Just Give Me Stamps...

"Just Give Me Goodies" Winners...

Sorry I'm late posting!  We had some friends come over for dinner tonight.  It was fun to visit...and fun for our kids (they have kids very similar in age to ours)!  I hope you all had a great weekend as well!  :-)

Without further babbling on my part (LOL!), the winners of the "Goodies" (according to random.org) are...

Tanja (winner of the goodies pictured below) wrote:

"What great tips everyone gave! Congratulations! I can't believe you've only been at this for a year, either! Yours was one of the first blogs I found when I discovered there was such a thing!
My tip is so ridiculously simple - Throw away as you go into a bowl like Rachael Ray's trash bowl. I don't know why - it just makes me feel more in control of my mess :)"

and....

Amy Johnson (winner of the $15 Stamper's Dream Gift Certificate wrote:

"I really love your blog and read it everyday. I especially enjoy your odd weather stories---except I still have no idea what state you live in that explains such odd weather. Where exactly do you live? Anyhow I would love to win these goodies. Stampin tip? Mmmnn I don't have anything to original. My only tip is to avoid wasting cardstock, always stamp on scrap paper first to see if the image leaves any marks or stamps evenly. Thats about it."

I have emailed both ladies...and am anxious to send them their goodies! 

I want to thank ALL OF YOU for the awesome tips!!  If you haven't read some of them...please do!  I've learned quite a bit!  There is one that I just have to share with you!   I laughed so hard when I read it...because it is something that I do ALL the time!!      I am so challenged in this area!!  LOL!!!!

Diane Van Horn wrote:  "I'm so happy for you as you celebrate your anniversary. You never stop inspiring me on a daily basis. My favorite tip is: Alway remember to check where your fold is before you start adhering things. I'm not ashamed to admit that more times than I want to mention, I have assembled my card only to realize that it is upside down......Come on...you know you have done it too."

Diane, YES...I do that also!!  I have ruined more cards because of this!!  LOL!!  You must have know I needed this reminder!  Hee!

Again, thanks so much for the great tips!! 

Asian Flair...

Happy Sunday!  Today, I've got a little "sneak peek" of a brand new Verve set to show you!  The June release is only three days away (Wednesday June, 25th) and there will be four brand new sets!  The set that is being showcased today on the Verve blog is the new Asian Flair set.

I started with a 3 1/8" x 6 1/2" Night of Navy card base.  (I know, this is the third tall and skinny card I've done lately... I will try to mix it up a little next time. :-)  I chose to use these Blue Awning patterned papers (K & Co)...I am really loving these!  The subtle map print seemed perfect for this quote by Thoreau.  Speaking of that quote, I really wanted it to be the focal point of my card...so I used the other elements just as accents.

The striped piece of paper that is under the tag may look like another layer, but it isn't!  I knew if I cut another piece to layer on top, it would be a time consuming task to try and get the patterns to line up exactly with the bottom striped layer.  Instead, I cut some "slits" in the striped layer and wove the top Cream layer through them.  It's not as bulky as extra layers, the patterns match up perfectly :-), and I am saving paper (gorgeous paper, I might add LOL!).

I used one of the tags die (from the  Spellbinder's Tags 5 set) to cut/emboss around the quote to create my focal image.  I added some Hemp and a decorative brad and placed it over the Olive taffeta ribbon.  I don't actually have any Olive colored taffeta ribbon :-)...so I dyed some Ivory ribbon with my YG95 (Pale Olive) Copic marker to create the perfect color!  I've tried dying different kinds of ribbon (grosgrain, satin, taffeta, twill etc.) and have found that the two best kinds (i.e. doesn't streak very much and accepts the color well) are the taffeta and organdy ribbons.  The others will either streak badly or mutate the color.  :-)

If you haven't already, make sure you stop by the Verve blog...you can enter to win this new set for FREE!  Woohoo!  Also, the sneak peeks will continue through Wednesday...with chances to win each of the new sets!

Also, I will be drawing the winners of the "Just Give Me Goodies" later this evening!  Thanks so much for all of your tips!  There is a wealth of information there!!

Have a wonderful Sunday,

 

Recipe   Stamps: Asian Flair   Paper:Pearlized Ivory c.s., Night of Navy c.s. (Stampin' Up!), Blue Awning patterned paper (K & Co)   Ink:Night of Navy craft ink, Old Olive (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen Distress Ink   Accessories:Clear detail e.p., Tag dies (Spellbinders), Ivory taffeta ribbon, Olive Copic marker, Hemp, Decorative brad, Paper piercer

A Soft Pink Thank You...

Happy Saturday!  Today, the Our Creative Corner group posted the second challenge for June - to use at least one brad and one button on your card.  Well, I love both buttons and brads so this was an easy one for me!  :-)

I'm not sure what's up with my complete fascination with Pinks lately...but I again made a pink card!  :-)  I mean, I do like pink...but lately I'm so drawn to it (more than usual).  I did start out intending to use different colors (some pretty blues), but I had this new Mini pack of patterned papers (Isn't it Romantic collection) sitting out on my desk.  It is full of these gorgeous pinks, sage greens, & soft yellows...I just couldn't help myself!  LOL!  I chose a pink plaid pattern to layer on my 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" card base (it's not a standard sized card so I needed to make my own envelope).  

To create the floral focal piece, I stamped this pretty bouquet (from Inque Boutique's Thank You set) onto Shimmery White cardstock and colored it in with Copic markers.  I then used my Nestabilities to create the layered ovals.  Before I glued them together, I sponged a little Sahara Sand ink onto the edges to create a "ever-so-slight-Shabby-Chic" look.  :-)  I added some white mini brads to the center of the flowers.  The crisp white looked so out of place on my slightly aged card, so I colored directly onto the brads with my Brick White Copic marker to soften the white a bit.

I stamped the dots (also from the Thank You set) onto a Shimmery White c.s. piece and covered it with some Vellum c.s.  (Doesn't the Vellum just add to the soft romantic feel of this card?)  I cut  my vellum piece a 1/2" longer than I needed it...so I could add a scalloped border along the bottom.  Before I added the button to the center of the Prima flower, I sanded the edge a little with a sanding block.  I loved the distressed look of it...but the sanded edges were too white.  I again, took out my Brick White Copic marker and toned down that white so it would match my card better.  I embossed the "thank you" sentiment directly onto the plaid patterned paper with white embossing powder.

 To see all the Challenge details, as well as the samples that the talented Our Creative Corner ladies created, you can check out the blog HERE.  I hope you get a chance to play along!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Recipe   Stamps: Thank You set (Inque Boutique)   Paper:Shimmery White c.s., Pretty in Pink c.s., Vellum c.s., Isn't it Romantic Mini patterned paper pad (Inque Boutique)   Ink:Adirondack Pitch Black, Regal Rose, Sahara Sand, Versamark   Other:Copic markers, Nestabilities, Paper piercer, Ric-Rac, Prima flower, Button, Mini brads (Queen & Co.), Thread, White e.p.

Pretty Pink Bundle...

Happy Friday!  You know what Friday means....another one of Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenges!!  :-)  I love the sketch this week!  I have several cards I need to make, so I plan on using this sketch several times this weekend.  :-)

I have a couple of friends expecting new arrivals pretty soon, and I will be needing cards for them.  I just received this sweet Clear Baby set from Rubber Soul, and couldn't wait to use it!  I started with a 3 1/8" x 6 1/2" card base, and layered on some Sahara Sand and Pretty in Pink c.s.  I added a little bit of polka dot ribbon, and some rhinestones (two of my favorite things :-). 

I've got a thank you card I need to make this morning...so I will be back later with another sample of this sketch!  This is one that I filed away in my sketch file...and will be using it often.  :-)  If you want to see some gorgeous samples right now...make sure to check out what Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Lori, Mary Jo, & Sharon have made...these ladies always wow me!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Recipe   Stamps: Clear Baby set (Rubber Soul)   Paper: Shimmery White c.s., Pretty in Pink, Sahara Sand, Basic Black   Ink:Versamark, White Craft   Other: Black detail e.p., Copic markers, Soft Pink gems, Circle punches, Scallop circle. Sewing machine, Paper piercer

It's "Just Give Me Goodies" Time!!!

Happy Thursday!!  Wow!  I cannot believe it's been over a year since I first started this blog!  When I first began, I really was just going to post "once in a while"...and had serious doubts that anyone would even visit!!  LOL!  I have made so many wonderful friends...ones that I might never have "met" if it weren't for this "blogging world"!  As a way to say thank you to YOU, I've compiled some of my favorite stuff to give away!

I will draw two names.  The first will receive everything shown here!  There are stamps, bling (of course :-), over 15 yards of ribbon, Crate paper patterned paper, brads, K & Co. flowers, a couple of my favorite cards (including the FIRST card I made for the Dirty Dozen - 8 months ago)...oh and CHOCOLATE!!

 

The second name I draw will receive a $15 Gift Certificate from Stamper's Dream!!!  To be entered into the drawing, just leave a comment on this post (PLEASE only ONE comment per person).  If you want (this is not required), leave your favorite stamping tip!!  I'm sure everyone would benefit from it...I know I will!  :-)

I'll start...  My favorite "tip" has to do with cutting things out.  When I was nursing one of my kids (I think it was my now 9 year old son..so it was a while ago :-), I saw a Carol Duvall show and she shared this tip.  When cutting anything out (especially small intricate things), keep your hand with he scissors still..so you will be moving/turning the paper that you are cutting.  This gives much better control and produces a more finished result!  :-)

I will draw the names Sunday evening...enough time for those of you on Feedblitz (which can be up to two days later than I post :-) to see this!!  Thank you so much...all of you!!!

Have a wonderful day!