Saturday, November 23, 2013

November guest for Jillibean Soup's Card Kitchen Kit Club

Hi everyone!  I am excited to be this month's guest designer for Jillibean Soup's Card Kitchen Kit of the Month!  This card kit may be new to you, but each month Jillibean Soup puts together a card kit with cardstock and envelopes for 8 cards, coordinating pattern papers, die cuts, stickers embellishments, ribbons and full instructions to make 8 cards.
One of the things I like about these kits is they usually don't include stamps which is nice, because I have a ton of stamps already!

If you subscribe to the kit, the cost is $22.99 plus $5.25 shipping and if you want to buy without a subscription the cost is $24.99 plus the shipping.

Here are the details for the November's Kit:
 Here are some samples I made using the kit.  I had a lot of fun making these, ANDI have a ton of stuff left over and will be using it to make some more quick and easy Christmas cards!  I am sharing 4 cards today and will be back to share another 4 in a few days.
 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!


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Friday, November 22, 2013

CardMaker and We R Memory Keepers blog hop

Hi everyone!  CardMaker Magazine and We R Memory Keepers are teaming up today for a fabulous blog hop! Each of the CardMaker DT was sent one of the new Punch Boards and I was sent the Gift Box Punch Board to work with.  This is a really cool little tool that scores and punches to make gift boxes of all sizes! 
Below are a couple of boxes I made using 6x6 cardstock (which makes a box measuring 2" square) and a couple using 5x5 cardstock (which makes a box measuring 2" square x 1.25" tall).  There are endless ways to decorate your boxes.  With this trio, I decorated them with a piece of washi tape adhered around the box and embellished the top with a wood veneer flower accented with a bright button.  These boxes are the perfect size to hold some little candies!
I wanted to show you the process of making the box and demonstrate how simple it is once you get the hang of where to put your score lines.  This picture shows after the scoring and folding, before any assembling.
 Here it is partially folded up, you can see how the little notches hook into each other.  You can use a glue dot to adhere the "pinched sides" together, but honestly it stays together just fine without any adhesive at all!
 Once it's folded together, I adhered my bow (and flower on top of it) to 1 notched tab only, this allows the box to be easily opened up.
Look how adorable the box is when made with pattern paper!  I'm just thinking of all the left over 6x6 paper pads I have in my stash and I see lots of little boxes in my future!!
The next stop on the hop is the talented Rosemary
Just in case you get lost along the way, here is the entire hop list:
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Supplies used: Gift Box Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers; White cardstock from Gina K. Designs; Wood Veneer flowers from Prima Marketing; Rainbow Washi Tape from Little B; Silver Cord from May Arts; Glue Dots

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Monday, November 18, 2013

Amazing, Fabulous, Celebrate

Hi everyone!  I have a couple cards to share using dies from the Spellbinders Imperial Gold Enhancing line of dies.  These dies are a bit different, they are designed to inset details into your classic die and label shapes.
As you can see from the picture below, they don't actually cut the shape, but rather they emboss AND de-boss a pattern!  Pretty cool!
I used the Hexagons dies for the shape of my first card.  I love hexagons and don't use them enough.  I think I will leave the dies out on my desk as a reminder!  But I digress...I paired the Gold Circles One dies with my Standard Circles dies to make the circle ring.  
Both of my cards use my new stamp set from Unity called Everything Wonderful.  I love the fun versatile sentiments!  I stamped the circle ring image in turquoise ink and inked the stamp in both orange and black inks.  I added some stickles around the circle frame and added a small bow with thin chevron ribbon.
My next card uses the Gold Squares One die set paired with Classic Squares LG to cut the square out. I love how these Enhancing dies add so much detail and interest with little work!  I used more of the cute chevron ribbon.
Here are close up pics showing the embossing and de-bossing details:
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Deets: Spellbinder dies: S4-114 Standard Circles LG, S4-116 Standard Circles SM, S4-368 Hexagons, S4-126 Classic Squares LG, S4-412 Gold Rounds One, and S4-410 Gold Squares One Nestabilities ®
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co, Everything Wonderful Cardstock: Gina K Designs, Turquoise Sea and White Ink: Tsukineko, Morocco and Tuxedo Black Memento Luxe ; Gina K Designs, Turquoise Sea Embellishments - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store: May Arts, 1/4" black/white chevron ribbon Adhesive - Tombow USA Mono Multi liquid glue and 3D Foam Tabs Other - Stickles in Stardust
NOTE: You can also find Spellbinders Die Templates at the The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. 
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Friday, November 15, 2013

CardMaker and Taylored Expressions blog hop


Hi everyone!  CardMaker Magazine and Taylored Expressions are teaming up today for a fabulous blog hop! I am using the fun April 2013 Stamp of the Month called Simple Greetings and it's coordinating Simple Tags dies. Isn't this is the cutest stamp set?  I want to give Taylor a big thank you!!

 I made a couple 3x3 sized thank you note cards using the flowers, parts of the leaf flourish and the bracket tag die.  I used the die in a fun way, I die cut pattern papers and adhered them to the top and bottom of my rectangle panel.  This set has solid flower images, so the kind of ink is important for complete coverage.  I used pigment ink and it worked great!
I couldn't get enough of these flowers, so I made a third card.  This one is 4.25" square and uses the smaller flower with the striped circle image.  I added some stickles along each "ray" panel and around the sentiment circle.
There will be a giveaway with this hop!
Taylored Expressions is giving away one stamp set from the Stamp of the Month Archives (plus its coordinating die) to one lucky winner! To enter, leave a comment on each participating designer's blog. Winner will be chosen at random from all comments. Comments close midnight PST on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Here is a little info about T E's Stamp of the Month Subscription club:
Taylored Expressions offers three subscription kits to help take the guesswork out of crafting. Each of their Stamp of the Month sets has been designed to pair perfectly with their monthly Key Ingredients kits, which include coordinating cardstock, patterned paper, and ribbon. Matching dies are also available for each of their Stamp of the Month stamp sets. Subscribers have the option of receiving just their Stamp of the Month or Key Ingredients Kit each month, or become a Deluxe Key Ingredients subscriber, which includes both, along with exclusive subscriber benefits. Plus, SOTM and Deluxe subscribers have the option to purchase previously released Stamp of the Month sets from their SOTM Archives, while supplies last!

The next stop on the hop is the talented Cassie
Just in case you get lost along the way, here is the entire hop list:

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!

Supplies used: Taylor Expressions Simple Greetings stamp set and Simple Tags die set; white cardstock from Gina K. Designs; Circles die templates and Dainty Dots M-Bossabilities folder from Spellbinders™; Rose Bud, Angel Pink, Pear Tart, Gray Flannel, Teal Zeal, Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk Memento Luxe ink from Tsukineko; Polka Dot Party 6x6 paper pad from American Crafts, Dear Lizzy; Burlap string in blue and natural from May Arts; Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery; Lippy Red, Hot Pink and Blue rhinestones from Kaisercraft; Multi Mono liquid glue and 3D foam tabs from Tombow USA;
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Monday, November 11, 2013

Tombow USA guest designer blog hop


Hi everyone!!  I am so excited to be this week's featured designer for Tombow USAI have a confession...  I play favorites.  Yep, my favorite glue is hands down Mono Multi liquid glue and it has been for YEARS.  Which is why I was so flattered and honored when Tombow contacted me to be a guest designer.
Funny story, when I first started card making I sent my mom a birthday card (looking back, it was pretty bad).  The following Thanksgiving I went down to my moms and saw the birthday card proudly displayed on her shelf.  To my HORROR the layers were coming up and embellishments falling off.  From that point on I discovered Mono Multi and NEVER looked back.  Now, I have cards that are over 5 years old and still perfectly glued together!
My card uses a cute cupcake image from Stamping Bella embellished with Prima flowers and purple rhinestones.  I started out by coloring the image with Tombow's Irojiten color pencils.  I am new to these color pencils and loved that there was a How-To video that helped me (linked at the bottom of the Irojiten page on the website).  They are super easy to use!
Its no secret that I use A LOT of nesting Spellbinders dies and one of the best things about Multi Mono liquid glue is you have several seconds to move your panel around until you get your layers PERFECTLY lined up!  I even bust out my ruler to make sure everything is perfect- no skewed layers for this girl.
I usually add a thin line of glue around the edges of my panels and a small circle of glue in the center.  I smudge it around a bit until my panels are lined up.
After everything was glued together, I added some piercing around the edge of my scalloped rectangle and I popped it up using the Foam Tabs.  By popping it up and giving it space from the card, it allows the light to show through the tiny holes adding another dimensional element!
 Mono Multi is also perfect for adhering lumpy embellishments.  I used to use glue dots with my Prima flowers -USED TO being the key phrase.  Nothing worse than putting a card in a protective sleeve and then taking it out and having the flower fall off and stay in the sleeve -lol!  No such worries with my Multi Mono!
Please join me for today's hop - here's the list of everyone playing along:
Tombow Blog
Debbie
Melissa
Jennie
Marie
Michelle Woerner -you are here!
Tombow Blog
 

And YES, there is a prize package up for grabs for one lucky commenter!  To enter to win, leave a comment on each of the Design Team’s projects and “Like” the TombowUSA and Spellbinders Facebook page.  You have until Friday, 11/15 at 3pm EST to enter, the winner will be announced on the Tombow Blog at 3:30pm!
Prize package to include:
 
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop!  I'll leave you with a close up picture!
Card Deets:
Stamps - Mommy and Baby Cupcakes (Stamping Bella)
Cardstock - Pure Luxury White and Lovely Lavender (Gina K Designs)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Adhesive - Tombow Multi Mono liquid glue and Foam Tabs
Accessories - Tombow Trojiten color pencils in Verbena, Mulberry and Lilac; Spellbinders Rectangles and Scalloped Rectangles; Liquid Pearls; Prima flowers in the Lil Missy and Audrey packs (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store)
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Saturday, November 9, 2013

Moxie Fab Thanks blog hop

Hi everyone! Welcome to a Moxie Fab blog hop!  Some of you may know that Cath Edvalson from Paper Crafts has stepped down as the Trends Editor of Paper Crafts magazine an as the creative force behind the amazing Moxie Fab World blog.  As testament to the impact Cath had on the paper crafting world, hundreds of designers got together and participated in this surprise blog hop honoring her.

I was lucky enough to meet Cath all 3 times I went to CHA.  She really is the nicest sweetest person and even though I don't worked much with Paper Crafts, she had the ability to make me feel like I was the most special designer in the room each time.  And I will never forget that my VERY FIRST publication was from her!  I still have that acceptance email :)

Today I thought I would take a trip down memory lane of how Cath influenced and encouraged me over the years.
Here is a photo I took of my very first card publication, this was the March/April 2009 issue.
Over the years, I played along in many of the Moxie Fab challenges.
Here is one of the very first challenge cards for her The Value of Vintage challenge from June 2009.
This card used vintage buttons from my great granny's tin!  All my grannies had long since passed, but I made this card in honor of them.
and here is the inside
So Cath, here's to you!  I know you will do great things with the next chapter of your life.  This card is for you because YOU'RE PRETTY AMAZING!
Like I said there are hundreds of designers hopping today.  You can go to the Moxie Fab World blog and get a master list of every one participating - I am number 67.
Lin Brandyberry is before me on the hop and when you finish here, you can head on over to Kim Howard's blog!
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy this very special blog hop!

You're Pretty Amazing Card deets:
This card was inspired by my talented friend Maureen Plut, who is hopping today!
Stamps - Truth Is by CAS-ual Friday Stamps
Ink - Versamark ink by Tsukineko 
Cardstock - White and Peachy Keen by Gina K Designs
Pattern paper - Recorded by Websters Pages
Accessories - Lil Missy and Audrey packs from Prima, Faux Canvas ribbon from May Arts, Foliage dies from Spellbinders, rhinestones, white embossing powder 
Pattern paper and accessories can be purchased at The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
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Friday, November 8, 2013

Magazine giveaway winner!

Hi everyone!  Thanks to everyone who entered my magazine giveaway!  Random.org helped me pick number 22 as the winner:
No dissent from the above with me...love the print copies although I own an iPad and a Kindle which I use...both were gifts. I love paper!!

Congratulations to AnitaR!  Please send me an email with your address information and I will send these off to you.  My email info is on the right sidebar below my Profile.  You have until next Friday to get back to me.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.  Be sure to stay tuned, I have a couple of special blog posts coming up this weekend!
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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Gina K and Faber-Castell blog hop -Day 3


 Hi everyone!!  Welcome to Day 3 of the Gina K. Designs/Faber-Castell Blog Hop!  We are excited to team up with the Faber-Castell designers for a week long blog hop.  Both design teams are sure to WOW you with their beautiful and creative ideas for using Gina K. and Faber-Castell products together. We have another day of amazing inspiration to share with you, so lets get started!
My card uses Simple Flowers stamp set and I colored them with the Art Grip Aquarelles Watercolor pencils, the Green pack. Honestly, I've never used watercolor pencils before and was a little nervous to try them, but am happy to say they are really easy to use!
I stamped the flower image using Gina's Color Companion navy dye ink and added the green and blue colors at the base of the petals.  I then lightly dabbed the paint brush in water, blotted off the excess water and swirled the color toward the edge of the petals.  It really was that easy.

Be sure to leave a comment, because each day a random commenter will be chosen and receive a Gina K. Designs stamp set of their choice (up to a $24.95 value)!
-Now head on over to Melanie's blog and see what lovely project she has for you!
-Also pop on over to the Faber-Castell Blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a Designing With Gelatos Kit!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  I'll leave you with a close up of the coloring details.
Card deets:
Stamps, cardstock and ink - Gina K Designs
Spellbinder dies -  Lacey Circles, Standard Circles LG and Stately Circles
Pattern paper - WeRMemory Keepers Chalkboard 6x6 pad
Other - Yellow rhinestones and stickles
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Saturday, November 2, 2013

Print magazines vs. digital and a giveaway

Hi everyone!  Print magazines.  Let's discuss, a sign of the past?  Gone by the way of the newspapers, VHS and cassette tapes?  I fear this may be truer than I thought.  Early this year, CARDS and all Northridge Media publications announced they were going to an all digital format and a month or so ago Paper Crafts magazine followed suit.  

So what does this mean?  Well, for many crafters, not much.  Based on the comments I read on Facebook and other forums, many prefer to view magazines on their iPads, Kindles and such.  Me?  I much prefer print!  Give me a magazine I can hold, dog ear, bring to softball games and snuggle up with on the couch at night.  I love to tab pages of inspirational projects and refer back to my old issues all the time.  This change is very sad to me, call me old school.

So what do we do?  Simple, if we want to save the print magazines, we have to subscribe to them!  Most card magazines are quarterly now and down to 4 issues a year, so the annual subscription isn't really much.  Here are the magazines I love the most:

http://www.papercreationsmag.com/
Annual cost of $19.97 (for US)
Here is a link to their current issue section on their website.
What's cool about this issue is my Hot Chocolate ensemble projects are featured on the slideshow, and the graphics on the page is from my cards!

http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/
 Annual cost of $21.97 plus delivery and 1 free issue
Here is a link to their current issue section of their website.

http://www.craftsnthings.com/
Annual cost of $21.97
Here is a link to their current issue section of their website.

So for about $20 a year, you get to support a dying industry!  To be fair, I purchased a digital subscription to Paper Crafts and CARDS.  Each online magazines have different features and honestly, I much prefer Paper Crafts over CARDS.  They are way more user friendly and have the ability to Pin pages.  I love the projects in both of these magazines and will continue to support them in their digi format, but there is no comparison, I just prefer print!!

So on to the giveaway, I have 4 magazines issue up for grabs!  Just leave me a comment here on this post and let me know your thoughts on print vs. digi magazines and I will pick one commenter to receive the following:

Paper Creations
Summer 2013
Fall 2013
Winter 2014

CardMaker  
Winter 2013

I will pick a winner Wednesday, November 6th!  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
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