Tag You're It Challenge - Foxy

Do you love tags?  You're going to want to check out Tag You're It Challenge!  They provide wonderful inspiration for making some beautiful tags of your own.  This time our muse is design team member Anja Curvers!   Look at this neat design!  Things I love here.. the cool stencil background, a SECOND distressed background, and how clever is that little turtle stamped half on the bitty tag?   

I wanted to make this mine so added a few subtle changes.   I switched up the colors, word tag and critter.  I created a stencil background on my tag using embossing paste for my fluffy clouds.  I stamped a smaller tag with the swing, and then colored up and die cut the fox to sit on the swing. 

I hope you'll give this one a try too and that I see you at Tag You're It Challenge!

Supplies:  
Dies Poppystamps Greeting Tags, Stitched Main Street Tags
Stamps:  Poppystamps A Fox Tale
Twinery Midnight Blue Twine
Stencil: Memory Box Modern Mini Clouds
Golden Light Molding Paste
Copic Markers 

Poppystamps Birthday Happy!!

I'm posting on the Poppystamps blog today with this Happy Birthday card!  It features lots of the new dies from Poppystamps.  

If you want a closer look, just click here to jump to the Poppy blog!

Poppystamps Dies:  Majestra Background, Stitched Main Street Tags, Stitched Annaleigh Tag Decorations, Party Balloons & Cake, Cake Frosting Bags, Stitched Cake Plates, Vintage Happy Thanksgiving

Twinery Pink Sorbet Twine

Gems Paper Studio - Hobby Lobby

12 Kits of Occassions - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I know!  What's going on right?  Christmas in August?  Well.. since It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year we figured we'd celebrate it more than once.  The 12 Kits actually started out as the "12 Kits of Christmas' and we used to do Christmas every month.   Now we save it for only a few times of the year and add other occasions as well.   If you're not familiar with the "12 Kits", we're a group of friends who like to design cards.  Each month we take turns providing a kit of supplies to the rest of the group.  We all get the same products, make projects, and then on the last day of the month we post what we made.  It's fun to see how are designs are different, or sometimes similar!

Friends have come and gone from the group over the years - we get busy with obligations and have to set our priorities.  It's never an easy thing and it's difficult again this month to say good bye to Kelly Schirmer.  Kelly is the original "Gingham Girl" and I can't even look at gingham with out thinking of her.   She's been a good friend to me even before the days together at the 12 kits and I hope that when things settle down she might come back to the group.

Ready for this month's kit?  Our hostess this month is Cathy Weber from Empty Nest Crafter Blog!  Cathy provided lots of goodies this month... pretty pattern paper, die cuts, doilies, and LOTS AND LOTS of embellishments!    There is usually one thing from the kit I haven't used or had a little trouble with that I like to keep an eye out for.  This time its those shaped paper clips you see in the bottom right corner.  There were so many goodies the hardest part for me was to decide what embellie to put with which card.  I got 5 done so here goes! 

Want to see more? You can click here to jump to the 12 Kits of Occasions blog where you will find a sample from each of the designers - you can click to jump to any of their blogs.  There's also a  complete ingredient list of all the supplies that were provided in Cathy's kit,  Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great day! 

Don't Worry! BE HAPPY!

I'm posting at Pretty Little Studio with this cute little crab.

It reminds me of someone... but if you want to know who you have to click here and read more!

Elegant Feminine Card

I've got a card featured today at Top Dog Dies!

Want to see more?  Just click here!

Top Dog Dies
Sew Much Fun
Madison Doily
Alexa Frame
Rhinestones: Recollections
Ribbon 1.5 Silky Crush Platinum May Arts
Stamp:  Waltzingmouse Teeny Trees
Paper Roses:  Iamroses.com
Metal Dragonfly

Twinery Caribbean Twine Hop! Fun In The Sun!

Hi and thanks for stopping by! You picked another great day for a visit! The Twinery Design Team is having a blog hop featuring The Twinery Caribbean Twine! If you're hopping along from the beginning you should have reached me from Amy Crockett's Blog! If you would like to start from the beginning and get all the details - including what's up for grabs (YES! A PRIZE!) just click here to jump to The Twinery Blog!

We're featuring the Caribbean Twine Today! It's the perfect color for summer splashing!  Going shopping?   TEAL25 code saves customers 25% off all purchases through the weekend

I used the twine in two different ways for my card today.  I layered some stripes of colorful twine behind a die cut cloud window here.

And, I wrapped twine around the base of my card to anchor some of the elements and add a little weight to the bottom of the card. 

Twinery Twine is the best quality and adds lots of color and texture to any project!  You can shop The Twinery store here.

The next stop on the hop is DoBea Alberts! But before you go I hope you will leave me a comment. As mentioned there is some blog candy to be had and who knows? Could be yours for the taking! Good luck and Happy Hopping!

Here's a complete list of all the designers with projects for you today!

The Twinery

Tifany DeGough

Amy Crockett

Jeanne Jachna That's Me! 

DoBea Alberts

Anita Mulcahey

Jennifer Cuthbertson

Tobi Crawford 

Stacey Schafer

Denise Hahn

Melyssa Connolly

Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
The Twinery Caribbean Twine
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse My Island
Pattern Paper:  Glitz "Uncharted Waters" 6x6"
Die Cuts:  Memory Box Cloud Bank,m Stitched Circle Layers, MFT Fishtail Flags, Spellbinder Classic Rectangles
Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh (colored) , Serendipity Stamps  (Mahogany & Bamboo)

SSCB#45 Monochrome - Milkweed

Hi!  I hope everyone is doing good!  DH is still working crazy hours so my schedule is still UP side DOWN.  We're eating dinner for breakfast and have a few hours in the morning to ourselves.  I've got a few projects I'm working on too that are keeping me busy that I work on while he's napping.    

We took Miss Moriko in for her annual check up - she's a year old!  She did really well - no snarls or snaps.  I think our lady vet Doctor Farrell knows how to bribe the kiddos with treats!   Mori weighed in at 81.5 pounds but was probably more when she left. She's come a long way in the past year and we are all so very happy with her.  

Roger ran a 5K at Wolf Lake in Indiana and came in 3rd overall - second for his age group (19-24) and got to meet and have his photo taken with the Mayor of Hammond - Mayor McDermott, who also ran.

We're at the half way point of the latest Serendipity Stamps Challenge - Monochrome.   I always have trouble with color challenges.  I tend to think about the color more than what to make with it and get stuck.  I'll explain.... I thought I would start with brown and then add a pop of color.  I pulled neutral pattern papers and a detailed image (the milkweed) that I embossed in brown.  I assembled it all and then didn't add another color at all.  I decided that after adding the embellishments (sequins, button and twine) that it just didn't need anything else.  The stitched borders are from Pretty Pink Posh and are in stock at Serendipity Stamps.  The Mahogany sequins are the perfect finishing touch.

I wish you could see the shine of the embossing better - it makes you want to just run your finger over the smooth raised image! 

Want to see what the rest of the team did?  Just click on their names below.

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Vickie Zimmer

Jenny Gropp

I hope you'll join us at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog..... and oh yes... if you feel like shopping  you can receive a free Craft Pick with orders of $25 or more while supplies last.   It will be listed as one of the bonus products during checkout, you can add it to your shopping cart there. Click here to jump to the store.

  

Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamp: Serendipity Stamps Milkweed Large
Sequins: Mahogany (Serendipity Stamps)
Dies: Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Borders Three
Pattern Paper: Basic Grey "Basics" 12 x 12
The Twinery Cappuccino Twine
Button

Pretty Little Studio Journaling Cards

I've got a post live at Pretty Little Studio featuring Journaling Cards.  They have loads to choose from - many with gold laminated details.  

You can read my post here! 

Pretty Little Studio Supplies

Tabs:  Treasure Map

Flair:  Happy Journey

Paradise Confetti

Pattern Paper Treasure Island 8x8”

Set Sail Pocket Card

Navigator Note Flags

Stamp:  Waltzingmouse “Ocean Bound”

Wood Veneer Stars Studio Calico

Die:  Spellbinder Nested Pennants

Tag You're It! Buttons

So how have you been?  I'm falling into a bad routine lately.  DH is working nights and it seems like I'm falling into his schedule sleeping a little bit later and later myself.   I'm back to crafting in the wee hours of the night too!  

I'm playing along with one of my very favorite challenges - Tag You're It!  I'm addicted to little tags - they are the perfect way to dress up so many little things.   I'm looking forward to baking again when the weather gets cooler and I'll be all ready to wrap some treats in cellophane bags and finish them off with a pretty tag.

I'm really excited this week because my good friend Marybeth from Marybeth's Time For Paper is providing the inspiration this week.  Look at this pretty tag she has for us - so clean and simple, but so many wonderful accents.... the dimensional butterfly, the stitched tag,  and the pretty background paper.  

I saw the stitching and thought of buttons!  I started with a stitched tag and added lots of colorful buttons.  I wanted some pattern paper that had lots of contrast so I went with a black print and black twine.  

Want to see what the rest of the team made?  There's a few new ladies you might want to meet too!  Just click here to jump to Tag You're It Challenge and meet the team!  I hope you find some time to play along too! 

Hugs!

Supplies:
Dies:  Paper Sweeties Scallop Tag, Memory Box Stitched COuntry Borders, Poppystamps Button Oval, Stitched Buttons
Stamp:  Waltzingmouse Charm Squares
Pattern Paper:  Pebbles Cottage Living 6"
Twinery Charcoal Twine

Summer Fun!!

Summer is off to a fine start!  I hope you are enjoying the weather and the opportunity to spend a little extra time with the kiddos while they're out of school.  I'm posting this fun summer inspired project at The Twinery Blog today!

If you want to see more just click here!

Finished Size:  4.25 x 5.5"
Solid Maraschino Twine 
Stamp:  Serendipity Stamps Sprinkler
Dies:  Memory Box  A Lovely Smile
Pattern Paper:  Pink Paislee Hey Kid
1/4" Corner Rounder We R Memory Keepers
Washi:  Chugoku
Sequins Pretty Pink Posh
Wood Veneer Stars Studio Calico

Poppystamps Blog Blitz Begins - Winterberry Tag

Do you love dies?  Well then you're going to want to see all the latest new dies from Poppystamps!  There are 96 new dies!  We're starting a blog blitz today.  That means that there will be a prize given on every single post.  All you have to do is leave a comment on the posts that you wish to enter.  You can get all the details and see my project here.

The prize today is a set of these stitched tags - there are a total of 8 tags in the set and you are going to love the flexibility of all the different sizes.  These are my new all time favorite and I know they'll never be far from reach.  Click here to jump to Poppystamps.. LEAVE A COMMENT - I'd love to see YOU win!!

CASOLOGY - Doughnut What I'd Do Without You!

Happy Friday!  Are you gearing up for the weekend?  Finally a clear sunny day in the Chicago area.  It rained again last night but now the sun is out!  It's supposed to be hot this weekend too!  Is Summer finally here?  DH has the day off tomorrow and we'll be having my parents over for a cook out.  I had a little time to play today while he's napping to make a card for CASology!  The cue word this week is REPEAT.  Ever since I got the Waltzingmouse Dinky Doughnuts set I have wanted to stamp them in a grid - sort of tick tack toe style which seemed perfect for this week's challenge!

I did it the old fashioned way.. no Misty here yet!  I measured the stamped image and then drew a grid  in pencil and stamped the doughnuts inside the boxes using my Stamp A Ma Jig.  It was fun frosting them in all different colors, and then adding some sprinkles to a few.

Don't they look yummy?  LOL!  

I hope you find a little creative time to play and maybe I'll see you over at CASology!  Have a great weekend!

Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Waltzigmouse Dinky Doughnuts
Ink:  Memento

Lazy Days of Summer

I'm posting at Top Dog Dies today with the new Flip Flops Die.

Want to see more?  Just click here!

Finished Size:  4.25 x 5.5”
Top Dog Dies:  Flip Flops, Pretty Petals #3

Waltzingmouse Stamps: My Island

Embossing Folder Cuttlebug Matelasse

Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh

Pearls

SSCB#45 Monochrome

How are you doing?  Still busy busy here.  Not quite used to DH schedule - he's been working lots of nights so we've been having a big dinner when he gets home first thing in the morning. He starts up the grill and I get to work on the sides.   It's taking some time to adjust and I'm sure that by the time I'm in the swing of things he'll be back to days!  The weather here is crazy too.  On Monday we were in the 90's and yesterday only 59!  I don't know what to wear any more when I get up!

A new challenge begins today at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog!  The theme this month is Monochrome.    That means you get to work with only one color.   That's a tough one for me - choosing only one crayon from a whole box of colors.  I need them ALL!

So I'm sort of hoping my anxiety isn't showing through in my projects.  I did a little masking in my first card to stamp the pine trees close to the camper.   I cut a cloud shape to let some white paper peek through and stamp my sentiment. 

 For my second card I used three shades of purple card stock.  I die cut the lightest shade with the dragonflies, and layered it on top of the darkest shade of purple.  I inserted medium color dragonflies in the openings.

 It looked flat to me so I thought I'd add some color by brushing on Peerless Watercolors, and  dabbing some Inka-Gold paste here and there.   Along with the gold sequins this one has lots of shine!

The large dragon fly die is sold by itself in the store.  The smaller one comes from the Floral Frame and Embellishment set.

Need a little more inspiration?  Check out designs from the rest of the team!  

Julie Warner

Karen Amidon

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Vickie Zimmer

Jenny Gropp

I hope you'll find some time to play along with us at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog!

Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Serendipity Stamps: Camper, Home Is Where You Park It
Cloud Die:  Memory Box Cloud Bank

Serendipity Stamps:  Serendipity
Die:  Dragon Fly, Floral Frame & Embellishment