CARDiology: cards from the heart

I love you Sexy

2011-03-01T08:19:00.004-06:00

After I typed that title, It caused me to remember the funny song that Will Farrell sang in the movie "Semi-Pro "(love me sexy)

I am on a serious LOVE kick lately and although Valentine's Day and my Anniversary have passed, I'm just not ready to stop making "LOVE".

Close up of the Seam binding that I dyed in a mixture of pink ink & tea. The chipboard tag was covered with patterned paper and the edges inked. "I love you" sentiment from PTI . Flower was first stamped with a Unity stamp then punched using the Stampin' Up scalloped circle and the edges were inked

You can also see that I used blue thread for my stitching and I used white paint to distress different areas of my card. The Roses, pink patterned paper and the couple images are all Graphic 45

CHALLENGES I USED:
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Show some EPHEMERA (not exactly sure if this qualifies but I sure hope so because they give such a wonderful prize $50 to be spent at Simon Says)
Corrosive Challenge: Distressing
Tuesday Throwdown: Tags
Sweet Stampin Challenge: Oh So Girlie
Paper Play: Let's Get Sentimental

This OLD MAN...........

2011-02-24T17:28:00.006-06:00

This "OLD MAN"
he played six, he played knick knack with some stix
with a Knick Knack paddy wack
give the dog a bone
this OLD MAN came rolling ("stumbling") home

Does anyone else remember that or did I just show my age?

MOXIE FAB is hosting a "Stamping with Markers Challenge" and I am hoping to WIN the new "E" set of Copics. Want to play along? You have until March 16

This old man from "You Know You're Old When" by Gina K Designs is one of the funnest stamp sets to color with my Copic Markers. I have so much fun shading, highlighting and making their wrinkles look as realistic as possible.

I wish I had taken a photo of the fun beer assortment that I put together for this gift; they had some fun labels. I'm not a beer drinker but my recipient loves Beer so I hope this is the perfect gift

CHALLENGES I AM ENTERING
Moxie Fab World: Stamping with Markers Challenge
One Stitch at a Time: Anything but Square
Paper Sundaes: Masculine Colors (does not have to be masculine)

....................Supplies I used....................
Stamps: Gina K (you know your old when, beautiful backgrounds by Nina Brackett)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (scarlett jewel, kraft), Gina K (dark brown, olive, cream,), Stampin Up (close to cocoa)
Tools: Paper Trey Ink (limitless layers 1 3/4" collection)

Happily Ever After

2011-02-18T13:52:00.013-06:00

22nd Wedding Anniversary

This is the Anniversary card that I created for my husband. Very simple, clean and elegant so it didn't look like much just handing it to him.
I actually adhered his gift on the top of the inside. I have made reservations for us to go to the Hilton on the beach and eat Sunday Brunch!!! BUT WAIT, That's NOT all, I also made reservations for a couple's SPA DAY complete with massages, Champagne & Wine

My Card Base, The large vintage cream label & my sentiment label were all stamped in pirouette pink ink using Verve's " Beautiful Backgrounds " stamp set

CHALLENGES I USED:
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: S.O.S = Someone Special (you must also stamp somewhere on your project)
Oh La La: Pink, Pink, Pink
Tuesday Throwdown: 3-D (hope those big puffy hearts are 3-d enough, but just in case, I also popped my inside sentiment up with pop dots)
Creative Inspirations: Plain & Simple
Cute Card Thursday: Shiny Happy Cards
PaperPlay Challenges: Add some SHINE

?????? Looking for Challenges ??????
Linda
aka
THE FUNKIE JUNKIE
updates her challenge site daily
thank you Linda for being my #1 go to site when searching for
CHALLENGES

Takin' Out the "Cupcake" Stash

2011-02-15T10:31:00.007-06:00

There is just something about cupcakes that make me feel so happy! I love making them, I love eating them and I just plain ole' love looking at them. I was so excited when I found this line of 3 dimensional felt cupcakes by Little Yellow Bicycle at my new favorite store, A Scrap in Time...

My impulse is to HOARD THEM in my
"saving it for a "special occassion" stash"

Turns out this was the perfect card to go with these

I made these cupcakes for my son's bus driver.
Every time I make cupcakes, I make sure to give her one. Being that it was Valentine's Day and all, I created a cute little gift box filled with several. Besides keeping them off of MY HIPS, I also want her to know how much I appreciate her service of ensuring that my little boy gets to and from school safely!!!!!!!!!

Quick details about this card: I stamped my card base with polka dots, Added a strip of glitter & embossed patterned paper (also Little Yellow Bicycle), Punched & layered some border strips, Zig Zag Stitched them, Layered a Heart Shaped Doiley then Popped my Cupcake up with Pop Dots. The 3 small hearts were punched with a punch that I got out of a dollar bin and I just added little pearl accents (no they aren't the edible ones that I put on the cupcakes)

CHALLENGES I USED:
Cupcake Craft Challenge: I Love You (incorporate at least one heart into your project)
Stamp Something: Something for your Valentine
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Lovin' From the Oven (they also have a Design Team Call)
The Pink Elephant: Be My Valentine

..................Supplies I Used..................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (polka dot basics)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (dark chocolate, aqua mist), Stampin Up (whisper white)
Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle (cupcake love)
Tools: Martha Stewart (doiley punch), Stampin Up (scalloped doiley punch), Dollar Tree (heart punch)
Misc: Target (heart doiley), Little Yellow Bicycle (felt cupcake), Hero Arts (pink pearls), pop dots

Hugs & Kisses

2011-02-13T20:53:00.004-06:00

This was such a Quick and Easy card but does that big puffy heart ever have a
WOW FACTOR
or
What?

Take a closer look at this
"Funky Little Heart"

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Hearts
Stamp Something: Something for your Valentine (I created my own patterned paper by stamping the lips and hearts)
The Pink Elephant: Be My Valentine
Sew Many Challenges: Valentine
The Pixie Cottage: Ribbon
Fab n Funky: Texture
Creatalicious: Love

..................Supplies I Used.................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink
Ink: Stampin Up (real Red)
Cardstock: Gina K (red), Stampin Up (whisper white)
Tools: Martha Stewart (loop edge punch)
Misc: Joanne's Fabric Store (heart, xo ribbon, puffy glitter sentiment)

Handmade & Vintage Embellishments

2011-02-10T07:45:00.011-06:00

Paper Trey Ink

has got me SOOOOO EXCITED and SWOONING to get my crafty little fingers on the products that they revealed today. Is it possible that they created the new Button Stamps and Button Dies just for ME???

Each day they are issuing very fun challenges and today's challenge is to create a project using BUTTONS in a Unique Way.....

CHECK IT OUT
-----------> HERE <------------

FLOURISHES TIMELESS TUESDAY CHALLENGE
has also issued a "Button it Up" Challenge

-------------> HERE <--------------

If you are looking for some fun CHALLENGES please scroll down to the bottom of my posts to find the ones that I use Let's talk about my project which was created for my wonderful friend Erin Smetak as a thank you for the lovely flowers that she sent to me after my Breast Biopsy.

The idea was to create a little package of Handmade & Vintage Embellishments that she would be able to use on her own projects

Close up of the Tags where I mix and matched sentiments from Paper Trey Ink & Crafty Secrets

The circular border stamps are from PTI (tags for spring &

Cute little house Embellie that I created by layering 2 different scalloped square punches and inked the edges. The roof was just a square that I cut in half. I used a small heart punch then lined that top square with a scrap of scarlet jewel cardstock.

I included some seam binding and vintage fabric that I dyed in tea
The way in which I packaged these goodies also lends some fun baubles that Erin will be able to incorporate into her projects. Just look at the delicious bells, button, twine and ribbon

Here is Graphic 45 card that I flipped over to the plain side where I used glue dots to attach vintage buttons. The brown flower is not vintage, however the blue one with fabric still has it's original thread attached!!

Erin had jokingly asked me to share some of the Antique goodies that I picked up at the Antique Markets in Sicily
Think she will like the Antique Key Hole?

I gathered all of these goodies together and placed them in a Glassine bag from PTI and created a cute little topper and tag. These stamps are Hero Arts ( )

CHALLENGES I USED:
Paper Trey Ink: Create a project using Buttons in a unique way
Kaboodle Doodles: Break out that Ribbon Stash
Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays: Button Up
Tuesday Throwdown: Buttons
Simon Says Stamp: Anything but a card
Paper Pals Arts: Those were the days (VINTAGE)

....................Supplies I used......................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (tags for spring, ), Hero Arts ( ledger), Crafty Secrets (chandelier fun, material girl), Unity
Inks: PTI (scarlet jewel, dark chocolate), Momento (black)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (scarlet jewel, kraft), Stampin Up (natural)
Patterned Papers: Basic Grey, Graphic 45, Crate paper
Ribbons: Paper Trey Ink (scarlet jewel extra fine polka dot, ocean tide satin, jute twine)
Misc: Tim Holtz chipboard, Prima flower, PTI (glassine bag)
Tools: Marvy Uchida, Stampin Up (large label die, scalloped square punch, scalloped circle punch, ) Cuttlebug, Spellbinders (Lacey Circle, Circle dies), Martha Stewart (flower punch)

My Funny Valentine and A Scrap in Time

2011-02-05T18:37:00.008-06:00

Now ya'll know that while living over in Sicily I was deprived of such luxuries as a craft store right? WELLLL, I am over the moon, skippity do da, happy happy over joy joyed to have discovered that I have the LARGEST SCRAPBOOKING (aka card supplies) store on the Gulf Coast and it is right here in CRESTVIEW!!!! It is only about 5 miles away from my front door!!!!!! Poor things had no idea what kind of freak was entering their doors when I told them that I was going to lay down in the floor and make carpet angels on the floor!!!!!!!!!!!
CHECK OUT MY PERSONAL CRAFT STORE
"" A SCRAP IN TIME ""
SOOOOOO,,,, 3 hours later I narrowed down my desire to purchase $10,000 worth of supplies!

This card duo was created with a line of products that I purchased
"Be My Valentine" by We R Memory Keepers

I created these Valentines for my nieces

Close up so you can see the sweet little button
(thank you Linda for the cupid and heart buttons)

Notice they are almost identical???
Goodness forbid that I make them too different, they might think one is prettier and therefore, I must love one niece more than the other!!

I don't think you can really tell but the stitching is actually aqua

CHALLENGES I USED:
Dutch Dare Card Challenge: Buttons, Buttons Buttons
Corrosive Challenge: Button it up
Pile It On: Punch It (I used Stampin Up's scalloped border punch)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Love is in the a
Cute Card Thursday: Banish the Blues (use a funny image or sentiment)
Crazy 4 Challenges: Valentines

.................Supplies I used...................
Patterned Papers: We are Memory Keepers (be my valentine)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (pretty in pink), Paper Trey Ink (Aqua Mist)
Misc: Ribbon: Martha Stewart, Large Aqua Mist buttons (Paper Trey Ink)
Tools: Stampin Up (scalloped edge punch)

I love Buttons!

2011-02-04T06:55:00.009-06:00

I finally did it

What you ask?

