YOU MAKE ME SMILE

Good morning stampers!! Whew! I know it has been awhile since I last posted and I am sorry about that but I was battling the worst flu ever and then I went out of town for a few days only to come home to sickies in the house! However, everyone is healthy and back and work and school again so I am finally able to get back to my crafty place and stamp!!

Today I used a really fun set called Polka-Dot pieces, which has quickly become one of my favorite stamp sets to play with! I love that the images can be punched out and it is soooo versatile! I started with a base of Coastal Cabana card stock, which I layered with Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper. I then took my 1 3/4 inch Circle punch and punched a hold through both front layers to the inside. I stamped the small flower in Wisteria Wonder ink and then again in So Saffron ink, and, using my 7/8 inch Scalloped Circle punch, and my 1/2 inch circle punch, punched both pieces out and popped them up on dimensionals on the inside of the card. It's a fun little technique that adds a little zing to your card - I love how it looks! The main image is stamped on Whisper White card stock. I used the large flower and the smaller flower, and they are stamped in So Saffron and Wisteria Wonder inks, punched out with my scallop punches, and popped up on dimensionals. I added a vintage faceted button to the center. The sentiment for this set is what I used as the stem and I stamped it in Coastal Cabana ink. The image is backed in So Saffron card stock, and then another piece of Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper.  I used some Natural Trim ribbon and added some pretty Basic Pearls to finish up. This is a simple but very pretty card, and I had fun making it! If you like any of the items you see here, you can purchase them in my online store!

I will be back tomorrow with another fun project I have been working on that I can't wait to share! Until then, stay warm, and stamp :-)

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

THINKING OF YOU ALWAYS

Good morning stampers!! Brrrr....it is cold here today, the high is 50 YIKES! That is cold for Florida.....I know, I know, there are those out there much colder than me, BUT this IS Florida lol! So, I am staying in today and stamping! I have a pretty spring-like card to share today - it makes me feel like Spring anyway lol. I used the Stamp Set Peaceful Petals, which is fast becoming a favorite!! Love this set, there is so much you can do with it. I wanted bright and cheery so I used Island Indigo card stock for my base and paired it with Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper. I used a piece of Melon Mambo card stock, embossed it with the Scallops textured impressions from the Occasions Mini, then cut it into a pennant. The ribbon down the center is Island Indigo Chevron ribbon - yummy!! The images are backed by So Saffron card stock and some more of the Gingham Garden DSP. I stamped the flowers in Melon Mambo and Island Indigo ink, then popped the small one up on dimensionals. I added a pretty little button from the Basic Metals button collection found in the Occasions Mini and threaded it using Whisper White Bakers Twine.  The butterfly is stamped in Island Indigo and then I took my So Saffron stampin' write marker and added some highlight color to contrast with the rest of the card. I also added some bling in the form of basic jewels. I used a half of a paper doily, added a strip of Victorian Lace ribbon and then used some Large pearls to top it all off. I have to say, this is one of my faves I have made in awhile, it makes me happy!!! I hope you like it too, and if you like the items used in this card, they can be purchased in my online store or you can contact me direct and I can help you with your order. Now, I am off to get my stamps in the mail kits ready - there is still time to join so let me know if you are interested and I will get you all the details!! Have a wonderful day!!! XOXOXO

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

JUST FOR YOU....ONLY YOU

Good morning stampers!! Yep, it IS morning, and I cannot seem to sleep past 6am so I thought I might as well get up and be productive lol. Although about 3pm I am going to wish I stayed in bed just an hour longer :-) Got to take kiddos to school in about 30 minutes anyway so being up I can have a cuppa before I have to go!! This morning I have a different type of card to show you, well, different for me anyway because I don't make a lot of more masculine cards but I need some in my stash and so I made this one to get me started! Don't get me wrong, I would send this to a woman too, but it's not so girly as my usual cards lol! I stared with a base of Early Espresso and topped that with Crumb Cake card stock that I embossed using the Woodgrain embossing folder. I love the look of this, so natural and yes, I think it's pretty lol! I used some of my washi tape on this one - I am trying to find good uses for it because it is new to me, but I love the look of it on other projects that I have seen. So, I used the Watercolor Wonder Washi tape from the Occasions Mini and layered one on top of another, each one just a a little bit longer than the last. I like it. It's easy to use and tears exactly how you want it to. I have a feeling you will see a lot of it in the future lol. I decided to use the Fine Feathers stamp set on this card; I love feathers and the ones in this set are really really fun to play with! I stamped them on Naturals Vanilla card stock (yes, I know we don't use it anymore BUT I love it and so I used it) in three different inks:  Marina Mist, Early Espresso, and So Saffron. I popped them up on dimensionals and layered them on Cherry Cobbler card stock that I ran through the Big Shot with the square Designer Frames embossing folder. I just tore around the shape to add to the more rustic look of this card. I took our Naturals Twine and wrapped it several times around the card, tying it in a knot and then added one of our beautiful Naturals Designer buttons, which I threaded with gold bakers twine. Lastly, I used the sentiment from the Label Love stamp set, stamping it in Early Espresso ink, punching it out with the Artisan Label punch and popping it up on dimensionals. There you have it, a simple card that can be used for a guy, but has enough pretty elements that you can use it for a girl too!! Today will be spent doing all those lovely things we all have to do so not much stamping for me today :-( Unless I hurry up and get it done lol! Have a wonderful day and if you like any of the products you see here, you can purchase them in my online store or contact me, I am happy to help! 'Till tomorrow!! XOXOXO

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

FINDING LOVE IS A GREAT THING

Good morning stampers! Ugggghhh.....it's raining again so my poor sinuses are hurting and I look like a raccoon lol. Good day to stay in and stamp though which is exactly what I am going to do. I suppose I should clean the house too.......nah.....lol.......stamping is much more fun LOL!  So, I am sharing another Valentine or anniversary type card or just an "I love you" card, which is what I am using it for :-) I chose black and pink as my main colors, I just love how they go together. It is a square card again (I have to make my envies but then they match lol) with a black card stock base that is topped with Melon Mambo card stock.  Then I used Modern Medley Designer series paper and embossed it with the argyle embossing folder.

Here is a close-up so you can see how great it looks when you do this on your designer paper. I love this look and I use it a lot to add texture to my cards and my layouts. I then used two thinlets from the labels collection and cut one from black card stock and the other from Very Vanilla cardstock, which is where I stamped my sentiment from the Follow My Heart stamp set.....loooovvvvveeee it!!! What I love about the thinlets is there are so many sizes to choose from that there there are endless possibilities that you can do with them. I use them almost every time I make something, especially when I am scrapbooking. The sentiment is really sweet, I like it a lot - and it is stamped using Melon Mambo ink. I also inked the edges of the card stock to make it stand out. I added some bling in the form of basic jewels because let's face it, a girl's gotta have bling lol. I made the tag using our new really cool punch called the Scalloped Tag Topper, which is available in the Occasions Mini. It's two inches wide, but I have been playing with it and found you can make them even smaller if you want to, which I find is really fun to layer them. This one I made using Pink Pirouette card stock then stamped the Eiffel tower from the Follow My Heart Stamp Set  in black ink. And, I added a little more bling :-)  I stamped the  natural trim ribbon using one of the images from the same stamp set in Melon Mambo ink. I also sponged the edges of the tag with the same color ink. Lastly, I added some beautiful Victorian Lace ribbon, which in my opinion makes the card. I just love this ribbon, they better not ever take it away from me lol. So, that's it, another card for the love of my life! I had fun with this and plan on making some more with this stamp set today because it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you like any of the products shown here, you can order them in my online store or contact me, I would be happy to help you place an order or answer any questions you may have. I hope you all have a wonderful day, I plan on staying dry in my stamp room! XOXOXOXO

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

LOVE SWEET LOVE

Good morning Monday stampers! I know for most, Monday is one of those ughhh....days, but it's going to be beautiful here today so I'm looking forward to seeing the sun again!! I had a wonderful weekend because I got to do a ton of stamping and got a lot of things done as well. I love weekends like that, don't you? So, today I want to share a card that I made using another new set from the Occasions Mini called Love you More. I love this set because it is one of the things Gary and I say to each other...one of us will say "I love you" and the other will respond "love you more".  Sappy I know, but hey, it makes me smile :-) Now, on to the card!  It's a pretty simple card, but sometimes simple is best, don't you think? I just love that birdie too, he makes me happy! I made a square card, I find I like making these better for some reason. The base of this card is Basic Gray card stock and then I layered it with Eastern Elegance Designer series paper. Then, I took one of our beautiful paper doilies, cut it in half, and placed a half on each side of the card. I think these are so very pretty, and you can do so much with them. Stamp, emboss, sponge, you name it. Or, like here, just use them straight out of the package, they are still beautiful! I then did quite a bit of layering for the main image. Starting with Basic Gray card stock, another layer of a different pattern from the Eastern Elegance DSP, then Wisteria Wonderl(such a pretty, soft color) and then finally the image, which is stamped on Whisper White card stock. I sponged the Whisper White with Melon Mambo, then stamped the image with the same color ink. It give the card some pop! I then stamped the heart part of the image in Wisteria Wonder ink and popped them up on dimensionals. Cute, right?  The last thing I added was some Gold Bakers Twine and it was just the right added touch. I wound it around the bottom of the card a few times, then tied a knot and voila! done.  I love this card, and it will be one of the cards I give my sweetie. I will prop it up in his car seat to surprise him in the morning. I love doing little things like that for him because he appreciates them so much!! I will be making lots more since Valentines is right around the corner!! If you like the items that I used on this card, you can order them for yourself in my online store, or just give me a shout and I will be happy to help you place an order! Now, I am off to run some errands and then stamp, stamp, stamp! Hard life, huh?  I love my job!! Smooches to all of you!! XOXOXO

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

LOVELY....YES YOU ARE!

Happy Friday all!! I love Friday, it's just such a freeing kind of day! I especially love it when I get to go scrapbook with a group of wonderful ladies, which I get to do today!! I am working on my son's bootcamp book for his Grandma's birthday and I need to get going with it because her birthday is right around the corner - YIKES!! But right now I want to share with you a fun card I made using some of my fun new things from the Occasions Mini!!  I love the colors on this one, they are so pretty and remind me of spring which we are definitely not having yet lol! It has been cold and miserable here for the last week - I want my Florida weather back lol! So, on this one I used Basic Black card stock as my base and then used some of the fabulous new Designer Series paper from the Sale-a-Bration catalog called Sweet Sorbet. Remember, the only way you can get this lovely paper is by making a purchase of $50 or more during Sale-a-Bration time (January 28th-March 31st) and you get it FREE!!! The base of the image has lots of different layers starting with Pool Party cardstock, then Crisp Cantaloupe, and then River Rock card stock. I took a piece of Whisper White card stock, embossed it using the uber pretty embossing folder and matted it that on Basic Black card stock again. Lots of dimension on a card when you simply add some layering. The image is another freebie you can earn during Sale-a-Bration called You're Lovely. I love this set, it's sooooo beautiful and very versatile! I stamped the image twice, both in black ink. Once on Pool Party Card stock and the another time on Crisp Cantaloupe. Then, I punched out the sentimennt piece and popped it up on dimensionals for some depth. The pretty ribbon is the new Naturals ribbon and I adore this ribbon because it goes with EVERYTHING. I enjoyed making this card, it was simple but it came out pretty and will g out today in the mail :-) I am off to crop so I hope to be able to do some blog hopping of my own later on today to check out all your wonderful creations. Enjoy your Friday and the weekend, and if there are any of the product featured here (besides SAB product) that you would like to own, you an purchase them in my online store. Stay safe and see you next time!!

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

THINKING OF YOU

Guess what day it is??  Yep, Hump Day lol!!! If I had a camel stamp, I would have used it today *wink* but I don't so flowers will have to do.  I am excited to share a new set with you today from the Occasions Mini that went live this week. I love, love, love this stamp set - it's called Peaceful Petals and it is beautiful!!! I love how pretty all the images are in this set, there are endless possbilities here......in fact, if you are interested in my upcoming Stamps in the Mail Club, this is one of the featured sets!! This is not one of the projects though, they stay exclusive to my club members. Drop me a line if  you are interested - we are doing sign-ups now! So, on to the card!! The base is Pear Pizazz card stock and I stamped the background using the Pear Pizazz classic ink. I then used some Afternoon Picnic Designer Series paper and trimmed it into a banner, then added two different strips of our new Watercolor Wonder Washi tape that is available in the new Occasions Mini. I have become addicted to Washi tape, although when it first came out I was not sure quite what to do with it lol! Now, I use it all the time :-) The image itself is popped up on dimensionals on So Saffron card stock, which I stamped with leaves in the same color. I also added a strip of Early Espresso card stock that I punched using the scallop edge border punch. I stamped that purdy flower in Versamark and  heat embossed it with my embossing gun using Pewter embossing powder and then I watecolored it with three colors:  Early Espresso, So Saffron, and Pear Pizzazz. It's so easy to watercolor using the aqua painter and it turns out beautifully! I did the same with the leaves except the colors of ink pads I used were Pear Pizzazz and Wild Wasabi to give them some contrast. The sentiment is stamped on Very Vanilla card stock in Early Espresso Ink, then embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and my Big Shot. I made it into a small banner and popped it up on a dimensional as well. This was a fun card to make with lots of layers, and it will be in the mail today to someone special who needs a pick me up! If you are interested in any of the items you see here, you can purchase them in my online store, or email me and I can take your order. Now I am off to work on some fabulous projects for my club members so that I can inspire and excite them lol!! Smooches to you all, you make my day each and every day!! XOXOXOXO

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

A LITTLE THANKS GOES A LONG WAY

Hi stampers!! Today I want to share a thank you card I made in bulk to send to send out for Christmas thanks. I strongly believe that a little thanks goes a long way, I know it does with me!  It does not take long to take the time to thank someone for a small kindness or words of comfort, or a special gift. So, that is what I spend the afternoon doing yesterday. The morning yesterday was filled with lots of errands, and was a super busy day! I hope to get much more accomplished today though!!!  So, on to the card! I kept it fairly simple since I made several of them, and I was able to use just one sheet of Designer Series paper which is actually from the Modern Medley paper pack.  The card base itself is Very Vanilla card stock,  which is what I stamped the image on as well. Isn't the stamp pretty? I love  the vintage swirls and the classy look of this one. It comes from the From My Heart stamp set and I used Stawberry Slush Classic ink to stamp it with. . I like saying that - it reminds me of summer and since it is a balmy 24 degrees (yes, in Florida!!) I need those feelings right now LOL! I sponged the same color on the edges of the cardstock then I popped the whole piece up with dimensionals on Basic Black card stock, which is then popped up again on the dotted paper. I think if I ever run out of dimensionals I will be in BIG trouble, I used them on everything!!! It is hard to tell from the picture but this card has a ton of dimension, which I love. The ribbon is Strawberry Slush ruffled ribbon, which I love, love, love! I can't believe it's the first time I have used it, but  it won't be the last, I promise you lol! I could not resist adding little embellies on the bottom so I added cute adornmnets in the shape of flowers! Aren't they adorable?? Okay, they are to me, hehehehe!! Simple but I think it turned out pretty and I will be sending them off in the mail today. If you liked any of the products I used on this card,  you can find them in my online store. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me an email, I promise I will get back to you. Okay, off to stamp some more, then brave the cold weather, brrrrrr........stay warm, and get inky, that should be everyone's plan today!!! 
*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex 

THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE.....

Hi all! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I know I have enjoyed it immensely since I have been playing in my craft room all weekend! I also did clean the house this morning though so I am rewarding myself by getting inky this afternoon lol. I wanted to share a 12x12 layout I did of my love. These pics are from our Spring Break trip last March when we went to Amelia Island. We really had a lot of fun and I just loved these of him down by the water. He really is amazing and one of my favorite subjects of my photography (he is starting to run when I pull out the camera lol). I decided to do a basket weave background with my patterned paper so I selected the Afternoon Picnic designer series paper and went to work! The strips I used are 1x8 but you can use whatever size you want depending on how big or small you want it to be. The cardstock is Wisteria Wonder, which worked for these pictures. I stamped along the bottom using the stamp set Just Believe. I like that the images lent itself to being along the seashore. They are stamped in Coastal Cabana ink, pulling from the patterned paper. I used another sentiment from the stamp set Feel Goods, I just love them and this one was perfect. I soooo believe that the best things in life are NOT things, but the good people you surround yourself with and the memories you build with them. This trip for me is one of those fabulous memories that makes me smile every time I think about it.  I did add a little stamp from the stamp set A Round Array that says "you make me smile" because he does. I punched it out using the 7/8 inch scallop circle punch and popped them up on dimensionals. I was excited to get to use the burlap ribbon that we have now...perfect for this layout, right? I added shells to the layout that we collected while we were there. I used crystal effects to hold them in place, that stuff can hold a building together lol. I love how this turned out and I am going to put it in a 12x12 frame and hang it up in my craft room so I can see it every day. I hope you like what I shared today and I will be back tomorrow with something really fun to share. If you like any of the products I have used here, you can find them all in my online store!  Have a wonderful afternoon and don't forget to spend some time doing something you love!!
*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

FRIENDSHIP TRUMPS ALL

Happy weekend everyone! As promised, I have a project I made to share with you all today and I am very excited for you to see it! I needed a friend card and I absolutely adore birds so I decided to combine the two and I came up with this! I used the beautiful designer series paper Eastern Elegance, such pretty paper and I think it has a real vintage flair to it that I love!! I made the bird using the Elegant Bird Die and then stamped the body of the bird using the stamp set Papaya Collage - looooove it!! The wing of the bird is embossed using the Pretty in Print embossing folder which I have now come to realize is no longer available as of yesterday (sorry!) I popped my bird up using stampin' dimensionals and then of course I had to add the basic jewels aka bling, it goes without question lol!! I love that it has different sizes in each pack because I like to mix it up - on this card I used three different size jewels!  The sentiment is from the Feel Goods stamp set; there are some wonderful sentiments in this set, a great staple for any stamper to have in their collection. The background the bird sits on is actually cut out using the Top Note Die, still one of my all-time faves.  The ink I stamped with was Smoky Slate, which is gorgeous!! I grab that one a lot!! Another great staple because it is so neutral you can use it with anything! So, here you have it, my very first crafty post in over a year, and it feels sooooo good to be back at it! I hope you like this card and if  you are interested in any of the product shown here (with the exception of the embossing folder (BOO!) they can be purchased in my online store!  I WILL be back tomorrow with another crafty project to share with you!! Enjoy the rest of your Saturday!!


*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex 

NEW YEAR, NEW BLOG, NEW ME :-)

Happy New Year all!! I can't believe I have been living in Florida for over a year now! So much has changed since I left California to start a new life in Florida.  I realize I left a lot hanging out there in terms of Stampin' Up! but my life was turned upside down with a divorce, a move, hurt children, and a whole new scary way of making a living.  Well, things have certainly changed. My divorces was finally finalized this year (yes I know, it took forever); however, during the last year, I met a wonderful man named Gary who has since become my fiance. He is an amazing human being sent to me by God, of that I am convinced. He has put up with a lot from me in the last 14 months; I have had my share of roller coaster rides on the emotional highway I can tell you! Through it all he has been here, and he is the most patient, most kind, and most amazing man I have ever met.  I was determined that I was never going to fall into that marriage thing again, but I have had to admit to myself (and yes, to Gary) that I was wrong. It's not marriage that is at fault, it's the people in the marriage. So, with that epiphany, just this week we have set our marriage date for October 18th, which will mean we will have been together for two years. That is not all though......one of the greatest bonuses of this wonderful man is that he has a now nine year old daughter (she was seven when I met her).  Allie is an adorable, well mannered, sweet natured little girl who has stolen my heart! Her mom, Gary's wife, died of cancer when Allie was a year old. So, Gary has raised her on his own - and has done an amazing job! However, she has confided in me that she is glad he is getting married because she thought it was time she had a mommy and she was glad he picked me because she thought I would make a nice one! How can  you not get all mushy inside over that!!

Now that my personal life has stabilized and my kids are all happy and healthy, I have made the decision to jump back into my business. I know a lot of you may have forgotten me or wondered where I have been, but I am hoping to reignite your passion for stamping and papercrafting and bring new people into this wonderful world of crafty happiness! So, stay tuned for tomorrow when my very first blog post will appear with a *gasp* stamped item in it!!! I love you all and I am so very glad to be back!! XOXOXOXO

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex