Serene Northern Frost

Here are the cards I promised you yesterday that use the new die from the Holiday Mini. Can you find the die cut peices I'm talking about? It is the snowflakes! Aren't they great? Ok I think they are great! The die gives you 8 different snowflakes! They are super detailed and look awesome layered up like this. A little Basic Pearl in the center is perfect.

The other sneak peak on this card is the Witner Wonderland sentiment. It comes
from a little set called Bright Christmas that has 3 wonderful Holiday sentiments in it.

The background was stamped using Serene Snowflakes. I used Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Marina Mist to randomly stamp the snowflakes on a piece of Very Vanilla (even though it doesn't look like Vanilla in the top card). The I cut it up to make the various sized pieces for a bunch of different cards. The top one was run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattace Embossing Folder. The card below has the sentiment stamped on the lower part of the card that was stamped only with the smallest snowflakes in the set. A little of the 1/8" Early Espresso Ribbon hid the seam of the two layers.

Thanks for the visit!

Since I was on a roll with trying new things the other day (after the little baby wipe technique) I decided to try making a background with my brayer. And I was itching to use my new set Just Believe. How beautiful is that image? So this is what I did...

I brayered So Saffron onto my Whisper White and then Pumpkin Pie on top of that but not as far down. Then a little bit of Cajun Craze on the top and down the edge a bit. The flower image was stamped in Early Espresso and I also brayered a little of the same at the bottom to make some ground.

So did you notice that yummy DSP layer on there? It is from the Autumn Spice pack that will be available September 1st in the Holiday Mini! It is textured and it is fabulous!

I have been working on more stuff from the Holiday Mini including a new die that I am soooo in love with... But you will have to wait a little longer to see those samples. Ok, maybe I will put them up tomorrow! hee-hee!

Thanks for the visit!

Funky Little Trees

So these little trees are from a set called Funky Four. I think I found a way to make these trees really funky! Don't they look all tie-dyed? Wanna know how I did it?


I made my own ink pad using my classic ink refills and a baby wipe. Yes, a baby wipe!


I grabbed a regular ol' baby wipe and folded it over a couple of times and placed it in a paper plate. I used More Mustard, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze and Rich Razzleberry ink refills and added just a few drops of each color randomly on the baby wipe until I got an area a little larger than the tree stamp inked up.


It worked like a regular ink pad from that point on. After I inked the tree I used a Early Espresso marker to do the trunk. I made sure to stamp a bunch of these trees, I think I must have done 30 or 40 of them the one "ink pad" that I made. The colors started to fade some at the end but not bad for a first try at this technique I think.



I used the FTL 102 sketch for my card. The little lines were done with my paper trimmer and bone folder. The button on the left is a Designer Button from the Brights collection and the other two are some of the Bitty Buttons with paper behind them that was punched with the coordinating Itty Bitty Shapes punches. All of the buttons were tied with Linen Thread. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. A must have set!


Here is a great tutorial on how to make a stamp pad with a Baby Wipe.

Thanks for the visit!

True Friend Gala

A card from class last weekend. I started with FTL 95 from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog. The butterfly from Simple Friendship was inked with Daffodil Delight and then the edges were inked with some Pumpkin Pie. A little Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz and then the butterfly was trimmed out.
The pattern paper is from the the Greenhouse Gala DSP pack. Pear Pizzazz was used for the card base.
The ribbon is the new 1/8" Taffeta in Daffodil Delight.
A nice summery card I think. I have been playing with all my my new Summer Mini (psst.. it goes live on September 1st and it is awesome) goodies today. I will have them up to show you soon. So much fun!

Oh yea and I made the same card in blues too. The yellow is still my favorite of the two.

Owl Note Holder

I love this little card and note pad holder set that I made for my friend and party hostess Jennifer last weekend. I used the Two Step Owl Punch that is new in the Idea Book and Catalog. How stinkin' cute is he?

I used the new Sweet and Sour DSP because I knew that Jennifer had a special love of orange and pink together. It is super cute paper too.

The note pad holder base is made from Early Espresso. Very Vanilla and the Sweet and Sour DSP layered on top. I used 2 ribbons to make my little owl a place to sit. The first was Pumpkin Pie Taffeta and I layered some Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain (retired) on top of that. I love the look of the two ribbons layered up like that.

