H&M Stamps Sneak Peak

Is this not one of the cutest little bunnies you've ever seen?! Well, today I have the privilege of giving you a sneak peak to just one of the new stamp sets that Heather, over at H&M Stamps is releasing. When I say sneak, I really do mean it! This card only shows 3 of the 19 adorable images and greetings. The set I'm using is called Eggstra Special and was designed by Debbie Corbari. And looking at the website, it looks like it will be available to order today! *cheers wildly* :)


Want to see what the rest of the card looks like?? Well, of course you do! :)

I used the latest MOJO sketch for inspiration and new "springy" glitter Easter designer paper by Bo Bunny. I colored bunny in with Copics and then used my white gel pen for little whiskers. I used clear Sakura glaze pen on his belly, ears, and foot pads for fun. :) I wanted my carrot to be glittery with the rest of the card, so I put Stardust Stickles on the carrot and colored the greenery in with Melon atYou Spica glitter pen. I also used another new EK Success edge puncher with little scallops on the scallops. FUN!! So what do you think? Too much of a sneak and want to see more?? GREAT!! Head on over to these wonderful ladies blogs and make sure you're comfy in your chair. You *might* see a couple other sets that are being "sneaked" today. :)

Carolina at Carolina's Creative Pad
Julia at Create With Me
Heather K at her Splitcoast Gallery
Heather Rolin at My Creation Station
Makiko at Makink Studio
Maria at Scraps by M
Suzanne at Scrap Bitz
Tracy at Stamp Create Enjoy

I hope you just loved what you saw and will be back on the 15th for a fun blog hop featuring 3d items *drool drool drool*!!

Thanks for stopping by and getting "in stamping mode!"

SC217

Ever seen ice cream with a glittery coating? Me neither, but it shore does look yummy to meeee!! Mmmmmmm :) On a different note, have you ever had a "WOW....I REALLY spaced out," kind of moment? I had decided to try out the latest Splitcoast Sketch Challenge and use what's called little "inchies" as my focal image. Basically, small images that can fit into a 1" square. So I made my little ice cream cones and proceed to let those dry while I look for the 1" square punch. Well, I guess I had never purchased that punch *gasp* and so I think to myself, "crap, I can't finish this card until I go out and by a 1" square punch." YES I AM SERIOUS!!! It only took me about 30 minutes to figure out they, "hey! I can just cut little square with my paper trimmer." Literally....this was a palm_to_forehead kind of moment. Don't judge!!!! :)

Here's the final product.

All supplies Stampin' Up! (unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: ABC Images, Warm Words
Ink: Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Candy Lane dsp
Accessories: Fine Supernova glitter, Crystal Effects, Lt. Pink gingham (retired), Swiss Dots by Cuttlebug, Dew Drops by Robin's Nest

Thanks so much for stopping in and remember....don't judge!!! :)))

Gift bag VIDEO tutorial!

So I passed along to Rosie (my good friend and downline) the overwhelming interest in her gift bag and she worked hard to make a VIDEO TUTORIAL!! She just created her blog a few days ago and I think that she is off to a GREAT start! Be sure to give her some love when you stop by. She worked really hard!

GIFT BAG TUTORIAL HERE!!

If you haven't seen the bags, they are in this post.

Mike's...it's a love/hate thing

There was a little buzz on Splitcoast about the new generation EK Success punches a couple days ago. I'd read about them sometime during CHA about how fabulous they are....they store flat but can also punch through heavier weight cardstock with ease. Whaaaaaat?! I'm not kidding you! So, off I went to Michael's today (40% coupon in hand) and proceed to scout for this new product. I was disappointed to see an end cap full of EK Success price labels with not a single punch. Did Michael's not know I was on a mission?? I find the nearest employee, who just happens to be the store manager, and ask if they would be stocking the new EK Success punches any time soon. Well, lo and behold, she responds, "yes! That's what these are boxes of! I will stock them now and you can watch." And oooh how I watched, like a HAWK. So as we're ogling over these new punches, I'm literally getting the pick of the litter. I kid you not, there are something like 20 new edge punches and momma only has ONE 40% off coupon. Did I also mention they are only stocking 3 OF EACH???? Oh the horror!!!! I love Michael's...but WHY...oh why must they only carry a small amount of stock? Oh! Did I also tell you that she informed me that once they are gone, that's it?? They will not get restocked!!! Anyway, I did good and limited myself to only 3 punches. Wanna see them? :)

Immediately after I bought these little gems, I called 3 of my friends who, in turn, immediately drove to Mike's and stocked up. Remember my friend Rosie? She bought 10!! I know!! SHOCK AND AWE, lol!

