Switching Styles for a While

So the last couple of days I've gone with some bold colors, shimmer and sparkles.  Today it was time to change it up for a bit softer style.  Here's one of the new In Colors...Wisteria Wonder paired with a little Chocolate Chip and Cherry Cobbler.  I love stamp sets that I can color with my watercolor pencils then wash out with the Blender Pens.  It makes me feel like I can paint like a professional!  This adorable little set:  Cherish Friendship includes the cutest duck that I can't wait to use.  All I could think of when I saw this set for the first time was the ceramic duck that used to sit on the fireplace hearth at my parent's house.  One night my mom cried out for help and I thought she was crying over a broken duck.  When really she had sprained her ankle pretty seriously and just bumped the duck on the way down!  Oops :-)

If you've seen the Summer Mini Catalog, you will have seen the Pretty Postage stamp set and punch.  Guess what!  This is being carried into the new catalog!  Once I found that out, I ordered it right away!
Using this crazy combination of supplies left me with a card I'm happy with.  What will tomorrow bring?

Scrap paper never looked so good!

This is one of my favorite projects with two of my favorite stamp sets!  At our downline Christmas Party/ShoeBox Swap/Meeting Karen brought the cutest little easel card that held a calendar.  I ended up making these for my kid's teachers at school.  While I was substituting one day, I saw the same idea but with a container to hold scrap paper.  That one was store bought.  I knew I could make something much cuter and here's what came about...

This one used Autumn Gala DSP, Day of Gratitude Stamp Set and Favorite Thoughts (From the Summer Mini)


I posted this on Stampin' Connection and got multiple requests for the instructions.  So I made a couple more samples and the directions are below.  Both of these are done with the Play Date DSP.  I think that the heavier Designer Paper works better but they are still cute.  I also used the Owl, Scallop, and Circle 1 1/4" punches as well as the Top Note Die with my Big Shot.

Instructions:
1. Cut 8"x8" square of DSP or Card Stock.  Score on all sides at 1" & 2".
2. On two opposite sides, cut on the two score marks and remove the part of the paper shown. (I cut the tab that will slip under the fold at an angle to be sure that it lays flat.)
3. Before taping the box bottom together, fold one side over and using the Tag Punch, punch a notch for easy access to the paper.  Go ahead and fold all of the sides in and adhere using sticky strip.
4. Cut a piece of card stock 3 7/8"x5" and score at 1" & 3" (on short side).  This is the support for your easel.  Attach the one inch end inside the box across from the notched side.
5.  Layers for easel:  4 1/2 x 4 1/2, 4 x 4, 3 1/2 x 3 1/2.  Decorate as desired.  After you adhere the easel front onto the stand.  Cut a notch at an angle at the 1 3/4" mark on each side to stand the easel in.  Paper inside is 3 1/2" square.

 Good Luck to all!  I can't wait to see you new examples! 

Valentine Treat

This is a card I found today and CASE'd from Lauriesrubberroom.blogspot.com.  I just loved the owls and the simplicity.  Not sure which my favorite is now, the owls or the birds...Let me know what you think!
On the owl card I used Real Red and the Birds were done in Melon Mambo.  Whisper White and Basic Black were the only other additions.  I love the White Organza ribbon so a little gathered strip of that finished off the card.  The stamp set is You & Moi (retired, sorry!) but the new set Valentine Defined in the Occasions Mini would work beautifully! 
Looks like we might have yet another snow day this week so stay tuned...