One shot with the Big Shot!!!

OK, many know I said I would never buy a Big Shot. I love my Cuttlebug. It has served all my embossing and die cutting needs for several years! I couldn't even figure out how to use the Big Shot. I mean what are all those pages on the plateform about?!!?

But never say never... cos it will turn around and bite you in the .... bug.

I was at CKC Lancaster at the Sizzix booth and they had a special on the Shots- $59.00. So..... I broke down and bought one. All I can say is- WHY THE HECK DID I WAIT SO LONG??? WHY WASN'T I LISTENING TO REST OF THE CRAFTING WORLD?

I LOVE MY BIG SHOT!!! It cuts through those intricate Memory Box dies in one pass! Like  a knife through warm butter! Unlike my poor little Cuttlebug which would take at least 4 times and then it was a crap shoot as to whether they were cut through.

One shot with my Big Shot!! My new motto.

Next I got out my new  Circle Flip it die from Sizzix and with my Big Shot I made this cute retro birthday card using Hero Arts/Sizzix Bold Pop Designs for the design challenge at Just add Ink and A blog named Hero. 

Wow what fun!! Well gotta go, got more cutting to do!!

Happy Creating!

Wedding Bells

Notice the text from Kahlil Gibran "The Prophet" on marriage

The last round of weddings I was to was about 20 years ago or so, when all my friends and family were getting married. Now 20 years later the next round starts with my friends and family's kids. YIKES!!! Makes me feel so old.

My best bud Judy's, daughter is getting married next weekend and I had to make a wedding card. Now I think I have only made one other wedding card in the last 20 years. It is a stretch for me- so I was glad when I saw a great wedding card by Shari Carroll in my Stretch your Stamps online class. 

Shari used elegant gray tones on her card. I chose the colors of the invitation. Green with an orange accent. 

It sure did turn out gorgeous huh? I can see using this card for other occasions also.

Best wishes to Kara and Dan!!

Those darn craps, I mean scraps.....

I have these little blue bins and I keep works in progress in them with the stamps and inks I am using, but I also use them for putting scraps and unfinished pieces of work in them. You know us stampers, we can't throw anything away!

Every now and again I go through the scrap bin and see if I can make a card or two with the scraps and unfinished pieces.

So I empty it on my desk and sort through it looking for just the piece that calls to me.

See anything you like?

I always find something fun in the scrap bin, something that just didn't work at the time, but might work today. It's kinda like finding a ten dollar bill in the pocket of a pair of hardly worn pants.

Here are two cards I made in under a half hour from the scrap bin.

All pieces from the scrap bin. The only thing I added is the birthday.

All from the scrap bin. I just put it together.

They have a fall feel to them, but then it is cool and rainy today. It is easy to think it is autumn out there instead of the blistering dry and sunny summer that we have been enjoying. Enjoying?!!!? Maybe not.

Do you save your scraps? Do you get them out and play with them? Wear do you store them? Are they close to your work area like mine are so you can grab them easily?

Finally time to stamp!

I finished my last paper and start a new class this week, so I basically had a free weekend! YIPEE!!!!! Time to stamp!! I received a nice little package from Ellen Hudson over a week ago and haven't had time to play until this weekend.

This is the first time I ordered from Ellen Hudson. What a pleasant surprise. She was a having a HUGE overstock sale and I was able to get all the new Momento petal points and markers among lots of Paper Smooches stamps and throw in some Hero Arts and I was so ready for my crafting time. I ordered on a Sunday and my package arrived Thursday even with the July 4th holiday in the middle of the mix.

So... I know a few gals having babies and couldn't wait to make these cards using A Paper Smooches set called "a little lovin".

Hope you enjoy a few of my projects. Have a great week!

surfer penguin dude

I just love this little surfer dude from Art Impressions even if he is penguin! (sorry Bevy B.) He made a great card for my brother's July birthday. Paired with a set from Darcie's stamps and you have a happy summery card.

Check out this card from last August using the same stamp.

Hope you are all enjoying the brief respite from the heat! 

Stay cool and be creative!

Leafing up to you.

Yes, I know it is a bad pun! :) But for the next four weeks over at the Memory Box blog, I am featuring the lorelai leaf die from MB sister company Poppy Stamps. Head on over to Memory Box's Outside the Box for instructions on this clean and simple card.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone! I hope you all are having a fabulous day!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Not only do I love making and giving cards, I love to get them!! I start checking the mail about a week before my big day looking for an envelope with my name on it!

So here is a card I made just for me from me! After all should we be our own best friend!!

So Happy Birthday to me!!