For the Girls

If you like to make girly cards this week's Cooking It Up with Katie is perfect for you.  Challenge #73 is to "Make a Pink Blingy Sticker".  this week there are two sponsors Meljen's Designs and Pizzazz Aplenty.  So how can you pass this challenge up.

For this sample the image is Meljen's "Brooke's Butterflies".  If you visit Katie's blog you'll see what the rest of the design team has done with Meljen's images this week.  If you'd like to see some of my other cards made with Meljen's images you can find them by using the labels gadget all the way at the bottom of my sidebar.

How easy is this challenge, unless for some reason you don't like pink (impossible) or bling (you gotta be kidding, who doesn't like bling) and adding a sticker is just plain easy.  For this card I dug deep into my stickers and found some Doodlebug stickers that were made from double sided adhesive.  The ones I used are the butterflies and flower below the pink lace.  All I had to do was shake some glitter over them and Voila! Glitzy stickers. The butterfly at the top of the card came with the paper pack.  The bling isn't showing too well in the photo, where you see little dots around the swirls in the image that's where the bling is.  In real life you can see it very well.

don't forgret the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - Meljen's digi "Brooke's Butterflies"
ink - hp printer
paper - Stampin' Up "Kraft" card base; all other paper S.E.I. "Chocolat"
miscellaneous - copics; brads; pink lace ribbon; Doodlebug stickers; Nesties Lacey Square die; pink Glitzy Glitter and Martha Stewart copper and gold glitter; Taylored Expressions bling





Here's the challenges:
Cooking It Up With Katie #73 - Make a Pink Blingy Sticker
Going Grey - Decorate the Inside of Your Card
Digital Tuesday #126 - Going Buggy
Charisma #34 - Glitter It

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  In the meantime why not make a card or project for Cooking It Up with Katie's challenge #73 to "Make a Pink Blingy Sticker" that kind of card doesn't stay in your stash for long.  All the rules and the linky thingy are here.

It's a Girl Thing

Girls just want to have fun.  Now that's the fun theme at Pile It On this week and we're sponsored by the Paper Shelter.   Well, using one of their images is my idea of fun.  Most of the time playing with paper is fun for me and then a challenge like this comes along add a great image and I'm in heaven.  Now as you know the idea at Pile It On is to use at least one more challenge, and try to add more.  This week there were a few "girly" challenges out there so it was more fun trying to combine them.  Geez, how hard is it to add bling, and lace and flowers?  I think you'll find playing along with us very easy this week.

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - the Paper Shelter "Walking With My Buddy"
ink - hp printer
paper - Georgia Pacific white cs; Recollections grey cs for mats and card base; MFT "Pink Bubblegum" cs; "Authentique" dp
miscellaneous - copics; lace; pearls; SU rhinestone brad; burlap twine; charm; Prima and misc flowers; stickles; nesties "Circle and Lacey Circles" die; sewing machine




Here's the challenges:
Pile It On #35 - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Totally Gorjuss #95 - As You Like It
Crafty Catz #97 - Metal and Lace
Speedy the Cat's Friends #70 - Use lace
Just Add Ink JAI 82 - Something from Your Stash
Truly Scrumptious #64 - Rocked Up Pink
Sisterhood of Crafters - Flower Power
Stampin' Royalty #86 - Bring on the Bling 
The Paper Shelter #28 - Die Cuts and Punches
Charisma #34 - Glitter It
Craft Us Crazy #15 - Anything Goes
Happileigh Scrappin HLSC36 - Girly Girl
Stamps R Us - Anything Goes
Digital Tuesday #125 - Cute and Girly 
My Time To Craft #154 - Here Come the Girls
Crafts and Me #49 - Lace
Papertake Weekly - Dies to Die for
City Crafter week 71 - Best of Friends
Whoopsie Daisy - Summer Fun
Picture Perfect #9 - Summertime Fun
Stamp with Fun #125 - Summer
Card Makin' Mamas - PINK

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  In the meantime why don't you make a card with the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" theme and enter the Pile It On challenge.  We love to see what you create and if you're lucky you could win a prize from the Paper Shelter.

Autumn's on the Way

CIC125

The minute I saw these cupcakes I knew what I wanted to do.  Those gorgeous fall colors sucked me right in.  Here in Florida we don't get to see that glorious change in the trees.  If you've ever been to Vermont for leaf peeping you've seen the purdiest sight ever.  In New Jersey the entire state has gorgeous views but up at the Delaware Water Gap and Camp Hoover I've had my breath taken away.  I do miss the colorful display but not the cold and snow that it forebears.

