What could be better?

A rainy afternoon, inside with friends, creating our art ... eating chocolate chip cake.  What could be better?

Here's a project from today's event.  I used some old retired black and vanilla background paper layered with our new Newsprint Designer Series Paper ... black and vanilla is so "classic" ... you can never go wrong with it.  The word(s) are from "In a Word" stamp set.  I love it ... "so sorry" ... so clever!  It's only available thru the end of this month - you can shop 24/7 from my website (see the link on the left?).  The center shape is cut and edges embossed using the same die shape.  The crochet trim lace is a very pretty pattern called Victoria.  It adds just the right "soft" element to this sympathy card.  You can see beautiful heartfelt cards at The Cuttlebug Spot.  Be sure to visit and leave a comment or two.

The flower is inspired by Wendy Vecchi.  I am a HUGE fan of hers!  Her art is incredible and is being celebrated this week at Simon Says Stamp and Show.  I encourage you to visit and see all the wonderful projects ... there is a link to her blog there also ... you'll be blown away!  Back to the flower ... I created it with three punches and some paper scraps.  First the leafy branches are from my Two Step Bird Extra Large Punch.  The flower is from Fancy Flower Extra Large and 5-Petal Flower Extra Large punches.  I curled the petals just a bit before I assembled the layers with an Antique Brad.  These brads are gorgeous ... the package includes different sizes and shapes ... I love them all!

Thanks so much for stopping by ... I hope you've found a little inspiration!  Enjoy the rest of your day!

#117166 - Newsprint Designer Series Paper
#120057 - In a Word (clear mount)
#117143 - In a Word (wood mount)
#118481 - Victoria Crochet Trim
#117191 - Two Step Bird Punch
#118073 - Fancy Flower Punch
#119880 - 5-Petal Punch
#117273 - Antique Brads
#113439 - Big Shot


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Day Two - Klompenstampers Blog Hop

Good Evening!  I know I am posting the night before the day I'm suppose to (does that make sense?).  I am so excited to be participating in the Hop that I just can't help myself!  I just have to post early!  And ... since it is so late in the day here in Michigan I figure no one will see this post until tomorrow anyway.  (The fact that this reaches different time zones around the world goes un-noticed.  LOL.)

Here's my second posting to share with you!  I just recieved my Stampin' Up Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die and I had to play with it.  Doesn't it make beautiful butterflies?  The die actually cuts four gorgeous winged friends and I used two on this project.  The papers are from  ... yep, you guessed it - Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper.  You can order a package for yourself on my website, just click on the link to the left.  It's filled with gorgeous papers and colors.  On this card I used Pretty In Pink cardstock and ribbon.  Update:  I did put an extra length of ribbon folded over on itself on top of the ribbon befreo i tied it.  That makes the ribbon look fuller.   And it makes four "tails" instead of two.  Notice the Whisper White card stock border?  That was created with the cutest Pinking Hearts Border punch (along with the DSP this is also in the Occassions Mini Catalog).  The polka dot leaves are from our Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch. 

The gorgeous circular filagree (LOVE IT) is from our Vintage Labels set.  I got that set FREE through our Sale-A-Bration event.  WOOT!  I punched it out with our Scallop Circle Punch.  I also punched out three more scalloped circles to create the "flower" from scraps of DSP.  A button sewn in the center holds them together.  I just LOVE making these flowers.  You can add more layers to make them "poofier" (that's a word, right?) or you can use a few layers to make them less poofy.  Like I did here!  I didn't want my flower to detract from the butterflies!  To see a poofy flower ... click here!  My sewing machine was used to stitch around the outside of the card front.  And I've included a couple detailed photographs which I hope will show your some of beauty of this paper collection. 

Thanks for visiting today and please stop by tomorrow.  You can leave me a comment below if you'd like.  Now it's time to see what Edna has created for you to enjoy!  Click here for Edna's Blog!

For the birds ...

I fell in love with our Two Step Bird Punch the moment I saw it.  So you would think that I would have been playing with it ever since it arrived.  I guess I felt a little intimidated or it was more like I had so many ideas in my head I didn't know where to start.  So, here's my first project and I think I know why I loved it so much!  So what do you think?

This punch makes it soooo easy!  I used scraps from our new Sweet Pea Designer Series Papers.  Added a few buttons that are in the Pumpkin Pie family and a greeting which keeps the circle theme in mind.  The words are from Whimsical Words - a FREEBIE through our Sale-A-Bration event.  The circle punches are 1 1/4" and 1 3/8".  I also used our Modern Label punch with Pumpkin Pie cardstock.  The result was too long so I cut the middle out and taped the two ends to the back side of the circles before I mounted them to the front of the card.  That's the little scallops that stick out each side of the circle.  A Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon ties it all together.

During our Sale-A-Bration event there are three easy ways to earn FREE product!

• Purchase $50 in merchandise and earn one FREE Sale-A-Bration product of your choice.
• Host a workshop of at least $300 and earn one FREE Sale-A-Bration product in addition to the generous hostess benefits.
• Join Stampin' UP! during Sale-A-Bration and choose a FREE stamp set (valued up to $47.95) from the Idea Book and Catalog.

Click on the Sale-A-Bration link to the left to learn more!

I hope you can visit again tomorrow when I'll have another new project to show you.  I've been playing with our Fresh Cut Notes!  Thanks for stopping by.