A Birthday Card for a Very Special 3 Year Old

A friend of my kids is turning 3 this week-end. So I knew that part of today would involve making a card for her. When I opened my email this morning and saw the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge 81, I knew it would be a great sketch for the card I was planning. I already knew I wanted to use the Big Shot Simple Numbers, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to make a glimmery "#3". What I especially loved about this sketch is that I could really make the 3 stand out while combining several coordinating Designer Papers.

If you aren't familiar with Stampin' Up!'s Adhesive Sheets, you'll love everything you can do with them. They can be used with fabric, card stock - anything really. And not only that - you can stick them to card stock / fabric and then run them through the Big Shot to get perfect adhesive die cut element for your paper crafting. To add a little glam to this special card, I die cut the '3' with the adhesive on the top side, so that I could sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on it.

The Simple Numbers dies come with a little flower, so I cut it out with some remaining card stock/Adhesive Sheet and applied glitter to it as well. I put a Chocolate Chip Corduroy Brad (retired) through the middle of the flower to add a bit more texture.


Hope you enjoyed this special birthday card. Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity! (Although, isn't it ironic that I barely used stamps on this card? lol!)

Watercoloring Stamper's Group

My stamper's groups always want to do some watercoloring. In the past, I've always struggled with finding stamp sets that work well for watercoloring, but this year we have "Greeting Card Kids", the perfect set! Since we were coming up to Valentine's Day, I also used the new "Blowing Kisses" set. To prevent the ink from bleeding during watercoloring, we used Stayz-On ink in black.

For the Blowing Kisses card, we watercolored with AquaPainters and Classic Ink. For the little Greeting Card Girl, we used Watercolor Wonder Crayons. Both images were watercolored on watercolor paper.

We also tried out a ribbon technique that is all the rage right now - ruching. We ran Sticky Strip along the bottom of the card and then we applied our ribbon, gathering it randomly. There are many different way ruching can be done. Using different ribbons achieves a different look. Stay tuned for more ruching examples in weeks to come since I'm loving this technique ;)

Take a look at my class list, too. Couple of great new classes coming up! And most importantly, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity.

I LOVE my Morning Coffee!

I need my morning coffee. It's kind of sad, but it's the first thing I think of in the morning (well, except, 'I wish I could sleep just 15 more minutes' ;) ) And it's for this reason that when I saw this stamp set in the 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog, it spoke to me. And I had to have it.

When this Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge came up, I thought this would be a fantastic sketch for my beloved stamp set. I also wanted to use the First Edition Specialty DSP in the 2011 Occasions Mini. I loved the look of this paper, looks like it's straight out of a book or newspaper (without the inky mess!). To add texture to the card, I crumpled the paper up and even let it tear. I know, it's hard to crumple DSP. Really hard. And letting it tear a bit is even harder. But try it. You'll feel good and your card will look even better ;)

To add just a wee bit more depth to the card, I used one of the Sweet Stitches Designer Buttons in Chocolate Chip. It works so well with the Scallop Circle Punch :) I did use our Stampin' Write Markers to colour the images, though this set is also great if you like watercolouring.

These sketch challenges always get my creative juices flowing - hope they get yours flowing too :) 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!

Stella & Dot Spring 2011 Line Event!

It's here it's here it's here! My samples are ordered, they'll be here on Thursday, and it's all GORGEOUS!!! The Stella & Dot Spring 2011 Line! They have 3 Hot Hot Hot trends for us:
*Viva Brazil! (My personal fave with all the gorgeous colours);
*Destination Morocco; and
*Palm Beach Collection.

Love it all! To celebrate I'm having a fabulous Meet Stella & Dot's 2011 Spring Line Party on January 22nd at 7:30 PM. Be sure to join me for

*Info on being a Stella & Dot Stylist and taking advantage of the January Starter Kit special
*Door prizes including NEW and DISCONTINUED Jewelry
*Book a Trunk Show and get an EXTRA door prize ticket!
*Ordering Specials *Bring a friend I haven't met and get an EXTRA door prize ticket!

Of course it isn't a party without yummy cocktails!

Email me at stampingmonica@gmail.com for my address - the party's at my home in Stittsville. What pieces can you expect to see?

Can't wait to see you at the party - this is just a small sampling of what's going to be at the party - I've got a ton more to show you! In the meantime be sure to check out my e-boutique!

Happy accessorizing, Gorgeous!