Garden From The Heart

I have been having fits about getting this picture on my blog. This card was a collaborative adventure with my sister Jennie…well we totally cased Gretchen Barron on this card. It was so stinking cute, we had to make it. We learned after much trial and error to use Stampin Up’s new corner border punches. Isn’t the border on this card awesome!!

The set is from the Occasions Mini called Garden from the heart. We are actually working on set of these cards in various colors.

Don’t be afraid to try new tools and techniques.

Be creative everyday!

Toni

Merry Christmas Friends!!!

Christmas is but just 7 days away…and I have not been inky since my last post of November 28th. No tree is up…no deck the halls.  On Dec. 2nd my 87yr old mom fell and hit her head.  Mom suffered a mild stroke in the hospital and some focal seizures.  We got her home to my sisters house this past Wednesday where she is recovering.  We are so very lucky and blessed that the circumstances and outcomes were not worse than they were.

Incidentally, it was Mr. Brown who called 911 to get help on the way. (I had to add that minor detail…as we all love Mr. Brown).

Today my son went to the mailbox and it was filled with beautiful Christmas cards from my dork sisters sprinkled across the United States.  My son said I shouldn’t get to have them until I have made all my cards. (I have been a little pre-occupied).  I hope to get inky really soon!!!!

I pray for you all a blessed Christmas with family and friends.

Much Love,

Toni

 

Autumn Splendor Wreath

The inspiration of this card came from Ann Schach of The Stampin’ Schach.  The stamp set is from SU and is called Autumn Splendor, I really really liked this set when it came out in the Holiday Mini.  So, of course I had to have it.

I had a good time coloring the leaves…and yes you have to cut ALL those leaves out LOL! I experimented with some embossing and distressing techniques.  All the cutting was worth it, the card was very fun to make.

Oh…BTW…I know this should have been up for display prior to Thanksgiving…but hey, you should expect that from me LOL.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Stay Inky,

Toni

 

Scared To Use Black Embossing Powder?

I saw a demonstration about a 4 years ago using black embossing powder and thought at that moment…I will never ever do a project that included black EP.  The reason for the decision was “this is a stinkin mess!!!”

I have recently changed my mind.  If you have ever embossed you know that if you are not really careful EP gets stuck all over the cardstock and ends up sticking to the right and the wrong areas of your card.

Well…no more…If you do not have an Embossing Buddy from SU…you HAVE to get one…the proof in is the pudding? putting?  Check this out!

The example on the left is obviously without using the Embossing Buddy…the example on the right is the cardstock I wiped down with the Embossing Buddy before using the Black EP. 

I also combined a technique I have been wanting to try.

Bleaching Cardstock…i took some regular household bleach and painted the flowers on the right after I embossed them. Another tip I will leave you with is don’t use a gel bleach pen, just use straight liquid bleach. 

Always be careful when using bleach around children and pets and good tablecloths.

Play around…try new things, now I am off to turn this into a card.

STay Inky,

Toni

Just Jawing II

My expert photographer took these pics for me…(yes…who else but my wonderful sister)

Here is Hailey’s card.

I love these two colors together…Black and Melon Mambo! I clear embossed the black cardstock, using the Belle Toile back ground stamp. Pink glitter for the eyes and a brad that looks like the head of a screw for the bow.

Here is Shayla’s card.

I was crazy over this designer paper, but then when am I not crazy over designer paper. I used the SU Scallop border punch. This card has a bow also, but it’s embellishment is some bling.

Both girls loved their cards, and I really loved making them.

I think I am still not quite ready to put this stamp set away, I have a few more ideas.

Make a card a day…and keep the doctor away!

Stay Inky,

toni

Just Jawing- Popular with the girls

If you have not seen the Just Jawing stamp set from Stampin, Up, it is a keeper.  Two of my nieces age 11 and 7 had birthdays in the past couple of weeks.  It was really important that their birthday card was made by Auntie.  I chose the Just Jawing set because of the adorable Skull and Cross Bones that you can add glitter and bows embellishing has no limits.  I however in the heat of running behind did not take pics of the cards…but the photos are on their way.  I hope to post them in the next day or two.

Each girls card was different, but believe me they were a smash hit!  All done up in Pink and Black of course!

If you have an SU catty…page 83 of the catalog.

Stay tuned for the cool creations.

Stay Creative…it is cheaper than therapy!

toni

The Lost Color…Blush Blossom

I made this next card for a swap. When my sis saw the colors I was using she said, “Is this a Stampin Up color?” When the card got passed out at our weStamp swap, the question came up again. Oh! That color what is it??? Have a seen it before? Well apparently Blush Blossom has not received the praise that it is entitled to….cuz it is a beauty!!!

The card was inspired from Deann at SCS. I loved her color choices. I used Soft Suede and Blush Blossom. I also used the new Champagne Sparkle paint from SU…just to give a little sparkle to the hanging ornaments. I also embossed the snowflake with clear EP.

Pick out a new color combo and have some fun!

Stay inky,

Toni

Deal of the Week has Returned

During the month of October, Stampin’Up will offer several discounted products as “Deals Of The Week.”

No limits and no minimum purchases required!!

Deal # 1

Deal #1: Thursday, October 1, 2009; 12:01 AM (MT)

Deal #2: Monday, October 12, 2009; 10:00 AM (MT)

Deal #3: Monday, October 19, 2009; 10:00 AM (MT)

Deal #4: Monday, October 26, 2009; 10:00 AM (MT)

New Clearance Rack In The Online Store

Stampin' Up! is launching a new section of the online store called the Clearance Rack. The purpose of the Clearance Rack is to clear out the inventory of surplus items that have been retired. Many of these retired items will be offered at a substantially reduced price.

The Clearance Rack is not a promotion. It launches September 29th 2009…but does not have an end date.

To view and order these items “online only”, Click on my SHOP 24/7 link and that takes you to my Stampin Up website, there you can click on “Clearance Rack.”

Take advantage of these great deals of the week, don’t forget to check back and see what is NEW…and everyone loves a Clearance Rack…Go check it out.

Stay inky,

Toni

THE HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG IS HERE

WOW WOW WOW!!

Take a look inside the Holiday Mini Catalog. My wish list is growing.  I already ordered the NEW nativity set…I just love this set!  I also cannot wait to get my hands on some of the SU paint…yes…paint…3 shimmery colors.  I want the Champagne colored one.

So click on the link and browse through the catty!

If you would like a catty of your own or would like information about hostessing  a Holiday Mini Catty party to earn some free product.  Contact me at tsantanello@cox.net  You can order from this catalog from Sept. 1st 2009 through January 4th, 2010

Music Expressions

Greetings all!!!  I am very excited to show you my latest creation.  The funny thing about this framed art is that is was suppose to be done in May…and for those of you that know me…it does not surprise you it took me until August to finish it.  I am about the fussiest scraper/crafter/card maker there is.  If i have to rush and not take my time, I am never happy with what I have created.

This is a gift for my mom.  When I saw the stamp the Stampin Up introduced called Music Expressions, I had to had the stamp.  My mother played the violin when she was a young girl.  More importantly my mom was the one that constantly made sure that I was enrolled in some type of art class.  From water color to encaustics to oil painting.  I am seriously a “technique junkie”.  As a child, young woman, the only thing that I ever really really loved doing, besides reading was creating something.  My older sister continued to spur on the creative of side of me like no other.

My mom still has my earliest work hanging in her home. She was sad I did not make a birthday card for her this past May.  So I took it a step further and made this.

You all have seen it before her…now I have to go surprise her.  I will let you know what she said.

Express yourself…it is cheaper than therapy!!

Toni

 

Week 4 of SU’s Deal of the Week-Vanilla HodgePodge Hardware

Well you are probably wondering what ever happened to week 2 & 3 of the weekly Stampin’ Up promotions? I know!!! I am a dork!

The week 4 special is awesome, it is the Styled Vanilla HodgePodge Hardware set that comes in a great tin.

Check this out-

The regular price is $29.95 and it is on sale ALL week for $18.95!!!!

Look what you get

This deal is sweet!!!

email me if i can assist you in taking advantage of this great offer!

tsantanello@cox.net

Get some free therapy!!! Get inky!!!

Toni

A Rose By Any Other Name…

This has to be one of my very favorite stamp sets.

Fifth Avenue Floral I have seen some really incredible cards made out of this set, and I think I am gonna take a shot at making a few more. Now I know I used the “old In Colors”, but I wanted to have one last woooowhooo with one of the hardest for me to give up this year and that is Kiwi Kiss.

Not only did I goof around with not current colors…My technique is very interesting as well. I wonder if my friend Leona can tell what I used before I get to telling you.

Leona came across these crayons by Crayola called True Colors and told us about them…of course I had to have them. I used these crayons (see Peggy Sue I told you I was coloring) to color and blend these roses. I used baby oil as the medium to break down the wax and blend the color.

It was soooooo much fun! I used stickles for the glittery effect and tiny glass micro beads for the centers of the flowers.

Back to getting on track with the NEW Stampin Up stuff.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Deal OR NO Deal

Today is the day…the new SU catalog is not only available, but you can start ordering….Yippee! I am working on my wish want need list right now!!!

Stampin Up has a special for every week in July, starting today…JULY 1st. Here is the awesome special for the first week in July…keep coming back each week to take advantage of these amazing prices.

Remember you can order online, by clicking on the online shopping button which will take you to my official Stampin Up website.

Have an inky week!

Toni

A Little Flair

I am not certain who discovered how to make these adorable dresses out of the Large Sizzix Scallop, but these little cuties are fun to make. It reminds me of playing paper dolls when I was a little girl. I used the paper from the Stampin Up Hostess Level one Designer Paper Series. I snipped off a piece of ribbon and embellished the dress with a tiny pewter belt buckle.

I have already cut of a few more dresses…this is evening wear, so all girls need a sweet summer dress too. LOL!

Hope you enjoy!

Toni

Are You IN or OUT ?

I am sure most of you have heard the saying, “Out with the Old and in with the New”.  I could take some offense to that, if i were not talking about the NEW Stampin UP IN-Colors.  Just when I think there are no other colors that I could fall in love with, they do it again. Check out these scrumpdelioumptious delights.

These beautiful colors are available on July 1st, ink, paper and pens…weeewhooo!

No disrespect to the old IN-Colors, you can stock up on your old favs before they retire.

If you would like to reserve your new SU Catty or order any of the wonderful colors or stamp sets…that go to happy place where retired SU stuff goes…email me before the end of June.  Because when it is gone…it is gone.

Stay Inky and have a groovy day!!!

Toni