Snow Snow Snow - Step It Up Blog Hop

Despite what the calendar says about Winter not starting yet, I am going to beg to differ.  I step outside and feel the crisp air/wind and see the white stuff on the ground and I hear (in my head) the lyrics sung by Bing Crosby,

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow. 

It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow

Snow, Snow, I want to wash my hands, my face, my hair with snow...

Actually I don't want to wash my face in the snow, but what is it about the snow that makes dogs so frisky and children antsy to get outside and play in it.  It makes me think of my warm blanket, and a good book or movie and an excellent reason to stay inside.

And then there is the morning you wake up and everything is blanketed in snow and all is still and quiet and beautiful.  Nothing can compare.

With Snow on the brain I used the stamp set Wonderland to create my snow scene.  The concept is not new, but navy and white are always striking when paired together.  The trees are snow are heat embossed in white and the vellum cover is embossed in Silver

This stepped up version has a strip of white glitter paper and a strip of the silver ribbon.  I took a wink of stella pen (coming in the new catalog) and accented all the trees with a bit of sparkle.  Unfortunately, I couldn't capture the sparkle in the photo, but trust me...it sparkles. :)


Head on over to Lynn's blog to see what marvelous creation she has concocted for this month.

Step It Up Fall Blog Hop

Another Step It Up Blog Hop has arrived.  My computer is still being doctored, so I kicked my husband off of his and have over taken it!  I just know he wants pictures of my cards on his hard drive

 I love the rich color of blackberry bliss.  I added the fall colored leaves and sentiment to make a simple note card.

To step up this little beauty I added some gold sequins as accents and another leaf and twine to accent the sentiment.  I love this project life stamp set from the holiday catalog.  Even though I don't scrapbook I love the font used and all the little stamps the coordinate with the sentiment.



Step on over to Jeanna Bohanon's  Blog to see her amazing projects and if you get a chance come on back later today and check out what I have in store for you.

 

October Blog Hop Steppin It Up Halloween Style

 It is finally fall and  the time of year that is my favorite.  I have made witch hats and put up all my Halloween decorations.  A banner for the fireplace is on the to-do list.  Lets see if I get there :)

Foot ball season has started and my Utah Utes are looking pretty after their game against the Oregon Ducks.  Lets hope that they can maintain their drive and determination to the next game which sadly isn't until the 10th.

Sadly the garden is winding down.  I am not done eating fresh produce, but the rate things are ripening I won't have a choice pretty soon.  I will have to succumb to grocery store tomatoes.


My version of the step up card this month starts out with the brick embossing folder and a bit of sponging.  To that I added the window die and cute little spider and jack-o-lantern to create the scene.

To step it up I added a pair of google eyes from the owl punch and some wood grained paper worked great for my barred up windows to keep out any one that might dare to enter.

   

Head on over to Julie Wadlingers blog to see what amazing creations she has for you.

Step It Up! Stampin UP Style

 Fall is fast approaching.  There is a part of me that is ready to embrace the cool fall weather and put summer behind  me.  The other part still wants to enjoy the fresh air coming in the open windows at night and the fresh garden produce.

Most of all I am excited for Football games and the new Seasonal Stampin Up Catalog!

There are so many things in the new catalog that I love!!!
I am sharing the pillow box which is the perfect size for a gift card or several homemade caramels.
Here is the basic pillow box with ribbons and a tag.

The second version adds an embossing folder imprint of beautiful aspen trees, a button and some thick twine.

The third  version adds white ink to the trees, some leaves,  and a cute fox!

Hop on over to Jeanna's space and see what spooky things she has created.

Steppin It Up with Stampin Up Blog Hop

Welcome to our blog hop.  We hope that a new format will be of interest to our readers.

I can't beleive another month has flown by and it has been full of activities and fun times
A few highlights....Deer Valley Concert on the 4th, Stampin Up Convention, 250 favors for a wedding reception, trip to Thanksgiving point to see the gardens, work, gardening or should I say weeding, Alex and Ani, grillin and just hangin with my friends and sweetheart.

Our challenge this month is to show a card and then a stepped up version of the same card.  So here goes.

This was the card idea I swapped with my fellow demos.  Although I used the step up version, here is the beginning stages of the card that would be easily used for a simple idea.  Masculine colors, some pleated burlap and sponging around the image give this card a great start.










To step this baby up...

I added another layer behind my main image.  I used a strip of burlap, navy and newsprint as banners behind the image to give it a boost.  Gotta love our new banner punch! I also shaded around the car with pool party and a blender pen.  I added crystal effects to age the card a bit and give the card texture.  I added a few candy dots which helps to fill in the empty space.  If you wanted to even do more you could emboss the base of vanilla or even add more banners.  It is so fun to see the cards in the design process and how they end up.

Head on over to Jeanna's to see what she has Stepped UP her project.

Summer Blog Hop - Stampin UP Style

Summer has arrived and I feel like I am melting. Unfortunately, my fat stores are not melting - despite the heat.  Maybe it is all the ice cream I eat to stay cool :)  Temperatures close to or over 100, and it isn't cooling down at night.  My poor bulldogs collapse halfway around the block and take lots of breaks to get the potty jobs done.  Here is a pic of one of my guys cooling off in front of the fan,

Riley hangin out in front of the fan

We have so many new toys and options with the new Stampin Up Catalog...I want to share just a couple I made with you

This card is a white on white.  I used the Irresistably Yours DSP and took a sponge dauber and some blue and yellow ink to make the three colors.  It surprisingly blended easily.  Simple and Fun!

This one uses the new stamp set Gift from the Garden.  I love all the little components of garden supplies.  Had to include as many as I could get. 

Now on to Jeanna's creativity spot!

Something Old, Something New

Anticipation of Stampin Up's new catalog for 2015-2016 always leads me to purchase too much of the preorder product available to demonstrators.  This year, I kept it at a minimum, but the product available is so great and versatile.  Starting June 2nd, You too, can purchase these products!  Here are a couple of items you will want.  The new in colors are bright and so fun to use.

This card went together quickly.  With great paper and stamps - you don't need hours to create a cute card. I love the new banner punch.  It creates the banner tail for 3 different sizes of paper.  Takes the guess work out of getting the tails even.  I also love love love the blossom accents.

Paper - Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Cherry on Top DSP
Stamps - Friendly Wishes
Ink - Memory Box Black
Accessories - Black/white bakers twine, In-color blossom accents, Banner Punch





The other project is a cute gift bag.  We are now selling a great punch board that creates different size gift bags.  Even punches the holes for the handles.

Paper - Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, Cherry on Top DSP
Stamps - Sprinkles of Life
Ink - Cucumber Crush
Accessories - Fringe Scissors, In-color blossom accents, Heart border punch, linen thread, Handpicked framelits, Dotted lace trim - watermelon wonder, Gift Bag Punch Board

Head on over to Jeanna Bohanon's Blog to check out her creations.

 

Blog Hop through the May Flowers

Doesn't quite have the same rhythm as tiptoe through the tulips does it?  I love spring time.  This shot is of the Salt Lake City Temple and a beautiful yellow poppy.   The flowers are blooming super early this year and I just had to get a shot of this little beauty.

Thanks for joining us on our blog hop!!!

I have chosen to showcase one of my favorite flower accent sets that we have.  Petite Petals and it's coordinating punch are one of my go to stamps and punches when I need a cute little flower accent stamp sets.

I have had this style of card in my mind as soon as I saw the file table dies in the catalog.  Not used in how they were initially designed, but I think it is a clever fun way.  I pulled out all the goods---ornate tag topper punch, banner dies, ribbons, twine, buttons, file tab die to name a few.  (I love toys!)

As you can see in the second image that the file tab is used as an insert to keep the card closed. 

I cut a small slot with my x-acto knife to insert the tab.  The other little flowers are from the stamp set called Pictogram Punches - retiring. 

Well head on over to Jeanna's blog for more flowers.

April Showers Blog Hop or April Fools Day on ME!

 

Yikes!  It is time for our monthly blog hop and my crafting area looks like a bomb exploded.  I am in the middle of organizing and putting things where they belong.  I don't even have 6 inches on my work desk to create something for you....

So as of now - this is an April Fools Day post.  For being such a Fool and leaving it to the last minute.  

Come back tonight and I will have a couple of projects for your viewing.

Check out Jeannas April Shower Craftiness!

Happy crafting

Ta Ta for now

A little March Madness Blog Hop



We find ourselves at the 1st of March with no idea what season Mother Nature wants it to be.  Our winter has felt like spring and as we approach spring, we are getting some of the winter that we missed.  I just hope that all the little flowering tree buds make it through!

This card is a combination of a couple of stamp sets, washi tape, tools and artisan embellishments.  They say stamping is cheaper than therapy, but I am not entirely convinced of that.  Maybe if we compare it to the worth of our sanity the costs balance out :)

Hop on over to Jeanna's spot to see what March Madness she has created.