A New Look for Uncle Sam!

I can't believe that Roxie hadn't yet been the featured stamper on Split Coast! She is the hostess with the mostest for our weekly sketch challenges and her cards are always top notch!

Today I cased this ice cream card of Roxie's changing the stamps and colors and using a different embossing Spellbinder but I kept the layout the same.

I wanted to try my new gingerbread stamp from Waltzingmouse Stamps for a season other than Christmas. I came up with this gingerbread Uncle Sam! Don't you love his little vest and top hat? You really need to check out all the stamps in this fun set as well as Claire's other set "Oven Fresh". The sentiment if from the set Let Freedom Ring by Paptertrey Ink.

I used the star that was left over from the punched corners to adorn his hat. The bottom was cut and embossed using my new Pierceabilities from Spellbinders.

Thanks so much for dropping by - got to go wash some windows and so a little yard work - it's a beautiful 75 degree day here in New England!

Stamps: gingerbread man: - Half Baked: Waltzingmouse Stamps, Sentiment- Let Freedom Ring: PTI
Paper: white, pure poppy: PTI
Ink: memento Tuxedo Black, Butterscotch & Denim: Adirondack, Pure Poppy: PTI
Accessories: glue dot, foam dimensionials, celestial corner punch: Fiskars, Pierceabilities: Spellbinders

A Pattern of Faith

The Limited Supplies challenge on Split Coast today was to use just one piece of card stock as your card base and the rest had to be patterned papers, no coloring supplies, and keep embellishments simple. I've had this wonderful damask designer paper from American Crafts for some time and have been dying to use it. I cut it using my Top Note die and stamped the sentiment right onto it over the damask design. All I added was sticky half pearls and the black satin ribbon. I attached the Top Note over the Bitty Star basics designer paper by Papertrey Ink using foam dimensionals.

It was very hard not to use more card stock on this for the sentiment or framing etc!

Stamps: Every Day Blessings: PTI
Paper: Sage Shadow: SU, DP American Crafts - Metropolitan, Text Style 2008 Bitty Star Basics: PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: top note die: SU, little pearls: Rhinestone Stickers (Michaels), foam dimensionals, black satin ribbon - unknown
Thought I'd give you a quick peek at what we'll be making at the classes I'm teaching tomorrow at the Papertree, in Manchester, NH.

This class is called "Rockin' Notes" and includes a 'pizza box', 4 - 3"x3" cards stamped with various Ketto's from Stamping Bella, and hand made envelopes.
My second class is called "Let's Go Shopping" and we'll be making this Gift Card holder.

this cute little gift bag,

and this accordion recipe/coupon holder. The pretty paper is Bloom and Grow by My Minds Eye and the stamps are Retail Therapy by My Favorite Things.

Well - gotta run - I'm still getting all my stuff together for the classes!

I'll be back over the weekend - AND - I'm on vacation next week - Whoo Hoo!!! We're just hanging out at home - puttering around - hopefully going kayaking if it's warm enough - or taking some hikes - and of course STAMPING UP A STORM!!!

Everything Beautiful

Mercy (mkstampin74) was the featured stamper on Split Coast this week - I've been in her gallery alot and it was difficult to chose just one card! I finally decided on this pretty card to CASE. I changed the colors and the stamp used and framed my verse with nestabilities - but other than that it's pretty much the same - I love how she used the top note on her card.

I just love the new Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday papers - this one I used with the Top Note die is called Wednesday. The Bible verse is a stamp from the Scripture Collection I from Our Daily Bread.


I've been really busy this week preparing materials for two classes I'm teaching at The Papertree in Manchester, NH this Saturday so I haven't been posting much! Never enough hours in the day for all I want to do!!

Stamps: Our Daily Bread: Scripture Collection I
Paper: YoYo Yellow: SU, Ocean tides, PTI, DP Cosmo cricket girl friday/wednesday, My Minds Eye Bloom Grow/lots of dots
Ink: Ocean tides: PTI
Accessories: paper piercer, grid and mat: SU, narrow rectangle nestabilities, top note die: SU, summer sunrise satin ribbon: PTI

Hinged on a Birthday

I made this card for the Try a New Technique challenge on Split Coast. As you can see - the top half slips up to reveal the sentiment. We were directed to Wendy's tutorial for instructions. The birthday verse if from PTI. Here is how my card looks closed.

