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Friday, September 30, 2011

Simple Merry Christmas

TGIF!!!

Nuff' said.

Today's post is Simple - a simple card, crisp and clean, straightforward.
Entirely unlike my week this week.

So, here's the card; life commentary at the end of this post:

This was one of the cards we made at my Christmas in September class this month. It's a finished size 4 1/4" square card. I used Naturals White cardstock for my base and panel. The panel is 4" square and I stamped that gorgeous Merry Christmas greeting from the Hand-Penned Holidays stamp set in Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink.

The focal point is simple too. A piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock punched out with the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch. I inked the pinecones image from the Pines and Poinsettias stamp set with Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Early Espresso Stampin' Write Markers and stamped it on a piece of Naturals White cardstock. It's punched out with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch. Those layers are adhered together, then popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals on the card front.

On the inside, I stamped the second generation image from the focal point in the lower left corner for a soft accent there.

This one is very easy to mass produce yet still look lovely. You can add Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the pinecones for some bling that would step it up a bit yet still keep it simple.

Quite unlike my life this past week.

I won't go into details, I can't. Lets just say that I've been challenged this week in every possible way. I feel like what I think a losing prize-fighter feels like after going 15 rounds with George Foreman. And I am more grateful than ever for my faith that comforts me and the arms of my Jesus that I can run to and rest.
I know that many of you pray, and you have prayed for me in other times of trial. Friends, I need your prayers again now.
We all have times when life just hands us a big bag of doo-doo that you don't want and don't deserve and completely blindsides us. I know that it's through these times that we learn and grow and draw closer to the Lord, but everything in me wishes He would choose a different way. In my 47 years, I've certainly gone through trials before and learned a LOT; and yes, I do know that if it wasn't this, it'd be something else - perhaps even more painful and hard. Sigh.
We don't get the leisure of picking and choosing our trials - I guess if we did, we'd never choose anything that truly creates life change - but there are some things that I just wish God would leave on the shelf for me.
So, this leaves me praying for peace, praying for healing from the hurt, and praying for His will to be done and that He would receive the glory in it all.

I don't know if any of you are experiencing painful testing right now, but if you are, feel free to message me - I will pray for you friend. In the meantime, I'm sharing a song that has ministered to me - perhaps it will to you as well. The picture doesn't change in this video, but it's the words that will bless you - so just listen.



Blessings to you friend,
~~Robin

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Retro Cherry Merry Christmas

Dear God,
It's me, Robin.
Someone has left the water running in Heaven and things are starting to get pretty soggy down here. Is there someone who might be able to check on that?
Thanks God. I know you're on top of all that, we're just kind of missing the Sun here lately, and well, we need to cut the grass too. We thought Buster had run away again yesterday, but he was just too short to see over the high weeds. Sigh.
Don't mean to bug ya', just thought you might want to know.
Robin

Morning stampers! Is it as wet where you are as it is here? Wow! One newscaster called this "Greytember" yesterday and sadly, it's appropriate for this month. Today is See You at the Pole at Middle and High schools all around the country, so Mark and Emma headed out out early, in the thunderstorm to pray with the rest of the students and parents at her school. They both took umbrellas. I expect he will come back and change his uniform before he goes to work today.

So, trying to take my mind off the rain, I'm showing you another Christmas Card today. This one is really simple and easy and was one of the favorites at my Christmas in September camp this month.
Here is one view of it:

It's another flipped Z-Fold card, this time with the long side folded up. I used Cherry Cobbler cardstock and my Simply Scored tool. The cardstock base is cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". I scored it across the 8 1/2" side at 4 1/4" and 2 1/8" to make the fold oh, so easy!

The front flap was embossed with the Northern Flurry Embossing Folder and my Big Shot, then I sponged Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink over the snowflakes to make them stand out. A few Basic Rhinestones adhered to the snowflakes added a little bling and that part was done!

Now for the inside:

I used a piece of Whisper White cardstock cut at 4" x 5 1/4". It's stamped with the large snowflake from Serene Snowflakes in River Rock Classic Ink. I added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter with 2 Way Glue and another Rhinestone to the top snowflake. The greeting is from Four the Holidays and is stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink.
It couldn't be easier!

Here's a few of the products I used to create this card:

#115438 - Serene Snowflakes $20.95 (Wood Mount)

#122334 - Simply Scored Scoring Tool $29.95
#120902 - Northern Flurry Embossing Folder $7.95

And you know it's true - you can order all these items and any Stampin' Up! product you need at my Online Stampin' Store.

I hope it's dry and sunny where you are today - I'm looking forward to the end of the week here, I think sunshine is on it's way! In the meantime, I think I'll make my own sunshine and go stamp something!
Have a great day everyone!
~~Robin

Place your order at this link here for your Stampin' Up! products: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner!

Monday, September 26, 2011

One of a Kind

Happy Monday stampers!

Just a quick post for you today -
I snapped a couple of photos of the 3" x 3" mini cards that I made for some of my In Color Club gals last week. It's a sweet little extra treat in their product goodie bags!

I used the Island Indigo 12 x 12 Textured Cardstock for my cards. They are cut at 3" x 6" and folded in half to make the 3" x 3" size. The fun A to Z A La Carte stamp was inked up in Island Indigo Classic Ink and stamped in the lower right corner of the card front.

Next, I stamped the greeting from the Occasions Alphabet stamp set on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and punched it out with the Large Oval Punch. I adhered it to the card front and then added the final embellishment.

Our little white crochet Fleurettes were the perfect accent for this sweet card. I simply added a Silver Brad to the center and attached them to the front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

So, there you go - sweet, simple and One of a Kind!

Here's a few of the products I used to create this project:

#115711 - A to Z A La Carte Stamp $9.95


#115604 - Fleurettes II $9.95 12 pack
#123598 - Occasions Alphabet $31.95

I'd love it if you'd consider placing your Stampin' Up! order in my Online Stampin' Store! If you are currently working with another demonstrator, please continue to support her business. If, however, you have no demonstrator - I'd love to fill that role for you! I'm so blessed to have clients from all over and I love being able to support them creatively!
It was a wonderful surprise on Friday to realize that because of YOU and my other loyal clients, I am now over 1/4 of the way to earning the Fiji Trip this year! This is a bucket list trip for my hubby and I, one that we could never take on our own. It would be such a gift from God to earn it and realize our dream of traveling there!
So, keep praying for me and the business that God has blessed me with - my life is better because of you!

Have a blessed day!
~~Robin

Place your order at this link here for all your Stampin' Up! needs: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Pinetree Z-Fold Card

Good morning stampers!

Are you ready for the weekend? Me too! I have my downline team meeting tomorrow morning and I'm SO looking forward to having my team here!

This is one of the cards we'll be making tomorrow:

it's a design that I was playing around with for a tutorial I was writing earlier this month. I didn't use this particular card, but I still like how it turned out. And if you like this one - wait until you see what I did for the tutorial! I'm so excited to be able to share it with you soon!
You'll want to be sure you are on my mailing list for all the fun details!

Christmas cards don't need to be fancy or fussy to be beautiful - really, most cards don't - and sometimes, it's best to keep it simple.

This card is another z-fold. Making these type cards is so easy with the Simply Scored Scoring Tool. I just set my markers at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2" and score with the stylus. Comes out perfect every time.
Here, I've embossed the top fold with my Petals-a-Plenty Textured Embossing Folder and my Big Shot. That's wrapped with a piece of Riding Hood Red ribbon - to match the cardstock - and tied in a bow. The little circles were made with the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches. I markered the birds stamp from the Christmas Lodge stamp set with Early Espresso and Always Artichoke and stamped it on Very Vanilla before punching it out.

Here's a look at the whole inside piece:

Some simple sponging and stamping keeps this elegant and easy. The tree image was stamped in Always Artichoke and the greeting in Riding Hood Red.

So, there you go - another idea for your Christmas cards this year. This one could be duplicated in multiples in a snap, and isn't that refreshing?

Here's a few of the products I used to create this project:


#123769 - Christmas Lodge Stamp Set $25.95 clear mount
#122988 - Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon $6.95 10 yards
#116824 - Petals-a-Plenty $7.95

#122334 - Simply Scored Scoring Tool $29.95

Remember, my Online Stampin' Store is open 24/7, so you can shop for these products and ALL things Stampin' Up! at any time you like!

Have a wonderful weekend friends - hope it includes some stamping!
~~Robin

Place your order at this link here for all your Stampin' Up! Supplies: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Simply Stampin' Up! - Edition 12 - Heart Script

Good morning Thursday Stampers!

