Monday, March 29, 2010

If Friends Were Flowers...

**Updated - This project won the Susie's Sassy Challenge - My Spring Garden.

This week our theme for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff (LSS) DT is Anything But a Card. When I saw the seed packs I bought sitting on the counter, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.



I used LSS's Pretty Favors to make this box which holds 2 seed packs. I hand cut the template and it was very quick and easy. I decorated the box with a paper pieced flower from the LSS Doodle Flowers digital stamp set and printed out a computer generated sentiment. (For a tutorial on paper piecing with a digital stamp, click HERE.)



I also wanted to make a package to hold a single seed pack. I cut a piece of CS 3-3/4 x 10-1/4 inches and scored at 5 inches and 9 inches to make the folds. It is held together only with the ribbon. I decorated it using the cute seed pack image from Love Grows Here. Below you can see how the seed pack slides out.

Either of these projects would be cute little gifts for teachers, friends, or even bridal showers.


Here are the previews of the LSS products used.


Please stop by the rest of the DT to see what kind of Anything But a Card projects they created.
Challenges for these projects:

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Doodle Flowers & Love Grows Here by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Stampin' Up All Year Cheer I
  • Papers & CS: Images printed on Georgia Pacific CS, Stampin' Up Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Rose Red, Cutie Pie DP
  • Ink: none
  • Embellishments & Tools: Pretty Favors plain box template from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Stampin' Up Markers, Swiss Dots embossing folder by Provo Craft, Stampin' Up Ribbon, Stampin Up label, tag & circles punches, misc. rick rack, eyelets, Cropadile, DMC floss, misc. button, black pen

Friday, March 26, 2010

SFYTT Bird Sympathy Card


I had the unfortunate need to send a sympathy card again this past week. A male co-worker lost a member of his family. I went back to some stamps and paper that I have used for sympathy cards before but changed the lay out. I used Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT). I wanted to keep the card standard sized and relatively flat and light-weight so I could pop it in the mail right away since I won't have a chance to get to the post office until next week.
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When the card was done, it looked a little plain so I went back and added the faux stitching.

Thank you for looking.

Challenges for this card:


Supplies:

  • Stamps: Inkadinkadoo Birds Galore
  • Inks: Close To My Heart Juniper and Stampin' Up Chocolate chip
  • Papers & CS: Close To My Heart Perfect Day, Juniper, Cocoa papers, Stampin' Up Whisper White
  • Embellishments & Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities, clear button, Crystal Effects, CTMH twine, Stampin' Up oval punch, paper piercer, Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip marker (sentiment computer generated)

Pictures from Liz's play

I have some pictures posted from Elizabeth's play. You can see them HERE.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Hey Chick!



I usually post on Thursday but I just loved this card so much I had to share it today. The chick is from Cute Easter from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. I made this as a thank you card for a great friend. How adorable and springy is this chick? (Is "springy" a word? You know what I mean.)

I LOVE this stripped paper. The best part is that I found it at HL in a clearance bin for $0.25. It was mixed into some Christmas stuff and I thought it would be a great break from the traditional Christmas colors. I never got around to using it at Christmas but I thought it just screamed to be paired up with this chick. Don't you think it works?

It might be hard to see in the photo but I created a polka dot background on the yellow panel using my white Fun Flock and 2-way glue. I wanted to add a little extra texture (and fuzziness) to the card. I hope this also qualifies for the EONAC challenge to get messy. I certainly made a big enough mess when doing it.

I ordered Photoshop for Dummies from amazon.com to help the Easter bunny out (from my Monday post). I can't wait to get my hands on that book. Thank you to all who sent me links to tutorials or offered up your assistance. It has been an extra crazy week here but I am sure I will be contacting you with my questions soon. I love the stamping/blogging community. Every one is so helpful!

Thank you for stopping by to look at my card and read my babble. I hope you have a fantastic day.

