Enchanted Blossoms and Butterflies

Well!  I have been obsessed with getting all of my holiday cards and projects out, and neglected to take pictures to post them here.  Please forgive for neglecting my blog!  I'm happy to say that Christmas is officially stored away again, and I actually got a chance to really take a moment and play with my new items from the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration Catalogs.  Occasions items are available and are delicious!  The Sale-a-Bration event begins January 24th, and my posts today use several of the Sale-a-Bration goodies.   Take a look:

I'm in love with this new Everyday Enchantment Paper!  All printed papers you see in both samples are from this new paper series.  The cute little bird and crown are from the new stamp set, Elementary Elegance.  I used the new Blossom Punch from the Occasions Mini to create one of the flower layers, along with the large and small scallop circle punches, and the triple-punch for the smallest layer.  I layered a triple blossom punch, small scallop, scallop, blossom and large scallop punches after crunching each one into a wrinkled ball and then sponging them with Soft Suede ink.  After attaching them to my base with a brad I crinkled them again to make them 'fluffy.'  Easy and fun to do - you should try it!  That brad and 1/8" organdy ribbon are also from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  Leaves were cut from Lucky Limeade and sponged with Soft Suede, as was the flower layers. 

The Butterflies are cut from our new Blossom Builder die-cuts from the Occasions Mini.  So easy and fun to do!  The die-cuts are layered with one layer cut from the new Blossom Punch shown here:

The sentiment was stamped in Soft Suede and is from the Flight of the Butterfly Set.  Pearls were added for the butterfly bodies and the wings were gently curled by rolling them around a pencil.  The butterflied are popped up with Dimensionals.  I hope you are inspired to check out the new items in both catalogs!  Feel free to contact me if you have questions about the benefits coming up in the Sale-a-Bration catalog, or if you would like to host a party featuring the Occasions Mini Blossom Punch!

Valentine Gift Card Holder

I had these little bags forever and was inspired to use them when I visited http://www.darlenesdesigns/ and saw her layout.  The hearts were punched as well us cut on my Cricut.  I simply stamped some, and others I heat embossed with versamark and clear embossing powder so the Very Vanilla cardstock would show through after I sponged them with either Soft Suede, Concord Grape, Blushing Bride or Cherry Cobbler.

I used the seam binding from stampin' up for the bow and a miscellaneous brad I had laying around.  The edges were inked with Crumb Cake craft ink.  The four center hearts are attached to the pullout card in the little bag.  It's punch with the Slot Punch to hold a gift card.  Fun stuff! 

I have a confession....

It's been over 3 weeks since my last post - yikes!  Forgive me, friends.  Life has been super busy, as I'm sure it has been for you, too.  I left for vacation 2 days after my last post, came home, and have been busy getting my youngest child off to college.  It's official, I'm an empty nester!  Well, at least until she comes home for summer.  Here's a cute photo of my girls from our vacation.  We stayed on my Aunt's farm in Oregon.  The girls got a kick out of my 81 year old Aunt's 'gater.'  My Auntie drives it all over her farm - too cute!

Ok, so they had just a little fun on the farm!  lol

My daughter asked if I would make her some cards for her to take with her to college, so I'm beginning to make her a stash.  I started by casing this one from Elaine Schader's post on Stampin' Connection:

This uses the Friends Never Fade and Perfect Punches stamp sets.  Colors are Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist and Concord Crush.  So pretty together, don't you think?  A little organza ribbon, the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Large oval and large oval scallop punches, and a Martha Stewart border punch (any of the SU border punches would work, too) makes the recipe for this card.  Again, this is pretty much a direct case.  Search Friends Never Fade at SC, and you'll find others that are similar to this one.

Katie also asked for some 'guy' cards.  All products are stampin' up accept for the Verve stamp set:

The Elegant Soiree DP and Crumb Cake paper were distressed, pierced and punched for this card.  I really like the Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Not Quite Navy color combo!  The little ribbon loop is the reverse side of the Soft Suede polka dot ribbon.  If you don't have a distressing tool, you can simply use your fingernail on the paper's edge for a similar effect.

I'm on a card makin' mission during the month of September, and I'll be using lots of new goodies from the new Holiday Mini.  Your copy, if you are on my mailing list, is being sent to you this week so keep a look out in your mail.  It's one of the best occasion mini's I've seen with lots of new products!

I'll post the online link to the new Holiday Mini Catalog on September 1st.  Until then, make it a great day, making great cards and pages and projects and frames...and..... :)