Friends Are Blessings

My friend Dawn challenged me to use my heart CB folder, so I created this card following a sketch over at Cupcake Craft Challenges. It may be hard to see in the picture, but the Chocolate Chip layer has teeny tiny embossed hearts all over it. (Thanks for challenging me Dawn ... I did give my sister one of these heart CB embossing sets, but have no fear ... I still have one for myself too.)


The picture is not the greatest because I took it with my iPhone. It's so hard to get decent pictures of my projects with the time change because by the time I get home from work it is completely dark.

I love this pumpkin image, it's from the Tall Oaks set by Verve. The sentiment is a retired Stampin Up set and it says "When I count my blessings, I count my friends". Isn't that super sweet? And very true. The leaves are from a retired Stampin Up punch and the patterned paper is My Mind's Eye, it's really a Spring line, but the colors work for Fall as well.

The Original Multi-tasker

It’s been a busy month for me, between traveling to Austin and working remotely with resources on opposite ends of the country and world AND trying to get my dining room painted, I haven't had much time to stamp. But I finally got a chance to play with a couple of InStyle Stamps images. So today and tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my creations with you. For today’s card, I used this utterly adorable Mary image. The first thought that popped into my head when I saw this image was: Mom ... the original multi-tasker. So that's the sentiment I used on my card, which is computer generated.

I followed last week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast (SC228). What a fun sketch!! Perfect for this fun Paper Studio patterned paper I got when I went to Hobby Lobby. The 3 different matching patterns were perfect for this week's sketch. Oh and I paper pieced Mary's dress, which was this week's Wednesday challenge on the InStyle Stamps blog.

Melanie CD Holder

It's my turn to host the Method Monday Challenge over on the InStyle Stamps blog. I've been wanting to make a CD holder for a long time and decided this would be the perfect project for this challenge. I used Melanie for my image ... doesn't she look like she's having a blast? This is another image that totally reminds me of my childhood, so I thought she would be perfect to create a CD holder that I will store all my favorite childhood pictures. I'll scan them in because they belong to my Mom. Many of the photos I chose are in a scrapbook I made for my sister Joy for her 40th birthday from several years ago.

List of Supplies: Melanie Image from InStyle Stamps, Chatterbox patterned paper, Bashful Blue CS, GP White CS, Sheer Dotted Ribbon from Michael's, Velcro Circle (cut in half), Pop Dots, Tombo Adhesive, 1/2" wide double sided tape, scissors, 1-1/4 circle and corner rounder punches, Cutter with scoring blade.

My tutorial is based on this one from Splitcoast Stampers, but I did make a couple of changes.

Step 1: Cut cardstock at 7 7/8 and discard the small scrap of paper. Cut on the short side at 3 inches. You'll have 2 pieces of CS both 11 inches long.



Step 2: Score the larger piece 3 inches in from each side. For the 3" x 11" paper, score at 3 inches in on one side and 3 1/8 inches in on the other side.



Step 3: Adhere glue dots as shown, which will make a pocket to hold your CD.



Step 4: Adhere the 3 inch section just above the 2nd score line on the larger piece of paper and then fold the flap up.



Step 5: Use the SU 1-1/4" circle punch to make a slit to make removing the CD from the holder eaiser.



Step 6: Attach a 1/2 of a velcro dot for opening and closing the project.




Step 7: Use the SU corner rounder punch on the top edge of the project. Optionally you can add some patterned paper to the back section and use the corner rounder on it.



Step 8: Assemble the front of the project with your image and other embellishments as desired.


I hope I have inspired you to make one of these fun projects.

Life's Simple Pleasures

Here's a card I made for Taylor's sketch from this week ... sorry about the wonky angle, but it's very windy here so I had trouble getting a decent picture. What a fun sketch. Don't you love this little Changito with coffee image?? He makes me smile. I'm not sure what I love more ... his pink bunny slippers or the fact that his PJs are buttoned wrong ... lol. I thought my A Muse "Life's Simple Pleasures" sentiment went perfectly with the image.

What's one of your simple pleasures? One of mine is new images and paper. Both on this card were ordered last Sunday from Stamper's Dream and arrived in my PO Box on Wednesday. I love and really appreciate super speedy service like that ... (so, thanks Michelle!!)

Happy Cupcake Day

Here's a card I did for 2 challenges. First, I followed Donna's sketch, which I absolutely love. What a great way to use up some scraps ... of course, that's not what I did here. But still the sketch is great for that. I also did the 3-2-1 challenge from this week's Cupcake Craft Challenges blog. My card has 3 different pieces of cardstock (plus a punch of patterned paper squares), 2 candy dot embellishments and 1 ribbon. I love how my card turned out and I will definitely be making more like this.

So I'm happy to report I was able to complete all 9 sketches from Taylor's challenge. It was a lot of fun. What an amazingly well planned and executed job, congrats to Taylor and her entire Cupcake Crew. I'm looking forward to next year's challenges. I have found that the more I stamp, the more I want to stamp. If only I didn't have to work to support myself and my daughter ... I could stamp all I wanted ... lol.

So Many Challenges

... so little time ... lol. Here's the card I created for Jami's sketch in Taylor's Anniversary Cupcake Sketch challenge. I decided to pair Ginger with some Chatterbox paper I've had for a while. I couldn't believe how well it matched SU's Kiwi Kiss. I used another sentiment from Taylor's A Year of Sweet Sentiments set, which is so versatile. Sorry for the wonky picture, but I was under the gun to get the rest of my pictures uploaded in time for the deadlines to qualify for the drawings that Taylor and her Cupcake Crew will be doing this evening.

Then I decided to create a coat for my card because that what was Maria's Monday Method Challenge was this week on the InStyle Stamps blog. I had to make one minor change. I cut my patterned paper to 3.5 X 11.25 so it would cover my Ginger image.



So here are pictures of the inside of the coat and the whole project from the outside. I love how it turned out. (Great challenge, Maria!!)

You MUST check out Maria's blog. She is such a talented stamper. I'm hoping to make time to do some of the other tutorials on her blog next week with my sister when I'm in Maryland.

Make A Child Smile Birthday Card

I used Sherrie's sketch to create this birthday card that I will be sending out for February's birthday kids over at Make A Child Smile. It's such a wonderful program. And their motto is ... "for the price of a stamp, you can Make A Child Smile". If you're at a loss for where to send any of the wonderful cards you create, rest assured that you have the ability to brighten a sick child's day. And what's more wonderful than that???

It wasn't me ...

For those of you that don't know, I work from home and this morning my company's server was down for a couple of hours ... which was great because I was able to finish one of my cards for Taylor's 1st Anniversary Cupcake Sketch challenges. I swear I had nothing to do with this *ummm* unfortunate situation, but it sure made my day.

So here's the card I made for Monika's sketch. The cupcake image and chunky glitter are from Treehouse Stamps. I used some Bo Bunny patterned paper to paper piece the cupcake wrapper. The icing has Stardust gelly roll pen on it and then I used my Quickie Glue pen on the sprinkle dots and added the Girly Girl chunky glitter. I used my Nesties like crazy on this card. I've been wanting to make a scalloped circle card base (so thanks for the great challenge, Monika) and I definitely will be making more.

This card will be going to a friend who knows I was taking cake decorating classes, so she sent me some accessories and an adorable cupcake decorating book. She's a paper crafter too and I know she will love this card. So, I *may* try to whip up a little set of cards to give to her ... we'll see ... I always have the best of intentions, but often don't have the time to make all the things I want to make. But I must make time for the final 3 cards for Taylor's Anniversary challenge.

Morning People

Here's a card I created following Stephanie's sketch. I love this Fluffles image ... it cracks me up and I knew I had the perfect sentiment to go with it. What do you think? I can totally relate (even though I'm not a coffee drinker). I got the Fluffles stamp at Stamper's Dream and I just want to applaud their customer service because I placed my order on a Friday afternoon and had it in my hands on Monday. The patterned papers are from Taylor's Valentine Key Ingredients Kit. That tells you 2 things ... first I love it and second I haven't put away much since I started working on all of these challenges. lol.

2 More Cupcake Challenge Cards

Here's a picture with 2 cards I created as part of Taylor's 1 year Anniversary of Cupcake Challenges. The one on the left follows Jackie's sketch and the one on the right follows Ana's sketch. It sure has been fun coming up with projects for these challenges. 4 down ... 5 more to go.

Sorry for being brief, but I'm on a mission ... lol.

Supplies for You Did It card: Penny Black image, TE Sentiment, Polka Dots & Paisleys DSP, So Saffron, Regal Rose and GP CS, Tempting Turqoise GG ribbon, Nesties, Primas.

Supplies for Here's the Scoop card: Memory Box image and sentiment, patterned paper from Bo Bunny, Bazzill textured CS and buttons & white card base.

Cupcake Sketch Book

Here's another project I created for the 1 Year Anniversary of Taylor's Cupcake Sketches. Right now it's just 2 altered chipboard pieces with binder rings, but I will be filling it with all the fun sketches that Taylor has come up with during the past year. I based my project on Vicki's sketch, but I turned it over. I also had to place the jewels on the image layer to make room for my binder rings. The image is from Just Johanna (I paper pieced the cupcake wrapper ... can you tell that I love the striped paper), the Girly Girl chunky glitter I used for the top of the cupcake is from Treehouse Stamps, the sentiment is from Verve (it is probably my favorite sentiment EVER) and the papers are from Taylor's Valentine Key Ingredients Kit.

I'm not 100% sure the binder clip setup will work long term ... so I may have to use my sister's bind it all when I go to Maryland in 2 weeks (we'll make you one of these babies too, Joy).

Fluffles Mini Pizza Valentine

Here's the project I created with Taylor's sketch this week. I started with this adorable Fluffles Wuv image I got from Stamper's Dream ... isn't it cute?? I colored him with my Copics and then I added sparkle to the red heart with a stardust gelly roll pen. I used a piece of SU Chocolate Chip CS for the base of my mini pizza box, but all the other papers (and the ribbon) are from one of Taylor's Key Ingredients kits. It is WONDERFUL to have all the coordinating done for you. I ran the patterned papers through my CB with the Language of Love embossing kit that Dawn had used on her adorable bookmark (Thanks for the info on the folder, Dawn). It might be hard to see, but there are teeny tiny hearts not dots. I love, love, love this folder.

Oh, and here's a picture of the inside of the pizza box. These papers were ran through the CB the opposite way, so the hearts go in not out. Technically, this was a mistake ... but I actually love the look. The sentiment is from Taylor's A Year of Sweet Sentiments set, which has so many wonderful sentiments, it's a must have.

Okay be sure to check back later today and throughout the weekend because I'm going to be working on the 8 other challenges from the "Cupcake Crew" to create more projects.

Happy Dance

Here's a card I did for 2 challenges, the sketch over at the Cupcake Craft Challenges blog and today's Limited Supply challenge on SCS (Paint It Black). The adorable image is from Penny Black, it's called Spring Dance. Well since it's not Spring, this little girl is doing a Happy Dance. I'll be sending it to a friend's daughter who placed 3rd all around in her gymnastics meet last weekend. I have no gymnastic themed stamps, but I'm sure Nichole feels really happy by her wonderful accomplishment so I thought this image would be perfect. I used a Gelly Roll pen on the flowers in her hair and her little bunny slippers, so they are very sparkly in real life.

I can't believe it's been over a week since I posted ... what a bad blogger. Oh well, things have been a little crazy with my job these days. Plus some of the things I'm creating I don't want to post because they're being sent to people who look at my blog.

I'm hoping to spend some of the upcoming weekend making cards with all the fun sketches that the Cupcake Crew created for Taylor's 1 year Cupcake Sketch anniversary. You've gotta go check it out, if you haven't already.

Oh and here's a picture of my dog Riley. We got 3 inches of snow here on Tuesday. Being from Maryland, that's not really a big deal ... but apparently the last time it snowed here was 6 years ago. And let me tell you, they don't really know how to handle the snow down here. All the public school systems closed Monday night before a single flake hit the ground ... lol. Oh well, better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, Riley is definitely a snow dog.

Cupcake Craft Challenge 22

There's a sketch challenge this week on the Cupcake Craft Challenges blog, so I kept the coffee theme from my Note Card Box project from yesterday and made a Riley card using the sketch. Check out all the fun samples the Design Team created for this sketch challenge.

I love using the candy dots I got from Taylor's store for the flower centers. I wish I would have gotten 2 packs of white. I put the flowers up on pop dots I got from Michaels. Have any of you done that?? I normally use mini glue dots, but I like how this turned out.

Here's a picture of both projects together. I tend to make a lot of projects in sets. It makes sense to whip out a complementary card while you have all the supplies out, don't you think? I also made some extra cards while I was at it to keep in my card stash, which helps with one of my New Year's resolutions to send out more cards this year.

Note Card Box

Here's a project I did for the InStyle Stamps Method Monday challenge, which is being hosted by Jennie this week. (Great challenge, Jennie!!) I used this cute Whimsy Cup digital download from InStyle Stamps. The cool thing about digital images is that you can resize them, but the clarity stays the same. The cup I used on my notecards is smaller than the one I put on the box itself. I made my box a little wider, so I could put some coffee themed note cards in it. (Instead of 8 1/2 x 10, my paper is 8 1/2 x 10 1/2). I am very happy with how this project turned out. It will be a great gift for a coffee loving friend. I also added some envelopes that I stamped with some coffee mug images and sample packs of flavored coffee or you could pair the notecards with a Starbucks gift card for a fun gift.

I based the layout of my box on this week's Cupcake Craft Challenge. I will be creating a card to go with it that will follow that sketch a little more closely.

I used some Stampin Up retired Designer Series Paper, Cool Caribbean and GP White paper, Primas and some Candy Dots from Taylor's store.

Check out these projects made by other InStyle Stamps Design Team members:
Cindy
Maria
Shary

Sketches! Guest Designer

I was asked to be today's Guest Designer for the Sketches! {by tamara} blog and here is the card I made using sketch #72. I sent this card to a SCS member that is going through a very difficult time right now. I love that this particular sketch focused on the sentiment, which is what I needed in this case.

I used some fun paper I got from Ellen Hutson's store a while ago. I like pinks and greens and this Sugar paper is so girly and cute. I used a clear square SU button and backed it with some pink houndstooth paper and then added a little celery grosgrain ribbon. I used Regal Rose and Certainly Celery cardstock from SU to coordinate with the patterned paper.

Thanks Tamara for showcasing my card on the Sketches! blog ... it's truly an honor.

Thankful for Shopping

I wanted to share a card I did combining today's InStyle Stamps Thankful Thursday sketch, which was created by Melissa (great sketch, girl) and this week's Color Challenge (#200) on SCS. Don't you wish you could be as color coordinated as Suzie Q?? Somehow her clothes and accessories always match ... how does she do it ... lol. I love this retired Jersey Shore DSP ... very fun and retro. I paper pieced 3 of the bags. The sentiment is from Elzybells. Be sure to check out the cards on the blogs of these InStyle Stamps Design Team members:

Jen
Jennie
Melissa
Shary

Oh and thanks Melissa for the cool tip of using a CD and a craft knife to get a large circle for those of us that don't own a circle cutter. But rest assured I will be getting one because Stampin Up will be carrying them in their new Spring / Summer Idea Book & Catalog.

Cupcake Craft Glitter Challenge with OCC sketch

Here's a dual challenge card that matched my gift bag from Saturday. My timing couldn't have been any more perfect to break out the glitter since one of today's challenges I found on the Daily Dare is a Glitter Challenge on the Cupcake Craft Challenges blog. I followed this week's OCC sketch challenge. Go check out the design team's cards if you get a chance ... those girls ROCK.

I started with a Sheree image to go with my gift bag. I used Gable Green and Regal Rose cardstock with the same Heidi Grace papers. I added ribbon instead of having a scallop layer and used a sentiment from A Muse. I used a Sakura Quickie Glue pen and some glitter I got from the Taylored Expressions store. This method turned out much better for me than using Stickles.

Here's a picture with both projects together. I love how they complement each other, but aren't an exact match.

Today's Featured Stamper

I found a cool website to help keep track of all the wonderful challenges that are available from Michelle's blog ... she & Lori are part of the blog team and I know them both originally from the PIF forum on Splitcoast (Hi Michelle and Lori!!). One of my New Year's resolutions is to participate in more challenges. So now I have no excuse since a group of clever ladies are putting them all in one convenient spot ... called the Daily Dare .

I made this card for today's Featured Stamper challenge ... this week's stamper is the one and only Julie Ebersole (aka JulieHRR), she is stamping royalty. I have always been a huge fan of Julie's work, but then who hasn't?? I broke out some coffee themed stamps to use for my card and I used this card of Julie's to CASE:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/745787?cat=500&ppuser=362

Relaxing in Style

I followed this week's SFYTT from Jen's blog to create this little gift bag. I love this Sheree image from InStyle Stamps. I've been wanting to get a bubble bath themed stamp and this one was just too cute to pass up. I used some Heidi Grace paper I've had for a while and paired it with a fun bag I got at Target. I have a confession ... I am Stickles challenged (I tend to use too much and it gets all messy) ... but I wanted to make all of Sheree's bubbles really sparkle, so I used a Sakura Quickie Glue pen (which has a really, really fine point) and some Starfire glitter I got at Taylor's store.


Here's a close up of the image so you can see the sparkle. I love how this project turned out.