Sweet Sunday Sketch 15

As soon as I saw Karen's sketch for the week, I really knew what I wanted to do with it:

I also knew that I wanted to use this particular ribbon technique on the card. So, I created my card:

Then, I decided I wasn't so crazy about this ruffly ribbon on this card....hmmm, I really liked it last time I did it - on a different card.....wonder what the difference is. I'm just not overly crazy about this one!

I had wanted to do something different than just layering with scallops or another oval piece. I thought that it would look so cool here. Maybe it's just me - What do you think?

The rest of the card, I'm really pretty good with - I love the DSP, like the tree....etc, etc....

Birthday invites

I don't think that I have put this on my blog yet...at least I hope not! These were the invites that I had made for Alex's 1st birthday - back in November. So, if I put this on here back then, I apologize, and I didn't check beforehand....I still love this invite! I do recall that they were more time consuming that I had originally thought. I cut the cupcakes out by hand, watercolored them with the aqua painter and ink pads, used markers to color the confetti, then used some crystal effects to add some shine. The circle was cut using the coluzzle, as was the Old Olive ring. This was before Stampin' Up! decided to carry the Circle Cutter. I popped up the cupcake, the ring, and the sentiment. And how about that - just a glimpse of some ribbon! Can't do without it!

Brightly Expressed!

Well, I got another sketch challenge done this weekend. Actually didn't sit down at my craft table at all on Sunday. Spent the day shopping with my sister Megan and the hubby. It was a fun day, but phew - it wiped me out! I'm not a huge shopping fan. It can be depressing. Now, if that weight that I've been trying to lose would get lost, I would enjoy shopping again...no wonder I'd rather spend time in my craft room, or shopping for things that don't involve sizes.

So, back to the sketch...I did the sketch over at Taylored Expressions, and loved the openness that this card has. There are so many different ways to interpret this, so many possibilities - I even think that we may use this in my Stamp Clubs this month.

I went with some really bright colors this time - something way out of the ordinary for me....although, I seem to be using them more and more here lately. My camera doesn't seem to have taken true to life colors...they seem off to me.... the colors were Taken with Teal (which is more green than this pic), Tangerine Tango, Rose Red, and some Old Olive.

I indivudually cut the flowers, bent them up a bit to give them some dimension. Then attached some buttons from the Button Latte collection, using a strip of cardstock for the thread. The background, which bothers me b/c it looks like Pacific Point here, was run thru the Big Shot with the Texturz Background Argyle plate. I really like the way it offsets the flowers. I didn't want this overly flowery, therefore didn't use one of the floral backgrounds. Plus, it gives the sentiment some extra punch this way.

Recipe:

Stamps: Best Wishes and More

Ink: Rose Red, Old Olive

Paper: Taken w/ Teal (seriously - it is !), Tangerine Tango, Rose Red, Whisper White

Accessories: Button Latte, Old Olive Ribbon, Scallop Edge punch

Life is just a bowl of cherries...

...don't take it seriously....... I worked on a couple of sketch challenges this weekend - surprise, surprise! The first one I worked on was for the Weekend Sketch that was hosted over at Sharon Harnist's blog! I love this sketch - easy to use, good space for images...love it!
Here's what I came up with:

Isn't it stinkin' cute??? I love the bright cheery (or would that be cherry?) colors, the clean look of it. I particularly like the scalloped edge of the sentiment with the brads in the center. I don't always remember to use my brads, and here I think they were quite effective. Have I said yet that I love this card??? I'm giving myself a huge pat on the back here!

I used a bit of crystal effects on the on the cherries to give them some shine. I think it adds a nice finish to the card. Both the images were inked up using markers. It took me three tries until I liked the sentiment, but finally I got there! Funny, I hadn't inked up that sentiment at all yet and have had that set for a good year. And technically, it still hasn't seen an ink pad! Also, I actually 'duded' up the inside of the card:

This might just be one of those cards that stays in my stash for a long time, either that or I need to do another one to give away...I sometimes have a hard time parting with my creations....bad, bad I know!

