hello. :)

So, I got a not-so-subtle reminder that I haven't updated the blog for a while!

LOL

(Thanks, Steph!)

 

I have made a few cards over my summer vacation,

but haven't taken the time to share many. 

Sorry!

 

Here's a bright one for you today.

I am in love with neon right now!

I just got the new neon ink pads from Hero Arts, too, so you'll probably need sunglasses to read my blog before the summer's over. ;)

 

 

I cut this fun kraft and neon background using the Creative Cards cartridge from Cricut. 

Fun, huh?

The stamp is from Studio G.  I stamped it with Versamark

and embossed with black embossing powder.

 

I'm hoping that I have some time today to get inky.  Happy Tuesday! :)



June Kit Layouts

Our first challenge this month was to find inspiration in an ad. This was a tough one for me-until I saw this Keds ad in a magazine:
I loved the clean design of the layout and knew that it would work well with the photo that I wanted to scrap. I substituted some of my favorite papers and a journaling box for the extra photos in the ad. The background is embossed cardstock from Core'dinations. I lightly sanded it to show the texture. This photo is of my dad and some of his brothers and sisters (taken around 1937). My dad is the little blonde on the right, next to the pink flower. :)

Challenge #2 for the blog hop was to make an "I" page. I immediately though of my Pinterest boards, which I labeled like Apple products (like the iPod and iPhone.) My boards include iBake, iSew, iScrap, etc. I also lifted this design from a layout that I have "pinned" on my iScrap board. Notice the subtle background stamping on the gray background? I did that with my homemade chicken wire stamp! The metal clips were leftover from my May kit.

My last layout was for Challenge #3, "Get in Shape". The challenge was to use a shape as a design element on your page. I had included this large chipboard heart in my kit and knew that it would be perfect for this challenge. I inked it with Creamy Brown chalk ink and then stamped a small branch with heart-shaped leaves all over with brown ink. I also realized that I used all patterned paper for this layout-the only cardstock is my background, but you can't see it because it is covered with patterned paper strips! I can't remember ever making a project using only patterned paper. I really like the look-it reminds me of an old quilt. :) These photos are of me and my parents last summer.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Today is my last "free" day before a very busy holiday weekend. I hope to get lots of scrapping done!

June Counterfeit Add-on Kits

I admit that I got a bit carried away this month while I was creating my add-ons for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge. I created a small add-on kit based on the add-on from Burlap & Buttercups, which I shared yesterday with my main kit. When I was looking through some of the other kit clubs, however, I found that I really loved the Studio Calico Star Dust Add-on. After I assembled my main kit, I realized that I could counterfeit the Star Dust Add-on and have it coordinate with my main kit. So this month I have a mix of two kit clubs. Here is my counterfeit Star Dust Add-On:Everything was pulled from my stash or handmade. I really wanted to include a chicken wire background stamp, but didn't have any stamps in my stash that would work. My solution: an onion bag (thanks, Lesa!) I created a frame from a scrap of chipboard, then adhered a piece of the onion bag over the center of the frame. To use this, I applied ink to one side, placed it ink-side-down on my paper, then rolled a brayer over the top. It worked great! Can't wait to try this on a project!

Here are my counterfeit tin pins. I had one package of buttons to cover leftover from last month's kit, so I decided to cover them with paper to make my version of the tin pins. I used a cloth to slightly dampen my paper, then covered the buttons. I then applied a layer of Glossy Accents, and they look very similar to October Afternoon's tin pins!

These are the tapes that I made in place of the Smash Tape. I used some old first aid tape, and stamped the checked background with teal and red ink. I then used some different stamps from my stash to add words, phrases, and numbers. I'm not quite sure what I will use these for yet, but they were fun to make! Note to self: need more first aid tape. :)

Finally, I counterfeited the Kitch brads from the inspiration kit. I simply cut or punched circles from patterned paper scraps and placed them inside the rim of these buttons. I then covered the paper with Glossy Accents. Super easy, and no one will ever know that they are buttons, not brads, once they are on my projects!

