Little Love Bug

Digis: Digi Scrap Graphics 'Lovebug Bears'. Stamps: smARTworks. Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Gina K white, GP110 white. Ink: Real Red, Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Bazzill black double-stitched grosgrain, Dazzling Diamonds, Long Rectangle Nestabilities.

It's been a bit (more) crazy around here, so I haven't had much time to pursue my favorite stamping inspiration, challenges. Last night was a few minutes of free time, so I decided to make it count!

The initial inspiration is this sweet bear from Digi Scrap Graphics. It's designed as a 'decoupage' craft, with all the areas pre-printed for popping ease. Not only do you get this fun Lovebug Bear and another standing version of the cutie for only $1.50, but the coordinating heart DP is also included!

It just so happens that KLSNS' challenge #16 is 'Pop It Up'; you definitely need to stop by and see their DT's amazing interpretation of this technique! Here's my multi-layered bear:

The wonderful white DP is Gina K's version which I received through WRAK on Splitcoast Stampers, so this card also qualifies for this month's WRAK sketch challenge based on SC146. Thanks going out to Kitty (OregonStamper) for sending me this luxury cardstock!

I'm having fun with these digi card kits; it's so convenient to have all the supplies available at a click of the mouse. Next I'm challenging myself to only use digi elements. Stay tuned to see if I can forgo my always-mandatory ribbon!!

Joyful Feathered Friends

Stamps: Penny Black sentiment. Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Basic Grey 'Wassail' DP. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: fine detail white EP, circle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart snowflake punches, square punch, mini primas, gold Stickles, Basic Grey buttons.

Well, I did it -- I made a Christmas card in traditional holiday colors in January! It's my plan to stay ahead of the holiday rush (way ahead!) by creating one holiday card a week with Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge. This week's challenge was 'no coloring', so I took the easy way out and used a sentiment as the focal point.

This gorgeous DP was a gift through WRAK from Kathy (Will Stamp for Wine), as well as the gold stickles that dot the center of the mini primas. The DP made this card eligible for the WRAK challenge category 'Bird Day'. See these elegant feathered friends?


Midnight Madness sketch #38 inspired the layout; it's sort of a hybrid between their traditional sketch and the fun, new CAS sketches they are offering.

We actually have some sunshine today, our first in weeks, so it's time for me go build up some Vitamin D and enjoy the light! Hope you are enjoying some sunshine, too!!

My Cup of Tea!

Stamps: Basic Grey 'Cup of Tea', SU Background. Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Basic Grey 'Bittersweet'. Ink: Creamy Caramel. Accessories: brads, teapot charm, organdy vanilla ribbon.

Woo hoo -- I finally completed a WRAK challenge; it's been months! It's a color challenge to use Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, and Creamy Caramel. Not only do I rarely (ever?) use caramel, but it's pretty uncommon for me to use gold, either. I'm a silver kind of gal! But thanks to this elegant charm sent to me by my buddy, Jacque, I was inspired to give the challenge a go.

I just couldn't make myself use Caramel, but I did find this Basic Grey DP that has shades of caramel (in small doses) and the sentiment is stamped in caramel, too.

The WRAK item, the floral pink cardstock, is from another buddy, Lena (tackertwosome); thanks, Lena! And although not through WRAK, I received these perfect shade of pink brads from my friend Joanna (Sitting on Copic Pens and Needles), so thanks going out to Joanna, too.

Tuesday Morning Sketch #30 is the inspiration for the layout. I went with CAS because the colors of the fun rectangle/square elements really seem to pop off the vanilla background.

Speaking of Jacque, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers because she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. You can read about this newest stumbling block in a tough year HERE and leave a supportive note, if you'd like. She's such a strong lady and amazingly generous, too -- she's offering some awesome blog candy in the very post where she announced her diagnosis! Take care, Jacque; we're pulling for you!!

Christmas Friends Deck the Halls

Digital image by Mo Manning ‘Harry Needs a Hand’. Ink: Copics. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, GP110, Daisy D’s ‘Sugarplum Paisley’. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, SU scallop border punch, organdy ribbon, gemstones, glitter chipboard star, Basic Grey rub-on.

We all need a helping hand once in a while, right? And when you are just a few inches shy of reaching the top of the Christmas tree, a friend can come in very handy! Here's close up of these cute critters because they are a little difficult to see in the full card photo:

This digital image is free for members on Mo Manning’s Papercraft Planet or SNR user groups; you can find links to these groups in her blog's side bar. You can view all her whimsical images at Mo’s online store, Mo's Digital Pencil Shop.

Mo’ s challenge for this week is 'Challenge #5: All that Glitters' which is to create a project with three sparkly embellishments. I used ribbon with a glitter thread, gemstones, and a glittery star chipboard:

The layout for this card was inspired by Midnight Madness sketch #27.

Thanks going out to Patti (SCS: MommaPatti) for sending me the Wild Wasabi cardstock through WRAK!

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!

Slow Down and Get Well, Riley!

Stamps: Hanna Stamps 'Sleepytime Riley', Papertrey 'Pondlife Sentiments'. Carstock: So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, SU 'Sweet Slumber'. Ink: Memento, Riding Hood Red, Copics. Accessories: Spellbinders tag, prima, Baja Breese courdoroy button, dotted blue organdy, hole punches.

Special thanks going out to Kathy who sent me this adorable Riley through the Splitcoast WRAK group. He not only qualifies for cutest PJs ever, but also the August WRAK challenge to use a Hanna Stamps image.

The card layout is inspired by Midnight Madness week #12 sketch. This blog not only posts a fun new sketch every week, but also offers wonderful inspiration and amazing prizes, so be sure to visit the priscillastyles blog!

Hedgie Christmas in July

Stamps: Hedgie image from WRAK, Clearly Defined sentiment. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Real Red, white, Daisy D 'Paisley Sugarplum' DP. Ink: Black, copics. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, Martha Stewart snowflake punches, Dazzling Diamond glitter, gems.

Tuesday Morning sketches has yet another fun sketch challenge for the week! I combined this hedgie image received through WRAK so this card is doing double-duty for July's WRAK theme of 'Christmas in July' as well.

**Be sure to stop by Vicki's blog (Stamped Smiles) for a chance at fun blog candy, including two of the brand new DRS releases, just released yesterday!

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!

Shout Out to SheetLoads!

Are you a big fan of sketches? How about sketches that have the supply list, cutting dimensions, AND lots of great examples?? If so and you have not yet discovered SheetLoads, then stop by their site ASAP and check out the monthly e-zine. I've been using this great resource for over a year now; it's wonderful for swap cards or any time you want to increase your card stash with ease.

The February 2009 SheetLoads is now available for download. Here is my version of the versatile sketch featured in this issue:

Stamp: Flourishes 'Poppy Patch'. Ink: Versafine Onyx Black. Cardstock: Basic Black, Daisy D's 'Vintage Red', Basic Grey 'Figgy Pudding', Making Memories 'Vine White', GP110 white. Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, turpenoid, SU Rub-on 'Chit Chat', white wide organdy ribbon, antique gold brads.

It's not really visible in the big photo, but the white cardstock in the upper left corner has a beautiful vine embossed pattern:

While you are checking out SheetLoads' current e-issue and vast archives, be sure to check out the Show Us Your SheetLoad post. If you link your SheetLoad card to their post, you are eligible for fun prizes, often stamp sets and they vary each month!

This card was also created with the February WRAK challenge to use a color combo of red, black, white, and gold in mind. It took a while to figure out how I wanted to use this bold combination, but once Lori (SCS Mama Schwich) sent me these gorgeous poppy images, I knew I had the focal point. Including gold was a bit more difficult since my tastes run towards silver, but these antique gold brads seemed like an appropriate embellishment.

Are you like me in that you have a tough time creating sympathy cards? I'm satisfied with this one because it has the poppy to symbolize remembrance, plus the sentiment is appropriate and to the point. I'll be posting more sympathy and 'tough occasion' cards in an upcoming DRS Designs post, so be sure to stay tuned!

Seeds of Kindness

One of my current stamping obsessions is the Magnolia stamp line. Part of the appeal is the Swedish heritage (I spent a year in Sweden as an exchange student), but a big part is because they are just so darn cute!


Here's my most recent card, made for a dear friend on SCS who let me jump in on a Magnolia order from the Swedish site:

Stamps: Magnolia Tilda and Log, Papertrey sentiment. Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Tangerine Tango, Paper Studio Purple Dots, CM yellow plaid, GP110 white. Ink: Adirondack Jet Black, Lovely Lilac, copics. Accessories: Felt Fusion flowers, Primas, Bella dots, photo corner, white gel pen, Label Nestabilities.

If you are looking for Magnolias that don't take several weeks to arrive, are currently discounted 10%, and have free shipping, be sure to check out KNL Scrappin and Stampin . The Magnolia special runs through January; February begins a whole new round of pre-orders!



Another reason this post is titled 'Seeds of Kindness' is because I also wanted to spread the word about the SCS' Wish RAK group. WRAK is a sub-group of the RAK (Random Acts of Kindess) groups and consists of members who grant other member's 'wishes' and in return, receive credit for a wish on their own wish list. It started out as a way to trade images, but has blossomed into so much more -- the photo corner, Nestability label, Primas, and Bella Dots on this card are all items I have received through the generosity of WRAKers!


To join the fun on WRAK, you must first apply for the RAK group on Splitcoaststampers and then apply to the WRAK group; all applications are found under 'group memberships'.