CCS Blog Hop Winner!!!

Woo~Hoo! I have the winner for the CCS Blog Hop... Will craftieodame come on down, your name was drawn for your very own Nappy Hour Sentiment Single and you also get a Blog Hop Badge. :o) So excited for you Olga! Just send me an email: (mjharper AT copper.net) with your address and we will get that right out in the mail to you :o)

SG8 and Award

Is this a great looking sketch or what??? Leigh Ann comes up with the best sketches...  I love this one...Here is what I came up with:


I just love this sketch and see myself using it again and quite possibly with my Christmas cards this year. It is a pretty basic card....the stamps are from the Holiday Cheer Stamp TV Kit.  I embossed the snowflakes and sentiment with White EP and added pearls to the center of the snowflakes. Sorry the top of the card is a little blurry, I think it was the light not reflecting well with the white cardstock. I tried several times and could not get it clear enough...

Be sure to check out what the other Sketch Girls came up with and we would love for you to play along with us over at the Sketch Girls Blog :o) 

Before I say ado...


Mary Anne gave me just the sweetest award. I so enjoy her blog and chatting with her over at STV...really have met a great group of ladies over there! So I am supposed to tell 5 things you may not know about me... Let's see:

1. When I was 6, I jumped off of a cliff holding onto a Hawaiians back into a pool of water on the island of Oahu. From the smidgen I remember, it was fun. My dad was a Marine and stationed in Hawaii.
2. I graduated high school in Okinawa, Japan (my dad was still in the Marine Corps)
3. I always wanted to have 4 kids and homeschool. Well, the Lord blessed me with 3 children (the last being a distant third and we are extremely blessed, but done in that department) :o)) Too old to do that again....being labeled "advanced maternal age" at 35, left me needing some serious therapy (just kidding, of course)
4. I love when I can stay in my pajamas all day, stamp and watch movies (especially in the winter when it is cold and I can have a nice fire in the fireplace and a cup of coffee). It doesn't happen often! :o(
5. I am not sports inclined at all! I enjoy watching others play, but when I participate people are embarrassed for me...just ask my husband! :o)) So I stick with paper crafting!

I know that these awards have been all over the place so will try to nominate some I think haven't received one yet.

Cat ~ just love her designs..they always inspire me!
Tina ~ love her very creative designs...and she is always so helpful when I have a question...just recently with a paper trimmer.
Melissa ~ love the way she uses color and dp...I have bought a few extra things because of what I have seen her create :o)
Michelle ~ my Aussie friend who has such a versatile stamping style
Shelly ~ new stamping friend who just amazes me with her projects!

Have a great day!

Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamp: Holiday Cheer
Cardstock: Cranberry Tart, White and Basic Grey Wassail
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Nesties Labels 4, White EP

CCS Blog Hop=Blog Candy!!!

I am so excited for our second Creative Clear Stamps Blog Hop and this one is focused on the versatile Sentiment Singles line. Each member of the Design Team will be showcasing a different sentiment and giving a new one away to a lucky commenter!

I made both of these cards using the Sentiment Single Nappy Hour from Creative Clear Stamps. I think this is just the cutest sentiment and while some may enjoy a nap themselves....I enjoy the quiet bit of time I get when my youngest (who is 19 months old) takes a nap! That is what I call "my time"...I can read, clean the house, fold laundry, but what do I do a majority of the time, yep, STAMP! :o) All those other things will be there when he wakes up, hee~hee.

For this card I embossed a piece of Basic Grey Lemonade designer paper with the Herringbone folder.  I love the distressed look it gives to the thinner paper.  I then sponged over it with Pretty in Pink to really accentuate the distressing.  These cards also fit perfectly with the Creative Button Challenge this week, how cool is that? :o)

You can win a Creative Clear Stamps Sentiment Single of your own if you sign up to be a Follower on the CCS Blog (if you aren't already) and be sure to check in on these Design Team Members and leave a comment. Each member of the CCS Design Team is giving away a brand new Sentiment Single that is used on their post today!!! So there are 5 chances to WIN!!!! Hopping our blogs will also give you a chance to win a Blog Hop Badge, which helps earn your way into the January Guest Designer Spot!

Shelly
Lisa
Linda
Rebecca

I will announce the winner tomorrow evening and can't wait to see what you create with your own Creative Clear Stamps!

Season's Greetings

Today I want to share a holiday card I made using two Creative Clear Stamp sets. I used the tree from Let It Snow and the sentiment is from the set Holiday Sentiments (which I used to create the background). Paper piecing is a favorite technique of mine and I used the designer paper from the Basic Grey June Bug 6x6 pad. This green pattern is perfect for the Christmas trees! Since this week the creative challenge for Creative Clear Stamps is buttons...I added a button to the center of my plaid bow..and of course I had to add a bit of snow with Polar White Flower Soft.

I hope you enjoyed what I had to share today and now for the big FUN news...TOMORROW we are having a Blog Hop and with that comes 5 chances at blog candy, Woo~Hoo!!! Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Let It Snow, Holiday Sentiments
Cardstock: All Spruced Up, Real Red, WW and Basic Grey June Bug
Ink: Handsome Hunter, Memento Black
Accessories: Flower Soft Polar White, Ribbon, White Thread, Button

Tone on Tone Gold

It was a busy weekend with just a little bit of stamping. I did make this card for the Tone on Tone Embossing Challenge over on Stamp TV. There are only two pieces of gold cardstock in my kit which I didn't want to use... obviously because then I don't have any more. :o( How silly is that??? I know, I know... Well, you can be sure I am ordering some of this on my next order. It really takes it up a notch.

I used the bird image and sentiment from the Holiday Cheer Stamp TV Kit. The bird image was stamped with Versamark and I used Gold Embossing Powder. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Holiday Cheer STV Kit
Cardstock: Luxury Ivory and Gold
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Gold Detail EP, Ribbon, Gold Brads, Nesties Label 4

SSCC#9

Have you ever been stumped as to the layout of a card...this one had me stumped something terrible! I colored the images last night and couldn't figure out a sentiment that would be most fitting and the layout, so I just put it aside and went to bed!!! This morning I was straightening my stamp area and BAM it hit me!  A sentiment from Holiday Sentiments fit perfectly and it created the perfect square to keep the card balanced. :o)

I made this card for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge which was to create a projects with a nativity scene. I bought these stamps over 2 years ago at the Enchanted Cottage (some of you will know of where I speak...).  The image stamps are from Great Impressions and the sentiment is from Creative Clear Stamps.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I am off with my daughter for a girls' day that involves a late lunch at Olive Garden and shoe shopping. :o)
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Great Impressions, Holiday Sentiments
Cardstock: All Spruced Up, VV and Basic Grey Wassail
Ink: Memento and Handsome Hunter
Accessories: Copics

Mojo #109

I made this card using the Mojo Monday Sketch #109 and the new Holiday Cheer Stamp TV Kit. The card base is the new Gina K. All Spruced Up cardstock, which has a beautiful linen texture to it.  I ran it through my Cuttlebug with the Snowflake folder.  The trees were stamped with Versamark and embossed using Silver Embossing Powder (the same wth the sentiment).  I am quite tickled with how this one turned out. :o)

I hope you have a wonderful day!  

Blessings,

Card Deets:
Stamp: Holiday Cheer
Cardstock: All Spruced Up, Cranberry Tart, Very Vanilla, and Basic Grey Wassail

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Silver EP, Ribbon, Snowflake CB Folder, Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, and Scallop Edge Punch

Verve Floral

I made this card using the Verve stamp set Everlasting Life and used one of the sketches by Julee. I was in a pastel mood and thought the flower would be pretty done in pink and celery. The image was colored with Copics and I used some scrap dp that I had in my stash.

Yesterday we went to the NC State Fair and had just a wonderful time! This picture about sums up the end of our day. The youngest one (19 months) was so worn out that he even missed the homemade ice cream. :o)  Now that is TIRED! 

Card Deets:
Stamp: Everlasting Life
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, WW and dp
Ink: Memento Black
Accessories: CB folder, Scallop Edge Punch, Ribbon, Button, Copics, and Basic Grey pearls

Christmas Thanks

Woo~Hoo...the Stamp TV Kit Holiday Cheer is in the house!!! :o) Let me tell you, I was one happy camper when the mail came on Saturday.   I didn't have as much time as I wanted to stamp but I did manage to get it cut out and ready. :o)   Tami Mayberry's blog had a great sketch/card that she made for Pencil Lines, so of course I had to combine sets and try my own. I just love this turtle dove in the Holiday Cheer Kit and after I made my postage template, his top part fit perfectly.

