Birthday Bear wants YOU

I recently challenged the design team of ABC Toys & Crafts with the theme

"Birthday"

No other requirements than to be creative &
let the word "Birthday" inspire you!!

Each day this week one of us will share our project with you on the
ABC Design Blog.

We would LOVE it if you would join us in this Challenge
find
MR. LINKY HERE
Deadline to enter your project is Saturday, February 27th @ 12pm EST

Random number generator will be used to pick the WINNER of a $10 store credit to
ABC Toys & Crafts

ABOUT MY CARD: Since I am stateside at the moment, I will be brief.

This bear image by is one of my favorites by Stampabilities (party preparations bear). Each time I play with him, I find a different way to accent that big balloon, not to mention, coloring him is so much fun. Perhaps it is his wispy little fur or how the areas to be shaded are designed into the image that camouflage any coloring imperfections. I dunno, I just know I love him. I LOVE me some buttons! I used Paper Trey Ink buttons, HOWEVER, I see that ABC has the matching buttons for the Basic Grey Lemonade paper I used. Rather than use them for my balloon, I placed them down the side of my card and used glossy accents over the colored balloon. I was so pleased with myself for FINALLY using those fun little metal pieces with the "Happy Birthday" sentiment. Just one of the many items I love to HOARD!!! Make sure to click on the photos & links below to find the ABC products that I used.
OTHER CHALLENGES I USED:
Crafty Creations: Stitching (I did this all around the edges)
Saturday Spotlight: Messy (I distressed the edges using my fingernail and also inked the edges of my main image then lightly sponged ink around the bear)
...........Supplies I used.............
Stamps: Stampabilities (party prepartations)
Ink: Copic markers, momento black ink, Stampin Up (close to cocoa, robin hood red)
Paper: Basic Grey (lemonade), Stampin Up (eggplant, naturals white)
Misc: Paper Trey ink (buttons), Making Memories (birthday metal embellishments)

AWWW Paris

If you haven't noticed, I am having sooooo much fun with this new "Paris Tower" stamp set by My Cute Stamps. Now is the time to treat yourself to any of the stamps that ABC Toys & Crafts carry because they are all on sale 25% off until December 31st......

How would you like to be featured at the
"Creative Customer of the Week"
over on the ABC Design Blog?

I would love to see what some of our customers are doing with the products purchased from ABC. Simply send me an email with a photo of your project or email me a link to your project.

Send emails to: littlebombs@yahoo.com

(There is only one of these kits left, so hurry)

..............Products I used (everything in bold is available at ABC Toys & Crafts)..................
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (Paris Tower)
Paper: Basic Grey (Sublime), Stampin Up (very vanilla cs), Bazzill (textured CS brown)
Ink: Momento (tuxedo black, rich cocoa), Copic Marker
Misc: Making Memories (antique mini brads), Prima Flowers, Paper Trey Ink (scarlett jewel twill ribbon & buttons)

Gelato Anyone?

"Woolies" are one of the most recent crazes in the paper crafting world. These fun embellishments are so simple to use, yet add a powerful "Wow Factor" from their recipient. Check out all of the little details (rhinestones, stitching & a button).

The patterned paper & the woolie are from Basic Grey's "Lemonade" line. The paper comes in a 6"x6" pad of 36 sheets!! The ice cream cone is mounted on a fun frame that I created using scraps. I used one of the new Martha Stewart corner punches (Loops), then heat embossed a "snow flake" image from a Penny Black stamp set (Crystalline). The pink frame was created by double layering Nestabilities Dies (label one set) by Spellbinders. Lastly, the "Sweet Wishes" sentiment is from My Cute Stamps (sweet chocolate stamp set).

ALL OF THE PRODUCTS THAT I USED ON THIS PROJECT
(EXCLUDING REGULAR CARDSTOCK)
CAN BE PURCHASED AT

Click on any of these to begin shopping NOW

............Supplies I used.............
Stamps: My Cute Stamps (Sweet Chocolate), Penny Black (Crystalline)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Stampin Up (certainly celery, pretty in pink, turquoise), Basic Grey (lemonade 6x6 paper pad)
Tools: Spellbinders (Nestabilities Label One), Martha Stewart (Loops corner punch)
Embellishments: Basic Grey (lemonade woolie)

SPIT happens..........

How cool is it to be on two Design Teams where I can actually use some of the stamps from one company and mention them in a post for the other company. What am I talking about you ask? ABC Toys & Crafts is now carrying several of the Shirley's 2 Girls Stamp sets. Just one more way that ABC is trying to bring you a one stop shopping experience. Today I used the set titled "Onsie" (shhhhh! there are only 2 in stock) I don't know anyone who doesn't want to get as much bang for their buck especially when it comes to Postal Rates....
Want to save 15% off of your entire purchase at ABC Toys & Crafts? Duh!! I'm talking 15% off of Copics, Nestabilities, Basic Grey paper pads, Numerous Stamp companies, Martha Stewart Punches and I could go on and on..... Unfortunately time is running out. Yep the FRIENDS of JUSTINE DISCOUNT CODE will expire on Oct. 10 so here is the CODE

ABC15F


click on the ABC blinkie to start shopping

............Supplies I used..................
Stamps: Shirley's 2 Girls (onsie)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey (Lime Rickey)
Cardstock: SU
Ink: Momento (tuxedo black), Copic Markers
Ribbon: SU

Now I'm really dumpster diving into the "STASH"

Yesterday's "Takin' Out The Stash" post ended up being more about some new challenges that I was excited to have found, rather than talking Stash..... What would I do without a challenge to jump start my creativity? Probably sit at the computer procrastinating! Let's try this again shall we? The stash that I impressed myself by using was the new Basic Grey Woolies from ABC Toys & Crafts. These fun little embellishments are exactly what I would ordinarily hoard. Admiring them through their clear cellophane packaging. I did it though, I set them free ;o) Not only did I use the Woolies but I also broke into the "Forbidden Expensive Italian Ribbons". I mean seriously check out that funny little pooch standing above the crazy pom pom fringe. If you pay close attention you might just see that I used this week's MOJO103 sketch. I see all the elements of the sketch. What do you think?

The next card shows off the Butterfly Woolie from Basic Grey's Lemonade line using the 2 sketches 4 you challenge ----> HERE. The scalloped square frame was plain chipboard that I painted using white acrylic paint then covered it in Dazzling Diamonds. I used Martha Stewart punches on both cards, however, on the butterfly card I punched both sides of a strip of cardstock then covered the center using the green gingham ribbon. I stamped polka dots on the black card base using Versa Mark ink then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. As I sit here looking at both of these cards, I realize that they pretty much qualify for all of the challenges that I listed yesterday so maybe I should go link them up. I would love to WIN something. Don't forget to leave a comment on my Blog Candy.
So there you have it, almost all of my stash can be purchased at 15 % off ----> HERE <----

USE THIS CODE FOR YOUR DISCOUNT
ABC15F
Join me right back here tomorrow for

It's Tuesday, Time to take out the "Stash"

Takin' out the Stash
Tuesday

Tuesday is the day that I challenge myself to use products that I would rather "hoard". I broke into some brand new Basic Grey products that I just received from ABC Toys & Crafts. As a starting point this morning, I searched for some fun challenges and discovered a few "new to me" blogs. Today's card started with a fun challenge called "Pile It On". The object of their weekly challenges is to see how many challenges you can "pile" into one card. Their theme for this week is "birthday". Hmm how appropriate, seem to be so many of those going around, which brings me to Mina's challenge found HERE -----> Heidi's Birthday sketch. The 3rd challenge that I "Piled" into this card was a color challenge found HERE ------> The Pink Elephant. Their challenge was to use "Red, Yellow, Black & White".. 4th Challenge was to use 3 or more Patterned Papers found HERE -----> Crafty Creations Challenges. 5th Challenge was to use Polka Dots found HERE -----> My Time to Craft Challenge #77.
Those fun little shoes are from the new Verve stamps "Just My Style" that I WON. The stamp is one shoe but I stamped it twice onto patterned paper, highlighted using Copics, cut them out and popped the first one up with foam squares. The swirls behind the shoes is also a stamp in this new setSo what did I use out of my stash? Buttons, the leaf ribbon and new Basic Grey paper (June Bug).

Yeah another Snowflake

Yes it is another snowflake but is this one yummy or what??? It is actually a Lenox tree ornament that I picked up recently and just knew it would look amazing on a card. I do believe that I was correct......

The recipient can just slide it off of the card and hang it onto their tree. I would probably shorten the ribbon by typing a pretty bow at the top first but you get the idea.

This card was created for Adam's counselor at school. I love the personal message that Adam wrote himself.
Again I packaged this one in one of the stamped glassine bags and added the Lenox gift tag that came with the ornament.
Sorry to cut it short but I was up at 4 this morning to be a part of the Monthly release party over at PaperTrey Ink.... The new color Rasberry Fizz and the new stamp sets are wonderful as ever and yes I couldn't resist making a "nice" purchase. I am still waiting for the results of the Guest Star Stamper to be announced. Wish me luck.....
................Recipe...............
stamps:Basic Grey, Stampin Up
cardstock: kraft, white (PTI)
ink:dark chocolate (pti), craft white (su)
ribbon: striped ribbon is SU, the white & gold is from the dollar store compliments of my big sister Jana
misc: ornament (Lenox china), marvy Uchida blue cirlcle punch,

How lovely are your branches!!!

Whew got a little carried away on this card but I LOVE it... Ever get into one of those brainless tasks that puts you into a trance?? I'm not sure that this photo really does this card justice.

This started out as just a piece of patterned paper that I was cutting an ornament out of. I did cut the ornament out and it is on a separate card altogether. Nonetheless, I sat and cut all of these teeny little pine needles out freeing the entire branch from the paper. The top portion is still in tact. I inked the edges to give some dimension and layered it on top of a coordinating yellow paper. The gifts are various sizes of square and rectangle blocks of patterned paper with ribbon and bows attached. I stamped a little gift tag for one of the gifts peeking out from under the tree.

The top portion of the card is adhered flat but it becomes 3 dimensional as it goes down. I used a piece of scrap foam (the parts that are left over after cutting out rubber stamps) on the underside of that branch to give it some weight but I did not actually adhere it flush against the card. By not attaching it to the card it actually moves giving it a more realistic look.

I used tiny little rhinestones scattered around the tree as well as small lines of fine glitter dust along the centers of the branches.

Well that is all for me today. I am completely beat. I am teaching P.E. This week and it is kicking my but. Ever done Pilate's??? I have now done it twice and it just reminds me of what a weenie I am. I have hurting muscles that I wasn't aware I even had!!!!!!! Owwwwwweeeeeee...... Gotta get my beauty rest. Thanks for stopping in.

O Christmas Tree

This card took a lot of Time which I am sure is only because I don't have Copic Markers!!! I won't complain too much because I think Santa believes that I deserve them ;o) I used a wide assortment of colors and combinations of water color pencils along with StampN Write markers. Believe it or not, I am actually pleased with the way my coloring turned out. Good thing because I get to make at least 2 more.

Did ya happen to notice just how clever that sentiment on the inside is referring to the "Gift" on the cover??? I'm glad that I also made the decision to dress up the inside of the card too. I used dots of red stickles for the holly berries to give them a bit of bling and more diminsion.

Not too chatty today, my apologies (I know you're really saying Thank Goodness) but 4:45 a.m. rolls around awfully early and I am totally beat. I'll be back tomorrow with a super cool card. I liked the way it turned out so much that I am actually going to mail it to my Daughter. Now that is special because most of them get placed into baskets. O I create each one with someone in mind, they just never leave ME............... does anyone else do that? I mean hoard your own cards?
.................Recipe.................
stamps: Believe(PaperTrey Ink)
cardstock: very vanilla, rose red (Stampin' Up!), Patterned paper: Basic Grey
tools: scalloped edge punch, ticket corner punch (Stampin' Up!), Sewing Machine
ink: Stazon black
misc: mini tag (K&Co.), ribbon (Making Memories)

Santa Baby

I love creating Christmas cards and I love to create them using Non-traditional colors.  Not sure if you can tell but the dark color on this card is actually a textured eggplant which is why I tied in the perfectly plum polka dot ribbon (PTI) I stamped Santa in a craft white ink and then added a super fine white glitter while it was still wet.  Rather than white it is a light lavender!!!!! That was pleasantly unexpected.  The snowflakes are stamped with aqua mist then heat embossed with rainbow sparkle embossing powder.....

If you have not already discovered PaperCraft Planet, I would like to cordially invite you to check it out.  Between that website and other blogs, I think I may actually be spending more time cruising the internet vs. making my cards ;o(  Are you guys aware of just how many challenges and blog candies there are out there?  Would love to know how everyone else manages their creative time or am I the only blog stalker???  I will be back tomorrow, thanks for taking the time to check out my blog..

..................Recipe.....................

stamps: santa baby(basic grey), polka dot basics (PaperTrey Ink), snow swirled and limited edition Country living snowflakes( Stampin' Up!)

ink: craft white (SU), Aqua Mist (PTI)

paper: whisper white (SU), Aqua Mist(PTI), eggplant (?)

ribbon: Aqua Mist cross grain ribbon, Plum Pudding polka dot satin (PTI)

tools: marvy uchida scallop circle blue, ticket corner punch, heat tool(SU)

misc: rainbow sparkle embossing powder(hero arts)