Blog Hop Time

 Hi Everyone,

 

It's Sparkle N Sprinkle's "My Favorite Technique" blog hop, and I'm thrilled to show off my cards.  First off, you should have come here by way of Barbara, so if you didn't, please start here so you don't miss out commenting on anyone in the hop.  That way you will be sure to be in the drawing for a number of fantastic prizes :)

 

Both of my cards today feature Paper Piecing.  While I don't know if it's my favorite technique of all time, it sure is one that I enjoy doing because I really love the end result.  

 

Here I used some of my background paper on the bunny's dress.  I think it really pulls the whole card together.  I also added a die cut flower made from Sticker Paper (99558) and Shell Pink (#G1022) and Evening Glow (#G1086) Glitters, along with a

1/2 strip of Tear-iffic Tape(#SAT04). The bunny is from the set

Star Bunnies (#214) and she's such a cutie!

 

 

 I just loved each and every bunny in that stamp set, that I had a hard time choosing a favorite, so I just went ahead and made a second card with a different stamp from the same set.  This time I paper pieced the dress using Sticker Paper (99558) coated in Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter (#GM2000) and colored it with a Copic marker to match my patterned papers.  The sentiments for both of these cards came from the set Just for You (#444s)

 

 

As always, step by step details for both cards can be found in my gallery here.

 

 Thanks for doing the "bunny" hop to my blog.  Next up is the always fabulous Jackie, and I'm so excited to see what's she's made myself :)  Have a great day and the entire list is below, just in case there is a hiccup along the way!

 

 

 

Marie Berquist http://craftemarie.blogspot.com

Dawn Bennett http://dipndotscreations.blogspot.com

Cammy Vietzke www.stampingtime.blogspot.com

Barbara Bruder www.artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com

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

Jackie Smith www.stamping4you.blogspot.com

Julie Zippel http://backtobasicsandbeyond.blogspot.com

Shanna Shands http://scsdesigns.blogspot.com

April Williams www.stampwillydesigns.blogspot.com

Brigita Skopas http://gitascreations.blogspot.com

Shona Erlenborn http://shonasstampingstage.blogspot.com

Anne Temple www.annemade-anne.blogspot.com

Karalee Ingram http://kareescrdsandcraftsofcourse.blogspot.com

Brenda Smalle www.rubberroomantics.blogspot.com

Blooming Easter

Hi Everyone,

Easter isn't too far off, so I thought I would share another card that I made celebrating this awesome spring holiday. The card took shape because I wanted to use up these pink, store bought flower embellishments. I began by choosing the Blooming Easter Greeting which I stamped in Versamark, embossed and die cut. Perfect match for the velum blossoms I thought. After adding some pink sponged ink, I layered it on another die cut, echoing the petals of the flowers.

 

 

 

 

The background was made by stamping the Interlocking Flowers on one side and the Script Font Background down the other, and I covered the space where they met with a piece of ribbon and lace. Sweet, simple and (almost) monochromatic.

Have you sent in your guess for our Stamp A Versary contest yet? All the clues were listed in in

this post and you can see the prizes and enter your guess here. You have until March 16th....Good Luck!

Beach Babe

Hi Everyone,

 

Can you tell I'm ready for summer?  I'm totally by passing spring and heading for the middle of July with today's card...lol! Unless you're one of the lucky few who live in the south and see this type of weather on a regular basis.  Know that I sure do envy you!

 

Anyway, I was recently stamping with the stamp set Beach Babes (#473).  It's full of cute, no SUPER cute gals frolicking at the beach and just enjoying sunshine in general.  I made this card with this month's challenge at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Challenge Blog in mind.  It was an easy one...Anything Goes with Glitter!

 

 

I used Dimensional Glue (#539) and Sparkling Snow glitter (#G1003) to highlight the waves on my dry embossed background and colored this adorable gal with my Copic markers.

 

 

 

 

All of the specific card details can be found in my gallery right here, and I hope to see your glittery card entered over at the challenge blog! Also, next week is our next blog hop, so mark your calenders for that.  The team has been hard at work getting ready to inspire you with their favorite techniques!  You won't want to miss out :)

May your day be warm and sunny!



