[Scrap Our Stash] Februrary Leap Challenge

Good morning, folks! This month at Scrap our Stash we are taking a Leap in February. For the details hop over to this post.

For this month, I did a project that I have never done before: creating a card kit. The concept is easy enough, but this card kit was for a 6-yr old.


I was actually a little overwhelmed because I have never been tasked to make a card kit, more over one for a little, cute 6-year old.


Stamps: (Mega Mixed Messages) Papertrey Ink 
Paper: (Perfect Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream, Kraft, Pure Poppy) Martha Stewart
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Impression Plate - Polka Dot Basics II) Papertrey Ink; (Scalloped Sentiments) Fiskars; (Heart Punch) Marvy Uchida



I was going with elements that are easy to assemble with any every-day supplies that any household might have. In this case, glue stick. ;) Each of the cards are made out of three elements: the card base, the heart punched out, and a sentiment banner.



Easy peasy, lemon squeezy...right? Here is how it looks in it's packaging. I grouped the elements into separate bags: pre-scored the card base, cut and stamped the sentiment banner and punched out the hearts. I hope my little 6 year old friend had fun making these...



Check out the Scrap Our Stash's February Challenge. You have until the end of the month to get your inspirations in. What things have you taken a leap in?

[Music Saves My Soul] Sara Jackson-Holman - Cellophane

It's one of those weekends where I am trying to catch up on all things crafty, but I am still battling those horrible pains since the surgery. I'm on my fifth antibiotic course within three weeks. This time it's a 15-day regiment and I hope it will clear everything up. The only downside is that I constantly feel sleepy and dizzy. It's almost like someone has turned down the speed dial in my head and everything is going so slow-ly (like those slow motions in the movie).

Anyways, enough about this...I did get laundry folded up, caught up on bills, and cleaned the kitchen. It was all a promising start to catching up. I even managed to craft for some of my challenge but discovered to my dismay that I was off by a week. Ooops, wrong card. I guess I will have to spend more time at my crafting table tonight...

In the mean time I leave you with another Music Saves My Soul contribution. I heard this song in one of the music videos I was scouring through this weekend. Isn't it a fun little song? And the music video is kind of charming...



Off to dinner and then catching up on my crafts (second attempt that is) ...

[Mami Doodles] Challenge #44 - Pattern Paper

Hello everyone! Most of you might know that bi-weekly a new Mami Doodles challenge goes up. This in one sense is like every other Friday and I'm here to kick off another fun challenge. But I have some bittersweet news to share...This will be Mami Doodles' last challenge. Please hop on over to Elisa's blog to read her words; she explains it best.

So I would love to encourage you to play along this week with our three pattern paper challenge. A great challenge to encourage de-stashing, spring-cleaning, clearing space for new products that are coming out soon...whatever the reason.


Stamps: (Autumn Girl) Mami Doodles
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Lemon Tart) Papertrey Ink; (Summer Days Collection) Echo Park
Ink: -
Embellishments: (1/2" Satin Ribbon - Lemon Tart) Papertrey Ink; (Summer Days Collection - Stickers) Echo Park

This little Autumn Girl is so cute, especially with her lil 'brella. And just because she is named "Autumn", doesn't mean she can't make an appearance in the Spring, right? After all, it's always raining (hello, April showers!) and I know I long for the sun to come out.



I chose big and bold colors from an Echo Park Summer Days Collection Kit, because there is one feeling I want to leave with you: being cheerful and happy...Although the Mami Doodles store may close, for Elisa this is an opportunity to focus on other things she loves and cares as well as possibly exploring new venues. 

As for me, I hope Elisa continues to share her art with the world. I have loved every moment being on her Design Team, gathering new experiences and making new friend on the way. I know those are things that will last, even beyond our bi-weekly challenges...!

Anyways, hop on over to the talented DT to see how they are using their stash...And maybe you will feel inspired to play along this one last time? :)

[DYSU] Challenge #60 - Distress

Hello there! I'm still dragging around like a little sick puppy. Turns out after the surgery I have been plagued by a very stubborn UTI. I'm on my fourth course of antibiotics, and they gave me the "good stuff." I'm currently feeling a little subpar, mainly super sleepy and dizzy due to the antibiotics. So Florian has been my personal chauffeur. He's been the best!

