Friday, March 28, 2014

Serendipity Stamps- New dies blog hop- TEA!!

Happy Happy Friday!! Eeeeks... I am so excited to show you the fantastic new teapot/teacup dies from Serendipity stamps!
These dies are gorgeous!!

My card...

 
Die cut the teapot using Basic Grey Fresh Cut designer paper and a couple other neutral colors... adhered them all to add a little dimension to the teapot. I'm still using spring colors...makes me smile!!


Here's the inside...

 
Stamped Serendipity's Rose Corner in SU blushing bride and over stamped with SU melon mambo adding some lines with a SU melon mambo marker. Sponged blushing bride using a finger dauber over the roses. Sentiment is  Serendipity's Afternoon Tea  and added the adorable teacup die in the corner.
 
Here's a little close up of the teapot... to see all the detail! The line between the top and the pot and all the small dots... it's gorgeous!! Not to mention the intricate rose/leaves!!
 

You should have arrived here from Pauline and your next stop is Anya. Links below.

 
If you get lost along the way... start at Mary's blog {link above}
 
And there's a prize... as always... one random commenter will win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps... whoohoo!!


Also playing in the Simon Says Stamps Wednesday challenge.... Anything Goes... Use Buttons!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

signature
 
Stamps: Rose Corner {015G}, Afternoon Tea {076E}, NEW DIES
Ink: Melon Mambo, Blushing Bride {SU}
Paper: Fresh Cut {Basic Grey}, White {Neenah Solar White}, Melon Mambo {SU}
Accessories: Lace {Wild Orchid Crafts}. Stitched circle dies {Lil Inkers}, Ribbon and buttons {stash}, Scallop border punch {SU}, White linen thread (Londonderry}

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

CTD #285

Happy Wednesday and as always, WELCOME to the Color Throwdown!! We've been enjoying all of the gorgeous cards!!

This week Broni  brought us these gorgeous colors....


Here's my card....


Definitely time for some spring time blossoms!! Pretty straightforward card but, I did use some NBUS (never been used stamps/dies too-as Darnell would say) that I have had forever. Can't give you a good reason as these Stampin Up images are gorgeous and the framelits dies are perfect!! Colored the flowers with copics and embossed the blushing bride layer with a Quikutz dots folder and distressed the edges of the sahara sand panel.

The layout is this week's CAS(E) this sketch...


For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
 
 And...A BIG thanks to Gloria Stengel for sharing her gorgeous creations with us this month!! You can access her blog here.

Judy VanZandt is joining us this week as the Guest Star Stamper... thrilled to have you. Judy's blog can be accessed here.
 
Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD284.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!
signature

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Color Throwdown #284- Espresso My Thanks!!

Welcome to another Wednesday Color Throwdown challenge. This week the colors are brought to us by Barbara...


Confession and coincidence... when I work on my cards, I pull the colors and go from there... was a little stumped this week {well, with my pea brain, I can be stumped a lot} but, I went with a new stamp set... recently made two purchases at Reverse Confetti and not one stamp/die had seen ink!!


So, the coincidence... I used a "cup" image.... and I wished I had added some circles in the Bermuda bay behind the enamel dots/crumbcake in the upper right corner...well, that's what I think at the moment anywho :)

Used the Deconstructing Jen Sketch for the layout... always fun!

For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
 
 And... we continue to feature gorgeous creations by Gloria Stengel who is our Guest Stamper for March!! You can access her blog here.

Amy White is joining us this week as the Guest Star Stamper... thrilled to have you. Amy's blog can be accessed here.
 
Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD284.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 
 

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

signature

Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge- #29- We're still in stitches!!

Welcome to the middle of the month installment of Serendipity Stamps challenge. We are continuing on the theme of stitches.... real, faux, .....


This week the DT was challenged to do some embossing with a Serendipity die along with stitching.


I went with the gorgeous {egg} die set. Die cut the solid background and then embossed the intricate die shape. I tried embossing and then die cutting but, it made the embossing "flatten" as you may notice with the flowered egg. Also, I have a thin and thicker mat that I purchased at MFT a while ago and found the thinner mat works better- these dies are so intricate the thin mat prevents the die from fully cutting. I stitched the outside layer {hard to see in this pic} and stitched the lace to the first paper layer.

The curvy borders are from a Spellbinders Borderabilities that Karen and Julie {made me buy} used on cards previously and I just loved them.

Here's the inside..


Used the same two spellbinders dies, added a little stitching, button with twine!

Eeeks... time is moving fast, it will be Easter soon!!

Hope you find time to join us, and...

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and add some stitches. You don't have to have a blog to play along - you can link your designs to any on line gallery.

Click Here for all the details

For extra inspiration there are samples from the design team on the challenge blog or you can visit them directly and get all the details by clicking on their names below.

Free Shipping on all US orders of $10 or more.   This is a great chance to snap up the stamps from the Wood Mounted Stamp sale and to throw in some grab bags.  Good through 3/26.
 
Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!
signature

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Miss YOU!!

Okay... I think I made it for the WMS PJ Party Bedtime Story {not late like I managed for the other challenges-although I did make some cards... you can find them here. Also, playing in the CASE study challenge.

I kinda' flipped the sketch...

 
Guess I am doing the BOLD and Colorful thing...
 
Played with one of the WMS Crackle Backgrounds... LOVE these!! Stamped the crackle BG, sponged with color, sprayed with Heidi Swapp Silver Color Shine...sprayed with water and went back and stamped again with WMS crackle background. Added some flowers using WMS Funky Flowers and the matching dies along with a sentiment from WMS Compact Sentiments.
 
Happy Girl!! 


Here's the Bedtime Story Sketch....

CASE study challenge inspiration...


Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

signature

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Color Throwdown #283-- Because!

Happy Hump Day!! I'm starting it off with this fantastic color combo brought to us by Ms. Wanda!



Had fun playing with some Verve!


I inked the dots from Bountiful Background using SU Certainly Celery and Tangerine Tango and stamped on the horizontal for the background. Added some "debossed" banners using Verve's Banner Bundle dies. The sentiment is stamped on Verve's Curvy Bookplate die using a flower from Surely Goodness and sentiment from Take Note.

Played in this month's Verve Diva Dare... polka dots and used the March week 1 sketch... did a mirror image.

I'm short on time so... will do the link ups tomorrow!! Have a great Wednesday. I babysat today... a 2 and 4 year old... remembering that you are willing do ANYTHING {well, not quite anything but, pretty dang close!} to entertain  AND how those kiddos can wear you out :)

For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
 
 And... we continue to feature gorgeous creations by Gloria Stengel who is our Guest Stamper for March!! You can access her blog here.
 
Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD280.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 
 
Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

ETA: links done...this left hand mouse makes me feel a "titch" handicapped...

signature
 

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

WMS PJ Party!!

Today is the day and I am getting posted just in time!! Honestly, wasn't sure if I would be able to get my cards done but, it helped tremendously that Claire posted the first three challenges early. I've been struggling with tendonitis so, the cardmaking and posting is sporadic {resting the arm in between}!!


I usually post three times separately but, I babysat today {2 and 4- had to do a little lifting} and the arm is a "titch" sore. AND.... I'm "dog-tired" :)

The first challenge was "To Die For".... playing with some new WMS Funky Flowers dies and Stamps... I CASE'd Claire's card but, tried to make it my own.


Used some Glitz Finnley papers... went bold and bright!!


 
The next challenge was to do a Victorian St Patty's Day... this is a freebie image at the WMS store that I downloaded last year and didn't use.... lots of distressing {ink and tools} along with a double colored bow and stickpin/pearl combo. These pics aren't the greatest... sorry. I don't think you can see, but I stamped the regal rose BG with WMS Reverse Crackle BG in versamark... looks great IRL.
 
Inside...

 
Sentiment and clovers from WMS Irish Blessings. 
 
Then, the "What would Mom do" challenge. I could write an epistle about my mother... she raised 5 kids {4 girls and a baby brother- youngest to oldest is 18 years!}--that should be enough for sainthood! My mother is not a crafter {we used to joke that some of us girls got into crafting because she wouldn't let us play with stickers...} My mom did sew, bake, garden, play bridge, play card and board games, do puzzles... she kept us busy in different ways. Anyway... when I was thinking about this challenge and my mom- I thought of this Christmas when my oldest and her clan, Bill and I went home to IN. My mom would be up "with apron on" every am to fix breakfast and my oldest daughter {Lauren} and her family would have eggs, bacon, and toast.... with homemade strawberry jam!! The day we left she handed Lauren some jam to take home!! So Claire's images Big Berries-Strawberries, Jar Fillers-Jam Packed, and Jar Essential dies were perfect!!

I will come back tomorrow and add all the links to the stamps etc. ....

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

ETA: Missed the party... moving too slow!! BUT... had fun making my cards!!

signature

Monday, March 10, 2014

Serendipity Stamps and Perfect Paper Crafting Blog Hop!!

Happy Monday. Welcome to the Serendipity Stamps and Perfect Paper Crafting blog hop. The Design Team members from both of these companies have teamed up for a Blog Hop!!



Perfect Paper Crafting has some fantastic tools for scrapbookers and cardmakers..... I've used a couple tools today... along with some sweet Serendipity Stamps.

I stamped Serendipity's Zinnia with Memento Tuxedo Black onto XPress It blending cardstock, colored with copics and added a little glitter.. black for the center of the red zinnia and clear for the yellow and purple zininias. I used Perfect Paper Crafting mini borders to add a 1/4 " and 1/8" border to frame the image. 


This card uses Serendipity Stamps Heart Bouquet {watercolored this image and added a wink of Stella} framed the image with the mini borders at 1/4" and 5/8" along with Perfect Squares to make the card base to fold and cut it perfectly. The border was created using the Mini borders at 1/4 " and 5/8".

You can access videos here on how to use all of the tools from Perfect Paper Crafting and to see the whole catalog of Serendipity Images go here.

Ohh.... Did I mention prizes? Serendipity Stamps and Perfect Paper Crafting are each giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to a random commenter. Just hop along and leave comments on the DTs blogs for a chance to win. You must comment on all the DT blogs to be in the running. The blog hop closes Sunday, March 16th Midnight Pacific time and the winners will be posted on Serendipity Stamps and Perfect Paper Crafting blogs' on Monday the 17th.

You should have arrived here from Jenn and next on the hop is Roxie but, if you've lost your way- see the blog link list below.

Good luck!!

Anya Schrier - http://aschoss.blogspot.com
Jenny Gropp - http://onekraftykat.blogspot.com
Marybeth Lopez - http://marybethstimeforpaper.blogspot.com
Pam Sparks - http://expressionswithheart.wordpress.com
Julie Warner - http://thewritestuff.justwritedesigns.com
Jenn Cochran - http://www.jaxbeanstalks.blogspot.com
Vickie Zimmer -http://vickiezimmer.blogspot.com/
Roxie Glaza -  http://paperscaper.blogspot.com
Jeanne Jachna - http://akeptlife.blogspot.com
Dana Joy - http://www.gotjoycreations.blogspot.com
Karen Amidon - http://paperliliesandink.blogspot.com
Miriam Napier - http://miriamsdelirium.blogspot.com

And.... there are specials too..

Both Perfect Paper Crafting and Serendipity stamps have specials:

For PPC: Use the code, serendipity5%, shoppers will get a discount on their order on our website, www.perfectpapercrafting.com at checkout.

For Serendipity Stamps: Everything in our Easter Category is 20% off until Wednesday March 12, 2014. 
   
Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

signature

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Color Throwdown #282- Hello!!

This week's Color Throwdown is hosted by me!! I picked a sunroom that has lots of white with red and splashes of green and yellow!! This girl is ready for some consistent sunshine and warm weather!!


Here's my card...
Played with stripes from Reverse Confetti's So Stripey set on the inside/negative of a stitched circle die cut using Lil Inkers dies. The leaves are Simon Says Stamp Leaf Column outline, and the flower was created with the MFT Plentiful Petals dies.

For more inspiration, you'll want to stop by and visit the other team members' blogs.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits
Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor
Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion
Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations
Melody Rupple- A Paper Melody
Monika Davis- MAD Stamper
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy
 
 And... a BIG welcome to Gloria Stengel who is our Guest Stamper for March!! You can access her blog here.

 Jacquie Southas is joining us this week as the Featured Stamper from last week. BIG warm welcome to you, too!! You can find Jacquie's blog here.  

Glad to have you both playing with us!!
 
Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...the color police won't come after you--this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD280.  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool. 
 
Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

signature

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #29 - Boats and Stitches!!


Happy Wednesday and Yes, Yes, Yes, I am doing a little spring dreaming!! Welcome to the Serendipity Stamps challenge for March! Wow... this year is moving right along!!

The challenge this month is to use stitching on your card along with at least one Serendipity Stamps image. The DT was challenged for this post to also use an image from the Boats, Bikes, and Vehicles category.


I made a masculine card today... no frills- just some sponging and coloring and masking. The trees are from Serendipity Stamps Winter Fenceline- I applied marker to stamp leaving out the fenceline. This was stamped after I created the sun using a circle punch to create a mask and sponging with distress inks. The boat is from Serendipity Stamps Rowboat Cling set and was stamped on XPressIt blending cardstock and colored with copics and popped up for some added dimension. Now, I realize rowboats don't generally go out on the ocean and lake water is not this clear but... I'm dreaming... remember! Added some "wonky" stitching to define the horizon.

This just may be for hubs birthday coming up soon- we are boat lovers (right now a speedboat- kids like to ski/wakeboard/tube ya' know)!!

Here's the inside....


On the inside I stamped the boat in crumbcake and overstamped the sentiment (from the Rowboat Cling set) in early espresso and heat embossed with clear (makes the sentiment more defined). Don't you just love the font!!

Hope you find time to join us, and...

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and add some stitches. You don't have to have a blog to play along - you can link your designs to any on line gallery.

Click Here for all the details

For extra inspiration there are samples from the design team on the challenge blog or you can visit them directly and get all the details by clicking on their names below.

The sale for this time is 20% off the Easter Category. Can't wait to see what you create!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

signature
 
Stamps: Row Boat Cling set 2492CL and Winter Fenceline 1194QCL (Serendipity Stamps)
Ink: Early Espresso and Crumbcake (SU), Distress Inks
Paper: Early Espresso and Daffodil Delight (SU), XPress It Blending cardstock
Accessories: sewing machine and heavy duty espresso thread, sponge daubers, pop dots

Saturday, March 1, 2014

LIVE- LOVE- LIFE

FOREVER!! I managed to sneak in card for this week's CASE study challenge... first one this month... Danielle Flanders is the MUSE... love her work! Now, when you see the inspiration card and mine... you'll wonder.. I'll explain :)


Yep... thought I was going to go with soft colors...subtle but, balanced collage...

And, then... this is what happened :)


Soo... I have two flowers ... chipboard focus... two sentiments.. a bit of yellow and a bit of pink! Had fun!!

Used a couple PTI sets and one die that have been in my NBUS bin. Along with a Recollections chipboard chalkboard thing!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

signature