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Snowed In Sketch Challenge

Greeting from those of us buried again under the white stuff here in Northeast Ohio! I must say though, I can't complain about having a day with no where to go and nothing to do! EXCEPT that Mother Nature's notion of having another snow storm put a huge damper on the Northeast Ohio Shoebox Swap that was planned for today in Smithville! :( There were 15 of us gathering today to stamp and eat and talk and laugh! Mother Nature is definitely NOT a stamper! We'll have to reschedule it for another day, of course!

In the meantime, some of my best stamping friends came up with the idea of having our own Virtual Stamp Weekend within our thread on SCS. I decided to host a sketch challenge, and thought I'd share it here with you and if you want to participate also, please do! If you upload your card to SCS, please use the keywords BBSIVSWTammy (The letters stand for Buckeye Babes Snowed In Virtual Stamp Weekend!) And please post a link to your creation back here on this post, whether you post it on SCS or your blog. On Monday evening, March 10th I will draw one winner from everyone that participates to win a goodie bag of fun embellishments!

Here's the sketch (forgive my primitive drawing... I'm new to this!)

And it's based on this Gina K card I made the other day, but I'll do a new one for the weekend!

I hope you have time to partcipate! Have fun!

My Favorite Things - I'm a Wannabe!

Oh, I wannabe the Guest Designer so bad! So, I dragged my tired self home from work and worked on this card to enter the challenge again this month. This didn't turn out like the card in my head though!

It was fun to try a layout that's a little more outside the box for me. I read on the Craft Critique blog recently about a new book called The CardMakers Sketch Book. It looked fantastic, and so I found out who published it and ordered some copies for the store. They arrived today (along with the new releases from My Favorite Things... how lucky for me to play with for this challenge!) So I used a sketch from the book for my card, too! The challenge was to create a monochromatic card, and you could add neutrals of white, cream, brown or black. So this is my creation, and I hope it passes!

Here's a little close-up of the stamps I used and the Bo Bunny designer paper I picked out to match my shades of coral!

Quick tip: I didn't have any black brads that were large enough for the cream and red flowers. But I had some gold brads (you know... the kind they gave you to use for Sunday School crafts with great big wings on the back!?) I picked up the gold brad with my tweezers and pressed the brad into my Versamark ink pad. Then dipped it into black embossing powder, and heated until it was set. While the brad was still hot, I dipped it in the powder and heated once more for a good, solid finish. Easy-peasy! Now I need embossing powder in every color!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Punch a Bunch (My Favorite Things); Cardstock: Flamingo, Watermelon, Black OP (Bazzill Basics), Confetti Cream (Stampin' Up), designer paper (Shabby Princess from Bo Bunny); Inks: Red Brick chalk (Tsukineko), Adirondack Pitch Black (Ranger), markers (Copic); Accessories: twill tape (Stampin' Up), concave corner punch (EK Success), scalloped oval punch (Marvy), cream and black flowers (Hero Arts), red flower (Prima Sprites), ribbon (May Arts), gold brads (unknown), black embossing powder (JoAnn fabrics), antique silver brads (unknown), black thread, sewing machine, sponge, dimensional adhesive.

New Stamps from Gina K Designs

I got new stamps at the store recently from Gina K Designs, and I just couldn't resist picking up a few for myself! I just love this basket set, and so that had to be the first thing I played with! I have a special aunt that has a birthday next week, so this will get sent to her! (Even though, now that I think of it, she forgot my birthday!) :) I don't know how well you can tell from the picture, but I distressed the edges of the white circle that the basket is stamped on and the edges of the blue cardstock that the flowered paper is matted on. My circle punch is being very difficult, so my cardstock ended up having very messy edges after I punch it out. So the compromise was to distress it!

Stamps: Baskets of Happiness, Punchy Words (Gina K Designs); Cardstock: Pear, Lighthouse (Bazzill Basics), Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (Autumn Leaves); Inks: Adirondack Pitch Black (Ranger), Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up), markers (Copic); Accessories: Brocade Blue brads (Stampin' Up), ribbon (May Arts), super jumbo circle punch, mega scalloped circle punch (Marvy), edge distressing tool (Ranger), dimensional adhesives.

Thanks for stopping by! Stamp Happy!

Rain, rain, go away!

It's official... Mother Nature hates us! Not only is it raining, but it's COLD and raining! Makes me wish for a fireplace here beside my desk! But then I'd just curl up and go to sleep! :)

I made this card today using the Color Challenge on SCS to use Stampin' Up colors Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, and So Saffron. Isn't it a pretty combination? Makes me think of a garden! I probably should have made a flowery card... maybe my mood about the weather would be lighter! I was really pleased to see how well this striped designer paper I had matched the Wild Wasabi cardstock, so I decided to use it to paper piece the raincoat!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: Rain or Shine (My Favorite Things); Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron (Stampin' Up), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (Reminisce); Inks: Adirondack Pitch Black (Ranger), Wild Wasabi (Stampin' Up), markers (Copic); Accessories: Purely Pomegranate stitched grosgrain (Stampin' Up!), light green grosgrain (Offray), scalloped rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), paper piercing tool (Darice), dimensional adhesives.

Hello Spring? What a cruel joke!

This bunny stamp set from Kitchen Sink Stamps is so much fun to play with, and that bunny is so darn cute, but he's in cahoots with Mother Nature I do believe and is playing tricks on us! Maybe he's the Trix Rabbit in disguise! We had a beautiful day here in Northeast Ohio... close to 70 degrees all day. And now, it's midnight and freezing rain is coming down! Excuse me while I wipe my tears... I cannot take one more day of winter!

Well, even though I think he's being a stinker, this Honey Bunny still helps me create totally awesome cards! I used Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge for my card layout. You have no idea the fun you're missing if you don't pick up this set for Easter cards! The nice thing about the set too, is that it's not just for Easter, if you'll remember the birthday card I posted the other day! The 3-Step Honey Bunny set, as well as 3 other sets are available today over at The Kitchen Sink! Stop by soon... I promise you won't have to wash the dishes!

Stamps: 3-Step Honey Bunny, tiny flowers from Playful Ovals (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: Lavender Lace, Certainly Celery, Pink Passion, Whisper White (Stampin' Up), designer paper (Bright Wildflowers and Bright Confetti from Doodlebug Designs); Inks: Going Gray, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up), Charcoal Versacolor pigment (Tsukineko), Aloe Vera, Tea Leaves, Spanish Olive, Pretty Petunia Versamagic chalk (Tsukineko), Pearlescent Orchid Brilliance pigment (Tsukineko); Accessories: pastel jewels (Doodlebug Design), pink gingham (craft supply), dimensional adhesives, sponges.

Thank you!

Just a quick note of thanks to everyone for all the great birthday wishes, and for participating in my Birthday Blog Candy giveaway! I sure hope Rachel checks in here sometime soon to claim her prize!

I had a wonderful day, and the topper was my husband taking me out to dinner last night, and then coming home to a cake baked by my wonderful daughters. Then, because I'd had so much to eat, I ended up zonking out! Had to rush my daughter Kelsey to church this morning for the beginning of 1st Communion instruction (she'll take her 1st Communion on Palm Sunday!) and then rushed off to Kaylie's volleyball tournament! As of right now, I think I've been gone more than I've been home in the last 72 hours, and haven't done much stamping! Very, very sad! I promise I'll be back up and running with something to upload by tomorrow evening! Thanks for sticking with me!

My blog counter is climbing, and I just love it! Thinking maybe 20K posts calls for another blog candy giveaway??? I've got lots of great new stuff coming in soon at the store... Hero Arts, Inkadinkao, Bo Bunny paper.... stayed tuned!

P.S. And I have to tell you... the Birthday Blog Candy thing was a ton of fun, but it's so nice not to see that blasted "Over the Hill" balloon at the top of the page anymore! :)

Birthday RAK's

I also wanted to share with you today some more beautiful birthday cards I received in the mail!

This one is from my wonderful friend Patti, better know as MommaPatti to us Buckeye Babes! I just love this Boho-chic look here, and the colors are fabulous!

And this work of art comes from my super stamping friend Cindy, better known to all SCS'ers as Mothermark, the Master Storyteller! Isn't this card just beautiful? So much detail! I would never have the patience to do all that cutting out! I'm thinking I need to buy a frame for this one!Thanks Patti and Cindy for helping make my birthday extra special!

