Vintage Blue Spring

Good morning stampers!
How was your weekend? Ours was wonderful with the exception of Emma being sick with a crummy cold. She's been really miserable since yesterday morning and I've kept her home from school today - we'll be headed to the doctor's office this morning to check things out! Don't you hate it when your kids are sick? I just want to snap my fingers and make it all better for her. My sweet girl hardly even complains when she's sick, in fact, sometimes we have a hard time telling that she is until she tells us. She's such a little trooper and hates to slow down for anything!
So, say a little prayer for my baby today, I miss her perky smile!

We woke up to a surprise thunderstorm this morning which was really cool and makes the colors in this card really speak to me today. Our sky outside right now looks kinda like this soft blue and it's actually very pretty even with the rain.

This was the first card I designed the other night with the fabric trim rosette. My stamping was done with one of my all time fave stamp sets - Elements of Style. I just love the images in that set! I inked the spray of roses with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder. Then I did a little Emboss-Resist technique with Baja Breeze ink. I rubbed the ink over the embossed image with a Stamping Sponge in a circular motion and that caused the images to appear beautifully on the card front.

Do you notice the shimmer on the roses? I added a bit of the Champagne Mist Shimmer paint on top of them with a sponge dauber and just set it aside to dry.

The Not Quite Navy cardstock border was punched with the Eyelet Border punch. Then I added some of the Rhinestone Pearls to each scalloped area and lastly, painted a bit more of the shimmer paint on the edge. The camera just doesn't do it justice!
The ribbon is that fabulous Baja Breeze Seam Binding and I added one of the Whisper White Ribbon Rosettes to the middle of the fabric flower with some Tombow Adhesive.

I have to tell you that my hubby - God bless him - took a look at this card and asked me what I was thinking! He didn't like it very much.
I told him that I was thinking that he didn't know much about stamping and to go away! :)

I really love this card, it's just so soft and lovely in person. Tell me, what do you think? Would you like to make this at card class next month? Let me know and if I get enough positive response, I'll add it to the list, ok?

As always, to purchase the supplies you need to re-create this card and any of my other projects here on the blog, simply visit my Online Stampin' Up! store at this link HERE. Click the SHOP NOW button at the top right and you'll have the stamping world at your fingertips!
Don't forget you have just 10 short days to take advantage of FREE Sale-A-Bration products! For each $50 order you place with me, you receive a FREE product from the Sale-A-Bration brochure! There's so much to choose from, don't miss out, ok?

Have a wonderful day everyone, I'm gonna go take care of my baby girl!
Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Elements of Spring

Happy Friday stampers! What a glorious day this is going to be! I can't wait to get out this afternoon and enjoy some warm Virginia sunshine and see all the flowers start popping out. I absolutely LOVE Spring, it's truly my favorite time of year behind Christmas. I've been smiling all morning just thinking about how gorgeous it's going to be today! I hope you have a chance to get out today too!

Today's card makes me hungry for Spring even more. I was working on a card design for my Springtime Vintage Flower Pin class tomorrow - I still have a few spots if you'd like to come, just e-mail me or Facebook me.

I was trying to use the Springtime Vintage Fabric in a unique way and took a 2" strip of it (longwise) and ran it through the Big Shot with my Tasteful Trim Die. Here, tell me what you think of the cool flower it made:

I used the technique that my friend Jan McClurg taught at the Phoenix Regional last year (she used paper strips that were run through the crimper) and adhered the fabric strip around a circle punched out of the Sticky Pages Sheets. I know you can't picture it, so I PROMISE I'll make another one and post it on here, ok? :) I made two cards last night with different fabric so I'll show you when I post that card on Monday.

Anyway, the card base is Rose Red cardstock and I ran it through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulip Embossing Folder. The main panel is Very Vanilla cardstock. I stamped the flourish from Elements of Style in Old Olive ink and then overstamped the whole piece with the Sanded background in Crumb Cake ink. The edges were sponged with Old Olive and I attached it to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals. The flower is attached to the card front with Tombow glue on the cardstock circle it's on. I added the Springtime Vintage Button with Mini-glue Dots after tying the bow with Hemp Twine.

Here's another view that shows the inside:

It's just another Very Vanilla panel that I stamped with the Sanded background without reinking from the front panel. That gave it a soft effect and is perfect for adding your message on top. It's also sponged with Old Olive on the edges.

The little banner greeting was just a long scrap of Very Vanilla that I stamped again with the Sanded background - not reinking - and then overstamped it with the greeting from Occasional Quotes in Old Olive. I used my Small Tag Punch to clip the flag end then sponged it and attached it under the button with a Mini-glue Dot.

I was really thrilled with this sweet card! I especially love how that flower turned out and it really was VERY easy.
As always, you can purchase all the supplies you need to make this project - and others from my blog- in my Stampin' Up! Online Store. Click HERE to go to my website, then click the SHOP NOW button in the top right corner. Easy-peasy!
Remember, you still get Sale-A-Bration freebies until March 31st with each $50 order - don't miss out!

Thanks for stopping by to visit today - I hope you enjoyed it!
Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

A Little Irish Brings Me Back!

Well, I would say "Top O' the Mornin' to ya!", but it's almost afternoon here so how about "Happy St. Patrick's Day!" :)

Yes, I know I've been away for exactly a WEEK, and honestly, I'm so sorry I've not posted for you, but sometimes life just stands up and says "pay attention", so that's what I did. Many of you are my friends on Facebook and know some of what's been going on with my Dad and I thank you so much for your prayers! He did come home from the hospital yesterday and we are waiting for his test results. Please continue to lift him up in prayer, especially for a good report from his testing.

The only stamping that I've done was just in preparation for my Monday card class earlier this week and fortunately, we made a St. Patrick's Day themed card so I have something fun and appropriate to show you today!
Here is a photo of the two different cards all my stampers could choose from:

Even though I do NOT own St. Patrick's Day specific stamps - I think these turned out pretty doggone good by working with what I did have! :) I'll do a supply list at the bottom for you so you know where all the supplies came from, ok?

Here is a close up of Option #1:

My favorite part on both of these cards was the glittery edge on the punches! Just love glitter, don't you?!

Here's a close up of Option #2:

We used the little shamrock in place of the definition for the background. And see the little shamrock peeking out from inside? Yep, the perfect finishing touch!

So, even if you aren't Irish - I'm not, but I love Green, and would love to go TO Ireland one day - I hope you find a fun way to celebrate the day today! I have on a Green Galore colored t-shirt (for those of you who remember that color!) and I think I'm gonna find a way to make a green dessert for dinner tonight! Fun! How are you celebrating? Tell me about it, ok?

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

PS.- come back tomorrow, I DO have another project to share with you! I'm Baaack!

Supply List:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Garden Green
Ink: Garden Green, Pear Pizzazz
Stamps: Define Your Life, Got Treats?, So Happy for You (SAB Free)
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz Patterns DSP, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch (or Big Shot Circles #2 Die)

Checking in.....

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to quickly check in and let you know that I've not disappeared. It's been an unusually busy week in our home this week topped off with my Dad being back in the hospital. So consequently, I've not had time to post here for you. I hope to be back on a normal posting schedule on Tuesday.

Thanks for the understanding, and your prayers are much appreciated!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Cupcake and a Card for Chris

Mark and I have some really good friends at church, Chris and Angie. I've talked about Angie on here before - she is my non-stamping friend who still likes my stuff! :)
Anyway, Chris had a birthday last month and we celebrated with them by having a nice, adult dinner out (Emma got to stay home!) and of course, Chris had to have a special card!

Here's what I created for him:

I'd actually seen a more feminine version of this card on Stampin' Connection - which is a website just for Stampin' Up! demos to visit for ideas and shares. I loved the fun fold of the card and taught my Stampin' Fools how to make it too!
I stuck with the same general design of the original card, but made it more masculine by switching out the papers and ribbon embellishment.

Here's a view of it opened:

The DSP is from Love Letter and I used the amazing Engraved Greetings stamp set for the front image. LOVE this stamp set and the best part is that you can still get it FREE when you place a $50 order with me during Sale-A-Bration (until March 31st!). I embossed the greeting with Black Embossing Powder over Versamark ink - love the rich look this gives to this image!

Chris loved his card, but he loved this even more!

A few nights after our dinner out, the boys went out for a guys night -- burgers and a movie - and Mark asked me to make a masculine box for Chris' cupcake. You see, Chris loves sprinkles, and where you can't see them on the cupcake, trust me, they are there! I think I could have wrapped up a jar of sprinkles and he would have loved that just as much as the cupcake! :) But sprinkles aren't very manly, so it was best to keep them under wraps!

For Chris' cupcake box, I used the same pattern as my box for Lissa, just eliminated the window in the top to give it more of a masculine look. It's made with Sahara Sand cardstock and I stamped the images from Grunge Rock with Black Staz-On before assembling it.

The banner was stamped and cut out with the Petal Cone Die. I curled it with my Bone Folder and attached it with Mini-Glue Dots.

I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes for the rope cord. That's from my retired stash! And for a final touch, I spritzed the whole project with Silver Foil Smooch Spray.
Very grungy and masculine, even for a cupcake!

So, that's all my cupcake boxes for the time being, I've had a fun time creating them, even more fun eating the leftover cupcakes!
As always, if you need the supplies I used to make any of these creations or others you've found here, just visit my Stampin' Up! Online Store. Just click the Shop Now button at the top right corner. It's open 24/7 for your convenience! If you have any questions, please just send me an e-mail at stampwithrobin@yahoo.com

Have a great day everyone!
Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Mini Butterfly Cards and Box

So, I've been on a bit of a butterfly kick lately.

That's not exactly a bad thing - I don't know about you, but I am SO ready for butterflies for real! Summer can't get here fast enough, so in lieu of warm temps and sunny skies, I've been creating my own private summer here in the studio. And sadly, yes, that includes a few moments of a real private summer! (If you are of a certain age - you'll totally get that reference!)

Anyway..........today's project is one that I saw part of this project on the blog of a talented demo from Australia, Bronwyn Eastly. She created these cute little Butterfly Easel cards and as soon as I saw her idea, I knew I had to make my own version!
This entire project - including the box I designed for them - was one that we did at my downline team meeting two weeks ago. And for all my stamping clients, you'll be seeing this at an upcoming class as well!

The project included four of the sweet little butterfly easel cards with the coordinating box and envelopes. Just adorable!

Here's a close up of my box design with the Pear Pizzazz card:

I used the Springtime Vintage Designer Paper to pull my color palette from - Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake - Love those colors! And I combined the color palette with one of my all time favorite stamp sets - Elements of Style - that one gets so much use in my studio, I should just leave it out on the counter!

Here's a close up of the Baja Breeze card:

Aren't they just cool~!?

My downline loved making these and I know they were anxious to do them with their stampers too! If you are one of my stampers - be watching for class info in April! Spring is on it's way!

Have a wonderful day everyone!
Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Butterfly Birthday

Hello stampin' peeps!
Have you wondered where I've been today? Sorry it took me so long to get around to posting, but I've been a busy, busy bee in the studio getting ready for Stampin' Fun at the Firehouse tomorrow night! There's still time to RSVP if you want to come stamp with us. 7 pm - 9 pm; $15 class fee, all supplies and fun included!

Oh, and we'll be making this sweet butterfly card as one of our projects!

I actually created this pair of projects over a week ago. My friend Lissa had a birthday on March 1st so I made this sweet card and cupcake box for her. I loved how the card turned out so much that I recreated it for my downline meeting swaps AND decided that my stampers should get to make it this month too! That's a lot of mileage from just one card ~!
Oh, and Lissa liked it very much, but I think she liked the cupcake best! :)

Isn't this the cutest little box?

I got the pattern from my friend Becky Roberts blog and I kind of did my own thing with it. The little box liner was made with parchment paper from my kitchen. I just cut it out with the Scalloped Circle Die and my Big Shot. I thought it would help keep the cupcake from making a mess on the inside of the box so Lissa could use it for something else if she wanted to. The box itself is constructed with Crumb Cake cardstock and I stamped all over it before assembly with the swirl from Elements of Style in Not Quite Navy ink. I used Window Sheets for the clear windows and finished it off with Baja Breeze Seam Binding.

Here's a photo of the card again:

It was really easy to do. Layers of Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy cardstock and First Edition DSP. A Crumb Cake Butterfly cut out with the Beautiful Butterflies Die and my Big Shot, then texturized with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. It's sponged lightly with Baja Breeze ink and then I added the Baja Breeze ribbon bow with Mini-Glue Dots.
I used a couple of the stamps from Nature Walk to stamp on the First Edition DSP and the greeting from Birthday Bakery was added after punching it out with the Modern Label punch.

So, there you go - proof that I really have been working and creating! And if you like the card, come on out and stamp with me tomorrow night!
As always, all the supplies I used to create these projects can be found by visiting my Stampin' Up! online store. It's open 24/7 for your convenience! Just click the SHOP NOW button at the top right of the page!

Have a great evening stampin' friends!
I'll be back tomorrow with another project for you!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin