Relax

I made this card for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. What a fun sketch! Thanks, Taylor! I used Soakin' Up the Sun which will be released tomorrow night at the Paper Pretties Pajama Party at 8pm EST! Hope we'll see you there! Don't forget about the Cutie Pie contest! The winner will receive all of the stamps in this release for free!! Send your entries using your Paper Pretties stamps to Christie at christie@paperpretties.net by 8pmCST today, June 30th. A winner will be chosen from the entries!!

In other Paper Pretties news, have you seen who our new Guest Designers are? Check out the Guest Room and welcome these extremely talented ladies! We're so excited to have them join us! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Soakin' Up the Sun (Paper Pretties); Paper- Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Regal Rose, Basic Black (SU), patterned paper (DCWV); Accessories: Copic markers, SU markers, turquoise grosgrain, 3/4" and 1" circle punches, slit punch (SU), Stardust Stickles, paper piercer.

Prettie Peek

Here is a little peek for you of one of the sets Paper Pretties is releasing on Tuesday night, July 1st at the Prettie Pajama Party! It's called Soakin' Up the Sun. Isn't it adorable? I just LOVE little Sophia lounging in her beach chair. . .too cute! I tried to make this look kind of like a "mirage" or daydream with the distressed edges. Hope it worked!

We'd LOVE for you to come to our Prettie Pajama Party on Tuesday night at 8pm EST in the Paper Pretties forums! We have lots of fun chatting and I issue a challenge at the top of each hour. All you have to do is create your challenge creation, upload it and be eligible to win a prize! Sound like fun? We really do have a lot of fun and we'd love for you to join in!

Don't forget about the Cutie Pie contest! The winner will receive all of the stamps in this release for free!! Send your entries using your Paper Pretties stamps to Christie at christie@paperpretties.net by 8pmCST on the 30th. A winner will be chosen from the entries!! Best of luck! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Soakin' Up the Sun (Paper Pretties); Paper- Summer Sunrise, Kraft (Papertrey Ink), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- paper piercer, hemp, SU markers, Aquapainter

With Love

Here's a card I made using Lauren's Saturday Sketch and Our Creative Corner's Basic Grey Challenge. I used the Feeling Groovy set from Verve Stamps. I dug out my Pheobe paper that I haven't used in probably a year! It used to be one of my favorite Basic Grey. I still LOVE it. :) I matched it up with some Berry Sorbet cardstock and ribbon. I thought they went well with the little flowers in the patterned paper. As a finishing touch, I added a little faux stitching down the left side of the card. It just needed something over there, but I didn't want to draw attention from the focal piece. :) Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Feeling Groovy (Verve Stamps); Paper- Pheobe (Basic Grey), Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Dark Brown Fluid Chalk; Accessories- circle and scallop circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Berry Sorbet ribbon (Papertrey Ink), paper piercer, Chocolate Chip marker, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

I Don't Do Mornings

This is how I have been feeling lately! LOL It's really weird, but I used to be a morning person. . .I always woke up before the alarm and got right up out of bed. No hitting snooze for me. Now, that's all changed. It takes every ounce of energy I have to get myself up so that I can have some quiet time before the kids get up. LOL Funny how that happens, huh?

This is the July Stamp of the Month Club stamp over at Paper Pretties. . .Bunny Slippers Sophia. Do you like her fuzzy slippers and robe? (I just LOVE Fun Flock) She won't be released to the public until August 1st. If you want yours now, make sure you sign up for the Stamp of the Month Club by 11:59PM on June 30th. When you sign up, make sure you tell Christie that Charmaine sent you! :)

Also, you are cordially invited to our Prettie Pajama Party on Tuesday, July 1 at 8pm EST! It's a lot of fun and I have some challenges in store for you! So if you like to chat, win prizes and stamp, look for the Prettie Pajama Party thread in the Paper Pretties forum on Tuesday, July 1 at 8pm EST! Hope to see you there!

