Two Cards for the Price of One!

 Well, 'price' probably isn't the right word, but basically, I started out creating one card and ended up with two very different designs from the work I put into it. I kind of love them and how very different they turned out even though they use the very same basic supplies all around.

Here are the supplies I used:

Simon Says Stamp Leafy Leaves Background Stamp

CZ Designs Chunky Thankful Die

Prima Watercolors, Decadent Pies

And a Neat and Tangled Maple Leaf stamp that is no longer available, but you can find a similar one in this Simon Says Stamp set

Oh... and some cardstock, bristol, and May Arts twine. 

Fir this one, I stamped the background on bristol and watercolored it to create a nice fall background look. I then die cut the sentiment, saving the middle pieces, adhered the painted panel to a card base and then adhered the sentiment pieces back into the 'Thankful' to make a cool outline look. This let the background be the star of the show for this card.  A simple wrap and bow with twine finished it off nicely.

Now, as you know, I don't normally just jump into a supply list. BUT... for this one, I had to because... CHECK IT OUT! After making this card, I realized I had the perfect makings for a beautiful clean and simple design with the leftovers!

There is a slight chance I like this one even better. Even though the painting took a bit of time and effort and you can't really tell that as much here, BUT, alas...I still LOVE the way that die cut sentiment looks cut from the stamped and watercolored background. It's like.... perfect. So, I used the outline that was left over on a simple white panel and then just stamped a few maple leaves to finish it off in a nice deep red tone. 

Two cards from one set of work! LOVE IT! And I hope you do, too. Never forget to check out what your 'scraps' are giving you! You may just find some treasures in there!

Because sometimes there are goodbyes

In February of 2013, I decided to apply to be on the Design Team for a stamp company that I absolutely LOVED.

That company was CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. I have been so fortunate to have been a part of this team since that call and I have loved every single minute of it! Michele has truly unique designs that are simply wonderful! She also has a heart of gold and put up with me through all of my ups and downs through the last few years. This team has truly meant a lot to me. Which is why I am sad to say that I have decided to step down. This is my final post as a DT member for CAS-ual Fridays and that is really hard to type. Wow. 

When considering what to create for today, my mind went to one place very quickly. Thank you. I wanted to create a card that said thank you to Michele, thank you to those who have followed my CFS designs, and thank you to those with whom I have designed over the years. So...

Funny... My absolute favorite CFS sets happened to be perfect for my card! What a coincidence! LOL! But really and truly... Michele - It's been awesome. Thank you. For everything.

Jingle Out.

It's STAMPtember!!!!

It's the most wonderful time of the stampy year!!! It's STAMPtember!!! Yes, it's that wonderful time when Simon Says Stamp releases all kinds of amazing exclusive products for us to gobble up! And boy has it begun with a bang this year! Some of the best products EVER!!!! To celebrate, our challenge this week is STAMP IT! Yup! We want to see you use some awesome stamps! Get inky! The Design Team is showing off brand new STAMPtember products! If you have some Simon exclusives, we'd love to see you use them!

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I used this absolutely AMAZING background stamp to create this fun card. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I used it on the card I posted yesterday, as well. Keep following...I have MORE COMING!!!! I just love this background so much! I stamped and clear embossed it and then used Distress inks to blend ink over the words. I made sure to only partially stamp so the words only go partially across the inked area. I layered embossing powder over the die cut sentiment to add both shine and dimension so it would really stand out.

And now it's YOUR turn! Create something awesome using stamps in some way and link it up for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate to the Simon Says Stamp Store! WOOT! WOOT!

BIG

Hello, friends! I have a super fun card for you today using some awesome stamps from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps! I absolutely LOVE this marquis style stamp set! It is way too much fun! I combined it with a totally fun ink pad to create this bright and colorful thank you!



I stamped the big three times and then added the thanks at the bottom in black so it would stand out. This wasn't a difficult card, but it was seriously fun to create! I love the color!



If you love these stamps or any other awesome CAS-ual Fridays Stamps and dies, don't forget that you can use the code JINGLE2016 to save 15% on your order in the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps store!

THANKS for joining us for Day THREE of the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Release!

And yes, we have another giveaway and more inspiration for you today! Today's brand new CAS-ual Fridays Stamps stamp set is a sentiment MUST HAVE. Thank you cards. We all make 'em. We probably even send those ones sometimes! *wink* Having awesome thanks sentiments in your stash is essential! And today's stamps give you JUST that! I love it!



Oh, and did I mention that there is an awesome die involved, too? 'Cause THERE IS!!! Yup! And I'm loving it! I decided to use the negative die cut to create the 'thanks' and then stamped the rest of the sentiment in a break in my patterned paper for a fun design. A few sequins added some great color, too!



I love that these don't just say 'thanks' and 'thank you', but rather they offer complete sentiments to use for heartfelt thank you cards. It really is such a great set!

Don't forget to head on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps blog for your chance to WIN this stamp set and to check out the awesome inspiration from the Girl Fridays!

And, if you need to do some shopping, don't forget to use code JINGLE2016 for 15% off your entire order!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a Happy!

One Layer Madness!

Okay, you guys ready for this one? This week our challenge for you is ONE LAYER! I don't know about you, but this is a true challenge for me. Fortunately, the Design Team is featuring Paper Smooches this week, so that made my job a bit easier! I love my Paper Smooches stamps and was excited to break open this new set and get stamping!

I decided to take the challenge VERY literally and go with a SINGLE layer and nothing three dimensional at all. Yikes. That was tricky! HA! I used the awesome Curls and Swirls stamp set to create a strong, graphic background. The sentiment, from the Many Thanks stamp set (an absolute MUST HAVE, in my opinion), is embossed in red over the background to maintain that single layer look. The best part? This thing is SO easy to mail! YAYNESS!

And now it's YOUR turn! Create a one layer card and link it up over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog for your chance to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store! WOOT! WOOT!

Have a Happy!

Thank You Beary Much!

It's Wednesday and that means it's time for another AWESOME Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge! This week, our theme is Create with Critters! We want to see critters front and center on your project this week! The Design Team is featuring Lawn Fawn this week. You know how AWESOME Lawn Fawn is when it comes to critter images! You don't have to use them to play along, but if you have some, we'd love to see how you rock them!

I pulled out the adorable Party Animals Stamp Set again. It is just TOO cute! I love it! I colored him and then die cut with the Scripty Thanks die to create a layered inset look. 

A touch of patterned paper and a few sequins finish off the design. Now it's your turn! Create something adorable inspired by the Create with Critters theme for your chance to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store! 

And if you happen to have your OWN critter at home, don't forget to post a photo! We love seeing your critters!

Here is a recent photo of my little critter, Morgan, cooking with her Daddy. She likes to help. And, obviously, needed to wear a Star Wars apron. Obviously.

Have a Happy!

It's Ombré Time!

Hello, all, and welcome to another installment of the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, brought to you by Simon Says Stamp, your one stop shop for all of your paper crafting needs! *And the crowd goes wild!*

Yup. It's a game show opener kind of day. Why? Because that's just the kind of mood I'm in. And I'm in charge around here. So, that's what you get.

Whatever. You know you love it.

The challenge this week is to use the ombré technique on your projects! The design team is featuring Hero Arts products this week. You don't have to use them to play along, but if you've got some on hand, we'd love to see what you do with them!



I used this AWESOME dot background stamp to create my card for today. I seriously love this stamp! I stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with white embossing powder on white cardstock. I then used distress inks to create the ombé background. I kind of love it. The sentiment is the Simon Says Stamp Painted Thanks die, cut several times, layered, and then I used Wink of Stella, Glossy Accents, and some super fine glitter to make it sparkle. It sparkles. Lots.


Now it's YOUR turn! Created something awesome based on the Ombré inspiration and link it up over on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog for your chance to win a $50 Gift Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store! 

That's all for today, folks! Thanks so much for joining us and be sure to come back next week for another fabulous installment of... the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge! *Closing Music Plays* 

Have a Happy. *wink*

So Incredibly Grateful

Have you SEEN the November Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp? Have you SEEN IT? Well, it is fabulous. For reals fabulous.

Actually, I'm not even going to say too much, I'm just going to show you this card that I made with it. Because... THESE STAMPS, YOU GUYS!



I used the gorgeous leaf stamps with several different embossing powders to create a layered, embossed design on the Kona Coffee cardstock and layered that over one of the pretty patterned papers. I am in love with those leaves. Lots. Lots of love for leaves. And such.



AMIRIGHT? I am. You don't even have to answer that. Those leaves are awesome. Those stamps are awesome. This kit is awesome. Basically...

Everything is Awesome.

And I'll just leave that right there. *wink*

Have a Happy!

Your Kindness

I had some Paper Smooches stamps and dies that hadn't seen paper yet, so I decided to jump in on the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge this week! I came up with this quick, but cute card. I also broke out my Hero Arts Ombre inks, which I haven't used nearly enough given how AWESOME they are! WHAT?! Yup. Totes, you guys.



I die cut that super cute easel and stamped the sentiment from Spreading Sunshine right inside. I loved the idea of the pen from We Totally Click writing the sentiment. I'm actually not entirely sure if that plan worked or not yet. You guys can let me know what you think. *wink*



This was one of those cards I made JUST for fun. I love it when I get to do that! I hope you kids have a great weekend!

Have a Happy!

These are Some Awesome Fish

No, seriously, you guys! These FISH! I love them! But I didn't make them. Nope. They are handmade paper fish that were created by a wonderful young lady who is preparing to begin third grade. She is a smart girl with a heart of gold. She is a thinker and a creator. She helps others and she gives entirely of her own accord. I'm telling you, this kid is AMAZING. And her Mom is pretty amazing, too. Kathy (her Mom) runs a blog called Bliss Habits. It is WELL worth your time. As a matter of fact, it is a gift each day. A moment just for you. I highly recommend it. You can also find her on her Bliss Habits Facebook page.

This young lady created these fish and is considering starting a small online business selling them to crafters and card makers like you and me! She sent me a few, absolutely free, to try out and show off!



Yes. Those fish. She made them. By hand. And she sent me several in a variety of sizes including a tiny one that I absolutely LOVE!!!! For REALS, you guys! They are so well made, too! I was actually really super impressed by the craftsmanship. I couldn't have done it better myself and I work with paper a LOT, folks.



I added the fish to a cute background paper and then stamped a simple thank you sentiment on a white panel across the card. A few enamel dots were the perfect accent along with these super cute fish!

Keep an eye on the Bliss Habits Facebook page, as I'm sure if these go up for sale it will be mentioned there! If not, I promise it WILL be mentioned HERE on my blog! Because I love them. And I will be first in line to buy some!

Have a Happy!

Because Gold and Wood Veneer

Hello, friends! I am showcasing an awesome card using the July Pinkfresh Studio kit over on the Pinkfresh Studio blog today! This is another one that required  nothing more than the kit. I LOVE it when that happens!



I used the gorgeous gold letters (Seriously... I love them so much. For reals, though.) along with the wood veneer hearts to create a clean and simple design that shines!



I love the detail on these wood veneers. That bit of extra design adds so much and turns them into a wonderful focal point rather than simply an extra embellishment. LOVE!

In other news, the studio is coming along! I finally have a desk that is workable and boxes are slowly but surely finding themselves empty. Happy days, folks! Happy days! I should be back to full create mode very soon!



Be sure to head on over to the Pinkfresh Studio blog for LOTS of inspiration and to leave a comment!

Have a Happy!

A Card and an Introduction

I have some exciting news to share! LOOK!



This is Morgan! She is the newest member of our family. She is ten weeks old and a bundle of sheer puppy joy! And exhaustion. Joy and exhaustion. LOL! So far she loves boxes, her stuffie, and is absolutely fascinated by the world around her. It is a lot of fun to watch her discover and learn.

I also wanted to share another super fun card I created with the Simon Says Stamp July Card Kit. I love this one. It's a bit of a more rustic style than I normally do, but I just love the elements and how they came together!



I did cheat just a bit and used another Simon Says Stamp die with my kit contents, but shhh! Don't tell. *wink*



I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend if you are here in the United States, and a wonderful non-holiday weekend if you are somewhere where there wasn't a holiday. HA!

Have a Happy!

Just A Little Boat

Yup. Just a little boat. A little adorable boat. A little adorable boat in red, white, and blue. That is what I have for you today. This adorable little boat in red, white, and blue comes from the super adorable Simon Says Stamp July Card Kit. That you need. No, for reals, though. It's awesome. And I super duper love these stamps! LOTS!



To create this fun little design, I stamped the boat and colored it with Spectrum Noir pens. I stamped the water on a scrap piece of cardstock and then colored that with Copics before fussy cutting the waves with my Fiskars MicroTip Scissors. I adhered the waves with foam tape to add just a bit of dimension. YAY!



It's going to be a busy week around here! Lots of fun stuff happening! I wanted to announce the winner of the CanvasPop! Giveaway for those waiting on that fun announcement! The winner is... Taylor! Congratulations, Taylor! Email me for your code!

Have a Happy!