This cool homemade card gives a modern take on a traditional flower theme. It is done entirely with Stampin' Up! Punches and the Basic Rhinestones! The trickiest part of making this was peeling the rhinestones off the packaging all in one piece! The video below the picture shows the entire process in detail.

The key to pulling off a long string of rhinestones is to hold the rhinestones straight and slowly peel the paper away, using the tip of a scissors whenever needed to pry the paper away. A single rhinestone of a larger size accents the flower.

The color combination of black and red and silver, along with the off-centered circles of the flower, make for a dramatic look! The flower petals were made by cutting into the punched out scallop circle between each scallop and then bending each scallop to create a three dimensional look.

Supplies: 1 3/4 inch Scallop Circle Punch (p. 210  #119854 $16.95), 1 3/8 inch Circle Punch (p. 212  #119860 $15.95), 1 1/4 inch Circle punch (p. 212 119861 $15.95), 3/4 inch Circle Punch (p.212 #119873 $10.95), Basic Rhinestones (p. 198 #119246 $4.95)

I own every one of the Stampin' Up Punches and I use them often. As you can see from this card, its fun to have all of the circle punches so you try out different looks. So….I confessed to owning them all. How many do you own?

And, if a little bling is good, then a lot must be better! One package of the rhinestones (or the basic pearls) give you lots of rhinestones in different sizes, so you can add bling to your hearts content. Come up with your own card making ideas with lots of bling!

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This is also an invitation for you to join the party of Fine Line demonstrators! Right now, for only $125, you can purchase the demonstrator starter kit (a $345 value) and you get a free pack of designer series paper or a digital download each month for the rest of 2012! (as long as you stay active). What a deal! Plus…..ask me what I provide when we work together. Call 612-929-1277 or email me!

Isn't this an adorable group of penguins? Don't you want to party with them? The penguins are from the Stampin Up! Zoo Review Stamp Set.(p. 105 #122197c $22.95, #122199 $16.95) The "Party This Way" stamp is from the Party This Way Stamp Set, which is also one of the FREE choices you have with each $50 order now during Sale-a-bration. For the birthday hat, I used the hat stamp from the Beary Best Friends Stamp Set (p. 95 #118052) but there are several other sets in the 2012 Stampin' Up catalog which include a hat that would work, including Turtle & Co. (hostess set p. 16) and Family Accessories (p. 86 #113494 $19.95). I cut the hats out and used the White Get Pen (p.203 #105021  $3.95) to add the dots. The hats add to the look of the background make with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (p. 219 #117335 $7.95).

The Zoo Review Stamp Set contains, in addition to the penguin, a lion, a giraffe, a polar bear, and a zebra. They all make cute homemade cards with the party hat, like this card which is a quicker version of the card above. Isn't it a great birthday card idea?

Of course, these animal images are also great for classy cards! With the continuing mild winter in Minnesota, its even more more fun to enjoy this arctic themed homemade card ideas for a party invitation! Be sure to email me with questions about my invitation to you!

Technorati Tags: homemade card ideas, homemade card ideas for a party invitation, ideas for a party invitation, stampin up card ideas, stampin up cards, su demonstrator kit on sale, Zoo Review stamp set

The kits includes 10 printed cards with a variety of designs and coordinating envelopes. There are die-cut accent sheets with borders, different flowers, and a variety of words. There are plenty of accents to create even more cards than the ten included in the set. Everything is included (even the box) in the Simply Sent Create & Keep Stampin Up! Cards Kit (Occasions Mini p. 42 #122380 $14.95)

So, who would this be good for?

1. a great gift as the kit for anyone from a birthday gift to a girl who loves to craft or to an adult friend who has never crafted before.

2. a great finished gift for anyone!

3. My favorite idea! Create this gift with your child (or children), your grandchild (or grandchildren), niece, special young friend…you get the idea….for them to give as a gift to their mom or grandmother for a handmade Mothers Day gift!

With the Simply Sent Create & Keep Kit, you can be creative in how you design each card, and you can really do no wrong. Everything will look great! One of the best things about crafting with a young person is creating special memories for both of you while engaging in a fun, creative activity.

If you are doing this with a young child, you will want to help with pulling the flowers off the die-cut accent sheets since the stems are very narrow and can tear easily. Once you have it off, though, the child can place it where they want on the card.

Share your love of crafting with a young person soon! And whether you give this kit as a gift, create it with a young person, or enjoy making it yourself, this Create & Keep Stampin Up Cards Kit will be a hit!

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On this card, the frame was cut out and sponged and the inside was raised with another piece of very vanilla card stock punched out with the Curly Label Punch. Don't you love how the Stampin Up punches coordinate with the stamp sets? The background on the this card is the Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper and all of the papers in that set would look great on this card. You could whip up several gift sets of handmade greeting cards with just this stamp set, punch, and paper!

On this card, there is no cutting out of the frame, so if you don't like to cut, this one's for you! The layout combines the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder with the  Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper and the ruffled ribbon for an elegant vintage look!

Supplies: first card uses Elementary Elegance Stamp Set Sale-a-bration Mini p.15 (a Free choice with a $50 order) Curly Label Punch p. 209 #119851 $16.95, Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper p.183 #122366 $12.95, 5/8 inch Satin Ribbon p. 195 $8.95, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla Card Stock, Early Espresso Ink

     second card: Elementary Elegance Stamp Set, Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper Occasions Mini p. 23 #125407 $10.95, 3/8 inch Ruffled Ribbon p. 194 $9.95, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder p. 219 #120175 $7.95, Pool Party and Early Espresso Card Stock and Ink)

Can you see lots of possibilities with the Elementary Elegance Stamp Set? Its only available through March and you can only get it for FREE! Its one of many choices for your free item with a $50 order during this time, so be sure to Shop Now! Time has a way of slipping away from us. After all, making handcrafted cards is elementary, elegance included!

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Tim has been home for a few days recovering from hernia surgery, and Jan Kitchen, a friend whom I met first as a customer, brought over dinner with this card for him:

Jan combined a Stampin' Up! stamp from the Smarty Pants stamp set  with a picture she cut out from an old calendar. Doesn't that make a great unique card? If you like this saying, you will enjoy all of the sayings as well in the Smarty Pants stamp set on p. 164. (#115070 $18.95)

Tim was really touched that she would care enough about him to bring a meal……..but then she told him it was really for me, because, as she wrote on the inside on the card "Tim, We don't want Karen going hungry. You need to heal quickly! Love, Jan" (She knows Tim does all of the cooking around here!)

Tim is always serving coffee and anything else he can find to the women who come to my home for classes. Sometimes he even serves dinner to them. He runs any errands we need, and cleans up after us…..so everyone gets to know him well!

I know how fortunate I am to be married to someone who supports me in my business and enjoys being a part of it! I do reward him, you know, by taking him on a all expenses paid vacation each year that I earn through Stampin' Up! (Ask me about that! I would love to have you join us!)

If you know Tim, please share this article with your friends! I hope you enjoyed today's sample, a real hybrid card making idea!

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This is a quick and easy card design that could easily be adapted to handmade wedding cards or anniversary cards. Stampin' Up! punches are my favorite tool when I need quick card making ideas! The Full Heart Punch and the 2 1/2 inch Circle Punch go so well together. The Full Heart Punch is great with both stamped images and just with paper like the Red Glimmer Card Stock. The P.S.I Love You Stamp Set includes a chocolate dipped strawberry, a stamp for the back of your cards which says "hand crafted with love for you", and a lovely banner stamp which fits in the Modern Label Punch (plus three different word choices to fit inside). That makes P.S. I Love You a versatile set – not just for Valentine's Day cards!

Supplies: P.S. I Love You Stamp Set mini p.8 #125460w $34.95  #125462c $27.95, 2 1/2 inch Circle Punch p.212 #120906 $16.95, Full Heart Punch p.210 #119883 $16.95, Real Red and Whisper White Card Stock)

I hope you are spending some time today with someone you love, whether its by phone or in person. Enjoy this, my handmade Valentine card for you!

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I thought of this Stampin' Up! stamp set, Send Me Soaring, instead of the usual baby sets because its such an apt description of how I feel. What special feelings does it bring to mind for you?

Besides "send me soaring" and "celebrate you", this stamp set also includes the words "hope everything looks up soon". That makes it a perfect card for completely opposite situations – does that make sense? How many single stamp sets can do that?

There are six different kites in the set along with a string, a tail and the clouds. On this card, instead of the tail stamp, I used Bakers twine and let it hang loose.This is a monochromatic card, using only the in color Island Indigo. The background is from the Twitterpated designer series paper. Add a variety of Stampin' Up! punches and you have a quick and easy handmade card!

(Supplies: Send Me Soaring Stamp Set mini p.37 #125440 $23.95  #125442c $18.95, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper p.13 #125406 $10.95, Island Indigo Card Stock, Ink and Bakers Twine, Pinking Hearts Border Punch p.211 #117649 $15.95, 2 1/2 inch Circle Punch p. 212 #120906 $16.95, 1 1/4 inch Circle Punch p. 212 #119861 $15.95, 1 3/8 inch Circle Punch p. 212 $15.95)

Even though kite flying is more of a spring activity in Minnesota, it fits perfectly with this winter. We have no snow on the ground and the weather is mild, so those empty fields beckon the kite fliers among us! Personally, I just like the feeling the Send Me Soaring Stamp Set evokes. I can envision it perfectly from the comfort of my home!

So what in your life today makes you feel like "Send me soaring to celebrate you!"? There's a card for that! Please click the share button whenever you read a post that you enjoy!

Technorati Tags: quick and easy handmade card, Send Me Soaring stamp set, Stampin' Up!, Stampin' Up! punches

Here is a close up of just the card:

The video shows how turned the petals of the flower down and sponged around them. I used two dimensionals to lift the flower high enough so the petals could stay turned down.

Have you ever bought a stamp set and then, when you finally sat down to play with it, couldn't think of a think to make? Problem solved! I have put together a Product Bundle including two of the most popular products in the Occasions Mini, the Mixed Bunch Stamp Set and the Blossom Punch, and when you purchase the bundle through my online store, you will receive five totally different, completed cards!

So here again is the Bundle:

So here is the Bundle: (All are from the 2012 Stampin Up Occasions Mini)

Mixed Bunch Stamp Set either #125535w  $27.95 or #125537c $21.95

Blossom Punch #125603 $16.95

Large Pearl Basic Jewels  #125577 $4.95

Pleated Satin Ribbon – choose one for $6.95

(#125568 Pear Pizzazz, #125569 Riding Hood Red, #125570 Blushing Bride or #125571 Baja Breeze)

The subtotal (before tax and shipping) comes to $56.35 with the wood mount stamp set  or $50.80 with the clear mount. Of course, with both you get to choose a FREE Sale a Bration item!!!

Please email me if you have any questions or if you would rather not place an online order! I know you will enjoy having five card making ideas right at your fingertips! I know I will enjoy sending you five handmade cards for free!

When you order this, you will make creative cards with Mixed Bunch and the Blossom Punch!

Technorati Tags: card making ideas, creative cards, make creative cards, make creative cards with Mixed Bunch and the Blossom Punch, stampin up Blossom Punch, stampinup Mixed Bunch stamp set

I love the wedding cake topped with flowers!  The flowers are made with the tiny flower punch in the Itty Bitty Shapes Shapes Punch Pack. Each flower is curved up at the edges (by hand) and the centers are the tiny silver brads.

The pleated satin ribbon, perfect for wedding cards, comes in four colors (Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and Blushing Bride) so you could make this card in a variety of color combinations. This card uses Blushing Bride and Soft Suede Card Stock.

Supplies: Love & Laughter Stamp Set  mini Occasions p.29  #125475w $22.95 #125477c $17.95, 3/8 inch Pleated Satin Ribbon  mini p. 12  $6.95, Designer Series Paper, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack  p.210  #118309  $16.95, Silver Mini Brads  p.199  #122491  $5.50)

When you design and create special handmade greeting cards (or copy a great ideas you've seen), do you make an extra or two at the same time? That is my biggest time saving and money saving tip about stamping!

It doesn't take much longer to make a couple cards that are the same than it does to just make one. Then when an occasion comes up and a card is needed right away, you aren't tempted to run to the store to pick one up since you don't think you have time to make one. (Thats the money saving part!)

We keep a basket of ready to send cards on a side table in the living room. Anyone can pick a card out it when needed and it makes a fun conversation piece as well!

If you haven't done so before, try making some extra cards when you sit down to make one. Hamemade cards with Love & Laughter would be a great place to start!

Technorati Tags: handmade greeting cards, homemade wedding cards, homemade wedding cards with Love & Laughter, Love & Laughter stamp set

(By the way, if you live in Minnesota or western Wisconsin and have a church group you would like to do a special activity with, ask me about what I do.)

Watch this video to the end to see some other creative cards done with the same Aviary stamp set  – or you can scroll below the video to see pictures of them! Enjoy:

Here is a close up of the outside of the Stampin' Up! Valentine card:

and for the inside:

The owl and the cage are from the Aviary Stamp Set (p.83  #116956w $24.95  #120462c $17.95). The heart in the cage was punched out with the Small Heart Punch (p. 210  #117193  $5.95) and lines were drawn over it with the Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker to make it look like the heart is in the cage! Isn't that a clever idea? I can't take credit for that. I saw the idea on a card being traded at the Leadership Conference but I don't know whose card it was.

Aviary is an amazingly versatile set. What else could you do with it? Of course, you could use it for a "happy anniversary" card with two birds in a cage, or an empty cage with a "miss you" message, but I wanted to try being a bit more creative than those so I came up with these ideas:

First, a retirement card:

or how about these:

for the friend who is mourning the last child moving out…

or, if she isn't mourning the last child moving out (that child might be 30 or so these days!)….

What other ideas would you use this set for? I just typed my own words on the computer to add to the cards.

I hope this gives you ideas of being playful and making creative cards out of the stamps you own!

I encourage you to make some creative cards for your own homemade Valentines and for many other occasions as well!

Be sure to check out Tuesday Techniques & Tips by checking on the tab in the right column!

Technorati Tags: Aviary, creative cards, creative cards for your own homemade Valentines, homemade Valentines, retirement cards, Valentine card ideas