Moving blogs

Hi everyone!

I have decided to move my stamping blog over to wordpress. The link is below so you can follow my stamping stuff if you are still interested.

See you soon!

http://catestamps.com

Birthday gift for Teacher

I was trying to come up with something new (well, for me) to give Anwyn's teacher for her birthday so decided on a little post-it-note holder and matching pen. Of course, it will be completely eclipsed by the chocolate covered fruit Anwyn insisted she needed, but it's the thought that counts ;-)

I cut some chip board using the Big Shot Top Note die and then cut two pieces of Parisian Breeze DSP to cover the front and back. I then adhered a length of Chocolate Chip ribbon around the board and made a loop by sticking the tape back on itself with tacky tape. I stuck the mini post-it note pad on the front and stamped one of the floral images from Fifth Avenue Floral on each side of the pas in Chocolate Chip ink. The same image was stamped onto Parisian Breeze DSP, cut out and stuck onto the top of the board. The letters (notes - the "s" is hidden by the pen) were cut out of Parisian Breeze DSP using the Big Shot GoGo Boots alphabet dies.

Parisian Breeze paper was put into the pen barrel to match the post-it holder.

Before I forget - this is the card I made for Anwyn to give her big sister for her birthday. Bling-tastic!

Stamps - Fairy from WhipperSnapper, sentiment from the Happy Everything set (SU!)

Cardstock & DP - Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Gold and Silver. Fairest of them All DP by Imaginisce.

Inks - Black Stazon. Image was colored using Prisma pencils blended with Gamsol. The sentiment was stamped in Versamark and embossed in white.

Accessories - where do I start??? Silver organza ribbon, glittery white yarn, clear adhesive gemstones, silver gift charm, dazzling diamonds (on wings), oval and scallop oval punches.

The little "flaps" down the right hand side which are decorated with the star gemstones open and "Happy" is revealed. Just thought it would add a cute touch but was a pain in the rear so may be a one off.

Nouveau Chic is sooooo pretty

This really is the most stunning paper I have seen. I didn't want to draw the attention away from it by stamping an image so stuck with the sentiment. I was even dithering about whether to add the sage embossed piece as the paper would truly stand on it's own. I may have to make a set of these cards as a gift so I can have some with just the paper.

Stamp Set - Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock & DP - Sage Shadow, Basic grey. Nouveau Chic DP

Inks - Basic grey

Accessories - Basic Grey taffeta ribbon, Styled silver HPH, Big Shot Elegant Bouquet embossing folder.

I spent around an hour and half last night making a card for Rhiannon's birthday from her sister. It has lots of glitter and bling, plus my first attempt at cutting lift flaps onto a card. I was too lazy to take a pic after I finished it so will post one tomorrow.

Goodies Galore!!

I really wanted to get hold of one of the new stamp sets from the Stampin' up! 2009/2010 catalog in time to make some things for my daughter's birthday so decided to expedite my order. Of course, no point in just ordering one thing when there are level 2 hostess sets to acquire, so I added a few more "must haves". Included was the new Nouveau Chic DP which is just too pretty to cut!! I love the Art Nouveau/Art Deco style and this is so elegant, I just want to frame it.

Anyway, I managed to get a little playtime yesterday so that I could make a card for Steve's aunt Viv and got a few others made as well (no pic of that card until after her birthday which, by coincidence, is shared by her great niece Rhiannon).



First, the reason for the expedited order - Pony Party!! Is this not just the perfect set for little girls?? I know that Rhiannon will love it. I am also really loving the new Kaleidoscope paper (used below). I know it isn't everyone's taste but, if you have little girls, it is just fabulous!

Stamp Sets - Pony Party

Cardstock & DP - Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Only Orange, Whisper White. Kaleidoscope DP

Inks - Black Stazon, Pixie Pink & Pink Passion markers

Accessories - Lots and lots of Dazzling Diamonds!! Modern Label punch, Slot punch, Scallop Edge punch, Dimensionals.

This is also a new 2-step stamping set from the new catalog called Greenhouse Garden. I think it is now a firm favorite and works beautifully for using the stamping off technique.

I loved the card idea from the new catalog that used this set so decided to CASE it

Stamp Sets - Greenhouse Garden, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock & DP - Bashful Blue, Mellow Moss, Whisper White. Bashful Blue DP (from a retired hostess pack)

Inks - Bashful Blue, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Brocade Blue, Mellow Moss.

Accessories - Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon, Dimensionals, Word label punch

The same set but using a different color scheme. I can't stop using this new In Color, Rich Razzleberry.

