My Favorite Things Guest Design Challenge

Yup, it's that time, and you know I've been trying every month since I discovered these, hehe. This month's challenge for the My Favorite Things Guest Design Challenge was to use a sentiment as the focal point. I used the set Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays from MFT, and made a few flowers with some linen ribbon.

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays

Ink: Memento Hot Cocoa, Bashful Blue, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Paper: Medium Birchstone, buttercream, OA Thrift Shop dp

Accessories: rhinestones, Labels 9 Nestabilities, linen ribbon, sponge, Strawberry Jam ribbon (CDS)

I hate to post and run, but I have like a billion things to do today, so maybe I'll see you later on ;D

Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peek Day 3

Welcome back to the last peeks I have to show you before all of the new sets are released on September 1st. If you haven't seen all the new releases that Clear Dollar Stamps is releasing head on over to Lori's blog to get a look!

This first set I'm showing you is called The Measure of a Man. I love the retro look to all of the stamps in this set, and the sayings are so fun.
I kept the inside very simple.
As you can see I paperpieced the T.V., and I really love the way it turned out.

CDS STAMPS USED: The Measure of a Man
CS/PAPERS: Suede Brown (Prism), Paisley Parade dp, Cottonball White
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo Distress ink
MARKERS: E31, Y26, C1
ACCENTS/TOOLS: sponge, dimensionals, gold brads

This final set that I'm showing you is the Stamp of the Month, that is yours free for spending $50 before tax and shipping over at CDS. How easy is that?! This set is called Whooo Loves You, and I definitely love this owl, hehe. He's so darn cute!
I went with a dots theme, and paperpieced this little guy too.

CDS STAMPS USED: Whooo Loves You
CS/PAPERS: October Afternoon Fly a Kite, Bee Pollen, buttercream, Blossom (Prism)
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo distress ink
MARKERS: Y17
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Tags Trio & Flower Creations Nestabilities, buttons, brown thread, sponge, dimensionals, green stitched ribbon, corner rounder, pink felt

That's all I have to show you for this month's sneak peeks, but you can go see more over at Lori's blog, and then hop on over to the other DT members' blogs to check out what they have to show you: Laurie, Candy, Katie, Christi, Lisa, Barb, Shell, Kim, Angela, & Nancy.

Tomorrow Lori & Katie will be showing off some awesome card kits that CDS will be offering. You don't want to miss those!

Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peek Day 2

Hey, hey! Welcome to Day 2 of the Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peeks! I have one set to show today, but it's a super fun Christmas one! This set is called Winter Critters, and it comes with 3 main images.

This first one uses lots of sponging with some of the new CDS inks! I'm telling you, you're going to LOVE these hybrid inks. They are so rich and vibrant!

CDS STAMPS USED: Winter Critters
CS/PAPERS: Fresh Papaya, Hot Cocoa, Cottonball White, unknown dp from Lisa L.
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Fresh Papaya, Tropical Mist, Spring Leaf
MARKERS: C1, YG69, YG95, R27, BG15, Y21, E29
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Oval cutters, Strawberry Jam ribbon, MS leaf punch, sponges, button, twine, Xmas Red, Icicle, & Star Dust Stickles

These next samples some tags I made for Christmas gifts. Aren't those little images just adorable?!
Here are a couple of closer pics of the tags.

CDS STAMPS USED: Winter Critters
CS/PAPERS: tags, Cottonball White, Billowing Clouds, Cherry Go Round
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Black Soot distress ink, Bashful Blue
MARKERS: C1, C3, C5, C7, R27, R29, G28, YR14
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Red & Green Stripes ribbon, dimensionals, black twine, sponges

To see more sneaks made with this set and the other set being shown check out Lori's blog and the other DT members: Laurie, Katie, Trudy, Barb, Shell, Angela, & Tricia.

Tomorrow I'll have even more to show you, so keep your CDS lists ready, because you'll be able to buy everything on September 1st at Clear Dollar Stamps!

Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peek Day 1

Oooo I'm off of my DT vacation and back to sneak peeks for Clear Dollar Stamps! I am so excited to show you what I've been working on over the past couple of weeks! This is day 1, so you'll have sneak peeks to see every day up to the 1st of September, when you'll have the opportunity to order.

The two cards I'm showing today use a total of 3 different sets. The first card uses Jesus is the Reason and Blooming Background. These sets make it so easy to crank out lots of Christmas cards.

This inside sentiments also comes with the Jesus is the Reason set. The Blooming Background is gorgeous, and matches the Jesus is the Reason set so beautifully. Because the stamp itself is so big, in order to stamp it successfully I had to use a mouse pad under the paper to be stamped. It worked beautifully!

CDS STAMPS USED: Jesus is the Reason, Blooming Background
CS/PAPERS: Cottonball White, Spruce Needle, Red Velvet Cake (all from CDS)
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, Red Velvet Cake (CDS), So Saffron (SU)
MARKERS: G28, R46, R59, Y26, E37
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Wild Ginger ribbon (CDS), oval cutter

This next card uses the sets Jesus is the Reason, Blooming Background, and Christmas Inside Sentiments - John 8:12. This card would be relatively easy to duplicate in the masses. I ended up using a sponge dauber and ink to make the blooms stand out on the main panel.

The inside uses both of the stamps from the Christmas Inside Sentiments - John 8:12, and a bloom from the Jesus is the Reason. See how wonderfully they go together?!

CDS STAMPS USED: Jesus is the Reason, Blooming Background, John 8:12 - Christmas inside sentiments
CS/PAPERS: Vanilla, Pucker Up (all from CDS)
INK: Ripe Olive, Pucker Up (both from CDS)
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Olive ric rac (CDS), Large Lables Nestabilities, olive brads, corner rounder, dimensionals, sponge dauber

Great sets, eh?! Well, you definitely see more by checking out Lori's blog and these DT members blogs: Laurie, Candy, Katie, Shell, Lisa, Tricia, Nancy, Christi, & Stacy.

Be sure to come back tomorrow, because I'll have more to show you ;D

An OCC Sketch

I don't have a ton of time, because I'm in the midst of laundry and packing for Tampa. However, I had an great time at the Copic Certification Class. I'll hopefully get to talk more about that later. For those of you that don't know, Copic Certification is a class about Copic markers.

This card was made for the Our Creative Corner Sketch using a new digital image from Clear Dollar Stamps called Assemble Together. I also used some of their new hybrid inks, which I love!

CDS IMAGES USED: Assemble Together
CS/PAPERS: buttercream, Vanilla (CDS), Deep Sea, unknown dp
INK: Deep Sea, Ripe Olive, Tropical Mist
ACCENTS/TOOLS: sponges, Square Nestabilities, brown mini brads, olive ribbon

Get Sketchy #52

I'm in the midst of packing for Atlanta. That's right, I'm heading up to Atlanta for a Copic Certification! I am so darn excited that I just can't stand it. We are heading up tonight so that the kids can swim at the hotel. While I'm in the class, my husband is going to take the kids to the Georgia Aquarium for a day of learning. Isn't he the best?! I'll have more to share after the class I'm sure :D

For my card I used the sketch from Get Sketchy along with my Spider Greetings set from Clear Dollar Stamps. That little set is so fun. It's not just for Halloween, but birthdays AND thank you's.

CDS stamps: Spider Greetings

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Kiwi Prism, BG Eerie, Cottonball White (CDS)

Accessories: Copics, sponge, dimensionals, black sparkly ribbon, Halloween brad

Ok, off to do more packing :D

A DIY Headboard

I know I usually only post about cards, but I just had to post this to show how easy it was. I am not much of a do-it-yourselfer, because time is never on my side. However, it was my daughter's 9th birthday the other day, and she really wanted a new bed with her room redone. We couldn't afford the 'new bed' she wanted, so I explained the alternative. She thought it sounded nice. Don't read on if you don't want, and be aware that this post is long with 11 pictures.

Supplies: Plywood

computer paper

drill

saw

quilt batting

stretching fabric

light weight cardboard

hole punch

thread buttons

staple gun

We started off with a 45" x 39" piece of 1 1/2" plywood that we had them cut at the local DIY store.
I taped some computer paper together to get the width of the plywood, and then folded it in half and cut my design.
I then traced the design with a Sharpie, so that my DH could cut it out.
Isn't he cute with a drill. . .
. . .and a saw, hehe?!
After the design was cut, I drew diagonal lines and where they crossed I drew my circles. This is where my husband would drill holes for the buttons.
Our dog, Lolli, wanted to be involved too ;)
At this point I had already stapled the batting down and was now stapling the fabric.
To make the buttons, I punched 1 1/4" circles out of light weight cardboard 5 times. The next step was to cover them in batting and fabric and sew that together. I cut off the excess, and then sewed them through the pre-drilled holes with some DMC floss. I ended up knotting them off on the back with button to make sure the floss didn't go right back through the fabric on the front.
After that I stapled the edges again to give it a more finished look on the back.
Here is her headboard in her newly painted room. Previously, her paint colors were more of an offwhite on the top and Peptobismol pink on the bottom. It was perfect for a little girl, but my little girl is 9 and wanted a more mature feeling room. So for only $60 she got a custom headboard. That was a far cry different than the $250 bed she had originally wanted, and she ended up being much happier with this.
Thanks for reading on and checking out my DIY project. Hopefully, I'll have a little time in my 'craft cave' today, so I'll have some more stamped goodies to share with you.

Get Sketchy #51

I FINALLY got a chance to post something! It's been sheer craziness around here, since my husband started his leave. Yesterday was my sweet baby girl's 9th birthday! She wanted her room redone, so I've been working on a post to show you what we did. There is even a DIY project in it, hehe. That post will come soon.

This card was made early this morning, because I've been really itching to get in my 'craft cave', and haven't been able to. I made this with my TE Key Ingredients kit for August using the Get Sketchy sketch for the week.

Stamps: none

Ink: none

Paper: TE August KI kit, Bee Pollen (CDS), Hot Cocoa (CDS)

Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, stickers & butterflies from the August TE KI kit

It seems that I may have a few minutes to spare, so I may sneak into the 'craft cave' and make something. Let's see if anyone in the house notices. . .shhhhhh ;)

Several New CDS Digis!

Happy Sunday everyone! It's the 15th of the month, and you know what that means. . .new digis over at Clear Dollar Stamps! I have a couple to show you, but the rest of the team has some amazing samples of the other digis for you to see.

My first digital image is called Harvest Bounty, and it was designed by Laurie. It's such a great set that comes with 3 different images and 6 different sentiments. . .WOW! There are some great possibilities with this baby.

CDS Images Used: Harvest Bounty

Ink: Hot Cocoa (CDS)

Paper: Paisley Parade dp, buttercream, Wild Ginger (CDS)

Copic: G28, G85, YG67, YG95, YR68, YR14, E31, E33, E57, R27, R29

Accessories: sponge, Labels 6 & 8 Nestabilities, Pucker Up ribbon (CDS), BG pearls

The other digi I have to show you is another awesome one designed by Laurie called Assemble Together. It comes with 1 main image and 8 different sentiments. I just love the old look to this church image. . .so cool. I ended up making 10 of these really simple cards for our pastor. I didn't think he'd appreciate big pretty flowers and fluff, hehe, so I went with a more simple look :D

CDS Images Used: Assemble Together

Paper: Worn Parchment

Accessories: Prismacolor pencils & gamsol, corner rounder

There is still lots more CDS digital goodness to have a look at so head on over to Lori's blog, and then stop by the rest of the DT's blogs for more eye candy: Trudy, Lisa, Sarah, Laurie, Linda, Kate & Tricia.

Wedding Gifts

I don't have anything stamped to show you today. I've been feverishly working on 'thank you's' for my sister and her fiance. I made all of their wedding invitations, and no, I didn't take a picture (GASP!) They were fun, black, dark red, and cream with bling all over them! They really screamed 'my sister', so I was so happy to make them. I'll have to take a picture of the 'thank you's' when they are completed.

My reason for posting today is a question. I made the invitations and thank you's as a gift to them, and I am making them a cutesy recipe book for a shower gift, but what do I get them as a gift? I would almost like to get them each something individual. What would you, or have you gotten your sister as a wedding gift? What would you or have you gotten your brother-in-law as a wedding gift? I'll take all kinds of suggestions really: serious, funny, anything!

Wattlebird Hats

I just had to share these that came in the mail today from Annie, who has a wonderful little Etsy shop called Wattlebird. My kids are serious Pokemon lovers, so when I saw these, I had to ask Annie to make me some. They are so wonderful, and my kids have not taken them off (even though it's over 100 degrees outside, haha). I just had to share these wonderful creations that Annie made. They are so well put together, and don't my kiddos look cute in them?!

Mojo 151 with some Winged Things

I have 2 challenges with this fun card today. This follows the sketch over at Mojo Monday and the 'winged things' theme over at Crafty Creations. I used images from a new set from Clear Dollar Stamps called Home Tweet Home, designed by the lovely Trudy. I love the fun images in this set, because there are so many.
I made this card for my dear sister who is getting married in October, but having a shower at the end of this month. Sadly, I cannot make the shower, because it's in CA and we live in GA. However, I do have something fun planned for her and her husband to be. Here's a look at the inside of my card:

Stamps: Home Tweet Home

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Black Soot Distress ink

Paper: past TE KI Kit, but I can't remember any of the names of the papers, buttercream

Accessories: Copics, sponge, scalloped edge punch, dimesionals, Fancy Tags Nestabilities, oval punch, green dotted ribbon

I'm not sure if I'll have time to get anything else done today craft wise, because today is a hectic day for us. Not only am I typing this WHILE the kids are doing some Language work, but as soon as we get done with school my daughter has piano. As if that weren't enough, I still have to do some grocery shopping. . .ugh. Maybe I'll put that off another day. . .there's nothing wrong with PBJ's for dinner, right?!

Yes, another Halloween card

I'm not sure why I've been on a Halloween card kick lately. Maybe it's because I've been a bit inspired by an old Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions that I have sitting by my table. It's one that has some Basic Grey Eerie paper in it. Or maybe I'm just ready for it to not be 110 degrees here. Not sure, but I'll just go with the flow, haha. I made this with my MFT stamp called Totally Witchin' for the Taylored Expressions Sketch #123.

Stamps: Totally Witchin'

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Black Soot distress ink

Paper: Kiwi (Prism), Basic Black, Cottonball White (CDS), BG Eerie dp

Accessories: Copics, Halloween brad, polka dot ribbon, green sparkly ribbon, Big Scallop Die-namics, sponge,

I forgot to take a picture of the inside, but it says: Hope Your Halloween is Totally Witchin' Thanks for stopping by!

Get Sketchy #50

We've started week 4 of our homeschool routine while my kids' friends have started their first day of school around here. Before you start thinking, 'Wow, they are so ahead!', let me explain. In a couple of weeks we will be taking our family vacation for a week, because that's when my husband get's his leave (one of the things I love about homeschooling). That, and my sister is getting married in 2 months, so we'll need a couple of weeks off for that. We'll be traveling to CA for that one, and we are so excited! Now I'm just rambling. . .let's get the the card.

I made this for the Get Sketchy challenge using a Halloween set from MFT called Totally Witchin'. I made another card with this set, that I'll have to show you later. It was a great and challenging sketch that we were given to play with. . .go check it out.
And of course here's the inside:

Stamps: Totally Witchin'

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Black Soot distress ink

Paper: Kiwi Prism, Basic Black, Tangelo Smootie (CDS), BG Halloween paper (can't remember the name), Cottonball White (CDS)

Accessories: Copics, dimensionals, MS gooey punch, spider brads, Banner Die-namics (MFT), sponge

A Friday Sketch on Sunday

Yesterday was a wonderful anniversary, and thanks to all who wished us well. We ended up going to dinner, a movie, and coffee. It really was a wonderful time, and it is funny to think that I love him more now than I did 11 years ago.

He even let me do a little crafting yesterday, while he caught up on some work. I was able to put this little card together for the Friday Sketchers challenge with one of my MFT stamps called Going Places. I love that saying, and it seems fitting since yesterday was our anniversary. I've often told my husband that I could search for 100 years and never find someone to love me as completely as he does. (I know, gag, haha) ;)

Stamps: Going Places

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: Vanilla (CDS), buttercream, OA Thrift Shop, unknown red polka dot

Accessories: Copics, circle cutter, red ribbon, sponge, dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your weekend :D

A Limelight Challenge

Today my husband and I are celebrating 11 years of marriage! I feel bad, because I didn't get him anything, but he got me a new iPod Nano, AND he's taking me out tonight. He really is the best!

I made this card for the Limelight Challenge, which was to follow a sketch and use pop-dots. Mandy is having some super sales over at Limelight. . .you should go check it out!

I used my new August Stamp of the Month called Hoppy Day from Clear Dollar Stamps, which is free if you order $50 worth of stuff. He's quite the little cutie, huh? I had made 30 thank you's for my niece's graduation party (and wouldn't you know it, I forgot to take a picture). Anyway, this green paper is from the leftovers of those thank you's. I really love the texture and colors of it.
Here's a gander at the inside:

CDS Stamps: Hoppy Day August SOM

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue, Hot Cocoa (CDS), Ripe Olive (CDS)

Paper: Cottonball White (CDS), uknown SU dp, Abbey Road dp

Accessories: Copics, circle cutters, Sun Die-namics (MFT), sponges

Well, I'm going to get ready for the day! I have a date to get ready for ;D

Clearly Inspired Challenge #16

It's already the first week of August, and here in my house we're into the 3rd week of school. Fall BaseBall sign-ups are this weekend and my kids couldn't be more excited. With it being the first Friday of the month you also know what that means. . .another Clearly Inspired Challenge for Clear Dollar Stamps over at the ClearlyiStamp blog! This month's challenge is Cute and Fuzzy! Katie showed us a wonderful tutorial for using some 'fuzz' over at ClearlyiStamp the other day. I decided to use a new release for August called Spider Greetings. Isn't this little guy so cute?! Too bad the spiders I see around GA aren't smiling and cute like this. . .I might want them around, lol.

For this card I pulled out the newest additions to Lori's Clearly Coordinating Collection. . .her Hybrid Stamp Pads! I had never even heard of hybrid ink before, but I LOVE IT! The colors are so rich and can be used on so many different surfaces! I've been experimenting here at home, and I must say they are amazing. If you're not sure about taking the plunge with a big pad, Lori is offering them in 1" x 1" pads as well. You can't go wrong!

Stamps: Spider Greetings

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Pucker Up, Ripe Olive, Wild Ginger

Paper: Wild Huckleberry (CDS), Cottonball White (CDS), SU Night & Day dp

Accessories: Copics, Fresh Cut Grass Die-namics, Fresh Papaya ribbon, dimensionals

Make sure you head over to the ClearlyiStamp blog for more details on the challenge. As always there are prizes to be won, and you wouldn't want to miss out on that!