Sugarplums Beachies

I'm having one of those weeks. You know, the kind when you're on a hamster wheel, running to stand still. I feel like I'm one step behind with everything I'm trying to do, and my morning totally got away from me. So here I am at lunchtime posting what I had hoped to have posted early this morning...

Here's a look at one of the Sugarplums Beachies by C.C. Designs. This is Emma, and she has a friend named Trevor. There are four different images, each one cuter than the last! :) The sentiment is from Beach Sentiments by AmyR Stamps. Both will be released Monday, May 4 at All That Scraps!

Stop by the ATS Blog to see some adorable samples! While you're there, leave a comment for a chance to win your own set!

Thanks for stopping by today -- I'll have another preview tomorrow!

Have a great day! :)

Christina

Stamps: Sugarplums Beachies Emma (C.C. Designs) Ink: Momento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko), Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Regal Rose (SU!) Cardstock: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Summer Cool Banana Flip Flop (Imaginisce) Other: Copics, dotted grosgrain ribbon (May Arts), Dotted Waves border punch (EK Success), natural hemp twine, circle punches, stamping sponges, dimensionals (SU!)

Meet Tilly!

Happy Wednesday! Today begins previews of the May releases from All That Scraps! This is Tilly, the new set from Diane Zechman's Cookie Crumbs Stamps. This sentiment is one of my favorites from the set -- I can think of several people to whom I could send this! ;)

Stop by the ATS Blog today to see more samples with this set and to find out how you can win a set of your own! All the new releases will be available Monday, May 4 at 10:00 pm.

The previews continue tomorrow -- I hope you'll stop back! Thanks so much for the visit today!

Have a great day! :)
Christina

Stamps: Tilly (Cookie Crumbs Stamps) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Old Olive (SU!) Cardstock: Basic Black (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Summer Picnic dsp, Real Red Prints (SU!) Other: Copic markers, Labels One Nestabilities (Spellbinders), ticket corner punch (SU!), Beetle Black Blossoms Braddies (Doodlebug), gingham ribbon, white gel pen, sponge, dimensionals

A Busy Day!

Hi there! Today I'm working on previews for the All That Scraps and My Favorite Things May releases, so I don't have a project to share just yet!! ;)

Be sure to stop back tomorrow, 'cause it will be time for the first ATS Preview! All I can say about the new sets is... CUTE!!!

Also, tonight at 10 pm Eastern the MFT Idol Top Five will have their projects uploaded and ready for voting -- you'll have until 10 pm tomorrow (Wednesday) to vote for your favorites!

Have a great day, everyone -- thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Christina

WTG Monday

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was very busy -- soccer games, lacrosse match, a fundraiser -- and our temperatures were summer-like (upper 80's), so I didn't get much stamping done! I didn't even get much time for blurfing, so that's on my agenda for today!

I did get time last night to make my sample for today's MFT Who's That Girl Challenge. Joanne is the hostess this week, and the featured set is Rain or Shine. The challenge is to use a minimum of six brads on your project.

My layout is Frances's MFT Sketch, and the paper is SU!'s Sweet Always. I colored with Copics and embellished with machine stitching and SU! brads and ribbon. To make the umbrella, I stamped the image in Clearsnap Watermark onto the dp, then I heat embossed with clear EP. I cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals.

We hope you can play along with the challenge! If you don't have this set, just use any MFT set and have fun! Use keyword MFTWTG32 when uploading to Splitcoaststampers. If you upload by midnight Wednesday, you have a chance to win a $5 gift certificate to My Favorite Things!

I'm so glad you stopped by today -- thanks so much for visiting!

Have a wonderful day!

Christina

Happy Friday!

It's Friday -- TGIF!! I have two cards to share with you today. The first is for the Ways to Use It Challenge to use white cardstock only. I used lots of layers and sponging, and I really like the way it turned out! I needed a wedding card, so this was the perfect reason to make it! I used Silhouette Blooms I and Spanish Script Backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms. The ink is Baja Breeze and Basic Black.

I went with a cleaner, simpler design for this next card. The ATS Design Team is reviewing two new sets: Gingersnaps Celebrate! and Birthday Sentiments. I used BasicGrey Cupcake paper and colored with Copics. Stop by the ATS Blog today to see more samples with these fun sets!

That's it for today! We have a busy weekend ahead, and we're expecting very warm weather, so I may or may not get some stamping done -- wish me luck! ;)

Have a great day everyone -- thanks for stopping by!

