Patchwork Punchin'

I love punches! They make 'piece-work' so fast and easy . . . kinda like mini-quilting!  This card showcases the Postage Stamp punch.

 

TIP:  I lined up a ruler just to the right of the left card edge so that I could lay the middle vertical row of squares up against it.  When I was happy with the alignment, I added the right vertical row and the left vertical row just by sight. I used just a dab of adhesive to get all the squares where I wanted them, then came back and added more adhesive and pressed all the squares down. 

 

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

 

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Friendly Phrases, Fresh Vintage (retired)

Ink:  Soft Suede, Versamark

Paper:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla cardstock, Everyday Enchantment DSP (retired)

Extras:  Postage Stamp punch, 1/2" circle punch, pearls (optional)

 

Purchase the Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project at my ONLINE STORE.

 

Thanks for stopping by my 'quilt shop' today!

~Hugs~   Cheryl O.   :)

 



KIDS . . . get married!

As you know if you follow my blog, my son just got married in August!  And one of my older sons was married a couple years ago.  I love my daughters-in-law - like people tell me, I'm finally getting my GIRLS!

This wedding card is full of little details - just like the celebration itself!



And before you know it, the anniversaries begin!  This Love & Laughter stamp set is super versatile when it comes to engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Love & Laughter, Something to Celebrate (retired)

Ink:  Early Espresso

Paper:  Early Espresso, Blushing Bride (retired), Pear Pizzazz (retired), Peach Parfait (retired), Very Vanilla cardstock

Extras:  Small Heart punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, 1" Square punch, Certainly Celery and Pink Pirouette taffeta ribbon, Pear Pizzazz seam binding (retired), Adorning Accents hearts embossing folder, Elegant Lines embossing folder, pearls, rhinestones.

Inspired by:  Mary Fish



Purchase the Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project at my ONLINE STORE.

Enjoy the upcoming romantic celebrations on your schedule - and take a few minutes to whip up a one-of-a-kind card for the lucky couple!

~Hugs~   Cheryl O.   :)

KIDS . . . really DO graduate!

Before I knew it, my sons were graduating . . . 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 . . . and even college graduation in 2010!  There are more coming up, hopefully, and I love every moment of the celebrations.

I also work full time in a college, so I get to see 'my kids' there graduate on a regular basis.  Each year, I make up grad cards in school colors.  The Center-Step technique seemed just right for this year's card:

The scoring and cutting were done at 1" width increments.  The paper strips were cut in 3/4" widths.  And a little faux stitching framed up the focal point.

I ended up needing a few more cards real quick, so put this one together using my scraps:

 

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted



 

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Occasions Alphabet, Sketch an Event (retired)

Ink:  Basic Black (ink pad and marker), gold marker

Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Whisper White, In Colors 10-12 6x6 Patterns Pack DSP (on clearance now!), dictionary pages

Extras:  Large Oval punch, Extra-Large Oval punch, Basic Black brads, gold cording (retired), paper piercer & mat

Purchase the Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project at my ONLINE STORE.

 

To those of you with soon-to-be grads - many congrats and every blessing for a fulfilling future!

~Hugs~   Cheryl O.   :)

KIDS . . . start out as BABIES!

I am constantly amazed how quickly childhood passes and how, just as quickly, I've become 'mom' to an empty nest! I'm happy for them . . . and rather sad for me!  So today I'm gonna reminisce a bit - with BABY cards! Super simple and cute - and just the right touch to send your congrats to someone just beginning the KID journey!

The little parasols were stamped an extra time, colored, cut out and popped up with a tiny piece of a dimensional.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Easy Events

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Extras:  Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots ribbon, Bashful Blue & Pretty in Pink Grosgrain ribbon (retired), Houndstooth textured embossing folder, Cra-Z-Art colored pencils

Inspired by:  Dawn Olchefske (pretty much a total CASE, except for the colors!)

Purchase the Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project at my ONLINE STORE.

Enjoy your little ones while they are still . . . little!

~Hugs~   Cheryl O.   :)

GUY Week: HIS~n~Hers

Happy Friday, stampers!!  How about another 'guy' card idea to round out the week?!  This card lets a special guy know he's the STAR of the show!  Add a little bling, and he'll be convinced.

 

And here's an extra for ya - HER version of this card, complete with classy pearls!

 

 

 

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted



 

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Sprinkled Expressions, On Your Birthday (both retired)

Ink:  Peach Parfait (retired), Lucky Limeade

Paper:  Soft Suede, Peach Parfait (retired), Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla cardstocks, Everyday Enchantment DSP (retired)

Extras:  Houndstooth textured embossing folder, rhinestones, pearls

Inspired by:  Heather Sewczak

Purchase the Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project at my ONLINE STORE.

 

So the next time you make a 'pretty' card, I challenge you to also make a GUY version of your card! You never know when it will come in handy!

Happy weekending!

~Hugs~   Cheryl O.   :)

GUY Week: Seafaring MEN

There's just something about a ship that says strength, constancy, stability, dependability.  Remind you of any of the men in your life?  Thankfully, I am blessed to say 'yes' to that!  My dad, my father-in-law, my husband, and my four grown sons are all men for which to be grateful - and I am!

I think this card depicts strength and stability - a firm anchor in an unpredictable world!

The ship is stamped and cropped with the Extra-Large Oval punch and matted with the Decorative Label punch.  The light gray panel edges are distressed to give it that aged feel, and after the anchor was stamped, I paper-pierced a line of holes upward and connected them with a Basic Gray marker to resemble chain links.

Inside these cards, I used birthday and thank-you sentiments to show appreciation to the guys in my life.  I like how they turned out!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

Card Recipe
Stamps:  The Open Sea
Ink:  Basic Gray (ink pad and marker)
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler & Basic Gray cardstock, light gray cardstock (generic), Nautical Expedition DSP (retired)
Extras:  Decorative Label punch, Extra-Large Oval punch, paper piercer & mat, distressing tool.
Inspired by:  Susie Nelson

Purchase the Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project at my ONLINE STORE.

I encourage you to thank a GUY in your life this week!
~Hugs~   Cheryl O.   :)

GUY Week: MEN and their Birthdays!

You know, so often I'd rather play with 'pretty' papers and images - and then one of the guys in my life has a birthday!  So I have to think outside the box a bit and come up with a card he won't be embarrassed to display!  Here's a design that has gone over well - take a look!

You can create this card with any stamps and papers you might have - just come up with a 'guy' color combo and you're good to go!

 

All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

 

Card Recipe

Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess, retired)

Ink:  Soft Suede, Peach Parfait/Pool Party/Soft Suede markers

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Pool Party, Peach Parfait (retired), Everyday Enchantment DSP (retired)

Extras:  Soft Suede dotted grosgrain ribbon (retired), brads, Decorative Label punch, Wide Oval punch, Stripes textured embossing folder

Inspired by:  Dawn Olchefske

 

Purchase the Stampin’ Up! Supplies to make this project at my ONLINE STORE.

 

Watch for more GUY ideas this week!

~Hugs~   Cheryl O.   :)