Please Vote

Just a reminder that the voting continues for the the winner of the Butterfly Challenge. Please scroll down to the post which includes the 4 challenge cards. Vote by commenting which one you like best. Deadline is Sunday, May 2nd at 6:00p.m. Thank you and happy stamping!

Panama Canal

When we were in Panama, we went to visit the Panama Canal - the Gatun Locks (the largest one of the series). We were all fascinated by the operation of the locks and especially by how tight a squeeze it was for the largest ships to go through. It looked like there were only inches on each side.

I decided to do a digital page with MDS of the sights we saw that day. I am growing to love MDS. It's so quick and easy with almost all the options of regular scrapbooking thanks to numerous downloads.

A Little Bird's Wish

Hi, all! I think I mentioned before that I really, really like step cards. So, I decided to make a Mother's Day card using the Step card dimensions found on Julie Davison's blog (I reversed them so the bird is facing the rest of the card). I struggled with this card after I started and can not say I am thrilled with it. It 's a cute little bird, though, and I hope it brings a smile to your face. Let me know what you think.

Happy Stamping!

All supplies are Stampin Up! (except the buttons and brads) and can be purchased from my other website http://carobinson.stampinup.net/.

Post-It Note Holder

Here are the post-it note holders that I taught my Sunday Stampers to make. They are sooooo simple to make and oh so cute. They would be perfect little thank you gifts or something to give as a RAC.

All supplies are Stampin Up! and can be purchased through my SU website http://carobinson.stampinup.net.

If you would like the instructions, here is a PDF:

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1877625/post-pdf-april-25-2010-9-40-pm-219k?da=y

I hope you enjoy this project. Feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Happy Stamping!

Challenge Entries

As promised, here are the cards the girls in my Sunday Stampers group made for the butterfly challenge. For the next week, I am asking anyone who visits my blog to vote for the card they like the best. Next Sunday, I will tally the votes and the winner will receive a prize for her efforts. I think that each and every card is beautiful. Each is very different from the other and each is absolutely wonderful.

Please leave a comment and let me know which of the cards you want to win. Thanks in advance and Happy Stamping!

AND THE WINNER IS......

After a random draw, my prize winner for 1000 hits is petuso29. Please email me at cherylsteve.robinson@sympatico.ca with your real address and name so I can send your prize.
Happy stamping!

Challenge Thank You card

Last time we got together, I challenged my Sunday Stampers to make a card using two butterflies I bought and gave to each. This is my version of the challenge. I used "Whimsical Words", "Teeny Tiny Wishes" and "Vintage Vogue" to create a flower garden for the butterflies to land in. My colours were Green Galore, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo and Passion Pink. Inside I just stamped the sentiment "thank you". Tomorrow I will post the girl's versions of the card.

Happy stamping!

Contest Time!!!

Hi everyone. I am reaching a milestone - almost 1000 hits on my blog. To celebrate, I want to give a prize. Anyone who leaves a comment from now to the 1000th visit will be entered in a draw to win a special prize. Just make sure you leave your name with your comment. When the winner is drawn, I will ask them to email me with their snail mail address so I can send you your prize. Good luck and happy stamping.

Centre Step Card

I think step cards are fun to make and really cool looking. In this card I combined this design technique with 2-step stamping to create a happy little any-occasion card. Bright colours and simple lines make for an uncluttered, simple look. I added the little bird as an afterthought but I think in the end that he makes the card something special. One little hint, though - next time I would make the side panels a little narrower so that the centre section can be a bit squarer. Here is a link to a PDF of the instructions.http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1864505/centre-step-car1-pdf-april-18-2010-10-35-pm-225k?da=y

To order Stampin Up! supplies, visit http://carobinson.stampinup.net/

have a great day. Happy stamping!

Tri-Shutter Card

Today I want to show you this card I made for a colour challenge. Although these are not normally my colours, I really like the outcome and the effect the combination has. All stampin Up! supplies can be purchased on my other site http://carobinson.stampinup.net/.

If you would like to make this card, here is a PDF of the project. http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/1861091/tri-shutter-card-pdf-april-16-2010-11-39-am-230k?da=y

I hope you enjoy this card and I am sure that the recipient will enjoy it as well. Have a great day!

Just a quick note about the really cool friends I have met on UStamp with Dawn Spring Soiree. I am having such a great time chatting and learning more about stampers from around the world - especially New Zealand and Australia. Hi, all.

Top Note Purse

There are many versions of the Top Note purse out there. This is mine. Once again, I have used my favourite flower to decorate it.

Supplies: (All Stampin Up!)

2 pc. chipboard 5" X 4"

DSP 2 pc. 5" X 4"

Cardstock - Lavender Lace 2 pc. 5" X 4"

1 pc. 8 1/2" X 11 "

scrap 1 1/2" X 3/4"

Ivory scrap 1 1/4" X 1/2"

Big Shot and Top Note die and Daisies #2 die

Scrap of grossgrain ribbon

Pearlescent brad, adhesive

Ink- Lavender Lace

Stamp set - Teeny Tiny Wishes

Little brown candy bag

Word Window Punch

Cut 2 topnotes from chipboard, 2 from LL cardstock, 2 from DSP. Glue DSP to front of each chipboard section and LL cardstock to back of each.

Cut bag off to 3" and glue to topnotes to make a purse shape.

With Word Window, punch handles for purse.

Sponge around edges of purse front and back with lavender lace ink.

Using Daisies #2 cut 3 of each of the flower sizes. Sponge petals and layer to make flower. Insert brad in centre. Fluff flower. Adhere to left side of purse front.

Stamp "just for you" on ivory scrap, glue this to lavender scrap. Glue to front of purse.

Fill the bag inside and then tie top of handle with grossgrain ribbon.

You have a cute little spring treat to give to that special someone or even just a friend.

Happy stamping!

For supplies, visit my other site http://carobinson.stampinup.net.

Lavender Pillow Box

This delicate little pillow box can be filled with candy, a trinket or

anything else you want. The vellum butterflies add an air of whimsey to the project.

Supplies (all Stampin Up!)

Cardstock - Whisper White (1 1/2" X 8")

Lavender Lace (approx. 8" X 6")

Shades of Spring DSP (3/4" X 8")

Vellum (3" X 3")

Scallop Edge Punch

Bigshot and Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die

Template for Pillow Box (I took apart a store-bought one but you can find them on the internet)

Snail adhesive and Glue Dots

Scissors and bone folder and ruler

Trace template on to Lavender Lace cardstock. Cut out.

Using bone folder, score all score lines.

Adhere flap edge to other side of box. Fill and fold in end flaps.

Using scallop edge punch, create trim along both long edges of WW cardstock.

Glue this band around box with seam in back.

Glue DSP band on box centred over WW band.

Using Beautiful Wings die and Bigshot, cut out butterflies from vellum. Glue with glue dots on to front of box. Slightly fold up wings and you are finished.

This is a very quick to do project for when you need a little gift for someone special. For a different look, use cardstock or DSP for the butterflies and embellish.

For Stampin Up! supplies, visit http://carobinson.stampinup.net/.

Double Embossed Card

I made this simple but elegant card using a technique I learned from "The Cuttlebug Spot" and adapted for the Bigshot.

Supplies (all Stampin Up! except the Nestabilities scalloped oval)

Cardstock - Melon Mambo (8 1/2 " X 5 1/2"), Whisper White (5 1/4" X 4 ") and 4 1/2" X
3 1/2".

Ink - Basic Black, Melon Mambo

Stamp Sets - Bella's Blooms & Teeny, Tiny Wishes
Punches - Word Window, Modern Label

Bigshot and Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder

Nestabilities Scalloped Oval set

Adhesives, sponge dauber

2 pc. scrap chipboard cut at 5 1/4" X 4 "

Use WW 5 1/4" X 4 1/4" rectangle for card front.

1. Layer chipboard and cut out the middle sized scalloped oval with the Bigshot ( this is your pattern). It will cut out the top one but leave an impression on the bottom chipboard.

2. Now line up the oval for a second time exactly over this impression and cut out this one also.

3. To emboss card front. Use the Impressions folder with WW rectangle in it and then place both pieces of chipboard on top. Using the proper plates, run this through. You will see you have a dotted outside with a smooth centre shape.

4. To make the scallop shape in the centre, use the nestabilities again plus the 2 cut out scallops. For this step you require either a crease mat or I used a very thin mousepad I cut up. This is so you have a cushion and you do not cut through, just emboss a shape. When layering, use the proper platform, then a plate, then put the crease mat under the cardstock, then cardstock, then nestabilities, then 2 scallops (directly over nestability) then your plate. You may need to practice this to get it right. Now you have the dots on outside and a scalloped edge around the centre which is smooth and ready to stamp.

5. Stamp the flower from Bella's Blooms on the embossed cardstock using Melon Mambo.

6. Fold 8 1/2" X 5 1/2" MM to form a 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" card. Adhere WW embossed and stamped cardstock to front of card.

7. Using Basic Black ink, stamp "Friend to Friend" on a scrap of WW. Punch out with Word Window. Use a scrap of MM, punch out Modern Label. Adhere the "Friend to Friend " piece to this Modern Label section. Glue to the bottom right corner of card front.

8. Using largest nestability and WW 4 1/2" X 3 1/2" piece, run though Bigshot to make a large scalloped oval. Sponge edges of this with MM ink. Stamp "from our home to yours" with Basic Black. Stamp tiny flower from Bella's Blooms" above sentiment with MM. Adhere to inside of card.

You are finished. It is so easy once you master the technique but it looks so elegant and pretty.

To order Stampin Up! supplies visit http://carobinson.stampinup.net/.

Happy stamping. See you soon.

Spring Thank You Cards

I just love making this flower and it seems to crop up in everything I create lately. I made this tin of thank you notes for a swap I am participating in and thought you may like to see how I made it.

Supplies: Empty tuna tin

Stampin Up! cardstock - Melon Mambo, Barely Banana

Stampin Up DSP - Shades of Spring

Ink - Melon Mambo

Ribbon - Satin 3/8" X 12"

Stamp Sets - Teeny Tiny Wishes, Whimsical Words

Punches - Word Window, Pinking Hearts Border

Buttons - 5 light pink or mauve

Adhesives- Snail and Glue Dots and Dimensionals

Bigshot and Daisies#2 die

Using Barely Banana cardstock, cut 4 round cards 3" (join 2 circles together to create card)

To front of each, glue 2 3/4" circle of Melon mambo and a 2 1/2" circle of DSP.

Cut 3 of the middle size and 2 of the smallest size of the flowers on the daisies die from Melon Mambo. Sponge flower edges. Layer these to make a fluffy flower. Glue to card front. Using dimensional, place a button in each flower centre. Open card and stamp "You're too Kind" inside each.

For container: Cut 3" circle of Barely Banana, 2 3/4" circle of Melon Mambo and 2 1/2" circle of DSP. Layer these on can top. Using Bigshot and die, cut 3 of largest, 3 of middle and 2 of smallest daisies out of Melon Mambo. Sponge edges with Melon Mambo. Layer and fluff. Glue to can top. On Barely Banana, stamp "Just for You" with Melon mambo ink. Punch out with Word Window. Attach to flower with glue dot. Centre botton on top and glue with glue dot.

Cut 1 1/2" X 11 1/2" strip of Barely Banana. Using Pinking Hearts Border, punch along both edges. Using Snail, glue around can base overlapping the edges. Centre and glue the ribbon over this strip, turning under edges so it will not fray.

There you have it, four little thank you notes in a matching container - simple to make, springy to look at and a joy to give. To order Stampin Up! supplies, visit http://carobinson.stampinup.net

A Happy Boy

Happy Easter, all. It has been a while since I added a project but I promise that now that I am back from vacation and settled in I will get back on track.

Today I have a MDS page about Jordan and his new buddies - the dolphins at Dolphin Acadamy in Curacao. I intend to make a real paper and ink version of the page which i will post in a few days so that you can see the difference.

Have a wonderful Easter. Enjoy your families and have fun!