mama elephant - party recap and release in review

Hi all!  I'm guest posting for Mama Elephant's blog today, sharing some wonderful memories of the party we had last weekend to celebrate Mama Elephant's 2nd anniversary as well as some cards I made using Mama Elephant's newest products.

The anniversary party took place at the Westbeth Artist Housing and Center for the Arts in the NYC, and folks braved the rain to be part of such a special event.  We had one "make and take" table, which was full of crafters before the party even officially started, and by one hour in, we had spilled over to 4 full tables.

We had a chance to play around with Mama Elephant's newest products.  It was lovely to see everyone's creations, from sparkly tags and holiday cards to neon backgrounds using Mama Elephants new ink pads.

In the house that day: cardmakers, scrapbookers, parents, children, folks who had traveled great distances, people new to crafting.  It didn't matter how long you had been crafting, the atmosphere was warm and friendly, and we all just had a great time together.

My friend, Gary, came to join the fun.  This was the first card he ever made.  I'm so proud of him:)

Some were even lucky and won raffle prizes: gift certificates to spend in the pop-up store that the Mama Elephant staff set up for us.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the mamas behind Mama Elephant are pretty incredible.  They are so thoughtful with their product design and are committed to making quality products for their growing fan base (Mama Ele-fans?).  Stamp sets are compatible with each other and can be stretched for so many occasions, their aesthetic is cute, classy, and consistent, and there's just so much joy in their products.  More than that, Kryssi and Angela are two of the most fun, down to earth, talented, smart, and humble people I know.  When there are so many places where we can spend money, I choose to support a business where they people behind it respect and appreciate their customers and are just good people.

Congratulations to the mamas, Kryssi and Angela!  Happy 2nd Anniversary from your Mama Ele-fans!!!

We had a fantastic 3-day Stampede last week that showcased all of the new products in the most recent release.  But, you know we can never get enough of Mama Elephant goodness, right?!?  So, I put together some cards and would love to share with you.

Using Arctic Penguins, Season's Greetings, Jolly and Merry, and Boutique Borders.

Using Alpine Carolers (stamps and creative cuts) and Season's Greetings.

Using Block Party and Peace on Earth

Using Borderlines Trio and Thanks Script 

And, the last set of cards feature the "Happy Everything" stamp set and creative cut, free with purchase of over $100 (to get stamp set) or $150 (to get stamp set and creative cut).  

That's it for me!  Thank you for checking out this long blog of loads o' photos.  I hope you can see just how excited many of us are about Mama Elephant's anniversary and new release.  Congrats again, Kryssi and Angela.  To many more years of Mama Elephant goodness!

avery elle challenge #14 - sequins

When I was in high school, my friends and I pulled a "prank" where we cut out a bunch of paper snowflakes, wrote inspiring, positive messages on them and then taped them to every locker in the school.  We didn't sign our names, just spread some good cheer anonymously.  This card I made reminds of the well wishes and heart behind that prank.  A simple, no-need-for-an-occasion, card to say hello.

I'm entering this into the Avery Elle Challenge, where we have to use sequins in our project.

Funny thing is I had every intention on making this a masculine card.  I first choose the colors for the chevrons, die cut and glued them on.  Then I lost control...added hearts, a sparkly sentiment, and then the sequins.  Even though the sequins are navy and metal/grey to match the masculine chevrons, I think this just shows how I have absolutely no self-control.  Haha!

Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:
Stamps: Avery Elle Modern Leaves; Red and Goldie
Dies: Chevron Border
Other: sequins, colored cardstock

you're a star

This card is dedicated to all the 80s babies out there.  If you were a child of the 80s, chances are you once rocked a bowl cut.  And baby, you're a star!

Cue music: Prince's Baby, I'm a Star from 1982:)  I'm submitting this card into the CAS(E) this Sketch challenge.

I'm not sure how this happened, but somehow the glitter mist was sprayed in a way that looks like its coming right out of the Aquarius girl's pot of water.  Super-cool! 

I love Mama Elephant's zodiac themed stamp sets Cosmic Stars and Starry Night so much.  When I received them a few months ago (before I started blogging), I completed an entire zodiac birthday collection.  Now that I have a platform for sharing through this blog, I'm happy to present my work...

Love the little Sagittarius:)

And the Libra...such a diva!

I'm a Gemini myself, so the little twins are one of my faves, too.

