Diva Coffee Break Challenge

Hi there Stampers! Thanks for stopping by!


Today I decided to play along with the Divas over at the DCBC blog. This week's challenge really wasn't much of a challenge because I use my Big Shot ALL THE TIME!


My daughter had an Easter themed party with her Brownie troop and I needed something little but cute to give to her two troop leaders. What's better than chocolate than chocolate dressed up really cute?!
I started by running some of my left over Delicate Dots DSP from the Sale-A-Bration catalog through with the Sizzix Bigz XL Matchbox Die that's new in the Occasions Mini catalog. I quickly and easily put the matchboxes together using just one little piece of Sticky Strip for the box lid, as the bottom requires no adhesive at all! Next I stamped my bunny from the new Eight Great greetings also from the Occasions Mini in Black Stazon and colored him in with my SU Markers. I punched him out with my Wide Oval Punch and layered him on a Scallop Circle punched out of more Delicate Dots DSP. The So Saffron ribbon is also from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. Inside I wrapped two Ghiradelli chocolate squares in Delicate Dots DSP and added a die cut egg from the green sized Sizzix Eggs Die after running it through with a Cuttlebug Embossing folder. I think it turned out super cute and it was so easy!

Ingredients:
Stamps: Eight Great Greetings Ink: Black Stazon, SU Markers Paper: Delicate Dots DSP (SAB)WW, So Saffron Accessories: Sizzix Eggs Die, Sizzix Bigz XL Matchbox Die, SO Saffron Ribbon (SAB), Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals

Hope you have a super day!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

To Swap or Not to Swap

Good Morning Stampers! How are you today?
I have a demonstrator event the end of this month and have been trying to figure out my swap card. I have decided I absolutely have too many stamp sets to choose from which I think is part of my problem narrowing down to one! The only guidelines we have for our swap is that we have to use only current Stampin' Up products. That leaves it pretty wide open!
So I've been playing with several stamp sets trying to come up with I card that I just love that isn't too time intensive since I have to make quite a few of them and make sure I have enough supplies in stock to make them all. I thought I'd show you a couple that I've been working on today.

This first card is in my reject pile. Too much coloring even though I do like it. I started with a Garden Green base (probably the first time I started out with THAT color!)added a mat of Close to Cocoa and stamped my images from Blooming with Love in Black Stazon. I colored them in with my SU Markers and then adhered it to my card. I added some Tangerine Tango Striped ribbon, stamped my sentiment in black after stamping the watering can image in Sahara Sand, punched it out with my 1 3/8" Circle Punch and layered it on a Close to Cocoa Scallop Circle. White Gel Pen doodle dots finish it off.

The second card I made uses my Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I based it on THIS one. I was resisting this set for so long but I finally caved in and bought it. I decided to make the card using Ridinghood Red since I have a full roll of the Ridinghood Red Striped ribbon. I must say I am much more drawn to the catalog sample of it in Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss than Ridinghood Red and Black but it is very pretty. This card came together quickly which is a definite plus when you are making 40 or 50 of them! I started out with a Ridinghood Red card base, Added a Basic Black mat and stamped my flowers from the Fifth Avenue Floral set in Going Gray, Basic Black and Ridinghood Red on Whisper White cardstock. The sentiment is also from that set and stamped in black and layered with the same colors. The finishing touch is the Ridinghood Red Striped Ribbon.

This last card is my favorite though definitely not as fast and easy to put together as the Fifth Avenue Floral one above.
This card is based on THIS one I saw on Splitcoast Stampers. I started out with a Regal Rose base, added some Raspberry Tart DSP matted with Kiwi Kiss and stamped the butterfly from the Great Friend set in the new Occasions Mini. I used the rock and roll technique to stamp the butterfly by first inking it up with Regal Rose and then rolling just the outside edges in Rose Red ink. I used my Ticket Corner punch for the corners of my WW piece and matted it with Kiwi Kiss. The butterfly's trail is from the Flight of the Butterfly set and is stamped in Kiwi Kiss. I added some Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon and some flowers punched with my Boho Blossoms Punch with White Gel Pen in the centers. The final touch was a piece of WW cardstock punched with the Eyelet Punch along the bottom.

So what do you think? I have a couple more card ideas to play around with but I'd love to hear what you would vote for. Leave me a comment and let me know!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a terrific day!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Mojo Monday Sketch of the Week

Hey there stampers! Thanks for stopping by today!
Today's card is my submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch.
I started out with a Whisper White base and added my Raspberry Tart DSP matted with Kiwi Kiss panels after placing my black brads and tying my Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon. I stamped my images from the Sweet Stems stamp set in Black Stazon and colored them in with my SU Markers in Rose Red, Regal Rose and Old Olive. I matted my images in Kiwi Kiss, used my SU Markers to color in my sentiment from the Level 2 Hostess set called A Little Something and punched it out with my 1 3/4" Circle Punch. The scallop circle behind my sentiment is from the Sizzix Bigz Die called Scallop Circles #2 and I popped it up with Dimensionals.

Ingredients:
Stamps: Sweet Stems, A Little Something Paper: Raspberry Tart DSP, Kiwi Kiss, WW Ink: Black Stazon, SU Markers Accessories: Sizzix Bigz Scallop Circles #2 Die, Dimensionals, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Black Brads, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon

Have a super day and I'll see ya tomorrow!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

Good morning stampers! Hope you had a nice weekend!

Today's card combines two challenges once again! I really liked the color combo of Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White from Kristina Werner's Color Challenge for the week so I decided to use those colors again this time with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.
I started out with another square card base of 4 3/4" x 4 3/4" in Baja Breeze (using another one of those CD envelopes-maybe I'll have all 200 used by next year!!) I stamped a background using a small flower from Eastern Blooms also in Baja Breeze. I stamped my two panels in Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, and stamped off Chocolate Chip in various flowers from the Eastern Blooms set and matted them in Chocolate Chip. The butterfly is from the Great Friend set now available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I stamped it in Kiwi Kiss, cut it out and stuck a jeweled brad (Making Memories) in the center and adhered it with a Dimensional.
The sentiment is from the Only Ovals set also from the Occasions Mini Catalog and is stamped in Baja Breeze, punched with the Large Oval Punch and matted with a Scallop Oval punched piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock. I added White Gel Pen doodle dots around the border of the Scallop Oval.


Ingredients:
Stamps: Great Friend, Eastern Blooms, Only Ovals Paper: WW, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip Accessories: White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Jeweled brad (Making Memories), Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

Thanks so much for stopping by and feel free to comment on my card! I love to hear from my readers! :)
See you tomorrow!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Two Challenges, One Card

Hi there Stampers! Thanks for joining me today!
I stamped this card yesterday after checking out some of my favorite blogs and decided to combine two challenges in one. The first challenge is Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge and the second is Taylor's Cupcake Challenge sketch. Both are such fun to play along with!

I started by making my card 5 1/4" x 5 1/4", small enough to use one of my zillions of CD envelopes as an envelope if I ever send this baby out! I knew I kept these for a reason! ;)
The card base is Baja Breeze stamped in the same color using my new Fifth Avenue Floral stamps. I tried and tried to resist this set and finally just caved in *sigh* Now that I have it I love it! I stamped my two square panels in Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss and matted them with Chocolate Chip. The center flower was stamped in Chocolate Chip then colored in with a blender pen in Baja Breeze. I popped it up on dimensionals in the center and added some Dazzling Diamonds with my 2 way glue pen. The sentiment comes form the new Great Friend set in the Occasions Mini.
The final touch is adding two of my Filagree Brads in the corner, positioning them just so with my Mat Pack. I've been hiding these brads away and almost forgot I had them! They are super cute!

Ingredients:
Stamps: Great Friend, Fifth Avenue Floral Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, WW Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss Accessories: Dimensionals, Filagree Brads, Mat Pack, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds

So glad you stopped by! Have a great rest of your weekend!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Great Friend Thanks

Hi there stampers!
Hope you are having a great weekend so far!
I made this card last night when I needed a thank you note and I really wanted to ink up my new Great Friend set from the Occasions Mini. I started with a Certainly Celery base, added a Cuttlebugged panel of Baja Breeze, and stamped my butterflies and cut them out. I added the jeweled brads to the centers of the butterflies and stuck them on the card with dimensionals. The sentiment is from the fresh Cuts set and punched with the Large Oval Punch and layered on the new Scallop Oval Punch. I've decided this set is in my top 5 of favorites now!
Ingredients:
Stamps: Great Friend, Fresh Cuts Paper: Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze Accessories: Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Dimensionals, Birds and Swirls Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Jeweled Brads (Michael's)

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Sweet Stems

Hi there Stampers! Thanks for stopping by!
So I don't have a Furry Friends post other than we are still trying to find a home for our foster kitty, Venetian. She is such a sweet girl and would be the perfect addition to a family. If you are local you can see her at Petco in Thousand Oaks tomorrow and on Sunday at Petsmart in Simi Valley. Please help us find her the home she so deserves!!






I was browsing through the Splitcoast Stampers gallery and found this cute card. So I had to CASE it. I used it in a workshop and everyone seemed to really love it!
Ingredients:
Stamps: Sweet Stems, Polka Dot background stamp Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Raspberry Tart DSP Ink: Basic Black Accessories: 3/4" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, Rose Red SU grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals, SU Markers
Have a super Friday!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Mojo Monday on a Thursday!

Hi there guys! Thanks for stopping by or coming back if you checked out my earlier post. :)
I just finished my submission for the Mojo Monday Sketch of the week. It took me a little while to put it all together but I like what I ended up with I think ;)
I started with a Whisper White base, added some of the Delicate Dots DSP from the Sale-A-Bration catalog and stamped my tree from the brand new Forest Friends set in the Occasions Mini using my SU Markers. I tied my So Saffron ribbon (also from SAB)in a knot on my DSP and then stamped the bunny in Going Gray and matted it with my 1 3/8" Circle Punch and my Scallop Circle Punch. The sentiment is stamped in Basic Black and is from the Fresh Cuts stamp set. The final touch is the three flowers punched with my Boho Blossoms Punch with gray brads added to the centers.


Ingredients:
Stamps: Forest Friends, Fresh Cuts Paper: Certainly Celery, Delicate Dots DSP, Sahara Sand, WW Ink: Su Markers, Going Gray, Basic Black Accessories: Boho Blossoms Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, brads, So Saffron Ribbon (SAB), Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

The Occasions Mini is Here!

Good morning stampers! Hope you are having a great day!
I don't have a card to post yet but am hoping to have one this afternoon! I do have some great news though! The Occasions Mini catalog (click HERE to see it) has officially started and there's an awesome promotion to go with it for the month of April! If you place an order from the Occasions Mini catalog totaling $40 or more (before tax and shipping) you get to choose any item in the under $10 section (page 208 of the Idea Book and Catalog)for FREE! Also if you hold a workshop that totals $150 or more (or you order that amount yourself)you also get to choose an item from the under $10 section for FREE! That's in addition to the regular hostess benefits!
Thanks for stopping by and check back later to see what I've posted!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Just Buzzin' By

Hi there stampers! Thanks for stopping by!
Today's card is one we made at a stamp camp at my wonderful friend, Margaret's house. She hosted the stamp camp for some of the girls she is in charge of in her church youth group and their moms. Their group is called the Bee Hives so I thought the Just Buzzin' By set was perfect!
This card is based on THIS card I found while surfing my favorite blogs.
We started out with a Whisper White base and stamped the greeting on a piece of Delicate Dots DSP (Sale-A-Bration). We used the new Eyelet Punch to scallop a piece of WW and added it to our mats of Basic Black and Bashful Blue. The bees were stamped in Black Stazon and colored in with SU Markers. They are punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch, matted onto a 1 3/8" Black Circle and then popped up on Dimensionals on top of the So saffron Scallop Circles. The final touch was added a little Two Way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds to the bee's wings and the flower petals.

Ingredients:
Stamps: Just Buzzin' By Paper: Delicate Dots DSP, Bashful Blue, WW, Basic Black, So Saffron Ink: Su Markers, Black Stazon Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Eyelet Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Dimensionals, 2-Way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Have a super day!
Elizabeth

Scallop Envelope Purse and Last Day for SALE-A-BRATION

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by!
Today I am going to show you a project I CASED from Barbara at her Creative Stampin' Spot Blog . I won her blog candy a few months ago and it included this super cute purse with matching chapstick. It's made with 2 scallop envelopes and the Circles #2 dies. It took me a little while to figure it all out since I did not want to take the one I got from Barbara all apart. I used a piece of magnet to keep it closed but some velcro would work much better. Another tip-do not use DSP that has a pattern like mine- You can see how it looks crooked because the lines don't go straight across! I realized it after I had it all put together and said whatever and left it that way!

Ingredients:
Stamps: None Paper: Ridinghood Red, Candy Lane DSP, Very Vanilla Ink: None Accessories: Button Bouquet, Magnet, Scallop Envelope Die, Circles #2 Die, Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Ridinghood Red Striped Ribbon, Slit Punch, Crop-a-dile Sticky Strip, Chapstick

As a reminder, this is the LAST day to place orders and get FREE stuff with the Sale-A-Bration promotion. Click here for more details.

Hope you liked this project!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

Hi there Stampers! Thanks for stopping by! Sorry for the late post-I woke up this morning feeling just awful and it's taken me this long to get moving around!
Today's card is my submission for Karen's weekly Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.
I started with a 9 1/4" x 8" piece of Basic Black cardstock and folded it in half for my card base. Karen's example has slightly different measurements but I wanted to make sure I had an envelope to match so I made mine to fit a business size envelope. I added some Urban Garden DSP and used my Scallop Edge Punch on some Candy Lane DSP and layered it on top. My main image is made using the Pick A Petal stamp set. I haven't inked these up in quite a while so it felt good to use a set I've been neglecting. The ladybug's body and head are punched with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch and the 3/4" Circle Punch. I crimped a sliver of black cardstock and added it for the antennae. The sentiment comes from the Birthday Hugs and Wishes set.
The final touches are a piece of Tangerine Tango Striped Ribbon and a couple black brads in the corner. I hope you like it!



Ingredients:
Stamps: Birthday Hugs and Wishes, Pick A Petal Paper: Urban Garden DSP, Candy Lane DSP, Basic Black Ink: Basic Black Accessories: Slot Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Tangerine Tango Striped Ribbon, Black Brads, Dimensionals, Crimper, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch

I hope I am feeling better later so I can stamp something for tomorrow! take care!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Sock Monkey Mojo

Happy Weekend Stampers! Today's card combines two challenges in one, the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge. I can't believe it is Sunday already and only now I've had time to do the Mojo Monday sketch!
I started out with a Tangerine Tango base then stamped my Sock Monkey in Chocolate Chip and added the speckles by masking off part of the monkey and stamping with the speckles from Itty Bitty Backgrounds. I colored the rest of him and the balloons in and popped up the party hat and Tangerine Tango balloon. I added a So Saffron Scallop Edge along the bottom and used my Mat Pack and Paper Piercer to line up my chocolate brads.
These colors remind me of the picture of my room when I was a baby-yellow, orange and brown! So 70's!

Ingredients:
Stamps: Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Sock Monkey Paper: Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, WW Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron Accessories: Blender Pen, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Brads, Dimensionals, SU Markers

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! Stop by tomorrow to see what I post next!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Eastern Blooms

Good Morning Stampers!
Today's card is another one I made with my friend, Allison, last week. I think it turned out pretty cute! We started out with a piece of the Delicate Dots DSP from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. The vine-like image with the flowers led us to choose the Eastern Blooms stamps set to go with it. Our card base is WW, we added a mat of So Saffron and then our Delicate Dots DSP with the corners punched out with the Ticket Corner Punch. Our image was colored with SU Markers and then stamped on WW. We matted it on another piece of So Saffron, added the Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon and the final touch was gluing mini beads on some of the flowers with the Tombow Multi. Super cute, don't ya think?

Ingredients:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms Paper: So Saffron, WW, Delicate Dots DSP (SAB)Ink: SU Markers Accessories: Mini Beads, Tombow Multi Glue, Bashful Blue Grograin Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch
Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Birthday Card Swap

Hi there Stampers! Thanks for stopping by! Sorry no furry friends to post today. I've been running around getting ready for a workshop and stamp camp this weekend and then had to run my daughter to the doctor this morning for xrays! Not broken thankfully but what is up with my kids getting hurt lately?!?!
Today's card is one I made for a swap I joined with a couple friends. The theme was birthdays which my card could be for but it is also good for other occasions.
This card is called a hinge card and I first saw it in our Stampin' Success magazine for Stampin' Up Demonstrators. It looked so cute I just had to try it. I also saw it on a couple other blogs like Dawn Griffith and Dawn Olchefske where I found more step by step instructions. Check them out and try it for yourself! It is easy and so much fun to make! Plus these ladies have some awesome blogs! Make sure you say hi to them if you visit! ;)
My base is a piece of WW cardstock with a scalloped piece of Delicate Dots DSP from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. The top is a piece of So Saffron stamped with the daffodil from the Just Buzzing By set. The main image is colored with SU markers and matted with another piece from the Delicate Dots DSP.

Ingredients:
Stamps: Just Buzzing By Paper: WW, So Saffron, Delicate Dots DSP Ink: Black Stazon, SU Markers Accesories: Dimensionals, So Saffron Polytwill Ribbon (SAB), gold brad, Scallop Edge Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch

Here are all the other swaps I received, aren't they great?!?!


Tarja Little



Melina Crain


Julye Cox



Judy Crain


Allison Rowlands #1










Allison Rowlands #2



Lynda Lee


Have a super day and hope you come back again soon!
Hugs,
Elizabeth