A good book on a summer day

Hello my fellow crafters! I've really been lagging these days with my posts and I apologize for that.  I'm also behind on my commenting on your blogs, but I appreciate those who keep coming back to comment even though I haven't made it around your blogs lately.  Thank you for being so sweet!

Today I'm sharing with you a creation with my newest Whiff of Joy Beach Chair stamp with Reading Willow from the June Fun in the Sun Store Stamp Kit.  The Beach Chair is currently in stock at 7 Kids here.  I did some paper piecing, something that I haven't done in a while!  You can find the paper piecing tutorial at SCS here.  I think the paper piecing gave the chair a little character.  What do you think?

I hope you like my summery creation and that you are having a wonderful summer so far!

Stamps: Whiff of Joy Fun in the Sun June Store Kit and Whiff of Joy Beach Chair
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Green at Heart
Accessories: Prima roses, rhinestones, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, lace
Tools: Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Daring Cardmakers - Layer it up
2. Stamp Something - Something Flowery
3. No Time To Stamp - Two of Something - paper pieced with two different papers
4. Crafty Catz - Summertime
5. Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
6. Lexi's Creations - Paper Piecing
7. Hand Stamped Sentiments - Watercoloring
8. Sketch and Stash - Sketch (new stash is the Beach Chair)
9. Crafty Creations - Summer

A Magnolia Sunset

Hello again :)  Wow, my posting schedule has been really rocky these days.  I didn't even notice that I didn't post for a week and then, all of a sudden, three posts in one day!  Crazy few weeks lately :)

Today I'm sharing with you a card I made using two of the stamps released from the recent Magnolia Wedding Collection, which is currently available at 7 Kids College Fund.  I've used Tilda with Peony and the Wedding Background. I used a gate fold and used my Martha Stewart Scoring Board (which is HALF the price of a ScorPal, but produces much sharper lines) to score my lines.  Since this is a 5.5" square gate fold card, I scored along the length of the paper at 2.75" and 8.25".

I thought it would be fun to go with some bright, funky colors for these images so after I chose a few pieces of paper from my BasicGrey Kioshi pad, I gathered up my distress reinkers and got to work! It's super easy to match the inks to the paper colors because you can blend and mix the inks to get the perfect color. To distress the edges, I used my Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, which is a great value if you don't have one yet.  The reason why I say it's a great value is because the design of this paper distresser if very ergonomic.  There's a lot less stress on my fingers when I'm distressing the paper, as opposed to scissors or sand paper.  For those who have arthritis or pain, I highly recommend the Zutter Distrezz-It All because there's no strain on your fingers at all - the machine does all the distressing!  I used Stickles over the flowers and the water to give them some life :)  The dots on her cheeks were created using the Inkssentials Opaque White Pen.


I really love the versatility of these stamps because not only can you use them for wedding cards, but you also use them for summer cards, especially if you live by the beach like I do :)

Stamp: Magnolia Stamps Tilda with Peony and Wedding Background
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Kioshi
Accessories: flowers, ribbon, Stickles
Tools: Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun, Inkssentials Opaque White Pen

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Delightful Challenges - Beach
2. S2G Challenges - Summertime
3. Daring Cardmakers - Sea
4. Scrappy Frogs - Girlie Girl
5. All Sorts - Summer Days
6. Secret Crafter - Summer Holidays
7. Our Creative Corner - Beach Layout
8. KL Stampin' N Scrappin' - Ribbon
9. The Shabby Tea Room - From the Garden
10. CPS - Sketch

Whiff of Joy Tutorial: Using Multiple Images

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to point you all to the Whiff of Joy blog to see my tutorial and tips on how to use multiple stamps.  Below is my card using one of my tips.

For this card, I used the ribbon flower technique again using lace.  I love this look!

Stamps: Whiff of Joy Life's a Beach July Store Kit and Fun in the Sun June Store Kit 
Sentiment: Whimsy Stamps Birthday Letter Seals
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Green at Heart
Accessories: Prima roses, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, lace
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Shapeabilities Fancy Tags, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun

This card is for a couple of challenges:

1. Scrappy Frogs - Girlie Girl
2. Pollycraft - Birthday

Whimsy Stamps Rubber Release!

Welcome to the Whimsy Stamps Release Blog Hop!  

