Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #70: Collector's Edition

Stamps:  Papertrey 'Studio Style' sentiments.  Cardstock:  Kraft, My Mind's Eye DP, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip.  Ink:  Chocolate Chip.  Accessories:  Pixie Petals crocheted flowers and ribbon, long rectangle Nestabilities, CM circle cutter.

Welcome to Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge #70! 

This week's sponsor is Pixie Petals who provided beautiful crocheted flowers which coordinated beautifully with this week's sketch:
In this photo you can see the fine detail of the blooms as well as a hint of the glitter from the sparkly thread :

This card is also entered in the Top Tip Tuesday challenge #12:  Anything Goes because I used anything and everything (almost!) in the embellishment category!

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

Hollyanne, Jr. DT
Tiya, November GDT

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

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Paper Pretties' Wednesday Challenge: Clean and Simple!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties 'Snowflakes', sentiment from 'O Christmas Tree'.  Cardstock:  GP110 white, Soft Sky, Night of Navy.  Ink:  Night of Navy.  Accessories:  SU scallop border punch, Stardust glitter pen.

Welcome to Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!


This week we are challenging you to go clean and simple.  What could be more appropriate than using the  Fall-To sketch challenge #117 from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog?  And I combined with with one of my all-time favorite Pretties' sets, 'Snowflakes' accented with glitter pen highlights for this week's Whimsie Doodles' challenge #58 theme, 'Let It Snow'.

Be sure to enjoy the other Pretties' Gals CAS cards:

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 PWC129.

**Paper Pretties will be having a Thanksgiving sale from Thursday-Sunday ...15% off entire order using coupon code GIVETHANKS!

**Last few hours to apply for the Paper Pretties' Design Team!  Heather has a DT call going on now for both the regular Design Team and a brand new Digi Design Team, so check out all the information in this Design Team Call post to find out how you can become a Prettie Girl.  Our Design Team call will be open until Wednesday November 24th at 5PM CST. We welcome ALL APPLICANTS, you DO NOT need to have prior Design Team experience or publications to apply! 


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketch #69: Happy Bird-day!

 Stamps:  Doodle Pantry digi 'Birthday Birdie'.  Cardstock:  Pink Pirouette, Paper Studio 'Cupcake', DCWV 'Sweet Glitter Mat Stack'.  Ink:  Copics.  Accessories:  square Nestabilities, pink grosgrain ribbon, SU scallop border punch, Bella dots.

Welcome to Tuesday Morning Sketch #69!  Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry who provided these fun images!  Here's our sketch for this week:


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

Hollyanne, Jr. DT
Tiya, November GDT

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

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Happy Birthday, ARTish!

 Stamps:  Paper Pretties digi 'Balloons For You', 'Everyday Lily' sentiment.  Cardstock:  Textured white, black, My Mind's Eye 'Party Time glitter DP'.  Ink:  Copics, Versafine black.  Accessories:  Circle nestabilities, SU word windo punch, green satin ribbon.

Happy Birthday, ARTish!

Paper Pretties is hosting a blog hop to celebrate our very own digi artist's birthday!  If you are arriving here from Jana (Jana's Creative Pursuits in Stamping)'s blog, then you are heading in the right direction.  If you are just joining the fun, be sure to start at Cindy (Cindy Haffner's Corner)'s  blog so you won't miss a single celebratory stop!

In honor of ARTish's birthday, Paper Pretties is holding an early release of her digi images for this week.  And to hold to the theme, they are birthday images, like this fun 'Balloons For You':

Sketch inspiration is courtesy of Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #100.  In honor of this sketch milestone, sketch #100 is a prize sketch, so be sure to join in the fun there, too!

**Next stop on the birthday blog hop is Pam's (The Stamping Addict) blog.

And don't forget to stop by ARTish's blog (All Things ARTistic) to wish her a very happy birthday!!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Paper Pretties' Wednesday Challenge: Thank You!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties' 'Thanks Snow Much Sophia'.  Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Real Red, Papertrey white, DCWV 'Winter Mat Stack' DP.  Ink:  Memento, Copics, Real Red.  Accessories:  Circle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Snowflakes, red gems, SU scallop border punch, Stardust glitter pen, SU felt ribbon.


This week we are challenging you to create a thank you card -- perfect for increasing your supply prior to the holiday gift-giving season!

'Thanks Snow Much Sophia' is the latest in the exclusive Sophia line  drawn by the talented Joni Stringfield.  She comes complete with  five different phrases that can be combined to form several snowy sentiments and looks perfect surrounded by sparkle-enhanced snowflakes:


Sketch inspiration is courtesty of Sweet Stop Sketch # 82.

Be sure to enjoy the other Pretties' Gals thank you cards:

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 PWC128.

**How would you like to join the Paper Pretties' Design Team?  Heather has a DT call going on now for both the regular Design Team and a brand new Digi Design Team, so check out all the information in this Design Team Call post to find out how you can become a Prettie Girl.  Our Design Team call will be open until Wednesday November 24th at 5PM CST. We welcome ALL APPLICANTS, you DO NOT need to have prior Design Team experience or publications to apply! 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tuesday Morning Challenge: It's Cupcake Time!

 Stamps:  Hero Arts 'Cupcake', Martha Stewart sentiment. Cardstock:  Textured green, Papertrey white. Ink:  Memento black, Copics.  Accessories:  Nestabilities Label one, red satin ribbon, glitter gel pen.

Welcome to this week's Tuesday Morning Challenge

Our challenge this week is to create a project featuring a cupcake; it can be a card with a cupcake image, a real cupcake masterpiece, or a faux cupcake like the ornament I created using a styrofoam ball and mini terra cotta pot:


Doesn't this treat look almost good enough to eat? I found the tutorial HERE on one of my all-time favorite crafting sites, FavCrafts.com.

Our sponsor this week is Sparkle Creations.   Sparkle is offering the perfect prize to one lucky challenge participant -- the adorable 'Cupcake Ruby' stamp! 

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

Hollyanne, Jr. DT
Tiya, November GDT

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

Monday, November 15, 2010

Sometimes You Have to Kiss a Few Frogs....

Stamps:  Tiddly Inks digi 'Froggie Thoughts'.  Cardstock:  Textured white, Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey 'Sugar Rush'.  Ink:  Copics.  Accessories:  Oval and long rectangle Nestabilities, pink satin ribbon.

... to find your perfect Prince!

Tiddly Inks Challenge #29 is about Perfect Fall Princes and Princesses -- I went the prequel route and decided to feature this hilarious little frog! 

This 'Froggie Thoughts' set comes with not only this image and sentiment, but also another five sentiments and all for $1.  It's an awesome way to try out the world of digis!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Merry and Bright!

Stamps:  Whimsie Doodles digi, Papertrey Ink 'Signature Christmas' sentiment.  Cardstock:  Textured green, red, Basic Grey 'Fruitcake', GP 110 white.  Ink:  Copics, Versamark.  Accessories:  white EP, circle Nestabilties, white satin snowflake ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, silver cording, red button.

Whimsie Doodles Challenge #57 is 'Button It Up!, so I thought this sweet ginger angel would be perfect with her buttons on the hem of her dress and an extra button element on this fun sketch, Mercy Tuesday Sketch Challenge #99! 

In fact, I had so much fun with this sketch that I decided to let it inspire a second card using supplies sent to me by my Secret Sister on a Splitcoast Stamper's Card Kit swap.  My sis sent me all these goodies, including the cardstock, DP, and felt tree die cut. She actually sent me much, much more, enough for several more cards -- stay tuned for those!  Thanks, Sis!!


Topic inspiration from this card started out from Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge #49 which featured a beautiful holiday decorated room in a sort of vintage style.  I used Icicle Stickles to try and simulate a snowy effect on the tree, but it didn't really come out as expected.  It's still a neat effect, but not really snowy -- any suggestions?

Two more finished cards for my Christmas stash -- now if I could only be so prepared in the gift department!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Paper Pretties' November Release Blog Hop!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties 'Best Friends'.  Cardstock:  Rich Razzleberry, Basic Grey 'Lemonade', Papetrey white.  Ink:  Memento black, Copics, Versamark.  Accessories:  Rectangle Nestabilites, SU scallop border punch, black EP, Basic Grey 'Lemonade' brads, satin ribbon.

Welcome to Paper Pretties' November release blog hop! 

We are featuring 7 brand new sets showcased by our Prettie Gals and several amazing guest artists you just might recognize, too!  If you are arriving here from Carolyn (My Blog by Cammie)'s blog, then you are heading in the rightdirection.  If you are just joining the fun, be sure to start at the Paper Pretties' blog so you won't miss a single fun stop!

