Friday, January 27, 2012

Hearts a-Plenty!


Hey hey one and all!
Just a little card I have to share with you tonight.


I created this card for a specific project, but it didn't really work out,
but I thought I would share it anyway.

This card was created using lots of little elements, all just placed
strategically on the card, so no real instructions, but all recipe
of 'ingredients' are all listed below.


So glad you stopped by.
I always appreciate your visits and hope you
will stop by again soon!



Project Recipe: 
Designer Papers: 'Enchanted Woodland' by Martha Stewart
Embellishments: 'Sweet Talk' & 'Smitten' gems 
& 'Sweet Talk' Banner die cuts all by K&Company
Tools: Cherish border die (hearts) from Memory Box
Wavy Layered Frame die from Sizzix



Thursday, January 26, 2012

We Are Family.....


It's Thursday and that means one thing....


Before I share my completed project...

It's the end of another term over in The Cafe and 
two of our designers are moving on to new creative adventures.

Andrea & Michele have become members of
The Play Date Cafe family and will be missed on
a weekly basis.  They both brought such different styles
in creativity and each week has been a joy knowing
they would be sharing their designs with our players.

I am so thankful that both of these ladies consider me
a friend and I know that they will not be strangers to The Cafe.
Make sure that you stop by each of their blogs and wish them well.


Our fun and fab Jaclyn Miller chose this week's colors
and listed them as...
Plum...Pear...and Moldy Cheese
I adore her descriptions!

As soon as I saw the Pear color, I immediately knew I wanted to pull
out my favorite Sizzix die and create this extra-large pear to
embellish with the other colors.
I used paper & embellishments from Little Yellow Bicycle 
& Webster's Pages to create the pear.  
Lilac baker's twine from The Twinery matched perfectly.
I embossed the white panel with Sizzix's 'Pear Vine' embossing folder.

I am in love with all things Pears this season.
So much so, that I've started a board over at Pinterest
called 'I Adore Pears' and I designed this card loosely on a card
that I did in the fall of 2011 using the same die.
{you can see that card here}


This week we have another new sponsor with us.


This past December, I was honored to be a guest designer
for Sweet 'n Sassy and we thank you for their sponsorship this week.

The girls at The Cafe have done it again with inspiring projects
using this week's color story.
Next week, we introduce a new design team member and until then...
please stop by and wish Andrea & Michele all the best!


Project Recipe: 
Designer Papers: 'Hello Fall' by Little Yellow Bicycle
'Nature's Storybook' by Webster's Pages
Embellishments: Baker's Twine in Lilac from The Twinery
gemstones in Sapphire from Martha Stewart
sentiment die cut from 'Hello Fall' by Little Yellow Bicycle
Tools: Pear die & 'Pear Vine' EF both from Sizzix
Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Here is ONE Terrific Design Team Call!!



 
The Craft’s Meow
Open Design Team Call

Do you love to stamp?  
Even better, do you love to stamp with TCM images?
Do you enjoy inspiring others?

Then it may be YOU we are looking for!

Here are the specifics:

Design Team Term:  

6 months
March-Sept, 2012

Open Internationally

Requirements

*1 project post for each new release set
(average of 4 new releases per month)
during our previews and New Release Blog Hop
 and at least one other time in the month
prior to the next release
(which can include our sketch challenge)

*Promote The Craft’s Meow on your blog, online galleries
such as Flickr, Splitcoaststampers, Two Peas in a Bucket, etc
and social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter & Google+
It is NOT a requirement to be a part of these sites, but we do
encourage you to be a part of SCS & Two Peas

*An active blog and good photography skills.
All TCM projects will be required to be uploaded
to the TCM Gallery

The Craft’s Meow will provide

* Approx. $60-$80 in stamps and product specific
to The Craft’s Meow for each release during your term
(six releases scheduled)

* Compensation for any PRINT publication projects
which feature stamps & product specific to The Craft’s Meow
(compensation will be in the form of free stamp sets)

*  Product discounts on orders from The Craft’s Meow

*We will feature your work and a link to your blog
each time you participate with a required post or
TCM blog hop event

To apply, please provide the following:

* Your name

*Your blog name and link

* Photos of three (3 only please) projects 
that showcase you as a designer
We only need three to get a feel for your style!

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS, NOT LINKS TO PHOTOS
PLEASE SIZE THEM APPROPRIATELY FOR EMAIL VIEWING

We do ask that you limit additional 'links' to additional information.
With the number of blogs we will have to visit, we will not have
time to visit resume links, credit links, etc,
so please include the specific information in your submission.