The base card (white) measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. The bottom designer paper panel is 4 1/4 x 3 3/4 before punching with an edge punch. The second card stock layer of punching measures 1 1/4 x 4 1/4. The top designer panel is 4 1/4 x 3. The rectangle with the flower is 2 3/4 x 2 1/2.

She even gives us a solution to hiding the tabs of the brad that show on the back of the card. She suggests you cut another strip of card stock 5 1/2 x 1 1/2, punch the edge and attach it on the back over the brad tabs.

I hadn't seen this type of card before although they said it's showing up on lots of blogs - guess I haven't been blogging enough lately!!?? This was really fun and easy - hope you'll try it out. I'm wondering if people who receive it will understand how to get into it??!! Maybe I'll include a little arrow with 'open this way' on a sticky or something!

Stamps: Birthday Wishes & flower medallion: Simple Little Things - PTI, Verse: Birthday Basics - PTI

Paper: whisper white, sage shadow: SU, DP My Minds Eye Bloom & Grow/little blossom (front and back of DP)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sage Shadow: SU

Accessories: small brad: Making Memories, big brad: Deja Views Framed Brads/Mango, large flower: Darice Finishing Accents, Small flower: Oriental trading, Martha Stewart lacey punch, Zutter corner rounder, foam dimensionals.

An Odd Little Shoe

I made this little shoe for the Inspiration Challenge on Split Coast this week. Anne (Itsapassion) was the hostess and she showed us the Little Odd Forest web site and I found these little shoes that caught my eye. Here's another front view of the the little shoe I created. It measures about 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide and maybe an inch tall at the back.

I used a pattern from a book called Paper for All Seasons by Sandra Lounsbury Foose - (this is the same book with the LL Bean bag pattern in it - you can see a sample I made of that here.) This is a view of the bottom before I put another sole on it to cover the tabs. Here is a view from the back where you can see the little band you put on to run the ribbon through. I used Polka Dot Basics from Papertrey Ink for the dots on the shoe, stamping them on Rustic White Paper. The inside is Pink Patterns designer paper and the ribbon is Melon Berry Luxe Satin - all from Papertrey. The little ladybug is from Uptown Rubber Stamps.

I've had this pattern for ever and I'm so glad to finally have made one of these cute little shoes - it would make a great baby shower favor wouldn't it?!?!?

Well - enough stamping for the moment - I'm off to wash my car (boy does it need it!)

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics: PTI, Lady bug: Uptown Rubber Stamps
Paper: Rustic White, DP Pink Patterns Collection: PTI
Ink: Berry Sorbet: PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Sponge, copics, berry sorbet satin ribbon : PTI, tacky tape, flower punch: all night media, pattern from Paper for all Seasons

A Circle of Red, White & Blue

I made this card for the Limited Supplies challenge to make a round card and to use only one stamp set. I just received my May release Papertrey Ink order today so I cracked open the fun Star Prints Set. It includes a slew of sentiments so I had no trouble just using this one set.

This also qualifies for Sharon's no time to stamp challenge to use red, white and blue on your card. My dear mother-in-law is going to be 94 on July 6th so this will be our card for her birthday. We usually have a little cookout for her and decorate in patriotic colors so this will be perfect! and now I have it all done - early! Woo Hoo!!

Here's a picture of me, my dear MIL - Marjorie, and DH - Kent. This pic was taken at my niece's wedding 2 weeks ago. You can see - we arrived early before the crowd to get her in and seated!

Have a wonderful safe Memorial Day to all of us in the USA this weekend! And a huge 'thank you' to all the men and women who are in or are retired from the armed forces. I sincerely appreciate your dedication to protecting our country and our freedoms.

Stamps: Star Prints: PTI
Paper: Night of Navy: SU, Rustic White: PTI
Ink: Pure Poppy: PTI, Demin Dye: Adirondack
Accessories: glue pen, foam dimensionals, circle nestabilities, sprinkles: Taylored Expressions, pure poppy satin ribbon: PTI, curly label punch, SU, sponge, star punch: Fiskars

All the World's A Stage

I made this fun little theater stage card for my girlfriend to give to her daughter who is graduating from UMass Amherst this weekend with a degree in Theater Arts. What an exciting time ahead for Ali. She's already auditioned for a play for the summer - so we are keeping our fingers crossed that she gets the part!


