Playing with my new toys!

My latest order arrived on Friday and I hopped straight to it as I've been longing to have a go at creating easel cards with the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die. I've seen so many lovely cards online, especially Julia Leece and Bronwyn Eastley. I made 4 cards in total trying different ideas for the butterfly "bodies" and "feelers" and will share these in the next few days. For this card I started with watercolour paper and wanted to create a stained glass look. I haven't had much experience with watercolouring so am pretty happy with my first try!

Stamps: Priceless
Cardstock: Watercolour Paper, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black
Ink: Black StazOn, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turqoise, Read Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Hodgepodge Hardware, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Sponge Dauber, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder

Deals of the Week Promotion: Week 3

These deals are available until midnight next Wednesday:

Item Page Description Regular Price Sale Price
119750 137 Daffodil Delight 5/8'' (1.6 cm) Satin Ribbon $16.95 $11.87
119963 137 Certainly Celery 3/8'' (1 cm) Taffeta Ribbon $12.95 $9.07
109112 139 Square Fire Rhinestone Brads $19.95 $13.97
109113 139 Square Ice Rhinestone Brads $19.95 $13.97

StampAMemory Challenge

The challenge this month at StampAMemory was to create a layout using this photo for inspiration:
Cute eh? This is what I came up with:
I thought I'd also add a photo of the layout with the photo on it as I came across a blog the other and the Demonstrator had done this and I have to say, it was wonderful! A photo can change the look of a layout dramatically. So when possible, I plan to do this myself!
To create the "heart" I die cut 7 flowers from the Blossom Party die, texture-embossed them, sprayed some water on, crunched them up, then rubbed the same colour stamp pad over them. I was planning on just creating a big flower like in the inspiration photo but after a little play, decided a heart was much more appropriate. I sprayed the blue heart with water after stamping to blur the image. For the title, I die cut the letters, applied glue, dazzling diamonds then a coat of crystal effects, they look so pretty in real life!

Stamps: Every Moment, Punch Potpourri, Pony Party, Woodgrain
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive, Rose Red, Marina Mist
Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, Rose Red, Marina Mist, Versamark
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Blossom Party Originals Dies, Simple Letters Alphabet Bigz Dies, Heat Gun, White Embossing Powder, Sponge Dauber, Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects

Deals of the Week Promotion: Week 2

Available until midnight Wednesday:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
120963	142	Stampin Pastels New Color Kit (19)	$34.95	$27.96
115957	151	Thanks Embosslits Die	$26.50	$21.20
114513	151	Sweetest Stem Embosslits Die	$26.50	$21.20
113483	155	Pennant Bigz XL Die	$91.95	$73.56

Quilted, Imbedded-Embossed, Scallop Square Easel Card

Now that's a mouthful! I could have just said "Happy Mother's Day" but I thought the heading I used might get your attention a bit better, lol! I was inspired by a card that Christine Blain uploaded to our demonstrator website. She hasn't put it on her blog yet but I'm sure she will at some stage.
This is the card I made for my Mother-in-Law. Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mother's out there who help make the world a better place!
Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Elegant Soiree DSP
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Blossom Party Originals Dies, Scallop Square Bigz Die, Scallop Oval & Large Oval Punches, Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Rhinestone Brad

I've been saving this piece of designer paper...

...waiting for the right photos to come along so that I could do something reasonably crafty with it! Unfortunately it's now retired, but none-the-less still beautiful! Finally I was inspired and this is what I came up with.
Stamps: Punch Potpourri (Hostess)
Cardstock: Pink Flamingo DSP (Retired), Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Simple Letters Alphabet Bigz Dies, Full Heart, Boho Blossoms, Butterfly, Two-Step Bird & Curly Label Punches, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Sponge Dauber

Deals of the Week Promotion

Are you ready for some weekly surprises? You may have seen Stampin' Up!'s ad in the May issue of your favourite crafting magazine letting you know that throughout the month of May, we are bringing you a new deal on our exclusive products every week! Check our website every Wednesday in May, and get up to 40 percent off a selection of incredible products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue! There are no limits to the number of Deals of the Week you can purchase and no minimum purchase is required.* Now is your time to stock up on your favourite products! Be sure to hurry and purchase each week’s deals early on so you don’t miss out! When the new week’s deals start up each Wednesday at midnight, the last week’s deals are over . . . forever! This Week’s Deals:

Item	Page	Description	Regular Price	Sale Price
121578	37	Tag Alongs Wood-Mount Set	$38.95	$23.37
120468	59	More Monkey Accessories Clear-Mount Set	$29.95	$17.97
121550	59	More Monkey Accessories Wood-Mount Set	$36.95	$22.17
120003	75	Cottage Garden Clear-Mount Set	$31.95	$19.17
119163	75	Cottage Garden Wood-Mount Set	$39.95	$23.97
121494	98	Compliments to the Chef Wood-Mount Set	$43.95	$26.37