Carrie Stamps

Priceless

Big Shot, $100.  Build-a-Bear dies, $50.  Pawsitively Prints DSP, $10.  Spending time with my daughter making Big Shot Build-a-Bears... Priceless!

When my stamp order arrive on Friday, Samantha helped me unpack the box as she almost always does, when she saw the Build-a-Bear dies she wanted to make one immediately!  So, we did have to break them in that day.  Together we decided what color our bears would be and then she picked out what patterns she wanted for her bears clothes. 

Doesn't she look totally serious laying it all out.  My favorite memory of this day is when she said "What about her heart, she has to have a heart so she can love her brother."  I was just thinking, they are going to have clothes on so there was no need to put the heart on.  If you have ever created a stuffed Build-a-Bear you know, you pick out a heart and wish on it, give it a kiss and then put it inside your bear when it is getting stuffed.  So, we put on the hearts, first thing, Samantha's on her sister bear and mine on my brother bear.  How fun! 

She was really proud of her bear when it was complete...

After that we had to make a card with it!  Here is Samantha's creation:

I think she is hailing a cab to go shopping! 

And here is the card I made with Brother Bear:

One tip I have, be careful if you use a glue stick, as we did, because it can dry and then will never come off and if it is by the bear's nose it can look like  he has a snotty nose!    So, we had lot's of fun and the bears are so super cute.  I am planning on making her some magnetic paper dolls that were demoed at convention for Christmas!  I know that will be a hit and I can not wait to make it!   If you love the bears, you will be able to purchase them TOMORROW!  You can order from my website: www.carrierhoades.stampinup.net.

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Just Playin'

Yesterday after our Birthday party outing I finally got my girls down for naps, AT THE SAME TIME!  Don't you just feel like a Rock Star Mom when that happens!  So, I may have neglected a few chores, for some STAMPING THERAPY!  But, I know I am going to be a better Mom because of it.  I got a few new things the other day and HAD to break them in! 

The first thing I just had to get my hands on was my MEDALLION stamp. I am pretty sure this is my FAVORITE stamp EVER!  All I did was ink it up with my Crushed Curry Stamp pad and then my Dusty Durango Stamp pad around the edge and in a few spots in the middle.  I had this card sitting on my desk, along with several others, and my hubby saw it, he told me "that card on your desk, with the yellow and orange flower, with the yellow button in the middle, that is cool'.  So, if it caught is eye among the many I know it is a great stamp and I think you could work it right and make a masculine card with it!

The next think I HAD to play with is my LONG awaited Butterfly die!!!

I decided to use my retired DSP to cut out my first butterflies, not know what I was going to do with them.  But I loved them so much I had to make a card.  Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge caught my eye and so I thought I would give it a whirl with my butterflies. 

Just a few changes to the sketch and a lot of sponging and my WSC95 card was done. 

I love both of my new toys, I mean Stampin' Class supplies.  The moral of my story is, take some time to play, Mom's need it too!!!

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

R2D2

Today we are going to a birthday party for one of Samantha's friends, he is turning 5 and having a Star Wars themed party!  Well, I really wanted to create my own Star Wars birthday card.  I got to thinking that I could make R2D2 with punches, so I pulled up a picture of him on the internet and got to work.  Here is what I came up with:

I used the Key Tag punch (which is now retired) for the body and head.  I used the word window punch for the legs.  For the eye I used a 1/8" circle punch.  All the other pieces I cut tiny tiny square and strips and squares.  The colors of card stock I choose were: Glossy White, Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy and Basic Black.  I sponged the white edges with Going Gray to give it a 3D look.  I had to simplify him (or her, I guess there is some controversy out there that it could be possible that R2D2 could be a girl) a bit.  So, those of you who are reading this that might be Star Wars fans/fanatics I know he is missing a few buttons, probably vital ones, sorry.  My R2D2 is for artistic effect and for a 5 year old.  And, I think he is so darn CUTE!  Also, my husband who grew up with Star Wars and has a collection of Star Wars toys in the attic from his childhood, that I can just envision our grandchildren taking on Antiques Roadshow someday, liked him.   So, there you have it!

Now, on to the completed card...

I used the Rockabilly Specialty DSP (retired) I liked the look of the shinny/embossed black lines, it brought out the glossy card stock use for R2D2.  Of course I had to add STARS on my Star Wars card.  It was a pretty easy card once I got R2-D2 assembled.  Now, my husband wants me to make a Chewbacca with my new Build-a-Bear die!  Hmm, got to think about that one. 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Left Overs 2

I am at it again, using up some LEFT OVERS, not last night dinner, but CARD SWAP PIECES!  I made this card:

Using left over pieces from this card swap:

Having all the extra flowers, modern label pieces and butterfly made the card go super fast.  I just added some accents, like the ribbon at the top, small soft suede flowers to the center of the polka dotted flowers and a Corduroy button to the center of the solid flower.  I made the button a Soft Suede color by taking a Kraft button and rolling it in the Soft Suede pad!  Do you see how the Rich Razzleberry punched piece is layers on a larger Soft Suede Modern label?  Well, that larger piece is the piece you get when you cut a Modern Label window in your card with the new Mover and Shapers Dies!!! I love how it is just the right size to layer with the punch, it gives you so many possibilities.

NOW, I have to show you the card that Samantha (my 4 year old) and I made for her friends 6th birthday...

I did some paper cutting and little assists, like suggesting that the balloon be pink, instead of green.  I know, I am stifling her creativity!  Anyway, I am very proud and am fostering the little stamper in there. Someday she will be my darling assistant at my classes and workshops and then, just maybe, a demonstrator! 

How about some family pics!?! It's been a while, so I thought I would update you all.  This was a week of firsts for our family.  Here are two:

Tuesday was Samantha's first day of PRE-SCHOOL!  She is doing Fabulous!

Hannah's first Popsicle!  Cold on her aching gums! 

That's all from me.

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Want to Swap?

I did not do any swapping at convention this year, SHOCKER I know!  But, I am in a couple different swapping groups and so I decided to take the stress off my self this year, and it was SUPER NICE!  So, I wanted to share with you two swap cards I did make and then I want to see if any of my demonstrator friends want to swap with me!!! Keep reading...

I made this card for the Great Swap Girls Swap. I uses the new FYI stamp set. I love that set, my favorite saying from it is... FYI, you are awesome!  I know several people I can use that stamp for like my dear friend Britiney who helped me complete my Sweet Centers swap yesterday (I will show you that later).  The swaps I got in return, they are super cute!

Card #2:

This is the second card I made for my Great Swap Girl swaps as well as a swap I have been in for years we also did it for my Ladies Night Out!  I used the For All You Do set which is part of the Mini Starter Kit!!!  I also used the new Movers and Shapers Magnetic Dies that match the new Modern Label punch!  Got to love that. 

So, I have 2 of each of these cards left over.  If you are a demonstrator and would like to swap with me, here are the rules.  Your card has to use a NEW stamp set from the current catalog and has to be super cute!  Be one of the first four to email me and we will swap.  I will let you know when the 4 cards are gone.  Then I will post the cards I swapped! Sounds fun to me! 

Thanks for visiting and...

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Extreme Card Make Over 3

Hey Stamping Friends!  It's that time of week again!  ECMO!

Here is the original card:

I made this card at a shoe box swap with my downline years ago.  I really liked the background we created with the Watercolor Garden Stamp set.  But you can not see it that much.  Another problem with this card is that the focal image has faded.  So, I wanted to take this GOOD card and make it GREAT.  Use the things I love about the card and make it BETTER! 

Here are two of the things I love about this card:

The organdy ribbon, we stamped it with craft ink and then heated it with an embossing gun to shrivel it up a bit.  CUTE!

Next...

The gorgeous background with pinks, yellow and orange!

So, here is what I did with this fun card...

Now you can see the background better, as well as the cute ribbon.  The only thing I did not use from the original card was the saying and two of the flowers. I used the Always stamp set here.  I inked the heart with coordinating markers and cut it out, popping it over the same heart stamped in Basic Black.  I added rhinestones to the center of two of the flowers, one is yellow the other orange.  I trimmed the mats to fit and ticket corner punched the layers to draw the eye to the focal image.  I added my saying to the bottom in Basic Black, tying in the heart. 

In this photo you might be able to see how I added some Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the heart as well!

Thanks for stopping by and taking time to read!  Remember those of you who leave a comment to this post will get your name in a drawing to WIN THIS CARD!  So, don't be shy, let me know what you think! 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Extreme Card Make Over 2

This is my 2nd Extreme Card Make Over post.  Each Wednesday I will be taking an old card that needs a little updating and giving it an EXTREME Makeover.  First, I will show you the original card and then the Extreme Made Over version.  So, here we go...

This is the original card, it was hand stamped by ME!  I am pretty sure I made it for a sample.  I really loved this set and made a GREAT scrapbook page layout with it.  But, when I was rummaging through my old card box this one caught my eye as one that could look even better with some updating.  BTW - what is up with the hemp?  Anyway, let's have a look at the EXTREME MAKE OVER...

Tah Dah! Better?  I think so.  Here's what I kept from the original, The stamped image, the brads and the Ruby Red card stock mat. The yellow's were not working for me the go around.  I added a little chocolate chip to the branch with my aqua painter, right over the top of the more mustard that was there, to darken it up.  The I began surgery, carefully pulling layers apart. I exchanged the Barely Banana mat for an Old Olive mat, which was spritzed with water and crinkled several times.  I then sponged the edge with Chocolate Chip ink.  I re-matted it all, adding the brads back as well. The Ruby Red mat also got a sponging of Chocolate Chip ink.  My favorite part of this EMO was that all the new pieces I added came from my scraps.  I found this 3/4 of a Top Note and thought that would work.  So, I ran it through on my new Perfect Details Texture Plate.  I also found this Bordering Blue piece of CS with the wood grain already stamped on it.  It was 5" x 12" and was originally going to be a background for a framed art piece.  But in the end I used a slightly different color of ink for that project, so this piece was cut to card size and sponged making a great card front!  Next, I added a piece of chocolate taffeta ribbon, which I frayed the end and pulled one of the chocolate threads to give it this distressed and ruffled look.  Lastly, I added a little Crystal Effects to the apples to give them a little sheen. 

I love this made over version!  It has great texture and dimension, which is what I think really gives a handmade card that special something that sets it apart from something you would just buy.  So, let me know your thoughts on Card#2! 

AND, last but not least..... The winner of last weeks EMO card is.....

AMANDA!!!!!!!!!!  Yeah, Amanda!  She will be at my Ladies Night out tomorrow night, and will have a little something extra to take home with her! 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Hannah's BBQ Bday

I showed you the invites, now I have to show you all the SUPER cute things I made with the Country Living Kit!  I really was a great party and the hand made decore was like the delicious sprinkles on top! 

This is the first thing I made.  I rolled the napkins and wrapped a 1"x 3" piece of the gingham paper from the kit around it and secured it with good old fashioned TAPE.  The plastic ware I stacked; knife, fork and spoon and wrapped those with the coasters from the kit and just stapled them.  I put it all in this basket and added some Real Red Grosgrain ribbon. I was super tickled with how it came out!

I have to say I was SUPER pleased with my self when I thought of this.  I bought the cheapest Salt and Pepper shakers and dressed them up!  The circle tags are also from the kit and you could use them as glass charms so you know who's cup is who's. I used them in different places, but this is my fave! 

Here is a picture of the whole food table, we had tent place cards with the name of each food, also from the kit!  Here was the menu:

Grilled chicken legs (cause kids and adults like them, with home-made BBQ sauce on the side)

Broccoli Salad

Home-made Baked Beans (because those of you who know me, know that cards are not the only thing I have to make from scratch)

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Fiesta Corn Spread (it was so DELICIOUS)

Watermelon

Animal Crackers (for the under 1 crowd)

A variety of Gourmet Potato Chips

Sun Tea and LemonAde

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake (which was so good AUNT PAT asked me for my recipe, that's like Shelly asking me how I made a card!)

Tillamook Vanilla Bean Ice cream

So, the food was great, the weather was PERFECT, we ate and played outside.  It was around 75 degrees! 

Now for the decorations!

This is the first pennant of the Birthday Banner.  Do you love it!?! 

Each pennant had a tag hanging from the bottom that spells out the word PARTY, I did not realized they were turned over in this picture. Oops.  I used my Sizzlits Decorative Strip Alphabet "Billboard" for all the letters.  The card stock is Real Red and Confetti White.  Again the Gingham paper is from the kit. I hooked the pennants together with a brad, brilliant blue.  The tags are tied on with linen thread, provided in the kit!

Okay, the letters could have been a little bigger, but then the would not fit and the next size up I have would be one letter to a pennant like the Hello Kitty banner for Samantha's birthday. I loved it and it worked out perfect.

The birthday girl loved her birthday card I hope you do to....

I know it totally matches my banner, it has to right!  Got to love the Simple Birthday Thanks stamp set or as I call it Jumbo Cupcake!  I added 2 way glue and dazzling diamond glitter to accent the white frosting and a real red bead for each sprinkle.  The cherry looks luscious with crystal effects giving it a wet lacquered look. 

It was a great back yard BBQ and party and my husband even said he liked how I had the little cards labeling the food.  Can't get better than that when the husband notices the little things! 

Thanks for taking time to stop by.  WAIT till you see the fabulous DSP jewelery I made for Ladies Night out.  I will post it soon!  AND, tomorrow is Extreme Card Make Over Day!!!

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Left overs

One of my favorite things to do is to save packets of pre cut paper from my classes, camps and workshops and create something new later.  I take the left over cut supplies after a class and put them into a special drawer, all the materials for one card are in a clear envelope.  Then, when I need to make a card really quick, I pull out one of these "packets" and make a card. I call it Left Overs!  Each Friday I plan to share with you a card made with my "left overs".  If I have a photo of the original card I will share that as well.  The card I made this week is for a birthday party we went to yesterday.  I love the All in the Family Stamp set for kids birthday cards.  I added the chipboard number 3, which was not a part of the left overs.

I can not find the original card.  It had a turtle on it, that's all you get, sorry!

So, I challenge you to save your left over packet from a class, you do not have to make the exact same card with them!  In fact it is more fun to create something all new.  If you are not a demonstrator, you too can save your scraps, pull them out and challenge your self to create something with them! 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

Extreme Card Make Over

Hello! 

I am so glad you are here!  Today I am introducing a new FEATURE on my blog called "Extreme Card Makeover"!  The idea hit me when I was sitting looking a BOXES full of OLD card swaps!  Some of them REALLY need updating.  So, I decided they need and EXTREME Make over and that would be a great thing to share on my blog each week.  So, my goal is to share one each Wednesday, starting today! 

Here are the rules:   I have to keep at least ONE element of the original card, that's it.  First, I will show you the original card and then the Extreme Make over edition. 

Here is goes, are you exited?  I am! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original card was created by Colleen Becker, Colleen if you are out there let me know!  I always liked this stamp set, so it was fun to play with it.   Not a bad card, but  it could use some updating, a little something more to give it that WOW effect. (Sorry about the bad lighting on this card I was working on it at 5:30am this morning and artificial light is NOT good to the 48 colors!)

SO, here is my EXTREME MAKE OVER VERSION:

Oh la la! 

I knew I had to keep the shoe image.  So I trimmed the Green Galore mat down a little and added a Pink Passion layer. 

I took the Yoyo yellow card base from the original and used a portion of that to make my scalloped border and yellow strip at the top of the whit panel.  The Whisper White panel was an extra textured piece I had left over from the swaps I finished yesterday day and I thought it worked beautifully here.

I knew I wanted some Yoyo yellow ribbon, but there is no such thing, SO, I colored a piece of Very Vanilla ribbon with my Yoyo yellow marker and Voila!

Next I cut out each word from the saying a laid it out on the new card front. It says "Good Friends Never Go Out of Style".   Lastly, I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the white shoe and it does look Dazzling! 

Okay, now I am DYING to know what you guys think, A) of my new feature "Extreme Card Make Over" and B) of this card's make over.  I know I have silent followers out there, but please take a moment to comment.  I will be giving this card away ONE OF YOU!  Just leave a comment and I will randomly select one of you to receive this card! 

Thanks for visiting and reading!  I can not wait to hear back from you. 

Happy Stampin'

Carrie

PS - Stay tuned for more ALL NEW features to my blog!