Butterflies and Love With So Suzy Stamps

(FTC disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a small commission. I only participate in affiliate programs that feature products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links)

Here's a project that I made especially for my crafting bestie's wedding Anniversary.  It was a big shindig, celebrating 25 blissful years.  Well, we all know.... not every year is blissful!  She finally got her card, so now, I can share it with you all.  I'm so in love with this butterfly from So Suzy Stamps.  It's been awhile since I last broke it out.  I thought it was the perfect opportunity to pair it with a newer sentiment that I've also had in my supply; a fabulous quote from the famous actress, Audrey Hepburn which aptly, is the name of the sentiment stamp.

 

 

For the butterflies, I stamped with my Hero Arts ombre green ink, then sprinkled clear embossing powder and heated with my heat embossing tool.  Both were stamped onto Kaisercraft Heirloom patterned paper and I fussy cut one of the butterflies for dimension.   This butterfly stamp is the most intricate that I've ever seen and is simply stunning.   Click on any of the highlighted affiliate links, if you'd like to purchase one for yourself.  Or, two or three!  They make lovely gifts for your crafty friends.

Doesn't it look like it will simply fly off the page?  To be able to slide this into an envelope, I simply scored both sides where the wings connect and simply folded one wing.   It's adhered with a thin strip of Thermoweb glue lines.   My friend will be able to unfold and open both wings for display.  Magic!

 

  Visit So Suzy Stamps today!   It's a one-stop shop where you can find many of your crafting supplies; adhesives, stencils, embellishments and more. 

Be sure and bookmark the store once you get there.  I promise it will soon become one of your favorite stops!  Don't forget to stop by the blog for daily inspiration, fun giveaways and random craziness!  Join Suzy's Flaunt it Group on Facebook to share your projects as well and hang out with the rest of the cool crowd! 

SO SUZY STAMPS ONLINE SHOPPING!

P.S.  Happy Anniversary Nancy and Larry!

#sosuzystamps #butterfly #fancybutterfly #butterflies #audreyhepburn #kaisercraft #thermoweb #heroarts #xyron #emboss #anniversary #love #celebration #party #cardmaking #papercrafts #scrapbook #cre8time #diy #homedecor

 

Growing in Unity- Day 5

 Welcome to day 5 of my stint as the GIU (Growing in Unity) girl.  I'm showing you my creations all week long and if you comment every day on my blog post, you'll be entered into a random drawing for 25 random stamps from the Unity Stamp Company.  Wowza, 25 stamps!  

Who wouldn't love that?!  2 winners will be selected.

For this creation, I stepped out of my comfort zone a bit.  Working with mixed media pastes is not my thing.  I decided to do some water coloring and used some glitter paste for the first time.  The stamp set used here, is from the Layers of Life May 2014 kit, "Never lose their Beauty".

 

I started out doing some water coloring with distress ink, first stamping my image on water color paper, then adding additional color.  I also used the Unity background stamp, "Tattered Chicken Wire".



Having zero experience working with paste, I found this video from the Scrapbook Expo and Bo Bunny, maker of the paste I'm using today, Copper Glitter Paste.  This technique worked great!  I used a Mod Podge Peel and Stick stencil with the paste.

Here's a close-up of the Unity sentiment. 
I also added some Bo Bunny pearlescent to my mixed media project and clear Wink Of Stella glitter brush on my flowers and sentiment.  Lastly, I made a burlap string butterfly from May Arts Ribbon string.  I love how this turned out.  I'll definitely be doing more of these type projects in the future.

 Thanks so much for letting me share my love of Unity Stamps with you this week.  Don't forget to leave a comment here so you can qualify for the random drawing.  And for a shameless plug, I'd love if you would come and like me on FB: http://www.facebook.com/wavingmywand because when I get to 500 likes, I'm having a big giveaway!

