FABULOUS FLORETS AGAIN!!

Yes, Fabulous Florets is my new "in" stamp set for this month.  I can't help it.  I love Stampin' Ups' stamp sets because you get so much all in one package.  This one in particular has two types of stamps in one set:  bold and outline.  Plus you get a sentiment.  I could go on and on about how fabulous the quality, style, and designs are, but most of you that visit my blog already know there is not another brand out there that even comes close to giving you all this, plus keeping the prices below what you pay anywhere else.  I love "win-win" situations!!!

Today I'm going to show you what it is like in my world when I try to come up with a card design -- please don't laugh!  I hate even confessing to how long it takes me after watching my fellow RubberQueens stamp a card in 5 minutes and it's ready to slip in the mail.  The only time I am able to do this is when I am watercoloring with my crayons or doing a vintage card.  However, there just might be a couple of you out there hiding in the closet like me, and I want you to know there is someone else who has a difficult time coming up with a design.  My challenge to you is to come out of the closet and post pictures of your "out-takes."  Yesterday, I sat down and tried making my "out-takes" into some sort of a card.  So here goes:


This is the actual design I ended up swapping at the RubberQueen meeting.  I first did the embossed resist technique using our new Wild Wasabi and Tangerine Tango Embossing Powders, then brayed with Marina Mist Classic Ink.  I then dry embossed using the new Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and then sanded the embossed image using SU's Sanding Block to bring out the Whisper White Card Stock used for this layer.



I fixed this "throw-away" this morning by adding some of the new Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper to cover up my boo-boo on bottom.  I also added the sentiment from the Cute by the Inch Hostess Level I Stamp Set,  and used some Pacific Point Classic Ink on the background.  This ended up being my favorite card (wish I would have thought of doing this for the swap!).

 

I believe this was my 2nd try at trying to figure out what I was going to do for my swap -- didn't like!

 

This was my 1st try -- YIKES!!!  Yep, that is a lot of Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight Classic Ink going on there!!!



This was my 4th try -- which is very similar to final.  I decided I didn't want the sentiment on the card and switched out the Tempting Turquoise for the Marina Mist Classic Ink.



And I can't leave you without showing you this darling treat box/purse Ronda Wade demonstrated at her meeting.  Sorry, Ronda, for cutting off your head; but you would not let me take another picture.  At least I got your beautiful smile!!

So that's it for today.  Enjoy our beautiful weather and have a great weekend!

Until next time,
Sandi
"There is no feat in love, but perfect love casteth out fear. . . ." -- I John 4:18
"Jesus, when I'm afraid, help me submit my fears to Your love." -- Julia Attaway

FLOWER FEST WITH MESSAGES FOR MOM

Happy Friday Everybody!!

Two days of sun!!  I can hardly stand it.  The trees have tiny leaves on them, my flowers are up high, and there are dandelions in the yard!!! I have had lots of different things going on since my last post.  I had so much fun making cards at Ronda Wade's Summer Mini PJ Event.  And no, it ended up I couldn't wear my pajamas because I had to stop at the store on the way there.  I was a half-hour late, making poor Ronda worry sick as I am always the first one to arrive (I thought it started at 6:30, but it was 6 p.m.).  So she helped me catch up.  We made baggie books again, featuring 4 new stamps and product from the Stampin' Up Summer Mini Catalog.  We ended up with 20 beautiful cards that I will be CASEing many times over for sure.  Then to top my night off, I got lost twice on the way home (mind you, I only had about 10 miles to drive at the max).  It wasn't so bad because I expected it would happen when I saw I couldn't go back the same way, as the road was closed.  I have taken different routes many times, but for some reason it felt and looked entirely different at 10:30 p.m. (in pitch black darkness).  So I just kept driving around in circles until I found my way.  I never get upset or freaked out when I get lost because it happens all the time and I have a compass in my SUV (didn't take my GPS of course). 

Today I want to show you my Mother's Day card I made yesterday using the new Flower Fest Stamp Set in the Summer Mini.  My mom passed away 5 years ago, but I honor her by making cards for my daughter's instead as they are mother's and need kudos also.  I didn't think I would like this stamp set as it is so different from what I typically buy.  However, I can't resist stamp images that you can use with our punches.  I ended up loving the card, what do you think:


Product Used:  Flower Fest and Messages for Mom Stamp Sets; Daffodil Delight, Early Expresso, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Shimmer White Card Stock; Bold Brights Brads (Daffodil Delight); Basic Pearl; Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, and Wild Wasabi Embossing Powders; BIGZ L Petal Cone Big Shot Die; and various punches.

 I've been doing a lot of stamping the last couple of weeks, but mostly trying to catch up on my stacks and stacks of  discontinued half-started projects.  I have so many card designs cut and packaged left over from the last 3-4 years (yes, I can't believe it either).  So my goal this Summer is to get all these cards completed.  I did about 40 so far (just a drop in the bucket).  These cards were "fix-up" cards and/or precut cards that needed to be assembled featuring the discontinued Watercolor Trio Stamp Set (which I so wish would have been carried over to the new catalog), discontinued Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper, and some current product.   Even if you do not own this discontinued product, I wanted to post pictures because I loved the designs and knew it would be easy to substitute with any stamp set you might have on hand.

I hope all of you have a beautiful Mother's Day, even if you are not a mother, I'm sure you have served as a fill-in mother (which is even better yet).  Personally I think everyday should be Mother's Day, but then it probably wouldn't be as special if we celebrated every day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time,
Sandi
"As a mother comforts her child, so shall I you. . . ." -- Isaiah 66:13