Sunflowers & Dragonflies

Is There Really a Spring Out There?

Is there really a spring out there? Canada’s east coast is being hit with a huge snow storm as I write this, and just the other day it was lightly snowing outside my own door. Now rumour has it we can expect snow this June. Tell me they’re not serious!

With spring approaching, I created a spring-like card. Personally, I’m tired of the look of my cards and am trying so hard to have a different look. When I hear, “Beth, your cards look like you” I cringe. Am I that predictable? Yah, thought so.

These cuties were stamped and coloured when I got together with Michigan Shackies from the Stamp Shack. If you haven’t checked us out, what are you waiting for? We love new members. Irishchristine was busy working on 32 first communion invitations, Kimmy was making miniature 3-D flowers, Jennifer was trying her first quilling, Kathy was stamping like a mad woman (thanks for the brownies), and I was busy colouring these images. We try to get together every four to six weeks. Lots of fun and laughter for sure!

Stamp: Magenta; Paper Cool Caribbean, Pixie Pink; Prismacolour pencil crayons and OMS.

Hugs,
Beth

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Tutorial Tuesday – Dahlia Fold

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. While researching for tutorial ideas, I came upon the Dahlia fold (thanks Pat) which is new-to-me. When I was scrapbooking with my Stamp Shack friends, Christine said she just did these at her monthly card party, and Jennifer and Kimmy said they have been wanting to do these. I turned to my trusty Splitcoast Stampers for directions, and I discovered they just did these cards in one of their challenges just three weeks ago. I guess I’m the last one in on this well kept secret.! I hope this tutorial is helpful to those of you in the same boat as me. Enjoy!

Punch eight circles out. If you have double-sided paper, this would be a perfect way to use it. Fold each circle in half in the manner shown in the photo to the left.

Hand drawn lines will serve as a guide for your folds. You do not have to draw lines. My lines are drawn for tutorial purposes. Make your first fold along dash lines.

Here you can see the right side has been folded. You will do the same for the left side.

Your dahlia is well on it’s way, and you’re almost finished.

Flip your piece over. The lines that you see is where you are next going to fold. Fold right on the line.

When you fold along the line as above, your edge will meet the centre.

Fold your other side over in the same manner. Your petal is now complete. Punch a circle and place your petals in a circular fashion.

Your Dahlia is now finished. Embellishment ideas: Prima flowers, buttons, chipboard.

Finished card.

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Spring is right around the corner so I thought I’d try to help it along a little quicker. As it snows outside today, I wonder what kind of spring we are actually going to have.

Stamp: Hero Arts, Paper: Cool Carribean and SU DP, Prima flowers.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Stamping Hugs,
Beth

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Double Take Thursday – Basic Gray

It’s that time of week again–my favourite day of the week, and Double Take Thursday with Kim. My challenge for Kim this week was to use Basic Gray paper. The benefit of a having double take is for you to see how different cards can look with the same product. Kim’s elegant style shines, once again, with her pretty blue paper. This link will take you directly to Kim’s card. Thanks for playing along again, Kim.

This Gated Tag Card is a pattern that I took from the Technique Junkie Newsletter. You can have a look inside shortly.

Stamps used are from Baroque Motifs. They were embossed with The Artful Stamper’s Claret and Rose Quartz e.p. I must say that I am delighted with the quality of the e.p. It is much better than I have found in the past.

Designer paper is Basic Gray, and cardstock is Pixie Pink and Purly Pomegrante. Gems are from a craft store. They resemble Cool Caribbean, don’t you think? You probably know by now that I love Cool Caribbean.

Have yourself a great day. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamping Hugs,
Beth

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Fabulous Flowers–again

If there is one stamp set that I found so versatile to use it’s Fabulous Flowers. Look at those layers. It makes the flower so intriguing, don’t you think?

The small flowers were stamped with Adirondak’s Cranberry and SU Perfect Plum. The larger flower was stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with a dark plum. Each petal tip was inked with a VersaMark pen and embossed in gold. Jewels are from the dollar store, believe it or not.

Thanks for stopping by!

Beth

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I Have a Website

I am excited to share with you my new website. With many months of writing tutorials, and blogging, I decided it was time to kick it up a notch and start teaching in cities other than my own. There are long-term plans in the works, and provided all goes accordingly, I will have an announcement before summer.

To visit my blog click here.

Stamping hugs,
Beth

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Tutorial Tuesday – Post-It Note Holder

Welcome to Sunflowers and Dragonflies Tutorial Tuesday. You might wonder why I am posting a tutorial that has been around for ages. Well, I decided that it was time to dig out some popular older tutorials and dust the cobwebs off. With fresh new designs, designer papers, and new stampers, I thought it would benefit us all to revisit older tutorials. Believe it or not, this was my first ever attempt at making a post-it note holder. Can you believe that?!

Cut cardstock to size 7 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ and score at 3 1/2″ and 4″. It’s that simple. You are now ready to decorate your cover. When you adhere your post-it notes into your holder, glue the pad in place.

There are many ways to decorate your holder. To double-mat, cut the bottom mat 3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ and cut top mat 3″ x 3″. Top mat corners were cut with decorative scissors. Brads were placed into the bottom mat.

Why not add a sentiment? A colour choice, such as gold and brown, is perfect for that man in your life.

Have fun with your post-it note holder!

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Faux Cloisonne

Today’s challenge on Splitcoast Stampers is Faux Cloisonne. Doodle This works so well with this technique. All paper is Basic Grey.

Faux Cloisonne gallery.

Thanks for stopping by.

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I’ve Been Tagged

Ethel suprised me with this award last week. I’m always delighted to leave kind words on Ethel’s cards because she is so creative and inspiring. Thank you Ethel. I first knew Ethel when I was a regular visitor over at Two Peas in a Bucket, but when the Stamp Shack was established, I switched gears and became a regular visitor of the SS. If you love to rubber stamp, then the Stamp Shack is for you. There is an awesome gallery, and a friendly group of stampers who offer inspiration and support.

Bloggers who make my day are:

Kim, Running on Ink
Kim, Creative Diversions
Tami, Dapple Designs
Alex, California Stampin
Corie, Creations by Corie

These ladies are just a small number of ladies who continue to visit my blog and leave me comments, and when they do it makes my day. I wish I could list everyone, and feel sad that everyone isn’t listed, but please know your kind words do not go unnoticed.

As my good friend, Alex says,

Stampn Hugs,
Beth

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Spring Has Been Cancelled

As the wind and snow tore across the skies, in Sarnia this morning, crafters were in attendance at my spring tote class.

Why let a little snow get in the way of all this fun?

Pink purses were being put together with lots of fun and laughter.

Some are even talking about making more purses at home.

Cards were made for the inside of the tote. The background was created with watercolour crayons.

Some ladies were disappointed that their hair wasn’t done for my photo shoot, so I warned everyone that their hair needs to be done for every class as I’ll have my camera in hand–LOL.

This is what I came home to. Unfortunately I did a fully grocery order and hubby was out to his HAM radio class so I had to unload all those bags myself. You haven’t experienced real grocery shopping until you push your grocery cart through the unplowed snow with your eyes closed. Just keep peeking through your eyes every ten seconds to make sure you’re not running someone over or running into a car. The wind and snow in the face is so invigorating. So, my sister is busy coaching her son’s soccer team out on the fields in Mississippi this weekend. She doesn’t know what she’s missing being here with me–LOL.

This is the parking lot for my condo. Do you suppose it was the snow that made my mom and sisters move to the southern States 27 years ago?

This is why I like living in a condo. No grass to cut and no snow to shovel. Even my sidewalk is shoveled right up to the front door.

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