Again, my inspiration comes from others.  I think Mary Brown's card is the one that inspired me the most, although I've seen this basic format done a few times.  I love using the ornament punch as a vase!  I made up a bunch of these at the stamping retreat last weekend.

I punched the vase from the Soft Suede pattern out of Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper.  I inked up the floral branch from Stampin' Up!'s Thoughts and Prayers stamp set with Rose Red and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers, then placed it so that it looks like it is coming out of the punched ornament vase.  I tied a bow from 1/4 Rose Red grosgrain ribbon and placed it on the front of the vase.  I stamped "the more candles the bigger the wish!" from Well Scripted on the Whisper White layer, too, in Rose Red Classic Ink.  The Whisper White was layered onto Rose Red cardstock, then a base of Soft Suede.  The inside is finished off with a strip of the same Designer Paper and another greeting.

I can't believe it is Friday already.  I haven't been in my stamp room since I got back!  I'm definitely feeling withdrawal!  I need to get stuff put away from last weekend…it is all still laying on my tables!  (No one else does that, right?)  Anyway…I did get my new bedroom put together.  I need to go buy a couple pictures for the walls, but the curtains are up and the bed made.  Hmmm, I'll take a picture and show you when it is done!  Have a great weekend!

The next batch of Satin Ribbon Shares are going out today!  I'm SO happy that Stampin' Up! put the Satin Ribbon in the Summer Mini, too, so I can continue doing the shares!  You can find out more information HERE!

I picked the Nouveau Chic designer paper to use because it uses Basic Gray.  I thought the Sage Shadow was toned down enough to really compliment this stamp set, too.  It really is the perfect designer paper for Sympathy cards!

I started with a base card of Sage Shadow and layered on Basic Gray cardstock.  I added a strip of Nouveau Chic Designer Paper.  I inked up the tree with my Stampin' Write Markers in Going Gray and Sage Shadow and stamped on Whisper White.  I added Sharing in Your Sorrow with Basic Gray Classic Ink.  I layered the Whisper White on Sage Shadow cardstock and placed it on the front of the card.  Pretty basic and simple, but I think it has a lot of impact for a Sympathy card!  Hope she likes them!

I'm so excited.  We just purchased a bedroom set for the empty bedroom.  Our youngest took his bedroom set with him to college and the room had a spare sofa bed in it for a couple years.  Last year when he moved to his new apartment, he took the sofa bed with him and the room has been empty.  They delivered it yesterday and I went shopping yesterday for a new comforter and sheets.  I found a really bright and pretty comforter, but now I need new sheets (expensive!) and some pictures, etc.  Isn't it funny how one new thing can spark a whole new bunch of shopping?  lol!

The base of the card is made from Melon Mambo cardstock.  I layered on Old Olive and pierced around the top edges.  I added the stripe and hearts from Welcome Home Designer Paper to the bottom.  I wrapped the Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon around the top of the Designer Paper to hide the seam there.

For the focal piece, I used my Scallop Trim Border Punch on a piece of Melon Mambo cardstock.  In the center I added a piece of Pretty in Pink cardstock.  I stamped on one of the Kisses Love Notes with Basic Brown ink and the floral image from Stampin' Up!'s Happy Thoughts stamp set.  Then I stamped again on a scrap piece of Whisper White, cut out the buds and adhered them to the top of the flowers with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I watercolored them with my Old Olive, Melon Mambo and Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Markers and the AquaPainter.

Finally, I stamped 4 You from Tiny Tags stamp set in Chocolate Chip on Whisper White, punched it with my Jewelry Tag punch and overstamped with the floral pattern in Tiny Tags with Pretty in Pink.  I pierced a hole and thread thru the Linen Thread and tied it to one of the scallops from the Border Trim.

I made up several of these for birthday cards over the next few weeks!  Enjoy!

CARD KIT OF THE MONTH

March 2010

Featured Set: “Vintage Vogue”

Featured Accessory: Chocolate Chip Epoxy Brads

In this kit, you'll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design shown above – so you will receive all of the cardstock and ribbon supplies that you need to create 12 cards total. 

You will also receive 2 additional full color samples of "alternative" cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit, as well as step by step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs. 

Card Kit Price is just $20 — that's 12 cards, plus envelopes for just $20! 

Each month, the card kit also features both a Stamp Set of the Month and an Accessory of the Month. If you purchase the card kit, you may also purchase these items at 20% off! 

February Featured Products:

• Vintage Vogue Stamp Set (wood $23.95, clear mount $17.95)) wood $19.16 or clear mount $14.36 with the purchase of the Card Kit
  
• Chocolate Chip Epoxy Brads ($3.25) $2.60 with the purchase of the Card Kit (You will need two sets of brads to complete all cards as shown in the examples.) 

What else will you need?  See the list below for items that were used to create the cards in this kit.  If you already have everything — just buy the card kit and you are ready to create! 

If you don't have everything–place a product order with your kit (don't forget about the discount on the "featured products!")   

Or — you can use the card kit to create your own designs using other stamps and inks that you already have — the choice is yours! 

Orders for the Card Kits must be received by March 21st. You will receive your kits by the end of the month. 

Call or email me today to order:
Connie R. Babbert
614-792-7999 
EMAIL ME

Please Note: I am glad to ship kits directly to you! If the kit needs to be shipped, there will be an extra $3 shipping charge or $4.95 with additional product ordered.

Products you will need to complete cards as shown:  

• Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
• Orchid Opulence Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
• Old Olive Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
• Mat Pack ($9.95)
• Paper Piercing Tool ($3.50)
• Scallop Trim Border Punch (Free Sale-A-Bration product with $50 merchandise purchase)
  
  
•  Vintage Vogue Stamp Set (wood $23.95 or clear mount $17.95) wood $19.16 or clear mount $14.36 with the purchase of the Card Kit
   
•  Chocolate Chip Epoxy Brads ($3.25) $2.60 with the purchase of the Card Kit (2 sets are needed to complete cards as shown)

§         Stampin’ Dimensionals ($3.95)

§         SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)

§         Bone Folder ($6.95)

§         Paper Snips ($9.95)

I did get a lot done.  I made up the Bridal Shower Invitations for my future daughter-in-law's shower in a few weeks.  I also did a lot of sympathy cards for my mother-in-law since she told me she was out.  I taught a lot of people how to make the paper roses that are so popular again right now.  I remember making them so many years ago from the Carol Duvall Show!

Today's card is adapting one I found online using Stampin' Up!'s set, Asian Artistry.  It is one of the Level 2 Hostess Sets you can earn.  I've had several hostesses order this set recently, so here is an idea for them!  Very easy to mass produce!

I started with a base of Dusty Durango.  On top of that is a Whisper White layer that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.  I added a strip of Always Artichoke cardstock and stamped Sharing your Sorrow from Thoughts and Prayers Stamp Set.  I added a band of Black Satin Ribbon (goes perfectly with the Asian theme of the card!) 

For the focal piece, I stamped the bamboo and bird from Asian Artistry in Always Artichoke on Whisper White and layered it onto Dusty Durango cardstock.  This panel was popped up with Dimensionals.  I watercolored the bird with my Dusty Durango Stampin' Write Marker and AquaPainter.

Not too bad for doing these at 2:00 AM in the morning, huh?  lol!  Hope you have a great week!

My card is a tri-fold card from Rose Red cardstock and it was hard to get a good photo of it closed!  I took my colors from the Sweet Pea Designer Paper.  I knew I wanted to use the small floral designer paper in that package…then ended up almost covering the flowers up!  Oh well! 

I stamped MOM from Stampin' Up!'s Messages for Mom stamp set in Taken with Teal on Whisper White cardstock, then layered it on Taken with Teal cardstock.  Only the left side of it is secured to the front panel of the tri-fold card.  I wrapped some Rose Red 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon and tied a small bow.  I added some Beautiful Wings Embosslit butterflies and the clear rhinestone stickers from the Eggcellent Egg Kit!

Opened up, you can see the inside greeting stamped in Taken with Teal on Whisper White and again matted on Taken with Teal cardstock.  I added a Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flower and leaves to the bottom right corner.

Supplies:

Sets:  Messages for Mom

Inks:  Taken with Teal

Cardstock:  Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Whisper White

Accessories:  Sweet Pea Designer Paper, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, 1/4 Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, rhinestones from Eggcellent Egg Kit

Check out to see what the rest of the Design Team Members did this week with the Mother's Day Challenge:

Julie Dinn

Mary Brown

Kerin Sylvester

Monika Davis

It really isn't too late to sign up for the Create with Connie and Julie Occasions Edition subscription!  There is a new project posted every day and there will be a minimum of two fabulous tutorials each and every week. We like to have lots of fun so we have challenges and prizes for our subscribers. Our sites stay up long after the session is done so you will always have access to the site and the tutorials. For more information and to see our Preview Week projects please visit at Create with Connie and Julie.

Today's Stamping 411 Sketch challenge was really fun!  I was able to pull out a set that I earned free with hostess credits and finally ink it up!  Stampin' Up's A Kind Word is such a sweet set.  I love the little faces on it and that basketful of kittens is why I really got it!

I started with a base of Almost Amethyst and layered on the So Saffron background floral from Tea Party Designer Paper.  I used a strip of the small floral print from Pawsitively Prints and then made the Scallop Flower from the same print!  I added a pink Rhinestone brad in the center to hold it in place and popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

She was stamped with Basic Black on Whisper White, then I paper pieced her pinafore dress with the Yellow Gingham check from Pawsitively Prints Designer Paper.  I watercolored her with Stampin' Write Markers and my AquaPainter.  Finally, I added some Almost Amethyst butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit die.

I think it turned out SO sweet!  Make sure to check out what the other Stamping 411 Design Operators have done this week!  I'm sure their designs will be fabulous using this sketch.  Make sure to play along this week and add your creation to Mr. Linky over on Stamping 411!

Today is Friday and time for Bloggers' Challenge!  This week's challenge was to use the color Green and a neutral!  Wow!  I had a tough time finding a stamp that I could just color in greens.  Now…I'm sure all the fabulous ladies will find lots of ways to use the color green!

My card started with a base of Garden Green cardstock.  I layered on the green print from Kaleidoscope (I know…I'm hooked on this paper!)  I did the scallop rectangle with both the Scallop Corner Trim Punch and Scallop Border Trim Punch from Confetti White cardstock.  Then I layered Garden Green and Certainly Celery in the center.  I stamped the gifts from Stampin' Up!'s free Sale-A-Bration set, Happy Moments, in Basic Black on Confetti White and watercolored it with my Stampin' Write Markers and AquaPainter.  Finally, I added the White Satin Ribbon in the background and added a pretty Satin White bow on the front!

Hope you have a great weekend!  While you are reading this, I'm at a long weekend stamping retreat!  I'm SURE I'm having fun!

I started with a base of Apricot Appeal cardstock and layered the Kaleidoscope DSP on Basic Black to make the colors pop!  I used one side with the print and the other side was the stripe at the bottom.  I cut a circle with my Circle Scissors Plus in the 2" size from Certainly Celery cardstock and stamped the vine image from Stampin' Up!'s Vintage Vogue stamp set.  I added the Thank You from Short & Sweet set in Basic Black Classic Ink.  The flowers I stamped on Very Vanilla in Apricot Appeal and Pretty in Pink and cut them out.  The smaller flowers, I placed Apricot Appeal Mini Brads, the large flower has a Pretty in Pink floral button!  I stamped and cut out two of the small leaves for the large flower.  Finally, I added a Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon bow!  Have I mentioned I LOVE the Satin Ribbon???  I'm still selling Ribbon Shares (in fact, I only need 1 more person to finish up the next order!)  See more information HERE.

I'm starting on the countdown for my LONG weekend Stamping Retreat!  We leave tomorrow afternoon.  My girlfriend is coming in tonight!  I can't wait to see her!  But…I have LOTS to do before she gets here, so I'll cut this short!

Hope you have a great day!

This card literally took minutes to put together, but I still think it looks pretty awesome, don't you?  The Kaleidoscope Designer Paper is doing all the work here!  I started with a base of Bashful Blue and added the piece of floral Kaleidoscope Designer Paper.  While I was cutting it, I noticed that the back was a nice coordinating print, so I cut off another piece to layer on top.  I wrapped some Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon around and tied a knot. 

Next was the hardest part…what did I want to put on top?  Another flower was too much and I tried So Saffron butterflies, but they blended into the background too much.  Ok…how about a bluebird?  I punched the bird from Stampin' Up!'s new Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch from Bashful Blue cardstock, colored in the eye with Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker and the beak with Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker.  I added a dimensional under the wing and sponged Bashful Blue around the edges for a shadow.  He was set on top of the ribbon with Dimensionals.

Quick and easy!!!  I left off the greeting, so I could add what I needed later.