Thursday, July 9, 2009

Cured Yet?

Stamps by DRS Designs: Leonard's Sick Day Blues G1019, Cured Yet? sentiment, Easy Swirl Background H688. Cardstock: Cameo Coral, Ballet Blue, Certainly Celery, GP110 white. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: circle Nestabilities, Papertrey grosgrain ribbon, SU scallop border punch, Bella Baubles, mini prima, gemstone.

Need a pick-me-up for someone feeling a bit under the weather? Well, if this card doesn't bring a smile to their face, this altered treat tin just might:


We're at the tail end of another round of the summer cold/bronchitis, so we can vouch for the popularity of Vitamin C lozenges! Plus, the surprise of having to pop the top to get to them will win you lots of 'wow' factor points. A full tutorial on how to create these fun altered peach tins can be viewed HERE.

DRS Designs is sponsoring this week's Charisma blog challenge which is to create an altered item. Be sure to stop by the Charisma blog to see more amazing re-purposed creations!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Birthdays and Challenges

Once you reach a certain age, aren't all birthdays a challenge? Even though they may not be quite so much fun, as my mom would say: birthdays sure beat the alternative! The challenges in this case are the fun kind, stamping challenges. Here's a birthday set based on three different challenges:


Stamps: Magnolia 'Tilda with Tag' and Strawberry Sweet sentiment. Carstock: Textured Real Red, Bashful Blue Pattern Prints, Chocolate Chip, Paper Bouquet Felted Flowers DP, Papertrey White. Ink: Memento Black, Copics. Accessories: Oval and Circle Nestabilities, SU scallop border punch, raffia, chocolate brads, Basic Grey rub-ons.

The current Roses on Paper blog challenge is to create a gatefold card with stitching. My stitching is the faux variety because I've been wanting to try out a new technique I learned from a friend. The cardstock is first pierced by using a rolling piercing tool run down one of the lines (gutters?) on a Scor-Pal. This is SO much easier than my old way of lining up the template and piercing each hole by hand! And much more likely to result in a straight line, too. Then I went back and drew in the stitches, trying NOT to be perfect and leaving a tiny gap in the initial portion and slightly arching the stitch. It may just be an inappropriate tension setting on my machine, but this faux stitching looks very close to what I get when I haul the machine up from the basement!


The second challenge is the KLSNS July color challenge using the colors light blue, red and chocolate. As you can tell by my previous card 'Egg-cellent Edwin', I'm a fan of this color combo. Be sure to upload your creations to the PaperCraft Planet challenge for your chance to win a stamp and other goodies from the KLSNS store!


Last but certainly not least is the Copic Creations' challenge to color brunette hair. Be sure to stop by this blog because every other week they post a new challenge with links to wonderful tutorials!


Since this gatefold card was created to supplement the Edwin card, I added a pocket inside to hold images of the just received Magnolia Summer Stamp Club:



I also created a Ghiradelli box (thanks for the demo, Tracy!):


Since the temperatures are back up in the 90s, I thought it might be safer to send hard caramels as opposed to the always appropriate chocolate. You can view the Splitcoast Stamper tutorial for the Ghiradelli box HERE.


Now let's just hope my friend doesn't see her gift here before it arrives in person!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

SheetLoad Teams Up With Squigglefly -- You Win!

Squigglefly is the sponsor for July's issue of the SheetLoad e-zine. If you haven't downloaded your free copy of this amazing resource, be sure to stop by HERE now. Use the sketch to replenish your stash of cards or to create a single masterpiece. Follow the directions on 'Show Us Your SheetLoad' to link that masterpiece and you are eligible to win FOUR digital stamps!

'Shout Out to SheetLoad' and you have another chance to win FOUR digital images by Squigglefly!!

Check out the SheetLoad blog for more inspiration and stay tuned here for July projects based on the latest sketch!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

SheetLoads Teams Up with Caardvarks!

Stamps: Digital celebration stamp by Squigglefly, sentiment by Papertrey (Birthday Basics). Cardstock: Stampin Up (Riding Hood Red), Basic Grey (Cupcake), Georgia Pacific (white 110). Ink: Copics, Stampin Up (Bayou Blue). Accessories: Sakura (Stardust glitter pen), Offray (yellow grosgrain ribbon), Spellbinders (Nestabilities squares and rectangles), Stampin Up (scallop border punch

This week SheetLoads joins Caardvarks for an intersite challenge featuring the July SheetLoads' sketch. You can download the free e-zine featuring this versatile sketch, all the cutting instructions, and Design Team projects featuring this month's sponsor, Squigglefly, HERE. The Caardvarks team will be using products like the amazing vellum and acetate card bases from ShortCuts, SheetLoads' sister site.


Birthday cards are always in short supply in my stash, so I decided to use this sketch to increase my 'last-minute' supply. It comes directly from the sketch, with no added layers or embellishments! Thanks to the fun Basic Grey DP with included die cuts and SheetLoads' complete instructions, it was a quick and easy project.


Be sure to stop by the SheetLoad blog to see the other Design Team creations for this fun challenge!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Joy of Retirement

Stamps: Stampabilities 'Buzz Cut'. Cardstock: Night of Navy, Basic Grey 'Boxer', Papertrey white. Ink: Memento black, Copics. Accessories: Rectangle Nestabilities, Glossy Accents.

Happy retirement to my husband who has just finished serving almost 21 years as a pilot in the USAF! Since this basically means a switch in employment and not a permanent hammock in the shade, I went with a slightly different type of card -- celebrating the return to civilian hair length!

This card is based on the Midnight Madness Sketch #8. Be sure to check out their blog for the DT's fun spin on this sketch and details on the Guest Designer call that is going on through the month of July!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

July SheetLoads Now Live!


The July issue of SheetLoads is now live and available for download! A fun sketch combined with all the cutting diagrams and LOTS of great examples and as always, it's free!!


This wasn't my month to contribute to the issue, but I will be playing along with intersite challenges and the brand new feature, Simple/Special/Stunning, so be sure to stay tuned. In the meantime, head on over to the SheetLoad site to check out all the amazing Design Team Creations for this month's sponsor, Squigglefly!

Baby on Board!

Stamps: C.C. Designs' Gingersnaps Oh Baby. Ink: Memento, Copics. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Basic Grey 'Two Scoops', white. Accessories: Long rectangle and circle Nestabilities, SU Scallop punch, pink organdy ribbon.

Doesn't this gal have the cutest baby bump? It seems like I never have a baby card on hand when needed, so I decided to take time to stock up on a few and this fun set provided plenty of inspiration.


Visit KL Stampin N Scrappin to view the full C.C Designs Gingersnaps Oh Baby set and the blog to see all the details on this card and other fun creations by the Design Team. Since it's the beginning of July (can you believe it??) there will also be new special offers and a new challenge over on PaperCraft Planet!