Thanks SO much... Masculine Card!

How was your Thanksgiving weekend?? Now back to reality, RIGHT! After the food, football, shopping, travel, and getting the laundry done now we can get in the mode for Christmas. I did get our tree up and decorations... and today we worked on taking a Christmas photo... now when you have a golden retriever that has a 1 second attention span... it's very HARD! All he wanted to do is play and with the temp between 28-35 degrees it as COLD! :)
OK on to the card! This card was inspired by thinking Masculine!! I made this card at the scrap retreat weekend and only had Christmas DP's with me... so I worked my magic on using colors that were warm, and different patterns. I used the SU! square punch and stamped an image on the sold squares... from Peaceful Wishes! Also using the SU! Trendy Tree set and So Many Sayings. Added a bit of paper piercing and layers... there you have it! :)

Enjoy your evening! Thanks for the visit as I ALWAYS appreciate the comments... still replying to everyone! Keep stamping... SMILES!

Michelle :)

Dasher & Peaceful Wishes... :)

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I can't believe it's already next week... and then the busy time of year getting ready for Christmas! I have 2 more cards to share from my girls/stamping retreat weekend... the first card is using SU! Peaceful Wishes set and the TOP NOTE! :) (That makes me happy!) I CASE'd a similar card on SCS and the artist is Stampintoo. Check out the card I followed. I added the Real Red around the top note, changed my position of the sentiment and added bronze brads. I used liquid applique on the pine cones which was so fun to give more dimension to the card... I made 4 of these at the retreat and shared with Deb, Diane and Mary! (Hi ladies!!) :)
My second card was inspired by Dasher... LOVE that single stamp. I like this look to give as a masculine card... or the holidays! The CB embossing adds so much in the background, using my SU! Wide oval punch and Lots of Tags dies works so well with the image. I did use my GellyRoll pen for some sparkle but very hard to see in the photo. And yes, I enjoyed sponging around the edges for an aged look... ENJOY!
I'm enjoying the weekend as it's so warm and sunny here. My hubby just left to Bow Hunt till dark. So you know girls what that means... STAMPING TIME!! Fare triad right? He... :) Anyway, I have a few more cards from the retreat to share yet. Stay tune... Have a super weekend and enjoy it in whatever part of the world you live.... SMILES!!

Thanks for popping in... Michelle :)

OfficeMax inspiration... for .99 cents!

Happy Saturday blog hoppers! How is your weekend going so far? I stamped a couple hours this afternoon and came up with this card which my inspiration was a pocket folder that I purchased for .99 cents! Yes, can you believe buying something at OfficeMax for that price...LOL!

I was running errands on Wednesday and came across the folder and instantly a few ideas came to me on creating a card. Has that ever happened to you! :) This is pretty much a SU! card except the boarder punch. I had so much fun making it! The DP is also SU! which is retired I think.



The SU! stamps used are Finest Flourished, Baroque Motifs and Frames with a Flourish. All images are embossed. First layer was SU! Metallic Silver, 2nd layer SU! Detail Black, and 3rd layer SU! Real Red. Some of these powders are pretty old, but still work! :)

This look is different for me, and not sure what to call it? I used my Modern Label Punch for the sentiment embossed in Silver. Click on the photo's for a closer look... IRL the card looks nicer!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy your day. I plan to do more stamping yet this evening and my hubby is bow hunting right now. Maybe make some popcorn and have a soda... :) Endless possibilities... doesn't take much to make me happy!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Autumn Days... and Happy Firday! :)

Hi everyone... are you ready for the weekend? It sure is autumn in Minnesota. The leaves have bright colors, especially the maples, and we had our first killing frost last night. I said my final good-bye's to my flowers and gardens. Tomorrows high is 37 degrees... burr!

The two cards I have to share tonight are from SU! workshops and Julie's card class. The first card was for my hubby's birthday... he LOVES to hunt! To get the effect on the Top Note we took sponges and daubers to add the colorful background. Then stamped the images over. I embossed "Happy Birthday" and "Wish Big".

On the second card we stamped the turkey 3 times in 3 different colors and cut sections out to layer over the main image. It's hard to see in the photo, but it does give some depth. And I just received my Modern Label Punch... O' what fun! :)

Have a super evening! And enjoy the fall air, fuzzy slippers, apple cider, pumpkin bread, warm chili, caramel apples.... notice I LOVE this time of year! Now to find the time to enjoy it!

SMILES... Michelle :)

Double Feature... at a great price!!

Hi everyone & Happy Friday!! The weekend is here.. Woo Hoo! :) The house is quiet and a good time to post... LOL! Now, I knew every paper crafter loves a good deal and a Double Feature!! I haven't done one of these in a long time. My "Great Deal" and card idea was purchased at Target a few weeks ago. I always graze the clearance section... :) So I found these cute invites for $1.48 (10 ct.) which included the DP and ribbon to put my cards together!!

My first card was mailed to Ann at Creative Antics who I won my blog candy from!! She has AWESOME Clean & Simple card designs. Pop into her blog and wish her "Happy Birthday!" She has BLOG CANDY to give away!

OK onto the cards! I used my SU! Jumbo "So Swirly" wheel for the background and embossed in black. Then cut the invite down to use my Top Note die. Added the red ribbon. Next I black embossed the border around my sentiment and then came back embossing the sentiment in Real Red. Double Embossing!! Added my gold pearls for a jazzy detail... :)

My second card, still using a lot of the same colors, ribbon, border, pearls, etc. Except I used my Large oval punch for my sentiment that was embossed in Real Red. The big difference is the card base... using Kraft CS which was embossed with my Swiss Dots folder for a softer look!

Click on the photo's for a closer look at the details and the last photo is the "GREAT DEAL" I got... SWEET! I hope you enjoy these two versions!!

Thanks for poppin' in and visiting! I love the chats and comments... have a super evening and I'll be back this weekend! Smiles...

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Yummy, Baroque Motifs, Sincere Salutations Paper: SU! Close to Cocoa, Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White, DP ("Deal" Target invites) Ink: VersaMark Other: SU! So Swirly Jumbo wheel, gold pearls (Michael's), red ribbon (part of Target invites), dimensionals, CB folder (Swiss Dots), Detail Black EP, Real Red EP (retired), SU! Top Note, SU! Large Oval punch

Happy Father's Day & Victorian Bushfires Appeal Extended... :)

Hey, the weekend is here!! :) I'm posting this card I finished last night. I had this image from The Angel Company embossed on watercolor paper for sometime, but never went beyond that point! LOL!

So I thought I would make it into a Father's Day card. First, I used my CB embossing folder(Distressed Stripes) on my card base Bordering Blue. Next I used a round corner punch and distressed the edges. Added layers of Night of Navy and Real Red. In the four corners I used silver brads with metal spacers from the Jewelry section at the craft store. Now, I'm not a person who knows much about beading or making jewelry so I hope this made sense!! It jazzed up the brads very nicely. I found this idea from Bev at All the Things I Love. Pop in for a visit as she has such adorable cards using this technique and her cards are full of color and embellies! :)

Here is a close up of a brad with a spacer. Click on the photo's for a closer look. Crystal effects is also added to the windows of the light house and building. It's hard to see in the photo.

Reminder!! The SplitCoast Non-Raffle Bushfires Appeal has been extended till April 3rd. So far, they have raised a little more than $2000, but thinking we can do better! There is approximately 100 prizes in the gallery now. Please post on your blogs and encourage all your friends to donate money to earn chances to win... and help the victims of those devastating fires. Lisa at The Craft's Meow will likewise extend her blog candy opportunity through April 3rd for posting the logo and info on your blog to get the word out!! Here is my prize I donated... Check it out!! :)

Well, now off to vacuum! Then I can play this afternoon in my craft room... maybe cleaning is more what I should say! Have a super Saturday my stamping friends and thanks for the visit... SMILES!!

Michelle :)

Stamps: The Angel Company and sentiment (Stampendous!) Paper: SU! Bordering Blue, Real Red, Night of Navy, Watercolor paper Ink: SU! Craft Whisper White and Basic Black, SU! Markers (Baroque Burgundy, Old Olive, Bordering Blue, Going Gray, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Garden Green, Close To Cocoa, Ballet Blue) Other: SU! Crystal Effects, Aqua Painter, White EP, Paper Piercing, SU! Large and small ovals, Round corner Punches, CB embossing folder (Distressed Stripes), dimensionals, SU! Silver brads, Spacers (CCA), SU! Cutter Kit (distressing edges), twine, etc.

