Card Patterns Sketch #4 and a PRIZE!!

 We are privileged to be able to give away a prize to one lucky winner this week over at Card Patterns.  It comes from Sweet and Sassy Stamps.  Sweet and Sassy Stamps has digital images, clear stamps and other paper-crafting supplies.  The DT worked with some digital images that they provided us this week, so be sure to check out our cards over at CP.  One lucky winner will win TWO free digital images of their choice and all you have to do to be entered to win is submit your take on Sketch #4.  Go to the Card Patterns blog here and check out the work of the rest of the DT and don't forget to leave us a link via Mr. Linky to the post containing your card (or the actual card in your gallery if it's not on a blog).  ALSO...as with EVERY sketch over at CP, by playing along, the DT will pick a winner who gets to be a Guest Designer.  So, why not play along - there will be TWO winners!!

This is a fun sketch to work with.  I would love to see what you make if you decide to play along.  I really enjoyed checking out your submissions these past two weeks and hope to see more this week too.  Shoot me a comment to let me know you joined so I can make sure to leave you some extra love on your blog or in your gallery ;)

I paper pieced Mr. Caterpillar - hopefully you can see that.  Hope you like the card!!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted (see "Accessories" for info about images used):

Stamps:  NONE!!!
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White CS, Flock Together, Pink Flamingo, Riding Hood Red and Jackpot DSP
Ink:  Black SU! marker
Accessories:  Digital Images (sentiment and caterpillar) from Sweet and Sassy Stamps, colored rhinestones (? from Michael's), True Black Saddle Stitch Ribbon (PTI), Scallop Edge punch, Scallop Circle punch, 3/16" Corner Rounder punch, hobby blade and cutting mat, stampin' dimensionals, corner rounder punch 

Great deal!

For those of you who don't know about Peachy Cheap, check out their deal today!!  It's some really pretty flowers.  They have a new deal every day, and the day's deal is the ONLY thing that they sell - they don't have a store with other items. I always check in on what they have that day.  They've promised some great stuff in the near future.  Anyway, check them out!!!

Woo hoo!!

Here's a shout-out to my cousin (in-law) Jennifer.  She started a blog for her crafty side and she's the ONLY family member I have that also has a crafty blog, like me.  Go check it out - she's not promising crazy almost-daily posting like me, but she has cute stuff to show you when she does!!!

Her blog:  Keeping it Simple

MIA for a little while

I have to make this quick - my life has been absolutely crazy the past couple of weeks, and it doesn't stand to get any better over the next week or so.  I'll try my best to pre-schedule a post or two (to include my reveal for sketch #4 over at Card Patterns), but I can't promise much more than that for now.  Yet another plug to subscribe to my blog to get e-mails when I update via Feedburner using the link in the left-hand sidebar.

This is a card I made for my husband's squadron to give to families who have baby girls in the near future (I made 6 of them).  It uses the Congrats stamp set that you can get for free during Sale-a-Bration.  I really like it - it has a lot of great sentiments for all sorts of occasions.  Sale-a-Bration ends March 31st, so don't miss out on it!  Check out the mini catalog for it in my right-hand side-bar.  I used the challenge from the Great Swaps Girls blog (monochromatic) to come up with my color combo.  Check out the challenge HERE.

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Congrats
Paper:  Pink Pirouette and Very Vanilla CS, Parisian Summer DSP (retired)
Ink:  Pink Pirouette classic ink
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

Long and Narrow

I made a 3 x 6 card featuring the damask image in the Friends 24-7 stamp set.  I had used the bird enough that I wanted to go back to using the damask stamp (I made my GSG swap card with the damask image and that was the card that "started it all" with all of these Friends 24-7 cards LOL).  I'm loving this stamp set and hopefully my cards have inspired you with some different ways to use them.  I tried with these last two cards to do something a little "different". 

The new Whisper White Organza ribbon that I used is surprisingly soft and easy to tie.  Prior to getting it in my hands, I assumed it would be a little stiff but it definitely is not!  I really like it and it of course has the ability to be any one of the other 54 colors that SU! carries via the use of a little re-inker and a small plastic container and some water.  It would be easy to dye.  That is assuming that it will absorb the dye.  I think I'll have to find out ;)

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

All items used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friends 24-7
Paper: Chocolate Chip Textured CS, Kraft and Whisper White CS, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Scallop Edge punch, Whisper White Organza ribbon

More Friends...

 

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite sets from the new catalog is this stamp set, Friends 24-7 (if you follow my blog, you will have noticed that I basically have two faves - Trendy Trees and this one).  I love this card - it's simple and soothing.  I love Baja Breeze and I don't think I have ever had a color that I have used as much in such a short amount of time as Baja Breeze.  I will be so bummed when this color is gone come the new catty in July.

I've really enjoyed playing with this set.  Last week I made a swap card for the Great Swaps Girls group that I'm a part of with it - and I LOVE my card.  I just hope that my "simple" style is okay.  As soon as I can I will share that card with you, along with a Trendy Tree card I made for the same group of girls.

I am busy trying to clean up my disaster of a house before my friend comes to stay with us for a while (on Thursday night) and then my husband gets home (this Saturday night!!!).  The kids and I have been missing him terribly over these last almost 2 weeks.  It will be 2 weeks that he has been gone come Saturday and our fingers are crossed that he gets to come home then "as planned".  For anyone in the military or with a spouse in the military, you'll know that plans - especially those dealing with when you get to come home from a trip - are made to be broken.

Don't forget to play along in this week's sketch challenge over at Card Patterns, here. As you can see by the lovely logo to the right, I {Heart} Papers is the sponsor for this week's challenge so in addition to a chance at being selected as a Guest Designer for CP, you also have a chance at winning the goodies they're offering just by submitting your take on the sketch!  I would love for you to let me know you played along!

Take care, and have a great day! 

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friends 24-7
Paper:  Baja Breeze and Whisper White CS, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Ink:  Baja Breeze
Accessories:  Designer Label Punch, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware

More Mojo....

After I made THIS card, I knew I would be using the Mojo 68 sketch again.  I LOVE it and I know that my stampers will love it when they make their cards using it.  It's such a great sketch and really features stamp sets really well.  If you haven't checked out Julee's sketches, you SHOULD!  I hope you like the card, and have a great day!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friends 24-7
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and Whisper White CS, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Big Shot, SU! "Lots of Tags" sizzlits die, Round Tab punch, 1/4" circle punch (retired), silver brads, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon

Card Patterns Sketch #3 and a Giveaway!

I just LOVE Michelle's sketches because they are not so complicated that you can't take them and run with them creatively and really turn it into something individual and special.  I'm having so much fun with Card Patterns! 

Below is my card.  Check out the Card Pattern's blog here to see the other amazing cards by the rest of the DT and the Guest Designer AND to check out the PRIZE  you can win by playing along with us this week.  I {Heart} Papers has graciously offered a prize to the winner of this week's sketch challenge. 

Speaking of being selected as a Guest Designer....Hanneke Van Dalen was selected as the Guest Designer to play along with us for this week's sketch.  You can check out her AMAZING talent HERE on her blog.

Make sure you play along this week for YOUR chance to be selected as a Guest Designer and also for a chance to win the prize from I {Heart} Papers.  It is two separate contests, one for your card to be selected as winner and a spot as a Guest Designer and one through a random drawing to win the prize bein offered.  I would really love for one of my readers to earn this opportunity.  That would be so fun!!  I know you all have lots of talent, so let's see it!!!!  :)

 

I made this card fairly quickly.  The Pink Flamingo DSP that is new from SU! made choosing the colors easy.  I stamped the En Francais background stamp onto a large Paper Pretties kit flower in Real Red.  I have seen smaller flowers with script writing on them in craft stores and thought I would make my own.  Hope you like it!!!!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Thank You Kindly, En Francais BG
Ink:  Real Red
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral and Whisper White CS, Real Red Textured CS, Pink Flamingo DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Lots of Tags sizzlet dies, Paper Pretties Kit, Filigree Designer Brads, Red Gingham ribbon, Ribbon Originals Dress Up ribbons, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scor-Tape (by Scor-Pal), paper piercing tool and template

Seeking Sponsors

I thought I would post what Michelle, creator of Card Patterns, has posted on the Card Patterns blog about sponsorship.  Sponsoring a sketch at Card Patterns not only gets your product/s visibility by being used by the DT, but also your logo/blinkie is displayed for A YEAR on the Card Patterns blog and a lucky Card Patterns winner will get your products and of course will rave about them.  ;) Here's what she said:

We are seeking for sponsors.
At Card Patterns, your company logo/blinkie will be featured on the week of your sponsorship and will have a special place on the sidebar as our current sponsor . After your sponsorship expires, your company name will remain on the sidebar of our blog for one (1) full year.
If you're interested to be a sponsor, please e-mail us. Thank you!

