My Stampin' Penpal!

Last month I joined a swap on U Stamp With Dawn and Friends' blog, and instead of the usual mail-in-a-stack and get back a variety (which is totally awesome in itself), this one was a one-to-one swap.  I was paired up with a stamper whom I did not know by the moderator, and given her email & address. Then we were to make a gifty item and a card and mail them off.  What I didn't know, was that each swapper got paired up with a friend overseas!!!  Enter Jess.  I have had so much fun getting to know her!  She's a fellow blogger, a smart and friendy lady, and an avid and excellent papercrafter!

Take a look at these beauties I received from my Australian friend!

My new favorite stamp set, Artistic Etchings.  Everything I see made with this set is so artsy and cool. 
CJ, my oldest son, commented on the "super cool note pad"!



Don't you love this chocolate box?  It's so beautifully distressed, I just love this look.
And how about those adorable Aussie chocolates?  Yes, they are delicious too!

I highly recommend that you try a swap like this.  I only hope that my next swapper is as fun as Jess. 

Thanks for visiting today!

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Corner Bookmark with Origami Flower Dangle

Today I rediscovered something about myself that I've forgotten.  You might feel this way, too.  I make cards because #1, first and foremost, I love to play with paper!  The #2 reason I make cards is because they're thoughtful and wonderful extensions of myself that I hope will brighten someone's day. 

I think these fit both bills...


I came across a link on Tip Junkie's blog, and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the first bookmark.  I had to try Sandy's Kusudama fold right away. 

Here was my first one...



Then I couldn't stop!  I had to try it with all of my new papers!




Different trims for each one...buttons, punches, bling...

And just like that, I have a beautiful half dozen Christmas or birthday gifts, ready to pair with a good book.  Fun!  Give it a try. 

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

French Country Friend SSC212

Q: Can I make a card at 70 mph?

A: Oh, yeah.

I tackled this Stamping411 challenge in my motorhome today across two states (Ohio & Michigan)!

Beau Chateau die cuts, miscellaneous flower punches, ribbon scraps, almost everything here is a leftover. 
I'm so glad I have my little box of random bits!

Armed with my tote and a boxful of random scraps, this is what I felt like today, and this was my guide...




There were a few sudden stops and a couple broad turns that had paper, ribbon, and tiny embellishments sliding away. Then there was the overhead light that worked loose and crashed down on my table, scaring the dickens out of me and scarring my treasured paper trimmer!

OUCH!  Road Rash!

But you can't frolic in papercrafting without sometimes having to do battle.

I am claiming victory on this one :D

Supplies:
Stamps:  Cherish Friendship, Notably Ornate
Paper: Beau Chateau, Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper
Punches: Bird Punch, Boho Blossoms
Ink: Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Quick Coffee Break! VIA Pouches for friends...

I put together a dozen or so of these cute pouches for Starbucks Iced Coffee packets, perfect for giving away in the hot summer months.




The left is Charmed, one of my favorite sets to layer. I used that because it's not retired. However, all my giveaways are the sample on the right, a retired hostess set called A Slice Of Life. There are plenty of substitutes you can use from the new catalog, such as Morning Cup #120489 or Take A Sip #120323. I'm away from home and just using what I grabbed :)

Here's a closer look...




How do you like those adorable mini clothespins? Too cute! Theyre plenty affordable too, $2.95 for 24. Item #112942 if you're interested! The DSP is new and beautiful, it's called Pocketful of Posies.  I love anything with brown!

I was inspired by a sample I saw on SplitCoastStampers, from addinkandstamp's blog, it was a Christmas theme.  If you'd like to make your own, here are the approximate measurements:

Cut cardstock 7" x 5-1/2", makes 2 per sheet of 8.5 x 11.
Fold in 1/2 lengthwise, adhere side and bottom.
Cut bottom DSP 3-1/2" x 6", punch bottom with a scallop punch
Cut top DSP layer at 2-7/8 x 6", layer and adhere to pouch.
Use another 1" x 6" of coordinating DSP to make a paper ribbon.  Attach with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Next, make your focal point.  Any stamps & any circles will do! 
Add your little embellishments, these are Tiny Tags.