Last but not least-be sure to enter our Cutie Pie contest. The winner will receive all of the release stamps for free!! Send your entries using your Paper Pretties stamps to Christie at christie@paperpretties.net by 8pmCST on the 30th. A winner will be chosen from the entries!! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps: Bunny Slippers Sophia (Paper Pretties); Paper- Nana's Nursery Stack (DCWV), white (Georgia-Pacific), Wild Wasabi (SU), Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink); Accessories- paper piercer, Berry Sorbet satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Fun Sketch

Here's a card I made using Jen's awesome Sketch For You To Try. I just LOVE this sketch! Thanks, Jen! I used the Flora Doodles set again from Inque Boutique. Remember, TODAY you can get all Inque Boutique stamps and paper pads 20% off at Stamper's Dream! Just make sure you enter the coupon code AMAZING at checkout. . .don't forget to enter it! The sentiment is from the Happy Greetings set by Hero Arts. The sentiment set, patterned paper and ribbon can also be found at Stamper's Dream. Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Flora Doodles (Inque Boutique), Happy Greetings (Hero Arts); Paper- Homespun Collection (Memory Box), Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- ribbon (May Arts), small oval punch (SU), Copic markers, paper piercer, gem stones (Hero Arts)

Everything Inque!

That's right! Everything from Inque Boutique is on sale at Stamper's Dream tomorrow, Saturday! Check out some of the adorable sets here. By entering the coupon code AMAZING at checkout, you will receive 20% off! There are some adorable paper pads too that you might want to add to your cart!

Here is a card I made using the Flora Doodles set from Inque Boutique. I stamped the flowers in Certainly Celery and then again in Whisper White craft ink to give them that faux dry embossed look. The sentiment is from the Thoughtful Messages set by Hero Arts which can also be found at Stamper's Dream. Thanks for stopping by today and HAPPY SHOPPING tomorrow! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Flora Doodles (Inque Boutique), Thoughtful Messages (Hero Arts); Paper- Homespun Collection (Memory Box), Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Old Olive (SU); Ink- Certainly Celery, Whisper White Craft (SU), Onyx Black (Versafine); Accessories- ribbon (May Arts), brads (Oriental Trading), 1 1/4" circle punch (SU)

Hey Sugar!

Here's a card I made using the Clean and Simple Stamping Fall To Layout #4. I really like this layout a lot! It will be great for smaller images like this adorable little sugar bowl! After I took a picture of this card, I decided I wanted to "step it up" just a bit. . .and it didn't really even add that much time to the card. I just ran it through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder. Which one do you like better? I think it depends on my mood, but the first one could be used for a guy and I think the second one lends itself more to a girl. I don't know, maybe not. The second one just looks more frilly to me. I used the Look Who's Perky set from Paper Pretties. Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Look Who's Perky (Paper Pretties); Paper- white (Georgia-Pacific), Soft Sky (SU); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- Copic markers, Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest)

June Blog Hop

This month's Blog Hop Challenge was to use transparencies in a creative way. I don't know why, but wedding placecards came to my mind when I thought about what to create. I guess I've been seeing weddings everywhere so I have them on the brain. :) There is a reality show that I saw a commercial for as I was flipping through television channels. I don't remember the name of it, but it featured people who plan these extremely lavish and EXPENSIVE weddings. In the commercial clip, they showed how each guest's place at the table was decorated. Each chair was covered in draped fabric, and there were beautiful centerpieces, but it was the napkin that caught my eye. Each guest's napkin was folded like a swan (I think) and it had a Swarovski Crystal chain hanging from it. When thinking about the Blog Hop Challenge this month, I thought using transparencies for the placecards would go along with the Swarovski Crystal theme. . .clear and elegant. Of course, I couldn't imagine making these for a large wedding! LOL I used the Wedding Day stamp set and a Fiskars embossing border punch with Kraft cardstock and Pearlized Cream cardstock. I printed the name out on the computer and used the Word Window punch to punch it out. I added gold brads on either side and stamped the table number underneath. This placecard makes me think of a ritzy hotel room door with a nameplate and number! :) Hope you like it! Be sure and head to the Blog Hop forums to see what the other Blog Hop participants have created! It's a lot of fun! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Wedding Day (Papertrey Ink); Paper- Kraft (Papertrey Ink), Pearlized Cream (Paper Accents), transparency; Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Whisper White Craft (SU); Accessories- gold brads (Making Memories), Word Window punch (SU), embossing border punch (Fiskars), paper piercer

Prettie Wednesday

Two weeks ago, Joni challenged us to create something handmade. . .either draw, doodle, write. . .something not stamped. That was easier said than done for me. I attempted to doodle a frame around the image here. Now I know why I stamp! LOL This card is going to Jana and I hope she doesn't think my doodling is as bad as I think! :) Check out the other Prettie Girl blogs to see what they've come up with for this challenge. I know I'm interested to see! :) Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Look Who's Perky (Paper Pretties); Paper- Kraft (Papertrey Ink), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Whisper White Craft (SU); Accessories- white gel pen, blender pen, horizontal slot punch (SU), twill tape

They're Here!

Head on over to Verve to see the four new stamp sets! There is also a new line called Plain Janes! (The second card uses the first Plain Jane set.) For the first card, I used the Here For You set as well as Petals & Stems and the stem from Thankful Blossoms. I bent the stem on the block to make the flower look "sad". I really am loving all of the new releases from Verve and I'm sure you will too!

SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Here For You, Psalm 37:4 (Verve); Paper- Berry Sorbet, Kraft (Papertrey Ink), white (Georgia-Pacific), Prints DS (SU); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink); Accessories- Swiss Dots ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, paper piercer, duo satin ribbon (May Arts), flower from Michael's, Dew Drop (The Robin's Nest)

One More Day!

Only one more day until Verve releases their newest stamps! If you haven't already, check out the sneak peeks over on the blog! This is a card I made using a sentiment from Feeling Groovy. . .one of the FOUR new sets! Each of the sentiments in this set make you sing the song that the sentiment is from! So fun! I had this clear stamp set from Art Impressions that I bought at my local stamp store, Stamp Fanci. I always LOVED when I saw cards with these folded skirts. . .too cute. I thought it would go perfectly with the "I Want To Hold Your Hand" sentiment. Check out the Verve blog for chances to win each of these new sets! Don't forget you can see all of the new sets tomorrow at Verve! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Feeling Groovy (Verve), Art Impressions; Paper- white (Georgia-Pacific), Prints DS (SU); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- paper piercer, ribbon (May Arts)

Sending Sunshine

Here's a card I made using the Fall To Layout #3 from Clean & Simple Stamping. Other than cutting out the flowers, this card was very quick. This is a nice layout that I think I'll use quite a bit. The stamps are from the Thoughtful Messages set from Hero Arts. You can find it at Stamper's Dream.

Hope your day is off to a great start! We have a couple of doctor's appointments today, but other than that it's a pretty easy day. Oh, and it's my husband's birthday today! Happy Birthday, dear! WE LOVE YOU! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Thoughtful Messages (Hero Arts); Paper- Wild Asparagus, white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), Stardust Stickles, grosgrain (Darice), paper piercer.

Papertrey Ink Challenge

I was able to play along with the Challenge at Papertrey Ink. I need to visit the forums more often because I've missed all of the previous challenges! I used my Beautiful Blooms set with my new Plum Pudding cardstock and ink. Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE purple? :) This card was pretty quick and simple. . .aren't those the best kind?!

Also, if you haven't been checking out the Verve blog, there are sneak peeks of the newest sets being released this Wednesday, June 25th! Stop on over and check them out! Thanks for stopping by today! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Beautiful Blooms (Papertrey Ink); Paper- Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink), Basic Black (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon (Papertrey Ink), Onyx Black (Versafine); Accessories- Lavender Moon ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, Cuttlebug Flowers die, paper piercer)

Cupcake Challenge #21

I made this card using Taylor's Cupcake Challenge Sketch. This is the first time I've played along. I don't have any cupcake images, so I didn't think I COULD play along. Then I realized that you didn't have to use a cupcake image! Since we're going to my nephew's 1 year birthday party today, I thought this Play Ball Changito would make a great card for him. I love the sentiment too! You can find both of these at Stamper's Dream. Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day! ETA: Some people have asked if that baseball is an embellishment. Actually, it's just a circle I punched out of white cardstock with the 3/4" punch from SU and drew the lines on it to make it look like a baseball. SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Play Ball Changito, sentiment (Stampendous); Paper- Summer Stack (DCWV), Wild Wasabi (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- circle punches, double stitched ribbon in Wild Wasabi, horizontal slot punch (SU), paper piercer, white gel pen, Copic markers, star jewels (Joann's)

Verve Inspiration

Have you been checking out the Verve Blog to see what the Design Team has been creating from the Inspiration Challenge? It's so interesting to me to see how different everyone's take is. Join in the challenge and you could win $15 in Verve Bucks to spend in the Verve Store! Make sure you read and post your creations to THIS POST to be eligible to win! Best of luck and most of all. . .HAVE FUN!

Beate Weekend Sketch #53

Time for another one of Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenges! I really liked this layout a lot. I liked it so much that I couldn't decide on a stamp set to use for it. LOL I was going to make a more elegant card, but nothing was working. . .so cute is what I ended up with! :) This is the Mindy's Zoo set from Autumn Leaves. I got this a long while ago from the Paper Pretties Boutique and this is the first time it has seen ink. Sad, I know. I still think it's as cute as the day it went in my shopping cart! LOL Make sure you stop by to see what Beate, Cambria, Jenn, Laurie, Lori, MaryJo and Sharon have created using the sketch. I'm sure they'll all be fabulous! Have a wonderful Friday! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Mindy's Zoo (Autumn Leaves); Paper- Kraft (Papertrey Ink), Wild Wasabi, Basic Black (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- hemp, paper piercer, Copic markers, brads (Making Memories), 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches (SU)

Happy Birthday, Arwen!

Today, Arwen turns 2! I cannot believe it's already been two years since I had her. Time sure does fly! While she napped the other day, Savannah and I made this sandcastle cake for her out of Rice Krispy treats. I saw the sandcastle cake on the cover of my Family Fun magazine and it was more involved with icing and putting vanilla wafers in the food processor to make the "sand". I decided to make my version with Rice Krispies. That usually works for us because of Savannah's food allergies, plus I usually don't have any left over cake! LOL Arwen just LOVED it. . .and her big sister LOVED helping make it! We had a little birthday party for her on Wednesday at my parents' house. There she is sitting on PapPap's lap!


Happy Birthday, my baby girl! We love you so much! Bunches and Bunches and more Bunches! :)

Sunshiney Day

Here's a card I made for yesterday's Sketch Challenge at SCS. Gosh, I remember when I used to do the challenges at SCS EVERYDAY. Now, I'm lucky if I can fit in one a week! Never enough time. I used the Rainy Day Friends set from Paper Pretties. I just LOVE this little dog. He's so cute! The whole scene was colored using Copic markers.

I have lots of running around to do today, so I'm making it short. I hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Rainy Day Friends (Paper Pretties); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Wild Wasabi, Basic Black (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- Copic markers, celery grosgrain (SU)

Prettie Wednesday

Two weeks ago Jessie challenged us to make a card using bright colors including orange. I don't use orange very often, but when I do I usually like it. I can't look at orange and not be happy. :) I used the Flutter By Sophia and the sentiment from Rainy Day Friends. . .both from Paper Pretties. This card is on the way to Jillian. Hope she likes it! Be sure and check out the other Prettie Girl blogs to see what they've come up with for this challenge. Also, have you seen the Stamp of the Month for July? It's Bunny Slippers Sophia! So, so cute! If you're interested, follow the link to find out more about the Stamp of the Month Club. Have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Flutter By Sophia, Rainy Day Friends (Paper Pretties); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Basic Black, Only Orange (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific), patterned paper (Magnolia); Accessories- Copic markers, polka dot organdy ribbon (Doodliedoo), brads (Making Memories), paper piercer

Be Inspired #18

Time for another Be Inspired Challenge. With today's inspiration piece, instead of bringing out the flowers, I was inspired to use the colors. I just love all of the colors on the cake. . .so pretty. I took my Pool Guy Changito stamp and colored him using a reddish-orange, pale blue and pale green to match the inspiration piece. You can find the Changito stamp and sentiment at Stamper's Dream. I also used the ric-rac frame from the photo. Isn't it interesting to see what may inspire you? I can't wait to see what Beate, Danielle Lounds, Dawn McVey, Jennifer Buck, Silke Ledlow and Susan Roberts have been inspired to create from the inspiration piece. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Changito Pool Guy, sentiment (Stampendous); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- white (Georgia-Pacific), Soft Sky (SU), orange (DCWV); Accessories- Copic markers, Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), Spots 'n Dots Cuttlebug folder (Provocraft), ric rac, paper piercer

Happy Birthday, Adelaide!

This past Saturday, our good friends Melanie and Greg had a birthday party for their daughter, Adelaide. She is exactly one week older than Arwen. . .they are BFFs! :) If you can believe it, I forgot the card! Sometimes my brain just doesn't work right when I have too many things going on. LOL So, I'll have to mail her card to her, or give it to her when we see her later this week. It's just not the same without the present, though. . .at least not for a kid! I know Melanie will like it though. :) I used the sketch from Our Creative Corner for this card. I used my Dress Up Lily stamps from Pink Cat Studio too. I stamped the wings on the pink polka dot paper, cut them out, put them through the Xyron and then dunked them in glitter. They are so nice and sparkly! I'm sure Adelaide will LOVE the sparklies! Thanks for stopping by today! Hope your week is off to a great start! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Dress Up Lily, Lily and Tweet (Pink Cat Studio); Paper- Blossoms & Butterflies Stack (DCWV), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Accessories- Threading Water punch (Fiskars), circle punches, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Regal Rose grosgrain (SU), paper piercer.

Happy Father's Day!

I thought I'd continue with my husband's wish of making scrapbook pages to frame. What better day to do that than on Father's Day. Since the first framed scrapbook page I made for him was of him and the girls, I thought I should make one for him of him and his son. The other day, Christie sent me the poem and I just LOVED it and thought it was PERFECT for this page. (Thanks, Christie!) I printed it from the computer onto Wild Wasabi cardstock. I don't even think my husband's seen these pictures yet. . .I just took them on Friday. I hope he loves the page! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Father's Day, honey! You are the best father a mother and children could hope for! We LOVE you! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Father Figure (Verve Visual); Paper- Wild Wasabi, Basic Black (SU), Nana's KIDS Stack (DCWV); Accessories- black embossing powder

Edited to add: The poem--
There are little eyes upon you,
And they're watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly
Take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
To do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming
Of the day he'll be like you.
You're the little fellow's idol
You're the wisest of the wise,
In his little mind about you
No suspicions ever rise;
He believes in you devoutly,
Holds that all you say and do,
He will say and do in your way
When he's all grown up like you.
There's a wide eyed little fellow
Who believes you're always right;
And his ears are always open,
And he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
Every day in all you do;
For the little boy who's waiting
To grow up to be like you.

You're Amazing

I made this using Julee's latest Mojo Monday sketch. It's been a while since I've used one of her sketches and I always LOVE them! I used the Thankful Blossoms set by Verve Visual. Speaking of Verve Visual, have you checked out Say the Word Sale that Julee has going on? Now through June 23 (while supplies last), select Verve sentiment sets are 10% off! So, if you haven't already, head on over and check it out! Also, on the Verve blog, the Design Team has been posting their inspiration challenge creations all week as well as answering some questions about themselves! If you're interested in playing along with the challenge and getting a chance to win $15 in Verve Bucks, check out this post! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Thankful Blossoms (Verve Visual); Paper- Summer Stack (DCWV), Basic Black, Whisper White (SU); Ink- Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), Craft White (SU); Accessories- Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), Martha Steward scallop punch, Copic markers, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, red grosgrain (SU)

Beate Weekend Sketch #52

I can't believe it's Friday and time for another Weekend Sketch Challenge! Michelle from Stamper's Dream sent me this ADORABLE image and sentiment just because she thought I would like it. Like it? I LOVE it! How cute are those two little ladybugs? I needed a new sentiment to go with some of my ladybug images too! What an adorable sentiment. I colored the image in using ink pads and a blender pen. I haven't used a blender pen in a good while. . .especially since I got some Copics! Make sure you go and check out the fabulous creations of Beate, Cambria, Jenn, Laurie, Lori, MaryJo and Sharon. I can't wait to see what they've come up with! Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Ladies, Grow Up (Penny Black); Paper- Summer Stack (DCWV), Basic Black (SU); Ink- Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), Ruby Red, Old Olive (SU); Accessories- Swiss Dots Folder (Provocraft), blender pen, polka dot organdy ribbon (May Arts)

Batch of Love

Here is a card I made for yesterday's Sketch Challenge on SCS. I used two different sets from Paper Pretties. The sentiment is from Sweets for the Sweet, and the image is from Made With Love. You can also find the Webster Pages patterned paper in the boutique! I thought this card would be nice to send with a batch of cookies that Savannah and I may bake today. She's been asking me to make cookies for a while. :)

Some of you have been asking for picture updates of the kids. Here's a quick one that was taken on Memorial Day. As soon as I get the pictures from our recent vacation organized, I'll share some of those too! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Prettie Wednesday

Two weeks ago, Jillian challenged us to Make It New. . .to dust off some old stamps and make them new again. The set By the Seashore from My Favorite Things was one of the FIRST sets Christie sent me when I joined the Paper Pretties Design Team. I LOVED this set and I used it quite a bit when I first got it, but unfortunately, it hasn't seen ink since. So, I decided to dust it off and make a card for Jessie! I did a lot of sponging making clouds and the glow of the sun. I hope she likes it! Stop by the other Prettie Girl blogs to see what they've dusted off! :) Last week Jessie challenged us to make a card using bright colors including orange and today Joni challenged us to make something "by hand". . .something on the card has to be either hand drawn, doodled, or written--no stamps! I hope you'll play along on one of the challenges! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- By the Seashore (My Favorite Things); Paper- The Summer Stack (DCWV), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), Chocolate Chip, Marigold Morning, Soft Sky (SU); Accessories- Aquapainter, Copic markers, sponge

Happy Mail!

Right before I left for vacation, I got this gorgeous card from Tosha at Stamp Talk With Tosh. Isn't it just gorgeous? I just love it! I'm just getting to know Tosha through joining the Stamper's Dream Design Team. She is such a sweetheart and extremely talented! I look forward to getting to know her more! Thank you, Tosh, you made my day!

Someone else who completely made my day lately was Dawn Easton at Treasure Oiler Designz. Dawn is just SO very sweet and always leaves such encouraging comments. I adore her work. Her creations are always so fun and happy, you can't help but smile! This card that she sent me is a perfect example of what makes me think of Dawn. It's fun, bright, happy and just plain ADORABLE! Thank you, Dawn!

Dreams Come True

I made this card using the Dawn Houser Friendship set by Inkadinkado. My favorite stamp in this set is the dress, but I made myself use another stamp from the set instead. After I stamped and cut out the hearts, I ran them through my Xyron to make the fronts sticky and dunked them in glitter. It just gives such a pretty effect. You can find this set at Stamper's Dream along with the patterned paper from the Memory Box Homespun Collection.

Well, I'm off to do some cleaning. I've put it off long enough today! Thanks for checking in! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Friendship (Inkadinkado); Paper- Homespun Collection (Memory Box), So Saffron (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- So Saffron (SU); Accessories- Threading Water punch (Fiskars), paper piercer, So Saffron marker (SU), organdy ribbon (Darice), Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU)

Be Inspired #17

This is for Beate's Be Inspired Challenge for today. I realized while making this that I don't make very many black and white cards. I usually put a little splash of red in there. I controlled myself, though, and just stuck with the black and white theme. LOL Be sure and check out what Beate, Danielle Lounds, Dawn McVey, Jennifer Buck and Silke Ledlow have created using today's inspiration. I'm sure they'll all be gorgeous! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Comfort & Peace (GinaK Designs); Ink- Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), Craft White (SU); Paper- white (Georgia-Pacific), Basic Black (SU); Accessories- ribbon (May Arts), Yen Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), paper piercer, white gel pen, corner rounder

The Road to a Friend's House

Here's a simple little card I made using the Bugs and Blooms stamp set by Memory Box. You can find this stamp set as well as the Memory Box Homespun Collection cardstock, the Memento Tuxedo Black Dew Drop ink pad and May Arts ribbon at Stamper's Dream. Have you seen this stamp set? It is just the cutest. . .that is, if you like bug images! I, of course, just LOVE the ladybug! The sentiment is by A Muse.

We're just getting back from vacation, so I'm trying to go through emails and respond to any of you who have sent messages. If you don't hear from me in the next day or so, please send another email as yours may have gotten lost in the shuffle. Also, if you do need an answer to a question, please make sure there is a way for me to contact you. If it's a general question, I can easily answer that here, but questions that need a more detailed or specialized answer are easier to respond to email to email so I make sure I've answered your question completely. Thank you! :)

Here is a question that Karen left for me that I thought might help others as well.

Karen Marek has left a new comment on your post "Too Hippy?": I am looking at the tutorial on SCS but it seems different than yours. Did you cut the giraffe's legs off the original card and just have it on the piece that you attached. If that is true how did you do it. After I saw this post, I went over to Gina K and ordered this set. Way too cute.

Thanks for your question, Karen! The answer is YES, I cut out the whole giraffe's behind and mounted it on the panel on which I stamped JUST the giraffe's head/neck. You might want to check out the tutorial I wrote for a tilt card right here on my blog. It uses the same stamp set, but the hippo instead of the giraffe. It might be easier to understand since it's the same premise of the "behind" moving instead of just the skirt as in the SCS tutorial. Hope that helps! Let me know!

Hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Bugs and Blooms (Memory Box), sentiment (A Muse); Paper- Homespun Collection (Memory Box); Ink- Wild Wasabi (SU), Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Burnt Umber (Palette), Tuxedo Black (Memento); Accessories- Peony Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), ribbon (May Arts), paper piercer, Copic marker

Sweets For the Sweet

Here's a little candy pouch I made using the Sweets For the Sweet set from Paper Pretties. I stamped the cookie a couple of times on Eclipse Tape and then masked to get this bunch of cookies. The inside of this treat holder has a little chocolate. . .sweet and simple. For directions on this treat holder, you can view Angie's video tutorial here. Hope you're having a great weekend! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Sweets For the Sweet (Paper Pretties); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette); Paper- Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, So Saffron (SU); Accessories- Copic markers, Eclipse tape, brads (Making Memories), grosgrain ribbon (Darice)

Beate Weekend Sketch #51

Another Friday and another Beate Weekend Sketch Challenge! I decided to go simple and maybe even a little masculine with this sketch. I kept the colors and embellishments very plain. I used the Floral Whimsy set by Verve Visual. Be sure and check out what Beate, Cambria, Jenn, Laurie, Lori, MaryJo and Sharon have created for the challenge today. I can't wait to see! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Floral Whimsy (Verve Visual); Paper- Kraft (Papertrey Ink), Basic Black (SU); Ink- Whisper White Craft (SU), Onyx Black (Versafine); Accessories- brads (Making Memories)

Cute Little Cooper

Here is that adorable little Cooper again. I just think he is too sweet. I thought I'd pair him up with this patterned paper from the Nana's Kids Stack. I loved the ABCs and the colors. I colored Cooper in with Copic markers. This card was pretty quick. I think the coloring took the longest. You can find the Look Out World set at Paper Pretties. Have a wonderful day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Look Out World (Paper Pretties); Paper- Nana's KIDS Stack (DCWV), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette), Onyx Black (Versafine); Accessories- brads (Making Memories), Copic markers

Prettie Wednesday

Two weeks ago, Jana challenged the Prettie Girls to create a baby card using Paper Pretties stamps. I know this Sophia is bigger than a baby, but I thought maybe it would work because of the little bear she's cuddling. The bear, of course, is a gift for the baby! :) I used Bazzill cardstock and patterned paper by Cloud9Design. These can be found in the Pretties Boutique. I used a sentiment from the Favor It Baby set by Papertrey Ink. This card is on its way to Joni. Hope she likes it! Make sure you check to see what the other Pretties Girls have come up with for this challenge! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Cuddle Me Sophia (Paper Pretties), Favor It Baby (Papertrey Ink); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Bazzill, Sparkle Collection (Cloud9Design), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- ribbon (American Crafts), Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder (Provocraft), scallop scissors (Fiskars), Copic markers

Be Inspired #16

Another Inspiration Challenge by Beate. I love the clean, organized look of the inspiration piece. I thought this patterned paper from the Memory Box Homespun Collection fit well. The stamps are the Clipboard Decor set from Stampendous and are actually made to fit the chipboard clipboards. I only used the flowers and one of the sentiments from the set for this card. You can find the patterned cardstock, ribbon, stamp set and gemstones all at Stamper's Dream. Make sure you check out what Beate, Danielle Lounds,
Jennifer Buck, Silke Ledlow and Susan Roberts have all come up with for the inspiration challenge. I'm sure they will be wonderful! Hope you're having a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Clipboard Decor (Stampendous); Paper- Homespun Collection (Memory Box), white (Georgia-Pacific), Basic Black (SU); Ink- Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Cameo Coral, Basic Black (SU); Accessories- gemstones (Hero Arts), paper piercer, Basic Black marker (SU), brass template (SU), ribbon (May Arts)

Too Hippy?

Here's another Just So Hippy tilt card I made. This time with the giraffe. You can find the tutorial here. After I took the picture and posted it, I realized that the penny is showing a little! LOL Oh well. . .you still get the picture, right? I colored the giraffe in using Copic markers. I LOVE making these cards. They're just so fun ! If you've made a tilt card, I'd LOVE to see it, so please post a link for me! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Just So Hippy, Hip Hop Accessories (GinaK Designs); Paper- So Saffron, Chocolate Chip (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Burnt Umber (Palette); Accessories- duo satin ribbon (Darice), paper piercer, Copic markers