Seeing Spots!

Over on the Heart 2 Heart Blog this week the challenge focuses on stamping your own background. I love random stamping and using background & texture stamps to achieve this technique. I wanted to play with the new Hit the Spot stamp set some more because I feel that it is the perfect stamp set for creating background papers. It has several circle sizes to create a different look on many projects.

This first card uses a row of medium sized circles, solid and outline images. They are a little tricky to line up, but it's o.k. even if it's a little off. Along with the spots I used the Hot Diggity critters on all the cards. I added some little brads to the owls eyes to make them pop a bit. I also used the same brads in the button with a photo anchor that swivels to release the opening of the card.

For this card I began by punching circles of cardstock that were slightly larger than the spot on the stamp set. I laid them down on white daisy cardstock and then sprayed a mixture of alcohol and re-inker over the entire surface with a spritz bottle. I removed the circles and was left with a negative image of white circles. I then stamped the larger dot using the rock and roll technique directly in the center of each white circle. I used some leaves that looked like sea kelp and added tiny bubbles with stardust glitter glue in the center. I finished the card with bold ribbon, some bigger brads and a wiggly eyed fish!

This final card showcases some of the smaller spots on the stamp set. They simply add texture to the sky and grass.

Giraffe Frame

We celebrated my Nephews birthday this past weekend and wanted to make this frame for him for some time now. He loves giraffes, they are his favorite. He even names them "Giraffee", how cute is that!!

The giraffe itself is from Stampin Up but the other supplies are from Close To My Heart and other found objects. The background paper is from the Zippidee collection. I threaded some cranberry buttons and actually glued them to the top of the glass. His name was done with Irresistibles Lots of Dots in dutch blue. I tied misc. ribbon to the side of the frame.

Hopefully he can enjoy it in his room for a few years until he grows into another phase of his life as all boys do!

A Gift For Baby

Here is the gift basket I made for the mommy-to-be. It is filled with towels, wash cloths, lotion, baby wash and something fun!




Back of the basket~


Here's the fun gift inside~ I found this darling little outfit with polka dots and a sweet cupcake. I used the Hit the Spot stamp set to create a background in the frame to match the outfit. I used the cupcake stamp and made sprinkles using sassy strands stitched in the icing. I finished it off with a heart and sentiment.

Now it's up to momma to snap the photo of baby girl in her outfit!

I had so much fun creating this frame and just had to try another one for my nephew's birthday. Come back soon to see what I created for him. Hint: His favorite animal is the Giraffe!!

A Baby Shower

Over the last couple of weeks I've been planning a baby shower for one of my friends. It was a surprise party. She thought she was coming to our monthly scrapbooking class and tried to cancel several times. Needless to say she made it and was pleasantly surprised.

I decided to make it a "Baby Circus" theme. I used the It's a Zoo stamp and lighter pretty colors as she is having a little girl! I created tissue paper decorations with each little zoo animal in the center as well as a "baby" banner.

Look at my cupcakes~ I knew I wanted to make Red Velvet and totally love Retro Bakery cupcakes. Unable to make the trip there, I made my own. The cake was from a basic southern cooking recipe and I did some research on the icing. I knew that Retro Bakery only makes a pure butter cream frosting and adds a bit of almond flavoring. I found a recipe that came out pretty darn close to the bakery version. I was so happy they turned out well. They were finished off with a few colorful sprinkles to match those on the circus animal cookies.

For each place setting I adorned the plate with salt water taffy wrapped in pretzel bags. I created pouches for the water bottles with crystal light flavorings. They featured a different animal on each and fun ruffled ribbon.

I recycled larger crystal light containers for the goodie prizes. It sure makes a prize more fun and colorful. My daughter's favorite was the whoopi cushion prize for guessing the candy bar in the poopy diapers!!

Dolled up clothespins for the word "baby" game.

and that's not all folks: I also put together the cutest gift basket for the mommy~to~be with a darling decorated frame inside. Come on back soon for more pics.

Clearly Fabulous

Close To My Heart's new Clear Cards are fabulous, fun and quite addicting. They are super easy to use and so cool to experiment with. Here are just a few I've done since receiving my order. The first one was taken mostly from the Summer Idea Book. It uses Splendor papers and chipboard Pizzaz Irresistibles.

You can find clever ways to hide your message inside. This one also features a paper flower using Veranda papers.

Froggy Spots

Another challenge this week at Heart2Heart Blogspot. It's a color challenge. Color challenges always intrigue me especially when they are tricky and completely out of the normal color palette for me. The colors are Topiary, Ocean, Desert Sand and a neutral such as white, black or cream.


For my card I've been wanting to try out the new Hit the Spot stamp set and the Topiary green was begging for a cute little froggy from the Hot Diggity stamp set. The spots are a little bit tricky to line up, but imagine trying it with a wood block!!! Once you get the hang of it your backgrounds are really cool. Please remember to check out the H2H blog to see more artwork from a very talented group of crafter's!

Miracle Kit Layout

As promised, a layout using leftovers from the Miracle Kit. You'll remember the mini album I created using this month's promotional kit. I still had paper leftover and was able to create this two page layout. I added just a few bits of cardstock in chocolate and olive, as well as some twilight big brads and ribbon. I still have some paper left, a few stickease and irresistible chipboard pieces. Who knows what I'll come up with for those. All from one kit that you can get until May 31st at an unbelievable discount. Click here for more details.

It's National Scrapbooking month, therefore I'm concentrating on getting my own scrapbook caught up. Stay tuned for more pages I've been working on.

Pockets full of Thanks

This is my project for this Friday. My club ladies will be making these thank you cards and pocket book to hold them. I also use a fun technique, which is the challenge this week on H2H Challenges. {stop by the H2H blog to see more techniques and amazing artwork} Dying paper flowers with re-inkers is so simple. I also stamped directly on the cover flower with a background and texture stamp. I used re-inkers in the following colors: crystal blue, creme brulee, sweet leaf and holly hock. Just a few drops in a tablespoon of water is all you need. I also got to use some sassy strands that I've had stashed for awhile. The scalloped square was made from a spellbinders die and then I punched a small hole in each scallop. The "book" holds four cards & envelopes that measure 4x4 inches. This would be great to have for yourself or to give as a gift.

Splendor Sheet

Had this vision in my head to decorate a cookie sheet with Splendor papers and some adorable critters. I thought about my sis-in-law immediately and thought she might enjoy this as a Mother's Day gift as she is my daughter's God Mother. I painted the cookie sheet with a beige color to tone down the silver. I used a couple different papers from the Splendor Level 2 paper pack, a favorite this season for sure. I used several different types of ribbon, some old ~ some new. The cute froggy and owl stamps are from the new Hot Diggity stamp set. For the magnets I punched circles of B&T papers and covered them with circle windows. I then glued a strong magnet to the backs of them. Some Goldrush buttons and a library clip to hold a photo completes this fun memo board.

Oh! Oh! Cherry~O!

The new Summer Idea Book went live last Saturday. Have you looked through the pages yet? I just loved the new Cherry~O papers at first sight. I also fell in love with the kit they offered for it. The Cherry~O Workshop comes with a Level 2 paper pack, stamp set and Tulip embellishment kit. They give you a brochure that guides you through card making as well as scrapbooking.

In June I will be teaching a workshop to show my customers how to make an additional two-page layout and 3 more cards with the kit. Here are the cards that you'll make in the brochure.



These are the three additional cards I will make at the workshop. How cute are they?

Here is the two-page layout shown in the brochure. It is darling and the instructions guide you through it with ease.

I followed the instructions in the brochure for the layout, but mixed the papers and cardstock a bit to coordinate better with my theme. I added my own title, other embellishments and sepia tone photos to give the look I wanted for my daughter's Birthday pages.

I will post 3 more cards using the same pattern and stamps, but with the Creative Basics Cherry~O papers soon.