OCC - Inspiration Challenge

Thanks for stopping by! Today’s card is for this week’s challenge over at Our Creative Corner. I will be hosting the challenges for the month of November and I started with an Inspiration Challenge. We warmly invite you to play along, feel free to use your favorite stamps and supplies.
While I was searching for some fun challenges for November, I saw this adorable photo. This week, I challenged the OCC to find inspiration from this picture.

For my sample, I started with this NEW digi image from Stamps and Smiles called Fall Fun. I uploaded the image into word and sized it down just a bit. After printing the image, I used my Copic's to color it in. After the image was colored, I took a light grey (W-1), and traced the outside lines. What a difference, it really made the image pop!!


The background paper was some fun paper I got on clearance at Michaels called Recollection - Autumn. For fun, I added some piercing on each of the layers and then glued each layer on. Ribbon was added to make the white border pop and then I added some linen thread. Does anyone know where I can find this linen thread cheap? I am running low and still need it for my Fall/Winter cards.


Please stop by the OCC to see the other samples by the amazing OCC designers. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs & Smiles,

Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge - SASSC38

Hello and thanks for stopping by! Today’s card is for this week’s sketch challenge "SASSC38" over at Stamps and Smiles. Participate in our weekly challenge for a chance to be our next Guest Designer and a chance to win fun goodie bag. We warmly invite you to play along, feel free to use your favorite stamps and supplies.

On my sample, I used a NEW stamp set by Stamps and Smiles called Fall Harvest. This set is also available in NEW digi format. The paper I got on clearance at Michaels called Recollections - Autumn. I added some stitching and stamped the scarecrow in Memento ink and colored him in using my Copics. To finish off my card, I added the raffia and punched out leaves. The sentiment was stamped on the inside of the card. I will be popping this card in the mail to my Dad for Halloween.

Please stop by the Stamps and Smiles blog to see more samples from the Design Team. There is no time limit on our challenge, so please play along whenever you are able! However to be eligible for the Stamps and Smiles goodie bag, please have your card uploaded by Wednesday, 6 pm CST.

Don't forget to stop by my Christmas blog, most of the cards I will be making in the next few weeks will be given away at my Christmas Card Giveaway. Grab some hot chocolate and check it out.

See you on Halloween morning with a fun sample and giveaway!

Our Creative Corner - The Polar Express

Hello & thanks for stopping by! I don't know about you, but it’s been another crazy week here so I welcome the weekend and a little extra time to sleep in. I have been working on the next stamp release plus creating future sketches for our weekly sketch challenge over at Stamps and Smiles. I would like to thank you all for your sweet comments this past week and stopping by my Christmas blog.

My cards for today are for this week’s challenge over at Our Creative Corner. Our October host, Lori Rider, has challenged us to create a card/or project from our favorite holiday movie or book. We warmly invite you to participate, feel free to use your favorite stamps and supplies.

My first card is based on one of my favorite movies "The Polar Express". I made the house out of two pieces of chocolate chip cardstock. One piece for the house and the other piece for the roof. The scallop punch was used to create the scalloped trim on the house. I embossed the house using the diamonds in the rough embossing folder from Cut At Home. To accent the train, I cut some white cardstock and added some curves to it. I used one of my favorite stamp sets from Stamps and Smiles called Tis the Season to be Jolly. To finish off the card, I added some snowflakes and glitter.

My second card was for another fun movie called "The Haunted Mansion". Just a quick Halloween card. Most of it was created using Halloween Sizzix dies and Martha Stewart punches.

Before I go, I would like to tell all of my subscribers that the Stamps and Smiles store has digi images. 4 sets from this past stamp release are available.

Have a fun weekend and don't forget to stop by the OCC to see the other samples by the amazing and creative Design Team. Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs & Smiles,

Shaker Card

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Since we were lucky enough to have some warm sunny weather, Saturday we took the family on a haunted hayride then on Sunday we went to the Trail of History. The trail to the festival is a mile long so we got a lot of exercise in! We decided not to bring the wagon and I must say Jake & Hannah did a wonderful job keeping up. The food was SO good, we enjoyed homemade root beer, a smoked turkey drumstick, sweet popcorn and just the feel of being back in the olden days.

Today’s samples are for this week’s project over at Stamps and Smiles. This week, we are making shaker cards. Some of you know that I have made these in the past and I was really excited to make a couple of these shaker cards using my NEW stamps from Stamps and Smiles.

My first sample is using a stamp set called Fall Harvest. I created 3 layers using my Sizzix topnote die - in soft suede, white and acetate. An oval Nestabilities was used to cut out a window on the soft suede piece. I then used a pencil to trace the inside of the oval onto the white piece - this is where I created my scene. The scarecrow and the leaves were stamped and colored in using my Copics.

All the layers of the topnote die were added together and little pumpkins were punched and added for the shaker part of it. As you can see I then decorated the outside of my shaker card by adding a fence, pumpkins and the Indian corn.
Here is another shaker card using the NEW Tis the Season to be Jolly stamp set. I used some more of this darling paper by SU. ~ I LOVE it! Same idea behind putting my card together but I decorated the outside a little differently. This time I embossed the last layer and added snowflakes and glitter. At the last minute, I added the swirls and large snowflake. I filled this shaker card up with GLITTER - of course.

Please stop by the Stamps and Smiles – Project Tuesday page, to see the awesome designs by the Design Team. We warmly invite you to play along, please use your favorite stamps and supplies.

Oh and if your in the Christmas mood, please stop by my Christmas Blog. Grab some hot chocolate and don't forget to sign up for my Christmas card giveaway. You will have until December 4th - please stop by for a chance to win.

Have a fun week & thanks again for stopping by!

Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge - SASSC35 &

Hello & thanks for stopping by!! I am excited to announce that this coming Monday, October 5th - Friday, October 9th will start the sneak peeks for the next stamp release for Stamps and Smiles. We have a full week of samples, challenges and giveaways!!

Today’s card is for this week’s sketch challenge "SASSC35" over at Stamps and Smiles. We warmly invite you to play along, please use your favorite stamps and supplies.

On my sample, I started with a layer of Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Halloween paper by My Mind's Eye. The inner layer was was stamped with a Halloween sentiment using my stamp-a-ma-jig. Carl the Cupcake was stamped in Memento ink and colored in using my Copics. After placing the circles on the bottom of my card, I added some fun pumpkins along with "BOO" using punches from Martha Stewart.

Please stop by the Stamps and Smiles blog for more fun samples using this sketch. There is no time limit on our challenge, so please play along whenever you are able! However to be eligible for the Stamps and Smiles goodie bag each week, please have your card uploaded the night before at 6 pm central time.

See you Saturday with a special sneak peek from Stamps and Smiles along with a fun giveaway. Enjoy your day!

NEW Stamp Release and Project Tuesday - S'mores in a Jar

Hello blogging friends and thanks for stopping by!! I am SO excited to announce my next stamp release details. Samples will begin next Monday, October 5th – Friday – October 9th. We will have a blog hop that will kick off Friday night at 8 pm central. During release week, there will be some fun challenges along with games and giveaways - I hope you won’t miss it!!

My sample for today is a fun one!! Our September host Lisa Cook, over at Project Tuesday, has challenged us to create a S’mores in a Jar. We warmly invite you to play along, please use your favorite stamps and supplies.

After following the directions to fill my jar, it was time to decorate the outside of it. I created both the top label and tag on the computer. I then used my Martha Stewart Halloween fence punch and glued it around the bottom of my jar. A giant pumpkin was added using my pumpkin Nestabilities from Cut at Home. Cuppy was colored in using my Copics and cut out. I then replaced little Cuppy with a pumpkin and decorated it. Below you will find the directions for the s'mores in a jar.


Here are the directions: Reduce 1 sleeve of graham crackers to crumbs and layer the bottom of the 1 qt. jar. Place marshmallow peeps on top of the graham cracker crumbs. Carefully spoon 1/3 c. brown sugar into center of the peeps - pressing down to keep it snug. Layer the rest of the open space with 1 ½ c. of M&M’s. To finish, decorate the lid and add your tag with baking directions (see below).

Baking Directions: Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the peeps into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the peep bits to the mixture and mix well. Melt ½ c. butter, add 1 t. vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. *Option: Leave the peeps whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the peeps on top; then bake as directed.

For more fun samples using this project idea, please stop by the Stamps and Smiles – Project Tuesday page, The Design Team have some really cute samples to help inspired you!!
See you Thursday with a fun giveaway along with our weekly sketch challenge! Enjoy your week!

Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge - SASSC33

Hello & thanks for stopping by! Today’s card is for this week’s sketch challenge "SASSC33" over at Stamps and Smiles. We warmly invite you to play along, use your favorite stamps and supplies!

I have been crazy busy with my next stamp release but I did sneak in a little stamping!! For my sample today, I used more of this adorable paper by My Mind’s Eye along with the NEW pumpkin Nestabilities. Carl the Cupcake & Cuppy were stamped in Memento ink and colored in using my Copics.

Please stop by the Stamps and Smiles blog for more fun samples using this sketch. There is no time limit on our challenge, so please play along whenever you are able! However to be eligible for the Stamps and Smiles goodie bag each week, please have your card uploaded the night before at 6 pm central time.

Enjoy your week!

Stamps and Smiles Project & Sketch Challenge SASSC32

Hello and thanks for stopping by!! I have two samples to share with you today. My first is for this week's Sketch Challenge "SASSC32" over at Stamps and Smiles. Every Thursday a NEW sketch challenge along with samples are posted. We warmly invite you to play along - feel free to use your favorite stamps and supplies.

For my sketch, I created a tote bag. As I make my Halloween cards, I can add them to my bag and use the cards as I need them! The two front panels are pockets with pull-out tags. I embossed them using the web embossing folder by Cuttlebug.

The bottom of the tote bag was created using some of the NEW Martha Stewart Halloween punches. To finish my design, I added Cuppy along with her treat bag. Cuppy was stamped in Memento ink and colored in using my Copics. Chunky glitter was added to the whip.

For more fun samples using this sketch layout, please stop by the Stamps and Smiles blog, The Fresh Batch have some really fun samples to help inspired you!!

There is no time limit on our challenge, so please play along whenever you are able! However to be eligible for the Stamps and Smiles goodie bag each week, please have your card uploaded the night before at 6 pm central time.



My second sample is for this week's project Challenge over at Stamps and Smiles. Every Tuesday a NEW project challenge is posted along with fun samples. We hope you will stop by and play along, feel free to use your favorite stamps and supplies!! This week week we made a flower pot box.

For my design, I printed off the template onto white cardstock. I then layered the template onto my designer paper and traced it again. After the box was glued together, I added a small bag of candy corn. The paper is by My Mind's Eye from Cut At Home.

Thanks so much for stopping by, here is the recipe: Recipe ~ Stamps: Hello Spring - Stamps and Smiles Ink: Memento Paper: White, Pumpkin Pie, Retired paper – SU Accessories: Cuttlebug - Web, Martha Stewart Halloween Punches.

Enjoy your week!

OCC Challenge & Giveaway

Hello and thanks for stopping!! We have a BIG announcement over at Our Creative Corner. We have 6 NEW talented designers joining us each Saturday. They will be hosting some fresh ideas and challenges!! You will see a fun variety, from sketches to color combinations to project ideas - whatever the host designer can dream up! Don’t forget to subscribe to receive new challenges by email - that way you won't miss a thing!!

We also have some fun goodies to giveaway. Play along with us this week and you will be entered to win!! When you get a chance, stop by the OCC to check out the NEW designers and a chance to win!!

Our September host this month is Dana Grothaus. Dana thought it would be fitting to have a challenge using Stars & Stripes. Your card/project can be patriotic if you like, but it's not necessary. Just include both stars and stripes in your design.

For my project I started with a ton of scalloped circles that I created using my circle Nestabilities. I probable cut about 50 circles and glued them all together around a rolled piece of cardstock for the pumpkin stem. I created the pumpkin hat and decorated it with the stars. The legs were added using stripped Halloween designer paper from Stampin' Up!

To add some character to the pumpkin face, I used circle punches for the eyes and an oval Nesabilities for the mouth. **My lighting is a little off, so I will update the picture a little later today.

Remember there is never a time limit on our challenges - feel free to participate whenever you are able. To play along, upload your creation to your blog or gallery, then include a link to Mr. Linky form at the bottom of this post so we can check it out. If you upload to SCS, remember to use keyword: OCCC

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sketch Challenge SC243 - Boo

Hello and thanks for stopping by! Just a quick post, I had a little extra time to play along in this week's sketch challenge "SC243" over at Splitcoast. While waiting for the sketch challenge tonight, I was chatting in the SCS forum with a fun group of girls, one of which the sketch was inspired by. I totally adore Kathleen’s work and had to play along. Please stop by to see Kathleen’s fun sample and play along.

My card was created using some retired paper from Stampin' Up! Since I still had this fun Halloween paper from Stampin’ Up! on my stamping table, I grabbed it and quickly put a card together. I used nothing but cardstock, designer paper and the Cuttlebug embossing folders - Oh and I can’t forget the NEW Martha Stewart “Boo” punch.

How would you like to win this card? Leave me comment and tell me what your favorite Halloween movie is?!?! The winner will be announced Next Wednesday, September 2nd.

Enjoy your day & thanks for stopping by! See you tomorrow with our weekly Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge.

Hugs!!

Our Creative Corner - Inspiration

Hello and thanks for stopping by! Today’s card is for this week’s challenge over at Our Creative Corner. This week our August host, Loretta Lock, has created an inspiration challenge. “In rural communities, it’s almost time for harvest”. We warmly invite you to play along, please use your favorite stamps and supplies.

For my design, I was inspired by two of my favorite card designers:

~Sandy Hulsart – Creative Moments with Sandy
Sandy’s work is beyond anything I have ever seen as a stamper. She is an amazing stamper in every area of a designer. I had the pleasure of meeting her last year at the Copic Certification class at CHA. Sandy is someone I look up too and admire!! Please stop by her blog to see why she is such an amazing inspiration to me an SO many!!

~Michelle Zindorf - Freedom in Creating
Michelle’s cards are just BEAUTIFUL!! I always learn something NEW from her work and designs. Please stop by her blog, she includes a tutorial on each of her outstanding cards!

**I want to thank both ladies, you are such an inspiration to me ~ Thanks for sharing your talent with all of us each week!!

As you can see from my design, I used the stamp set from Stampin' Up! called Thoughts & Prayers. The colors consist of Chocolate chip, Kraft, Pumpkin Pie and whisper white. The image was inked FIRST with VersaMark and then inked up with pumpkin pie and chocolate chip. The image was dusted with clear embossing powder and heated. I punched out the top not die twice, once using chocolate chip and once again using pumpkin pie. The pumpkin CS was cut and embossed using the floral stamp from the same set. All of the layers were then sponged for a warm glow and to make everything pop! To finish my design, I added some ribbon from Stampin' Up! and a punched out pumpkin using the Martha Stewart pumpkin punch. Ink was added to the pumpkin and a bow using some linen thread.

We would LOVE it if you played along with us over at Our Creative Corner. There is no time limit on our challenge, so please play along whenever you are able!! If you upload to Splitcoast, please include OCCC in the keywords.

Before I go, I would again like to thank my family & friends for their LOVE & SUPPORT it really means a lot! I would also like to thank those that follow my blog everyday, YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION!!

Have a wonderful weekend & don't forget to stop by the OCC to see the other fun samples by the Design Team!

Halloween Tag & Giveaway

Happy Halloween!! Thanks for stopping by!! This is going to be a quick post... I created this fun tag using my NEW Label 1 Nestabilities from Cut At Home. To decorate my Halloween tag, I added a ghost & pumpkin from Sizzix. The ghost was embossed using my DVine Swirls embossing folder. For the extra detail on the pumpkin, I whipped out my Martha Stewart branch punch and added a twine bow.

Got a funny story to share on Halloween... if so, you will be entered to win this tag along with some fun ribbon. I will announce a winner on Sunday, November 2nd.

Don't forget... you have one more day to use your October coupon for Cut At Home. They have all of the NEW Nestabilities in stock!!

Have a safe & happy Halloween!

OCC Challenge - Homemade Goodies

Hello & thanks for stopping by Jennifer's Sweet Designs. We have another fun challenge over at Our Creative Corner!! Our October host, Lynda Benden is having the girls create something homemade. Got any neglected supplies?! Why not put them to use and create something fun for yourself or for someone special... Anything goes, we just hope you play along!!

Lindsey from Jacksonbelle Embellishments is our Guest Designer this week and she is offering up some fun goodies for one lucky winner!! Just post your project to the OCC blog before October 31st, noon EST.

For my homemade fun, I created this candy corn box. The boxes are tiered using Yo Yo Yellow, Only Orange and Whisper White cardstock. The boxes can be filled with what ever treats you would like.
To compliment my homemade treats, I also created this fun tag using my Sizzix pumkin and font.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend...

MT189 HAPPY Halloween

Hello & thanks for stopping by... I created this card for this week's Way's to Use It Challenge "WT189" over at Splitcoast. Today's challenge is to find ways to use just "One Word" on your design.

For my design, I used this fun pumpkin template that I found on-line and cut out. I layered a piece of patterned paper by Best Creations. The image was colored using my Copics and cut out. For extra detail, I used my Martha Stewart branch punch and added a bunch of branches around and behind the image. The pumpkin is popped up and placed on a few oval circles.

Here is the recipe for my card ~ Stamps: Serendipity - Mothers & Daughters Creations Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Best Creations - Mothers & Daughters Creations Ink: Memento Accessories: Copics, MS Branch Punch, Twine, Sentiment - Sizzix, Cuttlebug/Swiss Dots - Cut At Home.

Thanks for stopping by!