It's {Egg}cellent!

Have you heard?  Lisa Lara has a new line of stamps over at Jillian Vance Designs!  I happened to get my hot little hands on one of the new ones called {Egg}cellent, and it is soooo stinkin' cute!  I stamped the tree image and used some papers from Authentique.  The background was sponged to remind me of Easter's sunrise Service.

The card was actually made for this morning's Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.

Stamps:  {Egg}cellent

Paper:  cream, Authentique dp

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Crushed Curry, SU More Mustard, SU Pumpkin Pie

Accessories:  Copics, sponges

I will definitely have more to share using this new set, and Lisa has two stamp sets in the Jillian Vance store.  Go HERE to check them both out and purchase them.

Just check out this little cutie I used:

With Love

I finally got a chance to complete the last of the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest challenges.  The last one was for Greeting Farm, and I actually don't own any of their stamps, so I used a new Papertrey Ink set called Mini Blooms with their matching die.  

The challenge was to make a 'Love' card with dies.  I chose the simple route and also made it for today's Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.  I may be in love with this new set that has the potential to be a lot of work or little work, but I love the sentiments and all of the little flowers.

Stamps:  Mini Blooms

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Rich Razzleberry, SU Melon Mambo, SU Crushed Curry, SU Sahara Sand, SU Lucky Limeade

Paper:  PTI Rustic White

Accessories:  foam tape, PTI Mini Blooms die

Thanks for stopping in.  I have something else to share, so don't go far ;)

February Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients

I have just this one more card to show you for the February Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients, and I think it was my favorite.  If you are a subscriber, you know that the winds of change are coming your way, but if not I will talk more about it later this week.  There are some great new changes in store for the TE KI, and I think that you all will be really excited about them!

For this card, I used the set Let's Chat along with the Let's Chat coordinating die and the Label  Stacklets 3.  I am just in love with those Stacklets and hope to add the other Stacklets to my stash here in the near future.  Great stuff I tell ya!

Stamps:  Let's Chat

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  February 13 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  ribbon & buttons from kit, TE Label Stacklets 3, TE Let's Chat die, black Viva Pearl Pen, foam tape, Copics

If you've been thinking about joining the TE KI Kit subscription, this next month would be the month to do it!  As I said, there are some great new changes coming and you are going to love 'em!  Check out more inspiration for this month's kit in the GALLERY, and be sure to come back later this week for more TE KI Kit info!

Verve Love

I'm home with some sick kiddos today, so I figured I would get to crafting after I got them settled.  Yesterday was day 10 (I think) of the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest, and it was Verve's day!  I don't own a lot of Verve stamps, but I do really like their style.  It's so gorgeous, and if money were no object and I had a bit more room in my 'craft cave' I would own so many more of their stamps. . .sigh.

Verve's challenge was a color challenge:  Aqua, Brown, & Yellow, or Aqua, Brown, & Pink.  I chose yellow, because I really wanted to make a card with this sentiment.  I used the darling set called To the Moon.  I bought it for when my niece was born about a year and half ago.

Stamps:  To the Moon

Ink:  SU Craft White

Paper:  kraft, SU Bermuda Bay

Accessories:  white embossing powder, yellow Copics Labels 12 Nestabilities, hanger, envelope, & flower from a card kit, foam tape, Swiss Dots embossing folder, yellow grosgrain ribbon

I'm hoping to get the chance to participate in the next one.  If you have some time come check out the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest :D

TE Love Fest for SCS

 It's Taylored Expressions turn to celebrate over at the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest!  If you've stopped by here at all over the past few days, you've noticed that I've done a pretty good job of keeping up with the Love Fest challenges. . .yay me!

Taylor's challenge to us today was to make a set of 3 x 3 cards.  I don't normally think to make them, but they come in so handy in a pinch.  I like to give my kids little notes when they do a really good job on a test or have a great day at school.  I can replenish my stock today {grin}.  Plus, these are good to have when you are taking someone a meal or a quick thank you to a neighbor.  There are lots of reasons to give one, and they get great big smiles.

