Seize the Cupcake

Yesterday I took the opportunity to create something for fun (with the help of a challenge or two).  I pulled out this fun set that I bought from Verve a while back called Carpe Cupcake.  I used the Stampin' Royalty challenge of Going Patriotic to make this card.  The colors over at Kerry's Color Throwdown are red, white, blue, and a splash of golden yellow.  I also thought it would look great to use my airbrush for the circle, which is the challenge over at iCopic.

I actually stumbled upon something when I was making this card.  I didn't anticipate the background looking like that.  In fact, I was actually going for the crumpled paper look, but got this instead.  After I had crumpled my paper, I wanted it to be flat again, but with the crumpling still visible.  I decided to run it through my Cuttlebug between the 2 rubber mats that are used for impression plates.  It ended up spreading the paper so thin that it tore (as you can see).  I actually LOVED the look, so I plan on doing it again :D  It's cool how neat things can happen when you don't mean for it.

Stamps:  Carpe Cupcake

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, SU Pink Flamingo, MME Lime Twist

Copics:  R01, R22, R24, R27, BG01, BG05, YR21, Y17, Y21, and airbrush

Accessories:  Espresso dimensional pearls, Turquoise & Star Dust Stickles, dimensionals, Labels 1 & Circle Nestabilities, Star Border Die-namics, distressor

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back tomorrow, because I'll have a new Clearly Inspired Challenge to share with you :D

A Note for My Grandfather

I'm finally getting a chance to post something.  I'm sure you're all sick of hearing about my arm (as much as I'm sick of talking about it), but picture taking is just still so difficult.  Pictures happen when I really have the energy, so I finally have something to show.

Clear Dollar Stamps has this really great set, that I was so thankful that they came out with called For Our Men.  I know that Father's Day is over, but this set is perfect for whenever.  My Grandfather is 88 years old and his health is failing, so I try to send him cards as much as possible.  He lives in Nebraska and I live here in Georgia, so I obviously don't get up there much.  That makes me sad, but cards are a good way for me to connect with him.  I can't just send him an email, so I'll send him a card and a picture of the kids.

A fun side story is that I was always a dramatic child. . .go figure.  When I was 3 or 4 and would get upset with my parents, I would tell them that I wanted to go and 'live with my grandfather, because my grandfather loves me', lol.  How hilarious is that?!

Stamps:  For Our Men

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, CDS Hot Cocoa

Paper:  vanilla, TE KI Kit

Accessories:  sponge, SU Hardware, green ribbon

I made this for the Spotlight Challenge, which was to have a sentiment as you main focus :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions June Blog Hop

Hello, hello!  I'm so excited because I'm getting to participate in the Taylored Expressions Blast from the Past June Blog Hop!  I didn't get to last 2 months due to shoulder surgery, and I'm still inching my way back.  Sadly, I'm only able to sit in my craft cave for a card at a time, but it is better than nothing and I'll take whatever I can get :)

The theme for this month's hop is Old Glory. . .use the colors red, white, and blue!  Super Cuppie from the Trick or Sweet 2 set from Taylored Expressions is just perfect for this.  Cuppie looks so dashing in that uniform. . .but then again I do love a man in uniform (I'm married to a soldier, hehe) ;)

Stamps:  Trick or Sweet 2

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Crumb Cake

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, CDS Worn Parchment, Jillibean dp

Accessories:  Copics & airbrush system, Long Rectangles & Grommet Tags Nestabilities, red buttons, sponge, dimensionals, Red Spica pen

Now that you've been here, why not check out the rest of the hop by starting at the beginning!  I'm sure there is a ton of Old Glory goodness to see!

Falling For You

I'm getting in just under the wire, but here is a card I made for the Deconstructed Sketch.  It was so fun, and I used one of my Paper Smooches sets called Falling For You.  I thought instead of coloring the adorable little bat, I would paint him with some dimensional pearls.

Stamps:  Falling For You

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  June TE KI Kit

Accessories:  twine, distressor, dimensionals, blue dimensional pearls

Thanks for stopping by!

CDS Blog Hop Winners!

We have winners:

From Kathy's blog, Dunn it Again Designs, our first winner is basslady fromLady Bass Creations.

Our second winner, from Sarah's blog, Aunt Bee's Pickles, is Heather of Wire Wrapture.

CDS June Blog Hop: Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice

Welcome to the June Clear Dollar Stamps Blog Hop called 

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice,

That's what Little Girls are made of!

I'm so glad that you stopped by!  If you happened upon my blog, you may want to head to the start, which is Lori's blog, so you don't miss out.  Otherwise you should have made your way here from Linda's blog!  Wasn't her creation awesome?!  I decided to whip out an older set called My Little Ballerina from Clear Dollar Stamps.

I had a lot of fun making this card.  My daughter's birthday is coming up in August, but this card is not for her.  While she is very girly, she would not be a dancer or a ballerina.  My girl is a softball player. . .interested in all rough and tumble sports.  This card would just not be fitting for her :)

Stamps:  My Little Ballerina

Paper:  American Crafts - Happy Go Lucky, Iced Pink, CDS Cottonball White

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, CDS Tropical Mist, CDS Wild Huckleberry

Accessories:  Copics & Airbrush, green buttons, pink wire, Tags Trio & Labels 6 Nestabilties, sponge, pink & purple twill ribbon, Icicle Stickles

Now it's time to head on over to Lisa's blog, because I know you'll love what she's got in store for you!  Be sure to comment along the way. . .you could be the next winner :D

Clearly Inspired Challenge #30--sketch

Hey hey, everyone!  It's the 3rd Friday of the month, meaning there is a new Clearly Inspired Challenge (CIC) for us to embark on!  This time the challenge is a sketch!  I LOVE a good sketch. . .it's probably my favorite challenge to take on.  Here is what CIC30 looks like:

I brought out a stamp that I adore, but just haven't inked up in a while.  It's called Sweet Scoops from Clear Dollar Stamps, and it has so many possibilities.  This set is full of great words that you can combine to make any combination of sentiments.

I used this yummy Echo Park paper called Summer Days!  Perfect, right?!  Those bright papers are wonderful and just scream Summer and all of the wonderful things (like ice cream) that Summer makes me think of.  I thought it would be fun to doll up the inside of my card as well.

My final touch to my card was the add some chocolate syrup to my yummy stack of ice cream.

Stamps:  Sweet Scoops

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, CDS Bubble Gum, CDS Hot Cocoa

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, Echo Park Summer Days

Accessories:  Copics & Airbrush, dimensionals, SU Melon Mambo ribbon, circle cutter, Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Brown dimensional pearls

There are a few guidelines to follow to join in the challenge, but they are simple and you can use any stamp set you choose!  PLUS there are always prizes to be won for entering the challenges, and you don't want to miss that!  Head on over to Clearly iStamp to check out all the details and see some more inspiration.  I would love to see what you make using the sketch!

Saturday Sketch on Tuesday

I had a little time to play over the past couple of days, so I thought I would break into some older paper kits I had to make a card for the Sketch Saturday challenge.  I used a new set I received from Paper Smooches called Perky Plants and the sentiment is from Sentiment Sampler.  Isn't this image just too cute?!  It still hurts to airbrush, because of the way I have to hold my arm to do it, but it's getting better.

Stamps:  Perky Plants & Sentiment Sampler

Paper:  Dec 2009 TE KI Kit

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Acccessories:  Copics & airbrush, circle punch, pink candy dots, dimensionals, Icicle Stickles, Fresh Cut Grass Die-namics stencil

Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Monday 195

Happy morning!  I'm posting something after a long and wonderful weekend of just hanging out with my family.  I made this using an April release from Clear Dollar Stamps called Bunny Kids.  The sketch is from Mojo Monday, and I used some papers from an old TE kit from 2009.

Stamps:  Bunny Kids

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  BG Nook & Pantry, CDS Cottonball White

Copics:  E43, E44, R00, R02, R05

Accessories:  BG Nook & Pantry chipboard, green ribbon, brown stitched ribbon

A Godly Mother

I have a really great set to show that is good for more than just Mother's Day (since I'd be either horribly late or ridiculously early for that, lol).  I made this set for a couple of challenges using an April Clear Dollar Stamps release called A Godly Mother.  I also used an older set that is one of my faves called Bold Bouquet.  

I want to give this to my mom since she has just been amazing during this whole shoulder surgery ordeal.  For the past 6 weeks she has done our laundry, fed my family, driven my kids and myself places, and taken care of me.  She really is the best at being an example of God's love for me.  

I used the sketch from Inkspirations, which I thought was quite clever.  I also used the Simon Says challenge  called 'Let's get Fruity', which was a picture inspiration challenge.

Stamps:  A Godly Mother & Bold Bouquet

Ink:  SU Elegant Eggplant & Rose Red, CDS Fresh Papaya, Wild Ginger, Wild Huckleberry, & Red Velvet Cake

Paper:  CDS Pineapple Twist, CDS Cottonball White, American Crafts - Happy Go Lucky

Accessories:  dimensionals, white fabric letters, sponge, yellow buttons

Thanks for stopping by today :D

Lovely Women

Hello again for the day!   Here is the one other thing I made yesterday for my sister.  I used the Midnight Madness sketch and the colors from Colour Q #88 (Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Kraft, Cherry Cobbler, White).

I was really intrigued by the Faux Linen technique over at Splitcoaststampers, so I wanted to try my hand at it.  Unfortunately, my right arm is just too weak and my left is not much better to be able to do it.  So, it didn't turn out the way it should have, but I still like it.

I used 3 different Clear Dollar Stamps sets for this card.  It uses an April release called Lovely Women, and 2 previous releases called Sweet Symphony & Sheet Music.  Such gorgeous sets.

 Stamps:  Lovely Women, Sweet Symphony, & Sheet Music

Ink:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black, CDS Red Velvet Cake

Paper:  CDS Worn Parchment, CDS Red Velvet Cake, Glossy

Copics:  T5, T7

Accessories:  Classic Frames & Fancy Tags Nestabilities, Forest Branches embossing folder, Soft Suede ribbon, sponges

Thanks so much for stopping by!

MFT Sketch #23

After many weeks of recovering, I finally got an opportunity last night to play along with the MFT Weekly Sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  I used a new PI (at least to me) called Making a List.  I bought her a while back, and finally had an opportunity to ink her up.

Paper piecing is one of my favorite techniques, but it is actually quite difficult right now.  I know it will get better with time.  I can already tell that it is.  This was actually my first attempt at airbrushing since the surgery, and I probably shouldn't have done it.  I was really hurting after that, so I may have to limit my airbrushing for a bit still.

Stamps:  PI Making a List

Paper:  MME Gertie, TE buttercream

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Accessories:  Copics & Airbrush, dimensionals, MME Gertie brads & ribbon, linen ribbon, Oval Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping by today!

Monster Miss You

Hey hey, I'm back with another card I made yesterday!  I've been giving my Paper Smooches stamps a lot of love lately, but I'm having so much fun!  This set is called Falling For You along with Sentiment Sampler.  I made this card for a friend using the Sketch Saturday sketch and the Spoon Full of Sugar challenge of summery colors.

Stamps:  Falling For You, Sentiment Sampler

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Echo Park Summertime, CDS Cottonball White, CDS Pineapple Twist

Accessories:  Hearts die (TE), MFT Rolled Flower Die, dimensionals, 

A Godly Father - CAS-ual Friday Sketch

I had a little time to play yesterday.  Thankfully we are winding down our school routine, so I am able to have a little fun in my craft cave.  I'm usually pretty sore as a result, and I've even been scolded by the physical therapist for 'doing too much'.  They don't understand that stamping is one of my mental therapies, haha.

I made this card for the CAS-ual Friday sketch challenge using a set released in April from Clear Dollar Stamps.  The set is called A Godly Father.  I kept feeling like I needed to add more to this card, but I think my father-in-law will appreciate it regardless.  There are so many wonderful sentiments in this set that could be used for occasions other than Father's Day as well.

Stamps:  A Godly Father

Ink:  CDS Hot Cocoa

Paper:  unknown green, Crate Paper Brook dp

Accessories:  CDS Oval Die

I may have more to show later :)

Feeling Squirrely

So I had a little more time this afternoon to make a card.  I must say, it was so nice not to have to do anything this afternoon.  Once again it took me quite a while to make this card, and I'll probably pay for it later but I think it was worth it.  I made it for the Gallery Idol contest going on over at Papercrafts Connection.

I actually used 3 different Paper Smooches sets to accomplish this card that just makes me giggle.  It is amazing to me just how much the different Paper Smooches sets can intermingle!  I used the Hang Ups set for the squirrels, the Swanky Snowdudes gave me the lips and mustache, and Sentimental Sampler for the sentiment.

Stamps:  Hang Ups, Swanky Snowdudes, Sentimental Sampler

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Heidi Grace dp, CDS Cottonball White

Accessories:  Copics, burgundy jewels, white lace, burgundy Baker's Twine, corner rounder

Thanks for stopping by!

CES #39 -- Clean and Simple

In my previous post I mentioned that some goodies showed up on my doorstep this weekend!  I made this card using some of my new Paper Smooches stash including 2 sets called Hang Ups & Giddy Bugs.  I used the CES challenge of Clean and Simple for my inspiration and new paper from my TE Key Ingredients kit.

Stamps:  Hang Ups & Giddy Bugs

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  May TE KI Kit, CDS Cottonball White

Accessories:  staples, black pen

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Patterns #118

I got some new goodies over the weekend, so I had to find time to play.  It was a nice weekend filled with getting things done that we haven't been able to get done since baseball/softball season started.  I snuck off for about an hour, yes an hour, to be able to make 2 cards since I'm still pretty lamed up with the shoulder.

I made this card for the Card Patterns sketch using some of my new stash from Paper Smooches.  This set is called Hang Ups, and it cracks me up.  I decided to make one of the squirrels a girl by adding some eyelashes and using one of the heart images in the set behind her head as a bow.  This would be a cute card to give to my man to ask him out on a date :)

Stamps:  Hang Ups

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, Imanginsce Apple Cider, MME Hattie

Accessories:  Copics, burgundy twill ribbon, yellow button, twine, Top Note Die SU

I have a couple more cards to post that I just had fun making.  Thanks for stopping by :D

Clearly Inspired Challenge #29 -- Distressing

It's Clearly Inspired Challenge time over at Clearly iStamp!  If you played last month, go see if you won one of the prizes that were up for grabs!  This challenge is about Distressing. . .rough up those edges or sponge away.  We want to see what you make.

I used the Clear Dollar Stamps word stamp Wheely Great Dad, since Father's Day is just around the corner. My pinked border comes from the CDS Pinked Edge Border Die, and I just ran it through my Cuttlebug a couple of times to give it the overlapped look.

Stamps:  Wheely Great Dad

Ink:  Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Paper:  MME Sunshine

Accessories:  buttons, CDS Pinked Edge Border Die, sponge, distressor

Now why don't you try your hand at the challenge.  You just might win a prize!

Gel-a-tins: Butterflies are Free set of 4 cards

Isn't this set called Butterflies are Free from Gel-a-tins gorgeous?!  This set is so versatile that my mind was swimming with ideas as soon as it showed up on my doorstep.  Remember THIS card?  

Here I've made this simple set of 4 easel cards that would be good for almost any occasion.

Copics:  B02, B06, B29, R20, R24, R29, YR20, YR21, YR14, G12, G14, G17

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, CDS Night Eclipse, CDS Cherry Go Round, CDS Still Waters, CDS Sweet Pea, CDS Bee Pollen

Accessories:  Square Nestabilities

I have more to show with this set, so keep an eye out.  Thanks for stopping by today!