LAYOUT IN THE SUN

Sending Smiles

2009-09-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

Here's another relatively simple card using more of the awesome designer paper from the new "Earth Love" line by Cosmo Cricket. I just love the soft pastels. There were cute little snails on the strip sheet of this paper line so I punched one out and used it as my focal point. I jazzed up the snail's shell with a little bit of Stickles glitter glue (also on the butterflies) but it's hard to see in the photo. I also used another one of the little clear stamps from the "Mini Messages" set by Hero Arts. Again, I placed it on the acrylic block in a curve. The butterflies are from a Martha Stewart punch and I put little adhesive pearls down for their bodies. I also punched some circles and layered them on top of the flower to present the snail a little better. Enjoy!

Paper: Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket); solid cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocao (Memento)

Stamp: Mini Messages set (Hero Arts)

Accessories: butterfly trio punch (Martha Stewart); circle punches (EK Success); flower (Kaisercraft); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); fruit punch glitter glue (Stickles)

A Happy Hello

2009-09-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a simple card I created using the awesome new paper line by Cosmo Cricket called "Earth Love." I was so excited when I got it... I just *love* the mushrooms! I got a cute little mushroom sparkle clear stamp set by Hero Arts quite a while ago... but I can't find where I put it! So frustrating! This mushroom paper would have been perfect for it! Oh well. I ended up getting "scrappy" with this card instead and just used one of the stamps from Hero Arts' sparkle clear "Mini Messages" set. The sentiments are so cute and small... but they don't quite fit the word window punch by Stampin' Up! (also frustrating). I ended up placing it on the acrylic block in a curve to match scallop. I also added little adhesive rhinestones underneath to jazz it up a little. Looking at it now I wish I would have given the flower another layer under the button, but maybe that would have been too busy. Too late now! Hope you like it anyway!

Paper: "Earth Love" (Cosmo Cricket); solid cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocao (Memento)

Stamp: Mini Messages set (Hero Arts)

Accessories: scallop oval dies (Nestabilities); flower (Prima); button (PaperTrey Ink); adhesive rhinestones (Kaisercraft)

Cat in Tree- AMYRTFS5

2009-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Yipee! It's my sketch week again at Prairie Paper & Ink! Amy is kind enough to feature one of my sketches once a month for her Friday Sketch Challenge, so I must make a card using it, right? Here's what I came up with. I'm not thrilled about it for some reason, but it is my first attempt at using my new Copic markers! I had been using watercolor pencils before... but now I'm a Copic addict! Anyway, I just adore this stamp from Wild Rose Studio, a UK company that wasn't shipping to the U.S. until now! I spent several months trying to get my hands on their stamps! One of my favorite online stores, All That Scraps, started selling some of their stamps a couple of months ago, but they took a while to get the cute cat and dog stamps that I so desperately wanted! I had to wait to get my hands on those... even begging the UK company directly didn't work! I even tried to get the two stamp stores in my area to order them, but they weren't interested in clear clings. Nevertheless... I have my stamps now and I'm a happy camper! This image was bigger than I thought, so it was a little hard to work it into this sketch. Maybe that's what I'm hung up on. Perhaps these stamps need center staging without busy designer paper. Hmmm.

Paper: "Lillian" designer paper (Crate Paper)

Ink: rich cocoa ink pad (Memento); markers (Copic)

Stamp: Cat in Tree (Wild Rose Studio)

Accessories: circle die (Nestabilities); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); dimensionals adhesive foam (Stampin' Up!)

Kindness MOJO101

2009-08-31T00:11:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... I finally have a card to post! This layout is from LAST week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge (missed the deadline by minutes!). I used designer paper by DCWV (Die Cuts With a View) from their "Latte" collection. I found the paper pack on sale at Michael's and just love the colors! I also used a quote stamp from the "Echoes of Kindness" stamp set by Stampin' Up! Enjoy!

Paper: Latte (DCWV)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Stamp: Echoes of Kindness (SU)

Accessories: ribbon (May Arts); button and twine (PaperTrey Ink); circle and scallop dies (Nestabilities); paper piercer

Hello Friend - AMYRTFS4

2009-08-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Yessss! It's time for MY sketch to appear over at Amy Rysavy's blog (Prairie Paper & Ink)! She features me as her guest sketch designer every 4th Friday for her weekly Friday Sketch challenge! How awesome is THAT? Well, my sketch was posted last Friday and I'm am just now finally getting around to posting a card using my sketch. Slacker... I know. Anyway, I again used the K & Co. "Wild Raspberry" 8x8 paper pad that I happened upon over the weekend... I just love it! I also finally used the adorable "Dahlia" stamp from The Greeting Farm (available online at All That Scraps)... she's been sitting among my things for a while now (and there are others still sitting there to be used as well... gotta get on it)! Well, enjoy my card, AND my sketch!

Stamps: Dahlia (The Greeting Farm); Hello Friend (Hero Arts)

Paper: Wild Raspberry designer paper (K & Co.); cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento (Tsukineko); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Accessories: adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); circle and oval scalloped dies (Nestabilities); word window punch (SU); ribbon (May Arts)

One Of A Kind - MOJO 97

2009-08-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

I finally got around to creating a submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge, which ends tonight! I was putzing around in my craft space and happened upon an 8x8 pad of K & Co. paper called "Wild Raspberry." I forgot that I had it and I just love all the papers in it! It was a sweet surprise to find! Enjoy!

Stamp: One of a Kind (Hero Arts)

Paper: Wild Raspberry designer paper (K & Co.); cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento (Tsukineko); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Accessories: button and twine (Papertrey Ink); flowers (Kaisercraft, Hero Arts); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); scalloped scallop border punch (EK Success); circle and scalloped circle dies (Nestabilities); small circle punches (SU); photo corner punch (SU)

Razzleberry Friend

2009-07-31T22:34:00.000-07:00

I actually have a card that isn't a sketch challenge submission! Can you believe it??? The layout is simple, but I was focussed on the stamp. I really like this one in the Razzle Dazzle set. It was fun to play around with. I really like the new "in colors" too.

Stamp: Razzle Dazzle (SU)

Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade dp (SU); cardstock (SU)

Ink: markers (SU)

Accessories: razzleberry dot ribbon (reversed) (SU); buttons (PaperTrey Ink); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); scalloped scallop border punch (EK Success); circle and scallop circle dies (Nestabilities); Billboard letters decorative strip die (Sizzix Big Shot)

Thanks So Much - AMYRS5

2009-07-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here is my submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. I finally used a stamp from AmyR's "Thank You Sentiments" set! I also finally inked up the Junebug fairy! She's so cute! Anyway, I just love the new Cottage Wall designer paper from Stampin' Up... and I'm excited that I have flowers to match! Thanks for the nice "oldie but goodie" sketch Amy!

Paper: Cottage Wall dp (SU); solid cardstock (SU)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Stamps: Junebugs fairy (C.C. Designs) ; 'Thanks So Much' sentiment (AmyR Stamps)

Accessories: ribbon (SU); flowers (Prima and Hero Arts); brad (Bazzill); adhesive pearls and rhinestone (Kaisercraft); word window punch (SU); Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); Stardust glitter glue (Stickles)

Just Saying Hello - MOJO96

2009-07-27T00:17:00.000-07:00

OOohhh! I'm late! I hope Mr. Linky is still awake so I can upload my submission to this week's sketch challenge at the Mojo Monday blog before a new sketch is released! I finally inked up and created some "real" cards last night at scrappy hour. Yeah! I'm feelin' the creative juices flowing again!

Paper: Cottage Wall dp (SU); solid cardstock (SU)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Stamps: Swiss Pixie Heidi (C.C. Designs) ; 'Just Saying Hello' sentiment (Hero Arts)

Accessories: ribbon (May Arts); flowers (Prima and Hero Arts); brad (Bazzill); adhesive rhinestone (Kaisercraft); word window punch (SU); Nestabilities circle and scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders); Stardust glitter glue (Stickles)

Birthday Wishes - AMYRS72

2009-07-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Here's my submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. All the papers and elements are from the "Forget Me Not" digi kit by Zoe Pearn (Sweet Shoppe Designs). Enjoy!

[Yes, I cheated again... but I printed it out and photographed it... impressive, huh?]

Enjoy - MOJO95

2009-07-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

At long last... I made a real card! I certainly wasn't as productive at scrappy hour last night as I should have been... I socialized WAY too much! Nevertheless, I managed to create a submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge before it ends tomorrow! This card is all "scrappy" and not "stampy" at all. I used paper from Basic Grey's new "Lemonade" collection, which I love, and I cut the letters with my Cuttlebug using the "Billboard" Sizzlits strip die from Stampin' Up. The letters are a perfect size for cards! This card took way longer to create than it should have (I messed around with it too much), but I also spent time showing friends the digi cards I've been creating, which I printed yesterday to see what they would look like, and I was impressed! I went ahead and took a photo of the three printed digi cards together to try to show what they look like as printed cards.

I just might have to do this for my holiday cards this year! It would be a lot less stressful to just design a few and print a bunch! Anyway, I've got plans to go back to scrappy hour again next Saturday, and I think I'll try to organize some projects this week so I can be more productive when I get there! :)

Paper: Lemonade (Basic Grey); solid cardstock (Bazzill)

Accessories: "Billboard" Sizzlits strip die (Stampin' Up); sprig leaves punch (Martha Stewart); ribbon (unknown); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); circle punches (EK Success and SU); flowers (Bazzill and Hero Arts); button (Papertrey Ink)

Thank You - AMYRS71

2009-07-16T22:06:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm still not back on track with real crafting, but I plan on putting in some serious creation time tomorrow night during Scrappy Hour at Green Tangerines... and hopefully that will re-spark my enthusiasm for making cards! In the meantime, I have created yet another digi card for my last-minute submission to Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. I made this 'Thank You' card using elements and papers from the "Retro Cocoa" kit designed by Melissa Bennett (Sweet Shoppe Designs). I'm really enjoying making digi cards when I can't get studio time, but I'm also missing the "hands-on" creation experience. I still wonder how these digi cards would look printed out. Perhaps I'll try that out soon. Thanks for looking!

Digi Thanks - MOJO94

2009-07-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

It's "contest" week over at the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge blog! I still haven't been able to get into my mini-studio to craft in the evenings, but I didn't want to miss out on the random drawing so I whipped up a digi card on my laptop while the boys played outside (I swear a digi card can take longer to create than a regular card!). My submission is a simple "Thanks" card and I'm really curious to see how it would print out. I used papers and elements by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs), and I keep learning a ton about how to use PSE6! I still need to figure out how to make a "tear" for torn paper and how to make a distressed edge for that popular grunge look. I'm guessing there is a "brush" for that and I'm guessing I would have to purchase and download it from somewhere. I haven't been been able to find anything like it in the existing brushes and tools. Anyway, I promise to get back into making "real" cards soon! I really miss the hands-on experience! I have plans to meet friends at "scrappy hour" at Green Tangerines twice this month, and I intend to make several "real" cards then. I hope you enjoy my digi card!

