My children and I returned from vacation and I had a box of goodies waiting for me! So, I have gotten to play just a little bit. Most of what I have gotten to do so far has been somewhat CASE'd as I am having a hard time getting back into the creative swing of things, but that is okay. I will show you some of those things in the next couple of days. Today's card, though, is just mine - though I know lots of people have used this "collage-like" appearance with this set. I used the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set for the floral images and the sentiment came from Sweet Little Sentiments. Real simple and plain, though still a few layers.

Supplies:
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Sweet Little Sentiments
Inks: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla
Accessories: None

Would you like to purchase the supplies used for this card? Simply click on the "Shop Now" button, 24/7. Remember~ Today is the last day to receive a FREE stamp / set from page 208 of the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog when you spend $40 or more in product from the Mini Occasions Catalog. Don't delay! These stamps are adorable! Thanks for stopping by!

Diva Challenge 125

Wednesdays seem to come so fast! It is time for Challenge 125. This is a sketch challenge. I flipped and tweaked my sketch just a bit as I made my card. I am happy with the way it turned out. You can never have too many kids birthday cards - if you have kids, anyway!

Supplies:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Cupcakes wheel

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Cardstock: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Washington Apple DSP

Accessories: So Saffron brads, white gel pen, 1-3/8" circle punch, circle scallop punch,scallop edge punch, ticket corner punch, watercolor pencils, blender pen, dimensionals

Why don't you play along with us? Grab a cup of coffee and hop on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog to see what the rest of the design team has come up with for your inspiration. You can simply upload your creation using Mr. Linky. It is fun and easy!

Would you like to purchase any of the product used to make this card? Simply click on the "Shop Now" button on the right-hand side of the blog, 24/7. Thanks for stopping by!

It's Wednesday

It is Wednesday again! That means it is time for another Diva Challenge. This is Challenge 124, which is a color challenge. We were to use Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Basic Black and either Going Gray or Basic Gray - using only SU! product, of course. I feel like my card is a little naked in the upper right-hand and lower left-hand corners, but I don't have anything white, vanilla or gray that is an SU! product to put there, LOL!! So, I left those two areas naked. Again, it is much prettier in "real life".

Supplies:
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
Ink: Basic Gray
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Accessories: None

Take a quick jump over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog and see what the rest of the design team has come up with for your inspiration. These awesome woman make beautiful cards! While you are at it, why don't you play along! All you need to do is upload your creation to Mr. Linky from the Diva blog. It is super easy!

If you would like to purchase any of the product used to make this card, simply click on the "Shop Now" button, 24/7! Thanks for looking! Have a great day!

Chugga, Chugga...

I came across Denise January's blog last week and she had used the Choo Choo stamp set and Right on Track wheel from the Occasions Mini Catalog to make adorable party invitations, favors and thank you cards. I don't have that set just yet, but I do have the retired Little Engine stamp set from 2004 and I CASE'd her card.

Lots of cutting, but real easy and fun to make! The inside of my invitation is from Bold Invitation (sorry, also retired!). I was trying to use some of what I had on hand. Too cute, though! My cardstock and ink colors are Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow, Glorious Green and Brilliant Blue.

If you would like to order the Choo Choo stamp set and Right on Track wheel from the Occasions Mini Catalog, or any other Stampin' Up! product, simply click on the "Shop Now" button on my blog or website. Thanks for stopping by!

LNS Challenge 16

This week's Late Night Stampers design team challenge is a sketch challenge. I did change up the sketch just a little to accommodate my stamped image, but basically I followed it. The picture is poor quality, though and my colors don't look as vibrant as they should and do in real life. Sorry about that!

Supplies:
Stamps: Crazy For Cupcakes
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Washington Apple DSP
Accessories: Bashful Blue 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Bashful Blue brads, watercolor pencils, blender pen, dimensionals, glue dots

You should play along! Anyone, demonstrator and non-demo alike, can join the Late Night Stampers Group. Simply click on the link to the right of my blog. Once there, you can show everyone else your creation and you can join in on the fun! Tell them I sent you!

If you would like to purchase any of the product used to make this card, simply click on the "Shop Now" button on the upper right hand side of my blog, 24/7! Thanks for looking!

Carousel Purse

Last week I made a Carousel Purse. This was my first attempt at a Carousel Purse and so I used some retired DSP so that if by chance I screwed it up, I wouldn't be wasting my precious current DSP! I am quite pleased with how it turned out, though, so now I will have to make one with some current DSP! My directions came from Jan Tink's blog. It really was not too terribly hard. I think that the anticipation of how difficult it might be is the hardest part to overcome! LOL!

Supplies:

Stamps: None

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Le Jardin DSP (retired), Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Soft Sky (retired), Mellow Moss

Accessories: Carousel Notes, Vintage Brads, scallop circle punch, photo corners punch, 5-Petal punch, Boho Blossoms punch, So Saffron button, natural hemp, white gel pen, Designer Label punch, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Soft Sky ribbon (retired)

So, now all I need to do is dress my Carousel Purse up with some pictures and journaling! Give it a try! Thanks for stopping by!

LNS Challenge #15

This week's Late Night Stampers design team challenge is to make a 3-D flower. I used the 5-Petal punch with three layers of petals to make this flower. The flower center was made using the 3/4" circle punch. All edges were sponged in Ridinghood Red. This 3-D flower is actually attached to the upper righthand corner of the inside of the card (one on the outside and one on the inside).

Supplies:

Stamps: Fresh Cuts (sentiment)

Ink: Ridinghood Red

Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Ridinghood Red, Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP

Accessories: Ridinghood Red ribbon, scallop edge punch, oval Coluzzle cutting system, 5-Petal Punch, 3/4" circle punch, white gel pen

Why don't you play along with us? Anyone can play. You don't have to be a demonstrator. The Late Night Stampers group is made up of over 1000 Stampin' Up! stampers (demonstrators as well as customers)giving inspiration and encouragement to one another. Have you thought about joining us? Simply click on the LNS link on the righthand side of my blog.

Would you like to purchase any of the product used to make this card? Simply click on the "Shop Now" button and you can order at any time, 24/7! Thanks for stopping by!

A Little Scrappin'

I haven't done a lot of scrapping lately as it seems to entail so much more than making cards. For me, anyway. So, I like when I can make a page real quick! I did these two pages about a month and a half back when we had our last snowfall. I just felt like I needed to get back in the groove with something simple. I took the snowflakes from Snow Swirled and randomly stamped them in Brocade Blue ink on Brocade Blue cardstock. My pictures were matted on Basic Gray and So Saffron cardstock and white Felt Flurries snowflakes were randomly placed around the two pages. Once I got going, it went pretty quick. I really should have continued on and scrapped the pictures of the other kids in the snow. I will get there eventually...

Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Ink: Brocade Blue

Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Basic Gray, So Saffron

Accessories: Felt Flurries

Thanks for looking! have a wonderful day!

My Bag in a Box

We all know I don't jump on the bandwagon very quickly. Not that I don't want to, it just takes me a while to get there - like everything else in my life! Ha, ha! But, eventually I DO get there. So, almost a year after printing the directions for this bag from Paula Goff's blog, I decided to take the plunge and give it a try. This picture doesn't really do it justice. IT IS ADORABLE! And, it was pretty easy to make. It started out as my "practice" Bag in a Box so I used some retired DSP.

Supplies:
Stamps: None!
Ink: None!
Cardstock: Retired DSP, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Accessories: Boho Blossoms punch, circle rhinestone brads, Designer Label punch, white 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, white gel pen, lots of sticky tape

Thanks for looking!

DCBD Challenge 123

I apologize for being MIA. We have been having the worst internet connection / computer problems. You know that commercial where the woman gets frustrated and throws her washing machine out the window, onto the front lawn? That is about where I am with my computer! Oh well. Before I lose this connection I should get on with my post...

It is Wednesday again and that means another Diva challenge. This week's challenge was a sketch. I tried to use some colors that I haven't used in a while. This flower comes from the Bloomin' Beautiful stamp set. I stamped the image in Jet Black Stazon and then colored with Earth Elements watercolor crayons and used a blender pen to set. the "Thank You" sentiment comes from the Fresh Cuts stamp set. I seem to revert back to the two sentiments in that set quite often. They are just small, script and elegant to me. The designer paper is from Candy Lane DSP.


Supplies:
Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful, Fresh Cuts
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Cardstock: Summer Sun, Old Olive, Whisper White, Candy Lane DSP
Accessories: Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Earth Elements watercolor crayons, blender pen, Boho Blossoms punch, circle rhinestone brads

Pop on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog and see what the rest of the design team has come up with for this sketch. While you are at it, why don't you play along! You can simply upload your creation using "Mr. Linky" so we can see what you have come up with.

