An invitation to Play Cards FROM a Friend!!

I was delighted by an invitation from a friend to Play Cards - yes, it can work this way, too!  

Shirley Bampton a.k.a. Shirley B's Stamping Stuff,  and The Bee's Knees, designs sets for Stamplorations.  I once used her fun Poinsettia set for a split-four technique, in a much different, non-Christmas way - perhaps you'll remember it?  If not you can see it here.  Shirley loved it so much that she made her own - it caused quite a bit of shopping I hear!  Yay!

Shirley invited me to play with another of her sets - yes, please!  We only wish we could do it in the same place!  

We're using The Bee's Knees: Carved Flowers today - totally reminds me of 'potato stamping' in elementary school.   Stamplorations, and Shirley have done all the work for us!

Shirley - at your suggestion:  using slimline style -  I've made four slimline minis - this is my 6.5 x 11 inch panel - you'll see that I've scored it to indicate my sections:

 Split, and mounted:

And a closer look at each, with the inks used:

I masked the edge of this panel so I could use these large petals without carry over to its neighbor.

Most of these sentiments are in the set!  So fun!

This sentiment above comes from another Stamplorations' set called 

Bloomfully: thankful.  

You might remember it from my IB Mother's Day card?

Shirley I had such a wonderful time with your wonderful Carved Flowers!  All the petals, and leaves are perfect for making all the custom blooms a girl could ever want!  Thank you so much for inviting me to play cards with you!

I'm coming over  - and bringing all my friends with me - right ladies?!  OH btw, Shirley is highlighting her makes at Stamplorations, too - you'll find them here.

Thanks for stopping by today - and for leaving a comment!  It means the world!

=]  Michele

Start with a grateful heart ...

When I want to jumpstart my creativity, it's always helpful to start with a grateful heart!  While I'm at it, why not use one of the new stamp sets I have waiting in the wings?  

Here's how I did it... starting with a full 8.5x11" piece of Neenah 110# cardstock, and this fab prize I won from Shirley Bampton's guest spot at Christmas Kickstart.  It's her Layered Poinsettias - truly The Bee's Knees!

I'm always surprised when I open Stamplorations stamps.  Why?

Because the graphics are smaller than the actual stamps, that's why!

and I love it!  Today, I imagined Shirley's Poinsettias as 

any flower that might grow in the garden - in these fun CP ink colors:

I started with an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of Neenah 110# cardstock

that I'd scored at 4.25" and 5.5"

Then cut 4 A2 panels, and added four sentiments from The Stamp Market's Lovely Labels, in Versafine Onyx Black ink.  After mounting them onto four card bases, here are the results:

I just love how they turned out!!  Thanks, so very much Shirley for this wonderful prize - and for turning my frown upside down today! xo

=]  Michele