Thanks for stopping by.  My card today is very simple, which is what I was going for.  My challenge;  to keep it simple, use ribbon, and designer paper.   For some of you tulle may not qualify as ribbon.  For me, it's my "go to" ribbon for Christmas packaging.  Wrapping a gift with tulle will usually insure that when the gift arrives at it's destination, it will still look beautiful whether it's been at the bottom of the box or squeezed  in the back of a car.  Regular ribbon and bows don't retain their shape like tulle  does.  Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention my thoughts on "stick on bows"!  They're awful, they always fall off, and don't look very nice.  As my daughters would say, "Just Saying".

The present is surrounded by an embossed frame and mounted for dimension.

Supplies
Stamps: A Muse
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Kraft (Archivers), Designer Paper - American Crafts
Accessories: Martha Stewart Score Board, Tulle, Mounting tape

Have a great week.

A Recipe Card

This time of year nothing is better than the smell of pumpkin bread baking in the oven!  It's one of my Fall favorites.  For ages I've been wanting to make recipe cards for our holiday recipes and put them in a special book.  Well, the opportunity presented itself last night.  While visiting Use it Tuesday (a blog that challenges you to use your hoarded supplies), I saw their current challenge was Cooking Up Fun.   Make a project that has something to do with cooking.  I had no more excuses...

Here is my first holiday recipe card:

The hoarded supplies used for this project: designer paper by Bo-Bunny (2006) and the olive button.  I have been saving the button for some military scrapbook pages I'm doing for my DH.  The color matches his old BDU's (camouflage uniform) perfectly!

Not wanting to waste any of my precious paper (lol), I made this recipe clip too.

Thanks Use it Tuesday for the challenge.  It's so much more fun to use those hoarded supplies, rather than letting them just sit there, looking pretty!

Also linking to:
 More Than Favors - Wacky Wednesday #59 - Thanksgiving Theme

Whimsical Designs - Whimsical Wednesday Challenge - Happy Turkey Day

Supplies
Stamps: Paper Inspirations
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Canson Watercolor 90lb., Bo Bunny
Accessories: Spellbinders, Prisma Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Button, Pop Dots, Twine, and Ric Rack

Thanks for stopping by,

 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Thanks for stopping by.  Today I have a quick card for the Ways to Use challenge over at SplitcoastStampers.  The theme for today's challenge is Baby, It's Cold Outside.  Can you believe I even had a stamp with that very sentiment from A Muse?  I purchased this stamp before A Muse became a catalog company. 

The card size is a 3 x 6.  They fit nicely in the small office size envelopes.

Supplies
Stamps: Make An  Impression, A Muse
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Cryogen White, Bazzill, Bo Bunny
Accessories: Martha Stewart Punches, Bling, Pop Dots, Copics, and Glitter

Stay warm....

Happy Halloween

After trying this sweet Fall/Halloween treat, I had to share it with you.  It's so good, it's hard to eat just one piece!  I found the recipe on Lindsay's blog.  I hope you give it a try.

Happy Halloween,

Last Minute Halloween

Hi!  Thanks for stopping by.  Today's card is for the Less is More Polka Dots Challenge. Last night I discovered I needed a few more Halloween cards so the Less is More challenge was the perfect inspiration.

I also wanted to show you my Halloween hair pin.

I've been playing with singed flowers for a few months.  They're all over Bloggland.  I just love them.  You can find several tutorials for these flowers, but this one at Restorative Living also shows you different ways to use these beautiful creations.  I hope you'll give them a try.

Supply List (card)
Stamps: CTMH
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Bella Blvd, A Unity Co-Company, Stampin' Up Whisper White
Accessories: Tulle, Button, Twine

For a supply list for Singed Flowers, please check out Restorative Living.  She has a complete list of supplies needed for the project.

Happy Halloween...

Halloween Cards

I have a couple of Halloween cards for you today.  The first one is for the Clean and Simple challenge (CAS141) at SplitcoastStampers.  This is a sketch challenge inspired by Patricia's card.

Here's my card:

I was having so much fun, I made another card.

I hope I've inspired you to whip up a few Halloween cards.  You still have 6 days!  Thanks for stopping by.



Supplies
Pumpkin
Stamps: Rubbernecker
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Kraft, Memory Box Halloween
Accessories: Martha Stewart Pumpkin Punch, Stiff White Felt

Tree
Stamps: Hero Arts (image) A Muse (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Kraft, Memory Box Halloween
Accessories: Bling

Halloween Week 1 ~ Another Post Today

Today's Free For All challenge at SplitcoastStampers was to create your own background.  I couldn't pass up this challenge. 

