August Sneak-Peek of ZOE design papers

The Zoe paper pack is so pretty and soft!  I have seen (on the consultant boards) some of the coolest things done with it - and quite a variety!  I was inspired to make the first one by this lovely card that Becca Whitman made here.

This was my very first sunburst card - and I did it primarily to show off the beautiful papers in this pack!  The missing pattern is a wonderful slate and white graph paper pattern (used for the horizontal band in the card below).  That will be so versatile!

This is the card I settled on for the make-and-take at my September OPEN HOUSE in Brainerd, MN.  I am very excited to be holding a new inspiration book Open House. I NEED to make scrapping/stamping friends here so my summers are not so-o-o-o lonely!  Feedback is happily accepted on any of these cards (especially how I can improve the last one - should the pattern strips be 1/8" wider?).

Hugs!!

Yoga Birthday

I was playing around with a cool yoga stamp that I found in my stash. I forget where I got these - but there are 5 or 6 of them - all different positions and rubber stamps with cling mount.  I added the little stack of cake and candles on her "highest point" and colored her with the new CTMH Shin-Han markers.  The sentiment is an oldie-goldy from CTMH and the paper is the spring release called Blossom.  I really like how this one turned out!

We are back from an exciting trip to Canada!  We saw two days of the Calgary Stampede (very fun!) and spent over two weeks in the Canadian Rockies!  It was a dream vacation to be in such beautiful old pine forests, gorgeous lakes and streams, glaciers, animals, and the people in Canada are so nice! If you get a chance to go, I am certain you will like it!  

Now I am working like crazy to pull together an Open House for the new Idea Book releases!  I need to find some stamping/scrapping friends in Minnesota!  It's hard to get motivated to scrapbook without some company (yes, I am spoiled!).  

Playing around with ink and sponges

This one was my favorite of three that I made "identical".  Do you have issues like that with cards?  What happened is that when I was putting the last one together, I reversed the green and blue panels and almost made the card upside down!  I decided to just go with it, and I really like that the sky part of the card rests against the green and the hill part rests on the blue.  Serendipity!

This was just sponging without any masking.  I like it for it's gentle changes.

This card was a failure, but I love the concept so I'm sharing anyway.  I used a small sizzlet ? - the set of three leaf patterns that are a black plastic thing with a sponge on the cutting side?  Anyway, It was very difficult to get the leaves to cut completely and it left a mark all around the plastic shape, even though I used a squishy mat.  I can't even look up the exact name of the dies because I was so frustrated with them I threw them away!  

On the lighter note - I used Glacier, Lagoon and Pacifica inks and a sponge to create the underneath. If you know of a terrific branch of foliage that I could use instead, please let me know! 

Recipe cards

I made a pile of recipe cards using the Taste of Summer stamps. After I made these (Sunset and Canary) I made a set with Pear and Sunset, and another with Canary and Pear.  So much fun and such a nice assortment of clean, new recipe cards!  We will use these in the MN kitchen inside some nifty protective sleeves I found in the kitchen. 

Hello dear friend

This was a quick card that came together using some Verve stamps with dies for cutting.  I stamped the leaves on patterned paper and cut, then the flowers.  It was a "build a flower" type of process and I really love the result.  The papers were in a 6x6 paper pack that was leftover from a scrapbook convention in Phoenix last spring.  This turned out pretty cute for a 15 minute card!  

Close to My Heart July Special

Jump of It July! is a special campaign that will allow you to have either the July stamp of the month, or any of the hostess reward only stamp sets from the annual or seasonal expressions catalogs!  If you were eyeing one of those Hostess stamps and couldn't get it - this is your chance! Here are the details:  

During the month of July, when you purchase $25 (USD&CAD) in current, retail priced stamps, you qualify to receive either the July Stamp of the Month, My Acrylix® Life Is Wonderful, FREE or any one of the Hostess Rewards stamp sets featured in Annual Inspirations 2014–2015 or Seasonal Expressions 2 for only $5 USD&CAD! That is a savings of up to $17.95 USD/$19.75 CAD! The July Stamp of the Month is a lovely, versatile stamp set that is a great match for your cards and layouts that celebrate all the wonderful things—big and small—that life has to offer. Additionally, the Hostess Rewards stamp sets have previously only been available as part of the Hostess Rewards program, which means now is the perfect opportunity to get those special stamp sets you’ve had your eye on! To get your FREE stamp set or your $5 USD&CAD Hostess Rewards stamp set, simply place an order for $25 (USD&CAD) of any current, retail priced stamps. This offer is available only during the month of July and applies only to the July Stamp of the Month and current Hostess rewards stamp sets, so spring into action and jump on this deal before it’s gone!
*Offer valid July 1, 2015 (9:00 am MDT)–July 31, 2015 (11:59 pm MDT). No tax will be charged on the free item(s). Shipping/handling is calculated based on the full retail price of the free or discounted item(s). 

Here is a handy link for your shopping!  Sharli.CTMH.com

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!  This week will be filled with excitement in the Brainerd area - I am so happy to be here for the "small town" 4th of July celebrations!  Everyone gets involved, and the weather here allows for all kinds of "American" activities (like Baseball!).  We have been enjoying watching the boys play baseball and since they are on different teams, that practice and play on different days of the week, it is a Monday through Thursday commitment!  I have much gratitude for the chance to be here for these events! 

Hope you like my simple card! (the baseball stripes are Washi tape!)
Happy Canada Day for my Northern friends!