Celebrate Today ...

Happy Stump Day, Hampers! Hope your week is flyin' by!

Today's card project was created for my woefully depleted birthday card stash using a cute l'il tree stamp from Hero Arts and a sentiment from PTI:

I stamped the Cherry Blossom tree three times on card stock, colored the blossoms with Copic markers, and added a piece of fringed DP for my 'grass' covered hillside. I stamped my sentiment and swirly-thingie on a metal-edge tag, tied on some twill tape, added two buttons, and finis! So easy, even I could do it!

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

Sooooooooo, on Sunday night, Sheila and I and our respective DH's went to a house-warming party for mutual friends. Of course, crazy Jill and her weird boyfriend Jack, were invited too.

At the party, we were introduced to our friends' younger brother, Todd and his wife, Beverly.

"So, Todd, what do you do for a living?" Sheila asked.

"Well, it's a bit more complicated but for brevity's sake, I work as a Defense Contractor." Todd answered.

We all nodded and smiled and the conversation moved on to other things ... until Jack asked:

"So, what do you put up mainly? Chain-link?"

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

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• AiFactory Challenge: Birthday
• Creative Card Crew: Happy Birthday
• Frosted Designs: Trees
• Paper Cutz: Use a Tag
• Paper Sundaes: No People
  
• Pile It On: Finally Spring
• Totally Papercrafts: Spring
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Soft Suede" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Perfect Day" Collection by CTMH
• Stamps: "Cherry Blossom Tree" Tree from Sketched Trees Set by Hero Arts; Sentiment and Swirly-Thingie by PTI
• Ink: Soft Suede Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
• Accessories: Twill Tape Ribbon by Stampin' Up; Metal-Edge Tag by Stampin' Up; Buttons; Natural Jute Twine
• Tools: Corner Chomper; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (Top Folded)
  

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

A Love Note; And It's Not Even a Love Day!

Happy Tuesday, Crafty Stampers!

Two weeks ago, I won a Featured Artist gig at Doodle Palace Designs. As Featured Artist, my pleasure was to chose this week's Doodle Palace challenge. So, today's card project was created for that:

This week's challenge as chosen by yours truly is a 'dealer's choice.' You can play along by creating a project based on the following themes:

1. A color challenge (strictly black & red & one neutral);

2. A challenge to use chipboard;

3. A challenge to create a graduation card or gift;

4. A challenge to use numbers and/or letters on your project;

5. A challenge to use recycled/upcycled items (a vintage dictionary page was used here);

6. A challenge to create a "vintage-inspired" project.

OR, any combination of the above.

For all of the challenging deets, and to play along, clicky HERE to visit Doodle Palace.

I also created this card with the current Play Date Cafe 'Color Splash' challenge in mind. I looked at the inspiration photo and saw black, white and a splash of red. 'Cuz I'm color-blind. But when I went to create the link-up for this blog post, I took a closer look and saw it was ... ummm, orange. So, here it is anyway, PDCC Ladies ... I hope it's okay to link up with you, but I missed the last two challenges and I promised myself that I would get an entry in this week iff'in' it killed me! 'Cuz even though I can't read, am color-blind, and need to adjust my monitor, I love you guys. For all the fabulous PDCC25 challenge details, clicky HERE. And feel free to count me out of the contest, I just wanted to participate ... said bravely 'cuz those stamps are Da. Bomb. and I covet them!

I stamped my vintage-inspired image on 'Very Vanilla' card stock, matted it with 'Real Red,' and tied a twill alphabet ribbon around the image. I adhered a salvaged dictionary page to my card base and added some 'Blackboard' chipboard letters and numbers. A l'il label created with my newly rediscovered Dymo label maker and two die-cut stars and I was done!

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

Sooooooo, yesterday I was hangin' out at Sheila's when we got to talking about back exercises ... exercises that I'm supposed to do almost daily. Sheila told me she had just read about this great, easy exercise that would help strengthen my back muscles and relieve pain.

"Sounds good; show me." I said.

And off we go to her bedroom so she can walk me through the exercise. Now, before you get any funny ideas, the reason we went to her bedroom is 'cuz it's carpeted. The rest of her house ... like my house and virtually every house in South Florida ... has tile floors throughout ... except for bedrooms. And tile is very unforgiving, especially on my already sore back, kwim?

So, I get down on the floor alongside her bed and in doing so, noticed something under her bed. It was a note, from her DH, on which was written, "Sheila, it's been more than two years since we re-carpeted our bedroom. Don't you think it's time to clean under here? Love, Ken."

And, I hasten to add, it was really closer to three years when we found this note. I'm sure Sheila wanted you to know that detail, too!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 365 Cards, Day 50: (Stamp-Over 1 year/Gift-Twill Alphabet Ribbon/Forgot-Chipboard)
• Ann's Creative Nook: Use That Chipboard!
• Die-Cut Dreams: Tear it Up (Top of Image)
• Drunken Stampers: Junk Drawer (Found My Label Maker; Thanks!)
• Forever Friends: Use Numbers
  
• Incy Wincy Designs: Black and White with One (Red)
• Our Daily Bread Designs: Recycle It (Dictionary Page)
• The Play Date Cafe: Color Splash (Red; Supposed to Be Orange!)
  
