Get Your Boots On

I'm excited to be hosting the "Weekly Recipe" over on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog - it's what we're calling the sketch challenges!  This week I kept it very clean and simple, which seems to be all I'm capable of lately, lol.  My card features the fabulously wicked boots from the newest Diner's Club set Tart and Spice, along with a sentiment that cracks me up.

I do think the sketch provides the opportunity to snazz it up if you want to, though - check it out:

I'd love it if you could stop by and play along with us this week!  Head over to the Gourmet Rubber Stamps to leave a link to your amazing project, so everyone can see!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Tart and Spice (Gourmet Rubber Stamps) 
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Spiced Marmalade (Ranger), Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Sparkly Brads (Cosmo Cricket)

Peaceful Leaves

I made a CAS card for this week's Inspiration Challenge over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums on Splitcoaststampers this week.  I loved how peaceful and clean the inspiration picture felt, so I went in that direction.  I used the fantabulous Season of Change stamp set and coordinating dies for my leaves, and the sentiment and divider line are from the Christmas Tags set - it doesn't have to be for just holiday cards!


Supplies: 
Stamps: Season of Change, Christmas Tags (SNSS)
Card Stock: White (Neenah)
Ink: Rich Cocoa, London Fog (Memento) 
Tools: Season of Change Dies (SNSS)

Halloween Treats

Here's a sweet little Halloween card I made for a CAS challenge over on Splitcoaststampers - to be inspired by the word "Boo!".  Well, ghosts say boo, so that's the direction I went in.  I accordion folded a strip of black card stock to add some dimension and visual interest.  The cling rubber Spooky Treats set from Stampendous was the perfect choice - isn't that little ghostie too sweet? I love that he's eating some candy from his bag!


Supplies: 
Stamps: Spooky Treats Set (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Bazzill Black, Neenah White 
Patterned Paper: Autumn Splendor (Best Creations)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Coloring Medium: Copics (C00, C1, C2, C3, C5, C7, R20, V00, V12, V15, V17)
Accessories: dew drops
Tools: Scor-Buddy

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #95

Tuesday is sketch time over at Skipping Stones Design.  This is the last sketch from the amazing Amy Sheffer, and I think this might be my favorite one all month!  I can see myself reusing this one all the time in the coming months - it is excellent for holiday cards.  Speaking of those - I'm showing off a new set, Christmas Song, that isn't even available in the store yet.  It will be soon though, so put it on your wishlist!

Be sure to check out the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the original sketch, and to read all the deets about playing along (you might win free stamps!).  And be sure to check out all the fabulousness:

Jennifer Ingle

Joann Valderama

Kandi Phillips

Karen Baker

Katie Gehring

Shannon Teubner

Stephanie Mino

Taylor Usry (you are here)

Wendy Price

Wendy Jordan

and our guests:

Amy Sheffer

Cristina Kowalczyk

Amber Daigre

Nicole Mullen

Chan Vuong

Vanessa Menhorn

Supplies:
Stamps: Christmas Song (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: Cream (Prismatics), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Holiday (Webster's Pages)
Ink: Aged Mahogany, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts)
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Lovely Birds

It's challenge day with Paper and Such, and today we have a recipe challenge.  I chose to incorporate designer paper, ribbon, and buttons (we had to have two).  I used the lovely Song in My Heart set, paired with some gorgeous Cosmo Cricket paper and buttons.  I finished off the card with some May Arts crochet-and-velvet ribbon.

I'm sad to say it's my last challenge with the team.  I've thoroughly enjoyed working with Julie and everyone on the team for the past few months!

Supplies:
Stamps: Song in My Heart (Paper and Such)
Card Stock: Cream (Prismatics), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Social Club (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics (E31, E50, E51, E40, E43, C00, C2)
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts), Buttons (Cosmo Cricket)

All About the Blues

I'm all about the blue today, with two fun cards to share!  Today's Clean and Simple challenge over on Splitcoaststampers is all about paper piecing.  I'll take any excuse to bust out my favorite teapot set, Tea Time, from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!  I kept my layout super simple, and used some fun polka dot paper by Pink Persimmon.  The inside sentiment reads: "Teapot is on, cps are waiting, favorite chairs anticipating... No matter what I have to do my friend, there's always time for you." LOVE it!

I made this a couple Fridays ago for the Free for All challenge over on Splitcoaststampers - it was to use mostly blue. Easily done - I adore blue!!  I paired the cute Little Boys Toys set with the fab Blast Off paper by Bo Bunny. My sketch came from the amazing Wendy Jordan - I totally stole it right off her blog!

Supplies (teapot Card): 
Stamps: Tea Time (SNSS)
Card Stock: Blue Bayou (retired) (SU), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Bayberry Cottage (Pink Persimmon)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Martha Stewart half pearls
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Supplies (Rocket Card): 
Stamps: Little Boy Toys (SNSS)
Card Stock: Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa (retired) (SU)
Patterned Paper: Blast Off (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Paris Dusk (Memento), Moonlight White (Brilliance)
Accessories: Cappuccino Twine, silver eyelet
Tools: cuttlebug embossing folder, crop-a-dile

Hoooooo to You!

I am loving the new Diner's Club set Tart and Spice from Gourmet Rubber Stamps!  How darling is this little owl?  I think he is so cute, I had to stamp him three times for this card.  I kept it super simple, and just added that matching sentiment (which cracks me up!).

Have you heard about the Diner's Club?  It's a fantastic price, you can choose to opt out if you don't want the set some months, and the images are adorable!  You can get the sets at a much bigger discount than just buying them outright (which you can do, too).  You should definitely go check out all the details!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Tart and Spice
Card Stock: Tempting Turquoise (SU), Cream (Prismatics)
Patterned Paper: Forever Fall (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Season's Greetings

I made this for the Clean and Simple challenge a couple weeks ago over on Splitcoaststampers - it was a sketch challenge.  I forgot to blog it because things have been so busy, and then the sinus stuff set in!  I kept this card super simple, so I could easily reproduce it for the holidays.  The awesome Winter Trees set by Stampendous just makes me happy, and worked perfectly for this.  I love those two little stamps I used to make the scene at the bottom - aren't they sweet? Check out the whole set:

And to add some sparkle to my card, I used a Martha Stewart glue pen to place random dots of glue al over the image panel.  Then I dusted the whole thing with Ultra Fine Crystal Glitter (also from Stampendous) -- it's the perfect touch, I think!

Don't forget about the new challenge over on the Stampendous blog!  Each month we'll be bringing you a fun new challenge - a different type every month! September happens to be a sketch, drawn by the fabby Wendy Price.  And if you play along, you might win a Cling Jumbo Romantic Border set - wowza! There's only six entries so far, and you have until the 29th to enter.

 There's only nine entries so far, and you have until the 29th to enter. Here's the sketch:

Did you catch my Little Crowns sample with it? What are you waiting for? Go get stampy, and add your link to the collection below, or over on the Stampendous blog (it's the SAME linky tool, so all entires show up in the same pool)!



Supplies: 
Stamps: Winter Trees (Stampendous)
Card Stock: White (Neenah); Always Artichoke (SU)
Ink: Always Artichoke (SU)
Accessories: Ultra Fine Crystal Glitter (Stampendous)
Tools: Martha Stewart Edge Punch

Boo!

Skipping Stones Design is sponsoring the Sketch for You to Try this month - did you know that?  I just had to ink up the featured set, Happy Halloweenie, again for this card using the sketch.  I thought about using some patterned papers but in the end I settled on the three card stocks in shades of purple.  And here's a fun tip: see the little black arrow-like thing on the left side of the panel that runs across the card?  It's the extra piece from the corner rounder when I rounded the top of the card.  I unfolded it and glued it right on there!

You should head over to the Sketch for You to Try blog and play along!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Happy Halloweenie (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock:  Black (Recollections), Plum Pudding, Grape Jelly, Berry Pretty Dotted Swiss (Bazzill)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Crushed Grape (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics (C00, C2)
Tools: Corner Rounder (Martha Stewart/ EK Success), Spellbinders Nestabilities

Halloweenie Trio

Today I shared a fun, quick, and super easy way to get a whole bunch of cards done at once over on the Skipping Stones Design blog, and I thought I'd share it here, too!

I'm a mom of two young kids - one in first grade and one who is 16 months old. Between the two of them, I'm super busy, and I love any way I can think of to create quickly. My daughter loves handmade goodies for her classmates, so I wanted to get a head start on small notes to put in with everyone's Halloween treat bag. The featured set this month, Happy Hallweenie, is perfect for this!

Here are the basic supplies I used:

• two sheets 8 1/2" x 11" card stock (black)
• one sheet white card stock (white)
• Happy Halloweenie stamp set
• Copics
• various inks (note: I did not end up using all of the distress inks pictured above)
• paper cutter
• scoring tool (here, my Scor Buddy)
• not pictured: ruler, post-it notes

You can adapt this for all sorts of cards - birthday invites, thank you notes, holiday cards, gift enclosures...anything, really!

I started by cutting my black card stock into three pieces, each 4 1/4" x 8 1/2", and then scoring them at the 4 1/4" mark and folding them to create the card bases. Next I cut the white card stock into three 4" squares.  I decided to do three different styles to share here today, but you could just as easily make all of them the same. On one square I used post it notes to create a vertical space to stamp, on another square I used post-it notes to mask off a diagonal space to stamp, and on the third piece of card stock I randomly stamped all over the whole thing.

There really is no right or wrong way to do this - just sketch out an idea in your mind of what you want your cards to look like. My entire goal was to be quick and simple; these cards are for six and seven year olds, who will realistically be more interested in the candy that's with them! I chose to stick with one layer, and an image that is easy to color.  On tip - color your images before removing the post it notes (just trust me on this!).

You can see my three finished cards above, each one a little different.   On the card with the vertical candy corns, I used a ruler to help me draw a light gray line on either side, to mimic a card stock panel underneath.  On the card with the diagonal strip of candy corn, I used my Scor-Buddy to make score lines on either side of the candy to set it off a bit.  And on the card with the entire piece stamped with candy corn, I just added my sentiment right in the middle of things. 

And there you have it - three cards in just about twenty minutes!  Now I just need to make the other thirteen for her classmates!

Supplies:
Stamps: Happy Halloweenie )Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Wild Honeysuckle, Spiced Marmalade (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics (Y00, Y11, Y15, Y17, YR04, YR02, C00, C2)
Tools: post it notes, ruler, scor-buddy

Sending Love

Aren't these owls just the cutest pair? I adore owls, and as soon as I saw these two I had to have them. I used the for my sample for this week's inspiration challenge that I host over in the Sweet 'n Sassy member company forums on Splitcoaststampers.

I colored up the adorable Winter Owls digi and used this week's Sweet Stop Sketch as a jumping off point for my card - I might have shifted the panels a smidge.  The twist with the sketch this week was to use stars; I substituted starburst-shaped snowflakes instead!  I drew inspiration from the colors in the picture, tried to echo the row of books with my striped paper, and copied the polka dots with my circle pattern.  I love these colors for a winter card.

Come play along if you get a chance :)

Supplies:
Stamps: (SNSS)
Card Stock: Cream (Prismatics), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Lily Kate (Basic Grey)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics (E31, E33, E35, E40, E43, R20, R81, R83, R85, B12, B32, G20, G21, G24)
Accessories: snowflakes, dew drops, ribbon
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Skipping Stones Sketch #94

Tuesday means another sketch with the girls at Skipping Stones Design!  Amy Sheffer hit another home run with today's sketch.  I flipped it on its side, because I'm a rebel like that :)  I inked up the cute set Birthday Purses for my CAS card.

Be sure to check out the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the original sketch, and to read all the deets about playing along (you might win free stamps!).  And be sure to check out all the fabulousness:

Jennifer Ingle

Joann Valderama

Kandi Phillips

Karen Baker

Katie Gehring

Shannon Teubner

Stephanie Mino

Taylor Usry (you are here)

Wendy Price

Wendy Jordan

and our guests:

Amy Sheffer

Cristina Kowalczyk

Amber Daigre

Nicole Mullen

Chan Vuong

Vanessa Menhorn

Supplies:
Stamps: Birthday Purses (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill)
Patterned Paper: Upcycle (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Button (Cosmo Cricket), Charcoal Twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Kraft Love

Today's Clean and Simple challenge over on Splitcoaststampers is to use leaves on your card -- lots of room for interpretation on this one!  I got out my new Season of Change stamp set and the fabby matching dies from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps and whipped up this bit of kraft happiness.  I adore kraft card stock - it's hard to not use it on a card!  I added score lines on either side of my sentiment, and used an edge punch down the right side of the card base.

Continuing the kraft love today is this card:

I made this a little over a week ago, for the Free for All Friday challenge over on Splitcoaststampers - to use paper piecing on your card. I paired up the fun Big Top set with some Liberty paper from Bo Bunny, and kept the card masculine by leaving off the embellies. I love the red, white, blue, and kraft combo!


Supplies (CAS Leaf Card): 
Stamps: Season of Change (SNSS)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill)
Ink: Bamboo Leaves, Rich Cocoa (Memento) 
Tools: Season of Change Die Set (SNSS), edge punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Buddy


Supplies: 
Stamps: Big Top (SNSS)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), Night of Navy (SU)
Patterned Paper: Liberty (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Paris Dusk (Memento) 
Tools: Circle Punches (SU)

Fabulous, Dahling!

Here's a quick CAS card I did using Birthday Purses from Skipping Stones Design - I love this set.  My daughter actually won it when she played in a sketch challenge  with them awhile ago - isn't that fun? She picked out the set herself (and I'm totally benefitting from it)!

Supplies:
Stamps: Birthday Purses (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: PTI Kraft
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket Upcycle
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cosmo Cricket buttons, thread

Stampendous Saturday: Crowscape

Finally - Saturday!! I loooove Saturdays!  Today I'm sharing a card that totally matches my mood - I'm so ready for the leaves to fall off the trees and cooler weather to be here.  This card was actually one of my entries for the Fall 2011 Clean and Simple DT over at Splitcoaststampers.  I drew inspiration from a  picture of a Halloween throw pillow they shared.

My card uses the huge cling rubber Crowscape stamp from Stampendous.  Here's a tip: for me, the easiest thing to do is lay the stamp down flat (rubber side up), ink it up, and then place my card stock down on it. I then use a bone folder or another acrylic block to make sure I get an even impression. Just peel up the card stock when you are done. Next I sponged the edges to give it a moody, vintage feeling.  Finally I partially embossed a harlequin pattern in the lower corner, to mimic a pattern on the inspiration pillow. To do this, I just placed part of my card stock panel inside an embossing folder and ran it through my Cuttlebug.

Don't forget about the new challenge over on the Stampendous blog!  Each month we'll be bringing you a fun new challenge - a different type every month! September happens t be a sketch, drawn by the fabby Wendy Price.  And if you play along, you might win a Cling Jumbo Romantic Border set - wowza! There's only six entries so far, and you have until the 29th to enter. Here's the sketch:

Did you catch my Little Crowns sample with it? What are you waiting for? Go get stampy, and add your link to the collection below, or over on the Stampendous blog (it's the SAME linky tool, so all entires show up in the same pool)!

Supplies:
Stamps: Crowscape (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Basic Black (SU); White (Neenah)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: ribbon
Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folder

Something's Brewing

FINALLY!! I can share the news I've been keeping for months now....today is the official launch day for Gourmet Rubber Stamps!  There is so much going on at this new company!  Each month, a new Diner's Club set will be available (you can buy it outright, or subscribe to the club to get it at a discount); additionally  they've licensed lots of past artwork from Lizzie Anne Designs.  And as if that wasn't enough stampy goodness, there's all sort of other stamp lines in there too - Zenspirations (great inspirational quotes), Steam Punk (gorgeous vintage images), Murray's Law (hilarious!), and more...you have to go check it all out!

Today I'm showing off a card made with the new Diner's Club set Tart and Spice.  How darling is this set? I've tried to choose a favorite image, but I can't!  Take a look at the whole thing:

Now, head over to the other designer's blogs to see what inspiration they have cooked up for you today! And be sure to stop by the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog and store to check things out too :)

Deb Felts

Jeni Allen

Joslyn Nielson

Kendra Weitstock

Pam Hornschu

Rose Ann Reynolds

Taylor Usry (you are here!)

Other important links to know about:
GRS Blog
GRS Website
GRS on Facebook
GRS on Twitter

Supplies: 

Stamps: Tart and Spice (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)

Card Stock: Purple (Bazzill - Plum Pudding Trio), White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket

Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)

Coloring Medium: Copics (YG00, YG03, YG06, BG10, BG11, BG13, YR02, YR04, V00, V12, V15)

Accessories: grosgrain ribbon

Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Light of Christmas Box

It's time for my very last Sweet Peek of the new sets being released by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps this month.  Today I'm sharing the amazing new 4"x4" background stamp Light of Christmas.  It's beautiful script with a lovely Christmas quote.  I'm showing it off today on this darling little trapezoid box with layers from Creative Cuts and More.

I stamped the background on each of the panels for the box sides, and again on the panel for the top.  Then I added some lovely Red Velvet Scrollwork Border Class A'Peel stickers on each panel before gluing them to the box.  Eventually I'll probably tie a big bow around it and add a tag, but I haven't figured out who is getting this fab gift, or what is going in it!

Be sure to head over to the Sweet 'n Sassy blog to see what other inspiration has been whipped up to share today.  And put the kids to bed early, so you can be at our release party tonight over in our member company forums on Splitcoaststampers!

Supplies:
Stamps: Light of Christmas (SNSS)
Card Stock: Bazzill Java, Killarney 
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento) 
Accessories: Red Velvet Scrollwork Border stickers (Stampendous); Trapeziod Box Die Cut (Creative Cuts and More)