NOW we're gettin' it!

Finally, I was able to get my act together re: fabric coordination!

You don't think about 8 different fabrics going together unless you're a quilter, I guess.

I do with paper - it just never dawned on me that I'd need the same mind set for making fabric flowers!

As I mentioned before, I used a lot of different Big Shot flower dies to cut out my fabrics. I was curious if it really made a difference which one I used. Would I like the flowers better from the Flower Folds die or the Scallop #2 die? Or would I like those I'd made with yet other dies?

Well, I think I tried them all!

It's very easy to make these flowers, since you can cut EIGHT LAYERS of fabric at the same time! YES! Once through Mr. Big and you've got all your flower petals - and more!

Wanna see?


This one was made using the Flower Layers w/Leaf die (Item 113470 $19.95).

There are three different flowers and a leaf on this die, so I just folded my fabrics in half and cut two of each one at the same time.




This is one of the other flower patterns on that same die.

Isn't it interesting how different the two flowers look once they're put together? Yet both of them look like the flowers they're supposed to be! I love it!



I used some fabrics with music, musical notes and a yellow with a small pattern. I used buttons for the centers of both. These seem to be the handiest things I have laying around, and I think they're just about perfect!

I have more to show you, but will need to finish them first! I got off on another tangent for a couple of evenings and need to get these done by Sunday afternoon, since they're going to be my swap for this month's Demo get-together! SHHH - don't tell them, OK?

I hope seeing these fabric flowers has struck some resonance within you. If you're a quilter to start with, I'm sure you can see myriad possiblities here!

If you love flowers as I do, well, they're just great accessories to make and give as gifts!

I've taken to wearing one of them on whatever shirt I'm wearing for the day. Lately, because it's been pretty chilly here, I've been wearing my white vest - and they ALL go with that!

Next post I'll give you step by step instructions on how to make these, OK?

Don't forget about SAB, Haitian relief - oh, and I hope you had a very

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Thanks for stopping by...

So the sun's finally shining here in lovely SOCAL - it sounds as though things aren't as nice in other areas of our country, though. I'm sorry, guys - like I tell The Kidz, it's outta my control. All we can do is deal with it...

Speaking of deals, here's one for all of you...

Until the end of February, for every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold, Stampin' Up! will donate $2.00 to the Red Cross for relief in Haiti!

I think that's awesome! You get the pleasure of some new Valentine's stamps, and Haiti receives more money for them to use to rebuild. It sounds like it's going to be a long haul for those folks. But the good news is that as of yesterday, they're still finding survivors! Unbelievable, but wonderful!

I have a clip of the stamp set, but haven't been able to figure out how to post it to my blog. So, you'll have to go to page 14 in the Occasions mini-catalog to see it. You can follow a link on the left sidebar of my blog.

The set costs $26.95 in wood mount, and $18.95 in clear mount.

Let me know when you're ready to order!

I'm continuing to make cards to send to my downline - last night I made this one.

I used a design sketch I found on Tammy Fite's blog, and created my own take on it.

Ran the So Saffron thru the Polka Dot embossing folder.

Used some of the paper from the Welcome Neighbor DSP Pad from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

Then I stamped a tree from Trendy Trees on a scrap of Whisper White, (since those same trees are in the DSP) and backed it with Pumpkin Pie, as I did the DSP. Mounted it on some Old Olive.

I added a paper reinforcer made from Saffron to the Olive, just to give it a bit more color, then ran some Pumpkin grosgrain ribbon through it to turn it into a tag.

I haven't looked at design sketches in quite some time and decided I need to challenge myself more, just so I can step up my own cards.

Do you ever do that?

Challenge yourself to work beyond your comfort zone when playing with your stamps and papers?

Try it! You might surprise yourself!

It could turn out really great, or only so-so - but you'll never know til you try...
=====

The grass (well, OK, weeds) in my backyard is turning green and The Kidz and I were hanging out there tonight. I had a blast watching Melie playing in the flower bed. He loves to hide under the California poppies, hoping Smudge will wander by and he can attack.



Here he is, just sitting, looking so handsome!







Here he is, lurking - trying to be a flat cat, so Smudge (who isn't anywhere near him at this point!) can't see him...







And here he is, looking out at Smudge- contemplating attack.





A little later, the two of them went to their separate corners. Here's Melie











Here's Smudge - sitting on one of her favorite perches, right under "the Bird Tree"! She spends a lot of time in that area of the yard...












And Velvet just sits and watches the show every evening, from one of her many favorite viewing spots.









Thanks for dropping by!

Stampin' in the Rain, part 2

Ok, so what was I stampin' while it was raining?

Valentines - using our new stamp sets. I'm making cards to send to my downline, just in case they haven't gotten the sets and "bling".

This is the Artistic Trading Card (ATC) that I made for my stamp club members this month. As a part of their Goody Bag each month, I include an ATC, using a current set or technique.

For this one, I put Real Red CS through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, then punched it out using the heart punch. I roller stamped the white background with the Romance wheel, using Pretty In Pink, then stamped the polka dot heart from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.

Speaking of that set, if you'd like to help with the Relief efforts in Haiti, Stampin' Up ! has announced below how we will help. If you're interested in purchasing this set, give me a call or an email!

"From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need."


Here's another card I've made to send to my downline. For this card I brayered Bride DSP with Rich Razzleberry, and used the new scalloped edge punch.

I also made one of the ruffly flowers to put on it.

You can find the directions for making these here.



And, finally, for this card I used some of the Sending Love Specialty paper. LOVE that paper!

Used the Scallop Trim punch again, along with some of the new 5/8" satin ribbon. The heart was run thru the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder before I punched it out.

I keep seeing these little tags on things on Kimberly Van Diepen's blog, so I "borrowed" the idea and applied it here.




Remember about the Relief efforts for Haiti, and call or email to order the I {Heart} Hearts set from the Occasions mini-catalog. Item number for wood mount is 117010 ($26.95) and for the clear mount is 118571 ($18.95).

Let me know how I can help you!