iHeart - Clean and Simple (UDI Blog Inspiration Challenge)

Some days, nothing will do for me but a completely Clean and Simple card design. I love the elegance, I love the simplicity, I love how the "white space" allows you to focus on the most important element on the card. This week's UDI Blog Inspiration Challenge piece just screamed Clean and Simple to me. It's very serene to me and that's the direction I took my project.

Here's the Inspiration piece:
And here is my card:

Yes, I know. There's that little cupcake stand again - isn't it cute? I'll let you in on a little secret - I bought 4 of them! In beautiful, soft sherbet colors. You'll be seeing a lot of them over the coming months! :)

My card started with one of the Fresh Cut Notes. I punched out the petals of the flower and cut off the inside pieces so they wouldn't show behind the heart element. After adhering a piece of Pretty in Pink DSP to the inside of the card front, I attached the heart to the front with a Stampin' Dimensional. It was stamped with the Filled with Love stamp set and punched out with the Full Heart Punch. I added a Bitty Button with a little Linen Thread as a final accent to the front.

Here's a look at the inside:

Yes, nice and clean and simple.

Thanks so much for stopping by today - I'm glad you did! Be sure to visit the UDI Blog to see what the other design team members created. I'll bet you'll love their creations!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

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Heart Full of Love - and Chocolate!

I know, I know, I just showed you a cute Valentine's heart yesterday made with the Petal Cone Die. And really, I struggled as to whether I should show you ANOTHER one today. But, I figured two things - One, that Valentine's Day is fast approaching and you probably want those ideas now instead of later; and Two, that cute is cute and this one has an entirely different look than the delicate pink one yesterday. So, now that's settled, would you like to see it? Ok, here you go:

Yes, I am aware that the Hershey Chocolate Hearts are the BEST looking thing in this photo, but you can console yourself about not having them by knowing that they no longer exist - they were delicious! :) But, now I'm back on my WW plan so if you stop by, any stray chocolate will be offered with no hesitation!

This particular heart pouch was one I designed for my Downline Team meeting last month. We all love the Petal Cone Die - it's just so stinkin' cute and makes a ton of cool projects! For this one, I used the Love Impressions Designer Paper that's in the Occasions Mini catalog. The DSP is the front piece, Real Red cardstock was used for the back side and scallops. It almost looks like a bustier doesn't it?

I created the stamped images for the front with the XOXO stamp set and added Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain and Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbons to complete the look.

If you don't own this Big Shot die yet, it's a must have for your list. I think we are just scratching the surface of all the creative projects we can make with it. I'm looking forward to exploring them all! Let me know if you NEED it - I'm happy to order it for you, or you can visit my Stampin' Up! Website and place your order now.
While you're on my website, be sure to check out my events calendar - I have some very fun classes and stamping events coming up. I'd love to have you as my guest here!

Happy Stampin' today!
~~Robin

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Very Valentine's Class Projects - Part 2

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my blog to visit today! I have a few more projects from my Very Valentine's class in January to share with you. Simple ideas really, but definitely something that would make a cute gift or remembrance for your friends and loved ones.

The first project is a heart shaped pouch made with the new Petal Cone Die. I've heard so many people say that they didn't think they needed this die for the Big Shot, but after seeing the PLETHORA of projects that can be made with it, they changed their minds.
My pouch was made with Pretty in Pink Patterns DSP, Pretty in Pink cardstock and Shimmer White cardstock.

I love how sweet and delicate this one looks with the light colors combined. We used 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon and 5/8" Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon and a little Linen Thread to tie on the punched heart element.

Our next project was a blast from the past - decorated Altoids tins! I found a large box of tins in my stash of "alterables" in my stamp room closet and thought it was time to bring them out again. We decorated the outside of the tins:

And decorated the chocolate inside too!

The best part of this project for my stampers that attended was learning to take the long piece of ribbon and wrap it around the mini-glue dot roll, following the dots with the ribbon. That way the glue dots are perfectly spaced out and aren't messy! They said that tip was worth the price of admission! :)

Our last project was again, so simple, just a small covered notebook for their "Love Notes"!

We used Tombow Multi Adhesive to cover the notebook and simply tied the Real Red Grosgrain ribbon around the cover and attached the embellishments. All the stamping on all the projects was done with the Filled with Love stamp set and we used Real Red and Pretty in Pink ink.

There is still time to get all your valentine's projects created, so I hope you've found some great ideas here to use. Have fun creating!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Very Valentine's Class Projects - Part 1

Happy Monday everyone!
I'm pre-posting this on Sunday because I have a SUPER BUSY Monday and didn't want to forget to share these Valentine's projects with you.
I hope you enjoyed the Super Bowl yesterday - and that your team won! How's that for diplomacy?! I didn't have a horse in that race, so we just watched the game and enjoyed it for the football and the commercials! They are always the BEST aren't they?

So how about a couple of Valentine's cards?
Here's the first one I designed for my Very Valentine's Class at the end of January. I used the Letterpress Plate with my Big Shot once again for the background, this time with Versamark ink.

Don't you love how it sparkles? After I ran the Pretty in Pink Patterns DSP through the Big Shot, I heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. Love the result! The rest is so simple - Real Red and Whisper White cardstock, White Organza ribbon, a cute Bitty Button and that dazzling Real Red Glimmer Paper - love it! Do you have any yet? You MUST order some - you will NOT be disappointed! Promise!

All the projects from this class used the Filled With Love stamp set - it's such a cute set! For this card, we stamped the heart in Pretty in Pink and punched it out with the Full Heart Punch.
Here's a look at the inside:

Very simple - just a cute little stamped heart with a punched glimmer flower accent. What's not to love?!

Here's the 2nd card we made at class:

This one I cased from somewhere on line and I was going to reference the source here for you, but for the life of me, I can't find it now!! If you recognize this general design, please let me know -I like to give credit for a great idea!

Anyway, I put my own spin on it and we made this in class as well.
I love the little punched hearts border the best I think - so sweet! The key to the beauty of this card is the layering - just one simple layer on another. And it's so easy!

Here's a peek at the inside:

Again, keeping it simple, but perfect for your loved one!

I hope you enjoyed these two cards - I have the 3D projects to share with you tomorrow, so be sure to check to see a few super cute things!

Stamped blessings!
~~Robin

Lake Placid Adventure - Game Day!

I love the National Blades. I love being a team Mom and I love watching these girls skate their hearts out.
But I just want to go on record as NOT being a fan of a 5 am wake-up call for a 6 am rink show up! Nope, not now, not ever! Just sayin'!

Now, you'd never know from this picture of the team doing their warm up that they were just as sleepy as the adults were - the strains of Taio Cruz singing "Dynomite" should be enough to get anyone going - today, not so much!

I just have to say here that we were in THE 1980 Miracle on Ice arena and locker rooms - I'm so geeked out - it's so cool!!!

Anyway, here is the team doing a visualization of the perfect performance while their music is played for them. I promise they are NOT sleeping!

And you can see by this amazing Triangle Pass Through, that the girls were on their game today - even at that early hour - they were so ready for this competition.

And Yes, that's THE Olympic ICE!!!

So, after practice, breakfast and video breakdowns, the girls all got their hair and glittery make up done. Here's my beautiful skater:

And that gorgeous hairstyle!

They were ready to make their own history on this historic ice.
This sign gave me goosebumps - I got to stand right under it, right by the ice!

So, lemme tell ya, the girls went out and skated one of their best programs ever - they were truly amazing and so beautiful! But today, there were 8 teams that were better than they were in the judges eyes, so they proudly took 9th out of 13 - knowing they had skated their absolute best! I'd walk you back through the moments right after in the dressing room, but I'm a little tired as I write this and actually a lot emotionally drained.
Let's just say that this team Mom couldn't be prouder of these girls!

Here's a great photo of the team and coaches just after they came off the ice.

Their smiles and the light in their eyes says it all!
Thanks Lake Placid for some fabulous memories - we'll be back to skate on your ice again!

Blessings,
~~Robin

PS. We will hopefully have a video of the girls skate posted on my Facebook page after we get home on Monday evening. Mark forgot to bring the patch cord for the video camera!

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch - Funky Love Flower!

***Pre-posted since we are in Lake Placid, NY right now!

Ok, I'll admit it! I really struggled with this week's Stamping 411 Sketch! I tried 3 times to make this card what I had in my head and nothing was working out! That may have had something to do with all the distraction of having to leave a day early for our trip, but STILL! You'd think I could keep it simple!
Oh, well, I've said it before, Some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug!

Here's my card - you be the judge!

Now, don't be distracted by the cute little cupcake stand - even though it is adorable! I did that on purpose to make you think the card is cuter than it is! :) I actually DO love the flower on the card, so there, that is something!
Here's the sketch we had to work with:

Seems simple enough, right?!

Anyway, I kept it pretty simple, just using Basic Black, Whisper White and the valentine's dsp from the Occasions Mini. I made the flower with the new Fun Flowers die - love that thing! and crumpled up the flowers and sponged them with Pink Pirouette ink before putting them all together with a Jumbo Brad.

The center was stamped with the XOXO stamp set with Real Red Craft Ink and embossed in clear ep. I punched it out and added it to a circle of Red Glimmer Paper, adding a Rhinestone Jewel to the "o".
More Rhinestones are on the Blushing Bride Twill Ribbon that runs alongside the Polka Dot embossing that I did with my Big Shot.

Ok, the more I write about it, the more I like it. But I'd still love to hear what you think!
Be sure to leave me a comment and then go visit the Stamping 411 Blog and see what the other Operators came up with! I know they will inspire you!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Lake Placid Adventure - Day 2!

Well, hello there! It's been a glorious day here in Lake Placid. The snow stopped, the sun came out and it looks like a painting outside! Here take a look:

Isn't that gorgeous?! I took this photo out of the front windshield of our van on the way back from Tupper Lake on Rt. 3. The team had an afternoon practice ice there and it was a stunning drive both going and coming. Simply breathtaking!

While we were up there, we needed to stop by our winter house and make sure the work was coming along nicely. Here's a picture of the front entrance:

Ok, not really, this is the Ice Castle in Saranac Lake that has been built especially for the Winter Festival that begins tomorrow! It's a magnificent structure!
I love this shot of the front with the afternoon sun shining through:

Can you imagine how many hours it must have taken to build this castle? It's amazing!
Here I am with the family next to one of the portcullis guards. He's an icy fellow!

I found my throne to be a bit wet and cold,

But you can see that clearly, Mark is the king of his castle!

We really need to get a fire going - it's a bit chilly in here for my taste.

Apparently, Coaches Laurie and Teresa didn't care for the temperature of the thrones either! Not exactly the hot seat - is that a good thing?!

Here's the BEST photo of the day, in my opinion!
These girls are ready to ROCK the house tomorrow when they compete at the Olympic Center!

GO NATIONAL BLADES!!!

~~Robin