Sail Away With Me Nautical Cards

Happy Friday!! I hope you have fun plans for the last weekend in July!! Ugh - almost August already. It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions blog and I have some nautical-themed cards to share with you today featuring dies from the June release :)

I used papers from Graphic 45's By The Sea collection. A Sweet Wordlet Happy and Sweet Wordlet Birthday were used for the sentiment. A Whispers Life Preserver Border was used along the bottom, with steel brads used to anchor them to the paper.

A Whispers Message in a Bottle die was inked Salty Ocean with a touch of Mowed Grass Distress Inks for a sea glass look and then covered with crackle medium. Once it dried, Walnut Distress Ink was used to highlight the cracks. The stopper was cut from cork paper. The message was cut with parchment paper that was crumpled and then inked for some texture. 

This card used all of the same dies: Sweet Wordlet Happy, Sweet Wordlet Birthday, Whispers Life Preserver Border and Whispers Message in a Bottle.

This one uses the same Whispers Life Preserver Border and Whispers Message in a Bottle, but the sentiment is from the Sail Away Stamp Set.

I have a very busy weekend planned so I may be late in visiting you. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Thanks so much for stopping by :)

Sea You!!

Happy Friday, bloggy friends!! I hope you have fun plans for the weekend!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions blog and I have a card to share with you using my favorite die from the June release...and it's probably my all time fav Die-Versions die :)

So, you can probably see why she's my favorite!! I couldn't wait to use the beautiful new Whispers Dolphin Fun die featuring this beautiful mermaid :) She was colored with Distress Inks in Squeezed Lemonade for her hair, Mermaid Lagoon and Salty Ocean for the waves and Pumice Stone for the dolphins. Her tail and and the insides of the dolphins were covered with sugar coating for a pretty sparkle.

She was placed over a Whispers Seaside Sunset die, colored with Squeezed Lemonade, Ripe Persimmon and Pine Needles Distress Inks. A Whispers Circles Background was cut in plastic to represent bubbles. Sea You is from the Sail Away Stamp Set.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DL.ART - July Linky
2. Little Scrap Pieces - Show it Off Saturday
3. Doubleclick AKA AbusyBee #26 - From the Ocean

Thanks so much for stopping by :)

Anything Goes Blog Hop with Die-Versions and Repeat Impressions

Welcome to the Die-Versions and Repeat Impressions Blog Hop!

We hope you are ready for some great inspiration - our theme is 'Anything Goes', and what awesome creations there are to see!!

And...what's a blog hop without prizes?

There will be one lucky winner of a $20 gift card from Repeat Impressions, and one lucky winner for a $20 gift card from Die-Versions!!

Let's get hopping!!

You should have arrived here from Geri Utterback's blog. If you didn't, and you'd like to start at the beginning, you can find the entire hop list on the Die-Versions and Repeat Impressions' blogs. Be sure to start at the beginning, so you have the maximum chances of winning!! The more you comment along the way, the more chances you have of winning!!

You will have until midnight CST on Saturday, November 15th, to comment. Winners will be announced on the Die-Versions and Repeat Impression blogs on Sunday, November 16th.

For my card, I created a Christmas card using a beautiful nature stamp from Repeat Impressions and a some awesome Die-Versions dies.

For the scene, I've used Repeat Impressions By The Stream stamp. It was colored with Distress inks in Salty Ocean, Gathered Twigs and Frayed Burlap and a water brush.  Shaved Ice from Stampendous was used for the snow. The clouds were inked with a handmade cloud template and Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The tree is a Die-Versions Sweet Petite Tiny Tree die. It was covered with Shaved Ice and colorful gems. The beautiful sentiment is a Repeat Impressions May The Beauty stamp. A Die-Versions Peace On Earth Sweet Wordlet die, cut twice for a shadow effect.

We hope that we have inspired you to be creative, and that you'll do a bit of shopping at the Die-Versions and Repeat Impressions' websites!!

Thanks for stopping by today!! Your next stop on the hop is Joy Hadden!! Have a great day :)

Owl Be Home For Christmas Blog Hop

Hello Friends!! Welcome to the Owl Be Home For Christmas Blog Hop!!

We are so happy you are here!! You should have arrived from Ashley's blog. If not, please be sure to start at the beginning at Heather Lynn's blog http://heathernovinger.blogspot.com/ so you don't miss out on a thing!! We have all made some super cute owl themed projects to share with you today!! You will not only get some inspiration ~ but you could win prizes, too!! Heather Lynn is offering one hopper a really fun prize:

You must FOLLOW and COMMENT at all of the stops to have a chance to win the Grand Prize!! There will be lots of other candy offered along the way!! Please take your time and visit all of the blogs!! You have all weekend to do so. Please be sure to let us know at the last stop (at Pinque Peacock) that you followed the rules to be included in the random drawing for the Grand Prize!!

For my project, I created Owl-idays treat bags!! I used bags sent to me by my sweet friend Georgiana of Carson's Creations...thanks again, Georgiana!! The papers are from My Mind's Eye Be Merry stack. The larger topper is a Spellbinders Grand Labels 4. The smaller topper is a Decorative Labels One and a Labels One. The owls are Spellbinders Nested Owls dies. The crinkle ribbon is from Karen of Little Scrap Pieces. The banner is a Spellbinders Ribbon Banner Die, lightly inked with Fired Brick Distress Ink. "Happy Owl-idays" is from K Andrew Designs Owly Hoo stamp set.

I have blog candy!!

All you have to do to win is this 6x6 My Mind's Eye Sunshine paper stack (I'd love some sunshine since there are a couple of inches of snow on the ground right now ;) is:

1. Be a follower
2. Leave a comment with a way to contact you

That's it!! I will announce the winner on Wednesday, December 26th.

Now you can head over to Melissa's blog next. Here is the wonderful line up we have for you this weekend!!

Heather Lynn - http://heathernovinger.blogspot.com/
Teresa - http://www.createenjoyshare.blogspot.com/
Jenn - http://scraphappensembellishit.blogspot.com/
Jessica Esch - http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/
Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/ < YOU ARE HERE
Melissa Kelsey - http://kelseymel.blogspot.com/
An'Jenic Gibson - http://anjenicgibson.blogspot.com/
Cindy - http://www.cindys-greencricut.blogspot.com/
Julie - http://jk-littlebitofbling.blogspot.com/
Joe - http://scrapbookjoeblog.blogspot.com/
Christina Capps - http://cema1cema.blogspot.com/
Janet R - http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/
Paula - http://scrapyourworld1.blogspot.com/
Tara - http://www.craftindesertdivas.blogspot.com/
Heather D. - http://joemamainks.blogspot.com/
Norma - http://lilhoneybeestudios.blogspot.com/
Pinque Peacock - http://pinquepeacock.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for joining us!! We really appreciate each and everyone of you!!

Merry Christmas Tag

Happy Sunday!! I hope you are having a great weekend!! I'm still out of town, but have this set to auto-post. I should be home tonight so I will be stopping by to visit in the next couple of days :) I wanted to enter the challenge this week at Simon Says Stamp & Show. The theme is "Inspired by Tim's 12 Tags"...and you can use any of his past tags for inspiration. I chose his Day 6 tag from 2010. Here is my take:

I chose to recreate this tag because not only do I love it, but I actually have most of the materials to make it :) The tag was cut from Tim's Tag & Bookplate die on Canvas Corp heavyweight cardstock. The porcelain crackle stamp from TH's Joyful Song was stamped on the Tall Pines Texture Fade embossing folder in Vintage Photo Distress Ink, and then the tag was embossed. The tag was then sponged with Broken China and Weathered Wood Distress Ink. The edges were distressed with TH's Tonic Edge Distresser and inked with Walnut Distress Ink. The tree tops were inked with Forest Moss Distress Ink, and the trunks with Vintage Photo. The dots stamp from TH's Psychedelic Grunge stamp set was inked with TH's Antique Bronze Distress stain and applied randomly to the background.

The deer was cut from TH's Reindeer Flight die in Grungeboard, and then embossed with a Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder. It was inked with Snow Cap Paint Dabber and once it was dry, sanded with TH's Sanding Grip. It was then sponged with Weathered Wood. The antlers were cut from TH's Branch Tree die and inked with Vintage Photo. The wreath is a pipe cleaner with a bell on the end from Joann's $1 bin. The wander charm at the top is from TH's Philosophy Tag.

TH's Tissue Tape was applied to the bottom. The Merry Christmas Tag is from TH's Odds and Ends stamp set, stamped on a TH Journaling Ticket. It was stamped in Fired Brick Distress Ink and then embossed with Recollections Blaze embossing powder. This powder is so awesome...it's red and gold mixed together for a beautiful embossed look!!

Here is Tim's tag I used for inspiration:

I am entering the tag in the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Stamp & Show - Inspired by Tim's 12 Tags
   
2. DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
3. Sunday Funday #4 - Anything Goes
4. DJ's Sundries - Tag Challenge

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Products Used:

Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday - Holiday

Happy Friday!! What are your plans for the weekend?? I will be celebrating Christmas early with my sister and her family, so I will be out of town until Sunday evening. I will visit all of your blogs when I get back :)  It's time for another Fun Friday Challenge at Little Scrap Pieces!! The theme this week  is a fun one...any "Holiday" card project or layout.

For my Holiday card, I started with paper from My Mind's Eye All is Bright Paper stack. The edges were distressed with a Zutter Distress-it-All for a shabby chic look.

The angel is from Tim Holtz Joyful Song stamp set...I just love this stamp :) It was stamped with Versafine ink in Onyx and then embossed with Ranger Super Fine Embossing Powder in Black.

The ornament is a Spellbinders Heirloom Ornaments 2011 die. "A Joyful Christmas" is from the same Joyful Song set, stamped with Fired Brick and then embossed with Fired Brick Distress Ink. The ornament was popped up with foam tape for dimension. The swirl gems and individual gems are from Recollections. The ribbon is from May Arts, the button from my stash.

I am linking this up with the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Stamp - What's Your Favorite (Spellbinders, Tim Holtz and MME)
2. DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
3. Sunday Funday #4 - Anything Goes

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Little Scrap Pieces to see the amazing projects my talented design team sisters have created for today's challenge. Then link up your Holiday project...I can't wait to see what you create :)

Products Used:

Decorate to Celebrate #40 - Christmas Party

Happy 12/12/12!! I hope you are having a great week :) It's time for another fun challenge at Decorate to Celebrate!! For Challenge #40, we are asking you to create any project to be used as a party decoration (or party supply) for a Christmas Party. Let's celebrate everything wonderful about mistletoe, holly and the Nativity with your table decorations, party banners, pennants, yard signs, cupcakes, party favors and more :)

For my Christmas Party, I created gift card holders.

The gift card holder is a Tim Holtz Pocket Envelope Punch.  The papers are from My Mind's Eye.

A strip of burlap was attached to the front, and then a Spellbinders Nested Pennant Die was stamped with "Christmas Wishes" from JustRite's Deck The Halls stamp set. It was inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. The believe charm is from Tim Holtz Idea-ology Philosophy Tags and the hemp fiber is from Michaels.

For the second gift card holder, a Spellbinders Nested Pennant Die was inked with Fired Brick Distress Ink. No Peeking is from K Andrew Designs Winter Wishes stamp set. The 25 is from Tim Holtz Idea-ology Numerals and the crinkle ribbon is from Karen of Little Scrap Pieces.

Now it's your turn...head on over to Decorate to Celebrate to see the amazing projects my design team sisters have created for today's challenge. Then link up your Christmas Party project...I can't wait to see what you create :)

Products Used:

In Everything Give Thanks

For my Christmas Spellbinders Giveaway, Click HERE

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a great weekend!! I got quite a bit of my Christmas shopping done, but I still have some to go. Don't you just love wrapping presents listening to Christmas music with all the festive lights on :)

Most of you know that my style is pretty much the opposite of CAS. I love layers and bling. But the current challenge at Crafty Friends is CAS. My sweet and incredibly talented friend Beate of Fresh and Fun guided me to a new challenge blog where I could find inspiration for CAS cards, CAS(E) this Sketch. So I used the current sketch as a guide for my card.

The layers of the card were cut with Spellbinders Matting Basics A and B. The base layer was embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. The next layer was inked with Sprout Memento Ink. The flower images are from Tim Holtz Nature's Elements stamp set. They were stamped with Fired Brick Distress Ink and then embossed with Fired Brick Embossing Powder. It was then inked with Sprout Memento ink and popped up with foam tape for dimension. The lace ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. The sentiment is from K Andrew Designs Scripture Sayings stamp set.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. Crafty Friends Challenge #12 - CAS
2. CAS(E) this Sketch #8 (see sketch below)
   
3. DL.ART Thankful Thursday Challenge - Red and Green
4. Sunday Funday #4 - Anything Goes
5. Creative Inspirations Paint Inspired By: CAS

I have to give a shout-out to my Alma Mater...2012 Soccer National Champs!! Have a great day :)

Products Used:

Little Scrap Pieces Design Team!!

For my Christmas Spellbinders Giveaway, Click HERE

Hi everyone and happy Friday!! I hope you have fun plans for the weekend. I need to tackle my Christmas list, so lots of shopping and wrapping for me in the near future :)

I am so excited to announce that Karen of Little Scrap Pieces has asked me to be on her Design Team for her Fun Friday Challenges!! Karen is one of my oldest and dearest blogging friends, so I am overjoyed to take part in her first-ever Design Team!! And joining me are six of my best blogging buddies: Carri from AKA Abusybee, Diana from DL.ART, Georgiana from Carson's Creations, Jayne from Jayne Designs, Shelly from My Paper Love and Sherrie from Sherrie Scraps with Passion. I am so honored and happy to be among such fabulously talented crafters and great friends :)

This week's challenge is: "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"...which I love since I  need to finish my Christmas cards, too :)

The base of the card is Canvas Corp heavyweight paper, cut with a Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Rectangle and inked with Broken China Distress ink. The next layer is paper from My Mind's Eye All is Bright paper stack, cut with a Spellbinders Grand Rectangle and inked with Broken China. The top banner is a Spellbinders  Ribbon Banner die, inked with Broken China. "Christmas Wishes" is from JustRite's Deck The Halls stamp set.

The center design is a Spellbinders Parisian Motif die, cut in Inkssentials foil tape. The circle is a Spellbinders Standard Circle Small, inked with Broken China Distress Ink. The tree is from Spellbinders Fanciful Holiday, also cut in foil tape and adorned with gems from my stash. The snowflakes are from K Andrew Designs Winter Wishes stamp set. The gorgeous crinkle ribbon is from Karen of Little Scrap Pieces.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes 
2. Sunday Funday #4 - Linky Party

Head on over to Little Scrap Pieces to see the amazing projects my talented design team sisters have created for today's challenge...then link up your "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" projects!! I can't wait to see what you create :)

Decorate to Celebrate #39 - Holiday Party!!

Happy Wednesday!! I hope you are having a great week!! It's time for another fun challenge at Decorate to Celebrate!! For Challenge #39, we are asking you to create any project to be used as a party decoration (or party supply) for a HOLIDAY PARTY!! Let's celebrate everything wonderful about this season's festivities with your table decorations, party banners, pennants, yard signs, cupcakes, party favors and more :)

For my Holiday Party decorations, I created hanging ornaments. Back in July, I made an ice cream cone treat that I saw in the August 2012 issue of Scrapbooks, Etc. (click HERE for the post). I thought the ice cream toppers would make an awesome ornament :) The ornament was constructed with the second smallest Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles Large dies. Twenty circles were cut with My Mind's Eye paper, scored on a triangle, and then adhered together to form the 3D circle. The hanging snowflake is metal paper punched with a Martha Stewart punch.

The center is a Spellbinders Standard Circles small die, adhered to a Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles Large die. The edges were inked with Fired Brick Distress Ink. "Let it snow" is from K Andrew Designs Winter Wishes stamp set, stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink. The snowflakes are also from Winter Wishes, stamped in Fired Brick.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
2. Sunday Funday #3 - Linky Party

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Decorate to Celebrate to see the amazing projects my design team sisters have created for this challenge. Then link up your Holiday Party decorations. I can't wait to see what you create :)

Red Carpet Studio Guest Designer

Happy Sunday!! I hope all my American friends had a very happy Thanksgiving!! I've been so busy this week, I've neglected my blog. I haven't had a chance to do much crafting, posting or visiting. It's going to be busy up until Christmas, but I hope to be able to sneak in my craft room for a few projects :)

I'm so excited and honored to be the guest Designer this month at Red Carpet Studio!! I love this week's challenge...it is inspired by film noir and old black and white films. So the challenge is to create a black and white card.

The sponsor is Eureka Stamps and they will provide the winner with their choice of 5 digital stamps!!

For my film noir-inspired card, I used paper is from 7 Gypsies Paddington paper stock. The ticket strip is a Tim Holtz die, stamped with a TH City Central ticket stamp. The edges were inked with Black Soot Distress Ink. The middle squares were cut with Spellbinders Card Creators Matting Basics A & B. Admit One was also cut with Matting Basics A & B, and the sentiment is from the TH Steampunk stamp set.

The filmstrip is a Spellbinders Snapshot die. The male images are from the TH Steampunk stamp set. The female images are from Hampton Arts Royal Affair stamp set. After the images were affixed to the strip, it was covered in Rock Candy Crackle Paint. Once the paint dried and cracked, it was sponged with Black Soot to give it an aged, worn film look.

The sentiment label was cut from Spellbinders Card Creator Matting Basics A&B. The sentiment is a TH Stuff to Say stamp. The edges were inked with Black Soot.

I am entering the card in the following challenges:

1. Little Scrap Pieces Fun Friday Challenge - Use Black
   
2. DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
3. Sunday Funday #3 - Linky Party

Head on over to Red Carpet Studio to see the amazing projects the design team has created for today's challenge!! Then link up your film noir-themed card!! I can't wait to see what you create :)

Paper Playtime Challenge #89 - Anything Goes!!

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a great weekend!! It was beautiful November weather here - sunny with temps in the 60's...perfect for a Fall cookout :)

It's the third Monday of the month, so that means it's time for a Paper Playtime Say it With Sentiments challenge. Our sponsor this week is The Robin's Nest. One lucky participant will receive a $15.00 gift certificate to the store.

I made a tag for my project. The tag was cut from a Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers Tag and Bookplates die. The paper is from Fancy Pants Country Boutique paper stack. The edges were inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The flowers are Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms dies. The gem swirl is from Recollections and the crinkle ribbon is from my sweet friend Karen of Little Scrap Pieces. "Thinking of You" is from Inspired By Stamping's Big Notes stamp set. The three light blue Dew Drops on the bottom are from our sponsor this week, The Robin's Nest.

The butterfly is a Spellbinders Wonderful Wings die. It was covered with a light coat of Glossy Accents and then sprinkled with glitter before the crystals were added.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
2. Sunday Funday #3 - Linky Party

Now it's your turn...head on over to Paper Playtime to see the amazing projects my design team sisters have created for today's challenge. Then link up your Anything Goes project. I can't wait to see what you create :)

Products Used

Deck the Halls

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a fabulous weekend!! It was in the 70's here...perfect fall weather!! It's supposed to drop into the 20's this week so it was a nice respite from the cold. I have a card to enter into a few challenges today...my first Christmas card of the season :)

I'm not sure what you call this type of card...I learned how to make it years ago. The ornament in the center is suspended in the opening and it spins to reveal both sides of the cut.

The solid paper is from my stash, the tree patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye Be Merry paper stack. The circle was cut out with a Spellbinders Standard Circles Small die. The frame is a Spellbinders Picot Edge Circles, adorned with gems from Recollections. Random gems were also added to the tops of trees.

The ornament was cut twice in cardboard and then twice in white cardstock with a Spellbinders Heirloom Ornaments Die, after being stamped with a JustRite Deck the Halls stamp. The stamp was colored with Distress Markers in Barn Door, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Peeled Paint and Tumbled Glass, and adorned with gems. A piece of monofilament fishing wire was placed between the two sides and then they were attached together. A piece of Ranger Memory Foil Tape was wrapped around the edges of the ornament. "Deck the Halls" and "Merry Christmas" are from the same JustRite stamp set, and stamped in Barn Door Distress ink. The edges were inked with Spun Sugar Distress Ink.

The wire was then attached to the inside of the card, allowing the ornament to spin. The ribbon is from May Arts and the bells are from my stash.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. JustRite Friday Challenge #85 - Happy Holidays
2. DL.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge - Anything Goes
   
3. Sunday Funday #3 - Linky Party
4. Docerela Creations Challenge #25 - Christmas

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Products Used

Some Thanks and a GIVEAWAY!!

Happy Friday bloggie friends!! I hope you have fun plans for the weekend!! How about a giveaway?? But first, I have a tag to share with you and some people to thank :)

I want to sincerely thank Tara and April of Crafty Desert Divas...I won their huge summer giveaway of a whole ton of awesome goodies!! They are so generous...there was so much in the package, I was in awe!! I can't wait to play with it all!! I used some of the gems and the pin frog they sent on today's project. Thank you again, Tara and April...I appreciate it so much :)

Isn't this the most gorgeous mermaid ever?? I went to my mailbox today and found her inside, thanks to my very dear and sweet friend Pam of Craftycards4u2!! What an unexpected, happy surprise!! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE her!! Thank you so much, Pam!! You are so thoughtful and kind, and I am so thankful for your friendship :)

For the tag, I used Weathered Wood and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink for the background. The waves were stenciled on with Broken China and the edges were inked with Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans. The mermaid was stamped with Black Soot and then embossed with holographic embossing powder.

I tried to get a picture of the incredible multi-color shimmer of the holographic powder, but it just wouldn't show up. She really sparkles in person. I used watercolor pencils to color her. "For with God, nothing is impossible" is from K Andrew Designs Scripture Sayings stamp set. Click HERE to purchase this set or to see her entire fabulous line of stamps.

1,000 Follower Giveaway!!

I never dreamed when I started my blog that I would have one follower, let alone almost 1,000!! It blows my mind!! I am so honored that you all choose to follow me :) To show my appreciation, I am giving away a few of my favorite things:

1 set of Spellbinders Labels 18 Dies
1 Cricut Rock Princess Cart
1 Quick Kutz Geometric Circles Embossing Folder
1 6x6 My Mind's Eye All Spice Paper Pad

I am only 12 away from 1,000, so if I hit that magic number, I'll throw in:

Hot Off the Press Mix Your Messages Stamp Set

All you have to do to be eligible to win is:

1. Be a blog follower
2. Leave a comment on this post

That's it!! For extra chances to win, you can:

1. Post about this on your blog, FB or put the above picture of the giveaway on your sidebar
2. Like my Facebook page (the Like button is on my left sidebar under followers)

So that's three chances total!! Please leave a separate comment if you choose to do either of the two extra chances (or if you already Like my FB page). The giveaway will be open until midnight, August 31st. I will select a winner on Saturday, September 1st.

Thank you again for following me!! Have a great weekend :)