Cosmo Cricket Sketch Challenge

Hi there! Just a quick post to share a card I created for the Cosmo Cricket Sketch Challenge! The deadline is tomorrow, and the winner's card will be published in CARDS magazine!!! I just had to give this a try...a girl can dream, right?!?!

Here's my creation using the Early Bird Collection from Cosmo Cricket:

The Early Bird Collection is one of my most favorite from Cosmo Cricket and I think it works so well with this apron image from TooMuchFun Rubber Stamps! The bottlecap brads are something I've had in my stash for AGES, and I like how they add to the retro/vintagey feel of the card!

Thanks for stopping by!!! Have an AMAZING weekend!

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Supplies:

Stamps: Apron (TooMuchFun Rubber Stamps)

Ink: Onyx Black Versafine (Tsukineko)

Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink), Black (The Paper Co)

Patterned Papers: Early Bird Collection (Cosmo Cricket)

Early Bird Elements

Medium Scallop Border Die: (Papertrey Ink)

Red and White Twine: (Jillibean Soup)

Bottlecap Brads: (Making Memories)

Adhesive Tape Runner: (Therm-o-web)

Pop Dots:(All Night Media)

DeNami Sketch Challenge #8

Hi there! It's time for a brand new challenge at DeNami Design! This time around it's a sketch challenge! I LOVE sketch challenges, especially when I need a little MOJO boost! And just look at this super fun and versatile sketch from my fellow DT gal, Wendy:

Soooooo many possibilities with this one, my crafty friends! Here's what I came up with:

Aren't those little owls from the Owls Stamp Set PF32 totally ADORABLE?!?! I popped a few of them up to add some dimension and thought they'd look extra cute against a woodgrain embossed background!

I stamped the top green panel with the leaves from the Elegant Floral Stamp Set PF37. I stamped the "Owl Always Be Your Friend" sentiment onto a white rectangular panel and then used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the bottom part of one of the owls. Then, I stamped the complete owl, colored him, cut him out, and paper pieced him onto the panel.

The patterned paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Joy Ride Collection. You know I just can't resist using polka dots! HA!

So...who's ready to ink up their DeNami Design stamps and play along with this sketch challenge?!?! Remember...there's a FABULOUS prize to be won!!!! Click HERE to head on over to the DeNami Design Blog for all of the challenge details and more inspiration from the AMAZINGLY talented DT!!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

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Supplies:

Stamps: Owls Stamp Set PF32, Elegant Floral Stamp Set PF37, Owl Always Be Your Friend F196 (DeNami Design)

Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), VersaMark (Tsukineko), Timber Brown StazOn (Tsukineko)

Cardstock: Kraft and Stampers' Select White (Papertrey Ink), Lime Crush (Bazzill Basics)

Patterned Paper: Joy Ride Collection (Cosmo Cricket)

Copic Sketch Markers

Woodgrain Impression Plate: (PTI)

Medium Scallop Die: (PTI)

Button: Baby Boy (SEI)

Rustic Twine: (PTI)

Pop Dots: (All Night Media)

Thank You For Your Hospitality

Hello! Quick post today to share a card I made for the hosts of our friends' baby shower a couple of weekends ago.

I LOVE paper piecing this apron image from TooMuchFun RubberStamps!! With all of the yummy patterned papers available these days, there are so many fabulous combinations!!

The sentiment is from Chatterbox by Practicing Creativity Designs! It has a totally retro feel to it that works so well with this groovy apron, don't ya think?!?!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a FANTASTIC weekend!!!

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Supplies:

Stamps: Polka Dot Background N133 (DeNami Design), Apron (TooMuchFun RubberStamps)

Sentiment Stamps: Chatterbox (Practicing Creativity Designs)

Cardstock: Kraft and Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Rattan (The Paper Cut)

Ink: Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)

Patterned Paper: Bitty Box Basics (Papertrey Ink), Dotty Biscotti (Papertrey Ink), Early Bird Collection (Cosmo Cricket)

Punches: Apron Lace Border Punch (Fiskars), Embossed Button Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts)

Floss: Lime (Janlynn)

Quickie Glue Pen: (Sakura)

Double-Sided Tape: (X-Press It)

Pop Dots: (All Night Media)

Zots: (Therm-o-web)

Adhesive Tape Runner: (Therm-o-web)

Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper: (We R Memory Keepers)

Ribbon

The latest challenge over at the DeNami Design Blog is to create a card/project using ribbon. The challenge ends tonight at 11:59 PM PST, so there's still time to participate!!!

Jennifer McGuire recently posted a wonderful tutorial over at the Hero Arts Blog to demonstrate "Inking Ribbon." Click HERE to go to that post and view the video. After watching the video I was really inspired to try out the technique.

I started with these supplies:

And here's what I came up with:

I only inked up a portion of the "Large Winter Tree" image from DeNami Design, so that it would look more like a branch.

The variations in the colors on the ribbon turned out quite nice, although it doesn't show up very well in the photo. Here's a closer look:

It was a fun technique, and I'd love to try it again with some May Arts silk ribbon (instead of the satin ribbon that I used here---that's just what I happened to have on hand). And I'd like to experiment with other colors of the Distress Inks too (again, I just used the ones I had).

I hope you like my creation and feel inspired to try this technique or some other new technique soon!!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a Happy Friday!

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Supplies:
Stamped Images: "Large Winter Tree P93" (DeNami Design), "Owls Stamp Set PF32" (DeNami Design), "Zigzag Stitch Border N111" (DeNami Design)
Stamped Sentiment: "You're A Hoot C81" (DeNami Design)
Cardstock: "Kraft" (Papertrey Ink), "Vintage Cream" (Papertrey Ink),"Green" (scraps from my scrap bin), "Chocolate Truffle" (The Paper Co)
Patterned Paper: "Dotty Biscotti" (Papertrey Ink), "Earth Love" (Cosmo Cricket)
Distress Ink: "Wild Honey" and "Rusty Hinge" (Tim Holtz/Ranger)
Ink: "Timber Brown StazOn" and "Rich Cocoa Memento" (Tsukineko)
Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool (Ranger)
Ribbon: (satin ribbon that my ballet teacher passed on to me)
Buttons: (DeNami Design)
Rustic Twine: (Papertrey Ink)
Copic Sketch Markers
Medium Scallop Die: (Papertrey Ink)
Scallop Circle Punch: (Marvy Uchida)
1" Circle Punch: (Marvy Uchida)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge #21

Here's a card I created for Kim Wilson's most recent challenge over at Off the Wall Craftiness!

This is the inspiration photo for the challenge:

After seeing this inspiration photo, I just had to make something with the "Friendship Jar" and "Friendship Jar Fillers" sets from Papertrey Ink!! I am LOVIN' these sets! So much fun playing around with all of the possibilities! 

I picked up a couple of sheets of patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket's "DeLovely" line the last time I was at Archivers, and the colors were a good match for this challenge too!

I used my handy Scor-Tape to ruffle the ribbon, but then I fluffed up the loopies because I thought it gave it a sort of ribbon candy look! (Have you ever had ribbon candy? It's popular around the Christmas holiday.)

Here's a close-up:

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you were inspired at least a tiny bit!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images: "Friendship Jar" and "Friendship Jar Fillers" (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: "Onyx Black VersaFine" (Tsukineko), "Tuxedo Black Memento" (Tsukineko)

Cardstock: "Stampers' Choice White" (Papertrey Ink), Aqua (a piece from my scrap box)

Patterned Paper: "DeLovely: DeLimit" and "DeLovely: DeLuxe" (Cosmo Cricket)

Copic Sketch Markers

Baker's Twine: "Divine Twine" (Whisker Graphics)

Buttons: aqua & green (SEI), pink (DeNami Design)

Ribbon: "Hibiscus Burst Saddle Stitched Ribbon" (Papertrey Ink)

Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Zots (Therm-o-web)

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Medium Scallop Die (Papertrey Ink)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

DeNami Design Product Challenge #2

Hi there! Here's my creation for the latest challenge over at DeNami Design!

The challenge: Create a project using one of these FABULOUS templates from DeNami Design! (No template? No worries...keep reading!)

You can get a FREE TEMPLATE to play along by heading over to the DeNami Design Blog!!!! Click HERE for all of the challenge deets!!! The challenge ends tomorrow (June 15th) at 11:59 PM PST, so hurry on over there to get your template and then GET CRAFTY!!!!!

