One Door Closes...

Happy Wednesday! I guess I should make that Happy Halloween...although with a Thanksgiving card!

I whipped this card up quickly tonight using the FTL 213 from one of my favorite challenge blogs from way back, Clean & Simple. I used the Stampin' Up! set Perfectly Preserved, the one with the long-awaited mason jar! *smile*

I had to mark this day with a Stampin' Up! card because this is my last day as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, sigh. What a hard decision! I've been a demo for over 10 years now, and I don't make changes easily. Since I started teaching, I pretty much gave up the business end of it and only ordered for me and a few real and virtual friends (thank you!) occasionally. I've turned down creative opportunities in the past because of a conflict of interest with Stampin' Up, but after much soul searching, I decided it was time to let go and stamp freely. (My husband will seriously laugh at "stamp freely"...that's an oxymoron, right?! haha!) Anyway, I emailed my resignation a few weeks ago, went through a brief mourning period, and now have made peace with my decision. I'll always be a Stampin' Up! customer; in fact, I've already joined one of my downline's stamp clubs, so you'll still see lots of cards made with Stampin' Up! here. *smile*

If you're still reading...and coming here...thanks for sticking with me! Hugs and happy stamping!


Recipe
Stamps: Perfectly Preserved
Ink: Early Espresso, Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit.
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Orchard Harvest DSP.
Accessories: Decorative Label and Modern Label Punch, Linen Thread, Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine, Vintage Trinkets, foam dimensionals.

Friday Mashup #82: I'll Get You My Pretty!

Happy weekend! It's finally fall here, yay!!!

This is my last card as the October guest designer over at the Friday Mashup, kind of sad! I love their challenges! For the Friday Mashup #82:

1. Make a project with a "Witch".
2. Or Make a project using "Bleach".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with a "Witch using a Bleach Technique".

I decided to mash it up! I used a Tim Holtz witch stamp, isn't she scary fun?! I bleached out her face, then lightly colored her in with a green pure color pencil from Stampin' Up! (retired). I love how she turned out!

Head over the Friday Mashup now to see what the rest of the girls came up with and to join in on the witchy poo fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

CAS-ual Fridays #76: Kraft On

It's CAS-ual Fridays time! Whoo! Hoo! I hope you'll come play along with this week's CFC #76 Kraft On: use kraft on your CAS creation! If you use kraft cardstock a lot, like me, you will love it, although I did choke a little bit at first! haha!

This week's sponsor is CAS-ual Fridays Stamps! Yay! The challenge winner will receive a CAS-ual Fridays gift certificate so they can choose the stamps of their choice from this release or next month's release! 

And the exciting part...CAS-ual Fridays Stamps opens for business officially today! Michele is so creative and she's worked so hard on this, I'm super excited for her!  

I used the Big Thanks stamp set for my card. You will love it, such a versatile collection of stamps! I love how you can curve the clear stamps on the block, too, so the "Thanks" sentiment fit on the little banner die cut. For my color inspiration, I used the picture below from the Mini Boden catalog. Yes, I get their catalog just for the color combinations, they are fabulous! If I had a child, I would be broke from wanting to buy the Mini Boden clothes!

Head on over now to the CAS-ual Fridays blog to check out the beautiful cards from the rest of the Girl Fridays! We are a little sad because four of the Girl Fridays...Karolyn, Julie, Stephanie, and Jenny...are saying farewell to the team, boo! hoo! But we'll all still be following them in the blog-o-sphere and maybe they'll still come by and play with us occasionally! 


Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!


Recipe
Stamps: Big Thanks
Cardstock: SU Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, and Summer Starfruit.
Ink: SU Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay.
Accessories: CM Circle Cutter, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Circles #2 Bigz Die, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Early Espresso Button & Baker's Twine.

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps: October Sneak Peek!

Ready for awesome new stamps?! Ready for a sneak peek?! 

I have one for the new Calm & Gentle stamp set from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!

It's a great new set, and you'll especially love the sentiments!

Head over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps blog and leave a comment 

for a chance to win this new set! 

In fact, leave a comment each day for all 5 new sneak peek sets for a chance to win them!

You have until Wednesday at 11:59 pm EST to leave comments on ALL 5 posts!

The winners will be drawn and announced this Thursday, 

then the stamps will be available for purchase on Friday!

If you play along with the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge blog (deadline Thursday @ noon), 

you'll have a chance to win the entire new release, all 5 sets!

I know that's a lot of exciting info, just follow the pink links above for more info!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe

Stamps: CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Calm & Gentle

Cardstock: SU Saraha Sand and Pink Pirouette.

Ink: SU Old Olive and Regal Rose.

Accessories: SU buttons, Jewelry Tag & 1 3/4 " Circle Punch, Crate and Barrel twine, Fiskars 1/16" hole punch, Big Shot & Circles #2 Originals Bigz Die, foam dimensionals.

The Best is Yet to Come

Happy Monday! I know, that's an oxymoron, right?! lol!

