Clearly Inspired Challenge #42 -- Birthday!

 

Happy Friday everyone!  My second post of the day. . .late no less, but still here ;)  Between dentist appointments and getting all of the kids tests in for school before break, it's been a busy one!

I'm here with the latest and last challenge for the Clearly Inspired Challenges for 2011.  I can't believe we are here already!  This one is an easy one too!  With all of the self-induced craziness that comes with Christmas, I thought that doing a Birthday theme would be good.  That, and my nephew's birthday is 2 days after Christmas.  SNAP. . .2 birds, 1 stone!  Best. . .aunt. . .ever!

I used 2 different Clear Dollar Stamps sets on this one.  It uses Calendar Tags & Designer Label Celebrations to go along with the Designer Labels Die.

Stamps:  Calendar Tags, Designer Label Celebrations

Ink:  CDS Fresh Papaya, CDS Deap Sea

Paper:  CDS Still Waters, CDS Vanilla, CDS Fresh Papaya, BG Life of the Party

Accessories:  CDS Designer Label Die, sponge, yellow, blue, & brown markers, CDS Still Waters ribbon, window punch, TE Star Trio Die, stapler

So come on over to Clearly iStamp and check out the challenge!  If you play along you could win, and if you use CDS images you could find yourself featured on the CDS Facebook Fan page!

Here's a few Bucks. . .

I needed a quick card to hold a little Christmas money, and Paper Smooches has their latest SPARKS inspiration challenge going on.  You put the 2 together, and I came up with this nifty little card :)

It uses the Paper Smooches set called Santa Paws.  Normally I tend to be a bit more detailed, but I needed it quickly.  So here ya go!

 Stamps:  Santa Paws

Ink:  CDS Hot Cocoa, Rocket Red & Pearlescent Thyme Pigment ink

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, MME 12 Days of Christmas

Accessories:  circle & label punch, red organdy ribbon, red marker

Thanks for stopping in, and be sure to check out the SPARKS challenge to see how you're inspired :D

It's in the Bag!

Half way through the week. . .c'mon Friday!  I don't usually wish time away, but I really do just want to get to vacation.  My husband will have 2 weeks off, and since we home school. . .we get 2 weeks off!  I could use it ;)

I have another Christmas card to show, since I'm still cranking those out.  This one was made for a couple of different challenges.  I used the color challenge from Splitcoaststampers of Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, and Always Artichoke, and I use the Papertake Weekly Challenge; 'I'm dreaming of a (your fave color) Christmas'.  Mine just happens to be Kraft lately. . .always reaching for it.

I used an awesome set from Taylored Expressions called It's In the Bag with it's coordinating Shopping Bag and Labels Die.  I also pulled out my Tiny Topper Die as well.

Stamps:  It's in the Bag

Ink:  SU Riding Hood Red

Paper:  CDS Worn Parchment, Authentique Holiday Wonder

Accessories:  TE Shopping Bag & Labels Die, TE Tiny Toppers Die, ribbon from TE Holiday Wonder Project Pantry Kit, Red Viva Pearl Pen

Pics of dies used:

Thanks for stopping in today!

Clear Dollar Stamps Tuesday Tutorial

Are you still working on Christmas gifts?  Sadly, I am, so I thought I would share with you a fairly quick and super easy gift card tutorial that I shared over at Clearly iStamp.  Go check it out. . .you'll be so happy to have this little baby in your arsenal!

Working on Christmas cards. . .

Yes, I'm still having to work on Christmas cards, because yes, I am behind.  Being the good crafters that the rest of you are, I'm sure you're all done and working on cards for next year ;)

I was inspired the by the Squirrel and The Fox challenge of Christmas, and made this little CAS card.  It uses a couple of Paper Smooches sets: Promenade and Pretty Phrases.

Stamps:  Pretty Phrases, Promenade

Ink:  CDS Spring Leaf, CDS Cherry Go Round, CDS Tropical Mist

Paper:  MME 12 Days of Christmas, TE Buttercream, green

Accessories:  MFT Ticket Punch border, Kiwi Viva Pearl Pens, sponge, red baker's twine, foam tape

Thanks for stopping in!

Getting into the Kissmoose Spirit!

Yay for Fridays!  I made a card the other day that followed this same basic layout, and it was so easy that I made another one.  I love me some CAS, and being in need of a few more Christmas cards, I made this little guy.  I'm using it for the ABC Christmas Challenge, and I'm entering it into the Paper Smooches Guest Designer Challenge.  

I used my Chubby Chum Pals set from Paper Smooches.

