Birthday Wishes

*Edit to add: There is a one day sale going on today only...Get everything at 40% off!*

Hi Everyone,

I'm back with a card today made with some digi paper from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.  It's from my favorite paper from the set called Bold Black and White.  You can, however, print it out on other paper besides white and it has a completely different look.  Also, digital papers don't take up any space in your craft area.  You just print out what you need, when you need it.  Cool, eh?

The Lighthouse image I used on my card is a freebie from the MyGrafico site by Cheri Wenger designs.  Yes, you can get it now for FREE!  I'm always looking for images for guy cards, so this was perfect paired up with the paper.

Here is a look at all the papers:

Thanks for dropping by and don't forget to check out Lindsay's personal blog too.

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Clear it Out-Anything Goes

My Grafico-Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday-Anything Goes

Daisy Doodles-Anything Goes w/Digi

Simon Says Stamp & Show-Anything Goes

Stamps R Us-Birthday

Details not listed above: Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up, Markers: Copic, Punches: EK Success, Stampin' Up, ribbon and button from my supplies.

The Decemberists

Hi Everyone,

I had a fantastic night out yesterday.  We grabbed some dinner at Shooters and then went to an awesome concert at Nautica.  The weather was perfect, and my greatest fear of being the oldest person there did not come true.  Fantastic people watching too...Oh my, the unfortunate wardrobe choices kept me entertained for quite some time.

Anyway, while you were probably not there, gotta love folks who upload to You Tube. 

Hope you are enjoying the summer!

A Rare Grill Master

Hi Everyone,

I have another birthday card to show off today on my blog.  Thank you and birthday cards are the ones that I use the most in my personal life, so I always feel like I never have enough.

This one is made entirely of stamps from DRS Designs.  It's the perfect birthday card for that man in your life with a summer birthday.  I would say, what man doesn't like to grill?  But that would be my husband.  It's me who does the grilling, because he says he never knows when it's done. lol.  Maybe if he did it on a regular basis he would learn, but whatever.

I used the Large Original Plaid stamp to make the bottom of my card look like a picnic tablecloth, the Lines O' Plenty for the top and the Polka Dot Background for the middle strip

.

The image is Grilling Guy and the matching sentiment is Grill Master Birthday Greeting.

It's my day to post over at the DRS Designs blog too, so stop by and see another summery card over there as well.

Thanks for stopping to visit and I hope you are having a great week.

 Challenges for this card:

2 Sisters-Anything Goes

Totally PaperCrafts-One for the Boys

Crafty Emma-Humor

Southern Girls-Birthday

Paper Sundaes-Beachy or Summer

Craft Your Days Away-Summer

ECP-Summer Theme

Fussy and Fancy-Summer Theme

Paper Cutz-Anything Goes

Stamp Something-Include embellishment

Woodware USA-Stamp a Background

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up, Memento, Markers: Copic, Punch: Martha Stewart, Buttons and twine from my supplies.

Hambo Hoedown Monochromatic Card

Hi Everyone,

I think I have the lament of everyone when I say, "I have been so busy this summer!"  Where is the summer running off to?  Next week is AUGUST!  Did I just freak you out?  I kinda did myself :)

I did a garage sale with my best friend week before last.  It was at her house, so I just brought some stuff I had left over from my last sale and even some crafty stuff that I had from craft fairs gone by...Then last week was Vacation Bible School at my church.  I've been volunteering for quite a few years, and now it's just to the point where they expect me to help in my usual spot. They had a great turn out. One little kid that came back on Tuesday brought a friend.  It was so cute, at the registration table he said he didn't know what they could do today that could top yesterday...It was "So Much Fun!"...LOL!  I guess that makes it worth it.  I didn't even have time to unload my car of the left over garage sale stuff until Thursday.  I'm sure people thought I was living out of my car.

Anyway, we had a ton of rain this weekend, so we opted not to go to the Cleveland Orchestra, since they play outside at an open air theatre.  Instead we saw Tree of Life.  I was prepared for the artsy fartsy weirdness, but I wasn't prepared for the hand held camera aspect, so that made me queasy for the entire 2 plus hours.  It was hard to close my eyes to gain some equilibrium too, due to the lack of dialog in the movie.  I came home and laid on the couch for an hour before I finally started to feel better.  Sigh. So weird because I've never had that happen before.  Rod got queasy on the Simpson's ride at Universal and a friend wasn't happy during The Blair Witch Project, so I guess I can now sympathize.

Ok, now that you are semi caught up on my life, I have been dying to play along with the Hambo Hoedown.  You know they send you a FREE digi just for playing, right?  Nope, you don't even have to win the challenge, just email them a photo of your card,

This week is a monochromatic challenge and it's supposed to be a color you don't usually use.  While I do use pink at times, I never use it on a card for guys, which is what this is.  I LOVE those "Hambo" pigs!  I used the Pig Inmate digi that I got awhile back for playing, so I'm happy to finally be able to use it.  I did try and butch up the card with brads, twine and buttons. Only in "Cardville" are buttons considered masculine ;) . 

 

Oh, and the twine? Since I only have red, green and brown,  I tried the make it yourself variety with no success.  Yet that didn't stop me from using it anyway. Go visit Emily if you want to see real twine used in an awesome way.  Ok, enough from me.  Play along at the Hambo Hoedown right here. 

 Until tomorrow...

Other challenges for this card:

 Dustin Pike-Birthday-Animals

Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes

2 Sisters-Anything Goes

Our Creative Corner-All the B's, Black, Bling, Buttons or Bows

Totally Paper Crafts-One for the Boys

Card Cupids-Birthday

Crafty Emma-Humor/Funny

Fuzzy Wuzzy-Animal and Punches

Craft Us Crazy-Anything Goes

Shelly's Images-Anything Goes

Southern Girls-Birthday

Fresh Brewed Designs-Animal

Supplies not listed above- Paper: The Paper Company, Georgia Pacific White, Unknown source, Markers: Copic, Punch: Martha Stewart, Nesties Brads, buttons from my supplies.

Are You a Winner?

Hi Everyone,

The winners for the Amber Ink blog hop have been chosen.  Check here and see if you were one of the lucky ones!

Congrats one and all!

Time to Save

*Scroll down for the Amber Ink Birthday Hop!*

Hi Everyone,

This week is Vacation Bible School at my church, so I'm up to my eyeballs in kids :)  Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to make something, but that doesn't mean you can't!

Run on over to Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for great savings the next few days....

Check out these fab items all at 35% off!

Happy Crafting!

Amber Ink Birthday Bash Blog Hop

Hi Everyone!

I cannot believe an entire year has gone by.  I can still remember being giddy with excitement when the invitation arrived in my in box.  Would I be willing to carry the torch for the month of July for Amber Ink?  I thought for sure this email was meant for someone else.  ME?  Are you kidding me?  Of course I said yes, right after I got done doing a happy dance :)

 What an honor it was to be the first, and when it was time to pass my torch, I was so thrilled that my blogging friend Tanis, said yes too.  I love seeing the long line of purple torchbearers that have come after us.  And purple was my favorite color, back when I had a favorite color, and things like that mattered in my life as a five year old.  Now I have another nostalgic reason to love it.

So, to celebrate the one year mark for Amber Ink, torchbearers past and present are lighting the way with some super duper birthday projects, all full up of Amber Ink goodness.

Now, you should have arrived from Ninni's blog, but if you didn't, go to Amber Inklings to start at the beginning.  Leave some comments along the way, and you could be a lucky winner of some goodies.

My card was made using the set Let's Communicate.  I colored up that oh so stylish girl with my Copics and then layered her on some bright party papers from my stash.  I added some bling and the cut out curve on the bottom of the card says, "Wishing you lots of everything wonderful."  I would be wonderful if it showed up better in the photo. 

Ok, enough babble from me...Next up on the hop is Tanis!  She rocks everything she does, so hurry up and take a peek. 

The entire list is below if you need it, and Happy Birthday AMBER INK!

