Inking Aloud

Whoo Loves You?

2012-01-27T12:00:00.002-05:00

I just can’t get enough of the cute owl image from the new Little Critters collection from Clear and Simple Stamps! He makes another appearance here as the focal image on this card made with a sketch from the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.

For the sketch's large block panel, I repeatedly stamped the “whoo loves you” sentiment from the Little Critters set tone on tone in You’re Such a Gray-cious Host ink, staggering the placement of the words from line to line to add interest. One of the lines is stamped in red for a fun pop. The stamped panel is layered on a red scallop edged strip to match.

After adding a heart patterned paper panel edged with a strip of red grosgrain ribbon to the bottom of a pink card base, I added the sentiment panel on top.

The little owl from the Taglines: Critters set was stamped on a piece of gray cardstock and cut out. Its belly was paper pieced with a scrap of red cardstock. I used foam tape to attach the owl to a red circle, then set it on the card.

For more CSS inspiration, be sure to check out the CSS iPhone/iTouch app. A new project is shared daily, complete with step by step instructions. Here’s a sneak peek of my project that will be shown on the app tomorrow (January 28). You can get all the info on downloading the app here.

Materials Used:
Little Critters and Taglines: Critters stamp sets, You’re Such a Gray-cious Host, Haute Red Couture, and Perfect Little Black Dress inks, You’re Such a Gray-cious Host, Haute Red Couture, I’m a Princess Pink cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); Yours Truly 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); circle punch (EK Success); scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 240

2012-01-27T00:00:00.003-05:00

This week’s blogger challenge theme is texturize it. I’ve had the A Pocketful: Valentine set from WPlus9 for a while and hadn’t yet inked it up, so I pulled it out for the challenge to create a texture filled design based on the current Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.

To get the textured theme started, I die cut a denim pocket for my focal image. After machine stitching around the edges (my sewing machine couldn’t believe it was actually stitching on fabric instead of paper!) and adding a scrap of red cardstock behind it to highlight the sort of heart shaped opening at the pocket’s bottom, I used foam tape to attach it to a kraft circle. The letter trio was stamped and cut out, then set on the panel so the letters appear to be coming out of the pocket.

For texture, I embossed the two bottom layers of the card. They’re both embossed with polka dots, but I used two different embossing folders, each with a different sized polka dot pattern to add interest while keeping the design unified. After machine stitching around all of the big rectangular panels, I layered them on a kraft card base. The image panel is attached over a kraft colored ribbon strip with notched edges. I stamped the set’s “love notes” sentiment beneath it, directly on the dotted patterned paper. Wish it showed up better than it does . . .

For more ideas incorporating texture, check out the link list below. And, if you’d like to join the challenge, add a direct link to your new project below.

Materials Used:
A Pocketful: Valentine stamp set, Love Notes dies (WPlus9); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Lady Bug marker (Tsukineko); marker (Copic); Crumb Cake and Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); With Love-be Mine designer paper (Pebbles); circle die (Spellbinders); Polka Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Polka Dot embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts); Kraft grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink); denim fabric; sewing machine; foam tape

Birthday Spotlight

2012-01-26T12:00:00.001-05:00

This week’s Kraftin’ Kimmie challenge was to use part of an image or to use the spotlighting technique. I thought this cake and gift toting Moonlight Whispers Julie image would be a fun one to try out with the spotlighting technique.

I did not just one, but two spotlighted sections on the image. I chose to focus on the cake and the stack of gifts. Those sections were punched out of the stamped image with a 1 ¼” circle punch, then colored with Copic markers. I layered the colored pieces on 1 3/8” pink circles and set them back in place on the original image.

I kept the layout for the rest of the card pretty simple, attaching a pastel plaid patterned paper strip to the bottom of a pink card base and edging it with a coordinating solid green strip. I cut a narrow strip of the reverse side of the patterned paper—a bolder colored dotted pattern and set that across the plaid piece, then added the image panel on top. Instead of stamping the sentiment directly on the open space on the image panel, I punched out a tiny tag and stamped it on that. A blue button, tied with matching baker’s twine, anchors it to the panel and brings a little more color to the image panel along the way.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Julie stamp set (Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers, Gold Spica pen (Copic); Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Hawaiian Shores ink, Hawaiian Shores cardstock, Hawaiian Shores button (Papertrey Ink); Hip-Hooray “Girl” Happy Day designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); circle punches (EK Success); tag punch (Fiskars); baker’s twine (The Twinery)

Classy Lady

2012-01-26T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. I used my Cameo Maker set to put together this simple but elegant card.

I used one of the set’s cameo images and one of the set’s frames to make a layered cameo for my focal image. The cameo is heat embossed with a shiny pewter embossing powder. It’s not as solid as I would have liked, but it will have to do. After centering the cameo inside the stamped oval frame, I added a faux pearl necklace made with Liquid Pearls. I set the finished cameo on top of a shimmery white doily die cut.

I used a vintage looking lace patterned paper to cover most of the cardfront. It’s layered on a soft gray panel, then set on the darker gray card base. I used the same colors for the panels beneath the cameo. The “classy lady” sentiment from the You’re Lovely set is stamped on a vellum strip that’s machine stitched to the cardfront along the edges.

Materials Used:
Cameo Maker and You’re Lovely stamp sets (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Smokey Shadow ink, Smokey Shadow and Soft Stone cardstock, Doily Detail Collection die (Papertrey Ink); Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); white vellum (The Paper Co); Head over Heels Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); Versamark ink (Tsukineko); oval dies (Spellbinders); White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger); sewing machine; foam tape

Color Throwdown 176-Let Your Dreams Take Flight

2012-01-25T02:00:00.002-05:00

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! This week, Joan’s come up with a really pretty combination for us to try—Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Rose Red, and Chocolate Chip. I combined the colors with this week’s Our Craft Lounge Challenge to use chevrons to create a simple scene featuring a hot air balloon.

For my focal image, I colored the hot air balloon with a chevron pattern from the Love in the Air set using rosy red and chocolate markers, then carefully cut it out. It’s set on a dot embossed blue sky panel over a pair of die cut felt clouds.

To get a few more chevrons into the mix, I stamped a Crumb Cake panel with one of the chevron images from the Every Heart Beat set in matching ink to add a subtle pattern to the paper. The sky panel is matted on a Rose Red panel, then set on to the stamped Crumb Cake panel. I added the set’s “let your dreams take flight” sentiment on a Rose Red notch-edged strip that extends out from under the balloon. I stamped it in the same color as the paper so it doesn’t show up well in the photo, but it looks nice IRL.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD176. Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Keva ** Kristin ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
January Guestie Stacy Morgan

Materials Used:
Love in the Air and Every Heart Beat stamp sets (Our Craft Lounge), white Copic blending cardstock (X-Press); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Rose Red and Crumb Cake Classic inks, Rose Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Aqua Mist cardstock, cloud die (Papertrey Ink); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); white felt; foam tape

Papertrey Ink January Blog Hop

2012-01-25T00:00:00.002-05:00

For this month’s Papertrey Ink blog hop, the challenge was to select and share a favorite project from 2011, then to create a second card that was inspired by that favorite project in some way.

The process of selecting a favorite project for today's hop took me a while! I went back and forth between several different creations before deciding on this fall themed project. You can see the original post featuring this card here.

I loved the clean and simple design, plus the color scheme. It also included only stamped elements—and stamping is what drew me in to paper crafting in the first place!

For version 2 of the card, I kept the layout pretty much the same but made changes to make the card more seasonal—as in Valentine’s Day appropriate. I used one of my favorite color schemes—aqua, red, and kraft—for the card and incorporated some fun textures to add interest to the design.

To get my remake started, instead of using the houndstooth stamp for the large panel at the bottom of the card, I stamped one of the heart border strips from the Heart Prints set repeatedly in Aqua Mist ink on an Aqua Mist panel. I kept the Modern Wood Mats panel the same and built a cluster of embellishments on that.

Instead of the leaves in the original design, I used a pair of die cut felt hearts along with a tag cut with the Tiny Tags die. I picked one with a heart cut out and added a scrap of red cardstock behind the heart-shaped opening to emphasize it and tied the top with a little Pure Poppy baker’s twine. The “hugs & kisses” sentiment from the Heart Prints set completes the remade version. Much the same, but definitely different in its own way!

Materials Used:
Heart Prints and Modern Wood Mats stamp sets, Aqua Mist and Dark Chocolate inks, Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, Kraft, and Vintage Cream cardstock, Mat Stack 1, Heart Prints, Tiny Tags, and Double-Ended Banner dies, Pure Poppy and Aqua Mist felt, Pure Poppy baker’s twine (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake Classic ink (Stampin’ Up!)

TCP Tuesday 194-You (and K-Cups) Warm My Heart

2012-01-24T07:00:00.005-05:00

For this week's TCP Tuesday stamp and die challenge, Susan's challenged us to use stamps (and dies!) with hearts. Given that Valentine's Day is coming up, this one's an easy one.

I thought I'd share the project I created for this month's TCP Project of the Month. I revised my the design of the K-cup caddy I'd originally created to hold a single K-cup caddy to hold two (or four) of the yummy coffee treats. You can find the full directions in printable form here.

To dress up my K-cup caddy, I used the sweet girl from the Merry Wishes set. She counts for the challenge since she's holding a tiny heart in her hand (look closely--I promise you'll see it!). I colored her with Copic markers, cut her out and added a little white flock to her hat for some texture.

The caddy is made from pink cardstock. I attached a dotted patterned paper to the front and sides to dress it up. A red strip die cut with the CutUps Anywhere Ribbon Slide and threaded with some rose seam binding is wrapped around the caddy. The tutorial has a little tip for how to make an extra long ribbon slide strip for projects like this one.

The colored girlie is attached to the holder with foam tape. The "you warm my heart" sentiment from the Like You a Latte set is stamped on a narrow pennant strip cut with the CutUps Easy Rosette die--it was a perfect match for the image and for the coffee theme. I slipped a CutUps Heart Rosette piece behind her to meet the challenge requirement of using a die with a heart.

I hope you’ll pull out your stamps and dies with hearts and play along with this week’s challenge for your chance to win some Cat Cash. Just upload your project to the photo album on Alma’s blog to enter—and be sure to keep an eye out for the links to the rest of the Cat Pack’s projects that she’ll be posting throughout the week. If you give the K-cup template a try, leave me a comment with a link to your project so I can check it out.

Materials Used:
Merry Wishes and Like You a Latte stamp sets, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Ribbon Slide, Easy Rosette, Circus Panels and Heart Rosette dies, rose seam binding (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pink Pirouette and Regal Rose cardstock, Regal Rose Classic ink (Stampin' Up!); circle punch (EK Success); Snowday-Fireside designer paper (Pink Paislee); white flock (Stampendous); foam tape

Love {U}

2012-01-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here's my card for January's second Viva la Verve sketch. I want to give you fair warning--it's kind of bright! Now that I look at it, I see lots of similarities to the Pepto Bismol I was downing over the weekend . . .

Anyway, as you can probably guess, I made a sweet Valentine using the sketch. The color combination actually came from a Doodlebug Design paper collection. I used two of the papers for the panels on the cardfront. Each panel is matted on light pink cardstock, then set on a heart and dot embossed darker (or brighter?) pink panel.

I die cut a heart from light pink paper using Verve's Jotted Heart die, then stamped the matching image over it in the same light pink ink. The "love" sentiment from the Love Notes set is stamped over that in darker pink ink. It's set on the card and accented with a pink button tied with pink baker's twine. At the last minute, I decided to add the die cut "{u}" to the cardfront. I think it was a good call!

Materials Used:
Love Notes stamp set, Jotted Heart die (Verve Stamps); Pretty in Pink and Pixie Pink Classic inks, Pretty in Pink and Pixie Pink cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Cake 6x6 paper pad (Doodlebug Design); Hearts and Dots embossing folder (Sizzix); pink grosgrain ribbon (Morex); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine); corner rounder; pink button

Just Bugcause . . .

2012-01-23T16:30:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick card that combines both this week's SCS clean and simple challenge to use pink, celery and white and this week's featured stamper challenge. I based my card on this ladybug themed card. I knew right away that one of the bugs from Our Craft Lounge's Bug Hugs set would be perfect for remaking the design.

I colored up one of the set's bug images in pink, adding Glossy Accents to the hearts on the bug's shell for a little shine and dimension. The bug is cut out and set on a trio of die cut felt leaves with some foam tape.

I stamped the "just bugcause" sentiment from the Love Bug set in celery ink on a white oval. Instead of setting the sentiment on another same-sized oval that's just slightly offset, I layered it on an oval that's just a bit larger. The panel's set on a celery card base to frame the simple little scene and give it a finished look.

Materials Used:
Bug Hugs and Love Bug stamp sets (Our Craft Lounge); Memento Tuxedo Black and Pear Tart inks (Tsukineko); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); markers (Copic); Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink cardstock, oval punches (Stampin' Up!); Sending You dies, Simply Chartreuse felt (Papertrey Ink); Glossy Accents (Ranger); foam tape

Black and White Birds

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

A nasty case of the stomach flu came on suddenly and had me down for the count yesterday and I'm still not myself today. I'm hoping another day of rest at will help me to get back to normal. With not feeling well, a clean and simple card was pretty much all I could manage for today.

This card is for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge to make a card with just black and white in honor of Friday's penguin awareness day. I didn't go with penguins on my card, but did stick with the bird theme, using my new Sentimental Birds set from Sweet Stamp Shop. The silhouette image of birds perched on lines is perfect for a black and white card.

I stamped the large image on a white panel, trimming the panel's edges to fit the image. After layering it on a black panel, I added a piece of white vellum over the stamped image for a more muted look. A piece of black satin ribbon is knotted around the panel at the bottom of the image, hiding the adhesive I used to secure the vellum panel. I added one of the set's sentiments beneath the ribbon on a narrow white strip. To go with the sentiment, I found a clear crystal circle and placed it on the vellum to spotlight the pair of birds with the hearts between them. The crystal element was a fun way to add an embellishment while still keeping with the all black and white color scheme.

Materials Used:
Sentimental Birds stamp set (Sweet Stamp Shop); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); white cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white vellum (The Paper Co.); black satin ribbon (Target); clear crystal circle (Recollections)

Kiss Me

2012-01-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s my card for the current Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. I focused on the spotted stuffed frog on the bed in the inspiration photo and built my clean and simple design around that.

I found a dotted green patterned paper to use to paper piece the frog image from the A Little Lovin’ set. After cutting the frog out, I used Copic markers to add some shading and to darken the spots on the frog’s back—an easy way to add a little interest and dimension to the otherwise flat image. I set it on a white panel with dimensional dots, then stamped the set’s heart image over it and colored it in red.

A strip of red and white dotted paper runs down the edge of the panel. I wrapped the dotted paper with black baker’s twine. The set’s “kiss me” sentiment is stamped on a tiny tag and threaded on to the twine. At the last minute, I decided to add the lip image over the words, stamping it off once before adding it to the tag for a softer look.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches A Little Lovin’ stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, W-1, YG17), Jillibean Soup Watermelon Gazpacho and Blossom Soup 6x6 paper pads, Divine Twine Black Licorice baker’s twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: white cardstock (Xerox); New Leaf cardstock (Papertrey Ink); tag punch (Fiskars)

Winter Woo-hoo!

2012-01-21T12:00:00.001-05:00

Here’s my card for the current Lawnscaping Winter Wonderland challenge. I just love Lawn Fawn’s little sledding bunny and couldn’t resist setting the image in a simple snowy scene. And, with the wintery mix we've had here over night and this morning, this card definitely is a good one for today!

I colored the bunny with Copic markers and carefully cut the image out. After adding a little white flock to its tail, I set it on a patterned paper panel with torn and layered shimmery white strips of “snow” along the bottom.

To add to the wintery theme, I embossed a gray panel with a snowflake pattern and used that to cover most of the cardfront. After layering the image panel on a red mat, I set it on the cardfront at an angle, then added the “woo-hoo!” sentiment from the Critters in the Forest set underneath the image. A pair of die cut shimmery white snowflakes, each with a clear crystal at the center, makes the perfect accent for the little scene.

Materials Used:
Winter Bunny and Critters in the Forest stamp sets (Lawn Fawn); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Basic Gray, Real Red, Baja Breeze, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Season’s Greetings 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); Peace Be Still impression plate (Papertrey Ink); Die-namics Snowflake Trio die (My Favorite Things); white flock (Stampendous); clear crystals (Darice); foam tape

Happy Thoughts Are Coming Your Way

2012-01-21T00:00:00.002-05:00

My mom requested a get well card for someone she knows, so I combined her request with this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge to make this sweet card. I thought the kite flying girl from the Pure Innocence Aim High set was a good choice for a card bringing a cheerful message.

The girl is partly colored with Copic markers and partly paper pieced. After cutting out the image, I added a little sparkle to the hearts on her dress and in her hair with a dot of Stickles. She’s set on a background panel made from a piece of cloud patterned paper with a die cut grass base. The set’s “happy thoughts” sentiment is stamped directly on the grass.

I used the plaid pattern on the reverse of the paper I used for the girlie’s dress to cover most of the cardfront. The image panel is set on coordinating solid panels, divided by a strip of aqua grosgrain ribbon. Once the image panel was in place, I added the kite, cut from solid melon colored cardstock to match the card base and attached to the girl’s hand with a little green baker’s twine. The kite was the perfect way to fit in the little accent element in the sketch and a fun switch from my usual go-to button or felt die cut piece.

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Aim High stamp set, Die-Namics grass border die (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist, Melon Berry, and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Aqua Mist grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Lime Twist-Fly a Kite "Genuine" Sky and Good Day Sunshine-Pristine Plaid designer papers (My Mind’s Eye); Stardust Stickles (Ranger); foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 239

2012-01-20T08:35:00.000-05:00

This week’s blogger challenge theme is “elements of time.” My interpretation of the theme’s a pretty loose one as you’ll see in the apology card I created. I used the vintage typewriter image from the Just My Type set from My Favorite Things as my focal image. I thought the vintage style of the image, combined with a sentiment referencing the past, would be a fun way to take on the challenge.

The typewriter shape was die cut from cream cardstock, then stamped with the matching image in black ink. I rubbed a little distress ink over it for a more aged look and did the same with the matching “paper” die cut, also cut from cream cardstock and stamped with the sentiment in black ink.

Since the image is pretty large and takes up a lot of space, I kept the card’s layout pretty simple. To go with the typewriter image, I knew I wanted to use a text patterned paper somewhere on my card. I found one with a great mix of type styles in a Cosmo Cricket paper pack and used that one for the panel directly underneath the typewriter. A piece of red faux suede ribbon tied at the bottom of the card adds a nice pop of color and some texture to the cardfront.

For more ideas using the elements of time theme, check out the link list below. And, if you’d like to join the challenge, add a direct link to your new project below.

Materials Used:
Just My Type stamp and die set (My Favorite Things); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Corn cardstock (Gina K Designs); Circa 1934 6x6 paper pad (Cosmo Cricket); red faux suede ribbon; foam tape

Baby, It's Cold Outside

2012-01-20T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here's my card for this week's Kraftin' Kimmie challenge. I adjusted the panels on the sketch just a little to work for a portrait-style layout to fit the wintery image I wanted to use. Fortunately for me, so far this winter has been snow free, aside from a freak pre-Halloween snowfall, so I haven't had to break out the snow shovel yet like the Moonlight Whispers Eva image I used for my card!

I colored the lovely Eva in shades of blue to match the patterned papers I used on the card. Her earmuffs are covered with a little white flock for a fluffy look. I set her on a snowy background panel made from light blue cardstock with layered strips of torn shimmery white cardstock at the bottom.

After attaching the coordinating patterned papers to the cardfront, I layered a piece of shimmery silver cardstock over them for a little sparkle. A piece of light blue grosgrain ribbon is knotted around the panel. I set the image panel on to the cardfront, slipping the edge of the sentiment panel underneath its right side.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Eva stamp set (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver shimmer paper (Recollections); Midnight Frost 6x6 paper pad (Bo Bunny); light blue grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); white flock (Stampendous); foam tape

Runway Inspired Rainbow

2012-01-19T07:00:00.004-05:00

Clear and Simple Stamps is sponsoring the latest Runway Inspired Challenge. The current challenge is based on this photo of trendy resortwear.

Check out the fabulous rainbow colors—and the added pop of green from the model’s shoes. Those elements are the ones that inspired my clean and simple creation.

I used the small heart border builder strip from the Hearts Plus set to make a rainbow striped panel for the cardfront. Once I was done stamping, I layered the panel on a green mat, then set it on a white card base. I stamped the “you color my world” sentiment from the Craft Room set in black on a white notch-edged panel and set that across the cardfront, accented with a green button tied with a piece of green satin ribbon.

Be sure to check out all of the challenge details here. CSS is offering up a great prize for the challenge winner . . .

Materials Used:
Hearts Plus and Craft Room stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress, Haute Red Couture, Creamsicle Cardigan, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Green with Envy, Party Teal Dawn, and VIP Purple inks, Green with Envy and A Blanc Check cardstock, Green with Envy satin ribbon, Green with Envy button (Clear and Simple Stamps)

Thanking You

2012-01-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s Waltzingmouse Stamps sketch challenge. I went with a slightly vintage style for my design, which is out of my comfort zone. I came up with something soft and feminine, but in a somewhat non-traditional feminine color scheme.

The cardfront is covered with a pretty distressed-looking floral paper. I machine two coordinating dotted strips to the floral panel, creating a striped look. The papers are actually from a winter themed paper collection, but they worked nicely here for a completely different feel.

I used the Cameo Maker set to create a moss green on cream cameo as a focal image. The stamped cameo is layered on a green oval, then on the aqua panel that runs across the cardfront. I found some matching aqua seam binding in my ribbon scrap pile that was super crinkled from being stuffed deep into the container to keep it from Chloe the cutie puppy’s curious nose and mouth and used that to create a pretty bow to place at the top of the cameo. A trio of green buttons, threaded with cream linen thread, sits at the bottom of the cameo. I stamped the “thanking you” sentiment from the Cameo to Go set in green ink next to the cluster of elements to fill out the open space on the aqua panel. The end result is somewhat vintage-looking, but still pretty clean and simple.

Materials Used:
Cameo Maker and Cameo to Go stamp sets (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Spring Moss ink, Spring Moss and Aqua Mist cardstock, Spring Moss buttons (Papertrey Ink); Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Winterland 6x6 paper pad (Fancy Pants); oval dies (Spellbinders); aqua seam binding (Martha Stewart); linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); Bow Easy; sewing machine

Sending Bug Hugs

2012-01-18T20:20:00.000-05:00

Here’s another card using this week’s Color Throwdown color combo (see my previous post for all the details on this week’s challenge). I used the colors along with this week’s SCS sketch challenge to put together this kid-friendly Valentine.

I colored the creepy crawly creature from Our Craft Lounge’s Love Bug set with Copic markers and cut it out. The dots on the back of the bug are coated with Glossy Accents to add a little dimension and shine to the image.

I used a red dotted paper for the pair of strips at the left side of the card and a green plaid for the stripe that runs across the cardfront. Each patterned paper piece was matted on a coordinating solid cardstock panel before I attached it to a kraft panel. I wrapped the panel with green baker's twine before layering it on an olive card base. The "sending bug hugs" sentiment from the Bug Hugs set is stamped on a cream corner rounded panel that I slipped underneath the top edge of the green plaid paper. The creepy crawly creature sits just underneath the sentiment with the help of a few dimensional dots.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Love Bug and Bug Hugs stamp sets, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YG21, YG93, YG95, YG97, R21, R24), Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup 6x6 paper pad, My Mind's Eye Lime Twist-Out of the Blue 6x6 paper pad, Ranger Glossy Accents, Divine Twine Green Apple baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Real Red, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); corner rounder

Color Throwdown 175-Owl Always Love You

2012-01-18T02:00:00.001-05:00

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! This week, Danielle’s given us a classic color combination—kraft, cream, red, and olive. I used the colors to create a sweet, punny Valentine’s Day card with a set from the Little Critters collection from Clear and Simple Stamps.

I used the large tag from the Tags 1 die set to make the panel for my image. The branch image from the Taglines: Critters set is stamped at one end of the tag and colored with Copic markers—except for the leaf, which is filled in with the matching solid image stamp. The small owl that sits on the branch was stamped on kraft cardstock and cut out. Its belly was shaded with a Copic marker. I stamped the “owl always love you” sentiment just underneath the branch in red ink and added a tiny heart next to the owl, too.

After tying some red satin ribbon through the hole at the tag’s end, I layered it on a piece of green dotted paper. The panel is layered on a green mat, then on a kraft card base.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD175. Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Keva ** Kristin ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
January Guestie Stacy Morgan

Materials Used:
Taglines: Critters stamp set, Perfect Little Black Dress, Haute Red Couture, and Kraft Like a Rockstar Green inks, Kraft Like a Rockstar, Kraft Like a Rockstar Green, and On the Catwalk Cream cardstock, Copic marker (E43), Tags 1 die, Dare to Be a Diva Red satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); Jingle Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); foam tape

IHP DT Challenge-Inspired by Living Spaces

2012-01-17T06:00:00.008-05:00

For this month's i {heart} papers design team challenge, we were given a selection of 4 photos of gorgeous living spaces to choose from to use as inspiration for our projects.

I went with this pretty photo featuring an outdoor living area. I loved the summery feel of the pool and the pretty foliage and incorporated those elements into my design in a roundabout way.

To represent the foliage, I used the potted dress image from the Hippie Chic stamp set as my focal image. The dress was paper pieced with a piece of patterned paper that reminded me of the pattern seen on the tablecloth in the photo. For fun details, I cut a fringed strip to put along the bottom edge of the dress and added a clear crystal to the heart pendant hanging at its neckline. The flowers peeking out of the base were inked with pink ink (easy to do with the cat's eye shaped ink pads!) and the rest of the image was colored with Copic markers. I used dimensional dots to attach the cutout image to an aqua (pool colored!) card base. Cut apart pieces of a crystal flourish are slipped underneath the dress for a little sparkle.

To ground the image, I attached a rosy pink strip of cardstock along the bottom of the cardfront, then wrapped a piece of green striped twill around the card, knotting it at the left side. The "be whoever you want to be" sentiment is stamped next to the dress in matching pink ink.

Be sure to check out what the other IHP DT members created for this inspiration challenge. Here's where to find them:

Lori--you're here!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Market Street Stamps Hippie Chic stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Rose Bud inks, Copic markers (E25, E31, E33, E34, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5), Echo Park Country Drive Collection Kit, May Arts celery striped twill, Zva Creative clear crystal flourish, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, and Hibiscus Burst cardstock (Papertrey Ink)

TCPTuesday 193-Who Loves You, Baby?

2012-01-17T00:00:00.003-05:00

It's my turn to host the TCP Tuesday challenge and this week, I've brought you a fun mix of colors that can be used for a sweet Valentine's Day creation--or for something else entirely. Isn't the combination of pale pink, melon, and brown yummy?

I used the new Feelin' Cupidy set from last week’s release for my card. I colored the bunny up in a nice chocolate color, then cut him out. I added some glitter to the pink wings as a fun touch and a little white flock to the tail—every bunny’s got to have a cottontail, right?--then used foam tape to attach the bunny to a CutUps Heart Rosette diecut.

I dressed up the light pink card base with a pair of patterned paper panels—a dotted melon one and a pink on pink diagonally striped one. I set the rosette over the paper strips, then added a Valentine twine-wrapped strip stamped with the “who loves you, baby?” sentiment underneath it.

I hope you’ll play along with this week’s challenge for your chance to win some Cat Cash. Just upload your project to the photo album on Alma’s blog to enter—and be sure to keep an eye out for the links to the rest of the Cat Pack’s projects that she’ll be posting throughout the week.

Materials Used:
Feelin' Cupidy stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Heart Rosette die, Divine Twine Valentine baker’s twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Dots & Stripes-Candy Shoppe 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park);white flock (Stampendous); sewing machine; foam tape

Colorblocked Peace

2012-01-16T16:40:00.000-05:00

Here's my card for this week's SCS clean and simple challenge. The sketch challenge took less than 10 minutes to complete from start to finish, thanks to the trio of color blocks and the already die cut felt dove I used for the card.

The monochromatic color blocks were created by inking different sized clear stamping blocks with three blue inks and pressing the inked blocks to a white card base. I have a bunch of die cut white felt doves leftover from a previous project and the dove made a nice accent for the card. It's attached with a little ScorTape--sticky tapes like these are my preferred adhesive for felt pieces. To give the dove shape some definition, I added a blue crystal as an eye. The "peace" sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Holiday Tree set is stamped on the card in silver ink for a final sparkly touch for the simple design.

Materials Used:
Holiday Tree stamp set, Peace Be Still die (Papertrey Ink); Blue Bayou, Baja Breeze, and Soft Sky inks (Stampin' Up!); Encore Silver ink (Tsukineko); blue crystal (Recollections); white felt

You're a Great Catch

2012-01-16T06:00:00.007-05:00

Here's a super sweet Valentine's Day card in non-traditional colors. The clean and simple design was based on this week's Clean and Simple Stamping sketch and this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge to use scallops.

I combined the larger fish image from Papertrey Ink's Tremendous Treats: Valentine set with the sentiment that came with the original Tiny Treats: Valentine smaller scaled set for my little scene. The fish was stamped on a scrap of dotted paper, cut out, then sprayed with a little shimmer spray. After it dried, I used foam tape to set it on an aqua card base. The little hearts next to the fish were stamped on an orange scrap, cut out and attached directly to the cardfront. They were a pain to cut out and now that I look at them, I wish I'd stamped them in a slightly different spot, maybe a bit above where they are . . .

A wave-like scallop edged strip runs the across the card, underneath the fish. I added a strip of the same dotted paper as I used for the fish underneath the scalloped strip. For a little contrast, I set a narrow darker orange strip along the seam between the two pieces. The "you're a great catch" sentiment is stamped between the fish and the scalloped wave in a darker aqua ink.

Materials Used:
Tremendous Treats: Valentine and Tiny Treats: Valentine stamp sets, Hawaiian Shores ink, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, and Orange Zest cardstock, Distressed Dots patterned paper, medium scallop border die (Papertrey Ink); Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Frost shimmer spray (Tsukineko); foam tape

Be My Valentine

2012-01-15T18:15:00.000-05:00

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. I resisted remaking Linda's Wisconsin Badger themed Rose Bowl card (love those Badgers!) and instead went with a seasonal love themed card.

I kept the layout the same as in the original card and made changes to the card's other elements. I used a sentiment from Verve's Love Notes set as the focal image--love Verve's sentiments and fun font mixes! The heart trio stamped in red comes from the same set and was great as an accent and to fill up a little of the open space on the white panel. The stamped oval panel is layered on a white lacey oval die, then attached to the cardfront with foam tape.

Instead of using a solid black ribbon on the cardfront, I used a black and white gingham one. The bow at the top of the sentiment panel is made from a piece of satin ribbon. The white card base is embossed with a simple but elegant pattern. The folder's pattern didn't fill the entire cardfront, but I think I got it pretty well centered on the front.

On a personal note, I couldn't let today pass without mentioning a special event on my blog. Today is Chloe the cutie puppy's second birthday. My longtime readers will probably remember when I first shared her puppy photo almost two years ago. She's now a full-grown goldendoodle and still as cute as can be. She celebrated with a few new toys and a trip to the dog park.

Here she is after our romp at the dog park in the afternoon, which tired her out enough that she sat pretty still while I took her picture. For anyone who knows her, you know that she isn't still too often! Happy birthday, Chloe!

Materials Used:
Love Notes stamp set (Verve Stamps); Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko); oval and lacey oval dies (Spellbinders); Whimsy embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts); black satin and black gingham ribbons (Michaels); Bow Easy; foam tape

Let Your Heart Be Your Guide

2012-01-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s my card for this month’s Market Street Stamps Paint the Town color challenge. The bright colors reminded me of a rainbow sherbet mix! I created a clean and simple design with all of the colors set against a bright white background.

I used the compass from the Compass set as my focal image. It’s stamped in a bright, bold pink ink on a pale pink circle. I stamped the image again on darker pink cardstock and punched out the center with a circle punch so I could add it to the center of the light pink image for contrast. The heart at the center is filled in with Stickles for a little sparkle. It looks a little bubbly in the photo, but it isn't IRL--guess it's just the angle of the photo . . .

The compass is set on the right side of an orange-y striped panel. The left side of the panel is edged with a dark pink scallop edged strip. I stamped the sentiment on an aqua notch-edged strip that stretches most of the length of the card. On the stamp, the text is two lines, but I decided to take advantage of the clear material and stamp it in one continuous line instead to fit my design.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Market Street Stamps Compass stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Rose Bud ink, Echo Park Dots & Stripes-Candy Shoppe 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle die and Classic Scallop Edgeabilities die, Ranger Star Dust Stickles

other:
Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Blushing Bride and Melon Mambo cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); white cardstock (Xerox); circle punch (EK Success)

Spotlight on #1 Sports Fan

2012-01-14T09:00:00.003-05:00

This week marks the 100th challenge on the Our Craft Lounge blog, so it’s only appropriate that our theme this week is numbers. I turned the “spotlight” on the new #1 Sports Fan set for my card for the challenge.

Instead of coloring the image as I’ve done all the other times I’ve used it, I spotlighted just a part of the image. I stamped the whole image on a piece of white paper, then used a circle punch to punch out a small portion of the image, making sure to include a number. I colored the circular piece with Copic markers, layered it on a coordinating green cardstock circle just a bit larger, then set it back in place on the image. For the rest of the image, I used a fine-tipped multiliner pen to make some tiny dots on the uncolored image to add a little shading without adding color.

I found a fun number patterned paper in a My Mind’s Eye paper pad and used that to create 4 panels for the cardfront. Each panel is layered on a kraft mat, then set on the green card base. I layered my spotlighted image on a kraft mat and attached it to the cardfront.

I hope you'll take a look through your stash and find something with numbers so you can play along--there's a stamp set up for grabs for one lucky participant! You can find all the challenge details on the OCL blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge #1 Sports Fan stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (E00, E000, E0000, B0000, E23, YG01, YG03, YG05) and black multiliner pen, My Mind’s Eye Lime Twist-Fly a Kite 6x6 paper pad

other: Pear Pizzazz cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); circle punches (EK Success)

I Love You This Much

2012-01-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I’ve had this Jolinne set for a while and hadn’t used her yet and thought she’s be a nice fit for the sketch.

I colored Jolinne with Copic markers and cut her out, using a craft knife for some of the smaller interior sections. With the string of hearts stretched between her hands, I thought that some love-themed papers would be a good match for the image.

I found some BoBunny Crazy Love papers in shades of pinks and browns with a little bit of red thrown in, too. I played around a little with the arrangement before coming up with this one. I added a fancy open scalloped die cut strip topped with rose grosgrain ribbon across the bottom of the card and stamped the word “love” from one of the set’s sentiments to fit on the tiny pennant that I set next to the image panel. The sketch was definitely not something I would have come up with on my own and took a little thinking to put all the elements in place--guess that's why it's called a challenge!

Materials Used:
Jolinne-I Love You This Much stamp set, Die-Namics Double Scallop Border and Mini Pennants dies (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Pretty in Pink and Crumb Cake cardstock, Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon (Stampin’ Up!); Crazy Love 6x6 paper pad (BoBunny); foam tape

Blogger Challenge: Week 238

2012-01-13T07:00:00.002-05:00

This week’s blogger challenge theme is things with wings. I made this clean and simple Valentine’s Day card with another one of the images from the new Taglines: Critters set from Clear and Simple Stamps.

This time, I used the tiniest size image on my card. There are three different sizes of each critter found among the sets in the Little Critter collection, so you have lots of options! The tiny bee is stamped on white cardstock, colored, and cut out. I added a little bit of glitter to its wings before attaching it to the patterned paper panel with foam tape. I stamped the trail image extending beyond the bee in black ink and added the tiny heart in red.

The panel is attached to a yellow card base. I machine stitched along the left edge to anchor it to the cardfront, then added the “bee mine” sentiment in red beneath the panel for a final pop of color.

For more ideas featuring things with wings, check out the link list below. And, if you’d like to join the challenge, add a direct link to your new project below.

Materials Used:
Taglines: Critters stamp set, Haute Red Couture and Perfect Little Black Dress ink, Say Yellow to All Your Fans and A Blanc Check cardstock, Copic markers-Y11, Y13, Y15, B0000 (Clear and Simple Stamps); Quite Contrary 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); sewing machine; foam tape

Nuts About You

2012-01-13T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s Mojo Monday sketch. Instead of using a pair of circular panels, I went whimsical on this one, replacing one circle with a die cut acorn for a cute Valentine’s Day card.

I die cut the Lil' Inker Designs acorn from kraft cardstock, then stamped the matching images on each piece. The pieces are inked with distress inks for an earthier look. I used foam tape to attach the pieces to a kraft circle stamped with the “nuts about you” sentiment.

I kept with a simple, classic kraft, chocolate brown, and red color scheme for the rest of the card. I mixed and matched a pair of kraft-based printed patterned papers with embossed and plain solids for the panels and knotted a piece of red grosgrain ribbon around the card before setting the image panel in place.

Materials Used:
Acorn die and stamp set (Lil' Inker Design); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Antique Linen and Tea Dye distress inks (Ranger); Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); With Love designer papers (Pebbles); circle dies (Spellbinders); Swiss dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); Deco Scallop edge punch (EK Success); foam tape

Have a Happy Birthday

2012-01-12T14:00:00.002-05:00

I needed a masculine birthday card for this weekend and this week’s Viva la Verve sketch challenge was the perfect starting point for my card. With a pair of coordinating designer paper pieces and some simple embellishments, this came together in no time at all.

I selected two patterns from a My Mind’s Eye paper pad for the strips that run vertically along the cardfront. After matting them on Canyon Clay cardstock, I arranged them on the cardfront. Instead of using paper for the horizontal strip, I used a piece of cork—one of my favorite go-to’s for masculine cards.

I used Verve’s Happy Days set for the birthday sentiment. It’s stamped in Ocean Tides ink on an Aqua Mist panel. I added a grosgrain ribbon tab to the sentiment panel, then layered it over the paper and cork strips. A pair of metal stud embellishments are attached to the cork strip for one final masculine touch.

Materials Used:
Happy Days stamp set (Verve Stamps); Ocean Tides Ink, Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, and Canyon Clay cardstock, Canyon Clay grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Six By Six-Away We Go paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); circle dies (Spellbinders); cork (Creative Imaginations); metal stud embellishments (Michaels)

Love Ewe

2012-01-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

Here’s a simple but super sweet card for this week’s Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. I combined images from three different WMS sets on this little pink cutie that will be perfect for Valentine’s Day.

I used the little lamb from the Lil’ Buddies set as my focal image. To add interest to the image, I stamped it twice in gray ink on white cardstock, then embossed it with a dotted pattern. I cut out the images and used foam tape to get a dimensional look for the head and body. The mouth area is paper pieced with pale pink cardstock. I attached the image to a circle stamped with the set’s heart border image.

I made my own gingham patterned paper for the strip across the cardfront using the Gingham & Co. stamp set with a combination of pink dye and distress inks. The strip is set on a rose card base with a piece of pale pink grosgrain ribbon knotted around it. I added a heart border strip at the bottom to bring in an additional heart patterned element. For the sentiment at the bottom of the card, I combined the word “love” from one of the sentiments in the Half-Pint Heroes set with the word “ewe” from one of the sentiments in the Lil’ Buddies set. I love being able to mix and match sentiments—or pieces of sentiments—to get exactly what I want to say and with WMS’s clear stamps, it’s easy to do just that.

Materials Used:
Lil’ Buddies, Gingham & Co., and Half-Pint Heroes stamp sets (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink Classic inks, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); London Fog ink (Tsukineko); Spun Sugar distress ink (Ranger); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Queen of Hearts border die (The Cat’s Pajamas); pink grosgrain ribbon (Morex); foam tape

Scooting By

2012-01-11T19:15:00.002-05:00

***Scroll down to the post below to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown!***

Here’s my card for this week’s SCS sketch challenge. I went pretty clean and simple on this one with one of the scooters from the Paper Smooches Spiffy Scooters as my focal image.

The scooter was colored in with Copic markers and cut out. I used dimensionals to set it on a simple “road” background made from a combination of gray and blue cardstock pieces. After attaching a strip of chevron patterned paper on the Ocean Tides card base, I added the image panel, slightly overlapping the patterned strip. A pair of coordinating buttons accent the edge of the patterned strip and the “scooting by to say hi” sentiment is stamped alongside the scooter panel. I waited until the very end to cover the scooter’s headlights with a little Glossy Accents for a glass-like look—and, for once, even managed not to smear the sticky stuff once it was applied!

Materials Used:
From i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Spiffy Scooters stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YR12, YR14, YR15, YR16, Y11, Y13, C-1, C-3, C-5), My Mind’s Eye Six By Six-Away We Go paper pad, Ranger Glossy Accents, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

Other: Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, and Canyon Clay cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!); buttons (?); linen thread (The Cat's Pajamas)

Color Throwdown 174-You Light up my Life

2012-01-11T02:00:00.004-05:00

It's time for this week's Color Throwdown! Broni's chosen this week's pretty color palette of Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight, River Rock, and Soft Suede. This set of colors works for lots of different types of projects as you'll see in the CTD's team samples.

I used the colors for a masculine card featuring the lighthouse image from Our Craft Lounge's Smooth Sailing set. The colored lighthouse is set on a panel with a sponged-in cloudy sky and bright beam of light and a torn cardstock sandy shore. I covered the windows with Glossy Accents for a glass-like look.

I kept the rest of the layout simple, using an argyle patterned paper to cover most of the cardfront. A Soft Suede panel, wrapped with a piece of matching brown twill sits at the center of the panel with the image on top of that. I stamped the "you light up my life" sentiment on a Soft Sky strip and attached it underneath the left edge of the image panel.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD174. Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
January Guestie Stacy Morgan

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Smooth Sailing stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Dandelion ink, Copic markers (E25, E31, E34, E41, E47, YG91, YG93, BG000), My Mind's Eye Blink of an Eye 6x6 paper pad, Ranger Glossy Accents, May Arts brown twill, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Soft Sky Classic ink, Soft Sky, Soft Suede, and River Rock cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

TCP Tuesday 192 and New Release Blog Hop

2012-01-10T00:01:00.009-05:00

The Cat's Pajamas is celebrating last night's new release with an inspiration filled blog hop. All of the Cat Pack members have projects to share today using the newest additions to the TCP lineup along with this week’s TCP Tuesday challenge. This week’s challenge from Julie is to use embossing in any form. You should have arrived here from Jen’s blog. If not, head over to Julie to start from the top so you don’t miss a thing.

I used the new Love Stinks set on my card. The penguin duo is stamped in black ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder for a super glossy look. I colored the images with Copic markers before cutting them out and adding them to a snowy scene made from a snowflake embossed panel with shimmery white torn “snowbanks.”

The sweet scene is set on a heart patterned paper panel with machine stitched edges. I added a red Heart Rosette CutUps die cut behind the scene as an accent. A pretty crystal circle dresses up the center of the die cut and frames the “love stinks” sentiment.

Your next stop on the hop is our Swanky Stamper guest, Lisa Henke. We’re so lucky to have her joining us for the hop and I know you’ll love what she has to show you.

Materials Used:
Love Stinks stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, Versafine black ink, CutUps Heart Rosette die (The Cat’s Pajamas); Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Brilliance Moonlight White ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Love Me "Hearts" designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); circle punches (EK Success); Snowflake embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts); clear crystal circle (Recollections); sewing machine; foam tape

It's in the Bag Group Challenge

2012-01-10T00:00:00.006-05:00

For this month’s group project, the Clear and Simple Stamps design team is showing you creative ideas for dressing up packaging for party favors. CSS's three new Party Favor dies make it easy to make your own fun and fabulous packaging to coordinate with just about any event theme.

I made a party favor and matching favor bag using stamps and dies from the new Little Critters collection. The favor is a little magnet clip shaped like a cat.

I die cut the cat shape from a piece of pink gingham patterned paper, then stamped the matching cat image from the Little Critters set on the die cut piece. To make the piece sturdier, I attached it to a lightweight chipboard coaster cut with the same die. I used CSS’s Simple Adhesive to attach a small clothespin to the back of the piece, then attached several small but strong magnets to the clothespin.

To make the favor bag, I used the same elements (colors and papers) as I did on the magnet clip. The cat shape is again die cut from pink gingham paper. The eyes and nose were die cut from cardstock scraps and attached to the base. I made whiskers from pieces of gray baker’s twine. I attached the die cut pieces to an assembled Party Favor 3 box, cut from I’m a Princess Pink cardstock. For a more finished look, I cut two of the cat’s body, one for each side of the die cut box.

I used the little tag from Tags 1 die set to make a small tag to hang from the cat’s ears. It’s stamped with an outline image from the Trendy Tags set and a sentiment from the Taglines: Critters set.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the CSS design team has created for this challenge. Here’s where to find them:

Lori Tecler - you're here!
Kim Duran
Amber Daigre
Tracy Schultz
Stephany Zerbe
Laura Bassen
Dana Grothaus
Laurie Willison
CSS Blog

Materials Used:
Little Critters, Trendy Tags, and Taglines: Critters stamp sets, Paint the Town Pink and Perfect Little Black Dress inks, I’m a Princess Pink, You’re Such a Gray-cious Host, and Paint the Town Pink cardstock, Build a Critter Die Cuts Owl/Kitty, Little Critters, Party Favor 3, and Tags 1 dies, Divine Twine gray baker’s twine, Simple Adhesive (Clear and Simple Stamps); designer paper (Memory Box); lightweight coaster; small clothespin; small round magnets; foam tape

Love You

2012-01-09T18:45:00.000-05:00

Here’s my card for today’s SCS clean and simple challenge to use die cuts. I used two different heart shaped dies on this card with lots of white space.

I started by using one of the large hearts from the Clear and Simple Stamps Shapes: Hearts die and stamp set to cut an opening in a white cardstock panel. After setting the panel on a Coral Necklace card base, I stamped the matching dotted outline stamp inside the heart shaped opening in red ink. I used one of the smaller dies to cut a heart from a scrap of red cardstock. I stamped the matching dotted heart image from the Hearts Plus set in red ink, then used foam tape to attach the die cut heart to the card. The “love you” sentiment from the new Love Cupid set is stamped on the right side of the large heart in Coral Necklace ink. I went back and forth between adding a ribbon or a button to the card before finally deciding on a small piece of knotted Coral Necklace satin ribbon to the smaller heart.

Materials Used:
Shapes: Hearts, Hearts Plus, and Love Cupid stamp sets, Haute Red Couture and Coral Necklace inks, Haute Couture Red, Coral Necklace, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Coral Necklace satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); foam tape

Five

2012-01-09T06:00:00.004-05:00

A special little guy I know just turned five years old. The occasion called for a special card, so I pulled together this fun one inspired by both the fun number patterned quilt from the current Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger (here) and this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge to use chipboard.

I started off by using an impression plate to create a number pattern on the aqua card base, echoing the numbers on the quilt in the Moxie Fab inspiration piece. The number 5 was die cut from a multicolored patterned paper scrap. I rummaged through my scrap piles to find coordinating pieces of cardstock for the card's panels and arranged them on the card base.

The "who's turning" sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Big Birthday Wishes set is stamped on the narrow, lighter orange strip. After attaching the die cut 5 to the card covering the edge of the sentiment strip, I added a super sparkly gold chipboard star as an accent. A pair of gold brads brings in one more gold element--and adds just a little more embellishment while still staying boyish!

Materials Used:
Big Birthday Wishes stamp set, Aqua Mist, Orange Zest, and Summer Sunrise cardstock, By the Numbers collection dies, By the Numbers impression plate (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Fine & Dandy-True Blue 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Polka Dot embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts); circle die (Spellbinders); gold glittered chipboard star (Recollections); gold brads

Be Mine

2012-01-08T17:55:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this Valentine's Day card. I knew I could create my own version with some of the new releases from Clear and Simple Stamps.

I used a combination of images from the new Shapes: Hearts and Hearts Plus sets to create the image panel. With the help of coordinating die cuts for masking and dimension, the panel came together in no time at all. I stamped the "be mine" sentiment from the Critters Sentiments set in the lower left corner, then added a spiral clip in the right corner before matting the panel on gray cardstock.

The image panel is set on a red card base with a textured bottom half. To hide the indention made by the texture plate, I knotted a piece of black satin ribbon around the card base before attaching the image panel. I think this one is a nice masculine-looking Valentine's Day design--and those can be hard to come by!

Materials Used:
Shapes: Hearts, Hearts Plus, and Critters Sentiment stamp sets, Haute Red Couture, You're Such a Gray-cious Host, Creamsicle Cardigan, and Party Teal Dawn inks, Haute Red Couture, You're Such a Gray-cious Host, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Shapes: Hearts dies, Perfect Little Black Dress satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); impression plate (Papertrey Ink); spiral clip; foam tape

Sucker for You

2012-01-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

Were you totally wowed like I was by Tuesday’s release projects from the Clear and Simple Stamps design team? If you haven’t checked out the projects yet, visit the release day post on the CSS blog showing off all the new releases along with links to everyone’s release day project.

Here’s another project with images from the Little Critters collection. This time, I used one of the smaller critter images along with CSS’s Tags 1 die to make a simple presentation for a sweet treat.

I die cut the large tag from white cardstock, then stamped the matching broken line outline on the die cut tag in white ink. A strip of heart patterned paper is attached to the bottom of the tag. I stamped the cute raccoon image from the Taglines: Critters set on gray cardstock and cut it out, then used foam tape to set it on the tag, positioning the foam so that it was just at the edges of the image. This allowed me to slide the stick of a seasonal heart shaped red lollipop between the image and the tag and have it stay securely. The “sucker for you” sentiment is stamped on a red notch-edged strip that extends just a bit off the tag’s right edge. A matching red satin ribbon tied through the hole at the top of the tag finishes it off. These would make such cute little Valentine’s Day treats to hand out in a classroom, wouldn’t they?

Materials Used:
Taglines: Critters and Trendy Tags stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress and Haute Red Couture inks, Dare to Be a Diva Red, You’re Such a Gray-cious Host, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Tags 1 die, Dare to Be a Diva Red satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); Sweet Cakes 6x6 paper pad (Doodlebug Design); foam tape

Sneaky Peek Meets Sketch for You to Try

2012-01-07T11:00:00.008-05:00

The Cat’s Pajamas is the sponsor for this month’s installment of Jen’s Sketch for You to Try. So, I'm playing along with today's sketch reveal and combining it with my sneaky peek of the Bunny Side up set.

I flipped the sketch on its side and used the "just hatched" bunny for my focal image. The bunny’s colored with Copic markers and cut out, then set on a light blue panel with foam tape. I used coordinating pastel patterned papers for the panels on the cardfront along with a piece of pink grosgrain ribbon. After using lots of fall and winter colors on my cards lately, it was nice to switch things up to a soft, fresh color palette! The panels are set on a green patterned panel, then on a green card base. I had room on one of the patterned strips for the “I’ve got a little egg on my face” sentiment near the edge. It’s balanced out with a pretty pink bow set at the bottom of the image panel.

Be sure to check out Jen’s blog for more inspiration using this month’s sketch and for all the details on how to play along. And, Alma’s blog will have a list of the rest of the Cat Pack members who are also sharing sneaky peeks of Bunny Side up today. Don’t forget to leave a comment on our In It to Win it thread in the TCP forum on SCS for a chance to win one of the new releases—and be sure to mark our Monday night release party on your calendar, too!

And, since we have some spring-like weather here to match the feel of my card, I’m going to take advantage of it and spend a little time outside this afternoon at the dog park with Chloe the cutie puppy so she can burn off some energy. I think she’s earned it after being home alone all day during my long first week back at work after winter break. It’s hard to believe that she’s turning 2 in a little over a week and will officially be a “grown up”dog. Now if only she’d get that message about being grown up . . .

Materials Used:
Bunny Side Up stamp set, Neenah white cardstock (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Green Grass cardstock (Gina K Designs); Blushing Bride and Soft Sky cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Vintage Vogue 6x6 paper collection (Pink Paislee); circle die (Spellbinders); pink grosgrain ribbon (Morex); Bow Easy; foam tape

You Mean the World to Me

2012-01-07T00:00:00.001-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. The sketch has a lot more layers than I’m comfortable with, so it took me a while to come up with something that worked for me, but I do like the end result.

I used the a la modes You Mean the World to Me girl as my focal image. She’s colored with Copic markers and cut out. Since she’s holding a globe in her hands, I went with earthy greens, blue-greens, and browns for the image and for the rest of the card. The image is layered on an aqua circle using foam tape and the “you mean the world to me” sentiment is stamped next to her on the panel in slightly darker blue ink--it shows better IRL than in the photo. The sentiment is a single line of text, so I used my stamp positioner to place it like that.

After covering the card base with a piece of patterned paper, I played around with several different combinations of patterned paper and plain cardstock pieces for the rest of the panels. In the end, I went with a mix of solid cardstock pieces for a simpler look. The little pennant piece at the bottom of the card is accented with a pair of silver brads--my original plan was to put the sentiment there, but once I realized it wouldn't fit, I went to plan B, appropriately the "b"rads.

Materials Used:
a la modes You Mean the World to Me stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Vivid Beach Glass ink (Clearsnap); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist and Ocean Tides cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake and River Rock cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Free Bird Nest-Comfort & Familiar paper pad (Authentique); circle dies (Spellbinders); silver brads (Recollections); foam tape

Another Sneaky Peek, Mojo Monday Style

2012-01-06T06:00:00.005-05:00

Here’s a sneaky peek of another new set coming from The Cat’s Pajamas. I paired the sweet girlie from the new Warm Fuzzies set with a warm, fresh color combination and this week’s Mojo Monday sketch, flipped around a bit, and came up with this.

I started out with a pretty floral paper as the basis for my card. I machine stitched the edges and set it on a turquoise-ish card base, then added coordinating panels to match the sketch. One panel’s a grid pattern from the same 6x6 paper pad, one’s a solid orange for some bold contrast, and one’s made from a new CutUps die, the Lacy Floral Doily. I cut the doily from a lighter orange piece, then backed it with an aqua circle before adding it to the cardfront.

The girl is colored with Copic markers—except for her skirt, which I paper pieced with a dotted scrap. I used foam tape to attach her to the card, then added a baker’s twine tied button accent near her feet. The “sending you warm fuzzies” sentiment is stamped just underneath the button.

Be sure to stop by Alma’s blog for a list of other Cat Pack members sharing sneaky peeks of this sweet set. And, don’t forget to leave a comment on our In It to Win It thread in the TCP forum on SCS for a chance to win one of the new release sets. The more comments you leave, the better your chance of being a big winner . . . I’ll have another sneaky peek tomorrow morning, so be sure to check back.

Materials Used:
Warm Fuzzies stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Lacy Floral Doily die, Divine Twine orange baker’s twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, Orange Zest, and Summer Sunrise cardstock, Hawaiian Shores button (Papertrey Ink); Stella & Rose-Mabel 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); sewing machine; foam tape

Rockin' with Our Craft Lounge and Lily Pad Cards

2012-01-06T03:00:00.002-05:00

Our Craft Lounge is partnering with Lily Pad Cards for a fun color challenge. The trio of challenge colors are navy blue, light blue, and silver.

I made a wintery themed card with pretty much the same color scheme for last week’s OCL challenge, so I decided to go a different route for these colors, even though they make a beautiful winter color palette. I went for a masculine look using the new Every Heart Beat stamp set with its bold chevron images.

I stamped the chevrons in two different blue inks—a light blue for the thinner images and a navy blue for the thick, single chevron image—on a light blue panel. To go with the slightly distressed look of the image, I sponged some light blue ink along the panel’s edges before attaching it to a navy card base.

For the focal image I made a layered piece. The base is a star punched out of silver cardstock. I stacked a pair of blue buttons and used blue baker’s twine to thread them together before tying a bow at the top. After centering the button pair on the star, I used foam tape to attach it to the cardfront. The set’s “you rock” sentiment is stamped in silver ink on a navy notch-edged strip set on the cardfront so it extends just slightly beyond the right edge.

To play along in the challenge, create your own project using this color scheme. There are two prizes up for grabs here, so be sure to add the link to your project to both the Lily Pad Cards blog and the OCL blog for your chance to win.

Materials Used:
Every Heart Beat stamp set (Our Craft Lounge); Night of Navy and Bashful Blue Classic inks, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, and Brushed Silver cardstock, large star punch (Stampin’ Up!); Encore Silver ink (Tsukineko); buttons (Papertrey Ink); baker’s twine (Divine Twine); foam tape

Meet the Clear and Simple Stamps Little Critters

2012-01-05T00:00:00.003-05:00

Clear and Simple Stamps is starting the new year off with lots of new goodies! Today I’m sharing samples using some of the new additions to the line up—Little Critters and Little Critters Too, along with the matching Little Critters dies. These sets are part of a fabulous collection of critter images, sentiments, and dies in a variety of shapes and sizes that make them super versatile--and cute, too.

I paired the Little Critters stamps and dies to make a set of stick puppets. And, you can’t have puppets without a having a puppet theater, so I put together one of those, too!

The puppet theater is constructed from a piece of foam core with a rectangular opening cut out at the top. I covered the white foam core with kraft cardstock for a wood like look, reminiscent of the puppet theater I had in my classroom when I taught kindergarten.

Instead of curtains inside the window opening, I used a red scalloped strip, scored and folded, for a valance-like accent at the top of the opening. The “Little Critter Puppet Co.” sign on the front of the puppet theater is stamped in red with the Alpha Modern set, again in a nod to the handwritten signs my students used to make to label things in my kindergarten class. A simple piece of scored and folded cardboard is attached to the back to prop the theater up.

To make the stick puppets, I cut out each animal twice—once from a piece of colored cardstock and once from a lightweight chipboard coaster. Layering the two pieces makes the puppets much sturdier and more likely to hold up to love from your favorite puppeteer! I stamped the matching animal image on each die cut shape, then added details to each one—paper piecing on some, flocking and glitter on others—to make them come to life. A wooden stick is attached to the back of each one and they’re good to go.

I’ll have more samples featuring this set and CSS's other new releases throughout the month. There's so much new stuff and I have lots of ideas to share! In the meantime, be sure to visit the rest of the CSS design team to see what they’ve created using the latest releases. I've seen some sneak peeks and I know you don't want to miss these posts! Here’s where to find them:

Lori Tecler-you're here!
Dana Grothaus
Laura O'Donnell
Tracy Schultz
Kim Duran
Stephany Zerbe
Amber Daigre
Laurie Willison
Laura Bassen
CSS Blog

For more CSS inspiration, be sure to check out the CSS iPhone/iTouch app. A new project is shared daily, complete with step by step instructions. Here’s a sneak peek of my project that's on the app today. You can get all the info on downloading the app here.

Materials Used:
Little Critters, Little Critters Too and Alpha Modern stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress and Haute Red Couture inks, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Creamsicle Cardigan, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Brown Leather Satchel, Kraft Like a Rockstar, You’re Such a Gray-cious Host, VIP Purple, Purplicious, Perfect Little Black Dress, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Little Critters dies, Simple Adhesive (Clear and Simple Stamps); vellum (The Paper Co.); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); white flock (Stampendous); medium scallop border die (Papertrey Ink)

Color Throwdown 173 and Another Sneaky Peek!

2012-01-04T02:00:00.006-05:00

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! You might notice that we’ve freshened up our look to start off the year things up a little bit—hope you like our new look as much as we do! This week’s colors come to us from Barbara. She’s given us a classic color combination to work with—Real Red, Basic Black, and Basic Gray and/or silver.

I got all 4 of the colors on my card, which also doubles as a Sneaky Peek of Feelin’ Cupidy, a new set releasing next week from The Cat’s Pajamas. The challenge colors were the perfect color scheme for this mischievous, arrow-toting bunny. I colored the bunny gray, then sprinkled glitter over his wings. The cutout image is set on the top of the card using foam tape.

I made a fun red pennant strip for the bottom of the card, accenting it with a silver strip along the center. The sentiment is at one end of the pennant strip—I was going for a kind of target/bulls-eye look to go with the arrow . . . The new CutUps Queen of Hearts border die makes an appearance underneath the red strip. Isn’t it pretty? Alma will have a full list of Cat Pack designers who are also sharing sneaky peeks of the Feelin’ Cupidy set on her blog, so be sure to check them out.

To play along with the CTD challenge, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD173. Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Kristin ** Lynn ** Wanda **

And, be sure to give a warm welcome to this month’s guest designer, Stacy Morgan. We're so excited to have her on board as our latest guestie!

Materials Used:
Feelin’ Cupidy stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Queen of Hearts border die (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Real Red and Basic Black cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); silver paper (Recollections); Dots & Stripes-Metropolitan 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); circle dies (Spellbinders); foam tape

TCP Tuesday 191 and a Sneaky Peek, Too!

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's the start of Sneaky Peek week for the January release from The Cat's Pajamas. All you fans of bunnies, penguins, and Sprinkle will not be disappointed with what's on the way . . .

My card for today's Sneaky Peek is based on the super sweet inspiration photo Jen shared for this week's TCP Tuesday challenge. I used the hearts in the photo and the red/kraft/black/white color scheme as the starting point for my card.

This card features Miss Sprinkle herself, seated at a kissing booth, from the new Gimme Some Sugar stamp set. I colored her--and the booth--with Copic markers. The booth's dressed up with a little scalloped banner from a brand new CutUps die, the Queen of Hearts border. This die's too cool! It cuts two different border pieces--the fancy scallop edged piece you see here and a decorative edged strip dotted with hearts.

I used patterned paper with tiny hearts on it for the panel behind Sparkle. After layering each of the panels on black mats, I set them on a kraft panel, embossed with a burlap-like texture and machine stitched around the edges. The set's "gimme some sugar" sentiment is added on a circle panel using foam tape.

Be sure to check out Alma's blog for the full list of Cat Pack members who are sharing Sneaky Peeks today. And, if you give the challenge a try, be sure to upload your project to the guestbook on Alma's blog so you'll be in the running for this week's Cat Cash prize drawing. Don't forget to stop by and leave a comment on the January In It to Win It thread in the TCP forum on SCS. Each day, one lucky commenter will be selected to win one of the new releases--the more you comment, the better your chance at winning!

Materials Used:
Gimme Some Sugar stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, Versafine black ink, CutUps Queen of Hearts border die, beige linen thread (The Cat's Pajamas); Real Red, Crumb Cake, and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Tsukineko Lady Bug ink (Memento); markers (Copic); Crush 6x6 paper pad (BoBunny); circle punches (EK Success); impression plate (Papertrey Ink); white grosgrain ribbon, red button (Michaels); Glossy Accents (Ranger); foam tape

Peace on Earth

2012-01-03T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here's my card for the current Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. It's a little holiday-like, but it's never too early to be auditioning designs for holiday cards, is it?

The sketch called for a large star shape, which I replaced with a large snowflake. I have a giga sized snowflake punch and every time I use it, I remember why I rarely use it--it's nearly impossible to get a clean punch without multiple attempts at pressing down the punch's lever! I finally got a clean cut from a piece of light aqua cardstock, then layered a piece of super glittery darker aqua cardstock beneath it, filling in the negative space.

I stamped the "peace on earth" sentiment from the Say it Loud-Winter Holiday set in an aqua ink beneath the snowflake and added a matching satin bow at the center of the flake. It makes the flake look kind of wreath-like, doesn't it?

Materials Used:
Say It Loud-Winter Holiday stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Hawaiian Shores ink, Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); aqua glitter cardstock (Recollections); snowflake punch (Marvy Uchida); turquoise satin ribbon (Michaels); Bow Easy

Warm Wishes

2012-01-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

The weather here has taken a turn from last week's warm-for-December upper 50's and low 60's to a more seasonal chill. The hot drink that's front and center on my card is perfect for today's weather!

I based the design on this week's CPS sketch. The focal image is the coffee mug from the Paper Smooches Hot Concoctions set. I colored the mug with Copic markers and covered the coffee part--or, hot chocolate, if you prefer--with Glossy Accents for a liquid-like look. It's set on a label die cut with dimensional dots. The heart shaped steam image is stamped above the mug in gray ink and the "warm wishes" sentiment is stamped on a notch-edged strip that's slipped underneath the edge of the mug.

After sponging some distress ink along the edges of the image panel, I set it on a patterned paper panel with a strip of kraft cardstock layered with some lace tape.

I'm off to make myself a warm mug of hot chocolate before Chloe the cutie puppy and I settle in for a sports-filled afternoon--hockey's Winter Classic, followed by the Rose Bowl. I'm already wearing my lucky Wisconsin sweatshirt (it's seen Wisconsin win a Rose Bowl and an NCAA hockey championship) and we watched bits and pieces of the Rose Bowl Parade. I'm thinking that once the weather warms up, Chloe should start training to be one of the surfing dogs in the surfing dog float . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Hot Concoctions stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and London Fog inks, Copic markers (BG000, BG0000, BG32, BG72, BG75, E23, E25, E27), Lily Bee Harvest Market Tiny Tablet, Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Frames 2 die, Ranger Glossy Accents, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Ocean Tides cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger); lace tape

You're Cool

2012-01-02T00:00:00.006-05:00

This week's Our Craft Lounge challenge is an inspiration challenge based on this wintery photo. I was inspired by both the colors and the shimmer of the snowflakes and included those elements in my clean and simple card.

I stamped three different snowflake images from the White Christmas set in three different shades of blue ink on a shimmery white panel. To get a nice, even stamped block, I used two sticky notes to mask off the area where I stamped the image. In the end, I covered up that nice, clean line with a narrow strip of silver cardstock--LOL! The silver strip is wrapped with some aqua twine that's tied with a decorative bow. I stamped the "you're cool" sentiment from the Mr. Frosty set just above the silver strip in the middle shade of blue ink, then set the panel on a matching blue card base. The sentiment gives the card a fun, whimsical feel, but you could just as easily make the design more elegant by choosing a different sentiment in a different font and adding some pearls to the snowflake centers.

I hope you'll join us for the challenge. An OCL stamp set is up for grabs for one randomly selected player . . .

Materials Used:
White Christmas and Mr. Frosty stamp sets (Our Craft Lounge); Memento Paris Dusk, Bahama Blue, and Summer Sky inks (Tsukineko); Pacific Point and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver paper (Recollections); aqua baker's twine (Timeless Twine)

Bee Happy

2012-01-01T15:00:00.002-05:00

The new year brings a new start--including brand new releases from some of my favorite stamp companies! Here's a sneak peek of some of the new goodies available later this week from Clear and Simple Stamps. The card is for this week's SCS featured stamper challenge and based on this cheerful ladybug card.

I replaced the ladybug with one of the bee images from the new Taglines: Critters set. The bee's stamped directly on the dotted patterned paper. I filled in the wings with a little glitter for a fun sparkle. The open line "bee happy" sentiment from the coordinating Little Critters Too set (yes, there's a whole line of these critters coming!!) is stamped above the bee and accented with a pair of Coral Necklace buttons threaded with yellow baker's twine.

I covered the Coral Necklace card base with a cheery floral-like pattern, then added a green gingham scallop edged panel, topped with a solid green strip for contrast. The stamped panel is set on top of that.

Be sure to stop back here on Thursday for another look at CSS's new releases!

Materials Used:
Taglines: Critters and Little Critters Too stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress ink, Coral Necklace, Green with Envy, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Coral Necklace buttons, yellow Divine Twine (Clear and Simple Stamps); Sweet Summertime and Dots & Stripes-Candy Shoppe 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); scallop rectangle die (Spellbinders); medium scallop die (Papertrey Ink); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!)

My Heart Warmer

2012-01-01T06:00:00.003-05:00

Here's my card for this month's My Favorite Things guest designer challenge. The challenge was to paper piece, so I pulled out the adorable little Pure Innocence Heart Warmer Boy set. I thought his snowsuit would be fun to paper piece--and it was!

I used coordinating scraps from a My Mind's Eye paper pad for the snowsuit and his mittens, scarf, and hat. I added a little shading to the outfit with a warm gray Copic marker. The boots are paper pieced with a scrap of shimmery silver paper. I added a little fluff to the pom pom on his hat and to the snowball in his mittened hands with white flock, then cut the image out. The paper pieced boy is set on a snowflake textured light blue oval with a torn shimmery white paper "snowy" bottom edge.

I kept with the blue and red color scheme for the rest of the card, using a piece of red paper with snowflakes for the panel underneath the top of the image. After attaching everything to a light blue panel, I added a red grosgrain bow to the top of the image panel and a red felt heart accented with a button to the bottom. The "you're my heart warmer" sentiment is stamped along the bottom of the card in blue ink.

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Heart Warmer Boy stamp set, Hearts Aplenty Die-Namics die (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Enchanted Evening ink, Peace Be Still impression plate, Pure Poppy felt (Papertrey Ink); silver paper (Recollections); Lime Twist-Out of the Blue 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Holiday Style-Snow and Mistletoe designer paper (October Afternoon); petite oval dies (Spellbinders); white flock (Stampendous); red baker's twine (The Twinery); Bow Easy; sewing machine; foam tape

Cheers

2011-12-31T18:00:00.001-05:00

My card for this year's final My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge seems to be an appropriate one for my final post of 2011. The fun Cheers a la mode image is perfect for a new year's card--and to mark my completion of all of this year's MFT sketches, too!

I colored the girl with Copic markers, then cut the panel using the out of the box technique so the glass of bubbly stuff extends beyond the edge of the top of the panel. The glass is covered with Glossy Accents and sprinkled with glitter for a festive sparkle.

I used a trio of patterned papers from a My Mind's Eye paper pad on the cardfront. I thought the number pattern was perfect for a new year's card. A pretty gold glittery star adds a final celebratory touch.

I'm planning on spending a quiet New Year's Eve with Chloe the cutie puppy, watching some hockey on TV, followed by a movie or two. We're saving our big celebration for Monday's Rose Bowl game . . .

Materials Used:
a la modes Cheers stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red cardstock, scallop edge punch, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Stella & Rose-Gertie 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); gold chipboard star (Recollections); Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Many Thanks

2011-12-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a super quick thank you card for the current Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. The inspiration photo provided featured text in a mix of bold colors with a little bit of gray thrown in, so I made those elements the dominant features in my card.

I used one stamp--many thanks--from the Word Salad set, inking it up multiple times with multiple inks to get the stacked line of "thanks." The shape of the Memento dew drop ink pads made this easy to do. I started with the red at the bottom and worked my way up in "rainbow" order.

The word "many" was stamped twice in gray ink along the "thanks" images. To visually separate the two words, I made a teeny, tiny dot between them with a gray marker. The panel is set on a gray mat, then on a white card base. So fun and easy to make a quick bunch of, too!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Word Salad stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Lady Bug, Tangelo, Dandelion, Pear Tart, Bahama Blue, and London Fog inks

other: Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Xerox)

Blogger Challenge: Week 236

2011-12-30T06:00:00.005-05:00

***Scroll down to the post below to see my post for Bar's surprise retirement blog hop***

This week's blogger challenge theme is celebration. There are lots of ways you could go with this one, but I chose to go with the obvious one--New Year's Eve.

I made a super clean and simple card using the glass image from the Clear and Simple Stamps Taglines set along with a sentiment from the the limited edition Let's Celebrate set. The glass image is stamped repeatedly across a white card base. I purposely stamped the glass at varying angles so I didn't have to worry about being too exact about lining it up straight. I colored the glasses with Copic markers. Just one is covered with Glossy Accents and sprinkled with glitter.

The "it's a celebration" sentiment is stamped underneath the line of glasses, near the right edge of the card. After attaching a black cardstock strip below the images and sentiment, I ran a piece of yellow satin ribbon across the card, dressing it up with a little bow.

For more celebration-themed ideas, check out the list of links below. And, if you'd like to play along, add a direct link to your new creation using the linky tool below.

Materials Used:
Taglines and Let's Celebrate stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress ink, A Blanc Check and Perfect Little Black Dress cardstock, Copic markers (Y21, YR30, B0000), Say Yellow to All Your Fans satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Happy Retirement, Bar!

2011-12-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Color Throwdown girls and a few of our friends are having a surprise blog hop today to celebrate a very special occasion--Barbara's retirement! Today's her last day of work and we've created cards to mark the event.

I used the a la modes I Spy set from My Favorite Things for my card. Her dress is paper pieced with a fun, trendy chevron pattern and her magnifying glass is filled in with Glossy Accents to get a glass-like look. I cut the girlie out and used foam tape to set her over a bold patterned paper panel. A clear crystal flourish peeks out from behind her. The set's "I see . . ." sentiment is stamped on the green strip that runs across the card. I finished it off by stamping the "sunny days ahead" sentiment on the inside of the card. Bar, hope your retirement is filled with plenty of sun-filled days!

Here are links to the rest of the hoppers. Don't forget to stop by Barbara's blog, too!

Broni Holcombe
Lynn Put
Wanda Cullen
Lori Tecler - you're here!
Joan Ervin
Jody Morrow
Cindy Haffner
Tammy Hershberger
Christine Okken

Materials Used:
a la modes I Spy stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, Simply Chartreuse satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Campfire designer paper (October Afternoon); Glossy Accents (Ranger); clear crystal flourish (Recollections); foam tape

Enjoy

2011-12-29T12:00:00.004-05:00

The latest CAS-ual Fridays challenge combines two of my favorite things--kraft and twine! I played along with a digi image from the challenge sponsor, Market Street Stamps. This is also my entry for Market Street's post-release Block Party.

I made a simple single K-cup holder from a piece of kraft cardstock. You can find more details on how to make this K-cup holder here. I covered it with pieces of a diagonal striped patterned paper, then dressed up the kraft circle left over when I punched out the hole to slide the K-cup in to.

I resized and printed the coffee mug digi image onto the kraft circle and attached a colored, cut out version of the digi image over it with foam tape. The word "enjoy" from the Simple Joys stamp set is stamped next to the mug in red ink. It's accented with a button tied with red baker's twine. I slipped a hot chocolate K-cup into the holder and it's good to go--the perfect winter pick-me-up!

Materials Used:
coffee cup digi image, Simple Joys stamp set (Market Street Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Christmas Eve Chowder designer paper (Jillibean Soup); circle punch (EK Success); baker's twine (The Twinery); red button (Michaels); foam tape

There's No Bunny Like You

2011-12-29T00:00:00.003-05:00

This little card's based on this week's Mojo Monday challenge. I had to alter one of the sketch's elements to accommodate the bunny's super-sized ears, but I think it's still close enough to count!

I used the Skating Bunny set from The Cat's Pajamas, coloring the bunny with Copic markers and cutting it out before setting it on a silver "ice"/blue "sky" background. The set's "no bunny" sentiment is stamped to the left of the image in dark blue ink.

The bunny's attached to a blue paper with a snowflake pattern. I machine stitched around the edges of the panel for a finished look before attaching it to the blue card base. A navy strip is attached across the card at the top of the image panel. Some cornflower seam binding is tied around the middle of the navy strip, finished off with a pretty bow, moved to the opposite side as in the sketch because of those big bunny ears!

If you're like me and can't resist these big-eared bunnies, be sure to stop by The Cat's Pajamas. For each $25 you spend (through December 31), TCP will send you a gift worth at least $10 with your purchase. Gotta love that!

Materials Used:
Skating Bunny stamp set, cornflower seam binding (The Cat's Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black and Paris Dusk inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, and Brocade Blue cardstock (Stampin' Up!); The Winter Magic matstack (DCWV); silver gel pen (Sakura); foam tape

Sending You My Love

2011-12-28T15:00:00.001-05:00

Here's my card for today's SCS sketch challenge. I went with a Valentine's Day theme using the Sending Love set from Our Craft Lounge.

I colored the set's mailbox image with Copic markers. I used pretty traditional colors for the image, so I added a little glitter to all of the tiny hearts using a red Spica pen to give the image a fun sparkle.

The card's built on a red background panel. The patterned paper panels are both from the My Mind's Eye Love Me paper pad. I used a strip of red faux suede ribbon along the left edge of the image panel, accented with a red wood button tied with matching baker's twine. There was just enough room under the image panel for stamping the set's "sending you my love" sentiment.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Sending Love stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R22, R24, R27, E23, E33, YG25, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5, B0000) and Lipstick Spica pen, My Mind's Eye Love Me 6x6 paper pad, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine

other: Riding Hood Red and Crumb Cake cardstock

Happy Day Happy Anniversary

2011-12-28T06:00:00.004-05:00

My parents are celebrating their wedding anniversary while en route all the way across the country to cheer on the Wisconsin Badgers in Monday's Rose Bowl game. Here's the card I made for them to mark the occasion.

Neither of my parents is a big fan of flourishes, fluff, or clutter and this card reflects that. I guess you could say that my clean and simple stamping style originates from my mom's influence--LOL! The card uses one of my new Papertrey Ink sets, Happy Day. I die cut the label shape from Hawaiian Shores cardstock, then stamped one of the matching images on the die cut in the same color ink. The anniversary sentiment is stamped in the center with silver ink.

I set the label on an aqua card base and accented it with cardstock strips--a wide red one and a narrower scallop edged shiny silver one. For texture, I die cut a heart from red felt and attached that at the bottom of the label piece. A few silver faux stitches finish the design.

Materials Used:
Happy Day stamp set, Hawaiian Shores ink, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, and Pure Poppy cardstock, Happy Day and Heart Prints dies, Pure Poppy felt (Papertrey Ink); silver paper (Recollections); Encore Silver ink (Tsukineko); scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); silver gel pen (Sakura)

#1 Football Fan

2011-12-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

This week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge is a versatile sketch. I flipped the sketch to a vertical orientation for my version using the new #1 Sports Fan Crafty Single set.

I colored the sports fan with Copic markers and cut him out. His slippers are covered with some Platinum Sparkly Fluff for a fluffy look. I made a simple backdrop for him using a brown textured cardstock for the floor and a paper with a small pattern for "wallpaper." I used a few dimensional dots to put him in place.

He's set on a blue panel with a darker blue strip as an accent. Both the image and blue stripe are matted on kraft panels to set them off from the rest of the card. I stamped the set's football image on a scrap of white cardstock, colored it, and cut it out, then set it at the fan's feet with dimensionals to finish the scene.

Be sure to check out all of the creations for this week's challenge--and join us for a chance to win an OCL stamp set!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge #1 Sports Fan stamp set and Platinum Sparkly Fluff, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (E0000, E000, E00, E23, E25, E31, E33, B91, B93, B95, B97, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5), Lily Bee Design Harvest Market Tiny Tablet, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Tan Leather cardstock (Gina K Designs)

I'll Drink to That!

2011-12-27T00:00:00.003-05:00

I just got a few of the Moonlight Whispers Everyday Girls from Kraftin' Kimmie--love these fun girlies! I put the celebratory Sophia image to use for this week's Cute Card Thursday sketch. She was a little tall for the sketch, so I had to make a few adjustments, but I think you can still see the sketch's basic elements . . .

Sophia is colored with Copic markers. I left room on the image panel to stamp the accompanying "I'll drink to that" sentiment alongside the colored image.

I used a combination of pink, gray, and silver papers for the panels on the cardfront. I went with a plain dark gray for the largest panel, knowing that it would be mostly covered by the other layers. An elegant piece of pink patterned paper was layered on next. I used a sparkly silver strip for the long panel to the left of the image panel. After running a scrap of wrinkly silver ribbon I found in my scrap pile across the cardfront, I added a pale pink panel at an angle, then set the colored image on top of that. A trio of white pearls are clustered at the bottom of the image panel to keep with the card's elegant look and feel.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Sophia stamp set (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Blushing Bride and Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Berry Sorbet cardstock (Papetrey Ink); silver paper (Recollections); Uncommon 6x6 paper pad (Authentique); clear Stardust pen (Sakura); silver ribbon (Michaels); self-adhesive pearls (Recollections)

Holiday Sparkle

2011-12-26T15:00:00.002-05:00

I made this glitter window card for today's SCS clean and simple challenge to make some form of a window card. This card may be a day or so late, but I really like it and may just add the design to the "consideration" pile for next year's holiday cards . . . It's been a while since I did this technique and I'd forgotten how easy--and how messy--it is!

I used a circle punch to make a "window" near the top of a Brocade Blue panel. A piece of clear packing tape was attached to the opening, sticky side up, and then covered with lots (and lots!) of glitter. After edging the panel with navy blue strips for contrast, I set the panel on a white card base stamped with a snowflake image from Our Craft Lounge's White Christmas stamp set, orienting the panel so the snowflake was somewhat centered inside the opening.

The holiday sentiment is stamped near the bottom of the panel in navy ink. It's a perfect match for the sparkly glitter window above it. I attached a silver die cut notch-edged strip just above the sentiment and dressed it up with a strip of adhesive clear crystals for even more sparkle and shine.

And, speaking of Our Craft Lounge, don't miss out on OCL's year end blowout sale. Use the code yearend2011 to receive 40% off all in-stock Crafty Cling Rubber and Crafty Cling Clear stamp sets (must order $20 or more for sale to apply; does not include Crafty Cling Rubber Singles; no backorders). Happy shopping! I'm off to enjoy some time at the dog park with Chloe the cutie puppy, who's been not-so-patiently waiting while I finished my card and blog post . . .

Materials Used:
White Christmas stamp set (Our Craft Lounge); Brocade Blue and Night of Navy Classic ink, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Xerox); silver paper, clear crystal strip (Recollections); circle punch (EK Success); double ended banner die (Papertrey Ink); packing tape

Papertrey Ink December Blog Hop

2011-12-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

It's time for Papertrey Ink's December blog hop. As is the tradition, the theme for this blog hop is "holiday leftovers," meaning reusing or repurposing bits and pieces remaining from your holiday celebration. I received a fun gift wrapped in a fabulous blue cellophane with white dots and knew right away that it would be the perfect "leftover" to use for the blog hop.

The patterned cellophane made a great sky-like backdrop for the airplane from the new Tremendous Treats: Valentine set. After stamping the plane on a scrap of white cardstock, I colored it with Copic markers and cut it out. It's attached to a piece of the blue cellophane (wrapped around a white cardstock panel to keep it flat) with foam tape. A piece of Pure Poppy baker's twine stretches out behind the plane, dotted with felt hearts die cut with the tiniest heart from the Heart Prints die trio.

The panel is edged with red strips. A white scalloped strip makes a cloud-like accent at the top while the "love in the air" sentiment from the original Tiny Treats: Valentine set is stamped on an edge of a white panel die cut with the Happy Day die and slipped underneath the bottom of the panel. I set the piece on a Hawaiian Shores cardstock--the closest match I could come up with for the blue cellophane piece.

Materials Used:
Tremendous Treats: Valentine and Tiny Treats: Valentine stamp sets, Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy, and white cardstock, Heart Prints and Happy Day dies, Pure Poppy felt, Pure Poppy baker's twine (Papertrey Ink); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!); blue cellophane; foam tape

You Warm my Heart

2011-12-25T16:30:00.001-05:00

Here's my clean and simple card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. My original plan for the card was more like the original one here, but I ended up making a few adjustments along the way.

I used the coffee mug image from Papertrey Ink's Warm Happiness Too stamp set for my focal image. I had die cut three mugs from coordinating paper scraps to mimic the original design, but when I tried to place them on the cardfront, they were too big to all fit, so I decided to go with just the one fun striped pattern. I'm sure I can find another use for the other cute die cut mugs!

The mug is set on a berry cardstock strip that runs across the kraft card base. I stamped the set's open heart image above the mug, like in the original card. It's highlighted with a little glitter along the inside of the image. A strip of berry ribbon is knotted around the bottom of the matching cardstock strip and the sentiment is stamped just above the knot.

I've enjoyed a quiet day at home with Chloe the cutie puppy. We've taken a brisk walk in the cold morning air and cleaned out a few closets (that's one of my goals for my time off this week). I'm heading out soon to meet my family for our traditional Christmas night dinner at TGI Friday's. Not a bad way to spend the day!

Materials Used:
Warm Happiness Too stamp set, Berry Sorbet cardstock, Warm Happiness dies, Berry Sorbet satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Lime Twist-Life of the Party 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); clear Stardust pen (Sakura); foam tape

Warm Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season

2011-12-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

Since today's Christmas Day, I figured it was appropriate to share a holiday card to wish all of my readers happy holidays. Here’s the design I settled on for my holiday cards this year.

The cute mitten pair from the Wplus9 Winter Wishes set is my focal image. I stamped the mittens in red ink and cut them out, then added a little bit of clear bling to the center of the snowflake on each mitten. The mittens are strung together on a bit of red baker’s twine.

The mittens are attached to a pink panel with a silver strip along the left edge. After stamping the sentiment beneath the mitten, I added a red notch-edged strip embellished with a small, knotted piece of pink grosgrain ribbon. The panel is set on a plain white card base to make it easy to write a message inside. I did my writing in red ink to make it all match!

Materials Used:
Winter Wishes stamp set (Wplus9); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Real Red and Pretty in Pink cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); silver shimmer paper (Recollections); clear crystals (Recollections); red baker’s twine (Martha Stewart)

Warm and Fuzzy Winter Wishes

2011-12-24T10:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s a super clean and simple card for the current Lawnscaping challenge to add texture to your projects. I hadn’t inked up the adorable Winter Fox set yet, so I decided to use that for a sweet, feminine winter card.

I colored the fox with Copic markers, adding a girly pink and yellow scarf. A little white flock at the end of the fox’s tail adds a tiny bit of texture. And, the “coffee” inside the mug is coated with Glossy Accents for a liquid-like appearance. I stamped the set’s “warm winter wishes” sentiment in the upper right corner of the panel.

The colored image panel is set on a yellow cardstock strip that I set along the bottom of a pink card base. The strip has rounded edges for a softer look. The left side of the strip is filled in with a piece of pastel dotted paper. I scored a rose die cut circle at the center and wrapped it around the end of the yellow strip, then attached a knotted piece of white ribbon to the circle for one final feminine touch.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Winter Fox stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (E13, E15, E17, E18, E25, R81, R83, RV00, Y21), My Mind’s Eye Six by Six Dwell paper pad, Stampendous Cotton Ball White flock, Ranger Glossy Accents, May Arts white satin ribbon

other: Pretty in Pink and Barely Banana cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); corner rounder

Frosty Fun

2011-12-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I went wintery on this one, even though we’ve had non-wintery weather around here for much of the week.

I used the cute Frosty Fun skating girl as my focal image. She’s colored with Copic markers and cut out. I made a little backdrop for her using a soft blue panel as the sky and a strip of shimmery silver paper as a sheet of ice for her to skate on, then attached the cut out image with foam tape.

The cardfront is covered with a pair of paneled papers from an Echo Park winter paper pad. A scallop edged strip runs across the cardfront and to bring in a little more shimmer, I attached a silver/gray ribbon I found in my scrap pile to the piece before attaching it to the cardfront. The image panel is layered on top of the card on an angle. I stamped the “have some frosty fun” sentiment on a piece of a fancy edged label die cut and slipped it under the image panel. A sparkly little snowflake accent at the top of the panel adds one final frosty-themed touch to the card.

Materials Used:
Frosty Fun stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Blue Bayou Classic ink, Soft Sky and Blue Bayou cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); silver shimmer paper (Recollections); Winter Park paper pad (Echo Park); medium scallop die (Papertrey Ink); Labels 18 die (Spellbinders); silver satin ribbon (Target); snowflake embellishment (K & Company); foam tape

Chloe's Thank You

2011-12-23T12:00:00.001-05:00

I needed to make a thank you card from Chloe the cutie puppy, so I turned to this week’s Mojo Monday sketch to make this dog-themed creation to send on her behalf.

The dog image is from the Pawprints on Our Hearts set from Market Street Stamps. Colored up with Copic markers in shades of golden yellows and browns, the set’s large dog image looks enough like Chloe herself to work. I used red ink to stamp the collar image before coloring the dog. The little bone-shaped tag is colored in with a silver gel pen. Chloe used to have one of these on her collar, but after she chewed the identifying information off of three (yes, three!) of them, I had to come up with an alternate plan. She’s a piece of work, this puppy!

I cut out the image and set it on an oval panel with dimensional dots. I used two patterned papers from a My Mind's Eye pad to add some contrast to the pale blue cardfront. Chloe's not a girly-girl dog, so the colors are perfect for a Chloe card. The striped panel has a strip of ivory faux suede ribbon wrapped around it to break it up a bit. I left the card sentiment-free since my image ended up being a little bigger than the sketch was designed for and took up a lot of space. I think I'll add one or two of the set's pawprint images inside instead.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Market Street Stamps Pawprints on Our Hearts stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks, Copic markers (YR21, Y23, Y32, E31, E33), My Mind's Eye Six by Six Blink of an Eye paper pad, Spellbinders oval dies, May Arts ivory faux suede ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Soft Sky and Sahara Sand cardstock (Stampin' Up!); silver gel pen (Sakura)

Blogger Challenge: Week 235

2011-12-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

This week’s blogger challenge theme is “ornamental.” I combined the challenge with my Paper Craft Planet Fran*tage Friday project to make this fun shrink plastic snowman ornament.

The snowman from the Merry Snowman set was stamped on white shrink plastic, colored with Copic markers, and cut out. I carefully rolled the cut out image and placed it inside a clear glass ornament. I heated the ornament in my oven, shrinking the snowman to fit inside the ornament. After heating the ornament and shrink plastic piece, I poured a little champagne crushed glass glitter into the bottom of the ornament for a snow-like sparkle, then replaced the ornament’s top. A pretty red bow with a button embellishment dresses up the top.

You can find a more detailed tutorial (including photos) on this project here on the Paper Craft Planet blog. If you leave a comment on the PCP blog post, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a great prize package from Stampendous.

For more ornament ideas, check out the link list below. And, if you’d like to join the challenge, add a direct link to your new project below.

Materials Used:
Merry Snowman stamp set, champagne crushed glass glitter (Stampendous); Jet Black StazOn ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); wood button (Simplicity); red baker’s twine (Divine Twine); shrink plastic; glass ornament

You're Cool

2011-12-22T07:00:00.001-05:00

This sweet little card was inspired by the current Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. I incorporated the color scheme and the holly leaf elements from the inspiration photo of a six pack of root beer "reindeer," along with a few other elements, in my design .

My focal image is from the Swanky Snowdudes set. When I stamped the image, I omitted the carrot nose, then went back and stamped the "hole" image from one of the golf images from the My Guy set in its place. I colored the nose red, like the red reindeer noses in the inspiration photo, and coated it with Glossy Accents for a shiny look. The hat's embellished with a little bit of white flock. The image is attached to a pair of layered die cut panels using dimensional dots.

To pull in another element from the inspiration photo, I used a holly leaf patterned paper for the cardfront's large panel. A strip of red checked ribbon runs across the panel with a loop underneath the right side of the layered die cuts, anchored with a red button, tied with some twine. The "you're cool" sentiment is a mix of sentiments--and pieces of sentiments--from the same two stamp sets as I used for the snowman. Love how easy it is to do this with clear stamps!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Swanky Snowdudes and My Guy stamp sets, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, B000, B0000), Echo Park Season's Greetings paper pad, Spellbinders oval and Labels 18 dies, Stampendous white flock, Ranger Glossy Accents, May Arts red and ivory checked ribbon, Creative Impressions twine thread, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Creamy Caramel, Real Red, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); red button (Michaels)

Tag Time

2011-12-22T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here's a simple tag for this week's Kraftin' Kimmie "tag time" challenge. I went for a festive holiday look using the Moonlight Whispers Nadine image with a red and olive color combination.

The cookie platter toting girl is colored with Copic markers and cut out. There's a teeny, tiny clear crystal at the center of the heart on her dress for a little sparkly touch.

I cut a tag from olive cardstock, using a regular manila shipping tag as a guide. After inking the edges of the tag with some distress ink, I added a patterned paper panel near the bottom and edged it with a strip of cream lace. The cutout image is placed on top with foam tape.

I stamped the "what's cookin'?" sentiment on a cream circle in olive ink, layered it on a tan circle, then set it in the open space on the tag next to the image. A little olive ribbon is tied through the hole at the top of the tag. I think this little creation would make a nice addition to a package of yummy holiday treats.

Materials Used:
Moonlight Whispers Nadine (image) and Agnes (sentiment) stamp sets (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger); markers (Copic); Old Olive Classic ink, Old Olive and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Season's Greetings 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); circle punches (EK Success); clear crystal (Taylored Expressions); lace (Hobby Lobby); olive ribbon (Morex); foam tape

On Cloud 9

2011-12-21T19:35:00.000-05:00

For this week’s SCS sketch challenge, I pulled out Love in the Air, one of the new releases from Our Craft Lounge, for this sweet Valentine’s Day card. It was a nice change from the wintery and holiday ones I've been making a lot of lately!

I colored the hot air balloon in shades of pink and red and cut it out. It’s set on a dot embossed light blue sky panel with dimensional dots. Sugar Sparkly Fluff covered clouds peek out from behind the balloon.

A pink gingham circle is set on the lower right side of the pink card base. After placing a strip of red faux suede ribbon across the card, I added the image panel. The "cloud 9" sentiment is stamped on a red sentiment flag strip and slipped under the edge of the balloon.

Don't forget to check out the sale going on at i {heart} papers. This set--and lots of other items--are marked down as part of Kate's end of the year inventory blow out . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Love in the Air stamp set, Sugar Sparkly Fluff, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R24, R81, R83, R85, RV00, C-1, C-3, C-5), Lily Bee Design Head over Heels Tiny Tablet, Spellbinders circle dies, Lifestyle Crafts Polka Dot embossing folder, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, and Real Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!)

Your Kindness Warms My Heart

2011-12-21T06:00:00.006-05:00

This week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge is gift giving ideas. I put together a simple winter thank you gift for the challenge.

The gift’s built in a large white ceramic mug. I added two cocoa mix packets, a festive snowflake topped drink stirrer, and a pair of candy canes, then wrapped the goodies up in some clear cellophane.

I made a simple tag for the gift using the Tweet Winter Wishes set. I stamped the set’s winter gear strip on a white circle, then stamped the “your kindness warms my heart” sentiment above it in red. The sentiment’s a nice match for the gift, isn’t it? I stamped the winter wear a second time on a scrap of cardstock, colored it with Copic markers, and cut it out, then attached it to the circle with dimensionals. It's hard to see, but I added a little Sugar Sparkly Fluff to the earmuffs and hat--I wish I had some red for a little pop! After layering the circle on a red mat, I used red ribbon to tie it to the package, finishing it off with a bell for a fun touch.

Be sure to check out i {heart} papers for all the new OCL releases and for a great year end sale. You don't want to miss out on this one! Hundreds of items are marked down (some up to 75%!) for the end of year inventory blow out. Happy shopping!

Materials Used:
Tweet Winter Wishes stamp set, Sugar Sparkly Fluff (Our Craft Lounge); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Real Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); circle dies (Spellbinders); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); dimensionals (Sticky Thumb); bell

TCPTuesday190-Let's Take Off

2011-12-20T07:00:00.002-05:00

It’s our last TCP Tuesday challenge of the year—can you believe it? We’re finishing off 2011 with a great sketch, courtesy of Leigh. Here’s my bright and colorful take on the sketch using the Clownin’ Around set.

I colored up the clown car with the penguin duo (I’m guessing they’re up to no good!) for my focal image. I added a few sparkly elements, then cut the car out and attached to it an oval panel with foam tape.

To represent all of those different notch-edged pieces in the sketch, I turned to my ribbon scraps. I mixed and matched a bunch of colors and widths to coordinate with the fun dotted paper panel I used at the top of the card. Ribbon scraps are one of Chloe the cutie puppy’s most favorite things in the world to steal (and there are a lot of things she likes to steal—in just the last week, that sneaky puppy has snagged a flash drive, socks, and a new package of straws for my reusable cold cup. . .), so I consider it a victory that I only lost one piece to her as I was assembling this card! The pieces are secured to the back of the matted paper panel. After wrapping some black baker’s twine around the panel, I attached it to the card, then added the image panel over top. The “let’s take off” sentiment, borrowed from the Wheel Love set, is stamped on tiny pieces of aqua cardstock and attached to the dotted paper panel.

I hope you’ll give the sketch a try. Add your finished project up to the guest book on Alma’s blog to be entered to win this week’s Cat Cash prize. With a new release (yes, another TCP release!) coming up in January, you’re going to want to have a little spending money in your wallet . . .

Materials Used:
Clownin’ Around and Wheel Love stamp sets, Neenah white cardstock, black baker’s twine (The Cat’s Pajamas); black ink (Marvy Matchables); markers (Copic); Aqua Mist and Smokey Shadow cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Poppy Parade cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Lime Twist-Out of the Blue 6x6 paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); ribbon scraps (assorted); Silver Fox Smooch (Clearsnap); Tiny Twinkle (Taylored Expressions); foam tape

Soothing Sympathy Set

2011-12-20T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s a quick sympathy card for this week’s CAS-ual Fridays challenge to make a card and matching envelope set. I used a set that’s different from what I usually use for sympathy cards and I’m happy with how this turned out.

I usually use a tree or leafy branch image for sympathy cards, but instead used Papertrey Ink’s Asian Fusion stamp set. I stamped the solid vase image in an aqua-ish ink, darker than Aqua Mist, on a white panel, then added one of the set’s floral branch images in green. To bring in a little more of the green color, I attached a green scallop edged strip at the bottom of the image panel. The panel is set on an Aqua Mist card base.

I stamped the set’s “with deepest sympathy” sentiment on a Hawaiian Shores strip in the same blue ink I used for the vase and embellished the strip with a piece of green satin ribbon and a pair of pearls. It’s set across the image panel to complete the design.

To decorate the envelope, I stamped the same floral branch image I used on the image panel at the bottom left of the envelope. I don’t usually think to decorate or stamp on my envelopes (probably because most of the cards I send out aren’t mailed right away—if at all!), but it does make a nice finishing touch.

Materials Used:
Asian Fusion stamp set, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, and Spring Moss cardstock, Spring Moss satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Vivid Beach Glass and Wild Lime inks (Clearsnap); scallop edge punch (Stampin’ Up!); pearls (Recollections)

Mitten Weather

2011-12-19T19:20:00.001-05:00

As soon as I saw the sketch for this week’s SCS clean and simple challenge, I knew what I wanted to do. My thinking was probably influenced by the billion or so mittens involved in finishing my holiday cards, but I don’t think that influence was a bad thing!

I flipped the sketch upside down to accommodate a pair of hanging mittens. The mittens from Papertrey Ink's Snowfall set were stamped on a cranberry cardstock scrap in matching ink, cut out, and connected by a linen thread string. A small silver bell's tied on the string, too. I used a little foam tape to position the mittens on the snow patterned circular cardfront. The wintery sentiment is stamped on a blue-gray strip and set on the opposite side of the cardfront. The decorated panel is set on a cranberry scallop edged card base.

Materials Used:
Snowfall stamp set, Ocean Tides ink, Ocean Tides cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Cranberry Crisp Classic ink, Cranberry Crisp cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Jingle designer paper (Lily Bee Design); circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); linen thread (The Cat's Pajamas); bell; foam tape

Wedding Congratulations

2011-12-19T06:00:00.003-05:00

One of my colleagues at work is getting married on New Year's Eve. I made this simple card based on the latest Fall to Layout for our staff to sign and present to her along with a gift certificate at our office's holiday luncheon later on this week.

I used the glass image from the Clear and Simple Stamps Taglines set for my focal image. The glass is stamped twice with the set's tiny heart image stamped between the pair in red ink. I colored the glasses with Copic markers, then coated them with Glossy Accents and some glitter for a bubbly appearance.

I've been drawn to the yellow/gray/black combination a lot lately and I thought this would work nicely with the champagne glass focal image. I found a pretty yellow on cream pattern for the top of the panel underneath the glasses and a gray dotted pattern for the bottom. The gray was simple enough that I could stamp the "congratulations" sentiment from the Icon Extras set in black ink directly on the paper without it getting lost in the pattern. The panels are layered on a black mat, then on a gray card base that's light enough for everyone to write their personal congratulatory messages on inside the card.

For more CSS inspiration, be sure to check out the CSS iPhone/iTouch app. A new project is shared daily, complete with step by step instructions. Here’s a sneak peek of my project that will be shown on the app tomorrow. You can get all the info on downloading the app here.

Materials Used:
Taglines and Icon Extras stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress and Haute Red Couture inks, You're Such a Gray-cious Host, Perfect Little Black Dress, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Copic markers (Y23, Y32, YR30, B0000), Perfect Little Black Dress satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); Carolina Breeze 6x6 paper pad (Teresa Collins); Blissful 6x6 paper pad (Authentique); silver shimmer paper (Recollections); circle dies (Spellbinders); Glossy Accents (Ranger); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up!)

Never Too Old

2011-12-18T14:30:00.000-05:00

Here's my card for this week's SCS featured stamper challenge. Bonnie Rose's gallery is full of bright creations and I chose to use this set of clean and simple designs with an inspirational quote as the focal point as the basis for my design.

I love the sentiments in Verve's Words of Wisdom set and thought I could find at least one quote in the set that would work to make my own version of the card. I ended up going with the Mark Twain quote about dreams as my focal image. It's stamped in black ink at the center of a white card base.

Instead of using bold floral stickers as an accent, I dug through my stash of embellishments until I found the perfect one--a bunch of multi-colored plastic star embellishments. I mixed and matched different colors, sizes, and open/closed versions, then clustered them around the sides of the sentment, using a combination of glue dots and liquid glue to attach them to the cardfront. I was done in no time at all, which is great since I need to spend time today getting my now completed holiday cards ready to go out in the mail tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Materials Used:
Words of Wisdom stamp set (Verve Stamps); white cardstock (Xerox); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); plastic stars (American Crafts)

Happy Holidays

2011-12-18T00:00:00.003-05:00

Here's my card for the current Market Street Stamps Paint the Town color challenge. The colors are neutrals--nearly nude, champagne, and gunmetal gray--with a pop of rich amethyst purple. I made a simple, but elegant card using two of Market Street's latest releases.

The focal panel is a piece of a fancy edged kraft die cut that I dressed up with a trio of creamy snowflakes. The snowflakes are sprayed with a sparkly mist for an icy look. Their centers are dotted with clear crystals that I colored with a Copic marker to get that deep purple shade.

The die cut piece is set on a dark gray card base stamped in gray ink with the new Flurries background. Love these pretty snowflakes! I stamped the "happy holidays" sentiment from the new Essential Holiday Sentiments set in a shimmery beige ink on a purple strip. After slipping the strip's edge underneath the largest snowflake, I added a pretty cream faux suede ribbon piece to the other end. I just wish this had photographed better to show off the true colors and the sparkle. Guess that's what I get for being a late night crafter . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Market Street Stamps Flurries and Essential Holiday Sentiments stamp sets, Tsukineko Memento London Fog ink and Frost Shimmer Spray, Spellbinders Labels 18 die, Zva Creative clear crystals, Copic marker (BV08), May Arts ivory faux suede ribbon

other: Smokey Shadow and Royal Velvet cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Kraft Like a Rockstar Cream cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Brilliance Pearlescent Beige ink (Tsukineko); snowflake dies (My Favorite Things)

TCPTuesday189-Absolutely No Peeking

2011-12-17T07:00:00.005-05:00

This week’s TCP Tuesday challenge, A Cool Yule, comes to us from Susan. She’s challenging us to use our TCP stamps, plus the Big Scallop CutUps die (if you have it!) to create a holiday card.

I used PJ Bear from the Peeking set for my card. PJ’s colored with Copic markers. The gift box in his hands (wonder what’s tucked in there?) is paper pieced using a striped print for the box and a coordinating solid for the ribbon/bow.
For the background I arranged three paper blocks—two coordinating patterns and one neutral solid—on a cranberry panel cut along the lower edge with the CutUps Circus Border die. I machine stitched the seams between the patterns for a fun detail, then added PJ with foam tape. The “absolutely no peeking” sentiment is stamped in black ink on the dotted print paper.

So, if you need to finish up another card or two (or more!) for your holiday stash, I hope you’ll play along with this week’s challenge. Just upload your project to the photo album on Alma’s blog to enter for your chance to win some Cat Cash and get your holiday cards finished up at the same time.

Materials Used:
Peeking stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Circus Border die (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Cranberry Crisp, Mellow Moss, and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Jingle Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); sewing machine; foam tape

Superstar

2011-12-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here's a masculine version of this week's My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch. I used the new Have a Ball set and a coordinating star print paper I've had in my stash for quite a while to put this one together quickly.

I used the star paper to pick the colors for the card. I went with light blue for the card base and shades of orange for the wide strips at the center of the card. The layered die cut shapes bring in more of the paper's colors.

I stamped the circular "superstar" sentiment in Pumpkin Pie ink on white paper and punched it out with my 1 3/4" circle punch--it was a perfect fit. The star is stamped in So Saffron ink on white paper and cut out. I was going to use foam tape to attach it to the card, but in the end, just stuck it directly to the circle.

Materials Used:
Have a Ball stamp set (My Favorite Things); Pumpkin Pie and So Saffron Classic inks, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, and Whisper White cardstock, Peach Parfait Prints designer paper (Stampin' Up!); star designer paper (KI Memories); 1 3/4" circle punch (EK Success); Nesting Labels 2 (Lifestyle Crafts); copper brads (Recollections)

Our Craft Lounge Valentine Release Blog Hop-Day Two

2011-12-16T03:00:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Day Two of Our Craft Lounge’s Valentine Release Blog Hop. We’re excited to share the rest of the ten brand new sets/singles that will be arriving at your favorite stores (including i {heart} papers!) very soon. Check out the full list of participating designers on the OCL blog so you don’t miss a thing—or your chance to win a prize!

Today, I have two masculine cards to share with you. The first uses the new Smooth Sailing set. I used the set’s lighthouse image as part of a simple scene. The background is made from a pair of layered, torn kraft paper strips, inked along the edges with a little white pigment ink to make a sandy shore, and a sky made from blue ink sponged along a cloud template.

I masked off a narrow, triangular area for the beam from the lighthouse and sponged it with yellow ink, then sprayed the matching Fireworks shimmer spray over it for a nice sparkly glow. The lighthouse is colored with Copic markers and cut out, then attached to the scene with dimensionals. The windows are coated with Glossy Accents for a glassy look. I added the set’s “let your light shine” sentiment on a narrow tab slipped under the edge of the image panel—it works perfectly with the glowing beam coming from the lighthouse.

My second card uses the new Crafty Singles #1 Sports Fan set. I have a feeling this one will end up in my dad’s hands sometime—I made it cardinal and white to match the colors of our family favorite Rose Bowl bound Wisconsin Badgers with that in mind.

I colored the guy and his comfy chair with Copic markers and cut the image out. It’s set on a simple backdrop I made with a faux woodgrain floor, covered by a cozy oval rug. No patterned paper or fussy accents here to keep this one a great, all-purpose masculine card!

We’re giving away 4 prizes to lucky winners, so be sure to leave comments along the hop. And, if you “like” OCL on Facebook and leave a comment on the OCL blog letting us know you did, you’ll get an extra entry in the prize drawing. Winners will be announced this weekend on the OCL blog and Facebook page.

Here's a list of all the stops on today's hop:

OCL Blog
Kendra Wietstock
Lori Tecler -you're here!
Tammie Edgerton
Broni Holcombe
Debbie Fisher
Carolyn King
Lori Barnett
Debbie Corbari
Lisa Eisner
Stephanie Serrano
Amber Hillman
Meredith Winston
Joy Stagg
Michelle Pearson
Dawn Barrett
Melissa Cash
Latrice Murphy
Deb Felts

Materials Used-Let Your Light Shine card:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Smooth Sailing stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Summer Sky, Dandelion, and Lady Bug inks, Dandelion Fireworks, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, B000, B000, B14, B16, C-5, C-3, C-1), Ranger Glossy Accents, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker’s twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Not Quite Navy, Real Red, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); red button (Michaels)

Materials Used-#1 Sports Fan card:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge #1 Sports Fan stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, B000, B000, B14, B16, C-5, C-3, C-1), Spellbinders oval die, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots, ScorPal

other:
Creamy Caramel Classic ink, Riding Hood Red, Bashful Blue, Dark Chocolate, and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink)

Blogger Challenge: Week 234

2011-12-16T00:00:00.003-05:00

This week’s blogger challenge theme is “tie it up.” I made a sweet little holiday gift set that’s the perfect little token for friends who like to bake.

I picked up an inexpensive seasonal cookie cutter, a set of measuring spoons, and a wooden mixing spoon and “tied” them up with a coordinating tag. The tag is die cut from red cardstock with the large die from the Tags 1 die set from Clear and Simple Stamps. To match the cookie cutter, I used a snowflake punch to cut a snowflake shape from the center of the tag, then backed it with a piece of shimmery silver paper. Between that and the clear crystal I added to the center of the flake, the tag has a pretty sparkle. The “celebrate the season” sentiment (free with any purchase from the CSS online store before the end of the year!) is stamped underneath the flake in silver ink. I used matching red satin ribbon to tie all of the pieces together.

Materials Used:
Let’s Celebrate (limited edition) stamp set, Dare to Be a Diva Red cardstock, Dare to Be a Diva Red satin ribbon, Tags 1 die (Clear and Simple Stamps); silver paper, clear crystal (Recollections); snowflake punch (Martha Stewart)

Our Craft Lounge Valentine Release Blog Hop-Day One

2011-12-15T03:00:00.010-05:00

Welcome to Day One of Our Craft Lounge’s Valentine Release Blog Hop. We’re excited to share ten brand new sets/singles that will be arriving at your favorite stores (including i {heart} papers!) very soon. Check out the full list of participating designers on the OCL blog so you don’t miss a thing—including your chance to win a prize!

Today, I’m showing off cards using two of the new sets. This one uses the new Love in the Air set. This hot air balloon themed set is great for Valentine’s Day and a bunch of other occasions, too. I made a cheery thank you card using one of the set’s hot air balloons as the focal image.

The balloon is colored with Copic markers and cut out, then layered over a multi panel dot embossed “sky” using dimensional dots. The clouds underneath it (also from this set) are covered with a little Sugar Sparkly Fluff for a fun look. I stamped the set’s “thanks for the lift” sentiment on one of the sky panels in bold red ink.

And, here’s a peek at one of the new Crafty Singles rubber sets, Bug Hugs. I used one of the cute bugs as my focal image. The bug’s colored with Copic markers in shades of red and pinkish-reds. Its shell is coated with Glossy Accents for a shiny look.

I used Lily Bee Design’s Head Over Heels paper pad to make the patterned paper strip that runs across the bottom of the card. The colored image sits on the cardfront, overlapping the top of the patterned paper strip, along with a red button, tied with baker’s twine. The set’s “sending bug hugs” sentiment is stamped next to the image in red ink.

We’re giving away prizes to 4 lucky winners, so be sure to leave comments along the hop. And, if you “like” OCL on Facebook and leave a comment on the OCL blog letting us know you did, you’ll get an extra entry in the prize drawing. Winners will be announced this weekend on the OCL blog and Facebook page.

Here's a list of all the stops on today's hop:

OCL Blog
Kendra Wietstock
Lori Tecler -you're here!
Tammie Edgerton
Broni Holcombe
Debbie Fisher
Carolyn King
Lori Barnett
Debbie Corbari
Lisa Eisner
Stephanie Serrano
Amber Hillman
Meredith Winston
Joy Stagg
Michelle Pearson
Dawn Barrett
Melissa Cash
Latrice Murphy
Deb Felts

I’ll be back tomorrow with more OCL sneak peeks . . .

Materials Used-Thanks for the Lift card:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Love in the Air stamp set and Sugar Sparkly Fluff, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, Y11, Y13, Y15, B02, B12, B14, B16, E23, E25, E31, C-5, C-3, C-1), Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, and Bashful Blue cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); ribbon (Michaels); Polka Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Materials Used-Sending Bug Hugs card:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Bug Hugs stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks, Copic markers (R12, R20, R22,R24,R27, BG0000), Lily Bee Design Head Over Heels tiny tablet, Spellbinders circle dies, Ranger Glossy Accents, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker’s twine

other: Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Riding Hood Red cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); sewing machine

Twinkle, Twinkle

2011-12-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s Waltzingmouse sketch challenge. It’s a simple sketch, but one with lots of possibilities. I came up with something that’s a little outside of my usual style, but I really like how it turned out.

I used the big star tag from the Seasons of Love Tags set as my focal image. The star was die cut from cream cardstock, stamped with cranberry ink, and rubbed with some distress inks for an aged look.

I used a pair of papers from a Lily Bee Design pad for the panels on the cardfront. I machine stitched around the edges before attaching the paper panels to the kraft card base. A little cream lace near the bottom of the card adds a fun, frilly touch.

The star panel is set directly on the card. It’s topped with a double-looped bow with a super glittery bell at the center. When I say super glittery, I mean super glittery—that glitter has gotten everywhere and on everything. I swear, I even saw some golden sparkles dotting Chloe the cutie puppy’s wet nose! I used a big glue dot to attach the bow to the card and I’m hoping that does the trick to keep it in place . . .

Materials Used:
Seasons of Love Tags stamp set (Waltzingmouse Stamps); Cranberry Crisp Classic ink, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Tea Dye distress ink (Ranger); Jingle Tiny Tablet (Lily Bee Design); star die (Spellbinders); brick piped nylon ribbon (Martha Stewart); bell (Art Minds); lace (Hobby Lobby); sewing machine

Celebrate

2011-12-14T17:00:00.001-05:00

***Scroll down to the post below for my card for this week's Color Throwdown.***

Here's my card for this week's SCS sketch challenge. It's a quick one with the patterned paper doing most of the work.

I flipped the sketch to a vertical orientation and used a die cut tag for my focal image panel instead of a regular rectangle. The tag shape is cut from kraft cardstock. I stamped the snowflake image from the Icons I set from Clear and Simple Stamps on a kraft scrap and cut it out, then set it on the tag with foam tape, dotting the center with a pearl. One of the "celebrate" sentiments from the Limited Edition Let's Celebrate set is stamped under the flake in brown ink.

After knotting a piece of cream satin ribbon through the tag, I set it on the cardfront. The panels are made from two different papers from Echo Park's Season's Greetings line, plus a coordinating solid red cardstock strip. The red snowflake paper was the inspiration for the red snowflake icon on the tag layer. They're layered on kraft mats and set on a cream cardfront so it will be easy to write a message inside.

For more CSS inspiration, be sure to check out the CSS iPhone/iTouch app. A new project is shared daily, complete with step by step instructions. Here’s a sneak peek of my project that will be shown on the app tomorrow. You can get all the info on downloading the app here.

Materials Used:
Icons I, Tag Lines and Let's Celebrate stamp sets, Haute Red Couture, On the Catwalk Cream, and Dish All the Dirt Brown inks, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Kraft Like a Rockstar, and On the Catwalk Cream cardstock, On the Catwalk Cream satin ribbon, Tags 1 die (Clear and Simple Stamps); Season's Greetings collection (Echo Park); pearl (Recollections); foam tape

Color Throwdown 172-Jingle All Way

2011-12-14T02:00:00.003-05:00

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! This week’s colors come to us from Kerri. She’s given us a bright, cheery combination inspired by Echo Park’s Holly Jolly Christmas collection—Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Chocolate Chip, and Bermuda Bay.

I used a pair of patterned papers from the Echo Park collection along with this week’s Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for my card. The focal image is from the Jingle Bells set from The Cat’s Pajamas—I’ve neglected the OuOu cuties from last year’s winter release with all of the excitement over the most recent release and all its fun bunnies! I colored the girlie with Copic markers and added a little white flock along the edges of her little coat. A single gold jingle bell brad sits in her hand to match the “jingle all the way” sentiment stamped alongside the image.

Each of the patterned papers is matted on orange, then layered on the Bermuda Bay cardfront. I made sure to use the collection’s music print paper to go with the “Jingle Bells” theme I have going on! A strip of pink ribbon runs across the card, finished off with a big bow. The image is layered on pink and orange mats, then set over the ribbon.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD172. Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Keva ** Kristin ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
November/December Guestie Lydia Fiedler

This is our last challenge for this year as we're taking a break for the holidays. We so appreciate you joining us each week for our challenge and wish you a happy holiday season. We’ll be back in January with fresh, new color inspiration.

Materials Used:
Jingle Bells stamp set, Neenah white cardstock (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Bermuda Bay, Pumpkin Pie, and Melon Mambo cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Holly Jolly Christmas collection (Echo Park); pink grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); bell brad (Hobby Lobby); white flock (Stampendous); Bow Easy

Celebrate All Year Long

2011-12-13T00:00:00.002-05:00

For this month’s group project, the Clear and Simple Stamps design team is sharing card sets made with the limited edition Let’s Celebrate set (available as a gift to customers who spend $100 or more at the CSS online store before the end of the year). I stepped out of holiday card making mode for a while to make a set of cards that can be used year round.

This photo shows all of the supplies I used to finish the card set (minus my sewing machine—couldn’t fit that into the photo!).

To make things go quickly, I worked with the same stamp sets—Let’s Celebrate and Taglines—along with the same 6x6 patterned paper pad. In fact, I used the same sentiment stamp on each card along with a different image. I kept the layout the same for each card, but switched up the color combination and occasion on each one. I also tried to use a different embellishment or accent on each one while still keeping things simple.

Here’s the first card duo. This one includes a baby card and a birthday or other celebratory occasion card. For all of the cards, I machine stitched around the edges of a solid cardstock panel that I layered on a white card base. I also machine stitched around the edges of the coordinating patterned paper panel on the cardfront, even though it’s hard to see against some of the patterns.

For each card, I die cut a tag from white cardstock using the Tags 1 die. Since the tag was a little larger than I wanted for my cards, I trimmed the bottom edge of each tag a little, then rounded the corners with a corner rounder to get just the right size. I attached a stamped image to each tag, matted on a cardstock panel that matches the color of the cardfront. The “celebrate” sentiment is stamped just underneath the image and the tag is tied with a piece of CSS's satin ribbon.

Since I kept the layout of each card the same, I tried to do something a little different with the image each one along with changing the color scheme and occasion. In this set, the pinwheel is paper pieced for interest and I attached a teeny, tiny brad at the center for a pin and on the baby card, the diaper pin’s green top is covered with Glossy Accents for a dimensional look.

Here’s the second duo. This one has cards for a birthday and for the holidays. To dress up the candy cane, I covered it with clear glitter. And, one of the balloons is cut out and attached with foam tape.

Don’t miss what the rest of the CSS team has created for this month’s challenge. Here’s where to find them:
Cristina Kowalczyk
Dana Grothaus
Kim Duran
Laurie Willison
Tracy Schultz
CSS Blog

Materials Used:
Let’s Celebrate and Taglines stamp sets, Perfect Little Black Dress inks, Green with Envy, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, Trendsetter Blue, and A Blanc Check cardstock, Copic markers (R12, R22, R25, Y000, Y11, Y13, Y18, E33, YG01, YG03, YG25, B0000, C-3), Tags 1 die, Green with Envy, Dare to Be a Diva Red, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, and A Blanc Check satin ribbon (Clear and Simple Stamps); Quite Contrary paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!) small brad (Recollections); Glossy Accents (Ranger); corner rounder (WeR Memory Keepers); sewing machine; foam tape

Turn Up the Music

2011-12-12T20:00:00.001-05:00

This week’s SCS clean and simple challenge is an inspiration challenge based on the phrase “chill out.” Instead of going with the more seasonal cool weather meaning of the phrase, I went with the idea of relaxation and used the Old School Rock set from Sweet Stamp Shop for my card.

I used the set’s old school head phone image as my focal image (and on a side note, I must admit that I haven’t bought in to using the more modern ear bud version just yet—the headphones I use aren’t as old school as these, but I guess they could be described as a hybrid between these and earbuds). The image is stamped on pale pink cardstock and the ear pieces are paper pieced with rose cardstock so that I could hide the end of the pink baker's twine "cord" underneath the left ear piece. I used a few strategically placed glue pen dots to keep the cord twisted and twirled in place.

I paired the image with the "turn up the music and float away . . ." sentiment. It kind of evoked a “chill out” feeling in me when I read it. A pair of silver brads as an accent helped to balance the image panel. It's set on a white square, then on a rose card base.

Materials Used:
Old School Rock stamp set (Sweet Stamp Shop); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Xerox); silver brads (Recollections); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine)

Shimmery Season's Greetings

2011-12-12T06:00:00.007-05:00

Here's my card for this week's CAS-ual Fridays "in the mist" challenge. I'm still playing around with designs as I'm trying to nail down a design for my holiday cards (nothing like waiting until the last minute, right?), so I made a simple holiday card using embossed images along with a pale blue mist.

I stamped several of the snowflake images from Lawn Fawn's Frosties set on a white panel, then heat embossed them with clear embossing powder. Then, I worked kind of backwards. I took the embossed panel outside on a tray and sprayed it with some Summer Sky Fireworks shimmer spray. After drying the mist with my heat tool, I rubbed some Summer Sky ink over the panel, then added Bahama Blue along the edges, to bring out the embossed images. Probably should have done that first, but it worked out in the end. It's really pretty and shimmery IRL.

I cut the panel into two pieces and layered each piece on a darker blue mat, then on to a white card base, leaving an open space between the pieces. The center of each flake is dotted with a self-adhesive pearl for a touch of elegance. The "season's greetings" sentiment from the Paper Smooches Swanky Snowdudes set is stamped in the open space in blue ink. Since the sentiment was two separate stamps, it was easy to get it positioned just where I wanted it. The end result is another possible design to add to the mix . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Frosties stamp set, Paper Smooches Swanky Snowdudes stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Summer Sky and Bahama Blue inks and Summer Sky Fireworks shimmer spray, Zva Creative self-adhesive pearls

other: Pacific Point and Whisper White cardstock, clear embossing powder (Stampin' Up!); Versamark ink

I Thought of You

2011-12-11T15:00:00.004-05:00

Here's my card for this week's SCS featured stamper challenge. My new Heartfelt Mix set from WPlus9 just arrived and it was perfect for recreating a sort of Valentine's Day version of this clean and simple design that features a single hanging Christmas stocking.

I started by drawing a frame for the images. I'm not so great with a ruler, so I cut a piece of cardstock to the size frame I wanted and traced around it with a fine tip pen to fill in the frame. I left the bottom of the frame open until after I stamped the sentiment, then I went back and completed the box.

To keep the clothesline-like image within the confines of the frame, I attached sticky notes to the outline, then stamped the image. I "hung" two of the set's heart images from the line, stamping them on scrap paper and cutting them out, then attaching them to the line with foam tape. The thinking of you sentiment is stamped in red to match the hearts. Easy to recreate--and with switching out the sentiment and/or colors, great for lots of different occasions!

Materials Used:
Heartfelt Mix stamp set (WPlus9); Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks (Tsukineko); white cardstock (Xerox); fine tip pen (Copic); foam tape

Snow Days

2011-12-11T00:00:00.003-05:00

Here’s my card for this year’s final Sketch for You to Try. I managed to get through all 12—and with plenty of time to spare before the December 24 deadline, too! Links to my cards for the rest of this year's sketches are found at the bottom of this post.

I used Snow Day, one of the new releases from The Cat’s Pajamas, along with the sketch, adjusted a little to fit the size and orientation of the image. I colored the bunny peeking out from behind the pile of snowballs with Copic markers and added a little sparkle to the snow using Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

The card's panels are made from both sides of a piece of Bo Bunny designer paper--the snow pattern for most of the cardfront and the dotted pattern for the circle behind the image panel. I added the snow day sentiment on a red tab slipped underneath the image panel. I'm hoping snow days are still a while away around here. The idea of shoveling out from underneath a blanket of snow doesn't appeal to me at all!

Materials Used:
Snow Days stamp set, Neenah white cardstock (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (Bo Bunny); circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); pearls (Recollections)

Entries for past months:
January (2nd card in post)
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

Celebrate the Season

2011-12-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here’s a super clean and simple seasonal card that’s both easy to reproduce and to mail. With the holidays coming up quickly, it’s good to have a few ideas like this in mind for creating cards.

I started off by using my square punch to make a trio of “windows” in a white cardstock panel. A little hint for lining the squares up relatively evenly is to punch squares out of sticky notes, then place them on the card where you’d like to make the openings, then punch away!

I set the window piece on top of a blue panel, then stamped the snowflake image from the Icons I set from Clear and Simple Stamps in sparkly silver ink through the openings on to the blue panel. The “celebrate the season” sentiment is stamped underneath the snowflake trio. This sentiment stamp is available for free through the end of December with a purchase at the Clear and Simple Stamps online store (or as part of the larger Let's Celebrate set that's a gift to customers who spend $100 or more).

The white panel’s adhered to the blue panel with foam tape. I added a clear crystal to the center of each flake as an accent, then set the panels on a white card base. It wouldn't take long at all to make a bunch of these in a variety of colors.

For more CSS inspiration, be sure to check out the CSS iPhone/iTouch app. A new project is shared daily, complete with step by step instructions. Here’s a sneak peek of my project that will be shown on the app tomorrow. You can get all the info on downloading the app here. And, be sure to stop back here on Tuesday for the team’s monthly group project to get more ideas for using the Let’s Celebrate set.

Materials Used:
Let’s Celebrate and Icons I stamp sets, Your Favorite Blue Jeans and A Blanc Check cardstock (Clear and Simple Stamps); Encore Silver ink (Tsukineko); square punch (EK Success); foam tape

Brrr . . .

2011-12-10T00:00:00.002-05:00

After a fairly mild start to December with a nice stretch of temperatures in the 60’s, winter’s chill has finally arrived here. My card for this week’s My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge reflects this wintery turn.

I used the bear from the Snow Angel set as my focal image. The image is colored with Copic markers. I accented the image with a little white flock (on the hat) and glitter (on the snowballs), then stamped the set's "brrr" sentiment on the panel in blue ink.

I used two different patterned papers from Echo Park's Winter Park line on the cardfront--a large plaid-like print and a red on red print. The red paper is edged with a pretty ruffled trim on the bottom and a coordinating solid cranberry cardstock strip on the top. After attaching the red strip to the card, I layered a blue panel with a debossed snowflake pattern over it, then added the image panel. A trio of silver brads sits to the side of the image panel. Usually, I struggle with getting embellishments like this both straight and spaced evenly, but in this case, the pattern on the paper made it easy!

Materials Used:
Pure Innocence Snow Angel stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Blue Bayou Classic ink, Cranberry Crisp and Blue Bayou cardstock, Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin’ Up!); Winter Park 6x6 paper pad (Echo Park); Peace Be Still impression plate (Papertrey Ink); cream ruffle edge trim (Maya Road); white flock (Stampendous); silver brads (Recollections)

Blogger Challenge: Week 233

2011-12-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

This week’s blogger challenge theme is Frosty and Friends. I combined the challenge with this week’s Our Craft Lounge challenge to create a clean and simple holiday card to come up with this seasonal card.

I used images from two of OCL’s Crafty Singles sets, Mr. Frosty and Frosty Flakes, to create my scene. Mr. Frosty is set on a hill made from layered shimmery white cardstock pieces with torn edges for texture. To add dimension, I stamped the snowman image directly on the cardfront and again on a piece of white cardstock. I used Copic markers to color the white cardstock snowman, then attached him to the scene with foam tape.

The snowflakes are stamped around the snowman in white ink. For a little sparkle, I added a dot of Stickles to the center of each flake. The sentiment from the Winter Wishes set is stamped in red along the bottom of the card.

For more Frosty-themed cards, check out the link list below. If you’d like to join the challenge, add a direct link to your new project below. And, check out all of the OCL challenge details on the OCL blog--one lucky participant from the month's challenges will win a stamp set!

Materials Used:
Mr. Frosty, Frosty Flakes, and Winter Wishes stamp sets (Our Craft Lounge); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red Classic ink, Baja Breeze and Shimmery White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); Diamond Stickles (Ranger); foam tape

You Make Life Sweet

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

It was a nice surprise to see my "let's hang out" card selected as one of the winners for the last Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. Here's my super simple, but still sweet, card for the current challenge.

I took my inspiration from the photo's color scheme along with the fun frames featured in the photo--and the yummy looking tower of cupcakes. I used the cupcake image from the Sugar Rush set as my focal image. It's colored with Copic markers and cut out. I set the sweet treat inside a circle "frame" I cut from a yellow paper panel, using dimensional dots to attach the image, then coated the top of the treat with some Stickles.

I stamped the sentiment underneath the framed image in blue ink, then added a matching blue strip to the edge of the panel before attaching it to a light blue cardfront, matching the wall backdrop in the inspiration photo. The design needed just a little more detail, so I added on a piece of knotted yellow faux suede ribbon and a pair of clear crystals for good measure.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Sugar Rush stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Bahama Blue inks, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (Y21, Y23, Y26, Y32, YR30, E31, E33, B000, B0000), Spellbinders circle die, Ranger Diamond Stickles, May Arts yellow faux suede ribbon, KaiserCraft clear crystals, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, and Pacific Point cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Happy Hanukkah Dreidel Box

2011-12-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

Here’s my project for the latest Lawnscaping challenge to make a tag or a treat box. I made both—wonder if I get extra credit for that?? It’s the first time this season I’ve inked up my Lawn Fawn Happy Hanukkah set, which was perfect for what I had in mind for the challenge.

I made a little dreidel box that’s just the right size to hold a few chocolate coins (Hanukkah gelt) along with a coordinating tag. For the box, I located and downloaded a simple dreidel box template and printed it on blue cardstock. The box was easily assembled with the help of my ScorBuddy and some narrow ScorTape. I printed the Hebrew letters for each of the 4 sides on silver paper, cut them out, and attached them to the sides to make the box look more dreidel-like. A piece of blue plastic straw was added as the dreidel's stem.

I die cut a tag from matching blue cardstock and decorated it to go with the dreidel box. The set’s Star of David image is stamped in silver ink and layered on a dark blue circle and attached to the tag with dimensional dots. I stamped the set’s “Happy Hanukkah” sentiment in blue ink on a white notch-edged strip and attached it to the tag, extending off of both edges. Some shimmery silver ribbon secures it to the dreidel’s straw handle to make a sweet Hanukkah treat.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn Happy Hanukkah stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Bahama Blue ink, May Arts silver metallic velvet ribbon, Spellbinders circle dies, ScorBuddy, 1/8” ScorTape, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Blueberry Sky cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Night of Navy and Whisper White cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); silver paper (Recollections); tag die (Clear and Simple Stamps)

Dream Big

2011-12-08T01:00:00.001-05:00

Here’s my card for this week’s Mojo Monday sketch. I went with one of the My Favorite Things à la mode girlies for this sweet card.

The moon-perched girl is colored with Copic markers to coordinate with the small multicolored patterned paper panel she’s layered over. I added a pale blue outline to the edges of the image for a hint of sky around it. The set’s “dream big” sentiment is stamped in the open space in blue ink.

The panels are layered on a blue gingham patterned panel. I machine stitched around the panel, keeping pretty close to the edge so the stitching would still be visible with the panels in place. A strip of blue grosgrain ribbon stretches across the cardfront, flush with the top of the small patterned paper panel. A super shiny silver wood star made the perfect finishing touch for the card.

Materials Used:
à la modes Dream Big stamp set (My Favorite Things); white cardstock (Taylored Expressions); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); Marina Mist Classic ink, Bashful Blue cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Everyday Flair Six by Six paper pad (My Mind’s Eye); Sweet Nectar paper pad (K & Company); silver wood star (Hobby Lobby); sewing machine

We Click

2011-12-07T20:10:00.001-05:00

***Scroll down to the post below to see my card for this week's Color Throwdown.***

Here's my card for today's SCS sketch challenge. This was a great sketch for putting together a quick card--and for using up some of those scraps sitting around on my table at the same time!

I used the fun camera image from the Paper Smooches Perpetual Bliss set as my focal image. It's colored with Copic markers, cut out, and attached to the panel with dimensional dots. I stamped a heart above it and the "we click" sentiment alongside it in red ink.

The camera is matted on a gray panel, then set on a trio of panels--two dotted, one shimmery silver--that cover the top of the gray card base. A black satin ribbon strip, dressed up with a bow, adds a finished look at the bottom of the paper strips.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Perpetual Bliss stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, C-5, C-3, C-1), Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup paper pad, May Arts black/white reversible satin ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots, Bow Easy

other: Basic Gray cardstock (Stampin' Up!); shimmery silver paper (Recollections)

Color Throwdown 171-No Peeking

2011-12-07T02:00:00.001-05:00

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! This week’s colors come to us from Wanda. She’s chosen the pretty palette of Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Soft Suede, and Creamy Caramel for us to try out.

I decided the two shades of brown would work well for PJ Bear, so I used the new Peeking set from The Cat’s Pajamas for my card. I colored PJ with Copic markers and paper pieced the package in his hands with two different papers--a dotted one (for the box) and a solid (for the ribbon).

I used some of the same dotted paper for the panel that’s behind PJ. The sentiment is at the top of the dotted panel, stamped on one of the CutUps Circus Panel dies and folded over the top of the panel. I machine stitched around the edges of a patterned paper/solid olive panel, wrapping some olive ribbon around the seam between the two pieces, then set the cranberry piece and PJ over that. A matching button, tied with linen thread, wraps things up nicely.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your project to the linky tool in this week's post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD171. Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team:

** Barbara ** Broni ** Danielle ** Joan ** Kerri **
** Keva ** Kristin ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
November/December Guestie Lydia Fiedler

Materials Used:
Peeking stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, CutUps Circus Panels die, linen thread (The Cat’s Pajamas); Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, and Soft Suede cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Times & Seasons-Sweet Stripes designer paper (Echo Park); Jingle-Cranberry designer paper (Lily Bee Design); olive grosgrain ribbon (Morex); Scarlet Jewel button (Papertrey Ink); sewing machine; foam tape