Hip Hop Hooray!

It's MY birthday! But you all should be more excited than me because someone is going to win all this loot today! And this card makes my final contribution to the blog candy basket... this one, plus 3 additional cards that I will make using this sweet new set from Kitchen Sink Stamps called 3-Step Honey Bunny! Is that not the cutest bunny you've seen in forever? He is created using a combination of 4 separate stamps, and it just amazes me how Maria designs these stamps, and the inked images coming out looking so awesome! You can get your own set of these stamps, plus some other great new additions for spring at the Kitchen Sink Stamps website beginning Monday, March 3rd!
Stamps: 3-Step Honey Bunny, flowers from Playful Ovals (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: Pear, Whirlpool (Bazzill Basics), white (Hollo's), designer paper (Two Scoops by Basic Grey); Inks: Going Gray, Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up), Charcoal Versacolor (Tsukineko), Aloe Vera, Tea Leaves, Spanish Olive, Pink Petunia Versamagic chalk ink (Tsukineko); Accessories: scalloped rectangle (Spellbinders Nestabilities), white dotted organdy (May Arts), silver brads (craft supply), sponges, dimensional adhesives.

Sorrowful Rose

Good morning! We finally got a new computer last night, so I spent a good part of my evening setting it up, and then after I made my kids go to bed I got my turn to play and marvel at the speed and just general newness of it all! Our old computer was actually a hand-me-down from my Dad, and I haven't a clue how old it even is! So you can imagine what Heaven we're in now!

So needless to say I didn't get any stamping done, but I do have this card I made last weekend to upload today. It was for a friend who really needed it! I just love those rose stamps... so pretty and elegant, don't you think?

Stamps: Hearts & Roses, Never a Loss 4 Words (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: white (Hollo's); Inks: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Old Olive (Stampin' Up), Onyx Black (Tsukineko Versafine); Accessories: pink satin-edge ribbon (Offray), glue dot (Stampin' Up).And here (yes, I'm a day late!) is yesterday's addition to the Birthday Blog Candy! One yard each of 9 colors of grid ribbon from Impression Obsession! I used some of it on this card with the Penny Black hedgehog, and it is so cool! You just trim the ends, and give it a twist and it just curls right up! You'll love it!

One more day! Have a wonderful Leap Day

Black River Elegance

The color challenge on SCS this past Tuesday (use Stampin' Up colors Basic Black, River Rock and white) has just not stopped calling out to me, so even though I'm 2 days late, I had to give it a try. And the sketch challenge from yesterday was a good one too, so I combined the two challenges for this card. I was a little unsure about creating black flowers, but I love how this whole thing turned out! I will definitely need to save this card for someone very special!

Stamps: Garden Silhouettes (Stampin' Up), special day (Hero Arts); Cardstock: River Rock Basic Black (Stampin' Up), white (Hollo's), designer paper (unknown); Inks: River Rock (Stampin' Up), markers #076, #N25 (Tombow); Accessories: scalloped circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, ticket corner punch (Stampin' Up), Textile embossing folder (Cuttlebug by ProvoCraft), paper flowers (Hero Arts), white ribbon, silver brads (craft supply), sponges, dimensional adhesives.


And check out this adorable birthday card I received yesterday from my BFF Cindy! Isn't that bear the cutest! And she didn't even give me one iota of grief over the fact that I've never sent her birthday card to her (even though her birthday is in October!) Now, THAT'S a good friend! Thanks, dude!
Have a great day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

A Sweet Sketch!

I gotta' say this is one of the best sketch challenges I've done in a long time! I just love this sketch! And if I get around to more stamping this week, I may just use it again! Here is the challenge from Jen del Muro's blog. If you have time, give it a try!

Stamps: Garden Silhouettes, Riveting (Stampin' Up), background swirls (Art Impressions); Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Old Olive (Stampin' Up), white (Hollo's), designer paper (Paper Salon Sorbet Collection); Inks: Versamark (Tsukineko), Old Olive (Stampin' Up) markers (Tombow); Accessories: striped ribbon (May Arts), scalloped circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch (Stampin' Up), orange felt flower (Creative Impressions), silver brad (unknown), sponges, dimensionals adhesives.

Simple, Sweet Strawberries

Here is another card I created over the weekend for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge found here. My design ended up being kind of simple, but I like it! Sometimes simple is better! Thanks for looking!
Stamps: Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink); Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!), Leapfrog (Bazzill Basics), designer paper (My Mind's Eye); Inks: Warm Red, Olive Pastel (Clearsnap); Accessories: ribbon (May Arts), scalloped rectangle (Nestabilities), Old Olive brads (Stampin' Up), edge distressing tool (Ranger), paper piercing tool, sponges, dimensional adhesives.

Have a Special Day

I really had a great time this weekend using some sketch challenges I've found on various blogs for inspiration. Nothing gets my creativity going like a sketch challenge! This sketch comes from Amy Rysavy's blog found here.

I've got a few more cards from the weekend to share later today! Right now I'm going to take advantage of the fact that it's my day off to catch the postponed Nascar race on TV! Go Dale Jr.!

Stamps: turtle and ladybug (Gina K/Carolyn King collection), special day (Hero Arts); Cardstock: Chiffon, Pear, Cameo (Bazzill Basics), Robin's Egg Blue (Archiver's), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (Basic Grey Two Scoops); Inks: Palette Noir hybrid ink (Stewart Superior), Aegean Blue chalk ink (Tsukineko), markers (Copic); Accessories: scalloped circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch (Stampin' Up), yellow flower (Prima), scalloped rectangle (Spellbinders Nestabilities), clear embossing powder (Ranger), paper piercing tool, silver brad, sponges, dimensional adhesives.

Hedgie hoping for Spring!

Hope really hard, little Hedgie! I have had enough of winter!

I recently discovered that the awesome stamper Holly McMillen (Toy on SCS) has a sketch challenge on her blog every weekend, so I decided to give it a try and created this card! You can see the challenge here. Isn't her card cute?

I actually stamped a LOT today, but it's now almost 3:00 a.m. so I'm heading to bed and will have more to show you later in the day! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: "seeing your face" (Penny Black), spring sentiments (Impression Obsession), flowery background (Great Impressions); Cardstock: Pistachio (Bazzill Basics), Certainly Celery, Old Olive, So Saffron (Stampin' Up), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (Reminisce); Inks: Palette Noir hybrid ink (Stewart Superior), Tea Leaves Versamagic chalk ink (Tsukineko), Versamark watermark ink (Tsukineko), markers (Copic); Accessories: small and large oval punches, corner rounder punch, Old Olive brads (Stampin' Up), paper piercing tool, sponges, dimensional adhesives.

Bedhead

The Limited Supply Challenge on SCS yesterday (to use your own handwriting on your card) was fun! And my wheels keep turning thinking of different sentiments I can put with some of my stamps, so I couldn't resist doing another card today. I bought a few of these stamps from Inky Antics for the store, and bought stamps to go with it that said "Bedhead... one of my better looks!" Well, the bedhead stamps sold, but I still had this one stamp of the lady in her PJ's so I decided to alter the sentiment a little for my card! If you didn't do yesterday's challenge, you should give it a try! I might have to start writing down the ones I think of or my CRS will kick in and I will forget them all!

This also gave me a chance to use my new Nestabilities scalloped rectangles!

Thanks for looking!

Stamp: In my PJ's (Inky Antics); Cardstock: Parakeet, Tink Pink (Bazzill Basics), Only Orange, Yoyo Yellow (Stampin' Up), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (Sonburn); Inks: Palette Noir hybrid ink (Stewart Superior), markers (Copic), black gel pen; Accessories: corner round punch (EK Success), scalloped rectangle (Spellbinders), apple green grosgrain (Stampin' Up), pink flower charm (Dress It Up Button Fun by Jesse James & Co.).

My Cup Overflows

One of the member companies over at Splitcoaststampers is Crafty Secrets, and they posted a challenge this week to make a card using their "Cotton Scraps." This is a really fun product to use... I definitely need more of these! So I used today's Limited Supply Challenge which was to use your handwriting on your card, and a Cotton Scrap to create my thank you card!

Here's a close-up of the Cotton Scrap. I used a small piece of double-sided sticky tape to attach the Scrap to my cardstock so that it wouldn't move while I was sewing. Then I put this on my sewing machine, and did a quick, running stitch around the edges, and frayed all the edges after I was done. My ribbon is distressed with some Creamy Caramel SU! ink to age it a little and make it match the rest of the card better.Thanks for looking!

Stamps: mesh background (Rubber Soul); Cardstock: Red Hot, Mocha Divine (Bazzill Basics), cream (unknown); Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up); Accessories: Kitchen Cotton Scraps (Crafty Secrets), red gingham (May Arts), ticket corner punch (Stampin' Up), sponge, dimensional adhesive, sewing machine, thread.

Hello in Pretty Pinks

Just a new card that's been rolling around in my head, ever since I got this gorgeous new paper from Paper Salon! Hope you like it!

Stamps: flower spray (Great Impressions), Hello (Clear Art Stamps from Crafty Secrets); Cardstock: coral, pink, black (Bazzill Basics), white (Hollo's), designer paper (Karen Neuberger Sorbet Collection from Paper Salon); Inks: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko), Warm Red Colorbox chalk (Clearsnap); Accessories: clear embossing powder (Ranger), black brads, corner rounder punch (Stampin' Up), rectangle slide (Start-Ups from Buttons Galore), giga scalloped square punch (Marvy), black dotted organdy (Offray), sanding block, sponges, dimensional adhesives.

Blech Color Combo!

Picture it... Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie and Certainly Celery cardstock colors from Stampin' Up! Great combination? My first thought was BLECH! But I think it ends up being a lovely combination!

That's the color combo over at Splitcoaststampers today... you can see the challenge here and you can view all the cards made with that combo here.

And here is my card!

Stamps: Spring Holidays (Jessica Lynn Originals); Cardstock: Orchid Opulence, Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up), Certainly Celery argyle paper (Stampin' Up), white (Georgia Pacific); Inks: Palette Noir hybrid ink (Stewart Superior), Spanish Olive chalk ink (Tsukineko), markers (Copic); Accessories: clear embossing powder (Ranger), flower (Prima), gold brads (Stampin' Up), scalloped oval punch, oval punch (Marvy), orange organdy (Stampendous).

Gift Set of Roses

I am always inspired by Sharon Johnson's work, and one of the things she does that I love the most is coming up with a matching set of cards and a little bag or box to give them in. Very often I buy "sets" of designer paper, intending to create a great gift set of cards using all that matching paper just like Sharon does, but I never get around to it. If you go to Sharon's blog here and look under the categories of "gift sets" and "miscellaneous projects" you'll see some of her great creations that get me inspired! Well, I've had this gorgeous paper from Daisy D's that I got at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago, and my 3-Step Roses set from Kitchen Sink Stamps is just begging to get inky! So I started this project over the weekend, and with a sick kid at home today, I was able to finish it in between tending to her needs. A complete supply list is at the end of this post, but if you have specific questions about any items, just give me a shout!

I created this Kitchen Sink gift bag months ago, and saw this one done by Beate that gave me inspiration for the ribbon attachments.

Stamps: 3-Step Roses, 3-Step Daisy for Happy Birthday, Never a Loss 4 Words for warmest wishes and many thanks, Backgrounds & Borders for swirls on first card (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: Posie Pink, Sweetheart, Chiffon (Bazzill Basics), Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up!), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (Daisy D's); Inks: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!), Creamy Brown, Dark Brown (Clearsnap); Accessories: scalloped punches, large circle and oval punches (Marvy), small oval punch (Stampin' Up), clear embossing powder (Ranger), vintage brads (unknown), ribbon (May Arts, Offray, Creative Impressions), sponges, dimensional adhesives.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you like everything!

Such a doofus!

Yep, that's me! I realized today that I completely forgot my friend Fonda's 40th birthday a few weeks ago! Guess I'm too worried about my own 40th that is fast-approaching! :) So I used Jen del Muro's sketch challenge (found here) to create this card to send belated birthday wishes and apologies!

Stamps: Hedgehog (Penny Black), sentiment in circle (Hero Arts) background flowers (Great Impressions); Cardstock: Lavender (Prism), Parakeet, Petunia (Bazzill Basics), watercolor paper (unknown); Inks: Jet Black Staz-On (Tsukineko) markers (Tombow); Accessories: scalloped circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch (Stampin' Up), 1 1/2" circle punch (Marvy), gingham ribbon (May Arts), aquapainter, dimensional adhesives, sponges.

Get Well Wishes, very much needed!

This card is for my friend Gretchen, who remains in the hospital and has no solid answers as to what is causing all her health problems. Her spirits are very lifted by getting cards in the mail, so if you would like to help cheer her up by sending a card, please email me (go to the very bottom of this page and click on "View my complete profile" for a link to email me) and I'll email you her address!

I used Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge found here for this card. I really wanted to zig-zag stitch around the edges of the designer paper, but when I went to do that I discovered that my sewing machine isn't working properly and I couldn't get it to do anything but a straight stitch! Argh! Off it goes to the repair shop tomorrow!

Sorry I've been MIA lately with projects, but thanks for sticking with me! I'm working on a great set of cards right now using the 3-Step Roses set from Kitchen Sink Stamps so stay tuned! I hope to have it all finished and ready to upload by tomorrow evening!

Stamps: flowers in vase (Hero Arts), sentiment (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: Petunia, Parakeet (Bazzill Basics), white (Hollo's), designer paper (ki memories); Inks: Jet Black Staz-On (Tsukineko), Pink Petunia chalk ink (Tsukineko), markers (Tombow); Accessories: Word Window punch (Stampin' Up), dotted organdy (May Arts), clear embossing powder (Ranger), silver brads, aquapainter (unknown), sewing machine.

Happy Friday!

(Google image)

I have been LAZY this week and have not stamped anything since Monday! Just wanted to say I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day and have a great FRIDAY! My daughter is having her sleepover tonight and we're taking them to see The Spiderwick Chronicles. Then back home for junk food (I just came from Wal-Mart!) and a new DVD called The Game Plan. Hopefully they'll sleep at some point! I intend to stay up quite late to monitor their activities and hope to get some serious stamping done during that time!



Have a WONDERFUL day everyone!

Faux Demo

I spent a good part of the past weekend preparing some cards for a demo that I scheduled for Tuesday, the 12th at the store. The demo was on different faux techniques. But Mother Nature decided it wasn't going to be a demo day and dumped enough snow and ice on our area to keep everyone out of the store on Tuesday! So I'll have to reschedule it, but in the meantime here are a few of the cards I created for the demo! These are all fairly simple designs, as you can see. I tend to keep them that way for demos because I want to focus on the product or technique I'm demo'ing and not all the elements of the card.

This first one is faux stitching, of course! Just an easy technique of poking holes around the perimeter of the green cardstock, and joining the holes with a white gel pen. I am so in love with that new Hedgehog image from Penny Black!

Stamps: Hedgehog, thinking of you (Penny Black); Cardstock: Sea Water, Lemonade, Petunia, Parakeet (Bazzill Basics), white (Georgia Pacific); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Rouge and Yellow Citrus chalk ink (Clearsnap); markers (Tombow); Accessories: super jumbo scalloped circle punch, jumbo circle punch (Marvy), awl (Excel), white gel pen (Gelly Roll), grid ribbon (Creative Impressions), clear embossing powder (Ranger), dimensional adhesives, sponge, aquapainter, hole punch (miscellaneous).

This card was for my faux metal technique! I did a similar design to this last year when I had a Stampin' Up class at my house, and everyone loved the look so I decided to do it for the store. If I get some time, I will post a tutorial on how to do this technique! It's so easy but really creates an impressive look!

Stamps: decorative cube (Impression Obsession), thinking of you (Rubber Soul); Cardstock: Velvet, Sweethearts, Jade, Black (Bazzill Basics), white (Hollo's); Inks: Chianti pigment ink (Clearsnap); Accessories: silver embossing powder (Judikins), clear embossing powder (Ranger), gingham ribbon (May Arts).

