Roomfuls of Sunshine

Love, love, love everything about this display from Anthropologie. Little known fact about me... I love architecture, drafting & renderings.  I love that I went to Cazenovia College for Interior/Architectural Design.  And I love how Anthro presents this window with a 'kick it' creative collaboration between the soft rendered lines & captured details of the window panes (just 'stop it' with the fact that they included an outlet with such detail! Too darn cute!) I'm crazy about how the gentleness of the rendering gives the curtain fabric such a 'punch' and the attention it deserves. 

Yup... there's is no doubt about it. This type of illustration & realistic visual mix makes me happy & makes me want to re-work every single room in my home!  But... I won't.  Instead, I pull from the awesome inspiration & creative excitement that I'm feelin', grab my paper, ink & linen thread and go to town!

Okay, don't loose hope on me yet!  I know the pic isn't fantastic but trust me... the lusciousness of the Daffodil Delight card stock against the neutral Crumb Cake card stock backing is subtle but rich.  Ooohhh the Crumb Cake ink captures the detail and intricate etching of the hydrangea that feels almost vintage.  A small piece of linen thread completes the flat correspondence card beautifully. 

See, I really like the flat correspondence cards. I enjoy sending a quick handwritten thought to friends.  This size allows me to get the job done quickly & with great ease.  Now... who gets this card?!  Gen, AnnMarie, Maura, Jamie... hmmm...

Vintage Viola - in 5 minute or less!

I simply love heading into the backyard & cutting fresh blooms for our table or to give to someone special.  I collect random vases, glasses, jars or containers through the winter so that I don't have to fret if the vessel doesn't come back my way.

Our hydrangeas are stunning & blooming like mad!  I decided that my mom-in-law needed a little treat to greet her upon her return from vacation. The pretty pink-ish blooms were complimented nicely by this little 'ole tin.  Although cute, it just wasn't quite right...

'Lightbulb Moment': A Vintage Label would be perfect! In a couple of simple steps, I have exactly what this little 'thinking of you' gift needs.  1. A scrap piece of Very Vanilla Paper (101650), 2. Chocolate Chip Ink (100908), 3. The Vintage Label Stamp Set, 4. One quick press of the Scallop Circle Punch (109043) & a handwritten sentiment attached to the tin with a Stampin' Dimensional (104430) & viola'  All done!  THAT was the little extra something that this sweet girl needed to be just right. 

Here's the thing... I used items that I had on hand to doll up this little beauty.  Neutral card stock & ink along with a versatile stamp set and scallop punch goes a long way over and over again.  A few creative basics = pretty people pleasers in 5 minutes or less (okay, it was 10 if I include cutting the blooms!)


Have a spendid day!!

6x6 scrapbook pages (& cards)

When it comes to working with paper, the sky is truly the limit.  When the kids were little, I always had the camera, just in case they did something that needed to be recorded for history!  As I look now at the baskets, boxes & random Kodak folders holding all of those pics, I wouldn't change anything except perhaps how I chose to organize (or several cases, not organize) the memories.  Scrapbooking doesn't have to be elaborate or flashy.  Here is a page that was borrowed from my delightful SU! colleague Kriss Huels (who was inspired from another demonstrator).  I love the simplicity of this page.  There's some great color, a fun 'pop' with the flower, but the photo is the true focal point.
 

For those just starting out, this page feels manageable; which is an important key to beginning.  I decided to share this idea as my friend Carrie asked me about easy scrapbooking techniques.  She wants to start albums for her sons as they go through awesome journey of being busy boys! Although the colors & chosen embellishments from the displayed page may not work for her, the theory will.  Simple, 'clean' & not overwhelming.  Instead of the flower, use a Stampin'  Up! Circle Punch for the 'pop' & write 'Nate's Big Game' featuring a picture of him at bat or 'Noah's First Goal!' with a pic of him tearing up the soccer field.  Carrie can choose paper in blue or green or even in team colors to make the page unique. 

Finally, here's a tip for getting the most bang for your buck... Take a piece of 12x12 card stock paper & cut (4) 6x6 sections for your scrapbook pages.  This will maximize your paper & minimize waste. 

Did you notice the cute card that is sitting to the left of the scrapbook page above?  That too is a 6x6 piece of paper folded in half. All of the same materials have been used (except the photo) in both pieces.  This idea works beautifully because again, you can maximize your supplies by using the same paper, ink, stamps & adhesive.

One of my favorite features about the Stampin' Up! is how easy the products all coordinate together.  Card stock, ink, ribbon, patterned paper, buttons, brads, glitter & hardware work beautifully together; taking the guess work out of what matches with what. 

Check out the Simply Scrappin' birthday kit & fun scrapbook page ideas for your inspiration on my website!

Cute Custom Cards 3x3

For the sake of full disclosure, the photos that I'm taking of my projects are leaving a bit to be desired!  Please hang in there with me as I improve that aspect.  In the mean time, I hope you can look past the poor lighting and grainy-ness of the pics to see where I'm going with these babies!

The two featured cards were custom designs for a customer. The 3x3 card size is perfect for a quick note or gift enclosure.  Again, the lighting of the pic doesn't capture the gorgeous coupling of these two rich colors (Old Olive & Perfect Plum) that beautifully compliment one another. Click here for an 'At a Glance' peak at the scrumptious colors from Stampin' Up!

I find it difficult to send a note with a plain envelope when the card is just so darn cute.  If feels like getting dressed up in a fab party dress but using your everyday purse.  Now, why do that?!  So I do one of two things; I add a delightful stamp on the front left corner that coordinates with the card or I sass it up by lining the envelope in some capacity with Designer Series Paper (DSP).  For this simple but sweet card, I opted to line the exterior flap of the envelope in 'Cottage Wall' DSP.  Stampin' Up! offers DSP paper that coordinates perfectly with our paper and each sheet is double sided which doubles your creative options! Finally, I opted to use the Lovely Letters Alphabet set as the type style was a perfect fit for the person that would be sending these cards.  Pair this pretty font with the Curly Label Punch & add a few Stampin' Dimensionals on the back to make the initial 'pop' & viola!

The photo above shows the 3x3 cards & matching envelopes (sweetly) packaged or dressed up in a cute bag with ribbon accents for my delightful customer.  Although this little lady will be personally using her note cards, how fun would this be as a gift for your favorite friend, teacher, co-worker and so on!

So, I have the same wonderful customer, the Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamp Set and my favorite Curly Label Punch.  Here comes the switch up!

Not Quite Navy Card Stock & luscious 'Bella Blue' Designer Series Paper dress up the neutral Kraft Card Stock beautifully.  I added my Scalloped Edge Punch (available on July 1st) for the final touch on the Not Quite Navy and again... viola!

Borrowed inspiration!

While I'm gathering additional photos of my personal work, I hope you don't mind if I share some tid-bits of what inspires me.  Have fun!

 

Love this!  I'm always hot for flowers and utilizing everyday dishware to prop out blooms.  Found this great pic on a site that you should certainly check out, oh, hello friend.  Take a few moments to read how this little lady from California came up with the name of her blog; the story is delightful!

 

  Another pic from Miss Danni at oh, hello friend...

Moving onward to a very cool lady that I follow daily.  Mary Fish is a stampin' & artistic guru (and may I add, very very kind to respond to my several emails.)  She is a fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator & inspires me to be more creative & offer the exceptional customer care that she does.  She's one sassy chic! Mary's card is showcasing some of the new features that will be available in our new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog that will be available on July 1st.

 I'm really digging this card that Mary created because I was just working with this brand new, Because I Care, stamp set last night.  I received the set free (one of the demonstrator perks that I love!) when I picked up a bundle of the new card stock colors that will be available on July 1st. May I simply say that these new colors are lush & delicious to look at & work with?  I love the texture & romance of a hydrangea bloom & the 'etched style' of the stamp represents that beautifully. Mary kicks her card 'up a notch' with the use of linen thread, gold brads & textured paper (compliments of the fabulous Big Shot Die Cut Machine).  Finally, I need to give a shout out to linen thread! I've been using it like crazy over the last couple of weeks in subtle ways on my cards & creations.  It's like the final 'kiss' on your project.  I'll get some pics to share with you soon.

Enjoy your day friend!

Invites with a little 'POP'!

I designed two invitations for one of my favorite schools for their Teacher/Staff Appreciation Breakfast.  I'm a big fan of these simple flat cards; they can be used for invites, notes & so on.  The key?  Layers & an extra 'POP' for interest.  

• Whisper White card stock sits directly upon the Sahara Sand card stock for a clean crisp feel.  I crank out the beautiful Boarding Blue card stock (only available while supplies last or until 6/30) through my fabulous Big Shot using the Top Note Die.  The scalloped edges with etched outlining adds a touch of class to the card. 
• While my Big Shot is raring to go, I ran Textured Barely Banana card stock (only available while supplies last or until 6/30) through with the Flower, Daisies #2 Die.  (2) of the medium size flower are the perfect fit to compliment the invite.
• A sparkly Rhinestone Brad offers some sassy 'bling' & fun to the mix!

The second card has the same fundamental elements as the first but with Pale Plum Card Stock (only available while supplies last or until 6/30).

• I used the two-step stamping process with the Awash with Flowers stamp set for a cool watercolor look. The stem & outline were stamped using Basic Black ink.  The flower head is stamped with Perfect Plum ink.
• Add one of those sweet sparkly Rhinestone Brads for your added ooh la la & your all set!
• Note: I used Stampin' Dimensionals to the back of the purple (or blue) Top Note Cut out to give dimension to the piece. It works like a charm!

To Order Stampin' Up! Products On-Line, 24~7, Click Here!

Paper: Sahara Sand (105328), Whisper White (100730), Bordering Blue (102630), Barely Banana (107081), Pale Plum (101658).
Stamps: Awash with Flowers (Available in July!).
Ink: Basic Black Classic Ink (101179), Perfect Plum Classic Ink (101437).
Cool Tools: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439).  Stampin' Up! Top Note Die (113463), Flower, Daisies #2 (114520)

Finishing Touches: Rhinestone Brads (109113) Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), SNAIL Adhesive (104332)

A Sweet Collaboration - Cupcakes & Toppers!

How small could this world possibly be!  Years ago while in the halls at Aquinas, I would walk past this little lady named Jennette & this baseball playin' guy named Jim.  Never did pay much attention to tell the truth... Fast forward 20 years (yikes!) Our children are in the same 5th grade class, they live a hop, skip & jump away & Jennette is a sassy creative genius.  I happened to hear through the grapevine that the woman can bake a mean cupcake & let me tell you how the grapevine was spot on about this one! She is the owner & mastermind behind ... 
:: oh, sugar! :: {cupcakes & confections} 

A month or so ago Christina, the librarian from our kids school (note: I love the library. It was my work study job in college & I want to be a librarian when I grow up) asked if I would make cupcake toppers & moustache's for her son's big 1st birthday bash.  The theme was 'Little Mister' and Christina had an extraordinary vision for pulling everything together. The photos are compliments from Christina & the last features one very handsome birthday boy with his moustache!  Thank you Christina for letting me work with you on this & thank you Jennette for making my little 'tie' toppers look so darn cute!

Creative Notes:  Stampin' Up! punches make creative projects like this a snap.  The curly label punch (112208) is one of my favorites. I drew the large tie topper then used my Stampin' Up! paper snips (103579) to make short work of the project & also used them to cut out the felt for the moustaches.  For the little extra 'kiss' on the ties, I used my Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) to make the knot of the tie jump off the paper! Viola' - super cute 'Little Mister' tie toppers! 

Happy 1st Birthday Rory!

Welcome to DotDesigns, my friend...

It is said that the wise old gentleman, Confucius said, 'Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.'  Oh so true!  DotDesigns is an absolute gift to me; offering the ability to share, teach and perhaps even enlighten others towards creative touches that enhance everyday living.  As time progresses, I will share creative ideas that I have designed, borrow from other creative folks that I know and love and offer glimpses of what inspires me (as in the beautiful pic from cottage arts on the left).  Stay tuned...