I printed the template onto Stampers' Choice White cardstock (PTI). Then, I cut it out. I used DeNami Design's "Mini Cherries" image and stamped it all over the template. Then, I colored the cherries using my Copic Sketch Markers and added some sparkle with some red Stickles (Ranger). After doing all of that, I realized I should have stamped on the reverse side of the template. Oops!! So, I turned the dotted vertical lines into solid lines using a black Sharpie, and I left the horizontal lines as dashes (kind of looks like stitches to me----whimsical and fun)! How's that for making the best out of a mistake?!?! Ha!

Then, I stamped the "Double Circle" image (DeNami Design), colored the border in red with a Copic Sketch Marker, and cut it out. I stamped the big cherries (from "Everyday Button Bits" by PTI) in the center of a 1.75" circle, cut it out, added the red buttons, and popped it up on the double circle image with pop dots. 

The sentiment is from "Everyday Button Bits" by PTI. I stamped the word "sweet" in RED to emphasize it! The scallops are scraps I had left over from another card I made awhile back! With the help of some Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal) I was able to ruffle the stitched ribbon (Michaels). And the Scor-Tape is super for adhering the sides and bottom of the template together as well!

Overall, I think it turned out really cute! I can totally see using this for a sweet little THANK YOU gift! I can't wait to make some more of these! And I just may have to experiment with the other templates available at DeNami Design too! :)

Hope your week is off to a GREAT start! Thanks for stopping by!

A Theme and a Sketch

Hello! Here's a card I created using the theme from Studio 313's latest challenge and the sketch from Jen Del Muro's most recent SFYTT.

The theme over at Studio 313 is "Top Selling Albums of All Time." How cool is that?!? Click HERE for all of the deets. There's still one more day to play along!!! My card is based on the song "Beat It" from Michael Jackson's Thriller album! HA! And here's the sketch I used:

This card was so much fun to create! And I have to admit...I was humming the tune of "Beat It" during the entire process! Gosh...I used to idolize Michael Jackson and all of the dancing in his videos! My friends and I totally memorized all of the moves and would spend hours dancing to our Michael Jackson tapes! 

The bowl, the whisk, and the cute little apron stamps are from TooMuchFun Rubber Stamps. LOVE THEM! And they are great for paper piecing (one of my FAVE techniques)!!!!

Here's a close-up:

So...what do you think?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images - Apron, Bowl, Whisk (TooMuchFun Rubber Stamps)

Ink - "Onyx Black VersaFine" (Tsukineko)

Patterned Paper - "Early Bird: Farmers Market and Ribbon Sandwich" (Cosmo Cricket), "2008 Bitty Box Basics" in Pure Poppy and Lemon Tart (PTI), "Joy Ride" (Cosmo Cricket)

Buttons - "Vintage Holiday Mix" (PTI)

Zots (Therm-o-web)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Twine (purchased at Michaels)

Mini Red Brad (something I found in my stash)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

A Little Message For You

Hi there! Just wanted to pop in and share a card I made for Jen Del Muro's "Sketch For You To Try" challenge. Click HERE for all of the deets.

The sentiment and thumb-tack are from "Just My Type" (Lawn Fawn)---I just LOVE that set!! It's so super cute! The patterned papers are from "Joy Ride" (Cosmo Cricket) and "Basics White Paper Pad" (Basic Grey). I used an edger punch ("Round Binding Edge" by EK Success) on the notebook paper strip to add some interest.

I coated the thumb-tack with clear glaze (although it didn't quite show up in the photo). I also pierced a hole in the paper and stuck the tip of the thumb-tack in there to make it look like it was really poking through the paper and into the cork. The cork is something I picked up at a stamping convention, and I love the way it works with this stamp set!

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! I LOVE reading your feedback!

I'm sorry I haven't been so great about making my usual rounds to your blogs. We had visitors from out of town, then we were in San Diego on vacation, and then camp started back up! All FUN stuff for sure, but doesn't leave me with much time to spend in the craft room or on the computer. Plus, we LOVE to hike and travel, so we spend A LOT of time doing those things during the summer!! In fact I went on a 4 hour hike with my friend Abby today! It was AMAZING! Here's a view from the trail:

Hope you have something extra FUN planned for the weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Espressly For You

Happy Friday, dear blog friends! Just wanted to pop in and share a card I made using Laura's sketch over at "2 Sketches 4 You." I always LOVE their sketches and all of the inspiring samples created by their DT!!! And after I post my card I really enjoy heading over there and checking out what the other participants made! Talk about a group of talented peeps!! Can't wait to see what everyone came up with this week ;)

Here's the sketch:

And here's my take on it:

When I saw this image (Endless Creations) at a stamp convention recently, I just HAD to have it!!! I also just recently purchased some Tuxedo Black Memento ink (Tsukineko) to try out with my Copic markers. (Up to this point, I'd always used Onyx Black Versafine and just let my images dry overnight.) I have to say I was really pleased with the way the Memento ink stamped, and I colored the image about 10 minutes after stamping it! YAY!

I created the patterned paper with the coffee beans all over it by repeatedly stamping a group of five coffee beans (Art Impressions).

Even though I'm not a coffee drinker, I LOVE to hang out at coffee shops and enjoy a hot tea (especially on cold or rainy days)! Ahhhh...hot tea and a good book...pure bliss! I'm thinking I need to make another version of this card with a "to-go tea drink!"

Hope you have something fun planned for the weekend! My cousin is visiting us from Pittsburgh! It will be her first time in Colorado, so we're looking forward to taking her hiking and sightseeing!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images - "Double Circle" (DeNami Design), "KB's Cappacino Cup" (Endless Creations), Coffee Beans (Art Impressions)

Stamped Sentiment - "Coffee" (Hero Arts)

Ink - "Timber Brown StazOn" (Tsukineko), "Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink" (Clearsnap), "Tuxedo Black Memento" (Tsukineko)

Copic Sketch Markers

Cardstock - "Spring Moss" (PTI), "Natural" (The Paper Co), "Chocolate Truffle" (The Paper Co)

Patterned Paper - "Early Bird: Brunch" (Cosmo Cricket)

Twine (purchased at Michaels)

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Scor-Tape (Scor-Pal)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

2 Sketches 4 You - Kazan's Sketch #52

Hello! Here's a card I created using Kazan's most recent sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You! If you're looking for some serious inspiration, head over there and check out all of the amazing creations by the participants this time around---WOW!!!

Here's the sketch (Isn't it FABULOUS?):

And here's my creation:

I was so excited to have a chance to ink up one of my most recent purchases, "Just My Type" (Lawn Fawn)!!! This was my first time purchasing stamps from Lawn Fawn, and I have to say these stamps are wonderful!! They really ink up well and leave a crisp, clean image!

Of course I just had to paper piece that cute little typewriter---couldn't resist! And I love the way the sentiments fit onto the paper in the typewriter image!! So cool!

The background paper (that looks like a notebook) is from the "Basics White Paper Pad" by Basic Gray! Love it!!!

I created some of my own patterned paper with "Background Basics: Text Style II" (Papertrey Ink). Then, I cut the scallops using the "Medium Scallop Border Die" from Papertrey Ink. I felt like I needed a little pop of color/interest among the rufflies, so I decided to add a scallop border of polka dots and a scallop of black.

I honestly visualized this card last night while I was lying in bed having a hard time falling asleep. Does that ever happen to you? When do you get your best ideas for your cards and paper crafts?

Hope you're having a SUPER DUPER week! Thanks for stopping by!

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Supplies:

Stamped Images & Sentiment - "Just My Type" (Lawn Fawn), "Background Basics: Text Style II" (Papertrey Ink)

Ink - "Onyx Black Versafine" (Tsukineko), "Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Inkpad" (Clearsnap)

Cardstock - "Kraft" (PTI), "Vintage Cream" (PTI), "Black" (The Paper Company)

Patterned Paper - "Basics White Paper Pad"(Basic Gray), "Early Bird: Farmers Market" (Cosmo Cricket)

Copic Sketch Markers

Medium Scallop Border Die (PTI)

Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura)

Ribbon (Michaels)

Button - "Vintage Holiday Mix" (PTI)

Twine (purchased at Michaels)

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Zots (Therm-o-web)

Fine Tip Black Marker (Paper Mate)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

2S4Y - Kazan's Sketch #51

I love playing along with the weekly sketch challenges at 2 Sketches 4 You, and this week was no exception! Check out the challenge details and the awesome creations made by all of the participants HERE! 

Here's the sketch:

And here's my creation:

Yep! I FINALLY got my grubby little hands on a couple of Pure Innocence images from My Favorite Things!!! I have to say this may be one of my favorite cards that I've ever created!! I am so excited about how it turned out!

I paper pieced her little dress using patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket's "Early Bird" collection.

The layered tree leaves in the corner are actually a result of a mistake I made. Oops. But it worked out in the end. Ha! And that sentiment totally makes me smile!!!

I created the grassy strip by just randomly cutting slits with my scissors going this way and that way! Fun!

What do you think? Leave me a comment! I'd love to hear from you!!! And...if you're in the Denver/Golden area, let me know. I'm working on trying to get a group of us to actually meet up in person!!!!

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Supplies:

Stamped Image - "Pure Innocence: Start the Day with Whee" (My Favorite Things)

Ink - "Onyx Black VersaFine" (Tsukineko)

Copic Sketch Markers

Cardstock - "Stampers' Choice White" (Papertrey Ink), "Tangelo Blast" (Bazzill Basics), "Lime Crush" (Bazzill Basics), "Natural" (The Paper Company), "Kraft" (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper - "Tree Tops" (Sassafras Lass), "Early Bird" (Cosmo Cricket)

Button (Papertrey Ink)

Floss - Orange and White (Janlynn)

Black Fine Tip Marker

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Craft Glue Dots

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Challenge #9

Howdy! Here's a card I created for the most recent Everything but the Kitchen Sink Challenge! This was my first time participating in this challenge, and it was SO MUCH FUN!!! The sketch came from Kelly Marie over at Lawn Fawn Cards and was inspired by a day bed she has in her home!! Just goes to show you that inspiration is EVERYWHERE!!!!!

This apron stamp is one of my absolute faves!! It's from TooMuchFun Rubberstamps! I paper pieced it using papers from Cosmo Cricket's "Early Bird" collection!

Here's a close-up:

Thanks for stopping by!! Keep checking in as I will have some blog candy up for grabs very soon!!!! YAY!! Gotta love free supplies!

Have a FABULOUS day!

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Supplies:

Stamped Image - "Apron" (Toomuchfun Rubberstamps)

Ink - "Onyx Black Versafine" (Tsukineko), "Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Inkpad" (Clearsnap)

Patterned Paper - "Ribbon Sandwich," "Apron Strings," "Brunch," "Sunrise" from the Early Bird Collection (Cosmo Cricket)

Cardstock - "Kraft" (Papertrey Ink)

Sentiment Sticker - from the "Early Bird Crafting Kit" (Cosmo Cricket)

Mini Brads - from my stash

Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)

Scallop Square Punch (Marvy Uchida)

Pop Dots (All Night Media)

Corner Rounder Tool

1/16" Hole Punch

Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 5.5"

SFYTT

Hi there! Today I'm sharing a card I made using Jen Del Muro's "Sketch For You To Try" from February 6th. This is a very special month over at Jen's blog, i{heart}2stamp! She's giving away a HUGE prize package and also a chance to be her Guest Designer of the Month! Seriously...you MUST go to her blog and check out the details!! (Click HERE) You DO NOT want to miss out on this! 

Now...on to my creation:

Meet "Snaily HUGGABUGG" from Stamping Bella! Isn't she DARLING?!!!! I paper pieced the snail and the little girl's hat and then colored the rest with my Copic Sketch Markers. Here's a close-up:

While creating this card, I got to thinking about how much I love and miss snail mail. I mean, the internet is great and all---it's so fast and convenient---but isn't there a small part of you that longs to receive something besides junk and bills in your mailbox? I do! Every day (or three) when I head down the road to my mailbox there's this little glimmer of hope inside of me that there will be something special in there. Maybe today. Here's wishing you a GOOD MAIL DAY!!

Thanks for stopping by!
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Supplies:
Stamped Image & Sentiment - "Snaily HUGGABUGG" (Stamping Bella)
Ink - "Onyx Black Versafine" (Tsukineko)
Cardstock - "Kraft" (Papertrey Ink), "Dark Brown" (Archivers), "Cream" (The Paper Company)
Patterned Paper - "Earth Love" (Cosmo Cricket)
Circle Template (Staedtler)
Fleece Embellishments - "Fieldhouse Blue Skies Fleece" (American Crafts)
Scallop-Edged Scissors
Copic Sketch Markers
Quickie Glue Pen (Sakura)
Pop Dots (All Night Media)
Adhesive Tape Runner (Therm-o-web)
Edge Distresser Tool (Heidi Swapp)
Yellow Button (purchased at Michaels)

Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"