Stamps:  Chubby Chum Pals

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  unknown blue, MME 12 Days of Christmas, CDS Cottonball White

Accessories:  Copics, red twine, foam tape, red dew drops, corner rounder

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

PS SPARKS: My Odd Bird

I really need to get crackin' on my Christmas cards, but instead I have another entry for the Paper Smooches SPARKS inspiration challenge to show you today!  I used a couple of the new sets to make this fun card. . .Word Salad & Chubby Chum Pals.  I was inspired by the dark blue and the yellow when looking at this picture.  I really just wanted those 2 pops of color to be my main colors.  

 Stamps:  Word Salad & Chubby Chum Pals

Ink:  yellow & blue (Memento Brilliance), CDS Tropical Mist

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, CDS Still Waters

Accessories:  blue baker's twine, paper piercer, googlie eyes, sponge

Thanks for stopping in today!

MFT Weekly Sketch #49

On Black Friday the only shopping I did was mostly for myself.  Selfish, I know, but let's be honest. . .no one really knows what I want, and they aren't interested enough in the details to ask in about specifics.  It doesn't bother me really. I'm sure in their eyes it's a bit too difficult to figure out.  I take the guess work out of it for them ;)  

I digress, so onto my project.  I received some  MFT goodies last week in the mail from their Black Friday specials. . .good stuff I tell ya!  I ordered this adorable little lamb stamp called PI Precious Little Lamb Upon a Star.  At the time I ordered it, I didn't realize how good it would be to practice up on the new things I learned from the Intermediate Copic Certification Class.  

I used the newest MFT Weekly Sketch, and flipped it on it's side.  

I'm working on making my shadows and shading more dramatic when the situation calls for it.  A star shining down seemed like the perfect situation.  Of course, I needed a little airbrushing because, frankly. . .I'm addicted ;)

Stamps:  PI Precious Little Lamb Upon a Star

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, CDS Hot Cocoa

Paper:  TE buttercream, EP Times & Seasons

Copics:  E41, E43, E44, E47, YG03, YG91, YG95, B91, B95, B97, R27, R59, E44, E50, E53, E57, Y21, Y26 & airbrush

Accessories:  Labels Nestabilities, Copic Mask-It, brown twill ribbon, brown buttons, sponge

Thanks for stopping by today!  I would love to hear your constructive criticism :)

PS SPARKS Challenge

Some new Paper Smooches goodies showed up on my door yesterday, and I actually blame my bff, Christi, for this last purchase.  She's created some great stuff with this Santa Paws set, and so naturally I fell in love and 'needed' it.  

As usual the challenge over at the PS SPARKS blog is an inspiration. . .and a beautiful one at that.

I wanted to use my new set along with the inspiration, so I took the blues and the white from the above inspiration and came up with this:

Stamps:  Santa Paws

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  MME 12 Days of Christmas, CDS Cottonball White, blue from TE Card Kit

Copics:  BG10, BG13, BG15, YR00, E11, E50, C1

Accessories:  blue Baker's Twine, foam tape, blue dew drops, corner rounder

I framed up the background paper with the white, and added just a touch of the darker blue.  I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.  Why don't you try your hand at the challenge?

Clearly Inspired Challenge #41 -- Christmas

Hey there, and happy Friday!  I'm a little late with my post, because I spent yesterday into this morning in Atlanta.  Why was I there you ask?!  To get my Intermediate Copic Certification!  What a class!

Today's challenge over at Clearly iStamp for the Clearly Inspired Challenge is to create a Christmas card.  I used one of the October releases, Antique Ornaments with my MME 12 Days of Christmas.  I love how this card turned out with the colors and the Red Viva Pearl Pen.

Stamps:  Antique Ornaments

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  CDS Spruce Needle, buttercream, MME 12 Days of Christmas

Accessories:  Copics & airbrush, Red Viva Pearl Pen, Labels 8 Nestabilities, ticket punch, foam tape, gold cord, CDS Cherry Go Round Ribbon

Head on over to the Clearly iStamp and play along for a chance to win from Clear Dollar Stamps!

OCL -- Cute Critters

I've been working like mad on all of my Christmas cards, so I thought I would take a break from them.  I needed a card for my nephew's birthday, so I used the Our Craft Lounge Challenge of Cute Critters.  The set I used is the darling Drake the Dragon!  I had to have him, since that was my high school mascot.  Silly, I know, but ahhhh memories!