Additional supplies:
Bo Bunny - Glitter Paste - Copper - $4.99
from: Scrapbook.com
Bo Bunny - Rose Cafe Collection - 12 x 12 Collection Pack
from: Scrapbook.com
Bo Bunny - Rose Cafe Collection - Layered Chipboard Stickers with Glitter and Jewel AccentsRanger Ink - Adirondack Earthtones - Pigment Ink Pad - Pitch Black
Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pads - Tumbled Glass
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Faded Jeans
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads - Brushed Corduroy
Tombow - Extreme Glue Tape - Permanent

#cre8time #unitystamps #bobunny #tombow #mayartsribbon #plaid #modpodge

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the affiliate programs linked above because they are products that I use and love. Your purchase price is not affected in any way, by using my links.  Thank you for your support and helping me keep my content free!

Have you seen the 9.99 cartridges/digital at Cricut.com? Oh my.

Have you seen the cartridge and digital cartridge clearance at cricut.com? 

 $14.99 department is now $9.99

I am totally in love with the Florals Embellished Cartridge.  Look at all the words and quotes!  Not to mention the butterflies, flowers, folk art birds....this is a must have if you don't already own it.  

So run, but get in line after me!  Sale ends  1/27/15.

Florals Embellished Digital Set - $14.99
from: Cricut, now 9.99 through 1/27/15

Stock up and get Free shipping on all orders $25+ in January with code FREESHIPJAN

Don't forget to snag the Free Images this week.  The theme is Movie Night! Popcorn box and all.....these images expire 1/28/15.  Fun stuff!

Not all images are pictured here so go check it out!

You can see my fun projects at facebook.com/wavingmywand or instagram.com/wavingmywand

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. Your purchase price is not affected in any way.  I only participate in the Cricut affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support!

#cricut #digital #design #movie #popcorn #clearance #sale #freeship

Coffee Lovers & Crafters, Unite!

I was invited to participate in a fun Coffee Lovers blog hop hosted by Chaitali Narla and Amy Tsuruta.  If you are a lover of coffee AND papercrafting, then this is the place for you! 

I made 3 different cards, all using the same stamps from Impression Obsession.  But before I move on, each hopper has been asked to answer 4 questions, all coffee related, so here goes:

1.  When did you start drinking coffee?

Around my senior year in high school I developed the taste.  Me and my dad had some great bonding over coffee.  :)

2.  Name up to 3 brands of your favorite coffee.

Currently, I've put my Keurig aside and am enjoying Seattles Best #4 with my French Press.  It's a whole lot cheaper than K-cups!  I also love Starbucks Christmas blend when it's in season.  My favorite K-cups are Newman's Own and Caribou Coffee.  And I love Starbucks Via's as well.  My list is very, very, long.....

3.  What is the most amazing coffee you've had?  When and where?

A restaurant in Atlanta which is no longer unfortunately.  It was called Ocean and they served french press coffee with raw sugar cubes and heavy cream.  Heavenly!  But there's a coffee bar in Homewood, AL called O'Henry's and they make the best Cappuccino I've EVER had!

4.  If I don't get my needed coffee I'll.....

Seriously?  You don't want to know.  Let's just say, here in the South, there's this expression:  If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

So here are my 3 cards, with my favorite being last.  (**Please note, shameless plug at the bottom!)

Supplies: Pretty Pink Posh lemon drop sequins, Maggie Holmes blue sequins, Spellbinders Celebrations Tape It stamps, Impression Obsession coffee mug and quote stamps, Stickles yellow glitter glue, Ranger black ink, Powder Puff chalk inks

Supplies: Impression Obsession coffee stamps, Marvy sunset blend box ink, Ranger black ink, FabScraps gemstones, Tombow Mono Aqua liquid glue, Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs distress marker, white gel pen, Jolees Boutique pink paper jute, DCWV designer paper, pop dots

I also plan on entering one or two of my cards in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes challenge.  Join in and link up!

Supplies: Impression Obsession coffee stamps, Tim Holtz Distress ink Brushed Corduroy, Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs distress marker, watercolor paper, Ranger mini blending tool

**FYI, did you know Oct. 4th is National Cardmaking Day?  We will be having a fabulous giveaway over at Mountain Plains Crafters Facebook community page, sponsored by Graphic 45 so be sure and like us on Facebook and check in on Oct. 4th! 

