I used the Essentials stamp set along with the Print Poetry Patterned Paper, toss in some Designer Builder Brads from Stampin’ Up! and you have a fun card.

To start, I stamped the Thank You from the Essentials set (from the Occasions catalog – and I will talk more about this set later) in Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, & Raspberry Ripple ink onto Very Vanilla card stock.  Go crazy with your stamping, and then punch a lot using your Word Window Punch.

You only need a narrow strip of the Print Poetry paper stack, so you can make two cards out of own of the pieces, I cut these down to 1-3/4″ x 5-1/8″, but save your left over card stock after you do that part.  It was layered onto Summer Starfruit.  Then the card base is Very Vanilla, Primrose Petals.

Now, let’s talk about those brads.  I used Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, & Raspberry Ripple Satin Stitched Ribbon behind those brads.  They are attached through the Print Poetry/Summer Starfruit layers.  For the tops of the Designer Builder Brads, remember when I said to hang onto the extra patterned paper?  Use your circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and punch out the coordinating color polka dot.  Use a glue dot to stick it to the top – finish with the bubble that comes with it – and then that entire layer goes onto your card front.

If you like this card, please keep this in mind – this is actually a pretty simple card compared to what my VIP members learn each month.  My VIP program is all video instruction walking you through how to create four amazing cards each month as well as my Scrapbook class.  You get lifetime access to the classes you have paid for, so that you can go back as many times as you want, even if you do not stay a member.

Learn more about my VIP program here:  http://www.iteachstampingvip.com – this program is over 2 years strong, and it wouldn’t be around if it wasn’t loved!

I hope that you have enjoyed today’s card, I love that Print Poetry paper and the fun Designer Builder Brads too!

Yes, I still have Summer Smooches patterned paper project ideas to share, this one uses Decorate a Daisy – all from Stampin’ Up!  You want to talk about simple – this is very simple!  Let me break it down for ya:

I stamped the sentiment from Decorate a Daisy in Real Red on Whisper White card stock- now the last time I posted a card, I got quite a few emails and a phone call even, with great concern that I had messed up the supplies listed for the card.  And you can see that card here.  So let me take a second and explain.  By no means am I saying that I am perfect, so it is not like I am trying to defend myself.  But the sentiment is a ‘negative’ image stamp.  It is not white craft ink on Real Red card stock.  It is Real Red ink on White card stock – designed to trick you up.

If you are looking for a bright color combination for this time of year – Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Gumball Green.

Then the flowers were stamped twice in Daffodil Delight and cut out.  So the inside layer of flowers is on the same stamp.  Then they all get layered and boom, you have a flower.  Then the leaves were run through the Big Shot and the Fancy Fan embossing folder – and at the bottom of the card too.  Finish it off with Daffodil Delight stitched grosgrain ribbon.

Items that are retiring:

Decorate a Daisy stamp set:  wm:  125989  $24.95,  cm:  125991  $17.95

Summer Smooches Patterned Paper:  125409  $10.95  25% off!!  Only available while supplies last

Do you think that this is a card that you would want to make?  Leave me a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

I that you have enjoyed this card made with Stampin’ Up!’s Decorate a Daisy and Summer Smooches!

What do you get when you start with fun patterned paper and the world’s smallest stamp set – such as Summer Smooches and Itty Bitties (both from Stampin’ Up!)?  A fun & cute birthday card!

These patterns all work so well together.  For those of us that are “pattern matching challenged”, I love anything that takes the guesswork out of it.  I used the Bitty Banners framelits on these patterns, and folded them in half…

Quick tip on that:  Use your bone folder to ‘curl’ the patterned paper.  See how there aren’t any crease lines?  Then just use adhesive where your “tails” meet.

I used two images from Stampin’ Up!’s Itty Bitties stamp set, in all different colors and punched those out using the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack.  Then all different colors of card stock were punched with the 1/2″ Circle punch.

The sentiment comes from Create a Cupcake stamp set, I used the Word Window punch on that and backed it with a Real Red banner die cut with the same Bitty Banners Framelits.