'Best Friends' by Victoria Case is the set I'm featuring.  Even though this adorable duo is the newest addition to the Teen Scene line, wouldn't these gals be perfect for girlfriends of any age?

Sketch inspiration was Taylored Expressions sketch #133.  I was also inspired by the Whimsie Doodles' recent tutorial on Coloring Hair with Copics and decided to give it a try; the brunette's hair turned out nice, but I may need a little more practice with blondes!


**Next stop on the blog hop is Jane (Whoopsie Daisy)'s blog .
Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Paper Pretties: Birthdays, Challenges, and More Sneak Peeks!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties 'Everyday Sentiments'.  Cardstock: Cool Caribbean, Night of Navy, textured white.  Ink:  Cool Caribbean, Night of Navy.  Accessories:  3/4" circle punch, UTEE.

Happy Birthday, Jennifer!!

Welcome to Paper Pretties' Wednesday Challenge:  Emboss It!  where we also happen to be celebrating fellow DT member, Jennifer (Glitter in My Hair)'s birthday, and having sneak peeks today for another soon-to-be-released Paper Pretties' stamp set, 'Everyday Sentiments'!!  If you are arriving here from Jane's blog (Whoopsie Daisy), then you are heading in the right direction.  If you are just jumping into the hop, start at the Paper Pretties' blog so you won't miss a single stop on our birthday blog hop!

Don't you love sentiments?  I collect them with a passion, so I was thrilled to see 'Everyday Sentiments' with nine versatile sayings and four fun spots to go with them.  I knew right away that I wanted to use Clean & Simple's Fall-To sketch #114 which would be perfect for using the 'Celebrate' sentiment in  honor of Jennifer's birthday.  Unfortunately, embossing and white paper so not mix well for me, or maybe they mix too well -- no matter how much I pat my little ant-static bag, I get stray embossed dots.  Sometimes I can pretend like I meant to do this by adding in some more dots for country/distressed feel (see THIS CARD) or I can decide to completely change my project after ruining two card bases. 

I chose the second option and went with creating my own brads out of the fun circles included in this set.  Stamp circles, punch out shapes, add Versamark, dip in Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), and repeat last two steps about five times.  Here's my results:


My other favorite embossing techniques are dry embossing  and good old fashioned embossing, as long as it's light colored EP, like this sparkly 'Winter Wonderland':

 Have you seen these new Basic Grey embossing folders by Sizzix? Love them! Doesn't this 'Powdered Sugar' folder have a texture that reminds you of a cozy Nordic sweater?

 Here's a detail of my sparkly white embossed snowflakes which don't seem quite so sparkly on the computer screen. Oh well, at least the stray embossing powder dots don't stand out, either!

The fun colors in this winter card is inspired by Really Reasonable Ribbon challenge #11, Winter theme - use blues, whites, and silvers.

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 PWC127.

**Next stop on the birthday blog hop is Pam's (The Stamping Addict) blog.

And don't forget to stop by Jennifer's blog, Glitter in My Hair' to wish her a very happy birthday!!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Tuesday Morning Sketch #67: Oval Dahlias


Stamps:  Tiffany Doodles digi 'Dahlia with Oval'.  Cardstock:  Kiwi Kiss, GP110, DCWV 'Citrus Glitter Stack' DP.  Ink:  Copics.  Accessories:  Oval Nestabilities, Martha Stewart scallop border punch, orange satin ribbon.

Welcome to Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge #67!  Here's our sketch for this week:


Our sponsor for this week is Tiffany's Doodles who generously donated this fun 'Dahlia with Oval' digi set.  The set not only comes with the oval image above that is perfectly sized for oval Nestablities, but also contains another image of a bouquet of Dahlias in a vase.

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

Hollyanne, Jr. DT
Tiya, November GDT

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

Monday, November 8, 2010

More Paper Pretties Sneak Peeks and Card Positioning System Sponsorship!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties 'Best Friends'.  Cardstock:  Melon Mambo, Papertrey white, DWWV 'Party Time' glitter DP.  Ink:  Memento black, versamark, Copics.  Accessories:  Long rectangle and circle Nestabilities, Melon Mambo dotted grosgrain ribbon, black EP.

Welcome to Day 4 of Paper Pretties November stamp release sneak peeks and the official sponsorship of Card Positioning Systems Card Sketch #192!

Here's our CPS Sketch #192, which was definitely a challenge for someone as square-minded as myself!


And here's a close up of Victoria Case's newest addition to Paper Pretties' Teen Scene, 'Best Friends':


'Best Friends' comes with six different phrases, perfect for teen lingo.  Or you can use the all-purpose 'Did you hear..' sentiment and pair it with any computer-generated sentiment of your choosing as I did to create a birthday theme for a friend:


Play along with CPS #192 and don't forget to check out on the Paper Pretties' Blog to be sure you don't miss a single preview.  Remember, one lucky commenter on the new sets is chosen each day and will be announced on Friday!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Paper Pretties Sponsors CPS!

Check out the Paper Pretties' blog today for Day 3 of the November Release sneak peeks and for details on our sponsorship of Card Postitioning Systems Card Sketch #192

I'll be back tomorrow with my CPS card; I kinda jumped the gun and ended up trying to preview a new stamp set before its preview -- oops!

Check out on the Paper Pretties' Blog to be sure you don't miss a single preview.  Remember, one lucky commenter is chosen each day and will be announced on Friday!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Paper Pretties November Sneak Peek: Get Well Violet!

Stamps:  Paper Pretties 'Get Well Violet'.  Cardstock:  Almost Amethyst, Basic Grey, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Sugar Rush'.  Ink:  Memento black, Copics.  Accessories:  Long rectangle Nestabilities, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, green satin ribbon.

Welcome to the Paper Pretties' November Sneak Peeks!

November's sneak peeks premiered yesterday and will continue with a new set featured every day the grand finale Release Blog Hop on Friday.  Be sure to check out the new releases all week because one random lucky commenter each preview day will win the set being previewed! 

Get Well Violet is the set previewing today.  Violet is the newest addition to the exclusive Victoria Case line of fairies at Paper Pretties to make sure you have a little magic for any holiday or occasion.  Isn't Violet a sweet way to bring a smile to a pal who may have 'caught a bug'?
The card sketch was inspired by Mojo Monday week #163.

'Get Well Violet'  comes with three sentiments, including this one featured on the inside of the card:


Check out on the Paper Pretties' Blog to be sure you don't miss a single preview.  Remember, one lucky commenter is chosen each day and will be announced on Friday!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Birthdays, Coffee, and Chocolate!


Stamps:  High Hopes 'Sleepy Bear', Stampendous sentiment.  Cardstock:  Lovely Lilac, Papertrey white, Paper Studio DP.  Ink:  Memento black, Copics, Lovely Lilac.  Accessories:  Rectangle Nestabilties, ribbon, gem brad.

Ever had one of those mornings when one cup of coffee just isn't enough?  That's me on a regular basis which is why I love this Stampendous sentiment.  And when my Splitcoast buddy, Momma Patti, sent me this fun High Hopes stamp, I knew they would be the perfect pair!

Not only did Patti send me this stamp, but she also included lots of other goodies including spools of ribbon and gemstone brads.  Thanks again, friend!

How did I respond?  Not very quickly.  As you can tell by the decorated candy bar below, I ended up being belated in my birthday wishes:

I'm starting to think I need to toss all my birthday sentiments and invest in a few more 'belated birthday' stamps like this one from Papertrey!

All is forgiven with chocolate, though, right?  And it goes perfectly with Opus Gluei challenge #78:  Trick or Treat.  Be sure to stop by this always smile-inducing blog because the current challenge also involves a treat for one lucky participant!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

If You Give a Mouse a Cupcake...

Stamps:  Stampabilities 'Birthday Cupcake', Papertrey 'Birthday Basics'.  Cardstock:  Textured white, Baja Breeze, DCWV' Glitter Sweet' DP, Papertrey white.  Ink:  Memento black, Copics.  Accessories:  Rectangle Nestabilities, Baja Breeze corduroy button, silver cording.

...he'd obviously be ecstatic!  You may have seen this image used once or twice before (or more like many times!) on my blog, but it's just so darn fun, especially with a paper pieced liner and a bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter accenting the frosting:


The sketch is courtesy of the ever-talented Mercy with Tuesday Sketch Challenge #98.  I'm kind of impressed that I actually created a card without ribbon, but the DP was a perfect substitute and patterned better than any of the scads of ribbon I have in my possession!

Wishing you a cupcake kind of day!