Hello my few followers:
     I am back trying to blog more since I am stepping back from my Stampin' Up! business.  I am no longer using this blog - I really didn't like the name to begin with but the brain was frozen during the set up process and well,..... you get the picture.  Please hop on over to my new blog home address.  It is:    http://inklingsartistry.blogspot.com.  I'd love to have you follow me there! 
     Thom is back on the mend and feeling better each day!  That will help with time to create and blog about it!
Much love and miss you all!
Donna

Hey, everyone!  I have struggle with the name for this blog since I started it earlier this year.  I have come to a decision and will gradually post only to my new blog.  My new blog address is:  http://inklingsartistry.blogspot.com.  Please go to my new blog and add your name to my followers.   You may also get an e-mail from me, too, advising you about the change over.

Thanks for reading & checking out my new blog.  It is still under construction so be patient as I get things up and running!

Baskets of Blessings,
Donna

Open Sleigh!

The sleigh is one of mine and my husband's favorite Christmas images. I love the way this stamp gives it sort of a rustic, distressed look. Here is what I used to make my card. • Open sleigh Stamp Set #126482 • Framelits: Labels Collection # 125598 & Apothecary Accents #127003 • Ink: Raspberry Ripple Classic Stamp Pad • Embossing Folders: Vintage Wallpaper & Polka Dots • Papers: Raspberry Ripple CS & Be of Good Cheer Designer Paper • Embellishments: Pearls The green/red paper was embossed with the Polka Dots folder & the larger Labels die in the Raspberry Ripple CS was embossed with the Vintage Wall Paper folder. The sleigh and sentiment were pop dotted up for added dimension!. This is an A2 size card and fits easily in the envelope even with the dimensional pop-ups. I also rounded the corners of the card to keep in line with the curves of the framelits used to mat the image and sentiment. Have a great day and happy stamping! Donna

Thanksgiving Card and Mojo Monday 257 Entry

Thanksgiving Card and Mojo Monday 257 Entry!

    

     I love the colors of fall.  They are so vibrant and deep.  They just make me happy.  For this 4.25" by 5.5" card, I used Early Espresso cardstock for the base and Raspberry Ripple (a.k.a. for me Dark Red CS) embossed for the center strip.  The Day of Gratitude stamp set "blossom" and sentiment were stamped with Early Espresso Classic Stamp Pad on More Mustard & Very Vanilla Cardstock respectfully.  The sentiment was matted with More Mustard CS.  Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper was used for the matting of the "flower", the striped "ribbon" and as an overall base for the card.  I used the Adorning Accents Edgelits die to create a scalloped border in Lucky Limeade CS.  The sentiment and its mat were cut out with Labels Collection Framelits dies.  Both the "flower" and sentiment were pop dotted up to add more dimension.  Everything used to make this card is available through me or other Stampin' Up Demonstrators.  You can visit my store at  http://donnaoates.stampinup.net.  

     By the way, don't forget our "Back to Spool" gift to you when you place an order of $40 or more.  Get a FREE package of 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon - an $8.95 value - for every $40 you spend!

Sunny Sunflowers for My Sunshine!

Our youngest daughter, Rebecca, turns 26 today but still gets mistaken for a high school student.  I've told her repeatedly that she will like that as she gets older.  I don't think she has really understood that yet - but she will one of these days.  Happy Birthday, Precious Daughter!

Sunflowers are Rebecca's favorite flower.  As soon as I saw this lovely Norhwoods Stamp, I knew that I had to have it for my  youngest Sunshine!  I have used Copic Markers to color the sunflowers.   Here is what I use to make this 6" by 7" card.

•  Northwood Rubber Stamp - Sunflowers in the Vase
•  Memento Tuxedo Black Stamp Pad
•  Chalk Ink in Chestnut Road
•  Stampin Up' Fabulous Phrases Stamp Set
•  Spellbinders Labels 8 & 10
•  Martha Stewart Flower Bunch Large Punch Around the Page Set
•  Martha Stewart Monarch Butterfly Punch
•  Copic Markers (YG 61, 63, G05, Y13, 15, 18, E00, 55, 57, 59, B000, Colorless Blender
•  Brown minibeads
•  Prima Sun Kiss Collection "Sweet Tea"
•  Bazzill Dotted Swiss Cardstock & Textured Cardstock
•  Stampin' Up Whisper White Cardstock - great for coloring with Copic Markers!
•  Pearl Accents
• Art Glitter Designer Adhesive

After coloring the stamped image, I began to assemble the card.  The stamped image was cut out with Labels 8's largest die.  This die was used again to cut out the mat of the darker green dotted swiss cardstock.  It was then cut in half on the longest axis. The brown beads were added to the matted image for sparkle and texture and set aside.

The patterned paper - with a sunflower theme was cut to 5.5 x 6 and then the punches were used on 3 sides then matted with yellow cardstock.  The sentiment and mat were cut out with Labels 10.  All edges were inked with the chestnut roan chalk ink.  The card was assembled.  The sentiment was popped up on its mat and so was the sunflower image on the patterned paper.  The butterfly was punched out (I forgot to ink its edges!).  The finishing touches of the pearls were added. 

I hope you like the card.  I gotta go!  Rebecca is on her way home for her birthday!  Can't wait to show her her card at dinner!  Do you think she will like it?

Blessings on you and all your loved ones!  Have a "Sunflower" kind of day!

Donna

 

Stampin' Up Demonstrator Blog Debut

I've been a Stampin' Up Demonstrator for about  month now but this will be my first Stampin' Up project I've made especially for my blog.  I love Christmas and some of my favorite cards I've made  have featured this simple theme.  I truly believe that less can be more.  I love the simplicity of a tree.  I hope you enjoy this creation.  It is in the running for my personal Christmas card that I'll send out this year!  This card is 5" x 7".  I have used some ribbon and a Spellbinders die as I am just starting our and using what I have in my stash.  I'm sure everyone understands that!  LOL

• Christmas Lodge, set of 6 stamps, #123769 clear set
• More Merry Messages, set of 10 stamps, #126402 clear set
• Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, #126896
• Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, & Raspberry Ripple card stock
• Gumball Green & Raspberry Ripple Classic Stamping Pads
• Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies, set of 8 dies, #127816 (it is bundled with Ornament Keepsakes Stamp set in the Holiday Catalog for savings of 15%!!!!! Great Deal!)
• Perfect Polka Dots Folder, #117335
• Stampin' Glitter
• 2-Way Glue Pen, Glue Dots, & Stampin' Dimensionals
• Ribbon from my stash, but SU Seam Binding Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler should work
• Labels 8 by Spellbinders

Cut a 10" x 7" Gumball Green card stock, score & fold for base of the card.  Stamp the tree image on Very Vanilla card stock and cut with Spellbinders Labels 8 die.  Cut a piece of Raspberry Ripple card stock with the same size die and then cut in half for matting the tree.  Run the pieces through your Big Shot and Polka Dots folder.  Ink the edges of the Very Vanilla cards stock with Gumball Green ink.  I used sponge daubers.  Mount the tree on its mat and lay aside.

Stamp the sentiment using Raspberry Ripple ink and cut out with Holiday Ornaments Framelits Die.  Ink edges with matching ink.  Cut a piece of Gumball Green card stock using the same  Holiday Ornaments Framelits Die.  Cut the green ornament in half; use to mat the sentiment.

Using the 2-way glue pen, trace the curvy part of sentiment and put random dots of ink on the tree and add glitter.  Lay aside to dry.

Cut two pieces of the Be of Good Cheer Designer Paper as shown.  Emboss with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  Join together to make a singe piece of card stock 4 3/4" by 6 3/4 inches.  Place the ribbon on the mat and glue to the back.  Make bow with same ribbon and use a glue dot to place it on the ribbon.  Use dimensionals to pop-up sentiment tag.  Arrange elements according to picture or to your personal variation and secure to card base.

I hope you have enjoyed this card.  It is never to early to start your Christmas cards.  Please feel free to leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you!

Be blessed!
Donna

Birthday Card from my heart!

 

Another card to add to my blog.  Birthdays seem to be a theme right now, so here is one I did for my husband for his birthday a few months ago.  I wanted a rustic look for a man's card and think this one worked out well.  It is a 6" x 6" card.

Supplies

Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3441 - Chateau Gatway Precut Set

Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3445 - Mystic Hideaway Precut Set

Heartfelt Creations HCPC 3363 - Inspie Me Sentiments Precut Set

Heartfelt Creations HCD 718 - Decorative Chateau Gate Die

Memento Ink Tuxedo Black

Distress Inks

Copic Markers

Copic Paper - Your choice of manufacturers

Bazzill Cardstock

Oval Punches - regular and scalloped

Cuttlebug's Kassie's Brocade

Ribbon & Buttons from the STASH! (gotta use it up to make room for more!  LOL)

 

Glad I didn't have to mail this one!  Lots of cardstock added to the weight!  It was hand delivered and sealed with a KISS!!!!