The background was created using Ranger distress inks.  You can see the tutorial here. 

Supplies: Stamps: Close to My Heart (image) PaperTrey Ink (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Ranger Distress Inks
Paper: Shipping Tag
Accessories: Bling, Twine, My Favorite Things Rolled Rose Die, Cuttlebug Leaves Die and Shimmer Spritz-Gold

Halloween Week 1 ~ A Card

Hi!  Today I have a Halloween card for you.  I used this weeks Sketch Challenge at SplitcoastStampers. Don't you just love this adorable image from Penny Black?  This card is for a little person, so I didn't want it too scary.

Recently, I discovered Memory Box card stock at my local stamp store.  It comes in an assortment of amazing colors and the backside is white.  It's perfect for using as a card base.  Call me crazy, but I really prefer my cards to have a white inside (better for writing)!  Below is a look at the inside of the card.

I hope you'll stop by tomorrow with another Halloween project!

Supplies: Stamps:Penny Black (image) Michaels $ Bin (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Memory box
Accessories: Copics, Ribbon

Halloween Week 1 ~ Tags

Today I'm here with the second Halloween project for the week.  I've planned five projects a week for my  3 Weeks of Halloween.  Now, not  all of these project will be cards, but they will be items you can make with all of your cardmaking/scrapbooking supplies you already have.  My first project fell into the Anything But a Card category.  Some of the other categories will be, but not limited too, Cards, Wearable Art, Packaging and Gifts.    

For today's category, I have Tags!  These tags are all made with dies (QuicKutz & Spellbinders). The possibilities are endless when we use our die-cutting tools.  I love tags because they are quick and easy, and so versatile. It's nice to have a few extras on hand for those unexpected times.

Supplies:
 
Mr. Skeleton Tag:
Stamps: Inkadinkado (image) Stamps Happen (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Bazzill, Making Memories
Accessories: Twine, Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon, pom pom fringe, Spider Punch (Martha Stewart), Small Circle punch, Hole Punch, Sakura Gelly Roll Pen (to add shimmer to sentiment) and QuicKutz Die, Sewing Machine (I finally stitched on a card! Love it!)

Owl Tag:
Stamps: Rubbernecker Halloween Set 1
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, london Fog and Tangelo
Paper: Bazzill, Stampin' Up Whisper White
Accessories: Ribbon, Spellbinders Label Three

Pumpkin Tag:
Stamps: Memory Box (image), Hero Arts (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Kraft, Memory Makers, Karen Foster, The Paper Studio, Bazzill, Cryogen White (for coloring with Copics)
Accessories: Twine, Copics, Spellbinders, QuicKutz, Sewing Machine

I hope I've inspired you to make some Halloween tags.  Please stop by later in the week for another Halloween project.

Cheryl

Halloween Week 1 ~ Anything But a Card

It's October and that means Halloween, right?  Well, that's what my daughters think!

I have some Halloween projects to share with you for the next couple of weeks.  I hope these projects will inspire you to create some Halloween fun!  My project today was inspired by something I saw in a small shop in Carmel, California this Summer. It was a collection of three old paperback books stacked one on top of each other with the covers and binding removed, tied up with twine and embellished with seashells.  Immediately, I filed this under "future projects".  After returning from vacation, I was on a mission to find some old hard back books. I thought hard back books would give this project more of a vintage feel.

Here's my Halloween version of the book display I saw in California:

When I found these books they were headed for the trash.  The pages were falling out, some even torn, and the covers were awful.

This project took no time at all once I found the books.  I used black tulle to tie them together and a Halloween pick from Michaels.  How easy is that?  I plan to reuse these books for Thanksgiving  and Christmas as well. 

I'm also linking my project to:

Itsy Bitsy Paper

Embellishing Life

Simply Designing


I hope you'll stop back by to see the rest of the Halloween projects I have planned this week and next.

Cheryl 

Sketch Challenge

Where did September go?  I can't believe it's almost October.  To me, October means Fall colors, sweatshirts, hot apple cider, and  of course, Halloween.  

Today my card is for the Less is More challenge.  The gals at Less is More have a sketch challenge this week.  I decided it was time to dig out the Halloween stamps.

Sketch:
 

Here's mine:

I used a Halloween Set from Rubbernecker Stamp Company.  I just love this set!  It has so many darling images and lots of sentiments!  Just in case you were wondering, No, I'm not on their design team. LOL!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Rubbernecker
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Tangelo
Paper: Stampin' Up Whisper White
Accessories: Ribbon, Ruler,Black Marker, Post-It Note and Circle Punch

I'm glad you stopped by.

Cheryl

Focal Point and A Message

This weeks One-Layer Wednesday (9/21-9/27) challenge is to make a card where the sentiment is either the focus of the card or shares the focus equally with the image. I love this! I'm all about sentiment stamps. How else can we truly share our feelings, or convey our thoughts? Upload your card to Jennifer's Blog here.

I hope you'll stop by next week. I've planned 3 Weeks of Halloween projects, and they're all fun and easy!

Supplies:
Stamps: Inkadinkado & Stampabilities (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa & Hero Arts Shadow Ink-Soft Sand
Paper: Stampin Up's Whisper White

Thanks for stopping by...

Cheryl

Trick or Treat Mini Card (Love Note Size)

I just discovered a "new to me" challege tonight, CAS-ual Fridays. This weeks challenge is to create a mini card no larger than 4x4. If you've followed my blog at all, you know I love 3x3's or what I call Love Notes. I just love this size because they are perfect for slipping into a backpack, lunchbox, or even a briefcase. They are also the perfect gift enclosure.

This is my mini card and envelope:

Supplies:
Stamps: Michael's $ Bin (don't laugh)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Gina K Designs Pure Luxry Ivory, Pebbles, Inc. and Bo-Bunny
Accessories: Spellbinders and Spider Ring

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheryl

Christmas in September...

I can't believe I just made a Christmas card and it's only September! I don't even let myself think about Christmas until after October, 1st. Maybe it's just my subconscious telling me I need to start planning earlier this year.

This card is for the One-Layer Challenge on Susan's Blog, Simplicity. The challenge was to COLOR IT. I'm also going to enter my card for the Less is More Anything Goes Challenge.

I was drawn to this Christmas image from Memory Box (I adore their products). Have you seen their new die cut collection? If not, you're in for a treat.

I was really out of my confort zone using Stickles on this project. Don't ask me why. I guess I'm just a "plain Jane" sort of girl. I hope you can see the pretty sparkle this card has. I really like the results, I'll have to use Stickles more often...

Supplies
Stamps: Impress & Memory Box
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Desert Sand
Paper: Gina K Designs Pure Luxry Ivory
Accessories: Stickles-Diamond & Gold Bling

Thanks for stopping by.

One-Layer Wednesday is Back....and so am I

It's been several months since I've posted to my blog. Last Spring, life's demands became to much. As mothers, wives, and working women (as well as all the other hats we wear), I'm sure you can understand. With that said, I'm back to blogging and have some fun projects planned for the months ahead.

Ok, now for the good stuff... Yes, it's true. One-Layer Wednesday (OLW) is back and they're having an awesome giveaway to celebrate! This week’s challenge is make a baby-themed, one-layer card (tag) in my case. Check out Jennifer's blog and link your project for a chance to win!

It wasn't easy to find something "baby" themed here. My babies are no longer babies, they're teenagers! I don't even know anyone having babies. That's how old I am... LOL!

Here's mine: Baby Tags

Supplies:
Stamps: Rubber Stampede (booties), Stampin' Up - Warms Words
and A New Little Someone - Retired
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Stampin' Up very Vanilla and American Crafts
Accessories: Twine, Spellbinders, Martha Stewart Doily, Ribbon, Seam Binding, Prisma Pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits

Thanks for stopping by...

Help Make a Boy's Last Wish Come True

I received this from my blog friend, Chris. I met Chris through a military wives blog group we both belong to. I wanted to pass this along...

Twelve year old Max Low is dying from cancer. His last wish is to get as many cards in the mail as he can. If you would like to send him a card his address is:

Max Low
c/o Greg and Bambi
3432 Sulley Ave
Neola, IA 51559

If everyone could help with his last wish, it would be wonderful... Also, if you could share this with everyone you know I would appreciate it. I am trying to get the word out for the family.

Thank you and God bless!

You Make Me Smile

My Second Post of the Day....What?

Today's Clean and Simple Challenge (CAS114) at SplitCoastStampers is an inspiration challenge, and absolutely adorable. It almost makes you want to have little ones again...almost!

Lions, Giraffes, Elephants, and Monkeys...Oh my:

As I was cleaning off my work table this afternoon, I found this sweet monkey stamp. I had taken this stamp out last week to make a card for my younger daughter, Katelyn. Picking it up, I realized it would be perfect for today's CAS Inspiration Challenge.

I call Katelyn my little monkey because she always makes me smile. This card is for her.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampabilities
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Stampin' Up very Vanilla and American Crafts
Accessories: Twine, Copics and Spellbinders

One-Layer Sympathy Card

Hi Everyone,

Today I have One-Layer card to show you. This is for the OWL Sympathy Challenge on Susan Raihala's blog. I find sympathy cards very difficult to make, and a one-layer sympathy card even more difficult!

My second attempt:

Supplies:
Stamps: A Muse
Paper: Stampin'Up Very Vanilla
Ink: Memento~Rich Cocoa and Hero Arts Shadow Ink~Soft Sand
Accessories: Pearls, Corner Rounder, Spellbinders, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Thanks for stopping by,

A New Stamp Company and Their Design Team Call

Hi Friends,

A couple of nights ago I discovered a new on-line stamp company, SP and Company. The owner, Samantha Peyton has a nice collection of Mix & Match sentiments, which I love. These Sentiments are so versatile. Of course, Samantha also has adorable clear polymer image stamps too. Take a look at this cute Pennant set. And for you digital stamp lovers, she has some digital designs. I hope you check out her on-line store!

While shopping at SP and Company I saw she was having a design team call. I decided to give it a try! I've been a stamper and scrapbooker for several years and have even taught a few classes, but I've never submitted my work for a design team call. Since this is one of my goals this year, I didn't want to pass up this great opportunity. I just wish I would have discovered the design team call a litter sooner. The deadline is mightnight tonight!

Here's my submission.

If you haven't made an easel card before, here's a great tutorial by Beate Johns.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment ~ Inkadinkado Paper: Stampin' Up Whisper White, Archivers ~ Kraft & Memory Box Designer Paper Ink: Color Box Pigment ~ Black, Versa Magic ~ Jumbo Java for edges Accessories: Spellbinders Nestibilities, Stampin' Up Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Wilton's Cake Doily, Felt, MFT Rolled Rose Diecut, Cuttlebug DieCut, Glimmer Mist ~ Old Lace for Doily, Stampin' Up Scallop Punch

Thanks for stopping by...

Cheryl

Celebrate Spring!

Hi Friends,

Last night, while wandering through blog land, I discovered another Clean and Simple Blog/Challenge here. This weeks challenge, a sketch! Yes, another sketch challenge this week. If your style is Clean and Simple you'll enjoy their blog.

The sketch:

My card:

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment-Michael's Dollar Bin
Paper: Stampin'Up Whisper White, Memory Box
Ink: Memento Dandelion
Accessories: Michael's Bridal Paper Flowers and Half Pearls

Happy Spring, and thanks for stopping by

Cheryl

You Light Up My Life

Hi Friends,

I have a quick post for you today. It's another sketch challenge from SplitcoastStampers. I've had this sketch and supplies sitting on my work table all week and finally, I made time to put it all together today.

I was going for the shabby chic look, but don't think I quite achieved it.

Supplies:
Stamps: B Line Designs
Paper: Stampin'Up Whisper White (card base), Other Paper - Unknown
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Spellbinders, Bling, Handmade Flower, Tulle, and a Dymo Label Maker

Have a great week and remember: You can't finish something until you start it!

Cheryl

Hugs and Laughter

Hi Friends,

I'm glad you stopped by! Today's Clean and Simple Challenge at SplitcoastStampers is a color challenge. The color palette, soft aqua, soft yellow, and white. I love these colors; They feel like Spring.

I think this stamp says it all. When I saw it, I had to have it. It's one of those sentiments you can use for so many things. For example: thinking of you, Just wanted to say hi, or even get well. And, I just believe in what is says. Is this rationalization? Probably! Just for the fun of it, I Googled the word rationalization, and this is what I found: a defense mechanism in which perceived controversial behaviors or feelings are explained in a rational or logical manner to avoid the true explanation. Ok, I'm not going to do that anymore.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous Cling Mount
Paper: A Muse & Stampin'Up Whisper White
Ink: Versa Magic Sea Breeze
Accessories: Spellbinders, Floral Stamens from Michael's, Wool Felt,Wilton Doilies, and Rolled Rose Die from MTF

I hope I've made you smile...

Cheryl

Less is More Challenge

I discovered a new challenge blog this week. It's called Less is More. The challenge this week is a sketch. They're calling this size card Double Length, so the card should have a height that is Double the Length of the width. My finished size is 7 x 3 1/2. Now I just need to make an envelope to fit.

The image is a sweet new release from Lockhart Stamp Company and is colored with Prismacolor pencils. More on Lockhart Stamps and Karen Lockhart in another post.

Supplies:
Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Company
Paper: A Muse & Neenah Classic Solar White
Ink: Memento Black
Accessories: Spellbinders & Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheryl

Sweet 16 - An Invitation

Hi Friends,

It's rare I post to my blog a project that's not a "challenge" of some sort, but today I wanted to share the invitation I made for my oldest daughter's 16th birthday. The party was a Sweet 16/Chocolate Making Party!

I printed the party details on the back of the chocolae tag. I discoverd Memory Box cardstock at my local stamp store. I had no idea Memory Box had cardstock. This cardstock is a smooth white on the back and the perfect weight for a card base. I prefer the look of white on the inside of a card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment from Impression Obsession
Paper: Memory Box
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Glassine mini bag, Martha Swewart Doilies, Tulle, Ribbon, Tsukineko Shimmer Spritz in Frost, and Tim Holtz large Shipping Tag Diecut

Happy Spring,

Cheryl

Just Hatched...

Hi, I'm glad you stopped by. Today's card is for the OLW46 Challenge(One-Layer Wednesday) on Susan Raihala's Blog. The One-Layer Wednesday challenge is to use an egg or eggs on your one-layer card. If you're not the Easter basket type, Susan suggested using eggs in a nest...or an egg in a cup, an egg and a chicken, an egg-head cartoon, a good egg, whatever.

As soon as I saw the challenge, I new exactly what I wanted to do! My oldest daughter, now 16, insisted for years that she was hatched. We still don't know where she got that idea! It's one of those silly things that I've always remembered and to this day, it still makes me smile.

This card is 3" square. It's the perfect size to slip into the girls backpacks or even my husband's day planner. I call them my little Love Notes.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment from Savvy Stamps & Image from Michael's Dollar Bin
Paper: Stampin'Up Whisper White
Ink: Memento
Accessories: Copics, Ruler & Black Marker

Happy Spring!

Cheryl

CAS111 -Sketch Challenge

Hi friends,

Today's card is for the Clean & Simple Challenge on SplitcoastStampers. This sketch was inspired by Lisa Lara.

I was surprised by how quickly this card came together. This doesn't happen very often! I can definitely see myself using this sketch again. Thanks Lisa!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment from Hero Arts Clear Stamps
Paper: Archivers Kraft, Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye and Fancy Pants Designs
Ink: Memento
Accessories: Martha Stewart doily, Bling and CuttleBug Butterfly diecut.

Happy Spring...

Cheryl

Fun with Felt

Hi Friends,

Today's Ways to Use it challenge on SplitcoastStamper's is a FELT challenge. I've always loved felt and these days it's so easy to diecut a cute shape and use it on a card, scrapbook page or even a tag! Today, I'm having fun with tags.

My bird tag is spritzed with walnut ink. I misted the doily with Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist. You really can't tell in this picture.

For the birthday tag, I diecut chipboard leaves and painted them with Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint. This was the first time I opened my crackle paint, how sad. I really need to play with this paint more. I love the texture.

As I was cleaning up my work table, I found this pink felt rolled rose I made last week. I just had to make one more tag. The diecut used is from My Favorite Things.

Supplies:
Stamps: Bird~Inkadinkado and Happy Birthday~Stampabilites
Paper: Kraft (Archivers) and a standard Shipping Tag
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Stamp Positioner, Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist (Patina & Old Lace), Lace, Tulle, Buttons, Felt, Dew Drops, Doily, Cuttlebug, Pearl Floral Stems and Tim Holtz Shabby Shutters Distress Crackle Paint

Thanks for stopping by,

Cheryl

Technique Lover's Challenge

Hi friends,

Happy Monday! Today's Technique Lover's Challenge on SplitcoastStamper's is a fun one. The challenge is to make an odd shaped card (anything but A2, square or rectangle). I've been experimenting with some different shapes using my Spellbinders, so I was very excited to play today.

The template for the birdhouse is not mine. I found it late one night browsing the internet. I know I wrote down the gal's blog address so I could reference back to it. Of course, now that I need it, I can't find it! If anyone recognizes this template, please let know. I would love to give her credit for her adorable pattern. I did make a slight adjustment to the roof. The floral roof piece is about a half an inch wider than the original pattern.

The flowers were punched, scrunched, and misted with water.

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiment from Hero Arts Clear Stamps
Paper: Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye and Fancy Pants Designs
Ink: Memento Tangelo
Accessories: Stampin'Up Bird and small circle punches, All Night Media (old) flower punchs, Piercing tool, brads, stamp positioner

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful week.

Cheryl