Celebrate the 4th!

I am so not the type of person to send cards for a holiday like the 4th of July. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not patriotic or that I don't enjoy a good holiday, it's just that it's just not the kind of holiday when I would send cards. Seriously, after I made this card, I turned to my husband and said, "Who do we know that celebrates the 4th of July?" HAHA! My husband just gave me a blank look that said "I really can't believe you just asked that..." I crack myself up sometimes! I really did have reservations about making a patriotic card, but I felt like I had to keep up my 5 week Top 5 streak at the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge. The cupcakes for this week were these cute patriotic ones:


I originally wanted to do a patriotic cupcake card - like a flag made out of cupcake images... but it didn't seem very practical to me. Cute, but not practical. But the idea of the flag really stuck out to me. I wanted to make a card that included the elements that make the flag so great - the textures, the stitching, the stripes, the stars. And the card sort of fell into place.

Plus, without even realizing it, my card fit the current Card Patterns Sketch Challenge too. This is a first for me too, because I never make a card that works for two challenges. It's a weird personal quirk that I have. But it totally works and was a complete accident!


So, here are the DEEtails:

I started off with a chipboard 4 from the SU! Simon Upper On Board set. I adhered some Real Red card stock and trimmed and sanded the edged. I added the first part of the sentiment of the Celebrate You stamp from my A Little Birthday Cheer set in Night of Navy ink on the angle of the 4. Then I tied various ribbons onto my 4 - a stitched navy blue ribbon from my stash, a simple white grosgrain ribbon from my stash, and a 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon in Real Red. I layered it onto a piece of Night of Navy card stock that I ran through my Swiss Dots embossing folder on my Cuttlebug. I stamped a few stars from my Sweet Celebrations set on Whisper White card stock with VersaMark, embossed them, and cut them out. I used some Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere them to my polka dot mat. I adhered it to the top portion of a piece of Whisper White card stock, layered onto a Night of Navy mat. I added a strip of double-stitched grosgrain ribbon in Real Red to the bottom of my card with Sticky Strip, cut with pinking shears for a zigzag edge. Then I adhered random buttons from my stash threaded with slivers of Night of Navy card stock over the ribbon. Everything was mounted on a Real Red card.

Thanks for stopping by today!

In Colors to Make You Smile!

I made this card today just because... I love the new Stampin' Up! In Colors! My favorite two, which I used here, are Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz. Try saying that ten times fast!

Here are the DEEtails:

I started off with a Pear Pizzazz cardstock and stamped a leaf image from my stash using VersaMark ink and clear embossing powder. I added some 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Pumpkin Pie and tied a simple bow. Then I stamped my sentiment from PTI's Signature Greetings set using ColorBox Lime Pastel Chalk Ink. I used my Corner Rounder punch at the top corner and added added a Peach Parfait mat. Then I used several circle punches to create my crinkled flower. I added a Designer Button from the Button Latte set threaded with a thin strip of Pear Pizzazz. I added a Whisper White mat and another layer of Peach Parfait before adhering everything to my card.

Hope you like it! Thanks for looking!

Summer!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far! I'm sorry for disappearing on you again, but after a busy end of the school year, I got whisked away to the beach! We just got back from a week long stay in North Carolina with some family. We had a fun time, but I sure am glad to be back home and be able to be crafty again! Plus, my hubby gave me my birthday present early - a new camera! (It's the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS. I'm still trying to get used to it, so if anyone has any pointers, please let me know!) I'm dying to start taking photos of stuff other than the ocean, (Hehe!) so here's a photo of the card that I made this evening.

I made this one for this week's Cupcake Inspiration Challenge. I love these colors!


Here are the DEEtails:

I started off with a two pieces of DSP from the Thoroughly Modern set. I layered them and added a piece of vellum to soften the look of the Bermuda Bay on my DSP. Then I added some Chocolate Chip ribbon from the Flirty Ribbon Originals. I ran some Kraft card stock through my Cricut with the Songbird cartridge to create my layered label and stamped the sentiment from my Great Friend set using Chocolate Chip and Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write markers. I added my label to my card with some Stampin' Dimensionals. Then I stamped the flower from my Fifth Avenue Floral set on Bermuda Bay card stock with Chocolate Chip ink and embossed it. I also added some Chocolate Chip ink at the center of the flower and added some extra embossing powder. I adhered it to my card with double Stampin' Dimensionals to make it really pop. Then I added a Chocolate Chip mat and adhered everything to my Bermuda Bay card.

Hope you like it! I'm glad to be back!

Another Dad Card

I made this card for my biological dad and the Cards blog Father's Day Card Challenge.

Here are the DEEtails:

I started off with a piece of Kraft cardstock and stamped the image from my Pendant Park set. I added the sentiment from my Well Scripted set and adhered it to a Chocolate Chip mat. Then I added some Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP and adhered it to my Chocolate Chip card. I stamped the border image from my Pendant Park set in VersaMark ink on a strip of Chocolate Chip card stock and embossed it and adhered it to my card for a final touch. I love how the border and patterned paper look together!

A Card for Dad

I love the color combination for the current Color Cue Challenge - so fun!

DEEtails:

I made this card for my step-dad. I liked the idea of a simple card with bright, fun colors for him. I stamped a Kraft card with my Woodgrain background stamp. Then I ran some Tempting Turquoise, Kiwi Kiss, and Pumpkin Pie card stock through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing plate. I adhered the pieces to my card then added a Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. For the final touch, I stamped DAD with some letter stamps I had on hand and added a piece from my Hodgepodge Hardware set.

Vintage Flower Cupcake Card

I sure am loving these Cupcake Inspirations! The cards are so fun to make and the inspiration photos are gorgeously yummy!

DEEtails:

I started off with Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink card stock and punched some Scallop Circles. I crumpled them up and layered them to create the flower, then added a button from my stash. I adhered my flower onto a Martha Stewart paper doily tag then added some leaves, punched from the wing of my bird punch. Then I tied an aqua bow using some ribbon from my stash. I stamped the sentiment from the PTI Signature Greetings set onto a piece of Kraft card stock, then added a Chocolate Chip and Whisper White mat. I added my flower and doily to the card.

Plum Shabby

I love new challenges! Here is one from E.A.D. Designs. Plum Shabby is such a fabulous name for this challenge!


DEEtails:

I started with some Rich Razzleberry card stock and stamped the image from my Kind Thoughts set. I added a Basic Black mat and a Basic Black Satin bow. Then I used my Songbird cartridge and Cricut to create a Whisper White label and Basic Black mat for my Great Friend sentiment, which I stamped in Rich Razzleberry ink. Then I adhered everything to my Rich Razzleberry card.

Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!

Old Olive is the Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the June Blog Hop! I always appreciate all of your fabulous comments!

You may not know this about me, but I'm kind of a geek and numbers fascinate me, so I made a pie chart to tally the results from my question "What is your favorite Carryover Color from Stampin' Up!'s Color Renovation?":

23% of you said you love Old Olive, while 15% love Chocolate Chip, and 13% love my personal favorite, Kraft A.K.A. Crumb Cake! That was followed by 8.5% liking Certainly Celery, 8% liking Real Red, and 6% liking Rich Razzleberry!

As promised, I drew a name randomly from the comments and Wilda is the winner of the Blog CanDEE from the June Blog Hop. Wilda is a fellow Kraft lover - yeah! Here's what she wrote:

"Cool blog you have!!! I'd have to say kraft too although I think I use more Old Olive than anything, w/ the exception of white :)"

She's the lucky winner of the fabulous Top Notes in 30 retiring colors and 6 Kraft cards and Whisper White envelopes. Please contact me (deesignsbyninadee@gmail.com) within 48 hours to claim your prize! Don't forget to check the entire Blog Hop lineup to see if you've won!

In honor of Wilda, I created this card featuring her favorite colors:

Here are the DEEtails:

I started by punching 1 1/4" inch scallop squares and pulled out some goodies from my stash. I stamped one with a butterfly from my Flight of the Butterfly set, added some buttons from my Button Latte and Button Bouquet Designer Buttons set to another, tied a Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon to the third, and stamped the sentiment from my Great Friend set on the last one. I adhered each scallop square onto a 1 1/2" Kraft square, then centered them onto a 3 3/4" Old Olive square, added a Whisper White mat, and adhered it onto my Kraft card. Thanks for the inspiration, Wilda!

Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge features a fabulous color combination. I decided to make a really simple card to showcase the colors.

DEEtails:

I started with a piece of Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper. I love this floral design on Bermuda Bay paper. I added a bit of a Scallop Edge to the bottom with Crushed Curry card stock. Then I cut a label using my Songbird cartridge on my Cricut. I stamped the sentiment from my Friendship Blooms set in Chocolate Chip ink. Then I added a couple flowers from my Itty Bitty Buds stamp set and embossed them. I cut a slit on each side of my label and threaded my Soft Suede Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon through. I adhered it all to a Soft Suede card. I love the simplicity with the burst of color.

Cupcake Card #3!

Wow! I can't believe the overwhelming response that I have gotten from yesterday's blog hop! A big welcome to all my new friends! I hope some of you will continue to visit again and again! :)

This is my third week participating in Hope Stamp Eternal's Cupcake Inspiration Challenge. Last week's entry made it into the top five again, so I'm excited to keep creating! Here's this week's DEEsign:


Don't these inspiration cupcakes look yummy?


Here are the DEEtails:

1. I loved the way these cupcakes were lined up, so I used it as my inspiration for the layout of this card. I punched 1 1/2" circles in Naturals white and adhered them to a Pretty in Pink mat.

2. I found these cute pink and white flowers from my stash, so I poked some pink brads in each flower and adhered them to my card.

3. For the center circle, I stamped the sentiment from my Wow Flowers set in VersaMark and embossed it. I love the way the O is a little flower! :) I punched it out with my 1 1/4" circle punch and adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals.

4. I felt like my card needed a little extra something, so I added a Scallop Edge border in Naturals White.

5. I adhered everything on my Pretty in Pink card. Hope you like it!

Fond Farewell!

Welcome to the Stampin' Pretty Pals June hop! This month, we're bidding a "Fond Farewell" to some of our old friends, the 30 retiring colors of Stampin' Up!'s Color Renovation!

If you've hopped over from Barbara Furlong from The Love of Stampin!, welcome! I'm stop number 4 on the PALS HOP and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find inspirational ideas for papercrafted creations from Mary Fish's Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hope Line-Up at the bottom of this post and you'll be back on track!

In honor of the retiring colors, we'll be presenting projects using the 30 colors, some of which are my favorites! Plus, we're offering Blog CanDEE at each stop on the hop! Visit each of the 17 Stampin' Pretty Pals and leave a comment to their specific posted question and you'll have not one, but 17 chances to win some great Stampin' Up! goodies! Now that's something to celebrate!

Today I'm showcasing cards using Stampin' Up!'s Top Note, which isn't retiring, but is a basic tool that makes a great background and gives a splash of color to any card. I'm going to show you a few different styles so you can see how versatile the Top Note is, not to mention quick and easy! All of the colors I'm using today are retiring, with the exception of Kraft on my last card. As you may know, Kraft will be changing to Crumb Cake with the color renovation in July. The stamps that I'll be using are all from sets on the Last Chance list.

DEEsign 1: Fun and Playful

DEEtails: I started with a Ballet Blue card and added a Gable Green Top Note. I made flowers using my 1 1/4", 1", and 3/4" circle punches and created monochromatic flowers with Brilliant Blue, Ballet Blue, Really Rust, Only Orange, Pink Passion, and Pixie Pink card stock. I stacked the circles randomly, then added buttons from my stash "threaded" with thin slivers or Yoyo Yellow card stock. I cut Green Galore strips for stems and punched "leaves" using the wing on my bird punch. I stamped the sentiment from my A Little Birthday Cheer set on Pink Passion card stock, then punched it out with Modern Label punch. This card was fun to make because it didn't require too much thinking because it doesn't need to be perfect! I literally stuck the stems, flowers, and leaves on any which way and it just worked! I love an easy card like that!

