Special Birthday

A very special someone had a birthday last week, so I had to make her a special cake card.  :)  I pulled out the crooky cake and had a blast with this card.

I hope Monica enjoyed this card as much as I enjoyed making it, and I hope it didn't get to her too late.  

Stamps: Bring on the Cake (SugarPea Designs)

Ink: All That Jazz, Bellini, Flirty Fuchsia, Midnight, Mint to Be, Sweet Sixteen, Tiara, Tiki Torch, Tutti Frutti
Paper: Basic Black, Tasty Treats DSP (Stampin' Up) Bright White (CPD)

Accessories: Birthday Journal Card Dies (SugarPea Designs) Merry Label Dies (CASual Fridays Stamps)

Still Going

Bonus Days Are Here!!!

Stampin' Up is offering bonus days coupons for every $50 you spend in July you will earn a $5 coupon to spend in August.  Now is the time to stock up on essentials and grab another goodie from the new catalog.  Happy Shopping! 

CAS03 Hope Floats

Don't you love opening your mailbox to find an encouraging card from a friend or loved one?  That is the premise behind the Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Challenge.  We are helping you build your stash of card to send to encourage others one challenge at a time.  This month's challenge features a bright hot air balloon.

Isn't it fun?!  Here is how I interpreted the inspiration photo.

Direct link to youtube video:  CLICKY

Now head on over the Calling All Sistahs blog and check out what the design team has come up with, then be inspired to add your own creation for a chance to win a $25 gift code to the CAS-ual Fridays store.

Stamps: Floating

Ink: Grass Skirt, Tiara, Fiesta Blue, Tutti Frutti, Tiki Torch (Catherine Pooler Designs) Versamark

Accessories: White Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up)

Calling All Sistahs Reminder Post

It's the 17th of the month, and if you are a regular follower of my blog, you know what that means.  It is time to check yourselves.   Once again I join Michele from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps and her Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Squad to remind you to do your monthly self-checks and schedule those yearly mammograms.   We like to do this with pretty cards.

Have you checked yourself? Please take a few minutes to do so now, if you haven't.

Direct link to youtube video in HD: Clicky

Head on over to the Calling All Sistahs blog to see what the rest of the Encouragement Squad has created.  Come back tomorrow for our 3rd CAS Encouragement challenge. Don't forget to use the coupon code encourage17 when shopping to save 15%.

Stamps: Floating, Word Ribbon (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Fiesta Blue, Flirty Fuchsia, It's A Girl, Party Dress (Catherine Pooler Designs) Versamark
Paper: Distress Watercolor (Tim Holtz) Vellum, Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Clear and White Embossing Powder (SU) Sewing Machine

Surround Yourself With...

Catherine Pooler has a new release, and you know what that means?  I get to play with new stamps and dies and ink and stencils!!!!  So much good stuff to enjoy!

One of the stamp sets comes with this saying "Surround yourself with those who bring out the best in you."  This quote has special meaning because Catherine gave her design team members a bracelet with this inscription on the inside at our first dream team retreat.  You may have seen this silver bracelet on my wrist, Catherine's or one of the other dream team members.  It holds a special place in my heart and I wear it almost daily.

Clicky to view in HD on youtube.

Click on the picture below to see all the new products. 

Stamps: Best In You (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Fiesta Blue, Garden Green, Sweet Sixteen, Midnight (CPD) Versamark
Paper: Basic Black (SU) Bright White (CPD)
Accessories: Large Doily Die Perfect Vine Stencil (Catherine Pooler Designs) Twine (Doodlebug)

Perfect Pair

Second card for today.  Isn't this just a fun card?   Today Catherine Pooler is doing a SURPRISE release!  Say what?!  Yep, she is at it again with a fun new release filled with goodies every stamper will love.  I used the new I Pick You stamp set from Catherine Pooler Designs and paired it with her new Large Doily Die.  And then...drum roll please... one of the new INKS released is on this card too!

The background was created by stamping the pear in Melon Ice in the center of the card, and then stamping pears all around it, changing the direction of the stamp each time I stamped it.

