Every Time I sit down to scrapbook I find it really relaxing and then I ask myself why I don’t do it more often.  It’s probably because my photos never make it from my computer to the store to be printed.  I’ve been looking at a few photo printers so that I can do it right at home. 

This page is of Colin and Evan playing their new Nintendo DS games.  They both get money for Christmas and had been asking about getting a hand held game to play in the car.  It seems like all of their friends have one so Roger and I did our research and let them each pick one out.  The journaling reads: A few days after Christmas the two of you used your money to buy a DS.  The new games captivated you and kept you busy for hours.  Just look at your concentration.

I used a 12 X 12 Kraft card stock base.  I then used different patterns of the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pad.  After my layers were in place I sewed them right onto the page using my sewing machine and a zig zag stitch.  The Taken with Teal layer is sponged with Taken with Teal ink.  I thought it complimented the colors in Colin’s Bakugan comforter perfectly.  I used the Circle Scissors and various punches to add the circles along with corduroy buttons, brads and a Latte button.  The So Saffron circle is stamped with the Delight in Life stamp set and I used the Delight Definition.  The title is the Just Perfect Alphabet.

Again I hope you have a chance to check out some of the other Demonstrators that are participating in the Almost Artisan Blog Tour.

Cindy
Jamie
Jackie
Patty
Katy
Melissa
Monika *starting next week*
Tracy *starting next week*
Sam *starting next week*
Tina
Kelly
Renee *starting mid-June*
Carrie *posting during convention*
Ashley
Jenn *starting soon*
Carmen

I also wanted to thank you all for being so supportive of me as I’ve been blogging, especially as a Stampin’ Up! only blogger.  Over the next month you may see a few changes around here.  The biggest is that I am giving up my Demonstratorship as of June 30th.  I feel that it’s time to move on with my papercrafting.  I have e-mailed my customers personally so they were the first to know.  I will continue to blog and to stamp.  I will also continue to use Stampin’ Up! supplies as they are by far some of my favorite.  I hope that you continue to come back and be inspired.

Today is the last full day of 1st grade for Colin and Evan’s last day of speech for this school year. When I first started stamping Colin was just entering preschool for his first year.  Time sure has flown by.  

When I sat down to make my Artisan Award cards I wanted to stay true to my style.  I like lots of layers, but I tend to stick to clean and crisp lines.  Even though this card looks fairly simple I added a lot of details to make each layer special.  I was inspired by the spring flowers popping up all around me and wanted a nice bright and fresh card.  I used Abundant Hope for the flowers and wanted to add some pop so the flowers are watercolored and cut out and then popped up with dimensionals.  I used Summer Sun, Old Olive and Always Artichoke classic inks.  I used Sahara Sand to add shadow and dimension.  The sentiment is from the Hostess set Kind & Caring Thoughts.  After the image and sentiment were in place I added strips of Sweet Pea designer series paper and then used a zig zag stitch to add texture.  This layer is popped up on dimensionals.  I added a Kraft circle and a Chocolate Chip Corduroy brad.  The base of the card is Chocolate Chip and is layered with Kraft card stock and more Sweet Pea dsp.  I added paper piercing around this layer. 

I hope you take a moment to check out some of the other demonstrators who are taking part in the Almost Artisan tour.
Cindy
Jamie
Jackie
Patty
Katy
Melissa
Monika *starting next week*
Tracy *starting next week*
Sam *starting next week*
Tina
Kelly
Renee *starting mid-June*
Carrie *posting during convention*
Ashley
Jenn *starting soon*
Carmen

Tomorrow I will have another project I submitted for the Artisan Award and then on Saturday I’ll have a Sketch for You to Try from Jen.  Thanks for all of the kind wishes about Sophie.  Evan doesn’t seem to really understand, but Colin keeps breaking down and crying.  I know it’s going to be harder as we get closer to next Wednesday.  I have to keep telling myself that we are making the right decision for her so that she doesn’t suffer and for the kids so they don’t see her suffer.  It’s going to be a long weekend, but we’ll hopefully find ways to distract ourselves.

Welcome to the September Tour de Freaks. This month it’s my turn to be the 1st stop on the tour. However, it does make a complete circle so if you came here from Cindy Major’s blog, welcome!  I have no doubt that she shared some fabulous projects with you.  There are 15 stops on the tour so please make sure to visit them all. This month the theme is Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love all things Fall and Halloween and Thanksgiving are two of my favorite holidays. I had a million ideas running loose in my head, but I narrowed it down to just a few so I don’t slow the tour down.

My first project is a spooky Halloween card.  I just love this image from House of Haunts and I paired it up with the fun papers from Cast-a-Spell Designer Series paper.  I pulled colors right from the package and threw in Elegant Eggplant to add to the night time scene.  I even tried to make some spooky shadows lingering in the windows.  The sentiment is from Spooky Treats Rub Ons.  I put it on Basic Gray, sponged the edges and drew in some stitches with my Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker.  I don’t know about you, but my Basic Black ink takes forever to dry and I’m actually able to heat emboss with it.  The house is embossed in Crystal Clear Embossing powder and the windows, gravestones and grass are watercolored in with an AquaPainter before they were embossed.  I then used sponges, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant classic inks to sponge in the sky.  It’s really spooky, but the fun happens when you open it.

That’s right the Christmas Tree Pop Up die is not just for Christmas. Look at this spooky tree, complete with a Pumpkin Pie and Elegant Eggplant Medallion Tree skirt. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings. I dressed up the tree with Natural Hemp Twine and more Spooky Treats Rub Ons. I put them on Whisper White card stock before cutting them out and adhering them to the tree.

You can’t have a Spooky card without some candy to go with it. Well where is the candy? I wanted to show you the lovely Spooky Brocade Decor Element. Isn’t it fun? I applied it to a glass jar that I picked up at a big box craft store. I then attached a wide Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon, Chocolate Chip corduroy button threaded with Linen thread and then attached a tag I made with the Holiday Best Hostess stamp set. I colored it with markers before punching it out and sponging the edges with Old Olive ink.

Now aren’t you glad I showed you the details of the jar before filling it with candy. You wouldn’t have seen all of the fabulous spindly legs of the spider and the details of the brocade if I hadn’t.

So let’s move onto a card that can be used just for Fall or for the Thanksgiving holiday.

This is based on a card by Karen Burniston. She is gracious enough to share her files for her lovely Pop Up Tree cards with Stampin’ Up! demonstrators.  As you can see, I used the corduroy brads, the fold and the ribbon like she did.  I changed just about everything else and I love it.  The base is Close to Cocoa and I paired it with with Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper and Elegant Eggplant.  I stamped the leaves from Autumn Splendor in More Mustard, Ruby Red and Always Artichoke and then colored them in with an AquaPainter and included Old Olive in the mix.  The acorns are stamped in Soft Suede and colored with Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel.  I added the sentiment from Grateful Greetings on a Large Oval punch with a Ruby Red scallop oval punch.  Since I gave away it’s a pop up card, I bet you are anxious to see the inside.

Here it is in all it’s glory! Again the Medallion stamp makes the perfect tree skirt. This time I have Ruby Red berries on a Chocolate Chip textured card stock tree that has been run through the Big Shot with the Finial Press embossing folder. It’s it so rich and luxurious? I also used more Autumn Traditons paper, Kraft Taffeta ribbon, a silver ribbn slide and more Autumn Splendor leaves. This time they are cut out and up on dimensionals. The sentiment is from Holiday Best.

I hope you enjoyed my projects. It’s now time to head over to Wendy Janson’s blog. Simply click the button below to continue on your tour.

All products are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased via my Demonstrator Website: http://igotstamps.stampinup.net

The theme for the August Tour de Freaks is the 2009 – 2010 In Colors. Each year I love seeing the new trendy colors and this year is no exception. I love each and every one of them and I’ve tried to include them all in each of my three projects. I’m sure you all have seen them a lot lately and know the names by heart, however, if you are new to Stampin’ Up! or haven’t had the chance to see them over summer vacation they are: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Rich Razzleberry.

So let’s get on with the tour! You may have come here by the way of Cindy Major’s blog. If so welcome! At the end of the post you will also be directed on to the next stop so make sure to keep on reading and don’t forget to click through to Lisa Martz blog.  There are 13 stops along the way, and the links will be here to stay so you can visit them at your convenience.  However, if you are like me I know you are going to want to view them all the way through.

My first card features Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede.  I decided to use Kazan’s sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You because I wanted to use my new Sizzix dies for the Big Shot.  This card came together way too easily, but I love the outcome.

To make this card:
1. Cut your Bermuda Bay card stock base to 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 and score it at 4 1/4.
2. Cut a piece of Melon Mambo Prints dsp with the Sizzix Scallop Square die. I cut off the top 1 1/2 scallops across the top to fit the sketch.
3. Run a piece of Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot with the Sizzix Oval Scallop die. You will use only the center piece for this card, but save the scalloped outside for the next card. Punch a slot with the horizontal slot punch on both sides to run the ribbon through.
4. Stamp the Kind and Caring Thoughts flower in Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry. Stamp it with Crushed Curry after stamping off. Stamp the sentiment in Soft Suede.
5. Run the Soft Suede ribbon through the main image panel and secure it to the scallop square layer with dimensionals. Tie a nice bow. Attach two Chocolate Chip brads to the bottom two scallops and attach to the card base. Add 3 mini half pearls from the Pretties Kit with mini glue dots.

Scalloped Wishes Recipe
Stamps: Kind and Caring Thoughts
Paper:Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo Prints dsp, Whisper White
Ink:Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede
Accessories:Big Shot, Scalloped Square and Salloped Oval die, horizontal slot punch, Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon, dimensionals, Pretties Kit, mini glue dots, 5/16″ brads

My second card features Rich Razzleberry.  It’s a rich gorgeous purple and it pairs very nicely with Orchid Opulence and Old Olive ink.  I used Upsy Daisy for the sentiment and Petal Pizzazz for my main image.  The sketch if from Mojo Monday and is Sketch 100 Day One.

To make this card:
1. Cut your Rich Razzleberry card base to 4 1/4 X 11 and score it at 5 1/2. Cut a piece of Old Olive to 4 X 5 1/4 and one piece of Cottage Wall to 3 7/8 X 5 1/8.
2. Cut off 2 1/4″ off of the 5 1/8 side of the Cottage Wall dsp to flip over to see the opposite side of the paper. Attach to the Old Olive, tie on a Rich Razzleberry bow and attach to the card base.
3. Cut off 3 scallops from each end of the Whisper White piece you die cut for the 1st card in this post. Attach them to the back of a piece of Old Olive card stock measuring 2 X 2 1/2. Add two silver brads to the center scallop on each side.
4. Cut a piece of Whisper White card stock measuring 1 7/8 X 2 3/8. Stamp the stem from Petal Pizzazz in Old Olive. Stamp the flower and leaf in Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive on a scrap of Whisper White. Cut out and add a silver brad to the center of the flower. Attach the flower and leaf with dimensionals.
5. Add paper piercing to the main image panel and attach to the Old Olive layer with dimensionals. Attach this to the card base with dimensionals.
6. Stamp the Upsy Daisy sentiment with Orchid Opulence on Whisper White and punch out with the Word Window punch before attaching to the card.

Pizzazz Thank You Recipe
Stamps:Upsy Daisy, Petal Pizzazz
Paper:Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Cottage Wall dsp, Whisper White
Ink:Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive
Accessories:Big Shot,Salloped Oval die, silver brads, dimensionals, mat pack, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon, Word Window Punch

So if you have been keeping track, I’ve shown you Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede and Crushed Curry.  I have one color left in my last project to showcase and that is Dusty Durango.  I paired it up with Crushed Curry and Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper to make this adorable 3 X 3 Note Card box complete with six 3 X 3 Thank You cards and envelopes.  The tutorial for this project comes right from the Splitcoaststampers website.

