Monday AGAIN?!?!

Seriously, I have been a bad blogger this week! I have no idea where time went. We moved my parents into a new house this weekend and I don't know what kept me so busy all week but I've had zero craft time. Luckily I had this weeks Mojo card done in advance or I would have been working into the wee hours of the night trying to throw something together.
I used last month's Unity kit for this card. I really love these journaling boxes and and really looking forward to using them in some scrapbook layouts but I guess that means I have to find time to scrapbook?? Maybe someday......Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: May KOTM (unity), Family Phrases (su)
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Pink Floral and Plaid (my minds eye), Journaling Card
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Old Olive, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa
Accesories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Black Brads, Oval Punch, Wavy Scissors (fiskars)

Mojo Monday 92

I really thought that big rectangle panel was going to throw me. What was I going to use to fill it up?? Duh, VERVE!! I finally had a chance to get these flowers from Because of You inky. Yes, I said finally. I've had this set since the release and it's barely been inked. Poor stamp! The other stamps in the set have seen their fair share so I had to spread the love. It's definately one of my faves though. I love the whispy feel of it. I went fairly simple with todays card. I dug into my Basic Grey paper pads for the dp and I love the rainbow of color on this flower with the crisp vanilla and black. My fave has to be those little buttons on the flowers ;) Thanks for stopping by and make sure you check out the other Mojo Makers cards this week, they are really terrific!

Recipe:

Stamps: Because of You (verve)

Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Kraft, Stripes (basic grey)

Ink: Real Red, Always Artichoke, Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Machine Stitching, Buttons, Rectangle Nesties, Scallop Rectangle Nesties

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

I'm so glad to be done making father's day cards, lol! I ended up being really happy with the ones I made but they are so stinkin hard. I miss color!! I know I could add any color I want but usually things get away from me and they end up to cutesy if I use bold color. So here they are, two father's day cards (one for my hubby from the kids, and one for my dad) in pretty drab colors but I think they turned out pretty masculine. I used the "enjoy your day" sentiment from the Unity May KOTM for both cards. It just seemed to say it all.

I hope you have a fabulous day celebrating the men in your life. I'll be eating barbeque with my parents today, hubby is working :(
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity)

Paper: Basic Grey, Kraft, Grey DP (my minds eye), Lined Paper (cm)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Chipboard, Button, Embroidery Floss, Arrow Punch (su), Black Brad, Thickers, Black Grosgrain Ribbon

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity)

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, White DP (basic grey), Striped DP (my minds eye)

Ink: Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa

Accesories: Curly Label Punch (su), Buttons, Twine, Staples, Letter Stickers (walmart)

Polka Dot Explosion...

... I warned you...hehe!! Happy Hip Hop Hangover everyone. I totally hung out WAY too long yesterday on the hip hop forum and I'm typing this post into the wee hours of the night because I'm up late working on the paper I was suppose to do, but I was hopping instead :)
Today's card is for my daughter to take to a birthday party today. Her friend is turning 8 and I hope she loves the blingy card. I don't do glitter very often and I only added it to this card because of the Unity challenge yesterday. It was a Take the Cake challenge and you were suppose to use frosting, I choose Silver Stickles. The present is the polka dots in the background and I used some of the wrapping paper on this card because..well...it's polka dots and their adorable. I did get a little carried away with the polka dots but my daughter loved them so I went with it.
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: May KOTM (unity)
Paper: Basic Black, White, Large Polka Dots (wrapping paper), Small Polka Dots (making memories), flower (my minds eye)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)
Accesories: Black Polka Dot Ribbon (the paper studio), Silver Brads, Oval Punch (su), Silver Stickles, Machine Stitching

A Scalloped Challenge

I'm seriously procrastinating on my 8 page paper and that's so unlike me. I'm the polar opposite of a procrastinator but for some reason I just can't make myself do it. In my desperate attempts to keep my mind off of the work I should have been doing I made another card for the Splitcoast Challenges. This time I used Sketch 223. It's a bit funky but fun!! I'll be back tomorrow with my Hip Hop Hangover cards but then I probably won't be posting all weekend (that stinking paper).
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity)

Paper: Kraft, Black Print (my minds eye), Red Gingham (the paper studio), Lined Paper (creative imaginations)

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Polka Dot Ribbon, Black Brads, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Wide Oval Punch

Clean and Simple

I was browsing Splitcoast this morning and came across this week's CAS (clean and simple) Challenge. This week it's a sketch challenge and I couldn't resist. I don't normally do square cards but this layout looked so fabulous. Clean and simple isn't always the easiest for me either. I also used this weeks Color Challenge for this card too. The papers I used are from my newest My Minds Eye paper pack and I thought they were close enough to Baja Breeze, Ruby Red and Whisper White. I combined the Unity sentiment Sweet with baby from Stampin Up. I really need more Unity sentiments, what are everyone else's favorites??? Enable me please, but just a little ;) I'm already addicted!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity), Short and Sweet (SU)

Paper: White (dmd industries), Blue and Polka Dots (my minds eye), White Flower (??)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Paper Piercer, Button, Black Embroidery Floss

Mojo Monday 91

I really have no idea where time goes anymore. Monday already?? I have an 8 page paper due this week (ick) and all the same running around with summer activities. I'm sure it will be Monday again before I know it!!

I'm sure most of you aren't here to listen to me complain but to see my {MOJO MONDAY} card. Julee gave us a sketch for a long card but I'm so bad about these. I can't find any envelopes that I like to fit a long card, anyone know where to get some good ones?? Since I have no envelopes, I just don't make them. I'm really bad about branching out from the A2 size. They are familiar, my envelopes always fit and I can mail them easily. I FINALLY gave away the last of my round cards to my nephew over the weekend (with no envelope). I'm just better off sticking to what I know. I love everyone else's attempts at branching out, mine just cause me stress :) So anyway, here is my card, using Julee's sketch, but smaller.

I busted out the long ignored watercolor pencils for this and I love the effect on Kraft cardstock...hmmm...might have to do this more :)

On a side note, I didn't make the Top 20 at 2 Sketches 4 You with {THIS CARD}. I have to say I was more bummed than I thought I would be. I really loved this card but there is some crazy talent in the Top 20. I'm still happy to have made the Top 30 with over 400 entries the first round!
I also wanted to let you know a friend of mine has some super awesome blog candy {HERE}. Make sure you check it out ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity)

Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Pink Gingham (the paper studio), Text (target)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Accesories: Twine, Oval Punch, Button

Another Unity Card

Is it obvious that I'm addicted?? I love the May KOTM and am anxiously awaiting my June kit to get here. Today's card is another one that I made for the Hip Hop Challenges. This challenge was to paper piece an image. I absolutely adore these flowers, especially covered in polka dots :) I won this challenge on the Splitcoast forums and will soon be the owner of {THIS NEW STAMP}. I'll definately be getting it inky for next weeks challenges. Hope you all enjoy your weekend. Mine will be a fun one. Today's we are going to my nephew's first birthday party and tomorrow we are celebrating my daughter Mattea's 4th birthday (which is Tuesday). LOTS OF CUPCAKES THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!! I'm pretty excited about that ;)
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity)

Paper: Basic Black, Kraft, Polka Dots and Floral Print (my minds eye)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Brads, Machine Stitching, Labels Nesties, Black Polka Dot Ribbon (the paper studio)

You're A Star

I had a blast making cards again yesterday for the Hip Hop Challenges in the Unity forums on Splitcoast. I won {THIS} stamp last week and just had to get it inky this week. I haven't had very much time in my craft room but I knew I had to set aside some time yesterday to get my challenge cards done. I made this one for the Kraft challenge. I love Kraft cardstock so this was an easy one. I have to say I totally love this stamp. I probably never would have picked it out. I'm always so drawn to the florals. I think that is one of my favorite things about the Unity kits. You get a good variety of different kinds of stamps and some of the stamps I hardly noticed before my kit got here have ended up being my faves.
I can't wait for this month's kit to make its appearance in my mail box!!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: You're A Star (unity)
Paper: Kraft, Black Polka Dots and Notebook Paper(making memories), Blue Floral (my minds eye)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)
Accesories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Machine Stitching, Black Brads, Decorative Edge Scissors (fiskar)

Round Two

I'm so honored to have been chosen to be in the Top 30 Finalists for the 2 Sketches 4 You 1st Annual Card Showdown. Did you see all the finalists cards?? Wow, what amazing talent. If you haven't seen them yet, you can go check them out {HERE}.
This is the sketch the Top 30 cardmakers have to use for the next round. And here is what I came up with!

I'm really pleased with how it came together, and surprisingly, it didn't take me all day :)
After this week it get narrowed down to the Top 20 so wish me luck {fingers crossed}

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Paper: Black Polka Dots (making memories), Scallop Paper (creative imaginations), Blue Print and Flowers (my minds eye)

Accesories: Black Embroidery Floss, Buttons, Black Gingham Ribbon (ribbon fx), Machine Stitching, Stickers (sticko)

Mojo Monday 90

I have to say this {MOJO SKETCH} scared me..lol! Julee has done a few sketches with the angled panels and I LOVE the look but they don't love me. I never feel like I get that panel lined up straight enough...obsessive I know! My card may look super simple but it took an obscene amount of time to make. I tried every color and every pattern paper I had and eventually went with vellum. I thought maybe if the diamond shape was more subtle I could let go of my compulsion to keep trying to get it "straighter". It worked UNTIL I decided to emboss it. I got it in the folder a bit crooked and now the dots don't line up straight. :( I glued it together and it is what it is...crooked dots and all! I do really like it though, but I should have left the vellum alone. Next time I'll know to stop while I'm ahead :)Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity stamps)

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Vellum, Polka Dots and Plaid (my minds eye)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa

Accesories: Button, Brown Embroidery Floss, Oval Punch (su), Yellow Brads, Machine Stitching, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

I'm a Finalist!

Guess what?? I made it in the top 30 Finalists for the 1st Annual 2 Sketches 4 You Card Showdown!!! You can check out all the other finalists {HERE}! Wow, what amazing cards in the top 30. I definately have my work cut out for me for round two :)

Define Your Style

Do you have a style? I definately have a style when it comes to my home but when it comes to cards I'm not sure if I have a definate one. I know there are a lot of elements that I like on most of my cards but I think my style is still developing. Betsy Veldman issued a Stylish Challenge to her readers. Find 3 or 4 pictures that define your style and make a card based on them. This sounded like fun and this is what I came up with.

1. I love SO many things about this photo. I love the eclectic style, all the color and the mix of metal in the backsplash, the hardware and even the bar stools. I would love to have this kitchen!2. Any of you regular readers are sure to pick out what in the next photo makes my heart skip a beat. THE GINGHAM!!!!!! GLG (Gotta Love Gingham) :) I love the pattern and I think it goes with everything. But I also love the contrast of the black and white with the pop of color. I don't do monochromatic very well (even though I love the look). I much prefer to have each element pop and stand out and black has a way of making each color do that.3. I would love to have this piece of furniture in my house! Isn't it gorgeous :) I choose this picture though because as much as I love the shabby, ecelectic style I also love balance. I like things straight and linear. This photo has balance with the drawers, cabinets and even the plates on the middle shelf. Even when I make a shabby or messy card, if you look closely there is always balance and things are pretty planned out.4. This picture is all about color and texture. I love the mix of the patterns and I love the way the texture makes it all work together. I think learning to work with texture was one of the biggest lessons I learned when I started making cards. Running your cardstock through a cuttlebug or adding some dp with a bit of a pattern can really turn a boring card into WOW! Plus, take a look at those chairs on each side of the bed...yummy!I think I did a pretty good job making a card using each of the elements and I love the results. It's full of texture, contrast, gingham, metallic elements and still feels pretty ecelectic but very balanced. I used Jen's SFYTT for this card.Head on over to Betsy's blog and check out her inspiration. You may want to try it yourself too! Oh yeah, did I mention she has prizes involved ;)
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: May KOTM (unity stamps)
Paper: Basic Black (su), White (dmd industries), Green Gingham (the paper studio), Floral print (my minds eye)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)
Accesories: Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Circle Punches (su), Silver Brads (the paper studio), Machine Stitching, Black Polka Dot Ribbon (the paper studio), Decorative Scissors (fiskar), Scallop Dot Punch (martha stewart)

Hip Hop Hangover

I haven't had a hangover for awhile now...lol! Yesterday was my first time participating in the Unity Hip Hop Challenges and they were lots of fun! I always do the blog hop but never make it to the challenges. I have a feeling I'll definately be back :) Especially since I picked up such an awesome prize!! {MY CARD} won the Unity Has So Much To Say Challenge and I get {THIS} cool new stamp!!
I made this card for the Just Like A Ladybug Challenge. You were suppose to make a card that Black, White and Red. I love all the patterns mixed together on this card. It almost makes you sort of nausea looking at it to long...but in a good way...hehe!! I guess that's part of having a hangover ;) Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: May KOTM (unity)

Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Basic Grey, The Paper Studio

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Black Polka Dot Ribbon, Black Brads

Just A Quick One

I can tell I've been missing my craft time lately because I dream cards more than anything else these days. This is another one that woke me up in the middle of the night. I didn't imagine it quite like this, there was a lot more white on white but once I got going I had to add more stuff..surprise, surprise. I was super simple and a great way to use up all my scraps. Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bash (CHF)

Paper: Apricot Appeal, White Lined Paper (cm), Patterns (chloes closet, making memories)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Buttons, Black Embroidery Floss, Black Gingham Ribbon (su), square punch (cm), Machine Stitching

Showdown

There are so many fun challenges this month and I hope I have time to get to them all. Today I have a card for the 1st Annual 2 Sketches 4 You Ultimate Card Showdown, phew, that's a mouth full :) I first found the 2 sketches blog because I noticed that they were from Colorado (like me) and thought I would check them out. I LOVE Laura and Kazan's sketches, they leave so much room for interpretation! I don't know why I don't play more often, well yeah I do. I'm going back to school, dealing with kids home for the summer, sick kids and me sick too, there isn't always time to play :( Sad I know! I've been anxiously anticipating this challenge though as I'm sure so many of you have. Want to see my card? I'm super pumped about how this turned out. I love every inch of it and was kind of bummed when I was finished with it. I had a blast making it and I felt really creative doing it. I guess I needed some play time in my craft room, I've been missing that lately :)
Make sure you head on over to the {2S4U Blog} and check out all the details. There are MEGA prizes involved and it should be a challenge like no other!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Practically Perfect (verve)

Paper: Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Polka Dots and Flowers (my minds eye), Text Print (target, maybe autumn leaves) It's a Girl Journaling Box (daily dose by my minds eye), Acetate (office depot)

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

Accesories: Brown Gingham Ribbon (basic basic from Michaels), Circle Punch (cm), Safety Pin, Scallop Dot Punch (martha stewart), Button, Pink Embroidery Floss, Star Punch (su), Pearls

This Took FOR-EV-VER

I don't know why but I decided I needed a blog makeover. Had I known it was going to take up the whole day I might have thought better. After a lot of research I finally figured it all out and I love the new look, all you google readers will have to swing by and check it out :) I'd love to hear what you think!

Is This Monochromatic??

Unity is having a challenge to be the guest designer for the July KOTM and the challenge is to make a monochromatic card. I decided to use pink as my color of choice but is there too much brown?? I consider brown a neutral but I'm thinking I may have used too much. Well, I guess it's to late now, but I do love this card. The scallops are a light pink too by the way but they look a little white...man, I may have really blown this..lol!!I used the May KOTM for this card. I'm totally lovin this kit and the June kit looks like it's going to be just as fun!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: May KOTM (unity stamp co.)

Paper: Kraft, Vanilla Lined Paper (making memories), Pink Scallop Paper, Pink Polka Dots (my minds eye), Tres Jolie Journaling Box (my minds eye)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa

Accesories: Brown Gingham Ribbon (ribbon fx), Jeweled Rhinestone, Copper Brads, Oval Punch (su), Decorative Edge Scissors (fiskars)

Mojo Monday 89

Happy Monday!! Julee has another fab sketch for this weeks edition of Mojo Monday. It's a prize week so make sure you head on over to the {MOJO BLOG} to check out all the details.
I wanted to use this sketch to make a Father's Day card because I all of a sudden got myself into a panic. I thought Father's Day was more at the beginning of the month and I thought I was a bit behind. I had to go check the calendar before I wrote this post and it turns out it isn't until the 21st. Oh well, now I'm ahead of schedule :) I also had to flip the sketch upside down for the idea I had in mind. I wanted to use Verve's Father Figure set because I've been super jealous of all the cool cards using Protector. I stamped the word father on the green dp to make my own pattern. The main panel came together by accident. I had intended on stamping the dots straight and in a two rows above and below Dad but then I stamped it crooked and I didn't want the straight lines to make it more noticeable. I decided to stamp the dots at an angle to make it look intentional ;)
Now I only have two more Father's Day cards to make!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Father Figure (verve), Arrow (stampendous)

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Green DP (my mind's eye), More Mustard DP (su)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Machine Stitching, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, CM Cutting System