Dynamic Duos - Crumb Cake & Early Espresso

I have a bunch of work to do today.  That means that I'm feeling really creative and spend the whole morning in my craft room instead of doing what I should be doing.  I can't help it - especially when Dynamic Duos posts one of my favourite colour combinations. 

You can never go wrong with Crumb Cake.  It provides a lovely contrast for Early Espresso.  I've been wanting to use this stamp for a while, but it doesn't leave room for a whole lot else on the card, and I was having trouble finding a background that I liked for it.  Alas, this morning I was inspired (or procrastinating - your choice).  The texture and matting of this card provide a nice balance for such a large sentiment.

I knew that I wanted to give this card to my Mother-in-law, but I also wanted something else to slip in with it.  This little bookmark is the perfect thing.  Well, it's not little, but it's lovely.  I decided to stick with the colour scheme here as well.

These gigantic paperclips make perfect bases for flower bookmarks.  I have a feeling I'm going to go on a binge making these type of flowers, so stay tuned for a picture tutorial on how to make them.  The picture doesn't really do it justice.

New Goodies!

No, I didn't die.  The end of the school year always seems to suck every ounce of time out of me, so it wasn't until today that I finally made my way out to my craft room for a long overdue trip.  Hubby and I sat and watched a (horrible) movie together this evening.  By 10 minutes in I knew it wasn't for me, so I grabbed my markers and Everything Eleanor and played a bit.

I did similar strips of flowers and colouring with blues, as well as one with pinks, but I was in the mood for a yellow card.  I love the stark contrast between the softness of So Saffron and the bold statement of black.  The Fancy Fan embossing folder is also new and I L.O.V.E. it.  ALSO new is the little framelit.  Works just like a Spellbinder, but coordinates with Stampin' Up.

As I mentioned, it's the end of the year and I wanted to thank a colleague that always inspires me and provides me with great mentorship.  I'll sneak into her office in the morning and leave this on her desk.

Happiest Birthday

It's my favourite Aunt's birthday today.  I was on a mission.  Continuing on with my love of rolled flowers, I spent ages making this card this morning.  I had an idea of what I wanted it to look like, but it certainly took some playing around before I could get it just how I wanted it.

After about an hour and a half, I was finally happy and glued it all together.  I have a card buffet coming up next week and I'm thinking about using this card as one of the selections.  I just love it so much that I'm convinced everyone else will too.  I'd need to balance it out with a really simple card to follow it with to make up some time, but I think it's a must.

I know there's a lot going on here, but I say - Go Big or Go Home!

A La Card Monkey #95

One of my husband's friends texted me yesterday asking if he could get me to make a Valentine's Day card for him.  Pretty sweet.  So this morning I was playing around with a few different styles when I found this cute Card Monkey sketch.  I loved the layout and though it was perfect for using the new Hearts Framelits.  It's a really simple card, but really sweet as well.

This card has nothing to do with the Card Monkey sketch, but I had the frame from the previous card and I wanted to use it somehow.  I also have 800 of these tiny little hearts left over, so I figured this was a good way to use some up.

I Heart Hearts + Pals Paper Arts 128

This evening I've got a workshop booked with 16 ladies!  I usually plan my workshops for about 8, so when my hostess told me there would be 16 stampers coming to play, I knew I had to change my game plan.

The first card was a quick fix - I'm just going to make 2 samples using 2 different sets.  I'll post the pics of these tomorrow sometime.  My second card is a Valentine's day card.  Here's what I had planned on doing.

However lovely this set is, it's not a card to do with such a large group of ladies.  I did it with my stamper's club last month and even with only 5 of them it took a long time.  

While drinking my morning coffee and surfing, I found a perfect Valentine's Day challenge.  Pals Paper Arts this week is a colour challenge using any three reds.  I always like to showcase punches in my workshops and I have a TON of red & pink paper lying around so I came up with this little baby.  Not only it is a great way to use up little scraps that I've been hoarding, but you get the chance to play with the small heart stamp and the amazing new Framelits collection.  I love the combo of Riding Hood Red, Real Red, and the Red Glimmer paper.

It still needed a little something extra so I ran the matting piece through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper EF.  After that I took a pearl acrylic paint dauber and ran it over the cardstock to give it a nice shimmer.  I'm pretty please with the outcome.  Now I just need to get started cutting the paper for it!

Sale-a-bration!

On January 24th Sale-a-bration starts again!  I love this event.  For each $60 order you place, you get to choose a free item.  These aren't junky no-one-wants-them-so-let's-give-them-away items either.  There are a few items from the IB&C (buttons, brads, stamps, paper, etc.) and as always, there are a couple of amazing items exclusively for SAB.  The DSP you see here is called Everyday Enchantment, and is part of SAB.  See those cute little brads over on the corner?  They're included in a bundle with some gorgeous organdy ribbon.

The sentiment shown on this card is from the new mini.  For the cling mount set the cost is $33.95.  Those amazing shapes under it?  Made in flash with the new Framelits Die.  For a set of 6 of these coordinating dies you pay only $32.95.  Order these 2 items and choose one of the SAB items for FREE!  Who doesn't love free stuff?!

I'll post a link to the SAB catalogue as soon as it goes live!  As an extra thank you from me each month during SAB, customers that place an order through me will have their name put in a draw for some great prizes including paper shares from current DSPs, coordinating ribbon shares for Attic Boutique and Twitterpated, free stamp sets, and more!  Each $60 order (pre tax & shipping) gets you one entry.  The draws will be held on the last day of each month and posted the following morning.  Shopping in my online store?  You're in the draw too!  Until then, look through your IB&C and the new mini and make yourself a wish list!