Follower Blog Candy

*** THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED ****

THIS POST WILL STAY ON THE TOP UNTIL SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY MOST RECENT POST.

I was just stamping some House Mouse images for a swap when I thought some of my followers may like House Mouse. I will be giving away 3 of each of the following images stamped in Memento Ink on Georgia Pacific card stock. All I ask is that you are signed up as a follower and insert your information in Mr. Linky below. I will randomly pick a winner during the evening of Saturday, February 27th.

The images included are:
O Lucky Day
A Carrot Between Friends
Seed Shooter
Great Catch


I thought that these are seasonally appropriate for St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and (hopefully) spring.

UPDATE: If you would like to join in and don't have a blog, you can put my blog address in Mr. Linky but be sure to put your email address in the comments. To help avoid spam, you can type your email address in this format: shestampsblog at yahoo dot com.

House Mouse Blog Candy Winner

And the winner is #14 - Stacie! Congratulations! I know you will enjoy your House Mouse images.

Sympathy card

I had the unfortunate need for a sympathy card today so I put this one together using sketch SK022010 on Paper Craft Planet. I want to get this posted so I can get to bed and then drop it off at the post office tomorrow morning.

I will also enter in the Stamp Simply challenge #128 With Sympathy.

I am going to keep it short tonight. Check back on Monday morning for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff post.

** Updated Featured on Any Stamp Will Do March 2010

Supplies:

• Stamps: Inkadinkadoo Birds Galore, Close To My Heart Best Wishes
• Papers & CS: Close To My Heart Perfect Day DP & Cocoa and Juniper CS, Stampin' Up white CS
• Inks: Close To My Heart Juniper, Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip
• Embellishments & Tools: Brown ribbon, Making Memories gemstone brads, George & Storybook Cricut cartridges, Prima Flower, Pearl Glimmer Mist, Spellbinders Nestabilities

Birthday card for a friend

This week my best friend had a birthday and not any ol' card would do. We have been friends since we were 6 years old and have been through a lot together. We have both experienced the loss of a parent, the ups and downs of school, dating, jobs, relationships, gotten married, and had children. Even when busy schedules prevent us from seeing each other very often, when we get together it seems like it was only yesterday when we last talked because we understand each other so well. So this is the card I made. In case you can't read it in the pic, it says "Side by side or far apart, true friends live with in our hearts." Okay, so it is a little, over the top, sweet, but I still like it and it is all too true.

Check out that picture taken in my new light box. My husband made me a light box last week end and I love it. Thank you Honey! (You can find the easy instructions on how to build your own light box HERE.)

Speaking of birthdays, check out Lacey Stephen's post. She is helping to collect cards for a friend's aunt's 100th birthday. If you are interested, Lacey's post explains how to send your card and she has also included the chance for some blog candy.

That's all I have for you today. Have a great week end. I will be back on Monday with my Lindsay's Stamp Stuff posting.

** Updated - This card was featured on Any Stamp Will Do March 2010

Challenges for this card:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge-#39 Ribbons & Sparkle
Crafty Calendar Challenge - #5 Love & Friendship
Crafty Creations- Cut It Out and Pop It Up
Cupcake Craft challenge - #79 Friends
Gingersnap Creations - Birthday
Moxie Fab World - Olympics Of Stamping Challenge (Birthday)
Paper Sundaes - #6 Distressing
Rosie Dees Challenge - #65 Friends
Saturday Spotlight - Doing the Mess Around
Totally Gorjuss - #18 Flower Power




Supplies:

• Stamps: Felicity Alphabet, True Friends, and Weathered Blocks all from Close To My Heart
• Paper & CS: CTMH Veranda DP & Juniper CS, misc textured brown, The Paper Company Neutral Ivory
• Ink: CTMH Juniper, Garden Green, Creme Brule
• Tools & Embellishments: CTMH sanding block and edge distressing tool, CTMH flowers & Creme Brule grosgrain stitched ribbon, Making Memories gemstone brad, Hero Arts Clear gemstones

It's Party Time!

I made this card for a friend's birthday and couldn't wait to post it (but I had to wait to give it to my friend before I could show you here.) Happy Birthday Joy!

I really had fun making this card. Could this image from Squigglefly be any more fun?

I created the polka dot back ground paper by printing my black & white digital paper on my red CS.

Challenges for this card:
Crafty Angels - #22 Fantastic Flowers
Cute Daisy May - Flowers
Everybody Art - #79 Easel card
Kaboodle Doodles - Fancy Folds
Lexi's Creations - Anything goes
Penny's Challenges - Birthday
Stamptacular Sunday - #46 Going in Circles
Totally Papercrafts - #4 Lots of Spots



Thank you for looking!


SUPPLIES:

• STAMPS: Shady Lady by Squigglefly, It's Your Day & Spot On Backgrounds from Close To My Heart
• PAPERS & CS: Stampin' Up Real Red and Whisper White CS, Paper Studio black CS, Out On the Town digital paper pack by Penny Springman from the Sweet Shoppe Designs, Georgia Pacific white CS
• INKS: Stampin' Up Basic Black and Real Red
  EMBELLISHMENTS & TOOLS: Real Red, Creamy Carmel, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa Stampin' Up markers, Prismacolor pencil 927 & OMS, black brads, black ribbon, EK Success flower punch, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Sakura black pen & clear glitter Gelly Roll pen

Monday with Lindsay - Buttons and Bows

I hope you had a great week end. Our theme today for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is "Buttons and Bows" and I have 2 projects to show you.

I used Lindsay's new set Birds & Branches on both cards. I really enjoyed coloring this image. I love this set and know it is going to be one of my "go to" sets in the future. Aren't the mailbox and the bird houses in this set adorable?

Since I really didn't have a bow on the card and I had some new Flower Soft to play with, I decided to make a quick second card. Birds & Branches can be used if you want to take your time and color or if you want to put together a quick card. I colored the flowered branch with my SU markers and then glued the Flower Soft to the branches. This card was super quick to make and I really like how it turned out. (I think it took me longer to get the bow tied right than to make the rest of the card!)

My husband made me a light box this week end using the tutorial from HERE. (Isn't he sweet? He also made dinner on Sunday. He's a keeper.) I think the colors of the cards look more true-to-life. What do you think of the photo quality?

While you are out and about on the internet today, please stop by the rest of the DT to see what kind of projects they have using buttons and bows.

Cassandra

Jennifer

Karin

Kristen

Lindsay (owner)

Nettie

Tanya

My mail box card also fits the following challenges:

Bee Crafty - #24 Sew Cute

Corrosive Challenge - #52 Wings

Crafty Creations - #55 Stitching

Inky Impressions - #30 Think Spring

Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge - MTSC61

One Stitch at a Time - Stitching

A Spoon Full of Sugar - #91 Spring is in the Air

Stamp Something - Touch of spring somethings

Stamp with Fun - #47 Stitch

The branch card fits the following challenge:
I Love Digi Challenge - Think Pink

Your Next Stamp - Spring Colors

Supplies for the mail box card:

• Images: Birds & Branches by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Faux Stitched Border by Angel's Landing used as stitching guide
• Papers & CS: PTI kraft CS, Stampin' Up So Saffron CS, Georgia Pacific white CS, K&Company Wild Saffron DP
• Inks: None
• Tools & Embellishments: Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip marker and ribbon, paper piercer, DMC floss, button, Prismacolor pencils & OMS, Spellbinders Nestabilities

Supplies for the branch card:

• Images: Birds & Branches by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Think Spring by Stampabilities
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific white CS, misc. pink CS, Stampin' Up white CS
• Inks: None
• Tools & Embellishments: Flower Soft (Sweet Pea) , Aleene's Tacky Glue, Stampin' up makers, Stampin' Up Pretty In Pink ribbon, buttons, DMC,

Our bird feeders - aka birdie buffet

Where, oh where have all my birds gone??? Usually my bird feeders look like this -

Okay, it's not the best picture but you get the idea. Lately, the bird feeders have been pretty void of activity. Then I notice these characters lurking around.....

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Yep, both are sitting in the trees above my feeders. (not at the same time.)

So now what do I do? Do I maintain the birdie buffet with the thought that everything has to eat? Or, do I stop feeding the little birds and hope they find another source of food in the middle of winter?

3 Star Card & McDonalds?

I decided that I needed to beef up my stash of cards on hand. I need a few that could be used for men and could be easily mailed. It just so happens that I saw this sketch on Andrea's Stampin' Moments blog and thought it would be just perfect for what I wanted. (While you're there, check out the Annabelle Stamps store. I just received a package with a cute stamp set and some sprinkles yesterday and I LOVE them.)

So I pulled out some card stock and ink pads in my favorite colors and inked up my brand new CTMH stamps. I created this card in about 20 minutes and was pretty pleased with myself. Then I realized it didn't match the sketch. That's what happens when you don't print out the sketch.

So, take 2. I went back to work and made this card that more closely matches the sketch.

I was able to make 2 easily mailed cards that can be used for a man in less than hour. I think that is a record for me. On another note, I love these colors together but why do I think "McDonald's" every time I look at these cards? Hmmm... I am feeling the need for a cheeseburger.

Challenges for these cards:

Andrea's Stampin' Moments - Sketch SS130210

Cupcake Craft Challenge - #78 Keep It Simple

Cute Daisy May Challenge - Bright & Cheerful

Die Cuts R Us - #26 No Designer Paper

Frosted Designs - Star Challenge

Gingersnap Creations - GC43 - 3 Colors you love

Rosie D's - Just for Men

Thank you for looking! Have a great day.

SUPPLIES:

• STAMPS: Close To My Heart Wishing Star. Also used Stampin Up Birthday Whimsy and Simple Shapes on the 2nd card
• PAPERS & CS: PTI kraft CS, Georgia Pacific white CS, Stampin' Up Real Red and So Saffron CS
• INKS: Stampin' Up Real Red and So Saffron
• EMBELLISHMENTS & TOOLS: Creative Memories circle punches, misc. ribbon

Wishing for Spring with Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

This week Lindsay asked us to make cards that had a spring-like feel. I chose this image from her new set Fancy Flowers. I love daffodils. They remind me of the first breath of spring and also remind me of my mom because they were her favorite flower.

Fancy Flowers is a lovely, versatile set with 9 images.

For this card, I printed the daffodil 3 times. On the bottom layer (the square layer), I only colored the very edges of the petals since I planned on layering. On the middle layer, I colored the main part of the flower yellow and just colored the edges of the center part. On the final, top layer, I colored just the center portion of the flower orange. I cut out 2 of the flowers and layered as you see above. (TIP: Here is a tip that I learned from Lindsay. If you know you are going to cut the image out, you don't need to take time to make sure you color nicely in the lines. You can color faster and make sure you get the color all the way to edge if you don't worry about the lines and then you just cut off the sloppy part.) I sprayed the parts of the flower with pearl Glimmer Mist to give it a bit of a shimmer and let dry before adhering.

The hounds tooth DP at the bottom of the card is also from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. She has 2 sets with different colors and feels. You can find the softer colors with a slightly distressed feel in the Shabby Hounds Tooth paper pack and bolder, trendier colors in the Uptown Hounds Tooth paper pack.

I used the sketch from the One Stop Craft Challenge.

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is having a sale. All winter and holiday sets are 50% off through Feburary 22nd. If you liked any of the Valentine or Christmas sets I used, you should definitely get over there and scoop them up while on sale.

I'm trying to keep this post short. My back as been really bothering me and I have a hard time sitting too long. I have the day off work on Monday and hope to get a massage and then spend some time crafting. I hope to have more to show you before the end of the week.

Please visit the other DT members and give them a little love.

Cassandra
Jennifer
Karin
Kristen
Lindsay
Tanya


SUPPLIES:

• STAMPS: Fancy Flowers by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com
• PAPERS & CS: Shabby Hounds Tooth paper pack by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Stampin' Up white, Barely Banana, Apricot Apeal
• INKS: None
• TOOLS & EMBELLISHEMENTS: Prismacolor pencils 914,940,916,939,1033 & OMS, Pearl Glimmer Mist, CTMH ribbon, dew drops, Stampin' Up border punch

Owl Always Love Hoo! Mygrafico Customer Blog Hop

Okay, I'm gonna lay out on the table before I get too far into this post. I don't know what happened, but I think I went a little nuts with my distressing tool and sanding block on this card. I was trying to make a nice masculine looking Valentine's day card for my DH and went a little crazy. I didn't like any of my BG stamps or embossing folders for the green piece so I just CRUMBLED IT UP. Yep, I admit it. I balled up this lovely green paper as tight as I could. Then, guess what, I smoothed it out and balled it up again, again, and again.... Then I sanded it... This poor lovely green paper.... But, I think it looks kind of cool. It was a stinker to get to stick though. My tape just didn't want to hold it.

So what do yo think? I'm just not sure.

