Thursday, May 31, 2012

Stunning Colors !


Hi ya!

Just a very quick post to share the new color story for this
week's challenge over at . . . . .


This past week, Paul had the week off and we spent it all
celebrating his 44th birthday, so I had very little time for
creativity.  No project from me this week, but you have
GOT TO SEE
what my teammates created using these colors.
There are cards . . .
There is a layout . . .
There is a VERY COOL rolled-rose headband ! ! !

So head on over to The Cafe and check it out.
We would love to have you play along this week !


Monday, May 28, 2012

A Little Something for Dad


Happy Monday & Happy Memorial Day !

Today is Blog Hop Monday over at


If you came by way of our May Guest Designer
then you are in the perfect spot.
We have enjoyed having Anita as our guest designer
this past month and thank her for all the inspiration
she has shared.

If you just happened to stop by, you definitely want
to make you way back to the beginning at the
because there is always a fabby prize to be won !

I thought it would be a great week to inspire you for June with a
Father's Day card.  With today being Memorial Day, I am reminded
of my dad who was in the Navy as a young man.  I remember back when
I was in middle school, we had a dress-up day and I chose to use
my dad's Navy uniform and thought it was so cool.
His uniform is packed away with many keepsakes I have of his.
He has been gone for twelve years and I miss him each day.



You know I am a HUGE fan of EAD Designs 'Stickerz' line and today I 
used the 'Dad Sentiments' set to make this card.
I embellished the tie with tiny gems to kinda make it POP !
The paper is from Echo Park and adds a lot of dimension after I die cut
the circles using dies from Spellbinders.


Here is the set I used . . .



and there is plenty of time for you to get your order placed
at EAD Designs and you'll have time to
make cards for that special dad in your life.

Remember . . .


The next stop on the hop is the very creative
Lauren of Lauren's Creative

Make sure you leave a quick note before you move
 on because that prize could be YOURS !

Enjoy your day !


Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: This & That Boy by Echo Park
Embellishments: Dad Sentiments Stickerz by EAD Designs
gems from Recollections
Tools: Standard Circles die from Spellbinders

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Have Your Cake and ... Well, Ya Know


A VERY quick post for you as I am writing this with
not much time to spare!
I thought I would end up with more time in the evening,
but Paul and I took our two oldest grandsons to their
school's Culture Fair tonight and we ended up spending
lots of extra time together after the festivities ended.

It's time for another challenge from


These colors remind me of
summertime . . . 
picnics . . . 
county fairs . . .

Baby Blue . . . Denim . . . Cherry


These fun stamps are from this week's sponsor Mr. Cricut Crazy
called 'Birthday, Birthday'
A yummy, giant cupcake paper-pieced using paper from
GCD Studios called 'Planes & Trains'.
I twisted baker's twine in matching colors to the challenge,
Maraschino, Denim & Shore,
all from The Twinery,
to create the topper of the cupcake wrapper.
How about that cherry on the top !!!


Make sure you check out all the fabulous work our designers
created using stamps from this week's sponsor...


I'll see you in The Play Date Cafe!


Stamps: Birthday, Birthday by Mr. Cricut Crazy
Embellishments: baker's twine in Marschino, Denim & Shore
giant pearl from Bo-Bunny
Tools:  Swiss Dot EF by Cuttlebug, Big Shot
 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Live, Laugh, Love


Hello and Happy Tuesday !

Today is a new day and a new blog hop.


The designers of The Twinery are joining with the
uber-talented ladies of 


for an inspiring blog hop.

Hopefully you came by way of my teammate
Dorangela's Blog

If not, I'd love to invite you back to the beginning at
to get started there.

The Twinery is giving away our beautiful baker's twine!
{ more on that below }


I absolutely love this set of stamps from Skipping Stones Design.
It's called 'Dandelion Dreams'
Have you ever noticed just how beautiful weeds can be when you
let them grow and flower ?  We live just on the edge of the city
and there's a field just across the road.  I am amazed at
the beauty each summer as the weeds grow and create wonderful color.

For this card, I placed all the colorful stems in a metal wheelbarrow
I've had in my stash for quite some time.  It is part of a garden-themed
set I picked up at a dollar store and had yet to use.
I outlined the wheelbarrow with Cappuccino baker's twine
and created a wheel using our Charcoal twine, both from
The Twinery.


Of course, no garden is complete without a few butterflies and the tiny
dandelion parachutes from the seed head that fly everywhere.

I am so glad you stopped by today and hope you will continue on
with the blog hop.  The Twinery is giving away


A Colorful Bunch Sampler Pack

Just make sure you stop by each blog on the hop
and leave a little love in the comments before you go.
There is so much wonderful inspiration along the way and I
know you'll enjoy all the creativity!

The next stop on the hop is the most talented
Amy Crockett's Blog

Have a great day & enjoy the hop !

 
 
Project Recipe:
Stamps: Dandelion Dreams by Skipping Stones Design
Ink: Lido,Blackberry, Slate, Latte & Fern
all from A Muse Studio
Embellishments: baker's twine in Cappuccino & Charcoal
metal wheelbarrow by Mangelsen's

Monday, May 21, 2012

The Craft's Meow New Release Blog Hop


FOR THE EAD DESIGNS
MONDAY BLOG HOP
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN



The day is here !!

It's New Release Blog Hop Day at


If you have arrived at my blog from our talented
Guest Designer  
then you are in the right place!

If not, start back at the beginning at the
 and get started there because
when you do, you could win big!   
All SIX stamp sets !!!
More on that in a sec.


Today I am featuring one of the new releases from TCM that is
quickly becoming one of my favorites called 'Flower Garden'.
I stamped the leaves in basic greens, then 'shadowed' them
in coordinating shades.
I then stamped the tulips directly on the panel, then topped
them with bright yellow tulips for a pop of color.
The sentiment is from the 'Inspired by Audrey' set from
the April release.


I know you will see all the sets on the TCM Website, so I am going
to show you a very special one here...


 This terrific set is 'Typically Teen' designed by my friend
Karen Baker for TCM and for a limited time is only available
as a gift with a purchase of $50 or more.

I used this set in my post from yesterday as well...
you can check it out here

So here is how you can win....

Visit each designer's blog on the hop, leave a comment
{there's only 16 total}
and you have until 9:00pm PDT, Wednesday May 23rd to do so.

They are all on sale today!!!
Don't wait!

Look forward to your comment and I will keep my fingers
crossed that YOU are a winner!

The next stop on the hop IS the talented


Karen Baker's blog


 Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Stamps:  Flower Garden, Inspired by Audrey
both from The Craft's Meow
Inks: Burano, Papaya, Titian & Grass by A Muse Studio
Embellishments:  gems from K&Company

 

It's a Jungle Out There !



I am so happy to be back with the EAD Design Team after taking
a few weeks off during my recent dental surgery.
I've missed Mondays with the girls!


If you've reached my blog by way of our May Guest Designer
then you are in the right spot to continue the hop.

If not, then pop back just a few blogs to the
and get started there.
There's always a terrific prize when you visit & comment
each blog on the hop and there is SO much inspiration.


How fun is this set of Stickerz from EAD Designs ? ! !
It's called 'Elephant Friends' and I just love it !
The background paper is from Echo Park and I thought the patterns
worked well with the colors of the Stickerz.
Because they are transparent, I placed them on white cardstock first,
then cut out the images before adhering to the card.
The border and 'corner sunshine' punches are by Martha Stewart.

I placed an actual rhinestone heart on top of the heart in the sentiment.


Here is the set as it comes . . .


You can order from the EAD store HERE
and remember  . . .


 I hope you enjoyed your visit !
Don't forget to leave a quick note before you leave.

Your next stop on the hop is my creative friend

Have a great day !


Project Recipe:
Patterned Paper: This & That Boy by Echo Park
Embellishments: Elephant Friends Stickerz by EAD Designs
heart gem from K&Company
Tools: Sunburst border & deep edge punch by Martha Stewart


Sunday, May 20, 2012

Feelin' Groovy!


Welcome back to The Open Window !

It's Day #4 and the final day of New Release Previews for


Tomorrow will be the BIG TEAM blog hop and 
all SIX of the fabulous new stamp sets
previewed this past several days will be available for sale.

Today, we reveal our final two sets designed by 
my very talented friend Karen Baker.


This one is called 'Retro Foundations'
and it's uber-groovy !


I admit it . . . I LOVE disco and couldn't wait to get my design claws
on this disco ball !  I made it sparkle with Stardust Stickles.
The borders included in this set are absolutely fab and how about 
that sentiment ? !  I love using tiny rhinestones to 'hang' things . . .
birdcages, chandeliers and now this great disco ball.
The set comes with a chain as well.



This next stamp set is the May gift with $50 purchase called
'Typically Teen'



I know this set is going to get a LOT of use in my projects.
The abstract designs are perfect for all sorts of backgrounds
and shadow accents.

