In case you are new to stamping, there is no such thing as plagiarism (copying someone else's work and taking credit for it.) unless you copy someone else's work and try to take credit for it or a profit, that is very bad.    If you like something that someone else has done, it's actually a compliment if they are copied.  In the stamping industry it's called C.A.S.E. (Copy And Share Everything).  Well in the instance of this card, the original was made by a talented stamper, who I believe is also a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  Her name is Katrina Carlington.  I happened across her card on a yahoo group I am subscribed to.  Anyway, I really liked how she did hers and I had to make one of my own!

Katrina's version can be located at:  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StampinUpLNStampers/photos/album/2032025268/pic/1409999250/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

Lavender Fields
This card was made with the Top Note Die and the Big Shot, Warm Words for the "Wonderful" Sentiment, Herb Expressions for the Lavender flower art, Old Olive Brads, Stampin Up Designer paper, ribbon, and the slit punch.  I Cut Whisper White and Old Olive with the Top Note die, the whisper white, I cut around the faux stitched border of the Top Note die, which leaves a perfect indentation of 1/8th of an inch, perfect for matting different colored paper to enhance the shape of the top note.  I distressed the whisper white paper with Old Olive to soften it and help blend it in with the other colors.  Along with Old Olive paper and ink, Elegant Eggplant paper and ink was also used in this project..  The sentiment on the inside of the card reads:  "May happiness touch your life today as warmly as you have touched the lives of others.  (I just love that sentiment!)

Matter of Moments
Elements of Style is a new stamp set you can find in the new Summer Mini that lasts through Aug 31 of this year.  I love the versatility of this set as it has flowers, a filigree swirl, a hummingbird, and 2 different sentiments.  This card was made with Always Artichoke and Lovely Lilac.  I filled in the color with ink and my Aqua Painter (not sure how I survived not having it before).  I like the element of softness the Stampin Up Velvet ribbon added.

Butterfly Meadow
This card was created with the new Watercolor Trio set from the new Summer Mini Stampin Up catalog.  Other items used were the Itty Bitty Buttons, Itty Bitty stamp set, and Itty Bitty punches.  It was a lot of work for 1 little button, but once completed it looks custom and just adorable!  I also used the Embosslit Beautiful Wings die (a hot selling item though it was listed in the Spring Mini that is no longer effective, the die is stilil available.   I did some Stamp offing and used Cameo Coral and Sage Shaddow markers for the ink.

Here we have it!  This is my first official post in my blog on my new website!  I feel like a young adult who has just acquired a new apartment.  No furniture to sit on, pictures on the walls, or even toilet paper!  LOL  But you have to start somewhere, right?!

Give me time, I will slowly build and rearange things where & I how I want them.  My first priority, however, are my cards.  Most of the cards I create are sent off to our Soldiers in Iraq.  If you are interested in joining this endeavor, please email me at [email protected] until I am able to set up a "contact me" link.

Stop in from time to time and check out what i've done with the place!  I look forward to hearing from you!

In time the Blog will be used for adding my cards as I do them.  I may also include little blurbs about how the card was made or any stories associated with the card.

Blessings & Happy Stamping!

~§hawnie®