A {One of a Kind} Card...

Tuesday, February 28, 2012


Hi there!  It seems like I get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night almost every night.  A few nights ago though, this card popped into my head. Bizarre, I know!  I finally got some time alone in my studio and I had fun figuring out how to use the "washi tape" technique.  I think it works best with wide sticky tape, but all I had was skinny tape, but it still turned out just fine, just a little extra effort.


I started out with some tissue paper trimmed to 1" width.  If that tissue paper looks familiar, it's Clear & Simple Stamps signature blue tissue paper that comes in every order.  I used Background Basics I and True Blue Fan ink to make all my strips of "washi tape".  It was very easy to do.
Adding the lime green floss was something that almost didn't happen.  It was an afterthought when I realized I didn't want a completely monochromatic card.  I just love the pop of color it adds.  I chose the sentiment to reflect the different patterns in the strips.  I have a friend that is definitely one-of-a-kind and I know she will love this card.


Have a great day!

{You are one of a kind}
Stamps: Crafty Sentiments, Background Basics I (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: Trendsetter Blue (CSS)
Ink: True Blue Fan (CSS)
Accessories: Tissue Paper, Sticky Tape, Green Floss

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A {With All My Love} Card...

Wednesday, February 22, 2012


Hello!  I can't believe I'm actually ahead of the game here.  I'm typing this Tuesday night and scheduling it to post on Wednesday since I know I'll be working.  I love subbing for Halle's teacher.  She's not yet old enough to be embarrassed by me. Unfortunately I also photographed my card tonight as well.  It's definitely not a good photo, but the close-up one below turned out okay.


So, this is a sort of collage of a card using elements from two stamp sets.
That's it for me today/tonight!!!


I'll see you back here Thursdays!

{With All My Love}
Stamps: Love Cupid, Background Basics I (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: On the Catwalk Cream, Kraft Like a Rockstar, I'm a Princess Pink (CSS)
Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Simply Blue-tiful (CSS)
Accessories: Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch, Floss 

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A Heart-Felt {Happy Birthday} Card...

Tuesday, February 21, 2012


Hey guys!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  It's been awhile since I've made a card heavy on patterned paper, but that's just what I felt like this morning.  That's one of the things about crafting that I love, just going with what moves you in the moment.

So, for my card I started with a plaid piece of patterned paper.  I went through my stamps and found a tiny heart in the CSS stamp set "Love Notes".  I stamped the heart in navy ink on the plaid patterned paper.  I think it adds a little something to the paper.

I created the sentiment panel using strips of colored card stock that match the plaid background paper.  I like how it just slightly overlaps the sides of the card.
The hearts were punched from the same pack of patterned paper as the plaid.  I love the fact that you know that everything is going to coordinate.

Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}
Stamps: Craft Room, Love Notes (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: Trendsetter Blue, True Blue Fan, Dare to Be a Diva Red (CSS)
Patterned Paper: Silver Valley (SEI)
Ink: Trendsetter Blue, True Blue Fan (CSS)
Accessories: Heart Punches, Foam Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge

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CSS, Behind the Scenes--- With ME!

Saturday, February 18, 2012


Hello!  Just wanted to share that I'm being featured in the Clear & Simple Stamps, Behind the Scenes Newsletter. Eeek!!!  Check out my interview here.  


Here's the card I created especially for the newsletter.
For this card I’m using a little tiny heart stamp from the Hearts Plus set that some might have just glanced over.  I took that little stamp and decided I wanted to showcase it.



I started off by making a grid on my card with a pencil. And not just your ordinary grid that goes straight up and down, but instead I created one that had sort of brick wall pattern to it. I did not want all of the hearts to be in a straight line so this brick pattern staggers them just a bit. I stamped the heart using four colors and then offset it with black for the sentiment.

Creating one layer cards can come together fairly quickly with a little space planning.  I find experimenting with grids helps to create interesting patterns and designs.


I'm just now getting started making my Design Team projects for the March release.  Let me tell you, it's going to be awesome and totally worth the wait.  

Have a great day!

{Forever & Always}
Stamps: Hearts Plus, Love Cupid (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: A Blanc Check (CSS)
Ink: Dare to Be a Diva Red, Simply Blue-tiful, Paint the Town Pink, Coral Necklace, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)

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A {Good Teacher} Card...

Friday, February 17, 2012


I've had such a busy week that I was having serious withdrawal from paper crafting.  I was so happy to have a day (or even part of a day) to spend in my studio.  It's such a great way to relieve stress.

My card today uses a color combination that I love, yellow and gray.  This was the first time I've inked up that background image and I'm smitten!  I was really nervous that it would be hard to line up, but it was actually really easy and that's really why I love clear stamps!
I went with a yellow apple, something a little different than the traditional red apple for a teacher.  You can see in the above photo that the edges are sponged, just to add a little more color.  


If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've been doing the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  Once I do it today, I'll have completed 5 days, 25 more to go.  Today is the first day my whole body isn't sore. It's a great workout and I'm so lucky to have a friend doing it with me.  It's really easy to put it off to the next day, but you can't do that when you have to be accountable to someone.  It's also only about 24 minutes so it's easy to fit into your day.  I finally feel like I have my plant-based, vegan diet down pat, that all I need to do is add exercise.  Stay tuned about this journey.  Hopefully I'll have some weight loss success to share with you.


Okay, that's enough from me today.  Off to workout!!!


Have a great day!

{Good Teacher}
Stamps: Teacher, Background Basics I, Icons I (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: Such a Gray-cious Host, Say Yellow to All Your Fans, A Blanc Check (CSS)
Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress, Say Yellow to All Your Fans (CSS)
Accessories: Stamping Sponge, Foam Dimensionals

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Clear & Simple Stamps: Group Project

Tuesday, February 14, 2012


Hello!  It's group project day with Clear & Simple Stamps, but it's also Valentine's Day.  I really wish I would have thought my project through and made a Valentine Card, but I just didn't have that in mind when I made this a month ago.  However, when I heard what the challenge was, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

If you can't guess, the challenge was to make a card using only sentiment stamps.  Almost all of the January release sets have large outline sentiments so I just picked one and went with it.  The "You're Invited" comes from Party Elements: Critters.

I simply stamped the sentiment where I wanted it on the card (the one that I colored in) and then I just filled in to the left, right, above and below.  I didn't make a grid or anything.  It was easy to just eyeball it!
When I was finished stamping I colored in the one sentiment using a trio of blue copic markers.  I outlined just that sentiment using a W1 copic marker. The outlining makes the sentiment really pop off the page.


I hope you'll check out the rest of the Design Team, I know I will!

Have a great day & enjoy your Valentine's Day!

{You're Invited}
Stamps: Party Elements: Critters (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: Trendsetter Blue (CSS)
Ink: True Blue Fan (CSS)
Copic Markers:  B93, B95, B99, W1

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A {Get Well Soon} Card...

Friday, February 10, 2012


Another day, another PTI challenge.  I was so happy to see that today was a sketch challenge.  Today I used yellows and kraft, which I think is a widely underutilized color combo.  The light yellow is PTI's Lemon Tart and the darker yellow is CSS's Say Yellow to All Your Fans.  I love how they look together.

I decided to use an image stamp in the center of the card instead of just the sentiment like the sketch suggests.  I don't know about you, but it really doesn't bother me that the colors I use for the wreath/berries are those that wouldn't be found in nature.  Maybe a lemon tree?  Anyway, as long as it goes with the card, I'm cool with it.
The rhinestones were originally clear and I colored them with an orange-y yellow copic marker.  I love that trick!  


Well, it just started snowing here which is really exciting since we haven't really gotten any snow this year.  It's actually supposed to stick this time.  The kids usually have at least 5 snow days by now and we've only had one due to ice.  I'm making a big pot of chili tonight (bean chili that is) and I can't wait to have a cozy night at home.  At lease at home after my kids' Valentine's Day dance if it doesn't get cancelled due to bad weather.

My son's teacher asked me to organize this year's Valentine's Day party and I've been having so much fun finding activities.  I'm making a word search using all the names of the students in his class which my little guy is really excited about.  I also printed off some Valentine Bingo Cards and I'm going to punch a ton of hearts from card stock to use as covers.  It's going to be fun!

Have a great weekend!

{Get Well Soon}
Stamps: Wreath for all Seasons, Text Style, Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Say Yellow to All Your Fans (CSS), Lemon Tart (PTI)
Ink: Glamazon Green, Espresso Your Style (CSS)
Accessories: Clear Rhinestones, Buttons, Floss
Copic Marker: Y38 

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A {Thank You} Card...

Wednesday, February 8, 2012


Looks like it's going to be a week of PTI challenges for me!  I just can't NOT do it.  Anyway, the challenge today was a color combo challenge.  I chose Dawn's color combo which is: Ripe Avocado, Berry Sorbet, and Raspberry Fizz.  


I decided on CAS look.  I've rediscovered my ric-rac die and have been turning to it a lot lately.  I created stripes across the card and then carried them along the tag that's popped up on pop dots.
And here is an extreme close-up of the dimension and how the ric-rac lines up on both layers.
Such a fun and actually quick card to make.  Having the colors already put together for you takes out a big chunk of time.


Have a great day!

{Thank You}
Stamps: Communique Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: White, Berry Sorbet, Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
Ink: Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)
Accessories: Ric-Rac Die (PTI), Tag Die (CSS), Button, Pop Dots

Read more...

My {Maile} Card...

Monday, February 6, 2012



This is a continuation of my previous post.  I couldn't submit two card with one post, so I'm just breaking them up into two separate posts.  Sorry for the confusion!

And here is my totally "Maile" card, which tends to be more of my everyday style.  I was in love with Maile's digi stamp as soon as I laid eyes on it. I love white on white but I always have such a hard time keeping white things white.  Any help out there for a messy stamper?  Anyhoo, the white ric-rac adds texture and interest without steeling any attention from the focal point.
Here's a little close-up of the copic coloring I did. 
I'm having a really good day today.  Feeling so upbeat and energized.  I really hope this is my new normal.  I only have one chiropractor's appointment left, wahoo!  I just got over a miserable respiratory infection, I blame you Mother Nature!  Yesterday was the first day I felt back to myself and today I feel like bursting out in song.  Elliptical workout, here I come!

Have a great day!
{Hello}
Stamps: Digi Stamp (PTI)
Card Stock: A Blanc Check, True Blue Fan (CSS)
Accessories: Ric-Rac Die (PTI), Foam Dimensionals, Circle Punch
Copic Markers: B93, B95, B99 

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My {Dawn} Card...


Hey there!  I'm sure you all know about the PTI 5th Anniversary activities that are happening.  I settled in with a tall cup of joe this morning, inspiration struck and I actually made 2 cards!  I know, that's almost unheard of in these parts!  I used Dawn's digi image and created a card very "Dawn" card and used Maile's digi image to make a very "Maile" card.

Here's my first card and it's totally obvious this is not a "Dana" style card, but it is totally Dawn.  Lots of shaped layers and patterns on top of patterns.  The sun is out in full force today so my cards look a little bright.
My daughter had this totally girly patterned paper out on my desk (she was making valentines) and it was just perfect and paper that I probably would not normally use. I also stamped a damask image on the notebook paper (which is actually light pink) and I had to include a frilly bow.


Please read the next post for my Maile card, I had to split them into two separate posts.


Have a great day!

{Happy Birthday}
Stamps: Digi Stamp (PTI), Love Cupid (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft
Patterned Paper: With All My Heart (SEI)
Ink: VIP Purple (CSS)
Accessories: Spiral Notebook Die (PTI), Labels 9 Die (Spellbinders), Circle Punch, Foam Dimensionals, Sheer Pink Ribbon, Edge Distresser

Read more...

"It's A Party!" CSS Release Review

Sunday, February 5, 2012


Hello!  Since Clear & Simple Stamps releases are so big that they're going bi-monthly, the DT and I are taking this opportunity to work with a few sets you may have overlooked.  We each created an invitation and a party favor.
For my card I created an invitation style, one layer wonder.  I took a standard A2 size piece of Trendsetter Blue card stock, I masked an off-center square and stamped the wood grain image from the new Background Basics I set in Dish All the Dirt Brown.  I removed the mask, stamped the sentiment from Critters Party Elements and colored the word "party" in using a pink copic marker.  I stamped the kitty image on I'm a Princess Pink card stock, cut it out and adhered it to the card.  I filled in that cute little heart nose using that same topic marker used on the letters.  I decided to do some faux stitching around the masked square for a fun finishing touch.
Flipping the card over you can see that it's divided in two the way of a regular postcard.  I love the sentiment "for one cool kitty" followed by my daughter's name.  The kitty on the back of the card is an even smaller version of the one on the front, but uses the same paper-pieced treatment.  I used Alpha Duo to create Halle's name, colored in with the same pink topic marker like the word "party" on the front.  I stamped place, date, time, etc. using Critters Party Elements.
Now for the most fun, the party favor!  I used the Party Favor #2 die with the fancy lid.  Once I die cut the lid, used a Shapes: Hearts Die and die cut a heart in the center of the lid.  I used a small square of clear transparency to create a window.  I stamped the "window" using the stamp set that comes with the Shapes: Hearts Dies.
You can see here where the box base was stamped with a woodgrain stamp, just like the invitation.  Once the box was put together, I filled it with chocolates and wrapped it up with some brown embroidery floss.  The little circle tag uses that same mini kitty from the flip side of the postcard.  


I hope you've enjoyed today's little card/favor combo.  For even more ideas making invitations and favors, please check out the rest of the design team:


Have a great day!

{It's A Party!!!}
Stamps: Taglines: Critters, Background Basics I, Alpha Duo, Shapes: Hearts, Critter Party Elements (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: Trendsetter Blue, Kraft Like a Rockstar, I'm a Princess Pink (CSS)
Ink: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS)
Accessories: Shapes: Hearts Dies, Party Favor #2 Die, Clear Transparency, Circle Punch, Foam Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, Brown Floss, Black Pen, Sticky Tape
Copic Markers: W3, R85 

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A {Be Mine, Valentine} Card...

Wednesday, February 1, 2012


We had such a huge release at Clear & Simple Stamps last month that we are going to have some cool projects lined up these next few days to give you even more ideas of things you can do with all the new goodies.  The design team and I are reviewing the all the new products and we'll have a fun re-release party on February 5th.

To me, nothing says Valentine's Day like red and white.  I started this card off with some gingham patterned paper with a kraft band along the left side.  I stamped the cupid in red ink on kraft card stock, cut him out and popped him up on foam dots.  I stamped the scroll image using white ink on red paper. One of the really cool things about clear stamps is that you can manipulate them.  I took the "valentine" stamp and curved it to fit perfectly in the scroll, then I stamped it in black ink.  I cut out the scroll and adhered it to the card using foam dots.  I stamped "be mine" in red above the scroll.
For the finishing touch, I used a white gel pen to create faux stitching along the border.  


Have a great day!

{Be Mine, Valentine}
Stamps: Love Cupid (Clear & Simple Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, Dare to Be a Diva Red (CSS)
Patterned Paper: Silver Valley (SEI)
Ink: Dare to Be a Diva Red, Perfect Little Black Dress (CSS), White 
Accessories: White Gel Pen, Foam Dots

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