Paper Sweeties January Challenge

Hi Friends!  Happy New Year! Wow!  I have two posts today!!! Lots going on and fun places to play for you to start off the new year right!!    Today begins the latest challenge at the Paper Sweeties blog!    I've stepped down from the design team for 2014 but will continue to play along with the monthly challenges as an "alumni" designer!  

So how do you like this inspiration photo?  Some good things here right?  You can choose whatever inspires you from the photo - the colors, the image of the sweet little girl dressed up in her snow man princess costume (yes I did make that up just now), or certain elements that grab you. For me it was all about the snowman costume, which of course got me thinking about snowmen.   I haven't pulled this one out in a while and thought he's been ignored long enough!  The snowman and snowflakes are from the "Snow Friends" set that was released last winter. To create the background  I stamped the snowflakes randomly with versamark ink on white paper.   Next I  embossed them with clear embossing powder.  I blended blue and purple distress ink and then topped the snowflakes with gems.  The wavy snow mounds are hand cut and dipped in glitter.   Hey and check out my fringes on the scarf!  I made it with bits of twine attached to the back of the stamped image.

Want to see more Paper Sweeties projects? Here's a list of all the DT members (past and present) who are playing along today!

  Debbie Marcinkiewicz - Paper Sweeties

Amber Kroening
Annette Allen
Annette Witherspoon
Andrea Ewen
  Char Cundy
  Jeanne Jachna  (That's me!)
  Jinny Newlin
Kerin Sylvester

 Kristi Schurr
Lesley Croghan

Lisa Elton

 Maria Patrick

 Michelle Bala
Nancy Penir

 Tammy Hobbs

January Guest Designer:  Jill Norwood

We're all looking forward to seeing what you make for the challenge!  To health and happiness in 2014!

Cheers!

Supplies Used: Finished Size:  4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps:  Paper Sweeties Snow Friends, Friendship Warms the Heart, Wagon Add Ons 2

Card Stock:  PTI White

Ink:  Copic Markers, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Broken China, Dusty Concord, Clear Embossing Powder

Glitter, Glossy Accents, Gems, Twinery Maraschino

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge - Happy New Year!

I hope you are getting ready to party tonight.  As I look out the window it's snowing here - hope that doesn't put a damper on my sons soiree - that's his polite and civilized way of saying he's inviting friends over to play video games all night.   I'll be playing the hostess with the mostest - making ribs, chicken skewer, garlic bread, and sausage. What man can resist meat on a stick?  They will think I'm a cooking genius!  HAHA!  

I had a little time to play yesterday and have been itching to play with some of the new stamps I got for Christmas.  The Paper Smooches Beboppin was calling to me and my rock n roll heart.  I was so happy that my son actually knew what the cassette image was - I'm never sure of these things any more.  Last week he didn't know what  a mimeograph machine was and I had to explain it to him.  I sounded like an old timer... well back in my day.... 

This week it's anything goes at the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge.  And while this one looks all clean and simple, but don't let it deceive you folks.  I tell you I learned LOADS about masking and pigment inks with this one.  Please don't ask me how many times I stamped it either - it's embarrasing.

Well I hope it makes you smile - have a fun and safe night - well take a few chances - but not on the road ok?  Big hugs and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps;  Paper Smooches Be Boppin
Card Stock:  PTI White, Pure Poppy, True Black
Ink:  Memento Luxe Danube Blue, Pear Tart, Love Letter, Morocco, Bahama Blue, Sweet Plum, Versafine Onyx Black
Dies:  Spellbinder Standard Circles, A2 Curved Borders One

Crafty Secrets Snow Play

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are getting everything in order for a rocking new year!  I did some heavy duty grocery shopping so I'm ready for just about anything that might come my way - including unexpected visitors.  It wouldn't be new years without lots of snacks and bubbly drinks.

I'm the guest designer this month at Crafty Secrets, so every Monday in December I will have a new project to share.   This is my final week playing along with the Crafty Secrets design team.    I love their vintage images and unique designs.  Recently I rediscovered them and found that most of their designs are digital. I am guessing that most of you are like me and have only dabbled a little with digital designs.   You can purchase single images of  Crafty Secrets designs or entire discs.  The discs are really amazing - everything you need to create a card is at your fingertips - digital paper, sentiments, embellishments, frames - it's all there.  There are even 3-D projects on the disc for gift boxes/bags and place cards for your holiday dinner table. 

If you have an electronic cutter - I used the Silhouette Cameo - the designs are easy to import to your library and manipulate. You can also use other software that will allow you to manipulate photo files like Photoshop.   I have to say it was really nice to have everything perfectly coordinated in one place.  The pattern paper and all the images are color and theme matched to work together - you just print what you need, die cut and assemble.   too small for other projects.  

 Want to see what the rest of the team made for you today?  Just click on their names to hop to their blog. 

Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

Michele Kovack - See 295+ Gallery!

Darlene Pavlick

Rebekah Faries

Sheila Rumney

Kathy Clement

Elizabeth (I love rubber) on Splitcoast

Cherry Nelson

Thanks for stopping by - we're getting really close now aren't we?  It's almost Christmas!!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Images, Patterned Paper:  Crafty Secrets Retro Christmas CD

Dies:  Spellbinder Classic Ovals, Classic Scalloped OvalsRibbon:  May Arts Ivory Button Twine, 1/2" Squares Stitch Red White, 1" Lace White

Silver Pearls, Snow Buttons

Card Stock:  PTI  Pure Poppy, White, AC Specialty Gold Foil

1/8" Corner Rounder We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

Comfort and Joy to You!

I hope everybody had a great holiday and got loads of their favorite things!  I'm not so anxious to roll away all the decorations - I'll be leaving them out longer than most people I expect, and  probably asking my husband to take the tree down for Valentines Day!  That's a running joke in our house because one year it actually was up that long!!

Today it's my turn to post at the Poppystamps blog.   I made a CAS card to wish you comfort and joy in the coming year!

I added some glossy accents topped with a dusting of glitter to add a snowy effect.

Happy New Year friends!


Supplies Used:  Finished Size: 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Poppystamps Pine Branch, Comfort and Joy
Border Punch: Zig Zag Stitch EK Success
Glitter
Glossy Accents
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa
Button
Ribbon:  3/8" Velvet Woven Parrot Green, Natural Button Twine May Arts
Card Stock PTI Vintage Cream, SU! Gumball Green

Paper Smooches Sparks Flower Garden

HI!  Are you having a good holiday?  I'm having a quiet Christmas at home - enjoying the time I have with my kids while they are off school.   The weather is cold here making me want to stay in the house.  While they're playing video games I snuck off to play with my stamps.  I'm playing along with Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge today.  This week is a sketch challenge

Because it's cold I decided to make my own flower garden with the Calico set.   The sentiment is from the Sentiment Sampler that is packed with all sorts of sentiments and fonts.  I tried to stay true to the sketch adding some orange ric rac vs. a panel of paper across the center of my design.

 I hope you have some time to play!   Maybe I'll see you over at the Sparks Challenge!  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps:  Paper Smooches:  Calico, Sentiment Sampler

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey Hey Girl!

Card Stock:  PTI Simply Chartreuse, Vintage Cream

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Spun Sugar, Orange Marmalade, Memento Luxe Morocco, Love Letter, Angel Pink, Rosebud, Bahama Blue, New Leaf, Olive Grove, Dandelion

Twinery Twine Mandarin

1/4" Orange Ric Rac May Arts

1/4" Corner Rounder We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper

Button, Gems

Border Punch:  EK Success Binding Edge

CASE STUDY - Floral Thank You

Wow!  Talk about a fast week  I can't believe it's Thursday already!  If you are just waking up from your long Christmas day and are looking for a great way to relax a bit and maybe put some of those goodies you got  to work there's a new challenge today at CASE Study.  I think you're going to like this one!  As a tribute to the Moxie Fabulous Cath Edvalson all our designs this month are Tuesday Trigger inspiration photos.  Our guestie designer this month is Amy Ryall.    If you'd like to be considered as a guest designer in the future just add a "GD" behind your name when you link up your creations.

Check out the inspiration pic this week.  Lots of beautiful floral iced cookies on a background of lace.  You can take this any direction you like.  You can focus on the flowers, the lace, the colors - whatever inspires you.    I focused on the flowers on the white lace background.   I originally intended to have a neutral background like in the photo but it just wasn't dramatic enough so I went for a deep navy.   I can't wait to see what you will make.

Need a little more inspiration:  Here's a list of the CASE DT ladies.  Just click on their names to see what they made for this week's challenge.

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Andrea Ewen

Clare Buswell

Debbie Hughes

Maureen Plut

Tasnim Ahmed 

Maureen Merritt

Silke Ledlow

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25"

Stamps:  Wplus9 Fresh Cut Florals

Dies:  Marianne LR0236, Spellbinder Nested Pennants, WPlus9 Fresh Cut Florals

Pattern Paper:  My Mind's Eye "Moments"

Card Stock:  PTI Enchanted Evening, White

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Rosa

Ink:  Memento Love Letter, Lady Bug, Morocco, Tangelo, Daffodil, Cantaloupe, Grape Jelly, New Leaf, Danube Blue, Nautical Navy, Bamboo Leaves, Lu Lu Lavender, Versafine Onyx Black

Pearls

Crafty Secrets Retro Christmas - Hey Santa!

I'm the guest designer this month at Crafty Secrets, so every Monday in December I will have a new project to share.   I love their vintage images and unique designs.  Recently I rediscovered them and found that most of their designs are digital. I am guessing that most of you are like me and have only dabbled a little with digital designs.   You can purchase single images of  Crafty Secrets designs or entire discs.  The discs are really amazing - everything you need to create a card is at your fingertips - digital paper, sentiments, embellishments, frames - it's all there.  There are even 3-D projects on the disc for gift boxes/bags and place cards for your holiday dinner table. 

 If you have an electronic cutter - I used the Silhouette Cameo - the designs are easy to import to your library and manipulate. You can also use other software that will allow you to manipulate photo files like Photoshop.   I have to say it was really nice to have everything perfectly coordinated in one place.  The pattern paper and all the images are color and theme matched to work together - you just print what you need, die cut and assemble.   too small for other projects.  

 Every thing for this project except the ribbon, jingle bells, gems and stars was printed off the Crafty Secrets Retro Christmas Disc.

Want to see what the rest of the team made for you today?  Just click on their names to hop to their blog. 

Vicki Chrisman Team Leader

Michele Kovack - See 295+ Gallery!

Darlene Pavlick

Rebekah Faries

Sheila Rumney

Kathy Clement

Elizabeth (I love rubber) on Splitcoast

Cherry Nelson

Thanks for stopping by - we're getting really close now aren't we?  It's almost Christmas!!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Images, Patterned Paper:  Crafty Secrets Retro Christmas CD

Dies:  Spellbinder Nested Pennants
Border Punch:  Double Embossed Dotted Lace EK Success

Ribbon:  5/8" Oraganic Cotton Stripe Red , 3/4" Canvas Black Music Notes May Arts

Twinery Marachino Twine

Card Stock:  PTI  Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream

Paper Sweeties Monthly Designer Spotlight - ME!!

I'm the featured designer in the spotlight this month at Paper Sweeties!  Have you checked out all their latest stamps?  And better yet - did you see they have coordinating dies now?  You can see everything that's new here.   I love this sentiment so I made it the focus of my card.  I layered it with all sorts of holiday goodness!!!  Velvet ribbon, heart button and gem,  and pretty pattern paper!  I made a loopy twine bow and topped it with a snowflake button. I didn't want the button holes showing so I just covered them up with a heart gem.    

The traditional colors and pine accents make this so fun and festive!

If you've already discovered Paper Sweeties and are smitten I hope you find some time to play their monthly challenges in the new year.  Its a fun way to get ideas for your stamps and you might win a few free sets while you're at it.  You can get more details on the blog here.  

Thanks for stopping by for a look!  I hope your holidays are in full swing and you are enjoying your time with those you hold most dear!

Hugs! 



Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Paper Sweeties Sending Holiday Cheer
Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon "Silent Night" Collection 8x8"
Card Stock:  PTI Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream, Simply Chartreuse, SU! Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Gold Foil AC Specialty
Dies: Poppystamps Pine Sprigs, Small Freemont Pine Background, Small Freemont Pine Outline, Memory Box Astrid Circle 
Ribbon:  1" Red Velvet 
Twinery Maraschino Twine
Gems
Border Punch:  EK Success Zig Zag Stitch
Buttons:  Dress it Up!

Stampin Royalty #207 - Christmas Reindeer

I hope you are having a great day!  Lots going on for me this weekend.  Top priority is the Boy Scouts Annual Christmas Party.  I hope all my planning works out - that I ordered enough food, and picked up all the things we will need to make it seem easy!  I know that no one will notice but me!  The boys are wonderful and always leave me feeling the Christmas spirit.  They usually play instruments and put on skits while we wait for the food to arrive. 

Today I'm playing along with Stampin' Royalty.  The challenge is easy this time - just three simple colors!  You guessed it, red, white, and green!!   Easy peasy this time of year right?

I like the collage look of this one, and all the fun elements I was able to squeeze in.  There are only a few more days to play this one so you have to hurry!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size: 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Santa's Coming To Town, Ornate Ornaments
Card Stock:  PTI True Black, Vintage Cream
Pattern Paper:  Authentique Festive 6x6"
Dies:  Memory Box Leaping Deer, WPlus9 Hope
Corner Rounder:  Crop A Dile We R Memory Keepers
Button:  Ribbon Reel
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Real Red

CASual Fridays /10 Minute Craft Dash - CAS New Year!

I'm playing CAS today at CAS-ual Fridays!  This time they're asking for a clean and simple new year's project.  They'te teaming up with the 10 Minute Craft Dash for this one so here goes folks!!   So so here goes folks, start your timers!!  I made a card from card stock, trimmed a piece of pattern paper to layer over the base, stamped a sentiment, and then added a fun foil pick held down with a pretty strip of washi paper.   DONE!  Total time?  6:37!!!! YAYYYY!!  I could make up a whole bunch of these for no time and what a cute invite they would make as well.  Got 10 minutes?  Make something!!  HAHA!!!!

Wishing you a great day and time to play!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamp:  Serendipity Stamps:  Happy New Year
Foil Pick:  Oriental Trading Company
Washi:  Recollections:  Michaelss
Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon Midway Collection  8x8"
Card Stock:  PTI  Hawaiian Shores
Ink:  Versafine Tuxedo Black