Friday, February 29, 2008

Blogger's Challenge #36


Today's challenge was to use the layout of the card on page 44. Once again, today it is SNOWING here...and I'm wishing for Spring or Summer to hurry up and get here. This set, Time for You, is in the new Occasions Mini Catalog and available March 1st. I couldn't resist using it. I paired it with the new Summer Picnic paper, too!

When I saw this set, I knew I had to get it...the bicycle reminds me of the bright red one I had when I was young...even with the faux wood basket on the front! I spent LOTS of time on that bicycle...it was the one I first learned to ride on. My dad was a farmer and super busy during the summer, so my neighbor friend taught me to ride...he always had time for a little friend who tailed after him even though he was a couple years older.

I used the piercing template in the bottom corners. Then I punched the Word Window out of Pumpkin Pie, folded it in half, secured it to the top of the card with a mini brad and then tied the gingham ribbon through the loop. To color, I used a variety of markers and watercolor pencils.

Hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane...

Connie


Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Woohoo! My card on Stampers Showcase today!


It is always exciting to have Stampin' Up! showcase your card on the demo side of their website. Stampin' Up! puts between 4-6 cards on the showcase every day for other demos to use as inspiration for their classes and workshops. To get on the showcase, you send in cards for contests or leave them in baskets at Regionals, Conventions and Leadership. This was a card I left in the basket at Leadership. I had made several for one of the organized swaps I joined.

I used Classic Backgrounds, It's Your Birthday and Big Deal Numbers along with Fall Flowers Designer Series Paper. I love the soft colors of Soft Sky, Sahara Sand and Wild Wasabi. The Star is punched and popped up with dimensionals. I think I made 30 of these...but it was a fun card to put together. I always like using the age on my children's cards...of course...my children are now 25 and 22...so this one is actually for my great nephew.

Enjoy!
Connie

Sets: Classic Backgrounds, It's Your Birthday, Big Deal Numbers
C/S: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Soft Sky, Fall Flowers DSP
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky
Other: Large star punch, Sahara Sand DS Ribbon, Scallop Circle punch 1 3/8 circle punch, dimensionals


Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Embrace Life calendar


Ugh...we are getting more SNOW! I'm so tired of winter. I guess my spring colored cards didn't help move it out any faster.
But! I finally had time to cover my desk calendar yesterday. I always get compliments on them...and they are easy to make. One of my friends got me started by giving me one in a gift exchange over 5 years ago.

This year I used the popular Ginger Blossoms designer paper...LOVE it! I've already used up one pack and ordered a second pack. The large flowers are perfect for the size of this calendar...I covered the bottom front and entire back with that pattern. Then...the dotted paper...ranks right up there in my favorites with the stripes!

I stamped the large flower from Embrace Life three times with Basic Brown ink on Whisper White cardstock. Then I used my sponge dauber and Ruby Red and Groovy Guava to ink up the centers and color in the petals...and used the Tombow Multi-purpose glue to add glitter along the stamens. I then placed the red Fire Circle brads in the centers. I layered them on a River Rock piece inked with the Sanded Background stamp. I added a touch of Garden Green ink to the punched 5-petal flower leaves. The Round Tab Punch has the word Life stamped on it from the Enjoy Every Moment stamp set. I used Jumbo Eyelets and the narrow Twill along the side, stamping first with the leaf stamp from Embrace Life in River Rock. I'm happy with the way it turned out!

Sets: Embrace Life, Enjoy Every Moment, Sanded background
C/S: River Rock, Whisper White, Groovy Guava, Ginger Blossom DSP
Inks: Basic Brown, Garden Green, River Rock, Ruby Red, Groovy Guava
Other: Jumbo eyelets, narrow twill, Fire brads, 5 petal punch, Round Tab punch, sponge daubers, Tombow multi-purpose glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Sticky Strip

Monday, February 25, 2008

Spring Solitude - Pouncing technique


OK...here is another Pouncing technique background I made up with spring colors and the Spring Solitude stamp set (Level 2 hostess set). On this card, I still used the Green Galore and Pixie Pink, but added Tempting Turquoise for a little twist! Pouncing technique is in the latest February issue of Technique Junkies newsletter! See my link in the sidebar to check it out!

Can you tell I'm hoping to see a "Bluebird" out my window soon? Come on SPRING! The "hello" is a rub-on from the Anchored package. These are SO much fun to play with! I spent yesterday morning rubbing them on different things. Stampin' Up! certainly puts out quality product because I had no trouble with them at all! And remember, you can get a Sale-a-Bration rub-on set to try FREE with any $50 order...included are four colors of rub-ons...olive, white, chocolate and black! Email me today with your order so you don't miss out!

Well...I'll be busy stamping today. I have several projects that are coming due in the next couple weeks, plus some additional prep for classes. And my assignments for the next issue of Technique Junkies newsletter are calling to me!

Have a great day!
Connie


Saturday, February 23, 2008

Garden Whimsy


I'm SO ready for SPRING and warm weather! We just endured another snow and ice storm and are digging out today. So yesterday, while it was snowing and sleeting...I decided to pull out my SPRING colors and bring a little sunshine into my studio.

Now, normally I'm not a Bold Brights person...I favor Earth Elements colors. But...sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...right? So, I picked the two brightest colors I could...Pixie Pink and Green Galore reinkers and went to work making some "Pouncing" technique backgrounds. This technique is in the latest Technique Junkies newsletter and SO much fun to make. One of those "quick & easy" ones.

Well, next I needed a stamp set...what other thing says SPRING like Tulips! Bingo! I used my markers to color the Tulip in Pixie Pink and Green Galore...then I added some shading by using Pink Passion and Garden Green on the edges of the stamp. I stamped it on Glossy paper to make it POP and added a strip of Green Galore along the bottom...I cut tiny slits in the paper and crinkled it to resemble green grass. I needed a Thank You card for the friends we went to Las Vegas with...so I used one of my favorite sets...Short & Sweet...to stamp Thank You and used my much neglected small and large oval punches. Since Stampin' Up! retired the Green Galore grosgrain ribbon, I pulled out a piece of bright green stripe ribbon I had on hand...

To me...this card says SPRING...just what I wanted.
Connie

Friday, February 22, 2008

Bloggers' Challenge #35 - Color Combo


Whew...Purely Pomegranate, Brilliant Blue and Old Olive...colors that I would never put together on my own! A true challenge! But, I am happy with how it turned out! I was also excited to try out the new Fine Cosmos glitters I received in my last order. The picture really does not give you a good image of how much the paper GLITTERS! It is very sparkly in person...a lot like our Dazzling Diamonds, except in color! Woohoo!

To make the "glitter paper", I laid down lines of Sticky Strip on Purely Pomegranate cardstock, then poured Rose Pink glitter on top and shook off the excess. I stamped the butterfly with Purely Pomegranate ink on Glossy White cardstock and cut out...very vibrant! I used dimensionals to pop it up a little.

These challenges are so much fun...I love how they stretch me creatively! Enjoy!
Connie

Sets: Garden Whimsy, Spring Solitude
C/S: Brilliant Blue, Purely Pomegranate, Glossy White, Fall Flowers DSP
Inks: Purely Pomegranate, Brilliant Blue
Other: Olive mini brads, Fine Cosmos glitter, Sticky Strip, Corner Rounder, Purely Pomegranate DS Ribbon, Dimensionals.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Friendship Blooms


Oh, I can't believe I forgot to post this card! This was my swap card for the Control Freaks group Sale-A-Bration swap last month. I used the set Friendship Blooms.

I wanted the illusion of a jean pocket, so I used the Blue Bayou Designer Prints paper and rounded the bottom with my corner rounder. The scallop edge is also made with the corner rounder...taking the guide off and then punching along the bottom of the cardstock. The flower is popped up with dimensionals and I added a Faux Diamond Dust (technique from Technique Junkies Newsletter) glitter flower center punched with the Boho Blossoms punch...and I added a colored mini brad in the center and at the top of the "pocket". I also stamped the inside pocket piece and added a glitter flower to it, also. I like using the Round Tab punch for the top of the pull-out...note the swirl stamp on the tab, too!

Well, we got about 3" of snow today unexpectedly! Earlier this week it was warm enough to melt all the snow...now it is back! I hope it is done snowing...I'm supposed to go out of town on Friday and hate to drive in bad weather.

