New Matchbox Die in the Occassions mini!

As soon as I saw this new Big Shot die, I knew that I had to have it! Not only did I have a million ideas in my head, but then my friend Stasia posted this link to another demos blog, with this amazing project and I just had to copy it!

So here is my take on the treasure chest. I used the new Walk in the Park DSP that will be available on April 1st in the new Occassions mini catalog.

For the drawer pulls, I used the Jumbo Eyelets and Clear Rhinestone brads. The ribbon is the Organza.

For this one, I used the Pink Flamingo DSP and for the drawer pulls, I used the new Small Grommets and some Grosgrain ribbon.

I decided to use this one as my new holder for my Inchies. The box that I had them in was getting a little small.

I hope you enjoy these!

Some More Swap Cards!

Here are a few more of the awesome swap cards I received from the Big Shot and Favorite new set swap.

This one was made by Dawn Byers.

This creation is by Laura Davis.... and finally the last one was made by Tami Carder-Loos.

Aren't they amazing? I love how each of these talented ladies used the Simple Flower embosslit, yet made them look so different.

Color Challenge for St. Patty's Day!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying your St. Patrick's Day! With a name like Kelly Mahoney, you know I am wearing my green today! I was also paper crafting in Green for this week's color challenge! This week was anything green.

This card also fits two other challenge's - The Weekend Sketch challenge by Beate and friends and the current Creative Challenge to use at least 2 different dies and the Big Shot on your project.

So here it is:

I started with a Certainly Celery Card. I used the Top Note die and made a Whisper White and a Sale-a-Bration DSP top note. I layered those together and attached them to the card. I wrapped a piece of Organza ribbon around it. Next, I stamped Thanks from the Illuminations stamp set in Certainly Celery ink. I also stamped the "t" in Handsome Hunter (I almost wrote Forest Foliage - Silly me!) and cut it out and layered it on top of the Stamped piece. I layered that piece and another piece of Handsome Hunter that was just a tiny bit larger than the white.

Next, I used the Big SHot again and with Handsome Hunter Cs and the Simple Flower embosslit, I made that flower on the bottom of the card. I added some Tombow Multi Purpose adhesive and some green glitter. This was then adhered with a Dimensional. For the clover, I used the Heart to Heart punch and punched out 3 of the fat hearts from Handsome Hunter cs. I free hand cut the stem and attached all to the card.

Enjoy!

Also, I wanted to share with you a few pics from this weekend. We took the kids to see the Circus at the Izod center. They had a blast and so did we!!

Swap Cards - Part 2

Ok, Here are a few more of the Big shot and Favorite stamp set swap cards!

This one was made by Tina Rosenkrans. She used the Three Little Words set and the Flowers Decorative Strip Big Shot die.

The next card was made by Beth Riis. She used the Love you Much stamp set and the Scallop Circle #2 Big Shot Die.

Both cards use the Candy Lane DSP and Pink Pirouette card stock.

See you tomorrow for some more cards!

Swap cards!

I recently joined a swap. The swap was to make a card using your favorite new stamp set and the Big Shot. The cards I got back were amazing!! So I thought I would share them with you over the next few days.

This first one is my card. I used the Fifth Avenue Floral set and the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die for the Big shot. The "Happiness" comes from the Heard from the Heart set. The colors are Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, and Creamy Caramel. I also used some of the new specialty Designer Series Paper called Parisian Breeze! I love this stuff. It is definitely a must have!!!

This next card was made by Jen Peel. She used the Thoughts and Prayers set and the Top Note Die for the Big Shot. The colors used were Chocloate Chip, Bordering Blue and Whisper White. Isn't that a beautiful tree?

Like I said above, check back over the next few days for more of these amazing cards!

A Double Challenge!

The card you see below is a very special card! Not only was it made with by me with love - which makes it special all by itself, but it also satifies the requirements for two different challenges!

First, is this week's color challenge. The colors this week are: Perfect Plum, Old Olive, Rose Red, and More Mustard. THese are not colors I would have thought to put together, but I really like them so much! I can definitely see using this color combo again. That is a great thing about taking on challenges to do things you may not do on your own.