Wouldn’t this be a cute gift to give to a new teacher? I know that I always needed a quick thank you note now and then and it would have been fun to have an adorable box like this at my desk.

To make this project:
1. Follow the directions to make the 3 X 3 Card box as described in the Splitcoaststampers tutorial.
2. Cut three 3 X 6 cards from Dusty Durango and three from Crushed Curry. Score them at 3″ to make a 3″ square card.
3. Cut six pieces of 2 7/8″ squares from Whisper White.
4. On three of the Whisper White squares stamp the Medallion image in Dusty Durango and on the other three stamp it in Crushed Curry. Add your paper piercing along the right side and then stamp the sentiment from Trendy Trees in Soft Suede.
5. Attach the Dusty Durango images to the Crushed Curry card bases and the others to the Dusty Durango card bases. Place your envelopes and cards in your box to keep for yourself or to give as a gift.

Thank You Note Card Box Recipe
Stamps: Medallion, Trendy Trees
Paper:Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Razzleberry Lemonade dsp, Dusty Durango
Ink:Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo
Accessories:Scallop edge punch, sticky strip, mat pack, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon, dimensionals

I hope you have enjoyed my projects and I hope you’ll return next month to continue on our monthly blog tour. The next stop on this month’s tour is Lisa Martz.

All products are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased via my Demonstrator Website: http://igotstamps.stampinup.net

I am so glad you decided to join us on this fantastic blog tour! If you arrived here from Julie Dinn’s blog you are on the right track.  If I’m your first stop just keep going, it’s a full circle.  There are 12 stops along the way, so make sure you take the time to see all of the wonderful creations the Control Freaks Swappers Group has in store for you. The creativity in this group is beyond amazing and I am so thrilled to be a part of it. This tour is focusing on new products in the 2009 – 2010 Idea Book and Catalog and is a 100% Stampin’ Up! only Blog Tour.  At the end of this post, click on the image to go to the next stop, Melanie Schulenberg’s blog.  I chose to use Pendant Park and the new Medallion Background stamp set for my three projects.

Let’s start with a clean and simple card. I used Fall to Layout #51 sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping. I paired it with the Thoroughly Modern designer series paper package. I started with a Kraft card stock base and layered it with Rose Red and the Taken with Teal pattern from Thoroughly Modern dsp. The Whisper White layer has been die cut with the Stampin’ Up! exclusive Top Note Die for the Big Shot. I added a few 5 petal flowers and some Leaves also cut out with the Big Shot.  The Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon ties it all together.

Stamps: Pendant Park
Paper: Kraft, Rose Red, Thoroughly Modern dsp, Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Old Olive
Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red, Soft Suede
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, dimensionals, horizontal slot punch, Soft Suede Polka-dot ribbon,  Little Leaves sizzlet, Boho Blossoms Punch, 5 Petal Flower punch, vintage brad

A few weeks ago I’d have never reached for Orchid Opulence. It’s just not a color I use, or it wan’t until I purchased the Cottage Wall designer series paper. It’s just gorgeous paired with Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive. The Orchid Opulence layer has been run through the Big Shot with the new Stampin’ Up! Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The Medallion was stamped in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White and then layered on Orchid Opulence that was sponged with Rich Razzleberry.  This layer is set up on dimensionals.  I then made the paper flower by scoring a 1″ X 12″ strip of Cottage Wall dsp every 1/2 inch and attaching the ends together to make a circle.  It is attached with Sticky Strip.  I added a Latte button, linen thread and the Hello stamp from Pendant Park to finish off the card. The sketch for this card is Jen’s Sketch for You To Try.

Stamps: Medallion, Pendant Park
Paper: Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Rich Razzleberry, Whipser White, Cottage Wall dsp
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Finial Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, sponge, dimensionals, sticky strip, Latte Button, Linen Thread, Modern Label Punch

This last project is one of my favorites. Becky Robert’s sent me a RAK while my Dad was in the hospital. She sent me the tutorial to make this purse! I’ve been wanting to try it out and finally had a chance to sit down and make it. Thanks Becky!  This is my version of her Purse-onally Perfect Notes. I used the new Nouveau Chic designer series paper and Pendant Park to make this purse.  The colors in the designer series paper package are Apricot Appeal, Sage Shadow, Basic Gray and Basic Black.  I just pulled colors from there to put this cool purse together.

Stamps: Pendant Park
Paper: Nouveau Chic dsp, Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, Sage Shadow, Apricot Appeal
Ink: Sage Shadow, Basic Gray
Accessories: Circle Scissors, Sticky Strip, mini glue dots, 1 1/4″ square punch, Pretties Kit, Simple Flower Embosslit, Little Leaves sizzlet, dimensionals, wide oval punch, natural hemp twine.

I hope you have a fantastic time on this tour! Thanks so much for stopping by.  Remember that this week my family is going on vacation, so I’m taking a short hiatus from blogging.  I will be back later this week with some projects to share.

All products are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased via my Demonstrator Website: http://igotstamps.stampinup.net

I wanted to let you know about the fantastic upcoming Blog Tour! Make sure to mark your calendar for July 20th.  You’ll want to be the first to see the amazing projects everyone has planned for you.

ETA: The blog tour links are now broken. I hope you enjoyed the April 27th tour!

Are you ready to go on a tour of the Occasions Mini catalog? I sure am! I am in love with all of the stamp sets, accessories and Big Shot dies it has to offer. If you arrived here from Tiffany’s Blog then you are on the right path.  I’m the 4th stop on the tour and there are a total of 19 stops.  I’m excited to show you the Great Friend stamp set.  If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know that I love butterflies, so of course this set was right up my alley.  When I sat down to create my card I wanted to showcase the stamp set and get another challenge done at the same time.  This card is a CASE of Lauri Seago and I found it on Sherrill’s blog.  The template from the dress is from Papercrafts magazine and is found online here.

To make this card I printed out the template on computer paper and then used Dotto to attach it to a 4 1/4 X 11 piece of Parisian Breeze specialty paper that was scored at 5 1/2 inches.  I simply cut out the dress and then I cut out the matching apron pattern from Vellum Paper.  I used the eyelet border punch on the bottom edge and then used the leaf image from a Great Friend and stamped it in White Stazon.  When the stazon was dry the butterfly was stamped in Not Quite Navy and the flight path was added with the help of the Priceless classy brass template and my paper piercer.  I wanted the vine to show through the butterfly so I wiped the Not Quite Navy ink off with a tissue.  I attached the vellum paper to the card with SNAIL adhesive and then tied on the Baja Breeze satin ribbon from the Valet Ribbon Originals card.  I added the “for you” sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink on a small oval Whisper White piece of card stock.  I tied it on with Linen thread and also used the same piece to tie on the Latte button.  To dress up the collar, hem and sleeves I used the scallop edge punch on a scrap piece of Baja Breeze card stock and then ran it through the crimper.  I then simply attached it to the card.  Crimping it allows you to bend it to make the neckline smoother. 

Did you know that if you spent $40 on Occasions Mini merchandise you can choose a FREE item from the “Under $10″ page of the catalog?.  This offer is good through April 30th, so place your Online Order for any of the items you see on the blog tour and take advantage of this offer. 

Are you ready to see more?  The next stop on the tour is on Renee Winch’s blog.  She is a brand new blogger, Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, cake decorator and florist.  She’ll be showing you the Summer Love Rub Ons from the Occasions Mini catalog.  Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy the tour.   Make sure you check out all of the blogs today because tomorrow the links will be gone!

Here are a few more of my favorite cards made with the Great Friend stamp set.