Don't mess with her...

Hi Everyone,

DRS Designs is the sponsor over at Cupcake Inspirations this week and the prize is $10.00 off your next order.

Here is the the inspriation photo:

I took inspriation from the colors and made this white, pink and black card, which is doing double duty this week, since the challenge at the DRS Designs blog is "hearts."

It's been forever since I inked up this Purr-fectly Comfortable Kitty and she just seemed like the perfect image to pair with the funny new Unfriend You stamp :) How's that for a trendy sentiment?! My heart background was made with the Scattered Hearts you've seen me use before.

 

I colored her with Copics and added some glitter to her tail, along with some bling to kick it up one more notch. With her attitude, She reminds me of those reality shows, "The Real Housewives of..., or Jersey Shore."  If there was a show on Animal Planet named, "The Real Kittys of Beverly Hills", she would be the star for sure!

If you are making any cards with hearts this week, be sure to link them up for your chance at winning a prize at DRS Designs!

Have a good one :)

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Memento, Punches: EK Success, Stampin' Up, Chalk: Stampin' Up,  Stickles, Spellbinders

Other challenges for this card:

Kaboodle Doodles-It's all about Girls

Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes

Stamps R Us-Love/Valentine

Truly Madly Crafty-Anything Goes

Victorine Originals-Anything Goes

Dream Valley-Animals

Let's Ink it Up-Anything Goes

Pan Pastel-Glitter and Glitz

Robyn's Fetish-Make it Sparkle

Hiding in my Craft Room-Untraditional Valentine

Stamp Scrap & Doodle-Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin-Animal

Wags N Wiskers-Valentine or Love

Stampin' with the Dragon-Anything Goes

Green Eggs and Hambo Blog Hop

Welcome to the “Green Eggs and….Hambo!” Blog Hop sponsored by Hambo Stamps! The Bacon Bits are here to help you start your New Year’s reading list off right with a little book title laughter and fun.

If you arrived here from Melissa's blog, you are in the right place. If not, you will want to start back at the beginning at the Hambo blog – TALK TO THE HAM.We don’t want you to miss anything!

A little surprise is hiding on one of the blogs today, so be sure to leave some comment love as you “hoof it” around the hop. One lucky commenter on the mystery hop spot will be in hog heaven and win a prize from Hambo Stamps!

We love comments anytime, but the deadline for prize entries is Tuesday, January 31 at 5 PM CST. Our current team will be retiring that day, and we will be welcoming a new Design Team AND celebrating the Hambo Hoedown’s ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY on February 1st. Blog Hop winners will be announced at the Hoedown on the 1st.

My card today is in honor of the book, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  It's about a young girl who runs away from home. She's taken in by 3 bee keeping sisters and finally finds the happiness she deserves.



 These are the rubber stamps from Hambo I used in the making of this card :)
Bee Hive # 2702
Tiny Bee #3114
Bee Happy #3103

I know there is lots to see on this hop, so I'll just be quick and say that the hive was paper pieced and glitter added to the bee wings :)

Okee dokee, next up on the hop is Pat, and I know you will love what she has to show you today.

Here is the entire blog hop list, just in case there is a hiccup somewhere along the route :)

Talk to the Ham

Jennifer S

Melissa

You Are Here----->Karin

Pat

Laura

Stephanie

Sherry

Leslie

Judy

Sandy

Michele

Allison

Jessica

Jen N

Andrea

Libby

Have a good one and I'm hoping to get lots of book and crafty ideas myself today!

Challenges for this card:
Karen's Doodles-Paper Piecing
Pollycraft-Warm it Up
Addicted to Stamps-Summer in Winter
Dream Valley-Animals
Fashionable Stamping-Butterflies or Bugs
Let's Ink It Up-Anything Goes
Paper Sundaes-Paper Piecing


Details not listed above-Paper: Tha Paper Company, Crate Paper, Ink: Memento, Markers: Copic, Ribbon: American Crafts, Die: Spellbinders, gems and flowers from my supplies.

CASE A Card

Hi Everyone,

Today's challenge at the Hambo Hoedown is to CASE a card from the Hambo card gallery.  Don't know what CASE is?  It means to Copy and Share Everything.

So, here is the card that I was inspired by:

And this is my take on it.  I used the new digi Super Bird.  I received it just in time to make this for my brother in law's birthday.  He's a huge bird fan, and I make him a bird card every year.  The inspiration card layout, buttons as embellishments and colors made for the perfect not too "fru fru" guy card.

I have to say it was a hit with him.  However, being a typical guy, he asked, "So, what do the buttons mean?" lol...  Sigh.  Nothing, Tony.  They mean nothing other than, see how cute I look as a decoration on the card :)

I hope that you stop by the Hambo gallery, there's always lots of inspiration there.  And grab a Hambo stamp and play along at the Hoedown. Once you do, you'll be hooked :)

This is my last Hambo Hoedown post as a member of the design team...Sob!  My term has come to an end and a new group of Bacon Bits will be inspiring us on Wednesdays.  Now I can play along with everyone  again and get in the loop for free digis too :)  However, before I go, there will be a fun blog hop happening on this Friday, so I hope you will mark your calender and join me for one last Hambo hoo-rah. 

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Scrappers Delight-Anything Goes

Stamp and Create-Anything Goes

Truly Madly Crafty-Anything Goes

Victorine Originals-Anything Goes

Birthday Sundaes-Birthday w/sentiment

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Markers: Copic, Dies: Spellbinders, Embossing Folders: Provocraft, Punches: EK Success, Buttons from my supplies.

Snowman Challenge

Hi Everyone,

This week the challenge at the DRS Designs blog is Snowmen.  For me this was an easy one.  I was thinking of using this card as a general thinking of you kind of card for the cold weather months, that's why I used the blue and white color scheme.

I stamped the background with the Interlocking SnowBackground stamp, and decided to use the left over punched out portion from my snowflake punch for the embellishment down the side. I used a circle punch and added an epoxy sticker to the center. Grin.  I'm so proud of this simple embellishment and how it looks.

For the image, I stamped Stretch the Round Button Snowman twice, fussy cut one and added it with pop dots.

Grab yourself a snowman and join us over at DRS Designs!

Have a great day :)

Challenges for this card:

Crafty Boots-Inspired by Song (Frosty the Snowman)

Critter Sketch-3 Embellishments

House of Gilli-Winter

Simon Says Stamp-Song Title (Frosty the Snowman)

Cutie Pie Challenge-Song (Frosty the Snowman)

Christmas Card Challenge-Color it

Gingerloft-Let it Snow

Let's Ink it Up-Anything Goes

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up!, Memento, Markers: Copic, Punch: Martha Stewart, ribbon from my supplies

Happy Sunday!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are having a fabulous weekend :)  I just wanted to drop in and say that the winners from the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop have been announced.  If you participated, you will want to check out the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to see if you were one of the lucky ones!

If you weren't lucky this month, you will want to mark your calender for February 9 & 10.  The next Sparkle N Sprinkle blog hop is coming up quick this time...And it's all about spring!  Who's not ready for that, right?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,

This has been a long time in the making, but the day is finally here!  It's the first blog hop of the new year, with all the things we love from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

The theme is both Art Deco and Love and Valentine's Day, so I know there will be a wide range of sparkly stuff for your viewing pleasure.

Now if you arrived here from Marie's blog, you are on the right track. If you didn't, start at the beginning of the hop at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog.  That's where you can find the details on all the prizes up for grabs on this fun hop!  Yes, of course there are prizes, so leave lots of comments along the way!

I chose Valentine's Day as the theme for my blog hop cards.  The stamps I used for both my cards all came from the set named Love is Sweet (#401).  The cupcake was embossed with Clear Detail (EP280)embossing powder before coloring it with Copic markers... 

And I used Sparkling Snow (G1003) glitter on the wings of the cute love letter.

I used a bird punch for this second card and embellished them with Firecracker Red (EP291) embossing powder and Carnation (G1028) glitter.

I know there is a lot to see on this blog hop, so if you want more details on these cards, you can find specifics in my gallery at Sparkle N Sprinkle.

Next up on this hop is Jessica and I can't wait to see what she's showing off today! If you need it, here is the entire blog hop list :)

SNS Home 

 http://sparklensprinkle.com/blog

Barbara Bruder

http://www.artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com/

Julie Zippel

http://backtobasicsandbeyond.blogspot.com/

Lana Clarke

http://sweetpeaspapercreations.blogspot.com/

Karalee Ingram

http://kareescardsandcraftsofcourse.blogspot.com/

Charlene Driggs

http://www.paperandinkplayground.com/

Amanda Reed

http://cardscatsandcopics.blogspot.com/

Shanna Shands

 http://scsdesigns.blogspot.com/

Shona Erlenborn

http://shonasstampingstage.blogspot.com/

Gerlinde Townsley

 http://mycreativecorner-gerlinde.blogspot.com/

Angie Blasingame

http://hopemorestudio.blogspot.com/

Marie Berquist

 http://craftemarie.blogspot.com/

You Are Here----->Karin Martin

 http://karin-withaniforpaper.blogspot.com/

Jessica Griffin

http://canyoupixelthis.com/

Dawn Thomas

http://belladonnasgarden.blogspot.com/

April Williams

 http://stampwillydesigns.blogspot.com/

Jill Jacobsen

http://www.stampinhands.com/

Brenda Smalle

 http://www.rubberroomantics.blogspot.com/

Sparkle N Sprinkle.

Thanks for hopping with us and Happy Valentine's Day!

Bailey

Hi Everyone,

This week Hambo Stamps is the sponsor over at Send a Smile 4 Kids.  They are a challenge blog that collects cards for ill children in order to brighten their day.  The challenge this week at the Hambo Hoedown is Anything Goes. How easy is that?  I hope that this simple challenge will motivate you to join us and make a cheerful card for a child in need.

This week I used some bright Basic Grey  papers that I've had forever, I thought they would be just the thing on a card for kids and the new Bailey stamp looks like he belongs.  Isn't he cute with the Stickles I added to the heart on his neck?

Be sure to check out Send a Smile 4 Kids, it's a worthy cause and you can link up your card at the Hambo Hoedown here. 

As a reminder, today is the last day to apply for the design team at Hambo Stamps.  And if you want to be a participant in the "Green Eggs and...Hambo Blog Hop, today is the deadline to sign up for that too.  Details can be found by clicking here. 

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Crafty Cardmakers-No Floral Embellishments

Incy Wincy Designs-Bright Colors

Lexi Creations-Anything Goes

Pollycraft-Bingo (Ribbon, Button, Diecuts)

Pile it On-Fuzzy Friends

Robyn's Fetish-Animals

Squirrel and the Fox-Critters

Basic Grey-Something New (Bailey Digi)

Challenge Up Your Life-Bingo (Ribbon, Button, Diecut)

Card Makin Mamas-Something New (Bailey digi)

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards-Glitter

Crafty Catz-Something New (Bailey Digi)

Poodles Parlour-Buttons

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Basic Grey, Nesties, Markers: Copic, Twine: Martha Stewart, Ribbon and button from my supplies.

Paper Piecing

Hi Everyone,

I have little chit chat today, so I'm jumping right into my card if that's ok.  This week's challenge at the DRS Designs blog is Paper Piecing.  I created some polka dot paper using the Polka Dot background stamp, and then used that to paper piece my Scattered Hearts. (I'm not sure if you can tell, but I put the tiny hearts up on pop dots.).  These were also used to make the background paper and the Small Happy Valentine's Day stamp worked well size wise with my square punches.

My polka dot ribbon in red and pink matched perfectly and I added a gem to a felt flower from my stash. 

Hope you can join us for the paper piecing challenge at DRS Designs. 

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up!, Punches: EK Success, Ribbon: American Crafts, Flower: Inique Boutique, Nesties, gems from my supplies.

So, I've been slacking....

Yes, I've been slacking when it comes to showing off some Sparkle N Sprinkle cards.  I post over at their blog every 1st & 3rd Wednesday, but I haven't shown off anything here since before Christmas. Yikes!

Life has a way of getting in the way of crafty stuff, doesn't it?  Well, let me rectify things today with this post :) 

I'm choosing this card, because with the red & pink colors and the flowery paper, I think it's appropriate for Valentine's day.

Last year, Sparkle N Sprinkle came out with "Stampette" sets.  These are slightly smaller than their regular set and that is reflected in the price too.  Great for this time of year, when we are paying off those holiday bills :)  I used Blossoms to Go (440S) and Berry Bliss (EP313) for the embossed flower down the side.  It was fussy cut, and a piece of dry embossed paper was placed inside, so that it could show through.  The sentiment is from the set Just For You (444S) and since my paper had glitter on it, I added a strip of Purple Fusion (G1083) glitter.

As always, full details on how to recreate my card can be found in the Sparkle N Sprinkle gallery.

I've finally put away my Christmas decorations this week.  They were in boxes in the living room for what seemed like forever.  I feel like I can finally breath again.

This past weekend was a sad one for our family.  Our Aunt Effie passed away.  She was blessed to have lived a full 87 years and I will cherish the memories I have of her.  She still lived in the home she and Ralph built in 1960, but needed help with day to day things.  While her daughter Nancy was looking for some help last year, it was my privilege to go over an stay with her.  She was so sweet and funny!  And had the best outlook on life. 

After her doctor appointment one day she said, "Let's go have lunch." 

Me: Sure Aunt Effie, we can go to lunch.  Just not now.

Effie: Why not? We're already out.

Me: Because it's only 9:45am.  We'll have to wait awhile, but we can go. Where would you like to eat?

Effie: Bob Evans! They have the best chicken pot pie. 

Did you know that?  Well, now you do. Someone at the funeral said, "If you didn't know Effie, then you really missed out."  For sure.

Photos from last summer.

We miss you already!

Well, it's Martin Luther King Day weekend, so with Monday a holiday we're looking forward to an extra long weekend :)  We've got some friends coming over for food and a movie (?) this weekend.  I put a question mark there because playoff football is going on and I'm not too sure how we are going to watch both things. And of course I'm always excited about awards season, so I will be beached on the sofa watching the Golden Globes on Sunday.

And, my new favorite show, Downton Abbey started up again last Sunday! So, so good!

 How great are these clothes???  And yes, I know that I watch too much TV.  Did I mention that I'm shopping for a new one?  Finally. We're joining the modern age and will no longer have one that is fat and stupid. It's really been embarrassing, but I didn't want to toss the lovely piece of furniture that houses the big fat and stupid one, and I finally found someone who wants it. Yay me!

What are your plans this weekend? 

Challenges for this card:

Digi Doodle Shop-Embossing

Southern Girls-Sparkle

Gingersnap Creations-Ribbon

Inky Impressions-Anything Goes

Anything Goes-Anything Goes

Shopping our Stash-Glitter, Sparkle or shine

Why Do Balloons Cost So Much?

Hi Everyone,

The Hambo Hoedown is back to having weekly challenges, and this week we're using this funny balloon sentiment and the challenge of 2 different sized circles on our cards.  Ready for it?

I embossed my circles with a circle embossing folder, but other than that, it's embellishment free.  It's a different card than my usual style, but I love the clean look and easy to mail factor :)  We would love it if you played along with us here.

Also, the design team call is still going on, so now is the time to submit to become a Bacon Bit.  Ha!  That rhymes :) 

One more thing. We are hosting a Customer inclusive Blog Hop: "Green Eggs and ..... Hambo!" on Friday, January 27, and would love to have you join us! Email Judy at hambodesignteam@gmail.com if you would like to participate. It's all about Hambo images and book titles :)  Deadline to sign up is January 18.

Have a great day!

Details not listed above-Paper: Georgia Pacific White, Punches: EK Success, Nesties.

Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone,

This week DRS Designs is the sponsor over at Card Patterns.  Playing along and using this weeks sketch gains you a chance to win a $20.00 voucher to use at the DRS Designs store.

Ready? I present this weeks sketch:

And my card as inspiration.

Pretty literal, but I like the stamped paper I made using the Silhouette Branch background and the thank you portion from this stamp.  I sent it off to my cousin who gave me a beautiful ornament for this past Christmas :)

Don't forget that DRS Designs also has a challenge on their blog every Thursday and it's another chance to win some stamps.  This week the challenge is to use the spotlight technique. 

For a better look at my card, hop on over and check out this post.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Our weather has been beautiful these last few days.  No snow and sunshine!  So rare this time of year for us :) 

Have a good day!

Challenges for this card:

Crafty Cardmakers-No Floral Embellishments

Lexi Creations-Anything Goes

Squigglefly-Thank You

Stamp and Create-Anything Goes

Truly Madly Crafty-Anything Goes

Catered Crop-Buttons

Dream Valley-Anything Goes

GingerLoft-Anything Goes

Catch the Bug-Anything Goes

CES-Anything Goes

Frosted Designs-No Patterned Paper

Art Impressions-Anything Goes

CRAFT-Thank You

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up, Ribbon and buttons from my supplies.

Maybe a Cupcake?

Hi Everyone,

I made this card for someone who was recovering from some minor surgery over the holidays, but I'm hoping the cupcake helps me say goodbye.  Sadly this is my last post for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.  I have decided to step down from the design team for personal reasons, nothing bad or sad, don't worry.  I just will have less time to devote to card making, so I thought it was the only fair thing to do.  I will dearly miss the interaction with some of the sweetest design teammates out there, but at least in the land of blogs, we all have a spot to visit each other.

Mostly my thanks go out to Lindsay herself, she gave me my first design team spot when I was a blogging newbie, and has been nothing but generous and gracious.  I hope that you will continue to visit her personal blog, The Frugal Crafter.  No one out there has more clever ideas and tips than she does!

Cupcakes on this card from the set Sweet Stuff II

Thanks so much  for visiting me and now I think I need a real cupcake.

Challenges for this card:

Paper Take Weekly-Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesday-Anything Goes

Stamp N Doodle-Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday-Anything Goes

Cupcake Craftroom-Anything Goes

House of Gilli-Anything Goes

Heart Song Inspirations-Anything Goes

Stamps R Us-Anything Goes

Cutie Pie Challenge-Use a Sentiment

The Pink Elephant-Anything Goes

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Heidi Grace, Markers: Copic, Ink: Stampin' Up, Doily: Darice, Rubber Stamp: Inkadinkado, Gems and ribbon from my supplies.

The Hambo Challenge Continues & DT Call

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to tell you that the current challenge at the Hambo Hoedown is running for two weeks.  So if you didn't have time to join us due to the holiday, there is still time remaining.  The theme is to use something "new" on your creation.  After linking up at the Hoedown, don't forget to email a photo of your card to hambodesignteam@gmail.com  and you will recieve a free digi to play along the challenge the following week.

Do you love Hambo Stamps?  Well, now is the time to try out for the Design Team.  Read all the details at Talk to the Ham.

Good luck!

DRS Designs Challenge and New Stamps

Hi Everyone,

I'm back today featuring two cards using stamps from DRS Designs.  This first card was made for the current challenge a the DRS Designs blog, which is SNOWFLAKES.  Not only does this Snowman in a Box have snowflakes, but I also used the Interlocking Snow stamp for my background.  It's pretty subtle, I just did a stamping job in Versamark Dazzle, but in real life it does have a small bit of sparkle.  The One Line Happy Thoughts sentiment was from the last release.  I know this card is pretty simple, but it is one of my favorite layouts for this type of stamp :)  Also, it's cute and doesn't take a million years to make!

This next stamp is from the new release at DRS Designs.  You can see them all by clicking here. The ever adorable Leonard the Pig is making an appearance in this Rose Offering stamp.  I knew I had to pair it with the punny Valenswine's Day sentiment and I used the Easy Dot background and Interlocking Hearts to make my coordinating papers.

I still had a bit of this printed heart ribbon, which ended up being the perfect amount for this card and I added 3 little paper hearts for embellishment.  The only thing that's unusual about this "Karin" card, is that it's completely flat and has no glitter.  I know.  Shocking!  LOL! It would make a great card for OWH.  I'll have to remember it for next year, since I think the deadline has passed.

Have you made any Valentine's yet?  No time like the present to get started :)

Have a great day!

Challenges for the Snowman Card:

Crafting When We Can-Friendship

GingerLoft-Christmas or Winter

Robin's Fetish-Anything Goes

The Outlawz-CAS

52 Christmas Card Throwdown-Anything Goes

Craft You Days Away-Snowmen

Crafty Calender-Cold and Frosty

Marks Finest Paper-Snowflakes

Challenges for the Valentine:

Card Cupids-Valentines

Fashionable Stamping-Anything Goes with something new (Stamp)

Robin's Fetish-Anything Goes

Penny Black-Love and Hearts

Pile it On-Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays-Anything Goes with a Sentiment

Sparkles Forum-Anything but Christmas

Squirrel and the Fox-Something New

Delicious Doodles-Anything Goes

Stampin for the Weekend-Anything Goes

Details not mentioned above- Paper: The Paper Company, Markers: Copic, Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up, Punches: Stampin Up, Nesties, Ribbon and brads from my supplies.

My Year in Review and Winner

Happy New Year!

Thank you so much to everyone who linked up these past few days and shared their top card choices for the 2011 calender year.  When I thought of doing this at my blog, it was a real of the moment idea. I had no idea what kind of response I would get, so let's just say I was completely overwhelmed. What a great way to wind up the year.  It was wonderful visiting you and I hope you had fun looking back as well.

 

Now, after visiting your blogs, I'm completely blown away by the vast amount of talent out there.  I know we all have our favorite designers that we visit over and over, but the same amount of talent is out there amongst the masses.  I know, I just witnessed it in this hop.  So before we get to the winners of the hop, I humbly present, in no particular order, my personal picks for my favorite cards of the year.

1.

Image from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.

2.

Stamp and iPaper from Amber Ink.

3.

Image from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.

4.

Stamps from Hambo Stamps.

5.

Image from I Brake for Digis.

6.

Stamps from DRS Designs.

7.

Stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

8.

Stamps from DRS Designs.

9.

Digi and sentiment from Hambo Stamps.

10.

Stamps from DRS Designs.

11.

Digi and sentiment from Hambo Stamps.

12.

Stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle.

So with out further hesitation, here is the winner of the $25.00 gift to a shop of your choice is:

Here are your random numbers:

55

Timestamp: 2012-01-01 12:35:54 UTC

(#55 is Arlene)

And the winner of the $15.00 DRS Designs store voucher is:

Here are your random numbers:

23

Timestamp: 2012-01-01 12:43:04 UTC

(#23 is Tracey McNeeley)

Please contact me at karinwithani@att.net  and I will make sure to get you your prizes.

Thanks again to all who participated and here's to a happy, healthy and crafty new year!