Happy New Years Eve!

And after you bring in the new year tonight with a big woohoo, don't forget to head over to Clear Dollar Stamps, because their new release will be ready for ordering!! This set is the January Stamp of the Month, Kisses and Cookies, free with any $50 order! Check out the stamp sheet on Lori's blog. I saved one of my General Foods International Coffee tins, covered it in paper, stamped the sentiment "A Kiss for You," and popped up a chocolate kiss. Now my tin overfloweth with kisses so I had to eat some to be able to get the lid on!!! A very quick and simple gift idea. Check out these blogs for other ideas:

Angela

Trudy

Cassie

Candy

Laurie

Now this cute little set is called Toybox Time, by Laurie Wilson. I have so few baby stamps that I was thrilled to now own this one. And I decided to make a baby card with it!!!! Now everyone knows lavender is not my favorite color, but I went with it because of the DSP (Aerial by Memory Box). This card measures 4 1/4" square, a perfect little size for a perfect little someone! Here are the other ladies showing off their sneak peeks using this set:

Angela

Trudy

Sarah

Tori

Candy

Laurie

Have a safe and wonderful New Years Eve. We are going to visit my parents today - pray that the snow cooperates!! We got 3 inches overnight with 4 inches being predicted then for tonight. I'm hoping we get home before that round begins!!

Day #3 - CDS Sneak Peeks

This set being released January 1st from Clear Dollar Stamps was a must have for me. It's called Pet Angels and is by Wendy Hall. June 1st we said good-bye to our beloved cat named Fred. That was the hardest day of my life. I still get teary-eyed as I'm writing this. So I created this card for my cat angel, who will forever be in our hearts. The image was colored using watercolor pencils, for a change. I then sponged on some light blue ink while it was still in the nestibility die. The card itself measures 5" square, and colors include Buckaroo blue, Wild wasabi, Dusty durango and DSP by Deja Views called Cat's Life. I had to add stitching because Fred used to lay at my feet anytime I was using the sewing machine (funny story, once he sat on the foot pedal making the machine go at super sonic speed right in the middle of a project!!!! Startled both of us but didn't ruin what I was working on). This set has so many wonderful individual words that you can build into the sentiment that you need. Other wonderful DT members have creations to show so visit their blogs and give 'em a little love:

Tori

Stacy

Wendy

Candy

Okay, now isn't this guy absolutely adorable??!! Go to Lori's blog to see the stamp sheet of all the other cuties from this set, Monster Mash by Laurie Wilson. This guy is colored in with Copic markers and sponged around. Lots of fun layers of June Bug DSP by Basic Grey. I'm thinking of sending this to my Dad for his birthday the middle of January...I think he'll get a kick out of it! Check out more fun samples with this must have set:

Kim

Angela

Trudy

Nancy

Cassie

Candy

Laurie

Have a wonderful day. Come back tomorrow for the final day of sneak peeks, you won't want to miss these!

Bee-Lieve...

in miracles. That's one of the sentiments from the soon to be released set by Clear Dollar Stamps called Bee-lieve by our very own Laurie Wilson. For this card I used the negative image of a piece of cardstock which I punched out an oval then sponged Summer sun and Dusty durango inside. The flower, bee and sentiment were then stamped over top in black - love the effect! I wanted to stay with the orange and yellow colors, finding this fun paper by AMuse that I've been hoarding. Other blogs you really should visit with samples using this set are:

Tricia

Nancy

Sarah

Laurie

Cassie

Candy

Can You Believe It??!!

First of all, can you believe the new year is just around the corner? And that means sneak peeks from Clear Dollar Stamps!! This card is by our very own DT Leader Laurie Wilson called Critter Tales. So many adorable images and sentiments - check out the stamp sheet of what is all in this set on Lori's blog. I knew right away I wanted to use this flamingo image so I stamped it up and colored it in with Copic markers. I cut it out and embossed with a Nestabilitie, then while it was still in the die sponged around with So saffron ink. I love that effect! Other colors include Bravo burgundy, Pretty in pink, Mellow moss and Very vanilla. The DSP is Sugared by Basic Grey. Of course I had to do a little sewing...since I don't sew clothes anymore I figured I might as well sew cards!!!!! The embossed layer made use of an embossing folder which I then sponged over with some Regal rose ink to make it pop. Embellishments are the funniest part of any creation so I pulled out two Velvet stitched blossoms by Maya Road, ribbon, a Martha Stewart punch, and some self-adhesive pearls and I was "tickled pink!" You really must check out some of the other DT members' creations, they are fabulous:

Kim

Angela

Cassie

Tori

Candy

Laurie

Now this sweet set is by Shawne Arnold and called Loving Ladybugs. A great set for Valentines Day, Anniversaries, or to simply say I Love You. These cute little guys were colored in with copic markers, cut out and embossed with the Nestibilities, then some sky and grass were sponged on. The DSP is by Cosmo Cricket, a variety pack I've had for quite some time that the front cover was ripped off so I have no idea what line it's from! The bottom of each sheet was shaped like the red piece on the left-hand side of the card (though I would like to take credit for creating that shape, I can't!!! LOL!!). Other colors include Black, White and Saffron. Once again some ribbon and my favorite little pearls and I'm done! Do check out these blogs for more fun creations:

Trudy

Shawne

Nancy.

Sarah

Cassie

Stacy

Candy

And for even bigger news, a HUGE after Christmas blowout sale is going on over at Clear Dollar Stamps...

AFTER CHRISTMAS BLOWOUT SALE!

Sale valid December 26th to 29th

You get a bigger discount the more stamps you buy!
This discount automatically applies and is only valid on regularly priced stamp sets and individual stamps!

If you buy $20 in stamps – you get 10% off your stamps
If you buy $30 in stamps – you get 15% off your stamps
If you buy $40 or more in stamps – you get 20% off your stamps
…………………………………………………………
Items that will have a coupon code for 35% off
Coupon code to enter at checkout: ACBS2009:
Flower Soft
Bind It All products
Ribbons
Cuttlebug Products
Storage Containers
Spellbinders
Acrylic Blocks

Clearance Section:
Stamps will be marked WAY down!
UNBELIEVABLE PRICES!
(Additional discount above does not apply)

Hurry up and check it out!!!!!!!!! You don't want to miss out on this one!!!!!!

Wow, once again I've been lax on my blog! Funny how the holidays demand so much of your time. I have not been in my stamp room for quite some time, but I hope to change that today. The boys were up early, the presents were opened, and they loved everything they got!! I have two batches of cookie dough that needs baked, and, I hate to admit it, I still need to shower!!!!! Dinner will be just the four of us, ham, baked yams, and our favorite crescent rolls. I'm hoping this finds all of you enjoying this blessed day. Merry Christmas!

Got Snow?

We've had snow coming down since Saturday, just not a lot has been sticking...and I'm okay with that!!! My "Got Snow" card is for a December release sketch challenge for GinaK Designs over at SCS. I enjoy sketch challenges and this was a fun one to do. I used the Got Snow? set, coloring it in with my Copic markers. Colors of cardstock include Regal rose, Certainly celery, Bashful blue and white. The ribbon is regal rose grosgrain and the red pearls are by Kaiser Scrapbooking. Hope you have a wonderful Monday. I hope to get some Christmas cookies baked today. I've made three different kinds of cookies already, unfortunately two of them have already been devoured! Somehow I was able to sneak the chocolate chips into the freezer, but not without inquiries as to where they were!!!!!

Winter Wishes

This card is for the Clearly Inspired Challenge for Clear Dollar Stamps. I used two CDS stamp sets, Snowman Wishes and Fanciful Flakes. I love the snowmen in the set and you can never have too many snowflake stamps!! The colors are Bravo burgundy, Bashful blue, Always artichoke and Figgy Pudding DSP from Basic Grey. Of course I had to add some stitching, I love the finishing touch it provides. Thanks for stopping by and hope you can play along with our Winter Inspired Challenge.

Critter Log

I adore this stamp set from Clear Dollar Stamps called Critter Log. Besides having adorable images, the other fun thing about it is that it's FREE, yes, I said FREE, with a $30 purchase. Normally the stamp of the month is free with a $50 purchase so take advantage of this great deal. Mr. Froggie was stamped, colored in with Copic markers, and cut out. I then popped him up above the log. I used up some scrap pieces of Lime Rickey DSP by Basic Grey for the fun pop of color.

Guest Designer

Arielle, over on the ColourQ, asked me to be a guest designer for this week, and I couldn't have been more honored. She always has such wonderful inspiration pieces of the most fabulous color combos. Her challenge is posted every Tuesday so be sure and check it out. This is my card using the colors Pink passion, Pretty in pink, Gable green and Bermuda bay. I used the PaperTrey Ink set Believe, coloring it in with my copic markers. It was cut out and embossed with an oval nestie; while still in the die I sponged around the tree with pretty in pink ink...I know, it doesn't look like PIP ink, but it is. Guess I need to buy a new pad. Anyway, I embossed the gable green layer with the Birds and Branches embossing folder then sponged some green galore ink over it to pick up the embossed areas. I used a piece of stitched ribbon by PaperTrey Ink, gathering up the one side of the ribbon, then sewing it into place. Such a cute little ruffle!!! A few rhinestones and my card is complete. Try your hand at these colors, they are lots of fun.

Tomorrow's the Day...

...for Clear Dollar Stamps' December release, and I couldn't be more excited!!!!!!! If you've been following the sneak peeks you know that they are releasing fun, affordable individual stamps and sentiments. This gatefold card uses the stamp Happy Rainbow and the inside sentiment which reads God Always Keeps His Promises. To make the card itself, I followed this tutorial from Splitcoast. I used the Fleur de Lis Pendant by Spellbinders for the large white layer under the rainbow. Okay, now when have you ever seen a cuter ostrich??? This is Oliver Ostrich and sentiment It's Been a Long Time. Once again I raided my scrap bin to make this card - gotta love that!!

Drum roll please.........this card uses the December Stamp of the Month, Critter Log. This adorable stamp set is FREE with a $30 purchase for December!!!!! This is a definite must have set. Check out Lori's blog for the stamp sheet. I must admit, I absolutely love this bunny, so sweet with the ear bent down, so of course I had to use it! Now you really need to check out the other ladies' blogs to see what they've created using this and other sneak peeks stamps:

Cassie

Stacy

Nancy

Katie

Tricia

Tori

Kim

Sarah

Candy

Angela

Trudy

Laurie

Shawne

More Cuties For You!

Day #3 of the sneak peeks for Clear Dollar Stamps release on December 1st. These individual stamps are so sweet and so affordable, you'll want to have them all!!!!!! This card uses Billy Bee and the Bee Kind sentiment. Now everyone knows I am a self-proclaimed "lazy stamper," so for me to stamp, color, AND cut out two bees is almost unimaginable!!! One bee was stamped and colored and a trail of dots added behind him. This was then cut and embossed with a circle Nestie. Then I popped up the two cut out bees to bee kind to Billy and give him some friends! Colors include Crushed curry, Chocolate chip, Sky blue, and Ruby red. The DSP is Basic Grey's Nook and Pantry. This card measures 4.25 inches square.

Say hello to Ozzie Octopus and the sentiment that is the slogan for all busy Moms out there, Heard You Have Your Arms Full. I decided to make a tea bag holder as a wonderful little gift for that busy friend! Initially I had regular teabags inside then decided, no, we're talking the need to relax, so I switched it out for decaf! I used the colors from the scrap of Cosmo Cricket DSP determine the colors - red, bright green, white - all of which I was able to fish out of my scrap bin!!!! You really should check out all the other sneak peeks going on today:

Candy

Angela

Tricia

Cassie

Tori

Laurie

Stacy

Trudy

Shawne
Nancy

Sarah
Katie

Also, for the month of December, CDS is offering the stamp of the month free with a $30 order instead of a $50 order! Woo-hoo! It is adorable....come back tomorrow to see what the stamp of the month is for December!

More Sneak Peeks Comin' Your Way!

And what fabulous stamps they are!!!! Clear Dollar Stamps is releasing 45 individual stamps and 2 stamp sets December 1st that you will find hard to resist! I know I did!!!!!! This card is made with the Flourish Cross stamp and I Prayed for You Today sentiment. How perfect they go together for a quick card. I stamped mine on PTI's Hibiscus Burst, layering with black and white. The pink dsp is also PaperTrey Ink's Friends Till the End, while the black and white piece is by Scenic Route. Embellishments include pearls and satin ribbon.

Say "hello" to Frankie the Frog. He's another individual stamp that makes me smile! I used my copic markers to add some color to Frankie - I cut him out and embossed him with my nestie then while it was still in the die sponged some cocoa ink around. I love this effect. Papers include regal rose, pretty in pink, wild wasabi, very vanilla and Nook and Pantry DSP by Basic Grey (can you tell I love Basic Grey??!!!). More satin ribbon and some large silver brads finish this card off.

Now this card uses the Cowboy Hat and Cowboy Boot individual stamps. I stamped them as my background (what, no DSP??!!) coloring them in with watercolor pencils. I had to add some stitching with my sewing machine as well as a few brads. The sentiment is from the set Howdy Partner which is cut out and embossed with my Nesties. I then knotted up some linen thread for a touch of somethin'. This and the frog card above measure 4.25 inches square. I love this size card because you can put it into an A2 envelope and not pay extra postage! You'd better check out some other fun projects by these talented ladies:

Tori

Angela

Katie

Tricia

Cassie

Laurie

Nancy

Sarah

Shawne

Stacy

Trudy

Candy

Also, for the month of December, Clear Dollar Stamps is offering the stamp of the month free with a $30 order instead of a $50 order! Woo-hoo! It is adorable....so keep checking back to see what the stamp of the month is for December!

Happy Holidays

Here is my card for the weekly challenge I found and adore, The ColourQ. This week's colors are Bravo burgundy, Always artichoke, Old olive and Bashful blue. Since the inspiration piece for these colors is based on Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding I decided to use it on my card!! The stamp set is PaperTrey Ink's Stocking Prints. Such a fun set!! I stamped the stocking in old olive ink and the cuff, which I cut out and popped up, was stamped in burgundy. The sentiment, also from this set, was also stamped in burgundy (a rarity for me as I love to stamp my sentiments in black or dark brown - don't ask me why because I don't have a good reason!!). The artichoke layer was embossed with the Script folder. PTI ribbon and vintage buttons are the only embellishments. Simple yet fun! Thanks for stopping by.

CDS Sneak Peek Day #1

Did you ever have one of those days that you knew you needed to do something but just couldn't remember what it was?? Well, today was my day and forget to post sneak peeks is what I almost did!!!!!!!! We just got back from a very nice visit to my parents' house. They live about 2 hours away so we try to get out there often. I overslept because it was 4am till I finally fell asleep - should have just gone shopping!!!!
Anyway, here is one of my Clear Dollar Stamps sneak peeks, an adorable single stamp called Choo Choo Train and Choo Choo sentiment. I initially ran my piece of Night of navy cardstock thru the Cuttlebug using the scallop die cut by Sizzix, cutting along the fold. I then cut out a second scallop from a single layer of cardstock and layered it over the folded "card." Tada, it's magic!! Actually I have our DT coordinator Laurie Wilson to thank for this idea!! I stamped the train and used my Copic markers to color it in. Several sizes of Nesties were used to cut out and emboss the train. I then placed the sentiment along a curve, using this absolutely "must have" round acrylic block with circle alignment grid for perfect placement. Again more nesties were used and this fun card is complete! What, no embellishments???!!!

Now let me introduce you to Mr. Spike and the coordinating sentiment You Make Me Smile. And he does make me smile!!!!! I colored him in with watercolor pencils and using a circle nestie to cut him out and emboss. While still in the die I sponged So saffron ink to add dimension and the illusion of an additional layer. It might be difficult to see but I used my Scor-Pal to add a few score lines near the top of the card. Simple yet fun!

Go visit the following ladies' blogs as they have some marvelous samples of these stamps as well as other sneak peeks you don't want to miss:

Katie

Trudy

Sarah

Shawne

Angela

Nancy

Laurie

Tricia

Candy

Kim

Cassie

Stacy

Tori

Also, for the month of December, CDS is offering the stamp of the month free with a $30 order instead of a $50 order! Woo-hoo! It is adorable....so keep checking back to see what the stamp of the month is for December!

Thanksgiving Blessings

I should be in bed but I had to post this card I did for the ColourQ Challenge - Pumpkin pie, Kiwi kiss, Taken with teal and Soft suede. I recently purchased this digital image from Squigglefly.com called Indian Girl. I colored in three images and cut portions out and popped them up. I love the dimension. Now don't laugh, but I can tell I'm tired because it took until I was completely done to realize, I never added the stitching from my sewing machine on this card like I had wanted to!! Oh well, just image it's there!!!!! The cardstock I used is soft suede and taken with teal. The designer paper is Basic Grey's Lime Rickey. Love the felt flowers made by Stampin' Up, the colors were perfect! I put in more soft suede by using the ribbon too. Thanks for stopping by.

Clearly Inspired Sketch Challenge

Ahhh, happy Friday!! I have a day off and I plan on doing nothing but stamp!!! This card is for the Clearly Inspired Challenge. Today's challenge is a sketch, a favorite of mine!! Play along and have fun with it. I used the December Flower of the Month set, adding color with watercolor pencils (for a change, I know!). I then cut the poinsettia out and popped it up on the nestie oval with pop dots. A little glitter fancies up the center. The designer paper is Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses. Colors include pomegranate, olive, pink and Baja breeze. The sentiment comes from the Christmas Scriptures set. The wide satin ribbon bow tied so easily, much to my surprise. I can tie a bow, just can't seem to ever get it to lay the way I want it to...this one, like I said, surprised me!

Just wanted to show you a quick and easy card I made using Clear Dollar Stamps' Acts 20:35 single stamp. A simple layout making use of my different Nesties to create a card that's meant to be made in numbers!! I've been forcing myself to make simple, flat cards for Christmas this year...last year I got socked with so much in postage!!!!! This one definitely fits the simple part, while thinner ribbon and not adding the dew drops will help me with the flat part!!

Christmas Train

It's the Merry Christmas train! Actually, this train comes from the Railroad Memories set at Clear Dollar Stamps. When it comes to mistakes in stamping, you always have at least a second chance to fix things because you can flip your cardstock over onto the other side. Well that's exactly what I did here. The thing is, on the "wrong" side I had stamped the train in Always artichoke ink then tried lightly sponging some Cranberry crisp over it in areas. Well, it didn't turn out at all like I had imagined so I flipped it over and stamped the train again on the other side. This time, I used my blender pen to "smudge" some of the lines of the train, only to have some of the cranberry from the other side bleed thru! Imagine my surprise when this happened...and I liked the effect!!! It may not have come across in the photo but the red is definitely there in real life! I finished this card off with some ribbon, gold brads, and a prima poinsettia. I know exactly which bachelor friend of ours will receive this card this Christmas!

Little Paper Shop Sketch Challenge

I have two cards to show you today!!! Surprised, aren't you??!!! This one is for the Little Paper Shop sketch challenge. Yes, I know, it was posted on Monday, but I just got it done, and in time!! I used the digital image Jena Fairy and added color with Copic markers. The DSP is the Nook and Pantry line by Basic Grey. I sewed around those three layers of paper. Other colors include Chocolate chip, Baja breeze, and Pretty in pink. The sentiment is by PaperTrey Ink called Mega Mixed Messages. I simply leave that set on my desk because I find I love using it! A few Basic Grey rhinestones and some beautiful wide pink satin ribbon finish the card.

Stamp Something Challenge

While cruising thru the CDS Design Team blogs, I found a new challenge on Katie's blog called Stamp Something. It's a really fun sketch challenge that you really have to try! The image is an adorable digital Gingerbread Girl I got from Creations by Louby Lou. I colored her in with my Copic markers and added a bit of glitz to the icing on the bowl that overfloweth. The DSP is Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses along with their matching brads. I found this HUGE poinsettia flower in a stash of forgotten embellishments that I simply had to use!! A large rhinestone brad by Stampin' Up adorns the center of the flower. As for cardstock colors I used Bravo burgundy, Pretty in pink and Old olive. Looks like another challenge I'll be following! Thanks Katie!!!!!

Faux Metal Technique

I wanted to show you another card I made with the stamp set Holiday Patterns by Clear Dollar Stamps. I made use of the faux metal technique that you can find here on Lori's blog. The scrap of DSP on the bottom of the card was my inspiration because of the silvery snowflakes. I paired it with Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly as well as Basic grey, Garden green and Very vanilla. The sentiment is from the Holly Builder set. What a fun technique, you really need to give it is try!

Holiday Patterns

Happy Thursday everyone! I'm looking forward to tomorrow - I'm off during the day and can get some stamping done. Mondays are the same way, however this past Monday my oldest son called to pick him up from school because he wasn't feeling well. Funny, an hour after he was home those aches and chills went away...like magic!!!!! Must have been Mom's TLC!!!!!!!

This project I found on someone's blog - unfortunately I misplaced the directions. As soon as I do I will provide a link. What an adorable little box that holds three Ghirardelli chocolates. The holly is from the set Holiday Patterns by Clear Dollar Stamps. The leaves and berries were stamped onto Very vanilla then stamped a second time, cut out, and popped up. The box itself is out of Bermuda bay with a layer of Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly DSP. I used Soft sky for the belly band and Basic black for the scallop circle. Such a sweet little gift for teachers or friends.

ColourQ Birthday Wishes

Yes, once again I'm late with a challenge, but it got done!! This is actually a dual challenge - the sketch came from Jacksonbelle's Tuesday Challenge and the colors are ColourQ Challenge #5, Dusty durango, Bordering blue, Sage shadow, Night of navy and a Neutral (here I used white). I used my favorite stand-by set, Blossoms Abound. The flower was stamped with Apricot appeal and Dusty durango and the leaves with Sage shadow. The sentiment came from PaperTrey Ink's Mega Mixed Messages stamp set. I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the bordering blue layer with the swirls folder and to cut out the flower and scallop layer with my Nestabilities. The DSP is by Cosmo Cricket, Everlasting , and the ribbon is white satin.

Clearly Inspired

You really need to check out Lori's blog about the new challenge hosted by Clear Dollar Stamps. It's called Clearly Inspired Challenges and is sure to be lots of fun. This week we needed to use 5 on our card somehow, all in celebration of CDS's 5th birthday. My card made use of the Christmas Blessings set. I used 5 colors, Confetti white, So saffron, Chocolate chip, Bravo burgundy and Always artichoke as well as 5 "accessories" - gold brads, Basic Grey pearls, Nesties, ribbon and a Cuttlebug embossing folder called Victoria. Okay, maybe I'm stretching it a little bit, but is sure was fun to make, and that's the whole idea of the challenge!! Be sure and play along, a prize of your choice of stamp set will be awarded to a random winner!!

Little Paper Shop Challenge

I decided to play along with the "Get Digified" Little Paper Shop Challenge - use a digi stamp AND actually stamp something with ink! I recently purchased this adorable Jena Rain digi and decided to use her -- with so many friends getting sick I thought she would make a perfect get well card! I used copic markers on her for color, then used the blender to remove color on her coat in the form of polka dots. A little white gel pen was used on her checks and to add highlights to the umbrella. What did I stamp you ask...the sentiment is Mega Mixed Messages by PaperTrey Ink. Embellishments of ribbon, Basic Grey pearls and lots of pop dots finish her up!


I couldn't have been more excited when I read that my card was chosen as the ColourQ Challenge winner!!!!! I'm a Colour Queen!!!!!! Check out the challenge every Tuesday!

Merry & Bright

I've started a collection of digital stamps, now that I know how they work!!! This image is from Pink Cat Studio. They have so many sweet digis, it's hard to narrow it down! I used the Candy Cane Slide and colored it in with my Copic markers. It's cut out and embossed with a Nestie. The sentiment is from PaperTrey Ink's Holiday Tree. Now for those who know me know that I generally go for the non-traditional holiday colors - well this one is red and green to the max!!! Real red, Glorious green, White and DSP by Daisyd's were used. I did a little bit of sewing and added a tiny pom pom to the little elf's hat.

The countdown to Christmas has begun at our house...I prefer to block it all out because I am never prepared for all the stress. Have a most wonderful Monday!!!

Happy Birthday Clear Dollar Stamps!!

Clear Dollar Stamps turns five this month --- Happy Birthday!! Lori has created a beautiful set called Birthday Celebrations and is on sale till November 5th -- 19 stamps in the set for a price of $11.99!!! Now you can't beat that! And that's not all...head on over to Lori's blog for details on the Great Candy Caper where you will have the chance to win a stamp set of your own choosing. Check it out on Lori's blog and good luck!

Giving Thanks

I always try to complete a challenge card on the same day it was posted -- and I didn't succeed with this one!! Oh well, still got it done. First of all the layout is from Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge and the colors are from the ColourQ Challenge - Bravo burgundy, Really rust, Taken with teal, and Old olive. I used the corn stamp by AMuse and the sentiment comes from Clear Dollar Stamps Charlie Harvest Time. A fun card to make - I will be using this sketch and these colors again sometime!!!

BOO! Final Day of Sneak Peeks!

It is more blessed to give than to receive...that's what my Mom always taught me and I hope I can instill that into my own children. The verse, Acts 20:35, from Clear Dollar Stamps, will be available for purchase tomorrow, November 1st. I wanted it to be the highlight of the card. I also have shyed away from many challenges asking for a lot of white on white to be used, so out of my comfort zone I went! The card base is white, the next layer, yep, you guessed it, is white and embossed with the Ornaments embossing folder. The other two colors are Bermuda bay and Basic black. The verse was stamped on white the popped up directly on top of another white panel -- I warned ya, it's a lot of white!! I had to use my new Martha Stewart loopy border punch, a little gingham ribbon and some black pearls. Check out these blogs of other ladies showing off this verse:

Tricia

Sarah

Candy

Now this card is showing off three new single stamps - present, tree, and Seasonal Wishes sentiment. The little holly sprig is from the set Sassy Scallops. Another card using a lot of white, what has gotten into me??!! Anyway, I stamped the tree in Old olive and the present in Real red and colored them in with my red and green glitter gelly roll pens. What fun sparkle. The eyelet border punch by SU was used on the red cardstock. The sentiment was stamped and punched out. The bow treatment is actually done in two pieces - the bottom piece was cut and the corners snipped. I then made a loop and stapled it in place, knowing I could hide the staple by popping up my sentiment. Simple, fun and sparkly...everything a holiday card should be!! There are other single stamps being released and you won't want to miss out on them!



Something else you don't want to miss out on is the Great Candy Caper. Why are we having a Great Candy Caper? We are celebrating something.....does anyone know what that would be? For 5 days, we will be giving away 5 prizes, to 5 people each day, to celebrate 5 years of????? Be sure to find out all the details November 1st!

Mini Christmas Scriptures

Wow, day #3 of sneak peeks for Clear Dollar Stamps already! This set I'm showing you samples from is called Mini Christmas Scriptures by Laurie Wilson. What a lovely set of verses! This card I used the December Flower of the Month set and colored it in with my Copic markers. Colors of cardstock include Always artichoke, Chocolate chip and White. I'm big on using non-traditional colors for Christmas cards. The DSP is PTI's Friends Till the End collection. Yes, I simply HAD to add some stitching...as well as brads and ribbon!!

This set of 4.25" square cards were fun and fast to make! I think I'll be making more for my Christmas cards this year!! They're flat and fit into an A2 envelope so no extra postage required. I used a set called Ornament Accents and added color with Copics. The cardstock is various colors from PTI as well as the coordinating shades of DSP called Bitty Star Basics. The most time consuming part was the stitching. Inside reads "Jesus is Born." I also added a strip of the DSP to the inside as well. You really should check out the other DT members showing this set off:

Tricia

Sarah

Stacy

Katie

Laurie

Candy

Let's Go Caroling!

Day two of Clear Dollar Stamps sneak peeks of some totally adorable sets being released Nov. 1st. This set is called Billy & Maggie Carolers by Wendy Hall. Talk about sweet! Being a self-proclaimed lazy stamper, I stepped out of my box and not only paper pieced Maggie's skirt but cut out that adorable little kittie and popped him up! Wow, I'm tired now!!!! LOL!!! The DT was challenged with the designer papers and ribbon to use on a project. I loved the colors and the way they coordinated so wonderfully. Colors of cardstock I used were Kiwi kiss, Baja breeze, and Purely pomegranate (trying to use up my stash!). The kiwi layer was embossed with the Allegro folder.

Now Billy is so handsome in his tux of blue and gray. I used DaisyDs paper I found in my scrap bin for this sketch we were challenged with. Of course I had to use my Cuttlebug once more, this time using the Swiss Dots folder. Fun ribbon from the Dollar Store and the fabulous Glitter Dots from Gina K Designs and the card is complete.

Check out these blogs for more inspiration:

Katie

Sarah

Wendy

Candy

Nov. CDS Sneak Peeks - Day #1

Welcome to day 1 of Clear Dollar Stamp's sneak peeks -- all these adorable sets will be available Nov. 1 and you won't want to miss out on a single one!!! The first one I'm showing is called Holiday Patterns by Laurie Wilson. The first card I tried to do the Versamark resist technique - when I say tried I forgot one step of the process, to emboss the images!!!!! I stamped all the images on glossy, got distracted, then simply ran my inked-up brayer over the paper! The images still came thru but not at all the way I had intended! Some zig zag stitching around the two layers really adds some pop. The snowflake is several layers of felt snowflake made by SU and held in place with a rhinestone brad. Then I decided to pull out my label maker to add a sentiment! Is that cheating??!!

The second card is what you call quick and simple. It is utterly ridiculous how much designer paper I have, so anytime I can make a card that uses some, I will! And who wouldn't think Christmas with the colors red, yellow, green and brown!!!! The sentiment comes from the set that I seem to be going to a lot, Christmas Blessings. You really must check out these DT member blogs for more inspiration:

Candy

Laurie

Katie

Nancy

Sarah

Here's another Laurie Wilson set called Railroad Memories. Having two boys of my own I am really drawn to the masculine sets. And trains were a big part of their growing up...and we still have all their Thomas the Tank Engine trains, books, and videos (and they're 10 and 14!). This card I put the four individual stamps in line on my acrylic block (after getting the boys' help as to the order of the cars!!) and stamped away!! Alright, I had to add my need for flowers and pearls by using Basic Grey's bling and Granola DSP! Check out the other projects these talented ladies created with this set:

Laurie

Tricia

Nancy
Stacy

Cassie

Now this cutie if from the set Dinomite by Guest Illustrator Heather Rolin. Such an adorable set!! I heat embossed this cutie on water color paper then colored her in using my Tombow markers. I cut her out and popped her up over an oval and scallop oval I cut out using a Nestie. The designer paper I found in my endless stash that never seems to go down. The black strip is cut out in a wavy pattern then zig zag stitched into place. The individual words in this set make some wonderful phrases, for this one I chose "Friend You're Dinomite." You need to check out the other DT Members who are previewing this set, they have some fabulous samples for you:

Tricia
Stacy

Tori

Candy

See you tomorrow for even more sneak peeks!!!!!

Our New Kitten!

Believe it or not, this is actually my second post for today! I know a month or so ago I showed you a picture of a kitten we were "test driving" named Sydney. Well, Sydney simply never fit into our family. She was so painfully shy all she did was hide under the dressers in our bedroom. We returned her to the family we got her from where she is blossoming. I think she just didn't like being separated from her sisters. We convinced ourselves that we would be fine with one cat when my friend offered us this darling little boy. We've named him Mojo -- now I can never say I lost my Mojo because he is by me almost all the time!!! Talk about a perfect fit, he is so friendly and playful, always wanting attention, especially from our other cat who isn't quite convinced he should stay!!! He squeaks instead of meows, which makes me laugh at him all the more!!! We are very lucky to have him! I'm sure I'll have lots of fun stories to tell so I'll keep you posted!!