Christmas In July Blog Hop!!

Good Evening! I joined in a Paper Wings blog hop for July and our theme is CHRISTMAS!! Paper Wings is a place for Angels to gather and there is a fabulous online gallery showing creations using The Angel Company stamp sets.

Of all the Christmas stamps I have I decided I wanted to try something a little different. I seem to always purchase stamps and if I can find other ways to use it then it's a bonus. I grabbed my favorite set HAPPILY GRATEFUL and decided to try and see what I could do.

I love the vine in the set and thought if I paired it with red rhinestones it would give a great Christmas look. I embossed it for extra oomph. Polka Dots are very popular right now so I made my red panel embossed polka dots too.

The mixture of fonts in the sentiment is the perfect addition to the overall card. So whatcha think? I hope I've inspired you to grab those favorite stamp sets and try something new.

Be sure to visit all the other participants for more awesome ideas!

Rita W - http://handmadebits4u.blogspot.com

Michelle M - ME
Seleise - http://www.amethystcat.blogspot.com/
Laura - http://www.thecraftysister.com/
Wendy - http://wendyswhimsyandwit.blogspot.com/
Laurie U - http://laurieunger.blogspot.com
Chelsea C - www.inkystamps.blogspot.com
Shirley H - http://glitteredpaws.blogspot.com
Kim S - http://angelatmydoor.blogspot.com/
Mary - http://marysangelinspirations.blogspot.com/
Angela K - www.angelakelley.blogspot.com
Carol N - http://stampincarol.blogspot.com/
Betty - http://www.stampinteacher.com
Rita K - http://ritasangels.blogspot.com
Julie - http://juliesstamppad.blogspot.com
Donna - http://lakesidestamper.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

Card Details:

Stamps: Simple Starters (polka dots); Happily Grateful (vine); Hung in a Tree (sentiment)

Papers: Kraft, Scarlet and Olive Cardstock

Other: Noir Black Palette Pad, VersaMark, Clear Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Red Rhinestones

Coffee Girl

Hello! Are you enjoying your weekend? I don't know about you but this summer has just flown by! I know I haven't posted much. I'm sorry about that. School is just around the corner and I'm trying to get organized and cram in as much fun as possible! We've got quite a few things planned in the next few weeks - things that are new (Great Wolf Lodge) and things that are a tradition (Lawrence Fair). Today we are going to our first T-Bones game...Abby's only been to one baseball game and that was when she was like 3. We picked a night when they are supposed to have fireworks after the game too so that will be fun.

So I'm here today to show you a cute little image from Mabelle RO called Coffee Girl. I'm definitely a coffee girl! Have to have it everyday! And with the temperatures being in the 100's the last few weeks my choice has been ice coffee :D

I grabbed my Tickled Pink paper pad from My Mind's Eye and started coloring up this cutie. Then I added a little doodling with my white gel pen. I decided to put a little sentiment directly on the cup...I {heart} how it turned out! See the flower - well I made that with a new EK punch I got. Have you seen these? I got like 3 different ones - they are so fun! The layout is the newest sketch from Jen over on the Deconstructed Sketch Blog - LOVIN' her sketches!!

Well thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a fabulous weekend! If you liked to get Coffee Girl or see the other FABULOUS digital images from Mabelle RO, just visit the Whimsy and Stars Studio!

FBW #164 - Get Your Stripe On!

Good Morning to you! Today at Flutter By Wednesday we are getting our STRIPES on! Your NEW creation must include a butterfly, fairy or angel and STRIPES! I don't know about you but I always pick out the stripes and dots so I've got just a few choices.

I received some new stamps from The Angel Company and couldn't wait to ink them up. When I saw these two sets from Nina Bracket in our catalog at seminar I knew they'd be a part of my first order!

And what fairy doesn't have sparkle on her wings? I love that her wings look like butterfly wings...so so pretty! And that sentiment...just makes me smile! I wish I had a bag of pixie dust that I could sprinkle on everyone. I'm sure there would be a lot more happy people in the world that's for sure!

