Home Decor- Cheap and Easy

Yet, elegant and perfect for me!

I used the decor element words: love, hope, life from the Inspiration Decor Element for 4.95 and put it on a plaque I found at a big box store on clearance for less than $5. I've found similar items but with words I didn't appreciate for way more than that! I think I might add a flourish or a ribbon or something, but when the trim is up in my cottage, it will look great on one wall in particular.

I find our decor elements easy to use, especially the smaller ones. I just rub, rub, rub, rub, peel, peel, peel, peel, and rub, rub, rub. I just eyeballed the placement and it worked!

Happy decorating!

Butterflies and Mediallions

Each month, I send my downline a card. This is the card for August...which I sent out last week. See how crazy I've been?

Stamps: Mediallion, Hello Again

Paper: Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberrym Whisper White

Ink: Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon, Ribbon Scissors, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Big Shot, Pendant Bigz Die

I wanted to matte the butterflies, but didn't have a punch bigger. I started playing with my Big Shot and Voila' a little scallop peeking out. I like this look, even though it's not my usual style.

Happy Stamping!

Grateful for Fall

The change of seasons to me always means school starting, brisk walks, and outdoor time! This year, it means, painting, cleaning, sleeping, and working non-stop. What it hasn't meant is posting. Something had to give, and my blog was it. But, I'm back with a great project:

Stamps: Grateful Greetings

Paper: Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper, More Mustard, Kraft

Ink: Perfect Plum Classic Ink, Pumpkin Pie Craft Ink, Ruby Red Craft Ink, and More Mustard Craft Ink

Accessories: Wood Sheets, Latte Buttons, Leaves Bigz Die, Sponge Daubers, Big Shot, 5/8 Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

As soon as I saw the wood sheets in the 2009 Idea Book and Catalog, I envisoned sponging them into leaves. Finally, I've followed through and created a card with them. These are very easy to cut with the Big Shot. I got almost 30 leaves per sheet! To create the leaves' color, I dipped my sponge daubers in my craft spots and then daubbed! Simple and quick. Be sure to start with the lightest color first.

This is a project that has wowed my stamp clubs and workshops this month. How fun to watch stamper's faces light up as they ohh and ahhh!

Happy Stamping!

"Ornament"al Christmas Greetings

Stenciling. I did a lot of stenciling as a kid with my mom and sister. We made a ton of cards, placemats, presents. I loved being able to create! Stenciling is back in style, but in a grander way:

Stamps: Grateful Greetings, Sweet Centers

Paper: Mellow Moss, Ruby Red

Ink: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Garden Green (all Craft Ink)

Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals Bigz Die, Vintage Ornaments I Decor Stencils, Sponge Daubers

To Stencil, I just placed the piece down and held it (no tape this time), and used my sponge daubers and craft ink to color. I like mine dark as I always have, but I could have made the edges darker than the inside. I used my Big Shot to cut the oval, stencilled on it, and adhered it flat. I wanted this card to be quick, easy, striking, and mailable since my customers were making at the Stamp-a-Stack. The top of the ornament is from the Sweet Centers set. Ohh.. this Holiday Mini is amazing! Off to play some more!

Thinking of SNOW!

Nope! I am not crazy. I love winter. Plus, it was hot out today at the New London Fall Cheese and Sausage Family Fest. Last year it was raining, two years ago cold, but this year...hot...hot..hot. So, it's the perfect card to show from my Happy Holidays Stamp-a-Stack last night:

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Warm Words

Paper: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Brushed Silver

Ink: Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy

Accessories: 1" Circle Punch, Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, 1/4 Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Powder Pal, Two Way Glue, Boho Blossom Punch, Dimensionals, Photo Corner Punch

I love snow and winter. I really don't mind shoveling as long as I can play in it now and then. Get used to this set, I love it!

Happy Stamping!

A Penguin to Post

Ahhh...Christmas Cards. This the time of year that I really get excited about making my Christmas Cards. Hopefully, I make them AND SEND THEM this year! Here's one idea:

Stamps: NONE! Perhaps a sentiment inside...but I haven't decided yet!

Paper: Real Red, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Merry Moments Designer Series Paper

Ink: NONE!

Accessories: Big Shot, Stampin' Up! Perfect Details Texturz Plates, Top Note Die, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, 5 Petal Punch, Large Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Button, linen thread

Now, I am a creative girl, but credit goes to Stamper_Jamie at Stampin' Addicts. Check out her creation here. I changed up the colors a bit and used different paper. Her card was so cute, I had to use it for my upcoming Christmas Card Stamp a Stack. There is still room, so check out the details on my calendar.

Happy Stamping!

Christmas Tag Card

As soon as I saw this stamp set, known as Sweet Season, I knew I had found the match to my new Two Tags Bigz die! Add in the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and I'm a happy card designer!

Here is my creation:

Stamps: Sweet Seasons

Paper: Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red, Garden Green

Accessories: Big Shot, Stampin' Up! Two Tags Bigz Die, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Real Red Brads, Piercing Tool, Matte Pack, Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, 5/8 Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Check out how the tag is removable:

Wouldn't this make a cute card for a reader? They could use the tag as a bookmark!

Happy Stamping!

WHERE ARE MY POSTS?

and my links, and my project links, and all the work I did last week and last weekend? Oh my golly!

Confession time- I plan my posts in advance. I write a bunch up and then post them to post on certain days. That way, I can stamp when I have time and do computer stuff when I have access to that.

Confession number 2: I don't always check on my blog. In fact, days can go by before I catch on that it's not the way I planned it. Then, a day or two can go by before I can fix it.

Confession number 3: Last week, I deleted a little too much when all I wanted to do was switch out my projects for the new month and delete a couple of links that weren't connecting. The latter parts are towards the bottom of my blog and (sorry), I don't always check on them. I just found out they were missing. So...

My apologies to those blogs I usually link to but haven't been for a week. I will redo them ASAP. My apologies also for those that check on my blog and have found it inspirationless. Such a bummer and I am committing right now to check on it more often, make sure things are running smoothly, and posting more often.

GET READY FOR POSTAPALOOZA. I have a list of posts that I must retype (as they vanished), but will do so and make them post ASAP.

Thanks for your understanding and Happy Stamping!

Grateful and Glowing

Wow! Stampin' Up! has done it again- created a Holiday mini-catalog full of sets and products that are irresistible! The sayings in Grateful Greetings (116511, p 12) spoke to me, so much that I used one on a jar candle recently:

Stamps: Grateful Greetings, Lovely as a Tree

Paper: More Mustard, Soft Suede, Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper

Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Photo Corner Punch, Jumbo Pewter Brads, Cropadile, Linen Thread, Sticky Strip, Big Shot, Leaves Bigz Die

This project needed to be simple (as it was part of a stamp camp), but then, again, I like simple. I used Lovely as a Tree (still lovely after all these years!) for the image and a saying from Grateful Greetings for the text:

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.-Hamilton Wright Mabie"

This will be decorating my house for fall and also a hostess gift for an upcoming workshop. Simple. Easy. Elegant.

Happy Stamping!

Sara