Ribbon Pleating

Happy Holidays everyone!  I hope you're finding time to enjoy the holidays among the frenzy that comes with this time of year.

Today's card was inspired by a PTI "Make it Monday" tutorial done by the talented Dawn McVey.  It was a little tricky to get the pleating even at first, but once you get the hang of it, it isn't so bad.

This is going to short and sweet because I've got a lot more holiday stuff to get done.

Thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Door Decor

I was on the Christmas party committee for a women's group I belong to and I made the favors for our event.  I've been wanting to make felt door hangers for a while and finally decided to give them a try.  I created a couple different prototypes and the committee liked this version so I made about 25.  As most crafts go, they took a lot longer to mass produce than expected, but I got them done in time for the party. 

The red background and tree are cut from felt.  I cut the pine tree using a die from PTI's set called In the Meadow.  For the circle at the top, I ironed Heat n' Bond to Christmas fabric and run it though the Big Shot.   It was a challenge finding the right glue to adhere everything, but in the end Fabri-Tac worked best.

Sorry this is a quick post.  I've got a bunch of holiday things to check off today's list so I've got to run.  Thanks for stopping by!

Hoo Hoo, It' a Baby Shower!

My friend Shannon lives in L.A. and she's expecting her first baby sometime this month.  Her sister Kelli threw her a shower and since I couldn't be there, I offered to help with the favors.  Kelli had this cute idea to put blue Jordan almonds in bird's nests (I love this idea!) so I offered to make tags for them.  I obviously wanted some kind of bird themed tag and since I knew owls have a special meaning to the sisters (their grandmother used to collect them) I created this tag using SU's owl punch.  Above is a close up of the tag and below the finished favor.  Fun and sweet!

Hope you're surviving the holidays!  It's crazy busy in our household, but I'm taking it all in and love seeing it through the eyes of a child!

Thanks for stopping by!

Winter Thanks

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving weekend!  I had my fill of turkey and pumpkin pie and I'm ready to move on to Christmas!  Did you fight the crowds on Black Friday?  I got some great deals online!  Shopping-mania has begun!  We got our tree today and started decorating tonight.  It's a joy watching our 3-year-old start to understand what Christmas is all about.  The look on his face while watching the tree lights go on for the first time was priceless!  It's going to be a fun Christmas!

Now on with my card.  I've been playing around with this new PTI set called In the Meadow and it's especially great for making cards for guys.  I created this thank you card and loved it so much that I made tags as well.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Advent Calendar That Makes Me Smile

I got this advent calendar tree from Ben Franklin this weekend and started working on it right away.  Odd thing is it only has 24 boxes.  I thought most advent calendars have 25 days.  Oh, well, no big deal.  I covered the back, sides and fronts of the individual drawers with different patterned paper and Elmer's glue.  I used a sponge brush and brushed the glue on to coat the entire paper surface.  Brushing the glue evenly gave full coverage on the paper so there was no puckering or paper lifting off.  The glue also gave me some wiggle room to manipulate the paper before it dried completely.  I think using tape for this would have been a more difficult.  I cut out numbers from an old QuicKutz set (thanks Jenny) and glued them on.  The embellishments I used are gemstone brads and stickers.  I punched a hole in the boxes to secure the brads.  I added Tombow Mono Multi Glue (green & white bottle) to the stickers to give them some extra security since the drawers will be opened and closed a lot.  

Here's a close-up

The most time consuming parts of this project were cutting the numbers and figuring out the layout.  If you can find number stickers that would probably save you some time.  Overall, this project was simple and I was able to complete it in 2 days.  I will give this to my 5-year-old twin nieces and hope they have fun counting down to Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by!

Crazy About Flower Fusion

I am crazy about PTI's Flower Fusion sets because you can make all sorts of background patterns with them.  The stamps are only $5 and they also have coordinating dies for only $3.  For this card, I just stamped the flower and stems in a repeating pattern for the background.  This really makes you play with ink colors vs. trying to match DP and cardstock.   I used the Flower Fusion die and paired it with the Sending You stamps and dies for the focal point.  Fast and fun!

