Quick Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that due to moving, I will not be posting for about a week. But I will be back soon with the new projects for you to look at...

:) Irina

Black Embossed Watercolor

This is the second card that I made yesterday (well, it was almost done yesterday.. was finished this morning).

This card measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", I just folded a sheet of black cardstock in half.

The main image was heat embossed with Detail Black embossing powder and then colored with Pearlescent Watercolors by Yasutomo. I used watercolor paper for this. Then I stamped over it with the Script stamp in Copper Encore ink. I also inked the sides with Copper Ink.

There is a metallic copper cardstock layer under the main image.

The long purple panel on the left side of the card was embossed with Script Cuttlebug folder and then inked with the Copper Encore ink.

Again, I wish you could see all the shimmer... Looks much better in real life.

Added ribbon and the dew drops... Done!!

All supplies used on this card are available for purchase at Cranberry Hill Mercantile.

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I will be teaching a class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile with this card and the card that I made yesterday. Please call the store at 408-736-9151 to sign up.

Tuesday, August 19th, 11 am to 2:30 pm
Thursday, August 21st, 11 am to 2:30 pm


:) Irina

Oops, I did it again ;-)

I know, I know.. I shouldn't post a project until I am satisfied with it... But sometimes that what it takes for me, looking at the photo of the card to decide if the design is good or not good enough..

This is the remake of the card that I made yesterday. I didn't change much, just decided that the card base should be black and then added a layer of purple cardstock. I like it better this way!!

:) Irina

Gold Embossed Watercolor

This is one of the cards I made this morning, I will show you the other one tomorrow...

The card measures 6" x 6", I had to make it big in order to fit this gorgeous flower by Penny Black.

The Iris was heat embossed with Gold Detail Embossing powder on black cardstock and then colored with Pearlescent Watercolors by Yasutomo. Can you believe these watercolors cost under $4?! I just love-love-love the result!!

I wish you could see all the shimmer on the card, I just couldn't get a better photo... It looks so much better in real life..

The purple square layer was embossed with Cuttlebug and then I ran Gold ink pad over it and also inked the edges. I then added satin ribbon to the purple layer. The bow was tied from the separate piece of ribbon and then attached with the glue dot.

All supplies used on this card are available for purchase at Cranberry Hill Mercantile.

This will be one of the cards for the new card class at Cranberry Hill, I didn't set the date for the class yet though..

Eddited to add.. This class has been scheduled. Please call the store at 408-736-9151 to sign up.

Tuesday, August 19th, 11 am to 2:30 pm

Thursday, August 21st, 11 am to 2:30 pm

:) Irina

My First Blog Award!!

I received this BFF (Blogging Friends Forever) Award from my friend Heiki, here is the link to her blog . Heiki was the lucky winner of my very first Blog Candy. I visit her blog regularly, there are so many great creations there.

Thank you so much Heiki, I am honored!!

Here are the rules of the Award:

1. Only 5 people allowed.

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog.

3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award. Quite simple really it is a way of saying thank you to those who take time out for wonderful comments to boost your day.

I would like to pass this Award to:

Claudia - thank you for the daily boost of inspiration!!

Jana - welcome back to US, it's gonna be fun!!

Suzanne - thank you for taking time to visit my blog and for your sweet comments!!

Deena - thank you for taking time to visit my blog and for your sweet comments!!

Ying Pang (Malaysia) - always great to hear from one of the Magnolia DT members!!

Thanks again Heike, you made my day!!

:) Irina

Ila's Blog Candy

Please visit Ila's blog to enter for a chance to win a wonderful Blog Candy with tons of stamps from Magnolia.

While you are there, check out Ila's work, she is very talented!!

:) Irina

Summer Tilda

Here is one more card for my upcoming "One more Summer Tilda" card class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. On this card, I used two stamps from Magnolia, cutest Tilda standing in the water and the Sand Castle.

I stamped Tilda and colored her in with Copic Markers, I then cut out and embossed the circle with Nestabilites. I left the die on the paper and sponged some yellow ink around Tilda. I did the same with the castle image.

I wanted this card to be sparkly and summery. I added Crystal Stickles to Tilda's hair and to the water ripples around her legs, Copper Stickles on the Sand Castle and Orange Stickles inside of the scallops of the large orange scalloped circle (it was also cut with Nestabilites). If you click on the photos above, they will be enlarged and you will be able to see all the sparkle.

I added a few of the Dew Drops randomly at the bottom of the image by her legs..

I stamped the Sand Castle inside of the card and also on the envelope.

Patterned paper is from Flair Designs.

This card measures 6" x 6".

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This class is scheduled for:

Thursday, August 14, 11-2
Thursday, August 14, 5-7:30
Sunday, August 24, 11:30-2:30

To sign up, please call Cranberry Hill Mercantile at 408-736-9151.

:) Irina

Comment from Diana Crick!!

OK, so I wake up this morning and the first thing (as always, before my coffee) I check my email and the comments on my blog...

Comment from Diana Crick?? Herself?? Is that true??

