So Thankful!

In case you're one of those who stops by my blog from time-to-time, you might be wondering what has happened to me. Well, let me tell you...Tropical Storm Hermine took the cover and railing off my deck upstairs. Now, ordinarily this wouldn't really have much of an impact on anything except my pocketbook, but my internet antenna was attached to that railing and it took weeks to get the weather to cooperate so that my broadband provider could come out and reinstall all the equipment. To make matters worse, without the cover providing some shade, it is incredibly HOT in my craft room. South Texas is not getting the cool weather that many in the rest of the country are enjoying.
My husband and I have decided not to fix the deck. Instead we are going to enclose the entire 2nd story and turn it into a master bedroom. That means my craft room will have to be dismantled and mostly stored for several months. With that in mind and with all the time demands of my college courses, I have decided to step down from my design teams.
This will be my last post as part of the Lindsay's Stamp Stuff design team. I really have enjoyed working with Lindsay's digis and svgs, and I have just loved all the members of the team, so it is with great regret that I step down at this time, but I just feel that I don't have the time necessary right now to devote to showcasing the products from LSS.
So for my final project as part of the team, I wanted to create a thank you card to express my appreciation to Lindsay and the rest of the team!

I used the Leaf Prints Digital Stamp set and colored the leaf with my copics. I kept the design simple by embossing one layer, adding a little sponging, and then put my focal image and sentiment in the middle with just a little raffia as embellishment.
Be sure to visit the rest of the design team because they continue to create amazing projects week after week. You won't want to miss a single site! Then, don't forget to head over to LSS to grab all the products you need to create your own amazing projects.
Thank you, all!
Cheers!

40% off Sale and a Freebie!

Hey folks, just a quick post to let you know that there is a one day 40% off EVERYTHING sale at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff starting midnight tonight (All day Thursday) and ending Thursday night at midnight. There are brand new sets in the shop as well as old faves, you can check it out here.

Don't forget to stop by Lindsay's Blog and grab your Thursday Freebie, I hear it's "Wicked" cute!

Tamara's Virtual Baby Shower

This is going to be super short because just as I was getting ready to post, my broadband went out on me.Don't ya hate that! I'm using an air card and have really slow connectivity.
Fellow LSS design team member Tamara Bennet is having her baby boy today! I'm not sure what time the big event will occur but it's possible that while you are reading this, she's in delivery! Anyway, the design team are giving her a virtual shower today by presenting her with a shower of baby cards! Here's mine using the LSS Babies and Bows set.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the design team blogs and maybe even stop by Tamara's blog and congratulate her family on their new addition.
Cheers!
(My broadband service better be operational before this weekend!)

Sweet N Sassy Blog Hop

Hurray! It's finally here! The September Release of clear stamps at Sweet N Sassy!!! We've been teasing you with little peeks all week, so hopefully you've had a chance to choose some favorites and get your shopping list ready. Today is the day to make your purchases.
If you need a little more inspiration, how about a project that would be perfect as a hostess gift:

I used the brand new Bread of Life set for my focal image on this bread bag. Then, I used one of the sentiments from the set for my tag. There are several inspirational sentiments in this set. Be sure you head over to the shop to see the set in its entirety. The image would also be great to include on a bread basket set out on your Thanksgiving (or any holiday) dinner table. Here's a close look at some of the stamps in the set:

Now, I need to get you off to the next stop on the HOP. You should be heading over to the very talented Lorie Souther's blog but in case you missed a stop, here's the whole list. You will definitely not want to miss a single stop!

SNSS Blog

Ceal Pritchett

Darsie Bruno

Janette Olen

Korin Sutherland 

Kim Schofield

Leah Cornelius

Lisa Jurecek

Lorie Souther

Nancy Brown

Tricia Traxler

Chris Dickinson 

Don't forget to try out the challenges, too, for a chance to win some of these great new stamps!
Cheers!

Monday with Mom

I challenged Mom this week to create a sentiment card. I had this beautiful Mariposa paper from DCWV and it just didn't need much to make it spectacular. It also gives me a chance to sneak peek another of the new releases from Sweet N Sassy. This beautiful sentiment is from the new clear stamp set called Blessings and Thanks which will be released September 1. You are definitely going to want this one. I say you can't have enough sentiment stamps when you are looking for just the right thing to say!
Don't forget about the Sweet N Sassy September Release Blog Hop on Wednesday. Until then, catch all the sneak peeks on the SNS blog and the Design Diva's blogs.
Mom really rose to the challenge. She created this stunning card with black and white and blue. Very classy!

The embossing and distressing look great but I really love how the black makes everything "pop" on this card.
Cheers!

Joyful News

Well, I did it! I cranked up the air conditioner, surrounded myself with red and green, and created a Christmas card.

I wanted to give you another tempting look at the new Sweet N Sassy September clear stamp release. This sentiment stamp is from the new SNS The Greatest Gift clear stamp set that will be released September 1st. The set comes with five sentiments and one very special image just perfect for celebrating the Christmas season.
Be sure to stay tuned to the SNS blog and the design team blogs as we peek more images from all the new releases! And, don't forget the September Release Blog Hop on Wednesday for a chance to see all the great things you can create with these stamps and a chance to join some challenges and WIN some new stamps!

School box

First of all, let me say that this is NOT a Halloween project! This is a back-to-school project, but guess who's school colors are orange and black! Yep, I have so many orange and black clothes, it's almost not fun! So, when I decided to use the new LSS Teacher's Helper for a gift project for some student helpers, I had to use the ole school colors. By the way, this set is awesome for teacher gifts or student rewards and IT-IS-ON-SALE! You can shop Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for the next three days and grab a bag of bargains. Everything, and I mean everything, in the LSS MyGrafico shop is 30% off through August 28, so be sure to stop by and see for yourself all the great goodies.
Both the great little pencil topper and the pencil box are SVG files I cut with my Cricut and Sure Cuts Alot software. If you don't have these, the set also comes with a PDF file so you can print these out and hand cut them, too. There are also some bonus digital stamps that make this set extra special!
You will want to see all the great projects created with Lindsay's sale items, so be sure to go through all the design team blogs including our newest team member Laurel. Leave some special love on her blog to welcome her to the creative team. Also, Lindsay has a freebie for you today, so don't forget to stop there and grab that little goodie.
And whatever you do, don't miss out on the sale!

Cheers!

Thankful Favor

I just love sentiment stamps! I can't ever get enough of them because I always want something really special to put on my card or gift. Sweet N Sassy has some beautiful sentiments--beautiful messages and beautiful script. But hold your breath because you are just going to have to have the sentiments in the new clear stamp releases coming out September 1. Usually, I put the sentiment on the inside of the card and then never take a picture of that, but I created a special sneak peak of a new set called Blessings and Thanks with one of the sentiments from this set clearly visible.

Isn't that an awesome message? I told you you were going to have to have this set, but you have to wait a few more days to see the whole set. Take my word for it, they are all so special.
I think these little favor bags with this sentiment would be perfect for a Thanksgiving table setting, but also what a way to lift someone up. I wanted to create some texture so instead of using regular cardstock for the sentiment, I used some watercolor paper. This provided great texture with the added sponging around the edges. In weak imitation of the fabulous Darsie Bruno, queen of pearls, I added a few copic-colored pearls around the stamped sentiment. I colored some seam binding to create a custom-colored ribbon treatment and added the flower which my dear friend Jana gave me for my birthday. Inside I used some tulle to wrap up a few Hershey's nuggets.
Just a little FYI for all of you: Be sure to check out the blogs of the design team as well as the SNS blog to see more sneak peeks of the September SNS release. Also, there will be a big blog hop on August 31 and along the way you find some fun challenges which could lead to your winning one of the new clear stamp releases.  Don't ya just love the suspense!!!
Cheers!

Monday with Mom

This week's technique on Stamptv was to use water-based markers to add specific colors to a stamp. So, the copics got a rest this weekend. I used these butterflies from a Stampin Up set. After inking the stamp, I used a Stampin Write marker to add a little dash of color to the center of the butterflies. That's it! Super easy technique. I used the Stampin Up butterfly punch to punch them out and an EK Success punch for my leaf which I colored with a sponge and some inks. I used one of the new Sizzix Tim Holtz embossing folders on the background paper to get some distressing and added more distressing to the edges with my Distrezz-it-all.
Mom created this stunning card using the stamp and marker technique.

I love those brads added to the center of the flowers. What pretty colors and background papers, too. This is really a great technique for creating something special very quickly. It was kind of nice to let the copics sit on the shelf for the day. Though, I'm sure they'll be back in action before the week is over. Have a great day!
Cheers!

A Witchy Brew For You

Talk about a fast and super easy project, this one is all that and more! I recycled a pretty bottle and just poured in some grape soda. You could certainly add some other kind of beverage to this but the grape soda was fast and easy to acquire. I created a "label" for my witch's brew by tracing along the bottle's indentation and cutting out some Basic Grey Eerie paper. Then, using a scrap of the same paper, I printed out this label from the LSS Vintage Halloween set. This set is designed to match with your Spellbinders Labels Nestabilities. You don't have to use the Spellbinder's dies as it is very easy to cut out the label by hand. But I did create a mat for my label with one of the Labels Two  dies. The only thing I did to this image was add some stickles for a little shimmer.
More Basic Grey paper and a paper crimper created the band around the bottle. I added a flower that I custom-colored with my copics. I tied a bow around the top and added the circular label also printed from the LSS Vintage Halloween set and cut and matted using the Spellbinders Classic Circles Nestabilities dies. I really love this set, but I don't have all the Spellbinders Labels dies used and even though I don't "NEED" them for these images, this set sure makes me "WANT" them!
So, how's that for a fast, easy Halloween project. This set would make awesome labels for bottles of soda pop at a Halloween party! And, you are in luck because today only, there is a 40% off sale at LSS, so be sure to head over there and grab this set up! It is only $2.70, no tax and no shipping and you can have it instantly! Can't beat that with a stick (even a witch's broomstick!) Also, don't forget to check out the design team this week where I'm sure you'll find lots of inspiration and great ideas, and stop by Lindsay's blog for inspiration and a freebie!
Cheers!