I was happy with how the Pieces turned out...little fishies breaking out of their tank.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies for "You're a Star":

Cards: Mama Elephant Cosmic Stars, Starry Night

Inks: Memento (tuxedo black); Tim Holtz (dusty concord)

Other: Mister Huey's color mist (blizzard), Martha Stewart glitter, enamel accents

hey there

Here's another card that I'm sending to my friend, Junard, in the Philippines.  It will be entered into the Runway Inspired Challenge.  My first entry can be found here.

The photo inspiration...

 

I really like the black, grey, yellow combo -- it feels smart and sophisticated, and appropriate if you want to give a  masculine card.  I've been thinking about just continuing with the color scheme until I have a nice set of coordinated cards to send overseas.  Here's my start to that collection...

Thanks for taking a look:)

Supplies:
Stamps: WPlus9 Sweets and Treats
Inks: Hero Arts (wet cement)
Other: patterned paper, sequins, enamel accents

hello x 3

I'm making more cards to send to my friend, Junard, in the Philippines.  Next to thank you cards, I also think you can never have to many just because cards...you know, the ones that simply say hey, or hello, or in this case hello, hello, hello:)

This card will be submitted into the 10 Minute Craft Dash hosted by Pretty Pink Posh.  Since this week's challenge is being sponsored by Lawn Fawn, I decided to use the Lawn Fawn circle dies and one of my favorite Lawn Fawn stamp sets, Flying By.  It will also be entered into the Lawnscaping Challenge.

    

I'm actually not sure if the color of my sun matches the yellow (or is it light brown?) that was assigned to us, but it's all I got!  Hope it passes!



I finished the card in 9 minutes and 48 seconds.  I would've finished a lot sooner, but I was trying to fix a glitter brush accident...that glitter glob by the paper airplane shouldn't be there, so clearly I didn't succeed.

At least this card is better than my first attempt in the craft dash.

Hehehe!  It's good to laugh at ourselves every once in a while, right?



Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Lawn Fawn Flying By; Papertrey Ink Hello Sunshine
Inks: Stampin' Up (bashful blue, soft suede, crumb cake); Tim Holtz (wild honey)
Die: Lawn Fawn Flying By Lawn Cuts, Circle Stackables; My Favorite Things Flat Bottom Cloud
Other: Wink of Stella Glitter Brush (clear)

10 minute craft dash #24

My nephew, Kainoa, starts his first day of college tomorrow and I couldn't be a prouder auntie.  He is an aspiring baker/restaurateur and is holding down a part-time job at a bakery while attending classes.  Such a good kid...ahem, I mean young adult.  Clearly, I'm in denial that my nephew has grown up.

I'm submitting this card I made for him as part of the 10 Minute Craft Dash hosted by Pretty Pink Posh.  I finished in 7 minutes and 24 seconds.

Yup, I do think my nephew is awesome like milk and cookies.  Here he is on his graduation day, wearing the money lei that I made for him.

               

So proud of you, Kainoa!!!  Thanks again for the great challenge, Pretty Pink Posh!

Supplies:

Stamps: WPlus9 Milk & Cookies; stamp set received from Damask Love Live 

Inks: Brilliance (moonlight white); Hero Arts (bubble gum, pool); Memento (tuxedo black); Stampin' Up (pumpkin pie)

Dies: WPlus 9 Milk & Cookies

mama elephant photo inspiration - xoxo

I have always been a late bloomer and a late adapter.  I think I was still using a pager years after my friends had moved on to cell phones.  In the papercrafting world, I'll see a trend and it won't sink into my head until much later...like washi tape.  Have to admit, I didn't get it at first.  It's just pretty tape.  Then I bought a few rolls, and didn't even want to part with it.  It's just too pretty.

For my second entry into Mama Elephant's Photo Inspiration Challenge, I parted with some pretty washi tape and used the photo here...


to make this simple card.

             

Did a bit of masking for the xoxo sentiment...

And sliced a slit in the typewriter to tuck the paper in.  And there you have it.

So, now that I totally get why washi tape is special, I will only use it for very special cards.  This card is for my friend, Marlo, one of my dearest friends from high school.  We recently reconnected at our 20 year high school reunion, and I'm having lunch with her today to catch up even more.  Facebook is great to stay in contact with folks, but nothing beats one-on-one time and a real hug.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mama Elephant Midnight Letters; Type It
Inks: Stampin' Up (rose red, so saffron); Memento (tuxedo black)
Other: washi tape, patterned paper