Christina

Gift Card Holder

Hello, everyone! Happy Thursday to you! A couple days ago my friend Traci asked me to make a card for her niece's Confirmation, and she wanted it to hold a gift card. So, I put together this card for her. It's the standard A2 size with a pocket inside to hold the gift card. It could also hold money or a treat! I used the colors from this week's SCS Color Challenge, and I also used my new Verve Stamps.

I started with a 5 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock. I scored it at 4 1/4" and 8 1/2", leaving a 2 1/2" flap to fold up for the gift card.

I placed a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of dp on the inside of the card. I scalloped the edge of the bottom panel, and I applied red line tape to the sides.

(NOTE: after I took the photo I added a second line of adhesive on both sides, closer to the center, so that the gift card would stay tight in the pocket. This isn't necessary if you are placing something larger in the pocket.)

Here is the inside of the card with the pocket folded up and a gift card inside. I added a 1 7/8" x 5 1/4" strip of dp to the pocket.

I decided to add the smaller butterfly stamp on the inside to finish it. There is still plenty of room for a personal message!

This was an easy way to make a gift card holder, and I'm sure I'll be doing it again! If you make one, link back here so I can see it! :)

That's all for today! Thank you for visiting!

Have a great day!

Christina

Stamps: Beautiful Kindness, Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) Ink: Basic Gray, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette (SU!) Cardstock: Rose Red, Basic Gray, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Bella Rose dsp (SU!) Other: Labels One Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Button (BasicGrey), dotted organdy ribbon (May Arts), scallop edge punch, 1" circle punch, Sticky Strip, stamping sponge, dimensionals (SU!)

Thinking outside the Box!

Happy Wednesday! Today's ATS Wednesday Challenge is to think outside the box! Use those stamps in a way they weren't intended to be used! I have to say that this challenge stumped me for a while, but then this idea just popped in my head... and I went with it!

It's a pretty simple design -- I just took this butterfly from Spring Things! and made a spring wreath. I even scored some panels on the white cardstock so it looks like a door!

We'd love to see what you can do! Use keyword ATSDTC46 when uploading to All That Scraps or SCS. All of the challenges can be found HERE -- do any one at any time! Lesa will have the Design Team projects for this challenge on the ATS Blog, so be sure to check them out!

I'm so glad you stopped by today -- have a wonderful spring day!

Christina

Stamps: Gingersnaps Spring Things! (C.C. Designs) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Wild Raspberry (K & Company) Other: oval punches (SU!), dotted organdy ribbon (May Arts), Branch punch (Martha Stewart), self-adhesive rhinestones, white gel pen

Who's That Girl Challenge

Happy Monday! Joanne and I have another Who's That Girl Challenge for you! This week we're featuring the MFT set She's Having a Baby, and the challenge is to use non-traditional baby colors! I went with the MFT colors of Black, Pink, and White, since today is also Celebrate MFT Day!

I stamped the image on one of my Perfect Paper Panels. Omgosh, they are SO great! They come in packs of A2 sized panels, just perfect for stamping and coloring your images. And, let me tell you, my Copics blend beautifully on them! Kim did a lot of work to find the perfect paper for coloring, and she definitely succeeded! :)

The rest of the card is pretty straightforward. The ribbon treatment is one that I've seen quite a lot lately, and I had to try it myself! I really love the way it looks -- you'll probably be seeing a lot more of it! ;) I used ribbon from the Royalty Ribbon Bundle, and I topped it with a button and some dotted organdy ribbon.

Be sure to check out the MFT Weekly Spotlight each Monday -- it's on my sidebar. This week it's Peerless Watercolors! There will be the usual fun in the MFT Forum at SCS as well -- stop by when you can! :)

Well, that's it for me today! Thanks so much for the visit!

Have a fantastic day!
Christina

Stamps: She's Having a Baby (MFT) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: white, Basic Black, Regal Rose, MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: Rockabilly dsp, Sweet Always dsp (SU!) Other: Copics, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots folder, oval punches, scallop edge punch, MFT Royalty Ribbon, BasicGrey button, May Arts dotted organdy ribbon, dimensionals

Donut Diet

Hello! We're back from our spring break trip and settled into things again! We had a great time hiking, shopping and just being together, but I'm glad to be home! I was itching to stamp something, so I played with this fun Emerson Quillin Small Meals image from American Art Stamp. Now this is my kind of diet! ;)

I colored with Copics and added gold highlights to her earrings and hat with Gold Lame Smooch pearlized ink. I lightly distressed all the edges, and I sponged with Summer Sun ink. The chipboard flourish is covered with Blackbird Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink.

