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!

Pals Paper Arts Challenge 76 - A Fab Color Challenge

This week when I saw the Pals Paper Arts Challenge I just *knew* I had to participate! I also knew it was the perfect colour combo to show how the cupcake in the Create a Cupcake Stamp Set (item #121982 - CM, item #121915 - WM) and coordinating Build a Cupcake Punch (item #121807) could make more than just a cupcake! I also made very good use of my Big Shot for this card to make it quickly but still elegant looking. Of course the Basic Jewels Adhesive Rhinestones (item #119246) added that little extra glimmer that this elegant birthday card, perfect for your favorite girlfriend or boyfriend, needed!


You can learn more fun ways to use this cupcake stamp set and punch combo at my Who You Callin' Cupcake Card Class, next week on Friday January 14th! Please RSVP to join us! Or if you just want to make your own cupcakes, be sure to visit my Online Store to order your supplies!

Hope you enjoyed this card, maybe it'll inspire you to play at Pals Paper Arts as well, and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

NEW Framed Tulips Embossing Folder

It's no secret - I love Embossing Folders for the Big Shot. Why? They're super easy to use, add that litte bit of je ne sais quoi to a card and are very cost effective (only $10.95). Which is why the new Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (#121809) was at the top of my 'must have' list! Don't you just love how easily you can add a frame to any card?

On this card, I also used the Sweet Stitches Big Designer Buttons (item #122302) - also at the top of my 'must have' list. I combined my two 'must haves' on the card below. I also used the Easter Blossoms stamp set again (item #122057 - clearmount, #121905 - woodmount). Remember, I used it in the Mini Sneak Peaks Post? I can't believe it's even the same set - so many varied uses :)

More Occasions Mini samples coming - there are so many fab products in there! If I were to post them all in one post you'd be reading all day!!! LOL! And don't forget to keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Stella & Dot 2011 Spring Line Sneak Peak

What do I love most about Stella & Dot? The originality of their pieces. How gorgeous is a close second and the quality is great too, but you can't find anything like Stella & Dot jewels in any 'ol store! The sneak peaks I've seen of their 2011 Spring Line have proven this again. Just look at these two pieces - I especially love the twisted one!


Or this one? Bet you haven't seen anything like it anywhere else!


It's no secret I love turquoise jewelry and I LOVE this La Coco Turquoise Strand.

Stay tuned for more gorgeous styles, making their BIG debut on January 9th! Book a Trunk Show with me to be the first to show them to your friends!

Happy accessorizing, gorgeous!

2011 Occasions Mini Preview

Happy New Year everyone! With the New Year I resolve to (again) try to maintain this blog. I know what you're thinking - hasn't gone so well in the past. But I'll try *really* hard this time because I want to be able to share all my projects, classes and inspirations with you! I know not everyone is on Facebook, which is what I've been using the last couple of months, and while it's working, I know I'm not reaching everyone so here I am, again :)

With the new year comes a new Mini - well, in a couple of days, anyhow. There are a lot of awesome new products in the 2011 Occasions Mini: Rosettes, a Build-a-Cupcake Punch, Spinners for spinner cards, fabric buttons and lots lots more! It's one of my fave Minis in quite a while! I was so excited when my box of preorder goodies (a perk of being a demo ;) ) came and I made quite a few projects right away! Here are my faves to share with you...

Spinner Card:


Build-a-Cupcake


Easter Blossoms - I'm not usually into Easter Sets but I just loved this little girl image and thought it could be used for birthdays, too :)


You excited yet??? Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity and I look forward to stamping with you in 2011!