Punchy Pumpkins!

Nope, they're pumpkins that are acting silly (wink)....

They're pumpkins made from punches!
Here's a couple of cards I made yesterday to add to my Etsy Store:

I've admitted to you before that I'm a paper hoarder, right?  Well, I've been trying to get over that and use some of my older (retired) designer paper --- so here's 2 cards using retired DSP called "Autumn Vine".

The middle oval on each pumpkin is popped up on dimensionals (of course), the stems are ribbon pieces, and I made the vines for each with a tiny strip of cardstock.

I updated my Etsy shop this morning, too.  Hop on over to MY ETSY SHOP to view this and the tree cards from yesterday...plus a little more!  Hoping to add a few more things today, too! :)

Well, what do you think?  Do you have a favorite between the two cards?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Paper: Autumn Vine DSP
Accessories: Sage Shadow grosgrain ribbon, Large and Small oval punches, Dimensionals

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

Lovely, Lovely, Lovely

So, I had a friend threaten me with bodily harm if I didn't post to my blog soon. Just kiddin'...kinda, lol. ;-)  Glad to know people out there care whether I post or not! :)

I have a little secret, and it explains where I've been.

I've been working on a project...for a blog I'm going to be featured on!!!  Yup - so excited!! Stay tuned for more info on that!  Anyways, that took a ton of my time, and I was in uber-creative mode and could think beyond nothing but this secret project.

But now I'm back! :)  Here's what I made up today...

featuring our stamp set "Lovely As A Tree"

It was so refreshing to create for fun, again! :)  Look for these cards to appear on my Etsy site, soon!

Want a close up of each LOVELY? ;-)
#1 - Lovely Landscape Trees














#2 - Lovely Tall Tree

#3 - Lovely Maple Tree

I used an old (retired) Stampin' Up Designer Paper called "Juntos" - it was from our Spanish Catalog and I fell in love with it the moment I laid my eyes on it!  The colors I used here are so rich...Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla. Each main image is up on dimensionals (of course!). :)

Well, what do you think?  Do you have a favorite?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla

Paper: Juntos DSP

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon, Dimensionals, SU markers

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

Crystal

You, Light Up My Life!

You have that tune in your head now, dontcha? ;-)
Me too....ever since I made these:













Too bad I don't know the rest of the lyrics. Oh wait...GOOGLE!  Be right back....

Well, this part of the chorus DOES kind of apply!!  WOO HOO!
"You, light up my life....you give me hope...to carry on"

Explanation: I made these to put with the orders that the gals placed at my 5year Demo Party. A little thank you, if you will.  :)  To be honest, sometimes it does look a little hopeless, being a demo.  There's been more than once that I thought I'd have to quit...but then something happens (usually thanks to these gals), and I have hope to carry on! :)  Oh, and...they really do light up my life, too! :)

The deets: The sentiment is computer-made. I used a new set "Growing Green" to stamp the outline flowers, then there's the Early Espresso cardstock matting around it. At the top of the treat bag (SU's small cello bag) is the new DSP from the mini catalog, "Deck the Halls".

Well, what do you think?

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

Getting Caught Up

I know...I haven't posted anything yet today.

I'm getting caught up around here.
At the moment:  Paying bills, entering receipts into computer, and balancing the checkbook.
You know, fun stuff. ;-)

Before I forget...y'all are just way too sweet!!
Thank you so much for the nice comments on yesterday's post.
I still think the original is better...but who am I to argue with you? ;-)  hee hee...

Back tomorrow with a project to share! :)

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

CASED Cardinal

CASE = Copy And Share with Everyone

Essentially.  There are a few variations on what the letters stand for, but essentially, it means to copy an idea, possibly tweak it a little, and then share! :)

Here's the card I *loved* from the catalog (p39). I actually set out to make it, then realized I really didn't feel like trying to sew on my card, and also didn't have the lace they used.  I basically went with the general idea of it, used some of the same elements, added new elements, making it my own.

Honestly...I still like the one in the catalog better, lol.  But hey...at least it shows you that you can pretty much copy a card you like, but still make it your own! :)

Here's my new version:

Well, what do YOU think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Naturals Vanilla
Accessories: Scallop Trim border punch, Build-A-Brad, Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, 1/2" Chantilly lace ribbon, Color Spritzer, Soft Suede marker, Aquapainter, Ink pad lids
Technique: Watercoloring

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

Tiny Scalloped Snowscape

Okay, I know...we just hit November. You may think it's too early to be thinking Christmas, but when it comes to crafting, it's never too early!  Wait, I take that back. Those gals who make their Christmas cards in June have got to be crazy! lol (jk if you are one of them - wink)

Anyways...just know that November's posts will likely include both Fall and Christmas. :)

Here's a cute lil' thing I made to have on display at my 5year Party:
















It's a 3x3 card and it was so fun to make!

I often get inspiration and use it, make it my own.  But then, there are the times I'm so excited, because I didn't get the idea from anywhere else but my own brain. You laugh.  I celebrate!  It means I can still think...even with my crazy-mommy brain that sometimes feels like mush! lol. ;-)

Sooooo....you wanna know what I did, don't you?

Card base: Crumb Cake cardstock cut 3x6, fold in half

Snow Scene: Cut (2) scallop rectangles (Whisper White, Bashful Blue) out with the Big Shot and our new Clearlit die.  I proceeded to tear the white rectangle to make it look like a snow bank, then attached it directly to the blue layer. Applied dazzling diamonds glitter to the torn edge to give the illusion of sparkly snow...and because I *heart* dazzling diamonds. ;-)

Trees: Cut (1) larger Old Olive and (2) smaller Pear Pizzaz trees out using the Big Shot and "Merry Details" sizzlit.  I colored the trunks with my Chocolate Chip marker, and applied the smaller 2 directly to the cardstock, and the middle one...well, of COURSE it's up on a dimensional. Cuz I *heart* dimensionals. :)

What about that red bling?  Wellllll....it's one of our (awesome deal - $4.95 for 150) adhesive-backed Rhinestones, colored with a red Sharpie marker! :)

Oh, and the red layer behind the scalloped snowscape is my favorite red....Cherry Cobbler!

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print - this time, I'm not going to repeat the ingredients - it's all in the info above! :)

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

A Thank You Mum

I never buy flowers for myself (consider it an extravagance), but these were so beautiful and bright and cheery and Fall, perfect for my front door! :)  So, when I gave in to that impulse, bought a pot of these beautiful mums, and a few days later found them dead, I was sad. To say the least. ;-)

I was lamenting the fact to my MIL (mother-in-law), and a few days later, what did I find by my front door? Mums!! :)

I knew exactly what I wanted to do on my thank-you card to her:





















Okay, so it's not perfect, but I had trouble with one of the layers, lol!  I learned how to make this flower on Stampin' Up's demo-only website - thank you, Diane Dechaine!  I will say it was a little time-consuming, but overall, a pleasant effect during this beautiful Fall season! :)

I wanted the flower to be the focalpoint, so I kept the layout quite simple.  Just a "Thank You" stamp, some layers of Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler and More Mustard cardstock, and some more Cherry Cobbler...this time in the form of ribbon (mini catalog)! :)

Oh...in case you're wondering what's in the middle of the flower...it's coffee grounds. ;-)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Ink: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Boho Blossoms Punch, Stylus, Stampin' Pastels, Blossom Party Die, Big Shot

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a GREAT Monday! :)
Crystal