CAS-ual Friday (party w/ ribbon)

Let's have a party! After all, it IS Friday! 

*smile*

And isn't Mardi Gras this coming Tuesday? 

Oooh I'm so excited! I love festive occasions like that as an excuse to throw a party!

These invites are simple to make but really pack a punch because of the super-duper fun ribbon. And because this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge is to make a party themed card using ribbon I think it's only fitting that a party is in order!

I used some bright, festive ribbon from MAY ARTS to create these simple bows and adhered them to my card front to look like a gift. 

How fun would it be to receive one of these in the mail?!

May Arts happens to be our sponsor this week and each of the DT members received an amazing assortment of ribbons to play with. Our sponsor was very generous and we are so pleased to showcase their products for them!

Create your best party card using ribbon and pop over to CAS-ual Fridays to link it up for a chance to win your very own bundle of goodness from May Arts!

We can't wait to see what you come up with. Let the festivities begin!

XOXO,

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Happy St. Valentine's Day everyone!

My wish for each and every person is to feel loved today and every day. (((Hugs)))

I won't go into my usual tirade about how lots of folks (and all stores) have dropped the "Saint" part of St. Valentine's Day...you can read past posts on my blog on this day. *chuckle*

But seriously folks, we don't go around saying "Happy Patrick's Day," do we? *grin*

The above card is for my husband. Stamps are PTI, Impression plate by Taylored Expressions, ribbon by May Arts.

This card is for a friend.

Heart stamps by The Craft's Meow, Glasses by Lawn Fawn, impression plate by Taylored Expressions, Sentiment was computer generated.

I whipped these simple cards up last night for my boys to find in their lunchboxes today at school.

Aren't they cute?

Dies from WPlus9, "You're my favorite" part of the sentiment is from The Craft's Meow, the "valentine" part is PTI.

I'm wishing you all a wonderful day of love!

Thanks for stopping by,

XOXOX

School Valentines

Thanks to Pinterest I found some really great ideas for the kiddos' Valentines this year. For the ones above we attempted pencils instead, because I hate to give out candy (yes. I'm THAT mom), but they just weren't working :(

We were almost out of our prefered brand (Yummy Earth) of all natural lollipops with no dye or HFCS and made with natural juice, so a quick trip to the local mini-mart/gas station produced Tootsie Pops!

These fun love bug jar Valentines are for my 7 year old who loves insects as much as I do!

We stamped a canning jar onto white cardstock, then scanned it and enlarged it on our computer to print out the perfect size jars for the insects we purchased (Safari Ltd. Toob insects). They are held in place with a large glue dot.

Thanks for stopping by today,

*mwah*

Chickie Blog Hop

Hello friends!

Are you here for the Denami Blog Hop?

It's all about the sweet little chickies this month!

If you arrived from Nicki's blog you are on the right track. If you are lost or want to start at the beginning go to the Denami Blog.

Be sure to leave a comment at each stop along the way for a chance at one of TWO $20 Gift Certificates to the Denami store! Winners will be drawn from those that comment on each post!

I decided to begin with the Chickie w/flower and once she was colored I built my card from there.  Grabbing some patterned papers, I used a sheet from the Daisy Sampler Pack, and a sheet from the Watermelon Sampler Pack. White and Kraft cardstock, a pink Boutique button, some white grosgrain, and a Happy Birthday sentiment were all I needed finish up!

Your next stop is KRISTY'S blog!

Hope you have fun and get lots of inspiration on this Denami chickie Hop!

Remember to leave a comment for a chance at  a$20 Denami Gift Certificate!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

CAS-ual Friday (Paper piecing)

I'm really happy it's Friday! You?

Have any plans? 

I'm taking my boys to Bounce Magic with a friend. 

Believe me when I say you need the support of a friend in a place like that! *chuckle*

It's a giant indoor bounce house/arcade/chuck-e-cheese type of place. Masses of screaming children running wild and spreading chaos (and germs...ewwww) everywhere.

*sigh*

Remind me again why I'm doing this? (While my more worldly friends go to a show, share a bottle of chardonnay, and listen to jazz curled up by the fireplace) 

Well anyway, this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge is what we're here for!

And it's all about the paper piecing!

 It's such a fun technique and simple to do too.

I used my new set, Fruity For You, from The Craft's Meow, who happen to be our sponsor this week! Aren't those plums adorable?

I also had to throw in some twine from The Twinery. *grin* Just couldn't resist!

Grab some stamps and some scraps of paper and join us this week for the CAS-ual Friday challenge! We love seeing all your projects.

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

Special tweety bird

For the winner from my giveaway, scroll down! 

HEY! I just had to post again today to share this adorable tweety bird border stamp from Denami! 

It's this week's Product Spotlight, and I'm a true convert.  *smile*

This Tweety Bird Border stamp is on sale this week for 10% off, so grab it while you have the chance.

Never really being a fan of "cutesy" stamps, this stamp alone has completely changed my mind! *chuckle*

It makes simple and effective cards so easy to create. I simply drew a tiny bird perch around one of the tiny birds to single it out and popped it up and added some hemp twine. I also used a tiny sentiment from the Thoughtful Greetings set.

And you would not believe how clever the DT has been in showcasing it...you must go check it out on the Denami Blog!

*mwah*

TCM Sketch and a winner!

I know some of you are anxiously awaiting the winner of my blog giveaway, so I won't drag it out. *grin*

Congratulations goes to:

Miriam Pranter!!

If you'll email me with your info and which store is your pick, I'll get your gift certificate out to you!

Thanks for playing everyone, and for all the good wishes on my blog-aversary. You guys are the best!

So today's card is for the fun little sketch over at The Craft's Meow blog. 

I couldn't resist playing along!

I love this sweet All You Need Is Love set, and just knew it would be perfect for this sketch.

In fact, I made several cards with this set recently and I can't wait to share them with you!

Thanks for stopping by today,

*mwah*

Sketch Challenge

Morning all! Check out the new sketch challenge up on the Denami blog today.

Its a really cute one. 

I love that it can really be turned any which way and still look good.

The DT really went all out and I think this is the most diverse set of samples we've ever created for the same challenge. 

Very cool!

Check it out here, on the blog. 

For my sample I used the tiny flowers from the Elegant Florals set, the gorgeous long Bamboo leaves, and the small Congratulations. I loved using the iridescent aquamarine cardstock and wish you could see the shimmer! That brown grosgrain ribbon makes the best bows. 

Be sure to play along with us for a chance at a $20 gift certificate to the Denami Store! 

Also, three lucky players will be spotlighted for their efforts!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

PS: I'm drawing a name tonight for my giveaway HERE, so now's your last chance to enter!

Sneak peek

This is my second post of the day...click HERE for my CAS-ual Friday post.

And my giveaway is still open , so click HERE to enter!

I have a tutorial up on the Denami blog today, so I'd love you to go check it out and let me know what you think!

It's for Reverse Direction Stamping, and it's such a fun technique to do, as you can see from the card above. You get a lot more mileage from the stamps you already own if you can change their direction.

I used the Cars & Trucks stamp set, the Medium Polka Dot BG, a suprise stamp (you'll have to check the tutorial to see!), and the Thoughtful Greetings set for the sentiment. I also used Denami's charcoal, white, and red cardstocks, and a red button. 

If you are up to it, check out my tutorial today!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

CAS-ual Friday (movie inspiration)

I'm so excited by this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge! 

Not only are we having a guest designer search this week, but our challenge is to base our project on a movie!

(remember when we based it on a book? I LOVED that challenge too)

Well I chose Fried Green Tomatoes. 

Although I loved the book by Fannie Flagg, I enjoyed the movie too. There are, of course, parts of the book missing altogether from the movie, but it was still well acted in my opinion. (Love Jessica Tandy!)

So what movie will you base your card on?

Join in on the fun this week as we walk down the red carpet into a new challenge!

I can't wait to see all the entries! I just know you guys will be so creative!

We are sponsored by Simon Says Stamp this week. Check out their Tim Holtz goodies...yum!

Come be our next guest designer at CAS-UAL FRIDAYS! 

See you on the red carpet!

*mwah*

Groundhog cookies!

You can still enter my giveaway until February 6th! Click HERE!

Hiya! 

Happy Groundhog's Day 2012!!

Do you think Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow this year?

It's become a running tradition here on the blog to post the recipe and photos of my spicy Groundhog cookies, so I don't want to disappoint...*grin*

We do so love these cookies.

 And I promise they are not made with spicy groundhog meat...! HA

Recipe can be found here, and here, and here for my Spicy Groundhog Cookies.

I love to send them in to school with the kids to share with their classroom.

Yummy. 

Since I have no groundhog stamps, I went with this darling set from The Craft's Meow called Butterfly Kisses.

Isn't it sweet? 

I love that image of the girl with wings holding a flower. 

And the font of the sentiment is beautiful!

I began by stamping the butterfly image repeatedly in black ink on the grey panel and then added a tiny white gel pen dot in the center of each. 

After stamping and cutting the girl out from pale yellow CS I glued a paper flower into her hands. I knew I wanted the sentiment to be on a tiny tag, but I could not decided where to put it! *chuckle*

I placed it in several locations before it ended up where it is!

Well thanks for stopping by today, I hope you have a wonderful Groundhog's Day (and I hope we see spring soon)!

*mwah*

Blog-aversary giveaway!

Happy birthday to this blog!

As of today I've been blogging for five years (since January 2007).

There have been happy times, sad events, yummy food, lulls in posting, and lots of stamping.

 *smile*

In honor of all the amazing friends I've made through the years, and the friendships that have developed because of this incredible hobby, I want to give something back...

Let's have a giveaway, shall we?

WAYS TO WIN:

1. Follow my blog by clicking "JOIN" over on the left, and leave me a comment letting me know you are now (or already are) a follower.

2. Leave a comment suggesting a great book to read.

3. Do both of the above for two entries!

I totally get that some folks may not want to follow yet another blog, so it's not required to enter, but if you do follow me or begin to follow me I will appreciate you and love you to pieces, so those of you who do will get an extra entry!

What could you win?

 Your choice of a $20 gift certificate to one of the stores below:

Denami Design

Practicing Creativity Designs

WPlus9

Verve

Wilson Designs

A winner will be chosen and announced 1 week from today on February 7.

And just because it's fun, lets look at a card I posted way back when I first started this blog in 2007. Ha!

I can see all the ways I'd change this card now, but that's the beauty of growth and changing styles, right?  Boy was I into DTP inking! *grin*

So thanks for stopping by, and be sure to leave a comment about your favorite book and/or follow me to enter the giveaway. You have until next Monday to enter!

Here's to many more years of online stamping and blogging fun!

*mwah*

CAS-ual Friday (sketch)

Its that time again... 

A new CAS-ual Friday challenge is up and ready!

And let me just say that last week was AWESOME! What a turn out! 

So many gorgeous/clever/unique B&W cards were submitted. 

I was seriously in awe.

This week it's a sketch.

Now, some of you know that I am TERRIBLE at actually following sketches exactly. I always feel the need to flip or rotate or otherwise move things around a bit. 

I've never been good at "staying inside the lines" in real life either. 

*grin*

I turned this sketch completely upside down, and made that square a bit...more shapely should I say? *chuckle*

We are sponsored by Sweet and Sassy stamps this week, and they have some really great clear stamps, so if you are feeling the need for retail therapy check them out!

I'd really love to see some more amazing cards this week, so be sure to link up your project using Laura's sketch to the challenge site! 

Thanks for stopping by, Have a great weekend!

*mwah*

Love

Do you ever make a card and then surprise yourself with how much you like it? 

Well this one did that for me. I was almost in a trance while I was stamping and cutting away...not really even paying attention to what I was doing. Then all of a sudden I focused and was so shocked to see this cute card! *chuckle*

I'm allowed to say that, right?

That I like my own card?

Hope so, because I surely do. *smile*

This awesome scripty love sentiment is on sale this week at Denami. It's perfect for all your St. Valentine's Day needs. What says it better, right?

Supplies: White, red, black cardstock, Script Love stamp, red grosgrain ribbon, sheer white ribbon, a scrap of patterned paper, white e.p, versamark, paper rose, and heart pins.

Grab this gorgeous stamp while it's on sale this week only, and be sure to check out the Denami blog for some really pretty cards using it too!.

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*

CAS-ual Friday (B&W)

WOW, I guess it's been a busy week for me. My last post was a week ago now, and although I  actually have several things to post I just can't find the time to do so. *smile*

By today is all about the newest CAS-ual Friday challenge!

Yep, its black & white time crafty friends!

There is something so simple about black and white that makes it seem elegant, clean, and...primal almost.

Before there was color, there was black and white. The absence and the presence of light! What could be more CAS than that?

I used three sets by PTI. A new one called something Stitches, or Stiches and something...can't recall! *chuckle* And a sentiment from Wedding Day, and the tiny hearts from Love Lives Here: Holiday. All CS and ribbon are also PTI. white e.p is Sparkle n Sprinkle (my favorite e.p. maker ever!)

We are sponsored by Cindy Coutts this week.

Last week was a blast with all the scallop goodness out there in blogland, won't you play again?

Come join in on the fun with CAS-ual Fridays and link up your clean & simple, black & white project!

Thanks for stopping by,

*mwah*