Relax

I've been trying something different lately. I'm still not sure I like it, but it's probably because it's just not my "norm". I don't know if you'd consider this a "scrappy" style or what, but I've always liked cards that use different patterned papers and even stamped the focal image in different colors, rather than on a white or cream cardstock. It goes against my brain, I think, but I really like when I see other people do it. So, here is one of my attempts at trying something new for me! :)

I used the Sandy Sunsets set from Our Craft Lounge. I used the June Sketch Challenge from the OCL Forums. There's always a challenge going on if you're in need of inspiration! So, spread your wings a bit and try something outside of your "norm". Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Sandy Sunsets (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Blue Bayou (SU), Burnt Umber (Palette); Paper- Delighted Key Ingredients Kit (Taylored Expressions); Accessories- rhinestone brads (Darice), Chocolate Chip grosgrain (SU), paper piercer; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Prettie Wednesday

Two weeks ago, Christi challenged the Prettie Girls to make a 3x3 card with buttons on it. I haven't made a 3x3 card in a while, so that was A LOT of fun! I got to use up lots of scraps since the pieces were so little.

I used the Soakin' Up the Sun set from Paper Pretties. I just love this little beach basket image. It's the perfect size for a little card. Make sure you stop to see what the rest of the Prettie Girls have created for this challenge:

Christi Thorsen

Danielle Lounds

Frances Byrne

Jackie Pedro

Jackie Rakoski

Jana Weaver

Jessica Diedrich

Jessie Rone

Jodi Collins

Julie Masse

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Soakin' Up the Sun (Paper Pretties); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- gingham ribbon (Darice), buttons (Foofala), Circle and Scallop circle punches (SU), Copic markers; Finished card measures 3"x3"

Miss You Like Crazy

The latest Viva la Verve Challenge with a twist was to use something "new". For my card, I used some new patterned paper that I bought a while ago at Costco. . .I just don't know who actually makes the paper. It came in a really nice expandable file and there's TONS of it! The other "new" thing on my card is my Labels 4 Nestabilities!

I used the Up Up and Away set from Verve Stamps. I decided to do some paper piecing on my hot air balloon rather than color it in. I like how it ties the background to the image. After I cut the image using the Labels 4 Nestabilities, I sponged with some So Saffron ink to give some dimension. For the sentiment I used an older Verve set called Heartfelt Phrases. Thanks for stopping by today! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Up Up and Away, Heartfelt Phrases (Verve Stamps); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), So Saffron (SU); Paper- Blue Bayou, So Saffron (SU), patterned paper from Costco; Accessories- ribbon (SU), border punch (EK Success), paper piercer, white gel pen, Labels 4 Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5

Impression Obsession Week at Stamper's Dream!

This week is Impression Obsession Week at Stamper's Dream! The Dream Team will be featuring some of the latest releases from Impression Obsession.

For my card today, I used the Water Mill Cling stamp. It's not my usual "cutesy" image, but I just loved it when I first saw it. I originally started off making a card with no coloring at all. . .just this image framed in some way, but then I started coloring and ended with a totally different finished product. I used watercolor paper and stamped the image in Burnt Umber Palette ink. I used Stampin' Up ink pads and an Aquapainter to color in the image. Then I cut another piece of watercolor paper and cut an oval from it using my Coluzzle to make a frame. I distressed the frame with scissors and ink and mounted it over the colored image using dimensionals. You can't see it very clearly in the picture, but the colored image is recessed a bit within the frame. A very simple, aged card that makes me think of "old times".

Here is the schedule for the week of who is posting when. You won't want to miss any of the Dream Team's gorgeous creations!

Monday - Laurie, Kimberly, Michelle and me
Tuesday - Cammie, Denise, Michelle
Wednesday - Laurie, Tosh, Michelle
Thursday - Becca, Denise, Kimberly, Michelle
Friday - Tosh, Kimberly, Michelle

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Water Mill (Impression Obsession), Expressions (Inkadinkado); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette), Whisper White Craft, Earth Tones (SU); Paper- watercolor paper (Aquarelle), Dark Chocolate (PTI); Accessories- Coluzzle, aquapainter, Chocolate Chip grosgrain (SU); Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

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"

Taylored Expressions RELEASE DAY!

Today is RELEASE DAY over at Taylored Expressions! If you've been loving the sneak peeks over the past couple of days, now is your chance to actually purchase your favorite sets!


Today, I have three things to show you. The first uses Faith and Hope, the first set in the new Lasting Impressions collection. This set is a collection of inspirational quotes and Bible verses for encouragement during tough times. I paired this sentiment with an image from the A Year of Sweets 2 set. I thought this image went perfectly with the sentiment. I used some happy paper from the Beach Bum Key Ingredients Kit.






The second card features the Beach Bum stamp set. Now that adorable Cuppie you've come to know and love has a beach set all his own! :) I just thought the image with the sandcastle was adorable! I think you'll love the Beach Bum Key Ingredients too! Taylor is also offering a Beach Bum Bundle with adorable brads and Sparkly Fluff!


The last thing I have to show you is part of the For the Love of Cupcakes Bundle. It is a die cut cupcake card! I decided to use mine as a gift card holder. I thought it would be perfect! I made a little gift holder using the Stampin' Up Slit punch.


There's lots more fun things to see today, so be sure and stop by to see the rest of the Baker's Dozen to see their amazing creations! Thanks for stopping by!

















Ana Wohlfahrt
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Donna Baker
Jen del Muro
Jodi Collins
Laura Fredrickson
Laurie Schmidlin
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Sankari Wegman and, of course
Taylor VanBruggen!!

Weekend Sketch Challenge #84

I can't believe Friday is here again and it's time for another Weekend Sketch Challenge! This week's sketch is hosted by Laurie, so head on over to her blog to see the actual sketch and post a link to your creation if you decide to play along! If you upload to SCS, please use the keyword WSC84. We LOVE to see your creations!

For my card I used the Hello Spring and the Just Bugz sets from Our Craft Lounge. You can also find both of these sets at Stamper's Dream! I stamped the ladybug on Breaking Free patterned paper from My Mind's Eye (also at Stamper's Dream) and punched it out with a 1 1/4" circle punch, then added it to the scallop circle.

Make sure you stop to see what Cambria, Jenn, Laurie, Lori, Mary Jo and Sharon have created using today's sketch! I'm sure they're all just beautiful! Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Hello Spring, Just Bugz (Our Craft Lounge); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Breaking Free (My Mind's Eye), Pink Pirouette (SU); Accessories- 1 1/4" circle punch, paper piercer, white gel pen, ribbon (May Arts); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Aloha Baby Wipe

The one challenge for our Prettie Pajama Party the other night was to use a baby wipe technique. I used reinkers and put them on a folded up baby wipe and wiped them across the glossy white cardstock in two different directions to create my background. It was super simple and gave a pretty neat effect, I think. I used the newest Stamp of the Month stamp, Aloha Sophia.

Today is Thursday and you know what that means! It's time for another one of Danielle's fabulous challenges on the Paper Clip! So head on over to be inspired. :) If you missed the Paper Pretties release party the other night, you can now purchase Make a Splash! Hope you're having a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Aloha Sophia (Paper Pretties); Ink: Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango (SU); Paper- Glossy White, Dark Chocolate (PTI); Accessories- ribbon (May Arts), small oval punch (SU), Copic markers; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

Today I get to show you another peek of a new set to be released at Taylored Expressions tomorrow, Friday, June 5th at 8am Pacific! This set is called For the Love of Cupcakes. It's another new set in the Whimsical Wishes line and it's ADORABLE, not to mention the Key Ingredients! The Doodlebug papers are so fun and colorful. Taylor is offering a For the Love of Cupcakes Bundle which includes some glitter stickers, die cut card and confections brads. You may want to check that out as well!









For my project today, I created a gift set using some cupcake bath and body products that I found in the Target $1 bin months ago. I bought a couple of sets and gave one away as a gift, but I came across the other set which I forgot I still had! I thought it went perfectly with the colors and papers in the For the Love of Cupcakes Key Ingredients Kit. I added a little "marker" in the gift basket with some birthday wishes.



Half of the Baker's Dozen is featuring the For the Love of Cupcakes set today and the other half is featuring another adorable set being released, so be sure and visit their blogs to see all of the release goodness! :)



Ana Wohlfahrt
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Donna Baker
Jen del Muro
Jodi Collins
Laura Fredrickson
Laurie Schmidlin
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Sankari Wegman and, of course
Taylor VanBruggen!!

Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure and check back tomorrow for more new release sets and the actual release! Have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- For the Love of Cupcakes (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Cupcake Key Ingredients (Taylored Expressions); Accessories- ribbon and glitter stickers from Cupcake Ingredients and Bundle (Taylored Expressions); Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic markers; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

It's time again for another release at Taylored Expressions! Today's sneak peek is of two new sets in the TE Giving Tree Charitable Program. They are Beary Special and Beary Special Accessories. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids). The Hospital for Sick Children is a health-care community dedicated to improving the health of children. Their mission is to provide the best in family-centered, compassionate care, to lead in scientific and clinical advancement, and to prepare the next generation of leaders in child health. The hospital is located in Canada, but is known around the world for its innovation and leadership in research. This charity is very special to designer Nancy McKinney whose family was helped directly by them. Please go to Nancy’s blog today for the story of her son Henri.




In order to save costs on manufacturing and be able to donate even more to charity, these sets will need to be trimmed from the sheet of rubber. These sets will be available Friday morning June 5th at 8:00 am PST. You can find more details on Taylor's Blog and more samples using these sets by visiting the rest of the Baker's Dozen:


Ana Wohlfahrt
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Donna Baker
Jen del Muro
Jodi Collins
Laura Fredrickson
Laurie Schmidlin
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Sankari Wegman and, of course
Taylor VanBruggen!!

For my set today, I made a card and coordinating box filled with Teddy Grahams! I know my kids LOVE them and would love to receive a "beary" special little gift like this. :) Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you've enjoyed the sneak peek! Be sure and stop back tomorrow for peeks of another set being released on Friday! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Beary Special (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Blue Bayou (SU), patterned paper from Nana's Nursery Stack Boy (DCWV); Accessories- Copic markers, Plain and Scallop Circle, Scallop Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders), ribbon (SU), Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), corner rounder; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"