Super Sparkly Chipboard Card

Have you ever been working on a card (or other project) and thought "this is not turning out cute" and then ended up totally loving the final result? Well, this card was exactly like that for me! I wanted to experiment using this chipboard shape. I started by picking my colors--I really love the colors of the Bali Breeze DSP, so I decided to use those. I coated the chipboard with white craft ink--I used a sponge to transfer it from the ink pad to the chipboard. Craft ink is chalkier and doesn't sink into the chipboard like classic ink would. When that was dry I sponged Pumpkin Pie ink over the white. Then I covered it in Crystal Effects. This served two purposes. It really brightened up the Pumpkin Pie ink and also allowed me to apply Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I LOVE that stuff! My two current loves are Dazzling Diamonds glitter and Kraft cardstock (which I used as the base of the card.)

I put a piece of Bali Breeze DSP behind the chipboard to make the flower shape stand out and then added a brad from the Silver HodgePodge Hardware. I added a peice of ribbon and a sentiment from Short and Sweet (using Tempting Turquoise ink). I felt like the top of the card looked pretty empty, so I used my paper peircing tool and a white gel pen to add faux stitching across the top.

I'm planning a class using chipboard that I'm really excited about. I should be posting those pictures in a couple of days so be sure to check back--it's gonna be super cute (and I can say that because the idea came from my upline, Dannie)

Last of the 3x3 Set

Before I move on to chipboard projects, here is the last of the 3x3 cards that I included in the tin shown previously:
Once again, this card uses the retired Simply Scrappin' kit Friends and Flowers, along with the Sweet Celebrations stamp set (my new favorite, by the way!)

Get on Board with Chipboard!

Check out the great new specials for May!

Get On Board With Chipboard:
With any $35 purchase, add as many chipboard products to your order as you would like--all at 25% off! It's a great time to stock up on any chipboard you might want to use in your cardmaking, scrapbooking, or decorating projects. Chipboard is located on pages 178-179 of the SU! catalog. Click on the link to the left for an online version.

Cutting Combo Pack:
Buy a cutting mat ($15.95) and recieve a hobby blade FREE! These are shown on page 184 of the catalog.


Here are some great projects using chipboard to inspire you. I've included the links to the wonderful blogs I found them on.


This card uses a chipboard flower, part of the On Board Accents set. Just top with some designer paper, and glitter and ta-da! http://www.verastamps.com/2008/04/13/fs62/


These hearts are included in the On Board Simon Upper set. So stunning! These hearts were inked and covered in embossing powder to make them shine. http://fatcatstamper.blogspot.com/2008/03/glitter-makes-for-happy-hearts.html
Chipboard doesn't need to be altered to be beautiful! http://kennyandlauren.com/blog/?p=212 This is an altered art journal. These are available in two sizes and are filled with paper. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/803410?si=chipboard%20book SU! also has Chipboard clipboards and Chipboard sheets which can be cut or used to create your own albums or banners. I will continue to post projects that include chipboard throughout the week : ).

The Second 3x3 in the Set

Here's the second card from the Friends & Flowers tin:
All of the elements in this card came from the Friends & Flowers Simply Scrappin kit, except for the sentiment (Short & Sweet) and the faux stitching. The kit is retired, but all of the Simply Scrappin' kits are totally awesome for scrapbooking or creating coordinating cards. Enjoy!

First Friends & Flowers 3x3

Here is the first of the three cards that I put in the tin that I posted yesterday. This Simply Scrappin' kit is retired, but the layout of the cards is easily adaptable : )The base of the card is So Saffron cardstock. I layered Certainly Celery cardstock on that. I used the same cardstocks to make the medallion, using the Sweet Celebrations stamp set. I used Pumpkin Pie ink on the So Saffron layer and Certainly Celery ink on the Certainly Celery layer. I added some So Saffron brads to the corners. Everything else came with the kit!

I Am Way Too Picky!

Ok, so I went over to my neighbor's house and borrowed this box back because I just had to decorate the outside of the box! It only took a few minutes but now I am totally satisfied!

Stamp Meeting Challenge

My stamp group's challenge for this month is to do something with a tin BESIDES put chocolate in it. I needed to create a thank you gift for someone, so I killed two birds with one stone and made this:

I know my idea was certainly not very original, but it sure looks cute! I created six 3x3 cards (2 each of 3 designs) and made some paper shred to keep them in place. I also added some rub ons to the tin (from the Love and Happiness set). I would have loved to wrap a ribbon around the tin--maybe some pumpkin pie ribbon, but I didn't have any colors on hand that would have looked good. In hindsight, I should have put some adhesive die cut borders around it. Oh, well. I already gave it away!

