Dream Big

I was able to play along with another of the Dare To Get Dirty Challenges at SCS.  They were a lot of fun. . .I'm only sorry I didn't get to play in more.  I used the Words of Wisdom set from Verve for this card. 

The background was created using the Chevron Embossing Folder from Stampin' Up!  I die cut the little hearts using the From the Heart Die Set.  The sentiment was stamped in Frost White ink and embossed in white.  To finish it off, I added some seam binding, baker's twine and a button. 

Hope you're having a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!

Thinking of You

It's time for this year's Dare To Get Dirty Challenges over at SCS!!!  There are lots of challenges happening this week and they are LOTS of fun!!  If you're not a Fan Club Member, you can find more information and sign up HERE. 

I played along with one of the challenges using some Taylored Expressions products.  The stamps are from the Embrace Beauty set.  I used quite a few dies on this card as well.  I just LOVE the doily dies from Taylored Expressions.  I used the Layering Doily Die Large and the Layering Doily Die Medium.  The sentiment was stamped onto a piece die cut with the Banner Stacklets 1.  The papers are from the Vintage Bliss Collection from Simple Stories.  The bird image was stamped onto transparency in white craft ink and then embossed in white. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're having a great day!

SUPPLIES USED: 


  

     
   

   

Winter's Wonders

I have a card today that uses some different colors for a Christmas card.  I used the Snowflake Splendor set from Verve and created a background paper using different stamps in the set.  The sketch is this month's Dirty Dozen Sketch Challenge, and the colors I used are from the Inspiration Challenge this month. 

I haven't been around too much this last month due to regular holiday to-dos, but also because of THIS EXCITING NEWS!!!  I am beyond thrilled to join the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen!!  My "roomie" is my sweet friend and fellow DT member, Jen Shults!  If you get a chance, stop over to say hello and congratulate her!  If you're a Fan Club Member, you can view the newest gallery HERE.  If you're not a member, you can sign up. . .and I know you won't be disappointed!  The Dirty Dozen Gallery has always been an amazing source of inspiration for me.  I big, huge THANK YOU to those of you who have stopped by to say hello and say congrats. . .I really, really appreciate it!  You've made this even more special for me!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Snowflake Splendor (Verve Stamps); Ink- Rhubarb Stalk, Bamboo Leaves, Cantaloupe, New Sprout (Memento); Paper- Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, True Black (PTI);  Accessories- Curvy Bookplate Die (Verve Stamps), Stardust Stickles;  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Celebrate Today

I don't always get to participate in the challenges at Splitcoast like I used to, so it's a great day for me when I get the chance!  :)  Last week's Ways To Use It Challenge was to not use brown, black or white ink on your card. . ."embrace your colored inks".   I almost NEVER stamp this way, so this was a nice challenge for me.  :)

I used the Birthday Buddies and Pretty Phrases sets from Paper Smooches for my card.  I stamped the fish in Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise and Ocean Tides ink.  I added a couple Dew Drops for "bubbles".  The sentiment is stamped in Ocean Tides ink. 

If you usually use brown, black or white ink on your cards like I do, I urge you to give this challenge a try!  It's a lot of fun and stretches your creativity!  :)  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Birthday Buddies, Pretty Phrases (Paper Smooches); Ink- Summer Sunrise, Ocean Tides, Hawaiian Shores (PTI); Paper- Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise, Ocean Tides (PTI); Accessories- Catch a Wave Die-namics (MFT), Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest);  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Happy Bird-day!

Last week I was able to play along with the Ways To Use It Challenge on SCS.  I used to play along with the SCS Challenges a lot, but I just can't seem to find the time lately.  Last week's challenge was Happy Birthday. . .to create something with a birthday theme.  I used the Birthday Buddies set from Paper Smooches for my card.   I stamped the sentiment repeatedly in different colors along the bottom of the card.  I added a score line above the sentiments.  The bird was stamped twice, once on the card front and once on another piece of cardstock, cut out and layered on top of the card image with dimensional adhesive.  Finally, I added a few star rhinestones. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you're having a great day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Birthday Buddies (Paper Smooches); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss, Hawaiian Shores (PTI); Paper - white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- Copic markers, Scor-Pal, star rhinestones, Scallop border punch (SU);  Finished card measures 4.25" square

Just a Blog Hop

Welcome to Just A Blog Hop.  We were invited to put aside all of our stamping oriented obligations and deadlines and create something just for fun.  The hop guidelines were simple: choose a challenge to play and choose either a new uninked stamp or an old favorite.  Create a card and mail it to someone.  What could be better to celebrate World Card Making Day? 