Monday with Mom

Oh, my! Mom made the most adorable card using the Sweet N Sassy Woof You clear stamp set. I really love how she colored this little guy. On top of the great coloring, she used the tutorial over at Stamptv to create a flocked background on the card. It turned out just fabulous, but see for yourself.

The striped background paper was made using flock and score tape. I haven't tried this technique yet but Mom said it was really fun and I do need to use up some of my flock supply. This is a great little stamp set to work with. Hmmm! May need to get this one back from Mom.
Okay, I've really wanted to try the flocking technique but I've been trying to get some projects done and I didn't want to experiment just in case it turned into a disaster. So... let me show you what I did create. One of my coworkers had a birthday on Friday the 13th and I overlooked it (talk about bad luck). To make up for my oversight, I created a cake in a can for her complete with some icing in a baggie and a candle.

I've had few questions about how I create these and though I've shared this before on my blog, I thought it might be time to repeat it. First of all, I got my recipe for this from Jackie Gannaway. I discovered Jackie years ago at a Country Peddler show and have been a huge fan ever since. I still have the very first cookbook I ever bought from her, signed and everything. You can find Jackie's cookbooks and gift ideas here. This recipe is found in the Crafty Cans from the Kitchen book. Jackie doesn't actually cook up the cakes for the recipient. Her recipes call for creating and giving the mix in the decorated can. My way of thinking is that I don't want to cook up anything on my birthday, so I go ahead and bake the cake for the recipient in one can and while it's baking, I decorate a clean can. That way I can put the cooled cake in the decorated can with a little bit of glaze mix or icing in a zippered baggie.
Basically, you mix a small pudding mix with a store bought cake mix. You use 3/4 of a cup of the mixture per can. For each can, you'll add one egg, 1 T of water, and 1 T oil. Mix that together and pour into a buttered (not sprayed) can and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.  The cookbook will give you lots of ideas for different combinations for cakes, but there are other recipes in there including several bread recipes, too.
I just think this makes a nice, simple gift to give a coworker or neighbor without creating a whole cake.
Did you see those flowers on my can?

 I spent a large part of yesterday playing with flowers. I watched some videos and then got busy converting some primas and punching some patterned paper to create these gorgeous flowers. First, I stopped here and got the original inspiration. Then, went here to watch the video.
If you managed to get through this whole post, you've had quite a read. I'm not normally this chatty on a Monday morning, but I had lots of ground to cover today. Hope you found it enjoyable, helpful, or inspirational.
Cheers!

Happy Birthday, Jana

Happy birthday to you! My dear friend Jana is having a birthday today and besides wishing her a very special day, I'd like to show you part of her birthday present that I made with my own two hands. The lovely thing about making this for Jana is that she's a papercrafter herself, so she really appreciates the time and effort that went into this!
First, I'll show you the envelope that holds the present. I created this with Lauren Meader's My Time Made Easy Simple Seedling cut file and my Cricut and Sure Cuts Alot software.

I created a band to go around the envelope and then used this great sentiment from the SNS Sew Happy Cocoa clear stamp set. You'll see why this is such an appropriate sentiment for this project in just a minute. I added a bow made from some custom-colored seam binding and some faux stitches. Now look what's inside!

The image and sentiment on the front is also from the Sew Happy Cocoa set! I colored Cocoa with my copics. I did some real stitching around the edges of this project. A few buttons and some more seam binding ribbon finish this off. Now, Jana has a little notebook to put all her crafty ideas in, notes, lists of books she wants to read (wink!), or anything she wants.
I hope she has a great day and I wish that for all of you! Get your craft on today!
Cheers!

Fall Preview

I've got a little bit of a fall preview for today. Our weather is giving no inkling that fall is on the way, but in the craft room with the air conditioner at full blast, I can almost imagine a crisp, cool fall day!!! Anyway, here's some fall inspiration for you courtesy of Sweet N Sassy. Be sure to check out their line-up of new clear stamps and new digis. If you're ready for it, there's even some Christmas stamps.

Pumpkins are the perfect fall companion, and these make for an elegant look. This is the new Pumpkin Patch digi stamp from SNS, super easy to color. The sentiment is from the Autumn Lovin Cocoa clear stamp set, and here's another card using that set.

On both of these cards, I got happy with my cuttlebug and some embossing folders. The top one uses the Sizzix Tim Holtz Woodgrain embossing folder and this second one uses my favorite Provocraft Pumpkins embossing folder. I just love the fall colors and interesting textures on both of these, and the images are so much fun to work with.

Looking for a sale today without having to hit the stores? Lindsay's Stamp Stuff  and MyGrafico are having a back to school sale. Be sure and stop by to check out the great fall/holiday/back-to-school images there at a great price!

Strawberry Jam

I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich a couple of days ago and used up the last of my strawberry jelly. I started to toss the empty jar of Smuckers in the trash, but I got to thinking about my friends who make homemade jellies. Now, no! I didn't get inspired to whip up a batch of homemade preserves of any kind. I realized the only jam I know how to make is to "jam" a bunch of strawberry candies in a jar! That's about as homemade as it gets around here. And, yes, we're talking store-bought candies. So here's my version of strawberry jam!

Granted, you can't spread this stuff on a sandwich, but it's still looks pretty yummy. The beautiful strawberry image is from the LSS Strawberries and Watermelon Digital Stamp set. I had to use this set one more time to eke out the last juices of summer! I colored the image with my copics, and cut it out using my cuttlebug and Nestabilities Label 10 dies. The ribbon is from a gift set that I salvaged. That's a prima flower on top of the bow. The sentiment is from the PTI Tags for Spring set.
Go ahead...slap some jam on some bread and head on over to the LSS design team blogs to check out all the eye candy for this week...ya know you want to! Be sure to stop over and Lindsay's blog to see what pretties she has "cooked up" and check out her freebie for the week!
Cheers!

Goodnight Moon

I rarely make cards for new arrivals because I just don't have much need for them, but a good friend of mine says she's always in need of one to give to her circle of friends and relatives that are expecting. Well, it took very little encouragement to get me going on that since I think baby cards are so adorably fun to make. This sweet image is a new digi stamp from Sweet N Sassy. This one is called Sweet Dreams. The sentiment is from the SNS Little One clear stamp set that will be released the middle of this month. Be looking for it as I will be giving you another sneak peek soon! You can also go to the store and preorder it today!
I love gingham papers so it was just a matter of choosing the color I wanted for this. I wanted something both soft and rich so I combined the soft aqua with the rich purple. I created my ribbons with some ink and seam binding and used my Cuttlebug stars embossing folder on the new SU Concord Grape CS. The aqua papers are from a Paper Studio package I got from Hobby Lobby. I punched out the stars with a couple of SU star punches in two sizes and glazed the yellow ones with some Glassy Accents. The image is colored with my copics.
Cheers!

Monday with Mom

We went masculine for this Monday's edition. Mom used blues and grays and strong score lines to create a masculine feel for a friend's birthday. She colored this image called SNS Camper with her copic markers and scored around the edges with her Martha Stewart Score board. the ribbon glide also adds another masculine touch!
I created a birthday present for our district's business manager. He seemed a little down in the dumps thinking about his 60th birthday, so I'm hoping this will cheer him up! I haven't made a cake in a can in a long time. I used to make them all the time for my coworkers but this last year I started giving cookies in a box. Since I'm not on any one campus any more, I thought I could bring this out for a new group of recipients.

Yep, that's a chocolate cake in an old green bean can. I actually cook the cake in a different can and transfer the cooled cake over to a decorated can. The cupcake image is from the LSS Sweet Treats 2. The sentiment is from the SU Whimsical Words set. The paper is K&Co's Life's Journey PP. Hope this is a sweet treat for my friend.
Cheers!

Juicy Summer Treats

I have maybe two days left to finish off this semester and I am sooo ready to get all my assignments finished and turned in. I can almost taste all that extra crafting time I'll have on my hands. You would not believe what a disaster my craft loft is in. I have some new goodies to  play with (and a Stampin' Up order due Friday!), but first I've got FIND my craft table and computer desk. I think they are there somewhere under all the scraps and remnants and half done projects! Keep your fingers crossed that Saturday will be homework-free and craft happy!
One of my most favoritest sets from LSS is this delicious Strawberries and Watermelon set, and with temperatures almost hitting the triple digit mark, I thought this little card might help someone feel a little cooler.

Watermelons make me think of old-fashioned summer picnics or get-togethers and I really wanted this card to convey that feeling. I colored the image with my copics. The papers are by Cosmo Cricket and I did a little distressing on them. I added some black Stickles to the watermelon seeds in the image and then added some adhesive gemstones from the Paper Studio to the bottom of the card because they reminded me of the watermelon seeds.
Don't forget to check out Lindsay's blog to see what creative genius she's been up to, and also hop the blogs of her uber talented design team. These ladies have been smokin up the challenge blogs lately. Their stuff is everywhere winning all kinds of challenges and awards! Yes, they're that good! When you are all done, head over to the store and grab some fabulous digi stamps. You know you need a reason to stay in the air conditioning!!!

Sew Thoughtful

I still have a couple of thank you notes to send out from my birthday, so I created this vintage style thank you card for one of my crafting buddies who admires copic coloring. This is a classic little image from LSS called Sewing Stuff. You can grab it for less than $2 and there's also a great companion set in the shop called Sew Pretty. There are lots of very pretty options between these two stamp sets.
I played along with the Shabby Tea Room challenge this week which was a one, two, three challenge (one ribbon, two button, and three punches/dies). I colored some white seam binding to create my ribbon and make the bow, grabbed a couple of buttons from the jar (I don't even know any more where these buttons came from), and used two deckled rectangle dies from spellbinders and a SU border punch. I had to, of course, add some sewing to this and a little distressing.
Don't forget to head over to Lindsay's blog today to see what all she has for you. There's usually a digital freebie involved, and you definitely want to check out what the rest of the design team has created! Be sure to see all the gorgeousness over at the The Shabby Tea Room, too.
Cheers!

Need a Lift

My dear, sweet friend Melissa at Tuesday Morning Sketches is celebrating her first birthday. Her challenge blog is one year old! Happy birthday, Melissa. Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is helping her celebrate this week by grabbing one of her sketches from the past year and giving it a go. If you play along this week, you have a chance to win a digital stamp set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff like the Steampunk set I used to make this card.

I used TMS #35 and flipped and tweaked it a little for this card. I loved the vintage look of the DCWV Mariposa matstack paper combined with the antique bicycle and the paper flowers. The sentiment is from a PTI set called Everyday Buttons and it works perfectly with the image in the LSS stamp set.
Be sure to visit the other members of the design team to see what sketch they used. Then, stop by Tuesday Morning Sketches and grab a sketch of your own to play with after a quick visit to LSS for a cool digital stamp set to use on your card (LSS image not required but it would  be great to see what you do with them). Also, if this has put you in the mood for vintage, be sure to stop over at Lindsay's blog for a digital freebie. I believe you could "walk" away with a vintage car image.
Cheers!

Monday With Mom 11

What a great weekend! Saturday was my birthday and I spent the whole day doing the things I love the most: reading, crafting, and hanging out with friends and family. I had a stack of homework that needed doing but I set it aside to enjoy my day! I got some wonderful gifts including the Martha Stewart score board and a $50 Stampin' Up gift card! (lots of other great non-craft related items, too!) My husband and my father cooked a bunch of fish and shrimp for me and about 15 guests. It was totally yummy. Not a bad way to turn 44!
I received several hand-made cards from my crafting buddies, but I had to showcase this little cutie that my mom made for me! She used a Sweet n Sassy digital image called Milton Mouse. She colored Milton and his bouquet with copics. Isn't she getting sooo good with her copics! I love the grey and purple color scheme, too!

So, I grabbed a Sweet n Sassy digital stamp, too, and created a furry little cutey! This is a recently released digi called Praying Fuzzy.

I used some old Making Memories paper flowers to create the little roses in the corner. And, isn't the little paw prints punch cute! That was kind of a birthday present to myself. It's a newer EK Success border punch.The sentiment on the bow is from the SNS Poppies and Greetings clear stamp set. It is certainly perfect for this image.
I better get busy on my homework that I neglected this weekend!
Cheers!

It's a Twofer

Two for one special today! I wanted to play in the The Shabby Tea Room Challenge this week and I wanted to play with Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Steampunk stamp set and I just wasn't clever enough to combine the two, so I created two separate cards.
This first one is for the The Shabby Tea Room Christmas in July Challenge. Honestly, I'm not ready for Christmas cards, but I grabbed the LSS Christmas Potpourri Digital Stamp set and gave it my best. This is the second Christmas card I've done this week, but I'm just not feeling it! Still I am pretty pleased with how all of this turned out. It has a quaint, vintage feel to it which is what I was going for.

I kept the greens handy for this next card, too, but went much softer with the color scheme. This card uses the

 LSS Steampunk Stamp set and I just think it's super cute! 

 I printed out the stamp, aged it with some distressing ink, lightly colored in the floral pattern in the image with my copics, and then I sponged some VersaMark ink over the image. I sprinkled the image with some antique gold embossing powder so that it looks muted and weathered. I found the tutorial for the little flower here. It was fun to make, super easy, and a good way to use up some unused flowers.
Now, you are all set to see what the rest of the design team has created for today. It's sure to provide loads of inspiration. Stop off at Lindsay's blog if you haven't already done so. She's sure to have a surprise or two up her sleeve, and don't forget to visit the store to take a look at this cool Steampunk set.
Cheers!

