01 Birthday Wishes: May 2009

A New Look for Uncle Sam!

I can't believe that Roxie hadn't yet been the featured stamper on Split Coast! She is the hostess with the mostest for our weekly sketch challenges and her cards are always top notch!

Today I cased this ice cream card of Roxie's changing the stamps and colors and using a different embossing Spellbinder but I kept the layout the same.

I wanted to try my new gingerbread stamp from Waltzingmouse Stamps for a season other than Christmas. I came up with this gingerbread Uncle Sam! Don't you love his little vest and top hat? You really need to check out all the stamps in this fun set as well as Claire's other set "Oven Fresh". The sentiment if from the set Let Freedom Ring by Paptertrey Ink.

I used the star that was left over from the punched corners to adorn his hat. The bottom was cut and embossed using my new Pierceabilities from Spellbinders.

Thanks so much for dropping by - got to go wash some windows and so a little yard work - it's a beautiful 75 degree day here in New England!

Stamps: gingerbread man: - Half Baked: Waltzingmouse Stamps, Sentiment- Let Freedom Ring: PTI
Paper: white, pure poppy: PTI
Ink: memento Tuxedo Black, Butterscotch & Denim: Adirondack, Pure Poppy: PTI
Accessories: glue dot, foam dimensionials, celestial corner punch: Fiskars, Pierceabilities: Spellbinders

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

Hi all! I made a set of 5 matching card fronts today for a swap I'm in and for the challenge at Simon Says Stamp. Their theme was to use animals. (If they reach 100 entries, they will donate $25 to the local Humane Society...so go enter something with an animal!) I just love the image from Pink Gem Designs that I used. So cute! I have 2 others that I've yet to get any ink on...maybe soon! As always, I'd love to know what you think!

Scrappy Frogs Challenge #5

Hi all! I am so late posting my card for the challenge at Scrappy Frogs Challenge. I had it done on time and it's been posted on Scrappy Frogs, I just got busy with life and forgot to post it here. Without further ado...the current challenge is to use a faerie on any NEW project. We know I love faeries, right? No problem for me!

We had some issues with Mr. Linky (again), so the challenge has been extended to June 10th! There is plenty of time to get your entry in. What's the prize, you ask? 12 Faerie Stamps (Series 28) from Studio G! Get your faerie project entered and win this fantabulous prize!!! Please let me know what you think of my creation and be sure to visit the other DT's blogs as well!!!

Card Recipe:

DP: Kaiser Crafts

CS: from stash

Stamps: Willow (faerie) from Susana's Custom Art & Card Design, sentiment from CTMH Simple Beauty

Misc: Shimmerz, Swarovski crystals, Copic Sketch markers

A Pattern of Faith

The Limited Supplies challenge on Split Coast today was to use just one piece of card stock as your card base and the rest had to be patterned papers, no coloring supplies, and keep embellishments simple. I've had this wonderful damask designer paper from American Crafts for some time and have been dying to use it. I cut it using my Top Note die and stamped the sentiment right onto it over the damask design. All I added was sticky half pearls and the black satin ribbon. I attached the Top Note over the Bitty Star basics designer paper by Papertrey Ink using foam dimensionals.

It was very hard not to use more card stock on this for the sentiment or framing etc!

Stamps: Every Day Blessings: PTI
Paper: Sage Shadow: SU, DP American Crafts - Metropolitan, Text Style 2008 Bitty Star Basics: PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: top note die: SU, little pearls: Rhinestone Stickers (Michaels), foam dimensionals, black satin ribbon - unknown
Thought I'd give you a quick peek at what we'll be making at the classes I'm teaching tomorrow at the Papertree, in Manchester, NH.

This class is called "Rockin' Notes" and includes a 'pizza box', 4 - 3"x3" cards stamped with various Ketto's from Stamping Bella, and hand made envelopes.

My second class is called "Let's Go Shopping" and we'll be making this Gift Card holder.

this cute little gift bag,

and this accordion recipe/coupon holder. The pretty paper is Bloom and Grow by My Minds Eye and the stamps are Retail Therapy by My Favorite Things.

Well - gotta run - I'm still getting all my stuff together for the classes!

I'll be back over the weekend - AND - I'm on vacation next week - Whoo Hoo!!! We're just hanging out at home - puttering around - hopefully going kayaking if it's warm enough - or taking some hikes - and of course STAMPING UP A STORM!!!

It's Release Day at Dustin Pike's!

Hi everyone! I have been super busy with a "special" project for the last several hours (you know I love ya...), but I'm here now! Today is the new release from Dustin Pike and you don't want to miss it!!! So many adorable images. Here are the rest of the images I used...

