We Have a Winner!!!

I asked my 6 year old to pick a favorite number to win the Rubber Soul/Wordsworth stamp sets from my earlier post and he picked #30!!! (which sounded like "furtie" b/c he has problems saying his "th's". :) LOL! So! Elaine! It's your lucky day!!! Send me an e-mail with your info and I'll get these right out to you! Congratulations! (julie_stamps@hotmail.com)

Elaine said...
call and order with a credit card! I have the luxury of also going to shop at one of their stores in Redmond on on the island!fav paper is Soulsticefav color is limeade!!

It was fun to see what everyone's fav's were! Hope you all had fun browsing the store!

Discover the Best in Yourself

***DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN MY BLOG POSTINGS AND ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 2 STAMP SETS!!!***

This week's Bloggers Challenge was to create a project using Spectrum Pads. Eek! I only own one of these, so it was kind of a struggle for me. I have to say I'm not quite sure of the turnout... but I guess that's why they call it a challenge! (check out my side bar to see what the other members created this week!)

I started by trying to find a solid stamp that I could use with my Spectrum Pad. I just got the Holiday Treats set from Papertrey Ink-- so I decided to try to use it for something other than 'Christmas-y' themed projects. I like it when I can broaden the use of a set and use it year-round. So... I inked it up... then embossed it with Iridescent Ice EP.

Isn't this patterned paper yummy? It's by Daisy D's (Colonial Revival). I got this and the stamp (When You Look - Stampabilities) from my local craft store. I love this saying!

The Baubles on the lower right corner of the card were a surprise for me from Christie Ortman that she included in my Paper Pretties box. I think she bought them from Em @ Stamping Bella.

And finally.... I cut out the sunflower image (colored with Copics) --- from the SU set 'Give Thanks' -- and adhered. The punch that I used for the border is by Martha Stewart Crafts.

I am totally zonked from stamping and uploading so much today! I think I might take a break for a couple of days!

You Inspire Me

This was a fun card to make! It just took some careful cutting to paper piece these blossoms!

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All of the patterned paper is from Basic Grey's Lily Kate patterned paper. I love this 6x6 size because the patterns are the same as the 12x12, only smaller. It's perfect for card making, in my opinion. I found this paper and a lot of other goodies at the Paper Pretties Corner Store. One of my new favorite tools that I bought from Paper Pretties is the Heidi Swap Edge Distresser! It makes creating these edges so simple! And... it's inexpensive and PINK! LOVE IT!

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The sentiment is from Verve Visual. I love how it fits perfectly inside of the Word Window Punch!!!

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Stamp: Stampendous! Poppy Trio

I'm Craving Chocolate!

Don't forget about my blog candy (post below)! I'm giving away 2 stamp sets!!!

Today's SCS Ways to Use it Challenge was called "Food, Glorious Food". The challenge was to find way's to use food in your projects. Well... chocolate is a food group, right?

This is MFT's soon-to-be-released stamp set called 'How Sweet'. This is the set that came in my September Paper Pretties kit! I LOVE getting sets in the mail that aren't even available to the 'general public'. How fun is that!?! If you aren't a subscriber to PP yet but are 'craving' this set, you can purchase it at PP's Corner Store in October! Better yet... go subscribe today! You're going to LOVE next month's set too! ;)

This 'window' bag is from Papertrey Ink... as well as the stamp set 'Holiday Treats'. I think this is going to be a well-used stamp set! I stamped the 'Fresh Baked' image with Burgundy ink and then added the chocolate chip image (from the MFT set) to the center. I repeatedly stamped the chocolate chip background stamp (MFT) onto the bag to create a pattern. Sorry! This pic would look so much better if the bag actually 'contained' some cookies... but I ran out of time! :)

Here is the card I made to coordinate with the bag of cookies. This sketch is for Julee's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey's Recess line. I love the rich colors! I added a sentiment by using my Karen Foster Snap Stamps to spell out "you're" and then added just the 'Sweet' portion of the MFT sentiment (using a burgundy SU marker). Finally, I added a chocolate chip to the top corner where the slit punch was used.

Are you craving chocolate now too?

Lots of Love (Blog Candy Alert!)

Ok.... so I've got some HOT blog candy... but you're going to have to read about this card first! ;) I just can't get enough of these Wordsworth stick people! The guy in this stamp reminds me of my husband (and his skinny legs! - Don't tell him I said that! Shh!). This stamp (Christmas Stick Love) can be found at Rubber Soul's website!

The sentiment could be used for so many things! I'm picturing a coffee-themed card in my future.....

I colored in the stick people and also added color to my snowflake embellishment with Copic Markers. This sketch is from one of Julee Tilman's older Mojo Monday Contests. Have I ever told you how much I love sketches!!!! ;)

I wish you could see this patterned paper in it's entirety! I love the simplicity of the bold snowflakes! You can also get this from Rubber Soul (Winter Solstice Collection). Their papers are nice and heavy... come in 8x8 sized packages... and are double sided! I love them!!!!

Ok... so are you ready for some blog candy???!!!??? I'm almost at 20K hits and I'm ready to celebrate! I'm going to give 2 sets of Wordsworth/Rubber Soul stamps away (courtesy of Fred & Dani from Rubber Soul!) to a random person who comments on this post.
Now, you're going to have to work a little bit for this candy! (It'll burn off the calories!) ;)

So here's what you have to do:

Go to the Rubber Soul Website and:

1) Tell me one way that you can order Wordsworth & Rubber Soul stamps
2) Tell me which color of note card is your favorite
3) Tell me which paper pack is your favorite

I'll pick a random winner on Saturday!!!! Oh... want to see what you're playing for?

Time is About Up!

***CARDS ON THIS POST WERE CREATED BY CHRISTIE ORTMAN WITH PAPER PRETTIES***

Hey guys! I just wanted tell you about a special going on right now at Paper Pretties in conjunction with their Think Pink Campaign. If you've been thinking about signing up for a subscription to Paper Pretties, or about purchasing one of the Think Pink Limited Edition Packages, you might want to hurry over to the PP website this week! Here's some info that I found on Christie's blog:

"We have been so excited to see your response to our My Favorite Things' Minis on a Mission Think Pink Limited Edition Paper Pretties' Package. You have shown us that our customers possess caring and giving spirits. In that same spirit of giving we would like to give back to YOU! From now until midnight on October 6, 2007, National Breast Cancer Awareness Day, purchase our Think Pink Limited Edition Package and become a subscriber to either the Premium or Petite card package and we will waive your one-time membership fee! Be sure to mention in your membership agreement that you purchased a Think Pink Package.

Become a subscriber now. (Simply ignore the step that asks you to pay a membership fee.)
Thank you again for your support of our Think Pink campaign!"

Here are a couple of beautious cards made by Christie Ortman... just to give you a Sneak Peek at the stamp set that will be included in the Think Pink Package. I can not wait until mine arrives!!! I'll post some cards as soon as I get my hands on it!!! :)

I'm SO Spoiled!

I am so spoiled.... and I'm LOVIN EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!! Did you guys hear about the cruise?????!!!!!???? I saw it, thought how awesome it would be.... became jealous of those who were going to go.... and then called the hubby at work. I said, "Ummm... how much do you love me?" He got a little nervous with that one. So I went on... "You know how I love Papertrey?" Yeah... he says... "And... you know how I love the Bellas?" Yeah... (the tone gets a little more inquisitive). And... "You know how I love anything by Gina K?" What -- spit it out! He says. "Well... there's this cruise... and they're all hosting it and... and...." Go! He says. "What?!? Are you serious?" Yeah... you should do it, you'd love it! He answers.

So should I be ecstatic or scared? Either way, I BOOKED! Agh!!! All of the girls from Paper Pretties are going and it's going to be the BEST time I've ever had! I'm seriously dying here! A week of stamping with my FAVORITE companies as the hosts? Agh!!! I never get to do anything.. and now I'm going to CHA in Feb. and cruising in October! Plus, my birthday is during the cruise! How fun is that! Agh!!!!

Ok... so let me float back down on Earth and tell you about this card! So.... I've been shopping at Paper Pretties because they're having some killer sales! I just got a big box and decided to share a little of it with you guys!

This is my first Rubber Romance stamp... and I have to say I'm hooked! They are just so feminine! And with a house full of boys, I love a little glam! I love how you can now buy these mounted, unmounted, and even in a smaller ATC size.

I cut out parts and pieces, & added dimensionals to give it some depth. Of course (wink wink) I used Copics to color her in... and a Copic Spica pen to give this gal some shiny hair. I wish you could see it in person! It IS SO sparkly! I just ordered every other color of Spicas because they are THAT good! I added stickles to the bubbles to make them shimmer too!

The sentiment is from MFT's set 'Let's Hear it for the Boys'. Hey! Boys can't have all the fun! I think it works perfectly for this ultra fem card too!

I added some of this yummy printed paper to the card to give the illusion of wallpaper! The card base is by Rubber Soul (Cocoa Note card). I love that the outside is a rich color and the inside is bright and white... perfect for writing a message!

I hope to have you all join us on the cruise! We're going to have 'Stampin In Your Jammies' ON THE CRUISE! It's going to be a blast!!!!

I tried to link all of the supplies that I used on the card. Please message me if you have any questions!!!

Sparkley Sparrow

I finally was able to get into my craft room and stamp a little this weekend! My littlest one has been sick all weekend -- so we've been up all night, doing breathing treatments -- fun stuff like that. I was suppose to have my Blogger's Challenge card finished on Friday... but at least it's finished! And, I had fun doing it. It feels good to be back in the groove! (please check my side bar to see what everyone else came up with!)

This week's challenge was to use embossing on your card. I love my Cuttlebug, and decided to put it to work!

I began by stamping this beautiful bird image from Wordsworth's new set (Heart Sing) with Purely Pomegranate ink onto Soft Sky CS. I love this year's 'In Colors' from SU! I layered the bird onto Pomegranate CS with a dimensional.

I wanted to give you a close up look at the main image (sorry about the blur!) I found this new product and AM ADDICTED! I love it when I try something new and find that I LOVE it! The little gems are called Swarovski Crystals and they're on sale right now at Paper Pretties! I just used a Two Way Glue Pen (I think this is what it's called! It writes in blue, then turns clear.) -- made a dot where I wanted to add a crystal and... voila! It holds perfectly! I'm shopping tonight for some more colors! They're perfect for when you want to add a little bling!

This is another image from the same stamp set. I thought it looked simple and classic on the front of the envelope.


I added a little more embossing to the back flap of the envelope. So pretty!

Snowman Family

Isn't this little snowman family just the cutest?!? I think I'm going to use these guys for our family Christmas cards. I love how there are exactly the right number of snow people! The set comes from Rubber Soul's Snowman Collection clear stamp set.

This sketch is from CPS (Card Positioning Systems). I'm kind of new to their site, but it's really awesome! Everyone who reads my blog entries regularly knows I LOVE having a sketch to work with. So... this is site is right up my alley!!!

I added some Soft Sky stitched ribbon to the top (trying to mimic a scarf). These colors are actually the same when you see them in person. It's weird what the camera does to colors sometimes. I love these snowflake embellishments and brads by Making Memories too! The red snowflake paper is also by Making Memories (Deck the Halls). I added a little chocolate ink to the edges of the red paper. The snowman family panel is actually raised off of the card with heavy pop dots. Hmm.... wish that showed up too. ;)

I added some stamped snowflakes to the side panel and embossed them with Iridescent Ice EP. Finally, I added a little faux stitching to one of the edges. What a fun card! :)

Can you help?

There are still a few spots open for the Ronald McDonald House Card Drive! If you haven't heard about what we're doing at Paper Pretties, here are some details:

Our goal is to provide a large amount of Christamas/Holiday/Winter themed cards for families at the RMH to use. The RMH is a haven for families who's children are hospitalized away from home. To celebrate National Card Making Day, we at Paper Pretties would like to give back to the community!

Being a pediatric nurse, I've seen how important the RMH is for familes. Some of my patients have been hospitalized for over a year. Without the RMH, these familes would be subjected to sleeping in chairs in the hospital or trying to manage outrageous hotel fees. Most families simply wouldn't be able to be with their children on a routine basis. This organization is really a blessing to sick children and their loved ones.

What to do:If you are interested in signing up, please send an e-mail to: julie_stamps@hotmail.com

- Send 5 cards (WITH ENVELOPES) made with the above theme in mind. (Please do not write personal messages inside the cards, as these are intended for the families to utilize.)

- You can use any company's supplies to create these cards!

- Cards can be all alike or all different, whichever you chose.

- Cards must be postmarked by Oct. 6th (National Card Making Day)

IN RETURN, you will receive:

- a card made by a Paper Pretties DT member

- a gift certificate to the PP's Corner Store for 25% off of ONE item (35% off of ONE item for PP members!)

We only have 25 spots, so let me know asap. I've already received a few cards and they are BEAUTIFUL! (We will not turn down any card donations, so even if we are full and you would like to donate anyway, that would be wonderful!!!!) Thanks again!!!

Give Me a "B"....

Give me a "B"
Give me an "E"
Give me a "L"
Give me a "L"
Give me an "A"

I have an addiction to these Bella stamps! They're just so fun! This is Pompomabella and is the stamp of the month for Paper Pretties subscribers! I made this card SUPER fast! I picked out the patterned paper, chose my colors based on that, and went with a sketch I had on hand. I colored this Bella with Copics and added Fun Flock to the pom poms. I punched out some large ovals and Voila!! Cute and quick!

Do you like this layout? This is another card I made using Julie Masse's challenge sketch. The sentiment is from SU (Mini Messages).

You Brighten My Day!.... a sneak peek!

So... what do you think about this sneak peek from My Favorite Things? This set is called By the Seashore and will not be available for purchase until November! But... GUESS WHAT?!? If you subscribe to Paper Pretties Premier or Petite Package before October, this set will be included in your first kit! (If you sign up for the MFT option) Tell them that Julie Campbell sent you! ;)

If you ever have any questions about Paper Pretties, just drop me a line and I would be happy to help you out! I love opening my mailbox and finding a package from PP! It's just like Christmas! (Speaking of Christmas, you could hint to your family that a subscription would make a really fun gift!)

Now... back to this card! I stamped my image with Brilliance Black ink (This is my ultimate favorite ink to use with Copics! No smearing or bleeding... even without heat setting my image!) I usually use Papertrey Ink's white CS, or SU's Confetti or Naturals CS. I used Copics to add color... and Prismacolor Pencils to add fine detail. (I used Prismacolors and Mineral Spirits to color the sea shells) To create faux stitching, I used a white Souffle pen (I love how opaque it looks on dark colors!). *** Prismacolor Pencils are now on sale at the Paper Pretties Corner Store!

The sentiment is from Verve Visual. I love how it fits perfectly inside of SU's Word Window Punch!

Did you notice something new on my pic? I just received some new watermarks from Dina at Mama Dini's Digi-Sig Diner!!! She is unbelievable quick and super reasonable! You'll have to check her site out!

Here's the info I have on the pretty plaid paper I used:
Paper: Kate Teague 'hey paul' (www.fontwerks.com) hf-740

Sending Prayers for Sarah

I don't know if many of my faithful blog readers were here with me in the beginning when I wrote about Sarah. (Sarah is the sister of my best friend who is battling breast cancer.) I'll try to summarize her story and remember all of the details....

Sarah is in her early 30's and was diagnosed with breast cancer recently. She actually found the lump doing a self-exam right after her mom was diagnosed. The doctors told her that she found it early... that she would have to go through chemo, but would not require a mastectomy (just a lumpectomy). So, Sarah was very hopeful... and thankful that she wouldn't require any major surgery. She's never been married, and she was hoping to get well quickly and move on with fulfilling other dreams about having a husband and family of her own.

I can't remember exactly how it all happened, but the doctors found a second cancerous area in the same breast and told her this type of cancer was much more dangerous. She would have to have her entire breast removed. Sarah found out about a new type of surgery that seemed to make a remarkable difference for cancer patients. Doctors would take a flap of tissue from her back side and transfer it to her breast --- saving her skin and leaving virtually no scars on her breast. She decided to go for it and traveled half way across the country to find a surgeon who specialized in this new type of surgery.

It took a lot of recovery time (a LARGE incision had to heal from the flap harvest site), but she recovered well and looked unbelievable. Her hair started growing back and she looked beautiful. But... after a few weeks, Sarah noticed a reddened area on her breast. She had it examined and doctors found that she had yet ANOTHER type of cancer on her breast. They believe that when the biopsy gun was used to take a sample of her previous tumor, it carried cancer cells and deposited them on her skin on it's way out.

So, NOW Sarah has to have a radical mastectomy (along with multiple lymph nodes removed). Her surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday afternoon.

Please pray for Sarah. She has been strong for so long and needs hope in a desperate way.

This is why Paper Pretties Think Pink campaign is so important to me. I know that a few hundred dollars doesn't seem like much, but being able to contribute to research and the fight against breast cancer even in a small way is a step. This is a battle. Everyone knows someone who is effected by this disease.... and I can't help but think that one day it could be me. Why not do something that we love and support a cure at the same time?

If you are interested in helping us in this campaign, you can find info HERE.

There is even more going on at Paper Pretties. Here's what I found on their site today:

Paper Pretties Pink Promotion
We have been so excited to see your response to our My Favorite Things' Minis on a Mission Think Pink Limited Edition Paper Pretties' Package. You have shown us that our customers possess caring and giving spirits. In that same spirit of giving we would like to give back to YOU! From now until midnight on October 6, 2007, National Breast Cancer Awareness Day, purchase our Think Pink Limited Edition Package and become a subscriber to either the Premium or Petite card package and we will waive your one-time membership fee! Be sure to mention in your membership agreement that you purchased a Think Pink Package. Become a subscriber now. Simply ignore the step that asks you to pay a membership fee.
Thank you again for your support of our Think Pink campaign!

Please think about Sarah this week. I know she could use your prayers. She keeps us updated on her blog found HERE.

Do you know someone who would love to have one of these Think Pink Packages? All you have to do is leave a comment (read about 'where' in this POST) and nominate them.... and 2 people will be chosen to receive a box FREE! I think it would be an awesome way to honor a deserving person!

Oh man! I've been tagged!

Have you guys seen this one floating around? It reminds me of when I open those crazy e-mails saying... pass this along to 100 of your best friends or you'll have bad luck for 7 years. But, anyway... it looks kind of fun, so I'm going to give it a try. (I'm going to get you, Christie!)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Fatso Saturn

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Mint Chip Snickerdoodle

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
J-Cam

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Green Monkey

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Michelle Terre Haute

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Camju

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”)
The Pink Latte

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Hubert Galen

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy)
Angel Sour Balls

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Elaine DeWayne

Ha! This was pretty funny! :) I love my stripper name! Perfect! And... my witness protection name rhymes. This is hilarious!

Now... who should I torment???? How about.....

Julie Masse
& Rose Ann

Beautiful Blooms Earns It's Wings

This is the first card I've made with Papertrey Ink's Beautiful Blooms set. I kept looking at the large floral image and thinking it 'looked' like something else. So.. I stamped it and cut it a bit... and came up with this little hummingbird.

I just stamped some flowers and leaves from the same set and added some Prima flowers here and there. I custom colored my brads to match the Purely Pomegranate CS with a Copic Marker. (By the way, Paper Pretties has Copic Ciao markers, Prismacolor Pencils and Markers on sale right now in the Corner Store!)

This card sketch was sent to me by Julie Masse. I loved it.... and actually made another card with the same layout that I'll post later. Can I just say how much I'm enjoying getting to know the other girls from the PP design team? I feel like I have some new sisters! :)

I have much more to show you, so check back later for more postings! :)

Inspired by Vera

One of the doctors that I work with carries this Vera Bradley Tote and I just LOVE it! I told her one day I would design a card based off of it... and I finally got to do it! This week's Bloggers Challenge was to create a card based off of something that inspires you. I knew exactly where I would be going with this one!

Here is the card I designed. I have to say that I think it turned out pretty close! I used one of my new Stampin' Up! sets 'True Friend' (from the holiday mini) to create the panel on the left. The large floral images were stamped in Chocolate Chip and colored with Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery, and Cool Caribbean. I added some sparkle with some Aqua Stickles and colored gemstones from K & Co. I used some pop dots to give it some dimension.

The smaller floral images were stamped with Versamark and embossed with Iridescent Ice EP. I stitched both panels using my sewing machine.

The panel on the right was created with Autumn Leaves' Swirl set, stamped onto Shimmery White CS (SU). I used markers to color in the bolder images and an aquapainter to add color to the background. It has a great shimmer IRL.

I added a little detail with a white Souffle Pen to paint some details onto the chocolate CS.

I left the card blank so that I could just pull it out in the future and use it for those last minute 'need a card now' moments.

Make sure you check out all of the other girls' projects from the Bloggers Challenge group. I can't wait to see what inspired them!

***Just a side note... I just opened shop on Etsy! I don't know if I will actually 'sell' anything, but I thought it was worth a shot. Check it out and tell me what you think! :)

Multiple RAK's

I feel SO horrible! I've received so many awesome cards from new friends that I've met through stamping... and I'm just now getting to post them. So... for those of you who've been so sweet and patient -- THANK YOU! Warning: This will be a long post b/c I'm so behind! :) But please take a look at all of them because they're really awesome cards! (You can click on each image to enlarge and see all of the fun details!)


This card was made by Kandi Kwirant, a member of my Paper Pretties Yahoo Group. She is just the sweetest person! I've never even met her before, and she sent me a card welcoming me to the PP Design Team. I just love her Bella and the awesome patterned paper that she used!






This is a card I received from Julee Tilman (Poetic Artistry). She is using one of her stamp sets (that she designed!!!) on this card. I love how she distressed the card and the use of dry embossing. It's just stunning irl!








This is another card that I received from Julee! Don't you just love the sparkles!?! An unexpected card always makes feel me all warm and fuzzy inside!









This is a card that I received from my fellow designer, Jillian Winters (our little Jillabella!). She sent me a boat load of awesome stamped Bella images... and I can't wait to get to work on them! I love her dry embossed background for this card! It goes perfectly with the main image!







This is an amazing card from my new stamping friend, Dana Seymour. If you haven't checked out Dana's blog -Kismet Art & Life - you are in for a big treat! She is one of my favorite designers. I always stalk her blog and open it first thing in the morning! I sent Dana a couple Rubber Soul stamps because I knew she would do something unbelievable with them! I was totally right! I love the technique she used to create this city scene! You should see it in person. The pic doesn't even do it justice!




This is another card made by Dana. Isn't this saying SO TRUE!?! I could see Oprah dying for this card! :) I love the multicultural coloring that she added. So often we always gravitate to what is closest to home. I know my Bellas always turn out pasty white like me. :) Maybe I should get out more often!







This is a card I received in my Paper Pretties Kit recently from Christie Ortman. I know she is an extremely busy girl, so I thought it was SO sweet of her to add a hand made card to my package. You have to look closely at the brad in the center of the Prima flower! It matches the paper perfectly! I've never seen brads like that before. Too cute!







This is a card that I received from another Paper Pretties DT member, Kristine Reynolds! Kristine also sent me some awesome Bella images to work with. It's SO good to have friends! I love this Bella! She's ready to celebrate!








This is another card from my friend Christie Ortman at Paper Pretties! We (the DT) do a weekly challenge and send out a card to a member of the team. Last week's challenge was to use dry embossing on our cards. The problem was... we could not use our Cuttlebug! Err! I was seriously handicapped on this one! But, Christie did an awesome job! I wish you could see the detail! She chalked the raised areas and added lots of glitz! It's so soft and pretty!


Ok... so I promise to upload these more frequently! I hope I didn't forget anyone! If I did, let me know and I'll add you on. (And forgive me once again!) :)

Hoo's Up for a Challenge?

This was such an awesome tutorial by Beate to make a Criss-Cross card! And... today's Ways to Use It Challenge was to make a pocket card. I love it when I can combine challenges in one project!

I pulled out some fun products from Rubber Soul and got to work! This fun green printed paper is part of my 8x8 paper pack called 'Meadow's Edge'. This paper pack is full of double sided sweet prints... and I love the size! I'm more of a card maker or small scrapbooker... so 8x8 is just right!

The sweet little owl is from Rubber Soul's Clearly Wordsworth set 'It's Your Day'. It's one of the brand new sets that you can find on their home page. You've got to check out their new holiday catalog. Their new sets are too cute! It's really easy to order now too! You can just fax, phone, or e-mail your order in... right from the Rubber Soul website.

For the band of my card, I wrapped a large piece of twill around a piece from my Hodgepodge Hardware kit. I just got these large eyelets from SU and LOVE them! I tried to mimic the look of the owl and made two eyelet 'eyes'. Do you see it too or is it just me? :)

I used Autumn Leave's Nature set for the card insert. I thought it went perfectly with the Rubber Soul paper! I love it when that happens! :)

By the way, Paper Pretties is clearing house, getting ready to even MORE great products. They have a big sale going on, with even more items being added to their 'SALE' category daily. All Autumn Leaves clear sets are discounted and you can get them SO cheap right now! You should go check it out!

I need my Java!

I'm just looking at this card and craving a caramel latte. But... it's almost 10pm, so I'm making myself be good. This was the final card I made during Paper Pretties SIYJ (Stampin In Your Jammies) virtual stamping night... and I almost forgot to share it with all of you!

This is one of my favorite sets from MFT called Hot Stuff. The challenge was to use light purple, light blue, and light green in a card. So... I HAD to pull out my Basic Grey Lilly Kate paper! It was just the thing! I used Copic markers to color in my little java queen.

I don't know if you can tell in the pic, but my goal was to make the main image look like you were looking into a cafe window. I used acetate (adhered under scalloped flap) to make my 'glass'. I haven't used eyelets in a gazillion years, but now that I have a Cropadile, I'm using them more and more. It's just too easy. And... most of my stamping is done when my boys are asleep. That pretty much axed the hammer action. I love setting eyelets and snaps in silence. Ahhh!

Well.. this post is going to be short and sweet! I've got to get to bed so that I can wake up early and drink my latte before work. :)

Think Pink!

Ok! Are you ready for some MORE exciting news? Paper Pretties has joined with Kim from My Favorite Things to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer! I am so excited to announce the Think Pink Limited Edition Paper Pretties Package!

The Think Pink Packages will be filled with wonderful goodies to make cards --- all with a 'Woman to Woman' theme! The boxes will include My Favorite Things first ever "Minis on a Mission Think Pink" set and will begin shipping October 5th - NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY. I've seen some of the goodies that are being packed in these boxes and I'm SO EXCITED!!! It's brilliant and fun and and and....!!! I can't wait! You're going to love them!

$5.00 from the sale of each Paper Pretties Think Pink Limited Edition Package will be donated to support Breast Cancer Initiatives. We are so excited to have this opportunity for women to give back to women!

The box is $45.95 plus shipping and handling. Click HERE to order. *You must add the words "THINK PINK" in the comment section when checking out. This will notify the store that you would like this special edition and not the regular package.* (Please note that the picture shown is not representative of the box you will receive. It is only an example of what a Limited Edition Package might contain.)

But wait!!! There's MORE! As well, Paper Pretties and MFT are giving you the opportunity to send a box to one of your friends FREE of charge! Two of these boxes will be given away to some deserving recipients! Here's how you can enter someone special. We want you to leave a comment HERE or HERE nominating someone who has made a difference in your community. Please give them their name and tell them why you think they should receive this box. They will choose the two winners on October 5th and send their boxes out right after that!


Here is a card that Kim made... just to give you a sneak peek at the new stamp set! Keep checking this blog for more sneak peeks to come!

Please let me know if you have any questions!

New Items and a Fun Card Swap!

The girls at Paper Pretties have been feverishly adding new products to the Corner Store. There are TONS of new Rubber Romance stamps (now in mounted, unmounted, and ATC size!). Have you seen the new stamps from Stampendous? I just LOVE the Ollie & Olivia collection! The store is packed with new papers, accessories, Copics, Prismacolors, Lizzie Anne Stamps, My Favorite Things stamps.... you get the idea! :)

AND... if you are a subscriber to the Paper Pretties monthly kits, you automatically receive 10% off of your entire purchase! Monthly 'Suggested Add-ons' are 20% off!

We're having so much fun! And... to celebrate National Card Making Day, we are hosting a card swap to benefit the families at the Ronald McDonald House. Each participant sends in 5 Christmas/Winter/Holiday cards (that will be sent to the RMH families to use) and in return will receive:
- a limited card from a Paper Pretties DT member AND
- 25% off of ONE item from the Paper Pretties Corner Store (35% for subscribers)

There are only 25 spots, so please e-mail me if you are interested! (julie_stamps@hotmail.com)

Mojobella

This is the card I made for Julee Tilman's "Who's Got Mojo Monday" card sketch challenge. Yeah... I know it's Friday -- but I had the idea on Monday. Does that count? ;)

I love these colors together! ~ Really Rust - Soft Sky - Chocolate Chip - and River Rock ~ Yummy! Bella is colored in with Copics (of course!) ;) and I added some glitter to her flowers, the bottom of her dress, and to her 'eyeshaddow'. Wish you could see it better.

I just love this sketch! I used a TON of cardstock, but it worked! I'm saving this in my memory bank for another time. Oh how I LOVE a sketch challenge! :)

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas......

I know it's still a few months until Christmas, but I am having so much fun with these new holiday stamps from Rubber Soul... so I had to get them out and play! Do you like this sketch? The inspiration card came from Stampin' Up!'s new Holiday Mini, page 12. This is today's challenge from my Blogger's Challenge group (check out everyone's version by clicking on the links on my sidebar!). I have a full day to stamp and I am SO EXCITED! So... you'll probably see several posts from me soon!

For this card, I started by picking out my cardstock and printed paper. The card base is Always Artichoke (SU). The red snowflake paper is by Making Memories (Deck the Halls). I love this paper because it's all glittery IRL. The other two papers are actually from the same sheet (front and back). I don't know who makes it because it's not labeled (weird!) except for a sticker that reads 'St. Nick Vintage Snowflake'. The scalloped circle is cut from Ruby Red CS (SU). I added a little antiquing to the edges of the patterned paper with a sponge and Sahara Sand ink (SU).

Don't you just LOVE this little car! It just makes me smile! This stamp is from the Joy to the World clear stamp set from Rubber Soul. I stamped the image twice (once in black and once in artichoke). I cut out just the tree and added pop dots to adhere. The sentiment is from the Winter Wonderland set (the same set as the camping stamps from my earlier post). I colored in the car with my Ruby Red Stamp 'n Write marker (SU).

I added snowy dots around the scallop with a white Souffle pen. This was the first time I've used it and... I LOVE this pen! It's a lot more opaque than my other white gel pens. It comes out very liquid-y (but super easy to control) and then dries to a nice satiny finish with dimension. Fun!

To finish off the card, I added some twill ribbon (SU) and attached a snowflake charm from Karen Foster. Love it!

Long Time No Post!!!

I am SO happy that I'm finally able to post again. This past week has been crazy busy. I guess it all started on Saturday. My little sister came over and was bored.... so we decided to re-do the boys' bedroom. I was imagining a two day project.... and then having Labor Day to stamp, rest, etc. Yeah, well.... that didn't happen. I don't know why I do this to myself! Projects always take longer than expected. But, now I'm so glad we did it -- and that it's over. (Well... mostly over. It still needs some finishing touches.)

Ok. So I'm sad to say this was actually the room that my boys had been sleeping in. Yuck! This is only part of the miles and miles of Grandma-Green and Pink floral wallpaper. Yeah. They even papered the ceiling. This pic was taken right after I started peeling off some of the edges.

Here's the same room with all of the paper off. This took me two whole days to complete just this part of the project.

Here is the same wall painted Stampin' Up!'s Old Olive. We put the bunk bed up late Monday (I think we finally finished at 11:30 pm)

Here is where Emery is going to sleep. We call it the 'Window Bed'. I'm going to put up some fun 'curtains' so they can have a little hide away fort.

This is the face that makes it all worth it! We woke Eli up late Monday night after everything was finished. I'm not sure how much sleep he got that night. Now I've got to figure out how to keep the little one from climbing to the top and breaking his neck. What a relief to get this out of the way! So... since I worked on the room for 3 days (and went to my real job on Tues.), the rest of my house was a disaster. I spent the entire day today just getting things back in order. I HOPE HOPE HOPE to get to stamp on Friday. I promise to be back to my regular posting soon!

Blog Candy Winner!!!

Wow! I really enjoyed reading all of your comments (Yes... I read every one and love it!!!) There were some really touching comments and inspiring dreams. I hope all of you get to experience these one day!

I picked a random number through random.org and came up with this winner for the Rubber Soul Wedding Set:

Shannon McGann said...

Hi Julie, I love your blog and have added you to my blogroll. I'm a SAHM (which was one of my dreams) and my biggest dream/prayer is that both my boys will know and love the Lord Jesus and follow and serve Him their whole lives.

Shannon! Congratulations! Please e-mail me your info (julie_stamps@hotmail.com) and I'll get this set right out to you! And.... a big thanks goes out to Dani from Rubber Soul for supplying all of this fabulous blog candy! You are one of the most generous people I know! :)