don't forget

Don't forget to order your Ribbon & Designer Paper Share from the new 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. I'll order the first group on July 1st if I have enough signed up, so jump in and get a great sampling of paper and delicious ribbon! You can see all the details here.

sweet sunday sketch challenge #24

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 10 PM Wednesday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC24 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

I found some fun paper from My Mind's Eye called Bloom & Grow and bought it with an intention to scrapbook with it. Hmmm, lookie what happened!

Just a note about this week's sketch - I'll be heading to the hills for our 4th of July weekend, so I'm cutting the deadline short by a day. Please post your projects by Wednesday at 10 PM Mountain to make the Mr. Linky cut-off.

Have fun!

Karen


recipe -
stamps: cupcake collection (papertrey ink)
ink: pumpkin pie, soft suede
paper: pumpkin pie, very vanilla cardstock, bloom & grow (my mind's eye)
accessories: turquoise satin ribbon (american crafts), neutrals brads, stampin' dimensionals

time for ribbon and paper shares!

'09-'10 DESIGNER PAPER AND RIBBON SHARES

The NEW Stampin' Up! '09-'10 Idea Book & Catalog will be making its debut on July 1! In true Stampin' Up! fashion, there are many new stamps, designer papers, colors, embellishments, ribbons, and more! Very few of us can purchase our entire wish list at once! That's why I'm offering shares for some of the items in the new catalog. Shares are a great way to get a sampling of the new products at a fraction of the cost. You can purchase all, some, or one of the shares. Order as many as you like!

DESIGNER PAPER SHARES: There are 12 new designer paper packs in the new catalog, and 6 designer paper packs returning from the previous catalog. These Designer Paper Shares include designer paper packs on pgs. 160-163, excluding the Patterns Designer Series Paper Packs.Each paper share includes a 6" x 6" sampling of each pattern from each pack (each pack is cut to make eight shares). The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Paper Pack includes 3 die-cut sheets. You will receive a miscellaneous assortment from those sheets.I'm offering a choice of TWO designer paper shares:

DESIGNER PAPER SHARE #1. INCLUDES the paper packs returning from the previous Idea Book & Catalog (Pink Flamingo, Tea Party, Flock Together, Bella Bleu, Jackpot, and To The Nines). You will receive 105 - 6" x 6" designer paper sheets from 18 packs + the die cut assortment from The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Paper. $30.00, Shipping $5.00.

DESIGNER PAPER SHARE #2. Does NOT include the returning paper packs (Pink Flamingo, Tea Party, Flock Together, Bella Bleu, Jackpot, and To The Nines). You will receive 69 - 6" x 6" designer paper sheets from 12 packs + the die cut assortment from The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Paper.$20.00, Shipping $5.00.

RIBBON SHARE. This share includes 3 yards each of the 1/2" Poka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon in all of the new In Colors (Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, and Melon Mambo). $15.00, Shipping $2.00.

HOW TO ORDER: E-MAIL ME. Include your name, e-mail address, shipping address, phone number(s) and a detailed summary of your order. I will then send you a Paypal invoice via e-mail.I will order the paper packs and ribbon for the shares on or after July 1 as soon as groups of eight for designer paper and groups of five for ribbon are complete (you will be added to a group when I receive your Paypal payment). Backorders and shipping time from Stampin' Up! to me are out of my control, but you can trust that the cutting, sorting, and mailing will be turned around as efficiently as possible on my end.

SHIPPING: I will be using USPS Flat Rate shipping for the Designer Paper Shares and USPS Standard Mail for the Ribbon Shares.

Multiple share orders will be charged as follows:

* 1 dp share: $5

* 1 ribbon share: $2

* 2 or more dp shares: $10

* 1 dp share + any quantity of ribbon shares: $5

* 2 or more DP shares + any quantity of ribbon shares: $10.00

U.S. Shipping Only.

Please email me with any questions you may have.