This last card demonstrates a faux suede technique! I learned how to do this technique from Linda Bullard on SCS after I saw this card of hers! In her description of the card, she tells how to do the technique, so be sure to check it out and try it yourself!

Stamps: gratitude (Hero Arts); Cardstock: Aqua, Dark Denim, Black (Bazzill Basics), cream (The Paper Cut), brown paper bag; Inks: Versamark (Tsukineko); Accessories: brown Liquid Applique (Marvy), antique brass brads (Gary Burlin), Vintage Photo distress embossing powder (Ranger), dimensional adhesives.

Thanks for stopping by for a little Fe, Fi, Faux Fun!

Valentine Goodies!

At our church, we have a small group called Prayer Pals. Some of you may know this as Secret Sisters, too. We just give each other small gifts and goodies, and keep each other in prayers. So this is a goodie basket for my Pal, Nicole. I found this cute little metal "tub" at Family Dollar yesterday, and just attached some designer paper. That took a little effort to get it to fit the curves. I just used an old piece of 12x12 and formed it around the bottom and just kept pressing it against the edges to make creases, then just cut it out and tweaked it a bit until it fit nicely, then finished the edge with some ric-rac! Inside are crimped strips of cardstock, with chocolate hearts for Nicole and her hubby, Sweethearts for her 3 youngest kids, and some gum for her teenager (I thought she was too old for the Sweethearts!)

Thanks for stopping by! I've been busy working on some projects for a demo at the store today, and since we're in the midst of a snowstorm, I doubt that anyway will show up! Here's hoping for the chance to go home early today, and start playing with my new Kitchen Sink Stamps instead! Have a great day!

A great evening!

Yay! I found out tonight that I was selected as a finalist in the My Favorite Things Guest Designer challenge for the Movie Candy Invites that I made! You can check out the thread on SCS announcing the winners here! That certainly was a fun challenge to participate in!

And Dale Jr. won the Bud Shoot-Out tonight! What a great evening!

Movie Candy!

My daughter turned 11 this past Monday, and she is having a sleepover next Friday night with a few friends, and they want to go see a new movie that's being released. So last night when the "I Want Candy" challenge was posted for the My Favorite Things Guest Designer, my wheels started turnin' and this is what I came up with! Kelsey is so excited to get to give these to her friends tomorrow

Stamps: You Take the Cake (My Favorite Things), sentiment from Never a Loss 4 Words (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: Parakeet, Cantaloupe, Petunia (Bazzill Basics), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (ki memories); Inks: Palette Noir hybrid ink (Stewart Superior), Onyx Black (Tsukineko Versafine), markers (Copic); Accessories: 1" circle punch (EK Success), large eyelet (We R Memory Keepers), red line tape (Gary Burlin Co.), clear embossing powder (Ranger), yellow Spica glitter pen (Copic), paper crimper (unknown).

A Sketch Challenge

Whew, sorry it's been a few days since I've posted! Don't know why but I just crashed these last few days and didn't do much stamping. Could be because I totally cleaned up my Stamping Sanctuary to make room for that new rack, and now I don't want to stamp and mess it all up again! But I did get a little done tonight! I got inspiration for this card from Beate Johns' Weekend Sketch Challenge found here and used my Kitchen Sink Stamps set Love & Luck to create the card. Thanks for stopping by! And just a reminder... if you haven't left a comment for my 40th Birthday Blog candy, be sure to go to my home page and check out the first post!

Stamps: Love & Luck (Kitchen Sink Stamps); Cardstock: reds and pinks (Bazzill), white (Georgia Pacific) designer paper (Flair); Inks: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion (Stampin' Up); Accessories: pink fabric brads (Anna Griffin), swirled organdy ribbon (Creative Impressions), small tag, silver cord (Stampin' Up), sponges, dimensional adhesives.

Check out my rack!

Haha! That title had you thinking, didn't it?

Check out this great rack I brought home from the store yesterday! It was used for Ertl cars and farm toys but we don't need it anymore, so it took a trip straight to my Stamping Sanctuary last night, and I love it! There is room for all my wood-mounted stamps with room to spare, and even space for some paper on the bottom shelf!

Father's Day Golf Outing

What golf-loving Dad wouldn't love to get a card using these stamps for Father's Day, especially if it will include a coupon for 18 holes, as this one will since my daughters and I are going to save it for my husband! These are a few more stamps from the Spring Holidays collection I am using from Jessica Lynn Originals! This design is a little "outside-the-box" for me but I hope you like what I created! If I could draw, I would have put in a teeny little airplane pulling that banner across the sky. But since I can't draw, please assume the plane is lost in a cloud! LOL Thanks for looking!


Stamps: Spring Holidays (Jessica Lynn Originals); Cardstock: white (Hollo's) grassy designer paper (Paper Pizzazz); Inks: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Barely Banana (Stampin' Up), Pearlescent Thyme chalk ink (Tsukineko), Palette Noir Hybrid ink (Stewart Superior), markers (Copic); Accessories: white gel pen.

Another Valentine

I created this card this morning for the Sketch Challenge on SCS, and used my new Spring Holiday stamps from Jessica Lynn Originals! These stamps will be released with a lot of other new stamps on February 1st! You can also check out my card, and a lot of other cards that the JLO Design Team has been working on for the new release at our team blog.

I was so pleased with how this turned out, and even more pleased to have a little bit of sunshine coming through the living room windows to take a good picture today! Even though it's bitterly cold out and the wind is going to blow us away, the sun is really nice to see! And it's nice to "see" you, too! Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Spring Holidays (Jessica Lynn Originals); Cardstock: Pink Cadillac (Bazzill Bling), Red Hot (Bazzill Basics), purple (Die Cuts with a View), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (Crazy 4 U-Flair Designs); Inks: Palette Noir (Tsukineko), Warm Red chalk ink (Clearsnap), markers (Copic); Accessories: felt flowers (Creative Impressions), pink brad (Making Memories), small and large oval punches (Stampin' Up), purple heart brad, large pink flower (unknown), sponge, dimensional adhesives.

Making Yo-Yo Yellow look good!

Late last night I realized that today is my Mom and step-Dad's anniversary, so I used the Color Challenge on SCS today to make a card for them. The challenge was to use Yo-Yo Yellow, Going Gray, and Basic Gray from Stampin' Up. I didn't have any of the Basic Gray, and my supply of Going Gray is very low so I made a few substitutions that I think work just fine! I wouldn't have believed it, but I think this does make Yo-Yo Yellow look good!

Stamps: Silhouette Corner (Hero Arts), Garden Silhouettes (Stampin' Up), sentiment (Michael's $1 stamp); Cardstock: Yo-Yo Yellow (Stampin' Up) light gray (generic), dark gray (Bazzill Basics), white (Georgia Pacific); Inks: Yo-Yo Yellow, Going Gray (Stampin' Up), Charcoal chalk ink (Tsukineko); Accessories: clear embossing powder (Sparkle 'N Sprinkle), silver brads, distressing tool (Stampin' Up), sheer ribbon, dimensional adhesives (miscellaneous).

Workshop Thank You's!

These are some thank you notes, that were quick and easy to create while I was at my daughters volleyball tournament yesterday! I cut all the cardstock here at home, and all I had to do was stamp, color and assemble them! I plan to send these to the demonstrators, and other people who helped out with the workshop at the store on Saturday. The workshop went really well! I had a lot of good compliments, and sales were good. Not as good as I wanted, but then I made a few judgement errors in knowing what to have in stock to sell. So had I ordered more of certain items, there would have been more to sell and therefore higher sales. For my first one, I am happy with the results! Thanks everyone for your good thoughts on the whole day!
Stamps: Tiny Talk (Paper Salon Tailored Tin); Cardstock: Cantalope, Think Pink, Marigold (Bazzill Basics), white (Georgia Pacific), designer paper (stripes-Anna Griffin, polka dots-My Minds Eye); Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black (Ranger), markers (Copic); Accessories: scalloped square punch (Marvy), miscellaneous ribbon, dimensional adhesives. I really wanted some orange ink to sponge around the edges of the white square, but had not thought to bring any with me yesterday. In a pinch, I discovered that I could apply ink directly from my orange Copic marker to a paper napkin and swipe the cardstock edges with it, and it worked!

Thanks for stopping by!