Stitched Exotics and Define Your Life

Here is another of the cards I made for Leadership Display Samples. I used the large flower from Stitched Exotics in Purely Pomegranate on Glossy White cardstock. I cut it out, added a Build a Brad using the stripe paper from Cutie Pie in the center. Then used my Cutter Kit to make the curve of the Cutie Pie paper and punched Three for You flowers to cover the seam. I added a touch of White Gel pen to the centers. I wrapped Wild Wasabi Double Stitch ribbon around and tied. Finally, I used "Unique" from Define Your Life. If you don't have that set yet, it really is worth getting. For about $1.83 per stamp, it has a TON of useful sayings.

SO.................who do you think will win tonight? I voted MANY times for David A. I like David Cook, so I wouldn't be REAL disappointed, but I love the pureness of David A's voice. Can you believe he is only 17? Oh my. His life will never be the same, cause you know he'll get a record deal either way. I know I'll buy his CDs. Should be an interesting night! Now...what am I going to watch on Tuesday/Wednesday nights? lol!

Classic Backgrounds Money Holder

Oh no! More snow here! We had thawed out and it was supposed to rain for a couple days...bringing out flood warnings in the area. Then...this afternoon it started to sleet and now SNOW! Oh well...by this time in March, you KNOW that it has to be one of the last snows of the season.

This was one of the 3D items I did for Leadership Display Maker using Classic Backgrounds. It is a tri-fold money holder with a belly band that slides off. Sorry...for some reason I didn't take a picture of it open! Although hard to see the center is actually a green Rhinestone brad. I used the stamp a ma jig to get the background pattern to line up correctly. The white scallop circle I backed with a Taken with Teal scallop circle to give it a little color. I used a black marker to just highlight the words "Wonderful Friend" and then used the Word Window punch. I used Certainly Celery and Taken with Teal...I like that color combo a LOT!

It's Wednesday and about time to watch American Idol...wonder who gets voted off tonight!

Stitched Exotics

I'm playing catch up from being gone for several days...both on sleep and on my assignments. I have three classes this week...I've already designed the projects, just need to do the cutting and prepping and organizing the supplies. They are all out of town which makes it a little more challenging to get ready!

So, once again I have a sample of the Displays I made for Leadership using Stitched Exotics. This is a post-it-note box. I have another one like it sitting on my desk and love how it keeps them in one place. It is deep enough to hold both the 3x3 size and the smaller size on top. I used Heat & Stick Powder to glitter the flower and punched the leaves with the 5 petal punch from Faux Diamond Dust (Technique Junkies newsletter) cardstock. The Stripe DSP is from the retired Darling Doodles paper pack...I loved that paper and the colors! The center is a Build-a-Brad...those are so much fun to use!

Enjoy! We are digging out from our Blizzard and the snow is melting fast! Yeah!
Connie

Boho Backgrounds Zoo page

A rainy day here...lots of rain! At least it isn't snow...but we are hovering right around that temperature. Of course, I'm supposed to head out of town in the morning, so I hope it stays rain and doesn't turn into freezing rain or snow.

Thought I'd share another scrapbook page I made for the Displays at Leadership featuring the assigned set Boho Backgrounds. A couple pictures of my adorable niece and nephew visiting the zoo...aren't they cute? My brother captured their pictures hugging the cement penguins.

Along the left I used the Spiral punch on Basic Black cardstock. The medallions have a jumbo eyelet in the center, and I used the scallop punch and two Round Tab punches beneath the scallop to make a circle around it. The tree is the Origami folding pattern...it is fun to make the pattern/tree as small or large as you want, depending on the size of your paper! This was a fun page and one that came together easily. I pictured the left row of medallions on a page as soon as I saw this set.

Enjoy!

Connie

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

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

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

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

Classic Backgrounds 2

I'm sad that they discontinued this designer paper (Darling Doodles). Such a FUN paper, especially for kids! I love the doodles and stars on this particular sheet. For this Leadership Display card, I wanted to make a children's card. I stamped the star three times in different colors and cut them out (yes, this was BEFORE the large star punch come out!) Then I stamped the number 3 from Big Deal Numbers with Versamark on Certainly Celery cardstock, added Iridescent Ice EP and heat set it. Then I cut it out. I used the background stars on the panel below in Bashful Blue and stamped Birthday hugs and wishes in Basic Black on top of the designer paper. I thought it was a fun and simple card and using different numbers for the child's birthday would personalize it.

Stampin' smiles,

Connie

Stitched Exotics 4

Can anyone tell me why I let almost a full year of paperwork pile up? I mean, I deal with it, I just don't FILE it. It goes in a Longaberger basket bin I have. I swore last year that I was going to file it as I went along...yeah, right! So, I spent this morning, sprawled out on the floor, sorting everything. That took away PRECIOUS stamping time! lol! I STILL have a small pile to sort. Then I can start working on my Schedule C and get our taxes done...hopefully this weekend. Yeah!

I really liked how this card turned out. To me, the colors are ones I don't frequently use...Pretty in Pink, Old Olive and Elegant Eggplant...but my trusty Color Coach tells me they do work together! Again, it is a card I made for Display at Leadership. I had just received the background stamp, Baroque, and couldn't wait to ink it up! I used Pretty in Pink on Pretty in Pink cardstock. I thought it would be "fun" to cut out the swirl stamp pattern in Stitched Exotics...yeah right, fun! The inside of the flower I also cut out and it fit perfect with the Scallop Circle behind it. I added the Spiral Punch along the bottom. I don't use this punch enough, cause I really like the look! Then I stamped Stem Sayings and pierced a row underneath it. Love that wide 5/8 ribbon, too!

Have a great evening!

Connie

Classic Backgrounds

This is another card I made for the Leadership displays using Classic Backgrounds. One of the things I think about when using a stamp set for displays, is trying to identify other uses than was is obvious. To me, the stars is this set leaned themselves towards red, white, and blue or patriotic themes...which I did use. But, stars in scrapbooking and cardmaking are BIG right now! So I used a couple shades of purple to make a birthday card using this set.

Both the star and the scallop circle are glittered using Iridescent Ice EP. I also placed a clear Rhinestone brad in the center of the star (from the Pretties kit). The color in this scan is off...the star actually matches the strip that Happy Birthday is stamped on...but it doesn't look like it here for some reason! Across the top of that band I did a row of paper piercing. I also used the background stamp Tres Chic on white with a base card of Lovely Lilac.

Enjoy!

Connie

Stitched Exotics 3

OK...hopefully I'm on the mend now. Today was better than yesterday and I did sleep well last night. I'm not coughing so much today either.

I finished my Control Freak SAB swap cards! Yeah! I mailed them off to the hostess. Glad to have that "chore" off my lap. I absolutely love seeing what these gals do...the best swap cards ever! My customers love getting to see all their awesome work, too.

This was another one of the display cards I made for Leadership using Stitched Exotics. Funny story...my friend, Mary Brown (know her and her awesome work???) came over the night before Leadership and stayed since we had an early flight. She saw a similar card to this laying out on my table, glanced at it quickly, and wanted to know why I made green monkeys! lol! I guess looking at it quickly, you could see green monkeys prancing along the bottom...too funny!

Stitched Exotics 2

Well, I am feeling a little better this afternoon. I was able to sleep in a little this morning...I think that helped. Then I took a nap this afternoon. Hopefully I've turned the corner. I hate being sick!

I was able to work on my big swap for Control Freaks and have it 3/4ths done. It needs to be in the mail by Friday, so I can finish it up tomorrow. There is some cutting involved, so I'll spend tonight doing that in front of the TV.

This was another display card using Stitched Exotics. It is always my goal to use every stamp in the set when I'm doing displays...that way everyone can see the versatility of the set. This large flower is my favorite in the set...just perfect to use the Jumbo eyelet in the center! In this case, I added the crystal Rhinestone from the pretties kit INSIDE the jumbo eyelet for a really cool effect! The zig zag is from All in a Row stamp set...makes a great faux stitch look! The background is Rose Red Designer Series Paper. In addition, Birthday Hugs and Wishes is one of my favorite greetings. Enjoy!

Stitched Exotics

OK...thought I'd switch sets for a few days. This set is another one that I used to make displays for Leadership boards. I don't remember where I picked up the sketch for this (SCS?), but I loved how they used the ribbon slider in the Hodgepodge Hardware Kit and fed the ribbon thru it two ways!

I used the color combination of Blue Bayou, Groovy Guava and Sahara Sand...along with Very Vanilla and a touch of Really Rust in the center of the flower. I cut out both the large and small flowers in this set and layered them with the Pretties Kit flat pearl for the center! I used the 5 petal punch to make some leaves out of the Blue Bayou DSP and cut into two leaves. I also used the small and large oval punches for the thank you greeting. I did use the background swirl on the Groovy Guava layer beneath the flower, but it is hard to see.

Well, I'm not getting any better...in fact I'm worse today. I see a visit to the doctor in my near future...(sigh)....

Sweet Celebrations 3

Another baby card done for the Leadership display boards. This time I used more vibrant colors. The Cutie Pie paper is too cute NOT to use on baby cards! I especially like the stripe papers in this pack of designer paper. For the Too Cute words, I stamped the image in basic black on Whisper White, then punched out with my 1 3/8 punch and the center with the 1" punch...it left the narrow ring that just says Too Cute! I added a clear button for the center with some Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon. The letters BABY are stamped in Purely Pomegranate with the new Schoolbook Serif Alphabet and cut out. The flowers are stamped with Bashful Blue and filled the centers with the white gel pen.

Fun! Easily a card that could be used for either a boy or a girl! Again, just posting quick today...still feeling punky...

Sweet Celebrations 2

Here is another display sample using Sweet Celebrations. As you can see, I used the retired On the Spot background, however, any circles would work. The arrow I made out of the large and small ovals...cutting just a sliver and then the head of the arrow is a square cut in half. I used the Coluzzle to cut out around the Sweet Bundle of Love words. The diaper pin is white embossed on Soft Sky and layered on both the white 3/4 circle and larger one. Pink taffeta around the width and faux stitching along both the top and bottom of the Old Olive strip.

Sorry this is so short. I've caught a cold...so I'm kind of sluggish today. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow!

Sweet Celebrations Wedding

I'm posting another display card I made for Leadership...this time with the set, Sweet Celebrations. When I saw the sayings "A day to remember" and "Forever and Ever" on this stamp, I thought wedding or anniversary. My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary (well, a couple years ago), so I used some Silver accents to make this card.

Background is simply Brushed Silver cardstock and I used the Polka Dot background stamp with Versamark and Silver EP on Whisper White cardstock. The center black 1/2" circle with the silver heart is popped up with a dimensional. I layered the Scallop Circle punch with the Round Tab punch. (Have you seen this trick? Punch two of the Round Tab punches out of the same color cardstock...I used Black. Layer and adhere them together so they make a perfect circle to fit behind the scallop circle punch!) Finally, I dressed the card up with some of the Basic Grey and white Taffeta ribbon. This card is very shimmery and elegant in person!

I'm going out of town and will return Saturday. Look for my Blogger's Challenge then...

Boho Backgrounds 3

Yet another card made for the Leadership display boards using the Rainbow Double Resist background technique (from Technique Junkies, of course!) and Boho Backgrounds. Bright colors on this one! I wanted a Fiesta type feeling to show thru and I think it does! lol!

Again, the Spectrum pads have been retired, but you could get the same effect using several different colored ink pads. The center Boho medallion is stamped off in Pumpkin Pie to lighten it enough so the Lovely Lilac greeting shows thru on top. This verse is my favorite out of the All Holidays set!

Lots to do today. I'm getting ready to do a couple classes out of town and visit some dear friends. I'll check in tomorrow before I leave!

Enjoy!

Boho Backgrounds 2

OK...I love this card. Stampin' Up! did post it on the Display boards at Leadership, even though it uses the retired All About U and retired Outlaw paper. Remember...when we are doing these displays, we don't know about the retired lists yet. However, this one would be VERY easy to substitute the new Just B set and the new colors of the paper Western Sky and get the exact same look!

This card is actually a tri-fold card. The medallion from Boho Backgrounds and the U layer actually lift up, the stripe paper layer folds down. For some reason, I didn't take a picture of it open...duh! lol! Oh well...I think you can figure it out on your own.

The details on the medallion...I used craft Really Rust and craft Chocolate Chip to varigate the color on the stamp. I stamped on Confetti Cream and then embossed the medallion with clear embossing powder for a shiny, cool look. The center I used an Aged Copper mini brad from the Hodgepodge Kit. I punched out the medallion with the Scallop Circle punch and colored the edges with Really Rust ink. Other details include faux stitching around the top half of the card and using my Chocolate Chip marker for the "thread"

I'm off to my studio to crank out some cards and techniques for my classes this week!

Boho Backgrounds

Oh gosh! I'm back from Leadership. Had an awesome time, a great roommate (hi Mary!) and met some wonderful new friends (hi Julie, Twila, Liz!) All these gals were fellow display makers for the convention boards. We met up for dinner one night and swapped. Great time and great cards! Also met up with a couple gals I'm in a swap group with...Control Freaks Swappers! (Hi Cindy and Karen!) We hung out at lunch one day. Karen lives VERY close, so I'm sure we will hang out again soon.

I also met up and had dinner with several of the gals from my SSUS group. Fun to meet all of them and put real faces with names and blogs!

This was one of the Boho Background cards I made that was posted on the Leadership display boards. That set is just PERFECT for the circle and scallop punches! This one I stamped Regal Rose and Tempting Turquoise medallions and punched with the scallop punch. I stamped the medallions again and punched the centers out with the 1" circle punch...and alternated them on in the centers of the other colors. The middle one I stamped Hugs & Kisses on Whisper White and punched with the 1" circle punch. And I punched a Tempting Turquoise medallion with the 1-1/4 punch and layered it on the Regal Rose scallop circle. The centers I added interest with some colored brads. The background on the Regal Rose piece is stamped with the Paisley background stamp for depth and texture. I wrapped the white taffeta ribbon around it and shaded the edges with White Craft ink. It is a 3x6 sized card (using a 6x6 piece of cardstock and folding in half). I think unusual sized cards are fun!

Keep watching...over the next few days, I'll be posting the Display cards I made!