Saturday Sketch

Happy Saturday, and welcome to my blog! Did you miss me last week?  I was in Germany and Austria on a tour of the Christmas markets!  All I can say is WOW!  I will share some photos from my trip soon.  So for now, grab your cup of coffee and check out the card I created for this week's Utah Divas International sketch. You can find links to all of the cards and designers here. This month's sketches were designed by team member Michelle Montague. And here is the sketch for the week, DIVASC219.

Here's my take on the sketch. I made a similar card with a pair of mittens at my Christmas stamp-a-stack class and thought the mittens would work well in this sketch.

Here's the recipe~

• Papers ~ Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green 
•  Inks ~ Cherry Cobbler
•  Stamps ~ Chock-Full of Cheer (greeting)
• Accessories ~ Big Shot, Northern Flurry Folder, Square Lattice Folder, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Cherry Cobbler Sweater Trim

As I write this, my heart is heavy with the devastating news from Connecticut.  So many innocent lives cut short... I will be praying for the families and friends of all of the victims.  Without stricter gun control laws in our country, I'm afraid this will continue.  When will this stop?

Barbara

Saturday sketch

Happy Saturday, and welcome to my blog! Grab your cup of coffee and check out the card I created for this week's Utah Divas International sketch. You can find links to all of the cards and designers here. This month's sketches were designed by team member Michelle Montague.  Here is the sketch for the week, DIVASC217.  This a such a classic look, isn't it?

I used the same stamp sets that I used last week, but I think you will agree that the sketch and the colors give it a completely different look!  If you scroll down to my post from last Saturday, November 24, you will see what I mean.

• Papers ~ Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green
• Inks ~ Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Soft Suede
• Stamps ~ Watercolor Winter, Greetings of the Season
• Accessories ~ Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Dazzling Diamonds, 1 3/8"punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

The card is a Very Vanilla base and I photographed it on some Cherry Cobbler card stock.  (I didn't intend to confuse you and have you think it was a Cherry Cobbler base!  This has been a very busy week and I just finished my second Christmas stamp-a-stack, so I am a little tired!)  Both the greeting and the main image are popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I'm glad that the camera picked up the sparkle on the pine cones.  A little Dazzling Diamonds will dress up any card.

Thanks for stopping by!  I read all of your comments and I appreciate it when you take time out of your busy schedule to give me feedback.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,
Barbara

Tuesday Tips & Tricks

Here's a neat trick to help you make Stampin' Up pearls (#119247) or rhinestones (#119247) black. I have colored both the pearls and the rhinestones using Sharpie markers. It works wonderfully! However, when you can't find your markers, what do you do? Here is the solution I came up with ~

I took a sponge dauber and my black Staz-On ink and colored my pearls black!  How cool is that?  It went much more quickly than coloring with the markers and the black pearls really look awesome!

Thanks for stopping by!  And if you like my tip, please let me know!

Blessings,
Barbara

Watercolor Winter

Happy Saturday, and welcome to my blog! Grab your cup of coffee and check out the card I created for this week's Utah Divas International sketch. You can find links to all of the cards and designers here. This month's sketches were designed by team member Ruthie Burkey.  And here is the sketch for the week, DIVASC216.  Isn't this a classic?  I can see myself using this over and over.

I love a monochromatic card, and that's what I went with this week. Although it is not what you would think of as traditional Christmas colors, I think the overall effect is quite elegant, don't you?

Supplies used:

• Papers ~ Whisper White, Sahara Sand
• Inks ~ Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake
• Stamps ~ Watercolor Winter, Greetings of the Season
• Accessories ~ Basic Pearls, Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder

For the bottom embossed layer, I opened the folder and inked the flatter side with Sahara Sand ink before I added the paper and put it through the Big Shot.  It adds so much depth and richness to the bottom layer.

Have a wonderful weekend!   I will be spending time with family, working on my Christmas cards,  and making my house look festive for the month of December.  I just love Christmas!

