August SheetLoad Sneak Peek!

Only one more day until the August issue of SheetLoads is available for freedownload! I'm especially excited about this issue because it's my first official contribution as a Sample Artist AND the stamp set I received is one of my all-time favorite subjects. There's a fairly big in hint in the photo above so can you guess what my stamp set's theme is??

Visit the SheetLoad blog for more tempting peeks!

Summer True Love?

Stamps: Magnolia Loves Me Tilda, Magnolia sentiment. Cardstock: So Saffron, Bayou Blue, GP110 white, Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Bayou Blue. Accessories: Bayou Blue double-stitched grosgrain, Hero Arts Pearl Hearts.

Yes, if you count the petals on Tilda's Flower, Edwin does love her! Don't you love this sweet Tilda from the latest Magnolia collection, the Lazy Days of Summer? Be sure to get your pre-order into Kelly over at KL Stampin N Scrappin so you can have these cuties before the summer is over!

Tilda is actually multi-tasking. Not only is she deciding her future by plucking flower petals, but she's also fulfilling three challenges: Friday Sketchers sketch challenge, the Roses on Paper challenge and Copic Creations' Botannicals challenge.

A very talented friend, Jacque, created this week's Sketcher's sketch. The Roses on Paper challenge #17 is to use hearts on a project. What could be more appropriate than this image? The hardest part was finding a heart that fit, but these tiny pearl hearts from Hero were just the right size for the sentiment.

Stay tuned for the upcoming KL Stampin N Scrappin blog hop this Friday for at least three chances to win goodies from the store. Not only that, but several of the Design Team members will be offering giveaways on their individual blogs! It all begins Friday the 31st, so be sure to join the hop!!

DRS Challenge #26: Faux Stitching

Stamps by DRS Designs: 3 Flowers with Butterfly H1068, sentiment C456. Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Rich Razzleberry. Old Olive marker. Accessories: Long rectangle and circle Nestabilities, olive grosgrain ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

So many new stamping supplies, so much fun! This card combines newly released stamps by DRS Designs with the new In Colors from Stampin Up. Add in this week's blog challenge to create a project featuring faux stitching and a previous Mojo Monday sketch and you have a great combination of old and new!

Speaking of new, a stamping friend recently taught me a new technique to make faux stitching even easier using a scoring tool and the Scor-Pal (thanks, Deb!). Just line up your cardstock in one of the grooves and run the Cutter Bee Bug down the line:

Your lines are not only much quicker, but much straighter than I ever achieve with a piercing template. Use a marker to add lines and you have stitching without having to haul out the sewing machine. I learned from experience that I like my stitches slightly arched (think my sewing machine needs its tension adjusted?) and with a tiny bit of open space between to achieve the most realistic effect.

Be sure to stop by the DRS blog to admire all the Design Team's faux stitched creations and play along, too!

Christmas in July, part 2

Cardstock: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Daisy D's 'Paisley Sugarplums'. Accessories: Mary Engelbreit dimensional sticker, Hero Arts felt pointsettias, gems, gemstone brad, red cording, Martha Stewart border punch.

When I first spotted these 3-D stickers complete with glitter accents in the Michael's $1 bin, I knew they would make fun Christmas card focal points. Combine them with this week's Midnight Madness Sketch challenge and you have a quick, yet detailed Christmas card, no stamping required!

Since I've been known to stock up on bargains, I may actually be able to complete my entire Christmas Card Challenge commitment with three packets of these cuties. Great cards and a bargain -- what could be better?

Christmas in July

Stamps: Papertrey 'Holiday Wishes'. Cardstock: Real Red, CM green, Daisy D's 'Paisley Sugarplum'. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: Mary Engelbreit Dimensional Sticker, white detail EP, dotted green satin ribbon, circle Nestabilities, SU scallop border punch.

There's nothing quite like the sweltering heat of July to make you dream of Christmas, is there? To be honest, the holidays would still be far from mind if it weren't for the Christmas Card Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. I signed up to create 10 cards per month through November so that I would be card-complete well before the holiday rush. I've been on-track until last month, so it's time to play some catch up.

The sketch for this card is the current Tuesday Morning sketch. If you haven't checked out this new challenge blog yet, be sure to stop by -- Mel is a very talented sketch artist!

I have another card ready to go tomorrow, so that makes 17 to go until I'm caught up through this month. Sigh! At least I'm way ahead of where I'd be without the challenge!!

Still Time for SheetLoad Fun and Freebies!

Don't forget that the July issue of SheetLoad of Cards is available for download and there is still time to enter the monthly challenges and win FREE digital stamps from the July sponsor, Squigglefly!!

Head on over today and find out how to enter the July Shout Out to SheetLoad and Show Us Your SheetLoad contests.

Super Cutie Pie!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Beach Boy F1096, Creating Yourself sentiment H558. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Summer Sun, Real Red, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Real Red. Accessories: SU scallop border punch, dotted satin ribbon.

Have you checked out all the new releases by DRS Designs yet? Last Saturday they unveiled this month's releases full of summer fun.

This brand new cutie, Beach Boy, seems equally at home in a beach setting or any place that needs a pint-sized superhero. See all the Cutie Pie Kids HERE. The Creating Yourself sentiment is one of my all-time favorites and works well with so many different images.

Remember there's still time to play along with DRS Designs challenge #25 to create a genie bag; stay tuned for the next challenge coming up this Monday, July 27th, on the DRS blog.

Hope you are having fun in the sun, with or without your cape!

Simple, Special, and Stunning SheetLoads!

Stamps: Squigglefly (April Showers), Hanna Stamps (Things Hanna Would Say). Cardstock: Stampin Up (Old Olive), My Mind's Eye (Simply Beautiful), Papertrey (white). Ink: Tsukineko (Versafine), Copics. Accessories: American Craft Elements (dotted grosgrain ribbon), Stampin Up (scallop border punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities, long rectangle).

A new feature over on SheetLoad, called 'Simple/Special/Stunning' is in it's second month and and it was my turn to create cards inspired by the theme. The purpose of 'Simple/Special/Stunning' according to foundor Alicia is "to show how each issue of SheetLoad can be adapted for papercrafters of all levels".

The April Showers card above is my idea of a simple card -- it follows the SheetLoad July sketch exactly and the embellishment is actually a flower cut from the background DP. To see the next levels, Special and Stunning, check out the SheetLoad blog.

Let me know if our definitions of Simple/Special/Stunning are in the same field, or how they differ. We know everyone has their own idea of a 'simple' (and a 'not-so-simple') card!

Summer Happiness

Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Ice Cream', Papertrey 'Mailbox Greetings'. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Pacific Point. Cardstock: Pacific Point, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Cupcake'. Accessories: Pacific Point twill, Long rectangle Nesties.

Ice cream cones have to be one of the true joys of summer! It certainly looks like Tilda is enjoying hers.

This card is based on this week's Midnight Madness sketch. Be sure to check out Priscilla's blog for details on how you can win some amazing blog candy!

Special thanks to Patti (SCS: Momma Patti) for not only sending me the Pacific Point cardstock, but also the twill ribbon through WRAK.

Hope your summer is full of warm-weather joys, too!

Hedgie Christmas in July

Stamps: Hedgie image from WRAK, Clearly Defined sentiment. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Real Red, white, Daisy D 'Paisley Sugarplum' DP. Ink: Black, copics. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart snowflake punches, Dazzling Diamond glitter, gems.

Tuesday Morning sketches has yet another fun sketch challenge for the week! I combined this hedgie image received through WRAK so this card is doing double-duty for July's WRAK theme of 'Christmas in July' as well.

**Be sure to stop by Vicki's blog (Stamped Smiles) for a chance at fun blog candy, including two of the brand new DRS releases, just released yesterday!

The Sweet and the Bittersweet

Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' card kit and 6" x 6" cardstock. Accessories: lips rub-on from kit, Bittersweet brad, Celebrate It pink satin ribbon.

The sweet portion of this title is because the card was inspired by Sweet Sunday sketch #23 and the bittersweet is the Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' DP. Overall, I think it adds up to a very sweet result!

For more details, visit the KL Stampin' N Scrappin' blog.

Have a sweet day!

DRS Designs Throws Down Some Color!

Stamps by DRS Designs: 3 Flowers with Butterfly H1068, Just Living Butterfly Greeting F349, Three Leaf Background H534. Cardstock: So Saffron, Lavender Lace, and Hunter Green. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Lavender Lace. Accessories: Oval Nesties, CM circle cutter, organdy ribbon, Stardust glitter pen.

Time for sneak peeks of the newest DRS Design releases! Over the next few days, the DRS Design Team will be showing off the latest images and sentiments which will be officially released on July 18th.

DRS is also sponsoring the Color Throwdown challenge tomorrow with the color combo of Lavender Lace, So Saffron, and Garden Green. Unfortunately, I confused my greens and ended up using Hunter Green in this card. I think it still works, with my garden appearing been a bit over-fertilized!

