Stamp Simply #124 - Bleeding Hearts

The Stamp Simply challenge for today from Sharon Johnson is a great one for the upcoming Valentine's holiday! The challenge calls for us to use the color red and hearts on our creations, but your creation does not have to be a Valentine!

I thought this sweet heart-shaped topiary from Rubbernecker would be perfect for this challenge, combined with some new Bo Bunny paper! My interpretation is a little liberal, but I did use Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge #58 for inspiration. My image is colored with Copics, and I added a ribbon tied off with a Stamp Simply store button for embellishment!

My Stamp Simply sisters have some great inspiration for you, but be sure to first stop at Sharon's blog for her fabulous Valentine trio!

Barbara Anders

Barb Schram

Julie Koerber
Jenny Gropp

AJ Otto

Deb Saaranen

Janine Orchard

Jennifer Buck - taking the night off

I'm SO glad it's Friday! How about you? Make it a good one, and thank you for stopping by!

Stamps: Flower Heart Topiary #246-03 (Rubbernecker)

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!), white (Neenah), designer paper (Bo Bunny)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)Accessories: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), button (Stamp Simply store), ribbon (craft supply).

Color Throwdown #77

Well, can you? Can you handle these colors? (I feel like Dirty Harry.... "Go ahead... make my day!") Aren't these colors pretty together? Cathy is our hostess for the Color Throwdown this week, and she chose well! Check out the Throwdown blog for all the challenge details, and there you'll also find Mr. Linky so you can let us see your creation!

I chose to go with some humor for my card today! I recently got some FREE stamps from Whipper Snapper Designs, and this cow having a "moo'd" swing was too much to resist! I had to have her, and used her on my card today along with this computer generated sentiment! It doesn't necessarily apply to me right now, but I've dealt with a few people already this week with big moo'd swings, so who knows... maybe I'll give this card away before the week is over!

My Throwdown sisters have some fabulous inspiration for you this week, so be sure to check out their blogs! (Well, except for Broni who had the nerve to go to CHA without us!)

Cathy Indelicato

Barbara Anders

Danielle Kennedy

Kristin Bueter

LeAnne Pugliese

Deb Horst, January Guest Designer

It's been such a pleasure to have Deb Horst as our guest this past month! I've enjoyed getting to know her, and am hoping someday to take a little trip to the Cabin Creekwood vacation rental cabins that she and her husband own in the Blue Ridge Mountains! In fact, the CTD girls think we ought to just have a retreat there sometime!

I'll hope you'll make time for the Throwdown today, or later this week! Happy stamping and thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Moo'd Swing (Whipper Snapper Designs), sentiment (computer generated)

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up!), Dotted Swiss (Bazzill), white (Neenah)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Certainly Celery (SU!), markers (Copic)Accessories: ribbon (May Arts), Nestabilities (Spellbinders).

No Embellishments??? Just Shoot Me Now!

I was looking for a few challenges to participate in this past weekend, and realized that there is a weekly challenge on the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog, so I thought I'd play along! Then I read the actual challenge, and thought maybe I should have passed it by! LOL NO embellishments! Yikes! Just shoot me now and get it over with! For me, that is definitely a challenge! You have no idea how badly I wanted to add brads, ribbons, and buttons to this card but I resisted the urge!

Here's Charlotte with her dollies.... my most favorite Kimmie image. Inside I added a simple "sending smiles" sentiment. I used the sketch challenge that I hosted this past weekend on Paper Craft Planet for the layout, too!

I hope you're week started out well! Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: Charlotte (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red (Stampin' Up!), white (Neenah), designer paper (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!), markers (Copic)Accessories: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), border punch (Martha Stewart).

Get Well Soon

Just wanted to share this quick card with you today that I made to display at the store. I recently started carrying stamps from C.C. Designs at Toyrifix, and this little Nurse Nora was an image I couldn't resist. She's paired with some striped paper from Cosmo Cricket, and a tiny get well sentiment stamp from DRS Designs. Nothing too fancy here, but hopefully it'll be a good inspirational card and little Nurse Nora will fly off the store shelf!