Easter...The Promise of God's Love

Hi Everyone,

 

As I write this post, the sun is shining and our TV weather people are promising me warmer temperatures by this weekend. However, we have to make it past this next round of snow that's on it's way here within the next 24 hours. Sigh.  Spring can't come soon enough, so on that note, I'm off to show you my pastel card that celebrates Easter.

 

For my focal image, I tore a sticky note, masked off the sky portion and sponged on ink to create the ground.  Then I created the sky using a scalloped circle punch to mask off bits of the background to create the clouds with some light blue ink.  After the little background was completed, I stamped the Triple Cross and cut out the scene with an oval Nestabilities die.

 

For the base of my card I chose to echo the background in my image and dry embossed the "sky" to add some texture to my card and used one corner of the Four Flower Background stamp for the grass portion.

 

 

The Easter is God's Love sentiment reminds us of the true meaning of the Easter holiday and I finished it off with a few die cut butterflies.

 

Have you been playing along with the Stamp A Versary game at DRS Designs? This card is being featured over at the blog, along with your next clue.  Hop on over to check it out!

 

Have a wonderful day :)

 

 

Life is Better at the Beach

 

Hi Everyone,

 

I have a simple card to share today.  I'm so over the cold, grey weather around here, so I thought I'd cheer myself up with a beach themed creation.  I made it for the new challenge at the Sparkle N Sprinkle challenge blog.  It's a month long challenge and the theme this month is Anything Goes with Glitter.  How easy is that?  My kinda challenge :)

 

My focal sentiment comes from the set Beach Babes(# 473) by Michelle Perkett and I used some Sparkle N Soft in Sparkling Sands (SS118) and Velvet glitter in Jasper Blue (GM2012) on my die cuts. Using Sticker Paper (99558) makes applying glitter to anything so easy. If you want any more specifics on my card, you can find them in my card gallery at Sparkle N Sprinkle.

 

 

If you play along in our challenge using a Sparkle N Sprinkle stamp (rubber or digi), you will receive a digi stamp, just for participating.  I hope  that you will find the time to join us.  All the details and to link up your card can be found by clicking here. 

 

Hope you have a happy weekend!



Beer is Proof...

Hi Everyone,

 

Since it's almost March, I'm bringing you another St. Patrick's Day card today.  I went a little crazy, using a bunch of shamrock stamps from DRS Designs.  Maybe if there's a challenge out there in blog land to use the most shamrocks on a card, this one might actually win :)

 

I stamped the background with the Swirly Shamrocks in a dark green ink and then went back over the same panel using a lighter green and the Silhouette Clover stamp. The Shamrock Circle was stamped on green paper ( no coloring needed if you do that ;) ) and fussy cut and attached with large glue dots to a doily die cut. My Small Beer Mug was fussy cut as well, and some Stickles were added to the foam :)

 

 

I LOVE this sentiment...lol! After stamping it, I used the Shamrock Background stamp in a lighter green color, and stamped on top of it.  It just looked a little bare otherwise.  Such a cute greeting for this holiday card and you can find the stamp of Franklin's Wisest Words here.

 

Well friends, this card is featured over at the DRS Designs blog today, along with the next clue to the 20th Stamp-A-Versary contest!  Head on over by clicking here :)

 

Have a good day!

 

Challenges for this card:

Party Time Tuesday-Anything Goes

Lady Anne's-Anything Goes

Crafty Bloggers-Anything Goes

Paper Playtime-Use a Sentiment

Pretty Little Ribbon-Anything Goes

Pink Elephant-Anything Goes

Whoopsi Daisy-Use a Sentiment

Plaids

Hi Everyone,

 

The new challenge at the DRS Designs blog is "PLAIDS", so here is my offering with what else, but plaid :)

 

Two weeks ago a friend of ours had a double knee replacement, so I made this in anticipation of the surgery.  Does DRS Designs have a stamp for all occasions or what?  My friend is a he and not a she, so I thought this plaid challenge would be a good one to make a masculine card.

 

I used the Open Plaid for the background, the Woven Plaid for the center strip and the

 Knee Replacement greeting for the sentiment.

 

 

A simple button embellishment was all I ended up adding to finish it off.

 

 

 

Don't forget the DRS Designs Stamp-A-Versary contest began this week. Please join us and you might win a huge prize package of stamps!  Just click here for all the details. 

