The Quiet Moments

and our guests:
Kazan Clark
Cyndi Bundy
Barb Turpin

Supplies:
Stamps: Victorian Summer (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: For the Record (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: satin ribbon (may arts)

Kissing Cooks

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here is another CAS Gina K. Designs card I forgot to blog! I added a sentiment from the Lizzie Anne Designs set In the Kitchen, which is available through Gourmet Rubber Stamps. I added a bit of Material Girl paper from Cosmo Cricket to this one - love the color and vintage ladies!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sew Easy (Gina K. Designs); In the Kitchen (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Card Stock: PTI Kraft, GKD White
Patterned Paper: Material Girl (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Coloring Medium: Copics
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Superbowl Sunday!

2012-02-05T10:57:00.002-05:00

Today is Superbowl Sunday, and my family is all set to watch our beloved Patriots win this thing! This morning I thought I'd whip up a quick card to get ready for a fun evening of football with the family. There happen to be a couple of challenges over at Splitcoaststampers today that fit my card idea perfectly. Korin hosted the Featured Stamper challenge, and Darsie's gallery is nothing short of amazing. I chose this sweet elf card to CASE. Then Lydia told me about the fun Puppy Bowl challenge, and I knew Cocoa Loves Football was just made for it :)

I am off to hang with my sweeties...enjoy this fabulous football Sunday. GO PATS!!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cocoa Loves Football (digi), Thoughtful Rhubarb (clear set)(SNSS)
Card Stock: kraft (Neenah); White (GP)
Patterned Paper: Liberty Collection (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Paris Dusk (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Tools: Star Dies (SNSS), Nestabilities Ovals, Banner Dies (Spellbinders)

Stampendous Saturday: Pegasus

2012-02-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

The first Saturday in February means it is time for a brand new challenge with Stampendous! This month we are challenging you (and ourselves) to add a little texture to your projects. Need a few ideas? You can emboss using enamels or powders, use fun flock, glass glitter, mica fragments, color fragments, or use some embossing folders. The possibilities are endless!

My card today features all sorts of new products, just released at CHA. I created my own background paper using card stock and one of the images in the Cling Jumbo Iris set. I stamped the image in Versamark ink, heat set it with Deep Impressions Clear embossing enamel, and then sponged over it using distress inks until I achieved the desired color. The Pegasus image is stamped on to card stock that was firt stained by spritzing it with a spray bottle filled with coffee grounds and water (same for the cracked glass panel). On the accent panel, I covered it with Versamark ink and Deep Impressions powder, heating from below and gradually sprinkling on Tea Stained Mica Fragments and Taupe Color Fragments. I finished off the card with a bit of twill ribbon.

Here is a list of the Stampendous team members playing along today:

Krissy Fossmeyer
Rachel Sztonyk
Janelle Stollfus

We want YOU to play along with us! Just add your direct link to your card (make sure you've loaded it up with tons of TEXTURE) to the linky tool below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than March 1, 2012 at 11:00 PM EST. You do not have to use Stampendous products to play along, but we sure love it when you do! And as an extra incentive for playing, one lucky person (drawn at random from all the entries) will receive this gorgeous Corset Ladies Perfectly Clear Stamp Set:

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address. We hope you get a chance to play along with us - happy stamping! And make plans to join us next Saturday, for a fun blog hop, complete with prizes you don't want to miss. We'll be showcasing all sorts of products just released at CHA!

Complete Supply List:
Stamps: Pegasus, Jumbo Iris (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Candlelight, Java, Cream (Bazzill)
Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Vintage Sepia (Versafine), Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tea Stain, (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Deep Impressions Clear Embossing Enamel, Tea Stained Mica Fragments, Taupe Color Fragments (all by Stampendous), twill ribbon
Tools: heat gun, spray bottle, jumbo acrylic handle

Girlie Fairy

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was challenge day with the Pixies. This week we are all making cards with a Girlie Girl them. That's a fun one for me - I love girlie girl! I colored up Meadow Princess and paired her with some soft patterned paper that I have been hoarding forever (by Memory Box).

Head over to the Pixie Dust Studio challenge blog to see more inspiration from the Pixies, and for all the details on how to play along with us.

Supplies:
Stamps: Meadow Princess (Pixie Dust Studio), Your Friendship (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White (GP), Chocolate Chip (SU)
Patterned Paper: Memory Box
Ink: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress), Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: dew drops
Tools: Lacy Eyelet Border Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Circle Punches (SU)

Release Day Is Here!

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps February New Release Blog Hop! This month's release is so exciting - it was even released a week early as a surprise! Get your warm beverage and tasty snack, and get ready for some amazing inspiration from the Design Divas!

My first card uses the new set designed by Dina Kowal, simply called You. I love this set more than words can say! For this CAS card, I stamped the sentiments in gray ink underneath die cut hearts, sewn together for a little pop.

I must confess that this idea is not originally mine; I cannot remember where on the internet I saw something similar. I do love how it turned out, though, and will be making quite a few of these! The hearts die set makes it very easy to create the little hearts.

My second card today uses the stunning new Rose Collage, illustrated by Korin Sutherland. How beautiful is that image? And the set comes with sixteen different sentiments you can use in the banner, as well as those two sweet butterflies. I made this card for a friend, to congratulate her on her retirement. The gorgeous patterned paper is actually all cream - I used my Copics to color the background part on the larger panel (to make the cream flowers pop) and then again on the smaller panel I colored the flowers themselves.

My third card today features the always adorable Rhubarb, who has a new set this month called Thoughtful Rhubarb. I used the current Sweet Stop Sketch as a starting point for this card, and took it in sort of a non-spring direction. It is perfect for a guy! I accented my card with a couple of stars from the stars die set - I love how they will stack together like that. And can you see the star scallop border peeking out from behind the image?

And finally today I'm sharing a card that my darling daughter made using the new Egg-cited Cocoa set. She got out her Star Wars glue stick and her fancy set of dual tipped markers (you know, the $5 set of like 50 markers in a tri-fold case), rifled through her extensive stash of pretty papers and ribbon, and finally added a sweet felt flower. I did all of the cutting for her, but followed her specifications. She got a folding craft table of her own for Christmas, and it was so sweet to have her sitting next to me, getting inky!

Be sure to make plans to join us for our new release party tonight; the fun takes place over in our member company forums on Splitcoaststampers. We'll have great fellowship with crafty friends, challenges, and a prize drawing! The excitement starts at 8:00 PM EST.

Now, take a look at what the other Design Divas have created to show off this amazing batch of February stamps:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

Kim Schofield
Mary Faus

Wendy Jordan (our February guest)

Taylor Usry

Don't forget, the entire February release is available in the store right now; you can order the stamps individually or at a discounted bundle price! Head over to get yours today!

Supplies (I {heart} You Card):
Stamps: You (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park)
Ink: London Fog (Memento)
Accessories: black thread
Tools: Hearts die set (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
**************************************
Supplies (Rose Collage Card):
Stamps: Rose Collage (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Canvas Corp
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Victorian Velvet (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics
***************************************
Supplies (Thoughtful Rhubarb Card:
Stamps: Thoughtful Rhubarb (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Old Olive, Night of Navy (SU), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Blast Off (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Tuxedo Black, Paris Dusk (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Flax Twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Stars die set, Star Scallop Border die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Herd It's Your Birthday!

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the one year birthday celebration over at Desert Island Crafter's Challenge - wow! To celebrate, we have a birthday-themed itinerary, as well as a few prizes to give away, so be sure to head over and check out all the details.

I used the brand new Cowlik Birthday clear stamp set from Stampendous to make my card, and combined it with the sketch challenge for today over at Splitcoaststampers (hosted by the fabulous Korin this week). From the DICC itinerary, I used items #1 (birthday theme), #6 (confetti - it is on the cupcake), #7 (birthday sentiment), #9 (cupcake), and #10 (bright colors).

It is hard to tell in this picture, but I used the light blue form the cupcake icing to color over the sentiment as well. I also made a quick mask of the little wagon (seriously - my craft knife made what seemed like a daunting task super easy!) to then stamp the cupcake in it - they are all separate stamps (Cowlik on the tractor, the wagon, and the cupcake). Check out the whole set below:

Isn't it adorable? I cannot help but smile when I look at him! Hope you get a chance to play along with both our challenge over at Desert Island Crafter's AND the sketch at SCS this week!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cowlik Birthday (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Teal (Bazzill), White (Neenah), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Metropolitan Dots & Stripes (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Bling (Creative Impressions), Charcoal and Maraschino Twine (The Twinery), Mini Clothespin (Canvas Corp)
Tools: Scallop Border Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Love, Yours Truly

2012-01-31T08:25:00.000-05:00

My current favorite patterned paper is Echo Park's Yours Truly...isn't it fabulous? I thought it was perfect with this lovely stamp from Sealed With a Kiss, the current Diner's Club set by Gourmet Rubber Stamps. I added some baker's twine and a pink button and left this simple valentine alone!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sealed With a Kiss
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park)
Ink: Bran Door, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Baker's Twine, Button
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Catch Your Heart

2012-01-30T08:15:00.001-05:00

Here is a quick card I made using the huge Coveralls stamps from Gourmet Rubber Stamps (and when I say huge, I mean it - these background stamps measure 5 3/4" square) - this one is called Bead Curtain. I paired it with the darling Catch Your Heart sentiment (available in cling or wood mount) and some black lace ribbon for a simple little love note!

Supplies:
Stamps: Bead Curtain, Catch Your Heart
Card Stock: White (Neenah), Black (Recollections)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Victorian Velvet (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Black Lace ribbon

Rhubarb in Blue

2012-01-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday everyone! I made a quick card to share using the darling new Thoughtful Rhubarb clear stamp set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I paired him with the yummy Snowfall patterned paper from Bo Bunny - isn't he handsome surrounded by blue? I finished him off with a fun heart - I am loving the hearts die set from SNSS!

I also added some pretty velvet flourish stickers from Stampendous to my card - they were originally white, but I sponged some ink on them to help them blend in with the papers a bit more.

Supplies:
Stamps: Thoughtful Rhubarb (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (PTI), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Snowfall (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Velvet Flourish Stickers (Stampendous), Bling (Creative Impressions)
Tools: Heart Dies (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Banner Die (Spellbinders)

Stampendous Saturday: Hollyhocks

2012-01-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Another Saturday means another chance to get your bling on with the fabulous ladies at Stampendous . You heard right, this month we are all about bringing in the New Year with some BLING! Glitter, rhinestones, sparkly stickers...you name it. Just make it shiny and get it on your project!

My card today features the brand new cling jumbo Hollyhock stamp - I am so in love with it! I fussy cut one, and then stamped it again to cut out a few petals and pop them up. I also added some Tsukineko shimmer spritz (in silver and sparkle) to may card base to help with the whole "bling" effect. On my diamond shaped light pink panel, I stamped the pretty swirl from the jumbo Romantic Border set in Versamark ink and used some new Shabby Green Embossing Enamel to add more bling (I love that the enamels have glitter mixed in!).

Here is a better look at how I popped up a few petals. Two are adhered with mono multi glue on one edge, and then given a bit of dimension by putting foam tape under the opposite side (so they are on a tilt). The top petal is just popped up all the way. I added some Creative Impressions bling to the flower centers.

It is hard to catch all the shimmer and glitter with my camera - even in natural light AND an Ott Lite! Check out who else is playing along this weekend:

Pam Hornschu
Jennifer Ingle

Cyndi Bundy

Melinda Gleissner

Suzanne Czosek

Taylor Usry

We want YOU to play along with us! Just add you direct link to your card (make sure you've loaded it up with tons of BLING) to the linky tool below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than February 2, 2012 at 11:00 PM EST. You don't have to use Stampendous products to play along, but we sure love it when you do! And as an extra incentive for playing, one lucky person (drawn at random from all the entries) will receive this gorgeous Cherub Wishes Perfectly Clear Stamp Set:

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address. We hope you get a chance to play along with us - happy stamping!

Supplies:
Stamps: Jumbo Hollyhock, Romantic Border (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Pinks (Bazzill); White (Neenah)
Ink: London Fog (Memento); Versamark
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: AC726 Velvet Stickers, Shabby Green Embossing Enamel (Stampendous), Bling an Ribbon (Creative Impressions), Silver Shimmer Spritz, Sparkle Shimmer Spritz (Tsukineko), Brad (unknown)
Tools: Heat Gun

You Are Special

2012-01-27T08:15:00.000-05:00

Wednesday I shared a card for this week's Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers, which I hosted. I really love the sketch and wanted to share a different approach to it, since my first card was so masculine. I went with a darling new image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, and made this one a girlie card! The Special Friends set has three of these sweet girls in it, and some fabulous sentiments, too.

Did you see the surprise announcement from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps yesterday? The entire February release has been debuted a week early, and is now available for purchase! Limited quantities are already in stock, so you might even get your stamps before they officially go on sale next Thursday night!

If you need something fun to do today, head over and play along with the sketch challenge!

Supplies:
Stamps: Special Friends (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Dots & Stripes Candy Shoppe (Echo Park)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Dew Drops, Thread
Tools: Hearts Border Die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps), Banner Die (Spellbinders), Paper Piercer

Abracadabra!

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

How is it the 25th of January already?? Wow 2012 is flying by! Today is the day I get to share the newest Diner's Club Set from Gourmet Rubber Stamps - this month it's called Abracadabra. I inked up two different stamps from the set for my sample today. And I am loving the kraft/black combo. It just screams vintage to me! My card also happens to be my sample for the sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers today (it's my week to host again!).

Take a look at the whole set:

Be sure to stop by the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog today, as well as my teammates' blogs (links in my sidebar) for even more inspiration! And here is the sketch that I shared over at SCS:

I'd love for you to come play along if you can! I've already made a second sample with it; I'll be sharing that one here on Friday so stay tuned.

Supplies:
Stamps: Abracadabra (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill)
Patterned Paper: Canvas Corp
Ink: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Tea Stain (Ranger Distress); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: dew drops
Tools: Tim Holtz embossing folder

Dandelion Dreams

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for another sketch with Skiping Stones Design. This month the fabulous Pamela Young is drawing sketches for the team, and she's given us another fun one this week. I went with a really warm-feeling card this week - I love the oranges and yellows! I got out my Dandelion Dreams set and just kept adding flowers until it looked the way I wanted it to. I stamped the green ink once on scrap paper before stamping it on my image panel, to make it a bit lighter. Also, I wanted to use organdy ribbon for its sheerness, but the only color I had was white. My solution? I sponged ink on until it was the color I wanted!

Be sure to head over to the Skipping Stones Design blog to check out the original sketch, and for details on how you could win a free set if you play along with the sketch! And take a look at what my teammates (and our special guests) have created:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

and our guests:
Julie Day
Emily Leiphart
Candice Fields

Supplies:
Stamps: Dandelion Dreams (SSD)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), Confetti White (SU)
Patterned Paper: Curio (Basic Grey)
Ink: Wild Honey, Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy, Antique Linen (Ranger Distress); Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Accessories: White Organdy Ribbon (SU)

Take Time to Savor

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here's one I made awhile ago, and never blogged! I love the Zenspirations line from Gourmet Rubber Stamps - such wonderful sentiments! I paired the Take Time to Savor sentiment with some yummy paper from Bo Bunny, and the card turned out so rich and warm. Some jute helps keep it masculine, in case I decided to use it for a guy ;)

Supplies:
Stamps: Take Time to Savor (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Core'dinations, SU
Patterned Paper: Bo Bunny
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Jute

What a Treat!

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is sponsoring the CPS Sketch this week, and I colored up an image from the newly released Cocoa's Tasty Treats to play along. I rotated the sketch to have it work on a horizontal card, rather than as a vertical one.

Head over to the CPS blog to play along - you could win a set of Hearts Dies (soooo great) and a brand new You & Me stamp set! That is a fantastic prize, people!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cocoa's Tasty Treats (SNSS)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Tools: Scallop Border Dies (SNSS), Circle Punches (SU)

Hi There!

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

I have a fun new challenge today with Pixie Dust Studio. This week, the Pixies are going DOTTY....we're all using polka dots on our cards or projects somewhere! Yesterday's post shared the sketch I drew for this week's sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers; I liked it so much I used it again for this card. I made a couple of minor adjustments, but the basics are still there.

Don't you want to create something with polka dots on it? Head over to the Pixie Challenge blog to see what the other Pixies have created, and to link up your dotty project!

Supplies:
Stamps: Pearl of Wisdom (Pixie Dust Studio), Somebuggy Loves You (SNSS)
Card Stock: Orchid Opulence (SU); White (GP)
Patterned Paper: Pixie-licous (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Crushed Grape (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: white ribbon
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Love Ya!

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm hosting the sketch challenge over at Splitcoaststampers again this week, and I drew up a simple sketch that can be snazzed up if you really feel like it. I chose to make mine pretty CAS - it's a birthday card for my niece! She turned two a week ago today, and her party was this weekend. I paired some bright and cheerful Echo Park patterned paper with the darling Somebuggy Loves You clear stamps set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. The little dragonfly is stamped twice, colored, and fussy cut. I adhered the second one (I didn't cut out her head and antennae on that one) right on top of the other one, and popped up the wings.

