Happy Spring! Happy Stamping!

Happy Spring!  Happy Stamping!  Now's the time to do some spring cleaning.  No, I really mean spring stamping!!!  Cleaning can wait, right?

Lots of "pop-ups" in the Spring Catalog.  The Pop-Up Designer Kit comes with 9 embossed tags--wish this shape was available as a Big Shot die!  The little tag is perfect for the front of a card.  I used 5 flower pieces for the flower instead of the 9 recommended in the kit's directons. The "Just for you" stamp is included in the kit. 

Supplies used:  Calypso Coral cardstock and ink, Tea for Two DSP, Stampin' Dimensionals, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Recently, I attended a retirement luncheon.  Lots of lovely things were said about the retiree.  Why do we have to wait until we retire to hear how much we are appreciated?!  And, who says hearts are only for Valentine's Day?!  Gratitude that comes from the heart--can't go wrong with that!  I think we need to tell people "thank you" and tell them often!  The stem of the paper flower is attached to the card by threading the stem through the scalloped heart. 

Supplies:  Wishes Your Way Stamp Set, Pool Party Core'dinations Cardstock, Read Red Cardstock and ink, More Amore Specialty DSP, Artisan Embellishments Kit, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits, Silver Glimmer Paper, Stampin' Dimensionals

This next card backs Silver Glimmer Paper behind the Paper Doily Sizzlit.  The detail of the sizzlit and the bling of the Glimmer Paper--beautiful combo!  The little tag is held onto the card with the center brad and is kind of curled up a little so it's lifted off the card front. 

Supplies used:  Wishes Your Way Stamp Set, Pink Pirouette Cardstock, Rich Razzleberry Cardstock and ink, Paper Doily Sizzlit, Silver Glimmer Paper, 3/8 White Taffeta Ribbon, Word Window and Modern Label Punches, 3/8 Basics Glimmer Brads, DSP from Razzleberry Splash Simply Scrappin' Kit, Stampin' Dimensionals

The Big Shot makes it soooo easy to cut out fabric including demin.  It took me less than 20 minutes to cut out this old pair of jeans.  Without being too careful, I was able to cut enough demin to make 6 wonderful flowers pins. 

Supplies:  Flower Folds Bigz Die, Big Shot, Silver Basic Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, demin

Isn't this little book adorable?!  Stampin' Up! showed us this at Leadership 2013 in Orlando. It is made with one sheet of 12x12 DSP.  A belly band holds it closed. 

Supplies: Made for You and Clockworks Stamp Sets, Not Quite Navy cardstock and ink, Silver Basic Designer Buttons, Marina Mist ink, Natural Trim, Parker's Patterns DSP, Very Vanilla Cardstock

Speaking of  Orlando, here's a pic/scrapbook page of Dan and me at Leadership.  It's one of those "self-portraits."  Ya know, where you hold the camera out with one hand, and take your own picture.  It's hard to do without getting your arm in the shot.  If you look closely around the photo and on the flowers, I used the white gel pen around the DSP for an extra little embellishment.  There's a few extra dots on the flowers too! 

Supplies:  Splash Simply Scrappin Kit, Uniball Signo White Gel Pen, Silver Glimmer Paper, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

Now, I need to get some spring cleaning done, and studying for an exam on Monday!  Wishing you a very Happy Easter! Bye for now, Maria

Jots & Thoughts Journal Paper Pumpkin

St. Patrick's Day Treat Bag Tutorial

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Everyone loves to celebrate on St. Patty's Day.  And, here's a little treat to make to give to your favorite people. 

Start with a piece of cardstock 3 1/8 x 11.

Score at 5" and 6".



Now, the next several photos are a treat bag I made for Valentine's Day.  Same concept, just change out the ink and ribbon to your favorite green. 

Place stamp rubber side up on your work surface.  Use marker directly onto the parts of the image you want while omitting or avoiding parts of the image you do not want.  "Huff" or "breath" on the rubber part of the stamp to re-moisten the ink prior to stamping.  Omitting with markers will give your stamps much more versatility.  Hence, the name "omitting with markers." 

Stamp desired image inside the flourish. 

Add candies as desired.  Hershey's Kisses for Valentine's Day.

I found "round" Pearson's Mint Patties at my local Acme Market.

Add candies to Small Cell Bag.

Fold up cardstock on the score lines.

Place filled cell bag inside folded cardstock.

Hold together and punch holes for ribbon through both layers of cardstock AND the cell bag at the same time.  Thread with ribbon and tie together. 

Stamps:  Vintage Verses, Salabration 2013

Ink:  Gumball Green, Sahara Sand

Other:  Sahara Sand Cardstock, Score Board, Gumball Green Ribbon, Small Cell Bags, Crop-a-dile, chocolate or candy

Happy Stamping!  Bye for now, Maria

All Dressed Up Pop Up Card

It's a pop-up!  When I first saw the All Dressed Up bundle, I resisted.  But as a girly-girl, I caved and bought the whole suite!  I am so glad I did.  It is so wonderful, beautiful and versatile!  To make the dress "pop up", you will need both the Pop 'n Cuts Card Base AND the Dress Form Pop 'n Cuts.  To decorate the dress, you will want the Dress Up Framelits too.  Note:  the Pop 'n Cuts Card Base can be use ALONE to make a really cool A2 card all on its own--how cool is that?  

The inside says "wishing you a twirly-whirly birthday."  Its from Wishes Your Way stamp set (p. 33 Spring Catalog).  The font matches the All Dressed Up stamp set.  This card was so much fun to create, and I really enjoyed sharing it at March's Stamp Club. 

Ink:  Island Indigo

Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Sycamore Street DSP (Salabration)

Other:  Sycamore Street Ribbon, Flower Trim

Happy Stamping!  Bye for now, Maria