The Art of Life...

Morning! We woke up to snow again and maybe more coming... is it spring yet?! LOL.. :)

Today I have a card to share using SU! The Art of Life set. I needed a masculine card and thought this would be fitting. I kept my colors warm and earthy. Used my jumbo Rough Texture wheel for the background on my Kraft CS. The vine is embossing in SU! Old Fashioned Olive (retired), and did some chalking behind the vine for more warmth. I distressed the edges for a rough look!

Have a super Thursday everyone and the weekend is just about here... yeah! Thanks for popping in and I love it when you do... ENJOY!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! The Art of Life Paper: SU! Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Naturals, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive Ink: SU! Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, VersaMark Other: SU! Old Fashioned Olive EP, Twine (?), dimensionals, SU! Distressing Tool, Stampin' Pastels, antique gold snaps (?), etc.

Masculine Birthday Card...

Tonight I have a masculine birthday card to share as I made this card a couple months ago. This card has a variety of elements and the masculine DP would work for an adult or teen boy.

I embossed the large "HB" and used my Everyday Flexible Phrases to add more words. Also to my Round Tab punch. Then taking my 1/2" circle punch to add more color under my gold brads, and lastly adding 2 colors of grosgrain ribbon.

I hope you enjoy as I'm always looking for ideas for guy/teen cards. I'm usually in the "Girly" card mode... LOL! Have a super evening and chat more again soon.... SMILES!! (Thanks for visiting!!)

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Everyday Flexible Phrases, Making Memories "Foam Stamps" (Philadelphia) Paper: SU! Naturals Ivory, Night of Navy, More Mustard, red card base (misc. ?) DP's (The Paper Loft and Bo-Bunny Press) Ink: VersaMark and SU! Chocolate Chip Other: 1/2" circle punch, gold brads, SU! ribbon (Chocolate Chip and Old Olive), Stamp positioner, dimensionals, Embossing Powders (By Enchanted Creations... Jungle & Cheetah), SU! Round Tab Punch, etc.

Birthday Card... Celebrating You!

Hi stampers in blog land! Sorry I'm late on posting... this day got away on me big time. It's strange how that happens... can we buy time! It would be worth MILLIONS!! LOL! :) So I'm posting now to give you some eye candy. This card is a design I followed out of an old SU! catty. (2007 I'm thinking.) This design is fun for masculine cards also.

I used staples to attach my ribbon ends, layered scraps of cardstock which were stamped to create patterned paper. I LOVE using my scraps and recycling. I used my SU! Spiral punch for a more finished touch.

Very simple, and you can do less or more to make it your own style!!!!

Enjoy your day and thanks for popping in!! Stamp when you can and clean only if you need too... He, He!! (Just my small sense of humor!)

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Happy Everything, Mixed Greetings, Maple Leaf (?) Paper: SU! Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Kraft Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie Other: SU! Spiral Punch, stamp positioner, staples, Ribbon, etc.

Happy New Year... Cocktails Anyone?

Happy New Year's Eve!!!

I made this card a while back which I made two. I love the 3 olives I created by using my circle punches. I punched out the centers and "set in" the red to get a more realistic look... hard to see in the photo. Also sewing on the left side and using the SU! spiral punch to give a more office look. It looks like a manual for mixing Martini's!! The Kraft paper gives a fun touch also!

Have a great evening, drink sensibly, drive safe and get to bed at a reasonable time... this is your stampin' friend watching over you!! JUST HAVE A FABULOUS TIME!!!!!

I'll see you in 2009!

Michelle :)

I'm back with a Non-Christmas card...

Hi bloggers! Miss me!?!? I've been gone for a while with working more this past week and Christmas To Do's. (Plus dealing with a nasty cold!) So my time has been limited on the computer, but I will try and post over the holidays, but not as often! I'm wishing you a wonderful Christmas week and joyful New Year!!

Today's card I just love this fun lay-out! I used my 1 1/4" square punch for the 3 bottom triangles with my fun DP from A-2-Z Essentials. I used my 1/8" hole punch on my Real Red strip. To jazz it up I paper pierced around the edges. My saying is stamped in Night Quite Navy and layered with Real Red. Using my Ticket Corner punch. This would be a great layout for a masculine card also!

Thanks for the visit and I'm wishing you a blessed, warm and cozy Christmas if you don't pop back till after the holidays!!! Enjoy....

