Top 3 on Technostampers!!

How cool is this? I checked to see what the new sketch is over on Technostampers, and I found out that Mary Jo picked my card from last week as one of her top 3 picks! Whoo hoo! Thanks, Mary Jo!

Just in case you were wondering which card I'm talking about, it's this one:

Come on back here on Wednesday to see what I created for the Belli Challenge. :-)

Music Flowers Birthday

This is one of the cards that I created for Cornish Heritage Farms this year. This Large Polka Dot backgrounder is one of my favorites and this card came together easily.

I'm not one of those people who can cut into her treasured vintage books nor sheet music, so I was happy to find some patterned sheet music paper in a LSS. The tattered flowers are so cool and unexpected on a clean and simple card like this. I sponged a bit of the blue ink on the edges of the flowers to help them "belong" on this card.

I like how the black ribbon and the black musical notes really pop out against the kraft cardstock. This is not my usual sort of color combo, but I actually like this look. Once in a while I will do something unexpected, and this card is the result of one of those times. You just never know what that creative muse will do when it strikes. :-)

Stamps:
Large Polka Dot backgrounder from CHF
Thomas Kinkade Birthday (Mona Lisa Moments) from CHF

Ink:
Jet Black Stazon
Aspen Mist Versamagic

Paper:
Simply Kraft from CHF
Good Cheer (October Afternoon)

Other:
ribbon (Maya Road)
flower dies (Tattered Florals Tim Holtz Sizzix)
Dotted Scallop Edge Punch (EK Success)
button
twine
sponge

Crafty Girl Birthday

I pulled out my Cosmo Cricket DeLovely papers to use with this fun sketch from the Cardabilities blog. Instead of using flowers with these papers, I decided to go in a different direction so I pulled out this fun Studio Style set from PTI. I love the jar of buttons and the ribbons in this set. It's just too much fun to create a card for a fellow crafty girl! :-)

I'll keep this short and sweet as I am watching a House marathon today. I've been getting a lot of work done between commercials. LOL!

Heart Flower Box

This romantic little box would be a wonderful favor to give away at a bridal shower, a wedding rehearsal, or an anniversary party. The soft blue flower is something I created by using the mini heart die cuts from Creative Cuts and More. I simply arranged and stacked them until I was satisfied with the floral shape. Then I punched out some small circles and glued them together. I added some gorgeous gold glitter to the circles and adhered that to the middle of my flower.

I highly recommend using the 1/4" Killer Red Tacky Tape to assemble this box and its matching lid. I've tried using ATG tape (tape gun) and the edges just pop open after a few minutes. I assembled this box back in June and it is still stuck together with no signs of coming apart.

Just a little reminder - join us for our special joint blog hop featuring CC&M die cuts and Clear and Simple Stamps on September 21 and 22. This will be an awesome display of die cuts and stamps that you don't want to miss!

Die Cuts and Tape from Creative Cuts and More:
Heart #02 - Mini in Baby Blue cardstock
Square Box #10 in Opal Stardream Metallic cardstock
Killer Red Tacky Tape

A Friend Who Reads

I just finished putting this card together, and I confess - I did squeal just a little bit when it was done. LOL I loved paper piecing this image from MFT called Well Read. I am always reading and this stamp set just called to me as soon as I saw it.

The Technostamper sketch for this week was perfect for this image. I used some October Afternoon papers for all the piecing, and I colored that little bit of cotton twine with a beige Copic marker. The embossed panel behind the couch reminded me of wallpaper - too perfect!

Tomorrow is Friday - yay!

Stamps: Well Read from My Favorite Things
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa
CS: Vanilla
DP: Fly a Kite from October Afternoon
Other: button, cotton twine, Tim Holtz embossing folder, sponge
Techniques: Paper Piecing & Level Up (Technique Junkies)
Sketch: TSSC136 - Technostamper blog

Snowman & Mailbox

Don't you just love the adorable snowmen from QKR Stampede? I've got quite a few of them and I wanted to show this one some love. I used some Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses papers and I colored the image with Copic markers to match some of the colors in the papers.

This card will be perfect for mailing as it is nice and flat. I didn't use any bulky buttons or ribbons because I wanted to challenge myself to keep the card flat. Have you been creating some mail-able Christmas cards too? :-)

Stamps:
Christmas Mail Snowman from QKR Stampede
Deck the Halls sentiment set from QKR Stampede

Ink:
Tuxedo Black memento

Paper:
Olive
White
Eskimo Kisses from Basic Grey

Other:
Copic markers
oval punches - EK Success

Vintage Pink Hello

Those of you who know me know that I am a very slow stamper. It usually takes me a day to just pick a sketch, pick colors, pick stamps, etc... I don't actually complete a card until about three days later. LOL That's why most of you will be surprised to know that I visualized this card and completed it in less than an hour!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just to prove it, I'm using Mercy's sketch challenge (MTSC88) that was posted today and I am using Flourishes' Timeless Tuesday challenge (FTTC81) which was posted today as well. No chance that I could have cheated because I didn't see these challenges until today. :-)

I used the Glimmer Lace technique on all three white squares (Technique Junkies Aug 2010 issue), and I sprayed Vintage Pink glimmer mist on the two prima flowers. I love the pink, black, and white color combo - it's just timeless! Look closely and you will see white Liquid Pearls in the centers of the stamped flowers.

The challenge on the Flourishes blog is to use lace (FTTC81), and I have used two different kinds of lace here. One is the little strip of black lace and I also used lace in the Glimmer Lace technique. Think they'll give me a little bonus for using two kinds of lace for that challenge?? Hee hee hee!

Happy Tuesday!

Stamps: Flourishes Cherry Blossoms
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
CS: Black, White
Other: Vintage Pink glimmer mist, Liquid Pearls, black lace - May Arts, prima flowers, button - Rusty Pickle, ribbon - Offray

Caramel Apples

Remember eating caramel apples when you were a kid?? Mmmmmm........ When I saw these adorable little apples during PaperTrey's release party last week, I knew I had to get this set. As soon as I got these stamps in the mail, I inked up those apples right away. LOL

This week's sketch on SCS was a good fit with the mason jar image. The sketch shows as a square card, so I changed it up a bit by making a normal A2 rectangle card. I pulled out last year's Indian Summer papers from Basic Grey and I colored the jar and apples with Copic markers.

I really wanted some sort of ribbon around the top of the mason jar, but nothing looked right. Fall? Caramel apples? Oh yes, raffia!!!!!!!! I punched some small holes on either side of the jar and threaded the raffia through several times to wrap around the jar.

I had so much fun creating this card. Now I'm looking around to see what else I can use as the toppers for these sticks in the jar. Who says I have to use only the things in the PaperTrey mason jar sets? :-)

QKR Stampede DT Call!!

QKR Stampede is holding a Design Team Call! Below are the details if you are interested. :-)

Hello Everyone-

We are holding a Design Team Call!!!

·                     This will be a 6 month term - with an option to continue if it is agree-able to the Design Team member and Maribeth.

·                     You can choose 3 or 4 stamps they want to work with for the month

·                     4 projects per set (one per week)

·                     Maribeth may occasionally pick a set and offer it to anyone interested in exchange for stamps of their choice (with no samples required) after I receive scans/pics of finished projects

·                     For trade shows -- free stamps for card fronts -- one free stamp of their choice for every 2 card fronts mailed (no free stamps for scans)

·                     You must be able to follow instructions on time and work well with others.

·                     Check out the other DT Members blogs and comment please.

·                     Post your work to other Forums you are participating in and comment in those areas too.

·                     Post a permanent DT banner on your blog

·                     You MUST have a blog and be posting regularly

Anyone interested in applying can email Maribeth at maribeth@eurekastamps.com.
Include 3 or so items you have created in any medium as long as stamps were used somewhere. Also, list any websites/blogs you may have, any publications you have been in, and any design teams you have been on (all of which are not necessary to be considered but will help us get to know you and your work better).

