Something Old... Something New

I know the last few days I have been showing you a lot of retired dsp.  I'm not doing it to tease you.  LOL--well maybe a little.  No really, I am just excited to be clearing out space so that I can buy the new BEAUTIFUL dsp that SU! has in their Idea Book & Catalog and Holiday Mini right now.  I have bought a few, but there's always another that I fall in love w/ after seeing other stampers use it.

This morning, I got up early and spent a couple hours down in the stampin' room before anyone woke up.  It is my favorite time of the day. 

I found some retired Autumn Spice dsp hanging out on my shelf and decided to make some cards.  In fact, I got carried away-so I have a handful to sell. 

Then I made basically the same card using BRAND SPANKIN' NEW dsp!  I absolutely love the Spice Cake dsp from the Holiday Mini.  Isn't it pretty?  It also matches the Day of Gratitude stamp set.

I'm not sure which one I like better.  How about you?

Frame It!

It's been awhile.  Sorry about that, but we are in the home stretch.  It is 25 days until Dani leaves for college!  There is so much to do.  I can't believe all those little things that we have neglected until now.  EEK!  For those of you who have sent kids off to college, I would love to hear how you stayed sane. 

I have had this card in my head for days. I finally bought the French Foliage set and I am so stoked. I LOVE IT!  It is a great set that I didn't think I needed when it came out in the holiday mini last fall. I knew I was mistaken when I kept seeing all the beautiful cards made w/ it. :)

This card is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".  I made a frame the same size as my card front and left a 1" border around the edge. 

I stamped in Early Espresso, More Mustard and (you won't believe this) Lucky Limeade. I used More Mustard and Lucky Limeade Markers and colored directly on my leaf stamp, cut it out and popped it out. 

Happy Stamping!

Thanksgiving Table Runner

The Royal Blog Tour has officially ended. I hope you all took some time out over the weekend to jump on the tour and visit all the amazing castles. The Princesses outdid themselves this tour. There showed off some beautiful projects. :)

Over the weekend, I took the time to make my first quilted table runner. I didn't have a pattern so I just sort of winged it. I found this material at Walmart and decided that it was definitely a Thanksgiving table runner. The plain colors are really pretty--cajun craze and more mustard. Now do I keep it or give it as a gift? hmmmm....

Here's the front of the runner with all of the rag edges:

The back with the traditional quilted look:I really like this fabric. I can't believe I found it on the bottom shelf at Walmart!

Fall Colors

Welcome to the first week of November! Can you believe how quickly 2010 is passing by? Halloween has officially came and went and now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving. And although the colors are past there peak where we live in southern Wisconsin, we can stamp them on our cards. :) Soon we will be stamping snowflakes! But first, I am going to enjoy my Autumn Splendor set that I was SURE that I didn't need. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites.



This card was inspired by Krista's Sketch Challenge this week over at Cards & Things. It was a simple sketch just perfect for a colorful fall card.
If you get time this week, go play along. It's amazing to see all the different cards from one sketch.
Card Recipe:
Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor, Itty Bitty Backgrounds (retired)--you could use use the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz in it's place.
Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and More Mustard
Ink: Staz On-Black, Early Espresso, Old Olive, More Mustard and Cajun Craze
DSP: More Mustard Polka Dots (Regals Stack)
Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Square Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Twine and Aqua Painter

Thanksgiving Card

I started out CASEing one of my favorite stampers, Mary Brown, but found out that I am not an expert at cutting out leaves and arranging them beautifully on the front of my card. My card has leaves randoming stamped in the background.
I really like the way it turned out--although cut out, beautifully arranged leaves would have been nice. LOL

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Old Olive
Ink: Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive
Accessories: wide oval punch, pumpkin pie 1/4" grosgrainm eyelet border punch, Big Shot, elegant lines embossing folder

Test Tube Tutorial

Several people asked for a test tube tutorial. I purchased 4" x 3/4" test tubes so this tutorial is for the short skinny test tubes.

I'm sorry, but I don't have fancy software so it is pretty crude.

If you have any questions just shoot me an email or leave a comment (with your email addy) and I will do the best I can to answer your questions.

Click here to see it! :)

Autumn Spice Test Tube

I love the Autumn Spice dsp (item #120808) in the Holiday Mini Catalog. I think it's so rich and pretty and it matches the Holiday M&Ms perfectly. :) It seemed like a perfect excuse to use my brand new test tubes. I bought a few of them in a bulk buy on the SeaSideCrafts yahoo group. I saved a little money which is nice because Evan ALWAYS needs diapers and I can always think of more stamps I would like from Stampin' UP! LOL

I added a couple leaves from the Day of Gratitude stamp set (item #121148 clear) also in the Holiday Mini Catalog. It coordinated with the Autumn Spice dsp. I didn't think I need this set. Now I am looking forward to making as many cards and projects as I can before winter comes.

But I'm sure I will have another favorite for the winter months. :)

September SWAP

I know-I know, it's half way through October and I am just posting these. The world has gone completely crazy at my house. 3 kids + 1 husband (only working part-time) + 1 house being remodeled + 1 first birthday party + 1 BIG Stamp-A-Stack + 1 unorganized mom=crazy house. LOL
Here are our cards--Enjoy!

Caroline's Apron Card (has a recipe for yummy Apple Cake in the pocket).





My Quilt Card (I loved making these!)





Joni's Pretty Autumn Card (I love the colors!)





Julie's Fancy Handbags (I feel a CASE coming on! *wink*)