We Must be Willing to Let Go

This is the first card I'm posting over at the Sweet 'n Sassy Blog today as part of my Design Team Assignments!    I'd love for you to hop over there and leave a comment on my posting!
I used the twisted easel style for my card today - isn't this cool??!!  It was the Try a New Technique challenge over at Split Coast this week.   Here's the link to the instructions from Laura's Blog:

You start with a piece of card stock 8 1/2" x 4 1/4" that you fold in half.  Then you fold the front of the card over - corner to corner to form the triangle.  Then adhere the rectangle to the front. The scalloped circle is adhered with foam tape and helps keep the easel up.

Here's how it looks folded down - it will go flat and fit in a regular A2 size envelope -  (it just wouldn't stay completely flat without me holding it down!)   It measures 4 1/4" x4 1/4"

I was so pleased with how this came out - I'll definately be making more cards using this fun style!
I used the Split Coast CAS challenge colors - chocolate, sand, baby blue and white.

My stamps are a wonderful new Faith set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps called Let Go and Let God.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Stamps: Sweet N Sassy - Let Go and Let God

Paper: Dark Chocolate, white - PTI, Sahara Sand - SU, DP Text Style Happy Spots - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Scor tape, foam tape, scallop circle punch -SU, 1 3/4", 1 1/2" 1 1/4" circle punches, rectangle Nestability

Stickles and Kissing!

We had two fun challenges over at Split Coast last week - My first card was for Joan's Try a New Teachnique challenge - to 'paint' your image using Stickles!

I have quite a few bottles of stickles but not a great array of colors! I only had a Christmas Tree Green that had red mixed in it - so I used Blueberry Ice on the trees instead. I used Arctic Ice and Diamond on the cloud, yellow and orange peel on the sun and Frayed Burlap on the ground.

I stamped the image on a separate panel and sponged the edges. I embossed a frame on the card with my rectangle nestie and adhered the image with foam tape inside the frame - taking Joan's advice to put it all together BEFORE putting on the stickles!

I love how pretty my little forest sunrise came out. The sparkle is unbelievable! Joan did a little tutorial on her blog if you'd like to check it out.

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Trees Serene Sunrise #42-06 KK
Paper: WHite - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress - Antique Linen, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Rectangle Nestability, foam tape, Stickles: Yellow, Diamond, Orange Peel, Arctic Ice, Frayed Burlap, Blueberry Ice


I've used the kissing technique a few times and I love how it adds dimension to a silhouette stamp! 'Kissing was the SCS Clean and Simple Challenge .

I tried several different stamps before settling on my bed of roses background stamp and the model T silhouette - it came out kind of funky - but I like it!

This could be an old abandoned car found in the woods with foliage growing all over it!

I inked the car with Antique Linen and the roses background stamp with Forest Moss - 'kissed' the stamps together and stamped the car on a panel. I sponged the edges, stamped a little of the background roses on the card and then adhered the image panel.

In keeping with 'clean and simple' - I just stamped the sentiment right on the card! All my stamps for both cards are from Rubbernecker.

Stamps: Rubbernecker: Life is a journey from Distressed Set/scuffs, scraps and stains #461, Vintage Model T #502-02, backgrounds/bed of roses #476
Paper: White - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Antique Linen, Old Paper, Forest Moss
Accessories: blending tool & nonstick craft mat - Ranger

Pics from the Fair and Two Challenges

Hello friends! I'm finally back after a very busy weekend working at my church fair -Yikes - I'm exhausted! I have a few pictures to share with you today.

Here's the main hall where we have the Candy Table, Baked Goods, Country Store, Knit Table, and the Stamped Cards and Crafts Table.

Here's all the delicious hand made candy - I bought my usual 1/2 pound of Cashew Turtles - Yum!!

These are some of the sweet little kids sweaters someone made and donated to the Knit Table.

Here's a view of my Stamped Cards/Crafts table.

In another hall on the first floor we have a Jewelry table and a Holiday Table.
Downstairs we have a book table - actually more like a book 'area' with great bargains - hardcovers cost 50 cents and paperbacks are a quarter!

