Monday, January 31, 2011

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week - Bear With Heart

With today being Monday, it's time for another Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week!  This week's stamp is called 118-I, Bear With Heart.  You can find him on this page.  By visiting the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built, you can find out how to purchase him for half price this week!  You can also check out the samples made by the other Rock Stars.  There are some great ideas there!

I stamped my bear on white, and then again on the patterned paper. I cut out the bear from the patterned paper and glued him on the one stamped on white cardstock.  I also stamped again on textured pink so I could cut out the heart.  I did the sentiment on the computer.  I matted the image with the same textured pink as the heart.  The matting on the card is the same paper as I cut the bear out of.  The image panel is mounted on Dimensionals.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Another Baptism Card

This baptism card uses the same stamps and the same Fiskars texture plate as this one that I made last week.  This is the one we are giving to our new grandson, who is getting baptized today.

The stamps are all from a Stampin' Up! set called Special Blessings.  I stamped the dove in Versamark and embossed with silver embossing powder.  I popped it up with thick Dimensionals.  It is cut with a Long Oval Nestabilities die.  The mat is cut from shimmery silver.  The silver on the bottom is embossed with a Fiskars texture plate.  The main panel is also matted with shimmery silver.  The sentiments are stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  The "on your Baptism Day" is cut with a Long Rectangle, as is the matting for it.  The dove panel and the "baptism" panel are mounted on Dimensionals.

Today I'm leaving for LA for CHA.  I'm so excited!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

More Valentines - Lots More!

I'm just going to upload ALL of the valentines I made with QuicKutz dies.  I don't think they are all available in the Creating Everlasting Memories eBay store yet, but I'm going to show you anyway! This first one is a kind of "gift sack."














I think I actually have two more, but I don't know where I filed the pictures!  Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.  LJNeus@hotmail.com.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Two More "Card Parts" Cards ...

... but not MY card parts!  Well, they became my card parts, but they weren't originally mine. LOL!  I got some boxes of scrap cardstock, etc. just before Christmas from a co-worker of my son.  These two stamped and embossed images were in the box. I have no idea who makes them.

For this first one, I just matted the image on red cardstock, and added the sentiment stamped in black.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Sincere Salutations set.  Both of these cards have a Very Vanilla card base.  I sent this one to a former neighbor who just informed us that his wife died a year ago.  I thought a "Thinking of You" would be more appropriate than a sympathy card.
For this second one, I adhered the image to the card, then trimmed off the excess on the left side.  Again, the image was already stamped, embossed, and cut out.  I added the sentiment - again from SU!'s Sincere Salutations.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

QuicKutz Die Cards/Projects

I still haven't had a chance to stamp!  Besides everything else going on, I've been having computer problems with our financial software.  Oh well, I'll live!

Some of the cards/projects I've done with Quickutz Valentine's Dies are available now.  Here are a few.  If you are interested in them, click on the link under my blog heading - the one called CEM eBay store.  I'll just post the pictures and tell you which die/dies I used.  If you have questions, I'll do my best to answer them.  (You can email me at LJNeus@hotmail.com)  The first one is called Looped Hearts.
This second one is an ATC - 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  It uses I Heart You and Strawberry Heart.


 
This last one uses Heart Corners.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Repeat Impressions WHAT IF? Wednesday

This week's Wednesday challenge for Repeat Impressions is a WHAT IF? Wednesday sketch challenge.  You can find the sketch, along with the specific details on how to enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Repeat Impressions, on the blog, The House That Stamps Built.  You can also check out the other Rock Stars' creations on the blog, or follow these links.

For my card, I stamped the Lupines (found on this page) and colored them with markers.  I cut the image out with a QuicKutz die (found here on sale for a great price!) and then cut the matting just a little bigger than the image.  The whole panel is mounted on foam squares.  The patterned paper and matting cardstock are both Almost Amethyst from Stampin' Up!  I only had white pearls, so I colored some white ones with a Copic marker.

We'd love to have you join us!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Thinking of You ... and Miscellaneous Stuff

Here is a Thinking of You card I made for a friend.  The sentiment is from Sincere Salutations from Stampin' Up! and the border around it is from Papertrey Ink.  I cut the sentiment panel with a PTI die.  I noticed that the corners on the die matched with the Ticket Corner punch from SU!, so I used that on the matting.  The patterned papers are both from Die Cuts With a View Linen Closet matstack.  That's all there is to it!


We have a lot going on and I'm not sure how much time I'll have for stamping for the next month or so.  We have a wedding, a baptism, vacation, and I'm going to CHA!!!  I will be leaving for CHA on Sunday, will be there on Monday, and flying back home on Tuesday.  I'm pretty excited about that.  I do have a LOT of valentine things made with QuicKutz dies, so I'll start posting them soon.  Then, after all that, I'm going to start babysitting our new grandson when our daughter-in-law goes back to work.


Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week - Feline Friendly

Another Monday brings another Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week.  This week's stamp is 1602-P, Feline Friendly.  You can find it on this page.  Please visit the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built, for all the details on how you can purchase this stamp for 50% off through next Sunday.  You will also find the cards made by the other RI Rock Stars.  Or, you can follow these links:

I colored my image with my limited Copic markers.  The patterned paper is from a Die Cuts With a View matstack called Linen Closet.  The solid matting paper is from Stampin' Up.  The sentiment is from Repeat Impressions.

You still have time to participate in the Repeat Impressions challenges - the WHAT IF? Wednesday challenge and the CASE Joy challenge. The details are on the Repeat Impressions blog.  By participating, you become eligible to win a whole sheet of unmounted stamps or a $25 gift certificate.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

"Look, Ma - No Lines!" ... or ... a Tutorial on No-Lines Embossing

 
I've been asked by several people how I use my small Cuttlebug folders without having lines from the edges of the folders or without "smushing" the embossing next to it.  This is how I do it.

I took a giant-size cereal box (from Costco) so it's nice and sturdy and thick cardboard.  I cut four pieces just smaller than the sizes of my folders.  I glued them together.  The picture on the left shows the pieces before they were glued together.  The one on the right is what I used for this card.  I have done a tutorial and uploaded it to YouTube.  You can find it here.  (You really can't see the embossing in the video, but you can see the procedure!)  The "recipe" for using my BIGkick is to use Tab 1 and one clear plate.  You'd have to experiment with your embossing machine to determine what plates you need to use.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Hoppy Hoppy Birthday

(Not sure why this didn't post at 5:00, but here it is - better late than never!)  I was given some boxes full of crafting supplies by a co-worker of my son.  There were things that I would not use (very light wooden boxes, clothespins, etc) but also lots of pre-cut pieces of Stampin' Up! cardstock and other things.  There were a few pieces that were stamped and some that were even colored.  This card was made with two of those pieces.

The frog and the pocket are from a SU! set called Pocket Fun.  They were already colored.  I cut them out and added the "googly" eyes.  The striped paper is from a Die Cuts With a View matstack.  The sentiment (from Papertrey Ink) said "Happy Happy Birthday" but I punched out circles from the green part of the striped paper and added them to make it say "Hoppy Hoppy Birthday."  At least, I hope that is how it is now read!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Another "Card Parts" Card

I haven't done much stamping lately - I've had other things going on.  I did make this card last week from my "card parts" pile, though.

I cut and embossed these two pieces last June at our Group Gathering.  They were done with Embosslits from Stampin' Up!  I sponged ink over them to make them less bright and to give them more depth.  I ran them through my Xyron and stuck them on white cardstock.  I cut a piece of green for the matting, then rounded only the top corners on both layers.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Birds and Hearts Anniversary - and the Making of the Card

I stopped in at Michael's on Tuesday to use my 50% off (JoAnn's) coupon, but all I got was this dollar stamp and some tape for my ATG gun.  I thought I'd give the stamp a try.

Here is how the card came about:)  I used markers to ink up the stamp.  It took six of them - not sure if I'll use the stamp again or not!  I stamped the image on a scrap piece of white, then found a scrap piece of turquoise to mat it with.  I decided the edges should be punched, so I used a Fiskars punch.  The punch can do just the straight edge or it can do a corner, also.  I did one side, then while doing the other side, I pressed the wrong piece and made a couple tiny dents.  Oops!  Hence the ribbon - covered it up nicely.  I happened to notice my crimper, so I used it on the turquoise piece.  The white piece got smaller when I punched it, so the matting could get smaller with the crimper.  Without thinking of what the image was, I just dug out a birthday sentiment.  As soon as I stamped it, I said, "Duh!  That's not a birthday image!!"  So I stamped a new sentiment and figured I better add a little punched border so it didn't look "added on."  (Even though it was!)  I mounted the entire panel on Dimensionals and poof - the card was done!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Repeat Impressions - Casing Joy!

Today brings another Repeat Impressions challenge to CASE one of our Rock Stars.  This time it's Joy you will be CASEing.  Here is the card she created for us to CASE:
Please visit the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built, for the details and to see what the other designers have created.  One random participant from this month will win a full sheet of unmounted rubber - definitely worth playing for! You can also check out the other creations by following these links.

I believe the patterned paper I used on my card is from Stampin' Up!  (It was blog candy, so I'm not 100% positive.) My matting is Real Red from SU! and the card base is Very Vanilla.  The buttons are also from SU!  The sentiment is from Repeat Impressions.  I cut the mat and the sentiment panel with a die from Papertrey Ink.  I trimmed down the sentiment to allow the matting to show. Oh, and I punched the border with a Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Fall-To Layout Birthday

I made this card for the Clean&Simple Stamping blog's Fall-To Layout # 123.

All the paper I used is from a Die Cuts With a View Green Stack.  I cut the star with a QuicKutz die.  I sponged Chocolate Chip ink around the edges.  The scrolly design came on the paper.  The sentiment stamp is from Stampendous.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Monday, January 17, 2011

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week - Rose Window

Wow, where does the time go???  It's Monday again already.  But at least there is something to look forward to - a new Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week!  This week's stamp is called 917-I, Rose Window, and you can find it on this page. (The Single Rose stamp that I used is also on that page.)  You can find all the details you need to purchase this stamp at 50% off (through next Sunday) on the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built.  Check out what the other design team members have created with this beautiful stamp, too!  (And be sure to read all the way to the end of my post for a few Repeat Impressions reminders.)  

I made a card new to me for this week.  It's from my stamping group.  It's our challenge for the end of the month - oops!  (Sorry ladies, mine is early!)  The panel with the sentiment and Single Roses is actually attached to the inside of the card, as you can see from these other pictures.  (I adhered it to the inside of the back of the card, and then put a piece of white cardstock over it.)  I stamped the images and colored them with markers. (I used Copics, but I need to get more, now that I have a few!)  The matting is all black.  I also added a few scored lines with my Scor-Pal.

A few Repeat Impressions reminders:  You still have until 5:00 p.m. EST tomorrow to make your card for the CASE challenge.  This week it's me you will be casing:)  You can find those details on this post.  A whole sheet of unmounted stamps is up for grabs!  There is still another week to make and upload your card for the WHAT IF? Wednesday challenge.  Those details are here.  One random winner will receive a $25 gift certificate.  Also - are you interested in being on the Repeat Impressions Design Team - want to be  Rock Star?  Wendy is looking for one new designer.  The details for her design team call are in this post.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Two Pink Flower Cards

I have two cards to share with you today - both using the same flower from Martha Stewart.  I HAVE to start using up some of my supplies!

This first one was done for the Featured Stamper on SplitCoastStampers.  This week's FS is "whoistracy."  I chose this card to case.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

This second one is just a simple card, and a layout I've used several times.  I embossed the circles with a small Cuttlebug folder and added the flowers.  The matting is the same as the first card - Pretty in Pink from Stampin' up!.  The sentiment is again from PTI's Birthday Basics.

For those who asked, I'll try to explain how I emboss with the small folders and don't get the lines from the edges of the folder.  I took some heavy cereal box cardboard and cut four layers and glued them together.  They are smaller than the folder.  It is about 3/16 of an inch thick.  I place it on top of the folder, making sure that it does not hang over the edge of the folder.  Then I run it through my BIGkick.  You'd have to experiment with your "sandwich," but I use Tab One and one clear plate.  That's what works for me.  I hope that helps!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

White "Feline Better" Card

I made this card for yesterday's SplitCoastStampers Free4All challenge.  The challenge was to use at least two embossing folders.  You got "bonus" points for using one you've never used before. :)  I had never used the cat one before.


I embossed the cat first - using my cardboard "stack" on top of the folder so I didn't get the lines from the folder's edge.  Then I embossed the dots using a border folder.  I used the cardboard stack for that, too.  The sentiment (from Repeat Impressions) is stamped In Stampin' Up!'s Mauve Mist.  The entire front panel is mounted on Dimensionals.


Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Baptism

A quick and easy baptism card.  Not sure if our new grandson will get this one, or if I'll make him a different one.

The stamps are all from the Stampin' Up! set called Special Blessings.  I stamped the dove with Memories Soft Silver ink.  I cut the image and the mat with Nestabilities.  The matting and the bottom are shimmery silver.  I embossed the bottom with a Fiskars texture plate.  That's it!  Oh, the image panel is also mounted on Dimensionals.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Valentine - Flourishes Challenge

I really love visiting the blogs of Dawn Burnworth (My Stamping Thyme) and Leslie Miller (Running With Scissors) every day.  They both design for Flourishes and do SUCH beautiful work.  I saw the Flourishes challenge was to use red, pink and white and I just had to join in.  I had made a card like this one for the Creating Everlasting Memories eBay store, but it had no pink in it. So, I made another one.

The hearts were cut with a Quickutz die set (soon to be available in the CEM store) out of Stampin' Up!'s Pink Pirouette and Real Red cardstock and also white.  The card base is Papertrey Ink's Stampers Select.  I decided to put a strip of color behind the hearts, since they were white.  I mounted the hearts on foam squares.  The sentiment is from a dollar set from JoAnn's.  

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Repeat Impressions WHAT IF? Wednesday


It's another Wednesday, and by now you know what that means - a new challenge from Repeat Impressions.  This week it's our WHAT IF? Wednesday challenge.  Wendy cooks up a sketch and we follow it.  Then we ask YOU to play along! Here is this week's sketch:
You can find all the necessary details on the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built.  You can also see the creations of the other Rock Stars.  Or, you can follow these links. You have almost two weeks to get your entry in.  One random participant will be chosen to receive a $25 Repeat Impressions gift certificate.
Ayana ~ Dana ~ Darsie ~ Harriet ~Joy ~ Maki ~ Michele ~ Robin

For my card, I used 2423-L, Under the Sea.  i colored it with Stampin' Up! markers and cut it with Nestabilities.  Before removing from the die, I sponged with Tempting Turquoise ink.  After coloring and sponging, I inked up the whole thing with a Versamark pad and embossed with Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder.  Then I embossed twice with thick embossing powder.  I double matted with turquoise and black.  The turquoise strip is embossed with a Fiskars texture plate and also matted with black.  I also added my Dew Drops.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

You have until Tuesday to participate in the RI CASE challenge.  You can find those details here.  The card to case this time is by me:)  The winner of that challenge wins an entire sheet of unmounted rubber!

Have you heard?  Repeat Impressions is looking for a new Rock Star/Design Team member!  If you are interested, you can find the details in this post.  Why not go for it???

Also, a reply to my "anonymous" poster's comment about this post: 1) The embossing folder used on the first card is by Sizzix.  2) The only stamping on the third card is the sentiment.  All of the other images are on the cardstock:)  The matstack is from a Die Cuts With a View - The Green Stack.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Birthday Flowers

A Clean and Simple birthday card for a friend.

The stamps are both from a Fiskars stamp set and I used Versamagic ink.  I first stamped the flowers with Spring Pansy, then stamped over the flower centers with Purple Hydrangea.  I also stamped in the open circles with Spanish Olive.  I scored lines beside the flowers and matted with Old Olive cardstock.  The sentiment is stamped with Spanish Olive, also.  The butterflies are punched from Perfect Plum with a Martha Stewart punch.  I added tiny green pearls for the bodies.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week - Morning Glories

This week's Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week is Morning Glories.  For this week (through Sunday) you can purchase this stamp for 50% off.  Visit the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built, for details.  Also check out what the other Rock Stars have created using this pretty stamp.
I colored my image with Stampin' Up! markers. I cut the squares with Nestabilities.  I added scored lines on two sides with my Scor-Pal.  The matting on both white layers is SU! Perfect Plum.  The bottom layer is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.  I also added a couple scored lines in the non-embossed section.  The sentiment is from Repeat Impressions.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Four Miscellaneous Cards

 
 I have a few more cards that I made for the Creating Everlasting Memories eBay store.  (You can find the link to the store, and the auctions that I have cards for, at the top of my blog - just above the most recent post.)  I won't list all the "recipes" but if you have questions, please feel free to ask!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!