12 Kits of Christmas {July Kit}

Gosh where has this summer gone?  I am celebrating Christmas in July here on my blog today along with the fabulous group of gals from the 12 Kits of Christmas!  This month's host was Christina of SeaGlass & Sentiments.  Christina sent my other favorite holiday paper from last season for us to work with called Wonder from Authentique.  Such a beautiful line of papers for the holiday.

July Kit

{photo courtesy of Kara}

I have 3 cards to share with you today.  The first 2 are made from contents of Christina's kit.  These cards literally made themselves.  She sent such great coordinating products that whipping these up were a cinch!  The background here is one of the papers from the kit paired up with a stamped sentiment diecut and a ribbon!  Easy peasy!

Next up, is another simple card using the big poinsettia image from WMS.  I tell ya this set is going to make it's way to me one of these days!  I love this gorgeous flower with all it's detail.  Here I went CAS and just outlined the poinsettia with R22 Copic for a little detail. 

And finally, this month we decided to post a card that was CASE'd from a previous month........this could be any card from any of the ladies in the group.  Renee, founder and creator of 12 Kits, has put together this FABULOUS Pinterest Board of ALL of our cards from the group!  So so much inspiration there!  Check it out HERE.......12 Kits.  So this is an ode to Renee where she made THIS card and I loved how she scored the white paper to look like wainscoating.....the perfect backdrop for the window die from Memory Box!  So here's my CASE of Renee's wonderful card!  The ingredients for this card came from several previous kits! 

Well, that's it for me today......but please go check out the other gals from our group!
I know they will give you lots of inspiration for the holiday cards you should be starting on!  LOL

Renee {It's a Patchwork Life}

Suzanne {The Card Yard}

Cathy {Empty Nest Crafter}

Joyce {Cards-by-the-Sea}

Kim {Cupcakes Cards and Kim}

Kara {KandRDesigns}

Sharron {On Papillon Wings}

Marybeth {Marybeth's Time for Paper}

Jeanne {A Kept Life}

Jessica {The Paper Parade}

Christina {Sea Glass & Sentiments}--July Hostess

July Kit Ingredients:

Stamps:  Big Bloom Poinsettia, Vintage Labels 18 (WMS), Big Pine Bough (Hero Arts), Holiday Words Tree (Inkadinkadoo), Retro Christmas (Practicing Creativity), Poinsettia Patterns, Winter Wishes (Wplus9), Fresh Alphabet (PTI)

Paper:  Stampin' Up and PTI

Pattern Paper:  Wonder (Authentique)

Ink:  Stampin' Up and Memento

Tools:  Labels 18 Dies (Spellbinders), Perched Reed Bird, Twig and Berries (Memory Box), Photo Finisher Dies (PTI)

Misc:  Miscellaneous Ribbons and Twine, Paper Leaves (Bazzill)

Shaping Up Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Hi everyone!  I almost didn't make it to the Shaping Up Blog Hop due to work issues this past weekend but HUGE thanks to Jim and Jill for helping me get some much needed sleep!  I couldn't have done it without you!  Seriously.....you guys are the best!

{Blog Hop badge designed by JJ Bolton representing the 5 rounds of Gallery Idol and a little Joscie flair!}

Welcome to the Shaping Up Blog Hop!  I was so very honored to be chosen as one of the

Top 5 in this year's Paper Crafts Gallery Idol 2012 Contest!

As a group, we decided to do a little inspiration blog hop to THANK YOU for all the support you gave each one of us during the competition!  We also know many of you are participating in the Paper Crafts July Gallery Challenge which is Shaped Summer Cards!  I encourage you to make something and link it up HERE!

You should have arrived from the blog of Jennifer Ingle who was in the Top 5 with me!  Please go check out her awesome blog.....so much inspiration!!!  If you have gotten off track, don't worry!  Please check out the full Blog Hop list on the Facebook Event Page found HERE.

The card I designed for Paper Crafts July Gallery Challenge is definitely summer themed to ME.  Growing up every summer I couldn't wait until it was fair time......the Zipper, the food, the friends, the demolition derby, the parade.  All of it!  So I decided to ink up a stamp set from The Craft's Meow called Life is a Carnival.  What a great set to take me back to my younger years!!  My "mini" card is shaped like a ticket because as you know....."back when" you actually needed tickets to ride the rides at the fair!  I used the Blank Ticket die from Memory Box for my base.  My card layout was inspired by THIS SKETCH over at The Craft's Meow this month as well!  I did rotate the sketch just a bit!  ;)

 

Now there was a **mention** of a GIVEAWAY in my title and to thank you for all the messages, texts, emails, pm's, and comments during the competition, I have put together a prize pack of some of my favorite things.  I am so very blessed to design for Market Street Stamps and have a few new stamp sets that are included in my giveaway.  So how do you win?  I would LOVE it if you would follow my blog but I know some won't do this, so all I am asking is to leave a comment on this post for your chance.  If you do become a follower, I'd love to see you back here!
You have until Sunday, July 29 11:59PM EST to get your comments in for your chance to win!

That's it from me.........Your next stop on the Blog Hop is Agnieszka Malyszek and I know you will find something beautiful to see over on her blog!

{Sweet Summer Memories}

Stamps:  Life is a Carnival (The Craft's Meow)

Paper:  SS White (PTI)

Pattern paper:  So Happy Together (Echo Park)

Ink:  True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Blank Ticket Die (Memory Box), Fishtail Flags Stax (MFT)

Misc:  Berry Sorbet Button (PTI), Crochet Thread, Janome Sew Mini, Copic E57

Sending a Cuppa

Hi all!  It's a blazin' hot here in Kansas!  My car said 108 degrees here yesterday!

I have a card to share today using a fabulous set called Daily Grind from Market Street Stamps.

Fairly simple design with some pattern paper from PTI cut with the Fishtail Flags Stax and layered.

I die cut my circle frame using 2 sizes of circles and then I paper pierced inside the perimeter of the circle.  Boy do I need to clean my craft room.......I could not find my paper piercer and then finally moved some things and whalaa!  There it was!  I know my dots aren't spaced evenly but I was too lazy to continue to look for my plastic template that would have helped me!  LOL

I'm sending this over to the CAS-ual Fridays challenge this week: Let's Strip!

I sincerely hope it's cooler where you are and you are all enjoying your summer!
Have a wonderful day!

{Sending a cuppa love}
Stamps:  Daily Grind (MSS)
Paper:  SS White, Soft Stone, Pure Poppy (PTI), Smokey Shadow Patterns (PTI)
Ink:  Charcoal Palette, Pure Poppy, True Black (PTI)
Dies:  Fishtail Flags Stax (MFT), Limitless Layers Circles (PTI)
Misc:  Red Gems, Foam Adhesive, Paper Piercer

Lil' Inker Designs July Blog Hop {Day 5}

Hi and welcome to the last day of goodness from

Lil' Inker Designs!  You should have arrived from the Lil' Inker Designs Blog for the start of this hop so if you didn't, you need to start there as there are prizes up for grabs!

I decided to use the fabulous new Flip Flop set for another card to share on the hop.

Literally, I have oodles of ideas for uses of this set but I'm just going to be stingy and share one today and keep you on track for the blog hop!

I thought this time I would try my hand at using all of this pattern paper I've been hoarding!  Anyone else like this?  Especially the 6 x 6 paper pads?  So, I'm channeling my inner Jen Carter here!

She is the master at using bright pattern papers and meshing them beautifully!

This paper is from a new (to me) collection called Paradise Beach by Echo Park.  It is perfect for all those beachy summery cards.  And I can't leave here without pointing out the fabulous sentiments and font Laura has in this set!  Can you say FUN??

Thank you so much for all your visits this week!  It's been a very busy week!

Remember to go visit all the other DT blogs in the hop for your chance at 2--$10 store credits!

Your next stop is the ever so creative friend of mine.......JEN CARTER!

{Just a foot note}
Stamps:  Flip Flop Sentiments (Lil' Inker Designs)
Paper:  SS White, Kraft, Summer Sunrise (PTI)
Patter Paper:  Paradise Beach (Echo Park)
Dies:  Flip Flops (Lil' Inker Designs), Pinking Edge Border (PTI)
Ink:  True Black (PTI)
Misc:  Foam Adhesive, Gemstones

Lil' Inker Designs July Blog Hop {Day 3}

Welcome to Day #3 of the Lil' Inker Designs release!

We continue to celebrate summer with suns, rainbows, and clouds.........but today we are showing off the new Flip Flop Dies!    You should have arrived here from the

Lil' Inker Designs Blog to start today's hop!

The card I have to share today was totally inspired by a Pinterest photo I found and just couldn't get it out of my mind!  But I had to think outside the box to get it to work.  I started by diecutting the flip flops out of thin fun foam and adhering them to my stamp block.  I then stamped the flip flops onto Kraft cardstock with Kraft ink  Stamping the "Just Married" sentiment inside the flip flops with Dark Chocolate finished it off.  I hope it looks like footprints in the sand!  :)

I kept it pretty simple by adding in a die cut border (THANK YOU RENEE), some twine, and a tiny heart from the accessory die that comes with the flip flops!  The sentiment is one of MANY that come with this new die!  You will be seeing lots more of these flip flops!

Here is the inspiration photo from Pinterest for my card today......The Oceanside Bride.

Here are the product graphics and sentiments that are included in this set!

Now it's time to go pay a visit to my friend, Jen Carter, who I know will blow you away with what she's made with these!  I've seen them and they are fabulous!

Remember there are prizes up for grabs so make sure and leave your comment!

2--$10 store credits will be given away to some lucky people!

{Just Married}

Stamps:  Flip Flop Sentiments (Lil' Inker Designs)

Paper:  Kraft, SS White, Pure Poppy (PTI)

Ink:  Kraft, Dark Chocolate (PTI)

Dies:  Flip Flop Dies (Lil' Inker Designs),  Meridian Border (Memory Box)

Misc:  Twine (The Twinery), Foam Adhesive

MSS Paint the Town Challenge

I'm here today with July's Paint the Town challenge hosted by

Market Street Stamps!

I decided to make more of a graphic card for this challenge as these colors had me a bit stumped!

I used the zig zag stamp from Riding By and the sentiment from Hippie Chic.
My silver part of the challenge comes by the way of those fabulous silver pearls that sadly you can not buy anymore from Michael's and I've been on a hoarding kick.....but no more!  :)

Now it's your turn to use these colors and be inspired.......Let's see your version!

Link up your card over at Market Street Stamps for a chance to win some goodies!

{Sending good vibes your way}

Stamps:  Riding By, Hippie Chic (MSS)

Paper:  SS White, Royal Velvet (PTI)

Ink:  Only Orange, Eggplant Envy (SU), Blueberry Sky (PTI)

Misc:  Silver Pearls

Cloud9 Blog Hop--July

Hi everyone!  I know it's been very busy on my blog this week but I've been having lots of fun creating summery fun things!   Could this be that summer is half over?  No way!  :)

My post is all about Wplus9 and their gorgeous stamps!  I have been a fan for a LONG time and have too many of their stamps to even mention here but lucky for me, my good friend, Suzanne, started this blog called Cloud9 Blog Hop.  This is a place for those of us Wplus9'ers to get our time to use these stamps! 

Here is my card using Folk Art Florals and Heartfelt Mix.

Folk Art Florals is such a gorgeous set and they have matching dies!  Now I went for a more CAS card here but you could certainly spruce it up and use the dies too!

I'm also going to mention that all the inks here are Amuse.  I know some of you will say, "I told you so!"  And yes you should be saying this right now!  They stamp beautifully!  :)

So thank you for that push I needed to buy these!

Here is the inspiration photo for this month's Cloud9 Blog hop! 

Enjoy!

{Congratulations)

Stamps:  Folk Art Florals, Heartfelt Mix (Wplus9)

Paper:  Pure Poppy, SS White (PTI)

Ink:  Cranberry, Fern, Ocean, Papaya, Orange (Amuse)

Dies:  Double Ended Banner Die (PTI)

Misc:  Scor-Pal, Foam Adhesive

MSS Market Mini Release Blog Hop

****Please scroll down for my last Paper Doll Challenge****


I am super excited for you all today!  

Market Street Stamps

is featuring the stamps previously only available from the Market Fresh Kits (no longer available)!  You all asked and you all will receive!

I love love these mini stamp sets and now that you can order them, I know you will too!
Did you see the price??  :)

You should have arrived from the Market Street Stamps Blog.  Please join us for the blog hop for inspiration using these sets and for the chance to win a $20 gift certificate to the MSS store! 

I chose to work with the Berry Sweet stamp set and I paired it with some fab paper from Crate Paper.

I was lucky enough to snag one of the kits that this stamp originally came with and this kit was oozing sweetness!

I've used the current sketch over at Retro Sketches for this one.  I stamped my berry image with Ripe Avocado ink and then over stamped the image with Loopy Polkas background stamp.  Then I paper pieced the strawberries popping up the larger one for dimension.  I thought it was time to pull out my sewing machine again.......I've missed it!  I think the simple stitched border was all it

needed to jazz it up!  Oh and did you notice the border?  Its a border punch!  I finally pulled out one of my MANY and used it!  Thanks to my friend Christina for the inspiration!

I'd love to hear what you think of these stamps! 

Thank you sweet friends for always being a listening ear here on my blog!  Have a wonderful day!

Your next stop on the blog hop is Stephanie.

Here is the list of blog hop participants for you to visit!

Market Street Stamps Blog

Amy Kolling--->you are here

Stepanie Muzzulin

Julie Day

Brenda Weaver

DoBea Alberts

Stephanie Washburn

Jinny Newlin

Tifany DeGough

Angelica Suarez

Jen del Muro

{Berry Sweet}

Stamps:  Berry Sweet, Loopy Polkas (Market Street Stamps)

Paper:  SS White, Ripe Avocado (PTI)

Pattern Paper:  Pretty Party:  CakeStand (Crate Paper)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Cranberry (Amuse), Spring Moss (PTI)

Dies:  Notebook Die (PTI)

Misc:  Pure Poppy Buttons (PTI), Crochet Thread, Deco Scallop Border Punch (EK Success), Janome Sew Mini, Baker's Twine (The Twinery), Copics

Paper Dolls Challenge #50

Did any of you see Maile Belles blog post the other day? 

I was blown away at how simple her technique was.......so I thought why not give it a shot.

I proposed this challenge to my fellow Dolls as my last challenge with
The Paper Dolls group.

Focal Point Impressions

So here is my card using Maile's technique.  I had a very hard time photographing my cards to show exactly how much the impression makes a difference.  So trust me.....it's there and is amazing.

Here are both cards together............

I pulled out an older PTI set called Beautiful Blooms II and stamped the images onto a Top Note Die.

The card on the left is NOT impressed with the IP and the one on the right is.

I challenged the Dolls group to make their own version.  So let's see what you can make.....make sure and link it up over on The Paper Dolls Blog.
Have a wonderful day and thank you so much for sharing your day with me!

{From me to you....}

All supplies PTI unless stated.

Stamps:  Flower Fusion #6, Beautiful Blooms II

Paper:  Pure Poppy, SS White

Ink:  Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold

Dies:  Top Note Die (SU), Double Ended Banners, Polka Dot IP

Misc:  Pure Poppy Buttons, White Crochet Thread

Lil' Inker Designs July Blog Hop {Day 1}

Today is such a sunshiny day!  That's because it's time for an awesome release from

Lil' Inker Designs! 

This month Laura is featuring some great new designs for all those summery and sunshiny days!
You should have arrived here from the Lil' Inker Designs Blog to start the hop.

I wanted to share my card to show you that now the little picture is complete......we now have SUNS!!!  Oh yes, and they have the SIGNATURE perforations Laura is so well known for!  I think you will agree that these are a must have because they give just that extra little touch!

I've paired the Sun die up with the previously released Rainbows and Clouds dies.  I've diecut 2 suns, layered them, and flipped up some of the rays for dimension.  A crochet threaded button tops it off.  My clouds are diecut from the Shimmer paper from PTI.  You may remember a certain card from a few weeks ago that got some attention and I used that same paper here.  :)  My sentiment is one of a bunch of new ones releasing to go with the Sun dies! 

Here is a close-up photo to show just the amount of dimension and texture there are to these new dies!

We are releasing the Sun dies as a set (2 dies and sentiments), the dies together, or the dies separate.  This way you can decide to get what you would use but let me tell you that I KNOW you will use them all!  hehe

Now it's time to go visit my very dear friend, Jen Carter to see what creative things she's made!

Remember, there are prizes up for grabs so comment away! 

2--$10 store credits will be given away to some lucky people!

{Wishing you sunshine & smiles}

Stamps:  Sun Sentiments (Lil' Inker Designs)

Paper:  Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Harvest Gold, Hawaiian Shores, Shimmer, SS White (PTI)

Ink:  True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Sunshine Dies, Clouds and Rainbow Dies (Lil' Inker Designs), Linen IP (PTI)

Misc:  Crochet Thread, Harvest Gold Button, Foam Tape

MSS July Block Party!

It's time for the July Market Street Stamps Block Party!

I've used an awesome digi stamp that is available only during the Block Party and can be found HERE......over in our Neighborhood!

We would love for you to play along because you may just WIN!  Check out all the details over at the Market Street Stamps blog.  You have until Sunday, July 8--11:59 pm CDT to link up your card!

{Enjoy this Life}
Stamps:  Enjoy this Life (digi stamp from MSS)
Paper:  SS White and Pure Poppy (PTI)
Dies:  Button Dies (PTI), Linen IP (PTI)
Misc:  Copics, White Crochet Thread, Yellow swirl button (PTI), Silver Pearls