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Stamps: Nurse Nora (CC Designs), sentiment (Tiny Get Well Soon #A256-DRS Designs)

Cardstock: red, pale green (Bazzill), white (Neenah), designer paper (Cosmo Cricket)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Brilliance Rocket Red (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)Accessories: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Moroccan Screen Cuttlebug embossing folder (ProvoCraft), ribbon (May Arts).

Stamp Simply #123 - Very Vintage

Yay, it's Friday once again! And that means it's time for another Stamp Simply challenge from Sharon Johnson. This week, Sharon is challenging everyone to make something vintage. Some people can do that very easily, and for some that's a challenge. But hey, I think that's what this is called.... a CHALLENGE! LOL So c'mon and give it a whirl... whatever you interpret as vintage is fair game today, but remember to keep it simple, too.

Yeah, remember to keep it simple... which I did NOT! I failed at simple this week, but I still love my card, and I hope you do, too!

When I contemplated a vintage design this week, my first thought went to roses so I pulled out my neglected 3-Step Hearts and Roses set from Kitchen Sink Stamps for this card. I stamped my image, then cut it out using the Labels 1 Nestabilities die. My designer paper is an old piece of Melissa Frances paper that I've had forever. I stamped over it with the French Script background stamp from Rubbernecker, then distressed and inked the paper edges with tea dye Ranger distress ink.

Stop by Sharon's blog for all the challenge details! There you will find her stunning (as always!) sample, as well as Mr. Linky which you may use to link up your own vintage creation! My Stamp Simply sisters have some beautiful vintage designs to inspire you, as well!

Barbara Anders

Barb Schram

Julie Koerber
Jenny Gropp

AJ Otto

Deb Saaranen

Janine Orchard

Jennifer Buck

So there you go.... now go get vintage and inky! And thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: rose (3-Step Hearts & Roses from Kitchen Sink Stamps), French Script background #448, sentiment (Rubbernecker)

Cardstock: River Rock, Purely Pomegranate, Confetti Cream (Stampin' Up!), designer paper (Melissa Frances)

Inks: Memento Angel Pink, Rich Cocoa, Pear Tart, Versamagic Jumbo Java (Tsukineko), Purely Pomegranate, Old Olive (Stampin' Up!), Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger)Accessories: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Cuttlebug embossing folder (ProvoCraft), button (Stamp Simply store), ribbon (craft supply).

Copic 101 Class

I had a Copic 101 class at the store on Tuesday evening with three fabulous ladies there to learn how to color beautifully with Copic markers! We had so much fun laughing and coloring together! After giving them a quick tutorial with each image, I turned them loose with the markers and they all did a fabulous job for being novices! Everyone got to make simple cards with their colored images when they were done because I do not like to have any class where customers don't walk away with a finished project! If you don't have something to take home and say "look what I made, Honey!" then what's the point, right?

The first card used Gracie Lollipop from Stamping Bella and my favorite Cosmo Cricket paper.

And I just can't get enough of this sweet Wheelbarrow of Love from Whipper Snapper Designs, so we had to make a Valentine card with it!
And finally this froggie card, which I'm sure looks familiar since I CASE'd my own design on this one for my Color Throwdown card yesterday! This frog is from Penny Black.
I'll be having another Copic 101 class sometime in the Spring, and am planning a Copic 102 class in March sometime, for those that are more advanced! If you're in Northeast Ohio and want to keep updated on my classes, check out the Stampers' Toy Store blog!

And speaking of Copic classes, I will be traveling to North Liberty, Indiana in March to teach some Copic classes at Joan's Garden! The exact date hasn't been determined yet, but I'll keep you posted! I know Joan has a group of ladies anxious for some Copic classes, but I think she has room in her classroom for a few more people, so if you're in northern Indiana, you might want to keep it in mind! I'd love to have you there! (AND I can't wait to see Joan again and stay in her beautiful home!)

