Rockin' another Rooster!

Here's another card made with this cool rooster, who is also NOT stamped! He's from the Beau Chateau Side Notes - super fun pre-printed and pre-cut pieces all ready to add to your work! This little guy is so cool on his lined paper background.

I just added a Wide Oval punched saying (from Elements of Style) onto a Lots of Tags Big Shot die cut. Then I tied some new Soft Suede Taffeta ribbon around to coordinate.

And then I added some of my favorite brads (that look like little buttons) from the Vintage Trinkets. So cute!!


Hope you're having a great Sunday!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie B

A Treat for the "Fancy Swap Hop"

If you've just arrived from Kaylene's blog ~ Welcome! If you are just stopping in, you're in the middle of a blog hop! Well, read on, to see what's up!

At Convention, my good stampin' buddy, Liz, and I hosted our first Swap! We got some really awesome cards!! Liz, being the blog expert, helped us to create this 'blog hop' to share some of the cards we swapped.

So, you're probably wondering where my card is?! Well, I was the official hostess, and Liz was the #1 swapper. So I made these "name badges with a little treat," and Liz made 80 cards!! (You'll see her card if you keep hoppin'!)

So, my idea was to decorate a clothespin with Designer Paper and a little cutsie something on it. I used Cherry Cobbler Patterned Paper on the clothespin, and then made a medallion with Cherry Cobbler using the new Perfect Pennants Big Shot die. I added a 1 3/4" circle with the First Edition Papers, an Island Indigo Big Shotted star, and a "You're a Gem" friend oval punched.

And, one of my favorites, a Linen bow, to top it off!

Oh, and my other favorite thing - some candies for the treat!! The people who participated got to take the cello baggie with Cookies and Cream Kisses for their treat - and then clip the rest to the lanyard or name badge so we knew they were a part of the swap! - A lot of great fun!

Speaking of fun - one of the best swaps I got is next on the blog hop... Check out what Jaydee made by clicking HERE.

And just in case you miss anyone along the way, here's the list of all the hoppers:

Marlene Caravello - www.michvanstamps.blogspot.com

Kaylene Murray - http://stampinkay.blogspot.com/

Julie Beltramo - http://justjulieb30.blogspot.com

Jaydee - http://www.jaydeestamping.com/weblog

Nancy Ferb - http://www.nancyferbshares.typepad.com

Tami Waddell - http://tamiwaddellcreates.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Beverly Gomez - www.stampingwithbev.blogspot.com

Sacha Wilson - http://ink-ology.blogspot.com

Gilda Fellows - http://www.yourfellowstamper.blogspot.com/

Carrie Gaskin - http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com

Elizabeth Price - http://seeinginkspots.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by,


Julie B

A Beau Chateau Beauty!

I made this card for the Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge today. I knew I wanted to use the new Beau Chateau Designer Papers (I just think these are to-die-for!!). The colors are so pretty - Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Marina Mist and Very Vanilla.

So as I was cutting and creating, I decided to use this cool rooster for the focal piece of the card - and guess what stamp set it comes from??

None! It's an image from the Designer Papers pack. I think that's actually kinda cool that I didn't even have to stamp the image!!

But sheesh, you can't make a card without ANY stamping - so I added a jewelry tag with a "friends" from the Tiny Tags set. And kind of subtly stamped behind the friends is a scroll-y image that actually matches the scroll-y image on the papers - sweet, huh?


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Happy Day with a Cherry on Top!

Sometimes I'm not quite sure how I end up with a certain layout - or certain results on a card, but it's often not what it starts out to be in my mind! So this was one of those cards!! But anyway, I guess I really had set out to use certain "new" things, not necessarily with a set outcome.

For the base of the card I used the new Houndstooth Embossing Folder. And I must say that I just LOVE all our Embossing Folders, and this one does not disappoint either!

I also used two new stamp sets, Button Buddies and Friendly Phrases - two of my soon to be new favorites too!

Then on the middle part of the card, I added some ribbon frosting with Crumb Cake Seam Binding, just to add some interesting separation of the sections.

And probably my favorite little add-on is the new tiny clothespin! And how super-cute is it with the linen bow on it?? These little clothespins are a definite must-have, 24 of them for $2.95 - and a bargain to boot!!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Tagtastic-ally Simple and Fun!

This is a quick card I made today! It was one of those 'stuff on my desk, with good intentions at one time, but ended up in a pile!' kind of things. - That was the Oval Designer Frame piece and the punched out "just for you" from the Tagtastic hostess set. I had those pieces sitting on my desk, so I finally decided to put it on a card!

So I put it on a striped embossed card. - I used the new Stripes Embossing Folder in the Big Shot. Love it!! It's a great "use on any card" kinda folder - yesss!

Then I added some Baja Breeze Patterned Designer Paper, a little strip of torn Vanilla and a knot of Vanilla Satin ribbon for the base of the card.

And here's a close-up of the Tagtastic piece - I love the details of this stamp. I added some quick Crumb Cake and Baja marker to the image (stamped in Early Espresso). And then I added a Bitty Button with a couple Baja punched pieces (the ones that coordinate with the buttons!). Those Bitty Buttons have been one of my favorite little add-ons lately - so cute and easy to coordinate with everything!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

It's Raining Flowers...

Really, it's not raining here - yay! But this card is made with the new set, Raining Flowers - which I got as part of my Convention registration. It's an awesomely large set! And I got this card idea from one of the tons of samples that were on display at Convention. Imagine that? there's someone else out there who loves to use Crumb Cake on their cards as much as me??

* Just saw a comment from the original artist of this card - Renee Van Stralen, whose work I've followed for a while (but didn't even notice that she posted the card last week!). I'm glad to now give proper credit to her - we don't get to see who has made the cards when we see them on the Convention boards. - Thanks Renee!

And I really love the look of White Craft stamped onto Crumb Cake - soft, but clean!

And for the framed saying I used the Four Frames set and the new "must-have" set Petite Pairs.

I also added a few other things that weren't on the sample I saw at Convention - some pearls and a Bitty button - I love those little extras!


Have a great weekend,


Julie

An Awesome Gift!

Here's a picture of my stampin' buddies, Liz and Kaylene, and me at one of the photo opportunity spots at Convention. There were some really cool back drops for taking photos. As we were headed to make 'n takes on the last morning, we saw that there weren't many people waiting, so we jumped on it! And luckily, we ran into some friends that took the picture for us!

And, if you look real close, you'll see my new watch!

But here's a close-up of it laying flat. I got this awesome gift from my awesome stampin' buddy, Liz! She made it and gave it to me as a gift at Convention. She bought the watch face and metal snap at a craft store, but the rest is all Stampin' Up! supplies - our grosgrain ribbon, Beau Chateau fabric, and Designer Buttons.

Here's an even closer picture! Super cute, isn't it?? I'm so lucky to have a great friend - and one that's so supertastically creative!!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Making a "Scene!"

Here's another card I made to swap at Convention. I masked off a square area on a piece of Whisper White and sponged a "Scenery Background" with Pool Party, Certainly Celery and Lucky Limeade. Then in Early Espresso I stamped the silhouette image from the Forever Young set.

I got the idea from some of the Sponged Background cards I've made a while ago, but I just wanted to incorporate new colors and a new set.

I kept the rest of the details of the card pretty simple and subtle. I added the Polka Dot Embossing Folder for the base of the card, added a White Organza Knot to the side, and the thank you saying (from Short & Sweet) is punched from the Word Window and layered onto a Modern Label piece.

Check back soon - I'll be posting some of the awesome cards I got in return for all my swapping efforts!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Almost Home!

I'm almost home from Convention!! Back in California, just waiting for my ride to Hollister. So this card is one that I swapped with a group of my demonstrator friends last night at dinner.

I used the new set Creative Elements for the butterfly, and Curly Cute for the 'thank you.'

This cool embossed dotted oval frame comes from our new Designer Frames Embossing Folder set - Love it!! And, even cooler, the First Edition oval inside the background is punched with the Wide Oval Punch to fit perfectly inside the frame.

And you might not notice, but what I think was kind of cool was adding some Crumb Cake sponging to the Flirtatious Specialty Paper to make the white lines blend with the card better.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Convention Fun!

Yesterday we got to pick up our Convention bag and goodies - but then we had all afternoon to do whatever. It was a super fun day with friends! In the picture above is me, Liz and Dena to the left of the sign, and Kaylene and Chellie on the right.

Even though I've been to the home office before, this was the first time we had ventured out to take our picture there!

And here's Kaylene and Liz inside the lobby - they're my roommates this year! - Notice the cool banners in the background (with our GROW Convention theme).

And here's a picture of where all our stamps come from! There were lots of cool things to show you from the home office, but I think this is such a Wow! - Really it's even more of a Wow! to see in real life.

And today we did lots of stuff - Every year at Convention I wonder "how can it get better?" But, already after just the first day, I know this one will be the best one again!! It keeps getting better! This is Kaylene and me (with our free Simply Sent kits) - FREE products - Yay!!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie B

Finally ~ Off to Convention!!

I've been madly working on swaps and stuff for Convention - and finally, it's time to head off! I'm so excited, and looking forward to seeing all my stamping buddies! This is a little gift box (and a cello bag!) that made to give some little fun snacks for my roommates. It's nothing overly exciting inside (just chocolate and some other necessary snacks!).

And actually I learned how to make this box at the Convention three years ago. It's like a Box #2 Big Shot box, but it's a lot bigger (better to hold more treats in...).

I used the new Berry Blossoms paper on the outside, and the cardstock colors are Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso and Whisper White. It's a fun and bright color combo!!

The little 'to my friend' saying comes from the new set, Friendly Phrases. - Definitely going to be one of my new favorites!!


I hope the internet connection will be good - I plan to post to blog when I'm there!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

A Perfect Little Piggie!

I decided to take a break from my swap stuff for a few and try the Stamping 411 Challenge! I always like their sketches!

Here's a look at the sketch!

And always when I'm trying to make a simple, but nice card, I like to go for a monochromatic look. So, this little Blushing Bride piggie comes from the new set Button Buddies. It's a super fun set - all the images have a spot (or two) where a button would fit nice. - Makes for an easy add of an embellishment with not a lot of thinking! Right up my alley today!!

The little 'hello' comes from the Happy Greetings set in the Summer Mini, and it's punched out with the Word Window punch.

And here's the back side of the piggie part before I put all the parts together. But I wanted to show you that the scalloped circle is the one from the Perfect Pennant Big Shot die! Cool, huh? And the piggie was stamped onto a 2 1/2" circle, which layers perfectly onto the scallop circle piece!

Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Passionate for Pool Party!

Just a quick post, with a quick and easy little Thank You! I just got some new things from the catalog today - and I'm lovin' all the Pool Party stuff - the Designer Patterned Papers and the Ruffled Ribbon are so pretty! The ribbon is a must-have right away - you're gonna love it too!

I used the new hostess set, Tagtastic - and stamped it in Soft Suede onto Pool Party, then punched it out with the 1 3/4" circle. That's layered onto a Soft Suede 2" circle (from the Big Shot Circles #2 die). And all that's layered onto a Scallop Trim Circle (from the Perfect Pennants Big Shot die).


Super fun, huh? And, of course, a Ghiradelli is a great way to thank someone too!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Triple Shot of Stars!

I've been busy making swaps and random stuff for Convention, but I needed to make something away from the 'swap stuff!'

So I found this Sketch Challenge over at Connie and Mary's, and I decided to play along (before the linky closes!). I wanted to use some of the left-over pieces I had from some of the projects I was working on - so that's why I used the stars. By the way, with no star punches now, I used the Stars #2 Big Shot Die. With my Big Shot sitting out all the time, it's really no big deal to use the Big Shot versus the punches - so that was cool!

Here's a closer look at the stars - the Big Shot die actually makes nice sizes for layers! The colors here are Island Indigo for the larger, and Cherry Cobbler with Cherry Cobbler Designer Patterns Papers. And, I actually had two of these Bitty Buttons on my desk, already tied with Linen thread - so I made a third to add to the card!

And here's a copy of what I did for the saying on my card yesterday. I kind of like this subtle addition with the Word Window punch and the Fabulous Phrases 'thanks.' And, of course, had to add some Rhinestones!


Well, better get back to my mass productions for Convention ~


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Happy Fourth of July!

I was inspired by another demonstrator, Carla Bazhenow, to make this cute Patriotic card! Mine has a few different things than hers, but it's pretty much the same idea. Overall, I love the clean lines of the card. But I especially love the heart as the backdrop of the star!

I added the Rhinestone jewel for some much needed sparkle for the Fourth of July! And I also added the White Taffeta ribbon to 'cutsie' it up a bit!

The heart layers are the Heart of Hearts Embosslit layered with the Full Heart punch. The star layers are from the Stars #2 Big Shot die. The designer papers are from the Designer Series Paper Patterns Packs. - I really like how those paper packs are an easy pick when you want something a little extra than just plain cardstock. The patterns are simple, but usually just enough!

And here's a closer look at the sentiment. It's kind of subtle - but just what I wanted! The 'celebrate' comes from the Fabulous Phrases set, and it's stamped with Real Red on Real Red Pattern Pack papers.


I hope you have fun celebrating the Fourth!!


Julie

Better Late then Never?!

I wanted to try a Challenge this morning. So I found this Sketch from the Paper Players - and just went with it! It looked like an easy, quick sketch. So I started with some scraps I had on my desk, but that didn't work out. So a couple hours later (with a few distractions in between), I finished this card. (Maybe not so easy?!)

Here's a little closer look of the medallion-thingy! I embossed one of the Delicate Doilies stamps on Pumpkin Pie cardstock and punched it out with the 1 3/8" circle. That's layered on the 1 3/4" circle in Peach Parfait - and that's layered onto the 2" circle (Big Shot die), and that's on the 2 3/8" scallop circle.


And the saying is from the Mini Catalog set, Happy Greetings. - I just love that set!

Well, here's the sketch I used to make my card. But when I finished everything and went back to the sketch Challenge - I saw that the linky was closed. So I participated, but it isn't linked back to their Challenge. Oh well, it was fun to create anyway! But you can still see the other creations with this sketch over on their site!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie