A Little Pleating with Nursery Necessities

I'm really getting this out under the wire for the Friday Mashup Challenge. The challenge closes in less than 3 hours. But I'm getting this out there. I love pleating ribbon which was one part of the challenge. I also loved that the other part of their challenge was to make a baby card. I've been wanting to use the Nursery Necessities stamp set since I got it a 2 months ago. But I didn't have anyone to make a baby card for. Until now. My daughter's senior kindergarten teacher is expecting a baby in January and I'm so so excited for her! I also know she loves all my cards:

I also used this week's Freshly Made Sketch. It came at a good time for me because I *finally* found my brand new Scallop Edge Punch. I got it just before we moved and packed it away. Really well. ;) I did the same thing with my new Illuminate Watermark Ink Pad. But I found that too ;)

Tips & Tricks:

*Can't get your pleated ribbon to stay put? Especially the thicker grosgrains? Adhere a strip of Sticky Strip to your card and then pleat your ribbon. It'll keep it in place!
*The Illuminate Watermark Pad is so great. It's leaves a watermark on your card stock, but with a shimmer! I did try it on Pool Party too, but it had a much more subtle look so I opted for Island Indigo.
*My daughter's teacher is francophone so the greeting is in French. I have Teeny Tiny Wishes in both languages because Ottawa has so many bilingual and francophone residents :)

I hope my daughter's teacher loves the card. Now I've got to get ready for my big Studio Grand Opening on Friday :) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Voeux Mignons
Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo, In Color DSP
Ink: Illuminate Watermark Ink
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Word Window Punch, Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder

A Stamp Set Truly Fitting Any Occasion

It's Monday and once again I'm only now getting around to posting my Sunday Stamps post... can I use the excuse of it being a (very busy) long week-end in Canada? Or maybe that my excitement over having earned the Stampin' Up! Grand Vacation to Fiji hasn't completely passed yet ;) Whatever the reason is, I'm late. But better late than never right?

This week at Sunday Stamps we have a sketch challenge. Anyone who's ready my blog knows I like a good sketch challenge. This week's sketch was fun, flexible and not too busy ~ just the way I like it!

When I first saw the A Fitting Occasion stamp set in the new catalogue, I was so excited. I really did fit any occasion and my class-goers could create whatever card they wanted. Although I love clear stamps, I ordered it in wood because of all the small stamps in the set. Also, this way my class-goers could just choose which stamps they wanted to use, without worrying about glass blocks, etc. I did this card at my card class last week. I had prepared a birthday card as well as a new baby card to show how easy it was to customize for *any* occasion.

The A Fitting Occasion stamp set (see all the teeny tiny, easily 'loseable' stamps? That's why I got it in wood):

Tips & Tricks:

*For my class, I brought out the whole A Fitting Occasion stamp set, the ink as well as all the punches that coordinate with the set. Each class-goer could make whatever card they wanted. And was there every a variety!
*For the card stock that has the scalloped edge, I embossed the card stock first and punched second. Otherwise the detail the punch creates could be destroyed.
*My scallop oval and modern labels looked like they were missing something... so I added some Rhinestone Jewels.
*All the little images fit perfectly in a 3/4" circle and all of the circular greetings fit perfectly in a 1" circle. I love how everything coordinates perfectly. Makes things so easy!
*Whatever the occasion, the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder is perfect!

I will be sending the baby card to my cousin and his wife who just welcomed their first child. And I'm sure I'll find someone for the bday card ;) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Baby, Baby, Baby Shower!!!

I know my blog posts have been few and far between lately. We've recently decided to sell our house and we're getting ready to list. I didn't realize how much stuff we'd accumulated in 10 years. It's ridiculous! The toys, the clothes, the stamping stuff! lol! It's total and utter insanity. So between decluttering and prepping for multiple workshops this month, my stampin' time is sadly limited.

I did get to play around with my stuff last week though. One of my good friends is having a baby at the end of a month so a mutual friend and I threw her a shower this past week-end. I got it into my head that I'd make decorations, favours and thank you cards so that my friend could properly thank all of her guests. Did everything turn out beautiful? Oh yeah! Especially the banner - it was such a hit my friend hung it in baby's room after the shower :) But was it a lot of work? OH YEAH! lol! Bare with me, there's quite a few pics :) But most of all, enjoy!