Thanks so much!
Karen

verve release challenge cards

Hi! This is a long one, so grab a cuppa and enjoy! I decided yesterday I would jump in and try to finish all 5 Verve challenge sketches for the Verve release week and I made all 5 in one afternoon - that has to be a record for me. I'm a one card in an afternoon kind of gal! To make it easier on me, I used the same color scheme and Patterns paper - this cut out the "what colors should I use" dilema, lol!

My first card is for VSJUN01 or MOJO92 - I love this sketch, but when I put it all together, I couldn't use the really cool ribbon treatment Julee had. I have a tulip there instead.


My second card is for VSJUN02 - I love these kinds of sketches. Instead of the circle, I put a bow and I can't believe the bow looks normal! Usually with this wider ribbon I opt to tie a button to it.



My next card uses VSJUN03 - this was the quickest card to make. Add a fun sentiment and a little accent and it's done. Loved this one. I added little rhinestones to the butterfly.



The next card uses VSJUN04 - I liked the unique look of this sketch with the diagonal that isn't quite corner to corner.




Finally, I used VSJUN05. I just LOVE square cards! This was a fun one.


Ok, that's it! Thanks for hanging in there with me. This was fun and using the same color scheme really helped when I cleaned off the desk - everything goes in the same places, haha! Have a great day!

Karen


recipe -

card 1:
stamps: beautiful kindness, miracles blossom (verve stamps)
paper: pumpkin pie, riding hood red, bashful blue, very vanilla cardstock, pumpkin pie patterns dsp
ink: old olive, riding hood red, bashful blue
accessories: rectangle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), old olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

card 2:
stamps: miracles blossom (verve stamps)
paper: riding hood red, bashful blue, very vanilla cardstock, pumpkin pie patterns dsp
ink: old olive, riding hood red, bashful blue
accessories: square/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), old olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, 3/4" & 1/2" circle punch, horizontal slot punch, stampin' dimensionals

card 3:
stamps: floral whimsy (verve stamps)
paper: riding hood red, bashful blue, old olive, very vanilla cardstock, pumpkin pie patterns dsp
ink: riding hood red
accessories: oval/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), scallop edge punch, riding hood red taffeta ribbon, mini/micro twinkle dots (a.muse), stampin' dimensionals

card 4:
stamps: floral whimsy (verve stamps)
paper: pumpkin pie, riding hood red, bashful blue, old olive, very vanilla cardstock, pumpkin pie patterns dsp
ink: riding hood red, bashful blue
accessories: circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), scallop edge punch, riding hood red taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

card 5:
stamps: miracles blossom (verve stamps)
paper: pumpkin pie, riding hood red, bashful blue, very vanilla cardstock, pumpkin pie patterns dsp
ink: old olive, riding hood red, bashful blue
accessories: rectangle/scallop & circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), old olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

sweet sunday sketch winner

Hi! So sorry to post this so late - life is crazy in the Giron house lately and I'm now getting some quiet time.

This week Random.org chose #4 as our winner - that's Andrea Roose! I really like how Andrea thought outside the box and used flowers instead of squares. And the ribbon is perfect! Very cute! Please hop on over to her blog, Andrea's Scrap und Stempel Blog, and see all of her very sweet creations. Thank you Andrea for your wonderful card this week!

I'll be back in a bit with a super huge post - off to edit photos...

Karen

viva la verve

I have another Verve card for you today - this one uses Floral Whimsy. This is the last of the June Viva la Verve sketches and this week's twist is to use only ONE piece of patterned paper. Huh? I don't even think that can be legal, lol! I came up with this color combo from the SU catalog - Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, and Old Olive. It looks really nice in the catty, but I changed my mind about 3 times while making the card. I ended up keeping it, and it is growing on me. What do you think? I glued some Tiny Twinkles on the pink flowers with some Tombo Multi Adhesive. It was a fun challenge and a very cute sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen



recipe -
stamps: floral whimsy (verve stamps)
ink: basic black, pink pirouette
paper: pink pirouette, riding hood red, old olive, whisper white cardstock, candy lane dsp
accessories: tiny twinkles (taylored expressions), silver brads, old olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, circle/scallop nestabilities, stampin' dimensionals, tombo multi adhesive

sweet sunday sketch challenge #23

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC23 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

I'll be back later today with my sample for this week. We spent the day visiting my family and got home late and I didn't have enough time to finish my card and photograph it. I'll finish it up later this afternoon.

{edited}: I'm back with my card - I used the new In Colors today along with some of the new rich razzleberry polka dot ribbon, delicious!!

This sketch is for cards measuring 6-1/2" x 3-1/4" (a 6-1/2" square folded in half.)

Good luck and have fun!
Karen

recipe -

stamps: bitty basics

ink: rich razzleberry

paper: rich razzleberry, crushed curry cardstock, razzleberry lemonade dsp

accessories: rich razzleberry polka dot grosgrain ribbon, square/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), flower trio punch, silver brads, stampin' dimensionals

no ties

Hi! TGIF!! I'm so happy it is Friday - although I'll be a golf widow all weekend as my husband hits the links with my dad and brothers tomorrow and his dad and brothers on Sunday. I'm excited for him to get out and spend the weekend golfing - he loves it and doesn't get to go very often.
I thought I'd make a very quick Father's Day card for Michael's dad today. He's retired, so I think it's funny to give him a "no tie" card - so many meanings, lol! I used Taylor's TECC73 sketch and didn't add anything fancy - I hope it doesn't look too naked, ha! No buttons, no ribbon, no scallops! It will be just perfect for him. All the paper comes from the Father's Day Key Ingredients and the stamps are from Boys Will Be Boys - love this set!

Taylored Expressions is having a HUGE moving sale with discounts up to 50%! You can find all the details at Taylor's blog, HERE. The sale ends June 26th, so don't miss out!

Have a great day!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: boys will be boys
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
paper: father's day key ingredients {lil man from cosmo cricket}

sweet sunday sketch winner

I'm so happy you all participated again this week - the sketch was more difficult than last week's and I just love all the entries!

This week's winner is.......................













#20, aka Kristina! Here is her gorgeous sample:

I love this color combo and the silhouette flowers are just perfect on the large circle. Congrats, Kristina! Please hop on over to her blog, Itty Bitty Pieces of Me and take a peek at her wonderful creations.

Come back Sunday for another sketch!

Karen

simple trees

I think it has been a week, at least, since I've used Trendy Trees and they were yelling at me, begging me to pull them out of the box. Poor things. I'm using Fall To Layout 46 from Clean & Simple Stamping for my sketch this week. Talk about a fun and easy AND fast card to make. No layers, no Nestabilities, {GASP}, only ink. I love this look -the drawn frame really adds a lot to the card. So if you are ever in a mojo slump, this is a great layout to work with. Ooooh, you could tweak this and make an awesome Father's Day card - I'll have to do that!

Have a great day!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: trendy trees
ink: garden green, chocolate chip, garden green stampin' write marker
paper: kraft cardstock
accessories: straight edge, haha!

help!

I have a quick question and I'm hoping you can help me out. Does anyone know where I can buy square envelopes, 4-1/2" or so? I make 4-1/4" square cards all the time and I'm running out of Stampin' Up!'s square envelopes from the Fresh Cut Notes and don't really want to buy more Notes just for envelopes, KWIM?

{EDITED} Thank you so much! I've never looked in the A*Muse store before, thanks Amy & Kristen. Oh how I wish I lived closer to an Archivers - the closest one is about an hour away. Miss that store... Maria - thanks for the link to the dressed-up envelopes, I will definitely do that when I mail square cards, that is SO cute!
I needed the square envelopes for my Etsy store, so this is all very helpful.

Thanks everyone!
Karen

birthday wishes

I haven't played with this paper, East Coast Prep, in a LONG time - it kind of scares me, but look how cute it is on this birthday card for a child! I'm using the Mojo Monday sketch mojo91 and I just love that it's a tall, skinny card this week. Fun and out-of-the-box, love it. I used the bear from Beary Special and the balloon and hat are from Beary Special Accessories. He looks so ready to party! I used Copics to color the images and then cut out a little ribbon accent from a piece of patterned paper to tuck underneath the sentiment.

I think this is quite possibly my favorite little kid card I've made so far. Love that little bear!

Have a great day - see you back soon.
Karen






recipe -
stamps: beary special, beary special accessories (taylored expressions) ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper: tempting turquoise, real red, whisper white cardstock, east coast prep dsp
accessories: oval/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), real red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals

need more space

Need more white space that is! I'm back with another Viva la Verve sketch with a {twist} and this week's twist is to use lots and lots and lots and lots of white space. I think the word white was used about six times in the challenge details, so I went with it and used lots of white. We were also asked to use no more that 2 colors of cardstock (besides white) - it was tough, but I did it! To add a little pop, I added a splash of Regal Rose for the tulips, ribbon and border and then I added the So Saffron scallops for my second color. Don't you just love this unique look? Very fresh and clean. I'm glad I gave this one a try!

Ok, that's it for now - I hope to see you back soon!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: miracles blossom (verve stamps), trendy trees
ink: regal rose, always artichoke, copic marker r20
paper: regal rose, so saffron, whisper white cardstock
accessories: 5/8" regal rose grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), stampin' dimensionals

a blog hop that's just rite

Good morning! Taylor asked the Baker's Dozen if we would be interested in doing a Just Rite blog hop for Taylored Expressions and I jumped at the chance to try out these new stamps! For my stop along the blog hop today, I'm using the set, A Little Caffeine. These stamps are circular and come with different borders and centers, so you can change around the look of each stamp. Pretty cool! I stamped the border in Chocolate Chip ink and then used a circle Nestabilities nested inside a circle scallop Nestabilities and made a frame to pop up. The center is stamped in Versamark ink and then embossed with white embossing powder - I stamped the image again to make my pink mug and then embossed it also. I dove into my Savannah Bag-O-Buttons and grabbed 3 different chocolate buttons to add to the corner of the card and then finished it by adding the chocolate grosgrain ribbon.

Now, hop along to the other players in today's Just Rite blog hop - you won't be disappointed!

Donna Baker
Jami Sibley
Jodi Collins
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Sankari Wegman

See you back soon -
Karen


recipe -
stamps: a little caffeine (just rite stamps)
ink: chocolate chip, versamark
paper: close to cocoa, regal rose, wishper white cardstock, banburry dsp
accessories: 5/8" chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), savannah buttons (bag-o-buttons), white embossing powder, stampin' dimensionals

sweet sunday sketch challenge #22

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC22 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

My sketch this week is a little sneak peek for you from the new Stampin' Up! catalog - page 54 to be exact. I really loved the unique look of this layout and thought it would be both fun and challenging. Perfect, no? Another little sneak peek for you, the set Wings of Friendship, which is a level 2 hostess set. I really love the main image and flourish in this set, very fun to work with!


Now it's your turn - have fun!
Karen



recipe -
stamps: wings of friendship
ink: old olive, tempting turquoise, pumpkin pie, basic black
paper: old olive, tempting turquoise, so saffron, whisper white cardstock, pumpkin pie patterns dsp
accessories: mini/micro twinkle dots (a.muse), fresh favorites 1 buttons, linen thread, so saffron 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch, circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), stampin' dimensionals

life is good

I had a chance to play with Beach Bum again today and thought it would be fun to make a retirement card, or birthday card, or congratulations card - well, this one can be for many occasions I suppose, lol! I used SC232 for the layout. I stamped the palm tree on a piece of Cosmo Cricket paper from the Beach Bum Key Ingredients and then pieced the green leaves up top. Love all the fabulous colors in this kit and they work so great with all these little vacationing cuppies! I used my Copics to color in the beach ball and sun block bottle and then added some bling for the cuppie and my ribbon. So what do you think? Retirement? Birthday? Congrats? Oooh the possibilities! All I know is I would love to be resting under a palm tree somewhere glorious!

Have a fantastic day!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: beach bum (taylored expressions)
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper: beach bum key ingredients
accessories: beach bum key ingredients, stampin' dimensionals

cupcakes make life sweet

Have you ever heard anything more true?! How can anyone be anything but happy while eating a cupcake? Great, now I'm craving one... haha! This card was made for a very special birthday today - Miss Taylor Van Bruggen, yes the cupcake queen herself, is celebrating her birthday today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR!! Even on her birthday she showers us all with sketch happiness! Hop on over to her blog and check out her latest Cupcake Challenge, TECC72 and join in on all the fun! I broke out the new designer series paper, Razzleberry Lemonade, from Stampin' Up! and I'm just so excited to use all these fun patterns! I'm going with a pink theme today, which is Melon Mambo, one of the new In Colors for this summer. I inked up another adorable cupcake from the Taylored Expressions set, For the Love of Cupcakes and added some Cyclamen glitter and little rhinestones. The heart and cupcake wrapper are paper pieced for a fun little look. I found some clear buttons and added some paper underneath them for a little extra pop.

I want to give a little shout-out to Our Friday Friend, Julie Smith, who has an adorable little creation for you today over at the Stamp A Sweet Impression blog. Congratulations Julie!

If you would like a chance to be the next Friday Friend, upload your Taylored Expressions creations to the SplitcoastStampers gallery and use the keyword tayloredexpressions (no space). You never know when your card will be selected and it would be SO cool to have you featured on the SASI blog!

Have a FABULOUS Friday, and Taylor, have a WONDERFUL birthday today!
Karen

recipe -
stamps: for the love of cupcakes (taylored expressions)
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers E31, C1
paper: melon mambo, very vanilla cardstock, razzleberry lemonade dsp
accessories: cyclamen glitter (taylored expressions), clear buttons, mini/micro twinkle dots (a.muse), rectangle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), scallop edge punch, stampin dimensionals

sweet sunday sketch winner

Happy Thursday! I think you all have set a new record high in participation this week - I had 48 entries! You all make me feel so loved and I'm SO happy you have loved this sketch - it was a popular one! I really liked this one too - you can dress it up as much as you like, which is always good.

Ok, the winner of this week's challenge is Connie Collins! You have to go see her blog entry for this card on how she made this card! Awesome. Thank you Connie for this gorgeous card and congrats! You can see all of Connie's marvelous creations on her blog, Constantly Stamping.

I might just get some time to stamp today, sweet!

See you back Sunday -

Karen

oh me, oh my!

Oh dear, oh dear - just got my copy of the 2009-10 Idea Book & Catalog and I'm in trouble - soooo many cute embellishments and paper, and new stamps, and textured paper, and punches, and... I will defintely be doing more paper & embellishment shares because I'm going to need them all too!

Sorry, that was a major tease. I've got some new goodies that I'll start showing off here soon. Just got to make it through our garage sale this weekend first. New catalog is active July 1st!

Karen

handmade flower

Hi! Today's card uses Weekend Sketch Challenge #84 and a very fun distressed flower that I've seen on othe blogs. I love this look! You can see a tutorial on Dawn's blog. I only had time for a quick card today, so I grabbed some scraps of Maine Blueberry paper which were still sitting on my desk from yesterday's card (sorry for using the same paper twice in a row, lol!).

Ok, I better get going - lots of housework has to get finished, it's been ignored LONG enough!

Have a fantastic day,
Karen



recipe -
stamps: short & sweet
ink: not quite navy
paper: not quite navy, bashful blue, old olive, whisper white cardstock, maine blueberry dsp
accessories: small/large oval punches, latte buttons, linen thread, stampin' dimensionals

a little new, a little old

I'm still having so much fun with my new Verve stamps - today I'm using Floral Whimsy. There is another sketch with a {twist} over in the Verve forum for this week and the twist is to use something new - well that's not difficult, got my new stamps! Everything else on the card is old, Old, OLD, but still very, very loved all the same. You may recognize the Maine Blueberry paper (yep, use it all the time and I'm needing some different paper here people!) and of course my new favorite ribbon treatment with the Latte button. Love that. Oh, and I used my second library clip, haha! I love them, I just forget about them. I'm all caught up for the June challenges over there, so now I can get on with all my usual sketch challenges and inspirations. I hope you are having a wonderful day!

See you back soon!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: floral whimsy (verve stamps)
ink: bashful blue, not quite navy
paper: old olive, not quite navy, bashful blue, whisper white cardstock, maine blueberry dsp
accessories: latte buttons, 5/8" old olive grosgrain ribbon, linen thread, library clips, rectangle/scallop nestabilities, scallop edge punch, stampin' dimensionals

simple pleasures

Happy Monday - It might be a Verve Stamps week here at my blog. It all started when I entered a sketch challenge sponsored by Verve for the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's event and I was completely shocked when I WON! I got my freebies in the mail on Saturday and I can't put them down. Love them! I might sneak a Stampin' Up! or Taylored Expressions card in here somewhere, but it's like when you get new shoes and you find every excuse to wear them, lol! I'm trying my hand at one of the challenges from the Verve Forum and this week's sketch with a {twist} is you must use 3 colors of cardstock (white does not count), 3 different embellishments, and 3 different stamp sets. WOWZERS! This one ended up being a lot harder than I first thought. I used the colors from Stacey Schafer's Jewelry Color Inspiration - Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink, and Whisper White. I also used my new sets from Verve Stamps - the background is stamped with the flourish from Beautiful Kindness, the flowers are from Miracles Blossom, and the sentiment is from Floral Whimsy. I added a few pink buttons, ribbon and dew drops on the flowers - that was the tough part! 3 embellishments is more than I usually use, so I hope it isn't too over the top. Ok, off to try the next challenge...

Have a wonderful day!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: beautiful kindness, miracles blossom, floral whimsy (verve stamps)
ink: memento tuxedo black, regal rose, garden green
paper: certainly celery, garden green, pretty in pink, whisper white cardstock
accessories: savannah buttons (taylored expressions), dew drops (taylored expressions), rectangle/scallop & oval/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), scallop edge punch, 5/8" certainly celery grosgrain ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, tombo multi adhesive

sweet sunday sketch challenge #21

Good morning - It's time for another Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! Here is the deal: make a card with this layout and use Mr. Linky down at the end of my post to enter your card. On Thursday at 2 PM (Mountain Time), I'll randomly select one card to feature on my blog. So, as long as your card is linked in the Mr. Linky box by 2 PM Thursday, your card will be in the drawing. Be sure to link directly to the blog post or gallery image which features your card. You may post a picture of the sketch on your blog, but please save the image to your computer first. Use the keyword SSSC21 if you plan to post your card in an online gallery.

I need to get a few more Father's Day cards made and I thought this week's sketch could make a great masculine card and I just love the clean and simple look of it! I used more of the amazing paper from the Father's Day Key Ingredients along with a stamp from Boys Will Be Boys. I colored it with Copics and Stampin' Write Markers. To add a little something extra, I pierced around the square grid with the piercing template and added a little loop of twill under the main image panel. Now just who will be the lucky dad to get this one?

Your turn! Feel free to add more layers and embellishments - can't wait to see what you all come up with this week.

Karen



recipe -
stamps: boys will be boys (taylored expressions)
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers, close to cocoa stampin' write marker
paper: tawny medium & blush red dark prism cardstock, choice buttercream cardstock, lil' man patterned paper (cosmo cricket) {all part of Father's Day Key Ingredients}
accessories: red twill, stampin' dimensionals

Taylored Expressions Release Party!

Happy Friday! I'm so excited to show you the next two sets in this month's release AND they are available for purchase today!! First up is Faith & Hope, a collection of inspirational sayings and Bible verses along with flourishes. The quote I used today is "Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons do not last. The spring rain will come again" - Sarah Ban Breathnach. Isn't that lovely? I wanted to have my image coordinate with the sentiment, so I grabbed my favorite branch from Branching Out and the little flower and pear from Branching Out Coordinates. I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored everything in with Copics. The flowers are cut out and attached with dimensionals and to add a little sparkle, I added some Taylor's Tiny Twinkles to the centers.

Next up is Beach Bum and it's coordinating Beach Bum Key Ingredients - this set is absolutely adorable. I see lots of birthday cards for little boys with this set! I love that our sweet little Cuppie has learned how to surf, haha! For this card, I did some paper-piecing. I stamped the cute little sand castle image in Memento Rich Cocoa on a sheet of the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel collection that comes with the Key Ingredients - I thought this paper looked so much like sand, I just had to use it! See that cute little cherry on top of Cuppie's head? It's a red Bits of Bling from the Key Ingredients too! If you are loving this set, you will love the Beach Bum Bundle - you will get the Beach Bum Key Ingredients, Beach Bum Stamp Set, an assortment of summer brads, and Sparkly Fluff in brown sugar & a FREE package of Choice Buttercream cardstock - all in one package! Everything is coordinated for you - the paper and brads are so cute with this set.

Also, this month Taylored Expressions is offering a Stamp Lover's Bundle - with this you will get all FIVE sets AND a free Binder Box to store them in. It's an amazing offer and I really love the Binder Boxes - They are so compact and store all my TE sets in one convenient spot.

Time to go on over to see all the fantastic creations the Baker's Dozen has cooked up for you today! More information about today's release is on Taylors blog too, so don't forget to stop by and get all the fun details!


Taylor VanBruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Charmaine Ikach
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Donna Baker
Jen del Muro
Jodi Collins
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Laurie Schmidlin
Sankari Wegman

recipe -
spring card -
stamps: brancing out, branching out coordinates, faith & hope
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
paper: bashful blue, so saffron, choice buttercream cardstock, delecate dots dsp
accessories: taylors tiny twinkles, latte buttons, bashful blue grosgrain ribbon, linen thread, lables 1 nestabilities (spellbinders), stampin' dimensionals

fun in the sun card -
stamps: beach bum
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
paper: beach bum key ingredients (nautical blue light, blush red medium, sunflowers medium prism cardstock, snorkel paper from cosmo cricket)
accessories: beach bum key ingredients (bits of bling, green/orange polka dot ribbon); scallop edge punch, labels one & circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), stampin' dimensionals

Sweet Sunday Sketch Winner

I'm a little late posting this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge winner, but better late than never, right!? This week Random.org chose #21 - Amanda Winkelman! First of all, it was really cool to see a card made with the Taylored Expressions May Key Ingredients Kit and an old Stampin' Up! set. I love these sweet little flowers, aren't they cute? Hop on over to Amanda's blog and say hello. Thanks so much for playing this week everyone!!

Come on back Sunday for another sketch -

Karen

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

So are you ready for another fabulous peek from Taylored Expressions?! Nancy McKinney has designed another fantastic set for the Whimsical Wishes line called For the Love of Cupcakes - this set is SO, SO, SO fun to use! There are so many cute cupcakes to play with along with all of those fun cupcake accessories. Today I made a card using the new Cupcakes Key Ingredients and boy, this kit does not disappoint! Lots and lots of cute paper from Doodlebug along with all the coordinating cardstock and embellishments AND glitter - seriously CUTE!

Now, here's a deal for you! Starting tomorrow at 8:00 AM PST, For the Love of Cupcakes will also be available in a bundle! The For the Love of Cupcakes Bundle includes the stamp set, the Cupcakes Key Ingredients, Confections Brads, Confections Glitter Stickers, and Maya Road Cupcake Chipboard AND when you purchase the For the Love of Cupcakes bundle, you'll get 10 cupcake die cut cards absolutely free!
I'm using the TECC64 sketch and paper-pieced the cupcake and table and that glorious frosting rose at the top of my confetti cuppie. I'm so excited to make more fun little projects and cards with this set, it's so much fun! You'll see for yourself when you check out the rest of the Baker's Dozen and all their fun creations. Have fun peeking!

Ana Wohlfahrt
Charmaine Ikach
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Donna Baker
Jen del Muro
Jodi Collins
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Laurie Schmidlin
Sankari Wegman
and Taylor VanBruggen.


recipe -
stamps: for the love of cupcakes
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
accessories: cupcakes key ingredients

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 1

I can't believe it's already time for another Taylored Expressions sneak peek! I'm just beside myself with excitement over this months new stamp sets and Key Ingredients - stay tuned, you defintely want to check back and see what's cooking over the next few days!! Today I'm featuring Beary Special and Beary Special Accessories. Aren't these little bears SO cute?! Not only are they completely adorable, they are so versitile - I'm thinking birthdays, baby showers, miss you cards, thank you cards, the possibilities are endless.
When I saw these little angel wings, I knew I had to do a vintage looking card with them. I grabbed my Candy Lane paper and went to town paper-piecing these cute and cuddly images. It's amazing watching these little bears come to life when you add some cute patterned paper to them. To make the paper looked aged, I sponged Creamy Caramel ink along the edges of the paper.
When you purchase this set, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a worthy charity, Sick Kids. The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids) is a health-care community dedicated to improving the health of Children. Their mission is to provide the best in family-centered, compassionate care, to lead in scientific and clinical advancement, and to prepare the next generation of leaders in child health. The hospital is located in Canada, but is known around the world for its innovation and leadership in research. More information about Sick Kids and the Taylored Expressions Giving Tree is on Taylor's blog. Nancy McKinney's family has been helped by the Hospital for Sick Children and she has created this adorable set specifically with them in mind. You can read about her son Henri's incredible story on her blog today. In order to save on manufacturing costs so more of the proceeds could be donated, these sets will need to be trimmed from the sheet of rubber.
My second card uses the same layout, but has a completely different look than the first - love that versatility! My daughter is at the age where she'll be going to many, many sleepovers and I made this card with that in mind. I would love to tuck this little card into her back pack with a little love note for her to read before bed. The image is stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa and colored in with Copic markers. The shape of the card was made by running a folded piece of cardstock through the Cuttlebug with the Mega Curvy Rectangle Nestabilities - fun, isn't it?! Both of these sets will be available for purchase at 8:00 AM PST on June 5th at Taylored Expressions.
Stop on by the rest of the Baker's Dozen to see what they've cooked up for you today -

Ana Wohlfahrt
Charmaine Ikach
Dawn Easton
Denise Marzec
Donna Baker
Jen del Muro
Jodi Collins
Karen Motz
Laura Fredrickson
Laurie Schmidlin
Sankari Wegman
and Taylor VanBruggen.


Have a wonderful day!
Karen



recipes -

my little angel -
stamps: beary special
ink: memento rich cocoa, creamy caramel, copic markers
paper: pink pirouette, close to cocoa, candy lane dsp
accessories: close to cocoa grosgrain ribbon, oval/scallop nestabilities, sponge daubers, stampin' dimensionals

miss you -
stamps: beary special, beary special accessories
ink: memento rich cocoa, copic markers
paper: regal rose, brilliant blue, whisper white cardstock
accessories: regal rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, rectangle/scallop nestabilities, mega curvy rectangle nestabilities, circle nestabilities (spellbinders), stampin' dimensionals

happiest birthday yet

Hello! I hope you all are having a wonderful day today - this is day 2 of summer/no school and I'm trying to find a good routine. Seems like the kids are a little more high maintenance in the summer, which leads to less crafty time! Booo! But it's so much fun watching them play outside. It's hard to remember that feeling of summertime - the only responsibility is getting home before the street lights come on in the evening.
Today I'm actually participating in Mojo Monday's contest sketch - woo hoo! I'm usually so far behind that I don't get to play in the contest, so I'm SUPER excited! The sketch is Mojo89 and I picked up some old retired paper called Spring Fling (one of my faves) and the hostess set Darling Dots - I think this is the first time I've inked it up! The sentiment is from On Your Birthday.

Have a wonderful day!
Karen


recipe -
stamps: on your birthday, darling dots
ink: basic brown, regal rose, riding hood red
paper: regal rose, so saffron, whisper white cardstock, spring fling dsp
accessories: so saffron 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, square/scallop & circle/scallop nestabilities (spellbinders), stampin' dimensionals