Flight of the Butterfly

Third post today! Wow! (Just catching up on projects I had uploaded but haven't shared....)

Its a trend, I tell ya! Butterflies everywhere!!!

I just LOVE how this card turned out. I had a request to create a birthday card for a girl and this is the result of procrastinating to the night before they needed the card to create it. Turned out beautifully, didnt it? I just love looking at this card over and over and over and over.....

Of course, I still didn't have my butterfly punch to punch out this butterfly so I had to cut it by hand. It turned out well because I was able to give the little creature antennae :) hehe.

To create the ruffled ribbon, I used a technique I learned from Allison's blog. Coincidentally, she also used the same stamp set on her card for this particular post! Haha. I preferred this technique much better than just trying to fold the ribbon to create pleats for this project. It gave the card a little more of a 'dainty' and delicate feel to it.

Thanks for 'fluttering' by! :)

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly

Paper: Pink Pirouette (retired, textured and regular), (retired DSP -- will update for the name), Close to Cocoa cardstock, Whisper White

Ink: Pink Pirouette (retired), Close to Cocoa

Accessories: White Taffeta Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Paper Snips, Sticky Strip

New Embosslits Butterfly Die

What an appropriate follow up to my last post... More Butterflies!!! See a theme coming? I'm loving this new embosslit die that is on the Occassions Mini catalog, aren't you? Its just lovely and it works so well with so many projects! This card actually came about because of the card I made on the previous post. As you can see, there are 5 butterflies that are cut at once on the new embosslit die. I got a little excited using the BigShot for these butterflies that I ended up with A LOT of extra butterflies. Naturally, I had to use them somehow so I came up with this card. Its unbelievably simple to put together, not to mention QUICK! To be honest, I think it took me longer to set up my BigShot and cut out pieces of paper than it did to put the card together.

Inspiration for this card actually came from the Occasions Mini catalog (page 10).

Stamps: Butterfly Accent (for envelope)

Paper: Kraft, Paper Prints Pack (retired hostess gift [Apricot Appeal, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Green Galore])

Ink: Melon Mambo (for envelope image)

Accessories: SU! Butterfly Wings Embosslit Die, BigShot

Scalloped Butterflies

To start the new year off right, I thought it would be a good idea to start off with some crafting from the get go in hopes that it will continue through the year. (Fingers crossed...) Nothing comes to those who don't work for it. One of the things I wanted to accomplish this year is to start challenging myself with creating new cards. It could be participating in various challenges or it could be working toward getting some of my work published. Big goals, yes. But I've always thought that reaching for the stars gets me farther than just reaching for the clouds. If I fall short of reaching the stars, at least I'll have visited the moon and not settled for the clouds. Anyway, enough with the metaphors and on to the fun stuff! That is why you're here to begin with!

This Christmas, I created a few sets of cards as my Christmas gifts. The designs are pretty simple but they pack quite a punch. I was shocked at how cute these cards turned out. This particular card is very simple and easy to put together. It is also easy to make multiples of this card as the butterflies can be cut up a few pieces at a time.

The rub-ons I used on this card is a retired set (Chit Chat, I think its called) but this can easily be replaced with the new rub-ons that are on the new Occasions Mini (Chat Room, item# 117199).

Stamps: -none-

Paper: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Melon Mambo, Prints Pack (Retired Hostess gift)

Ink: -none-

Accessories: Chit Chat rub-ons (retired), SU! Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Big Shot

Inkspirations Color Challenge #17

I had a chance to create some cards today.  It was just FABULOUS since the weather was just lovely.  It's been a rainy rainy day here in Cali.  Perfect weather for crafting by the window, don't ya think?  

Since I had such a FABULOUS time, I came across Makeesha's Inkspiration Color Challenge #17 which started today.  Perfect!  This week's color challenge was to use Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. Here below is the card I came up with...  isn't it just FABULOUS???  Its a simple card, but I totally love how the border came out on the left side!!!  What do you think?  

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Ink: Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Glorious Green

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Write Markers

Haitian Disaster Relief

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Stampin' Up! Hatian Disaster Relief Flyer

ATTENTION BUILD-A-BEAR LOVERS....

Do you just LOVE the Build-A-Bear stamps? Are you ready to bring a new BAB baby to life? Check this deal out...

For every $20 spent on the SU! Build-A-Bear Collection, receive a coupon for $5 off your $25 purchase at any Build-A-Bear Workshop store!!!

Is that a good deal or a good deal? Double whammy!! Woohoo!!

You gotta see the new additions to the collection! Build-A-Bear Workshop Collection items are on the Occasions Mini catalog (pages 38-40).

Click here to shop now!

Happy Stamping!

Razzleberry Love

This is my entry for Mojo Monday (MOJO122) and Splitcoast Stampers Challenge (CC253). 

Its a rainy holiday here in Southern California.  I don't get to do much challenges but I thought this year would be a great time to start.  So this is my first official challenge entry.  I did a few challenges a few years back but didn't get to post them in time for the actual challenge so I don't think they count :) I think its pretty cute (if i do say so myself).  

After finishing this card, I must say.... Challenges are fun!  I'm definitely going to try to do more!  Thanks for having these challenges everyone!  

Happy Stamping! 

Stamps:  Well Scripted, I {Heart} Hearts 

Paper: Chocolate Chip Textured Cardstock, Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Whisper White cardstock

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Rich Razzleberry, Full Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Stamping Sponges

Its a New Year......

... and that means new promotions, new products and best of all SALE-A-BRATION!!!

If you've been a Stampin' Up! customer for a while, you know this is the BEST time of the year because its SALE-A-BRATION time!!! Yipee!! Along with that, the new occasions mini catalog has begun and boy-oh-boy the new products are SPECTACULAR!!! Come visit my online store and see what new products Stampin' Up! has to offer. Bet you can't resist once you see all the new stuff!!

Check Out Valerie's Online Store Now!

With the new mini catalog, there are a few new things I'd like to mention.

• SALE-A-BRATION!!! - That means its FREE STAMP SET time!!! For every $50 purchase, you get to choose a free stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog. There are a four special stamp sets for the promotion, one HUGE pack of designer series paper and, for the first time, a border punch for you to choose from. If you've absolutely loved the products shown on the occasions mini and you already have all of the special sale-a-bration items, don't worry. You can also choose any stamp set ($12.95 value) from the main catalog as your FREE stamp set. There is a list on the last page (page 11) of the sale-a-bration catalog for your reference if you're not sure which ones those are.

• CLEAR MOUNT STAMP SETS - Don't be misled. These are NOT the same as acrylic stamps. No, no no!!! We still can count on the quality of crisp stamped images from SU! rubber stamps, only this time with out the bulk of the wood. This makes for easier storage since the stamps come in a standard DVD size case and they attach to the clear blocks via static cling. Don't fret... SU! will still carry the original wood block stamps, for those of you who prefer this option. Just note when you see the new catalogs (occasions mini and SAB), there are two different item numbers for each stamp set, one for wood blocks (W) and another for clear mount (C).

• NEW PUNCH DESIGN - Starting with the new punches on the occasions mini, punches are now available in a new low profile body which allows for easier storage and stacking. Check out the new punches!! They're ADORABLE!!!

That's all the announcements for now. Well.... what are you waiting for? Time's-a-wasting.. TICK-TOCK.... Visit the online store to shop now!!

Happy Stamping!

Flower Challenge

Earlier this month, I was challenged to use some flowers I had in my "stash" of crafting supplies. I also wanted to use the new stamp sets that came out with the Occasions Mini Catalog which went live today. I came up with this simple card LOADED with flowers. I also used my color spritzer for the very first time. It worked soo perfectly, I think. It added some texture to the blank space on the right corner.

Another version of the same template and design. Just changed up the colors.

I'll edit the post later to add the supplies I used for this card.

Thanks for visiting! Happy Stamping!