If you've come here from Denise's Blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, please start at Chris' blog to make sure you haven't missed anyone.

Today Whimsy Stamps is releasing six new rubber stamps - yep, six!! Three new images (Jelly Bean, Moonlit Ride, and Maya and Marissa) are being added to the Crissy Armstrong Collection and three new sentiments sets (Birthday Letter Seals, Handmade Letter Seals, and Fancy Friendship Tags) are being added to the Sentiments Collection.  There's a great variety being released today and I'm sure the design team will impress you with all the wonderful creations they've come up with :)

As always, there's a great prize to be won!  You have until Monday, July 26th at Noon EST to comment on ALL blog hop posts to be in the running to win all six of of these wonderful stamps.

For the hop, I've created a card using Jelly Bean.  Isn't he adorable?? This is my first attempt at sewing on cards, so please be gentle with the comments :)  Some parts are okay, some parts look just plain ole ridiculous, but you can't see those parts because my watermark is covering it :D  I went with a really simple design on this card because I wanted Jelly Bean to really stand out.

Stamp: Whimsy Stamps Jelly Bean

Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Marrakech
Accessories: ribbon
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun, sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by! Please head to Donna's blog to see her wonderful creation!

Oh, and don't forget about the Sizzling Summer Sentiment Sale going on now through July 31st! All of the digital sentiments from the Raindrop Echo Designs Collection is discounted by 25%!  No coupon code necessary.  Don't forget to tell your fellow sentiment fanatics :)

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Stampavie and More - Anything Goes
2. Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Animals
3. Lots to Do - Stitches
4. Lexi's Creations - Stitching
5. Crafty Creations - Sketch

Digital Sentiment Sale!

Sale Alert!

Kick off the summer with some sizzling savings! From July 18th to July 31st, the entire Raindrop Echo Designs Digital Sentiments Collection is marked down by 25%! Grab the sentiments you've had your eye on and don't forget to tell your fellow sentiment fanatics!

Prairie Fairy Challenge: For the Guys!

Oh man, I'm so dropping the ball on these posts! This post is to share my creation for the latest Prairie Fairy Friday Challenge: For the Guys!  Please visit the Prairie Fairy Fridays blog to see the DT's wonderful creations and to enter our challenge!

For this card, I've used the Prairie Fairy image called Chick Magnet.  Isn't that the cutest name ever??  This card was for the Card Patterns sketch, but I didn't post this early enough and that challenge has ended already :(  I really worked hard on the paper weaving in the background, too! I embossed some papers with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, cut the papers in strips, then weaved them.

Image: Prairie Fairy Chick Magnet
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey June Bug
Accessories: hemp cord
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun, Diamond Glaze, Cuttlebug die

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Incy Wincy Designs - Distress It
2. Little Paper Shop - Distressing
3. Crazy Challenge - Square Card
4. Stamp Something - Digital
5. Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle - Animals
6. Just Us Girls - Orange, Navy, Green, Cream

Henry Relaxing - Whiff of Joy New Release!

Are you ready for another fantastic new release from Whiff of Joy?

All the releases are fantastic, of course, but I'm so in love with the newest Henry images.  They're just so fun!  Today I'm showing you two of the newest Whiff of Joy stamps illustrated by Alison Acton which were just released today! One stamp is called Beach Henry with Cocktail (the one on the left) and the other stamp is called Lazy Summer Henry (on the right). See? What'd I tell you? Aren't they fun??  I thought that the BasicGrey Green at Heart papers would go perfectly with the images because they're so bright and cheerful - which I'm sure Henry is after a few drinks ;)

And yes, you read that right, they are now available at the Whiff of Joy store for you to get your hands on!  While you're there, why not pick up the "Life's a Beach" store kit (illustrated by Elisabeth Bell), too? It's a great value, with two Willow images and tons of accessories and sentiments.

Oh, and if you want to learn how to use multiple images (such as masking), then make sure to visit the Whiff of Joy Inspirations Blog because I will have a tutorial on how you can get to using those never-before-inked stamps!