Set: Friendship Blooms
C/S: Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, River Rock, Blue Bayou DSP
Inks: River Rock, Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranate, Versamark
Other: Round Tab punch, Boho Blossoms punch, River Rock double stitched ribbon, Corner rounder punch, Mini brads, Iridescent Ice EP

Connie

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Classic Backgrounds 4


Another card made with Classic Backgrounds...I really liked the large star in this set. Too bad I didn't have the large star punch when I was making all these cards for Leadership Display!

This one is a basic pocket card...the cardstock cut 4 1/4 x 11 and then scored and folded up and the flap down. I stamped the stars in craft ink, then sprinkled Irridescent Ice EP over them and heat set. I layered the cut out star on the Scallop Circle punched from Brushed Silver. I also used Totally Tags for the Round Tab punch. I added the faux stitching around the top of the pocket.

I don't use Glorious Green very often, but I did like it paired with the Brushed Silver and Whisper White cardstock! I thought this would make a great graduation invitation, so I used the school colors where my boys went to High School...Dublin Shamrocks and Dublin Irish!

Stay warm...we are getting MORE snow today. I'm SO ready for spring! I was checking out places near Hilton Head Island to vacation today...it can't come soon enough for me!

Connie


Monday, February 18, 2008

Boho Backgrounds 3


Sorry I am posting so late...I meant to do it earlier...but my hubby was off today for President's Day. I don't know about you, but MY routine certainly takes a hit when he is home! So, instead of posting, he mentioned going to look for something to display on top of the new hutch we purchased before Christmas. I took down the Snow decorations I had up there on Thursday, and it does look bare...but I knew what would happen. I'd never be able to buy something that I liked, because he would be certain to roll his eyes at the cost...or tell me that he knew I could MAKE something similar. Ugh! But, at least I did get a couple ideas. I'll just make sure to purchase them when he isn't around! lol! Anyone else out there like me?

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but when I make cards for Convention or Display, I like to focus each of the stamps on the cards or projects I'm designing. I don't know about you, but there are usually 1-2 stamps in the set that become my favorites, and I neglect the other poor little stamps in the set! Well, the argyle stamp is one that was neglected...I think I'm argyle challenged! So...for this Display sample, I pulled out my Stamp-a-ma-jig and tried to line up the argyles evenly. I think I did a pretty good job...

This card I had in my head that I wanted a masculine look and feel. On the other samples I made, I had already cut out the stars, mounted some on the Scallop Circles...so I had my large 1-3/8 circle sitting next to me (at the time ALL my punches were sitting next to me on the counter! I think I had EVERY punch pulled out to use!) I tried punching the star with the large circle and liked the effect. So...I chose some masculine colors (Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip and Really Rust) with Very Vanilla and pulled together this card. The "Celebrate" was from the retired All About U...now you could easily substitute Celebrate from Celebrate Everything and it would look great! The circle stars are popped up with dimensionals and an Antique Brass mini brad in the center of each. I think it turned out to be a nice, masculine card and amazingly similar to what I had imagined in my head! lol!

This week I have a busy week for deadlines, so I'm sure to get lots of stamping done. I figured out my Control Freaks swap card...now just to cut paper and stamp 40 of them and get them mailed by Friday...piece of cake, right? lol! Have a good night!
Connie

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Boho Backgrounds 5


Another card I sent in for Display at Leadership.

This one I wanted the medallion to appear to be background designer paper. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig, to evenly stamp the medallions with Night of Navy on Whisper White cardstock. After I made several rows, I cut it down to a 2" strip. Then I used the slit punch to make a scallop for the left side...punching a 1/16" hole in each scallop and adding a Pretty in Pink mini brad to each hole (my favorite part of this card!)

The navy "stripe" you see on the left is actually Navy grosgrain ribbon to hide the seam between the two separate pieces of cardstock. I stamped the medallion and punched it with the Scallop Circle punch...then behind that I punched two Round Tab punches in Pretty in Pink and layered them as a "faux" circle behind the scallop. Thanks So Much from Think Happy Thoughts is stamped with Navy and punched with the 1" punch, the center flower is stamped with Pretty in Pink and punched with the 3/4 circle punch...all the circles are layered together and then popped with dimensionals.

Had a fun class today...a couple people couldn't make it at the last minute so it was small, but hey...they received my individual attention, right? Tomorrow I'm volunteering for Stampin' Up! with Ronald McDonald House. We are converting old card front swaps into cards for the residents to use.

Have a great weekend!
Connie

Friday, February 15, 2008

Blogger's Challenge Week #34


Today's challenge was to use the layout from the Happy Birthday card found on page 42 of the catalog. Again, a nice and quick card to make up! Got to love those! I love these challenges for making me really look at the layouts of the cards! It truly is a great book for ideas when you get stuck.

I chose to use All in the Family stamp set. I purchased this when they had it as a promotion last year, but never got around to mounting it. I've seen some CUTE cards done with it and pulled it out yesterday to mount and finally use. I'm sure I'll get a lot of use out of it now. I love the little sayings that are in the catalog now that go along with the set. That's on my next order, I'm sure!

For this card, I also opened and used my Wasabi stripe ribbon...oh...I love the feel of that ribbon. I tried to add a bow on the left, but it looked too fussy, so I took it off. The scallop row was made from the East Coast Prep paper...I had a strip left over from making those criss-cross boxes a couple weeks ago.

Sets: All in the Family, Hugs & Wishes
C/S: More Mustard, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi
Inks: Basic Black, various markers
Other: Wasabi stripe ribbon, slit punch, piercing tool, Scallop circle punch, dimensionals


Happy Friday! Weekend coming up....
Connie

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Friends & Flowers Scrappin Kit

My son's girlfriend, Allie, had a birthday last week. Since we were in Las Vegas, I didn't get a chance to give her a present. She will be home from college this weekend, so I finished up the covered lunch box tin, RSVP pen and envelopes (I had the cards done last week). She mentioned the last time she was here that she always uses a bunch of thank you notes (she is studying to be a teacher). I thought a tin full of thank yous would be a nice gift for her.

I made 25 cards from 1/2 Friends & Flowers Scrappin Kit (retired) that I had left over and then covered the lunch box tin with the matching printed paper. I figure, it will be easy to refill her tin when she needs more. I left all the insides blank for her to write personal messages. I did use my George Cricut cartridge to cut out the letters for CARDS on top of the tin from Chocolate Chip cardstock. I also used an assortment of ribbon to decorate the handles of the lunch box tin. Around the middle, the wide satin chocolate ribbon that was on sale in December is SO nice! I secured it with Sticky Strip, but it ties beautifully...love it!

In addition to the Lunch box tin of cards, I also bought her a hot pink scarf to match the Vera Bradley purse we got her for Christmas. You know...those scarves that are so popular right now. I'm sure she will like it, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Connie

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Always Valentine


This was a card my Techniques Class did last week (and also the one I'm giving my husband tomorrow!)

EDIT: Actually this is a technique from Technique Junkies newsletter called Go Retro back in June 2003...thanks Pat! Although it seemed familiar, I couldn't find the proper name for it!

Notice the spiral clip from the Hodgepodge Hardward clip in the corner? I ran pink grosgrain ribbon thru the clip and secured it around back. Then I tied a knot of pink gingham around the center of the spiral clip to make a bow! I'm not sure who first showed that little trick, but I think it is great! Hard to see, but I also used dimensionals to pop up the floral heart.

This week I've been getting ready for a class I have on Saturday and working on a future class. I finished making a birthday gift for my son's girlfriend and I'll take a picture tomorrow and post it.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Connie

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Stitched Exotics 5


Yes, another sample for the Display Boards at Leadership. This time, my niece. I thought the title appropriate, don't you? She has the cutest little apple cheeks! Lots of accessories used on this 12x12 page, too. I used the large flower from the Pretties Kit and a couple of the pearls. I dyed it with watercolor crayons in Baroque Burgundy and the aqua painter. I also colored a Chipboard flower with Handsome Hunter Craft Ink to go behind the one stamped flower, adding Irridescent EP on top. The leaves all are punched with the 5 petal punch with Faux Diamond Dust from Handsome Hunter paper(another Technique Junkies technique!) A couple Build-A-Brads and the new alphabet set, Schoolbook Serif for the letters in Apple and Big Deal Alphabet for Cheeks. And, the 5/8 Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon and More Mustard Designer Paper in the background.

Finally feeling like I'm back on the Eastern timezone. We were hit with some snow...but not as much as they were anticipating. I stayed home and cut the stamp rubber from all the NEW sets that came yesterday! Woohoo! New rubber to play with! But I was super excited that the SAB sets were all precut...all I did was mount them! Yeah!

Hope you had a great day!
Connie

Monday, February 11, 2008

Sweet Celebrations 3


This was one of my favorite things to make for the Leadership Displays. It was the first time I tried to make an acetate box! (Acetate sheets are actually overhead projection sheets.) I decided not to fill it...although I looked all over for pink and white M&Ms...thinking they would have them for Breast Cancer Awareness (remember...I made these back in October/November timeframe)...but nothing. I found some pink peppermint patties, but knew they would be too heavy to stay up on the Displays. So...I opted to just keep it empty.

I was thinking of wedding favors when I made this, but it is appropriate for Valentine's Day right now! The medallion is several layers of punches...two scallop punches in Regal Rose and Whisper White, the center holds a Build-A-Brad. The medallion on the side is repeated and placed on the top flap, too!

These are lots of fun to make. I'll have to whip up a few more soon!
Happy Monday...
Connie

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Stitched Exotics 5


Hello! I'm back from Las Vegas! It was fun, but I'm SO glad to be home. We got in around 11:45 PM...picked up the baggage, caught the shuttle to get the car, drove 1/2 to get home...realized that my parents had LOCKED the door from the house to the garage. We didn't carry our KEYS because we weren't going to need them...right? So had to go to my parents to pick up our house key (and call them at 1:00 AM in the morning!)...they live about 20 minutes away. By the time we were home, calmed down the cat and crawled into bed, it was pushing 3 AM! Luckily, we were still on Pacific time anyway, so it was "only" midnight for our bodies. However, today I am definitely feeling OLD. lol!

So...a quick post here...another picture of my nephew and my niece that I made for the Display samples at Leadership! This was the photo in a Christmas card my brother sent out...can you see they are dressed as angels? White turtlenecks with angel wings and tinsel halos. CUTE! He is even holding her hands.

Colors I used were Basic Grey and Soft Sky cardstock. The swirls are embossed with silver. I stamped the flower twice with Purely Pomegranate on Glossy White and cut out...I also stamped the flower with Wild Wasabi and cut out two leaves. They are popped up with dimensionals and a rhinestone brad in the center.

Have a great Sunday!
Connie

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Boho Backgrounds 4


Here is a scrapbook page that was displayed at Leadership for the Boho Backgrounds stamp set. I used Technique Junkie's Brayered Spots technique on Whisper White cardstock for the background on the side panel, plus the 1" punched circle in the center of the Boho medallion image. I inked the medallions with Brilliant Blue and Basic Black overtop the Brayered Spots background. I think the colors were perfect for this picture of my nephew. You probably can't tell, but he was crawling out of one of those inflatable rubber ball contraptions. Isn't he cute? Want to learn how to do this technique? Check out my sidebar for the link to subscribe to Technique Junkies newsletters.

This 6x6 page base is Real Red, with Brilliant Blue and Glorious Green layers. You Make Me Happy is inked with a marker using the Omit Method. Use your marker to just ink up the portion of the image you want to stamp. I used a Real Red mini brad in the center of the medallion and popped the entire scallop circle with dimensionals. Again, I love that wide 5/8 Real Red grosgrain ribbon...hope you remembered to get some when it was on sale last month!

I'm headed to Las Vegas early in the morning, so won't be posting for a few days. "See" you when I return on Sunday!

Enjoy!
Connie

Monday, February 4, 2008

Take Ten Challenge Card


I made this card last week for a Take Ten Challenge on one of my groups. The challenge was to make two of the same card...one to send into Take Ten magazine and the other to mail to my challenge partner. I used more of the East Coast Prep paper...three different patterns...for this card. I also used one of my favorite sets from the new catalog...One of a Kind. Unfortunately, this stamp set is on "hold" with the company. They are working on getting one of the stamps to line up a little better with the matching punch. I didn't have any trouble with mine, but they wanted to make it a little simpler, I guess. The Coluzzle made it easy to cut the circles...it cuts like butter thru the Designer paper.