Mailed out my Christmas Cards which had turned into my New Year's Cards and I suppose now they are my Valentine's Cards... To bad I had enclosed a family photo collage titled "Frederick Family 2010", I could have played it off and said that I was just early for next Christmas ;o)

This card set was created for my Grandmother.
She actively blesses the elderly shut ins, ill, and grieving members of her church with hand written notes.
What a wonderful ministry!

CHALLENGES I USED:
Corrosive Challenge: Button it up
My Time to Craft: Emboss (hopefully you can see that I embossed the first, large layer of DP)
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Whateva (you do have to stamp something)
Dutch Dare Card Challenge: Buttons, Buttons Buttons
Paper Play: Stamp It Out
Pile It On: Punch It (I used the ticket corner punch)
..............Supplies I used.................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink
Papers: Stampin Up (patterned papers), Paper Trey Ink (white)
Ink: Momento, Stampin Up (markers used on the flower in pot, real red on bicycle)
Buttons: Paper Trey Ink, some are from my stash
Toons: Stampin Up (embossing folder, ticket corner punch), Spellbinders Nestabilities (labels 4 & scalloped ovals)

Sweetheart Lollipop Flowers

2011-02-01T22:48:00.008-06:00

I was fooling around with some large chipboard letters today and decided to paint them white then smother them with glitter!!! Something about them looks really yummy!

---> HERE <--- is the
Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Photo
that Inspired today's project

I created large accordion flowers which was inspired by the cupcake liners in the photo

I love this white heart that I placed in the center of the "O" to represent the
White Heart shaped fudge from the photo

I didn't have dowel rods until later this afternoon so I glued CHOPSTICKS together, painted them then added a green ribbon to cover up where I had glued. The Green Ribbon made perfect "Leaves" for my flowers!

CHALLENGES I USED:
Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger: Photo Inspiration
Our Creative Corner: 3D Valentine
Speedy the Cat's Friends' Challenge: Valentine;
Crafty Catz: Flowers;
Charisma Cardz: Valentine/Love;
Delightful Challenges: Have a heart / Love Challenge;
Meljen's Designs: Heart Challenge;

Moxie Fab Pretty Pastels Color Challenge

2011-01-30T23:08:00.007-06:00

MOXIE FABULICIOUSNESS PROJECT #5

2nd Post of the day

I would love it if you scrolled down to see the first project that I created
for the Moxie Fab Metallic Color challenge

If you have visited me this past week then you know I have been having a lot of fun participating in the Moxie Fab World's Celebration of Card Makers Week. There are a total of different Color Combo Challenges and this Sweet little Valentine Goodie bag was created for the

PRETTY PASTELS Challenge

Blossom, Lupine, Baby Pink Light and Intense Pink

You have until Tomorrow, Monday, January 30 at midnight (EST) if you would like to join in

COMPLETE DETAILS
------> HERE <------

Close up of the Patterned Paper I created with several different hearts from the Paper Trey Ink " Heart Prints " Stamp Set. LOOK CLOSELY to see the Hot Pink larger scalloped border around the top of my bag. I actually stamped a smaller heart throughout my bag but I'm afraid they might be impossible to see on the monitor? The sweet little tag was created by using a combination of stamps also from PTI

CHALLENGES I USED:
Moxie Fab World: Pretty Pastels Color Challenge
The Shabby Tea Room: Get Creative (the idea is to create your own everything you can using basic supplies without having to rely on patterned paper etc)
Charisma Cardz: Valentines
Meljens: Hearts

..................Supplies I used..................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (heart prints, heart songs, mixed messages)
Ink: Paper Trey Ink (raspberry fizz, blush blossom), Stampin Up (lovely lilac)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (sweet blush), Stampin Up (pretty in pink)
Tools: Paper Trey Ink (Favor It Box #2 die)
Misc: Stampin Up (pink ribbon)

Moxie Fab Metallic Color Challenge

2011-01-30T22:00:00.011-06:00

Moxie Fab World celebrated Card Makers Week by issuing several Color Challenges

Tonight I'm loading my last 2 Projects with back to back blog posts since I am cutting it close to the deadline for having all my projects uploaded and entered no later than
Monday, January 31 at midnight (EST)

The Metallic Color Challenge

Gold Leaf Metalic, Satin Wedding White and Pinkini

If you are NOTHING like me, then you still have plenty of time to join in on the Moxie Fabulicious Fun

Complete Challenge Details
------> HERE <------

This is a closer shot showing my layers

I actually have a pink piece of Vellum OVER the "Bless This Baby" scrap from Crafty Secrets. The photo is a bit dark to show how the White paper shimmers and is also textured

A little Peek at the inside of my card. I finished it off using the same shimmer white paper and a sweet little Crafty Secrets baby

CHALLENGES I USED:
Moxie Fab World: Metallic Color Challenge
Crazy 4 Challenges: Vintage (don't these colors match their website perfectly also)
Pals Paper Arts: Bows
Paper Play Challenges: Layer It Up
Creative Inspirations: Buttons & Bows

Moxie Fab Jewel Tones Challenge

2011-01-28T21:35:00.008-06:00

MOXIE FAB WORLD

is celebrating Card Maker's Week
" JEWEL TONES COLOR CHALLENGE "

Sugar Cookie, Sunshine, Pansy, and Blue Calypso
The challenge is to use only these colors in a New Project

COMPLETE DETAILS
-----> HERE <-----

I have no clue why I cannot seem to take a decent photo to save my life!! I actually held my cardstocks up to this computer monitor before I began to verify that my colors matched! They DO, however, my photos LIE!!!

Here is a close up of the clouds I created out of FOAM. I got the idea to cut them out using the Spellbinders Scalloped Oval Dies from Jacilynn. I then embossed them with one of the Stampin Up embossing folders. Pretty cool huh? The large cloud is popped up on foam squares. My SUN was created using a Spellbinders "Lacey Circle" Die

How PERFECT was this Gina K "Friends" Sentiment for the inside of my card?

CHALLENGES I USED:
Moxie Fab: Jewel Tone Color Challenge
Crafty Creations: Heat It Up (I'm thinking warm sunny thoughts)

.................Supplies I used.................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (scattered showers ), Gina K Designs (friends sentiment stamp set)
Ink: Momento (tuxedo black)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (pacific point, elegant eggplant, very vanilla, so saffron)
Tools: Stampin Up (big label die, Ttxture plates backgrounds 1), Spellbinders (lacey circles, lg oval scallops, lg scallops squares)

Misc: Ribbons from my stash

2nd Entry - Moxie Fab Neutrals Color Challenge

2011-01-27T22:21:00.008-06:00

Have I mentioned how badly I want to be considered
?? MOXIE FAB ??

MOXIE FAB WORLD
NEUTRALS COLOR CHALLENGE

The challenge is to use this color combo EXACTLY: French Vanilla, Twig, Smoky

NO PROBLEM since I happen to think this Color Combo is super Yummolicious AND because
I want that "I'm a Moxie Fab Challenge Winner" button for my blog. Of course being the MOXIEST of ALL would get me published in the July/August 2011 issue of
Paper Crafts Magazine.

Complete Details
----> HERE <----

Here is a close up of a few details showing what I've done

My baby was colored using Copic Markers. I used two different kinds of glitter. A very fine glitter for the background behind my baby and a chunckier glitter for the fur. I've used 4 different Dies: Spellbinders (circle, snowflake & mittens) and Paper Trey Ink (the pointy circle).
I dyed my seam binding in a cup of hot tea (YES I drank it afterwards ;o),

The crochet lacey stuff is a Vintage Find that I purchased at an Antique store for $1 and I straight stitched it to my project along the top and bottom.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Moxie Fab World: Neutrals Color Combo Challenge
Flourishes: Bringing Back Beautiful (show some VINTAGE Beauty on your project - I used the vintage crochet lace)
Simon Says Stamp & Show: A Childhood Memorie (my mother would bundle my sister and I up in two piece snow suits and I loved the mittens that we had, they were attached with a long piece of yarn and ran from one arm hole through the other so they wouldn't get lost)
.....................Supplies I used.................
Stamps: Crafty Secrets
Cardstock: Stampin Up (shimmery white, baja breeze)
Patterened Papers: Basic Grey (fruitcake)
Tools: Spellbinders (snowflake, circle, mittens), Paper Trey Ink (1 3/4" Limitless Layer Circle Dies), Stampin Up (scallop border punch)
Misc: seam binding, vintage lace, button from Italy, Jute twine

Moxie Fab Neutrals Color Challenge

2011-01-26T14:32:00.006-06:00

MOXIE FAB WORLD
NEUTRALS COLOR CHALLENGE

The challenge is to use this color combo EXACTLY: French Vanilla, Twig, Smoky
There are some serious prizes being offered for these color challenges ie: Cricut Prize Package Bundles valued at $1000, being published AND receiving the coveted "I'm a Moxie Fab Challenge Winner" button for your blog. (I've got just the spot for that sucker)

Complete Details
----> HERE <----

Close up of that delicious crochet lace, the Tim Holtz Chipboard Heart that I painted and distressed along with a peek of the inside

Challenge I Used:
Moxie Fab: Neutrals Color Combo
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Childhood Memories (my mom actually had one of these vintage doll carriages and on rare occassions my sister and I got to use it when playing house)
Tuesday Throwdown: Distressing
Paper Sundaes: Distressing

...................Supplies I used................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (Just Hatched, Anniversary bonus stamp set)
Ink: Tsukineko Momento (tuxedo black), Tim Holtz (antique linen)
Paper: Stampin Up (very Vanilla), The Paper Studios
Tools: Martha Stewart border punch, Spellbinders (Fair Isle)
Misc: Wrights Crochet lace, Vanilla acrylic paint by Delta, Tim Holtz (heart grungeboard basic elements), 7 Gypsies (vintage stroller decal)

January PTI Blog Hop

2011-01-25T13:38:00.011-06:00

Aren't Valentine's so much fun to create? Not a clue as to whom I created this for, however, it was created using
CARD PATTERNS Sketch #99

I also used Cupcake Inspirations photo below as my inspiration for the colors & background paper that I created

AND
The Paper Trey Ink
Blog Hop Challenge
(create a new project using Paper Trey Ink stamps that might be collecting dust)

I used Paper Trey Ink's " Love Songs " stamp set. If you look closely you can see that I created my own "Patterned Papers"!! (no clue why the photos aren't crisp, they were before I uploaded them) The Red background was achieved by using 2 hearts & two sets of lips. The pink paper was stamped with 3 different sized solid hearts. My scalloped circle was created using 3 stamps from the "Love Songs" set but I had too much space around the edges so I used a tiny little DOT stamp from "Polka Dot Basics" also by PTI.

I also stamped and cut out a second red heart then popped it up with a foam square

Photo of the inside of my card where I used up a few scraps that were laying around my table
CHALLENGES I USED:
Card Patterns: Sketch
Pile It On: Love is in the air
Totally Papercrafts: Add a Heart
Cupcake Inspirations: I was inspired by the colors & hearts (see photo above)
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Love is in the air
....................Supplies I used......................
Stamps: Paper Trey Ink (love songs, polka dot basics),
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (white, pure poppy, sweet blush, 2008 bitty dot basics,)
Ink: Momento black, Stampin Up (real red, riding hood red)
Tools: Marvy Uchida (scalloped circle punches), Martha Stewart (looped hearts valentine, loops)
Misc: Ribbon from my stash, foam squares

You're so AMAZING

2011-01-22T10:07:00.003-06:00

" BABY IT's COLD OUTSIDE "
CHALLENGE
Deadline is Tonight
Saturday at midnight

Technically my card has NOTHING to do with the theme "Baby It's Cold Outside", however, that little chicca looks "HOT" standing there in her cape, pill hat and I do believe she is holding a sweet little pair of gloves!

take a peek inside where I stamped her again

Not being one to toss out even the silliest pieces of scraps look closely at how many I was able to incorporate into this project.

Side View to show that the entire rectangle is popped up using foam squares, as well as, how I have been using the little "frames" left over from the Spellbinder Die Cuts. (see it layered on top of the blue scalloped rectangle?)

I FOUND A VERY COOL CHALLENGE BLOG
WEE MEMORIES: Scrappy Saturday Challenge.
It is a judged challenge with WONDERFUL PRIZES... Make sure to check them out!

Here is the CPS Sketch #201 that I used

CHALLENGES I USED:
WEE Memories: Free your Creativity
Card Positioning System (CPS): Sketch #201

Make sure to check out these Products that I used today and REMEMBER EVERYTHING is ALWAYS 10% off
at ABC Toys & Crafts

This package of inks was perfect for stamping my image in brown and black along with aging the edges

LOVE is in the air - Literally!

2011-01-20T08:36:00.005-06:00

(Inspiration photo from The Shabby Tea Room--The stacked/layered plates inspired my project below)

I am thinking that I should start off with an explanation as to why I have been slacking more than normal??

In December I had my very first Mammogram a week later I had my second Mammogram. To make a long, emotionally draining story short, I am recovering from an invasive Biopsy surgery where a large mass of Micro-Calcifications were completely removed. I believe the Surgeon, Radiologist and Mammography Nurses were just as surprised as I to learn that my Pathology report was COMPLETELY BENIGN!!!!!!!!

I am recovering and ready to whip my rear back into gear

I am so in "L O V E" with creating these Banners and think I might need one for ALL Occassions throughout the year.

Close up showing some details on each Triangle

I start out by painting my chipboard letters. Once the paint is dry, I coat them with glue and add liberal amounts of glitter

Close up of my stitching and how I finished the corners

I used the Martha Stewart " Doily Heart " punch(only $14.39 at ABC Toys & Crafts)

I punched straight lines of the hearts for all three sides and then simply added a single heart to the top two corners. (I think I might need to also add a single heart to the bottom point?)

This photo shows the dimension in how I layered:

Doily Hearts, White Glittery Cardstock, White heart doily, Chipboard letter

CHALLENGES I USED:
The Shabby Tea Room: White & Bright (idea is to use white with only one other color...The lemon photo is from their site to be used as inspiration)
Marks Finest Papers: Use Hearts on your project
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Love is in the air (literally my LOVE is in the air)
Paper Playtime: Use the word "LOVE" on your project
Pile It On: Anything Goes

Presto - Dinners Done

2011-01-06T21:19:00.006-06:00

I created this fun Tag for my daughter's boyfriend "Bryson" (hence the large, glitter "B"). Bryson has recently discovered that he loves to cook but he had been complaining that nothing in the kitchen was "HIS"!! I found this wonderful VINTAGE container that has 3 separate compartments labeled "Paper Towels", "Aluminum", and "Wax Paper".

I only wish that I had thought to create a really funny quote something along the lines of

"You're right Dear, wearing Ladies underwear is fun!!

REMEMBER
there is still time to enter
ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team Challenge
" Baby It's Cold Outside "

I personally think my project is perfect for this challenge, I mean who doesn't want to stay inside on a cold day and BAKE?

EVERYTHING in the store is 10% off EVERYDAY
FREE SHIPPING on CLEAR STAMPS and All Orders over $75
at
ABC TOYS and CRAFTS

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Baby It's Cold Outside

................Supplies I used...............
Crafty Secrets: Scraps & Homemade Journal notes
Hero Arts: "b" chipboard letter

Awards & Top 5 Projects for the year

2011-01-03T21:00:00.006-06:00

Hello friends
I have not been very good with these awards in the past
but it's a New Year and hopefully
a New ME,

Big HUGZ to VICKI (Stamped Smiles) for this unexpected blog award.

The requirements for receiving the award are as follows:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2. Share 8 things about yourself.

3. Forward it to 8 recently discovered bloggers.

4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

8 things about me

1. I LOVE searching for Treasures on the Beach

2. I have not lived on the mainland USA since 1993 (I moved to FL 6 mos ago)

3. My Husband is my very best friend

4. My formal living room is a motorcycle museum and home to a
Ducati 1198 S (Race motorcycle)

5. I am a mechanic and love going to the motorcycle track

6. I am a free spirit and believe "to each their own"

7. I love Fashion and shopping for high end designer clothes

8. Hawaii is where we consider home

8 (newishly) discovered blogs (by me) that I find inspiring:

(I hope you will take a peek at these blogs let them know I said Aloha)

1. Cami - Capture a Heart
2. Pam - Iris Garden
3. Kristy - Kuttin Kards
4. Georgia - Mimi's Place
5. Lori - My Comfort Cottage
6. Jacilynn - One Crazy Stamper (also a great new challenge site)
7. Helen - Handmade Cards by Helen
8. Amy - Tsurata Designs

And Finally I saw that some bloggers were sharing their top 5 Favorite projects from this past year and thought that would be fun to revisit some of my personal Faves

Baby It's COLD Outside

2011-01-02T09:15:00.009-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This month the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team challenged each other using this theme

" BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE "

(click on blinkie for complete details on how you can join us)

A couple days after Christmas one of my neighbors came by bearing gifts that she had purchased on her trip to the outlet malls. What a wonderful treat to have been the recipient of her wonderful finds!! I thought this cute Penny Johnson (Shopping Chic) stamp would be the perfect image to use on my thank you card. Pretty sure that is what Mary looked like while out on her shopping expedition!!

Since our theme is "Baby It's Cold Outside" I decided to share some of my very SECRET, Very FAMOUS Sicilian Soup Mix. I used the Hero Arts (Ledger) stamp and two stamps from the Crafty Secrets (Sweet Stuff) stamp set to create a custom recipe card.

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Baby It's Cold Outside
MelJens Thursday Challenge: Cold & Snowy
Fussy & Fancy: Card and a 3-D Gift
Little Red Wagon: Leftovers (I use leftovers for just about every project because it kills me to make that first cut into a brand new sheet of paper!!)
Mark's Finest Papers: Use something New (my rhinestone snowflakes are new)
Paper Sundaes: Something New (rhinestone snowflake)

Christmas Past

2010-12-16T18:12:00.007-06:00

I am loving these wonderful Vintage die cuts (K&Co.) that I purchased recently on a trip to Atlanta. I have been running around in crazy circles so I am very happy to have a product that helps me create quickly.

I only wish that I had time to take photos of everything I was using these nifty little items on: Tags, Recipe Cards, Cards..............

Close up of the seam binding that I died in a cup of tea and a fun little vintage bell

The photo below is an attempt to show how I curved the little girl and the book to give them a more 3 dimensional appearance

NOW if I only had the time to do the million other little things to the cards I have created, I might actually get one or two in the mail before Christmas! You know what I mean, finishing the insides, stamping the backs, writing our names in them, addressing envelopes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This one will be going to someone super special since it will surely be difficult to mail and probably cost a fortune (yep gotta love the little bells but are they not PERFECT)

CHALLENGES I USED:
One Crazy Stamper: Christmas or Winter
Totally Gorjuss: For Someone Special
Fresh Brewed: Merry Christmas
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Something from Yesteryear

Non-Traditional Holiday Colors

2010-12-09T07:57:00.006-06:00

HELLO
HELLO
Hello
Hello
hello
hello

Remember Me??? So Sorry for the big gap in postings. I have been on Holiday (yes AGAIN). This time we went to Miami, The Florida Keys, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando. But I am back NOW and ready to share......

ABC Toys & Crafts has another great Challenge going on. This time the theme is
"" NON-Traditional Holiday Colors ""

Complete Details
HERE

Challenges I used:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Non-Traditional Holiday Colors
Inktegrity: Also asking for NON-Traditional Holiday Colors
Little Red Wagon: Use a Die Cut
One Crazy Stamper: Christmas or Winter

Christmas Bells

2010-11-24T08:17:00.002-06:00

Today I am featuring the
Hero Arts
" WREATH with BELLS "

I've colored the image with a more whimsical color combo, however, we know my love is Vintage, can you imagine how beautiful these would look by simply changing the colors, ink those edges.... AWWWW, Why didn't I think of that?????

Pssssssssstttttt!!!!!
Today's card meets the ABC Toys & Crafts " SEW Special " challenge requirement of STITCHING because the larger ribbon was stitched along the sides.

REMEMBER our " SEW Special " Challenge is still going on and we want you to get CREATIVE and
SHARE your Interpretation

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Circles
Fresh Brewed Challenges: Winter/Christmas
Mark's Finest Papers: Use a Circle on your project
Totally Gorjuss: Non-Traditional Christmas Colors
Crafty Creations: Christmas is Coming

Don't Open 'til Dec. 25

2010-11-15T20:33:00.009-06:00

Popping in with another fun project that I created using the new stamp set

"" WINTER MITTENS ""

by
Nina Brackett

available at

Gina K Designs

I used a total of 5 different stamps to create this card

Large and Small Snowflakes were stamped using white ink onto the front & back of my Kraft cardstock, Something Special Sentiment stamped in real red onto a scalloped tag, the Oval Snowflake text box was stamped onto white cardstock and cut out using an oval die. I used a red Copic Marker to put a tiny red dot onto each scallop. I then stamped the Do Not Open Until Dec. 25 Sentiment inside the text box

Can you tell that the red package and the Something Special Tag are both 3 dimensional?
They were mounted using thick foam squares

Here is a closer look at the tiny Gift Bow that I created
(so simple that I will never again purchase a flimsy store bought bow)

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Christmas
Fresh Brewed Challenge: 2 or more Patterned Papers
Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Just Do It = Christmas Cards
Mark's Finest Papers: Use Snowflakes
Sweet Stampin: Snowflakes
Totally Gorjuss: Traditional Christmas Colors

Antiqued "Old St. NicK"

2010-11-13T07:37:00.006-06:00

Good Saturday Morning to Everyone
just popping in quickly to remind everyone about ABC Toys & Crafts

"" SEW Special ""
Challenge

I know what you are probably thinking!! Justine where is the SEWING??? Come on be a REBEL, there is stitching on one of my ribbons ;o)

No one said I had to do the stitching or that it had to be done on a sewing machine

My Santa image was a die cut that came in the Graphic 45 "Christmas Past" 12x12 pack. I pressed the sides into Versamark then into gold embossing powder and heat set. Pretty Cool

SAVE 15%
STOREWIDE SAVINGS
at
-------> ABC Toys & Crafts <-------
use this code

NOV15W

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crazy 4 Challenges: Create a Christmas Card
Kaboodle Doodles: Make it Vintage
Wild Orchid: Classic Christmas
ABC: H= Holidays
Paper Pretties: Embossing

Funky Tag SHAPED Card

2010-11-11T07:40:00.002-06:00

Wanted to pop in and share a fun Gift Tag SHAPED Card that I created using

the latest handmade buttons

SNOWFLAKE BUTTONS

They are available for Purchase at the
Buttons & Bows
ETSY STORE

Here is a closeup of the button along with some of the details
the little mittens by Unity are popped up on foam squares
the pink cardstock was stamped using a snowflake border stamp
"Let It Snow" by My Cute Stamps
I also inked the edges with white ink

Challenges I used:
Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes
Crafty Creations: Buttons
Paper Sundaes: Winter Wonderland
Tuesday Throwdown: Inchies
Creative Inspirations: A PINK Christmas

SEW EASY a kid could do it

2010-11-07T08:27:00.009-06:00

This month's ABC Toys & Crafts challenge has been CHANGED up a bit but our theme is
" SEWING "

We want to see "stitching" on your projects - Sewing Machines optional, Hand Stitching, Cross Stitching or even FAUX Stitching let's get creative

Moving back to the United States has been so rewarding by allowing me to take a more active part in the lives of my nieces - Alaina and MacKenzie. During a recent Fall Break from school, I was able to keep them for an entire week. One of the days we decided it would be a great idea to mail cards to their mom. Not only was I able to share with them all the fun tools available but it was the perfect opportunity to teach them how to thread a sewing machine and SEW!!!