Supplies:

• Stamps: PTI Flower Fusion #4, PTI Sending You
• Dies:  PTI Flower Fusion #4, PTI Sending You
• Bakers Twine

Birthday Card - Boy Basic Circles

Making cards for men always tests my creativity and here's the latest birthday card I came up with.  I used PTI's Boy Basic Simple Circles die and the coordinating stamp set.  The circle stamps built a nice background and then I pulled out a bunch of different sets and used their tiny stamps to fill in the centers.   For the sentiment, I used PTI's Fillable Frames #6 and a sentiment from Inside & Out Birthday.  Simple and fun!

Supplies:

• Stamps: PTI Boy Basics Circles, PTI Inside & Out Birthday, PTI Fillable Frames #6, PTI Turning a New Leaf
• Dies: PTI Fillable Frames #6, PTI Simple Circles Border
• DP: Doodlebug

Sister Stamps Release #4 Winners - Ho Ho Ho Holiday Card

Thank you to all who joined in on the fun and participated in Sister Stamps Release #4!  These stamps are available today and a list of retailers are available on the sidebar of Sister Stamp's blog.  

And the winners of the stamps are:

KIYOKO winner:

MIMI said: what a cute idea! the kimono is gorgeous! TFS! ;)

LION DANCER winner:

SWEET said: Cute money holder card Debi and love the sentiment tag!

FIRECRACKERS winner:
JENI said: Awesome card! I think I need to try that layout!

Congrats to all the winners!  Please contact Jenny at sisterstampsllc@gmail.com by November 5 to claim your prize!

Here's another creation using one of Sister Stamp's Christmas images simply because I couldn't resist this cutie.  I tried my Copic pen on some seam binding to match the ribbon to the bag of loot.  It was easy and I love how it matches exactly.  I found the 1/2" seam binding online and you can order it HERE.   I used some Diamond Glaze on the stripes of the "ho ho ho" to make it look more like candy cane. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps Setsuna, PTI Photo Finishers, Dandelion Designs "Ho Ho Ho"
• Dies:  PTI Edgers #3, PTI Parisian Lace, PTI Tag #2
• DP: PTI Candy Cane Prints
• Hug Snug Seam Binding, Copics

Sister Stamps Release New Year's - Day 3 Firecrackers

This is day 3 of Sister Stamp's release and the three new images will be available tomorrow.  For retail locations, see Sister Stamp's blog. Today's project features a tri-fold New Year's card using the Firecrackers image.  I adore this stamp and it sure was fun to color!  This is a card I would send in lieu of a Christmas card and sometimes I think it would be nice to send holiday wishes at Thanksgiving or New Year's to avoid the the craziness of Christmas.

Here's what the card looks like when it's unfolded.  I used PTI's new tri-fold card (3-1/2" x 5") and these slip nicely into an A2 envelope. 

This is what the middle panel looks like with sentiment.

And here's the family photo.  

If you love this image and would like to win it, 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 tomorrow, November 1 and don't forget to come back to see if you've won.  Also check out guest designer Leanne Poe's blog and Sister Stamp's blog.

Check back tomorrow to see if you're a winner!  Happy Halloween!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Sister Stamps Fireworks, PTI Photo Finishers, Lawn Fawn Harold's ABC's
• Die: PTI Mat Stack 1
• Copics, Stickles

Sister Stamps Release New Year's - Day 2 Lion Dancers

Thanks for stopping by on day 2 of Sister Stamp's release and today I'm featuring the wonderful Lion Dancers!  Don't they look like they're having so much fun?  I created a money holder card for the traditional gift giving of Chinese New Years.  I did some research and learned the envelope should be red which symbolizes good luck.  Gold is often used, too and and represents wealth.  I used these colors as the foundation of the card and really loved working with this cute image!

If you'd like to win the Lion Dancers stamp, here's how you do it:

• 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 November 1 and don't forget to come back to see if you've won.  For more sweet inspiration, be sure to check out guest designer Leanne Poe's blog and Sister Stamp's blog.

I'll be back tomorrow with one more Sister Stamps post so come on back!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps Lion Dancers, Hero Arts Celebrate Everyday
• Die: Spellbinders Fancy Tags
• Copics, Stickles, Washi Paper

Sister Stamp's New Year's Release - Day 1 Kiyoko

Hi there everyone!  Are you excited about the upcoming Sister Stamps release on November 1?  This is  going to be another fun release and the images are like no others I've seen!  Today I'm featuring the playful Kiyoko who is participating in some local New Year's activities with her fun sparklers.  

