Mosaic Embossing Madness and Still More Sale-a-bration Freebies!

Today I have a project I designed for a private class I ran last weekend.  The hostess had seen a sample on Pinterest and asked if we could do something similar for her event.  The original card was designed by Erin Gonzales.  I pretty much CASED Erin's design exactly...

Any occasion card featuring the Mosaic Madness stamp set, with sentiment from Express Yourself (retired) hostess set.

The only changes I made to Erin's design were to add the extra row of Crushed Curry at the top and the rhinestone gems in the centre of each punched mosaic.  I thought is rather timely to showcase this project because the Mosaic Madness stamp set is currently on sale in the Weekly Deals!  What a great time to pick up this versatile set at a discount.
Now, this project has LOTS of heat embossing involved!  The group I was working with were fairly new to the technique, but were pros by the end of the night!  I used Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party, and Crushed Curry embossing powders on Basic Black card stock.  Of those embossing powders, only the latter two are still available...I've been hoarding saving the others for a while now:)  I stamped the mosaic image once in the corresponding ink colours, all of which ARE still available :)  I used the coordinating Mosaic Punch to punch each stamped image out.

The sentiment is heat embossed in white.  I matted the front panel on a piece of Pool Party card stock before mounting it on a Whisper White card base.  I added some rhinestones that I coloured using my beloved Blendabilities.
I didn't take a photo of the inside of this one because it was one of those rare occasions I left the inside blank to allow lots of space to write a personal message.  Sometimes it's nice to have room to write a few heartfelt words of encouragement.

Now, are you ready for more exciting news?  Stampin;' Up! has just announced even more items available for FREE for the last few weeks of Sale-a-bration!  These are regular catalogue items that they are making available to replace the Blendabilties, which are no longer available.  Check out the full selection HERE

Time for a taste of Spring

I don't know about you, but I've had just about enough of winter!  The weather here has been brutally cold the past week with lows that have broken 100+ year-old records.  Add to that a sinus infection that just doesn't want to let go and I need a good dose of Spring!
Today I have a project I designed for my Blendabilities Club this month.  They are receiving the Soft Sky set, so I thought it would be perfect to colour some soft blue eggs...

Shabby chic card featuring the Backyard Basics (retired) stamp set with sentiment from the Crazy About You set.

I decided to go with a Shabby chic look for this one.  The eggs, from the (retired) Backyard Basics stamp set,  are stamped in Crumb Cake ink and coloured using the Soft Sky Blendabilities.  I die-cut them using the coordinating Backyard Basics Framelits (also retired) and arranged them on a nest of Hemp twine I have been hoarding saving for years.  I adhered the nest to a doily from the Artisan Embellishments Kit and layered that on a Sahara Sand card base, stamped using the Hardwood background stamp in Whisper White Craft ink.

The sentiment banner is die-cut using the Label Card Thinlits.  This little banner is actually supposed to pop up, but I found that when I ran it through my Big Shot with Whisper White card stock I only got the cut banner without the score lines, which made it perfect for this project.  I stamped the sentiments from the Crazy About You set in Blushing Bride ink, bending the photopolymer stamps slightly so that they would follow the shape of the banner.  I adhered the banner over the nest using dimensionals.  I added a little rosette and a button from the Artisan Embellishments Kit, as well as a little bow tied from Venetian Crochet Trim.

Inside view with sentiment from the Indescribable Gift set.

On the inside I stamped a sentiment from the Indescribable Gift stamp set in Sahara Sand ink and added a little vellum butterfly, punched with the Bitty Butterfly punch and sponged lightly with Blushing Bride ink, and embellished with three little pearls.


Here's hoping we'll really be able to say "Hello Spring"  sooner than later!

Now for this week's Weekly Deals.  Some great prices on punches!  Remember, these sale prices are only good until Monday at midnight :)

2014-2016 In Color Backgrounds Designer Series Paper Stack Price: $26.95   Sale: $20.21	Amped Up Ampersands Kit - Digital Download Price: $10.95   Sale: $6.57	Celebration Basics Kit Price: $18.95  Sale: $14.21	Daffodil Delight 1/4" Cotton Ribbon Price: $7.25   Sale: $5.44
Mosaic Punch Price: $21.95  Sale: $16.46	Pansy Punch Price: $21.95  Sale: $16.46	Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Cotton Ribbon Price: $7.25 Sale: $5.44	What's Up Punch Price: $22.95  Sale: $17.21

Painted Blooms Birthday

Happy Hump Day...it's all downhill to the weekend from here!
Today I have another of the projects that was available for a card buffet I held a couple of weeks ago. 

Birthday card featuring the Painted Blooms DSP with sentiment from Simply Sketched (retired).

This one has some retired products as well as some brand new ones from the Occasions catalogue.  The Whisper White background layer is embossed using the new Spring Flowers TIEF and is layered on a Rose Red card base.  The beautiful floral focal point is a piece of the Painted Blooms DSP...it is SOOO pretty!  I also layered that on a piece of Rose Red card stock, but not before embellishing it with some Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon (retired) and a Something Borrowed Embellishment, which I used as a ribbon slide.

The sentiment, from the retired Hostess-exclusive set Simply Sketched, is heat embossed in silver and die cut using the Banners Framelits.  The little butterfly, from the Papillon Potpourri set, is heat embossed in silver on vellum and punched with the Bitty Butterfly punch.  I added some rhinestones for a little extra sparkle.

Inside view with sentiment from the Bloom With Hope Hostess-exclusive set.

On the inside I added another narrow strip of Painted Blooms DSP and then stamped the sentiment from the Bloom With Hope Hostess set in Rose Red ink.

Now, I totally forgot to post the Weekly Deals yesterday, so here they are...something for everyone this time!  Remember, prices are good until Monday at midnight.  My order goes in on Sunday evening :)

Boys Will Be Boys Clear-Mount Stamp Set Price: $21.95  Sale: $16.46	Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper Price: $5.95   Sale: $4.46	Fine Print Coupons Swatchbook - Digital Download Price: $13.95   Sale: $8.37	Hamburger Box Bigz Xl Die Price: $52.95  Sale: $39.71
Hearts Border Punch Price: $20.95  Sale: $15.71	Ornate Tag Topper Punch Price: $31.95  Sale: $23.96	Sweetheart Punch Price: $21.95  Sale: $16.46	Tag A Bag Accessory Kit Price: $9.95   Sale: $7.46

You Rock!

Yes, you do.  You really do!
There...feeling ready to face the day?  ;)

Today I have another of the projects from this month's Blendabilities Club kit that features the You Rock stamp from the Annual Catalogue:

Congratulations card featuring the You Rock stamp set.

This card makes me smile.  I can't wait to send to it someone who needs a little encouragement.  I stamped the rocking chair image using Memento Tuxedo black ink on Whisper White card stock and then die cut the oval using the Ovals Collection Framelits.  I coloured the image using the Crumb Cake Blendabilities and then matted the image on a slightly larger oval cut from Basic Black card stock.

I die cut several stars from gold glimmer paper to add some bling...because every card needs a little sparkle, no?  The sentiment is heat embossed using gold embossing powder and die cut with the Stars Framelits.  I added some gold sequin trim and a few indiviual gold sequins as well.  The card base is made from some leftover textured Crumb Cake card stock I've been hoarding carefully saving for just the right occasion.

Inside view with sentiment from the Big News stamp set.

On the inside of the card I stamped the sentiment from the Big News stamp set and coloured the letters in AWSOMENESS using the medium shade of Crumb Cake Blendabilities.  Once again I added a little bling with a gold star...who doesn't like getting gold stars??

Speaking of awesomeness, check out this week's Weekly Deals!  Can you say embossing heaven??  Sale prices are good until Monday at midnight :)

Beautifully Baroque Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95  Sale:  $7.46	Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.50  Sale:  $7.13	Lovely Lace Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95   Sale: $7.46	Lucky Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Price: $9.95   Sale: $7.46
More Amore Ensemble - Digital Download Price: $10.95  Sale:  $6.57	Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95  Sale:  $7.46	Texture Boutique Machine Price: $36.95  Sale: $27.71	Zig Zag Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95  Sale:  $7.46

Timber!

I have LOTS to share with you today!  First, a project:  Last week I showed you a project I designed using the new Wood You Be Mine stamp set from the Occasion Catalogue.  Today I have another one for you :)

Valentine's card featuring the Wood You Be Mine stamp set

Fun, huh?  This one might just have to go to my DH this year.  To create the background layer I stamped the log image repeatedly all over a piece of Smoky Slate card stock using Versamark ink.  I then heat embossed in silver...I love the look of silver on Smoky Slate!  I layered the stamped background on a piece of Real Red card stock, which was then adhered to a Basic Gray card base.

The sentiment is stamped in Real Red ink and then layered on a piece of Basic Gray card stock.  The axe is stamped in Memento Tuxdeo black ink, coloured with Cherry Cobbler and Smoky Slate Blendabilities, and then fussy cut and adhered to the sentiment panel.  I finished it off with a bit of silver baker's twine before adhering it to the card.

On the inside I stamped the log again using Smokey Slate ink, stamped off once.  The sentiment is stamped in Real Red ink.

I love the way this turned out...can't wait to give it to my honey for Valentine's Day!

Now, since it's Tuesday, here are this week's Weekly Deals for you:

Angled Tag Topper Punch Price: $31.95Sale: $23.96	Blackberry Bliss 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon Price: $12.25   Sale: $9.19	Hello Honey 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon Price: $12.25  Sale:  $9.19	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack Price: $22.95  Sale: $17.21
Little Pieces Embosslits Die Price: $14.95  Sale: $11.21	Starburst Framelits Die Price: $32.95  Sale: $24.71	Tangelo Twist 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon Price: $12.25   Sale: $9.19	Watercolored Winter Kit - Digital Download Price: $10.95  Sale:  $6.57

Next, I am excited to show you the latest photopolymer stamp set release, called Better Than E-mail...love it!  Check it out:

Better Than E-mail (140463) $19.95

This set is perfect for putting the finishing touch on your projects by stamping the back of the card to let the receipient know you created it just for them.  This set also fulfills Stampin' Up's Angel Policy for the sale of projects made using Stampin' Up images and products.  Its a win-win!  To order yours email or visit my webstore today.

Finally I'm proud to say my New Year's card was chosen as one of the Artist's Picks over at Handstamped Sentiments this week :)

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Thanks to the Design Team for choosing my design!  Have a great day, everyone!

More "This is Your Life"...

Today I continue my walk down memory lane as I reflect on the past 1000 posts on my little blog.  I have six more projects to share with you today...

This was a card I made for a friend's Tween daughter's birthday.  I love the glitter strips along the left side...made using Sticky Strip and different colours of glitter.  This was long before the days of Glimmer paper, which would have made this look SOOOO much easier!

Speaking of Tweens, this one was designed with a Tween boy in mind.  I love the use of colour blocking behind the car image in place of colouring the image itself.  Gonna have to try this look again!

I chose this one because it uses the Bokeh background technique, which is SO trendy right now.  I made this card well over a year ago...I was a trendsetter...haha.  Truly, though, I love this look and the warm Fall colours are my favourites to work with.

Speaking of trends, there seems to be a bit of a birthday card trend happening today!  This one was an easel card I designed for a friend of my son's, who is a big Angry Birds fan.

This was my hubby's birthday card a couple of years ago.  He is a big music buff, so it was perfect for him.  He loved it and I loved that I was able to work bling into a Mancard!!

I chose this one because it is just pretty.  I love the different elements and the way they work together.  This project got me noticed by Karen Burniston, the designer of the die I used.  She actually emailed me to compliment my work!

Well, there you have another round of favourite projects from the last 4-1/2 years.  I'll be back tomorrow with the last batch to finish off 2014!

Before you go, be sure to check out this week's Weekly Deals.  There are a few items here that I might just have to pick up myself ;)  Prices are good until Monday at midnight.

Amazing Birthday Wood-Mount Stamp Set Price: $35.95  Sale: $26.96	Clips Essentials Hardware Price: $7.95  Sale: $5.96	Finishing Touches Edgelits Die Price: $11.95  Sale:  $8.96	Fun Flower Punch Price: $22.95  Sale: $17.21
Hearts A Flutter Framelits Die Price: $30.95  Sale: $23.21	Marina Mist 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Price: $12.50   Sale: $9.38	Party Pennants Bigz L Die Price: $40.95  Sale: $30.71	Top 10 Photobook Template - Digital Download Price: $16.50   Sale: $9.90