I stayed up late last night using this little cutie. I didn't want him to feel left out! LOL! He just looks so happy to have that olive, doesn't he?

When you click HERE you'll be able to purchase them for yourself! Run and get them now!!! ;O)

Freebie Wednesday & more Sneak Peeks!

Hey all! Another reason to be happy it's Wednesday? Freebie Wednesday's at Dustin Pike's, of course! He created 2 images for you this week...1 boy and 1 girl for graduation! I didn't have any grad cards to make, so I didn't use these...but they are super cute! Be sure to stop over and pick yours up TODAY!

As for tomorrow's release...here are a couple more sneak peeks! Don't forget to visit Dustin's blog first thing tomorrow morning to get your new digi stamps! ;O)

What do you think of the new images? How about my cards? I love to see what you have to say...leave me a comment! Have a great Hump Day!!!

Flutter By Wednesday #59 & a Birthday Wish...

It's Wednesday again...I love it! That means lots of faeries and butterflies! You can find the Flutter By Wednesday challenges on Danni's blog...Danni's Dreams to play along with us!

This week's featured DT member is Harriet. Her style and designs are simply wonderful! Be sure to visit her SCS gallery and show her some love. :O) Here is one of her designs...
Today is DT member Stef's birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR STEFFFFFFFFFF...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! Be sure to stop by and show her some love too...she's nothing but sweet!

This week's challenge is to use a butterfly or faerie (flutterbies) along with eyelets or brads on your creation. Here is my take on the challenge...

Rather simple in style this week, but I love, love, love the flourish butterfly! Please let me know what you think too! :O) Have a great day!

Card Recipe:

DP: Basic Grey Urban Prairie

Butterfly: .gsd file cut with Silhouette

Sentiment: Basic Grey Cardstock sticker

Brads: Doodlebug

Rhinestones: K&Co

Everything Beautiful

Mercy (mkstampin74) was the featured stamper on Split Coast this week - I've been in her gallery alot and it was difficult to chose just one card! I finally decided on this pretty card to CASE. I changed the colors and the stamp used and framed my verse with nestabilities - but other than that it's pretty much the same - I love how she used the top note on her card.

I just love the new Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday papers - this one I used with the Top Note die is called Wednesday. The Bible verse is a stamp from the Scripture Collection I from Our Daily Bread.

I've been really busy this week preparing materials for two classes I'm teaching at The Papertree in Manchester, NH this Saturday so I haven't been posting much! Never enough hours in the day for all I want to do!!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread: Scripture Collection I
Paper: YoYo Yellow: SU, Ocean tides, PTI, DP Cosmo cricket girl friday/wednesday, My Minds Eye Bloom Grow/lots of dots
Ink: Ocean tides: PTI
Accessories: paper piercer, grid and mat: SU, narrow rectangle nestabilities, top note die: SU, summer sunrise satin ribbon: PTI

Dustin Pike May 28th Sneak Peak...

Dustin Pike has more exciting digi stamps coming this Thursday! He's a very busy guy, but that doesn't stop him from pumping out new and fun images for us all. I have a few sneaky peeks for you...here's one.

Isn't he so cute? This is actually two of the images in this release..."bbq dragon" and the grill from "bbq supplies." There are several more digi stamps in this release, so be sure to keep checking back with me...I'll give more sneak peeks!

Hinged on a Birthday

I made this card for the Try a New Technique challenge on Split Coast. As you can see - the top half slips up to reveal the sentiment. We were directed to Wendy's tutorial for instructions. The birthday verse if from PTI. Here is how my card looks closed.

The base card (white) measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. The bottom designer paper panel is 4 1/4 x 3 3/4 before punching with an edge punch. The second card stock layer of punching measures 1 1/4 x 4 1/4. The top designer panel is 4 1/4 x 3. The rectangle with the flower is 2 3/4 x 2 1/2.

She even gives us a solution to hiding the tabs of the brad that show on the back of the card. She suggests you cut another strip of card stock 5 1/2 x 1 1/2, punch the edge and attach it on the back over the brad tabs.

I hadn't seen this type of card before although they said it's showing up on lots of blogs - guess I haven't been blogging enough lately!!?? This was really fun and easy - hope you'll try it out. I'm wondering if people who receive it will understand how to get into it??!! Maybe I'll include a little arrow with 'open this way' on a sticky or something!

Stamps: Birthday Wishes & flower medallion: Simple Little Things - PTI, Verse: Birthday Basics - PTI

Paper: whisper white, sage shadow: SU, DP My Minds Eye Bloom & Grow/little blossom (front and back of DP)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sage Shadow: SU

Accessories: small brad: Making Memories, big brad: Deja Views Framed Brads/Mango, large flower: Darice Finishing Accents, Small flower: Oriental trading, Martha Stewart lacey punch, Zutter corner rounder, foam dimensionals.

An Odd Little Shoe

I made this little shoe for the Inspiration Challenge on Split Coast this week. Anne (Itsapassion) was the hostess and she showed us the Little Odd Forest web site and I found these little shoes that caught my eye.

Here's another front view of the the little shoe I created. It measures about 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide and maybe an inch tall at the back.

I used a pattern from a book called Paper for All Seasons by Sandra Lounsbury Foose - (this is the same book with the LL Bean bag pattern in it - you can see a sample I made of that here.) This is a view of the bottom before I put another sole on it to cover the tabs.

Here is a view from the back where you can see the little band you put on to run the ribbon through.

I used Polka Dot Basics from Papertrey Ink for the dots on the shoe, stamping them on Rustic White Paper. The inside is Pink Patterns designer paper and the ribbon is Melon Berry Luxe Satin - all from Papertrey. The little ladybug is from Uptown Rubber Stamps.

I've had this pattern for ever and I'm so glad to finally have made one of these cute little shoes - it would make a great baby shower favor wouldn't it?!?!?

Well - enough stamping for the moment - I'm off to wash my car (boy does it need it!)

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics: PTI, Lady bug: Uptown Rubber Stamps
Paper: Rustic White, DP Pink Patterns Collection: PTI
Ink: Berry Sorbet: PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Sponge, copics, berry sorbet satin ribbon : PTI, tacky tape, flower punch: all night media, pattern from Paper for all Seasons

A Circle of Red, White & Blue

I made this card for the Limited Supplies challenge to make a round card and to use only one stamp set. I just received my May release Papertrey Ink order today so I cracked open the fun Star Prints Set. It includes a slew of sentiments so I had no trouble just using this one set.

This also qualifies for Sharon's no time to stamp challenge to use red, white and blue on your card. My dear mother-in-law is going to be 94 on July 6th so this will be our card for her birthday. We usually have a little cookout for her and decorate in patriotic colors so this will be perfect! and now I have it all done - early! Woo Hoo!!

Here's a picture of me, my dear MIL - Marjorie, and DH - Kent. This pic was taken at my niece's wedding 2 weeks ago. You can see - we arrived early before the crowd to get her in and seated!

Have a wonderful safe Memorial Day to all of us in the USA this weekend! And a huge 'thank you' to all the men and women who are in or are retired from the armed forces. I sincerely appreciate your dedication to protecting our country and our freedoms.

Stamps: Star Prints: PTI
Paper: Night of Navy: SU, Rustic White: PTI
Ink: Pure Poppy: PTI, Demin Dye: Adirondack
Accessories: glue pen, foam dimensionals, circle nestabilities, sprinkles: Taylored Expressions, pure poppy satin ribbon: PTI, curly label punch, SU, sponge, star punch: Fiskars

All the World's A Stage

I made this fun little theater stage card for my girlfriend to give to her daughter who is graduating from UMass Amherst this weekend with a degree in Theater Arts. What an exciting time ahead for Ali. She's already auditioned for a play for the summer - so we are keeping our fingers crossed that she gets the part!

I found this wonderful template for a circus tent card on Melyssa's blog. I just altered it a little bit to make it a theater stage. Basically I made the stage square and cut the top straight across instead of pointed like a tent.

Here is the inside of my card. I used two velcro tabs on the top corners to hold the card shut. I used brown lined designer paper for the bottom half to look like a stage floor. All the images are computer clip art from Microsoft Word and the sentiments are computer generated also.

On the inside I put "and you're on next Ali !!" Since there was no place for Cilla to write a note to Ali on the inside of the card - I adhered a Top Note die cut on the back in a color that black pen would show up on.

I love how this card came out - and I'm sure Ali won't get another one like it!

And here's a hot tip - do you know Claire Brennan and her blog Waltzing Mouse? She's starting her own little stamp shop to sell sets she has designed and tonight (Thurs) she's going to be offering her first sets for sale - some adorable gingerbread people and accessories. She has created some wonderful cards and crafts using her sets so be sure to check it out! Claire lives in Ireland and has a terrific blog - Tell her I sent you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: none
Ink: none
Paper: Elegant Eggplant: SU, Vintage Cream: PTI, DP Bohemia Bluebird All boy stripe, 29th St. Market Carefree Graceful: Pattern Patite and Adorable Polka Spots.
Accessories: foam dimensionals, circle nestability, scalloped square nestability, computer generated sentiments, Microsoft word clip art, glue dots, velcro, Hemp: Elements, buttons: Sabrina Making Memories, Circus Tent Template from Melyssa, top note die: SU

Take Time for Tea

First - just let me say that the pink paper on this photo is MUCH brighter in this photo than IRL - the hazzards of taking pictures at night - which I always have to do since I have to make my cards after work - IRL this looks very calm and serene with just a little punch from the pink! Maybe I need to invest in a new camera - mine is several years old now. I'll have to stop buying stamps for a while so I can afford it - Yikes!

So after that disclaimer - I made this card for today's sketch challenge on Split Coast as well as the weekly Doubledog Dare Challenge I do with some SCS friends.

Charlene (LilLuvsStampin on SCS) challenged us to use paper piecing, paper piercing and the colors Kraft, Rose, Black and Sage (optional) After I got this all done and posted I suddenly thought I'm not sure if stamping the teapot on designer paper and cutting it out counts as paper piecing - it's all one piece. AACCH!!! Hopefully it will pass and the challenge police won't disqualify me !! LOL!!

I used the wonderful Tea for Two set from Papertrey for this card although the little teabag stamped on the pot (isn't it sweet!?! it has a little heart on it - I think if you click on the picture you can see it enlarged and get a better view) is from the Everyday Classics set that was given free to people who ordered a certain amount from PTI last year.

You're welcome to join in on the Doubledog challenges - just use the Keyword DDC when you load your card on Splitcoast so we can see it! You can see all the Doubledog cards here.

Stamps: Tea for Two, Everyday Classics: PTI
Paper: Kraft, Sage Shadow: SU, DP Text style 2008 Bitty Dot Basics: PTI
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: paper piercer, grid and mat: SU, foam dimensionals, heart punch: McGill, glue pen, xacto knife

Dustin's Freebie Wednesday!!!

Did you forget? It's Wednesday...Hump Day...Freebie Day at Dustin Pike's!!! Get on over there and stalk his blog for the post with this freebie. It is too cute! It makes me smile every time I look at it...and I'm sure you'll love it too!

I believe I'm having one of these days today! Let me know what you think! Have a good day!

Flutter By Wednesday #58

It's Flutter By Wednesday!!! Who doesn't love to make cards and other projects with Fluttery things on them? This week's challenge is to use 2 pattern papers along with your butterfly or faerie. Be sure to flutter over to Danni's Dreams and enter the challenge! Here is my card! :O) Let me know what you think.

Card Recipe:

DP: Kaiser Crafts & DCWV (glitter paper)

Cardstock: Misc. from stash

Stamps: CTMH Celebrate Life

Ink: CTMH Sorbet

Misc: Making Memories brads, Orange Peel Stickles

Timeless Template Guest Designer Contest

I made this Purse-onality Clutch using Lauren's TimelessTemplate for the Guest Designer Contest that Nichole ran over at Papertrey Ink. You had to make a project using one of Lauren's templates. The cute umbrella and sentiment are from the set Scattered Showers.

ETA: I didn't win the contest - but I did make honorable mention top trio!! whoo hoo!!

I made this as a Get Well gift for someone. I included a little banana nut bread to help cheer up the receiver. I stamped get well and feel better from Mega Mixed Messages - punched them out and attached them inside the cover to be seen when the person opened the little purse.

Isn't this just the cutest little thing??!!

Inside the little purse there was plenty of room to tuck this package of kleenex, a chapstick and a beribboned envelope of cough drops. I made a bellyband to wrap around the bread.

This project also qualifies for the Doubledog Dare Challengethat Fran issued this week - to make a card or project with something having to do with rain or water on it. We'd love to have you join in our Doubledog challenges - just put DDC in your keyword when you post to your SCS gallery. You can see all the DDC challenge cards here.

Wish me luck on winning the contest! The deadline to submit was 5/13. The winner gets to make samples using the next two Timeless Templates before they are released and gets published on Nicholes blog! Whoo hoo!!!

Stamps: Umbrella & Cheer Up Buttercup: Scattered Showers, Get Well & Feel Better: Mega Mixed Messages: all PTI

Paper: Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream, DP 2008 Bitty Dot Basics: All PTI

Ink: Ocean Tides, True Black: PTI

Accessories: small bag: PTI, ocean tides top notch twill: PTI, oval nestabilities, glue dots, velcro, sponge, zutter round it all, ocean tides swiss dot satin ribbon: PTI, circle punches: SU, curvy punch: EK Success.