New Stamps and a New Week!

Well...I just got back from the Northeast and brought some goodies from my fav. stamping store there Angela's. I got the blog star set from MFT, a bella, and some (drumroll please) Whiff of Joy stamp sets! I can't can't can't wait to play. I also met up with Marti from Pez-a-doodle to get some of their fabulous products to play with. Can we all say "YEAH CHIPBOARD!" together.....

My friend Kim just got her MFT and Bella orders (with the HUGGABUGGS) in.....oooohhhhhhh I am just so excited!

I can't wait to start participating in the challenges this week!

Hope to have a card here for you tomorrow but might be Wednesday. After all, I still have to unpack.....

Info regarding weekly challenges all in one place....

I love participating in challenges and wanted to try and keep track of all of them...and boy there sure are a ton out there! It can be a full time hobby if you let it!

I have categorized them by company so hopefully this will be a good resource for you....

Stamping Bella

Every Tuesday is the color challenge and you can find this on http://stampingbella.com/blog/

Sketch challenge every Tuesday on splitcoast under their stamp company forum
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=176

My Favorite Things

On Mondays they do the Who's that girl sketch challenge (love it) you have to have it done by that Wednesday. Check it out under their stamp companies forum on splitcoast.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=164

Sketch Challenge: this is every Wednesday you can find it under their forum on splitcoaststampers.

Whats up Wednesday challenge: This occurs every Wednesday and you can find it under their forum on splitcoaststampers.

Taylored Expressions

Every Friday she hosts a sketch challenge http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/

The Cat's Pajamas

Every Tuesday on one of the design teams sites http://dancinginpajamas.blogspot.com/

Hanna Stamps

Every Friday they host a new challenge in their forum on splitcoast
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=187

Verve Visual

Hosts a challenge every Friday and this can be found on their forum on splitcoast
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=208

Jen Del Muro

Weekly sketch posted every Saturday http://www.iheart2stamp.com/

SUGAR NELLIES

Weekly challenge posted every Thursday http://www.sugarbowlblog.blogspot.com/

Please let me know if you see any sketches that are listed incorrectly or that the links don't take you to the right place. Also, if you have a challenge you like to participate in, please leave me a comment and I will add it! Thanks!

Hoppin like a bunny to shop today...and tomorrow

Well....it has proved to be a very hectic vacation but ohhh so much fun. Today my mom and I are going to hop all over the area to go to scrapbooking/stamping and quilting shops. I am really excited! I hope you like this card....I probably should have used more layers but can't go back now trying to remove the paper makes it rip....I've tried many times before....

Have a fantastic day....By the way my mom came up for a new term for my creative hobby... she said I am a Stampbooker! Now that is a new phrase I will have to coin....

Card Details:

Stamps: Bunny with carrot (Great Impressions)

Paper: Barely Banana CS (SU), Blue Bayou CS (SU), White CS (papertrey ink), Chloe's Closet (Making memories)

Accessories: Copic Ciao's and adhesive

Kick Back and Relax.....

Phew.....Kick back and relax is right...I am beat. Travel to the northeast ended up being a little more tiring than anticipated but I always find a second wind when I am back in my old stomping grounds. I made this card as part of the Sketch Challenge for MFT this week. My good friend Paula let me borrow this stamp set (www.prbloom.typepad.com). Thank you Paula! I picked up the flower brads at Michaels in a black and white set and wouldn't you know it I hardly noticed them in the pack and they are the first ones I used. My friend Kim made a fantastic card with the travel girl from MFT and it is AWESOME! You can check it out on her blog www.sewstampscrapbook.blogspot.com.



Hope you have a Fuzzy slipper and comfy bathrobe kind of day!

Card Details:
Stamps: Bunny Slippers MFT stamps
Paper: Flower Patch (Making Memories), Baja Breeze CS (SU)
Ink: Graphite Black Brilliance
Accessories: copic ciao's, flower felt brads (making memories), Nestabilities, dimensionals, and adhesive

Oh Happy Day!

I am so excited! Today I am leaving to head back to the northeast to visit family and to visit my favorite stamp store! The card I am sharing today is from Jen Del Muro's Saturday sketch http://www.in2stamping.com/, I love this stamp from Inky Antics. I bought this little mushroom house two years ago and just love coloring it!

Hope you enjoy it!

Card Details:
Paper: white cardstock (papertrey ink), Bashful Blue CS (SU), Old Olive CS (SU), Real Red CS (SU), fruit dp from Stampin up
Stamps: Mushroom house (inky antics)
Accessories: Buttons, Red/White striped ribbon (SU), Circle punches SU, adhesive, and dimensionals

Simple and cute....

Today, I am crazy busy preparing for my trip back to the Northeast. I am really looking forward to going back to my hometown for a few days to see my family.

The cards I am sharing today were made to participate in the amuse challenge. I really like the way they turned out! Hope you have a great Tuesday!

By the way...check out my friends blog...she made some awesome cards using the Riley Pirates www.sewstampscrapbook.blogspot.com

Card Details: Inkin of you (basic grey blush dp, close to cocoa CS (SU), paper trey white paper, pink pirouette CS (SU), Elzybells girl writing stamp, nestabilities, copic ciao's, oval punches and chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon).

Card Details: Girl in car (DP from Hobby lobby, cool caribbean CS (SU), black CS (SU), Nestabilities, Black and white stitched ribbon, copic ciao's, dimensionals, and adhesive.

Lottie and Gussie GAB A LOT

Hello everyone! Well the weekend has come and gone and way too quick in my opinion! I did a lot of crafting this weekend! I got to participate in some challenges which is always fun and I also sewed some cute purses. It was a whirlwind of a weekend!

Today I am sharing a card with you that I made for the Bella sketch challenge. I love it b/c the name of the stamp reminds me of me and my friends when we get together. Lots of talking and lots of fun!


I like the clothes these ladies are wearing...and wouldn't mind having this teal dress in my size :0).

Hope you have a great Monday!

Stamps: Friends Forever (amuse artstamps) and Lottie and Gussie Gabalot from (Stamping Bella)
Paper: Pink Pirouette (SU), White (Papertrey), Blush (Basic Grey)
Ink: Graphite Black by Brilliance and Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: Copic Ciao's, 5/8 inch chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, scallop punch (SU), adhesive, and dimensionals

Branching out!

This blog title has multiple meanings for me...

The first is I started branching out with my hobby by applying for a design team and was selected! Yeah... I just found out I am going to be a designer for PEZ-A-Doodle designs. Check out their blog here! http://pezadoodle.wordpress.com/ I am so excited about this new opportunity and can't wait to get started...

The second meaning of this blog title refers to using the branching out set from Taylored Expressions http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/. I love, love, love this set and can't stop going owl crazy! I participated in her sketch challenge this weekend. I had to work at this a bit to make it go but I love how it turned out! Wouldn't it be cool if owls were different colors?

Have a great weekend!

Bella goes PURPLE!

Well this title is certainly appropriate. I read the bella color challenge for last week that said make sure you have some purple and I took it too a whole new level. Even though the card is very feminine, I love it! I think it is dainty and elegant. It took me a while to figure out how to make the colors work for the cake but I used a very pale lilac for the icing! I found this plum ribbon at my LSS and even got it in chocolate. The ribbon is gorgeous IRL. This card reminds me that my friend Kim's birthday is tomorrow! Wish her a Happy Birthday if you have a minute...www.sewstampscrapbook.com.

ITS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am working on putting together a master list by design company of all the challenges so I can remember when and where to play. I could kick myself for missing the Who's that Girl challenge on Monday from MFT stamps b/c I love that challenge. Oh well! They will have it next week.

Hope you have a great weekend.


Stamps: Patricia Birthday cake Chichiboulies (http://www.stampingbella.com/)
Paper:Guidelines by papertrey, Plum Pudding, Lavender moon, and white by PT (http://www.papertreyink.com/)
Ink: Graphite Black brilliance ink
Accessories: Spica Glitter pen, Copic Ciao's, ribbon, dimensions, and adhesive

Friends of a feather.....flock together!

Hello everyone! This title was so appropriate for me while writing this blog. Lately, I have been thinking about how many nice people I have met and the friends I have made through my love of stamping and scrapbooking. I am just so thrilled to get the chance to meet people that love to do the same things I do! Speaking of friends, please check out my friend Kim's blog www.sewstampscrapbook.blogspot.com, we have both been trying really hard to update daily these past two weeks....She has some great cards to share with you!

Yesterday, I hoped over to Susie's blog http://www.susiestampalot.blogspot.com/ after getting my what's up Wednesday e-mail from MFT stamps. The company released two stamps yesterday that are near and dear to Susan's heart as they were designed by her sister Sara. How awesome is that! Make sure you check them out!

Today I am sharing a card I made using the new release stamps from Taylor VanBruggen http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/ called Branching out. I am a huge fan. I knew I wanted to use this set for Jen Del Muro's http://www.iheart2stamp.com/ Saturday sketch it just took me a little longer than I planned to put it together. I think it is the perfect card for a friend and I just love this sentiment!

Hope you like it.......

Stamps: Branching out and the coordinates set from Taylored Expressions

Paper: Blue Bayou CS (SU), Kraft CS (SU), White CS from Papertrey, and"The green stack" from DCWV

Ink: Black Graphite Brilliance ink

Accessories: Certainly Celery grograin ribbon, Nestabilities - ovals, Copic Ciao's, and dimensionals

Moving right along...on my way to the weekend!

This week is already moving along pretty quickly. Last night I worked on Jen Del Muro's Saturday sketch (www.iheart2stamp.com) and also started working on the Bella Sketch Challenge that was posted Tuesday on Splitcoast. I just found out my friend Kim was highlighted as Bella's card of the week! How exciting!!! She is super talented. You should check out her blog http://www.sewstampscrapbook.blogspot.com/. You can see her card on the bella challenge blog at http://www.bellachallenges.blogspot.com/. The card is purple and simply stunning!

The card I am sharing with you today is from the Hanna card sketch last week! I love using my Riley's. I am really happy with the way the colors turned out on this. The card has a warm rustic feel to it!



Hope you enjoy it!

Stamps: Cowboy Hanna Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Kraft (SU), Printed Paper Imaginesce, Papertrey White Ink: Graphite Black by Brilliance Accessories: Copic Ciao's, Oval punches from Stampin up, adhesive, and dimensionals.

Hello! Today I am sharing my TCP Tuesday challenge from last week. The color challenge was to use Yellow, Pink, and Light Blue. It was a little challenging but I think I got it to work! I love this set from The Cats Pajamas! Today there should be another challenge out to try....

Here you go! Hope you have a great day!

Stamping bella is ready for her next project!

Hello! This weekend was a busy one. I got together with my friend on Friday and we stayed up till 2pm creating cards. We had a great time and again we walked away with some great cards.

The card I am sharing today is from Stamping Bella (http://www.stampingbella.com/). I made this to participate in the bella sketch challenge this week. I cannot get enough of these stamps and they are so fun to color. This bella is actually wearing a paper pieced dress. I added red to the colored image and then added a red button. I love red and I thought it would brighten this card up a bit! I have a lot more to post so stay tuned and have a great week!

Stamps: Cardbackabella Stamping bella
Paper: Papertrey White, baja breeze(SU), black (SU), printed flower paper (3 bugs in a rug)
Ink: Graphite black archival ink
Accessories: Copic Ciao's, Black ribbon (white stitching), red button, adhesive, dimensionals, and a mega glue dot.

Tweet Tweet... Tweet a deedle deet......

It's Saturday and a little gloomy outside but the birdies have been outside chirping a song while I write this. Last night my friend Kim came over and we were productive making cards to participate in three challenges this week! Yeah! I love when she comes over b/c we both become inspired.

Today I am sharing a card I made with the "a little birdie told me" set from Stampin Up. My friend Paula has used this set a ton and every time I saw one of her cards I told myself I had to have this set! Inside...the card says "your under the weather"

I hope you all have a great weekend! I am off to clean and then make a mess again in my craft room! Talk to you soon!

Stamps: A little birdie told me (Stampin up)
Paper: Barely Banana (SU), Brocade blue (SU), Papertrey White, Chloe's Closet 6x6 from Making Memories
Ink: Graphite black
Accessories: Copic Markers, and Dimensionals

A little sunshine on a cloudy day!

The weather has been gray and rainy but I don't mind. We don't get rain that often and I actually kind of like it.

This card I am sharing today is from Stamping Bella (http://www.stampingbella.com/). While I was cleaning my craft room two weeks ago I found some paper that would be perfect with this stamp and I started creating a layout in my head. I finally got a chance to sit down and put it together last Sunday! The card is bright and fun and I love the wild wasabi and regal rose with the Sultry paper pad by basic grey! The ribbon is wild wasabi striped by SU. I colored the image with copics.

Did you know....

Gina K released last night? http://www.ginakstamps.com/


Paper Trey Ink (http://www.papertreyink.com)is/ going to release on Sunday and they have some awesome previews on nicole heady's blog (http://www.nicholeheady.typepad.com/)

They are going to have some great sentiments that you won't wanna miss!


I also noticed while I was on their website that they are now offering a combo pack of their colored card stock for all the colors they released this year! It is an awesome deal if you want to sample a little of each color before you get hooked!

I participated in my first challenge this week for MFT stamps on Splitcoast. The challenge card is posted below but I wanted to share the blog of one of the many talented paper pieced cards I saw. Enjoy Melody's creations at http://www.apapermelody.blogspot.com/.


Well....that's probably enough info. for now...I have many challenges I want to participate in. I am excited to get started!

Rain or Shine...I was paper piecing today!

Two days ago I got an e-mail from MFT stamps (http://www.mftstamps.com/) announcing their "Who's that Girl" challenge so I thought...why not I will try it! I have several of these sets and have used them over and over!

The challenge required you to paper piece a card. I thought about what layout, papers, & stamp set I wanted to use while the rain poured down outside my window. I started with the retail therapy set but couldn't quite get all those little pieces to work to my satisfaction so at 9:00pm I started anew. The challenge had to be uploaded by 11pm my time...

I grabbed my rain or shine set and went to work! I am very happy with the way it turned out. I wish I looked this fashionable in a rain storm!!!
I looked at the samples the other ladies did and they are fantastic. You can check them out by searching the MFT gallery on http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ using the code "MFTWTG25".

I also saw another challenge to use paper pleating today with MFT stamps so I may try my hand at that after I finish the cats pajama's challenge! Talk to you soon!

Stamps: Rain or Shine(My Favorite Things) Paper: Purely Pomegranate (SU), Kiwi Kiss (SU), Raspberry fizz printed paper (SU) & Papertrey White Ink: Archival brilliance graphite black Accessories: Swiss dots embossing folder, Cuttlebug, Copic Markers, and Dimensionals

Hoo-ray we are half way through the week!

Well today is going to be a short post. Yesterday I went a little long on the post. I was so excited to share all the info with you.

I am planning on trying the cats pajama's challenge this week for the first time too! I only have one set from TCP so far but it is a good one!

The card I am sharing with you today is with my new favorite animal to stamp. An Owl....I thought people were a little hoo-crazy when the owl stamps started coming out. I think I may have said "I will not be buying any owl stamps". Well look where I am now...I made an owl card, I purchased Taylored expressions newest release with ... yep you guessed it owls. It's a sickness all of a sudden but they are so darn cute!

I got this stamped image from my friend Paula Bloom http://www.prbloom.typepad.com/. Thanks Paula!

The stamp is from Cornish Heritage Farms http://www.cornishheritagefarms.com/intro.php and is so fun!

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms Paper: Papertrey White, Kraft cardstock from Stampin up, and "the green stack" the new environmental paper pack from die cuts with a view Accessories: Copic Markers & Dimensionals

Hope you like it!

Heres the Scoop....

This title couldn't be more accurate for today. Last night I did a little research and note taking to share some of the things I have found during my blog hopping.

1st ...there are new wooden stamps at Michaels and they are "go green" friendly. They have a cute owl (yes I have jumped on the owl bandwagon my friend thinks its funny b/c I said I wouldn't buy an owl stamp and now I have bought two in one week) and a circle sentiment saying "go green". I really think they are so cute and they are only a buck. Who could argue?

2nd...I am obsessed with the new GORJUSS GIRLS from sugar nellie. This very talented artist Julie Campbell got me hooked on them with her beautiful card! You definitely will want to check out this card. http://www.stampedinhisimage.blogspot.com/ She posted it on Saturday March 7th so you may have to scroll down.

3rd...MFT stamps has all kinds of things going on.

Bubble Bin

I just learned that every Monday they do a "What's in the bubble bin". It is a weekly special on certain stamp sets and they are at great prices. Check it out here http://www.mftstamps.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=43

Also if you head over to splitcoaststampers.com you can find the "Who's that girl" MFT challenge for 03/09. You will have to hurry though b/c you have to post a card by 3/11 to qualify for a prize. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=164 The challenge requires you to use a "Who's that girl set" with paper piecing. Lucky for me I have one already made to share...but maybe I will make another.

4th...Another great stamper has some amazing posts on her blog you will want to check out...

http://papercuts.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

-She has a cute card made with the Tea for Two set from MFT

-She made another cute MFT with the new bunny release

(bunny under tree drinking tea) say that five times fast :)

She also has a gorjuss girls card from Sugar Nellie that is just fantastic!

Okay well my card for today is simple but I am happy with the way it turned out. I used some papers from my 6x6 pad Sunshine Lollipops by Sassafras. This paper pack has a whole lot of colors that are bright and fun so I think this worked out well. I am still working on my copic coloring but I am definitely having fun during the learning process. I bought these cute brown felt flowers at my LSS and love them. Hope you like the card!

Have a Terrific Tuesday!

One more cupcake won't hurt.....will it?

Well Good Morning! As I am typing this I am trying to eat my oatmeal and then leave for work in the next 15 minutes. I am trying to stay devoted to updated my blog each day this week as I made 7 cards over the weekend to share!

This card was made for the Taylored Expressions sketch (http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/). My friend Kim also made an awesome card using this sketch which I know she will be posting this week so stay tuned on her blog (http://www.sewstampscrapbook.blogspot.com/)

I used the Riley the moose stamp from Hanna Stamps (http://www.hannastamps.com/). She has just released a few new ones to include a Moose getting a pedicure on spa day. (very cute)

Sorry I don't have time to post the card details. If you have any questions please leave me a comment and I will get back to you.

Its funny how you can come up with little stories for the subjects you are coloring as you create their backdrop or maybe that's just me being delirious from coloring the same image multiple times till I get it the way I want it...

Also I saw a cute card made with the new release from Taylored Expressions and it is awesome a very bright card to start your Monday morning www.susiestampalot.blogspot.com.

Have a great day!

Saturday sketch challenge

Hello! Well the Fed Ex man did arrive with my copics and they are BEAUTIFUL! I just re-organized them by color families. (I know I am obsessed). My friend Kim came over last night and we were so productive! We each made 5-6 cards and participated in three sketch challenges. I will be posting all week long so stay tuned.

This card is from Jen Del Muro's Saturday sketch (http://www.iheart2stamp.com/). This sketch was a little tricky for me but I think I got it to work. I picked up the 6x6 Flower Patch by making memories at a local scrapbook store and can't get enough of it! It is the perfect spring/Easter/baby paper and it has polka dots. What could be better. I am working on my picture taking skills so if you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment. Have a great Sunday!

Stamps: Bunny in basket (Inky Antics) Easter egg border ($1 stamps from Studio G at Michaels)

Paper: Pink Pirouette & Sage Shadow (SU!), Pure Poppy, White (Papertrey), Various papers from the Flower Patch 6x6 pad (making memories)

Accessories: Scallop punch, Copic Markers, and Dimensionals

One more day till my package o joy arrives!!!

My copics are coming tomorrow per the fed ex website. (They better not be lying). This weekend would be torture if I can't play with them......

So this week has been a little crazy with work but the weather is beautiful so I can't complain. I am so excited about all the new releases and previews that are going on this week.

http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/ Taylored expressions releases tomorrow at 8am for a morning party! She has a cute easter set and an awesome tree and owl set that I can't wait to see more of....

Verve Visual is preparing for their biggest release ever and you can learn more by visiting their web page www.vervevisual.com

My Favorite things just released several new sets last night... visit www.mftstamps.com for more.

This weekend I will be putting together samples for my first design team submission. I am very excited and nervous about it all at the same time!

Talk to you soon.........

My first COPIC creation....

Hello everyone! Well it didn't take long for me to jump on the COPIC bandwagon. I took a copics class last week at my LSS with Jen Del Muro (http://www.iheart2stamp.com/) and I was hooked. I still have to practice a lot but that is half the fun. This card I am sharing today is a bella that reminds me a little of myself (well except for the stick skinny part). She is Readabella and I have been too! I am Twilighting it up with book two and loving this series.

I used the new basic grey paper Marrakech for this card with a craft base. I definitely recommend this basic grey 6x6 card. The colors are so vibrant! I have been dying to use the craft card stock. I can't tell you all the copic colors b/c I tried them a hundred different times till I got a combo I liked. This card layout is one that I had saved from a long time ago and is somewhat difficult to get the measurements right but I finally got it to work...

Let me know your thoughts. I am always open to suggestions!

By the way....my COPIC CIAO's are on their way!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My husband ROCKS!