Whisper White Baker’s Twine completes the card – and those cute buttons from the Brights buttons.

Now the size of this card is different, I used the notecards in the catalog.

I hope that you enjoyed today’s Summer Smooches with Stampin’ Up!’s Itty Bitties card!

I am sure that you have stayed as glued to CNN as we have, following Moore, Oklahoma, and the tragedy there.  Facebook has kept us up to date with friends there and it has me thinking two different things.  First, what an amazing role that social media has played in this event, same as with other large events over the last handful of years.  There are so many without power and without phone service, but many still have access to 3G or 4G networks.  How amazing for those in that situation to post one time and the news spread to family and friends, instantly letting them know their situation without those involved needing to call everyone in their phone book.

Also, it made me think of expressing my thoughts and feelings through artwork.  A few months ago, a friend shared a card with me and it stuck with me.  That card came to mind this morning as I was using my artwork to share how I feel.

First, it was simple.  Simply put, I am sad.  Second, when I am sad, I feel the proverbial “blue”.  So that was my initial color.  And “So Sorry” was exactly the words I would say and have said to my friends there.

Adding a touch more blue with a flower that is dyed and a simple pearl in the middle.

The art part definitely came out as I was mixing Frost White Shimmer paint with So Saffron ink and rubbing alcohol in a mister.  I was on the phone with a friend as I was doing that, and she said, “Too bad that shimmer paint is retiring.”  Uh – how did I miss that?  I love the Frost White shimmer paint.  So I got online to verify it, hoping that she was wrong, but she wasn’t.  Indeed, it will retire.  The only good news is that it is still available and it is actually on sale too.  If you want it, here is the link for it.

Here is my So Sorry card:

The flower is from the Occasions catalog and does not appear in the new big catalog.  Here is the link for the flowers.

Here is a snippet so you can really see that shimmer:

While card making is fun, it is also art, and a great way to express how you are feeling.  I hope that you use your artwork to express any feelings that you are having, whether for Moore, Oklahoma, or for anything else.

Patio Party patterned paper has so many fun patterns in it, including one that is all borders.  I used those borders across the middle of the yellow patterned paper section as well as under the sentiment.  Takes the guess work out of what to put across some of your layers.  And anything that removes guess work out of something is usually an instant hit for me!

I kept this card super simple and the only part that took real time was the paper piercing, but even that only took about two minutes.

The rhinestones are fun pops of sparkly for both the butterfly ‘body’ but they serve double duty on this card adding balance on the right hand side.  I challenge you to make a card similar to this one and leave the rhinestones off the right hand side and see how it just looks nekked.

Here is today’s Patio Party patterned paper with A Word for You card:

All supplies from Stampin’ Up! unless otherwise indicated:

Stamps:  A Word for You (retiring!!!  wm: 117032  cm: 120528)

Ink:  Midnight Muse

Card Stock:  Primrose Petals, Whisper White, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse

Patterned Paper:  Patio Party (retiring:  127916)

Accessories:  Midnight Muse and Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, Paper Piercer, Paper Piercing Guide, Small Butterfly Punch, 10 Second Bow Maker** (http://www.10secondbowmaker.com)

What can you create using the Patio Party patterned paper and A Word for You?

I cannot believe that the school year is almost over, even though Emily tells me on a daily basis how many days are left.  She has the most amazing teacher this year and I think I am more sad about not having her than Emily is!  It is amazing the difference one teacher can make.  She got Emily over a huge hurdle this year and we are so grateful!

I used the red polka dot paper (my fave!!) from Summer Smooches.  The apple came from Fruit & Flowers – that is retiring .  And the word teacher came from Family Reunion.

While making this card, there was a HUGE a-ha moment.  I have been frustrated for about 7 years over not having a 1-1/2″ circle punch.  I bought one from a craft store, that shattered in my hand and cut me pretty bad even, tried to do it with the Circle Scissors plus without success, all in the quest for a 1-1/2″ circle punch.  For some reason, I decided to remeasure my Circles #2 die.  I was pretty gosh darn sure it was 1-3/8″, not 1-1/2″.  But I have never been so happy to be wrong in my life!  It is 1-1/2″!!!  And I have had this dang die for YEARS now.  So I was uber thrilled to find it was 1-1/2″ and cut my Wild Wasabi card stock with it.  The cloud’s parted, birds were singing and it just made for a beautiful paper crafting moment.  I dashed out of my stamp room, showed my hubby and shouted, “Look – I do have a 1-1/2″ circle finally!”

His response, with one eyebrow raised, “Uh, ok.”

Hmmm…. not the response I was looking for, but he didn’t have me locked up in the loony bin, so I guess that is good too.

I hope that you have enjoyed this fun Summer Smooches Teacher card!  What are you making for the teacher’s in your world?

To get on my Priority List for a free tutorial of several projects using these items, use this link to access my online store.

iTeach Stamping May 2013 Bundle:

Please remember that these bundles are not offered through Stampin’ Up!, they are only available through me, so when you go to put your order in, don’t look for the “May 2013 Bundle”, each item gets added individually.

I went crazy insane with the Summer Smooches Patterned Paper this weekend – I made over 20 cards and a ton of custom envelopes using the Summer Smooches paper – and there is still some left!!!  I will be sharing those cards throughout the week both here and on my Facebook page.  If you are not a fan of my Facebook Page yet, click here and simply click here and then click the ‘Like’ button.

My Summer Smooches weekend creating insanity all began with one concept – Get Lost in The Moment!  That is it.  Simply create and go wherever my creating takes me.  I cleared a few hours on my weekend for just me to play and didn’t start with any idea of what I wanted to create, just grab whatever strikes me and go to town.  It was so much fun!  I cranked up the music, put on my favorite stamping outfit (JAMMIES!) and enjoyed the time.

I used the Decorate a Daisy stamp set from Stampin’ Up! – is it soon to retire and I adore this sentiment.  If you do not have this set, please remember that you have about two weeks left to grab it.

All of the patterned paper used on this card is from the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper – I just checked a second ago, and this paper is still available – and it is 25% off while supplies last.

Supplies used to create this Decorate a Daisy / Summer Smooches card:

Stamps:  Decorate a Daisy

Ink:  Real Red

Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Whisper White, Real Red

Accessories:  Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Pennants Die, 3″ Circle Die, 1-3/4″ Circle Punch, 1-3/8″ Circle Punch, 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, Designer Builder Brads, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon (also retiring)

These are the items that I used that are retiring and the links to order them:

***Decorate a Daisy:  wm:  125989  $24.95 / cm:  125991 $17.95

***Summer Smooches DSP:  125409  $10.95  25% off!!! $8.21

***Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon:  122974  $9.95  25% off!!!  $7.46

I hope that you have enjoyed this card and that you are inspired to go crazy wild with your creating this week.  Remember, Stampin’ Up!’s  Summer Smooches patterned paper and the Decorate a Daisy stamp set will soon retire – they are a fun combo that I encourage you to try out!

Scraps – ahh scraps….  they can be both a blessing and a burden all at the same time, right?  I have a little basket for little scraps and there are days that I am so tempted to toss them in the trash – and there are days that I have done it, only to retrieve it out moments later.

Why do they have such a hold on us?  Why do we feel like we need to get every last drop of goodness out of them?

Today, I went for it – I dug around in there and found scraps from Summer Smooches patterned paper from Stampin’ Up!, grabbed my paper snips and my Pennant Builder Punch and went to town.  This was a remarkably easy card to make and can be done with any patterned paper.  If you are crafting this weekend, I challenge you to create a card using up scraps.  Use this idea if you would like or come up with your own and share them with me.  Email me with your idea:  meg@iteachstamping.com.

I used the Perfect Punches stamp set that is about to retire for my sentiment in Pacific Point Ink.  And the card base is Real Red.  Simple, Simple, Simple!

I hope that you have enjoyed this handmade card idea using scraps and retiring items!