Sunny Day Thank You

Sunny Day is one of the templates available in My Digital Studio.  It makes it so easy to create a card or scrapbook page.  I changed up the colors for this one which is one of the new features of MDS2.  If you'd like more information about My Digital Studio, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Miracles Happen

Just a short post for you today.  With the snow that was supposed to go south of us but instead left nearly eight inches on the ground, I thought a bright, flowery card was the order of the day.  I'm bound and determined to get Spring here any way I can.

Stamp Set:  Bloomin' Marvelous; Inks:  Perfect Plum, Marina Mist; Card Stock:  Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight; Accessories & Tools:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels

I stamped the flowers using Perfect Plum and the butterflies are Marina Mist.  I used a cutout from the Top Note die to frame my flowers and butterflies. I added the rhinestones to give it some sparkle and that's it.  A simple card that is bright and cheerful.

3x3 Thank You Note

Well, our less than half an inch of snow has turned into over four inches, that is once it quits falling.  I'm now counting down the days until Spring.  Maybe that's why I've been so focused on flowers lately.  That, and I love the Secret Garden stamp set in the Spring Catalog and the Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.  I finished up these little thank yous with the sentiment from Tiny Tags.  The 3x3 note cards make a perfect addition to a gift bag.  The outside of the card is on the left and the inside on the right.

Stamp Sets:  Secret Garden, Bloomin' Marvelous, Tiny Tags; Inks:  Always Artichoke, Night of Navy; Card Stock:  Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla

Time to go watch more snow fall.  The nice thing about that is my craft table faces the window.  Have a creative day!

Secret Garden Chalk Garden

This is one of the gift items that I have for sale.  If you would like to purchase it, e-mail me at marsha@coffeepotstampingcafe.com for all the details.  The photo is blurry but the original is not.  And, there is always a money back guarantee.

My Day of Rest and Worship

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not there, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:8-11

KJV

Island Indigo Serene Silhouettes

Wouldn't you know that when the sun is shining bright and the sky is amazingly blue, I make a card that looks cloudy and rainy?  I know, but at least the cloudy is on the card and not out my window.  I had never tried the Polished Stone technique and while I didn't have the cotton balls (I used q-tips) and it is not exactly like the directions stated, I think it turned out rather well.  I can't wait until I do have the cotton balls to be able to give more color to it.  I did use Island Indigo and Pool Party re-inkers but it is a bit hard to see that.  Yes, the cotton balls are on my current shopping list.

Stamp Set:  Serene Silhouettes; Inks:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, StazOn Jet Black;  Card Stock:  Naturals White, Island Indigo, Glossy White; Accessories & Tools:  Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack/1/4" Pool Party Ribbon, alcohol, q-tips

There is no sentiment stamped on it as of yet.  I'm not sure what I want it to say.  It will either be a get well, thinking of you or possibly a sympathy card.  It will more than likely have some other dimension added to it before I'm fully done with it.  For now, it was simply to try a technique I'd not used before.

A St. Patrick's Day Card

Lately, I have been seeing these cute little clovers all over the place.  They are made using the Small Heart Punch from Stampin' Up!® and I just had to give it a try.  Our Gumball Green In Color makes for a perfect clover color.  I even made good luck four-leaf clover.

When I first started putting the card together, I knew I wanted to run the Naturals White layer through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Emboss Folder.  What I didn't want to do was emboss over the vases.  Oops!  I just went right a head and did it anyway.  After I took the photo, I decided to go back and cut out the vases again and added them on top of the ones already on the card.  I like the popped up vases.  What do you think?

Stamp Sets:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Secret Garden; Ink:  Gumball Green; Card Stock:  Gumball Green, Naturals White, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Small Heart Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Posh Vases Taylored Dies, Square Lattice Folder, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

There is only one card but two photos.  You know, I really like the way this turned out. Green and white and a touch of vanilla and sparkle, good luck!

What do you mean there is more on the way?!

Iowa is bracing for another snowstorm and we are told to expect at least six inches if not more.  I'm just thankful that there really isn't any snow on the ground right now so it won't be added to a layer such as you see in the photo.

Tomorrow starts another hop, so check back after 8 p.m. Central Standard Time to see what that is all about.   

Imagination Abounds!

The other day Aiden and I found a bag of magnetic letters in Grandma's cupboard.  His eyes lit up and he had all the fun of putting them on the front of the refrigerator.  Each day he goes in and plays with them after his nap.  His three year old imagination runs wild and I love the pictures he draws and the stories he tells.  Yesterday he came up to me and asked me to come look at his dinosaur bones.  This is what I found.

My Digital Studio makes it so easy to add another page to the scrapbook dedicated to my grandchildren.  So many memories can be shared with them through these pages.

Raspberry Ripple Oh, Hello

Today I actually had time to sit down and make a card.  It's inspired by the current sketch challenge offered up by some fellow demonstrators in our demonstrator forum.  I've been trying to do as many of them as I can because sketches are a great way to come up with some very nice card designs.

Stamp Set:  Oh, Hello; Ink:  Raspberry Ripple; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack

I felt rather flowery while putting this card together.  I'm thinking Spring needs to get here soon but all I can look forward to is the snow storm that's set to hit Iowa come Thursday.  Seven plus inches isn't so bad, right?

Enjoy Every Moment with My Digital Studio

What do I do when you don't have a lot of time to craft?  I fire up My Digital Studio.  Since I've been so limited in my crafting time lately, I came up with this simple design using Lovely As a Tree.  I love trees, especially oak trees.  Hopefully, once I get all this early spring, well, late winter, cleaning done, I'll have more time to work on new projects.  For now, My Digital Studio will give me some crafting moments when I can't get my hands all inked up.

Stamp Brush Set:  Lovely As a Tree, Enjoy Every Moment; Inks:  Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple; Card Stock:  Villa Designer Series Paper, Early Espresso; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Edge Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels

If you'd like to learn more about My Digital Studio or to download a free 30-day trail, visit my online store.

My Day of Rest and Worship

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

KJV

Praying Hands

Today I dug out my box of paper scraps.  Every once in a while I try to use up as many of those scraps as I can.  I've been going through a Crumb Cake and Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack phase.  Here is what I made using a sketch I found in the Splitcoast Stampers gallery.

Stamp Set:  Praying Hands; Inks:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels, 5/8" Organdy Ribbon/Whisper White dyed Crumb Cake

I roughed up the edges on the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper (DSP)before I inked it in Soft Suede.  I had thought about inking the edges of the card but decided leave it along so the focal point would be on the DSP and the Praying Hands image.

Delight

Last night I was pleasantly surprised when my number two son and his wife invited me out to dinner with them to celebrate Valentine's Day.  We went to my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Charro.  I love their Chori-Pollo.  We had such an enjoyable time and the three kids were so well behaved.

My plan was to do some crafting and get a couple of projects completed.  Of course, that didn't happen and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now that I finally have My Digital Studio downloaded to my desktop, I made this very quick and easy card.  It expresses so well what last evening meant to me.

Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla are just three of my favorite Stampin' Up!® colors.  The stamp sets used were Extreme Elements and Define Your Life.  I also added a few Pearl Basic Jewels.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here is the last Valentine card I'll be making for a while.  It goes out to wish all of you a very Happy Valentine's Day.

Stamp Sets:  Oh, Hello, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Ink:  Midnight Muse; Card Stock:  Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Not Quite Navy; Accessories & Tools:  Full Heart Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, 3/16" Corner, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals

The heart is covered with little circles that were left after I punched the holes for the handles on the 40 mini treat boxes I made for a customer.  They were so bright and colorful that I didn't want to just throw them in the trash.  Instead, I glued them to a heart and covered it with Crystal Effects to be sure I didn't lose any of those little bitty pieces.

Hope you all have a great day!

Wall Art

These past few days have seen me busy, busy, busy making some new projects that I'll be offering for sale.  This one was inspired by a picture I clipped out of a magazine months ago.  I really do like how this turned out.  Now all it needs is a frame to set it off.

I'm planning to work up a tutorial for it, but that is going to take me a while as I will have to make another one in order to help me remember what all I did.  I will that it is mostly Stampin' Up! product.  I added some acrylic paint but the rest of the colors are all ink.  The words and designs are cut out of Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock using my Cricut.  The image in the center is the only one I sanded off.  I wanted the words to stand out so just left them alone.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Cheryl, a friend and fellow Stampin' Up!®, came over one night a few weeks ago to show me how they were doing the mixed media canvases.  She had shown this at our monthly demo meeting but I was not able to attend that night.  She graciously offered to spend an evening crafting with me.  We shared pizza and had a good time visiting.

Most of what I used is current with just a wee bit of retired added to the mix.  Actually, this is a good way to use up some of your retired card stock.  The flowers can be made any size and you are only limited by your imagination.

Ink:  Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, First Edition Specialty Paper, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack, Cheerful Treat Designer Series Paper (retired); Accessories & Tools:  Fancy Flower Punch, Butterfly Punch (retired), Secret Garden Framelits Dies, Boho Blossom Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Everyday Enchantment Brads (retired), Bitty Buttons, Antique Brads, Mini Brads/Silver, Ice Cream Parlor Buttons (retired), Linen Thread

The stems for the flowers were made out of various Designer Series Papers but unfortunately, I don't remember which ones but you can use any greens you have on hand.

I'm working on a black and white canvas now.  It's actually a photo transfer that went bad but the image will be part of the design.  If all things work out, I'll share it with you once completed.  It's just a matter of transfer what I see in my head to the canvas.  Now that's an iffy proposition.

Secret Garden

Today I'm sharing two cards that are the same but different.  They are both the same design, I simply changed up the colors.  I love the new Secret Garden Stamp Set and the Secret Garden Framelits.  The larger flowers just beg to be stamped in black on white.  Actually, I have a canvas that I'm working on that is black and white and once done, I'll be sure to share it with you.

Stamp Set: Secret Garden; Inks:  Midnight Muse, River Rock; Card Stock:  River Rock, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Secret Garden Framelits, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Mini Glue Dots

Stamp Set: Secret Garden; Inks:  Midnight Muse, River Rock; Card Stock:  River Rock, Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Secret Garden Framelits, Pearl Basic Jewels, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Mini Glue Dots

The flower panel opens and on the short part, there is a piece of Very Vanilla adhered so you can write a short note or stamp a sentiment.  I saw a card Mary Fish did using this set and really liked it so knew I had to CASE it.

My Day of Rest and Worship

 A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

KJV

My Paper Pumpkin

The first kit you'll receive is the Welcome Kit, shown below, and it includes a free gift - a clear acrylic block.  Each kit, thereafter, includes stamps, ink, paper and accessories - everything but adhesive.  It's all color-coordinated, measured and precut so all you have to do is sit down and treat yourself to a 30-minute creative escape.
 

Head on over to My Paper Pumpkin and sign up today.  A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month and shipping is included!   If you have any questions about My Paper Pumpkin, please be sure to let me know.  You can always e-mail me at marsha@coffeepotstampingcafe.com.

Tell them Marsha sent you.

Hearts a Flutter

Now for the final card we made.  I'm going to miss Wisteria Wonder when it retires this year.  It's one of the 2011-2013 In Color and it has turned out to be my favorite color from that family.  The banner was cut free hand and I don't remember what stamp set the sentiment is from.  I'll have to wait to ask Andrea once she gets back from her vacation.

Stamp Set:  Hearts a Flutter, ?; Ink:  Wisteria Wonder; Card Stock:  Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Whisper White, Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper (from the Clearance Rack); Accessories & Tools:  Heart a Flutter Framelits Dies, Small Heart Punch, Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

I think this color would be perfect for an Easter card.  I have an idea floating around in my head so it's time to put it to paper and see if it looks the same in real life as it does in my head.

It's Your Birthday!

And, here again, we have a great combination of Sale-A-Bration and Spring Catalog products.  Remember, that between now and March 22nd, for every $50 you spend, you can select a free product from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.

Stamp Sets: Madison Avenue, Henry Says; Ink:  Midnight Muse; Card Stock:  Midnight Muse, Pool Party, Whisper White, Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper; Accessories & Tools:  Bitty Butterfly Punch, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Textured Impressions Embossing Folder/Vine Street, Textured Impressions Embossing Folder/Perfect Polka Dots, Mini Glue Dots

Isn't this a pretty card?  That Bitty Butterfly punch is on the top of my wishlist for sure.

Henry Says Congratulations!

This is my favorite Henry card of the two we made.  We stamped him on Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stacks and cut him out.  Clean, simple and cheerful.  The rhinestone eye was not part of the original, I added it once I got home just to give Henry a wee bit of sparkle!  I love how the black and Melon Mambo colors look together.

Stamp Set:  Henry Says; Inks:  Basic Black, Melon Mambo; Card Stock:  Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stacks; Accessories & Tools:  Textured Impressions Embossing Folder/Cloudy Day, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack/Pool Party, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

There you have two ways you can use the Henry Says stamp set and a great combination of Sale-A-Bration ribbon and a Spring Catalog stamp set. 

Henry Says Happy Birthday!

Today, I'm starting a weekly poll.  I'd like your input on what you would like to see when you visit me here at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.  A new question will be posed to you each week.  You can find the poll at the top right of the page.

Sunday at stamp club, I got to meet Henry.  We made two cards using this cute stamp set.  Here he is trumpeting out a birthday greeting.

Stamp Set:  Henry Says; Inks:  Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Stampin' Write Markers/Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Pool Party; Card Stock:  Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack/Tangerine Tango, Simply Scored Borders Scoring Plate, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Isn't he just the cutest elephant!  Unfortunately, I got in a big hurry and didn't allow the ink to dry completely before moving on to the next step so Henry got a little smudged up around edges.  Sigh... when will I ever learn patience!

Feeling Sentimental

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending my upline's stamp club.  We made five new cards and over the next several days, I'll be sharing those with you.  I always enjoy stamping with Andrea and come away with some great projects.

Stamp Set:  Feeling Sentimental; Ink:  Basic Black; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper

I love the simplicity of this card.  It is definitely one I'll be using in future workshops and classes.

My Day of Rest and Worship

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteous.

Proverbs 16:31

KJV

Best of Love

Here is February's Best of stamp set and isn't it great?  It features six stamps, five old favorites and one never before seen image.

Included in every Best of set, you'll find a a collector's card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker.  Collect collect six stickers then, send in the collector's card for a FREE stamp set of your choice valued up to $14.95!

Order your Best of Love stamp set today.

While a new stamp set will be released each month throughout 2013, all Best of sets will be available until March 31, 2014.

As ever, if you have any questions or want help with your order, please contact me.

Sent with Love Special Offer

The Sent with Love Stamp Set and Sent with Love Designer Series Paper are only available during this special offer and you won't be able to get them after April 30!

 

During this limited-time offer, you can purchase the exclusive Sent with Love Stamp Set (Item # 131847; clear mount - English only; $17.95), the Sent with Love Designer Series Paper (Item # 132182; $10.95) or the Pretty Bundle (Item # 132851; $25.50) for a special 20 percent discount!

In addition, you can purchase the Sent with Love Digital Kit (Item # 132914; $9.95). Please note that the digital kit is not included in the bundle.

Contact me to order yours today!

Oh Happy Day

Today's card was made using a baby wipe and re-inkers to stamp the butterflies and the leaves and the bird.  It didn't take any time at all to put this one together together and it allowed me to use up some more of my scrap pieces of card stock.

Stamp:  Bloomin' Marvelous; Inks:  Midnight Muse, Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Night of Navy, Pool Party, Marina Mist; Card Stock:  Naturals White, Primrose Petals, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack; Accessories & Tools:  Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Mini Brad/Silver, Stampin' Dimensionals.

I'm really enjoying the Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set from Sale-A-Bration.