Tag You're It!!

Good Morning! Hope those of you that live in the US are enjoying your long WE. I had the chance to play in the Tag You're It Challenge.... love to make tags but, don't think of it very often.

This time we are casing these sweet tags by Donna Mikasa.

My interpretation...

 For my inspiration I went with a similar combination of colors and flowers, any excuse to use flowers :) The kraft base was embossed with Top Dog Dies Modern Mosaic 2 die.

The white tag is a folding tag from Waltzingmouse stamps- here you can see it opens up and I added a couple flowers and sentiment inside. The flowers are from WPlus9- Fresh Cut Florals, Banner and sentiments are WPlus9- Written On Ribbon and Written on Ribbon sentiments. Added seam binding and twine from The Twinery.

Have a great Saturday. It's pretty warm here- well, actually hot!!

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

Top Dog Dies- Guest Designer!!

Good Morning!! Today I'm thrilled to be guesting over at Top Dog Dies!!

This is a long post as I was sent several dies and had a blast playing!

FYI: Top Dog Dies is a new online store that offers their own brand of wafer-thin and steel-rule dies, along with dies from brands you already know, including Little B, Tattered Lace, My Favorite Things, Impression Obsession, Little B and other top brands.

I had the pleasure of receiving several dies from the latest release. Today- I am showing you several projects I made.

First up- the adorable new DRAGON die and...

I have to admit when I first saw this die... I was thinking along the lines of a Birthday card, wouldn't that be wonderful!! BUT, as soon as I die cut the dragon with sparkly green paper, my mind shifted to Halloween!!

Isn't he fantastic- well, it could be a she- fantastic too!! This die has some fabulous detail and is perfect for a Halloween card.

Next up is an invitation to a Halloween party. How fun, right!!

 It was created like a "note" card so that you can turn it around and add all the details... where, when etc.

Two more projects using the new dies from the recent release...the images are sweeeet!!

First up is Winston (my daughter's dog) and that is not the official name for this die but, immediately what I thought of- Oh, Winston is an older dog but, so refined, reticent, and tolerant of us "humans" and he two other dogs in the household!!!

Then... there's Bella- she's also a mixed breed but, eeeks the poodle is there- "in charge, sassy, everyone do as I say"...

Made a couple treat bag tags for their stockings this year using the TDD Dog Days #2 die set. Used DCWV glitter paper and a combination of PTI and MFT dies for the tags. The bottom layer was embossed using the Modern Mosaic A2 Mat die... did you know that you can emboss with wafer thin dies? Here's a close up so you can see the detail in the die.

Oh and by the way... these dies cut like buttah!! Head on over to Top Dog Dies.... browse around... I'm know you'll see something you need :)

Many thanks to TDD for inviting me!! I had a blast creating with these dies!!

Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop!!

Happy, Happy Friday!! Welcome to the first of a few Serendipity Stamps Blog Hops featuring some of the new stamps and dies available now at Serendipity Stamps. These stamps and dies are available now for purchase... the DT are hopping today to provide a little inspiration.

Today we are focusing on Halloween/Fall.

You should have arrived here from Miriam's blog but, if you happened along or got lost along the way, go to Mary's blog to start the hop or see the link list below.

I have a couple cards for you today using the new goodies.

Fun Halloween card... Halloween is just around the corner!! For this card I stamped the Kitty and Jack image with Memento Tuxedo Black onto XPress It blending cardstock and colored with copics. Added some stars with a SSS Falling stars stencil and Wendy Vechhi Black Modeling Paste. The pumpkin receive a thick layer of SU crystal effect for a little shine.After that was mounted and layered I added the new "Boo!" die.

I finished off the inside by layering some panels with designer paper and the Don't Be a Fraidy Cat sentiment.

My second card uses some fall stamps and dies..

The SU early espresso background was stamped "tone on tone" with SU early espresso ink using the Wood Background stamp and heat embossed with clear. Love all the detail in this background stamp. The leaves were die cut using Oak Leaf Scroll die and Oak Leaf Outline and Acorn die. I die cut them in contrasting colors- Oak Leaf Scroll with the bottom layer the Oak Leaf Outline die. Left some "scrolls" in place and removed some for a little contrast between the two dies.

 Finished off the inside by layering papers in coordinating colors and a sentiment from the Acorns Cling Set- the Autumn Leaves sentiment is also from this set. They can also be purchased individually.

AND as always... with a HOP there are prizes... You have until Sept. 1 to leave a comment on the DT blogs to win a $20 gift code off your next order.  Mary will announce the winner on the Serendipity Stamps blog on Sept 2nd. 

There's another chance to win... Like Serendipity Stamps and Share on facebook... there's another $20 GC for one lucky winner.

We are also thrilled to have Kecia Waters joining us again as a Guest Designer. So glad you joined us!!

The hop list: 

Mary's Blog 
Kecia Waters 

Jeanne Jachna 

Jenny Gropp 
 Julie Warner 

Karen Amidon  

Marybeth Lopez  

Miriam Napier

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

Color Throwdown #307 -Smile!!

Hey- it's time for another Color Throwdown challenge. This week Monika picked these fabulous colors!!

 

Oh... I did a little watercoloring. You may be thinking my colors aren't as "bold" as the colors in the swatch, but watercoloring softens the colors somewhat. Stamped the largest butterfly from WPlus9's Flora & Fauna 2 onto TH watercolor paper- I like that way it absorbs the colors. Added a sentiment from Strictly Sentiments 5. The background was created using Fresh Cut Florals.  The layout is this week's CAS(e) this sketch.

Our New Designer is Jodi Collins from Stampin a Latte! Yep, you read that right Jodi is joining the DT!! WOOT WOOT!!

Beverly Daw is our Guest Star Stamper - Thrilled to have you joining us! Click on her name to go directly to her blog.

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Cindy Lawrence- The Creative Closet

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD307.  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.

My layout is based on the sketch at CAS(e) this sketch. Love this sketch- so versatile I have already started working on another card using it!!

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

SMILE!!

Happy Tuesday...

Now that life is slowing down a little bit, I have been able to spend more time stamping, even though I have had no problem buying :)

The colors this month for the Reverse Confetti challenge

Love the classic blue and red with gold thrown in!

Here's my card

Used several RC dies on this card...Class Act, Love Note, and Diagonal Stripe. The sentiment is from You Make Me Smile. The background is a gold dot embossed vellum from SU. Added a few enamel dots and "popped up" some layers for dimension.


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

time to hit the Beach!!

Good Sunday afternoon!! We planned to go out on the boat today but, it's overcast. So I took the opportunity to stamp a little. I made this card for the current Curtain Call challenge and used the sketch from the Fusion Challenge.

 Haven't played with my Waltzingmouse stamps in a while and this is my absolute favorite beach set...My Island. Went pretty clean and layered here. BTW- Waltzingmouse is having a new release this week :)

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

Happy Birthday Verve!!

Yeah!! I am back online with photoshop working!! Just had to "get that out of my system"!! I need to quit  sharing my computer but, that's not in my nature... soo..., I have a new laptop (hidden) for emergencies!

Verve is having a birthday this month and I really wanted to play along....

Originally intended to play in the sequin challenge too but, I'm too late for that. All images and dies are from Verve stamps. The background is stamped "tone on tone" using the leaves from Bloom & Grow. Added a layer and then another that was sponged with SU Pink Pirouette ink, followed by stamping images from Poppy Birthday, added my little shaker using the Pastel Sequin Mix. The sentiment is from Chevron Love and the banner is from Flag It Dies. Some Verve ribbon with twine finishes it off.

Used Maureen's Viva la Verve sketch week 2 for the layout.

Hope you're having a great WE! We're going out on the boat tomorrow for a little sunshine and relaxing!


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

Color Throwdown #306- Celebrate

Good Morning!! Welcome to the next Color Throwdown challenge. Fun colors and inspiration pic brought to us by Cindy this week!!

 

Was a "little" nervous at first ! (I am not good at using purple by itself or with anything, LOL!) but, these colors are fabulous!! Should've known... look at those yummy treats!

I chose to work with this fabulous image from Verve Stamps' latest release- Happy Place. Started out with the idea to use the Viva la Verve week 3 sketch but, after I stamped the background and colored with copics.... I just didn't want to cover it up!! The flowers from Happy Place were die cut with Verve's Happy Doodles dies and the sentiment-Moments Remembered.

Our August Guest Designer is Jodi Collins from Stampin a Latte!

Kirsty McIntyre is our Guest Star Stamper - Purple Place Designs. Thrilled to have you joining us!

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Cindy Lawrence- The Creative Closet
 

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD306.  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. 

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

Serendipity Stamps Challenge #34- Take 2!

Good morning and welcome to the second installment of this month's Serendipity Stamps blog challenge. This month the theme is --Missing You, Thinking of You. For this first challenge of the month the DT was asked to make a CAS (Clean and Simple) card. For this installment, the DT was to make a "fussy" card based on their original CAS card.

Here's mine-

For mine I took the original image and layout and added some elements and layering. Sorry for the pic.... it appears a little overexposed... the colors blend better than it appears....I am having computer problems again :( I'll try to get a better picture after the geek squad visit in the am.

I used Serendipity Stamps Floral Alphabet Peony along with Cheery Lynn large squares and French lattice frame. Did you know Serendipity is carrying Cheery Lynn dies now...

This month Kecia Waters from  Stamping Deets is joining us as a Guest Designer. Welcome!

Hoping you'll play... there are prizes :)

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and the theme of Missing You. 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.

Karen Amidon
Jeanne Jachna

Marybeth Lopez

Jenny Gropp 

Julie Warner 

 Miriam Napier

This weeks sale:  40% Off Coupon - 40% off the highest priced item in your cart when you enter

the code "40fromhigh814" - good through 8/27

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

Color Throwddown #305- Lucky Stars!!

Hey, Happy Wednesday... I'm thinking I'm wishing it's Friday :) Busy week!

Lori's the hostess this week and here are the colors...

So I played with some new goodies... trying to us my NBUS (as Darnell would say)

Sponged the colors onto white cardstock and stamped the sentiments and the "falling star" with basic gray and heat embossed with clear onto vellum and laid that over my sponged panel to soften it a little. The moon and star are from the same set... stamped and fussy cut. The adorable wooden stars are from Pretty Pink Posh.

Our August Guest Designer is Jodi Collins from Stampin a Latte!

This week's Guest Star Stamper is Maura here.  

Welcome, Welcome.... thrilled to have you joining us!

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Cindy Lawrence- The Creative Closet
 

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD303.  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!!

Serendipity Samps... new dies and backgrounds!!

I have a couple cards to show today... featuring some old and new Serendipity!!

This first card uses the Flower Pops background along with the Flower Pops "negatives" and new Flower Pops dies.... seriously, in LOVE!! No fussy cutting!! The background was stamped with versamark onto kraft cardstock and heat embossed with white embossing powder. Then, I pulled out my Distress inks and sponged color on!! Added a double flower using the Flower Pops negatives and die cut with the new dies. FUN!!

For this card, I again used the Flower Pops dies but, the image used was the "positive" from Flower Pops stamped onto vellum and heat embossed with white. On the backside I colored with a black SU marker and die cut with the new dies. I know, unusual to have black flowers but, they "so worked" here!  CAS background using some DP and die cut leaves. Don't you just love the font on that sentiment!!! Oh, and I crinkled the vellum and pulled up the leaves for a little dimension.

The sentiments are Serendipity too!! Here's the link to all of Serendiity's sentiments....

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

I'm Missing You- SFYTT

Happy Sunday...hope you've been enjoying the day! I sure did. Stamping!! That guarantees a good day!

Playing with some new Reverse Confetti Stamps... Rocky Raccoon... in bright colors...

Had fun coloring with copics and playing with Amy Tangerine Plus One papers. AND...playing with  the current SFYTT sketch.

 

Here's the SFYTT sketch....

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

Curtain Call- Bow Tie!!

Fun challenge at Curtain Call... it's all about Bow Ties. AND I had a moment to play along...

Love the inspiration pic!

My card...

 

Started with an offset background using Waltzingmouse Stamps pinstripe background (fun to stamp in gradients)... adds a little texture to the background. Added the offset panels to ground the image. Isn't that bowler hat with monocle and mustache perfect...LoVe! The images are from WMS My Kind of Guy.... added a sweet little bowtie and fabulous sentiment! Some enamel dots for dimension... guys can handle enamel dots.   

 

Definitely fun for me... a little quirky is good!!

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

Color Throwdown #304- YOU are appreciated!

It's time for another Color Throwdown challenge. This week Tammy brought us these fabulous colors!

Yep... love them... see the retro pics...perfect!!

Soooo..... in honor of one of our very own... changing positions and going back to "directly" teaching the little ones!! Transitions may take time but, you will do a FABULOUS job!

Lori... this one's for you!!

For my card I used Verve's Teachers Count {yes, yes they do!} along with the coordinating dies- Apples Die Set. The numbers images was stamped on the "inside" of Verve's Rounded Scallop Frame- the scallop was adhered directly and the inside was popped up for some dimension. The sentiment was stamped with versamark and heat embossed with white onto one of the dies from Verve's Flag It Die Set.

Used this week's Viva la Verve sketch.

Our August Guest Designer is Jodi Collins from Stampin a Latte!!!!!!

This week's Guest Star Stamper is Jane from Purplejet Loves Crafts!!!!!

Welcome, Welcome.... thrilled to have you joining us!

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Cindy Lawrence- The Creative Closet

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD303.  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!!