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!

Tilda Shimmers and Sparkles!

Stamps: Magnolia 'Strawberry Tilda' and sentiment. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, ki memories DP 'Shimmery Juicy Summer', Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics, Certainly Celery, Rose Red. Accessories: Oval and circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Flower dies, primas, brads, Bazzill gingham ribbon.

It may be a little difficult to see in the full card photo, but this paper is extra fun because not only is it a perfect summer theme, but also very shimmery. I liked the shimmer so much that I paper pieced Tilda's pinafore and used the paper as flower die cuts, too:


This is the swap sample card for tackertwosome (Lena)'s Magnolia Card Kit Swap over on Splitcoast Stampers. These types of swaps are my favorite because instead of receiving completed cards, you receive kits with fun DPs, images, and embellishments to create a card in your own style with new supplies you may not have access to. The swap's due date is still a few months away, so there's plenty of time to join the fun!

The sketch that inspired this card is another great Tuesday Morning sketch. Be sure to check out this new blog because not only do they post a versatile sketch every week, but there are also prizes awarded for participating. Great sketches AND prizes -- my kind of blog!!

If you are in the mood for some Magnolia shopping at bargain prices, be sure to check out KL Stampin N Scrappin. Here's the latest special alert:

We are having a SALE, SALE, SALE ON MAGNOLIAS -- Up to 35% off on select Magnolia stamps to make room for the new Lazy Days of Summer Collection! Browse through our Magnolia stamps today!

** You can still use the coupon code Aug2009 to get the free PRIORITY shipping on any order of $50 or more, too!!

Now I'm off in search of a Copic marker organizer at bargain prices; any recommendations?

And the Winner is....

According to Random.org, the winning number to receive the gift set I created for the KLSNS Sparkly Blog Hop is:

#50

Eileen (leenk) said...
I love the gift set Jessica! Great job!!!

Congratulations, Eileen! I hope you enjoyed the blog hop; your gift set will be on its way soon!!

KLSNS Sparkly Blog Hop!

Congratulations to Eileen (leenk) whose number was drawn as the winner of this gift set!!

Welcome to the first KLSNS Blog Hop!

You should have arrived from Kelly's blog (Wishin I Was Stampin') and if not, you will want to start at the KLSNS DT blog so that you get all the words to complete the SPARKLY phrase at the end to be entered in the drawing to win the GRAND PRIZE!

Since I'm a big fan of gift sets, I decided to use Lauren Meader's template to create a 'Box Bag' (tutorial HERE) which is the current Stampavie challenge and can hold many different goodies:

Stamps: Stampavie (Lily - From the Heart), Papertrey (Birthday Basics). Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Bittersweet', Textured Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink, Papertrey white, SU Coated white pinstripe. Ink: Memento black, Riding Hood Red, Copic markers. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, brads, iridescent EP, Hero gemstones, Stardust glitter pen, Dress it Up crystal petals, satin bow.

The Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' DP is perfect for paper piecing Lily's dress -- you get an intricate pattern without the effort of coloring! I couldn't resist adding in a touch more sparkle with Stardust glitter pen accents, gemstones, and these fun crystal flowers sent to me by a sweet friend (thanks, Tina!):

Have you admired the glitter brads, but thought they were a bit pricey? Or just not had the perfect coordinating color available? I wanted sparkly brads to go with this project, but my plain red brads were a bit too red. Putting on my McGuyver hat, I pressed the brads into a Versamark pad, dipped them in iridescent glitter EP and heat embossed them to form a darker, glittery version:

To tuck into the gift box, I created another of my favorites: a mini comp book and coordinating beaded pen (Emily's pen tutorial HERE):

Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Tag', Papertrey 'Mailbox Messages'. Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Bittersweet', Textured Chocolate Chip, GP110 white, Pretty in Pink, SU Coated white pinstripe. Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers, Riding Hood Red. Accessories: Nestabilities Label 1, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, white prima, Making Memories crystal brad, RSVP pen, microbeads, glitter.

This sketch is from a great new site I found, Clean and Simple Stamping. Tilda's dress is paper-pieced with SU's Coated White Pinstripe DP to add extra shimmer:

I sprinkled glitter over the pen following microbead application to fill in any tiny open areas and add just a bit more sparkle. The glitter is much more impressive in real life, but here's a little bit more detail:

***My word for you is 'CREATE' and from here you'll want to make your way over to Cheryl's blog (Sweeet Designs by Cheryl).

Reminder: you must leave a comment on the DT blog and all DT member blogs to be eligible for the GRAND SPARKLY prize along with sending the correct phrase to steinrn@yahoo.com with the KLSNS SPARKLES in the subject by 9pm Saturday August 8th.

We would love for you to join us and make your own Sparkly creation - if you post it on your blog with a link to the KLSNS design team blog (leave us a comment there) and we'll enter you again. Plus, who knows what Kelly has up her sleeve, she could be giving away some other surprise "blog candies" so be sure to leave some luv everywhere! (wink!)

And that's not all ...

Leave a comment here and I'll draw a random winner to receive the gift box, altered mini comp book and beaded pen above!

Enjoy the rest of the hop!!