Whipper Snapper Duck - Gift Card Holder

This is the other card that I made with my new Whipper Snapper Stamps.

There is really not much to this card. I tried all kinds of printed paper, but it was only taking away from the image. So, I decided to just let him take the stage. He is so CUTE-CUTE-CUTE!!

Card measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4". You probably noticed, I am really into square cards now.. I think I am just a bit tired of the A2 size cards..

I cut cardstock at 5 1/4" x 12" for the card base and scored it at 5 1/4" and then at 10 1/2. Folded the small piece at the bottom of the card to create the pocket for the gift card, I used red tape to attach the sides.

The squares were cut and embossed with Nestabilites. I stamped the image twice, once on the square cut with Nestabilites and the second time on the scrap piece of paper. Cut out duck's head (wow, that sounds kind of wrong ;) ), duck's hand and the flowers, and popped them up on the main image using the pop-up dots. The image was colored with my Copic markers.

I will be teaching a class with this card plus the one with the Poodle at the Cranberry Hill Mercantile. We will make four cards, two of each design.

Dates/times for the class:

Wednesday, June 25th, 11 am to 1:30 pm
Thursday, June 26th 11 am to 1:30 pm
Thursday, June 26th 5 pm to 7:30 pm

For more details on this class, please click here.

All supplies used on this card are available at Cranberry Hill Merchantile.

:) Irina

Workshop Announcement! - Michelle Zindorf

Have you heard of Michelle Zindorf ?? She is an AWESOME artist!! I have a link to her blog under "Blogs that I love to visit".. I've been admiring Michelle's work for a long time and visit her blog to check out new tutorials almost every day.

I still don't know how (??), but one of the teachers from Cranberry Hill Mercantile - Lisa, got Michelle to come to California and to hold a few workshops in Lisa's studio!!! How AWESOME is that!!!

I will attend one of four workshops FOR SURE!! I am going to try to get into one on Friday morning.. Hope you can come too..

Here is a link to Lisa's blog with more information, http://flatfishpaperarts.blogspot.com/ .

:) Irina

"Smile" Scrapbook Layout

Remember the "Sweet Girl" page that I showed you about a week ago? Well, I used left over embellishments from the "Sweet Girl" page plus added some more to create this one..

I used Bazzil Cardstock and decorative paper from Basic Grey. This layout has one photo mat for a 5" x 7" photo.

I hand drew the templates for the hearts, and cut them out of the decorative paper.

I cut the chipboard frame to make the corners. Large layered silk flower is from Prima (can you tell I LOVE these?). There is also a rick rack ribbon on the right side of the page, it came with the flowers!!

Cranberry Hill Mercantile now carries Basic Grey line of papers!! And tones of paper from other companies, have you seen their Paper Room?? Come and check them out!!

:) Irina

Clearly Changito

Good morning all,

Sorry I've been off-line for a few days.. Had to take care of some family matters...

Today I will share with you a couple of cards with Changito from Stampendous. I kept the cards fairly simple to showcase this cutest monkey. Most of the stamps used on the cards are from the Clear Stamp set, the monkeys on the first card are the wood mounted stamps.

Have you noticed that I used the same monkey image on the second and third cards?? On the second card Changito is walking and holding bananas bunch high in his hand. And, on the third card my Changito is swinging from the brunch.

The palm leaves are from the same stamp set. I stamped the palm leaves on the envelopes as well as inside of the cards. I just love when everything coordinates!!

I am teaching today at Cranberry Hill... Will be back tomorrow to show you more of my new projects, I promise..

:) Irina

And the Winner is....

I wrote the names of everyone who participated in my Blog Candy on pieces of paper, rolled them and had my son pull one.

Heike!! You are the winner!!

Please email me your information and I will mail you the box with the stamped images of Tilda.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who entered!

:) Irina

"Happy Day Animals" - Hero Arts

I am teaching a "Fun with Punches" class today at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. No time to stamp...

I decided to show you this card that I made a few month ago with the clear stamp set from Hero Arts called "Happy Day Animals". Sentiments is from Memory Box.


Card measures 3 3/4" x 9", it fits right in a regular long size US mail envelope. I masked and stamped the same flowers from the main image on the blue cardstock with blue ink. Used Nestabilites for rectangulars. The circles are different size punches from Stampin' Up. Colored with Stampin' Write Markers.


Tomorrow I will show you a new card that I made with one of my new stamps by Whipper Snapper. Cute-cute-cute!!

Don't forget!! Today is the last day to enter for my Blog Candy!! Details here.

:) Irina

Scrapbook Class at Cranberry Hill

I will be teaching a scrapbooking class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. We will make this 12" x 12" scrapbook page.

Tuesday, June 17th 11-1 or 6-8
All supplies provided.
Cost $35

If you live in the Bay Area and would like to take this class, please call Cranberry Hill at 408-736-9151 to sign up.

:) Irina

"My Sweet Girl" Scrapbook Layout

I really like how this 12" x 12" pre-made scrapbook page has turned out. The Basic Grey paper and chipboard embellishments from Me and My Big Ideas seem to go together so perfectly.

All paper layers are backed on Bazzil Cardstock. All layers besides the photo mat have been machine stitched. The photo mat measures 5" x 7".

I cut the chipboard frame to make the corners. Large layered silk flower is from Prima.

I am getting ready for some new classes at Cranberry Hill. There will be one with the Gift Card holders and one with the Gel Cards. I will list my new creations within a few days.

There are still a few days left to participate in my Blog Candy, details here.

:) Irina

"Bone" Jour - Take Two

Here is my second take on the card that I made yesterday. It was cute, but I wasn't really happy with it. So, today I made another one!! Same sketch, same stamps.. Different papers and embellishments.

All supplies were purchased at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. This card is available for sale in my Ebay Store.

What do you think??

:) Irina

Don't forget about my Blog Challenge and Blog Candy. You have until this Thursday to enter.

"Bone" Jour

I decided to participate in Claudia's Sketch Challenge, and this is what I came up with. For some reason, it was "challenging" to me, and you can probably tell that from the card. Doesn't look too much like my style... I enjoyed making the card though, it always good to stretch..

The card measures 6" x 6". I used my new stamps by Whipper Snapper that I purchased at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. All paper is from Stampin' Up, printed papers are from a retired scrappin' kit. Little rhinestones on the collar and on the purse. The ovals were cut with Nestabilites. The cutest Poodle and the Eiffel Tower were colored with Copic Markers.

Don't forget about my Blog Challenge and Blog Candy. You have until this Thursday to enter.

:) Irina

5K Blog Challenge and First Blog Candy

This is just AWESOME!! I started my blog on April 21st and it already has over 5,000 hits!! You guys ROCK!!!

Thank you so much for all your nice comments about my work!! I am really enjoying this journey!!

To celebrate, I am posting the sketch above as my Blog Challenge.. The sketch is based on this card that I recently made with my favorite Tilda.

For the Blog Candy, I have this little box that I've made with Claudia's instructions a few weeks ago. You can see more photos of the box on my post here. I will fill your box with 20 (!!) stamped images of Tilda (five each of four different designs). I will even ship internationally.

To enter, here is what you need to do..

Make a card using my sketch, post it on your blog and include the link to my blog (please don't forget to leave a comment on my blog under this post with the link to your card..).

and/or

Make a card using my sketch and upload it on Splitcoaststampers with EPCSC1 in the keyword section (please don't forget to leave a comment on my blog under this post with the link to your card..).

Don't have a blog and/or can't upload to Spitcoaststampers?? Make a card and email me the photo/s (please don't forget to leave a comment on my blog under this post mentioning your email).

Don't have time to make a card? You can still participate!! Just leave a comment on my blog under this post with any suggestions and/or comments you may have about my blog.

I will draw and determine the winner sometimes after 8 pm PST on Thursday, May 22nd.

Have fun playing!! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!!

:) Irina

One more Paper Pieced Tilda

Here is the second card that I designed with Paper Piecing technique. Please check out my post from yesterday to see the first card.

The first card was very bright, and this one is kind of monochromatic. I just love this printed paper from Daisy Bucket. The colors and prints are just gorgeous, and it has such a nice texture ( I wish you could see it from the photos). It reminds me of the wall paper.

The paper is double sided, the pink square behind Tilda is the other side of the paper with the flowers. Very cool!!

This is the first time that I didn't cut out my Tilda, instead I stamped the image on the white oval. I stamped the image again on the printed paper, cut out just the dress and adhered it to the main image. I then stamped the image again, colored and cut out just the cake and popped it up on dimensionals.

Tilda was colored with Copic Markers. I used Zig Painty to add the gold dots to the scallops on the oval and to draw "stitching" on the ribbon.

The last photo shows you the inside layer of my card. I love to add a layer of the white cardstock inside of my cards and to stamp some coordinating images.

All supplies used on this card are available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. Tilda is available for pre-order, see my post here.

This card is available for sale in my Ebay Store.

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I am getting close to 5,000 hits on my blog!!! Tomorrow I will announce my very first Blog Candy.. Make sure to come back to check it out..

:) Irina

Paper Pieced Tilda

I can't believe that in all these years of scrapbooking and card making, I had not tried paper piecing on my cards before. It is so easy, and the result just amazes me!!

Just look at little Tilda in her cute polka dot dress :) . I stamped Tilda once on the white paper and colored the image with Copic Markers. Then I stamped Tilda again on the decorative paper, cut out just the dress and adhered it to the main image. That's it!!



Card measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4". Cardstock by Bazzil, Polka Dots paper is from Treehouse Memories and Daisy paper is from Imaginisce. Ovals were cut and embossed with Nestabilites. Flower stamp is by Whipper Snapper, Butterfly stamp is from Penny Black and the Greeting is by Hero Arts.

All supplies available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile (Tilda stamp is available for pre-order, see my post here) .

This card is availble for sale in my Ebay Store.


I made two cards with paper pieced Tilda, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the second one ;)

:) Irina

On a personal note..

I am so PROUD of my son!!

This photo was taken last Friday at the CCS qualifier track meet. My son is the one in the maroon color uniform. No, he didn't finish first in the race, but he got a HUGE personal record!!! He cut his time for 3200 meters from 10:26 to 10:08!!! The last 100 meters were the most intense as my son and the boy in blue uniform were fighting so hard, just look at their faces (click on the photo to enlarge it).

I can't even run for 10 minutes, well maybe jog ;) .. But run as fast as these kids do.. Insane..

:) Irina

"Love Bug" Pre-made Scrapbook Layout

This is one of 12" x 12" pre-made scrapbook layouts that I've made a few months ago. It can be used for any occasion "girly" page. It is very bright and cheerful.

About two years ago I started using my sewing machine on my pages. I just LOVE-LOVE-LOVE how it changes the feel of the layout.

All printed paper is from Basic Grey, Bazzil Cardstock on the back of the page and back of the photo mats. Title cut with my Cricut. I love to layer my letters, I think it totally adds to the look.

Flowers are also from Bazzil. If you look at my latest postings, you'll notice that I use these a lot...

Cute lady bugs and flowers are 3D Embellishments by Jolee's. I cut the "grass" by hand.

:) Irina

Have "an ice" Day!

I know- I know, I should think about spring/summer cards, but I was looking for a card to share with you today, and I just love this little penguin from Whipper Snapper!! It just makes me smile each time I look at him.

This was one of the Christmas/Winter cards at my card making classes last year. You can probably tell that this card was done before I got my hands on Copic Markers. I used Stampin' Up Markers on to color, and just can't wait to make another one this year and see how he looks like colored with Copics.

Card measures 5 1/4 x 5 1/4. Image was stamped on Shimmer White, I seem to use that paper A LOT for Christmas Cards. Corner Punch from Stampin' Up, Ribbon from my stash. Stickles (of course!) on the snow. I added "googly" eyes, just couldn't resist.


I am working on new cards with my Tilda. I only have four Tilda stamps, so I am trying something new (new to me that is ;) ). I will share my new cards with you in a couple of days. I just CAN'T wait until we get new Tilda stamps in the store.

:) Irina

Whipper Snapper Bird

I love-love-love Whipper Snapper Stamps. Not as much as Tilda, but pretty close ;) .



The colors and layout for this card were inspired by this card on another website. The Whipper Snapper Bird was stamped on Whisper White with Basic Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers. I really enjoy coloring with Copic Markers now. In fact, I just realized that since I got my Copics, I haven't once reached for the Stampin' Up Markers...



All paper is from Stampin' Up. Scallops on the bottom were made with the Corner Rounder Punch. Used Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder on Pumpkin Pie cardstock. Sponged layers with Close to Cocoa.


Sentiment is from "A Little Birdie Told Me" stamp set by Stampin' Up. I got that stamp set only for sentiments, I don't even like the birds in the set.

The last photo is the inside view of the card..

Oh, by the way, this Whipper Snapper Bird stamp (and more from Whipper Snapper) is available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile.

:) Irina

Sneak Peek - Our Order from Magnolia Stamps!!

Here are just a few of the stamps that we will order from Magnolia. I love all images of Tilda, it is SO HARD to choose for the first order.





"Tilda with Lilac's"










"Sittande Sommar Tilda"








"Tilda in Paris"






"Dala Tilda"







"Tilda with Flower"










"Sommriga Tilda"



"Tilda med vattenkanna"








"Watercan"





"Shabby Chic Fence"





"Summer Background"






"Tilda Badar"










"Edwin fiskar"

If you would like to get your hands on any of these stamps, please stop by Cranberry Hill Mercantile or give them a call at 408-736-9151 to have your stamps reserved or pre-ordered.

They will let you know when your stamps arrive and will hold them for you. If you pre-order and pre-pay for your stamps, your stamps will be shipped to you. How GREAT is that!!!

IMPORTANT!!! Cranberry Hill is not an online store but DOES ship merchandise, you will need to CALL the store to make your purchase.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

:) Irina