I am a Snapdragon

I enjoyed taking this quiz. I am not sure if I've ever even seen a snapdragon?

I think the summary is somewhat accurate.

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

St. Patrick's Day Gift Bag / Basket

I got the template for this on www.paperpleasing.typepad.com

They also used this template on Splitcoast Stampers, but referred back to the above site.

I decided to make a St. Paddy's one. I wanted to post this on my blog last week...ugh...it is just like me to be late! Some things came up, and I didn't get it done.

The top flap on this little basket/bag/purse thing comes down, as shown in the above photo. I stuck a magnet on the front flap, and on the inside, so the flap will stay up when it is upright. It is much cuter in person - I wish you could see it. I hope I can make a few for Easter.

These are not Stampin Up! supplies...with the exception of the "lucky" stamp. That IS Stampin Up! and is from the stamp set called Define Your Life.

The card stock is from Archivers. The solid cs is Bazzill Basics. This was my fist time to use Bazzill, and I really like it! I would love to use SU! paper...but didn't have any St. Paddy's Day shades of green. The designer paper is Reminisce from Archiver's "Greenday".

The die cut is Quickutz "shamrock" from Archiver's. The green rhinestone is from Archivers, "Doodlebug Design Inc." pastel assortment jewels. When it is stuck on the dark green, it doesn't seem pastel at all. These rhinestones are a better quality than some of the other ones I've seen...with the exception of Stampin Up!, of course!

I used a large Marvy Punch to punch out the scalloped square. I used the white gel pen to make the dots in white. I placed the candy in a cello bag (Hobby Lobby) and tied it with some green ribbon I found at Archivers (I think it is May Arts ribbon). I used dimensionals to put the scallop piece on...so it would add some nice dimension.

Directions

Cut 1 piece CS 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Cut 1 piece CS 3 1/2" x 7"

Handles: Cut 2 pieces CS 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Score the 8 1/2" rectangle at 3 1/2" and 5"

Score the 7" rectangle at 1/2", 2", 5", and 6 1/2". Score again 1/2" along the bottom, horizontally.

On the 7" piece...cut out the bottom 1/2" piece up to the 2nd score line on the LH and RH side.

The shamrock layer is 2 3/4 x 3 1/4".

Use sticky strip to adhere the pieces of the bag together...making sure the bottom goes on last! Use sticky strip to adhere the handles on the bag. It also looks cute to use brads to attach the handles...but I wanted a simple look.

rock Card

Here is the card I made yesterday. This is a non Stampin Up! card. Sorry, peeps! :-) Oh - except the chunky glitter and the black paper is SU!

My friend is throwing her little boy a "Rock Star" birthday party. I am an unorganized person, so don't go thinking I always make a card to match the theme of the recipient's party! I didn't even do that for my own son, who had an "Army" birthday party! (Because I didn't stamp in November...too busy).

But, I was in Archiver's and I just happened to see this paper. And I thought it would be perfect for a Rock Star card...so here it is.

There is NO stamping involved at all. It is super easy. The only trick is making sure you put glitter on the letters the day before you want to make the card...b/c otherwise, the glue will not be dry.

Directions:

Step 1: Cover the top of the "rock" chipboard letters in Crystal Effects. Then, just sprinkle the chunky glitter over the letters, and push the glitter down with light pressure with the cap (just to get it to stick). And I did all this on a sheet of parchment paper, so it wouldn't stick to the paper. Let dry overnight.

Step 2: Cut sheet of silver cs in half. Use that half for the card. Layer the star designer paper on a basic black layer. Put a silver brad in each corner. Adhere the top layer to the silver card.

Step 3: Trim out the guitar from the other designer paper. Place on the card using dimensionals.

Step 4: Glue "rock" letters directly on to the card using Tombo multi glue. (don't use too much...like I did on the "r").

Supplies:

Stampin Up! Chunky Glitter (silver), SU! Basic Black CS, Tombo multi glue, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals, Adhesive, Silver CS (don't know the brand, Archivers), Rock Star CS (DSWV, Archivers), Rock Guitars CS (DSWV, Archivers), Silver Brads (don't know the brand, and I think they are from Archivers).

NOTE: I should have used pink sticky strip to adhere the black piece to the silver CS. I used snail. But, I didn't realize the silver paper is kinda slippery...so it slides around a little. That won't happen next time....since now I know.

