A Package

I got home late last night to find this surprise package in my mailbox! It is from Julie Masse at Stampin With Julie. Can you believe this CUTE, CUTE card? I just LOVE it! As if that wasn't enough, she sent a couple of spools of cute ribbon too! I just thought this was so sweet of her! Julie, you absolutely made my day! It's always great to receive a handmade card in the mail from someone. . .but when they send you a card that features something you really like (ladybugs), it just makes it that much more special. Knowing that someone not only thought to send you a card, but thought about what might make it even more special to you. Ladybugs have become my "signature" throughout my life and it just warms my heart when some of you comment that you saw a ladybug that reminded you of me, or send me a ladybug card. You make me feel so special! And I only just "met" you! :) Thank you for that! You're the best! :)

Patriotic Style

This was for today's Limited Supplies Challenge on SCS, Patriotic Style. You had a choice to either make a patriotic card using stamps that weren't usually used for patriotic themes, or make a non-patriotic card using patriotic colors. I chose to create a non-patriotic card using patriotic colors. I used my new Purely Pomegranate and Blue Bayou. The ribbon isn't an exact match, but I thought it was close enough. I had to pull out the Stamp-a-ma-Jig for this one in order to line up the borders around the flowers. I don't use that as much as I should. Things look so much nicer when they're not crooked! :) Lastly, the "bling" is from Walmart. At first I added some Stardust Stickles to the centers of the flowers, but it didn't show up enough. Hope you're having a great start to your weekend! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Three For You punch box; Paper- Whisper White, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou; Ink- Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou, Basic Black; Accessories- Bling from Walmart, Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Three For You flower punch, red and blue grosgrain ribbon.

Accordian Bound Book Tutorial

After our vacation, my plan was to make my brother-in-law a little scrapbook of the time we spent with him as a sort of thank you. I haven't decided if this is going to be the book, but at least it's an option. These accordian bound books are the perfect size for if a card just isn't enough, and a whole scrapbook is too much. You can add additional pages by adding to the binding too! So, I thought I'd share with you how to make one of these fun, relatively quick books.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

-6 pieces of patterned paper or cardstock measuring 8.5"X5.5". (I use cardstock for the binding)

-paper trimmer

-adhesive

1. Take binding piece of cardstock and fold in half.

2. Fold down each end of the binding piece to meet the crease. (the third picture shows a side view of what your piece of paper should look like when finished)

3. Now fold down the new ends you've made to meet the new creases you made with the previous step. (the second picture is a side view. You should have a big mountain in the middle, and two small mountains on the ends.)

4. Flip over your binding piece and open it up. It should kind of look like a table, with two legs from the side.

5. Now fold the "leg" ends into the crease. (the third picture is a side view of what it should look like when finished folding)

6. Open up binding and reverse the center fold so that it is a "mountain" fold and not a "valley" fold. (in order to add more pages to your book, you can make two of these bindings and connect them together before adding the pages)

7. Now you are ready to attach your pages. First, fold all of your pages in half to make 4.25"X5.5" pages. 8. Open up your folded pieces of paper and use a 1/2" scrap piece of paper to trace a 1/2" mark on the inside of edges of each page. This serves as a guide for attaching your pages to the binding.

9. Now start with the back of the binding, and the paper you want to be your back cover of your book. Add adhesive where you made the marks. Place the one side of the paper on the back side of binding, then fold the paper to attach to the front side of that edge of the binding. (the paper should sandwich the binding) Continue adding all of your pages in the same way.

10. In order to tighten up the binding, I had adhesive in between the mountain folds. The second photo is a view of the binding once the book is assembled.

11. Embellish your cover as you like and add pictures and embellishments to the pages, and you've got a completed book!

Stella Ladybug

I was blog surfing and followed a link from Beate's blog to find Sketch This: Cards! Since I LOVE doing sketch challenges, I thought I'd give this a try. It looks like card sketches are posted every Tuesday. Great! Another place to visit for inspiration when my brain just doesn't feel like thinking! From looking at past sketches, they are all very different. . .especially different from my normal style of layout. I decided to pull out my Basic Grey Stella Ruby pad. I haven't used that for a while. I got this ladybug stamp at Joann's for $1 a little while back and this is the first time I've used it. I thought that since it was "sketchy" and not too cutesy, it might go well with the look of the Stella Ruby papers. I think I like it. I can't decide yet! :) The friend sentiment is from my Three For You punch box. Oh, and the little circle at the top left of the card is sort of like a paperclip. I used the slit punch on a piece of the red paper, then punched around it with a circle punch, making a sort of paperclip if that makes sense. I added the May Arts ribbon on top for a little embellishment. If you're ever looking for a new sketch, try Sketch This! I know I'll visit regularly! SUPPLIES USED: Stamp- Ladybug $1 stamp, sentiment from Three For You punch box; Paper- Basic Grey Stella Ruby, DCWV dark brown; Ink- VersaMagic in Jumbo Java; Accessories- slit punch, circle punch, May Arts ribbon, dimensionals.

