Hittin' the Designer Paper Stash, Week 2

Happy Thursday, paper hoarders ... hope you're havin' a fabulous week!

Today's card project is No. 2 in my terrifying courageous plan to actually use some of the beautiful designer paper I already own. I'm saving some money, slowly reclaiming a l'il storage space, and remembering why I had to have these papers in the first place. Why not join me? It only hurts for a minute ...

This week, I'm bravely cutting into designer paper from DCWV's stunning "La Creme" collection:

That wasn't so bad ...

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... for the rest of the exciting product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooo yesterday, Sheila was helping out her neighbor, Jennifer, by watching her toddler while she went on a job interview. Naturally, she called me to come over and 'help.'

"And bring your bike; we're gonna take the l'il one out for a bike ride. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking ... but it was actually Jennifer's idea. She brought over her bike with a baby seat and the cutest l'il helmet you've ever seen!" Oh, joy.

By the time I arrived, bike and all, Sheila already had the baby sun-screened, helmeted, and strapped into the baby seat.

But, we weren't quite ready to leave: Sheila had to go through a tedious 12-point safety check of her equipment, double-check the baby seat lock and straps, re-adjust the baby's helmet, and squeeze the tires.

Finally, we were ready to ride! Sheila cautiously wheeled the bike to the end of her driveway, paused and carefully looked both ways for traffic. Then, she swung her leg up and over the crossbar ... and kicked the baby right in the face.

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Alphabet Challenge Blog: 'N' is For Nature (Birds)
• Alota Rubber Stamps: Distressing
  
• Bee Crafty: All About the Image / Digital
  
• Crafting with Deedee's Digis: Very Vintage
• Crafty Creations: Anniversary Card
  
• Cowgirls Sunday Challenge: Animals and Bugs (Birds)
  
• Cupcake Craft Challenge: Distressing (Inks)
• Delightful Challenges: Distressing
  
• Ellephantastic Challenge: Distressing
• Lots to Do: The Scenic Route
• Polka Doodle: Generic Male or Female
  
• Simon Says Stamp: Sing It Baby (Songbird, Fleetwood Mac)
• Stampin' Sisters in Christ: Birds
  
• Stamping Vacation: Animal Applause Challenge
• Stamping with the Dragon: Distressing
  
• Stars and Stamps: Stash Challenge (Patterned Paper)
• Whimsie Doodles: Friday Night Lights (Palm Beach Central, Black & Gold)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Basic Black" and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up!
• Designer Paper: "La Creme" Collection by DCWV
• Other: Digital File
  
• Stamps: All Stamps from "Tiny Tags" Stamp Set by Stampin' Up!
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up!; Distress Inks by Ranger
• Accessories: Vintage Seam Binding Tape; Eyelet; Jump Ring
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Tiny Tags Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up!
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (Top-Folded)
  

For When He Just Doesn't Get It ...

Happy Thursday hoarding card-makers!

Today's card project was created using an unmounted stamp I've had for at least 10 years ... and sadly, this is the first time its seen ink. I know it's okay to mention this to you ... 'cuz I know that you have those stamps too.

So, for it's maiden voyage I created a really simple l'il anniversary card for my sweet cousin and her hubby:

I wish I could tell you who manufactured this stamp ... but I can't. Do you know?

ETA: My readers are the best! Ann has informed me that this stamp is from Sunday International; thanks Ann!

For the ginormous view of the stamp card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the heart-pounding product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooooo, I went over Sheila's yesterday for a quick visit. When I arrived, it didn't take more than a second and a half to realize I'd stumbled in to one of their l'il arguments.

"I'll leave." I volunteered, heading for the door.

"No, no, stay, I'm ready to make-up now ... the thrill has gone out of the fight." Sheila said.

"Okay," Sheila said, turning to her DH, "I'll admit I'm wrong, if you'll admit I'm right."

"Agreed." Ken responded. "Ladies before gentlemen."

"Okay, okay, I'm wrong," Sheila said begrudgingly.

To which Ken replied happily, "You're right!"

