Rainbow Jelly Beans

I was sitting around eating gourmet jelly beans (until I was sick!) and enjoying the rainbow of colors. That's when I had one of those "AHA!" moments. What if instead of eating all these jelly beans and gaining 10 lbs., I instead jarred them up and created a rainbow gift to brighten someone's day! The perfect image, Sweet 'n Sassy's Rainbow Bird digi, came quickly to mind.

I also grabbed a sentiment set from the store called Springtime Blessings. I re-sized two of the sentiments to sit in the clouds. Speaking of clouds, I used the Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Ovals Nestabilities to create the look of my image sitting in a cloud of its own. I colored the rainbow and birdie with my copics and added some glaze with a Sakura pen, though that's not very evident in the photo.
I sure hope this brings some colorful, springtime happiness to someone who may be only seeing dreary, cloudy days! For some extra happiness of your own, be sure you head over to the Sweet 'n Sassy shop and check out ALL the new digis. If you're ready for some rainbow colors, there are at least two new digis featuring rainbows!
BTW, those are not gourmet jelly beans in the jar in the photo. There weren't enough of those left. Yikes, you know what that means!
Project Recipe
Paper: Neenah Super Smooth CS, PTI Hibiscus Burst CS
Stamps: Sweet 'n Sassy's Rainbow Bird, Springtime Blessings
Tools: cuttlebug, Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals Nestabilities, copic markers, Sakura glitter pen, bow easy
Embellishments: Decorative Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Monday with Mom 2

We did it again! Mom and I teamed up to create a couple of cards based on last week's Stamptv video "Creating a Border with Nestabilities". We used different nestabilities on this and even different stamping techniques but I think we are sending our cards to the same person since we have a mutual friend with a birthday this week.
First up, look at the pretty card Mom created. Isn't the embossing beautiful on this?

The sentiment really takes center stage on this card even though it is offset. The border created by a Spellbinders nestability and a versamarker, followed by embossing emphasize the sentiment.The papers add to the soft effect of the embossing. Love it!
My card is dramatically different even though I used the same technique because I opted for the drama of black. I used an old Stampin Up set called Dream a Little for my hummingbird and I had seriously considered embossing the image (that was even before I had seen my mother's card), but chose instead to keep it a simple black. The sentiment is from the Verve Big Wish set. I used the Spellbinders Labels One Nestabilities dies for the border.

Stay tuned next week for another addition of Monday with Mom! Oh, and check out the Stamptv site...lots of inspiration there!

Project Recipe

Paper: SU Certainly Celery CS, Basic Gray Origins PP

Stamps: SU Dream a Little, Verve Big Wish

Tools: cuttlebug, Spellbinders Label One Nestabilities, copic black multiliner Viva Decor Hematite Glitter liner

Embellishments: PTI New Leaf Saddlestitched grosgrain ribbon, SU So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, prima flowers, Bazzill Imaginisce Desert Marigold Buttons and Blossoms, Basic Gray black brad

Sukkersot Sketch Challenge

Sweet n Sassy is sponsoring the sketch challenge at Sukkersot today. I've said this before but I think it bears repeating. I'm just not very good with sketch challenges. I do give them a try, especially when I need a mojo jump start, but usually I end up following them so literally that I don't feel they are very creative. Lucky for me I had this great image from SNS to work with. Isn't this little guy, Thankful Turtle, super duper cute!!!
I also really love this little paper pack from My Mind's Eye. It's the colors of happiness! I colored my digi stamp with copic markers, used a border punch to create ric rac, and then added some corduroy buttons that my very sweet friend, Jana gave me. Be sure to stop by Sweet n Sassy to check out the latest digis there including this one and stop off at Sukkersot to give the challenge a go!

Easter's On It's Way

I found a pack of Jiffy Pots for around $2 for 22 pots. These are the peat pots for starting seedlings. I used some acrylic paints to cover them. And then with just a little bit of ribbon and a couple of products from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff and I had an inexpensive but cute Easter basket for holding little treats.

I used the Egg Basket Template to cut some bunnies with my Cricut and SCAL. I used this SVG set to cut the Easter egg in the center of the flower above and for the tag on the top Easter basket. The top Easter basket also uses a digital stamp from the LSS Cute Easter set.

It's getting much closer to Easter. Do you have your Easter projects all finished? Be sure to check out LSS for some great cut files and digital stamps which will make your Easter projects shine! Also, stop by Lindsay's blog to see more project ideas and to see if she's got a freebie for you today...she usually does!
Project Recipe
Paper: SU Mellow Moss CS, PTI Raspberry Fizz CS, Gina K White Pure Luxury CS. DCWV PP, scrap tissue paper
Stamps:LSS Cute Easter set
Tools: cuttlebug, Provocraft Swiss Dots Embossing folder, Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities, copic markers, Cricut, SCAL, Egg Basket Template, SU Scallop Circle Punch
Embellishments: Ribbon (Walmart and Hobby Lobby), SU Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Paper Studio Flower brad, Folk Art Acrylic paints

Poppin By With a Treat

When I saw the new Poppin By set at Sweet n Sassy, I knew exactly what I wanted to create. This little fellow just had to go on a popcorn box, of course. I created this box with my Cricut.

