Kimmie's Kard Kontest Entries

Kraftin' Kimmie is having a Kard Kontest & new High Hopes stamps are up for prizes! I HAD to enter them all because these are some of the cutest stamps and I don't have any yet *wink* I just realized I used almost the same colors for all the cards except the cat card & she said not to combine challenges. I really didn't intend that - I was just trying to use scraps up from my stamp camp! ugh

First card is for the sketch challenge fashioned after her card here

This card is for the Theme Animals - used my kitty with balloon by Whipper Snapper.

This card is for the Supply challenge - to use Embellishments. I used Primas, bling for the centers, gold brads, chipboard for the sentiment & ribbon on the chipboard.

This was the first card I made using Fall Colors & I liked them so much I think that's why I continued with them! Hope it doesn't disqualify me! Groovy Guava, River Rock, Chocolate Chip

Stamp Camp Projects

Well, the stamp camp I've been preparing for is over. It was a success! Everyone showed up who r.s.v.p'd and it was a fun time for all! Everyone loved the projects. So I thought I'd share for all to enjoy. I got most of my inspiration from SCS and/or bloggers and will give credit where it's due & I can find it!

This first picture is everyone's THANK YOU gift. I decided to do this instead of door prizes, I always think it's exciting to win a door prize but a bummer when you don't...I thought this was a great alternative that did not take too much time to make & everyone seemed very grateful (success!) My inspiration came from Angie Juda at Chic n' Scratch (thanks, Angie!)

Here is my version of Jenn's 2,5,7,10 box. The Bashful Blue scallop was an afterthought before the workshop started - I wanted to show everyone how to use the slit punch for a scallop border. I kinda like the double border too. Used Priceless Set.

This is the Cami Trifold Card using Baroque Motifs. I think everyone had fun with this.

Here's the 5-in-1 template box with matching card - the matching card was inspired by Simone's card I ended up adding Wild Wasabi flowers to the card base (instead of celery) because I needed to use that In Color since that was one of the highlights of this stamp camp (new products!) and also the bitty flowers on the white base. Everyone LOVED the box & Double Stitch ribbon. Used the Simply Said set (I know it's not a NEW set, but it made it in the catalog!)

This is a tall card to fit in the small open ended envelopes. Used Priceless Set.

Business Card Contest

Amy at Heartfeltgreetings is having a fun contest to create your own business cards. I really needed to have something 'generic' so I can advertise my blog for potential business.

I used my new Papertrey set Beautiful Blooms (I thought the leaves looked 'serene' to go along with my blog name.) Used Pumpkin Pie & Purely Pomegranate for the bitty flower. I attached a magnet (shown on right picture) for the recipient to have the option of placing my card on their filing cabinet, or refrigerator or their wallet.

Beautiful Blooms Gratitude Journal

First of all, let me say I had SO much fun stamping with my NEW Papertrey Ink stamp set Beautiful Blooms! I had inky fingers galore when I finished because I realized I could use my FINGER instead of an acrylic block with the itty bitty stamps! There's no trace of the venture this morning except on my messy desk *wink*

I went shopping at Target for my favorite adhesive (Scotch Quick Dry) and they were out! drats. Anyway, so perusing the scrapbooking aisle, there were a LOT of clearance items! I got this cute journal (2 for $2.49) with snaps that I just KNEW would match Purely Pomegranate! I plan to get some more soon.

I chose my colors based on the new FIRE Velvet Blossoms that I got at PTI. How cute & yummy are they? I am ALL over texture (I've been known to feel on people when they have a soft shirt or blouse on & HAVE to touch soft clothes, blankets, etc in the stores!!) Anyway, I knew for sure I wanted to make a bookmark to go with it...so this is what I did! I ended up using the SU Color Combo site (use ALL the time) for colors to match Purely Pomegranate & Pumpkin Pie. I added Old Olive, Taken With Teal & More Mustard for a FALL look. I am SO looking forward to that season!

I 'kissed' the polka dot, polka dot cluster & plaid stamps onto the solid stamp to texturize the flowers. I LOVED how that looked! I also noticed I need to stamp the solid flower before the outline or else I won't get them alighned right (which proves I NEED to get an OTT light one of these days).

To make my bookmark, I punched a hole in one of the petals with my Crop-A-Dile & layered the flowers with my crystal effects & added a bling brad (wish I'd had the FIRE ones that SU! carries, but I only bought ICE so far). Oh well...then added a jump ring & threaded my Tangerine Grosgrain ribbon & tied in a loop.

I think is by far one of my FAVORITE altered things I've done in a while. What do you think?

By the way...I do plan to use this as I love to keep my blessings at hand & will jot them down as I think of them. My first thing to write is how grateful I am to Nichole Heady & the rest of the Papertrey gals & design team for coming up with awesome products & ideas for inspiration!

Super Saturday Giveaway by Gena!!

Check out this post Gena is giving away some awesome goodies! I was Gena's Divine Secret Sister on SCS last round...she is fairly new to blogging but has some awesome creations on her blog! Check it out!!

Sorry I haven't posted anything new - haven't felt much like stamping. I have a stamp camp on Sat - after that I will post what everyone made. Hopefully I'll get something new to show you before then, though! I just needed to take a little break.

What Color Crayon Are You?

I am not surprised...my favorite color! Seriously...I didn't finaggle the questionnaire...I answered all the questions honestly.

You Are a Purple Crayon

Your world is colored in dreamy, divine, and classy colors. You hold yourself to a sky high standard, and you are always graceful. People envy, idolize, and copy you without realizing it. You are an icon for those who know you. And while it is hard to be a perfectionist, rest assured it's paying off! Your color wheel opposite is yellow. While yellow people may be wise, they lack the manners and class needed to impress you.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Secret Sister Thank you RAK

Here is a Thank You card from the gal I was Secret Sister for on SCS last round, Gena. Isn't it a great card? Check out Gena's new blog My Stampin' Garden for more of her stuff!
I enjoyed getting to know you, too Gena! We'll definitely keep in touch! You're welcome for all the goodies!

Happy Birthday Taylor!! PAPERTREY shout out!!

A card made for a little girl who is turning 7. Used Thoughtful Phrases by Verve Visual on the envelope and the little stamp on the border of the punched oval is from Borders & Corners-Oval by Papertrey.

PAPERTREY SHOUT OUT:
Who else is totally STOKED about their releases every 15th of the month? Check out Nichole Heady's blog {Capture the Moment}...she always does an awesome 5-day countdown to the release of the set with sneak peaks. A few times I stayed up late enough for the release and tonight they are having a party at SCS in the General Stamping Forum!! Started at 10:00 central time. Hopefully I can stay awake! I'm simply blown away by the ingenuity of this group of designers...they continually outdo themselves each month!! While I'm talking about Papertrey (because I can't seem to stop) if you love their stuff like I do, you can get a FREE Anniversary set next year February 2008 when you purchase just 12 sets until then! Let me tell you, it would be EASY!! At first they came out with one set per month, but last month, they came out with 5 sets!! I have 7 out of 11 so far!! Oh and have I told you lately how much I ADORE their Stamper's Select White cardstock? It's thick enough to have as a card base! I use it ALL the time, in fact their envelopes are just as nice...and only $6 for 40 sheets of c/s and $6 for 40 envelopes! Can't beat that price! Oh and did I even mention you can get FREE shipping with your $40 purchase? let me tell you, I've never paid shipping with them so far!!! HA! How's that for great savings?!

Pink & Brown Birthday Bella

Another card I made for the birthday card order, which was inspired by CrabbyAbbe at SCS.

More Papertrey cards

Here are 2 more, using Papertrey sets: first card uses Papertray sentiment, Faux Ribbon & new Corners & Border for rectangles. Second card uses Papertray sentiment, Green Thumb

Birthday Bellas

Here are 2 cards I made yesterday for some orders of b'day cards for a co-worker.

Pepperoni & Pineapple on thin crust *YUM*

yes - this is my favorite pizza! Thanks to an ex co-worker who had it delivered for lunch & shared a piece with me (I fell in love with the sweet/savory combo)

What Your Pizza Reveals

Your appetite is pretty average. You don't go overboard - but you don't deprive yourself either. You are a very picky pizza eater. Not any pizza will do. You fit in best in the Northeast part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are dependable, loyal, and conservative with your choices. You are carefree and friendly. You should consider traveling to Hawaii. The stereotype that best fits you is geek. You're the type most likely to order pizza to avoid leaving your computer.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

Cracked Toile Blossom

Since I'm reminiscing about retired SU! sets I love, here's another oldie but goodie, Toile Blossoms. I fell in love with this set from the beginning & it sure looks well loved. I need to get it out & play with it again since I haven much better coloring options now such as the copics & gamsol magic. This was one of my first attempts at cracked glass too, but as you can see, mypicture taking skills were not all that great last year. So, you probably can't see it that well. This card was so pretty IRL (you'll be proud, I actually gave it away to a special person). I put just a sprinkling of dazzling diamonds in the clear embossing powder because I didn't have the iridescent ice ep yet. I also miss the square steps punch. LOVED being able to make the lacy border (still have the punch so I can still do it)

Dazzling Diamonds Butterfly

I created this card for a class I taught on the Dazzling Window technique for VC Rocks last year (Virtual Convention). I looked for the instructions, but couldn't find them. Basically, you take a window sheet & stamp your image with StaZon. Then on the BACK, with a sponge dauber, use Craft Inks, Metallic inks to fill in colors & then sprinkle on Dazzling Diamonds. It will take FOREVER to dry so you just adhere carefully with brads onto your cardstock mat of your choice. Pretty, huh?? I really wish SU! still carried the window sheets...

Sets: Natural Beauty, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Weathered BG
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery

Inks: Apricot Appeal, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery Craft, Metallic Silver

Accessories: Linen thread, silver brads, window sheet, sponge daubers, dazzling diamonds glitter, celery grosgrain ribbon

Fresh Fruits

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while!! Been working on some projects I'll post soon (haven't taken the pics yet) So here are some previously created projects using a retired SU! set, Fresh Fruits. Still have it, because the images make great coasters & I like fruit! In fact, here's the pear coaster I have on my desk at work.

Stampin' Up! Specials!! Choose Your Family Promotion & Punch a Bunch!!

Stampin' Up! has some great specials right now!

Choose Your Family Promotion
Between Grandma Louise (who drips with sweetness) and your oh-so-suave brother, Vic, you know that in life you can't choose your own family. But at Stampin' Up!, we've found a way to bend the rules so you can!

Purchase the Starter Kit between August 10 and September 14, and you'll get to pick the family of your choice-color family, that is-of Classic Stampin' Pads® FREE. That's a $57.95 value! And we've designed our exclusive coordinating color families (including our In Color collection) so that every color fits in. After all, it's all in the family!

Punch a Bunch

You won't be able to resist punching a bunch of beautiful projects when you see what's inside our Three for You Punch Box!

This fun keepsake tin holds

• the exclusive Trio Flower punch
• a coordinating 9-piece die cut Three for You stamp set
• and three Stampin' Spots in Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, and Basic Black.

But there's even more to love. During August, we're throwing in an exclusive package of 30 textured Love Notes (a $12.95 value) free when you purchase the Three for You Punch Box! Create Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron, and Wild Wasabi notes and other on-the-go projects using the Three for You Punch Box. You'll find it's such a cinch that you'll want to punch and stamp bunches!

Let me know if you'd like to take advantage of either of these promotions!!!

Blog Fun with the First Letter of Your Name!!

I saw this over on Nancy’s Blog and thought it would be fun to play since I haven’t uploaded any new projects lately...actually I’ve been working on projects for my first stamp camp in over a year!! It’s scheduled for Aug 25th and I’m REALLY looking forward to treating my stamping friends/customer to some F³

That’s SU! FUN, FELLOWSHIP & FOOD!!

For each question your answer has to start with the same letter that your first name starts with. For boy/girl names the name can't be the same as your own. I challenge you to try this out with YOUR name.

Your Name: Donna
Famous Artist/Band/Musician: Depeche Mode
4 letter word: Dung (I really couldn’t think of anything else!)
Vehicle: Durango
TV SHOW: Dexter (Showtime Series about a Forensic guy who works for the Miami PD who is a serial killer who kills other serial killers because they deserve it) It’s actually funny & entertaining!
City/Town: Donna, TX
Boy Name: Donald (My dad’s name, who I was named after)
Girl Name: Debra
Occupation: Daredevil
Something you wear: Diamonds!
Celebrity: Dustin Hoffman (who turned 70 this week- can you believe it!? Heard it on the radio)
Food: Dinuguan (Filipino food – beware, don’t eat it unless you like beef blood) I accidentally did once
Something found in a kitchen: dishcloth
Reason for Being Late: Dog had an accident on me
Cartoon Character: Dora the Explorer
Something You Shout: Dang!

Gina K's Make a Wish Stamps for a Cause set! Plus GIVEAWAYS!

Check out the new set 'Make a Wish' Gina K created in which $7 from each sale of the set is donated to the Make A Wish Foundation! The set is darling!!

Then - check out Erika's blog for a great giveaway!

Lastly - check out Emily's blog for a great giveaway!

Groovy Giveaway from Stampin' Mama!!

Erika Martin Designs is having a Groovy Giveaway! Head on over to her awesome blog to check it out this is how you get entered:

1) Leave a comment here on my blog telling me what your favorite stamping tip or trick is......or even what kind of trick you'd like to see me show on my blog.

2) Sign up for my mailing list -there's LOTS of cool stuff that you get in your inbox when you're on my mailing list, so you don't wanna miss out (it's the little box under my picture at the top of my blog.....the one that says "Join My Mailing List." If you've already signed up, you can skip this part.)

EXTRA BONUS: Send your friends over to enter, too! Have your friends tell me who referred them and you'll get an extra ticket in the drawing for each friend you refer that leaves a comment!

Be sure to tell her I referred you if you are reading this post! Thanks!

Jamie's Birthday

This is a card I made for everyone at the office to sign for a co-worker's birthday tomorrow. I made it using JeanneSSketch challenge on Dare to Get Dirty Challenges.
























The earrings in a matchbook enclosure are just from me (to match a black chip ring I made last week & gave to her, it was my first one & she liked it so I gave it to her) since then, I've gotten much better at the rings & started selling a few at work! I'll upload a picture later.