Fellow Stamper in Need...

It's been a while since I've stamped for fun, hence no blog posts lately. However, yesterday, I came upon a blog which really touched me. There is a fellow stamper and paper-crafter who is battling stage 4 gastic cancer. She is a young mother and wife. To help cover her rising medical bills, a stamp set was designed in honor of her. You can read more about it HERE. I plan to order this adorable octapus, while helping this deserving family. Please spread the word and post this on your blogs. Together, we can all make a difference!

It's a Get Well Wrap

I'm in love with the new It's a Wrap stamp set from SU! Their obvious purpose is to make cute little wrappers for chocolates. But when I saw this band aid, I knew I had to ink it up for some Get Well cards.

RECIPE:
STAMPS: It's a Wrap Occasions
INK: Crumb Cake
PAPER: WW, Crumb Cake, Choc Chip
OTHER: Polka Dots EF, Choc Chip Ribbon

Wisteria Wonder Debut...

I'm in love with Stampin Up's new Wisteria Wonder! Such a pretty purple! I made this card for a friend going through her 2nd bout with cancer. Praying for all the best for her and her family!!

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Love & Care, Petite Pairs
INK: Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Elegant Eggplant
PAPER: Same as ink, WW
OTHER: Wisteria Wonder Ribbon

Matchbox meets Wrapped Chocolate

Tropical Christmas

I found this stamp several months ago, and just knew I had to make some (40) Christmas cards for my mom and dad. They live in FL, and often comment about how silly the palm trees look with Christmas lights on them. Hope they enjoy their very very early Christmas gift!! :)

Thanks for 3 Challenges

I've been a busy gal this summer, which hasn't left much time for stamping! :( I needed to make a card for a dear friend who spent countless hours babysitting my kiddos and helping me pack and move over the past few weeks.

Challenges:
Clean & Simple - sketch
PPC - color combo
4CC - bling

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Happy Greetings, Just Believe
INK: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy
PAPER: Same as above, WW
OTHER: Rhinestones

Congrats for 3 Challenges

I made this feminine Congrats card for our step-niece's high school graduation. I *had* to use my favorites - Baja Breeze, Parisian Breeze DSP, Well Scripted, and Felt Flowers. Yummm! :)

Entering in the following challenges:
The Shabby Tea Room - My Favorite Things (DSP, flowers)
Clean & Simple - Sketch
4 Crafty Chicks - Clean & Simple

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Well Scripted
INK: Baja Breeze
PAPER: WW, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Parisian Breeze DSP
OTHER: Rhinestone Brads, Felt Flowers

Happy Father's Day, Chris!

This is the card I made for my husband for Father's Day. I CASED it from one I found on Splitcoaststampers. Both my husband and my 5 year old daughter are hooked on Angry Birds (game/app on smart phones). This card was more time-consuming than it appears. I would much rather stamp images, than create punch art. Oh, well. Hope he likes it! :)

Sunny Fun!

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted on my blog. What in the world? Shows how busy I've been. I finally had a night out last night with my stampy friends, and decided to make some summery cards for upcoming birthdays. I colored! (for those of you who don't know, I really really don't like to color!) But since flip flops are one of my favorite things, I decided to suffer through the coloring.
Entering in: The Shabby Tea Room - embossing

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Sunny Fun
INK: Various (using blender pen)
PAPER: Shimmery White, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise
OTHER: Swiss Dots and Lattice EF's, Blushing Bride and Choc Chip Ribbons

Male B'Day 4 2 Challenges...

Good Monday to you! It's been awhile since I've stamped or blogged, so I thought I would check out some of my favorite challenges, to help bring out my stamping mojo! :) I needed to make a birthday card for my grandfather - male cards always stump me.

Playing along with:
OWH Stars & Stamps - sketch
The Shabby Tea Room - monocramatic

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Pretty Postage
INK: Marina Mist
PAPER: WW, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue
OTHER: Lattice EF, Marina Mist Ribbon, Punches

Fishy Thank You

My best friend and her husband were kind (and brave) enough to volunteer to babysit our daughters last Saturday night, so my hubby and I could enjoy a child free dinner. So I had to make them a thank you card. My best friend's hubby is a big time fisherman, so I had to make a fishy card...

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Summer Splash
INK: Pumpkin Pie
PAPER: WW, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Ice Cream Parlor DSP
OTHER: Circle Punches, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, Piercing Tool

Old meets New...

Playing with some new goodies from SU! - Four Frames and Paisley Petals DSP - so pretty!!

