Simply 3-D Flowers ...

TGIF, Crafty Stampers! And, since it's another fabulous Friday, it's time for another fabulous "Stamp Simply" challenge!

We all know that "April Showers Bring May Flowers," so 3-dimensional flowers are the name of the game today! You have three options: dig into your stash of purchased flowers to use on your creation ... OR ... make your own 3-D flower ... OR ... you can make a 3-D flower out of ribbon. Many options today; let's bring forth some pretty and fun 3 dimensional May Flowers!

I decided to create my 3-D flower out of material that would otherwise be trash ... corrugated cardboard:

Please join in and create your own fabulous 3-dimensional flowers! When you've completed your 3-D flower creation, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery, then visit Sharon's blog, HERE, to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, please use keyword: "ssnotime137" so that we can find your project.

Be sure to check out all of the fantastic flowery creations created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jennifer Buck: The Buck Stamps Here;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Tammy Hershberger: Stamp Happy;

Sharon Johnson: No Time to Stamp?;

Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and our talented Guest Designer for April and May:

Teresa Kline: Enjoy the VA Sunshine.

It is with sadness that I mention that Tammy will be leaving us after this week's "Stamp Simply" challenge. She will be greatly missed and I wish her nothing but happiness and success no matter where her opportunities take her. I'll miss you Tammy, but I know where to find you!

I hope you'll get a chance to play along with us this week ... this is such a fun challenge! We can't wait to see your 3-D flowery creation!

Soooooooo, Sheila and I were hangin' out yesterday when we got on the subject of the Iceland volcano eruption.

"I read that over 95,000 scheduled flights were canceled over the past week ... and that those cancellations have cost the airline industry an estimated $2 billion." I said.

"Oh, yeah, and how about all those stranded passengers at air terminals all over Europe? I wonder what it cost to feed and lodge all of those people?" Sheila mused.

"I wonder who's gonna end up paying for all of this?" I asked.

"Oh, no question ... Toyota!" Sheila-the-Evil-Genius answered.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. Hope you have a fabulous ... and long ... weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Creative Craft Challenge: Bloomin' Marvelous
  
• Die Cut Dreams Challenge: Make Your Own Flowers
  
• Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays: Vintage Style
  
• KL Stampin' N' Scrappin': Browns / Greens / White
• Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger: Poolside Inspiration
  
• One Stitch at a Time: Flowers
  
• Our Creative Corner: Blooming Blossoms
• Play Date Cafe Challenge: PDCC27 Color
  
• Pollycraft Monday: Make Your Own Flowers
• Stampin' Royalty: Use Your Punches
• Stamping Vacation: Name That Card
  
• Tellen's Place: Show Us Your Flowers
• The Crafty Pad: Recycle (Cardboard Flower)
  
• The Creative Cottage Challenge: Circles
  
• Wee Memories: Flowers
  
• Your Next Stamp: Going Dotty
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Garden Green" and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "The Thrift Shop" Collection by October Afternoon
  
• Other Paper: Corrugated Cardboard
• Stamp: Sentiment by PTI
• Ink: "Soft Suede" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Frosted White" Pigment Brush Pad by Clearsnap
• Accessories: Brad Pitt by Junkitz; Crocheted Lace from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Long Rectangle Dies by Spellbinders; Various Circle Punches by Stampin' Up; "Little Leaves" Die by Stampin' Up; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

A Card Full of Tree Owls ...

Happy Thursday, Crafty Stampers!

Today's card project was created for the current Digi Kitty Challenge. This challenge is a "progressive" challenge: as long as you keep playing, you keep receive free digital stamps. What's not to like about that deal?!?

I created my challenge entry using the cute l'il owl image from their free "Whooooo's the Sweetest" digital stamp set:


I printed the owls out on card stock, colored them with markers and stamped my wood grain background stamp on Kraft card stock.

To create the wood grain effect on the inside of the card, I die-cut a hole in the card front, then pushed the cut-out through to the back of the card and adhered. I popped the owls inside the tree, added some die-cut leaves, a card stock rick-rack "ribbon," and rubber stamped my sentiment. So easy, even I could do it!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the mind-bogglin' product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

So, yesterday Sheila and I met up with her certifiably insane crazy sister, Jill, for an early dinner at the newest, coolest, see-and-be-seen-ist restaurant in West Palm.

When the waitress finally deigned appeared to take our orders, Jill pointed to the menu and told her, "I'll have the 24."

"Ummm, Jill," Sheila whispered, "that's the price, not the meal number."

"Oh, okay," she said. "Then give me the 12."

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• A Spoon Full of Sugar: 3D
• Aly's Sunday Challenge: Animal Hugs
• Bee Crafty: wHole Lotta Fun / Digital Image
  
• Crafty Creations: Make Your Own BG Paper
  
• Digi Kitty: Whooo's the Sweetest?
  
• Etsy Inspired: "Bee Things" (Long-Eared Owl Screen Print)
• Fab 'n' Funky: No DP
  
• Gingersnap Creations: Kraft
• Nutshells Challenge: Spring
  
• Order of the Opus Gluei: Make Something
  
• Pile It On: Sweet (A Tree Full of Adorable Baby Owls!)
  