Click on the "Shop Now" button to purchase any of the product used to make this card. You can purchase Stampin' Up! products from me at any time, 24/7! If you need some assistance or ideas / inspiration, just let me know!

Have a great day!

Diva Challenge 122

It is Wednesday! Time for another Diva challenge. This week's challenge is #122 and we were to use the Big Shot in some way with our creation. I chose to use a Texturz plate to create a dry embossed image for the background of my card. My background came from one of the six backgrounds in the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates. These can be found on page 203 of the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog and sell for $11.95.

The card I have created also fits the criteria for the Late Night Stampers design team challenge this week. Their challenge is a color challenge based on a beautiful picture from Coldwater Creek. You can find that inspiration in this post here. We were to use Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. These colors are so pretty together. As I did in my last LNS DT creation here, I also added a bit of Pink Pirouette to my card as I just felt it was missing something and I didn't have any designer series paper to match this color combo.

Supplies:
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette

Accessories: Baja Breeze ribbon 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Flower Assortment brads, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Background Texturz Plate, Big Shot, 1/4" square punch, 1-3/8" square punch

Pop on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog and see what some of the other design team members have created with the Big Shot. It will be full of inspiration. You don't have to be a demonstrator to play along. You can upload your creation using Mr. Linky. It is pretty easy, but if you need some help, don't hesitate to ask!

I have been trying to make most of my cards pretty generic as I was hired by Sherrill Graff to make samples using only current Stampin' Up! product. These cards will be used in her displays and then eventually donated to the local Ronald McDonald house for their use. Sherrill is "paying" me with $150 worth of SU! product. She is the list owner / moderator of Late Night Stampers group and you can find out more about her charity work on her blog as well as by joining the Late Night Stampers. This is a group of SU! stampers, demos and non-demos alike, who try to encourage and inspire one another. It is a wonderful group of ladies. I encourage you to check it out!

Would you like to make this card that I have posted this morning? You can buy the supplies for this card - or any other card on this blog simply by clicking on the "Shop Now" button at any time, 24 / 7. Don't forget, you will receive this Fifth Avenue tutorial FREE with any $50+ purchase (before tax and shipping) during the month of April. This will make a beautiful Mother's Day gift!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

My First LNS Challenge

We begin this week with my very first Late Night Stampers design team challenge. We were to use the colors of Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Sahara Sand based on this picture from Coldwater Creek as our color inspiration.

My card picture is horribly dark and for that I apologize. Part of the problem is that the photograph was taken at night.

I did go one step further and add a layer of Pink Pirouette and some Pink Pirouette Felt Fusion II flowers to add a little brightness to the color combo. In the center of those three pink felt flowers, I added a circle rhinestone brad and in an effort to add even more dimension to the card, the butterflies are stamped separately and then cut out and applied with dimensionals.

Supplies:

Stamps: Kindred Spirits, Priceless, Fresh Cuts (sentiment)

Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Felt Fusion II flowers, circle rhinestone brads, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

We, at Late Night Stampers, would love to see what you create with this challenge. You don't have to be a demonstrator to join this group as it is made up of over 1000 demos and non-demos alike! Click on the Late Night Stampers link and if you decide to join, let them know I sent you!

To purchase any of the product used for this card, or any other project on this blog, simply click on the "Shop Now" button in the upper right column of the blog. Have a great day!

FREE Gift with Purchase!

Fifth Avenue Floral Class to Go

Add a touch of elegance and class to your Mother’s Day gift this year with this gorgeous Fifth Avenue Floral card set! This card set includes four trendy card designs packaged in a unique window box.

Would you like a full-color, step-by-step tutorial to make these four card designs and window box? This PDF is yours FREE with your $50+ order placed through me during the month of April. Orders can be placed online, by email or phone.

