The 45 Record Card and Jacket

The other day, Deb Valder posted a card and envelope that look just like an old 45 record and jacket.  Immediately I knew I had to case it!  I have very fond memories of those days.  I even remember the first 45 I bought -- "Build Me Up, Buttercup" by the Foundations!  Anyone remember that one?

Anyway, here is my take on the 45 record card and jacket:

Is that not the cutest?  I'm going to give it to my brother, who listened to Casey Kasem every Sunday back in the 70's!  I want to make a bunch of these to have on hand for my friends who remember the days of the 45!

All the products I used are from Stampin' Up!, except the paper for the record jacket.  The stamp set is Blue Ribbon.  All the information on how to make it are on Deb's blog.

Here are some more views:

Thanks for stopping by, and hope you get some time to create today!

Smiles,
Denise

Oh, What Fun!

The other day I came across the 52 Card Christmas Throwdown website.  It was one of those rare "aha" moments -- the music started playing and angels hovered above me!!!  I absolutely LOVE Christmas, and I start obsessing about making my Christmas cards in April or June -- no kidding.  I'm still not sure what exactly the title of the blog means, but basically, this has one challenge/week, each with a Christmas theme.  I was born to do this!!!

This week's theme is Rudolph/Reindeer, so here is my submission:

Thank you for visiting, and hope this inspires you to start your Christmas cards early!!

Best,
Denise

America the Beautiful

Even though it's my second favorite holiday (after Christmas), I don't usually make 4th of July cards. But I had an idea in my head that I wanted to try out, using the Work of Art stamp set from Stampin' Up!  My original idea morphed into what you see here.  I also used the Christmas Star single stamp from last holiday season, and I think the blotches stamp is from the first Paper Pumpkin kit!  It's hard to tell, but "America the Beautiful" is embossed.

Hope this inspires you to celebrate the 4th in your own creative way!

Best,
Denise

Asian Screen Card

My oldest "child" is working and living in Japan.  She loves the people and the culture.  I make and send a lot of cards to her, so when I saw a "screen card", I knew I had to make one for her.  Here's my take on it:

I used all Stampin' Up! products, including the Decorative Label Punch for the legs.  It only takes a  6 x 12 piece of cardstock that's scored and folded at 3", 6" and 9".  For a good video on putting it together, check out Deb Valder's website (at the link, scroll down for the video). 

Thanks for checking this out.  Hope you find some time to craft today!

Smiles,
Denise

Love and Sympathy

I keep some stamps on hand just for sympathy cards.  It's unfortunate when you have to make one, but it's nice that you can do so, as I think you're sharing part of yourself with the recipient.  Guess that's true for all hand-made cards!  Anyway, I needed a card for my cousin whose father passed away.  I didn't want anything too flashy -- something nice but dignified.  Here's the result:

All products used are from Stampin Up!, and the dark color is the new Blackberry Bliss.  Luscious! The stamp set is Love and Sympathy -- a bargain set ($11.95 for clear mount) that fortunately has not been retired!

Hope you have a creative weekend!
Denise

Nautical Love

The other day was my 4th wedding anniversary!  I wanted to make a special card for my husband, and since he loves sailing, I ended up putting this together:

I made the sailboat using a Die-namics die, and everything else is from Stampin' Up!  I think he really liked it!! It's great to be able to make special cards for the special people in your life!

Have a creative day,
Denise

Birthday Honey

One of Stampin' Up!'s new colors is called Hello Honey.  It's a rich yellow, and normally I'm not a big fan of yellow, but I like this one a lot.  I guess because it's not a super bright yellow.  Anyway, this post is a shameless case-n-tweak of a card created by the very talented Dawn Olchefske.  It caught my eye since the base is made of Hello Honey and the card itself is simple but very pleasing to the eye.  Here's my version of it:

Thanks for visiting, and have a great weekend!
Denise

Simple Hello

It's Memorial Day weekend, and I can't remember the last time I had a long weekend at home...I'm usually traveling for work.  So I could hardly wait for this one, and I've used the extra time to paper create!  Sometimes scraps of paper come together to make a quick card, such as this one.  All products used are from Stampin' Up!

Before I close, I'd be very ungrateful if I didn't pay my respects to the men and women of our armed forces who give everything for our freedom.  Thank you, and may God bless you and yours.
Denise

You Are a Fabulous Work of Art

A few weeks ago, I attended Stampin' Up!'s 2014-2015 catalog premiere.  Besides being tons of fun and sharing the excitement with fellow stampers, I actually won a door prize -- three ink pads in their new 2014-2016 in colors!  Wow!  I felt so lucky because not many people there won door prizes.  Anyway, everyone there received a copy of the new catalog and a stamp set called Work of Art.  I must admit, at first glance I was a bit befuddled and thought that it was probably not a set I would have chosen for myself.  Then I started seeing samples made with it, and began to see the possibilities!  The card below is a case 'n tweak of one posted by the phenomenal Sandy Mathis.  All products in this card (except the button) are from Stampin' Up!

Thanks for visiting!  Use some of your weekend time to create!
Smiles,
Denise

Stand Up Cards

Ever since I attended Karen Burniston's interactive card class a few weeks ago, I've become obsessed with cards that do something different, other than open!  I came across a "stand up" card, and thought I'd try one.  The result is this:

All products used are from Stampin' Up!  What do you think?  Kinda fun, huh?  It's the same size as a regular card -- it just folds differently.  I used a framelit to make the tab that holds the folded part up.  Hope this inspires you to create something different today!

Thanks for stopping by,
Denise

Happy Bonny

Went to visit my mom this weekend.  She lives on a farm and we brought the dogs with us.  They LOVE it there because they can roam wherever they want.  They always stay within sight, but they love that freedom!

I was able to snap this shot of Bonny with my iPhone.  I'm amazed at what good pictures it takes!!  I liked the shot so much that I decided to scrap it.  I used Serendipity and Hey Girl digital products by Basic Grey.

Thanks for visiting.  Hope you find some time today to create!!
Best,
Denise

Just Sittin' Here, Thinking of You

After my post about interactive cards, I made another one using Karen Burniston's Bench Pop Up.  I didn't post it right away because I made it for my 23 year old daughter who is working in Japan, and I wanted to wait til she got it before I posted it (so it would be a surprise when she got it).  I have to admit, I really like how this one turned out!  I don't remember where I got the Great Dane stamp, but all other images (and supplies) are from Stampin' Up!  I typed up the saying for the inside of the card on my computer, printed it out, then punched it out using an retired SU punch.

I can't wait to find some more time to make more of these pop up cards!!

Hope you're inspired to create by something you have seen here.

Best,
Denise

Play Ball!

A few months ago I discovered a new on-line magazine devoted to scrapbooking and card making called Create.  It's published via a web site called Issuu, where you can do your own publishing.  I was very happy to find it, as unfortunately, there's not much left in the paper publishing industry of scrapbook magazines. 

What I like about Create is all the ideas!  Lots and lots!!  Using one of their sketches, I was inspired to create this layout of our Great Dane, Bonny, using shots I took when she was a 4 month old puppy:

They invited readers to submit their creations and guess what?  They published mine!!  It's on page 208 of the April issue.  Way cool, huh?!  Why don't you try submitting your work?

Enjoy the day,
Denise

Interactive Card-making with Karen Burniston

Yesterday I was able to attend an interactive card-making class with a stamping friend of mine, Tara Johnson, at Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston with the amazing Karen Burniston.  She has designed die cuts for Sizzix, Stampin' Up! and now she is with Elizabeth Crafts.  We made four cards, one of which is shown below.  I think I had only made one or two interactive cards, ever, but that was before there were die cuts, which is why I didn't ever make more than two!  Well, my eyes were opened yesterday to just how special and different these cards can be.  Check out the front of this Easter card:

It's hard to tell but when closed shut, there's a perfectly cut out butterfly from the inside of the card that shows from the front through the cut-out window.  Here's the inside:

Pretty neat, huh?  I bought a couple of dies and spent all afternoon today making more!

Here's a picture of all of us holding our favorite card we made that day.  Karen is the tall one with the apron on.

BTW, the "Happy Easter" stamp is a really old one from Stampin' Up! -- from 2002!

I'm really glad I tried something new.  It was definitely worth the time and money!  Hope I've inspired you to do the same!

Thanks for stopping by,
Denise