Snow Day Fun!

Happy Monday, Chicas!

How was your weekend?!  Mine was really nice . . . quiet, but nice.  Got a little crafting done, and actually did some housework.  That part was not so fun.  LOL

STAMPS:  Typewriter Letters (Hero Arts)
INK:  Paris Dusk (Memento)
PAPER:  Raspberry Fizz and Sweet Blush CS (Papertrey Ink), White CS (Neenah)
ACCESSORIES:  Swiss Dot Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), White Eyelet (Making Memories), Classic Ovals Nestabilities, Labels 14 Nestabilities, Create A Flake 2 Shapeabilities, (Spellbinders), Cricut Black Vinyl, Cricut White Vinyl, Cricut Pink Vinyl, Navy and Fuschia Vinyl (brand unknown), 3D Dimensional Dots (EK Success), Baker’s Twine (Divine Twine), Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Glue Dots, Paint Can (JoAnn’s)

		Snow Day Fun Kit VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I’m back today to share another Baby, It’s Cold Outside challenge project for the ABC Toys & Crafts DT Challenge.  Have you played yet?!  If not, you need to get your craft on PRONTO!!  You only have until this Saturday, January 22nd to play along, so you best get on it!!

So, I thought a Snow Day Fun Kit would be appropriate for the theme.  I picked up this darling paint can at JoAnn’s the other day and thought it would be fun to decorate it with some die cut vinyl.  This stuff is a blast to work with!!  It’s self-adhesive, so I’m guessing that it will adhere to pretty much any surface.  It worked beautifully with this paint can.  So I created a winter scene with a snowman (a Sizzix die I got on sale at JoAnn’s), and some colorful snowflakes (created with the Create A Flake 2 Shapeabilities).

Once I adhered all of the pieces for my winter scene, I created a tag to go along with it.  I created the tag using the Labels 14 Nestabilities and Classic Ovals Nestabilities.  The sentiment is stamped using the new Typewriter Letters clear set from Hero Arts – I love that I can create my own sentiments with that, don’t you?!!  I attached the tag to the paint can by attaching an eyelet and then tying it on with some baker’s twine.

This could be filled with some hot chocolate, some playing cards, maybe some color crayons, and how about some hand lotion and lip balm for those Snow Days, huh?!!  The possibilities for contents are endless!!

That’s it for me today, peeps.  I got some new inks this weekend, so I’m hoping to get some stamping done over the next couple of days.  I hope you’ll play along with the ABC Toys & Crafts DT Challenge.  For all the deets, please click on the blinkie below.  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Three Trees . . . .

Happy Monday Friends!

Hope you had an enjoyable weekend!  I spent Saturday with a friend at a wedding expo – so fun!!



I’m back today with another sample for the ABC Toys & Crafts Baby, It’s Cold Outside challenge.  I stamped one of the tree images from the Hero Arts Cling Set called Trees of the Season three times using grey pigment ink.  I added some sparkle with a Quickie Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds.  The red bird was created by punching the Martha Stewart Bird On A Wire border punch and cutting out one of the birds.  Clever, huh?  The three stamped images are layered onto shimmery gray cardstock, and the border is punched with the Martha Stewart Modern Garland border punch.

STAMPS:  Trees of the Season (Hero Arts), Winter Wonderland (Taylored Expressions)
INK:  Slate Pigment (Fresh Ink – Impress), Fresh Snow (Paperetrey Ink)
PAPER:  Black Licorice CS (Poptone), Shimmery Gray CS (Recollections), White CS (Neenah), Pure Poppy CS (Papertrey Ink)
ACCESSORIES:  Bird On A Wire border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Modern Garland border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), 3D Dimensional Dots (EK Success), Quickie Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (Stampin’ Up!), White Grosgrain Ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Three Trees VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Have you created a project or two for the Baby, It’s Cold Outside Challenge yet?  If not, you really need to get your craft on!!  What are you waiting for? – you only have until January 22nd!!  Click on the blinkie below for all the details.



Lastly, all mounted rubber stamps are on sale at ABC Toys & Crafts for an additional 15% off – that’s on top of the 10% discount that already exists!  Check it out by clicking on the blinkie below.



Thanks for stopping by today.  I actually did some crafting this weekend, so I have a few new projects to share with you later this week.  Have a great day!

Happy Halloween!

Hello Crafty Friends!!

Please forgive my recent absence.  I’ve had some family issues that needed my immediate attention.  Sadly my father in law is not well, so if you’re the praying sort, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d put in a good word with the Big Guy for him.  Thank you in advance for that.



This week, the amazing ladies of the ABC Toys & Crafts are sharing some super fun Halloween goodies with you all, and I’m the lucky stiff that gets to start off all the fun!!  Today’s card features a spooky haunted house image that I cut out using my beloved Pink Slice and the Spellbound Design Card.  Oh My Spookiness!!  Isn’t it just the creepiest?!!  I adore my Pink Slice, but can I tell you that the Slice is NOTHING without the design cards.  The design cards are BOMB.COM when it comes to card making.  I have two design cards with Halloween designs on them – Spellbound and Spook Alley.  Both have images that can be used in so many fun ways – the possibilities are really endless.  It occurred to me late last night as I was throwing this card together that I could cut two of these creepy haunted houses out and attach them to a simple box to hold all kinds of spooky treats.  Party favors, banners, home decor – really, my mind just swims with ideas for these two cards.  Once you own your Pink Slice, the sooner you can add design cards to your collection, the happier you’ll be and the more fun you’ll have playing along with me!!  LOL

So I cut the haunted house out of black card stock.  It’s a 4” image.  Next, I trimmed the orange piece of card stock and stamped the background using all of the words and images from the Hero Arts clear stamp set called Happy Halloween.  I didn’t even peel the clear stamps off of the acetate backing – I just inked them up and stamped them on the orange cardstock.  How easy is that?!!  (I learned that little trick from my sweet stamping friend  - *waving HI, Kim!*)  The purple fence is a border punch from Martha Stewart Crafts called Spooky Fence.  I adore it!  The bats are another Martha Stewart Crafts punch.

STAMPS:  Happy Halloween (Hero Arts)
INK:  Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)
PAPER:  Grape Jelly and Black Licorice CS (Poptone), Orange Zest and Harvest Gold CS (Papertrey Ink), Black CS (American Crafts)
ACCESSORIES:  Pink Slice (Making Memories), Slice Hands Free Kit (Making Memories), Spellbound Design Card (Making Memories), Bat Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), 3D Dots (EK Success), Spooky Fence Border Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Polka Dot Button (Kuttin Kards), Purple, Orange and Yellow Baker’s Twine (Divine Twine), Glue Dots, Scalloped Edge Punch (Stampin’ Up!), Janome Sew Mini

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Check out that orange polka dot button – do you not just LOVE it?!!  I do, too!!  I received the button on this card, as well as the others pictured here from a new crafty friend – Kristy from Kuttin’ Cards.  OMG – this girl just oozes with talent, and her buttons are to die for!!  I won the Halloween buttons, and she’s so sweet, she sent me another set, too.  I plan to use these babies very, very soon, so keep your eyes peeled.  If you must have some for yourself, Kristy has an Etsy store, and I know she’d love to make some for you, too.  Tell her I sent you!!

Okay, I’ve blathered on enough for one day.  Thanks so much for stopping by today – it warms my heart knowing that you all take precious time out of your day to visit.

Wood You Be Mine?

Hi Peeps!

