New Ippity Stamp Class for June

Good morning!

This is just a reminder that I am having my next {ippity} stamp class on Saturday, June 18 from 12-3. We will be making 6 cards using {ippity}'s "How You Doin'" stamp set. Class fee of $25 includes the stamp set (yours to keep) plus all papers and embellishments to complete all 6 cards. Please register for the class by Monday, May 30. Class fee is due at the time of registration; I will accept credit/debit cards through Paypal or you can pay by cash or check if you're local. :)

I can also mail kits with instructions. The cost of these kits is $25 plus $4.95 priority shipping.

To register, please email me at sharecropperskits@gmail.com. Thanks, and I hope to see lots of you there!

May Counterfeit Blog Hop

Welcome to your next stop on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog Hop! If you didn't start at the very beginning, you will want to start HERE.

Our blog hop challenge was to be inspired by a project from a manufacturer's blog. This wasn't hard-although narrowing it down to just one inspiration project was a bit tricky! I immediately went to the Pink Paislee blog where I found THIS adorable layout by Caroline Ikeji. I have always loved Caroline's layouts-especially the way she mixes patterns and clusters embellishments. I tried the cluster technique on this layout. I think I have a new favorite technique!

I'm so glad you stopped by today. Your next stop on today's hop is the fabulous Kim's blog!

Us.

***This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my Momenta Faux Bingo Markers Project.***

When I look at this layout, it's hard to believe that I actually made it. First, it's a layout. And it's completed. Go me, lol! Second, it's a 12 x 12 layout. Usually I scrap 8.5 x 11, but the past few that I have done have been 12 x 12. I like it. :) Finally, I used eyelets. Amazing! I don't remember the last time I used an eyelet!

So, I finished a cute layout using one of my all-time favorite photos of Donny and the kids. I actually finished 2 layouts today, but you'll have to come back tomorrow for the second one. It's for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Master Forgers' Blog Hop tomorrow! You won't want to miss it!

Buddy Card with Faux Bingo Marker

Hello! I am super-excited to share that I am blogging over on the Momenta blog today! Over there I am sharing how I made my faux wooden bingo markers that I included in my May Counterfeit Kit. I used one of the star ones as an embellishment on this card. I love all of the textures and layers and happy colors here. :)

All of the supplies that I used on this card are from my May kit. I also used the fabric-covered brads that I made for this month's kit. Aren't they super-fun? If you're not familiar with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, you are missing out! Go check out all of the fun at http://www.counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/. Don't forget to check out the Momenta blog for the tutorial, too!

Mini Challenge #3

Mini Challenge #3 for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge is to choose an embellishment from your kit-and create your project around it! This was an easy one for me because that is usually how I start my cards! Ironically, my favorite embellishments from this month's kit were the ones that I made myself. I will have to remind myself of this the next time that I am scrap shopping, lol!
My little girl embellishment was made using scraps of cardstock and patterned paper and a cute stamp set from Hero Arts. The card came together really quickly using this embellishment-just a punched grass border and letter stickers for a sentiment. Super easy!
Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope that you have a chance to play along with us for the mini challenge!

Counterfeit Kit Mini Challenge #1

Sorry this is late posting to my blog! I had two blog posts ready to go for last Friday, but then Blogger went down and I lost them both. Grr! This is the first chance that I've had to re-do them. There is still plenty of time to play along, though-hope you can join us!

Our first mini challenge for May over at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge is to use THIS sketch from Sketch Support. I made a quick card using an adorable lemonade sticker from May kit and a super-cute sentiment stamp from Technique Tuesday.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Don't forget to check out all of the adorable cards from the Master Forgers. Enjoy your weekend!

Card Set featuring new Momenta

Today I am sharing a sweet little card set that I made using the new Family Forever collection from Momenta. This collection has such beautiful colors and classic patterns. It is perfect not only for family scrapbook pages, but also all-occasion cards like these. These cards came together quickly because all of the papers and icon stickers coordinate perfectly, and the sentiments are all vellum quote stickers from Momenta.

Don't forget that Momenta is having a DT Call, too! Check out all of the details HERE on the Momenta blog.

Happy Wishes

Happy Friday, everyone! I can't think of a better reason to celebrate this week. What a week!

Today I am sharing the card that I made for this week's Lily Pad Cards sketch challenge. Lucy has made a sweet little sketch for us-I know you will love it and hope you can play along! Our sponsor this week is one of my very favorites, too-Lawn Fawn! I just love Kelly Marie's adorable stamp designs, and I was so excited to get to play with one of the new releases from CHA Winter. The set is called Lunar Lights. Here is what I made:

I decided to use a Hero Arts acetate card for my card base. First, I stamped the lanterns and string on the white cardstock inside the card. Then I stamped the lanterns and string directly on my card front using black StazOn ink. Paper-piecing the lanterns allowed me to add lots of fun colors and patterns.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Don't forget to check out all of the Dream Team's cards and challenge details HERE.

Ocean Gift Bag Topper

Welcome back! I'm excited to share a photot tutorial for this sweet gift bag topper with you today. It is also the featured project on the Momenta blog today. If you haven't checked out the new blog yet, you should head over! (After you're done here, of course!)
1. Trim embossed cardstock to fit the width of the gift bag. (My gift bag measured 7.75" wide, so I trimmed my cardstock to 7.75" x 12". Make two score lines across width of cardstock to fold over the top of the gift bag.


2. Trace edge of die-cut cardstock along short sides of embossed cardstock. (You can use any die cut paper because you are just using it as a template. You can also leave the edge of the bag straight if you prefer or are short on time.)

