Geared Up Birthday Card

Good morning my friends! Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you're doing well.  Yesterday was an absolutely GORGEOUS day (amidst the WEEKS of solid RAIN and YUCK), so mini me and I went out to lunch and got our nails done.  Between our busy schedules, we don't get much "together" time that's just the two of us, so those moments are super precious.

Today, we're back to the doom and gloom of rainy weather.  It's actually caused a lot of problems around here.  There's been so much rain that it has no where to go.  So we're dealing with a lot of road blocks, flooded basements and mud everywhere! As you can imagine, we've all about had our fill of rain. 

The GOOD THING about all this rain is that it keeps me inside and in the craft cave. I do enjoy my time there, even if I am ready for warm and sunny days to come and stay for a while. hehe.

This card is a special one.  It was sent to Texas to celebrate a man's 100th Birthday!!  WOW! What an accomplishment! I hope he enjoys it. :-)

I started with a half sheet of grey granite cardstock (8 1/2" x 5 1/2") scored in half (4 1/4").  I also used a piece of Basic Grey (5 1/4" x 4" and a piece of Whisper White (5" x 3 3/4").

I used one of the Rectangle Stitched Framelits (I LOVE THOSE THINGS!!!) to cut the center out of the Basic Grey.  By now, most of you know that I really like to be frugal with my supplies.  The piece I cut out is prime real estate that would otherwise just be lost to hiding behind the white cardstock.  So, I cut it out and will save it for another project.   A wonderful thing actually happened when I did this though.  My plan was to do basic layers of Grey topped by White and then laid on the Grey Granite.  What happened though, is that I ended up using the Basic Grey as a frame OVER the Whisper White.  I really liked the way it looked!

You can see between the two photos here, how the difference looks:

Layered As Planned

Framed

Ultimately I decided that the framed look was pretty awesome, so I did that instead.  I love those happy accidents! The bonus of doing it this way, is that the fabulous stitching of the rectangle came through. :-) WIN WIN!

After I stamped the background on the white cardstock, I went ahead and attached the frame to the front.  I also did the rest of my stamping at the same time. I like getting all of my stamping out of the way at once.  I can clean my blocks and put away my stamps and ink, and it keeps my workspace tidy (which I LOVE!). 

Once I stamped everything, I used another of the stitched rectangles (tied it all in nicely) an the matching framelits from the Geared up bundle and cut everything out.

I have really enjoyed this suite of products from the 2019 Occasions catalog!  It's still available and still Sale-a-Bration, so you can get an item from the Sale-a-Bration brochure for FREE when you purchase this bundle!  You can get it HERE.

After I cut everything out, I colored the car with the Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends.  I used the red so it would go along with the gas can I cut out of the Geared Up DSP.  I put it all together and used a piece of that FANTASTIC Silver/Black Striped metallic ribbon to finish it up nicely.  I like the overall look of it! 

Now don't forget to dress up that envelope too!!  A decorated envelope = Happy Mail!!

Alrighty friends, another card on the roster and in the mail!  I hope you enjoyed today's project.  I just love the Geared Up Garage Suite!  It's one of the most fabulous masculine sets I've seen in a while. It won't be here forever though, unfortunately.  So if you like this set, you'll want to get it soon!  Get it during Sale-a-Bration and get that FREE GIFT too!!! WOOO HOOO!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today friends! I truly enjoy having you all in my life!

Have a fantastic day!

And as always,
Happy Crafting!

Product List

Geared Up Garage Cling Bundle [150610]	Big Shot [143263]	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551]	Gray Granite 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146983]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121044]
Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad [147146]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad [147113]	Black/Silver 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Striped Metallic Ribbon [148486]	Classic Garage 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [148482]	Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147275]

February Paper Pumpkin Pop Up Blog Hop

HELLO EVERYONE!!!  Yesterday's 1st monthly Stampers Showcase Blog Hop was a complete success, thanks to all of you!! :-) Thank you so much for checking out everyone's posts, and commenting.  It means the world to us.

Today, I'm taking us right back in to another Blog Hop.  But this one is all about Paper Pumpkin!! This is my 2nd time being in on this hop and I think it may be a monthly thing!  Everyone who knows Paper Pumpkin, knows how fantastic it is.  Alternative projects just make it that much more fabulous!!  Taking a ready made kit and turning it into whatever you want to, is exhilarating to say the least! It's so much fun coming up with new and unique ideas.  That's what this Blog Hop is all about........ Alternative Ideas!

So come along and follow the Hop all the way around and find new ways to use your Paper Pumpkin kit!

