Happy Birthday Week!

Happy Monday!

I had such a great weekend – hope you did, too!  We didn’t really do anything special, it was just a really nice and productive weekend.  I love it when that happens, don’t you?!!



So let’s get down to business.  This week, the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team is sharing Birthday projects with you all.  Birthday cards are something I never have enough of . . . sadly, sending them is something I have a hard time with, too.  Yeah . . . I pretty much suck at sending birthday cards.  But I love making them!  Weird, huh?!  LOL

I started out with a 5” square card base in Sage Shadow.  The image panel is a 4 3/4” square of Hot Fudge card stock.  Then I stitched two different pattern papers from the Basic Grey “Nook & Pantry” 6 x 6 pad.  Look at that yummy doily border – isn’t it delish?!!  That was trimmed out of a sheet of borders from the same 6 x 6 pad.  Small Self-Adhesive Pearls were added.  I stamped the Hero Arts Circle Doily Cling onto the green piece of pattern paper and added Medium Self-Adhesive Pearls.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts clear stamp set called Big Hugs.  I used Rich Cocoa ink for all the stamping.  The ribbon is Early Espresso from SU.

STAMPS:  Circle Doily Cling (Hero Arts), Big Hugs (Hero Arts)
INK:  Rich Cocoa (Memento)
PAPER:  Nook & Pantry DP (Basic Grey), Hot Fudge CS (Poptone), Sage Shadow CS (SU)
ACCESSORIES:  Early Espresso Satin Ribbon (SU), 3D-Dots (EK Success), Medium Self-Adhesive Pearls (Hero Arts), Small Self-Adhesive Pearls (Hero Arts), Janome Sew Mini

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ABC TOYS & CRAFTS NEWS BITS:

• All SLICE products are on sale for 15% Off through August 31st.
• NEW Crafty Secrets, Rachelle Anne Miller, and Leere Aldrich stamps IN STOCK NOW – WITH FREE SHIPPING ON ALL CLEAR STAMPS!!

That’s it for me today, folks.  I’m off to babysit my grandson.  Hope you have a fabulous rest of the day – I really appreciate you stopping by.

Back to School – ABC Toys DT Challenge!

Hi Chicas!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  We had some very dear friends over for dinner on Saturday – a final celebration before they move back to New Orleans.  It was a bittersweet celebration, as I’ll be losing my best friend.  No, really – my very best friend in the entire world.  I’ll miss her desperately, but we’ve promised to talk often, and see each other as often as is possible (but there will have to be a HUGE incentive for me to ever visit New Orleans again – suffice it to say, we had a very bad experience there once, many moons ago. ;-)).  Dinner was great, the company amazing, and the goodbyes difficult.  I’ll still have a few weeks before I really have to say goodbye, but I know that day will come way too soon.  Ugh!  Can’t think about that now.


On to brighter subjects (thank you for indulging me, by the way).  The ABC Toys & Crafts DT is hosting a challenge over at the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Blog.  The theme this month is “Back to School.”  I love this time of year.  Both of my girls are done with the school thing.  In fact, my youngest will be student teaching middle school English this year, and will hopefully become a teacher very soon.  She’s got an amazing gift that I know she’ll share willingly with the students that she comes in contact with – we’re very proud of the beautiful young woman that she’s become.  But I digress . . . BACK TO SCHOOL!!  Love the smell of brand new Crayola  crayons, freshly sharpened pencils, and the feel of crisp new Pee Chees.  Remember those days?
 

Here’s my project for the challenge.  First, I made a card using a Hero Arts Clear Stamp Set that I hadn’t inked up before today called “Just A Note.”  I knew it would be perfect for the Back to School Theme, with the cute notebook paper and ruler images.  The apple die cut was created using my Pink Slice and the Fall Back to School Design Card (ALL SLICE PRODUCTS ARE ON SALE FOR 15% OFF UNTIL 8/31/10).
Check out that cute library pocket – perfect for attaching a Starbucks gift card, or even an office supply gift card.  What teacher doesn’t need coffee or office supplies?!!  LOL

I also created an altered clothespin that I thought would be cute for a teacher’s desk to hold notes or reminders.  The apple die cut is the same as on the card – just cut out in green paper instead of red.  I just happened to pick up the little note pad at my LSS, so I thought I’d throw that into the mix, too.

STAMPS:  Just A Note Clear Stamps (Hero Arts), Fresh Alphabet (Papertrey Ink), School Time (Papertrey Ink)
INK:  Rich Cocoa and Summer Sky Ink (Memento)
PAPER:  Vintage Cream CS (Papertrey Ink), Report Card DP (October Afternoon), 2008 and 2009 Bitty Dots DP (Papertrey Ink)
ACCESSORIES:   Fall Back to School Design Card (Making Memories), Pink Slice (Making Memories), Slice Hands Free Kit Pink (Making Memories), 3D-Dots (EK Success), Library Card (Maya Road), Stitched Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Baker’s Twine (Devine Twine), Glue Dots, Notebook Edge Punch (EK Success), Clothespin, Elmer’s Spray Adhesive

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We’d love to have you play along with us!  Create a Back to School project and upload a direct link to Mr. Linky on the ABC Toys & Crafts DT Blog HERE by Saturday, August 28th at midnight (CST).  The winner (chosen by Random.org) will receive:



Thanks so much for stopping by!  I look forward to seeing your Back to School creations!!

Celebrate!

 

Hey Kids!

 

Just popping in real quick to post a card that I made for this week’s Impression Obsession challenge, which is to create a card using very few embellishments.  If you know me at all, you know that’s a struggle for me.  But I did the best that I could – only used my new fave-a-lave baker’s twine (swoon!).  For the image, I used a new summer stamp called Celebration Word Candles.  I adore the clean lines of this image.  As you can see, I stamped it in Versamark, and then heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  Can I tell you how amazing this image stamped in the Versamark?  So smooth, and a perfect impression on the first try.  I LOVE that!!

 

That’s it for me today.  We’ve got a big weekend ahead.  We’re having our dear friends over for a big crab feed tomorrow, so I need to get my crafting done before that!  Thanks so much for stopping by – have a great weekend!

Thanks for Everything!

Hi Peeps!


Happy Thursday!  I intended to be back sooner than today, but life just got in the way.  I’ve been crafting, but most of it I can’t share with you just yet.  I do have a card that I made last night for the CARDS Magazine/CREATE Blog Challenge, which is to create a project using the handmade paper flowers that are all the rage right now.  They require a lot of fussing, which is something I try not to spend time doing these days.  But I think they turned out pretty cute, so it was worth all the fussing.  Not sure how I'd ever mail this thing . . . LOL!

STAMPS:  Mehndi Medallions (W Plus 9 Design)
INK:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  Kraft CS (Papertrey Ink), Clothesline DSP (Little Yellow Bicycle)
ACCESSORIES:  Flatback Pearls (Melissa Francis), Pink Baker’s Twine (Devine Twine), Cotton Lace (JoAnn’s), Janome Sew Mini, Corner Rounder (EK Success), Flower Die (Sizzix), Glue Dots, Sticky Strip

I have a fun little secret to share with you all . . . I submitted four cards to CARDS Magazine for the January, 2011 issue, and THREE cards were picked up!!  Shut the Front Door!!  LOL  Just had to tell you all - don't tell anyone though, okay?!  LOL

That’s all for me today!  I hope you enjoy your day – thanks for stopping by!

Look Ma! No Stamps! LOL

Hi Kidlets!

Sorry for the gap in posting this past week.  I’ve been soooo busy.  Just got back tonight from a couple of days at the lake with my high school girlies, and had the most wonderful time ever.  Unfortunately, I got a bit too much sun . . . so I’m suffering from a lovely sunburn right now.  Ugh!  One of these days I’ll learn when enough is enough.  But it was sooo worth it – I had such a great time with my girls.  *Sigh*

Needless to say, I didn’t get a card made for this weeks ABC Toys & Crafts promotion before I left.  This is what I came up with after I lathered up with Aloe Vera.  LOL  This week the ABC Toys & Crafts DT is focusing on the Martha Stewart Punches.  I’ve seen some super fun cards with the Martha Stewart Border Punch called Birds On A Wire.  I realized when I punched it out in black card stock that the birds looked kinda creepy, like Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.”  Do you see it, too?!!  Creepy!!  So I decided to pair it with some new DP that showed up on my doorstep right before I left for my girls’ weekend.  It’s the new Happy Halloween line from Echo Park – OMG – such fun patterns and colors!!

STAMPS:  None (wow!)
INK:  None (OMG!)
PAPER:  Happy Halloween DP (Echo Park), Black Licorice and Gum Drop Green CS (Poptone), Orange Zest CS (Papertrey Ink)
ACCESSORIES:  Birds On A Wire Border Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Orange Zest Grosgrain Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), 3D-Dots (EK Success)

I haven’t made a card without any stamps at all in a long, long time.  This was kinda fun, but I definitely prefer to get my fingers a little inky.

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Before I sign off, I wanted to let you know that ABC Toys has a sale on all the Martha Stewart Punches this week, including some of the brand new Halloween punches – 20% OFF!!  They are super cute and fun!  If you click on the blinkie below, it’ll take you to the Martha Stewart Punches category.  Just enter the indicated discount code, and away you go!  This discount code is good through August 21, 2010.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I’ll definitely be back soon with more crafty goodness to share with you.  In the meantime, I’m off to tend to my sunburn . . . ouch!  LOL

What’s Perking?

Hola Peeps!

It’s ABC Toys & Crafts Monday!  Yes, you read that right – Monday!!  LOL  I’ve been asked to be the interim DT Coordinator while our fearless leader, Justine, takes a little leave of absence.  Poor girl – she moved to the states after being in Italy for 100 years, and it’s taking her a bit to get settled.  But we love her, we’ll miss her, and we’ll wait for her to come back to us.  In the meantime, the poor DT is stuck with me to boss them around.  LOL  Lucky for them, it’s short term.  Right, Justine?!  LOL  If you have a chance, drop by her blog and leave her some love – I know she’d appreciate it.

I get to start off the week with a super fun card.  The DT is showcasing projects using the Spellbinders products that
ABC Toys & Crafts carries.  I think you all know that I ADORE my Nestabilities.  Nothing in my crafting stash even compares to my love and adoration of my Nesties.  They complete me.  Is that sad?  LOL  I don’t care – I love them.  ‘Nuff said.  I busted out my Big Scallop Square Nestabilities for this project – OMG, I love those bigger scallops, don’t you?!  And how stinkin’ cute is that percolator image?  My grandma had a percolator – I’d wake up to the smell of coffee and toast whenever we’d go stay with her . . . I can smell it now.  Mmmmmm . . . the BEST!

STAMPS:  What’s Perking (Hero Arts)
INK:  Rich Cocoa (Memento)
PAPER:  Kraft CS (Papertrey Ink), Splendid DP (Lily Bee Design), Pin Dot CS (Bazzill)
ACCESSORIES:  Big Scallop Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Seam Binding (Snug Hug), Embossed Scallop Edger Punch (EK Success), Janome Sew Mini, Cuttlebug, 3D-Dots (EK Success), Scrapper’s Floss (Karen Foster), Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Glue Dots, Xyron Sticker Maker 

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Lucky for you, ABC Toys has all Spellbinders products on sale for 20% off!!  Woohoo!!  Now’s your chance to stock up – you won’t be disappointed.  Click on the picture below, and that’ll take you right to the Spellbinders section of the store.


That’s it for me today, ladies!  Sadly, we’re on our way to a funeral for the day, but we’ll be back tonight.  And then I get to babysit my grandson tomorrow for a bit.  Loves me some chubby cheeks!!  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Home Sweet Nest

Happy Saturday, Friends!

I'm dropping by real quick to share a card that I made for the Impression Obsession challenge.  The theme this week is "Home Sweet Home."  I used a clear stamp set called Home Sweet Nest (CL271).  It has the sweetest images, so I knew that it would be the perfect set for the theme.  There are still a few more hours for you to play, if you're interested.  You can find all the details of the challenge HERE.

I've got a few more cards to create before the end of the day, so I'd better get moving.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

U R Far Out!

Hey Kids!

How’s everyone doing on this fine Tuesday?  Well, I hope!!  I’m spending the day with my grandson, so I’m as happy a pig in slop!  LOL



I have a couple of fun cards to share with you today – it’s ABC Toys & Crafts Tuesday!!  Woot!! Woot!!  I used a My Cute Stamps set called Spaceships & Robots.  I hadn’t inked this stamp set up until today, and I had so much fun playing with it that I made TWO cards!  LOL  I actually made this first card at a super fun crop that I attended when I was in AZ – fun times with sweet friends.  The best, right?  I stamped the robot and space ship images in Versamark, and heat embossed them.  I love the effect that heat embossing has on these fun images, don’t you?



The second card was also made to share with you, but it also fulfills a couple of challenges that I came across.  I was inspired by a sketch challenge that I found at Cards & Things Challenges, and by a fun little challenge that my stamping friend, Paula (mrslaird on SCS), posed for a Virtual Home Town Tour that a  bunch of us former VSN Hostesses are doing.  Paula’s home town is Houston, TX, so of course I had to do a card for NASA - “Houston, we have a problem . . . .”  LOL  I’m not sure what I’ll do with these two fun cards, but I’m pretty happy with how they turned out.

SUPPLIES USED:  Spaceships & Robots (My Cute Stamps)
INK:  Versamark (Tsukineko), Enchanted Evening (Papertrey Ink)
PAPER:  White CS (Neenah), Orange CS, Bella Blvd. DP, My Mind’s Eye DP
ACCESSORIES:  Cricket, White, and Denim Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), 3D-Dots (EK Success), Corner Rounder (EK Success), Buttons, Scrapper’s Floss (Karen Foster), Glue Dots, Self-Adhesive Rhinestones (Hero Arts), Scalloped Circle Chain Edger Punch (EK Success)

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So, guess what?!!  All of the My Cute Stamps are on sale this week (now through August 7th) at ABC Toys & Crafts.  Sa-WEET!!



Be sure and check out what all the other ABC Toys & Crafts DT have created for you all each day this week.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I have a few more cards to share with you tomorrow, so I hope you’ll drop by again!