There's No Place Like Home

This card was created using Mercy's Sketch Challenge #82 for a one on one swap I did with one of my groups.  I printed out some digital papers from Echo Park (bought on a $1 buck Wednesday from Jessica Sprague).

I'm trying to use more digital paper and stop collecting so much paper that I never use.  I seem to be stuck on buying those 6 x 6 packs but then I don't use them all up and I keep on collecting.  I know I'm talking amongst friends here who probably have the same habit collecting something, whether it be paper, stamps, embellishments, etc.

This set is the We've Moved set from Clear & Simple Stamps.  I always love coloring this little house in the set and I decided to pull some colors from the paper and go a little off the beaten path with a little pink house.  I'm loving these little flat circle flowers for some reason, so easy and cute...and you can mail them without the worry of them getting all crinkled up.

Hope you all are having a great week! 

Card details:

Stamps: We've Moved from Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Tempting Turquoise, Digi Papers from Echo Park (Life is Good Paper Pack #1)

Inks: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Copics

Accessories: Various Circle punches, yellow rhinestone brad, cork board

Ticket to Celebrate

My oldest turned 11 on Thursday and so I couldn't post this until after I had given it to him (since he'd probably see it posted on Facebook).  He'd been counting down the days and every day would come home to see if there were cards and couldn't wait to open them.  He had a good day but we'll be doing more celebrating this weekend with him.

I downloaded this Christian digi from Simply Betty Stamps knowing it would be *perfect* for his birthday.  The papers I used are some digi papers from the Me & My {Baby} Brother pack by Crystal and combined it with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge this week.

I even managed to squeak a little sewing on this card for the inside so I could stash the cash we were going to give him.  I loved how this turned out and I can't say that about all my cards but I almost didn't want to give it to him :-)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Card details:

Stamps: Christian digi from Simply Betty Stamps, Just the Ticket by Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, White, Me & My {Baby} Brother pack by Crystal

Inks: Versafine Onyx Black, Copic markers, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Janome sewing, Just the Ticket border die, Carribean Blue Glimmer Mist

Play Date in the Woodlands

I am truly being challenged by these last few color combinations over at The Play Date Cafe.  Wowzer, they throw me for a loop as I'm not used to using a lot of green.  But, I did have fun with this color combination and the idea for the card came together fairly quickly.

I wanted to play with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge this week.  I kept the card very simple, but tried to add some extra textures throughout it.  For my Simply Blue-tiful layer I stamped my background using the Wheat background stamp from Clear & Simple Stamps and my main image is from the Woodlands set also from Clear & Simple Stamps.  I ran my gable green layer through my cuttlebug using the distressed stripes folder. My main image is colored using my Copic markers.

If you have not tried out Clear & Simple Stamps ribbon, I urge you to try some.  It's a satin ribbon which is the same on both sides and it's so easy to work with.  I love using this ribbon and I'm working my way up to every color of it.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!  I know that it'll have gone by way to fast for me, but I am looking forward to only a 3 day work week this week while we have family in town.

Card details:

Stamps: Woodlands & Wheat from Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock: Simply Blue-tiful, Kraft Like a Rockstar from Clear & Simple Stamps, gable green, garden green

Inks: Dish all the Dirt Brown, Simply Blue-tiful

Accessories: Copics G20, W1, YG67, E25, 0, Simply Blue-tiful ribbon from Clear & Simple Stamps

BC164: Birthday

Our theme this week was Birthday and I knew immediately which set I wanted to use.  It was one of the first sets I ever got from Clear & Simple Stamps and I love their darlings.

I decided to try a few challenges with our blogger's challenge this week-a way to "challenge" myself to see what I could put together.  So I chose a color challenge, a sketch challenge and Ways to Use it Challenge on SCS.

The color challenge was from Play Date Cafe and the sketch from Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.

As you can see I turned the sketch and tried to fit my image the best I could-but I ended up covering up my gorgeous ribbon.  Oh well, I still like how it turned out even though my beige is more cream.

I paper pieced her skirt and ran my chocolate ribbon through my cuttlebug.  Hard to tell from this photo.  I eliminated the 2 buttons from the bottom and just used one instead since I couldn't find two teeny ones in my stash.

Make sure you hope over and check out the other blogger's participating-can't wait to see their Birthday cards, I always enjoy hopping around and seeing how creatively different they all are.

Have a good weekend!

Card details:

Stamp: Birthday Darling from Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock: Glamazon Green, Kraft Like a Rockstar Cream, Basic Grey green paper, Dish all the Dirt Brown

Inks: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Copics

Accessories: button, glossy accents

Blogger's Challenge: Recycle It

This week Lisa challenged us to use something recycled.  Okay, I took the easy way out on the one, but I did use something recycled.  Last year I created a frame which I loved and had hanging in my office until recently because my darn flower kept falling off (it's hot here in the dark basement).  That flower was one of my favorite things about the frame, I couldn't bring myself to throw it away so I decided that would be my recycled item today.  You can check out the original frame here.

I have not been stamping as much as I would like.  I come down here at night...and nothing most of the time.  This week I've been pushing myself to be creative and finished about 8 cards in 2 nights which is pretty good.  I still have a few I'm needing to finish before I head out of town again next week for work.  The next two weeks with lots of travel for work=no stamping for Kim.

Sketch challenges are some of my favorite challenges out there, I always seem to turn to them.  I haven't played in Mercy's in quite awhile (not that I don't use her sketches...just never in time to play).  This week, I'm able to play and so excited as this layout worked so well with the images/recycled flower.

The stamps/dies used on this are the new releases from Papertrey Ink.  I usually like all of their releases but this one I really liked.  I guess because I thought the sets would make great teacher's gifts when it came around that time again...but I held off and was good and only ordered 1 set, 2 dies and some felt.

Make sure to jump to the other blogger's creations, can't wait to see what recycled items they chose to use so I can give myself a good swat on the forehead when I wonder why I didn't think of what they did.

Card details:

Stamps: Just the ticket from Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Berry Sorbet, Kraft and Spring Moss

Inks: same as above

Accessories: Swiss Dots embossing folder, Ticket die from Papertrey Ink

How about an Ostrich Ride?

Every time I see the Fantasy Ostrich Ride image I think of the great big carousel ride at our mall with lot of different animals to ride.  They have an ostrich there and I'm pretty sure I've accompanied one of my children on the ride at one time or another.  

I've been stumped as to how to color the ostrich and this time simplicity was the route I took.  I used the spotlighting technique for this card.  I chose some Regal Rose cardstock to make this image POP against the Donna Salazar paper I picked out.

I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge for this card along with some Mini Me Prima flowers and Hero Art gemstones.  I used an Aquapainter and ink to color the image.

Hope you enjoy my card for you today!  

Card Details:

Stamps: Fantasy Ostrich Ride from Stamp N Plus Scrap N

Cardstock: Regal Rose, Basic Black, Donna Salazar papers

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Regal Rose, Going Grey

Accessories: Mini Me Prima Flowers, Hero Art Gemstones, Aquapainter

A Sugary Happy Birthday

One of my favorite things to indulge in when I'm out at some event (like the Circus) is some yummy, sugary, cotton candy.  I can't get enough of it as I don't have it often enough.

This cute image is part of the new Stamp of the Month, Circus Fun at Clear & Simple Stamps and I've used the Violet Copic Trio colors this month as well (V91, V93 & V95) to color my cotton candy with.  I love the lettering on the Happy Birthday and it also comes with some cool sentiments that coordinate with the letter set released, Alpha Block II

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #80 worked wonderfully with this image and card!

I will have more samples using this set this month and if you want to see some more wonderful work with the set, I encourage you to visit the DT as well as the Clear & Simple Stamps blog.

Card details:

Stamp Set: Circus Fun by Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock: VIP Purple, Purpilicious & A Blanc Check from Clear & Simple Stamps, bashful blue, Basic Grey Kioshi

Inks: Perfect Little Black Dress, Copics V91, V93, V95, B21, B23

Accessories: VIP Purple ribbon from Clear & Simple Stamps, scallop punch, nestabilities

Going Grey with Scrap-Creations #5: Sew Cute

This week our sponsor at Going Grey with Scrap-Creations is Sew Many Digital Stamps and our theme is Sew Cute.  I picked out this adorable elephant image, I just loved Eris' sad little face holding the flower and thought it would be a fun image to color.

I'm going to be short & sweet today as I am headed out of town for a few days and am being last minute about getting my post up.  I hope you enjoy the card in which I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge on this card. I added a little Crystal Effects to Eris' cheeks and some flower soft to the flower.

Make sure to check out the girls creations this week and join us at Going Grey with Scrap-Creations!

• Crystal Irwin
• Kristen Catalano
• Mary Castonquay
• Peggy Regan

Card details:

Stamps: Eris with Flower by Sew Many Digital Stamps

Cardstock: Pink Lemonade by Basic Grey, Hibiscus Burst, Stamper's Select White

Inks: Copics

Accessories: Buttons, rustic cream twine, Crystal Effects, flower soft, Janome Sewing machine, ribbon from Stamp Simply Ribbon Store (white silk)

For a friend: Sympathy

 

Yesterday I mentioned making some cards for friends the past week.  This was a card I made for a friend who lost her father recently.  I never know what types of images to make on sympathy cards, but thought this image would work well.

I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #60 for this card.  I opted not to do a long card & to rotate the sketch.

I don't use purple much, it's just not one of the colors I go towards, but am trying to go outside my comfort zone this year and grab colors which I normally wouldn't grab.

I'm loving all the paper flowers I'm seeing everywhere.  I am having fun making them and think I need to rummage through all my scraps and make a bunch of them to just throw on cards...you'll be seeing a few more with these flowers on them this week.

Hope you are having a good "hump" day!

Card details:

Stamp Set:  Live Life from Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock:  Purpilicious from Clear & Simple Stamps, Kraft, Basic Grey Wisteria

Inks: Fresh Snow, Copic marker

Accessories:  Circle punch, twine, scallop circle punch, Martha Stewart border punch, Designer Mix buttons from Clear & Simple Stamps

My Basket of Eggs

 

I had so much fun coloring these images from My Favorite Things.  I saw these at CHA and had to get at least one.  By the time I found them, most were out, but this one was one I grabbed up real quick.

Of course I paired this image with one of my favorite new papers which I'm so thankful I bought...and almost wish I had bought 2.  Bittersweet by Basic Grey.  The new line of papers Basic Grey is coming out with are awesome, can't wait to get my hands on them!

I colored her with my Copic markers and highlighted the eggs in the basket & the heart in her hair with some Crystal Effects.  I finally broke out my sewing machine to adhere the brown piece that I stamped with the Art Deco background set by Clear & Simple Stamps.  I love this set, I can see myself using it a lot.

I used Mercy's sketch #46 for this card, but flipped where the image should be as I screwed up on my sewing just a bit.  Mercy's sketches are great, I love having the opportunity to participate in her sketch challenges.

For the flowers, I used an old punch, not even sure how old it is.  In the middle I wanted the flower to stand out a bit so I used another new purchase from CHA, some dots from Clear & Simple Stamps.  They are a little bit bigger than a small brad & without the prongs.  They have adhesive on the back & the white ones can be colored with your Copics.  I wanted these in every color!

Card details:

Stamp Set:  My Basket of Eggs by My Favorite Things, Art Deco from Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, Bittersweet by Basic Grey, Stamper's Select white

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Close to Cocoa 

Accessories:  Oval & Scalloped Oval Nestabilities, A Blanc Check Dots from Clear & Simple Stamps, Janome Sewing Machine,  3/4" circle punch, flower punch

Wild Sprouts Megan

While at CHA with my friends, we had a Copic coloring session (ha, the 3 of us anyway) where were getting some tips from our friendly pro, Kerry.  This was one I colored before she got to the room and I liked it so wanted to make a card with it.

I love this Basic Grey paper.  Ha!  Who am I kidding, even the Basic Grey paper I don't like I have to have.  I need to start using it quicker so I don't have such a big stack.  Bittersweet is perfect for Valentine's so I'm hoping to make some cards for the kids using it.

This card uses Mercy's Sketch from last week which was nice & easy to use with a larger image.  I got the opportunity to meet Jessica with The Greeting Farm at CHA and seeing stamps in person is always so much different than looking at them online.  I loved a lot of the stamps I saw when browsing their booth!

Card details:
Stamp Set:  Wild Sprouts Megan by The Greeting Farm
Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Bittersweet by Basic Grey
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers
Accessories: Martha Stewart Punch, Amuse Creative Candy

Clear & Simple Stamps Well Wishes Release

WELL WISHES COLLECTION
Cup of Cocoa
Get Well Darling
Get Well Gent
Beary Well
Love
Believe in Words IV
Bubble Talk
Month to Month I
Month to Month II

SOTM TEMPLATE:
Cup of Cocoa

ADDITIONAL TEMPLATE:
Yes that's correct we have an additional freebie to giveaway this month - a fabulous calendar template. It fits perfectly on the front of a standard card. You can trim it down to be smaller or mat it to make it larger - this little calendar has tons of possibilities and works wonderfully with the new Month-to-Month sets releasing with the collection.

I used Mercy's sketch from this week for this card, and I can't wait to do more with this set. I have been busy behind the scenes working on some exciting things that I'm unable to share just yet, but you will love it!!!

I paper pieced the little kleenex box on this card, I wanted to do the bear but then went and colored it instead. This set is a perfect little "Get Well" set!

Make sure you check out the rest of the design team for their creations for this release, there are some great new sets being released today.

• Beth Matson
• Clear & Simple Blog
• Jen Tapler
• Lori Tecler
• Maria Levine
• Neva McMullen
• Robyn Weatherspoon
• Sarah Martina
• Simone Pursiful
• Sue Berker

Make sure to visit us at Papercraft Planet as Clear & Simple Stamps sponsors the 10th Day of Christmas over there with a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Clear & Simple Stamps store.

Clear & Simple Stamps new blog ROCKS, make sure you check it out here!

Card details:
Stamp Set: Beary Well from Clear & Simple Stamps
Cardstock: Rose Red, Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select, My Mind's Eye mellow "Cheerful" Pleasant Petals/Harmony Paper
Inks: Memento Rich Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Copics Y21, YR21, W1, E25, RV34
Accessories: Rhinestone Brads Fire Circles, Ribbon from Michael's, Paper Piercer

It's Your Birthday

I made this card for a friend with two of my new sets that I received this week from Clear & Simple Stamps- Banner of News and In Bloom. I love both of these sets and I see so many possibilities with Banner of News.

I combined 2 challenges with this card and I tell you, I'm in love with this card and not sure I can mail it off to my friend, although I know she will love it as well...since she's the one who got me addicted to the stamping in the first place!

The first challenge was the Color Throwdown to combine Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand & Black/Brown and then I finally got some time to complete Mercy's Sketch Challenge this week.

I didn't to color in the flowers on this card as I thought it would be too much so I used my sponge dauber with some baja breeze on it, I think it turned out perfect.

Card details:
Stamp Set: Clear & Simple Stamps- Banner of News and In Bloom
Cardstock: Basic Black, Night & Day DSP, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze
Inks: same as above
Accessories: corner slot punch

Bloggers Challenge 115: Baby Theme

If you visit my blog frequently you know how much I love to make baby gifts, they are probably my most favorite cards/projects to make. Our theme this week for our blogger's challenge was BABY. I just posted a cute little baby frame yesterday.

Today I thought I would make a card for a friend who is having twins next month. This friend is someone I have been blessed to have met. My son was born 12 1/2 weeks premature and spent the first 8 weeks in NICU (believe it or not he's a healthy 10 year old -well he'll turn 10 in 3 weeks). Chelle was one of his nurses and she was spectacular not just with him but with me. I was a basketcase even though he was very healthy, but I hated leaving him every day. I was back to work before he was released from the hospital and I had really wanted to nurse. Chelle was there every step of the way encouraging me when I was feeling like I couldn't do it anymore. I went on to nurse him for about 7 months which is spectacular as the first 4 months I pumped exclusively until he caught on. I've keep in touch with Chelle all these years, we've written letters back and forth and shared triumphs and disappointments. I've watched her go on to have 2 little ones of her own, and expecting the twins now. I'm so thrilled to have been introduced to this wonderful person who made a big impact on my life.

Anyway, last night I was in mojo gear and got quite a few cards done. Unfortunately I can't share most of them as they are for publications-my first submissions. I don't care if they get accepted or not, I know they probably won't and I'm okay with it. I'm thrilled with how they turned out and they got my creative juices going which is most important.

I combined two other challenges with this Blogger's Challenge. I just went back to my blog and found one of the last challenge cards I did for Mercy's Sketch was also a baby card LOL. Mercy has fantastic sketches and she's super sweet too. Hoping one day we'll have the chance to meet since we don't live too far away. I also opted to do a non-traditional colored baby card by using Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. I follow Dawn closely, I love her style and her color combos are fantastic!

Make sure to check out all the other blogger's by clicking on the logo on the right hand side --->

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and BE SAFE!!

Card details:
Stamp Set: (another favorite) Kim Hughes Baby Love
Cardstock: Summer Sunrise, Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate (PTI) and Kraft (SU)
Inks: Summer Sun for sponging, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics W1, YR14, Y35, Twill Tape, Rustic Buttons & Rustic Cream Twine, circle nestabilities, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug

Welcome Little One meets Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge

I whipped up a pretty easy card last night to go with a name frame I made for a baby gift (will be sharing that in a few weeks).

I used Mercy's sketch from yesterday for this card and tried to keep it fairly simple incorporating the colors and elements from the frame. I know, I'm so bad to refer to this frame and not be able to share it with you just yet.

Hope you enjoy your day!

Card details:
Stamp Set: Little One by Clear & Simple Stamps
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, MME 29th Street Market Fresh "Beauty" Perfect Poises/Greenery Paper
Inks: Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Papertrey Ink Rustic Buttons & Rustic Twine (Cream & Jute)

Goth Girl

I just couldn't conjure up an original idea with this weeks blogger challenge to use Crushed Curry, Olive, Soft Suede and a neutral so I decided to sit out this week.

I haven't stamped all week and really wanted to stamp something, but just wasn't getting inspired. Breaking out my goth girl (Moth Fab from Stampotique) always brings a smile to my face especially when it's paired with some stickles.

I went with the new Basic Grey pad I had gotten, June Bug for the color inspiration. Thought this plaid looking paper was a good choice. I wanted to use Mercy's sketch this week and came pretty close although my image is a little bigger than her sketch.

Hope you all have a good weekend, I've been sick for quite awhile now, only getting worse, so hoping on Monday the ENT will be able to tell me what's going on and what I need to do. It's been miserable with a sinus infection, headaches, plugged ears, etc. I haven't been the most enjoyable to be around so I'm hoping that will change.

Make sure to check out all the other blogger's challenge girls by clicking on the logo on my right hand side.

Card details:
Stamp Sets: Moth Fab from Stampotique & Stampotique- Well, la de frickin da!, Print Pattern by SU!
Cardstock: June Bug from Basic Grey, Basic Black, Yo-Yo Yellow, PTI Stamper's Select
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Prima, copics (colors pictured above), Fire rhinestone circle brads, Frosted Lace stickles, 3/4" circle punch

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge/Raspberry Suite Color Challenge

I got a tiny bit creative last night, and by tiny, I really mean it, I squeaked out 2 cards. I'm hoping that those 2 card will jump start my creative energy. I come down to the basement wanting to stamp and just sit and stare at everything, waiting for someone to tell me where to start.

Mercy has just started up her sketch challenges again and I'm a big fan of sketch challenges so this one was right up my alley. Since I just got my new Papertrey Ink order last week this set is on my desk and not sure if it will ever make it off my desk. It's too darn cute! I combined Mercy's sketch challenge with Dawn's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge (Moss, White, Berry and Red). I used my new Papertrey Ink cardstock for this card as well. I know you can't tell too well but the cardstock behind the topiary is the berry sorbet as well as the little slip knots in the buttons.

Do you *love* the bow? I got the Bow-Easy from Sharon Johnson this past week and have been playing with it and love how cute the bows turn out! I also got some wonderful new ribbons that I can't wait to try out ;-)

Hopefully you won't get too sick of this set as I'm having a hard time putting it down right now and I just got new buttons & cardstock to play with!

Card details:
Stamp Set: Everyday Button Bits by Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Spring Moss, PTI White, Berry Sorbet, Red Pure Poppy, MMI Pretty Please "Full of Flowers" dsp
Inks: Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Buttons unknown, Red Silk Ribbon unknown, Floral Fantasy cuttlebug embossing folder