*The favours using the Baby Bundle stamp set and Everyday Elegance DSP. They were filled with chocolates which made our younger guests (it was a mom and me shower) very happy :) I made 28 of these. Lots and lots of Sticky Strip used on these ;)

*Pinwheels using Elementary Elegance DSP. I made four large pinwheels and six small pinwheels.

*Thank you cards using the baby from the retired Cuddles & Tickles stamp set. LOVE that stamp set! I made 20 cards for my friend.

*And finally, the banner. Baby's name will be Zander. I used the Beau Chateau DSP, the Perfect Pennants Big Shot Die and I embossed the letters with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. I LOVED the way it turned out!

I hope Baby Zander loves the banner above his crib - the colour works perfectly. I also hope these ideas inspired you a little bit when you have a party to throw. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Quasi-Telescoping Card

One of my good friends is having a baby very shortly. This week-end, another friend and I are hosting a baby shower for her so I needed to make a shower card for her. I combined two challenges for this card, the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge as well as the Friday Mashup Challenge. The Mojo Monday Challenge was 'Round or Square' and the Friday Mashup Challenge asked us to make a project using the kissing technique and/or a round project. I didn't do the kissing technique on my card but I did make a quasi-telescoping round card. Why do I say it's quasi-telescoping? Well, one element of the card flips out from the bottom and one element flips out from the top.

I'll write a little something on the top scallop circle. I love the Baby Bundle stamp set for anything baby. It has greetings, onesies, teddies, booties, and more.

Tips & Tricks:

*Think that the Twitterpated DSP is for feminine cards only? Think again! I used it on this card and I think the Basic Grey pattern works very well!
*I love the clear Itty Bitty Buttons. I love threading them with super skinny strips of coordinating card stock even more. Instant color coordination!
*Can't figure out how to color in teeny details like the stroller polka dots? Stampin' Up!'s Stampin' Write Markers have two tips, a fine tip and a thicker brush-style tip.
*Don't forget to attach the circles that will be flipping out upside down. Because when they flip up, they will be right side up :)

I hope you've enjoyed this card and I hope my friend enjoys this card even more! 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Happy New Baby Trifold Shutter

Back from Leadership and ready to get posting :) I sent my sister and her husband a card and a little gift to welcome their new blue bundle of joy. She got her package today so I'll finally post the card I made ~ I didn't want to spoil the surprise!

I wanted to make something super special and I know my sister loves Trifold Shutter Cards (click on the link for directions :) ). She loves how fancy they look and how they're so easy to display. So I went in that direction.

I once again used the Beau Chateau DSP - I've made some girly cards with it, but the Marina Mist and Bashful Blue colors are perfect for a little boy.

You may be wondering where I got the greeting. It's from an old, retired (from 1997!) stamp set, Cuddles & Tickles. I bought it when I first got into stamping over 4 years ago and it's one I won't give up ~ it's just too perfect. The baby carriage is from a current stamp set though, Baby Bundle.

Tips & Tricks:

*Don't you just love the baby feet? Our new stamp set in the Spring Mini, Baby Prints, is very similar.

*I just love the baby booties and onesie in the Baby Bundle stamp set. Even if you don't like cutting images out, these ones are pretty easy to trim with you Paper Snips.
*When I have a lot of card stock showing on a fancy card, I like using textured card stock. It just adds that much needed detail :)
*I love the new buttons in the Twitterpated suite of products. Aren't they adorable?

Hope you've enjoyed this card and I hope my sister does too. I'll be back soon! 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Baby Boy

My family lives overseas and my cousin just had her first baby. He came a few weeks earlier than planned and was almost born in their car. Other than being teeny tiny he's doing well. I wish I was closer so that I could give him a little snuggle ~ he's the sweetest little guy ever! (well, except for my own little guy of course ;) ).

I decided to use today's Mojo Monday sketch to make the little guy and his proud mommy and daddy a card. I used a stamp set I haven't used in a while but absolutely love, Baby Bundle. It's got so many cute little baby accessories and is perfect for two step stampin'. If you're feeling like putting in a bit of extra effort, you can cut out some of these accessories for your card, like I did.