In the meantime, this week at DYSU we have the best challenge Distress. And a huge announcement to make: Digi Darla is giving *every participant* a coupon code for a free digi. All the more reason to participate right? :)

This week I'm showcasing a little bit of Bugaboo goodness.


Stamps: (Silhouette Butterfly) Bugaboo Stamps; (Afternoon Tea; Afternoon Tea - Sentiments) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Corrugated Card Stock - Kraft) RAK; (Chloe's Closet Collection) Making Memories
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 9 Spice Tin) Ranger
Embellishments: (Baker's Twine - Enchanted Evening; Vintage Button - Autumn Collection) Papertrey Ink; (Sewing Thread - White) Gütermann

I had some printer woes, but Florian managed to print it off on his with a little bit of Adobe and email magic. Well, we pretty much hit the "buy" button on some new printer cartridges. I decided to back this little butterfly on some little corrugated card stock, trimmed it out, and used an X-acto knife to distress the edge.



This pattern paper has been sitting in my stash for a while, and i decided it was perfect for this little bright, sweet card.



Hope you like this little creation. Hop over to the DTs samples and see what kind of inspirations they have cooked up for you. And remember, everyone who participates gets a free digi from Digi Darla!

Our sponsors this week:

Bugaboo Stamps Winner’s choice of 7 digital images

Crafty Emma £10 voucher

Digi Darla Winner's Choice of 5 Digital Images

[Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Party] Feb'12 - Spring is Here

Hello everyone and thank you for stopping by! I'm so glad that Claire and the team gave us all 24 hours to link our projects up. It accommodates the crazy, unpredictable schedule that some of us have! I was playing catch up this week in almost every aspect of life, but had an idea buzzing around in my head for this  Spring theme. I'm glad I finally got to have a moment at my crafting desk to whip it out. I hope you enjoy it!


Stamps: (PicNic Patterns, Very Vintage Label No. 10) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream, Fresh Linen) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 1 Chewing Gum, No. 4 Lemon Drop, No. 5 Chicken Feed, No. 11 Brown Sugar) Ranger
Embellishments: (Inkssential Glossy Accents) Ranger; (Tiny Twinkles - Multicolor) Taylored Expressions

Have you seen the fun spring colors that many of the fashion companies are bringing out? If you been sneaking peeks into Banana Republic's or J.Crew's windows, they have bursting with bold, fresh, loud colors. In fact, I blogged a while back about this crazy bold orange that is popping as center stage everywhere. Therefore, my interpretation of the Spring season are to use as many of the bold, fresh, and loud colors I have seen...



I wanted to create a focal point and thought a blue flower as a center piece with a frame was the way to go. It resulted in giving my dusty Very Vintage Label No. 10 stamps some love. This oval-esque shape seemed the most pleasing. 

I also love stretching my Waltzingmouse stamps, and decided to give each flower different heights by lining up the "leaf & stem" image and stamping it multiple times. To line the "leaf & stem" up accurately, I inked up the image, stamped off the bottom leaf and lined it up with the top-most leaf that was already stamped onto the card stock. This ensures that the leaf that I was lining it up against, didn't get inked twice (i.e., preventing the leaf from looking darker). 

Lastly, each flower that sits on a stem got an extra lil special treatment. I glossed them up, which is difficult to see in the pictures. But in real life, it makes the flowers pop like lil epoxies. I like the look, and I can imagine making a whole set to bundle off as a gift... what do you think?

I can't wait to see all your projects and am tickled beyond joy that I can partake in my favorite all-time stamping event! It's really been a while and I know I will be in for a treat, because this party has heaps of talent and great inspirations. In advance, thanks for sharing!

[DYSU] Challenge #59 - Layers

Hello everyone! I want to wish you all a belated Valentine's Day. Did you spend it with a loved one? Was it fun?

This has been another filled week with lots of post-op doctors visits; but this little worker bee keeps just chugging one step at a time to get through my backlog of work, house chores, and carding deadlines. I'm sure everyone has had a phase like that. But this, too, shall pass!

It's Thursday and it's time for another fun challenge. How do you feel about Layers?

I got to play with one of our sponsor's great digis. Have you heard of Tickled Pink Stamps? If you have, then you know I was in for a great treat! Here is a fun card with lots of layers using Lil Fashionette.


