Crafty Creations by Beth

Update on Ben

2012-02-25T19:10:00.001-05:00

Well, it's been quite the week. My sweet son had to go through two surgeries...4 hours on Monday and 10 hours (actual "surgery" time) on Tuesday. He was kept on a ventilator Monday to keep him sedated and the plan was to spend an extra night with it Tuesday night after the "big" surgery. The surgeries took a greater toll on his body than expected which really isn't surprising, He isn't as strong as typical boys his age. We had hoped the breathing tube would be removed today, but yesterday he was having respiratory difficulties and they discovered he has some lung issues (I'm not going to give you the exact name..we don't need to be Googling it...although I did). The good news is they found the problem; the bad news is that the breathing tube has to stay in for 3-4 more days. It's a matter of balancing everything they're doing for him and letting his body recover from the trauma. He also spiked a high temp yesterday, but fortunately, it's down. We're waiting on cultures to see if he has an infection.

Today has been a much better day. Good vital signs and low temperature. They've cut back on the sedation a little, so he's responded some to us today which means he's "still in there." We don't want him too awake...Monday some of the sedation was wearing off after the first surgery and our fighter tried to pull the breathing tube out. Luckily, he just disconnected it rather than ripping it out and the nurses were right there and able to get the situation (and me...) under control.

I hope I don't quickly forget this experience (and I don't believe I ever will). Things can always be worse....like the two families who lost children on the floor early this morning. At one point, there was total silence on the floor except for a mother hysterically crying. My heart broke for her. I've always known it, but this experience has proven it....things can always be worse. I need to really work on being content with my situation and not getting bogged down in the details or what ifs or what could have beens.

Doctors are awesome, but if you know a nurse...tell her/him how much you appreciate what they do! When they really have a "calling" for nursing, they are true "care"givers. I can't begin to say enough about the awesome nurses in the PICU. They not only treat my child as if he were their own, they provide emotional support, translate the doctor "speak" and teach me new things every day.

Thanks so much for your prayers. If you would have told me a week ago we'd be in this situation, I probably would have had a nervous breakdown. However, God really has been with us (me) and I know a large part of that is due to the prayers of friends, family and even strangers. Again, thank you and please keep them coming.

I know this is the "calm before the storm" because Ben will probably not be very happy when he comes out of this, but for once, I'm looking forward to a storm!

Take care,
Beth

Blog "Break" and Freshly Made Sketch #21

2012-02-17T14:28:00.001-05:00

I'm not exactly sure I should call this a blog "break." It's more like sporadic blogging (more so than usual). Our son, Ben, will be having two surgeries next week (Monday and Tuesday) to correct his Scoliosis. Ben has Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and was therefore 30% more likely to have Scoliosis. We went for years with no signs of it and then within a few months he developed a severe curve. We're dreading the surgeries, but we're hoping that he'll be much more comfortable once he's fully recovered.

That said, I'm not sure how much I'll be posting over the next few weeks. I hope to post a little because card making keeps me sane! The best way to keep up with my posts is to sign up for email notification (just type in your email in the box on the right sidebar which is just below the "Follow Me on Pinterest" button and follow some simple instructions). Each time I post, you'll receive an email from Blogger with my new post. I can't see the email addresses, so you don't have to worry about me sending you any unsolicited emails. :) Plus, once I'm back to a somewhat regular schedule, you can always unsubscribe.

On to the card....I made this using the Freshly Made Sketch #21. Here's the sketch and my card:

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Mixed Bunch

Paper:

Riding Hood Red CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Baja Breeze CS

3-7/8x5-1/8 Large Layer

3x2-1/2 Embossed Layer

Pear Pizzazz CS

3x3 for Flower Petals (Made with the Blossom Punch)

Whisper White CS

3x3 for Flower

Scrap for Flower Center

Twitterpated DSP

2 Strips 1x5 Each

3-3/4x5 Large Layer

Ink:

Riding Hood Red Stamp Pad

Basic Gray Stamp Pad

Pear Pizzazz Stamp Pad

Accessories:

Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Labels Collection Framelit

Blossom Punch

3/4 Inch Circle Punch

Rhinestone

Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine (Occasions)

Pear Pizzazz Pleated Satin Ribbon

Mini Glue Dots

Stampin Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Simple Note Card

2012-02-14T11:38:00.001-05:00

This card is slightly smaller than the "standard A4" size card we typically make. The finished measurements are 5x3-1/2 inches. I'm not sure why I haven't made many this size, but I plan on changing that! What a fun size! This particular card is extremely simple and quick. I found out from a local supplier that the envelope size to fit these is called a "4 bar" envelope. Of course you can always buy the note card set which includes envelopes from Stampin' Up!. They're only $5.95 for 20...pretty good deal.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

None

Paper:

Whisper White CS

5x3-1/2 Card Base

Island Indigo CS

3x3 for Flower

Scrap for Flower Center

Blushing Bride CS

3x3 for Flower

Twitterpated DSP (Occasions)

3-1/2x1-1/4 Strip

Scrap for Flower Center

Ink:

None

Accessories:

Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Blossom Punch (Occasions)

Boho Blossoms Punch

Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon (Occasions)

Rhinestones

Mini Glue Dots (to adhere the ribbon...you can also use Sticky Strip)

Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Card Patterns Sketch #146

2012-02-13T07:00:00.003-05:00

The idea for this card came from a sketch I found on Pinterest from the Card Patterns blog. My card isn't "exactly" like the sketch (see below), but that's the beauty of sketches. They give you a nice starting point even if you don't follow them specifically.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:
Mixed Bunch Stamp Set (Occasions)

Paper:
Pear Pizzazz Card Stock
     8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base
     3x3 for Scalloped Circle
Riding Hood Red Card Stock
     3-1/4x4-3/4 Layer
Whisper White Card Stock
     3x3 for Flower
     Scraps for Flower Centers
Twitterpated DSP
     3x4-1/2 Striped Layer
     Approx. 1x4-1/2 Gray Layer (I basically made sure I had a
     complete "diamond" pattern to trim.)

Ink:
Riding Hood Red Stamp Pad
Basic Gray Stamp Pad
Pear Pizzazz Stamp Pad

Accessories:
Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die
Subtles Designer Buttons
Silver Brads
3/4" Circle Punch
1/2" Circle Punch
Blossom Punch (Occasions)
Riding Hood Red Pleated Satin Ribbon (Occasions)
Baker's Twine
Mini Glue Dots
Stampin Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

Big Top Birthday

2012-02-12T12:22:00.001-05:00

Have you tried using sketches yet to make your cards? I really like to use them because they give me a starting point, but I'm not "copying" someone else for the final card. This card is based on the Try Stampin on Tuesday Challenge #52. This is a great sketch, and I'm looking forward to using it on more cards in the future. Here's the sketch:

I find sketches by following a few of the sketch blogs and then I "file" them away on my "Card Sketches" board on Pinterest. If you haven't tried Pinterest before, go check it out. At first I was overwhelmed by the amount of info out there, but now I feel a little more organized. One of the best ways of navigating Pinterest is to find people who have the same interests as you and then follow them. Warning: It's highly addictive!

If you want to follow me on Pinterest, just click on the icon in the right side bar. If you see a card you want to "pin", click on title of the blog post and then pin the card using the red button at the end of the post. Otherwise, when you go back to the pin later, it will take you back to the blog and not the specific blog post. Hope that makes sense.

Back to the card. Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess)

Paper:

Tempting Turquoise CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Scrap for Image Layer

Whisper White CS

Scrap for Image

Big Top Birthday DSP

1x5-1/2 Middle Strip

1/2x5-1/2 (x2) Side Strips

Ink:

Black Stazon Stamp Pad

Tempting Turquoise Stamp Pad

Daffodil Delight Stamp Pad

I stamped the image in all three colors and then cut/pasted the packages onto the black image.

AccessoriesLots of Tags Sizzlits

Extra-Large Oval Punch

Corner Rounder Punch

Stampin Dimensionals

So there you have it...a very quick and simple card!

Take care,

Beth

Masculine "Well Worn" Birthday

2012-02-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

The idea for this card came from a card on page 17 of the Sale-A-Bration Catalog. I thought the embossed stripes would look good as a "guy" card. Put it together with paper from the Well Worn DSP pack and you have a quick card!

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Elementary Elegance (Sale-A-Bration)

Paper:

Soft Suede CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Not Quite Navy CS

4-1/4x2 Embossed Layer

Cajun Craze CS

4-1/4x1 Strip

Naturals Ivory CS

Scrap for Greeting

Well Worn DSP

4-1/4x2-1/4 Bottom Layer

Ink:

Not Quite Navy Stamp Pad

Soft Suede Stamp Pad (for sponging)

Soft Suede Marker (for color spritzing)

Accessories:

Stripes Embossing Folder (Sale-A-Bration)

Labels Collection Framelits Die

Color Spritzer Tool

Sponges

Metallic Brads

Paper Piercer & Mat Pack

Stampin' Dimensionals*

*The blue/orange card stock is adhered with dimensionals as is the greeting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Mixed Bunch - Pool Party & Black

2012-02-07T07:00:00.003-05:00

We used this color combo at my upline's house yesterday, so I had to try using it on my own card. I used a lot of products from the Occasions Mini. One of which...the Adorning Accents Embossing Folder....you can't see. It's on the black curvy piece. The greeting might look a little strange, but it's covering up a boo-boo. I wasn't going to re-do the entire card (although I did think about it).

We used post-it notes to hold our edgelits in place this morning. Works like a charm! Something else I learned is that for a card like this, cut the curve on the white card stock first. Then, layer it onto a rectangle of black card stock that has about a 1/2 inch edge showing that you can cut off. It's easier to line it up that way. Run it through with the embossing folder last.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:
Mixed Bunch (Occasions Mini)
Elementary Elegance (Sale-A-Bration)

Paper:
Pool Party CS
     5-1/2x8-1/2 Card Base
     3x3 Piece for Flower Back
Basic Black CS
     5-1/8x3-7/8 Large Rectangle Layer
     5x3 Decorative Piece
Whisper White CS
     3x3 Piece for Flower
     Scrap for Greeting
     5x2-3/4 Decorative Piece
Attic Boutique DSP (Occasions Mini)
     5x3-3/4 Large Layer (or you can cheat like I did and use smaller strips at the top and bottom)

Ink:
Black Stazon Stamp Pad

Accessories:
Adorning Accents Edgelits (Occasions Mini)
Adorning Accents Embossing Folder
Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon (Occasions Mini)
Clear Rhinestone Brad
Curly Label Punch
Blossom Punch (Occasions Mini)
Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

Sale-A-Bration Banner Card

2012-02-06T12:27:00.000-05:00

Today's card is very easy to make. I used one of my favorite neutrals...Naturals Ivory card stock...and the beautiful Everyday Elegance Sale-A-Bration DSP. To make the card a little more interesting, the large embossed layer is adhered with dimensionals. The greeting is adhered with a double layer of dimensionals.

Here's everything I used:

Stamps:

Elementary Elegance (Sale-A-Bration)

Fresh Vintage (Sale-A-Bration)

Paper:

Naturals Ivory CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

3-3/4x5 Embossed Layer

Scrap for Greeting

Poppy Parade CS

(2) 4x1 Strips for the Scallops

Everyday Elegance DSP (Sal-A-Bration)

1-3/4x4 Banner

Ink:

Early Espresso Stamp Pad

Poppy Parade Stamp Pad

Accessories:

Labels Collection Framelits (Occasions Mini)

Adorning Accents Edgelit

Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a great day!

Beth

Freshly Made Sketch #20

2012-02-05T15:51:00.001-05:00

The latest Freshly Made Sketch is perfect for a 3x6 card. Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I used it to make this card for someone special. Here's the sketch:

Here's what I used:

Stamps:
None - I tried to find a "Happy Valentine's Day" stamp for the inside in my stash....NONE! I had other "Valentine-type" sayings, but they just didn't work. Note to self....be careful when selling off retired stamps!!

Paper:
Melon Mamo Textured CS (From that same Spring Fever Scrappin Kit I've been using...)
     6x6 Card Base
Melon Mamo CS
     Scrap for Heart
Whisper White CS
     6x1 Scalloped Edge
     3x3 Scalloped Circle
Tempting Turquoise CS
     Scrap for Small Heart
Brights Collection Paper Stack (Turquoise Polka Dots)
     6x1 Bottom Layer
Spring Fever DSP from the Scrappin Kit
     4-1/2x2 Layer

Ink:
None

Accessories:
Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die
Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit
Fashionable Hearts Embosslit (Occasions Mini)
Pinking Hearts Border Punch
Rhinestones
Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon
Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

Can't Get Over My Spring Fever!