I have to thank Tara at Stampalicious for the blog candy she gave away a couple of weeks ago. Here is all of the fun stuff she sent me:

As a new demo, these supplies are a total score for me! I had seen this Simply Scrappin' kit a lot on Splitcoast and totally loved it, but it is retired. I was so excited to win it! Thanks, Tara!

I used that Simply Scrappin' kit to create the cards in the tin. I'll be posting each of those throughout the week so you can see them all : )

New April Make-and-Take

This is the card I had originally planned for the April Make-and-Take:

I decided to change it a little because I am doing a co-open house with a new neighbor of mine who has just become a Pampered Chef demonstrator. She will be having an ice-cream sundae bar where people can use the chopper and other Pampered Chef tools to prepare toppings. I will provide a make-and-take card. In the interest of time, we both cut way back on what we normally do at a home show.

Punches are one of my favorite products that Stampin' Up! sells, so I wanted to get those in the hands of our customers. I also just got a great new stamp set called "Sweet Celebrations" which I love. So, this is the new card keeping those two things in mind:

I think I like it even better than my first one! A bonus is that I don't have to change my kits at all except to add a small piece of So Saffron cardstock for the center flower. Fun stuff!

Supplies: Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, and Sage Shadow cardstock; So Saffron and Certainly Celery DSP; Certainly Celery and Close to Cocoa ink; Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon; Scalloped circle punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, 3/4 inch circle punch

Artfully Ila Sketch Meets Kwerner Color Challenge

Kristina Werner has a great color challege on her blog today--and I actually had all of the colors! They are:

Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, and Close to Cocoa. I happen to love working with these colors already!

A couple of days ago I participated in a sketch challenge at Artfully Ila. I loved the sketch so much that I decided to use it again in combination with Kristina's color challenge.

I had my friend Kari in mind as I designed this card. Her birthday was on Sunday and I didn't make her a card! It's pretty silly of me to spend time almost daily stamping and creating and then forget to make something for her : P We had a great time going out to dinner at Chili's though! So, here is my Ila/Kwerner/card for Kari creation! You can't see it so much in the photo, but I used Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the frosting and flames. The cake itself is popped up on dimensionals.

Supplies: Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White cardstock; So Saffron and Certainly Celery DSP; Bashful Blue patterned paper and Chocolate Chip scalloped adhesive die cuts from Just 4 You Simply Scrappin' kit; White gel pen for faux stitching; Fun & Fast Notes stamp set; Basic Black, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery and So Saffron ink with blender pen, Dimensionals (the cake and the blue mat are popped up); Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon; baubles

Sketch Challenge Card

If you want to see a truly beautiful and unique stamping style, check out http://artfullyila.blogspot.com/. She is a master at coloring in images--amazing stuff. I was browsing blogs today and came across a sketch challenge on her blog that I had to try. Usually I only showcase SU! products on this blog because I really feel that they are incredible. However, because I am new to this and haven't accumulated a large stash of papers and such, I decided to break my own rule a little bit on this one. Here is the sketch she provided:And here is my card--I really enjoyed this one. Lots of fun. And with so many pregnant people around, it won't be long until I can give it away!
The card base and matting for my image are Blush Blossom and Certainly Celery SU! cardstock. The patterned papers are from a set called "Nana's Nursery" by Die Cuts With a View. The flowers are from the wedding section at Michael's. They were originally a cream color and I sponged on some Certainly Celery and Regal Rose ink (I used the same colors on the stroller). The stroller is paper peiced with some of the DCWV paper. I finished it off with some faux stitching, some baubles (they come in a little plastic bottle at the scrapbook store) and some Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon. I love it! I think I'll keep it out on my desk for a while : )

Time Well Spent Hostess Gift

I have a couple more parties coming up this month and wanted to create something new to give to one of the hostesses. I decided to make this little origami box and embellish it with flowers from the Time Well Spent stamp set (just got it--I love it!).
The hostess I have in mind wants to get a scalloped circle punch so I put one of the So Many Scallops stamps in it for her. I made the box out of So Saffron DSP. I stamped the flowers in Basic Black on Whisper White cardstock. I colored in the images using a Blender Pen with Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron and Old Olive ink. I used dimensionals to pop up certain elements of the image. Then I added Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. I put a So Saffron brad in the middle of the smaller flower. The ribbon is Old Olive wide grosgrain.

Yay! My First Virtual Award

Today has been an exciting day for me! First off, I won blog candy from Tara over at Stampalicious. What a generous give-away! I felt so lucky (and I never win anything!)

Then, my upline Dannie at http://danniesdesigns.typepad.com/ nominated me for an award. Isn't she great? Dannie's blog is what inspired me to start stamping and to become a Stampin' Up demo and I am having a ball!

Here are the guidelines for the award:

1. You pick 5 blogs that you think deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material and also contribute to the blogging community.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and the link to the blog that has given her/him the award itself.

4. Award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of the Art Y Pico blog.

So, I feel pretty spoiled today. Here are my pics (some of these people probably have no idea who I am, but oh well):

1. Jo at http://stampin-n-stuff.blogspot.com/. I came across Jo's blog while looking around on SCS. She is a newbie like me and everything she makes is adorable.

2.Tara at http://stamp-a-licious.blogspot.com/. I have her blog on my "visit daily" list. She makes the most wonderful things and there is always something new to see.

3. Ila at http://artfullyila.blogspot.com/ I just recently found her blog, and WOW! She has a style that is unique and truly beautiful.

4. Lauren at http://www.kennyandlauren.com/blog/ You know how there are blogs you visit where every new post leaves you saying "that is soooooo cute?". Well, here you have it.

5. Lauraly at http://justgivemestamps.typepad.com/. Once again, super talented. I've been looking at her blog for quite a while now and never fail to be inspired!

The Cutest Non-Stamp Related Thing Ever!

Ok, I know this is a stamping blog, but you guys have got to see these cute, cute things!
The recipe is on http://www.marthastewart.com/ and you can find it along with a video, here. I can't wait to try making these for someone. I figured that if you're stopping by here, you are a fellow crafty person and will appreciate cute things as much as I do!

Cute Little Door Prizes

I have a few parties coming up, so I whipped up some door prizes to give away. I found this cute little box template on the Stampin' Up Demo website. I used my new Time Well Spent set (I am soooooo loving this set, watercoloring is lots of fun!) to created flowers and butterflies for the boxes. I put a small incentive stamp inside each one. Once again, I wish you could see the dimensions a little better. I popped the flowers, the flower centers, and the butterfly wings up on dimensionals.
Supplies: Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White Stamp Set: Time Well Spent, Holiday Blitz (the Thank You) Ink: Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Old Olive, Whisper White Accessories: Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Mother's Day Workshop

For Mother's Day this year I will be having a workshop to make these cute Hershey's Nugget tins and coordinating cards:

If it is hard to see in the photo, the card says "my Mom" and at the bottom "always on my mind-forever in my heart".

The cost of the class will be $8 for each set you make. The class will be held on Friday, May 2nd at 7:00 and money will be due April 25th (a week before the class) so that I can order enough supplies for everyone. Class size is limited, so leave me a reply if you'd like to attend!

Make and Take for April Classes

I just got the Always stamp set yesterday--yay! Everytime I saw the heart stamp on something I just had to have it, and now I do! I decided to use it for the April party make-and-takes and came up with this little card:

I, of course, love the way the heart looks but I also really like the color combination. I cut out the elements to assemble 20 of these little treasures tonight. I can tell you that SU scissors are indeed very sharp! No wonder they cut through rubber like butter. I'm used to crappy scissors, so I tried to get some fuzz and adhesive off with my thumb and got two nice little slices--ouch! I learned my lesson, won't be trying that cleaning technique again!

Supplies: Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla Paper: So Saffron and Certainly Celery DSP Stamp Set: Always Ink: Whisper White, Certainly Celery Accessories: Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals (to pop up the top heart)

Inspired Crayon Box--what would you put in it?

I saw a box similar to this one on Splitcoast. It was made by Karrie Baker at http://www.stampgirl.typepad.com/. Hers was soooo cute, I just had to try it. I found a template at http://www.jersgirl.com/temps.html and just printed it right onto my cardstock. Oh, the possibilities! You know what my second favorite thing is about being a demo? My first is earning all this free stuff. The second thing is having an excuse to make all the cute things I see! I think I will use this as a hostess gift. I have three parties scheduled this month. I am so excited! Anyway, I think I will fill it with some samples of ribbon, punches, and hardware. What would you all put in it? I'm sure there are all kinds of cool things you could do with a box like this.
Supplies: Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, So Saffron Ink: Basic Black Stamps: Priceless, Short & Sweet Accessories: Hodge Podge Hardware, Love and Happiness Rub Ons (for all of the flowers), Horizontal Slot punch, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds glitter