What's happened to my brain? Card challenge SCCSC7

My daughter asked me to bring my Big Shot and scalloped square when I was going to visit her. She wanted to make one of those famous Big Shot rag bags. In the meantime during packing, I forgot to grab my sister's birthday card. So once I got to my daughter's house I found myself in need of making the card and was challenged to use only the supplies my daughter had on hand plus my Big Shot with only the scallop square die.


Thankfully Diane Noble had emailed the Stampin' Connection's card sketch challenge SCCSC7 to our SU Diva group (Thanks Diane, it makes it so much easier to find). With the sketch to help with the layout inspiration, my next challenge was to decide on colors. Boy I never realized how much I used my color wheel to help me decide which colors to use together.



Here's my masterpiece! (big grin)
I just love how the new scalloped punch fits inside the Big Shot's scalloped square die.

So what do you think of my limited resources card? Okay it's not so limited, but without my craft room at my fingertips it sure felt that way   ; )

Here's a couple pictures of my daughter and her helper cutting out her butterfly purse:

Notice the butterflies!

I had taken some pictures of the other pieces, but they were blurry. Hopefully over Easter we can get it sewn together for her and I can post the finished purse then.

In the Dog House

Got-ta love Sale-a-bration FREE stamps!

I'm behind on making special cards. My up-upline was pretty ill and I wanted  something special to send her. I was waiting for my "Wellness Wishes" set to come and had planned to use the "Praying for you during your illness" stamp from that set. But this 3-D card is what I ended up with, hope she liked it. Better late than never, right?

Doesn't the SAB paper make for an adorable back drop?

I left the one side of the top un-sticky-taped so I could send it in the mail. I cut off the front flap and folded it in half, then attached it to the back flap. That way it could be assembled like a box without needing to be taped on the bottom. Here's what it looks like going into the envelope. A perfect fit with some room to spare.

This time I actually made two so I could have one for my own display, but her sister ended up having a terrible week and needed to have a tooth pulled because of an infection. I decided she needed a pick me up card, so here it goes off to the mailbox. It's a good thing I never sticky taped mine together. 

Howled R U?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist the title. 

Close your eyes and say it out loud - you'll get it!

Man am I clever or what?  (giggle)  

Sometimes I even surprise myself with how creative I am.

The stamp set "Nature Silhouettes" was calling me to use it for my son's birthday card. The name of their software company name Howling Moon was my inspiration.

It was difficult to get a good picture that showed the Shimmer frost paint sponged on the moon. This card is impressive in real life. Click on the picture to see a larger image. If you look at your screen sideways, it picks up the shimmer - that's so cool that it can do that!

They've recently released another application program called "Upshot" for macs. Earlier this year they were at a game developers software meeting and found out that a significant number of programmers were using his chipmunk physics program which he released as shareware while he was still in high school. They are currently working on additional upgrades for his chipmunk physics program.

I'm so proud of him, and that he had the courage to go after his dream. Thank you for letting me "howl" a little about his accomplishments.

Happy Birthday Scott!

Now I need SU to make a chipmunk stamp.

CATALOG CARRY OVERS

116806 Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint $5.95 

116854 Frost White Shimmer Paint $5.95 

116807 Platinum Shimmer Paint $5.95

116829 Décor Elements Blocks $9.95 

116824 Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty $7.95 

116821 Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers $29.95

116819 Stampin' Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die $42.95 

116820 Stampin' Up! Embosslits Merry die $11.95

116823 Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die $5.50 

116822 Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die $42.95 

118140 Stampin' Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die $5.50 

118108 My Digital Studio $79.95 

116519 Charming stamp set $19.95

Special handicap class Valentine cards

I received a panicked phone call asking if I could help out the Community Education handicap class. They wanted me to prepare 2 different cards for 16 adults for that evening's at 5 pm class. 

Here's the two cards I designed for them:

I used retired DSP for these projects. There was a lot of pre-work involved in their projects. The cards were embossed and pre-punched. I also had the hearts already stamped, pre-punched, and stuck on glue dots so all they had to do was peal and stick. They also stamped matching envelopes. For the brocade blue card they stamped matching envelopes with the SAB polka dot hearts. I ended up giving my sample envelope to one of the students. (I'm always running out of the white envelopes.)

It was wonderful seeing them so proud of their projects. When they finished the cards, they sat and asked what card they could make next. Sadly, 2 cards were all I was asked to prepare for them.

Valentine projects, SCCSC3=Easel card

I thought I was off to a good start when the stampers arrived, however I soon found myself laying things down and then not being able to find them. I couldn't believe it when I mislaid the cut card stock for their easel card; I had to re-cut ALL the pieces while the club members worked on their first two projects.

Then when it finally was time to make that card I also mislaid my mat packs . One minute I was taking my mat packs out of my drawer and the next I found myself at the table holding only the piecing tools. Thankfully we quickly found the mis-laid packs and everyone had a good chuckle. It was just one of those days where a good long scream could have helped. 'Know what I mean?

This little gem was a case of ______'s card. I found the directions on her blog, and thought I saved her address. See it really was a day of losing things.  I loved the idea of using the slit punch to hold the card closed.

If this is yours or you know who's card it is,
please let me know so they can get credit for it.

I try to remember to ask my hostesses to pick one of my sample cards that they want to make for their project. It makes planning so much easier when I know what they want to learn. Here's a peak at my "Berry Pine Stamping" display wall.

The hostess picked the black & red card from a SAB swap made by Mary Hophner. Her simple design lends to the card's elegance and the classic colors of black & white with red accents really pop and catch your eye. It's versatile enough that it can be used as a Valentine's Day card or a wedding card depending on the sentiment you stamp inside. Great design Mary, thanks for letting me post your card.

Now for THAT easel card that gave me so much trouble.
For the front / stand up part of the card, I used Stampin' Connections card sketch challenge tagged as SCCSC3. It was created by Diane Nobel who is part of the Design team for Stampin' Connection AND is one of my sister demonstrators from Patsy Waggoner's downline team.

Everyone really enjoy making this card. It was putzy, but that's my speciality even when I try to be simple. Several of the club members talked about bringing it to work the following day to show it off to their office mates. I sometimes think there's an unspoken contest happening between them.

Here's close up  so you can see the details a little better:

My wish for you is your heart is filled with love this Valentine's.
Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day. 

Valentine Cards for "A Place to Belong"

I spent a delightful afternoon at "A Place to Belong" helping 10 women created these 2 valentine cards with matching envelopes. I think it is safe to say the highlight of the class was when they each took a turn at the Big Shot embossing their card fronts. It is now on their wish list for their organization to purchase once grant monies can be found.

The first card was designed by Mary Hophner, I received the card as a SAB swap. The second card used retired Raspberry Tart paper.

They were so excited about their projects that by the time I had left, they had convinced their coordinators to schedule another class to do Easter cards.

What a gorgeous morning!

I've just got to share a couple pictures of my back yard this morning. 

You can click on the pictures to see a close up of the incredible frost.

Milk carton bird houses

I belong to a small group that's part of our Women's Ministries at my church. Our group is currently planning a spring supper event the end of April. When discussing what to make for favors I told the others about the cute little birds on birdhouses made with the milk carton die that so many people are posting. Here's the sample I made. It was suppose to be a robin, but turned out looking more like a wren.

12 DAYS OF HOLIDAY SALESDecember 11-22, 2009

Details:  For 12 days only, our 12 Days of Holiday Sales is a great way  for you to get discounts on select Big Shot dies and materials.  Things to Remember: Orders may be placed as customer, workshop, or online orders. The sale begins Friday, December 11, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends  Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT). Items must be ordered by December 15, 2009, in order to arrive in  time for Christmas. Discounts range between 15-25 percent. All items on sale will be posted on the first day of the promotion and  can be purchased for all 12 days. There are no quantity limits. There are no qualifiers to receive the discount. For online orders, discounts will be reflected in the "regular price"; " catalog price" will show the non-discounted price. Order deadlines: Phone: Tuesday, December 22 , 2009; 6:50 PM (MT) OEX and Online: Tuesday, December 22, 2009; 11:50 PM (MT) Some of the items introduced in this sale are new colors of Décor  Elements vinyl sheets. There are 18 new colors to choose from,  and they make great projects when you use them with Big Shot dies.  Consider pairing the Clear Décor Elements vinyl sheets with the Tulipe  Bigz die to create an etched-like design on a vase. Or use the  Decorative Accent Bigz dies with the Old Olive Décor Element vinyl  sheets to enhance a frame. The combination of Big Shot dies and  Décor Elements vinyl sheets is sure to take your creativity to a  new level! Click here to see the list of all the items on sale.