gettin my embell-ope on!

hey there!
i made this card/envelope last week with two challenges in mind...and then forgot to take picturs and blog about it, until today! lol! oops! that hasn't happened to me in a while! ha ha!! i missed one of the challenges, but the challenge at a blog named hero is still open (barely! ha ha!)! the challenge is all about decorating the envelope! i think that is such a NEAT idea!! i love it! and it's something that i never do. so i was excited to actually do it! :)

i used two hero arts stamps - the main city image is from the silly scape wood block (still one my all time favorite stamps!!) and the sentiment is from everyday sayings, which is such an awesome set! perfect for literally, any occasion! :)

well, here they are:

 

i made the card first, and it was a blast to coordinate the envelope!

i stamped, fussy cut and popped up the city scene. then i added some glossy accents to a few windows, roofs, etc for a little added interest! 

the background was created by blending two distress inks to make the prettiest sunset ever! lol!

for the envelope, i stamped the city scene, and then masked it off so i could splatter some pink and gold! 

to finish it off, i added the tiniest bit of glitter my wink of stella glitter pen to the city windows, etc (just like the i did with the glossy accents on the card). 

so that's it! like i said, super fun, and totally out of my comfort zone! :) 
enjoy!

inky paws sketch challenge #4

yahoo! it's time for another inky paws challenge over at the newton's nook blog! the sketch this time is SO fun and absolutely fun to work with!!

for my card i had an idea to turn that circle into a snowglobe! hello! seems obvious, now doesn't it! ha ha!
then all i had to decide on was which newton's nook image to use! all of the new release images would have been super fun!! (i'm looking at you sea-son's greetings octopus, whale and boat!! ha ha!) but in the end, i settled on the warm and cuddly newton in a scarf (from newton's holiday mischief)! he just looked so bundled up and ready to be in a snowglobe! :) ha!

i paper pieced the cat image and then, using some circle dies and strip of paper, i created the snowglobe! easy peasy! 

i also decided to go a little abstract with the light green rectangle in the sketch and i used some maya road snowflakes that i colored white with my ink pad! :)
a simple bow with some twine and that's another really easy christmas card in the bag! it would actually be a fun card to reproduce with different images from newton's nook (seriously! can't you just see a cute puppy in there, too! eek! so cute!)

so anyway, that's it! now it's your turn to get your creative juices flowing and enter the inky paws challenge! you could win some newton's nook!! 
enjoy!

naughty or nice, this christmas

well, the latest use what you have challenge is up at the sweet stamp shop blog! :) this time, nicole challenged everyone to also try to use their stamps in a new way! challenge accepted!

first of all, i used my stash of paper scraps! (confession alert: i have stashes of paper scraps all over my scrap room! ha ha! most recently, i organized my main scraps by color...yeah, i'm that girl! ha ha! looooooove organizing by color - my closet is the same way! all organized by color! ha ha! ...i'm a nerd...)

moving on! for my card, i used 5 stamp sets!!! oh yeah! below is the list of stamps i used:

calendar
gnomies
holiday sentiments
scootin' by
geek chic

oh yeah! here's my fun (and funny?!) christmas card:

all of the images were colored with copics and some of them were popped up for dimension! yay! i turned that cute little gnome into santa (easily done with an enamel dot and some white enamel for the trim of the hat!)! i just love that it looks like mr claus is asking you, 'have you been naughty or nice?' ha ha! and for a little more fun, i even added some presents (for the nice kids!) and some coal for the...not so nice kids!! (at least it's supposed to be coal! does it look like coal to you?) the coal is actually the 'puffs' of smoke from the exhaust on the 'scootin by' stamp set! :)

the background of the card was created by heat embossing the calendar (for the month of december, of course!) and then spraying some studio calico shine for some extra festive fun! i like that it's still a little CAS, but also has lots of interest! :)
(and see that blue/red/white striped base? that's my scrap! check!) :)

so that's it! i would say i used my stamps in an unconventional way! lots of transformation here people (santa, the coal, oh yeah!).
now it's your turn! get your thinking caps on, and use up your stash at the same time! win-win! :)
enjoy!

a very merry layout

hey there!

today i'm on the newton's nook blog showcasing a few of the new holiday release stamps one more time! :)

this time, i created a layout! 
at christmas last year i took some pictures of my little menn at the fireplace looking up for santa with some cookies on a plate! i love the pictures and the memories they invoke! and when i saw this image from on 'newton's holiday mischief' stmap set i KNEW it was finally time to scrap the pictures! 

(i paper pieced and popped up newtion and those cookies and i think it's so cute!!)

so here's my layout:

i kept it simple and just added some pops of color. i colored the stockings, cut them out and popped them up in the corner. then added a few clothes pins to the whisps of line. both the stockings and the stamped title are from newton's holiday wishes stamp set! such a fun set with mixed fonts to create your own custom sentiments! :)

then i added a soom wood veneer stars to add to the 'magic' of the scene in the pictures. you can't tell - but i added a wink of stella glitter to all of the stars. in real life it adds such a subtle effect and again, ups the 'magic' of the season feel! :)

the main title was created with thickers and some alpha stickers and i love it! i'm so glad to have this memory officially documented! :)
have you ordered your holiday newton's nook stamps yet? ha ha! if so, get them inky and participate the latest inky paws challenge coming your way on october 25th!! you could win newtons nook stamps!

enjoy!

lawnscaping challenge - pinterest inspired

get ready! it's time for a new lawnscaping challenge! 
and this is a FANTASTIC challenge! all you have to do is be inspired by something on pinterest! hello!!

don't have pinterest, but still want to play along! great!!! all you have to do is be inspired by anything you see online! easy, peasy! :)
i saw this super adorable print in pinterest here and was instantly inspired to put my twist on it! :)

i used a bunch of lawn fawn stamps for my card: plus one, harold's abc's, critters ever after, and bannerific! :)

fun, right?! i LOVE it!! it's not your average baby card, that's for sure!! hello - flames on the baby stroller?! i couldn't love it more!!

everything was colored with copics and then all fussy cut out. the stroller and banner were popped up for dimension. and i added some glossy accents to the flames! :) i love that little strip of washi tape over the woodgrain white cardstock too! 

so that's it! i was laughing and loving this card as i was making it! so not it's your turn!

for even more inspiration (if you can stand it!), check out the lawnscaping facebook page! we're dedicated to keeping your creative juices flowing! :)

so, while you're pinning your heart out, save a few and be inspired to create something from what you see!! you could win a stamp set of  your choice from lawn fawn!  hello!!

patterned paper layout at the lawnscaping blog

hey there!!
hope your weekend is off to a good start! 

just in case you were up for some fun, holiday layout inspiration, i'm over on the lawnscaping blog today! the last challenge was all about patterned paper! and i loooooooooooove my patterned paper! 

i keep ALL of my scraps! 
(even the tiny border pieces from all of those 6x6 pads i have!)

my layout there was even created using only the patterned paper borders i keep from my 6x6 pads! lol! here's a sneak peak!!

so check it out and then get ready, we have another amazing challenge coming for you on monday!! :)
enjoy!

Newton's Nook Designs Holiday Release - SEA-son's Greetings

today is last day showing off newton's nook holiday release!

and this set it so cool!! it's nautical and christmas and FUN!
i think this first card may be my favorite of all my cards this week! 

i created that background by heat embossing a woodgrain pattern onto white cardstock and then distressing it with peacock feathers! then i used my border punch to create the waves! SO fun! and the perfect compliment to that cute little whale!!

i colored the whale with copics and then popped him up for some extra fun! the sentiment was stamped with staz-on ink onto the wood veneer speech bubble! then i added a few wood veneer snowflakes too! love this card!!

my last card for this release features my favorite sentiment from this set!! it's so FUN!! ha ha!!

i thought it would be fun to stamp the boat and present images onto some washi tape - trying out some new uses, what do you think? i think it needs work, but i like it!

i added some twine to connect down to that fun little anchor! the whole panel was popped up and then i added some peppermint striped washi tape to the sides! i also added some wink of stella glitter to the ribbons of the presents!

Would you like to win SEA-son's Greetings?
This set will be given away to Two lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

1. Comment on Newton's Nook Design blog: http://www.newtonsnookblog.com. One Winner will be randomly chosen from the comments on the Holiday release posts.

2. Comment on the Design Team Member and Guest blogs (see list below)! One winner will be chosen at random from the collective blogs in the Holiday release blog hop. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday, October 17th at 9 pm Central Standard Time to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, October 18th.

Make sure you check out all the blogs participating in the Launch Party below to enter:

Tessa Wise

Jocelyn Olson 

Samantha Mann  (that's me!)

Jennifer Ingle

Alice Wertz (october guest!)

Danielle Pandeline (october guest!)

thanks so much for visiting, and don't forget to comment for your chance to win! :)

enjoy!

Newton's Nook Designs Holiday Release - Holiday Wishes

bring on the next set in newton's nook holiday release!

today's set is so pretty and SO versitle! and it works perfectly with their previously released winged wishes stamp set! this new set will be ready for purchase october 18th here! :)
i really am loving both of these cards today! 

my first one reminds me of a rustic, woodsy christmas!

i used some embossing paste and a stencil to create the background (LOOOOOVE that!). 
i added a bit of natural twine and some pearls to compliment the wood veneer bird and the perfect, wonderful christmas sentiment! you can create SO many unique christmas sentiments with this set!! i LOVE it!

my next card was really easy to make! and i LOVE the result! i heat embossed the sentiment onto some realistic looking wood paper. the bright white pop of the sentiment is so crisp and FUN!

then i created a banner with two strips of glitter tape! which i thing goes so well with the sentiment! then i had this really FUN globe sticker in my stash and i think the colors just work so well together! LOVE this! 

Would you like to win Holiday Wishes?
This set will be given away to Two lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

1. Comment on Newton's Nook Design blog: http://www.newtonsnookblog.com. One Winner will be randomly chosen from the comments on the Holiday release posts.

2. Comment on the Design Team Member and Guest blogs (see list below)! One winner will be chosen at random from the collective blogs in the Holiday release blog hop. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday, October 17th at 9 pm Central Standard Time to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, October 18th.

Make sure you check out all the blogs participating in the Launch Party below to enter:

Tessa Wise

Jocelyn Olson 

Samantha Mann  (that's me!)

Jennifer Ingle

Alice Wertz (october guest!)

Danielle Pandeline (october guest!)

thanks so much for visiting, and don't forget to comment for your chance to win! :)

enjoy!

Newton's Nook Designs Holiday Release - canine christmas

the fun continues!
newton's nook is celebrating their october release all week! and it's amazing!
full of christmas cheer and unexpected holiday goodies!!! :) 

that's right - get ready for some puppy christmas love! and hold tight, it will be ready for purchase october 18th here! :)my first card is a circle to mimic christmas ornaments! 

i colored in that cute cute cute spaniel and then popped him up for dimension!! i added a red glittery nose (eek! so cute!) and then a glossy accetned bone for that puppy on the nice list!

the sentiment and snowflakes were heat embossed in white and then i added a few sequins too!

my second card was created for my best friends!! the dog looks JUST like their dog and then i went with a green and white theme (since they, in particular LOVE all things michigan state! ha ha!). 

anyway, i paper pieced the puppy and i just LOVE that he's dreaming of a new bone for christmas! that sentiment cracks me up too!! i added a bunch of sequins and pearls for fun and then a bit of twine at to tie in the dark color of the puppy! i can't wait to send this card to them! they are going to LOVE it! ha ha! :)

Would you like to win Canine Christmas?

This set will be given away to Two lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

1. Comment on Newton's Nook Design blog: http://www.newtonsnookblog.com. One Winner will be randomly chosen from the comments on the Holiday release posts.

2. Comment on the Design Team Member and Guest blogs (see list below)! One winner will be chosen at random from the collective blogs in the Holiday release blog hop. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday, October 17th at 9 pm Central Standard Time to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, October 18th.

Make sure you check out all the blogs participating in the Launch Party below to enter:

Tessa Wise

Jocelyn Olson 

Samantha Mann  (that's me!)

Jennifer Ingle

Alice Wertz (october guest!)

Danielle Pandeline (october guest!)

thanks so much for visiting, and don't forget to comment for your chance to win! :)

enjoy!

Newton's Nook Designs Holiday Release - newton's holiday mischief

it's a great monday!
newton's nook is celebrating their october release and it's amazing!!! full of christmas cheer and unexpected holiday goodies!!! :)

today's set features newton up to some of his old antics and it's all about the christmas spirit! i love this set, and it will be ready for purchase october 18th here! :)both cards i created are chocked full of CAS christmas cheer!
my first card was inspiried by all of those beautiful christmas wreaths that people like to hang from their doors! 

i paper pieced all of the images and then popped them up for dimension onto that awesome woodgrain patterned paper!

i even flocked the cat's belly - how's that for fun!! then i just added the tiniest bit of glitter from the wink of stella pen to the berries in the wreath and holly at the bottom. i finised off the card with glossy accents over the berries too, as well as the sweet little nose! :)

my next card is one of my favorites! i sewed along the edges of the card and then popped up that panel over some really festive red and polka dotted paper! then i sprayed some studio calico shine spray over a mask to add a subtle amount of interest while still keeping it nice and clean and simple.

i colored the kitten and all of those lights with copics and CUT OUT EACH one!!!! lol!! i know...why? apparently i like to complicate things! anyway, the cat is popped up and then i added some glossy accents to tall of the lights and added a few clear sparkle embellishments. LOVE this card!!

isn't is to sweet! this is an awesome set!!

Would you like to win Newton's Holiday Mischief?This set will be given away to Two lucky winners! 

Here's how to win: 

1. Comment on Newton's Nook Design blog: http://www.newtonsnookblog.com. One Winner will be randomly chosen from the comments on the Holiday release posts.

2. Comment on the Design Team Member and Guest blogs (see list below)! One winner will be chosen at random from the collective blogs in the Holiday release blog hop. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday, October 17th at 9 pm Central Standard Time to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, October 18th.

Make sure you check out all the blogs participating in the Launch Party below to enter:

Tessa Wise

Jocelyn Olson 

Samantha Mann  (that's me!)

Jennifer Ingle

Alice Wertz (october guest!)

Danielle Pandeline (october guest!)

thanks so much for visiting, and don't forget to comment for your chance to win! :)

enjoy!

truly, madly

sundays are bittersweet! it's the last day of the weekend, which means you can still enjoy not working, but it's also the last day of the weekend, which means, work comes tomorrow! (for me at least!) ha ha!

anyway, i made a card for the most current sketch for the CAS(E) this sketch challenge! 

the sketch was created with speech bubbles...hello! i knew i had to play along!

and after going back and forth between actually using speech bubbles or changing things up (clouds? arrows? hearts?) i stuck with the speech bubbles, i just can't get enough! :)

so here's my card:

it's VERY clean and simple. all of the stamps are from the mama elephant stamp set, bling. i stamped and fussy cut out the speech bubbles and hearts. then i popped up a few of each for some dimension. i also added glossy accents to all of the hearts. 

the potty people - my experiment of the day!! i used my dies from my favorite things (boy meets girl) and then used the negative as a stencil for my embossing paste! fun, right? i didn't the girl first, so you can tell she's a little...uneven to say the least. but the i got it all sorted out when it time to use the boy stencil.

so that's it! lots of fun, but still simple! (believe me...i resisted added enamel dots, sequins, more hearts...you name it! it was so hard! what do you think? does it need something else?)

enjoy!

the red nosed reindeer

today i have another fun card to share!
this card was created for the paper smooches sparks challenge! which is a trend watch this time and happens to be all about lace!

well...i don't have any lace...so after looking for some lace-y or doily papers that i had, i remembered that i had lace WASHI! oh yeah! the washi print looks like lace! score! and what i love about the lace being on the washi tape is that i was free to make a super feminine, pretty card, or a quirky, modern card. guess which way i went?! lol! 

quirky!
yep, i layered the washi tape as my background (inspired by my best's card here, thank you!) and then got to work! the reindeer are actually just deer from the paper smooches stamp set happy camper. LOVE that image! it's so cute and, well just plain adorable! then i made the antlers from the two 'branches' from the hang ups stamp set! 

all of the images were colored with copics (i was tyring to make the deer all different shades of brown...almost...i was so close! but i'm still learning with those!). of course i had to add a little blush to their cheeks, it's too cute!! 
then i popped up the middle deer and added a red sparkly nose (he he!).

lastly, i created the sentiment with some october afternoon alphas and used my sewing machine to secure them in place! (plus - i am currently in love with sewing on sentiments...)

so that's it! hope it made you smile! 
enjoy!