The sketch on this card was inspired by Amy Rysavy's sketch challenge #71; I really liked how the large circle went along with the sunshine part of the sentiment.

Be sure to check out the other creations on the Color Throwdown blog and play along for your chance to win DRS stamps!!

DRS Designs Challenge #25: In the Bag

Stamps by DRS Designs: Girly Swirly Cake M454, Birthday Candle Burst (sentiment) L451, Girly Swirly Flowers F487, Large Original Plaid P641. Cardstock: Regal Rose, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Basic Grey, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Pretty in Pink, Crushed Curry, Old Olive. Accessories: Nestabilities Label Trio, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, American Crafts pink gingham ribbon, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Stardust glitter pen, white paper bag.

Is it a card or is it a gift bag? It's both! This week's challenge on the DRS Designs blog is to create a genie bag (tutorial HERE) which looks just like a card, but can be unfolded to create a gift bag:

The layout for this birthday bag is inspired by this week's Midnight Madness sketch challenge. A new sketch is posted every Monday; play along for chances to win prizes! While you are admiring the great sketches on the Priscillastyles blog, be sure to check out the amazing blog candy up for grabs in honor of Priscilla reaching 30, 000 blog hits:

1.A BRAND NEW BIG SHOT DIE-CUT MACHINE
grand prize to one winner!

2.A BRAND NEW DOCTORS DIE-CUT BAG
added to the grand prize when we hit 300 comments!

3.TWO TEXTURED IMPRESSIONS EMBOSSING FOLDERS

So many ways to win! Create your own genie bag and post a link to the DRS Designs blog for a change at blog candy there, too. And don't forget to check out all the other creation by the talented Design Team for lots of fun ideas!

Say Cheese!

Stamps: Stampabilities 'Amanda Blows Candle', Papertrey 'Birthday Basics'. Cardstock: Barely Banana, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Stardust glitter pen, Martha Stewart 'Camelia Pink' craft seam binding.

My baby sister's birthday is coming up, and since she's surrounded by boys (three sons and a husband), I decided to make her card a little more 'girly'. Amanda House Mouse ups the cute factor, as well as the yummy 'Two Scoops' paper by Basic Grey.

This fun sketch is inspired by the very first sketch challenge posted on a brand-new challenge blog (Tuesday Morning Sketches) created by my talented stamping friend Melissa. Be sure to check out Mel's blog for new challenges every Tuesday and play along for fun prizes!

Cured Yet?

Stamps by DRS Designs: Leonard's Sick Day Blues G1019, Cured Yet? sentiment, Easy Swirl Background H688. Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery, GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: circle Nestabilities, Papertrey grosgrain ribbon, SU scallop border punch, Bella Baubles, mini prima, gemstone.

Need a pick-me-up for someone feeling a bit under the weather? Well, if this card doesn't bring a smile to their face, this altered treat tin just might:

We're at the tail end of another round of the summer cold/bronchitis, so we can vouch for the popularity of Vitamin C lozenges! Plus, the surprise of having to pop the top to get to them will win you lots of 'wow' factor points. A full tutorial on how to create these fun altered peach tins can be viewed HERE.

DRS Designs is sponsoring this week's Charisma blog challenge which is to create an altered item. Be sure to stop by the Charisma blog to see more amazing re-purposed creations!

Birthdays and Challenges

Once you reach a certain age, aren't all birthdays a challenge? Even though they may not be quite so much fun, as my mom would say: birthdays sure beat the alternative! The challenges in this case are the fun kind, stamping challenges. Here's a birthday set based on three different challenges:


Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Tag' and Strawberry Sweet sentiment. Carstock: Textured Real Red, Bashful Blue Pattern Prints, Chocolate Chip, Paper Bouquet Felted Flowers DP, Papertrey White. Ink: Memento Black, Copics. Accessories: Oval and Circle Nestabilities, SU scallop border punch, raffia, chocolate brads, Basic Grey rub-ons.

The current Roses on Paper blog challenge is to create a gatefold card with stitching. My stitching is the faux variety because I've been wanting to try out a new technique I learned from a friend. The cardstock is first pierced by using a rolling piercing tool run down one of the lines (gutters?) on a Scor-Pal. This is SO much easier than my old way of lining up the template and piercing each hole by hand! And much more likely to result in a straight line, too. Then I went back and drew in the stitches, trying NOT to be perfect and leaving a tiny gap in the initial portion and slightly arching the stitch. It may just be an inappropriate tension setting on my machine, but this faux stitching looks very close to what I get when I haul the machine up from the basement!

The second challenge is the KLSNS July color challenge using the colors light blue, red and chocolate. As you can tell by my previous card 'Egg-cellent Edwin', I'm a fan of this color combo. Be sure to upload your creations to the PaperCraft Planet challenge for your chance to win a stamp and other goodies from the KLSNS store!

Last but certainly not least is the Copic Creations' challenge to color brunette hair. Be sure to stop by this blog because every other week they post a new challenge with links to wonderful tutorials!

Since this gatefold card was created to supplement the Edwin card, I added a pocket inside to hold images of the just received Magnolia Summer Stamp Club:

I also created a Ghiradelli box (thanks for the demo, Tracy!):

Since the temperatures are back up in the 90s, I thought it might be safer to send hard caramels as opposed to the always appropriate chocolate. You can view the Splitcoast Stamper tutorial for the Ghiradelli box HERE.

Now let's just hope my friend doesn't see her gift here before it arrives in person!

SheetLoad Teams Up With Squigglefly -- You Win!

Squigglefly is the sponsor for July's issue of the SheetLoad e-zine. If you haven't downloaded your free copy of this amazing resource, be sure to stop by HERE now. Use the sketch to replenish your stash of cards or to create a single masterpiece. Follow the directions on 'Show Us Your SheetLoad' to link that masterpiece and you are eligible to win FOUR digital stamps!

'Shout Out to SheetLoad' and you have another chance to win FOUR digital images by Squigglefly!!

Check out the SheetLoad blog for more inspiration and stay tuned here for July projects based on the latest sketch!

SheetLoads Teams Up with Caardvarks!

Stamps: Digital celebration stamp by Squigglefly, sentiment by Papertrey (Birthday Basics). Cardstock: Stampin Up (Riding Hood Red), Basic Grey (Cupcake), Georgia Pacific (white 110). Ink: Copics, Stampin Up (Bayou Blue). Accessories: Sakura (Stardust glitter pen), Offray (yellow grosgrain ribbon), Spellbinders (Nestabilities squares and rectangles), Stampin Up (scallop border punch

This week SheetLoads joins Caardvarks for an intersite challenge featuring the July SheetLoads' sketch. You can download the free e-zine featuring this versatile sketch, all the cutting instructions, and Design Team projects featuring this month's sponsor, Squigglefly, HERE. The Caardvarks team will be using products like the amazing vellum and acetate card bases from ShortCuts, SheetLoads' sister site.

Birthday cards are always in short supply in my stash, so I decided to use this sketch to increase my 'last-minute' supply. It comes directly from the sketch, with no added layers or embellishments! Thanks to the fun Basic Grey DP with included die cuts and SheetLoads' complete instructions, it was a quick and easy project.

Be sure to stop by the SheetLoad blog to see the other Design Team creations for this fun challenge!

The Joy of Retirement

Stamps: Stampabilities 'Buzz Cut'. Cardstock: Night of Navy, Basic Grey 'Boxer', Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, Glossy Accents.

Happy retirement to my husband who has just finished serving almost 21 years as a pilot in the USAF! Since this basically means a switch in employment and not a permanent hammock in the shade, I went with a slightly different type of card -- celebrating the return to civilian hair length!

This card is based on the Midnight Madness Sketch #8. Be sure to check out their blog for the DT's fun spin on this sketch and details on the Guest Designer call that is going on through the month of July!

July SheetLoads Now Live!

The July issue of SheetLoads is now live and available for download! A fun sketch combined with all the cutting diagrams and LOTS of great examples and as always, it's free!!

This wasn't my month to contribute to the issue, but I will be playing along with intersite challenges and the brand new feature, Simple/Special/Stunning, so be sure to stay tuned. In the meantime, head on over to the SheetLoad site to check out all the amazing Design Team Creations for this month's sponsor, Squigglefly!

Baby on Board!

Stamps: C.C. Designs' Gingersnaps Oh Baby. Ink: Memento, Copics. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Basic Grey 'Two Scoops', white. Accessories: Long rectangle and circle Nestabilities, SU Scallop punch, pink organdy ribbon.

Doesn't this gal have the cutest baby bump? It seems like I never have a baby card on hand when needed, so I decided to take time to stock up on a few and this fun set provided plenty of inspiration.

Visit KL Stampin N Scrappin to view the full C.C Designs Gingersnaps Oh Baby set and the blog to see all the details on this card and other fun creations by the Design Team. Since it's the beginning of July (can you believe it??) there will also be new special offers and a new challenge over on PaperCraft Planet!