There's that bird again!

Did you know that Cardinals are not always red (the males anyway)??  Not in my world!  So here's one just to prove my point.  I'm all for realism when creating my cards, but I've made a promise to myself that a little flexing and stretching this year would be a good thing.  So this card will show you that Cardinals really aren't always red!

I simply used one of the images in this set by Prickley Pear to use as a background using Versamark ink. I then used the same image and stamped it in aqua on a white strip.  The white strip was then mounted on silver mirror cardstock.  Next I punched two borders using a die from MFT and attached them in back.  I die cut the cardinal and used an aqua embossing powder from Sparkle N Sprinkle. 

Now wouldn't you say that's stretching it for me?  LOL!

Ciao for now.

Ciao Bella!

Listen to the music...

Recently at Sparkle N Sprinkle we've had a ton of new releases, three of which involve music.  I was so happy to see these sets!  I used to be musically inclined in another lifetime, but the stamping mania overtook that particular art and this is just one card that I put together using Music Background Set 427.

I first made my background from the sheet music and embossed it with clear EP.  Then I used that hot new window die from Heartfelt Creations and cut it out of silver mirror CS.  I then took text weight paper and stamped the sheet music again and cut several "pages" to represent a book of music.  The last thing I did was to distress the sheet music to make it look used or old.

Once I got my music done, I mounted it on the silver mirror die cut to mimic a music stand.  I finished off the card with some black ribbon, a little silver music note and the sentiment.

Well, that's my post for today.  I'll come back again with a few more cards I did using a combination of the new music sets.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Ciao for now.

Ciao Bella!

All I can do...

Well,  a nasty bout with carpel tunnel is putting my craft room in cobwebs!  If something doesn't change fast, I'll be canceling all my classes.  Now, THAT would make me very upset.  As you can see, I can still type, so my computer will be my best friend for a while.  I'll probably toddle off to the doctor  and see what they recommend.  Right now, I'm wrapped in an ace bandage with an occasional Advil chaser.  Such pain on so many levels!  SO, the next best thing is to  post blogs!  So I thought I'd show you what's coming up on 2/25 using Sparkle N Sprinkle.

This should be a fun class.  We're doing a mosaic (this little birdie is from Prickley Pear) which is a fun project to do. 

 The other card was done using the Mosaic Butterfly image from Sparkle N Sprinkle with lots of glitter and embossing powder.  This card is made from one sheet of designer paper and folded and cut in such a way that it becomes it's own envelope.  Here are two more shots of it being opened.

 I think there are a few spots left in this class, so give the Scrapbook Cupboard a call and reserve your spot.

Ciao for now!

Ciao Bella!

Sparkle and Ribbon!

Hi everyone!  Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop with Really Reasonable Ribbon!  If you aren't ribbon enabled, then you will be after this blog hop.  This has been such a fun project to work on and these are two cards that are quite different from what I normally do with ribbons.  But let me just say, you really must visit Really Reasonable Ribbon and check out their entire ribbon inventory.  Remember, I'm an enabler!

This first card was done using short loops of ribbon to frame the Starfish circle which was cut at strategic places with an Xacto knife to slip the ribbon loops through.  I stamped my starfish using Peanut Butter EP.  Once all my layering was done, I glitzed it up with some Sunset Glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

The next card was done using images from Sparkle N Sprinkle's Spring Swirl set.  By utilizing the shape of the flower it was easy to direct the ribbon loops to form the shape of the flower.  Tulips are great for this technique.  All ribbons used in both products are from the February ribbon kit from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Now, in addition to the Really Reasonable Ribbon blog hop candy, Sparkle N Sprinkle is ALSO giving a stamp set to one luck hopper!  Leaving a message on every blog increases your chances of winning, because it's a mystery which of the artists' blogs has been chosen to house the prize!  (Pssst!  it could be me, so don't forget to leave a comment!)  On Tuesday, February 15, a name will be drawn from the comments on the mystery blog.  Winner gets to choose stamp set of their choice from SparkleNSprinkle.com!

(You just arrived here by way of:  Kerri Michaud- http://www.cardsbykerri.blogspot.com/)


And now it's time for you to hop on over to Jill's blog for the next exciting project! 
Jill Jacobsen http://www.stampinhands.com/

Good luck everyone and thanks for stopping by!

Ciao for now!

Ciao Bella!

I can do simple...

That may sound strange, but I really do have a hard time keeping my cards quick and simple.  I haven't mastered it yet.  I guess I over think things (a lot).  However, this one really was quick and simple!  I conceptualized it,  and I did it!  So rare that the original idea actually works in real time.  Oh me!  Just something else to polish up on in my craft room.

I made this card for my 7 year old granddaughter to be sent a long with some Valentine's goodies as I will be otherwise occupied this weekend.  Hubby will do the delivering and get all the kisses.  I'll more than make up for it when I see her next time.  I'll squeeze and kiss her till she yells (LOL!).  So Happy Valentine's Day to my sweet Lexi.

Here's a pic of my favorite gremlin - it's last year's (or maybe older),  but I love this shot of her.
Ciao for now!
Ciao Bella!

It's Fairy simple...

Gosh I'd forgotten I'd done this card a while back and when cruising through my photos, it sort of spoke to me.  There's something pensive about this card and I thought I'd share it with you.  I don't normally use Kraft card stock even though I love the look of it.  I just don't think of it.  Perhaps that's because I'm a "Winter" color person which means I like pastels (bet you'd never have guessed that!).  But I do love the look of the Kraft and am going to make myself a promise to use it more.

This card is from a set from Sparkle N Sprinkle called Garden Fairies

and it's not my normal style, but if you challenge me, I'll at least try.  So this is what I came up with.  What do you think?  Here's the set in its entirety.  Individual images may also be purchased from this set.

Coming up tomorrow nite...

Hello all and an early Happy Valentine's Day to you.  I found the instructions on a blog recently for these cards and thought they were adorable.  When I finally search thru all my "stuff" and find who's blog it is, I will give them the credit due them.  My mind is not what it used to be --- or maybe that's a good thing!

Anyway, in the spirit of Valentine's Day, I did these samples up and will be holding a class on them tomorrow nite at The Scrapbook Cupboard.

Now you see why they dubbed it the Boob Class!

 I called this class Heart to Heart, but my students decided that was waaaay too tame a name for it.  They have officially dubbed it "The Boob Class".  What a bunch of freshies -- jealous ones at that!  So maybe these card stock beauties are a little well endowed -- but it got a lot of laughs!!  Hope you enjoy!
Ciao for now.
Ciao Bella!

When is an umbrella not an umbrella?...

There are times when I don’t know where my brain goes.  Sometimes an image will inspire the craziest thoughts.  In this case,  I think they all worked out well. See what you think.

         When it's an Easter egg??                                     or when it's a butterfly??

 

or maybe some fishies??                                    how about a bra??

or maybe I'm just batty??                                                        oh!  I saw the light!!

                                                 

Can you tell that I had a lot of much  with this umbrella which is part of a new set from Sparkle N Sprinkle called Spring Swirl. 

Is this not the prettiest set?  Can’t wait to do the little ducks!  I’ll show you another card using part of this set in later post, but it has to wait until the blog hop that Sparkle N Sprinkle is doing in combination with a ribbon company (so keep watching my blog!).  Let me know what you think?  I always love to hear from you!

Ciao for now!

Ciao Bella!

Design Adhesives...

Here's a little card I made using those fun Design Adhesives that Sparkle N Sprinkle has started carrying.  If you want a quick fix with a lot of pizzaz, then these should be in your craft space!   I had so much fun working with these and I know you will too.

I used quite a few elements here starting with the Flower Design Adhesives by glittering them first then placing them one on top of another and adding a coordinating pearl to the center.  Then I used a die by MFT for the scalloped strips.  I finished off the scalloped strips by adding Tear-ific Tape at the top edge of each strip.  I then rubbed in two different glitters to make them pop.  Last, I added the sentiment which is part of Sparkle N Sprinkle's new Birthday Set.  One of the great things about this set is that some of the images coordinate with Spellbinders' circles.

Give these Design Adhesives a try and let me know how you liked them!

Ciao for now!

Ciao Bella!