• Practical Scrappers: Floss, Fibers, Ribbons (Twill Ribbon)
  
• Scrappy Frogs: Pick 3 (Die-Cuts/No Coloring/Tearing)
  
• Stamptacular Sunday: A Penguin Celebration

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Basic Black," "Real Red," and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Other Paper: Vintage (1951) Dictionary Page
• Stamp: Time to Stamp
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Old Paper" Distress Ink by Ranger
  
• Accessories: "Retro" Blackboard Chipboard by Cosmo Cricket; Twill Alphabet Ribbon by Remember When
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Star-Shaped Dies; Dymo Label Maker; Sponge Tool; 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

It's Rainin' Cats and Frogs!

Happy Monday, hoarding card-makers ... hope your weekend was absolutely fab-YOU-lous!

Today's card project was created for the current Digi Kitty Challenge. This is a progressive challenge ... as long as you keep playing, you'll keep receiving free digital stamps. I made my card using one of the cute l'il frog images from their "Splish Splash" digital stamp set:

I printed out the l'il frogs and colored them with Copic markers, then cut 'em out and adhered them to my card base using dimensionals. The cloudy sky DP is layered on card stock as is the stamped sentiment. Easy-peasy-froggy-squeezy!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... for the 4-1-1 on all the slammin' products I used, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, this weekend, Sheila and I teamed up with her insane wacky sister, Jill, to do some fun shopping. Fun as in, stuff for us ... nothing for the house, the kids, or the refrigerator.

Since we planned on shopping w-a-y out of our normal stomping grounds Sheila asked Jill to do one simple thing: go to MapQuest, get directions, print 'em out, and hand 'em over.

When we picked Jill up, Sheila asked for the map, took a long look at it and exclaimed, "What the ... !!! How is it possible that you manage to have a job and buy a home, yet somehow you can't manage to get directions?!?" Sheila fumed.

"What? I did get the directions ... you're holding them in your hand!"

"Oh, yeah, I'm holding directions all right ... directions from the shopping Mall back to my house!"

"Well, yeah, duh! If we got lost going to the Mall, it would be no big deal, but if we got lost going home, well, we'd really be in big trouble then!"

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

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Alphabet Challenge: Y is for Yellow (On Umbrellas)
• Doodle Palace: Funny Animals / Digital Image
• Hand Full of Stamps: You're Special to Me (My DS & DIL)
  
• Meljen's Designs: 3-D (Frogs on Dimensionals)
• Paper Sundaes: No People
  
• Papertake Weekly: Cutie-Pie
• Res-Q-Challenge: Take a Mental Health Day
  
• Stamp Something: Something Layered
• Sundays With Chrissy: Make it a Combo
• The Digi Kitty: Splish Splash Froggy Challenge
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: All Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: K&Company
• Digital Image: The Digi Kitty
  
• Stamp: Sentiment from PTI
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Copic Markers
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; 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

Simply Colorful ...

TGIF you crafty stamper, you! And, since it's another Friday, it's time for another "Stamp Simply" challenge.

This week, Sharon challenged us to a color challenge. Here's a look at the colorful inspiration:

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it ... is to create a project using this beautiful color combination. Any and all shades of purple, lavender, brown, and ivory will do.

After you post your project to your blog or online gallery, go to Sharon's blog, HERE, and link your post to Mr. Linky, located HERE. If you upload your project to an online gallery such as Splitcoast Stampers, please used Keyword: "ssnotime135" so that we can find your project.

Totally aside from that, please mention Sharon's Dad in your prayers. He's very ill and needs the positive power of our prayers ... as does Sharon ... at this difficult time. Sending hugs and prayers, Sharon!

I created a card for the challenge, incorporating the "Letterpress" technique:

I inked up an A2 embossing folder with dye ink, inserted my card stock and ran it thru the die-cutting machine, then sponged more ink on the raised surface of the card stock.

I stamped my image using Versamark and dye ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Finally, I added two mats cut from digital paper and tied on a satin ribbon. Quick and dirty!

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

Before you go, take a peek at the fabulous projects created by Sharon and the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jennifer Buck: The Buck Stamps Here;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Tammy Hershberger: Stamp Happy (Tammy is on hiatus this month);

Sharon Johnson: No Time to Stamp?;

Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden (AJ is sitting this week out);

Deb Saaranen: Dream in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and our special Guest Designer,

Teresa Kline: Enjoy the VA Sunshine.

Sooooooooo, yesterday Sheila and I were hangin' out at her house when her absolutely bonkers fun sister, Jill, stopped by.

"So, I don't think I'll ever have a mother's intuition." Jill said as she sat down.

"Uh oh." Sheila and I said.

"Well, last night I went out for dinner with my friend, Lily, and she left me alone in the restaurant with her 16-month-old kid."

"Uh oh." Sheila and I said.

"So, before she left, I clearly asked her, 'What do I do if he, like, cries?' and she absolutely told me to give him some vegetables."