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Four Frames, Sincere Salutations
INK: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze
PAPER: WW, NQN, Paisley Petals DSP
OTHER: Designer Label Punch, Baja Breeze Seam Binding

Mother's Day 2011

I CASED this card from our stamp club last month. I changed the stamp and colors. I made 11 of these as Mother's Day cards for family and friends, and I made 10 of these for teacher appreciation week - at my daughter's school. The picture doesn't do the card justice. It was much prettier IRL.

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Just Believe
INK: Pear Pizzazz
PAPER: VV, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush
OTHER: corner Rounder Punch, Swirls EF, pearls

Welcome Home!!

My one and only brother has been deployed in Afghanistan for the past 7 months. He returned "home" to Germany today. It's been a long, emotionally draining 7 months. Welcome home, Ryan!! My prayers continue for all of our troops and their families. May God bless them and bring them home safe!!

CAS Birthday Cards

Here are 2 CAS birthday cards that I made for my sister in law. A few times/year, she places a large order of birthday cards to give to her clients. So I need for them to be easy to mass produce. I made 75 lighthouse cards, and 175 flower cards.

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Winds of Grace, Happy Harmony, Occasional Quotes, Well Scripted
INK: MArina Mist, Rose Red, Choc Chip
PAPER: WW, Marina Mist, Rose Red

Happy Easter 2011

Here is the Easter card that I made for family and friends this year. I love this new set from SU!, Spring Blossoms. And you know I HAD to use my fav - Baja Breeze! :) Wishing you and yours a very blessed Easter!!

Playing along with:
4 Crafty Chicks - Easter
Picture Perfect Creations - Easter

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Spring Blossoms
INK: Baja Breeze
PAPER: WW, Choc Chip, Baja Breeze, Parisian Breeze DSP
OTHER: Scallop Edge Punch, Seam Binding

SAB Birthday

I made this CAS birthday card for my niece, using Sale A Bration goodies.

REIPCE:
STAMPS: Punch Punch
INK: Melon Mambo
PAPER: WW, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Ice Cream Parlor DSP
OTHER: Square Scallop Punch, Melon Mambo Pom Poms, Scallop Square Die

Handmade Birthday Greetings...

Last week I celebrated a birthday, and received some beautiful handmade cards from my stamp-savvy friends. I wanted to share these lovely creations with you. The last card is a digi card, using MDS, from SU. Great CAS card that I might just have to CASE!! Thank you Amy, Anne, Mary Sue, Susan, and Stampin Up!!

Golden Egg Winner

Thanks to the ladies over at 4 Crafty Chicks for giving the Golden Egg to little old me this week! Love their challenge blog - be sure to check them out! :)

Owl Loves Challenges!

Hope you are having a good Monday. It's a sunny, warm, and windy day here in NC. I've been in "challenge withdrawal", so I decided to check out some of my favorite challenges and play along.

OWH Stars & Stamps - sketch
Picture Perfect Creations - color
4 Crafty Chicks - 1 ribbon, 2 patterned papers, 3 buttons

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Bold Blossom, Punch Bunch
INK: Melon Mambo
PAPER: WW, BB, Blushing Bride, Ice Cream Parlor DSP, In Colors DSP
OTHER: Owl Punch, Blushing Bride Ribbon, Ice Cream Parlor Buttons

Birthday Cupcake Thank You

Sorry for the awkward photo. The card kept opening up for some silly reason...
Anywho, I needed to make a batch of thank you cards for my daughter's recent birthday, so I needed something quick and easy to mass produce. I used my new cupcake punch and stamp set from Stampin Up. Love them!! Fun cards to make! :)

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Short & Sweet, Create A Cupcake
INK: Blushing Bride, Choc Chip
PAPER: VV, same as ink
OTHER: Square Nesties, Cupcake Punch, Liquid Pearls

Masculine Get Well, CAS Style

I made this card for a dear friend of mine's husband who had a huge medical scare last week. I hope this brings him a smile!

I used 2 of my favorite Stampin Up's products: Thoughts & Prayers and Parisian Breeze DSP. They go together so well.

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Thoughts & Prayers, Sincere Salutations
INK: Choc Chip, Baja Breeze
PAPER: WW, same as ink, Parisian Breeze DSP

BABW plays BINGO???

Well, Hello again! I missed you all over the past week. I {finally} found some time to stamp yesterday. It's been one of those weeks. I made this card for my 8 year old niece who severely broke her arm last week, while practicing gymnastics. She had surgery on Friday and will be in a long arm cast for 6 weeks with intense physical therapy after. Poor girl. Hope this card helps cheer her up!

Special thanks to my best friend Susan, for this new BABW die, Beary Dressy. Love it! :)

Entering this card for:
The Shabby Tea Room - Bingo - Die Cut, Embossing, Ribbon

RECIPE:
STAMPS: none
INK: none
PAPER: Pear Pizazz, Blushing Bride, Pawsitively Prints DSP, Creamy Caramel, Choc Chip
OTHER: Blushing Bride Ribbon, CB EF, BABW Dies, Button Latte

Sad to say good-bye...

Good Monday morning to you! It is with much sadness as I announce that I have stepped down from the DT over at The Shabby Tea Room. Working on the DT for the past year has been one of the best crafting ventures I've been a part of. I look forward to playing along with the Shabby Girls as often as possible. Stay tuned to my blog for some *cute* creations this week!!

The Shabby Tea Room - Week 53

Happy Monday to you! This week's challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room is "Birthday Bash", in celebration of our One Year Anniversary! I can hardly believe that we've been challenging for one year already!! Simply make a card or project with a birthday theme. It will be a fun-filled week over at The Tea Room, so be sure to stop by and play along for some fab-u-lous prizes!! :)

This amazing digi image, Make A Wish, is from our sponsor this week, Blackleaf Studios.

Also submitting this card for the color challenge over at 4 Crafty Chicks.

Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

My Ribbon Storage...

My friend, Debbie, told me about a contest going on over at, Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings, so I thought I'd submit a photo of my ribbon storage. My hubby made it for me 2 years ago for our anniversary. He asked what I wanted, and I told him a ribbon holder - Voila! :) So glad I have a handy husband!!

The Shabby Tea Room - Week 52

This week's challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room is inspired by a photo of a four leaf clover. St. Patty's Day is just around the corner, which means spring is as well! YAY!!

I used this cute digi stamp, Lucky Leprechaun, from our sponsor this week, Robyn’s Fetish Digital Stamps.

Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

Operation Write Home "Bunny" Blog Hop

I am participating in Operation Write Home's Bunny Blog Hop today. I have been making cards for OWH for over 2 years now. I am passionate about their cause, and help them every chance I get. My brother, Ryan, is a firefighter in the USAF. He is stationed in Germany with his wife and 2 dogs, but is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He has been deployed since October, and will return to his wife later this spring. Card-making is a positive way that I can channel my sadness about having my one and only brother a half a world away. Thank you, OWH, for all that you do for our troops!! :)

Your next stop on the blog hop is: Donna Inks

The sketch is from OWH Stars & Stamps.

RECIPE:
STAMPS: PTI Take Three Spring
INK: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze
PAPER: VV, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette
OTHER: Swiss Dot EF, PTI Take Three Die, Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon

OWH Blog Hop Coming Saturday...

Be sure to "hop" on over and join me as I participate in Operation Write Home's Blog Hop this coming Saturday. You will be inspired by beautiful spring cards.

The Shabby Tea Room - Week 51

This week's challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room is inspired by a beautiful photo, and is to include the colors red, black, and white. Such a great color combo! So many possibilities!

Our sponsor this week, The Stamping Boutique, provided the DT with some super cute digi images to work with. I chose Audrey the Builder. She reminds me of my oldest daughter, Bella. She is a Daddy's Girl, and loves to help out with any and every home project we have going on. And it just so happens that her favorite color is red.

Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

1 Birthday Card for 5 Challenges

It's been waaay too long since I've participated in some of my favorite challenge blogs, so I decided catch up on some today.

Sketch - OWH Stars & Stamps

Color - Stacey's Stamping Stage (WW, Turquoise, Pear Pizazz, Tangerine Tango - I used Peach Parfait as a substitute)

Buttons & Bows - The Shabby Tea Room

Die - Crazy 4 Challenges

Butterflies - 4 Crafty Chicks


RECIPE:
STAMPS: So Happy for You (SAB)
INK: Turquoise
PAPER: WW, In Color DSP, Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, Turquoise
OTHER: Circle Punches, Satin WW Ribbon, Button, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die

The Shabby Tea Room - Week 50

It's time for an all new challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room. This week's challenge is "Buttons & Bows". Simply create a card or project with buttons and bows! Fun! :)

Our sponsor this week is The Cutting Cafe. They offer some very cute cutting files. I chose their Cap Shaped Card file, and made this baby card, for a dear friend who recently had a baby girl. A non-traditional baby card, but still cute as a button (no pun intended!).

Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

The Shabby Team Room - Week 49

This week's challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room is inspired by a warm and cozy photo, filled with blue, brown, red, and cream. Great color combo, stop on over and play along! :)

Our sponsor this week, Stamping Dragon, supplied that DT with this digi image, from their Sewing Pack digi stamp set. There are some fun images to work with!


Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is my 2011 Valentine's Day card that I made for friends and family. My 2 daughters love dinosaurs right now, so I decided to ink up this cute set, Kid at Heart, from Taylored Expressions. Such a fun set!

4 Craft Chicks - Valentine's

Crazy 4 Challenges - Valentine's

The Shabby Tea Room - Week 48

This week's challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room, is inspired by a pretty photo ~ and is to include a heart plus the colors pink, brown, and green. Fun challenge - just in time for Valentine's Day! :)

Our sponsor this week, Robyn's Fetish, provided the DT with fun digi images to work with. I chose Lucy Valentine's Girl. How sweet is she??? I glittered her heart, for added fun!

Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

Golden Egg Winner

Thanks to the ladies over at 4 Crafty Chicks for giving little old me The Golden Egg for THIS card. Be sure to stop by and play along - they have a GREAT sketch this week!
until then...Happy Stamping! :)

The Shabby Tea Room - Week 47

This week's challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room is "Get Creative". Create a card with no patterned paper or manufactured embellishments. Wow! That was truly a challenge for me! At least I could use my friend, the Cuttlebug! :) I decided to make my hubby a Valentine's card. Men - less is better on their cards!!

Mojo Monday - last week's sketch
4 Crafty Chicks - color challenge

Our sponsor this week is Just Rite Stampers. I used their new set, Happy Everything Tag Making Kit. This is a must-have set! It comes with 18 sentiments and 4 custom tag dies. So practical.

JustRite Stamps will be providing our lucky winner a scrumptious prize package containing the Happy Everything Mini Tag Kit and the Fancy Tags Set Cling ... a prize package valued at approximately $53 - WOW! The Shabby Girls {heart} JustRite Stamps :)


Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

Christmas Card from Ryan...

 

Christmas was last month, but today I received a very special Christmas card from my brother, Ryan, who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. My contact person, Dixie, at Operation Write Home, made this card for him to send to me. How special. Love that owl dressed up for Christmas! :) Thanks, Dixie and OWH - You're the BEST!!

The Shabby Tea Room ~ Week #46

It's time for an all *new* challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room. This week's challenge is Winter Wonderland, and is inspired by a beautiful snowy scene. My alyout was based off of THIS one from last week. Love that background circle.

The image on my card this week is Puddle Jumper Winter Dana and Penny, from Lori Designs, our sponsor this week.

Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Puddle Jumper Winter Dana and Penny
INK: Copics, Marina Mist
PAPER: WW, blushing Bride, Marina Mist
OTHER: Scalloped Edge Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Swiss Dots EF, CM Circle Cutter, Grey Satin Ribbon

I'm a winner! :)

I won a Golden Egg award from 4 Crafty Chicks, for THIS card. Thanks, ladies! :)

My 1st "No Sew" Blanket

I just started and finished my first no sew blanket. It was so easy! Took less than 2 hours to make. I'm hoping to make more, to donate to children of deployed soldiers.

One Card, Four Challenges

I'm entering this card for 4 challenges:
Operation Write Home - Sketch
The Shabby Tea Room - White & Bright
Crazy 4 Challenges - Thank You
4 Crafty Chicks - Metal

RECIPE:
STAMPS: Short & Sweet; Upsy Daisy
INK: Old Olive
PAPER: WW, Old Olive, Play Date DSP
OTHER: Circle Nesties, Brads, White Organza Ribbon, Scalloped Edge Punch

The Shabby Tea Room - Week 45

This week's challenge over at The Shabby Tea Room is "White and Bright" - create a card with white and one other color. Well, that is right up my alley, since my style is clean and simple! :) I decided to replenish my own stash of cards, and made 5 different colors of the same card, but with different sentiments.

Our sponsor this week is Webster's Pages. Be sure to check them out for some yummy card candy! :)

Please take a minute to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs to be inspired by their lovely work:
Cathy Clark-Santie - Papier Girl
Clare Buswell - Clare's Creations
Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Simple Treasures
Melissa Bove - Keepsakes By Melissa
Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch