Flowers and the Bee Tilda

Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Bee', Papertrey 'Flower Garden Sentiments'. Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey 'Sugared', GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Chocolate Chip, Copics. Accessories: Long rectangle and oval Nestabilities, mustard grosgrain ribbon, Stardust glitter pen.

I'm sliding in under the wire for the latest Roses on Paper blog challenge because today is the final day to play. Challenge #14 is to combine challenges from other blogs and also add Primas. This card is based on the Mojo Monday week 93 sketch and also uses Copics to color the wooden bench which is the current Copic Creations blog challenge. Now that's what a I call a multi-tasking card!

Be sure to check out the newest addition to Roses on Paper, the Belles and Whistles line designed by Elisabeth Bell. Sneak peeks of this brand new line of stamps will be showcased on the Belles and Whistles blog beginning tomorrow, July 1st!

DRS Challenge #24: Dazzling Diamonds

Stamps by DRS Designs: Flower Border H1076; Backgrounds Large Original Plaid P641, Stars H124, 3 Leaf H534, Sparkle sentiment H956. Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Papertrey white. Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Memento black, Old Olive, Copics. Accessories: SU scallop punch, white taffeta ribbon, Long rectangle Nestabilities, Dazzling Diamonds dust, Versamark, Stardust glitter pen.

Today's challenge on the DRS blog is to create a project featuring the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique (tutorial HERE). For this card, I created my own embossing powder by mixing Dazzling Diamonds glitter with clear EP, a tip learned from the very creative ladies on the DRS Design team. The sketch is based on a Mojo Monday sketch which I never seem to complete during the appropriate week, but eventually end up using all of the month's worth at once; this sketch is from week 85.

Dazzling Diamond Dust one of those easy techniques with major 'Wow!' factor, but like all sparkly projects, it is much more impressive in real life. Here's a closer detail photo where you can see the sparkle a little better:

Isn't it funny that a favorite stamping color is not always the same color normally considered a favorite color? I use Purely Pomegranate a lot in stamping projects, possible even more than my 'true' favorite color, blue. DRS Designs is also sponsoring a Favorite Color challenge this week at the Pink Elephant Challenge Blog so you can show off your favorite stamping color!

For the next card featuring one of the newest releases, I used pre-made EP, but I think the resulting sparkle is very similar:

Stamps by DRS Designs: To the Moon H1001, Successful Future Sentiment G850. Cardstock: white textured, Summer Sun. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Iridescent EP.

Be sure to stop by the DRS Designs blog to view the other Design Team Members' dazzling cards and play along for a chance to win DRS stamps. Create a card featuring your favorite color for the Pink Elephant challenge and you have a second chance to win stamps!

New SheetLoad Feature!

SheetLoads' sketches work for all levels or styles of cardmaking and now there's a new feature to demonstrate this versatility. Be sure to check out the first edition of Simple, Special, Stunning which showcases cards and projects created on three different levels from exactly based on the sketch to the more dressed up version to the no holds barred result. My turn to create for this fun post will be in the July issue!

There's still time to participate in Show Us Your SheetLoad and Shout Out to SheetLoad before the July issue debuts on Wednesday!

Stamping Bella Birthday Blog Hop!

Happy Birthday to Emily (AKA Emabella), the birthday girl of the day!!
Welcome to the Bella Birthday Hop! If you arriving here from Stampin with Julie, then you are heading in the correct direction. If this is your first stop, be sure to go back to the Emily's blog (Bloggabella) so you don't miss a single birthday celebration!!

Stamps by Stamping Bella: Phoebe Ketto, Cakeabella, Fairy Happy Birthday sentiment. Cardstock: Sugarplum Paperie 'Paper Daisies', Papertrey white, GP110 white, textured Sage Shadow. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, SU scallop border punch, pink organdy ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Bella anniversary dots.

Although a card is great, what birthday is complete without a piece of birthday cake? And if you can't share the real deal, this adorable gift box by Kit Franken (tutorial HERE) is the next best thing -- especially if filled with chocolates!

All the Designer Paper on these projects are from a free digital pack donated by the Sugarplum Paperie to participants in PaperCrafts' Stamping Out Alzheimers fundraiser a few weeks back. These papers are gorgeous and so easy to print out more in the exactly the size needed. I used a wee bit to paper piece Phoebe's dress:

Next stop on the Bella Blog Hop, Skip and Dance is Terri's blog: Paper, Scissors, Stamps ... ROCK!

Remember to wish our birthday girl, Em, the happiest of days!!

Baby Buggies

Stamps: C.C. Designs' 'Gingersnap Oh Baby'. Cardstock: White, Blue Bayou, So Saffron, Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics. Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, white star brads.

Now that I have the 'Rubber baby buggy bumpers' tongue twister stuck in my head, I thought I'd share!

Tongue twisters aside, isn't this a cute image from C. C. Designs? Thanks so much to my stamping buddy, Kelly, for sending this image and several others from the just released 'Gingersnap Oh Baby' stamp set.

This card is based on the KLSNS June Challenge sketch designed by our very own Sparkle over on Papercraft Planet -- you still have time to join the fun! Upload your card to the challenge and you may win this month's prize, a mystery stamp and pack of Basic Grey 'Lime Rickey' DP.

Have you visited PaperCraft Planet yet? It's a relatively new site, and membership is easy and free. They have a wide variety of challenges and since it's still in the growing phase, competition for prizes is less intense. It has several different groups with specific stamp company or stamping technique interests. Besides KLSNS, one of my favorites is the 3-D Tuesday Challenge which posts a new project (with tutorial or instructions) every Tuesday.

Happy stamping and watch out for those tongue twisters!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in my life!

Here are the cards I created for these three unique men. The first card is based on Sweet Sunday Sketch #21. I received this image from LittleKel90 through WRAK and used chalks to accent the scene:

Stamps: SU 'Noble Deer', Clear Artistic Stamps 'I'm Just Saying'. Cardstock: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, DP from SU's Simply Scrappin' 'Tailor-Made'. Ink: Close to Cocoa, Blue Bayou. Accessories: blue brads, square punch, chalks.

The second card also features the Simply Scrappin' Tailor-Made kit, but is based on the Fiskar's sketch which is also this month's WRAK sketch challenge. There are actually no stamps used on this card; the sentiment is a rub-on. Thanks going out to WRAKers for the Chocolate chip and Sahara Sand cardstock supplies:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, SP from SU's Simply Scrappin Tailor-Made kit. Accessories: Papertrey Chocolate satin ribbon, blue ribbon unknown source, circle punch, 'Chit Chat' rub ons, Spellbinders' 'Standard Tag'.

For my last card, I used the WRAK 'super' color challenge and cardstock provided by my WRAK friends, the sketch by Friday Sketchers and the image, gingham and handcrafted pizza from leenk (Eileen)'s card kit. I'm planning to tuck a gift card to my step-dad's favorite pizza chain inside:

Stamp: Stampabilities Gruffies. Cardstock: Textured white, Real Red, Summer Sun, Pacific Point, GP110. Ink: Versafine. Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, turpenoid, oval Nesties, yellow brads.

Wishing all the dads out there a super Father's Day!

Caught a Bug?

Stamps: Magnolia 'Ladybug Tilda', smARTworks' ladybug sentiment. Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' DP. Ink: Memento black, copics. Accessories: Circle and Ribbon Tags Trio Nestabilities, Basic Grey Bittersweet brads, organdy ribbon.

This Tilda is one of my all-time favorites -- not only is she adorable, but since she's holding a ladybug, I can use all my ladybug sentiments with her like this 'caught a bug' one from smARTworks!

The layout is based on Sparkle's sketch for this month's KL Stampin n Scrappin challenge over on the PaperCraft site. Try out this fun sketch and link it to the challenge for your chance to win a stamp AND Basic Grey DP.

Tilda's pinafore is paper pieced because I just didn't have the 'right' color pink to match the DP -- I can't wait to receive my new Copics from KLSNS! Be sure to check out the great variety of colors Kelly has available for pre-order.

The June special at KLSNS: Spend $25 get $5 off your order or Spend $50 and get $10 off your order! Combine this all Nestabilities in stock at 15% discount and you have quite the bargain!!

Happy stamping and hope all the bugs in your life are as cute as Tilda's ladybug.

DRS Designs Challenge # 23: Buckle Down!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Swirling Dots Butterfly, Design Dots, Small Open Silhouette Butterfly, Flutter, Flutter Birthday sentiment. Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Kiwi Kiss. Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Kiwi Kiss. Accessories: Organdy ribbon.

Today's challenge on the DRS blog is to create a card using the Big Buckle Technique. This card has a special flap closure that makes it a refreshing change from the traditional A2 card. You can find a full photo tutorial on SplitcoastStampers HERE.

The card opens up to reveal plenty of space for a personal message:

This technique is fun and relatively simple; I even used it as my contribution to the Jessica Lynn Originals Card Swap hosted by blusky on SplitcoastStampers. The paw print card was the prototype, but I ended up going with the Yorkie version:

Stamps by Jessica Lynn Originals: Yorkie, Dog sentiment, Paw Print. Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip Print Patterns DP, textured red, GP 110 white. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Memento black, Copics. Accessories: blue dotted organdy, Word window punch, circle punches and Nestabilities, mini prima, red gemstone .

Give the Big Buckle technique a try and be sure to link your creation to the DRS Challenge #23 post for a chance to win blog candy!

Fun with the Cutting Cafe and SheetLoads!

SheetLoads has an intersite promo running from June 7-21st with the Cutting Cafe, Bitten by the Bug, and ShortCuts. All four sites offer unique crafting services, but work wonderfully together!


Isn't this a perfect summer gift set? The images are printable stamps provided by the Cutting Cafe. The Cafe has an amazing selection of digital images -- be sure to check out this informational thread for everything you need to know about using digital images from re-sizing to using them to create rub-ons. Being a complete novice with the digital format, it was just what I needed to shrink these fun images down to the perfect size for my cards.

The stationery box is an easy-to-follow template also available at Cutting Cafe; I cut out the rectangle on the top and replaced it with acetate. The acetate is recycled from previously purchased acrylic stamps, but high quality sheets are also available from ShortCuts. The opening is the perfect size to view the card set inside which is based on the layout from the June SheetLoad issue:

Stamps: Cutting Cafe (Fruit Greetings). Cardstock: Stampin Up (Real Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Summer Picnic), Georgia Pacific (110 # white). Inks: Copics. Accessories: Offray (red gingham ribbon), Stampin Up (scallop border punch), brads.

Be sure to stop by the SheetLoads' blog for links to all the Design Team projects for this intersite challenge!

Show Us Your SheetLoad!

Create a card using the sketch from the June SheetLoad issue and be entered into a drawing to win a $20 gift certificate to the Angel Company!

Read THIS SheetLoad post for full details.

Good luck!

So the Saying Goes...

**If you are looking for the Blog Hop post, scroll down or click HERE. Don't forget you still have until Saturday at 7 am EST to view all the Design Team projects and leave a comment for your chance at the blog candy stamp sets!

DRS Designs is sponsoring this week's Cute Card Thursday challenge which is so appropriately themed 'Quotations', a challenge to create a card showcasing a sentiment. Here are a few of my favorites from DRS. First, a sympathy-for-those-frustrating-days card:

Stamps by DRS Designs: Chew the Restraints G051, Vicki's Versatile Background H369. Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Cool Caribbean. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean. Accessories: twine.

Next, an uplifting sentiment card:

Stamps: Creating Yourself H558, Lots of Lines Background H366, Leo the Dancing Pig D718. Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, black, Purely Pomegranate, Papertrey white, vellum. Ink: Memento black, Pretty in Pink, Copics. Accessories: scallop border punch, white orandy ribbon, Long rectangle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Stardust glitter pen.

Who said pigs can't fly? It's all in how you create yourself. For Leo's wings, I used the Martha Stewart butterfly punch and then accented them with a clear glitter pen:

Be sure to check out all the DRS sentiments -- they carry the whole spectrum from humorous to deeply moving wording. They definitely have something to say!

DRS Blog Hop, Stop #9

Welcome to the DRS Blog Hop! If you arriving here from Dawn's blog (Amusing Musings and Things), then you are headed in the correct direction. If this is your first stop, be sure to go back to Vicki/Stamped Smiles to see all the projects created with new releases. Leave comments along the way for a chance to win some new releases, your choice of a full set of coffee images or golf images!

When I first saw the latest releases I did a happy dance to see my favorite category of stamps featured -- coffee stamps and sentiments. And what a great combination of images and sentiments!!

Stamps by DRS Designs: Coffee Trio, Espressoly sentiment, Thin Plaid. Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Bayout Blue. Ink: Bayour Blue, Copics. Accessories: Dotted ribbon, brad, liquid applique, Stardust glitter pen.

The line images are perfect for coloring techniques and this would also be an easy image to divide into single coffee cups for smaller projects or focal points. I used a glitter pen to embellish these mugs with sparkly steam and added liquid applique 'foam':


Hope you've enjoyed the new releases as much as we have!

Now it's time to hop to the final stop, the DRS Designs Blog!!

Tilda is Flyin' By

Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda as a Dragonfly', My Sentiments Exactly 'Birdie Sentiments'. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Barely Banana, Papertrey white, Basic Grey 'Two Scoops' and 'Lily Kate', vellum. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics. Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, wire, Stardust glitter pen, white gel pen, Wasabi double-stitched ribbon, green brads.

This card is based on this month's Magnolia-licious sketch challenge and Roses on Paper's color challenge. Don't they work well together?

Roses on Paper is hosting a Guest Designer Call for their new Belles and Whistles site. Be sure to stop by the Belles and Whistles' blog to learn more about this new store and see sneak peeks of an adorable new line of stamps they will be carrying!

I wanted to pop Tilda off a deeper colored background, but by cutting out the image, I lost the antennae. So, Tilda ended up with gold wire antennae as a replacement and I think they suit her even better. I also upgraded her wings to a more sparkly vellum version:

**Don't forget that all Nestabilities at KL Stampin N Scrappin are discounted 15% off while supplies last. Factor in the $5 discount on a $25 purchase or $10 off a $50 purchase and you have quite the bargain!!

Tilda's Note Gift Set

Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Lilacs', Papertrey 'Flower Garden Sentiments'. Cardstock: Basic Grey 'Wisteria', Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, Papertrey white. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics. Accessories: SU Three Flower punch, Nestabilities, Flower Soft Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, sticky notes.

Magnolia-licious sponsored their first ever blog hop last Friday, the Summer Notes Blog Hop. Design Team members featured their amazing projects and also challenged hoppers to create a post-it holder and gift bag of their own.

I decided to give my set as a gift to a friend, so I added a coordinating beaded pen.

The layout on the post-it holder is this week's sketch challenge on Just Magnolia, done in miniature 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" scale.

Here's the gift bag with the post-its and pen tucked inside. I thought the gift bag/box would be cute as a desk top accessory after the contents had been removed:

Tutorials to the post it holder and gift bag are provided, so be sure to check out this post for details and links to see all the Design Team creations.

Cute Card Thursday: Chocolate Punch?

Stamps: DRS Designs (Chocolate sentiment to be released 6/19/09, Thin Plaid P641, Chocolate Chip background H361). Ink: Stampin' Up (Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate). Cardstock: Stampin' Up (Purely Pomegranate, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink), vellum. Accessories: Punches.

SheetLoads' sister site, ShortCuts, is sponsoring this week's Cute Card Thursday challenge. Challenge #63 is to create a card with punches or die cuts. Since I don't currently own any die cut machine, I decided to create my own die cuts using the many punches I do own.

This soon-to-be-released chocolate sentiment by DRS Designs reminded me of the best chocolate I've ever had -- a box of real Belgian chocolate truffles sent to me by a friend stationed there. Here's how I created my own paper version of Belgian truffles:

1) Mini octagons were punched out of a crimped strip of vellum. I then used zig zag scissors to cut the octagons in half, creating a candy paper.

2) The chocolates are circles punched out of cardstock and then trimmed to fit the wrappers. Sprinkles on top were mini dot and slot punch leftovers, but glitter would be a fun touch, too.

The sketch is from this month's SheetLoad issue which you can download free HERE.

**QUICK NOTES: KL Scrappin N Stampin is now offering all Nestabilities at 15% off and Cuttlebug folders in stock at 25% off to make room for incoming inventory like the Copic markers and Inkadinkado sentiments. Magnolia's Pet Collection is now available for pre-order, too! Plus, when you spend $25 you get $5 off or spend $50 and get $10 off!!

DRS Designs will be hosting a blog hop this Thursday where we will be featuring the latest releases like the chocolate sentiment stamp used on this card. Be sure to hop with us for your chance to win some of these brand new stamps!

Quick Rainbows

Stamps: Inkadinkado kid sentiment. Cardstock: Basic Grey Bittersweet Card Kit and DP. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Martha Stewart border punch.

What is the fastest and easiest way to replenish your card stash? Card kits -- let someone else do all the cutting and scoring!

Using a kit doesn't mean all your cards have to look exactly alike, though. The Basic Grey 'Bittersweet' card kit I used has a Valentine's Day/Anniversary/Love theme, but it definitely isn't limited to that. Here is an Edwin card I created using it, too. Tweak a few of the elements and sentiments (like adding this Inkadinkado kid sentiment now available for pre-order at KLSNS) to end up with a quick, easy, and personalized card.

The best part of this card is the natural embellisment which appeared when I photographed it -- see the rainbow in the upper right corner? Guess that was my sign the card was complete and no additional editing is allowed!

Wishing you rainbows in your day, too!

SheetLoads June Issue is Up!

The June issue of SheetLoads of Cards is now available! Visit our newly redesigned blog to dowload your own copy of this issued filled with gorgeous samples and the recipe to create your own card or batch of cards. Fun, easy, and free!!

DRS Challenge #22 : Get Well Soon Cards

Stamps: Duck's Decoration H565, Under the Weather sentiment G047, Raindrop Background H1012, Interlocking Flower Background H083. Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Night of Navy, Copics. Cardstock: GP110 white, Night of Navy, Regal Rose, YoYo Yello. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, green grosgrain ribbon, navy brads.

The DRS blog challenge for this week is to create a 'Get Well Soon' card. DRS Designs has a wide variety of caring and humorous get well soon sentiments available with more to arrive with the next release.

Today's card is based on the Designer's Showcase Sketch from May 22, 2009. They reveal a sketch every Friday, so be sure to visit to check out the archives and also what's new.

Get Well Soon cards are showcased today on the DRS blog, as well as the details on your chance to win blog candy by linking your card so be sure to stop by!

Happy, healthy wishes to all my stamping friends!!