Monday, August 31, 2009

Do ya like challenges?

Well, I've got a new one for you! I'm joining an awesome bunch of stampers on a new weekly challenge blog called Crazy4Challenges. Every Saturday we'll be bringing you a new challenge and we hope you'll join us in the fun.


Here's the team:
Me, of course ;-)
Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessica Diedrich
Jessie Rone
Joanne Grzelak
Joycelyn Turner
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden
Mercy Kerin
Robin Willis
Vicki Garrett

Would you look at that lineup?! (Makes me wonder what I'm doing there, LOL, but I'm glad I am!!!)

So, check out Crazy4Challenges and add it to your reader or followers list so you'll be notified when each challenge is posted. And join us--we're gonna have some fun!!!!!!!!


You Bring Out the Devil In Me

Mornin', peeps! I have another sneaky peek from My Favorite Things release coming up Wednesday night, September 2. This set is called Party Girl and I gotta tell you, I love this set!!! It's just so much fun!

For this project, I'm using a die cut bag and the ribbon from the August kit. The background element is first Basic Black, then Real Red, then DP from SEI's Black Orchid 8 x 8 pad. I tied some of the red polka dot ribbon around that and added a bow tied on with a black button and Perle cotton. Party Girl was stamped on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers, cut out, and popped up on 3M foam squares and the pitchfork was just glued on. I also added a little Sakura glitter pen to Party Girl's drink glass. The sentiment was stamped on Whisper White with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and is also up on foam squares. The bag is filled with a cello bag of old fashioned fire balls, which is tied with more ribbon from the kit. The kit is available only until September 9th, when the September kit will be revealed, so head on over and check it out. And remember, Party Girl and four other sets will be available after the release party on Wednesday night, but you can see many more samples at the blog hop on Tuesday night. That starts at Kim's blog at 10:pm EDT. Be there!

I'm so glad you dropped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Party Girl (MFT)
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White (SU!); Perfect Paper Panels; Black Orchid 8 x 8 pad (SEI)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: 3M foam squares, Perle cotton (craft store); Copic markers; die cut bag, ribbon (MFT); button (my stash); Sakura glitter pen


Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sow Some Seeds of Love

Got some love for you today--My Favorite Things Presents Annie LaPointe--Sow Some Seeds of Love. This is one of the sets that will be released on Wednesday night, September 2 and it's so sweet! It's getting close to fall--which I love--and pansy planting time. I love pansies but have pretty much given up trying to grow them. We have a large white-tailed deer population where I live and they destroy them. They just pull them up out of the ground and don't even eat them! How rude is that, LOL?! So I'll have to get my pansies this way :)

I stamped the image on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored it with Copic markers. My layout is very simple, but I wanted the image to be showcased with not too many distractions. I'm using Very Vanilla for my base card and card stock colors are Really Rust and Always Artichoke. My DP is from the Twiggy pack from Memory Box. I got it last Spring and hadn't opened it until I made this card. Whoa! Is it ever gorgeous--note to self: must get more of this. A little stitching, a ribbon bow and a button tied on with twine was all it needed to be finished, I think. Remember, this set will be available after the release party on Wednesday night, but you can see many more samples at the blog hop on Tuesday night. That starts at Kim's blog at 10:pm EDT. Be there!

I'm so glad you dropped in today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Sow Some Seeds of Love (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Really Rust, Always Artichoke (SU!); Twiggy (Memory Box)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Copic markers; ribbon (craft store); button (stash); twine (PTI); sewing machine


Saturday, August 29, 2009

Halloween Ingredients and a Challenge

I'm heading out for some shopping fun but first I wanted to share this with you. Today you can find this month's My Favorite Things' One Click Challenge at the Member Company Forum on SCS. The winner of this challenge will receive the the FULL September One Click collection free, so head on over there for all the deets!

This month's challenge is boxes--any kind. For my project, I made this little pillow box that can be used for a gift card or a little treat. I used a SU! pillow box die to cut out the box, then I wrapped it with DP from K & Co. Halloween mat pack and tied ribbon from My Favorite Things' Halloween Ribbon Nest (Oh, my! That green velvet ribbon is to die for, people!) around it. A black button, tied on with Perle cotton finished that off. I then stamped images from Totally Witchin' on a Perfect Paper Panel and colored them with Copic markers. I stamped the center one first, them masked it with Eclipse Masking Paper and stamped the other two. I cut them out and added a little Sakuro glitter pen to the jars--then I popped them up on 3M foam squares. I stamped the sentiment, cut it out, and added some brads before popping it up, as well. The spider is made with a Martha Stewart punch. I'm liking how it turned out.