Recipe:

Stamps: All Holidays, Tart and Tangy

Paper: Rockabilly DSP, Real Red, Whisper White, Old Olive

Accessories: Bold Brights Brads, Real Red Striped Ribbon, Crystal Effects, SU Markers, Real Red, Old Olive

Sweet Baby!

Okay - I found yet another! sketch to try...when will the madness stop?? Beats me - seems like it's one of the easiest ways to come up with some ideas! I channeled Karen Giron for the colors in this card - I think she would approve!
And - there is that Scallop Oval punch again! See, my fetish at work!
Not much to say - must go to bed!

Recipe:
Stamps: By Ones and Twos
Paper: Bashful Blue, Maine Blueberry DSP, Old Olive, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: SU markers: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Watercolor Crayons, Earth Elements buttons (retired) Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Old Olive ribbon, Big Shot Scallop Oval Frame Die, Texturz Background

Inspiration...

...where is it that we find our inspiration for things that we create? I'm often looking around at things - and more so now than before I was a papercrafter - trying to find some inspiration. I look at things slightly different when I think of how it might inspire me. It might simply be the layout or sketch on a cereal box, or maybe the colors that make up a cute dress. The other day my co-worker had on a shirt that inspired me. I loved the colors and the design. I asked another co-worker (who is also a stamper and member of one of my stamp clubs) what colors she thought made up the shirt. We both decided it was Cool Caribbean (retired SU) and Choc. Chip. I haven't had a chance to make anything with that inspiration just yet - but it's in my memory bank - and I know that Carol will wear the shirt again - or at least I hope so, just to inspire me some more.
I also browse blogs. Some that I really love: Karen Giron's: the sweetest thing, I love her clean and simple style, the colors she uses together, the Sweet Sunday Sketches that she comes up with. Taylor Vanbruggen's: Taylored Expressions I like her cheery, sweet as cupcake style! Plus, she's originally from Iowa herself. Her blog is great - bright and crisp. She's got great sketches too. Another great site is one that many of you are aware of: Splitcoast Stampers This is great for tutorials, sketch challenges, color challenges, product know-how, and the list goes on and on!
Where is it that you find your inspiration? Share with all of us! Leave a comment....

FYI - don't forget to check out this post and leave a comment within it about your current product fetish! I've got some blog candy for a random winner!

Blooming Beautiful!

Ahhhh, my day was so much better yesterday. The boys are on the mend, I went back to work, and my DH got started planting corn....progress in the fields! It's always an exciting time when the spring field work begins, and I know that they are really making progress when the planter actually makes contact with the field. One of my favorite smells is the smell of freshly turned dirt. Yeah - weird I know - but there is a smell about it that I love! I think it signifies that spring is really here! The other smell I love on the farm is freshly cut alfalfa...it's so sweet. Everyone should experience it once! So, to continue with my spring theme - I'm showing you a card I made with that borrowed set from my mom. Yes, I still have it, and yes, I'm ordering my own set just so she can have hers back! I just love this set!

I used the sketch from Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch. This is a great sketch to use, and again - I really love her clean and simple style. I just need to com e up with a sentiment to use on it. And I might just wait until the day I decide to use the card and stamp a sentiment on the inside.

This picture doesn't show it very well, but the center of each flower has chocolate glitter . The other noteable thing about the card is that it is a 6x6 size card. I like the unusual size. It fits into a square envelope.

What do you think? Leave me a comment - also, tell me what is your favorite sign that spring is here????

Thanks for looking today!

Bright eyed and bushy tailed...

...at least that's how I hope my boys will wake up today! After 5 days of sick boys, I think I'm actually ready to go back to work - if they'll still have me. I have to say, yesterday just about did me in. It all started with Will waking up about 4 am coming into our room saying he had to go potty. He'd already been in and out of our bed twice thru the night, and so I think both of us were getting a little bit annoyed. Well, he meant he REALLY had to go potty, and it was already too late. He'd had diarrehea. Now, mind you, he is only 3! He was a mess down to his ankles. So, we cleaned him up, I managed to find a pull-up that we still had, threw that on him and sent him back to bed. He woke up about 6:30 and I could tell my day was not to get any better. He wasn't up for long and we were running back to the bathroom for a different reason this time. One more bout of an upset tummy and we BOTH needed to change clothes. Finally, it was nap time for Alex. So, I laid him down and Will decided he was tired too. Phew - I was needing some coffee! I got the laundry changed around, and then poured a cup of coffee, and stamp room here I come! Hold the phone....Will's on the couch crying. Great! I should have known. He needed to go potty. Just pee he tells me. He wants to stand up to the potty, because, he is after all a big boy and he can do it! Fine - I don't want to argue with him. HUGE, HUGE...HUGE mistake! We had a problem with the back side again, and... It was time to change BOTH of our clothes - again! At this point, forget stamping. I just want to sit down and forget the past half hour of my day. All of a sudden the 'Calgon, take me away' slogan is constantly running thru my head.

Things did perk up after lunch time. I decided that it was not a good idea to feed Will anything at all. I didn't want to see anything come out of him in any way, shape or form. Alex and I had a pleasant lunch together. It wasn't much longer and afternoon naptime was here again. Oh sweet mother - that stamp room was a calling to me! Come hither, make something...I sat down. The house was quiet - really, really quiet. I sat in amazment for 5 minutes. Oh yeah, I think they are BOTH asleep. The coast is clear - YEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!! I browse on over to check out Mojo Monday's blog to check out their sketch. I'm feeling it! And, yes, there is still silence! And let the creating begin....

Here's the sketch:

See...so even if my day wasn't all bright and happy - I was able to create something that was! I apologize if it was a little graphic - but, really - you can't make this stuff up! I'm just glad to start a new day!

Recipe:

Stamps: Good Friend, Heard from the Heart

Paper: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Old Olive DSP

Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red

Accessories: Felt Fusion Flowers, Rhinestone brads, Scallop Edge punch

Happy Birthday Birdy...

I needed to come up with a birthday card for my father in law. I typically struggle when it comes to making cards with a masculine side. This wasn't all that easy either....I used the sketch from Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. Deciding on an image to use was the tough part. I had pulled out the paper that I wanted to use and just took it from there. I wasn't sure about the bird - but I think he really does work just fine - what do you think?

Thanks for looking!

Jen

Recipe:
Stamps: Good Friend
Paper: Kraft, Manchester DSP, Almost Artichoke, Baha Breeze
Ink: Choc. Chip, So Saffron, Pacific Point
Accessories: Chit Chat Rub ons, Hodgepodge Hardware, Artichoke Ribbon

Wedding Favor!

My cousin Ashley will be getting married later this summer. I'm super excited for her and also thrilled that my son Will has been asked to be a ringbearer. Too, too cute! I was working with Ashley and my Aunt Judy on some table favors. I remembered this simple triangle box that I'd gotten the template from somewhere out there - I really don't remember where - or I would give credit where it's due. Here is what I came up with:

Her colors are a deep plum and peacock - translated into SU! lingo: Elegant Eggplant and Tempting Turquoise!!!

This shows the embossing on the box a little better. I also used the white paper from the Taste of Textiles patterned paper pack. It's shimmery and really pretty!

Another Thankful Tree

I'm really loving the tree from Thoughts and Prayers - like REALLY loving it! It's just so versatile - I can envision some birthday cards, sympathy card, thank you cards (like this one), and I can almost see a wedding card. Need a sentiment along the lines of: May your tree grow along with your relationship and family. This card is more subdued than the Rosy Thank You card I showed you yesterday - a lot more subdued! Either way - I really like this tree. Watch for an upcoming class with this tree and a multitued of sentiments.

The other new product I currently have a fetish with is the Scalloped Oval punch. How cute it is! Seems that I'm constantly looking for a phrase that will fit withing the Large Oval punch just so I can layer them up. And, I DO like the Oval All stamp set that is found in the mini catalog. I'm just looking for MORE!

What is your current fetish with a product - doesn't have to be Stampin' Up! - it can be any product. Leave me a comment and let me know. I will have Random.com randomly draw for a blog prize! Comments must be recieved by Friday April 24th at 7pm Central.

Rosy Thanks!

Okay - this card is quite a bit out of my element - at least as far as the colors go. I used the sketch from Taylor's Taylored Expressions blog. I pulled out the felt flowers from the Felt Flower Fusion and just decided to go with it - I cease to amaze myself! I don't think I would have normally picked these colors to use together - but I'm in LOVE! Watch for these colors on something again very soon...

I attached the 3 flowers with a silver brad - but then decided that it just wasn't going to work. So, I put some Crystal Effects on top of the brad and smooshed (very technical term!) it around so that it got to all of the edges. Then, I dunked it into the jar of glitter! What a fun and easy way to jazz up a simple brad! It really mad a huge difference it the look of the flowers!

Recipe:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Walk In the Park DSP (So Saffron Print)

Accessories: Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Fine Supernova Glitter, Felt Flower Fusion

Parisian Cupcakes!

I just love the Stampin' Up! set - Crazy for Cupcakes! It's so stinkin' cute - and I use it for just about every birthday card I come up with. I can make it really girly, a little manly, and even childish. Here is a card I recently did for my Grandma Sally and my Aunt Marilyn. I love the way this turned out. Yeah - I am patting myself on the back right now! This is probably one of my favorite cards that I've made in a while....

Isn't it just adorable? I used some two way glue to adhere the glitter to the "frosting" - my glitter was Dazzling Diamonds - a must have for all of you glitter fanatics! I also dabbed a little Crystal Effects on the cherries for some gloss and dimension.

What is your favorite birthday stamp set?

Thanks for looking!

Jen

Recipe:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Kraft, Baha Breeze, Parisian Breeze, watercolor

Ink: Stazon Jet Black

Accessories: SU! Markers, blender pen, two way glue, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Valet Ribbon Originals, Crystal Effects

Mini Catalog...

Have you checked out the new Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! yet? There are some YUMMY things in here! I especially love the set Scene In A Garden - you got a peek at it in this post, and this post!


There are new Cordorouy Buttons in great colors - Basic Gray and Baja Breeze - I'm really loving these! And the window sheets and DSP - to die for! I used both in my Easter favors. I really like the fact that you can stamp on the window sheets with Stazon Ink - or use rub-ons, they are just SO stinkin' cool! Check out that mini catalog - grab a kleenex - wipe your drool!

Mojo Monday Sketch

Since I'm loving all of these sketch challenges - I thought that I would give the Mojo Monday Sketch a try. I really liked this design - it's clean and simple! Right up my alley, you know. Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

I really like the way these colors pulled together. I used silver embossing powder on the sentiment image itself. As soon as I put the Basic Gray taffeta ribbon on there, I knew that the image had to be embossed. I still feel like it's missing something - almost too clean and simple??? What do you think I could add to jazz it up some more? Any suggestions????

Thanks for stopping by today!

Jen

Recipe:

Stamps: Puns from the Past

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Urban Garden DSP, Basic Gray

Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Silver embossing powder, scallop edge punch

Some good info for you scrappers...

I found this article on a fellow demonstrator's blog and thought I would share with those of you that scrapbook:

Stamping on your scrapbook pages
Stamping in your scrapbook pages - by Angela Anderson - Independent SU Demo

When I first started scrapbooking, I had to have every single patterned paper and sticker I set my eyes on. I had to have all the latest designs and everything cute. I had to have every font sticker, in every color and sometimes I had to buy extra just to make certain I didnt run out. Over the past six years, my scrapbooking has matured, my tastes have run the gammot and I have finally arrived at a scrapbooking style that incorporates the use of rubber stamps.

I have discovered that using rubber stamps on your scrapbook pages can be both fulfilling and economic. Stamps can easily be incorporated into a title, to add to your title, or even use letter stamps to stamp your title, with perfect placement. Stamps are so versatile because they can be tailored to any layout or color. No need to buy your favorite stickers a hundred times, in every color imagagineable, buy stamps in the font you like and use them over and over and over, making them any color or combination of colors to suit your needs. Gone are the days of running out of the letters you need, with stamped letters, you always have the letter you need. Stamps are such an economical solution for scrapbookers. A set of quality letter stamps can last a lifetime and a pad of ink or set of markers to customize your letters will last virtually forever. With Stampin' Up's in color options, your color options can be virtually endless!

Stamping with rollers can make great backgrounds. For example, My ABC's and Dotted lines rollers (From Stampin' Up! )are fabulous options to create customized journaling blocks on your layouts. Again, you can make any color journaling space, you can make it as long or as short as you want.

With virtually any image, and some versa-mark ink, you can create gorgeous patterned paper with a water mark. Better yet, if you choose an ink color to coordinate with your cardstock, you can make beautiful custom paper. Turn the image, flip it, stamp only a part of it, use a darker color, a lighter color, you can customize your paper to suit your needs. Again, if you own the stamp and the ink, you can never run out of the custom design.... Just make some more.

Another wonderful use for stamps is to create your very own stickers. Stickers are all the rage in scrapbooking, why pay more than $1.00 for a pack of flower stickers when you can buy a stamp one time and have flowers for a life time. Buy a beautiful set of stamps and you can create tons of images, in any color you need. Stamp your image in your desired color, cut it out and run it through your xyron.... wala! Your very own, custom made stickers. Not only is your scrapbook page an original, but, it's thrifty too!

Roller stamps can also make great borders. Again, you can make custom border in any color. Use a regular stamp and repeat the image over and over across your cardstock to create a unique custom border. Rubber stamps can be an expectedly welcome edition to your scrapbook stash. Once you learn different techniques and add them to your scrapbooking tool box, you to can find the benefits of rubberstamping in your scrapbooks.

For more information on rubber stamping, please visit my website at http://jenarkfeld.stampinup.net

How do you incorporate rubber stamping into your scrapbook pages? I have some great Stampin' Up! Blog candy for the most creative answers!

Happy Easter!

These are the little Easter favors I made for our Easter dinner. This is my first time hosting dinner for Easter - I'm sure something will be a little off. I'm just an okay cook - and don't always do so well cooking for a crowd - so we'll see! I love to cook - I really do, so at least that's not the problem. It's the trying to get everything ready at the same time that I don't do so well at. Anyway - no matter how my meal turns out - these cute little guys will make up for it!

I used the Bag with Scallops Big Shot Die - it was really easy to make up several of these. 9 to be exact! I cut the DSP slightly smaller than the front - I think it was 2x3 1/2 then punched my hole in the front of the acutal bag using the 1 1/4 inch circle punch. Then to perfectly place the DSP with a larger circle, I layed the DSP on top of the front of the bag, making sure that the edges were uniform, then flipped it over without sliding the DSP and drew a circle on the back of the DSP thru my punched hole. This gave me a guide as to where to punch the hole in the DSP, and I knew it would line up perfectly. Did I explain that okay or did I lose you??? I punched the DSP with a 1 3/8 circle punch. Then, I stamped my window sheets with White Stazon, using stamps from Good Egg. I adhered them to the back side of the box, and then could assemble the box itself. I think it took me just an hour to do all nine of them start to finish. Maybe slightly longer, but really not much. I colored the little guy with Watercolor Wonder crayons and a blender pen. I think he's just the cutest!!!!

Time to EAT!

This is something I had made for my kitchen a while ago. It's simple, it was easy, and simply said, it tells my kids to EAT!!!! The letters are chipboard.

Blooming with Love Part 3...

Well - here is the cool project that I had been working on...I got this tutorial over at Becky Roberts' blog. It's so stinkin' cute, I'm doing a happy dance. There is a large pocket on the outer side of it,

and three smaller pockets on the other side...

Here is a little sticky note cover that goes with it.
The inside has two pockets made from window sheets that keep everything from sliding around.

The tutorial has EVEN MORE projects that go with it. It's well worth the fee for the tutorial - I am imagining using some Christmas paper with this, or some fun birthday sets - cupcake would be super cute! Or a cute wedding gift filled with thank you notes. The possibilities are endless.

What would you make it into??? Leave me a comment with your ideas!

Thanks for looking!

Blooming with Love

Here's another card I did from the Blooming with Love set - my mom may never get this set back!!! :) I actually made this cute little set that I found on Becky Rogers' blog. She does some really awesome work and has some wonderful tutorials. I've done some of my own alterations to her designs and will continue to show you the cute things I've made the rest of this week.


Recipe:
Stamps: Blooming with Love
Paper: Parisian Breeze DSP, Baha Breeze, Choc. Chip, Kraft
Ink: Stazon Jet Black (my fave!), Choc. Chip, Baha Breeze
Accessories: Watercolor Crayons, Curly Label Punch, Choc. Chip Striped Wide Grosgrain and 1/4 Grosgrain ribbons

Sweet Sunday Sketch

It was time for me to do another one of Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenges. It took me a little while to decide what I wanted to do.

I had the new set from Stampin' Up! - Scene in a Garden. I hadn't inked up the cute little pumpkins in the set yet, so decided it was time to give them some play....well, that meant breaking out the old Autumn Vine paper (retired :( ) I love the colors in the DSP and the prints that make up the pack too. So here's my creation:

Cute - eh?

Recipe:

Stamps: Scene in a Garden

Ink: Stazon Jet Black

Paper: Choc. Chip, Sage Shadow, Autumn Vine DSP (retired)

Accessories: Sage Shadow ribbon, Choc. Chip jumbo brads, Watercolor crayons (Earth Elements)

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today is my mother's birthday! I know that my mom is the one who gave me the creative talent that I have. I've seen her work. I've seen her work from high school. She's always had talent. And our styles are very similar. It's the one thing that I am really glad she passed onto me. (The way I roll my eyes at things that my hubby says - she could have kept that, but passed it on to me too - my hubby is SO VERY thankful :) ) My mom is also a stamper - something I got started in, and passed onto her. And yet - today's card comes from a stamp set that she owns that I had to borrow! We share - and that's good!

I just love this set - Blooming with Love. It screams my mom! All the flowers, the pots, the wheelbarrow - it's so her style.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Recipe
Stamps: Blooming with Love
Paper: Baha Breeze, Choc. Chip, Whisper White, Parisian Breeze DSP
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Accessories: Watercolor Crayons (Earth Elements bundle), Choc. Chip ribbon, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Scallop Edge and 1/8" Circle punch

Baby Memory Box

So, you've seen these little lunch tins right? And you wonder, hmmm, what can I do with that? I've decorated a few of them - some have been for nieces and nephews, I've made one for my son Will, who stores his crayons and markers in it. This one, I decided to alter into a memory box for my SIL's baby to be.

So from the plain old tin, to this:


It's pretty stinkin' cute - huh! The one thing that I really like about it, is the fact that those chunky things that you want to keep, like the hospital bracelet for example, don't always fit into a memory book without being akward. In here, you have plenty of room for all kinds of things. I made dividers seperated by months. She can keep pictures in there and simply sort by the months.

Ialso made a few milestone dividers, such as the first haircut. I used some sticky strip to attach a clear bag to the divider so she can keep a few locks of precious hair!

So - what do you think?