Freshly Squeezed and Sparkling

Today's CAS (clean and simple) challenge on Split Coast was to add glitter or stickles to a card. I added silver ice Stickles to my fresh lime frozen Margueritta - doesn't it look cool and refreshing?!?!

The stamps are from a set called It's Picnic Time at H&M Stamps and this set is just $6 until June 30th when Heather's blow out sale ends - so be sure to check it out before the sale is over!

I colored my refreshing drink with Copic Markers. The dotted ribbon is from Michaels.

Short post tonight - I've really got to get to bed early! I was up late every night over the weekend - so this is it from me for today! One clean and simple card! - and off I go!

Stamps: H&M Stamps: It's Picnic Time
Paper: PTI: White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Ribbon: Michaels, Copics: C1, G14, Silver Ice Stickles

Courage From a Bottle

I ended up making a second card for the Inspiration Challenge on Split Coast this week. I love patriotic stamps and was inspired by this pretty bottled water to get out this sweet little Statue of Liberty from Celebrate the Day set by H&M Stamps. It's on sale right now for just $4.00 so hurry over and snap one up - it includes some graduation images too!

The sentiment is from the Hoo Rah Sentiment set. I also did this weeks limited supplies challenge from Split Coast on this card which was to use only colors of water (blues, greens, sand etc), a ribbon, brads, and use piercing on your card. So I think I got it all!

Stamps: Celebrate the Day, Hoo Rah Sentiments: H&M Stamps
Paper: white, spring rain: PTI
Ink: Spring Rain: PTI
Accessories: oval nestabilities, spring rain party plaid ribbon: PTI, sugar coated brads: Doodlebug Designs, Ornare corner piercing template, piercing tool & Mat: SU, silver ice stickles, Copics: B21, N2, T2, Y06

Time for the Summer Barbeque!

I made this card for the featured stamper challenge over on Split Coast. I hadn't been in Kisamari's gallery before so was happy to get a chance to see all her wonderful cards. I decided to CASE this BBQ time card.

I made my card round instead of square, used a different stamp set but went with the grill theme and hot colors! I really love the pinking circles nesties - they give an edginess and action to the card. Here I think they accent the feel of heat off the grill as well as the summer sun. The spatula and grill pan have silver spica on them so IRL they sparkle but it doesn't show up on my picture. The sentiment and spatula are popped up on foam dimensionals.

The fun barbecue stamps are from an H&M Set called It's Picnic Time and it's on sale NOW for just $6.00 - check out how many stamps are in this set! Perfect for all your summer cards! Here's what I put on the inside of my card.

Well - it's the last day of my vacation - and the sun is out and it's in the 70's so DH and I are off to pick up dear mother-in-law and take her walking around nearby Horn Pond! Thanks so much for coming by today!

Stamps: It's Picnic Time: H&M Stamps
Paper: pure poppy, white: PTI, basic black: SU, DP Cosmo Cricket Lil Man/Silly Sam
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black
Accessories: foam dimensionals, pinking circles nestabilities, pinking edge scissors, silver spica, copics: E35, E37, Y21, Y13, YR04, R29, 100, C1, C6

A Wedding Frame and Stamp New England News

Stef showed us the Design Dazzle website of kids rooms and bedding designs for inspiration today over at Split Coast. I was inspired by the colors and all the frames on the walls of this girls teen room

I had this frame from Michaels ($1!) and I have been wanting to create a wedding frame for my niece who got married a month ago. So today I was inspired to get it done!

I just love this reflection of the bride in the standup mirror stamp from the H&M set Fairy Tale Wedding .


We have a family heirloom just like this mirror and Katie had a picture taken of herself reflected in it - so it was perfect for this gift for her & Greg. My picture of Katie looks blury here - because of the reflection of the acetate panel over it - but it's clear IRL! Wasn't she a beautiful bride?! I love this picture of her standing on her sister's porch just after the wedding ceremony - she was just glowing! She's pulling the train of her gown up to her shoulders so it wouldn't get stepped on and I just had to snap the pic!


ALL of Heather's stamps over at H&M Stamps are on sale for the month of June so hurry over and check them out - once they are gone - they're gone - so shop early!!

And a heads up! Do you live anywhere near Farmington, CT? The Stamp New England organizers are planning another stamping weekend there for July 10th and 11th. Check it out here and sign up quick! The last event sold out in a week! I'm going to be teaching one of the classes (Yikes, I'm nervous!) so come so we can meet each other!!!

Stamps: Fairy Tale Wedding: H&M Stamps
Paper: White, ripe avocado, raspberry Fizz: PTI, basic black: SU, Water color paper
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: textile cuttlebug folder, cuttlebug, petite oval nestabilities, sizzix leaf stem die, silver ice stickles, copics: E34, E00, C1, BG10, brads: making memories, ribbon flowers - unknown (gift), acrylic paint, wooden frame: $1 Michaels

Fish for Father

I made this card for two challenges - the sketch challenge on Split Coast and for this week's DoubleDog Dare Challenge I do with some SCS friends. Anne (itsapassion) was hostess this week - and her challenge was to use a real piece of newspaper on your card (!?!?!). That stumped me at first - but then I suddenly thought of wrapping fish in newspaper -so here it is! See - that's why we have challenges - to make us think of things we wouldn't usually do!! Thanks Anne for challenging me! You can join in on this newspaper challenge - just use the keyword DDC when you upload to your SCS gallery! You can see all the DDC challenge cards here.

The fun stamp set is from H&M Stamps called Just for Dad and it includes fishing, deer and duck hunting stamps - perfect for the outdoor dad and - all her sets are on sale now so check it out!

Stamps: Just for Dad: H&M Stamps
Paper: groovy guava, always artichoke: SU, DP K&Company/Fish Embossed
Ink: memento tuxedo black, Mellow Moss: SU
Accessories: copics: E53, E35, E34, YG11, YG63, R20, newspaper, word window & oval punches: SU, square nestability, foam dimensionals, gem: K&Co, pinking edge scissors

You're Grr-eat! - A Recipe for Stamp Cleaner & a Nestability Sale!

Lot's to share with you today! Be sure you read about the Nestability sale at the bottom of this post!


I made this card for the color challenge on Split Coast - to use red, tangerine and Kiwi Kiss, and a neutral. I created a fun round card using my new Pinking Circle Nestabilities (that I got on sale as per my note to you below!) I think the pinked edges go great with this prehistoric theme (sort of like Dino's teeth!).

The stamps are from Prehistoric Birthday by H&M Stamps . All of Heather's stamps are on sale now so be sure to check it out before everything sells out! All stamp sets are $8.00 or less!

The top circle, dino and cake are all popped up on foam dimensionals.

To cut the card - I put the Circle Nestability on the folded card - moving the top of the die above the fold - so that part wouldn't cut - then I ran it through my Cuttlebug going back and forth 4-5 times to be sure it cut through both layers. Then I cut the designer paper with the next smaller circle die and the Naturals Ivory with the next smallest - and attached them over the card base.

Stamps: Prehistoric Birthday: H&M Stamps
Paper: riding hood red, naturals ivory: SU, DP Cosmo cricket Lil Man/Jumping Jack
Ink: memento tuxedo black, riding hood red, kiwi kiss: SU
Accessories: foam dimensionals, dotted satin ribbon: PTI, slot punch: SU, pinking circles nestabilities, spica gold pen
For those of you who clean your stamps with a scrubbie and spray - I wanted to share with you a recipe for the spray that I found on a Split Coast forum so we can save some money and make our own! Whoo hoo!!

Stamp Cleaner
2 cups of distilled water
2 Tbs Rose Water
2 Tbs Glycerin
1 Tbs Baby Wash

I just boiled the water and let it cool to distill it but you can also buy bottled distilled water at supermarkets or places like CVS. (ETA - Rebecca was kind enough to leave me a comment on this post that boiling water doesn't distill it - distilling is a whole other process! my error!)

I found both the Rose Water and Glycerin at our local Whole Foods Market (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/) 4 oz for about $5.49 each. You may be able to find the Glycerin at a pharmacy (all my local pharmacies had were the glycerin suppositories!)

And it's ok to just use a generic brand of baby wash - I got one at CVS.

I made up a double batch and am storing it in a water bottle - be sure to label it so you don't drink it!! I put it in my small spray bottle and spray it on the scrubber - then rub my stamps on the scrubber - and it works just as well as my store bought stuff!


Here's another hot tip! http://www.ritzcamera.com/ is offering 20% off all scrapbooking supplies for the month of June - that includes Nestabilities!!!! (who knew they carried this stuff??) check it out here.

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

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

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

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

Seeds of Kindness - New Release from H&M Stamps!!

I'm so excited to introduce you to this pretty new flower set from H&M Stamps just released today! It's called Seeds of Kindness and includes 7 different flower stamps, 12 sentiments and even a little 'hand stamped' stamp! 20 stamps in all!

ETA: The new sets are on her site now - so go check them out!

I created my card using the Ways to Use it Challenge on Split Coast - to use black with some white and a splash of color and I used the Mojo Monday sketch which I think worked wonderfully to highlight this set.

This is just one of three great new sets Heather is releasing today - so be sure to check them all out!

The other Design Team members will be highlighting the new sets today too - so please check their links on my side bar!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: Seeds of Kindness: H&M Stamps
Paper: White, Hibiscus Burst, DP Text Styles Black & WHite Basics: PTI, basic black: SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Hibiscus: PTI
Accessories: circle nestabilities, flower brads, black & Hibiscus twill: PTI, foam dimensionals

Sprinkling Birthday Wishes

This week's Featured Stamper on Split Coast was Jamie (jaymerz). She has a lot of lovely cards in her gallery! I chose this monster card of hers to CASE. And here is the card I made.I changed the stamps and colors and moved the ribbon to the side - but kept her basic design.

The cupcake base is stamped on an oval cut out with my Nestability and layered to a scalloped nestability. I stamped the sprinkled frosting on a scrap of white - cut it out - and layered it over the cupcake base with foam dimensionals. I colored the sprinkles with Prismacolor markers.

This cute cupcake with the sprinkles on the frosting is from the H&M Stamp Co set called Cupcake Wishes that has 4 different cupcake bases and several sentiments. The fun DP's are from the Basic Grey Cupcake Paper Pad, rather appropriate to match the cupcake don't you think?!?

Thanks for stopping by today!
Stamps: Cupcake Wishes: H&M Stamp Co
Paper: White: PTI, Pacific Point: SU, DP-Cupcake Paper pad Basic Grey
Ink: Pacific Point: SU
Accessories: Oval nestabilities, pure poppy swiss dots ribbon: PTI, small and large oval punches: SU, star brads, foam dimensionals.

H&M Blog Hop - A Mother's Day Inspiration

I'm so excited to be part of the H&M Blog Hop today! All the DT members are creating either a Mother's Day or Wedding project to inspire you!

The hop starts with ~Carolina so if you just came in through me - start over there! (but be sure to come back!!)

For my Mother's Day project - I decorated this lovely little oval wooden box (4 3/4 L x 3 1/2 W x 2 1/2 H) that I purchased at Michael's for $1.00 and covered with this pretty designer paper (Deja Views - Dandelion Geo). I used my Nestability Labels Four to cut the panels behind the flowers. I stamped two different flowers, cut them out and layered them, curling the edges of the top flower to give it some dimension. I added a velvet brad to the center.

I glued a piece of Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink) grosgrain ribbon around the rim of the box. I love how the colors all coordinated so well!

The flowers and sentiment stamps are from the gorgeous H&M stamp set designed by Debbie Corbari called Petals of Friendship.

Inside I tucked a cute little pedicure set that I found at our local Five Below discount store as well as two wrapped chocolates (always need some of that right?!?!?) I figure mum should soak her feet and relax on her day and then she'll need some tools to pretty them up! Look how nicely it all fit inside here!

I designed my card to match the little box using this weeks sketch from Card Positioning Systems
I used the narrow rectangle, square, and Labels One Nestabilities on the card. I attached square silver brads to the ribbons. Otherwise the materials are the same as I used on the box.

Now please hop on over to visit~Melissa to see what wonderful ideas she has to wow you with!! If you lose your way - all of the DT members are listed on my sidebar.

Thanks so much for coming on our blog hop! Please be sure to leave comments along the way letting us know if you have been inspired by our creations!

Stamps: Petals of Friendship: H&M Stamps

Paper: White, Spring Rain:PTI, DP: Deja Views - Dandelion Geo

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Spring Rain: PTI

Accessories: oval wooden box: Michaels, foam dimensionals, Spring Rain grosgrain ribbon: PTI, sponge, Labels Four, Labels One, Narrow Rectangle Nesabilities, scalloped square Nestabilities, Velvet Brads: Making Memories, Rhinestone Stickers, silver square brads, glue dots,Mini Pocket Pedicure Set (Five Below), chocolates, White paper basket Shred: Michaels, Skotch Quick Dry Adhesive.

A Peeps Nest and How to Begin Forever

Here's a fun little spring treat I made to sell at our church - wouldn't these look super sitting at everyone's place on your dinner table for Easter???!! I found the instructions for making these on Ana Wohlfahrt's blog


Basically - you cut out 2 different size scallopped circles Nestabilities and then cut out the center out with a small circle. (I laid the smaller circle Nestability inside the larger scalloped circle on my cuttlebug and cut out both at the same time). You cut through one side of the scalloped circle - re-attach the ends overlapping about 3 scallops so it curves up. Cut little snips around the inside edge and bend up a little. Put glue around the inside edge and lay the small cut circle on top. Attach the smaller 'nest' over the larger 'nest' with foam dimensionals in the center so it pops up a bit. Add some shredded basket paper and your little peep and there you go! I used designer papers rather than stamped card stock on mine.


You can certainly use any size circles you want - just for reference - I used the 4 1/4" scallopped circle (measuring to outside edge) with the 2 1/4" plain circle and the 3 1/2" scallopped circle with the 1 5/8" plain circle.

In order to keep them clean and fresh for the sale - I placed my little nested peeps inside flat bottom bags from clearbags.com - folded over the tops - punched two slots in the bag and wove my ribbon through. I also stamped 'wishing you a happy Easter' on a tag trio and attached it along the bottom of the bag - but forgot to photo them after I added that!

Papers: Amuse, Crate Paper Seaweed Collection.

Accessories: couble rectangle punch: SU, scalloped circles and plain circles nestabilities, shredded basket paper, various color ribbons: PTI, Scotch quick dry adhesive, flat bottom clear bags: clearbags.com, Peeps Marshmallow chicks, foam dimensionals
Julie (Justwritedesigns) was the featured stamper on Split Coast this week- and I found this lovely card of hers to case. I changed the stamps, colors and punches used but kept her nice design. This pretty arbor stamp is from a set called Outdoor Fairy Tale Wedding by H&M Stamp Company
I used the Swiss Dots cuttlebug folder for the front panel that I also cut with my new Labels Four Nestability. The edge is punched with the fleur de lis punch by EK Success. I colored the arbor with Koh-I-Noor colour pencils and gamsol. I added a little knotted ribbon at the top. I used my hot gun on the ends to curl them a bit.

Thanks for coming by!

Stamps: Outdoor Fairy Tale Wedding: H&M Stamp Co
Paper: river rock: SU, Vintage Cream: PTI, water color paper: Carson (from art supply store)
Ink: Memento tuxedo black
Accessories: grey copic, Koh-I-Noor colour pencils & gamsol, sheer ribbon: Michaels, hot gun, oval punch: SU, Fleur de lis punch: EK Success, Swiss dots cuttlebug folder, labels four: Nestabilities, foam dimensionals

A Frosted Birthday and a Fried Egg!

My first card uses Julee's Monday Mojo sketch and the colors from the color throwdown challenge - to use pink, turquoise and orange. This cute cupcake and sentiment are from a new stamp set from H&M Stamps called Cupcake Wishes. I added a little scoring along the top of the card with my Scor Pal and used an Ornare template for the piercing.

Stamps: Cupcake Wishes: H&M Stamps
Paper: white: PTI, tangerine tango, tempting turquoise, cameo coral: SU, DP Urban Prairie Basic Grey, Imaginisce twitterpated
Ink: True Black: PTI, taken with teal: SU
Accessories: foam dimensionals, pacific point ribbon: SU, paper ppiercer, Ornare Stencil, dew drops, key tag punch: SU, scor pal

My second card was made for the limited supply challenge on Split Coast - to use 1 color card stock (ok to use neutrals too) use 2 patterned papers and use 3 embellishments.

I used Taylor's Sketch and I stamped an egg on my card which was Sharon's no time to stamp challenge. These fun stamps are from Two Scoops Rice Designs. I used gems, paper piercing and ribbon as my embellishments.

Stamps: Breakfast Set: Two Scoops Rice Designs
Paper: white, summer sunrise: PTI, basic black: SU, DP 2008 Bitty Dot basics: PTI
Ink: true black: PTI
Accessories: circle punches, foam dimensionals, dotted ribbon: PTI, paper piercer, gemstones: Hero Arts, copics

I Count My Blessings

Heather over at H&M Stamps has just released three wonderful new stamp sets - a wedding set, a cupcake set (of course!) and a flower set called Petals of Friendship - which is where the stamps on this card are from.

Talented designer, Debbie Corbari created this pretty set. Be sure to check them all out - they are just in time for the spring season of flowers, weddings and celebrations! You can see cards from the other H&M Design Team Members by clicking on their names on my sidebar.

I used today's sketch over at Split Coast for this card and some pretty new designer paper from We R Memory Makers called Grandma's Kitchen. I got it at my local Michaels - they have just started carrying some of the popular DP's like Basic Grey - I'm SO excited!

Don't you love the flower center brad I thought it coordinated so well with the designer papers - all the brads are from a Designer Glazed Brads set by Basic Grey.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Stamps: Petals of Friendship: H&M Stamps
Paper: Vintage cream: PTI, Tangerine Tango: SU, DP We R Memory Makers - Grandma's Kitchen
Ink: ripe avocado: PTI, Sunset orange Adirondack, So Saffron: SU
Accessories: designer glazed brads: Basic Grey, foam dimensionals, sponge, distresser: Heidi Swapp, labels one nestabilities,

A Sketch with Colors

Finally got some time to stamp so I made a card using both the sketch challenge and the color challenge (thanks for hosting this week Jodi!) over at Split Coast. I did a little piercing on my sentiment in honor of Jodi (she always does lots of piercing on her cards!)


I used this pretty Basic Grey Marrakech designer paper as it had the 3 colors in it (Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss and Pretty in Pink) or reasonable facsimilies there of! The angels and sentiment are from an H&M Stamp set called Angelic Moments. I used ribbon instead of cardstock for the 2nd panel. I had a lot of trouble putting so many layers on a card - I worked and re-worked it with different layers and colors for quite some time! So this card was a sketch growth experience for me!! And I have to say - I like how it finally came out - not that I'd use this sketch again though! LOL!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: Angelic Moments: H&M Stamps
Paper: baja breeze, pretty in pink, kiwi kiss: SU, DP - Marrakech Chai: Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Baja Breeze
Accessories: sponge, Gold Spica Pen, Copics, key tag punch & Designer label punch: SU, Spring Moss Dotted Swiss Satin ribbon: PTI, Gemstones: Hero Arts, foam dimensionals, piercing tool & mat: SU

H&M Spring Time Blog Hop! Non-Candy Easter Treat

Today the H&M Design team is having a Spring Time blog hop! We've all created fun bright crafts to inspire you and get you out of the winter blues - using new stamp sets just released by Heather on March 1!

We would like you to start with Carolina's Blog so if you didn't start there - jump on over . Just follow the 'hop' at each DT members blog! They'll tell you where to go next! If you're here following the blog hop trail - Welcome!!!

For my Spring craft - I made another one of the fun purse/brief case holders I've posted before (are you sick of seeing these from me yet??!!!) - but this time I made it as a child's Easter Treat.

I stamped these beautiful eggs from designer Debbie Corbari's set called "Eggstra Special" from H&M stamps. Look at all the fun designs on the eggs - and there are 2 more in the set that I didn't use here. Don't they look so bright and festive! They just scream spring and new life to me - and I love the perfect sentiment! And I didn't fill the case with candy - I figure parents look for a gift alternative to all that candy on Easter Morning. You can see a glimpse of the treats from the side here. So inside this treat bag I tucked 6 coloring cards and a box of crayons into the clear box pockets!

I found some cute, mostly black and white outlined clip art images on Microsoft Word and printed them out on card stock - then cut them into card size pieces.

Because kids are going to be opening and closing this little bag a lot - I added brads to the tops of the handles to reinforce the tacky tape that holds the ribbon on. This left the pointed ends of the brads exposed on the inside of the bag - which could catch on little fingers - so I added a strip of card stock to cover them.

Here are the cute clip art images that I found. I added sentiments so the kids could color these on Easter Day and then give them as cards to family that gather for dinner. (start them young is my motto!)
So now the kids will have something to do after church on Easter Morning other than eating all that chocolate (and we can sneak a piece while they are busy coloring!?!?! LOL!!!)

You can see two other bags that I made here and here. They include a link to the instructions for making these fun purse/cases.

Briefly - for this project I used the narrower clear boxes (4 1/2" x 5 7/8" x 1/2")(Choose the depth of the clear box by how much you want to put inside them - my other samples use 1") This case is made from 2 pieces of designer paper cut 5" x 7 1/2" - score the bottom of each piece at 1 1/8" - adhere tacky tape on one end and attach pieces by overlapping the bottom scored ends. Cut two 23" pieces of ribbon for the handles and attach them with tacky tape starting on the bottom, coming up and around on each side. The closing tab measures 2" x 3" with the DP on it measuring 1 7/8" x 2 7/8".

Now hop on over to visit Maki and see what fun spring craft she has to show us using the new H&M Stamps today!!

Stamps: Eggstra Special - H&M Stamps

Paper: Plum Pudding, White, DP Itty Bitty Blessings - all PTI

Ink: Summer Sunrise, Plum Pudding, Spring Moss, True Black: PTI

Accessories: Oval nestabilities, corner rounder, Plum Pudding stitched twill ribbon PTI, tacky tape, velcro, clear box- Clearbags.com, computer clip art, box of crayons, small oval punch, sponge, foam dimensionals, Basic Grey Painted brads, cropadile.

Wishing You Well

My card today covers two challenges - the color challenge on Split Coast to use Rose Red, Basic Black and Always Artichoke - and Julee's Mojo Monday SketchThe stamps are Angelic Moments from H&M Stamps I used the textile and swiss dots cuttlebug folders and circle nestabilities. I paper pieced the angels outfit and used a Spica gold pen on her wings and halo although you can't see the shimmer in the picture it does shimmer IRL! I double layered a flower punch under the sentiment.

Gotta go and make an 80th b'day gift of note cards for a friend - thanks so much for stopping by today!


Stamps: Angelic Moments: H&M Stamps
Paper: Vintage Cream: PTI, Rose Red, Always Artichoke, Basic Black: SU, DP - the paper co, florintine green and gold
Ink: Onyx black versafine, So saffron: SU
Accessories: sponge, cuttle bug folders: Swiss dots & Textile, Spica gold pen, word window punch: SU, flower punch: martha stewart, gold ribbon: PTI, rhinestone stickers, foam dimensionals, copics