Monday, January 30, 2012

Hugs & Kisses

I'm still on a Paper Smooches kick and here's my latest creation using the bird from Chubby Chums.  I saw Chari Moss' video on mirror stamping and tried it with these birds.  So fun to do and it gives you more options with your stamps.   If you're in Hilo, check out Island Scrapbooking for a great variety of die cut words like the "hugs & kisses" I used here.  They're a nice alternative to stamping sentiments.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

You Are Sweet!

I have a new love....and it's for Paper Smooches!  These stamps make me smile from ear to ear and are so fun to play with.  I found that keeping the card simple makes the images stand out better and here's a card featuring"Fruitastic."
 

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Sister Stamps Release #5 Winners - Miyako Heart Full of Thanks


It's been an excitng release and I hope you had fun playing along.  You're probably stopping by to see if you won so I won't make you wait any longer.  Here are the winners:

Keitaro: Shirl
Miyako:  Sunflower Sue
Yoshimi: glowegal

Congratulations to the winners.  Please contact Jenny at sisterstampsllc@gmail.com by January 22 to claim your prize.

For today's card I used Miyako and this time I used a non-Valentine sentiment. I also made (for the first time) some decorative stick pins.  I would have been happy to buy some but none of the local craft stores had any. The sentiment I used is from an SU set called "Lighthearted" and I thought it went nicely with the image.
 
I hope you've enjoyed this release and thanks for stopping by!  If you want another chance to win these stamps, you still have one more day to enter on Island Scrapbooking's blog. 

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Happy "heart" Day!



Hello there! Are you ready for the weekend? I know I sure am!  Here we are on the last day of Sister Stamps release #5 and today I'm featuring Keitaro.  I needed a Valentine's banner to decorate the wall above my entertainment center so that was the real inspiration for this project.  And do you know, we have this really nice entertainment center that has no TV or electronics in it anymore, but I can't get rid of it.  I love it because I set my picture frames and holiday decorations on it all year round.  I should have someone build some nice shelves in it so it becomes more functional.

Anyway, I used Spellbinders' Pennant dies (love them) and punched 2-1/2" circles as the background for the alphabets.  I held off from buying these banner dies when they first came out, but I've made good use of them since I got them.  I connected the pennants with brads this time to make it easier to fold up and store, but in the past, I've also tied them together with ribbon.

Thanks for playing along and stopping by.  This has been another fun release and thank you to Jenny for having me be a part of it. Check out her creations on the Sister Stamps blog.  Mahalo to guest designer Nadine for sharing her talent and creativity this month!  Her projects have been great!  If you'd like another chance to win these cute stamps, there's still time to enter Island Scrapbooking's giveaways!   
This wraps up this month's release but be sure to stop by tomorrow to see if you're a winner!

Have a great weekend!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sister Stamps Keitaro
Dies: Spellbinders Nested Pennants, Spellbinders Nested Lacey Pennants, Spellbinders Hearts, Sizzix Roundabout Alphabet
Punch: SU 2-1/2" Circle
DP: SU

Friday, January 13, 2012

Sister Stamps Release #5 - Miyako

Welcome to another day of Sister Stamps release and today I am featuring the ever so cute Miyako!  I recently found a lot of different heart confetti as I cleaned out one of my drawers so it prompted me to create this Valentine shaker card.  I used to be intimidated by shakers and thought they were hard to do.  But after much trial and error, I found them to be simple to make with the following tricks:

1. Rub the acetate with a used dryer sheet to remove static so the confetti "shakes" and doesn't stick to the acetate.
2. With a small brush, lightly "paint" some cornstarch or baby powder on the sides of your mounting tape so the confetti and micro beads don't stick to it.
3. I found 3M Scotch brand mounting tape works best.  I buy the roll and cut it in strips to fit my window.

If you'd like a chance to win the Miyako stamp, here's all you need to do:
  • Follow this blog and post a comment on THIS POST
  • Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated) 
  • Grab the badge on my sidebar and post on your blog (not required, but appreciated)
Winners will be announced on January 15.  You can enter to win more candy at Island Scrapbooking's blog and on Sister Stamps blog.  We are thrilled to have guest designer Nadine join us this month so be sure to check out her blog and show her some love!


See ya tomorrow!


Supplies:
Stamps: Sister Stamps Miyako, Hero Arts Celebrate Everyday, PTI Think Big Favorites #11
Dies: Spellbinders Labels Four
Copics, Confetti, Buttons, Twine

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Sister Stamps Release #5 - Yoshimi



Welcome to Sister Stamps Release #5 and the first release of 2012! Jenny and her sister have some cute new images for you and first up is precious Yoshimi.  I believe she was conceived with Girl's Day in mind, but I think she can be used for many other occasions.  I created this gift bag using PTI's Front & Center #1 die and it nicely coordinates with an ordinary brown lunch bag.  This makes a nice size gift bag and it's especially nice if you want to include some bigger goodies.  I stamped a sentiment from Dandelion Designs and embellished it with cherry blossoms to match the washi paper.   

Now a release wouldn't be complete without some candy so here's your chance to win.  The rules are simple so I hope you play along.  Here's what you need to do:
  • Follow this blog and post a comment on THIS POST
  • Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated) 
  • Grab the badge on my sidebar and post on your blog (not required, but appreciated)
Winners will announced on January 15 so don't forget to come back to see if you've won.  For more great inspiration, make sure to check out this month's guest designer and Sister Stamps blog.  I'll be back tomorrow with more!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sister Stamps Yoshimi, Dandelion Designs Sweet Girl's Day
Die: PTI Front & Center #1, Sizzix Branch Cherry Blossom
Punch: SU Decorative Label
Copics, Washi, Gold Mirror Cardstock, Stickles, Ribbon

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

PTI Make It Monday: Creating Backgrounds with Border Dies

I look forward to learning new things from PTI's Make It Monday videos every Monday and this week, I decided to take the challenge.  The project needed to include at least one PTI product and feature a border die to make a background.  I used the Eyelet Lace Border Die and cut strips in yellow, red and turquoise.  I adhered them in an alternating fashion so they interlocked together.  I inked up the monkey, lollipop and sentiment from a Dandelion Designs cling set called "So Sweet" and colored the images with Copics.  I added some "sugar" to the lollipop with Stickles and also used some in alternating holes of the lace border for additional bling.

Sometimes taking challenges pushes me to do things I normally may not have thought of.    New Year's resolution #27:  Try New Things - check!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back tomorrow for the beginning of Sister Stamps new releases!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Happy New Year!

I'm back!  I hope you had a nice holiday season.  We had the usual Christmas madness around here followed by all the New Year's activities.  It's always exhausting but I wouldn't have it any other way!  I wish all of you a health, happiness and lots of time to craft in 2012!

My card today is a simple one to celebrate the new year.  I'd been eyeing these stamps from Paper Smooches for awhile and I'm thrilled with them.  As you can see, they are simply adorable!

Lots going on in my craft room so be sure to stop by for the new Sister Stamps release which begins on January 12!

Supplies:
Stamps: Paper Smooches Chubby Chum Pals, Paper Smooches Wake Up, Hero Arts Celebrate Everyday
DP: Pebbles
Copics, Stickles