Quick and Easy

While playing around with Stampin’ Up!’s My Digital Studio software, I found the most beautiful background paper images.  These can be printed out on cardstock or computer paper and turned into incredibly quick, easy and gorgeous projects.  I completed the two cards above in just a matter of minutes! 

Don’t you just love how sparkly the background is?  I used my favorite new Stampin’ Up! product … Gold Glow Smooch Spritz and sprayed it all over the front of the card base.  The trick to not getting it too blotchy is to keep your bottle about 12” from the area you want to spray – this resulted in a nice even mist.


PROJECT RECIPE:
My Digital Studio Software:  Summertime Splendor – Gerbera background paper
Stamps:  Vintage Vogue
Paper:  Whisper White, Dusty Durango, Daffodil Delight
Ink:  Dusty Durango
Accessories:  Hodgepodge Hardware, ribbon, piercing tool, smooch spritz, scalloped oval punch

Stampin' Addicts Birthday Blog Hop

 
Welcome to Stampin' Addicts first Birthday Blog Hop!  Stampin' Addicts is a free website dedicated to all things Stampin' Up.  They offer SU-oriented galleries, challenges and special events. This Birthday Blog Hop is one of several events being held this week-end to help them celebrate their 1st birthday.  Membership at Stampin' Addicts is free of charge, and is open to Stampin’ Up! fans everywhere.  When you're done following the hop here, pop on over and check them out!

If you started this tour from the beginning you came upon my blog after visiting Allison.  Didn't you adore the young boys birthday ensemble she created?  If you're starting the tour at my website, follow the link at the bottom of this post to continue on your journey.  If you get lost along the way, you can always jump back on the tour bus by visiting Stampin' Addicts for the complete list of participants.  This tour will run through Sunday evening ... so sit back, relax and enjoy!!!

I have created a sister - practical and pampering gift ensemble to share with you.  My sister is very special to me and I don't get to see her often as she lives "fur fur away" as we say in my house - but I still like to make something special for her when I can.  I decided to take a "celebrate your entire day" kind of approach at this ... are there any of us who wouldn't enjoy celebrating every step of our day?  Without further ado, let us begin a journey through my sisters special day ...

*** SPOILER ALERT***  If you are reading this sis, stop now unless you really want to know what your belated gifts are!!!

The alarm clock rings, sis stumbles out of bed and finds her very first birthday gift is eagerly awaiting her ... just look at that trio of pretty boxes stacked high, bright red polka dotted ribbon cascading down the sides and a most beautiful paper bow perched atop (all Stampin' Up! items of course!).  Whatever could be hiding inside?  Should she open the boxes quickly or just sit and admire them ... this is almost too beautiful to take apart!  Alas, curiosity gets the best of me her and she decides opening would be the best way to start off her day.  And what a start it is!  Gently removing the bow (don't want to destroy this!) and untying the ribbon, she lifts up each of the colorful box lids to reveal ... an assortment of coffees, teas and mini creamers, specially designed for her to use in her Keurig coffee brewer.

After several minutes she finally decides which flavor to enjoy, then makes her way to get ready to head out the door ... unfortunately, sis still must go to work on her special day. 

 

... which brings sis to the second stop of her birthday celebration.  As she picks up her keys she finds another package sitting right next to the door - guess she best open that up before heading out for a busy day at the office (or where ever she heads to).  Oh my, now who wouldn't want to be seen with this darling note pad holder (and matching file folder!) in their arms? 

Unfortunately, due to time restrictions I can not show you today just how cute this is inside ... a junior legal pad sits on one side, with a coordinating pen, and a monthly calendar so I always know what day it is (I seem to forget this little detail quite often).  

Sis has had quite a busy day, gets back home to all those nightly household chores, and finally sits down to put her aching feet up ... and sees one last gift sitting on the coffee table.  What more could she possibly ask for, this day has already been perfect.  Ahhh, something special to help her relax at the end her day ... a lovely hand stamped scented candle and a gift tote of bubble bath and body cream.  Wait, turn that tote around (sorry, I can't show you this today) ... there are 3 tiny bottles of instant hand sanitizer neatly snuggled in the box on the other side!  Ok, I will admit that my sister is a nurse and I am sure she could use those little bottles of sanitizer!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you've enjoyed spoiling my sister as much as I have!  Check back later in the week for more photos of these projects as well as recipes.  Please continue on the tour by visiting Carmen who will be showcasing boys birthdays.

Occasions Mini Blog Tour, Stop #15

Welcome to the Stampin' Addicts SU! Occasions Mini Blog Tour. We're kicking off the year in grand style, showcasing many of the products in Stampin' Up!'s newly released Occasions Mini brochure. These items will all be available from your demo on January 5.

You may have arrived here after visiting Dawnmarie's site, didn't you just love all the wonderful creations she made using the gorgeous Shades of Spring designer series paper! If you are starting the tour at my blog, you can continue on to visit all 23 participants via the link at the end of my post. If you get lost anywhere along the way, you can find links to all the participants on Stampin' Addicts website. All links will remain live until Sunday evening, so sit back, take your time, visit often and ENJOY!

I am showcasing the stamp set Vintage Vogue, available in wood mount and NEW clear mount. I decided to be brave and try the clear mount set, must admit I was totally thrilled with how easy they are to work with.

The first project I'm sharing is a stamped picture frame. I purchased this several months ago with the intention of altering it - this stamp set seemed perfect for this project. I used Brocade Blue and Soft Suede inks, and the "rock and roll" technique to get some variation in coloring; then stamped randomly all over the frame. Since these were the clear mount stamps, I was able to eyeball the placement. What a super easy project and I love how it turned out!

RECIPE:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Paper: Bashful Blue
Ink: Brocade Blue, Soft Suede

 

 

 

 

 

Next I chose to try my hand at stamping on a tumbled tile. This was totally new to me and a fun learning experience. The distressed look of these tiles just seemed to go wonderfully with this stamp set.

RECIPE:
Stamps: En Francais, Vintage Vogue
Ink: Pale Plum, Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant, Mellow Moss

 

 

 

For my last project I decided to make a stair step card. This was once again my very first attempt at this so please excuse my imperfections! I discovered (by mistake!) that the new Beautiful Wings butterfly embosslit layers PERFECTLY with the Bigz Beautiful Butterflies diecuts. I had so much fun making this card and it seemed to continue to grow with each and every step. I finally had to call it quits before it became too busy.

RECIPE:
Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Pretty In Pink, Mellow Moss, Sweet Pea DSP
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Pretty In Pink, Versamark
Accessories: White EP, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Modern Label Punch, Pretty In Pink Corduroy Button, Regal Rose brads, Little Leaves Sizzlet, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, hemp twine

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting, I hope you enjoyed my projects as much as I did creating them. Please continue on the tour by visiting Marie who will be showcasing the brand new stamp set "Tiny Tags".