2012-02-04T07:00:00.003-05:00

These are a couple 3x6 cards I made with my Spring Fever Simply Scrappin Kit. I added very little from my stash of craft supplies. You can get a LOT of projects out of a single package. Don't forget, with every $50 purchase now through March 31st, you can select a FREE Sale-A-Bration product of your choice! Contact me today at the address in the header or visit my online shop.

Happy crafting!
Beth

Daisy Birthday

2012-02-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

We made this at a recent Card Buffet and I realized I hadn't posted a picture. The only difference is we stamped the greeting at the Card Buffet and I heat embossed this one. This is one of my favorite "go-to" layouts.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Create A Cupcake

Paper:

Pool Party CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Scrap for Flower Center

Daffodil Delight CS

3-3/4x5 Embossed Layer

Scrap for Greeting

Whisper White

4x5-1/4 Large Layer

3-3/4x3/4 Scalloped Border

(3) 2-1/2x2-1/2 for the Daisies

Attic Boutique DSP (Occasions Mini)

3-3/4x1-1/2 Layer

Ink:

Whisper White Craft Ink

Accessories:

Elegant Lines EF

Daisies #2 Bigz Die

Modern Label Punch

Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

The center of the flower is a punch that has retired.

Large Pearls

Basic Pearls

Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Spring Fever Card & Email Notifications

2012-02-02T10:53:00.000-05:00

Can you tell I'm playing around with my photos again?   It's so difficult (for me anyway) to get true colors in a photograph. So, I'm trying purely natural light. Plus, this photo is a lot larger. Think it's too big?

On to the card....I used more of the DSP from the Spring Fever Simply Scrappin Kit. It's sooo cute. I wish we could purchase the DSP in a larger pack.

Here's everything I used:

Stamps:
None:

Paper:
Pear Pizzazz CS
     5-1/2x8-1/2 Card Base
Melon Mambo CS
     4-1/2x3-1/4 Large Layer
     Scrap for Faux Button
Daffodil Delight CS
     Scrap for Flower Center
Whisper White CS
     Scrap for Flower
Spring Fever Simply Scrappin DSP* (Occasions Mini)
     1st piece: 1-1/4x3
     2nd piece: 3x3

*The DSP is layered on a 4-1/4x3 piece of "cheap" white card stock.

Ink:
None

Accessories:
Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
Fun Flowers Bigz XL Die
Sweet Buttons Embosslit
Birds & Blooms Sizzlit 4-Pack (Retired...BUT it's on the Clearance Rack for only $8.79....it was originally $21.95...that's a DEAL!)
Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon (Got it during the Clearance Rack Blitz...no more out there right now anyway.)
Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine (Occasions Mini)
Stampin' Dimensionals

If you'd like to be notified by email when I publish a new blog post, just enter your email address in the box in the right-hand sidebar under "Follow by Email." Once you hit "Submit," you'll be prompted to take a few more easy steps.

That's all for today. Have a great one! It's a beautiful, sunny day here in NC...supposed to be 70 degrees!

Take care,
Beth

FREE 30-Day Trial of My Digital Studio!

2012-02-01T12:09:00.002-05:00

With the FREE trial, you’ll get:

* Full access to the software at NO COST for 30 days.

* Full design functionality.

* Exclusive artwork that comes with My Digital Studio Express. See included content here.

* Opportunity to purchase additional downloads from designer templates to stamp
brush sets--and everything in between.

* Access to Stampin' Up!'s professional print services.

Once your trial period expires, simply contact me to purchase the downloadable or disc version of the software to continue enjoying My Digital Studio.

Check out the My Digital Studio website for great ideas, tips and training!

What do you have to lose? It's FREE. Click here to get started!

Create with Connie & Mary Sketch CCMC186

2012-01-31T12:01:00.004-05:00

This is my take at sketch CCMC186. Here is the sketch:

Looks like a simple sketch, but it took me forever to get the right combination of papers. Now that I've got my measurements, I'll be using this one again.

