Love Ya!

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you are celebrating in a sweet way with your loved ones!

Today I'm playing along with Embellish magazine's color trends challenge...with hearts. Perfect for Valentine's Day, right?

Here's what I came up with...absolutely no stamping on this one. I used some new stuff--PTI heart dies, patterned paper from Echo Park, & some May Arts ribbon--then I dug into my stash & pulled out some old AC flair for my sentiment.

Hope you like it!

Paper: Real Red, PTI white & kraft, PTI pp, Echo Park pp

Accessories: American Crafts flair, PTI hearts dies, May Arts ribbon

Vintage Valentine

Happy hump day! Hope your week is going well...we're halfway to the weekend! Woohoo!

Today's card is for a bunch of challenges:

CR84F--red, kraft, brown

Card Patterns Sketch 98

Paper Issues--Valentines

A Passion for Papertrey--outside your comfort zone (I used cardstock & buttons from PTI.)

Paper Crafts January Gallery Challenge--Valentines

I went with a vintage look, which is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I like the result. I started with my new Hero Arts stamps, then found this paper in my stash & thought it was the perfect background for the typewriter.

A fun tip: As I was putting this card together, I realized the bright white of my ribbon really didn't go with the creamy cardstock, so I sponged some Creamy Caramel ink on top to age it a little. Can you see the difference in the photo? It's a small thing, but I think it adds to the overall vintage feel.

Hope you like it!

Stamps: Type (Hero Arts)

Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, PTI Kraft, Pink Paislee pp

Ink: Adirondack Espresso, Creamy Caramel

Accessories: Bazzill Basics ribbon, PTI buttons, SU linen thread, Nestabilities circles & scalloped circles

Wee Memories Challenge 39

Hi, everyone! It's time for this week's Wee Memories challenge! Our fabulous sponsor is May Arts! If you are a ribbon addict like me, you'll love their awesome products!

This week we will have TWO winners who'll each receive a ribbon prize pack.


So, considering the sponsor, you can probably guess our challenge this week...use RIBBON on your project!









My ribbon is the first element that I chose, & I designed the rest of the card around it. The colors, heart, & sentiment all quickly fell into place to make a sweet little Valentine.

So, ready to play along with us? Link up your finished creation to the Wee Memories blog. You have until midnight PST on Friday, January 21 to be eligible for the prize.

Get creating! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

EDITED TO ADD: Wee Memories is having a DT call for TWO new members! Check it out here! Hope to see you apply!


Stamps: Inside & Out (Unity)
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Regal Rose, PTI kraft
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: American Crafts ribbon, felt heart (stash), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

A Card & BIG News!

Hey, all! Today was an AWESOME crafty day! I just found out I'm being published in Paper Crafts magazine! You have no idea how many times I've been rejected...I am grinning ear to ear right now!

I also found out some other fun crafty news, but I can't share yet...soon though!

Before I go, I want to share a quick card I whipped up just for fun. I thought it might make a good valentine for my hubby...just a touch of feminine to it, so I hope he won't mind!

Still smiling...

Stamps: Heart Owls (Hero Arts), Love Owl-ways (SU)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory, PTI kraft
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes, Nestabilities circles, The Twinery twine, Copic marker, Kaisercraft pearl

Love You

Hello again! Hope you are all fully recovered from New Years Eve celebrations...and that you haven't broken your resolutions yet!

I've got another challenge card to share today. This time I played along with two: PDCC62 & Lucy Abrams' Sketch Week Day 1.


I went very CAS for this card...punches, pearls, & a stamp made for a quick one, too.

Whatcha think?

Stamps: Short & Sweet (SU)
Paper: PTI kraft & pp
Ink: Fresh Snow
Accessories: SU Heart to Heart punch, Kaisercraft pearls

Sweet Treats

Hi, sweet friends! I've got some Valentine treats to share with you today!

Check out this week's Tuesday Trigger...it's a sugar addict's dream come true!
It inspired me to finish up some last minute Valentine gifts.