Powerful Quote Digi Card - AMYRTF3

2009-07-04T00:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I had intended on making both a digi card AND a regular card for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge tonight... but I never made it into my mini studio to make a regular card! We're leaving in the morning for Clear Lake and we had to do laundry and pack for the kids, so that took priority. Such is life, I guess! Anyway, here is the digi card I made while the kids napped today. Everything but the quote are from digi kits by Traci Reed (Sweet Shoppe Designs). The digital papers are from the "Nicole's Graham" page kit in her "Those We Love" collection, the star brads are from the "Techno Princess" page kit, and the stitching is from the "Fly Catchin'" page kit. I initially intended to go for a "star" theme for the holiday, but it really doesn't have that feel. Oh well. A Facebook friend posted the quote on her wall today and it resonated with me so I put that on the card. Now I'll have to wait until Monday to get a real card made for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge since I will be out of town! Say, does anyone know how to recover an accidentally-deleted "drop shadow" effect in PSE6? I accidentally deleted the "soft" drop shadow button and can't for the life of me figure out how to get it back!

YIKES! I'd better get crackin!

2009-07-03T13:57:00.001-07:00

I've been out of sorts lately and haven't been crafting or posting (just whining alot... sorry about that)... but now I'm guest sketch designer again for Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge and I don't have a card made and my blog isn't updated! Yikes! I'd better get crackin' and whip up a fantastic creation with my sketch! I'm actually grateful that Amy keeps using my sketches every four weeks because it's like encouragement to keep creating... which always makes me feel great! Thanks Amy!!! I think I'll whip up a digital card on my laptop while I hang on the sofa and the kids nap (since my hubs is working in his office... where my mini craft area is)... then tonight I will go in and make a real card. Be sure to check back later today for a digital card, and then again tomorrow for my proper challenge submission!

Who Am I Fooling? (AMYRS70)

2009-06-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, I don't know who I'm fooling because I am having the hardest time getting my rear into my mini-studio to craft some cards! Every time I tell myself that I'm going to "make some cards tonight," I get distracted by something else or find myself "just too tired." You would think that I would be chomping at the bit to get crafting as often as possible! I don't know what's going on internally... maybe I'm in a funk or a rut... but I still have creative juices that need to be squeezed! *wink*

Since I'm a stay-at-home mom with two small boys, and because my mini-studio is in the corner of my husband's home office (and he works from home), I'm not able to sneak away to make a card during the day... and dragging my goodies out to the kitchen table to make a card is out of the question with the kiddos around! I am, however, attached to my laptop on the sofa quite a bit while my eldest plays in the afternoons and my youngest naps for three hours (yes, three hours!).

During my laptop-sofa-time yesterday I decided to try my hand at a digital card using Photoshop Elements 6 (PSE6) and a free digi kit I downloaded from Papertrey Ink last year... or maybe it was the year before. I also used some embellishments that I got off of a CD that I won at a papercraft event last year that is loaded with several digital kits by Traci Reed, who is an awesome designer for Sweet Shoppe Designs. I'm not familiar with PSE6 beyond mildly tweaking my photos, which I don't even do that often because I'm not a scrapbooker, but I am excited that I was able to figure out as much as I did on my own! I even figured out how to change the colors of the embellishments! Anyway, I came up with a cute digi card made with Papertrey Ink's "Spiral Bouquet" digi paper and digi sentiment plate... and I tweaked some of Traci Reed's flowers, buttons and rhinestones to match. The layout is from this week's Friday Sketch Challenge by Amy Rysavy over at her "Prairie Paper & Ink" blog. It's not necessarily a "proper" submission since it is completely digital and not even hybrid... but at least I squeezed some creative juice and learned a ton about PSE6! I'm sure there is still so much to learn, and I don't even know if this card would look very good printed out, but at least it's worth a blog posting!

I hope you enjoy my first all-digi card since there may be more digi cards in my future... especially during these lag times in-between "real" card crafting so my blog isn't so dormant! Stay tuned!

Zinnia Hope (TECC72)

2009-06-15T16:31:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Taylor! This card is my submission for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge this week, and it just happens to fall on Taylor's birthday! The stamp I used is "Hope" from the Hope & Grace collection by The Greeting Farm. She's so cute! I also used designer paper from the new "Zinnia" collection by Little Yellow Bicycle. I love the color combo they used! Anyway, this is a pretty basic card. I colored Hope with watercolor pencils, cut her out, and stuck her on with adhesive foam dots for some depth. I used flowers from Bazzill (they had all the right colors!), and accented the corner of the card with adhesive rhinestone gems from Hero Arts.

Paper: Zinnia (Little Yellow Bicycle); white cardstock (Mohawk 110 cover weight)

Stamp: Hope & Grace (The Greeting Farm)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Accessories: flowers (Bazzill); antique nickel brads (Making Memories); adhesive rhinestone gems (Hero Arts); adhesive foam dots (Stampin' Up); brown marker; white gel pen (Inkssentials)

Gretel Bird-Day (AMYRS69)

2009-06-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

I went to Scrappy Hour at Green Tangerines last night and wasn't very productive! I only finished two cards, including this one for Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge. I just got my Swiss Pixies in the mail yesterday and HAD to use one! I used Swiss Pixie Gretel on this card, along with the new "Happy Bird-Day" paper from 3 Bugs in a Rug. I cut her dress from designer paper, used Stickles on her wings, and used a tiny orange rhinestone for her hair tie. I'm still coloring with watercolor pencils, but I'm totally craving a set of Copics! Hopefully for my birthday... I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Paper: "Happy Bird-Day" collection (3 Bugs in a Rug); white cardstock

Stamps: Swiss Pixie Gretel (C.C. Designs)

Ink: Deep Cocoa (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent); brown marker

Accessories: ribbon (May Arts); tag punch (Marvy Uchida); flowers (Bazzill, Prima); clear rhinestone brads (Oriental Trading); diamonds glitter glue (Stickles); adhesive rhinestone (Kaisercraft); dimentionals adhesive foam (Stampin' Up); white gel pen (Inkssentials)

2RedBananas - Banana Split Sunday "Pattern Frenzy"

2009-06-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

Aaaaha! I was on my Google reader, checking out all my favorite blogs, when I realized that my Mojo Monday challenge card ALSO works for the Banana Split Sunday "Pattern Frenzy" challenge over at the 2RedBananas blog! Yay! So, here is my card again using 3 different patterned papers at once! I used the new designer paper by Chatterbox from their "Fabulous" line. On this card, I used a small floral pattern for the main piece, a yellow/brown dot paper for the accent piece under the image, and a turquise dot pattern on the dress on the image and as an accent piece under the sentiment. If you want the rest of the info on this card, check out my Mojo entry. How great that I met two different challenges without knowing it!

Fabulous MOJO90

2009-06-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

Here is my submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge! I wasn't too sure about the sketch when I pulled it up, but after seeing the samples supplied by the design team, I was confident I could create a proper submission! I used the Ivy Ketto stamp (love her!), colored her in with watercolor pencils, cut her dress out of designer paper, and adhered tiny pearls and rhinestones to the ivy branch. I'm really happy with how she turned out!

Stamps: Ivy KETTO (Stamping Bella); Just for You (Hero Arts "Card Messages" clear stamps);

Paper: Fabulous (Chatterbox); brown cardstock (Bazzill); white cardstock (Mohawk 110 cover weight)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)
Accessories: circle and classic scallop dies (Nestabilities); ticket corner punch (Stampin' Up), adhesive pearls and rhinestones (Kaisercraft); dimensional adhesive foam dots

Maui Luau Weekend - WSC84

2009-06-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

At long last... I'm back with a submission for the Weekend Sketch Challenge! Nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh? I just got some new designer paper from Bo Bunny from their "Maui Luau" line. I love the vibrant orange and lime colors! I used a little kitty stamp and a flower from Hero Arts, using a tiny rhinestone on the kitty's collar, and an orange rhinestone on the flower. I also punched out butterflies from the Martha Stewart 3-in-1 classic butterfly punch and put diamond Stickles on their wings. I even used a very large orange flower under the image. I'm happy with how it looks!

Stamp: kitty from "I Love My Cat" set & flower from "Mushrooms" set (Hero Arts clear stamps)

Paper: Maui Luau (Bo Bunny); brown cardstock (Bazzill); white cardstock (Mohawk 110 coverstock)

Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent)

Accessories: circle and classic scallop circle dies (Nestabilities); 3-in-1 classic butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); orange creamsicle flower (Bazzill); white gel pen (Ranger Inkssentials); diamond glitter glue (Stickles); piercing tool

Yes, I'm still here! (AMYRTFS2)

2009-06-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

I'm so sorry it has been over a week since my last post! Life has gotten in the way. I weaned off a medication and the withdrawal made me very dizzy (among other things) and unable to craft! Now I am slowly getting back into the swing of things... just in time for Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge over at Prairie Paper and Ink, which I am the guest sketch designer for this week! YEAH! Here is my sketch and my sample. I made this card larger than my usual 4.25 x 5.5 because it's a birthday card for my mom and I am enclosing a few 5 x 7 photographs. I made this card 5.5 x 7.25 to accommodate the photos. I used one of my new Ketto stamps, which I adore, and I used fairly new designer paper from Basic Grey's "Marrakech" line... I just love the colors of these papers! I recently splurged on several new stamps and papers, so be sure to check back to see my creations with those! I hope to get back on my plan to post every other day, or at least 2-3 times per week. We'll see how that goes! Anyway, here are the stats on this card:

Stamps: Tatiana KETTO (Stamping Bella); Birthday Basics (PaperTrey Ink)

Paper: Marrakech (Basic Grey); white cardstock (Mohawk 110 cover weight)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); watercolor pencils (Derwent); grey marker (Le Plume - Marvy)

Accessories: circle and classic scallop dies (Nestabilities); mini flower punch (dollar bin at Michael's), 5/8 circle punch (EK Success); flowers (Prima, Basic Grey, Hero Arts); adhesive rhinestones (Kaisercraft); clear rhinestone circle brads; dimensional adhesive foam dots; sponge

Dream SFYTT

2009-05-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday! Things are a getting a little better at our house today... although my youngest boy now has a bad head cold. Poor thing. Anyway, here is my submission for Jen's Sketch For You To Try this week over at I{heart}2Stamp! I used some older designer paper by Basic Grey from their Blush collection. I still love it! I also used sentiment stamps from Papertrey Ink's "Spiral Bouquet" stamp set, and rounded the corners instead of cutting an oval (because I'm still waiting for my oval nesties to arrive!). I trimmed the right edge of the card, exposing the inner card underneath, and I punched that edge with a scalloped border punch. It turned out okay, but not my favorite. Onward and upward! Thanks for looking!

Paper: "Blush" designer paper (Basic Grey); accent cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon)

Stamps: Spiral Bouquet (Papertrey)

Accessories: scalloped border punch (Fiskars); flowers (Prima and Kaisercraft); large antiqued brad; corner rounder

Elzybells Wishes - AMYRS3

2009-05-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

This week has been challenging... but I'm happy to finally be posting my submission for Amy R.'s Friday Sketch challenge this week over at Prairie Paper & Ink! I used an adorable image stamp and sentiment from Elzybells that I just love! I also dug up some fun paper from Bo Bunny from their "Vinage Carnival" line, which was actually designed by Shabby Princess. Once I figure out the digital scrap thing, I plan to download lots of papers from Shabby Princess designs! They're gorgeous! Anyway, here are the stats:

Paper: Vintage Carnival (Bo Bunny - Shabby Princess); accent cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon); watercolor pencils (Prismacolor)

Stamps: Moon Girl and Make a Wish (Elzybells)

Accessories: scalloped circle and circle dies (Nestabilities); sentiment window punch (SU); adhesive candy dots (Pebbles); scallop border punch (EK Success); ribbon (May Arts)

Praying for You WSC82

2009-05-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

Here's my submission for this week's Weekend Sketch Challenge hosted by the wonderfully talented (and beautiful) Mary Jo Albright! I pulled out the "Grandpa Floral" Wild Asparagus designer paper again... because it's just so pretty... but this time I used the tree image and a sentiment from Stampin' Up's "Thoughts and Prayers" stamp set. I used markers to color the tree before stamping it, and made a faux button by punching a circle out of cardstock, piercing little holes in it, and drawing thread lines on it. Turned out kinda cute if you ask me!

Paper: Grandpa Floral (Wild Asparagus - MME)

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers (SU)
Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon); markers (SU)
Accessories: tiny rhinestone gems (Kaisercraft); grey velvet ric-rac; circle punch and corner rounder (EK Success); paper piercer; sponge for edges; dimensionals (SU)

Lemongrass MOJO87

2009-05-24T01:28:00.000-07:00

My submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge was made with designer paper from Crate Paper's "Lemongrass" collection... which I LOVE! I used a mushroom stamp from A Muse and colored it with watercolor pencils (dying for Copics, but need to find a money tree). I wasn't sure what to put in the middle square of the sketch, but was really happy once I put a butterfly there! I punched it with a punch from Martha Stewart and jazzed it up with Stickles and pearls. I also added Stickles to the dots on the mushrooms, and to the white spots on the bottom designer paper. I just wished Stickles didn't take so long to dry!

Paper: "Tangerine," "Orchard" and "Citrus" from the Lemongrass collection (Crate Paper); accent cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: timber brown (Stazon); watercolor pencils (PrismaColor)

Stamp: mushrooms (A Muse)

Accessories: glitter glue (Stickles); butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); circle and scallop die cuts (Nestabilities); dimensionals adhesive foam (SU); scallop border punch (EK Success)

Sweet Stems Tea Party CPS116

2009-05-22T23:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! I'm so glad the long holiday weekend has started! The weather is supposed to be decent all weekend... upper 80's... perfect! Here is my submission for this week's sketch challenge over at Card Positioning Systems, which is being hosted by Stamping Bella (one of my favorite companies!). I don't know yet what they're giving away, but I hope I win! I just love their stamps!

Paper: Tea Party designer paper (Stampin' Up); accent cardstock (SU)
Stamp: Sweet Stems (SU)

Ink: Stazon black; watercolor pencils
Accessories: adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); green ribbon (SU); dimensionals foam dots (SU)

Believe - AMYRS67

2009-05-20T23:44:00.000-07:00

Alrighty! I'm *finally* getting back into the swing of things. I also signed up for scrappy hour at Green Tangerines this Saturday night so I can get some creating done! Anyway... here's my submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. I used a zinnia flower stamp from Savvy Stamps, cut it out with the oval Coluzzle (must get oval nesties!) and colored it with watercolor pencils. I used paper by Daisy Bucket Designs from their "Garden Gate" line and sponged the edges. I also used antiqued brads and ribbon from Stampin' Up. Thanks for looking!

Stamp: zinnia flower (Savvy Stamps); believe (Studio G)

Ink: Timber brown (Stazon); watercolor pencils

Paper: "Garden Gate" (Daisy Bucket Designs)

Accessories: antiqued brads; red ribbon (Stampin' Up); oval template (Coluzzle); corner rounder; dimensionals; sponge

Just Because - WSC81

2009-05-17T20:50:00.001-07:00

Here is my submission to the Weekend Sketch Challenge, hosted this week by the very talented Charmaine at Oodabug Alley! I used designer paper by Wild Asparagus (MME) from their "Grandpa" line. I just love the colors! The main floral image stamp is from Hero Arts, the sentiment stamp is from Studio G, and the circle dot and little flower stamps are both from Stampin' Up's "Think Happy Thoughts" set. The card took longer than I thought to make, but then again, it's the first card made in my new craft space! I will be much more efficient as I get used to where I put everything!

Paper: "Grandpa Plaid" and "Grandpa Floral" by Wild Asparagus (My Mind's Eye)
Stamps: flower bouquet from "Cherish" set (Hero Arts - Cleardesign); "Just Because" sentiment (Studio G); Think Happy Thoughts (SU)
Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon); water color pencils (Prismacolor)
Accessories: tiny blue rhinestone gems and clear gem (Hero Arts); sheer gray ribbon (JoAnn); circle punches (EK Success); sponge for edges; dimensionals (SU)

My Craft Space!

2009-05-16T22:18:00.001-07:00

Yay! I finally got my new craft space put together! Mind you, it is REALLY small, but I managed to squeeze a lot in. My husband cleared out the window alcove in his office, as well as a bookcase, so I could set up shop. I'm posting a few photos of my itty- bitty craft space, but I haven't actually created anything there yet! I will have to borrow the chair from my husband's desk when I create, and my legs will only go about 10 inches deep under my little 4-foot by 2-foot table... but I will MAKE it work! I'm just so excited to finally have a space!

So Glad We're Friends - MOJO86

2009-05-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... at long last! I have been remiss in posting this week. I intended to post at least every other day, but... you know... life happens! I have one boy with pink eye, another with fussy-itis, and we're all getting cabin fever from staying home! I'm also "in transition" with my newly cleared craft space in my husband's office, so I keep putting off my creations until I get all set up... but you know how that goes! I ended up having to dig out of my rolling totes to make this week's Mojo submission after the kiddos were asleep. Anyhoo... here's what I came up with! I punched the flowers out of a patterned paper by Amanda Blu called Elle Floral Black, adhered them with adhesive foam, and placed a clear drop in the middle. I had a hard time finding an image for the center panel. A floral stamp looked odd to me with the flowers on the side... and most of my images are wider than the panel (guess that means I get to buy some narrower images!). I ended up using a sentiment from a Stampin' Up hostess set called Best Yet. I stamped a light blue leaf behind the sentiment but the photo doesn't show it well. The leaf is a stamp from the "Spiral Bouquet" set by PaperTrey Ink. I just love the colors in this paper!

Paper: Elle Stripe, Elle Leaves, and Elle Floral Black (Amanda Blu & Co.); cardstock (Bazzill)

Stamps: Best Yet (SU); Spiral Bouquet (PaperTrey)

Ink: black (Stazon) ; light blue marker (Marvy)

Accessories: clear drops (KaiserCraft); scallop blade (Cutterpede); scallop circle punch (Marvy Uchida); dimensionals (SU)

Shroomin' SFYTT

2009-05-10T18:11:00.001-07:00

For this week's Sketch For You To Try over at Jen Del Muro's blog, "I {heart} 2 Stamp," I created a card using a clear stamp set of mushrooms by Hero Arts. I also dug out some fun papers by A2Z Essentials from their "What's New Club" line. I just love the color combo! I also jazzed it up with some adhesive rhinestones, and pierced the white scallop circle. To top it off, I added a little butterfly that I punched from a Martha Stewart punch and gave the body some adhesive pearls. I dig it!

Stamp: mushrooms (Hero Arts)

Ink: Timber Brown Stazon; watercolor pencils

Paper: What's New Club (A2Z Essentials); cardstock (Bazzill)

Accessories: adhesive rhinestone gems and pearls (Kaisercraft); butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); scallop and circle punches (Marvy Uchida); paper piercer

WSC80 - My Friend Poppy!

2009-05-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE poppies! They're my second favorite flower after tulips! I shopped at the Paper Garden yesterday and picked up a few things (I should have paid cash and hid the receipt!). I got the modern poppy stamp by A Muse and used it in my Weekend Sketch Challenge submission this week hosted by Cambria Turnbow. I also dug up a paper by Basic Grey from their Blush collection. I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

Paper: Blush "Admire" (Basic Grey)
Stamps: Hi Friend and Modern Poppy (both from A Muse)
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon; watercolor pencils
Accessories: flowers (Prima); ribbon (May Arts and Stampin' Up); rhinestone gem and pearls (Kaisercraft); fruit punch Stickles; oval and scallop circle punches (Marvy Uchida)

Happy Mother's Day!! I get a new craft space!

2009-05-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

Yay!!!! My husband has finally agreed to clear me a small space in his office (he works from home) so I can set up my paper craft stuff! No more crafting out of rolling totes! I'll be able to just pop into the office and whip up a creation without having to put everything away! I am so excited! I will post photos of my finished space once I get to that point. I'm trying to be as frugal as possible... I even ordered a folding table on sale from an office supply store. Nothing lavish here! Stay tuned!

My own sketch - Sweet Stems

2009-05-09T14:55:00.001-07:00

This is one of my own sketches that I created a while ago... I actually posted this card a few posts back with another card, but I didn't include the sketch I designed to go with it! So, here it is, and this is one of my many sketches that I shared with Amy!

I'm a Guest Sketch Designer on Prairie Paper & Ink!!!

2009-05-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! I am actually now a guest sketch designer for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge over at Prairie Paper & Ink... and she's going to use my layouts once a month! Here is my first layout she used, and my sample. I can't wait to see what others come up with! Yay me! Thank you Amy!!!

Paper: Tea Party dp (SU); accent cardstock (SU)
Stamps: Sweet Stems (SU); Friends (Studio G)
Ink: Stazon black; SU markers
Accessories: tiny pearls (Kaisercraft); scallop and circle punches (Marvy Uchida)

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #85

2009-05-07T22:23:00.001-07:00

Here is my submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge over at the Mojo Monday Sketch Blog. I dug up patterned paper from A2Z Essentials from their Sugar Candy line, and used Bazzill cardstock. The green leaf background under the sentiment is actually from the Papertrey Ink "Spiral Bouquet" set, and the Ghandi quote is from the Stampin' Up "Happy Harmony" set. I wasn't too sure about the patterned paper, but I think it turned out pretty good overall. Here are the stats:

Paper: Sugar Candy - "Emma" and "Maddelyn" (A2Z Essentials)
Stamps: Spiral Bouquet (Papertrey Ink); Happy Harmony (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon; Stampin' Up marker
Accessories: flowers (Prima); border punch (Fiskars); white gel pen

For You AMYRS66

2009-05-05T09:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Tuesday! It's dreary weather here today, but at least it's not raining! I think I'll stay in with the boys today... they're both being really good and could probably stand to be in the house all day. We'll see!

Last night I whipped up a submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge over at Prairie Paper and Ink! I just love Amy's work! She even has her own stamp line at All That Scraps! And her tutorial blog videos ROCK! Anyway, I dug up a dp by We R Memory Keepers called Pewter Press, from their Precious Metals line. I used "Jardin" and "Puntos" from that line. I cut the circles and the flowers from one dp, and used adhesive pearls in the center. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up. Here are the stats:

Paper: Precious Metals - Pewter Press "Jardin" and "Puntos" (We R Memory Keepers); cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Brown Stazon; markers (SU)
Stamp: One of a Kind (SU)
Accessories: adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); flower (Prima); corner rounder; scallop circle punch (Marvy Uchida)

Weekend Sketch Challenge 79

2009-05-04T23:53:00.001-07:00

Here is my submission for the Weekend Sketch Challenge, hosted this week by Jenn Balcer! I used dp from the Hey Fellas line by Kate Teague for Fontwerks. I thought it could be a pseudo father's day card, but I'm not sure if it's masculine enough. I cut the swirly flower from one of the dp's and put a rhinestone gem in the middle. The stamp is from the dollar bin at Michael's. Here are the rest of the stats:

Paper: "Hey Darcy" and "Hey Paul" (Hey Fellas by Kate Teague for Fontworks); cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Brown Stazon; markers (SU)
Stamp: unknown (Michael's--Studio G?)
Accessories: copper Stickles; rhinestone gem (Kaisercraft)

This week's CPS challenge!

2009-05-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

I found another popular weekly card sketch challege! This one is at the Card Positioning Systems blog (CPS). They appear to have a pretty big following. Apparently there is a sponsor each week for prizes for the best sketch. This week's sponsor is Cornish Heritage Farms. I wasn't able to use any of their stuff in my card design because I don't have any, so we'll see how it goes! I used a saying from Stampin' Up as well as the flowers from the One of A Kind stamp set. There's a matching punch for the flowers so I stamped them with black Stazon and punched them out. Then I colored the flowers with the new Smooch pearlescent accent ink from Clearsnap! Smooch ROCKS! It colored right over the black ink! I took a second picture of my card at an angle so you can see the pearlescence a little better. Anyway, here are the stats:

Stamp: Time Well Spent (SU); One of A Kind flowers w/matching punch (SU)
Paper: Bloom & Grow dp (MME); cardstock (SU)
Ink: Black Stazon; Smooch pearlescent accent ink (Clearsnap)

Accessories: rhinestone gems (Colorbok; Kaisercraft); May Arts ric-rac ribbon; dimensionals

Jen's Sketch For You To Try

2009-04-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here is my submission for Jen Del Muro's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) this week over at i{heart}2stamp. I just love Jen's work and her blog is awesome! I used designer paper from the 'Bloom & Grow' collection by My Mind's Eye. I just love the colors! I didn't use an image stamp, just a sentiment and flowers. Here are the stats:

Stamp: Happy Spring (Elzybells)

Paper: Bloom & Grow dp (MME); cardstock (SU)

Ink: Oasis Green VersaMagic chalk ink (Tsukineko)

Accessories: flowers (Prima); rhinestone gem (Colorbok); border punch (Fiskars); oval scallop punch (Marvy Uchida)

MOJO84

2009-04-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

I finally crafted my MOJO84 submission last night! I used dp from Stampin' Up's Tea Party collection--perfect for spring! It coordinates so nicely with the Sweet Stems stamp set... I just can't seem to put it away yet, so expect to see more layouts using these supplies! I raised the little flowers in the image with dimensionals, and pierced around the image. I just love those little pearls by Kaisercraft... I may just have to get them in every color! Anyway, here are the stats on this one. Happy Thursday!

Paper: Tea Party dp (SU); accent cardstock (SU)
Stamps: Sweet Stems (SU); Think Happy Thoughts (SU)
Ink: Stazon black; SU markers and water color pencils
Accessories: tiny pearls (Kaisercraft); pink ribbon (SU); scallop and circle punches (Marvy Uchida)

Which way should I go?

2009-04-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been struggling the last few days with what direction I should take with this blog. I don't have a craft room or a good space to spread out, so I keep all my goodies in rolling totes and have to drag it all out every time I want to make something. I have two small boys so I have to put it all away when I'm done or there could be trouble. Needless to say, not many cards are made very often in my world. I do, however, spend a lot of time designing layouts on my laptop on my sofa while the boys play or nap and have a gazillion made so far. That has been feeding my creative cravings, but if I want to gain any recognition for my work, I should probably participate in sketch challenges to bring people to my blog! So... I've been surfing around for the sketch challenges that get a lot of participation and will make a point to participate in two to three of them a week. I will also post one of my own layouts each week with a card to go with it. I won't call it a sketch challenge yet since I only have one follower so far, but maybe it will turn into one if I get enough traffic! We'll have to see. Anyway, I am now off to drag out my craft goodies so I can participate in the Mojo Monday sketch challenge this week. As far as I can see, it gets the most traffic... 300-450 submissions each week! If anyone else reads this post, please comment if you participate in other popular sketch challenges. I will probably participate in the Friday Sketch at Prairie Paper & Ink, the Splitcoast Wednesday Card Sketch Challenge, and maybe the My Favorite Things sketch challenge on Thursdays via SCS. I might also try to do the Weekend Sketch Challenge on Fridays or Jen's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) on Saturdays at "i{heart}2stamp." That's a lot of challenges though. It leaves me only Tuesday for my own sketch post! What have I gotten myself into???

OMG!!! Check out THIS blog candy!!!

2009-04-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

For some SERIOUSLY INSANE blog candy, check out "Passion for Crafts" and enter a comment for your chance to win a boatload of goodies, including Copics, Nesties, Martha Stewart border punch, Stamps, Paper, Flowers, Buttons and ribbons! I've never seen such sweetness! My Goodness! Debbie, you ROCK!

Blog Candy with a Twist at "Where'd All My Money Go?!"

2009-04-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

Head on over to Steph's blog at "Where'd All My Money Go?!" to check out her wonderful and elegant card designs, and for your chance to win a $100 gift card to anywhere you choose! She's celebrating her 10,000th hit on her 6-month-old blog... I aspire to be as popular! Don't miss out! She will be choosing a winner on May 9!

Prairie Paper & Ink Friday Sketch (AMYRS2)

2009-04-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

Here is my AMYRS2 submission for Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch at Prairie Paper and Ink. It is very similar to one of my last cards, but it didn't quite match Amy's layout so I did it again. Here are the stats:

Stamps: Daisy Bunch and Happy Spring (Elzybells)
Paper: Bloom & Grow dp (My Mind's Eye); cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Stazon Black; watercolor pencils; white gel pen
Accessories: flowers (Prima); antique brown brad; border punch (Fiskars)

Simple Sweet Stems

2009-04-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Well, I was not as productive last night at Scrappy Hour as I had hoped to be. Did a lot more "chatting" than "crafting!" I ended up making three cards, one of which I wasn't too happy with. It was too busy and awkward, and that's what I spent most of my time on in the beginning. My friend liked it so I sent it home with her. Then I banged out two simple cards and I am happy with those. I used plain white cardstock for my base, and I've really started to prefer that "crisp" look. I intended for one of the layouts to work for Amy Rysavy's Friday Sketch Challenge, but I didn't remember it quite right. I have a proper submission in the works and will post it later tonight. Nevertheless, here are the stats for the two I made last night...

Paper: Tea Party dp (SU); accent cardstock (SU)

Stamps: Sweet Stems (SU); Think Happy Thoughts (SU)

Ink: Stazon black; SU markers and water color pencils

Embellies: tiny pearls (Kaisercraft); yellow ribbon (SU); flowers (Prima)

Tools: scallop and circle punches (Marvy Uchida); white gel pen (Signo); dimensionals foam dots (SU); border punch (Fiskars)

Back from a long haitus!

2009-04-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Whoa! I completely forgot where I put this little blog I created almost 2 years ago! I didn't even know what I called it! My husband had to remind me that I even started it. Can you believe that? Geez Louise. Well, now I would like to start blogging my creations regularly with the hopes of someday being invited to join the design teams of paper, stamp and/or embellishment companies. Of course, I've created several cards since my last post, but won't overload them all here. You can see my past stuff on my SCS gallery if you click on the link in the sidebar. I plan to do some serious creations tomorrow night at Green Tangerines and will post as soon as I take the pictures. Now, just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Holiday Cards

2007-11-26T17:26:00.002-08:00

Here are the holiday cards I created last Saturday night at "Scrappy Hour" at Green Tangerines (an awesome local paper craft supply store). Out of two sheets of 12x12 patterned paper (one of each pattern), I made 12 of the first card, three of the second and two of the third. I include the layouts I designed, although I changed the middle layout because the circle snowflake paper didn't look good over the stripes. I used the Marvy Uchida scalloped oval punch, as well as their regular oval and circle punches. I also punched snowflakes and used little clear rhinestones in the center (love those!). I can't recall where I got the sentiment stamp (it's from a clear stamp set), but the J-O-Y letters are computer generated. The striped paper is from The Robin's Nest and the snowflake circled paper is from the Deck the Halls collection by Kate Teague for Fontwerks. I also used Bazzill cardstock, red mini brads and antique copper mini brads.

Okay... here we go!

2007-11-26T16:39:00.001-08:00

Hello from sunny California! Today is Day 1 of my first blog EVER! I created this blog to post cards and card layouts that I design and create. I'm relatively new to card crafting... just started a little over a year ago (but took a 5-6 month break during that time when I was pregnant and lost my creative drive). I don't have any friends or family who are into paper crafts, not even scrapbooking... and no one I know personally even has a blog... so I am not exactly sure WHO is going to even read this. We'll have to see how it goes! Nevertheless, welcome to my blog!

Tammy