Thanks a bunch for stopping by.  I look forward to your sweet comments, so bring them on!

Blessings,
Barbara

Three Little Trees

Happy Saturday, and welcome to my blog! Grab your cup of coffee and check out the card I created for this week's Utah Divas International sketch. You can find links to all of the cards and designers here. This month's sketches were designed by team member Ruthie Burkey. And here is the sketch for the week, DSC215.

A lot of different ideas went through my mind, but this is what I settled on. I flipped the sketch to a horizontal format.  I couldn't find a greeting that would fit in, so I added that at the bottom. Obviously, my trees were substituted for the rectangles, and I wanted to keep an odd number, which in my opinion, makes for a more interesting design.

Supplies used:

• Papers ~ Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler and Be of Good Cheer DSP
• Inks ~ Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green marker
• Stamps ~ More Merry Messages
• Accessories ~ 1 3/4" circle punch

Since I know you will ask, the adorable trees were cased from Connie Babbert.  Here is a link to her directions for making them.  Aren't they sweet?  I love them in this teeny tiny size.

I'd love to hear what you think of my card!  I read all of my comments and really appreciate them.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a delightful weekend.

Blessings,
Barbara

An Almost Stampless Saturday!

Happy Saturday, and welcome to my blog! Grab your cup of coffee and check out the card I created for this week's Utah Divas International sketch. You can find links to all of the cards and designers here. This month's sketches were designed by team member Ruthie Burkey.  And here is the sketch for the week, DSC214.

Here is my card for the challenge. I substituted the mittens for the round image.  I think it is really fun! Don't you agree? And as you will see in my recipe, I let the Designer Series Paper work for me. The only stamping here is the saying. (Please excuse the distraction of my watermark!)

Recipe

• Stamps ~ More Merry Messages 
• Papers ~ Whisper White, Snow Festival DSP, Primrose Petals, Cherry Cobbler
• Inks ~ Cherry Cobbler
• Accessories ~ 3/4" square punch (non SU!), dotted scallop ribbon punch, white baker's twine, Mitten Builder Punch 

You can easily use a 1" square punch to duplicate this.  You will just have fewer squares to work with.  I wanted to take advantage of all of the adorable images in the Snow Festival paper.  These all came from the same sheet of paper, which had stripes of varying designs.

Here on the East Coast, we are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy.   My husband and I were without power and heat for a full week.  The last homes in our town finally had electric restored today, 12 days after the storm.  I have some friends who are still without power.  The gas lines are finally shorter, and there is talk of dropping the odd/even days.   Personally, I was very grateful for God's protection over us.  We had no damage to our property or vehicles.  Other than suffering through the loss of creature comforts we have become so accustomed to, we are well.  I continue to pray for those who suffered great losses in this terrible storm.

Please take time today to hug those you love and tell them what they mean to you!

Blessings,
Barbara

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!

Happy Saturday, and welcome to another Diva Sketch Challenge! Our sketch team is growing, so be sure to head over to UDI and see what everyone has created! Here is the sketch for the week, DIVASC212.

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As you can see, I flipped the sketch so that it is a vertical layout rather than the original horizontal layout.  Other than that, I stuck to the sketch.  Banners and pennants are so hot right now.  When I started thinking about them, I thought of this little fox from Storybook Friends.  Isn't it fun? 

Recipe ~

• Stamps ~ Storybook Friends
• Papers ~  Soft Suede, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe DSP, Watercolor paper
•  Inks ~ Black Staz-On, Cajun Craze
• Accessories ~ Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits

Here on the East Coast, we are preparing for Hurricane Sandy.  Right now, the predictions are not looking very good for our area.  Tomorrow will be spent taking in anything that might become airborne during high winds. (Think deck furniture and potted plants!)  They are also telling us to have plenty of bottled water, food for several days, fresh batteries in flashlights and fully charged cell phones.  I will try to post if we don't lose power.

