SNSDC4 - Patriotic Cocoa

This week's challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog is to make a red, white & blue card.  I chose to use this Patriotic Cocoa digi stamp for my focal image.  I used this week's CPS Sketch #219 for my card design.

I colored Cocoa & his star with my Prismacolor pencils and then cut him out.  I used a glitter pen on the yellow outline of the star for a bit of shine.  I popped up the circle panel with foam tape and then popped up Cocoa & his star a little more.

I'm also entering this card in these challenges:
Paper Sundae #70 - Pop It Up


Supplies:
Cardstock - Georgia pacific and misc scraps from my stash
Patterned paper - DCWV
Stamp - Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Patriotic Cocoa)
Embellishments - Prismacolor Pencils, Sakura gelly roll pen (Clear Star), Cuttlebug EF (Swiss Dots), Best Occasions Metal Dots, Paper Studio Ribbon

Cocoa Loves Baseball - SNSDC3

It's time for the third challenge over on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog.  This week the challenge is to make a CAS (clean & simple) card with a button.  CAS cards are not something I do a lot of and actually, they usually stump me.  Give me layers and layers.  ;) While searching the gallery over at SCS for some inspiration, I came across this card by Karen Dunbrook.  I knew I wanted to use the Cocoa Loves Baseball digi stamp and thought this layout would work well with that stamp.  I used her card as a sketch, and as I typically do, I stayed pretty close to the original.

For my button, I used the technique found in the Paper Button tutorial on SCS.  It was so easy to do.  I know I'll be using it quite a bit in the future.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
TLC325 - Paper Buttons
Paper Sundae Challenge #69 (PSC69) - Birthday
FS105 - Featured Stamper Kdunbrook {I changed the color scheme, image, my focal image does not hang over the edge, I used baker's twine and not jute}
RRR#24 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown #49 - Baby/child card
CPC-CASS08 - Buttons and Bows


Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - Echo Park (Little Boys)
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy (Cocoa Loves Baseball, Masculine Birthday)
Embellishments - button made from EP paper, baker's twine, Prisamacolor Pencil, SU Stampin' Write, Spellbinders Circle Nesties

I hope you'll play along with us at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a nice weekend.

Lots of Cats Birthday Card

I wanted to make a card for a friend who will be celebrating her birthday Saturday.  She just got a new kitten (and really likes cats in general), so I decided to use this adorable kitty image to make a card for her.  I used the sketch from Mojo Monday #123.

I used the Mother Cat freebie from Meljen's Designs for my focal image. I colored all six cats with my prismacolor pencils.  I used a sentiment from the Feminine Birthday set at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps on the front as well.

I used one of the sentiments from the Purrfect Friend set on the inside of my card.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
RRR#24 - Anything Goes
Paper Sundae's Challenge #69 (PSC69) - Birthday
Paper Pretties PWC154 - Flowers
CPC-FOF63 - Polka Dots
CPC-FOF57 - Easel Card

Supplies:
Cardstock - Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - DCWV
Stamps - Meljen's Designs (Mother Cat), Sweet 'n Sassy (Feminine Birthday, Purrfect Friend)
Embellishments - Prismacolor Pencils, buttons & flowers from my stash, DMC floss, Fiskar's Border punch (apron lace), Spellbinders (petite oval, petite scalloped oval), Offray Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by!

For the Guys Blog Hop

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is having a customer blog hop this weekend with the theme "For the Guys."  Come join us for lots of fun and inspiration.  There are also prizes to be won!  Who doesn't like free crafty goodies?!  You can see all the details on Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps blog.

My husband and son are avid fisherman and we love animals so this newly released digi stamp, Let's Go Fishing Puppy, immediately caught my eye.  Our son used to be an avid hunter as well, so I had some scraps of camo paper that I used for the background.  I used this week's sketch at The Sweet Stop (SSS108) for the design.

Supplies:
Cardstock: SU (green), Recollections (kraft), Georgia Pacific (image & sentiment)
Patterned Paper:  unknown -- scraps from my stash
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy - Let's Go Fishing Puppy
Ink - SU-creamy caramel
Prismacolor pencils: 923, 924, 925, 937, 945, 946, 1005, 1077, 1080, 1081, 1084, 1090
Embellishments: Ribbon & Brads-Paper Studio; Nestabilities deckled rectangles

To see all the other entries or to add your's to the hop, see the linky below.

{Robin} Card

The Bluebird Digital Stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is a favorite of mine.  However, this time, I chose to color it as my version of a robin.  When I was coloring it, a friend and I were discussing exactly what color robins are.  This one ended up being a compromise.  :)

For my card design, I used SSS106 as my starting place.  I left if without a sentiment (even on the inside) so that I can customize it later.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Papers:  BG
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Bluebird Digital Stamp
Ink:  SU Bliss Blue
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Offray), Pearls (Recollections), Prismacolor pencils, Nestabilities circles, Bazzill Just the Edge, Fiskars corner punch (inside)

I'm a little late posting this and I know The Sweet Stop has a new sketch posted for this next week.  Be sure to stop by and play along.  Their Sugar Babies (DT) always has lots of eye candy for you.

It's still not too late to sign up for my blog candy.  You have until 11:59 PM EST tomorrow (Sunday, May 8) to sign up.  You can find all the details here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Mother's Day

Today is the first challenge at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamp's new Digi Challenge Blog. I was so honored (and excited) to be asked to be part of the Desgin Team.  All the cards & projects for this blog will use digi stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  Be sure to stop by the new blog because Korin is giving away a free digi.

This week's challenge is to make a Mother's Day card.  My mom passed away 19 years ago which was long before I started "modern" scrapbooking and card-making.  So this is probably the first Mother's Day card I've made since I was a child.

I've loved this Momma Penguin image since the first time I saw it.  I thought it would be perfect for a mother's day card since the love between the momma and her baby is so evident.  I used my computer to make the "Happy Mother's Day" sentiment.  My sketch design is the Sweet Stop Sketch 106.

Supplies:
Card base:  Bazzill
Cardstock: SU, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  DCWV
Stamp:  Sweet 'n Sassy - Momma Penguin
Embellishments: Ribbon (Offray), Rhinestones (Recollections), Flowers (PortaFolia),Brad (Making Memories), SU tag punch, Fiskars border punch, Nestabilities petite ovals and petite scalloped ovals, Prismacolor pencils

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you'll play along with the challenge.

ZTO Senior Notebooks

I made notebooks for the 26 graduating seniors in our daughter's college society.  Their mascot is a seagull and their colors are navy & gold.  I had to keep the books budget friendly, low profile (bulky embellishments tend to fall off or get ruined) and not too labor intensive since I had 26 of them to do.  My cuttlebug was greatly used but I think they turned out pretty well.

Using Versamark ink, I stamped a flourish stamp in a random pattern on the solid navy cardstock. This is a low-cost way to add extra interest and almost create the look of patterned paper.  The back cover has the same navy cardstock with versamark flourishes.  Each notebook is personalized with the senior's name. 

Using PSE I made a "logo" using a Seagull Digi Stamp from Tiffany's Doodles.  ZTO is for Zeta Tau Omega and their motto is Zealous, True, Obedient.  Here's a closeup of the medallion I made with the help of my circle & lacey circle nesties.

The inside covers are lined with either blue/white gingham or white with blue dots paper.  The same paper is used to decorate the pockets.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, SU, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Recollections
Stamps:  Tiffany's Doodles (Seagull), Autumn Leaves (Flourish)
Tools:  PSE, Nestabilities (Circles, Lacey Circles, Petite Ovals, Petite Scalloped Ovals), Cuttlebug, Fiskar's Border Punch (Apron Lace)

Thanks for stopping by & Congratulations to the Class of 2011!!!

Happy Birthday to the World's Best Daughter!!

Today our precious daughter, Kendra, turns 21!!  Like most moms, I'm wondering how it's possible our *baby* is 21 now!  She's grown from an adorable baby to a beautiful young woman that makes her dad & I very proud of her.  We will have a family party for her when get comes home from college for the summer.  However, we wanted to send her a little something to have for her special day.  So, I made this card for her. 

Cookie is Cocoa Mouse's new friend.  I thought this Cookie's Gift digi stamp would be cute for Kendra's card.  I paper pieced the package, package bow & Cookie's bow.  I colored Cookie with my Prismacolor pencils.  Since Kendra tells me college girls like bling & sparkle, I added stickles to Cookie's bow and used a glitter pen on the package bow and the background paper.

I found this quote online and thought it appropriate for how we feel about her.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Recollections, Georgia Pacific
PP: Recollections
Stamp:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Cookie's Gift, Feminine Birthday)
Quote from the internet
Embellishments/Tools: Nestabilities (Circles Large & Small, Labels 3, Labels 4), Prismacolor Pencils, Baker's Twine, Stickles (Lavender), Sakura Gelly Roll Pen (Clear Star)

Thanks for stopping by & Kendra, if you read this, Happy Birthday!  I hope 21 is your best year yet!!

Time Well Spent

When I saw Deedee's  new digi, Time Well Spent, it just "spoke" to me as we say in our family.  I think it's another one of those versatile images that can be used for many different occasions. 

After coloring the image with copics, I cut it out with my nesties and then sponged it before removing the die.  I did the same thing for the sentiment. This sentiment really makes you think.  I frequently need this reminder that God's timetable is far superior to my own and I just need to trust Him.

I used some pearl flourishes and added 3 singles pearls in the bottom left corner.  I used a metallic marker to do a little highlighting on the watch.

Here's a pic of my interior decorating.  I cut a Fancy Tags 3 in half  and placed it behind my petite scalloped oval.

I am entering it into the following challenges:
Mojo Monday 188 - sketch challenge
Paper Sundaes Challenge #66 - use at least two of the following items: yellow, pearls, sparkle, and die cuts.  I used die cuts & pearls
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #108 - Use at least 5 layers

Supplies:
Sketch - Mojo Monday #188
Cardstock - Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - Cosco Cricket (Ever After), Cream/Black floral - Unknown
Stamp - Deedee's Digis (TimeWell Spent)
Ink - Colorbox Fluid Chalk (Charcoal)
Markers - Copic, AC Metallic Silver
Embellishments/Tools - Pearl Flourish (Recollections), Pearls (BG), Nestabilities (petite ovals, petite scalloped ovals, & labels 4), Fiskars Border Punch (Apron Lace)



Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Benjamin Bunny

We sent our daughter an Easter basket (well, it was in a small canvas tote bag this year) at college.  Here is the card I made to go with it.

I used the Benjamin Bunny digi stamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  Isn't he adorable?! I did a lot of layering with my large & small circle nesties and my lacey circle nesties. Can you tell I love them?  :)  I used a little bit of glitter pen on the flowers.  I don't often make shaped cards and this is one of very few circle cards I've ever made.  It's much easier now with my nesties.

I am including it in the current Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge -- Challenge #22 Violets and Lilacs and Plums! Oh my!.


Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  BG & Recollections
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Benjamin Bunny)
Embellishments/Tools:  Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, Ribbon (Michael's), Nestabilities, Sakura gelly roll glitter pen

I borrowed this idea from Darsie over on the Crafting with Deedee's Digis blog and made these for our daughter's roommates as a little Easter treat.  Thanks, Darsie for the inspiration.

I used the same Benjamin Bunny stamp and a similar design to our daughter's card for the tags.  Here's a close up of the tags.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  BG
Stamp: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (Benjamin Bunny)
Embellishments/Tools:  Prismacolor pencils, gamsol, Baker's Twine, Nestabilities, Sakura gelly roll glitter pen

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great week.

Old Rugged Cross

Here is another Easter card focusing on Christ's death for us on the cross.  This time I made a gatefold card and decorated the interior & the exterior.  I used two stamp sets from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps for this card.  The exterior has the Old Rugged Cross stamp. I colored it with prismacolor pencils and gamsol.  After die cutting the image I sponged it with ink.  I then layered some circle nesties die cuts as a frame over the image and then mounted it all on a lacey circle die cut.  I added texture with a Cuttlebug EF.

The interior uses one of the sentiments from the Easter Blessings set.  I used a similar treatment on my die cuts & embossing as I did on the front.

Supplies:
Cardstock, Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio
Ink - SU creamy caramel
Embellishments - Pearls - Recollections; Ribbon - Michael's, prismacolor pencils, gamsol, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug EF

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Easter!!

Amazing Love

Today, as we think about what Christ did for us on the cross of Calvary, our hearts should be amazed at the love He showed us.  John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  Christ died so that we might have everlasting life.  What a priceless gift and what an amazing love!!

My card to day focuses on Christ's love for us.  I used the Amazing Love set from Deedee's Digis to make this card.  It's hard to believe this great set only costs $1.00!!  My card design is called a joy fold card.  Beate Johns has a great tutorial over on Splitcoast Stampers.

Here are a few more pictures so you can see the interior and other details.  I used a SU journaling pen for some faux stitching.  I distressed the edges of my cardstock & patterned paper and then inked them. I also sponged my focal image before removing it from the nesties die.

I used one of the Fancy Tags 3 dies for the edge detail.  After cutting it out & embossing it, I cut it in half and matched the swirls when I overlapped the edges.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  BG
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Amazing Love)
Ink:  Colorbox fluid chalk, SU
Pens/Pencils - SU journal writer (Close to Cocoa), Prismacolor pencils
Embellishments:  Ribbon (Michael's), SU journaling pen, Spellbinders Nestabilities (fancy tags3, deckled rectangle, petite ovals, petite scalloped ovals

New Scripture Sets - Psalm 61:2

Have you seen the new Scripture sets Deedee's Digis just released?  Wow!  I am loving them!!  The two newest are:  Be Glad in the Lord and The Lord is Our Refuge.  Both sets are full of encouraging Scripture verses to include with another image, to use as part of what I like to call "interior decorating" or as the focal image on the front of your card.

For this card, I chose one of my go-to verses when I personally need encouragement and used it as the focal image on the front of my card.  It is Psalm 61:2 from the The Lord is Our Refuge set.  I love using Scripture as the focal image for several reasons -- here are my top three.   The primary one is because it's such a great witnessing tool and Isaiah 55:11 teaches us that the Lord's Word will not return unto Him void.  Second, what better way to encourage a fellow Christian than with God's Word? Third, there's no coloring required.  :)  This makes the card quicker and, in my opinion, easier to make.

I used the current Stamp TV  {STVSKSP21} sketch for this card.

Supplies:
Sketch:  STVSKSP21
Cardstock - Georgia Pacific and a misc. mustard yellow from my stash
Patterned paper - BG
Stamp -  Deedee's Digis - The Lord is Our Refuge
Ink - SU - creamy caramel 
Embellishments - Ribbon - Offray, pearls - Queen & Co, Nestabilities (petite oval & petite scalloped oval, decorative photo corners), Fiskar's border punch



Thanks for stopping by!

Purfect Friend

If you know me IRL (in real life), you know I LOVE cats.  So, when I saw this Purfect Friend digi set from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, I just HAD to have it.  :)  We have three cats and "my" cat is a Russian Blue named Sasha.  {I emphasized the "my" because if you know cats:  they don't have owners, they have staff.} So, I chose to color the kitty on my card gray in her honor.  I used SSS102 for my card design.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  BG
Tools:  Prismacolor Pencils, gamsol, Cuttlebug EF (Swiss Dots), Zutter Round-it-all, Nestabilities (circle & lacey circle), Fiskars border bunch (apron lace)

Home Tweet Home

When I saw this Home Tweet Home digi at Deedee's Digis, I couldn't wait to turn it into a card.  There's just something about the two bird houses that just appealed to me.  I also tried my new gamsol technique with this image.    After I cut out the image, I sponged it with ink to tone down the white of my cardstock. This week's Mojo Monday Sketch #185 was the inspiration for the card design.  I'm also entering this card in the Really Reasonable Ribbon #21 challenge.

I used the Scripture from the set to help with my "interior decorating."

Supplies
Challenges:  Really Reasonable Ribbon #21  Mojo Monday #185,
Card base: Strathmore Bristol
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Bo Bunny (Olivia)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Home Tweet Home)
Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments:  Prismacolor Pencils, gamsol, Misc ribbon, Bazzill Just the Edge, Nestabilities deckled rectangle

Guess hoo?

I have been experimenting with Gamsol and my Prismacolor pencils this week.  I like how Ollie Owl from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps turned out.  He still looks a bit "feathery" to me.  I used a sentiment from the Owl Occasions Clear Stamp set as well.  I used Sweet Stop Sketch 101 for the overall card design. 

I thought the Forest Branches EF added great texture to the background papers.  I really like this little acorn button.  It's one I've been saving for a special card.  Since this card is for our daughter, that definitely qualifies as special.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Archivers, Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: Carolee's Adornit (Fern Collection, BG (Scarlett's Letter)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy (Ollie Owl digi stamp, Owl Occasions clear stamp set)
Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel), Versafine (Vintage Sepia)
Embellishments: Cuttlebug EF (Forest Branches), Spellbinder's Nestabilities (Petite Oval Large), jute & button from my stash, Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol

A Quilt Inspired Card

This week I started thinking about using quilt block designs as a background for a card.  I did some looking around on the internet and found tutorials for a Quilted Card and a Bargello Technique (which I think looks like a quilt even though they say it's a needlepoint pattern) over at SplitCoast Stampers.  For this card I used the Quilted Card as my inspiration.  I changed my squares to 1" instead of the 3/4" squares used in the tutorial.  Also, if/when I do this again, a punch would be a better idea to make sure all my squares are exactly the same size.  This is a great way to use up those tiny scraps you've been keeping "just in case."

When I saw the Spring Blessings set at Deedee's Digis, I loved the Scripture verse because it was one of my Dad's favorites and I loved the butterfly/caterpillar sentiment. So, I decided to combine my quilt idea with this set and here's the result:

Here's a close-up of the details and then a pic of the interior.

I had the hardest time getting the words to be in focus.  I'm sorry if they're still blurry.  I'm going to try to retake the pics in natural light & will replace them if I get better results.

I am entering this card in this week's Stampin Sister's In Christ challenge #82 which is to include paper piecing in your main image and in the new Challenge #21 at Really Reasonable Ribbon which is to include die-cuts or punches and ribbon.

Supplies:
Cardstock - Strathmore Bristol, Recollections, Bazzill, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper - BG (Lemonade)
Stamps - Deedee's Digis (Spring Blessings)
Embellishments - Ribbon (Hobby Lobby), BG Opaline half pearls, Recollections swirl, Nestabilities (petite ovals and petite scalloped ovals), Fiskar's border punch (Threading Water)

Thanks for stopping by!

For You Cookie

I made this card using The Sweet Stop Sketch #100.  It was a sketch with a twist - you were to show something sweet.  I skipped the sweet & just used the sketch.  :)  This is my first time using a Cocoa's friend, Cookie. 

Supplies
Cardstock -   Colorbok, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Colorbok
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sassy (Gardening Cookie & Frogetful Sam)
Ink - Memento (Tuxedo Black), Prismacolor pencils, Zig Marker
Tools - McGill Punch (oval), Fiskars Border Punch (threading water)
Embellishments - Flowers (Bride's), Brad (Queen and Co), Stickles (Baby Blue), Rhinestones (Best Occasions)

He's the Catch of the Day!!

Our son had a birthday this week.  {How is it possible for my "baby boy" to be 25!!!} This meant that, once again, I needed to venture into the realm of masculine cards.  Since he's a fisherman, I thought the Catch of the Day set from Deedee's Digis would be perfect for his card.  This set has several sentiments for various "manly" occasions.

After coloring my image with prismacolor pencils {with a little help from my husband on proper fish colors}, I sponged the sky, edges of the image panel and darkened the water with inks.  I used an embossing folder to add some texture behind the image panel.  I inked the embossed panel to bring out the embossing.  To me, jute is the masculine version of ribbon so just about every card I make that is intended for a man has some on it.  :)

I also did some interior decorating inside the card.  I used one of the sentiments from this versatile set on a panel that I die cut & sponged. Some eyelets, more jute, more inking and another piece from the embossing folder finished off the inside.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific, Archiver's
Patterned Paper:  Reminisce (Fish Stories)
Stamps:  Deedee's Digis (Catch of the Day)
Inks:  SU (Creamy Caramel, Blue Bliss), Color Box Fluid Chalk (Olive Pastel)
Tools:  Prismacolor Pencils, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Bird Call), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Deckled Rectangle)
Embellishments:  Button (Fancy Pants), Jute, Metal Dot (Best Occasions), Eyelets (Oriental Trading)


Thanks for stopping by!  I hope it's nice and spring-y where you are and that you're able to enjoy a wonderful weekend.

Welcome Landon Kenneth!!

If you're looking for the Time to Bloom blog hop, click HERE.

My nephew and his wife had their third little boy this week.  This is the card I made today to send to them. 

I colored the buggy with my prismacolor pencils.  The doodles were made with a Zig Writer pen.  The sketch came from CPC-ST100 and it also qualifies for Really Reasonable Ribbon's Challenge #20 (One for the Boys). 

Here's a closeup of the front and then a pic of the "interior decorating."

Supplies:
Sketch - CPC-ST100 
Challenge - Really Reasonable Ribbon's Challenge #20 (One for the Boys)
Cardstock - Georgia Pacific, DCWV
Patterned Papers - Paper Studio, Echo Park
Stamps - Sweet 'n Sasaay Stamps (Baby Blessings, Baby Buggy)
Pens/Pencils - Prismacolor pencils, Zig Writer Pen
Embellishments - Offray ric-rac, Queen & Co brad, Best Ocassions metal dots, Nestabilities (petite oval & petite scalloped oval)

Thanks for stopping by.