Chocolate Is a Girl's Best Friend

This is another card I made with My Favorite Thing's Hot Stuff set. Have you heard that MFT is releasing all new sets tomorrow (well.... actually in about an hour)! I want some of these SO bad! Their school set is really cute, and I love their 'all boys' set too!

This card actually looks much better in person. I need to get a better lighting setup I think. The main image is colored with Copics and then the dress was paper pieced using some coordinating paper. I really like this line from American Crafts (ala Mode). I'll be posting another card tomorrow using the same patterns. I mounted this onto 2 Scalloped squares and hid the seam. I'm bummed because this was my last piece of Crate Paper polka dot ribbon. But... it coordinated perfectly, so I had to use it!

I'm really tired, so I'll try to do better tomorrow! August 1st is a big day in the paper crafting world. As a Stampin' Up! demo, our mini catalog pre-order starts tomorrow. There are some really great things in there! I was glad, because the main catalog hasn't really done much for me so far. Also, Papertrey Ink begins their Nestabilities (hopefully I'm saying this right!) die pre-orders. I love how these cut AND emboss shapes -- and is compatible with my Cuttlebug machine! Julee (Poetic Artistry) will soon be launching her new stamp line - Verve Visual (Once again, I hope I'm getting all of these spelled right. I'm super sleepy!). I've seen some of her sentiment stamps -- and I think they look really versatile! Also, Gina K is preparing for her new stamp for a cause release. If you are interested in checking any of these out, please see my blog roll/shopping list at the side. I'd link, but I just can't stay awake! You can always e-mail me if you need help finding something (julie_stamps@hotmail.com). I would be happy to enable you.... I mean direct you!

Stamps: MFT Hot Stuff, SU Like it a Latte
Paper: American Crafts ala Mode, Soft Sky
Ink: Brown Palette Noir Ink, COPIC markers
Accessories: Crate Paper Baby Bee ribbon, Mega Scalloped Square Punch, sponge to distress edges

Happy Birthday to You! You Live in a Zoo......

Do you remember singing this song as a kid? I tought it to my son a few weeks ago and he thought it was hilarious. We had to sing it about 1000 times. Kids! I love their simple innocence! This is a card I made as another 'double' challenge. I try to get the most done in the least amount of time... and before the kids start complaining. This is for another SCS Dare to Get Dirty challenge (by JeanneS) and also for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge.

Jeanne challenged us to use paper piecing in our project. I LOVE to paper piece, so I jumped on this one! It's so easy and fun! I used a few different sheets of Chatterbox (Scrapbook Walls) paper. It's double sided, so I just stamped the rhino once on the front and back of one sheet of paper and cut out all of the little pieces. Some of it is just glued back on, and some is raised with dimensionals. I also used a Copic marker to add some details and my Sakura Stardust pen to add glitter (inner ears, teeth, toe nails).

I paper pierced all over the card and used a SU marker to add the 'thread'.

Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Buckaroo Blue, Chatterbox patterned paper

Stamps: Zoofari, Papertrey Ink - Paper Tray, Linen BG

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand (to distress edges and for Linen BG)

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Label Punch, Prima Flowers, Brown Brads, Grosgrain Ribbon

Hey Prego!

I just love these tent topper cards. I've made several of them over the last few months after seeing Michelle Wooderson's tutorial (Mish Mash). The paper I used is by Crate Paper (Baby Bee collection). It has beautiful colors, and best of all - it matches SU's new Soft Sky CS perfectly! The ribbon is also from the same line. It's all just too cute!

I bought a few COPICs the other night from Hobby Lobby and had to try them out! I think the Bella images are perfect for practicing coloring -- and I NEED some practice!

Stamps: Stamping Bella - Teddybella; Papertrey Ink- Faux Ribbon
Paper: Soft Sky, Crate Paper - Baby Bee
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Groovy Guava
Accessories: Coluzzle, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Scissors, Brad, Crate Paper Ribbon, Dimensionals, Sakura Stardust pen

I'm So Elegant!

One of todays SCS challenges was to make an 'Elegant' card. My style is usually more 'cutesy' and less 'elegant', so this was a great challenge for me!

I love how everything turned out! The colors are actually much softer IRL -- and the Prima really does match! :)

The Cherry Blossom branch was first colored in Copics and then the centers of the blossoms were glittered. I tried to carry this over to the Prima flower by adding a shimmery clear rhinestone center.

I added some wide cream organdy ribbon to add even more 'elegance'. :) To make everything even softer, I used a sponge and ivory craft ink to 'white wash' the River Rock CS.

I guess I would label this card as 'cute-elegant' after looking at it some more. I guess everyone has their own style and it seems to seep through no matter how hard you try. But hey - why fight it? I like the results!


Stamps: Hero Arts Cherry Blossom, Papertrey Ink - Faux Ribbon for sentiment
Paper: My Mind's Eye Tres Jolie patterned paper, River Rock and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Brown Palette Noir, River Rock CP, Ivory Craft Pad
Accessories: Copics, Ticket Corner Punch, Brads, Large Oval Punch, Prima Flower, Clear Gemstone, Brown Brads, Sakura Stardust gel pen

Blog Candy Winner & Chocolate!

Another of today's SCS Dare to Get Dirty Challenges is to make a 'Toile' card. Basicly, you can only use one color of ink and CS + white or cream.

I've found that my favorite thing about making Toile cards is the clean up! I only had to put away two colors of cardstock and one ink pad! :)

The images I used from this card are really cute! The top one is by Rubber Stampede (Girls Play) and the sentiment is by Hampton Art (friend). I love that quote!

To make a scalloped rectangle the size that I needed, I stamped 2 scalloped squares, pieced them together, and tied ribbon vertically to hide the seam. The patterned paper is retired SU Au Chocolat.

And now to what you've been waiting for! I used a random number generator and came up with #37! "I love the music as an added bonus and love the colors you picked. Very easy to read. Will be dropping in often! Thanks!! Lisa K. " Congratulations Lisa! Please send me an e-mail with your info. and I'll get your goodies in the mail!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my blog! I had no idea that so many people that I've never met come to visit! It's been great reading what you had to say. To the person who said that the music on my blog scared her half to death when it suddenly came on -- I laughed out loud when I read it b/c I've done the same thing myself several times (and I already know to expect it!). BTW, you can always turn the music off if you'd like by clicking on the sound icon on the lower corner of my slide show. I'm glad the majority of my readers enjoy listening to Leigh Nash. She has such an awesome voice!

Thinking of Ewe!

Have you been on Splitcoaststampers today? They are having a week FILLED with challenges for Fan Club Members to Celebrate their '3rd Birthday!' I am SO excited about these Dirty Challenges this week! :) This is a card I made using Genie's sketch along with Sweet Miss Daisy's challenge to make a 'Pet' themed card.

I don't have a lot of animal stamps, but I love this little sheep by Gina K! I had some ribbon that I'd found at Michaels ($1 bin!), pulled it out and based my colors off of that. The striped paper is by American Crafts and the other is last year's SU winter designer paper.

I wanted to have both sheep facing each other, so I stamped a second image onto a window sheet. I cut it out and drew on the legs. In order to hide the dimensional I used to adhere the 'body', I added wool with some Liquid Appliqué. The sheep's' faces are colored with a Prismacolor marker.

For the sentiment, I used my KF Snap Stamps to turn 'You' into 'Ewe'. I thought it was pretty clever. ;)

I added some stitching and distressed the edges a little. The Marigold Morning layer was given a little texture with the Canvas BG stamp.

Don't forget that today is the last day to sign up for my first Blog Candy (see post below)!!! All comments must be posted there by Midnight tonight!