Thanks for stopping by! I love to read your comments and I really appreciate them all.

Blessings,
Barbara

Not Your Average Ten Minute Card

Happy Saturday, and welcome to another Diva Sketch Challenge! Our sketch team is growing, so be sure to head over to UDI and see what everyone has created! Here is the sketch for the week, DSC211.

I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do, but it took me 1 1/2 hours to put this together.  YIKES!  I guess that is what happens when you have not stamped for two weeks!  I was in Michigan visiting children and grandchildren, attending alumni board meetings, and trying to be as much help as I could be for my daughter, whose sweet mother-in-law died on October 6 after a lengthy battle with cancer.  Even though I enjoyed my time in Michigan, it is nice to be home and settling back into my normal routine.

Recipe ~

• Stamps ~ Stippled Blossoms, Tiny Tags
• Papers ~ Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Comfort Cafe DSP
• Inks ~ Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit, Sahara Sand
• Accessories ~ Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Victoria crochet trim, Jewelry tag punch, Fancy Fan Folder, Vintage Trinkets

What took me so long was reworking the center panel.  I had it all together but the plain vanilla background looked like it needed something.  My first attempt at "fixing it" ended up being a total disaster, so I remade the whole image again.  To soften the look, I inked the raised side of the Fancy Fan folder with Sahara Sand ink and set my finished panel on it, using it as a background stamp.  (I did not run it through the Big Shot.)  I am really loving the soft textured look it gives.

What do you think?  Do you like it?  I am going to try this technique with some of the other embossing folders as well.

Have a wonderful autumn weekend, and thanks for stopping by! I love to read your comments and I really appreciate them all.

Blessings,
Barbara

Saturday Sketch Challenge

Happy Saturday, and welcome to another Diva Sketch Challenge! We have some new members on the team, so be sure to head over to UDI and see what everyone has created! Here is the sketch for the week, DSC210.

I am traveling this week so I am sharing a card I created in the summer when I was playing with some of my new stamp sets.  I am having a hard time trying to edit on my iPad, so I will be back later to share all of the details with you.  I substituted the postage stamps for the flower shapes in the sketch.  What do you think?  I love this color combination, don't you?

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for stopping by! I love to read your comments and I really appreciate them all.

Blessings,
Barbara

Fall Foliage Meets Comfort Cafe

Happy Saturday, and welcome to another Diva Sketch Challenge! We have some new members on the team, so be sure to head over to UDI and see what everyone has created!  Here is the sketch for the week, DSC209.

I rotated the sketch for a horizontal format.  Instead of the sentiment, I added some leaves.  I was playing with the Comfort Cafe DSP last week, and you'll see that it was also my inspiration this week.   I just love it when everything coordinates!

Here is a list of the supplies I used.

• Stamps ~ Fall Foliage
• Papers ~ Comfort Cafe DSP, Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit, Soft Suede
• Inks ~  Soft Suede, Cajun Craze
• Accessories ~ Stampin' Dimensionals, Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta ribbon

The color combination was based on all of the colors of the Comfort Cafe DSP.  I know my supply list is almost identical to last week's card, but I think it is a totally different look. I stamped the leaves from French Foliage and cut them out.  Then I crumpled them up and inked them with some Soft Suede ink and a sponge.  I did not have access to my punches, so I added a thin strip of ribbon to replace that element in the sketch.What do you think?  I love to read your comments, so please leave one!

Enjoy the weekend and these crisp days of autumn!  I am seeing more color each day, but we are still a long way from the color peak here in New Jersey.


Blessings,
Barbara

Forever With You

Happy Saturday, and welcome to another Diva Sketch Challenge! We have two new members on the team, so be sure to head over to UDI and see what everyone has created! Here is the sketch for the week, DSC208.

I was playing with the Comfort Cafe DSP earlier in the week, and you'll see that it was my inspiration. I just love it when everything coordinates!

Here is a list of the supplies I used.

• Stamps ~ Forever With You
• Papers ~ Comfort Cafe DSP, Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit
• Accessories ~ basic pearls, 2 1/2 " circle punch, Midnight Muse ribbon, markers in Soft Suede, Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit and Pool Party

The color combination was based on all of the colors of the Comfort Cafe DSP.  What do you think?  I love to read your comments, so please leave one!

Enjoy the weekend and these first days of autumn!

Blessings,
Barbara

Fall French Foliage

Happy Saturday, everyone!  It's time for the weekly sketch challenge over at Utah Divas International.  This week we are working on DSC207.  You can head over to the Utah Diva's blog if you'd like to see what my fellow team members came up with.

I rotated the sketch for a vertical, rather than horizontal, card, but other than that, I stuck pretty much to the sketch. One of my all time favorite stamp sets is French Foliage, #121166, $14.95 clear mount, page 86 in the 2012-2013IBC.   I've seen a lot of fall cards and colors this week on blogs and Pinterest, so here's what I was inspired to create.

Recipe ~

• Stamps ~ Fall Foliage
• Papers ~ Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
• Inks ~ Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Summer Starfruit
• Accessories ~ Big Shot, Wood Grain embossing folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Cherry Cobbler seam binding

I love the crinkled look of the seam binding, which was actually a happy accident.  I spilled something on my crafting table and the seam binding got wet.  I scooped it up and set it aside.  When it was dry, it was full of crinkles!  I think Shelli shared the tip to spray it with water, crinkle it up in your hand and let it dry.  Like I said, a happy accident!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you have something wonderful planned for this first weekend of fall.  I am so happy to feel the cooler air and see the first spots of autumn colors in the trees.  I even spotted my first pumpkins in the store!

As always, I love your comments.  Thanks in advance for taking time to leave me a note!

Blessings,
Barbara

Stippled Blossoms Meets Colour Q

It's time for the weekly sketch challenge over at the Utah Diva's blog!  This week I am combining two challenges,  UDI sketch, DSC206, with the color challenge over at Colour Q.  You can head over to the UDI blog to see what the other girls on the team have created this week.

Here is the inspiration from colour Q, as well as a link to their blog.  I didn't have any of the retired Cameo Coral, so I substituted Primrose Petals instead.  I just loved this color combination when I saw it!

Here is the card I created. What do you think? (The card base is white and it was photographed on Summer Starfruit Paper.)

Recipe ~

• Stamps ~ Stippled Blossoms, Distressed Dots background stamp
• Papers ~ Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Primrose Petals
• Inks ~ Bravo Burgundy, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, So Saffron
• Accessories ~ Summer Starfruit ribbon

I am getting this post ready early since I will be in Cape May, New Jersey for a long weekend.  Cape May has been on my bucket list for a long time!  I am staying at a bed and breakfast called the Gingerbread House.  I'll post a few pictures when I get home.

Have a wonderful weekend!  Please leave a comment before you go.  I love to hear what you think of my creations.

Blessings,
Barbara

A "Must Go" Card

Well, another week has flown by and it's time for our Saturday sketch challenge with the Utah Divas.  This sketch was fun to work with!  It is DSC201.  You can head here to see what the other sketch team members have come up with.

My inspiration was what I found laying on my table from my down line meeting yesterday.  I only added one piece of paper to the mix.  It reminds me of the meals we used to have on Friday nights when I was growing up.  We called it "Mustgo" ~ everything in the refrigerator that must go!  Sometimes my mom came up with the most amazing creations, never to be tasted again.  She really got creative with our leftovers and didn't waste a thing.  And just like my mom added seasonings to the leftovers, I added the Pumpkin Pie Polka Dot Parade DSP to pull it all together!

So here is my "Must Go" card.

Recipe follows ~

• Stamps ~ Googly Ghouls
• Paper ~ Whisper White, Basic Gray, Polka Dot Parade DSP, Twitterpated DSP
• Inks ~ Black Staz-on, markers
• Accessories ~ Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit

So what do you think?  I think she's a pretty cute witch, don't you agree?

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,
Barbara

Bundle of Love

Happy Saturday! It is going to be a happy one for our family. Our niece gets married today! That means this empty nest will have some children and grandchildren here.  Happy dance!!  And then the wonder of a wedding and family gathered together.

Here is the Utah Diva sketch challenge for the week, DSC204. This is a clean and simple classic sketch.

Here's my card. One of my down line, Linda, became a grandma again, so I know where this card is going! I know she has a new granddaughter, but rather than focus on pink,  I wanted to use an assortment of baby pastels.

Recipe follows~

• Stamps: Baby Bundle
• Ink: Black Staz-on
• Papers:  Whisper White, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue
• Accessories:  markers, word window punch, postage stamp punch, 1" square punch,perfect polka dots embossing folder, stampin' dimensionals

So what do you think?  I always love to read your comments.  (Hint!  Hint!!)

Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy this last hurrah of summer with the long Labor Day weekend!

Blessings,
Barbara

Hi There, Remember Me?

I'm sorry I disappeared for two weeks.  My husband and I headed out to Michigan to spend some time with family.  Our grand kids are growing up so quickly, and we treasure any time we can spend with them.  I have the best of intentions about blogging more frequently, and now that summer is almost over, I will be more faithful.

This will be short and sweet, since I am getting ready to head to Providence, RI for the Stampin' UP! regional on Saturday.  But I didn't want to miss another week of sketch challenges with the DIVAS!  Here is the sketch for this week, DIVASC203.

Here is the card I designed.

Recipe follows:

• Stamps: From my Heart
• Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Floral District DSP
• Ink:  Rich Razzleberry
• Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon

This was a great sketch to work with and it gave me an opportunity to show off one of my favorite Designer Series Papers.

Thanks for stopping by!  As you are reading this, think of me in Providence, RI with three of my down line.  I know we're going to be having a great time!  I just love Stampin' Up! events.  I come home with so many new ideas and I can't wait to share them with you.

Blessings,
Barbara

Do You Feel the Love?

It's Saturday and time for another Utah Divas Sketch challenge.  Here's the sketch for the week, DSC200.

You can see what the rest of the sketch team did if you check the Utah Divas blog. I am combining it with the Diva Color Challenge #98 ~ Real Red, Basic Black, and Whisper White.

Here are the supplies I used.

• Stamps ~ Perfectly Preserved, Tiny Tags, Sassy Salutations
• Inks ~ Black Staz-on, Real Red
• Paper ~ Real Red, Whisper White, Neutrals Collection DSP
• Accessories ~ Framelits Cannery set, Brights buttons, Baker's Twine, Finishing Touches edgelits, Stampin' dimensionals, Small Heart punch

I love all or the images in the Perfectly Preserved set, but what I love most is all of the fun things you can put in the jar!  Butterflies, bees, you name it!  Just look at your stamp sets and see what you can find!  I wanted to fill mine with love today.  That's why I chose the hearts.  Can you feel the love?

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your weekend, and leave me some love before you go!! (Hint!  Hint!  Comments, please!)

Blessings,
Barbara

Love, love, love!

I am in love with the new stamp set "Stippled Blossoms"! I used it for several of my convention swaps. I was lucky enough to win the last prize patrol with Carrie Cudney, so I actually have a second set! I will use it for a door prize or a down line gift, or maybe even as blog candy!

Anyway, on to my card. This is for the Stamping 411 sketch challenge, SSC266. It's a square card with lots of layers.

• Stamps ~ Stippled Blossoms, Gossamer Lace, Lovely Little Labels
• Inks ~ Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals 
• Paper ~ Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White, Fan Fair DSP
• Accessories ~ Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Little labels Punch Pack

So what do you think? Are you in love too?