Tips & Tricks:

*Want a Designer Series Paper that works for feminine, masculine, kids and baby cards? Look no further than Beau Chateau. I know I've sang the praises of this DSP before, but now I've used it for this baby card... how awesome is that?
*Create and extra special customized card by lining one of our Medium Envelopes with a coordinating Designer Series Paper.
*Once again I'm using the Basic Jewels - Pearls on my card. I love how it adds a bit of special detail to the stroller.
*The Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder is my go-to embossing folder for kids cards.
*I popped my main stroller image on as well as the booties and onesie on Stampin' Dimentionals to make sure they're a focal point on my card.

I hope my cousin and her husband enjoy the card and are enjoying their new little bundle even more! 'Til next tiem, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Oldies but Goodies

June 1st (in 2 days!!!! But I'm not counting :p) Stampin' Up! will announce which stamp sets and accessories, including wheels, Designer Series Papers and embellishments, will be retiring. In most cases, though I may be disappointed that some items and stamps are retiring, I KNOW that Stampin' Up! will provide us with brand new items we'll love just as much and in some cases more :)

A couple of weeks ago, within 36 hours, I found out three women very close to me are pregnant. Of course they need a sweet card to commemorate this special time and I used this week's Mojo Monday Challenge as well as retired only products (except the Crumb Cake CS and Chocolate Chip mat). The sketch this week was TOTALLY out of my box by the way ;) This week's sketch was a 'Round or Square' sketch - I chose 'square' :)

I couldn't think of a better stamp to use than She's All That. It was in the 2008 Occasions Mini and retired never making it to the 'big' cattie, much to my chagrin. The DSP is Parisian Breeze, retired in 2009. I loved it, it was textured, soft and good for both masculine AND feminine cards! So glad I still have some. 

To make the frame, cut four pieces of card stock or DSP, same lengths and widths (I used 4-3/4" x 1-1/4" pieces here). To get my 45 degree angle, I flipped the strips over to the 'bad sides' and measured out 1-1/4" horizontally at the top (since the strips were 1-1/4" wide). I then drew a line from the bottom corner to the 1-1/4" mark. I did this for all sides of 2 pieces (so 4 times). This gives 45 degree angles on the card stock. Put this over top of the straight pieces to avoid the gaps I have. Wish I learned that sooner but I have two more cards to make, right?

For the embellies, I used Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon (retired last year) as well as the Baja Breeze Vintage Flower Adornment, retired in the 2011 Occasions Mini. I really hope Chocolate Chip ribbon makes a comeback this year. I like the Early Espresso ribbon, but want Chocolate Chip ribbon too!

So there you have it, a mostly retired items card. What are your fave retired stamp sets/embellishments? I'd love to hear all about our 'goodie oldies'! And, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Mojo Monday Challenge - Love this sketch!

I haven't done one in a while, but with the circular theme in this sketch, I thought it would be a great time to try out my Button, Button stamp set from the Occasions Mini. And I was right - buttons with the Sweet Stitches DSP made for a vibrant, lovely combination.

What makes buttons even better? Buttons on top of buttons! To the two accent stamps, I added a bitty button. You may be wondering where I got the Daffodil Delight 'thread'... it's actually just a very thin piece of card stock I cut and threaded through. And idea I've been using lots with the Bitty Buttons that I originally got from a wonderful US Demo, Mary Fish. I did use a Chocolate Chip Flower Brad in the middle of the pink 'button', because I thought it matched well - I guess I cheated a bit there on the button theme ;)

Top it all off with some 1/4" grosgrain Marina Mist card and you've got a simple and cute card. I've made this a new baby (or shower) card, but it could work as a thank you or birthday just as well!

I love these colours in this DSP and I love the simplicity yet elegance of this sketch! Hope you did too and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Easy Fluttering Butterfly

After seeing the 3D Delightful Decorations ornament at Christmas (made by punching out 3 ornaments and adhering them together) I thought, why can't I do this with other punches. And right away, the butterfly punch jumped out at me as THE punch to use! So I stamped three butterflies in Rich Razzleberry on Crushed Curry card stock, folded them all in half and adhered them together with the Two-Way Glue Pen. Finally, I adhered the completed butterfly on my card with a full butterfly facing out so you can still fold it down and mail the card easily.


Simple but so pretty :) Come make this card and others at my Kids Themed Stamp-a-Stack on March 14th from 2-5 PM! You can also learn how to make this Butterfly at my upcoming Fundraiser for Haitian Earthquake Relief.

Hope to see you at my upcoming workshops and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Busy Busy Busy!

Long time no write! I know, I've been somewhat MIA but I've been busy with many things. Preparing for our (much needed) holiday and just enjoying the summer weather! But also I've been busy stamping, of course! My Decor Elements came in and let me just say, I'm impressed! Another quality product from Stampin' Up! Of course I would expect nothing less! Right away I dove into them and put up the Stem Silhouettes (medium size) . I used the instructions provided with them to be sure that they were good. Within 20 minutes and no hassle later they were on the wall! They're pretty well idiot proof and the instructions are well written. So without further ado, here they are :)

I've also been busy making invitations. I've got a dino themed birthday as well as a baby shower invitation. I just love the onesies. Saw this a while back and I had to make them! Tell me what you think :) They're easy to make but I think they just look great!

I'm also excited by the new Catalog. Last Tuesday the Demonstrator Sneak Peak was unveiled and let me tell you, good things are coming in the new catty! Stay tuned for more info!

I also have another retiring catalog special to offer you - from today to July 20th. Purchase any In Color products (cardstock, ribbon, ink) and get 10% off! I'm going on holiday next week and will be placing this order on July 21st so be sure to send your orders in before then!

Thanks for reading and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Oh Baby!

I've finally gotten my She's All That Stamp Set! So excited - this is one of those sets that will never get old. It's timeless, classic and no matter what you do with it, you'll always have a beautiful card at the end. I decided to cut the 'words' off and double mount it so that I have the bride, expectant mom, birthday girl, and dog-walking girl alone. Of course I couldn't wait to dive into this set and I focused on the expectant mom and birthday girl since I'm still designing cards mainly for Belly Laughs. And of course I did some embossing :) I also got the 'Everything Baby' Set in that shipment. This is a great words only that focuses on, well, Everything Baby! Enjoy!

Oh Baby!


*Card Size - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
*Cardstock - Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
*Stamp Sets - She's All That, Everything Baby
*Ink - Purely Pomegranate, Versamark
*Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool
*Techniques - Embossing

Baby Happiness (Another spin on the Oh Baby! card)


*Card Size - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
*Cardstock - Close to Cocoa, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
*Stamp Sets - She's All That, Warm Words
*Ink - Purely Pomegranate, Versamark
*Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool
*Techniques - Embossing

Make a Wish


*Card Size - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
*Cardstock - Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White
*Stamp Sets - She's All That
*Ink - Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava
*Accessories - Tag Corner Punch
*Techniques - None, just good 'ol stamping - see what I mean about this stamp set? Stamp twice and the result is a beautiful, simple card :)

Welcome Baby Girl


*Card Size - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
*Cardstock - Pixie Pink, Whisper White
*Stamp Sets - Everything Baby, Tickles and Cuddles
*Ink - Pixie Pink, Versamark
*Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Soft Subtles Brads, Stampin' Write Markers, 1/8" Hole Punch
*Techniques - Embossing, Coloring with Markers

New EMBOSSED Baby Cards

Embossing - I LOVE embossing. I can't even tell you how much I love embossing. Ever since I got my heat tool and embossing powder two weeks ago I've been having fun embossing EVERYTHING! Here are a few cute simple cards using silver embossing powder. I think they're great because of their simplicity - it doesn't take much to make a super cute card. I love the final results and hope you do too!!!

Embossed Baby Blues

*Card Size - 4 1/4" x 5 1/2 "
*Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue Designer Paper
*Stamp Set - Lovely Labels
*Ink - Versamark
*Acessories - Scallop Circle Punch - my favorite punch... hands down, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Heat Tool
*Techniques - Embossing

Silver Embossed Giggling Baby

*Card Size - 5 1/2 " x 4 1/4"
*Cardstock - Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White
*Stamp Sets - Cuddles and Tickles (retired), Warm Words (GREAT versatile stamp set), Stampin' Around Duckies (small wheel)
Ink - Versamark, So Saffron
Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch (my fave corner punch!), Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Write Markers
*Techniques - Embossing, Coloring with markers, Stampin' Around Wheel

Silver Embossed Sweet Pea

*Card Size - 5 1/2 " x 4 1/4"
*Cardstock - Close to Cocoa, Pixie Pink, Very Vanilla
*Ink - Versamark
*Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Write Markers
*Techniques - Embossing, Coloring with markers