Thanks for hopping!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, K & Company, Punch: EK Success, Ribbon and Gem Embellishment: Recollections

Above Par Birthday

Hi Everyone,

With so many golfers in my life, I love all the golf themed stamps that DRS Designs carries in their catalog, and  Golfer Duff is one from the new releases.  I colored him with Copics and paired it with the Above Par Birthday greeting.

The Easy Grass Background always comes in handy for any outdoor themed card too. 

Now, I'm leaving my chit chat to a minimum here today, because it's my day to post over at the DRS Designs blog.  Here is a peek at my other golf themed card using the same sentiment over there. 

 But the real reason you must visit over there?  A personal golfing story you won't want to miss. 

Before you go, DRS Designs is also sponsoring the challenge at Stamp Something this week.  The theme is Christams in July and the prize is a $15.00 voucher to the DRS Designs Store.  I totally ran out of time to make something, sad boo boo face from me, but you have a chance at winning if you play!

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Birthday Sundaes-Anything Goes w/ b-day sentiment

Here Come the Boys-Sporty

Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes

Sentimental Sunday-For the Men

Elephantastic-Celebrations

Sweet Stampin-One for the Boys

Make It Monday-Anything Goes
Paper Playtime-Summer

Pollycraft-Summer Fun

A Gem of a Challenge-Lets Hear it for the Boys

Sweet Stampin-One for the Boys

Totally Gorjuss-For the Boys

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Momento, Stampin' Up!, Markers: Copics, Nesties, Chalk: Stampin' Up!, Punch: Martha Stewart, Brads from my supplies.

Are You a Winner?

Good Morning Everyone,

I just wanted to pop in to say, the winners for the Sparkle and Sprinkle Winter Blog Hop were announced on the blog yesterday. (lol, I made a rhyme)

  Was it you?  

Wintery Sensations Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle "Sparkling Wintry Sensations” blog hop! If you hopped here by way of Julie Z., then you're in the right spot. If you'd like to start from the beginning and become eligible for SIX great prizes, then click here. 

The Grand Prize is a stamp set of the winner’s choice. As you visit each artist’s blog, there is the possibility of winning one of FIVE more prizes! It’s a secret though. No one knows who “Those Five” are, so leave plenty of comments along the way.

Also during the blog hop, from today through Sunday July 17, the Sparkle Team presents all of the SNS Winter and Holiday stamps on a super special - 20% off! (exception is Spellbinders Combos).

Now, on to my card!  I've been having so much fun stamping with the set named Rudy. There are so many darling images and I love this sweet little snowman. He really does melt your heart!

I used some Red Apple (EP276) embossing powder on my die cut hearts and the on the sentiment as well.  All of the detailed instructions can be found by clicking here.

And I just wanted to show off that other snowman again that comes in the same set.  Way cute! I used glitter and flock and all the details on how to recreate my card can be found by clicking here.  

Details and step by step instructions for everyone's cards, can be found in the gallery at Sparkle and Sprinkle.

Don't forget that perhaps I am one of “The Five” with a secondary prize, so leave a comment to become eligible for the Grand Prize and one of the 5 secondary prizes. Winners will be announced Saturday, July 16 between 11AM-3PM at the Sparkle and Sprinkle blog.

Now, hop on over to Linda.

Here is the blog hop order just in case you get lost.

Sandy Meier

Dawn Thomas

Shona

Eleanor

Julie W

Joan Petty

Judy

Julie Z

 Karin  (You are Here)

Linda

Marie

Barbara Bruder

Patti
Donna

Happy Holiday Hopping!

Popping By To Say Hi!

Hi Everyone!

There's a fun set of Retro Movie Stamps that were recently released at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, so I had to color up this popcorn digi and make a fun card.  Wouldn't this be a friendly thing to find in your mailbox from a special someone?  It looks just like the advertisements for the cinema refreshment stand.  I remember them dancing across the screen at the drive-in movies when I was a kid :)

I used layers of paper from Cosmo Cricket, and I had the perfect sentiment to pair him up with.  It's from one of my favorite sets from Amber Ink.

