Monkey Party Conclusion

Here are some more pictures of the party:

 When we sang happy birthday, she was so proud of herself. It was like she bursted at the seems.

The dorky looking person is me--apparently, I was making monkey noises.

Again, Bubba took the pictures. Check out his work at Insomniac Designs Photography.


The Thank-you card had some special touches I didn't have room to say on blog hop. I needed a small punch for the thanks, but couldn't fit it on the jewelry tab. SO, I made my own:

I punched it once with the decorative label punch, and slide it back in and punched again. It worked perfectly! Here is the invitation, if you want to compare:

 I used the same colors, but made the monkey pop out of the flower this time and didn't add the crazy background that matched the napkins and plates. Still cute, though! However, it wasn't my first plan. I turned my first invitation design into her birthday card:

See how creative one can be?
Happy Stamping!

 

Party Blog Hop Follow Up!

Happy Birthday to Clare! Remember all of those things I made? Here they are in action:

 I'll post more pictures on Wednesday, as Bubba gave me more! If you want to see his photography, you can go to his website--Insomniac Designs Photography.

Remember those monkeys?

Here are the parts:

From Early Espresso: 3 1/2" Circle Big Shot Die, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch
From Crumb Cake: Inside oval of the Scallop Frame Die, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Heart Framelit
From Whisper White: 3/4" Circle Punch
From Basic Black: 1/2" Circle Punch
From Melon Mambo: Island Party Bigz Die
From Pumpkin Pie: 1/2" Circle Punch

 I loved making these, but did make a few too many. I had hanging spirals, some on the banner, and 12 treat bags! Perhaps my classroom theme will be Monkeys next year!


Happy Stamping!


 

Happy 2nd Birthday, Monkey!

Happy Birthday to my niece Clare, who turns 2 on February 24th, sharing the birthday with her mom, who turns, well, I better not say! When my Stampin' Addicts friends were planning a Blog Hop in honor of Stampin' Addicts' birthday, I decided to share what I'm making for Clare's party for the Stampin' Addict Party, AKA blog hop! Stampin' Addicts is the THE place to go to surf the galleries and forums on all things Stampin' Up! The folks there are friendly and helpful- and TALENTED!

Speaking of talented, on this blog hop, you can click on links from one blog to another to see 11 party themes done Stampin' Up! style! You may be starting on my blog or coming from Kim's Sesame Street Party, or going backwards from Heidi's Rapunzel party. Any way you get here, enjoy what I have to share and then click on link to the next blog to continue onward. If you get lost, click on the banner above to get the full list. Come back next week for pictures of the actual event and some more details!

Here is the whole ensemble. Bubba thinks I went overboard, but a girl only turns 2 once! I made a banner, hanging monkeys (those crazy heads on the spirals like look goofy in my picture), gift bags for the kid guests, a gift bag for my present for her, and thank-you notes.  My inspiration was the paper goods my sister picked out already. She loves matching paper goods to her themes and she makes and decorates the cake to go along with it. This particular paper product set came with a cute monkey, and in colors that matched Stampin' Up! How cool is that?

The banner took a Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure why, the process wasn't that hard, it just took me a while to get it set up just right. It comes in three pieces which I can hang in one long chain or like I did the photo. I use my Big Shot and the Perfects Pennants Die in the colors. If you look closely, you can see I used the Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Ribbon to lace the banner. I also added flowers from the Fancy Flower Punch stamped with the Mixed Bunch Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

The monkeys came from punch art I had seen. I combined a few ideas and made them bigger so they fit on my bags:

When my sister and I get in the same place (for the party), we can fill the bags with Goldfish (Clare's favorite snack), Bubbles (Clare's favorite thing to do), and more. Names can be written on each as kids arrive, since the RSVP's have been slim. We aren't really sure who's attending yet! Can you believe I used all Stampin' Up! Punches and dies to make this cutie? You'll have to come back Monday to see how I did it!

Finally, my sister always writes Thank-you notes for presents. She's amazing that way. Here are the one's she'll send out:

I wanted them to look similar to the invitations, but not exactly. I was lucky when I found out that the edge of the Blossom Bouquet triple layer punch fit on the 1 1/4" Circle with the monkey! So very cute!

Well, I'm sad to say  that's all I have to share on this hop. You can now go onward to visit Heidi's Blog with her Rapunzel Birthday party!

Happy Stamping!

 

Back on Your Feet Again!

I know I make cards, but I am terrible at actually sending them. I could use a whole pack of these:

Cute, huh? It seems like I never have a get well card when I need one!

Stamps: Turtle & Co.
Paper: Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point, and WildWasbi
Accessories: Googlie Eyes, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Mini Brads, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

I love this set, as it is the Ronald McDonald House Charities set this year, which means $2 from every sale goes to my favorite charity!

Happy Stamping!

 

You're Invited to a Party Blog Hop this Weekend!

and it was just in time for my niece's birthday! What to get a sneak peak? Shhh, don't tell anyone! Actually, I'll just share the invite today, since everybody has seen that (who my sister invited).

 How cute!

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Fox and Friends
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, Itty Bitty Punches, Melon Mambo Dotted Ribbon, My Digital Studio

I used My Digital Studio for the white layer and inside. I simply typed up what I wanted and then made them the colors I wanted. This ensured I got as close as possible with my printer to the real Stampin' Up! colors! How cool is that?

The design started out a different way. I used the paper goods my sister bought as inspiration. Of course, she bought those particular ones because they are Stampin' Up! color-alikes! AND, Clare loves monkeys, makes the most darling monkey noises, and well, is a monkey who loves Melon Mambo.

I used the glue and emboss technique on the background so that my flowers stayed in the background and the monkey as the focal point. So far, these have been received very well. Just wait til they all see everything else I've been up to! You can, too, on Friday-Sunday at my blog for the Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop! You'll also see other party themes done the Stampin' Up! way!

Happy Stamping!

 

Celebrate Every Day!

February is the month of Birthdays for my family- My dad, sister, nephew, and niece all have birthdays this month. Growing up three of my friends also had birthdays in February as well as my cousin. It feels like February is just the birthday month!

Stamps:Outlined Expressions
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Calypso Coral, Old Olive, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Markers
Accessories: Adorning Elements Framelits, Big Shot, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Everyday Enchantment Brads, 5/8" Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Mini Silver Brads

I made this card in December as soon as I got my pre-ordered Sale-a-bration stamps and new products from the Occassions Mini Catalogs. I love those brown boxes of fun, new stuff. I think I tried to use most of my new stuff on this card. That can happen-all the ideas flow at once--with every new thing! I used the new framelits for this card, just trimming my Celebrate section to fit the card front. The colors aren't right in this photo--I'm not sure what happened, but they looked better in real life. I found the combination somewhere, and liked it. Now, I don't like it as much. Funny how that happens!

Happy Stamping!

 

Hearts For Any Day

Hearts aren't just for Valentine's Day, so I thought I'd show you a card I made with just love and fun in mind:

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions Stamp Set
Ink: Wisteria Wonder
Paper: Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Paper, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Itty Bitty Buttons, Baker's Twine, Pool Party Seam Binding, Big Shot, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Folder, Heart to Heart Punch

The colors on this paper inspired me. I had to pair the Sweet Shop paper with this image. It just seemed like a perfect fit to me. The rest all came easy!

Herringbone Quilt on a Card

Yes, an even better way to show quilting on a card. We have this scrumptious paper from the Sale-a-bration Catalog called Everyday Enchantment and on every card I have to decide-which one of these patterns will I use? In this card, you can use all of them you want!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage
Paper: Everyday Enchantment, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Pool Party
Ink: Calypso Coral
Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack, Decorative Label Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Cropadile, Adhesive Sheets, Paper Cutter

Here's a closeup:

The amazing Dawn Olefcheske showed us this technique on the stage at Leadership and I knew I had to do it. My technique group was skeptical, but they loved it!

Happy Stamping!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is the day of love! Which I like to enjoy by giving little gifts to those I love. Today's project is one such treat, thought up by my amazing upline Connie Fitzgerald!

Stamps: Take it to Heart
Paper: Regal Rose
Ink: Regal Rose
Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Framelit, Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Heart to Heart Punch, Silver Glimmer Paper, small Cello Bag

Connie came up with this great idea- although hers in real red and pink pirouette. I had to use what I had around! She's doesn't have a blog and doesn't write up things online, so I am going to show you how it works for her.

Simply cut out the largest Labels Framelit in the color of your choice and score like this:

Snip along the side lines, and then fold into a cute box!

You'll be seeing many more of these around I'm sure!

 Happy Stamping!

A Ruffled Heart

Stampin' Up always provides the most amazing new products and this year's Occasions Mini Catalog has so many neat ones. Today's card features two of my favorite products--Pleated Ribbon and Hearts Framelits!

Stamps: Take It To Heart
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Heart Framelits, Adorning Accent Edgelits, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch, Stripes Textured Embossing Folder, Pearl Accents, Dimensionals

These colors evoke deep love to me. Perfect for a valentine. I used a lot of textures on this card. I just can't make a card without an embossing folder these days!

The heart ruffle was easy to do with this ribbon. I just ran sticky strip around the edge of the back of heart die cut. I then applied the half of the ribbon to the back. Half sticks out quite perfectly. I found that if I started in the middle of the heart, the tip looked better. The card I got a picture of wasn't quite done that way. I think it got switched at my last event with mine!

Happy Stamping!

Hearts for Your Sweetie

I love candy. My waistline can prove it. Conversations hearts have a keen place in my heart as my dad would buy my sister and I a box for Valentine's Day. I decided to take that memory into my group projects this month:

Stamps: P.S. I Love You
Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Full Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Heart Treat Cup, Adorning Accents Textured Embossing Folders, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Big Shot, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

See that little heart off to the side? That's the tab for the pull out which releases the candy.

That way, the card doesn't get ruined when the recipient eats the candy!

Happy Stamping!

February for 29 Days!

and I needed a calender for my Desktop!
Here is this month's installment:

I used the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series paper from the Sale-a-bration Digital Content CD I got for FREE! What's better than that? Great paper for FREE! I went with a simple design as I am feeling like less is more right now. To make the hearts, I just used a digital punch and filled it with paper. I rotated and enlarged them to make room for the calender and embellishments. The Chantilly lace just seemed to go right with the paper, so I went with it!

Happy Stamping!

Love me some Ice Cream!

I love ice cream, especially on hot summer days. Cold winter days, not so much. However, when we were in San Antonio's balmy temperatures in the 70's, I indulged! Here is one of my swap cards:

Stamps: Mouthwatering
Paper: Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party, So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake Markers
Accessories: Oval Scallop Punch, Pennant Parade Bigz Die, Adorning Edges Embossing Folder, Adorning Edgelit, Medium Oval Punch, Brights Brads, Scalloped Ribbon Punch, Stripes Embossing Folder

I saw a picture on Pinterest of a stack of ice cream in these colors. Bubba thought they were weird, but they look yummy to me!

Happy Stamping!

Red and Chocolate=Valentine's Day

and I could use some chocolate today! I plan to post every odd numbered day. I missed yesterday due to selling our house in Neenah paperwork. Ug. I then got home at 7 from school, the dentist, and a school board meeting. Then, I did some STUFF. Then, the pellet stove quit working. Bubba and I found a place where, I guess, we were supposed to clean more than once every 2 years. Then, SOMEONE unplugged it from back, so it didn't start up and well, I'm up past my bedtime. But, I do have a card to share:

This was a huge hit at my Stampin' Celebrations card group. They make 4 of each card and loved how this one looked great but went together easy!

Stamps: P.S. I Love You.
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Big Shot, Scalloped Heart Embosslit, Adorning Edges Embossing Folder, Heart Punch, Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch

I just embossed the row of hearts, stamped a row of hearts, stamped a sentiment, added a heart focal point and some ribbon, and I got a great card for someone sweet. Perhaps Bubba since he was so handy tonight!
Happy Stamping!

Quilted Mini Card

I love fabric. I love quilting. I just hate how long it takes. Luckily, I can quilt with paper much faster!

Stamps: None!
Paper: Old Olive, Soft Suede, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral
Ink: None!
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Buttons Sizzlet, Baker's Twine, Itty Bitty Buttons, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder


This little 3x3 uses a fun technique to create a cute flower. Depending on how you add the folded circles, you get a flower center or a cool center. I can't decide which I like better!

Check out the cool paper-- I used the Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper I got for FREE with my December order. As a demonstrator, I could get my Sale-a-bration goodies early. Whoo Hoo! This Enchantment paper is spectacular. You'll see many projects with that I'm sure over the next couple of months.

I added layered paper buttons and an itty bitty clear button in the center-- way more fun than just a regular button!

Happy Stamping!

Heart Treat Basket Tutorial

Original Ideas are rare-especially in stamping. We CASE (copy and share everything freely) and this makes for small changes to ideas seen a normal fact of stamping. However, this little goodie, I thought up by myself. I posted a different version last year, but thought that Valentine's day (and Leadership) was a great opportunity to play with new paper!

Petal Card Double Punch Heart Basket Tutorial 
By Sara Mattson-Blume, Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator 
www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net 
lilyinkpad@yahoo.com 
An Original Idea 

Supplies: 
3” by 11” strip of Designer Series Paper
Large Heart Punch
Heart Sizzlet
6” piece of ribbon
Petal Card Double Punch
Whisper White Cardstock
Heart Image and Ink
Sticky Strip
Snail
Candy


1. Punch 4 Petal Card Double Punch shapes. 
2. Fold up two adjacent tabs on each one.

3. Adhere two shapes together by their middle tabs.

 4. Repeat Step 3 with the other two shapes.

5. Adhere the bottom tabs together of the two sets of shapes.

 6. Adhere the middle together.

7. Use sticky strip to adhere ribbon to the center.

 

Happy Stamping!