The Saucy Stamper

My new endeavors....

2011-10-08T13:29:00.000-05:00

In case anyone is still around this blog I thought I'd share with you my new blog, come check me out on The Happier Homemaker. On my new blog I share bout my family, Do It Yourself Projects, recipes, basically anything that fills my days!

I also have two Etsy shops if you would like to see my new work:

Delicately Made

Melissa Riker Fine Art

Take Care!

2010-11-09T20:24:00.004-06:00

Thank you for all of the well wishes, if you want to see what I'm currently working on please see my Etsy shop or my new painting blog where I'm showing my oil paintings. I will continue to update my for sale list as items are sold.

Take care all,

Melissa

No Longer Stamping :(

2010-11-07T13:45:00.006-06:00

So I thought that I would get back to stamping after we got settled from our move but it just hasn't happened for me. I have tried time and again to carve out a space in my home for my stamping supplies but my heart just isn't in it anymore. Its time for me to let go of my supplies so I'll be listing them for sale here. Hopefully they can make another stamper happy! Paypal only (unless you're loacl to Fayetteville, NC) all prices are WITHOUT shipping-if you're interested email me at saucystampin at yahoo dot com and I'll let you know how much it would be to ship. Thanks guys!

Classic stampin pads $3 each: Brocade blue, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, (old Olive refill $1)
New Style Lattice Edge Punch $8
Stampin Tool w/ distressing tool, cutter, perferator $5
(2) Blender Pens $3
Bone folder $3

Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder with slight imperfection in corner $5
Sizzlets-Joyful and Little Leaves $5 for both

Mini Vintage Tags $4

Stamps-Wood Block
Happy Everything $10
A Little Something $5
A Flower for All Seasons $10
Teeny Tinies $5 (5 stamps plus one extra)
Note of Thanks double mounted $3

Non SU:

Martha Stewart Score Board $18
Martha Stewart Golden Woodland Tinsel cut glitter new $$7 (Three large glitters+glittering glue with brush)
Cuttle Bug Many Thanks embossing Folder
Heat Tool $8

Oh, And I'll be keeping my blog up and running and my YouTube channel so don't worry about it disappearing anytime soon! I did a lot of work on those videos and tutorials and want to keep them out there for everyone.

I'm still around!

2010-08-06T06:33:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I am still around! A recent move and the upcoming deployment of my husband has made it necessary for me to take a break for stamping for a while. I am no longer a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and will be taking an indefinite leave of posting new stamping projects but rest assured that I am still available for questions on any of my past projects and my tutorials are still available for purchase and will be emailed to you within 24 hours of Paypal payment.

Take care all and please pray for our troops!

-Melissa

PS...I also found out I was an Artisan Award Runner-up!

Almost Artisan 3D Share: Day 10

2010-06-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

My last project I entered for Artisan Award to share with you all, a name frame for my neice Ruby.
The chipboard letters are covered in patterned DSP. I scrunched the ribbon. The beads were hand threaded to line the interior of the frame.

Almost Artisan Card Share: Day 9

2010-06-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Another card for Artisan Award, I really liked this one too! This was my final entry I completed. The dragonfly's wings are double layered and loose to be flapped up. The cloud inthe background is popped up with dimensionals.

Inside I made a little hill of grass using the 3D Pop Up Cake Die.

Almost Artisan Card Share: Day 8

2010-06-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here is another of my Artisan Award cards:
My monkey was popped up with dimensionals and the head was another layer also popped up for lots of depth.

Almost Artsian Card Share: Day 7

2010-06-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

This was a more Clean and Simple card design for Artisan Award, but I still added a lot of detailing.

The watercolored image is layered for depth. The edges of the paper is distressed.

I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to place the sentiment from Herb expressions, the same sentiment peeks out from the under-layer of Old Olive.
The center of the flowers, top and bottom rim of the pot, and ladybug are all layered for depth.

Almost Artisan Card Share: Day 6

2010-06-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

This was the first project I made for Artisan Award and I loved it, I really thought it was unlike anything I had seen before and I was very proud of it. It took me about 4 hours to make this card. i cut up cardstock into many tiny pieces and hand glued them, placing them with tweezers, to create a mosaic look of a cherry blossom tree. After all the pieces were in place I covered the entire image with Crystal Effects so it was glossy like glass.

Almost Artisan Scrapbook Share: Day 5

2010-05-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here is my third scrapbook page Artisan Award entry I made with pictures of a funny-faced little llama from a petting zoo.

Almost Artisan 3D Share: Day 4

2010-05-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

I truly loved this project I made for Artisan Award, its a baby mini scrapbook. The pages have headings with room for pictures and journalling. Luckily for me I made two so I could keep one! The chipboard 'b' is covered in silver microbeads. The banner off to the side says "is for baby"

I photographed all the pages but here are just a few, first bath and 3 months:

"Look Who's Crawling" and "First Words"
"First Steps" and a bitty envelope to hold the "First Curl"
Baby's First Birthday:

Almost Artisan Card Share: Day 3

2010-05-29T11:36:00.000-05:00

Here is one of the cards I made for Artsan Award, going for a vintage look:

Almost Artisan Scrapbook Share: Day 2

2010-05-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

So here is my second Scrapbook page entry for Artisan Award. I have two sons but wanted to do a girl page so I used a close up of one of my son's feet just after he was born and made a page for my imaginary daughter! Hey, a girl needs some pink sometimes!

A close-up of the paper punch flowers and the layering of the page:

Paper Piercing around the layer of Bermuda Bay:
Hope you like it!

Almost Artisan Share:Day 1

2010-05-27T06:00:00.003-05:00

Well, I can't way I'm not bummed because I didn't win Artisan Award (a contest for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators) but it is nice to finally be able to share the projects I worked so hard on. I made 3 scrapbook pages, 5 cards, and 2 3D projects for the contest and I will be featuring one each day for the next 10 days so please check back daily to see them. (And a comment to stroke my bruised ego would be much appreciated too!!)

Here is my first share, an 8.5 by 11 scrapbook page of my son.

Its hard to see but the background is stamped in Versamark with the dotted swirl Treetop from Trendy Trees.

Some of the other "Almost Artisans" will be posting their projects on their blogs too-go check them out and leave a comment!

http://www.jhurley90.blogspot.com/

http://www.stampspaperandink.typepad.com/

http://www.igotstamps.com/

http://www.jackietopa.typepad.com/

http://www.paperpatty.blogspot.com/

http://www.onyxstamps.com/

http://www.reneevs.blogspot.com/

http://www.monikastamp.wordpress.com/

http://www.inkspotsandgumdrops.blogspot.com/

http://www.alattestampin.com/

Also, I've extended indefinitely my BIG Tutorial Sale!

Bummed

2010-05-26T12:40:00.001-05:00

So I'm not an Artisan Award Winner, but I'm happy that starting tomorrow I'll be sharing my 10 projects I made to enter the contest, please check back!

BIG Tutorial Sale!

2010-04-26T21:23:00.003-05:00

From now on, when you purchase my Shopping Organizer Tutorial you will receive my Bella Toile Candle and Matching Box Tutorial FREE! See this post to order today!

Inspiration Challenge

2010-04-26T11:13:00.001-05:00

An Inspiration Challenge card for Late Night Stampers:

Another Sneak Peek

2010-04-14T07:38:00.000-05:00

Here's another Sneak Peek at new Summer Mini products! This card features the new Island Oasis Designer Series Paper, Bouquet Bunch Stamp Set, and I used the Chat Room Rub-ons from the Occasions Mini Catalog (only available until April 30!)

Summer Mini Sneal Peek!!

2010-04-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

My goodies arrived this week and I LOVE the new Summer Mini products! I think for me, getting "the goods" early is one of the best Demonstrator perks (other than the big discount!) This card uses the new Island Oasis Designer Series Paper. When I saw this pattern I immediately thought of the Cheer's to You stamp set! Hope you like it!!

You're so Tweet!

2010-04-10T13:07:00.000-05:00

My youngest son (21 months) sees a bird lately and signs "bird" and repeatedly says "tweet, tweet" so he just LOOOOVED this card I made when he discovered it on my craft desk!

I love this little card for all the tiny details. The card base is Whisper White cut to 4.5 squared. A Chocolate Chip Scallop Square cut out with my Big Shot was added and my White Gel Pen added some faux stitching. The Old Olive cardstock was cut to 4" square and run through my Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (my favorite!) My image is was stamped in Jet Black Stazon and colored with my Aquapainter and ink pads.

What do you think? Does it make you want to say "tweet!" too?!

Another late Night Stamper's Sketch Challenge Card

2010-04-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here is another card for this week's Late Night Stamper's Sketch Challenge!

I really love the way this one turned out!

My card base is Kraft, followed by a layer of Very Vanilla I ran through my Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. I rounded the corners with the Corner Rounder Punch. An Old Olive Satin Ribbon was added under my Rose Image which was matted on Rose Red cardstock. Some Hemp Twine finishes it off!

Do you love Stampin' Up? Then join our group at Late Night Stampers!

My Shopping Notebook

2010-04-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

I made this little notebook to carry my shopping list and organize my coupons.

Inside is a shopping list and expandable file to hold your coupons.

(My shopping list came courtesy of Carole'Anne and her business...thanks Carole'Anne!!!)

You may order yours for $7.00 by clicking the button below. Please note you'll have to supply your own shopping pad (easily found at big box or dollar stores).

*****Update! From now until May 1, you will receive a FREE Bella Toile Candle and Box Tutorial when you purchase my Shopping Organizer Tutorial (if you have already ordered this tutorial prior to the promotion, please email me to receive your free tutorial!)***********

Stampin' Up! Color Renovation!

2010-04-06T19:26:00.003-05:00

Stampin' Up! made a BIG announcement today...a complete Color Renovation! I for one am just so excited about this total revamping of their color system. They are reorganizing their color families, retiring some less popular colors, bringing back some very popular previous In Colors, AND introducing 5 new colors!

There will now be four color families of 10 colors each: Rich Regals, Soft Subtles, Bold Brights, and Neutrals. Now, before all you Earth Elements Lovers like myself freak out...they have kept most of the colors, just rearranged them into other families.

We will now have 5 new In Colors each year and they will stay for two years. So we will have 5 new In Colors this year, then next year an additional 5...the year after that the 5 from this year will retire and 5 more will be introduced, and so on and so forth.

SO...big question you may have, what colors are staying and which are going?

Staying:
Old Olive
Real Red
Pumpkin Pie
Regal Rose
Tempting Turquoise
Basic Black
Basic Gray
Chocolate CHip
Whisper White
Very Vanilla
Kraft (renamed Crumb Cake)
Sahara Sand
Bravo Burgandy
Always Artichoke
Elegant Eggplant
Garden Green
More Mustard
Not Quite Navy
Night of Navy
Bashful Blue
Certainly Celery
So Saffron
Perfect Plum
Pretty In Pink
Rose Red

These are Retiring:
Pixie Pink
Pink Passion
Pale Plum
Orchid Opulence
Lovely Lilac
Lavendar Lace
Almost Amethyst
Bordering Blue
Brocade Blue
Brilliant Blue
Ballet Blue
Glorious Green
Taken with Teal
Handsome Hunter
Sage Shadow
Mellow Moss
Green Galore
Gable Green
Barely Banana
Yoyo Yellow
Summer Sun
Apricot Appeal
Only Orange
Really Rust
Ruby Red
Cameo Coral
Blush Blossom
Creamy Caramel
Close to Cocoa
Going Gray

Returning In Colors:
Melon Mambo
Soft Suede
Rich Razzleberry
Wild Wasabi
Pacific Point
Tangerine Tango
Riding Hood Red
Pink Pirouette
Baha Breeze
River Rock

NEW Colors!!!
Daffodil Delight (warm yellow)
Cajun Craze (spicy Orange)
Early Expresso (warm, rich brown)
Cherry Cobbler (rich red)
Marina Mist (cool, clear carribean blue)

Sooooooo.....stock up on the retiring colors you love and get ready to fall inlove with the new color palette! I'll post pictures as soon as I can!!! Email me at saucystampin at yahoo dot com to place your order today!!

Artisan Reject!

2010-04-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

I sent in my Artisan Award entry last week and this was one of my reject scrapbook pages. I am not a huge scrapbooker although I really enjoyed working on it for my entries and think I may do ore of it in the future! This page is one of the ones I made but I decided to go with something different for the contest. The picture is one I took in Venice when my husband and I went for Carnivale in 2006, just after he returned from a deployment (we were stationed about 40 minutes outside of Venice at the time.) It was a really fun trip, although after a year apart a trip to the grocery store was relaly fun if we were together! I hope you like it!

A new Sketch Challenge

2010-04-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

This week's Challenge on Late Night Stampers is a Sketch Challenge and here is my take on it, for my Dad who has to have another and hopefully his last surgery today (prayers appreciated!!):

Did you know that Late Night Stampers has a new Social Site? You can chat with other stampers in real time, have discussions in forums, and add your photos to the gallery as well as browse the creations of other stampers! Its really funa nd I'd love it if you'd pop on over to join us! www.latenightstampers.ning.com

Another Sympathy Card

2010-04-03T08:11:00.001-05:00

Here is my last Design Team entry for this week's Late Night Stamper's Sympathy Card Challenge. You have until midnight Sunday night to upload your card to the challenge folder here! Please play along!

Another Sympathy Card

2010-04-02T08:10:00.003-05:00

For the past three months I have been working very hard on my Artisan Award entries and I finally finished them and mailed them out yesterday! It was a ton of work (5 cards, three scrapbook pages and 2 3D items) but end the end I'm very pleased with the work I sent in and while it would be AWESOME to win, I'm proud of what I created either way. I actually wasn't a big scrapbooker at all prior to this and learned a lot over the course of making my entries and really enjoyed it.

Now that all that work is behind me, I can finally get back to posting my blog more and sharing my other creations. It was hard not to share my entries (part of the rules) but rest assured I'll be posting them once the contest winners are announced whether I win or not!

Here is another card I created for this weeks' Late Night Stamper's Challenge to create Sympathy Cards. I tried for a more masculine feel with this card. Please join us here to play along, its a fun group of anyone who loves Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Of the Earth Hostess Set, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip

Etc: Texturz Backgrounds 1 Damsk Impressions Plate, Big Shot, Pretties Kit, Chocolate Chip Tafetta Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Sympathy Card

2010-03-31T13:49:00.004-05:00

This week's challenge at Late Night Stampers is to make Sympathy Cards....we never want to have to send these out but in all honesty they are probably some of the most important cards we send. Here is my sample for the challenge, I prefer a Clean and Simple, uncluttered look for my condolence cards. I hope you like it!

Late Night Stampers Anything but a Card Challenge!

2010-03-24T08:36:00.001-05:00

Here is another project I created for this week's "Anything but a card" Late Night Stamper's Challenge...a little bag and pillow box that would be perfect for Mother's Day I think!

I created my bag from Old Olive cardstock and used the new Scallop Punch from the Saleabration catalog along the top (yes, you can get it for free through the end of the month with any $50 purchase!) To decorate the front I stamped my image from the Bella Toile background stamp on Whisper White cardstock in Jet Black Stazon and then colored it using my Aquapainter and ink pads. I clipped out the part of the image I wanted and mounted on Basic Black I had run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder (in the current Occasions Mini Catalog) I adhered it to Pretty in Pink cardstock and distressed the edges of both.

My pillow box was cut out with my Big Shot and Stampin' Up! Bigz Pillow Box Die and run through the Big Shot with the Polka Dot Folder. A gorgeous Old Olive Satin Ribbon finishes it off and helps tie it in with the bag.

I hope you like these projects! I'd love for you to come join us on Late Night Stampers, its a group for anyone who loves Stampin' Up! You can join here. If you are a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator youc an also join us on the Late Night Stampers Demonstrator Only group to get great ideas and business help!

Anything but a Card!

2010-03-20T22:02:00.003-05:00

This week's Challenge over at Late Night Stampers is "Anything but a Card" which is a toughie for me! I did come up with this cute Easter project using the new Milk Carton Die from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

My Milk Carton is cut out of So Saffron cardstock using the Big Shot and Stampin' Up! Mini Milk Carton Die . I stamped my image from A Flower for All Seasons in Jet Black Stazon on Watercolor Paper and then colored it with my ink pads and Aquapainter.

I created my paper rose by using a quilling technique on a 1/2" by 12" piece of So Saffron. YOu can see my YouTube video tutorial for making these roses here. The Stem is rolled Old Olive cardstock and the grass was created by running strips of Old Olive cardstock through my Stampin' Up! crimper.

I finished it off by stamping my Happy Easter sentiment in Old Olive on textured Very Vanilla cardstock, creating a banner end and adding a Playground button tied with a sliver of So Saffron cardstock. A Mini Library Clip finished it off!

Thanks for looking! I'd love your comments!

Yet another Birthday card!

2010-03-20T21:55:00.003-05:00

I'm on a roll this week, here is yet another birthday card I created, this one for my cousin who will be turning 10 soon.

My card base is Crushed Curry scored along the top. My little robot is stamped in Stazon Jet Black on Whisper White and colored with my Aquapainter and ink pads. This was then mounted on Dusty Durango and adhered to Bordering blue I ran through my Big Shot with the Texturz Backgrounds 1 large dot plate and mounted on Old Olive. My chipboard numbers were colored with Old Olive Craft Ink and then stamped with the tree design from Trendy Trees. Some little snippets of Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon finish it off!

Happy Moments

2010-03-20T08:27:00.000-05:00

Today is my wonderufl Mother's Birthday and to celebrate that here is a super cute Birthday card made with the Happy Moments Sale-a-bration Set!

The other day I took all my inkpads out of my craft room to watercolor images while watching tv, then when I was putting them back I just happened to place my Old Olive, So Saffron, and Dusty Durango pads all together and thought it was a nice color combination and decided to use it in a card.

I started my card with a Whisper White Card base. I layered over this Old Olive and then So Saffron I ran though my Big Shot with the Stampin' Up! Dot Embossing Folder. I made my "patterned" background by repeatedly stamping the flower image from Happy Moments and then coloring it with my ink pads and Aquapainter.

My sentiment is from the same set, stamped in Jet Black Stazon on Shiper White, then punched out with the Word Window punch and mounted on an Old Olive Modern Label. Some Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon peeks out from behind my flowers to balance the card.

I ain't Lion!

2010-03-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

Here's another birthday card I made for this week's Late Night Stamper's Birthay Challenge!

I made this card with the Lion from Fox and Friends, adding a little background confetti and sentiment from the Look Who's Turning set. Some paper courtesy fo Sale-a-bration and a Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon finish it off! I hope you like it!

Another Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge

2010-03-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

Here is my card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge....I'm starting to like trying to play these everyweek! They tend to use a lot of circles and I don't have the Circle Scissors Plus yet (on my wishlist!) but I realized that my Stampin' Up! Bigz Simple Letters Dies have a double circle image that was just perfect for what I was looking for on this card!

My card base is Very Vanilla and I stamped the bottom half of the card front with the Bella Toile Background Stamp in Jet Black Stazon. I used a scrap of Basic Black Cardstock and my Scallop Edge punch to create a border for the top of my stamped image to give the appearance of patterned paper. My Simple Letters Bigz die cut my circles for me in Basic Black and Very Vanilla and I used the Bellas Bloom set to stamp my images in Jet Black Stazon. I used my piercing tool to accent around the circles.

A Basic Black Stain Ribbon decorates the front of the card along with that beautiful flower image from Bellas Bloom (I love that set, it was one of my first sets...sometimes it gets buried under other sets because its smaller and I forget about it, but when I pull it out I love every project I've made with it!!!)

Thanks for looking, hope you're all having a wonderful week!!!

Clean and Simple Birthday

2010-03-17T08:26:00.003-05:00

How's this for a Clean and Simple Birthday card? Thisi s another card for this week's Late Night Stamper's Birthday Card Challenge. A few simple score lines and the fabulous Happy Moments Stamp set and you're good to go! A little watercoloring makes it extra special!

Now, while I love massively layered cards I find myself leaning more and more lately towards these one layer cards....(I'm still working on my Artisan Award entries which are very detailed so I find myself goin gmore simple for everything else!) These cards are great though...it would be so simple to stamp a set of them and they'd make a great gift!

Pals Paper Arts Challenge

2010-03-16T20:20:00.003-05:00

This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge was to use Garden Green, Certainly Celery and Kraft...definitely a differnt color combo than I'm used to! I took the challenge though and made this masculine feeling card using the Embrace Life and Trendy Trees Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets:

I'd love to hear what you think!

Easy-peasy birthday card!

2010-03-15T12:02:00.004-05:00

How easy is this card? One stamp, an Aquapainter and ink pads, and a few colors of cardstock!

The Late Night Stamper's Challenge of the week is to make a birthday card-any kind! We all need birthday cards and I just adore this little robot so I thought I'd make this fun card for my Dad's birthday coming up in a couple weeks. I toyed around with adding various embellishments but in the end I figured less was more, especially since this is a card for a man (men don't truly appreciate ribbon and buttons the way we do, do they ladies!?)

I hope you like it and will join us over at Late Night Stampers (see my left sidebar) to play along!

Watercoloring with Stampin Up!

2010-03-12T15:34:00.006-06:00

Here is a watercolor I made based off a picture I took in Venice a few years ago. I used all Stampin' Up! supplies.

I used Stampin Up! watercolor paper, an Aquapainter, and my Stampin' Up! ink pads to make it, what do you think? I haven't watercolored in years and years, probably since high school art class, but lately since I got my Aquapainter have just been searching for stamp sets to watercolor!

Clean and Simple St Patty's

2010-03-11T13:39:00.001-06:00

Here is a Clean and Simple St Patty's Day card I created with the Heart Punch, Teeny Tiny Wishes, and Old Olive Satin Ribbon! (Sorry for the somewhat blurry pic, technical difficulties!!)

This week's Mojo Monday

2010-03-11T13:09:00.002-06:00

Here is my card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge:

Sketch Challenges are kindof hard for me, but in a good way. I am glad I did this week's challenge because March is a big birthday month for me and I was feeling less than original with my layouts...this beauty is going to mom next week! (I also used this card for this week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge to break out the Bling...love the glitter paper and I accented the cake image with Dazzling Diamonds!!)

Show the Bling!

2010-03-08T08:03:00.003-06:00

Here is my card for this week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge to show off that Bling-all that sparkles and shines!

My card base is Whisper White scored at the top. I layered over this Basic Black and Real Red I ran through my Big Shot with the Stampin' Up! Dot impressions folder (love it!!) My image is from the Embrace Life stamp set, stamped in Jet Black Stazon and watercolored using my Aquapainter and ink pads. Its a little hard to tell but there is Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the flowers. A Satin Ribbon and Clear Rhinestone Brads finish it off!

So lets see your glitter and shine, feel free to link your cards in my comments section!

Mojo monday (a bit late!)

2010-03-04T19:58:00.004-06:00

I finally got around to making a card for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge:

I started my card with a Very Vanilla card base and layered Not Quite Navy and Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper over top. I cut a strip of Very Vanilla cardstock and ran it through my crimper for texture. Behind this I added a Modern Label punched out in Not Quite Navy, folded in half, and added a little halfback peaerl from the Stampin' Up! Pretties Kit. My Simple Letters Bigz Die cut my circles for me (an added bonus of that alphabet set!) and my image from Vintage Vogue was stamped first in Versamark, then Not Quite Navy and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. A Not Quite Navy Ribbon finishes it off!

I enjoyed making this card, I hope you like it, it was a nice change from the Clean and Simple cards I have been making lately.

Its a Stretch!

2010-03-04T11:29:00.001-06:00

Here's another simple but very pretty card:

As you can probably tell, I'm on a bit of a Clean and Simple streak! I made this card by stamping my image from Its a Stretch in Jet Black Stazon on Watercolor paper. I then colored it with my Aquapainter and Stampin' Up! ink pads (Soft Suede, Bordering Blue, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, So Saffron) I then matted my colored image on Soft Suede and Old Olive and adhered it to a Very Vanilla card base. A Soft SUede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon and Chit Chat Rub-on from the Occasions Mini Catalog finished it off! (I only used part of the sentiment.)

Abundant Hope

2010-03-03T12:29:00.004-06:00

Here is a small, simple Easter card I made using the Abundant Hope stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog:

My Flower image was stamped in Jet Black Stazon on Very Vanilla Card stock. It was then colored using my Aqua painter and Old Olive, Summer Sun, and Crushed Curry Ink Pads. I distressed the edges with the Stampin' Up Cutter Kit Distressing Tool and matted on Old Olive I had distressed as well. This was adhered to a Very Vanilla Card base and accented with Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon. I hope you like this card, I love the way it turned out!

Clean and Simple Challenge card

2010-03-02T12:49:00.002-06:00

This week's Challenge over at Late Night Stampers is to use Designer Series Paper so here is a Clean and Simple card I made using the Welcome Neighbor Paper Pack and my Little Leaves Sizzlet:

I love how the score lines add to the overall look of the card. I made my rose by stamping the image from Fifth Avenue Floral on Watercolor Paper in Ruby Red then water coloring with the Ruby Red inkpad and my Aquapainter.

What do you think? Too simple, or just right?

Clean and Simple Ribbon Challenge

2010-02-26T08:05:00.002-06:00

Here is Clean and Simple card I made for this week's Challenge over on Stampin' Connection (The Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Only site) The Challenge this week was to use Ribbon!

I really love the way this turned out, sometimes I try so hard to add more, more, more to my cards when the simple cards acn be the most striking! (But I do admit I made more than one for this challenge that didn't turn out quite as nice, but hey, thats why we call it a Challenge!)

I hope you like it, and send me good house-finding vibes as I'm flying to the East Coast this weekend to hopefully find a new house for my family to move to this summer when we change duty stations! I'll be back Monday!

Mojo Monday

2010-02-23T13:30:00.001-06:00

Just to make up for not posting for so long, I have another card for you (I've been stamping, just not posting!!) This is my version of this week's Mojo MondaySketch Challenge:

What do you think?!

Oh what a slacker....

2010-02-23T13:24:00.002-06:00

Oh what a slacker I have become! I am SO sorry I haven't been posting! I can't believe I haven't posted in over a week...I don't know if I've ever done that before. Please forgive me! It has just slipped my mind, I've been under the weather, as have my kids and hubby too...plus we are in the middle of planning a move this summer and I have been totally focused on house-hunting at our next duty station!

Anyways, I made this card for this week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge. This one is a toughie...in honor of spring (which judgin by the 8 inches of snow in my front yard is no where in sight!) our Challenge this week is to make a card with ONLY the Soft Subtles Color Family...NO NEUTRALS! Whew...I told you it was a toughie!

I hope you like what I came up with! I'd love your feedback, and for you to join us at Late Night Stampers and play long!

Who's the Boss?

2010-02-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Who's the Boss? Em-boss, that is! This week's challenge over at Late Night Stampers was embossing so I made this simple little all-occasion card using the Emboss-resist technique:

I learned how to make this flower using the scallop circle punch from my Design Team partner Carole'Anne (you can find her blog linked on the bottom left sidebar of my blog.)

Happy Saturday everyone!

Clean and Simple No Layer Card

2010-02-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Thats right, I said it-NO layers! Can it even be done (at least for me, who's motto is "the heavier the card, the better!") Here is my go at the no layer card:

I stamped my image from A Flower For All Seasons onto a Whisper White card base and watercolored it using an Aquapainter (thanks Bev!) and ink pads. i then stamped the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes and I was finished! So simple but I just love the way it turned out! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Bright and Bold Flowers!

2010-02-10T11:13:00.001-06:00

Forgive my short post, as I said yesterday its been a struggle for me to make time for posting. You can ALWAYS ask me questions if you want to know how I made a card or anything else...just leave me a comment or email me at saucystampin at yahoo dot com and I'll get right back to you! Happy Wednesday!!

Embossing Challenge

2010-02-09T12:12:00.000-06:00

Let me level with you all, I'm not a slacker, I promise! I have decided to enter Stampin' Up's Artisan Award contest. For those that don't know, its an annual contest by Stampin' Up! where you have to submit 5 cards, 3 scrapbook pages and 2 3D projects and they pick 10 winners. Its a HUGE honor to be chosen and I'm working very very hard on my projects (I have through early April to finish and submit them).

I don't think I realized exactly how much work I was going to be putting into it when I first considered entering but now that I'm planning projects it is a ton of time/energy. That, on top of the fact that my 3 year old has decided he doesn't need to nap anymore (which was when I used to stamp) means I'm not posting a ton on my blog. I'm creating, its just I haven't had enough time to take pictures, edit them, and upload them onto my blog.

I'm sorry. There, you have it. Please don't abandon me! Here is a card to hold you over, made for this week's Late Night Stampers embossing challenge!

Lots of Love

2010-02-02T12:35:00.000-06:00

I don't know if there is a name for the kind of card this is, I created it for a tutorial and just love the way it came out! The outside is simple enough, created with Real Red Cardstock, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper, and White Satin Ribbon.

But...open it up and out "pops" a surprise!

I decorated the inside with more Sending Love Paper and used the I {heart} Hearts Stamp Set and Simple Letters Bigz die and my Big Shot.

I love the way it turned out! Let me know what you think!

Late Night Stampers Challenge meets Mojo Monday

2010-02-01T12:52:00.003-06:00

This week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge is to use everyone's Springtime favorite-butterflies! I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch to create my Design Team entry.

I started my card with a Very Vanilla card base scroed at the top. I used Real Red carstock and Sending Love Designer Series Paper to create my layers. Stampin' Up's new Real Red Satin Ribbon adds the perfect touch along the bottom of the card, and some butterflies form the new Butterfly Sizzlet finish it off! (This sizzlet is a perfect way to use those tiny scraps of paper you always have left over!)

The sentiment inside of my card is from the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set in the big catalog.

CAS Challenge

2010-01-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

One of the many perks of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is access to an online community called Stampin' Connection. There are discussion boards, galleries, and you can become "Friends" with other Demos (kindof like Facebook for Stampers!!) This week on Stampin' Connection I was honored to hostess the first Clean and Simple Design Challenge. For the first Challenge we chose a Color Challenge to use only Basic Black, Whisper White, and Grey.

Here is my entry:

I just love the way this card turned out! My card base is Whisper White scored at the top. I then Layered Going Grey over this and used a Rubon from the new Chat Room Rubons (From the Occassions Mini) to add my sentiment. I stamped the gorgeous Bella Toile background stamp in versamark and heat embossed with Black Stampin' Emboss Powder. I then cut it up and matted on Basic Black to create a tiled look. This was then matted onto Whisper White and a Black Satin Ribbon finishes off!

I hope you like my Challenge Entry! If you're a demonstrator come join us on Stampin' Connection and play along! If you're not a demo YET, email me at saucystampin at Yahoo dot com to learn how to join, Sale-a-bration is the best time to take the Plunge!

Vintage in Vanilla (and Black!)

2010-01-28T07:12:00.000-06:00

Here is another card I designed for the Late Night Stampers Vintage Challenge this week!

This simple card uses Basic Black and Very Vanilla cardstock. I used the FREE punch from the Sale-a-bration catalog as well as the I {heart} Hearts stamp set and Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon from the Occasions Mini Catalog. Here is another view so you can see the texture on the hearts:

I stmaped the hearts in Jet Black Stazon, then snipped them out with my Paper Snips and crumpled them up before adhering them to the card.

I hope you like this card, I love the simple color combo!

Small Wonder....

2010-01-27T08:00:00.000-06:00

Here is a baby card for one of my husband's coworkers who just had their first baby girl (after 6 boys!!) I thought it best to go super pink and girly for them!

This card was simple, I just used Whisper White and Pretty in Pink cardstock along with the new border punch from the Sale-a-bration catalog (FREE with $50!), Whimsical Words Sale-a-bration Stamp Set (FREE too!), and the Pink Satin Ribbon and Butterfly Sizzlet from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Too easy and so pretty!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Just for You

2010-01-26T07:30:00.000-06:00

How cutey-patootey is the new Happy Moments set in the Sale-a-bration catalog? And what could be cooler than getting it for FREE with any $50 purchase? AND having your choice of wood or Clear-Mount? Too cool!

I love this little card! I started with a Whisper White card base and layered Rose Red and Pretty in Pink over that. My next layer is Old Olive that I ran through my Big Shot with my Texturz Plates (see my right sidebar for a video tutorial on "popping" Texturz plates!) I stamped my image and sentiment from Happy Moments in Jet Black Stazon on Whisper White and sponged the edges in Rose Red.

For my Flowers I also stamped the image in Stazon on three different pieces of Good Neighbor Designer Series Paper (another Sale-a-bration Freebie!) and cut it out with my Paper Snips and used this to Paper Piece my flowers rather than color them in. (I just love Paper Piecing!!) The last touch on my card was a Pretty in Pink Epoxy Brad and Pink Satin Ribbon from the Occasions Mini!

I love the way this one turned out, believe it or not it actually took me a lot longer than my normal card because I had an idea in my head and wanted it to come out just right! I hope you like it!

Lets Get Vintage

2010-01-25T07:45:00.000-06:00

Here is my Design Team entry for this week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge to go Vintage!

My card base is Very Vanilla followed by a layer of Chocolate Chip cardstock which I crumpled up then smoothed out again to add some awesome texture. A layer of Very Vanilla was added on top of this....I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink then embossed a stamp from Vintage Vogue with Pale Plum Craft ink and Clear Stampin' Emboss powder. A Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (New from the Occasion Mini!) adds a feminine flair. My sentiment from the Holiday Best Hostess Level 1 Set was again embossed with Pale Plum Craft Ink and Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder on Very Vanilla sponged with Chocolate Chip Ink. It was then matted on Chocolate Chip and both were punched with the Corner Rounder Punch and adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I hope you like my card, the vintage look is still pretty new for me but I'm starting to like it more and more! Hopefully you'll join us at Late Night Stampers and play the Challenge too!

Baby Shower Card

2010-01-23T08:39:00.003-06:00

This card serves Double Duty, I needed to make a baby shower card and I wanted to make another card for this week's Late Night Stamper's Inspiration Challenge. You can see my inspiration photo here.

This is a very simple card, I started with a Whisper White card base followed by Rich Razzleberry Textured cardstock. I layered this with So Saffron cardstock I ran through my Big Shot with the Texturz Backgrounds 1 plates. (See my Video tutorial here for how to get the best impressions from your Texturz plates) My giraffes are from the Fox and Friends set, perfect for a baby card!

I hope you like this fast and simple card!

Fox and Friends Name Hangars

2010-01-22T15:37:00.000-06:00

I made these name hangars for my sons using the Simple Letters Big Shot Alphabet set and Fox and Friends stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I love how they turned out! Thanks for looking!

Good Neighbor

2010-01-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here's a little card I made with the some of my Sale-a-bration goodies! I hope you like it!

Divine Inspiration!

2010-01-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

Doesn't this cake look divine?? It's the inspiration for this week's Late Night Stamper's Inspiration Challenge!

Here is my Design Team Entry inspired by this yummy cake:

I used the colors in the card to inspire my birthday card (made for my Grandmother's upcoming 80th birthday). I used So Saffron, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, and Orchid Opulence. But wait, I said it was for my Grandma, right? Well you know it had to be extra special then:

What do you think???? I love the way it turned out!

Get Whale Soon!!

2010-01-14T09:09:00.002-06:00

Here's a cute Get "Whale" card I made using the new Fox and Friends set and Chat Room Rubons from the Occasions Mini:

I also used the Tall Tales Designer Series Paper.

I got some great news today, I won the December Creative Challenge on the SoShelli blog, the blog of the founder of Stampin' Up! I'm so honored and excited! I get to pick a free stamp set, any suggestions?

You're a Fox!

2010-01-11T11:50:00.006-06:00

I made this card for my hubby, I used the Fox and Friends set from the new Occasions Mini Catalog and the pieced together the "you're a" sentiment using two different stamps from the Whimsical Words Sale-a-bration set (I masked to get only the words I wanted.)

The card base is Whisper White followed by a layer of Basic Black and then textured Dusty Durango. A Black Satin Ribbon (also new from the Occasions Mini!) adds some contrast in texture and two scraps of Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon decorate my Fox image! I hope you like my card!

Its a Girl!

2010-01-11T11:50:00.005-06:00

I am the proud Mommy to two little boys and I've noticed that most of my friends also have all boys. So you can probably understand how excited I am for an old neighbor and fellow mom of two boys found out her third child is a girl!! I made this card to send her:

I saw the inspiration for this card on Gretchen Barron's Blog here! I hope you like it, it uses the new Butterfly Sizzlet from the Occasions Mini and the sentiment is a Sale-a-bration set so you can earn it free with a $50 purchase!!

Tote-ally Tess!

2010-01-10T12:33:00.003-06:00

How's this for a girly-girl card? This one is my Valentine's Day card for my Mom and is also my Design Team Entry for this week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge.

I made this card by paper-piecing Tess from the new Occasions Mini Set Tote-ally Tess with the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pack from the Sale-a-bration catalog, LOVE THE PAPER!! I also used the set Things I Love from the big catalog, but I got it FREE with my Sale-a-bration order! Here's the inside of the card:

How cute is that?

Want to participate in The Late Night Stamper's Challenge? Mosey on over to our Group Page to join! If you are a Demonstrator, we also have a Late Night Stamper's Demonstrator Only Page, you can join here! Both groups are great resources for idea sharing, project inspiration, and stampin' comraderie! I hope you'll all join!

Two recent cards

2010-01-10T12:27:00.002-06:00

I just received my first Sale-a-bration order and received the sets Tote-ally Tess and Things I Love. Splitcoast Stampers was in need of Index Cards for these two sets so I signed up. To make an index card you have to use all of the stamps in a set on one card...so here is what I came up with, I hope you like them!

Clean and Simple

2010-01-06T11:55:00.002-06:00

Here's a nice Clean and Simple card I made with the Herb Expressions Stamp set.

I inked my Rosemary in Jet Black Stazon, and colored in with a Blender Pen and Bordering Blue and Old Olive inks. I then matted it on Bordering Blue and Kraft cardstock. My card base is Whisper White followed by a layer of Textured Bordering Blue and Old olive Cardstock. I distressed the edges of all my cardstock with my fingernail. I finished the card off with some hemp twine and adding my image on a slight angle and popped up with Stampin Dimensionals. i hope you like this simple card!

Criss Cross Card Tutorial

2010-01-05T12:48:00.012-06:00

I had many requests for a tutorial on how to create my Criss Cross Card...I had a video tutorial all ready but my camera broke and so I apologize for taking so long to get this to you...

I started this card with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock, Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Filligree Designer Brads, and adhesive.

First cut your Very Vanilla Cardstock in half on the short side creating two pieces of 11 by 4.25" paper.

Fold each in half and use a Bone Folder to create a good score line.

Line up the paper in your cutter from the top of the score line in the middle to the bottom right edge and cut.

Repeat on the other side lining up from the top of the score line to the bottom left corner.

Here is what you will end up with:

Apply adhesive to the bottom, top and sides of the rectangle portion of one piece.
Overlay the rectangle portion of the other piece on top to create your card base. Be sure that the long side of the triangle sections are both on the bottom.

Cut a 5" by 3.75" piece of Designer Series Paper (be sure the design on both sides match together as we'll be using both sides.)
Line up the diagonal corners and cut to create two equal triangles.
Flip one traingle over.
Apply adhesive to the bottom edge of your center rectangle area.
Fold over the left side.
Adhere one of your triangels of Designer Series Paper over the left side you just folded over.
Apply adhesive to the bottom edge of the already folded over triangle portion and fold over the right side and adhere.
Adhere second triangle of Designer Paper to top triangle.
Cut 1.5" by 12" piece of coordinating Designer Paper.
Center across card front.
Fold ends around back of card.
Adhere ends to form band around card.
Adhere end of Very Vanilla Ribbon to back of card band.
Bring across front of card, using adhesive to keep in place on left side.
Apply small amount of adhesive on top of ribbon and fold back over itself.apply adhesive just to the right of fold you just created.
Fold back over to the right and adhere to create small loop towards left. Repeat using adhesive to help hold folds in place.

Add Large Filligree Brad to right of folds.
I like to measure the depth of the interior of my card before cutting my insert piece (sometimes the placement of the adhesive applied on the inside can alter the depth of the card.)
Cut Bordering Blue cardstock to 5.25 by 3 3/8" (adjust if your depth is different) and Very Vanilla to 5" by 2 3/4". Adhere together.
Fold small scrap of Very Vanilla in half and hold ends behind card insert.
Use a filligree brad to hold ribbon in place (I use a paper piercer to help make the hole for the brad.)

Decorate the insert as you like, here i used the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set, Bordering Blue, and Not Quite Navy inks.
Your card is complete!

Blog Candy Winners!

2010-01-03T19:15:00.002-06:00

Shelly Schmidt said...: Wonderful projects- I would love to win!
Shellymc2@comcast.net; December 27, 2009 1:49 PM

Ann Schach said...: The candle is absolutely stunning, Melissa! Very classy and elegant!; December 27, 2009 12:37 PM

Anonymous said...: You are very talented and do great work--thanks for sharing with us all!!

Deanie
mnmotes@rcom-ne.com; December 27, 2009 6:46 PM

Your tutorials are on the way ladies!

As a bonus, I'm going to offer these tutorials on sale for everyone else....through Friday only you can get BOTH of these tutorials for only $4.50! That's over half off! Just click the Buy Now button blow and please allow up to 24 hours to receive your tutorials via email. For more details on the tutorials click here and here.

Working on my Thank Yous!

2009-12-31T11:58:00.002-06:00

I finally got back in the stamp room to start working on my Thank You cards. We have a blizzard Christmas Eve so I haven't exactly been eager to drive to the Post Office to mail my thank you cards but I figured with it being New Years I need to get them done!

Here is one I made, I ued Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper and the large Filligree Brad. I matted on Soft Suede, which was a nice match for the Designer Paper for a soft look. The stamps are from the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog available January 5th!

Speaking of the Occasions Mini, check out my Satin Ribbon Share...there are a limited number of spots left. To participate email me at melissa_riker at yahoo dot com. Each share is $20.50 and for that price you receive 3 yards each of all 9 NEW Satin Ribbon colors from the Mini Catalog. Payment MUST be received via Paypal by the 4th to participate. See this post for more info.

My New Year's Resolution

2009-12-30T19:20:00.002-06:00

Hello all my Stamping Friends....

First of all I want to thank you all very much for visiting my blog! I started stamping in January of this year and joined Stampin' Up! as a Demonstrator in March. I began this blog in August and have loved so much sharing my creations and ideas with you all over the past 5 months.

You may or may not know that I am not a "business" demonstrator, although I would love to be. I have two young boys at home and a military hubby with a crazy schedule and it does not fit with my family right now to hold workshops and classes. I started this blog to share my passion for stamping "virtually" with you all!

I must admit though, that I have been having a hard time balancing the demands of life with my self-imposed demands of blogging so my New Year's Resolution this year is to RELAX! I will no longer be posting every single day on my blog, but rest assured I'm not going anywhere...I just need to take a little more time to enjoy the small things like reading books with my one year old or playing Candyland with my soon to be 3 year old.

I hope you all can understand and will continue to visit my blog. Happy New Years to you all!

Criss Cross Love....

2009-12-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

How gorgeous is this new Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper? Love it!

This week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge is to use brads and I of course had to take the chance to use one of the new Real Red Epoxy Brads from the Occasions Mini Catalog out January 5th....along with this gorgeous paper!

For the Challenge I used a Criss Cross card, these are super easy to make and extremely cool looking...if you haven't made one you have to try one...contact me if you need instructions!

Does it feel like Valentines Day yet??? Only 47 days to go!

Don't forget to enter to win my Blog Candy in the post below-three winners will be drawn on January 3rd, and be sure to take advantage of my Satin Ribbon Share-get 3 yards each of all 9 new colors of Satin Ribbon...see this post for details!

Blog Candy!

2009-12-27T11:47:00.003-06:00

To celebrate the New Year I'd like to give away a couple of my most popular tutorials as Blog Candy! To enter just leave a comment on this post and I will draw THREE WINNERS January 3rd!

You will win my Bella Toile Candle and Gift Box Tutorial:

And my Scrapbook Wallet Tutorial:

Be sure to leave your email address in your comment so if you win I can send you the PDF files for the tutorials!

And don't forget to check out my Satin Ribbon Share-you can get 3 yards each of all 9 colors of Satin Ribbon from the NEW Occasions Mini Catalog out January 5th!

New Occasion Mini Satin Ribbon Share!!

2009-12-26T08:08:00.002-06:00

Got Mini?

The new Occasions Mini Catalog will be available soon and as ou may already know, it will be offering 9 new colors of Satin Ribbon!!! If you're like me and want them all but don't want to spend $80+ to order full rolls then join my Satin Ribbon Share!!!

For $20.50 you will receive 3 yards of each of 9 colors: Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, and Basic Black! This INCLUDES shipping!

To join the share just email me at melissa_riker at yahoo dot com and let me know how many shares you would like. I will send you a Paypal invoice for your total cost. Shares begin shipping January 5th!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T13:11:00.003-06:00

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I'll be taking the next few days off to spend some much needed relaxation time with my husband and boys. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend full of all of the blessings of the season.

Best Wishes,

Melissa

Happy Bug-day!

2009-12-22T12:52:00.002-06:00

I had the idea for this card a few days ago but didn't have time to make it so I did a quick sketch and had to come back to it later...little did I realize how much work I had "cut" out for myself!

I began by stamping my dragonfly twice and my caterpillar once onto Tall Tales Designer Series Paper in Versamark Ink. I then heat embossed using Black Stampin' Emboss Powder and my Heat Tool. I also stamped my ladybug in Ruby Red on Whisper White and dabbed the entire scrap of paper on my Versamark pad and embossed with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. Then came the work-snipping out all of these little creatures with my Paper Snips! (Paper Snips are a must-have for any kind of detailed cutting, they make a HUGE difference!!)

On the second Dragonfly I cut out, I only cut out the wings and center body section. I took a piece of 5 1/4 by 4" Bashful Blue Card stock and sponged over it with Bordering Blue. Then I took a scrap of Old Olive and fringed one side of it with my Paper Snips to make a tall grass effect. This was adhered to the bottom of my Blue card stock to create my "scene."

I adhered the full dragonfly in the top right corner of the paper and then applied the second wing set over top. My caterpillar was nestled in the middle of the grass and the ladybug balances it all out, perching on her Stampin' Dimensional!

The sentiment was heat embossed with Versamark and Black Stampin' Emboss Powder on So Saffron card stock and matted on Chocolate Chip. The entire card was then matted on Chocolate Chip and adhered to a Very Vanilla Card base. You have to let me know, was it worth the effort? What do you think?

Scrapbook Album and New Tutorial!

2009-12-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

I made this lovely Scrapbook Wallet as a present for my husband...I'm still waiting for the pictures to go in it to arrive (hopefully asap as Christmas is just days away!) but I thought I would go ahead and share it with you and per numerous requests, I have a tutorial for this album now available.

The tutorial is a 14 page PDF file with 25 pictures and includes step-by-step instructions and measurements for this album as well as examples of alternate color/decorations options. It is only $5 and can be purchased by clicking on the "Buy it Now" button below. Please allow up to 24 hours to receive your PDF file via email as it is sent manually (I am usually very fast at sending them once I receive your payment.) This is an easy, fast, and impressive last minute Christmas present! You can see another example of this album with a Christmas Theme here.

Vintage Inspiration

2009-12-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

First of all, let me apologize for my photography...I am having issues with making my pictures appear right...they're always too dark or too light and I hesitate to adjust the values on my computer too much because then the colors don't come across true....anyways, long story short I need to photograph in natural light, I know, I know....my lair of a craft room is in the basement!

So here is a card I made inspired by my good Design Team friend from Late Night Stampers Carole'Anne. She has some great stuff on her blog here.

My card base is Soft Suede. The background was made by stamping my flower pattern from Vintage Vogue in Versamark on Very Vanilla and embossing with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. I then rubbed the paper with a sponge and Soft Suede ink and wiped the embossed areas with a paper towel to rub the ink off of them. I got this from Carole'Anne and really love the way it turned out. I then tied a Whisper White Satin Ribbon around it.

My Flower was made my stamping the flower from Vintage Vogue in Old Olive Craft Ink Twice on Very Vanilla and embossed again with Stampin' Emboss Powder. I then snipped them out with my Paper Snips and fastne them together with a Very Vanilla Jumbo Brad. I folded and curved the petals a bit for a more three dimensional look. I dabbed some White Shimmer Paint on the top of the Brad. Although its hard to see I attempted to make some "faux" pearls in the upper left corner using Shimmer Paint and Crystal Effects (another idea from Carole'Anne!)

Thanks for looking!

Embrace Life

2009-12-19T06:00:00.001-06:00

I made this card a bit ago and somehow forgot to post it. I used the Embrace Life and Vintage Vogue stamp sets.

My card base is Whisper White scored on the side. On this I layered Textured Old Olive cardstock, Basic Black, and Pale Plum. I stamped the flower images in Pale Plum and Old Olive Craft Ink and embossed with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. The sentiment is from the same stamp set stamped in Jet Black Stazon and matted on Basic Black. A Mini Library Clip attaches it to the side of the card.

This card is much more striking in person, I'll have to work on my photography skills! I hope you like it and are having a great weekend!

Look Who's 3!!

2009-12-18T19:09:00.005-06:00

One of my older son's friends turned 3 today and this is the card I made for him using the Look Who's Turning set and Happy B-day Simply Scrappin Kit:

My card base is Whisper White scored at the top followed by layers of Certainly Celery and Brocade Blue. I used one of the borders from the Happy B=Day Simply Scrappin' Kit allong the bottom edge of the card. The sentiment from Look Who's Turning was stamped in Brocade Blue on Whisper White and matted on Ruby Red. A Stampin' Up Mini Library Clip attaches my banner to the right side of the card. (I subtly curved the banner for a more 3 dimensional effect.)

I stamped my Octopus from Look Who's Turning in Ruby Red on Whisper White and matted on Ruby Red and Certainly Celery punched with the Scallop Edge Punch. I adhered this over the end of the banner with Stampin' Dimensionals. To finish off the card I added three Real Red Buttons from the Playground Designer Buttons Pack. (I "threaded" my buttons with slivers of Crushed Curry Cardstock and adhered them with Mini Glue Dots-a must for getting embellishments to really "stick.")

Thanks for bearing with me the past week, between my Dad's illness and my emergency trip and then coming home and getting a stomach flu, I've been absent from the stampin' room...but I'm back now!

Nontraditional Christmas Card

2009-12-16T12:31:00.003-06:00

Thank you for your patience with my blog while I was out of town. My Dad has a long road ahead of him but he seems to have taken a turn for the better and know we'll just continue to pray that he keeps making progress. Thank you for the kind wishes and all the prayers.

On to stamping....here is a Christmas card I made today, my first project back in my stamping room...I had taken a few stamping supplies with me and managed to make some cute one layer cards for my Dad, family members, and his nursing staff in the ICU, but I'll share those at a later date. This card is simple but has some pretty neat little touches to it that I think help make it special.

My card base is Very Vanilla scored at the top, followed by a layer of Old Olive. Another piece of Kraft cardstock was crumpled tightly then flattened back out and adhered over the Old Olive to add texture to the card. My sentiment from Many Merry Messages was stamped in Old Olive Ink on Very Vanilla. The edges were given a distressed look with my Soft Suede Stampin' Pad and a sponge. The Ribbon is actually the Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, just turned to the plain side. I used SNAIL adhesive to form my bow and then used a bit of hemp twine as an accent.

I'd love to know what you think of this card...its a bit untraditional for a Christmas card but I love the way it turned out.

Happy Wednesday everyone, its good to be back home!

PPA Lovely as a Tree

2009-12-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Last week I posted about my father being in the hospital after a surgery and it seems he has had some serious complications that have landed him in Intensive Care. I will be out of town Saturday through Tuesday to be with him. I have scheduled my blog to continue to post while I am gone but I hope you understand I do not have time to give details about my cards right now. I will have access to email while I am gone so please feel free to ask any questions if you have them. Thank you for your understanding.

Vintage Vogue meets I {heart} Hearts

2009-12-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

I {heart} Hearts meets Christmas Cocoa

2009-12-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Family Emergency

2009-12-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

Here and There....

2009-12-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Many of you already know that I am on the Board of Directors of a nonprofit organization called Still Someone. We donate handmade lap blankets and cards to seniors living in care facilities. This past month I reached out to my fellow stampers via the Late Night Stampers yahoo group and also we were featured on Splitcoast Stampers and Compassionate Cards as the Cause of the Month last month.

I'm very proud to say that due to some unbelievable generosity I have over 1200 cards sitting in my craft area (much to the dismay of my very organized and orderly husband!!)

I have been frantically sorting out all of the Christmas and Holiday/Winter themed cards so that they can get delivered next week...I've also signed about 100 so far with many more waiting to be signed! I haven't done a final count of holiday cards but I know 230 are going to the Eisenhower VA Medical Center here in Leavenworth and another 175+ will be going to a nursing home in Charleston, SC. I'm sure we'll have more than that so once I have the final count I'll find a third recipient facility. (If you are interested in delivering cards for us please contact me at melissariker at yahoo dot com...we deliver year round so we always need help!) Here is a picture of one of the boxes I received yesterday from Compassionate Cards!!!

On one of my breaks from sorting and signing I managed to put up some Decor Elements in my craft area. I have had the Tree one since I signed up as a Demonstrator in March but hadn't put it up because I knew we'd be moving over the summer...then as we settled into our new home my craft area moved around 3 times but I'm confident I'm settled now so I went ahead and put it up. I also put up the quote that I received FREE as part of the Holiday Extravaganza promotion! I thought this quote in particular was perfect for me as the mom of two toddlers! Visit my online store to make a purchase and get your own free Decor Element!

And just in case you thought I wasn't going to share a project, I made this to share, a Calendar for my craft room inspiration Board.

I used a Chipboard coaster as my base and covered it with the new Sending Love Designer Series Paper. I tied a Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon around it and added a Real Red Epoxy Brad (new in the Occasions Mini!) to finish it off! It has magnetic strip on the back so I can hang it above my work area. What do you think?

Lovely as a Tree

2009-12-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

How "lovely" is the Lovely as a Tree set? Its so versatile! Check out these two cards I made quickly and easily:

I love this Clean and Simple card...it is a Whisper White card base scored at the top. I stamped my Seasons Greetings from Many Merry Messages in Jet Black Stazon. My tree was stamped in Old Olive Craft Ink and heat embossed with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. It was then matted on Basic Black and adhered to my card over an Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon! Voila! Finished!

This second card is an all-occasion masculine card.

My card base is Very Vanilla scored at the top and layered with textured Chocolate Chip cardstock. My tree was stamped in Jet Black Stazon on Very Vanilla and then colored using my pastels. It was matted on Old Olive cardstock and adhered over a Chcolate Chip Striped Grosgrain ribbon, tied with Hemp Twine.

Another Vintage Vogue Share!

2009-12-08T13:41:00.004-06:00

I just love my the new Vintage Vogue set out of the upcoming Occassions Mini Catalog (available January 5th). It lends such a "shabby chic" feel to cards like this one I'd like to share today:

I made this card starting with a Very Vanilla Card Base scored at the top. Over this I layered textured Old Olive cardstock. My flowers and leaves were stamped in Rich Razzleberry, Cameo Coral, and Old Olive and matted on Chocolate Chip Cardstock. A Rub-on from the new Chat Room Rubons in the Mini and two super cute new Chocolate Chip Epoxy brads finish it off perfectly!

I know I've been on a "Sneak Peek" roll here, but I did realize I'm a few Christmas Cards short the other night so I promise we'll be back to Christmas tomorrow! I've got another video tutorial in the works too! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the upcoming Mini, so leave a comment!

New Clear Mount Stamps

2009-12-08T12:27:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited that starting January 5th I'll be able to offer you another option for your stamping needs, Clear Mount Stamps. I have received these in my pre-order and am loving them! Please note that the stamps themselves are still the same high quality rubber you know and love but now have a Clear Mount option. Here are a few features of Stampin' Up's Clear-mount stamps:

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features

Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

More Sneak Peeks!!

2009-12-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

How about a few more Sneak Peeks from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, out January 5th??

I made this card using the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set. I stamped my flowers in Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, and Old Olive on Very Vanilla Cardstock. The images were then matted on Chocolate Chip and layered on Swiss Dot embossed Old Olive Cardstock I had run through my Big Shot. My card base was Very Vanilla as well. My sentiment, also from Vintage Vogue, was stamped in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla, matted on Chocolate Chip and attached with a Mini Library Clip.

I am in Love with this next card! It features the I {heart} Hearts stamp set and the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper! I LOVE this paper! Its glittery and fantastic! You can't see much in the picture but my little hearts were punched out of Real Red cardstock and adhered with slivers of Stampin' Dimensionals. The sentiment is from Vintage Vogue.

Seriously, this card makes me so happy!!

I'd love to hear your thoughts about my cards and about the new products coming out in the Occasions Mini catalog!

Sneak Peek Time!!!

2009-12-07T13:02:00.002-06:00

My goodness, the UPS man showed up a day earlier than I expected with all my preorder goodies! I jsut had to show you my first project with some of the products from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog!

The sentiment is from the Vintage Vogue Stamp Set and the Heart is from I {Heart} Hearts set!

Lovely as a Tree

2009-12-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

I recently received the Lovely as a Tree stamp set, and let me tell you, I don't know how I ever got along without it...this set is truly a classic among the Stampin' Up! collection and definitely seems to be the "go-to" set for masculine cards! Here is a card that was so easy to make but turn out truly elegant due to the perfection of this stamp set:

I got inspiration for this card from a card my upline Lisa Freeman recently made using another stamp set. I stamped my treeline image from Lovely as a Tree and sentiment from Many Merry Messages onto Whisper White cardstock using Jet Black Stazon. I then sponged various blues overtop of the image to give a nice winter day feel. (I don't use sponging on my cards often but its an easy technique that makes some very cool effects and worth trying if you haven't!)

I then layered my image onto coordinating blue cardstock (you can really play with all the blues Stampin' Up! has to offer with a card like this...I used various blues from the Rich Regals Color Family.) and matted on a Whisper White Cardbase. Too easy!

The sponging really creates a scene in this card and take it from boring to beautiful! Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite technique is for adding that special something to your cards!

A Masculine Valentines Card

2009-12-06T06:00:00.001-06:00

Here's another Valentine's card for the Late Night Stamper's Challenge. This one is more masculine-I'll be giving it to my hubby come February (unless he gets sneaky and decides to peek at my blog!)

I just received my first package of Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper and, man is it gorgeous! I just don't think you can go wrong with this pattern-so elegant! My sentiment is from the Holiday Best Hostess Level 1 set, and the style coordinate perfectly with the Designer Paper.

I hope you all are having a good weekend, I'm still anxiously awaiting my Demonstrator PreOrder so I can show you all the new goodies Stampin' Up! has in store for you this Spring! Want to get your hands on the goodies early too? Want them for up to 40% off?? Click here and hit the "Join Now" button to sign up as a demonstrator! My password is "saucystamper."

Christmas Scrapbook Wallet

2009-12-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited to share this scrapbook wallet I made for my Dad and Stepmom. We were planning a visit with them this Christmas but our plans were changed and we won't be able to see them and haven't had a visit since the summer. I thought this was a nice way to send lots of pictures! (Please forgive the blurred pictures, for personal reasons I prefer not to post my family's pictures on the internet.)

The Outside

The First Layer when Opened:

The Second Layer of Photos:

The Third Layer:

The Inside of the Album:

I hope you like my Scrapbook Wallet! I love the way it turned out!

I'm dotty for you!

2009-12-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

This week's Late Night Stamper's Challenge is "Hugs and Kisses," or all things Valentines!! I took advantage of Stampin' Up's Online Extravaganza last week, did you? I got the Heart to Heart Punch and Chipboard Letters Bundle at a huge discount and used my new goodies to make this card:

I started my card with a Whisper White cardbase scored at the top. Textured Old Olive Cardstock was layered on this. My chipboard letters were covered in Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper and my heart was punched out of Pretty in Pink textured cardstock. These were positioned on Rich Razzleberry cardstock and matted on layers of more Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper and Rich Razzleberry cardstock. A Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon finishes it off and add the last needed "punch" of dots!

I love the way this card turned out-so fun! At least I have 2 months to figure out who to send it to! Why don't you join us at Late Night Stampers so you can play the challenges too?

Whew....what a card!

2009-12-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

Do you ever just get an idea and then get carried away with it? I saw here a Santa made from the Chef in the Voila! set and wanted to put my own spin on the idea. I retreated down into my Craft Layer (aka the Basement Family room I have slowly taken over!)

I feverishly stamped and snipped until I came up with this card:

I know, I know, you're thinking "Melissa, that card does not look like it took you forever to make. Sure, you awesomely stamped the snowflakes from Patterned Pines in Versamark on Kraft to form that awesome watermark effect....and sure, you had the brilliant idea to mask part of the "Happy" stamp from Happy Everything to make a Ho, Ho, Ho sentiment; but where's the Santa in all this?" (you know that's what you were thinking, admit it!)

So here's my Santa:

Wooooo-weee let me tell you that not ALL men are low-maintenance! This guy was a labor of love!

I stamped my chef from Voila! on my Kraft card base, Whisper White, and Real Red cardstock...all in Jet Black Stazon. I first cut out the "Santa Suit" and hat (partial chef hat) from the Real Red cardstock and added the boots and belt with a Black marker. I glued this overtop my Kraft Santa. The belt buckle was a little hand-cut square of Crushed Curry, I blacked out the middle with the marker and added some Crystal Effects to give it a more "metallic" look and some dimension.

I then cut out the Santa Suit trim and beard/mustache from Whiper White and glued it on my Kraft Santa, adding Crystal Effects to all of the Whisper White cutouts.

On his little tray I added two presents made from scraps of Real Red and Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper, tied with Stampin' Up! Silver Elastic Ribbon. The presents were mounted with Stampin' Dimensionals.

A little hint if you take the plunge and try to make this guy...I used an ink pen to line the edges of the pieces I cut out. because this guy is a line drawing, it looked "off" if there weren't black outlines on certain parts where I had improvised the cuts on my own. If you do make one, please post a link in my comments so I can check him out!!!

Thanks for looking, I hope you guys like him! And thank you for all the well wishes for my Dad from yesterday's post; he has a long road of recovery but his spirits are high, if anyone would like to send him a RAK (random act of kindness) get well card you can email me at saucystampin at yahoo dot com for his mailing address.

Pssstt.....Sneak Peeks coming soon!

2009-12-02T13:46:00.003-06:00

I wanted to let you all know that I placed my demonstrator preorder yesterday for Stampin' Up's new Occassions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-bration catalogs. The products in these new catalogs will be available January 5th.

In case you missed the news, Stampin' Up! will now be offering Clear Mount Sets! These stamps will feature that high quality red rubber we've all come to love, but can be mounted on Clear Acrylic blocks for easier storage, and expanded uses (think forming words with alphabet stamps, or creating montages with many stamps!) For those wood-block addicts, don't worry, wood blocks are still here to stay, you just have a choice now!

They've also totally redesigned the punches for easier use and storage. I can't wait to show you all of the fun goodies as soon as the UPS Man comes my way. I'm hoping to have samples to post by early next week so stay tuned!!

Get Well Wishes

2009-12-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

I made this card for my Dad yesterday...he was undergoing major surgery and I couldn't be there with him so I was all in knots with nervousness and decided to try and be productive making him a Get Well card.

My Dad loves nature so I thought the Trendy Trees set would be a perfect image for his card. I chose Bashful Blue and Old Olive for a calm feeling...but added the Ruby Red and Rich Razzleberry Leaves for a little "punch." My tree trunks were stamped in Soft Suede and you know my Stamp-a-ma-jig never left my side so both my trees and sentiment (from Teeny Tiny Wishes) were perfectly placed!

I hope you like my card, so far so good with the results of my Dad's surgery...if you feel so inclined I'd very much appreciate a quick prayer for his speedy recovery.

Until tomorrow.....