 

Stamps: I Pick You (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Icing On the Cake, Melon Ice, Tiara (CPD)
Paper: Bright White (CPD) Vellum (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Mini Stapler (Stampin Up) I Pick You Dies, Large Doily Die (Catherine Pooler Designs)

You Are Worth It

My sweet fellow blogger, Carole, From My Carolina Home is starting a card drive for battered women.  She reached out to me and asked if I would help spread the word.  Of course I said yes.   Here's what she has to say:

First, I'd like to invite my stamping and card making readers to make some cards of encouragement and support for these ladies.  Something that says "you are worth it".  Cards that are uplifting and supportive.  Make several in the same design, or use different designs, it is up to you.  The only request is to keep them uplifting in tone, and to not use a religious theme as there are many different religions represented in the residents and we won't know who is getting what.  Inside the card you can hand write, stamp, or use your computer to make an uplifting message.  You could say something like this on the inside -

"As you go through this time of change,know that you are important and valued.You deserve to be happy and safe.
Good luck with your future plans."

Sign the card as you like - either "A friend who cares", or something similar, or your first name.  Mail your completed cards to me with an envelope for each one addressed only as "For You". 

Isn't this a wonderful thing Carole is putting together?  It goes right along with the Calling All Sistahs Encouragement Challenge I coordinate every month.  My Card of Encouragement for these ladies:

Direct link to YouTube video in HD CLICKY

Want to help us?  Head on over to Carole's blog for all the deets: CLICKY

Thank you, Carole, for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful endeavor.

Stamps: Picture Perfect(Stampin' Up)
Ink: Berry Burst, Emerald Envy, Lemon Lime Twist. Powder Pink, Sweet Sugarplum (SU)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Dotted Circle Dies (CPD) Pattern Party Decorative Masks, White Satin Ribbon (SU) Stampin' Mask Paper (Inkadinkadoo) 

Congrats and Yay Stripes

Recently I started selling Rodan + Fields.  I wanted to make some cards to send to my new Preferred Customers and Future Consultants, along with a little notecard to send out with the Free Mini Facials.  So, I drew inspiration from the R+F logo and product colors.  Each of their regimens comes with a strip of color.  I took those colors and pulled out Yay Stripes.

At first I was going to use the bar stripe stamp, but I couldn't help myself and grabbed the dotted chevron.  It's one of my favorites, because it one I asked for based on a piece of fabric I love.

Isn't that fun?!  I chose the sentiment "Congrats" because I could congratulate new customers on getting started on healthier, younger looking skin and/or lashes.   The card needed something else, so I add a thin strip of black cardstock and matted the entire piece.  So easy to make, yet packs a punch.

Guess what?  Catherine has started an affiliate program for her design team.  By clicking on links below to her store and making a purchase, I get a small percentage back.  Pretty cool, eh?!  Thanks for your continued support of my business.  It means the world to me.

If you are new to the shop and haven't yet signed up for the rewards program, you can do so here.

Stamps: Yay Stripes (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Fiesta Blue, Flirty Fuchsia, Garden Green, Tiki Torch (CPD)
Paper: Basic Black (Stampin' Up) Bright White (CPD)
Accessories: Spot On Sentiments (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Bonus Days Are Back

BONUS DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

You can start earning Bonus Days coupons now to use in August.  There is no limit to how many coupons you can earn.  Here's the deal: for every $50 you spend July 1-31 (before shipping and tax), you'll get $5 Bonus Days coupon that can be used August 1-31.

Shop now and  enjoy savings later!  :) 

Get Your Flip Flops On

We are celebrating summer this weekend at StampNation.  Here's a sneak peek of my card made exclusively for members.  

Check out sneaks of the rest of this talented team!!!!

If you are not yet a member you can join us now here.

God Bless the USA

Happy 4th of July!  Today, we Americans, celebrate our Independence Day!  Hope you are enjoying yourself with friends and loved ones.

For any of you interested in Rodan + Fields I have a special 4th of July deal going on.  Clicky to join my Facebook group to learn more.

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!