My Talented Friends!!

SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE, MAY 16 AT THE STAMPING OASIS!

Here are some of the projects that were featured at our Sunday afternoon stamping get-together! A dessert buffet (lemon cake, dark chocolate brownies, cookies, and "sweet scoops" of orange sherbert, chocolate and vanilla) was served! Somehow I knew that we'd be primed for ice cream after making our sweet celebration card!
We also used the Sentimental Journey set to create a Father's Day or Birthday card. It's hard to see in the photo, but there is a "peep" circle cutout for the compass stamp. I "demo'ed a quick Father's Day gift bag and matching tag using the sparkler stamp from the new Fourth of July stamp set. I can't wait to use the rest of those terrific star and fireworks stamps well-beyond the 4th of July!!

THANK YOU, FRIENDS!!

It's wonderful to give our cards and handmade gifts but what a delight it is to receive a beautiful card from a friend! I love the featured cards--A very customized and detailed card down to the "Stamping Oasis" sign (my stamping room name) and all of my favorite little tools from Kristina Deyette.

The lovely "Thank You" card is from my friend and mentor, Cheri Wenger, whose creativity is always a wonderful inspiration for me!!

Thank you, Ladies!!

TROPICAL PARTY!!

Here are some cards created by still more creative gals using the new Tropical Party set~Betsy Bianchi created 8 Thank You's (Don't you love the grass skirt effect at the top?) and Joyce Ireland created pure bliss with her lovely creation!

Thank you so much for sharing, Betsy and Joyce!!

The Birthday Blues

Birthday Blues Masculine Birthday Card

Here is my entry for this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge: Monochromatic Blues! Perfect timing for creating a more masculine/tropical design for a family member's birthday! The new travel set, Sentimental Journey, and Vintage Labels worked well for this project. Night of Navy, always one of my favorites, along with the Bigz Top Note Die and the label punch complete a simple and clean look. (I also sponged and used the ink spritzer for a bit more texture.)

Check out lots of other (to quote my friend, Cheri) creative chicas at www.palspaperarts.com

2010 Summer Mini Is Here!

Check out allllllll of the beautiful offerings in the new Summer Mini Catty! Local ladies, be sure to come to our kickoff Open House on Sunday, May 16, 2-5 pm to sample new colors, new stamps, diecuts, and new accessories!! Check back for more details!!

Spring Flowers

Here's my post for this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge! Visit them at http://www.palspaperarts.com/ for fab spring design ideas! My card features a watercolor effect using Watercolor Wonder Crayons, a spritz bottle, watercolor paper and some of my new clear-mount stamps!!

We had a fun "Free Play Open House" yesterday with stampers bringing great "show and tell" ideas from flattened bottle caps and making metal tags with silver embossing powder to new papers, layouts and watercolor effects! Thanks to friends, old and new, for making it a fun, relaxing and creative afternoon!!

Stamp on!!

Watercolor Wonder!

My fun today included crayons--terrific for the kid in me! I've used the Watercolor Wonder crayons and a spritz bottle to create a watercolor effect on the background. You may recognize the flower flourish from the Vintage Vogue set--perfect for soft layers. Just apply color the back of your to your stamp with your choice of Watercolor crayons, spritz lightly (Too much water will give you a runny image--practice a little first!), and stamp onto Watercolor CS. Multiple applications with one stamp will give you nice, soft images.

I used the following supplies and will be entering this card in the Pals Paper Arts Challenge. The challenge was to use Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, and Barely Banana--a beautiful spring palette, to be sure!! Here is a link to this fabulous site: http://www.palspaperarts.com/ Go there! You will looooove the inspiration cards!

Paper: Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery CS, Watercolor Paper

Classic Inks: Lavender Lace, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, a smidge of Bashful Blue, Elegant Eggplant (for the text)

Stampin' Write Markers: Barely Banana, Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Well Scripted, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Accessories: Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Certainly Celery Brad, Lots of Tags Sizzlit, Corner Rounder Punch, Soft Subtle Watercolor Wonder Crayons, spritz bottle/water

Happy Stamping!