The ribbon border (although not perfect since it was my first attempt) was pretty easy...especially using the Pleated Satin Ribbon in the Occasions Mini. I added some Sticky Strip to the back of the oval and then adhered the ribbon. Very simple!

Here's everything I used:

Stamps:

Bordering on Romance

Silhouette Sentiments (Retired)

Paper:

Blushing Bride CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Baja Breeze CS

3-1/2x1-1/2 Finished Size after Embossing

Naturals White CS

Scrap for Oval

Riding Hood Red CS

Scrap for Tag

White CS (cheap stuff)

3-1/2x4-3/4 Beneath Patterned Paper & Baja Breeze....gives that layer more weight to be

able to wrap the white taffeta ribbon behind.

Twitterpated DSP (Occasions Mini)

3-1/2x3-1/2 Layer

Ink:

Black Stazon Stamp Pad

Whisper White Craft Pad

Blushing Bride Marker

Pear Pizzazz Marker

Baja Breeze Marker

Riding Hood Red Marker

Accessories:

Ovals Originals Die

Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Pear Pizzazz Pleated Satin Ribbon (Occasions Mini)

White Taffeta Ribbon

White Embossing Powder

Heat Tool & Embossing Buddy

Jewelry Tag Punch

Corner Rounder Punch

Sticky Strip

Glue Dots

Pearls

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

"CASE"ing

2012-01-28T14:16:00.001-05:00

I saw this card by Dawn Olchefske and new I had to CASE it....soooo easy and fast. I just changed the colors and left off the butterfly (because I'm lazy today). The Postage Stamp punch seems to be really popular right now. Can't wait to use it on more samples!

Heres' what I used:

Stamps:

Elementary Elegance (Sale-A-Bration)

Paper:

Melon Mambo CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Lucky Limeade CS

4x5-1/4 Large Layer

Whisper White CS

3-3/4x5 Large Layer

Simply Scrappin' Spring Fever DSP (Occasions Mini)

Scraps for the 4 Squares

Ink:

Black Stazon Stamp Pad

Accessories:

Postage Stamp Punch

Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon (Got it during the Clearance Rack Blitz)

Brad from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack (Sale-A-Bration)

Paper Piercer and Mat Pack

Wow...this is a simple card...I didn't use one Big Shot item or even a Stampin' Dimensional! :)

Enjoy!

Beth

Blossom Builders & Mixed Bunch

2012-01-27T12:19:00.001-05:00

Hi, everyone. This card came together very quickly. I used another die cut from the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit. I layered it with a stamped image from the Mixed Bunch set which coordinates perfectly in true Stampin' Up! style! The "Happy Birthday" is embossed with white embossing powder. Don't you just love to heat emboss images? It's so EASY to do and yet really punches up a simple card to the next level.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Perfectly Penned (from the Holiday Mini....I hope it makes it into the next catalog coming out June 1)

Mixed Bunch (Occasions Mini)

Paper:

Marina Mist CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Scrap for Flower Center

Whisper White CS

3x3 Piece for Flower

Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit

Ink:

Riding Hood Red Stamp Pad

Whisper White Craft Ink Pad

Accessories:

Blossom Punch

Corner Rounder Punch

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

Brights Designer Buttons

Square Lattice Embossing Folder

White Embossing Powder

Heat Tool & Embossing Buddy

White Baker's Twine

Mini Glue Dots (Button)

Stampin' Dimensionals

Hope you like it!

Take care,

Beth

Blossom Builders Die Cuts

2012-01-26T07:00:00.009-05:00

Here are two more 3x3 note cards. Talk about quick! I made these using the new Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit from the Occasions Mini and some large pearls (also from the mini).

The die cuts are really nice heavy-weight, textured card stock. They're NOT stickers (not that there's anything wrong with stickers....I just think these look more like you could have made them yourself). They're also double-sided, so you can mix and match as you like. Add to that some pink rhinestones and you've got a pretty good deal at only $9.95. They're great for beginners and seasoned cardmakers alike. Just click on the image

Want to place an order, just click here. Don't forget...for every $50 you spend, you can pick a free item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog!

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

Teacher 3x3 Thank You

2012-01-24T13:52:00.002-05:00

This is a simple 3x3 card I made for my sister to use as a thank-you card for her students. I was going for something non-gender specific. :)

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Fruit & Flowers

Paper:

Real Red CS

3x6 Card Base

1-3/4x1-3/4 Square Layer

Basic Black CS

2-3/4x2-3/4 Large Square

1-1/2x1-1/2 Small Square

Whisper White CS

Scrap for Image (punched out with 1-3/8" Square Punch)

DSP Paper Stack Subtles Collection

2-5/8x2-5/8 Square Layer

Ink:

Real Red Marker

Wild Wasabi Stamp Pad*

Chocolate Chip Marker

*I inked the leaf by tapping just that part of the stamp on the stamp pad. I couldn't get deep enough color with a marker

Accessoris:

1-3/8" Square Punch

Stampin' Dimensionals

Wow! That's a short list of accessories...

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Pink & Gray Blossom

2012-01-22T12:23:00.002-05:00

I'm really enjoying the new products in the Occasions Mini Catalog. For this card, I used the new Twitterpated DSP, the Mixed Bunch stamp set and Blossom punch...all new products!

Speaking of catalogs, Stampin' Up! is making some great changes to our catalog program. The 2012-13 catalog will go "live" June 1st (rather than July 1st). The catalog will be slightly smaller (about 40 pages) partially due to the discontinuation of the Decor Elements and Simply Adorned product lines. Personally, I'm really happy about this change because Stampin' Up! is focusing on paper crafting only.

Going forward, we will have two smaller catalogs throughout the year. They'll have more products than the current minis. I'm excited that the "Holiday Catalog" will go "live" August 1st which is a month earlier than the previous Holiday Mini. That gives everyone another month to get prepared for the holidays. The "Spring Catalog" will go "live" in January 2013 and will run through May 2013. We will no longer have a summer catalog...instead, we'll be able to focus on the annual catalog during the summer.

This year, because of the transition, our current IB&C will end May 31st rather than June 30th. The current Occasions Mini will end April 30th.

Stampin' Up! is always striving to meet the needs of customers and demos. That's why I'm so glad to be affiliated with them. If you have ANY questions about these changes, just ask me!

Back to the card...

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Mixed Bunch

Paper:

Blushing Bride CS

5x5 Scalloped Background Piece

3-1/4x3-1/4 Square Layer

Basic Gray CS

3-3/4x7-1/2 Card Base

Whisper White CS

3x3 Piece for Flower

3x3 Piece (I attached the strips of DSP to a "base" so the edges can be trimmed.)

Scrap for Flower Center

Twitterpated DSP

3, 3x1 Strips

Ink:

Blushing Bride Stamp Pad

Basic Gray Stamp Pad

Accessories:

Silver Brads

Paper Piercer & Mat Pack

3/4" Circle Punch

Blossom Punch

Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die

Stampin' Dimensionals

Take care,

Beth

"Flag" Card

2012-01-20T07:00:00.004-05:00

Using a "flag/banner" on cards seems to be a hot trend right now (has been for awhile...I'm slow catching up!). The flag is made with the Everyday Elegance DSP available FREE starting January 24th during Sale-A-Bration.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Four Frames

Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper:

Pool Party CS

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

Scrap for Flower

Very Vanilla CS

3-1/2x4-3/4 Large Layer

Scraps for Frame and Greeting

Calypso Coral CS

3-1/4x4-1/2 Embossed Layer

Everyday Elegance DSP

1-1/4x3-1/2 Flag

Ink:

Calypso Coral Stamp Pad

Chocolate Chip Stamp Pad

Accessories:

Elegant Lines Embossing Folder

Flower Punch from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Set

Small Oval Punch (Retired)

Decorative Label Punch

1-1/4" Square Punch

Pearls

Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a great weekend!

Beth

Calypso Coral CS

Pretty Postage Birthday CASE

2012-01-18T12:39:00.001-05:00

The images with this set are so small that I don't use them because I think they get lost on the card. However, I saw this card by Dawn Olchefske and it works perfectly. I just changed the colors and a couple of other little things to make it more my own.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Pretty Postage

Paper:

Poppy Parade CS

5-1/2x8-1/2 Card Base

Marina Mist CS

4-1/4x3 Large Layer

Scrap for Scalloped Square

So Saffron CS

4x2-3/4 Embossed Layer (Size after embossing.)

Scrap for "Postage" Square

Whisper White CS

Scrap for Main Image

Just Add Cake DSP

4x1 Layer

Ink:

Poppy Parade Stamp Pad

Accessories:

Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Scallop Square Punch

Postage Stamp Punch

Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon

Rhinestones

Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Valentine "CASE"

2012-01-14T13:31:00.001-05:00

Special thanks to Mindy Backes for this wonderful card that I had to "CASE." I changed it up just a little with a different color scheme and a few other slight changes.

I used new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog on this card...the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, P.S. I Love You Stamp Set and Pool Party Baker's Twine.

Here's Everything I used:

Stamps:

P.S. I Love You

Paper:

Poppy Parade Card Stock

5-1/2x8-1/2 Card Base

Scraps for Pennants and Hearts

Chocolate Chip Card Stock

5-1/4x4 Large Layer

Scrap for Layer Behind Greeting

Pool Party Card Stock

5x3-3/4 Embossed Layer

Scraps for Pennants

Whisper White Card Stock

Scraps for Pennants and Greeting

Ink:

Chocolate Chip Stamp Pad

Poppy Parade Stamp Pad

Accessories:

Fashionable Hearts Embosslit

Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Adorning Accents Embossing Folder

Petite Pennants Builder Punch

Modern Label Punch

Rhinestones

Stampin Dimensionals

Pool Party Baker's Twine

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

Valentine's Day

2012-01-11T12:59:00.000-05:00

Back during the Clearance Rack Blitz, I purchased a pack of the Love Letters DSP for a great price! This is a simple Valentine's Day card, but the paper gives it a lot of punch.

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

None

Paper:

Riding Hood Red Card Stock

8-1/2x5-1/2 Card Base

2x2-1/2 Piece for Heart

Basic Black Card Stock

3-3/4x1 Scalloped Piece

Love Letters DSP

3-3/4x3-1/2 Top Piece

3-3/4x1-3/4 Bottom Piece

Scrap for Heart

Ink:

None

Accessories:

Small Heart Punch

Eyelet Border Punch

Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit

Rhinestones

Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon

Stampin' Dimensionals

Take care,

Beth

Apothecary Art Birthday

2012-01-07T11:02:00.000-05:00

My January Card Buffets are coming up next week. This is one of the cards the ladies will be making. It uses the new Apothecary Art stamp set from the Occasions Mini and the coordinating Labels Collections Framelits. I'm not good at cutting images out, so I love how the framelits do the work for me. Stamp the image, line up the framelit, roll it through the Big Shot and you're done!

Here's what I used:

Stamps:

Apothecary Art

Paper:

Calypso Coral Card Stock

5-1/2x8-1/2 Card Base

Early Espresso Card Stock

5-1/4x4 Large Layer

1-1/4x3-3/4 Punched Layer

Naturals Ivory Card Stock

5x3-3/4 Embossed Layer (Finished Size....Before Embossing...5-1/4x3-3/4)

4x3 Main Image

Everyday Elegance DSP (Sale-A-Bration....Coming January 24th!)

2x3-3/4 Layer

Ink:

Early Espresso Stamp Pad

Calypso Coral Ink Refill

Blender Pens

Accessories:

Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

Labels Collection Framelits

Lace Ribbon Border Punch

Sponges

Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a great weekend!

Beth

One Sketch....Three Cards

2012-01-04T07:00:00.004-05:00

I made the cards you see in this post the week before Christmas. I had some extra time, so I decided to make packs of cards for my mom, my aunt and my sister. I used this sketch for all three styles, but the cards have their own personalities because of the paper. All of which, by the way, is from the Everyday Elegance DSP pack available beginning January 24 as a FREE Sale-A-Bration product.

Here are the cards....

Using the same elements and just changing up the paper/colors really saved a lot of time. Here are the measurements for the layers:

Card Base, 8-1/2x5-1/2

Solid Large Layer, 4x5-1/4

Patterned Paper Large Layer, 3-3/4x5

Patterned Paper Strip, 2x4

Scalloped Layer, 4x1

Have a wonderful day!

Beth