DEEsign 2: Sweet and Pretty


DEEtails: I started with a Going Gray card and added layers of Lovely Lilac and Almost Amethyst mats and a piece of Bella Birds Designer Series Paper. I stamped the sentiment from my Bella's Bloom set onto an Almost Amethyst Top Note and cut it down to just a small portion of the shape. I added three little blossoms punched from my Itty Bitty Punches and dabbed with little rhinestones from my stash. I finished off the card with a fluffy Basic Gray satin bow.

DEEsign 3: Bright and Cheerful

DEEtails: I added a little texture with this card by running my Brocade Blue Top Note through a polka-dot embossing folder and adhered it to my Summer Sun card. Then I stamped the sentiment from my Wow Flowers set in VersaMark and embossed it. Then I punched it out with my 1 1/4" circle. I adhered it to my card with Stampin' Dimensionals. I created several circles in various yellow tones - Summer Sun, Yoyo Yellow, and Barely Banana. I cut segments from my circles and pieced them onto the card.

DEEsign 4: Simple and Masculine

DEEtails: I love Kraft cards, so I had to include one in this line up. I'm so excited to see Kraft become a REAL SU! color! I added a Sage Shadow mat and another layer of Kraft card stock, lined up on the left side of the card. Then I added a strip of Chocolate Chip striped grosgrain ribbon. I stamped images from the Very Thankful set in Chocolate Chip, then centered and embossed the sentiment to create this look. I cut off the end of the Top Note and adhered my stamped piece to my card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Now that you've seen four quick and easy to make cards in some very different styles, are you ready for some Blog CanDEE?

I'm giving away Top Notes in each of the 30 retiring colors, plus 6 Kraft cards and Whisper White envelopes.

These goodies will go to one lucky winner who comments below and answers this question:

What is your favorite Carryover Color from Stampin' Up!'s Color Renovation?

My favorite color is definitely Kraft, which will soon be Crumb Cake. I'm so excited to see ink and Stampin' Write markers in this color!

For your chance to win these goodies, please leave me a comment at the end of this post by 4:00 PM EST, Friday June 11th. I'll announce a random winner in the US on Sunday, June 13th. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me after their name is announced. Good luck!

Want to stock up on the retiring colors or last chance stamp sets? Place an order of $150 or more (of any SU! product) with me during the month on June, and you'll get the Stampin' Up! Top Note die (a $21.95 value) for free, my treat! Just e-mail your order to deesignsbyninadee@gmail.com anytime during the month of June to take advantage of this special offer.

Now, hop on over to check out Debbie Pierce at Stampin' Sunshine, stop number 5 on the "Fond Farewell" Pals hop! Be sure to visit each of the Pretty Pals for more fun and inspiration ideas, and more chances to win!

1. Liz Hughes at DIY Paper Creations
2. Gina Shaw at Cards by Gina
3. Barbara Furlong at The Love of Stamping
4. You're here! :)
5. Debbie Pierce at Stampin' Sunshine
6. The Stampin' Schach, Ann Schach
7. Melanie Collins at Oops a Daisy
8. Kim Lampone at Stamp, Scrap and Get Kreative
9. Mike Funke at Stampin-Style
10. Regina Mangum, The Stampin' Bean
11. Linda Callahan at Stampin' Seasons
12. Anne Eicher at Creative Cards by Anne Marie
13. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
14. Carla Bazhenow at Carla's Scraps
15. Joanna Munster at Inspired by Stampin'
16. Margaret Moody's Blog
17. Martha Stewart at Seasons of Stamping

Thanks for hopping by! :)

Hello Summer!

This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge totally says "Hello Summer!"

Here are the DEEtails for my card:

1. I took a cue from the striped pillow in the front and started with a long Old Olive card.

2. I grabbed various ribbons from my stash, including the Pumpkin Pie grosgrain ribbon from the District Ribbon Originals, Crushed Curry polka-dot grosgrain ribbon and Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon. I used sticky strip to stack the ribbons to create random stripes.

3. I wanted to include a floral design from the pillows in the back, so I pulled out some flower stamps my Itty Bitty Buds and Berry Christmas sets. I stamped them randomly on my card with VersaMark and embossed them.

4. Finally, I added the hello stamp from my Hello Again set in Basic Black to say "Hello" to summer! :)

5. Quick and simple! Now I can relax with a cold glass of limeade! Hello Summer!

Just a heads up that I will be joining Mary Fish's Pretty Pals this Tuesday in a blog hop. You'll want to peek in at all 17 bloggers who will be throwing a "retirement party" for Stampin' Up!'s 30 retiring colors! We'll be celebrating with some Blog CanDEE, so you definitely won't want to miss it! Be sure to hop on over on Tuesday, June 8!

Congrats Luke!

My brother-in-law, Luke, is graduating next week from The Ohio State University. I found this awesome card idea from Jackie Topa that inspired me to make this card. I'm loving it!


Here are the DEEtails:

1. I started with a Basic Black card and cut out a triangle at the top for the neck. My corners are .75" from each edge and 2.75" down from the center. I cut some thin strips of Real Red and Going Gray card stock for OSU colors, Scarlet and Gray, and trimmed the inside of the neck.

2. I took a piece of Whisper White card stock a little larger than my triangle and made a slit .5" down the center. I made a fold .75" from the center. I created a tie with Real Red satin ribbon. To make the "knot," I adhered a strip of card stock to the back of the ribbon to stiffen it a bit, then folded it into what looks like a double windsor knot. I adhered the tie to my shirt, then adhered it to the back of my robe. I covered the inside of the card with a piece of Basic Black card stock to keep the card solid black.

3. Your eyes aren't playing tricks! That's an orange tassel you're seeing! Luke is majoring in engineering and the official tassel color is orange. It certainly doesn't match the Scarlet and Gray, but it's the real deal. I created it with some orange DMC floss and tied it to a black brad, punched in the center of a 1 1/2" Basic Black square. I adhered the cap to my card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

4. I stamped the sentiment from my Say It With Scallops set with VersaMark and embossed it in silver. I matted my sentiment with Real Red and Going Gray card stock.

5. For the final touch, I added a rolled up piece of Whisper White card stock tied with some black ribbon for a diploma and adhered it to the card with Glue Dots.

Here's a closer look at the DEEtails:

Another Cupcake Card

I'm so excited that the cupcake card I made last week made the Top 5 at Hope Stamps Eternal! I'm back with another DEEsign:


This week's monochromatic cupcake inspiration looks divine!


Here are the DEEtails:

1. I started off with a So Saffron card and some scraps of Whisper White. I took a strip of Whisper White cardstock and punched the edge with my Scallop Trim punch. I adhered it to my card.

2. Then I added a piece of Taffeta ribbon in Kraft and tied a fluffy bow. I can't believe that many of the Taffeta ribbons are on the Last Chance list! Make sure to check out what will be retiring and order your favorites while they last!

3. I loved the look of my "fondant flowers" from the wedding card I made a few weeks ago and I couldn't wait to make more! I used my Itty Bitty punches to punch flowers, crinkled them up a bit, then added a pearl in the center of each. I lined them up on my card, using glue dots. They look so perfectly delicious!

4. I added part of the sentiment from my Heard from the Heart stamp set. I stamped the first part in Close to Cocoa ink. I can't wait for Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft) ink to come out! I stamped the middle part in VersaMark and used some white embossing powder to look a little like "frosting." I chose to leave the last part of the sentiment off.

5. Then I trimmed a little Kraft mat for my sentiment and adhered it to my card. Hope you like it!