Matchy-Matchy, Baby!

Remember my last post HERE about Sweet Pea baby shower invitations?

I told you I'd post the card I made to go with my gift...

I asked you to guess when you thought I made it, but no one did.  No one even tried!  Good thing I'm not taking it personally, lol! ;-)

Well, following my...ahem...tradition (this post), I made the card within an hour of arrival at the shower. ;-)  Here's the great part...it only took me about 7 minutes from start to finish! :)

As you can see (if you clicked above to view invite)...it MATCHES!
Just enough difference to know it's not the invitation, just enough to make it match! :)

See the sparkle on the celery matting around the sweet pea?  Ahhh...one of my fave techniques for a CAS card! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamp: Event Full
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Black Stazon, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Blender pen, Embossing folder, 2way glue, Dazzling diamonds

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!
Crystal

Baby, Baby, Baby...

....everyone's havin' babies! :-)

I recently co-hosted another baby shower for a gal in our small group.  She doesn't know whether it's a girl or boy, so we tried to be neutral in our color/image choice for the invitation.

I suggested this stamp that I just *ADORE* for baby cards...

Now, I will warn you...this is not a new stamp.  It's from a retired Stampin' Up set called "Event Full"...and this is my absolute favorite stamp from that set:

Oh, the picture can't even do it justice!!  It's such a little cutie! :)

Soon, I'll post the card I made to give her with her shower gift.  Any guesses as to when I actually made the card for the shower? ;-)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up!)

Stamps: Event Full

Ink: Black Stazon, Certainly Celery

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, White

Accessories: Polka dot embossing folder, Celery ribbon, Dimensionals, Blender pen

Well, what do you think?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Baby Card...and Procrastination

Are all cardmakers like this, or is it just ME that procrastinates?

I've had the gift for oh...probably 3 weeks or so.
Yet, when do I make the card?

Same day it's needed, of course! ;-)

Here's a simple card you can make in a hurry. Though this one is for a baby girl gift, all you would have to do is change the sentiment and it could be used for almost any occasion! :-)

The butterflies all came from ONE SU Sizzix embosslit, "Beautiful Wings"....it's in the Occasions mini! :-)

The "Small Wonder" sentiment is part of a FREE stamp set you can earn during Sale-A-Bration!

How did I attach them to card base?  With our mini glue dots, of course!  Love how it leaves the rest of the butterfly free, so you can lift wings upward a bit...make them look like they're really flying! :-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Whimsical Words
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Beautiful Wings embosslit, Mini glue dots

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Love You Much

So...one more Valentine's post.  Last one. ;-)
Remember, my computer was acting up during Valentine's weekend, so I couldn't show you this stuff, but I still want to! :)

Here's the Valentine I made for my honey.
He's the BEST hubby...honestly, sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve such a great guy!!

I know, I know.  It's PINK.  But the bordering dark Chocolate chip makes up for it, right? lol   I couldn't resist when I saw this DSP scrap in my papers...it's got lovebirds on it....it's PERFECT! ;-)

The paper on this easel card is a retired DSP from Stampin' Up! called "Candy Lane".  Pretty simple card to make, with WOW results.  The sentiment is from "Well Scripted" in the Occasions catalog, the small pink heart is a punch in same catalog, and the pretty scalloped border you see is SU's scallop trim border -- you can get it for FREE during SAB!!  :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print
Stamps: Well Scripted
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper/Cardstock: Candy Lane DSP, Chocolate Chip, Pirouette Pink, White
Accessories: Small heart punch, Scalloped trim punch, dimensional, sticky strip, Paper piercer
Technique: Easel card

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Valentine's Treat Tutorial

Armed with a cuppa joe and some Valentine's chocolate, (wink)

here I am with your Valentine's Treat Tutorial!

My computer's behaving for the moment, so I'm hoping to whip this out in no time! :)

Click HERE to see the finished product post first!

Are you ready?

OK, let's go!

Step 1:

Cut cardstock to 6 1/2" x 2 5/8"

 Score at 2 3/4" and 3 1/4"

Step 2:

Punch hole in center of middle panel

(I used my good 'ole Stampin' Up Tool kit)

Step 3:

Crease the score lines

Step 4

Punch top flap with slit punch.

Here's what you want it to be able to do:

Step 5:

Decorate as desired.

(flaps untucked and laid out flat)

On backside, daughter stamped "To/From" and wrote names.

Step 6:

Insert suckers.

Step 7:

Tuck bottom flap under top flap.

We added white curly ribbon at this point & tied into a bow. :)

Step 8:

Stand back and sigh with a smile.

Done! :)

This is a very kid-friendly project...

I only cut, scored, and punched.

3 year old inserted the suckers (gotta help!) :)

5 year old did the rest...this was for HER class, afterall! :)

(stamping, punching hearts, gluing, writing names, assembling)

NOTE: Measure your packaging before attempting.

  You may need to alter cardstock width (up to 3"?).

I like my treats to be snug...not so much cardstock overwhelming the project. :)

Well, what do you think?

 My 2nd Tutorial ever...may have to switch to video some day! lol

The Small Print:

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts

Ink: Real Red
Cardstock: White

Accessories: SU tool kit, slit punch, Small heart punch, 2 way glue pen
Other: Suckers, Curling ribbon

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

HAPPY Valentine's Day!

Hello and Happy Valentine's Day to you all! :)

As promised, here's the project my daughters and I worked on...
The tutorial will have to wait because our computer is acting up.
Not sure if it's the computer, the internet, or BOTH.  Probably both. ;-)

Took forever for me to even get just this short post on here! lol

Oh, you were looking for the project, not my daughters? lol ;-) 
Okay...here it is:

Hoping to post the tutorial tomorrow...gonna clear some cookies (the computer kind)...hoping it's all good after that! :)

Back tomorrow with more info! :)
***EDITED TO ADD: Here's a link to the TUTORIAL***

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!
Crystal

Little Suzy Homemaker

Sorry for the hiatus.  Life gets in the way sometimes...but that's as it should be, don't you think?  There has to be a balance, especially if you're feeling under the weather. ;-)

Yesterday was a WONDERFUL day.  It was a bit dreary outside, but the house was bursting with the sunshine in my heart. :)   Over my cold enough that I could function, I got just a few (wink) things done:

It was one of those days I felt like "Little Suzy Homemaker" and loved every minute of it.  Most days, that is not what it feels like, KWIM? ;-)

Besides the normal de-cluttering (which turned into a mess again), I did laundry, baked these chocolate chip cookies for my daughter's class, and had a sweet time making Valentines with my daughters....for hours. ;-)

I could show you pictures of folded clothes, but I won't.
I could show you pictures of the valentines, but I'll save that for tomorrow. :)
I could show you what I have to do around here to preserve the best cookies...and I WILL.

I had painstakingly researched* the night before, & collaborated the information.  Baked, then picked out the best ones to bring to her class...because, let's be honest here:  I wanted them to think that "A's mom makes the BEST cookies!" lol 

I knew when my hubby came home, he'd see them, and want them. ;-)  I also knew I'd be busy with the girls and unable to warn him.  So...being the efficient person that I am, I put signs on the cookies! :)

They look pretty straightforward, don't you think?

FAST FORWARD...

When hubby came home & found me, he was eating a cookie. ;-)
I laughed and said "Did you like my little signs?"

Do you know what he said??
"What signs?"

I laughed again, because...SERIOUSLY?  He has got to be kidding.
Oh, he wasn't.

Apparently, he didn't have his glasses on, and is that blind.
Acht...good thing I love that man, my Valentine! :)


*NOTE: Yes, I've made cc cookies before...it had just been quite awhile, and remembered the past few times, them going 'flat'. I have this idea of perfect cookies in my mind. Guess what? Ohhhh, they are!!

 Please come back tomorrow to see the Valentines my daughters and I made...and maybe a tutorial on them, too! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Downtime Needed

Downtime.
Something we all need at times.
Like me, right now. ;-)

I wish I could share some creativitiy with you today, but...

We had a busy weekend around here, and I've also been battling a yucky cold...doesn't really inspire creativity, ya know? ;-)  My hubby came home early from work yesterday...with the flu.  Poor guy...I feel for him, it's no fun.  I'm praying it's over quickly and that the rest of us don't get it!

Oh. And I'm watching 2 extra kiddos today.  Sooo...yeah, that means no crafting for me today, even if I wanted to, lol!

Sorry bout the sporadic posting...hope you all hang in there until I can post something...maybe tomorrow? :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT (and hopefully healthy) day! :)
Crystal

A Punch Tutorial from Stampin' Up!

If you've been wondering how to use Stampin' Up's new border/corner punches, I've got a little treat for you from SU! :)

Heeeerre's Bonnie! :)



There are also pre-set sizes in which you won't have to do any trimming...let me know if you'd like to see those! :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Orange. Seriously?

I'll admit it. There are colors I RARELY use (and prefer not to), lol.

One of them...orange. It's just one of those that I do not gravitate towards. Thankfully there are different shades of orange. ;-)  I happen to really like Stampin' Up's Pumpkin Pie...on the right project.

Suffice it to say, I fell in love with an orange card I made a few weeks ago. :)

I found a card I really like here, and started out CASEing it.  But then one thing led to another, and I ended up with something of my own that I absolutely love! :)

I know, I know...enough rambling. ;-)

















I really like how this looks IRL...so pretty!  I added dazzling diamonds to the centers of the flowers...click pic to see closer! :)

You'll also see there are multiple colors on the flowers and "F".  That is made by inking the stamp in Crushed Curry, then sponging with Melon Mambo - love it! :)  The F is popped up, as is the little flower...cause you know how I love dimensionals! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Pumpkin pie ribbon, Eyelet border punch, Crystal effects, Dazzling diamonds, Sponge daubers, Paper snips, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Matchbook Treat Yumminess!

Okay, so yesterday I shared a disaster project. ;-)
Today...ahhh...insane yumminess! :)

THIS is one of those jump for joy projects.
It appears simple (and it is!)...even it's simplicity brings me joy! lol

This is one of the projects the gals did at my party this last weekend.

















See?!  Insane yumminess.

AHHH...there's just something about the colors of Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Vanilla.  It's just...((sigh))...bliss.  Maybe because there's chocolate in the mix? lol j/k 

Really, it's even more yummy IRL.  This gorgeous paper is from the DSP "Sending Love"...and it has glitter on the paper!!!  Oh, and that lucious red satin ribbon...ahh...

Lest you think this is just simply a card...I need to show you the inside:

















Seee....more yumminess. ;-)
I'm curious as to what you think of it?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts (Occasions mini)
Paper: Sending Love Specialty DSP (Occasions mini), Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla cardstock
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: 5/8" Real Red satin ribbon, Heart to Heart punch, Dimensionals
Other: M&Ms, Stapler

*Remember...Stampin' Up is donating $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set to the American Red Cross for disaster relief in Haiti.  Contact me to place your order!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day!
Crystal

Project Gone Awry

Am I the only one who has this happen?

You know the kind.  The project starts with great intentions, but somewhere along the way, things go awry and the finished project is not quite what you expected.

Well, this is one of those projects.
I could just hide it, but I've decided to share it anyways. ;-)
It's important to be able to laugh at yourself and share the not-so-perfect, am I right?

I have this Designer Paper that reminds me of those peppermint candies, are they called starlight mints?  Anyhow, I knew I wanted to put peppermint bark in the package (made & frozen at Christmastime)...red & white...it could be Valentine's, right? lol

Apparently not. ;-)

I know, I know.  It needs RED ribbon, not pink.  Well, I tried that.  It seemed like too much red at the time.  Now I'm thinking about switching back to red. ;-)  I didn't have the time or patience to switch it out at the time...but now that I see a picture, I think I may have to, lol.

What about you...have you had any projects such as this, or do you always jump for joy and satisfaction when you're finished?

PLEASE COME BACK TOMORROW for a "jump for joy & satisfaction" project! ;-)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Whimsical Words (SAB)
Paper: Sending Love DSP, Real Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Med. cellophane bag, Big Shot, Top Note die, Heart Embosslit (Occasions), Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, Real red gg ribbon, Lg heart punch

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Melon Mambo Treat

Here's a project I made awhile back...
Using Melon Mambo, a color I don't use all that often.
I really like how it turned out, though! :)

Inside:  CHOCOLATE, of course!! ;-)
(Hershey Kisses, that is)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Love You Much, Holiday Best
Ink: Melon Mambo
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Accessories: Melon Mambo dotted ribbon, Wide Oval Punch

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal