Everlasting Ink

New Basic Grey Kioshi!

2010-03-20T19:13:00.003-05:00

Supplies: Basic Grey Kioshi 6x6 paper pad and Chip Stickers, Inkadinkadoo Flower Sentiments, Color Box Dark Brown Chalk ink, Nestibilities

Oh such lovely goodies arrived in the mail today!! The amazing Fran at Frantic Stamper sent this batch of new Basic Grey goodies "Kioshi" -- so my colors and style, so "Spring-y" -- I just loved all of it and of course dropped everything I was planning to do today to play with it all!!

I created this card to comply with several challenges around the blogosphere:

SCS Inspiration Challenge: I chose the Heart Shaped Sushi as my inspiration
AllSorts: Create a Spring Card
Crazy4Challenges: "Spring Time" Theme
Card Patterns Sketch #5

The chipboard pieces adorning the card make it so each to quickly do a fun and fast card. Love having the matching embellishments to go with the DP!

Be sure to stop by Fran's store, she is so CURRENT with all the new stuff that is coming out -- she is amazing!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Fun Cards, Sad Endings

2010-03-19T17:46:00.005-05:00

Quick post to get some blogging done this week!!

This first card was created a couple of weeks ago for my DBIL's BD. Charlene to make a card/project around a quote you find from this website and incorporate some representation of time in your design. So, I found the perfect sentiment for the inside of the card from there that says "Just Remember, Once You're Over The Hill, You Begin to Pick Up Speed". Cute, huh? There's tons of quotes to choose from on that site -- thanks so much Charlene!!

And, the sad part....this card is also is the last card I'm doing for my beloved DoubleDog Dare Challenge Group. We took a pulse of the group and determined that we all were ready to move on. So alas, it is bittersweet, but such good friendships were formed during that time!! How lucky and honored I always felt to be in your presence: Bev, Julia, Charlene, Joan, JoAnne, Fran, Anne and (for a time) Michelle. Love ya ladies!! Big hugs Always!!

This card is one I made recently playing around with chipboard letters:

I am currently obsessed with chipboard sticker shapes and alphas. So lots coming soon using them -- (thanks to FRAN from Frantic Stamper!!) The ones on this card by KI Memories are soooo cute!! And -- I snagged them through the daily "Crafty Steals" web special!! If you aren't familiar, get on board quick - each day a different "steal" is made available, and some of them are insane!! Be sure to check it out!! This came as part of a package of matching DP pack, epoxy brads and the gummie stickers from the BD above.

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Weekend Challenge Cards

2010-03-14T08:45:00.004-05:00

I'm so behind on blogging, but only because I have been super busy creating for a multitude of commitments, so the card making has not slowed down at all!! Just the part where I make time to blog about it!!

So here's my SCS Challenge Cards for this weekend!

This card is for the Inspiration Challenge, the website to go to for inspiration is "Warm Biscuit"!

I chose this "Nautical Wall Mirror" for my inspiration piece because of the clean lines and simple color combo.

I embossed Nestibilities Blossom II onto the white circle panel. Used Nesties to cut a scallop border around the circle. And used Nesties to die cut the popped, layered circle in the center. Used Primas and white brads as embellishments around the sentiment.

All supplies for this card are available at FranticStamper!

Next Up:

This card is for the Featured Stamper Challenge. The gallery this week belongs to Kristen (aka MommyLuvs2Stamp). I loved her contemporary style and use of DP! I chose her "With Gratitude & Mojo47 .. maybe?" card. It was eye-appealing and fresh and I love butterflies!!

I kept her layout and the brown color scheme, but changed the elements to supplies I have on hand. My butterfly is a Poppy Seed Grand Adhesion Dimensionnel sticker from KI Memories "Bloom" set and I used American Craft Thickers chipboard letters to create the sentiment. Some dotted stamping with a WoodwareUSA clear stamp across the bottom strip to go along with the theme of Kristen's design.

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Cotton Anniversary Card - ODBD

2010-03-13T17:18:00.002-06:00

Hi All!

Whew! Barely got this card posted in time for the deadline yesterday, so now I'm adding in the deets to my card!!

This is for Saturday's ODBD challenge over at Our Daily Bread Designs. They are celebrating their Second Anniversary this week with a challenge every day!! Today's challenge is to use Cotton in some way on your card!

I used the bird image from the "You Will Find Refuge" set. My "cotton" is the wonderful Sparkly Fluff in Sugar and Coffee Bean Brown from Our Craft Lounge. I l-o-v-e playing with that stuff!! I sprinkled the white over the bird in stragegic areas first, then let it dry and tapped the excess off. Then sprinkled the brown in some of the other areas, repeated the process, and the result is a downy, soft feeling and looking little bird!! With an added bonus of some sparkle!

In addition, I added an antique cotton lacy ribbon just for good measure for the "cotton" theme!! The little angel charm came all the way from Sweden from my sweet friend Birgit (aka Bigann over on SCS). I'll be sending this card to her as a thank you!!

Congratulations to Our Daily Bread Designs (Click on the link to see what's going on over there!!) on their Second Anniversary!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Mosaic Butterfly Card

2010-03-07T16:37:00.008-06:00

Supplies: "Inspiration Mosaic" by M.Muenchinger, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Copics, Dimensional Butterfly stickers from Marcella K, SU Word Window punch, misc. faux jewels and patterned paper.

This week's Featured Stamper is Vera (aka Vera)! And may I just say that this is one fabulous gallery to go through!! I was so excited to see so many great ideas, I have a lot of the stamps she has! One in particular is the the "Inspiration Mosaic" set by Melanie Muenchinger. Vera uses it quite a bit so I checked out every one! This is such a versatile set, it's hard to go wrong with it!! Vera created this very cool "Inspiration Mosaic" card with it and shared a great technique to when using the Mosaic stamp.

You stamp the mosaic onto a single sheet of patterned DP, then color over the different segments in different colored inks! It works!! So very fun, and easy peasy!!

I stamped the mosaic stamp onto some scrap DP to test out the technique. Colored in all but one of the squares with Copics that coordinated with the original pattern of the DP. The original colors of the pattern paper is the square under the pink butterfly in this photo.

Must have taken a whole 90 seconds to do the coloring!! Then I stamped one of the sentiments from the set and the card was ready to be embellished. So super easy, I just love the technique, love that set!! So worth the investment ladies!!

Congrats to Vera and thanks for sharing this technique!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

With Love

2010-03-05T20:57:00.022-06:00

Supplies: Clear Magic Stamps "Mary and Friends", SU Chateau Bella rub ons and Scallop Border punch, Recollections Gemstone brads, Tiffany Teal Primas, Nestabilities, misc. ribbon, We R Memory Keeper Corner Chomper

Hi All,

I'm hosting the Inspiration Challenge over on Splitcoast this week!! Come join me!! Had a blast with this one, a fun website and new stamps! Life is good! :)

The inspiration website is "Ginko Papers". The fun and whimsical items throughout the store are contemporary and Asian inspired! Seems like every time I looked through the pages I'd find something else that made me smile. The owner writes that "when we travel to Japan, a country as much in love with paper as I am, I end up spending hours in the stationary section of the department stores...I wanted to bring all those unique items together for you in one place. Here they are! May your search through them be as fun as my search in gathering them." I can totally relate to that, can't you?

So after changing my mind all week long on which item I wanted to use as my inspiration piece, I finally settled on this "Shinzi Katoh Red Riding Hood Notepad 3".

The focal image on my card is from Woodware USA, Clear Magic Stamps (be sure to check out their brand new blog!!). The set is called "Mary and Friends" -- so cute!! Comes with three main images and several coordinating sentiments. I used "With Love" from the set.

The corners are embellished with white SU Chateau Bella rub ons.

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

New Digi Releases From THS Today!

2010-02-25T06:30:00.004-06:00

Supplies: THS Digi images, Copics, Sparkly Fluff, jewels

Hi All,

This card uses two of the MANY new Spring digi images being released today at the Treehouse Store! The images here are from the "Spring Bouquet" set: "Bunny" and "Box 4".

The Thursday Treehouse Challenge is "Bling". So I used more of the Sugar SparklyFluff from Our Craft Lounge on the bunny's belly, ears and tail!! Its so sparkly IRL - where you see gray specs here in the photo, that's all the sparkle!! I also added some pink jewels to the corners for some added bling for the challenge.

Each week we feature one of our DT members, and this week it's Gloria! Gloria is an amazing, talented and a lovely person. Please stop by her blog (aka CrafterGM) and see what she's up to!!

Join in the Treehouse Challenge this week anb grab the THS Thursday Challenge Badge for your blog when you do!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

AC Sketch Challenge Card

2010-02-23T15:56:00.006-06:00

A fast and fun card for the American Crafts Sketch Week Challenge.

I chose this sketch from the week's offerings. The two American Crafts supplies I used were Thickers Patterned Chipboard Letter Stickers and "I'm Like a Bird" Blues Skies DP.

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Good Luck Friend

2010-02-22T19:43:00.012-06:00

Supplies: Prima and Basic Grey flowers, Recollection Gemstone Brad, Thickers Flocked Alpha Chipboard, Cosmo Cricket Earth Love DP, PTI Aqua Mist CS, SU Chocolate Chip and Kraft CS. SU Scalloped Border punch.

This is a DDC card that my friend Joanne (aka Sleepy in Seattle) dared us to do. She wanted to see a St. Patricks Day or Good Luck Card with some green. I've never sent out a St. P's day card, so I chose to go with a Good Luck theme.

I used these neat tab clips that I got as a sample from a vendor that stopped by my office at work last year. They got thrown in my drawer and for some reason surfaced last week. I, of course, immediately thought of card-making with them and brought them home!! They are so cool, and they come in this fun little acrylic storage box -- kind of over-the-top storage for just some disposable tabs, dontcha think?? Anyways, I love 'em!!

I layered some Prima and Basic Grey Flowers with a Recollections green (ta dah!) brad along with some fun Flocked Alpha Thickers from CHA. (Still using new CHA stuff I got!) There's 3 Robins Nest Dew Drops there on the DP too, hard to see.

Anyhow, you are invited to join in and play in the DDC Challenges!! Post to your blog or SCS using keyword DDC. Let me know if you do so the DDC gals can come see your work!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Happy News, New Product, New Card!

2010-02-21T16:15:00.023-06:00

Supplies: ODBD "Refuse and Strength", SU "Inspired by Nature", SU River Rock and White CS, Nestibilities, Copics, silver half-back pearls

Hi All,

So much blogging to do, so little time!!

This card is for a few challenges I've been stalking plus the Featured Stamper challenge over on SCS. This week the gorgeous gallery of JovialJudi is being featured! I chose to case her "Winter Chickadee " card because it was lovely, simple and was focused on a bird! I have been anxious to ink up the cute little bird from my new "You Will Find Refuge" set from ODBD! The scripture in this set is one of my favorites, I have a banner hanging in my bedroom that has the same scripture so I'm happy to be able to share it in cards to friends now!

It also seemed to be a good image to use more of my new "SparklyFluff" product from Our Craft Lounge that I got at CHA. I used the white "Sugar" color. It's sprinkled on the little bird's breast. This is such pretty stuff, a great texture for cards.

I only used it sparingly, but it still has a wonderful effect IRL. It's so soft and touchable!! Like velvet or fur, and it doesn't crumble off when you rub it! It also has a wonderful sparkle to it, not overwhelming but definitely visible at first glance and draws your eye to it. Not sure if you can see it here, click on the image for a closer look.

Finally, the card needed to have some distressing somewhere on it to qualify for Paper Sundaes "Distress" Challenge. So I used the Rock and Roll technique on the sentiment to make it appear like it was fading.

The challenges I combined using this card are:
1.) Featured Stamper #159 - Jovial Judy "Winter Chickadee" case
2.) Hope Stamps Eternal Cupcake Challenge #47 -- soft blues, beige cupcakes
3.) Quirky Crafts Challenge #22 -- Theme is "Cute"
4.) Paper Sundae #6 -- Theme is "Distress"

And!! My happy news...!! I will be creating designs for The Frantic Stamper! I applied for this DT way back in April of last year!! Fran was busy building her new store warehouse so she could fill it with wonderful goodies!! (Check out the FranticStamper Blog to see photos of it and the DT announcement!!) So now that the new warehouse is ready, the DT has been put in place!! I was thrilled to get the email!! I am looking forward to working with my fellow DT members and all the loads of fun product!! The fun begins on March 7!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Paper Piecing

2010-02-17T21:27:00.013-06:00

Supplies: THS "Spring is in the Air" digi and "Spring Blessing", SU Afternoon Tea DP and Soft Sky CS, SU Well Scripted sentiment, Sizzix Bigz Die, Signo White Gel Pen, marker

Hi All!

Today the Treehouse Thursday Challenge (#037) is Paper Piecing.

For my card, I used "Flower #3" from the new THS digi set "Spring is in the Air". I printed it out in 3 sizes (the magic of Digi!) on two different sheets of DP. I cut them out, pieced the flower centers to the petals and created a variety of different flowers just by layering and texturizing some of them.

The filigree border on the side is made with the Sizzix Bigz XL Card Die - Floral Flourish die that I used to cut the base card. I ran the die through the Big Shot with 3 layered strips of DP over just the filigree part so I would have some perfectly sized pieces that I could paper piece onto the border as well.

This is a fun technique to use with Digi images! Hope you'll give it a try! When you upload your card to SCS, PCP, or your blog, use the keyword THT037. Link your card to the Treehouse and upload the Treehouse badge for your blog to show that you follow the Treehouse Thursday Challenge!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

HVD and Weekend Cards!

2010-02-14T21:23:00.023-06:00

Happy Valentines Day Everyone! Are these roses gorgeous or what?? I married a saint! I'm so lucky!!

So here's the card I made for DH, Carl, along with a little 3x3 clear acetate box that I decorated (box is another find from CHA this year). You can find them Here at Denami Design! Really great gift-giving size! Fun and easy to decorate too!

The card is a case of SparkleGirls card that I found on SCS last week! I love the soft blue and red together.

Got to host the Inspiration Challenge this weekend on SCS! The website I chose to go to for inspiration was Geninne's Art Store. I chose this Flower Party collage print as my inspiration.

I used several colors of scraps of Bazill textured CS and over-layed them on my base of Chocolate Chip CS. Used white rub-ons to create the flowers and sentiment. Filled in some of the white space with 3 coordinating brads and that was it! Super easy and versatile technique!

Lastly for the weekend, I made this card for the Featured Stamper Challenge. This week's gallery belongs to Laurie (aka HamiltonGal on SCS). Lots of great work in her gallery, I wished I had time to make more!! I ended up choosing her Pink and Green Stripes card. Loved the layout and the fun stripes and dimension. I cased the layout and butterflies but changed out everything else to use supplies I had. Congratulations Laurie!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Dolley Madison Card

2010-02-12T14:16:00.012-06:00

Supplies: SU Razzleberry Lemondade DP, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, white CS, Copics, PTI Holiday Mix buttons, SU DS ribbon, Fiskars border punch, Image by Treehouse Stamps

What a fun Limited Supplies challenge today over on Splitcoast! We were to make a card inspired by a US President! Interesting, right? A couple of different ideas came to mind right away, neither of which is this card!!

I ended up going with President James Madison, who's wife Dolley inspired the name of a famous bakery in 1937! See this link!

I've been obsessed with buttons lately, and it's been really hard not to buy all the different ones for sale these days! They're so cheap and you get so many, I'm going to have buttons for years and years to come!! The ones I used on this card are PTI's Holiday Vintage collection.

The image is from the "Chocoholic" digi set by Treehouse Stamps! Go by and check out all of new releases that Ashley just added to the store!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

More New THS Digi Releases!

2010-02-11T06:30:00.002-06:00

Here's a couple of cards for this week's Treehouse Thursday Challenge #036. This week the challenge is "Say it With Love"...use a "love" sentiment on your card. Join in the challenge and grab the Treehouse Badge for your own Blog! When you upload your card to an on-line gallery or your blog make sure to use keyword THT036!

My first card uses the new plaid and floral "Spring is in the Air" Digi Paper Pack #2. The second card uses the butterfly from the new digi set called "Hello Friend". Both the digi paper and image are being released today so be sure to head over to the Treehouse Stamps Store to see the full line of all the new goodies!!

We feature a Design Team member each week and this week it is the amazing and talented Katie Tate! Be sure to visit her blog and check out her amazing work!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Teeny Chick

2010-02-09T00:00:00.007-06:00

Supplies Used: Nestibility Large Scallop Squares. Cosmo Cricket Earth Love DP, Very Vanilla and Brushed Gold CS, Copics, Clear Magic Stamps "Janes Script", Denami Designs imaage, Memento Tuxedo Black In.

