More Christmas Frames...

I've been working on a few more Christmas Frames for gifts and I wanted to show you what I've come up with. The first one is like the first one I posted but with some blues in it.

I like how it turned out because I like the blues, especially the snowflakes! The next one I made using CTMH stamps. I love this set! I'm not sure I like the cream and brown, so I may re-do it with other colors, but I'm not sure what colors to use. Feel free to suggest some!

I'm still working on a few more using some different papers and colors. Who knows how many I'll end up making. I thought they'd make good gifts. Did you get a chance to get in on the Clearance Sale I mentioned in the previous post? Wow! Great stuff at great prices. Check it out before they sell out! 

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time....

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Crafting & SU Sale!

It has been crazy busy around the homestead with all the Christmas preparations! This is one of my projects for this year. I have seen several examples posted on SU Demo web site and on other blogs and I just had to make one for myself. This is only the first one, I have 2 others in the works! I think they will make fun gifts....what do you think? It took awhile at first because I was trying to decide on what I wanted on each block....once that was decided, it went a bit faster. Now that I have one, the others are going to be a lot faster. I'll be posting the next one as soon as I finish so check back.
Oh! I also wanted to share a great sale with you just in time for Christmas!

Nearly 200 items have been added to the Stampin'Up! Clearance rack for this fantastic sale!
From Dec. 15th - January 5, 2012 pick up some fantastic deals on paper, ribbons, buttons, dies, and old style punches at a fraction of the original prices! Great for stocking stuffers or gifts for that scrapbooking/papercrafter or for yourself!
Unfortunately, I no longer have a SU webpage of my own, so you can order directly thru me via email or telephone. Or you can order online thru the SU website and use me, Christina Dowty, as your demonstrator. Check out the great deals here!

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx

You can email me at jtdowty89@gmail.com. I plan on stocking up on punches! Remember, sale is limited to stock on hand....so when they are gone, they are gone! Don't miss out on thise once a year blowout!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Christmas season!
Smiles,
T

October News!

WOW! Exciting new promos coming from Stampin'Up! this month!
 Starting Oct. 1- Oct. 31, 2011

Sign up to be a Stampin'Up! Demonstrator and get a Big Shot FREE! What a fantastic bonus!
In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--contains over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies-everything you need to start your new business.
There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including

• A 20 percent product discount!
• A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success!
• Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
• Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
• Regular get-togethers to stamp!
• Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
• Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot!  

If you already own a Big Shot you can choose to pick out $100 worth of free product from the new catalog & idea book!

That's just the beginning. 

Check out the Clearance Rack now for some fantastic deals! Save up to 60% on selected retired & discontinued merchandise. Choose from stamps, punches, DSP, and more! Don't wait!! These items are only available for a limited time!

Get a free coordinating stamp set when you purchase two of our Simply Sent card kits. These kits are designed to make card crafting quick and easy. Check out the details here Here.

Last but not least are these fun cookie press molds offered for a limited time only!

The easy-to-use cookie stamp has a solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images: a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake.

Order these fun sugar cookie molds from Oct.1, 2011 thru January 3, 2012. 

Just make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash. The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly. See flyer Here.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or to place an order.

Happy Stamping,
T

August's Card Buffet

 Here I am! Back again. Things have been just a bit crazy around the ol' homestead lately. I haven't completely stopped stamping, just haven't been doing too much of it lately.
I hosted my monthly card buffet last Friday with a few of my regulars stampers/friends. It was lots of fun and I worked really hard to produce some new cards for them to make.  Here's a few of them I put together....hope you enjoy them.

Season of Friendship (122752)  is a lovely set from the new catalog featuring two stamps that coordinate with punches. The Bird Builder Punch (117191) and Boho Blossoms (119858). You could choose to color the bird in if you stamp it on white, but I thought I'd save time by stamping black onto real red cardstock. The flowers were stamped on white and colored in with markers. This is one of those cards that fit into a standard letter envelope. I just love that!

This shopping bag card was one we did at one of our demonstrator meetings. It was so easy! You just cut rectangles from your favorite papers, top with a ribbon or twine, and there ya go! I used Beyond the Garden DSP (122342).  Too cute!

Publish Post

This one I have previously shown here on my blog. I just love the pink pirouette and black don't you? The jeweled brad adds a nice touch to the bow too! 