I found this wonderful template for a circus tent card on Melyssa's blog. I just altered it a little bit to make it a theater stage. Basically I made the stage square and cut the top straight across instead of pointed like a tent.

Here is the inside of my card. I used two velcro tabs on the top corners to hold the card shut. I used brown lined designer paper for the bottom half to look like a stage floor. All the images are computer clip art from Microsoft Word and the sentiments are computer generated also.


On the inside I put "and you're on next Ali !!" Since there was no place for Cilla to write a note to Ali on the inside of the card - I adhered a Top Note die cut on the back in a color that black pen would show up on.


I love how this card came out - and I'm sure Ali won't get another one like it!



And here's a hot tip - do you know Claire Brennan and her blog Waltzing Mouse? She's starting her own little stamp shop to sell sets she has designed and tonight (Thurs) she's going to be offering her first sets for sale - some adorable gingerbread people and accessories. She has created some wonderful cards and crafts using her sets so be sure to check it out! Claire lives in Ireland and has a terrific blog - Tell her I sent you!

Thanks for stopping by!



Stamps: none
Ink: none
Paper: Elegant Eggplant: SU, Vintage Cream: PTI, DP Bohemia Bluebird All boy stripe, 29th St. Market Carefree Graceful: Pattern Patite and Adorable Polka Spots.
Accessories: foam dimensionals, circle nestability, scalloped square nestability, computer generated sentiments, Microsoft word clip art, glue dots, velcro, Hemp: Elements, buttons: Sabrina Making Memories, Circus Tent Template from Melyssa, top note die: SU

Take Time for Tea

First - just let me say that the pink paper on this photo is MUCH brighter in this photo than IRL - the hazzards of taking pictures at night - which I always have to do since I have to make my cards after work - IRL this looks very calm and serene with just a little punch from the pink! Maybe I need to invest in a new camera - mine is several years old now. I'll have to stop buying stamps for a while so I can afford it - Yikes!

So after that disclaimer - I made this card for today's sketch challenge on Split Coast as well as the weekly Doubledog Dare Challenge I do with some SCS friends.

Charlene (LilLuvsStampin on SCS) challenged us to use paper piecing, paper piercing and the colors Kraft, Rose, Black and Sage (optional) After I got this all done and posted I suddenly thought I'm not sure if stamping the teapot on designer paper and cutting it out counts as paper piecing - it's all one piece. AACCH!!! Hopefully it will pass and the challenge police won't disqualify me !! LOL!!

I used the wonderful Tea for Two set from Papertrey for this card although the little teabag stamped on the pot (isn't it sweet!?! it has a little heart on it - I think if you click on the picture you can see it enlarged and get a better view) is from the Everyday Classics set that was given free to people who ordered a certain amount from PTI last year.

You're welcome to join in on the Doubledog challenges - just use the Keyword DDC when you load your card on Splitcoast so we can see it! You can see all the Doubledog cards here.

Stamps: Tea for Two, Everyday Classics: PTI
Paper: Kraft, Sage Shadow: SU, DP Text style 2008 Bitty Dot Basics: PTI
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: paper piercer, grid and mat: SU, foam dimensionals, heart punch: McGill, glue pen, xacto knife

Timeless Template Guest Designer Contest

I made this Purse-onality Clutch using Lauren's TimelessTemplate for the Guest Designer Contest that Nichole ran over at Papertrey Ink. You had to make a project using one of Lauren's templates. The cute umbrella and sentiment are from the set Scattered Showers.

ETA: I didn't win the contest - but I did make honorable mention top trio!! whoo hoo!!

I made this as a Get Well gift for someone. I included a little banana nut bread to help cheer up the receiver. I stamped get well and feel better from Mega Mixed Messages - punched them out and attached them inside the cover to be seen when the person opened the little purse.

Isn't this just the cutest little thing??!!

Inside the little purse there was plenty of room to tuck this package of kleenex, a chapstick and a beribboned envelope of cough drops. I made a bellyband to wrap around the bread.

This project also qualifies for the Doubledog Dare Challengethat Fran issued this week - to make a card or project with something having to do with rain or water on it. We'd love to have you join in our Doubledog challenges - just put DDC in your keyword when you post to your SCS gallery. You can see all the DDC challenge cards here.

Wish me luck on winning the contest! The deadline to submit was 5/13. The winner gets to make samples using the next two Timeless Templates before they are released and gets published on Nicholes blog! Whoo hoo!!!

Stamps: Umbrella & Cheer Up Buttercup: Scattered Showers, Get Well & Feel Better: Mega Mixed Messages: all PTI

Paper: Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream, DP 2008 Bitty Dot Basics: All PTI

Ink: Ocean Tides, True Black: PTI

Accessories: small bag: PTI, ocean tides top notch twill: PTI, oval nestabilities, glue dots, velcro, sponge, zutter round it all, ocean tides swiss dot satin ribbon: PTI, circle punches: SU, curvy punch: EK Success.

There's No One Like - My Little Honey Bee

Todays Try a New Technique challenge on Split Coast was this fun Tri Shutter Card - you can see the tutorial here on Bonnie Szwalkiewicz blog What a fun card to make and not difficult at all following Bonnies pictures and instructions. I used this wonderful Lime Rickey designer paper from Basic Grey.

Above you see the open view and below is the closed view.

Stamps: Friends till the End: PTI
Paper: Bazzill Basic North Sea, Pure Poppy, white: PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black
Accessories: circle punch, oval punch, spellbinders flower creations 3, glue dots, foam dimensionals, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, sprinkles: Taylored Expressions, scor pal, exacto knife

My second card was made for the CAS (clean and simple) challenge on Split Coast - to use black and white and one bold bright color. I used Yo Yo Yellow for my bright. The cute Bee Bear is from Two Scoops Rice Designs the sentiment and flowers are from Papertrey Ink . The bee bear was stamped on the white and then on Yo Yo Yellow, some of it is colored in with a black copic marker and gone over with silver spica - although you can't see the shimmer in the pic :( I cut it out and mounted it over the stamping on the white with foam dimensionals. I drew in the yellow dots with a Prismacolor marker.

Aacchh! I'm up late again - gotta get to bed - thanks for dropping by!
Stamps: Bee Bear: Two Scoops Rice Designs, Flower: Honey Bees PTI, My Litttle Honey bee: Honey bee sentiments: PTI
Paper: white: PTI, basic Black, Yo Yo Yellow: SU
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: scalloped circle nestabilities, foam dimensionals, spica silver pen, copic black 100, ribbon: michaels, prismacolor marker: yellow ochre

You are Like a Flower

Today my good stamping buddy and fellow Doubledog Dare challenge team member Joan Ervin was the Featured Stamper on Split Coast and I chose her silhouette wishes card to case.

I used a different designer paper, a different stamp set and tied a knot in my ribbon instead of a bow - but I used her layout and color scheme. I like how she cut off the bottom on the sentiment circle.

My flower silhouette and sentiment stamps are from a newly released flower set by H&M Stamps called Seeds of Kindness.

Well - I've doodled around long enough today - I think I have to finally get out in the yard and do some more mulching!

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Stamps: Seeds of Kindness: H&M Stamps
Paper: Basic Black: SU, White, Hibiscus Burst: PTI, DP basic grey: Urban Prairie/Bonnet
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: glue dots, oval nestabilities, cuttlebug, foam dimensionials, sheer black ribbon: Michaels, twinkles: Taylored expressions, glue pen, silver spica pen, butterfly punch: martha steward

An Inspired Thanks

This beautifully colored home office from Country Living was our inspiration challenge on SCS this week. Here is the card I created from it.

I was inspired by the bumpy pillow on the chair, the flowers on the wall and the colors of raspberry, chocolate and avocado throughout. (Sorry - My picture came out a little brighter than IRL and the brown ribbon looks really dark - but you get the idea!)

I used Taylor's Friday Sketch for my card.

The flower and sentiment are from a Papertrey Ink set called Every Day Classics that you cannot buy (sorry!) - I earned it by ordering at least 12 sets from them last year. (Yikes !) I stamped the flower 3 times and cut out pieces and layered them using foam dimensionals. The wonderful leaf is from the Papertrey set Friends Til the End. I curled each leaf and attached it to the card at the ends to give some dimension to them.

I got some gardening done today at my son's condo - April invited me to help her pick out flowers that would be good for a little spot they have outside their kitchen window. We weeded, edged, planted and mulched! Now I need to tackle the rest of my own gardens - well, maybe tomorrow!

Stamps: Flower & Sentiment: Every Day Classics, Leaf: Friends Till the End: PTI
Paper: Vintage cream, raspberry fizz, ripe avodaco, dark chocolate: PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz: PTI
Accessories: spellbinders tags five & Labels One, cuttlebug folders: Textile, Mini Mosaic, sponge, foam dimensionals, adhesive gems: K& Co, EK success edge punch, dark chocolate satin ribbon: PTI

A Tin for Dad

I made this altered Altoid tin for the Ways to use it challenge on Split Coast -to create a 3D item from a tin. I made mine a container for a Dad to keep his lures in such as this Bass Popper (so my DH tells me). All the images and sentiments are from a new stamp set from H&M Stamps called Just for Dad.

I cut the Cosmo Cricket designer paper to fit the top and sides - then sanded the edges of the top to fit closely and sponged everything with So Saffron Ink. I attached the ribbon to the rim with tacky tape. Inside, the bottom is lined with a piece of felt to hook the lures into to hold them secure.

I have about 10 of these empty Altoid tins just waiting for a project like this to come along to get me to use one!!

Thanks for coming by today!

Stamps: Just for Dad: H&M Stamps
Paper: Vintage cream: PTI, Handsome Hunter: SU, DP Cosmo Cricket - Mr. Campy/Skipping stones
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, So Saffron: SU
Accessories: Altoids Tin, foam dimensionals, oval punch, circle punch, word window punch, tacky tape, sanding block, TrueThyme grosgrain stitched ribbon: SU, corner rounder, sponge, Spica Silver pen, Copics: G40, E13, B00

Isaiah 44:6 God's Attribute - Redeemer

This is a 6x6 page that I created for Week 9 of Patter's His Holy Name Challenges on Split Coast - God's attribute for week 9 is Redeemer. We are to look in the Bible for a verse that is meaningful to us that has 'Redeemer' in it. This verse from Isaiah spoke to me about this attribute - "This is what the Lord says - Israels King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God ". Pretty powerful stuff isn't it?!

I used this weeks OCC sketch for the design of my page. I turned it on it's side to accomodate my verse - and then realized when holding it this way - the two crossing panels make a Cross. How very appropriate! The verse is computer generated - the only stamping on this page is on the two ovals where I used my retired Karen Foster snap stamps for the lesson number and the attribute. You can join in these challenges at any time - check out Patter's post in the forums.

I'm so glad you came by today!
Stamps: Snap Stamps: Karen Foster
Paper: Vintage cream, dark chocolate, ripe avocado: PTI, DP The paper loft - spring fling/garden party
Ink: ripe avocado
Accessories: computer generated verse, avery label, labels four nestabilities, sponge, foam dimensionals, corner rounder, cuttlebug, oval punches: SU, ripe avocado satin ribbon: PTI

A Clean and Simple Miss You

This weeks CAS challenge on Split Coast (Clean and Simple) was to use the rock and roll technique - I inked my flowers with the lighter Lavender Moon PTI ink - then rolled the edges of the stamp over the darker Plum Pudding PTI ink. Then stamped it - this technique gives a two color image with the darker on the outside and the lighter on the inside of the image.

This Eastern Bloom flower is my absolute favorite flower to stamp - I love the lines in it and how great it looks cut out and curled. The stem is a sizzix die and I scored the edges of the card. I put some stickles in the centers of the flowers. Two of the flowers are cut out and popped up on thick foam dimensionals - the third one is stamped right on the card.

Thought I'd leave you with this picture from church on Mother's Day - this is Eden, my 3 year old God Child, and she gave me the pretty bouquet of flowers in front of me in the white box. They are in a round glass vase and are carnations, baby's breath and roses. She, of course, was more interested in her white grape juice and cookie! Don't you love her curls?!

Thanks for coming by today!

Stamps: Flower: Eastern Blooms: SU, Sentiment: Simple Little Things: PTI
Paper: white, ripe avocado: PTI
Ink: Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding: PTI
Accessories: sizzix die - leaf stem, cuttlebug, scor pal, stickles, thick foam dimensionals

A Town, A Hero and Some Wedding Pictures!

The Inspiration Challenge this week on Split Coast was a web site of pillows - Boujour Mon Coussin. I chose this town scene pillow for inspiration. And here is the card I created.

My Doodle Factory Rooftops stamp from Starving Artists was perfect for this scene. I embossed it in white on eggplant then cut around the edges and popped it up on the celery cuttled panel. I used the Mesh Cuttlebug folder to give the idea of the weave of the pillow fabric and I sponged it with So Saffon to soften it a little. I mounted the sentiment behind the buildings to look like it was a Billboard.

Stamps: Doodle Factory Neighborhood: Starving Artists, Sentiment: Doodle Bug Starving Artists Paper: Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant: SU, Pure Poppy: PTI
Ink: Versamark watermark stamp (for embossing), Pure Poppy: PTI, So Saffron: SU
Accessories: White EP, hot gun, foam dimensionals, Star & Heart Punches: McGill, mesh folder: Cuttlebug, rectangle nestability, sponge

My second card today was made for the Featured Stamper challenge on Split Coast. I was so excited because the FS was Debbie (DbDoodle) who I know from being on the H&M Design Team with. I chose her My Hero card to case today. My son, Josh, was in the Army and so I made this to give him on Memorial Day - because I am so proud that he chose to go into the military and do his part to protect our country and our freedoms.I changed the colors and altered the design a bit but used the same stamp sets: Hoo-Rah and Hoo- Rah Sentiments from H & M Stamps . I'll be using this set alot for my Memorial Day and 4th of July cards!

And finally - here are a few pictures from my niece's wedding yesterday. We had wonderful weather, the bride was beautiful! the groom was handsome! and the reception held at the Tewksbury Country club was lovely - we couldn't have asked for anything more!

Here are Katie and Greg lighting their unity candle that Katie and I made - stamping their names and wedding date on tissue paper, wrapping the tissue around the candle with wax paper over it and heating it with a hot gun. Then we added ribbon. It came out beautifully. You can see a tutorial on Split Coast for this procedure here.

And here is the bride with her best friends/bridesmaids and sister Christie (to the right of Katie). Aren't their dresses and flowers lovely!?

This is my sister, Marcia, mother of the bride - and me - proud aunt of the bride!

Thanks so much for stopping by - I appreciate your comments!

Stamps: Hoo-Rah, Hoo-Rah Sentiments: H&M Stamps, Stitched Ribbon stamp: Hero Arts
Paper: Kraft, Wild Wasabi: SU, Vintage Cream: PTI, DP My minds eye - 29th Market St - Spirit shining star
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Adirondack Butterscotch, New Leaf: PTI, So Saffron: SU
Accessories: sponge, brads, star brad, oval nestabilities, foam dimensionals, edge distresser: Heidi Swapp, copics, Cuttlebug folder: Distressed stripes, ribbon: New Leaf Saddle stitched: PTI

Four in One - Kraft*Color*Sketch*May Holiday Card

Because I have been busy with my niece's pre-wedding events the past few days I decided to try and incorporate 4 challenges into this one card to catch up for a few days away from stamping!

So this one card is for the:

1) Split Coast Ways to Use it Challenge -to use kraft paper

2) Split Coast Limited Supplies - make a card for a Holiday in May - mine is Teacher Week.

3) Taylored Expression Sketch

4) Color Throwdown#41 to use Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and Certainly Celery!

The stamps are all Taylored Expressions - I re-stamped, cut out and popped up different layers of the balloons and the red one is actually a punched circle because on the stamp that balloon says 'get well'. The green balloons are flat, the blue balloon is one layer up and the red balloon is 3 layers up - all on foam dimensionals. You can see the layers here.

The red frame is made by layering 2 scalloped rectangle nestabilities - one inside the other- and running it through the Cuttlebug. The background is Swiss dots Cuttlebug folder and the gems are tiny twinkles from Taylored Expressions.

Kate & Greg's wedding day is finally here - They originally were going to have their honeymoon in Mexico (!) but had to change their reservations because of the threat of the swine flu epidemic and were lucky enough to be able to book a Carribean Cruise instead. That'll be a story to tell their future children!

Stamps: Cupcake: Doctors Orders, Thank you: French Flowers, for a special techer: A year of Sentiments: Taylored Expressions
Paper: kraft, riding hood red, certainly celery, baja Breeze; SU, Vintage Cream PTI
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: glue pen, foam dimensionals, spring moss twill: PTI, copics EOO, R20, R29, YG03, YG63, B00, circle punches, scalloped rectangle nestabilities, white gel pen, adhesive gems: K&Co, tiny twinkles: Taylored expressions, swiss dots cuttlebug folder, EK Success scallop punch

I'm the Friday Friend!

I'm so excited to share this card with you today. On Monday Jami from Taylored Expressions contacted me by e-mail - she had seen this card in my SCS gallery and liked it. She asked me if I'd be interested in being the 'Our Friday Friend' on the Taylor's Stamp a Sweet Impression Blog this week.

Well - didn't have to think long about that question!!! I said YES, YES, YES!! (Of course then I was in a panic because she asked me to make ANOTHER card for it!!! LOL!!!)

So please go over and check me out there! Toot, toot, toot (that's me tooting my own horn {grin}) The DT members have some fun projects posted over there too so scroll around.

I used two Taylored Expressions stamp sets on this card - the cuppie in the field of flowers is from "A Year of Sweets 2" and the sentiment is from the set "A Year of Sweet Sentiments". The pretty flowers are from Taylor also (and they are on sale right now!).

The sketch I used for this card is this weeks CPS114.

AND - to top it off - did you notice my new watermark??? I just bought it (and 2 others!) from Karen Giron - one of Taylored Expressions great DT members - she charges just $2.00 per watermark and has several pretty designs to choose from so be sure to check that out too!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! My niece's wedding is tomorrow afternoon - hopefully I'll have a few pics to share from that soon!

Stamps: A Year of Sweets 2, A Year of Sweet Sentiments: Taylored Expressions
Paper: Vintage cream, berry sorbet: PTI, Buckaroo Blue: SU, DP Cosmo Cricket: Girl Friday/Sunday
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Zutter round it all, Scor Pal, adhesive gem: K&Company, circle nestabilities, word window punch: SU, white gel pen, vintage buttons: PTI, flowers: Taylored Expressions, Copics: B00, BG13, BG11, RV13, RV11, R20, R29, YGo3, YG63, Y13, foam dimensionals, yellow brad, glue dots.

A Special Mum

Here is a Mother's Day card for the Our Creative Corner challenge this past Saturday. I made this card a few weeks ago but never posted it and thought now is a good time for the OCC challenge!

So here I am posting when I thought I wouldn't have any time today!

I paper pieced the mum and little girls dresses and hat and I restamped, cut out and popped up the little girls basket of flowers.

Our family always uses the British spelling of Mum (British heritage) so that is how I write it but no stamps here in the US spell it that way.

My card is 6"x3" - a fun size to use now and then and I used copics to color what I didn't paper piece.

Now - I really and truly don't think I'll be posting tomorrow night! It's the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner but you never know!

And boy - are we busy here in MA watching the Bruins, the Celtics AND the Red Sox - what a great sports year for our teams!

Please remember to check back on Friday for my fun news!

Stamps: Inky Antics, Darcie's Unmounted Mother's Day Sayings

Paper: White, aqua mist: PTI, Close to Cocoa and DP: SU

Ink: Onyx Black Versafine

Accessories: Copics: YR61, Y11, G00, E09, RV11, E50, E00, R20, V12, glue dots, aqua mist saddle stitched ribbon: PTI, Rectangle nestabilities, small heart punch: McGill, edge distresser: Heidi Swapp.

Eat, Sleep, Fish - with Mojo

On this card I used the Try a New Technique challenge on Split Coast. We were instructed how to do embossed wax paper . I used the Forest Branches Cuttlebug folder for my background embossing the waxed paper then placing it between 2 pieces of glossy card stock shiny side in and then ironing it without steam. You remove and discard the wax paper - and then ink the glossy card stock with die ink and a brayer.

The fun fishing stamps are from a newly released set by H&M Stamps called Just for Dad. It also includes hunting stamps for the guys in your life that are into those outdoor activities. The set also includes quite a few fun sentiments so be sure to check it out!

I used the Mojo Monday Sketch for my card.

Now that I look at it - doesn't the background look like the ripples in a lake?? A happy accident - I was just going for the outdoors look with the Forest Branches folder. I guess I should have used a blue or greenish blue ink?!?!

Just to let you know - I have a several activities coming up and probably won't be posting for a few days. I have Bible Study tomorrow night - and then my niece, Katie, is getting married on Saturday - so we have the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Thursday night, a little pre-wedding cocktail party at Katie's sister's house on Friday and then the wedding on Saturday.

BUT! I have something fun to share with you on Friday - so be sure to check back for that posting!

Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello!

Stamps: Just for Dad: H&M Stamps
Paper: Naturals Ivory, Close to Cocoa, Glossy Card Stock: SU
Ink: CLose to Cocoa, More Mustard: SU, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Forest Branches Folder, iron, wax paper, foam dimensionals, sponge, brown felt rick rack: Offray, Dark Chocolate Twill: PTI, copics: E11, E13, E09, 100, Y26, BG11, C1, Spica Gold

Prehistoric Birthday Bash

I used this fun new dinosaur stamp set just released by H&M Stamps for the Clean and Simple challenge on Split Coast. Today we were to follow the sketch on this card.

First I stamped the images and then punched out what would fit inside a 1 1/4" circle punch and layered them on 1 1/2" chocolate chip circles. I stamped the cake again on a scrap - cut out the cake part and layered it over the cake stamping. The cake and hat are popped up with foam dimensionals. I scored a few lines along the top and bottom with my Scor Pal added a knot of hemp to the gift and yellow stickles to the hat and flames for a little sparkle. Clean and Simple!

Thanks for coming by today - I appreciate your comments so much!

Stamps: Prehistoric Birthday: H&M Stamps
Paper: Naturals Ivory, Choc Chip: SU, Vintage Cream: PTI
Ink: Dark Chocolate, New Leaf, Ripe Avocado: PTI
Accessories: circle punches: SU, yellow stickles, Scor Pal, form dimensionals, hemp twine: SU

Thinking of You with Sparkle

Today's featured stamper on Split Coast was Sparkle (sparkplug17) and what a great gallery to get inspired by. She had a whole album of Tilda cards - and since I have several Tilda's that I love but have yet to use (!) I chose her pink Tilda Birthday to case today.

I used a different Tilda than Sparkle did, a thinking of you sentiment from PTI rather than Happy Birthday, and different designer paper - but it is basically the same layout. I distressed the edges of the sewn panel. Tilda, the flower and the sentiment are all up on foam dimensionals.

Well - I'm off to make some pecan banana bread using up some banana's that didn't get eaten this past week in my lunches!

Thanks for coming by today!

Stamps: Tilda: Magnolia, Thinking of You: Scattered Showers: PTI
Paper: Blush Blossom: SU, Ripe avocado: PTI, DP Cosmo Cricket - Girl Friday/Thursday
Ink: Pink Pirouette: SU, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: distresser: Heidi Swapp, Rhinestone brad: SU, sponge, sewing machine, Ripe avocado Twill: PTI, EK Sucess Curvy punch, foam dimensionals, Copics YG63, YG03, E11, E51, E11, BG11, BG13, YR61, R08, R20

Inspired Tulips - Papertrey Springtime Challenge

For today's Inspiration challenge on Split Coast Stef showed us Faviana Prom gowns. I was inspired by the color of this purple gown

I used tulips as my subject for the Papertrey Inspiration challenge. I was inspired by Kelly Lunceford's picture of her garden seen below.

I used the colors of vintage cream, ocean tides, plum pudding and lavender moon for my card. The tulip and dots below the sentiment are from the Wishing You set and the thank you is from the Beyond Basic Borders set.

What a wonderful day it was here today - sunny and warm - I got a lot of edging and mulching done in my front gardens - then I did some stamping - and tonight DH and I are off to a local symphony performance - a day full of good things!

Stamps: Wishing You & Beyond Basic Borders: PTI
Paper: Vintage Cream, Ocean Tides, Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, TextStyles 2008 Bitty Dot Basics - all PTI
Ink: Plum Pudding, Ocean Tides: PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Crystal Stickers pearls, foam dimensionals, Labels 4 Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, EK Success Wavy punch, Lavender Moon satin Ribbon: PTI, corner punch: SU