Guess What Day It IS! (I'm saying that like the camel in the Geico Commercial – LOL!)  I am VERY excited today!  I found a new love.  (NO!  Not that kind!)  I have been a Paper Crafter for 15 years.  During that time, my affections have run the gamut from Scrapbooking to Mixed Media to Stamping to Card Making and everything in between.  I used to buy EVERY magazine every month and drool over every page.  Sadly, there are not a lot of magazines left!  I just received the Stamper's Sampler Take Ten Magazine and, I have to tell you, I am WAY impressed!  Take Ten is right up my alley – and yours!  There are nearly 300 Stamped Card Ideas that you can make in ten minutes (as in Take Ten)! This card is my interpretation of a great vintage card on page 68 by Marge McGuire. It took me less than 10 minutes!

The flower was created by using the Pansy Punch to punch out four layers of Epic Day Designer Series Paper.  Then, sponge the edges with Calypso Coral Ink and layer them using Glue Dots.  Scrunch them and finish by adhering it to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The card below was assembled in about 3 minutes using a quarter sheet of the sample paper that was a "gimme" in the magazine.  I just added a ribbon and used a bow that I had sitting on my desk.  The greeting and frame are from the Chalk Talk Stamp Set and was cut out using the Chalk Talk Framelits.  (I love having supplies that coordinate!)

Now, to be completely transparent here, I received this issue for free – but, you know me…I always tell it LIKE IT IS… I can't help it.  That's the Native New Yorker in me!  Here's what I think:  This is not like other magazines. It's filled with cards – not advertising.  Of course, there is some advertising but it doesn't overtake the whole magazine.  There are lots of departments I like.  My favorite type of creative inspiration is Sketch Challenges.  There's a challenge in here that you can use to submit to the magazine for publication.  How cool would THAT be!  I've always hesitated to do that – not sure why – never good enough – blah, blah, blah.  Let's do it together!  You submit yours and I'll submit mine!  Anyway…there's a Quick & Easy Gift section and one with the Same Stamp Used in Different Ways (love that).  One of the things I like most are the different styles of Card Making.  There are Techniques and Product Reviews and Clean and Simple Cards too.  I am definitely going to be recreating some of these beautiful cards.

I'm subscribing to Stamper's Sampler Take Ten!  You should check it out at Stampington.com!  If you'd like to make these cards and need supplies delivered to your door, shop in my ONLINE STORE.  (The supply list is below.) Hope you're having a GREAT day!

Supplies for the First Card:

• Natural's Ivory Cardstock #101849
• Crumb Cake Cardstock #120953
• Epic Day Designer Series Paper #130814
• Epic Day Washi Tape #131269
• Off The Grid Stamp #130736
• Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set (wood) #130514 (clear) #130517
• Feel Goods Stamp Set  (wood) #131916 (clear) #129684
• Crumb Cake Ink #126975
• Calypso Coral Ink #126983
• Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker #119680
• Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Marker #131263
• Aqua Painter #103954
• Pansy Punch #130698
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels #125577
• Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz Spray #118772
• Stampin' Sponges #101610
• Stampin'Dimensionals#104430
• Glue Dots #103683

Supplies for the Second Card:

• Blushing Bride Cardstock #131198
• Background Paper – Take Ten Magazine Insert
• Chalktalk Stamp Set (wood) #130631 (clear) #130634
• Big Shot Die Cutting Machine #113439
• Big Shot Magnetic Platform #130658
• Chalk Talk Framelits #129983
• Blushing Bride Ink #131172
• Crumb Cake Ink #126975
• Stampin' Sponges #101610
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels #125577
• 1 3/8" Circle Punch #119860
• Victoria Crochet Trim #118481
• Stampin' Dimensionals #104430
• Glue Dots #103683

Happy Cyber Monday!  As someone who does NOT enjoy shopping in stores, I LOVE Cyber Monday!  DIY Gift Packaging For All Occasions is on sale for Cyber Monday!  Check it out HERE. Today's Challenge was to create a non-traditional Holiday Card without using the colors red or green.  I immediately thought of Navy and White.  I love that color combo.  I think it's so classy.  As a Paper Crafter, I usually have a recipient in mind when I create a card so it's easier because I can think about what that person likes and incorporate those elements into my Card Making.  My friend, Christina, loves doves.  I think of her whenever I see this stamp set.  The base card is Whisper White cardtock 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored and folded in half.  I took a 2" X 2" square of Silver Glimmer Paper and cut it in half diagonally.  I adhered those triangles to the corners of my card.  I ran a piece of Night of Navy cardstock 4" x 5 1/4" through the Big Shot using the Pretty Print Embossing Folder.  I made a double bow with a piece of Whisper White Organza Ribbon and wrapped it around the front of the card, adhering it to the back using Glue Dots.