I was a huge fan of SU Cranberry Crisp cardstock and so sad when it retired (I bought three packs when it retired and am now down to about 5 sheets)...well watch out!!!!!! Cranberry Tart is the perfect replacement and even BETTER!!!  I just love this color for Christmas cards and so glad Gina K. is carrying it. Happy Day, Happy Day...right Linda :o) 

I hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Special Delivery and Holiday Cheer

Cardstock: Black, Cranberry Tart, True Thyme, Vanilla and Retired SU dsp

Ink: Memento Black, True Thyme, Memento Rhubarb Stalk

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches, Ribbon, Button, Gold cording,  Postage Stamp scissors

Mojo #108

I recently won Everlasting Life, my first Verve stamp set from a challenge over on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog....and uhhhmmmm, I think I am in trouble :o)

I managed to get it inky within minutes of it coming in the mail (since I was already working on a card for CPS) and shortly thereafter created this card for the Mojo Monday Challenge: Mojo#108. Being my first experience with Verve, I had no idea these stamps were such a great size (for some reason I thought they were tiny) and they stamp beautifully.... I mean like a dream :o) I love the Scripture verses and images and am looking forward to seeing their next release. I hope it is holiday related.....

Have a great weekend!
Blessings,

Card Deets:

Stamp: Everlasting Life

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, VV and Basic Grey Ambrosia

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa and Pumpkin Pie

Accessories:  CB Houndstooth Folder, Ribbon and Copics

Just Us Girls #1 and #2

If you are looking for the Sketch Girls post, it is just below this one....

I had to make one more card for the Just Us Girls challenge and this time I combined both the first two challenges of this new site: paper piecing from this weeks challenge and their sketch from last week. I even incorporated the color pink (which I forgot last time!) :o)

Well, I think I have the pink covered this time! Gotta say, I love this sketch...anything with an oval makes me a happy stamper!  The dress is from Retro Boutique and just the cutest little thing...

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamp: Retro Boutique
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Pink Pirouette, WW and Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses
Ink: Memento Black, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Nesties, Ribbon, Basic Grey Pearl, CB Divine Swirl folder

Sketch Girls #7

Are you ready for another Sketch Girls Sketch?



I really liked the large circle for the focal image. The stamp set I used is Jingle Jangle, one of the great Holiday Stamp Sets from Creative Clear Stamps and love this roly~poly Santa!  I stamped him twice, colored him with Copics, and to add dimension popped on up on a dimensional.  Sorry for the crummy picture, I prefer natural sunlight for photos and sadly with all of the rain, that has been hard to come by...  The rest of the Sketch Girls have more great projects to share so be sure and check them out for more eye candy.

Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamp: Jingle Jangle
Cardstock: Cool Caribbean, Real Red, VV and DSP from SU (retired)
Ink: Vivid Red, Cool Caribbean and Memento Black
Accessories: CB Snowflake folder, Snowflake brad, Nesties, Wiggly Eyes, Paper Piercer

Sketch Challenge from STV and a Peek...

I hope you are having a good week.  I found out yesterday that I won the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge with my Be Still card. Oooh, I am one happy stamper, just can't believe it...pinch, pinch!  For winning this, I get my first Verve stamp set and stoked to get it inky when it arrives. I have heard lots of good things about this company!

I made this card for the Sketch Challenge by my dear stampin' BFF Linda.  She is on the CSS Design Team for Gina K. Designs this month and doing a wonderful job!  Her sketch was AMAZING, love anything with ovals!  I managed to make this one when I should have been cleaning.   Ahh, oh-well, the house got cleaned.... I just needed a "Creative break," right? :o) I used the stamp set Autumn Beauty and had a little smudge around the plain oval so had to cover it up with a little creative doodlin'

I also have a little sneak peek of a card using the new Sketch Girls SKetch #7 which I will share in its entirety tomorrow! This is one cute little.... :o)
What could that letter be?  Hhhm, who can it be now???  (remember that 80's song?)  You will see more tomorrow :o) Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Autumn Beauty
Cardstock: Chocolate Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, VV and Basic Grey Indian Summer
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: CB Herringbone folder, Flower, Button, Chocolate Grosgrain, Nesties

Just Us Girls #2

I made this for the fun new challenge blog Just Us Girls whose challenge this week was to make a card using the paper piecing technique. I immediately thought of the trees in Let It Snow and wanted to paper piece similar to what I saw Linda do a earlier this month with this tree.

I stamped the trees from Let It Snow with Memento ink and stamped the snowflakes using Versamark and clear embossed them before sponging so they would really pop and look like falling snow. The trees were paper pieced with Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses dp for mine and love the swirly pattern. Lastly I added some Polar White Flower Soft for the snow.  (edited to add...the only thing I forgot was to add a bit of pink, Oops!, now I will just have to make another card) *~*

Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamp: Let It Snow
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, WW and Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses
Ink: Memento Black, Wild Wasabi and Soft Sky
Accessories: Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, CB Snowflake Punch, Polar White Flower Soft, Clear EP

Creative Challenge #2: Creative Scallops

Today's Creative Clear Stamps Challenge this week is all about Creative Scallops!   Remember when everyone was using the slit punch to create scallops by taking the bracket off the bottom and lining it up? :o) Let me tell you....I enjoy the convenience of scallop punches, absolutely no guess work!

For this card, I used the stamp set Turkey Day and stamped the turkey twice and popped up the body of this little turkey on dimensionals.   I am trying to make more of a concerted effort to do the inside of my cards....so here she goes... :o)

Sorry for the slight glare on this one...  For the inside, I used the turkey track stamp from Gone Hunting, it just went so well with this turkey.  If you get a chance, we would love for you to join in our challenge at Creative Clear Stamps, you can find all of the details HERE.

My parents and brother are coming for a visit today before my brother deploys back to Afghanistan. Sure are thankful for our military and their sacrifice for our freedoms....

Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Turkey Day
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, VV and Basic Grey Indian Summer
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Bravo Burgundy, and More Mustard
Accessories: Copics, Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch
Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, and Brads

Be Still...

I made this card for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge which was to show the "earth rejoicing". Well, I immediately thought of Theresa's set Happy Camper with the majestic mountain scene.  I thought this verse was perfect in describing this scene..."Be Still and know that I am God." My husband and I dearly love the mountains and to see the majesty of them just takes your breath away.... that is what I tried to show in this card.

My wisdom tooth being pulled wasn't too bad and after a big ole' cup of coffee, I felt pretty good.  Only two more to go and all my wisdom will be gone :o) Hee~Hee!
Well, I am going to go take some more Motrin and get ready for the game....



Card Deets:
Stamps: Happy Camper, Words of Wisdom
Cardstock: Chocolate Kiss, Green Apple, Pumpkin Spice, and Ivory
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Apricot Appeal, Vivid Olive, Vivid Butterscotch, Versamark
Accessories: Herringbone CB Folder, Ribbon, Clear EP, Nesties

Special Friend

I had this sketch idea from a card I saw Tami Mayberry make and wanted to try the kissing technique with some images from Special Delivery . I stamped the solid block stamp into Pink Pirouette ink and then stamped the snowflakes (that were stamped with Wild Wasabi) onto the inked up pink block a few times before stamping it onto white cardstock. It created a cool look to the snowflakes. Then I covered the image with Versamark and embossed it with clear embossing poweder to brighten up the colors even more.   I punched two squares with the scalloped square punch and pieced them together to fit the postage stamp.  I am so tickled with how it turned out....now I just need more time to stamp :o)

I am liking the versatility of this stamp set (Special Delivery) in making detailed layered cards or more CAS (clean and simple) cards...

I have a busy day today with getting a wisdom tooth pulled first thing (so NOT looking forward to that!), finishing up the school week, daughter going to a friends house, oldest son has a baseball game tonight, and a little 18 mo. old who stays is in the middle of it all.  By the end of the day....I will be ready for bed!  So maybe some stamping time tomorrow :o)  hee~hee...because the wee one will nap at some point and "have Motrin, can stamp!!!!" (right Linda???)

Have a great weekend!!!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Special Delivery
Cardstock:Pink Pirouette, Wild Wasabi, WW and Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses
Ink: Pretty In Pink and Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Square Punch

CPS136

I made this for the sketch challenge over on Card Positioning Systems and just had to use Tami Mayberry's new stamp sets Special Delivery and Special Delivery Addition. The dp is from Cosmo Cricket Earth Love which I just *love* :o) I wanted an ink to match as close to possible as the green on the dp so I used Sage Shadow and stamped it off twice before I stamped it where I wanted it on the postage stamp. I sponged over the focal image with Tuscan Sun. I am so tickled with this new stamp set and its addition and know I will use it a ton!

Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Special Delivery and Special Delivery Addition
Cardstock: Chocolate Kiss, Vanilla, Cosmo Cricket Earth Love
Ink: Vivid Cocoa Bean, Sage Shadow and Vivid Tuscan Sun
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Pearl bling, Ribbon

Special Delivery

I received my own Special Delivery yesterday and oh my, is it special!!! ({{HUGS}} to my stampin' BFF!) One of my favorite styles in stamping is the postage look and these new stamps from Tami Mayberry fit me to a "T!" They are so cute and I look forward to seeing how many different cards I can create with Special Delivery and Special Delivery Addition.

I stamped the postage grid on GKD Luxury White Heavy Weight Cardstock using Memento Rich Cocoa ink. Then I stamped each box using Pink Pirouette to give a background.  Using my SU markers I colored each flower with Perfect Plum, Rose Red, Summer Sun and Old Olive and alternated colors.  I love the little circle stamp (which there are several in the set with various sentiments) and the postage lines. I added the ribbon but I am not sure I like it...definitely I need to stick it down, but I will remember that next time!  I am sending this to a fellow stamper from STV who is going in for surgery this week and I pray she gets better real soon :o)

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Blessings,



Card Deets:
Stamp: Special Delivery and Special Delivery Addition
Cardstock: Luxury White (GKD)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Rose Red, and SU markers
Accessories: Ribbon

CCS Challenge: Creative Texture

Welcome to the first Creative Clear Stamps Challenge.  We are thrilled to be starting our own challenges each and every Monday.  We would love for you to play along and on the CCS Blog you can link up your project, we would just love to see it!   Lisa is our challenge coordinator and this week the challenge she has for us is all about Creating Texture!  One of my favorite ways to create texture is none other than using my Cuttlebug and Embossing Folders! I am all about my Cuttlebug and use it to some degree for nearly every card whether using embossing folders or Nesties.

I used the stamp set Let It Snow and added texture to this card in two ways...obviously the Snowflake Embossing Folder, but  I also added some Polar White Flower Soft for snow at the feet...wait a minute, snowmen don't have feet...ummmmm, around the bottom of the snowman..that doesn't sound right either....You know what I mean! hee~hee! I think this snowman is just the cutest little thing...he is just enjoying the snow.  Each stamp in this set is just adorable and perfect for creating Christmas/winter cards.  

If you are looking for more inspiration on Creative Texture, be sure to stop by the CCS Blog as well as Linda's.
Have a great day!
Blessing,



Card Deets:
Stamps: Let It Snow
Cardstock: White, Purely Pomegranate, and Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses
Ink: Memento Black and Purely Pomegranate
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch,, Circle Punch, Mega Scallop Punch, CB Snowflake folder, White Gel Pen, and Copics

Creative Clear Stamps Blog Hop!!!

I am so excited for the first ever Creative Clear Stamps Blog Hop. The new Holiday Stamps are so stinkin' cute and just perfect for the upcoming holidays... You can check them all out HERE and don't forget if you are signed up for the newsletter, there is a coupon code that is a MUST HAVE! When I saw it I was like, "ka-ching!" I am having a hard time picking an absolute favorite and need them all (hee~hee).

I had a hard time deciding which card to share so posted one here and one on the CCS Blog :o) Sound good?
I made this card using the stamp set Let It Snow. I am so loving the new Basic Grey designer paper and love the colors and patterns of Eskimo Kisses. (Isn't that a cute name too!) I stamped the tree twice and paper pieced the one I stamped onto green cardstock and added some Polar White Flower Soft to create SNOW!!!! I used my Snowflake CB folder on the Certainly Celery layer and the colors just pop together :o) I do believe I have found one of my Christmas card designs for this year! A little non-traditional in the choice of colors, but I like it!  Here is the inside:

The top part ended up being a little crooked, but I fixed it after the picture and forgot to go back and take another one...Oops!
You can win a CCS stamp set of your own if you sign up to be a Follower on the CCS Blog (if you aren't already) and finally don't forget to check in on these Design Team Members and leave a comment for even more chances to win the blog candy:

CCS Blog (where I have another card to share..I am mulit-tasking!)
Shelly

Lisa
Linda
Rebecca

Jennie

The winner will be announced tomorrow and can't wait to see what you create with your own Creative Clear Stamps!

Just a little more Creative Clear Stamps news...on Monday we will be having our very own challenges on the CCS Blog and hope you will join in on the fun! Lisa has a great challenge planned for Monday and I can't wait to share what I made for it :o)

Card Deets:
Stamps: Let It Snow
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Kiss, Green Apple, VV, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Vivid Olive

Accessories: Copic, Scallop Edge Punch, Ribbon, Nesties Labels 4, Snowflake CB folder