My contribution this month is a different card.  The cards in the kit (as it is) are pretty fantastic though, which made it a bit difficult to come up with some fantastic card! haha.  I totally LOVE the sentiments in this set.  They're incredible and inspirational!  So much, in fact, that my teenage daughter and I are hosting a "mom & me" card class using this kit (and some refills).  It's PERFECT for everyone, but I think it's especially important for teenagers to hear (these sentiments) now and then.

Right?  YOU are wonderful! What a fantastic sentiment!  Check out the others in the set:

All of these are pretty fantastic!

Well, let's get started on the card though, shall we?

I used Soft SeaFoam for the card base.  It worked perfectly with the succulents on the pre-printed layers.  But, I used Mint Macaron for the ink.  I find that the two colors go really well together, especially with this kit.

I love this teacup, and it's not as small as you might think.  It's a great size!

I brought out some Stampin' Blends to color it. I ended up not using the mango colors.  A big of fussy cutting on the cup finished it off perfectly.

Fresh Fig ink came in the kit and I really like the contrast in color between it and the shades of blues and greens I used.  I used Lemon Lime Twist and the Artisan Textures background stamps to add a bit of softness to the background layer on the card. For the black twine, I hate wasting by wrapping all the way around a card.  Instead I just folded a length in half that just hung off each each of the stamped layer, and then glued the tails to the backsides of that layer.  Then the Layering Squares and some Fresh Fig and Whisper White paper to create the sentiment piece. I stamped YOU directly on the Whisper White, offset and popped up the cup with dimensionals and popped up the banner layer from the kit. I added dimensionals to the back of the entire piece and attached it to the card. The card still looked just a bit drab, so I added three of the little gemstones from the kit and Viola! A fabulous card!

I am pleased with how the card turned out.  I admit, this month's kit was a bit of a challenge for me to "Think outside the box".  But I love the kit as it is, immensely! I can't wait to see (and share) what everyone else in the hop is doing for their alternative projects.  With that in mind, please click the "NEXT" button here to go on to the next blog.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

If you aren't already very familiar with Paper Pumpkin, it's a FABULOUS monthly subscription box that gets shipped direct to your doorstep.  It includes everything you need to create fantastic and beautiful projects!  As  you will see from this blog hop, you're not limited to just the projects the kit intends.  That's the wonderful thing about Paper Pumpkin! It's just a starting point to let your creativity flow!  How exciting?! 

The only thing BETTER than Paper Pumpkin, is getting FREE STUFF when you order Paper Pumpkin!!

You have a couple of options. You can visit my Paper Pumpkin Website and sign up for a month to month subscription, OR you can order a pre-paid subscription.  As Sale-a-Bration is still in full swing, now is a FANTASTIC TIME to purchase a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription because you will get FREE Sale-a-Bration rewards with each of the 3 options!!!  WOW!!!

With the 3 month Subscription, you'll get 1 FREE Sale-a-Bration Reward
With the 6 month Subscription, you'll get 2 FREE Sale-a-Bration Rewards
But with the 12 month Subscription, you'll get not only FOUR FREE Sale-a-Bration Rewards, but  you will also receive Stampin' Rewards!!! That's another $20 worth of FREE STUFF!!! Just for signing up for Paper Pumpkin!! WOWWIE WOW WOW!!! Right?

If you'd like to sign up for the month to month Paper Pumpkin kit, you can do that here: https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2183779

If you'd like to purchase one of the pre-paid options and get FREE Sale-a-Bration gifts too, then click on one of the icons here:
Product List

3-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription [137859]

6-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription [137860]

z 12-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription [137861]

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed my alternative project.  Please be sure to go on to the next blog hop and check out all the fabulous alternative projects for this month's Paper Pumpkin kit!

Have a fantastic day everyone!

Until next time,
Happy Crafting!

Stampers Showcase Blog Hop!!

Good morning friends!! I am so happy to have you here today.  I have an exciting blog hop to share with you.  I have invited some of my friends and fabulous Stampin' Up! demos to join me in a fun hop.  This hop will happen the last Monday of each month and will have a different "THEME" each time.  This month's theme is "THANKS".  You will see a great many fabulous projects along the way, but they will all carry this same theme.  And, what a wonderful topic to start us off with right? :-D

My project for our hop is going to be this fantastic little treat package! I just love it. It'll hold TWO miniature Hershey bars, which makes it just the right size! hehe.  Of course you could also put a plethora of other treats and gifts in it. And, the size is easily adjusted for what you need.

For this size, we'll start with a 5 1/2" x 5 1/4" piece of cardstock or DSP (designer series paper).  This will be the base of your package, so use whatever you'll want for this.  I used the fabulous Gingham Gala DSP from the Occasions 2019 catalog.

I used the Stitched all Around bundle for this project because it has that adorable Thank You stamp and the decorative circle die that makes quick and easy work of decorating the treat package.  It only LOOKS like you worked hard. hehe.  I wanted to keep it monochromatic so I used Highland Heather ink, cardstock and sheer ribbon (from the 2019 Sale-a-Bration brochure).

I stamped the image on whisper white cardstock and then cut it with the framelit, to begin with. 

While I was die cutting, I went ahead and used one of my layering circles to cut a Highland Heather background piece for our tag. 

I put a strip of Tear & Tape along the edge of the LONG SIDE of the Gingham Gala DSP.  I burnished it down really good and then made a tube of the paper, attaching the opposite edge to the Tear & Tape.  Next, I kinda squeezed the tube flat just a bit so that I could slide it under the punch on the Envelope Punch Board.  As you can see here, I lined up the edge on the 1" mark and punched a notch out on all four corners.  This makes a fantastic design to the package and also gives a spot for the ribbon to tie and stay on. 

Once you've tied one end closed with ribbon, now is the time to add the treats! CHOCOLATE!!! YUM!  And then tie the other end closed.  What a sweet little treat!

I used some dimensionals to lift the sentiment just a bit. I wanted it to match well, but not fade into the background.  I also added just a touch of  Wink of Stella to add a little glitz and glimmer to it.  

I hope you liked today's project!  It's quick and simple but also very cute.  Anyone would be happy to receive such a lovely little gift. 

Please continue along the hop and check out all the other fabulous projects to show THANKS!

I'd love to hear what you think about today's project and this hop! Please leave a comment below and tell me all about it. :-) 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day.

Until next time,
Happy Crafting!


If you'd like to purchase any of the items I used today, all you need to do is click on the icons here to be taken directly to my web store. Enjoy!

Product List

Stitched All Around Clear-Mount Bundle [148374]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]

Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986]

Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103]

Envelope Punch Board [133774]

Sweet as Candy Birthday Card!

Ooooh Friends! Today I have a fun and fabulous card project to share with you.  This suite screams candy shop and I just love it!

So much fun, right?!  I started with a Melon Mambo Card Base measured at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  Then stamped that cute little candy piece all over the front in Melon Mambo Ink.  I also stamped the frame around Happy Birthday in the same ink on Whisper White Cardstock and cut it out using the coordinating framelits.  I LOVE that frame set! I have a feeling, you'll see it again in other projects! lol

While I had the candy piece out, I stamped it in coordinating paper/ink colors on Pineapple Punch, Granny Apple Green, and Gorgeous Grape.  The bundle has coordinating dies for everything, making it super easy to create these incredible projects!  Thank you Stampin' Up!!  I stamped the lollipop in Coastal Cabana on White Cardstock and used a blender pen to color in the stick and some of the swirls.

The candy jar itself is actually cut straight out of the DSP (Designer Series Paper) in the suite.  This paper is just to die for!!! It's so much more fun and adorable in person than it even is on screen! LOVE IT!!!   Of course, there are dies in the bundle to cut all the jars out. So it makes quick work of this.

Before I started layering all the elements on, I put a strip of the DSP on the card base. It measured 3/4" x 4", and then I cut the tail out of one end.

After putting the strip on, I layered all of the elements.  I used several dimensionals to achieve a fun and dynamic look.  I also used dimensionals on the frame piece. FUN!!!

You can see some of the dimension and layers in the focal piece here.

There you have it friends!  If you don't already have this bundle (or the entire suite), you are missing out on an incredibly FUN set!  It makes me so happy!! I love it!

Sale-a-Bration is still going strong (though some of the items in the brochure are sold out already), so now is a great time to purchase this bundle (suite) and get something for FREE with your purchase!  You know I'm going to make it easy on you and put icons down below to take you right to the products. :)

I hope you've enjoyed today's quick little card project.  It really takes no time at all with the dies in the bundle.  Makes EASY work of things!

Thanks so much for stopping by my friends! I'm so sorry I hadn't posted the last couple days. This weather pressure is wreaking havoc on my head and giving me migraines. :'(

Have a super duper day everyone!!

Until next time,
Happy Crafting!

If you would like to get ahold of the amazing products I used on today's card, all you need to do is just click one of the icons here and be taken directly to my website.  ENJOY!!!

Product List

Sweetest Thing Photopolymer Bundle [150568]	How Sweet It Is 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [148568]	Big Shot [143263]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115320]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [147051]	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099]	Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad [147097]	Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146987]
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990]	Pineapple Punch 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146971]	Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad [147095]	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Pad [147141]