It's An Alien Invasion!

I had an alien invasion! Okay not literally. I hosted a Halloween workshop yesterday in my home. I had several card samples that I had intended to make with my group (one sample was the Halloween Pennants and another one is the witch card from my Something Sketchy post) but this card won the hearts of my attendees so we just made a bunch of these:

I am glad that this little guy is adored by more than just me. I don't think it's the alien as much as it is the googly eyes that made this card the unanimous winner. Either way I do think he's way cute.

Now, here's why I like working with other crafters. I love to see how they can take my sample and turn it into their own. Take my new friend Juliet. She's so cute. She's semi-new to the whole card making thing so every time we make a project together she says, "Can I use this side of the paper [as opposed to the side I used in the sample]?" or "Can I use a different color?" Of course you can! That's what handmade crafts are all about - it's your way to showcase your personality. So, with my encouragement here's what she came up with:

They aren't radically different from my sample but they are a different. I love that she made these her own. I hope her friends appreciate the effort and creativity that went into making these cuties.Thanks, Juliet, for another fun day!

Supplies:

Blast Off Stamp Set  Clear Mount or Wood Mount

Whisper White Card Stock

 Basic Grey Card Stock 
Lucky Limeade Card Stock
Tangerine Tango Card Stock  
Houndstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper or Digital Download (digital is what I used here)
Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack Brights Collection
Lucky Limeade Stampin' Pad

Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies

Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies
Googly eyes
Stampin Dimentionals

Don't forget about your alien loved ones!

Heartfelt Thanks

Just a quick thank you card today for one of my friends. She is an awesome person and so supportive. I'm so grateful to her and to each and every one of you!

Supplies
Whisper White Card Stock #100730
Basic Black Card Stock #121045
Fabulous Phrases Stamp Set
     wood #117002 or clear #120501
Baja Breeze Stampin' Pad #126960
Boho Blossoms Punch #119858
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch #119275
Hearts Collection Framelits Dies #125599
Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents #119246
Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

Retired Items:
DSP Just Add Cake -Stampin' Up! has a multitude of options to substitute or digital downloads
Polka Dot stamp - many stamp sets available to substitute - Summer Silhouettes (wood #126445 or clear #126447), Confetti (wood #116960) or Distressed Dots (#122815) would be a nice substitutes

True friends seem to be a rare breed these days so remember to show your gratitude. Don't let them feel unappreciated!

Thankful,

I've Got a New Friend!

I recently met someone who was interested in purchasing some items from Stampin' Up! She contacted me via e-mail to see when my next event was so that she could come by to sample the goods. It just so happened that I was hosting an event shortly after our initial contact so I invited her to come by and play. Boy, I am *SO* glad I did and that she actually was able to attend! Not only has she become a great customer but we have become fast friends and neighbors (she just moved in down the street!). It is reassuring to know there are still young, fun, creative people out there who love the art of paper crafting and know of the joy of making and receiving handmade items even in this age of ever-growing technology.

I wanted to ensure my new customer knew that I was thankful for her coming to the workshop but more importantly how excited I was to have a new friend and neighbor. I wanted to send her something from the heart so I made this card for her using the Everything Eleanor Stamp Set:

I am so thankful that my time and involvement with Stampin' Up! has been such an enjoyable experience. Not only is crafting a great way to de-stress but I'm amazed at how by continuing to engage in my hobby and share my creativity that I am able to find so many like-minded people who quickly become good friends.

Thanks, Juliet, for e-mailing me and coming to my workshop/play date. I look forward to many years of crafting and friendship!

Supplies
Everything Eleanor Stamp Set clear mount: #124164 or wood mount: 124162
Canvas Background Stamp - retired, substitute Netting Background Stamp #122655
Midnight Muse Card Stock #126843
Lucky Limeade Card Stock #122926
Whisper White Card Stock #100730
Raspberry Ripple Card Stock #126842
Midnight Muse Stampin' Pad #126860
Lucky Limeade Stampin' Pad #126984
Raspberry Ripple Stampin' Pad #126859
3/16" Brads Bright Collection #119740
Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

If you would like to attend a workshop or class and you live in the Raleigh, NC area, please e-mail me: lexandcompany@gmail.com. I will keep you up to date on my upcoming events. It's a super fun time and you can meet new friends. It's awesome!

Here's to new friends!

Halloween Pennants

Here is the second installment of Halloween cards. Who says Halloween has to be juvenile? Look how easy it is to have a sophisticated Halloween card:

Affection Collection Stamp Set Clear Mount or Wood Mount
Mixed Medley (Hostess Benefit) Clear Mount (# 128057)or Wood Mount (#128054) 
Very Vanilla Card Stock
Houndstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper or Digital Download (used in my sample)
Basic Black 1/8 inch Taffeta Ribbon
Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents
Pennant Punch
Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Pad (but I recommend Tangerine Tango Stampin' Pad instead)

How will you think outside the pumpkin?

Happy Creating!

 

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Good morning friends. I have a super fun card today. I have a friend who just started dating someone - they have been out a few times but they have yet to share that first kiss. My friend hopes to go out again this week and that the first kiss will be shared. I knew I wanted to make a card for this situation (umm, hello?! how often does *this* situation come up?!) but I wasn't quite sure how I was going to go about it.

That's where Mojo Monday comes in. I have been to their website several times to find sketches for inspiration and this time was no exception. I knew I wanted to eventually participate in their weekly challenge and now I have the perfect opportunity.

I knew I wanted to use my S.W.A.K stamp from Stampin' Up! and thanks to Mojo Monday I now had a layout to try. How cute did this turn out?

Here's hoping they'll be snogging soon!

Supplies:

S.W.A.K. stamp (stamp is retired but you could easily substitute the Many Mustaches digital download #128995)

Wacky Wishes Stamp Set [Hostess Benefit] (clear mount #126412 or wood mount #126410)

Midnight Muse Card Stock #126843

Pool Party Card Stock #122924

Whisper White Card Stock #100730

Melon Mambo Card Stock #115320   

Melon Mambo Stampin' Pad #126948

Pool Party Stampin' Pad #126982

Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen #105021

Circles #2 Originals Die #114526

Small Heart Punch #117193

Fashionable Hearts Embosslits #125596

Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

Ammy's Handwriting font [dafont.com]

 

Happy Snogging!

Something Sketchy

Sometimes I have a hard time trying to come up with ideas for cards to make. I guess everyone hits a creative slump occasionally. This time I decided to turn to a sketch to aid me in my design. I found a website, Freshly Made Sketches, where weekly they post a sketch - a design pattern or format if you will - to spark your creativity. Once I saw the design and beautiful samples from some lovely, talented ladies, my mind started racing. Naturally I couldn't make all the cards that I wanted but I did manage to get a few made. Here's what I came up with:

I'm rather excited to see next week's sketch. I hope to keep my creative juices flowing!

Happy Creating!

chevron border

Today's card is a birthday card I made for a girlfriend of mine. There is just something striking about grey, white and yellow. I'm in love! :)

Supply List:
Border Banter Stamp Set (clear mount: #128930 or  wood mount: #128927)
Sweet Essentials Stamp Set (clear mount #126457 or wood mount #126455)
Whisper White Card Stock #100730
Basic Gray Card Stock #121044
Daffodil Delight Card Stock #119683
Old Olive Card Stock #100702
Little Leaves Die #114511
Boho Blossoms Punch # 119858
Scallop Circle Punch 1 3/4 inches # 119854
Basic Pearls Jewel Accents # 119247
Versamark #102283
White Embossing Powder #109132

Happy Creating!

Halloween Alien

Well, here we are - already a week into October. For many, October means cool weather, changing leaves and candy. Well, I guess it's just mostly the kids who think about candy this time of year. For me it's candy apples. I love a good candy apple. I actually think I like them so much because it was a special treat as kids we got to buy this time of year in elementary school. That's when life was fun and simple. Good friends, good times and "good" food. Ahhh, to be young again...

And speaking of youngsters, I've got a fun card to show you that I'm going to give to my nephew this year. Here I've actually just used the little alien from the Blast Off Stamp Set. I love that Stampin' Up! stamp sets are versitile in this way. I bought the set to use for his birthday cards and I can also use it for his Halloween card. So fun!

Supplies:

Blast Off Stamp Set  Clear Mount or Wood Mount

Whisper White Card Stock

 Basic Grey Card Stock 
Lucky Limeade Card Stock
Tangerine Tango Card Stock  
Houndstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper or Digital Download (digital is what I used here)
Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack Brights Collection
Lucky Limeade Stampin' Pad

Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies

Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies
Googly eyes
Stampin Dimentionals

What will you make for your little spooks?

Butterflies & Bling

This is another card the girls and I made at our last get together and I have to admit it may just be my most favorite card. Ever. I like the simplicity of it and the strong contrast in colors - Midnight Muse and Summer Starfruit. Plus what girl can resist a little bling?

Supplies:

Friendly Phrases Stamp Set (clear mount or wood mount)

Midnight Muse Card Stock

Summer Starfruit Card Stock

Whisper White Card Stock

Midnight Muse Stampin' Pad

Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die

1-3/4" Scallop Punch

1-1/4" Circle Punch

1-3/8" Circle Punch

Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon

Basic Rhinestone Jewels Accents

Happy Creating!