On Friday night we have a pie social - and on Saturday there is a Snack Bar for lunch.

In another hall downstairs we have the ever popular White Elephant room (a polite name for 'junk'!!)

And seeing as I wasn't able to stamp all weekend - I just had to do a couple of the Split Coast challenges today!

My first project is for Joan's Try a New Technique challenge - to make a Christmas Ornament. She had several examples to inspire us. I wanted to try the double ball ornament - You can find the Tutorial in the SCS forum here

What a fun little gift tag this will make - and then the recipient can put it on their tree! AND it's quick and easy to make! You really need to try one! This also fits Kimme's Hope You Can Cling to challenge to use ribbon.

Stamps: none
Paper: Amuse
Ink: none
Accessories: pin & jewels - Mark's Finest Papers, wrinkled seam binding - www.prairiebirdboutique.etsy.com

I made this card for the SCS Clean and Simple challenge - to use gingham or checks. It also fits Jessica's Hope You Can Cling To challenge - Sew Thankful for Friendship. To use some kind of stitching on your card.

I used gingham patterned paper from Amuse. The stamps are Waltzingmouse - the stitching stamp for my faux stitched borders is from Off Beat Backgrounds, the heart and sentiment are from Seasons of Love

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Seasons of Love, Off Beat Backgrounds
Paper: white - PTI, DP- Amuse
Ink: Ranger Distress Faded Jeans, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: heart button & silk ribbon - PTI, glue dot,

Thanks for coming by today - I'm off to bed - gotta try and catch up on my sleep!

A Halloween Party & Wet Paper Stamping!

Happy Hump Day dear friends! I'm working on four challenges with my little pumpkin card today!

1) The SCS CAS challenge Inspiration word is Crinkle - I always hear the crinkle of the fall leaves when kids come around trick or treating.

2) Sara's SCS Hope You Can Cling To is to use something old and something new - I forgot I had my ghost Sizzix die - it was in the bottom of my rack and I hadn't used it for a few years. My Nestability Bat is brandy new!

3) The SCS Tuesday Teapot Challenge is to bring a Halloween party to Jacob - a little boy presently having chemotherapy. - so my pumpkin, ghost, bat and spider will be in the mail to him!

4) The Shabby Tearoom Week #31 is a photo of a pumpkin patch - to be inspired by the color orange as well as the pumpkins.

The stamps are from the Halloween Party set by Waltzingmouse.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Halloween Party
Paper: pumpkin pie - SU, Smokey Shadow, white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress - Rusty Hinge, Stormy Sky
Accessories: Pumpkin and bat nestabilities, sizzix ghost die, blending tool & nonstick craft mat - Ranger, foam dimensionals, rhinestone stickers - Michaels

I made this card using the SCS new technique challenge Joan had for us this week - Wet Paper Stamping! You swipe over watercolor paper with a wet paper towel - stamp an image in a light color - dry the paper - then stamp over the image again using a darker ink. It looks like a shadow!

The image and Crown Oval Nestability framing are so pretty - I didn't need a sentiment - which qualifies my card for the SCS Joan's Hope You Can Cling to challenge - unsentimental.

My stamps are Victorian Damask background and Floral Silhouette both from Rubbernecker.

Thanks for dropping by today!

Just a reminder to check out the Waltzingmouse Sketch on Saturday! and there's a friend's of Waltzingmouse blog waltz coming up on Sunday (check my side bar) - a very busy stamping weekend! Hope to see you there!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Floral silhouette set #467, Victorian Damask Panel #498
Paper: Watercolor paper pad, vintage cream, elegant Eggplant - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress - Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord
Accessories: foam dimensionals, oval & crown oval nestabilities, corner rounder, blending tool & nonstick craft mat - Ranger

Three from Split Coast

This weeks inspiration challenge over at Split Coast came from the Oompa Toy Store web site. I went with this green lunchbox

I stamped and over stamped a weed and floral stamp from Rubbernecker using two colors of green. I used the mesh embossing folder on my back panel and sponged everthing with Tea Dye ink. I paper pierced around 3 edges of the image panel and added a little bling to the corners.

For my sentiment - I used a piece of a panel I cut with Labels One Nestabilities.

Stamps: Rubbernecker: Florals #496-03, Weeds #497-14, Sentiment/Floral Silhouette #467
Paper: Ripe Avocado, Rustic White, Spring Moss - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distressed Tea Dye, Adirondack Lettuce & Willow, Brilliance Moonlight White
Accessories: Rhinestones - Kaiser, Paper piercer & pad - SU, Mesh Cuttlebug embossing folder, ink sponge applicator - Ranger, Twill ribbon - PTI, Labels One Nestabilities
Techniques: dry embossing, sponging

Today's CAS challenge was to choose a cake from Carries Cakes web site for inspiration. I chose this blue pyramid cake

My stamps are Victorian Fripperie by Waltzingmouse Stamps

Here's what I stamped on the inside of my card. The sentiment is from Celtic Heritage.

Boy, what gorgeous cakes on this site!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Victorian Fripperie, Celtic Heritage
Paper: White, Hawaiian shores - PTI, DP Free digi paper - Sugar Plum Paper Daisies
Ink: Adirondack Espresso, Taken with Teal - SU
Accessories: adhesive paper ribbon - K&Co, Sticky Pearls, corner rounder punch, foam dimensionals

My third card is from the Try a New Technique challenge which was to make a flower (not just using a flower punch).

I made my flower using 4 scalloped circles that I sponged with Tea Dye ink and then crumpled up. I opened them up and attached a big black brad in the center (it has a reflection spot on it in the pic). I used the same DP for the flower as I used for the bg paper.

My stamps are from Fancy Phrases by Waltzingmouse Stamps I made this flower before using 12 scalloped circles but you would never ever be able to mail a card with that thick of a flower on it!! Using just 4 circles is thin enough to mail (although it will squish I'm sure!)

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Fancy Phrases
Paper: White - PTI, black - SU, DP Unknown
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger distress Tea Dye
Accessories: prima artful flowers, glue dots, foam dimensionals, sponge applicator - Ranger, scallop circle punch - SU, large brad - American Crafts Elements

Flying with One Layer

I love when I can hit two challenges with one card!

The Clean and Simple challenge over at Split Coast on Monday was 'things that fly' - and the New Technique challenge was to make a one layer card.

So the flying component is obviously my cute little stamped plane with it's message flag from PTI. I've been dying to use this little set and this seemed the perfect challenge! I attached a little gem star to the tail of the plane but you can hardly see it in the pic.

I stamped the images on a piece of DP that had the houses and scalloped edge already on it. (The good people over at Eclectic paperie included a pad of DP as a gift in my recent order and this piece is from that pad- how fun is that?!? )

I adhered the full panel to the card stock so I hope this still qualifies as one layer!? I colored the images with copics to coordinate with the house colors.

Inside I stamped another banner with 'Happy Birthday' on it.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Fly Away
Paper: White - PTI, DP Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker/Victorias Street
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: copics: BG32, R08, YR02, BG10, Amuse Sticky Star

Be Happy Together - Forever

The CAS challenge over at Split Coast was to create a card using a greeting as your main focal point. For my card - I embossed a Labels 12 nestie frame using two sizes of the die. Then I just stamped the greeting inside the frame and added a leaf frond charm tied with a knot of gold cord.

The greeting is from the stamp set Pears and Hollyhocks by Mark's Finest Papers and will be available to purchase tomorrow (6/8)! The paper, charm and cord are also MFP. I think this card would be great for either a wedding or anniversary card don't you?

I'll be participating in the MFP DT blog hop on Wednesday using other stamps from this set so I hope you can come back to check that out!

Stamps: Marks Finest Papers - Pears & Hollyhocks (available 6/8)
Paper: textured cream - Marks Finest Papers
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: charm & gold cord - Marks Finest Papers, Labels 12 Nestabilities, cuttlebug, glue dot

The technique challenge at Split Coast was to create a card that is personal and also uses a favorite technique.