The second challenge is the current Creative Challenge. The challenge is to flip through the current catalog and stop on a random page. Then, pick one of the projects from that page and use that for your inspiration. You can use the colors, stamps, layout, or anything about the project to inspire you. So I took this card from page 114 and changed the colors to go with this week's colors.

The two circles were cut out using the new Circle Cutter. The stamps used were Pick a Petal and Stem Sayings. I also used an Aqua painter on the flower petals and the 5 petal flower punch to make leaves for the stem of the flower.

Enjoy!

Color Challenge 3-03-09 and WSC 70

This week the colors were Old Olive, Real Red, More Mustard and Very Vanilla. I combined this challenge with the Weekend Sketch Challenge (This week, hosted by Lori.) This color combo was a little tough for me.

Anyway, I stated with an Old Olive card. I added the very Vanilla panel. Next, I took two pieces of Designer Series Paper from the Hostess packs. The smaller one is Real red and the Larger is More Mustard. I ran these through my Big Shot with the Texturz plates. I chose the diamond plate. Next, I sanded the 2 pieces a little bit to make the design stand out. This will only work on Designer Series Stampin' Up! papers as these do not have color all the way through like our card stock does. I was really happy with this look.

After I adhered those two panels to the card, I added the Kiwi Kiss ribbon. I needed the embellishment on the left side. So, I took my Simple Flower Embosslit and ran that through my big shot with More Mustard card stock. I didn't think that was quite enough.... It just wasn't doing it for me. So I ran it through again with the Real Red Designer Series Paper. I cut out the separate petals and adhered them to the More Mustard flower using the Tombow Multi Purpose adhesive. Finally, I added the brad from the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware in the center of the flower and stamped "celebrate" on the bottom of the card in Old Olive ink.

I hope you like it!

Creative Challenge - Fancy Fold

Well, I am a little late posting this challenge. I had a few ideas, but never got them down on paper until yesterday! Thank God for Snow Days! So the latest Creative Challenge was for a Fancy Fold. It could be a card, scrapbook page or 3-d item as long as it had a special fold.

I have had these templates sitting on my desk that I bought years ago. I have never used them! So This was the perfect time! I pulled out the template for this card and then got out my new Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper. Here is what I ended up with...

The picture above is the outside sleeve. For this, I traced the template on the Designer paper. Then, I added the strip of Bashful Blue Designer paper and the Organza ribbon. I stamped the flower image in Certainly Celery ink on Textured white card stock and punched it out with my 1 1/4" circle punch. I punched a hole in the middle and added the Filigree brad and Fire Rhinestone brad to the center. I adhered it to the card with Dimensionals.

The card is made out of Textured Whisper White Card Stock. I stamped it with the flower image for Polka Dot Punches (Sale-a-bration set) in Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery. The sentiment was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink and comes fromt eh Full of Life set. Finally, I added the hole on top with the Filigree charm and Bashful Blue Taffeta ribbon.

Enjoy!

Color Challenge for this week!

This week's colors were Pacific Point, Old Olive, and Tangerine Tango. I decided to use Beate's Sketch challenge for this card. So, once I had the sketch and the colors the only thing left was to choose the stamps! I chose Baroque Motifs and Dreams Du Jour.

I stamped the Old Olive card with the big swirl stamp from Baroque Motifs in Old Olive ink. Then, I cut a strip of Pacific Point and ran it through my Big Shot with the Texturz plates. I used my Pacific Point pad and lightly brushed the pad over the raised dots to make them stand out. For the middle part, I cut a strip of Tangerine Tango and punched it with the Eyelet Border Punch. On a pice of Whisper White, I stamped the Dreams image from Dreams Du Jour in Basic Black ink. I watercolored it with my ink pads and Aqua Painter. I stuck to the week's colors for the watercoloring as well. Finally, I stamped the small butterfly, also from Dreams Du Jour, on a scrap of Whisper White and watercolored and cut them out. Then, I added them to my card with glue dots, just under the bodies, so that I could pop up the wings.

Enjoy!

Color Challenge!

Last week's color challenge was to use: Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, More Mustard and Old Olive. I found these little paper bags that I got at a craft store. They are 3 1/4" x 6 1/2". Anyway, I got to thinking about them and decided to make a little paper bag book.



