What is a Birthday Without Ice Cream?

You guessed it!  The June Stamp of the Month has made another appearance!  (I already told you I am addicted.)

I absolutely love the clean look of this card but despite the "simple", it is so yummy!  Some Smoothie cardstock, some of our Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape, a strip of Canary cardstock and a scallop circle out of Black Cardstock...  Yep, that's it!  Oh yeah...a little bit of doodling and Gold Sequins did help with the finishing touch!  I truly love it!

This card design was totally CASED by a sweet lady, and fellow Consultant, Karen Pedersen.

Make it a SAAAAAAWEEET Monday!

Happy Day + Ice Cream = A Great Day!

Yep!  I do give you permission to get yourself a yummy ice cream today or all weekend, if you choose!  Still in love with this super cute stamp set (June Stamp of the Month), and it's only June 6th (LOL), I had fun making this card!

This bus images reminds me of the ice cream truck that used to frequent our neighborhood while growing up.  It was great when we got to buy a treat on a hot, summer afternoon.  This card is super cheery and you know I love the fun colors!  I used the Seaside Paper Pack for the main background and then stamped the sentiment in Hollyhock Ink on Cotton Candy Cardstock.

ShinHan Markers were used to color in the images and the Happy Day banner came from the Carnival Washi Tape (lovin' this stuff too)!  I added Liquid Glass to my ice cream cone and topped it off with a cherry; a Flamingo Dot colored with the Carmine ShinHan Marker.  Flaxen Extra Thick Twine was tied in a knot for the finishing touch.

I hope you love this card as much as I do and wish you a fabulous start to your weekend.  Get started as soon as you can...with an ice cream!

Smile! It's a Triple Decker!

I told you I love this June Stamp of the Month.  Maybe now you will start to believe me!  LOL  Here is another fun and simple card I made using it.

I did cut out the sugar cone (it is my favorite cone and the one I always choose when I have a choice) and three of the scoops so I could layer them as I did.  The "Smile" sentiment came from the Carnival Washi Tape (it is another one of my favorite new products).  I placed it on White Daisy Cardstock and cut around it.  Then I added some of our fun Gold Polka-Dot Washi Tape and a Clear Sparkle, colored with the Carmine Marker.  The main card is paper from the Blossom Paper Pack.

You can order this stamp set for just $5 this month!  Check out my website for complete details or let me know how I may help you!

Celebrate!

I took on the Color Dare challenge from Color My Heart to incorporate Black, White, and Gold into my artwork.

This is what I came up with:

The Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape is super fun and I thought to incorporate it as soon as gold was mentioned in this color combination.  To add some texture, I used some of the Black Chevron paper from the Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment.

I took this photo from a different angle so you could see where I placed the chevron paper.  (It is not always easy to photograph.)

The card design came from our Wishes How-To book.  I call our how-to books the Bibles of Papercrafting.  It is where I get my inspiration from and do not know what I would do without them.  :)

The "celebrate" sentiment is from the "Puppy Party" stamp set which is super fun!

Enjoy this Super Sunday!

Giveaway through May 31st! FREE STAMP SET!

You read that right!  I am giving away this stamp set when you purchase just $35 in orders from me from today through May 31st!  It will help me achieve a sales goal I have set for the month and will allow me the opportunity to thank you for your purchase!

You can place your order by clicking HERE (be sure to Join the "May Orders Go Here" link) or you can also contact me directly.  DO NOT ADD THE STAMP SET TO YOUR ORDER.  I will order it for you and then will mail it to you upon its' arrival.  For a little added inspiration...check out the card I made below!

I stamped the entire Happy Father's Day image in Outdoor Denim and then re-stamped it again in Saddle, Black and Glacier inks.  I then cut out the hat, mustache and bow tie image and glued them on top of the original stamped image.  This technique is called paper piecing and I love what it offers for stamps like this where you want a different color in parts of it.

I used the Diamond Embossing Folder for the textured background on White Daisy cardstock and used coordinating cardstock just to add some dimension to the card.  A little hemp and sentiments stamped in White Daisy and Black Inks and I thought it was complete.

Make that special father in your life a handmade card this year...on me!  Make it a TERRIFIC Tuesday and thank you, in advance, for your order!

P.S.  If you already have this stamp set, don't let that deter you.  :)  I have another stamp option available.

I'd Go Out On a Limb for You!

At first glance, this stamp set, "Tweet Me", would scream Easter at you (at least it did for me) but I was challenged to create something else with it and hope you will agree that I was successful.  In fact, the sentiments and images are all perfect for any time of the year.

I used some of the Jackson patterned paper as the main background for the card.  Cocoa and Twilight cardstock were used as the other two main pieces.  Of course I incorporated some Gold Shimmer Trim, for the right amount of sparkle, and then stamped the bird, tree branches, and sentiment in Black ink.

I used the ShinHan markers to color in the images and gave an attempt at some shading on the bird.  Both of the colored in images are 3-D.

It was fun being creative with this stamp set and I hope you have someone who would go out on a limb for you today!  Have a great one!

Sweet Baby

I needed a card for a baby shower a couple of weeks ago and thought, "I don't have any baby stamps!"  But then I remembered that our Artfully Sent cartridge has some adorable baby cards and so this is what I came up with!

I cut the main piece out of Crystal Blue Cardstock.  I backed the "Sweet Baby" sentiment with Canary Cardstock and used the chevron pattern, in Canary, from the Paper Fundamentals pack.  The sentiment used came from a stamp set that comes with the Artfully Sent Cricut Collection, exclusive to Close To My Heart.  I added a bow tie from the Puffies (now retired) and took a Journaling Pen to outline the onesie.

This is how the card looks open.  The sentiment came from the stamp set from the Artfully Sent Cricut Collection as well.

I love how this card came out and hope you do too!

Wishing you a great start to your week!

Love Ya Silly!

I decided to take on a color challenge found at Color My Heart Color Dare.  We were challenged to incorporate the following Close To My Heart colors into our project:  Black, Cotton Candy, Lagoon, Olive, White Daisy.  I tend to love Pear as my favorite "green", especially with these other colors, so I was forced outside-the-box a bit...and that is never a bad thing.  :)

Here is what I came up with!

The pink pattern is found in the Paper Fundamentals Adventure Assortment.  I used coordinating cardstock for the rest of my paper pieces.  I did paper piece the little monster guy, stamping him originally in Black ink and then again in Cotton Candy (on Cotton Candy paper) and Lagoon cardstock.  Then I cut out the desired pieces.  Pixie Twine, while not Cotton Candy, coordinated nicely with it and I love stamping with the White Daisy ink which is what I did here.

 I used this "Love Ya Silly" stamp set.  Isn't it just precious?!  I have seen it used for birthdays, baby showers, etc.  It is so versatile.

Let me know what you are doing today!  Are you papercrafting?!  If so, what?  I am planning on it.  It is supposed to be a rainy day here in Texas!

Some Bunny Loves You!

This card was too fun to create and darling for this time of the year!  

I used the adorable stamp set, "Hopping By", for the stamped images.  The paper used comes from the Paper Fundamentals Whimsy Assortment.  One side of the paper has a glossy, embossed pattern.  (It does not always photograph well but I think you get the idea.)  I love the texture and variety it offers!

I paper-pieced the carrot and carrot-top.  What does paper-piecing mean?  It means I stamped the original image on a piece of White Daisy cardstock and then stamped it again on the Sunset B&T paper, from the Scaredy Cat Paper Packet, and cut it out.  I stamped the image...one more time...on Pear cardstock and cut out the leafy part.  I glued both pieces on the original stamped image and this was the result.  I used ShinHan markers to color in the rest of the image.  While paper-piecing takes a little bit of time...it sure is worth it!  Try it and let me know what you think!

A scalloped circle cut out of Pear cardstock, and some white accents and I was done!  Because of the glossy texture of the paper, I did stamp the sentiment in Archival Black Ink and allows for it to dry.

I used this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches - #178 to design this card.  Totally love when I have a point of inspiration.  

I hope you enjoy the card.  Feel free to shop on my website if you need some supplies to create handmade Easter/Spring cards!  Click HERE to be directed there.

Happy Thursday!

March Stamp of the Month - Choose Happy

This month we are highlighting the March Stamp of the Month, Choose Happy.  It has some beautiful frames, cute sayings, and a fun border and it can be yours for just $5 with a qualifying purchase!

If you are coming from Melinda's Blog, you are on the right track.  You can find a complete listing of participants at Adeline's Blog, should you get lost along the way.

I used a pattern from the Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 book to create my card.  I wanted something simple that would not detract from the beautiful frame.  I stamped it in black ink and used the ShinHan colors to make it coordinate with the Zip Strip (the chevron piece of paper) that came from the Brushed paper packet.  The Gold Shimmer Trim just added a little sparkle as did the Clear Sparkles.

I random-stamped the background with an exclusive stamp set called Budding Springtime (shown below).  You can only get one of these exclusives from a Consultant.  (Contact me to find out how you can get one of your own as they are only available through March 31st.)

This is the exclusive stamp set used for the background, stamped tone on tone to the Pixie cardstock with Pixie ink.

Hop on over to Sheila's Blog and see what fun creation she has in store for you.

Happy hoppin'!

Have a Lovely Day!

Yeah...so you can tell I have moved past the winter colors real fast and am ready for Spring!  LOL  Unfortunately, or fortunately (as long as I can stay inside to enjoy the snow and ice), the weather is not aligning with me!  Oh well...these kind of cold weather days give me a good excuse to stay inside and papercraft!  That is what I plan on doing this weekend!

I used the Confetti Wishes paper packet - the colors are just fun and cheery - and this stamp, "Lovely Birthday", to create this card.  I used a pattern from the Make It From Your Heart How-to Program for the design.

The flowers and leaves were colored with the ShinHan markers and 3-D on the front of the card.  Some clear sparkles added the perfect finishing touch to the card.

I hope you like it and...have a lovely day!  (Happy Friday!)

Everything is Better with a Friend

I seldom come up with any card or scrapbook designs from scratch so am thankful there are various resources from which to be inspired.  Today I used this sketch from CASE(S) this Sketch #111 to create my card.

I made this card for my Secret Sister for this past weekend's retreat.  Her favorite paper packet is Heartstrings so I decided to incorporate it, totally leaning away from it being Valentine related.  I think I was successful!  ;)

I used our Dot Embossing Folder, on Hollyhock cardstock, and then distressed it to expose some of the white core.  I layered it onto a slightly larger piece of White Daisy cardstock to allow for the border, needing to set it off a bit from the patterned B&T.  

It is kind of hard to tell but I did paper piece several things in the stamped shopping girl image.  The dress, polka dot and animal print gift bags were all paper pieced.  The remaining items were colored in with our ShinHan markers.  Doesn't it look great?!  (I am a little proud of myself as the paper piecing truly seems almost seamless unless you were to run your finger over it.)

This stamp set, "Everything is Better with a Friend" is only available through March 31, 2015 and is only exclusive to hostesses.  You can get it by hosting a physical or online Gathering or by placing a $150 order.  (Contact me with questions.)  It is definitely one of my favorites!

If you are "off" today because of cold weather in your area, it is a great excuse to get out your papercrafting products!  :)  Have a blessed day!

CTMH Paper Focus Blog Hop - Wanderful

If you are coming from Marianne's Blog, you are on the right track.  I happen to be the start of this Wanderful showcase.  A list of participants is provided at the bottom of the list should you want to hop around.

This month, several team members and I are showcasing the Wanderful paper packet.  I am anxious to see what the other girls created with it.  I think it is ideal for vacation layouts but I choose to use it for a card!

I love this polka dot pattern that is included as one of the B&Ts.  Actually, I think I just love most anything that is polka dot.  LOL  I kept this card rather simple, cutting three strips of equal length and layering them on some Kraft cardstock, placing them towards the top of the card.

I stamped two of the butterfly images from this, "You're Own Kind of Wonderful", stamp set and used Cocoa ink.  Using three of our ShinHan markers, I colored them in.  (You can only see two different colors but in order for me to get the Smoothie color out of the markers, I used two different colors and layered them on top of each other.  Explore with your markers when you think you don't have the right tone!)

You know I love me some dimension on my artwork, so I took some 3-D Foam Tape and placed it under the wings of both butterflies.  I also used the markers to color this heart from the Chalk It Up Assortment, also in attempt to make it coordinate with the rest of the card.  And, of course, I always have to use some bling so included it on the body of the butterfly and then after one of my favorite sayings, "Dream Big".  

I hope you like it.

Now, go check out Melissa David's artistic talent!  She is sure to impress!  We truly appreciate you stopping by!

Happy hoppin'!

This month's participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE
2. Melissa David
3. Debi Barber
4. Aggie Peters
5. Tonya Whitehurst
6. Judy Faye Garner
7. Terry Morrow
8. Marianne Hancock