Challenges for this card:


Supplies:



  • Stamps: Cute Easter digital stamp set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico, Spot on Backgrounds from Close To My Heart

  • Papers & CS: My Mind's Eye Out & About Primary Stripe, misc. blue, yellow & red CS, Georgia Pacific CS

  • Inks: Stampin' Up Real Red (only for polka dots on the flower)

  • Tools & Embellishments: Dill button, Prima flower, DMC floss, misc. ribbon, white Fun Flock, Prismacolor markers, Stampin' Up border punch, Spellbinders nestabilities, Creative Memories circle punch (computer generated sentiment)

Monday, March 22, 2010

Monday with Lindsay - An Eggstra Special Easter


The good ol' Easter Bunny is going to be on his way soon. I am really hoping that he has a "Photoshop for Dummies" book in his stash for me. I have to admit I am really struggling with doing even the basics. When I find a tutorial on the web that seems like it would be helpful, they must be using a different version of PS than I have because everything looks different. So, I might actually help the Easter Bunny along by placing an order on amazon.com. Once I'm there, I might as well order a few other things so I qualify for free shipping...


Speaking of the Easter Bunny, our theme for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff this week is "Easter". Lindsay as a set called Cute Easter that has a lot of fun, cute images. She also has a Word Art Freebie that coordinates with this set available FREE on her blog.


I had a lot of time to craft this week end. I'm not sure how it happened (I'm sure I forgot something important) but it felt wonderful. I messed around trying some new techniques (which I didn't quite master) and made 5 projects. That is a record for me.
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I also have some additional exciting news. Christie Parker has joined the team and will be making her first LSS post today. Go give her some blog love.

Please take some time to see what kind of Easter projects the rest of the DT came up with.

Lindsay
Cassandra
Christie
Jennifer

Jessica
Karin
Kristen
Rhonda
Tanya


Thank you for looking!



Challenges for this card:


Supplies:
  • Images: Cute Easter by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico, sentiment from Easter Word Art freebie on Lindsay's blog
  • Inks: none
  • Papers & CS: Shabby Houndstooth digital paper pack by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico, Georigia Pacific CS, Stampin' Up Barely Banana, Colormates medium Pretty Pink
  • Tools & Embellishments: Stampin' Up markers, Sakura gelly roll clear glitter pen, misc hardware from my stash, CTMH ribbon, BasicGrey half pearls, Prima flower, brad from Recollections (Michael's), Glue Dots brand pop dots

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Winner of the SBS29 Challenge is.....


We had lots of gorgeous entries for our SBS29 March challenge "Think Green". All the entries can be seen in the slide show below. Links to the blogs of my fabulous sisters can be found in my side bar on the right. We had one non-SBS29 sister join the challenge. Thank you for joining us Marsha.





I used random.org to pick a winner out of the entries. The winner is #2 JOANNE GILCH. Congratulations, I will send out a package of goodies to you this week.



Susan has volunteered to host the next challenge. I believe she has picked a color challenge of pink, yellow, and green for spring. Watch her blog for more information.


Thank you for joining me for our "Think Green" challenge.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Good Coffee, Good Friend

My friend Scrap-it-girl let me borrow some of her Bella stamps. So this past week end I broke out a never been opened paper pack that had been sitting in my stash and made a card. I also used my new Hero Arts stamp (won in some blog candy) for the sentiment.
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I am still getting used to my new prismacolor markers. Some of the colors bleed outside the lines (especially the blue). I would love any tips you have to share.
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Challenges for this card:

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Lattebella, seniment from HeroArts sparkle clear: Coffee
  • Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa
  • Papers & CS: Close to My Heart Best Friends Forever, Georgia Pacific CS
  • Embellishments & Tools: Prismacolor markers, gemstones from HeroArts & Basic Gray

Monday, March 15, 2010

Monday with Lindsay - The Envelope Please....