Ahhh, Artistic Etchings (120573).....I still love this set. This one was another simple card....just black ink again. I like to show cards that anyone can do with little investment...like the black, white, and red combo here. 

I think I'll add a rhinestone to bling up the butterfly...oh, and probably shimmer mist.....because I'm all about the shimmer! :o)

This set is from the new catalog Hostess section. Precious Butterflies (122517) I just love butterflies! This set is full of them!!! I know it's difficult to tell but I used Marina Mist and Baja Breeze Papers....I am working on a solution to these orange pictures.....please forgive me. Anyway, here's another standard size envelope card. I just love to show people how to use what they have to make great cards.

I also posted this card before. I cased it and haven't been able to locate where I saw it....So Sorry!!! I changed it up just a bit by adding some pink and baja breeze to the embossed shwoopie in the center. It made it more antique like and pretty...not so brown. The Bliss set was part of this year's Sale-a-Bration.

This card was inspired by a card on Stampin' Connection. I just love this stamp (Triple Treat Flower 122909) and the fact that you can use 2 punches (Fancy Flower 118073 and the 5-Petal Flower Punch 119880) with it!!! I went monochromatic here with Baja Breeze but also threw in a choice of Wisteria Wonder, and Pink Pirouette. Some people made multiples of these. Too cute!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed the cards today. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to be back again soon with more ideas for my upcoming card classes.  Happy Stamping!
Smiles,
T

MIA...

I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks for stopping by to visit my blog. I have been really busy these past few weeks and have not posted a thing. My brother nephew were here this past week from New York and we had a really nice time hanging out and going to the State Fair! So, as you can see I have not posted anything new lately. I have a few things I'll be posting in the next few days.  Check back in a day or so. There should be something new soon.
Smiles,
T

July's Card Buffet

I hosted my second card buffet last night in my home and it was lots of fun. My friends that came were really excited about the fact that most of the cutting and prep had already been done as well as the fact that they had 15 cards to choose from! I was going to swap out 5 of the 10 designs but decided to add 5. Next month I'll add a few and take away a few. I'm not sure how many I want to leave for a selection, but I will more than likely repurpose the materials I pull out for another fun card idea. Today, I wanted to share the new cards I added to the buffet.

I used the Hostess Set Precious Butterflies for this card. I used the standard envelope size card. Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White Card stock. So Saffron, Baja Breeze, and Certainly Celery Ink. You can't see it, but the butterflies/flowers on the front are glittered. 

This is the inside of the card.  

Another one of the choices in the card buffet was this:

I actually revamped a card from last month's buffet for this one. I wanted to used the Lace Border Punch. I used Love & Care from the Summer Mini Catalog. So Saffron  and Old Olive card stock and ink. The tops of the flowers on this one are also glittered. I am sorry the photo doesn't do it justice. I will be working on lighting and taking better pictures....promise!

I CASED this lovely card from Stampin'Connection. I will have to go back and find the demonstrators name and post it back here. The Bliss Sale-a-Bration set was used here. I embossed the shwoopie in white. Sponged in Early Espresso ink. I used Baja Breeze on the butterfly. I also added a touch of Baja Breeze to the outside edges. I liked the vintage look of this card. 

This was also a CASE. I thought it was really cute. You can dress it up or down with bling. You can add sleeves with a heart punch. Someone even made it look like an apron in one of the samples I saw online. This was simply Pretty In Pink card stock, organza ribbon, and a vintage rose embellishment. You can see how this could change with a different texture pattern as well, ruffles, etc....

This card was a favorite at the buffet last night. I think I like it because of the contrast between the Black and Melon Mambo card stock. The Flower Garden Texture folder was used and the image was sponged with coordinating ink. It's very simple but has a big impact I think...don't you?

The final sample was this...

 

I loved this one immediately when I found in online. Yes, it's CASED. Such talent out there! I used the Waterclolor Trio retired stamp set, Cherry Cobbler card stock,Baja Breeze card stock,  Paisley Petals DSP, and the Beautiful Wings Sizzlet die. I used the Word Window Punch for the right side of the card.

Here's an inside view. You can't see it but I spritzed the card with Shimmer Spray all over. I added rhinestones to the butterflies. It's really beautiful. 

Well, I am following all the news and stuff going on at Convention in Salt Lake City and will hopefully have something to share with you all soon. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of these cards. I love to hear your comments. Thanks for stopping by today! Till next time....

Happy Stamping!

Smiles, 

T

New Stuff

I just love NEW stuff, don't you? I recently received these two hostess sets and have been having fun making cards and such. Have you seen the new In Colors yet? I worked up a few cards using some of them today and thought I'd share them with you. This first one was made using the Hostess Set Simply Soft (W122565/C122567). 

I chose In Colors Pool Party and Island Indigo. I also added a message using Four Frames (W123440/C123442). I found the inspiration for this card Here. This is called a Joy Fold Card. So many fun things to do with this card.

Here's the inside.

I used Pretty in Pink and Pink Pirouette with this card. I also used the Precious Butterflies Hostess Set (W122515/C122517). I added the Beautiful Wings Embosslit die (118138). A couple of pearls add some bling. 

Look at how lovely the inside turned out! I love this set and can't wait to do more with it.

This is an easel card made with the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die (114507). I used Baja Breeze card stock and embossed it with the Petals a Plenty Folder (116824).

Well, that's all I have for you today. Hope you are enjoying the New Idea Book & Catalog as much as I am. Smiles, 

T

Love & Care

This hostess set from the summer mini catalog is one of my favorites! I love bold floral stamps. They are fun to work with and just changing colors gives you such a different look. 

I used Pumkin Pie Cardstock and ink on this fun card. I paired it up with Wild Wasabi and Early Espresso as the center accent just like the background cardstock. I punched a Ribbon Lace piece from the Lucky Limeade and added it to the background.

I chose the same stamps with this card but I mixed up the colors. I used Pale Plum, Wild Wasabi, and Pretty in Pink Ink. I chose Wisteria Wonder cardstock for the base. This card was done in about 5 minutes! I added some pearls to the message and added an organza ribbon to finish. Soft and lovely.  I hope you enjoyed these cards. Feel free to leave me a comment. I appreciate each and every one. 

Smiles, 

T

Fabulous Florets

I've been working on some new cards for my display boards and my card buffet. One of the sets I just love is called Fabulous Florets. It's found in the summer mini as well as the new Idea Book & Catalog. I've been seeing a bunch of cards made with this set, but most of them are in the bright and neon kind of colors. I wanted to try something a bit different and so I used some of the new In Colors to deck these cards out.

I used Calypso Coral and Very Vanilla card stock for this card. The ink I used was the retired Groovy Guava and Wild Wasabi. A small piece of Victorian Ribbon is ran through the center of the card. I was going to use my shimmer paint to add a touch of sparkle but I seem to have misplaced the bottle. For now, it's done.

I just love the Wisteria Wonder color in this year's In Colors. I don't have the matching ink pads yet, so I chose Pale Plum and Wild Wasabi for this card. I used a piece of the Lucky Limeade for the saying at the bottom just to add another punch of color. I sponged the edges just a bit too. Topped it off with a pearl in the center of the flower. 

This card is very similar to the previous one just set on it's side. I used the same colors here and added a couple more flowers in the center along with the pearls. 

I cased this one off of Stampin'Connection. I used a couple of different stamps but the same idea as the original with the DSP. I layered with the In Color Concord Crush. I'm thinking I need to add some glitter or something to make is sparkle. (I love sparkle!) 

Well, that's just a start and a few of the cards I made yesterday. I have some more to share with you from some of the other sets in the new catalog or summer mini. Stop by again tomorrow and see what I have for you. As always, leave a comment and let me know what you think. I love to read your comments and appreciate you taking the time to stop by my site. Hope you are having a great weekend! Happy 4th of July!

Smiles, 

T

The New SU 2011-2012 Catalog & Idea Book is Live!

Yay! It's finally here! The New Idea Book & Catalog is as fabulous as ever!!! Take a look at this lovely cover. Isn't it beautiful? You are going to love the wonderful stamps, accessories, and samples that filled these color pages! You can download a copy Here. If you prefer a hard copy, you can order one online Here for $9.95. Or, if you want the best deal of all, sign up to come to my Open House taking place on July 23rd, pay $15, get a catalog, 3 make-n-takes, and a $5 coupon good towards your next purchase. Talk about a deal! Contact me at jtdowty89@gmail.com for more information.

That's not the only thing new. SU is offering new recruits a $99 kit! That's right! $99 for $180 worth of product and materials.

Dates: July 1-31, 2011

Promotion Details: A limited-time $99 Starter Kit ($180 Value--See Kit Contents below!) is the perfect choice for the hobby stamper and lover of Stampin' Up! products.  

• SAVE!!! Enjoy the new Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog using a one-time 30% Off Start Up Discount on product orders of $150 or more (placed within 45 days of start).

• Get 20% off future Stampin' Up! orders, Lots of exclusive resources and the opportunity to pre-order new products.

• Receive Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Discounts and Benefits through Dec. 31, 2011 with NO obligation to to purchase anything further or hold a workshop.

$99 Starter Kit Contents

$99 Starter Kit + Free Project Kit!

During July, you can join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator for only $99! This limited time Starter Kit—valued at $185—comes with the following high-quality products:

• Easy Events Clear-Mount Set*
• Pennant Parade Wood-Mount Set*
• Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
• Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
• Brights 8-1/2" x 11" Assorted Card Stock
• Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper*
• Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon*
• Note Cards (20)
• Clear-Mount Block C
• Blender Pen (1)
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies

*Brand new to the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

Plus, join in July and get a FREE Christmas Keepsake project kit—a $40 value! Imagine an afternoon spent chatting with friends while creating something beautiful—isn't that what Stampin' Up! is all about? But act now because this special kit is only available as part of this limited-time offer.

Join Stampin' Up! in July and get brand-new products, including an exclusive project kit—all for just $99! Contact me to get started today!

Last Day to order from 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog

Well, it's finally here! The last day to get those last chance items from the 2010-2011 SU Idea Book & Catalog. If you are wanting to get your hands on any of the retiring stamps and accessories, you can click on my SU Website and place your order directly with SU and have it delivered to your home.
Not only that, but one more day till the new SU 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog goes live!!!! Yahoo! So much new and fun stuff! I can't wait to share it with you!!! I will be posting samples from the new catalog starting tomorrow.

For now, I wanted to share with you the Bendy Fold Card we made on Tuesday at our SASSY group meeting. I designed this one after seeing the instructions on Splitcoast.  I used my retiring Celebrations DSP and Bashful Blue Card stock. I love how versatile the Make a Cupcake punch is! You can use it with or with out the matching stamp set. Have you seen the little purses made with it? Just adorable. I saw a popcorn bucket made with it the other day....I will have to make one of those because I love popcorn! I used our red glitter paper for the cherries and the candle flame, because I love to sparkle!
Anyway, this fun birthday card was a snap with free downloadable directions from Splitcoast under resources. You can also see other bendy card designs in their gallery. Some people have done really elaborate cards. I just wanted something simple. Once you know the measurements and cuts, this card is easy. The first one is the complicated one. I cut 10 for our meeting in a flash once I finished the sample card. Well, that's it for today. I hope you enjoyed my bendy card. Check back for new and exciting stuff from the new catalog coming soon!
Smiles,
T

Graduation Card

I was seeing so many cute graduation cards online this month so I broke down and made some myself. These ideas were all cased (copy and share everything). I just loved the graduation cap card. I tried to used the schools colors not only the card but Mr. Owl too! Isn't he cute! Don't you just love his little diploma!

I need to get these mailed off! Silly me, I thought I'd sent them and found them in the stack of papers on my craft desk. Hmmmm. Has anyone else ever done that? I hope I am not the only one! 

Well, only 3 more days left to get your hands on the any of the stamps or supplies retiring on the 30th. You can see the lists of retiring items in my previous post and you are able to order directly from my SU website linked on the sidebar. 

I am working on new product samples and cards for next months card buffet. I will be posting them soon so check back! There is some fabulous new stuff in the beautiful new Idea Book & Catalog! Don't forget to order your copy today!

See ya soon!

Smiles, 

T

Last Chance

The Stampin'Up! Catalog for 2010-2011 is just about to be replaced by the new 2011-2012 Stampin'Up! Idea Book & Catalog. This is always an exciting time as the old is ushered out and the new is ushered in. There are lots of items being discontinued from the current catalog that will no longer be available ever again. The last day for you to place an order for these items will be June 30th. You can place an order online at my SU website, or you can call me directly to place your order. There is a list of the items that you will no longer be able to order after June 30th. 

You can get the discontinued stamp list here...Here

You can get the discontinued accessory list here....Here

You can get the list of discontinued Definitely Decorative items here....Here

Don't be the last one to get your new catalog either! You can pre-order yours now and it will be ready for pick up on July 1st! I will be participating in an Open House on July 23rd where you can come and see some of the new stamps, papers, and accessories, make a couple cards, as well as have a chance to win some exciting raffle prizes! I am offering 3 different pre-paid bundles for the Open House. 

The first one is Free! If you sign up now, you can come to the Open House for Free, make 1 Free card, and get 1 Free Raffle Ticket. 

The second is a $5 bundle. For $5 you will get 1 New Idea Book & Catalog, make 1 Free card, and earn 5 Free Raffle Tickets!

Now the last bundle is the BEST! It's only $10. For $10 you will receive 1 Idea Book & Catalog, make 3 Free cards, a $5 coupon towards your next purchase, and earn 15 Free Raffle tickets!

We will have refreshments, displays, and lots of fun. This is a pre-paid event, so don't wait to RSVP. Reserve your spot today!

Here are a few more of my card buffet cards from this month. Now remember, I will have a few different ones next month and some of these will no longer be available. If you are interested in attending next month's buffet, please contact me and reserve your spot as space is limited!

These two cards were the quickest to make since I used a scrapbooking kit that I received in my $10 grab bag when Stampin'Up! had their special. These papers and stickers are no longer available but they are great for making more than scrapbook pages. I used the regular envelope sized card again which is 8-1/2 x 3-1/2. I used Old Olive again. I love it! Then I used a piece of Whisper White cut at 3-1/4 x 5-1/2. The patterned paper was cut to 3 x 5-1/4. After layering the papers I added a few stickers to embellish. Ta-da! Super quick to make. I may have to use up some of my old DSP making some of these as Thank you notes. 

I did this card in honor of Father's Day last weekend. It's another fun use for pattern papers. This one I cased from the internet. There are similar ones all over the place. You just start by cutting a 4 x 5-1/4 Whisper White card. Then you will cut about 1" in on the top of each side. Fold the strips down. I used a template for the tie. I adhered the tie, the affixed the corners of the strips with brads. The pocket is a Small Tag Punch! Clever....don't know how people think of all these things! A couple of scraps for the hankie. Glue the shirt to a colored base card. Oh, and I used a rhinestone for the tie tack. Could be a used as a manly birthday card too.
I would love to know what you think of these new cards so leave a comment. I think I fixed the problem with not being able to post so it should be working now. Thanks for stopping by today.
Smiles,
T

Hi! Back again with a few more Card Buffet cards. I designed this gate fold card as a birthday card.  I like to offer different kinds of folds and such so this was a good choice. I used some of the retiring DSP and the Cupcake Punch. I love to punch the cherry out of the Glitter Paper, it's so sparkly!

Here is another on of the cards that fit into the regular sized envelopes. I used Old Olive, So Saffron, and Whisper White card stock. I used the Love & Care Hostess Level 2 Set for the stamps. A little bow out of the retiring So Saffron Ribbon and jeweled brad and there you have it! 

I hope you have enjoyed these cards from my buffet. Simple and quick, the best way to make a bunch of cards for all occasions. Try posting a comment to let me know what you think...I hope the comments are working again. 

Smiles, 

T

Comment Problems

I have been having problems with people not being able to leave comments. I searched thru my settings and think I fixed the problem. Please try to leave a comment so I can test it and if you have problems please email me at jtdowty89@gmail.com. Thanks for your patience!
Smiles,
T

Card Buffet

Well, I am happy to report that my Card Buffet last weekend was a success! I had just a few gals come, but they really liked the format and the cards. I am anxious to see how it goes next month! I will be swapping out some of the designs for some new ones but wanted to share some of the designs with you all. They are simple and quick to make and I was astonished to see that all the ladies made their 8 cards or more within 2 hours and not the 3 allotted hours! I did have most of the work done so it is stamp and assemble, but that's what they loved! Here's a few of the cards...

This card was my creation. I used the Love & Care Level 2 Hostess set (123020W/123022C) from the Summer Mini Catalog. I just love the bold flowers and being able to stamp a background in no time at all! This set would be good for scrapbook pages. You can stamp the background papers quick and in any color you choose! I used Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, and Wild Wasabi here. You can't see it, but the center of the large flowers are glittered! Just the right amount of sparkle. 

Doesn't this make you want to go to Disneyland? Ice cream anyone?? I CASED this one from Stampin' Connection. Michelle Suit posted this and I just had to make it. I made it into a birthday card. Good for kids of all ages! I used the saying from the Birthday Bakery Hostess set that says, "if you are what you eat, eat something cute!" Any saying would do but I thought it was fitting. Can you say "Yum!"

This last one was CASED from someone at my last upline meeting. I didn't find out who's it was so I apologize for not giving someone credit for this adorable card! The original was not an easel card. I love the greens! I used one flower from the Friends Never Fade stamp set (118750W/120618C) and the Thanks from the Hodgepodge Happiness stamp set (117141W/120570C) which is slated to be discontinued on June 30th so get it while you can!! The ribbon is the Celery seam binding. I loved the black with the green. It's a good combo to make the color pop. Well, that's the first peek at my card buffet cards. Let me know which ones you like. 

Smiles, 

T

Time Flies!

Oh My! Time does fly! I didn't realize it had been nearly 2 weeks since I last posted.
I have been busy preparing for my upcoming Card Buffet. For those of you who aren't yet familiar with a card buffet let me explain it briefly...
This is how I am doing mine and others may do theirs differently. I will be making about 10 different card samples. I will make 20 sets of each and place all of the materials to make each individual card in a shoe box. I will have a display of all the cards each numbered. The minimum for my buffet is 8 cards @ $2 each for a total of $16. My customers will look at my display and select and write on a menu which cards they want to make within the 3 hour time period. Then each customer gets 1 shoe box to work on at a time and when they are finished they will return them to the stack and get the next one. They can make all 8 of one design, 2 of 4 designs, or whatever they choose as long as they can do them within the time allotted. Oh, and next month I will rotate some of the cards out and add new ones!
I think this is a great idea and am really looking forward to seeing how it goes. It has been a lot of work as well as a lot of fun coming up with 10 ideas. This will be great fun for those who like to make cards. The designs are fairly simple and should be quick to make. I will still be holding specialty classes for more complicated designs.
If any of you are already participating in something like this let me know how it is working on either the making or selling end!

I just finished the cards from our group kits this month and wanted to share them with you tonight.

Thanks Lorraine for casing and preparing these great cards this month! This first one is from the Summer Mini set called Sunny Fun (123040).  I used the Eyelet Lace Border Punch instead of the Scallop Trip Punch that Lorraine used because I don't own that one yet! I think it turned out just fine don't you? I used the markers to color in the kids. The finishing touch is the Red Baker's Twine ran through a red button and tied around the punched pieces before mounting to the base card. 

The Land of the Free card (123100) was a quick and easy one. I was watching Lo's video on this one and I did mine upside down! Ha! What I mean is that I was supposed to put the Blossom Bouquet (122464) Triple Layer Punch pieces on the bottom like a banner....duh! I left it and decided to just go with it. There are rhinestones in the center of the blossom punches even though the picture looks like they are brads. I love the Star Spangled Banner words written all over this stamp. Very Patriotic!

Lo calls this Sailboat Summer. I just love the Baja Breeze cardstock! The Sail Away Stamp (123013) is in the Summer Mini. It was stamped using Pear Pizzaz ink. The white layer behind the sailboat is textured using the Elegant Lines texture folder and ran through the Big Shot. I like how Lo used a small piece of Baja Breeze on the bottom to look like a piece of the seam binding! The button is just threaded and glued right on top of the bow. This is such an elegant looking card.

Last but not least we have The Open Sea (123030) card. There were lots of layers used on this one. Lo used Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy, Sahara Sand,  a piece of Nautical Expedition DSP, and the ship was stamped on watercolor paper. The ribbon used in the center is 2 pieces of Night of Navy grossgrain and 1 piece of real red taped in a row on the paper. It looks like one piece of ribbon glued to the paper. Very clever use of the ribbon. I like how formal this card looks. You could put an invitation on the inside of this card. This would make a nice Father's Day card too. 

Well, I am off to do more preparation for this weekends card buffet! I will post the graduation cards I made when I get the chance. 

Have a great day!

Smiles, 

T