How clever am I?  LOL  I created this punny little valentine this week and thought I’d share it with you all.  I know that Valentine’s Day is a long way off . . . but I create when the mood strikes, so this is what I have for you!  LOL

I stamped the Circle Woodgrain (Hero Arts) on red cardstock in Rich Cocoa ink (Memento).  Then I cut out the image with my Classic Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  Then I cut out the heart using my Classic Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders).  Kind of funky, but fun, huh?  The turquoise panel is stamped with a new Hero Arts Graph background, and edge is punched with the Martha Stewart Scallop Dot Punch.  Both the heart and the image panel are popped up with 3D-Dots for dimension.  The sentiment was created using a clear alphabet and a sentiment from the Heart Prints (Papertrey Ink) clear set.  The wood buttons are attached to the turquoise panel with Cherry Devine Twine - *swoon*!  The highlighted products can be purchased at ABC Toys & Crafts by clicking on the blinkie below.  If you enter the discount code, you’ll get 20% off your entire order.  BONUS!

• NEW Hero Arts Summer CHA releases IN STOCK NOW!
• NEW Crafty Secrets IN STOCK NOW!
• NEW Rachelle Anne Miller and Leere Aldrich IN STOCK NOW!

I’m enjoying a leisurely Saturday in my craft room since it’s pouring down rain here.  Fall is certainly in the air.  Which reminds me – the ABC Toys & Crafts DT is celebrating Fall starting this Monday.  Be sure and stop by the DT Blog to check out the Fall inspiration – you won’t be sorry!

Thanks so much 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

Sew What’s New? – ABC Toys & Crafts Challenge!

Happy Monday, Peeps!


Today, I’m sharing a card that I made for the Paper Piecing Challenge that’s going on right now over at the ABC Toys & Craft Design Blog.  I LOVE to paper piece – it’s so fun to make your every day item into something that just pops when you add designer paper to an open image.  Hero Arts is fabulous at making those types of stamps.

These images came from a new Hero Arts set called “Sew Artsy”.  Such a cute and fun set!!  I’m somewhat obsessed with a few items on this card – first, the stitching.  Loves me some stitching.  Next, the sewing images – so fun and trendy right now.  Lastly, the baker’s twine that I wrapped around each of the focal images.  I’m actually coordinating a baker’s twine share right now, so be forewarned – you WILL be seeing baker’s twine on my projects pretty regularly from now on!  LOL  I’ll also be submitting this for the City Crafter Challenge, Week 14.  It’s a sketch challenge, and can be found HERE.  I think I’m getting it in just under the wire.  Phew!  I'll also be submitting this for the Fun & Cute CARD Style Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World Blog.  All deets can be found HERE.

Supplies Used:
STAMPS:  Sew Artsy (Hero Arts), Victorian Diamond Panel (Rubbernecker Stamps)
INK:  Rich Cocoa (Memento), Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
PAPER:  Thrift Shop and Fly A Kite DP (October Afternoon), Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream and Pure Poppy CS (Papertrey Ink)
ACCESSORIES:  Xyron Sticker Maker, 3D-Dots (EK Success), Scoring Board (Martha Stewart Crafts), Copic Markers (Copic) Baker’s Twine (Farmer’s Market), Zig Zag Stitch Edger Punch (EK Success), Janome Sew Mini, Straight Pins

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The ABC Toys & Crafts DT would be thrilled to pieces if you’d play along with our “Paper Piecing” challenge (get it?  Thrilled to pieces, paper piecing?  LOL  I crack myself up!)  All you have to do is create a project featuring some paper piecing.  Easy sleezy, right?  The winner (picked by Random.org) will receive a $20 credit to the ABC Toys & Crafts store.  Wowza!!  You have until Saturday, July 31st at midnight (CST) to play!  The other DT members have created some fabulous projects to provide you with some inspiration.  You can see their creations HERE.

Lastly, before I go, Julie has some super fun new products in the store lately.  I noticed when I was browsing around the other night that she has several colors of Liquid Applique in stock (think about those Christmas projects coming up!), and some of the brand new Halloween Martha Stewart punches.  All new products can be found HERE.  Also:

15% Off All Martha Stewart Punches (limited time)– no code needed!
FREE SHIPPING on all clear stamps!
20% OFF any order over $50 with discount code 201050!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I’ll be back tomorrow with another crafty share.  Have a great day!