I used the Far Out set along with the January Key Ingredients kit.  I use my kits down to the last bit, so I ran I had to grab some buttercream paper along with the rest of the goodies from the kit.  I also used my Small Layering Doily Die along with my Seeing Stars Die.

I didn't want the traditional square, so I used my Labels 11 Nestabilities just on the edges of my cards.

Come play along for a chance to win some goodies!

Stamps:  Far Out

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  January 13 TE KI Kit

Copics:  Y23, Y26, C1, C3, C5, G43, G46, R17, YR16

Accessories:  TE Small Layering Doily Die, TE Seeing Stars Die, foam tape, washi sheets from kit, Labels 11 & Labels Trio Nestabilities

Black & White with a Pop of Color

Happy Friday, friends!  It is crazy rainy here today, but I won't complain. . .all of my family and friends back in Nebraska have been hit by a small blizzard.  A little rain is workable ;)  

I have a new card to share for the Clearly Inspired Challenge #69.  The challenge over at Clearly iStamp is to use mostly black and white with a pop of color.  I'm in love with washi tape, so I used a couple of rolls and the sentiment from the digital set called SPLAT.

Stamps:  Splat

Paper:  PTI Rustic White, black

Accessories:  washi tape, MS leaf punch, window punch, Flamingo Pearl Pen, corner chomper

Go check out the challenge and play along!  You may end up winning :D

Trying something new. . .

It's another day for the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest, and today is Unity's day.  I don't actually own any of their stamps, but they do have some very beautiful stamps.  We were challenged with a color challenge.  Head on over to their forum to check it out.

Over on Jennifer McGuire's blog, there is always lots of wonderful inspiration.  Yesterday she showed this amazing technique that I had never thought to try before.  I used my Birds of a Feather set from Taylored Expressions and kept it very basic by only using one layer.  I'm still on the fence about the card, but the technique is one I will definitely try again.

Stamps:  Birds of a Feather

Ink:  SU Soft Suede, SU Craft White

Paper:  kraft

Accessories:  Prismacolor pencils, sponge, Buttercup Pearl Pen, corner rounder

Thanks for stopping by!

Blog Hop Winner!

Thank you, everyone, for hopping along this last Sunday!  My random winner was:

Leeann of Paper Doll's Creations

Congratulations!

MFT SCS Love Fest

It's another day and another challenge for the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest.  So far (fingers crossed) I have managed to keep up.  If you've been to my blog before you've certainly heard me talk about Splictoaststampers, if not then you need to check them out.  It is a massive community of stampers, and I LOVE being a part of it.  There are daily challenges, forums, and enough to keep you busy making lots of new friends.

Today SCS is sharing the love with My Favorite Things.  I've been a fan of theres for quite some time, so it made total sense to play.  Their challenge for us was to make an encouraging card for a friend.  That is certainly easy enough.  We could all use a little encouragement from time to time, right?

I used this darling MFT set called You Move Me with it's matching Die-namics.  Come on over to SCS to check out the challenges. . .stay awhile. . .make great friends :D

Stamps:  You Move Me

Ink:  PTI Smokey Shadows

Paper:  Seen & Noted Pebbles dp, PTI Rustic White, SU Ridinghood Red

Accessories:  MFT You Move Me Die-namics, MFT Fresh Cut Grass Die-namics, PTI rolling hills die, button, twine, Turquiose Pearl Pen, foam tape

TCP Love Fest

So far I am batting a thousand on the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest challenges.  Today's challenge was an inspiration challenge brought to you by The Cat's Pajamas.  I pulled the colors of yellow, gray, and white from the inspiration and used this darling little TCP set called Sheepish.  I'm still trying to figure out the pictures.  I believe in this case, it's too much white on white, lol.  I think the more I play, the more practice I'll get and eventually get this whole picture taking thing figured out.  

