Resolutions Update & Keep It Simple

This card was the Home Page Artist face for the week of August 10th at Gingersnap Creations!

Before I get to card business time to revisit the Summer Resolutions List (the stuff in blue is mission accomplished!)

The List (in no particular order)

1. paint upstairs hallway (I've had one coat up since April for cripes sake!) and laundry room

2. clean back bedroom (It's become the default junk room ugh!) kinda backslid though

3. work over the cable company for a new deal (I do this every summer) saved $40 a month

4. get crown moulding and built-ins installed in living room & repair screen door

5. take 2 tech classes for work (teachers don't party all summer :) we go to school:) )

6. open an Etsy store? (kinda on the fence here)

7. pay myself $1 for every time I walk the dog this summer- full disclosure $4 and a ticked dog!

8. re-certify my teaching license (this HAS to be done if I want to keep teaching. )

9. post 2 times a week items for all those challenges I want to play in!!! 

10. finish a scrapbook for a change!

4, 6, & 10 are 75% done.  This is already my most successful Summer yet!

Card Time!!!!  Here's the skinny for this week's SSDS challenge:
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday is looking for folks who can make a Clean and Simple card for this weeks throwdown.

If you've seen my other cards then you know CAS is no where in my vocabulary!  I think my mom and my grandpa would agree that "I did good".  :)  I got this Hero Arts stamp after my friend Lisa (78 thistles) made some stunning cards using this stamp.  I colored it with some Copics directly on the card and added the Amuse sentiment.  I thought this style card really lent itself to sharing sympathy with someone, but your card can have any theme.

Craftbrulee is our sponsor this week and they have provided an amazing prize package for the lucky winner of the challenge.  Check it out!

How fabulous is this package?!?  Wanna chance to win it?  Join us at SSDS and enter your "clean and simple" card!  Let me know if you join in, I'll stop by and give you some blog love. :)

I myself have entered this card here:
PaperPlay
Stampin Royalty 
Dutch Dare
Gingersnap Creations

Poinsetta Trio

 So I just can't stop making cards with this stamp!  It is totally one of my favs and I don't bother putting it away 'cause I know I'm just going to dig it out again.  I made this and this and have a couple others I hope to post soon.  My plan with these cards was to take this flower stamp, memento rich cocoa ink, the snowflake stamp, tim holtz green ink, one sheet of pattern paper, 3 kinds of ribbon, 3 kinds of card bases, and 1 scrap of bo bunny paper, mix them together and see what happens.

Initially I wanted to go traditional with my color choices since my last few (here and here) were non-traditional colors.  In looking at this first card I can say that it is green and red, but more lime than evergreen.  I love it anyway.  :)

I got closer to traditional with this one and love it too. :)  Then I realized I had used my whole scrap of bo bunny red paper!  What to do?!?  I was trying to be good and use my scraps!

Well I found another red scrap.  It's bo bunny but, full disclosure time, it is a darker red.  Will you all forgive me?  :)  I adore how all of them are the same and different all at once!  It's cool how just a couple changes can create a whole new feel.

I had fun even decorating the envies!  I went simple and made all three pretty much the same.  Good time spent procrastinating in my studio.  It's Friday.  Give yourself some me time.  :)  Have a great weekend everyone and don't forget to stop by tomorrow for the latest SSDS challenge!

I joined the fun at:
Christmas Challenge All Year Round
Under The Table and Dreaming Sunday Showcase
Our Creative Corner 
Stamp Something 
PaperPlay

10 Minute Cards 2.0 & 2.1

EDIT- I won Top 5 at Cupcake Inspirations for these!!!  :)

A couple of weeks ago I made this card in 10 minutes.  Time to showcase another 10 minute card!  I've made some with this technique in the past, but don't be mad...I forgot who makes this daisy paper!!! (If any of you in blogland know, would you pretty please post it in the comments??).

So this daisy came on a sheet of 12x12 paper that had all these squares of daisies.  So I cut up all the square and went to work!  I used a glue pen and drew a little loop on each petal, dipped the paper in glitter, stamped the sentiment in the empty space, mounted it on green shimmer bazzill paper and then onto a pink card.

So quick and easy I made a few!  Then I ran out of the green shimmer so I moved on to some amuse polka dot paper.

I've been on a kraft card kick lately.  I mounted these daisies on the polka dot paper and then on to kraft cards.  I decided not to make these square, but I had some "space" left on the card.  I pulled out some cream ribbon from The Store.  I bunched the ribbon and attached it to the card for some fun ruffle.

Hope you all have a great rest of your Thursday!  Don't forget to enter my blog candy contest!

I entered this here:
Cheap Thrills Thursday- Under $20
Cupcake inspiration- I went with the daisy :)
PaperPlay- anything goes

"Birthday" Blog Candy!!! CLOSED

EDIT- Four followers away from an addition of My Favorite Things cling stamps to the blog candy!!!

Today is my DH's birthday and in 34 days it's my birthday. To celebrate I'm giving everyone a chance at some blog candy!  The drawing will be on August 31, my b-day, and I'll post the winner then. :)

In the meantime, here's what to do to win:

1.  Leave a comment and tell me which holiday you enjoy most of all the holidays you celebrate where ever you live. :)

2.  Post a pick of this candy, with a link back here, on your blog.

You don't have to become a follower, but I'd love it if you did.  EDIT- Since I've already made it past 50 followers (that was the original goal to grow the blog candy kitty), here's what has been added!

These BoBunny and Basic Grey papers are going in the goodie box and maybe...

If I get to 60 followers by August 31st this stamp set will make it in as well. - END EDIT

I'm off to peek at the CHA postings and then to bake a cake (or more likely buy one hee-hee).

It's a Trifecta!

Have I ever told you that I grew up in Upstate New York?  Anyhoo, I like horse racing references.  Lots of time spent in Saratoga watching horses.  :)  Okay, okay.  Down to card business!

So why the trifecta reference?  Today is my third Guest Designer spot!!!!!!  I'm so wicked thrilled!!!  Today I'm the GT over at Let's Capture Our Memories.   Cool challenge this go 'round too.  It's all about upcycling.  What can you reuse to make a beautiful card?  Earrings, movie tickets, cereal box...  I used the Sunday Boston Globe!

I really like orange and black.  This pic is from an arangetram celebration.  It's kinda like a bat/bar mitzvah or a quinceanera.  These are all celebrations and gifts can be involved.  Where there are gifts there are thank you notes so that's where I headed with this card.

I used the newpaper to make the strips for the background and the dimensional bow.  The pick below proves that I used the newpaper and this isn't a gag. ;)

Well maybe it doesn't show a whole article, but pop over to Let's Capture Our Memories and link up an upcycled creation of your own!  Let me know if you do.  I'll leave you some blog love. :)

I shared this card at:
Just Something I Whipped Up
The Creative Cottage- texture
It's Fun to Craft
Create4fun- flowers
Wild Orchid- lace (it's paper lace I made and put under the orange embossed ppr)
Seven Thirty Three Sugar and Spice Party 
Moxie Fab World- shabby vintage

Guest Designer for Sparkle Creations Christmas Card Challenge

I'm so excited and honored to be a Guest Designer for Sparkle Creations Christmas Card Challenge this week!!!

I've had the chance to play a few times and I ALWAYS am inspired by each weeks challenge.  The Design Team never fails to put out THE BEST Christmas Cards to get the creative juices flowing!  This week brings the theme "wreaths" which was a great blast from the past for me.  :)

When Steph told me the theme for the week I was thrilled and terrified!  I adore making Christmas cards (not so much on the writing and sending part I'll admit) but, I haven't got many wreath stamps.  I went through my big ole Christmas supply basket and the ones I had just weren't clicking for me.  Then I remembered the Rubber Stamp Tapestry set I had!

This set is meant to be used to make wreaths, but each image is a separate peg mounted stamp.  I'll be honest and tell you that Lori at Ink About It taught me this technique YEARS ago, so I lifted from her for this card.

So join us won't you?  Please come back and comment if you post a card for this challenge.  I want to stop by your blog and leave some love.  :)

Supplies used:
Poinsettia Wreath Set- Rubber Stamp Tapestry
Fruitcake- Kaleidacolor Stamp Pad
Saddle Brown, Black- Staz On Ink Pad
Paper- Bo Bunny
Christmas Red & Gold- Stickles
Sentiment & Swirls on card base- Technique Tuesday
Ribbon- Unknown

I threw this card in the ring at:
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - anything goes
Polka Doodles- Christmas in July

Sunflower Challenge

It's Challenge Day at Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle Saturday!  This week our challenge is to use a digital image.  I enjoyed this image the last time I used it, I thought I'd go for another bit 'o sunshine. :)

I used an image from Meljen's who is sponsoring the challenge for this week.  Meljen's will be giving 4 digi images of the winners choice!

Come join the fun!  Remember to comment and let me know if you link up.  I wanna stop by and scope out your work. :)

I've entered this card here:

Etsy Inspired #98- The wallet pic
Andrea's Stampin Moments- flowers
Paper Playtime- flowers
Stamp Something- flowers

Guest Designer for Debby's Dare

I'm very excited to start a series of guest design posts with Debby's Dare!  Debby has recently opened heArt of Scrapbooking and created these fabulous tags.  She gave seven of us the opportunity to play with the tags and I'm the last day's reveal.  :) 

This notebook cover is my favorite!  I know, I know.  It's blue.  Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf?  Maybe I like blue more than I think?  At any rate, I'm forever needing paper when I am out and about to write notes to myself so I don't forget things.  I thought this little clown girl was perfect for the cover because of the expression on her face that says "wait a minute, was that the plan?"  

I have a wedding this summer and this tag will look perfect on the present!  I really enjoy the vintage look of this tag.  The romantic picture reminds of a photo of my great grandmother and great grandfather.  The ribbons at the top will help attach it to the present and the wedding ring charm (it really is there, you may have to squint to see it) completes the wedded bliss look.  :)

I work with a lot of women.  There's always a wedding or baby shower happening!  I went with the quick, easy, and elegant approach.  Cut, mount, stamp sentiment, and bling with ribbon and liquid pearls.


Make sure you stop by Debby's blog.  Today is the last day for her RAK giveaway!

I entered the tag in the SPCC challenge and Lucy's Card Challenge.
I entered everything at Under the Table and Dreaming and Moxie Fab World.

Princess Bianca

I'm back from The Cape and have a fun card to share on Challenge Day at Cooking It Up With Katie. :)

Yippee!  It's Challenge Day at Cooking It Up With Katie!  This week our challenge is blue, buttons and bows and it's sponsored by Fairy Knoll.  I made and easel card (I've gotten so addicted to these!), but you can make any kind of paper creation.

I took some liberty with the blue and went with more of an aqua blue because this blue and orange paper just spoke to me.  Birthday cards are something I can always use and this would make such a cute card for a little princess. ;)  I colored Bianca with my copics and used a sentiment from Amuse.

Come join the fun at Cooking It Up With Katie!  I've joined the fun at the following places:
Stamp Something
Stampavie and more
Craftalicious Challenges
One Stitch At A Time 
S2G Challenges

Cape Bound!

Hi folks!  Just a quick note to let you know I'll be out of town at The Cape (although this is a pic of Perkins Cove, Maine).  I'm gone until Wednesday afternoon, but I'll have lots of really special and pretty things ready for you to see when I get back! :)

Sa"turtle"day Challenge

You know how the shoemakers kids never had shoes?  This cardmakers family rarely gets cards on time. :)  Oh I have the best intentions, but then work, classes, and daily life take over and by the time I remember it's too late.  So I've gone ahead and made some belated birthday cards for the inevitable.  LOL!

Okay, down to business.  It's challenge day at SSDS and this week we want you to break out those animal stamps and/or digis.  Let out that inner furry, feathered, shelled, or scaled animal!  Meljen's is the sponsor this week and creator of this little shelled cutie.  She's so stinkin' adorable!!!

Meljen's is offering the challenge winner their choice of 4 digis.  All you need to do to be eligible is to create something with an animal on it.  Lions?  Tigers?  Bears?  Oh come on and join the fun!  I joined the fun over at the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge. ;)

Kid Friendly

Let's Capture Our Memories is hosting a kid card challenge.  I thought I'd give it a go since I have 2 nephews and lots of 6 year-old students and can always use some kid friendly cards.  I've had this paper and these stamps for ages with the idea they would be used to a project like this.  Better late than never.  :)

I tried to go for a clean lines kinda look.  Little boys aren't big on ribbons and bows and I figured less is more.  I amused myself with the buttons down the side that mimic a streetlight. :)  What can I say.  I crack me up sometimes. LOL!

So what fun things have you made for the munchkins in your life?

EDIT:  I won the challenge!!!!   Look for my GT spot the week of July 26th!