My Little Allstar

A few weeks ago, my daughter’s cheerleading team had their very first cheerleading competition (this was during the weekend of Leadership – which is why I didn’t attend). Anyhow, they did an AMAZING job and came in second place (only one point out of first!).

I decided that I’d put together a page for my 2011 book which showcased this first of many competitions (we have another this weekend).

I used My Digital Studio to make this fun page – My Digital Studio is so easy and fun to use! After I made this, I was inspired to make another fun project, a great banner for the club!

I’ve found that fun foam makes the best pennants! It is easy to use, easy to store and doesn’t rip. So, I made this out of different colours of foam sheets I got at a local dollar store. I used the pennant die and cut the large one out of green and the small out of white. I adhered them together with Crystal Effects. The letters are cut with the Big Shot and the Serif Alphabet using black foam sheets.

I first put jumbo eyelets through the side of each pennant and then  threaded some Basic Gray satin ribbon through the pennants. Between each, I hot glued on a ribbon of Basic Black striped grosgrain and a very shimmery star.

Remember those Ho Ho Ho sheets that were made of chipboard and silver sparkles? Well, I kept some of the pieces of those sheets and used them to cut the stars – they are cut using the Big Shot and the Stars #2 die.

So, if you’re in Abbotsford, BC this weekend and want to come out and support us, let me know! We’d be super happy to have as many as possible in our cheering (no pun intended) section!

Have a great day.

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Big Shot, Stars #2 die, Pennant Die, Serif Alphabet Die, Crop-a-Dile, Jumbo Eyelets, Basic Black striped grosgrain, My Digital Studio.

For My “Marvellous” Valentine

Can you believe that I actually got some “me time” this week? Seems like it has been FOREVER since that has happened!

First, I wanted to thank you all for enjoying my last two projects so much. I have received so many private messages and comments on them – thank you to each and every one of you. It warms my heart. I have such fun creating these projects and I’m thrilled that they inspire you to create as well!

This card above was initially started by just the colour combination at ColourQ this week – Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze and Peach Parfait. I just loved it! I thought these were not your typical Valentine’s colours but I thought it’d be fun to make them into one. And at SUO Challenges, they’ve got a Valentine’s Challenge this week too!

The base is Peach Parfait and I’ve layered it first with Rich Razzleberry and then with Cajun Craze. On the Cajun layer I have textured it with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder and sponged it. I then ran it through my sewing machine along one edge and to take a bit of the excessive white out of the thread, I sponged it with Peach Parfait ink.

Now for the fun stuff! I first brayered a piece of Newsprint designer paper with Rich Razzleberry ink and roughed it up. I adhered it on the card base on an angle and even used the Spiral edge punch a little on the top.  Then, I added some Peace Parfait ribbon on an angle in the upper left.

For the main image, I used Whisper White cardstock and stamped the Eiffel Tower from Artistic Etchings in Basic Black. I then used my Crumb Cake ink pad and a blender pen to colour in and outline for a little extra pop. I sponged the edges first with Peach Parfait and then with Cajun Craze for depth. I stamped the large circular image in Peach Parfait and if you look closely, the cool emblem in Crumb Cake.

The saying is clipped on with a Mini Library Clip and is again from the Newsprint designer paper (I sponged this with Peach Parfait). And lastly, a couple of button embellishments – a Rich Razzleberry button with a Peach Parfait cardstock bow and a Crumb Cake button with a Glimmer brad in the centre.

I really love the look and feel of this card and I hope you enjoy it too! Have a great weekend!

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Whisper White.

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Peach Parfait, Cajun Craze, Basic Black, Crumb Cake.

Stamps: Artistic Etchings.

Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing folder, Neutral Buttons, Bold Brights Buttons, Mini Library Clips, Peach Parfait ribbon, Newsprint designer paper, Blender pen, brayer, glimmer brads.

Hope Squared – Inkspirations Challenge #55

This week at Inkspirations, we’ve got an amazing sketch for you all to try your hand at. At first I was a wee bit intimidated but once you get started, it’s a super fun breeze! Here is a quick peek at the sketch but make sure you head over the Inkspirations Blog to see the creations of the other design team members.

This card is a 5″ x 5″ square and the base is Crumb Cake and then layered with Always Artichoke, Rose Red and then Very Vanilla. On the Very Vanilla layer, I added 1 1/4″ circles of Springtime Vintage designer paper and then over it Crumb Cake scalloped squares in which I’d punched out the centre with a 1″ circle punch. You followin’?

To finish off, I just added little embellishments here and there and then a great bow made with Victoria Crochet trim and Always Artichoke seam binding. I’ve kept it all together with an Antique Brad.

The sentiment is from Hope Happens and is stamped in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla and then I stamped the large flower from Elements of Style over it (but I stamped it off first).

This is a great way to showcase your designer paper – hope you like it!

Now to check out what the rest of the DT came up with…..

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Rose Red, Very Vanilla.

Ink: Crumb Cake.

Stamps: Hope Happens, Elements of Style.

Accessories: 1″ circle punch, 1 1/4″ circle punch, scallop square punch, neutral buttons, Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, linen thread, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Big Shot, Springtime Vintage designer paper, Basic Pearls, Victoria Crochet trim, Always Artichoke seam binding, Antique Brads.

Pretty Purses

This week at Create with Connie and Mary there is a fantastic inspiration challenge! Now I am not one to usually use pink – I mean I love it but I don’t use it too often. However this week, the inspiration photo called for a big dose of pink and black! Oh, and I was inspired by the sketch at the Paper Players this week!

The base for this card is Blushing Bride. On the far right, I used the Delight in Gladness Builder Wheel and then on the left I embossed a piece of Blushing Bride designer paper with the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder and sanded it to reveal a little bit of white.

The vertical layer is some Basic Black designer paper backed with Whisper White. Now for the super fun part of this card.

The focal panel is Basic Black and layered with Whisper White. On it, I added three purses. However, I made these purses with the Build-A-Cupcake Punch! The half-circle flaps are made using the 3/4″ circle punch and the handles are made by first punching the 1/2″ circle punch and then around it with the 3/4″ circle punch. I added a little Basic Rhinestone as the button closure.

Behind this layer I added some Whisper White organza which I looped and to it added a Basic Black button tied on with some 1/8″ Whisper White taffeta ribbon.

For the sentiment, I stamped a part of the sentiment from Create a Cupcake in White StazOn on some Basic Black cardstock. I cut it out and added it on with dimensionals.

Head on over to Create with Connie and Mary and play along and also check out what the design team has come up with!

Products used on this project:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Basic Black.

Ink: White StazOn, Blushing Bride.

Stamps: Create a Cupcake, Delight in Gladness Builder Wheel.

Accessories: Builder Wheel, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Neutral Buttons, 1/8″ Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Build-A-Cupcake punch, 1/2″ circle punch, 3/4″ circle punch, Basic Rhinestones, Neutral Designer Paper, Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, In Colour Designer Paper.

Sweet Sale-A-Bration

TODAY IS THE DAY! Sale-A-Bration officially starts today, yippee! In honour of the start of this most amazing special, I made a card using some Sale-A-Bration products.

I was inspired by the Mojo Monday sketch this week and by the colours in the Ice Cream Parlour Ribbons and Buttons (SAB).

The base of this card is Old Olive and in the upper left I stamped the Medallion stamp in Old Olive – in the sketch they showed a ribbon but I stamped this image in it’s place.

Next, I added a central panel of Melon Mambo and on it I layered some Sweet Stitches designer paper. Now a little tip. If you are going to distress edges, make sure you do it before adding the layers to your card base. I decided I wanted them distressed after adhering and it is sure not easy to do so once they are on the card. I also paper pierced all around the outside of this layer.

To finish off the card, I cut a circle in Whisper White using my Big Shot and the Circles #2 die. I stamped the flowers from Sweet Summer (SAB)  in Jet Black StazOn and coloured them in with coordinating colours and a blender pen. The centre flower is cut out and added with a dimensional and a small Basic Rhinestone in the centre.

I added a thin strip of Daffodil Delight cardstock which I roughed up a bit. On it is a piece of Ice Cream Parlour (SAB) ribbon – on one end a bow with an Ice Cream Parlour (SAB) button and on the other I tied on a couple of tags with some linen thread.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Remember, Sale-A-Bration is only on until the end of March so shop today! You can view the Sale-a-Bration flyer here or by clicking on the sidebar.

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo.

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point.

Stamps: Sweet Summer (SAB), So Many Thanks, Medallion.

Accessories: Big Shot, Circles #2 die, Blender Pen, Ice Cream Parlour Ribbon and Buttons (SAB), Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, linen thread, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Sweet Stitches Designer Paper.

Hope Your Birthday is “Tweet”

I was feeling a lack of mojo this weekend so I pulled two different challenges out to try to find it. The first challenge I was trying to work with was this week’s Colour Q 68 and the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge was the second. WOW – what a humdinger of a pair! Then I stop by Stampin’ Royalty and see they have a “with wings” challenge – perfect!

With the colours from the challenge, I wanted to use a lot of white as they are all pretty rich. Also, I wanted to skew the sketch down to more of a collage shaped size of panels. So here is what I did.

The base is Whisper White and then I layered it with Always Artichoke and another layer of Whisper White on which I doodled around the edge. The smallest horizontal panel is Cherry Cobbler layered with So Saffron and in behind that is a piece of Poppy Parade designer paper backed with Cherry Cobbler. Across those, I added some Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding.

Next, I added some Always Artichoke and over that extended a long piece of Vellum cardstock. On that vellum layer I stamped a birdcage and stand from Aviary in Jet Black StazOn. Then I added a cut out birdcage with hanger and brad and a little sentiment from On your Birthday on some Poppy Parade cardstock.

I very much took my own creative license with this but isn’t that what online challenges are all about? Why don’t you get on out there and pick a great challenge and take part?

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler, Poppy Parade, Cardstock Vellum.

Ink: Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Jet Black StazOn.

Stamps: Aviary, On Your Birthday.

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Neutral Brads, Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker.

For My Friend (who I miss already) – Inkspirations Challenge #54

So I think I mentioned once already this week that my friend has moved to Iowa. I’m sad and miss her terribly. So she was my inspiration for this card because she loves to read. That and the latest Inkspirations Challenge! You’ve gotta get on over to the Inkspirations Challenge Blog and see what’s up for this week! A great colour challenge!

The base for this project is Very Vanilla and I layered it with a horizontal panel of Pear Pizzazz. I scalloped the bottom and distressed the sides but that’s it.

On that is a layer of Early Espresso and on that Very Vanilla and a layer of Blushing Bride. On this layer I stamped the large floral stamp from Elements of Style in Chocolate Chip Craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. Then I took a little bleach and bleached out a few flowers. I also added some random Basic Pearls for a little somethin’-somethin’. At the top I added a sentiment with a little flower embellishment using the Bitty Punch Bundle.

Now, for my favourite part…..

That long draping ribbon piece! Not only does it look nice but it’s actually a bookmark. What I did was decorate end using a Bevelled Windowpane (from the Occasions Mini), taking on an Antique Brad and pinning on some crochet lace with a Trinket.

The ribbon is actually folded upon itself in behind this panel and tied with some linen thread. Then on the very bottom is a matching button. With the weight of the embellishment on the end, there is no need to add adhesive to the ribbon and she can just slide it out and use it in her latest novel.

I encourage you to try your hand at this week’s challenge – it’s a great one! We’d love for you to play at Inkspirations!

Now let’s see what the rest of the design team has come up with!

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso.

Ink: Chocolate Chip craft, Early Espresso.

Stamps: Elements of Style, Tiny Tags.

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Basic Pearls, 5/8″ Early Espresso Grosgrain, Crochet lace trim, Trinkets, Antique Brads, Beveled Windowpanes, Neutrals buttons, Bitty Punch Bundle.

Hello Baby

This week at Create with Connie and Mary, they’ve got a great sketch challenge! I thought I’d pair it with the SU Only Challenge of doing a baby card. Here is the sketch:

For my card (it is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 square) I used Marina Mist for the base. I grabbed a piece of Play Date designer paper and backed with Wild Wasabi on one side and a piece of Poppy Parade on the other. I punched the Poppy Parade piece with the Dotted Ribbon border punch.

What I decided to do with the horizontal piece, I stamped “hello” from Hello Again and “baby” from Fundamental Phrases. I sponged the edges with Wild Wasabi and then backed it  with the same colour cardstock. If you look closely, you’ll see another little bit of Poppy Parade on the far right of this piece.

I made a little collage of baby-type images using the Every Little Bit stamp set and my 3/4″ circle punch, Neutral buttons, 1/8″ taffeta ribbon, Bold Brights Buttons and again a little bit of Play Date designer paper.

So head on over to Create with Connie and Mary and play along with us!

Products used on this project:

Cardstock: Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade, Whisper White.

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie.

Stamps: Fundamental Phrases, Hello Again, Every Little Bit.

Accessories: Play Date designer paper, Bold Bright Buttons, Neutral Buttons, Dotted Ribbon border, 1/8″ Whisper White taffeta, 3/4″ circle punch, blender pen.

For my “fancy” Friend

So I have this friend. Even at 6am on a camping trip she looks good. After a very late night she looks good. So I call her “fancy” (but you have to imagine me saying it drawn out like “faaaannnccccyyyy”).

My fancy friend and I recently had a very dear friend and her family move away (to Iowa of all places!) and we’re all a bit sad so I thought I’d make my fancy friend a special fancy card so she knew I was thinking about her and I’m totally in the same sad space.

To start, I was inspired by two online challenges – the sketch at Stamping 411 and the colours at The Paper Players.

Really, this card is pretty easy to figure out – no big tricks here. The base is Baja Breeze and I’ve layered it with a piece of Very Vanilla which has a piece of River Rock designer paper on the bottom. I ran both of these layers through my new sewing machine – yes, I have one of my very own!

The central panel has a sentiment from All Holidays which I stamped in a combination of the challenge colours: Rose Red, Baja Breeze and River Rock. Now I did cut out the ampersand (&) in River Rock cardstock as it just wasn’t coming out right. I also spritzed it with Shimmer Mist paint and added a few basic pearls.

For Miss Fancy Owl, I’ve given her a layered dress using Elegant Soiree designer paper and a string of pearls. She is also donning some eyelash extensions.

What a fun card to make and I hope my fancy friend likes it. Why don’t you make a card (and send it!) for someone today, just because?

Products used on this project:

Cardstock: River Rock, Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Baja Breeze.

Ink: Rose Red, Baja Breeze.

Stamps: All Holidays.

Accessories: Neutrals designer paper, Scallop Trim punch, Neutral Buttons, linen thread, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Owl punch, Elegant Soiree DSP, basic pearls, sewing machine.

Love Y-O-U

Yep, I was at the alphabets again! After yesterday’s card, I decided to keep with the letter theme and for the latest Inkspirations Challenge I ran with the spelling idea. This week at the Inkspirations Challenge Blog you’ll find the most awesome sketch! It is great the way it is intended or the way I did it (I turned it on it’s side).

In addition to using this great sketch, I used the colours from this week’s Curtain Call Colour challenge – Pacific Point, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist and Always Artichoke.

The base is Marina Mist and the horizontal panel is Pacific Point which was run through the Big Shot with the square lattice die. Next, I added a vertical strip of Cherry Cobbler on which I tied some Cherry Cobbler seam binding, tied into a bow with a little Bitty Button for good measure. Just tucked behind that is a piece of Always Artichoke which I punched down one side with the spiral edge punch.

For the central image, I first started with the A to Z stamp and I stamped it once in each colour a little of setting of each one. I also sponged the edges with Marina Mist. Then I added letters Y-O-U cut with my Big Shot and the Simple Alphabet – this is by far my favourite Big Shot alphabet!

Lastly, I cut a Cherry Cobbler heart out using the Hearts & Brackets die and then ran it through the Big Shot again with the Love Letterpress plate. I held my breath as I wanted the small word “love” in just the right spot and it worked like a charm! Oh and to top it all off, I added a Basic Rhinestone at the end of the word “you”.

So head on over to the Inkspirations Challenge Blog and check this sketch out for yourself! Come on and join in the fun! And, let’s check out what the rest of the uber-talented design team has done with this sketch!

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Products used on this project – CLICK HERE to buy them NOW!

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist.

Ink: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist.

Stamps: A to Z.

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Die, Simple Alphabet Die, Hearts & Brackets Die, Love Letterpress Plate, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Bitty Buttons, stampin sponges, Spiral Edge punch, Basic Rhinestones.