A Touch From the Heart

A New Pretty and an Update

First of all, thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers on Dennis' surgery.  Dennis' surgeon was able to do a partial knee replacement.  Dennis is thrilled!!!  With a partial, he won't be as restricted with his activity after he heals.  He hopes to be able to do Taekwondo again with Christopher!

Dennis is home and resting as comfortably as he can.  We set up his sleeping area for the next couple of weeks in the living room.  We recently converted the guest room into a workout room.  So, the bed now has a (temporary) home in the living room.  That way Dennis has access to a larger shower, the kitchen and his office.  It seems to be working out great so far!

Anyhoo, I did mention a new pretty in the title of this post!  As I haven't stamped in over a week, I am going to share a card we made in my last class.  It uses the "You're My Type" stamp set which I completely adore!!!!  It's my new "go to" stamp set for guy cards!!!!  You can make it as masculine or as feminine as you want!

I used Lee Conrey's tutorial on the Stamping 411 blog to create the black mat.  I love how I can make a mat as narrow as I want to using my Framelits!

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to recreate this card!

Of course, all the supplies used to make this card are from Stampin' Up!  If you need to place an order, just click here to go to my ONLINE STAMPIN' STORE.  

Card Recipe

stamps:  You're My Type, Netting
paper:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, First Edition dsp
ink:  Crumb Cake, Jet Black StazOn, Cherry Cobbler
accessories:  Labels Framelits, Word Window Punch, Silver Brads 

Twitterpated

Hey everyone!  How's your week going?  Today I had the wonderful opportunity to stamp with a group of retired teachers.  We made four beautiful projects, and I thought I would share one of them with you today.

I've made this design before (with the Spice Cake paper from the Holiday Mini Catalog), but I thought I would update it with some amazing new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  

The box portion of this project is simply cut with the Box #2 Bigz XL die using Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  

The wrapper portion all starts with a 2 3/4" x 10 1/2" piece of Island Indigo cardstock.  Using my Simply Scored tool, score at 4 1/2" and 9".  Punch both short edges with the Scallop Edge Border Punch.  Fold on the two score lines.

Now, for the patterned paper.  First of all, isn't this paper gorgeous!!!  It's from the Twitterpated dsp pack in the Occasions Mini.  I just love the fresh color combinations!!!!  You will need two pieces of this dsp, and they should measure 2 1/2" x 4".  Adhere these dsp pieces to the Island Indigo base.  Make sure that the bottom edge of the dsp sits flush on the score line.  

The box nestles into the center of the Island Indigo piece.  Pinch the two scallop edges together and punch two holes about an inch apart using the Cropodile.  Feed in a length of Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon through the holes and tie into a bow.

Stamp the "friends" (from Tiny Tags) onto Whisper White cardstock and punch with the Jewelry Tag punch.  Make a hole at the top of the tag using your paper piercing tool, and feed through a length of White Baker's Twine.  Before tying into a bow, feed each string into one hole on a Twitterpated button.  

Now, onto the carnation!  Carnations are my favorite flower because they don't drive my allergies nuts, and they last a really long time.  Don't get me wrong....I love getting me some gorgeous roses, but they just seem to die so quickly.  If you keep changing the water with carnations, they can last two weeks!  Love that!!!!

It's hard to see on this photo, but the flowers are make with the Faux Suede technique.  

How to make the flowers:

1. using the Blossom punch, punch two flowers from Blushing Bride cardstock
2. for each flower, wad the flower into a tight ball and smooth back out
3. repeat this 3 or 4 times until you see each petal starting to separate into two separate layers
4. VERY CAREFULLY peel the two layers apart.  If one petal isn't separating, just ball that petal up again until the layers come apart.  This step takes a lot of patience, but it's truly worth the wait!
5. after you've separated each of the flowers, you should now have four flower pieces.  
6. making sure the fuzzy side (i.e. Faux Suede) is up, pile the flowers on top of each other, making sure to offset the petals on each layer.  
7. poke a hole in the center of the pile of flowers and secure with a brad
8. now that your flower is contructed, squish the upper flowers and squish less as you work down to the last layer.  This makes the carnation!

Attach the flower to the box using Mini Glue Dots.  

If you've read through this entire post, I really appreciate it!!!!  I know it was a long one, but I wanted to teach you how to make this adorable project!!!

