MAKE A MONSTER CARD:

Hello there! I figured it's the season for a get well card. I used the sets Make A Monster and Word Play. And I gotta tell ya, when I had the flu last week, I felt like this guy looks. I started with a Crumb Cake base and used Patio Party DSP. I attached a strip of Midnight Muse Stitched Ribbon along the bottom with SNAIL. I used the Big Shot and Tasteful Trim Die for the scalloped edge in Gumball Green Cardstock and attached it to the DSP with SNAIL. I added another piece of ribbon to the top and wrapped it around the scalloped strip. I stamped the monster in Gumball Green onto Whisper White Cardstock and punched it out with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get the little spots where I wanted them and to get the eyeballs in the right places. I used a Blender Pen and Gumball ink to color him in. I popped the circle up with Dimensionals and stamped the sentiment in Midnight Muse.

Finally, I folded a piece of ribbon into a V and stapled it onto the card. I finished it off with a Regals Button with Linen Thread knotted in the center. I attached it with a couple of Glue Dots.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I'll see you back here tomorrow...

ANIMAL TALK CARD:

Hello there! Happy April 1st to you-let's hope spring is on its way to stay! This card is made with Animal Talk-a set I fell in love with when I first saw it in the catty, almost a year ago. I can't believe it's taken me this long to make something with it-bad!

I started with a Whisper White base and added a piece of Neutrals DSP from the Paper Stack. I layered a piece of Primrose Petals Cardstock on top with a piece of More Mustard DSP from the Regals Paper Stack on top of that. Next, I used the Big Shot to cut out the frame with the Apothecary Accents Framelits using the Sent With Love DSP-which is only available until April 30th by the way! The sentiment is stamped with Basic Grey and Primrose Petals. I used the Paper-piercing Mat and Tool along with the Essentials Paper-piercing Pack to add the detail around the frame. I was so happy to see these products when they came out-I've put them to good use!

I added a strip of Primrose Petals Cardstock with a row of Primrose Petals Stitched Ribbon wrapped around it. Next, I added a couple of our Paper Daisies with a Subtles Brad attached to the center of the small flower. I used the Paper-piercing Tool to enlarge one of the holes made from the template, and stuck the brad through it. Finally, I added a Regals Button to the center of the larger flower and ran a piece of Pool Party Baker's Twine through the center. I attached it with Glue Dots.

This was a super quick and easy card to put together, and it just sings SPRING. Thanks so much for stopping by-I'll see you back here tomorrow!

RAIN OR SHINE CARD:

Hello there! Today I have a card for you made with the set Rain or Shine. I needed a couple of cards today for a shower for twin girls, so make sure to check out the end of this post to see how I changed it up to work for twins. I started with a Certainly Celery base and added some DSP from the Subtles Paper Stack to the top and bottom. I added a strip of Pool Party Cardstock that I punched with the Scallop Dots Border Punch.

On a scrap of Whisper White Cardstock, I stamped the umbrella in Pretty in Pink ink and cut it out. I got it positioned where I wanted it on a piece of Whisper White and stamped the handle in Certainly Celery. I colored the band with a Rich Razzleberry Marker. I moved the umbrella out of the way and stamped the handle. Using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, I centered the umbrella over the handle and stamped it again in Rich Razzleberry to get the hearts along the bottom-which I did not want to cut out! I attached the pink umbrella over the Razzleberry one with Dimensionals, and then added a Brights Brad using the Paper-piercing Tool and Mat. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig again to line up the sentiment. Oops, I should back up...before I added the brad and pink umbrella, I stamped the heart image off in Pool Party ink, and stamped the shower of hearts. Before I adhered the Whisper White Cardstock, I wrapped a strip of Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon around it, and then attached it with SNAIL.

Finally, I added a bow with a Glue Dot and added a couple of Subtles Buttons with Pool Party Baker's Twine through the centers. I attached the buttons with Glue Dots.

The Rain or Shine set has the sentiment for a bridal shower also, so it's very versatile.

For the shower today, I made the card horizontal and added another umbrella. I stamped the adorable potted baby image from the Hostess set Happy You on the envelope, and it looks really cute to add the drops of water or hearts over the baby.

I also made each of the girls a name frame to coordinate with their bedding. I wasn't too sure about pairing Rich Razzleberry with the pastels, but those were the colors in the crib set. And actually, it grew on me-I liked how it all coordinated when everything was done. Sorry the frames didn't photograph too well. I should have taken the glass out before I took pictures, but I had already cleaned it and wasn't going to again!

These banners may look familiar to you. I took the idea from Shelli's Easter baskets that she made for her grandkids. You can see her adorable creations at www. soshelli.com.

I used the Spring Sampler and the fun new photopolymer set Designer Typeset-totally clear, and totally sticky!. I used Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery and Pool Party Cardstock. I used the Subtles and 2011-2013 In Color DSP Stacks, along with Tea For Two and Summer Smooches DSP.