Doesn't this make an adorable treat to give someone? I love the little popcorn man all drippin with butter. Well, as luck would have it, while I was coloring him in with my copics, I got a little hungry. So, guess what happened with the first bag of popcorn I made? Yep, devoured it before the ink on the stamp was even dry! I had to make a second bag before I could finish up my project. (Nope, didn't eat any of that one. My tummy was kinda hurting by then!)
This project took just a few minutes to make because the image was so super easy to color in and the Cricut did all the work for me on the box. If I hadn't taken time out for a snack, I literally could have been finished in about 10-15 minutes! Can't ask for more than that when you need a quick, little something to give. Throw in a movie and this becomes a full-fledged gift package!
Lots of new stuff coming out of the SNS shop this week. Be sure to stop by and check out all the cuteness. Bring popcorn because there is a slideshow to watch on the home page featuring all the new stuff!

Monday with Mom

Yeah, I know it's really Tuesday, but school work and technical difficulties slowed me down! But I had to get this in even though it's a day late. Wait til you see! My mom and I have decided to coordinate a project once a week where we both follow the same tutorial or inspiration piece and then create something based on that. This week we watched a Gina K video on Stamptv that showed how to create a quilted look on cards.
My mom then dragged out her sewing machine and proceeded to create the cutest card with the Sew Happy Cocoa image from Sweet n Sassy Stamps.This turned out SEW perfect.

I just love all the great stitching on this. How did she keep everything so straight?
Okay, my sewing machine is still dusty because I cheated. I grabbed some paper that already looked paper quilted and used that for my project. I did absolutely no stitching, not even faux stitching.

I spent my time working with this great stamp that I just got from Susanna's Custom Art and Card Design. Of course, now I'm wishing I'd threaded that darn sewing machine!

Look, Ma! No Stamps!

Kinda weird to claim "no stamps" on a post about Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, but it's true. I didn't use any stamps for these two projects. I did use one of Lindsay's fantastic SVG Cut Files for the Cricut and Sure Cuts Alot. This one is called Egg Basket Template. It has this great egg basket cut file but there is so much more!

The egg-shaped basket alone is worth the price of the ticket, but see that cute little bunny. That is also included in the file. I used it to create a simple Easter card.

Isn't he adorable here with some embossing? I just grabbed some scraps from the scrap drawer ( I so need to use them up!), a piece of ribbon and the bunny. Simple, Easy, and Cute! You can grab this set today over at MyGrafico and it's on SALE! All items in the LSS shop at My Grafico are on sale for 30% off until midnight tonight!
Project Recipe

Paper: SU Pink Passion CS, PTI White and Dark Chocolate CS, My Mind's Eye Home PP, various scraps 

Stamps: NONE

Tools: LSS Egg Basket Template, Cricut, SCAL, cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing folder, EK Success Corner Rounder

Embellishments: PTI Berry Sorbet Dotted Satin Ribbon, Paper Studios Pearl, Felt heart (unknown)

Cookies and Cocoa

I had a couple of coworkers who had birthdays last week, and cookies make a great little birthday treat when a whole cake is just a little too much. Now, I have to admit that I didn't make these cookies from scratch. I used one of those Nestle Tollhouse cookie tubs (pre-mixed cookie dough), but I did make sure I gave them a taste test before giving any as gifts (wink).

I found instructions for making these criss-cross boxes thinking they would be perfect for holding and displaying the cookies. Since I needed two, I decided to coordinate the packaging. This way I can utilize all the scraps. I made tags and paper flowers from the scraps, too.

And, yes, Cocoa had to make an appearance at this birthday celebration!

Actually, I grabbed two sets from Sweet N Sassy for these projects. I appropriately used Cookies for Cocoa for my main image. For the sentiments, I used Sweet Birthday Wishes. A little cellophane and some ribbons and these were ready to make someone's birthday especially sweet!

Oops! So sorry if you were looking for green or St. Patrick's Day inspiration. My Irish must be in remission right now!

Well, spring has sprung around here and I still have some days left in my spring break. I'm definitely getting out for a walk to enjoy the wildflowers and sunshine. I know many of you have not seen much of warm, sunny days lately, but I truly hope your turn is coming soon! In the meantime, grab a sweet image that makes you smile and have some fun coloring and creating!

Project Recipe

Paper: DCWV The Garden Party Stack, PTI Lavender Moon CS, GinaK White Pure Luxury White CS. PTI Basic Dots PP in Lavender Moon and Plum Pudding

Stamps: SNS Cookies for Cocoa, SNS Sweet Birthday Wishes

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Labels One and Classic Ovals Nestabilities dies, copic markers, prisma pencils, SU Small and Large Tag Punches, SU Scalloped Circle punch, SU Boho Blossoms punch. Fiskars Apron Lace and Effervescence border punches, pinking shears

Embellishments: PTI Enchanted Evening Grosgrain Ribbon, PTI Lavender Moon Dotted Satin Ribbon, SU Earth Elements brad, PTI twine, yellow button

A Bowl of Birthday Fun

This was the easiest and funnest card to make! I'm still giggling with pleasure over this one! The ice cream bowl is an SVG cut file called Frozen Treats SVG Cutting Template which can be found at MyGrafico. There are lots of other cute frozen treats included with this purchase. I used my Cricut and SCAL software to create the bowl card. I welded two of the bowls together in the SCAL program to create a card base. Then, I cut out the three scoops and the spoon. I used my cuttlebug and embossing folders to create texture on each of the scoops. Super cute design and very fast and easy. If you have a Cricut and SCAL, you definitely need this one!
Then, to top off my birthday card, I grabbed one of my favorite sets from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff called Sweet Stuff. I used the cherry image inside a word art circle that reads "Happy Birthday with a Cherry on Top!" I colored the cherries with my copics and then added some glossy accents. I really loved how this turned out and I especially love it when a project comes together this quickly because, honestly, it usually takes me FOREVER to design a project!

You really need the Sweet Stuff digital stamp set and as luck would have it, it's on sale right now along with all the other sets in LSS. Today through March 14th, Lindsay's got everything in the store on sale at 30% off! And if that doesn't make you feel lucky enough, run on over to her blog where you can get really lucky with a digital freebie! Oh, and don't forget to check out what the LSS design team has created this week or the great SVG cut files over at MyGrafico!
Top o' the morn' to you all!
Project Recipe
Paper: (all papers by SU) Bermuda Bay Textured CS, Pretty in Pink CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Very Vanilla CS, Real Red CS  (white paper for the digi stamp is PTI)

Stamps: LSS Sweet Stuff

Tools: Cricut, SCAL, cuttlebug, embossing folders (Swiss Dots, Swirls, Tiny Bubbles), SU 1 3/8 circle punch, EK Success 1 1/4 circle punch, Glossy Accents, copic markers

A Piece of Cake

Our oldest son is getting married next year. I think his fiancee' has been planning the wedding since she was ten, lol! In any case, she is very organized and seems to know exactly what she wants. Good thing because I have zero interest in weddings beyond the vows. But, all the wedding talk did peak my interest in the beautiful wedding images at Sweet n Sassy. The wedding cake, in particular, fascinated me, probably because I wish I could decorate cakes. Since I can't (and have no time to master a new hobby), I grabbed the stamp and decorated it with my copics!

I bought an inexpensive photo album at the dollar store and replaced the front cover with this one I created using SNS Wedding Cake. The bride can then insert pictures of the wedding venue, cake samples, dresses, or decorations that she wants to refer to while making her plans. Or the photo album could be used just for notes, clippings, or receipts she doesn't want to lose.
By the way, I used the sketch at The Sweet Stop for my cover. And I couldn't resist making another tissue paper flower to hold my "love" sentiment. I'm so addicted to those flowers! I added stickles to the flowers and airbrushed the pearls. I did not get the pearls as "scarlet" as I wanted but they do look deeper IRL.
Let wedding mania begin! I'm ready...I think!
Project Recipe

Paper: PTI Sweet Blush and Scarlet Jewel CS, SU Certainly Celery, GinaK White Pure Luxury CS

Stamps: SNS Wedding Cake, PTI Heartfelt Basics (sentiment)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder, SU Scallop Trim border punch, SU Scalloped Circle punch, EK Success 3/4 " circle punch, copic markers, airbrush kit and compressor, Ranger Stickles

Embellishments: Paper Studio self-adhesive pearls, PTI Scarlet Jewel Bitty Dot Satin Ribbon

Other: Dollar General photo album

It's a Tough Job

Meet Henrietta Hen from Sweet n Sassy Digi Stamps. This is one hard working gal! She laid this giant egg for me to give to someone who's had a rough time lately. The inside of the card reads "And you thought you had a hard day!"
Growing up, we raised chickens for the eggs and my sister and I used to have to go out and find the eggs. I always felt a little guilty "stealing" the eggs from those poor chickens (plus, I've never really been crazy about eating eggs, anyway). Never had a hen lay one this big!
The challenge this week at the Sweet n Sassy SNR Digi Day was to use pink and yellow. There's still time to play and receive this digi stamp for free just for playing along before 10pm Eastern time Monday, March 8!
Project Recipe