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

It's A Wrap! Birthday Bitty Box

I'm going to a shoebox swap on Saturday with 14 of my *closest* cardmaking girlfriends.  I . Can't . Wait.  I love shoebox swaps, because I get to busy myself making everyone's awesome creations, chat, eat, repeat.  haha!  If you happen to be interested, visit Pam's website at http://www.psiloveyouscrapbooking.com/, and look into it. 

Here's my project for the girls...

It's a box using the Sizzix Bitty Box die, with the lid run through the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.

It's wrapped with a belly band with a handmade pinwheel, embellished with buttons & rhinestones. 

The sentiment is from a new Hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes.  It's a huge set!

Finally, our box is filled with chocolate nuggets wrapped in these handy new stamps made just for this purpose, It's A Wrap!  How easy is that?!

I think it makes an awesome little gift!

Yum and Cute all boxed up in one!

If you would like the Word document with all the directions complete with photos to follow, absolutely free, just send me an email and request it. 

Have a blessed and creative day!  Erika

Delicate Doilies in Wisteria Wonder for MOJO199

 Hi Friends!  I've been spending all week tucked away in the mountains, where the weather is cool, and the lush green mountainsides are just gentle to the spirit.  I spent 2 days cleaning and painting, and the rest of the time seated at my new scrap area...here's a look at my humble but HAPPY space...

Look at all those punches! LOL!  They were for just one project I'm prepping for.
And my Idea Book front & center :)

Anywhoo, to the matter at hand.  Mojo Monday.  I'd like to be one of the first to post every Monday, as I do look for the new challenge every Monday, first thing.  Like when I'm having that first sip of coffee.  Then the idea has to marinate for awhile.  Gotta think of my stash, new stamps, techniques, how to use the template maybe not quite so literally.  You do too, don't you?!  These things don't come naturally to me.   

So here's my frilly, Wisteria, Doily-laden card for MOJO199...

I love that the Delicate Doilies DSP has TWO full sheets of luscious laser-cut doilies to cut and use.  The color is on one side, and the other side is plain white.  I can see this being used by stamping right on the white side of the doily, wow, won't that be cute! Hmmm...

Here's the template:

There's so much potential for this sketch!  I turned it sideways, and started by trimming 1-1/2" off the right side of the card front.  Next punched a Lace Ribbon Border and adhered to card front.  I cut a doily from Deicate Doilies DSP, added the happy birthday sentiment from a new Hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes, layered and adhered, adding a bit of seam binding ribbon to make the Happy Birthday pop.  I stamped a doily from the Delicate Doilies stamp set, and punched a Butterfly out of it, inked the edges, layered with another Whisper White butterfly, added pearls and a hat pin I had sticking out of my tote, and adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Finally, finished with Whisper White Organza Ribbon.  Oh, and layered the inside of the card with a scrap of Delicate Doilies paper, as you can see in the detail pictures...

As always, if you'd like to place an order, feel free to email me erika.stmichaelsrv@gmail.com, or shop online anytime at my Stampin' Up Site

Have a blessed and creative day!  Erika :)

Take Care with Beau Chateau SSC211

Wow, I am LOVING all of the new goodies from the 2011-2012 Stampin Up! Idea Book that debuted this month.  I had some time today to play between projects and workshop prep, and picked a Stampin 411 Challenge, Saturday Sketch 211. 

I could. not. wait to break into the gorgeous Beau Chateau DSP, it's so, well, so me.  I know I'll use every little scrap of this pack.  Here's the card:

...and here is the sketch:

What a quick and simple sketch!  I love it.  Can't wait to give this away.  Better yet, I'll make two so I can keep one for myself ;)

SUPPLIES LIST:

Cardstock: Confetti White, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette

DSP: Beau Chateau

Stamp Set: Love and Care (Hostess)

Big Shot, Sizzix Originals Blossom Party

Other: Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones