Sketch Challenge

I haven't participated in the weekly Sketch Challenge at Paper Craft for a little while, so I thought it was about time. Here is Susanna's sketch for this week. Sorry it is so small. It wouldn't upload any bigger. Susanna's card is so cute that you need to check it out here and play along.

I had the Emporium paper pack on my desk, when I saw Susanna's sketch and knew I wanted to use as many different patterns as I could. Below is my card for this week's sketch. My new organized stamp system paid off already. I didn't want my image too busy, because of all the patterns. I looked through my binder and came across this thanks image in the stamp set Fall. Then I wanted my banner sentiment to read, "You're the Best", so I looked through my binder again and came across this sentiment in Life's a Jungle stamp set. The sentiment originally reads, "No Lion, You're the Best". I cut off the top two words and had my sentiment. YAY!

Card recipe: Products are CTMH unless noted. Paper - Emporium Level 2 paper pack, Stamp sets - Fall, Life's a Jungle; Ink - crystal blue, vineyard berry; Accessories - crystal blue button, sweet leaf button, buttercup button, buttercup waxy flax, vineyard berry bigger brad, small classic circles (Nestabilities), large classic scallop circles (Nestabilities), photo corner punch (SU, I used this to make my cut for my banner), pop dots (SU), vineyard berry organdy ribbon, white gel pen (SU)

I wanted to recognize two talented stampers, who have given me this award. Tresa, who is well known in the blogging and CTMH world and Tammy, who I just started visiting and does a fantastic job. Both of these ladies are talented, so stop by and see what they are creating. Thanks for the shout out, ladies!

I am supposed to pass this award to 15 bloggers, so I am going to nominate the Design Team at Paper Craft Planet. I work with these talented stampers every day and I am so amazed by their creations and honored to be on their team. Their blogs are located on my sidebar. Click on them and see what they are creating. You will not be disappointed!

Happy Stamping!

celebrate

This is my first creation with my copic airbrush system. I wanted to try something simple, since I am a newbie. My MIL is a firecracker baby (born on the 4th of July), so I usually make her card with the holiday theme. I punched out big and small stars with my SU punches and adhered them to my textured white daisy cardstock with removable glue. I used a piece of cardstock to mask off the card and sprayed the areas I wanted red and blue. That left the center for my stamped sentiment from Card Commentary stamp set (CTMH).

The copics I used are R27, Cadmium Red and B29, Ultramarine. The blue is a close match to the CTMH color moonstruck. Once I finished playing with the airbrush I removed my stars to reveal the white daisy cardstock. I used holiday red and star spangled blue for my sentiment and finished the card off with accessories.

I was wondering what I should do for the inside of the card, when I walked by the cardstock I used to mask off the red and blue. Perfect! It had splatters on it from an earlier play session and it was just the right size for the inside sentiment. The sentiment is from the set Make a Wish (Gina K Designs). The little stars are the stars I used on the front that were airbrushed. Of course, I had to use more bling! Love it!

Materials used: Products are CTMH unless noted. Paper - black, white daisy; Ink - holiday red, star spangled blue, black, copics (R27, B29); Stamp sets - Card Commentary, Make a Wish (Gina K Designs); Accessories - bling (Paper Studio), punched stars (SU punch), cranberry brads, blue ric rac (Michaels), red ric rac (Boiltex, from my garage sale stash), white daisy organdy ribbon

Happy Stamping!

Stamps & Stuff

Look at what I got! I purchased the ABS3 for my copics, so NOW I can airbrush. Whoopee! I can't remember if I wrote about my friend Karen coming over, so I could play with her airbrush system. Well! I was hooked! I bought an air compressor from Harbor Freight (the man's store) in town. When I got it home, my DH said, "Why did you get that? I have an air compressor." Well, first I thought he wouldn't want me messing with "his stuff" and how was I going to get that in the house. Once my DH explained how he could make it work, I said, "Okay, but I don't want to wait forever, so get the parts." Those of you who know my DH (Terese) know he takes forever on projects (sometimes). Below is the paper my boys and I practiced airbrushing on this morning. I think I will have airbrushing partners every time I use it. Tate tried to draw a butterfly and I just played with the level of pressure. Tanner just pressed hard all the time...LOL!

NOW I need to create!

This is what I have been spending my time doing instead of creating. Iput all of my CTMH stamps in boxes in alphabetical order and labeled the boxes. I put them in a cabinet, so they are not on my tables all the time. Then I made a binder with a picture of each stamp set and put them in protective sleeves in alphabetical order. When my club members come to crop, they can look at the binder and see what set they want to use. Then go to the alphabetical filing system and pull the set. This is the system my sister uses. I like to be able to page through the binder looking at all the possibilities of stamps.

Of course, I had to decorate the front just a little. My DH gave me this binder and it had some black marks on the front. I used black paper, so they don't show and placed my letters and flowers strategically.

Here is the inside of the binder, so you can see what I did. Now, I am working on all my non-CTMH stamps. Whew! I don't know when I will tackle my House Mouse ones. I think I will need a break soon.

Happy Stamping or Organizing!

Card Kits

I have been quiet over the weekend, because we went out of town. My DH had a gig in Minnesota on Friday night and another gig in Okoboji on Saturday night. We decided to make it into a little vacation, so the boys and I went with him.

I made a great purchase on our last CTMH monthly club order. I purchased two My Original Card Kits. The first one is a birthday card kit and the second one keeps me going on my Christmas cards for the year. I put these kits together on the drive up to Minnesota. The trip didn't seem four hours to me, because I was busy creating. All I needed was a flat surface, my glue gun, scissors and pop dots. The only item I forgot was my static pillow I use for embossing. I rub this on the back of the My Stickease images when I want to add pop dots. I had to improvise, so I put them on my jean shorts to remove the adhesive. Then I started putting them on the cloth seats and door. Whatever works!

Now, I have some cute birthday cards and I didn't feel like I was just sitting in the car wasting time. I always try to create when we we take a long drive. These kits contain twelves cards and envelopes. When I was done, I had three each of the four designs. YAY! Of course, at home it wouldn't take three hours to put them together.

This kit is called "I's Your Day" (item # x8622, $12.95).

This kit is called Merry & Bright (item # x8620, $12.95)

I just checked the challenge this week for Christmas Stampin' All Year Long and we get to make whatever type of Christmas card we want. SWEET! I got this week's challenge done. Maria's card has an elf on it. You would think I planned that. Of course, her card is gorgeous! Check it out!

Here are my boys tubing for the first time evah!

(from left to right...Tate, Tanner and cousin, Jackson)

Talk about a nervous mom! I was so nervous that if Tanner fell off he would swallow a ton of lake water and not realize we are coming back to get him. They both did wonderful and loved it! I kept gripping my DH's arm while they were being pulled behind the boat. Of course, I thought they were going fast. When we stopped the boat, which seemed forever too me, I asked Tanner if he was done and he smiled and said, "No, Mom". Well, I told him I was done for him and we pulled him into the boat. He thinks he is one of the BIG boys. Whew! I will be more relaxed the next time...I think! LOL!

If you haven't taken time to vote on the two polls. Check out the top of the sidebar. I am glad I am not alone on the 500+ stamp sets. Thanks, Stampers!

Happy Stamping!

Popsicles Galore

YAY! I got them finished!

These little popsicle cards are so fun to make.

I am going to put them in my Etsy store.

I will be selling them in a bundle of five, so you get one of each flavor. They fit in a A2 envelope that will be included.

Here is the sentiment on the inside. I decided to change it from the first one I made. I thought this sentiment fit the card. Love it!

Happy Stamping!

Buttons & Numbers

I have been busy this week reorganizing all of my stamps. Oh My! I didn't realize I had that many. You know what I mean. I knew I had a lot, but when I counted them. WOW! I put two polls you can take on my sidebar regarding stamps. Take a look!

Last weekend, Patti came over to stamp on Saturday night and I worked on more popsicle cards. Before she came over I finished two more Christmas card challenges from Christmas Stampin' All Year Long. I am not caught up, but I haven't given up on the challenges. I will get there some day.

My first card is for the button and ribbon challenge. Christmas trees are perfect for this. I caught myself reaching for my brads after I put the buttons on the tree. Duh! I needed to use another button, so I added the big button in the corner. I like these challenges, because they make me use products I might not use. I always use brads and ribbon.

For this card I used the Basic Collections Evensong pack and Everlasting paper pack (CTMH). The image is from Holiday Joy stamp set (CTMH).

My second card is for the number challenge. I was searching through my chipboard and came across this square to highlight an image. I covered it in paper from Route 66 pack and used the Santa image from Holiday Joy. The numbers are from the Homestead Alphabet set. One of my favorite "E" sized alphas from CTMH. Happy Holidays is from Christmas Scripts. The other paper paper is from the Everlasting paper pack.

I made both of these cards with scraps from my scrap bins, except for the card bases.

It is hot and humid today, so we are going out to the pool for some fun & sun.

Happy Stamping!

Thanks Beary Much

This little bear is from the retired set The Best Way (CTMH). I sold this set a while ago, but stamped him a few times on cardstock before I let him go. That way I can still work with him for a while.

I am on a roll with this paper pack. I have been using my retired stamps and paper sets, because I am trying use what I have. That was my New Year's resolution. Of course, I am still getting new sets and paper here and there, but I have really cut back this year.

I thought the red flower my bear is holding worked well with this pattern paper. I used three of the different patterns from this Level 2 pack and the matching ribbon and bigger brads. Love it!

Happy Stamping!

Thank You Bloggin' Friends

I received this award from three of my bloggin' buddies over that last few weeks. I would like to thank Barb, Misty and Karen. All of you are so nice to think of me, when you have an award to give. I am honored and appreciate your kindness.

You need to check out their blogs. These are some talented ladies!

Happy Stamping!

Sunflower

This image has been sitting on my desk for a little while ready for me to create a card for it. When I was working with this pattern paper, Let's Get Together (retired) last week, I knew I wanted to use it with this Lockhart image. My friend, Barb, sent me this image. Isn't she a sweetie? We exchanged a bunch of images with each other. Oh, that is so much fun to play with images I don't own. Try swapping with a friend. You will be glad you did.

I was going to make a thank you card, but decided if I made it generic that I could use it for a thank you or anything else I wanted. Here are the supplies I used:

Materials: All products are CTMH unless noted. Paper - Let's Get Together Level 2 (retired); Stamp sets - Sunflower (Lockhart Stamp Co.), Hello Sentiment (retired SU); Ink - copics, cranberry; Accessories - Labels Three (Nestabilities), red sparkles, small and large oval punch (SU), concave punch (EK Success), pop dots, designer ribbon collection

This one is heading over to my Etsy store. See you there!

Happy Stamping!

For Sale

I have been the domestic engineer and mom this week. The boys have been helping me cook. We made chocolate cupcakes yesterday. Instead of oil, we substituted pumkin. I have heard people do this with applesauce. My boys love to eat applesauce, so I use pumpkin from a can. You can 't even taste it and they get some veggies with their chocolate cupcakes. I use the same amount of pumpkin as the recipe calls for oil. I think you can use more, but I don't know how much. If you know the ratio, share it with us in the comments section.

Today, we went to the zoo. I am not a big zoo fan, but the boys like to go. Tanner's favorite part of the zoo was going on the elevator and Tate's favorite part was the ski lift that takes you across the zoo. I told them we didn't even have to go to the zoo to do both of those. Grandparents are going to take them next time. I did my duty of two visits this year already.

Lastly, I have been cleaning...........................SO..............................I am selling some stamps sets. Here is a link, stamp sets for sale, to the sets I have for sale. If you are interested in any of the sets, please email me at stampfest@cox.net. First come, first serve. In addition, I put a link on the top of my sidebar for future reference. I will ship to US, Canada or International. Check it out!

I sold more cards in my Etsy store. The featured ones seem to go first....hmmm!

Have a great day!

I hope you are creating, because I am busy cleaning!

Happy Stamping!

Kim

Stamp Invite

I was invited to a stamp party last night and had so much fun!  I was on the other end as the stamper instead of the teacher.  I can't believe how many mistakes I made...LOL!  You would think I didn't stamp much!  We made three cards and they were all fun to make.  I don't know what stamps or papers we used, because I didn't write any of it down.  I just stamped and passed. 

I love the popsicle card!  Isn't it cute?  And so festive for the summer!

The inside reads "The secret of happiness is to count your blessings, not your birthdays. 

 Great sentiment!

This card was fun, because the sentiment on the inside can be seen from the die cut on the outside.  Who doesn't love chocolate, orange and pink?

This card was the most challenging, because I am not good with a  of brayer.  We used a glossy card and lots of layers of ink.  Of course, the teacher's card looked waaaay better.  I will have to practice with my brayer more.  I love the look of this one.

I was so excited today!  I had my first sale at my Etsy store.  YAY!  Someone bought five of my cards.  Thanks, Mary!  I added more cards and plan on adding some layouts soon!  Check it out!

Happy Stamping!

My Etsy

I have a new addition to my sidebar.  Look right at the top!  

I set up my own Etsy store at etsy.com.  You can click on the link under the card pics on the right sidebar where it reads stampfest in blue.  That will take you directly to my store.  If you click on the individual cards, it will take you to that card, and if you click on the word Etsy or Buy Handmade it will take you to the Etsy website.  

I don't have many projects posted yet, but I will be updating it daily until I have everything loaded.  So that is what I am working on over the next few days.  I hope you are having a great week!

Happy Stamping!

Add a little Zing

......with Christmas bling!

Challenge #16 at Christmas Stampin' All Year Round 

was to add a little zing with Christmas bling.

I knew I wanted to use the stamp set Victorian Snowflake (CTMH) for this card, because I love adding bling to these images.  I used the Basic Collections Evensong paper pack from CTMH and added some cranberry ribbon.  The scallop border was made with the scallop border punch from SU. 

 I am slowing getting caught up, but I have to take a break now and get ready for my club meeting on Saturday night.  We create a two-page layout and crop until midnight.

  Happy Stamping!

Let the heavens sing

I am soooo far behind on my Christmas Stamping All Year Round.  This is one of the color challenges from a few weeks ago.  I saw the pattern paper from Tickled Pink I just used on my tulip card, and knew the colors would work for this card challenge.  YAY!  I didn't have to think much on this one....LOL!

Once I got the colors and main image, then my brain had to kick into gear to think of how to pull the card together.  I don't have any ocean colored embellishments or ribbon.  Hmmm!  I went with gold.  

I embossed the main image from the Gloria set (CTMH) with gold powder and then added prisma glitter to the angels wings and halo.

Next I wanted a sentiment that would be different than what I have been doing.  I used the sentiment from Christmas Heaven (CTMH) by embossing it, then cutting each line apart to arrange it on my card.  

Finally, I wanted to add more ocean color, so I used my swirl EK Success punch and stamped a border from Victorian Snowflake (CTMH) set in Versamark and embossed in gold again.  The final touch was to add gold brads to the border.  

Oh, I forgot to meniton I used D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder to create the background below the striped paper.  D'Vine sounded like it would go with an angel.  Don't ya think?  Hope you like it!  Now, back to my studio for more Christmas cards.

Happy Stamping!

Tulips

My sister has been giving me some stastic about why I haven't been creating, so I buckled down today and jumped in with both feet.  This is a Lockhart Stamp Company image called Tulips I received from my good friend, Barb, over at The Buzz.  Thanks, Barb!  I colored this image with my copics and knew I wanted to use Ocean colored cardstock from CTMH to match the vibrant blue.  It was hard for me not to use ribbon on this card.  I always fall back on ribbon, so I tried other embellishments today.

click to enlarge image

I wondered what pattern paper I could find that had the colors in the image and I found this striped pattern from the Tickled Pink promo pack offered in May by CTMH.  In addition, the small white flower brads and the white scallop tag came from this same promo pack.  I used a chocolate butterfly rub-on from the Nature's Ambiance rub-ons.  

I got out my Martha Stewart punches for the lattice borderl and the floral lace border.  I finished it off with the "thanks" sentiment from CTMH called Say It In Style.

I had fun creating today and got my mojo going again.  Thanks for the kick, Connie!

Happy Stamping!

Batty Bookmarks

The other day I was reading and my boys saw that I had a handmade bookmark.  They have been asking me to make one ever since.  Today is not swimming weather, so we decided to make them.

Tate loves bats, so that means Tanner does too.  They chose a bat theme.  Both of them came up with the saying on their bookmarks.  I couldn't believe how creative they were right away.  

I helped them build the stamps and stamp the big word Batty (which is from a SU wheel).  The stamped bat image on Tate's bookmark is from Halloween Dingbats (retired CTMH) and Tanner's bat is from Halloween Night (retired CTMH).  I let them choose whatever bat they liked and Tate had the idea of punching a bat out, so the black would show underneath.  Awesome idea!  The bat punch is from Martha Stewart.

Tate chose blue for his ribbon and bigger brad and Tanner chose red.  I think they did a great job!  I hope they stay this creative.  I am so proud of them!

Tate's bookmark

Tanner's bookmark

Happy Stamping!