Happy Birthday Jen!

I couldn't let this day go by without wishing one of my best friends, Jen Carter, a wonderful

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

What can I say about Jen...........she is one of the most thoughtful and caring people I know.  She remembers the little things......and that means the world to me.  We have had LOTS of laughs over the years and she's truly been there for me like a good friend.  I don't know what my life would be like without Jen in it.  I am thankful for the MSN chats we have about everything.  :)  I am thankful for the times when we all get together for our Stamping Away weekends (which by the way, we are due for!).  I am thankful for all the good eats.  And I am especially thankful Jen for your friendship.  And now I'm going to stop because I just might cry!

{Happy Birthday}

Stamps:  Very Vintage Greetings (Wplus9), BB: Sheet Music (PTI)

Paper:  SS White, True Black (PTI)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Cover Plate: Quatrafoil Die (PTI), Linen IP (PTI)

Misc:  Harvest Gold Saddle Stitch Ribbon (PTI), Prisma Glitter, Foam Tape

The Twinery/Market Street Stamps Blog Hop!

Today is going to be a great day here on the 'ole blog.  Today is the first day of The Twinery and Market Street Stamps Blog Hop!!!  If you arrived here from Katrina's blog then you are in the right place.  If not, you need to start back at The Twinery or Market Street Blog for details of the blog hop.

The first card I created was using the FABULOUS background stamp from Market Street Stamps: Sweet Lace.  Just look at the details in this one background stamp!  I am in love and this background will definitely get some major use in my cardmaking!  My sentiment is from Comforting Florals.  Here I've used some Blossom twine from The Twinery for a simple but effective wrap in place of the traditional bow.

For my second card I went a little more bold and colorful to get in more yummy colors of this awesome twine.  Here I've used the set: So Happy from MSS and created my own little floral flower bed.  I stamped the flowers and embellished the centers with tiny twine bows in Maraschino, Pink Sorbet, and Lemondrop.

I then wanted to point out my grass.  I found it very easy to make my own grass out of the Honeydew twine when you place 1/8" Scor-tape down and then start forming your grass.  For good measure, I placed a few horizontal strips over my grass again using Scor-tape. 

Would you like to know if there are prizes to be had?  Well, you all are in luck.  The Twinery is generiously giving away one Ultimate Sampler Pack ($25 value) and Market Street Stamps is giving away a $25 Shopping Spree! 

You must visit each blog, each day and leave a comment to be eligible for either prize.  Deadline for the prize giveaway is Friday, November 25.  Prize winners will be drawn at random and be announced on Saturday, November 26 on both The Twinery and Market Street Stamps blogs.  Thank you so much for stopping by today and now your next stop is  Linda. 

Happy Fall and ColourQ

Hi there!  Amy here with you via the Market Street blog!  As I write this post to tell you how I enjoy the fall weather, it is a crazy 70 degrees here in Kansas.  Beautiful beautiful weather!  This is my type of weather too!  All this aside, I thought I would share one last "FALL" card with you since we are now heading into the Holiday season. 

This card uses the wonderful Autumn Greetings set.  I thought I would use this set one last time for a "fall" theme.  I chose to go a different route with my card today.......CAS.  Well, that is except for the colored little scarecrow.  I wanted him front and center! 

I layered a couple of cardstock color panels down the side with one being stamped with the Pretty Perfect Grid background stamp and then stamped a simple sentiment and added a button!  Have you checked out Autumn Greetings?  It isn't only for fall themed cards.......it has a fabulous floral image too.  I'll be sure to show you more with that later!

I haven't played along with the girls over at the ColourQ for a long time but when I sat down to make this card, I needed a little help with some colors and this week's color palette was perfect!!  I do not own any Rich RazzleBerry so I improvised and colored using my Prismas and OMS and I did find a button in my stash that matched it pretty well (it's showing up dark here).  Thanks so much for stopping by!

{Happy Fall}

All supplies PTI unless stated.

Stamps:  Autumn Greetings and Pretty Perfect Grid Background (both Market Street Stamps)

Paper:  Ripe Avocado, Orange Zest, Kraft, SS White

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Dark Chocolate

Misc:  White Silk Ribbon, Copics, Prismas, OMS, Foam Tape

Cupcakes and more Cupcakes!

Hi blog friends!  I am enjoying some quiet time in my stamp room while the rest of the house is still sleeping.......shh.....Don't tell but we're skipping church today.  :)  I have a Cupcake card to share today that uses the Cupcake Collection from PTI.  I am loving this set.  I know, I know.....It's been out for a long time (and I've had it since it was released) but I've been wanting to get more use out of some of my older sets.  What a better chance to use it than for a little girl's birthday! 

It's kinda hard to see since I covered it up with my focal point but the white cardstock circle is impressed using the Polka Dot IP from PTI.  I think it gives such great texture to this card!  Again I used the awesome paper from Echo Park Springtime collection.  My layout came from the latest Mojo Monday sketch. 

Did you think my card looked familiar?  Well, it's part of the ensemble I made that I posted yesterday for the Wee Memories challenge for birthdays and parties!  Take a peek at everything together.

{Happy Birthday}

All supplies PTI unless stated.

Stamps:  Cupcake Collection, Polka Dot Basics II, Communique Sentiments

Paper:  Dark Chocolate, Hibiscus Burst, SS White, Springtime Collection DP (Echo Park)

Ink:  Versamark, Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate

Dies:  Circle Nesties (Spellbinders), Cupcake Collection, Fillable Frame #11

Misc:  Hibiscus Burst Buttons, Button Twine, Sewing Machine, Foam Tape

Wee Memories #76

We're back for another edition of the Wee Memories Challenge!  This week we're celebrating Birthdays and Parties.

Next weekend, my daughter has a friend's birthday party to go to.  So I took this opportunity to make a Birthday tag and a Gift Card envelope as we're not sure yet what we're getting her friend.  I mean she IS just 6 yrs old.........so that could change tonight or tomorrow or right now for that matter!  :) 

I thought it was about time to get some use out of my Cupcake Collection Dies from PTI.  Pair these with the coordinating stamp set, you have a great match! 

This week's fantastic sponsor is Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker and the winner of this challenge wins a Paper Prize Pack!  Who could use more paper?  :)  We love seeing all your cards week after week, so keep them coming!

{Gift card envelope and Tag set)

All supplies PTI unless noted.

Stamps:  Cupcake Collection, Fillable Frames #5

Paper:  Hibiscus Burst, Dark Chocolate, Springtime Collection DP (Echo Park)

Ink:  Versamark, Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow

Dies:  Cupcake Collection, Seed Packet Die, Tag Sale Die #4, Sentiment Flag Die (Lil' Inker Designs), Circle Nesties (Spellbinders)

Misc:  Dark Chocolate Dot Ribbon, Prisma Glitter, Glue Pen, Brown Twine (my LSS), Hibiscus Burst Button

Lil' Inker Designs: Release Day Blog Hop!

Yay............Today is RELEASE DAY for Lil' Inker Designs!  Have you enjoyed this week of projects using the newest Lil' Inker stamps and dies?  We certainly hope so!  If you are on this blog hop, you should have arrived from Sarah's blog.

I have 2 cards to share with you today.  My first card uses Holly Jolly in a traditional way using the holly leaves paired with this fabulous pattern paper from Authentique.  I actually bought this paper for another project but I haven't started on that just yet.  I'll be sure to show you pics when I do!

I thought the sentiment was perfect to use with this pattern paper and fits perfectly on the strip wtih some die cut Holly Leaves and Berries!  Just a close up photo of the tiny signature perforated details of the leaves and berries!  Love!

My second card uses the Jingle Joy set of dies.....specifically the bell.  Boy, I tell you when Laura and Ariana look at details, they certainly get them right!  The bell die even features a tiny band to layer over the main bell image......makes for even more dimension!  Here I've die cut the bell 3 times with glitter paper in an aqua color.

My color scheme came from this gorgeous snowflake paper by fancy pants design: Saint Nick collection.   

There is some Lil' Inker news that I have to share.........this will be Julie's last posting with Lil' Inker Designs.  Her time with us has brought us to this great place in the industry and it's time for her to move on.  I wish her the best of luck and many thanks!  :)

Now let's keep moving along on the blog hop to Teresa's blog and don't forget to leave comments as Laura is giving away 2 gift certificates to the Lil' Inker Store somewhere along the way!  Have a great time!

{Have a holly jolly Christmas}

Stamps:  Holly Jolly (Lil' Inker Designs)

Paper:  Rustic White and Pure Poppy (PTI), Holly leaves DP (Authentique)

Ink:  Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz), True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Holly Jolly (Lil' Inker Designs), Photo Finisher Dies (PTI), Postage Stamp Edge (MFT)

Misc:  Rustic Jute Button Twine (PTI), Glitter, Glue Pen, Sewing Machine, Foam Tape

{Jingle all the way}

Stamps:  Holly Jolly (Lil' Inker Designs)

Paper:  Soft Stone and Pure Poppy (PTI), Snowflake DP (Saint Nick: fancy pants designs), Glitter Stack (DCWV)

Ink:  True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Jingle Joy Dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Sentiment FlagsDie (Lil' Inker Designs), Take Three Die (PTI)

Misc:  Hawaiian Shores Button (PTI), Pinking Shears (Fiskars), Silver Embroidery Floss, Foam Tape, Sewing Machine

Lil' Inker Designs New Release: Jingle Joy

Welcome back to the Lil' Inker Designs Holiday Release!  Are you enjoying the new products and all the awesome samples by my teammates on the design team?  I know I've been wow'd by them!  You should have arrived from Ariana's blog today so if you did, you are in the right place! 

Well, today we have another new set for you:  Jingle Joy!  I think this set has sooo many options!  I decided to use the stamps to create my own "sweet" background paper.  I started with cutting (yes I said cutting) my "j" stamp apart so I just had the "j" and no dot.  I used this image then to stamp my own pattern paper!  I love how it came out and I used some of that Smooch Spritz again to give it some shimmer! 

Check out the product graphics for Jingle Joy:

The hop continues now and I hope you will join me over at Teresa's blog.  Don't forget that Laura is giving out some gift certificates to 2 lucky commenters to the Lil' Inker Store so the more you comment, the better your chances are!  Friday is our group post day so stay tuned for more projects then using all of the new products!

"Sweet Season's Greetings"

Stamps:  Jingle Joy (Lil' Inker Designs)

Paper:  Pure Poppy and SS White (PTI)

Ink:  Pure Poppy and True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Jingle Joy (Lil' Inker Designs)

Misc:  Baker's Twine (Martha Stewart), Sewing Machine, Foam Tape, Smooch Spritz

Lil' Inker Holiday Release Time: Holly Jolly!

Today marks the first day of the week long release for Lil' Inker Designs.  It's Holiday Time at Lil' Inker and you will see some great ideas using the newest products for the holidays.  If you came by the way of Laura's blog, then you are in the right place.   

Today and tomorrow we are showing the set of stamps and dies called Holly Jolly.  This set contains a bunch of great sentiments that have a traditional flair.  Pair these with the new dies, and you have a match made in heaven especially with Laura's signature perforations she adds to her dies!!  I chose to work with the tree die.  The scene I created just reminds me of when we used to go find our own special Christmas tree every year.  Sadly, we have an artificial one now but these are memories I won't forget!

Now you may be wondering how I "stamped" my tree without having a stamp as there is not a tree included. I die cut a piece of fun foam and placed it on my clear block using double sided tape and simply inked it up.  It works great and look at all the details you get.......all those little perforation marks show up!!!  Here I stamped 3 trees on my ink distressed panel and then hand cut 2 others for added dimension.  The trees in the background were stamped "off" one time and then stamped on my panel.

Now, I wanted to share all the glittery goodness I added to this card and truly in person it just sparkles.  Kinda hard to capture in a photo especially for me.  The snow banks were hand cut and glittered using a glue pen and sprinkling Martha Stewart glitter on top.  The extra shimmer was done when my panel was completely finished.  I used a product called Smooch Spritz in Vanilla Shimmer.  I sprayed a couple of times and let it dry.  I also added some falling snow using a product called Enamel Accents.  Love this stuff.....it dries fairly quickly and adds such a fun shiny opaque effect!!!

Here are the product graphics for you to see the details in these sets.

Now, I'd love to hear what you think!  Laura will be giving out some prizes of gift certificates to the Lil' Inker Store at the end of the release.  Your next stop on the blog hop is Ariana and she is going to share more about the creative process and what her role with Lil' Inker Designs is!  Have a wonderful Monday!  I'm also going to sneak this over to the Lily Pad Cards Simon Says Stamp Challenge for texture!

{Happy Holidays}

Stamps:  Holly Jolly Sentiments (Lil' Inker Designs)

Paper:  Dark Chocolate and SS White (PTI)

Ink:  Ripe Avocado, True Black, and Dark Chocolate (PTI), Tumbled Glass Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)

Dies:  Holly Jolly (Lil' Inker Designs)

Misc:  Carrara Marble Coarse Glitter (Martha Stewart), Smooch Spritz (Clearsnap), Glue Pen (ZIG), Enamel Accents (Ranger), White Pearls (Kaisercraft), Cappuccino Baker's Twine (The Twinery), Foam Tape

Top 3 at Practical Scrappers!

Yep you heard me right!  I made the Top 3 at Practical Scrappers for their card contest!  Now, there is no more voting........the rest is up to the Practical Scrappers Team to choose the winner!  So I wanted to take this time and say THANK YOU for all the time you all put into voting each week for me.  I wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for all of my blog friends (and family).  I am forever grateful!

Onto my card for the last challenge they issued:  Use your favorite manufacturer, favorite tool, and favorite technique.  My card is quite different than my other submissions to the contest but I knew exactly what technique I wanted to do.  One I love........Embossing and using Distress Inks.

My favorite manufacturer:  Papertrey Ink
My favorite tool:  Sewing Machine
My favorite technique:  Embossing with Distress Inks

Have a great Sunday..........I have lots of crafty things to work on!  Stay tuned for the Lil' Inker Designs Release that starts tomorrow!  Since this has LOTS of texture, I'm entering this into the Lily Pad Cards Simon Says Stamp TEXTURE Challenge!

{Thank You}

Stamps:  In Bloom (PTI), Find Joy (Hero Arts)

Paper:  Royal Velvet, Lavendar Moon, and SS White (all PTI)

Ink:  Versamark, True Black (PTI)

Distress Inks:  Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord, Seedless Preserves, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss

Misc:  White Filigree Embossing Powder (PTI), Distress Tool (Tim Holtz), Foam Tape, White Pearls (Kaisercraft), Linen IP (PTI), Sewing Machine



Wee Memories #75

Hi all!  It's that time again for the Wee Memories monthly blog hop and guess what??  It's also Wee Memories 75th Challenge!  Jenny has made this challenge what it is today so let's show her what we're made of this week, OK?  This week's theme or challenge is:

Handmade gifts, Tags and Boxes

You should have arrived from the blog of our sweet guest designer this month:  Angie Blom.

Ever since the Front and Center Die came out from PTI, I've wanted to try this on my own before buying this expensive die.  Well folks, I found out I don't need this die to make my own gift bags now!  I started with a plain brown paper bag and trimmed it down to 5 1/2 ".  Then I figured out how tall I wanted my bag "front" and "back", cut cardstock to size, and then used the EDGER DIES from PTI.  Punching an oval for the handle finished it out.  Simply glue, adhere, and embellish as desired!  I LOVE LOVE the results and will be doing more of these for sure!

Here is a closer photo of the tag and top part of my bag:

Thanks so much for joining us today for the monthly Wee Memories Blog Hop!  Our fabulous sponsor this week is Oh My Crafts and the winner gets a Paper Bundle prize pack! 

Your next stop on the blog hop is Anita......and I'm sure she will have something fabulous to show you!  Have a GREAT Saturday!

{for you gift bag and tag}

Stamps:  Mat Stack 2 Collection (PTI), Stella and Rose Doily Stamps (MME)

Paper:  SS White (PTI), Butterfly Garden DP (pink paislee)

Ink:  Versamark, True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Edgers #4 (PTI), Tag Sale #3 (PTI), Open Scallop Border Die (MFT)

Misc:  Oval Punch (Marvy Uchida), White Button (PTI), White Crochet Thread, Paper Bag, White Pearls (Kaisercraft)

Cards that Care Blog Hop

Today many designers are participating in a very special blog hop.........Cards that Care.  This is a card drive to collect holiday cards for the elderly that live in nursing homes.  This has been put together by Vera M. Yates and this year she has teamed up wtih Jennifer McGuire.  If you arrived here from Melania's blog, then you are in the right spot!

All of the card drive details can be found--- HERE.

The holidays are about family, about kindness, and joy. The holidays are the times when many of the elderly who lives in nursing homes would really feel the loneliness or missing their family. Wouldn't it be awesome if we can bring a smile to their face & brighten their holiday season simply by sharing our love of card making? A simple gesture to let them know that they are not forgotten.

We all love making cards and what’s better than knowing our creations can bring a smile to others? We hope that many of you will help and join us in our effort to spread joy & cheer.  We already have some people that have agreed to help us deliver the cards to selected nursing homes.

Here is my card using the new set from Wplus9 called Fair Isle Backgrounds.  Wow!  This set is super fun and I loved using it for a holiday card for this card drive!  I've also used the new Pure Poppy ink from PTI.......it stamped beautifully the FIRST time.   My card was inspired by my blog friend, Jinny Newlin.  She used this set so beautifully during the Wplus9 release.  I also made this for the Simon Says Stamp challenge to use buttons!

Here are the generous sponsors of the blog hop:  Lawn Fawn, Penny Black, Sweet Stamp Shop, Avocado Arts, and I Love it All!  Winners of prizes will be randomly chosen from comments on participants blogs so the more blogs you comment on, the better your chances!  You have the whole weekend to leave your comments (til Sunday, 11/6/11 midnight CST). 

Your next stop on the blog hop is the sweet Cathy Fong.

{warmest wishes}

Stamps:  Fair Isle Backgrounds (Wplus9), Holiday Treats (PTI)

Paper:  Misc. Grey, SS White

Ink:  Pure Poppy (PTI), Charcoal (Palette), True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Mini Tag Die (PTI)

Misc:  Red Grograin Ribbon (Dollar Tree), White Crochet Thread, White Button (PTI)