Scalloped Sympathy

There have been so many deaths over the past month.  So sad that I need to make a ton of Sympathy Cards, but I guess that's where we are in life.  This card is a CASE of another one somewhere here on the internet.  I forgot to write down where I found it.  :(  Sorry about that!  If it's yours, please link to your post in the comments and I'll add it up here.  This card uses the SAB DP from this last campaign, paired with Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke.  The stamp sets are Loving Thoughts and Growing Green (ret.).  I love the lattice die and now it adds such a wonderful background to almost any card.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings,
Julie

Quick and Easy Cards

 I really love this image of the Eiffel Tower.  I also love the simplicity and elegance of the Black and White combination.  So, here you go ... a card that is simple, quick, elegant, and most importantly, an all occasion card.  I think the Black Narrow Taffeta really sets this card off. 

And this card is a current card being made at our workshops.  I totally love these chocolate stamps!  The background is stamped with Always Elegant, a freebie for me through Sale-A-Bration rewards.  I love that FREE stuff!!!!  The punch used here is the Spiral punch and the designer paper is Woodland Walk.  The button was cut with my new embosslit and sponged with Chocolate Chip ink.  Isn't that fun?! 

So thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station once again.  I'm going to try to get a few new cards made for tomorrow, using the suggestions left by comments on this post.

Until then, blessings to you and yours!

Julie

Leftovers Are Good!

 You know, I just realized that I never showed you how my Christmas cards turned out!  Silly me!  But it did work out because now I can show you how I used the leftovers. 
This photo was taken in Hawaii, on a trip to celebrate my in-law's 50th anniversary.  My DH thought it would make a great Christmas photo and I went in to panic-mode, thinking "how on earth am I going to make a tropical photo into a Christmas card?!"  So I got out my River Rock cardstock and cut out a bunch of Top Note die cuts for the frame.  And then I got out my retired stamps from last summer's mini catalog, and started stamping them in Ruby Red and Always Artichoke.  (Yes, I was trying to use up some retired Ruby Red ink and cardstock.)  And this is how it turned out.  I like it!  But...I made 85 cards.  Do you know how many Top Note die cuts I had left???  So, what to do with them?  Well, Sale-A-Bration was coming up, so I held onto them, thinking I could probably come up with something.....

 And this is the result!  :-)  We also used the Top Note die cut for the inside, a nice way to tie in the layout.  This is a super-easy card to make and the guests at the last workshop really had a lot of fun with it.  After minimal stamping and cutting around the frame, the card came together very quickly.  And don't you just love those butterflies?  Supplies for this card are Baby Blossoms and Fresh Cuts stamp sets, Springtime Vintage DP (LOVE that paper!!!), Marina Mist, River Rock, Rose Red, Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla cardstocks and inks, Framed Tulips emb. folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit. 

And here is the last card that we made at the workshop.  It's a Valentine of non-traditional colors.  I like that!  You've already heard me say multiple times that I'm not a pink person, so this one was right up my alley.  The great thing about this card is that, since it's non-traditional Valentine colors, it can also be a birthday or wedding card.  The design is a CASE of a card that I found online, but I can't remember where I found it!  So... if this is your card, please leave a comment here so that we can give you credit!  The embossing folder is one of my fav's (Elegant Lines) and and shows the complete pattern on the inside of the card.  Cool!!!!  And the scallop piece is the Ribbon punch.  Isn't that fun?  The supplies for this card are Punch Potpourri stamp set, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and Regal Rose cardstock, Woodland Walk DP, Ribbon and Full Heart Punches, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Elegant Lines Emb. Folder, Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, and Pink Pirouette markers, Basic Rhinestones.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings to you,
Julie

Coaster Luminary

Hey, look what I made!  There was a challenge on VSN to make a luminary with some examples.  The only catch is that you have to make it in 45 minutes.  Ok, that apparently doesn't work for me when I have an elaborate idea and I've never made one before!  The whole thing actually took me 1:40, but I'm really happy with the result and that my original design worked.  I covered some coasters (do you know that Outback passes out a pile of coasters and they don't usually get wet?) with Black on the outside and White on the inside, then sent them through the Big Shot with my Lattice Die, which is, of course, exclusive to Stampin' Up!  I then cut pieces of vellum, covered them with glue stick, stuck them on the white side and then covered with glitter.  After cutting out the green lattices, I glued them on with Crystal Effects, which can double as an amazing glue, besides being a beautiful accessory.  (If I'd had more time, I would have covered the centers of the flowers with it.)

 The rest of the pieces are all cut with the Big Shot.  I punched the holes with my Crop-A-Dile and threaded my Marina Mist Taffeta through it.  This is what it looks like in the dark with my battery powered tea light.  I hope you can see the detail.

Oooooo, yes, it does change colors.  Isn't it cool?!  I really like it!  Paper crafting is so much fun.  And I can't wait to give this away and see the recipient's face.  Give it away?!  Actually, I'm not sure if I'll be able to part with it.  If I am, I think one of my SAB hostesses might just receive this luminary.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station. 

Blessings,
Julie

VSN Vellum Flowers

Yes, I am once again playing the VSN challenges.  I'd like to do one more today.  We'll see.  I'm having terrible trouble with a pinched cyatic nerve and it hurts!  Anyway, this card is for my sweet, wonderful, amazing friend Monica.  Her husband just received his new, healed, heavenly body last night after a long battle with cancer and CNSV.  She's so upbeat and positive ... she wants us to celebrate his life and that he's healed now, so I didn't want any black on this card.  I want her to feel stronger and blessed by it.  That's why I've chosen the colors that I have.  So you're wondering about those flowers?  Well, I made them out of vellum with my flower embosslit from SU, flipped them over on their backside and colored on them with my Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  After that, I covered the back of them (the colored side) with glue stick and stuck them down.  Because you're looking through the uncolored side of the vellum, the color is muted.  I really love this technique.  And after stamping my sentiment on the Very Vanilla, I punched off the corners, ran it through the Big Shot with a texture plate, and then lightly sponged Crumb Cake around the edged.  The green accents are from the Swirls Scribbles sizzlit.  Just the right touch to finish it off and tie in the Garden Green of the flower centers.  On the inside I repeated the Very Vanilla cardstock and pattern and put some more swirls scribbles on the corner.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings,
Julie

p.s.  if you're a praying person, please lift up my friend Monica and her family in prayer.  The strength of God is truly what's holding her together.  May thanks.

Portland Regionals Swaps

 Yahoo!!!!  We leave for Regionals today.  I've been working on these cards for awhile and have been wanting to share.  It's so hard to hold back on you all!  This first card is my general swap.  I cut out 30 of those mugs and watercolored 30 percolators!!!!  Let's hope that it's good enough that people will want to swap with me.  Sorry that the color is a bit off on this one.  I couldn't get them "just right".  Colors should look like Naturals Ivory, Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray and Basic Black.  The percolator was colored with an Aquapainter and Watercolor Wonder Crayons.

And this is my WOW swap for some sidelines.  I sponged with my daubers over the Vintage Frame stencil with Cajun Craze, Marina Mist, and Crumb Cake.  The centers of the flowers are Crumb Cake cardstock, covered with Versamark and Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  I love how that emb. pdr. melts and looks so sparkly!  the leaves are a sizzlit and the butterflies are an embosslit.  Ok.  Now you know all of my secrets for Regionals.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I hope that I have lots of wonderful swaps to share with you next week.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie

Combined Challenges and Raspberry Tart DSP

Yes, I'm a little behind on the TAWC. Sharon gave us this challenge almost a month ago. We were to use grays and only one other color. We were also allowed to add a neutral. Since I only have Basic Gray and no Going Gray cardstock, I used brushed silver instead. The Raspberry Tart really draws the eye on this background. I've also included two challenges from Stampin' Addicts: Sketch Challenge 10 and Accessories Challenge 10. I crimped the main cardstock instead of using ribbon, paper pierced the side of the Whisper White cardstock and used the faux stitching technique, and the sketch is obviously from the challenge and was inspired by the card on page 4 of the Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book and Catalog. The flower is the Simple Flower embosslit, sent through the Big Shot with the Raspberry Tart DSP. The swirls behind are from the Swirls Scribbles Sizzlit. I added the half pearl from the Pretties Kit (Wow, do I love those! They really make a project pop!) and some square Fire Rhinestone Brads to finish it all off.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station. Let me know how you're doing and if anything here inspired your own creations. I'd love to see them!

Blessings,
Julie

My CASEd Swap Card

Yes, I'm having no problem admitting that this swap card was a CASE of my blogging buddy Georgeann. Her card is so much more fabulous than this one, but I had to simplify to get 20 done in 1 day. Eeeeeek! Yes, you read correctly, stinkin' taxes! Alas, I did get the taxes done on time and I did manage to make 20 of these cards and 20 of my vellum rose cards. (See this post.) Yes, I did 20 of these also. Why, you ask? Because I love to swap, I love to have samples of stamp sets that I don't own, and I love to hear everyone say "ooooh, that is soooooo pretty!" Yes, vain and crazy, since I won't see most of those people again, but hey! It's my life. So, this card...not as gorgeous at the original, but still managed to draw some oooo's. I'm happy. :-)

I'm also going to be trying to step up my business a little to make up for the shortfall of my DH's new job. So don't be surprised if you receive a phone call from me, asking if you'd like to host a workshop or party. Feel free to say no ~ my feelings won't be hurt. But I'll be tickled Pink Pirouette if you say "yes!" :-D

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.

Blessings,
Julie

Pixie Pink 3-D Treat Bag

The 3-D challenge today on Stampin Addicts is to make a treat bag. They've even posted a video to make it easier. (Click on the link to go directly to the challenge and video.) This is my treat bag. I chose not to put a greeting on it so that I could decide what to use it for later. I used Pixie Pink for the main piece of cardstock, Kiwi Kiss for the 1" strip, Pink Passion for the embosslit flower and Old Olive on the Sweetest Stems embosslit. White Gel Pen makes the center of the flower "pop" and the flowers and leaves stamped on the backgrounds are from Embrace Life.

Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!

Blessings,
Julie

Tonight's Workshop

Tonight's another workshop. I do love workshops because there are so many fun ideas to share. My customers mostly like to do Totally Hands On workshops, so these are examples of a 5 minute card and a 10 minute card. It's all in the layers and the tools. This first card is a CASE from Diane Noble, who CASEd her upline. (Copy And Steal Everything.) I loved it so much that I had to use the idea. And who doesn't need a 5 minute card once in awhile?
This second card is just a bit more work. The back Barely Banana panel was run through the SU! Flourish texture plate and then the side punched with the new SU! eyelet punch. The girl and dog were stamped in StazOn Black and then colored with markers. The dog is sitting on a round tab punch and he was punched out with the 3/4" circle punch. Add a bit of bling (Fire Rhinestones) and the tab is no longer just a tab, but a decoration on the card. A bit of Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon finishes off the project.
So...there are some ideas for you and alternatives to the square on the square layout. A few little pieces of Designer Paper and some layers and you have a beautiful card.
Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.
Blessings,
Julie

Color Combo of the Day & Mercy's Sketch

This first card is for the sketch on Mercy's blog. It's a fun sketch and I thought it would work nicely for a masculine birthday card using my Branch Out set. I know I'm repeating myself, but I LOVE THIS STAMP SET!!! The background of the tree scene was made using the Watercolor Wash technique. What's that? Well, color a bit with your watercolor wonder crayon on the plastic of a stamp set container. Mist a sponge and pick up the color off of the plastic. Rub the sponge across a piece of shimmery white cardstock. Repeat with other colors if desired. So on this card, I used Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, and Always Artichoke crayons. Isn't that fun? The DP is To the Nines, a new SU! Designer Paper.
This card is for the color challenge of the day. I was a bit leery of putting Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss and More Mustard together, but it turned out better than I thought it would. The background Mustard is DP run through the Big Shot with the Flourish texture plate from SU! After running it through to get the texture, I sanded it so that the white would show through on the design. The flowers are the Simple Flower Embosslit and the leaves are the Little Leaves sizzlet. The dots in the center of the flower are from the Bold Cupcakes sizzlets. I took a ribbon slide from my Hodgepodge Hardware and after filling the channel with Tombow, I sprinkled it with Fine Cosmo Glitter and set it aside to let it dry. I love the look of it. Really dresses up the ribbon.
That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station!
Blessings,
Julie

Sneak Peek of SAB - Possible Idea for the Tea Party

Good Morning! I dropped the boys off at school and now it's time to post another card idea. This is for a shoebox swap that I'm going to on Sunday. The photo isn't very good, so please ignore the quality of the pic.
I folded my Pink Pirouette cardstock in half, then placed on the Top Note Die with the fold of the cardstock just below the top perforations. I repeated that with the Designer Paper from Sale-A-Bration. (Yes, this is a sneak peek!) I cut along the perforated line on the Designer Paper and smoothed out any roughness with my sanding block. The white greeting is a SAB stamp set - isn't it cute???!!! It's called Yummy. I love this one. I stamped it in Whisper White Craft after rubbing my Embossing Buddy across it. I sprinkled White Embossing Powder over it and heated until melted. Next, I used my cute embosslit for the Closes to Cocoa and Pink Pirouette flowers. I used a couple of Mini Glue Dots on the backs to adhere them to the DP, tied a bow and attached that with a Mini Glue Dot. Voila! A very simple and sweet card. This would also double great for a bag topper for Valentine's Day. Ok, off to cut the cardstock for this swap. Thanks for stopping by the Stamping Station.
Blessings,
Julie

Blog Candy For a Cause

I had to pass on this request for RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness). If you follow the link on the title of this post, you'll find an address that you can send a card to a couple who's newborn has been in NICU since her birth on Dec. 1. This is the card that I sent in today. I'll be praying for a complete recovery for this sweet baby and for peace and comfort for her parents. As a parent myself, I can only imagine the agony that they are going through right now. Thank you to Cami for making so many people aware of this opportunity through her blog. For this card, I used a current SU! set called Refuge and Strength and a PREVIEW STAMP SET called Sweet Stems. I was also able to use my PREVIEW EMBOSSLIT which coordinates with the Sweet Stems stamp set and is for use with the Big Shot. Yes, that is the latest and greatest "toy"/tool for me. I LOVE that thing! I stamped the flowers and sentiment on Vellum and stamped the cross underneath. I also used the cut out shape as a template to sponge inside of. Supplies: Mellow Moss, Regal Rose, Riding Hood Red, StazOn Black, vellum, Rich Regals brads, blender pens, sweet stems embosslit, sponges.

This is my youngest son, Zach. He turned 6 today. This morning he was quite anxious to open up this large present. (When he saw it, he pretended to literally be bowled over!) Inside, he found a track car racing set. I found it at Costco with a $15 discount and knew it was the perfect thing for him. Between this and the sledding outside on our steep hill, the kids have been busy all day! I so hope that the couple whose baby is in NICU will have these precious moments with their daughter in the future.

For those of you in the Northwest, hope you're inside your home, enjoying the snow, instead of outside sliding around on those icy roads.