A Sweet Little Sketch

I saw the sketch and Korin's great card over on the The Sweet Stop and decided to play around today with it. I haven't been able to spend much time up here in the craft loft lately, but I spent most of yesterday waiting on my Directv upgrade to be installed so I had time to play!
Usually, sketches kind of scare me, but for some reason this one grabbed my imagination. I especially liked using the 3D sticker butterfly. If you've read my blog very much, you've pretty much figured out that I don't like to hand cut things. I'm good with a Cricut, dies, and punches, but actual cutting with scissors totally scares me off (and craft knives make me hyperventilate). So, it was great to find an image that was all precut for me! The sentiment was the real source of inspiration for me! The sentiment is from a Sweet N Sassy clear stamp set called Sentiments for Him, but obviously this isn't just for the guys.
Project Recipe

Paper: Prima The Breathe Collection and The Sasha Collection PP, PTI White, Orange Zest, Spring Rain CS

Stamps: SNS Sentiments for Him

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Scalloped Heart Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, the Bow Easy, EK Success Zig Zag border punch

Embellishments: PTI Orange Zest Saddle-stitched ribbon, Studio 18 Dimensional stickers

Monday with Mom 10

Now that the plane has landed, I'm back home, and I've unpacked and sorted through stuff, it was time to do another Monday with Mom segment. However, I'm running a little late. I got a new tv for the craft loft and directv was scheduled to come this morning and upgrade my receiver. Therefore, I had everything under the tv moved off to another corner of the room out of the way. Directv serviceman did not show up this morning and so photographing my card has been a challenge. I've also been tied up with getting everything ready for them when they do show up, so long story short...this is running a little late! What else is new!
We were inspired again by GinaK's project of Stamptv which was Christmas in July. I've seen a few Christmas in July projects out in blog land, but it sure is hard to start on Christmas cards in this heat! Making things a little easier for me, is this adorable new set of clear stamps from Sweet N Sassy called O Christmas Tree which should be released July 26th!

It's the cutest little Christmassy stamp set but I kept blowing it with my coloring. Finally, I opted to create a vintage photo look with it using a washed out (faded) color scheme and lots of warm gray. Then, I sponged all but the very center of the image and distressed the edges. I added a little crocheted ribbon to the bottom of the "photo" to further the vintage feel of the card.
Now, let's take a look at Mom's fab project! She makes the best Christmas tags, packaging, and cards!!

Isn't that cool! She added Stickles to the antlers for cheery Christmas sparkle and, of course, a red nose for Rudolph!The paper and embossing are so perfect for this card. Maybe Mom can make all my Christmas cards for me this year (wink)!

Happy Birthday, Lindsay!

Lindsay's got a birthday coming up! I whipped her up a basket of fresh strawberry candies using her luscious set Strawberries and Watermelon set.

This uses a brown lunch sack which I rolled down the top to get the size I wanted. I added some pre-ruffled ribbon and "ruffled" some more ribbon to decorate the top. Then, I added some Prima flowers to serve as the "bow" and filled the sack with candies. The image is colored with copic markers.
Be sure to stop by the store because Lindsay has a birthday present for you--34% off everything in the store! Also don't forget to stop by her blog because she's sure to have a freebie as well, and the design team has lots of birthday inspiration this week. We've discovered that we all have a lot of birthday celebrations this month, so if you, too, are needing to create a birthday card or present, you'll want to get some great ideas from the rest of the team!

Cheers!
Project Recipe
Paper: Neenah Solar Crest CS, DCWV Citrus Stack
Stamps: LSS Strawberries and Watermelon, PTI Vintage Picnic Sentiments
Tools: copic markers, Score-Tape
Embellishments: Prima flowers, Ribbon FX (HL), SU Certainly Celery Satin ribbon  

A Watermelon Kind of Day

The super hot temperatures remind me that it is definitely summer, and what's better on a hot summer day than a juicy slice of watermelon! If you're looking for some great, fruity summer digi stamps, look no further than Lindsay's Stamp Stuff and this Strawberries and Watermelon stamp set.

Don't those images look absolutely juicy!!! I chose the seed packet and colored it with my copics. I added some ruffled ribbon and a leftover heart-shaped paper doily. A few little buttons were added to the corner for a homespun look. The sentiment is from the GinaK set Heartily Yours.
Be sure to check out what the LSS design team has created and make Lindsay's blog your first stop if you haven't been there yet. She's got a great little freebie as well as some inspiration for one of her newest sets!
On a personal note: I'm so glad to be home after two weeks in New York and Washinton, DC. It was a fantastic trip, but I've been dying to get back to my husband and my craftroom (and my own private bathroom!). I'm very slowly going through all my trip purchases, dirty laundry, and souvenirs. And, I've got loads of homework that still needs doing. It seems like as soon as I finish one thing, two more things pop up! Know the feeling? I so want to spend the weekend in the craft loft but I'm not sure how much quality time I will have up here. Stay tuned, though, as soon as I can, I will be crafting away!
Cheers!

Project Recipe

Paper: PTI Kraft CS, SU Real Red CS
Stamps: LSS Strawberries and Watermelon, GinaK Heartily Yours (sentiment)
Tools: ScorePal, copics
Embellishments: Heart-shaped paper doily (Walmart), Ribbon FX (Hobby Lobby), Prima Holiday Poinsettia buttons

Amazing Grace

Look what's new in clear stamps at Sweet N Sassy! This sentiment stamp is from the brand new Sweet N Sassy Amazing Grace Clear stamp set available now! 
I used my new Distrezz-It-All to distress everything. The embossing on the kraft paper was created with a new Cuttlebug embossing folder. I don't have the name for it right now because I'm still hundreds of miles for home in Washington, DC getting ready to enjoy my final day of sightseeing. The butterflies are a K&Co 3-D sticker set, so easy to add for a quick card. They compliment the beautiful sentiment which I cut out with Spellbinders nestabilities dies and sprayed with my copic airbrush. A little ribbon and some pearls for a soft touch and I had a beautiful card in no time at all.
Be sure you check out the store because several new items have been added recently. Then, join the Sweet N Sassy design team on Tuesday, June 29 at SNR for a release PARTY! I should be getting home right about that time and can hopefully drop in to say "hi" and catch up with everyone!

It's a Puddle Jumper

It's supposed to rain today in Washington, DC, the site of my working vacation! We're supposed to take a bike tour in the evening so I hope the rain has passed by then. Although anything that subsides the heat is a good thing. So in honor of the rainstorms headed my way, I thought I would showcase this card using a couple of images from the LSS Puddle Fun set. This really is a fun little set with a lot of  versatility.

The background paper was the source of inspiration for this card. It's an American Craft paper with lots of fun boots. I did some paper piercing for the focal image. The boots are part of the digital stamp set as are the puddles. I added a drink umbrella behind the image. The green and yellow cardstock has been embossed using a Fiskars rain dots texture plate in my Cuttlebug. Look close for that fun detail.
I'll be back in Texas next week and back in the craft loft to play with some great new images in the LSS shop. You don't have to wait. Head over there today to see all the great images available right now. Also, be sure to check out the LSS design team for some great looks at all the new stuff in the shop. Then, head to Lindsay's blog for a great freebie!
Happy Crafting!

It's Molly, By Golly!

I have three boys and they turned into wonderful young men, but, oh, for a little girl! Well, until the grandchildren start coming I guess I'm going to have to make do with this little cutie! This is Molly and she is now in a clear stamp set from Sweet N Sassy. The fun thing about Molly is I can "dress" her up to match my papers or embellishments, and she doesn't fuss or whine about it at all! This set is called Thankful Molly. You can grab Molly all by herself as a digi stamp, but the clear stamp set has some wonderful sentiments in the set you won't want to miss either.
Be sure to check out Sweet N Sassy regularly as several clear stamp sets will be released over the next few weeks. There will be a release party on June 29 to celebrate all the new clear stamps coming out this month.
And, if you need instant gratification, SNS is still releasing digi stamps on a regular basis and there are some really cute new ones there which you can get almost instantly!
For more shopping fun, Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is having a Father's Day Sale this weekend. Everything is 25% off until midnight Sunday!!!

New at Sweet N Sassy

Look what has just arrived at Sweet N Sassy Stamps in acrylic! This is totally fruitilicious!

Cocoa is enjoying some summer fruit in this new clear stamp set called Feeling Fruity Cocoa. He's so cute no matter what he's doing, but watermelon is a big part of our South Texas summertime eating since it's grown so close to us. In the set he's paired up with a strawberry, too, and some fun sentiments.
Sweet N Sassy will be releasing several sets of clear stamps over the next few weeks. Be sure to head to the store regularly to check out what is being released, and don't forget you can still get loads of inexpensive digi stamps instantly!
Happy Crafting!

It's a Remake

Usually I create a card and either send it to someone or file it away for sending it or giving it away. I made this card back in April:

Now, I really liked this card. It just was fun with the big flower, the paper-pieced umbrella and the cheery colors, BUT...
It didn't hold together very well for some reason. The flower came off, the cardstock was kind of flimsy and it lacked a sentiment. So, I decided to salvage this card that I loved so much and here's what I came up with:

The original was great but this one is just special! And I didn't really do that much to it. I cut the original embossed card base and adhered it to some pink cardstock which is the new base. I changed out the flower and then the finishing touch was the sentiment. I can't wait to try this same card in some different papers and colors. That umbrella which you can find in the LSS set called Puddle Fun is so easy to paper piece. I'm not much of a paper-piecer because I hate to cut really fine details, but this one is really easy!
Anyway, that's how you save a card gone bad!
Be sure to head to Lindsay's blog and the LSS store. Lots of fun stuff and lots of digital freebies! Then, check out the amazing work of the very talented design team. Very crafty bunch of ladies!
Happy Crafting!

My Cuppa Tea

A few things influenced this card: (1) the beautiful rose image in the SNS June Rose Clear Stamp Set, (2) the My Time Made Easy Tea Cup cut file (used with my Cricut), (3) the SCS Sketch challenge, and (4) the Shabby Tea Room Design Team search inspiration piece. All of the influences combined with my love of all things tea related produced this card.
I wanted to created a monochromatic china pattern for my tea cup and I liked the pattern so much, I decided to create background paper that matched. I really liked Sweet n Sassy's Birthday Month digis, but I am lovin' them as clear stamps. I'm definitely going to collect all twelve!
The paper flower was created with some cardstock and a flower punch. You can find the instructions I used here. After it dried, I spritzed it with Smooch Spritz in vanilla. I added a heart-shaped paper doily behind the tea cup.
I just love how pretty it all is. I think I'll try another one with a different color. I love black and pink, but for some reason I feel like I use it too much. However, when I look back at my older posts or projects, I don't see too much of it! Anywhoo, you should do what you like when crafting. That's what it's all about!
Happy Crafting!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Pixie Pink and Certainly Celery, PTI White
Stamps: SNS June Rose, SU Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment)
Tools: Cricut, SCAL, My Time Made Easy A Spot of Tea cut file, SU Modern Label, Word Window, flower punch, Martha Stewart Lace Doily border punch
Embellishments: Heart-shaped doily (Walmart)

A Fantastic Shoe

I really hate to shop (well, not for craft supplies), but I've been having to do a lot of it lately because I'm getting ready for a two-week trip to New York City and Washington, D.C. I leave Tuesday and I really didn't have enough clothes to hold me over for two weeks. So, I've been making short little runs for one thing or the other hoping that if I didn't spend all day at it, it wouldn't be so bad. It pretty much still was bad! But I've got enough clothes that you shouldn't have to hear about the naked tourist in D.C. on the headline news this month!
Still, all this shopping has got me thinking about fashion (maybe not high fashion!) and I grabbed some of that thinking for my project today. Lindsay has a great little (not so little really) digital stamp set called It's a Girl Thing.

Lots of cute images here for girls of all ages. I grabbed a little pump and colored it with my copics. The background of the card is embossed with the cuttlebug textile embossing folder and I used SCAL and Cricut to cut out the dressing dummy which was then wrapped with a piece of ribbon and pierced with a hat pin. This makes a bold statement without requiring a lot of work and I didn't have to leave home to get these shoes!!!
One thing that makes shopping a little easier is a SALE! And LSS has a great sale going on right now through Saturday.

I wish all my shopping could be this easy! Be sure to check out all the great bargains at LSS. Don't forget to stop by Lindsay's blog for a peek at what all she's been creating as well as a freebie! Then, pop over to the Design Team blogs for even more inspiration.
Happy Crafting!
Project Recipe

Paper: PTI White CS, SU Pixie Pink CS, SU Day and Night DSP

Stamps: LSS It's a Girl Thing, Verve Fairy Tales (sentiment)

Tools: Cricut, SCAL, Cuttlebug, Textile Embossing folder, Spellbinders Classic and Deckled Ovals Nestabilities Dies, copic markers

Embellishments: PTI True Black Dotted Satin ribbon, Making Memories Wedding pins

Tea-riffic Day

Ahhhh! Smell that? That's not coffee or tea you're smelling...no, that's the last day of school and boy does it smell SWEET! So, in honor of a few days of R&R ahead of me, I made myself a cup of tea (could be coffee but I don't drink coffee).

I have had this image colored for quite some time and finally got it all put together in a card. I used copics to color it but went over it with something shimmery but now I can't remember what! Don't ya hate it when that happens. The paper is by DCWV and I just love that pattern!
The tea cup is from the LSS set called Teariffic. This is one of my all time favorite images but I have to admit to a tea obsession. Funny thing is I mainly drink ice tea out of a styrofoam  cup, but tea is tea! Be sure to take a look at this set. It has lots of other fabulous images. Then, head over to Lindsay's blog to catch some inspiration and a freebie. From there, see what the rest of the design team has cooked up. Today, Diana Bove will join the team and showcase her first project. Don't miss that one!
I'm off to finish up my last day with the kiddos, followed by a short work day, and then a carefree weekend! Happy Crafting!