looking through some of my old photos when I came across a picture I had snapped while shopping at Home Goods . I knew I liked the picture, and thought it would make an excellent card.
   So I spent this morning working on a black & white card. I used my very first Stampin Up set that I purchased about ten years ago. I didn't know that you were suppose to keep the sticker with the name on it,so I don't know the name of it. It's these leaves you see here that I stamped in SU (craft) white ink. Love the effect.

My Finished Card

   I used my Inkessentials white opaque ink pen to make the branches. My branches aren't as white as the picture's, but I didn't have anything else to use. I am going to be on the look out for some white tools
to use in the future.
    Next, I stamped the "flowers" with Stampin Up's Garden Silhouettes in SU's (craft) white ink. I used the white Enamel Accents to make the dots bigger and whiter anywhere I could. White ribbon, silver cord, pearl hat pin from Mark's Finest, Martha Stewart's butterflies, and diamond gems finish the card. Paper is from Stampin Up mostly, but the silver gray, I think, I got at JoAnn's Fabric Store.
   I really like the look of black & white together. I used SU's tag punches for the sentiment. The sentiment is from Hero Arts, but I cut the words apart to fit on tag. I used the opaque white pen and the white Enamel Accent dots to echo the colors on the card.
   I like this card. Not sure who will get it or when, but it's in my collection 'til then. Thanks for looking...

 

Birthday Girl....Lexi turns One!!

   My niece's little girl, Lexi, is turning one. Jessica, my niece, has invited family over to celebrate. We are headed over this Sunday. It's always fun when we get together as a family.  I love seeing little kids playing together and being happy..like kids are suppose to be.
   Anyway, I wanted to make a special card to commemorate her first year. I thought this bunny was so cute. I did CASE a card from splitcoast 'cause it used a bunny from My Favorite Things collection. I think its name is Flopsy. Check out her card here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1267420?&si=flopsy
   I used some designer paper from Heidi Grace, but the rest is paper from Stampin Up. Stampin Up has the
lacy circle border punch. So I used a strip of black to accent the pink ribbon. The ribbon I probably picked up at JoAnn's since I get most of my ribbon there.

  
   I used Bow Easy to make this bow. Love the Bow Easy...
I like the pink and black combo for this card. The dots on the cake are from using Inkssentials Enamel Accents. I love to use this embellishment on my cards when I can.
   I had fun putting this card together. I am anxious for Lexi to see the little bunny. Hope you enjoyed looking. Thanks.

A Valentine for Nathaniel

   I have finally finished the Valentine I have been making for my son, Nathaniel. I've been dying to use the side step card I saw on Jackie Topa's blog. She gives excellent written directions and a tutorial on her card. She's on youtube,too. http://jackietopa.typepad.com/addicted_to_stamping/2010/07/side-step-dresser-tutorial.html

Worth all the work!!

   She is right.. the actual making of the card is easy. It's the design that took me forever. I loved her bureau idea, but I put it in a different place. I just purchased a new SU stamp set, Window Dressing,  from my friend, Cindy. Thanks, Cindy because I used the window and the little kitty stamps. The window is actually an outside window, but I made it an inside window. The little boy is a Matilda stamp,but I just can't seem to help myself .. I need for him to have a mouth...just a little one..
   The tree is from Stampin Up's Branching Out. The bike outside, which I know every kid leaves there, is from Tim Holt'z collection. I also used his distress inks to make things a little more realistic. I absolutely love Tim's Rock Candy Crackle paint. It give the banner a nice patina.
   Martha's Stewart's border punch is used on the bed coverlet. Sizzix die cuts were used from the ball, bat, and glove.
  It took alot of thinking, cutting,and arranging to get the card just right. I think Nathaniel will think it's cute. He's 29 years old, but he will always be my baby.