 The dove is from the Calm Christmas Stamp Set.  I inked it in Whisper White Craft Ink and stamped it onto Whisper White Cardstock and then embossed it using Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool.  I cut it out using Paper Snips and adhered it to the front of the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.  I used a Rhinestone for the dove's eye. I stamped "Peace on Earth" from the same stamp set and then embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool.  I punched it out using the Extra Large Oval Punch and adhered it to the front of the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.  

Three Rhinestone Basic Jewels finish off the card.  You know I love to embellish the inside of my card and I didn't forget this one!  I used a thin strip of Silver Glimmer Paper.  If you need any of the supplies to make this card,  you can have them delivered right to your door!  Just visit my ONLINE STORE!  Don't forget that today is the last day to order DIY Gift Packaging Ideas For All Occasions with the Black Friday $10 discount!

 SUPPLIES:

• Whisper White Cardstock #100730
• Night of Navy Cardstock #100867
• Silver Glimmer Paper #124005
• Big Shot Die Cutting Machine #113439
• Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder #132175
• Calm Christmas Stamp Set – Wood #132736  Clear #132739
• Whisper White Craft Ink #101731
• Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder #101930
• Night of Navy Ink #126970
• Clear Embossing Powder #109130
• Heat Tool #129053
• Extra Large Oval Punch #119859
• Whisper White Organza Ribbon #114319
• Rhinestone Basic Jewels #119246
• SNAIL Adhesive Refill #104331
• Glue Dots #103683
• Stampin' Dimensionals #104430
• Stampin' Paper Trimmer #126889
• Bone Folder #102300

Winter has finally peeked his head out!  The temperature has plummeted here and it actually snowed a little the other day! Wow!  That happened FAST!  In honor of the approaching Winter Weather, I created this Festive Flurry Circle Card.  It's funny how your surroundings influence your Card Making.  Be sure to stop back tomorrow for my BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! (Hint: I'm VERY excited! It's something I've never offered before!!!)  Okay…back to the card…The Circles Collection Framelits make creating this card a cinch.  Just fold a piece of 5 1/2" x 11" Pool Party Cardstock in half at 5 1/2".  Make sure to score the edge with your Bone Folder.  Place the Scalloped Circle from the Circle Collection Framelits over the folded card – making certain to leave 3 scallops ABOVE the fold.  Run it through the Big Shot.  You will have the Scalloped Circle Card with the fold still attached.  Run another piece of Pool Party Cardstock through the Big Shot using the same Scalloped Circle Framelit – but, this time, cut the whole circle.  Adhere this over the card so that you have the full scalloped circle as your card front.

Using the largest Circle Framelit, cut a piece of Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper for the front of your card and a piece of Whisper White Cardstock for the inside of your card.  Cut 3 strips from 3 different patterns of Winter Frost Designer Series Paper – two of them at 1" x 3" and one at 1" x 3 1/2". Adhere the two smaller strips to the card front using SNAIL Adhesive Refill.  Adhere the larger strip in the center using Stampin' Dimensionals.  Run a piece of Whisper White Organdy Ribbon across the front of the Designer Series Paper Circle and adhere in the back using Glue Dots.  Run a piece of 1/8" Silver Ribbon across the center of the Organdy Ribbon and secure in the back using Glue Dots.  Adhere the Circle to the front of your card using SNAIL Adhesive Refill.

Stamp the smallest snowflake from the Festive Flurry Stamp Set in Bermuda Bay Ink onto Whisper White Cardstock and cut out using the matching Festive Flurry Framelits.  Cut a piece of Silver Glimmer Paper in the next size snowflake Framelit.  Adhere them to each other using Stampin' Dimensionals and then adhere the whole snowflake to the cardfront using Stampin' Dimensionals.  Place a Frosted Finishes Embellishment in the center of the snowflakes.

Then, if you're like me, you just can't stop yourself from adding some Rhinestone Basic Jewels around the scallops of the card! It's downright Bling-A-Licious!  If you'd like to make this card, you can have the supplies delivered right to your door. Find all of the supplies in my ONLINE STORE!  

SUPPLIES:

• Pool Party Cardstock #122924
• Whisper White Cardstock #100730
• Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper #132341
• Festive Flurry Stamp Set – Wood#131770, Clear #131781
• Festive Flurry Framelits #132193
• or – Festive Flurry Bundle – Wood #133284, Clear #133285
• Big Shot Die  Cutting Machine #113439
• Circles Collection Framelits #130911
• Bermuda Bay Ink #131171
• Silver Glimmer Paper #124005
• Frosted Finishes Embellishments #132150
• Whisper White Organza Ribbon #114319
• Silver 1/8" Ribbon #132137
• Rhinestone Basic Jewels #119246
• SNAIL Adhesive Refill #104331
• Glue Dots #103683
• Stampin' Dimensionals #104430
• Stampin' Paper Trimmer #126889
• Bone Folder #102300
• Craft Scissors #108360

Mondays are very busy in the Craft Studio!  I'm like a mad scientist designing new Cards and recording new Videos.  I start out with a clean room and basically destroy it by the end of the day! LOL!  I don't know why I can't be neat AND creative but that's just the way it goes, I guess.  One of the benefits of Card Making this way is that I have lots of "left-over" pieces that are cut and embossed already so the cards just seem to come together on their own.  I absolutely love this color combination – especially for masculine cards.  The Modern Medley Designer Series Paper coordinates perfectly with the Houndstooth Embossing Folder. The Trust God Stamp Set (see images below) has lots of great sayings to put on a card you're sending "just because."

The base card is Very Vanilla Cardstock – a half sheet cut scored and folded in half.  The next layer is 5 3/8" x 4" of Basic Black Cardstock passed through the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine in the Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  A 2" x 5 3/8" strip of Modern Medley Designer Series Paper is layered on top.  The sentiment is stamped in Jet Black Stazon Ink onto Very Vanilla Cardstock.  The center piece is 1 3/4" x 2 7/8".  That piece is layered onto a 3" x 1 7/8" piece of Cherry Cobbler Cardstock. Another piece of Modern Medley Designer Series Paper – the music pattern – 3 1/2" x 2" is layered onto a piece of Basic Black Cardstock measuring 3 7/8" x 2 1/4" which is layered onto a piece of Cherry Cobbler Cardstock measuring 4" x 2 1/2".  A piece of 1/8" Basic Black Ribbon was wrapped around and secured behind the cardstock with Glue Dots. A "faux bow" was tied to that piece and then entire piece was adhered to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Don't forget the inside of the card!  This one is decorated with a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Basic Black Cardstock and then a 4 3/4" x 3 1/2" piece of Very Vanilla Cardstock was layered on top with a strip of Modern Medley Designer Series Paper adhered to the side.  All of the supplies used are Stampin' Up! and can be found in my ONLINE STORE.

SUPPLIES:

• Very Vanilla Cardstock #101650
• Basic Black Cardstock #121045
• Cherry Cobbler Cardstock #119685
• Modern Medley Designer Series Paper #126926
• Big Shot Die Cutting Machine #113439
• Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder #121134
• 1/8" Basic Black Ribbon #119261
• Craft Scissors #108360
• Trust God Stamp Set W#132094 C#126702
• Jet Black Stazon Ink #101406
• SNAIL Adhesive Refill #104331
• Glue Dots #103683
• Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

When I realized today’s challenge was “Punches,”  I imagined doing an elaborate card with lots of layered punches. When I sat down to actually create this card, I wasn’t “feelin’ it” but I knew it had to have butterflies!  The two sizes of butterfly punches work perfectly together to create embellishments for any card.  The base card is Pacific Point cardstock cut in half and scored and folded in half.  The White Vellum Cardstock layer was passed through the Big Shot in the Pretty Prints Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and adhered to the card using Glue Dots. Unfortunately, most adhesives show through Vellum so I only put the adhesive under the embellishments.

The sentiment is from the Sweetly Framed Hostess Stamp Set.  It was stamped in Pacific Point Ink onto Whisper White Cardstock in the center of the coordinating frame and they were both embossed using Clear Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool.  They were then punched using the Decorative Label Punch. The Pacific Point cardstock layer underneath was also punched with the Decorative Label Punch and then cut in half and reassembled behind the sentiment to create a border.  It was then popped up and adhered to the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The Papillion Potpourri stamp set has butterflies that coordinate perfectly with the Elegant Butterfly Punch. These Butterflies are from the Creative Elements Stamp Set.  They aren’t perfect but it works out fine anyway.  They were stamped onto Vellum cardstock using Pacific Point Ink and then embossed using Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder and a Heat Tool.  They were layered on top of each other using Glue Dots and then attached to the card front using Glue Dots.  The center accents are Rhinestone Basic Jewels. 

The Whisper White Organza Ribbon is attached to the card front using Glue Dots and then bow is accented with Rhinestone Basic Jewels.

The smaller butterly was cut using the Itty Butterfly Punch.  If you’d like to make this card, you can find all of the Stampin’ Up! supplies in my ONLINE STORE.

SUPPLIES:

• Pacific Point Cardstock #111350
• Pacific Point Ink #126951
• Whisper White Cardstock #100730
• White Cardstock Vellum #101856
• Creative Elements Stamp Set W#128523 C#122657
• Decorative Label Punch #120907
• Elegant Butterfly Punch #127526
• Bitty Butterfly Punch #129406
• Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder #101930
• Clear Embossing Powder #109130
• Heat Tool #129053
• Rhinestone Basic Jewels #119246
• Whisper White Organza Ribbon #114319
• Big Shot Die Cutting Machine #113439
• Pretty Prints Textured Impressions Embossing Folder #132175
• Craft Scissors #108360
• Stampin’ Paper Trimmer #126889
• Bone Folder #12300
• Glue Dots #103683
• Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430
• Whisper White Medium Envelopes #107301