Relaxin' in Bubbles

I would like to introduce you to Sheree from InStyle Stamps, she is a girl who knows how to relax!  I am giving this card to a friend with an assortment of Bath and Body products.  I used some Basic Grey designer paper as well as the SU colors:  Chocolate Chip and Regal Rose. Finding a sentiment to work was a bit of a struggle, nothing I had seemed to quite fit so I figured "Enjoy your Day" from the retired Hostess set Riveting would work just fine.   I colored the bathtub using Koh-i-Noor pencils/Goo Gone and chose pink because only Sheree could have a pink bath tub! :o)  The pink ribbon has little gold specks in it so I used my Stardust pen to accent the bubbles as well as around the scalloped circle.  

How was your Christmas?  Ours was very nice...two of my children came down with some kind of a virus (mainly just a fever and not too high) so it didn't hinder them at all from enjoying the day.  Now I just need to make some order of this Christmas clutter... :o)

Have a great day!   Blog candy will be posted soon...  I have a few things I want to do before I post it.  :o)))

Merry Christmas!

It is hard to believe tomorrow is Christmas!  I am very excited for my kids tomorrow... all of the presents are wrapped, we painted ornaments yesterday and baked Christmas cookies today. We have a new tradition of making Sugar Cookies on Christmas Eve, lots of fun!   Honestly, it is fun just being together in the kitchen (so long as I don't freak out about red/green sugar being EVERYWHERE!)  :o))

This is a little Christmas card I whipped up pretty quick when I realized my stash was running low.  Next year I must plan better :o)    Sorry the photo is a little blurry...  

I did want to mention I have some very nice blog candy I will be posting soon, I am quite excited about it!   It will be perfect for Valentines Day coming up!!!  (how it that for a hint?)

I pray you all have a Merry Christmas!   

InStyle Stamps Sketch

InStyle Stamps Blog has a great challenge on their blog as well as the chance to win one of their stamps... This week it is a great sketch that includes the sentiment "thank you" to show how thankful you are for those that mean so much to you and the prize this week is your choice of an InStyle Stamp (you have until 11:59 PM tonight to get your card made and posted to Virginia's blog ).

For the sketch, you can use any stamps of your choosing (vendor does not matter), but I decided to use Ginger . I love the colors Certainly Celery and Regal Rose together and thought she would look so preppy....and yes, I am a child of the 80's! Cheesy decade, but I do miss the big hair :~)
Busy day here..Have a great day!

Limelight Sketch

I made this for the Limelight Sketch Challenge . I know it is very non-traditional Christmas colors, but I like it for something different. Mandy is giving away a 6x6 pad of Basic Grey Bittersweet dp (as soon as it becomes available) to the winner and I would love to get my inky hands on that soon! :o) I used some scrapbook paper I have in my scrap pile and love not having to a cut a new piece. Have a great day!

Monochromatic Cuppa' Joe

I made this card for a challenge by Donna Baker on the Gina K. Designs forum on SCS. For this challenge, we could pick one color to use in various shades on our card or project plus one neutral (black, white, vanilla, kraft, grey, etc.) Whatever neutral we chose, we could only use it once. Quite challenging to keep that in mind.. My one neutral was the Black EP that I used on Glossy White CS (which afterwards I sponged with Close to Cocoa).

Also, there is another blog challenge to vote on... The challenge was to make a Flap Card with either a summer or Christmas theme. If you have a minute, you can go HERE and vote for your favorite, check it out and vote. There are some very creative cards and pick one that strikes you as a favorite. Thanks a bunch, we really appreciate it! Have a great day!

Suzie Q.

I saw the color challenge on SCS and combined it with the sketch from InStyle Stamps' Blog to make a quick card. I am in the middle of cleaning up the Christmas clutter (from decorating and wrapping...it is driving me nuts) and thought I deserved a break. :~) Since I have shopping on the mind, I thought I would use Suzie Q. from InStyle Stamps . She and others like her have recently been released from InStyle Stamps. She is just so much fun to color and paper piece. I took some of the Bella Rose Designer Series paper from SU and also used Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White cardstock. I stamped her shopping bags twice and popped them up to add dimension. This great striped ribbon, from Michael's, added just the perfect touch to the card. The phrase is from An American Art stamp called: On Visa and it goes perfectly since she is out finishing up her Christmas shopping! I am thankful to say I am finished with mine. :o)

Two posts in one day, pretty good for me!

Snowman crazy?

I promise I will stop using snowmen stamps soon...I think I have a problem, I just can't stop inking them up! :o) This was made for a challenge on the Gina K. Designs forum on SCS. The challenge was to use the sketch to make a scrapbook page, however I did not have time to make an actual scrapbook page...so I took the sketch and made it into a Christmas card that I can reproduce with ease (yes, I am still making my Christmas cards...). Next year I am going to make 10 cards a month so I am not in this predicament again! I hate being this behind on getting them mailed out....
Have a great day!

Blogger#3 Challenge #2

Isn't this reindeer so cute? I will admit that I am one of those that just recently realized it was a wreath around his neck...for me a definite "DUH!" moment...but makes total sense! :o) I added some Holly and Christmas Red stickles glitter to the wreath and cut it out (as well as the reindeer head) and it is actually 3 dimensional (you just can't see it from the photo). The dots on and around the snowflakes are made using a Stardust Glitter pen which blended well with the ribbon that has flecks of gold in it.

I made this card for two actual challenges (yes, I am multi-tasking). This combines both a blog challenge and a Gina K. challenge on SCS. This is called a Flap Card and you can find directions on how to make one --> HERE.

It is very easy to make...I think next time I will make one into a gift card holder.
Have a great day!

So Excited!

I have some exciting news that I have been sitting on for over a week...I am on design team. :~) InStyle Stamps had posted a call for a Guest Designer spot and after seeing some images from their company I thought I would give it a whirl..(you know the old saying, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'). Well, low and behold, Virginia (the owner) emailed me last Saturday and asked if I would be part of her actual design team. I was BLOWN away and jumped at the opportunity! I am so excited and look forward to working with Virginia and her company.



This past week while I was out of town a wonderful package arrived from InStyle Stamps... Woo-Hoo...new stamps!!! This is Jasmine and I just had to use her first since I have a little 8 month old... you see new baby days weren't too long ago. My little one is now moving all over the place and he won't be held like this for very long at all. :o) I colored Jasmine using Bic It markers and a purple Souffle pen. I came up with the color scheme based on the DCWV scrapbook paper: Nana's Nursery Baby Boy. I just think she is super cute and I can see using her with various baby cards and on altered items as gifts.

If you would like to see more inspiration with these stamps, check out InStyle Stamps Blog . Also be sure and check out the sight on Monday, there will be a sketch challenge and I heard some prizes...and who doesn't love prizes, so be sure to check it out! :o)

Tree Silhouettes

I finally got a chance to use my new Tree Silhouettes stamp set from Gina K. The sketch is loosely based on a sketch at InStyle stamps. I had every intention of following the sketch, but sometimes you just have to let things go if it doesn't work (the image isn't quite as long as the original sketch). I was just going to add brads on the sentiment, but thought I would add them on the corners of the main image too. The Always Artichoke layer is stamped with the Flannel Plaid BG, which adds a nice rustic look.
I am off to get some things accomplished before the end of the day.

Have a great Stampin' day!

Another Christmas Card

Obviously I can't use this Penny Black stamp enough. It is just so easy to make a card with him and the Basic Grey snowman paper. I even picked up a few more sheets of this scrapbook paper so I would be sure to be able to finish my Christmas cards. I think I have an addiction to scrapbook paper, it's as though I can never have enough :o))) I used wide brown organdy ribbon as well as the retired Cranberry Crisp. Well, I have a busy day ahead, so best get to it.

Have a great Stampin' day!

MFT Gift Box

I made this for a challenge on the MFT forum on SCS. It was such a fun little box to make! I had in mind what I wanted to make and found this little box in my stash I had bought a while ago at Walmart. I painted it with Linen Folk Art Acrylic Paint and decorated it using the Dashing Designer paper from SU and my MFT stamps: Baby, It's Cold Outside. I just loved this altering challenge and am looking around seeing what else I can get my hands on. :) I am going to use this box as a gift filled with Pecan Puffs.



Have a great stampin' day!

Funky Christmas Snowman

Basic Grey Figgy Pudding is one of my favorite designer papers for Christmas. I just love the designs in the paper pack as well as the colors. I made this card using Gina K.'s stamp sets: Funky Christmas and Seasonal Sayings. She both of them (as well as several others) on sale the Friday after Thanksgiving and a sale always catches my eye! I was also given a gift certificate for Gina K. Designs (from my Secret Sister on SCS~ Jody Morrow Confessions of a Ribbon Addict ), so all the more reason to get a little something! :o)))
Have a wonderful Stampin' Day!

Brrr...It's Chilly

Well, it is not quite cold here yet, but some chilly temperatures are coming! I made this card for the Ambassador Challenge on the MFT forums (on SCS). The challenge was to use the color blue and at least three buttons. I colored the image with Koh-i-Noor pencils and Goo Gone (still don't have OMS, but Goo Gone works for me). I am also incredibly picky about things matching so in order to get the snowflake and branch to match perfectly, I colored some scrap white CS with my pencils before I punched the shapes. I cannot remember where I got the sketch idea from...isn't that terrible :o(( I need to keep better track of that!
I am pleased with how this came together. Oh, one last tidbit, the white cardstock I used is the new 120 lb. Luxury White from Gina K. Designs...it is soooo nice! It has definitely become my new favorite for white cardstock and is perfect for a card base. It is so thick and can take the weight of added layers of cardstock without buckling.
That is all from here.

Have a wonderful Stampin' Day!

Bundled Together

This is a favorite MFT stamp set: A Scarf for Three. I think they look so cozy bundled together. I made this using the colors Bashful Blue, Basic Black and Whisper White, obviously not traditional Christmas colors.
Since the snowmen had star shaped buttons, I used the large SU star punch and the Martha Stewart snowflake punch and centered them with a snowflake brad from Hobby Lobby. This is a favorite colors combination...I am working on another one, if I can get it finished I will post it tomorrow. I am enjoying decorating for Christmas and so stamping time is a bit on the back burner... Christmas only comes once a year (and I love decorating for Christmas!!!)
Have a great day!

Crabby Christmas

I think this crab is so cute! Now I don't have this set, but a friend let me borrow it while we were on vacation. I had such fun making this card. The bow got a bit mangled while en route home...but you get the idea. I love the sentiment: "Jingle Shells"...just too cute! I added Puffy Paint (sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds glitter) to his little Santa hat, but the picture doesn't show it well.

Oh and by the way, I participate in a blogging group on SCS and we recently had a challenge to make a card using the colors: yellow and orange and flowers. If you have a minute, you can go HERE and vote for your favorite, check it out and vote. There are some beautiful creations and pick one that strikes you as a favorite. Thanks and bunch, we really appreciate it!
Have a great day!

Limelight Sketch Challenge

I made this real quick today for the Limelight Sketch Challenge this week. I picked up this cute scrapbook paper at AC Moore on Friday and thought it would go great with the My Cuppa' Joe stamp set. I paper pieced the mugs using some scrap designer paper and cardstock that I have stashed away. For the red cup, I added the foam to the mug by using Puffy Paint, makes it look so delicious! Now I am off to make a pot of coffee for this cold rainy day.
Have a great Sunday!

Blogger#3 Challenge #1

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and had a good time shopping the Black Friday deals yesterday...I am thankful to say we got a lot accomplished (Christmas gifts bought) and had a good time too! :o))

Okay, here is my challenge card for the Blogging #3 Group. We were to make a card using yellow, orange and flowers. I chose to use the colors So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie. I wasn't sure how these two colors would look together, but they work. The silhouette stamp is from Garden Silhouettes and the sentiment is from Flowers for Daisy. I have lots of decorating to do today...so best get to it.
Have a great weekend!

Christmas Card Stash

I made these two cards using the Little Yellow Bicycle products from Limelight PaperCrafts. I was really tickled to see how well the colors matched my slightly remaining stash of Cranberry Crisp and True Thyme cardstock. I wonder if SU will ever bring these colors back...they are my favorite for Christmas cards. I used the Christmas Magic Clear Stamp Set as well as the matching Christmas Magic - 8x8 Paper & Punch-Out Tablet .



With the scrapbook pack, there are several pages of punch out shapes which make a card a breeze to make. You can see on here with the Merry Christmas sentiment. I just added brads on both sides. I outlined the snowflake using my Stardust pen. The photo just does not catch it well...looks better in person.
I have a full day of cooking and cleaning to get ready for tomorrow. Have a great day!

Technique Challenge

When I saw the Technique Challenge for this week: Pop Up Gift Card I thought I would give it a whirl. I knew the new stamp set from Gina K., My Cuppa' Joe would be perfect for this challenge. Who doesn't love a gift card to Starbucks? (Even for non-coffee drinkers, they have great tea and hot chocolate) I used Cosmo Cricket designer paper and got a bonus because it is double sided :o)) The base of the card is Chocolate Chip and I also used Sage Shadow for the layering.



I paper pieced the coffee bag onto the bag using the other side of the designer paper and stamped coffee in the label box. After the image was stamped and colored, I stamped over it using the Linen BG stamp and Creamy Caramel ink.

Here is what the inside of the card looks like....


As you can see, there is plenty of room to add something to the inside of the card if you wish.
That is all for today. Have a great Tuesday!

Christmas Snowman and SS

I cannot believe how fast the weekend flew by... Can you believe that Thanksgiving is this Thursday? I am so looking forward to cooking a big meal with all of the fixings, looking through the newspaper for the Black Friday deals (and mapping out my plan of attack on shopping), and then in the evening watching a movie. It is our little family tradition to watch Elf Thanksgiving night. That movie is just too cute!

Today I have two cards to share. The first is another card to add to my assorted Christmas cards I will be sending out this year. Just bam, bam and I am done.


The next card is from my Big Sister (through the Divine Secret Sisters on SCS). The reveal is pretty soon and she has been leaving me clues, but I am a bit slow on the uptake I think. :o)) This is just gorgeous and I love all of the cards she has sent me this round. All just amazing. She is super talented and I love her style.

Cuppa' Joe, Anyone?

I am an avid coffee drinker, if there is such a thing. :o) I love coffee first thing in the morning and then love a cup or two of decaf in the evenings. If I am near a Starbucks, I definitely stop in for my favorite: a Grande Vanilla Latte (sometimes Skinny, sometimes not ;o)) and with the holiday season I also enjoy a Gingerbread Latte with a Molasses Chew cookie....Mmmm, will have to go soon!

When Gina K. released this new set designed by Rupa Shevde, My Cuppa' Joe I was just loving it! I love the design of the images and the various sentiments and font of the sentiments. I ordered it first thing the night it was released and have been kicking myself ever since for not ordering another 2 sets to get the free set. Ggrr! I am so wishing I had ordered the Cookie set by Melanie. Sometimes I try to be so frugal, and then I regret it. :o((

For this card, I used the paper piecing technique and used the retired SU Dashing designer paper. The sketch is actually from the sketch challenge on SCS this week. I am pleased with how this turned out. Quite Christmasy.
Have a great weekend!

Ready for Snow?

It sure has gotten seasonably cold here in NC! I love it (from inside near the fireplace) and hope for a good snow this year. This is another snowman card I made using the Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic scrapbook paper. This snowman is nice and whimsical looking. I think it is by Inkadinkadoo.



Tina has awarded me the Kreativ Blogger Award, which is so sweet of her. She is so creative and you should check out her blog: Let's Get Creative .

Rules for the Kreativ Blogger Award are:
1.The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person that sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

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Now I have to narrow it down to 5 people to give the blog award to...oh, my. I have tried to check to make sure they have not already been chosen...so here are my nominations:

1. Michelle shellpole's snippets
2. Jen Marie Taylor~Made by JenMarie
3. Mandy Limelight Papercrafts!
4. Carmen Stamping Addiction
5. Shelly Jaspere's Little Corner