I used Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink and Pool Party ink. I used the Paper-piercing Mat and Tool to poke holes in the banners and strung Whisper White Baker's Twine through them. I used the Petite Pennant Punch and Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack for the little flowers. I also used the Big Shot along with the Petal Cone Die and Hearts A Flutter Framelits. I used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to add a little texture. Finally, I added a little bling with a Vintage Faceted Button and a couple of Basic Rhinestone Jewels.

In addition to Jessica's 4 month old twin girls, she has 2 young boys also and I didn't want to leave them out. I made Andrew a name frame using Polka Dot Parade and Storytime DSP. I used Whisper White, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, Pool Party and Riding Hood Red Cardstock, and Pumpkin Pie and Wild Wasabi ink.

I used a Brights Brad and Linen Thread to string the banner together.

I used the Chevron, Stripes and Argyle Embossing Folders. I added a Naturals Button and threaded it with Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine. I used a stapler on some of the pennants.

For Landon's frame, I used Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP and Lucky Limeade, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight and Basic Grey Cardstock. I used Pacific Point ink and Island Indigo Baker's Twine along with a Silver Basics Button.

Well I still got some baking to do and cleaning, ugh! It's so pointless with a 15 month old on the loose, but I guess I'd better get to it. I'm singing at church in the morning and have caught Quinten's cold-I pray that I don't sound like Kermit the Frog in the morning! Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful Easter!

MY PAPER PUMPKIN CARDS:

Hello there! Happy Spring finally! I hope you got to get out and enjoy this beautiful day! I was busy in my stamp room most of the day, but I did manage to get out for a bit and I had my window open all day.

I got a visit from My Paper Pumpkin this month. I wasn't sure if I really needed to sign up for it, but the thought of being left out got the better of me! If you're not familiar with My Paper Pumpkin, it's a subscription for a fun little box of creativity that comes right to your door every month. This is one monthly gift you'll WANT to get! All the stamps, ink, paper and accessories are included to create cards, journals, decor and more! And what's most exciting is that it's a surprise every month! This is what came this month-enough supplies to make 4 of these cards, including envelopes. The card bases are really cool-Basic Grey on the front, but white on the inside. Like I said, the kit comes with the stamps and a Clear Block D. It also came with the stickers shown, buttons and a Basic Grey Stampin' Spot.

I juggled things around a little and stepped it up a bit with a strip of Tempting Turquoise Cardstock, a couple extra circles punched in Basic Grey and So Saffron, and some Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine. I love the splatter image and the fun sentiment. Another reason I wanted to sign up is that the stamps and accessories are exclusive and limited to that month's kit only-meaning the only way to get them is by joining the Paper Pumpkin craze!

Another benefit of these kits is that they can be completed in 30 minutes or less-seriously!

And you use up almost all of the supplies! This is all that you have left over. So, if you don't have a lot of time to devote to papercrafting, or you don't want to stockpile a bunch of supplies, My Paper Pumpkin may be the perfect fit for you! You could easily store several months of leftovers into one of the boxes you receive.  Membership for MPP is $19.95 and shipping is included! They ship around the 15th of the month. You need to sign up by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. So you would need to sign up for MPP by April 10th to get April's kit. And like I said, it's a total surprise that will come right to your front door! If you decide it's not for you, you can cancel at any time.

Or...if you're afraid of commitments, you can order the Try It Kit for $16.95. It's a one time deal that you can try out and see what you think. The Try It kit comes with 2 of the mini journals shown above. They can literally fit into your shirt pocket-that's how cute and adorable they are! The pages have a fun grid design and you get a sheet of butterfly stickers, with plenty left over for another project! The Try It Kit also comes with a Clear D Block and the 2 stamps shown above. It also comes with exclusive Summer Starfruit Baker's Twine and an Island Indigo Stampin' Spot.

I hope you'll think about signing up for the monthly subscription, or giving the Try It Kit a shot-they're lots of fun, and who wouldn't want to get a surprise in the mail every month? If you're interested, email me at: lmel09@q.com, or go to www.lauramellinger.stampinup.net and check out all the details about My Paper Pumpkin. Remember, you need to sign up by April 10th to get the next kit, whatever it might be??? Thanks so much for stopping by!

SWEET THREADS DUO:

Hello there! I have another two-fer for you today! I think the Sweet Threads Simply Sent kit in the Spring Mini is adorable. The cards in the kit were cute enough, but I thought I'd add a little extra cute to them. I didn't really realize you need schooling on cross-stitching, but apparently I do because the back of mine didn't look like the illustration in the instructions. But I was pretty happy with how they turned out. They were a little more time consuming than I thought they'd be, but then again, maybe I didn't know what I was doing!

First, I stamped the sentiment as the directions advise you to. The stamp set Sweet Essentials comes with the Bundle and saves you 15%! I stamped the sentiment in Lucky Limeade, which is the color of the printed card. After I finished the cross-stitching, I added 4 Dimensionals to the back. Next I cut a strip of Primrose Petals DSP from the 2012-2014 In Color Paper Stack. I added an inch of the polka dot pattern to the end of the strip with SNAIL before I folded it over and attached it to the card front. Next, I added the Whisper White piece. I wrapped some of the Lucky Limeade embroidery floss (included in the kit) around the DSP and tied it in a knot. I added a Silver Basics Button that I
 threaded with Primrose Petals floss and attached it with Glue Dots. Finally, I tied a tiny bow out of the floss and glued it to the flower.

For the birthday card, I cut a strip of DSP from Patio Party and adhered it to the Primrose Petals cardfront. I added a piece of Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon and attached it with Sticky Strip. I then layered the Whisper White piece on top with Dimensionals and added a bow with a Glue Dot. I added a little detail to the cupcake with the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and Summer Starfruit Cardstock. I punched out 2 flowers, pierced then with the Paper-piercing Tool nd mat and attached a Neutrals Brad to the center. I attached the flower with a couple of Glue Dots.

As you can see, my cross-stitching can use a little work, but I think it still turned out cute. Both of these cards will be options for the 'Kits/Cards To Go' this month, and I'll leave the stitching for you! I used all of the strands in the floss, but I think it may look a little better if you use fewer strands. The directions said all the strands were used on the samples, but theirs look a whole lot better than mine...again, it could be the one behind the needle!

If you're thinking about getting this Bundle, you may want to consider adding the set Hoop La La that I used on the envelopes. It goes perfectly with the kit. I hope you like these sweet threads and will consider trying out some cross-stitching. Thanks SEW much for stopping by!

WONDERFEUL MOTHER/FOR THE BIRDS CARD:

Hello there! Looks like we might be getting a little closer to spring...let's hope! Today, I have a Mother's day card for you using Wonderful Mother and For the Birds. I started with a Whisper White base and added 2 prints from Twitterpated DSP. I added a strip of Rose Red that I ran through the Scallop Edge Border Punch. I tied a piece of the lovely Two Tone Ribbon in Pink Pirouette around it and tucked a sliver of a Tea Lace Doily underneath. I added a couple of the roses from the Flower Trim and went over them lightly with a Pink Pirouette Marker.

I love the look and feel of this ribbon, but I was having a hard time finding what to put with it. I noticed one of the ends was frayed and the threads were Rose Red, so that's what I went with.

I stamped the image in Basic Grey onto Whisper White Cardstock and punched it out with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. I used Pink Pirouette and Rose Red Markers, and a Blender Pen with Baja Breeze, Lucky Limeade and Basic Grey Pads. I used a pencil eraser in Baja Breeze for the polka dots and added some Dazzling Details sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds for some extra sparkle.

I stamped the sentiment in Basic Grey onto Pink Pirouette Cardstock and punched it out with a 1 3/8" Circle Punch. I finished it off with an Antique Brad that I took the prongs off of, and attached it with a couple of Glue Dots.

I was happy with the soft, delicate feel of this card. I made this card after I made a card to coordinate with the Floral District bag and gift card easel for the St. Louis Regional. I liked the layout and decided to duplicate it for this card. Here's the initial card I came up with:

Like I said, everything was pretty much the same except I used Floral District DSP and Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight Cardstock. I used the Scallop Dots Ribbon in Tangerine Tango and attached the bow with a Glue Dot.

For the background, I used a Sponge Dauber in Baja Breeze. I also added a couple of Baja clouds punched with the Cupcake Builder Punch.

I finished it off with a couple of Brights Buttons and Whisper White Baker's Twine.

For the envelope, I duplicated the same detail that I used on the bag. Here's the bag and gift card easel that this card coordinates with:

I hope you like these bright and cheery cards that I have for you today. Stop back tomorrow for a couple more fun projects. Thanks so much for stopping by!

HENRY SAYS/PURE GUMPTION CARD:

Hello there! As promised, I have a much shorter post today! This graduation card was made with Henry Says and Pure Gumption. I thought they worked really well together. I started with a Riding Hood Red base and stamped the sentiment and flags in Midnight Muse. I stamped Henry in Midnight Muse on Whisper White Cardstock and added a Summer Starfruit border. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to align the birds on his trunk and used Riding Hood Red, Midnight Muse and Baja Breeze Markers to color the birds. I stamped the pennant in Summer Starfriut, cut it out and adhered it with SNAIL.

Again, I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp his cap exactly where I wanted it. Next, I stamped Henry in Midnight Muse DSP from the 2012-2014 In Color Paper Stack, cut him out and adhered him with SNAIL. I stamped the cap in Riding Hood Red Cardstock twice and cut them both out, one only the top of the cap. I adhered the cap with SNAIL, and for the top of the cap, I added a Regals Brad and attached it to the cap with a Dimensional.

Next, I stamped the pennant image 3 times on Whisper White-once in Summer Starfruit, once in Baja Breeze, and once in Midnight Muse. I cut each of the pennants out and adhered them onto the stamped pennants with Glue Dots. Finally, I threaded a Naturals Button with Linen Thread and attached it with Glue Dots.

This was a fun card to make and hope it will inspire you to make some for any upcoming grads you may have. Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll see you back here tomorrow with a Mother's Day card...or two!