Ok, enough about that. I had to play so I got out the one with Scallops and Diamonds (pictured on the left.) A friend of mine recently had her mother pass away and I've needed to make a card letting her know she is in my prayers and that I have been thinking about her. I used the latest CPS Card Sketch for inspiration.

All Supplies Stampin' Up! (unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Everyday Blessings by Papertrey Ink
Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Grey
Paper: Whisper White, Vellum cardstock, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey
Accessories: Liquid Pearls in White Opal by Ranger, Crystal Sticker Pearls by Mark Richards, Scallops and Diamonds edge punch by EK Success, Basic Grey taffeta ribbon

PS. Look for a tutorial within the next couple of days on how to make the birthday bag! :)

Birthday Gift Bag

Ok, so a little back info before I post the pictures of the cutest gift bag I've ever seen. One of my friend's birthday was this weekend and 3 of us (all of us are demonstrators) had made plans to all go to Archiver's on the evening of her birthday for a crop night. I guess there was this unspoken competition to come up with the cutest gift packaging for her gift...who knew we were all so competitive?! :) So I presented mine...standard card with matching embellished white gift bag. It was cute and adequate. And then...you remember Rosie's cards from a couple days ago, right? She demurely pulls out THE cutest gift bag we'd ever seen. Seriously, it was GAME OVER at that point. She pulls it out and we're all ooohing and aaahing over this awesome looking bag that she "threw together like 30 minutes before we picked her up." hahaha Needless to say, the last person to present her gift slapped her envelope on the table and slid it over...naturally defeated. LOL! Her card was super adorable too, though! Oh, the harsh life us papercrafters have!
Here's what Rosie came up with.


Isn't it stinkin' cute?!?! I, seriously, have never seen anything like it. I saw her recreate another one and it's sooo simple to make it! Interested in the instructions at all?

She made another one using the Raspberry Tart dsp too.


Cute, huh?!!

Thanks for stopping by and getting "in stamping mode." :)

In Swap Mode

In swapping mode is what I'm going to be in the next couple of days! I have a swap due on Sunday and I just finalized my swap card. Now I need to just make 20+1 of these little babies. And these are definitely little babies as I put a lot of tender loving care into them. The requirement for the swap was to use a stamp set new to the catalog. I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm not using a new set! Instead I'll be using one of the new dies. I hope this is ok! Ready to see the card? Here gooooes.....



I'm hoping that I can finish making 21 copies of this by tomorrow evening. Wish me luck!!! :)

All Supplies Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Short & Sweet
Ink: Creamy Caramel, White craft
Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Vellum cardstock, Taste of Textiles, Parisian Breeze Specialty,
Accessories: Kraft taffeta, Beautiful Butterflies die, Slot punch, Dazzling Diamonds, Iridescent Ice, Eyelet Border punch, Cutter kit, Half-back Pearl from the Pretties kit

I vote, oddest color combination evaaaa!

Before I get to the oddest color combination you have probably ever seen, I'll post a little something easier on the eyes. :) You know what? Looking back on this, this probably isn't the easiest on the eyes either! Well, I wanted to ink up my new Trendy Trees stamp set AND use some new Urban Oasis dsp. I coupled this all with Taylor's latest Challenge #55
and this card was born! I'm still unsure if I like it, lol. It, at least, looks fun, amiright??

Now for, in my opinion, the funkiest colors to be put together. Imagine, if you will, Sage Shadow, Bashful Blue, Basic Black, and So Saffron as your color palette. A little apprehensive about tackling that one? Well here's what I made today! I love me some Mojo Monday so I just had to use the sketch for inspiration. Whattaya think? My mom is in town visiting and wanted a couple of birthday cards made for my aunt and a Japanese friend of hers. Now, she doesn't have any interest in stamping, but she definitely likes this Four Dolls set by Hero Arts, so I happily obliged her request. :)






















Supplies

"Thanks so much card" All supplies Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Trendy Trees
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black
Paper: Urban Oasis dsp, Urban Garden dsp, Baja Breeze, Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: White taffeta ribbon, black brads, Circle Scissors Plus

"Wish Big card"
Stamps: Short & Sweet, Four Dolls by Hero Arts
Ink: Memento Black, So Saffron, Sage Shadow, Copics
Paper: Sage Shadow, Basic Black, So Saffron, Neenah Solar White, Far East dsp by DCWV
Accessories: Sakura black jelly roll pen, rhinestones, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, black grosgrain ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping in! Hopefully you won't have to invest in some glasses, LOL!