3. Trim along traced lines.

4. Mark handle placement on back side of cardstock.

5. Use paper trimmer to cut "slices" from the cardstock to slide over the handles. My "slices" were about 1/4" wide.

6. This is what it should look like. Notice that I cut the "slices" from the top of the gift bag topper, not the sides. This will allow the topper to sit flat on top of the gift bag.

6. Sand cardstock. (This is a great way to show the contrasting core of your cardstock. Pre-embossed cardstock, such as Momenta's Hidden Hues, works great for this project!)

7. Fit topper over gift bag handles and embellish as desired. I used cardstock scraps and my Create a Critter cartridge (Cricut) to create a little ocean scene. This is such a fun project, and such a great idea for your scrap budget! Not only can you embellish using scraps and leftovers from other projects, but also the plain gift bags are 2/$1.00 at Dollar Tree! You can get my favorite, kraft, or fun colors like the teal one used in this project.

Thanks for stopping by today!

May Counterfeit Kit Challenge

***This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for My Lily Pad Cards post.***

I have a confession to make. Since joining the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, I have become even more impatient. I find it very difficult to wait for the next inspiration kit to be announced! So, I spend quite a bit of time hopping around to different kit websites, trying to get a sneak peek of the next kits to be released. There were a couple that I really liked this month, but when I saw this month's main kit from Work in Progress, I secretly crossed my fingers that Bethany and Meridy would like this kit as much as I did. Guess what? It worked! Not only did they choose this kit to counterfeit, but the original kit sold out on the first day! Can they pick 'em or what? ;)

Here is my counterfeit version of the main kit:

Here are more detailed shots of my kit. I always start my kits with my papers. I try to match each of the original kit papers as closely as I can. Sometimes I can match a paper almost exactly, but other times I have to make do with what I have. Sometimes it's as generic as "a die-cut paper"! You've just got to do what works for you. Remember that your goal is to use your stash, not buy more! Because of the way that I select my papers, I always have an eclectic mix of manufacturers. This month's papers are from Echo Park, SEI, Creative Memories (1997, mind you!), Doodlebug, Provo Craft (also late '90s!), Momenta, Colorbok, Imaginisce, Core'dinations, K & Co. and Heidi Grace. Quite a mix!

I always pull my cardstock to match my papers, even if the original kit doesn't include any. This month, I think I went a bit overboard, lol:

Choosing papers and cardstock is kind of fun, but what I absolutely love is choosing and creating the embellies for the kit. I LOVED the embellies in the inspiration kit-such cute products from Pink Paislee and Basic Grey. Almost all of the embellies in my kit are handmade, including the "Read" title, borders, and fabric covered brads.

I purchased two items for my kit. The first was the package of "Lemonade Stand" stickers on the right. I struggled to find some soda-inspired embellies like those in the original kit. I decided to skip over those-until I saw this set of stickers on the clearance rack at Michael's-for 97 cents! I snatched that package up so quickly, I think the rack is still spinning, lol! They were perfect for my kit, and they match my patterned paper perfectly! I also purchased a roll of yellow crepe paper at my local thrift store for 25 cents (after I had already taken my kit photos.) The color looks great with my lemonade embellies, plus it will give me a chance to try some fun crepe paper techniques. :)

Now for the Add-ons. Work in Progress offered a Mother's Day Add-on, so I created one, too, using papers and brads from SEI, vintage seam binding and a zipper (both courtesy of sweet Meridy), and a hot-off-the-press stamp set from The Craft's Meow.

I also made a Boy Add-on that is inspired by board games, puzzles, and outdoor play. I actually pulled some items that were leftover from my January Counterfeit kit, such as the stamped journaling spots and bingo cards. The Scrabble letters are a free printable download-I simply printed the jpeg at a 4x6 size on white cardstock and trimmed the letters. You can find the download HERE. The bingo cards were also a free printable download HERE.

OK, are you inspired? I hope so! I hope you will consider joining us this month for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge! You can see all of the other Master Forgers' kits HERE. There are some really fun ideas being shared there today! Over the next few days, we will be sharing lots of tutorials for making your own embellies, and I will have a couple here on my blog, as well, including one for making my faux bingo markers.

Oh, and don't forget National Scrapbook Day tomorrow! I will have new projects and challenges from Momenta and the Counterfeit Kit Challenge!

The Greeting Farm Presents...A New Lily Pad Challenge!

It's Friday, so that means the Lily Pad Dream Team has a new batch of cards to inspire you, plus a new challenge and a new sponsor! Our challenge this week is another gorgeous color combination from Kathy-a collection of soft, muted colors that would be perfect for a Mother's Day card or any spring project.
Not only do we have a great color combo for you, but our sponsor this week is none other than The Greeting Farm! I have been in love with TGF's adorable images since I first saw them about a year ago. The sweet characters fit in perfectly with my cutesy card style! My card this week features a sweet digi stamp-it's called "Kissy Kissy".

It's true that these images are perfect for coloring. I am just learning how to use Copics, however, so my colors (and skill) are quite limited! My image is entirely paper-pieced, using scraps of cardstock and some Distress Ink. A touch of Crystal Stickles "eyeshadow" finishes off the image.
I hope you will all join us this week for our Color Throwdown! You can see all of the details, as well as the rest of the Dream Team's gorgeous cards, HERE.

Blog Hop Winner Announced!

Random.org chose commenter #12...jjabauer! Congrats-you win my Counterfeit Kit Add-On! Please send me an email at sharecropperskits@gmail.com to let me know your contact info. Thank you to everyon who visited and left me sweetcomments! :)