Mojo Monday #73

Well, I loved this sketch by Julee (Mojo73) and finally got around to making a card with it.  I actually will be using this sketch with some customers and I know they're going to love it and will be followers of Mojo Monday now, if they aren't already!! :)  Julee always has such amazing sketches, and this one is no exception!  Hope you like it!!!

All supplies used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friends 24-7
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Kraft and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze classic ink
Accessories:  Big Shot, SU! "Lots of Tags" sizzlits die, SU! Backgrounds I Texturz plates, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Filigree Designer Brads

Simple Basket

This is a little basket that the ladies I worked with the other night that I mentioned in yesterday's post made.  It was pretty straight forward - all of the pieces come from the SU! Bigz XL die "Baskets & Blooms".  They enjoyed making it.  I used the retired stamp set Best Yet for the greeting.  I can't stop using this stamp set!!! :)

Don't forget to stop by Card Patterns and play along in the sketch!  I would love to see what you make inspired by this fun LO!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Best Yet
Paper:  Riding Hood Red Patterns DSP, Chocolate Chip Textured CS
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  silver brad, Big Shot, Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL Die, Tombow Mono Multi Adhesive, SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon

A Simple Card

This card is one that we made last night at a Spouse's Coffee here at the base.  My friend/neighbor asked if I could come up with a couple of cards/projects for the ladies in her squadron to make after their meeting and of course I was happy to help!  :)  I tried to keep it fairly simple - same as you would do with a workshop card.  The hardest part was the paper piercing and actually, we decided not to do it for time's sake.  It was getting late and there were several little ones at the event (mostly mine since my husband is gone for 2 weeks).  It looks great with or without the piercing, so that detail didn't really matter.  Thanks for checking in!

PS - Don't forget to check out Sketch #2 over at Card Patterns and play along for your chance to be selected as a guest designer!!!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Love You Much
Paper:  Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette and Whisper White CS, Candy Lane DSP
Ink:  Basic Black classic ink, Certainly Celery and So Saffron markers
Accessories:  Trio Flower Punch, silver brad, Scallop Edge Punch, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, paper piercing tool and template

I {Heart} this little Card

This is another card for the CASE the Catty "Sort Of" Swap, so if you're in it over on SCS, you won't want to look further unless you don't care if you're not surprised (and you may have received them by now - I don't know, this is a pre-scheduled post and the swaps were due the 9th).  I loved this little card on page 91 and I thought it would be super cute in Pacific Point.  If I could get a good picture of the one in the catty, I would share it, but in the Stampin' Supplies Index it's very small and gets REALLY blurry REALLY quickly when I try to make it larger to post.

In hindsight, staring at it so much I didn't really notice the card RIGHT NEXT TO IT in the catty, so subconsciously the color might have come from my card's neighbor.  I would like to think it was my idea :)  As in yesterday's post - this card was allowed to have different embellishments if needed, and different colors were to be used, but the stamps and placement of the images had to be the same.

All products are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Trendy Trees
Paper:  Pacific Point Textured CS, Summer Sun and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories: Fresh Favorites I colored buttons, Mini Library Clips (Antique Brass), linen thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, mini glue dots, piercing tool and template 

 

Don't look (too long at least) if you're in the SCS CASE the Catty "Sort Of" Swap

These swaps were due to the hostess by the 9th, so if you haven't received yours yet I'm sure you will soon and if you want to be surprised, don't keep looking.  My posts today and tomorrow are the two cards I made for the swap.  This first card is similar to ones I showed you before based on the same card in the catty.  I went with my favorite color combo of Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze.  I was itching to add a pop of color in with Really Rust, but there wasn't a spot to do it if I was going to remain true to the original card. 

