OSAT-father's day blog hop

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Hello and welcome to our masculine themed blog hop. Sunday, June 21st is when we celebrate the men in our lives. Grandpas, fathers, step fathers, uncles and all those that fill the role of "DAD".  My card's sentiment is a Birthday one but the sentiment can be switched out for any masculine occasion such as Father's Day...

Hmmmm....a masculine themed paper project....hmmm...that was a tough one. Since it is also a Father's Day themed hop i got inspired...

How about some sour, salty and sweet treats for dad. These mugs can do double duty once they are emptied of the treats,,,WINK WINK!

Next in the lineup is Diana Squires at Stamp and Embellish with some more stamping goodness to enjoy. Click on the next button below and explore the rest of the blog hop! Thanks for stopping by ~ leave a comment and make my day! 

Posted on June 11, 2015 .

June Blog Hop

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for June.  This month we are excited to show off new Stampin' Up! products from the just released 2015 - 2016 annual catalog.  We hope you find great inspiration from the projects.  Get your wish list ready!

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Natalie Bradley at Soiree by Natalie Bradley number 11 on the Pals Hop.  If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all the projects.

My card is a mix of current and new (I goofed on the ribbon and used the newly retired seam binding ribbon instead of the intended daffodil delight 1/4" cotton ribbon). NEW ITEMS: Tip Top Taupe (38336) and Watermelon Wonder (138334), Cherry on Top dsp series paper stack (138443) and the Happy Birthday sentiment is from the new Sprinkles of LIfe stamp set (139971).  The Make a Wish sentiment is stamped in Cucumber Crush (138324)

As a hobbyist I need to purchase items little by little and find new ways to use my oldies but goodies. I never get tired of the Perfect Pennants stamp set!  Incorporated with the Scallop Tag Topper punch and the Confetti Stars border punch it makes a grand statement. These are current products carried over and available in the new catalog.

The next stop is Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie, number 13 on the Pals Blog Hop!  Thanks for visiting; I hope to see you on next month’s Pals Hop!

                              ~ Leave a comment if so inspired ~ 

  1. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards.com
  2. Shawn de Oliveira at ShawnStamps
  3. Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps
  4. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
  5. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
  6. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
  7. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
  8. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
  9. Jennifer Michalski at stampingserenity.blogspot.com
  10. Becky Volpp at InkBlossomwithBecky
  11. Natalie Bradley at Soirée by Natalie Bradley
  12. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
  13. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
  14. Deb Cozzone at Deb Cozzone's Stamping Zone
  15. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
  16. Maggie Mata at Maggie Mase Cards
  17. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
  18. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
  19. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
  20. Brian King at Stamp with Brian
  21. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
  22. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
  23. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
  24. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
  25. Amy Whelan at Amy's Inklings
  26. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
  27. Jessica Wilson at My Prapercraft Universe
  28. Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs
  29. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
  30. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
  31. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
  32. Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
  33. Shannon Hokanson at Paper Works by Shannon
Posted on June 10, 2015 .

PPA253

I usually love the sketch challenges as they force me outside my comfort zone.

Then, along comes a sketch like this and I am stumped! I watch as others post and think "oh, they make it look so easy!" I am going to try to banish those thoughts because the glory of these challenges are - there is no wrong way to make a card! 

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To see the other entries for this challenge click here.


Posted on May 31, 2015 .

PPA252

Some cards just come together and some just do not. After I had adhered the colored flowers to the Marina Mist I wished I had chosen another color. I had a stamped background with Marina Mist then chose to use white...too much thinking can dry up the mojo. So without further ado - here is my card. Inspired by all my yardwork I got done today. 

To see other cards submitted to the PPA252 challenge click here.


Posted on May 24, 2015 .

Sympathy for a pet

I was asked by a coworker who has purchased a few cards from me if I could pull together a card for her daughter who has lost two dogs recently. As a pet owner of three dogs myself I am aware how the loss of a pet feels. I have made only one pet loss card before, so it is not an area in my comfort zone. I am hoping that this will speak volumes to her daughter and bring her a sliver of comfort.

Posted on May 23, 2015 .

osat-blog-hop-monochromatic

As you have probably already figured out, today's hop is a monochromatic theme. A post was made for us hoppers to choose a color theme, so our blog hop would be colorful and not repetitive. It is safe to say with my "color" "choices" that I was last to choose. But the glorious thing about making cards is... it's amazing to me what you can create with so little product (in this case color) and lots of imagination. That said - here are my BROWN creations!