Instructions include:

• A Step-by-Step Tutorial including over 70 full-color pictures in a 31 page PDF
• All templates
• Measurements and Cardstock Cutting Directions
• Step-by-step assembly
• Materials & Supply Checklist (possible substitutions included as well)
  

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Thank You Kindly
Ink: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze Classic ink
Paper: Urban Oasis DP, Whisper White, Kraft, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss 8 ½” x 11” CS, Medium Whisper White Envelopes
Accessories: Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Kraft Corduroy Buttons, Linen Thread, Window Sheet (also called acetate sheet or transparency), paper snips, wide oval punch, paper piercer and foam mat, large oval punch, bone folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, blender pens, Stampin’ Scrub, Stampin’ Mist, Paper Trimmer and scoring blade, pencil and ruler, hobby blade and craft mat

This offer is only available with an order of $50+ (before tax and shipping) placed through me, Stephanie Zeto, during the month of April. Your online order of $150+ (before tax and shipping) earns you FREE stamps and accessories of your choosing in the form of Stampin' Rewards (equivalent to hostess benefits). Please choose these products before checkout.

New Occasions Mini

Have you checked out the new Occasions Mini Catalog? It is full of new and exciting stamps and accessories available for April, May and June. Plus, during the month of April, if you purchase $40 in product from the Occasions Mini, or host a workshop totaling $150 or more, you’ll get one item from the "Under $10" page (p. 208) in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog—FREE!



Check it out and click on "Shop Now" to place your order today! If you need help, I am just an email away!

Guess What...? 2 Pieces of Good News...

First.....I have been chosen for another design team! I applied for a 3-month position on the Late Night Stampers design team and I made it! I am very excited and hope to learn a LOT from this position! The Late Night Stampers are a wonderful group that I have joined for some creative SU! inspiration and business direction. It is made up of SU! demonstrators and non-demos alike ~ so anyone can join. Best of all, it is FREE!! Just click on the link in the right-hand side bar and it will take you to the group site so you can check it out. Tell them I sent you. Each week there will be another challenge posted and you can upload your cards / submissions to the gallery. There are also some contests and it is a great way to meet other stampers!

My second piece of good news is that I have been "hired" by Sherrill Graff, a fellow SU! demo and the Late Night Stampers Group "Mom", to make some 100% SU! samples for her. AND, she is going to pay me $150 in SU! merchandise! How cool is that...? I get to do what I love to do and will be compensated with one of my favorite things! This really is a wonderful group that I have joined and Sherrill has been so sweet, giving and supportive.

Mojo on Thursday

Mojo Monday is a little late again this week. Here is the sketch that Julee posted on the Mojo blog for us to participate in this week. I used a base of Sahara Sand along with some layers of Ridinghood Red and Pink Pirouette with Vanilla and some Candy Lane DSP. My floral image was colored with markers.
Supplies:
Stamps: Dream A Little, Fresh Cuts (sentiment)
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Ridinghood Red, Pink Pirouette, Vanilla, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Pretty in Pink marker, Ruby Red marker, Mellow Moss marker
Accessories: Soft Subtle brads, Pink Pirouette taffeta ribbon, scallop circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch

If you would like to purchase any of the product used to make this card or any of the other projects on this blog, simply click on the "Shop Now" button on either my SU business website or in the upper right corner of this blog. If you need some assistance or ideas, I am just a click away... Thanks for stopping by!

DCBD Wednesday Challenge 121

It is Wednesday again! Time for another Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge. We had a sketch layout to follow this week.
I am currently working on some different generic card layouts to place in the Bella Box that we made at our class last week for a friend and so I used the same color scheme and stamp set for this card as well. That is why it is so similar to the other cards. The Baja Breeze cardstock was rolled with the Stems and Silhouettes Jumbo Wheel in Baja Breeze ink. I love the way it is so quick and easy to make a background or "patterened" paper with the wheels. My flower and leave images were colored with the watercolor crayons and then set with a blender pen. Again, so quick and easy! My embellishments were two strips of So Saffron grosgrain ribbon and three circle rhinestone brads. I used the Crop-A-Dile to make a hole through the ribbon and cardstock. This tool cuts through like butter - a definite necessity!

Supplies:
Stamps: Wonderful You, Stems and Silhouettes Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Baja Breeze, Jet Black Stazon
Cardstock: Pacific Blue, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Whisper White
Accessories: So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, circle rhinestone brads, watercolor crayons, blender pen, Crop-A-Dile

Hop on over to the Diva Coffee Break Designs blog for a look at the rest of the inspiration that the design team has provided for you. You won't be dissappointed! I will be back later for some exciting news.....

If you would like to purchase any of the supplies used to make this card, simply click on the "Shop Now" button on my blog or on my SU Demo website. If you need any help, I am just a click away (email me) so don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for stopping by!