Anyway, I chose a card on page 81, and below - to give a little room so that people who want to be surprised will hopefully not see the card on the same page - is my version of it.  We were only to change the embellishments used if we needed to, and the colors, but not the stamps used or the placement of the images.  In the case of rub-ons (which were used on the original card) we were allowed to use a stamp instead since it would be un-cool to have to buy 10 packs of rub-ons to get 10 of the same ;)  I stamped in Whisper White craft ink and embossed that with White Stampin' Emboss powder to make it have a little bit of a texture to make it different than just a stamped image since I wasn't using rub-ons.  Hope you like it!!

All supplies SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Heartfelt Thanks, Thank You Kindly
Paper:  Baja Breeze CS, Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze Patterns DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink and Whisper White craft ink
Accessories:  White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Paper Pretties Kit (white flower and clear rhinestone brad), 5/8" Striped Grosgrain ribbon

Color Trend Sites

I think that Vera was able to refresh my memory.  She sent me these two links and I am pretty sure that the COLORlovers one is the one I was looking for.  I thought I'd share them with you:

COLORlovers

kuler

Thanks Vera!!!

Does this ring a bell?

A few weeks ago or so I remember reading a post somewhere in one of the blogs I subscribe to about a site that is good for color trends (and thus coming up with color combos).   I could have sworn it was on Nichole Heady's blog (Papertrey) but I can't find it anywhere.  I even though I bookmarked that specific post.  I'm hoping I wasn't the only one who was interested in browsing the site that was mentioned, so if you can help me find it I would be very grateful.  Thanks!!

CP #2 and a Guest Designer Spot!

Good morning!  I hope you all have some fun things planned for this Valentine's weekend!  My husband is on a trip for the Air Force for 2 weeks, so we already went out on our date.  Today I'll be watching the kids of some friends so that they can enjoy some Valentine's Day time together.

The sketch this week from Card Patterns is a fun one.  It's our second sketch, and you can go directly to the post for CP #2 by clicking here.  I had so many different ideas for it, and the card above is what I finally went with.  Michelle does a fabulous job creating these sketches and the ladies on the DT also do a wonderful job with using the sketches to create some beautiful cards.  The sketches are so fun and easy to work with - they're really inspiring me creatively!!! 

So....join in the fun with us and submit your sketch (not a link to your blog, but a link to the card you create with the sketch) via the Mr. Linky that is on the Card Patterns site, and if you're chosen, you'll get to be a Guest Designer for Card Patterns for sketch #4!!!  How exciting would that be???  This is one thing that is GREAT about CP - each week YOU get the chance to add "Guest Designer" to your resume if you submit your entry to that week's sketch.  A person will be chosen each week to be a Guest Designer for a future sketch over on CP.

I would love to see what you create, so even if you're not going to submit it to CP, I would enjoy checking it out if you would leave me a link to your card in the comment section below.  I can't wait to see what you create!!!

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Trendy Trees
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun and Whisper White CS, Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Old Olive classic ink (you can't see the Old Olive, but behind the button is a piece of Old Olive with the top of the "dotted" tree stamped on it and trimmed to the size of the button)
Accessories:  Latte Button Bouquet (white button), Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, Linen Thread, Pop-up Glue Dots, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Piercing Tool and Template, Scor-Pal (lovin' it!!!), Stampin' Dimensionals

Hope it's a great one!

Oh where oh where...

has my creativity gone?!?!?  It's so gone that I even pre-scheduled this post knowing I wouldn't be stamping.  It's not fun to sit still - I did go to the doctor and get some stronger meds, but they don't make the pain go away and if I sit for long it just makes it hurt worse when I get up and move.  Anyway, combine that with feeling very uninspired and it's a good thing I already did the Card Patterns sketch for this weekend and have that post ready to go! 

I will have to get some upcoming swaps stamped, and I will have the two I've already done to share with you once the hostess receives them (I can't wait any longer than that - I was going to wait until they were received by everyone but I just am not that patient!!).  So...there are cards in the future, some of them are just still only a thought rather than a fruition of thoughts, stamping, and creating.  I need my mojo back!!

Don't forget to play along in the Card Patterns very first sketch!!  You can see it HERE and if your card is selected you will be the Guest Designer for Card Patterns on Sketch #3!!!!  I would love to see some of my friends/readers play along and be guest designers!!!

Hope you're having a good week and that you're a little more inspired than I am right now!! :)

Last baby card for now

  

Here's the last invitation I made for my friend who asked me to make them for her for her friend's baby shower.  After she saw the three samples I made, looked at the IB&C along with me over the phone, we settled on an invitation and will be making the Thank Yous later when she knows what her friend has.  The shower is after the baby is to be born, but she needs the invitations before, so obviously they had to be more neutral in color.  We'll probably go more "traditional" with the Thank Yous when the time comes.  Enjoy!

Stamps:  I'm Here, Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla CS, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP
Ink:  Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Paper Piercing Tool and Template, stampin' sponges

Your mission....

should you choose to accept it, is to play along in the Great Swaps Girls blog challenge this week, and why not combine it with the Card Patterns challenge?!?!  The GSG challenge is an easy one - make a monochromatic card.  I really love monochromatic cards!!!  If I am able to stamp (crossing my fingers) I am going to combine both of them.  I would LOVE to see what you make, so be sure to leave me a comment with the link!!!

Thanks Sonya!

Sonya who is on the Card Patterns DT with me passed this award on to me.  I appreciate it!!!

I'm supposed to tell you something nice about my husband.  Well, he's a super hard worker and we appreciate all that he does for our family and I am so blessed that because of his job I am able to stay at home to raise our children.  I wish everyone could be so lucky if this is also a desire of theirs!!

Next, I'm supposed to share 6 ways that I measure success in my life.

1.  Have I been honest in my dealings with others.

2.  Have I left the world a better place.

3.  Have I made someone else's life a little better.

4.  Was I able to serve someone else who needs me.

5.  Have I raised good, honest, productive children who are a benefit to society.

6.  Can I smile at the end of the day.

So...that's it for me.  I've passed on so many awards lately and generally don't play along in these.  I'm not good at chain mail or forwards, or passing things on of this nature, sorry - so don't feel like you have to give them to me!!! ;)  I can't come up with just 5 of you!!  I love everyone who visits my blog and is in my blog list in my right-hand sidebar.  Go check them out!! :)

Another possibility....

 

So, this will be a quick post.  The last two weeks have been rough after breaking my tailbone - so sitting to stamp or use the computer is not that easy.  I made this card (and tomorrow's) as some additional examples for my friend who has asked me to make some shower invitations and thank yous for her friend who is having a baby.  She wanted some with the little feet from the retired SU! set I'm Here, so this is what I came up with for the Thank You card. 

I can't remember the name of the stamp set that the word "grateful" comes from for sure, but think it's Small Script and it was a hostess Level I set if I remember correctly.  I would check but I'm sore and don't want to get up now and I already put it away.  It is retired and I remember hearing rumor that Kristina Werner might have been the one who wrote the four words in the set?  I'm not sure if that's true, but thought it was cool if it was.  I am fairly certain that she has "written" some stamps for SU! in the past. 

Anyway, have a great day, and don't forget to play along in THIS WEEK'S Card Pattern's sketch for a chance to be a guest designer over at Card Patterns!!!!! 

Stamps:  I'm Here (retired SU!), Small Script (? retired SU!)
Paper:  Very Vanilla CS, Chocolate Chip Print Patterns DSP, Bonjour DSP (not sure if that's the name but it's retired too)
Ink:  Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch

Do You Want to be a Guest Designer????

 

 

 Well, here is my very first card for the new Design Team that I am a part of.  If you haven't checked out Card Patterns yet, you really should!  Michelle has put together some great sketches that I've had the privilege to see early, and I know that they will really inspire you in your card making.  It was a fun one to work with and my first card already gave me ideas of things I would like to do differently with the sketch.  If you make a card, be sure to let me know the link to it - I would LOVE to see it!!!

Also, as mentioned in the title, if you go and check out the post on Card Patterns HERE you can find out how to be a Guest Designer for Sketch #3!!!!  I am so excited for you to have this opportunity!

I REALLY wanted to use the flowers from Bloomin' Beautiful but I can't find my set anywhere!?!?!  I've never lost a stamp set before, so I'm going nuts trying to figure out where it is.  I can't stand it when something isn't where it's supposed to be and I can't find it.  I seriously don't stop thinking about it until I find it.  I didn't have any other images that really popped into my head to use for this card, so I settled on this one.  Iope you like it, and look for another card using this sketch in the near future as I know that I will use this sketch again!! 

Stamps:  All Holidays, Flower Fancy
Paper:  Kraft, Baja Breeze and Whisper White CS, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Ink:  Black StazOn, Baja Breeze, Barely Banana, Old Olive and Kiwi Kiss classic inks
Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Two Nestabilities, Paper Piercing Tool and Template, Star Dust Stickles, Vintage Brads (Pewter -  SU!), Stampin' Dimensionals, distressing tool (you can't see it, but the edges of the Parisian Breeze DSP are distressed)

Friends 24-7

 

I just LOVE this stamp set.  Enough so that it's the one I'm featuring in my Stamps in the Mail program that has just begun.  I once again have a bad shot of my card, and it bothers me.  I needed the hubby to hold one of our lamps nearby so that I could take the picture and I didn't want to bother him for too long so I didn't take as many shots as I usually do to get a decent photo.  This angle makes the top layers look a little crooked - the Baja Breeze in particular.  The fact that the edges are distressed doesn't help because they're not perfectly even.

Anyway, this was my first chance to use my StampinUp! Backgrounds I texturz plates (yes, they really spell it that way! ;) ).  They are lots of fun and I really like them.  I am just so happy that SU! has the Big Shot and all of these gorgeous products to use with it!!!

 So - there is some sponging on the Kraft layer after I ran it through the Big Shot with the texturz plate, so some of the dots have even more dimension to them because of the sponged ink.  I also stamped the flourish from the Friends 24-7 set after running the Kraft CS through the Big Shot so that the images wouldn't be too crisp and the ink would pick up irregularly on the embossed dots.  I distressed the edges of the Baja Breeze CS and sponged along the edge of the Very Vanilla piece with the sentiment on it and rounded the corners with my corner rounder punch.

What do you think?  I hope you like it and that you're having a great day!  Stay tuned tomorrow for the very first sketch at Card Patterns where I'm so excited to be on the DT!!

All products used are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Friends 24-7
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Kraft and Very Vanilla CS, Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Corner Rounder punch, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, SU! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponges, finger nail used to distress the edges of the Baja CS ;)

Invitation Possibility

 

I'm making some invitations for a friend to use for her friend's baby shower and we're playing around with how "baby-ish" we want them to be.  We're trying to decide between a kind of clean, modern but elegant feel, and a more traditional looking card with some sort of baby-related image (I'm thinking of using the little I'm Here baby feet).  I'd love to hear what your opinion is on using this card as a shower invitation!  It is based on some cards I've done recently so you might recognize the layout.

I used the Boho Blossoms punch on some Whisper White CS and ran one of the flowers back and forth through the crimper to pull the layers apart to give the flower a softer feel/look.  That's how you do the faux suede technique.  I did it once before with the bear's belly on THIS card.  Anyway, I didn't like the stark, flat look to the flower punched and layered on the pretties flower so I made it softer - literally. 

PS - The parents-to-be are not going to find out the sex of the baby and the nursery colors are cream, green and brown.  I had to replace the cream with white since the flower from the pretties kit is white.

All supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps:  Hugs & Wishes
Paper:  Certainly Celery and Whisper White CS, Delicate Dots DSP (SAB '09 item), Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Boho Blossoms punch, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon, large white flower and half-backed pearl (Paper Pretties kit), Paper Piercing Tool and Template, crimper

Easy and Cute

 

I am playing around with this set, A Happy Heart, to come up with some cards for a class I'm teaching some ladies who are part of a squadron here on the base.  I thought this card turned out cute and could definitely be one I end up having them make.  What do you think?

I did take the shot at a bad angle - the layers are even on top and bottom of the image, but because the shot is from above and also due to the shadows (still being lazy and not using my photo tent) the bottom edge of the Kiwi Kiss looks narrower and the top layer even looks like it's a little crooked on the Kiwi Kiss layer.  It's not - I'm a perfectionist with evenness, especially when layering. ;)

Stamps:  A Happy Heart
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White CS, Riding Hood Red Patterns DSP
Ink:  Riding Hood Red classic ink and Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss re-inkers
Accessories:  Blender Pen, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Piercing Tool and Template, Scallop Edge Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Some clean-up

You may notice that my blog side-bars are a little less long.  I created some pages for all of the great links that I used to have in the side.  I also realized that I am more of a passive "Blogs to Browse" link-lister.  I pretty much only link to those that link to me.  So, if I missed you, let me know!!!  I figure that since I ALWAYS post links to sites and blogs that I mention in a post I wouldn't worry so much about adding them all in my sidebar, so I got rid of ones that are typically most stamper's favorite sites since you already know about those.  Anyway - it's just easier for me and de-clutters my blog a little. 

If you click HERE you will be taken to the link on my right sidebar where I've listed all of my "Blogs to Browse" and if you click HERE you'll be taken to a list of all of the blogs and websites who have sketches and/or challenges that I enjoy.  I hope these lists are helpful to you!!

For groups that I'm part of, I don't list all of the members, rather I put the blinkie or link that takes you to the list where they all are.  I figure no need to duplicate a list that's already out there!!  Then as the admin of those lists update/change them, I don't have to worry that my list isn't current anymore.

I just thought I'd explain this to ya in case you noticed the difference.  Have a great day!

Bloomin' Beautiful

 

Today's post will be quick.  The stamp set used was Bloomin' Beautiful - which I love.  I stamped the image in StazOn on watercolor paper and used my Aqua Painter and re-inkers to color the image.  I think they ended up looking more like pansies than hydrangeas.  Oh well!  Enjoy!

Stamps:  Bloomin' Beautiful
Paper:  Kraft and Pale Plum CS, Bashful Blue Patterns DSP, watercolor paper
Ink:  Black StazOn, Chocolate Chip classic ink, Pale Plum, Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue, Lovely Lilac, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow and Close to Cocoa re-inker
Accessories:  Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Brads - Pewter (SU!), Labels Two Nestabilities, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals

Another card inspired by the Idea Book

First of all, don't forget that Sale-A-Bration is HERE!!!!  You can receive the following wonderful benefits and can find out more about it on my SU! website or by e-mailing me!!!

Promotion Dates: February  1- March 31, 2009

Promotion Details: 

Our Sale-A-Bration promotion gives reason for everyone to celebrate!

Customers:Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase.

Hostesses:Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product with a $300 or more workshop, in addition to the normal hostess benefits.

Recruits: Choose any retail stamp set (a value up to $47.95) from the current catalog when signing up during the promotion. Plus, get 15% off the regular $199 price of the Starter Kit--that's $335 worth of products for only $169!

Check out the SAB Mini Catalog HERE.

Now...on to today's card.  As I mentioned in my last post, I've been working on some swaps that are based on CASE'ing cards in the IB&C and this one is NOT one of my swap cards (nor was the one in the last post) and it's not really a CASE - totally - but it is very much inspired by the card on page 84.  The placement of the sentiment is pretty much the same.  I don't think you can see it in the tiny pic, but the word "thanks" is below "heartfelt" and it's a rub-on.  My card is a very simple card - just how I like them!!  Anyway - I hope you like it!

 

Stamps:  Heartfelt Thanks, Thank You Kindly
Paper:  Baja Breeze CS, Parisian Breeze Specialty DSP
Ink:  Chocolate Chip classic ink
Accessories:  Paper Pretties Kit (large half-backed pearl, two white flowers), Valet Ribbon Originals (Baja Breeze satin ribbon)

Woo hoo!

I don't usually post on Sundays (I pre-scheduled this to post anyway, so I didn't "really" post it today {wink} ), but today is the day my news was revealed and now I'm allowed to tell so I figured I would go ahead and schedule the post to share it with all of my awesome readers.  

I was selected as one of the Design Team members for a new card sketch blog!  It's called Card Patterns, and you can see their logo and click on it in my left side-bar to go to the blog anytime.  Michelle has really fabulous sketches and I can't wait to play along and share my cards made with them with all of you!  I am so excited!!!! 

If you click HERE you can check out who the other fabulous Design Team members are.  They are SO talented and I feel so humbled to have been selected along with them.  This is the card that I submitted using their DT Call sketch.  So, go check it out, and have a great day!