Stamps: Whiff of Joy Beach Henry with Cocktail (left), Lazy Summer Henry (right)
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Green at Heart
Accessories: buttons, hemp cord
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun, Diamond Glaze

This card is for a few challenges:

1.  Moving Along with the Times - Sketch
2. Pollycraft - Bold and Bright
3. For Fun Challenges - Colored Image
4. Hand Stamped Sentiments - Luau - Hope Henry's shirt counts! If not, thanks for looking :)
5. ABC Challenge - You and Me
6. Stampavie and More - Anything Goes
7. Kaboodle Doodles - Luau - Hope Henry's shirt counts! If not, thanks for looking :)
8. Crazy 4 Challenges - Buttons
9. Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle - Animals
10. Sweet Stamping - Inspiration Photo - I got some inspiration from the polka dots and the triangles

Enabler alert! New LARGE Nellie Snellen punches!

Nellie Snellen Punches on Sale!

 

Happy Sunday everyone! I wanted to alert you all that some new large Nellie Snellen Punches are now available at 7 Kids for preorder! They were just released in the store yesterday, but they've already sold out. Make sure that you don't miss the next shipment by preordering today.  

 

There are 2 flower designs (6-petal and 5-petal) and one leaf design. Each flower design is approximately 2" in diameter when constructed. You punch out each leaf and the petals then attach them together.

To celebrate their arrival, Tab is offering an additional 10% off these new punches. Even though they've sold out, you can still take the 10% off from your preorder.  The preorder will be arriving to 7 Kids very soon!

Code: EXTRALARGE
Good through: July 16, 2010

 Good on: new Nellie Snellen X-Large punches

Prairie Fairy Friday: A Color Inspiration!

Quick post!

I'm here to share with you a card made for today's Prairie Fairy Friday Challenge: Use an Inspiration Picture!  Please visit the Prairie Fairy Friday Challenge Blog to see the design team's amazing creations :)

Isn't Baby Dillan so adorable??  He's a (relatively) new image from Roberta and he just stole my heart.  I love his binkie and of course, the signature big ole glasses!

Image: Prairie Fairy Baby Dillan; Medium: Distress reinkers; Paper: DCWV; Accessories/tools: ribbon, rhinestones

Artful Inkables Spot on Summer

I'm sharing with you an Artful Inkables creation using an image from the Artful Inkables Spot on Summer set from Artful Inkables!

Present Helpers!

Time for a Whimsy Stamps creation!

There's been so much Whimsy digital stuff going on lately that I've been really starting to miss my Whimsy rubber stamps! Last night I finally inked one up again and here's the result.  I'm thinking of selling my Copics because I don't even remember the last time I used them.  I've been having too much fun using my distress reinkers to watercolor stamp images and honestly, it's costs so much less to use them.  Just think about it: each distress reinker bottle is only $3.59 at 7 Kids and with some water, you get all the lighter shades of that color; it becomes so easy to play with the lighting when you're coloring your image! Plus, you can mix colors to get the right one to match your papers and each bottle lasts for a very long time.

Anywho, here's my card using Very Present Helpers! These kitties were drawn by the talented (and so very sweet) Crissy Armstrong - aren't they just adorable?  I didn't like the way the ribbon was colored so I covered it up with Stickles, lol.  I think it turned out for the better :)

Stamp: Whimsy Stamps Very Present Helpers
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Max & Whiskers
Accessories: pearls, Stickles, buttons, hemp cord, ribbon
Tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Labels 5, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun

Challenges for this card:

1. CardPatterns - Sketch
2. Cards and Things - Sketch
3. Stampavie and More - Sparkling
4. Little Red Wagon - Nestabilities
5. Caardvarks - Birthday

A little romance

Wow, it's been AGES since I've posted a Magnolia card! I hardly ever get to use these cuties, but it doesn't stop me from buying them.  7 Kids has THE BEST deals on Magnolia stamps. Period.  Check out their great selection here!

Anywho, I'm sharing a card today made with Magnolia's Romantic Tilda, which you can get for pre-order at 7 Kids here.  I think this is one of my favorite Magnolia stamps - there's just something about her holding her little umbrella (or is it called a parasol?) that's just so sweet! I hung the heart charm (you can get some charms here) from a heart brad (you can find some brads here) and attached a black lace ribbon to give it a little touch of romance.  The ticket sentiment is from the Whimsy Stamps French Ticket Sentiments digital set.  Yep, we've got some digital versions of the rubber Ticket Sentiments!

Hope you like the card!

Stamp: Magnolia Stamps Romantic Tilda, Whimsy Stamps French Ticket Sentiments
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Eva
Accessories: heart charm, heart brad, lace,
Tools:  Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Doily Hearts Edge Punch, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Charisma Cardz - Metal
2. Crazy 4 Challenges - 2 Or More Ribbons - I hope lace counts!
3. Incy Wincy Designs - Punches
4. Creative Card Crew - Dies
5. Just Us Girls - Sketch

Fun in the Sun with Reading Willow

I'm back to share another card with you!  Yep, I'm really trying to get these cards done during my day off :)

This card uses two of the stamps from the Whiff of Joy Fun in the Sun June stamp kit.  I think the Willow stamp is called Reading Willow, but I'm not sure about that.  The sand castle stamp is also from the spring kit.  I'm not sure it would actually support Willow sitting on it, though : / In either case, they're still great images!  I used what little paper I had left from my Pink Paislee 365 Degrees paper pad (I love these papers) along with an assortment of flowers from my stash.

Stamp: Whiff of Joy Fun in the Sun Juene Stamp Kit
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: Pink Paislee 365 Degrees
Accessories: pearls, ribbon, flowers
Tools:  Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Embossing Folder (Tile Texture), Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun


This card is for a few challenges:

1. Delightful Sketches - All About Summer
2. KLS Challenges - Summer and the Beach
3. Magical Crafts Challenges - Flower Power
4. Secret Crafter - Water
5. Allsorts Challenges - Create a Scene - I hope this counts! I used two stamps.  If not, thanks for looking anyway :)
6. Dutch Dare - Flower Inspiration
7. Oh-la-la Challenges - Simply Summer
8. The Shabby Tea Room - Embossing
9. Whiff of Joy Challenges - Sketch

Ms. Shimmery Pearl

Happy Monday! And it is a happy Monday indeed because I have the day off :)

I just have a quick card to share with you today! I finally got to play with these new CC Designs Sweet November mermaid stamps that my friend Deb sent me.  This image called Pearl Tidepool.  Isn't she just gorgeous? I had to top off her mermaid tail with Stickles, of course, because what's a mermaid without some shimmer? Oh, I forgot! I distressed the edges with the Zutter Distrezz-It All! It only took a minute to distress all the edges!

I'm trying to squeeze in as much cardmaking today as I can so I'm off to make another card! For those who have the day off, I hope you're enjoying it, too :)

Stamp: CC Designs Sweet November Pearl Tidepool
Coloring Medium: Distress Reinkers
Paper: BasicGrey Capella
Accessories: pearls, ribbon, Stickles
Tools: Zutter Distrezz-It All, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Large Big Scalloped Ovals, Shapeabilities, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  ATG adhesive gun

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Sketch Saturday - Sketch
2. Stampavie and More - Sparkling
3. Delightful Sketches - All About Summer
4. S2G Challenges - Summer + Sparkles
5. Stampin' B's - Summer Vacation
6. Crafty Catz - Distressing
7. Totally Paper Crafts - One for the Girlies
8. One Stop Craft - Distressing
9. Secret Crafter - Water
10. KLS Challenges - Summer + Beach
11. Pile It On - My Favorite Things - ribbon, pearls, and BasicGrey!
12. Rosie Dee's - Summer Birthdays
13. Lexi's Creations - Layers
14. Oh-la-la Challenges - Simply Summer
15. The Pink Elephant - 3 Layers, 2 Die Cuts, Ribbon
16. Crafty Cardmakers - Inky Fingers
17. My Partner in Crafting Crime - Summer 
18. Quirky Crafts - Ribbons 
19. One Stitch at a Time - Lace, Ribbons, and Bows

Popcorn the Bear now at 7 Kids!

 

Just popping in to share some 7 Kids News!

7 Kids College Fund is now carrying Popcorn the Bear stamps!   Tab will have them in the store as a preorder item.  They are expected to be in stock in about 10-14 days. Each set is 4X6 unmounted rubber with a bear stamp and a few accessories and sentiments.  Check them out now and place your order today before they sell out!

 

 

Sentimental Sundays #10: Celebrations!