Just a quickie!

It's been a whirlwind of a week, and I haven't had much time to create, but I just can't contain my excitement about this. This has to be a post all to itself!! I'm SOOO THRILLED to announce that I was selected to be a Design Team Member for H&M STAMPS!!!!! You can check out all the details on Heather Rolin's (owner) blog HERE.

I must say, I am completely humbled to be stamping among such amazing fellow Design Team members. It's going to be an exciting 6 months!!!

I'm gonna cheat a little

And I don't mean on my diet...because that's a daily occurrence and doesn't need to be said, it's just plain understood. :) I'm actually going to post some cards that my dear and very TALENTED friend, Rosie made. I've been so busy this week preparing for a big Birthday Stamp a Stack this weekend, some projects I'll show off early next month *grin*, and nursing a cold that I haven't had a chance to stamp for fun. Can I have a pity party on the internet??

Anyway, here they are!!!






Aren't they sooo stinkin' cute?!?!?! Thanks for stopping in and I should be back and stalking participating in my favorite sketches next Monday.

My attempt at Clean and Simple

I don't know what it is, but I am seriously drawn to cards that are "clean and simple." They are always so striking...send a clear message, and most of all, so tidy! Now, I don't consider myself a CAS stamper, but I decided to try it out! I tell you the one MAJOR plus about it...you're finished with your card in a matter of minutes! SCORE!! A typical card for me usually never takes me less than an hour. This card took me about 10 minutes, tops! *cheers wildly*

I got the layout from Card Positioning Systems latest sketch challenge #102. I've had the large Heidi Swapp heart in my stash for a long time and I wanted to use paper with hearts in it, so I reached for my Bittersweet by Basic Grey paper. It always feels so good to use something that's just sitting there collecting dust. I'm sure it makes them happy to be loved too. :) Anywho! On to the deets.

Stamps: none
Ink: none
Paper: Mellow Moss, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Bittersweet by Basic Grey
Accessories: Love Notes ribbon by Making Memories, Love & Happiness rubons, Heidi Swapp XL ghost heart, pink taffeta ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping in! :)

Look ma, no stamps!

I put this card together in a hurry! Can you tell? :) I'm doing this so that I can have a chance at winning Papertrey's 95 spools of drop-dead-gorgeous ribbon! I dunno why I constantly enter these contests though...I never win!!! Oh well...wish my luck this time!

I followed a sketch that she had us connect the dots to, to figure out what it looked like. How cute is that?!

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: none!
Ink: none!
Paper: Soft Sky, Soft Sky dsp, Confetti white
Accessories: Love & Happiness rubons, White taffetta ribbon, Pretties half back pearls

Stationary gift set

My son's teacher's birthday was today... well technically, it was yesterday. I saw this card ensemble made on the Just Rite Stampers blog by Sharon Johnson and just knew I had to make this as a gift for her. Now, I didn't reinvent the wheel here at all. What you're seeing is seriously, the definition of a CASE. The only thing that's different is that I used Lauren Meader's Timeless Template, All Boxed Up to create the holder for the cards. You've seen me use it before here.

If you want more details on the project, make sure to go to the Just Rite Stampers blog in the link I provided earlier. Sharon did an EXCELLENT write-up on what she used as well as fabulous pictures of the entire stationary set. I'm tellin ya...after you see it, you'll want to make some for yourself!
Here's a picture of the box opened so you can see where you insert your cards.


I used Neenah Solar White cardstock for the base of the box and Pink Pirouette cardstock for the inserts. The yummy ribbon is the Swiss Dot Dark Chocolate ribbon from Papertrey Ink. I also used a couple Prima flowers with the hat pin and pearls from my Stampin' Up! Pretties kit. By the way, the punch I used to punch out the monogram is Stampin' Up!'s 1 3/4" circle punch. It fits perfectly around the Damask border. The chocolate circle and white scallop were made with the Large sized Standard Circle Nestabilities.

Ok...I have a gazillion, and one (I had to add that +1 on there for added oomph) things coming up, and can I just say I feel entirely overwhelmed?! I, seriously, feel so overwhelmed with things to do that when I finally go to bed from exhaustion, I lay there for another hour just running through all the things that I need to do. OI! It's so annoying! Needless to say, if I disappear for a few days, I'm still here! I'm EXTREMELY excited about a couple upcoming projects that I'll have to wait to show you later. *wink*

Thanks so much for stopping by and getting "in stamping mode!"

A Teddy Bear Picnic

My son's teacher (mind you, he is in pre-kinder) always comes up with such clever ideas on how to celebrate the holidays. For Valentine's this year, she has decided that the children will have a teddy bear picnic as their Valentine "party." In preparation for this event, she has begun reading a book to the children that says if you have a picnic, the bears will come. All the parents are to sneak a bear to her with a little love note attached for their child. She will then have the bears sitting at their desk when they arrive to school on the 13th. They will have the bears with them for the duration of the class, and for lunch, the parents will pack their children's lunches in a basket so that they may eat outside, "picnic style!" How cute is that?! The baskets will then be used for the children to store and bring home their Valentines that they receive at school. Oh my gosh this is such a cute idea!! Can I join along?! LOL :)

Well when I went to Target the other idea, I just happened upon the CUTEST little picnic basket in the toy section! Oh...my...gosh...I was giddy with excitement! I just knew what I wanted to do with it...embellish it, of course!! Here's what it looked like when I bought it.


It was an adorable little tea set! I didn't think he's appreciate a pink basket, so here's the after.


I used a Build a Brad as a "button" to secure the top for closure. The ribbon is retired Soft Sky double-stitched ribbon.

Here's the inside.


Recognize the paper at all? It's retired Stampin' Up dsp, aptly called, Afternoon Tea. I wanted something pretty but not too girly...he is all boy afterall! :) I used the Scallop Edge punch to scallop the edges to make them look less like paper and more like pretty fabric. I also added large eyelets and weaved Groovy Guava doublestitched ribbon through. All the paper is adhered to the basket with a glue gun. I've always said, "men have duct tape...women have glue guns." :)


The sentiment is a stamp set from Verve Stamps that I absolutely love called Hundred Hearts. I knew that this would be PERFECT on my little bear...even though my little human bear can't read it yet. :) I wrote a little love note on the back from Mommy, Daddy and Catie. I'm so thrilled with how this turned out!!
Verve is actually hosting a challenge called the "Kid at Heart Project Parade," and you know how I'm a sucker for challenges! hehe I'd been wanting to participate in this for a month now, but had total mental block on what to create. This project for the class just worked perfectly!

Thanks so much for looking and getting "in stamping mode."

Courtney's Celebrates a Year!

Look at this super sweet little girl! She is turning ONE today and I happily obliged Libby, over at Libby's Little Addiction, to help her celebrate! See that cute little outfit she's wearing? Well, myself and a few others were challenged to create something inspired by it. Now this is not a new challenge over at Libby's blog. She has been posting pictures of her sweet girl in various outfits and challenging everyone that visits to be inspired by Courtney's Closet and create something for almost a year now! Check out what all these talented stampers came up with and be sure to give them some love. :)

Carole Burrage at Mother's Little Helper
Leslie Miller at Running With Scissors
Maria Gurnsey at Scraps by M
Rose Ann Reynolds at Paper Delightz
Nancy Riley at iSTAMP
Sue Kment at Sue's Stamping Stuff

And here is what I came up with..

All Supplies Stampin' Up! (unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Short & Sweet, (I hand drew the cherry on top)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers for coloring
Paper: Neenah Solar White, Whisper White, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Always dsp
Accessories: Cuttlebug Argyle and Swiss Dots embossing folder, Bold Brights beads, Stickles, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Nestabilities, Coluzzle, Crystal Effects, Word Window punch, White grosgrain, Pumpkin grosgrain

Not enough eye candy for ya? Well how about some BLOG CANDY!??! That's right! There's no birthday without presents and Libby's definitely got some mad goodies to give! Be sure to stop by her blog for some sweet and delicious blog candy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!!

Getting back to my roots

Ok, but not completely...because I'm not Japanese. My mom is half Thai and half Chinese so Southeast Asian all the same! I just call myself "a by-product of the Vietnam War." Just delayed by a few years. :) Either way, I saw this new set by Hero Arts called Four Dolls and I just had to have it! The little girls are just soo adorable! I love everything about this set. There are even more Asian accessories that you can purchase to coordinate with it! *drool*

I spent a lot of loving care putting this card together. This close-up, hopefully, shows the shimmer in the flowers on her kimono as well as a bit of shimmer on the fans. Click the photo to get a better view!

My layout follows the latest Mojo Monday Challenge...LOVE THOSE! The sketch looks as follows...
And here's the full card.

Cute, yes? :)