Paper Pretties' Wednesday Challenge: Bring on the Animals!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties 'Hang in There'.  Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Bo Bunny 'Pet Shop' DP, Papertrey white.  Ink:  Memento, Copics, Chocolate Chip.  Accessories:  long rectangle and tag Nestabilties, Night of Navy grosgrain, Stardust glitter pen.  

Welcome to the Paper Pretties' Wednesday Challenge!  This week our challenge is to ake a project with an animal on it or use an animal print or texture on your card or project.  Inspired by Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #93, I decided to incorporate both in my card by using this mischievious kitty by Victoria Case from the brand new 'Hang in There' stamp set, as well as pawprint DP:
 

Have you seen all the new September releases over at Paper Pretties?  There are 12 brand new, exclusive stamp sets now available and bonuses with every order.  Here are the September Specials:

*Free Paper Pretties "Hand Stamped" stamp with every order!

* Free antiquing tool with all orders $50 or more (before shipping).

* Free stamp set (Paper Pretties choice) with all orders $75 or more (before shipping).

* Free 6"x6" designer paper pad (Paper Pretties choice) with all orders $100 or more (before shipping).

* All Basic Grey Oliver and Olivia products are on sale!

Be sure to enjoy the other Pretties' Gals interpretation of Animal Mania:
Cindy
Frances
Jana
Jane
Jackie
Jennifer
Pam
Wendy
Heather

Then link your creation HERE so we can admire your take on the challenge and enter your name for a chance to win a free Paper Pretties stamp! You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. If you upload to a public gallery please use the keyword PWC121.

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #61: Starring Anemones!

Stamps:  Digi image by Sweet 'n Sassy 'Anemones', DRS Designs 'Christmas Tree Punch Star'.  Cardstock:  K&Co. 'Seredipity' DP, GP 110 white.  Ink:  Memento black, Versamark.  Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities, slot punch, dotted organdy ribbon, green gems.

Welcome to Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge sponsored by Sweet 'n Sassy!  Here's our sketch for this week:

At first I thought the star element would be a real challenge with this beautiful anemone image, but then I realized it was the perfect way to showcase the blooms, especially when embossed with a sparkly EP:

Be sure to admire the TMS Design Team's spin on this week's challenge:

Melissa
Angela
Theresa
Jacki
Hollyanne, Jr. DT
Lisa, September GDT

Then link up your creations HERE to join in the fun and so we can admire your shining star!

Paper Pretties' Blog Hop Winner

Congratulations to Crystal (Crystal's Crafty Creations) who was the winner of the 'Cluck II' stamp set featured on my blog for the Paper Pretties' September Release Hop! 

Please send Heather an email at hlrcrafts@gmail.com with your mailing address so she can get your new stamp set sent out right away!!

Check the Paper Pretties's blog for a full list of winners!



Happy Birthday, Deb!

Stamps:  Stampabilities 'Birthday Cupcake', Papertrey 'Birthday Basics' sentiment.  Cardstock:  Black, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey 'Urban Prairie'.  Ink:  Memento black, Copics, Versamark.  Accessories:  black EP, rectangle Nestabilites, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, black brads, Tim Holz 'Tattered Florals' die, SU celery twill, WW punch.

Happy Birthday, Deb!!

Today is our dear friend Deb's birthday -- it's a special occasion for many reasons, including the number of candles on the cake.  I decided to play nice and not announce the exact number of Deb's candles on my blog post, but I'm sure someone on the hop will spill the beans!

Our fellow stamping buddy, Joanna, came up with the idea of a birthday blog hop for Deb; isn't she a great friend?  If you arriving here from Heather's (One Little Spark) blog, then you are heading in the right direction.  If you've just joined the fun, be sure to start out on Joanna's (Stitting on Pens & Needles) blog to start the party!

Initially when I planned Deb's card, I was thinking of going with a vintage theme with a possible technique because Deb is known for her expertise in these areas.  Then I asked myself 'Why compete with a master' and decided to go with the symbolic theme instead: 

1)  I chose House Mouse because I first met Deb in a House Mouse ATC swap -- her little mouse knitting with toothpicks was incredible!

2)  Basic Grey DP is a necessity because we are both huge fans of this company.

3)  The flowers are from a Tim Holz die -- Deb is amazing with Tim's techniques!

4)  Finally, I tried to go with a green color combo, but ended up a bit off track.  Green twill counts, right??

Here's the inside of the card; I thought the 'dreams come true' part was especially appropriate considering the image!

The sketch for this card was inspired by the House Mouse Monday Challenge #78; I rotated it to fit the cupcake crew.

**Next stop on the blog hop is our German pal, Imke (Crafting Creations by Imke).  After you've enjoyed all the celebrations, be sure to stop by the birthday gal's blog (Freckle-Face Printworks) to admire her artwork and wish her a very Happy Birthday!!