I chose to use an image I've never inked up before and I chose a challenge that I've never played!  I played the Free For All Challenge A Hole in One on SCS from yesterday.  The challenge was to create a popped up frame or "hole" as one of the layers on your card.  I used the Curved Rectangle Nestabilities to create my frame or "hole". 

If you came here from the wonderfully talented Lisa Hjulberg's blog then you're on the right track.  If not, then you'll want to head over to the amazing Jami Sibley's blog to start the hop from the beginning.  Next stop on the hop is the fabulous Denise Marzec.  I know I can't wait to see what Denise has created!  Thanks for stopping by today and Happy World Card Making Day!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Witchy (The Cat's Pajamas); Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko);  Paper- Fright Night Project Pantry (Taylored Expressions); Accessories- Curved Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers, button and ribbon from Fright Night Project Pantry (TE);  Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

SCS Sketch School Notes

It's been a while since I've been able to participate in a Splitcoast Challenge, but I was able to do this week's Sketch Challenge!  I used the School Notes set from Our Craft Lounge.  Instead of the squares in the sketch, I used circles.  The patterned paper is from the Garden Variety Collection by Cosmo Cricket. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- School Notes (OCL); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Garden Variety (Cosmo Cricket), Bazzil; Accessories- circle punches, Copic markers, ribbon (Darice), border punch (EK Success);  Finished card measures 4.25" square

Out of the Box

Yesterday, I was able to participate in the Try a New Technique Challenge at SCS, Cutting "Outside the Box". I had a lot of fun with this technique. I used the Tree-mendous Love set from Our Craft Lounge. I used my Plain Heart Nestabilities as well as my Polka Dots QuicKutz embossing folder. The paper is Twitterpated from Imaginisce.

I colored the giraffe using Copic markers. I added some highlights with a white gel pen. Before taking the cardstock out of the die, I sponged some Bermuda Bay ink on the heart.

Did you know that you can participate in the you can participate in the you can participate in the Birthday Bash Challenges? My fellow design team member and sweet friend Heather posted super fun challenges starting yesterday over at The Lounge. Did you know that every month they have a Sketch Challenge and the winner gets to pick a free stamp set from OCL? It's true! Check out the OCL Sketch Challenge forum! Combine this with the other birthday party challenges for a chance to win $100.00 to spend at Our Craft Lounge! We hope you'll play along and help celebrate Our Craft Lounge's first year!

Thankful

I was able to participate in the Limited Supplies Challenge this week, Simply "Fall"ing. The challenge was to create a card with no embellishments, meaning buttons, ribbon, brads, etc. You could use a diecut, punch or embossing folder, but the focus of the card had to be the stamped image. Oh, and it had to have a Fall theme. I used the Thankful Flourishes set from Our Craft Lounge for my card. I used the Flourished Frame Cuttlebug folder on the patterned paper, cut out the center with my craft knife and then sanded it to bring out the frame. I stamped the sentiment in the frame and then stamped and colored the flower image, cut it out and added it to the corner of the frame. Finally, I stamped and cut out the leaf image. When I think of a Fall theme, other than leaves and Halloween, I think of being thankful. THANK YOU for always stopping by! You always make my day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Thankful Flourishes (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Whisper White Craft (SU), Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Ooh La La (My Mind's Eye), Ripe Avocado (PTI); Accessories- Flourished Frame Cuttlebug folder (Provocraft); Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Dare To Be You

Wow, did we get a late start today! Everybody slept in, which was really good (especially for really pregnant mommy LOL), but I feel like my day is almost over! I didn't get to stamp much this weekend, but the weekend was filled with good family time, birthday celebrations and house cleaning. . .much needed house cleaning. :)

Anyway, I decided to look to the Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS, Faux Denim, to get some stamping in today. I used the Polka Stars set and Dare To Be set from Verve Stamps. I thought a patriotic card would go well with the Faux Denim look. You can see lots of other wonderful creations using this technique in the technique challenge gallery.

Don't forget that sneak peeks of the newest Verve release start Wednesday on the Verve Blog! The release is this Friday at 9pm Eastern in the Verve Forum. In the meantime, there are Release Week Sketch Challenges that you can participate in and win new stamps! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Polka Stars, Dare To Be (Verve Stamps); Ink- Blue Bayou, Night of Navy, Whisper White Craft (SU); Paper- Blue Bayou (SU), Pure Poppy (PTI); Accessories- hemp, buttons (Foofala); Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Weekend Sketch Challenge #85

Time for the Weekend Sketch Challenge! This week's sketch is being hosted by Sharon, so please head over to her blog to see the sketch and play along! If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword WSC85.


For my card, I used the Sandy Sunsets set from Our Craft Lounge as well as this week's Color Challenge on SCS, to use Baja Breeze, Ruby Red and Whisper White. As a finishing touch, I added some "stitch" lines around the focal image using a white gel pen.


Be sure and visit Cambria, Jenn, Laurie, Lori, Mary Jo and Sharon to see their beautiful creations using this sketch! I can't wait! Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Sandy Sunsets (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Ruby Red, Baja Breeze (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- Plain Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders),button (Foofala), hemp, flower (GinaK Designs), white gel pen; Finished card measures 4.25" square

Featured Stamper: Kisa!

I got a chance to play in today's Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS. . .to CASE Kisa! She has a fabulous gallery and so many awesome cards to choose from! I chose to CASE this adorable card. For mine, I changed the stamps, the colors and used only 1 button instead of 3 so that I could fit a sentiment! :) It looks a lot different from Kisa's card. . .not nearly as adorable as hers, but hopefully you still like it!

I used Protector and Happy Father's Day Plain Jane from Verve Stamps. The paper and embellishments are all from the Father's Day Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions (currently out of stock). Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Protector, Happy Father's Day Plain Jane (Verve Stamps); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette), Gingerbread (VersaMagic), Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Father's Day Key Ingredients (Taylored Expressions); Accessories- embellishments from Father's Day Key Ingredients (Taylored Expressions), circle punch (Marvy Uchida); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Featured Stamper: BEATE!

Today's Featured Stamper on SCS is Beate! I just HAD to play today because you all know how much I ADORE Beate and just LOVE her creations. It took me a long while before I decided on which card of hers to CASE. I could CASE every single one! :) I finally decided on this adorable card. For my version, I changed the colors and the stamps. The sentiment I used is especially for Beate since she always signs her correspondence with "HUGS and SMILES"! Congratulations, my sweet friend on being the Featured Stamper today! You are awesome! HUGS! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Daisy Canopy (Elzybells Art Stamps), Thoughtful Florals (Verve Stamps); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Melon Berry, Kraft (PTI), Prints DS ((SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- plain oval and scallop oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), wide Celery grosgrain, small oval punch, ticket corner punch (SU), paper piercer, Copic markers; Finished card measures 4.25" square

Hey Sugar!

Here is a card I made for yesterday's Sketch Challenge on SCS. I used the Look Who's Perky set from Paper Pretties. I just love this adorable little sugar bowl! :) The sketch was perfect for smaller images, and I just LOVE this sentiment. It reminds me of my grandma who is from the South. Of course, her version would have an "ah" at the end instead of the "ar"! LOL

Don't forget that Sunday at 7pm EST is the Prettie Pajama Party in the Paper Pretties Forums! I'll be issuing a challenge every hour so be sure to come and play along!! Besides the challenges, chatter, and all around fun, we will also be releasing Bunny Hop Sophia to the public as well as a new stamp set!! Sneak peeks start tomorrow, Friday, February 27th!!

It is also time for another CUTIE PIE CONTEST!!! All you have to do to enter is upload a card you have made using Paper Pretties stamps to the Cutie Pie Contest gallery over at the Paper Pretties website. Entries must be in no later than 9pmEST on February 28th to be considered for the prize. Besides getting to call yourself a CutiePie, you will also receive all the new stamps that are released on the 1st!! Good luck!! I hope to see you there! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Look Who's Perky (Paper Pretties); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- So Saffron (SU), patterned paper (Memory Box); Accessories- double stitched grosgrain (Darice); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Hearts in Full Bloom

I made this for yesterday's Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS, to make a Round Top Box. I've never made one of these before, but they're really cute! I used the Love Grows set from Inque Boutique, which you can find at Stamper's Dream. The back panel is Cuttlebugged with the Floral Fantasy folder and I used the Plain Heart Nestabilities to highlight the word "heart" in the sentiment. The box is filled with marshmallow hearts that my kids received for Valentine's Day. . .they LOVE them! If you ever need a simple and adorable little box, try this one! Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Love Grows (Inque Boutique); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss (SU); Accessories- Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug folder (Provocraft), organdy ribbon (Darice), Threading Water punch (Fiskars), Plain Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders), ric rac, SU markers

To You From Me

This is for today's Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS, Cut It Out. . .to cut out a portion of an embossed design or patterned paper and add it to your card. I chose the Flower Circle Cuttlebug folder, which I haven't used in ages. I added a little color with pastels since the plain flower didn't quite look right. I'm still not sure I like the pastels, but at least they're subtle. :)

I don't know about you, but we had some BEAUTIFUL weather this weekend! It was close to 60 degrees, which is WARM for Pittsburgh in February! It's still nice today too. :) Hope your week is off to a great start! Thanks for stopping by today! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Best Yet (SU); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Paper- Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- clear button (FooFaLa), Circle Flower and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder (Provocraft); Water Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), pastels, Wild Wasabi double stitched ribbon (SU); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Rain or Shine

This is for today's Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS, Recessed Window. My original idea was to make this look like the view out a window from the inside of a house, but I'm not sure that reads. I DO like the look of the recessed window, though. . .kind of like a frame! I used the A Year of Sweets 1 and A Year of Sweet Sentiments sets from Taylored Expressions, along with the Valentine Key Ingredients.

My post is so late today because I just couldn't get myself going this morning! This weekend, my husband and I had a show and then last night was the Superbowl, so we had a very busy day! Yay STEELERS! :) Hope you're having a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- A Year of Sweets 1, A Year of Sweet Sentiments (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Valentine Key Ingredients (Taylored Expressions); Accessories- Copic markers, paper piercer, Stardust Stickles; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

FS103 Vicky Gould

It has been a long while since I've participated in one of the Featured Stamper Challenges at SCS, but today, my sweet friend Vicky Gould was the Featured Stamper, so I HAD to play! :) I met Vicky at a Splitcoaststampers get-together in my area. She is such a doll, a sweet, sweet lady! I just LOVE everything she creates, so it was difficult to pick a card to CASE! I finally settled on this card. I changed the colors, the focal image shape and the stamps for my card. Congratulations, Vicky! I am so happy for you. . .you so deserve to be the featured stamper! :)

The set I used for my card is Sealed With a Kiss from Paper Pretties, which is being re-released in rubber tonight at 8pm EST! I hope you'll join us for the party in the forums. . .especially if you've been following the blog hop and collecting your clues to have a chance to win a 6 month subscription to the Stamp of the Month Club! It will be lots of fun and prizes will be given away every 1/2 hour from 8-11pm EST. You have to be present to win, so come join us and have some fun! (For a view of the sets that are being released tonight, check out the Paper Clip). Hope to see you there! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Sealed With a Kiss (Paper Pretties); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- white (Georgia-Pacific), Riding Hood Red (SU); Accessories- Copic markers, paper piercer, Heart Scallop and Plain Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Heart Blocks Cuttlebug folder (Provocraft); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Howdy and an Anniversary Hop!

This past weekend, there was a mini Virtual Stamp Night going on at SCS. My good friend and fellow Prettie Girl Jules was hosting one of the challenges. Her Love Me Tender challenge was to make a card with something soft on it. I used Caramel Latte Flocking for Sophia's hat, the trim on her boots and the center of the scalloped heart. I also used some chocolate velvet ribbon for some extra added softness. Thanks for the great challenge, Jules!

Today starts the celebration of Paper Pretties' 2nd year! We're celebrating in true Prettie style and you won't want to miss out! This will be a 3 day Blog Hop - starting today!! Remember that on the 25th at 8 pm EST we'll all meet in the 2nd Anniversary Party Forum at Paper Pretties to celebrate and find out who the grand prize winner of our Blog Hop contest is, as well as the winner of a few other goodies. Plus there will be prizes every 1/2 hour at the party and everyone who orders that night will receive a free roll of American Craft ribbon! Yum!! :)
Our hop this time requires a little bit of work on your part. As always we are releasing a new Sophia stamp for our March SOTM. Your job is to guess what this Sophia is doing!! The grand prize is a 6 month subscription to the Stamp of the Month Club. In order to win the prize, you'll need to collect all of the clues from the blog hop - 13 in all and submit your answer to Christie (christie@paperpretties.net). Answers must be in by 8am on the 25th to qualify.

To start today's blog hop, hop on over to Christie's blog where it all starts. Remember, you'll have to collect all of the clues (13 over the next 3 days) and figure out what the new Sophia that's being released is doing! Good luck and have fun!

TLC196

This is for today's Technique Lover's Challenge on SCS, to make a pop up gift card. I've always wanted to make one of these, but never got around to it. It was so very easy to make. . .you should really give it a try if you haven't already. I may actually make a bunch of these for Christmas. I used the Changito Cocoa stamp from Stampendous. You can find it at Stamper's Dream.

Speaking of Stamper's Dream, there is a holiday sale going on NOW through November 30th! ALL Holiday stamps are on sale for 15% off!!! All you have to do is enter the coupon code HOLIDAYS on the checkout page to apply the discount! So head on over and check it out! Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Changito Cocoa (Stampendous); Paper- DCWV; Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- Copic markers, Celery wide grosgrain (SU); Finished card measures 4.25" square