I printed this photo of my husband's parents, Marjorie and Charlie onto cream cardstock.

Marjorie just passed away a week ago at the age of 94 and Charlie passed away 7 years ago at the age of 89. As they both wished to be cremated - we will be having a joint burial next week and a little party celebrating the love they had for each other and the love they gave to their family and friends.

This is a picture of them about 20 years ago when they took a long anticipated trip to Hawaii. They are dressed in their matching Hawaiian print outfits! In recent years, Marjorie would wear Charlie's shirt in her assisted living apartment.

One of my favorite techniques is to stamp a sentiment directly on a printed photograph and that is what I did here. This lovely sympathy verse is from a set called Irish Blessings by Waltzingmouse Stamps

I'm going to make two of these and send them to my DH's sister and brother -I think they will appreciate them!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Irish Blessings
Paper: white, vintage cream - PTI, Pacific Blue - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Martha Stewart corner punch, sticky pearls

Ahoy!

Ahoy Mateys!! This little sailboat card is for the Split Coast Teaparty challenge - to help Seth the Sailor who's alone and lost. This little sailboat is on it's way to help him find his way - you can see the 42,000 waves in the background (although I meant to mount the paper the other way up - OOPS!!) The beautiful nestie frame is helping tame the waves for Seth.

I'm going to be a great- aunt for the first time to a little baby boy in September (whoo hoo!!!). I'm starting to practice making baby boy cards so I'll be ready for the big event! This is also for Monday's SCS technique challenge - to use a frame on your card.

Here's what I stamped on the inside. All the stamps are from Bitty Baby Blessings by PTI. It's a great set for baby projects and has sentiments for twins and adoptions.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Bitty Baby Blessings
Paper: white, hawaiian shores - PTI, Bazzill brown, DP Bo Bunny/Sea foam dots, American Crafts/Backyard Splash
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, So Saffron - SU
Accessories: sponge, Classic Frames - Spellbinders, Labels 10 Nestabilities, distresser, tiny gems - Taylored expressions, glue pen, foam dimensionals, saddle stitched ribbon - PTI

Mother - I Ruff You!

A fun free 4 all challenge over on Split Coast last Friday - to cut out of the box and emboss. I followed the technique instructions in the Split Coast forum. I used my brandy new Labels 10 Nestability for my framing. I also embossed the label after cutting it to meet the challenge requirements!

This beautiful heart with the Celtic Lunette design, matching digitial patterned paper and the sentiment are all from Waltzingmouse Stamps My card today is very clean and simple. I popped up the label on foam dimensionals and then just added 3 sticky gems to the lower corner!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Spring Baskets (sentiment), Celtic Heritage (Heart)
Paper: white, hibiscus burst - PTI, Celtic Lunettes Digital Patterned paper/Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: Hibiscus - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: foam dimensioinals, gems, labels 10 Nestabilities, cuttlebug

I don't have a lot of time to stamp after work so I try to get lots of challenges into a card if I can - so today I was able to hit 4 challenges!

I used the Split Coast color challenge Apricot, sage, grey - Mercy's Tuesday Sketch, and the The Cat's Pajamas Tuesday challenge was to use cork.

And I'm bringing my little flying doggie (Angel Yappy) to da Mudder's Teaparty - which is at the Kentucky Derby this week - we have to ride something there to participate in the race because all of the horses went on strike - Yikes I hope flying counts!?!?! LOL!! Read all about the Split CoastTuesday Teaparty craziness here.

Thanks for dropping by today!

Stamps: The Cats Pajamas - Angel Yappy, Love Comet, I Ruff You
Paper: white - PTI, Apricot appeal, sage shadow - SU, DP Basic Grey/Archaic
Ink: memento tuxedo black, Sage Shadow & Apricot Appeal - SU
Accessories: lace, heart punch - McGill, cork, heart Sizzix die, sponge, foam dimensionals, scor tape, hand made cloud template

A Birthday Flower

I just love these little bucket purses of Mel's. Making one of these was the Try a New Technique challenge over at Split Coast this week. I made mine out of designer paper.

I also made this beautiful flower out of the same DP.

You can find the tutorial for the flower here on Mercy's blog.

I cut the stem with a sizzix die from the same DP (back side).

The sentiment is from Say it With Style and the frame is from Very Vintage Labels No 4 - both from Waltzingmouse Stamps All the frames in the set fit Labels Four Nestabilities.

I am the hostess for the Doubledog Dare Challenge on Split Coast this week and this is my challenge - to make one of these great flowers and use it on a card or project. No scallop circle punch or die??? -you can make any kind of layered flower - it just can't be a pre-made flower - ok?! We hope you'll join along with the DDC challenges - just put DDC in the keywords when you load your project on Split Coast!

The flowers are really easy to make and they come out great - I hope you give them a try! Wouldn't this make a nice little Birthday present holder for someone?!?

Reminder: Claire is previewing 4 new stamp sets this week until the release on Thursday - so check out her blog - she'll tell you which DT members are doing previews!

And we're having a fun blog hop on Thursday afternoon when the sets are released and there are stamp sets to be won!!! so be sure to come by then!

Thanks for coming by today!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Very Vintage Labels No 4, Say it with Style
Paper: Dream St. Papers Sam/Rock on
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Aqua Mist - PTI
Accessories: labels 4 nestabilities, sizzix leaf stem die, scalloped circle punch - SU, Paper piercer, brad, scor tape, foam dimensionals, ribbon -Sharons Ribbon shop

Three Cards on a Snowy Day

I was off from work today in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr AND we were kind of snowed in by a wet snowfall last night of about 5" so I took good advantage and made three cards for three challenges! All of them are made with stamps from Waltzingmouse.

I made my first card for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I just got some of this new Beloved DP by My Mind's Eye. It has such great designs and pretty colors! I used the same piece - front and back - on this card. The stamps are from the Sweet Hearts Set. I love the arrows with this set! I used oval nestabilities to frame the image and a Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio die to frame my sentiment.

Stamps: Sweet Hearts - Waltzingmouse
Paper: Vintage Cream, Terre Cotta Tile - PTI, close to cocoa - SU, DP My Mind's Eye /Beloved
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Terra Cotta - PTI
Accessories: twill - PTI, foam dimensionals, oval nestabilities, cuttlebug, ribbon tag trios - spellbinders

I made my second card using the New Technique challenge on Split Coast - Brick Tile. I have to say I stamped this image on 3 different pieces of paper before I found one that looked good as tiles. But I do like the final result! I popped up each 'tile' on a foam dimensional and sponged the edges of my panel with tea dye ink. These stamps are from the Irish Blessings set. I figure this would make a good masculine 'get well' card!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Irish Blessings
Paper: White, Vintage Cream, DP Bitty Box Basics - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Dye Distress Ink - Tim Holtz/Ranger, Versamark
Accessories: black embossing powder, foam dimensionals, sponge
Techniques: brick tile, embossing

My third and final card today was made for the CAS challenge on Split Coast which was a color challenge - to use Teal, white and one other color on your card. I used a piece of teal designer paper from Stampin Up - overstamped it with the sentiment from Sweet Hearts and added 2 punched hearts! I guess my 'one other color' is black ink!

Ok - off I go to get some things done that I didn't get to while I was stampin' !!!

Thanks so much for coming by!

Stamps: Sweet Hearts - Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: White - PTI, DP - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: heart punch - McGill

Some Very Exciting News! and A Paper Quilt

Hi everyone! I am just over the moon with some exciting news I can finally share with you all.

I am now officially a member of the Design Team for Rubbernecker Stamps! Check out the announcement on their blog - there it is in black and white!!!

Check out my side bar to see the list of super talented ladies I am joining! And Kittie Caracciolo is the DT Coordinator - THE designer of the exclusive Kittie Kits!! If you are on Split Coast you are probably very familiar with Kittie's wonderful cards. Yikes! I'm so honored to have my name beside these people .....

I'll be posting soon using many of the wonderful stamps you can find at Rubbernecker so be sure to check back! In the meantime - be sure to check out the store - there's a great pre-inventory sale going on!!

You can also check here to see cards I've posted in the past with some Rubbernecker stamps on them. (you'll see which ones are Rubbernecker in my supplies list at the bottom of each posting.

Ok - now that I got that exciting news off my chest - here's a Valentine for you!
What a fun Technique challenge over on Split Coast - to make a paper quilt.

I layed out my 1" squares of designer papers, glued them to a square of card stock and then cut them with a heart nestability. I layered the quilted heart to a piece of cream textured Bazzill card stock cut with the scalloped heart nestability.

I stamped the stitching from the Waltzingmouse Off Beat Backgrounds set with Versamark and embossed it in clear EP. Then I tied a piece of twine around the heart and added a vintage button. I off set the heart and placed the sentiment in the right corner. Both are on foam dimensionals.

I attached a cream heart to the inside of my card so I would be able to write a salutation and decorated it with a few little hearts punched from the same designer papers I used on the "quilt". The sentiment is from the brand new Waltzingmouse set called Sweethearts. Check yesterday's post below to see more of the beautiful stamps from this set!


You can check out all the other Paper Quilt cards here. I hope you'll try this fun technique they're really simple to make!

Thanks for coming by today and sharing my happy news!
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Off Beat Backgrounds, Sweet Hearts (to be released 1/5)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Scarlet Jewell - PTI, Cream Bazzill, DP - My Mind's Eye - Irresistable
Ink: Versamark, Memento Black Tuxedo
Accessories: glue dots, vintage button, Twine - PTI, Heart Nestabilities, clear EP, hot gun, foam dimensionals, small oval punch - SU

Happy Holly Day Beanie

Today's Try a New Technique challenge over on Split Coast was to make this cute little Beanie Gift card holder. How fun is this!?!

You can find Carolina's tutorial here (Note: I adhered my circle of designer paper to a circle of card stock to make it more sturdy - the directions have you just cut a circle out of DP.)The top of the hat lifts up (there's an eyelet involved!) and reveals a gift card (all I had available was a Kohl's discount card for the pic!) tucked inside!!

My stamps are from two sets by Waltzingmouse Stamps. The large holly and sentiment are from Sewing Box Christmas and the small holly on the top of the beanie is from Very Vintage Christmas.

These are really easy to put together - I'll be making a few more of these for sure. You should try one too - I know you are giving a gift card to someone right? !

Thanks so much for coming by today!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Sewing Box Christmas, Very Vintage Christmas
Paper: Vintage Cream, Ocean Tide - PTI, DP Cosmo Cricket/Jolly by Golly
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Chai - PTI
Accessories: Saddlestitched ribbon: PTI, adhesive gems - K& Co, eyelet, crop a dile, tag trio spellbinders, swiss dots cuttlebug folder, copics: YG03, R08, Curvy Cutter, Scalloped punch - EK success

A Gift Card From Santa

I just had to play along with the Try a New Technique challenge over on Split Coast - the challenge was to use Claire's wonderful Stocking Gift card Holder template . You can see all the stockings in the SCS gallery here.

I'm still in the Featured Stamper mode from yesterday (see post below) of using textured card stock - so my stocking is made of 3 colors of green Bazzill. (the top lifts up and you slip the gift card (or cash!) into the stocking!)

I ran faux stitches around the top, toe and heel using a brown Copic. The stamps are Waltzingmouse Very Vintage Labels No 4 and the sentiment is from the secret set.

The wonderful ribbon is from Sharon's No Time to Stamp Ribbon Shop. I hung the tag around the ribbon with a chain from Michaels. I sponged around all the edges with chai ink - which qualifies this for the CAS challenge to use sponging. I kept the embellishments simple in the clean and simple tradition.

This may be my last post for a bit - got lots going on for a few days - I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving time - I hope you are sharing this time with some loved ones - but regardless of who we are with - we need to remember to count all our wonderful blessings and thank God for them! I'll be back soon with some pics of my adventures.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Very Vintage Labels No.4, Secret Set
Paper: Bazzill
Ink: Chai - PTI, Meadow - Adirondack
Accessories: Nestabilities Labels Four, ribbon - Sharon's No Time to Stamp Ribbon Store, scor tape, vintage buttons & twine - PTI, chain - Michaels, square eyelet - Making Memories, crop a dile, copic - E59

Give your Dog a Holiday Bone and Love with Pizzazz

I wanted to share another craft I made to sell at my church fair. I made some more dog cookies - this time in the shapes of ghosts, pumpkins and turkeys for the up coming holidays! You can see my other dog bones on this post.

I placed two cookies in each bag - some went in clear cellophane bags (Michaels) and some into wax paperbags (Papertrey Ink). I cut toppers from DCWV The Pets Stack using the Top Note die from SU and folding it in half over the top of the bag. You can find lots of dog bisquit recipes here. I made the Milk Bone ones.

I stamped a little dog with a bone in his mouth (Stamp Craft) on brown card stock and punched it with a circle punch. I printed labels on the computer that say "Give Your Dog a Bone" and stuck them on the front.

I know people like to know what they are giving their pets so I printed a list of the ingredients on a label and placed it on the back of the bag topper.

And here is my little basket full of the dog cookie bags - ready for the sale!

And finally I have a card to show you - We had a fun Ways to use it challenge over on Split Coast a while ago entitled "Say it with Pizaaz'. We were to JAZZ up our sentiments! I used some Damask Sticky Alpha letters by ColorBok that I got recently on sale at Michael's for my JAZZED up sentiment. I added an embossed scalloped heart Nestability with a gem over the letter O, scored some lines above and below with my Scor Pal and added a thin gingham bow!

A clean and simple card with pizzazz!!

Stamps: none
Paper: White: PTI
Ink: none
Accessories: Sticky Alpha Stax Damask: ColorBok, foam dimensional, Scor Pal, scalloped heart Nestability, gemstone: Hero Arts

A Happy Thanksgiving Easel Card

I was so excited to try another easel card for the Try a New Technique challenge over on Split Coast this week. I just love this style card - you can see a Halloween one I made and my tutorial for making one on my posting here.

They are so easy to make and look so stunning don't you think?? I made mine a 4x4 this time (base 8x4, front 4x4). The stamps are a new set called Peace and Plenty by Waltzingmouse Stamps . I just love the mixed fonts on the sentiments in this set and all the lovely fall images.

I used Spellbinders Fancy tags for the sentiment and Labels Nine for the image. I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the leaves and acorn tops for a little sparkle. I think you can just see a little of the sparkle on the first picture - it's really shimmery IRL!

As always I am thankful that you came by to visit me!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Peace & Plenty
Paper: Rustic White, Dark Chocolate, Autumn Abundance: PTI, Pumpkin Pie: SU
Ink: Jemento Tuxedo Black, Apricot Appeal - SU
Accessories: glue dots, dew drops, sponge, zutter 1/2" round it all, fancy tags: Spellbinders, Labels Nine: Nestabilities, quickie glue pen, Dazzling diamonds: SU, foam dimensionals, ribbon: unknown, Copics: YR07, YR23, E34, E09, E59, R59

An Icky Spooky Boo!!

I made this card for two challenges over on Split Coast today - the CAS (clean and simple) challenge was to pop up something on your card using foam dimensionals. The Try a New Technique challenge was to make your own stamp using a piece of Fun Foam and a Cuttlebug folder.

On the left above is the 4"x5 1/4" piece of Fun Foam that I cut and then ran through my Spider Web Cuttlebug Folder (shown on the right). You can see the web impression embossed on the foam. I ran tape along the back of the roam and attached it to my acrylic block. Then I inked the foam with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and stamped it on my card.

I stamped three spiders and the BOO (Waltzingmouse Stamps - Halloween Party) cut out the spiders and punched the BOO and adhered them over the web using foam dimensionals. I originally only put one spider on the web - but multiplying by 3 increased the icky-scary-spooky factor don't you think???!!! LOL!!!

Thanks for coming by today - hope everyone who has Labor Day off is enjoying their day - I'm off for a walk with DH - I've been stamping all morning - time to get some fresh air (then I can stamp again) !!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Halloween Party

Paper: PTI, Ripe Avocado

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Spider web Cuttlebug folder, Circle punch, foam dimensionals, Fun Foam.

