Tuesday, August 30, 2011

CASEing Lydia with Moxie fab felt

Hi everyone!  I have a double challenge card to share today.  I had a chance to play in this week's Featured Stamper challenge to case Lydia (Understandblue)!! I chose this cutie card to case.

I changed the border punch (mine was created with Spellbinders Edgeabilities die templates), sentiment, added a butterfly and made a felt blossom instead of a button.  I chose felt to play along with the Moxie Fab challenge -Fabulous Felt!  I saw the tutorial Julie posted yesterday and had to try it.  It was easy peasy!!  The stamp set I used was Happy Everything from Unity.  Another fabulous set that was begging for some ink.
 I bought my felt from this Etsy store.  The quality is fabulous and she has amazing colors.  So, I am bummed that I stamped my sentiment crooked, but oh well -Lydia, I hope you still like it!
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Happy Everything
Ink - Chocolate chip, Sage (AMuse)
Paper - Kraft and Ivory cardstock
Accessories - Peacock felt (Benzie Bazaar), brown twine, 2mm turquoise rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Triple Scallop and Classic Postage Stamp decorative insert



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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Card Ideas sketch cards

Hi everyone!  So have you all seen the newest Paper Crafts special edition magazine called Card Ideas for Paper Crafters?  Well it's available now, and chock full of wonderful sketches and includes 4 samples for each one!  I have the pleasure of having a card published in this issue using the horizontal sketch found on page 80.  Check it out!

I made several cards for this call that were not chosen, a couple I re-submitted for publications and some I can share with you.  I have one to share today that I made for one of the circle sketches.  This cutie frog is from the Gina K set, Little Critters designed by Theresa Momber.  The paper is Once Upon a Lifetime from Graphic 45.  I just LOVED the idea of stamping the sentiment on the mushroom cap.  How cute is that??? 
If you are curious which cards made the cut using this sketch, you can find it on page 8 -they are all quite cute!

I often get asked how I make my circle cards.  What I do is die cut 2 cardstock circles (one at a time), then I score the top of 1 circle (this will be the back), fold it over and adhere only the folded piece to the inside of the front circle.  Make sure to line up the scallops before the glue dries!  Once they are lined up, I use a clothespin to clamp them together while it dries.
 
Here is a picture of the back of this card.  Hopefully this will help you visualize.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Card Deets:

Stamps - Little Critters (Gina K Designs)
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper - Pure Luxury White and Kraft cardstock (GKD), Once Upon a Springtime 8x8 pad (Graphic 45)
Accessories - Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles LG and Standard Circle LG and SM, Classic Scalloped Rectangles LG Nestabilities, and Labels 18, burlap string in Natural (May Arts), copic markers, silver pearls (Recollections by Michael's)


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Monday, August 22, 2011

A Stamp Simply blog hop winner

Hi everyone!  I have a winner to announce!  The winner from the Stamp Simply Christmas in August blog hop came from my blog.  Woohoo!  Here was the amazing blog candy!  And a big thank you to everyone who left comments and hopped along with us.  We appreciate them very much!
 Random.org helped me chose commenter #70:
Linda Carson said...
Delightful & festive artwork!
August 20, 2011 7:33 PM
Congrats Linda!  Head on to Sharon's blog to get the info on how to claim your lovely blog candy!

I also have a card to share.  This card was for last week's Featured Stamper challenge on SCS to case PAWALLEN142.  I was new to her gallery, but found lots of inspiration there.  I chose this lovely card to case. I changed the colors, images and nesties used. I was inspired by the birdcage, random scoring and lovely bow!  Of course I used JustRite's Spread Your Wings stamp set (which is my favorite JR set right now).
Once again, I embossed the bird cage with silver embossing powder -I think it looks like a silver wire cage.  The branch was stamped 2 times and one was cut out so I could "thread" the bird cage top through it.  I just love my pink bird, makes me so happy!!

Thanks for stopping by, be sure to come back tomorrow as I have a CASE Study card to share!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Spread your Wings (JustRite Stampers)
Ink - Versamark
Paper - Kraft, Pink, White and Brown cardstock (Gina K Designs)
Accessories - border punch, 2mm and 3mm rhinestones, dotted organdy ribbon, Scor-Pal

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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Stamp Simply Christmas in August blog hop


Hi everyone!  Welcome to the Stamp Simply Christmas in August blog hop!  The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store needs more space for incoming product.  So some of the Christmas items are being offered at reduced prices to clear those shelves!  The Design Team has some Christmas projects to inspire you, and with the papers and some of the other items in use being offered at SALE prices, what better time to stock up than now?!  Sale prices are in effect while current inventory lasts -- when it's gone, it's gone!

I have a couple cards to share and both are MAILING FRIENDLY!  Don't get me wrong, I love my cards to have lots of prima flowers, buttons and huge bows, but I definitely need some flatter designs to mail the majority of my Christmas cards.  KWIM?

First up is a card that uses one of the ornament images from JustRite's Merry and Bright set.  The pattern paper is Webster's Pages, Waiting for Santa pad.  Even though I tied the ribbon into a double bow, the silk ribbon is so soft and thin, it still fits nicely in an envelope.
 Next up is a card using JustRite's Christmas Mini Sentiments set paired with paper from the KaiserCraft Be Merry pad.  The layout is for this week's Fall To Layout challenge.  Of course I was drawn to the circles on this sketch!
 We have some fabulous Mystery Blog Candy (which pictured at the top of the post) going to one lucky commenter .  The winner will be drawn from comments on one of today’s participating blogs, so leaving a comment on each blog will increase your chances of winning.  Only one comment per blog, please.  The winner will be selected at 6 p.m. EST on Monday, August 22 and posted on Sharon's blog on Monday night or Tuesday.


Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Merry and Bright, Christmas Mini Sentiments (JustRite Stampers)
Paper - White and Cream cardstock, Waiting for Santa 6x6 pad (Webster's Pages), Be Merry 6x6 pad (KaiserCraft)
Accessories -  Standard Circles LG and SM Nestabilities and Classic Scallop and Triple Scalloped Edgeabilities (Spellbinders), Rhinestones (KaiserCraft), 1/4" silk ribbon in Antique Gold
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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Gina K Double Take blog hop

Hi everyone!  Welcome to today's Double Take hop! Members of Gina K.'s Design Team have come together for a hop where we will show you two cards using the same products and stamp images creating two very different cards.

If you came from Sharon's blog, you're at the right place. If not be sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

My cards use the froggie image from the Falling for You set.  Once again I took creative license when coloring these little guys.  Not too many pink and blue frogs found out in the wild!  I kept the pattern papers and embellishments the same - baker's twine, blue gray rhinestones and Circle Nestabilities.  I dug through my card sketches stash and found two that I thought would work well together.  Here is card #1:
 Here is card #2:
 Speaking of using circles on cards.  I do this quite often, and have a little system to picking the right size circle for the scale of my layout.  I have the smallest 4 circles in Standard Circles LG and SM Nestabilities sets cut out and kept readily at hand.  It's super easy to pick, chose, and move around the circles BEFORE cutting into your pattern paper.  Here is a pic.
Now head on over to the fabulous Lee's blog to see what she's sharing with you today!  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!
Card Deets:
Stamps - Falling For You (GKD)
Paper - Pure Luxury Ivory, Lost and Found Two "Blush" (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories - Spellbinders Standard Circles LG and SM Nestabilities, Blue Gray Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), black/white Baker's Twine, Copic markers

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Saturday, August 13, 2011

Life is better with friends

Hi everyone!  Have you all seen the cute new JustRite Stampers set called, Spread Your Wings?  I really love the bird cage images in this set.  They are soooooo pretty!  

I thought it would be cool to emboss the cage with silver.  Love how it turned out!  See my hot pink birds?  Yeah, I took creative license with this one.  I used the colors in this bright paper pad from SEI.  I think the shape with the Reverse Wonky rectangles makes a great back drop for this image.
A little tip when embossing images, I stamp and emboss it separately then I cut out my image and adhere it to the rectangle panel.  That way my rectangle doesn't warp and will layer straight.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!
Card Deets:
Stamps - Spread Your Wings (JustRite Stampers)
Paper - White and Kraft cs, Sunny Days 6x6 pad (SEI)
Accessories - Reverse Wonky Rectangles, Classic Rectangles Nestabilities, 2mm and 3mm rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), white pom trim, Scalloped border punch, silver EP

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Friday, August 12, 2011

Simple thanks card

Hi everyone!  I have a card using the newly released, Heartfelt set from Gina K.  I love the Black Eyed Susan flowers in this set.  It also has a cute picket fence that is begging for some ink!!  

My card uses my favorite grid pattern paper from Cosmo's Upcycle pad.  I have been hording this piece and wanted to wait for just the right layout to showcase it nicely.  I colored the flower with my Copics and took the color cue from the paper.  Pretty simple. 

Sooooo, what I did with the sentiment is cut my sentiment stamp apart (GASP!).  Yep, I have mentioned this before, don't be afraid to cut your stamps!  You can always put them back together again on your block, and by cutting them apart you get more mileage!!  In this case, I didn't have room for the full sentiment, and I thought the "heartfelt" part didn't flow with the cutsie feel of my card.  So I pulled out my Tim Holtz scissors (which are perfect for precision rubber cuts) and started cutting!  Cutting tip: Slightly bend your stamp along the cut line to give you more room for your scissors.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!  I'll leave you with a close up picture.
Card Deets:
Stamps - Heartfelt
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper - Pure Luxury Kraft and White cardstock, Upcycle 6x6 pack (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories - Coral double stitched ribbon, Lippy Red rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Crystal Twinkle Wheel, Spellbinders Classic Ovals LG and SM Nestabilities


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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Stamp Simply LaBlanche Blog Hop

Hi everyone!  Welcome to the Stamp Simply LaBlanche Blog Hop!  We have all been smitten with the beautiful images that LaBlanche is known for, so today we wanted to showcase some of our favorites for you.  LaBlanche stamps are highly detailed images. Have you seen them?  They are silicone and WHITE.  I have to admit it kinda freaked me out to ink it at first, but they come clean perfectly. 

My card uses the LaBlanche stamp called Child and Fern.  I have to say the detailing in this image is amazing.  There is alot of the shading already drawn in, so coloring is pretty easy.  I felt like going a bit shabby chic with this card.  I did some stitching and used some lace and wrinkled ribbon.  The pattern paper is from the Webster's Pages triple pack, Spring Market.  It is double sided, so the right side of the card uses the aqua pattern and the left is the coordinating brown side!
 Here is what the stamps look like, pretty cool huh?
This is a Mystery Blog Candy, meaning the winner will be drawn from comments on one of today’s participating blogs, so leaving a comment on each blog will increase your chance to win.  One comment per blog, please.  The winner will be selected at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, August 13th and will be posted on Sharon's blog on Saturday night or Sunday.
Here's the candy for this hop!

Sharon Johnson - The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
Michelle Woerner
Holly McMillen
Linda Duke
Barb Schram

If sales interest you — check out the SPECIALS Section of The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store (always found in the lower right corner of the store home page) many items are at reduced prices now as space needs to be made for new product soon to arrive.  All items marked down will show up in the Specials Section.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!
Card Deets:
Stamps - Child with Fern (LaBlanche)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper -Ivory and brown cardstock, Webster's Pages Spring Market triple pack
Accessories - Lace pack in Ivory (Kaisercraft), Wrinkled ribbon in Ivory and Brown, Rhinestones in Amber (Kaisercraft), Prima Fairytale Roses in Teal, Copic markers
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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Gina K August release inspiration blog hop: Day 2

Hi everyone!  Welcome to Day 2 of the Gina K Designs August Release Inspiration Blog hop!  Today we are spotlighting the sets, Heartfelt illustrated by Theresa Momber and Basket Buddies illustrated by Melanie Muenchinger. 

First up is a card using the puppies image from Basket Buddies.  Aren't these puppies cute??  The fun paper is from Echo Park, the Splash 6x6 pad.
 Next I have a card using the smaller flower image from Heartfelt.  I am not good at identifying flowers, but I think it is a Black Eyed Susan?  At least I colored it as such.  I went pretty simple with this one, just some coloring and scoring at the bottom.
 For even more samples of these new sets, you can visit each of the GKD Design Team blogs listed below.  Make sure you leave a comment here and on each of their blogs because Gina is going to draw two randomly chosen winners from all of the blog comments, and each will get a stamp set of their choice valued at up to $24.95!  Gina will announce the winners on her blog tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by!  I will leave you with a couple close up pictures.  Be sure to come back tomorrow as I share my Dare To Get Dirty challenge card with you!


Card Deets:
Stamps - Basket Buddies
Paper - White CS, Splash 6x6 pad
Accessories - Spellbinders Classic Square and Rectangles Nestabilities, coral and orange twill ribbon, buttons, burlap string, Copic markers

Card Deets:
Stamps - Heartfelt
Paper - Kraft CS, Salt Air 8x8 pad (Cosmo Cricker)
Accessories - Copic markers, rhinestones, burlap string, Scor-Pal  
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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Gina K August release inspiration blog hop: Day 1

Hi everyone!   Welcome to Day One of the Gina K Designs August Release Inspiration hop!  Today we are spotlighting the fabulous Stamp TV Kit called, Falling For You.  Seriously, there is something in this for everyone.  Another fabulous kit Gina!
 I fell in love with the little house image and had to ink it up first.  My card also uses some Dutch Mustard Soup papers from JilliBean Soup.  Perfect match to the cutsie feel of the house IMO!

My next card uses the long stemmed flower image.  You know, at first I thought the blooms were butterflies (cute right?), turns out they aren't, but still just as cute!   I used some MME Lime Twist, "Life of the Party" and some buttons from my stash.  Love the happy colors in this paper pack!



For more samples of the STV Kit, you can visit each of the GKD Design Team blogs listed below.  Make sure you leave a comment here and on each of their blogs because Gina is going to draw two randomly chosen winners from all of the blog comments, and each will get a stamp set of their choice valued at up to $24.95!  Gina will announce the winners on her blog tomorrow. 
 Thanks for stopping by!  I will leave you with a couple close up pictures.  Be sure to come back tomorrow as we continue with the Inspiration Hop and preview 2 more sets!

Card Deets:
Stamps - Falling for You
Paper - White, Dutch Mustard Soup (JilliBean Soup), Lime Twist "Life of the Party" (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories - Buttons, twine, silver cord, copic markers, rhinestones, Baker's Twine, Spellbinders Classic Triple Scallop Edgeabilities

P.S.  I am trying out making my pictures in the Extra Large mode instead of Large.  Are they too big this way, or OK?  Just curious?


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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Gina K August release party invitation

Hi everyone!  I am excited to invite you to the Gina K. Designs August Release Party tonight. We have a fun evening planned for you - chatting, prizes, challenges, stamp sets reveal, design team shares, and most importantly, at the end of the party you can go shopping!

If you came from Melanie's blog, you're at the right place. If not make sure to head over to StampTV where you will find a list of all those participating in today's hop.

Here's a photo of one of the cards I will be sharing at the party.  This little froggie is the cutest!  I colored him with copic markers, I just love his plaid tummy.  He makes me smile!

Hope to see you at the party, here are all the details:
Head on over to the fabulous Suzanne's blog to see what card she's sharing with you today!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back tomorrow for Day 1 of the August Release Inspiration blog hop.  We will be showcasing the STAMP TV Kit!!
Card Deets:
Stamps - Falling for You STV Kit
Paper - White cardstock, Dutch Mustard Soup 6x6 pad (JilliBean Soup)
Accessories - Spellbinders Standard and Scalloped Circles Nestabilities, Green grosgrain ribbon, mulberry flowers, orange rhinestones, copic markers


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