Bella Toile in Bravo Burgundy - Song in Your Heart

Here is the same card - just with Bravo Burgundy instead of Chocolate Chip.
For supplies and directions, please see my post directly below this one. The only other difference (other than the color of the paper) is the ribbon/fiber.
This ribbon is not Stampin Up. I bought it at Archivers a long time ago, so I'm not sure if they still carry it. It is EK Success "Adornment's"..."Fun Fibers for Fabulous Effects". I thought this card had a French feel to it...so I felt like it needed a little touch of velvet. I'm not sure if you can see the texture in the photo...but the ribbon/fiber is velvet.

Bella Toile in Chocolate - Song in Your Heart

I hope you enjoy the card I made today! Sorta makes you crave chocolate, doesn't it? Oh wait...that's just me...everything makes me crave chocolate.

I don't know about anyone else - but sometimes embossing stresses me out. If it's just a small stamped image, then I don't get flustered. But, when it is a large image like this one, I think it is kinda tricky. Maybe it is just me!

The sentiment stamp is from Hobby Lobby. I was there the other day, and I saw this stamp and just had to get it. The sentiment made me think of my friend, Lori. She is also adopting from Russia, and we have been through a lot together. The process is so hard...that sometimes you "forget the words"...

I made one card in chocolate, and one in burgundy. I haven't decided which shade to send to her yet.

The idea for this card came from Mary Fish! I found her blog the other day, and borrowed the layout and colors from her. I did change the stamped image in the top layer, and the style of ribbon.

Supplies (All Stampin Up! except the Sentiment Stamp)

Stamps: Bella Toile Background Stamp, "Diffusion" Hampton Art Stamp (Hobby Lobby)

Ink: Versamark

Embossing Powder: Black

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Ivory, Basic Black

Other: Vintage Brads (Black), SU Ribbon in Satin Chocolate Chip (sorry, this retired - it was in a mini about a year ago, but I think May Arts has a ribbon that is similar), dimensionals, adhesive.

Under the Stars Birthday Card for Dad

Today is Dad's Birthday! Happy Birthday, Dad! OK...he doesn't even read this blog, but I felt like saying that. :-)

I hope you like this card. This bear is so adorable. I can't wait to make many, many other cards using this bear. I have so many ideas for him running around in my head...the possibilities are endless.

This card uses retired colors - in fact they are the In Colors from last year. BUT - you can use ANY colors you want, and the card will still look very similar. I just wanted to use something with blue and green, b/c Dad likes those colors.

Supplies (All Stampin Up!):

Stamp Sets: Under the Stars, Crab and Company (retired) (just for the little gifts and the little hat), Best Yet (retired 2008 Hostess Set)

Paper: Whisper White, Wild Wasabi (retired), Brilliant Blue, and Jersey Shore DSP (retired)

Ribbon: Wild Wasabi DS (retired)

Ink: Black Stazon, Wild Wasabi (the star), Close to Cocoa (to watercolor the bear), Stampin Write Markers in Brilliant Blue, Only Orange, and Certainly Celery, White Gel Pen (the polka dots on the hat and the gifts).

Other: Aqua Painter, Adhesive, Dimensionals, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Glue Pen (to stick on the hat)

Monkey Business Birthday Card for Matt

Here is the card I made for my husband's birthday. I hope you like it! I think it turned out great. I had to make a monkey, because he calls me Monkey Girl. :-)

And his heart is in my hand (see the card). :-)

Supplies (All Stampin Up! Except the ribbon and red heart):

Stamp Sets: Monkey Business (retired), Crab and Company (just the little birthday hat), and Sock Monkey (just the balloon - 3 pictured).

Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Naturals White, and the DSP is retired from last year (Bali Breeze), but you could use any DSP with some bold bright hues.

Ribbon: American Crafts Celebration (Hobby Lobby...but I know Michaels and Archivers also carry this brand)

Ink: Craft Chocolate Chip (so I could emboss it), and the other parts of the monkey are watercolored in with Close to Cocoa ink, Black Stazon, Stampin Write markers in Black, Tempting Turquise, So Saffron, Summer Sun, and Certainly Celery, and White Gel Pen.

Other: Red Heart (these hearts come in a pkg of self adhesive hearts in ivory, red, and pink...I think I bought them at Archivers), Crystal Effects, Dimensionals, Adhesive, Clear EP, Aqua Painter

Directions:

Stamp monkey with CRAFT ink on naturals white cardstock. Emboss with clear e powder. Then watercolor other areas of the monkey with ink from the close to cocoa ink pad (squish the ink into the lid of the ink pad), using an aqua painter). Stamp 3 balloons and a hat, using black stazon ink. Use Stampin Write markers to color these items. Then use the white gel pen to add polka dots to the hat, and little white shine-mark to the balloons. Trim out these images. Then, spread Crystal Effects all over the 3 balloons and the hat. Use a toothpick to get the Crystal Effects to the edge. Let dry overnight on some slick paper (otherwise, it might stick to your table or paper). Attach the 3 balloons to the assembled card with dimensionals, and draw in the balloon strings with a black Stampin Write marker. Glue the monkey's hat on with a glue pen. Stick the little red heart on his hand.

Flower Layers Bigz Die Card by Sally

Yay! My last Shoebox Swap Card! This one is Sally's! I love Sally's cards...they are always a hit with me! She comes up with some great ideas. Sally does not have a blog, or I would provide a link. She designed the card, and all we had to do was cut out our flowers with the Big Shot machine, and then assemble the card. Warning: This card is time consuming! But, it is worth it. The beads in the center of the flower look amazing in person.

Supplies (All Stampin Up! Except the Cuttlebug Folder):
Bigz Dies Used: Flower Layers With Leaf and Top Note
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink, Old Olive, Petal Party DSP
Other: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Argyle Embossing Folder by Cuttlebug, Big Shot Machine, Crystal Effects (to glue down the beads that are in the center of the flowers), adhesive, Bead Duos in Orange and Green (both pg 180).

Fifth Avenue Floral So Saffron Card

Okay...only 2 more to go. Here is the next to the last Shoebox Swap Card. I think the lady's name is Pam...the one who designed and brought this card. She cut out the pieces...all we had to do was stamp the flowers, watercolor the flowers, trim, and assemble the card. I love the new glitter that is in the new catalog!

Supplies (All Stampin Up!)
Stamp Set: Fifth Avenue Floral
Cardstock: So Saffron, Basic Gray, Whisper White
Texturz Plate: Stampin Up Backgrounds (pg 203 of the catalog)
Ink: So Saffron (for watercolor)
Other: Aqua Painter, Glitter (Fine Cosmo, pg 180), So Saffron Ribbon

Petal Pizzazz Sizzlits Die Card

Yet another Shoebox Swap Card. I can't remember the name of the lady that designed this card, either. She cut out the pieces, and all we had to do was stamp, die cut, and assemble.
I am so pleased that I got to make this card, because I always need a masculine card on hand - I never seem to have enough, because I always gravitate towards pink cardstock.

Supplies (All Stampin Up!)
Sizzlets Dies: Swirls Scribbles on pg. 200 of the catalog and Birds & Blooms on pg. 201
Big Shot Machine and Plates
Stamp Set: Petal Pizzazz (This flower coordinates with the Birds & Blooms die, and I'm not sure what stamp set the "Warm Wishes" is from...and I need to go to bed, so I'm sorry I don't have time to do a search through the catalog.
Card Stock: Really Rust, Ruby Red, Ivory, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, So Saffron
Ink: The flower was inked using Really Rust, and just roll the tips of the flower in Garden Green after first inking in Really Rust.
Ribbon: Chocolate Chip
Other: Adhesive

A Little Somethin' Card

This is also a card we made at the Shoebox Swap. I don't remember the name of the lady that brought and designed this card. She cut everything out and I just stamped and assembled.
Supplies (All Stampin UP!)
Stamp Set: A Little Something' (This is a hostess set...free with $300 order, but can not be purchased alone), Boho Backgrounds, and Wild West Alphabet Stamp Set
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette DSP
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose, Rose Red
Other: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Adhesive

Bigz xl Die Bag w/ Scallops by Dana

I made this at our Shoebox Swap. This was Dana's swap. She designed it and cut out the pieces for us. All I had to do was stamp and assemble! It was much easier than I thought it would be. I think it is very elegant looking...yet with a touch of whimsy. And perfect for Spring! Only problem is...on my way home from the swap, I stuck this down in my craft bag, and there must have been some ink from another card that wasn't dry yet...b/c I got a green smudge on the lower LH corner. :-(
Thank you, Dana - this one is beautiful! I don't think Dana has a blog or I would link my post to her blog for you.

Supplies (All Stampin Up! except the velcro):
Bigz xl Bag w/ Scallops, pg 195 of the catalog, $34.95
Big Shot Machine and Plates
Cardstock: Whisper White and Kiwi Kiss (Both Textured)
Stamp Set: Fifth Avenue Floral...and the "friend to friend" is from another stamp set, and I don't know what set it is from. If you know...please leave me a comment.
Ink: Kiwi Kiss
Ribbon: Kiwi Kiss / Very Vanilla, and Twine
Other: Self-Adhesive Velcro (from Michaels or Hobby Lobby), Word Window Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch for the dots we adhered in the middle of the flowers, tiny hole punch, pink sticky strip

Directions:
Cut out 1 full box using white card stock. Then slide the kiwi kiss cardstock down to the very end (the scalloped part) of the Bigz die, and get your green piece. Adhere the green piece on the underneath side of the white flag, so a little green peeks through. Stamp images on the front and back of the box. Assemble box. Paste dots in middle of flowers. Tuck and tie ribbon under the flap. Stamp message and cut out with the word window punch. Tie on the ribbon with some twine. Stick a piece of Velcro on the inside of the flap and on the front of the box, so the lid will stay shut.

Rustic Rooster Card by Peggy

Here is another card I made at the Shoebox Swap. This was Peggy's card. She designed it, and cut out all the supplies. All I had to do was stamp my images, watercolor the rooster, trim him out, and ensemble the card.
Note: Sponge the edge of the white with a touch of black ink.
Peggy has a wonderful blog. She is now updating her blog all the time! Check it out! Here is the link:
http://thewiredangel.blogspot.com/

Supplies (All Stampin Up!)
Stamp Set: Rustic Rooster Hostess Stamp Set (Free with a $300 Order, but can not be purchased on its own), there is also a retired background stamp used on the Kraft paper...sorry I don't know the name of it.
Paper: Kraft, Black, So Saffron, Really Rust, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper
Ribbon: Black
Ink: Water Color Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter Brush, Mister, Black Stazon
Other: Dimensionals, Vintage Brad, Adhesive

Good Friend Card by Diana

Here is Diana's card from the Shoebox Swap. She designed the card and cut out the pieces for us (except for trimming out the bird, of course). All I had to do was Stamp, Emboss, Trim, and Ensemble! I love this one - isn't it cute?

Diana's blog is amazing and her stuff is always the bomb. It is far superior to mine, LOL. Maybe my blog can look like hers someday? Doubtful. One can dream.

Here is the link to her blog:

http://www.dianaball-seitz.com/

Supplies (All Stampin Up!)

Stamp Set: Good Friend

Ink: CRAFT ink is used, so it can be embossed. Chocolate Chip and Summer Sun

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Red Riding Hood, and Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Other: Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Ribbon, Iridescent Ice EP, Bold Brights Brad, Scissors to trim out the bird, Adhesive, Dimensionals

Nugget Box by Peggy

I made this box at the shoebox swap. This was Peggy's project! She cut out the pieces, and handed us the above directions. I thought she really went above and beyond - typing everything out for us like she did. Isn't it cute? All I had to do was Stamp, and ensemble!

I hope you can read the directions.

Here is her blog:

http://mycraftroomblog.blogspot.com/

Supplies (All Stampin Up! Except the Chocolate!)

Cardstock: I am not sure what DSP this striped stuff is. You can use any DSP. The other cardstock colors are Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, and So Saffron DSP

Stamp Set: Priceless

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Other: Vintage Brads, Paper Piercer, Scallop Circle Punch, Chocolates, Pink Sticky Strip, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch

Bookmark Card - Elegant Thank You by Jeri

This above piece is a beautiful book mark! So, after the card is thrown away, the recipient can keep this little goody.

Here is a card I made at the Shoebox Swap. This was Jeri's! I LOVE IT. Jeri designed it, and had all the pieces cut out, so all I had to do was stamp, do the die cut, and assemble.

Here is Jeri's blog:

http://coloringourworld.blogspot.com/

Directions (Condensed)

The bookmark piece is 8 1/2 x 1 1/2. Stick a magnet on the LH side and the RH side (on the inside of the 8 1/2 x 1 1/2 piece). Score in the middle. Attach flower and cardstock on the outside.

On the purple piece of the card (the square piece that is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4) MAKE SURE you don't glue down the LH & RH side. Just adhere the top and bottom. Otherwise, you won't be able to slide the bookmark in to that panel.

If you are wondering how the corners were punched out...these are done with the Scallop Border punch. Just stick your corner in diagonally and punch. OK - hard to explain...I guess I should do a tutorial on this one of these days.

Supplies - All Stampin Up! Except Magnets

Stamp Set - Elegant Thank You

Card Stock: Old Olive, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, So Saffron DSP

Ribbon: Same colors as Card Stock

Ink: Perfect Plum

Other: Clear Rhinestone Brads, Adhesive, Magnets (Michaels or Hobby Lobby), Flower Die Cut (pg 202 of the new catalog), Texturz Plates #4 (pg 203), Big Shot Machine and plates, Round Scallop Punch, Scallop Border Punch.