A {Be Mine} Valentine Card...

Hello!  It's been hard, but I am determined to post five times a week.  Hopefully once I get going, I won't be able to stop.  So, this morning I was checking out my Google Reader and stumbled upon the Silhouette free shape of the week (one of the many things I love about Silhouette), and the shape was actually a full card with all the embellishments.  I really liked the card base, so I decided to use that for my card today.  Everything you see in pink was cut with my Silhouette, the hearts at the bottom were the centers of the hearts at the top.

I really liked the diagonal lines at the bottom of the card the was made on the Silhouette Blog, so I recreated that using lines from Designer Lines from CSS.  I simply placed post-it notes over the top of the card when I stamped the lines in black.

The sentiment comes from Love Cupid.  The hearts and sentiment panel are all popped up on foam dots.

I love Valentine's Day!  I'm sure you'll be seeing more Valentine's Day stuff from me leading up until the big day.

Have a great day!

{Be Mine Valentine}

Stamps: Love Cupid, Designer Lines (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: I'm a Princess Pink, Cre'me de la Cream (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Accessories: Digitally Cut Image (Silhouette), Gems, Foam Dots

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A {Nuts About You} Ensemble...

I have lots of photos today!  I created this Father's Day ensemble using two ideas.  First, the main inspiration came from this project I saw on Pinterest.  For some reason you can't get to the actual post, so I just used that photo as inspiration. The inspiration for the cards came from this set created by my friend Simone Pursiful.  I originally came across her cards when I was searching for ideas for using A Guy Thing stamp set since that includes a Happy Father's Day stamp.  

So, all these gifts aren't for one person, they are for three.  The BIG jug of peanuts and one of the cards is for my hubby (from the kids) and will accompany another gift.  The other two cards and small bags of peanuts are for my Dad and my Father-In-Law, which will also go with another larger gift.  

Here's a closer look at the jug.  It was originally filled with pretzels.  I created a band around the middle using one piece of card stock cut down the middle.  I designed the oval panel on my Silhouette.  I adhered a piece of cork behind the letters.  The peanut is an image from the Silhouette store.  It comes in two pieces so you can layer them for a more realistic look.  

Here's a pic of Halle with the jug-o-nuts so you can get an idea of how big it is.  Unfortunately this will only last about two weeks in our house.  

Here's a look at the card up close up of the card.  The peanut is popped up on foam dots.  I totally forgot to snap a picture of the inside of the card, it just stamped "Happy Father's Day"

And if that wasn't enough, I have a card featured today on the Clear & Simple Stamps App!  Here's a sneak peek:

Have a great weekend!

{Nuts About You}

Stamps: A Guy Thing (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Brown Leather Satchel, Glamazon Green, Kraft Like a Rockstar, A Blanc Check (CSS)

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Dies:  Tag Dies (CSS)

Accessories: Cork, Silhouette Personal Cutter, Fine Tip Black Pen & Ruler, Foam Dots, Sheer Ribbon, Peanuts, Clear Bags, Jug 

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A {Happy St. Patty's Day} Card...

Wow, I didn't think it would take so long to make this simple card.  I've been playing in Silhouette Studio all morning trying to figure out how to make this card.  I couldn't figure out how to connect the shamrocks to the card so it wouldn't cut out separately, make sense?  Anyway, it was really easy once I figured it out.    I just need to use my Silhouette more often so I'm not rusty when I do use it.

The sentiment "st. patty's day" comes from the CSS set Lucky Charm.  The "Happy" that comes with that set was written in a really fine/skinny font and I just knew it wouldn't show up with white ink.  I choose another "happy" from the CSS set A Guy Thing and it also kept with the whole lowercase thing.

So this is one of my favorite color combos.  CSS's Glamazon Green is my absolute favorite color and I think it looks so good paired with Green With Envy, and so appropriate for St. Patrick's Day.

Exercise Update: I finished the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred!!! I finished on March 13th, I worked out 30 days in a row!  Most days I also did the elliptical for a half hour afterwards.  I didn't lose any weight, which was both disappointing and frustrating, but I did go down a pants size and my shirts fit better.  I wish I would have taken my measurements before I started because I know I lost inches.  For once I finally feel that my core is strong and my sides are not flabby.  I'm also a lot more confident in what my body can do.  Those workouts are HARD, but if you stick with it, your body will respond and you'll be able to keep up.  Level 3 is where you see the best results.  That's when my pants were so baggy that I needed to buy a new pair.  That's a nice problem to have.  Here's a link to the video if any of you are interested: DVD and Instant Download.  You do each level for 10 days, even if you don't think you're ready to move up.  Each workout is about 22 minutes.


Have a great day!

{Happy St. Patty's Day}

Stamps: Lucky Charm, A Guy Thing (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Glamazon Green, Green With Envy (CSS)

Ink: Vintage Cream (PTI)

Accessories: Silhouette, Clover Ribbon/Border (Silhouette Image), Foam Dots 

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Papertrey Ink January 2012 Blog Hop...

I should be doing a million and one other things right now, but I'm just going to quickly post this for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.  The card on the left is one that I made last year for a Make-It-Monday Challenge and I just love it.  Click here to see that original post.  I happened to need a birthday card for my nephew today, so that's pretty much why I went in the direction I did.  Lots of masking going on here.

This card is pretty small, about 3"x 4".

Okay, off to wrap a present for my nephew to go with the card.

Have a great day!

{Make a Wish, Gabriel}

Stamps: Text Style, Fresh Alphabet (Papertrey Ink), Background Basics I (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Trendsetter Blue, Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Ink: True Blue Fan, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Accessories: Circle Punch, Number 3 Mask (Silhouette), Brad, Stamping Sponge, Pen

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A {Football} Card...

Hey all!  I don't know if you remember the problems I was having with my Silhouette (from this post).  Well, I had to send it in to be fixed, luckily it is still under warranty.  I received it back a few days ago and they sent me a brand new one!  I have to say that I'm quite impressed with this company.  When I first called about the problem, an actual person answered the phone!  I wasn't even transferred.  They sent me an email with directions of something to try and gave me info to send it in if I couldn't fix it myself.  I ended up sending it in (paying for the shipping and insurance myself) and about two weeks later I got the new one in the mail.  As some of you know, a new Silhouette comes with a $10 gift card to the Silhouette Store, new mats, and blade.  I'm sure you can tell that I was tickled pink.  


I was originally using my Silhouette to make a football themed card for my brother.  I owed him $10 for joining his fantasy football team and guess what?  I still hadn't sent him the money!  Here's the card I made.  It's pretty different than any of my other cards, but it was quick and got the point across.

The inside just might be my favorite part. 

Our Bengals are on a three game winning streak!  Whodey!!!

Have a great day!

PS.  I'm not going to list my supplies since it's just card stock and everything cut using the Silhouette.

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Clear & Simple Stamps: Group Project

Good morning!  This is going to be fun!!!  This month for the Clear & Simple Stamps Group Project we are picking a letter and making a card/project revolving around that using the new set Alpha Varsity.  Fun, right?  I can't wait to see what everyone else made.  

I chose what may be the most obvious, A is for Apple.  Apples and teachers go hand in hand.  I used my Silhouette (before it broke) for the apple shape and also the banner shape.  I cut the stem, leaf and apple from On the Catwalk Cream card stock and then sponged them the appropriate colors. The apple is popped up on foam dots and so is the banner.

I used a circle punch for the tag and stamped the A from Alpha Varsity.  Who doesn't love being told how great they are?  Not me, that's for sure.  


Be sure to check out the rest of the group projects over at the Clear & Simple Stamps Blog.


Have a great day!

{Teachers}

Stamps: Alpha Varsity, Teacher (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like A Rockstar, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Hattie (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Glamazon Green, Green With Envy, Dare to Be A Diva Red, Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch, Stamping Sponge, Baker's Twine, Digitally Cut Shapes (Silhouette)

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A {Happy Fall} Card...

Hello Hello!  I hope you've recovered from your holiday weekend!  We had a very lazy day yesterday and that's helped so much.  It's been so cool here the last two days.  Four days ago it was in the 90's and now it's in the 50's.  Bizarre!  So in celebration of cooler weather coming, I made an appropriately themed card.

I used my Silhouette to cut out the white rectangle of card stock and also the circle shapes.  If you aren't familiar with the Silhouette you might not know that you can design your card right on the computer and simply hit "cut page" and it cuts your card out for you.  Once I had it cut, I simply adhered strips of colored card stock behind the circle openings.  Easy peasy and most of the work was done on the computer.

Once I was done cutting the page, I saved the image I created so I can make this card over any time and simply change the colors.  I think the circles were meant to be used as a border, but I think they look kind of retro here.  I really like the button and how it's placed directly over a circle.  It looks like it was designed that way, but it was really just a happy accident.  

Thanks so much for taking a peek at my card!  Have a great day!!!

{Happy Fall}

Stamps: Icon Extras (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Kraft Like a Rockstar, Dare to be a Diva Red, Orange You Fabulous, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Glamazon Green, Espresso Your Style (CSS)

Ink: Espresso Your Style, Dish All the Dirt Brown (CSS)

Accessories: Digitally Cut Shapes (Silhouette), Button, Cork Sheet, Foam Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge (CSS)

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Clear & Simple Stamps - September 2011 Release

Hello!  It's release day at Clear & Simple Stamps!!!  This month the newest stamp set is an Alpha Varsity set.  This set is such a great addition to sets you may already have.  It would go perfect with any sports set (and CSS has a ton) and also any school themed set.  You'll see I used the set Teacher on a lot of my cards this month.  