I'm finally back this week with another edition of Simply Stampin' Up! After a couple of weeks off, I stole some time to sit down and create this card based on a magazine project I'd seen. I know it's too early for Valentine's Day projects, but love is good all year round, don't you think? Making this project made me think of two very special people in the life of our family who are just now testing the waters of a relationship. It's been awesome to see these two discover each other and we are rooting for them all the way!
Yep, love is always in season!

So, here's my card:

And here is my card with the magazine project I cased:

I have to apologize for the quality of my photos this week. Besides my camera acting wonky, it's been really gray and gloomy here which does NOT help when trying to get a good photo. Hopefully, the elegant simplicity of this card shows through the poor photography!

Here's how I created this one:

Layer 1: Very Vanilla cardstock cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"; folded in half to make a card sized at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I used the Corner Rounder Punch to round the top right corners.
The stamping along the bottom was done with the En Francais Background stamp. I inked it up by laying the stamp on it's back and rubbing the Crumb Cake Classic Ink pad across the rubber side. Next, I laid the folded Vanilla cardstock on the background stamp, held it in place and folded the right side of my Grid Paper over top of it. I was able to rub over the stamp and cardstock on top of the Grid Paper, transferring the ink, but the Grid Paper kept my fingers ink free! An easy technique, but a good one to know.

I pulled out my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig stamp positioner and the greeting from Three Little Words. It's stamped in Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink just about 1/4" above the top edge of the script. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to make sure it was completely straight.

Next. I added Mini Glue Dots to the back of a length of Very Vanilla Velvet Ribbon. The ends were trimmed in little flags and I attached it across the card front right at the top of the script stamping. The velvet bow was also added with Mini Glue Dots.

Here's a close up of the focal point:

Mine differs a bit from the magazine project, but I really love the use of the Red Glimmer Paper here! I punched a 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle out of Crumb Cake Cardstock. It's layered with a 1 3/4" Circle punched out of Very Vanilla and then the Red Glimmer Paper heart punched out with the Heart to Heart Punch. I used Stampin' Dimensionals between the Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla layers.

So, there you have it! Another project completely re-done with Stampin' Up! only products. Love it!

Here's a few of the products I used for this project:

#125637 - Very Vanilla Designer Velvet Ribbon $7.95 10 yard roll

#121790 - Red Glimmer Paper (12 x 12) $4.95 2 sheets
#119881 - Heart to Heart Punch $16.95
#118874 - 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch $16.95

As always, you can purchase all these products, plus everything Stampin' Up! in my Online Stampin' Store.

Have a wonderful Thursday stampin' friends! I hope you get to stamp something fun!
~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Snowflake Wishes

Before you say anything about me not posting anything 'creative' for four days, let me head you off at the pass - I know!
The sad truth of the matter is that I have not only been feeling kind of punky the past few days, but I've been so stinkin' busy! What's really bad is that I have at least 7 different projects already pre-loaded onto posts just waiting for me to add my witty commentary to them.
That is why you visit, right? :)
I mean, I guess I could just put the photos up and stick to "Just the facts, ma'am.", but that doesn't seem very fun to me.

Well, you'll be glad to know that I woke up today, feeling much better and ready to get to work again! We did have to take the car over to the repair shop this morning because they are finally ready to get to work FIXING it for me! But, I really can't complain about that either because we have a sweet ride of a rental car, thanks to our awesome insurance! It's a Ford Explorer Limited Edition. Oh yeah! I'm gonna hate to turn it in! Especially when our skating travel begins in earnest and those first few snowflakes hit the ground. It sure would be nice to be able to travel in that baby. Hmmm.....maybe I can afford a car payment next year - guess we'll just have to see!

In the meantime, here's a card for you:


This was my swap card for my awesome friend Diana Gibbs' swap group. I chose to use the Warmest of Wishes Hostess Stamp set from the Holiday Mini and I thought this card was a fun way to show off that big greeting.

I used Bashful Blue, Early Espresso and Whisper White.
The Serene Snowflakes Stamp set has been one of my favorites for a while and I thought it would complement the greeting very well. I stamped the background snowflakes with Versamark and embossed it with Pewter Embossing Powder.

Here's a closer look at the focal point:


I stamped a different snowflake on a piece of First Edition Designer Paper, crumpled and tore it and sponged it with a bit of Crumb Cake ink. It's mounted with Stampin' Dimensionals on the background.
The greeting was stamped with Early Espresso Ink on Whisper White Cardstock. I tore it out, then sponged the edges with Crumb Cake Ink. The little snowflakes are stamped randomly across it in Bashful Blue Ink.

The ribbon and bow are Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon from the Mini Catalog - love that ribbon!!!
I wrapped a Rhinestone Circle Ice Brad around the middle of the bow and attached it with Mini Glue Dots.

So, does it make you want some snow? Nah, not me either, but it sure looks pretty!

Here's a few of the things I used to create this card:

#115438 - Serene Snowflakes Stamp Set $20.95 wood-mount
#124114 - Pewter Embossing Powder $4.75
#100005 - Heat Tool $29.95

Don't forget - you can shop for all these supplies and more in my Online Stampin' Store! (hey, that rhymes and I wasn't even trying!)

Have a great Wednesday - see you back here tomorrow!
~~Robin

Place your Stampin' Up! supply order at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Skating Success!!

This post is Definitely NON-stamping related! But it was a big skating day for my girl -- she passed her next level Moves in the Field test!!
A big WooHoo from the parent peanut gallery here!

It's been a tough 18 months of skating for our family with all the craziness since our home rink collapsed in February. Way too much time on the interstate just trying to get ice time when we could for her. Way too many test dates missed because we were traveling or it was during the school day or something else.

But in spite of everything, she passed this level on her first try, all three judges giving her high marks! We couldn't be more proud or relieved! Now it's on to the next level, let's hope it's not as crazy getting there!

Congratulations Emma! You're awesome!
Love, Mom and Dad

Friday, September 16, 2011

Gently Falling - Irresistable!

TGIF!!!

And I say that with much Gusto! It's been an interesting week to say the least and I'm really looking forward to the weekend!

The most interesting day was yesterday, which started off quite normally, but by afternoon, I was standing on the side of the road, assessing the damage to the back end of my car after being rear ended in a 3 car accident. Yeah, not fun.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, just a little stiff and sore, but the car is gonna need some help. In all honesty, it could have been a lot worse, but for some reason, I happened to glance up into my rearview mirror and saw the car that hit me coming up really fast. I was able to move a little bit, but just not fast enough to give them room not to hit me. And then they got hit from behind so it was a real mess.
Our insurance company is being awesome - we have great insurance - and within a 1/2 hour of getting home, they had arranged for the car repair and a nice rental car for 2 weeks if we need it that long. I am counting my blessings today and thanking God for his watchcare over me.

So, last night was Stampin' at the Firehouse and yes, the show went on as planned! I had some great help from my stampers and we had a wonderful time!
Here's one of the cards we stamped:

I created this a few weeks ago while planning for my September classes and it's really my favorite of the 5 cards we made. The colors were pulled from the Spice Cake Designer Paper - so gorgeous - and I just love them together!

The card base is River Rock and I layered it with Pool Party, stamping it with the open oak leaf from the Gently Falling Stamp Set in Pool Party Classic Ink. The edges were sponged with River Rock Classic Ink.

The center layers are Soft Suede and Very Vanilla.

Using the script stamp from the French Foliage Stamp Set, I randomly stamped the Very Vanilla in Soft Suede Classic Ink and then added the little rain drops image with River Rock ink over top of them.
Next, I inked the solid oak leaf stamp from Gently Falling with Versamark and embossed it with Clear embossing powder and my Heat Tool. I used my Sponge Daubers to add first Pool Party Classic Ink then Soft Suede Classic Ink to the leaf image, bringing it out beautifully with the layered color. That cardstock was sponged with River Rock ink and the layers were adhered to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I tore a 1/2" strip of the Spice Cake Designer Fabric and used it as my ribbon, tying it in a bow around the top two layers. The greeting is from Pretty Postage and was stamped in Soft Suede on River Rock cardstock. I punched it out with the Postage Stamp Punch and crumpled and sponged it to age it. The little Mini Clothespin was the perfect accent to attach the greeting to the ribbon - love it!

Here's a look at the inside:

I sponged a Very Vanilla panel with River Rock ink and then stamped some of the images from the card front in the lower left corner.
This is really a very simple card, just lots of layering and texture to make it rich and elegant. I loved it and I hope you love it too!

Here's a few of the products I used to create this card:
#123804 - Gently Falling Stamp Set $28.95 Clear Mount

#124003 - Spice Cake Designer Series Paper $10.95 (12 sheets)
#122066 - Spice Cake Designer Fabric $9.95 (3 fat quarters)
#122942 - Mini Clothespins $2.95 Pk. of 24

Thanks for stopping by today! As always, you can purchase your Stampin' Up! supplies at my Online Stampin' Store, anytime, 24/7!

Have a wonderful weekend stampers! I'll be making Christmas Cards tomorrow - there's still room for you to attend if you'd like, just let me know!
~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! Supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right corner!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Fun Fabric Gatefold Card

So.....today, Thursday, is the day of the week that I usually feature my weekly Simply Stampin' Up! project. You know, where I take a published Non-SU! project and re-create it using ALL SU! products.

Yep.
Usually.

Well, for the last two weeks I've been so busy stamping for upcoming classes and getting projects ready for the fast-approaching holidays AND being Mom (what's up with that?) that I haven't had any time to just stamp for ME! And that's really what that feature is for me - a personal challenge to take a project I love in a magazine and make it using all the products I love - Stampin' Up!.
So....no Simply Stampin' Up! project this week. We're gonna give it the ol' college try for next Thursday, ok?

But, I do have a card to show you - it's one of the designs we're doing at Stampin' at the Firehouse tonight.
Here, take a look at the outside:

It's a simple gatefold card that I dressed up with the Flirtatious Designer Paper and Fabric. I love using the Designer Fabric in strips as ribbon on my card projects. It's such a fresh and unexpected element and gives a fun, shabby chic look that really makes me smile.

I started with a piece of Whisper White cardstock cut at 4 1/4" x 11". Using the AWESOME new Simply Scored Scoring Tool, I scored the cardstock at 2 3/4" and 8 1/4". This created the evenly spaced front flaps that fold in towards each other to make the "gatefold".
Each of these panels were covered on the front with pieces of the Flirtatious Designer Paper cut at 2 1/2" x 4".
For the ribbon, I tore a 1" x 18" strip of fabric and simply tied it around the middle of the folded card.
Here's a closer look at the focal images:

I used the Delicate Doilies stamp set and stamped one doily with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink and the other with Melon Mambo Classic Ink on Whisper White cardstock. They were punched out with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and the 1 3/4" Circle punch, edged with Dazzling Diamonds glitter and adhered together with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The greeting is from Petite Pairs and I stamped it then punched it out with the 1" Circle Punch. It's got a little glitter too and was dimensionaled onto the doily. To adhere them to the fabric, I simply used SNAIL adhesive on the fabric strip. Worked great!

Here's a look at the inside:

More stamped doilies and the inside greeting and it's all done!

I hope you like this bright, fun card - it's like looking at a party on a card with those awesome colors!
Here's a few of the products I used to create this project:

#122360 - Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper $12.95 (12 sheets)
#122592 - Delicate Doilies $16.95 Clear Mount

#122334 - Simply Scored Scoring Tool $29.95

I'm off now for a super busy, but very fun stamping day! I'm putting the finishing touches on my designs for this Saturday's Christmas in September class and I have Stampin' at the Firehouse tonight! Good times!

You can check out my Online Stampin' Store to find all the products I've used here today and when you do, be sure to check out the Clearance Rack section as well. There are always some great bargains in there!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Place your order for all your Stampin' Up! Supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right of the page!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Vintage Style Stocking Card

I love Christmas!
I love everything about Christmas - even shopping in the crowded malls the week before. It really is the most wonderful time of the year for me!
So each year in August, when Stampin' Up! launches the Holiday Mini Catalog for Demonstrators to order from, I get all giddy. This year was no exception and I placed a HUGE order on August 1st. And when it arrived just a few days later, one of the first things I played with from my new toys was the Stocking Die for the Big Shot.

I was just kind of checking it out and one of the things I wanted to do with it was make an ornament card so I made this:

I made this card so long ago, I don't have measurements for you, but I can tell you that it does not fit in any of our envelope sizes. I've put mine in a Large Cello Bag and my plan is to finish it with a Designer Paper Topper and hand deliver these.

For the stocking itself, I used Real Red cardstock and laid the left side fold on the 'back' of the stocking (heel side) just inside the cut lines at the top and bottom. After running it through my Big Shot, it gave me a folded card that opened up from the right side.
I opened it up flat and ran it through the Big Shot again with the New SnowBurst Textured Embossing Folder. The embossing folder doesn't go all the way to the edges of the stocking, but the toe and heel pieces cover the unembossed areas. The edges and embossed surface were sponged with Crumb Cake Classic Ink.

The stocking top, heel and toe pieces were cut with Naturals White cardstock and I sponged them as well.
Here's a look at the top cuff piece:

I took the Pines and Poinsettias stamp set to embellish the cuff. The greeting banner is stamped twice, once in Real Red directly on the cuff, once on a scrap and trimmed out with Paper Snips. I added two little button brads from the Vintage Trinkets to the cut out piece and sponged it as well. It's popped up with a piece of Stampin' Dimensionals edge.
I used my Stampin' Write markers to ink up the little holly stamp and stamped it multiple times on the cuff.

The ribbon loop is just a 3" piece of Real Red Satin Ribbon, SNAILed together at the open end and attached to the back of the cuff with Tombow Adhesive.

Since I've made this one, I've seen a ton of super creative ideas with this stocking die and I know that there are many more to come - so stay tuned. I know I have a few more up my sleeve! :)

Here's a few of the products I used to create this project:

#124098 - Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die $32.95

#123762 - Pines and Poinsettias Stamp Set $19.95 Wood Mount
#124096 - Snowburst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder $7.95

My Online Stampin' Store is open for you anytime to shop for these products and any other Stampin' Up! Supplies you need, so stop on by!

Thanks so much for visiting today and be sure to stop back tomorrow - I'll have a new Simply Stampin' Up! project for you!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Place your order for Stampin' Up! supplies at this link here: Robin's Online Stampin' Store
Simply click the SHOP NOW button at the top right!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Joyful Butterfly Card

You know, four times a year, Stampin' Up! comes out with amazing new products that just get our creative juices overflowing. They really never fail to wow us with the new and cool!
So, since all the new stuff is awesome, doesn't that stand to reason that the stuff we've had gathering dust in our stamp closet is still awesome too?
I don't know about you, but sometimes I get so caught up in using the exciting new stuff, that I forget all about the stuff I used to love. Poor stamps, do you think they get lonely?

Well, last week, when I sat down to design for my September card classes, I decided to dust off my old standby - Fifth Avenue Floral and give it some inky love. This is an incredibly beautiful stamp set and the best part is that it's oh, so easy to create something beautiful with it.

Here's a photo of my finished project:

It's really nothing fancy, just clean lines and simple, elegant accents.
My card base is Island Indigo and the next layer is Baja Breeze.

I ran the Whisper White layer through my Big Shot with the Manhattan Floral Textured Embossing Folder to create the background. The ribbon is Island Indigo Ruffled Grosgrain. I wrapped one piece around the top two layers and simply tied a smaller piece around it for an accent.

The butterfly was cut out with the Beautiful Butterflies Die on the Big Shot, then I stamped it with the large rose image from the stamp set in Baja Breeze Classic Ink. The wings were curled with my Bone Folder and I ran 2 way Glue around the edge and added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.
The center of the butterfly accent is using a new stamp set - the Occasions Alphabet. I've really enjoyed this stamp set because it really does have just the right greeting for so many occasions. For this card, I simply stamped the greeting on a Whisper White scrap using Island Indigo Classic Ink and punched it out with the Large Oval Punch. Again, I added Dazzling Diamonds to the edge with my 2 Way Glue Pen.
The greeting is attached to the butterfly with two Stampin' Dimensionals, and the butterfly is attached to the card front with two more dimensionals.
Really, it couldn't be easier!

I did stamp the inside too with flowers from the stamp set in both colors on Whisper White cardstock. Very simple, but it dressed up the inside and provides a nice panel for writing the message.

If you are attending Stampin' at the Firehouse this Thursday evening at 7pm, you'll be making this card along with 4 others!
Thanks for stopping by today - I'm headed out to the salon today to get my hair spruced up and cover up my wisdom. 2 hours of relaxation in my crazy week, aaaahhh.
Have a great day!
~~Robin