Beautiful Orchids

I picked up these layered Martha Stewart Orchid stickers last weekend.  I had no idea what I was going to use them on, but I loved the spring colors and the glitter.  The patterned paper is from the Amy Butler collection (another new love of mine).  Although I wish some of her patterns were a bit smaller to make more condusive to cardmaking. 

That long patterned stamp I found on clearance: $5 for a set!  As much as I tried I couldn't pass it up.  It's from Me and My Big Ideas (Sassy Icons).  I can't wait to try out the rest of the images.
Enjoy!

Glitzy

 

So I know this is a lot of glitz, but .....  I wanted to put a little bling in those empty areas.  Once I started, I couldn't stop.  Ink colors: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa and Melon Mambo. Kraft and Pretty in Pink cardstock.  

Paper Flowers

I've seen this technique on a few blogs and thought I'd try it myself.  I've seen several different techniques, but this one seems to be the easiest.  I used my SU! Scallopped Circle punch to cut through 8 layers of tissue paper, and a single layer of coordinating cardstock.  I followed Lauren Meader's flower video.  I also experimented with larger scallopped circles by Marvy -they seemed to turn out good too.  But I thought the size of this flower was perfect for an embellishment to a card.  I recommend at least 8 layers of tissue paper. 

 

I really like the cardstock base - I think it made it easier to adhere.  I found that Blush Blossom cardstock worked best with these colors.  Pretty in Pink seemed to be too dark and just didn't look right next to the red.

My other recent projects have been these teacher gifts.  They'll have to wait until after Feb. 14th - no school until the 16th.:(

 

I can't take any credit for these.  I totally copied the idea from a fellow blogger - but I wanted to put it out there.  These are mini Reeses Peanut Butter cups.  I used a 1 1/4 inch circle punch.  

 

This one is my personal favorite.  I think because I love the pink and silver chocolate hearts.  I used pink stickles to go over the bottom portion of this stamp.

'Sweetie' Valentine

 

I think most of the stamping I did on this is so light, it didn't photograph well.  But I used the SU Medallion stamped in white on the pink background.  I inked the edges with Rose Romance (I think that was replaced with Regal Rose).  I also used the SU Filigree background on the brown heart.  The pink also has some Diamond background stamped in Versamark.  I love that the sentiment fit so perfectly in a label I cut from my Cricut.  It's like they  were made for each other.

 

Button Birthday

I love making cards - what I'm not so great at is figuring out layouts.  I suppose that's why I like the Mojo Monday challenges and other sites that give you a sample layout.  This is based on a layout from last year.  I went to the Mojo Mondays website and downloaded all the sketches from 2009.  It's a great resource to me.  Now, if I have one element already made (in this case it was the button balloons) I can find a sketched layout to match. 

 I love the colors!  I found this bag of buttons last week at the craft store and HAD to have it, just for the light green colored buttons that were in the assortment (the other colors were nice too though).  I used a needle and thread and stitched the buttons on with a coordinating color of DMC floss from my cross stitch box.

If you enjoy scrapbooking or cardmaking, another great resource for layouts are the Becky Higgins Sketches.  I don't make a scrapbook page without them! (Even though it's been months since I last scrapbooked)  I love her sketches because she has them divided by the number of pictures.  So if you have 3 or 10 pictures from a single event, you can find a sketch to match.  Check out her website for more info (on my list of blogs).  I own ALL her sketch books!

cQc #18 and Mojo 124

 

  

Sorry for the terrible picture.  It was starting to get dark,  but I wanted to upload these tonight.  I didn't have any Baja Breeze, so I used a blue that was similar from an old monochromatic Bazzill stack.  The ribbon is the Old Olive from the Mistletoe ribbon that was available back over the holidays. 

 

  

Tell me this doesn't scream summer!  I guess it's all the snow around here has me dreaming of warmer days.  I do love those days when I can easily slip on some flip flops and head out the door.  I just LOVE this little girl in her polka dot bikini and matching scarf.  

L-O-V-E

 

These are little 4 inch cubes I got a while back.  The font is from a Chatterbox CD with fonts and clipart.  I figured out the perfect shade of pink to print out and did each letter individually.  I then went over some of the letters with a 2 way glue pen and added some pink glitter.  I inked the edges to soften the feel.

 

Each side of the cube is lined with coordinating patterned paper.  Some of the sides I also added some Valentine's Day stamps.  

 

These cubes are made from chipboard and are hollow, but you could do the same thing with wood blocks and some Mod Podge Adhesive.  

Be Mine Banner

A little like my JOY garland, only less embellished.  Nothing super fancy - just something I wanted to display for my hubby.  I also thought it would be cute to make a banner that said "I'm Yours", not far from the Be Mine banner.

 

Nothing super fancy - Everything is cut from  my Storybook cartridge on my Cricut.  I ran the letters through the Xyron and coated with MS Tourmaline glitter.  I added a few strips of some chocolate and pink Valentine's paper.  I wanted to further embellish the banner, but ran out of time (I'm trying to do something small every day leading up to V-Day).  I can always go back and add some rhinestones or some stickers though..