One Last Taste of Chocolate

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Chocoholic). Ink: Stampin Up (Riding Hood Red), Tsukineko (Memento Tuxedo Black), Copics. Cardstock: Stampin Up (Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Candy Cane Lane, Very Vanilla). Accessories: Stampin Up (Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, scallop border punch), Spellbinders (oval Nestabilities).

If this project looks vaguely familiar, it's probably because I posted the coordinating card at the beginning of the month. Can you tell I'm a fan of gift sets?

The card is straight from the August SheetLoad sketch without any extra layers or embellishments and so is the top of this box. The gift box is based on the Scor Pal 'Soap Box' tutorial by Kitty Franken. Who needs extra embellishments when you have a great sketch by Liz Weber, yummy DP, and chocolate??

One of my stamping buddies asked how the props fared after the photo shoot -- and the answe is not so well! I'm just proud of myself that the chocolate lasted long enough to take the photos!

September SheetLoad Sneak Peeks

The sneak peeks at the September issue are up over at SheetLoad of Cards. The new issue will be available for FREE download starting Tuesday, September 1st.

Clean and Simple Thank You

Stamps: Papertrey 'Limitless Labels' sentiment. Cardstock: DCWV glitter card base, DCWV Winter stack, SU Bashful Blue Print Patterns. Ink: Night of Navy. Accessories: Marcella K Christmas Snowflakes Page Accent.

OK, I fibbed -- I'll be posting quite a few Christmas cards over the next two months. Scrooges beware! It's all for good reasons, though. First, it's my way of stocking up on holiday thank you notes for the post-holiday season.

On a less self-serving note, I'll also be creating a new card every week to donate to the DRS Designs-sponsored Cards For Heroes Holiday Card Drive. Stay tuned starting September 7th for more posts on that drive and to learn how you can send cards to the troops and earn your chances for prizes, too.

Today's card is inspired by the Fall To sketch #57 from the Clean & Simple Stamping Blog. I have a special fondness for sketches that use the mini squares because they encourage me to break into my hoard of DPs and actually use all these beautiful papers. Plus, using a glittery card base (much more impressive in real life) makes it a quick technique for a true Clean and Simple card. That's a real bonus when I need to create 10 of these babies a month to catch up on my Christmas Card challenge!

Hope you will hang with me through my early holiday celebration; I promise to also sneak in some not-so-snowy cards, too!

Strong Coffee and Successful Women

Stamps: Gina K. Carstock: Corrugated kraft card base, Papertrey white, Certainly Celery Printed Patterns, Elegant Eggplant. Accessories: brads.

On to another of my favorites -- coffee! Caffeine is definitely the key to my stamping productivity; throw in a couple of challenges and you have the recipe for a fun card. This card was inspired by the Midnight Madness Sketch #16 and Tuesday Morning's Color Combo challenge to use kraft, celery, and eggplant.

These kraft card bases were on clearance at Michael's so I had to buy them, knowing they would make a great start for coffee-themed cards. They would also be appropriate for moving or welcome to a new home themes as well. Versatility, ease of use, and a bargain , all in one!

**Are you a fan of challenges, too? How about blog candy? Well, have I got a new blog for you! Vicki, my very talented stamping buddy and fellow DRS Designs DT member is starting up a new challenge blog the beginning of October. It's called Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential and you can have a sneak peek here, along with details on the blog candy AND call for Spotlight Divas!

Now I'm off to enjoy some afternoon coffee!

Sweet Gift Set

Stamps: Magnolia 'So Sweet sentiment'. Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' DP. Ink: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke. Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon.

Ever need a gift set in a hurry? No matter how hard I try to plan ahead, all my gifts seem to be last minute! This one is perfect for those rush jobs because it packs a lot of 'wow' factor into a fairly quick assembly time. I started with the SU scalloped note cards (finished size is 2 3/4" x 4 1/2"), but it would be easy to create your own with cardstock and a scallop border punch.

Take some basic cardstock, some yummy DP, and a single stamp -- away you go! I used Nesties for the sentiment, but punches would be even faster.

Beaded pens are very quick to make and are the finishing touch to the set when coordinating DP is used.

For more photos of this gift set, be sure to visit the KLSNS blog and check out the KL Scrappin N Stamping store for specials on the supplies!

Chocolate is a Food Group!

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Chocoholic). Ink: Stampin Up (Chocolate Chip), Tsukineko (Memento Tuxedo Black), Copics. Cardstock: Papertrey (white), Stampin Up (Chocolate Chip), Basic Grey (Phoebe). Accessories : Graffix (Clear Craft Plastic), Offray (chocolate satin ribbon), Spellbinders ( Square and long rectangle Nestabilities), Stampin Up (Top Note Die Cut, border scallop punch).

Anyone for more chocolate?

Here's my third sample card for the August SheetLoad issue, sponsored by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. The basic sketch is still the same, but I upped the supplies by using an acetate card base and more of this 'Phoebe' DP by Basic Grey. The base DP peeks through the acetate and forms a fun layer for the writing space on theTop Note die cut (thanks, WRAK!) inside:


One more project to go and it's my favorite! Stay tuned next Tuesday for a really sweet spin on the SheetLoad sketch created by the very talented Liz Weber!!

DRS Designs' Sketch Challenge

Stamps by DRS Designs: Pop-Out Snowflake M238, Interlocking Snowflake Background H1015, Stepping Back in Time sentiment H674. Cardstock: textured white, Bashful blue, Night of Navy. Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark. Accessories: 'Winter Wonderland' EP, rhinestone brad.

Sketch challenges are my favorite type of challenge, perfect for jumpstarting a lethargic mojo. This week's DRS Designs' sketch challenge is a great one because it's so versatile. For my first card, I followed the sketch closely, using a Pop-Out Snowflake (layered in this case, but popped would be a wonderful variation, too) in place of the image.

For my second card, I rotated the sketch and went with the CAS feel, using ribbon in place of the cardstock strips:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Coffee Sign H960, Espresso-ly Wonderful sentiment F754. Cardstock: Kraft, Very Vanilla. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Accessories: chocolate satin ribbon.

Be sure to stop by DRS Design's blog to see the other DT inspiration and to link your take on the sketch, too!

Let it Snow!

Stamps: Snowflakes, Papertrey 'Mailbox Greetings'. Cardstock: Textured white, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy. Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark. Accessories: 'Winter Wonderland' EP, navy satin ribbon, Nestabilities Labels.

Our weather lately has been absolutely wonderful, but aren't there times in the heat of summer that winter snows don't seem like such a bad thing?

I'm still in winter mode, catching up on those Christmas Card Challenges with help from this week's Tuesday Morning Sketch #7.

Time to switch to a new theme, or I'll have to rename this blog 'Jess' Christmas Obsession'!

Vintage Christmas Kindness

Stamps: Penny Black 'Kindness'. Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Real Red, Basic Grey 'Sugared', Daisy D 'Snowflakes and Holly'. Ink: Bordering Blue, Real Red. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, red satin ribbon, eyelets.

The Midnight Madness Team did it again -- another fun, versatile sketch! I combined the sketch #15 with some of my favorite DPs and one of my copious sentiment stamps to create this Christmas thank you.

Although the paper is officially Christmas themed, I think this card could be used any time of year. My Christmas card stash is full, but my holiday thank you cards are almost non-existent, so I decided to use the next couple months of the Christmas Card Challenge to stock up on those cards.

Thanks for stopping by!

SheetLoad Simple/Special/Stunning August Edition Now Live!

It is time for the August edition of Simple Special Stunning at the SheetLoad of Cards blog, featuring samples by Barbara DeBose.

Each month one of our artists will share three different cards that use the current layout. Each card is a "step up" from the previous one, but they are all fabulous.

It is a good way to show how SheetLoad is geared toward papercrafters of all levels.

Here are some sneak peeks to whet your appetite...

Enjoy!

Clean and Simple Galore

The Clean and Simple Challenge Forum on Splitcoast Stampers is holding their Autumn Design Team call by posting a series of challenges. Whether you are interested in the DT or just a fan of clean and simple (CAS) cards, be sure to check out the fun challenges and resulting amazing cards!

The first challenge is a sketch. I decided to go with a Christmas theme so I could catch up a bit on my neglected Christmas card tally:

Stamps: Snowflakes, Papertrey 'Holiday Wishes'. Cardstock: Bashful Blue. Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark. Accessories: 'Winter Wonderland' glitter EP, organdy glitter ribbon.

The second is a color challenge to create a monochromatic brown card with a touch of red:

Stamps: Autumn Greetings, Touch of Nature, Papertrey 'Mailbox Greetings'. Cardstock: Kraft. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Copic, Real Red.

The final challenge is a theme with the stampers choice of autumn holidays or Christmas:

Stamps: Papertrey 'Holiday Wishes'. Ink: Real Red. Cardstock: Textured white, Daisy D's 'Paisley Sugarplum' DP, Wild Wasabi, Real Red. Accessories: 1" circle punch, dotted grosgrain ribbon.

Both the second and third card are based on Fall To sketches from the Clean and Simple Stamping blog. If you need to jumpstart your Mojo with some versatile sketches, be sure to check out these versions, along with amazing sample cards!

Still want more CAS inspiration? Be sure to stop by the DRS blog for the full photo and details on this CAS card:
Enjoy returning the to the clean and simple basics!

What's Mew?

Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Cat', Stamping Bella sentiment. Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Lemonade'. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Rich Razzleberry. Accessories: Prima, Basic Grey 'Lemonade' brads, rectangle Nestabilities, tag punch, Offray grosgrain double-stitched ribbon.

Another day, another challenge! This card is inspired by the Basic Grey challenge blog which is celebrating being back in action by posting this sketch and offering a sweet blog candy as the participation prize.

Basic Grey has been my favorite Designer Paper for years; I just love the vintage, yet still playful feel it has. And the Christmas editions are always worth waiting for!

If you are in the mood for a Magnolia stamp at 35% discount, be sure to stop by the KL Scrappin 'n Stampin store. This Tilda is already sold out, but there are still several in stock that need to move out to make room for the 'Lazy Days of Summer' collection that will be arriving soon.

The kids are back in school which is the big 'mews' on this end. Maybe now that we all have a schedule again, I can work in more dedicated time for stamping. Now it will be stamping summer scenes instead of just enjoying them!

Sweet Holiday Mice

Stamps: Stampabilities 'Peppermint Treats', Martha Stewart 'Clear Gingerbread Stamps'. Cardstock: Real Red, Papertrey white, Paper Studio 'Christmas Ornaments', Paper Co. 'India Gold'. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Real Red. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, green satin and red organdy ribbon, circle punch, cellophane, gold cording, mini bells.

It's Christmas in August, at least for this pair of House Mice! This card featuring sketch #32 by 2 Sketches 4 You is the sample I created for my swap contribution to JanetJ's House Mouse Card Kit Swap on Splitcoast Stampers. Each swapper creates a kit with uncolored images, 2 6" x 6" sheets of DP, and embellishments and then receives five different kits in return. It's so fun to see what combinations of elements the other gals create and let me tell you, there are some amazing kit swappers out there! The due date isn't until October, so there's plenty of time to join the fun.

I challenged myself to come up with some unusual embellishments and ended up with these two. First are the tiny bells, a little different than my usual brads:


The second are these handcrafted peppermint candies. I stamped the image from the Martha Stewart set, punched them out and wrapped them in cellophane:


To add dimension and a glass-like effect to the ornament, I applied a thick layer of Glossy Accents:

If you are in the mood for sweets of the stamping variety, be sure to check out the priscillastyles blog. Priscilla is offering some awesome blog candy in the form of stamps, stamps and more stamps. See the photo above to get an idea of the goodies up for grabs and be sure to throw your name into the hat!

Sweet 'n Sassy Sponsors August SheetLoad!

Click on the image above to learn more about the August '09 sponsor at SheetLoad of Cards - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!

Remember those yummy chocolate images I used on my SheetLoad sketch cards for this month? Those are from the Sweet 'n Sassy 'Chocoholic' set. Be sure to check them out at the special pricing SNS is offering this month!

Simple Things in Life

Stamps: Hero Arts (Real Fuschia, Time to Enjoy), Papertrey (Birthday Basics). Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, My Mind's Eye DP (Out & About Glitter), Gina K white. Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo. Accessories: SU border punch, Nestabilities Ribbon Tags, Satin ribbon, olive brads.

Isn't this week's Midnight Madness sketch a fun one? I altered it from an A2 size to this 8 1/4 x 4 1/4" size because I'd already stamped the image panel and it wouldn't fit on a standard card size -- so much for planning ahead!

The color combo is this month's WRAK challenge of Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, and Melon Mambo which was inspired by the August birthstone (Periodot) and flower (gladiolus). I was at a bit of a loss until I remembered these wonderful 'real flower' stamps by Hero Arts that have been severely neglected. Searching through my endless stash of DP, I also found this glitter DP which happens to be a strikingly good match, too.

Now I'm off to enjoy the simple things in my life, like a nice, hot shower!

Chocolate vs. Exercise

Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy (Chocoholic). Ink: Stampin Up (Purely Pomegranate, Close to Cocoa), Tsukineko (Memento Tuxedo Black), Copic markers. Cardstock: Papertrey (white), Stampin Up (Purely Pomegranate, Raspberry Bliss), Georgia Pacific (white 110). Accessories: Stampin Up (Pomegranate wide satin ribbon), Martha Stewart (border punch), Spellbinders (Oval and square Nestabilities).

Chocolate makes everything better, doesn't it? OK, maybe not everything, but it sure is more fun than exercise!

This card is another one of my submissions for the August SheetLoads e-issue which is sponsored by Sweet N Sassy Stamps, the source for this yummy stamp set, 'Chocoholic'. You can download the issue which contains the sketch and complete cutting diagrams for free HERE.

I rotated the sketch and also stamped the chocolate images on the dotted DP to personalized the background paper. The chocolate image is colored with Copics and cut out to create an almost -good-enough-to-eat die cut.

Two more delicious chocolate creations still to go, so stay tuned for next week's reveal!

You Are My Sunshine

Stamps: Stampavie 'Giving Shelter', MSE 'Little Birdie' sentiment. Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Glossy White, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Lemonade'. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Rich Razzleberry. Accessories: Basic Grey 'Lemonade' brads, Circle Nestabilities.

Sometimes we need a little extra sunshine in our lives, don't we? Friends can definitely provide a little brightness on those not-quite-so-perfect days.

Sketchers week #64 inspired this sketch; I'm easily amused because I appreciate how the circle theme is echoed in the image and sketch layers.

This card also showcases a new technique I learned during a techniques class held at the Inkspot in St. Louis. It's my favorite type of technique -- easy, but a high 'Wow' factor! The full photo tutorial is over on the KLSNS blog, so let me know if I made it as easy to follow as it is to do the technique in person.

Birthdays are Good For You!

Stamps: Inkadinkado kid sentiment. Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Archiver', My Mind's Eye 'Simply Delightful', Chocolate Chip, Whisper White. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities, primas, brads.

Out of the mouth of babes, right? Oh, if only it were true!

This card is bases on another fun sketch by the Midnight Madness Team. Be sure to stop by and check out all the amazing blog candy and prizes up for grabs. They also are running a new promo, “Refer your Friends for Freebies”, so if you head over there from here, let them know I sent you!

Show Us Your SheetLoad!

It is time once again to show us what you have created with the latest issue of SheetLoad of Cards; August 2009.

All you have to do is create one (1) card and enter it in the August '09 Show Us Your SheetLoad Challenge for a chance to win Two (2) FREE Stamp Sets from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!

Now isn't that easy? As easy as making your card in the first place since each SheetLoad issue does all the hard work by publishing a versatile sketch complete with supply list and cutting diagrams!

I'll show you another of my SheetLoad projects on Thursday!

DRS Designs Challenge #27: Diorama Cards

Stamps by DRS Designs: Picnic Basket K1104, Ant Betty B1035, 4 in 1 Beach Background D1099, sentiment D1072, Interlocking Flower Background H813. Cardstock: Kraft, Cool Caribbean, Certainly Celery, GP 110 white. Ink: Real Red, Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Stardust glitter pens, circle punch, long rectangle Nestabilities.

This week's DRS Designs' blog challenge is to create a diorama card (SplitCoast Stampers' tutorial HERE). Let me tell you, this was a true challenge for me because I am very spatially challenged at best. More than a few sheets of cardstock ended up in the scrap bin as I measured twice and cut once again and again.

A diorama card is not easy to photograph, either. I ended up shooting outside where the bright sunlight blasted away the shadows over the sentiment resulting from my use of cave-like kraft cardstock for the final layer. At least these scorching days are good for something, right?

Here's a top view so you can see the ants parading along the middle layer:

Be sure to stop by the DRS blog for more examples of this technique and link your examples. Bet not everyone considers this quite the challenge I did!