I had to squeak in a post this morning to link up to this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge #154! Have you been over there yet? It's their 3rd anniversary and there's a new look and all kinds of exciting things going on!

These colors were tricky, especially that bottom one. It looked more brown on my ipad when I was working with it. I love the tricky challenges, though, it truly makes it a challenge! The bottom paper and priority sticker are from October Afternoon's 9 to 5 collection, the purple polka dot is SU, and the sentiment is from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. Go check out the sneak peeks and enter for a chance to win new stamps! *smile*

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

WTF: Wow That's Fantastic!

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a great weekend! I worked and ran a bunch of errands yesterday (including finding a black mask and feather boa so I can be a raven on Literacy Night...yeah, I know you're going to want to see pictures of that!) so I'd have a little time to play today! Yay! 

I haven't played along with the Embellish Challenge blog for awhile, and Ashley and Tina always has the best color combinations, so I joined this week's Paint Color Trends Challenge: use the challenge colors plus paint on your project. I also added a few chevrons for Just Add Ink's Chevron Challenge. I don't know about you, but I'm still loving the chevron trend!

I haven't played with paint much, except for splattering it on my cards a few time, lol, so I tried  stamping with it this time. I spread a thin layer of black paint in a butter dish lid, then dipped some stamps from the WTF set (it's not nearly as risque as it sounds, haha!) and it turned out pretty cool! Well, I liked the effect anyway! *smile*

Check out Michele's sneak peek blog post here for the WTF stamp set and leave a comment for a chance to win it! I brainstormed a whole list of my own WTF sayings earlier today, maybe I'll have to share those at a later date! Some of them require occasions that may never occur! haha!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe

Stamps: CAS-ual Fridays WTF.

Cardstock: SU Whisper White, Basic Black, Soft Suede, Going Grey, and Summer Smooches DSP.

Ink: Jenni Bowlin black paint.

Accessories: Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Soft Suede Jumbo Button (retired) and Basic Grey button, Lucky Limeade ribbon, black and white twine.

CAS-ual Fridays #75 and BIG NEWS!

It's CAS-ual Fridays time! 

And not just the usual CAS-ual Fridays time, it's time for a HUGE announcement!

It's time to meet the little sister!! 

Yipppppeeeee!

This week's challenge: create a card with an element that extends beyond the card base.

Do you like my card?! Isn't that High 5 stamp the bomb?! 

It was provided to me by this week's sponsor! 

Head over to the CAS-ual Fridays blog now to find out more! 

After you check it out, be sure and come back to tell me how excited you are! hee!hee!

Can't wait to hear from you! Hugs and happy stamping!

The Friday Mashup #81

Happy Friday! Time for the Friday Mashup!

I'm back for my 3rd week as the October Guest Designer for the Friday Mashup #81:

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with a "Christmas Ornament".
2. Or Make a project with some "Sparkle".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Christmas Project with some Sparkle".

I did the whole "mashup" for my card. I flicked some green paint around and topped it with Martha Stewart antique glitter. I dug out an old Stampin' Up! ornament stamp and covered it in the same glitter. Easy peasy! Well, except for the bad glitter spill, ugh! I'll be sparkly for days probably!

I hope you head over to the Friday Mashup and play along with us! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

CAS-ual Fridays #74: Put Your {Heart} Into It

It's CAS-ual Fridays time! You'll love the CFC74 Challenge: Put Your {Heart} Into It! Create a CAS project with a heart! 

Be sure and check out this week's sponsor, too, I Heart Papers! Check out the special discount and shipping offer:

I guess you've all been listening to Michele's secrets and hints over at the CAS-ual Fridays blog and on Facebook...big news coming this Friday when you get to meet the new little sister! You can still display this badge to help spread the word and link up here for a chance to win a special $75 prize from our sponsor!

Things are getting good! *smile*

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Heart Full of Thanks for You

Happy Sunday evening! Hope you've had a great weekend!

Just a quick "heart" card share! This week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge is to create a CAS project with a "heart". This was one of my "possible" cards but didn't make the cut, hehe. I'll be back tomorrow night with the "official" one. *smile*

I tried to do some creating today, but schwooo, the creative mojo was nowhere to be found, ugh! But I did walk 2 miles, finish all the laundry, and enjoy the Sunday night special lineup...The Amazing Race, The Walking Dead, and Homeland. Booyaaah!

Hope you have a super week! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

I Miss You

This is my homesick card. I haven't seen family since last Christmas and that is too long! I'm sure many of you can relate! *tough smile*

I used two fabulous challenges for this one...Freshly Made Sketches #56 (turned on its side) and The Play Date Cafe #153. That great United States piece is a die cut sticker from Studio Calico...been hoarding that one for awhile! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

the Friday Mashup #80

Happy Friday! I'm back as the October Guest Designer for the Friday Mashup Challenge blog! And I have a bat guano card for you! hehe! That's what I thought it looked like after I added the black ink splotches! *smile*

I hope you'll play along with the Friday Mashup #80:

1. Create a card using a sketch
2. Create a card using the faux washi tape technique
3. Or mash it up and use both the sketch and the faux washi tape technique!

FYI, if you google "faux washi tape" a bunch of different tutorials will come up. I didn't have the supplies for any of them, so I tried adding scotch tape over a piece of patterned paper. I'm not sure that was the most effective! haha!

I hope you'll come play along! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

CAS-ual Fridays #73: For the Girls!

It's CAS-ual Fridays time! This week is super special because our challenge is For the Girls: create a CAS project for the special women in your life! I know you have some special gals in your life that could use a card, right?! 

Here's what you're playing for: the guest designer spot at CAS-ual Fridays for November, PLUS a $25 gift certificate from Simon Says Stamp! (My wish list is a mile long at that site, hehe!) 

Do you like that sentiment I used on my card? It's from a new stamp set, Fight Like A Girl, from A Muse Studio for their Stamp Out Breast Cancer promotion. A Muse Studio generously donated the set and a package of creative supplies to the Facebook Girl Fridays, so I have some more cards down below to share with you!  

You can get the Fight Like a Girl set, too, right here, for just $3.00 shipping! 

Would you like a chance to win the stamp set AND the package of creative supplies for free?!

• Head over to this CAS-ual Fridays Happy Hour post and leave a comment for you chance to win! 
• You can enter once a day!
• Winner will be drawn randomly, you don't have to participate in the challenge.

Don't forget to head over to Facebook and "like" CAS-ual Fridays and A Muse Studio for more inspiration with this fabulous stamp set! Here are some more samples to spark your creativity:

Visit my posts here and here for a few more Fight Like a Girl cards! Hugs and happy stamping!

Chin Up, Buttercup!

Happy Sunday evening! I hope you had a great weekend! I enjoyed the best long weekend with my crafty girlfriends, words can't describe! I made nine cards and three scrapbook pages, and that was in between lots of talking, eating, napping, and movie watching! *smile*

This is one of the nine cards, guess you probably figured that out! I showed a card the other day with the Fight Like a Girl stamp set from A Muse Studio to help promote breast cancer awareness that you can get for just a $3 shipping charge, and I used it again here. As a Girl Friday with the CAS-ual Fridays challenge blog, I was super fortunate to receive a generous package from A Muse Studio that included the stamp set, yummy cardstock, ink, ribbon, and little pearls. I went ahead and ordered one myself, along with the yummy Chevron stamps, that I used here. 

For the layout, I used this super inspiring and easy to work with sketch from Create with Connie and Mary. The challenge is still open for another 2 days and 12 hours, so you still have time to play along, but you do have to use Stampin' Up! products only, which I forgot, oops! Don't forget to play along with The Friday Mashup this week too! It's fun rectangles with yummy blues and greens! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe

Stamps: Fight Like a Girl by A Muse Studio.

Cardstock: Venetian Solid Burano, Venetian Patterned Burano, Petite Polka Dot Seattle, and Chevron Seattle by A Muse Studio; Whisper White, Pool Party, and Comfort Cafe patterned paper by Stampin' Up!.

Ink: Burano Pigment Ink by A Muse Studio.

Accessories: Designer Button and Pool Party twine by Stampin' Up!

the Friday Mashup #79

Happy Friday! I was beyond excited when Holly from the Friday Mashup Challenge blog asked me to be the guest designer for October! I love their fun challenges and how they give you two challenges, with the option to do just one of them, or mash them up together and do both! Then I got this week's amazing graphic and since blue is my favorite color, I was over the moon! *smile*

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with the colors "Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Gumball Green, and Lucky Limeade".

1. Or Make a project using "Rectangles".

1. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with the "Color Combination and Rectangles".

As you can see, I went for the "Mash it Up"! I hope you'll come check it out and play with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Fight Like a Girl

Have you seen the awesome new stamp set that A Muse Studio has out for Stamp Out Breast Cancer awareness?! It's called Fight Like a Girl, and you can get it for just $3 that covers the cost of shipping. I ended up making this card two ways since I couldn't decide which color combo I liked best. 

Unfortunately, I'm sure we've all had a relative or friend who has needed a card like this. Hopefully our prayers will be answered and a cure will come soon. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

CAS-ual Fridays #72: Toot Your Own Horn!

 

It's CAS-ual Fridays time! Come play with this week's challenge: CFC72: Toot Your Own Horn...create a project inspired by your blog header! How fun is that?! If you don't have a blog header, no worries, you can use the CAS-ual Fridays blog header for your inspiration! *smile*

Can you see how I used my blog header for inspiration? I was a little stressed, since my blog header is kind of low-rent and homemade, featuring photos of some of my favorite things. When I came across these Amy Tan stickers in my stash, I knew they were perfect for this challenge! 

Are you ready to give it a try? You'll want a chance to win the prize from this week's sponsor, A Muse Studio. This week's winner will receive a fantastic product bundle that includes: Best of Times cling set, latte pearl stickers, A Must Studio Grass Ink Pad and a 20-pack of their yummy fall palette cardstock--valued at over $35!

So what are you waiting for?! I can't wait to see your projects inspired by your blog header! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!