Warm and Fuzzy

I received a Gina K. order on Monday (Happy Day, Happy Day!) and yesterday I finally had a chance to stamp :o) I have got to say the images from Warm and Fuzzy are so cute! It is a companion set to Framed Friends by Asela Hopkins.

I recently picked up a set of oval Nestabilities and still need a mat in order to emboss (sadly Hobby Lobby was out of them) so I thought I would just sponge the edges. I colored the image with Copics and incorporated a challenge of making a tailored bow from Joanne B....you can find how to make one yourself *HERE*. I promise it is easy and adds a nice touch. I included a photo as well of how I popped the bird image up on dimensionals.



I actually stamped the bird on the swing twice and paper pieced it onto my sponged oval (which kept the swing white since I got a little heavy handed on the sponging...it's like I don't know when to stop, LOL!) I adhered some little metal bling to the chain holding the bird swing and added one to the sentiment as well. All in all it was a fun card to put together. Well, it is Friday and I have quite a bit to do today. If I want to find time to stamp tomorrow, I need to straighten the house today! Nothing says "free time" like a clean house :o) Have a great day!

Thankful Thursday Sketch Challenge

It is time for another Thankful Thursday sketch challenge and I have a fabulous sketch created from fellow Design Team member Maria Bell. Maria has some wonderful sketches on her blog that she created and they are a definite must see! This one goes all the way back to Jan/Feb of 2007 and there a ton of sketches for each month. I find that when I am stumped in designing a card, looking through sketches gets the "mojo" flowing. :o)



A favorite color combination is Ruby Red and River Rock. For the red layer, I used the SU scalloped edge punch, just adds a nice touch I think.  Suzie Q. was colored using Copics and I paper pieced her shirt to tie the card together with the dp. I also paper pieced her shopping bags as well. She is one classy shopper, I just love her shoes (who doesn't love red shoes, right!) :o)

As you can see from my card I veered a smidge from the sketch in the placement of the sentiment. It is a little higher than on the sketch, but that is what worked for me. So feel free to veer a little, but not too much :o)

If you want to play along, post your entry with a link to your creation by Wednesday, February 4th, before 11:59 PM (PST) on the InStyle Stamps blog Thankful Thursday post. The design team will look at all the entries and come up with their top 3, and Virginia will make the final decision. The winner will be announced the following day. You will have 48 hours to claim your prize. If the lucky winner hasn’t come forward after 48 hours, another winner will be selected.

If you upload your card to Splitcoast Stampers or Paper Craft Planet, please use the keyword ISSTT1-29 for ease in viewing.

Looking for more inspiration...check out what the other DT members came up with:
Maria
Shary

You're in my Heart

I made this card using Framed Friends for a sketch challenge on the Gina K. forum on SCS. This puppy is so cute! I colored the image with Koh-i-Noor pencils and Goo Gone. I look forward to using this image for some Christmas cards this year...speaking of which it is almost the end of January and I still haven't made one Christmas card for the month yet...I signed up for a group on SCS that is making Christmas cards each month because I don't want to be behind like I was a little over a month ago so I had better get a move on :o)



I have been meaning to post this picture of the snowman my kids made last week. They were so proud of their creation! They called him Leon after the snowman on Elf (a favorite Christmas movie of ours). We have had several days in the upper 40's so there is nothing but a small ball of ice left outside...

Have a great day!

Sweet Cupcakes

Last Thursday Gina K. had another release of several new stamp sets and I am so excited to get them cut out and inked up :o) They arrived yesterday, but I haven't had the time to cut them yet, much less inky so I thought I would share something I made for one of the challenges. Theresa had a challenge to make something "sweet." It could be something with the word "sweet", some kind of edible "sweet", something for a "sweetheart" or something that makes you say, "ahhh, that is so sweet." This is what I came up with which uses the stamp set My Cuppa' Joe.  It combines the word "sweet" and something edible, yummy cupcakes! I picked up this cute scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby recently and love how it coordinated together and with Purely Pomegranate and Wild Wasabi (two favorite SU colors that retired). Hope you enjoy your day...I have a busy one :o)

Storage Units, Ink and More set!!

I recently won the stamp set Will You Be My Valentine? from some blog candy on Kristen's blog Scrap-Creations and received it yesterday...talk about exciting! I just had to ink it up right away.... :o) I love new stamps...but then again I am an equal opportunity stamper and will ink up any stamp! This is a new company to me and I love the clear image it gives, always a good thing! I colored it with my few Copics and Bic It markers.

Well, going to be a busy day here getting the house cleaned for the weekend. I have some serious stamping to do the next few days and I need to be guilt free ;o))) LOL!

Long Time Friend

When I sit at my stamp table, I just keep reaching for Tree Silhouettes!   I have another card I want to share as well, but that one will have to wait a bit...:o) I stamped the Sage Shadow cardstock using the Weathered BG and Chocolate Chip ink twice (inverting the stamp each time) then put it through the Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes folder, which gave it a nice aged look I thought. I am also on a huge sponging kick lately and just can't seem to stop :o) LOL! The branch sprigs are from a Martha Stewart punch and add a nice accent to the sentiment.

Well, have a great day!

Framed Friends and Snow!!!

I recently bought a Janome mini sewing machine and had to try it out right away :o) I will be honest...I have never sewn in my life (all 36 years!) and never did take the opportunity to learn to sew (....Sorry, Mom). I followed the manual directions (which were quite vague) and checked out some tutorials: Gina K. and Jody Morrow (so thankful that they had pictures!!!)   I stitched the Basic Grey designer paper to Chocolate Chip cardstock and adhered it to the Pink Pirouette cardstock using Sticky Dimensionals (which I highly recommend), I ordered mine from Jody and she has fantastic service and they are a great value... (As a side note, the SU ones don't stay sticky enough for me and these do!) I used the new stamp set from Asela Hopkins Framed Friends again and think these images are so cute! It even looks like there will be a companion set for this revealed Thursday night!! Woo-Hoo! Too cute!  

As a side note...down here in NC we had SNOW!!! It has been 5 years since this area has had more than an inch of snow so this was a big deal!


My kids loved it and were out at 8 am and stayed busy in the snow playing until dark. They enjoyed every minute and look forward to getting back out there again today since there is no school! :o) 

Black and White Card

I made this for Joanne"s "Keep it Clean" Challenge on the Gina K. forum on SCS. The card base is made from Gina K's Pure Luxury 120 lb. cardstock which embosses so beautifully! I used the stamp set Comfort and Peace and wasn't too sure about black flowers, but it just seemed to fit with the sentiment. I lightened it up a bit with the polka dot organdy ribbon which is adhered with a glue dot. The designer paper is from Basic Grey Wassail. I love the design of this sheet, and it also helped to tie in the ribbon.

Our blogger group is voting on cards again and if you have time, follow this link here and vote for your favorite. Thank you for your time!!! We appreciate it. :o)

Well, the kids are off of school today...going to be a nice day off for us all. Have a great day!

Blogger#3 Challenge #4

I missed the last blogging challenge so tried to get this one made ahead of time. For this challenge, we were to do a double trouble challenge...meaning we needed to use two colors plus a neutral, two different embellishments, and two different stamps ONLY. So following those guidelines my two colors: Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa, Neutral: Natural Ivory; two different embellishments: brads and I thought the Top Note die would count (maybe?) and the two different stamps: the large deer stamp from the Noble Deer set and Flannel Plaid Background.

As I have said before, I am always needing masculine cards and this one fits the bill, especially around this part of the good ole' south ;o)
Have a great day!

Birthday Silhouettes

Last week my SU order came and in it was the Top Note Sizzix die. I think I am about the last person on the paper crafting planet to have one, but I finally broke down and bought one. At first I didn't think I *needed* it, but kept seeing some beautiful cards with it (especially Christmas cards) and wanted to give it a whirl. I used the Gina K. stamp set Tree Silhouettes to make a birthday card for my husband.  He loved it, I just knew the colors and rustic look was right up his alley!   Now I really need to work on my stash of masculine cards...this stamp set sure will make it easy!  I have so many ideas for this, just need the time :o)

Have a great stampin' day!

Method Monday Box Challenge

Every Monday the InStyle Stamps Design Team is going to share a tutorial, technique or tip. This week it is my turn to share my "method" and one of my favorite non-card projects is to make a box out of cardstock. I made my first box over a year ago and became familiar with them again this past October via Cammie (she has an excellent tutorial on her blog that you can find HERE).

Of course I had to make mine using Suzie Q., I *think* she is my favorite of the ISS stamps. You can't see it here (because I didn't use the whole stamped image) but she is all about shopping and *knows* how to shop right!  Sometimes it is all about presentation and so I set about making a gift box for a manicure set and nail polish, a great find at the Target Dollar spot.  I am tickled with how it turned out...now if you get a chance, try one out for yourself (I promise it is easy!) and post it on the InStyle Stamps blog and you will be entered to win a prize, nothing like a little motivation :o) 

Be sure and check out some others on the DT for InStyle Stamps and make your own box, I promise it is easy!

Maria

Shary

Cindy

Limelight Sketch

I enjoy trying the Limelight sketches every other week and this one was no exception. I like the layout and for mine I turned it on its' side, it just fit my focal image better. I wasn't expecting to get this done this week but took some time to make something up before I clean my craft mess from the weekend. Have a great day!

Framed Friends

Framed Friends is such an adorable stamp set. I love the bold lines of the images, it makes it very easy to cut out and layer with dimensionals.   I used some of Nana's Nursery scrapbook paper on this card and managed to even remember to line up the stripes for the scalloped panel (I am trying to pay more attention to detail).  I used the Martha Stewart Branch punch for several Certainly Celery branches to accent the glittery brad (I thought it needed something and I think it worked).  I am short of time today and off to get the house cleaned up for the weekend... I don't know about you but I can paper craft with much less guilt when my house is straight! ;o)
Have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday Challenge

In Style Stamps has a sketch challenge every Thursday and DT member Melissa has a great one to try this week. My Thankful Thursday challenge card uses Jasmine.   There is nothing that quite beats the thankfulness a family has then when a new little bundle of joy arrives!

Jasmine is just so trendy and put together...not me at all! (LOL) I pull my hair up in a pony tail and call it done :o)   I stamped Jasmine with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored her with a variety of coloring mediums: Bic It markers, SU markers, and Koh-i-Noor pencils with Goo-Gone (yes, that is quite a variety!) I did try something that I think is a light bulb moment for me...I colored the dress with my pencils and didn't think the red dots were quite "red" enough, so I went over them with my Ruby Red marker and it blended beautifully with no lines that I can tell.  I don't know if it was the Goo-Gone residue or what... 

Be sure to check out the rest of the In Style Stamps' Design Team for more creations using this sketch. There is also a prize being offered so create your own Thankful Thursday card using this sketch and post a link on the In Style Stamps blog to enter.  

I hope you have a great day!

Terrific Tulips/Blog Candy Winner

10

Terrific Tulips is one of those classic Stampin' Up sets that is so easy to use. I have always thought this set was the one I could count on to make a great looking card with little time and effort...and to be honest, some days stamping time is short.

By the way, I have been cleaning my stamp area and on Monday I found my Horizontal Slot punch (it fell into a box of scraps). Then yesterday the new one I ordered arrived :oP  At least now I have a spare!

Well, I will be back a little later with the winner from the blog candy...I am tickled so many entered, it is such a fun stamp set! I know the winner will really enjoy using with these great images.

Thank you everyone for posting for the Framed Friends blog candy. I really appreciate the kind comments.

We have a winner!!!!

Nicole said...

Awesome. Very cute card, and I would love to win this set! Thanks for the chance, and Happy New Year.
JANUARY 3, 2009 9:06 PM 

Congratulations Nicole!  Email your address and I will get it right out to you :o)

mjharper AT copper.net

Have a Cookie

e e

Cookies always bring about such joy in my home...the kids (and my husband) love the smell of cookies baking.  Sugar Cookies happen to be my favorite because I love using my cookie cutters and decorating them...and pretty soon it will be hearts!  How do you like your cookies?  I like mine with a layer of colored frosting, and you can add some sprinkles too! :o)

Have a Cookie, designed by Melanie Muenchinger is such an adorable stamp set and I had the best time putting this together.  I just think the little pan with the heart cookies is so stinkin' cute!  I stamped the pan of cookies on Going Gray and Kraft cardstock, then I paper pieced the bottom of the pan with Kraft cardstock to make it look like parchment paper.  I then added a few pink heart brads to the heart shaped cookies.    I made this for a challenge on Melanie's blog which was to create a project that features a sentiment in some way.  I figured I would use two on the front.  

***Don't forget about my Blog Candy...you have until tonight to post a comment.***

Retro Roxy

InStyle Stamps has some wonderful retro stamps that are so fun to color or paper piece, this time I colored Roxy using my Bic It markers. She just looks so sassy! I used Basic Grey designer paper and Real Red cardstock.  The flowers I found at Hobby Lobby and love the bright red color. I ended up using the sentiment "sweet" from the retired SAB set: So Very (though I wish it said "Sassy"). ;o)

My children start back to school today and I am looking forward to more of a routine. Christmas break was so nice, but I am ready to get back to a normal schedule. Have a great day!  

***Don't forget about my Blog Candy...you have until Tuesday night to post a comment.***

Winter Thanks

Do you know how sometimes a card just "clicks"?  Well, that is how I feel about this one.  The Close to Cocoa card base was stamped with the Flannel Plaid BG using Chocolate Chip ink to give the card a nice rustic, wintery feel.  Then, I stamped the trees with black ink onto Creamy Caramel cardstock and sponged the panel with Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip ink.  I used my Ink Essentials white pen to add snow to the trees and ground.  The dp is Cosmo Cricket (don't quite remember the name..thinking possibly Slim Jim).  I am quite tickled with how this turned out!  

Yesterday I managed to get the Christmas tree and decorations down...just think, in 11 months we will pull it all out again...Oh-my!  Today I am hoping to clean out my craft area, and hopefully I will find my missing Horizontal Slot punch... :o) 

  

I do hope you take the time to enter my first ever Blog Candy post on the post just below this one.  It is for the stamp set Framed Friends from Gina K. Designs....  You have until Tuesday night to enter...

Framed Friends/Blog Candy!!

Happy New Year!  Can you believe it is 2009?   

2008 went by so fast, I only hope this one will go by a little slower...my children are just growing too fast.

I made this card using the new stamp set from Gina K. Designs: Framed Friends, designed by Asela Hopkins.  These images are adorable and I look forward to making more cards with this cute set. I used the colors Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal and some retired designer paper from SU.  The dots were made using a stamp from the set Polka Dots and Paisley.  I do not have Copics (and do not foresee investing in them, however, if someone gave them to me, sure I'd take them ;o)...), so I colored the image with my cheap Bic It markers.   

I popped the bug image up on a stamp dimensional and he stands out just so stinkin' cute! Please ignore the smudge of the stickles, I think I touched it before it was quite dry (and yes, I am one to touch a wall when a sign says: "Wet Paint").  Well, how about we get on to the good stuff???  How would you like to win a set of your very own?

I just happen to have an extra Framed Friends (brand new) and would love to give it to one of you.  Just leave a comment on this post by 11:59 pm Tuesday, January 6th, and I will have my daughter pick a random winner from a basket of entries and post it here on my blog on Wednesday.  The winner will have 24 hours to contact me or my daughter will draw another name.   I know you will love this set, I think it is just perfect for Valentines Day...which is right around the corner!