Hey Valentine!

Aren't these cute? 

I wasn't planning on making any valentines this year but Annalise asked me to get a Valentine Stamp Set because she wanted to stamp her own valentines this year. I acted like it was no big deal, but inside my heart was skipping, and my subconscious was doing a happy dance! Why? Annalise is extremely self-sufficient. She usually just does her own thing and makes her own goodies, without much help or input from me. And-- because Annalise is in her last year of elementary school, and I'm a little sad about it. She's my youngest, and for the first time in 19 years, I'm not going to have an elementary school student!

Here are some close-ups of the two different Valentines I made:

The cute fishies!

An adorable pirate!

I colored them with my new Blendabilities Alcohol Markers.They are SO much fun! It's like having artistic talent, when you don't! Listed below is the items used for these:

Stamp Sets: Hey, Valentine
Ink Pads: Memento Black
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper Stack, Basic Black Chevron Ribbon, Circle Framelits, Blendabilities in Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Skin Tones, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie


Here's a pic of all 24 I made:

Want to know the funniest part? This bunch isn't for Annalise's classmates. I decided to join a Valentine's Swap, with some other stampers. Inside this little pouch is a Ghirardelli Chocolate. Sure hope the ladies love them! I can't wait to see what sort of project Annalise cooks up for her class valentines using this set, and you can bet my subconscious (and me!) is going to enjoy every moment of helping her with it!

Sneak Peek of Upcoming Class

Good Morning! I wanted to give you a sneak peek of the projects we'll be making in my Painted Petals Class this Thursday evening! If you'd like to join us, give me a call or send me an email! Contact form is on the left side of my blog.

I will post the finished projects on Friday! Happy Stamping!

Blackberry Bliss Painted Petals Thank You Card

Today I want to show you another card I created from the Painted Petals Stamp Set. This set is straight out of the Occasions Mini Catalog, and is one of my favorites. Why, you ask? Because you can feel like an artist, even if you don't think of yourself as one! Here it is:

Stamp Sets: Painted Petals
Ink Pads: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizazz
Cardstock: Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss
Accessories: Lace Paper Doilies, Blackberry Bliss Ribbon, Circle Framelits

Something about that gathered ribbon just makes me happy! It's a super easy to do. Just run a piece of Sticky Strip across the front of your card, and randomly pinch up the ribbon and stick it as you go across.

Painted Petals

Have you ever seen something and just knew you had to make one? Well, that's the case with today's card. I CASE'd it from the Occasions Catalog, and added my own little pop of color to give it some interest. This card is going to be featured in one of my upcoming classes in January called "Painted Petals" The class revolves around a new product suite in the Occasions Catalog. Several products I used on this card are included in the suite. I love that Stampin' Up! saves me so much work by coordinating all of their products. See below for more details on the "ingredients" used here.

Cardstock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Stamp Set: Painted Petals
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Spring Flowers Textured Embossing Folder, Sponge Daubers, Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Painted Blooms Cotton Twine in White, Brights Buttons