H&M Stamps Sneak Peek!!!!

I'm so excited to get to share a sneak peek of one of the new sets that is being released by H&M Stamps tomorrow!! Three new sets will be available and let me tell you, they are ADORABLE!! I had the hardest time trying to decide which set I wanted to use for today's post. It finally came down to having my six year old pick her favorite card, so here it is!! No surprise that she loved this little chick!! This set is designed by Debbie Corbari, the newest illustrator for H&M. It is filled with so really cute images for not only easter but spring in general! I used four stamps from this set and took a close up photo so you could see all the adorable details!

Make sure you check out what the rest of the design team came up with for the peek!!

Carolina Buchting
Heather Rolin
Julia Aston
Melissa Sauls
Suzanne Dean
Heather Klump
Makiko Jones
Tracy Dorton

Recipe:
Stamps: Eggstra Special (H&M Stamps)
Paper: Kraft, Yellow Lined Paper (K&Company, Wild Saffron)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss
Accesories: Brown Gingham Ribbon (michael's), Flower (prima), Button, Scallop Dot Border Punch (martha stewart)

Some Closet Inspiration

This card was inspired by Courtney's Closet but the card itself came from my closet..literally!!Courtney is wearing the most ADORABLE jeans ever!! I love the fringed edges and decided to hack into a pair of my own jeans to make this card. I love the denim on this card!! The flowers are from the bridal section at Michaels. They are called table confetti and I found four mini paint buckets full on my last trip. They were a perfect match!!

I don't know if you can tell but I did stamp on the denim too. I stamped a flourish from SU's Doodle This in Stazon ink and then layered the flowers over the top.

Here's a detail shot.

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure you come back tomorrow for my sneak peek for the new H&M Stamps release :)

GLG!!! (Gotta Love Gingham) Challenge

I'm so excited about today's post! My friend Tammy Hershberger asked me if I would be interested in doing a blog challenge with her. Are you kidding??? Of course I was interested!! We decided to make it a GLG (Gotta Love Gingham) challenge since her obsession happens to be as big as mine :) The object: get as much gingham on a card as you can without making it tacky. Hum...well this card is LOADED with gingham but I'm leaving the tack-o-meter up to you, what do you think??I kept the colors fairly simple because I didn't want too many distractions. The gingham papers are from The Paper Studio (I get them at Hobby Lobby). I paper pieced one of my favorite images from H&M Stamps with the gingham too, the rest of her was colored with copic markers. Once I got the card assembled it felt christmasy too me so I went with it. The sentiment is from SU's Short and Sweet. I debated on the gingham ribbon because I was afraid it would be too much but I like it.
No run on over to Tammy's blog to see her card {HERE}!
Let me know if you get inspired by gingham!! I would love to see what you make.
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Calling All Angels (H&M Stamps), Short and Sweet (su)
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Summer Picnic (retired SU), Gingham (the paper studio)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics
Accesories: Word Window Punch, Red Brads, Black Gingham Ribbon (su), Square Punch (cm)

Color Throwdown 31

So I strayed just a tiny bit from this weeks colors on the Color Throwdown Blog! I really wanted to use this flower from Purple Onion Designs on this card and I inked it up with my SU markers. Since SU doesn't make markers in the In Colors I used Always Artichoke instead.

I haven't made a card with this few layers in awhile but I really like it. I stamped the flower twice on Bashful Blue and then used the same markers to randomly ink the script background stamp. I stamped off once before stamping on the cardstock. All the edges were inked in Vintage Photo Ink by Ranger. Of course, I added some gingham ribbon. One of the edges was fraying and I kind of liked the look so I frayed the other end too. I created the scallop border with SU's border punch and my crop-a-dile. Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Single Stem (Purple Onion Designs), Serenity (Verve)

Paper: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue

Ink: Night of Navy, Always Artichoke (su), Vintage Photo (ranger)

Accesories: Brown Gingham (ribbon fx), Scallop Border Punch (su), Crop-a-dile, Copper Brads, Word Window Punch, Staples

Recipe Challenge 37

This weeks Recipe Challenge at Sketches {by tamara} was a pretty easy one:
Flowers
Buttons
Stickles (or glitter)
I love flowers and buttons are such a great embellishment, it was only the stickles that I struggled with. I just don't care for glitter on my cards {gasp I know} It was sort of a last minute add on to this card and you can tell. I really liked it better without the glitter but a challenge is a challenge right? The flower stamp is from SU's Always set. I stamped it in black ink on Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, and Kiwi Kiss and used my punches to cut them out. I sewed the buttons onto the center of each flower and made a random stitch through each circle.
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Always (su), Flower Chat (stampendous)

Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Polka Dots (imaginesce)

Ink: Basic Black

Accesories: Machine Stitching, Circle Punches, Button, Star Dust Stickles, Embroidery Floss, Word Window Punch

Created By Courtney Color Challenge

Yeah, I'm re-addicted to this Verve set. It's been out on my desk and I just can't put it away. Hope your not tired of it. This weeks Created By Courtney Challenge is a fabulous color combo:

I just so happen to have these colors in retired SU paper packs so this card came together really quickly! I sanded the edges of the papers and matted them with cardstock. I stamped the butterflies from Fluttering By on Very Vanilla cardstock in Tempting Turquiose ink and cut them out. I love attaching these butterflies with staples and couldn't resist it here again on this card. The ribbon is a new shade of the Hobby Lobby brand ribbon and I'm not sure if I'm digging it or not. And I don't know what's up with that bow..lol!
Make sure you check out the other chicks creations too!!
Courtney Fowler
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Maria Fiscella
Risa Malieta
Sparkle Smith
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Fluttering By (verve)
Paper: Tempting Turquiose, Close To Cocoa, Very Vanilla
Ink: Tempting Turquiose, Close to Cocoa
Accesories: Copper Brads, Word Window Punch, Blue Gingham Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Staples

Mojo Monday 75

Another Monday, another AWESOME Mojo sketch to get this week started! I really don't know how Julee does it every week. Anytime I sit down to make a card without a sketch I generally fall back on two or three different layouts that are very basic. This sketch is anything but basic!!! I'm a sucker for lots of layers and this sketch has LOTS!!
I've been seriously hooked on my Stampin Up dp's lately. It's about time since they are ALL retired. I told myself I wasn't going to buy any new papers until I used up what I had and then realized that was probably never going to happen. I could make cards 24/7 for the rest of the year and still have way to much paper. I've had to start buying my papers like a cardmaker instead of a scrapbooker. I'm so use to buying the HUGE 12x12 paper packs that I use for layouts and that is WAY to much paper for cards. I find I get bored with them before I even make a dent. My last trip to Michaels three 6x6 paper pads jumped into my cart and I'm excited to cut into them!!! So much for no new paper ;)Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Fluttering By (verve)
Paper: Bella Rose, So Saffron, Basic Black
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Rose Red
Accesories: Word Window Punch, Black Gingham Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Staple

Oops, So I Lied...

...I forgot there was one more Viva La Verve sketch being posted this week and I wanted to get it done before the weekend was over, my next week is busy!! So here ya go!This weeks twist was to use acetate. I decided to use mine as my card base and then beefed it up with some cardstock. The acetate I have is from Office Max and isn't really very sturdy. I wanted my card to be more see thru but it was just to wobbly so I attached a piece of Really Rust behind the embossed acetate to make it tougher. I even decorated the inside of the card because it needed some cardstock to help hold it up too. I may do this more often though, it didn't take as much time as I thought it would to embellish the inside. I LOVE the way the acetate looks when it is embossed. The photo really doesn't show just how cool that layer looks. I tried to take a close up photo so you could see the details a little better.
I choose these colors to coordinate with my new gingham ribbon (GLG). I'm SO excited about this ribbon. The kind I've been using is from Hobby Lobby and I really like it. This is from Michaels and I'm IN LOVE!!!! I like the small pattern better and this ribbon is so easy to work with. Be prepared to see it on everything...lol...I'm kidding..sort of ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Fluttering By (verve), Short and Sweet (su)

Paper: Really Rust, More Mustard, Acetate, DP (Boxer by Basic Grey)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Close to Cocoa

Accesories: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Staple, Brown Gingham Ribbon (Michaels), Paper Piercer, Pearls, Word Window Punch

One Last Viva La Verve - Embossing

This one has to be my favorite of the three Viva La Verve cards I've posted. I'm totally lovin' this color combo. Real Red, Taken With Teal and So Saffron. I was digging through my scraps pile and these three colors just happened to be laying together. The twist for this challenge was embossing (wet or dry) so I dusted off my D'vine Swirls Folder. My poor Swiss Dot's really needed a break!! The sketch called for an oval but like I said I'll get out of it if I can ;) I decided instead to use my rectangle nestablities just because it was quick and easy...maybe I need to get some oval nesties!!!
The flowers and the sentiment are from Verve's Feeling Groovy set. I stamped the flowers on the retired SU paper Summer Picnic and attached them with Jumbo black brads. I choose this sentiment for a dear friend of mine who needed a little cheering up. I hope this helps :) Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Feeling Groovy (verve)

Paper: Real Red, Taken With Teal, So Saffron, Summer Picnic

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Brads, D'vine Swirls Folder, Rectangle Nesties, Black Polka Dot Ribbon

Viva La Verve - No DP

NO DESIGNER PAPER!!!!!!!!! Designer paper is usually my starting point. My color choices began with the dp and then the stamp choice comes next. Since we couldn't use any dp for this card I had no choice but to make my own. I LOVE these filigrees from Verve and they make a gorgeous pattern.
I stamped the filigrees in Ruby Red ink on the same color paper and inked the edges as well. The thanks sentiment was a gift from Julee with a Verve order. She definately know how to take care of us ;) and the butterflies are from Floral Whimsy. I've never made white butterflies before and thought they might be too plain but with all the color they really pop right of the card.
This sketch was a little tricky for me because I don't use ovals unless I'm told to and even then I try to get out of it. Thankfully my son was playing with ALL my punches will I made this card because I totally forgot I had this scallop oval punch from marvy. Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Filigree Fantasy, Floral Whimsy, Thanks (verve)

Paper: Ruby Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Ruby Red

Accesories: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Brads, Giga Scallop Punch (marvy), CM Cutting System, Black Striped Ribbon

Viva La Verve - Monochromatic

I was WAY behind on my Viva La Verve Challenge cards and had to get that remedied this week. If you complete all four sketches with a twist before the deadline you get entered in a drawing for a HUGE Verve prize...the whole next months release!!!! If you've been to the Verve store lately you know this is the biggest release they have had yet so I'm really hoping I win or my checkbook (and my hubby) aren't going to be very happy :) Verve is also having a sale to make room for the next release so if you need to stock up don't miss out!!!
This weeks sketch has been my favorite so far. There are so many layers but it was still really easy to put together. Plus since this weeks twist was monochromatic it took a lot of the guess work out of the layers. I'm still trying to use up some old SU paper packs and decided Wild Wasabi was the way to go with this card.
I sanded all the edges (I love the way this looks) and matted everything with Basic Black which really makes all the layers pop!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Thankful Blossoms, Filigree Fantasy (verve)
Paper: Basic Black, Wild Wasabi DP
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)
Accesories: Jumbo Brad, Black Polka Dot Ribbon, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, CM Cutting System, Sanding Block

Brilliant Tangerine Stars

Holy Cow!! Bright is the word of the day over at the Color Throwdown blog. Tangerine Tango and I don't generally get along and Ballet Blue is a color I've only reached for when a challenge required it. So needless to say Tangerine Tango, Ballet Blue and Brilliant Blue was a bit of a shock this morning.
However, once I got into my craft room and got to looking at the colors together they weren't half bad. Maybe it's because I live and Colorado and am a huge Denver Bronco fan or maybe it was all the caffeine I had but this card came together quick and easy and I really like it.
These colors just had to be a little boy card and I found these really, REALLY old papers in my stash that matched todays colors well. I stamped the stars from Verve's Polka Stars (ENABLER ALERT: Verve is having a SALE) and distressed the edges (you really can't tell in the photo) I stitched some crooked lines on both layers and added some fun elements like the spiral edge and the staples and the card was done. I think I'm going to make a few more of these today just to have on hand. I never have a cute boy card when I need it and have plenty of this dp left.
Make sure you head over to the Color Throwdown blog and check out the DT's cards, they blow me away every week.
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Stars (Verve - Polka Stars), Sentiment (Birthday Bash - CHF, Kim Hughes)
Ink: Brillant Blue, Tangerine Tango
Paper: Ballet Blue, Tangerine Tango, Brillant Blue, Unknown DP
Accesories: Staples, Spiral Punch (su), Machine Stitching, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, CM Cutting System

Created By Courtney Technique Challenge

This is the second week in a row Courtney has totally thrown me for a loop with her challenge. Last weeks inspiration photo was a little tricky and this weeks challenge had me more than a little worried. Stamp with bubble wrap??? I'm so not a techinque girl but I love a good challenge. Wanna see?? This was such a cool effect!!! Courtney, you are a genius ;) I inked up the bubble wrap with Chocolate Chip ink and then pressed the Creamy Caramel paper on top. Each dot was different and they all have a really cool texture.
I had yet to ink up this bear from H&M Stamps A Lil Behind and thought she would be a perfect fit with the colors. The rest of the card was all just scrap pieces that were laying on my desk but they all came together really well.
Make sure you check out all the other Chick's creations as well. Also we are joined this week by the newest chick Risa Malieta so make sure you give her a special hello.
Courtney Fowler
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Maria Fiscella
Sparkle Smith

Recipe:
Stamps: A Lil Behind (H&M Stamps)
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Apricot Appeal DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip (su) Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics
Accesories: Brown Polka Dot Ribbon, Staples, Scallop Edge Punch, Bubble Wrap

Mojo Monday 74

It's Monday again and I'm sure hoping this week goes better than the last one!! I really hate having sick kids. It's so hard to watch them sick and know that there is nothing you can do to make them better. It's also hard to try and catch up on life that seems to continue with or without you :) I'm so glad I'm an overacheiver or I might not have had this card for you...I'm sure you procrastinators hate to hear this (uhmmm, Libby :) Julee not only gives us great sketches but she gives them to us early enough that we can work a head and it comes in handy for just such an occasion.
This card is pretty straight forward so I won't bore you with the details that I don't have the time to type.
Make sure you check out all the other Mojo Makers creations for this card too!!
Now I'm off to make my card for the Created By Courtney Challenge tomorrow. Unfortunately, I didn't get this one done early even though I've know about this forever too!! I'm still not sure how my creation is going to turn out but I can't wait to see what all the chicks whip up. You aren't going to want to miss it so make sure and come back tomorrow to see what Courtney has us doing this week!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Lil Guy (CHF, kim hughes)
Paper: Barely Banana, Kraft Old Olive, Designer Paper (su scrapbook kit, retired)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Chocolate Chip
Accesories: Circle Punches, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder

H&M Stamps

Just me again. I've been asked to be a guest designer for H&M Stamps for the month of March!!! You can check out the announcement {HERE} along with the new designers this term.
I'm super excited!! I've already seen the releases and THEY ARE CUTE!!!!!
I'll be back tomorrow with my Mojo card :)
ETA: There is a mini peek of one of the sets by the fabulous new Illustrator Debbie Corbari {HERE}!!!

Sorry nothing crafty today, still have sick kiddos :(
Hopefully I can get crafty next week.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days. I started a painting project this week and haven't been crafting much. I reclaimed my dining room from my kids. It was their playroom but they NEVER CLEANED IT UP, so I moved it to the basement.....ahh adult space :) I'll get pics soon.
Also, I've had a kid with the flu :( She missed her Valentine's Party at school, cheer camp and the game she was going to cheer at. If the flu didn't make her grumpy missing all these things did! Luckily Grandma and Grandpa came up to see us, that brought back a little smile!!
Since I haven't been in my craft room except to vacuum it this week I'm showing you an old card from my computer files. I made this for Taylor's Cupcake Celebration for one of the sketches (can't remember whose). I figured it was fitting since it's a Valentine's Day Card!! Hope you have a love filled day, thanks for stopping by!!

Color Throwdown Guest Designer

I'm so excited to be this month's guest designer for the Color Throwdown Blog!! I love the color combos they have and the talented designers creations are always fun to look at.
This weeks fabulous color combo is:
Regal Rose
Kiwi Kiss
Chocolate Chip
I had a blast with this combo!! Check it out.Can you believe this is the first time I've inked these birds! I've had this set since christmas but have been showing the bees way more love so I decided to remedy that with this card. I colored the birds with my copics and paper pieced the sentiment. The sketch I used for this card was Kazan's Sketch 19.
Make sure you check out all the creations from the design team on the Color Throwdown Blog or on their own blogs listed below.
Tammy Hershberger
Barbara Anders
Danielle Kennedy
LeAnne Pugliese
Broni Holcombe
Cathy Indelicato
Thanks so much again ladies for letting me join you this week!!! I'll be back again next week to check out the newest combo!!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: The Birds and The Bees (CHF, kim hughes), Bella Toile (su)

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Sweet Always DP (su)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics, Chocolate Chip

Accesories: Machine Stitching, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer, Scallop and Plain Rectangle Nesties, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon, CM Cutting System

Recipe Challenge 35

This weeks Recipe Challenge on the Sketches {by tamara} blog is a perfect one for those last minute Valentine's.
Patterned Paper
One or more Hearts
Ribbon I used one of Jen's SFYTT for this card I just don't remember which one :) I love these hearts from Verve's Hearts on Fire set. Julee makes the prettiest scrolls. It's a little a hard to see but the black background was run through my cuttlebug's swiss dots folder.
Make sure you check out the rest of the design teams creations and submit your card for this weeks challenge.
Thanks for stopping by!

CBC Challenge Inspiration Station

Man, did Courtney pick a great inspiration piece for this weeks Created By Courtney Challenge. Take a look at that picture!!

It's definately not a photo I would typically look to to be inspired but I guess that's why they call it a challenge. What caught my eye immediately was that gorgeous cooper background. I really wanted to use cooper paper but I don't have any :) The closest I could think of was Barely Banana heavily sponged in More Mustard. I stamped the tiny hearts from Verve's Hearts on Fire all along the background. I love this effect and it was super simple. Since I wanted them to resemble the photo I didn't need them to be lined up so I attached the stamp to the block a little crooked and began stamping.

I free hand cut the the heart out of Old Olive paper and backed it with a Chocolate Chip Heart. The brads and the library clip gave me the metallic element I was looking for. I stamped the tiny single heart in Real Red ink on Real Red paper and cut it out to add a tiny bit of color. I also used red embroidery floss to tie the button on for another pop of color.

Make sure you check out all the other Chicks creations!

Courtney Fowler
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Maria Fiscella
Sparkle Smith

We have lost a few chicks over the last few weeks due to busy stamping schedules and life in general. Courtney has decided to have a guest designer each month. If you would be interested in becoming a chick head over to Courtney's Blog and leave her a comment linking up your blog!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Hearts on Fire (verve)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Old Olive, Real Red
Ink: More Mustard, Old Olive, Real Red
Accesories: Brown Gingham Ribbon, Brads, Button, Red Embroidery Floss, Mini Library Clip (su)

Mojo Monday 73

Another Monday, Another Mojo sketch!!! I really love this weeks sketch. I know I say that every week but I can't help it :) I like this particular sketch because it is a great one to make multiple cards of. I hate mass producing too much but I do like making two of a card I really like, especially Christmas cards which is what I made this week. I told myself this year I would make one each week so Christmas wasn't crunch time. Well here it is February and this is the first one I've made, so I made two.
I used an old SU set for this card and of course I had to use gingham (GLG, Gotta Love Gingham!!!!)
If you haven't gotten your card in for last weeks Mojo Sketch Contest there is still time. Just add a direct link to your card on the Mojo blog before noon today (mountain time) to be considered for the free Verve stamps!!Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Flakey Friends, Short and Sweet (su)

Paper: Basic Black, Bordering Blue, Whisper White, Black Gingham (the paper studio)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics

Accesories: Black Gingham Ribbon (su), Black Brads, Word Window Punch, Rectangle Nesties

Sweet Cupcake

I submitted this card for the contest that was going on at the Card Positioning Systems Blog. They are celebrating their two year anniversary. This particular sketch challenge also has a REALLY cool prize. Two winners will be selected to have their card featured in the September 2009 issue of Cardmaker Magazine. There were some really amazing cards so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. You can check out the CPS100 Gallery {HERE}. Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bash (CHF, kim hughes)

Paper: Regal Rose, Basic Black, Whisper White, Sweet Always DP (su)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Embroidery Floss, Machine Stitching, Orange Peel Stickles, Pink Polka Dot Ribbon, Black Button, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder