SSC188 Foxy Friends Best Wishes

Hello Stampers!  Are you ready for the next Sunday Stamps challenge, a sketch challenge?

I made a fun little card for a family member who broke her shoulder.  Gotta make the skunk a girl, right? 

"So sorry you're hurting" is the inside sentiment.

Here's the sketch by Lisa.  I'm thinking about focusing on older or retired stamp sets for Sunday Stamps, so I can assure them some fun time.  Who's with me?

Stamps: Foxy Friends, Here for You, Cookie-Cutter Christmas; Paper: Grapefruit Grove, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Nature's Poem DSP; Ink: Calypso Coral, Tranquil Tide, Soft Suede, Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Fox Builder Punch, Cookie Cutter Builder Punch, Decorative Ribbon Border Punch, Detailed Trio Punch.

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FM230 Sweet Halloween Treat

Hi Everyone,  Time for another challenge at the Friday Mashup.  This week we are creating with yummy baked goods.  Well, IMO baked goods images never look as good as the real thing, and I was tempted to bake and create some crafty packaging for this challenge, but I need a card to mail out, so that was a no-go. 

While commenting on this week's Mashup challenge entries, I fell in love with the layout used by Archana Bhurke.  Fun, huh?  For my punch art donut, I covered it in Crystal Effects and then sprinkled fine and chunky black glitter on top before drying.  As always happens, without fail, I messed up the Crystal Effects before it was dry.  SMH.

This striped paper reminds you of a candy shoppe, doesn't it?

This week's Mashup Challenge:

• Create a project featuring Donuts or Baked Goods.
• Create a project with a Friendship Theme. 
• or Mash it Up! and create a Friendship themed project with Donuts.

Stamps: Sweet Hauntings; Paper: Tangelo Twist, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Happy Haunting DSP; Ink: Tangelo Twist, Basic Black; Accessories: Spider Web doily, Fine & Chunky Black glitter, Black baker's twine, Crystal Effects, 1" & 2-1/2" Circle punches, Needle & Thread.

Click HERE to check out this week's Weekly Deals! 

Here's Nala, aka Taz the Tazmanian she-devil, at last weekend's bike race.  When she is not sleeping, she is all teeth at 60 mph.

FM218 Celebrate County Fairs!

Today for the Friday Mashup, Lisa has a tricky one for us, or for me at least, punch art (or punches) inspired by the state (or county) fair.

I started with some banner punches, which always says party and fun, and I couldn't resist using a ferris wheel, Missy and my favorite!  I used some patterned paper, lighted up with some gesso, to create a backdrop.  From there, a little popcorn punch art.

The sad part is Missy and I missed this year's county fair because she was too booked with all her summer camps.  :(

So I'm trying the new archival Basic Black ink for the first time, available in the upcoming Holiday catalog on September 1.  It is so nice and dark and crisp.  I love it!!

Here's your Mashup Challenge this week:

• Create a project "inspired by the State Fair".
• Create a project using "Punches".
• or Mash it Up and create a project "inspired by the Fair using your punches".

Stamps: Feeling Sentimental; Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP, Big Top Birthday DSP, Sprinkles & Sunshine DSP; Ink: So Saffron, Lucky Limeade, Archival Basic Black; Accessories: Petite Pennants punch, Cupcake builder punch, Sponges, Gesso, Adorning Accents edgelits, Fry Box die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

5th Annual Hudson Valley Shoebox Swap

This past weekend we gathered for the 5th Annual Hudson Valley Shoebox Swap.

I can't believe we have been stamping together in the Poughkeepsie area for 5 years!  :)  I'll share my swaps with you.

3 x 3" Notecard Swap & Custom Envelope -

An elegant gold and vanilla notecard, perfect for a birthday or wedding thank you.  The card front is shorter than the card back, with the washi tape on the inside, to carry the design through to the handwritten sentiment.

Stamps: Four You; Paper: Very Vanilla, Gold Foil Sheet, Vanilla-colored copy paper; Ink: Versamark; Accessories: Gold embossing powder, Watercolor Wonder washi tape, Envelope Punch Board.

Green Bunny Shoebox Swap -

I was overflowing with button and brad containers, so it was time to re-purpose them.  This project uses the containers, as well as patterned paper from a past Sale-a-Bration special.  All free; don't you love how this project starts?

I used the larger hole from the crop-o-dile to punch the side of the container, and the lollipop stick is held in place with some hot glue.  A bit of punch art, and you have a cute little favor.  Best as I can tell, this idea originally came from Becky Roberts.

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Delicate Dots DSP; Ink: Pink Pirouette, Basic Black marker, White Gel pen; Accessories: Stitched ribbon, Burlap ribbon, Oval punches, Circle punches, Full Heart punch, Small Heart punch, Lollipop sticks.

Gettin' Punchy

We recently got together for a punch art class.  Here's some of the projects we made.

I had a strawberry card I made last year; I think it was for the Dare to Get Dirty challenges on Splitcoaststampers.  Anywho, I tucked the card away for a future punch art class.

Stamps: Something to Celebrate (retired); Paper: Raspberry Ripple, Lucky Limeade, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Whisper White; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black marker; Accessories: White baker's twine, Perfect Polka Dot EF, Woodgrain EF, Swirl Scribbles die, Birds & Blooms die, Big Shot; Punches: Heart, Petal, Boho Blossom, Designer Label. 

I had a little punch art frog laying around from 2010 Convention, and I saw an adorable lily pad card on Lyssa's blog.  Well these two ideas must get together!

Here's the punch page for the frog.

Stamp: Curly Cute; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Versamark, Basic Black marker, Versamarker; Accessories: White embossing powder, Coluzzle; Punches: Blossom, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Itty Bitty pack, Trio flower, Oval punches.

There were a couple sweet pea examples at Convention a few years ago, and I've wanted to try them.  This little one looks almost identical to the one on the display boards (I hope I am crediting the right person!).

This is my kind of crafting, bending card stock to my will.  Love the little curly Q's!

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Bashful Blue DSP; Punches: Butterfly, 5-Petal Flower.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM62 Sketching with Birds... Angry Birds

It is Lisa's turn to challenge us on the Friday Mashup.  I'm completely out of the Angry Birds loop, since I have a "dumb" phone, but my daughter knows what they are.  She was very supportive of trying some Angry Birds punch art.  In fact, the story today is that she would like to have an Angry Bird 7th birthday party, which is nearly two years away.  Then she told me we better start making some invitations.  *eyeroll*  Anyway, on to the challenge...

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using " the Sketch ".
2. Or Make a project featuring " Birds ".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " project using the above Sketch featuring Birds ".

Of course I mashed it up with the sketch and some birds.  I put together a birthday card, which is also a gift card holder on the inside.

I followed Niki's tutorial to make these birds.  Why are they so angry anyway?  That's alright; I don't need to know.

Stamps: Up, Up & Away; Paper: Old Olive, So Saffron, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White, Ice Cream Parlor DSP;  Ink: Basic Black, Basic Black marker; Accessories: White gel pen, 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, 1/2" Circle punch, Full Heart punch, Heart-to-Heart punch, Tiny Heart punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Boho Blossom punch, Petite Pennant punch, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

And it is time again for the Fan Favorite, a challenge picked by YOU, the fans!  If you are a regular at the Mashup, make sure you join in the fun!!

Here's how it works: 

1. Between June 4 to June 10, write a post on your Blog describing what your Mashup Challenge would be!

2. Come back here and Link up! 

3. The Fans will vote for their top 3 from all the Entries on June 11-15.

4. Voting for the TOP 3 will be June 16-20.

5. The winner will be announced on June 21st

6. The winning Challenge will be hosted here on Friday June 29th.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Valentine's Day is exciting for any school-age girl. Remember picking out your Valentine's, writing you classmate's name on each one? And what fun to go through your own box of Valentine's when you got home from school that day!

This is the project Little Missy picked out for her friends, a decorated box of conversation hearts.

I helped with the gluing, and she did the stamping herself.

Stamps: Something to Celebrate; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Love Impressions DSP; Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black marker; Accessories: Owl Builder punch, Scallop Circle punch, Heart-to-Heart punch.

Little Missy had originally chosen her "Bob the Builder" stamp set... here is the original project I had planned to suggest to her, but it just wouldn't fit on the conversation heart box.

Stamps: I Dig You, Itty Bitty Backgrounds; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Everyday Elegance DSP; Ink: Poppy Parade, Riding Hood Red, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Basic Black; Accessories: Cupcake Builder punch, Sponge, Brayer, Snow Burst embossing folder, Petal Cone die, Big Shot.

And Little Missy making her own Valentine's Day cookies...

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Graduation!

I've got a couple nieces graduating this weekend, and I've seen some cute owl grad cards. In fact, I had to buy the owl punch for this reason!

I love to custom the colors for the graduating school colors. I used my Basic Black marker to dye the White Baker's Twine for a tassel. And some Crystal Effects on the nose and feet.

Lorri Heiling's card was my main inspiration.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, En Francais; Paper: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White craft, Basic Black marker; Accessories: Owl punch, Curly Label punch, Scallop Circle punch, White Baker's Twine, Crystal Effects, Real Red taffeta ribbon, Pumpkin Pie taffeta ribbon, Basic Black satin ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC21 June Weddings

Today's card for the Stampin' Up Only Challenge, any wedding projects, served double duty. We also made this card at stamp club this month.

I've been wanting to make a wedding cake card for a while, and I used the amazing 3-D cake created by one of last year's Artisian Award winners Jodie Olver as inspiration.

Of course, I couldn't put my club ladies through the stress of that many flowers!

The background is stamped with En Francais in Versamark and clear embossed. Then sponged with Blushing Bride ink.

Stamps: All Holidays (retiring!), En Francais BG; Paper: Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Brushed Silver, Whisper White, Sending Love Specialty DSP; Ink: Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Scallop Trim border punch, Small oval punch (retiring!), Large Oval punch, Wide Oval punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, Trio Flower punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Corner Rounder punch, Crop-o-dile, Sponge, Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, White Baker's twine, Little Leaves die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Springtime Flowers

Morning Everyone, I wanted to make a special birthday card for a fellow stamper. Since it was a milestone birthday, it had to be a WOW card. I started with the Beautiful Life set (one of my favorite retired sets) and Mojo Monday layout #185 for the front.

And inside...

The beautiful pop-up flower box was designed by Brenda Quintana. She graciously provided a tutorial here. This card is a great candidate for the Splitcoaststampers' Creative Crew catalog focus challenge this month, punches. This card certainly used a few!

Stamps: Beautiful Life, Woodgrain BG; Paper: Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Regal Rose, Rich Razzleberry, Concord Crush, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, retired Certainly Celery and So Saffron DSP; Ink: Old Olive, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Regal Rose, Rich Razzleberry, Concord Crush, Marina Mist; Accessories: Sponges, Apricot Appeal grosgrain ribbon, Brads, Eyelet Border punch, Various punches for flowers, Coluzzle, Scallop Circle #2 die, Tasteful Trim die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

3-D Thursday: Easter Basket

Last week I shared a sneak peek of my project for February's Paper Crafters Sampler, Easter Wishes. I've been playing around with the project to come up with another design, a mini version of the project in this month's sampler. This is a fun and different way to decorate and display Easter eggs.

Stamps: Eastern Blooms; Paper: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Good Morning Sunshine DSP; Ink: Pacific Point, Soft Suede, Marina Mist; Accessories: Sponge, Crimper, Tissue paper, Chipboard, Crop-o-dile, Jumbo eyelets, Linen thread, Pacific Point ribbon, Egg, 5-Petal punch, 1/2" Circle punch, Stylus, Petal Cone die, Big Shot, Two-way glue pen.

Complete project instructions available in February's issue of Paper Crafters Sampler (code PCSHB).

Thanks for stopping by!

February Issue of Paper Crafters Sampler Sneak Peek

The February issue of Paper Crafters Sampler will be released on February 10th. And I'm excited to share a sneak peek of my project in this month's issue.

A bit of egg decoration, a splash of spring time flowers... I can't wait for Spring! Remember, if you do sign up for this month's issue, to use code PCSHB, so Melanie knows I sent you. Thanks!

I plan to make another sample, with different design, for next week. Keep an eye out for that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Countdown To Christmas: Little 3-D Gifts and Favors

Two weeks to go... the end is in sight! Time to whip up those last minute little 3-D items for teachers, neighbors, co-workers. Here are a few ideas.

I've been playing with the petal card punch again, making Christmas nugget boxes.

These are two Petal Card punches glued together to create a little nugget box (a Hershey's nugget fits inside), and then just decorate with punches. What other holiday creations can you come up with?

My Santa could have used some sponging around his beard. I had limited supplies at the time I made him (and he is a hodge-podge of red colors). Here is a tilted shot so you can see the beard better.

The idea for these guys came from others who have shared, Danee Hoang and 'meandpaul' on SCS. Thanks to them!

Santa: Stamps: Tags Til Christmas; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Whisper White, Very Vanilla; Ink: Ruby Red; Accessories: Petal Card punch, Small Oval punch, Scallop Circle punch, Crop-o-dile, Basic Black marker.

Snowman: Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Basic Black; Accessories: Petal Card punch, Square punch, Word Window punch, Boho Blossom punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Crop-o-dile, Basic Black marker, White gel pen.
Here is a little bit quicker box we made at stamp club.

It uses four Petal Card punch-outs. Beth McAlexander has a good pictorial on how to put the pieces together to make the box. This box will fit a Hershey's kiss or other little candy. My hubby commented, "It says I like you, but not that much." :/

Stamps: Cute by the Inch, Very Vintage wheel; Paper: Regal Rose; Ink: Regal Rose, Versamark; Accessories: White embossing powder, Square punch, Regal Rose ribbon.
Tanya Boser has posted several samples of stamping on tealight candles plus a little custom matchbox to hold them. I followed the tutorial on Stampin' Addicts for a three tealight box. I put a couple boxes together for my daughter's preschool teachers.

To create the stamped tealight is really easy! Punch out several tissue paper circles by sandwiching between copy paper. Punch a center hole a few times with the 1/16" hole punch to allow for the wick. Stamp as desired on the tissue paper. Place the tissue paper on the candle, and without holding the candle, heat the tissue with the heat gun until it melts into the wax. Easy peasy!
Stamps: Day of Gratitude; Paper: Really Rust, Whisper White, Autumn Vine DSP; Ink: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1/16" Hole punch, Tissue paper, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Tealights.

This next one is my favorite submission for the Friday Mashup.
Stamps: Serene Snowflakes; Paper: Ballet Blue, Whisper White, DSP from Country Living A La Carte kit; Ink: Ballet Blue; Accessories: 1-3/8" Circle punch, 1/16" Hole punch, Tissue paper, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Tealights.
Thanks for stopping by!