Simple stitching on a ‘sweet’ card

Since I’ve been on a kick for stamping the clean & simple style for a while now, I’m happy I discovered a blog that celebrates that style (thanks, Charmaine!) all the time!

This is the Fall to Layout #48 which is a fun round card!  I ended up combining 3 challenges for this card, actually!  Another is for StampTV’s Potluck Friday challenge {stvpf19} hosted by one of our center stage spotlight gals, Pam to go digital-to use our digital papers and make a non-standard sized card.  I chose to use the digital paper designed by Rupa Shevde, illustrator of the new 100% Sweet stamp set, which is what I used for the sentiment since that’s the only stamping on my card (I omitted part of the stamp which usually says birthday-to make it a more general card)!   The last challenge is Gina’s sewing challenge {svttc19} did you check out her videos on sewing?!  I think I need to get that sewing machine some day!  The one I have is a micro-mini and it only does straight stitching – I’m missing out on a lot not being able to do more stitches!!  Oh well…for the meantime, I will try to be content with what I have instead of wishing I had more!!

I finished off my card with some punched mini flowers with the new self-adhesive nail heads in the centers!  I love this card, it reminds me of yummy sherbet ice cream!!

Hope YOU Have a sweet day!!

SFYTT Sweet! Cupcakes

 

Happy Sunday, y’all!  Today I have a sweet cupcake card to share with you – using For the Love of Cupcakes by Taylored Expressions and Jen’s Sketch For You To Try from yesterday! 

I used my Sweet stack designer paper from DCWV in the blue, brown & white theme!  This card was simple & fun to put together, but I think it packs a mighty sweet punch!!  The frosting on the little cupcakes is liquid pearls and chocolate twill ribbon is by Taylored Expressions. 

Personal Stuff:  We had a nice day today touring 11 homes in the Cool House Tour which was a neat experience; we’re still in our gathering information stage for building our home.  It’s amazing to think what a huge difference building a green, sustainable living home can make - one of the houses was over 3,000 sq. ft. and their electric bill is under $100/month!  Can you imagine!?  There are a lot of factors that play into that equation, but and an important one is to be sure the envelope {house shell-walls & roof} is sealed properly and that’s one reason we are leaning toward using spray foam insulation as opposed to traditional insulation!  We saw a few neat features that I’m sure will make it on our likes/wants list for when we start architect shopping!

In the last home we saw {by far the biggest with over 5,000 sq. ft. } as it was slowly cooling down to 105 degrees from a staggering 107 in the middle of the day, we were blessed to try the most refreshing water around, rain water!!  The homeowners were so kind; I had a chance to chat with them a bit about a picture of their son I saw in one of the rooms where he was jamming on stage with U2, my favorite band of all time!  I was just tickled to see that!  She told me it was 1987 – a definite highlight in his life (I went to that concert, the Joshua Tree tour and have fond memories-my BFF in high school and I were huge fans! 

Hope you have a fabulous week!

Weiman Wranglers – Color Challenge

A few weeks ago, Cowboy Ethan Weiman just a few months shy of his 5th birthday, lost his battle to Leukemia.  My heart went out to this family, I cannot begin to comprehend the pain they are experiencing.  Lauren Meader partnered with Melissa, owner of Pink Cat Studio to create the Weiman Wranglers-Ethan & his little sister Ava on horses, available as digital downloads in which the proceeds will be donated to the Make a Wish foundation in Ethan’s honor.  Make a Wish granted a wish for Ethan, his very own horse so that’s why they are donating the $ to them in his honor. 

I chose to buy these digital images not only to help in this fundraiser, but because I knew these stamps would be perfect to scrapbook my nephew’s 1st birthday party pictures, which was a cowboy theme. 

The cards I made are to send to my nephew & niece just to say hello!  The boy wrangler I made using Lauren’s Color Challenge today {MTTC03} Brown, Mustard, Green & Terracotta and the sketch I is from Our Creative Corner sketch challenge today.  I chose to use Gina K. Designs’ Ribbon Stripes in lieu of the left vertical panel, I thought it went nicely with the images and I topped it off with a lasso made from hemp cord.

Here is the little cowgirl, made with red, brown & mustard.  I love the little sentiments that are available as downloads too. 

Here is the link to Ethan’s mom Alicia’s blog if you’d like to venture over there and leave her some love; if you are a praying person, please join me in asking for God’s comfort in the days, months and years ahead as they move on with their lives without their precious little boy. 

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge Vacation (TECC)

Sorry for those of you who are used to seeing my Friday Cupcake Challenge, there wasn’t one posted today at 10:00 a.m.  I was out from 7:30-6:30 Geocaching (more on that soon, it was a great day & I have lots of pictures to share) and it’s time to rest!!   

Taylor is preparing for her move across country so she and the Cupcake Crew will be taking a few week’s break and starting back up with the sketch challenges on Friday, July 17th.  Mark Your Calendars! 

If you’d like to use the previous sketch challenges in the meantime, here is a link.

Taylor has also published a Badge for you to link on your blogs-get the code here.    

Gina K. Preview Release Day: The Journey and Many Wishes

Here is a great classic pickup in the new set The Journey, illustrated by Asela Hopkins. I combined it with ‘You’re a Classic’ from Tee Talk since it was fitting!! My card base is Soft Sand and I paired it here with Chocolate Kiss which was distressed a lot, along with the sentiment tag. I thought adding natural hemp would be the best choice for this masculine card, I don’t think one should give a man a card with any ribbon on it – it’s just not right in my opinion but this is completely acceptable since it reminds me of twine and I remember my dad used to have a HUGE ball of that in the garage! I added some sponging to my focal image and brads to complete my clean and simple card.

Here is another clean and simple card I made using the new One Free with 3 set, Many Wishes by Gina K. It is a precious collection of different sized dandelions and sentiments of wishes for many occasions! When you purchase any 3 sets by Gina K. Designs, you add this set to your cart for FREE! On my card, I stamped the dandelions on kiwi kiss cardstock with versamark ink and on the Soft Sand focal image. The sentiment is embossed with black powder and I outlined the focal image with a black marker for depth because I didn’t have the room to fit a matted layer. The white flowers are from the Stamptv kit Floral Frenzy. The sketch is courtesy of Cat, who will be uploading it to StampTV later this morning for you to play along with for a free stamp set valued at $24.95 or less!

During a resume class I attended today, the instructor asked if anyone had gone the past week without reminiscing of their childhood at some point. Sadly, some people raised their hands. Of course I had thought of it several times, one reason being it was Father’s Day and I have had to live 29 years without my dad. I naturally thought about Kathy Daume, whose father died 9 months ago, Gina K. whose father died in January, a friend from childhood whose dad died last month and some new friends who had to spend their first Father’s Day without their husband/dad. I remember how tough it was for me and how it would be for them. Even after all these years, I still miss my daddy and since I was only 9 when he died, he is a BIG part of my childhood still.

I also thought of my childhood when I was using this set; I thought fondly of the days when I would be outside with my sisters or friends playing and we would see these dandelions lining our paths just begging to be picked up, a wish to be told and a quick blow to release the feathers in the air. I believe I was told only if you blew the whole thing away with one breath would your wish come true! Ah, the joys of childhood! It’s sad that somewhere along the way we tend to lose sight of the small things that made us laugh, the carefree days when our only concerns in the world were which direction should we ride our bikes or will I be able to get away with not taking a bath tonight, I didn’t get that dirty!

I think it’s important, even as adults to get out and explore and take in nature. That is one thing our new hobby, Geocaching has done for us…it’s an avenue of exercise, it’s allowing us to explore the outdoors and discover hidden treasures like a duck pond less than 10 minutes from our house and most of all, spending time together is nice {that is until I start complaining about being ready to leave} but believe it or not, John…I am enjoying this new hobby of ours, it has brought some new friendships in our lives and I look forward to the years of memories we will share doing it. I still have not forgotten about sharing more about this hobby with y’all…I will and will have pictures to share too.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the following blogs for more inspiration:

Gina, Asela, Carolyn, Cathy, Cindy, Emily, Erika, Jessica, Joanne, Kurtis, Lee, Lynn, Melanie, and Theresa

Our CenterStage Spotlight Design Team members Selma Stevenson and Pam Imholz are joining us this morning with previews as well!

Are you excited about the release party tonight? Don’t forget—it’s from 7:00-10:00 p.m. CST and I’m sure everyone who shares their projects will rock the house! We’ll be releasing 6 new stamp sets, new Soft Stone Pure Luxury card stock and some great new accessories! Gina will be giving away lots of freebies as usual, including some sweet templates and digital papers!

Gina K. Preview Day 2 – Bugs & Flowers

Look at this cute caterpillar I used on my card in the set Bug Me Anytime illustrated by Nina Brackett!!  I know most people are not too fond of bugs in real life, but how can you resist stamped bugs that are smiling?!  In addition to bugs of many kinds in this set, there are cute sentiments, flowers and more!  You are going to adore the digital papers that coordinate with the set too!  There are 2 – Summer (which I used on my card) and Pastels.  I used tangerine tango, brocade blue and chocolate kiss on my card which is for Jen’s Sketch For You to Try from Saturday-I just adore it to showcase 3 of the fun papers in the pack!

Here is a follow up to Melanie’s A Year of Flowers and the biggest stamp Gina K. Designs has!!  It is called Arranged with Love, a 3.75” by 5” stamp; perfectly sized to allow for one to two matted layers behind it on a standard sized card.  I chose to do a de-bossed technique for my card: I stamped the background stamp with white craft ink of vellum cardstock and let it dry completely.  Then, I outlined the image with a stylus tool on the back with a piercing mat beneath my image to emphasize the outline.  I colored on the back with waterbased markers.  I cut out the box which looks like a card similar to what you would stick in a store bought arrangement (you know the one that says who it’s for and who it’s from) to draw attention to the Happy Birthday greeting which is stamped with versamark ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  This set has 10 greetings for all the floral arrangement occasions you may need!  Of course you can always mix & match sentiments from other Gina K. Designs sets too! 

Here are links to inspiration from the Sr. Design Team today: Gina, Carolyn, Cathy, Cindy, Emily, Jessica, Kurtis, Lee,Lynn, Melanie, and Theresa

Be sure to check out our CenterStage Spotlight girls joining us with previews: Carla Suto and Melisa Waldorf

And Melanie has a few guest designers joining in previews of her Arranged with Love stamp set:
Dawn Lusk, Denise Marzec and Selma Stevenson

Don’t forget YOU are invited to our release party on SCS tomorrow evening, Thursday, June 25th 7:00-10:00 p.m. CST.  We will release 6 new stamp sets, new Pure Luxury card stock and some great new accessories! Gina will be giving away lots of freebies too, including templates and digital paper! A fun time for all!!  Hope to see you there!!

Gina K. Preview – 100% Sweet & Happy Camper

View Full Album

I just learned a fun thing on Microsoft Live Writer {the program I use to compose & publish my blog posts} and that is to insert an album of pictures!  Above is a trio of previews I made using 100% Sweet, a new set illustrated by Rupa Shevde to be released this Thursday by Gina K. Designs!  For those of you who love Rupa’s delicate images, this one sure will not disappoint with a fun collection of “SWEETS” and fun sentiments to match!! 

I was brave {crazy?!} and whipped out one of my mini sewing machines {my real one is in storage and I contemplated going to get it, but I just couldn’t find the time}.  I picked up this cute cupcake & cherry fabric that I thought would coordinate nicely with the set!  I am in love with the images in it too; here I am showing one of the cupcakes, keeping my card design clean and simple.  Do you like the new Soft Sand cardstock by Gina K. Designs I used as the card base?  It is a wonderful, sturdy yet smooth sand color!  The middle picture shows the inside of the little pouch I made with a Velcro closure.  The last picture has two smaller pouches that are really drink coasters with a little batting on the inside.  One thing that annoys me is when your drink glass ‘sweats’ from the condensation, so these fabric coasters will drink it up for you!  The tissue I wrapped up the gift in has cherries on it and it says “It’s a Cherry of Top Day” and it came from a gift I got from Carolina.  There will also be a FREE digital paper pack and fun templates available to coordinate with this set.

Here is a card I made previewing a new set illustrated by Theresa Momber called Happy Camper!  It’s a wonderful collection of realistic camping images and great sentiments to complement it!  On my card, I chose to use the serene mountain & tree image and sentiment ‘Lose yourself in nature and find peace’ so I added a sponged sunset in the sky!  I used the Rough & Rugged digital paper which I thought went nicely with the soft sand cardstock base I used as well as my Chocolate Kiss layer.  There will be a fun freebie digital paper pack called The Great Outdoors from Gina K. to complement this stamp set!   Lastly, I used the new self-adhesive nail heads that will be available on Thursday as well!  I thought it gave just the right touch for my card, without adding bulk. 

Be sure to check out today’s previews from Gina & the Sr. Design Team:

Gina
Carolyn
Cathy
Cindy
Emily
Erika
Jessica 
Joanne
Kurtis  
Lee
Lynn
Melanie
Theresa

We are also thrilled to have a few of our Center Stage Spotlight Design Team join us in with previews this morning: 

Carolina Buchting
Jennie Harper

2S4Y: Starving Artistamps Sponsor

This week, Starving Artistamps is sponsoring the 2 Sketches 4 You challenge!  

It is a great sketch; I immediately thought of making a cabbie scene with NumNum acting like an Italian New Yorker by omitting the cookie from his hand, yelling out the side of his cab asking if anyone needs a lift!  I’ve had this little cab from Doodlefactory Urban & Urban sentiment set #1 for a while now just waiting to be inspired to make the perfect card for it.  Well, it wasn’t until the Rooftops backdrop was made that really inspired me to make a city scene with the taxi cab!  I just adore these backdrops; they increases the versatility of these unique sets 2-fold!!

You oughta play along with the great sketch, because one random winner will get a FREE Oh, Baby You’re Super Collection.  Be sure to check out all the cards the design team came up with using this sketch on the Starving Artistamps blog.

Lastly, more Doodlefactory News!  Save the Date!!  Wednesday, July 8th at 10:00 a.m. CST the design team will have a blog hop to debut a new one of a kind Doodlefactory set with you!  I’m so excited about it and I’m sure you Doodlefactory fans will be too!!  EEEK!!

TECC73: Miss You

Well, this is me every time I have to leave CA after visiting my family.  I will have to send this card to Gabby to let her know I miss her.  It was so heart-wrenching saying good-bye.  As if it wasn’t hard enough the night before we left (thinking she would still be asleep in the morning when we left) we had to say good-bye all over again because she sauntered out of the bedroom with her cute little princess nightgown on, rubbing her eyes before we left for the airport.  I was grateful to get one more hug & kiss from her, though!  Then, as we drove away – my sister brought her & our nephew onto the front porch to wave good-bye and I just bawled like a baby! 

I used the Beary Special set & accessories set for my card, as well as the April Key ingredients subscription from Taylored Expressions.  I just adore the sweet patterns and had the idea to paper-piece the sad-eyed puppy when I made my paper dolls a few weeks ago.  Remember, a portion of the sale of each of the sets will be donated to Sick Kids (A Children’s Hospital in Canada)-isn’t that great??

I wanted to let you know Taylored Expressions is having a MOVING Sale (click for more details) some stuff is discount up to 50% – what a deal!  The less they have to move across country, the better so you won’t have to feel guilty with this purchase since you would be helping her & Jon out *wink*  Note: The TE Store will not be shipping orders for two weeks from June 27 - July 11th during the transition of the move. However, the store will be open and you can still place orders and they will begin shipping on Monday July 13th.

Here is Taylor’s sketch for you to try out - how about a sweet Spring Treat? Taylor is giving away a FREE Tiny Twinkles to one random winner from among all the people who upload their sketch challenge cards to Paper Craft Planet using the same TECC73 keyword. So hop on over and upload your card at PaperCraftPlanet and you could be the winner of some cute twinkle bling! It’s as easy as that!!! Be sure to leave a comment on Taylor’s blog and leave a link to your blog post or gallery upload using the Mr. Linky service so she can check it out!  Remember Taylor changed the deadline for your submissions! You're always welcome to play with any of these sketches at any time, but now you'll have a week to make a card and link your creation on her blog in order to be eligible for the Featured Cupcake Sampler have them linked by Friday, June 26th at 10am CST for consideration of the week’s Featured Cupcake Sampler.

Be sure to check out the other Cupcake Crew’s Creations:

Taylor Van Bruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt {later posting}
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Monika Davis
Sherrie Siemens
Stephanie Hargis
Vicki Chrisman

Today our Featured Cupcake Sampler is Rachel Sztonyk, be sure to check out her blog Gingerbread Gallery!

Hope you have a SWEET day & weekend! 

Clean and Simple Breezy Ruby Whisper Blooms

Say that 10 times fast!  Here is the card I made using this week’s Clean & Simple challenge {CAS19-Natasha’s Pink Blooms} which is a great layout!  I combined it with this week’s Color Challenge {CC223} hosted by my cupcakealicious friend Carolina*!  It’s Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, Whisper White & optional Basic Gray.  I thought these would be pretty colors for my Tropical Blooms by Gina K. Designs.

I liked it so much, I ended up making 2 more cards since I already had the supplies out—why not??  As always you can view my photos bigger when you click on them. 

Hope you had a great day- I meant to publish this post earlier today but I must have scheduled it for p.m. since it hadn’t posted this morning – oops! 

*Today is Carolina & her husband Andy’s 15th Anniversary in addition to my middle sister Deana & my BIL Frankie – they happened to have gotten married on the same day and just a few cities apart – how about that for a fun coincidence!  I want to wish them all a happy day together as they are reminded of their commitment & love to one another.  Blessings to you & may you have many, many more happy years together!!

My Best Bud – 3 day card!

Here is my card for Jen’s Saturday Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) and Lauren’s My Time to Inspire Challenge {MTTI02} which I didn’t complete until Monday afternoon, although I started working on it on Sat. 

You see, sometimes MOJO takes a little break**.  I was doing just fine with stamping last week and made a few things on Friday I was proud of.  Then Saturday rolled around and I had a nice day; it started with a few errands which included the local Farmer’s Market {which Eating Well Magazine voted #4 in the Top 10 in America!}-it’s hard to believe it’s been 11 years, I actually remember when it first started and my how it’s grown!!  I got some yummy veggies and grabbed a spinach empanada for breakfast there and if it wasn’t so hot and if I wasn’t by myself, I totally would have sat down & listened to some live music there.  My errands concluded with a trip to the library where I got a book by one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult Perfect Match and 3 movies (2 Bollywood and 1 American). 

As I sat down to stamp, and had a list of challenges I wanted to do, I started with Jen’s sketch-I had in my mind to make the 3 back panels with stamped patterned paper instead of pre-made patterned paper using my Bold Flowers set by Gina K.  Then, when it came time to do my front panel & sentiment, I got stuck.  Nothing seemed right so instead of getting frustrated, I stepped away from my messy desk to chill {ie watch the movies and read the book} and I didn’t step back to my stamp area until late Monday afternoon.  Thanks to a friend’s unexpected yet appreciated visit, she helped inspire me to finish my card with some suggestions.  Thank you, Pam!!

So here is the card that took me 3 days to finish!  I hope you like it!
By the way, Monday evening I finished that book {it was great} and after typing this post, I will watch the last movie I checked out!  What I’m learning is that I need to have balance; I have to take time to nourish my other hobbies because stamping is NOT my only one!  One last thing - MOJO came back…I’ll share more soon but in the meantime, off to watch my movie and get back into the other book Sisters, Ink which was recommended in the StampTV Stamping Lifestyle magazine **(which also has a great article about what to do if YOUR MOJO is missing)!!

Some Beachy Cards

Here are a few Beachy cards I made using the new Stamp a Sweet Impression set Beach Bum and the Beach Bum Key Ingredients.  About a year ago I made a template with 4 circles so I can re-create the layout easily, so I grabbed it to put some of the smaller images from the set for a fun beach card.  I made this using the Limited Supplies Challenge on SCS last Friday Water + Sand {LSC224} which was to use blues, grays, greens and any neutral color and add hemp brads (the iced tea glass) and piercing. 

My next card is a 4.25-inch square card I made so I could extend the ribbon from the sides and still be able to fit it in a standard envelope.  Do you like the polka dot frame the images are housed in?  It’s the new smaller frame by Spellbinders you can get at the Taylored Expressions store, you also get 2 small flower shapes in it too!  I also used the same supplies as the card above. 

Hope you’re enjoying your Summer so far!!  We had our first 3 digit temperature in the area yesterday, thank God for air conditioning!

JustRite Cupcake Bite

Today some of the Baker’s Dozen Design Team are bringing special projects using JustRite stamps, available at Taylored Expressions! I love reading non-stamping blogs too, since another one of my favorite things to do is eat (and along those lines, cook & bake occasionally). Have you ever checked out Cakespy artist Jessie Oleson’s blog who is the illustrator of all things Cuppie for Taylor?? Well, months ago I discovered Bakerella’s blog from a link on there who first put Cuppie in edible form for Jessie. I fell in love with the little cupcake bites (see for complete instructions) and knew one day I was going to make some – the day arrived!

The cupcake bite was pretty easy to make but assembling it was a tad more time consuming. However the reactions I got from John, his co-workers and our cousins who tried them, was priceless! They were hmmmming and ahhhhinggg all over the place, it was hilarious! It wasn’t until long after I made them I tried one, because all the sugary goodness was making me a little nauseous although I do love sweets, I kind of need to be in the mood to enjoy them!

I used the SCS pattern for the Round Top Box to house my cupcake bite, which was perfect for just one! I used my Cupcake Key Ingredients, which are temporarily sold out right now but keep checking back, they will return!

The JustRite products I used for the circle on the top of the box are Celebration Demi Phrases and the 2” Stamper with Bonus 15 pt font set that I was able to personalize with *CUPCAKE BITE YUM* on the bottom. In the center, I stamped one of the cupcakes from For the Love of Cupcakes set. Fun, huh?? The ribbon I used on the bottom is one of my favorite ribbons in the store Rose Satin, which is a perfect match for the Prism cardstock Blush Red Light.

Here is a list of all the ladies who have JustRite projects to share with you today, be sure to check them out and have a ‘SWEET’ Day!

Jami Sibley
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Sankari Wegman

More Birthday Blessings to share (and more)

As promised, I have more birthday blessings to share with you!  I love celebrating more than just a birth ‘day’ I like to celebrate my birth ‘month’ continuing with lunches, dinners, etc. with friends and family—it’s been that way for many years and I am grateful for it!  The above gift is from Melanie, she made me the adorable trio of lockers with purses using her Just so Sporty Accessories and Retro Boutique.  She treated me to a great breakfast at Galaxy Cafe and shopping at Embellish Salon where I got the cute headband and earrings (don’t you love the bags they put my stuff in?)  She made me feel special! 

This sweet birthday card is from Charmaine – she is so thoughtful!  She used the new For the Love of Cupcakes set by Taylored Expressions, I think she knows I love cupcakes!!

This bright & cheerful card came from Charmaine as well last month and I am late in sharing it.  She sent it not long after I got laid off from my job to encourage me and I look at it often adorning my stamp area. 

And last but not least, I got this gem of a card/gift from Barb Schram.  I adored the little candle cozy's she made around the holidays and I am the blessed recipient of one!  She sent this to me to brighten my day and let me know since she read of my lay off from my job, I’ve been in her thoughts and prayers.  Isn’t that sweet? 

Thank you, ladies!!  You are blessings to me!!

Bright Summer Grunge Crinkled Blooms

Here are two cards I made using Thursday’s Ways to Use it challenge on SCS {WT222} which was to make your own crinkled flowers {tutorial here}.  I thought it would be fun to use my new Gina K. digital papers Bright Summer Grunge for my blooms.  On the left card, I used Marvy flower punches and on the other card, I tore my papers in a circle and put foam tape randomly around the layers for dimension {see below}.

I made a ‘frame’ for my card on the left, after seeing one somewhere on a blog – and for the life of me cannot remember to give credit, sorry!  On both cards I used olive grosgrain ribbon for the leaves and stems and I made my own ‘grass’ using Ribbon Stripes, which was torn & layered. 

Hope you have a great day – be back tomorrow with more birthday blessings to share!! 

TECC72: A Time for Everything…

 

Happy Cupcake Friday y’all!  I have a sad and happy card Occasion to share with you today; that way they balance each other out.  Like the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:2, there is

A Time for Everything
a time to be born and a time to die…

Back in March, Lee Murphy, her DH and DS visited us and introduced us to a fun hobby!!  I wanted to save info on this hobby for a special post and I’ll go into more details some other time, but for now I’ll tell you it’s something that has made John and I get outdoors and exercise!  It’s also brought some fun people into our lives and one of those people, Andrew died unexpectedly last Monday, much to the shock of a lot of people {he was only 45 and was married for 22 years and has 3 children, ages 18, 14 and 11}.  We visited the family at their home (which happens to be in our neighborhood) the night of the memorial service.  Next week, we plan to take a meal to them and the above card is for them as well.  Since these are outdoorsy people, I made my card quite masculine and earthy with Granola paper by Basic Grey.  I also used the new Lasting Impressions set Faith & Hope for my focal image. 

Now for the Happy Occasion!  It’s Taylor’s Birthday today and this is the card I made for her to celebrate!  Have you read the exciting news on her blog?  I am thrilled for her!!  For the card I made her, I used just the Beary Special Accessories to show you how versatile they can be and even used alone!   But of course, considering how much fun I am having with both the sets I would highly recommend both sets to increase your stamping mileage you get from them!  I used papers from the Freebird Collection by My Mind’s Eye on my card and colored everything with prismacolor pencils, blended with odorless mineral spirits. 

Here is Taylor’s sketch for you to try out - how about a sweet Spring Treat? Taylor is giving away a FREE Tiny Twinkles to one random winner from among all the people who upload their sketch challenge cards to Paper CraftPlanet using the same TECC72 keyword. So hop on over and upload your card at PaperCraftPlanet and you could be the winner of some cute twinkle bling! It’s as easy as that!!! Be sure to leave a comment on Taylor’s blog and leave a link to your blog post or gallery upload using the Mr. Linky service so she can check it out! RememberTaylor changed the deadline for your submissions! You're always welcome to play with any of these sketches at any time, but now you'll have a week to make a card and link your creation on her blog in order to be eligible for the Featured Cupcake Sampler have them linked by Friday, June 19th at 10am CST for consideration of the week’s Featured Cupcake Sampler.

Be sure to check out the other Cupcake Crew’s Creations:

Taylor Van Bruggen – leave her some sweet Birthday Wishes!
Ana Wohlfahrt
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Monika Davis
Sherrie Siemens
Stephanie Hargis
Vicki Chrisman

Today we have Bonnie Sharp as our Featured Cupcake Sampler!!

And we also have Julie Smith as Our Friday Friend on the Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog! 

Go give these ladies some stamping love today and have a SWEET one! 

Giraffe For Baby

 

Here is my card for today’s StampTV sketch challenge.  I made this for one of my friends baby to be (they were married last June); remembering half way through I made a circle card for their wedding too!  I used Hip Hop Accessories because I wanted to match the cute giraffe hooded towel they registered for and be sure my giraffe fit on my circle.  I used Ribbon Stripes for the polka dots on the card base, pink taffeta ribbon by SU! and a celery safety pin and my finishing touch was a few clear rhinestones for accents.

Here’s a picture of the cute hooded towel & matching washcloths. 
Below is my sketch if you’d like to play along on StampTV!  You have one week to make a card (doesn’t have to be round, but if you make it standard size, just stick to the center circles) and get your name in a drawing to win a Gina K. stamp set valued at $24.95 or less.  You don’t have to use Gina K. stamps, but if you do, you get your name in the drawing twice!   I do hope you’ll play – if you haven’t checked out StampTV yet – it’s a fun {free} place to learn, chat and more!! 

See ya tomorrow for Cupcake Friday!!

Polished Stone Hot Air Balloon

It’s Wednesday and Gina K. has a new video technique at StampTV to share with you!  This week it is Polished Stone and by accident she kicked it up a notch by bleaching her image after heat embossing.  I attempted to do that on my card, but there wasn’t as much of a dramatic result.  If you look closely at my card, you can see I have a lot of flecks of black embossing powder on my balloon, I’m not sure why that happened since I used a static rub.  Oh well, I think it gives the balloon a rugged, weathered look so I went with it.  

I used my Eclectic Summer StampTV kit but added a few elements from the first kit like the mustard layers and brads.  The horizontal panel that I stamped my sentiment on is some of the new FREE digital papers called Summer Fabrics, I used the Gauze and sponged some mustard ink on it, making sure my daubers made circles to mimic the polished stone.  I also used today’s sketch challenge on SCS {232} but kept my card clean & simple! 

Tomorrow morning I will have my StampTV sketch to share with you, as it’s my week to host!  ’See’ ya then!

Beary Special stuff!!

I have a Beary Special project on the Stamp a Sweet Impression blog today, please go check it out & leave me some stampin’ love!! 

Thank You StampTV Challenge-Style

Here is a card I made for 2 current StampTV Challenges hosted this week by 2 of our Center Stage Spotlight Designers!  The sketch {STVSC15} is by Melissa Shultz (I made mine standard size) and the color challenge {STVSC16} is by Carolina Buchting to use rocket red, chocolate kiss and white!   When you play the challenges there, you can win free stamp sets so why not try?  If you use Gina K. sets you increase your chances of winning!! 

I used the new Eclectic Summer StampTV kit flower and sentiment for my card and kept my card clean and simple by minimizing my coloring-just the flower centers and added crystal lacquer for some shine.  I thought the addition of the flourish was just the right touch since I did not have enough room for my 3 embellishment under my sentiment as on the sketch. 

Thanks for these great challenges, ladies!  

CAS17 & 18: Pretty Bear

I managed to miss last week’s Clean & Simple Challenge so I figured I would combine it with this week’s so I can stay current. It’s the only challenge at SCS I have been committed to so I may as well follow-through!

For last week’s challenge {CAS17}, we were to draw inspiration from beach totes/towels and I used the little bear hooded towel below so I could use my newly released Giving Tree sets Whimsical Wishes Beary Special & Beary Special accessories, by Taylored Expressions!

For this week’s challenge {CAS18}, we are to use pinks/corals, kraft & one other color cardstock. I chose to use pattern paper, prism cardstock colors & embellishments from the April Key Ingredient Subscription kit by Taylored Expressions, because it fit the feel I set out to achieve for my pretty bear!

I colored my bear with prismacolor pencils and blended with odorless mineral spirits and placed a paper-pieced bow by the bear’s ear to make her pretty! I can’t help but smile when I look at this bear!

Remember, a portion of the sale of each of these sets goes to a worthy cause, The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) a health-care community dedicated to improving the health of children. Their mission is to provide the best in family-centered, compassionate care, to lead in scientific and clinical advancement, and to prepare the next generation of leaders in child health. The hospital is located in Canada, but is known around the world for its innovation and leadership in research. You can read more about their much needed and very effective work by visiting their website. I just knew when I first saw this set it was going to become my favorite and you will see another reason why soon when I have a special Stamp a Sweet Impression project to share with you!

Birthday Blessings & Sweet Award to Share

I wanted to share some birthday RAK blessings I got from stamping friends! The above card is from an SCS BRAK – not sure exactly who its from, the address label just said Mrs. Richard Engel. Thank you whoever you are!!

This next one is from Amy Johnson (amylovesnormajean) on SCS, a cute pocket card!!

This beautiful yummy cupcake card is from Jane Matsumoto (Whoopsie Daisy) who just so happens to be celebrating HER birthday today! Thank you, Jane – check out the cute flower rhinestones she stuck in the card! sweet!!

This funny chicken card is from fellow Gina K. design team member, Lynn Mercurio at Stamperosity. Thank you, Lynn- this chicken cracked me up!!

This adorable, cheerful card is from fellow Starving Artistamps design team member, Kathy Daume – who was just announced as one of the MFT Sweet 16 design team members, yea!!

and this wonderful box of goodies came from my friend Lee Murphy, another of my fellow Gina K. Design Team members…I just adore this box of goodies which was full of yummy dark chocolates, Starbuck’s giftcard and Michael’s giftcard – she totally spoiled me!

and here are a few other items she included that she made, a beautiful journal and bookmark which is tucked in the front pocket. I adore this bookmark!!! Thank you Lee---you always give from your heart!!

Lastly, I received this blog award from Brenda – I just love lemonade!! Be sure to check out Brenda’s blog-she has some mad stamping skills (that’s a good thing) Thanks, Brenda – you’re so sweet!!

TECC71: For the Love of Cupcakes and Faith & Hope - TE Release Day!

Happy Cupcake Friday, Y’all! I hope you have a great cup ‘o joe or whatever your poison may be because this is going to be a BIG post!!

Did you see the sneak peeks from Taylor & half the Baker’s Dozen DT yesterday with the new sweet cupcake set?! I am so over the cupcake about it even though I have MANY cupcake sets – a cupcake lover can NEVER have too many cupcake options!! Here is my peek of the new set For the Love of Cupcakes with plenty of sugary goodness in the form of big and little cupcakes, accessories and more!! I just love Taylor’s sketch today but have to admit turning my bottom layer to the right was hard, as my first instinct is to tilt to the left but I truly like how my card turned out!! I made a cute matching notepad-cupcakes, of course and I wish I had bought more of these when I found them at the Target $1 spot months ago!

Inside view of the notepad and close up of the stack o’ cupcakes! They are topped with various colors of stickles and liquid pearls bought at Taylored Expressions! I used the Cupcake Key Ingredients on my project, I just adore them!

The contents of the key ingredients are so delectable: Prism cardstock colors Suede Brown Medium, Razzleberry Medium & Light, Frosted Yellow, Nautical Blue Light, neutral cardstock Choice Snow White, Doodlebug patterned paper and 5 yummy yards of ribbon, 4 coordinating confections brads (one used on the bottom of the sentiment on notepad cover), and ½ oz. of Cyclamen glitter (used on the outer edge of my cupcake stand).

Here is Taylor’s sketch for you to try out - how about a sweet Spring Treat? Taylor is giving away a FREE Tiny Twinkles to one random winner from among all the people who upload their sketch challenge cards to Paper CraftPlanet using the same TECC71 keyword. So hop on over and upload your card at PaperCraftPlanet and you could be the winner of some cute twinkle bling! It’s as easy as that!!! Be sure to leave a comment on Taylor’s blog and leave a link to your blog post or gallery upload using the Mr. Linky service so she can check it out! Remember Taylor changed the deadline for your submissions! You're always welcome to play with any of these sketches at any time, but now you'll have a week to make a card and link your creation on her blog in order to be eligible for the Featured Cupcake Sampler have them linked by Friday, June 12th at 10am CST for consideration of the week’s Featured Cupcake Sampler.

Be sure to check out the other Cupcake Crew’s Creations:

Taylor Van Bruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Lynn Mercurio
Monika Davis
Stephanie Hargis

Today we have Barb Foster as our Featured Cupcake Sampler!!

My next sample is the die cut cupcake cards you can get for FREE if you purchase the below ‘For the Love of Cupcakes Bundle'” of course, they come plain and you can decorate them all up as you like! I kept mine pretty simple, adding a small band of Eva Basic Grey designer paper to the top of the cupcake liner, prima flowers with coordinating brads in the middle as well as the nicely coordinated Lemonade Twill ribbon in the TE store. I also used some of the die cut stickers you get in the bundle to decorate the inside of the cupcake. These would be great to include in a gift bag for a birthday present or to present a gift card for a sweet friend!

One more surprise – told you this release would be BIG!
Faith and Hope is the first set in our new Lasting Impressions collection that will be released today, a wonderful collection of inspirational & quotes and encouraging Bible verses for those enduring tough times.

I used the Perfect Package-small for the encouragement gift I made. They're made from super sturdy covered chipboard with a white matte finish. The box has a magnetic closure and it easily folds flat for storage with a tug on the ribbon tab. It makes packaging a little gift so classic & easy. I used the May 20th Key Ingredients to adorn my box lid and the contents inside as well as the Labels 4 Nestabilities dies, which coordinates so nicely with the delicate and beautiful fonts and flourishes in this set.

The notecards I made are 3 inches and I had a great time mixing and matching all the designer papers in this key ingredients kit. I even had a mini r.s.v.p. pen to place inside, slipping in a small piece of patterned paper inside the barrel. I also made a jumbo paper clip with a scallop circle, making it double-sided for 2 different looks.

More notecards – total of 6, I probably could have fit a few more.

Lastly, I made a double-sided bookmark with magnetic closure which is my favorite!

Here is a view of the back side of the jumbo paperclip.

Thanks for sticking with me the whole way; I hope you enjoyed all my samples and have fun on the rest of your journey with Taylor & the Baker’s Dozen Design Team. I’m sure you will have even more fun SHOPPING for your new stamping goodies in the store!!

Taylor VanBruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Charmaine Ikach
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Jen Del Muro
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Karen Motz
Laura Frederickson
Lori Schmidlin
Sankari Wegman

Have a ‘sweet’ weekend!!