Monday, May 30, 2011

Proud Little League Mom - and a card

What a whirlwind weekend!  Bradley's little league baseball team played in the Memorial Day tournament.  Five games in four days - They had their ups and downs, but these boys came out the champions!!! 

 Bradley is the second from the left on the bottom row.

I just happen to have a "Congratulations" card read to go here. Ironically, it kinda matches the team colors.  So I'll share it now.


Stamps:  Swirls & Curls Verses
Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Greenhouse Gala, Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots textured impressions embossing folder, Little Leaves sizzlets die, Blossom Bouquet punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Brights brads, dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Framed Blossom Bouquet

Here's my first "punch" at making some framed art:




It all started with a 5" x 7" wood frame from Walmart.  The background has some Bashful Blue clouds sponged with the Scallop Circle and Scallop Oval punches. I also sponged some Pear Pizzazz and Garden Green on the bottom of the art piece.

This was the first time that I used the new Blossom Petals Triple Layer Punch.  It's new in the Summer Mini catalog.  It took me some time to figure out exactly what colors to use and where to place them. I am pleased with how it turned out.  What do you think?

All of my girls are fighting over who is going to keep this framed art piece.  They're going to be disappointed when the find out that it's for my friend.  As inexpensive as it is, I can easily make a few more.  I may expand on this idea to make gifts for the kids' teachers.

Stamps: Bold Blossom
Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Pumpkin, Pie
Ink: Garden Green, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Scallop Circle punch, Scallop Oval punch, Wide Oval punch, brights brads, dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan
PS - This project won a Stampin' Up! Only Challenge.  Check it out here.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

A (Belated) Mother's Day Card

Here's the card that I made my mom for Mother's Day.  I did give it to her on time, just didn't have time to post it (and Blogger was on the fritz for a day or two).



I used my bone folder to add veins in the petals and leaves.  The large petals are Pretty in Pink and the small petals are So Saffron all sponged with Rich Razzleberry ink.  The center of the flower and the small petals are dotted with a Crumb Cake marker.

We had some great weather for a day or two.  Now it's going to rain all weekend.  Bradley was supposed to have a game this evening.  I'm just waiting for the coach to call and cancel it.  I've already heard from more than one kid, "Mom, I'm bored!  What's there to do?"  My stadard answer is, "Clean your room!"  Somehow they always find something else to occupy their time.  Maybe we'll find a good movie to watch.  I'm gonna try and get some stamping done.

Stamps: Something to Celebrate (retired)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots textured impressions embossing folder, Blossom Petals punch

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Monday, May 9, 2011

Another SUO Challenge - Butterflies!

I created this card for the SUO Challenge.  Even though it doesn't have any stamping on it, I still like it:


I tied the ribbon using the stay put bow method.  (My ribbon was not cooperating while I took this photo because it's crooked, LOL!)

Stamps: none
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Ink: none
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots textured impressions embossing folder. Beautiful Wings embosslits die, Little Leaves sizzlits die, Crop-a-Dile, two-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds

Here's a partial re-cap of the happenings in Carlson household this past week:

Annika celebrated her ninth birthday with a homemade strawberry dream cake.  This cake was a real labor of love and was worth every minute I spent on it.  I got the recipe from Cook's Country magazine.
 
Dide celebrated her sixth birthday with a red velvet cake. I used the giant cupcake pan again.  After it was frosted, the cake looked nothing like a cupcake.  But it sure tasted good.

Here's one of the owl cupcakes that Dide shared with her kindergarten class.  Since the 'eyes' were so wide, it took three containers to get all of them to school.
I was planning on chilling out today, but Bradley is home sick with a stomach ache.  My Monday routine is a bit off and it's bothering me.  Bradley will be missing his baseball game tonight.  I'll be attending the Girl Scout Mother-Daughter Tea.

Happy Stamping!
Susan

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Punched Pink Posies

Here's a card that didn't make it into my first Blossom Petals punch class.  Actually, I think I shared it on the night of the class, but we didn't actually make it.  Since that time, many people have said that they really liked it.  So, it's getting added to my class this Thursday:




Now I just have to decide which card to take away from the original five.  Decisions, decision, decisions!  Good thing is that I'll still be providing instructions for all 20+ cards at this class.  That way participants will have photos and instructions to make all the cards.

Stamps: Build a Blossom
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Pear Pizzazz, Pear Pizzazz dsp (hostess level 1)
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories:  Blossom Petals punch, 1/2" circle punch, 1 1/4" Certainly Celery striped ribbon (cut in half), dimensionals, Big Shot, Circles #2 die

The sky is not looking cooperative for Bradley's baseball game tonight.  Maybe it'll be a night that the girls and I will have to miss.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Monday, May 2, 2011

Busy, Busy, Busy Week -- and a Few Cards To See!

This is a busy week for the Carlson family!  Let me show you some cards to illustrate:

Tuesday is our 18th wedding anniversary:


I cased this card from Laurie Zoellmer.  Her post appeared in perfect time to inspire me : )  I changed things up a bit by starting with glossy white card stock, masking the moon and brayering the sky with Marina Mist and Night of Navy ink.  Annika took one look at it and told me that I should have the branch going the other direction because it's hanging in mid-air, LOL!  She's right.

Randy and I will have to postpone our anniversary celebration for another day.  Annika and Dide have their first swimming lesson of the season at 4:00 pm, Bradley has ball practice at 4:00 pm, Dide has Girl Scouts at 5:00 pm, and Bradley has his spring band concert at 6:30 pm.  Whew!  Not sure if we'll even have time to eat supper that night, LOL!
Wednesday is Annika's ninth birthday:


This card idea came from Tammy Howell.  I made the card very similar to how she did.  (The sentiment is a recently retired one from the Occasions Mini.)

Annika wants me to make homemade peanut butter cookies for her class that day.  Not sure when how I'm gonna fit that into the Tuesday schedule.  Maybe I'll wait and make them Wednesday morning, then deliver them to her school.  Hmm, when am I going to have time to make her cake...and supper???

Thursday morning I'm hosting a Blossom Petals punch class.  Since teaching my first class, I've found more cards to make.  So I'm switching things up a bit.  Still have to prepare the card stock, clean the house, etc.  (It sure is difficult to clean the house when the kids have been inside 24/7 because of all the rain.)

Friday, Bradley has a baseball game and I've got a Stampin' Up! birthday party to attend.  I've got my projects planned for the party, but I still have to get things ready.  (Note to self: confirm the babysitter for the girls that night.)

Saturday is Dide's sixth birthday:


Same card as Annika's, but different colors.  Makes my life a lot easier : )

Dide wants me to make her cupcake to bring to school.  I'll have her take them to school on Friday.  We're not celebrating her birthday at home until next Sunday because none of us are going to be home on Saturday.  Annika's Girl Scout troop earned a trip to the Build-a-Bear Workshop in Erie for selling Girl Scout cookies.  They get a $17 bear for free.  I wonder how much money I'm going to end up spending on the bear's accessories!  (Stay tuned to see a B-A-B thank-you card.) 

If any of you want specific details on any of these cards, please contact me.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sophie's First Holy Communion

Annika's friend Sophie celebrated her First Holy Communion yesterday and this is the card I made for her:



I got the idea after watching France Martin's video.  Perfect timing for a card like this!  I stamped an image of a cross on the inside and the envelope from the Crosses of Hope stamp set.  (Sorry, I don't have photos of them.)  This card is so simple to create -- yet, it makes a powerful impact.  Awesome!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Crosses of Hope
Paper: Springtime Vintage dsp, Very Vanilla, Rose Red
Ink: Rose Red
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, Oval punch, Small Oval punch

Happy Stamping!

Susan