h{art} Strings

Thinking of you . . .

In her recent creative challenge on So Shelli, Shelli Gardner (her royal stampingness) suggested we design a card for someone who needs a little pick-me-up.  You know, with all of the cards that I design and create, you would think that I would be on top of this.  But I must confess I am much better at making cards than I am at mailing them out.  Every new year I add this to the top of my resolutions – to remember friends, to send birthday cards, and just let someone know that I care.  I’m behind on this once again, so I didn’t have any trouble thinking of three people in my life that I need to send a little love to.

This first card is the French version of the My Friend stamp set, “Chere Amie”.  You do know that many of Stampin’ Up!’s stamp sets come in French or Spanish, don’t you?  I love this set in French, and, yes, I do know what it says thanks to three years of French in high school and college!  I wanted to create a card with a classic tuxedo look.  Here’s the result:

 

I stamped “bon jour” on vellum paper and layered that over the rest of the card.  The glimmer brad adds just the right amount of bling to tie off the satin ribbon.

Stamps:  Chere Amie

Cardstock & Such:  Whisper White; Basic Black; Vellum Paper; Brights Collection Designer Series Paper Stack (Rich Razzleberry)

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry

Other Stuff:  Black Satin Ribbon; Brights Glimmer Brads; Stampin’ Dimensionals

The second card uses the new “Nature’s Pace” stamp set.  I love the thistle, the bee, and all of the lovely images in this stamp set.  If I could have figured out a way to tastefully use them all on one card, I would have done it! 

 
 

Stamps:  Nature’s Pace

Cardstock & Such:  Old Olive; Soft Suede; Naturals White

Ink:  Soft Suede; Early Espresso; Old Olive; So Saffron; Regal Rose

Other Stuff:  Scallop Trim Border Punch; Basic Pearls; Blender Pen; Stampin’ Dimensionals

The third card is made with the “Aviary” stamp set.  These little birds are a hoot (pun intended) and they love to escape their cages to spend time together.  The new polka dot brads are one of my favorite new accessories in this catalog.

 

Stamps:  Aviary; Occasions Alphabet

Cardstock & Such:  Calypso Coral; Baja Breeze; Whisper White; Chocolate Chip

Ink:  Chocolate Chip; Calypso Coral; Baja Breeze

Other Stuff:  Big Shot; Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder; Decorative Label punch; Designer Printed Brads; Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon; Stampin’ Dimensionals

 Is there someone in your life who could use a little stampin' love?

 

A stINKin' cute box

I saw this really cool project at convention and recreated it for my stamp club and stINKers group meeting last week. 

 

The box is made from the milk carton die for the Big Shot – how awesome is that?  To create it, you need two die cuts, and then remove the end panel (the one without the tab for adhesive) from both pieces.  Simply adhere ends together so you have a hexagon box.  To create the top, after the sides and bottoms are fastened together, you just need to close each panel on the creases like you are closing a milk carton.  Love it!

 

Cardstock and such:  Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White; Flirtatious Specialty Designer Paper

Other Stuff:  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch; Boho Blossom Punch; Basic Rhinestones; White Baker’s Twine; Crop-o-Dile; Mini Milk Carton Die

Summer has finally arrived in the Northwest.  A mild summer has arrived.  On some days.  Actually, I’ll take it.  While it makes for a mighty attractive climate for those nasty mosquitoes, it sure beats the heat that so many of the rest of you are dealing with.  John and I enjoyed the sun on Saturday when we headed into Seattle to watch the Seafair Torchlight Parade.  It’s the biggest parade in our area, and we hadn’t been in well over 20 years.  Dan was marching with the Soundwave (Seattle Sounders' band), and it gave us a good excuse to face the crowds – I’m so glad we did!

 

Wave to us, Dan!  (love the water bottle tucked in his Sousaphone)