"Uh oh." Sheila and I said.

"Well, it turn's out that jalapenos are not his favorite vegetable."

"UH OH!!" Sheila and I said.

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

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• CAS-tastic Challenge: Anything CAS
• Crafty Creations: 1 DP [Designed by Me!] / 1 Image /1 Ribbon)
• Cute Card Thursday: Touchy-Feely
• Fab 'n' Funky: No Longer Neglected (Stamp)
• For Fun Challenge: Theme
  
• Little Red Wagon: Dry Embossing
• Other Lovelies Challenge: Embellishment (Ribbon)
  
• S2G Twisted Thursday: Inspiration Photo (Sunflower)
• Tuesday Morning Sketches: Recipe
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Stampin' Up
• Other Paper: Lavender Paper, Digital Files by Edeline Designs
• Stamp: "Dictionary Design" Collection by Hero Arts
• Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink; Dye Inks by Stampin' Up
  
• Accessories: White Satin Ribbon
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; A2 Embossing Folder; 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

If you have any questions about Stampin' Up products or stamping techniques, feel free to contact me HERE.

Say What?

Happy Thursday, Crafty Stampers!

Today's card project was created using a cute rubber stamp from QKR Stampede and designer paper from October Afternoon:

I stamped my focal image on white card stock, then colored it using Copic markers and stamped the sentiment on a die-cut tag.

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

Sooooooooo, I was hangin' out with Sheila when her DH, Ken, came in to show us an article he was reading.

"See. I knew it: a study proving that women talk more than men!" he said happily, waving a magazine at us. "This study indicates that men use, on the average, only 15,000 words a day, whereas women use 30,000 words a day."

Sheila mulled this over for a minute and then remarked: "Well, sure, of course! It makes perfect sense: we use twice as many words as men because we have to repeat or explain everything we say."

Then Ken asked, "What do you mean?"

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit me today ... you rock!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Creative Belli: Die-Cuts Shapes
• Doodle Palace: Funny Animals
• InStyle Stamps: Sketch and Color
• Order of the Opus Gluei: Birds
  
• Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge: Anything Goes
• Something Completely Different: B is for: Birds
  
• The Creative Cottage: Things with Wings
• The Pink Elephant: 1 Image/2 Dies/3 Embellishments
• The Pixie Cottage: Buttons
• Totally Stampalicious: Critters
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Kiwi Kiss," "Not Quite Navy," and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Report Card" Collection by October Afternoon
• Stamps: Sentiment by PTI; "New Family" Stamp by QKR Stampede
  
• Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black" Dye Ink; "Not Quite Navy" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Sky" Fluid Chalk Ink; Apple Green Fluid Chalk Ink
• Color Medium: Copic Markers (Various)
  
• Accessories: "Kiwi Kiss" Grosgrain Ribbon by Stampin' Up; Hemp Twine; Vintage Buttons; DMC Embroidery Floss
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Large Rectangle Die; Tiny Tag Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2
  

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

Uh Oh, There's a Face in My Flower!

Happy Stump Day, Hampers! Hard to believe that we're half-way through another week. I seriously need an extra day or two in my weeks.

Today's card project was created using one of my very favorite color combinations and this fun, vintage-inspired stamp:

I stamped my image on card stock twice using dye ink, then cut out the flower petals, the text block, and leaves of the second image. I colored my images using Copic markers, then layered the second images over the first for some dimension.

I added some SU Filigree brad-thingies, turquoise brads, and a bit of sheer polka-dot ribbon. Finally, I added some sparkle with several different colors of Spica glitter pens. So easy, even I could do it!

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

Soooooooo, as you may recall, Dreamy Jack and Crazy Jill are moving in together ... yup, into the "Self-Cleaning House." If you want to know more about the Self-Cleaning House, clicky HERE.

The delusional lovebirds are spending nearly every spare minute working on their new l'il love nest, so when I saw them last weekend, I asked how the new house was shaping up.

"Good, we've been spending the weekends there so we can start work early. And we've got a lot done: we stained and water-proofed (hahahah) the woodwork and painted all the walls. Oh, and we got started on stripping the kitchen cabinets." Jill told me.

"Wow, you have been busy!" I said.

"Yeah, but all of the fumes have been getting me high." Jill giggled. "I think I'm finally starting to come down though, because the monster in my broom closet wasn't there this morning."

And she doesn't have a broom closet either ...

Thanks so much for swingin' by today ... you rock!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Copic Creations: Flowers / Copic Markers
• Crafty Angels: Favorite Things (Color Combination, Filigree Brads)
  
• Design Dollies: A Walk in the Park
• Forever Friends: Spring
• Incy Wincy Designs: Something Magical
• Oh, Alice!: You Can Learn a Lot From Flowers
• Quixotic Challenge: Heavy Metal
  
• Something Completely Different: Brads / Blossom
  
• Stamping Vacation: Pick 3 (Leaves / 2 Embellies / Cuttlebug
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Bermuda Bay" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Honey Pie" Collection by Cosmo Cricket
• Stamp: Flower Collage Stamp, Unknown (Unmounted)
• Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black" Dye Ink by Tsukineko
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
  
• Accessories: Sheer Polka-Dot Ribbon; Designer Filigree Brads by Stampin' Up; Turquoise Brad Pitts
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Die; Mini Glue Dots; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

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

Happy Birthday Old Timer ...

Happy Tuesday, Hoarding Card Makers!

Today's very vintage card project was created for my "Dreaded-Older-Man-Card" birthday card stash using three stamps and designer papers from BasicGrey:

I stamped my Sailboat/Map Collage and sentiment images using dye ink on card stock and a raffle ticket, then added lots of distressing and ink-sponging. I layered three different designer papers from BG's "Periphery" collection, added a metal key, a bit of scalloped edged card stock, and finis.

This would be a good time to send a big thank you to Denise at Stamping Vacation for drawing my name in her challenge. My prize was a gift certificate redeemable at River City Rubber ... which I promptly used to snag this beautiful Sailboat/Map Collage stamp. Thanks a bunch, Denise, I ♥ my new stamp!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... and for the 4-1-1 on all the products I used, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, this weekend, Reid-the-Wild-Child had his l'il friend, Eric, over to play. The boys wanted to spend the day riding bikes, but Eric is still on training-wheels and can't keep up with the Wild-Child. This minor snag bugged the over-achieving Sheila to no end.

So, I wasn't a bit surprised when Sheila said, "Well, Eric, it looks like it's time to teach you how to ride a two-wheeler!"

She got his training wheels off, gave him a pep-talk, put him on the bike, and gave him a running start.

"Eric! Step back on the pedals and the bike will brake!" Sheila shouted.

Eric nodded, but keep going ... straight into a mess of thorny bushes.

"Why didn't you push back on the pedals?" Sheila asked, helping him up.

"But, you said if I did, the bike would break."

Thanks so much for stopping by ... hope you have a great day!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Cupcake Craft Challenge: Childhood Memories (Sailing)
• Cute Card Thursday: Mono-Mania
• Die-Cut Dreams: Vintage / No Coloring Allowed
• One Stitch at a Time: Torn, Distressed, or Shabby
• Paper Cutz: 3 DP's (2 on Card Base, 1 behind Raffle Ticket)
• Simple Doodles: Inspire Others (Open)
• SophisiCat Challenge: So Distressing
  
• Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle: Birthday
• Sunday's With Chrissy: Combo's (Designer Paper/Dies/Stamps)
• Tellen's Place: It's All About You
• The Crazy Challenge: Don't Call Me Flat
• Timbroscrapmania: Distressing

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Dark Chocolate" Card Stock by PTI; "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Three Patterns from the "Periphery" Collection by BasicGrey
• Other Paper: Raffle Ticket
• Stamps: Sailboat/Map Collage by River City Rubber; "Genuine" Sentiment by Limited Edition; "Vintage" Sentiment by Hampton Art Stamps
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up; "Old Paper" and "Tea Dye" Distress Inks by Ranger
• Accessories: Metal Key
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Large and Small Label Dies by Spellbinders; Scallop Border Punch by Stampin' Up; Distressing Tool and Ink Blending Tool by Ranger; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

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

Is That a Sandwich in Your Pocket, Or ...

Happy Monday and welcome to another week, Crafty Stampers!

Today's card project was created for my all-occasion card stash using this sweet image from Hero Arts' "Dictionary Designs" collection:

I bought this stamp new in 2002 and since then have been trying to find all of the other stamps in this Collection. To date, in eight years of searching, I've found only one additional stamp ... and coincidentally, I made a card this weekend with it! I'll show you that card later on this week. I'll bet you can hardly wait ...

I stamped my Blossom image with dye ink, colored the flower with Copic markers, and double-matted the focal image. It's barely visible in my photo, but I used a 'dotted' background stamp inked with Versamark for some interest. Isn't it interesting that you can't see it?

I cut out a wavy border with a punch, tied on some grosgrain ribbon, threaded two buttons with white hemp twine, and finis. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

For the ginormous view of my card, and to catch a glimpse of that elusive background stamp, clicky on the photo ... for all the exciting product info, check out the card recipe, below.

Sooooooooo, this weekend Sheila and her DH had some friends and family over. Of course, Sheila's certifiably insane quirky sister, Jill, was invited. And, of course, crazy quirky Jill brought along the equally insane quirky boyfriend, Jack.

To get the full effect of this story, you really should read THIS POST first. Go ahead, we'll wait.

So, after all the 'hello-what's-new-how-ya-doin's,' Jack and Jill joined us poolside.

"So, does this ever happen to you?" Jack started.

Sheila and I exchanged looks 'cuz that sentence is Jack-Code for, "I'm About to Say Something Really Stupid."

"Yeah, so the other day, I discovered my wallet was, like, sitting in the refrigerator on the top shelf." Jack continued. "And then, when I went to put it in my back pocket, I found a cheese sandwich back there! True story!"

"What is WITH you and sandwiches?!?" Sheila exclaimed. "Do you make this crap up so we'll think you're amusing ... or are you just a freakin' idiot?!?!?"

"Ummm, well, I just like sandwiches and you know stuff, like, happens." Jack answered.

It was right about then that Sheila's SIL came out of the house, sat down, and said, "Strange; I just found half of a ham and cheese sandwich in your Powder Room, Sheila. On the toilet tank."

"Jack, if you've wiped your butt with my expensive guest towels, I'm gonna have to kill you." Sheila growled. Seriously, it was a growl ...

Sheepishly, Jack stood up, reached around to his backside and removed ...



half of a ham and cheese sandwich.

OMG!

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

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• 52-Card Pick-Up: Theme (To Blossom; Flourish)
• Aly's Sunday Challenge: Buttons
• C.R.A.F.T. Challenge: Buttons
• Eat, Sleep, Stamp: Sketch
  
• Etsy Inspired: Mousemarket's "Spring Lollipop Ring"
• For Fun Challenge: Flowers, Showers, or Spring
  
• KL Stampin' and Scrappin': Organic (Hemp Twine)
• Meljen's Designs: Girly Colors
  
• Oh, Alice: Flowers
• Our Creative Corner: Bows (Behind Buttons)
  
• Pals Paper Arts: Flowers
• Quixotic Challenge: The Joys of Spring
  
• Raise the Bar: Spring Colors
• Res-Q Challenge: Clues (Buttons/Flowers/Punch/Yellow)
• Something Completely Different: "B" is For: Buttons, Bows, 'Blossom' Text
  
• The Crafty Pad: Use Colors of the Rainbow
• Treehouse Thursday Challenge: Color (Lavender/Yellow/Neutral)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Whisper White" by Stampin' Up; PTI
• Stamps: "Blossom" Stamp by Hero Arts; "Decorative Dots" Stamp (Retired) by Stampin' Up
• Ink: Versamark Watermark Ink by Tsukineko; "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
• Accessories: White Hemp Twine; Buttons; Grosgrain Ribbon
• Tools: Wavy Dotted Border Punch by EK Success; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

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

Owl Always Love You, Grad!

TGIF, Crafty Stampers! And, since it's another Friday, it's time for another fabulous "Stamp Simply" challenge!

This week, Sharon asked us to create graduation cards ... however, our fearless leader realizes not everyone will need a grad card this year, so the ALTERNATE challenge is to make something to be used at the end of the school year -- a note of thanks, or a treat for the teacher, or even treats for the kids on the last day of school.

NO students or teachers in your life? No problem ... just make a card of congratulations or well wishes to someone ending or entering a new phase of their life -- new job, retirement, a move, etc. We're easy here ... LOL! Just have fun creating!!

If you decide to join in ... and we certainly hope that you will ... simply create a project using the guidelines above and post it to your blog or online gallery. Then, go HERE to Sharon's blog and post a link to your creation using Mr. Linky, located HERE. If you upload your project to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, please be sure to use Keyword: "ssnotime134" so that we can find your project.

I created a graduation card for a special l'il graduate in my life:

I created my card using a page from a vintage dictionary and this adorable digital owl file from Heaven's Gate. I die-cut a tag and stamped my sentiment, then created a "diploma" using rolled up card stock and embroidery floss. So easy, even I could do it!

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

Be sure to check out the fabulous projects created by Sharon and the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jennifer Buck: The Buck Stamps Here; (Jen is taking tonight off),

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Tammy Hershberger: Stamp Happy (Tammy is on hiatus this month);

Janine Orchard: 2BKrafty

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dreams in Color;

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and,

Teresa Kline: Enjoy the VA Sunshine, our fabulous Guest Designer for April.

Sooooooo, yesterday Reid-the-Wild-Child called me up to see how I was "doin'."

"So, what's new with you?" I asked him.

"Nothin'. Oh. Wait. You know the Jensen's down the street from me? Well, they had kittens!" Reid told me. "And they got two boy kittens and two girl kittens."

"Really? How did you know?" I had to ask.

"Daddy picked them up and looked underneath," he replied. "I think it's printed on the bottom."

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... be sure to have a fantastic weekend!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Cookin' it Up W/Katie: (New: Digi File/Old: Dictionary Page/Sweet: Owl)
• Crafty Ho's Challenge: Recycle (Old Dictionary Page)
• Creative Card Crew: Vintage
  
• Everything But the Kitchen Sink: String (Embroidery Floss)
• Gingersnap Creations, Random Redhead: Growth
• Magical Crafts: Animal Antics
  
• Pixie Dust Studio: Things With Wings
  
• Simon Says Stamp: A Card for a Child
• Splitcoast Stampers: CAS61 / Just a Sentiment
  
• Stamp, Scrap and Doodle: Wings
• Stampavie and More: Green
• Stamping Vacation: Pick 3 (Black, Ivory, Green/2 Embellishments/Cuttlebug)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Basic Black," "Garden Green," and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Paper: Vintage (1951) Dictionary Page
• Stamp: Sentiment by PTI
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
  
• Digital File: Owl by Heaven's Gate Designs
• Accessories: DMC Embroidery Floss; Black Eyelet
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Scalloped Oval Die; Tiny Tag Die; Crop-a-Dile; Scrap Fusion PA; Mini Glue Dots; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

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

Birthday Wishes ... A 15 Minute Project

Happy Thursday, Stampy Paper-crafters!

Today's clean and simple (CAS) card was created for the "Dreaded Man Card" birthday card using ... well, almost nothing:

I die-cut the cake pedestal and the 'frame' of the cake, including the swirl, the candles, and the flames. I paper-pieced the center portion of the cake with a scrap of textured paper, stamped a sentiment, added some Stickles to the 'flames,' and tied on a satin ribbon. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

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

Sooooooooo, since my back-surgery-thingy on Monday, I've been layin' kinda low. The good news is that I'm being a good girl and takin' it easy ... heck, if I take it any easier, the DH will have to check to see if I'm still alive! The bad news is that since I'm being such a good patient, I haven't been hanging out will Sheila ... but she did phone in some craziness yesterday:

"So, I wanted you to be the first to know." Sheila said.

"Oh, goodie ... I'm honored." I replied.

"I just finished 100 push-ups!" Sheila exclaimed.

"WoW, way to go!" I enthused.

"Yup. Of course, I started in 2008 ..."

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

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Allsorts: No Designer Paper
• Alota Rubber Stamps: Recipe: 3 Candles/2 Die-Cut Mats/1 Ribbon
• A Spoon Full of Sugar: Masculine
• Cinema Saturday: Sense and Sensability: Earth Tones/Simplicity
  
• Crafty Creations: Paper Piecing (Cake)
• Crazy 4 Challenges: Kraft Card Stock Card Base
• Cute Card Thursday: Mono-Mania
  
• Gingersnap Creations: The Good Earth (Earth Tones)
• One Stop Craft Challenge: Paper Piecing (Cake)
  
• Order of the Opus Gluei: Sparkle (Candle Flames)
  
• Stampavie and More: Use Green (Candles)
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Chocolate Chip" and "Kraft" Card Stock by Stampin' Up; Light Brown Card Stock by Cut Card Stock; Green Card Stock by Bazzill
• White Textured Paper: Unknown Scrap
• Stamp: Sentiment by PTI
• Accessories: Chocolate Brown Satin Ribbon; Gold Stickles Glitter Glue
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Cake Die; Rectangle and Rectangle Scallop Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

Sayin' Buh-Bye to a Family Tradition ...

Happy Stump Day, Hampers ... hope your work-week is flyin' by!

Today's card project was created for my birthday card stash using this neat vintage-inspired, collage-style image:

I stamped my focal image and sentiment tag using dye ink, added some twill tape ribbon; adhered some new-but-never-used Prima flowers, and two die-cut flourishes. So easy, even I could do it!

For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... for all of the exciting product info, check out the card recipe, below.

I forgot to tell you about this incident at Sheila's on Easter Sunday ... must've been all the medication I was taking ... but I remembered it again before it was too late.

So, Sheila was putting the finishing touches to the ham she was about to bake, but before she popped it in the oven, she cut off the end of the ham.

I had to ask, "Why did you cut off the end of the ham"?

And she replied,"Well, I really don't know, but my mother always did, so I thought you were supposed to."

Later when her Mom arrived for dinner, I asked her why she cut off the end of the ham before baking it, and Sheila's mother replied,"I really don't know, but that's the way my mom always did it."

Never one to give up on a wild-goose chase, I simply had to ask her Grandmother. So, when Sheila's Gramma finally arrived, I asked, "Why is it that you cut off the end of a ham before you bake it?"

And Sheila's sweet grandmother replied,"Well, dear, otherwise it would never fit into my baking pan."

Ohhhhhh. Well, there goes three generations of a fine, family tradition ...

Thanks so much for swingin' by today ... hope your Hump Day is short and sweet!

~Hugs, Deb

Today's Challenges:

• Allsorts: No Designer Paper
• Creative Card Crew: Vintage
• Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Bought It, Use It (Prima Flowers)
• Glenda's Random Amusing Challenge: Use Two Stamps
• One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes
  
• Polka Doodle: Birthday
• Pollycraft Monday: Anything Goes
  
• Stampin' for the Weekend: Ribbon and Bow
• Stamping Vacation: Pick 3 (Cuttlebug/2 Embellies/Embossed Flourishes
• The Sweet Shop: Sketch
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Chocolate Chip," "Pumpkin Pie," and "Very Vanilla" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Stamp: Vintage Collage Stamp, Unknown, Unmounted; Sentiment by PTI
  
• Ink: "Chocolate Chip" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Twill Tape Ribbon; Eyelet; Prima Flowers; Antique Brass Brad Pitt; Jump Rings
  
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Dies; Tiny Tag Die; Flourish Die
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  

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

Stop Being Such a Pick-Nitter ...

Happy Tuesday, Craftin' Stampers ... hope you're havin' a fantastical day!

Today's card project was created for my birthday card stash using this cute l'il digital image from Heaven's Gate Designs:

This red and blue color combination is not one of my favorites, but in spite of that, I do seem to be using it a LOT lately ... exactly how does that happen?

I stamped my sentiment and die-cut it with a ribbon label, dry embossed an oval background, die-cut a tree limb and some leaves, and tied my sentiment onto the card using vintage mini rick-rack. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

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

Today I'm at home recovering from a l'il back surgery-thingie so I didn't get to hang out with Sheila yesterday. But, the sweet and spoiled generous Wild-Child just had to call me up to tell me some jokes to cheer me up. For FREE. Capitalism really took a hit with that decision!

Soooooo, since it's all I got, I'm sharin' 'em with you today ... lucky you.

Reid: "What do you call a Nun who walks in her sleep?"
Me: "I give up."
Reid: "A Roamin' Catholic!"

Hahahahaha.

Reid: "What does a dancer like to drink?"
Me: "I give up."
Reid: "Tap water!"

Hahahahahahahahah.

Reid: "Why was the amoeba prison so small?"
Me: "Do you even know what an amoeba IS?"
Reid: "Ummm ... no. But I called you up to tell you my jokes and make you feel better. And YOU know what an amoeba is, dontcha?"
Me: "Welllll ... right, I do."
Reid: "Then stop being such a pick-nitter, Aunty, and say, 'I give up.'"
Me: "I give up."
Reid: "Cuz it only had one cell. {Big sigh} But you ruined my joke ... so now I'm not ever gonna tell you any more jokes, Aunty."
Me: "WoW, now I DO feel better!"

Thanks so much for stopping by today ... I'll be round to all your blogs just as soon as all the meds wear off!

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Artful Inkables: Riverboat Gamblers "Underneath the Owl"
• Charisma Cardz: Animal Magic
• Corrosive Challenge: Sketch
• Crafts and Me: Fairies or Wings
• Die-Cuts R Us: Recipe
• Digital Tuesday: Blue & White + One / Digital Image
  
• Magical Crafts: Animal Antics
• MelJens Designs: Anything Goes / Digital Image
• Prairie Fairy: Texture
  
• Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle: Anything with Wings
• Something Completely Different: W ... is for Wings
  
• The Pink Elephant: Nature
  
• Totally Papercrafts: Let's Go Digital
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Cosmo Cricket
• Digital Image: Owl by Heaven's Gate Designs
• Stamp: Sentiment from "Upsy Daisy" Stamp Set by Stampin' Up
• Ink: "Real Red" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Vintage Rick-Rack from Stash
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Oval Die; A2 Embossing Folder; Branch Die; Little Leaves Die by Stampin' Up; Ribbon Label Die; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

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

Who's Got Big Ears and Floppy Feet?

Happy Monday, Crafty Stampers ... hope your Easter weekend was wonderful!

Today's card project was created for my birthday card stash using this beautiful, FREE digital stamp from The Paper Garden:

I colored the snowdrops image with Copic markers and Spica glitter pens then stamped a sentiment. I adhered dotted DP to my card base, added some bright green brads, some recycled ribbon, and then matted my focal image on bright green paper. Quick and dirty!

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

Sooooooooo, on Saturday, I was hangin' around at Sheila's while she prepared for her annual Easter dinner. I was in charge of staying out of her way ... and keeping Reid-the-Wild-Child occupied.

So I made small talk with Reid:

"So, Kiddo, who's coming to your house tomorrow with big ears and floppy feet?"

"Oh," Reid answered, "I think that's Uncle Brian, right?"

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

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Bee Crafty: Birthday / Digital Image
• Copic Creations: Flowers
• Crafty Anne's: For Someone Special (MIL) / Digital Image
• Digital Tuesday: Scrap It / Digital Image
  
• Doodle Palace: Black / Digital Image
• Etsy Inspired: Until it Ends (Green 1-Up Mushroom Charm Bracelet)
  
• Everybody Art: Spring
  
• Fab 'n' Funky: Spring is in the Air
• Just Add Ink: Anything Goes
• KL Stampin N Scrappin: Recipe
• Little Red Wagon: Rolling Into Spring
• One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes
  
• Sassy Designs: Spring Garden
  
• Scrappy Frogs: Pick 3 (Digi-Image/Die-Cuts/Recycled Ribbon)
• The Secret Crafter: How Does Your Garden Grow
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: DCWV; Green Paper, Unknown
  
• Stamp: Sentiment from PTI
• Digital Image: The Paper Garden
• Color Medium: Copic Markers; Spica Glitter Pens
  
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: Green Brad Pitt's by American Crafts; Ribbon, Unknown
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Dies; Oval Dies; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

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

Simply Chipboard ...

they have to let you in ...

TGIF, Crafty Stampers!

Today being Friday, it's time again for another "Stamp Simply" challenge! This week, Sharon encouraged us to step up with some challenge ideas and Janine rose to the occasion. Janine's fabulous challenge choice is: Chipboard!

This week's challenge is to dig out some of that chipboard you have and design your card or project around that piece or pieces. If you don't have chipboard pieces, then you can use a whole piece of chipboard, or try the cardboard backing on a note pad or an empty cereal box using one of your dies and cut your own. Or cut it out freehand ... let's get those creative juices flowing and see where your chipboard takes you!

To play along ... and we hope you do ... simply create a project using chipboard and post it to your blog or online gallery. Then, go HERE to Sharon's blog and link your project up using Mr. Linky, located HERE. If you upload your project to an online gallery, such as Splitcoast Stampers, please be sure to use Keyword: "ssnotime133" so that we can find your project.

So, once my creative juices got flowing, my chipboard took me here:

I created my card using a chipboard heart and three pieces of house-shaped chipboard by Maya Road, patterned paper by Jenni Bowlin Studio, red and white card stock by Stampin' Up, and a cute l'il dollar stamp from Studio G. Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

Be sure to check out the fabulous projects created by Sharon and the rest of the "Stamp Simply" team:

Sharon Johnson: No Time to Stamp?;

Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits;

Jennifer Buck: The Buck Stamps Here;

Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat;

Tammy Hershberger: Stamp Happy;

Janine Orchard: 2BKrafty;

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden;

Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color; (Deb won't be joining us this week as she's on vacation)

Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover.; and,

Teresa Kline: Enjoy the VA Sunshine, our fabulous Guest Designer for the month of April!

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

Soooooooo, yesterday I was hangin' out at Sheila's when Reid-the-Wild-Child came home from school. In his hand, he was proudly carrying a beautiful drawing of ... something. He explained that it was a "spring land-scrape with tulips and trees and stuff." And he'd printed a lovely message on it: "To my beautiful Mom at Easter."

As Sheila's eyes filled with tears of joy, I remarked, "Your drawing is just beautiful, Reid, and such a wonderful tribute to your Mom!"

"Yeah, well, I wanted to put 'To Hannah Montana,' but my teacher wouldn't let me."

Thanks so much for stopping by ... enjoy your Easter holiday weekend!

~Hugs,

Today's Challenges:

• AiFactory: Anything Goes
• Alota Rubber Stamps: 3 Houses; 2 Patterned Papers; 1 Heart
• Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations: Sentiments Only
• Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays: Color Inspiration Image #2
  
• For Fun Challenges: Anything Goes
• Just Add Ink: Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly: Fill Your Boots
  
• S2G Challenges Twisted Thursday: Anything Goes
  
• Totally Gorjuss: Hearts
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Real Red" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: "Trendy" Mini Papers by Jenni Bowlin Studio
• Stamp: Studio G by Hampton Art
• Ink: "Night of Navy" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Accessories: "Heart and Home" Fresh Chipboard by Maya Road
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Square Die; Scrap Fusion Adhesive by Ivy Scraps; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
  

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

Nature Abhors a Vacuum ... and I Don't Like 'Em Much Either

Happy Thursday, race fans!

Well, this will be the last Easter card for this year ... I promise! Now it's time to move on to my spring birthdays. Hope you don't mind looking at birthday cards 'cuz I have a ton of spring birthdays coming up.

Today's card project was created at the very last minute using this cute l'il digi-stamp from Digi Kitty. This latest image is the current progressive challenge freebie ... as long as I keep playing, I'll keep getting free digi-stamps.

I colored the image with Copic markers, added some vintage 3/16" Easter egg eyelets, a sentiment, some DP, and finis. So easy, even I could do it! For the ginormous view of my card, clicky on the photo ... for all of the egg-citing product info, check out the Card Recipe, below.

Soooooooo, last night, the DH and I went over to Sheila's for "Game Night." Yeah, I just made that up ... we went over to borrow stuff and ended up staying to play Trivial Pursuit. I'm still not sure how we made THAT leap, but somehow, we did.

And since her certifiably insane delightful sister, Jill, was there, she had got to play, too.

On Jill's very first turn, she drew "Science and Nature." Her question was, "If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?"

Jill thought for a minute and then asked, "Is it on or off?"

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

~Hugs,


Today's Challenges:

• Cooking It Up: (New: Image Old: Eyelets Sweet: Easter)
• Crafty Angels: Easter
• Crafty Creations: Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday: So Egg-Citing
  
• Daring Cardmakers: How Egg-Citing
• Digi Kitty: Rabbit Goes for a Ride
• For Fun Challenge: Anything Goes
  
• Lexi's Creations: Easter
• Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge: Easter
• Rainbow Lady's Challenge: In My Garden: Butterfly, Rabbit
• Res-Q Challenge: Eggs, Eggs, Eggs
  
• Stampin' Royalty: Easter
• The Town Scrapper: Easter
  
• Tuesday Taggers: It's a Bug's Life
  

Card Recipe:

• Card Stock: "Not Quite Navy" and "Whisper White" Card Stock by Stampin' Up
• Designer Paper: Cosmo Cricket; Pink Paislee
  
• Digital Image: DigiKitty
• Stamp: Sentiment by CTMH
• Ink: "Basic Black" Dye Ink by Stampin' Up
• Color Medium: Copic Markers
• Accessories: Flat-Back Pearls; 3/16" Easter Egg Eyelets
• Tools: Die-Cut Machine; Rectangle Brads; Butterfly Punch; Crop-a-Dile; White Pen; Stampin' Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive by Stampin' Up
• Finished Size: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  

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