Essentials of Happiness

Hello!  How have you been?  I’ve had a bit of excitement this week called The Curse of the Deck.  Anything to do with maintaining the deck has gone wrong: from a good weather forecast to one of thunderstorms, pipe leading to the outside faucet bursting and flooding my downstairs (stop for cleanup and to buy a new dehumidifier), and then troubles with the pressure washer itself – busted o-ring and the tip trying to run away (but we finally found it!). Needless to say, I am ready for this weekend. Oh yes indeed. ;) 

I did find a few minutes to play along with this week’s TSG challenge to use circles. Easy peasy, and since Larry is all about circles I used him for my card.

I cut a frame from corrugated cardboard using the Frame & Label, Bracket die from Sizzix and a circle from Icy Mint cardstock using a Circles LG Nestabilities die from Spellbinders. For embellishment I added some soft brown gingham ribbon from May Arts and a few pewter pearls from Kaiser.

The sentiment was stamped directly on the card base. Some designer paper from the Swagger line by Fancy Pants was used to back the frame cutout. The die cuts and Larry were all adhered to the card base using foam dimensional tape.

That’s it for me.  I’m off to bake some cookies for my niece’s graduation party.  I think that project will go much better than the Clean the Cursed Deck project. :D

SCRSC105: You’re Amazing

Hi all – hope you enjoyed the weekend, whether you had Monday off or not. I took a trip North to attend my niece’s high school graduation.  I cannot believe that she is already that age and that I’m old enough to have a niece that old. lol. I may just need to drink a cocktail. ;)

Today I have a bright color challenge from Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps to share with you.  This is fun combination that was just perfect for Cocktail Emily.

For all of the details of the challenge, head over to the Sparkle Creations Blog. You can find Sparkle Creations stamps online at the store HERE.

I colored Emily with Copic markers and stamped a sentiment from the All Things With Love – Anna Wight cling set (from Whipper Snapper) in London Fog Memento Ink (Tsukineko). A little Glossy Accents was added here and there.

To soften the brightness of the designer paper (All About a Boy by Echo Park) I cut a piece of vellum with the Cloud Border Die from Taylored Expressions and tucked it behind the main panel a bit.  A little polka dot ribbon (May Arts) and a few Pewter brads (Kaiser) were all I needed to embellish the card.

Be sure to head over to the SCRS Blog for more samples from the talented design team. Or head directly to their blogs from here:

Joni Wilson
Simonne Clay
Sparkle Smith

RS65: Bunny Birthday Greetings

Hey Crafty Peeps -

Another Saturday (yay) and another Retro Sketches challenge (double yay).  For the sketch today I made another birthday card.  I should really make more of these, maybe if I had a big box to pick from I would actually mail a card on time. Probably not. ;)

Here is the sketch (based on a fabulous card by Arielle), check out more details of the challenge and see more samples on the Retrosketches blog (I’ve seen them, they are CUTE).

 

The cute bunny is Pierre from Whipper Snapper Designs and the sentiment is from the All Things With Love – Anna Wight cling set (also from Whipper Snapper).

I colored Pierre with Copic markers before cutting out.

I used a Tim Holtz embossing folder on the top blue panel and to create the edging on the Kraft mat I used an EK Success edger punch.  For embellishment, I used a couple of wood buttons and some ivory jute (May Arts).

Soft and cute… just like a bunny. :D

TSG Blop Hop: You Are Loved

Hiya!  I’m sad and happy today.  Sad that it is the last day of sneak peeks for There She Goes but happy because we have a beautiful set to share with you today. :D

It has been awhile since we released a flower set from Torico, so this month, we have a GORGEOUS one from her! I can only imagine the elegant cards you all will make with this gorgeous set.

You Are Loved is a 4x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $12.00.

I used the main flower image and one of the sentiments to make a soft and pretty card… which is so easy to do with these amazing illustrations.

I pulled out all of my favorite pretty embellishments and added them to this card: Bisque Liquid Pearls (Ranger), Crocheted Ribbon (May Arts), Pom Pom Trim (American Crafts), Heart Stick Pin (Maya Road), pearls and some stitching.  The designer papers are from the Love Note 6x6 pad by Fancy Pants.

Would you like to win the new You Are Loved stamp set? Here is what you need to do - visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 25th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Happy Birthday

Hi all! I’m hijacking my own blog for a moment to wish the Fearless Leader, aka Jessica at There She Goes, a happy birthday!

Hope you have a fabulous day, Jessica!

For her birthday card, I used the soon to be released Poppy stamp set.  The sentiment is from the My Little Friend set. Since this is a birthday card, Poppy is wearing her birthday dress which features super sparkly flowers that have been covered with Diamond Distress Stickles.  Party on in style, little Poppy. ;)

And today is also my dad’s birthday… however, I am making him a card with a little less glitter and a bit more guy-ness. lol.

Hop along to see more samples and birthday wishes.

TSG Blog Hop: Gloria

Welcome back! Today I am sharing another sneak peek from There She Goes. :)

Wendy Leach’s newest addition to her Sock Goblin line, Gloria…well, she is sure to find her way into your heart, and make you love her just like you love Phyllis and Larry!

Gloria is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 3 stamps and will sell for $9.00. This set will be available for purchase on Saturday, May 25^th at 11pmEST.

For my card, I went with a bright and cheery color scheme, using paper from the Echo Park – Bundle of Joy pad and coloring Gloria with Copic markers before cutting out.. Kept the layout simple so Gloria could be front and center… or a little to the right. ;)

Would you like to win the new Gloria stamp set? Here is what you need to do - visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges (linked below) and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 25th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG Blog Hop: Ballerinas and Poppies

Hi all!  Did you enjoy the There She Goes sneak peeks yesterday?  Well, we are back for another day of crafty goodness featuring not one but two new stamp sets.

This month we have two new sets from Megan Suarez: Amalia Ballerina and Poppy. I just LOVE Megan’s style, and we hope you do too! Amalia is the sweetest dancer, and Poppy is the newest of our Spice Girls.

Poppy is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

Amalia Ballerina is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 3 stamps, and will sell for $9.00.

Both sets will be available on Saturday, May 25th at 11pmEST.

For my sample today I used Amalia Ballerina and paired her with some glitter and Authentique – Lovely designer paper.  There is also just a bit of washi tape (from prima) and polka dot ribbon (from May Arts).

After stamping the ballerina I cut her out using a Fancy Labels #4 die from Sizzix. I then colored with Copic markers, added some Rocky Candy Distress glitter (Ranger) and finished by adding tiny dots of glittery pink around the frame using a Copic Spica pen.

Would you like to win both of the new sets from Megan Suarez? Here is what you need to do - visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges (linked below) and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 25th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

TSG Blog Hop: Aquaholics

Hello!

Guess what? It is time for some sneak peeks of new stamps from There She Goes Clear Stamps! The team has been working hard on making some fabulous samples and today we can finally start sharing them. :D

Melyssa is back from a short break with a new set for us, and we were so excited about it, we had to show it off the first day of our peeks! She is getting us ready for summer with her signature style, and I’m just not sure if it can get ANY cuter than this! With three adorable character images, and lots of accessories and sentiments, she will have you using this set for everything from party decorations to greeting cards!

Aquaholic is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 26 stamps and will sell for $24.00. This set will be available for purchase at 11pm EST on Saturday, May 25th.

I decided to make a pair of quick matching cards using the sand castle from the set.  Such a cute image and when paired with a bit of designer paper and burlap string it makes for a fun beachy card.

I colored the castles with Copic markers and Copic Spica pens and then cut them out with scissors.  I adhered 1.25” x 1.25” squares of designer paper to 3.5” wide by 5.5” tall white card bases.

Tied the burlap string around the card front, adhered the main image and sentiment with dimensionals and finished with three small rhinestones.  Simple but cute, right?

Would you like to win the new Aquaholic stamp set? Here is what you need to do - visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges (linked below) and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, May 25th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

A Little Thank You

Hi everyone – I have a simple thank you card to share today. The card features the Circle Sentiments #2 stamp set from Inky Antics and a small piece of designer paper from the Collectable – Memorable line by My Mind’s Eye.

I used a Brackets die to cut the main panel and to cut an accent strip from teal. I adhered to two together before poking the holes along the outside edges.

I colored the little flower image with Copic markers and then added some Glossy Accents and Rock Candy Distress Stickles glitter.  Behind the image is a little bit of ribbon and a small piece of washi tape.

Easy peasy – but with a few accents to make everything fun. :D

Coupon Alert!  If you are shopping at the Inspiration Emporium you can use coupon code fatcatstamper for 10% off your order. Pictured below are links to some of the products I used to create this card. :)

Recipe:
Stamps: Circle Sentiments #2 (Inky Antics).
Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzill Card Shoppe), teal, Collectable – Memorable designer (My Mind’s Eye).
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Jet Black Archival (Ranger), Copic markers.
Accessories: Gossy Accents and Rock Candy glitter (Ranger), Brackets On the Edge die (Sizzix), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Ric Rac Ribbon (May Arts), washi tape, mat pack and paper piercer (SU!), Lippy Red Rhinestones (Kaiser).

InLinkz.com

RS64: Swimming in Circles

Hello – it is the weekend again and that means crafting, yard work and maybe some baking.  And of course a bit of shopping… and another Retro Sketches challenge. :)

Here is the sketch (based on one of my cards), check out more details of the challenge and see more samples on the Retrosketches blog.

For my take on the sketch I used Enjoy Life: By the Sea (from TSG) and Splendid designer paper (Authentique). I colored the jellyfish with Copic markers, cut out and then accented with some Diamond Stickles (Ranger).

I cut a frame out using a Die-namics die from MFT and stamped a sentiment on it. For accenting the card I used a few yellow pearls (Queen & Co.) and a bit of yellow polka dot ribbon (May Arts).

So what do you think? Cute jellyfish, isn’t it?

There She Goes Again: New Home Congrats

Hey Crafty Friends -

It is that wonderful time of the month when the There She Goes Trendsetter’s make new projects featuring previously released stamp sets. This month we have sets that are perfect for celebrating and documenting some of the bigger changes in life:

• ConGRADulations 
• Oh Snap! 
• On the Move

For my project today I made a card using the On the Move stamp set.

I stamped the truck from the set twice: once on Kraft cardstock and a second time on white cardstock. I colored the second image with markers and cut out.  It was then adhered to the first image using foam dimensional tape.

To embellish the card I painted a chipboard house with Antique Linen Distress Paint and let dry.  I sanded the edges a bit and then sponged on Rusty Hinge Distress Ink.  I then adhered a button and twine to the painted house.  For additional texture I added polka dot grosgrain ribbon and brown pearls.

Make sure to pop over to the TSG blog for more fabulous samples from the team.

Recipe:
Stamps: On the Move (TSG).
Paper: Butter Mints (Bazzill Card Shoppe), Kraft (MFT), Pine Tree (Core’dinations), Choice Snow White (TE), designer (Prima).
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Archival Jet Black (Ranger), Copic markers, Rusty Hinge Distress Ink (Ranger).
Accessories: Twine and Brown Polka Dot ribbon (May Arts), Brown Pearls (Queen & Co), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), wood button (Prima), Chipboard house (Maya Road), Antique Linen Distress Paint (Ranger), foam dimensional tape (TE), heavy duty white thread and sewing machine.