WT155 Cheers!

It was a long day, but I managed to make one card. It was a pretty quick card, once I found my inspiration. The challenge today at Splitcoast was to let music inspire you. I took a quick look at all my stamps and all I could come up with was "Happy Birthday to you...", LOL! Anyway, once I saw "Cheers" from my Snowflake Spot set, I couldn't get that song out of my head. I'm singing it right now. "Makin' your way in the world today takes everything you've got..." Now it'll be stuck in your head! I'm not sure if it comes out in the photo, but the word "cheers" has iridescent glitter on it. My card layout was inspired by this one by smilynstef.

Stamps: Snowflake Spot (SU!)

Paper: DP from Making Memories, Whisper White, Green Galore (SU!)

Ink: Green Galore, Versamark

Accessories: Ribbons from Offray, Paper Piercing, Glitter

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SC165 All Boy!

Here's a card I made for todays Sketch Challenge. I took the day off from scrapping yesterday and now I feel really rusty. Maybe I'll be into my groove by tomorrow. I've been trying to use the designer paper that I have before buying anything new, so here's what I came up with for today. The bat and ball were cut out of some scraps, so I don't who makes this paper. The square of blue is actually designer paper with a sorta cross hatched sanding to it. I don't think it really showed up in the picture. I think this card would be perfect for a little boy. I don't have many of those in my stash. Take care and thanks for looking!

Stamps: NONE, that never happens!

Paper: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, DP from Provo Craft and ???

Accessories: Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Navy Grosgrain Ribbon

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TLC#157 Take Two

There was absolutely nothing on TV tonight, so I pulled out my designer paper once again. I really like this card and the technique I used with the buttons, but when I do it again (maybe tomorrow) I will reverse the dp and put the sentiment on the stripes. What do you think?

Stamps: Noteworthy (SU!)

Paper: Green Galore, Whisper White, dp from Making Memories

Ink: Pixie Pink (SU!)

Accessories: Buttons, narrow green ribbon

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Halle got her ears pierced!

I just wanted to share with everyone that my little girl got her ears pierced today! It was not a planned event. She saw some earrings she wanted at the store and finally said she wanted to have pierced ears! Here's a picture of my little cutie. You can't see it in the picture, but she picked out hot pink gems. She was such a champ!

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TLC157

Here is my card for today's Technique Lovers Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. The Challenge was to use two or more patterns in your card. I used polka dots and argyle. I think my card turned out pretty clean and simple. I may play around a little later with my paisley and stripes paper. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Birthday Greetings (SU!)

Paper: Argyle from Chatterbox Inc, Polka Dots from Bo Bunny

Ink: Real Red (SU!)

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon

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Stamp Indexing

I know, sounds boring. I spent Saturday night labeling and indexing all my stamp sets. First, I used my label maker to label the sides of all my stamp sets along with the # of stamps inside. Stampin Up! stamp sets come with labels, but they are hard to read in dark places like my cabinet. These white labels with large black print work perfectly.

Since I've been stamping and scrapping on a daily basis, I've realized that I waste a lot of time looking for the right stamp, not remembering what I have and if it's the right size. I decided that it would be nice to see all my stamps at a glance without pulling them all out one at a time. I labeled a 4x6 index card with the stamp set title, and then stamped each image of the set on the card in basic black. That way I can sort through a stack of index cards instead of stamp sets. Once I find the stamp I want, I can easily locate it in my neatly labeled cabinet. I am planning on buying a cheap album to put all the cards in so I will be less likely to lose one. In the future, I will simply make a copy of the sticker sheet before adhering them to the wooden blocks.
I have taken a peak at todays Technique Lover's Challenge on Splitcoast and I can't wait to play. I'll be back later today to post what I've made. Thanks!

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Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge

Sorry I was unable to post anything yesterday. We took the kids bowling for the first time yesterday and then I was in total organizational mode. I have to take full advantage when the mood strikes because it may be months before it strikes again. I've been trying to create a system to keep all my stamps in order, and ribbon, and embellishments, and ink, and... you get the point! I'm going to post what all I have accomplished tomorrow.

Anyway- Here is the very basic sketch that Beate provided and here are my two cards. I started to make two identical cards, and then I really didn't like the first one so much and changed a few things on the second one. The second one is my fave.

Stamps: PS. I love you (??)

Paper: Whisper White, Green Galore, Making Memories DP

Ink: Pixie Pink, Green Galore

Accessories: Corner Punch, Pink & Green Ribbon (Offray)

Stamps: Birthday Greetings

Paper: Whisper White, Green Galore, Making Memories DP

Ink: Pixie Pink

Accessories: Mini Blossoms (Making Memories) edged in Pixie Pink Ink, silver brads

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Snow Day!

It is freezing and snowy here. Halle's preschool was even called off and that NEVER happens! Since we are snowed in today, I made some cards! I know, even if I wasn't snowed in I would be doing the same thing. LOL!

I started making this card last night and finished it off this morning. I'm in love with this designer paper! I think I've made about 6 cards using one 12"x12" sheet. Now that's value. I also love how it goes with the Chocolate Chip paper and ink. Oh, and the ribbon was $1 on clearance at Michaels. It doesn't have a sentiment, so you could use it for any occasion. Can I just say that I LOVE THIS CARD!!!!

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory, and DP by Bohemia

Accessories: Green Ribbon (Michaels), Round Corner Punch

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

This next card was made for the Limited Supply Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. You could pretty much do whatever you wanted, but keep it simple using limited layers and accessories. The twist was that you had to use your own handwriting on the card somewhere. Well, this card was cake to put together until I got to the handwriting. You are seeing my best effort, and that is pretty pathetic. I wanted to write "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" by Leo daVinci, but that was wayyyyy too long. So, I'm just going to write that on the inside.

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory, and DP by Bohemia
Accessories: Green Ribbon (Michaels), Round Corner Punch
All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

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Happy Lady Bugs

The inspiration for todays card came from Splitcoast Stampers "ways to use it" challenge. You could make any kind of card as long as it had a window in it. My attempt is below. I love using the "happiness" stamp when I am stock piling cards for later use. It seems like that sentiment could fit any occasion except sympathy. This will probably end up being a kids card. Halle helped me with the paper piercing at the bottom and the bow. I pierced the bottom to mimic the dots in the designer paper. Enjoy your day! Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Warm Words, Very Punny

Ink: Real Red, Basic Black

Papers: Naturals Ivory, Tempting Turquoise, DP from Bo Bunny

Accessories: Paper Piercing, Red Satin Ribbon (Offray)

All supplies by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

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Sketch Challenge #164

Today I participated in another sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers. Here is the sketch that the card is based on. Each number represents a layer in the card with the third layer being optional. I omitted the third layer and centered the middle layer. I hope it qualifies!!! I've been waiting for the perfect card to break out my mini blossoms. I think it adds an elegant detail. Here are all the details.

Stamps: Blooming with Happiness (SU!)

Paper: Cream, DP from Anna Griffin (both swirly and solid pink)

Ink: Pixie Pink, Basic Black (both SU!)

Accessories: Mini Blossoms (Making Memories), Sheer Pink Ribbon, Silver Brads, Watercolor Pencils

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Gift Card Holder

Hello! Today I made this manly (I hope) gift card holder. Actually I made two identical ones. We have a bunch of golfers in my family, so I thought the golf theme fit perfectly. I got the idea and the dimensions for my gift card from these cards on Sharon Johnson's blog. This card is like a little wallet, you lift up the top flap and the bottom flap holds in your gift card. I will put a sporting goods store gift card in there when it's time. I'm not crazy about the colors, but when I started out, I was going to put some golf stickers on that matched perfectly, then changed my mind. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Birthday Greetings (SU!), golf ball stamp from $1 bin at Michael's

Ink: Glorious Green, Black Stazon (both SU!)

Paper: Garden Green, More Mustard, Whisper White (all SU!)

Accessories: Green Gingham Ribbon, Dimensionals, Watercolor Pencils, Versamark

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In honor of President's Day & TLC 156

I'm so excited to share this little project with you. I think it turned out really good! Okay, the idea for this project came from Splitcoast Stampers. Every Monday they have a TLC (technique lovers challenge) and today it was to make and decorate this little pouch. It would be perfect to fill with candy or a gift card. You make it out of an envelope! Make sure you seal it first. When I make this again (and how could I not, it's so darn cute!) I will make the handles a little longer so it's easier to stuff the candy in. Since I have a whole mat stack of red, white, and blue patterned paper, I decided to make this a fun President's Day pouch. Click here for the tutorial I used. I didn't have a tag punch, so I just used good old-fashioned scissors. No measuring needed.

Here's a picture of the base. The glue was bad on the envelope so I had to use tape to seal it. I rounded the corners using a corner punch. Decorate and you're finished!

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes (SC!) I used a marker and just colored in the "PEACE part of the Peaceful Wishes Stamp

Paper: Red Stripes, Blue w/ White Stars, Blue Gingham from Generations Mat Stack, Whisper White (SU!)

Ink: Brilliant Blue Marker

Accessories: Silver Brad, Envelope, Blue Ribbon, Red Ribbon, corner punch

Here's a birds-eye view so you can see the pouch opening.

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Quick & Easy Cards

I have never scrapped this many days in a row before, much less wrote about it. Thanks to all who have visited and left comments. It means so much to me :)

Okay, I just had to do something with the designer paper I bought last night. I'm coming to realize that all the designer paper I have in my stash is either not my style any more or I don't have any other papers to coordinate it with. Now when I go shopping, I buy the paper that is double sided, or I'll buy or few sheets of coordinating papers. After I use them, I'll put all the scraps in a folder together.

These two cards I made using exactly the same supplies. They are just a little bit different. They really are the same size card, it just doesn't look like it in the picture (4.25"x5.50"). I rounded the corners on one and then used the corner rounder to make scallops in the second one. The ribbon I got at Michael's for $1- for 5 yards! I love a bargain and green is my favorite color! You can never have too many birthday cards.

Stamps: Birthday Greetings (SU!)

Paper: DP from Bohemia

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Green Grosgrain Ribbon

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Garden of Hollyhocks

Happy Sunday! My hubby and I had the best night last night. We went out to dinner to celebrate his promotion and we stopped by Michael's Craft Store on the way home. I was looking for some brown grosgrain ribbon for my card below. There's a whole aisle of ribbon at Michael's- both sides of the aisle! And they didn't have any of what I was looking for! I bought something that was close, along with some designer paper and itty bitty white primas.

I was putting the ribbon on the card this morning and it just didn't go. Being the resourceful person I am (LOL) I ended up taking white grosgrain ribbon and running it over my brown ink. I think it looks pretty good. Anyway, about the card! It was inspired by this card from Jenny Gropp. I didn't have any of the stamps she used, but I think it still has the same overall effect. I hope you like it. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Hollyhocks Jumbo Roller, Paisley Background, Warm Words (all SU!)

Paper: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Cream

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Ribbon

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They can't all be winners...

I ran out of adhesive last night and picked some up first thing this morning. It's impossible to go down the scrapbooking aisle and not look. Anyway, I bought a corner punch (finally!) and some designer paper along with some more adhesive. When I got home, I surfed my usual sites and found a Friday challenge on Sharon Johnson's website. I'm not really liking this card very much, but I thought I would post it anyway. Can't wait to try out my new goodies over the weekend. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Both Way Blossoms (SU!)

Paper: Buckaroo Blue, Whisper White (both SU!), DP from ChatterBox Inc.

Ink: Night of Navy (SU!)

Accessories: Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Water Color Pencils, Aqua Painter

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Simple Valentine's Day Card

Happy Valentine's Day! I managed to squeeze in a little stamping with all the kid stuff I had going on. It's been crazy this week with snow days and Vday parties. Fun, but a little crazy. I made this card for my husband, Scott. Not too frilly, but simple and easy. It's a 4x4 card, I'm really liking this size. We don't usually go all out for Vday, so I bought Scott his favorite beer, a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's (the kids will love that too), and I am making peanut butter cookies (Scott's favorite) and then sandwiching them with chocolate icing. Quick, easy, and yummy (especially because I'm using already made cookie dough!). Let's not forget about the kids! They are each getting candy and a Webkinz . We are going to wait until Scott gets home from work to give them their gifts. He's already left for work when they get up in the morning.

Stamps: Made from Scratch (SU!)

Ink: Real Red (SU!)

Paper: Real Red and Whisper White (both SU!)