Happy stamping, and happy Thursday!

Color Throwdown #76

Welcome to another Color Throwdown! This week it's my turn to host the challenge, and I picked these colors hoping they would force Mother Nature to send Spring NOW!

No, seriously my desk was a mess of scraps and everything one day and these colors were just kinda' laying there in front of me and I thought "how pretty!" So Color Throwdown #76 was born! I hope you'll play along! Stop by the Throwdown blog for complete details!

My card is really clean and simple for today, as I've had a busy week already (and it's only Tuesday!) I actually colored this frog for a Copic 101 class that I had at the store last night, and copied the card design that my customers used too, just changing the colors to suit the challenge. My class was really great, too! (HI KIM!)

See what my Throwdown sisters have created for this challenge, too! They came up with some real beauties this week!

Broni Holcombe

Cathy Indelicato

Barbara Anders

LeAnne Pugliese

Kristin Bueter

Danielle Kennedy (running late today... I'm starting to think she needs 40 lashes!)

Deb Horst, January Guest Designer

I hope your week is going great! Thank you so much for visiting my blog today!

Stamps: frog (Penny Black), sentiment (Stampendous)
Cardstock: So Saffron, Old Olive (Stampin' Up!), white (Neenah)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)

Accessories: border punch (Martha Stewart), ribbon (SU!).

Boo-boo!

The Clean & Simple challenge from last Monday on SCS was to have something cut-out on your card. So this is what I came up with, cutting out the band-aid box and gluing it directly on to the white cardstock, and then I cut out the band-aid and adhered it using some foam tape squares. I also applied a really thin layer of Glossy Accents to the band-aid so it was a little big shiny, just like a real band-aid. These stamps are all from Rubbernecker.

Busy day for me today, so that's all for now! Stay tuned for a new Color Throwdown tomorrow, hosted by me!

Love Beetle

Yesterday was the weekly Bellarific Friday challenge at Stamping Bella, and the theme this week was anything love! So I inked up this cute Huggabugg Lovebeetle stamp, and used some of my yummy new "Be Loved" paper from My Mind's Eye for the challenge.

Have a terrific weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Huggabugg Lovebeetle (Stamping Bella), sentiment (Hero Arts)Cardstock: pink, turquoise green (Bazzill), white (Neenah), designer paper (MME)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)

Accessories: ribbon (Stampin' Up!), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), button (Stamp Simply Store), half-back pearls (craft supply).

Stamp Simply #122 - Think Spring!

Who's tired of winter, raise your hand!

I know I certainly am, and I think Sharon Johnson is too, because for today's Stamp Simply challenge we're thinking about Spring by creating with florals and fresh, Springy colors! Stop by Sharon's blog for complete details, and of course check out her fabulous sample. She's got Mr. Linky up and running too, so when you get your creation done be sure to link it up there!

For my card, I decided what says Spring more than tulips? And my good ole' Kitchen Sink Stamps have been sorely neglected in my studio, so out came the Multi-Step Tulip Garden set for today! And speaking of Kitchen Sink Stamps, did you know there was a kitchen remodel that just took place? Maria's got a whole new look in the kitchen, so be sure and stop by to check it out!

I also took the chance to use my new Basic Grey "Origins" paper pad for today's challenge. The colors in this collection are just beautiful!

Stop and see what my Stamp Simply Sisters have created for today's challenge and for further inspiration!

Barbara Anders

Julie Koerber

Jennifer Buck

AJ Otto

Deb Saaranen

Janine Orchard

Barb Schram

Jenny Gropp

Michelle Woerner, Guest Designer

Have a fabulous Friday, and thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Multi-Step Tulip Garden (Kitchen Sink Stamps)Cardstock: So Saffron, Handsome Hunter, Natural Ivory, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), designer paper (Origins by Basic Grey)Inks: Barely Banana, So Saffron, More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Old Olive (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen, Tea Dye distress inks (Ranger)

Accessories: ribbon, button (Stamp Simply Store), Nestabilities (Spellbinders).

