One more Blended Bloom for you...for now!

Happy Friday!!  TGIF!!!  This has been an unbelievably difficult week and I am so glad it's finally over...plus it's a LONG WEEKEND!  I sure need the extra day after the week I've had!
To kick the weekend off right I have one more card I did with the new Blended Bloom stamp and my Blendabilities markers:

Any-occasion card featuring the Blended Bloom and Chalk Talk stamp sets.

This time I used the Daffodil Delight marker set to colour the petals on my flower and the Old Olive set for the centre.  I cracked open some of the new In-colours for the rest of the card, using Hello Honey - that yummy yellow - and Mossy Meadow, which is a rich, warm green.  The DSP is from the new Moonlight DSP stack, which will also be available in the new 2014-15 Annual Catalogue.  The sentiment is from the Chalk Talk stamp set and is stamped in Mossy Meadow ink on Whisper White card stock.  I added a touch of lace with a Tea Lace Doily and some sparkle with a few gold sequins.

The background is embossed using the Decorative Dots TIEF, which was from the Sale-a-bration catty, but that is also making a return in the new Annual Catalogue - woohoo!  I love that folder!
Hope this sunny card helps you have a sunny weekend...enjoy!!

Another Inspiring Swap

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend!!  Today I want to show you a project inpired by another swap I received at convention.  Gotta love swapping!  Check it out...

Birthday card designed by Jayne Stenstrom featuring the Blue Ribbon stamp set

Here is my Gift-card-holder version of Jayne's beautiful card:

Gift card holder featuring the Chalk Talk stamp set

Inside view with stamped image from the Best of Birthdays stamp set

I just loved Jayne's design and so I kept many of the same elements from her original card.  Since I don't own the Blue Ribbon stamp set Jayne used, I opted to use images from  the Chalk Talk set instead.  Because I wanted to create a gift card holder, I changed the way the card opened by scoring at 2" and 3-1/2", instead of  at 5-1/2".  This allowed me to adhere the edges of the 3-1/2" panel to create a pocket for my gift card.  The top flap opens up to reveal the pocket and the birthday wishes inside.  Here is a list of the products I used:

Chalk Talk stamp set

Best of Birthdays stamp set

This and That Epic Day DSP

Chalk Talk Framelits

Deco Labels Framelits

Circles Collection Framelits

Beautifully Baroque TIEF

Perfect Polka Dots TIEF

XL Oval Punch

1-3/8" Circle Punch

Scallop Trim Border Punch

Silver Glimmer Paper

Naturals White card stock

Basic Gray card stock

Pool Party card stock

Smoky Slate card stock

Smoky Slate ink

Versamark ink

Silver embossing powder

Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Although this looks like a long list, this project came together quickly and easily, thanks to Jayne's inspirational design and lots of coordinating products from Stampin'  Up!

Best Birthday Present EVER!!

Today is my birthday and yesterday I received the best birthday present I could ever hope for...the announcement that my son's school has been saved from closure!!  You may recall a couple of weeks ago I appealed to all of you to consider donating what you could to help meet a lofty fundraising goal of $81,000.00 in just 9 days.  I am thrilled to tell you that the grand total hit in excess of $115,000.00!!!  That kind of money in that short a time-frame is nothing short of miraculous.  We are so thankful!  The church voted this past Sunday to reopen the school for next fall and we are filled with hope and are excited about a new life for the school.  Thanks SO MUCH to all who made a donation or sent prayers our way. 
I want to show you the gifts I made for each of the staff at the school to thank them for the love and care they have shown my son and for their dedication to the school.  Check it out...

Pretty Packages for some wonderful teachers featuring the Chalk Talk stamp set and Framelits and the new Beautifully Baroque embossing folder.

Inside each package was a Simply Adorned chain and pendant.  These are retired but are still available for a steal on the Clearance Rack!

Pendant featuring Epic Day DSP, Papillon Poutpourri stamp set and Charming stamp set (retired)

I am so pleased with the way these turned out.  I really hope the staff like them, though if they don't they can easily swap out the insert for a family photo or other artwork.  On the back side of the pendant I stamped the following sentiment from the Trust God stamp set: "Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly; leave the rest to God."  Each of those women do all of these things and I thought it was the perfect sentiment to include.  We are so blessed to have our son taught by such a wonderful group of teachers.  The fact that he gets to continue under their care next year is worth more to me than anything money can buy.  This is a very happy birthday, indeed!

Chalk Talk for Dad

Today I have another masculine project for you.  I always find myself focusing on Man-cards at this time of year, with Father's Day just a couple of weeks away.  The layout of this card was based on this month's new sketch for my Monthly Sketch Inspiration.  Here is the sketch:

Man Card featuring the Hearts A-flutter and Chalk Talk stamp sets and Soho Subway DSP

Inside view with sentiment from Delightful Dozen

Soho Subway DSP is quickly becoming a go-to for masculine cards for me.  I just love the colour pallette and patterns.  It made putting this project together a piece of cake.  Give this sketch a try...I am looking forward to playing with it more this month.  I'll be sure to show you what I come up with!