Alpha Varsity

And here's a look at the new set in action:

For my first card I arranged the letters from Alpha Varsity on my acrylic block and stamped a background.  I like how the it looks like the letters were written with chalk on a chalkboard.

The sentiment panel was cut using my Silhouette and then the sentiment was created by using two stamps from the set Teacher.

I just love this color combo!  Perfect for teacher and back to school card.  


You won't want to miss what the rest of the design team has in store.  Be sure to check out all the ladies at the Clear & Simple Stamps Blog.


Thanks so much for joining me today.  Have a great day!

{Thank You, Teacher}

Stamps: Alpha Varsity, Teacher (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: A Blanc Check, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

Ink: Glamazon Green (CSS), White 

Accessories: Green Floss, Button (CSS), Stamping Sponge, Glue Dots, Foam Dimensionals, Digitally Cut Shape (Silhouette)

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A {Baby Banner} Card...

Hello!  Hope you had a great weekend.  Ours was super fun.  We crammed some fun stuff in yesterday for the kid's last day of Spring Break.  We saw the movie "Hop" which was pretty cute, for kids anyway.  

Okay, so here is my card for today.  It uses this week's CPS Sketch.  I think I've only done a banner on one other card before so this was a lot of fun (click HERE to see it). For this card I used the other banner shape that came already in my Silhouette library.  I simply cut out the banner shapes using the Silhouette and then punched out some circles with a circle punch (duh, a little redundant!).  

I really love how this card turned out except I wanted the sentiment at the bottom to be darker.  By the time I noticed I had already glued down the patterned paper and had the banner attached.  I was afraid I would ruin the whole card if it didn't stamp perfectly with a darker brown.  Oh well, I think it'll do.  If you are having a hard time reading the sentiment, it says "Congrats on your new little bundle".

Well, hope everything is going your way today.  So far so good here.  It's pretty windy but it is in the high 60's.  I can't wait to plant our first garden sometime this week.  I hope you have a great day!

{Baby Banner Card}

Stamps: Fresh Alphabet, Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Gertie (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Simply Blue-tiful, Brown Leather Satchel (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, Digitally Cut Banners (Silhouette), Circle Punch, Baker's Twine (Jillibean Soup), Edge Distresser

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A Computer {Thank You} Card...

Hey guys!  I am so lucky to be typing this on my laptop.  My laptop has been broke for what feels like an eternity, but it's only been about two weeks.  Anyway, one of my husband's co-workers was able to remove all my files and take my computer back to the factory settings.  I am so grateful to have my computer back, you have no idea.

So, that's where this card comes into play.  I made this card for the guy who fixed my computer and it will be delivered with a bunch of girl scout cookies.  This card was 100% made using the Silhouette.  This is kind of a boring color scheme, but that's usually the colors of computers (and I wanted to use a blue screen because that's what my computer looked like when it broke, AKA Blue Screen of Death).  The original image had the word "geek" printed on it, I didn't think he'd really appreciate that too much.  I typed "Thank You" and chose a font that reminded me of what you might see on a start-up screen.  


I think it turned out pretty nice.  I can see him leaving this on his desk for a while, reminding him what a great guy he is.  


Have a great day!

{Thank You Computer Card}

Card Stock: You're Such a Gray-cious Host, Perfect Little Black Dress, My Favorite Blue Jeans (CSS)

Accessories: Digitally Cut Images (Silhouette)

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A {Happy Birthday Jacob} Card...

Hello!  I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever going to recover from this whirlwind weekend.  I think I could crawl into my bed and sleep until tomorrow.  So, as some of you know I attended CKC in Louisville on Friday.  Unfortunately I didn't get to see much outside of the Clear & Simple Stamps classroom, but I still had a great time and learned a lot about copic markers.  Nicki and Reenee were so nice and I learned a lot about the company.  Would you believe I didn't take any pictures?  I could kick myself.  We were just so busy it just didn't occur to me.  Hopefully the CKC in Cincinnati will be a little less crazy.

So, once I returned from CKC I was itching to use my Silhouette.  I made this card for my dear friend's son who just turned one.  The number one, the letters spelling Jacob and the rectangle around it were all cut from the Silhouette.

I really love the argyle paper for a little boys card.  This card uses four different pieces of patterned paper, all from the Hattie collection from My Mind's Eye.  There's a lot of dimension to this little card that you can see in the above photo.


Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday Jacob}

Stamps: Icons Extra (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Hattie (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Your Style Blue Me Away (CSS)

Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch, Stamping Sponge, Digitally Cut Images (Silhouette)

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A {With Sympathy} Card...

Hello!  I peeked at today's sketch challenge at SCS right before I went down to my studio.  If you know me, I rarely use diagonal anything on my cards.  Elements can be a little off-kilter, but not diagonal.  However, this sketch was so simple and basic looking that I just had to give it a try.

Well, I think there's probably a pretty good reason I don't like diagonals.  I can't make a card I like with them.  I love the papers and elements of this card. In fact, I can think of three different layouts that would make this card so much better.  But, everything is glued down already, oh well.  It's still okay looking, just not great.

One thing I absolutely do love is that doily!  It was digitally cut using my Silhouette machine.  I've been seeing doilies everywhere lately and thought I would jump on the band wagon.  I love seeing the Silhouette in action. I actually tried to make a video for you all to see, but my phone completely shut down right in the middle. I guess that was not meant to be.  Soon though!  


A little tip, I cut out a bunch of doilies using white paper.  Now I can just sponge them any color I want when I'm ready to use them.  That's what I did with the doily on my card today.  It used white card stock and I sponged it with blue ink.


Thanks so much for stopping by today! 

{With Sympathy}

Stamps: Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink) 

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, On the Catwalk Cream (CSS), Enchanted Evening (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Hattie (My Mind's Eye)

Ink: Prussian Blue (Colorbox), Trendsetter Blue (CSS)

Accessories: Doily Digitatally Cut Image (Silhouette), Pearls (KaiserCraft), Edge Distresser

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A {Congratulations} Card...

Finally!  I've have been working on this card all day long.  It's been such a busy day.  I've been squeezing in some crafting time in between running on the treadmill, doing laundry, parent/teacher conference, picking up kids from school, getting a few groceries at the store and attempting to make a new soup recipe.  The soup is simmering on the stove as I type this.  There's still laundry to fold and a salad to prepare.  Like I said, busy day.

So, here is my card for today.  It's based on this week's CPS layout that I don't particularly like, but it really intrigued me.  I had to give it a go.  This card uses the Silhouette a lot.  The letters were cut from the black patterned paper and then matted on yellow patterned paper.  The leaves and rolled up flowers were images I cute using the Silhouette.  I think these flowers look so much better than my first attempt. I guess practice really does make perfect.

I love the striped ribbon.  My SIL's was getting rid of some of her sCrap stuff and I rescued a few rolls of ribbon that I knew I could use.  

Have a great day!

{Congratulations}

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Origins (Basic Grey)

Accessories: Digitally Cut Images and Letters (Silhouette), Glue Dots

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A {Congratulations Friend} Card...

Hello!  I made this card this morning, I was really itching to use my Silhouette.  I have always loved the cards that have letters with patterned paper behind it.  Is there a word for that?  I thought it would be really cool way to make a stack of cards for a gift and it would be quick and easy as well as clean and simple.  Some day, some day!

Anyway, I used the Silhouette to cut the kraft rectangular shape along with the letters for "friend".  After I punched out the letters, I glued the center of the "d" and "r" with glue to the patterned paper.

Here's another view.  The gems didn't photograph very well, it looks nice in real life.  This card is really giving me a masculine vibe with the earthy colors and lack ribbon and flowers.  


Take care!  Thanks for stopping by!

{Congratulations Friend}

Stamps: Icons Extras (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Espresso Your Style (CSS)

Patterned Paper: Origins (Basic Grey)

Ink: Espresso Your Style, Emerald Bling (CSS)

Accessories: Digital Cuts (Silhouette), Edge Distresser, Stamping Sponge, Light Green Rhinestones

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Clear & Simple Stamps - Group Challenge

Hello!  Today we have a special treat for you!!!  The Clear & Simple Stamps Design Team have put together some spring ensembles using the new SOTM, Spring.  

For my spring ensemble I decided to make a tag and box combo.  The box was cut using the Silhouette and Purplicious card stock.  Everything was tied together using VIP Purple satin ribbon.  


The base of the tag is Purplicious card stock with distressed edges.  I stamped the background rain drops using VIP Purple ink and of course those cute little umbrellas were paper pieced.  

Here's a view from the side so you can get an idea of the size.  It's a little hard to see, but I used some black enamel accents on the top of each umbrella to give them a little dimension.  I love that little touch!


You won't want to miss the Spring Ensembles the rest of the Design Team created:

Viola Mahr

Cristina Kowalczyk

Kim Howard

Ryann Salamon

Lori Tecler

Tracy Schultz

Clear and Simple Stamps

Thanks so much for visiting today!

{Singing in the Rain}

Stamps: Spring (Clear & Simple Stamps)

Card Stock: Purplicious, VIP Purple, A Blanc Check

Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, VIP Purple

Accessories: VIP Purple Satin Ribbon, Purple Rhinestones (Kaiser Craft), Edge Distresser, Digital Cut Box (Silhouette)

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