Our theme this week is "The Envelope Please." When I was trying to decide what I wanted to do and I was digging through my stash, I stumbled across this little envelope. I only have one, I have no idea where it came from, but it is the perfect size for a gift card. Now that I made my project, I think I am going to look for some more of these little envies. Or maybe I will even make my own. (Lindsay is offering a free template on her blog so you can create your own envelopes.)


This cute little party hat comes from Lindsay's Birthday Cupcake Wrappers set which contains digital stamps, templates and a SVG file. For just $3 it is a steal. The sentiment comes from All Around Phrases. It just took me a minute to change it from black to brown. She even offers a free add on to this set which contains digital papers and another sentiment.


Last week, I said that I would draw the name of one commenter on my paper piecing tutorial to win the Daisy Doodles digital stamp set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. Thank you to every one who took the time to comment. The winner is
Tamara who said...
What a great idea! I love your card, and such a great tutorial!!!
I can't wait to try this! Hopefully I can try it with those
wonderful digi's! Thanks!!!
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Tamara, you included your email address so I will forward it to Lindsay.
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We have another new member on the DT. Please welcome Rhonda Walker. I know she will have some cute stuff to share with you.


Please be sure to stop by the blogs of the rest of the DT to see what they did with this theme.


Thank you for looking!


Challenges:
Supplies:
  • Images: Birthday Cupcake Wrappers and All Around Phrases from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com
  • Inks: Stampin' Up Certainly Celery (to die ribbon)
  • Papers & CS: All paper are from Stampin' Up - white & Pretty In Pink CS, Certainly Celery DP
  • Embellishments & Tools: small envelope, Basic Grey gems, Close to my Heart ribboon, Stampin' Up silver cord, hole punch, Cricut & Plantin Schoolbook cart to cut circles, Sakura clear glitter gelly roll pen , white flower soft , Stampin' Up markers

Friday, March 12, 2010

Beautiful Birthday Lady Bug Card / Mygrafico Customer Blog Hop



** Updated: This card was a top 3 pick in Kaboodle Doodle's Challenge #26 - Happy Birthday.

Whew.... this card is done. Maybe... I don't know why but it was a real struggle for me. This is the 3rd version of the same card (seriously). I was going to go for a fourth time but got a grip on myself.

I paper pieced the lady bug from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Doodle Flowers digital stamp set. If you would like to see a tutorial on how to paper piece with a digital image, please check out my tutorial HERE. (One lucky commenter on my tutorial will win this set for their own.) Here is a look at the entire set.



Speaking of Lindsay' Stamp Stuff (do you like that smooth segue?), she is having a sale in her store on mygrafico. Click the button below to go to Lindsay's store. While you are there, be sure to check out the Leaping Leprechaun free digi.





For a complete list of participants in the mygrafico customer blog hop, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Supplies:

  • Images & Stamps: Doodle Flowers by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico, sentiment from Paper Garden
  • Papers & CS: Let's Get Together by Close To My Heart, Georgia Pacific CS, misc. black
  • Inks: none
  • Embellishments & Tools: Buttons, DMC floss, paper piercer, black gel pen
  • Techniques: paper piecing, faux stitching

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Beautiful Blogger Award

I was very honored that Leanne gave me this sweet award. I have been blogging less than a year and I am amazed the the number of sweet, talented ladies that I have been lucky enough to get to know. Leanne, thank you!


The rules of the award are as follows:
1) Add a link and a note of thanks to the person giving the award.
2) Pass the award on to 15 bloggers whose blogs you recently discovered that you love.
3) Share 7 things about yourself.


So here are the 7 things about myself
1) I have been married to my husband, Mike, since 1998 but we had been dating since 1991.
2) I have one daughter who is 8-years old and loves to craft with me.
3) I love to listen to all kinds of music.
4) I am hopelessly addicted to Starbucks cafe mocha
5) I love to Jazzercise.
6) I love to read.
7) I love digital stamps. I found them less than a year ago and love them for so many reasons.