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Happy Harmony & Canvas background stamp (both retired) Paper: SU! Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Real Red. Ink: SU! Not Quite Navy Accessories: Paper Piercing, SU! 1 1/4" square punch and Ticket Corner punch, dimensionals, 1/8" hole punch, etc.

Your're... on my mind!!

Good Morning Stampers! Happy Friday to you!!!! Any big plans for the weekend? There is talk of a snowstorm coming through Minnesota Saturday night and all day Sunday. So some great baking time which I'll have to show a quick photo of my goodies I'll be whippn' up... I LOVE to bake!

On to the card at hand! Isn't this just darling using a SU! Jumbo Eyelet with linen thread to give a "Tire Swing" effect!!!! This week I was at Julie's SU! class on Monday night. This is one of 4 cards she had us make. I added the look of grass on the bottom. Plus I layered up the saying using my Curly Label Punch. I'm always adding more to cards as a challenge for me. Julie has such fun cards at class!! (HI Julie!!)

Well, I have a close up photo to look at. I cut the bottom tree trunk, about 1/4" - 3/8", to tuck my grass up under to give a 3-D look. I have to run here, so we'll chat more this weekend! Thanks for the visit and hope you get some stamping or baking time in this weekend!!!!

Holiday cheers!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Season of Friendship, Upsy Daisy Paper: Old Olive, chocolate chip, close to cocoa, kiwi kiss, summer sun, whisper white, Ink: Chocolate chip, old olive, kiwi kiss Accessories: SU! Curly label punch, corner punch, Jumbo eyelets (pewter), dimensionals, paper piercing, Linen thread, SU! chalks, Crop-a-dile, etc.

Gift Card Holders... using Curly Label Punch!

Wow, it's Sunday already! I have a couple eye-candies to show you... so remember the gift card holder I posted on Friday? Well, these are the 2 holders I was inspired to make with my NEW SU! Curly Label Punch that the big brown truck dropped off on Friday... yes, I waited to purchase this fun punch/stamp set. (Good things come to those who wait.. He!)
TIP: I embossed the "Be Merry" before running it through my CB embossing folder. Then I sponged the edges with Craft White on the 1st card only!The gift card holders are for two teens (male and female) that I enclosed $$ inside. The top one is the masculine version and the bottom photo is for a girl jazzed up with scallops and pink. (Obviously!) My "Be Merry" was embossed in white, but didn't show up very well.

Thanks for the visit! As I always love company... and the comments! Chat again soon...

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Warm Words, Cute & Curly Paper: SU! Taken with Teal, Positively Pink, Green Galore, Whisper White, DP's by Povo Craft, Around the block, K&I Memories. Ink: SU! Taken with Teal, Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate chip, Craft White. Accessories: SU! Curl Label Punch, Paper Piercing, Scallop Scissors, SU! Dimensionals, White Embossing Powder, Sponges, CB Snowflake folder, etc.

Very Merry... It's Friday!!

Happy Friday stampers! How are your holiday preparations going? I'm keeping on track so far. It always seems a person doesn't get done what you'd like, but I just smile and keep working at it... LOL! :)

Today I have a gift card holder to share from a SU! card class I attend once a month. Julie has such awesome ideas... I just LOVE the Hodgepodge Hardware. This gift card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" with a 1 1/2" flap folded up in the inside and two ivory brads hold the flap secure. TIP: The SU! Design Paper is folded in half to see both sides of the paper which coordinate together. It gives the card some depth! Now off to clean my house and get my laundry started. (I need to get my cores done before some stamping fun!)

Have a great day and we'll chat more again very soon!!! Think snow...

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Winter Post Paper: SU! DP "Frosty Day", Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue. Ink: SU! Craft Vanilla and Chocolate Chip. Accessories: SU! Designer Label Punch, "Styled Vanilla" Hodgepodge hardware, etc.

Quickie "Happy Holidays" Card...

Morning blog hoppers! I have a QUICKIE Christmas card to share with you that is great to duplicate for that large list of cards we mail out to our family and friends. With just a few layers of card stock... you have a completed card with some "STYLE and JAZZ" with out all the extras! I love that combo... :) I did add some Stickles to each bow. I love my bling.... (hard to see in the photo, sorry!)

Thanks for visiting! I really enjoy it and I hope my cards give you some inspiration... remember to stamp today!! Smiles.... :)

Michelle

Stamps: SU! Sketch an Event, Happy Everything, All in a Row. Paper: SU! Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White. Ink: SU! Basic Black and Real Red Accessories: Stickles Stardust, blender pen, stamp positioner, etc

Seeing Stars!

Happy Hello!!

Hope your day is going well so far and a fantastic day ahead... :) Busy week for me (as I'm sure for many of you!) so I'm pre-posting on my blog so you have eye candy to see! This card is inspired by a crative stamper on Split Coast. Click here to view! I changed a few things on my design with punching the centers out of the large stars, adding stickles to the small stars and using my Round Tab punch a couple different ways. The solid red "Celebrate" in the top photo is a sticker from DCWV. (Die Cuts With a View) I love this lay-out for Masculine and Children cards!

Enjoy the cards, life and I hope you have a chance to Stamp and Smile today...

Michelle :)
Recipe for both cards....
Stamps: SU! Celebrate Everything, Heard from the Heart. Paper: SU! Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Going Gray, DP (Sassafras & DCWV), Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Only Orange, Summer Sun. Ink: SU! Basic Black and Brilliant Blue. Accessories: SU! Large and Small star punches, SU! Round Tab and Spiral Punches, Round Corner Punch, Stamp Positioner, Pop Dots, staples, "red Celebrate" sticker from DCWV.

Time to Celebrate... Quick & Fun!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend! I'm back from my weekend of stamping up in Northern Minnesota... what fun it was!! During the week I will post cards I made and a couple photo's of the fun we had... HeHe! Today I have 2 cards to share that can work for Masculine or child/teen cards. Very simple and quick cards!!! Fun colors, using star punches, Stickles Star Dust on the mini stars for extra depth and bling. Also cool DP to boot! :) Note: My Old Olive pad was drying out so my "Celebrate" it's a bit blotchy....

Enjoy the day and thanks for the visit! See you tomorrow for more eye candy... Smiles!

Michelle :)

Recipe for Both Cards...
Stamps: SU! Celebrate Everything Paper: SU! Ruby Red, Barely Banana, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, DP JoAnn's Ink: SU! Ruby Red, Old Olive Accessories: SU! Small and Large Star Punches, Stickles Star Dust, Paper Piercing, Dimensionals, Silver Star Sequins (JoAnn's)

Out of my BOX on this card!!

Morning bloggers... Is everyone ready for the big Election Day? I'm an Election Judge for our Township and I have a long 14 hour day ahead of me. It's nice visiting with neighbors and new faces in the area. I'm making this quick because I have to be at the poles by 6:30am...

On this card I was totally out of my BOX on this one!! LOL... :) It sure has a modern look to it and fun using up my scraps, which is always a plus. I just realized this would be a great lay-out for a masculine card. Jazz it up with different colors, center image and saying, and you have a cool card! The Season's Greetings is embossing in black. The center snowflake has glitter for added bling. (So hard to get that in the photo.) Let me know what you think... :)

Have a great Tuesday and remember.... Stamp and Smile!! :)

Michelle :)

Stamps: SU! Along the Same Lines and $1 stamp from JoAnn's. Paper: SU! Basic Black, Kraft, American Crafts DP Ink: Versa Mark and SU! Basic Black, SU! markers Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Green Galore. Accessories: SU! Red Gingham Ribbon, dimensionals, SU! black embossing powder, glue dots.

Time to Celebrate...

Hello all you stampers and paper crafters in blog land... :) Hope your day is going well! It sure feels like fall in Minnesota. Highs in the mid 50's and the northwest winds blowing. Burrr!

Now the fun talk... stamping! When I started making this card I wanted to have a masculine feel that would be fun for any occasion. The colors are pretty basic and the ribbon isn't tied to give a bow feel. Just attached the ends with a large brad. The silver star in my letter "A" is actually an Iron-on Stud from Wal-Mart! Enjoy and we'll chat soon! Let me know what you think!!

Stamp and then Smile... :) Michelle

Stamps: SU! Celebrate Everything Ink: SU! Basic Black and Real Red Paper: SU! True Thyme, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, DD paper by A2Z Essentials Accessories: Silver Star from "Next Style" Iron-on Studs, Large red brad from JoAnn Crafts, dimensionals, Paper piercing, etc.