Here are the girls hard at work creating their cards

ALAINA ((age 9))

MACKENZIE ((age 12))

PLEASE JOIN THE DESIGN TEAM of ABC Toys & Crafts in
November's Challenge

Homemade Hot Cocoa & Winter Mittens

2010-11-04T08:33:00.007-05:00

Nina Brackett
(crafting in croatia)
of
Gina K. Designs
has done it again

INTRODUCING
a Sneak Peek
at

"" WINTER MITTENS ""

Nina's new stamp set is an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE this HOLIDAY SEASON for Creating wonderful, Handmade Gifts
or handmade labels

Just like many of Nina's Stamp Sets, she designed her MITTENS to coordinate with Spellbinders Dies

I've created a delicious, Homemade HOT COCOA recipe that I can't wait to deliver to my neighbors and friends.
Best of all each Gift costs around $4, including the Re-usable Jar!!!!For this project, I've used 5 of the stamps in order to create my packaging.

I first stamped an entire sheet of 8.5"x 11" cream cardstock using both of the snowflakes before running it through the printer to add the instructions.

I used the oval border stamp and the Hot Cocoa Sentiment for my belly band label then added a stamped polka dot mitten as an embellishment!!!

My Creative Brain is going crazy with ideas: Dried Soup Mixes, Ciders, Breads, Cookies, Brownies, Fudge................

CHALLENGES I USED:
My Partner in Crafty Crime: It's a Material World (use fabric on your project)
Little Red Wagon: Red
A Spoonful of Sugar: Embellish
The Shabby Tea Room: Country Kitchen Photo Inspiration
Wild Orchid: Classic Christmas (use classic Christmas colors)
Meljens: Use 3 different shapes (On my label I used oval, rectangle & the mitten, also used a circle on top)
Splitcoast Stampers: Green (I came back and tucked a little more green into my project using the green polka dot paper, the green buttons, and my green snowflakes)

Enjoying the Little Things

2010-10-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Justine (CARDiology) here sending warm, sunny greeting from the beautiful island of Antigua!!! This week the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team has focused on the new Sarah Kay images for Fall. I am sharing the cute little " Rose Cuddling the Winter Bunny ". I wanted to keep a rather warm feel to my project, therefore, I chose to stamp the image onto Kraft cardstock and see how using the Copic Markers would look. The colors are VIBRANT
After stamping my image, I created a mask then sponged numerous inks in order to create
the glow of a
SUNSET

I love how my little girl appears to be anything but Anglo Saxon (white), huh?

I rather think she looks either Native American or African American

What do you think?

My tag was created by first stamping with the Hero Arts LEDGER Stamp then I inked the edges. The Button is handmade by Kristy of BUTTONS & BOWS. It is available with the
HARVEST BUTTONS

My only wish is that I could have captured how amazing this card turned out. No matter how I angled, no matter, what lighting or what background location I used, I could NOT CAPTURE a decent photograph. Trust me though, in real life this image is spectacular.

Most of the products that I used are from
ABC Toys & Crafts

Trick or Treat (lots of photos even 1 from Antigua)

2010-10-27T08:39:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone, thank you so much for stopping in.
I am still on Holiday, enjoying some Rest, Relaxation and Plenty of Sunshine here on the
Beautiful Island of
ANTIGUA

For this card, I combined my favorite Little Witch Crafty Secrets stamp with a Bingo stamp from Unity and the Ledger stamp from Hero Arts.

Isn't that cute how I used the buttons as Bingo Markers?

Here is a close up of the chipboard I Painted, Glitterized and Distressed

The flower I created using scalloped circles cut from newsprint and distressed using black ink

Here is the inside of the card

CHALLENGES I USED:
The Crazy Challenge: Use Tons of Shapes (I've used circles, rectangles, squares and triangles on the edge border, and whatever my chipboard shape is)
Little Red Wagon: Halloween
A Spoonful of Sugar: Let's Get Punchy (I used scalloped circle punches to create the flowers & a border/edge punch along the side)
Simon Says Stamp and Show: Spoookahhh (Spooky = I think the inside of my card is quite spooky)
Crafty Creations: Halloween or Autumn

Autumn Banner Idea for your Home

2010-10-25T14:41:00.003-05:00

Hello Everyone, here today sunning myself on the beautiful Island Of Antigua which is in the middle of the Carribean. I am so excited to share a very fun set of "HARVEST BUTTONS" that Kristy (the owner of Buttons & Bows) has cooked up with her very own hands. I was very inspired by these little gems of yumminess and ended up creating a wonderful
" AUTUMN BANNER "
which I have on display across our Mantle

Now my husband is my biggest cheerleader and the greatest Craft Supporter a girl could ever want. His comment regarding my banner will warm my heart for years to come. Upon walking into the room he said "WOW, I think that is the most beautiful thing that you have ever created"

Imagine the HORROR I felt upon standing back to admire my handiwork only to discover that I

MISSPELLED the word
*** A*U*T*U*M*N ***

GASPPPPPPPPPPP,,,,,,,, I worked so hard putting this together that I have decided to love the fact that I misspelled it and will leave it just to see how many guests in our home Point it out. LOL, Forever more this shall be a funny novelty.

Close up of the Pumpkin & Flower Buttons that adorn the both ends of my banner. Notice that I stacked them on top of a larger button before stitching them in the center of my Homemade, Shabby Rag Ribbons.

Below is a SNEAK PEEK
at an upcoming project I created using another of the buttons that comes in this set of
* HARVEST BUTTONS *

Click on button photo to shop our ETSY STORE

Challenges I used:
The Pink Elephant: Color Challenge - Brown & Orange
ABC Challenge Blog: Z = Zig Zag (I zig zag stitched)
Stampin for the Weekend: Halloween or Autumn
Speedy the Cat's Friends: Die Cuts or Punches
Sweet Stampin' Challenge: Anything but a Card
Totally Gorjuss: Sparkle

This is sort of Masculine, Right?

2010-10-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

As this post goes live I will be on my way to Antigua for a little Rest and Relaxation. Prior to leaving I was on a crazy creative MOJO Streak so I hope that you will continue to visit. This will be the perfect time to catch up on posting items that I've not had the time to share.

Today's card features another new line of stamps being sold at ABC Toys & Crafts. new Rachell Anne Miller Stamp Set ( CAKES are YUMMY ). The coloring and paper piecing possibilities are endless. Ordinarily I wouldn't look at this stamp set and think masculine, however, I am thinking that the color combo and the lack of buttons, bows or ribbon, this could definately pass for MASCULINE!!! (so I used a one of the frilly Circle Die and the cake plate is pink, I suppose this is as masculine as I could muster)

What do you think??

Click on the ABC Design Blog Blinkie over in the right side bar to see what the rest of the Design Team has created using the Rachelle Anne Miller stamps.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crafty Creations: Red, Brown, Green
Meljens: Anything Goes
Fresh Brewed: Sweet Treats

.....................Supplies I used.......................
(highlighted items are available and linked to ABC Toys & Crafts)
Stamps: Rachelle Anne Miller (cakes are yummy)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (chocolate chip, certainly celery, ), Bazzill Basics (red/pink)
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants (wildhearts), The paper Studio
Tools: Spellbinders (lacey circles), Cuttlebug, Singer Sewing Machine
Misc: Stickles (crystal), Making Memories Charms (celebrate)

Very Creepy or Very Elegant??

2010-10-20T23:31:00.005-05:00

Perhaps I should name this creation
ELEGANTLY CREEPY

What do you think?
Is this Skull ultra spooky with it's mottled complexion or perhaps it's bulging Pearl Eyeballs? OH Wait, maybe it is the way that Vintage Doiley appears to be inside the skull giving it
teeth and funky nostrils?

I used Tim Holtz Crackle paint in "black soot" on this oval chipboard. The stamp was from the $1 bin at Michael's.

The Buttons were recycled off of a pair of cargo shorts that my husband had tossed into the garbage. I SCORED 12 BUTTONS from one pair of shorts.
I love the little tuft of fabric from where I snipped them from the shorts

Thanks for stopping in today, please let me know what you think of this Project by
leaving a comment so that I can repay the visit to your blog.

Challenges I used:
Shirley's 2 Girls: Things that go bump in the night w/ a Twist of Spots & Dots
The Creative Cottage: Halloween

A Spoonful of Sugar: Boo = Halloween
Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes

Cupcake Craft - Scary creatures
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Halloween
Let's Ink It Up - Halloween Colors but does not have to be a Halloween project
The Crazy Challenge: Halloween
Creative Inspirations: Spooky

............Supplies I used..............
Stamps: Michael's (Ghouls sentiment)
Ink & Paint: Tim Holtz (crackle paint- black soot, antique linen), Delta white acrylic paint, Paper Trey Ink (vintage cream)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (black), Stampin Up (confetti), Bazzill Basics (black/orange)
Patterned Paper: not sure but purchased at JoAnn's
Tools: Spellbinders (Lacey Circles), Cuttlebug
Misc: Vintage Doiley, buttons from cargo shorts, Stampin Up (ribbon), Tim Holtz (grungeboard), Michael's (border stickers, cream pearls)

The "KEY" to Surviving Breast Cancer

2010-10-18T22:08:00.005-05:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
and let you know that Buttons and Bows has the most beautiful Handmade Pink Ribbon Buttons
available
HERE

Here is a closer shot of the Pink Ribbon Button on my project
(I distressed my button using ink & a sponge to give it a more aged appearance)

My daughter just turned 21 and I thought this was the perfect time to educate her about Breast Cancer Awareness and share that Early Detection is the " KEY to Surviving Breast Cancer ". I am hoping that an Easel Card will be easy to display and serve as a reminder for her to perform Monthly Self Breast Checks.

1. I used a large Tim Holtz chipboard key in which I painted a light pink, distressed the edges with brown ink, applied a layer of glue and sprinkled it with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.

2. I dipped my seam binding in a pot of boiling tea to age it.

3. The Tag above and the photo below show how I used one of the new Hero Arts Cling Stamps "LEDGER" from ABC Toys & Crafts to create the layer that sits behind "The Girls Club" Crafty Secrets scrap. I colored on the stamp to make the lines red & blue, I then used a hole punch then using my stylus, I tore the holes to make my paper look as though it had genuinely been torn from a ledger or notebook. Lots of distressing going on there.

This Easel Card will stand upright because I have placed an Antique Keyhole on the inside. I purchased several of these at an Antique Market while living in Sicily, Italy. I first painted it white then I painted over that with pink acrylic paint rubbing off the top portions which allowed the pink to settle into the crevices and the white to show on the raised areas.

Now look closely at the photos below to see how I lightly colored directly onto the Crafty Secrets' images to create a PINK BRA and to make the lady in the lower left row have a PINK SHIRT & PINK FLOWERS on her HAT

CHALLENGES I USED
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Ink & Distress the edges
The Crafty Pad: Distressed or Torn Edges
For Fun Challenges: Something you purchased but haven't used (the antique keyhole)
Wild Orchid Challenge: Pastels
Our Creative Corner: Embellishments - the more the better
The Sisterhood of Crafters: BLING (I loved me some glitter)

Chic Shopping

2010-10-15T10:01:00.005-05:00

Only * 70 * Shopping Days left until
CHRISTMAS
(click on the highlighted products to begin your Holiday Shopping Today)

This week the Design Team of ABC Toys & Crafts featured our newest stamp line
by

Penny Johnson Stamps
" CHIC SHOPPING ".

This little Fashionista was brought to life using Copic Markers and she isn't waiting until the last minute to get her Holiday Shopping done. She is all bundled up in her " Lemonade " fashions by " Basic Grey " with a " Sparkley Fur " trim by " Cotton Candy Stickles ".

Did you notice that amazing Handmade BUTTON??
These can be purchased -----> HERE

CHALLENGES I USED:
Basic Grey: Sparkle
Paper Sundaes: Change of Seasons
Ohh La La: Nothing Floral
Little Red Wagon: Something Old/Something New (old paper & tulle - new stamp & button)
My Partner in Crafting Crime: Shine on you Crazy Diamond (show sparkle)

"SPOOKY EYES"

2010-10-13T07:16:00.005-05:00

****** B ** O ** O ******

Buttons & Bows released these "SPOOKY EYES" on Friday

" SPOOKY EYES "

Aren't they Fabulous

The second I laid EYES on these, I knew I would use them to create something for my son who is 12. Now 12 year old boys don't really appreciate cards so much so I created a Funky & Whimsical work of art that just oozes with Creepiness. I've already given it to him and he was tickled to death to have his very own Halloween Decoration to display in his bedroom.

Not into Halloween, NO PROBLEM, check out our Etsy Store where we have a wide variety of Buttons that are sure to please just about everyone.

Don't forget that October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month so pick up a set of these

CHALLENGES I USED:
Shirley's 2 Girls: Scary project with a TWIST to use the word BOO somewhere on your project
Cute Card Thursdays #133: Make Your Own Embellishments (I made that spooky spider and I created the sparkley base of my eyes)
For Fun Challenges: Something that's been collecting dust (Chipboard letters, ribbon, spooky paper and the frame)
Little Red Wagon: Something Old, Something New (everything is old but my EYES are NEW)
The Creative Cottage Challenge Blog: challenge 25 - Halloween!
A Spoon Full of Sugar: challenge 124 - sparkle and shine
Glitterbabe's Challenge - anything goes, glitter
Cupcake Craft Challenge: Scary Creatures

Tea for Two & Two for Tea

2010-10-10T08:41:00.004-05:00

Today's card is featuring one of the newest Stampavie stamp lines that ABC Toys & Crafts has started carrying "Designs by LEERE" I used "COFFEE GIRLS" but my girlies are drinking "TEA"

Check out the ABC Design Blog where we are featuring Erin Thiem as our
very first
(she even gets a super cool blinkie to display letting everyone know she has been featured)

"Friends of ABC Toys & Crafts"

The ladies on my project represent my daughter and I (yep look closely, the one that is ME even has purple hair!!) When my daughter was home from college recently, I took her to a wonderful Victorian Tea House (The girl LOVES her TEA). We had so much fun and even sat at a little soda table just like this. I will also have fun creating cards for my little sister. Growing up the only dinner table we had was an antique Soda Fountain Table. On the rare occassions that our mother cooked, she would set up our table like a fine restaraunt, put our kool-aid in wine glasses and welcome us to "PAMMIE POO's Restaurant"!! Cannot wait to get started on that project...................

Here is a close up of the antique Sicilian Teapot and Lace that I purchased in Sicily before leaving. To die for ehhhh?

The inside sentiment was created with two stamps from the Crafty Secrets Stamp Set " Sweet Stuff ". I used one of the Spellbinders " Fancy Tag " Shapability dies.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Fresh Brewed Designs: Girly
Stamp Something: Something Punchy (I used 3 different dies)
Stampsmith Challenge: All Dressed Up (this is there VERY 1st Challenge)
Wild Orchid: All Stitched Up
Paper Sundaes: A Change of Seasons (not necessarily meaning weather I chose the changing from a girl to a woman with my daughter having tea all grown up!!!!!!)

Halloween Treat Box #2

2010-10-07T07:55:00.005-05:00

I am still having so much fun creating these little Treat Boxes that I found over on Georgia MacDonalds Blog -------> HERE

The main image here was cut from a vintage postcard (sorry don't know the manufacturer which was not marked anywhere on the sheet). The scalloped oval behind my main image was a scrap that I had lying around my table. I used two stamps from the Crafty Secrets "Halloween Fun" stamp set. Cute Card Thursday's Challenge this week is to "Make Your Own Embellishment" so I created the star embellishment by simple punching a star shape, applying glue and glitter (EASY but the hardest part is WAITING for it to DRY!!!)

My daughter is going to love that I recycled the rope handle from part of the gift wrapping she had used on my Birthday Gifts.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Meljens: Halloweeny
Cute Card Thursday: Make Your Own Embellishment (created my Star & my tag)
Ohh La La: Nothing Floral
Glitterbabe: Anything goes but it has to SPARKLE
The Crazy Challenge: Recycle (I recycled the rope handle)
Stamp Something: Something to Celebrate (Halloween)
Paper Sundaes: Something from your STASH (ribbon, large eyelets, on sides, glitter, postcard & handle)

.......................Supplies I used.......................
Stamps: Crafty Secrets (Halloween Fun), Paper Trey Ink
Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye
Ink: Momento (tuxedo black)
Tools: Marvy Uchida (small circle punch, scalloped oval punch, small circle scalloped punch), 1/8" hole punch, 1/4" hole punch,
Misc: Stampin Up (large eyelets), Gingham Ribbon from Stash, rope from stash, glitter from Italy,

the WINNER is?????? and a SURPRISE TWIST

2010-10-04T22:41:00.003-05:00

LUCKY #12

AMY

************ BUT WAIT *************

That's NOT ALL

I have chosen a SECOND WINNER

WHY?????

Because I have gone over 150 FOLLOWERS

This time Random.org chose

#5

ERIN

Congratulations AMY and ERIN !!!!
Please take another peek around the
BUTTONS & BOWS
ETSY SHOP
then email me
littlebombs@yahoo.com
your mailing address and which set of buttons you would like to have mailed out to YOU

Buttons & Bows very 1st NEW RELEASE

2010-10-01T22:34:00.002-05:00

Brand new release of
Whimsical Buttons
visit our
ETSY STORE

I kept my card simple because I did not want to outshine this "Witchin' Hat" but I love how being propped up on a clear button in the middle of my tule bow gvae it Center Stage!!!

Just LOOK at the attention to detail Kristy incorporates into each one of these handmade embellishments

Don't forget that

October is also

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

BLOG CANDY ALERT
visit my Blog Post
-----> HERE <-----
but hurry
I will draw a winner tomorrow Oct 2 at midnight'ish

CHALLENGES I USED:
Caardvarks: Clean & Simple
Pals Paper Art: All BUTTONED Up
Sew Many Challenges: Anything Goes in honor of World Cardmaking Day
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Distressed & Sanded (I did this on the kettle)
Sentimental Sunday Challenge: Dimension and must have a Sentiment on the front (I popped the kettle up and well I think there are lots of areas with Dimension)
My Partner in Crafting Crime: Clean & Simple
Ooh Laa Laa: Sentiment as the main image on project

Spooky Sweet

2010-09-29T22:01:00.014-05:00

So excited to be able to share this adorable stamp set (Crafty Secrets - Halloween Fun) again because it is BACK IN STOCK at ABC Toys & Crafts.

MY BLOG CANDY that is listed in the post directly below this

Is that not the cutest little witch you have ever seen??

Look on the cork board where I stamped some of the other funny little stamps from this same stamp set.
Notice the funky stick cat in the Lower Right Hand Corner?? I used black Swarovski Crystals on his feet. Funny Huh.

I didn't have a Sparkley Star so I punched one out, added glue and glitter then affixed it to the sparkley button

CHALLENGES I USED:
Little Red Wagon: Make your own Embellishment (I made the star w/glitter)
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Distressed & Sanded (just look at the close up of my cork board)
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Seasons Change (use only fall colors)
Glitterbabe's Challenge: Embossing and must have Sparkle (I heat embossed the SPOOKY sentiment & is the Star Sparkley enough for ya?)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Fall/Harvest Theme using green, brown, orange/russet & cream

EXCITING NEWS and BLOG CANDY

2010-09-27T16:57:00.004-05:00

Hope everyone is having a Fantabulous Monday!

KEEP READING FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

I have been dying to share the news of the newest Design Team that I have been asked to join

This girl is FABULOUS and I have no doubt she is going to be a REALLY BIG DEAL! I met Kristy of Kuttin' Kards, owner of Buttons & Bows when Karolyn of Paper Therapy invited me to check out her Face Book Page. You know how much I LOVE BUTTONS so Imagine how tickled I was when I saw her great blog and found HANDMADE BUTTONS! Look at some of the items from her Etsy store:

YES that is really a CUPCAKE on the Button ABOVE.

You can see them all at her Etsy shop and while you're at it, join her Facebook page HERE.
I can't wait to work with these AMAZING embellishments and I know you are going to love them too!

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN
THE BUTTON SET OF YOUR CHOICE???

LEAVE ME A COMMENT
(follow only if you like my blog and truly want to)
TELLING ME WHICH OF THE BUTTON SETS FROM HER ETSY SHOP
YOU WOULD CHOOSE IF YOU WERE TO
WIN

(I WILL DRAW THE WINNER SATURDAY, OCT 2 AT MIDNIGHT)

ABC Inspiration Challenge

2010-09-26T11:15:00.009-05:00

The ABC Toys and Crafts Design Team challenged each other to use the above montage photo. I was inspired by the cherries and the bold Blue & Red Color Combo!!

We would love to see your take on our challenge and maybe YOU will be the WINNER of THIS

(click on Blinkie for complete DETAILS)

Here is a close up of the brand new Designs by Leere " PARTY GIRL " stamp that I used. Isn't she FUN?

My project is actually a pocket card that I stitched up the sides rather than just gluing. I love how the note card that is tucked into the pocket sticks up and resembles a tiered cake. I added polka dots to her party dress by touching my colored image with the Clear Blending Marker. If you look closely, you can also see that I gave my image eyeballs and FILLED her glass with "Vino".

My girlfriend Kristy's birthday was Friday night and I created a "Party in a Bag". The contents of the bag included: Vino Frappe' (a slushie mix that is made using WINE", Mediterranean Gourmet Pita Chips and a Spicy Gourmet Mediterranean Dip mix AND a BEAUTIFUL PARTY GLASS for the Birthday Girl!!!). Here is a photo of she and I with her fun Glass.

Challenges I Used:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Inspiration Photo
Stampin for the weekend: Tag It
The Crazy Challenge: Let's Cook it (cherries & wine come from the kitchen, as did all of the goodies in my package)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: Celebrations
Creative Inspirations: 2 or more Stamped Images (party girl & happy birthday sentiment)
Wild Orchid Challenge: Ribbons & Bows
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle: Stitching

..............Supplies I used................
Bold Items are available at ABC Toys & Crafts---Use Discount Code ABC20JF to save 20%
Stamps: Stampavie (Leere Designs "Party Girl), Hero Arts (Happy Birthday),
Cardstock: Stampin Up (bliss blue, real red), Gina K (white 120lb)
Patterned Paper: Stampin Up
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black),
Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders (Nestabilities Scalloped Ovals), sewing machine, Martha Stewart edge punch (Scallop Dot), Stampin Up (Sizzix label die)
Misc: Ribbon scrap & Antique Button

Christmas in September??

2010-09-24T08:48:00.004-05:00

I hope that everyone got the opportunity to check out all of the fabulous "Christmas Card Ideas" that the ABC Toys & Craft's Design Team featured this week. If not,

(--------> CLICK HERE <--------)

I'm sure they would all love to hear your feedback.

As card makers I 'm sure I'm not alone in making Christmas Cards YEAR ROUND?? Out of all the Holidays, Christmas is probably the one that most of us have in the back of our minds YEAR ROUND? Sure we send cards for Valentine's Day, Halloween and everything in between, however CHRISTMAS is the "BIGGIE", the ONE that we send out cards to EVERYONE. Am I right?? Uh huh, that's what I thought, therefore, we NEED STAMPS that will make that process capable of MASS PRODUCTION (we all know that is not my forte'). For that reason, I love the Crafty Secrets "VINTAGE CHRISTMAS" stamp set. The only coloring that I did was touching my main image lightly with a little chalk. Pair these images with a couple Nestabilities and you have a card that is Simple and Quick.

Here is a close up so you can see

The inside was completed by stamping two more images from "VINTAGE CHRISTMAS"

SERIOUSLY,,,,,,,, Does it get any more SIMPLE??

CHALLENGES I USED:
Sew Many Challenges: Christmas
The Corrosive Challenge: Clean up the Dust (use something that has been in your stash.. I used the adhesive Green Ribbon)
Cupcake Inspirations: Photo below
Artful INKables: Color Combos (red/green, purple/yellow or orange/blue)
Caardvarks: Clean & Simple
Tuesday Taggers: It takes all sorts
Cute Card Thursday: Sketch

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge

REMEMBER
20% OFF
&
FREE SHIPPING on CLEAR STAMPS

Check out the Products I used from ABC Toys and Crafts

Make sure you check out some of the BRAND NEW NESTIES!

I C U - Get Well

2010-09-20T07:20:00.006-05:00

I * C * U
haahaa
Get It?

The acronym ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit but I have also used it as a Play on Words for EYE SEE YOU since my funny little monster was affixed with a googley eye !!!
My father in law just underwent open heart surgery and will be spending a few days in the Hospital's Intensive Care Unit ( ICU ) so so I created this clever card in hopes of bringing a smile to his face.

This monster is the same one that I used on the post directly below this one. Here is a peek at the inside of my project where I have featured this stamp sets "Crankier Monster".
His fever must be really high to be flowing all those flames!!! The thermometer is from the Crafty Secrets "Feel Better" Sticker Sheet.

EEK A MONSTER Stamp Set is 20% OFF with FREE SHIPPING

CHALLENGES I USED:
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Show your GRUNGE
Paper Sundaes: Fall or Halloween Colors (I used fall)
Sew Many Challenges: Embossing (I heat embossed my monsters)
Inktegrity: Anything Goes
Pile It On: Red, Yellow, Green, Brown (Red obvious, Yellow/Gold stitching, Green tag & label, Brown ICU letters & sponging)
Prairie Fairy Designs: Embossing
Stampin' Royalty: Stitching
Fussy & Fancy: Holiday colors in a non-holiday project (Christmas or fall colors for get-well)
4 Crafty Chicks: Embossing

............Supplies I used...............
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (Eek a Monster), Close To My Heart (sentiments)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (black)
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants (Sweet Spring tags), Walmart Scrap Pad (Best Occasions), Crate Paper, Junkitz (snippitz)
Ink: Versamark, Copics,
Tools: Cuttlebug, Stampin Up (large note die), Sewing Machine
Misc: Crafty Secrets stickers (feel better), Making Memories (black eyelets), google eye

Spooky lil Treat Box

2010-09-17T09:31:00.005-05:00

This week the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team theme was " HALLOWEEN "
(there is a blinkie on my side bar titled ABC Design Blog where you can see what everyone else designed)

Is that "TREAT BOX" to die for or WHAT.... WANT TO MAKE ONE?? WANT A FREE TEMPLATE?? Visit Georgia MacDonald to grab yours (be sure and tell her I said THANK YOU because I've now made several)

I'm all about VERSATILITY when it comes to my stamp sets and I want to get as much bang for my buck as I possibly can. I chose to get inky with the "EEK A MONSTER" Stamp set from My Cute Stamps. Take a look at how I could dress that one eyed monster and

BOOM......... It's a Birthday Card for a GIRL

Here is a close up of the same monster dressed in blue / green...... See how easily he transforms into a BOY?? or better yet, UNISEX..........
CHALLENGES I USED:
Little Red Wagon: Stars
Sew Many Challenges: Embossing (I used heat embossing for the monsters and sentiment)
Paper Sundaes: Min of 3 embellishments (ribbons, eye, button, chipboard star, handmade rosette)
Pals Paper Arts: Halloween
Totally Gorjuss: Flowers (I created my own Rosette out of paper)
Our Creative Corner: Fun with Folds (I used a fold technique for the Rosette but there was lots of folding done to create my treat box as well)

STAY TUNED to my blog where I will show you how this same monster TRANSFORMS into a GET WELL MONSTER!!!!

There is still PLENTY of TIME to think about what you will create for Halloween this year
HOWEVER
TIME is RUNNING OUT

Mass Production (sorta)

2010-09-15T22:58:00.008-05:00

I've really been on a kick recently with making card sets and these are my attempt at "CLEAN & SIMPLE, MASS PRODUCING" !!! If you've been reading my blog for very long, you know that NEITHER are Qualities that I am very good at. I think it has to do with my SEVERE ADHD and my CREATIVE Brain not being able to stay on the same CHANNELS. My intention has been to make and send them to my Granny. She has always been so good about sending a card just to make someone's day. NOW if only I could just get them into the mail!!

So Take a look at some of the cards I created and you will see how I struggled to keep them CLEAN & SIMPLE

This was the first one that I created
Then Green
A few in between then this one with the fun ribbon
THEN..... I JUST PLAIN OLE GOT CARRIED AWAY
CHALLENGES I USED:
2 Sketches 4 You: Sketch #61
Inktegrity : Anything Goes #14

Cock a Doodle Doo, Happy Birthday to You

2010-09-13T12:35:00.004-05:00

Thought I would share a VERY quick TAG project that I threw together in a matter of a few minutes.

Because I LOVE to clean (honest), I enjoy using "GOURMET" Cleaning products, some of which are from Williams Sonoma. As I was making my purchase the other day, I decided to grab a bottle of the Grapefruit Counter Spray for my little sister. The idea of just handing her a bottle of cleaner seemed kind of cheesy so I added a couple dish towels, washcloths and a cute little basket. Here is a photo of her gift:
She and her family came down from Atlanta so that she, my husband, and I could celebrate our birthday's together. Our birthday's are all within 5 days of one another. We had so much fun combining our parties, just like when we were little.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Ohh La La Creations: Stripes
Paper Romance: Clean & Simple
Fresh Brewed: Brown (I stamped in brown)
Some Odd Girl: 3 or more images (rooster, postmark, swirls, script in the background-I used 4!)

Fall Fashions

2010-09-10T09:38:00.003-05:00

When I hear the word FALL, I think " FALL FASHIONS "
Do you love Vintage or Distressing?? This was a super fun week for Challenges. I've listed all the ones that I am participating in at the bottom of this post

I used one of the new Hero Arts stamp sets "SEW STYLISH" for my model and her fun distressed tape measure. I stamped the model twice (once onto a natural cardstock and a second time on a light yellow), I then cut the pieces out and only colored (very lightly) the flower in her hair, the pocket and 1/2 of her belt. I then used a sponge dipped in brown ink to distress her. Isn't she FABULOUS. It was like playing paper dolls.

The tape measure was started out as an accident because I had cut my card too large!! That was the strip that I had removed and it was PERFECT for the Tape Measure Stamp. After stamping it, I crumbled it up and distressed it by sponging the edges.

The Domestic Goddess sentiment came from the "Crafty Secrets Domestic Goddess" Scraps Sheet. At only $3.50 these sheets are a super inexpensive way to create cards. But Wait, why pay full price?? I have an

***** EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE *****

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CHALLENGES I USED:
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Distress It
Pile It On: Layers
Artful Inkables: Distressed Out!
Stampin for the Weekend: Shabby or Vintage
Our Creative Corner: ABC's or 123's (I used numbers)
Creatalicious: Vintage
My Partner in Crafting Crime: Let's Try Vintage

Vintage S.W.A.K.

2010-09-07T21:09:00.008-05:00

Sure I'm thinking about Valentine's Day!!! Aren't you?

This little sweetie was a FREE image that I obtained quite some time ago from one of the Vintage Image Crafts Newsletters -------> HERE

I started out with the intent of creating a Fall Card!!!! UMMMMM, well apparently I got a wee bit side tracked.

Here is a partial peek at how I completed the inside of this project.

I would love to bring you down the Road to Distraction with me

Did you know that I have
an EXCLUSIVE
20% DISCOUNT CODE
from
ABC Toys & Crafts

---------------> ABC20JF <-------------------

CHALLENGES I USED:
2 Sketches 4 You: Laura's Sketch #60 (I used a rectangle instead of the circle)
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Layers (I used layers inside and out, btw, I am loving this new challenge site )
Pile It On: They are also wanting LAYERS
Stamp Something: Something Cute
ABC Challenge: C = Charms
Creatalicious Challenge: # 13 Vintage (Brand new challenge site for me)
Stampin for the Weekend: Vintage or Shabby
Stamptacular Challenge: Distress It (I inked the edges and used my fingernail to age the edges also ** New challenge site for me)
My Partner in Crafting Crime: Let's Try Vintage (new challenge site for me ;o)

Happy Birthday to ME (almost)

2010-09-03T09:10:00.004-05:00

What an appropriate theme for this weeks posting over at the ABC Design Team Blog because here at my house it is BIRTHDAY CENTRAL. My little sister and her family will arrive here from Atlanta today but tomorrow We are setting up for a A BIG Birthday Bash!!! We will have 4 cakes to celebrate her birthday, my birthday, my husbands birthday and our neighbors, which are all within a 5 day period ;o0)

Let's CELEBRATE
SAVE 20% off your entire order
at
ABC Toy's & Crafts
----> ABC20JF <---- (offer expires 9/30/10)

That being said, I created this birthday card for my daughter (I don't think she checks my blog so hopefully I am safe) whose birthday is at the end of September. When this "Beautiful Peacocks" stamp set was released by Hero Arts, I quickly let Julie (the ABC store owner) know how much I had to have it!!! (DON'T PANIC, this set is temporarily on back order and will be in the store SOON..... SEE it is a MUST HAVE)

Take a closer look at My proud Peacock's bling bling and how much fun he was to color.....

This time I colored using my Copic Markers but wouldn't this be fun to try using other mediums?? Trust me, the spaces are color friendly so whether you are an expert the Copics or just starting out, you will feel like a pro.

HERE is a peek at how I stamped the inside of the card using two more of the stamps that this set includes (the Birthday sentiment is not part of this stamp set)

ABC Toys & Crafts PRODUCTS USED:

CHALLENGES I USED:
One Stitch at a Time: Girlie &/or Color Scheme (I used both but I was also inspired by the circles in the color scheme)
Little Red Wagon: Paint (that beautiful paper behind my main image was HAND PAINTED in Florence, Italy)
The Pixie Cottage: Family (this card is for my daughter but my post was also about our family birthdays)
Shirley's 2 Girls: Critters with a TWIST of Feathers or Fur (yea, how was this for twisted feathers?)
Cute Card Thursday: Material Girl (I used a piece of crochet lace)

Antique Italian Forget-Me-Not

2010-08-30T17:20:00.012-05:00

Sit Back, because I AM BACK and apparently LONG WINDED with
LOTS of PHOTOS to SHARE

When my family arrived back here in the United States one our first visits was to see our great friends "Mr. & Mrs. Crab" along with their brand new little "crab cake". (I'll post her blog so you might get a better understanding of this "crabby" family). I was blown away with the antiques in Williamsburg and especially with the Antique Mason Jars filled with BUTTONS!! I purchased one such jar but it happened to have been made into a lamp. How in the world was I going to bring myself to open that jar and savor any of the bounty that I beheld? Not long after arriving at our brand new home, I received a package from Mrs. Crab!!!

Here is a photo of the gifts I received......

Buttons, jars and a fantabulous photograph O MY, O Dear, what's a girl to do?? I love that jar SO much that I decided to dump out the buttons from my lamp and created a SEASHELL lamp with all WHITE TREASURES FROM the Ocean...

Here is what I created ............

Here is my wonderful "basket of Button Treasures"
So what became of the Jar of Buttons from Mrs. Crab you ask??? Well they are far to delicious to use so they are perched atop one of my studio shelves along with some other treasures...

Are you still READING?

Want to see close ups of what I created as a THANK YOU/MISS YOU Gift for Mrs. Crab?

Antique Lace & Button from Italy:

Antique Buttons, HOWEVER, take a look at that postmark!!! The envelope that I stitched on here was purchased at an Sicilian Antique Market. That is a 5 Lire stamp and the date stamped is April 10, 1919

(The ladies waving image was compliments of Vintage Image Crafts, I printed them out and distressed them. The Forget-Me-Not sentiment was stamped using Shirley's 2 Girls stamps)

Finished Set contains a 5 1/2"square card with a matching
bookmark

Stop by and VISIT Mrs. Crab
at
For The Love of a Crab

CHALLENGES I USED:
The Shabby Tea Room: Old Meets New (definitely some old stuff but the items on my bookmark are New)
Pile It On: Farewell to Summer (miss you, goodbye, farewell projects - Think I covered that, my ladies are even waving goodbye)
Cupcake Craft Challenges: Let's Get Digital (my image was printed from Vintage Image Crafts)
Digital Tuesday Challenge: Create a Gift Set
Simon Says Stamp & Show: Layering (I lost count on how many I used!!!)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesdays: Summer Memories (now that I don't live on an island waving goodbye to my endless beach days is going to be so difficult)
One Stitch at a Time: Girlie or Color Theme (I went for GIRLIE all the way)

Teacher Appreciation Gift Sets

2010-08-27T20:30:00.011-05:00

New Year, New School, New Teachers,
one thing remains the same
our
APPRECIATION
for
TEACHERS

At the end of the last school year, I made little gift sets just like these!! ABC Toys & Crafts along with Little Red Wagon, Stamp Something, The Pixie Cottage AND Shirley's 2 Girls are all having "BACK TO SCHOOL" Challenges and these were so much fun to put together that I decided they would be a great way to start of this school year.

Each set includes:

10 - note cards in red, blue, yellow, purple & orange

FRONT of Note Card ---->

BACK of Note Card ---->

20 - "This Book Belongs To The Library Of " stickers

1 - Personalized paper clip

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Back to School
Stamp Something: Back to School & a DT Search
The Shabby Tea Room: A Little Bit of Metal along with a photo inspiration (I liked the shabby colors which I used in my packaging & I used a metal paper clip)
Little Red Wagon: Back to School
The Pixie Cottage: Back to School &/or their sketch (I chose just to use the theme)
Shirley's 2 Girls: Back to School w/a "Twist to use Letters or Numbers" (I used both on the belly band of my packaging )
.....................Supplies I used..................
Stamps: Crafty Secrets (book lovers ), Paper Trey Ink (teachers apple)
Ink: Momento black, Stampin Up (real red, close to cocoa)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (real red, elegant eggplant, yo yo yellow, pacific point, tangerine tango, whisper white)
Patterned Paper: Autumn Leaves (Hall Pass)
Tools: Marvy Uchida (large scalloped circle punch), Spellbinders (Nestabilities Labels 7 die)
Misc: Paper Trey Ink (small wax bags, 8 1/2" x 11" adhesive sticker sheets), K & Co (blank tags), metal paper clips, ribbon scraps

TRIUMPHANT over ?????

2010-08-24T15:48:00.004-05:00

MILITARY TRANSFER
NEW HOME
NO FRIENDS
NO FURNITURE
GREY ROOTS
SNAKES
TRAVELING
FAMILY VISITS
CULTURE SHOCK
&
D E P R E S S I O N

The above list could go on and on, however out of fear of regression of the depression, I WON'T

I'll just say, I'm sorry and that I have missed being a part of this community and of course all of you folks that I consider to be my friends. Thank you so much for the personal notes to say that you have missed me and letting me know that you were concerned. It felt so good today to actually cruise around looking for challenges, and CREATE............

I created today's card for our military sponsors. Upon arriving here in Florida, we had nothing except what our suitcases contained. Not having lived on the mainland USA since 1992, we were unaware that the military does not give you loaner furniture upon arrival at a new duty station. We had a brand new house here waiting on us, however it was EMPTY!! Without ever having met us, Brett & Vicki opened up their home for a few nights until we could purchase mattresses. They also put together a box of items containing plates, cups, silverware, pots & pans and even WINE GLASSES ;o) Their hospitality allowed us to stay in our new home for over a month until our household goods arrived. I'll admit that having my mattress in the middle of the living room was FUN.

This card was something that I created when I had nothing. I had printed the image prior to leaving Sicily and would you belive that Brett owns a TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE?

The glow in the dark star was something that I had picked up off of my floor in Sicily when all of my furniture had been packed up. The room that we stayed in over at Brett & Vicki's just happened to have glow in the dark stars above the bed!!! The tag & hemp fiber behind the motorcycle image actually came off of a pair of shorts that I had purchased while traveling. My daughter created the "Thank You" sentiment using the computer.

I was so tickled with how this card turned out and I hope they know how deeply they touched my heart with their hospitality. Perhaps now that the dust and fog have lifted, I will be able to repay them by inviting them over and opening a fantabulous bottle of Wine that we imported from Italy??

CHALLENGES I USED:
Fresh Brewed: Thank You
Mercy's Sketch: Sketch (as usual, I am sharing MY interpretation of how I view the sketch)
PaperKutz: Anything Goes

It's a "Paper Piecing" CHALLENGE

2010-07-25T14:19:00.004-05:00

This month the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team has challenged each other to "PAPER PIECING" and we want to see your take on this challenge.

CHALLENGE DETAILS
-------->> CLICK HERE <<---------

No big secret just LOVE Paper Piecing

I used the My Cute Stamps set " Puppy Pals " for this project. I actually used 5 different stamps from that set in the photo above, however, I stamped the dog onto scrap paper that I had previously stamped using one of the "Vintage Background" stamps from Gina K. Don't you just love TABLE SCRAPS? I can pretty much guarantee that is where the Balloon Paper came from as well. So dig your SCRAPS out of the rubbish can and come "PAPER PIECE" with us. This would be a great challenge to pair with other challenges around Blog Land. Here are the
CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Paper Piecing
Crazy 4 Challenges: Photo Inspiration (loved all the mixed patterns & texture)
The Creative Cottage: Touchy Feely (I added texture by sewing)
Think Ink: Make your own Background Paper (I did for my dog, behind the dog and again on one of the strips on the inside of my card which you can see below)
Stamp Simply: 2's Company (2 balloons using 2 different patterned papers)

Quick & Easy Bookmarks

2010-07-18T21:07:00.004-05:00

SARAH KAY stamp
week at
ABC Toys & Crafts
(make sure to check out the discount - no code needed)

I am just over the moon with how much fun and how EASY the Sarah Kay stamps are to Color... Most of the time I color my projects with someone else in mind, however, I am keeping this project for myself. Not having furniture has had it's advantages, such as, taking long walks around my new neighborhood and READING.

I was thrilled to see Beate Johns' tutorial for creating these corner bookmarks -----> HERE

See how nicely it sits on the corner of my page

Here is a peek at what the back side looks like when being used

I just love coloring their little shoes with a closer look at one of my favorite

Martha Stewart border punches
CHALLENGES I USED:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenges: Babies or Children
Stamp with Sarah Kay or Stampavie & More: Anything Goes
For Fun Challenges: Coloring (I used Copic Markers)
The Town Scrapper: Anything Goes (This is their last challenge until Sept. but some of their DT have yummy Blog Candy up for graps on their personal blogs)

Simon Says Stamp: Fruit (I used a strawberry themed patterned paper)
The Creative Cottage Challenge: NO Cards

Here are the products that are available at ABC Toys & Crafts:

HUGZ,

Now this is "FUSSY & FANCY"

2010-07-16T16:02:00.008-05:00

This week's Fussy & Fancy challenge is a bit of a Recipe. We're looking for the 3 S's, (get your head outta the gutter), we are looking for
"" STITCHING, SPARKLE & SCALLOPS ""

(click on blinkie for complete challenge details)

WHEW, where do I even begin on this project?????? Maybe some CLOSE UP's ???

HERE you can see all 3 S's and my idea of "STITCHING"...... In my world the thread qualifies as "Stitching". Keep in mind that I am still sitting in an empty house so I've improvised.

