Cards for Those We Love

Today we celebrated our youngest's 15th birthday.  So this morning I made a card just for him.  I love this new stamp set called Life in the Forest.  We live in the woods and see many of the animals in the set (no hedgehogs, but my goodness they're cute!).  I used the weekly sketch by Freshly Made Sketches to inspire me.  I hope you are inspired to create for those you love.

Here's the sketch...

RemArkables Blog Tour, December 8

Happy December everyone!  I hope all things crafty are going your way and the things that aren't getting done, it's OK.

This month The RemArkables blog tour is not Christmassey (for me at least)!  I am featuring the Stampin' Up! set: Spread the Joy (which to me sounds Christmassey! Go figure!).  This set was designed by some one in the corporate office and it's has a very homemade kind of feel.

I made two cards, a birthday card for my niece's 18th birthday and then my very first sunburst card.

This card just seemed fitting for a special birthday.  And if you are thinking, I don't have that DSP, you'd be right (unless your're a SU demonstrator) as it's brand spankin' new in our upcoming Occasions Catalog.  It's called Retro Fresh!  So fresh, so sweet.

This cute little card features the new Watercolor Wonder DSP.  I'm going to give basic directions on how to make a sunburst card, but really, just google it, there are tons of videos out there on how to make it.  Maybe I'll join the video making people soon...hmmm...

You need 4 patterns of DSP (I just used 2 papers, front and back).  

Cut your pieces 1 1/2 by 4.  Then cut those pieces into triangles with your trimmer.  

You'll mount them on a piece of scrap sized 5 by 2 3/4 that is covered with adhesive from our gluestick.  

Mark the center and start there.  

Make sure your triangles cover all the scrap, some will hang off the top, bottoms, and sides.  

Then you'll trim it down all pretty like and use it any way you want!

So that's all for today, continue to spread the joy!

For your next idea, see what Maria made by clicking here:

Maria Pane

To look at more ideas, click on the awesome demonstrators blogs below:

Nancy Amato           http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Susan Carlson         http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis               http://www.theCardLadies.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Audra Monk              http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com
Maria Pane               http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Robin Merriman       http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds     http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Pam Staples             http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com

The Christmas Ideas Continue

Two blog posts in one day!  It's crazy time over here, or a follow up to lazy time.  Or maybe after a busy time.  I've been seeing so many inspiring ideas on pinterest that I needed to get mine organized so I could share them.

I hope these might inspire you!

First up is this super cute candy cane reindeer.  Directions below.

So this little guy is made using the envelope punch board.  Cut your card stock 4.5x4.5.  Score and punch at 1 inch and 1 5/8 inches.  Look at the picture below.

Cut the tiny tabs on one end but not the other.  Then just fold it all up (using some glue dots to secure it) to make a tiny narrow box with one end open (that's where the candy canes will hang out).  The head is a 1 3/4 scallop circle punch, edges sponged with the same color ink.  The nose is the 1/2 inch punch and the eyes are from Stampin' Up's totally awesome owl punch.  Accent the nose and eyes with the white gel pen.  Tie a piece of gumball green ribbon around and add a tiny greeting!  Voila!

These cards were made for holding gift cards! They feature smooch spray!  It's so sparkly!

This is a mini scrapbook made with 4 envelopes from the envelope punch board. And lots of our beautiful DSP.

A cute, quick little tag, great way to use up those little bits of paper!

Snow!

Ok, there really is no snow, but I am super in love with two of the Stampin' Up! holiday sets!  I hope you already have the endless wishes set, because you can't get it anymore.  I think that is really sad because it's super awesome!  But I just had to share the cards!  And my second fave is the snow day set.  I am in love with that snow man!!

My disclaimer: none of these ideas are 100% mine, they are heavily influenced by things I saw on pinterest or from other Stampin' Up! demos.  I hope that my ideas might inspire you!  Happy Crafting!

RemArkables November Blog Hop

Getting things ready for a craft/vendor fair coming up soon.  Here are a few examples.  Enjoy!

See Maria's blog here!

To continue on and see other great ideas for these stamp sets, click below!!
Nancy Amato           http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis            http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler         http://www.conniestamps.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Audra Monk              http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com You are here!
Maria Pane               http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds     http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Pam Staples             http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com
Jeannette Swain       http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Christmas Collectibles

RemArkable Blog hop:
When I saw this set in the Holiday Mini, I was at first disappointed.  I didn't even order it!  But then I had a customer order it with the punch, (as a bundle, a 15% discount!) and my interest was piqued.  Then I saw that it was one of the October sets for the blog hop, and I got it.  Oh my goodness, I've been inspired!  Check out all the fun and pretty things I've made!!

These gift card holders are so cute, check out Janet's blog: http://remarkablycreated.com/2013/09/stampin-up-big-shot-card-base-gift-card-video-tutorial/

to see the details on how to make the card.

Tags, how awesome and quick!

And it almost wouldn't be a blogpost with out a card!

I hope that you enjoyed my projects and enjoy the rest of The RemArkables Blog Hop!

go to Maria's blog next! click here!

Nancy Amato           http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis            http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler         http://www.conniestamps.com
Sherri Eddleblute      http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman        http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Audra Monk              http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com
Maria Pane               http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds     http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Pam Staples             http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com
Jeri St. John             https://jerrisgemtastics.blogspot.com
Jeannette Swain       http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com

More Christmas Cards

I was looking to make some more easy mailable Christmas cards.... so after zooming around pinterest on my phone while waiting for Johnny(aka drum line kid) I was inspired and this is what I got.

 

I'm still not sure what I'll be sending out, but it is lots of fun making them and helping others make them.  Let me know what you think and of course check out my website for the class schedule. (click that shop now button, it will take you there)  

Happy Stamping!

A Bounty of Fall Cards

As the weather cools down a bit, and the kids go back to school, my thoughts on colors turn to Fall.  I love fall colors and imagery. OK, I love all the changes of season with their different color pallets and themes.  So with out any further ado....may I present to you a bounty of Fall cards.

soft and subtle on the outside..

and happy and excited on the inside

a closer look

Happy birthday! I love the pop and cuts die!

featuring crushed curry ink and ribbon

using the bark paper from the thankful tablescape kit. 

trying out some fall brights

not sure if it's "fall" but I super love this one.

If you have any questions on product or how to do something, just let me know.
Keep Stampin' Audra

Magnificent Maple, RemARKable Blog Tour

Hello Blog, I have missed you!  The end of summer was a bit busy in the Monk house.  School has started and it's still busy, but I've had more time to get creative in the studio.  I've been making cards like crazy ( 6 handmade cards went out this week!).

For The RemARKable stamp tour I was playing with this really awesome leaf stamp.  I see many more cards and projects with this stamp to come...but for this post I wanted to keep it simple.  Some smoky gray embossing powder and a bit of summer starfruit ribbon on the ever gorgeous night of navy card stock, voila!

click here to go to Maria's blog

Nancy Amato           http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis            http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler         http://www.conniestamps.com
Sherri Eddleblute      http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman        http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Audra Monk              http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com YOU ARE HERE!
Maria Pane               http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds     http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Vicki Soni                  http://www.paperinkle.com
Pam Staples             http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com
Jeri St. John             https://jerrisgemtastics.blogspot.com
Jeannette Swain       http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Tag It Blog Hop

For The RemARKables blog hop this month we are featuring the Tag It stamp set.  I love this set and part of the proceeds from each stamp set go to The Ronald McDonald House so it's just a good thing all around!  My post is short and sweet as, as this goes up(thanks to my awesome son Cameron) I will be in route to London to celebrate my 20th anniversary!  See previous post for more info on that.

I choose to feature the Celebrate stamp as my niece will be celebrating an August birthday and I thought that I could "girly" up this stamp.  I think that I accomplished that goal.  Let me know what you think!  May all your celebrations have wonderful cards....

Nancy Amato           http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis            http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler         http://www.conniestamps.com
Danielle Denhardt    http://www.purrfectlycreative.com
Sherri Eddleblute      http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman        http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Audra Monk              http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com YOU ARE HERE!
Maria Pane               http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds     http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Vicki Soni                  http://www.paperinkle.com
Pam Staples             http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com
Jeri St. John             https://jerrisgemtastics.blogspot.com
Jeannette Swain       http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com

Celebrating 20 Years!

My husband and I are heading out tomorrow on a London trip to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.  Granny is coming to hang out with our three teenagers to make sure they get where they need to go (thanks Granny!).  So while we explore a new country and city, we'll be celebrating hanging out together for more than 20 years!  I of course needed to make him an original and awesome anniversary card.  I was inspired by the Freshly Made Sketches challenge this week.  I "love" what I came up with, feel free to let me know what you think.

Let the Christmas cards begin!

Here are my first few Christmas cards.  I'm having a Christmas in July class tomorrow, and these are the cards we're making.  I tried to keep them simple and mailable.  Happy Christmas!