My Funny Valentine and A Scrap in Time

Now ya'll know that while living over in Sicily I was deprived of such luxuries as a craft store right? WELLLL, I am over the moon, skippity do da, happy happy over joy joyed to have discovered that I have the LARGEST SCRAPBOOKING (aka card supplies) store on the Gulf Coast and it is right here in CRESTVIEW!!!! It is only about 5 miles away from my front door!!!!!! Poor things had no idea what kind of freak was entering their doors when I told them that I was going to lay down in the floor and make carpet angels on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!
CHECK OUT MY PERSONAL CRAFT STORE
"" A SCRAP IN TIME ""
SOOOOOO,,,, 3 hours later I narrowed down my desire to purchase $10,000 worth of supplies!

This card duo was created with a line of products that I purchased
"Be My Valentine" by We R Memory Keepers

I created these Valentines for my nieces

Close up so you can see the sweet little button
(thank you Linda for the cupid and heart buttons)

Notice they are almost identical???
Goodness forbid that I make them too different, they might think one is prettier and therefore, I must love one niece more than the other!!

I don't think you can really tell but the stitching is actually aqua

CHALLENGES I USED:
Dutch Dare Card Challenge: Buttons, Buttons Buttons
Corrosive Challenge: Button it up
Pile It On: Punch It (I used Stampin Up's scalloped border punch)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Love is in the a
Cute Card Thursday: Banish the Blues (use a funny image or sentiment)
Crazy 4 Challenges: Valentines

.................Supplies I used...................
Patterned Papers: We are Memory Keepers (be my valentine)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (pretty in pink), Paper Trey Ink (Aqua Mist)
Misc: Ribbon: Martha Stewart, Large Aqua Mist buttons (Paper Trey Ink)
Tools: Stampin Up (scalloped edge punch)

SEW EASY a kid could do it

This month's ABC Toys & Crafts challenge has been CHANGED up a bit but our theme is
" SEWING "

We want to see "stitching" on your projects - Sewing Machines optional, Hand Stitching, Cross Stitching or even FAUX Stitching let's get creative

Moving back to the United States has been so rewarding by allowing me to take a more active part in the lives of my nieces - Alaina and MacKenzie. During a recent Fall Break from school, I was able to keep them for an entire week. One of the days we decided it would be a great idea to mail cards to their mom. Not only was I able to share with them all the fun tools available but it was the perfect opportunity to teach them how to thread a sewing machine and SEW!!!

Here are the girls hard at work creating their cards

ALAINA ((age 9))

MACKENZIE ((age 12))

PLEASE JOIN THE DESIGN TEAM of ABC Toys & Crafts in
November's Challenge

I C U - Get Well

I * C * U
haahaa
Get It?

The acronym ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit but I have also used it as a Play on Words for EYE SEE YOU since my funny little monster was affixed with a googley eye !!!
My father in law just underwent open heart surgery and will be spending a few days in the Hospital's Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ) so so I created this clever card in hopes of bringing a smile to his face.

This monster is the same one that I used on the post directly below this one. Here is a peek at the inside of my project where I have featured this stamp sets "Crankier Monster".
His fever must be really high to be flowing all those flames!!! The thermometer is from the Crafty Secrets "Feel Better" Sticker Sheet.

EEK A MONSTER Stamp Set is 20% OFF with FREE SHIPPING

CHALLENGES I USED:
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Show your GRUNGE
Paper Sundaes: Fall or Halloween Colors (I used fall)
Sew Many Challenges: Embossing (I heat embossed my monsters)
Inktegrity: Anything Goes
Pile It On: Red, Yellow, Green, Brown (Red obvious, Yellow/Gold stitching, Green tag & label, Brown ICU letters & sponging)
Prairie Fairy Designs: Embossing
Stampin' Royalty: Stitching
Fussy & Fancy: Holiday colors in a non-holiday project (Christmas or fall colors for get-well)
4 Crafty Chicks: Embossing