For that BFF that knows what each and every little thing you are speaking of...

For that BFF that knows what each and every little thing you are speaking of...

A simple masculine card for that special Father in your life...simple and neutral Father's Day card

A simple masculine card for that special Father in your life...simple and neutral Father's Day card

and for the dad that likes to golf... a thoughtfully packaged gift...sweet and simple

and for the dad that likes to golf... a thoughtfully packaged gift...sweet and simple

I also cased a card for today's post - it is one that I knew the second I saw it I NEEDED to case it (and I am not a cat owner). It was made by another Stampin' Up! demo, Diane Roberts - you can see her card here

It took me almost a year and a half to actually case it...this hop gave me the opportunity and means to share it forwards...thanks Diane!

It took me almost a year and a half to actually case it...this hop gave me the opportunity and means to share it forwards...thanks Diane!

Thanks for stopping by and checking things out. It is appreciated and I would love to read your comment about this post. Please enjoy the other hoppers below. See you next time. 

Posted on May 14, 2015 .

Out With The Old - May 2015 Blog Hop

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for May where we are preparing for the retirement of some Stampin' Up! products.  Though it may be goodbye to some very loved supplies, it will make room for the much anticipated new catalog products.  We hope you enjoy the Pals' creative projects.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Lisa Pretto at Inkbig Academy Stamps! number on the Pals Hop.  If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all the projects.

I have chosen two stamp sets that are retiring to be the focus of my card. The background stamp is called Dictionary and the sentiment and flower is from the retiring The Gift of Kindness stamp set. I am saddened to see the Hearts Framelits Die set retiring as well....i do get attached to certain Stampin' Up! goodies!!! I stamped the flower on the whisper white face card and then onto another whisper white stamped with the Dictionary background stamp. Using a die from the Hearts Framelits I cut out some of the image on the face card and aligned that with the Dictionary/flower image. underneath it. I used dimensionals to pop up the completed face front from the grey base and black layer, and added a strip of dsp along the edge to give the card some WOW factor. All tied together with marker colored pearls! 

The next stop is Nicole Watt - Pixel Maven's Retreat number on the Pals Blog Hop!  Thanks for visiting; I hope to see you on next month’s Pals Hop!

Always eager to hear your thoughts - leave me a comment if so inspired. Thanks!

  1. Maggie Mata at Maggie Mad
  2. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
  3. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
  4. Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps!
  5. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
  6. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
  7. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
  8. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
  9. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
  10. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti
  11. Natalie Bradley at Soirée by Natalie Bradley
  12. Karen Hallam at Karen's Stampin' Habit!
  13. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
  14. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
  15. Peggy Noe at prettypapercards
  16. Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
  17. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
  18. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You
  19. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
  20. Debra Simonis at Deb's Stampin' Grounds
  21. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
  22. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
  23. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
  24. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
  25. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers
  26. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
  27. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
  28. Nancy Gleason at My Stampin Space
  29. Kalyn Shubnell at The Stamping Chronicles
  30. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
  31. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping With Avery's Owlery
Posted on May 13, 2015 .

april- mothers-day-osat-blog-hop

 

My mom is my hero – she is amazing and then some! She is mom to 15 children, 8 boys and 7 girls. She is 80 plus years and just keeps going and going and going…she is an inspiration to all of us! I decided on what projects to do based on my mom’s likes…

She brings me bird’s nests from time to time as she knows I collect them. So the bird theme is based on a connection between us. She likes to read. I gave her a kindle a few years ago for Christmas. She gave it back to me six months later to give to my youngest, as she prefers “real” books, hence the matching bookmark. And last but not least, my mom loves her glass of wine here and there, so I made the bottle tag too!

I used some leftover scraps from my bokah technique cards to punch out the birds. The multi colored scraps bring some color to a very plain and simple card. The base colors, Daffodil Delight and Bermuda Bay were chosen to match the coloring of the birds. A card that I made awhile back I had scored on the face front and got a lot of positive feedback.  I incorporated scoring into the card and projects to tie them altogether.

So my mommy will get a triple whammy for her Mother’s Day Gift (actually a quadruple as I got her a box of chocolates too!) Spoil that special lady in your life with something handmade – and she will treasure forever...

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This picture shows the scoring better...

Posted on April 9, 2015 .

Seize the Cake

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I have been making lots of new cards lately but have not sat down to share one recently, so...  Here is a spring like Birthday card for all you cake lovers out there! I love the "circles" on the card because it reminds me of bubbly and who doesn't like bubbly and cake on their birthday? This girl does - I colored the bottom row of pearls for some extra color and hand markered the flames. I colored over the stamped image of the serving plate with the Stampin' Up! Silver Dazzle for some added glitz...and the black ties it all together. 

Posted on March 22, 2015 .

spring flowers One Stamp At A Time blog hop

Welcome to the very FIRST One Stamp At A Time blog hop. Today's theme is Spring Flowers. I was surprised when I went to choose a stamp that I had so few choices. I have made cards with flowers before but I guess I will just have to go shopping to broaden my selections. Spoken like a true stamper! The stamp set I chose has 6 different patterns inside the flower which worked for me! Stampin' Up's Petite Petals - It even has a matching punch to easily "cut" them. The sentiment was from Stampin' Up's Fabulous Four.  I used Blackberry Bliss cardstock and ink, Designer Series Paper Park Lane and Lost Lagoon cardstock for the leaves punched with the Bird Builder punch. 

Normally I would use a variety of colors for the flowers and a "truer" green for the leaves - sometimes you start with a vision and end up with something totally different - here is my plan B - a friend commented that it was a lot of pieces but it a…

Normally I would use a variety of colors for the flowers and a "truer" green for the leaves - sometimes you start with a vision and end up with something totally different - here is my plan B - a friend commented that it was a lot of pieces but it actually was a fairly quick card to make, once i finally made up my mind! I enjoy reading your comments!!!

Posted on March 12, 2015 .

March Blog Hop

Welcome to the March Pals Blog Hop where we are celebrating spring. This month we are featuring spring related projects for Mother’s Day, Easter or any other occasion that celebrates winter coming to an end.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Kim Jolly at Stampin' Artfully  #24 on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

Here is a picture taken in my neighborhood not too long ago...can you tell that I am anxious for Spring by this picture? {insert emphatic nod here}

Here is a picture taken in my neighborhood not too long ago...can you tell that I am anxious for Spring by this picture? {insert emphatic nod here}

My card color choices reminded me a lot of not just Spring, but Easter too. I love cards that can be stamped with a variety of sentiments. It is so easy to do a few at a time and then just stamp an appropriate sentiment when you need a quick card. This would work well with Birthday, Thinking of You, Mother's Day, Easter, and a variety of other cards. This one is HELLO SPRING!!!

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The card base is Daffodil Delight and the ribbon is Wisteria Wonder. After stamping the flower on the face I cut a template from a flower in The Secret Garden set and sponged my flowers using my Daffodil Delight and Wisteria Wonder ink pads for the blended effect. A splash of highlighting on the petals with coordinating markers and rhinestone in the middle for the WOW effect. I do not use ribbon too often but am in love with how pretty this seam binding looks and feels.

The next stop is Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin' #26 on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you next month. Put a SPRING in my step with a comment for me!

  1. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
  2. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers
  3. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
  4. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
  5. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
  6. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
  7. Amy Whelan at Amy's Inklings
  8. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti
  9. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
  10. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
  11. Natalie Bradley at Soiree by Natalie Bradley
  12. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
  13. Debbie Crowley at expressively deb...
  14. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
  15. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
  16. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
  17. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
  18. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
  19. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
  20. Karen Hallam at Karen's Blog
  21. Susan Lankford at Stamp and Create With Susan
  22. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
  23. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
  24. Kim Jolley at Stampin' Artfully
  25. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
  26. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
  27. Benjaman Turner at He Stamps
  28. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
  29. Liz Gautreaux at Kind Deeds Stampin
  30. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You!
  31. September Gray at septembergray.com
  32. Katie Ferguson at Cottage Paper
  33. Becky Volpp at inkblossomwithbecky.com
  34. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
  35. Brian King at Stamp with Brian

 

 

Posted on March 11, 2015 .

PPA240

The sketch challenge was a fun one for me to do. I had seen a flower technique a few months back that intrigued me and which immediately came to mind when I saw this sketch. For those that now me well the best part is that they are EASY to assemble. I used (2) 1 3/4 scalloped punch, a 1 1/2" and 1" circle with all but the bottom scalloped circle folded/scrunched up. 

Hope this card reminded you that spring is around the corner... to see other cards submitted for this challenge click here

Posted on February 22, 2015 .

PPA239

This week's Paper Pals Arts is a color challenge. I was in awe of all the intricate cards being presented for this challenge and decided to go ultra simple. I love how the color challenges send me in search of specific color items. Do I use embossing powder, ribbon, embellishments, ink, paper or cardstock? Or all of the above? I went with one cardstock (crumb cake), two inks (soft suede and apop of real red for foxy's nose) and two embellishments (real red button and crumb cake ribbon). Clean and simple - quick and cute!

To see other cards submitted for this challenge click here

Posted on February 16, 2015 .

Pals February Blog Hop

Welcome to the February Pals Blog Hop. This month we are sharing what we love - our favorite Stampin' Up! products and our favorite crafting techniques.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from #16 - Brian King at Stamp With Brian. Use the full lineup below to move along from blog to blog so you see all of the new projects.

I cannot believe that I waited until last night after dinner and doing kids homework to put together this blog. What's even more unbelievable is that I did not make the card until Monday night after the kids went to bed!!! Where did this first part of the month go so quickly? I think it got buried under all the snow New England has gotten in the last two weeks. 

Favorite Stampin' Up! products and techniques. Hmmmmm....ok, embossing folders, embossing powders, LOVE the linen thread, I am partial to brads and PUNCHES - I heart my PUNCHES.

Love &  Sympathy clear stamp set 122797

There are so many techniques available on-line to inspire our creative sides just never enough time to try them all out! I tried something new for this card and that was incorporating vellum into a card. I am in love with the softness it created to let the main sentiment "Sending Love and Sympathy" stand out. It is hard to tell due the angle and lighting but the sentiment is embossed gold. The linen thread was earthy like the simple flower stamped upon the words in the background and of course the embossed polka dots on the purple base adds a ton of dimension. One popular technique is punching a second label and cutting it in half and placing it under the sentiment label. I did mine in purple to pop the white and gold and maintain the color theme that I had going. I chose Wisteria for the flower and Wild Wasabi for the stem and carried that over to my paper colors. Hoping that I have inspired you to take some element of this card and use it in a future project. 

Please leave a comment below and make my day! 

The next stop is #18 Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I'll see you next month.

Posted on February 11, 2015 .

January 29-Heartful

I do my best pictures outside - the foot of snow that fell outside today had something to say about that...i find that photographing cards are like looking in a magnifying mirror. Every little detail is enlarged and all the "flaws" jump out at you, unlike when you look in a normal mirror and everything appears just fine. To see other cards in this challenge click here

There is no doubt that I was inspired by the sketch. 

Posted on February 2, 2015 .

FUSION: Two Hearts

1. Play with just the sketch challenge.
2. Play with just the inspiration photo challenge.
3. Or you can create FUSION by combining BOTH challenges into one card.

I chose to use the sketch. I am scrambling to post this on the way out to work. I enjoyed this challenge immensely and look forwards to the next challenge!

Posted on January 28, 2015 .

Challenge #27 {LOVE}

I am participating in a 30 day challenge where I have to share a card/project daily. I decided to take it up a notch and mail out a card to someone each day. Then...why not do a challenge card if I am making a card each day...no better way to "CHALLENGE" myself outside my comfort zone! So, I googled Card Challenges and this is the first one to pop up!  Thank you Lisa Pretto for the inspiration to aim high and to keep the mojo in motion...

To see other cards from the Card Concept Challenge #27 click here

I would label this card under the Clean and Layered style. 

Posted on January 27, 2015 .

PPA237

I recently have signed up to a 30 day challenge to post a card for the next 30 days. Today is day 3 of the challenge. I decided on the second day to up the ante and also mail out a card every day too. I do not know anyone who could use this card so I will pull a card from my stash and put a surprised smile on someone I knows face. It makes me feel great to get the creative juices flowing daily and to make someone's day too!

To see other cards submitted for this challenge click here

 

Posted on January 24, 2015 .