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Sunday, June 29, 2008

Stampendous Blooms


Good morning,

Here are the cards that I designed for yet one more Card Making Class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile..

I just LOVE this big bold flower stamp!! I think it is so versatile!!

First card: Stamped the flower, colored it with re-inker and then added stickles. Simple card, but looks quite stunning in real life..

Second card: Used gold metallic paper on the front of the card. Heat embossed flowers on colored cardstock, cut them out and arranged on the front of the card, greeting is heat embossed as well. Punched the corner out of black cardstock and added dots with the Gold Zig painty.

Third card: Stamped flower, cut it out and added stickles. Cut out the stem by hand and added ribbon (for the leaves). Pierced blue layer.

This class is scheduled for:
Tuesday, July 22 from 11-2
Thursday, July 24 from 11-2 or 5-7:30

To sign up for the class, please call Cranberry Hill Mercantile at (408) 736-9151.

:) Irina

Edited to add...
The flower stamps used on these cards are from Stampendous, the "Happy Birthday" sentiment on the first card is from Printworks, the "have a Fabulous Birthday" sentiment on the second card is from Hero Arts, the "thank you" sentiment on the third card is from Stampendous..

Thursday, June 26, 2008

A*Muse*A*Palooza Make-and-Take

OK, I am not really Amuse kind of girl, I love this clear stamp set with the birds though.. I am pretty sure I've told you already and most likely you've noticed that from my recent cards as well, I am soooo into birds this year!!

Isn't this just ADORABLE?!


I created this project for the A*Muse*A*Palooza event at Cranberry Hill Mercantile that will be happening on the second week of July. It will be the whole week even, and there will be different things going on every day.

I will have everything pre-cut and pre-scored, and the ladies will put together this adorable "purse" and three cards. There will be two color choices available, blue and green.

The purse is made out of one sheet of 8.5" x 11" cardstock. All paper and stamps are from Amuze. I used paper ribbon from Daisy Bucket for the handles and put two dew drops on each side of the handle. I love-love-love the dew drops!!

Isn't it a great gift idea? It would look great on your or your recipient's desk!! And, when you send the cards out, use the "purse" as a pen/pencil holder (yes, it is sturdy enough!!) or find some other uses for it.

If you live near Cranberry Hill Mercantile, stop by to make one or more :-) . Your choice of blue or green color "purse".

Tuesday, July 8th 3 pm to 5:30 pm
Wednesday, July 9th 11 am to 4 pm

Please call the store at (408) 736-9151 to sign up, quantities are limited!!

For more information about A*Muse*A*Palooza event please visit store's blog, click here.

:) Irina

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Birds Galore Card Class


Here are the cards that I designed for the Card Class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. You already saw one of the cards that I posted a few days ago.

At the class, we will make six cards (two of each design) with coordinating envelopes.

This class is scheduled for:
Tuesday, July 8 from 11-1:30
Thursday, July 10 from 11-1:30 or 5-7 pm

Please call Cranberry Hill Mercantile at 408-736-9151 to sign up. Space is limited!!

:) Irina


Tilda at the Beach..

I was going to wait to make a card with this adorable Tilda until I would get the Sand Castle stamp.. But when I saw this shimmery printed paper by Heidi Grace Designs, I knew I just had to..

I kept the layout simple to showcase the paper as well as let Tilda stand out. It is actually the same layout that I had as my Sketch Challenge last week :) ..

I stamped Tilda on the white cardstock, colored her with Copic markers, cut her out, added Stickles to her wings and then added Crystal Effects to the Inner Tube.

I did pretty much the same with the fish.. after I colored them with Copics, I also added the dots with my Gold Zig Painty to the scales. Then I covered fish with Crystal Effects.

To make the "sand" I tore metallic Copper paper and then layered it. I got the idea of having one of Tilda feet in the "sand" from one of Claudia's cards. I think it is just so ADORABLE!!!

I made "clouds" on the background behind Tilda with my homemade template.

I punched corners with the Ticket Corner punch and added brown Dew Drops. I also added orange Dew Drops to Tilda's ponytails.

Did you know that if you buy clear dew drops, you can make them any color with your Copic Markers? Just add the color to the bottom (flat side) of the dew drop, and you got a dew drop in the color that you need. Pretty cool, huh!?

I took a few photos of this card to show you all the shine and shimmer , hope you can see it..

Here are the names of the stamps used on this card: JU07 Tilda Badar and JU07 Fiskar (those are the fish, and there are three separate stamps).

All supplies (stamps, paper, Copic markers, Dew Drops, etc) are available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile.

:) Irina

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Simply Birds Galore



I fell in love with the Birds Galore clear stamp set from Inkadinkado a long time ago.. Finally, I got my hands on it!!

This is the first card that I made with this stamp set. I decided to start with the simple one.

I just brayed color from the Pumpkin Patch Spectrum ink pad and then stamped two images from the Birds Galore set. The first one is the large one with the various birds flying.. This one was stamped with the Spectrum ink pad as well, I wanted it to kind of blend into the background. The main image (my favorite one from the set!!) was stamped with black Stazon ink.

I brayed the same Spectrum ink on the scrap piece of paper and punched out three flowers. Added them to the card and placed rhinestones in the center.

Simple card, but I like it!!

:) Irina

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Tri-fold Happy Bees - Card 2

So here is the second "Happy Bees" card for my new Card Making Class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. At this class we will making tri-fold cards.


All the stamps except the greeting on the inside of the card are from Stampendous. The greeting inside of the cards is from Hero Arts.

Black scalloped circle and the bright pink circle were cut with Nestabilites. I outlined the scallops on the black circle with the gold side of the Zig Painty pen.

Added color to bees and the flower with Copic markers.

I cut out the flower that the bees are holding, put a black brad in the center and raised it on pop-up dot.

There are stickles on bees' wings..

All supplies used on this card are available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile .

:) Irina

Friday, June 20, 2008

Winner of the 10K Blog Candy


First of all I want to thank everyone who participated. Thank you so much for all your sweet comments!! For those of you who took time to make cards with my sketch, thank you times two!!

I wrote down the names and had my husband pull one.. Look at the photo below for the name..


Congratulation Vicky!! Please email me and I will arrange the "delivery" ;) .

Thanks again to everyone, let's do it again.. now at 20,000!!

:) Irina

Tri-fold Happy Bees - Card 1




This is one of the cards for my new Card Making Class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. At this class we will making tri-fold cards.

I created this card using the Joy Fold. Please see photos below for the open view of the card.


I stamped flowers on the pink, blue and white layers with the coordinating ink colors using the Flower Cube from Stampendous. The bees on the front of the card, the bee on the front of the envelope and the sentiment inside of the card, are all from Stampendous as well.

The flowers corners were done using the Cuttlebug die-cut.

The bees were colored with my Copic Markers.

I am working on the second card for this class, and will share it with you within a couple of days.


Don't forget, there are only a few hours left to enter into my 10K raffle!! Hurry!! For details click here.

:) Irina

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Do you think that I don't like pastel colors???


I made this card in honor of those people who think that I am totally against pastel colors. Just to prove them wrong!!!

Just kidding.. hehehe...

It is true, I do tend to make more cards in brown tones.. I fell in love with this paper by Imaginisce though, it even has glitter on it already. So very pretty!!! I don't know if you'll be able to see the glitter on the paper, try to enlarge the photo above by clicking on it..

Now, since I wanted to showcase this pretty paper, I made a really big card.. I just folded 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of cardstock in half.

Of course I just had to use some of my new stamps from Magnolia, so I made the scene with the Summer Background stamp and also used this cutest sitting Tilda that I just bought yesterday!! Everything was colored with Copic Markers.

I sat Tilda on the blue ribbon with those adorable glass pebbles (got them yesterday from Cranberry Hill Mercantile!!).

Layered different size flowers and put colored brads in the centers.

There are stickles on the clouds, of course!!


On the inside layer for the card, I tried to replicate the flowers from the decorative paper. I first stamped the swirl in light green color, then with my Copic Markers hand drew the flowers. I did the same on the envelope.

I am very pleased how this card has turned out. It just so pretty (if I can say so myself ;-) ).