 

Have a nice weekend :)

 

 

 



Oh, Happy Spring!

Hi Everyone,

 

Are you ready for spring?  I know I am.  And even if it's winter out my window, I'm moving  on to the next season, even if it's only via my card making.

 

This card features a digi from Michelle Perkett.  A darling bunny and sentiment named Oh Happy Spring (Digi080).  Isn't she sweet?  I colored her with Copic markers and cut it out with a Round Nestie.  Then I used some  Brushable Glue (540) and added some Sparkle N Soft in Sparkling Sands (SS118) (and a bit of  PinkSpirit (SS108) in the ear) to that cute bunny rabbit.  I could have used plain flock, but why do that when the glittery variety is available...lol :)

 

 

However, I didn't stop there and added some Snow White Flock (FL101) to her tail, to make that soft too.

 

 Remember that full details can be found right here, in my card gallery at Sparkle N Sprinkle.

 

Thanks for stopping by and here's hoping your day is warm and sunny!

 

Monochromatic Blog Hop

 Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop! The theme for this hop is monochrome, so let's get right to it.  You should have arrived from Shona's blog, but if you didn't, please start here so that you can comment on every one's blog, and be in the running for some great prizes!  Woo- Hoo!
 

 

Both of my cards today feature digis from Michelle Perkett.  Sparkle N Sprinkle carries her designs, many of which come in both rubber and digital :)

 

This first card is super simple.  I printed out the Bloom, Grow Live digi and changed the ink color to a pink in Microsoft Word.  I then added glitter and colored only the butterfly and cut the image out with my Nestabilities die.  I made my backing paper using Sticker Paper, Waterscape Glitter and an embossing folder and finished it off with some felt flowers and gems. I love me an easy card sometimes...lol.

 

 

 Next up, Lucky the Leprechaun was colored with my Copics, and since Sparkle N Sprinkle has many different green glitters, I decided to show them off gradient style.  I added strips of 1/2" Tear-iffic Tape and began with the lightest green glitter and ended with the darkest.  I layered him onto a Champagne glitter covered scallop and completed it with a sentiment from the set Just for You.  Would you look at him...He may be the cutest Leprechaun ever. If he's not, he's definitely the
 glittery-est!
 

 
If you need full card details, they can always be found in my gallery here!

 

 Ok, that's it from me, but you have one more stop and that's our fearless DT leader BRENDA! 

Thanks for hopping with us, and the full list is below in case there is a hiccup along the way.

Happy Valentine's Day!
 

April Williams www.stampwillydesigns.blogspot.com

Barbara Bruder www.artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com

 Shanna Shands http://scsdesigns.blogspot.com

 Jackie Smith www.stamping4you.blogspot.com

 Marie Berquist http://craftemarie.blogspot.com

Dawn Bennett http://dipndotscreations.blogspot.com

Julie Zippel http://backtobasicsandbeyond.blogspot.com

Keri Brown http://gotstamps.blogspot.com

Brigita Skopas http://gitascreations.blogspot.com

Karalee Ingram http://kareescardsandcraftsofcourse.blogspot.com

 Cammy Vietzke www.stampingtime.blogspot.com

Anne Temple www.annemade-anne.blogspot.com

Shona Erlenborn http://shonasstampingstage.blogspot.com

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

Brenda Smalle www.rubberroomantics.blogspot.com

 

May God Grant You...

Hi Everyone,

Happy Fat Tuesday! (Which in my house is pretty much any Tuesday...lol!) Well, I don't generally send cards for Mardi Gras, and I'm done making my Valentine's, so it's on to the next holiday, St. Patrick's Day. Woo-hoo for orange and green!

I really like this Sunbeam to Warm You greeting from DRS Designs, because it gives a nod to the religious aspect of this holiday. I know right? It didn't come about because of corned beef and beer. Imagine :)

Anyway, I cut it out using my Long Rectangle nestie and sponged on some orange ink. The background was dry embossed and I added a strip stamped with the Silhouette Clover.

 

 

I stamped, colored and fussy cut my Paddy Bear and added it along with some ribbon and a shamrock button for embellishment.

Well, if you're not done making Valentine's, don't forget to enter our "Love" challenge at the DRS Designs blog!