Stamps: Gina K Sheep, Papertrey Ink - Faux Ribbon, KF Snap Stamps, Canvas BG

Paper: Marigold Morning, Cranberry Crisp, Chocolate Chip, WW, American Crafts & SU patterned paper

Ink: Versafine Black, Choc. Chip, Marigold Morning

Accessories: Coluzzle, SU Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Brads, Sewing Machine, Micheals Ribbon, Dimensionals, Brads

Yummm!!! Anyone Hungry For Some Blog Candy?

This is my very first Blog Candy give away! Is anyone interested in some fun alterables??? I just love these mini lunch boxes! They are a perfect way to start a new school year. And.... The smaller tin is a gift card holder. I altered one of these for my brother's wedding gift. The edges are the perfect size for grosgrain ribbon! I have some of these cute Studio 18 farm animal magnets stuck on my filing cabinet. Isn't the little sheep so cute? :) And.... last but not least - a roll of coordinating ribbon.

So... what do you have to do to win these fabulous prizes??? :) Just add a comment onto this post, telling me what you think of my new blog! And don't forget to vote! All comments have to be in by Wednesday. I'll pick a winner on Thursday morning!

Soak Up The Sun!

I guess my brain is still on vacation because I keep gravitating to these summery images! This was a SCS challenge card for today based on a card by Annieht. The adorable sand castle stamp is by Gina K Designs. I used the pressed lid of my SU River Rock Classic Pad and an Aquapainter to color it in. Of course, I had to add some glitter, so I used some Stickles and my Sakura Stardust pen to give it some bling.

The little pail and bucket stamps are from C.C. Designs. (Another one of my favorite companies!!!) I adhered them with dimensionals to give them some pop! And of course..... added some glitter.

I added the ribbon last and was so excited that I had a perfect match! This is part of Crate Paper's Baby Bee ribbon collection. One side is a solid 'Soft Sky' color, and the other has the added rust colored polka dots. Love it!

Paper: SU - Night of Navy, Soft Sky, River Rock; Patterned Paper by Creative Imaginations
Ink: Soft Sky, Really Rust, River Rock, Versafine Black Onyx
Accessories: Coluzzle, Stamp 'n Write Marker, SU Word Window Punch
Stamps: Gina K, C.C. Designs, MFT Hit the Beach (sentiment), SU gingham ribbon, Crate Paper ribbon, Crafters Tool Kit (SU), dimensionals, Stickles, Sakura pen

Girl's Night Out

Ok... so I still haven't been able to stamp something new, but here is a card that I haven't posted yet. I made this for a Caardvark's challenge last week. The challenge was to use a clock on your card front. Yikes! I really wanted to finish all of the challenges for the week, so I went to Michaels and found a sticker pack that had several clocks, clock hands, etc. I knew I wanted to use my Crafty Secrets Tea & Coffee set again... so it started to come together.

I embossed the zig-zag circle (right lower corner) using my Cuttlebug and punched out the center. I thought it looked like a good match to a scrap of my Basic Grey Infuse paper. Then, I stamped and embossed my retro chick with black EP and colored her in with Prismacolors. Like always, I added a little glitz with my Sakura Stardust pen.

I needed a sentiment to tie it all together - but when I looked through my stacks of stamps, nothing seemed to work. So, I put together my Karen Foster Snap Stamps to say exactly what I wanted. (Love that!!!) I had a sticker from the set that said 'Timeless', so I just trimmed off the part of the word that I needed.

I used a piece of black velvet ribbon to hide the seam of where the two papers met -- and then gave it all a little distressing using my fingernail, a sponge, and a little ink.

I think it turned out pretty well! I always love a challenge!!!

I'm Back!!!!

I'm going to miss waking up to the sound of ocean waves and going to bed after looking at sunsets like this, but.... it's good to be home! Now I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation! I'm going to have to get an 'ocean' CD to sleep to from now on! It was awesome! Hopefully tomorrow I can get back into my craft room for a little while. But tonight, I'm just going to share a few pictures from Florida. I do have to admit - coming home to Indiana's 70 degree weather is pretty nice (compared to the 100+ degrees we've been sweating in for the last week!) And - right now I've got the windows open, curtains blowing in the breeze... listening to the sound of crickets and the peace and quiet of country living. Ahhh!!!

This is a pic of me and my hubby on our last night on the beach. Isn't he just so cute? :)

And here are my 2 awesome boys - Emery (left) and Eli (right). We got to celebrate Emery's 2nd birthday on vacation. They're getting so big!

Hopefully I'll have something more for you tomorrow! :) Please don't forget to help me out if you can! Please see the posting below and vote for my project (#3 - Wedding Shower) for Craft Critique's Celebrations Contest. I'm crossing my fingers!!!!! Click Here to Vote!!!

Please Vote For Me!!!!!

I just keep waking up to good news! This morning, I received an e-mail from Craft Critique -- saying that I'm a finalist in their Celebrations Contest! Whoo Hoo!!!! A few weeks ago, I entered my wedding shower projects, and now am 1 of 6 who were selected! :) So PLEAZZZZZZZZZE go to the site and send in an e-mail to Craft Critique and vote for project #3 - Wedding Shower. I will love you forever! :)

The card posted above was created using Papertrey Ink's Text Boxed set and Basic Grey's Infuse paper line. It couldn't have been simpler! I added rhinestones to the center of the flowers for a little shimmer. Fun!!!

I'm still on vacation and my kids are begging to get out to the beach! I'll try to post again soon!

Vacation Time!

I know it's been awhile since my last posting, but our family is on vacation.... and I can't seem to get my laptop to work. I was just on Nichole Heady's blog and found out that one of my entries to Papertrey Ink. received honorable mention again! How exciting!!! As soon as I get back home, I'll post more details. We're having a blast!!!

*Updated*

I finally figured out how to get a picture transferred, so here are some details:

Every month, the company - Papertrey Ink. - has a contest using their newly released set(s). This was a really fun card to make. I think the large rectangular images make great beach towels! I stamped the image with Versamark, added Heat & Stick Powder, and finally topped with Fun Flock. It looks just like a soft fluffy towel! This card is very textile. I used strips of sandpaper for the beach. The beach ball is made from an image from the Butterfly Kisses set. I stamped one of the floral images from Text Boxed in a bright yellow and then rolled the edges in red. The sun's rays are made from the three dotted image in the set - and then glittered.

This is my second 'Honorable Mention' entry. Maybe next time......... I'll keep crossing my fingers! ;)

Sale Update

I've updated and added to my 'for sale' posting. Please e-mail me directly if you are interested!

Surf's Up!

This is the card that I'm sending to my in-laws as a thank you for our upcoming vacation! Woo Hoo! My M.I.L's one stipulation is that I make her a scrapbook of our trip. I've never scrapbooked, so that will be an adventure in itself!

Today's challenge on Caardvarks is to make a card using:
2 stamps
2 patterned papers
2 circles
and 2 ribbons

For my 2 stamps, I used C.C. Design's new Summer Set. I LOVE all of the images! This company is so awesome! For my sentiment, I used Papertrey Ink's Faux Ribbon set. It's jammed packed full of perfect sentiments for everything!!! For my little surfer, I stamped onto shimmery white CS (SU) and colored in with Watercolor Wonder Crayons using my Aquapainter. I used red and silver Stickles to color the surf board. Then, I doodled with a Night of Navy Stamp n' Write Marker (SU). I used a Coluzzle to cut out the circle (CIRCLE #1). Then, I punched my second circle with a Marvy Giga Scalloped Circle punch. I used a small paper punch around the scallops to give it a little more design. For my sentiment, I made an opening with my Word Window punch (SU). I stamped my sentiment on a scrap of Creamy Caramel CS and positioned behind the window, then adhered it in place. I embossed the 'ocean' using a Cuttlebug folder.

For my patterned paper, I used two of Creative Imagination's fun summery designs. I added a band of navy grosgrain to the center of the card and topped with hemp. I wasn't sure if hemp counted as a 'ribbon', so I added twill to the top corner of the card too.

This sketch is another of Julee's (Poetic Artistry) for Blogger Bingo.

Now - I've got to go and get ready for this vacation!!!

Bee Lucky!

Today's Caardvarks challenge is to make a Good Luck card. I just love these bees by Stampendous! I started by stamping the image and embossing it with black EP. I wanted to use something bright again, so I looked through my DCWV Nana's Kids paper pack and found this one. From there, I colored in my bees with Stamp n' Write markers from SU. I used my Sakura Stardust pen to add shimmer to their wings. I used Gina K's Large Circle doodle set to stamp onto the scalloped circle. Sure, I could have just made the dots myself, but this makes it so quick and easy.... and I know I can't mess it up!

The red square is reverse paper pierced to give it lots of texture! If you like this card layout, you've got to check out Beate's awesome 'Joy Fold Tutorial'! These cards are really fun to make! I used adhesive backed velcro dots to keep my card closed.
Paper: Die Cuts With a View - Nana's Kids; SU Cardstock: Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Old Olive, and Summer Sun; Papertrey Ink's white CS
Stamps: Stampendous! Bee Trio; Papertrey Ink Faux Ribbon set
Ink: Versamark, Real Red, Ballet Blue
Accessories: SU Crafter's Tool Kit, Marvy Mega Circle & Giga Scalloped Circle Punches, SU Notched Corner Punch; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, SU 1 3/8 circle punch, Fiskars scissors, velcro

Ribbon Carnival

Craft Critique is having a Ribbon Carnival! It is jammed packed with great ideas for using ribbon, ribbon storage, and more! And.... I'm linked on their site for my mini tutorial on how to use a computer to print onto grosgrain ribbon! Yeah!!!

I'm Hitting the Beach, Baby!

I am getting really excited because our family is getting ready to fly out to Florida in a few days. Now... normally, everyone is ready to go on a vacation -- but I'm REALLY ready. I haven't had a vacation in over 8 years! I know! It's crazy! My last vacation was my honeymoon. Since then, my husband was in school finishing his degree, going to class all year round. And -- both of my boys were born in the summer. So I guess time has just passed and we are all WAY over due for a break! I wasn't going to get to go anywhere this summer either because of my work schedule. We have to sign up for our one week of summer vacation in October. It turned out that everyone had other commitments, so we had to stay at home. This card is for one of my coworkers. It's a giant 6 x 6 card... and she deserves every inch of it! I was mentioning at work that we were offered a free vacation from my in-laws... but it could only be for this certain week in July. The nurse that had that week reserved for her family's vacation offered to work in my place! Isn't that AWESOME! So.... we're going!!!! I can't believe it!

This card is a combo challenge. I worked late today, so I wanted to make a bang for my buck.
1. Caardvarks' Challenge today was to make a 6 x 6 card (check!)
2. SCS's Color Challenge today was to use these colors: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and Green Galore (check!)
3. Julee's Blogger Bingo (Sketch #1) (and check!)

I started off by gathering together my challenge colors. I knew I wanted to use my new MFT's stamp set Hit the Beach as my theme(from Eclectic Paperie or All That Scraps -- see shopping section of blog). Then I rummaged through my paper pile and found some 'beach-like' patterned paper. From there, I looked at the sketch and started putting everything together. The bikini chick was colored with Prismacolored Pencils and blended with mineral spirits. She's popped up with dimensionals onto a scalloped rectangle. The Giga rectangle was too short, so I punched two and put them together to create the size that I needed. The red ric rack camouflages the seam perfectly! I made a background piece with the Green Galore cardstock by stamping various images from the stamp set with versamark.

I wanted to secure the velum piece of printed paper and found some bright red eyelets. I haven't used an eyelet forever, but I like how it turned out!

I'm sure I'll be posting some more Summery cards in the next couple of days! Cross your fingers for us that we'll have a nice trip!

Stamps: MFT Hit the Beach, SU Much Appreciated
Paper: Real Red, Green Galore CS by SU; 'rippling waves' paper by Karen Foster; Beach Fish Vellum by American Traditional Designs
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark
Accessories: Apple Green Grosgrain Ribbon (SU); red eyelets (making memories); Coluzzle; dimensionals (SU); red ric rack (Michaels); Marvy Giga Scalloped Rectangle punch; Black Stampin' Write Marker (SU); Crafter's Tool Kit (SU), Prismacolor Pencils & Mineral Spirits, blending stump

Perk Up!

Today's Challenge at Caardvarks was to use 5 embellishments on a card. Whoo! I don't know about you, but I don't know if I've EVER put that many things on one cardfront! I had some help though.... I got some new toys from Eclectic Paperie & All That Scraps! :) I don't think I've seen a cuter stamp set! The Coffee and Tea set is packed full of retro images and perfect sentiments! I also got to drool on Basic Grey's Infuse paper pack! It's WONDERFUL! So... here are my 5 embellishments. Hopefully they all count. I didn't want to add anything else because I was afraid it would start looking gaudy.
1. Brown Brads
2. Ribbon (Flirty by Stampin' Up! & cream rick rack from Crate Paper Baby Bee Collection)
3. Zig Zag stitching by sewing machine
4. Stampin' Dimensionals to raise the teapot image off of the oval
5. Sakura Stardust pen to add glitter to the teapot and steam

And.... if all of those don't count, I also paper pierced the olive oval and used my Word Window punch (top left). Oh... and I punched teeny holes around my scalloped oval and distressed my CS with Sahara Sand ink by SU. I just love how it all turned out! :) I was going to just do a straight stitch -- but now I'm really glad that I went with the zig zag. I think it flows nicely with the rick rack.

This sketch comes from Julee at Poetic Artistry. She's starting a new round of Blogger Bingo today! Have I said before that I LOVE sketch challenges! So inspiring and fun!

CS: Infuse (Basic Grey), SU - Old Olive, Choc. Chip, Pretty In Pink
Accessories in addition to what I stated above: Giga Scalloped Oval, Coluzzle

Be There or Be Square!

Have you guys been on Caardvarks site lately? They are having a big 10 day contest going on right now with lots of fun prizes!!! Today's challenge was to use four squares as the focus of your card. I'm hoping that this counts because I had to 'play' with it a bit. I started out with 4 squares, but rounded 3 of the corners. I've seen this done before and I loved the way it looked, so I had to try it myself.

This is yet another coffee themed card of mine, but I really love the images. The stamp set is from My Favorite Things called Hot Stuff. This is my only set by MFT, but hopefully in a day or two my new set will be coming - Hit the Beach! So... I promise to have a little more variety soon. :) I stamped directly onto the orange paper using dark brown ink, and colored in with Prismacolor Pencils. I used a Sakura Stardust pen to glitter up all of the blue areas, but you can't see it from the picture. The orange paper is actually the reverse side of the plaid paper I used (Crate Paper Cowboy collection). It goes really well with SU's bashful blue and chocolate chip CS. I added the sentiment (from the same stamp set) and paper pierced the corners with SU's Crafter's Tool Kit. I just LOVE this kit! I've used it almost daily for the past year.

I'm planning on doing my first blog candy soon, so keep your eyes peeled for future postings!

With This Ring......

This was the big day! My brother, Jeff, tied the knot! I never thought this day would come! It was a beautiful wedding -- and now I have a new sister! How fun! (Pictured from left to right: my little sis, Jenna - me - Jeff - & my little bro, Jason)

This is the wedding card that I made franticly this morning! I could just see myself arriving to my own brothers wedding 20 minutes late and it was stressing me out! But... we made it with plenty of time to spare -- thanks mainly to my husbands driving skills (aka lead foot). This time I wasn't a back seat driver! No complaining here! I made a 'Cami' trifold card made with this adorable bella stamp and Cosmo Cricket paper. You can find a tutorial for this card HERE. The fella and his bella are stamped with Versafine black ink, colored in with Prismacolor Pencils, & blended with mineral spirits. I added a Sakura Stardust pen to give glitz to the veil and parts of the dress. I also added some bling on the veil with a teeny tiny diamond gemstone (fake of course!) ;) The scalloped rectangle was made by stamping 2 scalloped Mega squares on top of one another. If you get a chance - check out the tutorial for these cards. They really are simple to make once you see it. Once you do one, it's easy to alter it to make it your own.

Here is a picture of what the card looks like when it's open. I was also really happy to find out that some of the new In Colors by SU match the Dutch Girl collection perfectly! (soft sky & river rock). A slit punch keeps the card in place when it's folded.

This is a matching gift card holder that I made. I found these little cases at Michaels in the dollar bin! (Love the dollar bin!) This one was hot pink with yellow polka dots... but with a little sticky tape, ribbon, and paper..... Voila! Too cute! The bottom half is already silver, so it's quick and easy to alter. The inside comes with a clear insert to hold the gift card.

And here are the bride & groom!!!! This picture was taken right after they were pronounced husband & wife. The picture is a little blurry because Nicki had to do a little dance! They're too cute!

Wild About You!

Today was the first time I've been able to play with Stampin' Up!'s new set, Zoofari. I think the images are SO cute! This patterned paper by American Crafts works great for a jungle theme! Today's challenge on SCS is to use ribbon in a creative way. I've seen people run twill through a printer, but my twill just wasn't the right color. So, I tried it out on white grosgrain, and I think it worked pretty well! I just used a word document, typed out what I wanted to say, and printed on regular computer paper. Then I used double sided tape and adhered my grosgrain right on top of the printed words. I put the paper back into my printer and printed again. Easy!

This card is also for today's Challenge on Caardvarks. You can only use ONE stamp for your card. This was a little tricky for me b/c I knew I 'had' to have a sentiment somewhere (without stamping!) -- and that's how the idea came about for the printed ribbon.

The leopard is colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an aquapainter (SU). I used a Sakura stardust pen to add glitter to his spots, whiskers, and nose. I just doodled the border with a SU marker. The white circle was cut using a coluzzle and I used a Marvy Giga Scalloped punch for the black circle. I used a tiny hole punch to add more 'spots' around the scallops.

The top portion of the card was embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I added a few black brad 'spots' to the lower corner.

Paper: American Crafts, Really Rust and Basic Black CS (SU), Papertrey Ink. white CS

Let it Rain!

Happy 4th everyone! It's been rainy here today, but hopefully we'll have a clear night for some fireworks and sparklers! Some of our family members from Seattle are here for the week and brought their weather with them. This card sketch is for a SCS Challenge. I took the sketch and turned it on it's side. It seemed to work better for me that way.

The cute little bug stamp is from C.C. Designs, called Bitzy Bugs Umbrelli. I stamped it on shimmery white CS and colored with ink from the lids of my stamp pads. I paper pieced the umbrella - (I added dimensionals to the bottom and glued down the top to make it look more realistic.) The little rain drops are from the same stamp company. I used a Sakura stardust pen to add glitter. The puddle was made by masking the boot and stamping a small "shaddow" (by CC Designs too!). Then I drew some splashes with Prismacolor pencils. I used stickles to make it all sparkley.

I made a scalloped edge with my slit punch and used the leftover scraps to make the blue area on the bottom of the card. I thought it mimicked the bottom of the umbrella! I punched some small holes with a teeny tiny hole punch.