All day I was thinking about what "teeny tiny" card design to make so I could participate in this week's Saturday Spotlight Challenge. Meanwhile, I checked in on the CAS challenge over on SCS for today and it is an inspiration challenge. The website is Candy Crates Retro Candy Store.

I headed to the Holiday Candies Section looking at the Easter candies and found this Happy Hen Pooper! Egads!! Couldn't pass that up, right?? My "teeny tiny" design was born!

I used one of the "teeny tiny" chicks by Denami Design - their stamps are practically synonymous with "teeny tiny"!! Colored the little chick with Copics to match my Cosmo Cricket Earth Love DP. Used Basic Grey LillyKate mini velvet rick rac and Basic Grey mini brads for embellishments. All this went onto a small 3x3 card base!

And finally, Joan Irvin (aka Stamping with a Passion), our Doubledog Host for this week wanted us to make a Get Well Card, and viola! This became a "Get Well Soon" card! Can't remember the last time I got a DDC done on the same day it was posted!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Doubledog Dare Rose

2010-02-07T21:24:00.011-06:00

Supplies: SU Scallop Punch, SU Print Pattens Pack, SU 5/8" satin ribbon, SU Gold Glory EP, SU Kraft CS, EK Success Large Scallop Border punch, SEI Lovebirds DP, Our Daily Bread Fishers of Men, misc. mini heart charm

Our Doubledog Dare Host this week is Julia (aka Create With Me) and she dared us to make a card using the rose tutorial found on Mercy's (aka Lord Have Mercy) blog.

Wow!! I love this rose!! Couldn't be simpler to make and it comes out beautifully. I'm so glad Julia pointed us to that tutorial and grateful that Mercy shared it with all of us!! You should give it a try!!

I added a tiny heart charm to the layout so I could participate in the brand new weekly challenge over on the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog to use hearts on your card.

Please feel free to join in on the Doubledog Dare Challenges found here on SCS every Tuesday!! Upload to your blog or any of the on-line galleries using DDC as your keyword, and leave me a comment so the DDC gals can stop in and see your work!! There's no time limit and we'd love to have you join us!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Many Friends

2010-02-07T13:47:00.005-06:00

Today's Featured Stamper over on SCS is Barbara Anders (aka Bar) . Wow, what a gallery!! I think this is going to be my new home!!

I chose to Case her Meet Me Under the Mistletoe card. I love the buttons and ribbon treatment she used so I kept those and of course the layout.

Image and sentiment are from the Mary and Friends set of Clear Magic Stamps by http://www.woodwareusa.com/Woodward USA.

Congratulations Barbara, a very worthy Featured Stamper this week!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Treehouse Thursday Challenge #035

2010-02-06T19:58:00.010-06:00

Supplies Used: THS Life's a Picnic stamp set. SU Ink in Rose Red and Real Red. White, Red and Rose Red CS. Fiscars Border punch, Sparkly Fluff

I made this for the Treehouse Thursday Challenge #035. This week the challenge is the "Colors of Love"...use Red, Pink and White on your card. Join in the challenge and grab the Treehouse Badge for your own Blog! When you upload your card to SCS, PCP, and your blog make sure and use the keyword THT035.

We feature a Design Team member each week and this week it is none other than the lovely Ms. Anne Harmon, a dear friend, and long-time design team croney of mine!! Please stop by and visit her blog and check out her amazing work!!

The card features the stampset "Lifes a Picnic" I stamped the apple from the set 4 times, one of which I used to pop up for dimension.

I added this really fun "Sparkly Fluff" in Rockstar Red that I got at the Our Craft Lounge booth at CHA to the popped apple.

Can you see how sparkly and fluffy it is?? It's just so cool, it feels like velvet when you touch it!! I had to get several colors!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Betcha Can't Guess??

2010-02-02T21:26:00.008-06:00

Ahhh, see this gorgeous card?? Can you guess who created this wonder and sent it to me as a Valentine??

First person to post the correct answer as a Comment on my Blog gets this fun and BRAND NEW, unopened round box of Baby Pink Flower Soft and the Recollections Fleur de Lis Brads!! (and I'm sorry Ms. Sender -- you're not eligible!! LOL!!)

Here's your first hint... She is on my side bar.

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Treehouse Store, Doubledog Dares & Lots of My New CHA Stuff!!

2010-01-31T20:22:00.028-06:00

Supplies: Whiff of Joy Elizabeth Belle, Momento Tuxedo Black ink, PTI Aqua Mist paper, ink and button; Prima flowers, CarlaCraft punch, ribbon from HL, Copics, brads, SU Rose Red and White CS, Crate Paper DP

Hi All,

Catching up on some blogging tonight!! Here's some cards I've made to meet my DT comittments!!

First up is this image by Whiff of Joy that can be found at Treehouse Stamps Store . It's "Willow Kneeling Up", cute, eh?? She is colored with copics and embellished with primas and punches and ribbon!

I designed it to also meet several blog challenges this week: Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge, The Pink Elephant to use Polka Dots, a Bow and Pink, and Die Cuts R Us to use ribbon!

The stamp came to me unmounted, without any cling foam attached to the back so it was the perfect time to use my new Rock A Blocks that I picked up at CHA last weekend! I was curious about these things, and wanted to try them out before making the purchase. I got to do that at CHA and they ended up being my first purchase when I was there!

If you have unmounted stamps without cling mount foam already on them (just plain rubber sheets), you wouldn't need to bother attaching the cling mount and cutting them out! These Rock A Blocks allow you to attach the plain rubber right to the block and start stamping! (I was thrilled because I really hate cutting out that stuff!!) The images stamp beautifully. Anyhow, if it matters at all, I highly recommend this awesome set of blocks!!

Next is this card using THS Birthday Cupcake image and some digital paper soon to be released by Asley Bowen, owner and designer of Treehouse Stamps. I stamped the cupcake onto the Treehouse digital DP and some coordinating Rose Red paper. Mounted it onto an Olive Green panel that was punched using Fiskars Lace and Lattice Border & Corner Punch (also a purchase from CHA last weekend.) The sentiment that I stamped around the border is by Woodware USA, Clear Magic Stamps (also from CHA). The set is called Jane's Script.

This choice of colors was inspired by today's Inspiration Challenge over on SCS. The wonderful website chosen for our inspiration today was "Espe". I went with the Stella Mini Pink Bag although I loved so many of the items on that site!!

The punch I used by Fiskars creates a continuous borders around a corner so easily! As long as you start with CS that is "whole" inches (i.e., 5x3, or 4x2 or 6x4, etc.), you can punch a perfect border around the perimeter.

The one-inch increments that you need to move your paper are notched on the punch base so it makes it easy to align the border as you punch, your papers set into the notches to hold the CS edge in place for perfect punching. Its such a smart tool design! These were going for $12.00 at CHA! I wish I had picked up more styles!!

Next is my card for the Treehouse Blog Challenge #34! The Treehouse has a challenge every Thursday!

Join in the challenge and grab the new "Treehouse Stamps Thursday Challenge" badge for your own Blog! Post your creation using Mr. Linky on the THS Blog!

This week's THS Challenge on the Treehouse Blog is to create a card using flowers and a butterfly. Be sure to use keyword THS034 when uploading to on-line galleries!

The images I used this week are from the Simple Wishes set. I stamped the large daisy using the rock and roll technique and wrapped the garden with some brown paper ribbon. The butterflies are Martha Steward punch and matching stamp.

Also, this week over on the Treehouse Blog, Kelly Hampton is the Spotlight Team Member for this week. Please stop by to meet her and see what's up over in the Treehouse!!

OK, just a couple more ... hang in there with me friends!!

My Doubledog Dare cards:

Over on SCS in the Challenges Forum you can find all the Doubledog Dare Challenges! This card is for the challenge from Post #59, hosted by Bev (aka Beestamper) ! The challenge is to make a NON-Challenge card, a card that isn't for any challenge whatsoever!! EEEK!!! And the twist is that you have to actually mail it to someone... someone who isn't expecting a card, and you must send it as anonymous.

I thought I would send a card that could be used as a Valentine, so I used this cute American Art Stamp called "Heart Balloons" that I've coveted for so long! I found it at CHA (yes, my bags were overflowing!!). My sister Judy gave me the cute felt hearts (that are adhesive-backed, how cool!) and I just added some bling to make them pop. The card base is a plain notecard from a set I found at a garage sale. I just attached my Nesti shapes to the front of it and stamped on the circle. So my card is finally done, it's addressed and on it's way to "Someone" tomorrow!! How fun!! (Thanks Bev!!)

The last card this evening is the DDC for this week that was issued by Anne Harmon (aka Stamping in Red) . The details about this challenge are found on Post #62 of the Doubledog Dare Challenges. Anne wanted a card with a frame.

So here ya go...the frame I used on this card is Sizzix die called "Windows, Sunshine". I don't think I've ever used it on a card and I've had it for years!! The window is lined with S.E.I "Lovebirds" DP that I picked up at CHA! The whole 12x12 pack was half price!! Yep!! What a deal!! It's a gorgeous pack of paper that comes with coordinating stickers! The sentiment is by Woodware USA, Clear Magic Stamps. The set is called Jane's Script. I also used the Fiskars border punch, an EK Success branch punch, a SU Jumbo Eyelette and a SU Sizzix Embossing Folder.

Whew...that was one long blog!! Thanks so much for making it to the end with me!!

Craft Super Show Day 2

2010-01-23T22:52:00.014-06:00

I know, what the heck is Debra Norvelle doing at CHA?? Apparently she is a big time knitter and has her own line of yarn and yarning things...I'm not a knitter so I don't know what that might entail! ANYhow, she was there promoting her books through Barnes and Noble at the show. So, just because I was star-struck I had to take a picture and share it with you!!

More freebies awaited us at today's show... there were hologram glitter sample packs, fabric batting that sticks to paper/cardboard (from the Joann's booth), Sizzix sticker sheets, velvet flowers, and mini trim scissors.

I came across a new company at the show called Woodware USA. I loved every set they had, I couldn't leave the booth! In talking with one of the hosts in the booth, I learned that CHA was the launch of their own line of stamps called "Clear Magic" stamps for the US market. They are based out of the UK where they have been a distributor for several rubber stamp and craft companies for over 15 years. I also met the owner and he shared with me a very cool line of ink pads they are about to launch, but that's coming in May -- more about that later.

Anyhow, check out their website and see all the great images they have! I snagged the Flower Frames set, Mary and Friends, and a cute script set called Jane's Script. I can't wait to get home to crack these things open!! :)

There was so much to see and so many booths, and I ended up not taking too many more photos. Sorry :( The time went so fast! I did fill up my suitcase with fun goodies that I am thrilled with -- some really good deals in the lot too! But I do know all the big reveals that we're all anxious to hear about will be starting tomorrow when the Trade show begins. I'll be on the look out for bloggers that are going to be there and share them with you when I find them.

But tomorrow we're off to Disneyland!! We watched the fireworks from the balcony of our hotel room tonight, purdy neato!! I haven't been to Disney anything since I was a child! I imagine more adventures await us in the morning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Craft Super Show

2010-01-23T00:06:00.024-06:00

Today was so great ya'll! The shopping was fun, the crafting was fun, and the people were a blast!!! The show is the same yet very different than the Scrapook Convention that I've become accustomed to in Texas. You can just feel it in the air, everyone is happy and excited to be there. There's companies that showed up there that I have never seen at a Texas show!

See those white bags with red trim everyone is holding onto in line? Michaels was giving those out and they're filled with fliers and coupons. The Michaels logo is actually printed on one side of them, none of them are turned that way so you can see it though!

I met Taylor from Taylored expressions -- no picture yet (sweet as pie!) and the owners and some of the DT from Ippity stamps.

Heather Rolin
I'm such a huge fan of these guys!

I found my favorite Texas duo Joan (Stamping with a Passion) and Bev (Texas Grammy) scoping out the isles!

Over at the Splitcoast booth, SCS's royalty were hanging out! That was one crowded space!! Davon, Jenn and Beate were there -- and I know you know who I'm talking about!!

Splitcoast had a different make and take sponsored by different companies every two hours!! I was there for the Lizzie Anne one. And, SCS gave a specially designed SCS Home stamp out to all the visitors!! Jenn has a little badge that she's wearing to show it off -- click on the pic to get a closer look.

Some more fun things there...Cricut had a fabulous presentation...they were doing demos on all their products -- the Cuttlebug, Expression, Gypsy and the big featured item is the new "Cricut Cake"! Wild, huh?? They redesigned the Expression to make one that is "food safe" so you can roll gum paste through it and cut any design, from any existing Cricut cartridge in any size or detail so you can decorate cakes!! So their make and take was cupcakes! You got to create a flower to decorate a cupcake with...And you can just imagine the line to do THAT make and take!! (Maybe I'll get to it tomorrow!!) BTW, in the photos, those things on everyone's head are bakers hats that they were giving out to the make and takers!!

Here's some new cut and embossing folders coming out for the Cuttlebug:

There's a LOT more to show and tell but I'm beat for the night! Tomorrow is a whole 'nother day of shopping and makes so I need my rest (LOL!). I'll post again in the evening!

I'm so glad you stopped by!

Treehouse Stamps Thursday Challenge!

2010-01-21T06:32:00.001-06:00

Supplies: THS Simple Wishes, Mesh by Inkadinkad. StazOn Black, SU Blue Bayou innk. Martha Stewart Loopy Border punch, SU Oval and Scalloped Oval punch. SU Floral EF. Misc ribbon, button, and clear jewels.

This week's THS Challenge on the Treehouse Blog is to create a Get Well Themed card! I used the two-step branchy things from the Simple Wishes set. The sentiment is also part of the set.

The Blue Bayou panel is embossed with a SU embossing folder. The white panel is stamped with a mesh background stamp. Next I stamped the solid branch image from the Simple Wishes set in Blue Bayou a couple of times and the outline of the branch in StazOn black. I doodled some faux stitching around two of the edges, and used my Martha Stewart Loopy Border punch to create an edge along the other two sides. The sentiment is popped up using dimensionals.

The ribbon and button treatment finish off this simple card.

Join in the challenge and grab the new "Treehouse Stamps Thursday Challenge" badge for your own Blog! Post your creation using Mr. Linky on THS Blog!

Be sure to use keyword THS033 when uploading to on-line galleries!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

Some CAS Cards with Buttons and Glue Dots

2010-01-18T21:11:00.010-06:00

Supplies: Recollections Card Bases in Creme and Khaki, misc. buttons, GlueDots, SU Trendy Trees and Felices Dias, Black StazOn, misc. jewels.

My sister Judy came over Saturday night and we hung out in my craft room. She played around with my Martha glitter, felt shapes and blingy things and I did some stamping. She also had a box that was brimming with buttons that I was admiring and she just gave them all to me!! Gulp!!! Buttons??!! I LOVE buttons!!! So, these are some quick cards I made using the buttons and some of the jewels we had out that night. Adhered the buttons and jewels with Glue Dots, so fast and easy!

The simple branch and sentiments are from SUs "Trendy Trees" set. The Spanish sentiment ("Disfruta Tu Dia" means "Enjoy Your Day") is from SUs "Dias Felices" set.

The card bases came pre-embossed with the shadow box window as shown from the store Recollections that we used to have here. I've had them forever so I don't know if they are sold any more. I got them when the store was closing out and forgot all about them.

Any whoo, easy as pie...hope you enjoy!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!

A Special Featured Stamper

2010-01-17T17:45:00.008-06:00

Supplies: Kraft and Daisy Ds DP. SU Graceful Words. Sunflower Sizzlet die, Primas, Recollections brad,EK Success Large Scallop Border Punch and Leaf branch punch.

So excited to see my sweet friend Anne Harmon (aka Inking in Red) as the Featured stamper this week over on SCS! Anne has been one of the Doubledog Dare Gals from the beginning, we were on the Belli Challenge DT together, and I now have the pleasure of being on the Treehouse Stamps DT with her as well! So we've practically grown up together!!! LOL!!

I chose this gorgeous Beautiful Burgundy card from her gallery to case. It's because of Anne's cards that I had to have that fabulous Large Scallop border punch, so I was very excited to be able to Case a card from her gallery and use it. This is literally the first time I had used it!! How appropriate!

I also wanted to participate in the Hope Stamps Eternal cupcake challenge again this week so the colors I chose were inspired by these yummy looking things!!

Congratulations to Anne!! Enjoy your week my friend!!

TFL, I'm so glad you stopped by!