Blossoming Basket Congratulations!

This week we say Congratulations and Happy Retirement to a sweet lady at our office.  Lorraine has been our Human Resources person for the last 15 years.  You couldn't ask for a nicer lady to work with in any office.  So easy-going and pleasant, even when things feel like they're spinning out of control!

While looking for ideas of something really nice to make with the Blossoming Basket, I spotted a card by Cindy Elam and decided to work with it, but switch it up a bit.  When I started, the basket was matted with Bermuda Bay, but I started out with too big of a piece of paper and then too big of a mat, so I had to trim it down.  You can see a little of the Bermuda Bay reflecting onto the weave.

Recipe:
Whisper White Thick cardstock - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Whisper White cardstock - 5 1/4" x 4 - embossed with the basket weave (FREE with Sale-a-bration)
Shimmery White - (3 1/4" x 3 1/4" would work better) 
Bermuda Bay (that isn't visible anymore) 3 3/8" x 3 3/8" would work (I think)

I stamped with Memento Black so I could color with Stampin' Blends.  I used Calypso Coral light and dark and Old Olive light.  The butterfly is stamped with Bermuda Bay and fussy cut with my paper snips.  I added a little Wink of Stella to bring out the glimmer of the Shimmery White paper.

Congratulations sentiment is from Petal Palette.

Thank you for looking in today!  Stamp Set and Embossing Folder - both FREE with $100 purchase during Sale-a-bration.

~ Donna

Say It Isn't So!

Did you see the Retiring Stamps List???  Gorgeous Grunge is being retired!  Say it isn't so!  I keep waiting for them to say "just kidding!"

On the happier side of this card though is the reason why I made it.  A very deserving guy at our office was appointed as the Election Director today.  He's been the Interim Director since shortly after the first of the year when our previous Director retired.  We're all very proud of him being selected.  He will do an amazing job!

Since we work with Elections, I had to use Red, White and Blue, of course!

Very simple recipe:

Real Red - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Whisper White - 5 1/4" x 4"
Night of Navy - 5" x 3 3/4"
Whisper White 4 7/8" x 3 5/8"
Gold Foil and Whisper White Circles (extras made from yesterday! They came in handy already!)

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge (retiring), Tin of Cards (retiring)
Ink:  Real Red, Night of Navy

Thank you for looking in today!  Remember to let me know if you need a catalog so I can get them ordered for you.  You're going to LOVE IT!

~ Donna

Playful Palette Congrats

Here are a couple of very fast and simple cards.  I chose two different pieces of Designer Series Paper here, but if you cut just one of them, you can get two cards.

Take your 6" x 6" DSP and cut two inches off of one end.  Then cut that 2" x 6" strip into 4" squares.  Then slice them diagonally - you will have 6 triangles.

Take the 6" x 4" strip that's left and slice it into 1" x 4" strips.  This will give you 6 strips.

Be careful to keep the cut edges lined up so you can match them up when you adhere them down.

Recipe:  Base:
Basic Black - 11" x 4 1/4", scored and folded at 5 1/2"
Emerald Envy - 5 1/4" x 4"
DSP - 3 - 4" x 1" strips - adhere them beginning at the end of the Emerald Envy, then leaving a small space between them - about 1/8" of an inch should do

Add sentiment and border with Layered Circles Framelits.

Inside, use the triangles in the corners to give the inside some beautiful color.

Thank you for looking in today!  Click on any picture below to shop my store.

~ Donna


Product List

Happy Happenings Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[138734]

$28.00

Happy Happenings Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[139381]

$20.00

Playful Palette Designer Series Paper Stack

[141657]

$10.00

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[121045]

$8.00

Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[141415]

$8.00

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[101650]

$9.00

Gold Metallic Thread

[138401]

$3.00

Emerald Envy Classic Stampin' Pad

[141396]

$6.50

Stampin' Trimmer

[126889]

$30.00

Big Shot

[143263]

$110.00

Layering Circle Framelits Dies

[141705]

$35.00

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.00

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

One more graduation card for the same student, except this time the card will be from me.  I was looking at my punches and thought the Confetti Stars Border would be perfect.

This card was so fast and simple.

Base - Basic Black -  8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4"
Whisper White - 5 1/4" x 4"
Real Red - 5 1/4" x 1 1/2" (to go behind the punched out stars)
Real Red  1/4" Cotton Ribbon (retiring)- 7"

Stamps:  Bravo (retiring)
Ink:  Memento Black

Graduation Cap:  Confetti Stars Punch, 1" square punch, tassel from Balloon Framelits and Silver Foil Sheets, White Perfect Accents.

This really looks much better in person.  You'll just have to trust me on this!  

Thank you for looking in today.  Have a Blessed Sunday!    ~ Donna




Product List

Bravo Photopolymer Stamp Set

[135380]

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[121045]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[102482]

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

1" Square Punch

[124094]

Confetti Stars Punch

[135861]

Balloon Framelits Dies

[137362]

Silver Foil Sheets

[132178]

White Perfect Accents

[138416]

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

Stampin' Trimmer

[126889]

Flower Shop Congratulations

How do you save paper?  Have you ever punched out shapes you need for a card from the mat being used for that card?  No?  Well then, why not?  Rather than use a fresh sheet of paper or having to dig through scraps - use the "unused" paper that will be covered with another layer for any punched pieces you might need.

Below you will see where I punched the three 1/2" circles I needed for my flower centers.  That Basic Black sheet will be (or is) attached to a Whisper White base and will be covered with a Whisper White layer with the flowers attached.

The finished card is 6" x 3 " so it needed a special envelope which I was able to make quickly and easily with the new Envelope Punch Board!

The idea for this card came from Susan Itell from Simple Stampin'.  Thanks Susan!

Recipe:

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
DSP:  Brights Color Collection Paper Stack (130134)
Stamps:  Flower Shop (w-130939 / c-130942), Express Yourself - Hostess Set (w-130336 / c-130339)
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Black StazOn 
Embellies:  Large Pearl Basic Jewels (125577)
Punches:  Pansy Punch (130698), 1/2" Circle Punch (119869)

Thanks for looking in today.  

~ Donna

Congratulations!

Have you made your wish list yet of the retiring items you simply must have?  I know I've got mine ready and have already hit "send" along with some great pre-orders that will be in the upcoming catalog.  That's just one of the nice things about being a Demonstrator, we can order EARLY before anyone else.  Woo Hooo!!  You should join my team so you can order early too!  

Today my oldest son leaves for California, or is probably already on the road by the time you see this.  He's heading to the Stanford University Hospital to work for the next three months in their Oncology Department.  He'll have to change his internal clock since he works nights now, and there he will be working days administering chemo to cancer patients.  I have to say, I'm very proud of him.  

On Tuesday, he and I went for a nice brunch to spend a little time together before his big trip.  It was so nice having some time with just the two of us.  Naturally, being a stamper, I had to make him a card.  I think he almost expected it by the way he eyeballed it sitting on the table under my phone.  LOL

So, without further adieu, here's the card I made for him.  

Yes, I know this stamp is a "get well" stamp (and is retired since it was a sale-a-bration stamp), but since Billy is going to the hospital as an RN, I thought the band-aid would be perfect.  The nice thing about this stamp is, that it was easy to ink just the band-aid and then add a different sentiment under it.  The "congratulations" comes from Henry Says and is a perfect fit.  Henry Says is in the Spring Mini and is available until May 31st.  Don't miss it, it's a great little set!

Inside, I used one of the glassine bags from the holiday mini and stamped the 'just for you' that comes from the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit from the Spring Mini, which is also still current until May 31st, so don't wait!  Inside I added a little "mad money" for whatever he needed along the way.  Not much mind you as the kid probably earns way more than I do!  lol

Stamps Well With Others Recipe:

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze
Ink:  Cajun Craze
Stamps:  Patterned Occasions (retired), Henry Says (w-128090 / c-128093)
Accessory:  2 1/2" Circle Punch

I cut the Cajun Craze at 4" x 2" and then punched with the 2 1/2" circle punch in the middle.  I stamped the band-aid first and then placed the Cajun Craze paper with the help of a ruler to be sure it was nice and straight.  Wish I could say the same about the stamp!  LOL

Thanks for looking in today.

Who's a Smarty Pants?

Are you ready to congratulate your favorite Smarty Pants?  With one of the FREE sets available during the Sale-A-Bration celebration!  This is just one of the cutest sets I've seen in a while and I'll be posting a new one each day for the next few days, so be sure to come and see them all.

The set is called Patterned Occasions (w-129621 / c-129624).  The Designer Paper Series (DSP) is also from Sale-A-Bration - Sycamore Street (127540) and one more little thing... that cute little button is a Sale-A-Bration freebie as well.  Not just one button of course, but a package of buttons and ribbons!  

If you haven't received a SAB Brochure and you don't already have a Demonstrator, I'd be happy to be your Demonstrator and send you one.  Just email me and it will be on the way.  (USA residents and mailing address only please.)

Stamps Well With Others Recipe:

Stamp Set:  Patterned Occasions (w-129621 / c-129624)*
Card Stock:  Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink:  Island Indigo
DSP:  Sycamore Street (127540)*
Extras:  Delicate Doilies Sizzlits L (126999), Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (130812)*, Chevron Embossing Folder (127749), Linen Thread (104199)

* indicates Sale-A-Bration Freebie!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Don't be shy, say hello when you stop in.  :)

~ Donna

Congratulations Graduate!

Well, today I bring you something a little out of the normal season of Christmas.  A friend needed a Graduation Card for a mid-year graduation this weekend, so I whipped this up after shopping and dinner with the hubby.  

Recipe:  

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Real Red
Stamps:  Curly Cute (w-117014 / c-120510)
Ink:  Real Red
Extras:  Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119261), 3/16" Metallic Brads - (119741), Stripes Embossing Folder (123128)

Hope you have all your Christmas shopping done.  I think I'm done, but I always find something else we need at the last minute!

Thanks for looking in!

~ Donna