Enjoy the Day... JIFFY style!

Hey everyone! Today, the JIFFY (Just For Fun) girls are posting our September projects! This month, I chose some funky paper called "Pink Floral" Just Chillin' Girl by Making Memories. I never thought I'd say it... but the purple bug has hit me. Now... not all purples... but certain ones are mmmm!!! so yummy! :)

Kim Hughes picked an ADORABLE stamp called Twizzle Tree from Memory Box! And, out of the goodness of her own heart, Ellen Hutson sponsored us this month and sent each of us one of these stamps on the house! Thank you SO much, Ellen! :) (If you're not familiar with Ellen's online store, you MUST go check it out! She always stocks the most innovative, wonderful products... and her customer service can't be beat!)



I used bits and pieces of my paper to paper piece my tree. Each 'branch' is covered in Glossy Accents and the border is machine stitched.

My sentiment comes from September's Stampin' Store Kit from Unity called 'Everything Extraordinary'. The yumm-o satin ribbon is from PTI... and the strip of purple down the side is from Core'dinations.

Want to see what the other girls made using the same paper & image? I'm SO curious!!! :)

Kim Hughes
Lori Craig
Michele Boyer
Alli Miles

Mod Flowers

Happy Monday! I have a quick card for you today. I'm trying to streeeetch my style a little and wanted to make something with a clean, mod feel to it.

I LOVE these funky flowers by Hambly! I colored the centers white to enhance them a bit and added fun, bold letters to spell "Hello". I added a button tied with twine to the center for a little added embellishment.

Blast Off!

Hey everyone! :) I hope you're having a restful Sunday afternoon! I wanted to share a card I made last night using Unity's new set 'Sketchy Little Boy'. Being the only female in a house FULL of boys, I thought this set would come in handy. :)

You can tell by the rocket ship on my card just how LARGE these images are! Love it! I decided to go 'old school' and bring out my Prismacolors on this one. I use to use my pencils all the time until I became a Copic addict... and I'd forgotten how great of a tool they were! It made everything so easy because the pigment stays true even on top of my kraft cardstock. I smoothed it all with mineral spirits. Fun stuff.

And... if you look closely, you can see the dimension and shine that the Glossy Accents gives to the rocket window. Cool! :)

Many of you commented that you liked having the supply/instruction list on my previous post... so I thought I'd try to do that as often as I could. :)

Stamps:
- (rocket) Sketchy Little Boy (Unity Stamps)
Ink:
- Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Cardstock:
- Aqua Mist, Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
- Suede Brown Dark (Prism)
Printed Paper:
- Road Map Shapes & 8x8 paper pad (October Afternoon)
Accessories:
- twine (May Arts)
- Glossy Accents (Ranger) - used over window on rocket
- Prismacolor pencils & Mineral Spirits
- rub-on (Melissa Frances)
Tools:
- sewing machine

Instructions:
1. Create card front using brown cardstock.
2. Trim "guest book" printed paper and adhere to top of card. Apply rub-on sentiment.
3. Stitch around aqua cardstock and adhere to lower half of card.
4. Adhere number strip to right side of card. Adhere striped scalloped strip to bottom of card.
5. Stamp rocket onto kraft cardstock. Color with pencils and blend using mineral spirits. Trim and layer onto brown cardstock. Add Glossy Accents to rocket window and allow to dry.
6. Wrap twine around cardstock. Adhere rocket panel and tie twine in place.

Christmas Memories

Hey guys! I am getting into the holiday spirit already! I think that's a record for me! I mean, I only have one card done.... but it's a start, right? ;)


This card uses one of Unity's new releases called 'Embellished Season'. It's such a pretty set & makes creating holiday cards SO easy! The images are nice and large, so all you have to do is stamp and go! It's hard to see, but this sentiment is so fun! The words 'memories' & 'shine' have that classic Unity polka dot print in them! Cute stuff!


Want to see more Unity creations? Go to the Unity blog for a list of 50+ Friends With Flair!!! There are prizes to be had and... one of you might be a winner! ;)

Supplies:
Stamps: - ornament & sentiment: Embellished Season Set (Unity Stamp Co.) Ink: - Versamark (Tsukineko) - Warm Red & Dark Brown chalk ink (Clearsnap) - Amareto Powder Puffs (Quick Quotes) Cardstock: - Suede Brown Dark (Prism) - Kraft, Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink) Accessories: - kraft twine (May Arts) - clear embossing powder (Ranger) - wood flourish (Kaiser Crafts) - scoring tools - markers (Copic) - small hole punch (craft supply)

Want to know how to make it? :)

Instructions:
1. Create card front using brown cardstock. 2. Trim slightly smaller piece of blue paper. Score lines on the back side of cardstock to emboss. Ink edges lightly with Amaretto ink. 3. Stamp ornament onto kraft cardstock using red ink. Trim. Apply watermark ink over ornament and emboss with white EP. Repeat several times to create a thick glossy covering. 4. Stamp top of ornament onto cream cardstock using brown ink. Color with markers. Trim and emboss with clear EP. 5. Stamp top of ornament a second time onto blue cardstock panel. Punch a hole to thread twine through. Adhere ornament and top to card using dimensional foam. 6. Stamp sentiment. Adhere blue panel to card front. 7. Adhere wooden flourish to card.

And the card goes to.....

Hey again! Random.org just picked a recipient for my Bingo card below! #22!!!

Angela W said...
Lovely card! I hope to participate in World Cardmaking Day!

Shoot me an e-mail with your address and I'll pop this in the mail! :)

Shop Update!

I've been updating my Etsy shop! You can view or purchase my items HERE! :)

An Autumn Color Challenge

Have you seen the new Embellish magazine? It's a new online publication that's debuting this December and I can't wait to check it out! Right now, they have a fun color challenge going on... and it looked so pretty, I just had to try it out!


I LOVE this color combo! I thought it would be a perfect time to break in my newest Papertrey set - Autumn Abundance. I needed some Copic color therapy and it was just the trick! :) The polka dot BG is from Cornish Heritage Farms.

Don't forget to check out the 25% off coupon found in the post below! It's good for anything in the Paper Crafts shop! And... I'll be picking a recipient for my Bingo card soon... so if you'd like me to mail it to YOU, leave a comment on that post.

Have a great one!!! :)

World Card Making Day Blog Tour!!!

Hey everyone! I'm really excited to be a part of the World Card Making Day Blog Tour! World Card Making Day was founded by Paper Crafts Magazine 4 years ago and takes place on the first Saturday of October. This year's event will take place on October 3rd & is the perfect way to kick off the busy card making season! Get together with a group of friends or check out your LSS! There are always fun events scheduled and a lot of stores have great sales & specials for the occasion.

Speaking of sales & specials.... I have a special offer just for you! Use the following coupon code to get 25% off your total cart amount at the Paper Crafts/CK online store!!!

Coupon Code: A67T-623X-A7XS

The coupon will be valid from midnight (MDT) on 09/21/09 through 23:59:59 (MDT) on 10/12/09. So... what are you waiting for?!? Click HERE to start shopping!!! :)

And... just to thank you for visiting my blog today, I would love to send this card to one of my blog readers! Just leave me a comment and say 'hey!' & I'll send this to a random commenter. (US residents only).

Supplies:
- (Game of Chance Bingo stamp) Unity Stamp Co.
- (June Bug paper collection) Basic Grey
- (Kraft CS) Papertrey Ink
- white embossing powder, Versamark ink
- Prima flowers
- ribbon
- vintage bingo token

More Fall Friday!!!

Hey! It's Friday! And that means... it's Unity's Friends With Flair time! Here are a couple more fun fall cards I made using some of my new Unity stamps!

I luhuuuve this awesome fall flourish from the Simple Blessings set! My pumpkin layer fit perfectly into it's curve! The sentiment is from the same set... and that adorable stitched pumpkin is from this month's Kit called 'Go Ahead, Wish'.

Here is a simple card that I made using a Cuttlebug embossing folder & the Simple Blessings kit. This is another project that the girls will be making at my Crafty Chicks class this weekend. :)

Thanks for visiting! Have a great weekend!

Who Does THAT!?!

Today is a BIG day at Unity! There are TONS of new releases, new challenges, and HUGE prizes to be had! So make sure to read all about it on the Unity Blog! :)

Today, I want to show you a few projects I made using the new 'Simple Blessings' stamp set! Fall is my FAVORITE season. I just love the colors, the smells, and the crispness in the air. It makes me happy just thinking about it! :) So... in lieu of Autumn peeking it's head around the corner, here are some warm, festive cards that are sure to get you ready for the season!

This card features one of the pumpkins from the 'Simple Blessings' set. Can you believe how BIG these images are? I LOVE it! The sentiment comes from September's Kit of the Month.

Here's another card using many of the same 'ingredients'. This fun sentiment is from the new 'Autumn Pals' set!

And this is the granddaddy of all pumpkins! Wow! Think how great this image would be to decorate fall treat bags! CUTE!

If you haven't seen yet, I've added a few more Card Crafting Kits to my Etsy shop! All of the cards posted above can be made using the contents of this kit! It comes with yards of ribbon, buttons, twine, and all the images are stamped and ready to go! :)

Thanks for visiting today! I'll be back tomorrow with more Unity goodness!

Shabby Butterfly

I've had this idea brewing in my mind... and even though I promised myself not to stay up late one more night... I just couldn't resist. I love this week's CPS sketch (which happens to be sponsored by Zva - a product that I would LOVE to get my hands on!)... so I'm crossing my pinkie toes on this one. ;)

So... my entire idea started with one of Unity's newest stamps, 'Grainy Background' (which is released on Thursday, Sept. 17th... only a few short hours from now!!!) . I love anything woodgrain... and I thought it would be fun to try my hand at making my own embellishments! So... I dabbed it up with bright pink ink and stamped it onto a soft pink cardstock scrap. Then, using my butterfly Nestabilities die, cut it out... along with a chipboard butterfly to add in the background. (I used an old cereal box and 'recycled' it.) Then, I stitched along the edges and distressed it with a few shades of ink.

Click on Picture to Enlarge

The center piece is a fabric strip from an old set of bed sheets. I LOVE refurbishing old linen! Just hunt around at your local Goodwill or a tag sale. One old cotton sheet can go a long way! This fabric was white with soft pink ticking.... but I aged it with Distress inks to age it even more. To create the gathered edges, I just ran each edge through my sewing machine on the widest stitch and then pulled the top strings... which creates a fun ruffled effect. Once I had it the way I wanted, I just stitched it directly onto my patterned paper.

The papers and ribbons are also inked up. (Today, I used Antique Linen, Old Paper, & Tea Stain Distress inks by Ranger for all of my elements.) The paper is a BEAUTIFUL print by Fancy pants ("Shape": Simplicity line) & the rub-on is by Melissa Frances.

Thanks for checking it out! I hope you try your hand at creating homemade embellishments too! And definitely try recycling some old cereal boxes or torn sheets sometime! ;) It's FUN!

Shop Update!

I have some new kits for sale in my Etsy shop.... so click HERE to take a peek! :)

More Unity Creations

Well... like I mentioned in my previous post... I'm LOVING the new Stampin Store Kit! This beautiful butterfly duo is part of the set 'Everything Extraordinary' and can only be purchased through scrapbooking stores. To find a list of stores (including a few online spots) click HERE.

I fell head over heels for this card by Lori Craig... and decided to incorporate those fun 'shaker domes' into a project for this month's Crafty Chicks class (a monthly paper crafting class for locals).

To keep it simple, I used a couple of Nestabilities dies to cut out the shapes that I needed. The inside has a bit of Faux Snow inside... just to give it a bit of whimsy. And... below is the sentiment that's stamped inside. It's SUCH a great quote! It's one of those that makes you stop and evaluate things... you know? The sentiment is part of September's Kit of the Month called, "Go ahead, Wish".

Here's another card I made using the cutest apple (found in September's KOM), paired with Cosmo Cricket's Boyfriend paper. (The sketch is from Jen delMuro's SFYTT.) I think the stitching and buttons on the apple make it over the top adorable! :) The top of the card just needed 'something', so I sharpened a #2 pencil until it fit and adhered it with some Red Line tape.
Are you still with me? ;) So... here is my final card for the day. These images all come from the Stampin Store Kit. The variety of images & sentiments in this set just amaze me! I stamped the rustic floral image repeatedly using brown ink onto kraft CS.... and then added bits of color with an ivory Prismacolor pencil & a red Copic marker. The dotted fabric is actually an old piece of Love Elsie paper/fabric that lost it's adhesive... making it a perfect accessory in my book!

Thanks for stopping by! There's more in store tomorrow... so I can't wait to see you then! :)

Vintage Lamp

If you haven't seen the latest Unity STORE Kit this month, I think you're really going to love it! I've been stamping away and have so many ideas for this set! Even though this kit can only be purchased through scrapbooking stores, there are several online stores that carry it! If you want to see a list of available retailers, you can click HERE.


One of my favorite images in this set is the vintage lamp. I love anything that takes me back in time a bit. Something about it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :) I was surprised at the size of the images. They're BIG and the perfect size to really make a statement on your cards or scrapbook pages!


Here's a close-up of my lamp. I colored it with Copics and then popped the shade. The dangling crystals are covered in Glossy Accents... and I used a gold Copic glitter pen to glam up the base. I LOVE the fabric covered brad too! It looks just like something I would've seen on Grandma's side chair. :) (Click on above image to see it up close and personal.)


Stamps:
- (lamp) Everything Extraordinary: Unity Stamp Co.
- (sentiment) Damask Designs: Papertrey Ink
Ink:
- Tuxedo Black Memento: Tsukineko
- Antique Linen Distress Ink: Ranger
- Charcoal chalk ink: Clearsnap
Cardstock:
- Rustic Cream, Smokey Shadow, Kraft: Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper:
- "Frosted" Serendipity "Life at the Pole": Sassafras
Accessories:
- "Grasshopper Calico" ribbon: Martha Stewart Crafts
- Copic markers & gold glitter pen
- Glossy Accents: Ranger
- Prima flowers
- Monkey Business brads: Sassafras
- Cream twine: May Arts
Tools:
- Small corner rounder: EK Success

Feathered File Folder

It's FRIDAY!!!! ....and that means we're celebrating with Unity! Every Friday now, 50 Unity lovers + several DT members will be joining together in 'Friends with Flair'! Just go to the Unity blog and you'll find links of inspiration. And.... one random commenter from all of the blogs will win a special Unity prize!

So... for this Friday's Friends with Flair, I made a Feathered File Folder. (Sorry. I just had to go all Dr. Seuss on you.) ;) This is one of the projects that my Crafty Chicks crafting class will be making this month - so if you're coming to my class and want to be surprised... stop looking NOW! :) I found the idea for this fun little project on my friend Val's blog. And then... another one of my stamping pals, Amy, tried it out. I just caught the bug and had to make one for myself! These things are so CUTE and FUN! Love it! See - sometimes peer pressure is a good thing! ;)

I customized my file folder with Jenni Bowlin papers and a few Unity stamps. I LOVE how the bird from the Birdie Inspiration set coordinates with the paper on the inside covers. The large journaling block is from Unity's Confession set.


Here's a peek inside. I think this would be fun to organize coupons, recipes, bills, etc.

Thanks for visiting my blog! :) I still have a couple of kits in my Etsy shop if you're looking for some crafty goodies!

Gifts From the Kitchen - Now on Etsy!

Here is the latest Kit listed in my Etsy site! There are only 2 available, so if you're interested, you might want to head over there soon! :)


Here's a little more about my kit:

There's nothing better than the taste of freshly baked bread spread with homemade strawberry preserves! Now you can make your gifts as pretty as they are tasty! This kit is specially designed to meet all of your packaging needs!

Surprise a friend with a decorated Mason jar filled with a cookie mix! Or... show someone you care with a loaf of banana bread peeking through the window of a decorated bag.

Here is one of the cards included in the kit. This image is from Unity's 100% Happy kit (which can only be found in local stores).


Here are some more items from the kit. The card contains 3 cards, but the fronts of the cards are not adhered, allowing for personal touches! And... the labels are double sided, so that gives you more options to custom-fit it to your needs.


I LOVE this vintage measuring spoon! It would be perfect tied onto a jar or on top of a gift! This kit also comes with a LOT of ribbon! You could use it to tie onto a jar or bag... or to secure a tag in place. The little gift tag hanging from the Mason jar is layered with paper that was scanned from an old handwritten recipe.



This kit is jam-packed to the brim with colorful packaging supplies with a vintage twist.

Kit Contents:
- 1 Window Bag in Kraft (6" x 2.75" x 9.25")
- 3 fabric Mason jar Tops (dark denim, red & white picnic check, & mustard ticking)
- 3 decorative tops for Mason jars (double sided prints)
- 4 dotted recipe cards
- Three 3x3 gift cards (Kraft)
- Cardstock & Stamped images to decorate gift cards
- Three 3x3 envelopes (white)
- 6 strands of ribbon (aqua satin, red stitched, white taffeta, & cream, mustard, and taupe grosgrain)
- 1 piece of light blue ric rack
- 1 vintage measuring spoon
- 5 buttons
- 1 chipboard flower accent
- 1 'from the kitchen of' sticky-backed label
- 1 double sided panel (sized to add to Window Bag), along with coordinating mustard embossed cardstock
- 2 tiny wooden clothespins
- 1 tag (complete with twine) that can be tied around a jar

***NOTE**** Mason Jar NOT included

Fish Lips Friday

Happy Friday! First of all... I want to thank everyone for being so encouraging about my new Card Crafting Kits on Etsy! Man, I love you guys! ;) The first kits are sold out, but I'll be making other kits soon. I'm thinking a fun fall kit would be nice.... hmmm....

AND... today is Unity's first Friends with Flair event!!! One of the bloggers participating has LOOT for you to win, so make sure to search around! :) You can find the list of all of the participants on the Unity Blog.

I wanted to play around with one of the images from Unity's Hodge Podge of Happiness set and came up with this underwater adventure:


I call this card "Fish Lips". What a fun image! :) I coated the 'water' with Glossy Accents from Ranger. (love that stuff!)

And... when you lift up the front of the card... you'll find a little picture of me and my honey. This is one of our very first pics taken together (I think it was 1997?!? Wow! Time flies!)


Thanks for coming to check out my card! My blog readers are THE BEST! :)

Stamps: (fish bowl image, Hodge Podge of Happiness) Unity Stamp Co.
Cardstock: (Mystic Dark) Prism; (Stamper's Select White) Papertrey Ink
Printed Paper: (June Bug Collection) Basic Grey
Accessories: (markers) Copic; (Glossy Accents) Ranger; ("cloud" ribbon) Martha Stewart Crafts; (Cornice Edge Punch) Martha Stewart Crafts