A Tropical Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day! Here's a super cute card made by my stampin' friend Dena. I love everything about this card - the cheerful colors, the cute layout, all the detail, and especially the use of the Big Shot dies (Scallop Circle, large circle and the Serif Letters)! Just too cute!


Have a great day,


Julie

Traveling to Arizona

Today we flew out to Arizona for a week of vacation. And I didn't bring any stamping supplies (but I do have catalog(s) and computer stuff! to look at) - what to do with no real papercrafting for a week!?! But I'll be sort of faking it on my blog with fun cards that I've received from my swapping buddies over the last couple months. So I'll be sharing those with you.

This card was made by my friend Kaylene, and I figured it was totally appropriate for today! She used the Sentimental Journey set from the Summer Mini along with the Travel Journal Designer Papers. I also really like the little Cog chipboard piece, kind of a fun accent under the compass stamp.

Hope you're having a great Sunday,


Julie

Another Elements of Style

Here's a quick card I made the other day, with my limited supplies, and the Elements of Style set. I'm really loving this set now! I used Eggplant Envy, Old Olive and Bordering Blue (gonna miss that one!) all on Very Vanilla. I'm not such an expert with Watercoloring, but this set makes me feel pretty successful with it.


Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

An Easy to put together Thank You!

I wanted to make a bunch of quick thank yous - and here's what I came up with. These are the new Island Oasis Party Favor Boxes from the Summer Mini Catalog. The boxes are really easy to pop together and the band comes with them. I added the flower from the coordinating Island Floral Big Shot die, and the center is the Aluminum Circle Tags. I just stamped one of the Circle Circus stamps and the Holiday Blitz Thank you on top. Fun and easy!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Should We Stay or Should We Go?!

Since we couldn't get in a "real" anniversary trip (yet), we decided to at least get away to our second place for a couple nights. And, I did sneak in a few "limited supplies" in my bag just in case I could squeeze in some stamping time.

So, this morning I made these couple of cards. I used the Elegant Trio Stencil Set - LOVE that flower! - and sponged it onto the card front that had an En Francais background and an Elements of Style swirly stamp. (It was a copycat from a sample I saw on Stampin' Connection, but mine has even less detail than the original!)

The two cards are a little different from each other - can't decide which I like better - but I left both open for a saying for when I'm ready to use them.

So, here's the dilemma! I guess it's cloudy and a little sprinkly rain at home "home." And now that we're all ready to leave - check out the view we have here!

....And here! Either way I look, it looks like I'd rather stay than go! So, maybe we head back tomorrow morning!?


Have a good one,

Julie

20 Years of Marriage!

This is the card I made for my husband for our 20 year anniversary - tomorrow! Seems crazy that it's been 20 years!! I had seen some cards with these little bride and groom hearts, but hadn't had a reason to make one, until now.

I used groom paper, brushed silver cardstock, black and whisper white. And I used a couple Stampin' Up! Texturz plates. Of course, I used punches - word window, modern label and full heart. I also added some Shimmer Spray on some of the whisper white parts (kinda hard to see in the photo though).


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Bouquet Bunch with a "Partial Impression"

I made this Thank You card today. I used a familiar layout (originally from the front of the catalog, but also from a few previous cards!). And, I used the new Summer Mini set Bouquet Bunch - love how cute and dainty the images are! And, the Thanks is from the Thank You Kindly set (I just masked off the "Kind" from the saying).

And this little technique, to make a "Partial Impression," was from my Friend Dena. Also we did this at last Friday's Big Shot class (with the Finial Press Impressions Folder).

It makes for a perfect-little-something when your card needs a little filler somewhere!

And this is how it is made. You actually cut up your Impressions folder into pieces. Then, you can have a single dotted impression, a double... You can fit whatever you need in wherever you need it! AWESOME!!

A Big hint though - when you're ready to run it through your Big Shot, remember to use NO tabs. Typically with the Impressions Folders, you use Tab 1. With NO tabs though, you won't pick up extra edges on the dry embossing.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

Tropical Party Awesomeness!

This is a card made by my stampin' friend Dena. I just LOVE it!! The background was made with the new Square Lattice Impressions folder - awesome texture! And I absolutely LOVE the masking and layout of it!! Makes me think back to a few of the Hawaii vacations I've been on. And... the sun!! This crazy California weather has been too cold lately. I can't wait for some real summer weather.

Anyway, the card was made with the Tropical Party set. And she masked off the areas to create the sun, sand and ocean. Just awesome!


Hope you're having a great weekend,


Julie

Big Shot Class this Friday!

Here's a quick look at what we'll be making this Friday at the Big Shot Class. You've probably already seen the strawberries in the basket (our two-in-one project). We'll also be making the Two Tags candy treat holder, the super-quick and cute Butterfly Lip Balm Holder, and a quick card using a "Partial Impressions" folder. I'll be showing and explaining all the details in class. But, just for now...

Here's a closer look at the "Partial Impression" on the card. It's a very simple card, with a subtle vintage feel. I love this idea! It's a great idea I borrowed from my stampin' friend Dena - of course, with a little of my own tweaking.

I hope to see you on Friday! Please remember to RSVP so your supplies will be ready to go!


Julie

Another Tropical Party!

Here's another quick Tropical Party card I made. I started it with my limited supplies on Sunday, and then I quickly finished at home today. Amazing how coordinating ribbon and brads can bring things together. I also used the Island Oasis designer papers. I'm really liking this set, and so easy to put together a card when you have the designer papers.

Hope you had a good Monday!


Julie

Limited Supplies Tropical Palm Tree

Here's a quick card I made with limited supplies I brought with me this weekend. I left it "open" for whatever saying I'll need when I'm ready to use it (actually, I didn't think to bring any word sets with me!). I used the Tropical Party set and the coordinating Island Oasis Designer Papers, along with Kraft, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive cardstocks.

And, probably you might not notice, but a little trick I did (because of a lack of ribbon here) was to use chocolate chip cardstock as the layer under the DSP, and then I added the tied bow out of chocolate chip ribbon. That was because I didn't have enough ribbon to go around the card. Lack of supplies can make you more creative sometimes!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

A Quick Bouquet Bunch Topiary

I made a quick card with the new set, Bouquet Bunch tonight. I'm trying to be better about actually using the sets that I "have to have" and buy! I really like how cute the little details of the images in this set are. I like how you can rearrange the pieces to make the type of image you want too - I love topiaries, so that's how I put this one together! I also added a Bitty Button with it's coordinating punch - more cute little details!

Hope you have a great weekend,

Julie

Seeing Stars Birthday!

I'm about a month late in sending this birthday card to my nephew for his first teenage birthday - the big 13! But, now it's on it's way in the mail! Anyway, as with most boys, I'm sure for him the card is all about what's inside, you know - the cash!

With that being said, I decided on a quick layout. And, again, I seem to be drawn to the Thoroughly Modern papers for the masculine look. But, I definitely LOVE having the set Seeing Stars!! I think it's been kind of a "sleeper set" in the catalog, but it's so great - perfect for just about anybody, and most occasions. And, best of all, it has the coordinating small and large star punches to go with it.


Thanks for stopping by,

Julie

Ever had a Fling?!

So, what kind of "fling" did you think I meant?.... You know I'm all about the candy!!

I made a bunch of these little thank you's last night, and they were pretty quick. I just did a quick measure of about how wide and thick the candy was and then created a little slip-in type box to fit them. The card stock base was 4 1/4" square, and then I scored it 1", 1 1/2", 2 3/4", and 3 1/4"; and then 1/2" up form the bottom. You can create a little box like this for just about anything - just adjust the size till you like it, and it fits.

I used the thank you from the Holiday Blitz set - Love it!, it has a little bit of everything!

And, on to the important part... the Fling! You can get them at Target and they are yummy. They are kinda like a Twix, but they have a soft chocolately inside instead of the caramel, and with that crispy little cookie. And only 80 calories, so you can eat at least 3 times as many ;)

Have a great day,

Julie

Strawberry Tutorial for Big Shots!

Since I had quite a few requests on how the strawberry was made, I decided to post this tutorial. But don't let that hold you back from coming to the "Not Just for the Big Shots" Class, there will be lots more surprises in store for the class!!

First, use the Flower Folds die and cut out a large flower. Then run it through the Big Shot with the Polka Dots Impression Folder.

Then score all four lines between the petals, and crease the lines.

Next, cut off two petals and Snail one of the edge petals.


Then stick the edge petals together to make five remaining petals.


Punch 1/8" holes in the edges.

Weave a piece of 1/4" grosgrain "top to bottom" through four of the petals. Then on the last petal, weave it bottom to top (this will make it easier to tie on the top).

Now tie the top. It will kinda be a little off to one side of the top, but don't worry it will be ok!

Punch out a 5-Petal Flower (as leaves!), sponge edges and use the 1/8" hole punch to make double holes in the center. Then pull ribbon ends through and tie on top.

You can add a dimensional underneath to center the leaves on top if you want.

Aren't they super cute and easy? Have fun making a bunch!!


Julie


PS. I originally saw this strawberry idea on splitcoaststampers, but it was all made from hand traced templates (not my favorite way to be creative!). - Woohoo for the Big Shot!!- always making our creative lives a little easier!

Strawberries aren't just for Big Shots!

...but they can be made with Stampin' Up!'s Big Shot! This is one of the projects we'll make in next Friday's "Not Just for the Big Shots" Big Shot Class. The basket is made with the Fancy Favor Box die, with a couple added twists.

And inside the basket are two strawberries that are made from a couple Big Shot must-haves, the Flower Folds die and the Impressions Polka Dot Folder. Check out my tutorial for the strawberries HERE. Plus, one simple punch of the 5-Petal Flower Punch makes the Leaves on top!

I can't wait to show you how they come together! Here are a couple close-ups of the side and top view of the larger strawberry.

And, here it is all back together again! I hope you'll plan on joining me for the "Not Just for the Big Shots" Big Shot Class. As the title implies, you don't have to have the Big Shot to come to the class - but if you do come, you just may want one!! And, if you do have a Big Shot, you won't want to miss it! I'll be sending out email details soon. If you want to save the date, it will be next Friday, May 21st!


Have a great week!


Julie

A Bright and Happy Mother's Day!

I set out this morning to CASE a great card for my mom for Mother's Day (so I didn't have to spend a lot of time creating, right?!). So, an hour or so later, I decided that I would copy my good friend, Chari's card (from a previous post of mine), just use different colors. Funny, how the quick copy often times turns to not be so quick! But I Love these Kaleidoscope Designer Papers, and I wanted to use them! Maybe, a little busy with colors than my usual style, but my mom usually likes a lot of color - so, we'll see!


Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!


Julie

Subtle Smooching...

On Stampin' Connection I found a card almost like this, that I just had to adapt for class this Friday! I love every layer of it! The original was made with darker colors, which was very striking and beautiful, but I wanted to use one of my "sad to see it go colors," Bordering Blue. I just love the softness of the Bordering Blue, especially when put with Ivory and Kraft!

The set we'll be using is the new "Elements of Style" set. And, we'll be using the new Square Lattice Impressions folder, along with the Vanilla Smooch Spritz for the awesome textured background look!


Can't wait for you to see it in person, and for you to make one!


Hope to see you at class on Friday,


Julie

More Sweet Scoops!

I saw this card on another demonstrator's blog, in different colors, and loved it! So, I made one in Pistachio! - It made me think of our trip to Italy last summer when we had ice cream just about everyday! And, whenever they had it, I always got Pistachio! Yummy!

Hope you have a wonderful day, and have some Sweet Scoops~


Julie