A La Card Monkey Challenge #99: Flowers + Sketch

Today the clocks sprung forward an hour; a sure sign that Spring is on it's way!   Unfortunately, we forgot to change ours last night and you guessed it, woke up to the old time and had to hustle like crazy to get going when we realized we were an hour behind.  LOL what a start to an otherwise perfect day!

Another sure sign that Spring is on it's way are the daffodil buds that are starting to break through.  It won't be long until their sunny little heads are poking through.  I think daffodils by far are one of my favourite spring flowers.

So with those two spring time thoughts in mind, it was easy to meet the Monkey #99 sketch challenge at A La Card Monkey  which calls for a card showcasing your favourite flowers.   Here's their great sketch and it should be noted that you can use any other embellisment in place of the buttons, if you're so inclined. 

Here's my take on this fun challenge.

I used Whisper White card stock for the base of this card and then added a 4 x 5 14" layer of Basic Black.  My next layer is a combination of Daffodil Delight and Basic Black.  The Daffodil Delight layer was embossed with the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder and the edge was punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch.  I then ran a piece of 1" by 5 piece of basic black through the Big Shot Machine and created another scalloped edge, this time using the new Adorning Accents Edgelit Die.  In retrospect I should have made this piece in Whisper White so it stood out more........... oh well hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies #125595 $11.95 pg. 7 Occasions Mini Catalogue

Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder #114517 pg 218 of the Idea Book and Catalogue $9.95 



Scallop Trim Border Punch #118402 pg. 211 Idea Book and Catalogue

Button Buddies Item #122735w/122737cm pg 71 Idea Book and Catalogue.  This is just the cutest little stamp set and great value for 8 stamps.  Wood mount version is $36.95 and the Clear Mount is only $26.95.   

 

In this closeup you can see the flowers and vase from the Button Buddies stamp set which was stamped in Basic Black ink on Whisper White Card stock.  I stamped the vase twice and cut out the second image and mounted it with dimensionals to give some depth to the image. 

The flowers are fancy buttons from the brights collection of buttons.  I used the Labels Collection Framelits Die (#125598 pg. 6 Occasions Mini)  to cut both the Basic Black frame and the Whisper White image.  Basic Rhinestones were added to the centers of the buttons for some glimmer and again on the flower images to the right. 

Get these Designer Buttons FREE with a $60 purchase during Sale-A-Bration, January 24-March 31, 2012!
■ 72 buttons per container; 4 each of 3 designs in 6 colors

■ Designs include large marbled button, double circle button, and small flower button

 

Hope you'll play along with the A La Card Monkey Challenge this week! 

Stamp Club Make and Takes

On Tuesday I attended a Stamp Club run by Cheryl LeFore of La Quinta, California.  Cheryl as you may recall from my earlier posts, won Stampin' Ups! 2011 Artisan Award.

Cheryl attended SU Leadership in San Antonio  Texas earlier this year and showed us all the free stamps and products she acquired while there.  There were so many gorgeous goodies on display!  She also showed us several of the swap cards she received.

A gorgeous card made by scoring the beautiful hearts from the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit Die cut.  This fun die cut simultaneously cuts and embosses fun hearts as accents for any project! Use with Standard Cutting Pads and Multipurpose Platform. Die measures 2-1/4" x 2-1/2". Coordinates with the Sweet Shop product suite and is only available until March 31st in the Occasions Mini Catalogue, item #125596 for $14.95.

I absolutely loved all the floral cards she had on display and will be CASING some of them for my spring card classes. 

Another highlight of the evening were the two make and take Easter projects Cheryl demonstrated.  The first project is a cheerful little Easter Bunny perched on a carrot candy box.  He's made from punched ovals, circles and the ornament punch.

This simple project is made with a variety of Stampin' Up! punches.  The little 5 sided box that looks like a carrot, will hold Hershey's kisses.  What a sweet treat!

Here's a closeup so you can see some of the detail on the punches.  Ovals, small heart, circles and the ornament punch make up the body of this cute little bunny.  Whiskers and paw details are added with a black marker. 

This view lets you see the details in the box.  The box bottom and top are made with the Fancy Flower punch and the box itself is a piece of cardstock that's been embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and scored.  Pretty easy.

The carrot top is made by punching scallops with the Scallop border punch on a 4 x 4 piece of cardstock.  A line is scored down between the scallops across the cardstock and then lines are cut from the scallop to within an 1/2" of the bottom.  Once all the cutting is done the "leaves" were rolled around a dowel and then fitted through a small circle in the center of the flower punch that was made using the cropodile punch. Easy peasy!

The second project was an Easter card made with the new Elegant Bird Bigz Die Cut and the Easter Dove stamp. 

This gorgeous card was made with Blushing Bride cardstock which was embossed with the Tulips Embossing folder.  The bird was cut out of Whisper White Cardstock with the Elegant Bird Bigz Die Cut and then embossed with the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  By embossing the Eyelet Border Punch with the Snow Burst Embossing Folder, a very lacey effect was achieved. 

The Easter Dove - Wood-Mount Stamp, item # 125455 was used on the inside of the card. 

This $8.95 stamp which features the universal symbol of peace--a dove with an olive branch. Perfect for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Rosh Hashanah projects, too can be purchased from the Occasions Mini Catalogue until March 31st, 2012.

Elegant Bird Bigz Die Item # 125593 Cost $26.95

Easter Dove Stamp Item # 125455 Cost $8.95

Stampin 411 Challenge-245- SSC245

Stampin' 411 posted a great sketch this week.  I always like doing these sketches because the design team takes the guess work out of the elements in the card. 

Here are some of the potential measurements for this sketch:

 

1. Layer One -- Card Base cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded
2. Layer Two -- DSP or Cardstock cut at 4 x 5.25"
3. Layer Three -- Cardstock cut at 1.5 x 4" (border punch on the bottom)
4. Layer Four -- Cardstock cut at 2 x 3"
5. Layer Five -- Cardstock cut at 2 x 2.5" -- stamp and embellish as desired

Here's my card:

The card base is in Soft Suede and has been layered with a beautiful  Blushing Bride DSP.  The tea cups and sentiment are from one of my favourite Stampin' Up! stamp sets called the Tea Shoppe, which is featured in the Occasions Mini catalogue until March 31st.  I  used basic pearls on the scallop border. 

A La Card Monkey Challenge #98

A La Card Monkey posted their " We're All Kinds of Happy for Monkey Challenge #98 on Friday March 2, 2012. 

This is a fun sketch with just a couple of elements and ribbon.  Wow, it couldn't be easier!    Here's their awesome sketch:

My version of this sketch was made for a friend's birthday. She's a very elegant lady so I wanted to make something to match her style. 

Here's a full view of the front of the card.  I absolutely love the velour print on the Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Print Paper I've used as a background.  It's so beautiful! 

Closeup of the basic pearls that were added to the Fresh Vintage Stamp Set from the Sale-a-Bration Catalogue.  You can earn this beautiful set for FREE by placing a $60.00 order during the Sale-a-Bration campaign.   

Here's a view of the inside of the card where I'll hand write a personal message.

Simply Scored Diagonal Plate - New Promotion

If you haven't already bought a Simply Scored Scoring Tool here's another good reason to get one. 

Purchase additional place markers for your Simply Scored Scoring Tool (125625 for only $3.50)Markers fit to the top ruler of the scoring base to mark your favorite
scoring points.

Purchase an additional Stylus (125624 for only $5.95) to use with your Simply Scored Scoring Tool. Stylus
features ergonomic style and comfort grip. High-quality metal tips on both
ends glide smoothly over your paper. Tips come in two sizes, so you can
choose the size of your score lines.

Take the chore out of scoring! The Simply Scored Scoring Tool’s (122334 for $38.95 complete with above accesories) base fits paper or card stock up to 12" x 12" and features score tracks every 1/8". Features two easy-to-read rulers (with inch markings down to 1/8") along top and left side for perfect scoring. (One standard left-to-right ruler and one zero center ruler.) Includes three markers and stylus. Bottom of base has nonmarking and nonskid feet to secure it on your work areach Base measures Approximately 15-1/8" x 13-1/4" x 1".

On March 1st Stampin' Up! begins a new promotion with the introduction of the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate.  This promotion will run from March 1st thru May 31st, 2012.

As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I was able to place a  pre-order for mine and I'm excitedly waiting for it to arrive later this week.  In the meantime I'll be checking out other demo's sites to see what they're making with this fantastic new tool!

I'm dying to try it out and demonstrate some really neat tricks for you to make your card making and envelope making experience simply the best! Envelopes made from DSP or card stock will never be easier. 

Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, item #125586) features:

• Sits on top of the Simply Scored base
• Held securely in place by rubber pads on back of the plate
• Has etched grooves every 1/8"
• Can score any size card stock up to 12" x 12"
• Includes instructions for creating common envelope sizes

For more information please contact me.  I'd be happy to help out! 

Thanks for dropping by. 
Penny

Cards From Friends and Family

Earlier this month I celebrated my birthday and I was very blessed to receive the following awesome cards from friends and family. I thought I'd share these wonderful works of "heart" along with a few valentines beauties. Enjoy!



This card was made by one of my fabulous downline members, Ethel De Temple.   Ethel features one of my favourite stamps this season, Tea Shoppe see page 19 of the Mini Occasions catalogue.  I love how she centered the large teacup on the scallop square so it looks like a placemat or napkin, and then added the tiny basic pearls and satin ribbon  for adornment.  The lines from the "Stripes" Embossing Folder also add some visual appeal.  Great card Ethel!

Isn't this a gorgeous card? Brenda Rigby Riehle a SU Demo and fellow Late Night Stamper (LNS) sent me these birthday wishes all the way from Belmont, NY. Check out Brenda's blog, she has some awesome cards and projects. http://brendariehle.stampingup.net

Another fabulous stamp set from the Occasions Mini is the Apothecary Art set on pages 24 and 25.  It features 6 stamps that can be layered using the Labels Collection Framelits.  Isn't this a great card design?  I wish you could see it in real life as it's stunning.  This card was made and sent to me by Helen Cummins from Louisburg, Kansas.  Helen is a member of Late Night Stampers.

This lovely card was made by Jody Townsend of Colorado Springs, Colorado.  What a surprise when I received this card.  Jody is a member of Late Night Stampers too. 

Here's a birthday card fom Stampin' Up!.  Yep that's right Stampin' Up! sends birthday cards to all their demonstrators.  That's just one of the great perks, and note the message on the inside of the card below.  You can't beat that for a great birthday present.  I submitted my order this week and got my rewards! 

Betty Lee Moore of Vernon, BC sent me this gorgeous Valentine's Day card.  I loved all the little layered hearts  on this card and the way she layered her ribbon.  Beautiful card Betty Lee and much appreciated!

Here's a great Valentine's Day card sent by my awesome sister Heather.  Those little House Mouse characters are so sweet and so is this card!  Thanks Heather, loved it!

And finally here's the card I made my husband for Valentine's Day. 

Hope you enjoyed this selection of cards and come back to visit again

Penny

Computer Crashes and Other Happenings

Hi folks.  In case you haven't noticed I've been missing in action for the past 3 weeks due to my computer crashing and other technological glitches.  What a nightmare this has been!  I lost all of my "My Digital Studio" files, pictures and other stamping project related items.  Everything gone and only an out of date backup to show for all my work. 

I've spent endless hours trying to retrieve documents, drivers and programs that vanished, but all seems to be coming together now.  Just a few more programs like Java to get up and running and then things should be back to normal and I'll begin posting regularly. 

I'm so sorry to have let you down at this time of year, but I'll  try my best to get back up to speed and show you wonderful samples and post some new techniques and classes. To all my loyal followers, thanks for hanging in there.  I'M BACK!!!!!

Electronic Scrapbooking - Are You Interested

During the month of February Stampin' Up! is offering an amazing opportunity for scrapbookers and stampers to check out the "My Digital Studio" offerings for absolutely free.  I told you it was an amazing offer.  Here's what you get:

The free trial includes the My Digital Studio Express Software. This means you get the full design functionality, access to our print services, and the opportunity to purchase My Digital Studio downloads.

At the end of the 30-day trial period, you can purchase either My Digital Studio or My Digital Studio Express to continue using the software. You will not need to re-download the program, but will simply enter the product key you receive after purchasing the software. (If you purchase the disc version you'll find it along with the shipped software, and if you purchase the downloadable My Digital Studio Express, you'll receive the product key via e-mail.)

You will be able to keep any downloads you purchase during the 30-day trial period.

To get the free trial version, add My Digital Studio Express Trial (item 129600) to your online shopping cart, and then download and install it from your Download Manager.

If you would like more information about this product contact me or check out the My Digital Studio at mydigitalstudio.net

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Xin Nian Kuai Le! Happy Chinese New Year! The Year of the Dragon

The Year of the Dragon roared onto the calendar earlier this week.  Lunar New Year's celebrations are happening all over Metro Vancouver and the Chinatown Spring Festival Celebration is one of the biggest. 

At the heart of this wonderful Festival is the traditional Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade which features more than 3,000 participants and more than 50,000 spectators.  The parade this year begins at noon from the Millennium Gate and finishes up at Keefer and Columbia streets.




Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown will attract many visitors following the parade.  There will be many traditional Chinese events including caligraphy, bean toss, fortune-telling, wish making and more.  Dragons and Dragon Boat festivities will also abound.

Sale-A-Bration Has Started January 24th to March 31, 2012

After weeks of anticipation, it's finally here--

Sale-A-Bration starts today!

For more information on this fantastic promotion click here or contact me.

Sale -A-Bration Promotion - Join Stampin Up Today

• Sign up as a New Demonstrator on my Team during Sale-A-Bration and you'll get a FREE package of Designer Series Paper ($13.50 or less) or digital download (any price) beginning the month after you join Stampin' Up!
• As a new demonstrator you'll be able to alternate your choice between either Designer Series Paper or Digital Download each month.

Contact me today to find out how you can take advantage of this exciting and exclusive to Stampin' Up! offer. 

Valentine's Blog Hop - Join the Party!!!

 

Oh what fun!  I just heard Shirley Sumption's hosting a Valentine's Day Blog Hop and everyone's invited to play along.  I had such fun with her Halloween and Christmas Blog Hops that I'm really looking forward to this one.

So, what are you waiting for?  It starts tomorrow January 17th through Valentine's day (Jan 17, 24, Feb 6 and 14).  That's four weeks of fun! 

It's easy to play along here's all you need to know.  I'm running to my craft room now to make a card.  Hope you are too! 

Here are a few rules:

Anyone can  join the fun! 

1. Anything goes, Card, 3D project it just has to be Valentines.

2. Add the Hop to your Post, by using the code from Linky tools.

3. Add the badge to your post with a link to Shirley's blog at http://lookatmycutestuff.blogspot.com

4. Whatever you post has to be new not copied from a previous post or challenge.

Okay that's it.   Hope to see you there.

Penny