I hope you get a chance to come play along with the sketch this week!! Can't wait to see what you create :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Somebuggy Loves You (SNSS)
Card Stock: White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Summer Days (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Caribbean, Lilac twine (The Twinery)

Birthday Blues

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for another sketch with Skiping Stones Design. This month the fabulous Pamela Young is drawing sketches for the team, and she's given us another fun one this week. Rather than make the circles individual pieces, I took a few liberties (I know - you're shocked, right?) using images from the Rustic Tiles set; I added a sentiment from the Sentiment Frames set. The card measures 5" x 4 1/4". This is a fantastic CAS masculine birthday card, and I'll be making more of them!

Be sure to head over to the Skipping Stones Design blog to check out the original sketch, and for details on how you could win a free set if you play along with the sketch! And take a look at what my teammates (and our special guests) have created:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

Stampendous Impressions Blog

and our guests:
Julie Day
Emily Leiphart
Candice Fields

Supplies:
Stamps: Rustic Tiles, Sentiment Frames (SSD)
Card Stock: Confetti White (SU)
Ink: Paris Dusk (Memento)
Tools: Scor Buddy

Casual Tuesdays

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

How hilarious is this Casual Tuesday image from Gourmet Rubber Stamps? It's pretty autobiographical for me *wink wink*! This fun card is being featured over on the Paper Craft Planet blog today; the card is also part of my tutorial using the Perfect Layers tool. Head over there to check it out!

Supplies:
Stamps: Casual Tuesdays (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections); White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Upcycle (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Pink Sorbet, Charcoal baker's twine (The Twinery); Button (Cosmo Cricket)
Tools: Perfect Layers measuring tool (courtesy of Perfect Paper Crafting), paper piercer

A Tag for My Love

2012-01-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

This month the girls on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps team are playing "Kissing Tag"...we're all making Valentine's Day tags! I used the newest Diner's Club set Sealed With a Kiss to make my tag. I started with a die cut, pennant-shaped base, stamping the beautiful script stamp randomly on it. Before removing it from the die I also sponged the edges, to leave a crisp white frame around it. I did the sentiment banner the same way.

I wrapped some twine around the bottom portion of the tag (I got a great deal on 2300 ft. of it from amazon.com thanks to the fabby Lydia!) and added the gorgeous flourish-y heart just above it. Then I topped the tag off with still more twine.

Head over to the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog today to see what my teammates have created for this Kissing Tag challenge!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sealed With a Kiss (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen, Barn Door, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Baker's Twine (Regency)
Tools: Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Stampendous Saturday: Magnolia

2012-01-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Another Saturday means another chance to get your bling on with the fabulous ladies at Stampendous . That's right, this month we are all about bringing in the New Year with some BLING! Glitter, rhinestones, sparkly stickers...you name it. Just make it shiny and get it on your project!

My card today is a sweet little 4 1/4" square notecard that I'm proud to say is in the new January 2012 Stampendous catalog. I stamped the gorgeous soon-to-be-released Magnolia image, added some sponging and curled the corners up, and tucked some lace in behind them. My bling is the fun new fresh green glass glitter that's being released later this month also.....isn't it the prettiest color?

Take a look at what these Stampendous team members have created to dazzle you today:

Melinda Gleissner
Jennifer Ingle

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address. We hope you get a chance to play along with us - happy stamping!

Supplies:
Stamps: Magnolia (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Kraft, Lily Pad (Bazzill),
Ink: Peeled Paint, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Fresh Green Glass Glitter

Mint Postcard

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday I shared one of my samples with this week's versatile Splitcoaststampers sketch (drawn by my dear friend Korin). I loved the sketch so much I whipped up two cards earlier this week - this one uses a soon-to-be-released stamps called Butterfly Postcard from Stampendous.

I stamped the image on kraft card stock using white ink; while it was still wet I covered it in clear embossing powder and then heat set it. To help it stand out even more from the card stock, I sponged inwards towards the center, layering different shades of brown until I achieved the desired effect. And those sweet hand-crocheted flowers? The amazing Janelle Stollfus made them for me!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Butterfly Postcard (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), Cool Mint (WorldWin Treasures)
Patterned Paper:
Ink: Monlight (VersaMagic); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Clear Impression EP (Stampendous), Bling (Bazzill), Hand Crocheted flowers (from my sweet friend Janelle Stolfus)
Tools: heat gun

Love Struck

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

As promised, I'm back today with a Pixie Challenge! This week's challenge is all about hearts...use them on your project somewhere. It could be in the image, the patterned paper, the embellishments - anywhere you can think of. I used the new Tree of Love image from the Love Struck collection, which is being released today. Isn't it darling? Take a look at the whole collection from Pixie Dust Studio:

Are you ready to put your heart into it, and play along with the Pixies? Head over to the Pixie Dust Challenge Blog to link up your card no later than Wednesday, January 18th. You could win a free digi from Pixie Dust Studio!

Supplies:
Stamps: Tree of Love (Pixie Dust Studio)
Card Stock: Old Olive (SU), White (GP), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: Snow Much Fun (3 Bugs in a Rug)
Ink: printer
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: satin ribbon
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Glad There's You

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday, which means I'm showing off a new Sketch Challenge card! This week is Korin's week to host, and she drew a really fun and versatile sketch to work with. I made two samples (one I'll be sharing on Friday) I like this sketch so much! This card actually has the sketch flipped on its side.

My image is from the gorgeous new set Together Silhouettes that's part of the fabby January release from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. And how pretty is the font on the sentiment?

I combined this card with the Inspiration Challenge I am hosting today over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums over on Splitcoaststampers. I love the colors in it, and the brown chairs against the cream carpet and blue wallpaper (those two things are where I drew my inspiration). As always, i snagged the picture from Pinterest. Yes, I am addicted and no, I'm not sorry :)

You should come play along with the sketch and/or the inspiration challenge if you get a chance!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Together Silhouettes (SNSS)
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip (SU), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Offbeat (Basic Grey)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Buttons (Cosmo Cricket), Cappuccino Twine (The Twinery), Satin Ribbon (unknown)
Tools: Circle Punches (SU)

Love Struck

2012-01-10T10:02:00.002-05:00

This is my second post today. Be sure not to miss the debut of Skipping Stones Design's Grunge Two set! There just might be a giveaway involved ;)

Today I'm sharing a preview of the upcoming Love Struck collection from Pixie Dust Studio. How darling is this little girl? Her name is Heart Garden; I love the way she's surrounded by heart-shaped flowers. I can't wait to show you the whole collection on Thursday!

Guess what else happens on Thursday? It's my first official challenge as the Challenge Coordinator with the Pixie Dust Studio team! You may have spotted the news last week when Kathy, the wonderful owner/illustrator for Pixie Dust Studio, announced it on her blog. I'm so thrilled to be rejoining the Pixies and heading up the challenges :) Be sure to stop be the Pixie Dust Challenge blog on Thursday to see what we have planned.

Supplies:
Stamps: Heart Garden (Pixie Dust Studio)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), White (GP), Black (Recollections)
Patterned Paper: For the Record (Echo Park)
Ink: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics (BG72, R20, R27, R29, E11, E00, E000, Y00, Y11, Y15, Y17, YG63, E31, E33, E35)
Accessories: dew drops
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

I Love Grunge

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another Tuesday! Today the team from Skipping Stones Design is combining a great sketch from our January sketch artist Pamela Young with the release of a brand new stamp set...Grunge Two. If you've just joined me from Emily Leiphart's blog you are in the right place; if you've just stopped by today be sure to scroll down and check out the whole hop so you don't miss any inspiration from the team!

I once again kept my card masculine as well as CAS today - I'm trying to replenish my stash of them. My husband gave this card his thumbs up of approval :) It's hard to see in my picture, but there are score lines above the red splotchy (yes, that's a technical term) area!

Here's the whole party train for today's hop:

Skipping Stones Design

And for some extra fun, Jennifer Ingle (Jingle) is giving away a FREE Skipping Stones Design set to a random commenter along the hop today. The more comments you leave, the better your chances to win! Be sure to stop by everyone's blog and leave them some love!

Supplies:
Stamps: Grunge Two (SSD)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill); Confetti WHite (SU)
Ink: Barn Door, Brushed Corduroy, Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Tools: Scor-Buddy

Glorious in Green

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's another card I made with the Sew Easy set from Gina K. Designs - I really love those stamps! Her gloves and clutch sort of make me swoon, seriously.

I once again paired it with the Material Girl patterned paper by Cosmo Cricket; since the paper is busy I left the card embellishment free. Ok....it helps keep postage costs down too!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sew Easy (Gina K. Designs)
Card Stock: GKD Luxury White, SU So Saffron
Patterned Paper: Material Girl (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: skittles (pez-a-doodle designs)
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

Stampendous Saturday: Bling It On!

2012-01-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's the very first Saturday of the month (wait - it's actually the first Saturday of the year!!), and that means the fabulous ladies at Stampendous have a brand new challenge to play along with. This month we are all about bringing in the New Year with some BLING! Glitter, rhinestones, sparkly stickers...you name it. Just make it shiny and get it on your project!

Today I'm showing off a spring-y card I made with the fabulous I Love Paris cling rubber stamp. In the background is the versatile cling rubber Music Score, which is embossed in green and then to snazz it up I sprinkled Aged Silver embossing enamel on there randomly and heated it from underneath. I did the same thing on the image panel and the card base. My bling is in the flower centers - don't you see the gorgeous silver glass glitter? I love it!!

Take a look at what these Stampendous team members have created to dazzle you today:

Stampendous Impressions Blog

Due to shipping restrictions, the winner must have a US address. We hope you get a chance to play along with us - happy stamping!

Supplies:
Stamps: I Love Paris, Music Score (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Cameo (Bazzill), White (Neenah)
Ink: Worn Lipstick, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress); Versamark
Accessories: Lettuce Embossing Powder, Aged Silver Embossing Powder, Silver Crushed Glass Glitter (all from Stampendous), Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
Tools: heat gun

Cuckoo For You

2012-01-06T09:00:00.001-05:00

It's my turn to host the Weekly Recipe Sketch Challenge over on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog today. This time, I created a sketch that would be easy to make multiple cards with, so I could get a head start on my Valentine's Day cards. I used images from the new Diner's Club set Sealed With a Kiss; I think the cuckoo clock and coordinating sentiment are adorable!

If you have some extra time, you should play along! You can post your creations (using Lizzie Anne Designs or Gourmet Rubber Stamps images) on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps Facebook page. Have fun getting crafty!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sealed With a Kiss (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections); White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park)
Ink: Barn Door (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: bling (unknown)
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps January Release Day!

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps has an amazing release planned for this month, and the Design Divas are so excited about it! Eight new clear stamp sets and three new sets of dies will be available in the store tonight. Make sure you've got a warm, tasty beverage and some donuts ready....you won't want to miss a bit of the inspiration we have for you today!

I have THREE fun cards to share today; I'll start with this fun one from the new Warm Hello set. How sweet is this little snowman? He started out as a digi, but I'm so glad he's a clear set now because he comes with the cutest sentiments. I stamped him twice and fussy cut one of them, popped it up on foam dots, and added some baker's twine as the fringes coming out under his scarf.

My second card features a sentiment from the stunning new True Friend set. And no joke, I get all teared up reading the sentiments in the set! They are SO perfect for those friends you just can't live without! And the fonts...gorgeous!

My third card is all about the sweetest little bear in town...Love From Rhubarb. One of the cool things about this set is that there are interchangeable sentiments that can be placed inside the heart he is holding (or not - you could leave the heart blank, or paper piece it). I just adore Rhubarb!

In case you missed it, I shared a card with the You & Me set yesterday. Gotta love the milk and cookies!

And now take a look at the rest of the Design Divas (and our very special January guest)...they've all whipped up some gorgeousness today!

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog
Taylor Usry (you are here)

Cathy McCauley
Lydia Fiedler

Korin Sutherland

We hope you can make plans to join us tonight in our Member Company forums over on Splitcoaststampers. We're having a Release Party, and it is full of great activities, stamp set reveals, and fun with friends! All of the partying will take place in our Release Party forum, so be sure to bookmark it! Hope to see you there!

Supplies (Warm Hello Card):
Stamps: Warm Hello (SNSS)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Jovial (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Shaved Ice (Stampendous), bling (unknown)
Tools: Shapeabilities (Spellbinders), Circle Punches (SU)
**************************************************
Supplies (True Friend Card):
Stamps: True Friend (SNSS)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Victorian Velvet (Ranger Distress)
Accessories:Charcoal, Blossom baker's twine (The Twinery), button (Cosmo Cricket)
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

**************************************************
Supplies (Love From Rhubarb Card):
Stamps: Love From Rhubarb (SNSS)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Yours Truly (Echo Park)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scallop border dies (SNSS)

You Complete Me

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

I am SUPER excited about today's card!! Not only is it my first official day as one of the new Sketch Challenge Hostesses over at Splitcoaststampers, I'm sneak peeking one of the fantastic new stamp sets being released by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps tomorrow. How stinkin' cute is the glass of milk and bunch of cookies?!?!?! The stamp set is called You & Me, and you can catch the original Sweet Peek of it (with a different image from the set) over on the Sweet 'n Sassy blog.

I also combined this card with the weekly Inspiration Challenge I host over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums. I love this photo I found on Pinterest; my card echoes the circles from the background, the cookie theme, and the colors (sort of - I used them, but in different hues).

I hope you can find some time to come play along with one or both of these great challenges!! And be sure to check back here tomorrow, for the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps new release blog hop. You'll love all the new stamps!

Supplies:
Stamps: You & Me (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), Cream (Bazzill Prsimatics)
Patterned Paper: Sweet Season (Webster's Pages)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics (N0, N2, BG10, E31, E33, E35)
Accessories: Twine (May Arts)
Tools: Circle Punches (SU), Paper Piercer, Tim Holtz Design Ruler

Woodgrain Birthday

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's a new year, new month...new sketch artist with Skipping Stones Design! This month the fabulous Pamela Young is drawing sketches for the team, and she's started us off with a great one. Rather than make the panels individual pieces, I took a few liberties (I know - you're shocked, right?) and left it one long panel with different colored stripes of woodgrain from the amazing Grunge set - it's on sale all month long for $12.49!! I added a sentiment from the Sentiment Frames set and finished it off with some jute (a total steal - $1 for 200 yards at Dollar General!). This is a fantastic masculine birthday card, and I'll be making more of them!

Be sure to head over to the Skipping Stones Design blog to check out the original sketch, and for details on how you could win a free set if you play along with the sketch! And take a look at what my teammates (and our special guests) have created:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

and our guests:
Julie Day
Emily Leiphart
Candice Fields

Supplies:
Stamps: Grunge One, Sentiment Frames (Skipping Stones Design)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill); White (Neenah)
Ink: Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy, Antique Linen (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Jute

Sew Easy

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a card I made quite awhile ago, and never blogged! I'm trying to go through my draft queue and publish some hidden gems!! I really love this Gina K Designs set, especially when paired with this Cosmo Cricket paper. They are perfect together! I left the card super simple because the paper is pretty busy....and because I really love super simple ;)

Supplies:
Stamps: Sew Easy (Gina K. Designs)
Card Stock: PTI Kraft, GKD White
Patterned Paper: Material Girl (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: buttons, thread
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

A Year in Review: 2011

2011-12-30T08:17:00.002-05:00

Karin over at With an "i" for Paper has put together another fun Year in Review hop, and I'm so excited to be playing along! 2011 was an interesting year for me - it started off a bit rocky, but as I reflect back on it now, I realize just how very much I have to be grateful for. Yes, a door slammed shut in a not-so-pleasant way. In its place, however, so many new and exciting doors opened up that would have remained shut otherwise. I'm SO thankful for my family and friends, who have supported me through everything!

I'm absolutely terrible at picking favorites, so I gave myself a few criteria and went from there (I didn't set a number - that would have been WAY too hard). Each card I'm sharing below is meaningful to me in some way - the reason I made it, what I was also doing while I made it, who I made it for or with, or what it represents to me. I'm not sharing my reasons for each card (some are way too personal!), but I have gotten a bit misty-eyed as I chose them.

I've left off more than a few that I dearly love. I wish I could include ALL of the cards and projects I made this year. But here are my top 22 (yes, 22!) Underneath each picture is the link to the original post, if you'd like to read more about the cards.

Thanks SO Much (February 2011)

Yellow Rainbows (March 2011)

Girls Rock (May 2011)

Life's a Circus (June 2011)

White Tulip (June 2011)

Little Book of Love (July 2011)

Snowfall Hugs (July 2011)

Orange Butterfly (July 2011)

Under Lock & Key (August 2011)

Merry & Magical (August 2011)

Little Butterflies (August 2011)

Watercolor Thank You (August 2011)

Hello, Paris (September 2011)

Peaceful Leaves (September 2011)

Sending Love (October 2011)

Joyeux Noel (October 2011)

Happy Winter (November 2011)

Warm Hugs (November 2011)

Party Hat Cocoa (November 2011)

Chipboard Ornaments (November 2011)

Elf on the Shelf Tag Set (December 2011)

Snowbody Like You (December 2011)

Thank YOU for stopping by my blog and checking out my creations - I'm so blessed and honored that you take the time!! I hope big things are in store for all of us in 2012!!

A Sketch, Some Inspiration, and an Announcement

2011-12-28T10:13:00.003-05:00

I'm back to blogging today after a little break! I preposted everything through yesterday so that I could sit back and enjoy my holiday with my family, and it was great! Now I'm furiously playing catch up, starting with a quick card this morning. As I do every year, I forgot my husband's grandparent's anniversary today - it just falls so close to Christmas I never seem to remember it. He called home from work to remind me to make them a card, just as I was sitting down to make one for a sketch challenge.....which leads me to my announcement today.

I've been asked, along with my dear friends Korin and Holly, to take over the challenge hosting duties for the Sketch Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers! I'm really excited (and completely honored) to take on this responsibility. My first official week hosting will be next Wednesday, and I hope everyone can join me! Roxie, the fabulous hostess for the past SIX years, made the announcement today, so I wanted to get started playing along with the sketches.

Additionally, the weekly Inspiration Challenge I host over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Member company forums is moving from Tuesdays to Wednesdays as of today. This week's picture is of a scrumptious living room (true confession: my living room is the same color brown, also with a cream couch!!) that has gorgeous pillows on it. I was inspired by the pillow that had a brown branch with red berries to make this anniversary card for hubby's grandparents, and I managed to work in the sketch (albeit flipped on its side). That's like a triple combo card!!

If you need a bit of inspiration to get back into the stamping groove, be sure to come play along in either challenge this week!

Supplies:
Stamps: Love is Like a Tree (SNSS)
Card Stock: Cream (Bazzill)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Aged Mahogany, Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: cream grosgrain ribbon
Tools: lacy eyelet border die (SNSS)

Sealed With a Kiss

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's preview time for Gourmet Rubber Stamps! I'm super excited about the love theme in this new Diner's Club set, Sealed With a Kiss. I left my card super CAS to help the red and pink really pop. I fussy cut my hearts and popped them up on foam tape, and made a quick background with the fab lips - don't they look just like a lipstick print?!?! So fun! Take a look at the whole set:

Be sure to head over to the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog today to check out to see what my teammates have been up to using it. And if you need a little encouragement to spend your money from Santa, there is a HUGE sale going on in the Gourmet Rubber Stamps store! From now through the end of the year, take 40% off your whole order using the code 40IN2011. Wow!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sealed With a Kiss (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: White (Neenah), Java (Bazzill)
Ink: Worn Lipstick, Barn Door (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Cappuccino, Maraschino, Blossom twine (The Twinery)

Party Time!

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Time for another great Tuesday sketch with the Skipping Stones Design team. This week, we have another sketch by the wonderful Jen del Muro. I made a set of cards for my stepmom for Christmas using this fun Chic Martini set and I didn't want her to have to put any extra postage for too much lumpiness, so I kept this one pretty CAS. This month the whole team gets to play with some fabulous products from Canvas Corp. They sent us a very generous goodie bag full of papers, embellishments, and other cool ephemera. The papers on this card are SO perfect for my stepmom!

Be sure to stop by the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the sketch, and find out how you could win a free stamp set for playing along with us. And check out each of my teammates' blogs as well as out special guests this month:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

and our guests:

Supplies:
Stamps: Chic Martini (SSD)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), White (Neenah), Pixie ink (SU)
Patterned Paper: Canvas Corp
Ink: Pixie Pink (SU), Tuxedo Black (memento)
Accessories: bling

Christmas Snowglobe

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

To You and Yours

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a Christmas card I made and never blogged! I used the super fabulous Christmas Tags set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I stamped and fussy cut the tag twice, and used an old sketch from the Sweet Stop. I love this Blitzen paper from Bo Bunny. I used tons of it this year!

Supplies:
Stamps: Christmas Tags (SNSS)
Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Blush Blossom (retired) (SU)
Patterned Paper: Blitzen (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (Versafine), Bamboo Leaves (Memento), Aged Mahogany (Ranger)
Accessories: Dew Drops, Jumbo Brad, Celery and Cappuccino Twine
Tools: Cop-a-dile

Let Your Light Shine

2011-12-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

I shared a new Inspiration Challenge in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums on Tuesday. I used this warm picture to inspire me to color up De"light"ful Cocoa. My sketch is from the Sweet Stop this week - it's such a great one!

If you've got a little extra time this week (because don't we all??), come play along!!

Supplies:
Stamps: De"light"ful Cocoa (digi); Be Mine Cocoa (clear) (SNSS)
Card Stock: Purely Pomegranate, Creamy Caramel, So Saffron
Patterned Paper: Webster's Pages
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Coppics (R81, R83, R85, BG10, BG11, C00, Y11, Y00, Y15, Y17, R20, E31, E33, E35, E51, E50)
Accessories: ribbon
Tools: cuttlebug embossing folder

Hugs & Kisses

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'm hosting the sketch challenge over on Splitcoaststampers today, and I drew this sketch with this image from the Love From Cocoa stamp set in mind. I love how I can use any sentiment in the set to put on the little pice of paper he's holding! I had fun with this card - the break, however temporary, from my holiday gift making and wrapping frenzy was quite welcome.

How can there only be four more days until Christmas? I'm excited, but wow do I have lots of prep work to do! W'll be hosting two holiday meals at my house. One on Christmas Eve, and another on Christmas Day. Plus, gifts that need wrapping are still arriving daily for my kids, from relatives all over the place. This year, I've taken a page from some friends and used stamps to make gift tags, instead of putting names on them. So no one know (but me) which presents belong to what person. I can't wait until Christmas morning!! This has totally made me feel like a kid again :)

Head over to Splitcoaststampers and play along in the sketch challenge this week - I hope you like it!

Supplies:
Stamps: Love From Cocoa (SNSS)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Olivia (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Worn Lipstick (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics (N0, N2, C00, C5, R20, E50, E51, BG72, 0 Colorless Blender)
Accessories: Charcoal, Blossom Baker's Twine (The Twinery, available at SNSS)
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

One Martini....

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Time for another great Tuesday sketch with the Skipping Stones Design team. This week, we have another sketch by the wonderful Jen del Muro. My card is pretty simple today. I am working on a set of cards for my stepmom using this fun Chic Martini set (so, you'll probably see it again next week!) and I don't want her to have to put any extra postage for too much lumpiness. This month the whole team gets to play with some fabulous products from Canvas Corp. They sent us a very generous goodie bag full of papers, embellishments, and other cool ephemera. The papers totally make my card happy!

Be sure to stop by the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the sketch, and find out how you could win a free stamp set for playing along with us. And check out each of my teammates' blogs as well as out special guests this month:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

and our guests:

Supplies:

Stamps: Chic Martini (Skipping Stones Design)

Card Stock: Black (Recollections), Cream (Bazzill)

Patterned Paper: Canvas Corp

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories: bling

Stampendous Saturday: Snowbody Like You

2011-12-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday, and that means the Stampendous team is playing along with our monthly challenge again! This month we are having a color challenge…to use pink, cream, gold, and/or brown in a card or project.

Today I inked up the adorable Snowbody Frame and made a quick and simple card. The Shaved Ice and Gold Glitter really jazz it up, though! I ended up liking this so much, I think I'm going to make a few more so I have a whole set of them!

Please join us in our challenge this month, and link your creation(s) to the InLinkz located on the Stampendous Impressions' blog (or any team member's blog post that has the collection at the bottom). You don't have to use Stampendous images and/or products on your designs…but we sure love it when you do! You have until January 5, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST to enter your creation, for the opportunity to be the one lucky random winner to receive this fabulous Stampendous prize, the Amore Frame Perfectly Clear set:

Here's a list of the fabulously talented Stampendous team members playing along today:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

Pam Hornschu

Melinda Gleissner

Suzanne Czosek

Kim O'Connell
Sandy Domelle

Jennifer Ingle
Wendy Price

Add your link below my signature to enter our challenge! (A note about the link tool: you can add your direct link from this post, or any Stampendous team member's post with this collection, as well as directly on the Stampendous blog. All of the collection tools are the same one, and all entries will show up wherever you put them!)

Supplies:
Stamps: Snowbody Frame (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Kraft, Cream (Bazzill); Close to Cocoa (SU)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Worn Lipstick (Ranger Distress)
Coloring Medium: Copics (r81, R83, R85, E25, E27, E29, YR02, YR04, C00, C2, No, N2)
Accessories: Shaved Ice, Gold Glitter (Stampendous)

Crazy 4 Cocoa Blog Hop!

2011-12-15T09:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Crazy 4 Cocoa blog hop! We all adore Cocoa and thought it would be fun to showcase him all month long. Today, as part of the fun, the Sweet 'n Sassy Design Divas have joined together with e few of the talented Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge ladies to bring a great Cocoa Mouse blog hop to you! Make sure you've got your warm drink and some chocolate...let's get ready to hop! (ppsssttt...read all the way through my post, because I'm giving away a freebie, too!!)

I inked up my Cocoa's Latte set, along with a sentiment from the Love From Cocoa set. I used this week's Sweet Stop Sketch, and paper pieced the middle part of the cup. I used a Sharpie marker to doodle around the edges. I am SO in love with the Cocoa images!!

Here is the whole list of design team members hopping along today:

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

Monika Davis

Carol Longacre
Ceal Pritchett

But wait...there's MORE!!! We want YOU to hop along with us! All you have to do is make a card or project featuring Cocoa Mouse and add your direct link to our linky tool below. One participant (drawn at random) will win their choice of ONE free Cocoa Mouse clear stamp set or FOUR free Cocoa Mouse digis! You have until Saturday, December 17 at 11:30 PM EST to add your direct link...go get stamping!

Don't forget, during the month of December we really are Crazy 4 Cocoa. The entire line of Cocoa Mouse clear stamp sets and digi images are 10% off!

How would you like another chance to win? I'm giving away a FREE Cocoa Mouse digi image of your choice...all you have to do is leave me a comment here and tell me one thing you are hoping to see under the Christmas tree this year :) Just like with the hop, you have until Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11:59 PM EST to leave a comment. I will announce a winner on Monday, Dec. 19th!

Supplies:

Stamps: Cocoa's Latte, Love from Cocoa (SNSS)

Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)

Patterned Paper: Offbeat (Basic Grey)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Coloring Medium: Copics (C5, C2, C3, C00, N0, N2, E31, E33, E35, R20, E50, E51)

Accessories: ribbon, sharpie

What's Inside

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sharing a fun card I made with for this month's DT Challenge with the Gourmet Rubber Stamps team. This time we have a great color challenge - very refreshing when most of us are elbow-deep in holiday cards and gifts!

I inked up this sweet nesting doll image from the newest Diner's Club set, Let's Celebrate. I used this week's sketch from Splitcoaststampers as a starting point for my card, and kept it pretty simple (read: patterned paper free!).

Be sure to check out the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog to see what my teammates created with this month's fabulous color combo!

Supplies:
Stamps: Let's Celebrate (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Tangerine Tango, Soft Sky, Kiwi Kiss, River Rock (SU); White (Neenah)
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss (SU)
Coloring Medium: Copics (BG10, BG11, G20, G21, C00, C2, E00, E31, E33, E35)
Accessories: ribbon, bling
Tools: Word Window Punch (SU)

Christmas Candle

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

I hosted another Inspiration Challenge over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums on Splitcoaststampers yesterday. This week I chose a gorgeous pastel group of pictures, complete with a FAB button tree for inspiration. I am totally in love with that tree and the candy Christmas lights, so I used those two things as starting points for my card - the row of buttons is from the tree (complete with pearls on them!) and I used the candle image because it reminded me of the lights. I cut out a doily since that is what the lights were pictured with.

My card features the lovely Christmas Light stamp and die (note - they are available for purchase separately or as a bundle). They are SO perfect, and I love the time the die saves me with not having to fussy cut the candle! Come play along with us for a chance to be our weekly special guest for the challenge!

Supplies:
Stamps: Christmas Light (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill); White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics (RV10, RV11, RV13, BG10, BG11, BG13, G20, YG63, YG67, E50, E51, Y11, YR20)
Accessories: assorted buttons, half pearls
Tools: Christmas Light die (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Happy Birthday, Laura!

2011-12-13T12:28:00.000-05:00

The fantastically amazing Laura Weed, Graphics Manager at Stampendous, is having a birthday today (25, maybe? Could be 29....I'm not sure!). Laura is hands down one of the most fabulous people I've ever "met" in the stamping world - witty, sweet, kind, and talented. She *almost* makes me wish I was going to CHA next month, just to meet her in person.

Today several of the ladies on the various Stampendous design team have put together a little blog hop in honor of Laura's birthday. I had grand plans for what I wanted to make her, but I'm still feeling not so swell from these kidney stones. Instead, I made a super CAS-yet-vintage card! I inked up the Vintage Typewriter set for this one.

And I'm sure you think I forgot....I need to announce a winner for Saturdays blog candy! Congrats to Katie Gehring! Send me an email with your snail mail address, and this will go in the mail tomorrow (today, if you send me the email before my mailman gets here!).

Be sure to stop by the Stampendous Facebook page to wish Laura a happy birthday (and become a fan if you aren't already!). Now, hop on over to see what else the team created to wish Laura the happiest of birthdays:

Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Typewriter (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black, Bamboo Leaves (Memento)
Accessories: Charcoal twine (The Twinery), button (Cosmo Cricket)
Tools: Tim Holtz embossing folder

Timeless Textures Blog Hop!

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for another Tuesday sketch with the Skipping Stones Design team! This week we have our monthly blog hop lined up for you, so in addition to seeing all the great projects the team has made with the fab sketch from Jen del Muro we are all showing off some of the great texture sets from Skipping Stones Design. If you've just joined me from Wendy Prices' blog, welcome! If you've just happened on my post today, be sure to keep reading for the whole hop order.

My card above took a teensy tiny liberty with the sketch - I really wanted to use that great little tag accent the scrumptious holiday papers from Canvas Corp (they were SO generous to the team this month, and sent us tons of goodies!). So that panel isn't really on the original sketch. Oops! I stamped the texture image (one of three included in the Timeless Textures set) directly on the tag, and stamped a sentiment from the Christmas Swirls set. Love how simple this card was to put together!

Be sure to stop by the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the sketch, and find out how you could win a free stamp set for playing along with us. And check out each of my teammates' blogs as well as out special guests this month:

Skipping Stones Designs

Jen Del Muro

Taylor Usry (you are here)

Supplies:

Stamps: Timeless Textures, Christmas Swirls (SSD)

Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill); Black (Recollections)

Patterned Paper: Canvas Corp

Ink: Peeled Paint (Ranger Distress)

Accessories: Tag and tie (Canvas Corp)

Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Stampendous Saturday: Pink Poinsettas

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday again, and that means the Stampendous team is playing along with our monthly challenge again! This month we are having a color challenge…to use pink, cream, gold, and/or brown in a card or project. I've cheated a bit this week, and stretched the rules....but I'm struggling with kidney stones, so I'm not being too hard in myself. My card has all four of the colors in the challenge, plus more than a bit of green :) Be sure to read all the way to the end of my post to find out how to win the blog candy I'm giving away this week!!!

I used the lovely cling rubber Poinsettia Silhouette for the main image on my card. I stamped it twice, once in green and again in pink (on separate card stock); I fussy cut the pink flower out, added pearl brads, skewed it slightly, and popped it up on foam tape. The whole card, including patterned paper, is sponged at the edges. On the patterned paper, I used versamark ink to stamp the borders from the Elegant Borders perfectly clear set and then added chalk to them with my fingers until they showed up. And just so you know how not fancy I am....I used my daughter's Crayola sidewalk chalk for it.

Here's a list of the fabulously talented Stampendous team members playing along today:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

Pam Hornschu (has blog candy!)

Jenn Dove (has blog candy!)

Melinda Gleissner

Suzanne Czosek (has blog candy!)

Krissy Fossmeyer

Stephanie Lee

Cyndi Bundy (has blog candy!)

Jennie Black
Jennifer Ingle
Wendy Price

Add your link below to enter our challenge! (A note about the link tool: you can add your direct link from this post, or any Stampendous team member's post with this collection, as well as directly on the Stampendous blog. All of the collection tools are the same one, and all entries will show up wherever you put them!)

And now for MY giveaway this week! You definitely want to win this set, just in time for holiday cards. Check out the gorgeous Christmas Key set:

All you have to do to win it is leave me a comment here, on this post! That's it - SO easy!!!! You have until Monday, December 12th at 6:00 Pm EST to leave a comment - I'll announce the winner on Tuesday and ship the set asap, so you can use it for some holiday fun this year!

*please note: for both the Stampendous prize and my blog candy, all winners must be US residents (for mailing purposes).

Supplies:
Stamps: Poinsettia Silhouette, Elegant Borders (Stampendous)
Card Stock: Killarney, Pink (Bazzill); White (Mohawk)
Patterned Paper: Heaven Sent
Ink: Meadow (Ranger/Adirondack); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Worn Lipstick (Ranger/Distress)
Coloring Medium: Chalk (Crayola)
Accessories: pearl brads, pearl button, May Arts ribbon

Our Holiday Card for 2011

2011-12-09T09:05:00.001-05:00

I have been trying to come up with an easily reproducible card that is quick to make, one layer (so no extra postage), and won't bore me to death to make like fifty of for this year's mass batch of holiday cards. I send all of my "fun" cards to friends and family who I know will appreciate a handmade card, but I'm realistic and know that many people I send cards to don't care if it is handmade or not. Yesterday I whipped up this card, and I absolutely love how it turned out.

I used the November Diner's Club set from Gourmet Rubber Stamps. It's called, appropriately, Season's Greetings. I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the ornaments where I wanted them, and used a post-it note cutout to mask the ornaments when necessary. I colored each one with Copics, and stamped the sentiment in the right corner. All total, this took maybe fifteen minutes, and that's because I'm slow and shaky thanks to a couple of kidney stones, lol. Today I'll be making more of these, so that they are ready to go early next week. And if I don't have enough of this color card stock, I can just switch to another one - maybe a light blue or green.

We still have to take the kids to see Santa so that the pictures can be included with the cards! How is Christmas only sixteen days away?!?!

Supplies:
Stamps: Season's Greetings (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Blush Blossom (SU)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics (E50, E51, R20)
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, post-it note for masking

Christmas Wishes

2011-12-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

I'm sharing a really quick and simple holiday card I made using NO stamps! That's right - this whole card is created from some fabulous Class A'Peel stickers from Stampendous. The Jumbo Poinsettia Velvet Red stickers are the bold background, and for some interesting contrast I used the Jumbo Merry Mirror stickers on my sentiment panel. I tied a piece of ribbon above the sentiment stickers and considered this one done!!

Supplies:
Card Stock: Killarney, Red (Bazzill) White (Neenah)
Accessories: AC99 Jumbo Poinsettia Velvet Red Stickers, AC1007 Jumbo Merry Mirror Stickers, Ribbon (Creative Impressions)

Peppermint Cocoa

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

I shared another fun Inspiration Challenge over in the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps member company forums on Splitcoaststampers yesterday. This week it is all about the hot cocoa theme and peppermint colors....mmmmmm!!

I couldn't resist coloring up this sweet Cocoa image (I used the one from the Cup of Cocoa clear stamp set, but this image is also available as an individual digi). I added some great Halo Crystal glitter to the ends of the snowflakes on the cup (although it migrated everywhere!).

You should come play along with our fun challenge! You could land a weekly "guest designer" spot just for playing along! Also, did you know that December is Crazy for Cocoa month at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps? The entire line of Cocoa Mouse clear stamps and digis are 10% off all month long - no coupon needed! You can thank me later!

Supplies:
Stamps: Cup of Cocoa (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Jovial (Basic Grey)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Cappuccino and Maraschino twine (The Twinery, available @ SNSS)
Tools: Scallop Border Dies (SNSS); English Tea Party Doily Die (Cheery Lynn), circle punches (SU)

Burlap Holiday Kitty

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for a Tuesday sketch with the Skipping Stones Design team! I missed last week thanks to the ickies that took over my house - thank goodness this week my toddler and I are finally on the mend; it's my poor six year old's turn now :( This is our first sketch for December, and we have a fantastic sketch artist this month...Jen Del Muro! This month the whole team gets to play with some fabulous products from Canvas Corp. They sent us a very generous goodie bag full of papers, embellishments, and other cool ephemera.

For today's card, I used three different papers from the Canvas Corp holiday line. I swapped the rectangular panel on the sketch for a circle, and used the cool burlap minis to stamp my image on. I inked up my Holiday Cats set to make a fun Christmas card.

I actually remembered to line and stamp the inside of my card, too. Usually I forget, and then when it's time to mail the card I'm in a rush. So yay for me!!

Be sure to stop by the Skipping Stones Design blog to see the sketch, and find out how you could win a free stamp set for playing along with us. And check out each of my teammates' blogs as well as out special guests this month:

Taylor Usry (you are here)

and our guests:

Supplies:

Stamps: Holiday Cats (Skipping Stones Design)

Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (GP)

Patterned Paper: Canvas Corp

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories: Burlap Pieces (Canvas Corp), Jute (Unknown)

Pocket Full Of Tags

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our second annual Amber Ink Holiday blog hop! This year our alumni are tapping in to their inner elves for some fun and frolic. We've made our list but you'll probably want to check it twice. Or check it thrice. We just don't know who'll be naughty or nice.

I adore the Elf on the Shelf tradition, and so do both of my kids. My six year old looks forward to "Elfie" (great name, huh - she picked it when she was three!) coming all year and this year my 18 month old is obsessed with waving to him. It is SO sweet. When the fabby ladies at AMber Ink came out with these darling elves and said our blog hop this year would be elf themed, I was THRILLED! Let's get to my project:

I decided to make a pocket full of gift tags. I started with the Elf on the Shelf - Nocs image, and put him on the outside of my library pocket die cut from Creative Cuts and More.

The insert card has the Elf on the Shelf - My Regrets image. I embossed both the pocket front and the insert card; the insert card I used the debossed side as the front for a little bit of fun.

Both elves are colored with Copics and have Cottonball White Fun Flock (by Stampendous) on their collars, hats, and gloves.

I tied twine around my insert card (and the gift tags as well) and will eventually add a plain cream card stock piece with a note to the recipient. I'm just not sure who is going to get these sweet tags yet! To mkae the tags below, I started with the gift tag image from the Perfect Package digi set. I opened it in Photoshop and erased the present that comes on the tag, and then added the Elf with Nocs image to one tag (and saved it) and then added the My Regrets Elf to another one (and saved it). Then I opened a blank file, and made a sheet with twelve tags on it. I printed that, cut, and colored them. Easy Peasy! Take a look at my tags:

And now for the important details!
There are 23 commenting spots to be precise, and 23 prizes to help entice. So see those badges down below?Roll the dice. Let elf magic flow…

Hop on Monday

Hop on Tuesday

Prizes on Wednesday

One Grand Prize winner will receive an Elf of the Shelf gift set,

so be sure to visit every single elfin spot.

The final list will be sent to Santa, so remember… the only person you are really competing with is your elf. Thanks for coming. Now hop on!!! (In non-elf speak....every stop along the hop is giving away one Elf on the Shelf digi image to a random commenter from their blog. Each Torchbearer will be giving away the elf that they used on their project. Since I used two different ones, I will let my winner choose! Leave me a comment telling me which elf you'd like to win...your choices are Elf w/ Nocs or the My Regrets Elf...and then hop along to see what other elves you could score!)

Supplies:
Stamps: Elf on the Shelf - Nocs, Elf on the Shelf - My Regrets (Amber Ink)
Card Stock: Kraft, Cream (Bazzill), White (Neenah)
Ink: printer
Coloring Medium: Copics (R27, R29, E37, E35, E33, E11, E00, E000, C00, C2, C5, C7, C9)
Accessories: Marachino and Pea Pod twine (The Twinery)
Tools: Library Pocket #02 die cut (Creative Cuts and More)

Christmas Glows

2011-12-04T08:45:00.000-05:00

I made another quick holiday card this week, using a Stick Chick from Gourmet Rubber Stamps. This Putting Up the Lights image is so fun, and happened to work perfectly with the Blitzen patterned paper, which had the sentiment already printed on it! I'm trying to keep all of my holiday cards that I'm mailing fairly simple (read: no extra postage) so I just tied a bit of jute around this one and called it a day. One more for the pile!

Supplies:
Stamps: Putting Up the Lights (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill)
Patterned Paper: Blitzen (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Jute

Stampendous Saturday: Fairy Queen Christmas

2011-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

It's the first Saturday of the month again, and that means that the Stampendous team is playing along with a NEW monthly challenge again! This month we are playing with a color challenge…to use pink, cream, gold, and/or brown in a card or project. The colors can be by way of papers, coloring implements, inks, and/or any of the fabulous Stampendous Essentials. If you've been stuck in a traditional holiday color mode, this is your opportunity to think outside the Christmas crayon box!

Today I'm showing off a "multi-tasking" card. I've been sick all week, along with my toddler, so I haven't had much stamping time. I needed to make twenty Christmas cards for my mother-in-law by today, and I wanted to play along with this fun challenge. So I combined those tasks. She asked for the Fairy Queen stamp to be used on the outside of her cards, which is a pretty big image and covered my card front.

Rather than color it, I just sponged the edges of the card stock and added Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel all over it. I added the sentiment in the lower corner (it's a bit higher on some cards). It didn't take too long to whip up twenty of these! Since we can use ANY shades of pink, brown, cream, and gold, I managed to get all four colors incorporated. Yay me!

Here's a list of the fabulously talented Stampendous team members playing along today:

Taylor Usry

Pam Hornschu

Lynn Mercurio

Stephanie Lee

Cyndi Bundy

Jennie Black
Jennifer Ingle

Add your link below to enter our challenge! (A note about the link tool: you can add your direct link from this post, or any Stampendous team member's post with this collection, as well as directly on the Stampendous blog. All of the collection tools are the same one, and all entries will show up wherever you put them!)

Supplies:
Stamps: Fairy Queen
Card Stock: Purely Pomegranate (SU); White (Neenah)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy (Ranger)
Accessories: Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel
Tools: Heat Gun

A Double Dose of Santa

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Today I'm sharing two fun Santa stamps from the Murray's Law line available at Gourmet Rubber Stamps. They both crack me up - I love the vaguely smug look about them. My first card, above, uses Ho Ho Ho. I kept him simple, and added the Lizzie Anne Designs Starburst background stamp randomly in two of the corners of the card.

My second card uses Merry Merry Christmas. My card size is odd for this one - 3 1/2 x 5 1/2. No special reason, I just felt like making something skinny. I again kept this simple, and just added twine at the bottom. I'm all about CAS during the holiday season!

Both of these stamps are available for purchase in cling rubber or wood mounted format.

Supplies (Ho Ho Ho Card):
Stamps: Ho Ho Ho (Gourmet Rubber Stamps), Starburst (Lizzie Anne Designs, available through Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Cool Caribbean (SU), White (Neenah), Black (Recollections)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: ribbon

Supplies (Merry Merry Christmas Card):
Stamps: Merry Merry Christmas (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Black (Recollections), White (Neenah)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Maraschino, Lemondrop, PeaPod twine (The Twinery)

Mix it Up!

2011-11-30T12:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick card I made awhile ago using a fabulous stand mixer stamp from the In the Kitchen set by Lizzie Anne Designs. I think the October Afternoon paper goes perfectly with it. I love that Gourmet Rubber Stamps is selling so many of my favorite old LAD sets. I'll be inking this set up quite often in the weeks to come, since holiday baking is in full swing!

Supplies:
Stamps: In the Kitchen (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Card Stock: Prismatics Butter Cream, SU So Saffron
Patterned Paper: Modern Homemaker (October Afternoon)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Coloring Medium: Copics (RV10, RV11, RV13, C00, C1, C2, C3, C5, C7)
Accessories: grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities, paper piercer

Perk Up!

2011-11-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Black Friday everyone! I'm spending the day safe and comfy at home - I never brave the crowds. I have a fun new card to share today, using stamps from the newest Diner's Club set, Let's Celebrate, from Gourmet Rubber Stamps. I paper pieced my coffee pot and added a bit of jute; I was in the mood for something fairly simple after my huge turkey dinner!

Be sure to head over to the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog today to check out to see what my teammates have been up to using it. And if you want to do a little shopping from home, the first 50 orders from the Gourmet Rubber Stamps store today (Friday) will receive a free stamp! That's a great deal, because the most of the store is still 25% off for the Black November sale!

Supplies:
Stamps: Diner's Club Set (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Card Stock: Not Quite Navy, Always Artichoke (SU); White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Marjolaine (Basic Grey)
Ink: Not Quite Navy (SU)
Accessories: jute
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Word Window punch (SU)

Thank You Gifts

2011-11-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!!! Today happens to be my day to do a Tips and Tricks feature over on the Skipping Stones Design blog, so I figured I'd post it here, too. I'm going to share a few quick ideas for hostess gifts. I don't know about you, but I always need quick and easy gifts to give once the holiday season gets started. All of my projects are Thanksgiving themed, but can be adapted to any holiday or occasion. Let's get started!

First I made a few quick gift tags. I cut my card stock and rounded the top corners. I added an eyelet and tied a bit of jute through it, leaving it large enough to hang the tag around a bottle or add it to a wrapped present. I used the Everyday Blessings set to make these tags thank you themed; gift tags are super useful to give to people!

Next I made another kind of gift tag, using a large doily die and the Everyday Blessings set again. You could use store-bought doilies for this, which would make them even quicker to make! I tied a loop of jute through these as well. I figured they could be gift tags for larger gifts or to use with gift bags.

Finally, I made a set of super CAS cards to give to a hostess. Pairing the Everyday Blessings set (I really love it!) with the versatile Timeless Textures set, I created a warm kraft card that only takes a minute to make.

I hope these projects have given you some ideas about what to take when you go visiting this holiday season! Enjoy your time with family and friends, and eat lots of turkey today!

Supplies:Stamps:Card Stock:Patterned Paper:Ink:Coloring Medium:Accessories:Tools:

Peace, Joy, and Laughter

2011-11-22T08:33:00.001-05:00

It's sketch time with Skipping Stones Design again! Chan Vuong, or November Sketch Artist, gave us another amazing sketch this week. I used a gorgeous Skipping Stones Design holiday set, Christmas Swirls. My bird is stamped and embossed with clear powder, to give it some shine. And my pretty ribbon is from Creative Impressions. The kind folks over there supplied the Skipping Stones team with all sorts of fabulous goodies this month, and I am SO thankful!!!

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

Taylor Usry (you are here)

and our guests:
Chan Vuong
Jimmi Mayo
Betsy Veldman
Jessica Griffin

Supplies:

Stamps: Christmas Swirls (Skipping Stones Design)

Card Stock: River Rock, Bravo Burgundy (SU)

Patterned Paper: Webster's Pages

Ink: River Rock Classic, Bravo Burgundy Craft (SU)

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Ribbon (Creative Impressions)

Tools: heat gun

Warm Chocolate Hugs

2011-11-21T08:57:00.001-05:00

Today's CAS challenge over on Splitcoaststampers is to make a card with a winter/holiday theme. Easy peasy for me, because I am currently in love with this gorgeous Snowflake Flourish set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. I kept my card super simple, and added the sentiment on a quick little banner I made. I spritzed the left side with some water and rolled the edge around my paper piercer. Spritzing it with water helps it roll smoothly. I fussy cut a few snowflakes to pop up on foam tape as well.

Supplies:
Stamps: Snowflake Flourish (SNSS)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazzill)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Tools: paper piercer (to roll edge), spray bottle (Stampendous)

Sketchy Snowman

2011-11-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Did you see the fun new digis Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps released this weekend? I adore this Sketchy Snowman and couldn't wait to color him up. I pulled out some Bo Bunny paper to create this quick card.

I wanted to add some sparkle, so I used a glue pen to put random dots all over the oval and then sprinkled some Multi Fine Crystal Glitter from Stampendous on there. Then I used the glue pen again to add glue all over the bottom, where the ground would be, and I poured on the scrumptious Shaved Ice (also from Stampendous). I love the way it turned out!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sketchy Snowman (digi, SNSS)
Card Stock: Kraft (Bazill), White (Neenah)
Patterned Paper: Blitzen (Bo Bunny)
Ink: printer
Coloring Medium: Copics
Accessories: Crystal Glitter, Shaved Ice (Stampendous)
Tools: Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Edge Punch (Martha Stewart)

Stampendous Saturday: Chipboard Ornaments

2011-11-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

This week I have another fun project with chipboard to share! Did you know that all month long the Stampendous team is challenging you to get out that chipboard and USE it?! Today I've whipped up a gift tag (die cut from chipboard) and added some chipboard ornaments to it.

I kept it fairly simple and just used Jute to accent my tag. I fussy cut and layered my embossed ornaments with foam tape in different thicknesses, to add depth to the tag. I think I'll be making bunches of these this year, because they make good gifts, too - doesn't everyone need gift tags?

Our challenge to you this month is to join us in using chipboard on your cards and projects. This month we are giving away a Cling Jumbo Songbird set to a random winner. You don't have to use a Stampendous image or products to play along, but we sure love it when you do! You have until Thursday, December 1 at 11:59 PM EST to add your link to the linky tool, and we'll draw a random winner. You can enter as many times as you'd like. And a quick note about the linky tool below (under my signature) - it's the exact same collection that is being shared on the Stampendous blog, and some of my teammates' blogs. You an add your direct link to your project featuring chipboard here on my blog, or any of the other blogs that are sharing the collection!

Also, did you know Stampendous is offering FREE shipping on all orders $50 or over (to US/APO/FPO addresses)?! Use the promo code FREESHIP and stock up on some goodies!! And if you are in Southern California, be sure to check out the new Stampendous Outlet Store!

Check out who is playing along with us today:

Taylor Usry (you are here)