All supplies used on this card are available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile..

P.S. Don't forget about my Blog Candy and the Sketch Challenge.. You have until this Friday to enter into the raffle.. Click here for details..

:) Irina

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Tilda with Watercan - Revised...



I don't know what is is with me lately.. I will make a card, then keep on looking at at it and then will decide that I can do better..

This is the case with the card that I made just a few days ago, Tilda with watercan. I thought that Tilda in the circle looked kind of lonely even with the ladybug by her side. So, here is my "revised" version.

I kept the same layout, colors and most of the paper. I changed the colors of the paper behind the red scallop circle. I created a little scene behind Tilda: added Fence (SO08 Shabby Chic Fence from Magnolia) and made the clouds in the sky with my handmade cloud template.

I like this version SO MUCH better!! Now I am off to make some NEW cards ;-) .

:) Irina

P.S. Don't forget about my Blog Candy and the Sketch Challenge.. Details in the post below..

Sunday, June 15, 2008

10K Blog Candy and Sketch Challenge

It seems like it was just recently that I had a 5K Blog Candy, and now I am getting close to 10K!! I am so excited!! Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to come and visit my blog!! Thank you so much for all your kind comments, I love-love-love reading them!!

Here is what I have for the Blog Candy this time.. Two boxes (larger one with the flower on the lid and the small round one with the Birthday cake on the lid), the tag book from K and Company, various embellishments and the ribbon. There are also two clear stamps sets, one is from Hero Arts and another one is by Stampendous. I will even ship internationally!!

Now, to participate, simply leave a comment under this post with your suggestions and/or comments about my blog.

To receive two entries in the raffle, create the card using the Sketch below and upload it to your blog or onto Splitcoast (if you upload your card onto Splitcoast, please put EPCSC2 in the keyword section). Then leave a comment under this post with the link to your card.

Or, just simply email me the photo of the card and post your comment under this post. And, I will enter you into the raffle with two entries.

This Sketch is for the square card, but you can make it any size you prefer..


To see the sample card that I created using this sketch, click here.

You have until next Friday, June 20th to enter. I will draw the name at around 8 pm PST.

:) Irina

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Tilda with Watercan


I love-love-love my new Tilda stamps!!!

Here is one more card, I made it today... Square card (again ;-) ), measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4". I wanted this card to be bright and cheerful.

Both circles were cut and embossed with Nestabilites, the image was colored with Copic markers. I added brads to Tilda's shirt and colored them with red Copic marker since I didn't have any red brads on hand. I added highlights to Tilda's boots and the watercan with the white gel pen. I used a watercan stamp from Magnolia to make a coordinating envelope. Lady Bug and Flower embellishments are by Jollee's.

This Tilda stamp is called Tilda med vattenkanna. All supplies (cardstock, paper, stickers, Copic markers and stamps) are available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile.

:) Irina

Friday, June 13, 2008

Window Tilda

Well, today I had a chance to ink my new Tilda stamps. Fun-fun-fun!!!

On this card I tried to create a room scene with the window and Tilda in front of it. The window stamp is by Whipper Snapper. I made the scallops on the "curtain" by using a corner rounder with the removed guide. "Curtain" was raised on the pop-up dots. I also rounded the two corners on the right side of the card.


Tilda was stamped and then cut out. I stamped the image the second time, colored and cut out just the teddy bear. On the last picture, I was trying to show you that the bear's top arm is glued on, but there are pop-up dots under his feet. Tilda has also been popped up.

All images were colored with Copic markers, I just can't get enough of them..

There are stickles (of course!!) on the clouds and Tilda's wings. I used Zig Painty pen to add gold dots on the inside of the holes on the "curtain", for the centers of the flowers, on the bear's nose and on Tilda's shoes.

The printed paper is from Daisy Bucket and is double sided. I used both sides of the paper on this card (the flowers and the stripes). This paper also has a very nice texture that reminds me of the wall paper. Very cool!!

The card measures 6" x 6".

All the stamps and paper used on this card are available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. This Tilda stamp is from the Easter and Spring 2007 collection, and is called VA07 Tilda med Nalle.


Edited to add... After looking at the photos of the card, I realized that there was something missing in the top right corner.. So I made a "frame" with the greeting and "nailed" it to the "wall"with the gold brad. Now I feel the card looks so much better and complete!!

What do you think?


Till tomorrow..

:) Irina

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Tilda Stamps are available NOW!!!

If you love Tilda as much as I do, you will be delighted to know that our first order from Magnolia has arrived last night!! Please stop by Cranberry Hill or give them a call (408-736-9151) to purchase your favorite Tilda, Edwin and accessories stamps. They are going FAST!!!


I got a few last night and can't wait to get to play with them.. I am teaching a class today, and two classes tomorrow, so probably won't get much of the stamping time. I want at least try to make time to stamp a few images and color them.

One of the stamps that I got is Tilda with the inner tube. Every time I look at her, she makes me smile :) I already have an idea for the card...


:) Irina

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Chalkboard Flowers



I just love the Chalkboard technique, it is super easy with the amazing results.

This technique works the best with the solid image stamps, you'll not get the full effect from the outline images. These flower stamps by Penny Black worked out great! Also, it's best to stamp on the dark color cardstock.

Just stamp your image with the white craft ink, then add the color using chalk with the daubers. To remove the chalk dust from the unwanted areas, use Swiffer Duster sheet to swip it off. That's it!! Since the chalk adheres to the ink, there is no sealant required!! Super easy!!

I don't know if you can tell from the photos, but I added some stickles to the images.

To stamp on the light cardstock, use your Versamark ink instead of the white craft ink and daub on the color with chalks. I did that on my envelopes and on the white layer inside of the cards.

Background stamp and the greetings are from Stampin' Up.

:) Irina

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Christmas in June?


Well, I designed these cards earlier, but will be teaching a class in July (for Christmas in July :-) ) at Cranberry Hill Mercantile..

I rarely use my Cricut for card making, this is one of those times. I love-love-love this cute reindeer from the Christmas Cheer cartridge. I use it a lot on my Christmas theme scrapbook pages.

The Christmas tree was cut with the same cartridge and then dry embossed with the Cuttlebug Swirls embossing folder. Buttons from my stash for the "ornaments".

Patterned paper is from Basic Grey. I don't know if you can tell from the pictures, the reindeer and the star on the tree are cut from Gold metallic cardstock from Bazzil.

Are you ready to start on your Christmas cards??

:) Irina

Saturday, June 7, 2008

"Bath Time" Scrapbook Layout

Paper from Basic Grey is my long time favorite. See the paper in the middle of the layout with the big dots? It is actually the paper from one of the Christmas collections, and those dots are suppose to be snowballs.. I just thought they also look like bubbles ;).


The "rubber" duckies look so real, I just love how they are shiny with the sparkles inside, CUTE-CUTE-CUTE. The title was cut with Tear Drop cartridge on my Cricut machine.

I will be teaching a class on this layout at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. Tentative date for this class is Tuesday, June 24th from 11 am to 1:30 pm.

This layout is available for sale in my Ebay Store, click here.

:) Irina

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Coaster Album - Photo Frame



There is an event that will be going on this Saturday at Cranberry Hill Mercantile from 11 am till 4 pm. It's called "What's in the Box" to celebrate a new release of stamps and paper from Memory Box.

I've designed these little chipboard coaster albums - photo frames for a "Make-and-Take". Each album consist of three chipboard coasters that are held together by the ribbon. On the first photo you can see three different designs of the closed albums. The second photo shows the open view of the one in the middle. And, yes, that is me and my DH on the photos :-) .

Reservation for this event is not required, just stop by at any time between 11 am and 4 pm. However, if you have a color preference and would like one (or more ;) ) to be saved for you, please call store at 408-736-9151 to sign up.
The cost of the project is $7.00 and you can make as many as you like (until we run out..) .

I also designed these simple cards for the sample board with the new stamps and paper from Memory Box. There will be a FREE "Make-and-Take" for some of these cards during the event.


Oh, and there also will be a drawing for a "mystery" box with $200 in stamping products in it!!

For more information about "What's in the Box" event, please visit store's blog here.

:) Irina