This was a fun card to make -- I hope you like it! Now I'm off to enjoy some gorgeous weather -- sunny and 75 degrees! :) Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a great day!

Christina

Stamp: Small Meals (American Art Stamp) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Blackbird Colorbox Fluid Chalk, Gold Lame Smooch (Clearsnap); Summer Sun (SU!) Cardstock: Basic Black (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Craft Fair (American Crafts) Other: Top Note die, gingham ribbon (Offray), Obsessions flower (Prima), button (BasicGrey), chipboard flourish (Making Memories), Cutter Kit (SU!), self-adhesive pearls, sponge, dimensionals

Buttons and Bows

This week's ATS Challenge (ATSDTC45) is to use buttons. I made this card for my brand-new niece Emma, born Easter Sunday! :)

You can play along and upload your card to the ATS Wednesday Challenge Gallery. All of the challenges are listed HERE -- play along with any challenge at any time!

Don't forget to stop by the ATS Blog to see what the Design Team came up with!

Thanks for visiting today!

Have a fantastic day!
Christina

Stamps: Amy's Boutique, Boutique Sentiments (AmyR Stamps) Ink: Momento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko) Cardstock: white, Bazzill textured brown Paper: Sultry 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: eyelet border punch, BasicGrey buttons, white thread, dimensionals, Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder, May Arts ribbon

MFT Mid-month Releases!

Hey, everyone! It's Wednesday, and it's the middle of the month, so that means My Favorite Things is releasing two new sets today! They are so much fun to work with!

On this first sample I used the new BC Dzyns set Text Ya Later. I love the BCD line -- since I have a teenage daughter, I can SO relate! As a matter of fact, when I made this card I did it with Megan in mind: a little distressed, slightly off-center, and always with a phone in her hand! ;) I asked her which sentiment she thought I should use, and she chose this one. It's a favorite saying of a good friend. She gave me the thumbs-up when the card was finished!

I used BasicGrey Recess 12x12 paper for this card, and I kept with the school theme with the SU! spiral and tab punches. I used one of the pattern squares from the cover of the paper pack to paper piece her shirt. It's one of the many tricks I've picked up from Michele, who is the queen of paper piecing in my book! :) I colored with Copics and sponged the edges of the image panel and tab.

This next set is the newest one in the MFT Presents line. It's by a new illustrator, Amanda Baird, who just happens to be Carole's niece! The set is called What a Girl Wants, and it just makes me smile! This diva has had a long day of shopping, but she just can't resist one more peek into the boutique window! Ah, so much to buy, so little time! ;)

I borrowed the awning from Meet Me at the Cafe -- it works perfectly with this set! I used BasicGrey Marrakech paper throughout the card, and I paper pieced the shopping bags and the dress. The awning and hat box are popped up on dimensionals. I gave her some "real" pearls with Liquid Pearls, and I used a Stardust pen on her tiara and shoes. The rest of the coloring was done with Copics.

Since I'm on vacation (I pre-scheduled this post), I'm not participating in the MFT Blog Hop for these two sets. But, don't let that stop you from checking it out! Head over to Kim's Blog and hop on through 'til the end -- you'll surely see a lot of eye candy! :)

Thank you so much for visiting today! Have a fantastic day! :)

Christina

Who's That Girl?

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope your Easter was filled with lots of good things! Today Joanne is your hostess for the Who's That Girl Challenge (MFTWTG30) on the MFT Forum. The featured set is Hangin' with my Peeps, and the challenge is to use the MFT summer papers (or digi papers, or paper color palette). I went a little crazy and used almost all of the patterns on this card! :)

I paper pieced her clothes and colored the rest with Copics. I cut out the chickies and popped them up on rolled up glue dots. I embellished with Prima Flowers, SU! Hodgepodge hardware, and ribbon from the MFT Summer Ribbon Collection.

Well, it's spring break for my kids this week, so we're headed to a friend's cabin in Gatlinburg, TN for a few days. I have some posts all ready to go while I'm gone, so I hope you'll stop back! On Wednesday there's a MFT mid-month release you won't want to miss! :)

Thank you for visiting today and every day! I appreciate all my readers SO much! :)

Have a fantastic day!

Christina

Happy Easter, everyone! May your day be blessed!