A Pumpkin Pie Button from the Brights Designer Buttons collection and some Hemp Twine made a little spot for my Crumb Cake branch to start from. The branch was made using the Two Step Bird Punch.

I made the card the same and added it to a Very Vanilla base. I even added two little customized matching clips to the note holder.

Friends Never Fade

I just adore the flowers in the Friends Never Fade set. I stamped this flower and sentiment stamp three times on Whisper White to create my main image. Once with each Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, and Pear Pizzaz. From the Early Espresso image I cut out the flower center and the word Friends. I cut the flower from the Pear Pizzaz image. I layered all of these back on top of the Baja Breeze image and popped the flower up with some Dimensionals.

That very cool patterned paper is from the Greenhouse Gala DSP pack. The ribbon is the 1/4" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon.

This layout was based on FTL 94 over at Clean & Simple Stamping. LOVE that blog!

Hello Friend

This card uses the Builder Wheels that debuted in the Summer Mini. These Builder Wheels work with the Jumbo Wheel Handle. You can mix and match the wheels any way you want... 1,2 or 3 at at time in the handle. A Triple Cell Cartridge makes it so easy to ink up the builder wheels in any combo of colors you want.

This card uses the Posy Party Wheel and the Bees & Blossoms Wheel. I left the center space on the Spindle empty to leave a blank area that is perfect for the ribbon. This is the new 1/2" Stitched Poly Robbon in Pear Pizzaz. So soft and wonderful!

I inked the wheels with Rich Razzleberry ink and rolled them onto Whisper White for the main panel and again onto the Rich Razzleberry background layer.

I used the Tiny Tags stamp set and the Medium Jewelry Tag Punch to make the little sentiments. I also added a couple of the new Rhinestones in the flower centers for a little bling.

Itty Bitty Blog Post

This is one of the cards we made at a Stampin' Up! Party hosted by Jennifer on Sunday.
Here are the details....
Stamps: Itty Bitty Bits 117056 Wood Mount or 120060 Clear Mount
Teeny Tiny Wishes 115370
Paper: Whipser White 100730, Daffodil Delight 119683, Island Oasis DSP 117173
Ink: Pumpkin Pie 105216, Old Olive 102277, Rose Red 101778
Accessories: Bitty Buttons 118761, Itty Bitty Shapes Punches 118309, Linen Thread 104199, Paper Piercer 116631, Mat Pack 105826, Heart to Heart Extra Large Punch 119881

Summer Mini and Class Samples

Got a few examples of stuff from the new Summer Mini that we will be making in class on May 15th.

The first one uses the new stamp set called Go Graduate. This one is actually a money holder. (These are our highschool colors, if you are coming to class and want a different color combo please let me know.) There will also be a non-graduation variety of of this card but I'm still working on that one. I will share as soon as I have it done.

This card uses Elements of Style! Beautiful set!

This is my favorite card for this class.... so far. It uses the gown stamp from the Blissful Bride set. I also used some of the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (new in the Summer Mini as well) on the dress. Gives it the perfect amount of glitz with out making the card too over the top.

There is a link to the Summer Mini over there ----->

If you want to come to class and make these great cards (and one more) let me know. Remember if you bring a friend who has never attended a class before, you get to choose and item from the freebie bin OR take $5 off the cost of the class. When your friend comes back to a second class she will get her choice from the freebie basket.

Here are the class details:

May 15th, 12:30, in Poolyanna' Parlor at MCQS. Cost $25 Please bring the basics.. scissors, pencil, adhesive..

Birthday Flip Book

Just a quick look at another of the flip books I have made. This one is uses the Happy B-day Simply Scrappin' kit. Just one of the choices available for the class on April 17th. Check out all of the class details here on this post. There is still time to sign up! Let me know if you have any questions... Hopefully I can get some photos in this and the Christmas one before class, eeek!

Flip Book Class Details

These little memory books may look complicated but they are really simple to make. This class will show you just how quick and easy they really are. With one Simply Scrappin’ kit you will be able to make two 6"x6" flip books. The class will show you how to make the base of the book. How you decorate it with the pattern papers and self-adhesive die cuts is completely up to you. Bring your photos along if you want.

The Christmas Jingle Scrappin' Kit (shown in the samples) is perfect to get last years holiday photos off of the camera and into an album!

Here are the details:
April 17th at 10:30 a.m. in Pollyanna’s Parlor at MCQS Cost $35
Included in the cost of this class:
* detailed written instructions (with photos) for making the flip book base
* one Simply Scrappin’ kit of your choice (pages 164-167 in the Idea Book and Catalog or here online)
* a length of a coordinating ribbon for closure tie
* Sticky Strip for putting the base of the book together
*Use of my punches, inks, Big Shot and dies for the day to help decorate your flip books.
*As an extra class bonus you will be able to order the stamp set that coordinates with your Scrappin’ kit at 10% off the catalog price. Those stamp sets are listed in the details of the kits. (Make sure your order it when you sign up if you want to have it for the class.)

Please bring:
12” paper cutter, a ruler, scissors, a pencil and adhesive. Since we have access to the classroom all day feel free to bring a lunch and make a day of it.
You can leave your payments at MCQS or contact me for other payment options and if you wish to order any coordinating items for your flip book. Make sure you make a note of what Scrappin’ Kit you want.
All payments and kit choices must be received by April 2nd. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Baby Giraffe

I've got another super quick card today. This is yet another pattern in the Sweet Pea DSP collection. I seriously love every one of the patterns in this stack.

The little giraffe is from Fox and Friends. He is inked up with So Saffron and I used a sponge dauber to ink a little bit of Chocolate Chip onto his mane and tail before I stamped him onto Whisper White. Yet again I have used the Tiny Tags set and the Medium Jewelry punch for the "baby" tag. This set and punch are going to get some serious use from me. I may have to beg Stampin' Up! to make more little sentiments and words to fit it. I bet I can find some more in my big ol' stash somewhere that will fit. A good mission.... and maybe I can get some stamp organizing done at the same time? yea right!

The little scalloped oval was done using the Movers and Shapers. The giraffe is actually stamped on the Whisper White base that shows through the oval window. I just sponged a little Chocolate Chip around the window and it makes it look almost like a shadow. That is a great way to get the look of layers without actually layering.

To find out more about the Movers and Shapers Dies and Windows check out my this post. And if you would like to browse the newest Stampin' Up! catalogs and merchandise you can go here or you can find the links to download the catalogs right over there ------>

Movers And Shapers Tutorial... Kind of

After I posted my little heart cards I had a couple of questions about the Movers and Shapers die that I used to make the heart cut out on the front of the card.
The Movers and Shapers Dies from Stampin' Up! are great. You can punch a shape anywhere in your card, regular punches can only reach so far. The shapes are made to nest with many of the Stampin' Up! punches for great layering and nesting. I made a little photo tutorial to help me explain how to use them. So here we go...

*sorry, some of these photos are a little out of whack.. I took them late last night. If you click on them they should get bigger*

There are two parts to the Movers and Shapers die "system" (for lack of a better word). The first part is the Bigz die. This die has a large metal surface that holds the window dies with magnets. This die also cuts and scores a standard size card base. (The card will fold on top.)


The other part of this system is the window dies. When you buy the Movers and Shapers Bigz die it comes with the Curly Label window (bottom window die in photo). I also own the Punch set of windows that are available in the main catty (top 4 window dies). These particular windows coordinate with the matching SU punches creating perfect mats and layers. There are also Holiday Window Dies available (they are on my list, hee-hee).

A few examples of how the windows look when cut and how their shapes (the darker colors) nest with the coordinating punch shapes (the lighter colors). The Curly Label Window also has an added scored detail around the window.
To use the Movers and Shapers first decide where you want your window cut from your card. I have a piece of graph paper inside my die (covering the metal base) that allows me to place my window more evenly (not my idea.. can't take credit for that one!).

You can cut a standard sized card and window with one crank through the Big Shot by covering the outer cutting lines with your card stock.

Or you can place a smaller, pre-cut card inside the cutting lines and only cut the window. If you just want the shape from the window simply run a small scrap big enough to cover the window through. You get the idea.....

Starting at the bottom you will need to stack one Extended Cutting Pad, the Movers and Shapers die (with window placed where you want it) facing up, card stock and the other Extended Cutting Pad on top. Run this stack through you Big Shot.

Tada, it is that easy!

A few tips I learned so far...

..experiment with the dies and shapes to find the best spot for your window on scrap before you cut your card. (Ask me how I know?!)

.. don't toss the shapes leftover when you make a window. Keep them for use later.

.. you can cut along the outer score marks on the Curly Label window to create a larger window opening.

.. if I'm making a smaller card I cut to size and score the card first. Then I line up my score line with the score line on the Bigz die. Just make sure that none of the card is hanging over the cut lines on the die.

.. you can cut a standard size card base (4 1/4 wide x 11 long) first and then run it through. Just make sure to line up the card base with the cut lines on the Bigz die. A little bit of an edge might get trimmed off but it shouldn't be noticeable. If you have trouble getting a nice shaped card try cutting your card base either a bit wider or smaller (maybe 1/8" - 1/4"). This allows the card to either stay just inside the cut lines or allows a little extra to be trimmed off without losing any of your card base.

.. I know that some Bigz die will work in other die cut machines. I have not tried the Movers and Shapers in anything other than the Big Shot so I can not vouch for how it will work. I know one problem is that the Sizzix cutting pads are wider than those that come with other machines. In most cases the Bigz die itself will fit through other machines but the cutting pads will not. Bigz dies require the Extended Cutting Plates (the long ones) and I know, having owned a little green machine (wink, wink) the cutting pads that come with it are not long enough. Some people have found ways around this (shaving down Sizzix plates, piecing together one or more other plates) but I again I can not recommend any of these because I have not tried them myself and do not know what effect it would have on your machine or dies.

I hope this helps take some of the mystery out of the Movers and Shapers Dies. If you have any questions feel free to email me or leave a comment here. Just remember if you leave a comment, leave your email too so that I can get back to you.

Have a great day!

Leftovers

Here is the card I made using the Sweet Pea scraps that were leftover from the cards I showed you yesterday. I had a few long skinny pieces so I adhered them to a regular piece of typing paper and snugged them up close to one another. Then I used the Full Heart Punch to punch out the tri-colored hearts. I did the same with one of the hearts in the Heart to Heart punch. One more strip for the scalloped border and a little thin strip of the tiny polka dot brown. The Be My Valentine is from the Chit Chat Rub-Ons. I never think to use rub-ons. Maybe because I have never had good luck with them in the past. But these went on like buttah, I tell ya! I will for sure be reaching for these again. And with the newest Chat Room Rub-Ons available in the new Mini I will have plenty to choose from. Yea!

I will try to move onto other paper and punches now... or at least different colors from the Sweet Pea collection.. There is enough variety to keep me busy for quite some time in there..

ETA: I am working on a little tutorial on how to use the Movers and Shapers dies. I hope to have it done this afternoon but if not look for it tomorrow.

Distressed?

I tried! I really did. This was my best attempt at a distressed card. I was distressed making it but that was about it!

Really what I wanted to do was show you Vintage Vogue a new stamp set from Stampin" Up. I love the vine!

The little tag is new too. Tiny Tags, appropriately named, is adorable! And the Medium Jewelry Tag Punch is perfect with it. I stamped the little flowery vine from that set off once on scrap and then stamped it right over my "friends" sentiment. My favorite part of this card I think..

All of this new stuff is available tomorrow! I will be up bright and early putting in an order full of fun stuff to play with during class on Jan 16th. If you want to see all of the new stuff check out the new cattys on my Stampin' Up! website. I will have links on my sidebar soon....
Hope everyone is having a good start to the New Year!

With All My Heart Thank You

I've got a little sneak peak for you today. These stamps are from a new stamp set that will be available in the Occasions Mini on Jan 5th. It is called With All My Heart. And the paper, oooh, the paper.. Sending Love is a new paper pack that has the perfect amount of glitter on each piece. I'm really loving this paper. So much so that I have another version of this card using another color scheme from the same pack. These use a sketch from the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog. FTL #64 to be exact! A total copy of the sample for that sketch. I totally fell in love with it, I think it was the rounded corners that got me! I just love those sketches.

If you signed up for my card workshop on Jan 16th (there is only one spot left by the way) These are some of the cards we will be making.

Gotta run, I'm in the middle of a house cleaning, card making marathon. A little cleaning, then a little carding, more cleaning, lots more cleaning, more carding. You get the idea. Hopefully I can get another Mini peak for you tomorrow. So much fun!

Holilday Greetings

This card was part of a little set that I made a while back. The flower is the Daisy Die and the paper is from The Write Stuff Specialty paper. I have used every sheet of paper from that pack. I really need to reorder it because it is one of my favorites. Anyway, back to the card... the center of the flower is a Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button.
The Little Leaves sizzlit and the Top Note die created the backdrop for my flower. The Holiday Greetings sentiment is from Sincere Salutations.

I got a huge box of brand spankin new Stampin' Up! goodies today. Almost all pre-order stuff from the new mini that will be available in January! Wait until you see it, WHOA! Good stuff!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Have you started shopping for Christmas yet? We got a great start yesterday! I really want it all done by the 20th so that I can spend the week of Christmas relaxing... and stamping! hee-hee

Patterned Pines Forest

Good Morning!

I wanted to show you quick a Holiday card I made. Actually I made a bunch of these! Wicked quick and easy!

This one uses Patterned Pines, Christmas Punch (both are hostess sets) and Four the Holidays (from the Holiday Mini). See the ribbon? Yup, it is another color of the taffeta ribbon that I am in love with.

We are off to a frozen turkey hunt at the Botanical Gardens. What the heck is a frozen turkey hunt you ask?! Well, all over the gardens are hidden apples with numbers on them. You collect as many apples as you can and then return them to the visitor center to see what you have won. You can collect almost an entire Thanksgiving feast, including the turkey and fixings for a pumpkin pie just for walking around the trails at the gardens. And it is a beautiful day as a bonus so why not?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Dasher and a little news

I am in full on Christmas card mode right now. I actually have our family cards nearly done thanks to our crafty girls gathering last weekend. yahoo! Now if I could find someone to address the envelopes and get them in the mail on time I would have a complete success! We shall see.... Anyway, I have a quick card using the Dasher stamp from Stampin' Up!. I fell in love with this image the minute I saw it in the catalog. I think it is the antlers that got me. Doesn't hurt that it is in the Under $10 section either.
I added some glitter on the antlers and around his hooves. I love this kraft taffeta ribbon (my photo does it no justice). My goal is to get this taffeta ribbon in every color. I just love it!

My news is that you can now buy Stampin' Up products from me online anytime! Yes, I have taken another plunge and started up my web store. You can see it here. Go check it out! You can see all of the current SU specials and current catalogs and some very cool projects too. I will be doing a stamp a stack after the New Year so look for the dates on my calendar as soon as I have them finalized. Very cool new stuff coming in the New Year, just wait and see! hee-hee

Remember me?

Hi, my name is Molly B and I am a bad blogger.

There are no excuses really, well I have a list prepared but why bother boring you with that now that I have finally posted something.

Even though I have not posted since MAY 28TH (thank you to my friend, Karen for pointing that pathetic date out to me) I have been making cards and other goodies all summer. Did I pose, photograph and edit any of these masterpieces??? Well, no but there was stuff being done really there was.

The last few days I have been busy preparing for a big event (big in my world anyway). One of my oldest and dearest friends Amanda is expanding her quilt shop. Mariner's Compass will celebrate the Grand Opening of Pollyanna's Parlor (along with a huge Early Bird Sale) on November 7th. You can read more about the expansion and how the new space got its name over on Amanda's blog here. Myself, along with some other very talented ladies will be doing some demonstrations during the celebration. I will also have a little make and take, and guess what... it is a card! No way, right?!

Here are the little note cards that I came up with for the big day.

It is a quilt shop after all so I had to use Quilt Quips, right? Love the sentiments in this set. Perfect note cards for a quilter. The red one will be the make and take for the day, but you will be able to pick the sentiment and quilt block you want to use on it. There will be some kits available, just in case you want to make all 4 note cards when you get home. And if you want to make more than 4, I will have a special deal for that too. But you will have to show up to see what that is. Oh, and while you are there you just might see a few early sneak peaks of an upcoming class that Amanda and I have cooked up. wink, wink

Check out all of the details for the Grand Opening of Pollyanna's Parlor, the Early Bird sale and all of the demos on Amanda's blog. And I will be back with more blogging soon.