My son's birthday card this year

Some of my son's many interests are grilling, smoking meats and using his own blends for bar-b-que flavoring and rubs.  Along with other firefighters, he has entered contests and competitions. Last year I used the same stamp set for my son-in-law's birthday because he also smokes meats and grills a lot also.

For Mark's birthday card I chose a little different approach by using watercolor pencils, a medium I rarely use. I really like this paper from the Travel Journal Designer Series Collection, so I paired it with Naturals Ivory card stock and watercolor paper. Other supplies include Basic Black and Chocolate Chip inks, Vintage brad, red twine, red button from Button bouquet, and oval punches.

I know this will bring a smile to Mark's face when he sees it.

Blessings to you!

Delft Blue Tile Technique

When I saw this technique on the Splitcoast Stampers site, I thought I'd like to try it...ok the sample looked so much better than my tiles! I followed the  wonderful tutorial but being as critical of my own work as I am, I'm not thrilled with the look of the 'tiles'. I cut and scored exactly and did my best with using a Jumbo wheel roller to create the tile design and I do like the shade of blue ink I used. I mounted the 'tile' paper on Ballet Blue which I also used as a back drop for my pot of flowers. The stamp is from the set Bloom which will never grow old in my collection of stamps.

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!
Blessings to all!

Sneak Peek from 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

Isn't this designer paper just lovely? It will be in the 2011-2012 Stampin'Up Idea Book & Catalog that comes out in July. The Paisley Petals Designer Series paper is some of the prettiest I have seen in quite a while and this is just a strip of one of the beautiful floral prints in the package. Wouldn't you like to have this paper to use now? Well, you can! Starting April 1 & running through April 30, Stampin'Up is offering this dsp along with the Four Frames stamp set which coordinates with the Decorative Label punch already available. Make a purchase of $20.00 and you will be able to purchase these items before the catalog comes out. This offer will be available through my SU web site along with the opportunity to earn these free starting April 1st...no fooling!
This card is a CASE of the one listed on our demo site and I have changed things ever so slightly. I'm sorry the card is crooked, it's hard to scan smoothly when the cover moves the card. The details are as follows: Stamp set Four Frames; card stock Marina Mist, River Rock & Rose Red; dsp Paisley Petals; Versa Mark; Black embossing powder & heat gun; Rosettes & a Rhinestone Jewel. Accessories include: Big Shot, Decorative Label punch, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing folder & Scallop Trim Border Punch.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!
Blessings!

Amethyst Birthday

I just love the Four Frames stamp set that is a preview from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog which debuts in July. Would you like to purchase this set early? Starting April 1st you can do just that with the promotion that Stampin'Up is offering called Spring is Blossoming. I will have more about this in April.
The frames work perfectly with the Decorative Label punch already available.

I made this card for a dear friend who loves all shades of purple so this year I chose retired SU Almost Amethyst, a shade that is so lovely in my opinion. I used textured card stock and some scrap patterned paper that was given to me. The Almost Amethyst ink is also used to color the white flowers with a blender pen. (for some reason the ink shows up blue on my scanned card). The sentiment is from Watercolor Trio set stamped on White Shimmer paper. Organza ribbon and Dazzling Diamonds trim the card. Other supplies are the oval punch, scallop trim border punch, dimensionals and glue dots to hold the flowers from the Pretties kit.

Denise is a very special friend as well an my mentor and upline...I wish her the best of birthdays and many many more.

Build-A-Bear Baby card

I recently ordered the Bear Hugs stamp which is part of the Stampin'Up Build-A-Bear Workshop collection thinking it would be especially nice for baby boy cards. I paired it with the Pawsitivily Print designer series paper that was part of the original offering last year. The plaid was perfect for a baby boy card. The base card is Confetti White layered with retired Ballet Blue (a favorite that I miss), the DSP and watercolor paper. My little bear is colored in ret. Creamy Caramel, Ballet Blue, Barely Banana and the In-Colors of Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait. Other products are Only Orange (ret.) ribbon, oval punches, dimensionals, sponge & blender pens.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!
Blessings,
Barb

Pot of Gold

I had been to a Team meeting recently featuring a Shoebox Swap where one of our members made a similar card using a blue pot with multicolored button diecuts. As soon as I saw it I thought of changing it to a Pot of Gold,  thus the card.
I used the Top Note Stampin'Up bigz die cutting it in half for the pot. The buttons #5 Sizzlits die, 3/4 " circle punch and a retired button die. Gold and yellow cardstock as well as gold tissue paper was used for the 'gold coins'. Other items used were Big Shot, Whisper White, Garden Green, Basic Black card stock, Garden Green ink and the greeting is from the retired stamp set All-Year Cheer III.

This was a fun card to make using all the die cut items. Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Blessings!

No card just message

Hi Friends!
This is an update as to why I haven't been visiting your blogs. Once again my husband has been ill and I haven't had time to make cards or visit your wonderful blogs. He is on the mend we hope so maybe I can get inspired again to make and post cards. He started out with an upper respiratory virus which turned into bronchitis and lung congestion. After 2 different hospital ER trips he was finally diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and is on blood thinner meds which require frequent blood tests to check the levels. I ask that you keep both of us in thought and prayer...him for recovery and better attitude and me in dealing with the stress.

Thank you for being faithful friends.
Blessings!