Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Split Coast Stampers

My friend told me about an awesome website for stampers. It is called Split coast stampers. Make sure you have some time to look at the website before you go to it because it sucks you in.  My favorite part of the site is that you can look up different card ideas based on the stamp sets used. The same friend who told me about the site is letting me use some of her Stampin Up stamp sets. One of them is Loads of Love and I am so excited about all the ideas I got from the Split Coast Stampers site for this stamp set.  The site also has wonderful tutorials. Check it out. You won't be disappointed. 

This card isn't a recent creations but I love the fresh bold colors. I have been making a lot of cards lately to sell but after I make them and price them and put them in my inventory spreadsheet and put them in their packaging sometimes I forget about taking a picture.  This will have to tide you over until I make another batch and take pictures.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Success!

I can't believe it! I am so excited to report that in one week of having a card display at the Village Office Supply in Miami Lakes, I sold.....15 cards!  Now I know I probably won't sell that many consistently since this week was one of the biggest card giving holidays. I am mostly just excited that 15 people thought my cards were worth money and they liked them. Hurray!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Greeting Card Display Case

I needed something to display my cards on in the Village Office Supply Store. I wanted something that could hold as many cards as possible. There were some wire racks on sale online but with shipping it was too pricy for me.  My wonderful husband made me one. I took pictures while he was doing it so other people might be able to replicate it pretty easily.

HINT! Pre drill the holes for the nails. Then put the nails in. It makes it easier. It is also good to use wood glue to put the pieces together before drilling or nailing.
Supply List:
2 x 4 x 1/4 inch piece of ply wood(for panels)
1in x 3in x 8ft (for sides. only use 4 ft)
1in x 2in x 8ft (for legs and strip in the front)
wood glue
drill
hammer
nails
screws

If you have any questions you can email me at briellekennington@gmail.com I'll probably have to ask my husband for the answer but I'll get back to you :)

Friday, February 10, 2012

Greeting card display case

My wonderful husband built this for me. It is now set up at the village office supply in Miami lakes.

DIY Valentines Day Card


This card is made with paint swatches. I used a 1 inch punch and a flower punch. I also used a $1.00 Valentines Day stamp pack from Joanns and a pink brad. 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

I love You


I'm actually not very pleased with how this top card turned out. I just wanted to show you that not everything I try turns out very nice. I used my scalloped punch for the embellishments.I think it would have turned out nicer if I didn't ink the embossed cardstock. Oh well...live and learn.


I used a paint swatch for the bottom card. I embossed a piece of white cardstock. Then I punched three holes in it with my scallop punch. Then I placed it over the paint swatch and backed the whole thing in black cardstock. I used die cut letters for the i and u. I stamped the heart in the middle.

After doing so many Valentines Cards I am convinced that I would like to invest in a heart punch.  Leave me a comment if there are any you would recommend.



Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Messages of Love


I was thinking of love letters when I came up with the design for this card. I used my cuttlebug embossing folder for the background. I rubbed black ink on the embossed part to give it more definition. Then I made a little envelope and glued it to the front of the card.


Next I stamped my Love sentiment and inked the edges. I added an eyelet and some bakers twine and brads for more embellishment. The cardstock with the love sentiment can be pulled out of the little envelope. 


I love this card because of the depth and all the different texture. We'll see if other people like it. All the Valentines Day cards I have been making are at the Village Office Supply store in Miami Lakes, FL. The next time I go in with a batch of cards I'll take a picture of the display. 

Monday, February 6, 2012

Tired of Red and Pink yet?


I wanted to do something that wasn't red or pink for this next Valentines Day card.  I think it was a success. It looks romantic to me.


Love...Love Me Do


Love, love me do. You know I love you. I'll always be true. So please.....love me do. Anyone else like that song? That is what I was humming when I made this card. It was my second attempt at head embossing. I think it turned out nice. I love all the textures. The stamp came in a Valentines set for $1.00 at Joanns. 


Valentine Treats

You have to try this recipe! This is a wonderful treat for the sweetie in your life. I got this recipe from my sister Alycia. She is the cookie master. The icing recipe is my own. 


No Fail Sugar Cookies:
3 cups flour
1.5 tsp baking powder
1 cup butter (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla and almond extract. Mix well. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add dry mixture a little at a time to butter mixture. Mix until flour is completely incorporated and dough comes together.  Chill for 1 to 2 hours.

Roll to desired thickness and cut into desired shapes. Bake on un-greased baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until just beginning to turn brown around the edges. This recipe can make up to 3.5 dozen 3" cookies.


Butter Cream Icing:
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
1/2 crisco
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (use clear if you are worried about the color)
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp butter extract
1 T Meringue powder
1 lb SIFTED Powdered Sugar
2-4 T water or milk

The icing should always be mixed on low speed so you don't get too many air pockets. You should also use your batter attachment instead of the whisk. The whisk adds air and you won't get the smooth look you want for this recipe.  Mix butter and crisco. Add flavorings and Meringue powder. Add sifted powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Mix until combined. Add 1 T of water at a time until you get the consistency you want. Add coloring. I use Wilton coloring it doesn't add a funky taste or mess up the consistency of the icing.


When you ice the cookies make sure they are completely cool or it will melt the icing.  I used a tapered spatula to ice the tops. You can add sprinkles if you want. I had fun letting my three year old son add them. He is generous with the sprinkles :)

Easy DIY Valentines Day Cards

Noticing a theme lately? I just can't help myself. Love is in the air...red and white and pink candy and cards are on the shelves. The Miami Street Vendors' arms are full of flowers.  Here are some cards that are easy to do. They both use paint swatches.


I used paint chips and a 1 inch punch for the circles.


The heart is made from a paint swatches. I just cut it out free hand with scissors. The letters are from my cuttlebug. If you don't have cardstock letters you could just print it right onto the cardstock with a printer.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Cherish Valentine Card



I used the same layout for these two Valentines Day Cards. I embossed the white cardstock and then rubbed red ink onto the raised sections on the red card. On the First card I used a Q-tip and Chalk to get different colors on the different sections of embossed paper.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Valentines Day Card

I got the idea for this card on pinterest. I tried to find the original artist. I believe THIS is the website.

Valentines Day is coming up! I love Valentines day. I know some people say that it is all commercial and you don't need a day to tell you to be romantic but I love any occasion for my husband and I to celebrate our love.


This is a square card. I ended up making a matching envelope for it. I used quick dry crafting glue for the buttons.  I also used the Sew Easy paper piercer to do the stitching on the border. 

Here is another variation of this same card.


I like the red buttons better but I didn't have enough to make another one. The buttons are from my button jar. Some of them were my Mother-in-law's and are over 20 years old. Thanks Patty!

I also have some great news. The Local shipping/office supply store will be selling my cards! I'm really excited. I made up some cards and showed them to the owner and he said he wanted to put a display on the counter. I will be figuring out a way to display them.  If you have any ideas leave me a comment.