. . . In case you missed it -- Part 2

You can't have Valentine's Day without a little *bling* -- This card sparkles in real life. Some of it comes through on this photo. To get this effect we used the Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing folder (see page 219 in the annual Idea Book and Catalog) and then we hit the tops of the embossed image with the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details that Stampin' Up will have available in the upcoming Occasions mini catty. (The card stock used on this card is Cherry Cobbler, then I used Blushing Bride for the punched Lace Ribbon Border behind the sentiment. We cut the lace border horizontally so that we could use it for the top and the bottom of the sentiment -- just cut the lace in half (horizontally) and adhere to the edges of the sentiment tag!  The sentiment is from the Hand-Penned Holidays set which is in the soon-to-be-gone Holiday mini catalog (it will be gone come Jan 3rd). Some of my guests chose to use different sentiments, thus changing the card from a Valentine's Day card to a birthday card, to a thinking of you card.

The third card we made was a bit non-traditional for Valentine's Day -- afterall, it is blue. But I wanted to do something completely different from the other two. For one thing, I wanted to create a card that did not use my beloved Sizzix machine. Not all my customers have the Sizzix machine, nor are they ready to purchase one (but I'm working on that). So I wanted to create a card that used punches instead.

See that large blossom? That is the lovely newest punch that will be available in the Occasions Mini. Just when I thought I didn't need "one more flower punch" -- HA! This one has such a delicate blossom shape. I love, love, love it! I can't wait to use it more! And the ribbon that we used is from the Holiday Mini, so if you want some of that beautiful cream velvet ribbon, better not wait too much longer! It will be going away come January 3rd.

I hope that you enjoy these two cards. My next stamp camp will be a 8x8 calendar -- I need to get creating! I am not exactly sure how this will develop, but I need 12 designs by next Friday! HeeHeeHee. I'll get there... I have a few more days without work. :-)

Thanks for stopping by today. It might be a few days before you hear from me again.

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe that today is the last day of 2011...
~Lisa

In case you missed it . . .

It is time to start thinking about holidays other than Christmas, isn't it? Although I have decided to make Christmas cards all year long so that I have enough to mail out in 2012 (I used up ALL of my pre-made cards this last go-around -- they sure came in handy during my last minute scramble to get cards out this year!)

Anyway, Valentine's day was on my mind this week. Last night I had 11 amazing women over for a Love Themed Stamp Camp! This is one of the three cards that we made last night. This was my favorite -- it is using my favorite flocked DSP (Mocha Morning Specialty -- see page 183 of the annual Idea Book and Catty). PLUS it is using four new products that will be available in the 2012 Occasions Mini (which becomes available on January 4th -- you should have your copy of this mini catalog already; if you don't, drop me an email!)

The Adorning Accent edgelet die gave us that beautiful card edge -- it was tricky to use when cutting over 33 cards in one sitting (it just barely fits through my Sizzix machine and I kept catching the edge of it so that it would slip off my paper, even WHEN I had it taped down). But the effect is SOOOO worth the added effort. Grab your Dotto girls, this baby needs a bit of adherence-assistance, but WOW! It makes a beautiful edge. Here is another view of this card -- I opened the card up fully so that you can see the actual cut edge:

After using that edgelet die to cut your card edge, you then run your paper through the Sizzix machine one more time using the new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder -- this is what gives you the raised impression with the same shape as the cut edge. This folder is very very easy to use. Just place it where you want it and send it on through.

And check out that new stamped image! You will find this beautiful set, Apothecary Art, in the new Occasions mini. And don't you worry -- there are so many other beautiful images that you will have available to you! This stamp set, however, coordinates so beautifully with the last new product I used on this card: the new Framelit Die, the Labels Collection. You actually receive 6 sizes in this label shape (each fitting inside the other). I am SO EXCITED that Stampin' Up has moved in this direction with their die cutting tools. Again, use some Dotto to keep your frame in place while cutting -- then just move it on through. It is a beautiful label maker!

Are you excited for this new mini catty? Stampin' Up just keeps bringing us such wonderful images and tools! It is so much fun and so creative!

Stay tuned -- I have two more cards to share with you from last night's class. Check back in tomorrow!
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stampin'
~Lisa

Card Keeper

Stampin' Up offers these wonderful Card Keeper boxes -- they are so easy to put together, and they are incredibly sturdy! And they are so much fun to decorate. Stampin' Up also includes templates so that you can actually cover the box completely with the DSP of your choice.

This is my first attempt decorating one. I made this one for my Secret Stamping Sister (Karen O) for her Christmas gift. She is a fan of lavender so I wanted to make sure to use it in my design. And I wanted her to use it all year long, so I purposely did not make it Christmas-y.  I hope that Karen finds a way to utilize this card keeper all year long!  (She IS coming to my next stamp camp where we are going to make Valentine Cards -- now she will have some place to hold them until she decides to send them out!).

Happy Stamping Everyone!
~Lisa

Paper Piecing Advent Calendar

Look at this beautiful gift that I received this year! I was lucky enough to have Maria creating Secret Stamping Sister gifts for me! Check out her blog here! This entire project was done with paper piecing!! It is amazing! Thank you so much Maria! I love it!

Autumn Flowers

Hi blogging friends!  I am sneaking back into the blogging world. I will be playing catch up for a bit, posting pictures of items that I made over the last few months for my secret stamping sister (Karen O.) of the CSLs. I had so much fun creating items for her, but I haven't been able to share these creations online (obviously) without giving myself away. Here are the autumn flower arrangement that I made for her in September. These flowers are completely made out of Stampin' Up card stock using the Sizzix Daisy die.

Paper Daisies using a variety of autumn colors.

The flower arrangement is placed in a paper mache pumpkin that I purchased in a local craft store.

I hope that Karen enjoyed these flowers! I sure had a lot of fun creating them for her.
Happy Stamping!
~Lisa

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!
~Lisa