Party Time

How sweet is this Party Time Humphrey image from Crafter's Companion USA (he's also available on their UK site)?  I have a huge thing for elephants (or ellies, as we call them in my house), and I have elevated the Humphrey collection from a want to a need, lol.  Just don't tell my wallet!  I colored him using my fabulous new Spectrum Noir markers; over on the Spectrum Noir blog today I have a great step-by-step coloring tutorial, with a breakdown of how I used each color.  You should go check it out!

To coordinate with the paper, I used the Ticket Sentiments set from Sweet n' Sassy Stamps (and the matching dies).

Supplies:
Stamps: Party Time Humphrey (Crafter's Companion), Ticket Sentiments (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Blck (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Note to Self (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts)
Tools: Pennants & More Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Opportunities Won

It's my turn to host the Sketch Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers, and this week I've created a CAS sample to go with my sketch.  I used a soon-to-be released stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (you're getting a sneaky peekie today) and maybe, just maybe, some coordinating dies too!

My sentiment is stamped on white paper tape - the cheapie kind you get in the first aid aisle at the store.  I'm a big fan of white on white, so I left it perfectly plain.  I wanted to re-create the feel of the lovely Butterfly Flourish image, only bigger, so I used an embossed swirl  and placed the butterflies where I wanted them.

Hope you get a chance to come play along with the Sketch Challenge this week!

Supplies: 
Stamps: New Beginnings (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White (Neenah)
Ink: Purple Hydrangea, Aegean Blue, Spanish Olive (VersaMagic by Tsukineko); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Paper Tape (Rexall)
Tools: Butterflies Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps); Swirl Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix)

Father's Day

It's my last Tuesday as a guest designer for the Skipping Stones Design team.  This week, we're changing things up a bit, and creating something based off of an inspiration photo rather than a sketch.  I whipped up a very CAS Father's Day card using this month's featured set, Holy Carp.  The main part of the image (the man in the boat) is popped up a bit for dimension.

I colored my image with my favorite new toys, my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.  Here's a breakdown of what I used:

Boat: TN2, GB2, GB1

Shirt: BGR3, BGR2, BGR1

Hat: OR1, GB5, CT4

Skin: FS9, FS4, FS3, FS8 

Gums/Teeth: CT3, IG1

Engine: BG5, BG3

Water: BT4, BT3, BT2, BT1

To see all the fantastic colors these pens are available in, check out this downloadable color chart.  And to start your own color chart, snag this blank one!

Be sure to head over to the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the original sketch, all the details on how to play along, and what you could win for playing!  And check out all of the Skipping Stones designers' blogs today, too - they have some fabby inspiration with the sketch:

Jennifer Ingle

Karen Baker

Stephanie Mino

JoAnne Valderama

Pamela Young

Wendy Price

Katie Gehring

Jen Rzasa (guest)

Supplies: 
Stamps: Holy Carp (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: White (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir

Stars and Stripes

It's Memorial Day here in the US - a day to celebrate all of the sacrifices made by our military service men, women, and their families.  I created a quick and simple card today, using a new Appetizer set from Gourmet Rubber Stamps called Happy Independence.  I really love the fireworks image, and the cluster of stars.  I inked up the flag with two different colors and sponged around the edges after stamping, to give it an aged look.

My papers and this fun stamp set (along with a huge selection of other goodies from Gourmet Rubber Stamps) are available over at i {heart} papers! And through today, to celebrate Memorial Day weekend, use the coupon code goarmy for 15% off your entire order of $40 or more. And, please put a note if you're a military spouse, active duty or vet so she can throw a little extra gift in your package as an extra thank you!! Happy shopping!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Happy Independence (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Blink of an Eye (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Aged Mahogany, Faded Jeans, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Accessories: gold bling (Shabby Chic)
Tools: Scalloped Border Die, Star Scallop Border Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Party Hat Shaker Tag

Ready for another challenge with the Stampendous team?  Throughout the month of May we are challenging ourselves (and you) to get a head start on gifts for Mother's Day, end-of-the-year teacher gifts, graduations, and Father's Day by creating gifts, gift sets (could be cards, altered items, etc), gift card holders...anything you can give to someone special!

I whipped up a fun shaker gift tag using the Party Hat Kiddo, and filled it with Steel Blue, Lavender, Fresh Green, Silver, and Black Crushed Glass Glitters. I added a few Rose Color Fragments too! Stampendous Essentials are so awesome for fun projects like this.  Here is a step-by-step of how I made it:

• Die cut tag base using Loganberry card stock Using smaller die template, die cut Kraft backing for shaker; die cut frame using Pirouette card stock; die cut White card stock for image. 
• Using acetate, die cut panel for the inside of the frame. 
• Stamp image using Tuxedo Black ink; color with Copics as desired. Adhere to Kraft panel.
• Adhere acetate to back of Pirouette frame; place foam tape around edges. With frame top-side down, sprinkle glass glitter and color fragments inside. Turn image panel over and place on foam tape. (note: you will be looking at the back of the Kraft panel at this point. Turn the whole thing over to see finished shaker box) 
• Adhere shaker box to tag base; tie ribbon at top. 
• optional: See my Paper Craft Planet tutorial 

Be sure to check out what my Stampendous teammates have created for the gifts challenge today!

Stampendous Impressions
Jennifer Ingle

Lea Kimmel

Melinda Gleissner
Pam Hornschu

Susie Moore
Stephanie Lee

And we want YOU to play along with us!  Simply make a gift, gift set (could be cards, could be an altered item), or a gift card holder of some sort and add the direct link for your project to our collection at the end of this post (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than Thursday, May 31 at 11:59 PM EST .  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 new Cling Jumbo Tropical Garden stamp set:

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: Party Hat Girl (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Swimming Pool, Pirouette, Kraft (Bazzill); White (Mohawk); Acetate (Stampendous) 
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) 
Coloring Medium: Copics 
Accessories: Steel Blue, Lavender, Fresh Green, Silver, Black Crushed Glass Glitters, Rose Color Fragments (Stampendous); Ribbon (May Arts) 
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Hey Gnomie!

It's Design Team Challenge day with the Gourmet Rubber Stamps team; this month we were challenged to make masculine cards!  I thought that would be easy, until I sat down to make my card....all i could think of was girlie stuff!  So I tried a new approach - I flipped through my patterned papers until something grabbed me, and worked backwards.  Once I settled on the color scheme, I took a look at the pile of stamps my helpful two-year-old recently pulled out of the drawer that all of my Gourmet Rubber Stamps live in.  This gnome really needed some love!  

I colored him up using my Spectrum Noir markers pens - I am soooooo in love with the color range they have!   Here's a breakdown of what I used:

Yellows (hat, vest): GB8, GB7, GB4, GB3, GB2
Blue Pants: BGR3, TB2, TB1
Sleeves, Collar, Pocket: TN4, TN3

Skin: FS9, FS4 (cheeks: CR3)

Beard: BG3, BG2, BG1

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!


You can also pick up this fabulous little gnome stamp and coordinating sentiment over at i {heart} papers.  While you're there you can check out the yummy paper selection - it's a great time to stock up on man-ish patterns, like the ones in this Blink of an Eye collection, since dad's day is coming fast!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Gnome (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Really Rust, More Mustard (SU); White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Blink of an Eye (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts)
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Treasured Memory

I needed to make a sympathy card this week, and naturally turned to my go-to sentiment from Gourmet Rubber Stamps.  As much as it is possible to love a sympathy sentiment, I love this one.  It's called Treasured Memories, and it is from the Lizzie Anne Designs line of stamps.   I think sympathy cards are best when left as simple as possible, so I just picked pretty paper and a few pearls.

Have you checked out the selection of Gourmet Rubber Stamps over at i {heart} papers?  You can get this stamp, as well as the fabby Cosmo Cricket Evangeline paper I used.  She also stocks the Rich Cocoa ink I used for the sentiment, and seriously it gets no better than Memento inks!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Treasured Memories (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Evangeline (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Accessories: Pearls (Queen & Co)
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Grapeful For You

This week, as a guest designer for the Skipping Stones Design team, I get to play along with something very fun....a blog hop with The Twinery!  You may be joining me from Jessica Fick's blog - welcome! Today the Skipping Stones team has another sketch drawn by guest sketch artist Heide Van Laar.  I created this CAS design using the Grapeful set, and added bit of both Charcoal and Pink Sorbet twine.  This stamp set is a brand new release today!

Check out the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the original sketch, all the details on how to play along, and what you could win for playing!  And head to the next stop on the blog hop, Monika Wright.  Oooooh....there are prizes for blog hopping, too!  The Twinery will be giving away a 'Colorful Bunch Sampler Pack' (retail $20) to one lucky commenter who visits each blog on the hop and leaves a comment.   SSD will be giving away the Grapeful set along with a 'surprise set' (Two sets to one winner.).  Fun!

Supplies: 
Stamps: Grapeful (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections,) White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Kissing Booth (Basic Grey)
Ink: Worn Lipstick (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Pink Sorbet, Charcoal twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Stampendous Saturday: Pink Mermaid

Ready for another challenge with the Stampendous team?  Throughout the month of May we are challenging ourselves (and you) to get a head start on gifts for Mother's Day, end-of-the-year teacher gifts, graduations, and Father's Day by creating gifts, gift sets (could be cards, altered items, etc), gift card holders...anything you can give to someone special!

Today I'm sharing something that completely made my day yesterday when I made it.  My family just got back from our annual trip to Corolla (on the Outer Banks), and one of the things my daughter and I love to do while we're there is go for "girls walks" just the two of us and collect shells.  The challenge when we get home is figuring out what to do with her massive collection.  I went to Dollar General and bought a $1 pink plastic bucket and filled it with some of the shells.  Now, how to jazz it up?

I'm never sure if a solution for the shells is permanent, so I wanted to create something that she could use differently in the future (she's always rearranging things - she's 6 1/2!!).  Enter the fabulous Mermaid Kiddo stamp from Stampendous.  I colored her up using Spectrum Noir markers, and attached her to a popsicle stick that I then stuck in amongst the shells.  I simply tied a bow around the box.  Success!!! The squeals of delight when she got home from school were fabulous - and she has already put the bow in a doll's hair and used the mermaid as a fan while she rocks in the rocking chair outside.  My work as a mother is complete, hahaha!  The shells (and mermaid) are now proudly living on her bedside table, after going on tour last night (they accompanied her everywhere she went - outside to play, the dinner table, they hung out in the bathroom while she showered.....)

Like I mentioned, I used my new Spectrum Noir markers to color the stamp.  I am seriously in love with the amazing variety of pinks they offer - on this project I used mostly brights, and aren't they fabulously vivd?!?!.  Here's a breakdown of what I used:

Tail: BP7, BP5, BP4, BP3
Various Shells: BT8, BT6; JG5, JG3; PL4, PL2; OR3, OR2
Crown: GB6, GB3

Skin: FS9, FS4, FS2 (cheeks: CR3)

Hair: PP5, PP3, PP2

Seahorse: CR6, CR4
Outline: BT2, BT1

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 check out what my Stampendous teammates have created for the gifts challenge today!

Stampendous Impressions

Janelle Stollfus
Lea Kimmel

Melinda Gleissner
Pam Hornschu

Taylor Usry

Tenia Nelson

Wendy Price

And we want YOU to play along with us!  Simply make a gift, gift set (could be cards, could be an altered item), or a gift card holder of some sort and add the direct link for your project to our collection at the end of this post (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than Thursday, May 31 at 11:59 PM EST .  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 new Cling Jumbo Tropical Garden stamp set:

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: Mermaid Kiddo (Stampendous)
Card Stock: White (Neenah), Swimming Pool (Bazzill)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) 
Coloring Medium: Spectrum Noir
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts) popsicle stick

What's Cookin'?

My dad turns 60 this weekend, and my little brother and I went in and got him a new grill for his rooftop deck.  I wanted to make him a card that reflected his gift, and I just knew I had the perfect Lizzie Anne Designs set somewhere in my stash!  Out came Chillin' and Grillin'...how perfect is it?  I stamped the sweet little dude next to a grill, and added the chef's hat next to the sentiment for fun.  My sketch, which I love, is actually this week's Weekly Recipe sketch challenge over on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog, so come play along!

My masculine paper is from the Echo Park Note to Self collection.  Through Sunday, May 20th, over at i {heart} papers all of the 6x6 paper pads are 10% off; the entire stock of Gourmet Rubber Stamps is on sale for 15% off.  You know you need this stamp set - it is perfect for summer!

Happy shopping!!  And don't forget to come play along with the Weekly Recipe sketch challenge over at Gourmet Rubber Stamps :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Chillin' and Grillin' (Lizzie Anne Designs/Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft, White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Note to Self (Echo Park)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Tools: Word Window Punch (SU)

Timeless Classic

Are you tired of this sketch yet?  I hope not, because I love it!!  I had to make a third card with it; after i saw Korin's amazing take on the challenge, it just could not be helped.  I loved the way she flipped the sketch, and used patterned paper on the tilted panel.  And her card completely inspired me to ink up the Timeless Classic set.

This card is for my husband's grandfather - he'll be 84 this week.  To keep things simple and masculine, I stamped the sentiment directly on the card and left off the small panel.  I did stamp the image twice, and fussy cut the truck to pop it up on the original image.  I also changed the position of my twine...but I think it works this way! 

Supplies: 
Stamps: Timeless Classic (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White, Kraft (Bazzill)
Patterned Paper: Charming (Echo Park)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Twine (DG)
Tools: Corner Rounder (Martha Stewart)

To Paris

I'm hosting the sketch challenge over on Splitcoaststampers today; I cheated a bit and shared a card using this sketch yesterday, too!  Today I'm showing off one I made using the To Paris With Love set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I sponged inside the inner frame of the main image and added some coloring with Copics. 

Stop by and play along if you get a chance!

Supplies: 
Stamps: To Paris With Love (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: For the Record (Echo Park)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Pearls (Queen & Co); Flax Twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Oval Punch (SU)

Strawberry Sweet

Gourmet Rubber Stamps is releasing two new Appetizers sets today.  I'm sharing a card with one of them, called Strawberry Sweet; be sure to also check out the Happy Independence set on the GRS blog.  You might recognize the layout - I completely stole it from my teammate Kendra, who rocked this sketch recently!  My yummy paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Tea for Two collection.  I think the colors are perfect for summer strawberries, don't you?

I stamped the image on my card stock and colored it.  I stamped it again on another piece of card stock, colored it, and fussy cut the berries, leaves & flowers.  I popped them up, to add dimension.  Both Strawberry Sweet and Happy Independence are also being stocked over at i {heart} papers, along with their existing selection of Gourmet Rubber Stamps goodness!  That's where I got the delicious paper, too....you should definitely go get some :)

Don't miss the inspiration my teammates are sharing today using these great new sets!

Gourmet Rubber Stamps Blog

Deb Felts

Jeni Allen

Jennifer Ingle

Kelli Palmer

Kendra Weitstock

Stephanie Lee

Supplies:
Stamps: Strawberry Sweet (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Neenah), Cream (Prismatics)
Patterned Paper: Tea for Two (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Flax Twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Corner Rounder (Martha Stewart), Decorative Edge Punch (SU)

Heartsong

I'm having more Tuesday fun this week, as a guest designer for the Skipping Stones Design team!  Today we have another sketch drawn by guest sketch artist Heide Van Laar.  I created this musical design using the Heartsong 1 set, and added bit of hand stitching around the yellow panel as an accent.

Be sure to head over to the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the original sketch, all the details on how to play along, and what you could win for playing!  And check out all of the Skipping Stones designers' blogs today, too - they have some fabby inspiration with the sketch:

Jennifer Ingle

Karen Baker

Stephanie Mino

JoAnne Valderama

Pamela Young

Wendy Price

Katie Gehring

Jen Rzasa (guest)

Supplies: 
Stamps: Heartsong (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Victoria Garden (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: thread
Tools: paper piercer, needle

A Little Love

Isn't this the sweetest stamp?  It's called Pat a Cake. I get all misty every time I look at it, especially since my baby turned two last week.  This card was fun to create; I love the vintage feel it took on when I paired the Cottage Rose and Mother's Love stamps with the main image.  Here's how I did it:

• Cut card base from Coffee card stock; stamp Cottage Rose image on right side using Brilliance Moonlight White ink. 
• Die cute white/kraft ovals and circles; before removing white dies from template sponge Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy inks along inner edges with a sponge. Also before removing oval die template from white card stock, stamp Pat a Cake image using Rich Cocoa ink. After stamping, remove from die template and color image with Copics. 
• Stamp sentiment from Mother’s Love set in white circle; adhere all die cuts together. Tie ribbon in a bow on card base. Adhere die cuts where desired. 
• Stamp rattle/ribbon image from Mother’s Love set on extra white card stock, color and fussy cut. Finish the card by adhering the image where desired. 

Supplies:
Stamps: Pat a Cake Full, Cottage Rose, Mother’s Love
Card Stock: Cascata Coffee (WorldWin Treasures), White (Mohawk); Kraft (Neenah)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger); Brilliance Moonlight White (Tsukineko)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Ribbon (May Arts)
Tools: Classic and Scalloped Oval & Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)