Stamps:  Drake the Dragon

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  buttercream, CDS Worn Parchment, EP Dots & Stripes

Accessories:  Copics, Cream Viva Pearl Pen, CDS Sweet Pea & Turquoise Gem ribbons, SU Melon Mambo ribbon, corner chomper, foam tape

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

I had a bit of time over the holiday to make a card for the SPARKS challenge over at Paper Smooches.  It's always an inspiration piece, and I took the colors and ran with those:  light blue, kiwi green, tan, white, and gray.  I used the darling new set that Kim has revamped (it was originally a Cornish Heritage Farms set).  It's called Forest Whimsy.  Eeeee, it's so darn cute!

As you can see from a closer look at his flowing beard, I used some White Liquid Pearls.  After painted up his beard, I swirled it around a bit using a paper piercing tool.  I love the look!

Stamps:  Forest Whimsy

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  CDS Worn Parchment, CDS Cottonball White, EP Summer Fun dp

Accessories:  Copics, White Liquid Pearls, White Liquid Applique, Frest Cut Grass Die-namics (MFT), teal buttons, Green Baker's Twine, foam tape

Thanks for stopping in today!

OCL Artist of the Month Week #4

After a long and fun weekend with my family, it's now back to reality for a few more days.  At least I get to start the week with a fun, yet final Our Craft Lounge post as their Artist of the Month.  You can read my final post on the OCL blog.

I used Tweet Winter Wishes for my final card as a 'Thank You' to the sweet ladies over at OCL for having me as the Artist of the Month for November.

I used lots of yummy Sugar Sparkly Fluff all around for snow on this CAS card.

Stamps:  Tweet Winter Wishes

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black 

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, Bo Bunny Blitzen

Accessories:  Copics, airbrush, Sugar Sparkly Fluff, blue striped ribbon from CDS

Thanks for stopping in today.  Be sure to keep checking back with the OCL blog.  They will be showing off some new releases soon!

Snowballing into Christmas

Thanksgiving is over, but it was a fantastic 4 day weekend with the hubs.  We enjoyed great food, and played lots of games as a family. . .it's what we do.  We are heading into the Christmas season full swing now, and I'm pretty excited.  My Christmas present comes early, as I'm taking the Intermediate Certification Course for Copic this coming Thursday in Atlanta!  I can hardly wait!

In the mean time, I have been crafting, but there is little I can show you right now.  This fun card was made just for that. . .fun!  How can you resist Kim's adorable Paper Smooches images when they look like this?!  I used the Swanky Snowdudes from the PS collection.  It comes with 4 different snowmen, some great sentiments, and lots of wonderful face parts.  Hehe, just makes me giggle.

This card fits the Daring Cardmakers challenge to use facial hair fro Movember Madness, and the Mark's Finest Make it Masculine challenge.

Stamps:  Swanky Snowdudes

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Baja Breeze

Paper:  CDS Cottonball White, blue dp

Accessories:  Copics, sponge, MFT RicRac Die-namics, orange button, twine, window punch

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Celebrating Katie's Life

As most of you know, Katie Renz passed away on November 7th after her battle with gastric cancer.  She was a very integral part of the 'family' over at Clear Dollar Stamps.  She was our Design Team Coordinator, and wore many hats at CDS.  She was also the brains behind the Tuesday Tutorials that happen every Tuesday on the Clearly iStamp blog.

I 'met' Katie back in May of 2009, when I joined the Clear Dollar Stamps team.  She was always so encouraging and always took time to answer questions and comment on my posts.  We collaborated on color challenges and shared ideas.  She had a great impact on me and my crafting, and for that I am thankful.  She was my friend, and I am blessed to have known her.

Because we at CDS wanted to show our love to her, we all decided to do a blog hop to honor her life. The hop starts back at Lori's Blog, and then leads you here. Some of us decided to CASE her cards, while others decided to make birthday cards for her boys and husband.  Because I loved her style so much, I went the CASE route.

Katie's card is on the left, and mine is on the right.  I kept her sketch, but changed the colors and the stamp set.  She used the Spring Critters and I used Moose Friends.

On this one, I used the same set and the same layout.  I used the same papers I did as above, because Katie was so good at taking a group of paper and making a bunch of different cards to show off the versatility of the paper.  She was always so inspiring.  Hers is the top and mine is the bottom.  We both used Lamppost Wishes.

I'm not sure I did her cards justice, but she was always so inspiring to me.  

Sadly, Katie left behind a husband and 3 young boys.  If you are wanting a way to donate to help the family there is a forum you can join in order to find ways to help.  

Operation Renz Family

You can register and login to see the different ways that you can help.

The next stop in our Celebration of Katie's Life Hop is Christi.  Thanks for coming by, and thanks for thinking of my friend.