I stepped out of my comfort zone...

This card is nothing of my normal style, but I love how it turned out. I decided when I sat down last night that I wanted to try something I have never done before. This is the busiest card I have ever made, with a lot of patterns and colors. I made this for a little girl who turns 4 this weekend, and I hope she likes it!!! All of the bling on this card is from a package my friend, Siobhan sent to me. I have no idea of the brand, as the entire packages are in Japanese, but I like using them!

Cardstock: SU Orchid Opulence, Gable Green, Whisper White

Pattern Paper: K&Company Specialty

Punches: SU 1/2, 3/4" circles, Photo Corners, Scallop Edge

Creative Memories Cutting System, Big Shot with Wingo Zingo Alphabet

Ink: SU Basic Gray, various SU Markers

Stamps: SU All Scallops, and cupcakes are from Studio G

I think that's about it, I am trying to use up hoarded embellishments, and paper!!!

My Razzy Medallion

Ok, so by now everyone and their brother knows that the Medallion background is my all-time favorite stamp. I cannot stop using it! This time I paired it up with Rich Razzleberry and touches of Old Olive. The little strip of DSP is Cottage Wall topped with some Rich Razz ribbon. I spritzed the outside edges of the white layer with an Old Olive marker in the Color Spritzer tool. I used the marker to color a few little pieces within the Medallion. I added a single Mark Richards pearl in the center, and called her done. This, along with the Red/Black card in a previous post are my August club projects. This card is sentiment-free, when I need it, I will add one, but everything I tried distracted from my Medallion! Can't have that, now can we?

Joy Ornament Christmas Card

You know those days when you sit down to craft and are bombarded with these incredible ideas, and even the most mundane of objects becomes enlightening inspiration? Well, last night was NOT one of those for me. In fact, I couldn't think of one single original idea. So, I was looking through SCS (A God-send for stampers block), and came across THIS amazing card by Stampersandee. I was totally impressed with her beautiful card, and decided since I need to start on Christmas cards, I would give it a try. I hope I did her justice! This card is 5x5.

I LOVE my Stamp A Ma Jig! The sentiment stamp in the picture is the stamp I used, however I used SU Markers to color each word separately, then used my SAMJ to align them closer together to fit into the Large Oval Punch.

Stamps: Lovely Letters Alphabet, Holidays & Wishes
Ink/Paper: Metallic Gold paper, Bravo Burgundy/Handsome Hunter ink and CS
Punches/Bog Shot: Damask Texture Plate by SU, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" circles, Scallop Circle, Large Oval, Scallop Oval.
Accessories: Sponges, Mini Glue Dots, Gold Cording

My FIRST Christmas card this year!

It doesn't look like much from this pic, I know. But, if you have never seen a Tri-Fold Shutter card, keep going with this post and see it open! I am NOT one of those stampers who gets her Christmas cards done throughout the year. I wait until Thanksgiving, then spit out Christmas cards in a stress-induced maniacal frenzy. But, hey that works for me. It's just something about stamping in the cold weather, with the fire going, and bundled up that gets me in the mood to make my holiday cards. But this year, I am trying to start now. Here is the pic of my card open all the way.

You can click on the pics to see them full-screen, and for this pic, that is not a bad idea. There is added texture and tons of detail all over this cute Christmas card. It took me two nights of stamping to complete, mostly because there is half a bottle of Stickles on this bad boy and it had to dry before I could do the other panels. I may never do one of these again, but I love how this one turned out. I don't think all of my paper piercing shows up, but it's there, there are Rhinestone brads, Red Crystals, and so much more on this card. I didn't skimp on the blingy's which I normally do! All of the felt snowflakes and mittens were sent to me from the one and only, amazingly talented, Siobhan in Japan!!! Thanks, girl, I love them! Let me know what you all think of this one. I am happy with it! Now, if I can get 2 or 3 Christmas cards done a week I will be close to ready in time for Christmas. I have to save some for stamping while the fire burns!

I can't name all I used here, I just can't remember. But the card itself is Baja Breeze Textured CS, the DSP is Ski Slope, the main stamp sets are The More The Merrier (current Level 3 Hostess), and Perfect Presentation (retired).

Real Red Medallion...

Every time I see this stamp, I just ache to make it RED!!! Red is my very favorite color, and I love pairing it with black! This one is really simple, but I wanted to share it anyway. I inked up the very popular new Medallion background stamp with Real Red, stamped it on Whisper White cardstock. I used a Pewter Build-a-Brad with a piece of scrap paper stamped with the small circle stamp from Circle Circus, and punched it out with the 1/2" punch. Basic Black and Real Red cardstock made a clean band across the front with Basic Black Grosgrain ribbon tied in the center. I LOVE the Define Your Life set, I just earned it free from SU (LOVE SU!), and the Happy definition is from that amazing set. The Happy Birthday on the bottom finishes this card off, and is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I love this bold color combo!!! Below is a detail shot of the Build-a-Brad and the definition in the corner!

CARRIE won the BLOG CANDY!!!

There were 27 comments left for my blog candy, and using Random.org, number 12 was randomly selected. The 12th comment was from Carrie!!! I will be emailing Carrie for her address and sending out her free In Color Polka Dot ribbon sampler, along with a little matching cardstock this week!!!

Thanks to everyone who played! I will be doing monthly giveaways, so keep watching!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 12 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Blog Candy!!!!! Get in on it before Aug 1st!

***This post will remain at the top until Aug 1st, when the contest is over! Scroll down for my new postings!***
Who LOVES the new SU In Colors????? Yeah, I thought so!!! Would you LOVE to have a yard of EACH of the 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbons??? And maybe a little something extra to go with it? Here's what I am giving away...

ONE YARD of each of the following colors...
Melon Mambo
Crushed Curry
Dusty Durango
Soft Suede
Bermuda Bay
Rich Razzleberry

You do NOT have to link this up on your blog, or tell the world about it to have a chance to win! You are welcome to do that of course, but I wanted to say a special thank you to all my friends out there who visit me! Leave a comment telling me which new In Color is your VERY favorite, and include a 3-color combo you either use or think would be great including that color! That's it!!! Maybe I just need color combo inspiration, maybe I want to see which color is the most popular, maybe I just want to give away ribbon! Who cares??? To be eligible, you must leave your fave color, the combo (I don't care if you throw it together looking in the catty!), and make sure I have an email address for you! Winner will be announced here at A Stampers Paradise on August 1st!!! Once I hear back from you with an address, the goodies will go out!!!

Good Luck, and thank all of you for your loyal following!