Mother's Day Criss-Cross

I'm working on my Mother's Day cards, and created this modified criss-cross card this weekend to add to my stash!  Most criss-cross card tutorials I've seen result in horizontal cards, and I wanted a tall (vertical) one.  I created a new tutorial and shared it over on Paper Craft Planet today....you should take a look!

I used the lovely Smell the Flowers stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps - I adore these flowers in a vase.  So elegant, but fun!!  I also used both the scalloped border dies (large and small, on the belly band) as well as the lacy eyelet border die (on the insert)

Pictured above is a closer look at the belly band.  How would you like to WIN the lovelies I used to create this Mother's Day card?  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps graciously provided me with the stamps and border dies I used on this card, and all you have to do to win the beautiful Smell the Flowers clear stamp set and versatile Scalloped Border Dies is leave a comment on the Paper Craft Planet blog and tell me what you are planning for Mother's Day this year!  Please comment by Sunday, May 6th at 7:00 PM EST; a winner will be announced on Monday, May 8! (**note - only comments on the Paper Craft Planet blog will be eligible to win!**)

Supplies:
Stamps: Smell the Flowers (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Victoria Garden (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Tools: Scallop Border Dies, Lacy Eyelet Border Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Classic and Scalloped Long Rectangles (Spellbinders Nestabilities), Circle Punches (SU)

Stampendous Saturday: Daffodil Girl

This is my second post today - don't miss my Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Challenge card for today!

This is the very last week for the April Challenge with the Stampendous team; this month we've been recycling, re-purposing, and reusing items on our cards.  This card actually has two re-purposed elements on it.  The panel with the embossing and mica fragments actually started out as part of another (completed) car, but as I was making this card I decided to take the other one apart and use it on here instead!  And those two small stick pins stuck in the bow are from the bouquet my daughter carried down the aisle in my sister-in-law's wedding  three years ago!

Here's how I made the card:

• Cut card base from Papyrus card stock; stamp large swirl from Cottage Rose set as desired on card stock. 
• Cut two White panels (one for main image panel, one for extra panel) to desired size; cut Banana Bliss mats slightly larger. 
•  Stamp Daffodil Girl image on card stock using Rich Cocoa ink; color as desired. Add Peeled Paint and Faded Jeans ink to background with a sponge or similar tool. Sprinkle Aged Aqua Embossing Enamel on top portion of image (sky area); heat set from underneath. Sprinkle Shabby Green Embossing Enamel on lower portion (grass area) and heat set from underneath. Adhere to Banana Bliss card stock; set aside. 
• Stamp Calligraphy Script image on White card stock using Vintage Sepia ink. Using a sponge, add Wild Honey, Tea Stain, and Walnut Stain inks as desired. Sprinkle Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel all over the panel and heat set from underneath. Sprinkle Deep Impressions Clear Embossing Powder in desired area; place color fragments and mica fragments on top and heat set from underneath. Adhere to Banana Bliss card stock. 
• Adhere Calligraphy Script panel to base; tie May Arts ribbon in bow around them. Stick two corsage pins through the knot. 
• Adhere Daffodil Girl panel to finish the card.

Here's a list of my wonderful Stampendous teammies playing along in the challenge today - you won't want to miss what they've whipped up!  Also, be sure to stop by the Stampendous Impressions blog for all sorts of inspiration.

Jennifer Dove Bonner

Jennifer Ingle

Lea Kimmel

Susie Moore

Taylor Usry (you are here)

Tenia Nelson

Wendy Jordan

Don't forget - we want YOU to play along in our monthly challenge!  You have until Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST to add your direct link to our collection at the end of this post (or on the Stampendous blog).  You do not have to use Stampendous products, but we sure love it when you do!  As an extra incentive for playing along, one lucky crafter (drawn at random) will receive this fabulous Mother's Love Perfectly Clear Stamp Set.  Available in stores now, it will be on the website for purchase soon!

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address.  We hope you have a chance to play along with us (you an enter as many times as you'd like!) this month...Happy Crafting!

Supplies:
Stamps: Daffodil Girl, Calligraphy Sampler, Cottage Rose (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Papyrus (WorldWin Treasures), Banana Bliss (Bazzill), White (Mohawk)
Ink: Wild Honey, Walnut Stain, Tea Stain, Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans (Ranger); Rich Cocoa (Memento); Vintage Sepia (Versafine)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Aged Aqua, Shabby Green, Shabby Pink Embossing Enamels; Deep Impressions Clear Embossing Powder; Chiffon Color Fragments, Tea Stained Mica Fragments (Stampendous); Ribbon (May Arts); Corsage Pins (Michael’s)
Tools: heat gun, sponge

The Tin Man

It's time for my last challenge as a Krafty Guest for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  I've had such a wonderful time this month - HUGE thanks to Kim and all of the Krafty Girls for having me!!  This week, the challenge is to create a card with a spring theme.  I really wanted to get my new Tin Man image (part of the brand new Wizard of Oz inspired collection) inky, so I opted to go with some gorgeous Evangline paper by Cosmo Cricket (it's springy, right?).  I hand stitched the two pieces together to form the background panel (the grey piece at the top, and the striped below).  Then I put a long strip of the bold flower pattern on - it reminds me of the scene where they all fall asleep in the field of flowers!

I used my new Spectrum Noir markers to color the stamp.  I am seriously in love with the amazing variety of greys they offer - for this card I went with the Brown-Grey family, to match the patterned paper.  Here's a breakdown of what I used:

Body: BG5, BG4, BG3, BG2

Face: BG4, BG3, BG2, BG1

Nose: FS3, FS2

Axe: BG9, BG6, BG3 (blade: IG2, IG1)

To see the colors, check out this downloadable color chart.  There is also a blank one available, to fill in the markers as you acquire them!  Be sure to stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge Blog for details on how to play along, and more inspiration from the amazing Krafty Girls.  Happy stamping!

Supplies:
Stamps: Tin Man (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Evangeline (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir
Accessories: Ribbon (Creative Impressions), Pearls (Martha Stewart)
Tools: Classic and Lacy Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Handsome or Awesome?

It's my turn to host the Weekly Recipe sketch challenge over on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog!  I inked up my favorite new Appetizers set,  Daddy-O, to make this masculine card.  This set absolutely cracks me up!  I might actually use this for my Dad's upcoming 60th birthday :)  You can see the sketch itself over on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog today.

Echo Park's new This & That - Charming has the perfect masculine papers to pair with this stamp set; I am loving the green plaid!  I {heart} papers not only has the fabby paper in stock, they have a huge selection of Gourmet Rubber Stamps in the store (including this great set, which retails for just $9!)

Hope you get a chance to play along with the Weekly Recipe this week - post your creations over on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps Facebook page so we can all see!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Daddy-O (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: This & That Charming (Echo Park)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Embroidery Floss
Tools: Classic and Scalloped Circles, Long Rectangles (Spellbinders Nestabilities)

Hula Girl

I made a second sample for this week's Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers - this one with the brand new Hula Kiddo cling rubber stamp from Stampendous.  Isn't she so stinkin' sweet?!?!  I'm in love with these new kiddos.  I added Steel Blue Crushed Glass Glitter where her lei is, and some blue bling on each side to match!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hula Kiddo (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Kraft, Lime Crush (Bazzill), White (Mohawk)
Patterned Paper: Teal Dots, Teal Daisy (Little Yellow Bicycle)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Steel Blue Crushed Glass Glitter (Stampendous); Bling (Creative Impressions) 
Tools: Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Fairy Smile

This week's challenge over at Pixie Dust Studio is to do some embossing....dry or heat.  It's hard to tell in this picture, but the black scalloped panel is embossed using a Swiss Dots folder.  I colored up the pretty Laurel image and added a sentiment from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I kept my papers bright and fun, like the sweet image!

Head over to the Pixie Dust Studio Challenge blog for more details on the challenge and inspiration from the Pixies!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Laurel (Pixie Dust Studio), Springtime Cocoa (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White (GP), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Pixie-licious (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir
Accessories: Grosgrain Ribbon (Unknown)
Tools: Edge Punch (Martha Stewart), Circle Punches (SU), Swiss Dots Folder (Provocraft)

Swingin' Spring

Gourmet Rubber Stamps is previewing a new Diner's Club set today!  If you've not seen the subscription deals for Diner's Club sets, make sure you read all about them.  You can, of course, just plain old buy each Diner's Club set.  For May, the set is called Swingin' Spring, and it has a fantastic mix of fun/springy and vintage/classic stamps. Today I've used the Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers as my starting point, and paired the great picket fence image with the cutie patootie little girl on a swing to make a cheerful spring card.

Most of the pretties I used on this card are available at i {heart} papers - I'm a one stop shopping kind of girl!  I used the Country Drive paper from Echo Park because I just love how bright and happy the colors are.  I added some fabulous Pink Tinsel Ribbon, and opted to tie it in a knot and then turn that into a loose rose, secured with stick pins.  All I did was wind the ribbon around itself, and then around in a circle until I achieved the look I wanted! The Swingin' Spring set is also now available over at i {heart} papers - you can order it today!

And one more thing...well, two actually!  Gourmet Rubber Stamps is welcoming TWO new members to the team!  Head over to the blog, and get to know the fabulous Jennifer Ingle and Stephanie Lee (and let me just say.......I super {puffy heart} love these girlies!

Supplies:
Stamps: Swingin' Spring (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Country Drive (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Pink Tinsel Ribbon (May Arts), Stick Pins (Michael's)
Tools: Oval Punches (SU)

Steampunk Balloon

Here's a card I made that is in the newest Stampendous Catalog.  I used the new rubber Cling Jumbo Steampunk Balloon paired with a sentiment from the Guys & Gears clear stamp set.  Want to know how I did it?  Here are some basic instructions:

• Cut card base from Deep Blue card stock 
•  Cut large panel fro Light Terrific Teal card stock; sponge Brushed Corduroy ink around edges. Apply Walnut Stain ink directly to card stock edges. 
• Tear strip of patterned paper, crumple as desired. Apply Brushed Corduroy ink directly to paper. Sprinkle Aged Aqua Embossing Enamel onto paper; heat from underneath using heat gun until melted. 
• Adhere patterned paper strip to Light Terrific Teal card stock; paper pierce around edges and hand stitch (note: machine stitching is also possible). 
• Stamp sentiment from Guy & Gears in lower right corner using Smokey Gray ink. 
• Stamp Steampunk Balloon on another piece of Light Terrific Teal card stock. Sponge Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain ink as desired. Adhere to card using foam tape (note: three layers under balloon itself, one under the base to give different depths).

Supplies:
Stamps: Guys & Gears, Steampunk Balloon
Card Stock: Deep Blue, Light Terrific Teal (WorldWin Treasures)
Patterned Paper: Tudor Rose (Graphic 45)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine), Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain (Ranger)
Accessories: Aged Aqua Embossing Enamel (Stampendous), Thread
Tools: Needle, Paper Piercer, Heat Gun

Bird Trio

I played along with the CAS challenge over on Splitcoaststampers today; the challenge is to create a card with a zoo theme.  I stretched it a teensy smidge, and colored up these darling birds from the One of a Kind set by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  There are birds in the aviaries, right?

Each bird is fussy cut and popped up on foam tape.  I tied three different twines around the top and added a sentiment from the set.  The whole card came together in under 20 minutes!

Supplies: 
Stamps: One f a Kind (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White (Neenah), Black (Recollections)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Charcoal, Flax, Caribbean Twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Circle Punches (SU)

Hey Ladybug!

Do you know what day it is?  It’s Krafty Release Day at Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps, and we’re celebrating with a KRAFTY HOP!!  There are SO many incredible new stamps to see this month, so let’s get started!

Over the last few days in our Krafty Peeks we have shared lots of amazing new stamps from all our artists!  Lulu is back from Cheryl Alger.....everyone loves Lulu!! I shared a sweet sample with the adorable Playtime Lulu the other day! There are two fantastic sets of adorable BUGGIES from Emilie Goulet called Bug Buddies 1 & Bug Buddies 2; I shared one card with a stamp from Bug Buddies 2 earlier this week as well.  And of course there is an amazing new set of six Wizard of Oz inspired stamps from Annie Rodrigue, complete with a fabulous Oz sentiment set to match!  Did you catch my sketch challenge card using Glinda the Good Witch yesterday?  Today's fun card also features a bug from Bug Buddies 2; I love him hangin' out in the grass like that!

You will get to see most of the new images today as you sit back and enjoy our April Krafty Hop!  If you want to start from the beginning, just head over to the Kraftin’ Kimmie Challenge Blog.

Jennie

Alice

Elaine

Peggy 

Nicole

Kerry

Amanda

Pam

Michele

Taylor (you are here)

Sharon

Angie

Melanie

Tammy

Cheryl Alger 

Emilie

Krista

Sandie

Cheryl

Kimmie

As you hop from blog to blog, be sure to leave a comment at each and every stop because some lucky stampers will win packages of these incredible stamps from the new release!! And when you’re done hoppin’, be sure to head over to the Kraftin’ Kimmie shop, because all the new images are NOW available.  And of course, as always, the Gimme Kimmies Kits are available for those of you who "need it all"!  The stamps are grouped together by artist and are available at a discount, but only for a limited time!

Supplies: 
Stamps:  Bug Buddies 2 (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Metropolitan (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Ribbon, Bling (Creative Impressions)
Tools: Grass Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Classic and Lacy Ovals (Spellbinders Nestabilities)

Pretty Birdcage

Don't miss my card for the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps sketch challenge (and a sneak peek at the new Wizard of Oz collection)!

I played along with the Inspiration Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers today.  I was inspired by this Cake Topper to create this card.  My colors were drawn from the color scheme of the site itself (that yummy pale rose pink) and the cake topper (the greens); of course the birds in the cage gave me the idea to use this gorgeous new Vintage Birdcage image from Stampendous paired with the nest and eggs from the Nest Egg set.

Here's how I did it:

• Cut card base from Olive card stock; cut large panel from Gecko card stock 
• Cut large Cream card stock panel; stamp nest image from Nest Egg set in lower right corner. Sprinkle Aged Bronze Embossing Enamel on card stock; heat set from underneath. Apply Versamark ink directly from ink pad to the edges of card stock; sprinkle Aged Rose Embossing Enamel on and heat set from underneath. Apply Brushed Corduroy ink to edges (drag to just inside the embossed edges) using a sponge; wipe off embossed edge when finished. Adhere to large panel of Gecko card stock. 
• Stamp Vintage Birdcage image on small Cream card stock panel using Rich Cocoa ink. Sponge Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy inks around edges; apply Walnut Stain ink directly from ink pad to edges. Adhere to slightly larger panel of Gecko card stock. 
• Adhere all panels to card base. Tie May Arts ribbon around in an off-centered knot; slightly fray the edges. 
• Stamp large egg image from Nest Egg set onto Cream card stock using Bamboo Leaves ink. Stamp the speckled egg overlay image using Versamark ink directly on top; apply Aged Ivory Embossing Enamel and heat set from underneath. Fussy cut and apply to card using foam tape for dimension.

Don't forget - we want YOU to play along with us in the Stampendous monthly challenge to use something recycled/repurposed/reused (even though I am not sharing a card using anything recycled/repurposed today, lol)!  You have until Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST to add your direct link to our collection below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog).  You do not have to use Stampendous products, but we sure love it when you do!  As an extra incentive for playing along, one lucky crafter (drawn at random) will receive this fabulous Mother's Love Perfectly Clear Stamp Set.  Available in stores now, it will be on the website for purchase soon!

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address.  We hope you have a chance to play along with us (you an enter as many times as you'd like!) this month...Happy Crafting!

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Birdcage Full, Nest Egg (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Olive, Gecko (Bazzill), Cream (Mohawk)
Ink: Rich Cocoa, Bamboo Leaves (Memento); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain (Ranger); Versamark
Accessories: Aged Bronze, Aged Rose, Aged Ivory Embossing Enamels (Stampendous); Ribbon (May Arts)
Tools: heat gun

No Place Like Home

I have SO much Krafty fun to share today!  It's challenge day again with Kraftin Kimmie Stamps!  I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I am loving the opportunity to be their Krafty Guest this month.  This week brings a fun sketch AND another sneak peek at a new release.  I can't stand the excitement!

I colored up Glinda the Good Witch, who is part of the new Wizard of Oz inspired release by Anne Rodrigue.  The official new release hop will be tomorrow - Sunday, April 22!  Be sure to stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog for more inspiration from the Krafty Girls using new stamps today! You'll find more amazing samples by heading over there and hopping around.....and two random commenters will win 3 of the new stamps!  See you here tomorrow for the hop!

Supplies: 
Stamps:  (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah), Regal Rose (SU)
Patterned Paper: Enchanted (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Worn Lipstick (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Satin RIbbon (Offray)
Tools: Classic and Scalloped Circles, Pennant (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Scalloped Border Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Sending Warm Thoughts

Gourmet Rubber Stamps is releasing two new sets of Appetizers today!  Do  you know about the Appetizer line of stamps?  Each set is small (four images) and retails for $8.99 - what a steal!  I'm sharing a card with Clothesline Greetings, which is a really fun set.  I kept the card CAS (and used the sketch I shared over on Splitcoaststampers for this week's sketch challenge), and let the stamps do all the work!

Head over to the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog to see the other new set, and more inspiration from my fellow design team members!

Supplies:
Stamps: Clothesline Greetings (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Neenah), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Candy Shoppe (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Bling (Creative Impressions)
Tools: Scalloped Circle (Spellbinders Nestabilities), Corner Rounder (EK Success)

Buzzzzzzz.....

I'm sharing another sneak peek for the newest release at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  I'm sharing a cheerful card made with a stamp from the upcoming Bug Buddies 2.  How cute is he?  I can't help smiling when I look at him!  I paired him with some bee-themed patterned paper, die-cut grass and a fence, and some foam clouds I totally stole from my daughter's craft stash ;)

The official new release hop will be Sunday, April 22 - stay tuned between now and then for more fun sneak peeks!  Be sure to stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog for more inspiration from the Krafty Girls using new stamps today!

Supplies:
Stamps:  (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Country Drive (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Cloud Foam Stickers
Tools: Fence & Grass Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Girls & Dolls

Are you here to see my post for the Tiddly Inks Birthday Bash?  Be sure not to miss it!

Guess what?!?! Today is the start of sneak peeks for the newest releases at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!  I'm sharing a cheerful card made with Playtime Lulu.  How darling is she?  This totally reminds me of my sweet daughter, playing with her dolls.  I paired her up with some bright patterned paper and hand-stitched on a coordinating sentiment.

The official new release hop will be Sunday, April 22 - stay tuned between now and then for more fun sneak peeks!  Be sure to stop by the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog for more inspiration from the Krafty Girls using new stamps today!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Playtime LuLu (Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Candy Shoppe (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Bling, Thread (Unkown)
Tools: Scallop Border Dies, Heart Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Seeds of Love

I'm so thrilled to be participating in something very fun today....the Tiddly Inks 2nd Birthday Bash!  When I received an email from them about being a special guest during their month-long celebration, I must admit I was floored.  And excited, and humbled, and nervous!  Then of course my camera AND printer broke, so I got even more anxious, lol.

I've colored up the darling Wryn - Grow a Little Love image, and paired her with a coordinating sentiment.  I hand stitched the polka-dotted green paper on, added a few pearls in the upper corner, and finished off the card with a crisp white bow.

Be sure you head over to the Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog to see what the other guests for today have created!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Wryn - Grow a Little Love & Sentiment (Tiddly Inks)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Stella Rose (My Mind's Eye)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Pearls (Creative Impressions), Satin Ribbon (Offray), Thread (Unknown)
Tools: Classic and Lacy Ovals (Spellbinders Nestabilities)