Mad Hatter Card

I made this card for the Digital Tuesday Challenge this week. Non traditional folding or non traditional shaped cards.

Stamps: Wonderland (The Greeting Farm)
Cardtock: Black (HL), Purple (SU)
Accessories: Crystal (HL), White Gel Pen (Archiver's)

I just got this stamp set from TGF and I thought it would be great for the DTC. Since Ian is the mad hatter, a top hat card seemed perfect. I made the card shape using clip art that I traced onto cardstock. I had to tweak it quite a bit to get it to work for this project. I drew the white lines to highlight the card a little bit more. I colored the images with Bic markers. I drew/cut the flowers freehand and then distressed them.

Another challenge down and no end in sight! :)

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge

Paper: Whisper White & Pumpkin Pie (SU), Black (LSS)

Ribbon: LSS

Sentiment: Fundamental Phrases (SU)

Coloring: Bic Markers

Accessories: Pop Dots

I made this card for the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge blog. Sketches used to make me nervous, but I am really starting to like them now. The flower image I found on the Crafting in Croatia blog. I found it while blurfing one of my commenters. (That sounds funny...) :)

Forest Friend CAS12 Challenge

This is the card I made for the CAS12 challenge on SCS. The challenge was to use bits of ribbon. It took me forever to get around to making this card. I just couldn't think of anything. Finally I just sat down and started moving cardstock around! :)Paper: SU - Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
Ink: SU - Garden Green & Chocolate Chip
Stamps: SU - Forest Friends & Baroque Motifs
Ribbon: Walmart
Technique: Cuttlebug embossing (Distressed Stripe)

To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about this card. I had the colors in my mind and just added everything as I went along. Hmm...I'll see if it grows on me. :)

Riding in MONSTER TRUCKS with boys!

I was SO excited to see this awesome digi stamp on Dustin Pike's blog yesterday. Every Wednesday he gives away a new image. This week's had me jumping up and down. (Ok, not literally. I was jumping in my mind though). It is very hard to find "boy" images. Especially one as cute...ahem....I mean, tough as this one.

I colored the truck with my Copic and Bic markers. Isn't it nice to have those two working together? Million dollar markers and Walmart specials. :) I cut the image out and pop-dotted it onto the background. I sponged the background with SU ink. Brocade Blue, Close to Cocoa & Creamy Caramel. The star paper is from DCWV. The rest of the paper is SU. The eyelets are from the Cropodile carrying case kit. (That's a tongue twister).

I hope that Dustin makes more of these super duper images. Although this one is so versatile that any more would practically permanently stock my stamp collection!!

Well, almost. :)

Big 'ol sneak peek and a Blessing!

Here is a big sneak peek of a new image, not yet released from Modern Sugar Blvd. I love this digi stamp. It is so much fun! I've already made 3 projects with it and we only had to make 1! It's just so easy to color and incredibly versatile! If you like this image don't worry. It is coming SOON! :)

I also want to share with you and amazing thing that Candie from MSB is doing.

On the upper right side of my blog is a link for a blog that I recently found. It is the story of Kayleigh. She was born at 21 weeks and only weighed 1lbs 1oz. She defied all odds by making it to almost 10 months old. Unfortunately, due to some yet unknown complications her doctors have informed the family that she has lost brain function. Essentially she is brain dead. Unless God decides to move otherwise, she will probably not be on this earth much longer. She will be going home to rest in the arms of Jesus. Her family has an absolutely amazing faith. They pray that God will give them more time, but they also know that the "ultimate healing" would mean saying goodbye to her here. Ok, sorry. I think her blog would do this story more justice. Check it out here: Kayleigh's Blog.

Here is where MSB comes in. Candie is donating the proceeds of several digi stamp sales to Kayleigh's family! I was so amazed and blessed when I read this on the MSB blog today. Isn't amazing how God connects us? Here is the info on how you can help and which stamps are a part of this wonderful ministry. MSB helping Kayleigh.

I think that is all the information. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me! I am so glad to be involved with such an awesome stamp company that not only has amazing products, but that has an amazing heart too! :)

Challenge cards

I want to share two challenge cards I made recently. One is for The Greeting Farm blog and the other is for the weekly CAS challenge on SCS.

The TGF challenge was to case this card. I will have to be honest. This challenge was tough for me!! I am still having a hard time getting used to this new style of multi layered mats. I am used to 1 mat and then on with the show! :) Here's what I finally came up with:

The image is Grad Anya and I was lucky enough to win her and Ian during the blog hop a few weeks ago. That was the main reason I chose this image for my case. The patterned papers are from DCWV. The solid cardstock is Only Orange and Tempting Turquoise from SU. I colored Anya with my Bics. The sentiment is from a SU graduation stamp set. I can't think of the name for some reason. I cut the star from the patterned paper and wrote the '09.

The second card was much easier for me! I am pretty happy with how this card turned out.

The cute, little monkey is from "All That Scraps" CC Designs. The paper is SU. I drew the leaves and cut them out.

The challenge here was to use kids bedding from JCPenney for inspiration. Here is the bedding I chose: http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx...infant+bedding.

I love doing challenges because I really think that it "stretches your creative muscles". The only problem I am having is I feel like I am kind of losing my personal style a little. I used to be a very clean & simple type crafter. Now that I've had to do a lot more "embellished" work I am sort of hovering in the middle. It's good though, I think, because it helps me to try things I would normally never do. Maybe in doing that I can find a new personal style! :)

Splish, splash!

This is a card I made with a digital stamp from Dustin Pike. I love this image!I ran the blue paper through my Cuttlebug with the "Spots and Dots" embossing folder. I used a white gel pen to make "bubbles" on the green paper. The buttons are from Archiver's. (The $1.99 hot spot!) I colored the image with Bic Write it markers and accented with my white gel pen.

Check out Dustin Pike's blog for some more crazy cute images!

I think I am officially in love with digital stamps!! :)

Tomorrow is the big day! The grand opening of the Modern Sugar Blvd online store! Whooo! How exciting! Cruise on over there and check out all the amazing digi stamps! There is a little something for everyone!!

Here are some projects I created for the second round DT call using some of the very images you can purchase tomorrow! :)

Circle Card:

Image: Blogging Gal (MSB)

I threaded around the edge of the card with yellow floss. Then I embossed the white cardstock layer with the "Spots and Dots" Cuttlebug folder. The flower with flourishes is a cardstock sticker. I colored the image with Bic Write-It markers. I printed the sentiment from my computer.

Post-It note holder:

Image: Cake Gal (MSB)

This is one of the post-it note holders I am so fond of making lately! :) I used some Stampin' Up DSP (designer series paper) for the background. I will have to look up the name of it. I colored the image with my Bics.

Recipe card box/holder:

Image: Cake Gal (MSB)

I made the recipe box from a template I found on SCS. The background paper is "The Sweet Stack" from DCWV. I made the border with SU's scallop border punch. The chocolate chip cookies I made using a large circle punch and normal hole punch. Then I took a smaller circle punch and made bite marks.

MSB will be rockin' all week! Check it out for some great stamps, deals, ideas and more!! While you're at it take a look-see at the work of all the other amazing DT members. "The Sugars" are stock full of talent!!

Welcome blog hoppers! :)

This is a card I made for a contest on The Greeting Farm website. The contest was to think outside the normal square card layout. It was called "Don't be a square". :)
I found the tempate for the baseball cap here: http://houseofstirfry.com/chia/index.html.

I colored Ian (digital stamp) with my Bic Write-It markers. I am SO into those things! They are a fraction of the cost of Copic markers and work just as well!!

I cut the baseball on my Cricut (Circle), and then threaded red floss to look like stitching. It was actually very easy.

Enjoy the blog hop! (If you don't know what I'm talking about you can check it out here: TGF blog hop.)

Modern Sugar Blvd Sneak Peek

Here is a little "sneak peek" of the projects I made for the Modern Sugar Blvd DT call. I will post the actual pictures once the store is officially open on April 20th. The design team will be announced tomorrow! :)

I can't believe it!!!

I just read on the Modern Sugar Blvd blog that I have made it to round 2 of their design team call!

Good grief! I'm so excited I almost "whoot-whooted" and woke the boy up!! ;)

You can see my submission a few posts down. I found out about the call a day before they were due and didn't think I had the remotest shot. That's not to say I will make the final cut, but this is the closest I've made it to a DT team so I am thrilled!

I can't wait to get to work on my next submissions. I will post a little "sneak peek" when I'm done so you can tell me what you think! (Don't worry, they said that was ok) :)

Also, I got some free stamps in the mail today from Inkadinkadoo. They are running a contest of sorts on their website. It's not really a contest because everyone wins. ;) They are sending out up to 3 stamps to anyone who sends in projects using their stamps. I sent in three and got my stamps today. Here's a pic:
It's not quite as exciting as a design team, but it's all made for a fabulous day! :)

Some more samples...of course!

Here are two more cards I made to display for my open house.

Be You Fishy! :)

Stamps: Just Beachy (SU-Mini Occasions Catalog)

Chipboard: Hobby Lobby

Paper: YoYo Yellow & Brilliant Blue (SU)

Ink: StazOn

Glitter: Glitter dust pen

I used the SU scallop border punch to make "waves". The top blue layer of waves I dotted with the glitter dust pen. The "independent" fish is highlighted with glitter and a circle I made with my SU circle punch. The fish is colored with SU markers.

Bliss in a Garden:

Stamps: Scene in a Garden (SU-Occasions Mini Catalog)

Paper: The Green Stack (DCWV)

Ribbon: Michael's

I colored the image with PrismaColor pencils.

I feel kind of silly "naming" my cards, but it's become a habit since I upload to SCS. The "fishy" card concerned me a little because of my husband's interpretation of it. I showed him the card and asked what he thought it meant. He replied, "Back Up?".

I wonder if a stapler upside the head would make things clearer for him? :)

Hip Spring Skeleton!

While trying to make cards using my current SU sets I decided to pull out "Just Jawing". I usually use black and red with this set. I decided that I wanted to try some new colors this time. This is what I came up with: I'm still undecided on whether it's cute or creepy. :)

I used my VersaMark pad to stamp the flowers on the background. I used my pokey tool (yes, that's the technical name) to do the pierced border around the skull. The buttons are from a stash I have. I'm not sure where they came from.

So, it may be creepy but I still like it! Who says spring can't have a few skeletons?

So many samples, so little time!

I have been franctically trying to prepare for my upcoming SU open house. Besides demos, I am trying to put together samples, gifts, door prizes...and who knows what else! So, I will be posting my examples as I make them. They are all VERY easy and simple.
This scrapbook page was made using only stamps and a few little pieces of paper. I love this stamp set (SU-Bugs & Kisses). Ever since my son was born I have used it more and more. This is especially handy since he LOVES dirt! I stamped the bugs and put them around the picture and along the bottom of the page. The letter "C" is from the SU set "Big Deal Alphabet". I took the picture of this page on a blue cardstock background. The page is actually 6x6 and white.

This monogrammed card was super easy to make. I just stamped the background with a flower from the SU set "Garden Greetings". The dot border is from the same set. I attached the two pieces of "Green Galore" and "Tempting Turquoise" paper together and stamped the "W" in the corner (SU-Big Deal Alphabet).














These are two sample cards I made to hang on my display board. I used "Garden Greetings" & "Just Buzzin' By", both from SU. The flower on the red card is pop-dotted 3 times on each layer.

Lastly, this is the final Post-It note holder I am making for the door prize drawings. I made three total. I am not 100% sure I will use only the notepad holders, but I will at least use one. They are so simple to make. I put the instructions in the "Game Night Scorecard" post. I think these will also make great hostess gifts as well as demo ideas.



















Well, I am on my way. I have a lot more to do, but it helps knowing that some things are done! :)

Hot and Happy Easter!

I made this card using a free digital stamp from Dustin Pike. I never would have imagined I'd be using dragons on my Easter cards, but...here it is! :) This isn't the main card I made for the blessed season. It's the one I made for my little cousin who is celebrating his 1st Easter.

The card base is Acetate. (Transparency sheets). I ran the pink card stock through the Cuttlebug with the "Swirls" embossing folder. I colored the image with Bic Write-It markers. I hand wrote "Happy Easter" with a white gel pen. Which, by the way, has become my go-to tool. I use it ALL the time. After wasting tons of money on junk gel pens I bought this one and it's worked great! It's from the Souffle line. I don't know off hand what the brand is.

So, I pray everyone who reads my blog has a blessed Easter touched by the love of Jesus Christ! What more reason can we have to rejoice? He is risen!!

Modern Sugar Blvd. Design Team Call

This is the card I made for the Modern Sugar Blvd DT call! I just read about the call today so I was racing to my craft room as soon as my son laid down for his nap to get to work! :) Here is the card I made:It is a gift card holder, actually. I used the free digi stamp from the MSB blog and printed it onto cardstock. I must say that I am really getting into digital stamps. I just discovered them a few months ago and I am a big fan. You can adjust the size right from your computer which makes a huge difference in your crafting!

I embossed the background with the Cuttlebug folder "Traffic Jam". The "Thanks" and "For you" sentiments are from the SU set Flexible Phrases. The tag on the gift card is a punch, also from SU (Tab Punch).

Click the link at the top right of my blog to see what Modern Sugar Blvd is. You can get the digi stamp above for free! If you've never tried digital stamps, give this one a shot. I have a feeling that digital stamps are going to be the next big thing! Even if they aren't, I will still enjoy them! :)

Strawberry Friends Forever

Stamps: Tart and Tangy(SU), Noteworthy(SU), Pocket Silhouettes(SU)
Paper: DCWV

I really wasn't "feeling" this card when I started making it. It wasn't until the very end that it came together and worked for me. I drew the lines and dotted around the strawberries. I don't know if you can tell by the picture, but the background paper is a very light pink. I rounded the corners with a SU punch. I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head.

I made this based on a CAS challenge. It was a sketch challenge.

It's not very often that I can pull a card back from the brink of the trash can, but I'm glad this one made it! :)

And here I was complaining about the weather...

I just couldn't help myself! I got my hands on the new set "Branch Out" from Stampin' Up, and it was begging to be used for a fall card. I complied.I don't know how I feel about the background paper and brads, but the image didn't look right just sitting, all bored, on a plain piece of green cardstock. I didn't want to distract too much from the tree, so I was hoping this paper would be muted enough. Overall I think it works pretty well.

I used 5 different inks for the leaves. All Stampin' Up. Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie. It was a lot of stamping, but I think it looks fuller that way.

I think I will get back to my scrap room and see what the stamp set thinks about winter! :)

Simple Birthday Wishes

I made this card for a friend who is celebrating her 50th birthday! I figured she might not want bold reminders of the milestone, so I made this a clean & simple card. :)Stamp: Stampin' Up - Crazy for Cupcakes (sentiment), Stampabilities (Tree)
Ink: Stampin' Up - Garden Green, Brilliance Pigment - Black, Bic Write-It markers
Technique: Dots with a white gel pen

I am definately a big fan of CAS (clean & simple) cards. I cut the tree out and popped it up with Pop Dots to make it stand out a little more. It really is just as simple as that! So, hopefully this card will help make my friend's birthday a little brighter!

A little birdie...

Stamp: Inkadinkadoo
Ink: YoYo Yellow (SU), Certainly Celery (SU)
Embossing Folder: Stylized Flowers (Cuttlebu)
Ribbon: Michael's
Technique: Sponge inking on the embossing, Dry embossing, Heat embossing (Clear powder)
Paper: Archiver's

It was a little time consuming to sponge ink the embossed image, but worth it for the overall effect. I used the little fingertip sponges and Stampin' Up ink. I experimented with other inks that were definately "juicier", but in this case SU's less than inky ink worked better.

I embossed the bird with clear embossing powder after I had stamped it with a brown pigment pad. I don't know what I'd do without my clear embossing powder. It's awesome!!

I LOVE Inkadinkadoo stamps. They are so embellished and pretty! The set this bird comes from is called: Birds Galore. I also bought some Halloween Inkadinkadoo stamps last year that are just as cool! They are one of my favorite brands!

This card is a good reflection of my personal taste. It's very earthy and clean. Kind of like me! Minus the clean part...thanks to a very active two year old!! :)