I enjoy decorating our home for various holidays, but I didn't have anything for New Year's so I decided to make a wall hanging.  I created it to look like a scroll and cut down a long 3/8" width dowel (5-1/2" pieces) to anchor the top and bottom of the scroll.  I found the perfect washi paper for the background and secured the dowels with always reliable Scor-tape. I paper pieced the kimono with washi paper and embossed a bamboo image on the red cardstock (no sure if you can see it in this photo).  So happy to have something to ring in the new year!

Here's a close up of Kiyoko and if you'd like to win this stamp, here's how you do it:

• 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 November 1 and don't forget to come back to see if you've won.  If you haven't checked out the Sister Stamps blog, you can find it HERE and make sure to stop by guest designer Leanne Poe's blog and show her some love!

I'll be back tomorrow with another project and another chance for you to win more blog candy!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Sister Stamps Kiyoko, Lawn Fawn Harold's ABC's
• Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Oriental Weave
• Dies: Spellbinders Circles, Spellbinders Scallop Circles
• Punch: Marvy Southwest
• Copics, Gold Mirror Cardstock, Gold Twine, Washi Paper

Creepy Crawly Goodies!

Just a quick Halloween post with some treat boxes using PTI's Treats and Sweets again but this time I coordinated it with the mega dies.  I loved mixing and matching the dies and stamps to make all sorts of creatures.  Then to fill them up with sweet goodies was just too much fun!

If you're starting your Halloween celebrations this weekend, have a great time!  We'll be carving the pumpkin!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

Halloween is soon approaching and it's getting exciting around here!  I'm not sure if my 3-year-old is really going to wear his costume but he's enjoying all the fun festivities.  One of the Halloween books we're reading talks about using a pumpkin to make pumpkin pie so that's what he wants to do.  I will happily indulge him with his request, as I love homemade pumpkin pie (however canned pumpkin will be used).  

I have a couple projects today using PTI's most adorable Halloween stamp set and dies.  I played around with them and made these treat bags holding some of my favorite See's chocolate bars.

I saw this cute card on the fabulous Erin Lincoln's blog and I cased it exactly.  I tried to change it around a little and then thought, it's so cute as it, why reinvent the wheel.  LOVE!

I have fun Sister Stamps releases coming up Saturday - Monday, so be sure to come back and check them out (blog candy included!)

Supplies:

• Stamps: PTI Halloween Treats and Sweets, Mat Stack 1 Collection
• Dies: PTI Bitty Halloween Treats and Sweets, Mat Stack 1
• Halloween Baker's Twine

Bright Sunshiney Day!

I'm having fun with Pure Innocence and like how nicely they stamp.  I know these images have been around but I'm finally inking them up.  For the sky background, I kept my Spellbinder die on the oval and sponged Stormy Sky Distress ink around the image after it was colored.  Keeping the die on created the white border.  Not only are these images cute, but the sentiments are different from most and quite sweet.  You just can't help but smile!

Thank for stopping by!

Friendship Warms the Heart

Happy TGIF!  Any fun plans for the weekend?!  If you're in Hilo, don't forget to check out Island Scrapbooking's 8th Anniversary sale and celebration on Saturday from 10am - 2pm!  There will be make n' takes, contests, reveal of new products and lots of prizes and giveaways (Michele is always so generous)....Come early and don't miss out on the fun!

Today's card features a cute Pure Innocence stamp that is one of my favorites.  I kept it clean and simple and let the cute image shine!  You can't really tell from photo, but I used a white glitter paper for the snow and I used some white Sparkly Fluff for the pom poms on the snowman's hat and girl's hat.  If you haven't tried this, it's like flock with sparkles in it. I've been using it a lot with holiday images.

Well that's it for today - Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the weekend!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Pure Innocence Merry Kissmas
• Copics, Sparkly Fluff

Birthday Blast-Off

I needed a card for a 5-year-old boy so I went to my PTI stash and cased a Dawn McVey creation.  Having coordinating dies for these stamp sets (rocket and moon) are great and sure beats cutting with a scissors.  I used Pumice Stone Distress Ink to "gray up" the sky and gold stickers to make it a starry night.

Thanks for stopping by and hope your week is off to a good start!

Supplies:

• Stamps: PTI Out of This World, Fillable Frames #1
• Die: PTI Out of This World
• Copics, Gold Star Stickers, Pumice Stone Distress Ink

It's Sister Stamps Release Day! - Blog Candy Winners

Wait no more, Sister Stamps' new images are available today!  To find out where you can get these holiday stamps, check out the sidebar of Sister Stamps' blog for locations.  Thanks to all who played along for the blog candy.  Here are the winners:
SETSUNA winner:
Angiebug said...What a cutiepie! Love the card & the colors are great together. tfs
YUKI winner:
Jenny V.said...Hi Debi! Simply adorable, such a pretty ornament. And love the nestie die you use.
SHIMO-SAN winner:
Kim Y.said...This is SUPER sweet! I love this image and what wonderful card!! Awesome job!

Congrats to all the winners!  Please contact Jenny at sisterstampsllc@gmail.com by October 5 to claim your prize!

Sister Stamps Christmas Release - Day 3 Shimo-san

Welcome to the third and final day of Sister Stamps Christmas release.  I hope you're enjoying the new images and the wait is almost over - these stamps will available tomorrow!  To find out where you can purchase them, hop on over to the Sister Stamps blog and see the list of retail stores on their sidebar.

My card today features Shimo-san.  I loved this image from Denise's first sketches and it has turned out to be such a fun and playful stamp.  You'd think it would take long to color, but it's faster and easier than you'd think.  The girl and boy aren't very big so not much to color, the scarf and hat are simple to do and only a little shading on the snowman and snow - and the final result...cute, cute, cute!

If you like a chance to win Shimo-san here's all you have 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 blue badge on my sidebar and post on your blog (not required, but appreciated)

Winners will announced tomorrow, October 1 so don't forget to come back and see if you're a lucky winner!

For more blog candy check out the Sister Stamps blog and for more sweet inspiration hop on over to the awesome Amy Young's blog.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps Shimo-san
• Die: SU Top Note
• DP: Carolees Creations
• Copics, PTI Button, Ribbon, Rhinestone, Stickles

Sister Stamps Christmas Release - Day 2 Yuki

It's day 2 of Sister Stamps Christmas release and today, my project introduces you to the adorable Yuki.  I love this image because it depicts the pure joy a child experiences at Christmas.  With Christmas music playing in the background, I was inspired to create a holiday ornament.  I used QuicKutz's Nesting Bloom dies and I found I like these dies because the largest die is bigger than most of the standard Spellbinders.  Sometimes you want a bigger die for a project and I used the two largest ones for this.

Here's a close up of the image.

For a chance to win the Yuki stamp:

• Follow this blog and post a comment on THIS POST
• Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated) 
• Grab the blue badge on my sidebar and post on your blog (not required, but appreciated)

Winners will announced on October 1.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out the Sister Stamps blog and guest designer Amy Young's blog.

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Sister Stamps Yuki
• Dies: QuicKutz Nesting Bloom
• Punch: 3" Circle
• DP: October Afternoon
• Copics, Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Red Rhinestones

Sister Stamps Christmas Release - Day 1 Setsuna

It's an exciting day as we kick off Sister Stamps' new Christmas releases - woo hoo!  And here's my first card with Setsuna dressed up like Santa - isn't he a cutie!

I tried the center step card for the first time and it was fun and pretty simple to do.  I love using red and pink together for Christmas because it makes me think of sweets like candy cane and gingerbread - so yummy!  I had the perfect Doodlebug DP and combined it with Spellbinders' tree die and a Lawn Fawn banner.

For a chance to win the Setsuna stamp:

• Follow this blog and post a comment on THIS POST
• Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated) 
• Grab the blue badge on my sidebar and post on your blog (not required, but appreciated)

Winners will announced on October 1.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop by the Sister Stamps blog and guest designer Amy Young's blog to see what they've got cooking!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps Setsuna, Lawn Fawn Banneriffic, Lawn Fawn Cozy Christmas
• Die: Spellbinders Nested Pine Trees
• DP: Doodlebug
• Copics, Bakers Twine, Rhinestones

Flowers For Your Birthday

Here's a simple birthday card I made and cased a creation by the talented Betsy Veldman.  I love the PTI Flower Fusion sets which are so economical ($5) and they come with coordinating dies ($5).  I need to experiment more with stamping in different colors because there are so many possibilities.

Hope you don't mind this quick post, but my little one wants me to "get ready" so we can go out in mommy's car.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps - PTI Flower Fusion #7, Hero Arts Sentiment
• Die: PTI Flower Fusion #7, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen
• Bakers Twine

Baby Boy #3

Our friends just had their third baby and he is boy #3!  Testosterone will rule the roost but that's okay...boys are fun, right?!   This is the card I designed for them and I inked up this cutie from Inkadinkado's Baby Love.  The images from this set are irresistibly cute!

Supplies: 

• Stamps: Inkadinkado Baby Love, SU Tiny Tags
• DP: My Mind's Eye
• Punches: SU Tiny Tag, EK Success Mini Star, 2" Circle, SU 2-3/8" Scallop Circle
• Die: SU Top Note
• Bakers Twine, Copics

Sending You Smiles

Today's card features C.C. Designs' Hawaiian Birgitta which I colored up for a class I taught a while ago.  I finally designed a card for her and this is the result inspired by something I saw on Amy Young's blog.  I love how the woodgrain looks stamped in white.

Also, the following two winners have not claimed their Sister Stamps blog candy yet. Please email Jenny at sisterstampsllc@gmail.com by September 15.  If prizes are not claimed by the deadline, new winners will be drawn.

YOKO stamp - winner is Amy 

AYAKO stamp - winner is Idemello 

Supplies:

• Stamps: C.C. Designs Hawaiian Birgitta, Dandelion Designs sentiment, Hero Arts Woodgrain
• Punch:  MS Layered Arches
• DP:  Bo Bunny

Got Shave Ice?

Shave ice is what we called it growing up on Oahu, but here in Hilo, they call it ice shave.  But no matter what you call it, really fine shaved ice with good syrup is delicious!  And who wouldn't want some to celebrate a birthday?

For this card I used Dandelion Design's elephant stamp from the Bubbles & Smiles cling set.  I cut off the bubble he was blowing and added the yummy shave ice.  I created some mountains and was even able to position the bird on the cloud paper to fit nicely into the scene. The sentiment is from Hero Arts' Sending Smiles Messages and this set is great because you have typical sentiments with nice add ons to complete your greeting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Dandelion Designs Bubbles & Smiles, Dandelion Designs Shave Ice, Hero Arts Sending Smiles Messages
• DP: Jillibean Soup
• Copics

Silhouettes are Pretty

Happy Labor Day everyone!  Hope you're relaxing or doing something fun with friends and family.  Because today's a holiday, I got to stay up late last night and and here's what I was up to.  I used Hero Arts' Three Silhouettes stamp set and embossed the images in black.  I used my Spellbinders to cut them out in ovals and backed each image with black cardstock.  Then I trimmed around them to give them a slight contrasting frame.  I stamped a brocade image in various colors and cut them out with Spellbinders Labels Four.   It was fun choosing colors and trying out different inks for this.  Using Brilliance pearlescent inks was the most stunning.   I cut pennant-like pieces in black to back each image.  I stamped the sentiment and adorned each girl with jewels.  I absolutely love how pretty and vintage-like these images are.  Above is the first image.

Here's the second image.

And here's the third image.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Hero Arts Three Silhouettes, Hero Arts Antique Brocade, Hero Arts Sending Smiles Messages
• Dies: Spellbinders Ovals, Spellbinders Labels Four
• Inks, SU, Archival Brilliance, Versamark Watermark
• Embossing Powder: Stampendous Midnight Black
• Pearls, Rhinestones

Sister Stamps Blog Candy Winners - And a Baby Card

Thank you to all who played along for Sister Stamps blog candy over the past four days.  I really appreciate you stopping by and thank you for your sweet comments.  Congrats to the following winners:

MIYONO - haumeaola
(Miyono is so cute. Your card is great - I love the ribbon too. Can't wait to start making my own Miyono card. I'm still learning to use my copic - hope my hair looks like yours.)


YOKO - Amy 
(Beautiful card and I love how you added some cranes to the inside! Love your work!)


AYAKO - Idemello 
(love, love, love the umbrella :) such a cute card!!!)


NOBU - Kris 
(Sweet!! He does look great with the alteration since it perfectly matches your theme!! =D Great project!)


Please email Jenny at sisterstampsllc@gmail.com with your address and she will mail you your prize!

And on to today's card:

One of my best friends had a baby girl back in July and I got one step closer to mailing out her gift today....I made the card.  Still have to wrap it and get it to the post office, but I made progress.  It's such a challenge to get gifts mailed out on time these days.

I found this cute baby stamp set a while ago and finally had a reason to ink it up.  Chose the sweet bunny image and put an "s" sticker on the little bundle which stands for Sienna.  Sweet name!  I used PTI's Turning a New Leaf stamp and die for the leaves and this is a set I got to often.  Love!  Hopefully I get the gift in the mail this weekend!

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Supplies:

• Stamp: Inkadinkado Baby Love
• Dies: PTI Turning a New Leaf, SU Top Note
• Punches: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 2" Circle
• DP: American Crafts
• Copics, Pink Baker's Twine, Button

Sister Stamps Release Day 4 - Nobu

Welcome to day 4 and the final day of Sister Stamps September release!  Four new stamps are available today at various retail stores (see Sister Stamps blog for list).  Today I introduce you to Sister Stamps' first boy image, Nobu.  Isn't he adorable?!   I need to start by telling you I altered him a tiny bit and changed the toy in his hand to a lollipop, so see below for the actual image.

I decided to do something with a Halloween theme and created a glassine treat bag.  Glassine bags are a favorite of mine - like the look and they're also somewhat nostalgic.  I created the tag with some cool bat DP and a PTI tag die.  I altered the toy and made it a lollipop by using an image from SU's Sweets for the Sweet and punched it out with a 1/2" circle punch.  I wanted a little bling so I covered a small clothes pin with orange glitter paper and also punched out some bats from black glitter paper.  Did you notice the tiny bats on the glassine?   I tried stamping these bags for the first time and StazOn ink worked well.  It takes a steady hand to stamp on the the slightly slippery surface, but it's worth the effort.  So fun!  

Here's a close up.

Here's the actual image.

To win the Nobu stamp:

• Follow this blog
• Post a comment on THIS POST
• Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated)
• Grab the blue badge on my sidebar for your blog (not required, but appreciated)

Winners will be announced tomorrow,  September 2.  Be sure to check out  Sister Stamps blog and guest designer Mama's blog for more inspiration.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps Nobu, Hero Arts Bat, SU Sweets for the Sweet
• DP: Making Memories
• Dies: Cuttlebug Halloween, PTI Tag Sale #3
• Punches:  1/2" Circle, 2-1/2" Circle, SU Bat
• Copics, Ribbon, Glassine, Clothes Pin

Sister Stamps Release Day 3 - Ayako

Thanks for stopping by for Day 3 of Sister Stamps release!  Today's precious image is called Ayako!  I know many of you have been waiting for the "the umbrella girl" since Jenny did some calendars with her almost a year ago.  Well she'll finally be available on September 1 - she's a real doll!

For this card, I applied one of my favorite techniques using Distress Inks.  I embossed the bamboo image with clear embossing powder on white cardstock.  Then I distressed the background with Peeled Paint ink using a blending tool and foam pad.  Simple technique - wonderful results!  The PTI sentiment is actually one long sentiment, but I cut the sentiment to fit the space I needed to stamp.  I'm getting braver about doing this.  If you haven't tried it yet, give it a whirl -it's really fun and you can always fit the sentiment back together again.  I stamped the sentiment with StazOn ink for best results on the embossed areas.

For a chance to win the Ayako stamp:

• Follow this blog
• Post a comment on THIS POST
• Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated)
• Grab the blue badge on my sidebar for your blog (not required, but appreciated)

Winners will be announced on September 2.  For more blog candy visit the Sister Stamps blog and for sweet inspiration be sure to check out guest designer Mama's blog! 

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps Ayako, PTI Think Big Favorites #7, Hero Arts Decorative Bamboo
• Inks: Ranger Distress Peeled Paint, Versamark Watermark, StazOn Jet Black
• Brad: SU Antique Brads
• Copics, Clear Embossing Powder

Sister Stamps Release Day 2 - Yoko

It's day 2 of Sister Stamps September release and today I'm introducing playful Yoko.  As summer is coming to an end, I imagined her playing outside with her toy crane on beautiful fall day.  I did a simple pop-up to create a little scene.  The more I played with this image, the more I grew fond of Yoko and she has quickly become one of my favorites.  This is the close up.

Here's a  look at the whole card.

I kept the design for the outside of the card clean and simple.  I was happy to use my crane punch to tie the crane theme together with the inside of the card.    I hope you like today's post and thanks for stopping by.  If you'd like to win the Yoko stamp, here's how to enter:

• Follow this blog
• Post a comment on THIS POST
• Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated)
• Grab the blue badge on my sidebar for your blog (not required, but appreciated)

Winners will be announced on September 2.  Don't forget to visit Sister Stamps blog and guest designer Mama's blog!  Stop by tomorrow for another chance to win a new release stamp.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps Yoko, PTI Through the Trees, PTI Think Big Favorites #7, Hero Arts Sentiment
• Punch: Carla Crafts Crane, MS Grass Edge, MS Modern Garland Edge 
• DP: Imaginisce
• Copics

Ready for Another Release and Candy - Introducing Miyono!

I am so excited to introduce my first card for Sister Stamps' September release.  This sweet girl, Miyono, is the first of four stamps available on September 1.  And what comes with a new release?  Well, candy of course!  So if you'd like a chance to win this stamp here's what you have to do to enter:

• Follow this blog
• Post a comment on THIS POST
• Share your excitement about Sister Stamps with others (not required, but appreciated)
• Grab the blue badge on my sidebar for your blog (not required, but appreciated)

The winner will be announced on September 2.  For more release excitement and inspiration, visit Sister Stamps blog and guest designer 1luvnmama's blog!  I'll be back tomorrow with another release and more freebies!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sister Stamps "Miyono," Lawn Fawn sentiment
• Dies: Spellbinders Labels Ten, Spellbinders Petite Ovals Large, PTI Edgers #3
• DP: Imaginisce Enchanted
• Ribbon, button

Fairwee Magical Card

Here's another cutie patootie from Sweet November and this time I inked up sweet Fairwee Emaline.  I tried blue highlighted hair for the first time and actually like it.  But really any color hair would probably look good because the image is so cute!  Love the Fairwees!

Lots going on behind the scenes as I work on projects for the new Sister Stamps release coming up on September 1.  Got some fun things to share the week before so stay tuned!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Sweet November "fairwee emaline," Sweet November sentiment
• DP: Jillibean Soup
• Punch: 2" Circle
• Die: Spellbinders "floral doily motifs"

Christmas Came in August

I had a creative block while working on another project so I started cleaning around my craft table and stumbled upon Hero Arts' "friendly flags" set.  I picked it up and thought "I should try these out as trees."  I just played around and in a matter of 30 minutes, this Christmas card came together.  Funny how this one was simple to finish, but I just couldn't figure out the other one.  I guess that's how creative minds work sometimes.

TGIF!  Hope you have time for some crafting this weekend!  Have a great one!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Lawn Fawn "bows and holly," Lawn Fawn "critters in the snow," Hero Arts "friendly flags"
• Copics, Red Baker's Twine, PTI Button, SU Ribbon, Rhinestone    

So Fairwee Cute!

This new Fairwee Piper image (and the other little Fairwees) from Sweet November are so darn cute, they make me squeal every time I look at them.  The design for this card was inspired by a distressed image of Hero Arts' "silhouette grass" I had done awhile ago.  It was my starting point and ended up becoming a fairy tale-like garden scene - playful and whimsical.  

One more day before the weekend!  So looking forward to it!

Supplies:

• Stamps:  Sweet November "fairwee piper," Hero Arts "silhouette grass," Hero Arts "heart lace," Lawn Fawn sentiment
• Punch: EK Success butterfly
• Various paper flowers, ribbon, twine

Pretty & Pink

Just felt like making something simple and pretty and this was the result of my afternoon while my little guy took a nap.  There were all sorts of chores to be done around the house, but I needed a quick creative fix at my craft table before attacking the "not so fun stuff."  You know what I mean, right?

I inked up this floral image from SU's "Just Believe" set and it was the inspiration for the rest of the card.    I paired it up with a sentiment from PTI's "Botanical Silhouette"set which worked out nicely.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: SU "Just Believe," PTI "Botanical Silouette,"
• DP: SU "Springtime Vintage"
• Ribbon, lace, button
• Ink: SU Old Olive, Chocolate Chip