Thanks for stopping by today! Please visit the Flutter By Wednesday blog for all the details on this weeks challenge and to link your creation.

Card Details:

Stamps: Fancy Labels RN-18, Fairy Wishes RN-6

Ink: L'Amore Red Palette Pad, Tuxedo Black Memento

Other: Labels 18 Nestabilities Die, Crystal Stickles, Stardust Clear Gelly Pen

Tune in Tuesday with Happy Leaf

Today over on the Savvy Projects blog the design team is showcasing creations using the Card Club set for August, Happy Leaf. It's such a wonderful set - providing lots of possibilities! When I first saw the stamp set I knew I wanted to make a card with different colored leaves. I LOVE the colors in the Penelope line so I based my card around that.

I couldn't stop trying things though (yes, it's true I had more than an hour to play...can you believe it?!?!) so I grabbed my Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves pad and created this beauty.

Pretty simple card - it's a good one to make multiples of. The quote is from another leaf set, Every Leaf that works PERFECTLY with the leaf stamp. Once I finished this card I decided I had to make my own background using the same ink pad.

I'm participating in a sketch swap so that's where the layout came from. I enjoy the Fall because I think it's so amazing how the leaves change colors and each one is so unique. It is definitely a time that delights my heart! The sentiment, which is from a new set called Grace and Peace, captured my feelings exactly.

I hope you've enjoyed my examples today using the set Happy Leaf. Don't forget to stop over at the Savvy Projects Blog to see all the other wonderful samples from the Design Team! Thanks for stopping by!

All the supplies used to make these cards are available through me. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to purchase anything for yourself.

Flowers to Start the Week off With

Hello Friends! So glad you stopped by! Today I wanted to share a creation I made using a fabulous FREE digi (yes, FREE) digi from Mabelle RO. Mabelle is hosting a challenge over on the CDAC (Crafter's Digital Art Center) and she's giving you a FREE digi to use as well as a wonderful sketch and color combo!

The cardstock colors aren't ones I'd normally put together but I LOVE how it turned out. Doesn't it just make you smile? Hope it brightens your Monday just a little :D

Thanks for stopping by!

As Promised...FBW #163

Well I'm back as promised to show you my Flutter By Wednesday card. Thank you for the emails/comments - I'm feeling better. Thank goodness for good medicine and rest! It's so hard to function with a migraine - especially with a bored 7 year old home with you!

So I whipped up this quick card using one of my favorite paper lines, Echo Park. I've had the butterflies for quite some time but they are black and white and it seems here lately a lot of my cards are using brown. I specifically created this card knowing I wanted to use that butterfly. I found the sketch in my pile of ones to try.

Thank you for coming back to see me! Be sure to visit the FBW Blog and play along with us - the challenge is easy and fun! It's ANYTHING GOES as long as you include a butterfly, fairy or angel!

A tad bit late...

Sorry folks...I've been hit by a terrible migraine and am going to be a little late getting my post up today for Flutter By Wednesday. This week it's one of your favorite challenges - OPEN! Anything goes as long as you remember to include a butterfly, fairy or angel.

Head on over to the Flutter By Wednesday blog for all the details! I'll be back later with my creation so until then...

Christmas in July

Have you been visiting? Such wonderful inspiration! Today I'm showcasing a few cards there.

My cards are using one of my favorite paper lines, REECE (V-846). It has the traditional red and green colors that you normally think of at Christmas but also some blue and yellow. The first card uses the stamp set WITH HIS GLORY T-3397. I've never inked it up and thought it was about time I did. I just love the reindeer in the set and the gorgeous script on the sentiment is so pretty!

I wasn't sure how to color him as my favorite reindeer is Rudolph! I did a quick Google search so that I could *try* (key word here) to make my reindeer look as realistic as possible.

Next up is a little cutie patootie set called ANGELS SING T-3428.

This stamp set brings back the memories of caroling which is one of my all time favorite childhood memories. Not sure why I don't do it now - maybe it's because my voice isn't what it used to be, LOL. My daughter, who is a singing fool, would LOVE to do this! Guess I'll need to try and work that in this year...

Not sure you can see that I added some yellow shimmer chalk around the image and some grey chalk at the bottom. I used one of the tags from the REECE Soar With It Collection for my sentiment.

I hope I've inspired you to get out all those holiday goodies and start creating! It's never too early and you'll be glad you did once December rolls around. Because you'll be enjoying the festivities while everyone else is freaking out to get their projects done :D

If you haven't been over to the SAVVY PROJECTS BLOG this week, be sure to visit. There are TONS of wonderful Holiday cards to get your creative mojo going!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Flutter By Wednesday #162 - Photo Inspiration

Happy Hump Day to you...only two more days till the weekend!! I'm hoping to get a TON of crafting time in - so much I want to do and try! Today for FBW, we have a fun one - PHOTO INSPIRATION.

Isn't that a pretty photo - remember to include your fairy, butterfly or Angel on your creation. When I looked at the photo I instantly saw COLOR and knew I wanted to incorporate that.

I used the sweet new digital image, MIMI SUMMER, from Mabelle RO which you can buy HERE. I colored her with my Copics and added some white highlights with my Signo White Gel Pen. I also added Glossy Accents to her eyes. The layout came from The Sweet Stop Sketch #116.

So whatcha think? I hope you'll join us over at the Flutter By Wednesday Blog this week. Before I go I want to say goodbye to a dear friend, Kimberly, who has decided to step down from the design team. We will miss her wonderful creations each year, wish her the best and hope to see her playing along with us again. Thanks for all you've done!

Seminar News & Card Kit Debut

So I know this post is a little late but I said that I'd do it so I'm doing just that! Above shows all the wonderful trades that I received at seminar as well as my awards. I'm happy to report that I was once again very blessed and feel very fortunate to be working for such a wonderful company!

The seminar group was smaller than usual - I think that where seminar is located and the economy had A HUGE impact on that! We were told that next year TAC was looking to move seminar back to Kansas City and I, for one, couldn't be happier!!

We were given lots of awesome product and did some wonderful projects. I even had the opportunity to teach one - I was nervous but I think it all worked out okay and everyone seemed pleased with my project.

Can you believe all that rubber?!?! I was given 28 stamp sets - yes, folks I was one happy camper. I've gotten them all cut out and indexed but have yet to use them all. Never fear though - I will!! PLUS the catalog is chalk full of so many sets that I've already cashed in one of my gift certificates for more rubber!! If you don't have the catalog yet, you are missing out! Contact me ASAP so I can get this sweet publication in your hand!

While we were at seminar we had the opportunity to hear from another Angel about Card Kits. I don't know if you know but while I was in Memphis I used to work at the LSS there, Eclectica Scrapbooks and Stamps. I had a card kit and it was pretty popular. I enjoy making cards and if I can make it easy for others well then that's a huge plus!

So folks I introduce my first card kit. This is ONLY good for JULY! So get it while you can!!

The kit uses one of the new Nina Bracket stamp sets called WONDERFUL TREES.

It includes all of this!

That is MORE than enough to make the 4 cards I show and more! PLUS if you don't want the kit with the stamp set then I have an option just to get the papers and accessories. Remember this kit is only available for JULY. Contact me today to get yours!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Monday & Little Bug

I colored this adorable new digi from Mabelle RO called LITTLE BUG and just couldn't wait to share it with you! I saw the fantastic sketch from Mojo Monday this week and realized that I had a few hours left before the contest ends so thought I'd get my entry in there!

Great sketch, right?

Even cuter with LITTLE BUG on it :D - I added some doodles to my strips (thanks for the inspiration Kerry, I just had to try it!) I also added some white highlights using my fantastic Signo White Gel Pen.

You can get LITTLE BUG over at the Whimsy and Stars Studio site. She's the perfect addition to all those summer creations you are making!

Thanks for stopping by!

It's a SPOTLIGHTING Technique Blog Hop!

This weekend over on the SAVVY PROJECTS BLOG, we are having a blog hop featuring the technique SPOTLIGHTING. Here's what I came up with:

The hardest part for me was to determine what stamp set to use. I finally decided on BLESSINGS TO YOU (T3240) and stamped that on my white cardstock. Next I stamped it on another piece that I knew I'd color in using my Copics. I realized that a circle element would be neat so I used my circle punch to punch out the color portion. I did a small scallop mat around the circle to set it off a little more.

Once I got done I realized that some bling would really make the spotlight portion shine so I grabbed my IROCK tool and started gluing...have I mentioned how much I LOVE that tool :D

I used an old Playdate Cafe Challenge for my colors...love how the yellow seems to make everything pop! It's a color combo I probably wouldn't have thought of on my own!

I hope you'll join in and participate in the blog hop. You have all weekend to play along! Need some inspiration to get you started? Check out what others have done!

A Blog Hop for Sweet Elizabeth at Softpencil Studios!

Today we say goodbye to Softpencil Digital Images...that's right Elizabeth has decided to close her store so after August 1st you will no longer be able to get her digital images. Don't worry though - you will still be able to find her adorable characters in other ways (see Softpencil Studios for details).

The DT girls decided to get together and throw Elizabeth a final farewell blog hop to let her know how much we love her and to thank her for letting us be a part of her company. You should have arrived from Lisa's blog (If not, you better start at the beginning which is here). Elizabeth is just the sweetest and I'm going to miss designing for her on a weekly basis!

I decided to use a past image to create my final card...

I don't know why but I've been in the star kind of mood lately. Figured I better not do another patriotic card so I went with Halloween. This is the Happy Halloween digi. Ok you'll want to continue the blog hop so now it's time to go visit Patty's blog.

I hope you will join us as we showcase the sweet characters of Softpencil....they've made an impression on me that I will always treasure! Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy 4th of July!

Nothing says 4th of July celebrations like food, friends, fireworks and watermelon! Yep, I don't know about you but at our celebrations there is always some watermelon! When I saw Mabelle's new digi, WATERMELON BOY I knew I wanted to create a card using the 'ol red, white and blue colors.

I used Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #141 for my layout. The paper is a new pad I picked up by WeRMemory Keepers. You can get WATERMELON BOY and many other awesome digital images over at the Whimsy & Stars Studio.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July...and that you get a chance to eat a little watermelon :D

America I Love

Today I'm showing a new Level A set called America I Love. You can get this stamp FREE with a qualifying party. I'm not used to stamps like this but I have to tell you I had so much fun coloring it up and I'm diggin' the collage look...

It's hard to see but where the "white" is I used my Stardust Clear Gelly pen for some shimmer. I kept my card pretty simple as I wanted the image to really stand out. I used the new Signo White Gel Pen in the catalog to had the white border and let me tell you it is THE BEST EVAH! I {heart} it and totally recommend it! We even have Gold and Silver ones and I'm going to be ordering those right away!

I want to share a little about seminar - so look for another post soon. I had a fabulous time, got lots of inspiration and hung out with lots of Angel friends! I'm trying to unpack and cut all the rubber I got...can you say 28 stamp sets!! I'm LOVIN' them all too! I'll be having a OPEN HOUSE next week so I'm trying to update my sample boards, sample tubs and get everything prepared. If you are near Topeka I hope you'll join me - it's Friday, July 8th at 6pm. I'll have catalogs, a FREE make-n-take, we'll do a little coloring and have TONS of fun so email me if you can come.

Thanks for stopping by!