Double Embossing Technique & "the News"

This card shows off the double embossing technique. It's done by stamping your versamark pad onto the raised up image all over your embossing folder. Then your paper through the big shot like normal. Sprinkle embossing powder all over it and tap off excess. Heat with your embossing heat tool. I love this technique!
I used the Word Play stamp set since I thought of a wedding when I started using these colors. I used Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy. The paper is Pocket Full of Posies which is new! You can find all of these products on my website HERE.

I made this card for the CPS Card Sketch Challenge HERE. I love how simple the sketch is, but you can add many layers or dress it up however you want!



Sadly the news I have to share is not so "great" anymore. A couple months ago when we were about to say I do, we found out we were pregnant. I was very shocked that I could get pregnant to easily, we just thought it would take a while. It didn't:) But the baby wasn't meant to be and we lost it after 7 weeks. So, we know that God has a different plan for us and that's alright. We are trying again! We can't wait to be great parents, we are ready!

Thanks for stopping by!

Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for $99 + FREE Christmas Project Kit ($40 value!!)

I am SO excited because for the whole month of July, Stampin' Up! is running a GREAT promotion for new Demonstrators!!!

Sign up between now and July 31st, and the Starter Kit is only $99!!! If you were waiting for the right time to get started with Stampin' Up! either as a hobby Demonstrator or a Business one, now is the time!!

Here are some benefits of becoming a Demonstrator:
- A 20 percent product discount!
- A free monthly issue of Stampin' Success, Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine!
- Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
- Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
- Regular get-togethers to stamp!
- Free access to a community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
- In addition, you will be eligible for TWO FREE months of Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS)--including your own business website and Online Store, access to a blog, calendar, a monthly e-newsletter, project gallery, and e-cards--if you sign up within 21 days of becoming a demonstrator.


In your Christmas Kit, you will get:
The Christmas Keepsake Box Project Kit--a $40 value--contains the following products (quantities are 1 unless otherwise noted):

Pines & Poinsettias Set (wood-mount)
Keepsake box
Scallop borders (cut from Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die)
First Edition Designer Series Paper (3)
Holly Berry Designer Series Paper (6)
First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper strip (2)
Holly Berry Designer Series Paper piece*
Real Red Top Note (cut from Top Note Bigz Die)
Real Red Decorative Label (cut from Matchbook Bigz XL Die)
Wild Wasabi Card Stock strips (3)
Naturals Ivory Card Stock piece
Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Fabric*
Real Red 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim
Linen Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Champagne Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
Vanilla Pearl 1/2" Simply Adorned Bauble
Pearl Basic Jewels (1 pkg.)
Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons*
Large Wild Wasabi
Small Real Red
Mini Vintage Tags

So why wait?? Please contact me today if you are interested!!! You can sign up online at my website HERE or leave a comment or email me: sweetpiecesbymeATgmailDOTcom

Video - Quick Card Using Cheers To You by Stampin' Up!

Hi Everyone!!

A while ago I posted a card HERE and I made a video too but never posted it! Well, here is the video for this cute card using the Cheers to You stamp set and supplies by Stampin' Up!

And... if you didn't know, this stamp set is RETIRING! So, if you love it like I do, you'll want to order it by June 30!! It is wood mounted and only $17.95. (item#114944)
You can purchase these items at Stampin Up, and be sure to enter my name as your SU! Demonstrator, if you don't have one. (Charlene Becker) :o) Thank you!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: Basic Black, More Mustard, Whisper White
Ribbon: Black Taffeta 1/8"
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals, Harlequin Texture Plate

BBQ Punch Art Card for Father's Day

I was so excited when I saw this card on Inkspired Treasures! My dad is an avid Weber-user so I know he'll love it!

I just had to recreate it with my own touch. I made the BBQ with the 1-3/4" punch, cut in half and held together with a brad. The legs are the word window punch, one cut in half. The wheels are the 1/2" punch and a circle from a cropadile (or you can use a hole punch). I put a white dot in the middle using my white gel pen and used it for the dash accents on the grill. The handle is a 1/2" circle punch punched with the circle from itty bitty punch pack. The smoke is a flourish acrylic stamp I had (not sure from where), and I stamped with Versamark then used silver embossing powder. The background is the Backgrounds 1 texturz plates from SU. I used 2 square silver brads as accents on each corner and also punched 2 corners with the Ticket Corner punch from SU. The tag is the modern label punch and the word window punch by Stampin Up.

Hope you enjoy making this cute card! It would be great for a BBQ invitation or a 4th of July celebration (I can see it now in red/white/blue!)...I might make one of those just for fun!

Cardstock used:
Real Red
Basic Black
Whisper White
Sahara Sand
Basic Gray

Nail File Treat Bag! :)

I made this cute little treat bag for my 3-D Paper Crafts Class tomorrow night. The instructions can be found here at Splitcoast Stampers.
I thought it would be a nice change to insert a little goodie inside instead of candy or chocolate. I found a really cute 3-pack of mini nail files at Bath & Body Works. They fit perfectly inside and they are only $1.50 per pack (less if you have a coupon!)So it's a nice change to make something that doesn't add to the waistline but it's just as cute! ;)

The Paper Players Design Team Call

I love the Paper Players Challenge Blog because they use all Stampin Up products! Since I'm a SU demonstrator it's great to get ideas and use my supplies. I love to see all the beautiful cards using their challenges. So, I decided to try out for their Design Team, why not? :) I love Stampin Up and being creative and I think it will motivate me to create more cards and blog more! It sounds very exciting!

Wish me luck!

Mojo Monday Using Stampin Up Summer Mini

Hi Everyone!
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I was pretty happy about Stampin Up's new Summer Mini as there are a couple of cute stamp sets that I love and they are versatile! I love them all but particularly The Open Sea on page 9 and Fabulous Florets on page 22-23. And check out those gorgeous matching design papers on page 8 and 23! I can also see a nice 4th of July card using those blues and reds from the Nautical Expedition DSP.

Today I'm sharing a card with you that I created for the wonderful challenge over at Mojo Monday. Here is the sketch:

I used a layering of my stamp technique by stamping the flower 3 times. Then I cut away some of the petals on each one. I used dimensionals to stick them all together and it gets a cute 3-D layered effect.
I love this stamp set and DSP, it's such bright, happy colors! Here is my card...


Also, I'm getting married in only 23 more days!! I'm so excited. I also have some GREAT news, which I can't share with everyone yet, but I will SOON.

Have a lovely day!
Charlene xoxo