Stamping....an Art

I saw a statement recently from a lady who doesn't "get" stamping.  I understand that mindset, as I too didn't understand the appeal at one time in my life. 

 

That statement got me to thinking.  If you're reading this, you are most likely a creative person, interested in crafting perhaps?  After all, this is part of who I am and part of my personal blog.  Or, you're one of my family members or friends just checking in and seeing what I'm up to today!

 

We all know, art comes in many forms.  As a kid, I loved art.  I excelled in classes, maintaining a sketch book and drawing in it every chance I got.   Eventually, on into the high school years, other things took over my life and art was put on the backburner.  It wasn't until about 5 years ago that a friend introduced me to scrapbooking.  I was in love!  All my creative juices started flowing again.  There's a satisfaction that comes from visualizing something and bringing it to life.

 

As an artist, we are influenced by other creators.  We learn new techniques, new tricks, increase our knowledge and add newly learned skills to our repertoire.   When the desire to create was renewed, stamping was not at the top of my list.  However, there were many in my crafty circle who did stamp.  At the crops I went to, I would walk around, see who was doing what, ask questions and file away that information.  I'm not even sure how I got started stamping.  I do remember picking up a few stamps from our local craft store.  The next thing I know, I'm an avid user of Unity Stamps and a member of their Show and Tell group. 

 

About a year later, my crafty life changed dramatically.  I was approached by two online friends at Unity to join them in a new venture which became Mountain Plains Crafters.  Three months later, I'm guest blogging for the Craft and Hobby Association 2014 Paper Arts show and I've got some other fires in the pot as well.   All this, since taking up paper, scissors and stamps.

 

Are you also one who doesn't "get" the technique of stamping?   Give it a try.  It might just take you places you never even dreamed of.

 

"To understand the art of stamping, think of the stamp as a shell.  It's your job to fill in that shell and build around it.  Truly, no two shells are alike."  Terri Burson, artist, blogger and occasional poet, copyright 2014

 

Be still..Psalms scripture card

Ah, so happy that I had some crafty time today.  Of course my 12 yr old is hollering that he's bored.  Guess what boy...get used to it.  It's called summer vacation!  Ha! 

There's a whole lot going on with this card; Cuttlebug embossing, watercolor, stamping.....it was fun to make and I think the end result is very soothing and calming.  Hope you like it too!

My Pinterest-click here

Supplies:  Unity Stamp Jillibean Blossom Soup kit and scripture quote, May Arts Ribbon green net and natural jute, We R Memory Keepers Large enamel dot, Studio G adhesive gems, polka dot vellum, Fancy Pants Design striped tissue paper, Pentel Green and Sepia watercolor art brushes, Tin Holtz distress markers, mini silver brads

Choose Hope

How is everyone?  I just stepped outside and it's actually warm weather!  Had to pick my jaw up off the ground.  It seems like I've been cooped up way too long with this pneumonia.  Oh wait....I have!

So I'm up in the wee hours last night, or rather, this morning....and I made this.  I made this watercolor paper recently and chose to work around it.  I used some new samples of May Arts Ribbon which are just precious!  I adore these tiny olive green paper raffia bows.  Gosh, they're adorable.  It's from their spring line, along with the natural twine on the button.  There's a few other touches; Teresa Collins Vintage Finds accessories and Queen & Co Princess cut yellow gemstone.

The stamped flowers are from the Insightful Meadows set at Unity Stamps.  If you look at the close-up, you can see that I double stamped, first with Martha Stewart gold ink, then with American Crafts Apricot ink and added touches here and there of Stickles Tropical Tangerine glitter glue.  Isn't it pretty?  If you love stamping, you NEED this set! 

Finally, we have the quote from actor, Christopher Reeves.  I have some inspirational clear sticker quotes.  I put this on the coordinating olive designer paper (Anna Griffin), trimmed and raised with pop dots.  He was such an inspiring person.  Hope YOU choose hope today!