Summer Afternoon

Hi everyone,

It's the Blog Hogger here, taking up some slack for Kathy while she's still in babyland, aka Ottawa. Gosh, I'm a nice sister, aren't I? lol

Isn't the title for this posting evocative of lazy, hot summer afternoons?  I just love the hostess stamp set, Summer Afternoon, which is available when you either host a workshop (and place at least a $200 order) or order at least $200 yourself . . . which I do on a regular basis, thereby granting me the title of Kathy's favorite sister! Oh, did I type that out loud? lol Note to our other sisters: I gave myself the title, so that makes it okay, right?

Anyway, you can buy the stamp set (found on page 205 of the catalogue) for just $12 in hostess dollars for the clear mount set (in the Canadian catalogue).  Don't you agree that it's a great deal?

And don't I sound just like a real live Stampin' Up demonstrator? Also, I just realized I sound like a crazy person 'cause I keep asking questions to which I shall receive no reply . . . except maybe the question to my sisters! lol Oh well, I shall look at it as just another example of talking to your computer which, let's face it, everybody does!

And now on to my most recent card . . .

This card uses:

• the bicycle from the stamp set, Summer Afternoon (surprise, surprise)
• a sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
• Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White and So Saffron cardstock (cs)
• So Saffron ribbon
• the Top Note Bigz die
• the Stripes Folder
• ink and a Blender Pen
• the Small and Large Oval punches
• a random (but still Stampin' Up) flower brad
• a Stampin' Sponge (used to put ink around the edge of the Top Note section)
• Dimensionals (to pop up the Top Note and the right hand side of the sentiment)

I wanted to use some of my ribbon, but decided to loop it instead of wrapping it around the edge of the So Saffron cs. See what I mean? (There I go, talking to myself again! lol)

Notice that the sentiment says "just for you". I try to pick sentiments I can use for almost any occasion when I make a card just 'cause I'm in the mood, as opposed to making one for a specific reason. That way I can put something on the inside of the card like ". . . on your birthday" or ". . . 'cause I was thinking about you" or ". . . 'cause I was bored one day and wanted to make a card and I decided to give it to you"! lol

Summer afternoon hugs,

Colleen

Male Birthday Card!

Hi everybody,

Guess who? It's the Blog Hogger, still on a roll and still playing with my new Stampin' Up stuff! My husband is feeling very neglected right now, I suspect!  I suspect, rather than know, because I'm too smart to ask him.  lol  I don't want to put it in his head if he hasn't noticed I've been in the craft room for the last hundred hours!  (Warning: I tend to exaggerate at times!  lol)

Anyway, this time I've created a card that could be used for a man, perfect for birthdays or retirement.

I cut the cardstock (cs) at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" and then cut the front flap in half at 2 3/4".  I used the part I cut off for the section with the main image.

I used designer paper; Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla cs; an image from the Summer Afternoon and a sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets; markers; the Word Window and Large Oval punches; and some metallic brads.  (And, yes, I do use the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set for almost every card!)

I also scored one line, for a frame effect, around the main image. Everything is glued together, except the sentiment which is popped up on Dimensionals.

Well, that's it for another fun and easy card!  I'd take more time to be hilariously funny, but am being drawn back to my new product!  lol

Fun and easy hugs,
Colleen

I'm in Love . . . with the New Stampin' Up Stuff!

Hi everyone,

It's the Blog Hogger!  While I don't have much in the way of humor to share with you today, I do have a card to show!  And seriously, folks, isn't that what this blog is all about?  lol


First, you have to realize that I only got my new merchandise recently . . . and I had to go visit Kathy to get it . . . and I was sooooo happy to see her . . . 'cause I hadn't seen her in weeks 'cause she'd been camping . . . and I wouldn't be seeing her again until SEPTEMBER 'cause I'm going on vacation and by the time I get back she'll be with her daughter and the new baby!  I suspect I'll miss her a teeny tiny bit . . . or a whole big lot . . . but thank heavens for Skype 'cause that'll keep us connected.

Anyway, because I was visiting Kathy I didn't get home until late and my husband wanted to get a second coat of stain on the deck, soooooo I didn't get to play with my new "toys" until really late.  Once I got started tho' I ended up making two cards, checking out a new stamp pad, and using one of the Stampin' Spritzers!  OMG, I'm in love!  Sigh!!!  lol

I've heard lots about the new stamp pads but seriously, folks, they are awesome!  I can't get over the coverage, especially with background stamps!

The Stampin' Spritzers spray a really fine mist . . . which is much better than the dollar store spray bottle I'd been using!  And there are two in the pack!!!  Ooooh, I'm going to have fun with those!

And now on to the card!  (You knew I'd get there eventually, didn't you?  lol)

Oh, wait!  First I have to show you a really cute picture my youngest daughter sent to me.  Remember how I'd been complaining my creativity had melted?  Well, looks like I'm not the only overly warm one in the family!

Check out the freezer pack on Lucy's stomach!  Too funny . . . except that I just realized we'll be visiting said daughter next week . . . and staying with her!  Well, there goes my creativity again!  lol

And now (I swear to it) here's the card!

It really and truly is a 10 min. card!  I used one of the images from the Serene Silhouettes stamp set and the sentiment is from  the hostess set, Summer Afternoon.

I used Melon Mambo and Whisper White cardstock (cs) and colored the silhouette stamp with markers.


I used the Simply Scored Scoring Tool to make the two lines around the edges of the Whisper White cs, glued it to the Melon Mambo cs and tada, it was done!


Hint: If you score someplace that you don't want it (for example, I didn't want score lines going through the sentiment or picture) just turn the cs over and gently flatten it using the Bone Folder.


BTW, I've finally figured out why I have such a desire to use alliteration in my postings!  Just check out the names of the colors in the Stampin' Up catalogue!  lol


Simple and serene hugs,
Colleen