BUILD A BLOSSOM

Good Monday morning!  I had a wonderful weekend ending with a girl's night out with my daughter last night.  We went to see the Barry Manilow show at the Paris Hotel, for the second time, and it was just as good as the first time.  Came home and quickly worked on this card.  Hope you like it.

The Build A Blossom set is in the Stampin' Up Occasions Mini Catalog on page 12.  The coordinating Blossom Petals Punch is sold separately.  To make the flower you use the two-step stamping.  I stamped the petals ten times.

Unfortunately, I have not bought the Blossom Petals Punch yet, so I had to cut the petals with scissors.  But the punch is on my wish list and I will be getting it soon.

Punch a 1 1/4" circle and glue five of the petals to the center of the circle.

With a pencil or stylus curl each of the last five petals and glue in-between each of the bottom layer petals.

Stamp the small circle stamp from the set and punch it out with the 1/2" circle punch. 

Glue to the center of the flower and add a dab of crystal effects.  Or you can use a button or brad.

I embossed the base of the card with the Tulip Frame embossing folder.  Cut a piece of Tempting Turquoise cardstock (CS) and placed it in the center.

I used the Little Leaves sizzlits die and made a pretty bow with the Chantilly crochet trim by Stampin' Up.

Decided to make another, but this time I embossed the Pretty in Pink CS with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder first.  Then I stamped the petals and again had to cut them with the scissors.  I'm hooked on this beautiful flower, so my Wish List item just became a reality and I ordered it.

Come back again and see how I make this flower when I get my new punch. 

Thoughts of Encouragement

Today, venture a bit further than you've gone before.  Dare to dream bigger.

Beautiful White Flower

As a Stampin' Up demonstrator we are privileged to belong to the on-line Stampin' Connection community.  On a daily basis, very talented demonstrators share their creativity.  This was one of those fabulous finds that was posted to the Stampin' Connection site created by Maria Sanchez.

Although Maria's card was not an Easter card, I thought it would make a beautiful card for the season.  I also made another one as a thank you card for a special friend.

This will be the third Easter card you will be able to make at the workshop scheduled for March 19th.  Hope you can come and make the three cards that I have posted in the past few days. 

Here are all three cards for the Easter card workshop.  I've enjoyed making these samples for you and hopefully you can come and enjoy making them yourself. 

Don't miss out on the Sale-A-Bration FREE stuff! Contact me before March 31st to place your minimum $50 order or CLICK HERE and place your order online from my website!

Have a great weekend, thank you for visiting and; of course, I hope you will come back next week for more creative ideas.

Embossed hugs, Erlinda

Thoughts of Encouragement

I praise You, Lord, for opening my eyes to see and understand that You have so much more in store for me.  Give me the courage to believe for a good day today and a brighter tomorrow.

BEAUTIFUL WINGS

One of my favorite Stampin' Up dies is the Beautiful Wings sizzlet which not only cuts but also embosses the butterfly images.  This is going to be the second Easter card that will be demonstrated at my Easter card class.

I also used the Framed Tulips impressions embossing folder by Stampin' Up on vanilla cardstock.

I invite you to sign up for the Easter card class scheduled for March 19th.  I have one more card which I will post tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by and please come back again.

Thoughts of Encouragement

Your words can pollute or purify.  If you constantly complain, you release poison into your life.  Complaining is not based on your circumstances, it's based on the attitude of your heart.

EASTER BLOSSOMS

I've added a new class to my Calendar of Classes and it is making three different Easter cards.  The class is scheduled for March 19th at 3 pm.  This is one of the cards that you will be making.

The cards are made with the stamp set "Easter Blossoms."  I love the images on this set.  They are very delicate and elegant.  This set is also ideal for making birthday cards, thinking of you, thank you, etc., its not just for Easter. 

I made one with Pretty in Pink and the other in Bashful Blue cardstock.  Can't decide which one I like better.  Let me know which one you prefer.  I will post the other two cards in the upcoming days. 

Easter Blossom stamp set (#121905 $25.95 Wood, #122157 $18.95 Clear) 

This stamp set can be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog and it sells for $18.95 if ordered in clear acrylic or $25.92 if ordered wood mounted.  If you decide to order the set, you will get the class for Free.  Deadline to order the stamp set would be March 10th in time to have it delivered by the 19th of March. 

Hope you can join me for more creative time tomorrow.

Thoughts of Encouragement

Declare today that you are blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance. 

ADORE

I absolutely "Adore" the sound of piano music and that is what inspired me to make this layout. 

When I lived in California, I had a baby grand piano and it was very hard to leave it behind.  Although I did take some lessons to learn, I never was able to dedicate the time it takes to play the piano with style and grace. 

I used designer paper from "the immortal love" stack by DCWV.  The piano was cut from the Cricut cartridge A Child's Year and the word "Adore" from Home Decor, as well as the chandelier. 

The keys were cut from the Cricut cartridge Sentiments.  The black matting was embossed with Stampin' Up's embossing folder Vintage Wallpaper and the corners were punched with Martha Stewart's arch lattice punch.

I cut the chandelier three times in black, vanilla and red cardstock.  Then I added lots of rhinestones.  I love the way it looks.

No pictures yet to put on this layout.  Have to work on arranging a night out to get dressed up and finding Mr. Right to take me out.

Enjoy your day and come back soon.

Thoughts of Encouragement

Heavenly Father, today I ask You to fill my thoughts with Your thoughts, and fill my heart with Your promises. 

SISTERS -- BEST FRIENDS!

Attending Vacation Bible School  and a day sharing a milk shake

Happy President's Day everyone.  By the time you read this, my family and I will be spending the holiday in St. George, Utah.  I attended a great fundraiser crop this weekend and this is one of the layouts I was able to complete. 

Having fun fooling around and 1st day of school

My two granddaughters are typical sisters.  They get along "most" of the time, but there are moments they don't get along.  Here I've captured those moments that are "special" when they enjoy each other's company. 

I used the Cricut cartridge A Child's Year to cut the two little girls image and the wording "best friends."  This was a fun and fast project.  I added a few colorful brads, but the designer paper didn't really require too many embellishments.

Thank you for stopping by to share your time with me. Have a great day!

Thoughts of Encouragement

Gardens must receive vigilant care, or weeds will soon dominate, choking out the good things that once flourished.  The same is true of our minds.  Tend your mind with God's word today.

Scallop Circle Easel Card

Easel Card

I have been wanting to make an Easel Card for a very long time and I just never got to making one.  But when I saw Bronwyn Eastley's easel card,  I knew I had to make one.   Be sure to go to her blog for a great tutorial.  Click on www.addinktivedesigns.blogspot.com.

I used the Punch Potpourri stamp set by Stampin' Up and each of the punches that coordinate with this set which are the Butterfly, Full Heart, Two-Step Bird and Boho Blossoms.

I think this came out beautiful and can't wait to make more in different color palettes.  I used Chocolate Chip and Pretty In Pink card stock (CS).  On the inner circle I used white CS and embossed it with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.

Well before I made my Easel Card, I did work on organizing and cleaning my craft room some more.  I tackled this eyesore today.  This is what it looked like in the morning.  As you can see, I tend to pile things on top of each other. 

After what seemed like an eternity, this is what it looks like now.  WOW!even I'm impressed.

Some steps I took included taking an empty three-ring binder to store all my loose paper work.

 

Then I took several small and large clear bags to store unfinished projects.  I punched a hole on the top left corner of each of them and ran a metal ring through them.  I plan to label them and then hang them up on the wall.

The best advice I can give you is to put every item back to its intended place immediately after you finish using it.  That is what I know I usually don't do, but today I forced myself to do it.  I just have to get into the habit.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great weekend and come back next week for more creative ideas.

Thoughts of Encouragement

It doesn't take any more effort to believe and stay filled with faith than it takes to develop a negative and defeated attitude.

GETTING ORGANIZED

For the past two days I have been adamantly trying to organize my craft room.  I confess that it has gotten out of control. As I was cleaning, I found this 2-page layout that I started over a year ago and had not finished. 

I decided to  take a break from cleaning to complete the layout.  I found my granddaughter's 5th birthday pictures and mounted them.  It felt good to work on this unfinished project.  I have so many more to do.

I bought a couple of organizational books to motivate myself to do something with my mess. Here are a few tips that I found very helpful:

1.  GET GOING!  The longer you procrastinate, the bigger the pile gets.  Start with your most current items first, and then work backwards.

2.  GATHER ALL OF YOUR PAPER TOGETHER, and separate it into color groups.  Keep patterns and solids of the same colors together.  Keep cut-outs and stickers in a separate grouping.  Create a spot for usable scraps as well.

3.  KEEP TRACK OF TOOLS.  Keep all your tools in one area.  Invest in drawers or containers that will keep everything together.  Be sure to label the outside of each container.

4.  KEEP IT SIMPLE!  Work on one project at a time.  Set goals and time limits and follow through.  Avoid jumping from one "cute" picture to another.  Stay on track on one task and you will be amazed at your accomplishments.

I have not yet put a dent into my disorganization, but at least I have started.  Here are some of the areas in my craft room that I have worked on so far. I bought six magazine holders at the Dollar Tree to organize books and magazines.   This looks 100 percent better than it did before with piles of magazines and albums on top of each other. 

 

I took all my Martha Stewart punches and organized them by size.  Some of them I labeled.  I know this will make it easier for me to find what I need.  Well tomorrow I plan to tackle another area of my craft room.  If you have any great tips to share, please leave me a comment.  I am willing to try anything that will bring some balance into my "Scrapbooking Life."

Thoughts of Encouragement

Set the example.  Be enthusiastic and do your work with excellence, so that others will be impressed with your God merely by observing your positive work ethic.

BEAUTIFUL CARDS

Close To My Heart Stamps

Stampin' Up Embossing Folders

Stampin' Up Scallop Trim punches

Martha Stewart ribbon

Martha Stewart Butterfly punch

Martha Stewart Modern Garland punch

Close To My Heart Designer Paper

My friend Teri Baxter had a card class last Friday.  I was unable to attend even though I had signed up for her class.  So yesterday, I stopped by Teri's house to pick up my kit of six cards.  All of them are beautiful.  I made my cards slightly different than Teri's.  To see Teri's samples visit her blog:  www.themidnightartist.blogspot.com.

Thanks Teri for sharing your creative talents with me.

Thoughts of Encouragement

Make a decision that you are not going to live another day without the joy of the Lord in your life; without love, peace, and passion; without being excited about your life.  Choose to live each day with enthusiasm.

CRICUT DIVAS

Dawn's layout

Yesterday, was our Cricut Divas meeting at the Crafting Place and you could tell every one's creative juices were boiling over.  These ladies are so talented and I wanted to share their creativity.

Me, Jennifer, Penny, Vickie, Melissa, and Dawn

Here we are with our mini cupcakes in hand celebrating both Jennifer's birthday and Valentine's Day.  The cupcakes were so delicious that it was hard to only eat one.

Melissa's Layout

The Cricut Divas take turns creating a two-page layout and this month was Melissa's turn.  I think she did a fabulous job.  I was WOW'd over by this beautiful layout. 

This is Jennifer, owner of the Crafting Place, and her Assistant Penny.  Both of them work very hard to keep the Crafting Place running.  If you live in Las Vegas or are visiting, I recommend you stop by and visit The Crafting Place, located at 3560 E. Russell Road, (702) 845-2536.

Penny's layout

As you can see, everyone does the layout a little different and it is amazing how each one is unique.

Jennifer's layout

I think everyone did a great job.  But I really liked Jennifer's idea to add a piano, so I think I may steal her idea.

 

Venita's layout

This last layout was done by a newbie, Venita, and I think for being her first layout she did a fantastic job!  Three cheers for you Venita!!!

I arrived late to the meeting so I did not make the layout, but I will be working on mine this week.  I will post it later this week.  Thank you my Cricut Diva friends for allowing me to share your creativity.