Here's a bucket o' treats and 3x3 card I made for my niece. The bucket is from last year's Target $ bin. It holds peace sign knee socks (what 11 year old doesn't need a pair?), mechanical pencils (since Mom won't spend the $ for them), a sucker, Nerds, Now & Laters, and a mini tin of M&Ms. Sweet, huh?

I couldn't stop there. Here's a jar of M&Ms I made for a co-worker. The jar is a recycled Prima container...

Have a sweet day!

So Sweet
Stamps: So Sweet (Hero Arts)
Paper: Bazzill white, PTI dp
Ink: Basic Black, Raspberry Fizz
Accessories: Spica clear glitter pen, bucket (Target)

With Love
Stamps: Yummy (SU)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, PTI white
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Bazzill Basics ribbon, Spica clear glitter pen, SU designer label & circle punches

Love You, Friend

Happy Superbowl Sunday! Who are you cheering for...or are you just watching it for the commercials?

Today I played along with 365 Cards Super Sketchy Sunday. I flipped the sketch upside down to make this valentine for a friend. I pulled out some retired SU In Colors--Cool Caribbean and Kiwi Kiss--and paired them with PTI's Raspberry Fizz...don't you just love that bright combo? I also played with some new SU goodies--the sentiment is from the hostess set Picture This, and the border punch was a SAB item...nothing better than playing with free goodies!

Enjoy your Sunday! GO COLTS!

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PTI), Picture This (SU)
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Kiwi Kiss, Raspberry Fizz, white
Ink: Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: SU Heart to Heart punch & Scallop Trim punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, PTI ribbon

Always in My Heart

Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a good start.

The card I'm sharing today is for a bunch of challenges: Card Patterns Sketch 49, CARDS valentines without red or pink, Lucy's glitter challenge, and Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge--Titanic! The heart reminded me of the famous "Heart of the Ocean" necklace, and the sentiment seems to fit the way Rose and Jack felt about each other.

Hope you like it!

Stamps: Always (SU)
Paper: PTI & Bazzill white, glittered gray (unknown)
Ink: Enchanted Evening
Accessories: PTI ribbon, SU Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Michaels pearls, SU Heart to Heart punch, SU ticket corner punch, SU Designer Label punch, Barbara Trombley glitter

I'll Love You Owl-ways...

TGIF, ladies! Got any fun stuff planned for your weekend? I asked hubby what we're doing and got a "I dunno" in response...guess that means we're going clubbing! Woohoo!!!

Just a quick 3x3 notecard for you today--using my new Hero Arts stamp! How cute are those two? This card is for this week's No Time to Stamp challenge to use red and hearts.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for another Everything But the Kitchen Sink challenge! I've got a SUPER cute project to share!

Oh, and don't forget about my One World One Heart giveaway!

Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Heart Owls (Hero Arts), Short & Sweet (SU)
Paper: Real Red, Bazzill white
Ink: Real Red, Adirondack Espresso
Accessories: Spica glitter pens, Michaels pearl, dimensionals

Everything But the Kitchen Sink Sketch Challenge

Hello and TGIF! Let's kick off the weekend with a bang--we've got another fun EBTKS sketch challenge for you!

The sketch was designed by the talented Lynnette, based off her TV stand.

This month's sketch is a very special one, as we challenged ourselves to make valentines for Winter's St. Jude card drive. We encourage you--although it's not required--to make a valentine for the card drive, too.



We also have a fun prize package for the winner. Check out these awesome goodies!











For my card, I stamped this cute owl, paper pieced him, and added some googly eyes. I colored his heart with my Spica glitter pen.

Ready to play along? Head over to the EBTKS blog for all the details!

Stamps: Love Owl-ways (SU)
Paper: Real Red, PTI white, SU dp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Spica glitter pen, Nestabilities circles, dimensionals, googly eyes (Michaels)

Another St. Jude Valentine

Hi, all! Quick post today...just wanted to share another valentine I made for the St. Jude card drive.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another Everything But the Kitchen Sink challenge. This time we're doing a sketch...with a twist. *wink* Stop by tomorrow to see!

Stamps: Happy Valentine's Day (Paper Inspirations)
Paper: Taken with Teal, Old Olive, American Crafts dp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: American Crafts flair, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, circle punch, scalloped circle punch

From the Heart

Hi, everyone! Hope you're having a great weekend. I've mostly been crafting...hoping to get a few things published, so not much I can share yet.

This card is another one for the St. Jude card drive Winter is organizing. I used today's sketch over at 365 cards for my layout.

Enjoy what's left of your weekend!

Stamps: Thankful Hearts (Verve)
Paper: Taken with Teal, Aqua Mist, SU dp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: SU Heart to Heart punch, Kaisercraft pearls, SU ribbon, Nestabilities circles

Key to My Heart, Day 2

I'm back with more cards using the new Key to My Heart set from Practicing Creativity Designs. Today I've got some 3x3 love notes that showcase two of the sentiments available. These mini cards are perfect for slipping into your kids' lunch or backpack or even your hubby's wallet.

The card on the left fits yesterday's 365 Cards challenge--find a substitute--and both cards work for this week's Splitcoast CAS challenge to make valentines.

Like what you see? Head over to Practicing Creativity Designs to see more...

Stamps: Key to My Heart (Practicing Creativity Designs)
Paper: Bazzill, SU dp
Ink: Taken with Teal, Enchanted Evening
Accessories: heart punch, dimensional

Introducing "Key to My Heart"

I'm thrilled to announce that today my friend Courtney Baker is launching her new stamp company, Practicing Creativity Designs! I'm honored to share a card that uses the newly released set, "Key to My Heart." This set is made of high quality, clear photopolymer and sells for $12.99.

I made this particular card for my hubby for Valentine's Day, but you'll find this set has a variety of images and sentiments that can also be used for everyday love & friendship cards. I'll have a couple of those to share with you tomorrow...

Layout is based on this week's sketch from Just Us Girls.

These stamps are available starting TODAY! Stop by the Practicing Creativity Designs shop and blog to see more!

Stamps: Key to My Heart (Practicing Creativity Designs)
Paper: Real Red, Basic Gray, PTI white
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: ribbon, cording, pearls (Michaels)

Cards for St. Jude

Happy New Year! One of my crafty resolutions for 2010 is to donate more of my cards, and my friend Winter is supplying the perfect way to kick off my resolution with a bang!

In honor of her blogoversary, Winter has coordinated a special card drive for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Here's what she has to say in her own words:
My family and I are going on vacation in February, and as I was making plans for that, the Lord showed me that St. Jude Hospital was right on our way, and He laid on my heart to make cards for the patients there! I felt a little overwhelmed at first, because they see about 200 patients a day, but I soon felt that the Lord will provide the cards. If we all pull together, we can make this happen. It is so sad to think of all the sick children there. So I am hoping that it will bring a smile to their face and a little more love in their hearts, when they receive their card on Valentine's Day.

St. Jude's is an organization that's special to me. Their Midwest affiliate is close by in Peoria, IL, and I've done all kinds of fundraisers for them over the years.

I don't know about you, but I LOVE making valentines. However, I don't have many people to send them to. This card drive is the perfect opportunity to satisfy your cardmaking addiction AND help out children with cancer at the same time.

Here are some details:
* Cards need to be a Valentine theme.
* Cards can't have anything about 'Get Well Soon', 'Feel Better', or anything reminding them of being sick (only Valentine cards).
* Please make cards that can be used for any gender or age.
* Cards must be able to fit into a 4 1/2 X 5 3/4 envelope. (Winter will provide clear envelopes for each card, so there is no need to send one with it.)
* Please send all cards to:
Winter Sims
Cards for St. Jude
P.O. Box 754
Warren, TX 77664
* You can include a message in the inside, but please remember, nothing reminding them of being sick (maybe just a Valentine sentiment.) You can also sign your name and where you are from.
* Winter will be accepting cards for the whole month of January. At the end of the month, she will pick random winners for prizes. She will be adding more prizes often. The more cards you send, the more times your name goes into the drawing.
* Please send a piece of paper with your name, address, email address, and the amount of cards you sent. (It will help when Winter holds the drawing.)
* If you'd like to donate a prize for the drawing, please email Winter with the details at marcussim@aol.com.

THANK YOU!

Stamps: Will You Be My Valentine (SU Ink)
Paper: Basic Black, Pure Poppy, white, PTI dp
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Heart to Heart punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, PTI ribbon

Feelin' the Love

Is it possible to say--without sounding arrogant--that this card is SO cute? I love it because I used several products I just adore.

For starters, I used one of my new favorite colors, Taken with Teal. I never thought I'd be saying that. When I first started stamping, I thought Taken with Teal was one of the ugliest colors in the SU line. I just recently fell in love with it and had to buy some.


I also got to use more textured cardstock and some American Crafts ribbon--I {heart} their stuff.

So, you know I think it's cute. Now I wanna know what YOU think!

Stamps: Short & Sweet (SU)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Bazzill white
Ink: Taken with Teal
Accessories: Heidi Swapp ghost heart, American Crafts ribbon, brad (unknown), corner rounder punch

Jewelry Inspiration Challenge 19

Every week Stacey hosts a color challenge inspired by her love of jewelry. I always have good intentions to play along, but this is the first time I've actually participated. Sorry it took me so long, Stacey!

This week she chose this cute bracelet from Moonraker Lampwerks, and we were to use Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White.

I made this quick card, which I can use for a Valentine or a "just because" card.

After seeing this butterfly on Elizabeth's blog, I figured I'd do the same, so I embossed my acetate heart with Swiss Dots. I think it adds a lot of interest to the card, and it's something I want to play with again in the future.

Stamps: Best Yet (SU)

Paper: Pink Pirouette textured, Certainly Celery, PTI white

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Heidi Swapp ghost shape, flower (unknown), brad (Making Memories), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Valentine Flair

Here's a quick Valentine--well, quick until I started fiddling with it. Something was missing, so I added the polka dot paper at the last minute, and I still don't like it. I think I'm too tired to have mojo right now...

Stamps: Short & Sweet (SU)
Paper: Pink Pirouette textured, Kiwi Kiss, PTI white, Prints Pack dp (SU)

Ink: Kiwi Kiss

Accessories: spiral punch, circle punch, ribbon (Martha Stewart), flair (American Crafts)

I Love My New Goodies!

For this card, I combined two challenges. The first was an SCSNYE challenge to use some new crafting goodies. My new toys include an SU stamp set my hubby bought me for Christmas, Heidi Swapp ghost shapes from i {heart} papers, white brads that I *needed* a few months ago and never opened, and SU's Flower Fusion, which I only used once before.

The second challenge was Kristina Werner's color inspiration to use Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, and Whisper White.

I kept this one simple, but I love the way it turned out.

Stamps: Short & Sweet (SU)

Papers: PTI white, Holiday Treasures dp, Prints Pack dp

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: Heidi Swapp ghost shapes, Flower Fusion (SU), brad (Doodlebug)

Head Start on Valentines

My sister-in-law came over to stamp today, so we had a chance to get started on making valentines. I think they turned out cute, don't you?

Stamps: Essential Sentiments (MFT)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, SU dp (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, large oval punch, chipboard (unknown), ribbon (SU retired)



Stamps: Love Owl-ways (SU)
Paper: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Hawaii Papaya dp (SU)
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black
Accessories: Nestabilities circles & scalloped circles, Copic markers, red glitter pen (Spica), ribbon (JoAnn fabrics), brads (Doodlebug)

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Whisper White, Prints Pack dp (SU retired)
Accessories: chipboard (unknown), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, ribbon (The Ribbon Retreat)