Birds and Bees'----without the bees~~

I really like going to the CAS blog for inspiration, because when I do, about 1/3 of the thinking is done for me!  I can create an original, but I don't need to figure out where to put stuff!  I just choose colors and stamps and go! So many times I find a cute card to CASe, but I like it so much that I don't really make it mine.  I just copy, and I am pretty good at that!  But with the CAS blog, it is more my creation!  Capeesh?

I used the new In Color, Pool Party for the base.  The color selection came from the Color Coach, and I added So Saffron and Not Quite Navy.  The bird is from PTI and the sentiment is from my score at the $1 bin last week!  Aren't they great!

The CS and ink are, of course, SU!  

This is FTL #156 on CAS.  Some have used ribbon for the narrow strip behind the circle, some have used DSP, I went with stamping!  I have these great circle border stamps from PTI that I rarely use, cuz I don't really know what to do with them.  But they were perfect for today!

Tomorrow I will have another card to show you using the same layout.  I actually have a library of sketches on my computer that I refer to when I need something to start with!  Try it!

~~ Blessings ~~

Shelli

I Heart You~~

Special card for a friend~~

I needed something bright and cheerful for a good friend recently, and I pulled out some old SU colors. None of the new colors are bright enough for what I needed. I used Pink Passion and Yo Yo Yellow cs! They certainly are bright!

The layout is a fall back layout that I use often. The hearts are from PTI, as is the punch I used on them. I popped them up with dimensional's and spaced them evenly. You can see I used the Scallop Edge punch on the white layer. I like how the thin yellow layer adds a nice pop of color. The sentiment is an old SU hostess set.

Today (Saturday) is going to be full of baking and wrapping with my daughters! Yay! I am hoping tomorrow to get some time alone in my craft room~! I NEED it. I don't want it, I NEED it~~YKWIM?

Oh, and Christmas is next Saturday! Are ya ready? I am just about there~~~

~~Stamping Smiles~~

Shelli

Coffee time~~

Anytime is coffee time, for me anyway! I always say "I'm pretty sure there will be coffee in heaven, cuz I think God understands about coffee!"

This is some more PTI for ya! This set is called Warm Wishes and comes with a variety of fun sentiments and options for the coffee cup. Tea and cocoa words are included as well. Those gorgeous wood buttons are PTI as is the twine they are tied on with. I tie the twine through the button and then I use a glue dot to adhere the button to the card. This works better than Tacky Glue IMO because glue dots do not need time to dry. You can find them at your craft stores (use a coupon) and even Wally World.

Kraft CS seems to be my new favorite neutral. I like it better than white or cream. It seems sort of rustic I guess. It goes with any color and is softer than the starkness of white. White is great when you want a POW, but sometimes you don't, so there's Kraft. I get my Kraft from SU! It comes 40 sheets to a pack and is a great weight for CS. Try it, you'll like it!

Here's another one I decided to throw in to show case the Kraft and this fun PTI set. There you can see the cup options. My CS and ink is SU! (my main squeeze) but some of the images from PTI are hard to resist!

Have a happy Sunday! I am looking forward to time with friends today! Hug your family, let em' know ya love em'!

~~Stampin' Smiles~~

Shelli

Blazing Buttons!

Todays card was made using a FAB set from Paper Trey Ink (PTI) Called Everyday Button Bits ! I adore this set so very much! No, faithful followers, this is not Stampin Up! But I can't resist a good PTI once in a while!

The dots in the back ground are another a PTI set called Background Basics II. I used a Versa Mark pad and clear embossing powder to achieve this look......fun huh? This way I do not add color to the card stock, only an eye pleasing texture. The fun little tag is a Cuttlebug Die. The ribbon and buttons are from PTI and the cardstock is from SU! Old Olive and Barely Banana.

There is never enough time in the day to do all the things you want is there? But one thing I am sure of; if I did not have to eat, I would have so much more time and money! I mean think about it.....eating takes time, then there is planning grocery lists, shopping, putting away food, cooking and cleaning up after it! And the money part.....think of the stamping stuff you could buy with all the money you spend on food! Hahaha! When time is limited (and when is it not?) rely on simple layouts and your stamping time will be far more profitable.

~~Stamping Smiles~~

Shelli