I'm so glad you stopped by today! I'll have little sneaky peak of one of next week's MFT releases for your tomorrow :) And don't forget to check out the One Click Challenge--it's definitely worth it!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Totally Witchin' (MFT)
Paper: Basic Black (SU!); Halloween mat pack (K & Co)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug/SU! pillow box die; 3M foam pads, brads, Perle cotton (craft store); Copic markers; Sakura glitter pen; ribbon (MFT); spider punch (Martha Stewart); button (stash); Eclipse Masking Paper


Friday, August 28, 2009

Stamp Simply #102

It's Stamp Simply time!!! This week's challenge was *really* a challenge for me, LOL. Let's see what Sharon says:

August 28 - ssnotime102 - Let's Leave our Comfort Zone -- OK, we all know we have one and most of us don't like to leave it, at least not for very long. But today, that is just what we are going to do - we are going to leave our stamping style comfort zone and do a card or project in a style TOTALLY unlike what we normally do. For example, if you always are drawn to doing cutesy things -- go elegant, or masculine, or anything OTHER than cutesy. Get the drift? Do something that does NOT come natural to you. THEN in your post, make sure you tell us what your usual style is and WHY this is different. This will be fun!!!!

So, I've left my comfort zone a few times lately but I'm not comfortable with it yet ;-) Maybe Sharon knew that, hence this challenge. Other than Flopsey, I don't do a lot of cutesy stuff--it's just not my thing. I tend more to elegant/shabby/vintage. But, as soon as I saw what this challenge was, I *knew* I had to use Michelle Monkey from DRS. My Color Throwdown team mate, Cathy, sent it to me as a sort of Color Throwdown insider joke so I'm glad to have this opportunity to use it. Thanks again, Cathy!

I'm also using My Favorite Things' sketch for this week again--I love it! It's a pretty simple card, really. The monkey was stamped on Pure Luxury Ivory 80 lb paper by Gina K. with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copic markers. I then sponged around the edges with Distress Ink in Tea Dye and is popped up on 3M foam squares. The sentiment is from a set by Simon Says called Wise Owls.

So, now it's your turn. Come along and play with us and take the challenge--we'd love to see what you come up with. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime102 if you upload to a public forum. Check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also the great designs from the Stamp Simply team, along with our August Guest Designer:

Pat Adam - August Guest Designer

Julie Koerber

Jennifer Buck

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Tammy Hershberger

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps:
Michelle Monkey (DRS); Wise Owls (Simon Says)

Paper:
Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke (SU!); Archaic 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey); Ivory Pure Luxury 80 lb card stock (Gina K.)

Ink:
Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories:
3M foam squares, brads (craft store); Copic markers; 1" circle and Designer Label punches (SU!)


Thursday, August 27, 2009

My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge--#96

Good morning!! It's Thursday--yippee!!! That means tomorrow is Friday and then a weekend off!!! Saturday I'm going to a scrapbook/stamping store with about 12 other fanatics--can't wait. There's a ton of stuff I need to be doing at home, but, hey, you all understand, right? ;-) Usually my DH is along and although he never rushes me, I *feel* rushed, KWIM? This time, I'll be with kindred spirits, LOL!

OK, on to today's projects. It's time for another My Favorite Things' Sketch and My Favorite Challenge over at the Member Company Forum on SCS. I'm showing both in this post because I hope to have some sneaky peaks of next week's releases for you over the weekend and tomorrow I'll have my Stamp Simply card. So many cards, so few days ;-)

Here's the sketch. I just got Cosmo Cricket's new Early Bird 6 x 6 pad. OMGosh,I love it!!!! I really hope they'll do all their collections in this size!!! So, the mechanics of this card are pretty obvious, I think. I stamped Birthday Flopsey on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, colored him with Copic markers and cut him out. Then I cut/embossed an oval with Very Vanilla and sponged it to closely match the DP background with distress ink. Flopsey's cake is paper pieced and he's up on 3M foam squares. The little side elements are ribbon with buttons tied on with linen thread.

~Recipe~
Stamps: Birthday Flopsey (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow (SU!); Early Bird 6 x 6 pad (Cosmo Cricket); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities dies; 3M foam squares, ribbon (craft store); Copic markers; buttons (stash); border punch (Martha Stewart); linen thread (SU!)

OK, on to My Favorite Challenge for this week. The challenge is to make a Christmas (or holiday if Christmas is not your thing) ornament. I'd been wanting to try out this technique I saw on SCS, so I gave it a try.

I stamped Peppermint Cats on shrink plastic with black StazOn ink and CAREFULLY colored it with Copic markers. I say carefully because Copic markers will smear StazOn. Seriously smear it. And water based markers take *forevah* to dry, but Copic markers dry right away. OK, so it's colored and cut out. I cut off the bottom half of the image because I knew the tails would curl up and stick to themselves if I cut them out and the entire image was too large to get into the ornament. So, here's the finished product. Kinda cute, huh? I don't like the cap wires showing, so if I do more of these I'll have to figure out what to do with them ;-) And, I shoulda stamped the sentiment on the outside. Duh! ;-)

~Recipe~
Stamps: Peppermint Cats (MFT)
Paper: none
Ink: StazOn black
Accessories: shrink plastic, clear glass ornament, Perle cottonm ribbon (craft store); oven; Copic markers; 1/8" hole punch

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Color Throwdown #57

Are you ready for another Color Throwdown challenge? I love this week's colors, chosen by Cathy: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Passionate Pink. I don't have Passionate Pink, though, so I went with Pixie Pink.
We have a sponsor again this week--Our Creative Classroom. They've donated a very generous prize and you can find out all about them at the Throwdown blog.

My base card is Whisper White with layers of Certainly Celery and patterned paper from the Romani/Gypsy 6 x 6 pad by Basic Grey. I'm following the Weekend Sketch Challenge #94 and the next two elements are more Certainly Celery and DP. The focal image was stamped on Whisper White with Certainly Celery ink using stamps from PTI's Everyday Button Bits. Have I mentioned that I love this set? Oh, good ;-) Then I cut/embossed it with a circle Nestabilities die and sponged some color on it while it was still in the die. I then matted it with Certainly Celery which was cut/embossed with a Labels Four die. The sentiment was stamped on a Spellbinders die cut ribbon slider and attached with blue grosgrain ribbon. And, of course, the buttons were attached with Perle cotton. I also added some pale green Dew Drops to a couple of corners for balance.

Remember, you do not have to have the exact colors to play. If you don't, just use the closest you have. And don't forget--this week there's a chance to win a prize. Now, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use Mr. Linky to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily and so you'll be eligible to win (only directly linked entries will be considered for Featured Stamper or for the prize--see the sidebar on the blog for all the details). If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD57 so we can see your beauty all in one place. Hope to see you there!

Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week:
Broni Holcombe--Splashes of Watercolor
Cathy Indelicato--Crafty Thoughts
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Sylvia Nelson /August Guest Designer--Sylvia's Stamp Corner

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery (SU!); Romani/Gypsy 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink (SU!)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Spellbinders dies; 3M foam squares, Perle cotton, ribbon (craft store); buttons (PTI Vintage Collection); sewing machine; Dew Drops


Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Spread a harvest of hope

I realized I hadn't shared this card from last month's My Favorite Things' release, called Spread a Harvest Of Hope, so here it is.

The image was stamped on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers. Then I cut/embossed it with a Labels Four Nestabilities die and ink distressed the edges. The card base is Very Vanilla with layers of Old Olive, Baja Breeze, and Cosmo Cricket's Girl Friday patterned paper, which I distressed with a sanding block and ink. I added some buttons, a ribbon, and a Tim Holtz tiny safety pin for some shabby/vintage appeal.

I'm so glad you stopped by today! Don't forget--tomorrow's Color Throwdown day! Hope you drop in to see what we've got for you!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Spread a Harvest Of Hope (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Baja Breeze (SU!); Girl Friday (Cosmo Cricket); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities dies; 3M foam squares, Perle cotton, ribbon (craft store); Copic markers; buttons (stash); safety pin (Tim Holtz); sewing machine

Monday, August 24, 2009

Hoppy Cupcake Day

Well, that's *any* day, right? ;-) Can you believe I had a Flopsey set that hadn't seen ink? Me either, LOL. That's My Favorite Challenge at My Favorite Things' Member Company Forum this week. I'm late getting it done--had out of town guests most of last week. W e really enjoyed having them here, but it really cut into my stamping time ;-)

I'm using Mercy's Tuesday Sketch #35--getting it in just under the wire.

My card base is Very Vanilla with layers of Kraft and Bermuda Bay, then patterned paper from a Making Memories 8 x 8 pad called Vintage Findings. Flopsey was stamped on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, colored with Copic markers and cut "out of the box". Then I matted him with Bermuda Bay and Kraft card stock and popped him up on 3M foam squares. I used liquid applique on the frosting and glued some seed beads on for "sprinkles". Ithink the rest is pretty self-explanatory. Oh, see those tiny little brads? I just found them at Michaels' this weekend. They are so stinkin' cute! So of course I got all the colors, right? Buttons are from My Favorite Things' Summer Collection.

I'm so glad you dropped in today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Cupcake Flopsey (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Kraft, Bermuda Bay (SU!); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT); Vintage Findings (Making Memories)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Dahlia Nestabilities die; 3M foam squares, ribbon, tiny brads, seed beads (craft store); border punch (Martha Stewart); buttons (MFT); 1" circle punch, linen thread (SU!); Liquid Applique (Marvy)


Sunday, August 23, 2009

Enjoy the ride!

Yeah, I'm really enjoying this Everyday Button Basics set. This bike is so cute!!!

I stamped it on Very Vanilla with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with Copic markers. Then I cut/embossed it with a Nestabilities oval die and matted it with Real Red and Night Of Navy. The buttons are from PTI's Vintage Buttons collection in Pure Poppy and White/Cream mix, tied on with Perle cotton in Ecru. The patterned paper is June Bug by Basic Grey and the ribbon is PTI Pure Poppy grosgrain. The sentiment was stamped with Real Red and Tuxedo Black, and cut out with a Spellbinders label die. Pretty simple, really.

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Night Of Navy (SU!); June Bug 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Real Red (SU!)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Spellbinders dies; 3M foam squares, Perle cotton (craft store); Copic markers; border punch (Martha Stewart); buttons, ribbon (PTI); sewing machine


Saturday, August 22, 2009

Soaring by to say hi!

I just LOVE this almost new set by PTI--Everyday Button Bits! I picked it up at CHA and finally got it inked up. Too cute, I say!!! And, I'm finally getting around to *last week's* sketch at SCS--#241. Oh, well ;-)

This was a quick card to make--a good thing. So this will be a quick post, too :) Very little stamping--just the balloon strings and the sentiment. I think you could use this card for just about anyone--girl, boy, man, woman, don't you? Paper is Cosmo Cricket Bandwidth Twist and Shout and card stock is PTI New Leaf, Summer Sunrise, and Pure Poppy. Ribbon is New Leaf, and buttons are from PTI's Vintage Collection. Tiny safety pin is from Tim Holtz.

I'm so glad you dropped in today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI)
Paper: New Leaf, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy (PTI); Very Vanilla (SU!); Bandwidth Twist and Shout (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Real Red (SU!)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Spellbinders tag die; ribbon, buttons (PTI); safety pin (Tim Holtz); sewing machine


Friday, August 21, 2009

Birthday Polka Dots

Didn't you just {heart} last week's Stamp Simply celebrations? I know I did! Thanks again for all the VERY kind words and comments! They were very much appreciated!!!

This week, Sharon's asking us to use polka dots on our creations. Here's what she says:

August 21 - ssnotime101 - Let's Polka -- OK, the party from last week is over, but we are all still dancing! We're doing the polka!!! Well, not really -- but we ARE playing with POLKA DOTS today!!! So let's see some polka dotted creations from all of you -- that's it!!! Have fun doing the Polka!

This week's card is another departure for me--I seem to be having a lot of those lately, LOL. If I keep this up, my departures will become normal ;-) Ever since I saw Dawn McVey's tutorial on these card stock flowers I've been itching to do one. So here it is. I didn't have the punches she used but I did have the Dahlia Nestabilities, which I thought would work just fine. I also didn't have any of the stamps she used. And I didn't have PTI ink, so I subbed SU! ink in the closest colors. So, you're wondering why I even attempted this project, right? LOL, even with all those substitutes, I think it turned out pretty darn cute! What do you think?

I'm using PTI Spring Moss, Plum Pudding, and Summer Sunrise card stock, along with patterned paper from Bitty Baby Blessings. After I cut the flower petals out, I stamped them with Kiwi Kiss, Perfect Plum, and More Mustard inks, using the large stamp from Flourishes' Ornamental Elements set. I ink distressed the edges with PTI's Vintage Touch Chamomile Tea ink. A button from the Vintage Collection, tied on with DMC embroidery floss, finishes the flower off nicely, I think. The sentiment is from PTI's Heartfelt Basics set. I'm not a huge fan of zig zag stitching but I thought since I was "departing" I'd go all the way, LOL! The ribbon is from my stash, and my layout is last week's Weekend Sketch Challenge--#93.

So, now it's your turn. Come along and play with us and take the challenge--we'd love to see what you come up with. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime101 if you upload to a public forum. Check out Sharon's fabulous sample and also the great designs from the Stamp Simply team, along with our August Guest Designer:

Pat Adam - August Guest Designer

Julie Koerber

Jennifer Buck

Janine Orchard

A J Otto

Tammy Hershberger

Deb Saarenen

Jenny Gropp

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps:
Ornamental Elements (Flourishes); Heartfelt Basics (PTI)

Paper: Whisper White (SU!); Spring Moss, Plum Pudding, Summer Sunrise; Bitty Baby Blessings DP (PTI)
Ink:
Memento Rich Cocoa; Kiwi Kiss, Perfect Plum, More Mustard (SU!)
; Vintage Touch ink (PTI)
Accessories:
Cuttlebug/Nestabilities dies; ribbon, floss (craft store); Vintage Collection button (PTI
); sewing machine


Thursday, August 20, 2009

Celebrate MFT--I {Heart} my PSFs

I was going through my My Favorite Things' WTG sets and ran across Who's That e-Girl. I realized I hadn't used her for a while so I decided to bring her out for this week's sketch challenge card. Plus, today is Celebrate MFT Day--always on the 20th of each month.

WTG was stamped on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copic markers and paper pieced. I then matted the focal image with card stock from a DCWV Neutrals mat stack and Soft Suede. Patterned paper is from the Maple Crest Ct. collection by Heidi Grace. The @ paper clip came from Office Max. It started life as silver-colored, but I got out my handy dandy Copic air brush system and colored it green to match the ribbon. Love that air brush system. And to think--at one point I said I'd *never* need it. Ha! Some brads for accent and the sentiment finish it off!

Be sure to stop by MFT Member Company Forum to get the new sketch and My Favorite Challenge for the coming week. Also, to Celebrate MFT, we have a customer blog hop starting at 11am EDT. Hope you'll join us!

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Who's That eGirl? (MFT)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede (SU!); Neutrals mat stack (DCWV); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Spellbinders dies; 3M foam squares, brads, ribbon (craft store); designer paper clip (Office Max); sewing machine


Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Color Throwdown #56

It's Color Throwdown day!!! Today's colors were chosen by Broni and she's using some new SU! In Colors: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, and Dusty Durango.
And, today's challenge is sponsored by Rubbernecker Stamps. You can find out all about them at the Throwdown blog. This week's grand prize will be the winners choice of any stamp or stamp set from the Rubbernecker website (including free shipping). As an added bonus, Rubbernecker is generously offering everyone who participates in the Color Throwdown challenge this week a 10% discount off any order placed between August 19 and 11:59pm August 25, 2009. Just enter the word Color in the coupon box at the bottom of the shopping cart. This coupon is good for one use only, per customer.

OK, so my mojo has definitely left the building. I love this image and I love these colors--I just don't like what I did with them, LOL! I going to make some Christmas ornaments with this image but I'll use pinks, black, green, and white--I think they'll be gorgeous and I'll be sure to post them. Anyway, back to today ;-)

The image was stamped on Gina K. Pure Luxury 80 lb paper with Memento Rich Cocoa ink, colored with Copic markers, and cut out. I also used a little gold pen on the fan frame and the music staff, although it doesn't show up in this picture. I used a border punch on the Soft Suede layer and a Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder on the Dusty Durango layer. The sentiment was punched out with my SU! large oval punch, then I punched a couple of slots for ribbon and added some flat backed jewels.

Now, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use Mr. Linky to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD56 so we can see your beauty all in one place. Hope to see you there! And don't forget--this week there's a chance to win a prize from Rubbernecker Stamps, and we'll be picking a featured stamper too!!! PLUS, if you play, you get a 10% discount. How stinkin' cool is that?!

Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week:
Broni Holcombe--Splashes of Watercolor
Cathy Indelicato--Crafty Thoughts
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Sylvia Nelson /August Guest Designer--Sylvia's Stamp Corner

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: A Note Text, Music Fan (Rubbernecker Stamps)
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Dusty Durango (SU!); Pure Luxury 80lb paper (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Textile embossing folder; 3M foam squares, jewelsribbon (craft store); Copic markers; large oval and slot punches (SU!); border punch (Martha Stewart); gold pen


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

You're Too Sweet

Today I have a My Favorite Things Feelin' Fruity card for you. I love these cheery little cherrys ;-)

The image was stamped on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers. I cut/embossed it with a Nestabilities reverse scallop die and matted with Real Red and Kiwi Kiss. While it was still in the die, I traced around the die with my Real Red SU! marker, then took it out and sponged the edges with Distress Ink in Tea Dye. I think the main card mechanics are pretty self-explanatory.

I love the images in this set--they still say nothing but RETRO to me, LOL! I'm still seeing my grandmother's kitchen curtains every time I look at them. And I like that :)

I'm so glad you dropped in today! Be sure to come back tomorrow--it's Color Throwdown day!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Feelin' Fruity (MFT)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss (SU!); Citronella mat pad (K & Co.); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Distress Ink in Tea Dye (Ranger)
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Spellbinders die; 3M foam squares, Perle cotton (craft store); buttons (PTI Vintage); Kiwi Kiss ribbon (SU!)


Monday, August 17, 2009

We have a winner!!!!!

[This post will stay at the top of my blog for 48 hours, or until the winner notifies me, whichever is first.]

I used Random.org to generate the number of the winner of my blog candy for the Stamp Simply Birthday party last Friday. The first time, I got Sharon herself, LOL, who of course had removed herself from the drawing. So, I ran it again and the winner is:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

57

Timestamp: 2009-08-17 12:25:37 UTC

Sara said...

Wow, I love the colors you chose for your card. Beautiful! Your blog candy is amazing too. I would love to win this set.

August 14, 2009 4:44 PM

Congratulations, Sara!! Please email me within 48 hours with your snail mail address and I'll get this right out to you! If I don't hear from you within 48 hours of the time this post goes live on my blog, I'll choose another winner. And, if you email me and I don't get back to you within a couple of hours, email again or post on my blog.

Thanks to all of you who left such nice comments and entered the drawing. I wish I had candy for you all!!!


Sunday, August 16, 2009

Bubble Bunny

[If you're looking for my Stamp Simply Birthday card and the blog candy, it's here :)]

I'm still loving this Flopsey (looks like I'm not the only one--he appears to be out of stock at this time. Check back soon)!! That little face just slays me! I got to meet Flopsey's (and WTG) illustrator, Christy Beckwith, at CHA. Christy is just the sweetest! And uber talented, to boot!

Flopsey was stamped on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copic markers. I paper pieced the tub and the "tile" floor, adding some Copic marker shading to both. I also added some irridescent Stickles to the bubbles. I think the mechanics of this card are pretty obvious. I stamped the bubbly bath bottle, colored it, cut it out, and hung it from the Pacific Point ribbon, tied on with DMC embroidery floss. I didn't have a blue Prima that matched, so I colored a white one with my Copic air brush system. Voila! Instant blue Prima, LOL. A few antique copper brads and the sentiment finished it off!

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Bubble Bunny (MFT)
Paper: Groovy Guava, Pacific Point, Whisper White (SU!); Marrakesh 6 x 6 pad (Basic Grey); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: 3M foam squares, brads, DMC floss (craft store); Copic markers; Prima flowers; ribbon, Tab punch (SU!); sewing machine; fancy brad (Making Memories)


Saturday, August 15, 2009

Knowledge is Power!!

[If you're looking for my Stamp Simply Challenge #100 post, please scroll down to the next post. Thanks!]

I'm back today with a new My Favorite Things My Favorite Challenge. This challenge is to do something for back to school. Well, I saw these little pencil boxes and thought they'd be so perfect to alter. And I was right! I'm using images from the new I {Heart} Books set on this one and I *love* how it turned out!

The original pencil box is just plain plastic. The flap unsnaps and the tray slides out of the sleeve most of the way to reveal the contents. So, covering the sleeve with DSP from the Razzleberry Lemonade collection was a piece of cake. The focal image was stamped on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers. I used a little Stardust Clear glitter pen on the lenses of the glasses and the book is paper pieced with more DSP. I matted the image with Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, and Crushed Curry card stock and popped it up on 3M foam squares. The ribbon is threaded through some holes punched with my Cropodile and tied in a bow, then I added that little button from my stash to hide the hole on the other side. The sentiment was stamped, cut out with a Nestabilities die, matted on more DSP, and is also up on foam squares. A few Dew Drops finished the main image off!

I hope you'll come on over to My Favorite Things' Company Forum and play along with this challenge. You might win something if you do :)

I'm so glad you dropped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: I {Heart} Books (MFT)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, and Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (SU!); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: 3M foam squares, ribbon, DMC floss (craft store); Copic markers; Cropodile; button (stash); Dew Drops; Quickie Glue Pen

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Stamp Simply Challenge is 100!!!

Yep, this is Stamp Simply Challenge #100!!!! And to celebrate, we're having a birthday party, but YOU get the gifts!!! Here's what Sharon says:

August 14 - ssnotime100 - It's a Birthday Party! -- Yes, today is Stamp Simply's 100th Challenge, so that's good enough reason to celebrate for me!!! Thank you ALL for coming to read our challenges, check out our projects and play along with us over the last 100 weeks -- we've loved every minute of it!!! So, it only follows that today's challenge is to make a birthday card -- that's it -- how simple and how fun!!!