For the cover, I used Pacific Point layered with a piece of Bashful Blue dsp. Next I stamped the Rock Star stamp on Whisper White CS in both Pacific Point and Old Olive. I punched it out with my large star punch.


For the first set of pages, I used More Mustard DSP. I also used some of the chipboard from the On Board So Tweet. I colored the flower with Bashful Blue ink. The stem and leaves were colored with Old Olive. I added a Star brad for the center of the flower.






Next, I made these pages with Pacific Point CS. I added a strip of Bashful Blue or the right that i wrapped with striped Pacific Point ribbon. I added 3 stars that I punched out of More Mustard and Old Olive cs with the small star punch.

In the middle, I made these nice simple pages from Old Olive CS. I layered the left side with Whisper White CS. Both pages were stamped with the vine stamp, from the Fresh Cuts set, in Old Olive ink.







These pages are also pretty simple. They are Bashful Blue CS layered with a strip of Bashful Blue DSP. Next I added 2 flower brads - one on each page.

Finally, I wheeled the last pages with the Star wheel on Pacific Point CS in Pacific Point ink. I tied a piece of Bashful Blue Grosgrain ribbon around one side and that was it!

I still need to make the inserts for the pockets and then I will add some pictures of my two little rockstars!

I hope you enjoyed this! It was a fun project to make. However, when I made it, I was with my sister, so I am pretty sure that it was the company that made the project even more fun! Stamping with friends is always fun!

Enjoy!

Some Valentine Ideas!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Here are a few Valentine's that I made using the Love you Much stamp set and Candy Lane DSP.

This first one uses the Gift Card Holders. Don't forget to stamp the envelope too!

This next one was kind of an accident. The Big bird is printed on one fo the sheets of DSP. It is actually 2 birds like the stamp in the set. Anyway, when I was making another project, I accidentally cut off the other bird. So I figured, I may as well use this one on a card. I cut it out so that it would layer nicely on a 3x6 Chocolate chip card. I then added another piece of DSP on top. By stamping the Hugs and Kisses stamp on a few different colors of CS, I was able to punch it out and create the embellishment.

This one was an idea from the Stampin' Up! demo area of the website. This was a card sent in by another Demo. I loved it! So I copied it! That is such a great thing about Stampin' Up! they encourage you to copy what others are doing so you don't have to create new things yourself all of the time. It make smy job so much easier!

This card was made by cutting out the cs and DSP using the Top Note die for the Big Shot. Then, I folded down the top and made a pocket card. The insert is the size of a Trading card (2.5x3.5")

This card was also based on a card that another demo created. Her name is Andrea Walford. I loved it when I saw it on her blog. I changed it up a little bit, but basically it is her design.

This is a Pink Pirouette card. I stamped the hearts in Riding Hood red. For the main image, I stamped it in Basic Brown and colored in the "L" and "V" with a blender pen.

I hope you have enjoyed these Valentine's!! Now go enjoy your Valentine's Day!! :)

Creative Challenge 2-1-09

This Creative Challenge was to use a card in the Sale-a-Bration catalog for the layout. The card was on page 9.

It is the Birthday card shown here. We were able to use any colors or stamps we wanted to, but just had to use the layout or sketch of this card.

Here is the card that I came up with. I started with a Rose Red card. I added a strip of Raspberry Tart DSP on the right edge.

Next, I punched a Whisper White strip with the eyelet edge punch. I layered that with a strip of Pink Pirouette and put these on the right edge slightly covering the Raspberry tart strip.

I placed another piece of Raspberry tart dsp on the bottom of the card and layered a small piece of Rose Red CS on top of that.

Finally, I stamped the large Flower from Fifth Ave Floral on Whisper White CS in Rose Red ink and watercolored it. I cut this piece out and curled the edges a little bit. I stamped the "Love you" in Kiwi kiss ink and cut that out, then added both pieces to the card.

Give this challenge a try! The Idea book and Catalog and the mini catalogs are filled with so many great ideas for card layouts. This is why we call them Idea Books!!! Use those ideas.

If you try this challenge, e-mail me your creations or post the link for your blog post or splitcoast gallery to the comments here. I will post any that are e-mailed to me.