Paper Pretties September Release Blog Hop!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties 'Cluck, Part II'.  Cardstock:  Real Red, Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Papertrey white.  Ink:  Memento black, Copics, Versafine black, Versamark.  Accessories:  clear EP, Oval Nestabilities, Martha Stewart scallop border punch, red gingam ribbon, SU button.

Welcome to Paper Pretties' September Release blog hop!  If you are arriving from Jennifer's blog (Glitter in My Hair), then you are heading in the right direction.  If you are just joining the fun, make sure to visit the Paper Pretties blog so you won't miss a single hop stop or chance to win!!

The stamp set I'm showcasing is 'Cluck, Part II'.  Remember the 'What the Cluck?' set from August's release?  This set features the same group of feathered friends with more poses, like this proud chick:

Also included in the new set is a great chicken wire background image (embossed here with clear EP) and more hilarious sentiments, too:

The background is a fun technique showcased on Splitcoast Stampers this week called 'Faux Barn Board'.  I was a little heavy on the white, so mine is more like like 'Old Whitewashed Fence', or maybe 'Old Whitewashed Hen House'?

Many thanks to my stamping buddy Lena for inspiring me with her ribbon flowers -- a perfect way to coordinate ribbon and embellishments!  HERE's a photo tutorial for an easy way to create these blooms; I might recommend using a bit less than the 12" of ribbon recommended when your ribbon is as wide as mine was.

The sketch for this card is courtesy of Mercy'sTuesday Sketch Challenge #92 which had the prefect spot for this country floral!

Next stop on the hop is Pam's blog (The Stamping Addict).  Remember to leave a comment on each blog by 5pm CST on Sunday for your chance to win the featured stamp set!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge: Ribbon Galore!

Stamps: Paper Pretties 'Everyday Lily'. Cardstock: Soft Suede, Doodlebug DP, textured blue from unknown source. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: organdy and grosgrain ribbon, Offray ribbon roses, Tim Holz 'Tattered Florals' die, oval Nestabilities, SU WW punch.

Welcome to Wednesday's Paper Pretties Challenge! This week we are challenging you to use ribbon, but not just one ribbon or even two ribbons -- use three different ribbons!

My card this week is a sneak peek of another brand new stamp set Paper Pretties will be releasing on September 24th; this cute teen is called 'Everyday Lily'. She is the perfect addition to the Teen Scene which already features 'Just Because Zac' and 'Go Team'. Isn't Lily just what you need for those tween or teen cards?

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #72 inspired my card this week because it's so designed for ribbons galore.

Ribbon is an embellishment I adore and rarely is one of my cards without it. However, I tried to use ribbons in a slightly different way for this challenge -- can you find all three different types ribbons I used?

Be sure to enjoy the other Pretties' Gals interpretation of 'Ribbon Galore':
Cindy
Frances
Jana
Jane
Jackie
Jennifer
Pam
Wendy
Heather

Then link your creation HERE so we can admire your take on the sketch and enter your name for a chance to win a free Paper Pretties stamp! You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. If you upload to a public gallery please use the keyword PWC119.

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #60: Paper Gardens

Cardstock: Textured white, SU Prints Pack DP, Pretty in Pink, textured olive. Accessories: Tim Holz 'Tattered Florals' dies, SU scallop border punch and 'Many' Thanks Sizzlit.

Welcome to Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #60! This week we're doing something a little different and challenging you to create handmade flowers. There are no other restrictions, so show us your floral side!

As you probably noticed by the variety of blooms in this post, I had a blast with this challenge. It was my incentive to finally try my hand at those gorgeous paper roses I've been seeing everywhere. I decided these beautiful roses only needed a CAS background to showcase them, so I used Clean &Simple Stamping's Fall-To sketch #108 with its fun circle shape.

My favorite tutorial is HERE, although I ended up using the Tim Holz dies because I was unable to find the punch Nathalie used for her tutorial. I like the way this style of rose turned out, as you see from my abundance of paper blooms:

Another paper flower is the spiral rose which reminds me of the Floribunda style of rose (yes, I had to look up that class of rose!). It's a super easy flower to create; check out this tutorial by Wendy HERE:

Here's another type of paper flower that uses a scallop circle for its creation. Mercy has a great tutorial HERE:

Stamps: Magnolia image, Papertrey 'Everyday Button Bits' sentiment. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Bella Rose DP, Papertrey white. Accessories: Nestabilities rectangle and scalloped circle, Matha Stewart leaf punch, SU scallop circle punch, Stardust glitter pen, white gel pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, jumbo paper clip.

Finally, here's a super easy way to create a gorgeous bloom with paper tole which is basically just stamping the same image several times and pop-dotting each layer for dimension. My technique-savy buddy, Deb of Freckle-face Printworks, introduced me to this technique and sent me the supplies to give it a try.


It was a little difficult to get the focus clear on all the layers at once, but you get the idea:

Be sure to admire the TMS Design Team's spin on this week's challenge:
Melissa
Angela
Theresa
Jacki
Hollyanne, Jr. DT
Lisa, September GDT

Then link up your creations HERE to join in the fun and so we can admire your garden of paper flowers!

Christmas Card Challenge #42: Distressingly Cute!

Stamps: Magnolia. Cardstock: textured black, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Long rectangle Nestabilities and snowflake dies, twill and organdy ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, distressing tool.

When I was asked to be a Guest Designer for this week's Christmas Card Challenge over at Sparkle's Creations, I jumped at the chance -- I love this challenge blog! Not only is Sparkle one of the nicest bloggers and most impressive Copic artists, but the Design Team inspiration is always stellar. All this and I feel productive, too -- by playing along, I actually complete the majority of my Christmas cards well before the holiday mailing season! Now actually getting them out in the mail on time is a completely different matter....

One amazing card kit with Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge plus Sketch and Stash Challenge #44 equals the perfect inspiration for this card!

This week's challenge is to create a distressed Christmas card. As soon as I received this amazing card kit from my talented stamping buddy Angela (Just Monkeying Around), I knew the vintage flavor of the ingredients would be perfect for the theme. Thanks for the inspiration and an awesome kit, Angela!

Vintage/distressed/grunge is one of those styles that I always admire, but never feel comfortable with my own attempts. Perfectionism aside, I decided to give all the distressing techniques a try for this card: I shredded edges, crumpled paper, inked edges, and tore paper. Did I miss anything?

This little caroler is still a cutie, though, and doesn't seem distressed at all:


I even remembered to decorate the inside, sticking the distressed theme:

Isn't this kit amazing? And I didn't even use half of the supplies included! If you are interested in a Magnolia Card Kit Swap, check out Charlene's (scrappygma on SCS) current kit swap.

Be sure to stop by the Christmas Card Challenge and admire the Design Team's great take on the Distressed Christmas Card theme!

Paper Pretties' Sneak Peek: Cutest Witch Ever!

Stamps: Paper Pretties 'Witch Sophia'. Cardstock: Paper Studio DP, GP 110 white, black. Ink: Copics. Accessories: SU scallop border punch, circle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart bat punch, Stardust glitter pen.

Welcome to the first day of Paper Pretties September sneak peeks! Paper Pretties will be releasing ten brand new exclusive stamp sets on September 24th, including this adorable 'Witch Sophia' which comes with this sentiment as well as 'Have a Wicked Night' and 'Witching You a Happy Halloween'.

The sketch inspiration for my card is Clean & Simple Fall-To sketch #107. Although this Sophia card is very colorful thanks to the fun Halloween DPs there are no extra layers involved! It's a great way to let this little cutie shine:

We'll celebrate the 24th with a Release Day Hop, but until then, you can check the Paper Pretties blog for two new sneak peeks every day. Then be sure to join us on the 24th for more creative inspiration and a chance to win the new releases!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge: Bring on the Bling!

Stamps: Paper Pretties sentiment from 'Lady Sophia'. Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Origins'. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: Kaiserkraft rhinestones, square Nestabilities, circle and mini flower punch, googly eyes.

Welcome to this week's Paper Pretties' Wednesday Challenge! This week's challenge is to 'Bring on the Bling' by using glitter dots, rhinestones, or pearls on your creations.

My goal was to use the rhinestones in a unique way, or at least something slightly different from my preferred method of using them to make Primas sparkle. Instead, I used rhinestones to make my frog prince shine:


The rhinestone use may be original (for me!), but the punched frog pattern came from HERE. The crown is actually cut out of the Basic Grey 'Origins' DP -- no creativity required!

The sketch is inspired by Midnight Madness Sketch #71, Clean and Simple style.

Be sure to enjoy the other Pretties' Gals interpretation of 'Bring on the Bling':
Cindy
Frances
Jana
Jane
Jackie
Jennifer
Pam
Wendy
Heather

Then link your creation HERE so we can admire your take on the sketch and enter your name for a chance to win a free Paper Pretties stamp! You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. If you upload to a public gallery please use the keyword PWC119.

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #59: Asian Influences

Stamps: Prairie Fairy 'The Geisha', SU 'Artfully Asian' sentiment. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey 'Kioshi' DP, GP 110 white. Ink: Copics, Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Papertrey chocolate satin ribbon, Nestabilities long rectangles and Label.

Welcome to Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #59! Here is our sketch for this week:

Our sponsor this week is Prairie Fairy Designs which provided this elegant 'The Geisha' image. I'll admit that I just don't do Asian themed projects well, having only Japanese restaurants and Shogun as my knowledge base, so I left he color and design up to Basic Grey by paper-piecing with 'Kioshi'.

For a great tutorial on digi paper piecing, check out Melissa's tutorial HERE. It's a step-by-step photo tutorial that will evenshow you how to save DP as well.

Be sure to admire the TMS Design Team's spin on this week's sketch:
Melissa
Angela
Theresa
Jacki
Hollyanne, Jr. DT

Then link up your creations HERE to join in the fun and so we can admire your take on the sketch!

Paper Pretties Birthday Blog Hop -- For Me!

Today the great gals on the Paper Pretties Design Team are hosting a birthday blog hop in my honor! Be sure to join in the fun and admire all the awesome birthday creations by starting at Frances' (Stamp Owl's Studio) blog!!

Thanks for helping me celebrate my birthday in true crafting style!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge: Brads or Eyelets

Stamps: Paper Pretties 'Beach Bum Cooper'. Cardstock: Real Red, Yoyo Yellow, Papertrey white, Memory Box 'Beach'. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilties, Heidi Grace brads.

Welcome to this week's Paper Pretties' Wednesday Challenge! Our challenge this week is to use brads or eyelets on your project. Midnight Madness Sketch #70 was the perfect inspiration because it already had the dots built right in!

Our weather is already turning more autumn-like (at least for now!), so I was definitely was in the mood for Opus Gluei challenge #70: Fair-well to Summer . See my bright fair or festival colors? And I'm already wistfully remembering pool fun. Memory sure beats the reality of chlorine-dried hair and sunburn!

Doesn't Cooper look like he knows how to enjoy the last bit of summer?

If you like bargains, you'll really appreciate this little Cooper -- the bare rubber set, including two sentiments is on clearance for only $5! The Heidi Grace brads used on my card are also a bargain at 80 pieces for $1.99.

Be sure to enjoy the other Pretties' Gals interpretation of 'Fun with Brads/Eyelets':
Cindy
Frances
Jana
Jane
Jackie
Jennifer
Pam
Wendy
Heather

Then link your creation HERE so we can admire your take on the sketch and enter your name for a chance to win a free Paper Pretties stamp! You do not need to use Paper Pretties stamps in order to play along, but if you do, you will get a bonus entry into the drawing! Please be sure to mention our challenge and link back to the Paper Pretties blog in your project posting. If you upload to a public gallery please use the keyword PWC118.

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #57: Cauldron Bubbles

Stamps: Glitterbabe's Art 'Cauldron'. Cardstock: Black, Green Galore, GP110 white, Paper Studio DP. Ink: Copics, Versamark. Accessories: Square Nestabilities, Kaleidoscope EP, Stitched orange grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart bat punch, Stardust glitter pen, green Stickles.

Welcome to this week's Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge!

For my card, I went with a Halloween theme and this fun image by our sponsor, Glitterbabe's Art. Doesn't this cauldron remind you of the quote, "Double, double toil and trouble/Fire burn, and cauldron bubble"?

The bubbles are courtesy of Stickles, and I added more sparkle with kaleidoscope EP on the side flourishes with Stardust pen accents for the stars and side doodles.

The inside sentment is by DRS Designs was the finishing touch, along with these bat punch accents. Thanks so much to my stamping buddy, Angela (Just Monkeying Around) for sending me this Martha Stewart punch!

Be sure to admire the TMS Design Team's spin on this week's sketch:
Melissa
Angela
Theresa
Jacki
Hollyanne, Jr. DT

Then link up your creations HERE to join in the fun and so we can admire your take on the sketch!

Happy Birthday, Pam!

Stamps: Paper Pretties 'Just Because Zac'. Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Textured white, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Cupcake'. Ink: Memento black, Real Red, Copics. Accessories: Long rectangle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart border punch.

Welcome to the Paper Pretties birthday hop to celebrate Pam's birthday! If you arriving here from Jennifer's (Glitter in My Hair) blog, then you are heading in the right direction. If you are just joining us, be sure to start the fun at Frances' (Stamp Owl's Studio) blog!

To be honest, I actually sent Pam a much more girly card complete with flowery DP and glitter. But for the blog hop, I was inspired by Mercy's Tuesday sketch #89 to use this fun 'Just Because Zac' stamp set and challenge myself to create a masculine birthday card. Although that great bouquet of flowers would make a Zac a hit with the girls, too, right?

Next stop on the blog hop is Wendy (Creations by Wendalyn) . Enjoy the hop and don't forget to leave birthday greetings for Pam (The Stamping Addict) at the hop finale!