So now to pass on to 15 bloggers. I am actually going to pass to a few more than 15. I am passing this award on to all my new sisters at SBS29. I am so happy to have met them and I find them inspiring.

1) Carole
2) Cindy
3) Donna
4) Joan
5) Joanne
6) Julie
7) Kathy
8) Kellie
9) Kim Marie
10) Lela
11) Lorraine
12) Louise
13) Mary
14) Rhonda
15) Ronnie
16) Shelly
17) Stephanie
18) Susan
19) Tammy
20) Tracy
21) Tracey

Under the Weather?


Some of you know that last week I bought some Prismacolor markers and that I have been dying to try them out. I finally got a chance and this is the card I made. I need to practice my coloring, but overall I don't think it is too bad for the first time using alcohol markers.


All the paper except the card base (Stampin' Up CS) was from my scrap bin and I am not sure of the manufacturer. I also used a Sukura Gelly Roll clear glitter pen on the rain drops and puddle.


This cute bear image comes from Bugaboo Stamps.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Monday, March 8, 2010

(Faux) Stitching with Lindsay & a Paper Piecing Tutorial



Update - Please stick with me to the end of the post to see how one lucky winner will get the Doodle Flowers digital stamp set.
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This week Lindsay challenged her DT to use stitching in our projects. I made this card using her Doodle Flowers set. Since the images already incorporate stitching, I just added some faux stitching to the various layers to pull it together.


Here is a better look at the Doodle Flowers digital stamp set. Isn't it a great set? It is very versatile and both coloring or paper piecing work really well with it. Stick with me to the bottom of this post to find out how one lucky person will win this set.

'I have had a few friends ask me questions on how to paper piece using digital stamps. Since I love paper piecing and wanted to share the fun, I put together a little tutorial to show how I do it.


First, pick out the image you want to use and decide how many layers you want. If you decide to add a layer later is it no big deal but I try to get it done all at once.
For my card, I decided I wanted 4 layers so I printed the flower out four times on a single page of cheap, printer paper. I always write the size of the images somewhere on the page in case I close out Word and then need to go back and reprint something. This has saved me a lot of frustration in the past whether I was paper piecing or coloring the images.
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Next, I cut the pieces of CS or DP that I want to use for my pieced layers. Cut them slightly larger than the portion of the image you want to piece. Remember you will need enough around the edge to adhere your tape with out it covering the lines of the image. (My pieces are a little big but I wanted it to look nice for you.) I usually use painters tape because it comes off easily with out tearing the paper at all. Scotch tape also works but sometimes it does not come off as easily as the painter tape for me. The tape should be on the edge of the paper that feeds into your printer so that the pieces of paper do not jam your printer. Print your image(s) again.
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This is what it looks like when it comes out of the printer again. At this point you cut out your images and adhere together. Trust me, it is easy peasy. (Note: If there is any printing on the tape, be careful, it can smear. This is the voice of experience talking.)
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Now for the good stuff. Do you want to try your hand a paper piecing with this digital stamp set? Lindsay gave me a set to give away. (Thank you Lindsay!) Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win the Doodle Flowers digital stamp set. I will pick one lucky winner Sunday evening and will announce it in my post next Monday.
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Thank you for sticking with me. I hope you will give paper piecing with a digital image a try.
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Now on to some other DT news. Sadly, Nettie is leaving the Lindsay's Stamp Stuff DT. We all enjoyed seeing her lovely creations and will miss her. We also have a new member on the DT. Jessica is joining us starting today. Please stop by the rest of the DT to see how they used stitching on their projects. They are:
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Lindsay (Owner)
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SUPPLIES:
  • Images: Doodle Flowers from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com
  • Papers & CS: Perfect Day DP, Tulip, Sorbet, Cocoa, Juniper CS all from Close To My Heart, Stampin' Up white CS
  • Inks: Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa
  • Embellishments: K & Company Wild Saffron adhesive paper ribbon, Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip marker, DMC floss, paper piercer
  • Techniques: Faux stitching, paper piecing
CHALLENGES for this card:

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

DD's Paper Pieced Bear

My daughter made this card for St. Patrick's day by paper piecing a digital image. She wanted it for the SBS29 challenge - Think Green and the Daisy Doodles challenge #3-Bears. The image was a freebie from There's Magic in the Air.


Thank you for looking.

Monday, March 1, 2010

SBS29 Challenge - Think Green.

** This challenge is now closed. You can see who won HERE.

I am happy to host the March challenge for the Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers-29 (SBS29). I decided to pick a theme for the challenge. The theme is "Think Green". You can interpret it as you wish (green paper, St. Patrick's Day, recycling, or what ever else). The challenge will run from today through March 20th. I will announce the randomly drawn winner on Sunday, March 21st. I have some crafting goodies to send to the winner.

Although this challenge is specifically for SBS29, others may also enter.

Please use Mr.Linky to submit your entry by Saturday, March 20th.

I am part Irish and love the Irish culture, especially the music. Some of my ancestors migrated to the United States from County Limerick, Ireland in the late 1830's. Red hair ran in my mother's family (including her) but I ended up blond. My husband and I spent part of our honeymoon in Dublin. So, given all that and the fact that St. Patrick's day is coming up, I made this card.


It originally started out as a shamrock shaped card but I just couldn't make it work this evening and I wanted to get the challenge posted for my sisters. My husband was strongly lobbying for the sentiment to say "pog mo thoin" but I went for the safer option.

Have fun!


Supplies:
  • Image: Free coloring page from Elizabeth O. Dulemba
  • Papers & CS: Green is the Thing digital paper pack by Danielle Young Designs, image printed on Georgia Pacific CS, other black, orange, and green paper the manufacturer is unknown
  • Inks: None
  • Embellishments & Tools: Prismacolor pencils & OMS, gold brads

Other challenges for this card:




Monday with Lindsay - Inspired by Nature

Our theme this week for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is "inspired by nature" which was really easy and enjoyable for me. I tend to gravitate towards stamps with nature in them any how and Lindsay has a lot of stamp sets with birds, flowers, and leaves to work with.

When I sat down Thursday afternoon to start working on my card, my daughter also wanted to make a card. We both used the same image from Birds & Branches but our cards are totally different.



**Updated - This card made the top 5 in the Cupcake Craft Challenge.


The sentiment comes from a freebie from Lindsay's blog which was designed to coordinate with Birds & Branches.

This is my 8-year old daughter's card using the same image. I am so proud of her because she did EVERYTHING on this card except cut the card base and tie the knot in the floss in the button. She loves using my Big Shot and nesties. I think I might have to start watching my crafting supplies. :) She made this card to enter in Challenge #2 Buttons on Aimee's Challenge blog which encourages children to enter. I do not have a supplies list at the bottom of this post for her card because all the paper came from my scrap bin. (SU white CS for card base, image printed on GP CS)

Thank you for stopping by today. Please check to see how the rest of the DT was inspired by nature.
Cassandra
Jennifer
Karin
Kristen
Lindsay (owner)
Nettie
Tanya

Challenges for the first card above:

Cupcake Craft Challenge - #80 Round & Round

Paper Popsicles - Spring

Polka Doodles - Challenge 7 Sketch & Theme

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - #72 Stitching


Supplies for first card above:

  • Images: Birds & Branches from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Bird Words Digital Stamp Freebie from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
  • Papers & CS: Stampin' Up white cs, My Mind's Eye Where the Home Is papers, misc. dark brown, images printed on Georgia Pacific CS
  • Inks: Close to My Heart Indian Corn Blue (only for sponging)
  • Tools & Embellishments: Prismacolor pencils & OMS, Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip marker, paper piercer, Cricut George cartridge to cut circles