Thinking of You Friend

Yesterday I got my order of the new Stampin' Up stuff, so I decided to use some of them for today's Sketch Challenge on SCS. I used the Palette O'Prints paper along with the Pick a Petal and Three For You stamp sets. I wasn't sure how much I'd like the Pick a Petal set, but so far I really like it. I only used Three For You for the sentiments. I can't wait to use the punch and flowers that come in the box set. Even though I got all the new In Colors, I used Rose Red and So Saffron for this card in order to match the paper. The center of the flower is from the On Board Blossoms and Basics chipboard pack. I covered the circle with So Saffron Palette O'Prints paper to match the background of the card. I originally stamped "friend" right on the yellow, but it was smeared, so I stamped it again on Rose Red Palette O'Prints and cut it out and attached it. Simple way to hide a mistake! :) Hope you're having a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Pick a Petal, Three For You; Ink- Rose Red, So Saffron, Basic Black; Paper- Palette O' Prints, Whisper White Basic Black; Accessories- May Arts ribbon, Large oval punch, Making Memories brads, On Board Blossoms and Basics.

Girlfriends

This was for last week's Color Challenge on SCS, to use Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant and Ruby Red. As much as I like purple, I never use Elegant Eggplant. I do like it, but I guess I usually go for either the brighter or softer shades of purple rather than the deep, dark. I made another gate fold card just for something different since I always make standard size cards. I cut around the sentiment and mounted it on dimensionals so that the focal image could tuck behind it and hold the card closed. I'm not sure I like the layout of this card, but it was quick and what worked best. I added Lime Stickles over the jewels for a little sparkle. I didn't think I was going to get a chance to stamp today, but this has made me happy that I could sneak in a little stamping! :) Hope you enjoy your day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Jane, Rubber Romance, Studio G sentiment; Paper- DCWV eggplant and rose, Certainly Celery, White from Papertrey Ink; Ink- Palette in Noir, Ruby Red, Blush Blossom; Accessories- Aquapainter, Lime Stickles, paper piercer, Giga scallop oval punch, Mega oval punch, Lollipop ribbon, Cuttlebug Spots and Dots folder.

Live Big

We did some MAJOR cleaning of our house today, so there was no time for stamping. As much as I would have liked to take time out to stamp, I just couldn't take a break from cleaning because I never would have gone back! :) We will definitely sleep well tonight!

This is a little warm-up card that I made a couple of weeks ago that I haven't yet shared with you. I was just going through my scrap bin and using up pieces of patterned paper. I don't use Think Big as much as I thought I would when I got it, but I really do like that set. It comes in handy when you need a BIG word to fill a space. It's so nice to have all these little cards to just stick on little gifts. . .or to just send a "little thought" in the mail. No brainers. . . sometimes those are the best! Thanks for stopping! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Think Big; Paper- DCWV, Magnolia; Ink- VersaMagic Thatched Straw and Ocean Depth; Accessories- Word Window punch, Making Memories brads.

Dollar Stamps

I was shopping at Target yesterday and found such cute things at the dollar spot! There were stamp sets, paper, punch out packs, punches and all kinds of embellishments. I ended up getting some paper, two punches and a couple stamp sets. Here's what I made with the one stamp set. Four stamps come in the set, but I only used two. The little flowers in the bottom right corner of the card were made with one of the punches I found. Both punches make such cute, little flowers. I added copper glitter glue to the centers of the stamped flowers for some sparkle and some interest. The card was looking a little plain to me. I used the layout from this GORGEOUS card that Beate sent me. Can you believe the birdies on this card? They are colored so perfectly that they look like you can actually feel their soft feathers. Beate, you just amaze me with the things you create. You rock! :) Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Target dollar spot; Ink- Bashful Blue, VersaMagic Wheat and Aegean Blue; Paper- DCWV dark brown and cream, white from Papertrey Ink, patterned paper from Target dollar spot; Accessories- $1 flower punch, Copper brads from Making Memories, copper glitter glue, Word Window punch, May Arts ribbon.

More Happy Mail

I got this BEAUTIFUL card from Diane Gilbert over at

My Little Stampin' Spot. Isn't it just so bright and cheery? I just love it! If you haven't already checked out Diane's blog, go visit. She has some really adorable cards that you'll just love! I know I do! The second card is from Geny Cassady, or Mommy Geny on SCS. She won my last set of Oodagoodies, and she sent this adorable card as a thank you. I just love the colors she chose. They're colors I wouldn't normally use, but I love them together! She's inspired me with a new color combo! The last card came from Jami Speidel over at Crazy Daisy Creations. I won her gorgeous bracelet that she was giving away (I still can't believe it), and she sent this card in the package. Isn't it just the cutest, happiest card? I just LOVE my bracelet, and the card was just icing on the cake!

Thank you all for these wonderful cards! You sure know how to make someone feel special! I really appreciate it!

Beate Sketch #5

This is a gate fold card I made for Beate's latest Sketch Challenge. I don't think I've ever made a gate fold card, and this is a little 3 1/2" square one that makes it even cuter! I just followed Beate's directions. I decided to pull out my Little Lady set from Papertrey Ink again. I haven't used that set very much. I guess I don't want everyone to get sick of seeing ladybugs all the time! :) I used the same color combo I used on the other Little Lady card I made. I just really LOVE the pink and green ladybug combo. . .reminds me of summer and watermelon! This version of the gate fold card is sort of like a latch card. The little trail of ladybugs tucks behind the big ladybug. I wanted to add some ribbon, but I couldn't decide where to put it without taking away from anything else. I ended up using it as the "antennae". Do you think that's too much? I don't know, I couldn't decide, so I thought I'd ask you! I curved the sentiment on the clear block to fit nicely into the circle. Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Little Lady, Papertrey Ink; Paper- Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Palette O'Prints; Ink- Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Palette in Noir; Accessories- white gel pen, paper piercer, ribbon from Doodliedoo, Jumbo circle punch, slit punch.