Created By Courtney Challenge

This weeks Created by Courtney Challenge was a lot of fun! Courtney sent us these cigar boxes to alter and I have to say I was a bit worried. But luckily she's a total sweetheart who also sent us some fabulous ribbon that was just what I needed to get my mojo working. This little box would make an adorable little gift for someone and I've already packaged up a few little goodies in mine for a special friend.
Make sure you check out all the other Chicks creations too!
Courtney Fowler
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Maria Fiscella
Risa Malieta
Sparkle Smith
Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Monday 80

Check out this fabulous sketch Julee gave us this week on the {Mojo Blog}!! This has to be one of my favorites to date. It was so much fun to mix and match all the different layers and still have a really clean, crisp design. That girl never ceases to amaze me!
I made this card for a friend of mine who needed a birthday card for a little girl celebrating her first birthday. I love the one candle marking the occasion. It was fun to use all the pinks and polka dots for a little girl but in the end it didn't turn out overly cutesy and I like that. I used Basic Grey for all the mats and I don't know why I don't use this color more. I love the look of black mats but for a pastel card the grey really worked well to make the colors pop but still was soft enough to keep the card really feminine.
Make sure you go check out all the other Mojo Makers cards and don't forget, next week is a contest week :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bash (kim hughes, CHF)

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Basic Grey, Very Vanilla, Apricot Appeal DP, Polka Dots (My Minds Eye)

Ink: Rose Red, Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Orange Peel Stickles, Paper Piercer, Circle Punch, CM Cutting System, Pink Gingham Ribbon, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Brads

Eggstra Special Flower

The snow is melting fast and I'm so ready for it to all be gone. I know, living in Colorado, snow should be expected and it is, I just don't like it!! Yesterday I had to return the rental car we had while our van got a new engine. Thankfully it was all covered under the warranty but it didn't make hauling my three kids through the slush from one vehicle to the next much fun. My hubby was working so I had to move three carseats three times. UGH!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say I'm desperate for spring to come and STAY :)
I used the single stem flower from one of H&M Stamps newest sets called Eggstra Special to make this flower. It was really easy to do since these stamps are clear and I really love the results. I colored the flowers with my copics and then cut them out. I really wish I had made the stem a little thinner since it almost looks more like a tree trunk than a flower stem, but to late now. The sentiment is from H&M's set All About Birthdays.
I'm sad to say my stay on the H&M stamps DT is almost coming to an end. I've had a blast with this release and working with Heather and Debbie's new releases. Thank you Heather!!! Make sure you swing by {H&M Stamps} and take a look at the March releases as well as all the other fabulous stamps they have :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Eggstra Special and All About Birthdays(H&M Stamps)

Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Green Gingham (The Paper Studio), Polka Dots (My Minds Eye)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Copics

Accesories: Staples, Creamy Caramel Gingham Ribbon, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Machine Stitching, Scallop Dot Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Button, Hemp Twine

Cupcake Baby Shower Gift

So here it is! My sweet little cupcake gift for the baby shower tomorrow. I absolutely feel in love with these when I saw them on Lauren Meader's Blog, and the best is she has a video tutorial on making them {HERE}. I have to say these were a patience tester for a little while. A few bad words did slip until I finally figured out a method that worked best for me. The first cupcake took, no joke, an hour!!! I almost gave up but once it clicked, the other 7 only took about 10 minutes.

I got this cute little box to alter at Hobby Lobby. I thought it was a complete steal at $2.99 but my hubby thought that was way to much for a plain, empty box...MEN!!!

I told you I was addicted to this plaid paper from My Minds Eye. I bought quite a few sheets so I would be able to cover this box and only used two so I still have plenty left :)

I covered the inside of the box with some pink polka dot paper that I have had for ever. I love the black with the pastel colors. I just seems to make them really pop!

Thanks for stopping by!

Colorado Blizzard

We spent Sunday having a picnic in the park with almost 80 degree weather. Today blizzard warning for half the state. We have about a foot of snow and IT'S STILL SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGH!

Funky Flower

Finally, I had a chance to be inspired by Courtney's Closet. I've missed the last few challenges but I made time to get to it this week and all the Verve sketches on the SCS forums. I decided to combine sketch 3 with this challenge, so I didn't have quite so many cards to make. I did have to flip this sketch and tweek it just a bit but I really love the results.

I'm loving the new My Minds Eye plaid paper I just bought at Hobby Lobby so if you see a lot of it, sorry :) I bought quite a few sheets because I'm going to be using it for the baby shower gift that I still have to finish up. I'm hoping to have picks of it by Saturday (some of you have been asking).
FYI: I had someone ask me where I get my gingham paper made by The Paper Studio. I get it all at Hobby Lobby! I just stocked up, all there paper was 50% off!!!
I love the springy colors of this card and it's my last desperate attempt to hold of the HUGE snow storm that's suppose to be coming our way. They are predicting anywhere from 3 to 20 inches. UGH!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bash (kim hughes, CHF)

Paper: Certainly Celerey, Apricot Appeal, Yellow Gingham (the paper studio), Plaid (my minds eye)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Ribbon, Machine Stitching, Scallop Dot Punch (martha stewart), White Plastic Flower (american crafts), Brad

Recipe Challenge 41

Ugh...a masculine card!! I wish these were easier! I always feel like I use the same colors, the same techniques, the same embellishments. They really just aren't fun. My dad's birthday is this weekend and I've been putting off making his card. I was going to make one for this challenge but then I couldn't resist this cute frog from Kim Hughes. Maybe I'll give this card to him from the kids.
Anyway, on to the card. This card didn't make it onto the sketches blog (email issues...ugh), but I thought I would show it here anyway and send you over to the {Sketches Blog} to play along!!!
This weeks recipe:
*Masculine Theme
*Metal
*Grunge (grunge it up by distressing, tearing, inking, whatever)
Thanks for stopping by!

My Little Ghouls!!

My sweet friend Libby tagged me. This is the 6th photo in my pictures file and turned out to be a great one to share.
This was my kids on Halloween. Macy was Medusa, Mattea was a cheerleader and Miller was Captain Feathersword. Thanks for tagging me Libby!!!

Created By Courtney Color Challenge

Ready for spring?? I certainly am. They are predicting snow for us this week though, but I'm really hoping their wrong. I can't wait to be outside more.
This weeks Created by Courtney Challenge really makes me think of spring. I have a baby shower to go to this weekend and I am making a cupcake themed gift (more photos of it later :) and I thought these colors would make a cute baby card. The ballet blue is a bit of a stretch but there is a blue in there, promise!

Make sure you check out the other chicks creations!!

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

Recipe:

Stamps: Build a Sweet (queen kat stamps), How Sweet It Is (gina k designs)

Paper: So Saffron, Purple Gingham (the paper studio), Plaid (my minds eye)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Polka Dot Ribbon (the paper studio), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Machine Stitching, Button

Mojo Monday 79

ETA: SORRY THIS IS LATE, MY AUTO POST DIDN'T WORK

Have you ever screwed up a card on the very last embellishment?? UGHHHHHHH!! It usually isn't a big deal, but when your trying to follow a sketch, %$#@!!! So if you haven't noticed my main panel is on the wrong side. I was trying to add the three brads on and of course, punched all the holes way crooked. So I had to move the panel to the other side. Being the perfectionist that I am, those brads still aren't lined up straight but, I give up :)
Make sure you check out all the other Mojo Maker Creations on the {Mojo Blog}!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Sheep (Studio G), Short and Sweet (SU)

Paper: Bordering Blue, Barely Banana, Very Vanilla, Chloes Closet (Making Memories)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics

Accesories: Lace, Brads, Scallop Dot Punch (martha stewart)

RAK

Still no craft time here :( My daughter's literacy carnival is tonight, so hopefully after that things will slow down. I thought I would share a RAK I received from my dear friend Libby Hickson before I head out the door.
Isn't this card gorgeous!! You should see it in real life!!! It shimmers so pretty. And if that wasn't enough, look what else she sent.
It's like she knew I liked gingham or something???
THANKS LIBBY :)

Double Splitcoast Challenge Card

It's been awhile since I have done any of the challenges on Splitcoast so I thought I would remedy that this week!
I loved this weeks color combo (Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun and Kraft) and the sketch challenge looked like a fun one, so I combined the two to make this:
When I got my hands on my new H&M Stamps set, Seasons of Trees, I knew those little apples would make a cute teacher card. These colors worked perfect for the idea I had in my head. I stamped the apples in Riding Hood Red on the same color cardstock and then cut them into the strips for the background (see photo below for more details). I stamped the tree on some Kraft dp and added some buttons. I love all the cute images you can add to the tree but I also love the scrolled lines of the tree and wanted to show them off. A little bit of gingham and voila. A perfect card for my daughters teacher at the end of the year. (I'm sure it will be here before I know it).
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Seasons Of Trees (H&M Stamps), Short and Sweet (SU)

Paper: Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Kraft DP, Yellow Gingham (The Paper Studio)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Brads, Black Gingham Ribbon (Ribbon FX), Buttons, Black Embroidery Floss, Word Window Punch (SU)

Recipe Challenge 40

This weeks Recipe Challenge at Sketches {by tamara} was chosen by yours truly. I was really loving {THIS} card I made with stars when I chose the three items for this week.
Stars
Staples
3 Different Patterned Papers
I guess I should have saved it for this challenge because I couldn't come up with something I loved equally without completely casing myself.
In the end I don't hate it, I just don't love it!! I hope your more inspired by my picks than I was :)
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bash (kim hughes, CHF)

Paper: Baja Breeze, Kraft, Star DP (sweetwater), Polka Dot DP (my minds eye)

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip

Accesories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Clear Button, Staples

Created By Courtney Sketch Challenge

Have you ever looked at a sketch and thought "that looks easy enough, I can remember that". Then on the way to your craft room you realize you haven't picked up the morning dishes so you wash them. Then oh yeah, I needed to start that load of laundry. Then one of kids says "MOOOOMMMMMM" and by the time you make it into you craft room you don't even know why your there?? Well that's sort of how it went with this card and I ended up leaving off the flower because I forgot it was on there :)
I was going to redo it but this was made in the middle of my stamping slump and didn't have the creative energy for a redo. Make sure you check out the other Chicks cards to see if they can follow a sketch..lol!!
Courtney Fowler
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Maria Fiscella
Risa Malieta
Sparkle Smith

Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Monday 78

I'm so happy my new Verve stamps showed up in time for this weeks Mojo Monday sketch. I was desperately needing some new inspiration. I attempted this sketch on four, yes four, seperate occasions and each card looked worst than the last. I'm a little rusty! In the last two weeks I've been in my craft room maybe two or three times and each time I ended up really frustrated because it just wasn't happening. Leave it to Julee to design some awesome stamps and give me back my much needed mojo.
I instantly feel in love with this gorgeous new butterfly and every single flower set is just fabulous. I've done really well sticking to a stamping budget and then this release hit and...well...I have A LOT of new stamps to get inky!!
I'm really digging the color combo for this card. It all fell together really easily with the stuff I had out on my desk. I'm hoping to get some more stamping done today while the creative juices are still flowing.
Make sure you check out the other Mojo Makers creations on the {Mojo Blog}.

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Beautiful Kindness, Floral Symphony (verve)

Paper: Taken With Teal, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Yellow Gingham (the paper studio)

Ink: Taken With Teal, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black

Accesories: Dew Drops, Scallop Dot Border Punch (martha stewart), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Ribbon (michaels), Button, Black Embroidery Floss

Spring Has Sprung Blog Hop

I'm super excited to be a part of my very first blog hop!! You should have arrived here from Makiko's blog. If not, make sure you go back and start at Carolina's blog so you don't miss any of the projects the H&M Design Team has come up with.
All the DT members made cute projects for spring using the new releases. I had a hard time deciding what to make. I finally decided to make some easter treats since that seems to be sneaking up on me. We always have easter at my house since our backyard is great for an egg hunt. There are always lots of little kids and I thought these would be great treats to hand out to them all.
I wrapped Kit Kat bunny ears in SU papers and dressed them all up. I started with a 6x6 piece of paper and cut 7/8 off of one side. I punched the 6 inch sides with my scalloped dot punch. I saved the 7/8 strip and wrapped it around the candy bar for another punch of color. The little chick from Eggstra Special was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock and I colored him with my copics. I mounted him on the same SU colored cardstock. The papers I used are from a retired hostess pack. The colors are Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink and Apricot Appeal. Very springy!!!!
Here's an individual one so you can see all the details.
Now head on over to {Melissa's Blog} and check out the adorable project she made.
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Eggstra Special (H&M Stamps)

Paper: Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, Pretty In Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Scallop Dot Punch (martha stewart), Scallop Circle Punch and Circle Punches (su), Black Gingham Ribbon (ribbon fx), Paper Piercer

Digging Through My Stash!

I haven't been in my craft room in over a week now!!!! It's been terrible. Busy schedules and sick kids haven't helped either, but I think things are hopefully gonna get a bit more normal soon. This is a card I made a few weeks back and haven't shown you yet. The stamping is really minimal but I like it.
I stamped the Verve Plain Jane Matthew 11:28 on a scrap piece of decorative paper from the Chloes Closet collection and used my rectangle nesties to cut it out. The bird was cut out using scissors, yes scissors (I really need a craft knife) and then the sentiment was just tucked behind.
This card is way bigger than I normally make (5x5) but I love it anyway!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Matthew 11:28 (verve)
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, Making Memories (Chloes Closet)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)
Accesories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Machine Stitching, Rectangle Nesties

Recipe Challenge 39

Sorry this is a bit later than usual. I knew this week was going to be tough, but now I have a sick kiddo too :(
This weeks Recipe Challenge at Sketches {by tamara} was:
*a button trio
*the color black
*a punched border Nothing real out of the usual from me here! Lots of gingham and I had to use my new favorite punch for the border. Sorry for the lack of details I have to make this quick!!
If you have any questions please let me know.
Thanks for stopping by!

Created By Courtney - Inspiration Station

Isn't this butterfly gorgeous? I love it! There are also some adorable images illustrated by our own head chick Courtney Fowler herself. For this weeks challenge, we were suppose to use nature as our inspiration and Sweet N Sassy Stamps gave each of us one of the new digi images to use.
I colored the butterfly with my copics to match the color of papers I choose and kept the layout and embellishments real simple to highlight this gorgeous image.
Stop by the other chicks blog and check out there cards too!
Courtney Fowler
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Maria Fiscella
Risa Malieta
Sparkle Smith
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Luna Moth (Sweet N Sassy Stamps), Short and Sweet (su)

Paper: Not Quite Navy DP, Barely Banana, Floral DP (making memories, chloes closet)

Ink: Night of Navy, Copics

Accesories: Scallop Dot Punch