For those of you who don't know, Diana is the designer and the creator of the Scor-Pal, and also the owner of the new MAGNOLIA-licious online store (will be opened soon). She is widely known as Queen Diana.

Here is the comment that Diana left on my last post:

"Your colouring is amazing. You have an eye for detail. I love the flow and composition of your card.

Diana Crick"

WOW!!! Thank you SO MUCH Diana!! I am SO HONORED!!


:) Irina

Tilda, You are Great!!

I made this card yesterday. I just love-love-love this paper from Bo-Bunny, and decided to keep the card layout pretty simple to showcase the paper.

Tilda's background was stamped, colored, cut out and then adhered to the front of the card. I don't know if you can tell from the photos, but I sponged the "clouds" inside of the background image.

Tilda was stamped, colored, cut out and placed on the fence. Tilda's feet are raised on pop-up dots, and the rest of her is glued to the background. I really like how her feet are "outside of the box". I also made her bow a 3D..

All the images are colored with Copic Markers. Stickles on the "clouds" and Tilda's wings.

On the inside of the card and on the bottom of the envelope, I stamped the flowers from one of the side of the Flower Cube by Stampendous. The greeting is from Hero Arts and the Butterfly behind the greeting is from clear stamp set by Penny Black.

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This will be one of the cards for my "One more Summer Tilda" card class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. This class is scheduled for:Thursday, August 14, 11-2

Thursday, August 14, 5-7:30

Sunday, August 24, 11:30-2:30

:) Irina

Blog Candy at Scrap Bits

Check out the fabulous Blog Candy that Suzanne Dean has for grabs. All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment on her blog under this post.

While you are there, check out her cards. She is so creative!!

:) Irina

Black and White Magenta 2

OK, as I promised, here is my second "Black and White Magenta" Card for the card class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. For the first card, please see the previous post or click here.

This card is pretty big, it measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", I just folded 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of black cardstock in half.

The flower stamps are from Magenta, it was actually a single stamp with two flowers and I cut them apart. I like things in three's on my cards ;-) . Flower images were heat embossed. The whole panel is raised on the card with pop-up dots.

Background Postage stamp is from Hero Arts.

I didn't stamp a greeting inside just yet, I think this card can be used for so many occasions.

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This class is scheduled for: Sunday, August 10th, 11:30 - 2:30 and Tuesday, August 12th, 11:00 - 2:00. To sign up for the class, please call Cranberry Hill Mercantile at 408- 736-9151.

:) Irina

Black and White Magenta

I've been working on some cards for my upcoming "Black and White Magenta" Card Class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile. Today, I am going to show you the first card...

This layout is from the Sketch Challenge on Splitcoaststampers, found here . I just loved the sketch when I first saw it, but didn't get a chance to make a card until now. It is a square card (!!), my favorite..

I stamped and embossed the Bird image with detail black embossing powder twice, from one of the images I cut out just the frame. Frame is raised on pop-up dots.

I stamped the background Postage stamp with black Memento ink onto the white paper, then cut the image out into 1 1/4" squares. These squares were mounted onto 1 1/2" black squares.

Can you believe this card has nine layers!! I really like how the card had turned out!!

The Bird stamp is from Magenta and the Postage Background stamp is from Hero Arts.

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I will have one more Black and White card done with Magenta stamps for the class, and will share it with you within a couple of days.

This class is scheduled for: Sunday, August 10th, 11:30 - 2:30 and Tuesday, August 12th, 11:00 - 2:00. To sign up for the class, please call Cranberry Hill Mercantile at 408- 736-9151.

:) Irina

Are you dreaming of a Pink Christmas?

I just love-love-love penguins from Whipper Snapper!! Isn't this one just adorable??

I think this card can be used for any Winter occasion (Birthday, Thank You, Just Because, etc..), and not just as a Christmas card.

Penguin image was colored with Copic Markers. I added Snowflakes behind the image and on the inside layer of the card, this snowflake stamp is from Magnolia (the company that makes Tilda stamps). Then I added Stickles to the white parts of the Penguin's outfit and in the centers of the snowflakes.

The main layer with the Penguin image is raised on pop-up dots.

Printed Paper is from Daisy Bucket, this paper is double sided and I used both sides of it on this card.

Added gold brads in the corners and the ribbon onto the tag. Done!!

This will be one of the cards for my "Winter Penguins" Card Class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile.

Tuesday, August 5th, 11 - 2

Wednesday, August 6th, 11 - 2

To sign up for the class, please call the store at (408)736-9151.

:) Irina

Shadow Box Monkey

This is the second card for my upcoming "Shadow Box" card class at Cranberry Hill Mercantile (for the first card please see my previous post or click here).

This card was done the same way as the one with Birthday Chickens.

Cute-cute-cute Monkey stamp is from Whipper Snapper. The greeting is from Hero Arts. The palm leaves are from clear stamp set with Changito by Stampendous.

Does it look like he is holding the circle tag with the greeting?? At least this is what I was going for ;-)

On the photo below, I was trying to show you how this card opens. Hope this makes sense..

This class is scheduled for:
Tuesday, July 29th 11 to 2 (pre-cut)
Sunday, August 3rd, 11:30 to 2:30

To sign up for the class, please call Cranberry Hill Mercantile at 408-736-9151. For more information about the class, please click here to visit store's blog.

:) Irina

Shadow Box Birthday Chickens

Here is my version of the "Shadow Box" style cards. I always loved the dimension that these cards provide, but didn't really like that you can't use them as actual card since they do not open.


I cut my card from green cardstock and scored as usual, and then created the top layer with the oval opening (used Nestabilites to cut the oval).

Birthday Chickens and the sentiment stamps are from Penny Black, background stamp is from Hero Arts. Colored with Copic Markers.

This will be one of the cards for my upcoming class.
Tuesday, July 29th 11 to 2 (pre-cut)
Sunday, August 3rd, 11:30 to 2:30

To sign up for the class, please call Cranberry Hill Mercantile at 408-736-9151. For more information about the class, please click here to visit store's blog.

:) Irina

Stamping Top 50 - I am at 490!! now

I know, I know it takes so little to get me excited...

So, today I've noticed that my blog is ranked 490 by the Stamping Top 50!! That means that now my blog is showing on their website, and they ONLY display top 500 stamping blogs.

A little achievement, but makes me very happy!!

:) Irina

Reminder - A*Muse*A*Palooza Make-and-Take

Just a quick reminder about the A*Muse*A*Palooza Make-and-Take at Cranberry Hill Mercantile on Tuesday and Wednesday.

For more details please click on the link to see this post.

:) Irina

Stampin' Up Sneak Peak

I was asked by a few people to show you the pre-view of some new products and the the Hostess sets that will be released by Stampin Up on August 11.

So, here they are.. Please keep in mind that the prices listed include demonstrator discount and are not the customer prices.

Click here to take a sneak peak at the new products and click here to view new Hostess sets (the sneak peak on the Hostess sets are for levels 2 and 3 only).

I REALLY LOVE the Serene Spring set from level 2 Hostess sets. I think it is just so beautiful!! I love-love-love all the new In-Color colors!! I will be getting "Heard from the Heart" stamp set for sure!!

Have you noticed that all stamp sets in the sneak peak are available in Spanish as well?! Very cool!!

And, (I know I am going to repeat myself here, but I am just so excited about it!!!) all the new stamp sets in the new catalog will be die-cut!!!

:) Irina

Great News from Stampin Up

Most of you know that I am also a demonstrator with Stampin Up..

Well, Stampin Up just announced that all new stamps in the upcoming catalog will be die-cut!!! I think this is so great that we will no longer need to trim the rubber but still have the chance to mount our own stamps the way we like it!!

The new catalog will be released on August 11 (can't wait). There will be a lot of new stamps, new "in-colors" and even a new line of product, Decor Elements!!

I will be hosting a party on Sunday, August 17th to celebrate the New Catalog and the New Year of Stampin Up. I will post the details about the party later...

Here is the link to my Stampin Up website, http://irina_blount.stampinup.net/.

Don't forget to check out the Retired List (can be found under Promotions on my Stampin Up website). Once those products are gone, they are GONE.. Please send me an email if there is something that you "must have" and would like to place an order.

:) Irina

Claudia's Blog Candy

Claudia is having a Blog Candy on her blog to celebrate 170,000 hits. Please visit her blog for more information and for TONS of creative and inspirational ideas.

Congratulations Claudia!! That is SO AWESOME!!

:) Irina

Winter Edwin - Happy Holidays

I had a very exiting day yesterday, two of the orders from Magnolia had arrived to Cranberry Hill Mercantile at the same time!! I had to try to contain myself and not to spend all my life savings on the new Tilda, Edwin and accessories stamps.. Well.. I got "a few" ;-)

Here is the card that I had in my mind right when I saw this cutest ever Edwin stamp and the Christmas Trees stamp..

I created the oval opening on the blue cardstock with the Nestabilites, then embossed it with the Snowflake folder on my Cuttlebug. I stamped Christmas Trees on the white cardstock, then over stamped it with the Snowflakes stamp (also from Magnolia), and added stickles. The blue layer is raised on pop-up dots for dimension.

Edwin was stamped on the white cardstock, colored with Copics and then cut out. I added white Liquid Applique to Edwin's Santa Hat and on the top of his shoes. I used pop-up dots to place Edwin onto the card.

The dew drops in the corners.. I colored the clear dew drops on the flat side with the red Copic Marker... I just love how you can make them any color you need so easily!!

I made snowflakes from white cardstock using the Cuttlebug die-cut, then added Stickles all over them.

I used the same snowflakes stamp on the white layer inside of the card, then stamped the greeting.

If you would like to get your hands on Tilda and Edwin stamps, stop by the Cranberry Hill or give them a call at 408-736-9151 (they can even mail you the stamps!!). Tilda, Edwin and their accessories stamps won't be there for long, the first shipment has sold out in two days!!

:) Irina