Mojo Monday #331/ Heart Mojo

What's black and white and red all over?  Apparently it's my submission for this week's Mojo Monday sketch. ;)

I find it pretty funny that when I announced class I was clear to say that there wouldn't be any Valentine projects.  Then, I started making a bunch of cards and several of them have turned out looking a whole lot like they are destined for February 14th.  I'm sure they could come in handy at other times too, but they definitely fit the bill for heart day.  And here I thought I didn't have any Valentines in me.

I had a ton of fun putting this one together.  It has fun textures on each of the hearts thanks to my little embosslit die and then a matching texture on the background.  There are way more hearts than are typical for me, but I get a kick out of them.  And I dig the way the bold colors play off of each other to make the whole thing pop.  It's a keeper.  Now I just need to pick which ones we'll make in class. ;) I think having this much selection is a good problem to have.

Color Throwdown #123/ Itty Bitty Bits Build-a-Brad

This week's Color Throwdown threw me for a loop! One of the chosen colors is Cameo Coral which went away during the Color Renovation. I sold all of my Cameo Coral goods in my retired sale, so I had to substitute in Blushing Bride. Along with Baja Breeze & Always artichoke, they make a very sweet combination. After looking through the new Occasions Mini again yesterday, I was inspired to do more with the cluster of heart flowers from Valentine Defined. This set is turning out to be such a gem! I added little flowers from Itty Bitty Bits & punched them out with the coordinating Punch Pack. My other goal for today was to use a Build-a-Brad. I haven't done one in a long time, but I really like the look they create. The polka dots on my butterfly are very high tech...a pencil eraser served as a stamp! Of all the toys I have, it was just the right choice here. :)

Lucy Tutorial #3/ Embossed Tree of Hearts

Next on the list for teaching my mom was embossing. I knew she hadn't done it before and it was what got me hooked on stamping in the first place. I think the whole process is pretty close to magic. I decided to start us off with metallic embossing on dark paper (this time Cherry Cobbler) because it's the most dramatic. So I took out my Valentine Defined set yet again. I'm getting to be dependant on this little gem! Both the tree and the string of hearts look great when embossed. Adding the smallest of the Heart to Heart Punch hearts gave each embossed piece just a little more punch. Once I decided on them for an accent, the Bitty Button had to come next. It's a perfect fit! Add on a little Very Vanilla Satin ribbon and we're all set. Now I just need to decide if I want to use this one or my Love Mingos in class at Lakewood. I can fit both into classes in Longmont, but I'll have to choose for down south. Any preferences out there? Up next, mom wanted to know whale ELSE she can do with Versamark...

Cupcake Punch Clouds Valentine

It's been a while since I woke up with a card design in my head & just needed to get it out before I could continue on my day. But, these little balloons were nagging at me before I got out of bed (actually off the air mattress since my parents are staying on our bed :) ). As one of the hidden benefits of being a demonstrator, SU sent us a sheet of the Love Impressions Rub-ons from the new Occasions Mini Catalog. These little hot air balloons are one of the featured images. Aren't they fun? I also used the Build a Cupcake Punch from the new catalog. Granted, there aren't any cupcakes to be seen but one of my favorite things about this punch is just how many other things we can make with it. The clouds came to mind right a way for me. So, I made one and used it to mask parts of the background while I sponged in Marina Mist. Then, I cut a few more to put on with Stampin' Dimensionals. That way there are different layers of clouds for the little balloons to fly through. On the inside, I continued the cloud theme by adding a couple of the little clouds from the rub-on sheet. That way the balloon that peaks through the window to the front (make sure to punch one layer at a time or the punch gets cranky) isn't all alone with the sentiment.

Get Well Heart Flowers

I know it's Christmas Eve Eve, but I'm thinking spring thoughts along with festive ones. The spring ones keep coming out in my cards! Today I wanted to show off that the new Valentine Defined set has much more to offer than just cards for February. The little heart flowers make a great centerpiece for a get well card too. Of course, my flower pot turned out to look just a bit too much like a hat, but I'll work on that. :) I tried it first in Cajun Craze since that gives a nice terra cotta feel to the pot, but it just didn't work with the Early Espresso. That's why I settled on Chocolate Chip. It's a little different than the Espresso without standing out too much. My little sentiment fit just great in the Jewelry Tag Punch that I just added to my collection. This is actually the first time I've gotten to put it to use. The little sentiments from the Silhouette Sentiments hostess set also fit nicely in this punch. And, of course, there is a set made to coordinate effortlessly as well. SU would never leave us completely to our own devices. I just haven't gotten the Tiny Tags set yet! Give me time. I hope this finds you all well and ready for the weekend of festivities. My parents arrive early tomorrow morning & I'm looking forward to an excellent Christmas with family and friends. Perhaps there won't be a post every day, but I'll do what I can. Have a Merry Christmas & I promise to be back before the New Year!

Love Mingos (Take One)

Hello! So sorry for the prolonged & unintentional disappearance. I ended up working five days last week instead of two. That combined with the normal holiday craziness left NO time for stamping. I have to admit that I feel a bit rusty today. There's been a card itching at my brain for about a week though and I just had to get it out. This is the first attempt. Perhaps there will be another. While looking at some of the stamps from Simply Said not too long ago, I thought that one of the "flowers" would make a great palm tree if combined with the stem stamp from Cottage Garden. I knew I would have to give it a try at my next opportunity. What do you think?The card layout is very loosely based on the Mojo Monday sketch from last Monday (the day I intended to make this card!). It was nice to have training wheels of a sort to get me back in the groove! You'll be seeing much more of the Valentine Defined set from the soon to be released Occasions Mini. I think it's a real winner & it has flamingos!!! How can you go wrong with them? I hope you all are getting the itch for card making too. Check out my SU website for January class dates. Such fun we will have!