Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Ribbon Carousel Challenge: Love, Birthday, and Chicken Soup

  This is my first official post as a design team member of the Ribbon Carousel Crew.  The challenge themes are monthly and the design team is divided into smaller groups to provide weekly inspiration for the monthly theme.
  Earlier in the month I created a get well card ("chicken soup") when I announced that I was invited to be a part of this team.  My card for today covers love and birthday...a double play :)

  I have a sweet friend whose birthday is very close to Valentine's Day, so I hope she will like her card.

  Will you play along?  For a chance to win spools of baker's twine, seam binding, or May Arts ribbon (your choice), create a new card following the challenge theme and use twine, ribbon, washi tape...anything that comes on a spool...somewhere on your creation and link up the direct link to your post at Ribbon Carousel Crew Challenge 89.

I am also entering my card in the Shop Pumpkin Spice "Something Shiny" challenge.

Supplies:
twine:  The Twinery "Pink Sorbet" baker's twine
decorative paper:  Doodlebug "Sweetheart" bon bons
heart pearls:  Doodlebug "bubblegum" assortment
sentiment stamp: The Cat's Pajamas
border punch and cloud punches:  EKSuccess and Fiskars, respectively
adhesive:  Xyron (for clouds and card stock layers; also holds twine securely!)
ink:  Hero Arts black (Artful Delight kit December 2013...sold out)
pen:  Creative Memories black (rain dots)

I hope to see you at the Ribbon Carousel blog...
Happy Tuesday!

Sunday, January 26, 2014

A Love Story

  I am still having fun playing with the varied papers and elements in my Artful Delight January card kit.  It is so much easier to create when the elements from various manufacturers are already coordinated in one kit.  The fun striped chevron paper and grey heart die cut are both from the Fancy Pants "Be Loved" collection and both stickers ("a love story" pennant and "happy valentine's day...FEB 14 REC'D") are both from the Crate Paper "Love Notes" collection.  I added some loopy stone baker's twine from my stash.

  With each kit I challenge myself to use different elements from the kit, since I always gravitate to polka dots, stripes, and flowers.  With each and every card I try to use something different from the kit, and yet even after creating 5-6 cards each month there is still papers that are uncut and elements I have not yet used.  This is why I am a fan of these kits!  I often find myself using elements from past kits with newer kits and other projects.  And even though my older kits from 2011 and 2012 are down to bare bones, sometimes there is a paper or embellishment that is perfect for a current project.  The kits that keep on giving...

  I also challenge myself to create a masculine card each month.  This valentine was my attempt at a masculine card...how did I do?

Don't forget to check out the Artful Delight blog for some terrific layout and card inspiration!  The February kit will be revealed next weekend.

Happy Sunday!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Through the Woods challenge

  Are you ready for another challenge at Cut It Up?  I actually chose this theme:  Through the Woods
You do not have to create a home decor project nor use actual wood...you could use wood grain patterned paper, a wood grain embossing folder, tree die cuts, woodland creatures, a log fire, wood veneer, etc. Just let "wood" spark your creativity and remember to use a die cut on your card, layout, or project.

Enter your wood creation for a chance to win a stamp set of your choice at Scrappy Moms Stamps.
You have until February 5th to play along.  See you at Cut It Up!

My project:  I painted the wood plaque ($5.99 at Michaels) with various acrylic paints ($1.49 each at Hobby Lobby) then covered with crackle finish ($1.99 at Michaels).  I used my "Plantin Schoolbook" cartridge cuts @ 3" and 1" to cut the Cricut vinyl ($9.99 at JoAnn).

Happy Friday!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Scrap Happy CAS-ology

  Today I was completely inspired by my friend, Amy Tsuruta.  She is guesting over at CAS-ology, and the challenge is CONTRAST.  My January 2014 Artful Delight card kit is still on my work desk.  Even though I have already created five cards from the kit (this is #6) and I have a dozen 6x6 sheets still uncut in this particular kit, I created this entire card from paper scraps.  The black seam binding is from the August 2011 Artful Delight kit and the focal image is an EAD Designs sticker.
    Happy Tuesday!

