It's Strawberry Season

Well, technically, I guess strawberry season has passed. But not in my craft room.

I was inspired by a project I saw in the August issue of Stampin' Success, the magazine for Stampin' Up demonstrators, and an online tutorial for making strawberries using the Big Shot and a floral die. (If you're interested in becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator and getting amazing benefits like 20 percent off all your Stampin' Up products and great creative inspiration like Stamping Success, email me. You can pursue Stampin' Up as a business or sign up as a hobby demonstrator like me.)

I had to change things up just a bit since I don't have the Flower Folds die for my Big Shot. I used the Bigz Island Floral Die from Stampin' Up's Summer Occasions Mini catalog, and I think it worked out just fine.

These cards combine some great new and old Stampin' Up card stock, stamps, ink and tools with some other items that I had in my craft supplies stash. This proves just how versatile Stampin' Up products are. You can combine them with other goodies that you have.

For example, I embellished the Birthday Wishes Card with some red gingham ribbon that I've had for years and a denim brad I purchased at a discount store. I also used an eyelet border punch that I bought before I discovered Stampin' Up.

The card also uses the Square Lattice embossing folder and the Punch Windows Movers & Shapers die. I used Crumb Cake, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Night of Navy and Whisper White card stock and Cherry Cobbler ink. The stamp set is Occasional Quotes from the 2011 Stampin' Up catalog. The ribbon is a green polka dot from a set called Elementary.

On the second card, I used almost exclusively Stampin' Up products. The only exceptions are the strawberries and the flower. I embossed them using a swirly embossing folder purchased at a craft store.

This card uses Real Red, Whisper White and textured Soft Suede card stock, as well as some super-sweet polka dot designer series paper (retired). I stamped with Old Olive ink and used my Punch Windows die to make the scalloped oval with the sentiment.

I jazzed things up with some striped grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip (retired) and added a sweet little button to the flower. Again, I used the Occasional Quotes stamp set.

I just love these two yummy cards!