Whipper Snapper Welcome

I have a Card Buffet coming up soon at the store, and this adorable new stamp from Whipper Snapper is one I am planning to use. I had planned to have customers color this image with Copics, but realized it would take way too long when they're making nine other cards in addition to this one. So I came up with a different design, but in the meantime, since I had this one colored I decided to make a card with it. On the inside is a sentiment from Anna Wight's "Love at Home" stamp set that says "In a perfect world, you would live next door!" I actually sent this to a friend yesterday, but continued the sentiment by saying "but then you'd grow to despise me, 'cause I'd just drive you crazy!"

I hope your day is fabulous! Here in NE Ohio, we're supposed to get up to 38 degrees! Woohoo.... get out the sunscreen!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Love at Home, Welcome Home (Whipper Snapper Designs)

Cardstock: pink, green (Bazzill), white (Neenah), designer paper (Cosmo Cricket)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)

Accessories: ribbon, button (Stamp Simply Store), linen thread (SU!)

Color Throwdown #75

Are ya' ready for another Throwdown? LeAnne is the hostess this week, and honestly... she's got a doozie for you! LOL My first thought was "what is she thinking?" when I saw these colors but trust me... give it a try and you'll LOVE it! I've had a really trying day and almost didn't even make a card for today's challenge but now that it's done, I'm so glad I did. So c'mon... it IS a challenge after all, so even if it's outside your comfort zone, give it a try! Stop by the Throwdown blog for complete details!

For my card, I chose to use a sweet Magnolia image and Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge #56. I'm always so happy when Mercy has a great sketch posted on Tuesday that I can use for my Throwdown card!
See what my Throwdown sisters have created for today's challenge too, and I'm sure you'll begin to love this color combo even more!

LeAnne Pugliese

Broni Holcombe

Cathy Indelicato

Barbara Anders

Danielle Kennedy

Kristin Bueter (family emergency... might be late, too!)

Deb Horst, January Guest Designer

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great Wednesday!

Stamps: Tilda with Basket (Magnolia), French Script background (Rubbernecker)

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green (Stampin' Up!), white (Neenah), designer paper (Bo Bunny)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)

Accessories: Stylized Flowers Cuttlebug embossing folder (ProvoCraft), ribbon (SU!), button (Stamp Simply Store).

3-D Tuesday - File Folder Journal

Hey everyone, Happy Tuesday! I am hosting the 3-D Tuesday challenge today over at Paper Craft Planet and I want you all to play along! This is a fun and EASY project! Once you make one, you'll have to make 10 more!

Since it's 2:00 a.m. as I'm typing this blog post, I'm taking the easy route and copying my instructions directly from the Paper Craft Planet forum.

My sweet friend Anita gave me one of these for Christmas, and I knew it'd be a great 3-D Tuesday project. (Believe it or not, Anita made 80 of these for Christmas gifts!) I would prefer to have printed file folders for this, like the ones SU! sells. I'm told you can also buy pretty file folders at office supply stores, but I forgot to go looking for them this past weekend. I ended up covering an old folder with some Basic Grey Lemonade paper and it worked just fine. Just make sure that the paper you're using isn't too heavy-weight since there's a lot of scoring and folding to do. A heavier paper will crack when you fold it.

Anita found great instructions here from Patty Bennett. However, Anita found her instructions to be slightly confusing at times, so she re-wrote them slightly and used a Scor-Pal instead. If you have an old file folder, you might want to try this out with it first.

1. Open the file folder and put the tab that juts out on the right side of your cutting board and cut it off.

2. Keeping the folder open, place the right side flush on the right end (12" side) of your Scor-Pal and score at 9 1/2" and 10".

3. Turn the folder 90 degrees so what was on the bottom is now on the right and score at 9" as far as you can, then turn it 180 degrees and finish scoring it on the 3" side to complete the score along the entire bottom.

4. Open file folder and put the indented tab section (which is on the left) turned to the right side and chop off 2". (Keep that 2" piece and use it to cover the top of the notepad.)

5. Find the center score that's already there and make another score 1/2" to the left of it. Depending on what kind of folders you buy, it's already there, you just need to make it deeper.

6. Now see Patty's directions where she shows to cut the bottom right corner out - you cut up to the score that goes across the bottom and over to the 9 1/2" score.

7. Follow Patty's directions to complete the folder. You can choose to use a corner rounder on the corners of the flap, too!See! Super fun and easy! Give it a try, and link back here if you do so I can see your creation!

Any questions, just email me!

Just Us Girls Challenge #15

Just for the fun of it, I colored up this sweet Tilda image from Magnolia and paired it with this new Vintage Valentine paper from Fancy Pants. I have no idea why they call this paper Vintage Valentine. Yes, it's vintage but nothing about it is Valentine-related, in my opinion. LOL But it is pretty paper, so I had to play a little.

While I was working on this, I decided if I added a little stitching to the card it would qualify for the JUGS challenge this week, so I adhered my designer paper to the peach-colored cardstock base and stitched all around the border. I added a few dew drops colored with Copics, a double-loop punched border, and a pretty satin bow to finish off this card. Later I found this fabulous crocheted flower with button that I got from Julie Masse so I added it, too! The perfect finishing touch!

Thanks for stopping by, and leaving me some love! Your comments mean so much to me!

Have a great day!

Stamps: Loving Tilda Wearing Hat (Magnolia)

Cardstock: Kraft, peach (Bazzill), white (Neenah), designer paper (Fancy Pants)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)

Accessories: double loop border punch (Martha Stewart), Nestabilities (Spellbinders), dew drops (Robin's Nest), ribbon, crocheted flower (craft supply).

Hey, Cupid!

Just a quick Sunday evening upload. I made this card today for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. Wendy (aka WeeBeeStampin) is the lucky Featured Stamper today and I CASE'd this card of hers for the challenge.
Thanks for visiting my blog today!

Stamps: Hey Cupid! (CC Designs)Cardstock: Pure Pomegranate (Stampin' Up!), white (Neenah), designer paper (Bo Bunny)Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), markers (Copic)Accessories: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), brads (Bo Bunny), ribbon (American Crafts), Crystal Stickles (Ranger), Diamond Dust glitter.

More Valentine Fun

My Super Nova Sister Lynn Mercurio is hosting the sketch challenge today over at Paper Craft Planet, and she's got a great clean and simple sketch for you to try! Here's my card, using some new Making Memories paper and stamps from Rubbernecker. I stamped the Heart Background #28-10 on the red cardstock using Rose Red ink, and stamped the sentiment You Make My Heart Smile #139-SO in Brilliance Rocket Red ink, and clear embossed. This card also fit for the Limited Supply Challenge #254 today at SCS.

And speaking of Rubbernecker, not only am I thrilled to have become a full-time designer for them, but I'm also thrilled that seven new members have been added to the team! We're having a ton of fun already, getting to know each other! Please help me welcome these ladies to our team by visiting their blogs or SCS galleries!

Charlene Merrick

Karen Hunsaker

Julie Aston

Cathleen Torina

Francine Gumprecht

Cathy Bomgardner

Anne Ryan

Another Valentine card I made yesterday uses some new stamps I recently got from CC Designs called Valentine Critters. I thought this little kitty would definitely be purrrfect to use on this card using the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge #97. My designer paper is new from My Little Yellow Bicycle.

I hope your weekend is fabulous! Thanks for stopping by today!