Just Be Yourself

Guest Blogger - Gabriella aka Gabby Arriaza!

This week I have the privilege of having a guest artist, my first on this blog!  Gabriella "aka Gabby" Arriaza!  Gabby was the lucky winner of my last blog candy, the commemorative Ronald McDonald stamp set from Stampin' Up!®, "Just Like You."  She is also a Senior Associate Stampin' Up Independent Demonstrator.  Here's a bit about Gabby; doesn't she sound like she'd be a blast to hang with?

Gabby says: "I'm from Southern California born and raised, Mexican American first generation citizen. I'm 30 years young and have 3 beautiful children ages 11, 8, & 3 and 1 angel who left me on New Years Eve 1994. I've been married to my oh so very understanding husband for almost 10 years now. My love for arts and crafts goes beyond stamping. I also dab in altered art, digital scrapping, photography, jewelry making, & making party favors for all kinds of special occasions. As far as I can remember, I have been an arts and crafts girl. I enjoy reading and listening to music and sing, but only in the shower or in the privacy of my own room...lol. My style I guess you can say is sort of eclectic in ALL aspects of my life. One minute I can be listening to Bach and the next I can be listening to Slayer! I told you, eclectic!" 

Oh, I don't know, Gabby--you sound pretty normal to me--YIKES!  That might not be a good thing for you!

So here's a card she created with her new stamps set...just gorgeous!

Supplies:

Stamps: Just Like You

Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Mellow Moss, Pretty In Pink, & Whisper White

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Garden Green, Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence, & Bravo Burgundy (Stamin' Write Markers)

Accessories: Pink ribbon (non SU), Spots & Dots Cuttlebug folder, 1 1/8 circle punch, scalloped punch, & paper piercer

Adhesive: Aleene's Tacky Glue

Recipe:

1. Cut the card base 5 1/2 X 8 1/2 and fold in half.
2. Run the front of the card thru the Cuttlebug with the circles & dots folder.
3. Cut the Mellow Moss cardstock to 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 and set it aside.
4. Cut the Whisper White layer to 3 X 4.  Using the flower field stamp, ink it up with SU markers. Stamp it and ink twice for a longer field.
5. On a scrap piece of Whisper White, stamp the butterfly in Purely Pomegranate and using the 1/8" punch, trying not to center the butterfly to make it look as if it is going to fly off the circle.
6. Punch out a circle using the Pretty In Pink cardstock and scallop circle punch to accent the white circle. Use the piercing tool to punch holes in the scallops.
7. Before layering the butterfly on, wrap the ribbon around the Whisper White and then layer it on the Mellow Moss. Glue it down to the base.
8. Adhere the butterfly and add the sentiment making it look like a butterfly trail.

Thank you so much, Gabby for sharing this!

Dryer Sheet Technique Tutorial

My sister Nancy and I did this technique for our SUDSOL group.  She did the stamping and I took the pictures.  She does beautiful work!  All materials are by Stampin' Up!© except for the spray adhesive.  Have fun with this!

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Sets: 

Serene Sunflowers

Everyday Flexible Phrases or another greeting set to say, “thinking of you”, “happy birthday”, etc.

Card Stock:

Summer Sun (4 ¼”x 11”)

Whisper White (4” x 5 ¼”)

Always Artichoke

Classic Ink Pads:

Summer Sun

So Saffron

Always Artichoke

Chocolate Chip

(Feel free to change these, we do need a couple coordinating yellows)

Optional Accessories:

Large Oval Punch

Small Oval Punch

1/8" Handheld Circle Punch

Dazzling Diamonds

Used Dryer Sheet

Craft Bond Multi-Purpose Spray Glue or your favorite spray adhesive

Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon

The full tutorial and step-by-step instructions can be found by clicking on the thumbnail labeled "Dryer Sheet Technique."  Click on the pictures if you'd like a larger view.