I have always admired those stampers who could combine multiple challenges into one card. Today I almost succeeded! Using the Mojo Monday sketch as my basis, I attempted to couple it with the Our Creative Corner “Purple Challenge”. However, I had to add a “pop” of yellow to that sea of purple! The flowers cascading from the circle were stamped from the Greenhouse Garden set. Typically I am not a fan of Two-Step Stampin‘ , but this set has converted me. The pattern paper is from one of my new favorite collections, Cottage Wall!

• Prepare a standard card base from Rich Razzleberry, and score at the top. Layer with “Striped” Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper, to which a snippet of Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon has been added.
• Set the Circle Scissors Plus at 2-3/4″ and cut a circle from Whisper White. Stamp with an assortment of Greenhouse Garden flowers, as illustrated. Also stamp a variety of flowers onto Whisper White and snip out with Paper Snips. The color combinations which I used were: Lavender Lace and Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo, Pale Plum and Elegant Eggplant, Barely Banana and Crushed Curry, Barely Banana and Perfect Plum. (Tip: Use the lighter inks for the flowers and darker inks for the detail stamps. Of course, the Stamp-a-ma-jig is a necessity for perfect placement of the detail stamps.)
• Set the Circle Scissors Plus at 3″ and cut a circle from the light “Lavender Floral” paper from Cottage Wall. I selected a section which did not have any pattern on it for my circle. I loved how this color coordinated with the rest of the card, so I just had to use it!
• Mat the Whisper White circle onto the Lavender Floral circle. Attach the snipped flowers, popping the larger one on with a Stampin‘ Dimensional.
• Mat a square of Rich Razzleberry textured card stock onto Barely Banana. Subsequently mat this onto a square of “Geometric Orchid” Cottage Wall paper, which has been layered onto Rich Razzleberry card stock. Attach these layers to the card base as illustrated.
• Adhere the floral circle section as the final step, positioning it on top of the textured Rich Razzleberry. (Because I always like a little “bling”, I added Micro Beads to the centers of the flowers….Adding Micro Beads is so easy! Just use Tombow Adhesive, add the beads and remove the excess.)

I loved the end product, and how it appears that the flowers are cascading from the circle. I hope the Our Creative Corner crew forgives my touch of Barely Banana in the “Purple Challenge”! Speaking of challenges, there is still time to participate in the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. You have until Noon (CST) Tuesday to submit your entry.

Missy the Boxer Update: Missy went back to the veterinarian today for her check-up. She is feeling so much better. We seem to be able to control her symptoms with her meds, which is excellent news! And my rib is feeling much better, too! I do have to watch how I twist, but I am feeling much better than I would have thought in this short amount of time!

I hope that you enjoyed today’s card showcasing the Garden Greenhouse set. Hopefully I will have a creation for you tomorrow. However, over the next two days, I do have to take time out for some medical tests. After age 55, if it’s not one thing…it’s another! Remember, as I always remind you, your comments and emails are important to me! And, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask! Until next time…

Stamp Set: Greenhouse Garden (113824)
Inks: Lavender Lace (101305), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Pretty in Pink (101301), Melon Mambo (115656), Pale Plum (102732), Elegant Eggplant (105210), Barely Banana (101170), Crushed Curry (115659), Perfect Plum (101437)
Designer Paper: Cottage Wall (115671)
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Rich Razzleberry Textured (115538—In-Colors Assorted), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Barely Banana (102701)
Tools: Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Paper Snips (103579), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Embellishments: Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613), Micro Beads (104266)
Other: Tombow Adhesive (110755), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

The phrase “Bird in a Gilded Cage” popped into my head today. I don’t know why I even thought of it. However, it provided me with the inspiration for today’s card. “Chic Boutique” has become one of my new “go-to” sets of late, so I inked up the “Birdcage” in preparation for a little heat embossing. Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper and custom made “gold” brads were the perfect complement, with just a pop of color provided by Bermuda Bay.

• Prepare a standard card base from Chocolate Chip, and score at the top. Round all four corners with the Corner Rounder.
• Layer with a selection from Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, once again rounding all four corners.
• Run a strip of Bermuda Bay card stock through the Big Shot, along with the “Small Dot” Texturz Plate from Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds 1. Mat onto Chocolate Chip. Add a snippet of Chocolate Chip ribbon from Masterpiece Ribbon Originals, and adhere to the card base.
• Ink the “Birdcage” image from Chic Boutique with VersaMark ink. Sprinkle with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Tap to remove the excess, and heat with the Heat Tool. Round opposite corners, and mat onto Chocolate Chip, once again rounding opposite corners. Adhere to the card base.
• Ink the “Flourish” stamp from Chic Boutique with VersaMark, and follow the same procedure for heat embossing. Snip out with Paper Snips. Mat onto Chocolate Chip and snip out again.
• Ink the “Merci” stamp with Chocolate Chip and use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to place it perfectly in the center of the gilded flourish. “Pop” onto the card base with a Stampin’ Dimensional.
• For the final “Midas Touch”, gild two Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware Brads by coating them with VersaMark ink, dipping them into Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder and heating. (Be careful, as the Heat Tool gets incredibly hot. I actually held my brads with tongs.) Position as illustrated to add balance.

Stamp Set: Chic Boutique (113744)
Designer Series Paper: Thoroughly Modern (115673)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Chocolate Chip (102128), Bermuda Bay (115317)
Inks: VersaMark (102283), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Corner Rounder (109047), Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates (114512), Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (114614), Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (114615)
Embellishments: Masterpiece Ribbon Originals (116230), Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware (112454), Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109129)

If you want to know why reading can be hazardous to your health, the answer is at the end of this post. But first…there is still time to participate in the first Pals Paper Arts color challenge. Incorporating two of my favorite In-Colors (Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo) with a touch of Chocolate Chip for added flavor, this week’s challenge is a treat to create. Mr. Linky will not close until Noon (CST) on Tuesday, with the Pals Picks being released on Wednesday. Of course, new challenges will always be announced at 5:oo am (CST) on Thursdays. Rumor has it that our second challenge will be a …Oops! You will just have to wait a few more days to find out!

Do you love card making and scrapbooking? Would you like to receive a 20% discount on all your favorite Stampin’ Up! products? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may want to consider taking advantage of Stampin’ Up!s Mini Starter Kit Special. Until August 31st, you can start your own Stampin’ Up! business for only $85. Here is what you will receive for your investment:

For All You Do stamp set

• All six In-Color Classic Stampin’ Pads (Bahama Bay, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede)
• Whisper White Card Stock (8-1/2” x 11”)
• In-Color Assorted Card Stock (8-1/2” x 11”)
• Business Tools including (8) 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalogs, 8 Holiday Mini catalogs, 50 Customer forms, Getting Started DVD and more!

And if this is not enough, the Standard Starter Kit is available for $199…with incentives including all 6 In-Color Stamp Pads plus a package of 8-1/2” x 11” Assorted In-Color Card Stock…a $43.65 value! The Standard Starter Kit contains:

• Four Stamp Sets: Fun & Fast Notes, On a Pedestal, Eastern Blooms, Fundamental Phrases, Teeny Tiny Wishes, plus Elegant Thank You (Note: You can substitute for sets of your choice up to the value of the substituted set)
• Stampin’ Around Wheel: Fast Flowers (or standard wheel of your choice)
• Stampin’ Around Wheel Handle
• Stampin’ Around Ink Cartridge in Pixie Pink (or color of your choice)
• Stampin’ Pastels
• Blender Pens
• VersaMark Ink
• 5 Classic Stampin’ Pads (Basic Black, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Pixie Pink or five colors of your choice)
• Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin’ Mist
• 2 packages of Bold Brights 8-1/2” x 11” Card Stock, or color family of your choice
• Whisper White Card Stock or color of your choice (up to $7.50)
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Eastern Blooms and Décor Elements Applicator
• 8 Catalogs, plus forms and business tools

All of this, plus the incentives, is only $199, plus tax…SHIPPING IS INCLUDED!

You might be thinking, “I would love the products, but I really do not want to do workshops.” There is no obligation to hold workshops and no penalty for dropping your demonstrator status. However, to keep your demonstrator benefits and discounts, you will need to reach a $300 quarterly minimum. This can be achieved either through workshops or personal purchases. If you join my group, I will be there every step of the way to coach you and answer your questions. The first TEN people to contact me for the necessary password to order your Starter Kit will receive a free, retired unmounted SAB stamp set from my “collection” AND if you are among the first FIVE to join my group, I will provide you with a free set of In-Color Markers, too! Email me if you have questions about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator. I would love to talk with you about this opportunity!

And now for the story you have been waiting for! I am sorry that I have no card to post today! I always feel guilty when I don’t make a card. But I do have a reasonable excuse…I have some “rib” issues! In a freak accident, I fractured a rib while reading in bed! I never knew that reading could be hazardous to your health. I was spending a few leisurely minutes reading before retiring the other evening. Of course, after a busy day of stamping, I was exhausted…so exhausted that I fell asleep with my book. Everything was fine until my husband was getting ready to leave for work the following morning. As is the routine, I rolled over to bid him goodby and rolled right onto the corner of the book, which jabbed me in the ribs. I suffered through the day before I admitted to myself that there really was something wrong. (You know how we women are!) I had a pretty good idea of what the problem was when it hurt to laugh, move, and breathe. This will be a story I’m sure will be passed down to future generations in our family! What a klutz! Until next time…