This week the Cupcake Inspirations CIC125 challenge is sponsored by the Stamp Fairy.  They generously gave our design team an image to use but I had already started this card when it came along.  It's an adorable image so be sure to hop over to the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge blog to see what the rest of the design team has created.  They made some great cards with the image.

As I've said the cupcakes reminded me of Autumn.  When my daughter was little we used to go pumpkin picking.  One of my favorite pictures of her is one where she's sitting on a pumpkin about 20 times bigger than her.  Those were the days...

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - Mo Manning "the Big One"
ink - hp printer
paper - Georgia Pacific white cs; Stampin' Up "Only Orange" cs; Bazzill "Beeswax" cs; Basic Grey "Indian Summer" dp
miscellaneous - copics; burlap twine; charm; SU brads; Nesties Scalloped Square die; sewing machine; gold thread




Here's the challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations CIC125 - photo (above) inspiration
Dream Valley #14 - Lemon, Lime and Orange 
Top Tip #48 - Masculine Card
Do You Stack Up DYSU #34 - Boy or Man
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C102 - Male Themed

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  Now get inspired by those luscious cuppies and make a card for our Cupcake Inspirations challenge.

Non-traditional Christmas



can you see the stocking charm, click on the photo
to enlarge it

Every now and then you gotta shake things up.  How about a purple Christmas card.  This week the Color Throwdown challenge is to use Crumb Cake, So Saffron and Perfect Plum.  Works for me.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Bugaboo "JJ Ornament Dear Santa"
ink - hp printer
paper - Stampin' Up "Kraft " and "Orchid Opulence" cs; Georgia Pacific white cs
miscellaneous - copics; Polar White Flower Soft; MFT die-namics "Scallop Ribbon Border"; yellow ribbon; burlap twine; charm; Nesties circle dies

Here's the challenges:
the Color Throwdown #156 - Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum and So Saffron
Bah! Humbug! #34 - Here Come the Girls
I Heart Ribbon #8 - yellow ribbon
My Time to Craft #154 - Here Come the Girls
Craft Your Passion #72 - They Said What


Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Say Something Nice

How cute is this image?  Like waaaaay cute.  It's from Cuddly Buddly!   That name alone was enough to make me want to check it out and I was thrilled to accept a spot on the design team.
There are two design teams and we alternate weeks, but these images are so dang cute I just may have to post something in between.
Today's my first post.  This week the challenge is "Say Something Nice" have a space for journaling or a note.  Hmmm, seems I left that off the front of the card but I did put it on the inside. 
Didn't Dorothy Parker say "if you don't have anything nice to say, sit next to me".  She was something else, certainly ahead of her time.  I would have loved to meet her but I digress...

As I was saying Cuddly Buddly has lots of cuteness for you to oooh and aaaah over.  There are several artists' providing the images so you'll surely find something you like.  You'll probably find so much that you'll be doing "eeny, meeny, miney, mo" to decide what you'll buy.  At least that's how I finally decided which image to pick.  So pop over and give it a look see. There's a weekly challenge posted on Friday and you don't have to use Cuddly Buddly stamps to play along, so everybody can play along.     Yes, there are some rules, but they aren't weird or unusual.  So if you like challenges, play along with us.  We'd love to see what you create.

Here's the deets:
Stamp - Cuddly Buddly digi "Singing In the Rain"
ink - hp printer
paper - Stampin' Up cs (might be Concord Grape) for card base; Basic Grey "Skate Shoppe" dp pack
miscellaneous - copics, brads, buttons, navy ribbon, burlap twine; umbrella charm; sewing machine; nesties circle dies

Here's the challenges:
Cuddly Buddly  #9- "Say Something Nice" include a journaling spot or space for a note
4 Crafty Chicks - photo inspiration (I was inspired by all the blues in the photo)
DYSU #34 -card for a  boy or man
Top Tip #48 - masculine card
Paper Sundaes #83 - Sundae Bar use at least two from green, buttons, banners, or twine (I used green, buttons and twine)
Crazy for Challenges C4C101 - bingo (I used  square card, circle die cuts, and 2 dp)
Basic Grey #51- Anything Goes  (BG "Skate Shoppe" dp)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  Now go get busy playing in the Cuddly Buddly challenge.

Snarky

This card is for a challenge calling for snarky cards.  That word just cracks me up.  I had a boss tell me I was snarky.   I thought she made the word up, had no idea what it meant but it didn't sound good and she wasn't smiling.  But being a snarky character, I didn't care either.  Hey, I been called worse.

This is sooooo me, it's scarey.  I no longer have an orange convertible but I did have one a few years ago.  Now a days it's black one, but orange is funnier.  Oh yeah, Stella's a lot skinnier than me, but not much snarkier.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Bugaboo "Stella tidbits - Places to Go"
ink - hp printer; Ranger "Spiced Marmalade"
paper - Cosmo Cricket "Joy Ride" dp; unknown orange cs
miscellaneous - copics; Nesties circle and lacey circle dies and grommet tags; orange brads; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
Craft Your Passion #72 - They Said What
Critter Sketch  #79 - sketch
Paper Variety #48 - Travel or Transportation theme
Simon Says Stamp and Show Some - Travel

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

More Holiday Cards

can you see the free style stitching, click on the
photo to enlarge

Yes, I'm saying "holiday" card today and not feeling bad.about.  I do have friends that are not Christians and I send them greetings during the Christmas season.  But I am lucky because none of those friends would ever take offense if I wished them a Merry Christmas because they have the good sense to know that I am wishing them a good thing.  Why do I even bother to say this?  Well, sooner or later someone sends me an e-mail that gripes about people saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas".   I don't see the problem and as amazed that others do.  Sometimes I think that some people just forward everything they receive instead of just deleting the stupid stuff.   Enough of my ranting and on to the card.

This was made for the My Favorite Things Wednesday sketch challenge.  Don't know why but I usually don't go with the wonky angles unless I'm following a sketch.

It's hard to tell that the thread is a gold metallic.  I did a lot of stitching around on the dps, it shows up much better IRL. 

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - My Favorite Things the a la mode "Candy Cane Kisses"
ink - Memento Tuxedo Black; Studio G red for sentiment
paper - Recollections red card base; MFT white Perfect Panel; Stampin' Up "Soft Suede" cs; Memory Makers "Spiceberry" dp
miscellaneous - copics; Stampin' Up tag punch; red burlap twine; candy cane charm; MFT die-namics bracket border; Amuse red pearls; mini brads; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club MFTWSC34 - sketch
CCEE 1134 - Gold (the thread I used is a gold Metallic)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you come back again.

In Threes

Seems I've heard that good things come in threes and that deaths come in threes.  I don't know if either of those things are true but things is threes look good on cards, at least in my humble opinion.

This card was made using  this week's  Paper Players sketch.  This sketch was perfect for using some dragonfly embellishments I've had hanging around for awhile.  I refrained from adding a charm, I thought it would be dragonfly overkill.   

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - no stamp (who'd a thunk?)
ink - no ink (was there any work involved?)
paper - K & Co "Susan Wright" dp; Stampin' Up
"Orchid Opulence" and "Pale Plum" cs
miscellaneous - Jolee's Boutique dragonflies; Recollections brads; purple lace; sewing machine



Here's the challenges:
Paper Players #60 - sketch
Crafts and Me #49 - Lace

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you come back again.

I Feel the Earth Move...

under my feet, I feel the sky a tumbling, a tumbling down, I just lose control, down to my very soul...  Do you think Carole King had been through an earthquake when she wrote that song?  I cannot believe that there was an earthquake in Virgina and it was felt as far north as Ontario and as far south as Atlanta.  Geez, my NJ friends are all watching out for hurricane activity here and they get slammed with an earthquake while here on the west coast of FL
we just get some showers. 

Today's card is a simple Christmas card.  This Rudolph image is so cute I just had to have him.  I decided to go with a relatively clean and simple card so that mailing would be simpler.  I have the pieces ready to assemble a few more.  

Rudolph's nose and the stars have stickles on them and there are tiny red pearls at the tips of the stars.  On the inside there's just a die cut star for writing a note.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Bugaboo "Rudolph with Stars"
ink - hp printer
paper - Kraft cs for base; Basic Grey "Mistletoe and Pear" dp; scrap of yellow cs
miscellaneous - copics; MFT die-namics star border; stickles; A-muse red pearls

Here's the challenges:
the Kraft Journal - Make It Monday- Movies, Songs or Books (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer song and there's a few movies that feature him too)
Crafty Creations #133 - Show Us Your Inner Animal (wouldn't you like to be a flying reindeer?)
Totally Papercrafts #80 - Christmas in August
Charisma #33 - Negative Space

Thanks for stopping, please come back again, I love to read your comments.

If you can spare a few seconds, click on the pink ribbon on the sidebar.  It's a good thing.

Feeling Scared

can you see the heart charm?  click on the photo to enlarge

Yesterday was a big day for my "little" girl.  She went back to school AND she finally received her driver's permit.   I'm so afraid of her driving in particular, it's her driving my car that gets to me.  I'm just a little possessive.  I guess I'm going to have to work on that, or pray my hubby is less possessive of his.

This is my card for the weekly My Favorite Things sketch challenge, using the Pure Innocence "Making a List".  I thought her dress was a perfect spot for paper piecing.   When I piece something like this dress, which has another item in front of it, I also piece that section.  To me it's easier to do it that way then to try to cut all around those little spaces and in person it gives it a bit more of a dimensional look.

With a dark card stock base it's a good idea to do something with the inside that includes a spot of white for adding your note.

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - My Favorite Things "Making a List"
ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
paper - the Paper Company "Natural Fashion Colors" card base; Bazzill "Tawny Medium" and "Beeswax" cs; My Mind's Eye "Lost and Found - Sunshine" dp
miscellaneous - copics; Hero Arts bling; Crystazzi crystals; Prima Flower; MFT Dienamics "Scallop Ribbon Border" and "Solid Bracket border"; Recollections brads; heart charm; burlap twine; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
My Favorite Things MFTWSC33 - sketch
Stamps R Us - Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy - 3 or more of your Favorite Embellishment (there's 14 crystals)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Spare a few seconds to click on the pink ribbon near the top of my left sidebar.  You'll be helping to fight breast cancer.

Pink and Purple

CIC124

I've gone to heaven.  Pink and purple are my favorite colors.  Flowers in icing are very high on my favorites list too.  If it didn't make me dream about eating cake I'd frame this photo and stick it right in front of my work space.  When I laid eyes on this photo I didn't feel like trekking to a bakery so I got busy working on a card for this week's Cupcake Inspirations challenge.  We're sponsored by Prairie Fairy.  The winner will have a choice of 5 images, nice prize, if I could I'd be playing along.  

can you see her pearl earrings?  click on the photo to enlarge it

For my card I used one of Prairie Fairy's Gilly images.  This character has grown on me.  She's so darn cute and lots of fun to color.  She's perfect for a little girl's birthday card but equally fun for an adult. 

To give her eyeglasses the look of actually having lenses I used Ranger's Glossy Accents.  To punch it up a little there's some stickles in her hair and on the green stripes and dots on the cake.  Those yummy looking flowers on the cake inspired me to dig out some of the flowers I horde. 

The stickles and glossy accents were still wet when I took the photo so there's no picture of the inside. 

Here's the deets:
stamp - Prairy Fairy "Birthday Gilly"
ink - hp printer
paper - Georgia Pacific white cs; Doodlebug "Cake and Ice Cream"; MFT "Bubblegum" cs; Bazzill "Intense Kiwi" and Intense Amethyst"
miscellaneous - copics; stickles; Ranger's Glossy Accents; lavender lace; button; brads; Maya Road big pink central flower; assorted flowers from Michael's $1 bin; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations CIC124 - photo
Sugar Creek Hollow - Buttons and Bows
Craft Us Crazy #15 - Anything Goes
Simply Create #50 - Time to Distress
Stampin' B #124 - Distressing
Truly Scrumptious #63 - Lace It Up

Thanks for visiting, I hope you'll come back again.  Find some time to make a card and play along with us at Cupcake Inspirations challenge CIC124.  You'll find everything you need to know by clicking here.

By the way, I haven't been mentioning the pink ribbon lately.  Shame on me.  It only take a couple seconds to click on the pink ribbon you'll be supporting the fight against breast cancer and helping to fund mammograms. 

Come Home Little Mojo

TGIF!  Since I am now at a stay at home lass it no longer signals the end to a work week but a great big hooray cause it's Stampin' For the Weekend time.  We've got the fun theme of "Holidays" for you.   You could make a scrapbook page showing off one of your holidays or any kind of project your little heart desires.  If you want you think of holidays more along the lines of Halloween, Christmas and Hannakuh you can do that too.  We just like you to play along.

Add caption

It's been an "off my game" kind of week for me.  Mojo took a hike to parts unknown and I haven't been at the work desk in several days.  Can you tell that I just trudged through this card.  It was a battle to get it finished.  Well sometimes that's how it goes, you just have to go through the motions and get things done, even if it isn't doesn't meet up to your expectations.  You just have to push forward and hope that you meet up with mojo somewhere along the line.  It's just like everything else in life.  Those of you who are mothers can appreciate that even if you're dog tired, and have no get and go you still have to get the kiddies off to school, and get a meal on table.  If you don't have kiddies but you have a job you know you just can't call in sick every time you don't feel like getting out of bed.  If you have a pet you have to care for it.  So with that in mind I will get to my desk today and stamp something that I'll be sure to share with you.

Here's the deets:

stamp - Shirley's 2 Girls "Mazie at the Beach"

ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

paper - Yikes, don't know the names of any of the papers, but I think I got all the dp at Joannes

miscellaneous - copics; ribbon, linen twine; shell charm; EK Success beach border punch; the Cat's Pajamas wave die cut; mini brads; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:

Stampin' For the Weekend - Holidays

Thanks for stopping by and listening to me moan and groan.  I hope you'll come back and that you'll find me in cheerier spirits.

Late To the Dance

it's difficult to make out the ruler charm because it's turned on its side in this pic

Here it is Wednesday morning and I'm just getting around to posting my Cooking It Up With Katie card.  So I need to be brief.

This week's challenge #71 is "Die cut a Banner with ribbon" sponsored by Robyn's Fetish and Gingerloft.  My card uses the backpack image from Robyn's Fetish.  If you like to color this one is lots of fun. 

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - Robyn's Fetish "Backpack"; Taylored Expressions "Pennant a La Carte"
ink - hp printer; Ranger's "Tea Dye"
paper - Georgia Pacific white cs; Bazzill red cs; Recollections brown cs; October Afternoon "Report Card" dp
miscellaneous - copics; Taylored Expressions "Pennant Border" die; Nesties deckled rectangle; baker's twine; ruler charm; Stampin' Up markers; gingham ribbon; mini stars brads; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
Cooking It Up With Katie #71 - Die Cut, Banner, ribbon
L'il Red Wagon - Back to School
Fab N Funky #86  - A Stitch in Time
Paper Pretties PWC167 - Back to School
Color Throwdown CTD#155 - Early Espresso, Rose Red, Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss
Creative Belli #124 - gingham (old ribbon and SU markers)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  Now get busy making a card for the Cooking It Up With Katie challenge.  That's where you'll find all the challenge rules (nothing odd, the usual no back linking kind of stuff), some fabulous samples by the rest of the DT and of course the linky thingy for posting your creation.  We can't wait to see what you do.

Feeling Blue

Once again I must thank the challenges that have called for Christmas cards.  This year I've actually made a dent in it.  
It's time to Pile It On.  This week the challenge PIO#33 is "Blue, Blue, Blue" (use three shades of blue on your creation) so how about a blue Christmas card.  Our sponsor this week is Krisi's Kreations.  Due to some computer issues I was unable to use one of the sponsor's images.  So please visit the site to see what they've got.  If you're a fan of templates there's some really good one there, including a "slice of cake".  I do love what crafters do with that one and I heard tell that one of the dt at Pile It On was going to use that for her sample so you can also head over to the PIO challenge blog to see some of Krisi's Kreations being used.  While you're visiting you can check out the rules (not much except the usual no back linking sort of stuff) and that's where you'll find the linky thingy when you're ready to show off your creation.

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - the Cat's Pajamas "Define Good"
ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black" and Stampin' Up "Brocade Blue"
paper - Close To My Heart "Aspen" package for cs and dp
miscellaneous - copics; mini brads; Crystazzi crystals; red burlap twine; present charm; sewing machine; polar white flowered soft

Here's the challenges:
Pile It On #33 - Blue, Blue, Blue
A Sketch for You to Try - August sketch
The Cat's Pajamas TCPTUES171 - Christmas in August
Secret Crafter #147 Christmas in July
Fussy N Fancy #43 - Use a Lot (of your favorite embellies - bling and brads, I truly love the charms but 3 or more of them just don't look right to me)
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks #50 - Twine
Fab N Funky #85 - It's Christmas
Top Tip Tuesday #46 - Straight Edges
Cupcake Craft #154 - Sew Mad
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Ribbon Carousel RCC15 - Get Edgy (I sewed every edge, the bunny's not too edgy)
Fabulous Friday - Animals
CRAFT #115 - Gifts

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  Now go get your blue crayons or whatever you like to use and make something "Blue, Blue, Blue" for Pile It On.  We can't wait to see what you create.

Back to School

Oh boy, if I were going to get a piece of this big old yummy looking cake, I might not mind going back to school.  My daughter is not pleased with the rapidly approaching new school year.  Me, well I'm like that mother in the school supply commercial with "it's the wonderful time of the year" music playing.  Even when I was a kid I liked going back to school.   Whether you're happy or not about going back to  school you can make a card about it for this week's Cupcake Inspirations CIC123 challenge.  If you really hate the theme you can use the colors or whatever else inspires you.  This week our sponsor is the fabulous Mo Manning's Digital Pencil.   The prize is a $10 gift card to her store.  Now that's a prize I wish I could win.  I do love her drawings.



Can you see the pencil charm?  click on the photo to enlarge

My inspiration came from the theme and the colors.  The image is Mo Manning's "Erasmus".  Can you tell that the mini brads are star shaped?  It seemed like a good idea to put one on the paper in her hand. 

Here's the deets:
stamp - Mo Manning "Erasmus"
ink - hp printer; Ranger "Antique Linen" and "Vintage Photo"
paper - Stampin' Up "Night of Navy" cs; My Favorite Things "Red Hot" cs; Cosmo Cricket "the Boyfriend" dp; Georgia Pacific white cs
miscellaneous - copics; Stampin' Up border punch; mini star brads; burlap twine; pencil charm; sewing machine

don't forget the inside

Here's the challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations CIC123 - photo
Kaboodle Doodle #79 - Primary Colors
Top Tip Tuesday #46 Straight Edges
Speedy the Cat's Friends  #68 - Distressed
Craft Us Crazy #14 - Anything Goes
Sew Many #64 - 3 or more brads
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Back to School

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  All of us at
Cupcake Inspirations look forward to seeing your creations inspired by that fabulous cake.

Berry Sweet

This is for this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  The stamps and matching die are from Papertrey Ink.  Sometimes it's just good to make a card and not have to color it in!

I picked up this pack of paper at Michael's because of the strawberry paper, I have a strawberry friend so I'm always looking for stuff to send to her.  According to the shelf it was supposed to cost about $8 but it's a good size pad and after all it's got strawberries, so I went for it.  I'm so glad I did because it rang up for $3.  That was a welcome surprise.  I wish all my shopping experiences ended like that. 

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - Papertrey Ink  "Fruit Fusion - Berry"
ink - Close To My Heart "Cranberry"; Stampin' Up "Glorious Green"; Ranger "Antique Linen" and "Vintage Photo"
paper - MFT "Perfect Panel"; Stampin' Up "Brocade Blue" cs; Bazzill "Ruby Slipper" cs; Making Memories "English Garden" dp
miscellaneous - blue seam binding; red burlap twine; strawberry charm; Stampin' Up circle and scalloped circle punch; lace; Amuse cranberry pearls; sewing machine

Here's the Challenges:
Mojo Monday MOJO203 - sketch
Kaboodle Doodle #79 - Primary colors
Cupcake Kraft #154 - Sew Mad

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Those Were the Days

Remember pajama parties?  Weren't they the most fun?  If you've been to one lately you were probably a chaperon.  Not so much fun now, huh?

Guess What?  I was recently invited to join the design team for Cuddly Buddly!  My first post will be on August 26.  I'm so excited, they've got some totally adorable
images there.  If Cuddly Buddly is new to you stop by and see what they've got.  There's a challenge blog as well as a store.  If you're a challenge junky head on over to see what's happening. 

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamps - My Favorite Things "Chick Flick" and "Ticket die-namics"
ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black"
paper - Stampin' Up "Ballet Blue", "Night of Navy" and "Bordering Blue"; Paper Pizzazz "Yummy Popcorn" and "Bright Tints Yellow Gingham"; the dotted papers are Recollections Printed scrapbook papers 
miscellaneous - copics; mini brads; bakery twine; popcorn charm; open scallop and ticket MFT die-namics; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club MFTWSC32 - sketch
Paper Variety - citrus colors, green, orange, yellow (I hope that it's okay that I used blue for the mats, it punches it up)
4 Crafty Chicks #50 - twine
Tuesday Throwdown #61 - Birthday
Cuddy Buddly #6 - stitching
Raise the Bar #69 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Days Away #26 - Birthdays
Cupcake Craft #154 - Sew Mad

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Great Friend

One more card for today and then I am off to one of my guilty pleasures.  I enjoy watching "the Closer" and "Rizzoli and Isles" on Monday nights and I will be parking my big old butt in front of the boob tube and chilling. 
However there are still 2 challenges to complete for the Dare to Get Dirty challenges, so you just may see one or two more posts before tonight is through.




Here's the deets:
stamp - Verve "Great Friend"
ink - Stampin' Up "Soft Suede"
paper - Stampin' Up "Soft Suede" cs; Neenah Classic Crest Natural white cs; SU "Subtles" dsp
miscellaneous - dotted embossing folder; brads; Stampin' Up pearls; "Soft Suede" ribbon; crocheted lace; rolled flower; sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Later Gator

 If I had to give one reason why I didn't want  to move to Florida it would be the wildlife.  My brother e-mailed me a photo of a gator in his backyard while I was still living in NJ.  When I told him I didn't want to live anywhere that held the remotest chance of one of these creatures appearing in my town yet alone in my yard he actually responded that "they don't bother you".  Now i don't know about you, but just their existence in the world bothers me but I have gotten over it and have got to the point that I felt bad when I didn't get to see the one that had made a nest around the corner from my house.  As it turns out they don't bother with people unless they are "harassed" and the poor dear around the corner was being harassed by neighborhood kids and that's when they become dangerous.  Neighbors said the animal control officer was really upset about having to remove it.  I don't want to sound too cold hearted but all I could muster was an "oh, well".

After we moved here my brother told us not to leave our car windows open or we might find snakes in them.  Now if he had mentioned this before the move we'd still be happily residing in the garden state.  Needless to say I keep my windows closed, I don't care if the car is an oven when I open the door, at least I don't find any visitors in it.  We have glass doors next to a small patio beside our kitchen table and a couple meals have been interrupted by the yell of "snake".  Oh what fun!  And, no I don't eat out on the patio anymore.

Can you see the peas in a pod charm, you can click on the photo to enlarge it.

But you didn't stop here to hear about Florida wildlife.  You want to see cards.  So today I bring you a Center Step Card.  A week or two ago on the Crazy for Challenges blog Cindy Haffner issued the challenge to make one of these and I didn't get around to it till now.  It was fun to try something different, if you've never made one and would like to try one you can find Frances Byrne's (stampowl) tutorial here.   It's worth visiting just to hear Frances' lovely Aussie Accent.  When you come from the New York area, every one else sounds sweeter.
here's the deets:
stamp - My Favorite Things "WTG Goes Green"
ink - Memento "Tuxedo Black"; Stampin' Up "Glorious Green"
paper - MFT "Perfect Panel" for image; Stampin' Up "Confetti White" for card base and sentiment; Stampin' Up "Black" cs; Cosmo Cricket "Garden Variety" dp
miscellaneous - copics; mini brads; baker's twine; peas in a pod charm; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
it's still "Dare to Get Dirty" at Splitcoast challenges.  You gotta be a fan club member to know the details.

Thanks for visiting, I hope you'll come back again.





Country Life



can you see the rooster charm? In the photo it blends in.
click on the photo to enlarge it.

Whew! I've been busy card making the last two days. I've enjoyed every minute of it but I have not achieved the goal of completing all the Dare to Get Dirty challenges . BUT, the deadline is noon tomorrow, at least I think that's when it is.  Maybe tomorrow I'll have the energy and the mojo to finish.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Stampin' Up "Country Morning"
ink - Memento "Rich Cocoa"
paper - Recollections printed scrapbook paper (the polka dotted olive paper); Jillibean Soup "Dutch Mustard Soup"; Stampin' Up "Kraft" cs;
Bazzill "Pinecone" cs; Neenah classic Crest natural white cs
miscellaneous - copics, SU ribbon; mini brads; Queen and Co rhinestones; sizzex flourish die; Nesties circle and lacey circle dies; EK Success Arrow border punch; sewing machine; burlap twine, rooster charm

Here's the challenges:
Splitcoast Dare 'To Get Dirty

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.









Starring

This looks so simple, so how come it took so long to make?  That distressing takes time, sometimes more than I think it will.  What happens is I just get lost in it.  The tv or radio can be on but I don't hear it, I'm in my own little happy space.  I hope your crafting time is as enjoyable as mine.

The only stamping on this card is the plaid dp, it's done with one of those really big background stamps.  I wish I could tell you who made it and what its name is but there are no markings on it.  I think I got it on e-Bay. 









This box is the inspiration for this card.  It's full of threads and sits right next to my chair at my scrapbox. 










This is the side of the box, where I got the idea for the polka dot paper.

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - plaid background stamp (unmarked)
ink - Close To My Heart "Cranberry" and Ranger "Vintage Photo"
paper - Bazzill "Ruby Slippers" cs; Stampin' Up "Kraft" cs for mats;
Recollections neutrals cs; October Afternoon "Campfire" dp
miscellaneous - silk ribbon; burlap twine; star charm; Recollections star mini brads; Nesties star dies; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
Splitcoast Stampers - Dare to Get Dirty (you have to be a fan club member to play along or to know the details so why don't you join there's some perks to being a member and some galleries that only fan club members can visit).

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.

Origami Diamond Fold

can you tell the dots on the cupcake are embroidered French Knots?  click on
the photo to enlarge

The Japanese art of paper folding.  Papercrafters do love to play with their papers and sometimes that gives rise to a fun and interesting card.  So, if you're tired of making the same old rectangular card and want to try something new, give the Origami Diamond Fold a try.  It's pretty easy to do.  I followed Wendybell from Splitcoast's tutorial.  You can find it here.

This technique is great for stamp sets that have lots of matching pieces.  I chose to use a Crafty Secrets set that features baking. 

Fun, huh!?  Guess you can't forget the inside of this one.  But did you notice the envelope in the first photo?  There's another spot that often gets overlooked.  One of my buddies (Jennik) from the MFT forums often sends me cards and most times she decorates the envelope.  It's so fun to get a piece of mail that's already got the goodies happening on the envelope.  So much better than the usual bills and promos.  Must add "decorate envelopes" to my to do list.

Here's the deets:
stamp - Crafty Secrets "Sweet Stuff"
ink - Studio G mauve; Memento "Tuxedo Black"
paper - Recollections "Cupcake" dp; Stampin' Up "Pale Plum" cs
miscellaneous - copics, Recollections pearls; Martha Stewart border punch; baby pink Candy Dots; DMC floss; sewing machine

Here's the challenges:
ah, it's another card for the Splitcoast Dare to Get Dirty challenges.  You have to be a fan club member to play and the details are hush, hush.  You might as well go over there and sign up, what are you waiting for?

Oh So Pretty

CIC122

Aren't these little cakes stunningly beautiful, I could never bite into one of these.  But they are for our inspiration, not for eating.  There's so much inspiration here, what will it be?  The designs on the cakes remind me of many Stampin' Up and Verve sets, almost everyone has a flower stamp similar to this design.  Will it be the colors, that gorgeous magenta and screaming hot turquoise are jumping off my screen.  Will it be the background, those rich fall colors and leave motif are beautiful too.

This week we are sponsored by DRS Designs. DRS allowed the design team to pick the images we'd like to use this week. When I saw the "Brush Beach Sunrise"  it reminded me of my new location, sunny Florida. For the last couple of weeks hubby has been waking me up early for a walk and we often see the sun rising, it is a glorious site, even if I'm only half awake. Those who know me will attest to the fact that I often don't speak a word till I'm up for an hour or two and then it's mostly grumbles. I do not do mornings.  I even have a stamp that says so, so there. But I digress...

don't forget the inside

Here's the deets:
stamp - DRS Designs "Brush Beach Sunrise" and "Fun in the Sun" sentiment; Taylored Expressions "It's a Banner Day 1"
ink - hp printer; Studio G pink pad for the banner outline
paper - Stampin' Up "Pacific Point" cs and "Rich Razzleberry" cs and dsp; the aqua paper had no marking on the back
miscellaneous - copics, Creative Memories cutting system; Taylored Expression "Banner Day 1" die, baker's twine; sun charm




Here's the challenges:
Cupcake Inspirations CIC122 - photo
Stamp Something - August Digi Days
Totally Papercrafts #78 - Holidays (wouldn't you love to be in that scene)
Really Reasonable Ribbon #29 - Sizzlin' Summer
Creative Inspirations #65 - Summer
CES #48 - Water It

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you'll come back again.  Now you should head over to the Cupcake Inspiration challenge blog to see what the rest of the design team has created, you'll be glad you did.