Submission Deadline is AUGUST 31.

If you have any questions, please let us know! We look forward to sharing MORE with you and seeing your creations too!

Gold Christmas Candle

I used a sketch on the PK Glitz blog for this card, except I flipped it over so it would fit my stamps better. Since their challenge also called for using glitter or embossing powder, I used two embossing powders on this card.

First, I embossed the candle and the sentiment using Tarnished Gold ep from Ranger onto black cardstock. I used the Cuttlebug Highlights technique for the background (Technique Junkies 10-08 issue), but the technique has been changed a bit. Since gold Encore ink doesn't really dry, I poured clear embossing powder over it and heated it up to set the ink.

I loved making this card, and as an added bonus, I have another Christmas card for my stash. I wonder who will get this card in December? :-)

Stamps: candle by Penny Black, sentiment by Stampabilities
Ink: Versamark, Gold Encore
CS: Black, Vanilla, Old St. Nick (Couture Cardstock)
Other: Damask embossing folder, clear embossing powder, Tarnished Gold embossing powder, ribbon (May Arts)
Technique: Cuttlebug Highlights (Technique Junkies 10-08 issue)

Polka Dot Purse Card

How about a great birthday purse card for a fashionable lady?? Isn't this fun? These A2 Purse Cards from Creative Cuts and More are a cool alternative to the regular ol' rectangle cards we normally give to our loved ones. I had a blast decorating this card.

I stamped the white layer with a large polka dot background stamp with black ink. Then I cut out the butterfly and embossed it for a little extra oomph before adding some black skittles to the center. The sentiment needed a little extra color to help it stand out from the polka dot background, so I used a black layer and then a red layer. For the inside, I stamped the sentiment toward the top so there is some room for me to sign my name below.

Do you have a fashionista with a birthday coming up? Order a purse card from Creative Cuts and More and watch her face light up when she opens up her card! :-)


Die Cut: A2 Purse Card from Creative Cuts and More

Stamps: Large Polka Dot backgrounder, Birthday Centers (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento
Other: black skittles (Creative Cuts and More), butterfly die & embossing folder (Provocraft)

Winter Wonderland

I bought this gorgeous Winter Wonderland stamp from I Brake for Stamps last week, and I thought it would be fun to use this with this week's Sweet Stop sketch (SSS69). If you look at the sketch, it has a scalloped edge near the bottom. Well, I didn't have enough room on my card for that, so I just added the ribbon and called it good. LOL

This stamp reminds me of the gorgeous Thomas Kinkade stamps, and since I've used those before, I knew it would be best to brayer the ink on this stamp. If I would have inked it up directly, you would have seen the lines of the ink pad all over the trees and the house. Brayering is definitely the best way to go with this kind of stamp. You can capture all the tiny little details like the fine tree limbs and the fence and the curved driveway when you brayer the ink onto the stamp.

Are you ready for cooler weather yet??? I know I am! These 100+ degree days are making me melt! :-) Enjoy your weekend!

Stamps: Winter Wonderland from I Brake for Stamps
Ink: Meadow Adirondack, Old Paper distress, Tea Dye distress
CS: Chocolate Chip, White, Mistletoe from Memory Box
Other: sponge, brayer, vanilla tafetta ribbon

QKR Girl Reading - Bookmark

I just started reading a new book and I needed a bookmark. I can't find the one I used last, so it must be hiding in some other book and I probably just forgot. What to do? Make another one, right??

This one uses one of the rare vintage-style stamps from QKR Stampede - yes there are a few of those in the store. :-) I stamped this with a brown ink and colored it in with some Copic markers. I wanted to continue the aged, vintage feel of this bookmark, so I sponged the edges with Antique Linen distress ink and then with Vintage Photo distress ink. I found some blue ribbon to match the girl's dress and tied it through the top of the bookmark.

Now I can get back to reading my book and not worry about where I left off. Hope you have a great day!



Stamps:
Girl Reading from QKR Stampede

Ink:
Rich Cocoa Memento
Antique Linen distress
Vintage Photo distress

Other:
tag - Paper Reflections
Copic markers
sponge
ribbon - Offray

Gated Tag Card - Autumn Leaves

Are you a Technique Junkie? I've been an Ultimate Junkie for several years now, and it's always fun to go back to some older issues to see what techs I may have missed or not had time to play with the first time around. This technique is called the Gated Tag card from the February 2008 issue of Technique Junkies.

I used a medley of stamps from Stampin Up, Sweet N Sassy Stamps, and Art Inspirations. I knew I wanted to make a fall card because I am soooo ready for cooler weather, so I pulled out some retired papers and just had a blast putting this together. The tags had to stay pretty flat so the card would fold up properly, so I didn't use any bulky embellishments or add on a lot of ribbon to the top.

Back to watching the Food Network! :-) Happy Sunday!

Glimmer Lace Friends card

I created the gorgeous lacy background on this card by doing the Glimmer Lace technique, which is from the current issue of Technique Junkies. I was stumped on how to add a panel between the background and the sentiment, but because I was using Mercy's sketch (MTSC86), I had to try several different things. Finally the lightbulb went off and pointed me to the vellum. LOL I have several different kinds, and because my background is so shimmery, I went with a shimmery vellum. This card is just so pretty when you hold it in your hands.

The sentiment is something I probably picked up at Hobby Lobby ages ago, and it is from Stampabilities. I love what this says about true friends, and I do believe this is what we all experience when we find those precious BFF's that you never forget. :-) Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps: True Friends from Stampabilities
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
CS: Black, White, Lavender Lace, shimmery vellum
Other: Delphinium Glimmer Mist, black lace from May Arts

School Days Blog Hop (QKR)

Welcome to the QKR Stampede School Days blog hop! If you have come here from Ceal's blog, then you are on the right track. If not, please start at the QKR Stampede blog so you don't miss any of the fun school-themed artwork today.

I chose to work with this cute little bear who is reading books. I found some chipboard letters and numbers and painted them in primary colors. Wouldn't this be cute to give to a little one who is walking in to his first day of school? You could also give this to a teacher to start her school year off on the right foot.

Ready for more eye candy? Head on over to Jenn's blog to see what fun school project she has in store for you.


Stamps:
Reading Books from QKR Stampede

Ink:
Rich Cocoa Memento

Paper:
Real Red
White
Real Red dsp (Stampin Up)

Other:
Copic markers
Making Memories paint
chipboard letters and numbers (TLC)
circle dies (Spellbinders)
black sharpie marker

Baby and Bridal Blog Hop

Welcome to the Baby and Bridal blog hop! If you have arrived here from Darsie's blog, then you are on the right track. If not, please start at the beginning on the Die Cut Diva blog so you don't miss out on any of the great projects today.

Today is all about babies and weddings at Creative Cuts and More, and there are so many great die cuts to choose from. I am using several different die cuts today, but they are all cut from the gorgeous Ice Silver metallic cardstock. Isn't that a gorgeous shimmery paper? It's so perfect for bridal shower cards and gifts!











For my wedding ensemble, I used a 5 1/4" Square Scallop Card, a Mini Purse Bag, and a Square Box #10. The card and the box both have Heart to Heart die cuts that are cut from Tacky Tape while the mini purse bag has a Heart #02 - Mini cut from Tacky Tape. I covered the tacky tape hearts with pink glitter for a coordinated ensemble. You could cover these with glitter in colors to match your own wedding colors.

I went a little further on the card and added some Thickers letters to spell out "love." Instead of leaving the sentiment as is, I covered the letters with glue and the same pink glitter to match the hearts. I also added pink ribbon on all three die cuts to continue with the coordination. :-) (You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

Did you know that Creative Cuts and More is giving away a prize to one lucky hopper??? Leave a comment on my blog and each blog along the way for an extra chance to win a Two Tier Cake Slice Box set in your choice of smooth or textured cardstock. This is an awesome prize worth $20! For more details on entering your name for this prize, be sure to check out the details on Die Cut Diva.

CC&M also has another surprise for you. How would you like a coupon code to go shopping right now? :-)



Be sure to use that code before it expires next week. Go to Creative Cuts and More and have fun picking out some great die cuts to play with!

Have you seen some great ideas for your own wedding and bridal shower? Keep on hopping along for even more wonderful ideas! Now it's time to head on over to Kayla's blog for your next stop on today's hop. Enjoy the eye candy!

Worn Wallpaper Blossoms

This is going to be a quick post. We spent about 3 hours working on restoring more files from my backup drive to my computer. Oy! It is way past my bedtime, but I wanted to get this picture posted before I crawled in bed. :-)

I used the Worn Wallpaper technique (Aug/Sept 2010 issue of Technique Junkies) along with the Sweet Stop Sketch (SSS68) for this week. The stamps are from Flourishes, and they have issued a "Bring Back Beautiful" challenge on their blog. I colored these flowers with Copic markers and then sponged a bit of Antique Linen distress ink over the entire floral piece to age it up a bit.

Hope you have a wonderful week! Off to bed!

Stamps:
Cherry Blossoms from Flourishes
Weathered backgrounder - Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
Rich Cocoa Memento
Antique Linen distress
White pigment

Paper:
Chocolate Chip
Vanilla
K&Co. designer paper

Other:
prima flowers
circle dies - Spellbinders
Copic markers
sponge
ribbon - May Arts

Chintz Pinwheel

I love this pinwheel technique from the August/September 2010 issue of Technique Junkies. It's really easy to put together as long as you have the right measurments. I added an acrylic snowflake dabbed with some cream paint to emphasize the wintery feeling.

The background is a piece of Basic Grey white-ish paper stamped with the Vintage Chintz backgrounder. Love this backgrounder for subtle and vintage-y applications. I tried to add ribbon, but it just didn't look right, so I left it off. This way the pinwheel really takes center stage.

I'm still working on tons of other DT projects, so that is keeping me busy here in the studio. Come on back here on Wednesday for the big "Baby and Wedding Showers" blog hop from Creative Cuts and More. You will love all these wonderful ideas we have in store for you. :-)


Stamps:
Christmas Expressions (Mona Lisa Moments) from Cornish Heritage Farms
Vintage Chintz backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
Antique Linen distress
burgundy

Paper:
Wassail from Basic Grey
burgundy
rose

Other:
acrylic snowflake
cream paint
large vintage brad - Making Memories
sponge

QKR JOY

I'm still having fun playing with Christmas images from QKR Stampede and I don't want to stop! LOL This one is called "Joy" and it is a dream to color. It took me less than 5 minutes to color in this image and slightly longer to cut the cardstock and papers for this card.

I used Mercy's sketch this week (MTSC85) for the layout on this card. Kind of a funky design, huh? This is an odd shaped card - 6" by 3 3/8", but I really wanted to try this one out. As it turns out, I rather like these proportions. :-)

Head on over to QKR Stampede and browse through their extensive array of stamps. I find something new every time I look around, and my wish list grows even longer. LOL

Stamps:
Joy from QKR Stampede

Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento

Paper:
Black, White, patterned paper from Hobby Lobby

Other:
Copic markers
oval dies - Spellbinders

Reminder - August CC&M Blog Hop

Just a quick little reminder to come on back here next Wednesday, August 11, for Creative Cuts & More's August blog hop. This month we are showing off lots of great ideas for baby showers and bridal showers, so you don't want to miss this one! Click on the picture in my sidebar on the right to start at the Die Cut Diva blog on August 11. See ya here next Wednesday!! :-)