Stamps:  Sheepish

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Craft White

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Distress yellow, Pebbles dp

Copics:  C1, C3, C5, YR20, YR20, YR23

Accessories:  MFT Let's Chat Die-namics, foam tape, stapler, white twill ribbon, Scor-pal, sandpaper, notebook punch

Thanks for stopping in.  I'm hoping to have a bit more to show throughout the week :)

Second Post of the Day!

 Okay, so I may be getting the hang of taking the pics a bit.  Now I just need to remember what I did, lol.  It's my second post of the day, so just scroll down a bit to see the other stuff or to get to the CDS Blog Hop post from Sunday.  I'm showing a couple of cards that I made for the Splitcoaststampers Member Company Love Fest!  Yesterday was Scor-Pal's day, and their challenge was to use some folds.  I made a Center Step Card.  I just love the look of them.  I used Hot Cocoa from MFT.

This card was also made with the Simon Says metal challenge. . .my little metal snowflake brads.

Stamps:  Hot Cocoa

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Jan 2012 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  Copics, Scor-Pal, brads from kit, blue viva pearl pen, silver pearl pen, Labels Nestabilities

Today's challenge is for Simon Says, and they challenged us to use dies.  I rarely make cards without dies these days, haha.  I used a past Simon Says card kit that came with the set called Shoot for the Stars.  Head here for their Splitcoaststampers challenge.

Stamps:  Shoot for the Stars

Ink:  Craft White

Paper:  SS Card Kit

Accessories:  white embossing powder, Jasmine Frame die, gingham ribbon, red viva pearl pen, foam tape, washi tape from kit

Thanks for stopping in, and thanks for commenting.  I'd love to hear what you think of the photography :)

TE KI Kit -- Birds of a Feather

Head HERE for the CDS Blog Hop

Happy President's Day to all of my American friends!  Because the hubs is a soldier, he has the day off.  Sadly, we have a sick wee one in the house, so not much fun stuff has gone on around here for the four day weekend.  I guess I've had some stamping time, which is always a good thing, but I'd rather have all of the my babes well.  We're headed to the Pediatrician in a couple of hours. . .pray it's not strep.

Onto more fun things. . .are you a Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients subscriber?  If you are, then you may have your kit by now, and you're happily playing with it.  If not, you should seriously consider it.  We're all busy peeps, so having a kit like this is crucial to my craft time.  It takes the guess work out of what goes together.  This month's kit features some gorgeous MME Meadowlark papers, along with some bright yummy papers, and beautiful embellies.

Here is one of the cards I made with my kit using the set called Birds of a Feather and it's matching die set; Birds and Branches Dies.

If you're a subscriber, you know about all of the wonderful benefits.  However, if you're new to the idea of these kits, let me tell you my favorite benefit. . .the 10% off at the TE store each month during your designated time.  Yeah, that's a pretty good bonus to these awesome kits.  PLUS, Taylor has a gallery set up so that you never run out of ideas for these great kits!

Oh, and just a heads up. . .Taylor is having some great sales in the store right now!

Magnetic Storage Starter Kit (I am in luuuurve with mine!) through Feb 28

great sales in her What's the Deal? department (great dollar day stuff)

K, well, I'm off to tend to sick one.  Have a great day, and thanks for stopping in!

Stamps:  Birds of a Feather

Ink:  craft white, light blue, burgundy, purple, yellow, & green

Paper:  February TE KI Kit

Accessories:  ribbon & button from kit, white embossing powder, TE Birds & Branch dies, foam tape, TE Heart Border die

CDS Sunday Blog Hop

Welcome, welcome, my crafty friends, to another monthly blog hope for Clearly Digital Stamps!  You should have made your way here from Laura's blog, but if you didn't head on over to Clearly iStamp, so that you don't miss a thing.

Each month, the DT for CDS is given a challenge, and this month the challenge is 

Happy Birthday

I am always in need of birthday cards, so I jumped all over this one.  I used the newly released digital set called Eat More Cake.  I used the sprinkles for some background paper, and then colored up that yummy cake using my Copics.  I finished it off by painting the frosting with a pearl pen.  

Each month there are also prizes to be won, and you can win one from me here!  Just leave a comment on m blog and every designer's blog in the hop to be sure you're entered to win one of the digital sets featured.  It's that easy!  Now be sure to head on over to Jennipher's blog to see what amazing creation she has in store for you!

Stamps:  Eat More Cake

Ink:  SU Cameo Coral

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, SU Bermuda Bay

Accessories:  foam tape, Copics, Turquoise Pearl Pen

SCS Love Fest Day 3 & a friend's new rubber!

I have not yet mastered the art of photography, and I am not pleased with my second picture, but that's all I have right now.  I'm going to mess around with it more later.  It's Day 3 of the Member Company Love Fest over at Splitcoaststampers.  Today they are showing the love to Stamping Bella.  I don't own any stamps from them, unfortunately, but they do have some Tiddly Inks in the store.  I used my Tiddly Inks set called Flying High

I had so much fun coloring her.  If you have some time today, you should head on over and check out the Love Fest.  Stamping Bella's challenge was to Bring on the Bling.  I didn't add a lot, but I did add three gems to the corner.

Stamps:  Flying High
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Crumb Cake
Paper:  buttercream, SU Wisteria, MME dp
Accessories:  Copics, yellow twill ribbon, baker's twine, Long Rectangle Nestabilities, sponge, gems

In other news, my dear friend, Lisa Lara, has some new rubbah for you to check out and buy from Jillian Vance Designs.  Check out her new sets that you can buy right now!

Go tell Lisa how awesome she is!  Thanks for stopping in :D

SCS Member Company Love Fest

My internet has been in and out, so I am taking a chance that I can actually post something.  Plus, I've been playing around with my photography and lighting, so bear with me.  

Today over at Splitcoaststampers there is a new Member Company challenge for the Love Fest that is happening for the new few days.  Today's challenge is a sketch challenge from Sweet & Sassy Stamps. I personally don't own any of their stamps, and as I look through their store I'm wondering why.  They have some super cute stuff, and they are a company that boldly claims their love of Christ!  What's not to love about them?

Because I didn't own anything from their sweet little shop, I bought a digital image called Lilacs for Cocoa.  Isn't he darling?  I printed him out rather small, and because of the internet thing and my software being an online thing, blah, blah, blah, I just had to go with it.  I rather like it, even if Cocoa is on the small side :)

It didn't come with a sentiment, so I pulled out a set from Simon Says with called Expressions of You it's matching You die.  All right, well I'm going to try and post this before the internet goes out again.  It's supposed to keep doing this through tomorrow, booo.  If you have time head on over to Splitcoaststampers and check out the Love Fest!

Stamps:  Lilacs for Cocoa digital image, SS Expressions of You

Ink:  cream, SU Concord Crush

Paper:  parchment, buttercream, SU Concord Crush, SU Pale Plum

Accessories:  Copics, You die, Labels 1, Label Trio, & Circle Nestabilities, Swiss Dots & Victoria embossing folders, prima flower, corner chomper

Clearly Digital Stamps Release Day

Welcome to Clearly Digital Stamps release day!  You didn't come here to hear me babble, so let's get to it!  There are so many wonderful sets being released today, and you won't want to miss a bit of crafty goodness for the DT (links in my sidebar).

The first set I'm showing you is called Peep Peeps, and I have to say that I am just in love with Lisa's darling little chicks!  Don't you just love them?!  This image is just one of a few that the set comes with.

This next set is called Eat More Cake, and it has a lot of great images and sentiments.  I used some crackle glaze on my cake to give it a shiny crackled effect.  The inside says, '. . .and eat it too'. 

Both sets are available now over at Clearly Digital Stamps, so after you check out the rest of the DT's work why don't you do a little shopping?  You're sure to find something you just can't live without ;)

An SCS Love Fest

Happy Valentine's Day, my peeps!  We don't do anything super special for each other around here, and we don't spend money on flowers or anything like that either.  I make Jim a card and usually a special dessert, but that's it.  I also make the kids each a card.

There is, however, something special going on over at Splitcoaststampers right now!  Splitcoaststampers is seriously one of my of my very favorite places to hang out and get creative inspiration.  There are so many ladies that share in my obsession. . .errrr, gift, and it's nice to know that there are others ;)  Right now they are having what they call The Member Company Love Fest, and I for one am stoked!  It's time to enjoy friendships, challenges, and get to know the Splitcoaststampers Member Companies a bit.  There are even some prizes up for grabs.

Today's challenge was a LOVE challenge.  Come up with a card that  using each letter in the word LOVE.  You know how I showed you a card yesterday that I had made for Jim and I said I was certain he wouldn't check out my blog so he wouldn't see it?  Weeeeell, he did check out my blog, so I had to make him something new.  Here it is:

Here's how I used the word:

L -- layers

O -- an old stick pin

V -- Vintage Dreamer stamp set from Taylored Expressions

E -- embossing of the dry sort

Come on over and check it out.  If you've never been to Splitcoaststampers and this is your first time, you may never want to leave ;)

Stamps:  Vintage Dreamer

Ink:  SU Crumb Cake, SU Soft Suede, SU Ruby Red

Paper:  MME Lost & Fount, buttercream, yellow bazzil

Accessories:  TE From the Heart die, foam tape, ribbon, heart stick pin, TE Houndstooth/Damask Impression Plate

I love you

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I'm starting to really get my 'sea legs' with this new computer, and I am in luuuurve with it!  Because the weather has been nothing but rain for the past few days, my kids haven't had their normal evening activities which has given me even more time to play.  I saw that There She Goes Stamps is having a flower challenge this week for their Monday challenge.  

I used this gorgeous set called Sweet Pea.  I'm surprised that I don't have more of their flower sets, because they are purty {grin}.  I know it's not a manly card, but this is for my husband.  He's seen everything else I have made, and I doubt he'll get on here today.  I'm sure he'll like it.

So, I'll let you in on  a little secret, k.  See all of the distressing I did on my sweet peas with the direct to paper ink?  Well, that was a bit of an accident. . .okay a big accident.  My stamp pad fell on the image in the corner, so I went with it, hehe.  I honestly think I like the look, because the dp I used actually does look distressed like that. . .no ink pad droppin' there.

I couldn't leave well enough alone. . .I had to do up the inside as well.

Thanks for stopping in.  Practices have been cancelled tonight too, so more time to play or more time to waste.  I hope I choose the 'play' option.

Stamps:  TSG Sweet Pea

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, light pink, PTI Chartruse

Paper:  buttercream, black, Authentique dp

Accessories:  pink ribbon Scallop Edge Die-namics, doily, Labels 17 Nestabilities, Black Viva Pearl Pen, stick pin

Copics:  RV10, RV11, R85, YG92, E41, E42 & airbrush

New Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit

It's the 10th, which means it's time to check out the latest Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit.  For all of you current subscribers you already know the wonderful benefits to getting this amazing kit each month, but if you're new to the concept let me point out a few great things!

Before I do that, take a look at one of the little diddies I made with the kit.  I used Jen's latest Deconstructed Sketch.  As always, she has a great sketch for us to use.

I used the set called Tick Tock with it's matching Die.  That set has such fun sentiments to go along with the darling clock image.

Now what are these benefits that I mentioned earlier?  Well, you can head HERE to get all of the great details, but let me tell you. . .my favorite benefit of being a subscriber is the incredibly generous 10% discount that Taylor offers each of her subscribers for a couple of days each month through the Taylored Expressions store.  That way you're not only getting your kit, but you're getting to grab up some new releases or oldies but goodies that you've had your eye on for a discount!  Pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.  Plus, there is a GALLERY filled with great inspiration for each month's kit, so you are never stuck on what to do with all of those goodies!

Thanks for stopping in today!

Stamps:  Tick Tock with coordinating die

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, white craft ink, light blue

Paper:  February 2012 TE KI Kit

Accessories:  buttons & ribbon from kit, Circle & Labels 11 Nestabilities, foam tape, Copics, corner chomper, white embossing powder

My Mac Daddy

It's been a bit quiet here over the past few days, and the reason for that is an upsetting one. . .my computer died.  Yes, my computer had had enough and cashed in its chips.  It was a rough few days around here, because I had a few deadlines, naturally, and the only working computer was my daughter's.  Her computer is old. . .very, very old, and is limited in its capabilities.  So, we did some research.  I'm tired of having to replace my computers every couple of years, and both my husband and I were in need of something reliable.  We finally settled on a Mac Book.  That is a first for us, because I have only ever owned PCs.  We got it just last night, and I have to say, so far I am super impressed.

In honor of the occasion, I whipped out this darling There She Goes Stamp set called Smarty Pants.  That sentiment just seemed to perfect to put on a card to hand to my husband after he brought home this beautiful machine :)  Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is having a Have a Heart Challenge, so this fits nicely.  I also made it for the TSG Weekly Challenge, which happens to be an inspiration challenge.  I was inspired by the Valentine type feel to the beautiful picture.

There is definitely a learning curve with the Mac Book, but it's been fun to learn new things.  I have a new photo editing software to try and tackle, but that has been fun too.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  TSG Smarty Pants

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Pebbles Seen & Noted

Accessories:  Copics, foam tape, heart punch

Creating for Fun

Happy Tuesday, friends!  I wanted to show you a card that I made today just for fun!  It uses an old sketch from Jen's Deconstructed Sketches, because her sketcher are always that good.  It also uses a couple of Taylored Expressions sets:  Animals in Love - Fish & Animal Love Sentiments.  I embossed over the top of my image with some Stampin' Up! Vanilla scented clear embossing powder.  Great stuff, however, I would recommend using it on a card you plan to send off right away.  The scent disappears after a couple of weeks.  Regardless, I like how it turned out.

Stamps:  Animals in Love - Fish & Animal Love Sentiments

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark

Paper:  past TE KI Kit

Accessories:  Copics, Circle Nesties, heart button, Large Scalloped Die-namics MFT, Tiny Bubbles embossing folder, vanilla scented embossing powder

I'm looking forward to hanging out in the 'craft cave' a bit today.  I have a few things to work on :)

SS 'I Like Your Style'

 I was getting a bit worried, peeps.  I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to post anything anytime soon.  My husband decided to do a bit of maintenance on our PC, and that left it out of commission for the entire weekend.  Just last night he ended up getting the last of it fixed, but it was touch and go for a bit there.  We are now the proud new owners of the newly installed system, Microsoft 8.  So far, I think I like it just fine.  The hubs had to completely wipe the system in order for it to take, and I did panic a bit this morning when I couldn't find my watermarks, hence this older one.  However, after a bit more searching, I found the new ones just fine.  I think I'm in the clear from here on out.

I'm sure to didn't stop in to hear about my weekend computer woes, so I'll tell you about my cards.  I have three here that I made using the Simon Says February Card Kit.  I think, if you've hung out here on my blog at all, you'll notice that I like a good card kit.  I have such a small space that I craft out of that having everything I need in one spot makes it handy; hence, the beauty of a card kit.  

This card kit is gorgeous.  It has a darling stamp set exclusive to Simon Says, and beautiful papers and perfectly matching embellishments.  Can I just tell you how divine those wood hearts are. . .de-lish!

All right, well, now that you've seen just a bit of what I've been working on, I better get back to teaching.  The kids were enjoying a nice break in between lessons ;)

Thanks for stopping in!

Stamps:  SS I Like Your Style

Ink:  Memento Espresso Truffle

Paper:  SS February 13 Card Kit

Accessories:  SS February 13 Card Kit, Flamingo Pearl Pen, sponge, black twine