Challenges for this card:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #37 Digi Coloring

Charisma Cardz - #6 Think Male

Crafty Card Makers - Digital Delights
Die Cut Dreams - #34 have a heart

Die Cuts R Us - #25 Love Challenge
Digital-ink-co - Love
Digital Tuesday - It's all about the animals
Everybody Art Challenge - Valentine
Hand Full of Stamps - #16 Open the fun

Our Creative Corner - Masculine Valentine
Paper Popsicles - Animals
Pile It On - The One I Love
Simon Says Stamp -Love
Sweet Sunday Sketch #55

You can find a complete list of participants for the mygrafico customer blog hop HERE.

Also, Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico has all her holiday (Christmas, Halloween, Valentines) stamps on sale through the end of the day. You might want to get over there and take advantage of the discounts.

I hope you all have a very Happy Valentine's Day.

SUPPLIES:

• STAMPS: Pretty Primative digital stamp set by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com
• PAPERS & CS: That's Amore paper pack by Close To My Heart, misc. dark brown textured paper, image printed on Georgia Pacific white CS, card base Stampin' Up white CS, misc. red textured paper
• INKS: Stampin' Up Close to Cocoa (sponging) and Close To My Heart Garden Green (for leaves)
• EMBELLISHMENTS & TOOLS: Stampin' Up Creamy Carmel, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa and So Saffron markers, Spellbinders Nestabilities, brads, Close To My Heart edge distressing tool and sanding block.
• NOTES: Sentiment was computer generated using MS Word

Piggy Boy

** Updated - This card was in the top 3 at Polka Doodles.

Last night I stayed up last night to make a Valentine's Day card for my daughter. The only time I can craft with out her watching over my shoulder is when she is in bed. While this may not be a traditional Valentine's card, I think she will like it. Piggy Boy has been her best friend since she was about 10 months old. Poor ol' boy can't even hold his head up any more because he has been washed so many times. His cute lil' tail has lost its curl from years of being chewed on. But he is still there for her, making her feel safe at night and listening to her troubles.

I used the sketch challenge from my SBS29 sister Kim Marie. All the paper is from my scrap bin except the card base from Papertrey. This adorable image (which I paper pieced to give dimension) was a freebie a while back from Digistamp Boutique.

I hope you don't mind if I share a few pictures of Elizabeth and Piggy Boy through the years. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

A tea party after a stroll around the house.

Sharing the excitement of moving to a big girl bed.

Joy riding around the neighborhood. Check out

Piggy Boy's 'do. It takes a lot of love to put up

with a hair style like that.

Of course, me being me, I have a couple of challenges for this card:

Crafty Cardmakers - #14 Digital Delights

Creative Inspirations - #47 Anyone for Leftovers?

Die Cuts R Us - #25 Love Challenge

Digital Tuesday - #45 Its All About the Animals

Paper Popsicles - Animals

Polka Doodles - #5 Paper Piecing

Simon Says Stamp - Love

Time to Craft - #78 Hearts & Kisses

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UPDATE: Be sure to check out the Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Store on mygrafico. All holiday stamps (Halloween, Valentine, Christmas) are on sale through Friday.

Build your own light box

I just wanted to share this post I saw on Jenn's Papercuts. She shows how to easily build your own light box for taking pictures of your cards and art. I think I know what I am doing after I pick up DD from school today! Thanks Jenn!

Valentines Treats with Lindsay

This week Lindsay (of Lindsay's Stamp Stuff) asked us to make some cute packaging for some Valentine's Day treats. I made 2 projects using Love Grows Here. The first is a project that I did on my own and the second is a project that I made with my 8-year old daughter.

I designed this box myself using Spellbinders Label One die for the top and bottom and using strips of paper to make the sides. Once I got my head wrapped around it, it was pretty easy and made a cute little box. I will put the details at the bottom of this post if you are interested. I used my Cricut to cut the heart and the "4" and "U" and paper pieced the little bird.

My daughter also wanted to make some Valentine treats. I already had an idea of what I wanted to do, but I thought I would let her do it to gage how easy it would be for a kid to make. Overall, I would say pretty easy with help from a parent to help with the printing and cutting. DD was able to trace the templates, cut, color and assembly mostly on her own.

To make the bag topper, I printed out 2 copies of Lindsay's printable recipe template from Recipe Digital Stamp set (at 65% & 63% of original size) to use as a template. (It is folded over the top and is just straight on the back.) I picked these sizes because they fit my little bag. You could also use almost any one of the Nesties label dies that you have, but I wanted to give it a go with out using Nesties just to see what I could do with out them.

The circle tag was a freebie from Lindsay's blog. (And, in case you were wondering, yes, this is for Troy Bolton. If you have daughters you probably know who that is. If not, trust me you are not missing much. I wonder if he is going to show up to get his treats?)

I hope you enjoyed my projects and have a very Happy Valentine's Day. Remember, if you want the instructions to make the little box, stick around and read them at the very bottom of the post.

Please stop by the rest of the DT to check out their projects.

Cassandra

Jennifer

Karin

Kristen

Lindsay

Nettie

Tanya

Challenges for Treat Box:

All that Scraps - Valentine Packaging

Charisma Challenge - #5 I love you

C.R.A.F.T. challenge - #36 Love/Valentine

Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C23 Be My Valentine

Creative Card Crew - #44 Valentines

Cute Card Thursday - #98 Dots & Spots

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - #30 Hearts & Valentines

Digital-ink-co - Love

Fussy & Fancy - #3 Hearts

Lala Land Crafts - Hearts

Lexi's Creations - #7 Spotted or Striped

Lilli of the Valley - Valentines

PaperPlay challenge - Week 5 Love Notes

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Love Actually

Polka Doodles - #5 Paper Piecing

Penny's Challenge - Valentine/Love

Pile it On - #5 To the One You Love

Raise the Bar - Hearts

Stampin' for the Weekend - Love is in the air

Stamp Something - Love Somethings

Stamp with Fun - #45 Hearts

Supplies for Treat Box:

• STAMPS: Love Grows Here digital stamp set by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff at mygrafico.com
• PAPERS & CS: Love Nest by My Minds Eye, misc. brown textured CS, white Georgia Pacific CS
• INKS: none
• EMBELLISHMENTS & TOOLS: George & Basic stamps Cricut cartridge, fiber, buttons, DMC floss
  

Supplies for Treat Bag:

• STAMPS: Love Grows Here & Recipe digital stamp set, by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff at mygrafico.com, Valentine Tag freebie digital stamp set by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
• PAPERS & CS: Georgia Pacific white CS, misc red CS
• INKS: none
• EMBELLISHMENTS & TOOL: pop dots, Stampin' Up markers, small bag

Instructions for the Treat Box:

Stick with me, this is the first box I made on my own (with out a template or using my Cricut) and it was pretty easy. I will explain the best I can. I have some photos but they didn't turn out well. The lighting was horrible. Click the pictures to make them larger.

First cut out the shape you want to use for the top and bottom of you box. I used the 2nd largest die from Spellbinders Label One Nestabilities die set. Use sturdy card stock. To make the sides of the bottom part of the box, I cut a strip 1-1/2 x 11 inches long. I scored the long way at 1/2" on the side that will be inside the box. Then, scoring the short way across the strip, I scored the width at every 2-3/4". You will be creating the 4 corners of the box and have a little piece left over. It will look something like this picture.

I then clipped the score marks that would be in the corners at the bottom of the box so that the paper would fold easier.

I then used adhesive along the narrow bottom flap and attached to my box bottom. Use a strong adhesive so that it stays together. It will look something like this.

I cut and adhered a piece of DP to the inside to make it look nicer.

I then followed similar steps to make the top of the box. I cut a piece of paper that was about 1 x 11". I scored at 1/2" to make the strip that adheres to the top of the box. Then I scored the strip to make the corners at a little less than 2-3/4" so that it would slip into the bottom to put the lid on. I have to admit I didn't write down the exact measurements. (Sssshhhh don't tell any one but I hate fractions.)

I hope these instructions make sense to you. If you have any questions please leave them in the comments or you can email me using the addy in my profile and I will answer as quickly as I can.

Thank you for sticking with me for this long post!

DD's Feeling Ducky and Winter Fest

My DD wanted to make a card for the Clearly Delightful Monthly Challenge because she loves the adorable duck stamp they are offering participants. She also decided to try her first sketch challenge by using the sketch that Kim Marie created for the Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers (SBS29). She made this card to give to her Great Grandma who is currently in a nursing home recovering from a fall. She took her time, asked a lot of questions, and put together a wonderful card. Look at the sponging! She didn't want the duck floating in the air so I told her how to make a background. She has also been looking at the projects made by other kids and really was impressed by Kayla. I love this card!

I thought I would share a couple of pictures from Saturday. Here a picture of DD and me freezing at Winter Fest. Boy, the wind was COLD but we still had a good time. I also included a picture of my favorite ice sculpture. I was just amazed by the creativity and ingenuity of these artists.

.

I'll be back tomorrow morning my Lindsay's Stamp Stuff DT posting show some fun ways to package Valentines treats.

Thinking of You

There is a new challenge blog in town. Have you seen it? Daisy Doodles is starting their own challenge blog and their first challenge is a sketch challenge using this sketch. The challenge ends on Saturday, February 13th.

I thought I would try to play along and made this card. I made it as a "hope you feel better soon" card for a friend who has an injury. It gave me a chance to use the Clear Dollar Stamps that I won about a month ago and I haven't had a chance to use yet. I made it one evening this week when I should have been in bed. I could not get paper or ribbon placed similar to the sketch in a way I liked so I finally ended up using faux stitching.


I had crocheted this flower a few months ago when the instructions where all the rage on Splitcoast and never used it. (Did you know I have a cross reference for Stampin' Up and Close To My Heart to Copic Markers, Prismacolor pencils and DMC floss in my side bar?)

This card also fits the ABC Challenge of use something new.

Well, speaking of past my bed time..... I am going to finish up this post and head to bed. This week just wore me out and I have a busy day tomorrow.

SUPPLIES:

• STAMPS: Pretty Perches by Clear Dollar Stamps, Woodland Whimsy by TPC Studios
• PAPERS & CS: Stampin' Up Rose Red CS, white CS & Rose Red DP Paper Studio black CS
• INKS: Stampin' Up Rose Red and Basic Black
• EMBELLISHMENTS & TOOLS: Crochet flower, button, DMC floss, paper piercer
• TECHNIQUES: Faux stitching

Let Your Dreams Take Flight! Embossing Using a Digi Stamp

I don't know if you can tell, but I have been spending a lot of time on Michelle Zindorf's blog and was especially inspired by her tutorial titled Butterfly Season #227 tutorial. If you never have looked at her blog, get over there. This lady is truly amazing. While I didn't copy her outright, I tried to incorporate some Zindorf style and also used the same colors.

Believe it or not, you can still emboss with digital stamps. I printed this lovely butterfly (from Winged Things digital stamp set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff) on glossy white paper. (Tip: Rub with an embossing buddy and blow off the dust before putting in your printer.) As soon as the image came out of the printer, I dumped my clear embossing powder on it. Through trial and error I have found that the finer the embossing powder, the better it sticks when using digital images. I tapped off the excess and heated it using my heat tool. If the powder does not stick in any area, you can touch it up using your Versa Mark or embossing pen, although I did not need to do that. I used the glossy paper from Stampin' Up here but you can use any glossy paper or paper that does not absorb the ink quickly when embossing digital images. The PaperTemptress has several types of paper that would work. I have used the Silver Lustre paper and was impressed with the results. (In fact, I am hording some right now. I am going to try to make it a goal to make a project with this lovely paper soon.) You might be able to use glossy photo paper but I have not tried it. I do know that my photos smear if I touch them too soon after I print them so the ink must take a while to dry.

After I was done embossing the image, I colored it using my Stampin' Up markers in a similar manner to Michelle. In between colors I gave it a blast from my heat tool to make sure the ink was dry so as to not muddy the colors. When I was satisfied with the coloring (and the ink was dry) I went over the entire image with my embossing pen and embossed it one more time with clear embossing powder (just like Michelle's tutorial). I then sponged and stamped my background. The great thing was that I did not have to mask my butterfly when sponging because any ink on it would wipe off.

Now I know this seems like it might be a labor intensive or a daunting project, but it wasn't. Once the heat tool is plugged in, you are ready to go. For me the hardest part was walking back and forth to get my supplies (because I don't have a craft room).

Since I made two butterflies at the same time in case I made a mistake with one, I cut out the extra and used it for the inside of the card.

I hope you enjoyed this post and apologize that it was so text heavy. If you have any questions on embossing with a digi stamp, please feel free to leave me a comment or email me using the addy in my profile. Let me know if you would like to see a tutorial. If enough people want to see it, I will put one together.

Please remember that Friday is National Wear Red for Women day here in the US to raise awareness of heart disease in women. If you would like more info, please click the link in the side bar.

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Challenges for this card:

Andrea's Stampin' Moments - SS300110 Sketch

Crafty Creations - #53 Wings

Fab 'n' Funky - #9 - Emboss It!

Flutter By Wednesday - #95 Open Challenge

Pile It On - #4 Enough of Winter Colors

Pollycraft - #33 Things with Wings

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SUPPLIES:

• STAMPS: Winged Things digital stamp set by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, Take Flight by Gina K. Designs, Key To My Heart by Close To My Heart
• PAPERS & CS: Stampin' Up glossy white, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, and Whisper White CS, Paper Studio black CS
• INKS: All Stampin' Up - So Saffron, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Ruby Red, Basic Black
• EMBELLISHMENTS & TOOLS: Ranger clear fine embossing powder, Zig Emboss Writer, Provo Craft Floral Fanatasy embossing folder, Hero Arts black gemstones, Stampin' Up markers in Apricot Appeal, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, and Close to Cocoa, heat tool, embossing buddy
• TECHNIQUES: Embossing a digital image
  
  

Blog candy, fencing and a peek - How is that for a combo?

Hello! First I wanted to let you know about some blog candy over on the Gotta Have Bling blog. I suggest you head on over and get your chance to win any item up to $75 (your choice).

I also wanted to share a couple of pictures of Elizabeth (oops, Liz) at her fencing class. Is it too early to hope for a scholarship???

(Elizabeth is on the right.)

I hope you are having a great day. I will be back on Thursday with another project. I'll give you a little hint.... it involves embossing a digital stamp and I really like how it turned out. Here is a little sneak peek....

...I really hope you come back and check it out on Thursday!

Your Friendship Warms My Heart

** Updated: This card was featured on SNR Card Universe.

Lindsay (Lindsay's Stamp Stuff) sponsored Tuesday Morning Sketches last week and asked the DT to use Melissa Craig's sketch. The challenges run from Tuesday to Sunday. Stop by and get in on tomorrow's challenge.

Here is a look at the entire set. I think this is one of my favorites. I have several posts using this cute and versitile set. You can see some of them HERE, HERE, and HERE. And this card using the freebie add on from Lindsay's blog.

Although I actually had plenty of time to stamp this weekend (which usually doesn't happen), I was mojo challenged. I don't know where my muse went but it definitely was not here. It took me HOURS to make this single card which was a little frustrating since I hope to make several birthday cards in that time. I thought this might be a birthday card, but it looks more like a Valentines card to me.

'

Februrary is customer appreciation month at mygrafico.com. The more you spent on their site in the past, the more you can save this month. Click here for details.

Well, enough chit chat for today. It is Sunday afternoon and I am going to leave in a few minutes to meet a girl friend for lunch. We have been friends since we were 6 years old!


Be sure to check out the rest of the DT:

Cassandra

Jennifer

Karin

Kristen

Lindsay (owner)

Nettie

Tanya

Challenges:
A Spoon Full Of Sugar - #88 Free Style
Belli Challenges - CBC83 - Hearts
Caardvarks- Red Heart Challenge

Crafty Angels - Week 20 Buttons
Crafty Calendar - #4 Keeping Warm

Dare U 2 Digi stamp - #30 Hearts /Valentine
Fab & Funky - #8 any digi image or sentiment
Hand Full of Stamps - #14 I Give You My Heart
Little Paper Shop - LPSC#52 use Kraft, Red & Chocolate
Little Red Wagon - #13 Hearts
Magical Crafts - #7 -Valentines
Pile it On - # 4-enough of winter colors
Paper Sundaes - #3 Valentines
Saturday Challenge - #68 Hearts
Stampavie - #79 Love/Valentine

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - #25 Open
Stamp Simply - #124 Bleeding Hearts (red & hearts)
Stamp Something - Delightfully Delicious Somethings
Totally Papercraft - #1 Friends

Supplies:

• STAMPS: Coffee Talk digital stamp set by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Spot On Background by Close to My Heart, sentiment from Fire Cracker Designs
• PAPERS & CS: Image printed on Georgia Pacific white CS, Stampin' Up white & Chocolate Chip CS, Papertrey kraft CS
• INK: Stampin' Up Real Red & Creamy Caramel
• EMBELLISHEMENTS & TOOLS: Stampin' Up Real Red marker, Real Red & Chocolate Chip ribbon, DMC floss, paper piecer, Inkseentials white pen, Sakura Gelly Roll clear glitter pen
• TECHNIQUES: paper piecing, faux stitching