• Something Completely Different: "H" is for Home
• The Diedrich Dare: It's a Spring Thing
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Kiwi Kiss," "Kraft," and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up; Turquoise Card Stock, Unknown
  
• Stamps: Wood Grain Background Stamp by Hero Arts; Sentiment by PTI
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Long Rectangle and Oval Dies; Rick-Rack Die by PTI; "Little Leaves" Die by Stampin' Up; Extra Fine 'White' Sharpie Paint Pen; Paper Fusion PA; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Stampin' Up's "Occasions" Mini Catalog Expires TOMORROW! Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

A Pick-a-Nick Basket Card ... and DT News!

Happy Stump Day, Hampers ... hope you're having a fantabulous week!

Today's card project was created for my May birthday card stash. Would you believe I have 26 birthdays in May?!? Would you believe 25? Lol, I really do have 26 birthday cards to make and mail in May.

Here's a look at one of the recently completed birthday cards:

The vintage pick-a-nick basket image was stamped twice, once on card stock and again on patterned paper, then paper-pieced. I two-step stamped the daisies and stamped my sentiment, then colored the flowers with Copic markers. So easy, even I could do it!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the heart-pounding product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Now, for the news: I'm very happy to announce that I am a member of the brand-new, CAS-tastic Wednesday Challenge Blog Design Team! My first official CAS-tastic Challenge will be on Wednesday, May 5th. I hope all of you will join in and have fun creating Clean and Simple projects with us.

The other members of the CAS-tastic Wednesday Design Team are:

Barb Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Karen Baker: The Bald Dragonfly;

Angie Cortes, DT Leader: Angie Cortes Designs;

Regina Jones: Scrap Creations by Regina;

Bonnie Rose Kempenich: A Life Unrehearsed;

Agata Pfister: Under Construction; and,

Maylee Pham: Maylee's Creative Corner.

Clicky HERE to check out the CAS-tastic Challenges Blog. I'm really looking forward to working on the DT with this talented group of card artists ... and I hope you'll be playing along, too!

Soooooooo, this past weekend Sheila showed me a "personal safe" she'd picked up for her DH, Ken.

"Look at this, Deb. It looks just like a can of spray paint ... but there's a false bottom." Sheila explained.

"And Ken needs this because ... ?" I asked.

"Oh, he's 'old school' ... he thinks you should keep your money under the mattress. Only he's been keeping cash in his underwear drawer."

So yesterday when I saw Sheila I asked how Ken liked his spray-paint-can-safe.

"Oh, yeah, he really liked it," she replied, "he put his money in it the same day."

"Well, that's good ... burglars prolly wouldn't think to look on Ken's work bench." I said.

"Hmm, yeah, well, they won't have to," Sheila said. "Ken keeps the paint can in his underwear drawer."

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Crafty Ho's Challenge: April Showers Bring ...
• Crazy Challenge: Buttons, Brads, Eyelets (Button Brad)
• Glenda's Random Amusing Challenge: Floral Birthday
  
• Hand Full of Stamps: Use That Stock (3 Different DP's)
• Just Add Ink: Vintage
• Lexi's Creations: 3 Papers/2 Embellishments/1 Image
  
• Loonie Stampers: Flowers
  
• One Stitch at a Time: Flowers
• Prairie Fairy Fridays: Distressing
• Res-Q: April Showers (White Daisy Umbrella: HERE)
  
• Sentimental Sundays: Blooming Gorgeous (Daisies/Sentiment)
• The Secret Crafter: Distressing
• Wee Memories: Flowers
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Garden Green" and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: October Afternoon "Thrift Store" Collection; My Mind's Eye
• Stamps: Vintage Basket, Daisies, and Sentiment by PTI
• Ink: "Tuxedo Black" Memento Dye Ink by Tsukineko; "Antique Linen" Distress Ink by Ranger
  
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
  
• Accessories: Mini Button Brad by Making Memories
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Rick-Rack Die by PTI; Tim Holtz Distressing Tool; "Daisy" Border Punch by MS; Small Flower Punch; Stippling Brush; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  

The Occasions Mini Catalog Expires in Just Two Days! Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

Raidin' the Old-New Stamp Stash ...

Happy Tuesday, Hoarding Card Makers!

Today's uber-clean and w-a-y simple card was created in a New York minute using this vintage-inspired, old-new stamp from my "Old-New Stamp Stash."

The "Old-New Stamp Stash" means: I've-had-this-stamp-for-evuh-and-this-is-the-very-first-time-I've-used-it:

I know you have two or twenty of these!

I stamped my Damask stamp, by Tim Holtz for Stampers' Anonymous, on card stock then over-stamped the PTI sentiment. I mounted the focal image on a card stock mat, popped it up on dimensionals and adhered it to my card base. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the exciting product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, this weekend, Sheila and I went to our gym for some Reid-Free-Sweating-Time. Try as she might, Sheila just couldn't get into the exercise bike. She'd start. Then stop. Then start. Then go get water. Start again. Stop to go to the Ladies Room, and on ... and on.

Finally the gym manager, Michelle, said, "Sheila: close your eyes and imagine you're riding along Broadway in New York City. It will be more interesting."

"Oh, okay, I can try that." Sheila replied.