At the center of the flower is a Build-a-Brad. They are SO much fun! Check out my classes link on the sidebar. I am having a Build-A-Brad Kit class on Saturday, February 16th. If you can't make the class, I am offering the kit class for sale...you'll get a full tin of Build-a-Brads in the color of your choice, the stamped images and paper all cut ready for you to assemble on your own time! Build-A-Brads aren't just for the center of flowers and I'll be showing you several more ways to use them! 5 cards/projects in total for $20 plus $4.60 shipping! Email me to place your order!

Well...what do you think about those Giants winning the SuperBowl? Quite unexpected. We watched at our friends' house...he is an avid Giants fan since he commutes to New York City every week. We had a great time!

Cheers,
Connie

Sunday, February 3, 2008

East Coast Prep Compacts




When I was at Leadership, I purchased the mirror compacts as gifts for my downline and upline. I just sent them off in the mail this week, so hopefully everyone has received them by now and I won't ruin the surprise by posting the pictures here.

Since I didn't want to just give them the cello bag with the compact, I also altered Nicole Heady's criss-cross box to make it small enough so that the compacts fit in it nicely...I even included a matching 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 card! I think they turned out SO cute! I used the new East Coast Prep paper (so bright and cheery!) and the Think Happy Thoughts stamp set. (I resisted that stamp set so long....but it really is NICE for making quick little cards and has a good selection of words!)

Making these little 3D items is one of the major reasons I got hooked on stamping and paper crafting. I love cards, but making little presents like this is so much fun..... Hmmm, I have one more left...who should I give it to? Maybe the NEXT recruit who signs up with me? lol!

I've been spending the weekend getting my paperwork inputted into a spreadsheet for taxes. Almost done. Tonight we are off to a Superbowl party at friends...we've been going to their house for the game at least 10 years. Our boys grew up together!

Stay warm,
Connie

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Sale-A-Bration Time...and I'm CELEBRATING!


It's Sale-A-Bration time again at Stampin' Up! and free product is what it's all about! Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers, hostesses, and new demonstrators the opportunity to earn fantastic, FREE, limited-edition stamp sets they'll enjoy for years to come.

Customers: When you spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward (your choice of 5 stamp sets or package of rub-ons). There's no limit-for every $50 you spend, you can select another free Sale-A-Bration reward!

Hostesses: When you host a workshop of at least $300 (before tax and shipping), you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward in addition to all of the regular hostess benefits!

New Demonstrators: During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins as a demonstrator can choose ANY stamp set--a value of up to $47.95--from the Spring-Summer 2008 Collection ... FREE! Plus, new demonstrator recruits get 20 percent off the Demonstrator Starter Kit--over $350 of Stampin' Up! products and business supplies for only $159! It is the BEST time to sign up! Also, as a gift from me...when you qualify as a demonstrator, you'll earn the wonderful Fushion Flower Kit...another $14.95 value FREE from me!

The Sale-A-Bration promotion starts on February 1 and runs through March 17, so don't miss your chance to earn free products or take advantage of becoming a demonstrator yourself! You can view the Sale-A-Bration brochure online HERE and then email me to place your order!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Blogger's Challenge Week #32


Today's challenge was to recreate the layout of the card on the cover of the recent Sale-A-Bration mini catalog (the Happy Birthday card). Right now, Always, is my favorite set from the new catalog. It is very different than anything else I own, and I guess that is why it appeals to me. I've had it out the past couple days working on several different things.

I love the heart...it is very elegant looking, which put me in mind of black & white being elegant. So...I created a Valentine's Day card (for my hubby) with black glittery hearts (I mixed Black EP with Dazzling Diamonds), dark Basic Grey, Black and white. I think it turned out striking! Notice the little rhinestone flower I placed in one of the flowers on the top heart. Also, the Grey taffeta ribbon adds another touch of elegance. The scallops along the side I made using the 1 3/8" circle punch, then punching around it with the Scallop Circle punch...cutting it and straightening the scallops out to form a line. I think Patty Bennett was the first one to come up with this fantastic idea!

On a personal note, I'm excited because my son, Adam, is home for a couple days. He just escaped the blizzard in the Wisconsin area earlier in the week. My parents also made it home safely from their trip to Florida (why did they want to come back to Ohio weather???)

Have a great weekend!

Connie