Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peeks Start TODAY!

Today is the day that Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peeks start! Head on over to Katie's Blog and Lori's Blog to see some Clear Dollar Stamps goodness!

Praying for You

This is just a quick post to show you a couple of individual stamps that Clear Dollar Stamps introduced this month. The one is called Flying Dove, and the sentiment is just 'Praying for You'. Both are great and inexpensive. I tried second generation stamping, but I'm not as happy with the results.

CDS Stamps: Flying Dove & Praying for You

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Pretty Porcelain, Billowing Clouds, Neenah Solar White (all from CDS)

Copics: R000, Y21

Accessories: ticket punch, Fancy Tags Trio Nestabilities, dimensionals, rhinestones, Pretty Porcelain ribbon (CDS)

Train up a child. . .

Hello all, I hope you're having a wonderful day. I just wanted to show you a card from a wonderful Clear Dollar Stamps set called Scripture Children. I love these precious silhouettes and the scriptures that go along with them so well.

CDS Stamps: Scripture Children

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Crushed Curry

Paper: Neenah Solar White, Soft Mint, Melon Spice (all from CDS), CC Joy Ride

Accessories: Labels 1 & 2 & Double Ended Tags Nestabilities, sponge, Soft Mint ribbon (CDS), silver brads

Mushroom Whimsey

I'm going to show you a couple of samples from the great Mushroom Whimsey set from Clear Dollar Stamps. These mushrooms are great because there is a couple of patterned stamps to fill the cap or you could just color it in. My first card uses one of the patterns, and I adorned it with some little colorful beads.

CDS Stamps: Mushroom Whimsey

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze

Paper: Ripe Olive, Hot Cocoa, Worn Parchment (all from CDS), buttercream, BG Sugar Rush

Copics: E21, E00, R20, R32

Accessories: distressor, buttons, linen thread, scallop edge punch, small beads

This second card uses a couple of the small shapes to make a pattern on the cap and then it is colored in with Copics.

CDS Stamps: Mushroom Whimsey

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Hot Cocoa, Mello Moss

Paper: Pineapple Twist, Hot Cocoa (both from CDS), buttercream, CC Earth Love

Copics: YR02, Y21, E29

Accessories: EK Success Border punch, dimensionals

Family is Coming!

My brother and his wife and kids will be here in a few hours. They will be staying for a couple of days on their move from FL up to IL. While that means we won't live as close to each other any more, I'm excited for them that they will be closer to my sister-in-law's family. This card was made for my nephew, because he had a birthday a few months back and we had hoped to be there to celebrate it with him but it just didn't work out. I made it to go along with the ColourQ challenge. We were supposed to use Ridinghood Red, Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss, and Bordering Blue, but I opted not to use the Pumpkin Pie.

Stamps: Little Loveosaurus (MFT)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety, Neenah Solar White, unknown blue

Accessories: Labels 4 & Large Labels Nestabilities, Fresh Cut Grass Die-namics, sponge, dimensionals, candy dots

This was made for my niece's graduation. Yup, she graduated high school and will be off to college next year. My how fast they grow!

Stamps: Graduation Cap (CDS)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: May KI Kit (TE)

Accessories: Copics, chipboard owl, file

Thanks for stopping by today!

TE Blast From the Past June Blog Hop

I participated last month, and thought it was so much fun that I would do it again! It's such a fun way to go around and see all of the wonderful things that people make with Taylored Expressions stamps. As you know, I'm kind of a big fan, lol.

The challenge to the participants this month was a color challenge. The colors were red, yellow, mossy green, and light blue. I used my recent June Key Ingredients Kit along with my Branching Out set to come up with this little number. I did a lot of distressing, because I just love that look. The white crocheted ribbon is even distressed with a sponge and ink!
Once again, I went ahead and did some slight decorations to the inside. That little finishing touch is something I have really fallen in love with.

Stamps: Branching Out

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Paper: June KI Kit featuring Fly a Kite from October Afternoon

Accessories: crocheted ribbon, sponge, Labels 4 Nestabilities, Argyle & Swiss Dots embossing folders, dimensionals, buttons, Copics, scallop edge punch ribbon from the June KI Kit

Now just keep on hopping to see some other talented ladies show off some TE goodness!

Mojo Monday 144

I told you I would be back with some Clear Dollar Stamps goodness :D I'm showing you one of the recently released digital images from over at CDS, called Firecracker Bugs. This digi set comes with 2 images and several sentiments. Aren't those little ants that Laurie designed adorable?!

I used the Mojo Monday sketch. That pretty bright blue paper I used is called Still Waters and is from the Clearly Coordinating Collection over at CDS. For those of you that don't know, CDS has their own line of papers now! The dp I used is from Cosmo Cricket's Garden Variety paper, because I seem to be obsessed with it, lol.
Here's a close up of the mass amounts of glitter I used on this image. I mean c'mon, the sentiment even talks about sparkle so I HAD to use lots of sparkle ;}

CDS Image Used: Firecracker Bugs

Ink: Night of Navy, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: Still Waters (CDS), Neenah Solar White, Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety dp

Accessories: Copics, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, oval punch, rhinestones, sponges

I'm a little late

I was gone all last week, hanging out with my bff, Christi, and her family in Panama City. When I got back, I was greeted by one of the latest Cuppie sets from Taylored Expressions called Udderly Sweet. I'm from Nebraska, so as soon as I saw this set I knew it was a 'must have'. I ended up making this card for my dad who lives in Iowa, because tomorrow is his birthday. Yup, and I just sent the card out today, so I'm thinking it won't get there in time. This is where the hilarious sentiment 'Oh Crop' comes in, hehe. I think he'll like it.

Stamps: Udderly Sweet

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety, Buttercream, unknown green

Accessories: Copics, corner rounder, sponge, circle punch, veggie brads

I'm hoping to get a little more crafting in today. I have some more digi images from Clear Dollar Stamps that I want to show you ;D

Gone Fishing Birthday Gift Card Holder

I just love these images from the Clear Dollar Stamps set called Gone Fishing. They are perfect for masculine cards. I made a gift card holder with this image. I don't have a tutorial, but it seems pretty self explanatory. If you have questions, just ask ;D
Here's an inside view. It closes with a velcro closure.

CDS Stamps: Gone Fishing

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: Mossy Woods, Pineapple Twist, Neenah Solar White (all from CDS)

Accessories: Prismacolor & gamsol, Labels 4 & Large Labels Nestabilities, Forest Branches embossing folder, sponge, Cherry Go Round ribbon (CDS), velcro, circle punch, antique brads

Taylored Expressions June Key Ingredients Kit Release & Special Offer!

It's Key Ingredients time over at Taylored Expressions, and Taylor has some exciting news for current & new kit subscribers! I'll get to that in a bit, but first let me share a few things I made with my June Kit. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some Key Ingredients kits. It's something I look forward to every month. The kits are each filled with paper and ribbon and enough embellishments to make a ton of cards and have pieces to spare. My creative juices always get to flowing as soon as one of these kits show up. One of the best parts of the kit (other than all of the fun goodies inside and all the potential to get me creating like a mad lady), is that as a subscriber you get a special 10% discount along with free shipping once a month. Who doesn't love discounts and free shipping?!

We were challenged this month to come up with our own flower embellishments, and as you can tell I went a little crazy with my 3 cards :} This first card shows some of the paper embellishments that come in the June kit. There are buttons and ribbon, and those yummy paper flowers & stems. I used my Branching Out set for the sentiment and the clouds are from the Branching Out Coordinates.

Stamps: Branching Out & Branching Out Coordinates

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Stain Distress Ink

Paper: June KI Kit

Accessories: June KI Kit, sponge, window punch

As you can see, all you need to add is a set (if you want) and some tape & ink. Everything else is provided for you to make what you need!

My next card uses the Downtown Diva set. This time I used a punch, an embossing folder, and some sponging, and voila!

I used some of the patterned paper in the set to make my flower, and it was such an easy way to make my own embellishment.

Stamps: Downtown Diva

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Stain Distress Ink, Baja Breeze

Paper: June KI Kit

Accessories: June KI Kit, flower punch (SU), sponge, D'Vine Swirls & Swiss Dots embossing folders, Copics

My last card uses the same set: Downtown Diva. This time to make my flower I used one of the patterns in the dp and cut around it to make my flower. I sponged up the flower and added some stickles to the flowers on the dp.

Stamps: Downtown Diva

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Paper: June KI Kit

Accessories: June KI Kit, sponge, Cuttlebug tags, Xmas Red Stickles, dimensionals

In closing, I'm a HUGE fan of the TE Key Ingredients Kits. They are often a 'go to' staple for my crafting, and I know that without fail it will show up on my doorstep around the same time every month. That AND I get a 10% discount with free shipping during that time of the month every month too!

As if you were enticed enough, Taylor is offering up a deal that you just can't refuse. Here's the PROMOTION:

"Any new or current subscriber who purchases or extends a subscription for 6 months between June 15th - 19th will receive a FREE Taylored Expressions stamp set (designed by Taylor herself!) upon completion of the 6 month term."

So if you want to subscribe to the Key Ingredients go HERE. If you want to go to the website to learn more go HERE.

Now why don't you go check out the Baker's Dozen and their awesome samples with the June Kit:

Taylor VanBruggen

Karen Motz

Jeanie Witmer

Alex Maldonado

Carolina Buchting

Jackie Pedro

Sankari Wegman

And Friends:

Rosie Hughes

Candace Mitchell

Lisa Hjulberg

Stacey Shafer

Colleen Begley

JoAnn Valderama

Tracy Clemente

CDS Digital Release Day!

It's time for the month's Clear Dollar Stamps Digital releases! CDS has several fun and wonderful images to choose from, and I get to show you a couple. This first one is calledFirecracker Bugs. I'm showing you just one of the images that comes in this set, but Laurie has certainly designed a darling set of little patriotic bugs for you to use. Images: Firecracker Bugs
Paper: Pebbles Treestone dp, Still Waters (CDS), Neenah Solar White

Copics: C1, C5, C7, E31, E33, E37, R27, B29, Y21, Y23

Accessories: distressor, gold brads

My last sample for you is from the set called Let Freedom Ring. This set comes with 2 flag images and several sentiments. This one for sure makes me feel so patriotic, and I know just who I will send it to.

Images: Let Freedom Ring

Ink: Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: Kraft, Deep Sea & Pucker Up (CDS), Neenah Solar White

Copics: R59, B97, E31, E33

Accessories: sponge, Scallop edge punch, gold pen, Labels 12 Nestabilities, mini gold brads, fibers, Stylized Flowers embossing folder

There are several more digi sets to see so head on over to Lori's blog and then these DT members to ooooohhh, and aaaaahhhh over their work: Sarah, Linda, Vicki, Laurie, Lisa, andTricia

When you're done there, head to Clear Dollar Stamps to make your purchases!

You're So Tweet

I just have a fun bright card to share with you today. This was made with the Stamp of the Month from Clear Dollar Stamps, which means it's FREE if you buy $50 worth of stuff over at the shop. This sweet set is called A Tweet Hello. It's such a great little set, and you can't beat free!

CDS Stamps: A Tweet Hello June SOM

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Neenah Solar White, BG Green at Heart

Copics: RV06, RV04, C1, C3, Y02, YR07, YG95, YG06

Accessories: Lime Juice ribbon (CDS), lime green brads

Who's that Geek?

Happy Sunday! As soon as I saw this set called Who's that Geek Guy? over at MFT, I knew it had to be mine. I am married to a geek of all geeks, hehe, and I love it! He is playing his World of Warcraft game right now, sitting at the computer in his vintage Atari shirt. Don't get me wrong. . .he's an active guy who loves to play baseball, but he LOVES his video games too. Oh, and did I mention that he is a major comic book collector as well? Yes, that's right, my Mr. Right collects comic books. So much so, that yesterday he had bought a computer cataloging system for his comic books. While he was in Iraq, I went into our local comic book shop every month to purchase the titles that he collected and read. The guy at the comic shop is my facebook friend, hehe. But I love my man, and I love that he's MY geek :D

I made this for him for Father's Day. Here are a couple of challenges it qualifies for:

CCEE -- One for the Males

C.R.A.F.T. #54-- Father's Day / Men's card

Eat, Sleep Stamp #87 -- sketch

Stamps: Who's That Geek Guy?

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Craft White

Paper: Intense Teal, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Neenah Solar White, black dp

Accessories: white embossing powder, circle cutters, Diamond Plate embossing folder, Copics

Tomorrow I'm headed down to see my BFF Christi! She's vacationing in Panama City for the next few days, so I don't want to miss out on an opportunity to see her. I've got a few posts scheduled for while I'm gone, so I may not be here but I'll still be posting!

Some Friday Morning Stamping

Happy Friday! I've been busy working away at a few things that I can't show you until next week, but in the midst of all of that I did make a card for a few challenges. I love this little Pure Innocence Girl called Beach Bum from MFT. She was made for several challenges:

Crafty Creations # 71 -- Child's Play

Belli Challenge #93 -- Rub-ons

The Sisterhood of Crafters -- Children

Our Creative Corner #19 -- sketch
As you can see I decorated ANOTHER inside to another card. I am really enjoying doing that. I ended up using my May Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions. May's kit came with these beautiful papers and the rub-ons I used. I love my TE KI kits :D

Stamps: PI Beach Bum

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo distress ink

Paper: KI kit from TE, Neenah Solar White

Accessories: Circle & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Large Scallops Dienamics from MFT, sponge, KI kit from TE

Weekly Stamp Club with the Pixie Cottage Challenge

Well, I've slowed down on the card making a bit, even though there are a TON of challenges I want to do. Who knows, maybe I'll find some more time this afternoon after a few errands. Here's my card for the day and it's for the Weekly Stamp Club over at MFT. The challenge was an 'Earth Girl' challenge to keep it earthy. I figured how much more earthy can you get than using the WTG Goes Green set along with my BG Origins paper pack. I don't know about you, but it makes me want to go and recycle something ;)

I also used the Pixie Cottage sketch from their challenge this week. What a great sketch.
On top of all of that, I even decorated the inside of the card. I NEVER do that, but I really like the look. I may have to do that more often.

Stamps: WTG Goes Green

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Hot Cocoa

Paper: Garden Green (SU), Neenah Solar White, BG Origins dp

Accessories: Copics, Fresh Cut Grass Dienamics (MFT), crocheted flower, buttons

Okay, now I really need to run a few errands. Have a wonderful afternoon!