But within a few minutes, she'd stopped again.

"Now what?" Michelle asked.

"Traffic jam ... c'mon, you know how nuts New York City traffic is!"

Thanks for pedalin' by today!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Cupcake Craft Challenge: Don't Be Square
• If the Shoe Fits: Color (Chocolate and Teal)
  
• Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge: Anything Goes
  
• Sew Many Cards Challenges: Anything Goes
• Simple Doodles: Not A Spring Chick Anymore (Stamp)
  
• Squigglefly: Blues and Greens
• The Creative Cottage: Going 'Green'
  
• The Pink Elephant: Aqua
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: PTI and Stampin' Up
• Stamp: Damask Pattern by Tim Holtz for Stampers' Anonymous; Sentiment by Papertrey Ink
• Ink: "Juniper" Dye Ink by Close to My Heart; "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

The Occasions Mini Catalog Ends in Just 3 Days! Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

Hoppin' with the Ippity Crowd

Happy Monday, Crafty Stampers ... and welcome to my blog, Ippity Hoppers!

So this Monday ... for the first time ... I'm participating in SCS's "Ippity Stamps Blog Hop." For all the Ippity deets, clicky HERE.

I have no idea if there's an additional challenge 'theme' ... other than using Ippity stamps ... but when has knowing what I'm doin' ever stopped me?!? So, here's my Ippity stamps project:

My clean and simple card was created using two stamps from my very first Ippity set: "Simply Home." I fell in love with this primitive-style stamp set after seeing the amazing projects my friend, Chris, created with this fab set. See? It's all your fault, Sistah ...

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the uber-exciting product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooooo, this weekend, I was hangin' out with Sheila when her insane wacky sister, Jill, stopped by.

"So, I almost got killed the other night!" Jill told us.

"Read a book, didcha?" Sheila sniped.

"Hahahaha, very funny. No, I was working at the new house and on the way back to my place, I fell asleep at the wheel!"

"Yikes! That's scary!" Sheila remarked.

"Yeah, and the last thing I remember hearing was, 'and now, here's a new one from John Tesh.'"

Oh yeah, that'd do it ...

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 52-Card Pickup: Times and Purposes
• Allsorts Challenge: Inspiration (Yellow & Black Butterfly)
  
• Crazy 4 Challenges: Inspiration, Lori's Ribbon/Color Palette/Buttons
• Daring Cardmakers: Die-Cuts
  
• Etsy Inspired: "Bee Things" Goldfinches Limited Edition Print
  
• Gingersnap Creations Random Redhead: Botanical
• Paper Play Challenge: No Patterned Paper
  
• Raise the Bar: Color Me Happy
• Some Odd Girl: No Patterned Paper
• Stampin' B's: Color Challenge
  
• The Secret Crafter: Distressing (Distress Inks)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by PTI
• Stamps: Sentiment and Tree from "Simply Home" Set by Ippity Stamps
• Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black" Dye Ink
• Other Ink: "Scattered Straw," "Shabby Shutters," "Antique Linen," and "Broken China" Distress Inks by Ranger
  
• Color Medium: "Verdigris" Copic Marker
• Accessories: Gingham Ribbon; Vintage Button; Jute Twine
• Tools: Die Cut Machine; Square Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top Folded)
  

Simply Joy Folded ...

TGIF, Stampers! And, since it's another fabulous Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge! This week, Sharon has challenged us to create a "Joy Fold" card.

This fold for a card is just plain, old, FUN to do -- and super easy! Sharon describes the Joy Fold as, "kind of a little card ... on top of a larger card, backwards!" Check out the Joy Fold designs created by the Stamp Simply team for ideas, OR you can create your Joy Fold card by following THIS tutorial created by Beate Johns for Splitcoast Stampers.

Here's a look inside my Joy Fold card:

Please join us this week and create your own "Joy Fold" card ... these cards are perfect for Mother's Day!

When you've completed your Joy Fold card, upload it to your blog or online gallery, then visit Sharon's blog HERE and leave the link to your post using the debonair Mr. Linky, located HERE.

If you upload your card to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, be sure to use keyword: "ssnotime136" so we can find your card.

For the ginormous view of my "Joy Fold" card, simply clicky on the photos ... and for all the joyous product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

And don't miss the fabulous "Joy Fold" cards created by Sharon and the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jennifer Buck: The Buck Stamps Here (Jenn is off this week);

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat (Jenny is off this week);

Tammy Hershberger: Stamp Happy (Tammy is on hiatus this month);

Sharon Johnson: No Time to Stamp?;

Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and, our Special Guest Designer for April and May,

Teresa Kline: Enjoy the VA Sunshine.

Sooooo, I was hangin' out at Sheila's yesterday when Reid-the-Wild-Child came home from school. And, since he wanted a Popsicle for his after-school snack and she was running around doing laundry-type things, Sheila asked me to grab one for him from the freezer.

When I opened up her freezer, I saw row upon row of neatly packaged items. Neatly packaged AND labeled. And the labels read, "Whatever," "I Don't Care," "You Decide," "I Don't Know," "Anything," and "Food."

"Ummm, Sheila? What's goin' on in your freezer?" I asked.

"Whaddya mean, 'what's goin' on in my freezer'?"

"Well, all these packages are labeled 'Whatever,' or 'I Don't Care,' or 'You Decide'. Stuff like that."

"OHHH, well, that's my new method of meal planning! See, every time I ask Ken what he wants for dinner, he can't say, "meatloaf," or "chicken," or "pot roast." He says things like ... 'whatever,' or 'I don't know.' So, now, instead of getting all frustrated and wasting a bunch of time, when I ask him what he wants for dinner ... and he says, 'whatever,' I pull out a package of 'whatever.'"

"But ... do you know what's inside 'whatever?'" I asked.

"Sure; it's frozen 'whatever.' And 'whatever' is one of his favorite meals ... he asks for it all the time!"

Sheila is an evil genius ...

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... have a fantastic weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 365 Cards, Day 54: Fancy Folds / Joy Fold
• A Spoon Full of Sugar: Happy Birthday
• Crafty Creations: Distressing (DP is Heavily Distressed)
• Fab 'n' Funky: Get It All Out (Neglected Paper Collection)
• Nutshells Challenge: Think Spring
  
• S2G Twisted Thursday: Spring Has Sprung/Flowers

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Soft Suede" and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Perfect Day" Collection by Close to My Heart
• Stamps: Sentiments from Signature Greetings Set by PTI; Sprig Engraving by Rubber Stampede
• Ink: "Juniper" Dye Ink by Close to My Heart; "Soft Suede" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up;
• Accessories: Magnetic Snaps by Basic Grey; 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

It's Earth Day ... Thank a Tree!

Happy Earth Day, Crafty Stampers! Hope your week is treatin' you kindly!

Since today actually is Earth Day, why not take a moment today to hug a tree? Or thank an owl?

Today's card project was created for the "Cards Blog" call for cards created with wood grain featured on them. It matters not if the wood grain is stamped, embossed, from patterned paper, or hand drawn ... it just has to be wood grain. Sounds easy, no?

To create my wood grain card, I stamped my large wood grain background stamp on a Kraft card stock base, then die-cut the owl, the branch, and the sentiment. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... for all of the fascinating product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooo, I was hangin' out at Sheila's yesterday when her mail was delivered. In it was a box addressed to Reid-the-Wild-Child from Sheila's dear MIL.

As is her usual practice, Sheila prepared to tear into the package but I insisted that she wait. After all, Reid would be home in less than an hour ... and I gently reminded her what happened the last time she opened mail from her MIL addressed to Ken. For the back-story, clicky HERE.

As soon as Reid came home, Sheila thrust the package into his hands and insisted he open it immediately. What kid needs to be told that twice?!?

The Wild-Child stuck in his thumb ... and pulled out a ... journal!

"What am I supposed to do with this, Mom? There's nothing in here ... all the pages are blank." Reid asked, turning the journal in his hands.

"Oh, well, you write down interesting stuff that happens to you," she said, clearly as bored with the contents of the package as Reid was.

"Oh," he said, a look of enlightenment crossing his face. "It's like a blog on paper!"

Thanks for spending part of your busy Earth Day here on my paper-less blog!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Crafty Cardmakers: Desert Island (Kraft CS/Die-Cut Machine/Dies)
• Creative Belli: Die-Cut Shapes
• Die Cuts R Us: Earth Day
  
• Gingersnap Creations Chestnut Theme: The Good Earth
• Glenda's Random Amusing Challenge: Kraft and White
  
• Inktegrity Design Team: Sketch
• One Stop Craft Challenge: Things with Wings
• Pals Paper Arts: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Sweetie)
  
• Simon Says Challenge: Things with Wings
• Stamp With Fun: Animals
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Stamp: "Wood Grain" Background Stamp by Hero Arts
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Quikutz "Owl" Die; Quickutz "Branch" Die; Cuttlebug "Thanks" Die; Quickie Glue Pen; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

Celebrate Today ...

Happy Stump Day, Hampers! Hope your week is flyin' by!

Today's card project was created for my woefully depleted birthday card stash using a cute l'il tree stamp from Hero Arts and a sentiment from PTI:

I stamped the Cherry Blossom tree three times on card stock, colored the blossoms with Copic markers, and added a piece of fringed DP for my 'grass' covered hillside. I stamped my sentiment and swirly-thingie on a metal-edge tag, tied on some twill tape, added two buttons, and finis! So easy, even I could do it!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all the fabulous product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooooo, on Sunday night, Sheila and I and our respective DH's went to a house-warming party for mutual friends. Of course, crazy Jill and her weird boyfriend Jack, were invited too.

At the party, we were introduced to our friends' younger brother, Todd and his wife, Beverly.

"So, Todd, what do you do for a living?" Sheila asked.

"Well, it's a bit more complicated but for brevity's sake, I work as a Defense Contractor." Todd answered.

We all nodded and smiled and the conversation moved on to other things ... until Jack asked:

"So, what do you put up mainly? Chain-link?"

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• AiFactory Challenge: Birthday
• Creative Card Crew: Happy Birthday
• Frosted Designs: Trees
• Paper Cutz: Use a Tag
• Paper Sundaes: No People
  
• Pile It On: Finally Spring
• Totally Papercrafts: Spring
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Soft Suede" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Perfect Day" Collection by CTMH
• Stamps: "Cherry Blossom Tree" Tree from Sketched Trees Set by Hero Arts; Sentiment and Swirly-Thingie by PTI
• Ink: Soft Suede Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
• Accessories: Twill Tape Ribbon by Stampin' Up; Metal-Edge Tag by Stampin' Up; Buttons; Natural Jute Twine
• Tools: Corner Chomper; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (Top Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

A Love Note; And It's Not Even a Love Day!

Happy Tuesday, Crafty Stampers!

Two weeks ago, I won a Featured Artist gig at Doodle Palace Designs. As Featured Artist, my pleasure was to chose this week's Doodle Palace challenge. So, today's card project was created for that:

This week's challenge as chosen by yours truly is a 'dealer's choice.' You can play along by creating a project based on the following themes:

1. A color challenge (strictly black & red & one neutral);

2. A challenge to use chipboard;

3. A challenge to create a graduation card or gift;

4. A challenge to use numbers and/or letters on your project;

5. A challenge to use recycled/upcycled items (a vintage dictionary page was used here);

6. A challenge to create a "vintage-inspired" project.

OR, any combination of the above.

For all of the challenging deets, and to play along, clicky HERE to visit Doodle Palace.

I also created this card with the current Play Date Cafe 'Color Splash' challenge in mind. I looked at the inspiration photo and saw black, white and a splash of red. 'Cuz I'm color-blind. But when I went to create the link-up for this blog post, I took a closer look and saw it was ... ummm, orange. So, here it is anyway, PDCC Ladies ... I hope it's okay to link up with you, but I missed the last two challenges and I promised myself that I would get an entry in this week iff'in' it killed me! 'Cuz even though I can't read, am color-blind, and need to adjust my monitor, I love you guys. For all the fabulous PDCC25 challenge details, clicky HERE. And feel free to count me out of the contest, I just wanted to participate ... said bravely 'cuz those stamps are Da. Bomb. and I covet them!

I stamped my vintage-inspired image on 'Very Vanilla' card stock, matted it with 'Real Red,' and tied a twill alphabet ribbon around the image. I adhered a salvaged dictionary page to my card base and added some 'Blackboard' chipboard letters and numbers. A l'il label created with my newly rediscovered Dymo label maker and two die-cut stars and I was done!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all the challenging product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooo, yesterday I was hangin' out at Sheila's when we got to talking about back exercises ... exercises that I'm supposed to do almost daily. Sheila told me she had just read about this great, easy exercise that would help strengthen my back muscles and relieve pain.

"Sounds good; show me." I said.

And off we go to her bedroom so she can walk me through the exercise. Now, before you get any funny ideas, the reason we went to her bedroom is 'cuz it's carpeted. The rest of her house ... like my house and virtually every house in South Florida ... has tile floors throughout ... except for bedrooms. And tile is very unforgiving, especially on my already sore back, kwim?

So, I get down on the floor alongside her bed and in doing so, noticed something under her bed. It was a note, from her DH, on which was written, "Sheila, it's been more than two years since we re-carpeted our bedroom. Don't you think it's time to clean under here? Love, Ken."

And, I hasten to add, it was really closer to three years when we found this note. I'm sure Sheila wanted you to know that detail, too!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 365 Cards, Day 50: (Stamp-Over 1 year/Gift-Twill Alphabet Ribbon/Forgot-Chipboard)
• Ann's Creative Nook: Use That Chipboard!
• Die-Cut Dreams: Tear it Up (Top of Image)
• Drunken Stampers: Junk Drawer (Found My Label Maker; Thanks!)
• Forever Friends: Use Numbers
  
• Incy Wincy Designs: Black and White with One (Red)
• Our Daily Bread Designs: Recycle It (Dictionary Page)
• The Play Date Cafe: Color Splash (Red; Supposed to Be Orange!)
  
• Practical Scrappers: Floss, Fibers, Ribbons (Twill Ribbon)
  
• Scrappy Frogs: Pick 3 (Die-Cuts/No Coloring/Tearing)
  
• Stamptacular Sunday: A Penguin Celebration

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Basic Black," "Real Red," and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Other Paper: Vintage (1951) Dictionary Page
• Stamp: Time to Stamp
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Old Paper" Distress Ink by Ranger
  
• Accessories: "Retro" Blackboard Chipboard by Cosmo Cricket; Twill Alphabet Ribbon by Remember When
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Star-Shaped Dies; Dymo Label Maker; Sponge Tool; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

It's Rainin' Cats and Frogs!

Happy Monday, hoarding card-makers ... hope your weekend was absolutely fab-YOU-lous!

Today's card project was created for the current Digi Kitty Challenge. This is a progressive challenge ... as long as you keep playing, you'll keep receiving free digital stamps. I made my card using one of the cute l'il frog images from their "Splish Splash" digital stamp set:

I printed out the l'il frogs and colored them with Copic markers, then cut 'em out and adhered them to my card base using dimensionals. The cloudy sky DP is layered on card stock as is the stamped sentiment. Easy-peasy-froggy-squeezy!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... for the 4-1-1 on all the slammin' products I used, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, this weekend, Sheila and I teamed up with her insane wacky sister, Jill, to do some fun shopping. Fun as in, stuff for us ... nothing for the house, the kids, or the refrigerator.

Since we planned on shopping w-a-y out of our normal stomping grounds Sheila asked Jill to do one simple thing: go to MapQuest, get directions, print 'em out, and hand 'em over.

When we picked Jill up, Sheila asked for the map, took a long look at it and exclaimed, "What the ... !!! How is it possible that you manage to have a job and buy a home, yet somehow you can't manage to get directions?!?" Sheila fumed.

"What? I did get the directions ... you're holding them in your hand!"

"Oh, yeah, I'm holding directions all right ... directions from the shopping Mall back to my house!"

"Well, yeah, duh! If we got lost going to the Mall, it would be no big deal, but if we got lost going home, well, we'd really be in big trouble then!"

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Alphabet Challenge: Y is for Yellow (On Umbrellas)
• Doodle Palace: Funny Animals / Digital Image
• Hand Full of Stamps: You're Special to Me (My DS & DIL)
  
• Meljen's Designs: 3-D (Frogs on Dimensionals)
• Paper Sundaes: No People
  
• Papertake Weekly: Cutie-Pie
• Res-Q-Challenge: Take a Mental Health Day
  
• Stamp Something: Something Layered
• Sundays With Chrissy: Make it a Combo
• The Digi Kitty: Splish Splash Froggy Challenge
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: K&Company
• Digital Image: The Digi Kitty
  
• Stamp: Sentiment from PTI
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Copic Markers
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

Simply Colorful ...

TGIF you crafty stamper, you! And, since it's another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge.

This week, Sharon challenged us to a color challenge. Here's a look at the colorful inspiration:

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it ... is to create a project using this beautiful color combination. Any and all shades of purple, lavender, brown, and ivory will do.

After you post your project to your blog or online gallery, go to Sharon's blog, HERE, and link your post to Mr. Linky, located HERE. If you upload your project to an online gallery such as Splitcoast Stampers, please used Keyword: "ssnotime135" so that we can find your project.

Totally aside from that, please mention Sharon's Dad in your prayers. He's very ill and needs the positive power of our prayers ... as does Sharon ... at this difficult time. Sending hugs and prayers, Sharon!

I created a card for the challenge, incorporating the "Letterpress" technique:

I inked up an A2 embossing folder with dye ink, inserted my card stock and ran it thru the die-cutting machine, then sponged more ink on the raised surface of the card stock.

I stamped my image using Versamark and dye ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Finally, I added two mats cut from digital paper and tied on a satin ribbon. Quick and dirty!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... for all of the colorful product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Before you go, take a peek at the fabulous projects created by Sharon and the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jennifer Buck: The Buck Stamps Here;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Tammy Hershberger: Stamp Happy (Tammy is on hiatus this month);

Sharon Johnson: No Time to Stamp?;

Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden (AJ is sitting this week out);

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and our special Guest Designer,

Teresa Kline: Enjoy the VA Sunshine.

Sooooooooo, yesterday Sheila and I were hangin' out at her house when her absolutely bonkers fun sister, Jill, stopped by.

"So, I don't think I'll ever have a mother's intuition." Jill said as she sat down.

"Uh oh." Sheila and I said.

"Well, last night I went out for dinner with my friend, Lily, and she left me alone in the restaurant with her 16-month-old kid."

"Uh oh." Sheila and I said.

"So, before she left, I clearly asked her, 'What do I do if he, like, cries?' and she absolutely told me to give him some vegetables."

"Uh oh." Sheila and I said.

"Well, it turn's out that jalapenos are not his favorite vegetable."

"UH OH!!" Sheila and I said.

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... have a great weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• CAS-tastic Challenge: Anything CAS
• Crafty Creations: 1 DP [Designed by Me!] / 1 Image /1 Ribbon)
• Cute Card Thursday: Touchy-Feely
• Fab 'n' Funky: No Longer Neglected (Stamp)
• For Fun Challenge: Theme
  
• Little Red Wagon: Dry Embossing
• Other Lovelies Challenge: Embellishment (Ribbon)
  
• S2G Twisted Thursday: Inspiration Photo (Sunflower)
• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Recipe
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Stampin' Up
• Other Paper: Lavender Paper, Digital Files by Edeline Designs
• Stamp: "Dictionary Design" Collection by Hero Arts
• Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink; Dye Inks by Stampin' Up
  
• Accessories: White Satin Ribbon
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; A2 Embossing Folder; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

If you have any questions about Stampin' Up products or stamping techniques, feel free to contact me HERE.

Say What?

Happy Thursday, Crafty Stampers!

Today's card project was created using a cute rubber stamp from QKR Stampede and designer paper from October Afternoon:

I stamped my focal image on white card stock, then colored it using Copic markers and stamped the sentiment on a die-cut tag.

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the exciting product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooooo, I was hangin' out with Sheila when her DH, Ken, came in to show us an article he was reading.

"See. I knew it: a study proving that women talk more than men!" he said happily, waving a magazine at us. "This study indicates that men use, on the average, only 15,000 words a day, whereas women use 30,000 words a day."

Sheila mulled this over for a minute and then remarked: "Well, sure, of course! It makes perfect sense: we use twice as many words as men because we have to repeat or explain everything we say."

Then Ken asked, "What do you mean?"

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit me today ... you rock!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Creative Belli: Die-Cuts Shapes
• Doodle Palace: Funny Animals
• InStyle Stamps: Sketch and Color
• Order of the Opus Gluei: Birds
  
• Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge: Anything Goes
• Something Completely Different: B is for: Birds
  
• The Creative Cottage: Things with Wings
• The Pink Elephant: 1 Image/2 Dies/3 Embellishments
• The Pixie Cottage: Buttons
• Totally Stampalicious: Critters
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Kiwi Kiss," "Not Quite Navy," and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Report Card" Collection by October Afternoon
• Stamps: Sentiment by PTI; "New Family" Stamp by QKR Stampede
  
• Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black" Dye Ink; "Not Quite Navy" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Sky" Fluid Chalk Ink; Apple Green Fluid Chalk Ink
• Color Medium: Copic Markers (Various)
  
• Accessories: "Kiwi Kiss" Grosgrain Ribbon by Stampin' Up; Hemp Twine; Vintage Buttons; DMC Embroidery Floss
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Large Rectangle Die; Tiny Tag Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

Uh Oh, There's a Face in My Flower!

Happy Stump Day, Hampers! Hard to believe that we're half-way through another week. I seriously need an extra day or two in my weeks.

Today's card project was created using one of my very favorite color combinations and this fun, vintage-inspired stamp:

I stamped my image on card stock twice using dye ink, then cut out the flower petals, the text block, and leaves of the second image. I colored my images using Copic markers, then layered the second images over the first for some dimension.

I added some SU Filigree brad-thingies, turquoise brads, and a bit of sheer polka-dot ribbon. Finally, I added some sparkle with several different colors of Spica glitter pens. So easy, even I could do it!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the mind-bogglin' product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, as you may recall, Dreamy Jack and Crazy Jill are moving in together ... yup, into the "Self-Cleaning House." If you want to know more about the Self-Cleaning House, clicky HERE.

The delusional lovebirds are spending nearly every spare minute working on their new l'il love nest, so when I saw them last weekend, I asked how the new house was shaping up.

"Good, we've been spending the weekends there so we can start work early. And we've got a lot done: we stained and water-proofed (hahahah) the woodwork and painted all the walls. Oh, and we got started on stripping the kitchen cabinets." Jill told me.

"Wow, you have been busy!" I said.

"Yeah, but all of the fumes have been getting me high." Jill giggled. "I think I'm finally starting to come down though, because the monster in my broom closet wasn't there this morning."

And she doesn't have a broom closet either ...

Thanks so much for swingin' by today ... you rock!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Copic Creations: Flowers / Copic Markers
• Crafty Angels: Favorite Things (Color Combination, Filigree Brads)
  
• Design Dollies: A Walk in the Park
• Forever Friends: Spring
• Incy Wincy Designs: Something Magical
• Oh, Alice!: You Can Learn a Lot From Flowers
• Quixotic Challenge: Heavy Metal
  
• Something Completely Different: Brads / Blossom
  
• Stamping Vacation: Pick 3 (Leaves / 2 Embellies / Cuttlebug
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Bermuda Bay" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Honey Pie" Collection by Cosmo Cricket
• Stamp: Flower Collage Stamp, Unknown (Unmounted)
• Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black" Dye Ink by Tsukineko
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
  
• Accessories: Sheer Polka-Dot Ribbon; Designer Filigree Brads by Stampin' Up; Turquoise Brad Pitts
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Mini Glue Dots; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

Happy Birthday Old Timer ...

Happy Tuesday, Hoarding Card Makers!

Today's very vintage card project was created for my "Dreaded-Older-Man-Card" birthday card stash using three stamps and designer papers from BasicGrey:

I stamped my Sailboat/Map Collage and sentiment images using dye ink on card stock and a raffle ticket, then added lots of distressing and ink-sponging. I layered three different designer papers from BG's "Periphery" collection, added a metal key, a bit of scalloped edged card stock, and finis.

This would be a good time to send a big thank you to Denise at Stamping Vacation for drawing my name in her challenge. My prize was a gift certificate redeemable at River City Rubber ... which I promptly used to snag this beautiful Sailboat/Map Collage stamp. Thanks a bunch, Denise, I ♥ my new stamp!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for the 4-1-1 on all the products I used, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, this weekend, Reid-the-Wild-Child had his l'il friend, Eric, over to play. The boys wanted to spend the day riding bikes, but Eric is still on training-wheels and can't keep up with the Wild-Child. This minor snag bugged the over-achieving Sheila to no end.

So, I wasn't a bit surprised when Sheila said, "Well, Eric, it looks like it's time to teach you how to ride a two-wheeler!"

She got his training wheels off, gave him a pep-talk, put him on the bike, and gave him a running start.

"Eric! Step back on the pedals and the bike will brake!" Sheila shouted.

Eric nodded, but keep going ... straight into a mess of thorny bushes.

"Why didn't you push back on the pedals?" Sheila asked, helping him up.

"But, you said if I did, the bike would break."

Thanks so much for stopping by ... hope you have a great day!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Cupcake Craft Challenge: Childhood Memories (Sailing)
• Cute Card Thursday: Mono-Mania
• Die-Cut Dreams: Vintage / No Coloring Allowed
• One Stitch at a Time: Torn, Distressed, or Shabby
• Paper Cutz: 3 DP's (2 on Card Base, 1 behind Raffle Ticket)
• Simple Doodles: Inspire Others (Open)
• SophisiCat Challenge: So Distressing
  
• Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle: Birthday
• Sunday's With Chrissy: Combo's (Designer Paper/Dies/Stamps)
• Tellen's Place: It's All About You
• The Crazy Challenge: Don't Call Me Flat
• Timbroscrapmania: Distressing

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Dark Chocolate" Card Stock by PTI; "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Three Patterns from the "Periphery" Collection by BasicGrey
• Other Paper: Raffle Ticket
• Stamps: Sailboat/Map Collage by River City Rubber; "Genuine" Sentiment by Limited Edition; "Vintage" Sentiment by Hampton Art Stamps
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Old Paper" and "Tea Dye" Distress Inks by Ranger
• Accessories: Metal Key
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Large and Small Label Dies by Spellbinders; Scallop Border Punch by Stampin' Up; Distressing Tool and Ink Blending Tool by Ranger; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

Is That a Sandwich in Your Pocket, Or ...

Happy Monday and welcome to another week, Crafty Stampers!

Today's card project was created for my all-occasion card stash using this sweet image from Hero Arts' "Dictionary Designs" collection:

I bought this stamp new in 2002 and since then have been trying to find all of the other stamps in this Collection. To date, in eight years of searching, I've found only one additional stamp ... and coincidentally, I made a card this weekend with it! I'll show you that card later on this week. I'll bet you can hardly wait ...

I stamped my Blossom image with dye ink, colored the flower with Copic markers, and double-matted the focal image. It's barely visible in my photo, but I used a 'dotted' background stamp inked with Versamark for some interest. Isn't it interesting that you can't see it?

I cut out a wavy border with a punch, tied on some grosgrain ribbon, threaded two buttons with white hemp twine, and finis. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

For the ginormous view of my card, and to catch a glimpse of that elusive background stamp, clicky on the photo ... for all the exciting product info, check out the card recipe, below.

Sooooooooo, this weekend Sheila and her DH had some friends and family over. Of course, Sheila's certifiably insane quirky sister, Jill, was invited. And, of course, crazy quirky Jill brought along the equally insane quirky boyfriend, Jack.

To get the full effect of this story, you really should read THIS POST first. Go ahead, we'll wait.

So, after all the 'hello-what's-new-how-ya-doin's,' Jack and Jill joined us poolside.

"So, does this ever happen to you?" Jack started.

Sheila and I exchanged looks 'cuz that sentence is Jack-Code for, "I'm About to Say Something Really Stupid."

"Yeah, so the other day, I discovered my wallet was, like, sitting in the refrigerator on the top shelf." Jack continued. "And then, when I went to put it in my back pocket, I found a cheese sandwich back there! True story!"

"What is WITH you and sandwiches?!?" Sheila exclaimed. "Do you make this crap up so we'll think you're amusing ... or are you just a freakin' idiot?!?!?"

"Ummm, well, I just like sandwiches and you know stuff, like, happens." Jack answered.

It was right about then that Sheila's SIL came out of the house, sat down, and said, "Strange; I just found half of a ham and cheese sandwich in your Powder Room, Sheila. On the toilet tank."

"Jack, if you've wiped your butt with my expensive guest towels, I'm gonna have to kill you." Sheila growled. Seriously, it was a growl ...

Sheepishly, Jack stood up, reached around to his backside and removed ...



half of a ham and cheese sandwich.

OMG!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 52-Card Pick-Up: Theme (To Blossom; Flourish)
• Aly's Sunday Challenge: Buttons
• C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: Buttons
• Eat, Sleep, Stamp: Sketch
  
• Etsy Inspired: Mousemarket's "Spring Lollipop Ring"
• For Fun Challenge: Flowers, Showers, or Spring
  
• KL Stampin' and Scrappin': Organic (Hemp Twine)
• Meljen's Designs: Girly Colors
  
• Oh, Alice: Flowers
• Our Creative Corner: Bows (Behind Buttons)
  
• Pals Paper Arts: Flowers
• Quixotic Challenge: The Joys of Spring
  
• Raise the Bar: Spring Colors
• Res-Q Challenge: Clues (Buttons/Flowers/Punch/Yellow)
• Something Completely Different: "B" is For: Buttons, Bows, 'Blossom' Text
  
• The Crafty Pad: Use Colors of the Rainbow
• Treehouse Thursday Challenge: Color (Lavender/Yellow/Neutral)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Whisper White" by Stampin' Up; PTI
• Stamps: "Blossom" Stamp by Hero Arts; "Decorative Dots" Stamp (Retired) by Stampin' Up
• Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink by Tsukineko; "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
• Accessories: White Hemp Twine; Buttons; Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tools: Wavy Dotted Border Punch by EK Success; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE