It's Wearable ... But Is It Art?

TGiF, crafty stampers!

Today's project was created for Studio L3's Grungy Monday challenge. This week, Linda has challenged us to create 'Wearable Art' using product by Tim Holtz. For all of the challenging deets, clicky HERE ... to check out Tim's blog, products, or his oh-so-inspiring art gallery, clicky THERE.

This piece is very special to me as all of the elements in the Pocket Watch have personal meaning.

I lined the interior with a vintage milk bottle cap, then added a Sprocket Gear, a Game Spinner, a vintage Bingo marker, a vintage key marked "Connecticut," and a w-a-y early Tim-product, Design Originals word/collage art. (Anyone else still hoarding this ancient Tim-product?!?) I used a Swivel Clasp to attach a flattened bottle cap I filled with a vintage telephone image and Glossy Accents, a cool dripping faucet charm, and a vintage key. The whole she-bang was added to Bead Chain and ... finis. So easy, even I could do it!

This project qualifies for a number of fabulous challenges ... for the complete list, refer to the bottom of this post.

Soooooooooo, Sheila's DH has a notoriously bad memory for ... well, everything ... and decided earlier this year to set up an account with our favorite florist so that a loverly bouquet and a heart-felt love note would automatically be delivered for Sheila's birthday, at Christmas, etc. A good plan, no?

Soooooooooo, yesterday was Sheila and her DH's wedding anniversary. Naturally, I stopped over to drop off a card and a l'il somethin'-somethin' for the happy couple and managed to time my arrival to Mr. Sheila's.

As we walked into the house together, he kissed his blushing bride and said offhandedly, "Hey, nice flowers, Honey. Where'd you get 'em?"

Methinks this would have been a good plan if Mr. Sheila had remembered his good plan ...

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... have a very crafty weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Allsorts: Anything Goes
• Art Impression Stamps: Anything But
• Cooking It Up With Katie: 3 Favs (Metal/Vintage Bits/TH Products)
• Craft Us Crazy: Favorite Embellishments (Tim Holtz Products)
• Crafty Catz: I Spy ... 'B' Things (Bottle Cap/Bingo Marker)
• Frosted Designs: Shape It Up (3 Circles)
  
• Inspire Me Friday's: Anything Goes
  
• Just For Fun: Distress Him
  
• More Than Favors: Circles
• Penny's Challenges: Anything Goes
• Ruby's Rainbow: Vintage
• The Three Muses: Art in the Round
  

Pocket Watch Ingredients:

• Pocket Watch by Tim Holtz
• Paper: "Time" Word Art by Tim Holtz for Design Originals; Vintage Milk Bottle Cap, Personal Collection; Vintage Telephone Image, Personal Collection
  
• Ink: "Gathered Twigs" Distress Ink
• Accessories: Sprocket Gear by Tim Holtz; Game Spinner by Tim Holtz; Swivel Clasp by Tim Holtz; Bead Chain by Tim Holtz; Jump Rings by Tim Holtz; Brads by Tim Holtz; Bottle Cap; 'Dripping Faucet' Charm, Vintage Keys, and Vintage Bingo Marker, Personal Collection
• Tools: Glossy Accents by Ranger Industries
  

Be My Valentine ... A 15 Minute Project

Happy Stump Day, hampers!

Today's CAS card was created for the Inspiration Journal blog challenge ... to put a heart on it. So I did! I {heart} shopping at Inspiration Emporium so the chance to win a $50.00 Emporium Certificate was too good to miss ... especially with all the new Tim Holtz goodness arriving!

I was also inspired to create this card for CASual-Friday's Clean and Simple "Movie" challenge. My movie inspiration is the 'love-ly' film "Valentine's Day." Didn't see that coming, didcha?!?

For the short list of product I used in creating this card, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooooo, yesterday Sheila asked me to come over to take a photo of her and her DH for their wedding anniversary.

I set up my tripod and camera in front of the happy couple and noticed that Sheila looked stiff and way too "posed."

"Why don't you lightly drape your arm around Ken's shoulder?" I suggested.

"Deb, if you want Sheila to look natural, why not have her put her hand in my pocket and on my wallet?"

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• CAS-ual Fridays: Movie Inspiration (Valentine's Day)
• Inspiration Journal: Put a Heart on It
• Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
• Tuesday Throwdown: Be My Valentine
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Kraft Card Stock by PTI
• Stamp: "Be My Valentine" by Stampin' Up (Retired)
• Ink: "Fired Brick" and "Gathered Twigs" Distress Ink by Tim Holtz
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine by Sizzix; Spellbinder's Oval Die; "Heart Block" Embossing Folder by Provo Craft; Corner Chomper by WRMK's; Blending Tool by Tim Holtz; Foam Dimensionals
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top Folded)
  

Gears to You ... a 15 Minute Project

It's the return of the Dreaded 15 Minute Man Card!

Today's card project was created using manly elements, a bit of distressing, and lots of Tim Holtz goodness!

I die-cut the gears from scrap chipboard and added color using Adirondack Dabbers in Juniper, Silver, Gold, and Copper. A few stickers, some sprockets, a game spinner, a typewriter key word and finis ... easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

For the complete list of product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooooo, Reid-the-Wild-Child (remember him!?!) called me yesterday ... because he does that ... and had a question:

"Auntie, I was at Church on Sunday and in Father Paul's sermon he said 'Without Jesus we are but dust ...'.

"Umm, okay?"

"Well, here's my question: what is butt dust?"

Hey! I have a question ... why do I always get these questions?!?

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... have a very crafty weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• ATCs and Cards With Attitude: Anything Goes
• Charisma Cardz Challenge: Vintage
  
• Craft Us Crazy: Anything Goes
  
• Crafty Sentiments Designs: Punches and/or Dies
• Drunken Stampers: Something New (Gear Die)
  
• Just Inspirational: Steampunk
• Make It Monday: Anything Goes
  
• Stampin' for the Weekend: Embossing
• Sentimental Sundays: Dry Embossing
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Kraft Card Stock by PTI; Tim Holtz "Nostalgic" Kraft-Core Card Stock by Core'dinations
• Other Paper: Scrap Chipboard
• Stamps: None
• Ink: "Gathered Twigs" and "Walnut Stain" Distress Inks by Tim Holtz
• Other Color Medium: Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabbers in Copper, Gold, Juniper, and Silver by Ranger
  
• Accessories: Salvaged Stickers, Lost & Found Collection, by Tim Holtz; Adage Tickets by Tim Holtz; Game Spinner and Sprocket Gears by Tim Holtz; Typewriter Key Word by K&Company
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; "Steampunk" Bigz Die by Tim Holtz; "Regal Flourishes" Texture Fade Embossing Folder by Tim Holtz; Sanding Block by Tim Holtz; Tiny Attacher Tool by Tim Holtz; Ink Blending Tool by Tim Holtz
  
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

Simply Black ...

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the long holiday weekend! Hope your Thanksgiving was full of family, friends, love, and laughter ... oh, and lots of yummy turkey, too! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another fun "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon reminds us that, "here in the U.S., "Black Friday" is the day after Thanksgiving when the holiday shopping season steps into full gear and all retailers hope to get their books out of the 'red' -- and into the 'black.' So, taking our inspiration from that -- today we will use black in our creations. Use black as one of your feature colors or merely as an accent -- or use a black ribbon or other embellishment -- whatever works for you."

I love teaming black with bright white ... these colors just "pop" when used together. My card is super-simple ... just an embossed card base and some black embellishments:

To play along in this week's challenge ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a paper project featuring the color black. Then, upload your project to your blog or online photo gallery and visit Sharon's blog, located HERE and link your project up to Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime167" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulous "Black Friday" projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Sharon Johnson, Our Fearless Leader: No Time to Stamp?;

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Janine Orchard: 2 B Krafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and our amazing Guest Designer for November,

Claudia Rose: Pretty Pressings.

If you'd like, you can check out all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions HERE.

We can't wait to see your black creations!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,


Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Basic Black" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Charm Clip by Tim Holtz; Vintage Black Seam Binding Tape from Stash; Typewriter Key-Style Word Tile by K&Company
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; 5" x 7" Embossing Folder by Provo Craft; Snowflake Die by Spellbinders; Corner Chomper by WRMK'ers; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up
  
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

A Super Simple Christmas Card ...

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon says: "Clean and Simple is definitely the way to go when we need to mass produce. But it's also a very refreshing and pleasing style to fall back on any time at all. Today let us truly think Clean and Simple ... SUPER SIMPLE! And let's make cards with Christmas OR winter in mind as we inspire each other with all our Clean and Simple creations!

Shut the front door! This is The. Best. Stamp. Simply. Challenge. Ever! I {♥} this challenge! Thanks so much Sharon, for combining my very favorite style and theme!

Sooooo, if super-simple is what you want, super-simple is what you get:

To play along in this week's challenge ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a SUPER CLEAN and SIMPLE card. Then, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery and visit Sharon's blog, located HERE and link your project up to Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime163" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulously creative projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Our Fearless Leader, Sharon Johnson: No Time to Stamp?;

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Janine Orchard: 2 B Krafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and our talented Guest Designer for October,

Jerri Kay Jimenez: A Touch of Grace.

If you'd like, you can see all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions HERE.

We can't wait to see your clean and simple creation!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your very busy day with me ... hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,


Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Real Red" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Stamp: "Make Merry" from "Tags So Much" Stamp Set (Retired) by Stampin' Up
• Ink: "Real Red" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessory: Red and White Checked Gingham Ribbon
• Tools: Tag Punch by Stampin' Up; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (Top-Folded)
  

Simply Leaves ...

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon has challenged us to incorporate leaves into our projects -- any types of leaves, any type of card or project. Let's see some beautiful "Falling Leaves" this week as we transition info fall mode!

Here's my leafy card:

You can't tell from the photo, but I stamped my images using 'Walnut Ink' Distress ink, then clear embossed both the leaf and the sentiment.

To play along in this week's challenge ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a paper project using the Falling Leaves theme. Then, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery and visit Sharon's blog, located HERE to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime155" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulously leafy projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Sharon, Our Fearless Leader: No Time to Stamp?;

AJ: The Willow Garden;

Barb: Explore. Dream. Discover;

Barbara: Paper Pursuits;

Deb: Dream in Color;

Janine: 2 B Krafty; and,

Jenny: One Krafty Kat.

If you'd like, you can view all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions, HERE.

We can't wait to see your leafy creations!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,


I'm Entering This Card in These Challenges:

• ABC Challenge: 'C' is for Charms
• A Crafty Little Place: Anything Goes
• Allsorts: Garden or Park Inspiration
  
• Artful Inkables: Think Ink (Distress Inks)
  
• Belli Challenge: Old Stamps ("Autumn" Stamp Set, 2000)
• C.E.S. Challenges: Anything Goes
• Corrosive Challenge: For the Guys
  
• Digi Doodle: Write Me a Message
• Divine Diva: Inspiration
• Etsy Inspired: 'Caged Fairy' (Inspired by THIS)
  
• Papertake Weekly: Just the One (1 DP/1 Word/1 Leaf/1 Ribbon)
• Pollycraft Monday: Add a Little Nature
• Sentimental Sundays: Clean and Simple
  
• Stampin' B's: Use a Charm
• Stampin' Sisters in Christ: Metal (Metal Leaf Charms)
• Stamping Vacation: Fountain of Youth (Leaf)
  
• The Paper Players: Anything Goes
  
• The Shabby Tea Room: (Old=Stamp Set / New=Ribbon)
  
• The Three Muses: Back to Nature
• Wee Memories: In the Forest
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by Stampin' Up!
• Designer Paper: BasicGrey
  
• Stamps: All Stamps from the "Autumn" Stamp Set (Retired), by Stampin' Up!
• Ink: "Antique Linen" and "Walnut Stain" Distress Inks by Ranger
• Accessories: Metal Leaf Charms; Grosgrain Ribbon; Thread; Clear Embossing Powder
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Ink Tool; Heat Gun; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up!
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Stamp Simply: One-Layer Cards

TGIF hoarding card-makers and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, our challenge is brought to us by team member Barbara Anders. Barbara is challenging everyone to create a one-layer card. That means only the card base ... not the card base + one other layer ... NO layers allowed.

Embellish your card however you'd like ... ribbon, buttons, bling, scoring, anything goes but no layers! C'mon, give it a try: OLC's are fast and fun!

Here's my one-layer card:

I used a Nestabilities die to create a debossed frame in the card stock, then stamped my image inside the frame using Versamark embossing ink. I heat embossed the focal image using black embossing powder, stamped my sentiment, and tied a satin ribbon around the front of the card and into a bow. Quick and easy!

To play along ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a one-layer card, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery, then visit Sharon's blog, located HERE to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime151" so that we can find your project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulous projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Sharon, Our Fearless Leader: No Time to Stamp?;

AJ: The Willow Garden;

Barb: Explore. Dream. Discover.;

Barbara: Paper Pursuits;

Deb: Dream in Color;

Janine: 2 B Krafty;

Jenny: One Krafty Kat; and, our fabulous Guest Designer for August,

Charlene: Paper and Ink Playground.

If you'd like, you can see all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions HERE.

We can't wait to see your one-layer card!

Sooooooooooo yesterday, Sheila and I took a trip to Michaels to oohhhhh and ahhhhh over stamps, and punches, and patterned paper. You know, the usual attractions.

As we wandered aimlessly around the store, Sheila spotted a familiar face. Being the one-woman Welcome Wagon that she is, Sheila dragged me over to say hello.

"You look like Helen Brown!" Sheila exclaimed.

"Well," the woman snapped back, "you don't look so great in blue, either!"

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Cute Card Thursday: Whateva
  
• Dutch Dare: Anything Goes
  
• Lollipop Crafts: Anything Goes
  
• Meljen's Designs: Clean and Simple
  
• Pals Paper Arts: Masculine KISS
• Papertake Weekly: White and Bright
  
• Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge: Anything Goes
• Practical Scrappers: Just One Embellishment (Ribbon)
  
• Really Reasonable Ribbon: Black and White / Ribbon
• Sparkle Creations: Favorite Embellishment (Ribbon)
  
• Stamp n' Doodle: Birthday Card
  
• Tuesday Taggers: Lots of Lovely Black
• Your Next Stamp: Birthday
  
• Wild Flower Wednesday: Embossing (Heat Embossing)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: White Card Stock by PTI
• Stamps: "Floral Tile" Stamp by Stampendous; Sentiment by PTI
• Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink; "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up!
• Accessories: Black Satin Ribbon; Super-Fine Detail Embossing Powder by Ranger
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die by Spellbinders; Heat Gun
  
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

The 60's Called; They Want Their Peace Sign Back ...

Happy Tuesday, hoarding card-makers ... hope you're having a great day!

Today's card project was created for the "Signs of Peace Challenge" in the Moxie Fab World. For all of the peaceful yet challenging deets, clicky HERE ... and there's still lots of time for you to join in!

Here's my take on the challenge:

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the mind-blowin' product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooo, yesterday Sheila, her crazy sister, Jill, and I decided to do a l'il mall shopping. Because she never offers, Sheila insisted that Jill drive ... in her car.

"Ya know, and pay for the gas this time?" Sheila explained.

So off we go to the Wellington mall, Jill at the wheel, driving her very own car, using her very own gas ... a major coup! Our first stop, though, was a self-service gas station because Jill "forgot" to get gas.

We waited in the car while Jill filled the tank. After filling up, we were off once again.

"Hmmmm ..., I wonder?" Jill mused aloud.

"You wonder what, Einstein?" Sheila asked.

"I'm not sure if I put the gas cap back on the car ... I know I took it off."

"Well, of course you took it off you yo-yo, otherwise you wouldn't have had to pay for the gas you didn't put in the tank."

"Are you trying to confuse me?" Jill asked.

"Well, that's no challenge. Look, just pull over and get out of the car and check to see if you've got your gas cap." Sheila said.

Sure enough, Jill had forgotten to put the gas cap back on ... she was capless!

"Now what do I do?" Jill whined.

So off we go back to the gas station to see if she left the cap there. She hadn't.

"Well, it must have fallen off your car. So, park the car and you can start walking back down the road to look for it." Sheila said. "Deb and I will look on this side of the road."

Since we were in no rush to play in traffic, we were just climbing out of the car when we saw Jill running back, gas cap in hand.

"I found it, I found it! Yippee, I found it!" Jill enthused as she skipped around to the back of the car and put the gas cap back on. We all climbed back into the car and off we went ... again.

"You know, you're awfully lucky to have found your gas cap so quickly." I commented.

"Oh, no, that wasn't my gas cap ... this one was much better." Jill replied.

"Really? How is it 'better?'" Sheila asked.

"It's better 'cuz this one locks!"

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge: Punches
• Anything Goes Challenge: Punches
• Crafty Cardmakers: Punches
  
• Digi Doodles: Punch or Cut Me
• Freshly Brewed Challenges: Inspiration (Colors)
• Friends Having Fun: Color
• Kah-Wink-E-Dink: Anything Goes as Long as it's Cool
  
• Moxie Fab World: Signs of Peace
• Opus Gluei: Shirt Off Your Back (Tie-Dyed w/Peace Sign)
• Papertake Weekly: White and Bright
  
• Polka Doodle: Generic Male or Female
• Stampin' Celebration: Inspiration (Colors)
• Totally Papercrafts: Going to the Movies (Woodstock)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Various, Most by Stampin' Up!
• Stamps: Sentiment by Stamps of Life; Peace Sign by Rubber Stampede
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Vintage Bakery Twine; DMC Embroidery Floss
• Tools: 1/16", 1 1/4", 1 1/2" Circle Punches; Corner Rounder Punch; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up!
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Side-Folded)
  

Get Your Bling On ...

Happy Stump Day, hampers ... and welcome to another fantastic CAS-tastic Wednesday challenge!

ETA: Due to some unexpected technical difficulties, the "Bling It Up" submission/collection post is not appearing on the CAS-tastic Wednesday Challenge blog. I'll let you know as soon as it's up and running and you can submit your fabulous entries. Thanks for your patience and understanding!

This week, we're inviting you to "Bling it Up!" Join us in creating clean and simple cards with bling! You can use rhinestones, stickles, and gems ... just keep your creation "clean and simple."

For my "Bling it Up" project, I used some three-dimensional stickers I've had forever, some alphabet squares, and a spray of impossibly-difficult-to-adhere rhinestones:

To play along ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a Clean And Simple card with bling!

Upload your project to your blog or online gallery and link your post to the CAS-tastic Wednesday Challenge blog, located HERE, by 9:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, August 3, 2010. Please mention that you're playing in the CAS-tastic Wednesday challenge on your blog post. One random winner will win a fabulous prize from this week's fantastic CAS-tastic sponsor, "Whimsy Stamps."

Be sure to submit your link to the "Simply Linked" widget on the CAS-tastic Wednesday blog. If you upload your project to an online gallery such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please be sure to use Keyword: CWC014.

Need more inspiration? Check out the fabulous cards created by the rest of the CAS-tastic Design Team:

Agata: Under Construction;

Angie: Angie Cortes Designs;

Barbara: Paper Pursuits;

Bonnie Rose: A Life Unrehearsed;

Karen: The Bald Dragonfly;

Maylee: Maylee's Creative Corner; and,

Regina: Regina's Scrap Creations.

We can't wait to see your blinged-out clean and simple cards!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Crazy 4 Challenges: Inspiration (Bright Colors, Circles)
  
• Createalicious: 3-D
• Creative Cottage: Touchy Feely
• Creative Inspiration: Anything Goes
  
• Mami Doodles: Anything Goes
  
• Pile It On: Stretch That Plastic (Plastic Letter Tiles)

Simply Stars ...

TGIF stampin' paper-hoarders and welcome to the holiday weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon has challenged us to focus on incorporating stars into our projects ... patriotic stars, "A+ Great Job" stars, "twinkle, twinkle, little stars" ... any kind of stars you like. Use punched or die-cut stars, stickers, star paper ... well, you get the idea. Just show us some fabulous stars this week!

Here's my super-simple, stamped and starred card:

To play along ... and we hope you do! ... simply create a project using stars, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery, then visit Sharon's blog, located HERE, to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime146" so that we can find your starry project.

Need more inspiration? Don't miss the fabulous projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Sharon Johnson, Our Fearless Leader: No Time to Stamp?;

Janine Orchard: 2BKrafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover., and our fabulous Guest Designer for July,

Clare Buswell: Clare's Creations.

If you'd like, you can see all of the Splitcoast Stampers gallery submissions HERE.

Soooooooooo yesterday, Sheila and I were out and about and decided to stop at a vegetable stand to pick up some fresh sweet corn. The place was deserted ... except for a very large, very sleepy German Shepherd.

We both stepped over the dog, picked out our corn, then opened the cash box to pay.

"Look." Sheila said, pointing at the cash box.

Taped to the inside of the lid was a note: "The dog can count."

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me ... have a fabulous holiday weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• ABC Design Blog: Red, White, & Blue
• Ai Factory: Red, White, & Blue
  
• Aud Sentiments Challenge: The Word "Love"
• Bildmalarna: Red, White, & Blue
  
• Create with Connie and Mary: 4th of July/Red, White, & Blue
• Cupcake Inspirations: Red, White, & Blue Inspiration
  
• Divine Diva Inspiration Challenge: Inspiration Photo
  
• For Fun Challenges: Show Your Patriotic Spirit
• Frosted Designs: Red, White, & Blue and Stars & Stripes
• I ♥ ProMarkers: Stripes
  
• Let's Capture Our Memories: Red, White, & Blue
  
• Lexi's Creations: Layers / 3-D / Decoupage
  
• Meljen's Designs: Red, White, & Blue
• One Powerful Hour: Blue, White, & A Touch of Red
  
• One Stitch at a Time: Stars and Stripes
• Pals Paper Arts: Inspiration, 4th of July
• Papercraft Star: Red, White, & Blue
  
• Paper Cutz Challenge: 4th of July
  
• Paper Romance: Red, White, & Blue
• Pixie Dust Studio: Red, White, & Blue
• Raise the Bar: Colors of Your Flag
  
• Sisterhood of Crafters: Movie (Forrest Gump Loved the USA)
  
• Stamp Insanity: Red, White, & Blue
• Stamptacular Sunday: Stars and Stripes
  
• Stampin' Celebration: Inspiration Challenge
• Wee Memories: Red, White, & Blue
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Striped Paper: Digital File by Timo
• Other Paper: Navy Paint Sample Card
• Stamp: Heidi Swapp
• Ink: "Night of Navy" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Star Dies; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (Top-Folded)
  

Let Your Imagination Take Flight

Happy Tuesday, hoarding card-makers!

Today's 15 Minute card project was created in a flash using a layered digital file, a stamped tag, and a bit of satin ribbon.

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all of the digi-deets, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooo, on Sunday Sheila and I and our DH's went out and played a round of golf. The guys really don't like going out with us, but it being Father's Day I think they figgered they had to.

All through the front nine, Sheila nagged at Ken about his long game, his short game, his swing, his stance, his grip, even his outfit. I woulda slugged her, but that's me, lolol.

Finally, Ken snapped, "Sheila, please. STOP. I can't take another complaint ... you're gonna drive me outta my mind!"

"That," Sheila observed, "wouldn't be a drive, it'd be a short putt."

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Cutie Sunday: Summer
• Daisy Doodles: Summertime + Digital Image
• One Scrappy Doctor: Jolly June Yellow
  
• One Stitch at a Time: Seeing Double (2 Colors, 2 Sentiments, 2 Stars)
  
• Pals Paper Arts: Summer
  
• Sassy Studio Designs: Summertime + Digital Image
• Simple Doodles: Fun in the Sun
• Stamp Something: Something Summer
• Stampbotique Designers: Summer
  
• Quirky Crafts: Summer
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Summer Sun" Card Stock by PTI
• Other Paper: HP Laser Photo Paper
  
• Digital File: Scrap Artists Collaboration
• Stamp: Sentiment by PTI
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: "Summer Sun" Satin Ribbon by PTI; Eyelet
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Tiny Tags Die; Crop-a-Dile by WRMK's; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

It's a Play Date with Paper Dolls!

Happy Monday, crafty stampers ... hope your weekend was long and fabulous!

Today's 15 Minute card project was created using the color challenge from The Play Date Cafe, for the Papertrey Paper Dolls "What's Old is New" challenge. For all of the challenging deets you can visit The Play Date Cafe HERE, and the Papertrey Paper Dolls, HERE.

This card also qualifies for and has been entered into a number of other challenges. Check out "Today's Challenges" below, for a complete list.

PDCC#34 is a "Color Splash" challenge ... my favorite kind of Play Date challenge! Here's a look at the black, white, and a 'splash' of blue inspiration photo:

Striking 'splash o'color,' isn't it?

I created my black, white, and a splash of blue card using PTI's "Green Thumb" stamp set. This set is definitely OLD ... it was released in March, 2007. As a matter of fact, this set was the third stamp set released by Papertrey Ink ... soooooo, it's about as old as PTI stamp sets come!

Here's my card:

For the ginormous view of my one-layer card, clicky on the photo ... and for the short list of products I used, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooooo, the other night the DH and I were hangin' out with Sheila and her DH. At some point in the festivities, the guys we decided that we should watch some sports.

"Let's watch the NBA finals." Ken suggested.

"Naw, let's watch the World Cup." My DH countered.

"Well, I really don't care, but maybe Sheila has a preference." I added.

"So, those are the choices: soccer or basketball?" Sheila asked. "Okay, basketball. At least with basketball, something actually happens."

Thanks for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• A Passion for Papertrey: One-Layer Card
• Aly's Sunday Challenge: Flower-Power
• Ann's Creative Nook: Masculine (This is Very No-Frills!)
• Cinema Saturday: Father of the Bride (Simple Joy=The Love of a Father/Blue)
  
• Corrosive Challenge: Black and White + One
  
• Cowgirl's Sunday Challenge: Anything Goes + Flowers
• Fun With Shapes and More: Flowery + Corner Rounder Punch
  
• Lots to Do: Quotation
  
• Paper Play: Something Old (Stamps)
• Papertrey Paper Dolls: What's Old is New (Green Thumb, March '07)
• Practical Scrappers: Flowers
  
• The Play Date Cafe Challenge: Color Splash, PDCC34

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Stampers Select White by PTI
• Stamps: All Stamps from "Green Thumb" Stamp Set by PTI
• Ink: "Basic Black" and "Pacific Point" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Black Brad Pitts by American Crafts
• Tools: Corner Chomper by WRMK's; SAMJ by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Have a Happy Krafty Birthday

And happy Tuesday, crafty stampers ... hope you had a fabulous weekend ... and a tolerable Monday!

My weekend and Monday? Not so fabulous: I'm battling a cold or something and I'm really trying to avoid another bout of pneumonia. So I'm resting ... well, actually sleeping ... and when I'm conscious, I'm drinking boatloads of water.

The point is ... and I do have one ... I think ... is, oh! yes, the point is that this post will be short and sweet ... just like me!

Today's card project was put together in a State of Emergency for a v-e-r-y last minute birthday card. Hence, the clean and uber-simple design:

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all the (k)rafty product deets, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, 'cuz I've been feelin' poorly, I didn't get to hang out with Sheila for a couple of days. But never fear, Reid-the-Wild-Child called me up to tell me one of his new FREE jokes. If you're a regular around here, you know what that means. If you're new, do a blog search for "jokes" or "Reid" to get all up to speed. Anyway, here it is 'cuz it's all I got:

"So, Aunty, here's what: A man went to visit his doctor and said 'Doctor, my arm hurts real bad. Can you check it please?'"

The doctor rolls up the man's sleeve and suddenly hears the arm talk!

"Hello Doctor, could you please lend me twenty bucks? I'm desperate!" the arm says, (in a squeaky Wild-Child voice).

The doctor says, "Oh, okay, I see the problem ... your arm is broke!"

HahHahHahHaha, Love Reid.

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... you rock!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Crafty Cardmakers: Cards For Men
• Creative Stamp Friends: Pink and Brown (Kraft)
  
• Daisy Doodles: Manly
• For Fun Challenge: Happy Birthday
  
• Incy Wincy: One for the Guys
• Lexi's Creations: Something Old (Vintage Seam Binding Tape)
• One Stitch at a Time: Celebrations (Birthday)
• Party Time Tuesdays: Anything Goes (Birthday)
  
• Pollycraft Monday: Let's Have a Sing-Song (Happy Birthday!)
• Stamp Something: Happy Somethings (Birthday)
  
• There She Goes: Worn, Torn, Distressed (Ribbon is Wrinkled and Inked)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Kraft Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Stamp: Studio G by Hampton Art
• Inks: Vintage Cream Hybrid Ink by PTI; Antique Linen Distress Ink
  
• Accessory: Vintage Seam Binding Tape
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Label Die; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Bloom Where You're Planted ...

Happy Thursday crafty stampers!

Today's card project was created in a New York minute for the current "Craft Your Passion" blog challenge. The challenge is a "recipe" challenge and called for the use of just one designer paper and exactly three brads. For all of the challenging deets, clicky HERE.

Here's the super-simple, one DP, three brad card I created:

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all the crafty product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, last night I had to make a quick run over to Sheila's. When I got there, I slipped into her house through the back door ... which is almost always unlocked.

"We're in here!" Sheila called out to me.

I found them on the couch in the family room, Sheila's head leaning against the crook of her DH's arm. Awwwwww, cute!

Suddenly her cell phone beeped.

It was a text message from her DH: "Move."

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• A Crafty Little Place: Anything But Square
  
• A Spoon Full of Sugar: Floral Delight
  
• Craft Your Passion: Recipe (One DP / Three Brads)
  
• Gingersnap Designs, Random Redhead: Quotes
• Paper Makeup: Flowers
  
• Stempel-Magie (Stamp Magic): Flower Theme
  
• Tuesday Taggers: All That Blooms, Sponsor Unknown
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Chocolate Chip" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Paperie Mocha by Making Memories
• Stamps: Sentiment Stamps from Set by PTI
• Ink: "Soft Suede" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Brad Pitts by American Crafts
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Side-Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online 24/7 ... HERE

Simply Sweet ...

TGIF stampin' paper-hoarders and welcome to the weekend! And, since it's finally another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, our challenge comes to us from Jenny Gropp. Jenny wants us to create a card or a project featuring something SWEET ... a cake, cupcake, or candy! It can be a stamped image, patterned paper, or an embellishment ... whatever you have in your stash that fits the theme.

I sweetened my card by using a 'sweet' sentiment ... and a cute l'il 'cupcake' brad:

Please join us this week! When you've completed your sweet project, upload it to your blog or online photo gallery, then visit Sharon's blog, located HERE, to link up your project in Mr. Linky, located HERE.

When uploading to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, SNR, or Paper Craft Planet, please use keyword: "ssnotime142" so that we can find your project.

Don't miss the fabulous sweet projects created by the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Sharon Johnson, Our Fearless Leader: No Time to Stamp?;

Janine Orchard: 2BKrafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover., and our talented guest designer for the month of June,

Julia Aston: Create with Me.

We can't wait to see your SWEET creations!

Sooooooooo, yesterday Sheila, Reid-the-Wild-Child, and I picked up Sheila's dumb-as-dirt crazy sister, Jill, and drove out west to pick up some citrus trees. On the way, we stopped by the Triple R Ranch to look at a Quarter horse that Sheila is crushin' on.

While we were in the barn, the Wild-Child picked up a rope and started waving it around.

"Look Aunty Jill, I'm a cowboy and this is my lasso. I'm gonna saddle up my horse now and go catch a cow." Reid said.

"That's all well and good, but exactly what do you plan on using for bait?"

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... hope you have a fabulous weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• A Spoon Full of Sugar: Celebrations
• Ai Factory: Anything Goes with a Punch/Die-Cut
  
• Ann's Creative Nook: Red, White, and Blue
  
• Color Chef Challenge: Light Blue/Dark Blue/Red/White
• Corrosive Challenge: What's Cookin'?
  
• Fun to Stamp: Metal (Cupcake Brad)
• Gingersnap Creations, Random Redhead: Quotes
  
• Magical Crafts: Metal Madness (Cupcake Brad)
  
• One Stitch at a Time: Something New (Cupcake Brad)
  
• Stamp, Scrap and Doodle: Red, White, and Blue
  
• Sunday's with Chrissy: Layers
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Real Red" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Sassafrass Lass
• Stamp: River City Rubber
• Ink: "Real Red" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Cupcake Brad Pitt
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Square Die; Corner Rounder by WRMK's; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (Top-Folded)
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE

So Jazzed for You!

Happy Thursday crafty stampers!

Today's card project was created for no-good reason using a cute stamp from Studio G and not much else:

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for all the jazzy product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Sooooooo, recently Sheila's DH, Ken, was the Best Man in his brother's wedding. Yesterday when I stopped by Shelia's, she had to show me the 'Best Man' gift that had arrived for Ken.

Sheila pulled me into the family room and nudged me toward the bookcase. There on a shelf sat a simple but elegant silver mug.

Unfortunately, the engraver made a teensy-tiny mistake as the mug read, "Best man once, a bother forever."

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... I really appreciate your visits!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 365 Cards, Day 95: It's So You
• Allsorts: Black and White and One Other
• Cinema Saturday: Ferris Bueller's Day Off ("Wake up and smell the coffee, Mrs. Bueller")
  
• Corrosive Challenge: What's Cookin'??? (Coffee)
  
• Crafty Cardmakers: Least (Yellow) and Most (Black)
• Delightful Sketches: Texture
  
• Etsy Inspired: Sunshyne Silverware (Daydream in Yellow)
  
• Just Us Girls: Dry Embossing
• Meljen's Designs: Dry Embossing
  
• Oh, Alice: Swirls
  
• Paper Playtime: Groovy (Sentiment)
  
• Stempeltraume: Swirls
  
• Tuesday Taggers: Touchy Feely Texture
  
• Totally Stampalicious: Inspiration, Sex and the City (Coffee Shop)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Basic Black" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Thrift Shop" Collection by October Afternoon
• Stamps: Coffee Cup by Hampton Art for Studio G; Sentiment by Verve Visual
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Black Satin Ribbon
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Square Dies; A2 Embossing Folder; Stampin' Dimensionals by Stampin' Up
  

Shop for Stampin' Up products online ... 24/7 ... HERE