Happy Fourth of July to everyone in the US! I hope you're all enjoying the holiday weekend with some good ol' BBQ and fireworks :)

This week at Sentimental Sundays, we are challenging you to create something with a celebration theme in honor of our country's independence. This doesn't have to be anything patriotic - it can be for a birthday or anything that is a cause for celebration.  Speaking of patriotism, though, I want to point you over the Cheryl's blog because she's giving away a freebie sentiment set for the Operation Write Home blog hop that they are holding.

I didn't have time to create something for this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge, but the design team have some eye candy over for you at the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog.  The rules of the freebies have also changed - the sentiments will be available for one week and then they will be taken down and sold at the Raindrop Echo Designs Digital Sentiments at Whimsy Stamps. Grab them before they're gone!

Sentimental Sundays Weekly Freebie:

Celebrations
Click here to go to the blog & to get the download link

Freebies will now only be available for one week! 

Grab them before they're gone!
A special thank you to those who link back to the blog when using these sentiments!

A Day at the Beach

Hello all!

Just here to quickly share a card with you using the Kraftin' Kimmie's Eleanor stamp.  All these colors just really get me geared up to head to the beach.  These papers are from the Basic Grey Green At Heart pad.

Isn't this girl just sassy?  This stamp is for the Deb's Creations Queen of Cards Competition, which is still happening over at the Deb's Creations Ning Group.  Head there to check out all the festivities!

Stamp: Kraftin' Kimmie Eleanor

Medium: Distress Inks (image) and Copics (for shadow)

Paper: BasicGrey Green At Heart 

Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Labels 10, Prima flowers, Making Memories Paper Trimmer,  Water Brush, ATG adhesive gun

This card is for a few challenges:

1. The Corrosive Challenge - Flowers
2. Magical Crafts Challenge - Flower Power
3. Kaboodle Doodle - Celebrate Summer
4. Oh-la-la Challenges - Summer
5. Die Cut Dreams - Life's a Beach
6. Creative Craft - Stamp It Up
7. ABC Challenge - Xtra Dimension

Really? Can I be this lucky? I'm on the 7 Kids DT :)

Just wanted to make a quick announcement that I've been chosen to be on the 7 Kids College Fund design team!!  I'm really the luckiest gal around to be surrounded by such talented and just plain awesome people in all my design teams.  Wow!

Thanks everyone for being such wonderful readers, too.  I appreciate all your lovely comments!

Whimsy Stamps July Digital Release!

Welcome to the Whimsy Stamps 

July Digital Release!

Are you ready for another fantastic set of images, sentiments and custom designs from Whimsy Stamps? Of course you are :)

Today we're releasing a TON of new digital stuff! Crissy Armstrong has once again won my heart over with her wonderful new images (first card) and Meljen's Designs has some new images, too (second card).  Oh, and you can now only purchase Meljen's Designs digis through Whimsy Stamps so there are a whole bunch of new Meljen's images now at the store.  Releasing today are also some new sentiments from the Raindrop Echo Designs Collection (new sentiments on both cards) including some digital versions of the rubber ticket stamps as well as some new custom designs.  Whew, I told you it was a lot!

We have been incredibly busy at Whimsy Stamps!  Denise and I also worked on the new Whimsy Stamps homepage.  What do you think?

Anywho, let's get on with today's festivities! Today I'm sharing with you a couple of cards.  The first is my card using the Great Day to Fish image from Crissy Armstrong for the new challenge this month which is a sketch.  Head over to the Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Blog to see the sketch as well as see samples from the design team.  The second card is made using one of the new images from Meljen's Designs called Puss In Boots.  This one was just for fun :)  The prize for the challenge this month is 5 digis of the winner's choice.

We also have a blog hop happening today by the new Whimsy Stamps digital design team!  The blog hop starts at the Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Blog.  Hope you enjoy our new release.  Head over to the Whimsy Stamps store to grab these brand spankin' new digis!

Image: Whimsy Stamps Great Day to Fish Image and Great Day to Fish Sentiments; Medium: Distress Inks; Paper: BasicGrey Ambrosia; Accessories/Tools: Making Memories Paper Trimmer, Crop-a-dile, Water Brush

Image: Whimsy Stamps Puss in Boots and Puss in Boots Sentiments; Medium: Distress Inks; Paper: BasicGrey Max & Whiskers; Accessories/Tools: Making Memories Paper Trimmer, Tonic ticket punch

And here are a few of the 

new digital sentiment sets: