Let's hear if for the boys!

I am always looking for masculine card ideas and never have enough on hand so was so glad to find some embossing folders through an online craft store that work for masculine cards. These are not from Stampin Up although SU has recently added a houndstooth and a striped embossing folder that would work for masculine cards. The polka dot also works well for men especially if you reverse it and it looks like pegboard.
But I just had to share these - they are Sizzix brand.

This one is like a sunburst. Here I placed the 'sun' at the bottom of the card so it looks like a sunrise.
Card Stock - Basic Gray, Pool Party, Whisper White
Stamp Set- Happiest Birthday Wishes (new hostess set)
Ink - Basic Gray

This is a checkerboard design but the edges have a distressed look. That is more noticeable on some cards below. I like adding ribbon but don't always think a bow is very masculine. This little loop of ribbon seemed to work better.
Card Stock - Basic Gray, Pool Party, Whisper White
Stamp Set- Happiest Birthday Wishes (new hostess set)
Ink - Basic Gray
Embellishment - Basic Gray 3/8 inch taffeta ribbon (retired), Designer Printed Brad

This is one of my favorites of the embossing folders. It is full of circles and they are all 'distressed'. I added one of the large eyelets in the center of one of the circles.
I used two stamps on this one which is so easy with the clear mount and the acrylic blocks. You can just put both stamps on the acrylic block and use it like one large stamp- or I could have stamped the first then done the second one in a different color.
Card Stock - Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Pacific Point
Ink - Old Olive
Embellishments - Large eyelet, 1/4 inch taffeta Old Olive ribbon
Stamp Set - Happiest Birthday Wishes

Here is that checkerboard embossing folder again - you can see the distressed part of the design better on this card.
Card stock - Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Pacific Point
Ink - Old Olive
Embellishments - Large eyelet, Hemp twine
Stamp set - Happiest Birthday Wishes

Another with the checkerboard embossing folder.
Card stock - Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango
Ink - Old Olive
Embellishment - Hemp twine
Stamp Set - Happiest Birthday Wishes
Tools - 1/16 inch hole punch

So - now I am stocked up on adult masculine cards. I also have some little boy cards but that will be another post.

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

I finally got to play with some of the pre-ordered items from the Holiday Mini Catalog (HMC) The HMC sales begin Sept 1. I also grabbed a few of the items that are new in the Idea Book & Catalog (IBC) that I haven't had much chance to explore. Christmas is just around the corner, you know! I had so much fun!
I have marked the new items with HMC or IBC to indicate where you can find them.

Simple - but too cute! I used the new stripes embossing folder (IBC) and inked it with Always Artichoke the first time, then cleaned it and inked it with Cherry Cobbler. When I placed the paper in the folder this time, I turned it 90 degrees.
Before stamping the sentiment with Basic Black I sponged on some Whisper White craft ink - a trick I found in the IBC (p.115) Your IBC is a great resource for ideas and techniques. They do not include the supply list in the back any more, but there is a link on the web site so you can look them up or print a copy if you want - Stampin Supplies.

Card Stock - Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink - Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Whisper White craft ink
Ribbon - Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon (HMC)
Stamp Set - Four the Holidays
Tools - Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder (IBC)

This card uses a new alphabet set I got free through the Sale-A-Bration campaign this spring. Demonstrators receive free stamp sets based on their total sales. I got to choose 2 stamps sets (any value).

Card Stock - Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Stamp Set - Occasions Alphabet (IBC)
Ink pads and markers - Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Ribbon - Cherry Cobbler Bakers twine (IBC), Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin (HMC)
Tools - Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder (IBC), Small Oval punch


For this card, I was practicing my 3D stamping technique. It is hard to see how it really looks from the photo but it turned out pretty cool - I will definitely use it again. If you would like to learn the 3D stamping technique - join us for Technique Tuesday on October 18. You can see the details on my calendar blog.
Lovely as a Tree is the other free stamp set I got through Sale-A-Bration. I have always liked it but never had a chance to buy it - and now I got it free!

Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Stamp Set - Lovely as a Tree
Ink - Whisper White craft ink, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Embellishments - Linen thread, Mini brads (IBC ), Mini Jingle Bells (HMC)
Tools - Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder (IBC), Ticket Corner punch


This card features several of the items in the HMC. The Designer Series Paper (DSP) is called Frostwood Lodge. It has three designs of this bark type paper (Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso - both on white - and there is Early Espresso with a lighter brown background). It also has plaid, houndstooth, and gingham designs in Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Marina Mist and Early Espresso.
The little 'adornment' is made using one of the Big Designer Buttons (HMC ) The button in Soft Suede has a diameter of 1.5 inches.


I used the little pine cone stamp from the Lovely as a Tree on Whisper White. In the HMC there are circles of adhesive frames to make shakers in no time. It also has the mica flakes that I used inside the shaker frame. The circle on top of the shaker was cut from one of the plaids designs in the Frostwood Lodge DSP.
My daughter barely tolerates my 'addiction' but she did say the shakers were 'Pretty neat!"

Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge DSP (HMC)
Ink - Early Espresso, Always Artichoke
Ribbon - Cherry Cobbler seam binding
Stamp Set - Christmas Greetings, Lovely as a Tree
Embellishments- Spice Cake Big Designer Button(HMC), Mica Flakes (HMC), Shaker Frame (HMC), Window Sheet
Tools - 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 inch punch, Ticket Corner punch


Another demo used the Delicate Doilies as snowflakes so I thought I would try that. (Of course snowflakes are six-sided and the doilies are eight -sided - but who cares !)
I used the largest shaker frame here to make a little snowflake shaker.
I wanted to add some ribbon and liked the organza but it only comes in white - so I simply dyed some using the ink pad and a sponge. I let that dry for several hours (while I played) so it would not smear ink on the card front.
Card Stock - Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Ink - Not Quite Navy
Stamp sets - Delicate Doilies (IBC), Delightful Decorations, Four the Holidays
Ribbon - Organza dyed with Not Quite Navy
Tools - 1 3/8 inch scallop circle punch. 1 inch circle punch
Embellishments - Mica flakes (HMC), Window Sheet

I do not have any current snowflake stamps so used the ornament from the Delightful Decorations to get my snowflake on the blue background. Looking at the photo gives me an idea to put a piece of Not Quite Navy as the background for the shaker and stamp a snowflake using white Stazon ink on the window sheet - maybe even put a tiny pearl in the center.

So many cute ideas - and I haven't even started to play with my other new toys - Stitched Stocking stamp set, Stocking Builder punch, Stitched Felt accents and Holly Berry Bouquet buttons. Oh well, tomorrow is another day :-) Now it is time for supper - homemade pizza!

Technique Tuesday

One of my favorite SU Demo activities is the Technique Tuesday class. It forces me to experiment with new techniques or even develop my own. It also gives me a chance for some to get to know some of my customers. Typically I only have one or two people attend (one month I had 5!) but that is okay since I block that time out on my calendar and if I don't need the time for the Technique Tuesday class, I use it to experiment or work on my own projects. I never complain about having time to myself in the craft room!

This month the technique was Brayer Background. There are many ways you can use the brayer to create a background on the card (maybe I should just have a brayer workshop someday) and they are all pretty simple. The technique I taught uses 2 ink colors and you ink up your brayer with both colors at the same time by putting the stamp pads end to end.
Card Stock: Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue
Ink: Stazon Black, Pear Pizzazz, Bashful Blue
Stamp Set: Lovely as a Tree
Ribbon: 1/8 inch taffeta in Early Espresso

The end result is always unique and I have to admit when I was experimenting with the shades of blue for this card I threw a couple attempts in the trash. I also would put my horizon a little lower when I make another card like this one.
Card Stock - Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink - Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Night of Navy
Stamp Set - Sail Away
Embellishment - 1/8 inch taffeta ribbon in Night of Navy



This is my favorite of the ones I made. The horizon hits just about perfect for the stamp set. The verital streaks just add to the 'mood' of the card I think but if you want a smoother look you can use the Glossy White paper.
Card Stock- Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink - Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue
Ribbon - 1/8 inch taffeta in Early Espresso

Let me know if you try this technique - and post your results :-)

August Club

Here are the cards we made at the August Club meeting - so much fun!

This used a chalk-erase technique. The flowers and leaves are stamped using Basic Gray and then you use a cotton ball to rub on some pastel chalks. Use the eraser and make some diagonal lines through the design. Stamp the sentiment using Black Stazon ink above the erased lines. The ribbon is the new dotted scallop ribbon and a three dimensional flower is added for an accent. The three dimensional flower is made by doing numerous images of the same flower and cutting it out in layers - then layering them using dimensionals.
Stamp sets - Flower Fest, Bring on the Cake
Card Stock - Whisper White, Tangerine Tango
Inks, etc - Black Stazon, Basic Gray stampin pad, Stampin Pastels in Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Tempting Turquoise
Ribbon - Old Olve dotted scallop
Punch - Ticket corner
This fun fold was a hit (even if it was a challenge).
Stamp Set - Delicate Doilies, Occasions Alphabet
Card Stock - Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Whisper White
Die cut - Perfect Pennants
DSP - Flirtatious
Ribbon -1/8 inch Pumpkin Pie taffeta
Punch - Scallop circle

The card opened - a simple but impressive card.

Sail Away is always a hit. This stamp will only be available until August 31. We used a masking technique to make the clouds. It is hard to see in this photo but the sails were stamped on a scrap of Whisper White and cut out, then added to the card using dimensionals.

Stamp sets - Sail Away, Bring on the Cake (sentiment inside)

Card Stock - Whisper White, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray

Embellishments - Designer Buttons, Baker's Twine in Cherry Cobbler

Punch - Scallop Circle

Our project was this little gift box. The flower and band slide off to open the box.
Card Stock - Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush

DSP - Cheerful Treat (hostess product)

Die - Fun Flower

Here is the box opened. It would be a nice way to present a gift card or a tiny trinket - or put a couple handmade notecards inside :-) For the club workshop I cut out a bunch of the fun flowers and let everyone come up with their own combinations. I had a bunch left over so had to play a little bit after they all left.

This one uses a scrap of the DSP as an accent on the band of Concord Crush.

The tiny polka dots on the DSP coordinate with the tiny polka dots in the leaves of the print used for the flower. I love those little things about Stampin Up papers.

Here I used a partial flower by placing it on the edge of the paper :-)

The flowers on the band match the design used for the flower.

Most of the cards I made were in this style. I did not add any sentiment (can do that later - or I may just use them as blank notes).

For this one, I layered two strips of card stock (Concord Crush and Melon Mambo) to make a stripe behind the flower. Stampin Up's DSP makes it so easy. Each pack has the colors listed so you know exactly how to enhance it. Those color combinations are great even if you use a small piece of the DSP or none at all.

Burnishing - bold and bright!

I played with a new technique today - burnishing. You can see my tutorial here

I love how bright these cards turned out. I did most of them with no sentiment and I will add one before sending or just use as blank note cards.

For these cards, I used Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry inks. The ribbon on this card is Rich Razzleberry 3/8 inch taffeta. I used the Flower Fest stamp set for the burnished designs and here I used Teeny Tiny Wishes for the sentiment. My burnished design is mounted on Tangerine Tango and Old Olive. The sentiment is punched with Word Window (Whisper White) and Modern Label (Tempting Turquoise).

This one used Old Olive 3/8 inch taffeta ribbon and is mounted on Tangerine Tango and Rich Razzleberry. I used the Fancy Flower punch for accent.

More Rich Razzleberry 3/8 inch taffeta ribbon and the Butterfly punch were used on this card. It is mounted on Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise and a card base of Tangerine Tango.

This one uses the 1/8 inch taffeta ribbon in Rich Razzleberry. It is mounted on Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry and a Tangerine Tango card base.

And more of the same - 3/8 inch Rich Razzleberry taffeta ribbon, Butterfly punch, and mounted on Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise and a card base of Tangerine Tango.

Ain't Love Grand

Ain't Love Grand is one of the new hostess sets from Stampin' Up. I broke mine out this weekend and grabbed a handful of ribbon from my scrap jar - here are some of the cards I made.

Congrats - Bashful Blue, So Saffron and Crumb Cake. I used the square lattice embossing folder on the piece of Crumb Cake.

Sending love your way - what a cute hot air balloon stamp! I used the new lace punch and wove a scrap piece of Certainly Celery 1/4 inch grosgrain through the holes. The card stock is So Saffron, Certainly Celery and Soft Suede.

Ain't Love Grand - simple but elegant. The oval is embossed with one of the new frame embossing folders. This is in Basic Gray and Basic Black. I thought I would add a modern label sentiment to it but am not sure if it will be a wedding or anniversary card.

I miss you - the new stripes embossing folder works well with the ribbon stripes. Basic Gray and Real Red are a great combo.

Heard it's your birthday - more of my ribbon scraps combined with Real Red, Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight.

Get well - one of my favorites! This uses the other frame in the embossing folder set. The background is Cajun Craze embossed with the square lattice inked with Night of Navy. I used the eyelet ribbon punch for the trim - and the button is made from Night of Navy card stock! So much fun.

This stamp set is only available to hostesses - and you get a great discount on the price! Contact me to schedule a workshop so you can earn free merchandise!

OMG Albums

My latest craze! I call these OMG albums because everyone says "Oh my gosh!" when they open them. They are full of pages for photos, captions, journal notes.
Here is a link to the tutorial I posted for how to make these - OMG Albums Tutorial




These are for three sisters. Hayley is expected to arrive in September. Hannah and Holly needed their own little photo album. They told me their favorite colors (each had 3 colors) so I used that to pick the card stock. The nursery is decorated in Lavender and Pink with butterflies, flowers and dragonflies.


I was so anxious to get some photos of Hayley's that I did not even clear off my work space. Shame on me - pardon the mess!
This is the front side - it has three panels with flaps between them. I thought the hearts in the center section would be cute with her birth weight, length, date and time recorded.
The card stock is Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink and Wisteria Wonder.

This is just inside the front cover. This opens up to show the previous sections. Here I added a little Wild Wasabi for the leaves.

This is the back of the album. The baby tees stampin round roller is so much fun to work with!

This is the center panel on the back. The flowers look so cute and feminine on the edge - I love them!

Inside the back cover you find die cut butterflies. I love the new lace border punch

This is Hannah's album. The colors are Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron and Elegant Eggplant. The flower is made using the 2 3/8 scallop circle, fancy flower, 5 petal flower and 1/2 inch circle punches. An elegant eggplant brad finishes it in the center.

The retired Razzleberry Lemonade paper matched close enough - even though the yellow (Crushed Curry) and purple (Rich Razzleberry) were not exactly the same.

Here I used a 3 1/4 inch square and trimmed each side with the eyelet border punch. And a few of those flowers I love popped up again.

I used Versamark ink and the flower from the Three Little Words stamp set on this panel. It is hard to see in the photo. The corners are trimmed with the scallop corner punch.

The I Heart Heart punch and ribbon border punch make decorating so easy. The flowers are from the Punch Potpourri (retired) stamp set and punched with the Boho Blossoms punch.

And the center back. I used the window sheets in the frame in all the albums.

Miss Holly's favorite colors are red, green and purple - so I chose Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, and Concord Crush.

The DSP is from the IN Color Stack (6 x 6) that is no longer available but there are many other lovely patterns and colors to choose from.

The large heart and Potpourri Punch were used here.

Another little square but this time I placed contrasting card stock behind it. And those I Heart Heart hearts show up again.

Here the flower from the Three Little Words set in Versamark was used on the Poppy Parade flaps. I punched the I Heart Hearts in the DSP and let the card stock show through.

Some more butterflies and the lace border punch.

The back opened wide.

Hope you liked seeing these. I have some wedding ones to post but don't want to do so before the wedding :-)