The sentiment is by Papertrey Ink (Green Thumb set). I thought it was perfect for the card!

Paper: Daisy D's; Blue Bayou, Basic Black, Real Red, & Shimmery White Cardstock by Stampin' Up!
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Blue Bayou, Real Red, Soft Sky Classic Pads by Stampin' Up!

Fresh Blooms

This is another sympathy card that I've needed to make (sorry to say!). So, hopefully this will be it for awhile! I found this Stampendous stamp at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago (half off!). I love all of their floral stamps!

I stamped the image on watercolor paper and embossed with black EP. This makes watercoloring so easy! I used an aquapainter and the lids of my classic pads to add color. Then, I went over parts of the flower with a white gel pen. You can't tell from the picture, but I added some glitter with a Sakura Stardust Pen. The black scalloped circle was punched out with a Marvy Giga punch. I used a tiny paper punch to add a little more design to the scalloped edges. The flower and the scalloped circle are each adhered with a layer of dimensionals.

The sentiment is by Papertrey Ink. (Paper Tray set) and punched out with the large oval punch (SU). I added a scalloped edge with Fiskars scissors. This is also raised with dimensionals.

I paper pierced the top corners and bottom of card using the Crafter's Tool Kit (SU). The black velvet ribbon is from Michaels.

Paper: Daisy D's Bouquet Butternut; Old Olive, Basic Black, So Saffron Cardstocks (SU)
Ink: So Saffron, Real Red Classic Pads

Big Sale!!!!

Yeah! It's finally July! That means - a new Stampin' Up! Calendar Year! So... in celebration, I'm cleaning house! If there is something listed that you're interested in, please e-mail me at: julie_stamps@hotmail.com. Shipping charges are not listed. I will ship via USPS Priority and will charge actual shipping costs. They will be sold on a first come, first served basis. So just because you see it here, it might already be claimed. I will go through the email in the order in which they are recieved. I will mark them (pending) until they are paid for. I will accept paypal or checks/money orders, however if you pay with a check it will not be shipped until your check clears the bank. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Stamp Sets:

** Gina K's Scalloped Frames & Doodles Large Ovals Set: $15 (New)

Stampin' Up!:
Around & About - $7
Fresh Fillers - $7 (SOLD)
Fall Whimsy - $11 (matching wheel is listed below)
A New Little Someone - $17 (matching wheel is listed below)
Sassy Sayings II - $15
Both Way Blossoms - $17 (never used) (SOLD)
Monogram "c" - $15 (never used)
Nice & Easy Notes - $22 (never used) (SOLD)
Mixed Bouquet - $25 (matching wheel is listed below)
Something to Celebrate - $18
Flower Filled - $22
Love Matters - $25 (Winter Mini)
Buggies & Booties - $20
Basket Full of Fun Hostess Lvl 3 set- $35 (New, Unmounted)

Wheels:
(regular size: $5, Jumbo: $7)

Regular:
Whirly-Twirly
Many Mittens
Long Stitch Plaid
Acorns

Jumbo:
Woodcut Holly(SOLD)
Everyday Blossoms (unused)
Bouquet
Wash Day (SOLD)

Other:
In Color Reinkers: Marigold Morning, Cool Caribbean, Buckaroo Blue - $2.50 each (ALL SOLD)

Palette Hybrid (sets of 4, 1x1 ink pads) - new, never used $7 each
Set 1: Moulin Rouge, Cognac, Landscape, Beaux Arts Blue
Set 2: Starry Night, L'Amour Red, Sunflower, Viridian Leaf
Set 3: Reflection Blue, Iris, Belle Rose, Water Lily Green

SU Birthday Calendar (confetti white) - $7 (SOLD)

Snowflake Punch (SU 2006-7) - $8 (SOLD)
Daisy Punch (SU 2006-7) - $8 (SOLD)

Vintage Violet Stitched Grosgrain - $7