All of the items used to make this project are available from my ONLINE STORE.  Thanks for choosing me as your demonstrator!!!

If you make one, let me know how they turn out!!!

Until next time.....Happy stamping everyone!!!

Project Recipe

stamps:  Tiny Tags
paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Twitterpated dsp
ink:  Black StazOn
accessories:  Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Scallop Edge border punch, Jewelry Tag punch, White Baker's Twine, Blossom punch, Silver Brad, Box #2 Bigz XL die

 

 

Are you Ready for a FREE Big Shot?

 

Yup!  You heard me right!  Stampin' Up! is giving a Big Shot (or $100 of Stampin' Up! products of your choice) to anyone who purchases the Starter Kit now through October 31st.  

There's no tricks.......only treats with this deal!

Whether you want to start your own business or just want to sign up for the discount (30% off your first order within the first 45 days and then 20% on all subsequent orders), the Starter Kit is a fantastic deal.  It contains over $345 worth of product, and you get to customize what you want in there!  That's right....you pick the stamp sets and product colors so it fits your style!!!

If in the future being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator isn't for you, that's fine too!  You're not looked down upon by me and Stampin' Up!  You walk away with a wonderful starter kit that you can use over and over in your personal stamping and a FREE Big Shot!  What do you have to lose?

I know you may have many questions.  I did when I first thought about doing this.  Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have.   I want this to be one of the best decisions you ever made!

My email is plchesky@comcast.net.

If you already have made your decision to join my team, click HERE TO SIGN UP ONLINE to get your journey started.  I am SO excited for you!!!!

My recruiting password is pattilynn

 

For my Mother-in-Law

Hi there from Salt Lake City!  Today is the first day of general session and classes!  I'm so excited that I am shakin' in my boots.  Okay, sandals, but you get the point!!!

A big part of Convention is swapping.  There's organized swaps as well as general swapping.

Today's card is one I made for my mother-in-law's birthday.  I loved it so much that I used it as my design for one of the organized swaps I am in.  This is for the GoDiva's swap.

We are meeting at lunchtime today to swap all our cards.  This group always makes the prettiest cards!!!  I can't wait to see what they've come up with!

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to make this card for yourself.  You can order your Stampin' Up! supplies through my ONLINE STORE.  Remember, all orders of $50 or more earn you one punch on your Patti's Customer Rewards card.  

Card Recipe

stamps:  Four Frames
paper:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla
ink:  Soft Suede
accessories:  Big Shot, Two Tags Bigz die, Victoria Trim, Very Vanilla 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Write markers (Pink Pirouette, Pear Pizzazz), Square Lattice embossing folder, Linen Thread, sponge, Decorative Label punch

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Happy Wednesday!  Today is check-in day at Stampin' Up's Convention.  We pick up our Convention bags that have lots of goodies inside (stamps sets and make-n-take supplies) and get to ship in Memento Mall.  Memento Mall is full of fun Stampin' Up! logo merchandise.  Every year they surprise us with more new and fabulous things to buy!!!

Tonight I am part of a swap, and this is the card I designed for it.  I had to make 47 of these babies.  I am not one to love making the same card over and over again.  But, this one was fun!

It uses a new stamp set called Pennant Parade.  It's so versatile.  Using the same stamp set, I can make an ice cream cone, Christmas tree, banners, party hats, witch hats and so much more!!!!!

I also used some yummy new ribbon.  It's the 1/2" Dotted Scallop grosgrain ribbon.  It's polka dot on one side and plain on the other.  The color I used here is Chocolate Chip.  Love it!!!!

I still have room in my ribbon share if you would like a 2 yard sampling of each of the colors of this yummy new ribbon.  Check out THIS POST to learn more about my July ribbon shares.  

Of course, you can buy full rolls of ribbon and all other Stampin' Up! supplies at my ONLINE STORE.  

Card Recipe

stamps:  Pennant Parade
paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, First Edition dsp, Brights Patterns dsp stack 
ink:  Old Olive, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip
accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Chocolate Chip 1/2" Dotted Scallop ribbon 

It's a Boy

Here's the baby boy card I promised.  I really love this one!  

It uses the Baby Tee wheel.  I just roll it onto some Whisper White scrap cardstock and cut out the image I want to use.  

Easy peasy!

I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to recreate this card.  As always, you can purchase your Stampin' Up! products through my ONLINE STORE.  Remember, all orders of $50 or more earn you a punch on Patti's Customer Rewards card.  You'll soon be on your way to earning your FREE stamp set!!!

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Baby Tees jumbo wheel, Occasional Quotes (retired)
paper:  Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Subtles Patterns dsp stack
ink:  Black StazOn, So Saffron
accessories:  Big Shot, scallop circle #2 Bigz die, 2 1/2" circle punch, aquapainter, Stampin Write Markers, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain

It's a Girl

No...you sillies!  I didn't have a baby.  One of my husband's co-workers did.  The baby's name is Skye, and she is gorgeous.  I hope we make a trip so I can hold her in person.  There's nothing like holding a baby especially when you can hand them back to their parents if they're fussy or have a dirty diaper.  

Here's the card I made for Skye's family.

The color combination is Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder and So Saffron.  I think it works perfectly for a baby girl!

My base card is Whisper White.

Layer #2 is some Pretty in Pink polka dot paper from the Subtles Patterns dsp stack.  

My Wisteria Wonder scallop square is cut using the Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die and my Big Shot.  I pierced each of the scallops with my paper piercing tool.  

The So Saffron square measures 2 1/2".  I sponged the edges with So Saffron ink to give it some depth.  

My focal image comes from the Baby Tees Jumbo wheel.  I inked it up with Black StazOn ink and rolled it onto some Whisper White cardstock.  I grabbed my Aquapainter and my markers (scribbled onto a plastic stamp case) to watercolor the image.  I carefully cut it out and popped it up onto my card.  

I love the double scalloped edge on the bottom.  It reminds me of the frilly little underpants that Amanda had when she was little.  It covered up her ugly little diaper when she was wearing a dress.  

My sentiment comes from the retired hostess set called Occasional Quotes.  

The finishing touches include some Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and a Pretty in Pink button with some White Baker's Twine tied in the center.  

I also made a baby boy card......I'll share that one with you tomorrow!!!

If you would like to make this card, all of the items to make it (with the exception of the retired sentiment) can be purchased from my ONLINE STORE.

Card Recipe

stamps:  Occasional Quotes (retired), Baby Tees jumbo wheel
paper:  Whisper White, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder, Subtles Patterns dsp stack
ink:  Black StazOn
accessories:  Scallop Squares Duo Bigz die, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain, Subtles Designer Buttons, paper piercing tool, aquapainter, Stampin' Write Markers (Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Melon Mambo), White Baker's Twine, Scallop Edge border punch 

Do you love ribbon?  Check out my new ribbon shares HERE

In Dire Need of Stamping Therapy

I will admit it.  Today, I am in a funk!  I'm not sure what brought it on....but, it doesn't feel good.  There's so much going on right now.....Christopher is graduating high school in a little over a week, we registered him for college classes this morning, Amanda's back problems, etc.......

I know that stamping always makes me feel better....so I threw a load of laundry in and started playing. 

My inspiration started with this Certainly Celery oval.  It's been sitting in my scrap file for about 2 years.   The oval was cut with my Coluzzle.  I know a lot of people didn't like that tool, but it was one of my favorites.    I think it's still available on the Clearance Rack if you don't already own one!

Anyway, I inked up the stem image (from Fabulous Florets) with Old Olive ink and stamped it onto the oval.  I then sponged the edges of the oval with Old Olive ink too!

My flowers (also from Fabulous Florets) are stamped with Versamark onto some So Saffron polka dot dsp (from the Subtles Patterns dsp stack).  I sprinkled on some Black embossing powder and heated 'til melted.  I then cut them out and added some So Saffron ink to the center of each flower using a sponge dauber.  I cut the flowers out with my paper snips and popped them up using dimensionals.  

My base card is Baja Breeze.

Layer #2 is Poppy Parade.  Oh, how I adore this color!  I stamped it with the En Francais background stamp inked up with Poppy Parade ink.  The edges are also heavily sponged with the same ink.  

Layer #3 is a strip of Baja Breeze cardstock that has been embossed with my Big Shot and the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I matted it on some Basic Black cardstock just to make it "pop".  

All that's left is my sentiment.  It's from Fabulous Phrases, and it's just perfect for this card.  A celebration should always have a bright card right along with it!!!

Well, I'll be back tomorrow with the retirement lists.  Be on the look out for three lists:  retiring stamp sets, retiring accessories and retiring Definitely Decorative products.  

Card Recipe

stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Fabulous Phrases, En Francais
paper:  Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
ink:  Old Olive, Basic Black, So Saffron, Poppy Parade, Subtles Patterns dsp stack
accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, sponge dauber, Coluzzle (retired)

Order your Stampin' Up! products from my demonstrator website

 

All You Need to do is Believe

The weather is definitely putting a damper on our gardening plans.  Thankfully, I was able to plant most of my flowers last Wednesday.  That was a gorgeous day.....except for me waking up the next day with these large welts on the side of my face and neck.  My friends tell me I fell victim to some gnats.  Really?  I didn't even feel them bite me, but they drew plenty of blood and did their damage.

Making a paper flower garden is so much "funner" (as my niece would say).  No bugs......no soil under my nails......no sweating!  

I've been dying to show you this card all last week, but I needed to wait until my Stamp Club girls made it before showing it on my blog.  My Stamp Club girls are close to my heart, and I love surprising them with the pretty projects they will be making.  They just adored this card!  

This card is the perfect combination of Big Shot and punches.  Which one do you prefer?  I {heart} both!!!  Honestly, I couldn't create without either one.  I love how the Big Shot gives me texture so easily while both tools save me from cutting everything out by hand!

I did cut the roses out (but you could easily use the 1 3/8" circle punch instead) by hand as well as the little leaves.  The cutting is very easy....nothing intricate.  

My large circle and scalloped circle are cut using my Big Shot.  

My flowers are all embossed with white embossing powder and then sponged with the same color as the cardstock to give them some depth.  

Well, I'll leave you with the card recipe in case you want to recreate this card!  As always, if you have any questions, just leave a comment or send me an email!

If you want to make today's card and need to buy some supplies, I would love to be your demonstrator.  You can easily place an online order from my ONLINE STORE.  Just click on "Shop Now" in the upper right corner after clicking the link.

Card Recipe

stamps:  Flower Fest, Just Believe
paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
ink:  Black StazOn, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Versamark
accessories:  white embossing powder, heat tool, Fancy Flower punch, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, 3" Bigz circle, Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die, paper piercing tool, Pear Pizzazz polytwill ribbon 

Big Shot Flip Flop Card

My friend Kay Kalthoff showed me how to make the coolest card using the Big Shot machine and the Movers and Shapers die.  

I've made Flip Flop cards in the past, but they were often cumbersome because of all the measuring and cutting.  Now, we can use the Mover and Shaper die to do all the hard work!

It all starts with a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cardstock.  Score the cardstock at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2".  Add a  2 1/2" x 4" piece of patterned paper (I used this beautiful pattern from the Springtime Vintage dsp pack) to the outer 2 3/4" x 4 1/4" section.

Attach the Scallop Oval shape (from the Movers & Shapers Punch Windows pack) to the center of the metal area on the Mover & Shaper die.   

As per Kay's instructions, I placed the score line (where I wanted the oval to cut), in the center of the Scallop Oval shape on my Mover & Shaper die.  I then unfolded the card so that it laid flat.  

To cut the flip flop part of the card, place a Standard Cutting Pad on the right side of the score line.  Only roll the card through the Big Shot until you hit that score line.  This guarantees that you'll only cut through half of the scallop oval.  

How does it work?  Well, the Big Shot relies on pressure to cut the shapes.  Since the cutting pad only covers half the scallop oval, it will only cut to where the cutting pad is placed (right on the score line).  

Isn't this SO cool?  

Here's the inside of the card....and a photo of the flip flopping!

I'll leave you with my card recipe in case you want to recreate it......

If you would like to order the supplies to make it, I'd love to be your demonstrator.  You can easily place an online order through my demonstrator website.  Remember, for every $50 of your order, you get to choose ONE Sale-a-bration item for FREE!!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Oval All, Baroque Motifs
paper:  Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage dsp
ink:  Baja Breeze, Black StazOn
accessories:  Big Shot, Movers & Shapers die, Movers & Shapers Punch Windows, Basic Pearls, Scallop Oval punch, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Stampin Write Markers (Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz)