Shimmered Swallowtail

Here's a card we made at stamp class last week. I started out stamping it with a certain plan in mind, but then I took out the Heat Tool and embossed it! I hadn't done any heat embossing in a while, and Wow! I just fell in love with embossing again!! It's so awesome to emboss - and such pretty results!

Since it didn't need any coloring, I decided to spritz a little extra shimmer with the Frost White Shimmer Paint/rubbing alcohol spray (gonna miss that Shimmer Paint!!).

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie B 

A Peek at Tomorrow's Class!

Here's a little Sneak Peek at one of the cards we'll be making at tomorrow's Technique Class. I love this Stained Glass card! I saw the idea from a few other demonstrators - and I just had to make one!

Along with the Designer Cuts Cards, you just need a small piece of Vellum card stock and the markers of your choice. It's so easy, and you can tailor the colors to whatever you like. Don't you think this would make a pretty Mother's Day card too? Hearts aren't just for Valentines...

Hope to see you at tomorrow's class.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

PS - If you'd like to see the tutorial for this card, I found it HERE!

Super Simple on a Sunday!

Sometimes I wonder where the time goes?! But I guess just everyday, regular little stuff takes up a lot of our time. So, I was busy last week getting stuff together for class, then working on a tutorial. And finally, this afternoon, I decided to just make a card - just to make one! So since I should be going to the grocery store or folding laundry, or something else fun like that (everyday, regular little stuff) - I decided that I better make it a quick and simple card.

I was inspired by a card I saw from Dawn Olschefske, who did hers in all Pool Party and white. And I was thinking that I haven't used any Concord Crush in a while, and I think it's pretty striking done monochromatic - so that's what I did!

The sets I used are Fresh Vintage (a freebie for the rest of this month with Sale-A-Bration) and Friendly Phrases (love the fonts in that set!). And, so easy, everything else, Concord Crush and Whisper White!


Hope you're having a great Sunday,


Julie

Keeping it Simple!

I've been in a 'clean and simple layout' mode lately. It seems like I go back to this once in a while - and it's all good, I think! Not every card has to be an original and time-consuming work of art. If they were, I'd probably not be making too many cards! It's good to whip up something quick, but still get good results!

So the "recipe" on both of these cards is to pick out some fun Designer Papers, maybe add some texture, and use a cute saying - maybe add a dash of pearl accents - Tah Dah!

The close-up here shows you the stamp from the Tagtastic set that I used. I added a little Crumb Cake color here and there, and some pearls - and punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch. Then I layered it onto a Lots of Tags Big Shot piece. - Super Easy!

Here's another easy to do card - kind of the same idea! Some Morning Mocha Designer Paper, a few punches and some pearls - that's all there is to it!

I love the Friendly Phrases stamp set! To me, it's a great focal piece on any card - you don't even need any other special images! But I do think some pearls make a nice added touch!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Gettin' a little Funky with a Challenge!

I still can't get enough of these Beau Chateau papers - just sweet and soothing to me! So I pulled out a few sheets of that. And I really wanted to break out my new Simply Scored today, so I decided to make a Beau Chateau medallion to start out this card.

It came out pretty big and bold so I added some other punched circles, and an oval, to kind of mellow it out! But I think it's super fun to make these medallions - and especially with the Simply Scored (you'll hear more about it soon; it will be for sale starting in September).

I also added some 'any-color-pearls' to the tag. If you weren't at my last class, or don't what I'm talking about, it's the pearls with a hint of color on them. I just added a little permanent marker right onto the pearls - and gave them a new look - fun, huh?!

And here's the Sketch from Stamping 411 that I followed to make my card this time!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Casing Myself for Class!

Here's a card we'll be making at class this Friday. It may look a little familiar, and that's because it's a CASE of one of my own cards. I used a different stamp, but it's from the same set, Button Buddies.

I decided to use this particular stamp because I wanted to show the "Any Color Pearl" centers on the flower buttons. First of all, those super-cute little flower buttons scream for a center. And although the Rhinestone Jewels are one of my favorites, I think the Pearls, especially with color on them, make the flower buttons POP!

So, if you're coming to class on Friday, you'll learn the little secret to making that color happen!!

And because I can't just leave a cute card cute, I had to add a "to die for-cute" clothespin... and if you have a clothespin, it's got to have a cute accent... yep, a linen thread bow.


I hope to see you at class on Friday,


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

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