I love the Decorative Dress Forms dies from Spellbinders
and thought it would be fun to design a dress using
the 'spatters' in this set.  I used a variety of ink from A Muse Studio.
Keeping with a retro-feel, I created rings using 
Spellbinders Standard Circles dies.


Don't forget . . . this set can be yours when you order $50 or more
from The Craft's Meow and it all becomes available on Monday !

Make sure you pop by
and check out the creative work
from all of the designers.
TCM is giving away a new release set
each day, so make sure you leave a comment
on the blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today.
Tomorrow is the New Release Blog Hop,
so make plans to stop back.


Happy Birthday Project Recipe:
Stamps: Retro Foundations by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Ocean & Slate by A Muse Studio 
Embellishments: mini rhinestones & brads by Recollections
Stickles in Stardust by Ranger

Design a Dress Project Recipe:
Stamps: Typically Teen & Retro Foundations by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Latte, Ocean, Grass, Lichen & Slate by A Muse Studio 
Embellishments: pearls from Recollections
Tools: Standard Circles & Decorative Dress Forms dies
by Spellbinders, Big Shot

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Oh 'Sew' Happy !


It's the weekend and I, for one, am very excited.

The first reason is because Paul is off today and it's always
so great having him at home.  Even if he is in one room
watching a sporting event and I am in the 'nook',
it's nice to know we can have a chat on the spur of the moment.

The next reason I am excited for today is because it's
Day Three of the New Release Previews over at


Today's set was designed by the one and only
Nina Brackett and as always, it's a beauty.
Of course, I can only show you a snippet
of the set, but my card will give you an idea of
what you can expect with these adorable stamps.


It's called 'Sew Happy'


Whenever I have an opportunity to use a set of stamps
or papers with a sewing theme, it is a sweet reminder of
my grandma Alice.  She taught herself how to sew on a machine when I
was very small and I am very proud to say that I have her last sewing
machine and use it on my cards from time to time.
No sewing today . . . but it's a sweet memory.

For this card, I laid down my 'wallpaper' panel using 
Lost & Found Two from My Mind's Eye.
I stamped the dress form and the 'shadow' of the
sewing machine in Slate ink from A Muse Studio.
I then stamped the machine again in Latte ink {also from A/S}
and placed it on top of the shadow with foam tape.
I love the color of the ink as it really gives a vintage look.

The sentiment reminds me of the cross-stitch samplers
from a by-gone era, don't you think ?

From there, I added mini-roses from Prima,
mini-brads from Recollections
and baker's twine from The Twinery.


Make sure you pop by
and check out the beautiful creations
from all of the designers.
TCM is giving away a new release set
each day, so make sure you leave a comment
on the blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope
you will plan to come by tomorrow and Monday
so you don't miss a thing!


Project Recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper: Lost & Found Two by My Mind's Eye
Stamps: Sew Happy by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Slate & Latte by A Muse Studio 
Embellishments: baker's twine in Charcoal, Lemondrop & Flax 
all from The Twinery
flowers by Prima & Recollections
brads & pearls by Recollections

Friday, May 18, 2012

Grads & Dads ~ TCM New Release Preview Day Two


Welcome back!

We are celebrating Day Two of New Release Previews at


It's Graduation Season and Father's Day is just around
the corner and today, we have two
fabulous sets that fit both occasions.

The first was designed by Kaitlyn Ord
called 'Grads & Dads'


I called upon my CAS senses to create this card and I kinda like it.
I stamped the fab graduate's cap in Blueberry ink from A Muse Studio
and made the tassel from Stone baker's twine from The Twinery.

I am happy to enter this in to the Simon Says Stamp CAS Challenge.


Our second stamp set preview today was created by
the talented Michelle Bertuzzi
called 'For My Dad'


Can you tell I am loving this gray and blue color story ? !
I think this is pretty self-explanatory from a design standpoint.


Make sure you pop by
and check out the fabulous-ness
from all of the designers.
TCM is giving away a new release set
each day, so make sure you leave a comment
on the blog for a chance to win!

I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope
you will plan to come by each day this week
so you don't miss a thing!


Grad Project Recipe:
Stamps: Grads & Dads by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Blueberry by A Muse Studio 
Embellishments: baker's twine in Stone from The Twinery

Time to Wish Project Recipe:
Stamps: For My Dad by The Craft's Meow
Ink: Blueberry & Slate by A Muse Studio 
Embellishments: brads from Recollections