A Kiss For the Sun!

Hey Peeps!

Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration – we had a great time, in spite of the ridiculous rain storm.  I’m beginning to think that we’re never going to get summer here in Washington.  So annoying!
 

Enough complaining from me – let’s get right down to business.  This week, the ABC Toys & Crafts DT are all sharing samples featuring Hero Arts stamps.  My card showcases a new clear set called Kiss for the Sun.  The images in this set are really sweet, and super fun to paper piece like I did here.  I stamped the clothing images onto some new Echo Park DP called A Walk in the Park.  The picket fence was created using the Picket Fence Border Punch by Martha Stewart.  The layout was inspired by a sketch in the Paper Crafts Magazine “Go To Sketches” issue (pg. 46).  This card qualifies for the CAS-Tastic Wednesday Challenge this week, which is to create something using Kraft; and the Wee Memories Challenge #13, which is a "free for all" challenge.  Fun, huh?!

HERO ARTS SALE, ONE WEEK ONLY!
USE Code 15HERO510
Receive 15% off your Hero Arts Purchase.
Go To ABC Toys & Crafts and Start Shopping!
Offer Expires July 10th, 2010

STAMPS:  Kiss for the Sun (Hero Arts)
INK:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  Kraft CS (Papertrey Ink), White CS (Neenah), A Walk In the Park DP (Echo Park)
ACCESSORIES:  Picket Fence Border Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Copic Markers, 3D Mini Clothespins, Rustic Button Twine (PTI), Lemon Tart and Orange Fizz Buttons (PTI), Zig Zag Edger Punch (EK Success), Embossed Scallop Edger Punch (EK Success), Xyron Sticker Maker

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I also wanted to let you know that Julie, the owner of ABC Toys & Crafts, has recently started a Clearance section in the store, where many items are marked down as much as 40% off.  You can find some really great bargains HERE.  Check that section often, as she’ll be adding new things on a regular basis to make room for new products.

That’s it for me today, friends.  Thanks so much for stopping by – your kind words mean so much to me.  Know that I really appreciate you.  I hope to have more crafty goodness to share with you very soon!

Card Candy and Doilies!

Hi Peeps!

Happy Tuesday to you!!  I’m back today to share some super fun ABC Toys & Crafts goodness with you.  I should start by saying that I did not invent this idea – I saw it on someone’s blog the other day.  Unfortunately, I read so many blogs, I can’t remember where I saw it!  If you know who the originator of this idea is, please let me know as I’d really like to give her the credit that she deserves.

So, I’m sure you’ve seen the Martha Stewart Tags/Doilies that many of you creative peeps have been using, right?  Well, apparently those babies are pretty hard to find . . . probably because they’re so stinkin’ cute!  Well, you can make your own doilies using any decorative corner punch that you might have in your stash.  The more decorative ones work best, of course.  I just happen to have one gazillion punches, and half a gazillion of them are corner punches.  Perfect!!  The one I chose to work with today is the Eyelet Lace Punch Around the Page combo set.  It’s so pretty and delicate.  I want these instructions to be clear and concise, so I’ll list them below.

1. I cut out a circle using my Classic Circle Nestabilities.  I used the largest circle in the set.
2. Then I spread the wings of the corner punch, and slid the edge of the circle into the punch about 1/4” and punched.
3. I repeated Step 2, until I had punched completely around the circle.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!!  ABC Toys & Crafts has all the Martha Stewart Punches on sale for 20% off between now and June 12th – just use MARTHA612 as the discount code when checking out.

STAMPS:  None!
INK:  None!
PAPER:  White CS (Neenah), Blu Raspberry CS (Poptone), Melon Berry CS (PTI)
ACCESSORIES:  Eyelet Lace Punch Around the Page Combo Set (Martha Stewart), Classic Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Small Pearls (Hero Arts), White Satin Ribbon (Stampin’ Up!), 3D Dots (EK Success), Janome Sew Mini, Hawaiian Shores Saddle Stitch Ribbon (PTI), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)

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See that beautiful flower in the center of the doily?!!  I received that in the mail today from my stampin’ buddy, Justine.  I ooohed and ahhhhed over these beauties when I saw them on her blog a few months ago – she made them!!  Low and behold, they arrived in my mailbox today – all the way from Sienna, Italy!!  I knew immediately that they would look gorgeous as the center of my doily.  Don’t you agree?  Look at all the other card candies she sent – can’t wait to use them again!  Thanks, Justine!!

That’s it for me today, folks.  I’ve been doing a bit of stamping today, and hope to do some more tomorrow.  So I’ll probably be back to share with you very, very soon!  Thanks so much for stopping by today – it means the world to me that you do.  Hugs!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail!!

Happy Tuesday!

Just popping in really quickly between BINGO games and losing on the slot machines to bring you my ABC Toys & Crafts sample.  I kind of cheated a bit this week in that my card features a stamp set that Julie doesn't carry.  HOWEVER, I hope I make up for that by the simple fact that I used TWO, count them, TWO Martha Stewart border punches that are super versatile and sweet for Easter cards.  I made this card for the Impression Obsession Easter card challenge for last week.  My random number wasn't chosen, but I'm still very happy with how this turned out.  I wanted to give the illusion that Peter Cottontail was hopping out of Mr. Green's vegetable garden!  LOL  Actually, I think Peter Cottontail hops down the bunny trail . . . I'm thinking I might have gotten him mixed up with someone else.  But hey, he's cute right?!  LOL

I stamped the bunny image on Kraft card stock using Versamark, then heat embossed with White embossing powder.  I cut Peter out and popped him up on 3-D Pop Dots to really give him the image that he's in mid-air.  I punched the fence out using the Martha Stewart Picket Fence Border Punch and then used one of the coordinating pattern papers and punched another border out using the Martha Stewart Grass Border Punch.  How freakin' easy is it to create grass with this border punch - SUPER EASY!!  This punch would be great for creating any kind of springy scene - maybe with little chickies, or duckies, or bunnies.  Right?!  It punched beautifully.  I wanted a lavendar panel behind Peter so that there would be more contrast - so I cut out a Labels 9 Nestabilities panel with my Cuttlebug.  I stitched the lavendar pattern paper onto a coordinating lavendar card stock panel, and then popped it up on 3-D Pop Dots and adhered it to a Kraft card base.  Added some Plum Pudding satin ribbon for a sweet touch.

STAMPS:  Easter Seals (Impression Obsession), Victorian Diamond Background (Rubbernecker)
INK:  Versamark (Tsukineko), Lavender Moon (PTI), Plum Pudding (PTI)
PAPER:  Kraft CS (PTI), Grapesicle CS (Poptone), Gossamer DP (Memory Box)
ACCESSORIES:   Janome Sew Mini, 3-D Pop Dots (EK Success), Grass Border Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Picket Fence Border Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Labels 9 Nestabilities (Spellbinders) Plum Pudding Satin Ribbon (PTI), Self-Adhesive Snowball (from stash), White Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts)

Just a reminder that we're still having the Design Team Discount Code Competition.  Click on the box below, and that'll take you to the ABC Toys & Crafts store - enter KL20 as the discount code upon check out, and you'll receive 20% off of your entire order.  Use this code as often as you like between now and March 31st.  New Nesties are in stock now, new Slice accessories, as well as the brand spankin' new Sarah Kay and Helz Cuppleditch clear stamps - SUPER CUTE!

Gotta get back to the BINGO hall!  I'll be back at creating on Thursday, so should have something new to share with you on Friday.  Thanks so much for stopping by!