The Fan images were FREEBIES from "Vintage Image Crafts" (get ready for MORE FREEBIES from them as we gear up for their next Challenge). I printed them out and then did some serious distressing. That beautiful Scallop Stamp if one of the Vintage Image Background stamps that Nina Brackett designed and is sold HERE at Gina K Designs

Remember my lifetime supply of homemade cotton Ribbon? I've wrapped some around one of my Antique, Italian Spools. Here is a photo of the lot I purchased at the Antique market in Sicily. Aren't they to die for?
Believe it or not, I even saved some room on the inside to write my own message if I ever decide that I could part with this. Finally an image to show that if placed in a padded envelope, it could easily be mailed.
CHALLENGES I USED:
Fussy & Fancy: Scallops, Sparkle & Stitches
Sew Many Challenges: Anything Goes

...............Supplies I used...............
Stamps: Gina K (Vintage backgrounds)
Images: Vintage Image Crafts (fan images), random girl image from internet
Cardstock: Stampin Up (always artichoke, naturals cream), Bazzill (brown orange peel texture), Paper Trey Ink (kraft), Laura Ashley (patterned paper)
Misc: Buttons (Paper Trey Ink), Making Memories (stick pin w/rhinestone dangle), K&Co (rub ons, chipboard), Delta (cream acrylic paint), Stampin Up (dazzling diamond glitter), Angel Mist
Tools: Provo Craft (Cuttlebug & embossing folder (textile) ), Stampin Up (large label die by Sizzix),

"You Rock"

2010-07-14T18:17:00.002-05:00

I tell ya'll what, having the UNITY Kit of the Month has been a life saver during this move. I totally forget about my membership from month to month (obviously way to much on plate), but each month it is like Christmas when I check the mail and find the Unity package. Not exactly sure which KOTM these stamps were from but they were the perfect set to create a "Thank You" card for the head of our Special Education department at school.

Not exactly your typical "Teacher" card ehe? Well Ms. Cashman is not your typical teacher..........
SHE ROCKS She was such a blessing to our school, to our staff and to my son. Adam (my son), thought she was the epitomy of COOL. He loved spending time with her, loved her cool tattoos, and he loved talking to her about heavy metal music. The rock theme was PERFECT for her and the "INSPIRATION" sentiments were sincerely from my heart because her teaching style was such an inspiration to ME.
If you look closely, you might be able to see that I used a clear accents to create the window of the Juke Box to make it more "life like".
CHALLENGES I USED:
The Crazy Challenge: It's Hip to be Square (I used a square in the center & this card is totally HIP)
I'll be back later today to finish loading these

...............Supplies I used................
Stamps: Unity
Cardstock & Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (black tuxedo), Stampin Up
Tools: Stampin Up (large & small star punches), Spellbinders (Nestabilities labels 7)
Misc: Stampin Up (green mini clip)

"Fun in the Sun"

2010-07-11T11:46:00.010-05:00

ABC Toys & Crafts
will be Featuring all things
" PENNY BLACK "
What kind of Celebration would it be without a
DISCOUNT 15 % DISCOUNT
(NO CODE NECESSARY)

I was so excited to have the opportunity to play with the "BEACH DAY" stamp set. Just look at this adorable image!!!
Does she not just scream "paper piecing"? It was all I could do not to try and use everyone of the stamps at once. Not sure you can really see how I stamped the little border of seashells with Versamark ink then stamped over them with the sentiment "Fun in the Sun"?

Because I wanted to use that sentiment, I gave my little girl a little "sunburn" but I also used a yellow felt flower (thank you PAT) and button to resemble the SUN. Cute eeeh?
CHALLENGES I USED:
Cupcake Craft Challenge: Use the photo above (I liked the colors & of course beachy)
Cute Card Thursday: Summer
Simon Says Stamp: Photo Inspiration (I liked the turquoise)
Easy Craft Projects: Summer
Freshly Brewed: Summertime
Stampavie: Sparkling (I added glitter to the butterly in the center of her bathing suit)
Crafty Calendar: Summer (Glitterbabe is sponsoring this)

Christmas in July

2010-07-09T09:24:00.007-05:00

Fussy & Fancy challenge is using the theme
" CHRISTMAS IN JULY "

I am so happy that I was thinking ahead when I packed up my crafts for this move. Apparently I had pre-stamped these cute little mice "JUST in CASE"!!

I love the non-traditional colors that I used but I wanted to be able to participate in the "Color Throw-Down" challenge. There are some fabulous prizes being given away.

Don't forget HERO ARTS are on sale 15% off
(use this code: 15HERO510) & FREE SHIPPING on CLEAR STAMPS

How about WINNING these cute stamps? Just click on them to head over to Lorraine's GIVEAWAY.

CHALLENGES I USED
Fussy & Fancy: Christmas in July
Color Throwdown: Color listed above
Simon Says Stamp: Blue Lagoon photo inspiration
Flourishes: Christmas in July (Christmas stamps are 25% off)
The Pink Elephant: 3 layers, 2 die cuts & 1 ribbon

My cup overfloweth!!

2010-07-07T14:24:00.007-05:00

15% off HERO ARTS Stamps
use code: 15HERO510
offer ends: 7/10 (Saturday)

So happy to be getting the time/opportunity to break out my "TOYS". I have picked and created up so many unusual embellishments during this move. Take a closer look at my embellishment.
The pink fabric is part of a lifetime supply that I discovered when throwing out an old pillowcase. This one was dyed using tea & food coloring. The green ribbon was a scrap that I found on the ground after I had packed up all of my supplies and the black & white thread came in one of those tiny ziplocks w/ a few buttons which are attached to new clothes.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Pile It On: My Favorite Things (finding stuff and being able to use them on my projects is my all time favorite)
The Shabby Tea Room: Let's Make an Impression (use embossing)
The Pink Elephant: 3 Layers, 2 Die Cuts & Ribbon
ABC Challenge: Y is for "You & Me" meaning use 2 of something (I used 2 stamps)

...........Supplies I used................
Stamps: Unity
Ink: Copic Markers, Tim Holtz, Momento (black)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (blush, white)
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny, Bazzill embossed
Tools: Spellbinders (nestabilities scalloped square), Martha Stewart (border punch ), Stampin Up (label die)
Misc: Shirley's 2 Girls (button), random fibers

Happy Birthday "America" (it's good to be HOME)

2010-07-01T14:15:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday AMERICA
The Frederick Family has proudly served outside the CONUS since 1993, but it is good to be back on American soil
(at least for the next 3 years)

Is this not a fun card or what? I wish I could capture all of the cool elements and do them justice. First off this would fit the ABC Toys & Crafts " Red, White & Blue " challenge ----> HERE <---- (does not have to be patriotic).
Second, my Uncle Sam image was a free image given out by "Vintage Image Crafts" over on their FaceBook page. during their "PATRIOTIC CHALLENGE". Originally it said "Army" but NO WAY I was putting that on my project, so I generated the "N A V Y" using the computer. The little bronze starz are from my husbands uniform ribbons! The Star in the center of Uncle Sam's hat is filled with glitter.
This is an easel card but the inside sentiment (which I generated using the computer) reads " Home is where the NAVY sends us". I then listed all of the places that we have been stationed in order. Stay Tuned for their next challenge "CHRISTMAS in JULY".

On a personal note, thank you to everyone for remembering to visit and leave comments while my family has been transitioning from Sicily, Italy back to the United States. We have made it to our new home in FL, however, we are lining in our house with nothing but what we had in our suitcases, mattresses on the floor, 2 chairs, a couple of pans and plates. My stamps, papers, Copics and a few other bare essentials did make it via USPS so I hope to burn a teeny bit of creative energy while I wait to start fluffing up my new nest.

CHALLENGES I USED:
ABC Toys & Crafts: Red, White & Blue (I'm not participating but I think you should, there are stamps up for grabs)
Pile It On: Favorite Things (I used lots of my favorite things on this card)
Shirley's 2 Girls: Summertime w/ a "Twist" to use sparkles (you can't have summer w/out a big ole' 4th of July celebration & I used glitter on Uncle Sam's hat)

COPICS 20% off

2010-06-23T07:57:00.006-05:00

COPIC MARKERS
20% off

Hurry this offer only good until
Saturday, June 26

My COPIC markers are en route to Florida but I colored these sweet little girls (a lollipop for Susan by Sarah Kay) just moments before I sealed the box. They remind me of my little sister and I (of course because I was so sweet and loving to her while growing up).
Although I am without my COPICS for a few more days, the Design Team of ABC Toys & Crafts will be featuring their COPIC CREATIONS all week. Make sure to check out the rest of the Design Team on our Design Blog CHALLENGES I USED:
The Crazy Challenge: All Things Spotty
Crafty Creations: Shine (my lollipop shines w/glitter)
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Nice & Girly (this is their very 1st Challenge)
Totally Gorjuss: Sugar & Spice
Crazy 4 Challenges: Paper Flowers

.............Supplies I used...............
Stamps: Sarah Kay (a lollipop for Susan), Gina Kay (Vintage backgrounds by Nina B), Paper Trey Ink (thinking of you sentiment)
Ink: Copic Markers, Momento (tuxedo black), Stampin Up (close to cocoa)
Cardstock: Stampin Up (sage shadow, always apricot, ), Gina K (pure luxury white), Bazzill Basics (green texture)
Patterned Paper: K&Co
Tools: Martha Stewart (Pickett fence), corner rounder
Misc: random button, Paper Trey Ink (jute string), My Minds Eye (flower die cut)

Monochromatic

2010-06-18T09:38:00.008-05:00

FUSSY & FANCY
Challenge # 13
" MONOCHROMATIC & WINGS "
(click blinkie for complete details)

Created this card using robin egg blues & cream. The stamps are from Unity and I layered the fairy over the script then added the pearls. The angel wings were originally gold but I spray painted them.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Fussy & Fancy: Monochromatic & Wings
Stamp Something: Summer Something (flowers & butterflies)
Flourishes: Embossing (dry embossed using a cuttlebug folder)
Shirley's 2 Girls: Something Old (the angel/butterfly wings & the Tulle) **They are having a BLOG HOP with PRIZES
The Crazy Challenge: Distress It (I inked around my main image and around the doily punched edge)
.............Supplies I used................
Stamps: Unity
Ink: Stampin Up
Cardstock: Stampin Up
Ribbon: Stampin Up, Button: Paper Trey Ink, Floss: Martha Stewart
Tools: Cuttlebug (textile embossing folder), Martha Stewart (doily edge punch)

Hangin' In There

2010-06-13T14:26:00.003-05:00

ALL DIE CUTS on SALE
at
ABC Toys & Crafts
15% off June 13 - June 19
no discount code needed

Justine here to share a sweet card that I created for a New Mommy that I am visiting.
I purposely purchased this Gruffies stamp (Bedtime Stories) to coordinate with the Spellbinders Die (Label 7).

I remember purchasing these dies and wondering if I they were going to be very versatile or if I would actually use them very often. Oh heck Yea! They are perfect for creating projects that really give a WOW factor to projects simply because they aren't the typical shape.

CHALLENGES I USED:
Crafty Creations: Childs Play
Cute Card Thursday: Anything but Square (rectangle book)
Stamp Something: Happy Something (created with Happy colors to make a New Mommy's day brighter)

Check out the ABC Toys & Craft products that I used: