Ketto Blog Hop, Stop # 27

Welcome to the Stamping Bella Ketto Blog Hop, stop # 27! If you are just joining us, make sure to go back to Blogabella HERE to begin viewing all the Ketto creations.

Stamps: Stamping Bella (Sir Felix Ketto, prrfect sentiment). Cardstock: Stampin Up (Chocolate Chip), Basic Grey (Phoebe), Papertrey (white). Ink: Tsukineko (Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark), Copic markers. Accessories: Offray (chocolate satin ribbon), Stamping Bella (Bella dots), Basic Grey (brads), Stampin Up (scalloped border punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities Circles), black embossing powder, Sakura (Stardust glitter pen).

All cats may think they rule the world, but the Siamese females have even more of the princess 'cattitude'. Even though this stamp is officially 'Sir Felix', I was in more of a 'Funky Princess Felicity' mood when I created the card. And every girl needs her bling, so there had to be some sparkle to kitty's crown and sceptre:

The card layout is based on a sketch by Sweet n Sassy stamps on 'The Sweet Shop Challenge Blog'; they have a fun new one every Saturday.

Update, straight from the amazing organizer of this great Hop, Miss Shannan (SCS steubner):

How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $40 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday. MWAH!

**Hop on over to the next stop on the Ketto Blog Hop: Lindsay's Scrappy Giraffe Designs!

Thanks for stopping by -- enjoy the Kettos!!

SheetLoads' June Sneak Peek

Be sure to head over to the SheetLoad of Cards blog to view the sneak peek for June's issue. Can you guess who the sponsor will be??

My first month to design samples isn't until the August issue, but I'm always excited to play with their new sketch, so I already have a card created for June. The card will be posted on June 4th, but here's a sneak peek for now:

While you are visiting SheetLoads, let Alicia know what you think of the new blog makeover!

Remember the Troops

Stamps: DRS Designs (Oval Stained Glass P199,Eagle Profile L1117, God Bless America sentiment D085, Stars background H124). Ink: Tsukineko (Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Blck), Stampin Up (Bashful Blue), Copic markers. Cardstock: Stampin Up (Real Red, Bashful Blue, Black), Georgia Pacific (white 110#). Accessories: Stampin Up (striped red ribbon).

Memorial Day has just passed and the Fourth of July is not far off -- it's the patriotic days of summer! DRS Designs has a great assortment of patriotic images and sentiments to commemorate these occasions, used to decorate scrapbooks of family BBQs or send a personalized card to a special service member. Check out the DRS blog for more cards featuring patriotic images.

While you are celebrating the summer holidays, be sure to remember the men and women in the armed forces who are away from home this summer. A great way to show them we care is to create cards sent directly to a service member or to be used by them to send special messages to friends and family back home.

WRAK on SplitCoastStampers is hosting a 'Cards for the Troops Round-up' over the Fourth of July weekend. If you are already a member of WRAK, be sure to join in the fun; if you are not yet a member, there's still time to join this fun group and worthwhile cause. The theme for this year is "It was Almost Like a Song" and challenges will be running Friday through Saturday evenings. It will be my first time as a challenge hostess, so stop by and say 'hi'!

Tilda on Wisteria Lane

Stamps: Magnolia (Tilda with Tulips), Hero Arts sentiment. Cardstock: Stampin Up (Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant), Basic Grey (Wisteris), Georgia Pacific (White), vellum. Ink: Tsukinkeo (Tuxedo Black), Stampin Up (Perfect Plum), Copics. Accessories: Spellbinders (Nestabilities Squares), K&Co. (adhesive pearls), Martha Stewart (butterfly punch), Stardust glitter pen, white gel pen.

Doesn't Tilda look happy resting with her tulips underneath the wisteria? The backdrop (mcuh more relaxing than the namesake) was a last minute substitution because I didn't want her on all white, but it's one of those happy accidents. It was super easy to use a DP from the Basic Grey 'Wisteria' and I couldn't have created a more appropriate background if I'd tried!

The sketch is based on the May Magnolia-licious sketch challenge. I also completed another challenge to give a wingless Tilda wings by using the Martha Stewart butterfly punch to create this delicate version from vellum and accenting them with the Stardust glitter pen. Every angel deserves a little sparkle, right?

Isn't Tilda's hair looking well-highlighted? If you haven't been by the Copic Creations blog lately, definitely check out their latest challenge on coloring hair. There are tutorials for all the hair colors and they are awesome! The only problem is that now I 'need' quite a few new Copic colors.

If you are also a Copic fan, you will want to stop by the KL Scrappin' N Stampin store. Kelly is taking pre-orders for Copics to be ordered on June 1st. The individual markers are on special for only $4.79, and there's a set of 12 for $40. Factor in free shipping through May 31st and you have an amazing bargain!

For a chance at free goodies including an Edwin stamp, there's still time to play in the KLSNS May challenge on PaperCraft Planet. Check out all the details HERE.

Happy Stamping!

Memorial Day Greetings

Stamps: DRS Designs (United We Stand Postage Frame F054). Ink: Stampin Up (Real Red, Night of Navy). Cardstock: Stampin Up (Real Red, Night of Navy). Accessories: Creative Memories (star punch), star brad, silver ribbon.

DRS Designs features a wide variety of patriotic images and sentiments, including this postage frame stamp. Not only can you create a coordinating envelope, but the image can also be used as a focal point. Wouldn't it also work well with a small photo of a service member? Check out this link to postage frames for all occasions.

On this Memorial Day holiday, I hope everyone is enjoying friends, family, and great BBQ, but also taking a moment to remember those men and women of the armed forces unable to be home with their families. Not only those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also those who are currently serving their country in the desert and other locations overseas. Let's send them well wishes and hope that they will all be home soon!

NOTE: There's still time to participate in the SheetLoad May challenges. Not only will you stock up on great cards, but there are chance to win prizes, too!!

2 Sketches 4 You Teams up with ShortCuts

Stamps: Stampendous (calendar chicks line). Ink: Tsukineko (Versafine Onyx Black), Copics. Cardstock: Grafix (Clear Craft Plastic), Daisy D (Paisley Sugarplum), Georgia Pacific (110# white). Accessories: Stampin Up (Old St. Nick rub ons).

This week's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You is sponsored by SheetLoad's sister site, ShortCuts. In case you haven't had a chance to browse ShortCut's web store yet, you will definitely want to check out their superb quality clear and frosted card blanks. Several are featured in the sample cards this week; I can't wait to order some for myself!

Since my card base is acetate and see-through, I used additional DP scraps to cover the back of the DPs on the front. DP adhered to the inside of the card is perfect for creating a mat for the front panel when the card is closed and also serves as a space for a personalized meassage inside:

Give this fun sketch a try and be sure to link your card HERE for a chance to win your own sampler pack of both frosted and clear card bases!

There's still time to win even more candy over on the SheetLoads blog:

1) Show your fan support by signing up to be a follower and get a chance to win a stamp set by this month's sponsor, There She Goes.

2) The May issue is available for download; check out the fun I had with this sketch HERE. Link your card to the Show Us Your SheetLoad post for another chance for a stamp set by There She Goes.

3) Shout Out to SheetLoad by posting a link to the May issue on your blog for a chance at a $15 gift certificate to the ShortCuts store. Be sure to read the details and link your post back HERE.

Happy stamping and good luck on all those prizes!

Multi-Talented Edwin

Stamps: Magnolia 'Chasing Edwin', Papertrey 'Pond Life Sentiments'. Cardstcok: Real Red, Papertrey white, Paper Studio Denim and Vintage Flags, Basic Grey Motifica Chalk, My Mind's Eye Original Dots. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, white gel pen. Accessories: Paper Studio Denim, toothpick, brad.

This Edwin originally held a butterfly net, but he reminded me of how my daughters love to run around to make their pinwheels spin. He would also be perfect holding a flower or a birthday balloon, too -- don't you love versatile stamps?

Edwin looks like he's having fun, but he's actually working very hard -- fulfilling FIVE different challenges! The first challenge is to create a Memorial (or Mother's Day) card for KL Scrappin' N Stampin over on Papercraft Planet. There's still time to play along in this challenge and a great prize up for grabs.

The second challenge was Friday Sketchers #50. I'm a couple weeks behind in having this one submitted, but this sketch was still perfect for this card.

Third is the Limited Supplies Challenge 219 on SplitCoast Stampers to create a card for a May holiday.

Fourth is WRAK challenge to create a non-birthday card for a child. I thought any kid would love this mini pinwheel (Kerry has a fun tutorial on her blog HERE) and the message was affirming, too.

And last, but certainly not least, is the Roses on Paper 'One for the Boys' challenge to create a card without a single 'girly' element.



Pretty impressive job for one little Edwin, isn't it?

**Stop by the KL Stampin' N Scrappin' store to see all the new items available for pre-order! My all-time favorite -- Copics at bargain prices!! And if you order before the end of May, shipping is free, too.

Hats Off to the Class of 2009!

It's that time of year for the class of 2009!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Tassel Worth the Hassle sentiment E729, Graduation Background H984, Open Plaid P631. Cardstock: Creative Memories yellow, black, GP110 white. Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Summer Sun, copic yellow. Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, brad, embroidery floss, black gems.

This sketch was inspired by the brand new Midnight Madness Sketch Challenges featured every Wednesday HERE. Be sure to stop by and see the amazing cards based on this sketch and link your own card for a chance to win very impressive blog candy!

DRS Designs has several graduation images and sentiments to help you create the perfect card for your graduate. The next card is almost a direct CASE from a Flap card created by my very talented fellow DRS Design Team member, Vicki/Stamped Smiles:


Stamps by DRS Designs: Tassel Worth the Hassle sentiment E729, Graduation Background H984. Cardstock: Creative Memories yellow, black, GP110 white. Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Summer Sun, Copic yellow. Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, black dotted organdy ribbon.

When opened, the flap card is the perfect size for a gift card and signatures:

Congratulations to the class of 2009! To quote another DRS sentiment: May your success today be the start of tomorrows achievements!!

DRS Designs Challenge #21: Raising a Flap

Today's challenge on the DRS Designs' blog is to use the Flap Fold Technique (tutorial HERE), a tri-fold card usually secured by a mini magnetic closure. Here's a ladybug greeting that actually started with a pre-made, textured black card base -- it even came with the scalloped edge!

Stamps: DRS Designs 'Ladybug Stack', 'Funky Thanks', and 'Dot Easy Background'. Paper: Black textured scallop-edged card base, real read, Basic Black, GP110 white, vellum envelope. Ink: Versafine onyx black, Real Red. Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, turpenoid, CM circle cutter, red satin ribbon, black dotted organdy ribbon.

The next card features several new releases by DRS Designs, including the Dustin Pike line:

Stamps: DRS Designs(Worm on Hook G843, Worm Can G847, Good Things sentiment F840, Easy Dotted Background H628). Cardstock: Kraft, Black, Riding Hood Red. Ink: Memento, Copics. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, Basic Grey magnetic closures.

I off set the image to make room for this very punny sentiment, appropriate for all the anglers out there. Personally, I don't like to bait OR wait!

Here's the card when opened:

Be sure to stop by the DRS blog to see all the Flap Technique cards created by the Design Team. Give this fun technique a try and then link your creation to the post for a chance to win blog candy!

A Two Cup Kind of Day

Stamps: Stampendous 'Coffee Changito' and sentiment. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics. Cardstock: Paper Studio DP, GP 110 white, DCWV Adhesive mat stack prints. Accessories: chocolate satin ribbon, 'coffee' Sizzix die cut, blue ki Memories brads, Lavender Lace Word Window punches.

I love this little monkey from his mis-buttoned PJs (paper pieced for this card) down to his cute little bunny slippers. And I can relate, although some days even two cups isn't enough!

This card is a sample of one that can be created from the kit I sent to SplitCoast Stamper cupojafa's Coffee or Tea Card Kit swap. The due date isn't until July 10th, so there's still plenty of time to join the fun.

Happy stamping to all my well-caffeinated friends!

Birthdays for the Boys!

Masculine cards have always been a challenge for me; the guys just don't seem to appreciate flowers like I do! DRS Designs has introduced me to some great images that are much more 'manly'.

For the Master of the Grill, we have this card based on the apron template available at Mirkwood Designs:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Brush BBQ Grill H021, Grill Master Birthday Greeting, Boss of the BBQ Greeting H831. Cardstock: Kraft, GP110 white. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics. Accessories: Black gingham ribbon, Stardust glitter pen.

The grill pulls out of the apron pocket to reveal a second sentiment:

And for the golfers out there:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Silhouette Male Golfer G038, Back Nine Birthday Greeting F658, Golf bag. Cardstock: Textured white, black, Wild Wasabi. Ink: Versafine Onyx black. Accessories: Martha Stewart border punch, black dotted organdy ribbon, rectangle Nestabilities.

Check out all the other great guy stamps at DRS Designs to help you celebrate the men in your life!

Clean and Simple

Oh, if only this were the case for my house!

Clean and Simple (CAS) is the name of a newer challenge over on the SplitCoast Stampers site, dedicated to enticing stampers to create beautiful cards with less fuss. Sounds 'simple', right? It was definitely more of a challenge than I expected to give up my layers! Still, once I was in the CAS mode, it was loads of fun and productive, too.

Being a big fan (definitely verging on 'fanatic) of sketches, the first challenge I tried was CAS3:

Stamps: SmARTworks (Live with Purpose). Ink: versafine onyx black. Cardstock: textured white, Creative Memories yellow, black. Accessories: Offray black gingham ribbon, long rectangle Nestabilities.

This card's yellow image background was inspired by smARTwork's Tea Party #15: Yellow Burst which I discovered on Donelda (Wiggy's World)'s inspirational blog.

A simple sketch was also perfect for this card's solemn occasion:

Stamps: DRS Designs (Pet Sympathy H074, Dog Paw Print A1003). Ink: versafine onyx black. Cardstock: Texture white, Bashful Blue, black. Accessories: Long rectangle Nestabilities, black gingham ribbon.

CAS10 was a challenge to create a monochromatic card. My first thought -- a baby card, especially a baby boy card because I have an abundance of blues!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Brush Baby Buggy G341, Diaper pin A354, Warm and snug sentiment H131, Lots O' Lines H366, Giga Heart Circle L273. Ink: Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, Copics. Cardstock: GP110 white, Bashful Blue, Pacific Point.

Last, but certainly not least, was another great sketch (CAS13):

Stamps: Hero Arts Happiness Messages. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Cardstock: Textured white, Basic Grey 'Bittersweet'. Accessories: circle punch, Felt Fusion flower, Bittersweet brad, clear button, chocolate organdy ribbon, adhesive pearl.

For more details on this card, check out the post on today's KL Stampin' N Scrappin' blog!

That's a lot of white, isn't it? I didn't realize how much textured white cardstock I used until all the cards were together in this post. White must be my subconcious definition of 'clean and simple'!

I'm on such a roll that maybe it IS time to try the Clean and Simple approach with my house. We have a community garage sale coming up the end of the month, so it's time for me to start going through the cabinets and basement to clear out all the clutter. It's not nearly as much fun as stamping, though, so wish me luck!

Copic Lilacs

Stamps: Flourishes Lilacs, Papertrey 'Mixed Messages'. Paper: Almost Amethyst, CM purple, My Mind's Eye DP, textured white. Ink: Versafine, Copics, Perfect Plum. Accessories: Long rectangle and oval Nesties, SU scallop border punch, white organdy ribbon, Martha Stewart butterfly punch.

Lilacs have always been one of my favorite flowers. It may be because they remind me of Spring, or maybe it's because they remind me of my lilac prom gown that I wore when we posed in front our family's lilac shrubs. Either way, I was thrilled to know lilacs flourished in Illinois after being unable to plant them for so many years in California. I planted a lilac the very first growing season, but it has yet to bloom four years later. So much for flourising! Jane on SCS recommended treating it with Triple Phosphate, so I'll definitely give that a try in hopes of blooms next year!

For great tutorials on coloring lilacs and other purple flowers with Copics, be sure to check out the Copic Creations blog. Link your own purple creation for a chance to win a Kitchen Sink stamps set AND three Copics!!

SheetLoads Design Team News!

Remember a few weeks back when I posted my SheetLoads Design Team Try Out projects? Yesterday, the new design team was announced and I'm on it!! I'm very excited to join this talented group and showcase my all-time favorite e-zine for sketches!

It just so happened that I already had my current SheetLoad cards ready to post. Here is the May issue:

And here are my cards taken directly from this sketch:

Stamps: Hero Arts (A Real Field Wildflower), Papertrey (Flower Garden Sentiments, Mixed Messages). Carkstock: Stampin' Up (Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Bella Rosa DP), watercolor paper. Ink: Stampin' Up (Riding Hood Red, Old Olive). Accessories: Spellbinders Long Rectangles, Stampin' Up scallop border punch, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Word Window punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch.

'Scraplings' are the perfect way to use up the extra strip of cardstock leftover when creating a square card. Using the SheetLoad cutting diagram, you will have two 4.25" x 4.25" and two scrapling bases from a single sheet of 8.5" x 11" cardstock!

Thank you cards always seem to be in short supply for me, so I decided to use this SheetLoad recipe to increase my stock -- besides the card base cardstock, I only needed 1 full sheet of the Bella Rosa DP and two partial sheets of two additional DPs to complete 9 cards and 9 scraplings. Even with my tendency to hoard this DP, those are numbers I can justify using a couple sheets.

Be sure to stop by the SheetLoads to say 'Hi' to the other new DT members and to download your own copy of the May issue. Browse the archives for more quick and easy ways to increase your own card stash!

Happy Mother's Day!

Stamps: Blooming with Love, mine acrylic tea set. Ink: Real Red, Cool Caribbean, Brilliant Blue. Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, GP 110 white, Always Artichoke, CM ginghams. Accessories: primas, circle punches, CB embossing folders, ribbons.

These Flower Pot cards featured in the Splitcoast Stampers Technique challenge a few weeks ago (see the tutorial HERE) were perfect for the moms on my Mother's Day card list. It was also a great way to showcase these larger Primas that seemed to overpower other layouts.

Gifts for my moms this year were in the tea party theme -- plenty of tea and honey swizzle sticks to sweeten it. I used the Nestabilites to create tags from computer generated sentiments stamped with mini tea images:

Happy Mother's day to my mom, my step-mom, and all the moms out there!

Birthday Girls

Here are the three cards I made for our daughters' latest round of birthdays. Each card was personalized to the girl's current interests.

First is Andrea, who discovered the joys of running track this year. She's also the child who has always loved the color blue, but recently informed me she'd like to paint her bedroom orange and green. What?? Welcome to the world of teenagers.

Next is Kara, a big fan of pink, and our 'Ladybug'. I was inspired to create her card to coordinate with the birthday partyware, but didn't think to photograph it as a comparison.

Finally, we have Abby's card. She's our storyteller who is constantly writing stories about amazing creatures. Her second grade teacher has told her time and again NOT to draw unicorns on her worksheets:

Three wonderful girls, each as unique as their card! Thanks for always keeping life an adventures, dear daughters o' mine!!

Tilda's Birthday Folder

The Roses on Paper Blog has a challenge running to create one of a Folder card out of a single sheet of 12" x 12" cardstock. The second part of the challenge is to use a 'Mother Day-ish' theme; I'd already made my Mother's Day cards, but since my mom's birthday also arrives in May, I thought this would work:

Stamps: Magnolia Tilda, Penny Black sentiment. Ink: black, Certainly Celery, Copics. Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, Certainly Celery Print Patterns, GP110 white. Accessories: Lilac grosgrain ribbon, Top Note Die cut.

Isn't this a sweet Tilda? She's one of the older versions, so I'm not sure of her name. Both she and the Top Note die cut were sent to me through WRAK on Splitcoast Stampers, so this card is a 'two-fer' covering May's WRAK color combo challenge to use Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, and a green.

Here's how the card opens. I still haven't decided what to enclose in the folder; any suggestions?

Be sure to stop by the ROP blog to see all the great examples of the DT's interpretation of this technique. Anki has a tutorial on the ROP Project blog with step by step photos for creating your own folder card so you can join the challenge, too!