Cupcake Birthday

Hi, everyone! Today's card is one I made a couple days ago for two different challenges. I did the MFT Sketch Challenge and the Ways to Use It Challenge (using labels). I paper pieced the cupcake bottom, colored with Copics and sponged the edges of the image panel. I dusted off my Dymo Label Maker for the sentiment!

It's a quick post today -- I have quite a few things to take care of before tomorrow! I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far!

Thanks for visiting -- have a great day! :)
Christina

Stamps: Cupcake Flopsey (MFT) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Kiwi Kiss (SU!) Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black (SU!), MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: Rockabilly dsp (SU!) Other: Copics, Dymo Label Maker, Circle Nestabilities, dotted organdy ribbon, Prima flowers, Doodlebug Braddie, MFT Adornments crystals, sponge, dimensionals

Little Ladybug

Hello there! Today the ATS Design Team is doing a review of the recently released set by Cookie Crumbs Stamps, Ladybug Friends. I love this sweet image of the ladybug on the flower! I don't know if there really are flowers this color, but I like it anyway! :)

I colored with Copics and lightly sponged the edges of the image panel. You can't see it in the photo, but I painted Angel Wings Shimmerz on the flower after I colored it. It's really pretty IRL!

I have to admit, I fussed and fussed with this card -- I just couldn't get it to "sit right" with me (I do this a lot -- I'm a really slooooooow stamper). I just felt that it needed something, but I couldn't figure out what it was. Then I put the red mat behind the image panel -- ta da! :)

Stop by the ATS Blog today to see what the rest of the DT has done with this adorable set!

I hope your weekend is off to a good start. Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Ladybug Friends (Cookie Crumbs Stamps) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Soft Sky (SU!) Cardstock: Soft Sky, Old Olive (SU!), MFT Perfect Paper Panels Paper: Playful Petals (Daisy Bucket) Other: Copics, Angel Wings Shimmerz, paper piercer, mat pack, white button, red dotted organdy ribbon, scallop edge punch, corner rounder, sponge, dimensionals

Practically Perfect!

Happy Wednesday! Here is my card for this week's SCS Color Challenge. It's a great color combination -- Bashful Blue, So Saffron, and Close to Cocoa. I have really been wanting to ink up this Practically Perfect set by Verve Stamps -- these colors were the perfect reason to do it! :)

It's a pretty simple design -- I just did some paper piecing, sponging, and machine stitching to give interest and texture. The papers were perfect for the challenge, and they did most of the work for me. I love it when that happens!

Thanks so much for visiting today! I always appreciate it when you stop by!

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Practically Perfect (Verve Stamps) Ink: Momento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko), So Saffron (SU!) Cardstock: So Saffron, Close to Cocoa (SU!); Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Delicate Dots dsp (SU!) Other: Copics, Circle Nestabilities, Button Latte, Bashful Blue striped grosgrain ribbon, circle punches, white gel pen, sponge, dimensionals, sewing machine, white thread

WTG Challenge: Emboss It!

Happy Monday, everyone! Today's MFT Who's That Girl Challenge is to use the set You Take the Cake. The additional challenge is to use embossing (heat or dry) on your project.

On my card I heat embossed the background circles (from Let's Go for a Walk) with white EP, and I heat embossed the main image with black EP. I watercolored the image with an Aquapainter and SU! reinkers.

We hope you can play along with the challenge! Use keyword MFTWTG29 when uploading to SCS. Upload by midnight Wednesday, 4/8 for a chance to win a $5 gift certificate to My Favorite Things!


In other news, Don't forget about the release at All That Scraps tonight at 10:00 Eastern -- hope to see you on the Message Board before the release! :)

Thanks for stopping by today -- I really do appreciate it!

Have a fantastic day!
Christina

Stamps: You Take the Cake, Let's Go for a Walk (MFT) Ink: White Craft (SU!), Watermark (Clearsnap), misc. SU! inks for watercoloring Cardstock: Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Sweet Celebrations (Bella Blvd) Other: white EP, black detail EP, Aquapainter, Frosted Lace Stickles, scallop edge punch, dotted organdy ribbon, MFT Adornments crystals, dimensionals

More ATS Previews!

Hello! Happy Saturday! I have a couple more All That Scraps Previews for you today! The first is for the set Ladybug Friends by Cookie Crumbs Stamps. Diane has created some adorable ladybug images! Here I colored with Prismacolor Pencils, added white gel pen highlights, and sponged the edges. I created some grass with Pale Green Flower Soft. The paper is Lady Bug Ball from the Twitterpated line by Imaginisce. I embellished with Prima flowers, a Lady Bug Blossom Braddie, and SU! organza ribbon.

You can see more Design Team samples of this set on the ATS Blog HERE.

In honor of C.C. Designs' second anniversary, Christine created this Gingersnaps Celebrate! stamp set. Here's a Gingersnap on top of a big birthday cupcake! I colored with Copics, added white highlights, and sponged the edges. I used Cotton Candy Stickles on the cupcake icing. The paper is from the Sweet Celebrations line by Bella Blvd.

You can find more Design Team samples of this set on the ATS Blog HERE.

All of the new sets will be released Monday, April 6 at 10:00 pm Eastern time at All That Scraps. We'll be chatting on the Message Board before the release -- I hope you can join us!

That's it for me today! I hope you are having a great weekend -- thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!
Christina

Tweet-ies!

TGIF!! It's been a busy stamping week for me, and now I have previews of the April All That Scraps releases! Each month the ATS stamps get cuter and cuter, don't you think?!? Today I have samples for the C.C. Designs set Tweet-ies. I am IN LOVE with these birds -- they just make me smile!! :)

On my first card I colored the image with Prismacolor Pencils and added white gel pen highlights. Hmmm... this bird looks like he's been partying a little too much! *giggle*

This second card was a fun one to make. I used this gorgeous BasicGrey Marrakech paper, and I brought out two colors of cardstock I NEVER use -- Groovy Guava and Pacific Point! They coordinate perfectly with the dp, and I think I might actually like both colors now! ;) I paper pieced the bird and colored with Copics. Isn't this sentiment great? I'm telling you, I smiled the entire time I was making these cards!

I hope you like the set as much as I do! You can see more Design Team samples on the ATS Blog, and you can also find out how to win a set of your own! All four new stamp sets will be released Monday, April 6 at 10:00 pm Eastern time. Also, don't forget about the C.C. Designs Anniversary Sale! Click HERE to find out more!

I hope you'll stop back tomorrow for more ATS previews! Until then, have a great day!

Christina

Happy Bird-day

Stamps: Tweet-ies (C.C. Designs) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Old Olive (SU!) Cardstock: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Cupcake 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, blending stumps, Oval Nestabilities, SU! ribbon, Dew Drops, Dotted Wave border punch, Inkssentials white gel pen, sponge, dimensionals

What?

Stamps: Tweet-ies (C.C. Designs) Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Groovy Guava (SU!) Cardstock: Groovy Guava, Pacific Point, Whisper White (SU!) Paper: Marrakech 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Copics, Circle Nestabilities, Tag Trio Shapeabilities, Prima Caboodles, SU! 5/16" brads, May Arts ribbon, sponge, dimensionals, sewing machine

SCS Challenge Cards

Happy Thursday, everyone! I'm taking a break between MFT and ATS previews so I can share some other things I worked on this week!

This first card was for last Friday's SCS Limited Supplies Challenge to use black and white only. I had a lot of fun with this, although I so badly wanted to add a splash of color! :) The main image is Enjoy the Moment, from American Art Stamp. I stamped En Francais on the white flower from the SU! Pretties Kit, and I used a Stardust pen on her hat.

My second card is for this week's SCS Color Challenge. I decided to use more of my new SU! goodies to make an SU! only card. This tree image is just so beautiful -- I know I'll be using it a lot! Unfortunately, I needed a sympathy card this week, so the challenge was a good reason to make one.

Thanks for taking a look at my challenge cards! I'll be back tomorrow with previews of the new All That Scraps releases -- coming Monday, April 6!

Before I go, I wanted to let you know that Christine is celebrating the second anniversary of C.C. Designs, and she's having a SALE through April 6! Click HERE to find out more! :)

Thanks for stopping by today -- have a fantastic day!

Christina

Enjoy the Moment

Stamps: Enjoy the Moment (AAS), En Francais (SU!) Ink: Blackbird Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink (Clearsnap) Cardstock: Basic Black, white Paper: Rockabilly dsp (SU!) Other: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft); Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); black flower (Prima); eyelet border punch, Pretties Kit, organza ribbon (SU!); black dotted organdy ribbon (May Arts); black button (BasicGrey) Stardust gelly roll pen (Sakura); sponge, dimensionals

Praying for You (all products SU!)

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Paper: Bella Rose dsp Other: 5/16" brads, scallop edge punch, Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain ribbon, paper piercer, mat pack, sponge, dimensionals