And going beyond the challenge, we at Stamp Simply ARE having a Birthday Party, and YOU are invited!!! Today many of the designers who have worked with us in the past in any capacity -- Retired Designer, Guest Designer, Party Participant, whatever -- have been invited to join in our celebration to bring some fun projects and ideas to YOU!!! We have a wide variety of things going on. Read the links below to find out what is happening at each blog, then I hope you can find some time to sit down with a nice cup of coffee or tea and start cruising to see what you can find -- have fun everyone -- and THANKS for coming!!!

So, I've got a birthday card for you and some blog candy to give away to one lucky person, so be sure to comment on this post to get a chance to win!

Here's my birthday card. I knew I wanted to make an elegant card for this special occasion, and as soon as I saw this vase at last Saturday's Inspiration Challenge at SCS I knew I wanted to use it as my inspiration piece. The stars all aligned and I had my card idea, LOL! Of course, I also immediately thought of these Flourishes' sets to use on this card--more well-aligned stars ;-) I'm using three Flourishes' sets: Vintage Wallpaper for the background, Thinking Of You for the focal image, and Sweet Violets for the sentiment. And I'm using Mercy's Tuesday Sketch #34 for my layout.

My card base is Very Vanilla with a layer of Tempting Turquoise. For the next element, I stamped the background image on Tempting Turquoise with Very Vanilla Craft ink and heat embossed with white detail embossing powder, then layered it with Tempting Turquoise and Very Vanilla. The ribbon is from My Favorite Things' Royalty Ribbon Bundle and the bow was tied with my Bow Easy. The focal image and sentiment were stamped with Tempting Turquoise Craft ink, heat embossed with clear detail embossing powder, matted with Tempting Turquoise and Very Vanilla, and popped up on 3M foam squares. Some flat backed pearls were the only other thing this card needed, I'm thinkin'.

Now here's what you've been waiting for ;-)
You may have heard about the free stamp set you could get at the PTI booth at CHA for a minimum purchase. Well, I was *lucky* enough to get TWO sets, LOL! So, I'm sharing one with some lucky winner. I'm also giving away a pack of PTI Raspberry Fizz card stock and a tote bag that was also only available at CHA. I managed to snag *three* of them so I'm sharing one of them, too. It was used that day to carry my loot, so it's a little wrinkled, but it's so cute! To be eligible, leave a comment on this post by 11:59pm EDT Sunday, August 16. I'll pick the winner using Random.org and announce the winner Monday, August 17 here on my blog. Be sure to check back to see if you're the winner. If you are, you'll need to contact me within 48 hours via my email (left column, under my picture). If I don't hear from you within 48 hours, I'll pick another random winner.

Now we'd like for you to play along with the challenge. If you do, be sure to leave a comment on Sharon's blog telling her where you uploaded. Please use the keyword ssnotime100 if you upload to a public forum. Check out the great designs from the Stamp Simply team and our guests for this celebration. They all have a little something special for you so you won't want to miss any of them! Have fun!
  1. Pat Adam - Christmas Gift Tags with BLOG CANDY

  2. AJ - 1 Card Done 3 Ways

  3. Janine - A Stress Free Summer Menu with BLOG CANDY

  4. Tammy - Birthday Reminder Book and BLOG CANDY

  5. Jennifer - Birthday Card with BLOG CANDY

  6. Julie - Card Set in Tote with Directions

  7. Deb- Tutorial on Dying Silk Ribbon Using Copics and Refills

  8. Jenny- Birthday Card with BLOG CANDY

  9. Jerri - Birthday Card and Tutorial on Hand Embossing with Light Box

  10. Joan- Birthday Card and Etched Glass with BLOG CANDY

  11. LeAnne - Birthday Card with Glitter

  12. Barb- Birthday Cake 3-D Gift Item with BLOG CANDY

  13. Darlene - Birthday Card with Special Recipe

  14. Rose Ann- Birthday Card with BLOG CANDY

  15. Leslie - Gift Tin of Soaps with Coordinating Card

  16. Heather - Birthday Card

  17. Sabrina- Birthday Card with BLOG CANDY

  18. Sharon- Monogrammed Birthday Gift Set with BLOG CANDY


I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps:
Vintage Wallpaper, Thinking Of You, Sweet Violets (Flourishes)

Paper:
Very Vanilla, Tempting Turquoise (SU!)

Ink:
Very Vanilla and Tempting Turquoise Craft (SU!)

Accessories:
3M foam squares, flat back pearls, white and clear detail embossing powder (craft store); ribbon (MFT); Embossing Buddy, Ticket Corner punch (SU!); heat gun





Grillin' and Chillin'

Summer's winding down, so we're planning a little get together with some friends for a cookout at our house in a couple of weeks. I decided rather than email or call them, to send this invitation. Grillin' Guy was feelin' a little lonesome, so I dragged him out to help. I'm using this week's new My Favorite Things' sketch challenge layout for this card and I'm lovin' it! I'll be using this one more in the future!

My card base is Kraft with layers of Gable Green (I think this is the VERY first time I've ever used Gable Green--yeehaw!!!), Groovy Guava, and DP from Nana's Kitchen mat stack by DCWV with some stitching (yeah, I'm becoming addicted to stitching, LOL). Pewter brads accent every corner. I stamped the main image on a Perfect Paper Panel with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored it with Copic markers, but Grillin' Guy's apron is paper pieced. I love how my coals turned out--I used Amy Sheffer's HTDT tutorial, which is great!! Then I layered it on more Groovy Guava and Gable Green and stitched around it, as well, and popped it up on 3M foam squares. The sentiment was stamped on Kraft with Rich Cocoa ink, punched out with the Designer Lable punch, matted on a Gable Green 1 3/8" circle, with a pewter brad accent. It's also up on foam squares. Then I added a ribbon on a pewter spiral clip with a pewter charm hanging from it. I love this card.

Here's the inside, ready for the message:













I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Grillin' Guy (MFT)
Paper: Kraft, Gable Green, Groovy Guava (SU!); Nana's Kitchen Mat Stack (DCWV); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: 3M foam squares, ribbon, Perle cotton, brads, spiral clip (craft store); charm (Karen Foster); Copic markers; Designer Label punch (SU!); 1 3/8" circle punch (EK Success); sewing machine

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Blog upgrade

I'm in the process of changing my blog to a three column format, so please bear with me as I finish tweaking it like I want. Thanks!

MFT August Kit Release!

My Favorite Things' August kit is ready and waiting for you!!! It's called Gifty Girl and it's awesome! Here it is:

















And here's what you get:

6 Shopping Tote Die Cuts

1 Package Perfect Paper Panels (24 panels)

2 yards Red/White Polka Dot Ribbon in 3/8”

2 yards Black/White Polka Dot Ribbon in 3/8”

50 Silver MINI Round Brads

50 Red MINI Round Brads

(brads are packaged in an adornments case)

Exclusive, UNRELEASED Gifty Girl MINI stamp set

An EXCLUSIVE offer good only for those who order the August kit! Details will be included with your kit!

All for $25! Get your kit HERE!

MFT Deals for the week:
Sales good from 8/12-8/14


HTDT
Check out Jody's tutorial on Pearlescent Watercolors HERE!



Color Throwdown #55

Here we are with another Color Throwdown Challenge and this is another sponsor week. Tammy has chosen our colors and she's breaking out some of the new In Colors. This week's colors are: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Kraft, Black, and White. Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamps. You can find out all about them on the Throwdown blog.


Look at this sweet little puppy and kitty! Aren't they the cutest!? This was a difficult color combination for me--I'm not at all sure I like this card, but the image is just too cute! The sentiment is from the same set, and there are several other images and sentiments in this set.

My DP is from the new Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and my card stock is in all of the challenge colors. I added some paper piercing and black brads as accents and did a little corner punching. I stamped the doggie bone and the little mouse on Kraft, cut them out, and glued them on.

Now, c'mon over to the Color Throwdown blog and play along with us this week. Please use Mr. Linky to post your card and please link directly to your card so we can find it easily. If you upload your card to a public forum, please use the keyword CTD55 so we can see your beauty all in one place. Hope to see you there! And don't forget--this week there's a chance to win a $20 gift certificate with free shipping from Simon Says Stamps, and we'll be picking a featured stamper too!!!

Be sure to check out what the other team members have come up with this week:
Broni Holcombe--Splashes of Watercolor
Cathy Indelicato--Crafty Thoughts
Danielle Kennedy--Wild Dragonfly Designs
LeAnne Pugliese--Wee Inklings
Tammy Hershberger--Stamp Happy
Sylvia Nelson /August Guest Designer--Sylvia's Stamp Corner

I'm so glad you stopped by today!

~Recipe~
Stamps: Best of Friends (Simon Says Stamps)
Paper: Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Kraft, Basic Black, and Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (SU!); Pure Luxury 80lb paper (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug/Circle Nestabilities dies; 3M foam squares, brads, plastic canvas circle template (craft store); Copic markers; Ticket Corner punch (SU!); corner rounder (EK Success); Tim Holtz ruler, Ornare paper piercing tool