Paper: SU Pretty in Pink CS, Neenah, PTI Lemon Tart CS, TAC Gentle Beginnings PP

Stamps: SNS Henrietta Hen, (the sentiment is my own)

Tools: Cuttlebug, embossing folder, SU Scallop Trim border punch, bow easy, copic markers, prisma pencils

Embellishments: PTI Lemon Tart Satin Ribbon

(egg)

SU Regal Rose Grosgrain ribbon, EK Success 2" Scallop circle punch (for flower), K&Co. Wild Raspberry Layered Accents

An Easter Parade

This started out as a can of peanuts, but you know I just couldn't bring myself to throw away a perfectly good container, so it got tucked away in a drawer until I came up with an idea for recycling it. A little Easter grass tucked inside the can and the chocolate bunny has a new home!
I did some paper piecing with the eggs which are part of the LSS Cute Easter set. I printed the eggs out on different patterned papers and then used my copics to add dimension to the swirls. Look! I even did some hand cutting (gasp!). I know it's just eggs, but "baby steps"! I made the tissue paper flowers all by myself by punching and scrunching. I love making those flowers.
Next up, I grabbed another image from the LSS Cute Easter set. This is an adorable Easter basket full of yummy eggs.

I colored this with my copics and prisma pencils. The sentiment is from a Close to My Heart egg stamp set that I've hardly ever used but thought it was really appropriate for the card. I just couldn't figure out how to design the card. Everything I tried seemed to look like every other card I've ever designed. Ever had those moments? So I gave up and went to Melissa Craig's Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge blog for the sketch for this card. This sketch really appealed to me and I was able to finish this up in a jiffy!
If you didn't come here from Lindsay's blog, be sure to stop on over there and see what digi delights she has for you and what freebies she might have on the blog today!Also, don't forget to visit the design team's blogs. Everybody's been super busy putting together some great projects with Lindsay's stamps.  It's definitely not too soon to be working on your Easter projects. Be sure to visit the Lindsay's Stamp Stuff shop to grab some digis for your projects. Easter will be here soon, though I don't know if the Easter bunny will be able to get in for a visit to all of you who have been buried under snow this winter.
Project Recipe

(can)

Paper: TAC Gentle Beginnings, PTI Bitty Dots Basics, SU Close to Cocoa CS

Stamps: LSS Cute Easter set

Tools: Fiskars paper crimper, SU Scalloped Circle Punch, copic markers

Embellishments: Michaels fringed ribbon, SU Stitched Felt Sweet Pea, Paper Studio brads

(card)

Paper: SU So Saffron, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise CS, PTI White CS, TAC Gentle Beginnings PP

Stamps: LSS Cute Easter Set, CTMH Easer Eggs (sentiment)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities dies, Martha Stewart Arch Lattice border punch, SU Eyelet Lace border punch, copic markers, prisma pencils

Embellishments: Paper Studio flowers, Imaginisce Ring Around the Rosies flower, SU pink corduroy brads, Basic Grey brad

Cocoa and I are So Grateful

I have to tell you about the "sweetest" thing that happened to me...Sweet n Sassy Stamps has asked me to be one of their digi divas! Can you believe it? I am so pumped about working with all the great images coming out of SNS. To show my appreciation, I am dedicating this project to Korin and the rest of the talented team at the SNS shop and the SNS Digi blog.

I like to repurpose and recycle things. I saved this clear box that some stamps came in, cleaned off some of the adhesive and filled the box with some little candies. I put the sparkly polka dotted paper on the front and then treated the box like a square card. I used the sketch challenge at The Sweet Stop for this week.
Although I'm dedicating this card to my teammates at SNS, the actual treat is going to one of our staffers at school who runs off copies for all of us beleaguered teachers, and she can't imagine how grateful we are for the help. So, I grabbed An Apple for Cocoa, colored him with my copics, and stamped a PTI thank you sentiment on the front of the small card. Inside is another PTI sentiment which reads "You're the best!"
Thank you for sharing my excitement with me. I'm really grateful for the opportunity use my creative energies to showcase the many wonderful images at Sweet n Sassy. Be sure to check out the store as there are new items coming out daily. And check back here to let me know if you are getting inspiration for using them!
Project Recipe
Paper: DCWV Farmer's Market, SU Sweet Nothings DSP, SU Always Artichoke
Stamps: SNS An Apple for Cocoa, PTI Star Prints and Handwritten Notes
Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Nestabilities dies, copic markers, EK Success corner rounder
Embellishments: Making Memories Blossoms and Buttons