Having Tea

We lost our electricity last night which then made my computer extra grumpy this morning. So now I am able to get this posted. Here's a card I've made for a PaperTrey Ink card swap I'm in. I have all the pieces cut out and stamped, now just need to put it all together. I signed up for several slots in this swap so I will post as I get them finished.


I wanted to let you in on a lot of things happenin' at Fresh Brewed Designs. First up, Heather has a sale going on!!!
ALL digis in the kids section are 40% off!
ALL handmade embellishments are 40% off!
ALL unmounted rubber stamps are 30% off!
Hurry, this sale ends July 5th!!!


There are also two new digis that hit the store today...
Meatball Makeover and Sunbathing Granny found HERE. I can't wait to get creating with these!

We're Havin' a Party!

I'm so glad you stopped by today, this is actually my second post. Please scroll down after you are done here to see my Sweet Sketch Wednesday card. Now let me tell you a few things happening at Fresh Brewed Designs. First, it's challenge time, and we are going with a Party/Birthday theme. Check out all the details HERE at the Fresh Brewed Blog. I used the digi image Daisy's Cupcake, adding color with my Copic markers (love her red toe and finger nails!). The papers are from Echo Park. Join in and let's have some fun.

You still have time to enter our For The Guys month long prize challenge, details can be found HERE. Hurry though, this challenge ends July 5th.

As you can see, we're have another party, a sweet blog hop, July 11th. Mark your calendar and be ready for some fun!!!!

Just Chillin' at Sweet Sketch Wednesday

WooHoo, it's Wednesday! My oh my how the time does fly! But then we always have lots of fun things to share on Wednesdays! Let me start out by showing you the new sketch we have for you to try at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It is so fun you'll be using it again and again.

As you know, we always have a sponsor, and this week is my favorite Bugaboo Stamps. You really need to check out their website. It's rather new and full of so much sweetness! Now Jodie is graciously offering a prize of 7 FREE DIGIS of the winner's choice!! So get your thinkin' caps on and play along with us!

Our DT has lots and lots of inspiration that you'll want to check out. Here is my card using the image AKV Summer Sports - Pool. With vacation coming up in 3 weeks, that's exactly what I plan on doing, just chillin' by the pool and beach. Enjoy your day and don't forget to play along with us.

Some Christmas Inspiration

So what inspires you with this photo? I immediately went with the colors - I saw Tempting turquoise, Always artichoke and Certainly celery. Well this is the challenge over at Christmas Stampin' All Year, create a card or project using this photo inspiration.

And here is my card using those colors. Simple, yet fun! And isn't that what making Christmas cards is all about? We put so much pressure on ourselves everyday, even more so at the holidays, so simple and fun should now be our motto! I used a PaperTrey Ink set and coordinating die, Tree Trimming Trio.

Phillip called me yesterday from Ireland, he sounded VERY tired. Not only did they have the flight over (and were expected to sleep on the plane), but they had a 5 hour lay over at New York's JFK airport even before they left! But he was excited about the sights they had seen so far, and their adventure has just begun! If he sends me any pics, I will post them.

Picture Perfect Colors

Aren't these some wonderful colors?!! Well come on then, play along with us at Picture Perfect Creations! The DT sure have some wonderful creations to share, and we would love for you to share yours as well!

Here's my card using these colors - honest, that is Poppy parade, it just didn't photograph very well! I simply had to use some of my new goodies I just got from PaperTrey Ink. The two sets are Grunge Me, It's a Jungle out There and the coordinating die. The inside sentiment reads "Wishing you a wild and crazy day." Perfect for a birthday card that I need. Have a wonderful Monday.

Wacky Wednesday Challenge

Well, Phillip is in New York's JFK airport right now, leaves tonight at 10pm for his trip to Ireland, Wales and England. I'm so envious!!!! I've been busy in my stamp room trying to keep my mind off of him and here's one of my cards. It's for Bugaboo Stamps Paper Craft Planet Wacky Wednesday challenge - no designer paper and three buttons. Well the buttons were no problem, it's the no dsp part I had a hard time with!!! Anyway, I used the image AKV Golf Bag, using my Copic markers on him. Since no dsp, out came the embossing folders!! I think I'll keep this one for my Dad for his birthday. I also want to submit this for the Sports challenge over at Crafts 4 Eternity.

Three Cards to Share

Yep, you heard me right, I have three cards to share today! All three are made with pre-colored digis from Clear Dollar Stamps and they are all sketch challenges that are soon over. This first card makes use of the image Norman Snail. I even used some of the digi papers included within the set. This card is for the Tuesday Morning Sketches.

This cutie image is Patchpal Bunny. Again I used the papers along with the pre-colored image and sentiment. This sketch is from Mojo Mondays.