Color Challenge 2-10-09

Ok.... well with Valentine's day being right around the corner, this week's color challenge is to use Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette. So, Since I am not feeling so great... I wanted to keep it simple!

Here is my cute little creation!

This card is 4x4" made out of Pink Pirouette CS. I added a 3 3/4" square of Candy Lane dsp to the front. Next, I cut a strip 3 7/8" long of Pink PIrouette and wrapped it with riding hood red ribbon. Finally, I stamped the heart in White craft ink and embossed it with white EP. I punched it out with the large heart punch and applied it to the card with Dimensionals.

That was it. Cute and simple!

By the way, this heart stamp comes from the Sale-a-Bration set called Polka Dot Punches. You can get this set for FREE with a $50 purchase from now through March 31st. Contact me to place your order!

Color Challenge 2-2-09

Hi All,

Last week's color challenge was Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, and Close to Cocoa. I needed to make little Valentine's for my mom to give to her teachers, so I thought, let's combine the two! Here is what I came up with!

For the box, I used the pillow box die from the Big Shot. Next, I ran the cut out boxes through the Big Shot again using the Texture plates. (this is a little hard to see in the photo) Finally, I assembled the box. I punched out scallop circles form close to coca CS. Next, I stamped the Hugs and Kisses stamp on Vanilla CS in Basic Brown ink. I colored the hearts with markers. For the Rose red boxes, I colored the hearts witht he Pretty in Pink marker and for the Pretty in pInk boxes I used the Rose red marker.

These boxes were then filled with 2 Hershey's Miniatures.

Enjoy!

Stop by tomorrow for this week's Color Challenge! Don't forget to check out the blogs of the other Color Girls. You can find the links on the right hand sidebar.

This Week's Color Challenge!

This week's color challenge was Basic Grey and Pink Pirouette. I started with a Pink Pirouette card. I layered a piece of Baisc Grey on top. Next, I cut out a piece of Candy Lane DSPusing the Top Note die and my big shot. Then, I stamped the sentiment from the new Sale-a-Bration set in Basic Grey on the bottom of the Top Note.

I wrapped a piece of striped Pink Pirouette ribbon around the Top Note and the Grey layer. Finally, I colored a piece of the So Tweet Chipboard with White Craft ink. Let it dry and then used the Tombow multi purpose adhesive to add the chunky glitter. I finished it off with a new flower brad and put it on the card with Dimensionals. I also did color the center of the flower with a black sharpie marker.

Enjoy!

Kelly

Last Week's Color Challenge!

HI Everyone,

I am a little behind in posting my color challenges. So here is last week's and tomorrow, I will post this week's.

The Colors were Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, and Sahara Sand. I stamped part of the Baroque Background stamp in Artichoke ink on Sahara Sand. It is a little hard to see in the photo, but this is layered on Old Olive and then on a chocolate chip card. (The card measures 3x6"). Then, I used pieces of Artichoke DSP and made little pleats, or folds like you would use for Iris folding, on the right side. Finally I stamped the sentiment on the bottom also in Artichoke ink.

I hope you like it!

See you tomorrow!

The Spring Summer Catalog is Live!!!

HI Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that you can now order from the new catalog! I just placed my order and can't wait to play with my new products when they arrive!

Click on this pic on the right and it will bring you to my website! While you are there, check out my new classes and hit Shop Now to see some new products! You can place your order online or call me and I can place it for you!

SPECIAL: The first 5 people to place online orders by Sunday(1/25) at Midnight will receive a Free gift from me!

So go check it out!

Hey! the new colors for this week's color challenge are Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand and Old Olive! Give it a try!

Color Challenge 01-12-09

This week's color challenge is Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, and Not Quite Navy. I have been wanting to make one of these Top Note boxes for awhile and have been putting it off. Why? I don't know.... because I had to take things off of my Big Shot to get at it and I was being lazy. OK - so that is why.

So this was the perfect time to just do it! Clean up and use your stuff, Kel!! SO here is my final product.

I took 2 pices of Kiwi Kiss CS and ran it through the Big Shot with my Top Note Die. Next, I stamped one of them with the Floral vine stamp from the Fresh Cuts stamp set in Kiwi Kiss ink. On a piece of Shimmery White scrap, I stamped the Lovey Dovey heart from the new Hostess set called "A Little Somethin'" in Not Quite Navy ink. I carefully cut this heart out (since I do not have the new Full heart punch just yet). I used the negative image from cutting out the heart to stipple some Baja Breeze ink. I cut this out too! (I can't wait to get that punch!!) THese were put on top with some Dimensionals.

Now for the box part. I took a piece of Kiwi Kiss CS (11"x 2 1/4") and scored it at 4" and 7" on the 11" side and at 1/4" on the 2 1/4" side. Then I took anothe piece (2 1/4" x 3 1/2") and scored it at 1/4" from each side on the 3 1/2" side(this made the flaps for the sticky strip) and 1/4" on the 2 1/4" side. The 1/4" sides are where I put the Sticky strip to adhere it to the bottom Top Note die. I have to say that if I make this again, I will make the side a little bit smaller. So instead of having a 4"x3" box, I would make it 3 3/4"x2 3/4". I think this will make it a little easier for the top and making sure you don't see the sides of the box peeking out from the top.

For the box top, I took an 11"x 1 1/4" strip and scored it at 3 7/8", 6 3/4", and 10 5/8". The 3/8" left on the end of this strip is a flap for sticky strip. It is also scored at 1/4" on the 1 1/4" side. Then another strip (3 1/8" x 1 1/4") scored at 1/4" on the 3 1/8" side and on the 1 1/4" side. Again all of the 1/4" scores are for sticky strip. I know this probably a little confusing, if you take some card stock and see it, it should make sense... This part was adhered together and then to the top of the box. This fits inside the bottom part to secure the cover.

Finally, I added the Baja Breeze Double stitched ribbon and the Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla satin ribbon. The Kiwi ribbon is amazing. This is first time I used it and it definitely will not be the last!

I hope you enjoyed this take on the Top Note box. It would make a great hostess gift, Non-traditional Valentine, or just a little somethin' for someone special!

Kelly

Valentine Mini Scrapbook

Hi Everyone,

Lately, I have been playing with my Love you Much Bundle which comes with the Love You Much Stamp Set, Candy Lane DSP and The new 3 heart punch(it has another name, but you know which one I mean). I remembered that I had bought some of the empty Accents and Elements tins awhile back. So, I decided to make a scrapbook.


Let's start with the cover. I kept this simple and just stamped and embossed the heart image on the top.

Next, I made the inside top cover.

Here, I punched out the hearts with the 3 heart punch and cut out the middle of the "o" and "e" with my Hobby Blade. I used a Technique Junkie ribbon technique to fill in these holes.

Next, I covered the bottom of the tin with DSP. I cut and scored my card stock for the scrapbook and assembled it.

Then, I got to the decorating of the pages. I kept it simple so that I could add pics and journaling later. The pages are decorated on both sides, I just could not add all of the photos here. ... but if you would like to make this scrapbook, I will be having a class in early February. Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, check out the rest of these pics.

Creative Challenge 1-01-09

HI Everyone,



I told you a few weeks ago about the new Creative Challenge I was going to start posting for my group. Well, the first one of the year is to use the Pretties kit on a project. My friend, Traci, posted a page she did last summer. Well, she inspired me to do a scrap page too.



So, here it is.

This is a 6x6 page. This pic is of my daughter and her friend from school. It was taken after their holiday show. (I got the glare in just the right place since I didn't have a chance to ask her if mom if I could post the pic.) The base is Chocolate Chip. The photo mat is Kiwi Kiss. The strip of Dsp is from the Bella Rose pack. The rub ons for the sentiment and flower border are from the Chateau Bella pack. The ribbon is Riding Hood Red Taffeta. Finally, for the challenge, the hat pin and beads are from the Pretties kit. This page also works for the color challenge from this week.

I really liked the way this page came out. It was simple but the colors worked well together and with the photo. And, the accessories really compliment the page, not overpower it! Ahhh! wouldn't it be nice if all pages came together like that... sigh....

I hope you enjoy it. Leave me a comment with a link to your creation and I will post them here.

Kelly