Stamp Sets - Greenhouse Garden, Hugs & Wishes (retired)

Cardstock & DP - Rich Razzleberry textured, Whisper White, Old Olive. Razzleberry Lemonade DP.

Inks - Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Dusty Durango

Accessories - Old Olive satin ribbon (retired), Scallop Oval punch, Dimensionals


Finally, another favorite of mine, Bird on a Branch, with some new colors

Stamp Sets - Bird on a Branch, Short & Sweet.

Cardstock & DP - Bermuda Bay textured, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla. Thoroughly Modern DP

Inks - Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede.

Accessories - Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbons, Filigree brad, Dimensionals

That's all for now. I'm off to see if I can come up with some more ideas for these fun goodies.

Mish Mash

Sorry for the lack of updates but I've spent a lot of time over the past week trying to figure out what to make for a couple of swaps I have coming up plus a demo get together make & take. After many, many trials (and too many errors to admit to), I have come up with some ideas that I am happy with but I don't want to share the final versions ahead of the swaps. Instead, I wanted to share some of the "rejects" that I liked but decided against for one reason or another.




The first was using the Thoughts and Prayers set. I had no intention of buying this set until I made some cards with it at Nancy's stamp camp and fell in love. It is one of those sets that works for so many things and in so many color schemes. Here I used one of my all time favorite color combos of Mellow Moss and Perfect Plum.




Stamp Set - Thoughts & Prayers
Cardstock & DP - Mellow Moss, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum (textured), Very Vanilla. Perfect Plum DP
Inks - Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke
Accessories - Dimensionals, Flower brad



Nancy mentioned this color combo and I thought I would try it out. It also gave me a chance to use some more of the retired Green tea DP that I have been hoarding.

Stamp Sets - Embrace Life

Cardstock & DP - Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Whisper White. Green Tea DP

Inks - Baja Breeze

Accessories - Baja breeze satin ribbon, ribbon slider from a retired HPH set, Dimensionals, Scallop Square punch (Marvy), Big Shot Texturz plate (Flourishes)

Another attempt at playing with the Cheers to You set. This is a very masculine card and I love the fun effect given by using the liquid applique for the head on the beer.

Stamp Set - Cheers to You
Cardstock & DP - Going Grey, Basic Grey, Night of Navy, Handsome Hunter, Whisper White. Prestwick DP (?)
Inks - Black Stazon, Night of Navy, Creamy Caramel marker.
Accessories - Big Shot Texturz plate (Harlequin), Silver brads, Modern Label punch, Dimensionals, Scallop Square punch, Crystal effects, Liquid applique.

And finally, another card made with the fabulous new DP, Razzleberry Lemonade. I think I am officially in love with all the current in colors but this DP is going to be an all time favorite. Thankfully I have at least a whole year to play around with it. All of these wonderful goodies will be available when the new catalog starts tomorrow, July 1st.

Stamp Sets - Sentiment from Fresh Cuts, Matchbox Messages (frame)
Cardstock & DP - Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry. Razzleberry lemonade DP and Vellum.
Inks - Rich Razzleberry, Versamark and Copper embossing powder.
Accessories - Rich razzleberry ribbon, Filigree brad.

Autumn in summer

I had a chance to try out my Autumn days set, one of the sneak peek sets from the new catalog. I love the way it works with the new in colors and it is great for making masculine cards. It is the first card my husband has complimented me on in quite a while so it must be a good "guy" set ;-)

Stamp Sets - Autumn Days, Kind & Caring thoughts (sentiment)

Cardstock & DP - Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla

Ink - Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla craft.

Accessories - Antique brass brads, glue dots.

The pheasant was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock with Soft Suede ink and then cut out and mounted on glue dots over the same image stamped onto the Crushed Curry card layer.

Missed one!

I thought I had posted this card in my blog but realized that I had only posted it on SCS so thought I would share it here too. I have tried this design before with other colors and DP but these new in colors work perfectly and I love the way it turned out.

The flowers were stamped onto whisper white paper and then cut out and mounted on dimensionals around the border of the top note. I used Rich Razzleberry ink to sponge around the edge. The sentiment is from the new Kind & Caring thoughts set.

Stamp sets - Eastern Blooms, Kind & Caring thoughts

Cardstock & DP - Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White. Razzleberry lemonade DP

Inks - Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry

Accessories - Rich Razzleberry ribbon, Dimensionals, Big Shot top note die

Snoopy - take 2

I posted a birthday card a while back that I had made for my Snoopy-loving daughter. I wasn't at all happy with it so I tried again today. I was inspired by a card from our recent demo swap in which there was one of the Big Shot scallop envelopes on front of the card with a pull-out in it.

I like this new version a lot!

Stamps - Surfing Snoopy. Sun from Just Beachy

Cardstock & DP - Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery. Flowers for you DP (SU! retired)

Inks - Black Stazon, Certainly Celery, Night of Navy. SU! markers

Accessories - Big Shot Scallop envelope die, Tempting Turquoise ribbon, Cuttlebug folder, Scallop edge punch, bling flower sent by my sister.

And some more....

I had one more evening of playing with my new toys before having to start working on teacher gifts etc.


Isn't this new set lovely? It's a level 2 hostess set from the new catalog called Wings of Friendship. I thought it would look nice with softer colors and so I chose some old favorites.

Stamp set - Wings of friendship (level 2 hostess from new catalog)

Cardstock & DP - Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla. Flowers were stamped and then cut from retired hostess pack DP - apricot appeal

Inks - Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa. Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal and Close to Cocoa markers.

Accessories - Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon, ivory pearls from Pretties kit

These next three cards were all made with the new level 3 hostess set, Kind and caring thoughts. It is really versatile and is perfect for using the "stamping off" technique.

Stamp set - Kind & Caring thoughts

Cardstock & DP - Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White. Razzleberry lemonade DP.

Inks - Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo

Accessories - Oval and scallop oval nesties, Dimensionals, Rich Razzleberry ribbon, Filigree brad.

Isn't this color combo just wonderful? I think this may be one of my new favorites which surprised me.

Stamp Sets - Kind & Caring thoughts. Sentiment is from the new set Teeny Tiny Wishes which is truly fabulous!

Cardstock & DP - Kraft, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White

Inks - Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede sponging, Old olive marker

Accessories - Antique brass brads. The paper edges were distressed by tearing or by running a finger nail along to "bend" the edge.


This card shows the other two floral images from the set and I like how they look with this color combination.

Stamp Sets - Kind & Caring Thoughts, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock & DP - Mellow Moss, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla

Inks - Pale Plum, Perfect Plum. Mellow Moss, Pale Plum and Perfect Plum SU! markers.

Accessories - Dimensionals, Mellow Moss taffeta ribbon. Edges were distressed by hand (see above).

Now I just need to go and come up with some ideas for teacher gifts........

More sneaky peeks

I spent some more time this evening playing with my new goodies. The only color I have yet to test drive is the Bermuda Bay and that is on my list for tomorrow evening. I love all the colors I have used so far and Rich Razzleberry is fun to work with. My daughter is going to love this color!


I also got to play with the first of my new stamp sets. This is a level 3 hostess set from the new catalog called Kind and Caring Thoughts. It has beautiful floral images and some lovely sentiment stamps, including the Best Wishes used on this first card.

Stamp set - Kind & Caring Thoughts (level 3 hostess set in new catalog)

Cardstock & DP - Very vanilla, Rich Razzleberry. Razzleberry Lemonade DP.

Inks - Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo

Accessories - Rich Razzleberry ribbon, Scallop Oval punch, Dimensionals

No "new" stamp sets on this next card but I do love this little animals - cute, funny and easy to color.

Stamp set - Animal Crackers

Cardstock & DP - Barely Banana (plain and textured), Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Crushed Curry.

Inks - Black Stazon, SU! markers

Accessories - Flower brad, Crushed Curry ribbon, Scallop square punch, Dimensionals, Big Shot Texturz plate (large dots), Scallop edge punch.

New Goodies!

I finally managed to get a little time this evening to try out some of my new goodies. I am totally in love with the new In colors, Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry!!

Stamp Set - Bird on a Branch (soooo glad this isn't retiring)

Cardstock & DP - Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Whisper White. Razzleberry Lemonade DP.

Ink - Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip

Accessories - Dusty Durango ribbon, Filligree brad, Dimensionals, Big Shot top note die.

Stamp Set - A flower for all seasons

Cardstock & DP - Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla, Watercolor paper. Razzleberry Lemonade DP.

Inks - Black Stazon, watercoloring with SU! markers (including the new IN COLORS - yay) and aqua painter

Accessories - Dusty Durango ribbon, Dimensionals, Corner rounder punch

Not the new stuff but a set I have only used a few times. I wanted to try something different and so made a gate fold. I want to add some ribbon through the eyelet but couldn't decide on the color so left it open for now.

Stamp sets - Nature Silhouettes

Cardstock - Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke (plain and textured), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White. To the nines DP.

Inks - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Night of Navy (sponged)

Accessories - Sage Shadow ribbon, Dimensionals, Jumbo eyelet

When I grow up, I want to be just like them!

Nancy had a demo meeting on Wednesday and so we had another swap and, I have to say, these ladies are all so very talented, hence the post title!! I wanted to share some pictures of the fabulous swaps and also the projects Nancy had for us to make (I actually got both done this time - yay me!). I am still trying to learn names so bear with me.

Isn't this just stunning? This was made by Wendy Berens and she added some sparkle to pocket silhouette stamp.

This was made by Jane Ries - another idea to try for the Cheers to You set.

I think this was made by Sarah Lutz but not certain.

I think this little notepad cover was made by Mary Ellen Bowlby- love this paper.

Elmo and Cookie monster wer made by Nancy - how cute are they?

This was made by Peg Haskell and I love the texture on the cupcake frosting.

This was made by Laurie Perkins - beautiful layout and embossing.

This was made by Terry Earhart. The tie cut-out was a wonderful idea.

This was made by Beverley Harris

I think this was by Carol Lyons but will check.

I forgot to take a picture of my swap so I'll add that in later.

ETA - my swap card. Sorry about the cruddy picture but I was in too much of a hurry to take it out of the box. I sort of CASED myself on a card I did a while ago and added the flower. I'm sad to see Urban Garden DP go.

These are the two projects we made:

I really love the little Matchbox die and the ribbon band adds a nice touch.

Isn't this so pretty? Excuse the squinty layers - I am terrible at lining things up if I don't have a grid.

Cheep talk

While I'm waiting for my new goodies to arrive, I have been playing with some of those that were still waiting to see ink. This is one of those sets that I could not make my mind up about but, after seeing all the fabulous creations people have come up with, I am glad I ordered it.

Here is my first effort with the set. I am utterly in love with the corduroy buttons and this is the latest color I bought - Summer Sun.

Stamp Sets - Cheep Talk

Cardstock & DP - Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Good morning sunshine DP

Inks - Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Brocade Blue

Accessories - Corduroy buttons - Chocolate Chip and Summer Sun, brown hemp twine

Lollipop flower arrangement

My daughter has her dance recital on Sunday and I wanted something fun for her little sister to give her after the performance. I remember seeing lollipops made into flowers before and thought it would be fun to make them into an arrangement. I found the really cute little tin bucket at Michaels, filled it with florists foam and then stuck the "flowers" into the foam. I covered the foam with thin strips of cardstock (Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red and Pretty in Pink). I love the way it turned out and I will have to make some more.

Stamp sets - Warm Words

Cardstock & DP - Raspberry Tart, Pretty in Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red

Inks - Rose Red

Accessories - Big Shot Flower layers #3 die, Scallop oval punch, Wide pink ribbon (non- SU!), Rose Red ribbon, metal pail, florists foam, Dimensionals, Self adhesive gemstones (Michaels), circle punch (Marvy) oh, and the suckers.

Father's day cards

I made these over the weekend but forgot all about the pictures as my camera batteries needed to be recharged. These are for my girls to give daddy. Soon I hope to get them interested in making their own!


The first has a "hinged" flap on the front to give it a little more interest. The sentiment under the flap was computer generated because my handwriting is awful.

Stamp Sets - Pun Fun


Cardstock & DP - Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun textured. Good morning Sunshine DP


Inks - Black Stazon, SU! markers


Accessories - brads.



This second father's day card was made with an adorable Riley Moose stamp. My husband really loves trains so this is sure to be a hit.






Stamp Sets - Train Riley (Hanna Stamps)



Cardstock & DP - Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, Whisper White. Sweet Slumber DSP



Inks - Black Stazon, Night of Navy (inside), SU! markers



Accessories - None (!!!!!)



Now, on to the card from today. I was at home nursing a really sore toe (unfortunate encounter between my big toe nail and the stone steps - ick), so I had more time to play than usual. I decided that, since I already have some new hostess sets on the way from the new catalog, I should at least try to make sure that I have used all the sets I already have!!


I like the idea of this card using the Goody Goody Gumdrops set, but it looked better in my head than in reality. May have to play around with the layout some more. The sundae glasses were paper pieced with the striped DP.

Stamp Sets - Goody Goody Gumdrops (hostess level 3, SS 2009)

Cardstock & DP - Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White. Sweet always DP

Inks - Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, SU! markers

Accessories - ribbon (non-SU!), Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds.

Ribbon bookmark and tin

I CASEd this idea from Terry Earhart (her blog, http://www.stampinandstylin.blogspot.com/ ) .
She brought it to Nancy's last demo meeting and I thought it was such a great idea.
She made hers with Tea Party DP and Sweet Stems. What I love about this is that you can leave some of the circles blank (as I have done on the back but didn't think to take a picture of) and add punched photos instead of stamps. I think I will make one for my mum for her birthday and have a picture of each of her 4 grandchildren.

Tins were bought from Target (favor tins) and most other supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamp sets - Darling Dots (Hostess level 1 SS09)

Cardstock & DP - Sweet Slumber DSP, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Inks - Ruby Red, Baja Breeze

Accessories (SU!) - So Saffron ribbon (SAB 09), Big Shot Flowers #3 die, Ribbon slider from Hodgepodge Hardware (styled silver).

Accessories (non-SU!) - Scallop circle nestie (around 1.75 inches), Plain circle nestie (around 1.25 inches), circle punch (1 inch and 0.75 inch - marvy), light blue ribbon.

The bookmark then folds over (concertina-style) and fits in the little tin. Very quick to make and can be adapted to any style and color scheme.

Birthday part 2 - Moose anyone??

I think I may have mentioned before that we are very fond of Moose in our family. Our daughters are affectionately know as Princess Moosarella and Missy Moose. We have Moose calendars, books about Moose, Moose bath towels...... you get the idea. So, is it really any wonder that I am just a tiny bit addicted to Riley and Sophie Moose stamps? I just love these stamps from Hanna Stamps and there has got to be a Riley or a Sophie for just about any occasion.

I made this card today for Rhiannon to give Anwyn for her birthday next month. It was made with perfume Sophie, one of my favorite Moose stamps as it just fits my girls so perfectly.

Stamp sets - Perfume Sophie (Hanna Stamps), Short & Sweet (Stampin'Up!)

Cardstock & DP - Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Watercolor paper. Washington Apple and Riding Hood Red DP

Inks - Stazon Black, Riding Hood Red, Stampin'Up! markers (blended using aqua painter)

Accessories - Dimensionals, Circle and scallop circle punches (Marvy), Scalloped oval punch (SU!), Prima flowers, red self-adhesive gemstones (Michaels?).

I also got the first father's day card made but my camera batteries died and need to be recharged so I'll share that later.

Bits and Pieces

June and July are very busy months for me as we have lots of events to celebrate. Steve and I celebrate our wedding anniversary (14 years this time) on the 10th of June, then we have Father's day, Rhiannon graduates Kindergarten on June 19th, Anwyn turns 4 on June 24th and then Rhiannon turns 6 on July 22nd. Mixed in with this I have a set of swaps due June 10th, another due in July, we have numerous other birthdays and also end of year stuff for teachers. So, over the next month most of my time will be spent making things I need. I plan to start offering classes, workshops etc. in August when things are a little quieter for me and I have goodies from the new catalog to play with.

After all that blabbering, here are a few things I have worked on over the last few days.


This is a little card for Rhiannon's graduation. As it is for kindergarten, I wanted something cute and I have been itching to use this set. I have to say, I wanted to use the owl from the set too but it kind of overwhelmed the little tree so I stuck with the deer.




Stamp Sets - Forest Friends, Warm words

Cardstock & DP - Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla. Delicate Dots DP (SAB 2009)

Inks - Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss

Accessories - Dimensionals, Chocolate Chip corduroy brads

Next is the first card for Anwyn's birthday and I'm really not all that thrilled with it so, if anyone has any thoughts on how to improve it, please feel free to share ( I oopsed up on coloring the letters so would have to re-make it anyway). I know that she will love the image as she is a HUGE Snoopy fan (she currently owns 7 of them) but the rest is just not making me happy.

Stamps - Happy Birthday Snoopy (Peanuts collection by Stampabilities)

Cardstock & DP - Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Watercolor paper. Bali Breeze DP (retired)

Inks - Black Stazon, SU Markers

Accessories - Deckled rectangle nestie, Dimensionals, Yellow ribbon (non-SU!)

Lastly, this is the card I have made for Steve for our anniversary. Earth Elements will always be my favorite color family and, when i decided that the squirrel needed to be a red squirrel, the logical choice was for those colors!

Stamp sets - Animal Crackers

Cardstock & DP - Sahara Sand, Old Olive (textured) Really Rust, Whisper White. Fall Flowers DP

Inks - Black Stazon, Really Rust, SU! markers

Accessories - Dimensionals, Rust ribbon (non SU!)

I'm hoping to get started on Father's day cards tomorrow so that I know they are done (I am getting very forgetful these days.....)