And this one is the recently released Baking Bear, and I couldn't wait to use it because it's so darn cute!!!! Love the papers too, they are what inspired my colors. I am submitting this for the OWH Sunday Sketch Challenge.

Three simple yet very fun cards to make. Have a wonderful weekend.

More is More

I know, the saying usually goes "Less is more," but this is Flourishes's Christmas Spirit Challenge over at SCS. My first version using the stamp set Sweets of the Season is very simple, but excellent for mailing. My spiced up version in front I found strips of dsp in my scraps and decided to use 'em up! I changed up the ribbon treatment as well as layered up the sentiment. This was a fun challenge, one I didn't think I was going to get done in time!!!

Just Saying Hello

How are you? Right now I am VERY tired. It's Wednesday night and I am scheduling this to post Thursday morning. Summer is not a vacation for me like it is for the kids. Let me tell you, I've suddenly become secretary, maid, dish washer/dryer/putter awayer, referee, taxi cab driver, cook, nurse, event planner, personal shopper, oh the list goes on and on. Now I can't even think straight! We have a repair man coming either today or tomorrow which will probably mean I have to cancel my PT. That's okay, my leg has been hurting a lot lately, but it has a way of feeling better after therapy. I have been running Phillip around like crazy, he's been working with a personal trainer plus working lots of hours. On top of that, I'm trying to get him motivated to pack for his trip to Ireland, Wales, and England...he leaves on Sunday!!!!

Okay, thanks for letting me vent at you!!! Now let's get down to business of this card! It's for the month long challenge at the Fresh Brewed Designs group at The Latte Lounge. The theme is Beach/Summer AND to use pink and teal. What fabulous colors together!!! I used the FBD rubber stamp Cutie Pie Mermaid. And she is just that, a Cutie Pie!! Have a wonderful Thursday!

And the Winners Are...

We hope you enjoyed our blog hop this past Sunday, such wonderful inspiration for our theme "Sugar and spice and everything nice, That's what little girls are made of." Now on to the winners:

From Sarah's blog, Aunt Bee's Pickles, our winner is Heather from Wire Wrapture.

From Kathy's blog, Dunn it Again Designs, our winner is Basslady from Basslady Creations.

Congratulations ladies!!! You have each won a $10 gift certificate from the Clear Dollar Stamps store for clear or digital stamps. Please contact Lori at lori@cleardollarstamps.com to claim your prize.

A Happy Hello

Happy Summer! So wonderful to have those warm sunny days! But we're ready to have a thunderstorm so I'd better quit the chit chat and get on with my post!!! Yes, it's Wednesday, which means it's time for a new challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It is so fun creating with these wonderful sketches, don't you think?!

As for our sponsor this week, we have been blessed with the generous Pam of Amber Ink. What is the prize you ask...why it's a $15 gift certificate!! Fabulous!!

And here is the card I've created using the sweet image from the Love Bunny line, Flowered. I've made it my goal to use what I've got, and boy have I got lots of scrap papers!!! A big piece of this, a strip of that, and ta-da, a card is born!!! Thanks for looking and be sure to leave a comment on the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog.

Hello Summer!

I feel like we've waited a long time for summer, and now it's here with a vengeance!! Hot and humid! Perfect for going to the beach! And that's exactly what we're doing over at our Fresh Brewed Designs group at Simply Scrapping Crafts. Our challenge is Beach Themed using the above sketch. I love sketch challenges, just what I need to get the creative juices flowing.

Here's my card using Sunbathing Babe rubber stamp from Fresh Brewed Designs. I ended up flipping the sketch and using up some scraps!!! I paper pieced her suit and could not resist sewing around the edges. Thanks for stopping by! To play along with this challenge, all you need to do is sign up at Simply Scrapping Crafts and join the Fresh Brewed Designs group. Look forward to seeing you there.

What Inspires You?

This week at Picture Perfect Creations, we're going with an inspiration challenge using this picture. Reminds me of ladies sipping afternoon tea and eating finger sandwiches.

Well I stayed with the tea theme using this digital image from Fresh Brewed Designs. You can check out all of the new tea images HERE. I wanted this plain teapot so I could paper piece, figured it could look more vintage that way! I used other papers from this pack of dsp (SU's Parisian Summer) to create the layers of scallops. The sentiment is from Clear Dollar Stamps.

I used the awesome sketch from Eat Sleep Stamp - isn't it wonderful, I just had to turn it on its side. Now do a couple of favors for me and head on over to Picture Perfect Creations to check out the rest of the DTs awesome inspirations then get creating and show us yours!!!!!!

Just Chillin'

At the monthly Clear Dollar Stamps blog hop. This month's theme is "Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of", and what girl doesn't want to be basking in the sun in her itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini!! Now you should have arrived here from Amanda's blog, Colouring Our World. If not, please go back to the beginning at Lori's blog, Clearly iStamp.

For my card I used the adorable stamp set Charlie Summer Fun. I can't complain, we'll be on our beach vacation in a month and I hope to be doing the same, just chillin'!

Now hop on over to Cassie's blog, A Day in the Life of a Homeschooling Mom, for even more inspiration.

Our blog hop would not be complete without some prizes, and have we got them!! Two winners will be randomly chosen from those who commented on our DT's blogs for a $10 gift certificate each to the CDS store for clear or digital stamps!!! One of those winners could be you!!!

A Double Challenge Christmas

Oh how I wish you could see this card in real life, the white is shimmer white and the green galore is so much brighter. Yes, I'm making Christmas cards and I want to submit Dasher to two challenges.

First, check out this awesome sketch at Stamping 411. Lots and lots of layers, and who doesn't love layers!!!! Not only did I use SU's Dasher but the sentiment is from Come to Bethlehem. The other challenge I'm submitting this to is Christmas Stampin' All Year - black, white, and one other color. This card was so fun to make, imagine it in black, white, and any other color like red or blue or purple or...the list goes on and on!!!!! Thanks for sharing this moment with me and have a great evening.

Clearly Inspired Sketch

Yep, it's a sketch we are challenging you with at Clearly Inspired Challenges. I love following sketches and this is a fun one!

Here's my card using the stamp set Everyday Jargon from Clear Dollar Stamps. I hate to admit this, but I think this is the first time I've used this set!! GASP!!! How awful is that??!! Used copics on the flowers, Crystal Effects in the jar for water, yummy Fresh Papaya satin ribbon and a funky bee brad. Oh so fun. Speaking of fun, prizes are based on the # of participants for each challenge, so get stamping and create something!!!!!

Be sure and come back Sunday for our monthly blog hop that begins at 11am eastern. There are prizes there too! Wow, so many ways to win fun stuff!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary

I wanted to show you the fun and simple card I made for my Brother and Sister-in-law's anniversary. I pulled out a really old piece of dsp by Heidi Swapp which is already glittered and shimmery. I went with a PaperTrey Ink set called Mat Stack 2 Collection and the coordinating die. I've got something funny to tell you about this card...I made one and put it in the mail before taking a picture!!!! So I hurried up and made a second one!!! It didn't take long to create the first one, so the second one went even faster!!! Now I have an anniversary card ready when I need it.

I go to PT today. My knee always feels so much better after I go, but by evening I'm lying on the couch with it elevated and iced. The doctor ordered a new anti-inflammatory for me and I can already feel a difference, for the better. FINALLY!!!

It's a Digi Day!

This is my third post for today, and they are all using digis!!! That's why it's a digi day! Today is our digital stamp release at Clear Dollar Stamps and do we have some adorable sets for your viewing pleasure! My first card is Patriotic Charlie. I was thrilled to see Charlie again, and now he's all dressed up in his dress red, white, and blues!! Purchase this set and you will also receive 2 digital papers seen here.
Now another fun set is Vegetable Garden Colored. Get this, for only $4, you get 7 pre-colored images, 6 sentiments, AND 3 digi papers (yep, I used one of 'em)! Talk about value!!! This set is also sold as outline only (digi paper not included) for your coloring pleasure.

Thanks for stopping by today. I appreciate you stopping by and don't forget, I have two other posts for today, Sweet Sketch Wednesday and Fresh Brewed Designs. Enjoy your day.

Sweet Fairy Lucy

Happy Wednesday everyone and welcome to another Sweet Sketch Wednesday. As always, we are so happy when you stop by and play along with our fun sketches! Here's the one for this week, created by our one and only Arlana.

Every week we are sponsored by some of the most generous people on the planet, and this week it's the love Sally Ann from Digi Stamp Boutique. She is offering a prize of 6 free digis to our winner!! Now you have to play AND make a comment on the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog to be eligible to win.

I used an image called Fairy Lucy. I am usually drawn to the boy/masculine images, thought I would bring out the girl in me for this one!!! Be sure and check out the rest of the DT's creations for lots of inspiration. And I can't wait to see yours!!!!

I'm a Little Teapot

Who doesn't remember that song?! Definitely one we all have grown up on!!! Our challenge for you at the Fresh Brewed Blog this week is "You Put a Song in my Heart." I used this most wonderful and adorable teapot digi from Fresh Brewed Designs called Ladybug Teapot. I love tea...I actually like it a little bit more than coffee (GASP!! Please don't fire me Heather!!!) So when I saw FBD with tea images, I was excited!!!!! After all, tea is brewed too!!! I knew I wanted to use some bright fun colors for this because, after all, "I'm a little teapot short and stout, here is my handle, here is my spout. When I get all steamed up hear me shout, just tip me over and pour me out."

Let's see what you create when you let the song in your heart come out!! Join us this week!!

Smile Often

It's officially summer...not by the calendar but by the fact that both boys are now out of school! Now the craziness begins!!! This weekend Phillip spends at a local college campus for track and field camp. Then the following weekend he leaves for his ten day trip to Ireland, Wales and England. Lucky guy! Kevin starts his camp tomorrow which he always enjoys. Gotta keep these boys busy! This summer card I made with a freebie provided by Heather at Fresh Brewed Designs called Tommy's Ice Cream over at Simply Scrapping Crafts. Now head on over there today and join the Fresh Brewed Designs group because if we can hit 30 members before Friday, another freebie will be posted!!!!!!! Friday is our first Simply Scrapping Crafts challenge so get ready for that as well! I look forward to seeing you over at SSC.

Joy and Peace

As soon as I saw these colors, my mind went to Christmas. Only one problem, how am I to get this Daffodil delight in to the the card? Well, it is a challenge after all, from Picture Perfect Creations.

Here is my Christmas card, using two stamp sets from Clear Dollar Stamps, Holly Builder and Silhouette Thoughts. I also used last week's sketch from OWH seen HERE. Be sure and play along, you could win a fun badge to proudly display on your blog if you are the winner or runner up. Have a wonderful Monday.

Lots of Yellow

Do not adjust your set, there really is a lot of yellow on this card!!! We are having a challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog this week to create something using lots of yellow!! I used a digi image from Fresh Brewed Designs called Cutie Pie Holding Heart. Last time I created with her, I put Stickles on her heart. This time it's on her wings! Now be sure and play along with us this week. We also have a monthly prize challenge, For the Guys, that you can read about HERE. Oh, and don't forget to scoop up some of the new additions to the Elephant family that were just released today, you are going to love 'em!

Just a Note

Hooray for Saturday!!! Usually a day I try to sleep in, but of course not today, need to take the car in for maintenance of some sort. Before Brian and I got married, I told him taking care of the cars was "his" job, and he was okay with that!!! Good thing!!

I made this card last last night for the Tuesday Morning Sketches. I changed it up ever so slightly by putting my ribbon higher up the bottom panel. The image is a digital stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps called Lifting You Up. I cut out a second image and popped it up over the first image. I also added a Little Crystal Effects to the pink center of the balloon. The sentiment is also from Clear Dollar Stamps, All Around Sentiments. The dsp is Cosmo Cricket's Togetherness line. Definitely a fun card to make! Have a wonderful day!!

Sweet Margarita

I must admit, I sure do enjoy a good margarita...almost as much as our Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenges!!! You'll see what I mean when you look at my card!
We are bringing back a previous sketch this week, so have fun!

We are thrilled to have Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps as our sponsor! And what is the grand prize you ask...why two rubber stamps, Rollerblading Chloe and Kitty Cat Josh!

Here is my card, using Cocktail Emily from Sparkle Creations. She looks like a margarita kind of girl too!!! I used some Stickles on the glass because every margarita glass must have a salted rim! The lime and the drink itself I added Crystal Effects for some fun shine. The papers are an old Cosmo Cricket line that I found when digging around in my stash. I really must stop buying paper, I have enough to open my own store! Do check out the Sweet Sketch Wednesday site for DT inspiration. And don't forget to leave a comment there too. Have a wonderful rest of the week, school is almost over!

Ahoy There, Matey!

Well shiver me timbers, you made it to me blog matey for our two a day blog hop this week. I hope you came from the Fresh Brewed Blog for all the details of our hop. Captain Heather is releasing new digital images that we will be previewing everyday this week. On Saturday ALL of the images will be in the shop and there will be a special post for you to comment on. If you participate every day and follow the rules, you will have a chance to win ALL 4 DIGIS that are being released.

Well, you guessed it matey, our elephant family is growing! We are releasing 4 new elephant digis. My card features Baby Elvis the Pirate. He sure is a sweet swashbuckler, isn't he!!! I had so much fun making this card because Elvis is just so darn cute!

Now be sure to comment here and on the Fresh Brewed Blog today. Visit the FBD Blog each day to see more of our new images and DT creations...or else it will be time for walkin' the plank!!!!!! Savy?!

Happy Father's Day

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my Fresh Brewed Designs Mocha Manic Monday post.
I thought masculine all the way when I saw these colors this week at Picture Perfect Creations. Aren't they fabulous?! And how 'bout the rest of the Design Team's inspirations?! Magnificent, I know!!!

I used a PaperTrey Ink stamp set called Men of Life for this one. Can you tell I just got the waves die??? I had to play! Two little secrets - the sails made use of Really rust ink since I don't have Cajun craze (gasp!) and the artichoke dsp is from a Stampin' Up Christmas line!!! Who knew?!!! Anyway, I think my Dad will get this one, but don't tell him!! Now let's see your creativity and join us for our color challenge.