A Paper Blooms & Creative Corner Challenge

It's the 4th of July! I love the 4th of July, so I thought I would make a card to sport that love. In making the card, I used 2 challenges to inspire me. The first challenge is the Paper Blooms challenge to use a shaped card. The other challenge was a red, white, & blue challenge going on over at Our Creative Corner.

I hope eveyone has a fun and safe 4th of July ;D

Stamps: The Free & the Brave (SU)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Night of Navy, Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand, Blush Blossom

Paper: Whisper White, watercolor paper

Accessories: Labels 3 Nestabilities, red ribbon, aqua painter, handmade bloom from Paper Blooms, rhinestone brad

Paper Blooms Challenge #8

This weeks Paper Blooms challenge was a color challenge.  Yay, I love color challenges!  Since this coming weekend is Memorial Day, we thought it would be great to see what you can make using the colors red, white, and blue.  Being the wife of an American soldier, I take great pride in my country and it's soldiers.  I wanted this card to be fairly simple since it is most likely for a guy.  

Stamps:  Godspeed (SU)

Ink:  Sahara Sand, Real Red

Paper:  Whisper White, Brilliant Blue

Accessories:  handmade bloom from Paper Blooms, circle rhinestone brad, sponge, Real Red ribbon

Remember, you don't have to have any of Leah's spectacular blooms to play along, but if you want them you can find them at her Etsy shop.  She's even added some new mini kits to entice you, so go check them out ;D

New Challenge Over at Paper Blooms

It's Wednesday, so that means that there is a new challenge over at Paper Blooms!  In honor of Easter, this week's challenge is to make a basket or box or alter a basket or box.  You don't have to have any blooms to participate, but if you'd like to buy some blooms check out Leah's Etsy Shop!  She has some super fun challenges planned each Wednesday, so come on over and check them out.  

Since I made a basket with Leah's blooms last week just for fun, I decided to make a box with some cards for this week's challenge.  This week I used the mini pizza box from Splitcoaststampers.  One of the things that I love about Leah's blooms is that some come ebellished if you want or you can get them without embellishments.  She has such a variety and you can ask for custom orders.  

Stamps:  Just Nutty (Clear Dollar Stamps), Say it With Scripture (SU)

Ink:  Almost Amethyst

Paper:  Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink DSP, Appricot Appeal DSP, Old Olive DSP

Accessories:  hand made blooms and a stick pin from Paper Blooms, Circle Rhinestone brad, Mellow Moss button, Dew Drops (CD stamps), Scallop edge, ticket punch, flower punch

Pink Elephant Challenge

That's right, I'm going to try my hand at the Pink Elephant challenge this week.  This week's challenge was to use buttons, and goodness knows I have plenty of those.  Here is what I came up with.  

Stamps:  Delight in Life (SU)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Gray Offbeat

Accessories:  Basic Gray Offbeat buttons

A Beautiful Box

Hey everyone, I saw this box made by Rachel with a wonderful tutorial on how to make them on her blog.  I was in need of another 3-d type gift for a coffee that I am helping to hostess next week, so I thought this would be a perfect idea.  I stayed fairly simply with my box design and used the SAB Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! to make the whole thing.

This box is so neat because not only does it fit the regular 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards, it also has a spot for 3" x 3" cards as well as some stamps.  

Here are my 3" x 3" cards that I made.  There are only 4, but this box could easily hold more.  I didn't put any sentiments on these cards, because this way they can be used for just about anything.

My 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards do have sentiments on them.  Again, I made all of the cards very simple.  The reason for this is actually a funny story.  I was at the post office last week and the postal worker (a guy) pointed out that one of the cards I was mailing was a little thicker on one side.  This was why I brought it in. . .I knew I needed to find out how much it would cost to send.  He proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't put embellishments on my cards because it costs more to send them because they don't fit through his machine.  I simply smiled and said that that was why I brought it in to find out how much it would cost.  Because this is a gift for someone else, I wanted to make sure that it would only cost a single stamp to mail these babies.

Stamps:  Cheep Talk, Trendy Trees (SU)

Ink:  So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Delicate Dots DSP

Accessories:  Top Note Die, Pretties kit, rub-ons, Circle Rhinestone, rubber band, 

So Saffron ribbon, Certainly Celery ribbon, circle cutters, paper piercer, silver brads

Color Challenge for Yesterday

I was able to play with the color challenge for yesterday from Splitcoaststampers.  It's kind of funny because I made a card a couple of days ago with almost the same colors.  Obviously I like the combo :)  I was also able to get my real deal sewing machine out for this one.  It took a lot of clean up and some WD-40, but I do have a working sewing machine now.  I'm an definitely lacking on the space to have it out all the time, but it's at least accessable.  Here's my first attempt with the real one (who's bright idea was it to try going around corners?!?)

Stamps:  Trendy Trees (SU)

Ink:  Choclate Chip, Pixie Pink, Kiwi Kiss

Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss DSP, Chocolate Chip DSP, 

Whisper White, Pixie Pink DSP

Accessories:  sewing machine, slit punch, sponge, Chocolate Chip marker, corner rounder, Chocolate Chip courdoroy buttons

Day 2 of Virtual Stamp Night

So here are my day 2 submissions for the VSN that took place this last weekend over at Splitcoaststampers.  I was only able to participate in 4 of the 13 challenges that took place on day 2.  They were all wonderful challenges and sometime down the road, I will use them to inspire me for other occassions.  It was obvious that the hostesses put in a lot of time and effort, and it showed.  All of the challenges looked fantastic!

Here is my first card that I did for the "Melt My Heart" challenge that was hostessed by Emily.  The challenge was to use the melted crayon background technique.  I used the crayon colors blue, blizzard blue, blue green, and turquoise blue to get this background.  All I can say is that 

this technique is incredibly fun, and if you haven't tried it you need to.  

Stamps:  Cute Critters (CD stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Apprioct Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Close to Cocoa

Accessories:  crayons, iron, foil, Appricot Appeal & Only Orange markers, Tangerine Tango ribbon, oval punch, Labels nesties, stampin' dimensionals, Tiny Bubbles embossing folder, 

paper piercer

My second card for the day was for the challenge "Window into my Soul" hostessed by Jenny.  The challenge was to make a window or acetate card, so here is what I came up with.  

Stamps:  Moose Wishes (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Paper:  watercolor paper, Candy Lane DSP, acetate paper

Accessories:  courdoroy button, slit punch, label nesties, silver cord

My third card for the day was for the challenge "Love Starts with L" hostessed by Robyn.  The challenge was to use only things starting with the letter 'L'.  It is a lot harder than it sounds.  Here is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Joyful Day (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Lovely Lilac

Paper:  Lovely Lilac, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Label punch, Lable hodgepodge, Linen

And for my final card of the day, the challenge was the "Joy of Love" hostessed by Taylor.  The challenge was to make a Joy fold card, and this is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Sip by Sip (SU)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Rockabilly DSP, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black

Accessories:  Kiwi Kiss ribbon, circle punch, oval punch

Color Challenge Tuesday along with a little MOJO

Today the in-laws leave, so again I don't have much time to post but I did want to put in a little bit of time in the 'craft cave'.  Here is what I came up with for today's color challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  The challenge was to use the colors, More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, and Rose Red.  When I got in my little cave, I decided to kill two birds with one stone (bad pun if you consider the stamp set I used, lol) and make my card for the Mojo Monday challenge as well.

Stamps:  Cheep Talk (SU)

Ink:  More Mustard, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss

Paper:  Kiwi Kiss DSP, More Mustard, Rose Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Kiwi Kiss ribbon, Button Bouquet, Flower Fusion, Oval punch, 

Labels 2 Nestabilities

Technique Challenge

Again, I don't have much time to gab, but I did want to post what I made today for the technique challenge on Splitcoaststampers, while everyone is out flying a kite.  The challenge was to make this round top box.  I love to make things like this, and I am really enjoying my Sweet Slumber DSP.  This little box would be so fun to put either some candy in or even some little 3x3 cards to give away.  I will definitely be doing one of these again :D

Stamps:  Cheep Talk (SU)

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Sweet Slumber DSP, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  So Saffron ribbon, On Board So Tweet chipboard, circle rhinestone

Ways To Use It

I think that it is safe to say that I will be incredibly sad when this years In Color from Stampin' Up! have been retired. . .sigh.  But while they're here, I will use the heck out of them :D  For today's Ways to Use it Challenge from Splitcoaststampers, the challenge was to use fabric on your card.  I don't have a lot of fabric laying around anymore, so I decided to use linen, which is sort of the same thing. . .right?!?! 

This card is a 5x5 card and I used my new set Sip by Sip.  I totally copied the idea from the catalog of using a chipboard heart behind a popped up image.  I just liked it so much. 

 Stamps:  Sip by Sip (SU)

Ink:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red

Paper:  Riding Hood Red,  Very Vanilla, Rockabilly Specialty DSP

Accessories:  Twill Tape, chipboard heart, stampin' dimensionals

Mojo Monday Week 73

I've been following the Mojo Monday blog for quite sometime and never took the plunge to actually participate until this week.  Not sure why I waited, but here is what I came up with.

Stamps:  Trendy Trees (SU)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue

Paper:  Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Good Morning Sunshine DSP

Accessories:  oval punch, Filigree Flower, Yellow Rhinestone Circle Brad, sponge daubers, 

So Saffron ribbon (Ribbon Bundle SAB)

I was very excited for my order to show up yesterday.  As soon as it did I started 'playing'.  It worked out that I could since my husband was gone at a live fire last night and didn' show up back home until about 12:30 in the morning.  Poor guy, but I did have fun with my new goodies.  This is one of six cards I made last night.  I know it's pretty simple, but I did try something new with it.  I punched out a circle and used it as a template for the clouds with a sponge dauber of Bashful Blue ink.  

After I clean to get ready for my in-laws to come, I plan on 'playing' some more while the kids are doing school work :D

I may be trying to break a record. . .

No, seriously, I'm obviously having fun posting today.  It's a miracle that I have time to post anything with school going on, but one of the kids is doing Math and the other is practicing piano.  I seem to have found some time simply because they are occupied with things that can be done on their own.  Never mind the fact that my floor needs to be vacuumed or that I need to fix my hair before I go grocery shopping. . .lol.  I love my hectic life and wouldn't trade it for anything :D  

This first card is a card I made for a dear friend that is having a baby.  We just found out and are so thrilled for them!  I made the different background dots with my various circle punches and Tangerine Tango paper.  The main color is Appricot Appeal.  I stamped the giraffe in Appricot Appeal onto the Whisper White paper.  I feebly attempted to sew on the card, and as much as I enjoy the little sewing machine I wish I had room to p

ut out my big sewing machine. . .sigh.  I punched a couple of small holes around the giraffes neck and tied some brown thread around him.  I sponged some Baja Breeze on the outside of the Whisper White, and voila!

Stamps:  Wild About You (SU)

Ink:  Appricot Appeal, Baja Breeze

Paper:  Appricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss DSP

Accessories:  sponge, sewing machine, Chit Chat rub-ons, circle punches, 

Baja Breeze ribbon, Oval Nestabilities

This next card was made just for fun (as they are ALL made for fun)!  I am really enjoying using this stamp set Christi gave me.  It is fairly self expanatory if you have seen any of my other posts using this set.  

Stamps:  Butterfly Wings (CD Stamps)

Ink:  Rose Red, Ballet Blue, Green Galore, Basic Grey

Paper:  Ballet Blue, Green Galore, Basic Grey, Rose Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Rose Red brads, oval cutter, circle cutter, Circle Scallop Nestabilities, 

2-way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals, glue dots, sponge, 

circles embossing folder

Working with Flower Soft

I bought Flower Soft last month from CD Stamps, because I was very intrigued with it.  I wasn't 100% sure what I was going to do with, so I tried to pick colors that I thought I could get some use out of.  I've used it in past posts before.  If you remember it was used on the Owl, and that was my first attempt.  Then I used it on a Chicken card, and I loved the way it turned out.  It adds such texture to an image.  This time I thought I would try using it to cover a little more "ground" if you will.  

I used Crystal Effects and dabbed it over various parts of the tree.  I didn't want full coverage so this is why I dabbed.  After that, I pulled some of the flower soft out of the container and sprinkled it over the top of the area to be covered.  I like to cover it with a lot and mash it down a bit, then let it dry and tap off the excess.  This is the result.

Stamps:  Season of Friendship (SU)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Green Galore

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Rose Red DSP, Green Galore, Whisper White

Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Flower Soft Heather, Apple Green ribbon, 

Ribbon Trio Nestabilities

A Couple of Coaster Books

I made both of these books with my Bind-it-all system, which is such a blast to use.  In some strange way, I feel like I have some bit of power. . .lol. . .only to create any size book I want.  It is a great system that I bought through Clear Dollar Stamps.  That site has so many crafting things besides just stamps, even though the stamps are completely adorable.  I wait with anticipation every month for the new releases.  Here are the first books I have made with the system.  I used coasters to make both of these books.  The "Love" notebook was made for my mom, and the "Owl" notebook was made as a sketch book for myself.  (I love that little owl)

Stamps:  Love You Much (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Candy Lane DSP, Rose Red DSP

Accessories:  Flower Fusion, Flower Fusion 2, Pretty in Pink brads, 

Rose Red marker, Bind-it-All system

Stamps:  What a Hoot (Clear Dollar)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  water color paper, some old Stampin' Up! DSP, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Nut Brown Flower Soft, Stampin' Dimensionals, buttons, brown thread, 

circle cutter, Large Circle Scallop Nestabilities, Chocolate Chip ribbon, slit punch,

Bind-it-All System

SC211

Here are a couple of cards I created with the Sketch Challenge on Splitcoaststampers for today.  I had fun with this sketch.  This first card uses the stamp set Espress Yourself from Stampin' Up!  Unfortunately this little guy is retired, but still inspires me so I will not be selling him :)  I ended up using Creamy Caramel ink for the coffee cup in the background.  I inked it up really well, then stamped it off on some scratch paper, then stamped it on the paper.  After that I took the sentiment and using Chocolate Chip ink I stamped it over the coffee cup image.  Naturally, (because I seem to be obsessed with sponging), I sponged the outside of the cardstock with Kiwi Kiss.  Here is the result.

Stamps:  Espress Yourself

Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Paper:  Hawaiian Papaya DSP, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  sponge, Kiwi Kiss buttons  (wow, that's it)

This next card is what I originally had in mind, but created it last 

since it was already in my mind.  I'm getting older you know, so things slip out of there a little faster these days :)  I basically did the same thing with this one, so there isn't really much to explain.  I just really liked this sketch.

Stamps:  Friendship Flowers

Ink:  Basic Black, Baja Breeze

Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red DSP

Accessories:  sponge, Fusion Flowers, Riding Hood Red buttons

Clear Dollar Delight

Stamps: Marvin & Marcy Mouse, Cheese wedge, Nutty Christian
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Candy Lane DSP, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Chocolate Chip button, Pretty in Pink button, silver cord, sponge

Stamps: Marvin & Marcy Mouse, Cheese Wedge, Love You Much
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Candy Lane DSP, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Riding Hood Red button, silver cord, Swirls embossing folder, circle punches, stampin' dimensionals

Stamps: What a Hoot
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss
Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey Offbeat
Accessories: Flower Fluff, Basic Grey Offbeat button, Slit punch, Scallop Circle Nestabilities, stampin' dimensionals, blender pens

Stamps: What a Hoot
Ink: Basic Brown
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Grey Offbeat DSP
Accessories: glitter, felt flowers, circle rhinestone brad, Basic Grey Offbeat buttons, silver cord, sponge, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Top Note Die, glue strips, stampin' pop up dimensionals

I have really been enjoying playing with my Clear Dollar Stamps. I know I didn't post much information on what I did, but that is because I have been crazily just posting the cards. I may put more information later. I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I've been doing over the past 4 weeks. There has been more, but just no time to post. As it is, I am off to piano lessons with my daughter.

Framed Art

I made this as a Christmas present for my nephew, Weston. I made one for his brother the year before with cars on it, and figured that this would suit Weston. I had a ton of fun making it for him.
Stamps: Wild About You,
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron
Paper: So Saffron DSP, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Ribbon, Tangerine Tango ribbon, Baja Breeze ribbon, square silver brads, frame


These were all made for either gifts for family or centerpieces that were auctioned off at my husband's troop Christmas party. Each of them uses the Cricut machine.
Stamps: Season of Friendship
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, More Mustard
Paper: Urban Garden DSP, Autumn Vine DSP, Frosty Day DSP, Baja Breeze, Going Gray, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Sage Shadow
Accessories: Circle Rhinestone brads, Felt Snowflakes, Baja Breeze ribbon, Basic Gray ribbon, silver cord, Tangerine Tango ribbon, Kiwi Kiss ribbon, White ribbon, Chocolate Chip ribbon, silver brads, frames, Cricut machine

A little bit of "Catch Up"

I'm sure that all will give me a "hrumph" when I say that December was an incredibly crazy month. I made things throughout the month, but did not have even 10 minutes to post any of it. I have found (as crazy as it sounds) that with my husband home, I have less time. This is probably due to the fact that I know he will be gone next Christmas, so every spare moment is spent with him and the kids. We did have an amazing Christmas, and we did nothing. It was wonderful. . .we just spent time together. We made memories of playing Wii family games, having light-saber wars, Blokus challenges, and lots of just hanging out together. With that being said, it is now back to the grind. School has started back up, work has commenced for my husband, and I get to craft again.
These are in no particular order, I am just simply catching up on posts.

Stamp: Fluffles
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, and Certainly Celery markers, green glitter, taupe ribbon, Chit Chat rub-ons













Stamps: Love You Much
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Basic Grey Offbeat
Accessories: sponge, square brads, Basic Grey Offbeat buttons, ticket punch



Stamps: Espress Yourself
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Transparency Paper
Accessories: Large Scallop Circle Nestabilities, ribbon, Circle templates, dazzling diamonds glitter


Because there are quite a few cards to post, forgive me if I put them into several posts. I am trying to break them down into categories, but we will see if that works.

Christmas Goodies

I found these tins at Target on clearance after Halloween for only $1, so I bought all that I could find. They already had the hot cocoa inside, so all they needed was a little personal touch. I had a lot of fun with the mug image. To get that look, I first added some liquid applique and then poured glitter over the wet applique. I then heated it, and voila, sparkling whip cream on top! Stamps: Espress Yourself
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Wintergreen DSP
Accessories: white Liquid Applique, Dazzling Diamonds, heat tool, sponge, 1/2" circle punch, Pewter brad, Pretty in Pink marker, Creamy Caramel marker, Sage Shadow marker, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Chit Chat rub-on

My 7 year old made this!

So my daughter, Matti, asked if she could participate in today's challenge, because she always sees me making cards. Of course I was elated that she wanted to join in. Keep in mind my daughter is only 7 years old. I think she made a fantastic card, don't you?Stamps: Wild About You
Ink: Taken with Teal, Elegant Eggplant
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Accessories: Flower Fusion, Pacific Point ribbon, Filigree brad, Summer Picnic rub-on