Friday, August 30, 2013

UWYH #14: Happy Anniversary

Hello, friends!  I'm back today with a card for the Use What You Have Challenge #14 at the Sweet Stamp Shop...and this time I posted it on time!!  (Yay me!)  This time there are sketches and color palettes and ideas if you need some structure, or you can do what I did and just go for it!



I still have way too much patterned paper in my stash...not to mention embellishments (gems, sequins) and Spellbinder die cut shapes.  Here is a bit of what I used for my card:


I really love the silhouette image in this adorable set ("Kiss Me") and I thought it would make a cute anniversary card.  What do you think?

Materials Used:
Stamps: Sweet Stamp Shop "Kiss Me," Hero Arts "All Occasion Messages," "Delicate Flowers"
Inks: Hero Arts Bubblegum midtone ink, black dye ink, Shabby Shutters distress ink
Other: ribbon, patterned papers, pink gem, corner rounder, Martha Stewart "Doily Lace" border punch


By the way, in case you haven't heard, today is a special day for Sweet Stamp Shop owner and designer Nicole Rixon.  Happy Birthday, Nicole!  As a way of celebrating her special day, she is offering a nice coupon for 29% off all regular priced stamps today only (Friday, August 30th).  Check it out HERE!  The coupon code is HBN29. 

Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

UWYH # 13: You're the Best Teacher!

Hello, friends!  I'm happy to stop by today to share a card I made for the current Sweet Stamp Shop Use What You Have Challenge #13.  I mean, who doesn't want to use up some of her stash?  That means you then need to go buy more new stash!


Believe it or not, I have a stash of pre-stamped SSS apples on various patterned papers from an older post (seen HERE).  I also have a stash of heavy white cardstock and embossing folders that I am determined to use more frequently.  See?



As my kids prepare for their return to school next week, I wanted to make some teacher appreciation cards.  Do you have any idea how quickly you can make a clean and simple card when you have a stash of pre-stamped and fussy-cut images?  (Fast...I'm talking Ba-BAM!)

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Sweet Stamp Shop "School's Out," "The Core of It"
Inks: back dye ink, warm grey Copic marker
Other: Cuttlebug "Pinking Stitch" embossing folder, pink ribbon,
My Mind's Eye Lime Twist "Life of the Party" 6x6 paper pad
   
I am really enjoying this challenge, I have to admit it.  In case you want to play along, you have until next Tuesday at 10PM to enter the challenge.  I highly recommend it as there are cool stamps to be won!

Edited to Add:
Would you believe I mis-scheduled my post and missed the entry deadline by a few hours?!  Oh, well, I am still thrilled I used my stash again and I'll be sure to play along next time, too!

However, I am in time to enter this into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the theme this week is ANYTHING GOES! 



As always, I do appreciate your visit!
Judy

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

CASology #59: BOOK

Hello, friends!  We are back this week with our next cue word at CASology!


In my travels through blog land I have discovered that many kids are already back in school.  Here in New Jersey we resume school after Labor Day in early September, so my kids are entering their last full week of vacation.  They have finished their summer reading book assignments and are now organizing their new notebooks and folders and school supplies, gearing up for another school year.  (Quick note: why do girls take ten times longer to pick out notebooks than boys?  They are NOT accessories, they are notebooks!  Or are they...)

I also had some summer reading requirements for work...not quite the fun reading my kids had, and I'm not quite done yet (oops!).  (Hey, I still have a full week off, too...wish me luck!)

So, when I saw the cue this week my mind went straight to school books and our summer reading requirements and the teachers we would all be seeing soon. 

Stamping Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Stamp Shop "School's Out"
Inks: black dye ink
Other: Jolee's Boutique sticker "Teacher," Cuttlebug "Rebecca" embossing folder, black pearls


This cue can be interpreted in so many ways (specific book titles, book a hotel room...I mean, has anyone thought of the old Hawaii Five-O phrase, "Book 'em, Danno!" or is it just my warped sense of humor?).  I can't wait to see what BOOK brings to mind to you! 

Be sure to check out the inspiring cards made by our super talented guest designer and our Design Team along the way.  You have until Sunday at 4:00 p.m. (CDT) to enter. Hope to see you at CASology!


Guest Designer: Lisa

Thanks for stopping by, I do appreciate your visits!
Judy

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Tuesday Trigger: So Sweet of You

Hello, friends!  I am happy to be here sharing a card I made for the Tuesday Trigger at the Moxie Fab World: Now That's My Cup of Tea!  I made it just under the wire..whew!

 
 
I recently bought a Spellbinder's Shapeabilities die set called "Tea Service" that I decided to pair with some floral patterned paper and a Papertrey Ink sentiment.  The floral patterned paper reminded me of this tea cup, and the blue card base and lid tied back to the cup's saucer in the trigger photo. 
 
Materials Used:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink "Signature Greetings"
Inks: Versamark ink, white embossing powder
Other: Spellbinders Shapeabilities "Tea Service," DCWV "Garden Party" matstack

This is such a pretty trigger, there are so many pretty entries this week!  Be sure to check it out HERE.

Thanks for stopping by,
Judy




Tuesday, August 20, 2013

CASology #58: PAPER

Hello, friends!  Well, the picnic is over and this week we move to a new cue word at CASology:


This week we are sponsored by C.C. Designs...be sure to check out the details at the CASology blog!

The cue word "PAPER" is a familiar word for paper crafters, right?  So many ways to interpret this cue!  Card stock, paper-piecing, patterned papers, notebook paper stamps and dies...the list goes on!

I recently won a fun stamp set from Hero Arts (Tape Your Message) that I have had my eye on for some time.  I love that you can make your own washi tape with this set!  I paper-pieced my own paper washi tape and fussy cut...what a great way to use some scraps of patterned paper (and c'mon, now, admit it, you know you have some!)!  I couldn't resist the music background...just a little play on words ("Just a little note"...get it? Ha!  Ahem.)

Materials Used:
Stamps: Hero Arts "Tape Your Message," "Music Background"
Inks: Hero Arts black dye ink, Poppy chalk ink 
Other: Hero Arts "Sunshine" folded card set, patterned paper, Copic marker, sequins


sys_inspiration-challenge

My card design was inspired by a card I saw in the "Stamp Your Story" catalog by Hero Arts...it can be found on page seven of the catalog.  I loved the golden background and the notebook paper on an angle...what a great layout!  Therefore, I am also entering this card in the Hero Arts Stamp Your Story Inspiration Challenge. 





So, what does PAPER mean to you?  Check out the projects by our uber-talented guest designer and Design Team for some inspiration!  Be sure to link up your card by Sunday 4:00 p.m. (CDT).  We hope you play along!


 
 Guest Designer: Jenny

Thanks for visiting!
Judy

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

CASology #57: PICNIC

Hello, friends!  Tuesday has arrived and we had a delicious week last week at CASology with all those DESSERT cards...now we are off to a PICNIC!


I used a sweet little free digi image from Torico's blog Birdie Brown since I don't own a single picnic-related stamp!  Be sure to check out all the free digi images (and the accompanying monthly contest) HERE...they are amazing!

So, this big fella appears to have crashed someone's picnic.

Card Supplies:
Stamps: Birdie Brown digi image (bear)
Inks: Copic markers, brown colored pencils, white gel pen
Other: Cuttlebug "thanks" die, Martha Stewart grass punch,
red gingham and red checkered patterned papers


I hope you will join us for a PICNIC this week!  Be sure to check out the cards of our guest designer and design team for some wonderful inspiration and link up your card by 4:00 (CDT) Sunday! 


Judy Marino --> that's me!

Guest Designer: Kanan
 
 
Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Friday, August 9, 2013

UWYH Challenge #12

Hello, friends!  I am happy to be back from our California vacation and getting into the swing of things here at home...that means making cards again! 

I am happy to be able to play along again with the current Use What You Have Challenge #12 at the Sweet Stamp Shop.  Have you checked this out yet?  If not, you need to go HERE!  What a great way to use up what we have been hoarding storing!


So, here is a picture of my stash...still working through my loads of patterned paper.  This 6x6 pad is My Mind's Eye "Stella Rose - Hattie." I paired these papers with some Martha Stewart punches and had some fun paper-piecing scenes!




Here is a clean and simple card...


 And here is a busier card using the same stamps and a patterned card base...


Supplies Used:
Stamps: Sweet Stamp Shop "Furry Friends Forever," "Sweet Tooth," Hero Arts "Clouds" 
Inks: black dye ink, soft pool shadow ink, Vintage Photo distress ink
Other: Martha Stewart grass and balloon punches, Die-namics Insta Frame die, 
My Mind's Eye "Stella Rose Hattie" 6x6 pad, black enamel accents, ribbon


I appreciate your visit.  Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

CASology #56: DESSERT

Hello, friends!  It's that time again...put away your camping gear and break out your napkin, it's DESSERT time at CASology!


Now THAT is my kind of cue!  I may not be the camping type, but I AM the dessert type!  And to top it all off, we are sponsored this week by the wonderful Eat Cake Graphics, an "online rubber stamp and quilt pattern company where whimsy abounds & laughter always prevails."

I could have gone with cupcakes or cake or popsicles or pie, but in the end I took the healthy option!  (To be perfectly honest, watermelon is not my favorite, but my husband and kids LOVE it!)

This lovely image is a free digital image (found HERE) by the super talented Jackie Rockwell.  (Thanks, Jackie!)

Stamping Supplies:
Stamps: digital image by Jackie Rockwell
Inks: Copic markers
Other: Cuttlebug "Seeing Spots" embossing folder, L'il Inkers stitched rectangles dies


I can't wait to see all the yummy places this cue brings you this week!  Be sure to link up your card by 4:00 CDT on Sunday.  Check out the delicious cards by the design team and our super talented guest designer this week, too!


Judy Marino --> that's me!
Tracey McNeely

Guest DesignerDonna Mikasa


Thanks for visiting!
Judy

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Welcome, Baby Bryna!

Hello, friends!  We are home from our awesome California vacation and I am still trying to adjust to the time change!  A lot of great things have been going on while we were away.  In particular, the wonderful creator and coordinator of CASology, Melissa Chipperfield, gave birth to her fourth child (and first girl) Bryna Kate

The CASology Design Team is throwing Melissa a baby shower of cards HERE.  Unfortunately, when this all occurred I was on vacation with no stamping supplies in sight.  I am sorry to be late to the party, but I am now so happy to share the card I made for sweet baby Bryna as soon as we got home!

Stamping Supplies:
Stamps: Rubber Stampede "Stork with Baby," Hero Arts "Clouds,"
sentiment by Kathy Davis-Inkadinakdo
Inks:black dye ink, Copic markers
Other: Sizzix "Three Dots" embossing folder,
Nestabilities reverse wonky rectangles, corner rounder 


This one's for you, Bryna Kate...welcome to the world!  Congratulations to you, Melissa, to your husband, and to her three big brothers.  May your growing family be blessed in all ways!

(By the way, someone I met on vacation also wanted to say welcome to the world!  She is blowing you a kiss...I hope you catch it!)

If you want to share a card for Melissa's baby shower, be sure to link it up HERE. 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog
I am also entering this in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes!


Thanks for stopping by!
Judy