Here is a peek at the entire set of digis:

Cute, right?  Kinda makes you want to go to the movies! I think my next trip to the cinema will have to be for the last Harry Potter flick.  I'm one who has to wait for the crowds to die down though :)

Remember, Lindsay always has great crafty ideas on her blog as well, so stop by for a look see there, too.

Thank you for popping by.  I know I've been posting less, it's just that summer has kept me doing other things outside my craft area, so I really appreciate you all hanging in there with me. I will be around to visit you soon! 

Challenges for this card:

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz-Anything Goes

One Stitch at a Time-Anything Goes

Pink Gem Challenge-Let's Hear it for the Boys

Crafty Ann's Challenge-Thinking of You/Just Because

Crafty Catz-Vintage Look (I hope this includes my Retro!)

Craft Your Passion-Just for You (General card for anyone)

Make it Monday-Anything Goes

Details not listed above- Paper: Georgia Pacific White, Markers: Copic, Nesties, Ribbon and brads from my supplies

It's Summertime!

Hi Everyone,

I have a great summery card to show you today, made with one of the newly released stamps from DRS Designs.  This company is definitely know for it's unique sentiments and I chose to make this new Cool Summertime Greeting stamp the focal point of my card. 

 I played off the words and colored up the lemonade image from the stamp Drink Line Up and  cut it out for an embellishment.

The other thing DRS Designs is known for, is all the background stamps they sell.  I'm never at a loss for designer paper, because I can make my own.  I colored the Citrus Background with my Copics and added some paper made with the Interlocking Circles stamp. Some matching ribbon and my card was complete.

Doesn't it just make you want to recline under a tree with an ice cold lemonade?  For me that will have to wait. I'm getting ready for a garage sale, so I'm off to price more stuff.  Keep your fingers crossed that my junk, er, treasures sell.  That means more stamps for me! lol.

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Crafty Purple Frog-Summer

Aud Sentiments-Sentiment w/at least 2 Words

Dutch Dare-Summer

Paper Play-Fruity

Stamp Insanity-Anything Goes

Dream Valley Challenge-Summer

Kenny K's Krafty Girls-Anything Goes

One Stitch at a Time-Anything Goes

Quirky Crafts-Make Your Own Designer Paper

2 Sisters-Summer Fun

Crazy 4 Challenges-Summer Theme

Drunken Stampers-Fruity Cocktails

One Stop Craft-Summer

Totally Gorjuss-Summer

Card Makin Mamas-Summer

Crazy Challenge-Summer

Creative Stamp Friends-Summer

DDH-Summer

Karen's Doodles-Summer

Paper Playtime-Summer

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Georgia Pacific White, Ink: Memento, Stampin' Up!, Markers: Copic, Punch: Stampin' Up!, Nesties, Epoxy Stickers: EK Success

Old Fashioned Hello

Hi Everyone!

Wow, I can't believe we are in the midst of summer right now, can you?!  Crazy right?  Well, to slow things down and remind myself of simpler times, I used this telephone image from the set Posh n Trendy from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for my card today.  Remember when phones had cords?  It wasn't long ago!

I paper pieced the little phone in a light pink to match the papers and added a flourish of bling to make it girly.  The word art was a freebie from TLC and I was lucky that the color of my wrinkle ribbon (I think I only have two colors and I haven't tried to make my own yet) matched the paper too.

Here is the set that I've used so many times before :)

Thanks for dropping by and remember to check out Lindsay's blog and the DT blogs on my side bar too!

Challenges for this card:

Dream Valley-Ribbon

One Stitch at a Time-Digi

AllSorts-Free and Easy

Craft Your Days Away-Vintage

Bearly Mine-Anything Goes

Digital Tuesday-Bling it Up & a digi

                                                    Craft Your Passion-Anything Goes

House of Gilli-Lots of Sparkle

Make It Monday-Anything Goes

                                                       Party Time Tuesday-Square Cards

Details not listed above-Paper: Georgia Pacific White, Basic Grey, Unknown source, Punches: Marvey, Stampin' Up!, Ribbon:Martha Stewart, Bling: Want 2 Scrap.

Happy 4th of July

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all out enjoying some time in the sun with family and friends!  We were lucky enough to attend a couple of outdoor parties this long holiday weekend.  One celebrating an 80th birthday and another one for a 6 year old.  How's that for running the gamut? lol!

So, since it's the nations birthday today too, I thought I would show off this stamp-y card made with one of the newly released stamps from DRS Designs.

Freedom Cannon is among the newest stamps, and I made my background papers using the Starry background stamp, inked in red, yellow and blue.  That was really fun to create, I think I always just use this stamp for Christmas cards.  Then the bottom portion was created with the Woven Plaid stamp, also in navy ink.

I used a couple of gel pens on the fireworks, but it didn't seem spectacular enough, so out came the Stickles and a few gems.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you had a great Fourth of July.  And for all my Canadian friends, I think it was Canada Day over there this weekend, so I hope you had a wonderful day as well :)

Now, for tomorrow and Wednesday, yes TWO days, I will be posting over at the DRS Designs blog, so you can pop by over there and check out more of my handiwork using some of their newest stamps!

Thanks for dropping by!

Challenges for this card:

Come and Get it Challenge-Patriotic

Creative Inspirations-Red, White and Blue

Dream Valley Challenge-Ribbon

I Did It Creations-Patriotic

Catch the Bug-Anything Goes

My Sheri Crafts-Independence Day

Our Creative Corner-4th of July

Sugar Creek Hollow-Country's Colors

Bling it On-Anything Goes

Card Makin Mamas-Red, White and Blue

Crafty Catz-Summer Colors

Digis with Attitude-Anything Goes

Fairy Knoll- Red, White and Blue

Fairytale Challenge-America

Pattie's Creations-Country's Flag Colors

Wags n Wiskers-Summertime

Craft Us Crazy-Red, White and Blue

Delightful Challenges-Red, White and Blue

Digi Doodle Shop-Anything Goes

Pixi Dust-Red, White and Blue W/option of stars

Rainbow Lady-Patriotic

Rubber Cafe-Red, White and Blue

Amber's Crafts and Stuff-Red, White and Blue

Cooking it Up with Katie-My Country

Crafting for All Seasons-Red, White and Blue

Digi Stamps 4 Joy-Red, White and Blue

Paper Shelter-Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty-Red, White and Blue

Stampin' Royalty-Patriotic

Details not listed above- Paper: The Paper Company, Georgia Pacific White, Ink: Memento, Stampin' Up, Markers: Copic, Nesties, Punch: EK Success, Ribbon: Offray,

Let It Snow

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping by to see me today.  I'm totally thrilled to finally be able to share my happy news with you.  I have been invited to be a permanant member of the design team at Sparkle and Sprinkle stamps! Gosh, I can hardly stand it...lol!  I've had so much fun so far, so I'm really excited for what is in store in the coming months!

Let me start off by telling you to mark your calender, because Sparkle and Sprinkle will be having a Christmas in July Holiday Blog hop on July 14th and 15th, and I'm proud to be participating in it with the rest of the design team. 

So, to get you in the holiday mood, here is another super simple card made with stamps from the set named Rudy.

I used the tiny heart from another sentiment stamp in the set as embellishments for my corners, and the Let It Snow sentiment is my focal point.  That was all I needed, because my embossed background was covered in Sparkling Snow glitter.

See? 

What can I say? I love me some bling.  Trust me, if you're looking at your card, and you feel like it's missing something,  It's probably some sparkle. 

If you want step by step instructions, check out my card in the Sparkle and Sprinkle gallery.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you are excited to see what I will be showing you in the coming months!

Have a great holiday weekend :)

Challenges for this card:

ABC Christmas Challenge-M is for Monochrome

Creative Craft World-Christmas in June

For Fun Challenges-Christmas

Paper Shelter-Anything Goes

Ladybug Crafts Ink-Christmas in June

Details for this card in the Sparkle and Sprinkle gallery.