L is for Lovely Lattice

How can you prepare a beautiful card in a matter of minutes? With the new Stampin‘ Up! Lattice Bigz Die…That’s how! I love my Big Shot, so I was excited when I received my new catalog and saw all of the wonderful new products for use with it. Over the next few days, not only will I be preparing samples with my new stamp sets and Designer Series Papers, but I will include projects made with a variety of the new Bigz, Embosslits, Embossing Folders, and the newest Texturz Plates. Yesterday it was “D is for Dog”. Today it is “L is for Lovely Lattice”!

  • Prepare a 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ card base from Textured Whisper White card stock. (Tip: Since there is a lot of white space, using textured card stock adds…well, texture!)

  • Using the Eyelet Border Punch, punch a Whisper White strip and a Melon Mambo strip. Add to the card base as illustrated.

  • Run a piece of Whisper White regular card stock through the Big Shot, using the new Stampin‘ Up! Lattice Bigz Die. Mat onto Melon Mambo, followed by Bermuda Bay. Adhere to the card base.

  • Ink the “For You” sentiment from Great Friend with Bermuda Bay and stamp onto Whisper White. (As many of you know, there was a problem with the original formulation of the Bermuda Bay ink. Stampin‘ Up has taken care of this problem and will be sending out replacements.) Punch out with the Large Oval Punch, and layer onto Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay scalloped ovals punched with the Scallop Oval Punch. (I offset the scallops, and also popped them up with Stampin‘ Dimensionals.)

  • Add a snippet of Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. Position and attach the sentiment ovals.

How easy was that? Yet, it gives the illusion of taking much longer to create. Without a doubt, there is a built-in “WOW” factor with the Lattice die. I debated on whether to add extra “bling” in the form of a Clear Rhinestone Brad, and decided to let the lovely latticework stand on its own merits.
Thank you for all of the kind comments and comforting emails that I have received yesterday and today. It’s amazing how supportive the stamping community is! Sometimes we underestimate the difference the kindness of virtual strangers can make …
So, what is in store for tomorrow? Will the science teacher in me select “Nature’s Nest” or “Perfect Chemistry”? Or will the Iowa farm girl take over and give you a taste of “Farm Life”? Will it be “Pendant Park” or “Peace Within”? To be truthful, I never know where my creative journey will lead! Remember, your comments and emails are important to me, so please leave me a quick comment to let me know what you think of today’s card…or just a quick “Hi!” Until next time…


Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Great Friend (113792)
Ink: Bermuda Bay (115655)
Card Stock: Whisper White Textured (108693—Neutrals Assorted Pack), Whisper White (100730), Melon Mambo (115320), Bermuda Bay (115317)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Lattice Bigz Die (115958), Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Large Oval Punch (107305)
Embellishments: Bermuda Bay ½” Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115610)
Other: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

D is for Dog

It seems only appropriate that the first of my new stamp sets that I would use is “D is for Dog”. As a dog lover, this was a “must have” set for me. The fun paper that I used is from the Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper, and it seemed to work perfectly for this week’s Mojo Monday sketch.
  • Prepare a standard card base from textured Ruby Red and score at the top.
  • Use the Corner Rounder on the bottom corners.
  • Layer with “Multicolor Striped” paper from Autumn Traditions, once again rounding the lower two corners.
  • The vertical block is “Elegant Eggplant Dotted” paper, once again from Autumn Traditions, matted with Eggplant.
  • The horizontal strips are textured Elegant Eggplant card stock and a snippet of one of the new Orchard Ribbon Originals.
  • Ink the “Dog” image from the D is for Dog stamp set with Soft Suede and stamp onto Whisper White. Mat with More Mustard.
  • Ink the “D is for Dog” sentiment with Elegant Eggplant and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch with 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, and “pop” onto a Ruby Red circle by using a Stampin’ Dimensional.
  • Ink the “Bone” with Soft Suede and stamp onto Whisper White. Cut out with Paper Snips. Using Linen Thread, tie onto a round Clear Button.
  • Position all of the elements according to the illustration, and adhere to the card base.
It has been difficult getting my “mojo” going. Over the past few weeks, our beloved Boxer, Missy, started developing some health problems. After a series of testing, the vet ruled out diabetes as well as liver and kidney dysfunctions. However, a few days ago I noticed that her right eye was beginning to bulge. Further diagnostic tests have concluded that she has a tumor on her pituitary gland. My family and I have agonized for the past two days over what decisions we will make. Missy is 11, and at her age is not considered a candidate for brain surgery. Currently we are administering eye drops to reduce the pressure in her eye, and according to the vet she is not in any pain. She will be monitored by the vet on a weekly basis, and when her quality of life slips, we will do what we must do…It’s hard knowing that the time you have left with a loved one is coming to an end. Rationally, you know that pets do not live forever, but that does not prepare you for when their time comes. I know that this is not what people what to read when they come to stamping blog, but it is something that I needed to share with you as I try to get over the emotional roller coaster that I have been on for the past few days…
As always, I do appreciate your comments. Until next time…


Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: D is for Dog (115784)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657), Elegant Eggplant (105210)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Traditions (115668)
Card Stock: Ruby Red Textured (108697—Earth Elements Assorted Pack), More Mustard (100946), Elegant Eggplant Textured (108696—Rich Regals Assorted Pack), Whisper White (100730)
Tools: Corner Rounder Punch (109047), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), 1-3/8 Circle Punch (104401)
Embellishments: Orchard Ribbon Originals (116232), Clear Buttons (105447), Linen Thread (104199)

Seeing Red, White and Blue

I was in a quandry when faced with the Our Creative Corner challenge this week. It sounded easy enough…just use red, white and blue in a card! It didn’t even have to be patriotic. But for a person who typically does not design cards in this color palette, trust me…it was a challenge. Thankfully, Mary Fish provided the inspiration that I needed. She has been able to rock the new stamp set, Circle Circus, and I used the “medallion” idea on her “Three Ring Circus” card as a starting point! Thanks, Mary!

  • Prepare a standard card base from textured Whisper White card stock.

  • Layer with Real Red and Night of Navy Textured card stock, which have been rounded on opposite corners with the Corner Rounder. Adhere to the card base.

  • Place Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon across the bottom as illustrated.

  • Ink the selected Circle Circus stamps with Real Red and stamp onto Whisper White. (Note: The circles were either hand trimmed or punched using the appropriate size circle punch. Several were given the “bling” treatment with Red Circle Fire Brads.)

  • For the large focal circle, I stamped the image twice, using Real Red on Whisper White. One image was punched out using the Scallop Circle Punch. The second was punched with the 1″ Circle Punch. A 1-1/4″ Night of Navy circle was punched and layered over the scalloped punch image. The 1″ punched image was then layered on the cardstock to create this stunning embellishment.

  • The Butterfly image from Great Friend was inked with Real Red and stamped onto Whisper White. It was trimmed using Paper Snips and placed into position with Mini Glue Dots.

  • The circles and medallion were popped onto the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

  • Ink the {friend to friend} sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Real Red and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch out with the Word Window Punch and position on the ribbon.
Even though these colors were not my cup of tea, I am now envisioning this card in other colors, like Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay! In fact, I am finally getting a little excited about Circle Circus and its possibilities…thanks to the “Creative Corner Ladies”!
Your comments and emails are important to me! Please feel free to leave me a comment or email me. Until next time…


Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Circle Circus (115778), Great Friend (113792)
Ink: Real Red (103133)
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Whisper White Textured (108693—Neutrals Assorted Pack), Night of Navy Textured (108696—Rich Regals Assorted Pack), Real Red (102482)
Tools: Word Window Punch (105090), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1” Circle Punch (109046), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), Paper Snips (103579)
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109052), Circle Fire Brads (109110)