............Supplies I used...............
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (Eek a Monster), Close To My Heart (sentiments)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (black)
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants (Sweet Spring tags), Walmart Scrap Pad (Best Occasions), Crate Paper, Junkitz (snippitz)
Ink: Versamark, Copics,
Tools: Cuttlebug, Stampin Up (large note die), Sewing Machine
Misc: Crafty Secrets stickers (feel better), Making Memories (black eyelets), google eye

Spooky lil Treat Box

This week the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team theme was " HALLOWEEN "
(there is a blinkie on my side bar titled ABC Design Blog where you can see what everyone else designed)

Is that "TREAT BOX" to die for or WHAT.... WANT TO MAKE ONE?? WANT A FREE TEMPLATE?? Visit Georgia MacDonald to grab yours (be sure and tell her I said THANK YOU because I've now made several)

I'm all about VERSATILITY when it comes to my stamp sets and I want to get as much bang for my buck as I possibly can. I chose to get inky with the "EEK A MONSTER" Stamp set from My Cute Stamps. Take a look at how I could dress that one eyed monster and

BOOM......... It's a Birthday Card for a GIRL

Here is a close up of the same monster dressed in blue / green...... See how easily he transforms into a BOY?? or better yet, UNISEX..........
CHALLENGES I USED:
Little Red Wagon: Stars
Sew Many Challenges: Embossing (I used heat embossing for the monsters and sentiment)
Paper Sundaes: Min of 3 embellishments (ribbons, eye, button, chipboard star, handmade rosette)
Pals Paper Arts: Halloween
Totally Gorjuss: Flowers (I created my own Rosette out of paper)
Our Creative Corner: Fun with Folds (I used a fold technique for the Rosette but there was lots of folding done to create my treat box as well)

STAY TUNED to my blog where I will show you how this same monster TRANSFORMS into a GET WELL MONSTER!!!!

There is still PLENTY of TIME to think about what you will create for Halloween this year
HOWEVER
TIME is RUNNING OUT

It's a "Paper Piecing" CHALLENGE

This month the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team has challenged each other to "PAPER PIECING" and we want to see your take on this challenge.

CHALLENGE DETAILS
-------->> CLICK HERE <<---------

No big secret just LOVE Paper Piecing

I used the My Cute Stamps set " Puppy Pals " for this project. I actually used 5 different stamps from that set in the photo above, however, I stamped the dog onto scrap paper that I had previously stamped using one of the "Vintage Background" stamps from Gina K. Don't you just love TABLE SCRAPS? I can pretty much guarantee that is where the Balloon Paper came from as well. So dig your SCRAPS out of the rubbish can and come "PAPER PIECE" with us. This would be a great challenge to pair with other challenges around Blog Land. Here are the
CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Paper Piecing
Crazy 4 Challenges: Photo Inspiration (loved all the mixed patterns & texture)
The Creative Cottage: Touchy Feely (I added texture by sewing)
Think Ink: Make your own Background Paper (I did for my dog, behind the dog and again on one of the strips on the inside of my card which you can see below)
Stamp Simply: 2's Company (2 balloons using 2 different patterned papers)

You COLOR my World

Hello from FLORIDA!!!!!

That's right I am on a whirl wind, last minute, unexpected trip back to the good ole' USA to sign A PAPER for our new home. I flew over on Thursday and we are closing on the house Monday morning (today) so getting a little "honeymoon" time with my husband.

Before I left I was playing around with this new stamp by Sara Kay " (Margaux is Painting) " that is being carried over at ABC Toys & Crafts. Just look at that little cutie!! If you are brand new to COPIC markers these stamps would be a fantastic place to start experimenting and teaching yourself about blending and shading. There are so many areas to explore with color, but the best part is that these areas are small.
Isn't that little paint brush a fun little touch? I had a package of them laying around in my classroom supplies and I simply cut it down to about 1 1/2", tied the ribbons around and used that super sticky, double sided tape to adhere it.

Here is a peek at the inside of the card.

CLICK HERE for a chance to WIN a SET of COPIC MARKERS

Challenges I used:
Simon Says Stamps: Make a card for a child
Wild Flower Patch Kids: Sketch (I turned it)
The Pink Elephant: Recipe 1 image, 2 dies, 3 of your favorite embellishments

Cupcake Craft Challenges: Childhood Memories

...........Supplies I used.............
Stamps: Sarah Kay (Margaux is painting)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black), Stampin Up
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey (Lime Rickey)
Cardstock: Stampin Up
Tools: Stampin Up (sizzix large label die), Martha Stewart (polka dot edge punch)

Let's Party!!!!!

So excited that I finally got the chance to participate in a couple challenges. I used a Mo Manning digi image (she is free if you join Mo's Digital Pencil group at Paper Craft Planet) and colored her using Copic markers.

(click on cartoon image to check out the challenge)

Mo's challenge was to use:
3 Different patterned papers
2 Ribbons
1 Border punch

(Here is the SWEET SKETCH dthat I used which you can click on to participate)

3rd Challenge is at CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS which was to add "SPARKLE"

4th Challenge is at DARE U 2 Digistamp they are also calling for glitter

REMINDER: "TWISTED" Thursday sketch challenge....... There is still time
HERE are all the details on how you could WIN free Stamps...

Gelato Anyone?

"Woolies" are one of the most recent crazes in the paper crafting world. These fun embellishments are so simple to use, yet add a powerful "Wow Factor" from their recipient. Check out all of the little details (rhinestones, stitching & a button).

The patterned paper & the woolie are from Basic Grey's "Lemonade" line. The paper comes in a 6"x6" pad of 36 sheets!! The ice cream cone is mounted on a fun frame that I created using scraps. I used one of the new Martha Stewart corner punches (Loops), then heat embossed a "snow flake" image from a Penny Black stamp set (Crystalline). The pink frame was created by double layering Nestabilities Dies (label one set) by Spellbinders. Lastly, the "Sweet Wishes" sentiment is from My Cute Stamps (sweet chocolate stamp set).

ALL OF THE PRODUCTS THAT I USED ON THIS PROJECT
(EXCLUDING REGULAR CARDSTOCK)
CAN BE PURCHASED AT

Click on any of these to begin shopping NOW

............Supplies I used.............
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (Sweet Chocolate), Penny Black (Crystalline)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Stampin Up (certainly celery, pretty in pink, turquoise), Basic Grey (lemonade 6x6 paper pad)
Tools: Spellbinders (Nestabilities Label One), Martha Stewart (Loops corner punch)
Embellishments: Basic Grey (lemonade woolie)

Happy Monster

Halloween and the entire fall season are quickly approaching. Although I am beginning to see halloween projects & the typical Autumn colors (orange, browns, reds, dark greens), I am still very much enjoying the "happy" colors and hot weather. Shorter days and cooler weather are very depressing to me so I am not looking forward to any of that.

I guess it doesn't get any brighter than this now does it???

Obviously I cannot get enough of my "My Cute Stamps". This cutie is from the "EEK a MONSTER" set. Not sure if it is possible to see that not only is my little monster heat embossed using black embossing powder, but he was also embossed using a polka dot embossing folder then mounted on foam squares!!!

Now I know we aren't suppposed to brag, BUT this card MAKES ME HAPPY... Thanks for dropping by today and I hope you have a Happy week.
....................Supplies I used..................
Stamps: My cute stamps (eek a monster)
Paper: Stampin Up (real red, blue) DCWV large designer paper stack
Ink: Stampin Up (versa mark, black embossing powder)
Misc: scraps of ribbon, Making Memories (tropic brads), EK Success (foam squares)
Tools: Provo Craft (Cuttlebug), Stampin Up (heat gun, mini dot embossing plate)

Neuschwanstein Castle vs. Justein's Castle

No this isn't the Famous Von Swanstein Castle in Germany, but the image may very well have been created to resemble it. Most fairy tale castles are created in it's likeness (Disney World's Cinderella Castle). We were very fortunate to have visited the real deal a few years ago. Absolutely breathtaking as it sat nestled amongst the Bavarian Alps....

For my card, I used the castle image from My Cute Stamps - Royal Celebration 13 piece stamp set. (I used the Princess image in last week's post titled "Queen Justine"). As I was inking this one up, I really got to noticing how well these stamps are made. Some companies advertise that they have deeply etched images, but they don't. These have given me a nice clean image every time I've used them. Quality and Quantity = More bang for your buck and Versatility. I used one of my Martha Stewart border punches (embossed scroll) on the white cardstock to create the almost lace or eyelet appearance. So dainty and femanine. If you look closely you will see that I added some blue glitter to the castle flag and scrolled edge which is along the top of the castle's roof. Ordinarily I would have used 3 rhinestones, however, this was created for Thursday's Ways to Use It challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers. The challenge was titled seeing double which meant to do things in pairs. I have the two raised sides of the castle, two round windows, double doors, 2 rhinestones, and the 2 white scrolled borders.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Although I am on vacation until the 26th or 27th, I still have some fabulous posts Pre-dated to post during my absense. Starting on Wednesday, I will be giving you SNEAK PEEKS of what Shirley's 2 Girls will be releasing and trust me, you don't want to miss this new line of Groovy Stamps!!!!!!
..............Supplies I used.................
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (Royal Celebration)
Ink: Momento (tuxedo black)
Paper: Stampin' Up! (patterned paper hostess stack), Paper Trey Ink (new leaf)
Tools: Martha Stewart border punch,
Misc: Hero Arts (clear rhinestones), Martha Stewart (glitter)

Queen Justine

Saturday I introduced you to Stephanie our "Creative Customer of the Week", as she presented the My Cute Stamps, "Matryoshka Dolls". Today I would like to continue talking about the My Cute Stamps line of acrylic stamps. This little cutie is from a set of 13 stamps titled "Queen, A Royal Celebration" which is on sale for $11.04!!! That is less than $1 per stamp. Actually I used 3 of the stamps in this set. If you look closely at the wand in her hand you will notice that I curved it just a teeny bit. One of the benefits of stamps being seperate. So you can't really see much of the 3rd stamp but it is a cluster of stars. At first I felt like the corners looked a little bare, of course after I stamped them in the lower left hand corner I decided I didn't like that at all... Hence my beautiful bouquet of flowers. Now had I not made that boo boo, I probably wouldn't have thought about the flowers. I was so glad that I remembered them. I had first reached for some pink primas and was in the middle of attaching a crystal brad when it clicked. This cluster consists of 3 flowers and the leaves are all ready attached, all I had to do was glue.
How about that fun little row of hearts? That is my newest Martha Stewart border punch which happens to be sold out at the moment, however, I just went and looked in the PUNCHES category of the store and found many more that I would like to add to my ever growing collection. I added Stickles Glue (star dust) to her crown & to the stars on her wand. I used foam squares to give her a bit of dimension and the 3 gems up top are by Hero Arts. Her dress was paper pieced and I used Copics to color.

As you can see the majority of what I used for this card today can be purchased at ABC Toys & Crafts. O MYlanta, I just went to the "NEWLY LISTED" section and WOWZERS, We have Basic Grey, Papers, embellishments, New Crafty Secrets stamps, scraps & papers!!, Spellbinders: Nestabilities, Punches!!!!! Thank Goodness you can see how many items are in stock next to the products, which you may want to RUN because I am headed there NOW to do my shopping....
By the way EVERYTHING is on SALE at 15% off (including the flowers that I used, the stamps and all punches - EVERYTHING)

.............Supplies I used................
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (a royal celebration)
Paper: Stampin' Up! (pink passion), Paper Trey Ink (melon berry), Gina K Designs (pure luxury white 120lb)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black)
Embellishments: Prima (caboodle flowers), Hero Arts (pink gems), ribbon(american crafts)
Tools: Martha Stewart (heart lace border punch)
Misc: Stickles (glue star), EK Success (foam squares)