Legos, Star Wars, Pokemon and Soccer...

...that's all I hear about from my 7 year old twins.  And they aren't the only ones...all of their friends live for their Star Wars Legos, Pokemon cards and soccer at recess.  At least they aren't sitting in front of the TV lost in the world of video games, right?!?!?!  My boys had a birthday party to go to this afternoon and insisted that I make a Star Wars card for their buddy.  All I can say is thank goodness for Pintrest and people who are way more creative than I am!  I found an awesome Yoda card (seen here) and re-created my own card.  I loved her idea of using the treat cup for the little Lego guy, which I had to buy a Lego set to get.  My boys were pretty happy they got to keep the set, minus the guy ;) I did crinkle up the paper to make Yoda look more wrinkled...he's such a wrinkly little guy!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Pear Pizazz, Whisper White, Basic Black, Brushed Silver

Ink ~ Pear Pizazz, Sahara Sand, White Gel Pen, Basic Black Marker

Other Supplies ~ Treat Cup, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, Word Window Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, MDS

I downloaded a Lego font for my boys' birthday last year and used it again for the Happy Birthday sentiment on this card.  I love being able to use MDS when I don't have just the right stamp in my stash! 

As you can see, this card did require a few different punches, but it all came together pretty quick.  My boys have already asked if I will make them a card like this for their birthday (in December)...we'll see if they still love Star Wars by then or if they will be on to something new!

May the Force be with you!

Happy Stamping!

Miss You Already

Next week my co-workers and I will say farewell to a fellow co-worker as she takes on an amazing new job opportunity!  We will miss Jamie's big smile and hilarious sense of humor, but we are so happy for her!  Jamie is not only a co-worker to  me, but also a good friend of 10+ years.  I was thrilled when she got hired and although I don't see her daily, I will miss chatting with her daily via our clinic IM...thank goodness for Facebook!!! Some days it seems to be the only way some of us can keep up with all that is going on in our busy lives!

With some creative color inspiration from Fab Friday I put together this card for our office to sign and give to Jamie on her last day...

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Soft Suede, Print Poetry, Primrose Petals Core'dinations, Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple

Stamp Set ~ Really Good Greetings

Other Supplies ~ Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, Very Vintage Designer Buttons, Window Frames Framelits, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder

We will all miss Jamie so much and wish her the best of luck!!! 

Happy Stamping!

Graduation Season

Graduation season is here again...time for celebrations and moving forward in life.  I'll admit, I miss my boys being in pre-school and having their own little graduation at the end of the year.  It's not such a big deal at the elementary schools, but I always make sure to do something special on the last day of school and we have our own graduation celebration at home.  Looking forward to making some fun, crafty creations for the end of their 1st grade year.  Until then, I have a few graduation cards I was asked to make.  Two are for high school graduates and one is for an 8th grade graduate...fun!!!  With some extra help from Pinterest, I came up with these 3 cards:

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Night of Navy, Whisper White

Ink ~ Night of Navy

Stamp Sets ~ Designer Type Photopolymer, Word Play, March Paper Pumpkin

Other Supplies ~ Whisper White Bakers Twine, Linen Thread, Neutrals Brads, Square Punch, Oval Punch

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink ~ Elegant Eggplant

Stamp Set ~ ABC-123 Sketched Alphabet & Numbers

Other Supplies ~ Perfect Pennants Bigz, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Metallic Brads, Mini Brads, Stripes Embossing Folder

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Perfect Plum, Silver Glimmer, Whisper White

Ink ~ Perfect Plum

Stamp Sets ~ My Friend, Outlined Occasions, Blue Ribbon

Other Supplies ~ Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details, Crystal Effects, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Basics Glimmer Brads

For a great tutorial on how to make this fancy fold graduation cap, visit Dawn Olchefske's amazing blog.  She has TONS of other very useful tutorials as well.  Enjoy!!

Happy Graduation to all who graduate this weekend and over the next few weeks!  Best wishes to your next journey in life and Happy Stamping!

Freshly Made Vintage Friendship

As the retirement of some of my favorite stamp sets gets closer, I am trying to use as many of them as I can.  And as I was going through all of my stamps and supplies that are about to go, I came across some of the Everyday Enchantment DSP from last years Sale-A-Bration.  And it wasn't just one package...it was more like 4 packages.  Can you say paper hoarder?!?!?  I just can't let go of some things and DSP is my downfall :) 

When I saw today's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches, I decided it was time to use up some of this DSP...It's too pretty to just let it sit in it's package!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Everyday Enchantment DSP*

Ink ~ Soft Suede, Calypso Coral

Stamp Sets ~ Language of Friendship, Fresh Vintage*

Other Supplies ~ Top Note Bigz, Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon*

*Retired 2012 Sale-A-Bration items*

I love this DSP and must have really liked it during last years SAB!  I'm glad I found it and plan on using a bit more of it in the near future...but I better save one package just in case ;)

Happy Stamping!

Washi'ing you a Happy Birthday

Who loves Washi Tape and all that can be done with it?  I don't know about you, but I sure love it!!!  I was so happy when Stampin' Up! introduced Washi Tape with the new This and That Journal and I was even happier to see more in the new catalog!!! 

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for a new sketch at Try Stampin' On Tuesday.  This sketch all but screamed Washi Tape at me, so I happily pulled out my new goodies and got to work on my lunch break today. 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight

Ink ~ Melon Mambo, Island Indigo

Stamp Sets ~ Label Love, Papillion Potpourri

Other Supplies ~ Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Artisan Label Punch, Bitty Butterfly and Butterfly Punch, Basic Rhinestones

I love how quickly a card comes together when you are using Washi Tape...and it adds so much to a card!  The bright colors are so cheerful and perfect for a birthday :)  My mother-in-law's birthday is coming up in a few weeks and I think I will send this to her!

Happy Stamping!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Eight years ago I struggled through a Mother's Day church service with my family, wondering if I would ever have the chance of being a mommy myself.  Little did I know, I was already pregnant with my sweet twin boys, which I discovered a few weeks later.  I am now blessed with 3 amazing little men who are the light of my life, my everything! 

We got to spend the morning chasing hot air balloons....my favorite thing to do every Mother's Day. We got out a bit late and only spotted one, but we still had fun continuing our family tradition.

We are getting ready to have a family bbq with my momma, my aunt, my grandma and my mother-in-law.  And of course I made a Mother's Day for my momma and used one of the new Tag a Bag Gift Boxes and Tag a Bag Accessory Kit for her gift.  They are so much fun!!! Can't wait to use these for Christmas this year!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Crumb Cake, Whisper White

Ink ~ Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, VersaMark

Stamp Sets ~ Pleasant Poppies, Family Reunion, Label Love

Other Supplies ~ White Embossing Powder, Calypso Coral Chevron Ribbon, Artisan Label Punch, Whisper White Bakers Twine

Supplies Used for Box:

Paper ~ Calypso Coral, Gumball Green

Ink ~ Calypso Coral

Stamp Set ~ Wonderful Mother

Other Supplies ~ Tag a Bag Gift Boxes, Tag a Bag Accessory Kit, Calypso Coral Chevron Ribbon, Whisper White Bakers Twine

Hoping you all have a Happy Mother's Day!!! 

Happy Stamping!

Hey there friends...

...thank you!  Yesterday was a long and very emotionally draining day as we said goodbye to our sweet dog Bailey.  My heart is still very heavy this morning and I miss my fearless protector and faithful walking partner...but I find peace in knowing he is no longer suffering.  I want to send a big thank you out to all of my family and friends who showered us with kind words, thoughts and prayers.  This was such a hard decision to make, but we know we made the right decision...still doesn't make it hurt any less though :(

This is my card I made for my May swap card.  A small group of my fellow stampin' buddies take turns each month choosing a sketch and color combo...kind of fun to see all the different creations using the same sketch and colors!  Be watching for all of the other swaps soon!

Here are the sketch and color combos we had to work with this month...

For once my hoarding paid off...I still had my Blushing Bride ink and card stock and didn't have to substitute a different color!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Soft Suede, Whisper White, Epic Day This and That DSP

Ink ~ Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede

Stamp Sets ~ March Paper Pumpkin, Oh, Hello

Other Supplies ~ Paper Doilies, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Mini Silver Brads, Chevron Embossing Folder, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Corner Punch

I am so very thankful for all my friends and family...without their love and support yesterday, it would have been a much more difficult day.  Thank you ALL!

Happy Stamping!