Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sentimental Sundays–Back to School

The new Sentimental Sundays challenge is Back to School (with a sentiment).  I’m sitting out this week but you can get plenty of inspiration from the rest of the DT at the Sentimental Sundays blog.   

Have a great Sunday!

I’m late! Music Saves My Soul

Eek!  I can’t believe I almost forgot to post this week.  Things have been so busy that some how it slipped my mind.  I was sitting at my daughter’s fencing tournament this morning and it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t done a post.  Oh well, better a little late than never.

 

If you would like to play along and share a song, be sure to link up on Marcea’s blog.

 

While you are here, don’t forget my Halloween blog candy -  something sweet that won’t cause cavities. 


 

Have a great week end!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Meljen’s Designs–Blast from the Past!

There are exciting things going on at Meljen’s Designs. I can’t let the cat out of the bag yet, come back on September 1 for the big announcement and a blog hop!

While we are gearing up for the blog hop, this week we are posting either our FIRST or FAVORITE Meljen’s Designs projects. I decided to do both.

(You can click on the photos below to go to my original posts.)

This was my very first Meljen’s Designs card from April 2010 which I created when Melissa launched her first design team using the image Unicorn’s Rest.

Also in April 2010, I made this card for the 3-D challenge using Sick Little Bear. I enjoyed adding the details like the Kleenex and the French knots on the blanket.

This tag is from October 2010 using Cutie Sitter Witch. I think it was one of the first times I used cardboard and paint on a project.

Lastly, I love this large rosette that I made last Christmas to decorate the garland on my bannister. I used Rudolph out of the set of Santa’s reindeer that Melissa designed.

If you would like to see more of my Meljen’s Designs projects, you can see then all HERE.

You may be wondering what the new challenge at the Meljen’s Designs blog is this week since we do not have a new release for you. We are challenging you to show off either your FIRST or FAVORITE MELJEN’s DESIGNS project. Stop by the Meljen's Designs blog to see the FIRST and FAVORITE creations from the rest of the DT and to enter your project.

Don’t forget to stop back on September 1st for the big Meljen’s Designs news!

Thank you for stopping by!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Blog Candy Winner!

Meljen's Designs


Thank you for all the birthday wishes! I used random.org to pick a winner of the 4 digital images from Meljen’s Designs. And the winner is…..

randomorg

#9 - Фиалкин Домик

Congratulations! Please pick 4 digital images from Meljen’s Designs and email me your choices at shestamps11-blogs at yahoo dot com. (You can see all the Meljen’s Designs images HERE.)

Have a great day!

Meljen’s Designs Blog Candy

**This post will remain on top until 8-23-11. Please scroll down to see my new projects.**


I'm feeling thankful
for the small things, today
I'm feeling thankful
for the small things, today
Happy, Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
and to you

~Cracker (click here to listen)

Since my birthday is in August, I thought I would have another little blog candy offering for my followers. I am offering 4 digital stamps of the winner’s choice from Meljen’s Designs. (You can see entire selection of Meljen’s Designs digital stamps at Whimsy Stamps HERE.)

So, what do you have to do to win?

  1. Be a follower of my blog.
  2. Link up using the Mister Linky tool below so that you can be in the drawing.
  3. Leave me a comment on this post or any other post on my blog.
  4. You don’t have to, but it would be great if you let your friends know about my give away.

That’s it!

The linky tool will close on August 23rd and I will use random.org to pick a winner. I will post the winner on my blog before the end of that week. The winner will have 2 weeks to contact me to collect their prize. If I don’t hear from the winner with in 2 weeks, I will pick a new winner.



Meljen's Designs


Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Crafter's Cafe Best Blog/NING candy evah! (36 Copic Set)

Check out how to win this awesome candy including COPICS at the Crafter’s Café blog.    If you enter after seeing my post, please let them know I sent you and leave me a comment letting me know too.

 

Good luck!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Let Them Eat Cake!

It’s time for an new Sentimental Sundays challenge. This week our challenge to you is to create a BIRTHDAY themed project. Don’t forget to include a sentiment. For my card I used a free digital stamp from Ann Vento’s blog, Raindrop Echo Designs.

I’m so happy I got a chance to get into my craft room this week. I really didn’t think I was going to get the chance.

I hope you will join our Birthday (plus a sentiment) challenge. Stop by the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog to see the inspiration pieces from the rest of the DT and to download the weekly free digital sentiment sent created by Ann Vento.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Sweet Circle Sentiments (digital stamp) by Raindrop Echo Designs (freebie available on Ann Vento’s blog HERE)
  • Inks: None
  • Papers: Papertrey kraft CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Bazzill Basics CS, My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Market Street paper pad
  • Tools: Sewing machine, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Papertrey banner dies, Tim Holtz Alterations rosette die, Copic markers
  • Embellishments: Hug Snug winter white seam binding, white cotton crochet thread, Close To My Heart Stardust Glitz, Sakura Stardust gellyroll pen, misc. buttons, Glue Arts PermaTac mounting squares

Challenges:

Music Saves My Soul

 

Woo hoo!  It is one my favorite week ends of the year.   We are heading to Milwaukee’s Irish Fest for music, food, a few beers and craic.  The weather looks to be gorgeous so I am looking forward to a wonderful day.   

 

 

If you would like to play along, be sure to link up your blog post with your song pick on Marcea’s blog

 

Have a wonderful week end!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Who loves baker’s twine? Check out the give away at the Twinery!



Let me start with, I so would love to win this. The Twinery is giving away TWO full sets of their Ultimate Twine Bundle - that's a full spool of each color and a retail value of $168! This is HUGE people!

Ultimate Bundle

They are celebrating their first anniversary and there are still tons of amazing prizes up for grabs but you have to be quick so that you don't miss out on all of the fun - just click the link below to see what they've been doing all week! And tell them I sent you!!!

Here's the link: http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Thursday, August 18, 2011

This & That

I have a quick post for you today. I have had a lot going on and have not had a chance to craft very much. I made these projects a couple of weeks ago and thought I would share them with you.

My mother in-law asked me if I could donate some cards or projects to our local senior center to use as a door prize for a party they were having. Since I didn’t want to give a pack of none coordinating card, threw together these projects with supplies I had on hand.

For the first door prize, I decorated a candle holder and made a coordinating tag paper piecing Little Layered Flowers Button Daisy by Meljen’s Designs.

For the second door prize I stamped some coasters. Although I forgot to take a photo, I packaged the coasters with burlap, baker’s twine and a button so that the looked nice.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies for Candle and Tag:

  • Stamps: Little Layered Flowers Button Daisy by Meljen’s Designs, Flowers with Love by Annabelle Stamps
  • Inks: Olive Pastel ColorBox chalk ink, Tea Dye Distress Inks
  • Papers: Papertrey kraft & dark chocolate CS, Stampin’ Up Delicate Dots DP
  • Tools: Stampin’ Up circle punch, Cropadile, Glue Arts Extreme Adhesive Squares, Copic makers
  • Embellishments: Burlap, misc. flower from Hobby Lobby, The Twinery bakers twine, misc button
  • Other: Candle and glass holder from the Dollar Store

Challenges: for Candle & Tag:

Supplies for Coasters:

  • Stamps: Take Flight by Gina K. Designs, Distressed Background by Stampabilities
  • Inks: StazOn in black, olive, brown
  • Papers: none
  • Tools: Sharpie markers, Matte spray sealant
  • Other: Stone coaster

Challenges for Coasters:

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Sentimental Sundays–Shaped Cards

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Are you ready for the new Sentimental Sundays challenge? This week we are challenging you to create a shaped card, no squares or rectangles allowed, with a sentiment. We have two generous sponsors of our challenge this week, Meljen’s Designs and Raindrop Echo Designs.

This past week I had the sad occasion to need to make a card for a friend that lost one of her sweet pups. I immediately thought of this image from Meljen’s Designs, Dog Angel.

Stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog to see the rest of the inspiration pieces by the DT. While you are there you can download a free sentiment set from Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs and link up your “Shaped Card” (with a sentiment).

If you love Meljen’s Designs images, don’t forget to check out my blog candy!

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Dog Angel by Meljen’s Designs (available on Whimsy Stamps)
  • Inks: Distress Inks Old Paper
  • Papers: Papertrey kraft CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Crate Paper Portrait Collection
  • Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic markers, foam dimensional adhesive, Provo Craft Seeing Spots embossing folder
  • Embellishments: misc. buttons, cotton crochet thread, Distress Crackle Paint Old Paper

Challenges:

Music Saves My Soul 8-13-11

 

I’ve had this song in my iPod playlist for a few weeks and decided to share it here.   If you would like to play along, link up your blog post with a favorite song on Marcea’s blog.

 

 

If you like this song, you can download it free from KEXP HERE

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

See Ya Later, Alligator!

Happy Thursday! I hope your week is going well. Since it’s Thursday, it is time for the new Meljen’s Designs release and challenge. Our challenge for you this week is to “Use Black!”

I made this card to go in my box of cards for OWH using one of the new images being released at Whimsy Stamps today. Here is a look at all the new digis.

Stop by the Meljen’s Designs blog to see the rest of the inspiration pieces from the DT and to link up your creation for our “Use Black” challenge.

Sorry for keeping this so short. Blogger was giving me some problems earlier and I want to get this published before it starts being naughty again.

** While you are here, don’t forget to check out my Meljen’s Designs Blog Candy!**

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Little Alligator by Meljen’s Designs and Party Mini Letter Seals by Raindrop Echo Designs (Both available on Whimsy Stamps)
  • Inks: Stampin’ Up Garden Green
  • Papers: Georgia Pacific CS, Paper Studio black CS, Bella Blvd – Mr. Boy
  • Tools: EK Success edge punch, Stampin’ Up circle punch, Big Shot, Provo Craft Seeing Dots embossing folder, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic markers
  • Embellishments: Misc. black twine & buttons

Challenges:

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The First Whimsy Inspirations Challenge

It’s an exciting day! Today is the kick off of the first challenge at Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges. Each week the Whimsy Digi DT will be taking turns to choose that weeks theme. For our first challenge, we have a nice easy one, “Ribbons & Bows”. Use ribbon and at least one bow on your card.

For my card, I used Trimming the Tree by Crissy Armstrong and Warm Winter Wishes Sentiments from Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs.

Stop by the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges blog to see the projects created by some of the Whimsy Digi DT and to link up your “Ribbons & Bows” project.

You don't have to use a Whimsy image. All types of paper projects are welcomed. This week since it is our first challenge we will be having 2 random winners.


The first winner will win

The second winner will win

Additionally, for each challenge one lucky player who has used a Whimsy Stamps image (rubber or digital) will have the opportunity to be a guest designer for a future challenge. The guest designer will be able to choose a digi stamp of their choice from the store to create their guest card too! You can find all the challenge rules on the Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges blog.

If you have only just found us, we would still love you to grab our badge, follow us and tell your friends!!!


Thank you for stopping by! I hope you will join us for our first challenge!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Trimming the Tree by Crissy’s Digis, Warm Winter Wishes Sentiments by Raindrop Echo Designs (both available on Whimsy Stamps), Just the Ticket by Papertrey
  • Inks: Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf
  • Papers: Neenah Crest solar white CS, Papertrey Kraft CS, Close To My Heart Sweet Leaf CS and Wings Creative Basics DP pack
  • Tools: Sewing machine, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Papertrey ticket die, Provo Craft snowflake embossing folder, Copic markers, sanding block, heat tool, Stardust Glitz from Close to my Heart, Gold Stickles, Glossy Accents
  • Embellishments: Hug Snug seam binding, misc. lace, white cotton crochet thread, button, snow flake die cut from Target, Liquid Applique

Challenges:

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Follow the Recipe with the Catered Crop

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Catered Crop


I am thrilled to be picked as a guest chef at the Catered Crop “Follow the Recipe” link party. That means I get to be a guest chef for the new challenge. Playing with the Catered Crop "Follow-the-Recipe" linking party is easy. Here's how it works: (Copied from the Catered Crop blog)

  1. Use any of the ingredients (themes, colors, techniques, shapes, etc.) in either of my two projects shown on the Catered Crop blog. You don't have to use all the ingredients or the same brands. Just pick a few ingredients and then add your own spices to cook up something uniquely yours.
  2. Add your project using the InLinz (froggy) button and join the party.
  3. Be sure to list your recipe or tell us what ingredient you used from the sample recipe.
  4. Don't forget to link back to this post or include the "I Followed the Recipe" button on your blog.
  5. Here's your FTR18 recipe. With the combined ingredients, it's almost an anything goes challenge, so have fun!
  • Colors – primary colors like red, yellow, blue (and green), and a little brown for dirt
  • Stamps and Stickers – anything that grows from a seed, gardening, back to school, worms!
  • Patterns – circles, checked/gingham, notebook paper
  • Color Mediums – stamping ink, markers (ProMarker, Copics)
  • Embellishments – buttons, ribbon, thread/twine
  • Tools – border punch, die cut shapes, embossing plates
  • Techniques – make a bookmark, mat your panels, tie ribbons through your buttons, machine sewing
  • Theme – garden, back to school

For my project, I used these elements from the recipe:

  • Colors – yellow, blue (and green), and a little brown
  • Stamps and Stickers – anything that grows from a seed
  • Patterns – checked/gingham
  • Color Mediums –markers
  • Embellishments – buttons, thread/twine
  • Techniques – mat your panels, machine sewing
  • Theme – garden

See, it is easy and fun! I hope you will join in, follow the recipe, and link up your creation on the Catered Crop blog.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Sunflowers by Just Inklined
  • Inks: None
  • Papers: Neenah Crest solar white CS, Papertrey kraft CS, Close To My Heart Splendor DP pack
  • Tools: Sewing machine, Copic markers
  • Embellishments: 1.5” Jute Natural Ribbon, The Twinery bakers twine, misc buttons, Close to my Heart Stardust Glitz

Challenges:

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Sentimental Sundays & a Fundraiser

We are kicking off a new Sentimental Sundays challenge. Since it is the middle of summer and the flowers are in full bloom, we are asking you to use FLOWERS (and a sentiment) on your creations. We have two fabulous sponsors this week, Sweet N Sassy Stamps and Raindrop Echo Designs.

For my projects, I used this adorable digital image from Sweet N Sassy Stamps and a sentiment from one of the sets designed by Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs as a fundraiser being hosted by Kim Sherrod to help out a friend of hers. Below I have copied the wording directly from Kim’s blog explaining the fundraiser.

This is a fundraiser to help my friend out at this time to help her with expenses so she can see her son. He has a heart problem and it's costly for the trip and it's financially difficult for her to travel. Help us to make it possible for her to spend some time with him. She doesn't think he's going to make it and anything will help to ease her burden during this difficult time.

We are so grateful to Ann V. of Raindrop Echo Designs for designing these beautiful stamps to help us with our fundraiser. We are offering these stamps in both digi and clear stamps. We will send you the digi stamps within 24 hours.

The clear stamps are a pre-order item. We have to meet a minimum in order to place the clear stamp order. The minimum is very minimal. The clear stamps are a wonderful quality and we've worked with the stamp manufacturer before.

Your file will come in jpeg and png files.

Thank you for your support :-)

Here is a look at the images that are available either as clear stamps or as digital stamps.

To order these images or to find out more information on the fundraiser, please stop by Kim Sherrod’s blog HERE.

Stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog to see the flower creations from the rest of the DT. While you are there, you can download this week’s free digital sentiment set designed by Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs and link up your Flower + a sentiment creation.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Peek A Boo Sophie by Sweet N Sassy Stamps, Floral Fantasy by Raindrop Echo Designs
  • Inks: Crushed Olive distress inks
  • Papers: Papertrey kraft & dark chocolate, Stampin’ Up So Saffron, Neenah Crest solar white CS, My Minds Eye Stella & Rose Gertie paper pad
  • Tools: Fiskars edge punch, Sewing machine, Copic markers, Copic ABS1, heat tool, Stampin’ Up small oval punch
  • Embellishments: Prima flowers, floral dew drop

Challenges:

Music Saves My Soul

 

I am going with some music that is a little different than the norm this week.   I have had a couple of hectic weeks and, yes, I admit it, I have been a bit cranky.  At times like this, I really enjoy listening to Zoe Keating and chilling out.     I love the way she mixes her mastery of the cello and her use of technology.  Using a foot pedal operated lap top, she can layer up to 16 tracks for amazing sound.  The first video is of her playing.  The second, if you are interested, is an interview sponsored by Intel. 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to play along, link up a song on Marcea’s blog.  She’s our musical hostess with the mostest!

 

Have a great week end!

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Back to School Bookmark

*** Please scroll down for my Shelly’s Images GDT post. ***

It’s Thursday so it is time for the new Meljen’s Designs release and the new challenge. Melissa is releasing the cutest back to school images this week on Whimsy Stamps. And…. they work perfectly with the new “Back 2 School” challenge.

Once again my daughter was looking for a bookmark. If you have followed my blog for awhile, you might remember that I have already made her several. I don’t know what she does with them! I will make her a new one (she even made herself one) and she will use it for a week or so. Next thing I know there is a Kleenex sticking out of her book again. What’s a mom to do?

I made another book mark but this time I make one of my own design. I made it a bit bigger than usual (approx. 3-1/2” x 5-1/2” finished size) and slips over the corner of the page to help keep her place. Maybe it will be too big to lose?

I was able to use up some scrap paper when I made this. In fact, everything on the book mark except the image and the stickers, were scraps. Woo hoo, I cleaned out a little bit of my stash.

Please stop by the Meljen’s Designs blog to see the creations from the rest of the DT. Our challenge this week is “Back 2 School”. I hope you will join in and link up your back to school themed projects.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Apple for Teacher by Meljen’s Designs on Whimsy Stamps
  • Inks: None
  • Papers: Neenah Crest Solar White CS, Papertrey kraft CS, Bazzill Basics red CS, October Afternoon Schoolhouse paper pad,
  • Tools: Sewing machine, Copic markers, EK Success edge punch
  • Embellishments: October Afternoon Report Card stickers, October Afternoon Ducks In a Row Journal cards, misc. gingham ribbon and cotton crochet thread

Challenges:

Just Chicken In!

*** Be sure to check back later today for my Meljen’s Designs DT post ***

I am excited to be a Guest Designer for Shelly’s Images again. We were asked to work with this image, Hen. The timing couldn’t be more perfect since I am going to go to the Wisconsin State Fair with my family later this week. (There is a cream puff as big as my head in the near future!) I’m sure we will see a few hens similar to this while we are there.

This is the first time I used Prismacolor pencils and OMS on Kraft. I’ve seen people around the web doing this and love the results. (If you want to see a master of this technique, check out Dorcas’ blog.) I love Shelly’s images, especially her animals. They all look so realistic but with the shading she includes in the image, they are always easy to color and use. I used an old Sweet Stop Sketch (SSS118) for inspiration.

Please stop by the Shelly’s Images blog to see what her talented designers have made with this image.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Hen by Shelly’s Images
  • Inks: None
  • Papers & CS: Papertrey kraft & dark chocolate CS, misc. kraft CS, Dutch Mustard from Jillibean Soup DP pad
  • Tools: Sewing machine, Prismacolor pencils & OMS
  • Embellishments: Papertrey button twine, misc button & trim

Challenges:

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Message for Mel from Australia

 

Mel,  can you email me at shestamps11-blogs at yahoo dot com?  I will love to answer your questions, but I can’t find a way to contact you.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Forget Me Not

It’s new digi release day at Whimsy Stamps today! Although I am not part of the group participating in the blog hop today, I wanted to show you the card I made using one of the new images from Crissy’s Digis.

To join in the blog hop, you can find the hop order on the Whimsy Inspirations blog. Hop along to see all the newly released digis and for your chance to win Whimsy Stamps prizes.

Whimsy Stamps is kicking off Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges. The first challenge will start on August 10th. We need your help spreading the word. Grab the Badge, Tell your Friends that there will be a new challenge starting at Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges on Wednesday 10th August and leave a link to your blog in the linky tool on the challenge blog (here)... Simple! Everyone who follows these 3 simple steps will be entered into our draw to win a mystery prize. The winner will be announced right here on the 10th August on the first Challenge day!

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Forget Me Not digital stamp from Crissy’s Digis, Ticket Sentiments from Raindrop Echo Designs (Both available on Whimsy Stamps)
  • Inks: Close To My Heart Chocolate ink
  • Papers: Papertrey kraft and dark chocolate CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Bo Bunny Flutter Butter DP
  • Tools: Sewing machine, Big Shot, Quickutz flourish dies, Copic markers, Stampin’ Up edge punch, Martha Stewart butterfly punch
  • Embellishments: Sakura star dust gelly roll pen, Buttercup Liquid Pearls by Ranger, Stampin’ Up ribbon, misc. lace, gemstones, flower (from blog candy)

Challenges: