2011 Year in Review - Part One

Hello and Happy New Year to you! I hope this first day of 2012 has been great for you! 

I have noticed that a lot of my blogging buddies have been posting their favorite cards from 2011, so I decided to jump on board and head down memory lane with my favorite creations from the past year. I am sharing January through June 2011 today and will be back with the rest of the year tomorrow. Click the month and title of each card to view the original post. 

January - Thanks for Caring Joy-Fold Card

I really enjoy making Joy-Fold cards and seem to create them a lot. It is one of the few "fancy-folds" that I can create with confidence. Lol! I loved making this card for a blog hop with the lovely ladies at the Paper Players. 

 February - Sew Suite and Shabby Chic?

This card was my first real attempt at "shabby-chic". This one took a while...layered flowers, fussy cutting and deciding on the layout. It has officially been entered into the "took over 3- 1/2 hours to create" club. Ugh! 

 March - Springtime Shadow Box

I have to be honest...making a Shadow Box card scared me and this was the first time I attempted a "sponged sky". I still love this stamp set, even if it is retired. I used it a LOT! 

April - Sail Away

This card came about totally by accident. The color combo was laying in a pile of scraps to be filed away and I thought it would be cool for a nautical-themed card.  

 May - Kimono Kids Friendship Card

One of my favorite stamp sets for one of my favorite friends. I used a Mojo Monday sketch for inspiration and just seeing this card again makes me smile. Sometimes the occasion for the card seals the deal for the "favorites" list. *grin* :) 

 June - Butterfly Thanks

Embossed and blinged-out butterflies with a bright and happy color combo...I can't even tell you how many of this particular card I made. This DSP is still well-loved (I'm into my 4th pack of it!) 

I will be back tomorrow with the my favorites from July through December. Thank you so much for stopping by today! Wishing you all the best in 2012! This past year was filled with SO many wonderful memories, I can't WAIT to see what this new year brings.

Big Hugs,

Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge #56: To "Die" For

Hello and Happy Terrific Tuesday! :) It's time for another weekly challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments! Want to play along? Well, all you have to do is show us a creation "To Die For"! Hee, Hee! C'mon, bust out your die cuts and join in the fun! How easy is THAT? 


For my creation this week, I am sharing some inspiration from one of my favorite stampers: Nance Leedy. She's awesome! I have been wanting to make these fun flowers from the Floral Fusion die since I saw a card she made HERE. For this one, I tried to channel my "inner-Nance" and created my version, with a "shabby-licious" spin!

Here are some details from my card: 

• Paper Piecing is so fabby! I stamped and cut out these little dress forms from the Springtime Vintage DSP. Yes, I used the paper snips again...I do NOT like cutting, but it was necessary for this endeavor. Then, I popped them up with some Stampin' Dimensionals and added a little "belt o' pearls" to fancy them up a bit. 
• I also embossed the DSP with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder for some more texture. You just can't ever have TOO much texture, can you? Embossing your DSP is a fun way to pack a subtle punch on any project! 

• I misted the layered, die-cut flowers with some Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz for some sparkle and shine. I also folded-in the petals while they were damp to add more dimension. A quick blast of the Heat Tool set them in their place. Then, I topped them off with some Basic Pearls.

• Who loves Seam Binding? I do, I DO!! *jumping up and down, while frantically making "jazz-hands"* Hmmm, seam binding isn't usually that wide...IS IT? Nope. But when you layer two pieces side-by-side and add a piece of Chantilly 1/2" Crochet Trim over the "seam", no one will ever know the difference! Ha...sneaky, sneaky!  I also added a piece of lace to the center of the bow to switch things up a bit. I wanted to repeat the Itty Bitty punch from the center of the flowers but decided to add a Bitty Button over the Bitty punch for a little somethin' extra. (That's a LOT of "bitty's" in one sentence...eeek!)

• Finally, I wrapped up this shabby-chic creation with a decorated inside. I think this could be a fun card for a birthday or simply to just say hello to a dear friend. What is better then that? That's why there isn't a sentiment inside. You can always add it on when the time is right...or just write a perfect handwritten message. That's always cool, too! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I really hope you will play along with us at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week. Enjoy your day and if you would, please leave a comment to say hello.


But before I go, I have had a few emails about my Benjamin Maxwell. To give further proof that he is a "hot-mess", here is a photo from yesterday. He really DOES get comfortable anywhere he can. Look at the open mouth...ugh!! I call this one "Benny & the Mac". *suddenly, I have that Elton John song, "Benny & the Jets" stuck in my head...Lol!* Until next time...

SU! Supply List: 
Stamps: Sew Sweet and You're a Gem (both from Occasions Mini catalog)
Ink: Early Espresso Classic ink
Papers: Springtime Vintage DSP (Occasions Mini), Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla card stock
DIe Cuts: Floral Fusion Sizzlet Die and oval/scalloped oval dies (non-SU!) 
Accessories: Square Lattice Embossing folder, Rose Red Seam Binding, I/2" Crochet Trim in Chantilly, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Basic Pearls, Bitty Button, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Scallop Edge Border punch (inside) and Stampin' Dimensionals