New Flutter By Coordinating Dies--With Video

Today I'm sharing a video using an older stamp set, Flutter by, however the the dies that I'm using are from the newest collection of stamps and dies. Lawn Fawn is starting to release coordinating dies for older stamp sets little by little--at the request of so many of you! Isn't that great? I know I love it. I'm also sharing how I go about using Distress ink for watercoloring. This isn't a new technique but it's one that I love. 
This card is clean and simple; however, this stamp set and new coordinating dies are a great way to dress up anything from a card, layouts, and even party decor. I could totally image these flowers as cupcake toppers for a tea party; or, perhaps on a Mother's Day layout, too. 
I hope you enjoyed this video and for more details on the products I used feel free to head on over to the Lawn Fawn blog by clicking here. 

Sweet Stamp Shop Winter Release--And some Exciting News!

Not only am I’m excited to be sharing the Sweet Stamp Shop December release—I’m also excited to share that I’m on their design team! Making treat tags, and cards with their stamps was so much fun and I’m happy to share what I made with them below. Since, today is the SSS stamp release day; they are offering a 20% coupon code, DNR20, which you can use until this Friday at midnight. For more details, on the release and the coupon code visit the Sweet Stamp Shop blog by clicking here.

I made this tag, with a chalk board theme, and I also felt the like the distress chalk stains looked like flour had been spilled all over the tag too. I used the stamp set, Baking Love, to create this tag. This set has some of the cutest little images and sentiments. 

Next, I used the stamp set, Cookie Sprinkles to make this adorable card. I love how the sentiment in this set can be used with this cookie image, but you can also use it on a cupcake box or a tag as well. 

For this next card, I used another adorable set, Press itWash it, by the Sweet Stamp shop, and this set is so versatile and can be used for ‘just because cards’, or Valentine’s day. I’m definitely going to be having lots of fun with this set. 

I used a beautiful floral set named, Elegant Flowers, to create this card. The flowers in these set are great because you can use them to fit any theme you need it for; for instance, Mother’s Day, a birthday card, Just because card, etc. You can even create some beautiful wedding theme decorations with this set. 

Lastly, I made this card using the same stamp set I used to create the ‘baked with love’ tag (Baking love). Like I mentioned earlier—the images in this set are SO adorable! I created a ‘bun in the oven’ greeting card with this set and I think it came out so lovely.

To view more the Sweet Stamp Shop December release, and what the other design team members created using these stamp sets feel free to view their blog by clicking here!

I hope you enjoyed my creations! 

Studying Nature for Artistic Inspiration

I've recently decided that I wanted to get into drawing again, and perhaps even graphic designing. So, I’m planning on taking a couple of classes in school. But until those classes start I thought I’d take a little walk around the city and take pictures of nature; namely, to study the beauty of each specimen. Before I decided to go outside to take these photos I sat with my notepad and pen and began to draw leaves, flowers, and the like…but soon realized that my drawings seemed a bit flat and lifeless. I soon realized that I need to get outside and spend time with the plant life and really study them—examining the colors, shapes, textures, and shadow. I’m never surprised at how nature can really remind me of what I’m passing by and ignoring when I’m always rushing and indoors. I had such a great time taking photos of all these plants and now I’m craving to do it more. I’m assuming, if I’m craving to spend time outdoors it means I should really slow down and not spend so much time consumed by technology, right? Sometimes I get mad at myself for not doing more outdoorsy things—especially because of the city I live in. I have so many things to do around here and I never do them. I think it’s about time I did something about that. 

Centerpiece Decor Idea

While I was creating a scene for a photo-shoot showcasing my new wedding table numbers, I stumbled across a really cute way to decorate centerpieces using 12 x 12 pattern paper. I've mentioned in the past that I’m not so great at flower arranging, and I really don’t like using clear vases because you can tell I’m a novice at it, with all the stems and leaves going in every which way—so this time around I thought I’d simply cover them up with extra pattern paper I had laying around; and, it looks SO CUTE! So, I thought I’d share this little decorating tip and show how I did it, and how you can use any kind of paper to do it.

All you’ll need, to cover a clear vase is, 12 x 12 sheets of pattern paper; and, you can find this type of paper at your local Michaels or Joanns. They both have a great selection of pattern paper, and they usually have them on sale for about 5 sheets for $1.00. Next you’ll need either a papertrimmer or a ruler and scissors, and clear tape. Instructions: All I did was cut a 4” strip of the pattern paper, wrap it around the vase, and adhere it with some clear tape—and that’s it! You can even get creative with this and apply some adhesive pearls, gems, or even ribbon around to have it match your party decor  This idea will work perfectly with: weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, and so much more! 

I think the brown pattern paper is my favorite. It looks so elegant! I can’t wait to have a party so I can get creative with this. Thanks for stoppin’ by and happy Monday! 

Card of the Week—Anniversary Card

Today’s card was inspired by one of my new stamp sets by, My Mind’s Eye. I got this new stamp set at the Scrapbook Expo and I was super excited to give it a try. As soon as I saw this stamp set I just HAD to have it. There are so many stamps in this set that I just adore. There is a doily border stamp—love!—and there is also a really cute sentiment that says, “You have my whole heart for my whole life”. I thought that was so cute. Plus the rest of the stamps in this set are super cute as well. The things one can make with this set are endless. 

This time around I wanted to make a cute, yet simple card. So I used one of my elegant paper stacks, some Kraft card stock, Ivory card stock (for the sentiment), and silver embossing powder for the stamped image. I’d decided a while back that I didn't want to work with acrylic stamps anymore because I didn't like the quality of the stamps—but when I went to the scrapbook expo I saw tons and tons of stamp sets that had images I just couldn't live without. Therefore, I told myself I’d figure out a way to get the best stamping quality; and, I decided to use versamark + embossing powder or chalk inks for all my acrylic stamps. The reason why I didn't want to use acrylic stamps anymore was due to the fact that photopolymer stamps are simple WAY better and you can use any type of ink and still get amazing clean and crisp stamped images. I think photopolymer stamps spoiled me, LOL. However, now that I’ve figured out way to still get beautifully stamped image out of acrylic stamps I’m happy, hehe. 

Check out how the silver embossing powder shimmers in the light—so beautiful. 

Here is the stamped sentiment on the inside…aw how cute, LOL. 

Thanks for stopping by for another Card of the Week! 

Fall might finally be here in Los Angeles

Today the air felt cool—I think fall might finally be here. All of us Californians have been waiting for a change in the weather and today we finally got it. Now let’s hope it stays. I was indoors most of the day today shooting pictures of new Christmas tags and things and I could feel the cool breeze hitting me while I was standing by the window. The breeze was just begging me to come outside—so I did and I decided to take a little walk around my house and snap a few pictures of nature. One of my favorite things about fall is how the midday sun shines on everything.