12 Kits - In Like A Lion - Out Like A Lamb

Thanks for stopping by today!  It's the last day of the month - can you believe it?  Spring has to be just right around the corner!  I sure hope so anyway!  Today I'm showing you projects I made with the package of wonderful things I received from my friend Kellly Schirmer - Gingham Girl!.  Kelly is the host this month for the 12 Kits of Occasions.  We are a group of 12 designers who take turns hosting a card kit for the rest of the group.   We all receive the same kit and on the last day of the month we show all the things we made.  It's fun and interesting to see the different ways we use same products.   

There were so many great products to work with.   Kelly really out did herself.   I made 5 cards this time and I still have loads of supplies that I can use on more cards later.  She also introduced me to lots of items that I don't have that are going on my wish list including the picket fence, die cut flowers and leaves, and tulip stamp set.   I usually find that I have an item that I simply don't know what to do with, that I keep an eye our for.  The item that had me stumped this time?  That striped die cut in navy that you can see in the photo.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the ladies used it so I can case one of their projects.   Ready for the projects?  OK .. here goes!

Want to see more projects?  You can see a preview of a projects and find links to each designer with projects featured here on the 12 Kits of Occasions blog or just click on their names here. 

We have a special guestie this month too!  Karen Stein!  

Kellly Schirmer - Gingham Girl (our hostess this month)

Renee - It's a Patchwork Life

Marybeth - It's Time For Paper

Joyce - Cards By The Sea

Cathy Weber - Empty Nest Crafter

Christina Maclaren

Kim - Cupcakes Cards & Kim

Kara - K & R Designs

Jessica - The Paper Parade

Sharron - On Papillon Wings

Tracey McNeely - In My Creative Opinion

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Patterned Paper: Pebbles “Front Porch”
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink: Vintage Cream, Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, Soft Stone, Ocean Tides, Kraft, Ripe Avocado, Linen Vellum Bazzill: Rock Candy (gray), Lollipop (dark pink) Coredinations Foundations Canvas Texture: Eggplant (navy)
Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Nestie Eggs, Spring Baskets, L’il Buddies, Compact Sentiments, Gift Card It, Papertrey Ink: Take Three: Spring, Flower Fusion #11 (tulips), A Muse Studio: Kindred Spirits
Dies: Waltzingmouse Stamps: Gift Card It and Gift Card Envelope die
Spellbinders: Nested Eggs (discontinued)
Memory Box: Fluffy Bunny, Wonderful Watering Can, Perfect Petioles
Woodland Branch, Dancing Butterflies, Resting Birds, Luscious Leaves, Creekside Leaves
Papertrey Ink: Picket Fence, Take Three die, Flower Fusion #11 die
Embossing Folders/Plates: A Muse Studio Woodgrain texture plate
Papertrey Ink Horizontal Stripe Cover Plate
Lifestyle Crafts Big Dots embossing folder
Embellishments: Mini white pom poms, grey gingham ribbon, cream twill tape, pink and aqua baker’s twine, Heidi Grace “Cartwheel” epoxy dots, Jillibean Soup Etched Wood button, Prima bird clips, Recollections pearls, mini office tag

Items I added:
Border Punch EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace,
Card Stock SU! Strawberry Slush,  Basic Grey
Ribbon May Arts Ivory Button Twine, 3/8" Solid Check Pink, 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Turquoise, Twinery Stone
Dies:  Spellbinder Charmed I'm Sure, PTI Matt Stack 3, SU! Chalk Talk, Cheery Lynn Priscilla Doily
Buttons
Copic Markers
3/8" Corner Rounder / Chomper We R Memory Keepers

Fusion #7 - Verily I Thank Thee

YAYYY!!! It's officially the weekend!  I hope everyone is doing good!    I get lots of crafting done over the weekends, staying up late waiting for the kiddos to get home.  Its's starting to ruin my internal clock.  I'm looking forward to summer and longer days.  I'll be ready to party like a rock star by then - up all night and sleep all day.   HAHA! I don't suppose my husband will like that very much.   His schedule is just the opposite.   It's still cold and rainy here, but I guess that's better than snow and should make for some beautiful Spring flowers right?

Today I'm playing along at Fusion Card Challenge.  Check out the inspiration this time.  You can follow the sketch or be inspired by the photo.   I always try to use both.  I saw the dress form and immediately grabbed my Bo Bunny Cest La Vie paper.  Instead of  a brick background I have a quatrefoil background.  I tried to add a little texture with a bit of burlap ribbon as a nod to the scarf in the photo.

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm looking foward to seeing what you make linked up at Fusion.  It's a two week challenge so you have some time to play!  Have a beautiful day!!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps;  Waltzingmouse Florentine Frippery

Pattern Paper:  Bo Bunny Cest La Vie 6x6"

Card Stock PTI Lavender Moon, Vintage Cream, SU! Rich Razzleberry

Dies:  Cheery Lynn Polynesian Sails Oval, Spellbinder Labels 25

5/8" Chevron Burlap Stampin Up!

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Luxe Lilac Posies
Wood Leaf Little Yellow Bicycle
Metal Bee:  Momenta
Pearls Recollections
1/4" Corner Chomper We R Memory Keepers

Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop - Teapot

Thanks for joining me today for the latest Serendipity Stamps die release.   If you're following along with the blog hop today you should have reached me from my sweet friend Anya's blog.  If you've just arrived and are starting here,  you can get all the details on Mary's Blog.  We're showing projects today that feature the new teapot and tea cup dies . 

I wanted to give you a better look at the dies and point out some of the great details that might not be so obvious.  There is piercing along the lid and base of the teapot.   There is a cut line that makes the lid easy to detach making it easy to  replace it with a different color or remove it completely.  I can see a bouquet of flowers peeking out the top. 

The tea cup has the same pierced detail and the saucer is easy to snip off if you want to change colors or use the cup by itself like I did on my second card. 

I made two cards today - a fussy version with a pretty doily background, bow and a tag designed to look like the little label on a tea bag.

My second card is simpler.  I started with an embossed card base and  added a string of tea cups in different colors.  The sentiment is stamped on a bitty tag that I tied around the handle of the teapot. 

Here's a peek at the inside.

The next stop on the hop is the super talented Jenny Gropp.  I know you're going to love her project!  But before you go - leave me a comment!!! One random commenter will be selected from the blogs to receive a $20 gift certificate from Serendipity Stamps.  That way you can select whatever die (or stamps) you like!  You have until Midnight US East Coast Time on March 30 to leave a comment.  The winner will be posted on Mary's blog on March 31. 

Mary's Blog
 Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Vickie Zimmer

Anya Schrier

Jeanne Jachna  (That's Me!)

Jenny Gropp

Julie Warner

Supplies Used:   Finished 4.5 x 6.25"

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Thank You, Tea Service, A Woman Is Like

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Teapot and Tea Cup, Cheery Lynn Priscilla Doily

Pattern Paper:  Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Collection "Hello Friend", "Herbal Infusion" and "Sweet Chamomile" 12 x 12"  

Card Stock:  PTI Vintage Cream, Lemon Tart, Harvest Gold, SU! Strawberry Slush, Pretty In Pink0

Border Punch:  EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace

Ribbon:  5/8" Watermelon Crochet, 5/8" Iridescent Ivory Taffeta, Ivory Button Twine May Arts

Twinery Blossom Twine

Button
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud

Finished Size 4.25  x 5.5"

Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Thanks Small

Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Teapot and Tea Cup, Cheery Lynn Priscilla Doily, Spellbinders Charmed I'm Sure

Twinery Blossom Twine

Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Anna Griffin Rosa

Mini Clothes Pins

Card Stock:  PTI Hibiscus Burst, Vintage Cream, Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, Simply Chartreuse, SU! Pretty In Pink, Pink Pirouette, Tangerine Tango, Crisp Cantaloupe, Certainly Celery

CASE Study #184 Thanks!

Happy Thursday!  Wow is this week just flying or what?  My son is on Spring break and he's been keeping me busy.  We've been sleeping late and sneaking out for lunch.    He has a track meet today and I'm looking forward to seeing him run.  He is a senior this year and I don't want to miss anything!  

 It's Thursday!  That means a new challenge begins today at CASE Study. I've really been enjoying our muse this month - Joni Nina Andaya!   And check out the project she made as our inspiration this week!  Is that pretty or what?     So what do you see? The stamped images topped with the vellum die cuts?  So clever how they  peek out from the band across the center that anchors everything in place?  The soft pink color?  The bold die cut sentiment?   I picked up on the "Thank You" die cut, layout and colors.  Instead of leaves I went with a floral theme and added lots of layers.  I can't wait to see how you interpret this one!  Getting any ideas yet?

Need a little more inspiration?  Check out what the rest of the team did with this one.  We have two special guest designers this month!  Welcome Sarah Gough  and Kate Lorenzini !!

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Debbie Hughes

Maureen Plut

Tasnim Ahmed 

Maureen Merritt

Silke Ledlow

 Now it's your turn!  I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the inspiration photo this week and I hope I see you at the CASE Study Challenge Blog!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Dies:  Paper Smooches Thanks Word, Cheery Lynn Priscilla Doily, Memory Box Delightful Peony Outline and Delightful Peony Background
Sequins
Gem Flower Recollections
Pattern Paper Carta Bella Sew Lovely
Card Stock:  SU! Pink Pirouette, Coastal Cabana, Regal Rose, PTI Aqua Mist, Raspberry Fizz

CASology Lucky!!

I hope everybody is doing good!!  I'm having another busy week.  My son is on Spring Break so he's keeping me running around and I get a serious case of "the guilts" every time I want to turn the computer on. I'm tempted to wait until he falls asleep, but he's 18 so I think he can stay up longer than his old mom!  I'm playing along with CASology this week and starting to seriously appreciate how quick a CAS card comes together.   The CUE word this week is LUCKY!  Gotta tell you I really feel lucky that I just got this stamp set in the mail the day before I saw the cue word.  I guess it's fate!! 

I stamped the images and sentiment in Memento ink and then colored in the letters with Copic markers.  A sprinkle of gold sequins (some up and some down) and I'm calling this one done! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!  

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps: Avery Elle "Lucky"

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers

Gold Sequins

The Card Concept #6 - Woodland Roses

 I hope you had a good weekend!  We woke up to snow on Saturday but it's all gone already.  I wish Spring would get here quick!  I've been seeing signs everywhere.  When I went for a walk yesterday (it's been a while), I heard the Sand Hill Cranes whirling overhead.  They're a migratory bird so it looks like they're coming home to Indiana!  I'm starting to hear the birds again early in the morning too!

Today I'm playing along with The Card Concept.  Use the photo for inspiration  to create a birthday card.   I love the pop of color on the white iced cake, and the wood grain background.  I incorporated lots of the elements from the photo into my card.  A doily for the detailed cake stand, a pop of red and blue like the flowers on the cake, the wood grain Polaroid frame to represent the wood grain backrground in the photo, and some  polka dot paper for those super cute mushroom caps!  I'll be honest - I'm still not sure how to define my style.. I'm leaning toward collage but my elements (in my mind at least) are all related and meant to be together.  I have lots of natural themed elements like the flowers, butterfly button and wood grain.  My next guess would be  Classy & Elegant but I don't know if I would consider this "polished, sophisticated and regal".  I do have a little sparkle and shine - the gems on the flowers and the shiny heart pin.    I'd love to hear your thoughts to help me pin down my style.  

 If you want to play along there's still a whole week left.  You can get all the details and see the other creations linked up here at The Card Concept.  Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!













Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  WPlus9 More Fresh Cuts, Fresh Cut Florals
Dies:  Wplus9 More Fresh Cuts, Fresh Cut Florals, Tag, Spellbinder Nested Lacey Pennants, Cheery Lynn Priscilla Die
Pattern Paper:  Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe Collection (Polkadot) "Dresses"  Portrait Collection "Pearls"
Heart Pin The Ribbon Reel
Kraft Wood Grain Frame Jillibean Soup
Wood Button:  Little Yellow Bicycle
Card Stock:  PTI Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist
Caribbean Solid Twine The Twinery
Ribbon:  5/8" Taffeta Iridescent Ivory, Ivory Button Twine, 1/4" Crochet Trim Natural May Arts
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black Memento Love Letter, Lady Bug, Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Teal Zeal, Cottage Ivy, SU! Pool Party

Retro Sketches #106 - Thank You

What a busy day!   My daughter goes to a local college and takes the car for her commute.  Friday is her day off - thus it's my day to have my car!  Actually I really like dragging her along with me to help me load up groceries.  We enjoy spending our time together talking as we run from errand to errand and usually stop and have lunch together.   The rest of the week it's school and work for her, and keeping the house in order for me.   My husband is having some friends over to play cards tonight and I'm cooking for them.  Of course they had to pick a Friday during Lent so I had to get creative with the menu since no meat is allowed.   

I'm slipping this one in just under the wire at Retro Sketches.    I just couldn't pass this one by.  I love the simplicity of the design and enjoyed trying to find different ways to fussy it up a bit.  I used a background die for the base to add some layers.  I moved the sentiment to the bottom and stamped it on a border die.  It still seemed to need a little something so I added a bit of ribbon and a bow - and my latest addiction.  YES!  Those bitty wooden accent pieces that I'm starting to see at more stores.  I hate paying shipping so if I can find it at a store near home ...  I'm there! I found this butterfly at Joann's.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Lil Inker Designs  Mom & Dad Sentiments
Cover Up Die:  Lil Inker Designs Swirls, Border Die  Stitched Scallop Border
Wooden Butterfly Jillibean Soup
Ribbon:  5/8" Stripe Twill Teal May Arts,  1/4" Satin Turquoise Offray
Button
Card Stock:  PTI Canyon Clay, Aqua Mist, Orange Zest
Pattern Paper: Crate Paper Farmhouse 6x6"
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black

Bountiful Sunflower

I'm posting on the Poppystamps blog today!  We're in the middle of a blog blitz.  That means we're showing lots of new dies and giving away a prize on every post between March 14-28.  My project today features the new Bountiful Sunflower Die.  

If you'd like to win one of your own - leave a comment on the Poppystamps Blog by April 4 to enter.   Click here to jump to their blog and see the whole project and comment to win.

CASE Study 183 - Mendhi Thanks

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you're having a great day!  I've been keeping busy!   My daughter has a pot luck at school tonight that she just sprung on me so I suppose I'll be running to the store soon for everything I need for a big pan of macaroni and cheese.  If I've learned anything about college kids - they like to eat!  Tomorrow a few friends are coming over to play cards and I'll be cooking for them as well. 


It's Thursday!  That means we have a new challenge starting today at CASE Study.  Our muse this month is Joni Nina Andaya!   Look at this beautiful inspiration photo!  I think this might be one of those times that I have to explain how THIS turned into THAT.  If you look close you'll see lots of similarities.  I picked up on the stripes, detailed colored flowers, and open oval frame.  I just put my own little twist on it by adding the pattern paper background and extra embellishments.   I can't wait to see what this inspires you to do!  

Want to see what the rest of the design team did with this one?  Just click on their names to hop to their blog.   We have two guesties this month too Sarah Gough  and Kate Lorenzini 

Chupa - Iwona Palamountain

Amy Wanford

Andrea Ewen

Clare Buswell

Debbie Hughes

Jeanne Jachna

Maureen Plut

Tasnim Ahmed 

Maureen Merritt

Silke Ledlow

Now it's your turn!  Let's get stampy!  I'll see you at CASE Study!  Have a great day!









Supplies Used:  Finished Size:  4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Lil Inker Designs Modern Mendhi
Pattern Paper:  Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Collection "Sweet Chamomile" 12 x 12
Dies:  Lil Inker Modern Mendhi, Spellbinder Petite Ovals
Ink:  Copic Markers, Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black
Button
Gems:  Recollections
Ribbon 5/8" Black Stripe Twill
Card Stock:  PTI White, New Leaf

SSCB#29 Stitches - Lady Butterfly

Thanks for stopping by today!   Have you been playing along with the Serendipity Stamps Challenge?  It's the half way point so you still have two more weeks to play.  The challenge this month is to add some stitches to your project.  They can be embossed, stamped, drawn or actual stitches.  You're only limited to what you can imagine.  You have to use at least one Serendipity Stamps image or die on your design and you could win a $20 discount off you next order.  The sale this week is free shipping on all continental US orders over $10 through March 26.  All wood mount stamps are on sale and there are also some grab bags at a steal!

The design team always takes the challenge a step further.  We play off the theme of the month but try to throw in a few techniques as well.  We all have projects that have some die debossing on them.  To create my project I started with some heavy watercolor paper. I stamped my sentiment with Versafine ink that can hold up to the water.  Next I stamped and clear embossed my butterflies.  Then I debossed by placing the butterfly die on top of the stamped image.  I tired  a new technique using the Ranger distress pens.  You just scribble with the markers and then spritz with water for a cool watercolor effect.  Drying with a heat gun makes some neat patterns when the paint dries.    If you know me - sewing isn't one of my accomplishments.  I used a border hole punch to make the holes for my stitching. 

Want to see what the rest of the team made?   Just click on their names to jump to their blogs.

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Pauline Pollington

Vickie Zimmer

Anya Schrier

Jenny Gropp

Now it's your turn!  I hope I see you at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog!  Have a beautiful day!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Serendipity Stamps Lady Butterfly Haiku, Floral Butterfly
Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Floral Butterfly
Ink:  Ranger Distress Pens, Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark
Enamel Dots:  Recollections
Twinery Twine Solid Caribbean
Border Punch EK Success Lines and Dots
Clear Emboss Powder

CASology - Week 87 - Blush

Some days I just feel so lucky!  Know what I mean?  Today I'm the guest designer at CASology!!! Can you believe it?  Me neither!!  I can't tell you how happy I am!  I really love trying different styles and have been trying to perfect my CAS side for a while now.  I'm doubly blessed because I have a few close CAS friends to guide me!  

The cue word this week is "Blush".  I had to think about what that meant to me.  My first thought was the color blush.  But then I got to think about things that made me blush.  My husband giving me a look, a friend giving me a compliment, my kids teasing me about the wheel falling off my shopping cart or how Johan on the Givalia commercials is cute.   Little things that embarrass me.    Once I had to explain my daughter's allergy to penicillin to her new pediatrician.  The doctor asked me "Well - what does it do?" meaning what reaction does she have... and me telling him "it's an antibiotic".  Thinking to myself...  seriously what kind of doctor did I go to anyway?  You get the picture.

 I think being called "dollface" might get you a blush too.  I hope I didn't push the limits of CAS with all those stamped flowers.  I couldn't resist!    So what does "Blush" mean to you?   I'm looking forward to finding out!  I hope I see you at CASology!

Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse You're A Doll, You're A Doll Additions
Card Stock:  PTI White,  SU!  Pink Pirouette
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Cantaloupe, Angel Pink, Rose Bud, Pear Tart, Orange Zest, Bamboo Leaves, Copic Markers
Pearls:  Doodlebug