Accessories: Paper Piercing, Square Punch, Dimensionals

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Sketch Challenge #163

Here's the challenge today over at Splitcoast Stampers. I had to make a card using this format. I don't know why I had such a hard time. I switched things about 10 times. I think it's easier to make a card when you know who the recipient is and I didn't know who was going to get this one. Well, my friend Catrina is having a baby today, so I decided to make this a baby boy card for her, Jeremy, and the new baby. Take a look at what everyone else did for this challenge. This was also my first time using sewing on my card and it shows! I hope to get a little better at this in the future. Thanks for looking!

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: DP from Paper Pizazz (mat stack), Night of Navy, Brocade Blue (SU!)

Stamps: Giraffe from Bundle of Joy (SU!)

Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter, Sewing Machine w/ Navy Thread, Royal Blue Bow (Offray)

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Daliah Fold

Today I did something I have never done, and I did it twice! I followed a tutorial on how to make a criss cross card and another tutorial on how to make a flower using the daliah fold. I got the idea of putting these two elements together from this post on Sarah Green's blog. I love how my card turned out. My friend Sherry just got engaged over the weekend and I'm going to send her this card to congratulate her and Bob. Sherry is a fellow scrapper, so I know will enjoy this card. The daliah fold was very easy to do. It looks so elaborate, but you only use 8 circles. I want to put one on every card I make! The criss cross card was easy to make as well. It doesn't open like a traditional card. You simply pull up on the insert for the message.

Stamps: Warm Words (SU!)

Ink: Night of Navy (SU!)

Paper: White, DP from Chatterbox, Night of Navy (SU!)

Accessories: Silver Brads

On another note, I've had a hard time keeping the kids occupied today. It snowed and we can't go anywhere. I desperately needed to go grocery shopping too. I gave Colin a magazine and my paper cutter. This kept him occupied for almost 45 minutes! After nap, I'm going to give Halle and Colin some glue so they can make a collage with all their scraps. Have a great day!

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My Paisley Valentine

Between dropping the kids off at preschool and loads of laundry, I managed to stamp two cards before 10am! I was all set to make a Valentine's Day card and thought that it would be just as easy to make two. The inspiration for my card came from this card by Sharon Johnson. I used what I had, but didn't have any ribbon that would coordinate with the striped paper. I took twill tape and colored it green with a fat Crayola marker. I also used a new adhesive product. It's called Tombow Mono Aqua. I don't know if I used too much or what, but my paper is all wavy. You thankfully can't see it in the picture though. It's actually so bad that I may not even send these cards. They were going to Halle & Colin's grandparents.

Stamps: Paisley BG, Warm Words (both SU!)

Ink: Pixie Pink, Basic Black (both SU!)

Paper: White, Pixie Pink (SU!), Paradise Punch (Doodlebug Designs), Pastel Prints (mat stacks)

Accessories: Twill Tape (SU!), light blue ribbon (Offray)

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Wonderful Cake

I'm trying to get in the creative groove. I made this card last night while my hubby and I watched a really stupid movie. I saw a challenge on Sharon Johnson's blog where the challenge was to make a card with a cake on it. Okay, I have a cake stamp, let's play. I made this cute card, not 100% up to par, but hey, I'm just getting started. I reread the challenge before uploading my pic and noticed that you had to use Flourishes stamps. I don't have any of those, but I will go ahead and post this card as well as post it on my very favorite inspirations site, Splitcoast Stampers.

Stamps: Blooming with Happiness, Warm Words (both SU!)

Paper: Miss Elizabeth DP, Lovely Liliac, White

Ink: Lovely Liliac

Accessories: Watercolor Pencils (SU!), Aqua Painter, Lavender Ribbon (Offray)

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My very first blog entry...

Hi! I don't know if anyone will ever read this, but here goes. I was lecturing my brother this week about how important it was to surround yourself with the things you love. Then I realized, I needed to take a dose of my own advice. I am surrounded by friends, my wonderful hubby and two amazing kids. I make time to read (I love chick lit) but there never seems to be enough time for what I am really passionate about. I'm starting this blog in the hopes of posting new cards and some paper crafts a few times a week. That way I can hold myself accountable and make sure to make time for what I truly enjoy.

Please bear with me as I attempt to post links and pics. Not my strong point, although my husband is an IT genius. He will be helping me out more than he knows.

Check back often and I welcome any and all comments.

Bye for now,
Dana

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