Sunday, January 19, 2014

We Totally Click

  Today I got a little nutty playing with the papers and Paper Smooches stamp set in my January 2014 Artful Delight card kit.  I used four different stamps from the "We Totally Click" stamp set.  My twine is from the January 2012 Artful Delight kit and the metal vellum tag is part of my ancient stash.

  There are still some kits available, so what are you waiting for?  If you already have your kit, go play!  And if you would like a chance to win next month's kit, just play along with this sketch challenge:

You have until 1/23/14 11:59pm EST to link up in the right-hand side bar on the Artful Delight blog.

Happy Sunday!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Something Old/Something New EAD Designs blog hop

  Welcome to the monthly EAD Designs blog hop!  Sadly, EAD Designs closed it's doors a little over a year ago, but there are still plenty of EAD fans and hoarders of EAD stickerz, rub-ons, and vinyl.

  Our hop theme:  something old and something new

  This was easy for me!  My newest stash is my January 2014 Artful Delight card kit.  All of my papers and card stock for this card came from the kit.  My old stash: the "True Love" EAD circular sticker, the MME twine, my embossing folder, and distress inks.

  My card was completely inspired by this lovely Lesley Croghan sketch:

  This also fits the monthly challenge at Ribbon Carousel:  Love, Birthdays, and Chicken Soup, the weekly challenge at Shopping Our Stash:  Use Something New, and the weekly challenge at Pumpkin Spice:  Use Holiday Papers.

  You could win some crafty supplies (sorry, not EAD stash) if you hop along the way and leave a comment...the more you comment, the greater your chances of winning.  You have until Saturday  January 18th @ 11:59pm PST to leave a comment and a chance to win.  Winners will be announced on Monday, January 20th 12am PST.  Julie S. is giving away prizes plus TWO more gals (they are keeping it a secret), so comment away.  I hope you win!

Supplies:
EAD Designs stickerz:  "True Love" circular sticker
paper:  Pebbles "Yours Truly" collection and Bazzill card stock (January 2014 Artful Delight card kit)
twine:  My Mind's Eye Happy Go Lucky "Together"
Cuttlebug embossing folder:  Victoria
inks:  Tim Holtz Wild Honey and Vintage Photo
doily dies:  Big Shot large doily dies (Stampin' Up!)

Hop list (in case you get lost along the way):

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Movie Night

  The January card kit from Artful Delight is packed with fun!  Included in the kit:  the fun KaiserCraft "Tiny Dot" background stamp, Fancy Pants die cuts (tickets), KaiserCraft Sparklets (glittery heart gems), and Paper Smooches "We Totally Click" stamp set (director board/popcorn image and the "movie night" sentiment.)  The filmstrip tape is from the August 2013 card kit (sold out), and the twine and glossy accents are from a 2011 Artful Delight card kits.

For more card or scrapbook inspiration, please go to the Artful Delight blog.  There is still time to enter both sketch challenges too!  For a chance to win a February kit from Artful Delight, check out the scrapbook sketch or the card sketch on the right-hand side bar on the Artful Delight blog.  You have until midnight EST on January 23rd to link up.

This card is  CASE (copy and share everything) of a card I saw on Pinterest.  I believe the original card was designed by Gayatri Murali.

Happy Sunday!

Friday, January 10, 2014

White as Snow challenge

 Are you having plenty of wintery weather?  I have snow on my mind...and the new challenge at Cut It Up is "White As Snow" so I went with a snow theme.
   Your card need not be snow related...think wedding, anniversary, birthday, or sympathy; just remember to use a die cut somewhere on your card.  And your card can have a smidge of color, but it does need to be mostly white.  This challenge is sponsored by Cute As A Button.  Enter for a chance to win a $20 coupon code.
  My friend Sally gave me a package of these glittery foam sticker snowmen for Christmas, so I was eager to use them.  I recently straightened up my craft room from the Christmas crafting mayhem and discovered the postage frame die by Sizzix that I bought on clearance from Michael's ~3 years ago but I had never used.  I love it when shopping my stash inspires me.  Other supplies:  My Mind's Eye "On the Bright Side Two" striped paper, Neat and Tangled tangerine satin sequins,  Twinery honeydew twine, and a Joy's Life "Wintery Puns" sentiment.

I hope to see you at Cut It Up.
Happy Friday!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Ribbon Carousel Challenge - Love, Birthday, and Chicken Soup

  Today starts the new monthly challenge at Ribbon Carousel challenge blog.  I am pleased to announce that I was asked to be on the design team along with my lovely blog friend, Amy Tsuruta.  I will also be in great company with my former DT sister from Pumpkin Spice, Heather Hoffman, and some of my personal paper craft idols who are all continuing on the design team for Ribbon Carousel.  *pinch me*
  My debut on the blog is not until the end of the month, but I could not resist playing along at the start of the challenge as well.  I chose the "chicken soup" portion, though I could have used a love or birthday sentiment for my card.

  Would you like to participate?  Just include ribbon, twine, thread, washi tape (basically anything that comes on a spool) on your card or project and link up at Ribbon Carousel.

Supplies:  Hero Arts background stamp (text), My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Two brad, paper and twine from sold out Artful Delight card kits, and a Tim Holtz flower die.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Hello!

  Like much of the country, we have had winter weather.  My children went back to school on Thursday, but then school was closed Friday due to snow and today (Monday) due to ice.  It is likely that schools will be closed tomorrow due to record cold temperatures...we'll see.  So a bright card was in order for today.

  Little Tangles has a new talented group of ladies designing with Neat and Tangled products.  Their first challenge is "Saying Hello."  I pulled out my basket of Neat and Tangled goodies and created this little card using two different Neat and Tangled stamp sets and three different colors of their sequins.


Other supplies:  Memories die inks in orange and yellow, Hero Arts black die ink, Twinery charcoal, glossy accents, and foam tape

Happy Monday!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Artful Delight - January card kit - Sketch Challenge

  I am delighted with the January kit at Artful Delight.  Each kit is always fun and packed with so many goodies, but I have to admit this particular kit is in my top 3 favorite Artful Delight kits of all time (I own at least 15 different AD kits).  The three patterned papers and the sentiment die cut are all Fancy Pants "Be Loved" and all are included in this kit.  My baker's twine is from a 2012 Artful Delight kit and the button was in my stash.

Here is a close up of the kit contents, and I promise it is even yummier in real life!
  this kit will include:
Crate Paper Bundled Up collection 6x6 sheets (2 each)
Noel
Crate Paper Love Notes collection 6x6 sheets (2 each)
Dearest
Beau Book

Fancy Pants Be Loved collection 6x6 sheets (2 each)
Sweetness
Amorous
Love Letter

Pebbles Yours Truly collection 6x6 sheets (2 each)
Love Note
Bouquet
Heart Strings
Hearts
Together
Be Mine

Coordinating Cardstock Bazzill Card Shoppe 8 1/2x11sheets (2 each)
Cotton Candy
Lollipop

Neenah Solar White Cardstock 8 1/2x11 sheets (4 each)

Embellishments – size and color may vary per kit
1 stamp set – Kaisercraft Tiny Dot
1 package Kaisercraft – Heart Sparklets Self Adhesive Rhinestone
1 package -  Studio Calico Thataway Envelopes Kraft and Vellum
2 ft – Papermania at Christmas Teal Velvet Ribbon
1 package - Crate Paper Love Notes Cardstock Stickers
1 sheet – Fancy Pants Beloved Alpha Stickers
1/2 package – Fancy Pants beloved Die Cut Cardstock
1 stamp set – Paper Smooches We Totally Click
  Would you like a chance to win next month's kit?  Create a card using this sketch (or a layout using the scrapbook sketch...see the right side bar on the Artful Delight blog for both sketches and the link up tool.)
Such a super cute sketch.  I used it quite literally, so the card practically made itself.

Happy Sunday!