I also made a Summer Add-On so that I can play along with Kim's Summer challenge later this month. I have had my eye on Echo Park's Splash collection for a while, but I simply couldn't justify buying it when I still have lots of last summer's paper in my stash! So I decided to counterfeit the Splash collection (instead of a kit) as my Summer Add-On. I had so much fun making the journaling blocks and the ticket embellies. You can see the "real" Splash collection from Echo Park HERE. Here is my counterfeit Splash kit:

I'm excited to use my kits to make some projects! If you haven't played along with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, you are missing out! Check it out HERE. I know you'll be inspired!

Lily Pad Inspiration Challenge

The Lily Pad DT had a fun assignment this week: we got to hunt through all of the submissions from the past month and create a card inspired by one of them! This assignment is perfect for me because I am always inspired by others' cards, and I always tell myself that I will "lift" their design someday. Well, life gets busy and I forget. Having this as an assignment was the perfect reason to make one of these cards!

I loved THIS card by Therese, who entered this for the Lily Pad Color Throwdown. I had that same scooter stamp in my stash, and I had never inked it up. Time to remedy that! Here is what I came up with:

I cut this fun shaped card using my Cricut Wild Card cartridge. It's hard to see the detail, but the pink cardstock is dry embossed with the same quirky heart that is on the scooter-love that! I also hope that you will join us for this fun challenge-you could win a gift certificate to Simon Says Stamp! Check out the challenge details and the rest of the Dream Team's cards HERE.

Mini Challenge: Etsy Inspiration

This week's Counterfeit Kit Challenge is to be inspired by a project from Etsy. HERE is the project that I chose. I have always loved the look of printer's trays, but finished ones tend to be a bit pricey. I knew I could make my own for a fraction of the price. To save even more money, I found a small shadowbox at Goodwill to alter. The price was definitely right: 45 cents!

Here is a before photo:

Pretty outdated and dusty, huh?

Here's what it looks like now:

Here are the details:

Top left: I cut this butterfly from my lace paper, but the color just didn't "pop" like I wanted it too. So, I covered the butterfly with Versamark ink and heat embossed it twice with silver embossing powder. Two bling brads form the body.

Top right: I stamped the sewing machine on a piece of clear packaging (from the Bella Blvd. fabric flowers.) I then paper pieced just the body of the machine and added an epoxy brad and some stickle-y thread. For the "fabric", I cut a little slit in the transparency and threaded a scrap of rickrack through.

Middle left: Just a rub-on and gems on a Spellbinders die-cut.

Middle right: I cut a Spellbinders die-cut in half, then distressed the edge so it looks like a tiny notebook edge. Studio G stamp and butterfly punches, plus a little doily that I created with an EK Success border punch.

Bottom left: My favorite! I stamped the dressform on the same clear packaging from the flowers and paper pieced the dress. The text flowers are just two punched flowers, adhered together with a foam square and topped with a button and gems. The little metal flowers are my soda can flowers. :)

Bottom right: I trimmed a corner off the stamped doily from my kit, then topped it with a butterfly rub-on on white cardstock. I popped the butterfly up with foam squares. I love this punched flower, too. I layered three Martha Stewart flower punches, attached an epoxy brad, then "squished" the petals up to give it some dimension. The tiny stamp is from an old (uninked!) Studio G set.

Thanks so much for stopping in today! I hope you can join us for this challenge this week! Check out the details at the Counterfeit Challenge blog!

My Counterfeit Sunny Clearing Kit

I love this little kit. The colors, the patterns...and how easy it was for my to pull together. :)
All of the papers are from Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl 6x6 paper pad. I also pulled a few Cosmo Cricket Elements from another line, some cute little chipboard flower buttons from Dollar Tree, and a set of Studio G number/alpha border stamps. I decided that instead of the large scalloped calendar from the inspiration kit, I would use my Hero Arts doily stamp. I really love this stamp, and I think it works well with the rest of the kit. I stamped it on Crushed curry cardstock with Versamark ink, then heat embossed it with white embossing powder.
My sweet mom crocheted me some tiny doilies, too, but I didn't have them when I took this photo. I also made a couple of embellished paper clips using buttons and oversized epoxy brads. You will see them both on a project or two very soon. :)
Don't forget to stop by the Counterfeit Kit challenge blog to see Meridy's kit and Bethany's kit, along with some fun links to freebies for your own kits.

March Counterfeit Kit Challenge

I'm so excited to be the Guest Designer this month at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog! This month's inspiration kits are from Studio Calico. That's right-I said kits, with an "s"! Not only are Meridy, Bethany and I counterfeiting the main kit, but we also are each making the FOUR add-on kits! Lots of scrappy goodness, I tell you!
Today, we are each sharing our main kits on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog, and I am sharing mine here with you. Here is the main inspiration kit from Studio Calico:

And here is my kit:

With this kit, I was able to match almost all of the papers very closely. The only exception was the Woodland paper (top, second from the left.) I chose a repeating aqua pattern from Basic Grey. The colors in this pattern worked well with the other papers in my kit. My cardstocks are Lagoon, Watermelon, Crushed Curry, Kraft, White, Ivory and Black. I have also included a couple of small scraps of green that matched one of my add-on kits perfectly.

When it came to the embellishments, however, I had to make some substitutions. I started with the bee stamp. I don't have a bee stamp, but I saw this pretty butterfly stamp that a friend recently gave me. I added that to my kit, and that inspired me to add the chipboard butterflies. My label stickers are from Martha Stewart, and the colors go well with my papers. Finally, instead of the larger letter stickers and title die-cut, I included a rub-on alphabet and a package of Basic Grey rub-ons. The rub-ons have lots of icons (including some bees) and sentiments which would work well for either cards or layouts.

I will also add buttons as I make my projects. I discovered in January with my first kit that it is much more practical for me to keep my buttons in their original jars and just take what I want as I go.

Thank so much for stopping by today! I can't wait to show you my add-on kits, plus I am itching to start making some projects to share! Don't forget to take photos of your kits and share them on the blog or on the Counterfeit Kit Facebook Page-we'd love to see how you're inspired by the kits!

Tall Oaks

Just a quick share this morning before I head out. This is a simple card, stamped only with brown ink and then shaded with a few colors of colored pencils. I love this look-the colors just seem to pop off the kraft cardstock! The large tree, leaves, and acorn are from DeNami Design, while the sentiment is from Studio G.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today's share is one of my "rejects", lol! It is perfect for Valentine's Day. Around the outside of the spinner, I have stamped "I think you are..." and then the spinner has four different images and cute little words to end the sentence. I just thought this stamp set was the cutest when I saw it at Michael's a couple of weeks ago. I exercised great willpower when I left it sitting there in the $ bin! My sweet daughter had seen me looking at it in the store, however, and surprised me with it after we got home. How sweet is she? I have to finish up a couple other Valentine cards today, so I will hopefully get a chance to share those later.

Stamps are from Studio G and patterned papers are from the Love Me Do collection from My Mind's Eye. Thanks for stopping by!

Counterfeit Kit Challenge Cards

I've been MIA for a couple of weeks here in blogland, but I do have a couple of shares today using my January Counterfeit Kit. If you're new to the Counterfeit Kit challenge, you can check it out HERE. It's a great idea-you "copy" the items from monthly kits using items from your own scrapbooking stash! There are also some amazing tutorials for making your own embellishments. THIS post has links to some amazing faux Prima flowers. I can't wait to try them!First of all, this is what my January kit had in it, using only items from my stash and elements that I was able to download for free online. (This is also perfect for me, as I am still on my spending freeze until I get my 365 projects done!)

I have only made two cards so far using my kit. I've been so busy with DT work and magazine submissions that I haven't had a chance to play with it much! I loved the way these two projects came out, however. I don't think that I would have ever thought to pair up some of these embellishments without having them right in this kit. Because I still have tons of supplies left in my kit, I am not going to "dismantle" it yet. I have everything (except my stamps and ink) in a separate paper holder so that I can just grab my kit and get to work.

This first card was for the Card-Bling-Fashion mini challenge on the Counterfeit Kit Blog. I found a picture of a retro red-and-white polka dot sundress online and used it as my inspiration. While making this card, I decided to add a package of white chipboard letters to my kit. I realized that the alpha stickers that I had included were not enough and that I wanted to be able to mix and match alphas on my projects. I also used a chipboard tag that was not in my original kit. I am trying to use up some big packages of chipboard shapes from my stash. These packages are really large and will literally not fit in my kit, so I keep them near my scrap table. Hopefully I can start to make a dent in my chipboard stash!

The second card that I made was for the Sketch Mini Challenge. I took the layout sketch and changed it up a bit to work for a card. Everything on the card was from my kit, and I used the added chipboard letters for this card-but with a twist. The white letters didn't show up on the white journaling block. I knew that I would need to alter them somehow. I looked through my supplies and saw that I had some dark brown flocking from Studio G. I played around for a bit and found that if I flipped over the HI, it looked the same. So, I kept it flipped over and covered the sticky side of the letters with the flocking. Voila-perfectly flocked letters without having to mess with adhesive! Obviously this wouldn't work for all letters, but it will work for some and also most shapes.

I'm excited to start building my kit for February. I'm a bit behind, but hopefully will get to it this morning. This one's going to be a real challenge for me because the elements in the kit are totally not my style so who knows what I will end up with, lol! Maybe I will find things in my stash I didn't even know I had! :)

Love You Tons

Even though this card is really simple, it was a hard for me to make! Tiddly Inks' "Refresh Me" challenge was to make an all-white card (the image could be colored.) I don't think that I have ever made a card like this before. I started with the image, which was fine because I could use my colors. Then I struggled because I wanted to use patterned paper-I chose embossed cardstock instead. Then, I wanted to add some fun green ribbon-I chose white twine instead. Finally, I REALLY wanted to add a colored button-but chose white instead. It was tough, I tell you!

This cute little elephant is a free digital stamp from Tiddly Inks. When I printed him, I was trying to think of a cute little saying. As I was looking through some of my clear stamps, I saw this cute little saying in a pack of Studio G valentine sentiments. I had never had a stamp that worked with it, so it had sat, un-inked, for a couple of years. I can't wait to make more using these two stamps! While I do feel "refreshed" by this challenge, I can't wait to add some fun, colorful embellishments to my next cards!

Also, I have not heard from my second place winner from last week's [ippity} stamp giveaway. So, I have drawn another name. Congratulations to...KELLY CRANFILL! Woo-hoo! I know Kelly has a sweet little boy and a new little girl at home, so I know she will have lots of occasions to use the "Love in Return" stamp set from {ippity}.

My Valentine Banner

Just a quick share today, but it's here. :)

I made this cute little card using Hero Arts and Studio G stamps and some Valentine paper from Target's Dollar Spot. (No, it was not bought this year, lol-1 or 2 years ago maybe?) I made my own little banner from paper scraps, then added little stamped hearts to each. I also gave the little girl a heart to hold. I added a bit of shine to the hearts with Glossy Accents.

This card is for the PaperCrafts January Gallery Challenge to make a Valentine.

Today I am going to be cardmaking with a friend. We will be making birthday cards, so I should have some of those to share with you on Tuesday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Creative Charms Challenge

Hi, everyone! I'm sad to say that vacation is over now and it was back to school today. :( That first morning is always tough!

I do have some new projects to share today. I have a lot of projects made that I will be sharing over the next week or so, along with some ***EXCITING NEWS!*** (That was just a tease-I will share my news with you all on Saturday, which is National Scrapbooking Day!)

Today's projects feature some fun embellishments from Creative Charms. They were a generous sponsor of the Get Sketchy designers this week. Our challenge was to create a few projects showcasing their beautiful embellies. The fun part is that there is a friendly competition going on this week among the Get Sketchy girls. Readers are voting on their favorite designer based on the projects we've created using the Creative Charms products. To see all of the projects and vote, please visit the Get Sketchy blog. You have until Saturday, May 1, to vote. Also, if you leave a comment on both the Get Sketchy blog and the Creative Charms blog, you will be entered to win a $20 in goodies from Creative Charms!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Safari Animals

When I received this set of stamps in the mail from DeNami Design, I was a happy girl! As you can tell from many of my cards, I LOVE critter stamps, and these little guys are no exception. I have had so much fun using them on different cards. I showed this set used on a card for one of the Get Sketchy challenges (see it HERE).

For this card, however, I wanted to create a safari scene. As I was moving elements around, I realized that this would make a fun interactive card. I created two pockets on the front of my card using green cardstock for grass. The, I made three tiny cards and stamped the safari animals on those. The animals are also covered with fuzzy flocking. I finished each of the mini cards with a little strip of "grass" and tucked them into the grass pockets on the card front. I also created a sun using triangles cut from patterned paper and an oversized button from DeNami Designs.

Sometimes cards for boys can be challenging, but I think this is perfect for a little guy. Because the mini cards can be taken out and tucked back in, this little scene may even become something he will play with later. (I'm thinking road trips or waiting at a restaurant! Why not tuck it into your purse for such "emergencies"?)

Thanks for looking, and don't forget to check out the DeNami blog to see what the other designers came up with!

(All cardstock, stamps, and button by DeNami Design, patterned paper by Heidi Grace, flocking by Studio G.)

Safari Thank You

It's Friday, so that means that there is a new sketch and a new Challenge at Get Sketchy! This week's sketch is so versatile! All of the DT members came up with amazing but completely different cards. It's always fun to see all of the different projects posted. Please check out the challenge HERE and play along!

My card features an adorable set of stamps that I just received from DeNami Design. The set, Safari Animals, includes three little critters: a zebra, a lion and an elephant. Aren't they so cute? Many of you know I have a weakness for critter stamps. The patterned paper and cardstock is from Creating Keepsakes, and the ribbon and most of the buttons are from DeNami Design. I love their buttons-they come in coordinated assortments, so you get a ton of different styles of buttons that look great together. I also used some flocking that I picked up in the dollar bin at AC Moore. It is from Studio G and worked great! I used a Quickie Glue pen to color over his mane, then sprinkled the flocking on. So easy, and it added just a bit of texture to this card. (Attention bling girls: This pen is also great for adding loose glitter!)

One other "good thing" I want to share: My friend Lisa Forsythe (a fellow Get Sketchy designer) has a card featured on the cover of the latest issue of Cards magazine! I'm so excited for her. Please check it out, and visit Lisa's blog for more great inspiration. Be sure to leave her some love!

Vintage Easter Bunny

I just finished a last minute Easter card based on this week's sketch at Card Patterns. I picked up this adorable bunny stamp a few weeks ago at A.C. Moore for just a buck, but have been a little hesitant to use it because it's not my usual "cutesy" style. I paired it with some Anna Griffin polka-dot paper, antique lace, Imaginisce flowers and SEI pearls. How's that for a hodge-podge of materials? :) I love that I made a teeny tiny dent in my stash. I may have to make some more of these before Sunday (minus the handstitching around the edge. Too time-consuming for multiple cards!) Speaking of the stitching, I added that so that it would fit with another web challenge-this on for Embellish magazine. Their challenge was to use kraft, light pink and light aqua, plus incorporate some sort of stitching.

I want to wish you all a very Happy Easter. Hope the bunny hops by to visit you!

Easter card for Jellybean...

Maybe I'm dating myself, but have you ever said, "Know what I mean, Jellybean?" Well, I said this to my daughter a while ago and she looked at me like I had three heads. Her reply: "Um, not really, Lollipop." So our nicknames for eachother came to be-she is Jellybean and I am Lollipop. People probably look at the two of us like we each have three heads whenever we say these nicknames.

So that's the story behind this Easter card. I wanted to do something cute with the bunny, so I stamped him twice, cut him out and sandwiched a piece of white floss in between the two images. The other end of the floss is adhered behind the eggs and grass, so he can "hop" across the card (with a little help from Jellybean, of course.) The sentiment is personalized with her nickname-I just cut the "s" off the word "jellybeans". I'm not in the habit of cutting up my expensive stamps, but I don't mind cutting up my Studio G's. For a buck a set, if I really want the original sentiment, I will buy two packages. You could also use markers and just ink the part of the image that you want to stamp. I usually use a full-size black inkpad, though, so cutting the stamp was easier for me. (Yes, I am a WEE bit lazy.)

The bunny and the eggs-and-grass stamps are also from Studio G. To make the border, I simply masked the eggs-and-grass stamp and used it along the width of my paper. The sentiment and cloud are both by Hero Arts.

Don't forget the giveaway from my last post! Just leave a comment and become a follower of the blog-I am giving away a copy of the March/April issue of Papercrafts (which also includes a Tips & Tricks CD) to a random reader. Thanks for stopping by today!

Some fun Valentine's Day cards...

to share with you today. I made these mini cards using up some spare stamped pieces and scraps. So easy!

First, I started with one white A2 size card (4.25" x 5.5"), then I cut it in half. The result: two 2.75" x 4.25" mini cards, already folded. More bang for your buck, as you're making two cards from one. Plus, the smaller surface makes them perfect for using your scraps!

For each card, I adhered a small scrap of kraft cardstock to the top, then a small punched border directly below that. I adhered a scrap of ribbon around the card, letting the ends extend beyond the card. (The ribbon is not tied-just adhered.) I also added a button with thread tied through on top of the ribbon-just attach it with a glue dot.

For the images, I stamped the frog and the owl (both from Hero Arts) on patterned paper and cut them out. I added some pink chalk to the frog's cheeks, and used a red colored pencil and a white gel pen to accent the owl. I wanted to add fun touches to each image, since these cards are for my kiddos. The frog got a little tiny heart "kiss" on his cheek-the heart is actually a tiny heart left behind after I used a Martha Stewart heart border punch. I used a glue stick to attach it to his cheek, then added a bit of Fruit Punch stickles. For the owl, I also added some Fruit Punch stickles to the wing, but the fun part was adding the pink, eye-lashed googly eyes. I found these at JoAnn Fabrics. So cute!

You can add whatever you'd like for sentiments near the top. My "Happy Valentine's Day" stamp is from Studio G, while the "I" and "you" are from Technique Tuesday. The heart is from Hero Arts.

I'd love to see what you come up with for mini cards using your scraps. If you'd care to share, email me a link to your card and I will share the link on my blog. Be brave-we'd all love to see what you create!

Bright Pumpkins

One more Thanksgiving card to share today. This one uses bright colors, plus it pairs orange and coral-who would've thought that combination would look good? But the coral matches the stripe in the patterned paper and looks great in real life.

This card is based on CPS Sketch #143. This is a pretty literal interpretation of the sketch, but I dressed it up a little by folding the green paper over the pumpkin image to give it some dimension. The ribbon, button and twine really spice it up.

These pumpkins are from Studio G, and the "Heartfelt Thanks" sentiment is from Hero Arts. All papers are by My Mind's Eye.

Another Card with CPS Sketch #141

Here is another card that I made using the same sketch and stamp sets as the Autumn Thank You card. The papers are also from My Mind's Eye. The result was totally different, though, by using different colors and ribbon instead of jute.

I actually sent this card out yesterday as a sympathy card to my cousin's husband and daughter. My cousin passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. Her husband, Jim, and daughter, Dorothy, live in El Paso, Texas. We're keeping them in our thoughts.