Have a great day...

FORE!

Hi Everyone,

 

While it's not golfing weather yet where I live, I know my Dad wishes that it was.  He'll probably be heading to sunny Florida before the winter is over, so he'll get a small taste of his favorite sport before spring time comes :)

Anyway, this card was made with him in mind.  Heck, I don't even like golf, but this sunny little scene almost makes me wish I did !  

 

I used the set Golf-Green Pastures #189 from Sparkle N Sprinkle, colored the image with Copic markers and sponged on some ink for the sky and grass. I decided to paper piece the tree and shrub using the same polka dot paper I used for the background and thought it would be acceptable to use a bit of glitter (Evening Glow #1086 & Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter #GM2000) to bling up the sun and cloud, even though this card is for a guy :)  It adds just the right amount of cheerfulness, don't you think?

 

I've had this golf ribbon in my stash forever, so I was happy to put it to use on this card and buttons are my go to embellishment for guy cards.  

Thanks for peeking in today!  Have a good one :)

Happy Birthday!

Hi Everyone,

I'm taking a detour from the Valentine's day cards today, to show off this little adorable little birthday boy. My friend's son is turning 3 this month, so I thought this smiling Best Present Ever Cutie Pie Kid would be fitting for the occasion. After coloring him, I fussy cut him and set him aside to attach to my card at completion.

I left a 1/4"border to better show off the colors of my layers of paper and went ahead and stamped my background in those colors using the Retro Starburst. The Fanfare Square is "Nestie Friendly", so I used my die to cut it out and attached it to the card base.

I stamped the Silhouette Balloon in Versamark and red ink and sprinkled it with sparkly embossing powder. I cut those out as well and attached them along with the Tiny Happy Birthday sentiment. Unfortunately the photo just makes the balloons look dirty instead of festive, but they sparkle in real life...lol.

Did you know that DRS Designs will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their stamp catalog this month? Mark your calender for Feb. 20th, because that's when the fun begins!

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Bunny Zoe's Crafts-Anything Goes

Lady Anne's Challenge-Anything Goes

Crafty Bloggers-Anything Goes

Love to Create-Celebrate

Challenges for Everybody-Anything Goes

One Stop Craft-Anything Goes

Clearly I Stamp-Let's get Inky

The Latest Buzz...

Hi Everyone,

The latest buzz is that DRS Designs is this weeks sponsor over at the 365 Cards Blog.  There's a new challenge everyday, but I decided to play along with today's sketch challenge.  I feel like sketches push me out of my card making comfort zone :)

Here is the sketch:

And my modest card share:

While the Happy Bee is very cute, I wish I had backed my banners in black.  Why do you sometimes not see in real life, what you end up seeing in a photo?  Oh, well.  I can't remember the last time I made a card that isn't for a certain occasion.  It's nice to have those kinds of cards in my stash, for when I just want to send someone a pick me up :)

Other stamps used on this card are as follows:

Bitsy Bumble Bee

The Latest Buzz

Four Flower Background

This weeks prize is a $15.00 off your next order at the DRS Designs store, so I hope you get a moment to play along  this week for your chance at the prize.

Thanks for stopping by, and to all you American football fans, Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Dust Off Your Brads...

Hi Everyone,

I totally didn't mean to be gone this long from blog land. Sorry about that.  Lots of unexpected occurrences including a long day in the ER with a family member, let's just say the week didn't go as planned.

Anyway, the new challenge this week at the DRS Designs blog is to use brads on your creation.  C'mon, you know you've got 'em...lol!

I was actually really happy to dig them out and use a few of them up.  Crazy how trends come and go so fast  in the paper craft world :)

Here is my card using the cutie patootie Saddle Up Cowboy stamp.  I just love his sweet little smile!

And as usual, I made my backgrounds using the following stamps :

Peacock Feather

Easy Dot Background

Open Plaid

Lastly,  I thought the Walk on the Wild Side was a cute sentiment to pair up with this.  I always like it when I feel like I've been successful in making a card for a boy :)

Oh, and I just got word late yesterday that DRS Designs will be holding a contest to celebrate their 20th Anniversary.  That's all I can say right now, but with the few details I do know, your NOT going to want to miss it!

Hope all is right in your little corner of the world, and have a good weekend :)