Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

Is it possible that Easter is just a little over four weeks away? I've been working (playing) hard in my studio trying out some of the new products and coming up with ideas for our Play Dates. The next Play Date is Saturday, March 6th at 2 p.m.  I'll be sending you an e-vite later this week.

In the meantime, here are some samples of what we may be making. If you see a project you particularly like, let me know and I'll be sure to include that project in our Play Date schedule.

This little love bird card I made for my anniversary (43rd!) card to Joe. We will be celebrating next week in Florida. Yah hoo! Don't you love the polka dot background? I use that all the time. The hearts are from the Big Shot and the full heart punch. The birds from the new flat punches. The color combination is chocolate chip, crushed curry and bermuda bay.

Now these two little critters were made with the Big Shot and the Top Note die cutter - plus the hearts again. They are for my two g'children. I made the little raccoon feminine by adding blush to her cheeks. Both are filled with jelly beans.

This may look like an Easter card (and it could be) but this was made for a baby shower. Inside it reads, "Bundle of Joy". This little bunny is versatile as you'll see if you continue looking at this blog. The large oval was made with the Big Shot and the smaller ovals with punches.  Notice I used the polka dot textured background again.

Now this really is an Easter card. The colors are Old Olive and Dusty Durango. The carrot is really a flower petal, but makes a perfect carrot. No polka dots on this one.

Although this card (polka dots on this one) was made as a sympathy card, it could be many other things, i.e. "Thinking of You", Wishing You Well, etc. I'm a sucker for any tree stamp. The big oval was cut out with the Big Shot and the smaller ones are punches. The ribbon is the new 5/8" satin Old Olive.

Ok, this is my favorite card on this blog. The rose is a stamp from Fifth Avenue. This coloring technique is awesome and really easy with a great result. After the rose is colored, it is cut out and placed on the card with deminsionals to raise it off the polka dot background. This would make a stunning wedding or anniversary card or even birthday.  The ribbon is the 5/8" satin Old Olive.

Here is another Easter card with the bunny. I started to use the circle scallop to chop off his ears like he had been half eaten, but ended up with this one with the egg. I colored in this bunny with carmel marker to change his look. I've also seen him done as a white chocolate bunny (too cute!)

Here's a cute, quick little project made with a giant paper clip and the scallop circle punch. Using designer series two sided paper, punch out seven circles. Punch a hole in the center of all seven layers and secure with a pretty brad or some bling. Scrunch up each layer and then pull back a couple of layers. There is also a flower behind this one on the other side. Makes a cute book marker.

Last one. This card is 4x4. The stamps are from the Vintage Vogue set. The cardstock is kraft. The colors are Ballet Blue and Chocolate Chip.

That's all I've got ready for this blog. I hope you have enjoyed browsing through some of these projects. If you have a favorite, let me know and I'll include it in our projects for Play Day.

Happy Stampin'!

Billie

Love is in the air!

It has been a while since my last post. Time sure does fly by, doesn't it? Now is one of the most exciting times at Stampin' Up! with the unveiling of the new Ocassions Mini Catalog filled with new stamps, punches, embellishments and paper. If that were not enough, you get FREE stamps from the Sale-A-Bration catalog with every $50 you spend.

So I was able to preorder the new products and have been playing with them. I wanted to post some of the samples so you could see what some of these stamps can create for you. I'm also hoping that for some of you who may be on the fence about coming to Play Day on Saturday, Feb. 6th at 2 p.m. will be convinced to come and play with us when you see some of the things we make. What I could not get a good photograph of was the jewelry. I will be wearing mine on Saturday so you can see how pretty they really are. Ok, here's some of the samples. Enjoy! And if you decide to come Saturday, please email me at brm643@aol.net and let me know.

This "little polka dotted dress" card is so fast to make, but ever so cute. The color possibilities are endless.

The garden hat card doesn't show up as well as it looks "in person". This card was also fast to make. We always make an envelope to match our cards and finish the inside with a sentiment.

This butterfly designer series paper is the focal point for this "easel" card. The card will stand up on a table. The sentiment is one of my personal favorites, "The more candles, the bigger the wishes!"

Can you stand it? The "pop up" card folds down to fit in a regular envelope, which is decorated to the "nines" to match. I know it may look complicated, but honestly it goes together so easy you wouldn't believe it. Wouldn't someone you know just love getting this in the mail?

The Vintage Vogue stamp set is so versatile. This black, white and gray card is elegant and could be used for many ocassions. This second card using the very same stamp set, folds down to fit into a regular envelope, but when opened it stands up and is a diorama for whatever you place on the back. I love this little card because it is ultra fast to put together, the color combination and the fact that it can stand on its own.

This "Thinking of You" card is a personal favorite. This card could be used for any ocassion by just changing the sentiment in the small oval. I don't know if it shows up well here, but the background is also spritzed with brown for a textural effect.

The following three photos are of Valentine's. We made several Valentine cards in January, but I couldn't resist showing you these made with some of the Big Shot die cutters. Enjoy!