Stamps: (Lil Fashionette) Tinkled Pink Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Dark Chocolate) Papertrey Ink; (corrugate card stock) RAK
Ink: -
Embellishments: (Impression Plate - Linen) Papertrey Ink; (Stella & Rose - Mabel "Little Lady" Trims) My Mind's Eye; (Artists' Color Acrylics Series 1 - Light Portrait Pink) Utrecht; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Brenda Walton Daydreams - Grand Adhesions) K&Company; (Fine Point - Black) Sharpie

I added layers by using a first putting some linen texture down onto brown card stock. The layers then include a nice broad crochet ribbon, fun corrugated magenta card stock (that I received from my dear crafting friend Lisa - more on that later!), added some acrylic paint for "layering" effect, some flower to give it more 3d layers, and a fun little adhesive sentiment that's been popped and matted on.



If textures and paint counts as a visual layer, then I managed to cram eight whole layers in ;)  Here is Lil Fashionette in her full glory!



So, there you have it :) Hop over to see some DTs samples and see how they are interpreting Layers this week! And come play along, because prizes are to be had! And you know you can't resist those...

Our sponsors this week:

Tickled Pink Stamps Winner's Choice of 2 Digital Stamps

Little Miss Muffet Stamps $10 Gift Certificate

The Paper Shelter $20 Gift Certificate

[Music Saves My Soul] Duffy - Mercy

It's the weekend! And it's my time to catch up on everything post-surgery. I have lots of special crafty projects that I need to get started (and going). I feel energized and am ready to get back to work :)

The weather is calling for snow and really cold temperatures, so I am working on my crochet project. As a teaser, here is a piece of what I am creating. Hopefully it will be done tomorrow.



Can you guess what it is? Leave your guesses in the comments field and I will pick a winner from the right guesses. Winner gets to pick a song for next week's Music Saves My Soul. In the meantime, here is a song for this weekend...



Off to finishing crocheting this little gift together...

[DYSU] Challenge #58 - Love

Hello everyone! I'm slowly recuperating from my surgery. It went relatively well and I took all of the weekend as well as the first half of the week to deal with pain. Today will be my first day back to work and hope that I can make it through the day without my pain medication.

In the meantime, this week at DYSU we have a challenge with the most appropriate theme: Love. Ready to get you in the Valentine's mood...

Here is a card using some stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps. I also used this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge as my inspiration.

This card uses two stamps sets: Pic Nic Patters and Fancy Phrases and is made with my Valentine in mind.


Stamps: (Pic Nic Patters; Fancy Phrases) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - True Black, Fresh Linen, Pure Poppy) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Versamark; Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Nestablities - Classic Hearts, Small Classic Circles, Scalloped Classic Circle - Small) Spellbinders; (Impression Plates - Polka Dot Basics II) Papertrey Ink; (Rhinestones) Recollection; (Tiny Twinkles - Multicolor) Taylored Expressions

This is a fun, little shaped card, using some good classic Nestabilities as its base shape. I stamped one pattern from Pic Nic Patterns with Black onto the Vintage card stock; then another pattern from Pic Nic Patters on the Black card stock with Versamark. It's pretty faint in this picture, but the striped pattern can also be seen slightly on the flower.



The heart has some polka dot texture, and I decided to mask the stamp "we love You" from Fancy Phrases to make this an extra special card for my Valentine.



Hope you like this little creation. Hop over to the DTs samples and see what kind of Love inspirations they have for you. And since all of you will have a fabulous Valentines Day, I know you have something to play along in our challenge.

Our sponsors this week:

Through the Craftroom Door 1 year PDF subscription

Birdie Brown Winner's Choice of 3 Digital Stamps

[Ideas & Inspiration] Tangerine Tango - Pantone Color of the Year 2012

I love colors. I have my favorite basics, but it's always nice to see which kinds of colors are "in" and "trendy." If you are a color geek, then Pantone means something to you. And every year they pick a Color of the Year.

This year's color is called Tangerine Tango. They describe it as 

"Tangerine Tango, a spirited reddish orange, continues to provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward."

Source: pantone.com via Ren-Yi on Pinterest

This color is popping up everywhere in fashion, home decor, and everyday accessories. Which brings me to my latest love that I can't put out of my head. I really, r.e.a.l.l.y. love this purse. It comes in black, a powder baby blue, beige and cinnabar, but this cinnabar shade is by far the hottest.

Source: katespade.com via Ren-Yi on Pinterest

In the meantime, a girl can dream about her future purse...

[Giveaway] Naomi's Big One Year Blogaversary

One of my DYSU girl pals are having a giveaway after returning from Winter CHA 2012. Did I mention how jealous I am that she got to go? ;)

Well, for the girls like me who didn't get to go, there is a big prize pack up for grabs... Check out Naomi's post and wish her a happy One Year Blogaversary!

[Paperplay Challenge] No. 5 - Get In Shape

Note: If you are looking for DYSU challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Hello again! Trying to squeak in my second post of the day. And we have special news for you! Today at PaperPlay Challenge we have two amazing new designers starting with us. Please welcome Frances and Kenzi. Both are amazing designers, and am so happy to be designing along side with them! This week they are debuting with Shaped Cards.

This is my take and it's a shout-out for Valentine's Day...


Stamps: (Mega Mixed Messages) Papertrey Ink
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - True Black) Papertrey Ink; (Hazel Collection) My Mind's Eye
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Fresh Snow) Papertrey Ink
Embellishments:  (Round Paper Doily - Style 1) Dudley & Tyler; (Hazel Collection - Decorative Brads) My Mind's Eye; (Artists' Color Acrylic Series - Brilliant White) Utrecht; (Sewing Thread - White) Gütermann; (Nestabilities - Classic Heart, Classic Scalloped Heart) Spellbinders

I'm trying a new style here with the shaped card concept. I wanted to whip out my sewing machine and try doing some zig-zaggy stitch to get my the doily down onto the card. I also am liking the acrylic paint as ways to add texture without adding bulk. I'm adding acrylic paint into my arsenal for flat, oversees cards ;) If you have any other tips & techniques to share to adds to the flat card concept, please share.



Anyways, here is hoping that you have a few inspirations for our shaped cards. Please check out the other PPC girls have prepared for this challenge and hope to see you link up your exciting project.

Our sponsors this week:

• Simon Says Stamps - $15 Store Voucher

[DYSU] Challenge #57 - Anything Goes

Hello everyone! It's Thursday and this week has been one crazy one. When Monday started, I had no idea I would be in the OR. But some symptoms came up on Monday night and between all the different doctor's offices and such, I was pretty lucky to get last minute appointments everywhere. The CT scan confirmed that I have a kidney stone which explains the pains and other symptoms that were pretty indicative of kidney stones. So today I'll be getting one removed. If you could keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I would super grateful!

In the meantime, this week at DYSU we have the best challenge Anything Goes. This is one of those fun challenges where everyone has free reign to create to their heart's content. I almost feel like these are the most challenging challenge, because I love so many things. With other challenges usually I have something to steer me down a path.

Here is a card using some stamps from The Craft's Meow. I have made a stained glass window that is suppose to glow.


Stamps: (Nina B Designs - Simply Delightful) The Craft's Meow
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - White, Smokey Shadow) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 3 Chili Powder, No. 4 Lemon Drop, No. 5 Chicken Feed, No. 6 Stick Candy, No. 7 Seed Packet, No. 9 Spice Tin) Ranger; (Versamark, Memento - London Fog) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Detailed Embossing Powder - Black) Ranger; (Embossing Powder - White) Stamp 'n Stuff; (Rhinestones) Recollection

I'll let you in on a secret (and you may think me insane), but I colored each of those little sections in the doily with a tiny brush and Jenni Bowlin inks. I won't tell you how long it took, but it was like a nice therapeutic way to zone out and forget the real world stress for a bit. Painting each pane little by little was a really great experience - it was like tickling the stain glass out of this boring black and white doily.



This is actually one of those cards that I probably feel quite attached to, after the whole creation process ;) Here is an up-close look at the banner. It actually carried the doily pattern with Versamark. It makes for a little bit of extra detail without detracting from the main focal point.



Hope you like this little creation. Hop over to the DTs samples and see what kind of inspirations they have cooked up for you. And since this is "Anything Goes" I expect you all to play :)

Our sponsors this week:

Crafty Individuals Prize Pack

The Stamp Fairy $10 Dollar Gift Certificate

Stamp & Create $25 Gift Certificate