Coloring Acetate and CPS Praying for You

What an interesting New Technique challenge on Split Coast today - to print a photo in black and white on acetate and then to color it with Copics on the back side. My printer had no setting for acetate (as suggested) so the black inkjet ink doesn't seem to be drying very well (I set it to glossy photo paper) - I tried blowing it some with the hot gun - but not sure if it's going to dry. I tried coloring 2 photos before the two I have here and found that by just tapping the Copic's against the acetate it gave a better look - not streaky and it came out looking like watercoloring against the watercolor paper I think. I just attached the acetate to the card with brads rather then fussing with tape that would probably show through or smudge off the ink!

Here's the 2nd one that I thought came out really nice - a few poppies in the field.



I'm going to just leave these alone overnight and see if the black ink dries so the card could actually be mailed to someone!

Stamps: none
Paper: watercolor paper from a pad
Ink: none
Accessories: computer clip art photo, brads: Making Memories, copics, Acetate, printer

My next card is for the Clean and Simple (CAS) challenge on Split Coast. It was a color challenge - to use coral, kraft and one other coordinating color. I used kraft, coral and lavender. I also used the Card Positioning Systems Sketch for my card. The flower and bird are Shapeabilities, the sentiment is from Verve Stamps and the vintage buttons are PTI. I zigzag sewed around the edge.

Today was my first day back to work after a week's vacation - seems like I was never away!! Well - got to get myself off to bed - morning comes early!!

Stamps: Notes of Prayer: Verve Stamps
Paper: Kraft: PTI, Lavender Lace, Cameo Coral: SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: vintage buttons: PTI, foam dimensionals, paper piercer: SU, sewing machine, shapeabilities Nested flowers & Nested Birds, lavender moon satin ribbon: PTI

Simple Joys Soaking up the Sun!

This beautiful butterfly box designed by Qbee was the Try A New Technique challenge on Split Coast this week. I used the wonderful butterfly designer paper by Basic Grey and the Cuttlebug die cut butterfly that comes with 4 embossing options.

I inked the front of the butterfly folder with red ink before embossing it to give it the color - then colored with copics and a white gel pen to try and mimic the coloring on the DP (mine didn't come out quite so pretty!). I sponged the edges of the box and the sentiment rectangle with black and also used So Saffron on the sentiment (Green Thumb by PTI). The butterfly and sentiment are popped up on foam dimensionals. Wouldn't this make a great little gift box with some candies or a small gift tucked inside?! And it works up really fast.

Stamps: Sentiment: Green Thumb: PTI
Paper: White, Summer Sunrise: PTI, Basic Black: SU, DP Basic Grey Pattern Paper/Ambrosia/winsome
Ink: pure poppy: PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black, So saffron: SU
Accessories: Swiss dots cuttlebug folder, butterfly cuttlebug folder and die, copics: 100, C6, white gel pen, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, tacky tape, foam dimensionals, rectangle nestability, gemstones: Hero Arts, glue dot, sponge

This week's CAS (Clean and Simple) challenge on Split Coast was an inspiration challenge - we were to look at the Lands End Towels and Totes catalogue. I was inspired by this towel.

I immediately thought of the Basic Grey Urban Prairie designer paper and used it for my 'towel' under the bathing beauty from the MFT set "Hit the Beach". I colored the flip flops, cut them out and popped them up over the sentiment. My rectangle nestability wasn't the exact size I needed - so I cut the closest size then cut one edge off and overlapped it to the size I wanted. This beauty reminded me that summer is coming and even though I don't wear a bikini like this anymore - I do have to think about fitting into my tankini soon!! ok - I'm off for a walk now!! LOL!!!

Stamps: Hit the Beach: My Favorite Things
Paper: White, Pure Poppy: PTI, DP Urban Prairie Paper Pad
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Scalloped rectangle nestability, cuttlebug, copics: G00, BG12, R29, R32, E00, E13, foam dimensionals