The Sweet Songbirds stamp set is adorable and makes some really great cards with little effort. And the bundle (stamp set and punch) is such a great value! Measurements (full list of supplies can be found at the end of this post) Orchid Oasis card base (5-1/2" x 8-1/2") Orchid Oasis DSP (4" x 5-1/4") Basic White layer (2-3/4" x 5-1/4", two medium scraps) Directions Take the Orchid Oasis card base and score it at 4-1/4" and 7-1/4". Fold the card in half and then fold the small end in the opposite direction of the first fold.  Cut the Orchid Oasis DSP in half at 2" and then cut one of the pieces in half again at 1". Adhere the 2" DSP to the top of the card front. Glue the small fold down to the top of the card. Adhere one of the 1" pieces of DSP to the glued-down strip, with the opposite side of the DSP showing.  Adhere the remaining 1" piece of DSP to the bottom of the card (shows even when card is open). Die cut large ci...

 I've decided I'm going to start sharing the Paper Pumpkin kit that comes to my door each month. If you're one of my followers who subscribes to Paper Pumpkin, you know the fun! And I know some of you are visual learners, so you might prefer to watch me create the projects in real time. I'll generally do one card/project of each design included.  This month's kit was called "Pick of the Crop." It's strawberry season here, as well as the start of summer, so this kit got me in the mood for some summer berry deliciousness. I even had waffles with strawberries and whipped cream this weekend! Here's the video I created to show you how to put the cards together. If you're not a Paper Pumpkin subscriber but are interested in learning more, contact me today! I can answer any questions you have, including how to make your subscription work for you during next month's Sale-a-bration.

 Summer is technically four days away, but it sure has felt like summer today! It's been gorgeous, except for a brief period of torrential rain and wind. Fortunately, all that came and went by the time my husband and I packed up to go...camping! But, since it's Friday, I brought some stamping gear along, including the beautiful Oceanfront stamp set, and created a quick, easy and beautiful beach scene. Best of all, I had my friend Karen join me as she happens to be on the neighboring campsite. Measurements (full list of supplies at the bottom of this post) Sahara Sand card base (4-1/4" x 11", scored and folded 5-1/2") Basic Black layer (3-5/8" x 4-5/8") Basic White layers (3-1/2" x 4-1/2", 4" x 5-1/4") Directions Ink large rectangular-ish stamp in Balmy Blue, stamp off onto scratch paper, then stamp about 1/2" from the top of the smaller Basic White layer. Ink next largest stamp in Balmy Blue and stamp below first image, so that ...

June is a busy month and Father's Day weekend is always near my husband's birthday. While I could just give him one card that covers both occasions, that seems unfair to me...sort of like how Christmas babies always feel like they get slighted. So, I designed this card for my husband's birthday. Same bear as last week's card, but very different look. Measurements (complete list of supplies can be found at the bottom of this post) Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock (5-1/2" x 8-1/2", folded in half at 4-1/4") Basic Black layer (5-1/8" x 3-7/8") Very Vanilla layer (5" x 3-3/4") Directions Stamp bear in Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto lower right side of Very Vanilla layer. Stamp shadow as desired, also in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Punch or die cut a circle (about 1-3/4" in diamter) out of sticky note or Masking Paper (sorry, didn't have mine yet when I filmed this tutorial), and place over bear's head. Using a blending brush, add Nig...

 It was rainy and cool all day today, but that's not going to dampen my beach vibes! I was inspired by a card done by a German demonstrator named Antje to create this sweet little card featuring the On the Horizon bundle from the Jan-June mini catalog. This bundle will be retiring at the end of June, but since I live in a beach community, I can't see it retiring from my collection any time soon. Measurements (complete supply list at the bottom of this post) Thick Basic White card base (5-1/2" 8-1/2", scored in half at 4-1/") Basic White scrap Old Olive scrap Chipboard or cardstock for template (4-1/2" x 5-1/2") Directions Cut a circle out of the template material where you want the circle to be on your finished project (centered horizontally but more toward the top than bottom). Place the template over the front of the card. Using Crumb Cake ink pad and a blending brush, apply ink to the lower third of the circle window. Using Balmy Blue ink pad and a b...