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... I really appreciate it!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• A Spoon Full of Sugar: Sunshine Inspiration (Summery Colors)
• By the Cute and Girly: "Something Old" (This Ancient Stamp!)
• Cupcake Craft Challenge: One For the Boys
  
• Lexi's Creations: Something Old (This Stamp!)
• One Stitch at a Time: Celebrations (Anniversary)
• Pollycraft: A Sing Song (Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Beatles)
  
• Stamp Something: Happy Somethings (Anniversary)
• The Diedrich Dare: Inspiration (Color Palette)
• The Three Muses: Buttons and Bows
  
• Whimsical Ink Sorority: Recycled (Button from Old Jacket)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: PTI
• Stamp: "Hammer It Home" Stamp, Unknown Manufacturer; Sentiment by PTI
  
• Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black" Dye Ink; "Pacific Point" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
• Accessories: Vintage Button; Eyelet; DMC Embroidery Floss; Satin Ribbon
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Tiny Tags Die; Corner Chomper by WRMK's; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

You Look Marvelo{US}!

Happy Thursday, Crafty Stampers!

Today's Clean and Simple card project was created using a fun new stamp set from Stampin' Up and SU's "Beautiful Wings" Embosslits die. Love how this die cuts and embosses so beautifully!

I also used a bit of the new "Cherry Cobbler" card stock from Stampin' Up's upcoming "In Color" collection:

Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes! For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the marvelo{us} product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, last night I was hangin' out at Sheila's when her crazy cheap sister, Jill, and her loser lovely boyfriend, Jack, stopped by.

Reid-the-Wild-Child, currently on a mission to raise money for his Cub Scout Pack, cornered them as soon as they sat down.

"Aunty Jill, will you please buy a candy bar from me?" Reid asked.

"Well, no. I can't. Sorry, Kidlette, but I'm on a diet and I can't have candy in the house."

Disappointed, but not giving up, he turned to Jack and politely asked him if he'd buy a candy bar.

"Well, sure, l'il rug-rat! How much?"

"Just one dollar."

As Jack took a dollar out of his pocket, he turned to Sheila and I and said, "Ya know, every time I look at a dollar bill, I wonder if its ever been in a stripper's butt crack."

OMG!!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 365 Cards: White, White Space, Wings
• Cinema Saturday: America's Sweethearts
• Craft Your Passion: Embossing
• Flutter By Wednesday: Open / Butterfly
  
• Glenda's Random Amusing Challenge: Use a Butterfly
• Sweet Stampin' Challenge: It's Summer Time (SU Only)
  
• The Secret Crafter: Friendship
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Cherry Cobbler," "Pink Pirouette," and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Stamp: Sentiment from "In a Word" Stamp Set by Stampin' Up
• Ink: "Riding Hood Red" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: "Pink Pirouette" Grosgrain Ribbon by Stampin' Up
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; "Beautiful Wings" Embosslits Die by Stampin' Up; Corner Chomper by WRMK; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5" x 5" (Top-Folded)
  

Ohhhhhhhh, "Innuendo" ...

Happy Stump Day, Hampers! This week is flyin' by, huh?

Today's card project was created for the Clean & Simple "Fall to Layout" sketch challenge, FTL76. For a look-see at the clean and simple sketch I followed, clicky HERE.

For my color palette, I used the color challenge from the Play Date Cafe Challenge, PDCC14. For all the colorful challenge deets, clicky HERE.

Today's card qualifies for the Creative Belli Challenge #84, to use ribbon on your project. Clicky HERE to check out all the challenging deets. And, the card also qualifies for the Pile It On Challenge, to use non-winter colors. Clicky HERE to check out the Pile It On Challenge blog. Finally, I've entered the card in the Dutch Dare Card Challenge, DDCC#70, "Summer in Winter." Clicky HERE to visit the Dutch Dare Card Challenge blog.

I used a plethora of paper scraps for this card: the orange bit of paper is from Stampin' Up, the lilac and rosy red scraps are from Daisy D's, and the green is from an unknown digital file.

My font-a-licious sentiment is from the new Stampin' Up set, Well Scripted, available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. This set is getting a real workout this month ... and I haven't even inked up the other five stamps! I stamped the image in fabulous-fun-flirty "Melon Mambo" dye ink ... my new favorite ink color.

For the skinny on all the other product I used to create this card, check out the supply list, below.

Soooooooo, yesterday the DH and Sheila's DH, Ken, went on a fishing trip with Sheila's across-the-canal neighbor, Bill. Since I needed to hang-out with Sheila, I drove the DH and all his fishing gear over to Sheila's.

When Bill arrived, boat in tow, to pick up the guys and their mountain of fishing crap, I couldn't help but notice the name of the boat: "Innuendo." I thought that was pretty cool ...

After the guys left, and failing to divine some deep, hidden meaning, I asked Sheila if she knew how Bill had come up with that name.

"'Innuendo?' Oh," she answered, "his wife works for a proctologist."

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Various Scraps from Stampin' Up, Daisy D's, and an Unknown Digital File
• Stamp: Sentiment from "Well Scripted" Stamp Set by Stampin' Up
• Ink: "Melon Mambo" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; 1" Square Die; Small Heart Punch by Stampin' Up; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

If you have any questions about Stampin' Up products or stamping techniques, feel free to contact me HERE.

We Do Chicken Right!

Happy Stump Day, Hampers!

Today's card project was created for no good reason ... but I s'pose it would be appropriate to use for Valentine's Day or as an anniversary card. No worries, I'll get rid of it somehow!

The card DOES qualify for a challenge or three though! Little Red Wagon's challenge today is to use hearts. You can check out this challenge HERE. This week's Crazy 4 Challenges challenge is to use a pink color scheme; you can read all those deets, HERE. Finally, the Crafty Cardmakers challenge this week is Hearts and Romance. For all the challenging deets for this challenge, clicky HERE.

I stamped my image in fabulous-fun-flirty "Melon Mambo" dye ink, die-cut it, triple matted it, punched a scallop trim border, added some ribbon, and attached a simple knot bow. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

For the 4-1-1 on all the exciting products I used, check out the supply list, below.

Sooooooooooo, yesterday afternoon Sheila and I teamed up to do a bunch of errands. You know, the usual bank-dry-cleaner-grocery-store run. A bonus: Sheila drove, so I saved gas!

As we were heading for home, Sheila decided to stop and pick up a bucket of chicken for dinner. I stayed in the car and while waiting, a mutual friend of ours spotted me and toddled over to yakkity-yak.

We were going on and on and only noticed Sheila when she got in the car. And then Sheila had to get all caught up with our friend, too. Twenty minutes later, we drove off and headed for home.

We were {this close} to home when a State Trooper came flyin' up behind us. He flashed on those annoying lights and squawked his ear-splitting siren at us ... the universal signals for "pull over, you're about to get a very expensive ticket."

The State Trooper walks up to the driver's side, bends down, and hands Sheila a bucket of chicken. I think, 'OMG, she must she must have put the bucket on the roof of her car and forgot about it!'

But Sheila says:

"Oh, no thanks, Officer, I just bought some."

Thanks so much for swinging by today!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: "Chocolate Chip," "Melon Mambo," and "Very Vanilla" Card Stocks by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Stampin' Up (Retired)
• Stamp: Club Scrap
• Ink: "Melon Mambo" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: "Chocolate Chip" Grosgrain Ribbon by Stampin' Up
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangular Die; Corner Chomper; Mini-Glue Dots; Scallop Trim Border Punch by Stampin' Up; Perfect Layers (Retired) by Stampin' Up; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up; SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

If you have any questions about Stampin' Up products or stamping techniques, feel free to contact me HERE.

Clean and Simple in Brown and Red ...

Happy Friday, campers!

Today's card project was created for SCS's "Clean and Simple" Design Team search. Designers must create a card following a sketch, a color combination, and/or an autumn-themed holiday. This card was created following the monochromatic challenge.

For all the brown-with-some-red deets, clicky HERE. For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo.

I stamped my flower image with the help of a SAMJ twice in Chocolate Chip ink and once with Riding Hood Red ink on Kraft card stock. I stamped my sentiment, added three vintage buttons, and finis! So easy, even I could do it!

TIP: For even placement of stamped images, draw a straight line in pencil, stamp, then erase your pencil marks.

For all of the tres exciting product info, check out the supply list, below.

Sooooooooo, yesterday Sheila decided it was time to teach her niece, Bailey, how to drive. On their way, someone decided they needed to take me along for the ride.

Since my Momma didn't raise no fool, I jumped in the back seat, leaving Sheila to ride shotgun up front in the death seat.

We circled the neighborhood, then once Bailey felt comfortable, we headed into the Village.

At a busy intersection, Sheila said, "Turn left here, Bailey. And don't forget to let the people behind you know what you're doing."

Bailey turned to me sitting in the back seat and announced, "Deb: I'm going left."

I'm still giggling!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Stampin' Up
• Stamps: Flower from "True Friend" Set by Stampin' Up; Sentiment by CTMH
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" and "Riding Hood Red" Dye Inks by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Vintage Buttons; Natural Twine
• Tools: Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"
  

You Make Me Happy ... Most Days

Happy Thursday, race fans!

Today's super-simple card was created with Designer Paper and chipboard flowers. My collection of chipboard appears to be procreating because every time I open my chippy-stash, there's more of 'em! I decided it was time to disrupt the breeding, hence today's project. Fascinating, huh?

I covered my chippy flowers, and created stems, with patterned paper from the one, the only, Cosmo Cricket! This particular paper comes from the "Hello Sunshine" collection.

I stamped my sentiment, from Close to My Heart, available HERE, and mounted it in a label holder from Stampin' Up's "Hodgepodge Hardware" collection. I die-cut some flowers from card stock, threaded some buttons with DMC embroidery floss, created a border with a Martha Stewart punch, and finis! So quick and easy, it's practically illegal!

So, Sheila's mother-in-law has a birthday coming up. Last night, I asked her what they were planning on getting for her.

"Nothing!" Sheila answered.

"Well, that's cold," I responded.

"No, it isn't ... not really. Last year, we bought her a v-e-r-y expensive cemetery plot and since she still hasn't used it, I'm not getting her anything this year."

I. Kid. You. Not!

~Hugs,

• Card Stock: Papertrey Ink
• Designer Paper: "Hello Sunshine" Collection by Cosmo Cricket
• Stamp: "Make My Day" Set by Close to My Heart
• Ink: "Real Red" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up!
• Accessories: Metal Label Holder and Brads from "Styled Silver" Hodgepodge Hardware Collection by Stampin' Up; Buttons by Making Memories; Embroidery Floss by DMC
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine by Provo Craft; "Flowers" Die by Provo Craft; "Flourish Accents" Die by Spellbinder's; Zig Zag Border Punch by Martha Stewart; Glue Dots by Mini-Glue Dots; Scotch ATG 714 Adhesive; Foam Dimension Tape

Two Hearts as One ... Ribbon Sold Separately

So, how's your Cartoon Day workin' out so far? Mine's okay but it could be better: I'm havin' a heck of a time finding a Rocky & Bullwinkle that's not a rerun ...

ONWARD Hoarding-Card-Makers:

So, I'm really in love with the detail in this kewl Inkadinkado background stamp; it looks just like lace. Oh, and I love the name, "Inkadinkado," too, don't you? Hey, poetry!

In fact, I purposefully buy stamps from Inkadinkado jess so I can say, "Oh, this old thing?!? It's an Inka-Dinka-Do!" So, that's my excuse for buying Inka's. My rationale for buying Stampin' Up rubber is that they're, "investment stamps." I have excuses for other brands that I pull out when necessary.

I stamped both of my images with Staz-On solvent ink, then double mounted 'em, wrapped a grosgrain ribbon around the middle and thru a metal double-heart brad.

In order to make my background fit on my mats, I trimmed off a strip and used it on the inside of my card:

See?

TIP: Always save your trimmed off strips! If you're not thrilled about using them on the inside of your card, you can also use them to embellish your envelope. Not for you? How about using the excess stamped images for punchies, brad washers, photo corners, faux photo turns, and, of course, tiny mats!

So, hey, I hear we're getting a professional baseball team down here! The word is that the new team will be called "Humidity." I like it! Now disgruntled fans here in Florida can say, "It's not the Heat that's so bad, it's the Humidity."

~Sportingly,

• Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Papertrey Ink
• Stamps: "Lace" by Inkadinkado; Sentiment by Vickie Enkoff
• Ink: "Ultramarine" Staz-On by Tsukineko
• Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon; Entwined Hearts Brad
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Nestabilities Die; Scrap Fusion PA; Dimensionals