Sneaky Peek Week Day 3: BEST DAY EVER!!!

 

Hello there inky friends!  It's DAY 3 of The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Week and we're sharing sneaks of the fun new COFFEEEEEE (well, not all the stamps are coffee themed...but...COFFEE!!!) set called BEST DAY EVER!  Of course I HAD to use the fun image with two BFF's or LUV BUGS sharing a cuppa JOE!  WOO!  

I paired it up with some fun washi tape elements and some doodly squiggles- to help bring this sketchy card to life.  I also incorporated some golden threads and a few bits 'o bling! 

I thought giving a simple squiggly design along the top and bottom of the decorated panel helped define the layers and I just love the "take it easy" nature of the design.  

A little sentiment finishes it off...Yes, BE HAPPY...it's contagious!  

Thanks for hopping over to check out my card.  I hope it inspires you to create something FUN with this collection.  PS...My focus for this collection is Valentines so I hope you stop by tomorrow to check out more fun love creations!  Make sure to hop over to my fellow teamies' blogs to check out their fun creations and leave some love for a chance to win a TCP Prize.  See you tomorrow!  

TCP Tuesday Reminder...# Send Hope

Hey peeps!  I hope you're doing well and are safe and sound at home.  I'm working through a bad back issue now on day 6.  I can't sit for long without spasms and pain so I'll keep this quick!

Today is our REMINDER day for TCP Tuesday! This month's challenge is to make AND SEND something that Shares HOPE!

I created little bookmarks for my students...Just a little fun "I MISS YOU".  I used two stamp sets for this project:  "Jungle Boogie" and the sentiment set "Simply Said".  I mounted everything onto black cardstock and then onto lime green cardstock so I can write a little message on it -before laminating it.

Make sure to hop over to the TCP Blog HERE.  To check out all the inspiration and share your creation HERE too!  Remember, you don't have to use TCP stamps or products and the winner gets 50 bucks to spend in the shop!  SO get crackin'!

Sending some love...

Hello there inky friends! I hope you're staying healthy during this very difficult time right now.  I'm holed up at home and am trying to spend the time occupying myself with happy thoughts and things that create joy.  I have a few family members across the miles that are stuck inside some elder care facilities and I feel so sad they can't have visitors.   I decided to do something to hopefully bring a little smile and perhaps a little chuckle.  

This card was created for my Great Aunt Lori.  I hope the poppies I colored for her make her smile.  I hope the little spring package I sent will give her some happiness and joy during this time stuck in her room.  I hope she whips out that tube of bubbles and blows them all over!  I hope she cuddles the bunny and feels the love we have for her...I hope she enjoys the magazines and the crossword puzzles, as well as the fluffy bunny pen to mark her words.  I hope she savors each and every Jelly Belly and figures out her favorite flavor, I hope she spreads that pineapple Chapstick on and dreams of being in the islands...I hope she feels the love...

This sweet poppy image comes from a stamp set I purchased at the Scrapbook Expo last year.  I had never heard of the stamp company before and was excited to test out a few stamps from this company. 

The poppies were colored with Copics.  :).

Thanks for popping over today and I hope to send you lots of happiness today!  Stay safe...and healthy!

Happy February! Love/Smitten by RG Avenue

Hello there inky friends!  It's the first day of Feburary and that means it is the first day of the onslaught of lovey-dovey creations!  Are you ready?  LOL!  Today I'm sharing the first of my LOVE collection.  It's a card I created with the Love/Smitten and the Gain Balance stamp sets from RG Avenue. 

To create my card, I used some Sour Watermelon cardstock and stamped the background using Sour Watermelon and Black Licorice ink.  After that, I started creating the decorative layered piece for the top.  I cut some striped paper into a pennant shape and attached a little golden candy wrapper to the back.  I then attached some crocheted lace.  I stamped some hearts (onto Rich Cherry cardstock) with Simple Syrup ink and applied some Gold Embossing powder.  I then stamped the little leafy things from the Gain Balance set) with Nectar Stone ink and fussy cut all of the pieces before assembling them together. 

I finished off the card by attching the LOVE sentiment and the natural thread, some pearls and some diecut hearts from the So Smitten die. 

Splatter a little black ink and then mount the panel onto Sweet Cane cardstock before mounting it onto a Powdered Sugar card base.  DONE! 

Thanks for hopping over to check out my creation!  I hope you have a fab. weekend!  See you soon!

Love is In the Air: Graciellie Designs January 2020

Hello there inky friends.  Today I'm sharing a sweet little Lovie-dovie card I created with the new Graciellie Designs January 2020 release digi set called "Love is in the Air".  It's a beautiful set that contains some woodgrain elements and some frilly, curly sweet sentiments.  Check it out!  You can also purchase the complete January Digi bundle HERE.

To create my card, I started out by creating a background using an edited version of the I HEART YOU heart.  I shrunk the image and changed the color as well as turned it into a shadow image.  Then I layered this image repeatedly onto the page to create a heart paper background.  After that, I colored the same heart (resized) using Copic markers before fussy cutting it.  

Next, I machine stitched the background so that I could add a little more texture in the corners and then I brushed the edges with some Catherine Pooler Sand Castle ink.  The final step was distressing the edges with my fingernail and assembling the pretty spray collage.  I added some fun elements like a button from a friend, some feathers from my embellishment stash and a few flat back pearls.  So pretty.  I also added a little strip of sparkly gold cardstock from my scrap bin.  I mounted this panel onto a burgundy panel and a little bit of rosy cardstock to create a stacked layer.  then attached it to a Kraft card base.  FINISHED!

Pretty, pretty.  Now ready to send to someone special!  Thanks for hopping over to check out my card.  I hope you were inspired.  :)

TCP Sneaky Peek Week Day 6: I'm NOT Fat!

 

Hello there inky friends!  I'm back...Yes, I was away for a few days awaiting the delivery of my new nephew.  He arrived Saturday!  He is just a beautiful baby!  Now that I'm home, I am getting back into my projects and posting schedule.

Today is DAY 6 of The Cat's Pajamas Sneaky Peek Week and we're sharing inspiration featuring this adorable panda set called "I'm NOT Fat".  Hee hee...

I pulled a few images from the set and stamped/colored them and then decided I needed a little bit more LOVE!  I took a peek at the "STUCK ON YOU" set and noticed there was a perfect little heart die that I could use for my background design.  I diecut the hearts in the background from that stamp/die set and then stamped the little hearts (from the I'm not Fat" set) using some pink ink.

Isn't he just the cutest little panda?  I love each one in this set.  I can't wait to create a cute birthday card with the one featured in the sneak image.  

After stamping the hearts, I splattered some black acrylic paint onto the card and then used some pink/peach ink to distress around the hearts.  I then mounted the panel onto some red cardstock and then the stamped panel onto a white card base.  I tied the ribbon onto the edge of the sentiment and then colored one of the white diecut hearts red.  

Thanks for hopping over to check out my project.  I hope I inspired you to create something LOVE-LY with this set.  It's so cute !

Please hop over to my fellow teamie's blogs to check out their projects too!  And remember, comment on each blog for a chance to win a fabulous TCP prize!

Cristena

Julee

Brenda

Nancy

ME!

TCP Sneaky Peek Day 3: Hugs Needed!

Hello there inky friends!  I'm back with DAY 3 of the TCP Sneaky Peek reveals for November.  Today, we're sneaking a peek of the AHHHDORABLE lovey-dovey set called "Hugs Needed".  This set is a sweet set that includes some cute characters:  a  boy, a girl and a big old bear.  It also includes some scenery.  I think this set calls for a few more coordinating sets like background builders and vignettes don't you?!  I added a few doodles here and there to blend the two character images into one and added some ribbon embellishments and doodly hearts/dots.    

To check out all the inspiring cards with this set, hop over to the TCP Blog HERE!

After stamping and coloring the images with Copic markers,  I added a few doodles here and there and mounted my design to a blue card panel and then to a red card base using foam squares.  I then tied some red sparkly ribbon around the panel to finish it off.  I really thought these two characters didn't need much to make them shine, so I kept my card design simple and clean.  

Thanks for hopping over to check out my card.  Please make sure to check out my fellow Cat Pack designers as they share more inspiration with this adorable set!  Make sure to leave a comment for your chance at the daily sneaky peek prize!  Oh...and remember, this set is available TODAY so make sure to pick it up!  

Today's Sneaky Peek Designers

Beata

Julee

Melissa

Rebekah

ME!

Have Faith...Joy Clair's Saved by Grace

Hello there inky friends!  I'm back with another crafty inspiration!  As I prepared this post for Joy Clair's blog,  I was fighting through the most difficult days of my life. Walking through a devastation to the heart like no other I've experienced.  Sadness, guilt, sorrow beyond any sadness I have felt in my life.  Unexpectedly, I said goodbye to my beloved pooch Mason on June 29.  After a necessary dental procedure the day before, he seemed to be recovering well until the early morning hours.  We rushed to the emergency room and they tried everything to help him but his tiny body...and head could not sustain the pressure and trauma.  Through my heart-wrenching grief and sorrow, I immersed myself in stamping and creating, and in prayer.  To this day, it is still so very difficult to be around anyone, I just want to hide away and escape the world.  I can't stop the tears, the "I miss you" and the "I'm so sorry".  I miss him so much.  

Stamping has always been a comfort to me during hard times and has allowed me time to escape my sorrow and work through my grief.  And on that day when I worked on this project for Joy Clair, it helped my heart, a tiny bit.  I appreciate this gift from God and know that through stamping and creating, He gives me the most amazing and comforting embrace.  I am sure many of you understand this completely, and know you too can lean on this form of therapy when the time comes.  

I pulled the "Saved By Grace" Bible Journaling set and listened to an unexpected song that came on TV.  Cyndi Lauper was on public television and was singing the song "Time after Time".  The words in this song pierced my soul.  It was everything.   So while she sang, tears rolled down my cheeks and I created,...an envelope, with a message tucked inside...

The doodly flowers were stamped with VersaClair pink ink and the flowers were stamped in black and colored in green Copic markers.  I used some hot pink Bazzill cardstock to stamp the flowers and some white cardstock to stamp the leaves. 

The bold sentiment was stamped repeatedly with black ink and cut out.  I then assembled this floral panel onto a Jillibean Soup black gift bag (A2 size) that I could tuck a card into.  

I hope this post inspires you to have FAITH even when devastation hits your heart. HE will always help carry you through times of sadness, sorrow and troubles. 

Graciellie Designs... Love and Friends...

Hello there inky friends! I'm thrilled to announce that I've been asked to join the Graciellie Designs team!  I'm so honored to be able to create with such amazing digital art from Gracie's hands!  She is so talented and her designs never disappoint.  It is such an honor to design for her using her gorgeous and detailed digital designs!  

I decided to feature her Sweet Love paper collection in combination with her Love and Friends digital stamp set as my first official post.  I selected these two collections because of the connection I have to them and to my stamping family.  You know, it's pretty amazing to be connected to so many talented designers and crafters all around the world and it's such a privilidge to be one of these "friends".  It's amazing how we are so connected and close and in almost all instances, we have never met in person.  Someday, Someday!  

So this card goes out to all my crafty friends...Wherever and whoever you are...Sending love your way!  

I started out by copying and pasting the background paper from this collection into a Word Document.  Since the images are square, I reset the size proportions so they would fit 5.25x4 inches.  I adjusted the color by lightening it up to make it a soft and sweet background.  After that, I copied the heart wreath  and the sentiment (resized to my liking) and printed it all out on my home printer.  Once printed, I cut everything out.  I prepared my background paper onto a white card base and set it aside so I could color the wreath.  

The wreath was colored with several Copic Colors that matched perfectly with the paper collection:  

Browns: E23, E25, E71; Y28; YR14

Greens: G24; YG06, YG13, YG25, YG63 

Pinks: R20, R32; RV10

Grays: C1, C3

After coloring the wreath, I cut the sentiment and threaded it through the wreath then attached a few foam squares to pop the sentiment up onto the card base.  Next, I added some lovely burlap ribbon from my stash.  Finally, I added some blingy flat-back pearls and glittered up the florals with microfine glitter to give it some sparkle!  

Thanks so much for hopping over to check out my first Graciellie Design creation!  I'm so excited to be among such talented designers and I look forward to so many more opportunities to create with her beautiful designs!  

Love the products used in my creation?  Hop over to Gracie's shop and pick up your own collection.  They are the most fabulous and easy to use digis on the market today!  

Love and Friends

Sweet Love Digi Paper Collection

Victorian Hearts...

Hello Friends,
It's a long Inauguration and MLK, Jr. weekend and that means I have some extra time to spend stamping and crafting.  I received a special stampy prize from Red Rubber Designs when they held their most recent "First Thursday" blog hop and I just had to cut up the stamps and get them inky.  I love these Victorian Hearts and the possibilities for lovely cards and projects are just endless.

For this creation, I just sat down at my craft table and let the stamps take control.  I pulled some pink, red, and vintage inks and some scraps from my desktop and just went along for the ride.  The result, a simple, yet lovely little Valentine to send to someone special.  Wonder who that'll be???

Hope you have a fabulous week!  Back later!

Stamps:  Red Rubber Designs Vintage Hearts
Ink:  Memento Rose Bud, Lady Bug, Tuxedo Black; Distress Antique Linen
Patterned Paper:  Firt Passion by Reminisce 
Cardstock:  Cream, Black Paper Company
Ribbon:  Michaels

Unity Stamp of the week "Happy Couple"...

Hey stamping friends,

I'm here today to share a little card I made this weekend with my new UNITY Stamp of the Week set that came in the mail on Friday.  I know there will be LOTS more posted in the future with this fabulous "Happy Couple"  Set (set #2 in the Stamp of the Week collection).

When the announcement for the special UNITY Stamp of the Week promotion began, I jumped at the opportunity to get such an inexpensive treat in my mailbox each week.  A few weeks ago, my first installment arrived (FIRST EVER UNITY PURCHASE/STAMPS) and I was WOWED by the quality...and the PERKS!

SO today, I hope you enjoy this little treat I created.  Stop by in a few days for more of my UNITY creations.

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This card was created with my BASICS.   Yep, black and kraft cardstock, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain ink, cranberry cardstock, yummy ribbon and some "Lovey Dovey" embellishments...

Other materials added -but difficult to see in photos are Copper Shimmer Spritz and Tuxedo Black Fireworks Spray.  

Photo Overlay credit is given: (Squared Ink by adamned.age-H.adam on flickr)