Bella Toile Happy Anniversary

Bella Toile turned out to be one of my go-to stamps during the early months of this year. I especially loved it when paired with the sentiments from Sinceres Salutations, the French version of Sincere Salutations. These pearls were from the now retired Pretties Kit. Wow…could I ever have fun making this card today with Early Espresso (in place of the Chocolate Chip) and Basic Pearls!

During April, I was in a floral mood as the dreary month of March marched into Spring!

Monochromatic Blues

It’s Bella Toile popping up again in the month of April! Its “smooched” rose and texture are my favorite elements of this card. To update, I would substitute Very Vanilla for the Whisper White cardstock, add a wider satin ribbon, lace, and maybe a few pearls or an Antique Brad.

Elements of Style

Black and white, with a pop of pink! Texture, pearls and a yummy bow! These pearls, from the now retired Pretties Kit, would today be replaced with…you guessed it…Basic Pearls!

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Starting December 17, 2010-January 24, 2011, get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons–a $4.95 value–when you purchase the Filled with Love Bundle. Also included is the Filled with Love Stamp Set (your choice of clear or wood) and the exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper!

Two-Step Bird Valentine

Although some of the products used in making this card are now retired, the layout is classic. Simply switch out the Designer Series Paper and sentiment for an instant update! And instead of Real Red, substitute Cherry Cobbler! Yummy!

Butterflies of the Heart

Off to School
The Twins will be starting Obedience School Monday. Puppies just grow up so quickly, don’t they? At 18 weeks, they are approaching 33 pounds. To put this into perspective, what you see is Brody’s foot compared to my hand. Yet, they still want to sit on mom’s lap. I held each one for possibly the last time Tuesday evening. In fact, Brody insisted on using the computer as he sat on my lap. He is such a helpful lad. And I do believe that Muffy is going to be an interior decorator when she grows up. She has rearranged all of the rugs and accent pillows in the living room. She thinks they look much better piled up in the middle of the floor. She prefers the minimalistic look, as she seems to be satisfied now that I have put away any little knick-knacks, afghans, large area rugs, baskets, and anything else that can be chewed on, knocked over, or carried away. Oh…and the stockings that were hung by the chimney with care? Forget those…

Filled with Love Promotion

Starting December 17, 2010-January 24, 2011, get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons–a $4.95 value–when you purchase the Filled with Love Bundle. Also included is the Filled with Love Stamp Set (your choice of clear or wood) and the exclusive Love Patterns Designer Series Paper!

Need a Occasions Mini and Sale-a-bration Brochure? Email me for your free copy! I would be more than willing to help you select the right product for the perfect card.

Gift Certificates are available in any amount! Email me with your request today.

I have 10 more months to go in my 2010 retrospective! I hope you will join me on Saturday as I select my favorite for March! (Check the archives and see if you can guess which one or ones I picked.) As always, your comments are important to me, and I do read each and every one! And if there is ever any question that you may have about the cards that I make or the techniques that I use, please do not hesitate to email me. Until next time…

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“Get Your Lace in Place” is the theme of this week’s Pals Paper Arts Challenge. Not only does this week’s inspiration card feature lace…in Blushing Bride, I might add…but it also includes a peek at the new Easter Blossom stamp set and Rosette embellishments from the Occasions Mini catalog. With cameos being predicted as one of the new design trends, I could not resist the urge to experiment with this card. Take a break from holiday cards, and enjoy this breath of spring!

The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips:

• Dye it—try it! Victoria Crochet Trim is lovely in vanilla, but sometimes a snippet of lace in a different color is what your design desires! Just ink up the Brayer with your chosen color and apply it directly to the lace. That’s how I achieved the Blushing Bride lace on today’s card. It’s so easy…I wonder why I didn’t try it before!
• Rosettes! The Occasions Mini features adorable ribbon flowers in three different size. Although the Mini suggests that you die them any color you wish with Classic Stampin’ Ink, I just colored them with Blushing Bride and Bashful Blue Stampin’ Write Markers…with less mess! Aren’t they gorgeous with their Basic Pearl centers!

• Don’t “Leaf it” alone! Certainly Celery leaves were quickly punched using the Two-Step Bird Punch and distressed with Soft Suede. A Stylus was used to add a midrib. For a touch of shine, they were “smooched” with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.
• Create a cameo! The Silhouette image from Easter Blossoms was inked with Early Espresso and stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock. It was snipped out and popped up on a textured oval created with the Big Shot and the Ovals Originals Die. The large oval is the perfect size! Hint: Before inking up my stamp, I roughed it up using a Sanding Block so that the ink would adhere better!
• Get real! For a more realistic look, the Dogwood image was colored using three different shades of pink Stampin’ Write Markers: Blushing Bride, Pretty in Pink, and Pink Pirouette.
• Back to the the Basics! Basic Pearls adorn the centers of select blossoms, and fill the basket!

I hope you enjoyed seeing the new Easter Blossoms set. Think of the possibilities with this image! Imagine filling the basket with bitty flowers instead of eggs for a spring birthday card. How pretty would that be! And what about those Rosettes!

Blog Candy Winner

The winner of yesterday’s Bling Blog Candy, as randomly selected, is:

#20
Holly AKA KopyKat said…
Love these beautiful rosettes and the colors. Can’t wait to see the rest of the card! Second, I cannot beleave someone did not claim their prize last week, but that means more for this week! And it’s a wonderful blog candy of card candy!

Congratulations, Holly! Just email your address to me within 48 hours, and I will send out your bling pronto!

So…what did you think of the Rosettes and this new stamp set? Just leave me a comment to let me know. Your comments are very important to me. And remember, if you ever have a questions about the cards that I create or the techniques that I use, I am only an email away! Tomorrow: My February Faves! Until next time…

Click Here to Order Stampin’ Up! 24/7

Stamp Set: Easter Blossoms (W 121905; C 122057…Occasions Mini, available January 4th); Inks: Early Espresso (119670), Soft Suede (115657), Blushing Bride (119786); Stampin’ Write Markers: Blushing Bride (119801—Set of 5 In-Colors), Pretty in Pink (100045), Pink Pirouette (120969), Bashful Blue (105111); Card Stock: Chocolate Chip (102128), Blushing Bride (119796), Very Vanilla (101650); Tools: Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impression Embossing Folder (119976), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Ovals Originals Die (114525), Two Step Bird Punch (117191), Stylus (100663); Glitz and Glam: Rosettes (118774…Occasions Mini, available January 4th), Basic Pearls (119247), Victoria Crochet 5/8″ Trim (118481)