Swimming Teacher Thank you

It seems I am making a lot of thank you cards for my son's various activities of late.  As summer begins to wind down, so do his summertime pursuits.  His last day of swimming lessons is tomorrow.  This has been a tough year in the pool for my son.  He regressed BIG time since last summer.  At the end of last summer he was doing really well (for a 3-year-old) until he was unexpectedly dunked by someone he trusted who had said they wouldn't dunk him.  That is all he remembers about swimming last year and, as a result, he has become very fearful and untrusting of anyone (even me!) around water.  His first session of swimming was group lessons and they did not go well at all.  We decided to break the piggy bank and put him in private lessons for another session in the hopes of undoing some of the damage that had been done last summer.  I am thrilled to say he has made excellent progress thanks to his wonderful teacher.  This young man has exhibited the patience of a saint in working with my stubborn boy over the last two weeks!  As I watched from the bleachers, mentally willing my boy to do things, Dylan (his teacher) has patiently and systematically worked to build Maxwell's trust.  I have been SO impressed as I watched the creative ways Dylan has worked to overcome Max's fears.  Since tomorrow is our last day with Dylan I wanted to make him a special card to say thank you for his kindness and patience with my boy. 

Thank you card for my son's swimming teacher using the Sunny Fun stamp set from the Summer Mini.

Close up of focal image.

In case you're wondering, this is a shaker card.  I used one of our Treat Cups and filled it with retired clear micro beads.  I wish I had blue beads so that it would look more like water, but clear was all I had in my stash!  It actually looks kinda cute when you shake it...like water splashing on the little boy (supposed to be my son!).  I kept this card very clean and simple (and almost embellishment free!) because it is for a young man.  I hope he likes it...I know he'll like the iTunes gift card I tucked inside!
On a completely different note, tomorrow is my one year Bloggaversary!!  A La Cards will celebrate in style with some quality blog candy, so be sure to stop by tomorrow to check it out. 

Summer Splash for The Paper Players

 A while back I did a card for a colour inspiration challenge over at Stamping 411.  I really liked the combo and today's card uses two of the three colours from it.  The sketch for this week's challenge at the Paper Players is a REALLY versatile one...so much so that I am sure I will use it again and again.  It lends itself so well to so many different themes.  My first thought was of the Summer Splash set and what I could put in those little circles...but before I get ahead of myself, here is the sketch:

...and here is my card using the Summer Splash set from the Summer Mini:

Card for PP48 using Summer Splash stamp set with sentiment from Sunny Fun set.

Inside of card sans sentiment!

Isn't this a fun, summery card?  I wanted to keep it as simple as possible, given the simplicity of the sketch.  You likely know by now that simple is a REAL challenge for me! My name is Leena and  I am an embellishment addict!  But look ma, NO EMBELLIES!!  Just stamps, ink and paper...not something I generally do!  I did do a little funky punching with my scallop circle to create the sun...really simple and easy to do.  I just punched a scalloped circle, stuck it to a post-it note and then reinserted into my punch, offsetting the scallops, and repunched.  Voila...instant sun!  This isn't my idea...I stole it from my upline, Jamilla (thanks Jam!).  The sand is courtesy of my spritzer tool...LOVE that thing...how did I live without it for so long?!?  I spritzed the crumb cake cardstock with crumb cake, soft suede and chocolate chip ink to get the textured look.  I then sponged it lightly with crumb cake to blend the colours...kinda makes you want to touch it, no? 
The sentiment is from the Sunny fun set and just worked perfectly for this card.  I left the inside blank and will likely stamp something when I'm ready to use this card...for a summer birthday, thank you, invitation, whatever.  I had to include the little shovel and pail because they remind me of my son and the hours he spends in his sandbox!

My First Card as a "Guest Designer"!

If you've been over to the A La Card Monkey blog today, you've likely already seen this card.  It is the one I designed for my guest designer role this week.  So that it makes sense, here is the sketch:

...and here is my card:

Card designed for this week's A La Card Monkey challenge using the Touch of Kindness set from the new Summer Mini.

I just love this stamp set!!  This isn't the first card I've done using this set coupled with the Play Date DSP from the main IBC.  I just love how sweet and cheerful it is and I had such fun watercolouring it.  The good news is the the Summer Mini goes live tonight at midnight and you'll be able to order your own copy of this set.  The mini is chock full of fantastic new products...you'll love every single page!  If you would like your own FREE copy, drop me a quick email with your mailing info and I will get one out to you.  In the meantime, here is how I made this card:

Starting with a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of so saffron cardstock, I ran it through my Big Shot with the perfect polka dots embossing folder.  I then cut a circle from the flower patterned Playdate DSP using my clear circle die.  I adhered it to the embossed so saffron piece so that it extended off the right edge slightly.  I trimmed the excess off with my paper cutter.  I then cut a 4" strip of real red cardstock and punched it using my dotted scallop ribbon punch.  I adhered that across the cardfront.  I then cut a piece of 1/4" tempting turquoise grosgrain ribbon (retired...it came in one of my Grab Bags!!) and laid it over top of the real red scalloped strip, so that only part of the dots and the scallops were peeking out underneath and then secured it on either end with a glue dot.  I took another small piece of the ribbon, wedged it between the prongs of a real red glimmer brad and then poked the prongs through the cardfront, gathering up the adhered piece of ribbon as I did so.  I opened the prongs on the back to secured the "bow".  I then took a piece of watercolour paper, stamped the cat image and one of the little birds from the birdbath image in Staz-on and then watercoloured it using my ink pads and blender pen.  I watercoloured the background using my aquapainter.  Once the paper was dry, I sponged all the way around the edges using tempting turquoise ink.  I layered the image piece on a slightly larger mat of tempting turquoise and then adhered it to my cardfront using dimensionals.  For the sentiment, I stamped the flower in tempting turquoise ink on whisper white cardstock and punched it out using my 1 3/4" scalloped circle punch.  I then stamped the sentiment in real red on so saffron cardstock, punched it out with my 1 1/4" circle punch and then sponged the edges of both pieces in tempting turquoise.  Setting these aside, I stamped the stem in old olive ink on the same coloured cardstock and fussy cut it out.  I adhered the stem to the back of the flower and then adhered the whole thing to the cardfront.  I adhered the sentiment to the centre of the flower using dimensionals.  I then adhered the whole cardfront to a tempting turquoise card base.
Cute and fun!  Check out the challenge and play along...I'd love to see what you all come up with for this sketch!

Mommy & Me Class Preview

I have long desired to hold a class where my customers could bring their little ones to have fun creating together.  When I saw the new Summer Mini and the new Simply Scrappin' Kit, called Playful Polka Dots, I had a great idea for a mini album project that any mom and daughter (or son!) could create together.  Check it out:

Front Cover

First two pages

Close up of page one

Close up of page two

Pages 3-4...these can be done as a combined layout or as two individual ones.  I did it here as a combined one that could accommodate a larger photo.

Centre of book...this again could be four individual pages or as one big page, depending on your photos.

Back cover.

The nice thing about this album is that kids can help to decorate the pages!  Everything I used is from the Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit.  All of the die cuts are self-adhesive, so no messy glue to contend with.  Moms can build the book and the kids can decorate it.  The whole thing can be done in about an hour, so kids won't get bored and lose interest before it is finished.  The album will hold 5-9 photos, depending on the size and how you set up your pages.  The finished project is one that both mom and child will treasure, knowing they created it together.  Tomorrow I will post the second project we will do in this class...it is one every child will need, so don't miss it!
If you're interested in attending this class with your child, click the Upcoming Events tab at the top of the page for more details.

More Summer Mini previews and the Stamping 411 Colour Inspiration Challenge 155

Ok...I'll admit it...I'm becoming addicted to online stamping challenges!  I just love the way they jump-start my mojo without too much effort from me!  The colour inspiration challenge over at Stamping 411 was one for which I immediately knew what I wanted to do.  Here is the colour combo...

...and here is my card:

Surf's Up! card for Stamping 411 Colour Inspiration Challenge #155 using the new Summer Splash set from the upcoming Summer Mini (only 6  more days till it goes live!).  Sentiment is from the Word Play set.

Inside of card

I love this colour combo...it immediately made me think of sand and beaches and Hawaiian shirts!  This card was designed before I even put ink to paper.  I had fun with it though, trying my hand at a brayered background.  I still need more practice, but am happy for my first attempt.  This set is so much fun and perfect for summer.  I actually bought it in wood mount (gasp!) because it will be perfect for my son when I am finished with it.  It has lots of fun fishy images and an octopus that he LOVES.  In fact, when this set arrived in my pre-order, my son was the first to grab it and use it!  He got to ink my virgin stamps before I did!!!  You are going to LOVE the new mini...but don't forget that there is less than a week to stock on up your favourite items from the Occasions Mini before they are gone...maybe for good!  Don't miss out if there is something you love and have been meaning to order, but haven't gotten around to...it may not be around after April 30th!  Call or email me if you need to put in a last-minute order.

Another Summer Mini Preview

One of the first stamps that made my must-have list when I first looked through the summer mini was actually not a set...it was an A La Carte offering called "Hello Blossoms" .  I can't really explain why this stamp appealed to me so much...perhaps it was just the cheerful flowers.  In any case, I just love this little stamp; so here is a card I did using it!

Cheerful little card made using the Hello Blossoms stamp from the upcoming Summer Mini and Playdate DSP from the main IBC.  "Thinking of You" sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

Close-up of those cute flowers.

Can you see why I like this stamp so much?  I used it here with some Play Date DSP and my perfect polka dots embossing folder.  So quick and easy...and sweet!

I hope this card brightens your day like it has mine.  The weather here today is dreary at best...lots of rain, cold and blustery...these sunny flowers remind me that spring will come...eventually!

Fabulous Florets SAS card

Continuing with my previews for my upcoming Stamp-A-Stack, today's post uses more new products from the fabulous upcoming Summer Mini.  The great new mini catty is chock-full of great new stamps and DSP and 3-in-1 punches too! You'll definitely be excited to order beginning May 1st!  But for tonight, you'll have to settle for a sneak peek.  Check this out...

SAS design #4:  Pretty, summery, feminine card using the Fabulous Florets stamp set, Beyond the Garden DSP and MELON MAMBO embossing powder!!

Inside of card...I made this one for Mother's Day, but it is suitable for just about any girlie occasion!

Isn't this a great colour combo?  I love the way the melon mambo pops against the wild wasabi...so fresh and summery.  If you still haven't registered for my Stamp-A-Stack on April 30th there is still time.  Call or email today to reserve your spot!
Tomorrow is FRIDAY!!  I have a club meeting tomorrow night, but I will do my best to post the final design preview for you.  I think you'll like it!  Think sweets and bling...two of every girl's favourite things, no?!?

Spring Stamp-A-Stack Preview and More Mini Sneak Peeks!

I've finally started to get my act together after a crazy-busy Sale-A-Bration.  I've needed to take a  bit of a break from classes and workshops, but am ready to get right back at it.  I have one of my monthly clubs meeting this Friday and we are going to work on some cute Easter ideas.  The  event I'm MOST excited about is my Spring Stamp-A-Stack.  Here are the details:

Spring Stamp-a-Stack

Saturday, April 30th, 2011 

9:00 am - 12:00 noon

We will be sharin', snackin' and stampin' a stack of 10 cards (2 each of 5 different designs).

There will be cards for just about every spring/summer occasion, including masculine cards suitable for Father's  Day or birthdays.  The cards are designed to be quite generic so you can customize them to suit the events you have on your family calendar.

Cost:  

$30 for 10 cards and envelopes  

OR 

Book a workshop date for May at the event and recieve a 33% discount on the price of your class (just $20)

OR

Bring a friend who is new to Stampin' Up and you both get the class for $30 (that's $15 each!)

OR

Place a $60 order (before S & H and HST) and take the class for FREE!!

Seating is limited to 10,  so register early or by Monday, April 25th via phone or email.

Check my blog this week for photos of the card designs we'll be making.  

For ease of use, I will also post all the information for this event on my Upcoming Events page (see tab at top) and will  include links to all the blog posts that feature the card designs.

Now for today's post...

Here is the first card from my SAS (Stamp-A-Stack) line-up.  I am excited about it because it again uses great new products from the upcoming Summer Mini.

SAS design #1...using Beyond the Garden DSP from the Summer Mini (available May 1st)

Inside of card stamped using the new Fabulous Florets set, also from the Summer Mini

I made this a thank you card because I go through A LOT of thank you cards.  It would work equally well as a feminine birthday card or a Mother's Day card.  I love the fresh, crisp colours in the DSP...makes for a clean-and-simple card.

More tomorrow...see you then!

Summer Mini Sneak Peek

Last night I had two large workshop orders come in and as I was sorting the orders I realized I didn't have enough thank you cards to put in with each one.  I headed down to my stamping corner and got busy creating some cute little thank you cards using some of the products from the upcoming Summer Mini.  Here they are...

Thank you card using Pretty Postage set and coordinating postage stamp punch from the upcoming Summer Mini

This one uses the Beyond The Garden DSP and Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch (soooo cool!)

More pretty prints from the Beyond The Garden DSP pack.

Sill more Beyond the Garden DSP and more fun with the Blossom Bouquet triple layer punch (it really is THREE punches in one!!)

 I love the bright, cheerful colours in the Beyond the Garden DSP pack...you will too!  Especially since there is a stamp set that coordinates with it as well as coloured embossing powder!!  More on that later...
The highlight here, I think is the paper and the cool new punch.  The last card really shows the many different layers one can get with this new punch.  It really is very neat...had a bit of a learning curve, but is great once you get the hang of it!  I'll have lots more to show you from the new mini this weekend...in the meantime happy Friday everyone!!