Blessings,
Barbara

They Say "This Too Shall Pass"

I can hardly believe I have been home from the Stampin' Up! Convention almost a week!  I had a wonderful time and came home with tons of new ideas and lots of swaps!  Today I'm going to share a card I designed using this week's DIVA sketch challenge, DSC199.  If you go to this link, you can see what my fellow team members have designed.  (Last week I did not have a chance to post because I was in Salt Lake City having a great time at convention!)  Here is this week's sketch.

And here is my card.

I just love a monochromatic card, don't you? Here are the products I used.

• Stamps ~ From My Heart
• Paper ~ Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
• Inks ~ Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake marker
• Accessories ~ Big Shot (LOVE IT!),  Framelits Labels, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, stampin' dimensionals, 1 3/8" square punch for the banner

Lots of nice texture on this card, right?  I inked the Lacy Brocade folder with Crumb Cake before I ran it through the Big Shot.  The Crumb Cake banner uses the faux suede technique.  I cut the banner and ran the paper between my finger and my bone folder several times to break up the paper fibers.  Once that is done you can separate the paper layers and you end up with the soft suede look.

I have to run!  I don't want to miss too much of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, but I wanted to get this post ready since I missed last week.

Did I tell you that I had a fabulous time at Convention?  Ha, I know I told you twice already, but I can't begin to tell you how much I loved it and how much I learned!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend and please leave a comment.  I love them!!

Blessings,
Barbara

So Sorry... Please Forgive Me?

Here it is, Saturday again!  I have been confined to the stamping salt mines most of the week, trying to prepare all of my swaps.  Next week I hope to share a different swap each day while I am at the Stampin' Up! convention.  I took some liberties with this week's sketch, as you will soon see.  My card is actually one of my swaps and a loose interpretation of this week's sketch.  You can see what the rest of the team did with DSC197 if you follow this link. 
 

I used lots of new products here, including the So Sorry stamp set, which will be useful for so many occasions. You can check it out on page 137 of the catalog.

Here are the specifics:

• Stamps~ Circle Circus, So Sorry
• Paper~ Whisper White, rich Razzleberry, Floral District DSP
• Inks~ Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade
• Accessories~ Big Shot, Two tags die, Scallop punch, 1 1'4" circle punch,  Brights designer  buttons, Stampin' dimensionals

Well, back to the salt mines!  Please stop by next week since I hope to be sharing lots of cards as well as doing some sharing from convention.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,
Barbara

After Amsterdam

This week I returned from a lovely trip to the Netherlands!  We spent time in Utrecht, Groningen, and Amsterdam.  Three of my grandparents were born in the Netherlands, so it was a trip that really affirmed my Dutch heritage.  The same is true for my husband.  But that's a long story, and I know you've stopped by to see what I've done with the UDI sketch challenge.  If you follow this link, you can see what my sketch team friends have done with this design.  It feels good to have stamps, ink and paper in my hands again after two weeks away!

I flipped the sketch onto its side, and in place of a bow, I inserted a flower. I just love all of the new embossing folders in the catalog. They add so much texture and class to a card. Don't you agree?

These are the supplies I used.

• Paper~ Whisper White, Primrose Petals
• Embossing folders~ Delicate Designs, Fancy Fan
• Inks~ Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple
• Stamps~ Stippled Blossoms
• Accessories~ Stampin' dimensionals, Victoria lace trim

Here's a tip for you:  Don't add a greeting until you are ready to send your card!  I find that my cards are much more versatile that way.  When I need a card, I add a greeting that is appropriate!

Thanks for stopping by!  I will leave you with this view from our hotel room window in Amsterdam.  We were right on a canal, and we woke up to this view every morning

And went to sleep with this...

Blessings,
Barbara

Dick and Jane

When I saw The "Life Shared" stamp in the new catalog, it went right to the top of my wish list!  It reminds me so much of the old Dick and Jane primers that taught me how to read.  I guess I am showing my age, huh?  Anyway, here's the DIVA sketch for this week, DSC193.   If you click on this link, you can go to the UDI blog to see what my team members did for the sketch.

Okay, true confessions time!  I looked at the sketch in the morning, and then went upstairs about 8 hours later to create.  I remembered squares creating a background (not rectangles) and proceeded to cut 3/4" squares of the Storytime DSP to create my background.   So I ended up creating a little quilt of  squares and ran it through the Big Shot with the Hounds tooth embossing folder.  I added the die cut strip of white on the right because I couldn't figure out another way to get an even border around the quilt.  Anyway, here's my card.  I just love this set!

 

Products used:

• Stamps ~ Life Shared
• Papers ~ Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Watercolor paper, Storytime DSP
• Accessories ~ Big Shot, Hounds tooth embossing folder, Adorning Accents Edgelits, markers

Here are some tips for water coloring ~

• Always use watercolor paper ~ it's worth every penny!
• Always stamp image with Black Staz-on
• This was done using Stampin' Up! markers and a blender pen.  I used many of the colors that are listed as coordinating with the Storytime DSP

One of the most wonderful things about SU! products is the color coordination across papers, markers, inks, ribbons, buttons and accessories.  I love it!

So what do you think?  Does this bring back any memories for you?

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Barbara

More Time to Play

Just a quick share of some more new products.  I'll be back with all of the details later!

Blessings,
Barbara

P.S.  I'm back with the details!

Stamps:  French Foliage, Postage Due
Papers:  Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue and Crumb Cake (color combo from the Color Coach!)
Inks:  Midnight Muse, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Postage stamp punch, Argyle embossing folder, Stampin' dimensionals

Showing Off Some New Stuff!

My new catalog order arrived this week on Wednesday, and I've been having a lot of fun playing with new things! Since it's Saturday, that means time for the Utah DIVAS weekly sketch, DIVASC192. Here's the sketch:

Here's my card, with lots of new sweets!  I've highlighted the new items in red.

Stamps:  Blooming with Kindness, #126422 ~ $16.95 clear mount ~ You need this set!!
Papers:  Whisper White, Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Twitterpated DSP
Inks:  Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray
Accessories:  Fancy Fan Folder, #127751 ~ $7.95, Finishing Touches Edgelits, #127010 ~ $9.95, Delicate Doilies Sizzlets L,  #12699 ~ $21.95

What do you think?  I'm loving the texture and the doily together.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,
Barbara

Take the Cake Promotion!

Just when you thought the new $99 Starter Kit couldn't get better . . . 
 

During the entire month of June, you not only get to choose the products for your fully customizable $99 Starter Kit, you'll also get products from the brand-new Patio Party Suite for FREE, including the Make a Cake Stamp Set, Patio Party Designer Series Paper, and the Patio Party Digital Collection DVD!  Learn more about the Stampin' Up! $99 Starter Kit Special!

That's up to $48 in additional FREE products!

Page	Item	Description	Retail Value
44	126740	Make a Cake Set (wood-mount)*	$14.95
44	126742	Make a Cake Set (clear-mount)*	$11.95
165	126916	Patio Party Designer Series Paper	$10.95
199	127215	Patio Party Digital Collection DVD	$22.95

* Choose wood-mount or clear-mount.  Clear-mount set does not include clear blocks.

This is the perfect time to join the Stampin' Up! family!

Blessings,

Barbara

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden...

But you are going to see one anyway!  A week ago today we went to the New York Botanical Garden and the roses were stunning.  No card to share today, just some beautiful roses.  I hope you enjoy them!

It was a cloudy day, so the lighting was very soft.  The variety of roses was amazing!  I hope you enjoyed this little tour.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,
Barbara