Of course, we would love for you to use stamps from
The Craft’s Meow
but it is not required to apply

* A list of your current/past DT experience
(no experience required)

* A list of creative credits such as publications,
blog/guest features, etc, if any

Send the above information to
 
 
Design Team Call ends
11:59 PST, Saturday February 11, 2012
 
We look forward to hearing from you!

Monday, January 23, 2012

The Twinery's New Colors Are Now Available!



Calling all bakers twine fans!

It is a great day over at The Twinery as we
release FOUR brand new colors!!



Just look at the yummy, sherbet-like shades of these colors!

Shore
Orchid
Cantaloupe
Flax

We've been talking about these fab colors
for a couple weeks and now they are
officially on sale
over at The Twinery!
You should already know that The Twinery has
the best baker's twine 'on the planet'
with it's 4-ply, saturated color and of course,
it's all made in the U.S.A. 

February is just around the corner which means our
Brand New 2012 Design Team
will begin sharing their inspiring projects over
Several of them are getting a bit of a headstart
using the new colors, so stop by and check
out the new colors and the fun projects
of our designers!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Missing You and A Giveaway!


Happy Saturday....just thought I would share a very
fun & easy card that I whipped up while I was
recently creating a card for CAS-ual Fridays.


 As a child of the 60's, I am quite into retro looks always love when a stamp
set comes along that makes it so easy to create.
This one is 'Vogue Abode' from Paper Smooches.
I stayed simple with black and white and just placed
a hint of color and I think it works.


I'm so glad you stopped by for a sec because I have something else
that I want to share.
The designers I work with never cease to amaze me with their
creativity and Karola Witczak, one of our brand new designers
over at The Twinery, is one of those ladies.


Not only is Karola the DT Coordinator for The ScrapCake,
but she is also a product designer as well.
The collection on the right is hers called
'My Private Happiness'.
Both collections are oh so yummy and you have an
opportunity to win.

Head on over to the blog and check out the details.
English translation is available.
Wouldn't it be fab if the winner was YOU?!


Project Recipe: 
Stamps: New Digs by Paper Smooches
Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio

Friday, January 20, 2012

This Day Justs Keeps Gettin' Better





Today is one of those days that I savor.

If you've visited my blog for any length of time,
you know that I have had the pleasure of being a part
of the fabulous design team over at The Craft's Meow.
It is now my privilege to share that I am now
the new (and TCM's very first official)
Design Team Coordinator!

Lisa Hjulberg is a gem and she has assembled
a team of stamp designers and project designers
that is pretty spectacular.
There are some pretty fabulous new things on
the horizon at TCM and I am so fortunate to be
a part of it all.

If you've not become a fan of TCM, make sure you
visit the blog TODAY!  We'd love to have you *like* us
over on Facebook too.
And just to entice you a bit further, there are 
THREE BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS
being made on the blog
 and you will NOT want to miss a one!!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Look Who I Get to Play With!



Yes indeed-io!

I am super excited to share the news
that I am a new designer for EAD Designs.

I first got to know EAD when they were sponsors
CAS-ual Fridays Challenge and I was hooked!

I fell in love with their line of 'Stickerz' and
if you haven't tried them yet, it's high time!
They are repositionable vinyl and oh so versatile!
Of course they make W.A.Y. more than Stickerz,
so I hope you will visit their website soon.
But just so you know, all of their Scrapbooking
Stickerz and Rub-ons SHIP FREE!

I had a limited number of Stickerz in my stash
and am anxiously awaiting the DT order, so until
then, I hope you don't mind me re-posting a couple of
the photos from projects Christmas BEFORE last....
(yes...that's how long I've been in love....)




You'll be seeing LOTS of tag ideas from me in the coming year!
I adore how easy they are to make using EAD Designs.
Well..I am anxious to get started in February and when I do,
here's who I get to work with:

~
~
~
~
~
~
~
~

So glad you stopped by today!
Hope you'll check out the blogs of these fabulous
designers...it's gonna be a great year!


Lovin' my New Digs!



Hey there...what a GREAT idea for a Clean & Simple Challenge.

Well, of course I'm talking about

 
but I'm also talking about the 'challenge' itself...
BLACK AND WHITE!!!

When I first saw this new 'retro' set from Paper Smooches,
it screamed black and white...


It's called 'Vogue Abode' and...here it comes...I dig it!
This one is pretty self-explanatory.  I just 'arranged the furniture'
and done.
The black in is Tuxedo Black from Memento.


I actually have a variation on this card using a 'splash' of color,
but I'll save that one for another day. Wouldn't want to see anyone
'sneak' any color in on this challenge.

Hope you enjoyed it!

I will be back Friday morning with a FanTABulous bit of news
I've been keeping under my hat...in fact, there might
just be TWO bits of news.  We'll see.....


Project Recipe: 
Stamps: New Digs by Paper Smooches
Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento from A Muse Studio

Monday, January 16, 2012

Friendship...



Happy Monday to one and all!

I am going to make this an uber-quick post and
I'll share why in just a sec.

I recently picked up a fab set of new Hero Arts stamps
on my last trip to Archivers and I just love 'em.
They are called 'Very Special' and are lovely
sentiments for all occasions.


I still have not mastered the art of decent photography when
it comes to white on white, so please forgive.

For this card, I used the Primitive Hearts #2 die
and a label die, both from Sizzix.
I cut the hearts from this beautiful gingham cardstock
from A Muse Studio.  I think that the pattern, which is
available in a variety pack of colors, is so versatile.
(and can be ordered from my webstore HERE)

The sentiment was stamped using Slate ink by A Muse.
I used the same ink to shade the edges of the label.
The Polka Dot background is courtesy of my
Cuttlebug EF.


Hope you found a tiny bit of inspiration in this quick project.

So I mentioned that I needed to make this quick...

I am heading out the door shortly to pick up this guy..


This is Caleb and he is the second oldest of my
four grandsons.  As there is no kindergarten today, 
he is going to come and spend some time with me.

This photo was taken this past Saturday at a wonderful
Swedish Pancake Restaurant here in town as our family
celebrated the retirement of my father-in-law.
After 27 years as an aerospace engineer, he is hanging
it up and will be heading to Florida soon for a little R&R.

I mentioned a card last week that was made for someone
special, but I couldn't share who...well, it was him.
(if you'd like to check it out...you can find it HERE)

Anyway...lots of photos were taken, but this is
one of my favorites...


Three brothers hanging out around me.
The oldest two always fight for who is going to
sit next to Mema or Papa Paul and THAT is a joy!
Of course, Baby Finn was passed around the table like a 
very cuddly football throughout the morning.

Thanks for taking a peek today and now I must be off
to pick up my VIP!


Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper: Pink Gingham from A Muse Studio
Stamps: Very Special by Hero Arts
Ink: Slate from A Muse Studio
Embellishments: pearls from Recollections
Tools: Polka Dot EF from Cuttlebug,
Primitive Hearts #2 & Label Die both from Sizzix

Friday, January 13, 2012

Sa-weet!


This card says it all!


I am back today to share the next ten designers who
will be joining the 2012 Design Team at The Twinery.
I am so very excited to be working with such a talented group of
designers and am looking forward to what the year brings.


Without further ado, here are the talented ladies who will be joining us:


In honor of our design team reveal, 
we are giving away
an Ultimate Sampler Pack of our
Baker's Twine



Just visit The Twinery blog and check out how you can win!


Sweet Pear Project Recipe: 
Cardstock: Orange Zest from PTI
Designer Paper:  Ivory Text, Delicious Autumn Text,
Harvest Rings, Sweater Weather from 'Happy Fall' Collection
all by Little Yellow Bicycle
Tools:  Pear Vine EF & Pear BIGZ die by Sizzix/BasicGrey, 
Big Shot, Fiskars Corner Rounder
Embellishments: Bakers Twine in Buttercream from The Twinery
Fabric Faves sticker from Hello Fall Collection

Lovin' Clean & Simple!


Are you ready to play Clean & Simple?


This week, we are being challenged to use
'scallops' in our creations over at


I went very 'literal' with this challenge and not only
worked with a 'scalloped edge' but I also went
with a 'scalloped pattern' thanks to Cosmo Cricket's
'Clementine' collection.
I love these colors together and was inspired by those when I
put this card together.
The sentiments are from Paper Smooches.

 
I really hope you'll come play with us this week.
We have a great time playing Clean & Simple!

This week's sponsor is 


Hope to see you over at CAS-ual Fridays!


Project Recipe: 
Designer Paper: Clementine from Cosmo Cricket
Stamps: Chit Chat by Paper Smooches
Embellishments: pearls from Recollections
Seam binding in Winter White

Thursday, January 12, 2012

A BIG Announcement!



The day has finally arrived over at The Twinery.
 The reveal of our first group of brand new designers.

I have been so blessed to be the Design Team Coordinator
for The Twinery for the past year and am so looking forward
to what 2012 has to offer.

Without further ado, here is the first group of designers
who I am looking forward to working with this term...


In honor of our design team reveal, 
we are giving away
an Ultimate Sampler Pack of our
Baker's Twine


Just visit The Twinery blog and check out how you can win!

I'll be back tonight with a new challenge from CAS-ual Fridays
and tomorrow....we will reveal the rest of our new designers