Sentimental Sundays - Switch It Up

The new Sentimental Sundays challenge is "Switch it up". Try a new style or technique.

My original intent was to make a single layer card but I ended up with a clean and simple (CAS) card. My card is loosely based on the FTL99 from the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. I loved that it was so quick and easy to make. I also used real stamps, instead of digis to switch it up a bit more.

Stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog to download some free digis from Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs, check out the samples from the rest of the DT, and join in the fun for your chance to win.

Thank you for looking!

Challenges:

• Paper Play Challenges - Anything Goes
• Stampin' Royalty - Keep It Simple
• Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - Clean & Simple

Supplies:

• Images: Treasure Life from Close To My Heart
• Papers & CS: Stampin' Up River Rock CS, Georgia Pacific white CS, DCWV La Creme DP, misc. black scraps
• Inks: Stampin' Up River Rock, Momento Tuxedo Black
• Tools: Stampin' Up border punch, Creative Memories corner punch
• Embellishments: Misc. button & DMC floss

My Last Meljen's Designs DT post

This is my last post for Meljen's Designs. I have really enjoyed my time working with Melissa and the rest of the DT. I hope my schedule settles down and I will have another chance to work with these wonderfully creative ladies again in the future.

This week the challenge on the Meljen's Designs blog is a sketch challenge. Here is a look at the sketch.

I paper pieced Sunflower Buggies in my interpretation of the sketch.





Please join us in the Meljen's Designs sketch challenge for your chance to win some Meljen's Designs digis.

Thank you for looking!





Challenges:

• ABC Challenge - Z=zig zag
• ABC Design challenge - paper piecing
• Bunny Zoe - Summer Days
• Clearly Inspired - Thank you card
• Cow Girl Sunday - Anything Goes
• Crafty Calendar challenge - Summer with yellow
• Digital Tuesday - Dazzle Me
• Dutch Dare - Anything Goes
• Fairy Fun Friday - 3-d
• Paper Play Challenges - Anything Goes
• Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Use a digi

Supplies:

• Images: Sunflower Buggies by Meljen's Designs on Whimsy Stamps, Circle of Friendship by Stampin' Up
• Papers & CS: PTI kraft CS, Georgia Pacific white CS, Stampin' Up Delicate Dots DP
• Inks: Stampin' Up Certainly Celery & So Saffron
• Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities, Big Shot, Stampin' Up & Creative Memories circle punches, embossing tool, Provo Craft Swiss Dots embossing folder, Stampin' Up markers, Prismacolor & Copic markers
• Embellishments: Diamond Stickles, Sakura Gelly Roll clear glitter pen, misc. buttons, rick rack & thread

Coffee Jitters

Hello out there! Did you miss me? I hope not. I had several blog posts scheduled to post during my vacation and brief visit to CHA.

I was lucky enough to be able to attend CHA on the opening day on Tuesday. It was soooo fun! I feel like I could use at least another day to absorb all the sights and do all the make & takes. I took some photos but have not had time to edit them yet. I'll try to share some of the good ones with you soon.

On to my Lindsay's Stamp Stuff DT project. This was such a fun card to create. I went back to one of my favorite LSS images and combined it with my newest favorite color combo. I just love these patterned papers from October Afternoon. Aren't they fun? I don't know where I found that trim. I wish I could remember because I only had a little piece and now I want more.

(IRL the button is the same shade of green as the papers but for some reason the picture is not picking it up. )

Thank you for stopping by today. I am trying to get back into the swing of things after being away for so long. I am working on getting caught up on visiting blogs.

Please take a moment to visit the rest of the DT. Lindsay will have her weekly freebie posted on her blog.

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer)
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Leanne Garner
Lisa Jurecek
Margie Visnick
Melissa Craig
Micki Harper
Rebekah Doak
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen
Tracy Vinson

Challenges:

• ABC Design - Paper piecing
• Cow Girl Sundays - Anything Goes
• Donna's Den of Crafts - Green
• In Style Stamps - monthly sketch
• Lexi's Creations - Paper Piecing
• Simon Says Stamp - Dots
• Sisterhood of the Crafters - funny/humorous
• Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Use a digi
• Treehouse Stamps - Seeing Dots

Supplies:

• Images: Coffee Talk digital stamp set by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, sentiment from Create with Tlc
• Papers & CS: PaperTrey Inc kraft cs, Georgia Pacific CS, October Afternoon DP, misc. green CS
• Inks: Distressed Inks old paper
• Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities, Big Shot
• Embellishments: Inkssentials white pen, CTMH chocolate ribbon, DMC floss, misc button and trim
• Techniques: Paper piecing

Check it out!

I am excited to have a card featured on Tip Junkie. You can see it HERE. My card is #2.

Skiing Mouse from Meljen's Designs

Woo hoo! I have now have 2 Christmas cards done. At this rate I should be still cutting and coloring on Christmas Eve. Oh well, I am sure I will pick up the pace as the holidays come closer.





This little guy must be sick of the July temperatures too. What a fun way to cool off!

Please stop by the Meljen's Designs Challenge and Inspiration blog. We would love for you to join in our latest challenge.

Thank you for stopping by! My LSS DT post is HERE. Being on vacation messed me up and I posted a day early.

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters - Christmas in July
• Donna's Craft Den - It's a Man's World
• Gingersnap Creations - GC62 markers
• KL Stampin' & Scrappin' - Ribbon
• Magical Crafts - Christmas in July
• One Stitch At A Time - Digi Madness
• Ooh La La - Christmas in July
• Papertake Weekly - Anything goes cute
• The Pink Elephant - TPE76 Brown
• Practical Scrappers - Stash over 1 year old (the Christmas paper)
• Stamp Something - Digi Somethings
• Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - Animals
• Stamping with Sarah Kay - Anything Goes
• Town Scrapper - Anything Goes

Supplies:

• Images: Skiing Mouse from Meljen's Designs on Whimsy Stamps
• Papers & CS: My Minds Eye Signature Christmas, PaperTrey Inc kraft, Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip, Georgia Pacific CS, Wausau Papers White Gold Mettalics CS
• Inks: None
• Tools: EK Success snow flake punch, Copic & Prismacolor markers, Inkssentials white ink pen
• Embellishments: Misc. brown ribbon & gem stone, Sakura Star Dust Gelly Roll pen

Hi! Lindsay's Stamp Stuff DT Post

** edited - My LSS DT post is a day early. I have been on vacation all week with my family and got my days confused. On Thursday, the rest of the DT will have their posts up at the normal time.

My family and I took a trip to Washington D.C. and then went to visit my aunt and uncle in Virginia. Boy, it was HOT! I don't think I have ever been so hot for so long in my life. My aunt and uncle run a fabulous B&B right on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. If you are looking for a romantic vacation, you can check it out HERE. There is lots to do and amazingly beautiful scenery.

Now onto my project for this week. (end of edit**) I tried to branch out and make a card in a style a little different than my usual and this is what I came up with. I think it is good to try to get out of your comfort zone once in awhile. I like this card because it used up a lot of scraps and that it can be sent to OWH. It is flat enough to easily mail and is generic enough to be used for men or women. If I was to redo it, I would cut the letters out of chipboard or felt to give it more dimension and texture.

Here is a peek at the entire set.

Thank you for looking! Please stop by the blogs of the rest of the DT to see what they have created. Lindsay will have a little freebie for you on her blog too.

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer)
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Leanne Garner
Lisa Jurecek
Margie Visnick
Melissa Craig
Micki Harper
Rebekah Doak
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen
Tracy Vinson



Challenges:

• Dare U 2 Digistamp - stitching
• Digi Doodle Shop Best - use up scraps
• Ellephantastic - Sewing
• Lexi's Creations - Stitching
• Lots To Do - Stitches
• One Stitch At A Time - Digi madness
• Paper Romance - Stitch It Up
• Pile It On - Banners
• The Pink Elephant - TPE76 Brown
• Stamp & Create - Stitching
• Stamp Something - Something Digital

Supplies:

• Images: On the Line by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com
• Papers & CS: Papertrey Inc kraft CS, Georgia Pacific CS, misc. scraps from October Afternoon, misc. brown CS
• Inks: None
• Tools: Cricut, All Mixed Up cartridge, Zig Writter chocolate marker
• Embellishments: None
• Techniques: Faux stitching

LSS & Tuesday Morning Sketches

Would you like a chance to win a free Lindsay's Stamp Stuff digital stamp set? If you so, go check out all the details on the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and find out how you can win.

Hanging Out with Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

I've had this idea in my head since I saw Taylored Expressions sketch TESC119 a few weeks ago, but I didn't have have time to make the card until this past week end. I knew the sun dresses in On the Line by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff would be perfect. For some reason these sun dresses hanging on the line just tickle my fancy. I don't know why, but they do.

Here is a peek at the entire set.

I have a really busy schedule the next couple of weeks (including a Copic certification class and a trip to CHA!) I will be back on track and visiting your blogs soon. Until then, you can get a little more eye candy by visiting the rest of the DT. Remember Lindsay always has a little something for your to download on her blog on Thursday.

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer)
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Leanne Garner
Lisa Jurecek
Margie Visnick
Melissa Craig
Micki Harper
Rebekah Doak
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen
Tracy Vinson



Thanks for hanging out!

Challenges:.

• By the Cute & Girly - Warm Summer Days
• Paper Sundaes - Lots of Layers
• Sir Stampsalot - Lazy days of summer
• Stamp & Create - Stitching
• Think Ink Tuesdays - Stitching
• Tuesday Throwdown - Stitching
  

Supplies:

• Images: On the Line digital stamp set by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com, Verve Stamps Bountiful Backgrounds
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific CS, Papertrey Inc kraft CS, misc. green & blue CS, October Afternoon Fly a Kite & Thrift Shop
• Inks: Versa mark
• Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilies, Big Shot, paper piercer, Stampin' Up Paper Piercing template, Zig Writer chocolate, Copic & Prismacolor markers, Inkssential white pen
• Embellishments: Misc. brads, button, ribbon and twine
• Techniques: Faux stitching

Gliding by with Meljen's Designs

Here it is, my first Christmas card of 2010! One down and way too many to go. I am feeling a bit envious of the people that have been working on Christmas cards all along.

I just got this this adorable, little ice skating mouse from Meljen's Designs and could not wait to use her. She reminds me of how quiet, relaxing, and fun it was skating on my uncle's pond while I was growing up.

The glitter on the embossed panel behind her is white. I think it is picking up the pink color from my shirt when I took the photo. I tried different angles but it still shows up a pink in the photo.

You can purchase all Meljen's Designs images now at Whimsy Stamps.

Thank you for looking! Please stop they the Meljen's Designs blog and join our challenge this week for your chance to win some Meljen's Designs images. A new challenge is announced every Thursday.

Challenges:

• AUD Sentiments - No sentiment
• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Free challenge
• Creative Inspirations - Let's Get Physical
• Craftalicous - Cute
• Creative Card Crew - Use a die cut
• Fab N Funky - Christmas in July
• Fussy & Fancy - Christmas in July
• KL Stampin N Scrapping - Dry Embossing
• Magical Crafts - Christmas in July
• Ooh La La - Christmas in July
• Paper Make up Stamps - use a critter
• Paper Romance - Get your glitter on
• Pear Tree Designs - Glitter & Sparkles
• Practical Scrappers - Embossing
• Shabby Tea Room - Christmas in July
• Simple Doodles - Holiday Fun
• Sketch For You To Try: 7-10-10 Sketch
• Speedy the Cat & Friends - Punch It
  

Supplies:

• Images: Ice Skating Mouse by Meljen's Designs on Whimsy Stamps
• Papers & CS: Stampin' Up Winter Green dp, Georgia Pacific CS, Wausau Paper White Gold metallics CS, Stampin' Up white vellum
• Inks: None
• Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, ProvoCraft embossing folder, Stampin' Up circle punch, EK Success small snowflake punch, Martha Stewart edge punch, Copic & Prismacolor markers
• Embellishments: Sulyn sparkling ice glitter glue, misc. gemstones

Sentimental Sundays / I can see clearly

I can see clearly now the rain is gone..... Once again I have a song stuck in my head. Why is it that the song is my head is never a "cool" song?

The new Sentimental Sundays challenge is "I Can See Clearly Now - Use a clear element on your card".

I paired up the challenge with my need for a card for 9-year old boy's birthday. (My where has the time gone? I remember when he was born!)

For my clear elements I used a clear button, clear dew drops, and Crystal Effects (does that count?).

Stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog to download your free sentiment set from Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs. We would love you to join the challenge. Please link your card with a clear element for your chance to win. You can see the details on the Sentimental Sundays blog.

Thank you for stopping by!

Challenges for this card:

• 2 Sisters Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafty Angels - Circles & Squares
• Handful of Stamps - Balloons
• I Did It Creations - Special Occasions
• Incy Wincy - Punches
• Little Red Wagon - Use Nestabilities
• Make Up for the Week end - Use a critter
• Mojo Monday- Sketch 145 (I missed the deadline on this one)

Supplies:

• Image: Birthday Turtle digital image from Bugaboo Stamps, Close To My Heart It's Your Day
• CS & Papers: Georgia Pacific CS, Close To My Heart Splendor paper pack, Bazzill Basics Carob Cream CS
• Inks: Close To My Heart chocolate
• Tools: Prismacolor pencils & OMS, Spellbinders Nestabilities, SU edge punch
• Embellishments: Lustre Gems, misc. clear button, Crystal Effects, Close To My Heart natural hemp (stars hand cut)

Sending Donkey Smiles

I created this card for Michelle Oatman AKA Donkey Smiles. You may have read about her accident, which resulted in the loss her eye, in several posts around blogland. Michelle has a very long road of recovery ahead of her as well as learning to live her life with only one eye. She will have surgeries and continued care and therapy as she continues to heal. Crafters from around the web are pulling together to offer her support and well wishes.


Melissa Jenkins of Meljens Designs and Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs have paired up to create this wonderful stamp set available for free at Whimsy Stamps. Feel free to down load it and use it (or any other stamps you would like to use) for a card drive to help keep Michelle's spirits up. The details on the card drive can be found on the A Spoonful of Sugar blog.

Stampavie is also offering a digital image and is requesting a small donation to help cover Michelle's mounting medical costs. You can find more information HERE.

**Edited: Alota Rubber Stamps is also offering a cling mount stamp with proceeds going to Michelle.

Now onto the card that I am mailing off to Michelle. I have it all ready to post in the morning.

And the inside....

Thank you for looking!

Challenges for this card:

• 2 Sisters Challenge - Anything Goes
• Alota Stamps - Alota38 Inside Out
• Craft Your Passion - Stitching
• Craftalicious - Cute
• Crafty Pad - Animal Fun
• Lexi's Creations - Layers
• Make up for the Weekend - Critters
• Pear Tree Design - Animals
• Practical Scrappers - Animation including digi's
• Spoonful of Sugar - Sending donkey smiles
• Sweet Stop Sketches - SSS63
• Wee Memories - Free for all
  

Supplies:

• Images: Sweet Little Donkey by Meljen's Designs & Michelle's Sentiments by Raindrop Echo Designs both available on Whimsy Stamps
• Inks: None
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific CS, Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip, Taylored Expressions KI Hazel CS, October Afternoon Thrift Shop, Fly a Kite, & Farm Fresh DP
• Tools: Paper piercing tool, Stampin' Up paper piercing template
• Embellishments: Zig Writer chocolate, misch ribbon & due drops
• Techniques: Faux stitching
  

Blog Candy Winner

The winner of the blog candy I offered during the OWH blog tour has not come forward so I used Random.org to pick a new winner. The new winner is #26 - Robin H. Robin, please email me at shestamps11-blogs at yahoo dot com (or use the email loaded in my profile) and I will get your goodies off to you.

Thank you to every one that entered!

Happy Birthday Lindsay!

This week we are celebrating Lindsay's birthday. Woo hoo - Happy Birthday Lindsay! I won't sing for you. I wouldn't want to torture you on your birthday. But, in honor of her special day, the DT is making birthday themed projects this week.

My birthday card uses the cupcake from Sweet Treats 2. Doesn't that look yummy? Only thing better would be if it was real...and chocolate.

To help celebrate her birthday, Lindsay is offering 34% off all products in her mygrafico store. I see a new freebie over there, so that must be a gift for you.

Please stop by Lindsay's blog to wish her a Happy Birthday. The rest of the DT also has some fabulous birthday themed cards and projects.

Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Leanne Garner
Lisa Jurecek
Margie Visnick
Melissa Craig
Micki Harper
Rebekah Doak
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracey Allen
Tracy Vinson

Before I go, here is a peek at the inside of my card. I am having one of those days where everything is torn, crooked or smeared. I smeared some ink on the inside and am redoing the panel but wanted to get my post up on time. Check out that strategically placed watermark..... It will be fixed (replaced) before the card is mailed out.

Thank you for looking!

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge - Anything goes
• Alota Rubber Stamps - Decorate inside & out
• C.R.A.F.T. challenge - Cake & Icecream
• Cooking it up with Katie - Recipe: Stitch me a yellow sketch (yellow is the candle flame)
  Craft Your Passion - Stitching
• Ellephantastic challenge - It's up to you
• Etsy Inspired - Kimmieprout shop - I was inspired by the colors of these buttons.
• Fairy Friday Fun - Anything Goes
• Little Red Wagon - Use Nestabilities
• Mojo Monday - Sketch 146
• Party Time Tuesday - Outside In
• Pile It On - My Favorite Things (Copics, Nestabilities, October Afternoon paper)
• Rosie D's Challenge - Summer Birthday
• Stamp & Create - Stitching
• Think Ink Tuesday - Use Sewing
• Wee Memories - Free for all

Supplies:

• Images: Sweet Treats 2 by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico, Close To My Heart Celebrate (inside)
• Inks: Distressed Inks Old Paper, Close To My Heart Chocolate (inside)
• Papers & CS: PaperTrey kraft CS, Georgia Pacific CS, October Afternoon Ducks in a Row & Fly a Kite DP
• Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities, Big Shot, Cricut, Plantin SchoolBook, Copic & Prismacolor markers, paper piercing tool, Stampin' Up paper piercing template, Zig Writer chocolate
• Embellishments: misc. ticket (from my friend Scrap It Girl), Bazzill Basics white rick rack, Crystal Stickles, PaperTrey silk ribbon (colored with markers),Tattered Angels Pearl glimmer mist (on PTI ribbon), Crystal Effects
• Techniques: Faux Stitching & Paper piecing

I'm a Little Tea Pot...

"Circles Galore" is the new Meljen's Design challenge. I don't know if I got the "galore" part but I did fit some circles into my project. Not only is my main image on a circle shaped panel, I created a circle frame for it using my Nestabilities. I sprayed the frame with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Pearl) and it is really pretty in real life although it looks kind of splotchy in the photo. (Sorry!) I also add a round button, lots of round pearls, and some fun round-ish flowers. What do you think? Does it count for "galore?

This Fancy Little Teapot is available in the new release on Whimsy Stamps today. As a reminder, you can now get all the Meljen's Designs images at Whimsy Stamps.

Please join us in the Meljen's Designs "Circles Galore" challenge. You can see all the challenge details HERE.

Thank you for looking!

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters - Anything goes
• Bunny Zoe - Nice & Girly
• Clearly Delightful - CDBC7 - Pearl, Bling, & Button things
• Creative Card Crew - To Die For
• Ellephantastic Challenge - It's Up to You
• Just Us Girls - Jugs40 Sketch
• Fairy Fun Friday - Anything Goes
• Little Red Wagon - Use Nestabilities ( the circles)
• Magical Crafts - Flower Power
• One Stitch at a Time - Ribbons, lace & bows
• Pile It On - Favorite Things (copic markers!)
• Quirky Crafts - Ribbons
• Speedy The Cat - Use die cuts (the circles)
• Wee Memories - Free for all
• Your Next Stamp - Flower Power

Supplies:

• Image: Fancy Little Teapot by Meljen's Designs on Whimsy Stamps
• Papers & CS: PaperTrey Kraft & Vintage Cream CS, Georgia Pacific CS, Close To My Heart Key to My Heart paper pack
• Inks: Close To My Heart Sorbet & Tulip
• Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities, Big Shot, Copic & Prismacolor markers
• Embellishments: Papertrey silk ribbon (colored with markers), Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pearl & Gold, DMC floss, Kaiser half pearls, Mark Richards half pearls, Webster's Pages Bloomers, Sakura Clear Star Gelly Roll pen, Paper Studios Spare Parts lace, misc. button, sentiment computer generated

What a party!

I usually don't share a lot of family pictures on my blog but here are a few from Sunday, July 4th.

We had the water slide set up for the kids and my hubby and I filled up a laundry basket full of water balloons. We had the New Castle party keg, home made sangria, lots of food and ice cream.

Here are some of the highlights.

My husband and a family friend enjoying New Castle.

My daughter enjoying a drink.

The biggest kid at the party...wait, that's my hubby. On a side note, he came up to me yesterday to complain the slide had a hole in it.... Hmmmm.... wonder how that could happen?

Here are the kids lined up for a picture.....
Surprise! The adults have water balloons!

The kids rally and get their hands on the water balloons. Funny, all the adults were on the deck and when I told the kids that the deck couldn't get wet they had fun throwing them at each other instead of at us. (Of course the deck got wet when it rained earlier, but they weren't thinking to clearly. They wanted to make sure they got their hands on the balloons before they were gone.)

Thank you to my brother for taking all these pictures (and tons more) and sharing them so quickly.

I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day. Happy Birthday America!

OWH Blog Candy Winner

Thank you to every one who stopped by my blog over the week end for the OWH blog tour and for signing up for my blog candy give-away.



The lucky winner is #23 - Judy Ashmore! Judy, please email me at shestamps11-blogs@yahoo.com with your mailing address and I will send off a package to you. I am so happy with the number of visits to my blog during the hop that the package has grown!
.

If you have not downloaded the free Birthday sentiments from Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs you only have a couple hours left before the link is removed. If you have downloaded them, why don't you join us at Sentimental Sundays for our "Celebrations" challenge.

Thank you! Have a great week!

I'm Being Featured!

The card I made with Party Hat Cocoa is being featured on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi blog today!

.

You can see my original post HERE to get the card recipe. Thank you for looking!

OWH Blog Tour & Sentimental Sunday's Celebrations

This is my 2nd post for the OWH S&S blog tour and I am combining it with my post for the Sentimental Sundays Challenge. (For more info on the OWH Blog Tour, click the picture or HERE.)

Before I get to my project, I want share this with you. Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs and Sentiment Sundays gave me this wonderful birthday sentiment digital stamp set to give away for the OWH S&S blog tour today. It is only available through Monday, July 5th. Click on the link below to download.

Edited: I hope you were able to take advantage of this limited time free download. If you missed it but are interested in this digital stamp set, watch for their release on Whimsy Stamps. Thank you Ann for your generosity!

Now on to my project. The Sentimental Sundays challenge for this week is "Celebrations". I actually got inky to make my card. For those of you who frequently read my posts, you know I am a digi stamp addict and rarely break out my actual stamps. I have to say it was fun and that I am going to make a point of digging them out more often.

We would love for you to join in the Sentimental Sundays challenge. Each week, Ann Vento gives away a wonderful digital sentiment set for free download. Playing in the challenge gives you the chance to win either some customized sentiments from Ann or a set of digital stamps that Ann has created for Whimsy Stamps. (Please see the Sentimental Sundays blog for all the details.) To keep the challenge fun and easy, there are only 3 simple rules: it needs to be a new project, it must fit the theme, and it needs to have a sentiment on it. Easy peasy! (Hint: You could use any of the freebie sentiments above to enter the challenge!) So stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog to get your free digi sentiment download and join in the "Celebrations" challenge with us.


Thank you for stopping by! You might want to check out my blog candy give-away on my first OWH post HERE.

Challenges for this card:

• 2 Sisters challenge - Anything Goes
• Creative Craft Challenge - Use stamping
• Digi Doodles Best - Spots & Dots
• Everybody Art Challenge - Birthday
• Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes birthday
• Prairie Fairy Fun Fridays - Anything goes
• Shelly's Images - Anything goes with a celebration
• Stamp with Fun - Birthday
  

Supplies:

• Stamps: Celebrate from Close To My Heart
• Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Summer Sun
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific, October Afternoon, misc. black CS
• Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities, Big Shot, Stampin' Up border punch, Stampin' Up blending pen
• Embellishments: Misc. black ribbon, gemstones, black pen

OWH Blog Tour / Happy Bird-day!

I am going to try to keep this post short and sweet. I know there are a lot of stops on the blog tour and you wouldn't want to miss any of the eye candy. Please stop back on Sunday for another OWH blog tour project and I will have a free digital download from Raindrop Echo Designs.
.

The theme for this OWH blog hop is "Birthday". I just had to use this image from Pink Cat Studios which has been begging me to color it.

What is a birthday with out gifts? I am offering a little blog candy for one lucky person. Included is a set of Critters 'n Treats clear stamps from BasicGrey and a package of Making Memories Red/Denim ribbon and ribbon brads. These are perfect for making summer cards and projects. For your chance to win, please sign up as a follower (if you are not already) and leave your name/blog in the linky widget at the bottom. I will mail any where in the United States. I will use random.org to pick a name during the evening of Monday, July 5th. The winner will be announced at that time and the winner will have 72 hours to contact me before I pick a new winner. **EDITED: I am so excited that I have 150 followers. I am going to throw in some additional goodies into the blog candy. **

Remember to stop by the OWH Stars & Stripes blog and forum too. There is fun chit-chat and games in the forum with the chance for some prizes. I also believe you can jump in on the tour and link up your birthday themed project. See the OWH S&S blog for details.

Thank you for hopping by! Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July holiday week end! Please stop by on Sunday to see my 2nd post for the blog tour. I will have a free download for you from Raindrop Echo Designs.

Supplies for this card:

• Image: Birds Make a Giant Cupcake from Pink Cat Studios (sentiment computer generated)
• Inks: Distressed Inks Old Paper
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific CS, Bazzill Basics Paper Carob Cream, Close To My Heart Cherry-O paper pack
• Tools: Copic Markers, Prismacolor Markers, Inkssentials Opaque white pen, Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities
• Embellishments: Martha Stewart brown rickrack, Close To My Heart Cranberry velvet ribbon & natural hemp, misc. buttons

Challenges for this card:

• Copic Creations - Birds
• Craftalicious Challenge - Cute
• Cute Card Thursday - Fruity
• Everybody Art Challenge - Birthday
• Fairy Friday challenge - Anything goes
• Flourishes - Make a card inspired by fruit
• If the Shoe Fits - Spread your wings
• Incy Wincy - Things with Wings
• My Time To Craft - zig zags
• Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes birthday
• Rosie D's - Summer Birthday
• Shelly's images - Anything goes with a celebration
• Spoonful of Sugar - Animal Crackers
• Stamp with Fun - Birthday
• Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Challenge #31-Sketch

American Heart

This week I get to be a guest Bar-tender at Raise the Bar. The challenge is to base a project on the colors of your flag. With Independence Day right around the corner, I wanted my red, white and blue project to be patriotic.

.

I love the distressed feel to this card. Isn't this sentiment from Tlc Creations wonderful?

Please stop by Raise the Bar and join in the challenge for this week.

Thank you for looking!

Challenges for this card:

• ABC Challenge - Xtra Dimension
• ABC Design - Red, White & Blue
• AI Factory - Red, White & Blue
• All Sorts Challenge - Embossing
• Crafty Catz - Distressed
• Crafty Pad - Embossing
• Curtain Call color challenge - Act 36
• Cuttlebug Spot - Celebrate Independence Day
• For Fun Challenges - Patriotic
• Frosted Designs - Red, White, Blue, Stars & Strips
• I Did It Creations - Red, White & Blue
• I Love Digi challenge - Emboss It
• Lexi's Challenge - Layers, 3D
• No Time to Stamp - Star Light, Star Bright
• One Stitch at a Time - Stars & Stripes
• Pals Paper Arts - PPA49 Fourth of July inspiration
• Paper Cutz - 4th of July
• Paper Romance - Red, White & Blue
• Pixie Dust Studios - Red, White & Blue
• Posh Design - PDSS CLSC17 sketch
• Wee Memories - Red, White & Blue
  

Supplies:

• Images: For the Red, White, & Blue (freebie) by Tlc Creations
• Papers & CS: PaperTrey Inc kraft CS, Georgia Pacific CS, all other papers from Daisy D's
• Inks: Distress Inks Old Paper & Tea Dye, Close To My Heart Moonstruck
• Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Paper piercer, Swiss Dots, Distressed Stripes, & Divine Swirl Provo Craft embossing folders
• Embellishments: Hand cut starts and hearts, brads

Proud To Be An American

I love celebrating Independence Day with he parades, the cook outs, the gathering of friends and family and fireworks. I love seeing people proudly displaying their flags and kids decorating their bikes with streamers. Now doesn't this little bear look like he is enjoying the July 4th festivities?
.
'

Patriotic Bear and the "Proud to be an American" sentiment are part of the Meljen's Designs new release available at Whimsy Stamps.

As soon as I saw the new release, I knew exactly want I wanted to do. For once, a project turned out the way I envisioned it. This little bear is so stinkin' cute and he certainly looks proud. Here is a closer look at him.

I forgot to take a close up of the bottom portion of the easel card. Sorry.

Be sure to show off your Red, White & Blue projects in this week's Meljen's Design challenge. Melissa has some super cute, patriotic stamps in the new release that you could use. (You do not need to use a Meljen's image to enter the challenge.)

I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day. Thank you for looking!

**Edited: Woohoo! My card is going to be featured on the SNR Card Universe.

Challenges:

• ABC Design Challenge - Red, White & Blue
• AI Factory - Red, White & Blue
• Annabelle Stamps - Easel card
• Creative Card Crew - Easel Card
• Cupcake Inspirations - Challenge 65
• Digi Doodle Shop Best - Dots & Spots
• For Fun challenges - Patriotic
• Fresh Brewed Designs - Fireworks (My card has sparklers & glitter)
• Glitter Babe's challenge - Make it sparkly
• I Did It Creations - Red, White & Blue
• SFYTT- 6-26-10 sketch
• My Time To Craft - Zig Zags (used ric-a-rak)
• No Time To Stamp - Star Light, Star Bright
• Oh Alice - Twinkle Twinkle
• One Stitch At A Time - Stars & Strips
• Paper Cutz - 4th of July
• Paper Romance - Red, White & Blue
• Papertake Weekly - In stitches
• Pixie Dust Studio - Red, White & Blue
• Practical Stampers - border punch
• S2G - Summertime with sparkles (Stickles on sparklers)
• Spoonful of Sugar - Animal Crackers
• Stamp Something - use the colors of your flag
• Wee Memories - Red, White & Blue
  
  

Supplies:

• Images: Patriotic Bear and Proud to be an American from Meljen's Designs on Whimsy Stamps
• Papers & CS: PTI white CS, Georgia Pacific CS, all other papers are from the 4th of July Project Pantry kit from Taylored Expressions
• Inks: None
• Tools: Cricut, Plantin SchoolBook cart, MFT large scallop border, CuttleBug, Spellbinders Nestabilities, paper piercer, Prismacolor and Copic markers
• Embellishments: Stickles (gold & tiara), Zig Writer marker, misc. wood button & white twine, misc. cork, Ric-a-rac from above mentioned Taylored Expressions kit, Sakura clear Gelly Roll pen
• Techniques: Faux Stitching, Easel card

Birthdays & Donuts...

Last week, Lindsay introduced her new Sweet Treats 2 digital stamp set. Just look at all this yumminess!

I have to admit, I think this set gave me a serious craving for donuts. I kind of felt like Homer Simpson because all I could think about was donuts. Finally, I convinced my husband to stop at Paielli's Bakery and pick some up. So, should I be ashamed that I ate two donuts when I am trying to lose weight or should I be happy that I showed some restraint and only ate two? Tough call.

Since I was so donut inspired, I decided to make this card.

Look at that chocolaty goodness. Oh boy, I feel another donut craving coming on. The donut is covered with crystal effects and it looks just like chocolate glaze in real life. I used some beads that I found in my old jewelry making supplies as sprinkles.







So do you think if I eat nothing but carrots and water all week, I can have another donut or two? Three? Geez, I need to stop looking at this card.



Thank you for looking! I hope I inspired you to get this delicious set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff and make a yummy card to share with us (and go eat a donut).





Please stop by the rest of the DT blog's to see what the cooked up this week. Remember to stop by Lindsay's blog to pick up your weekly freebie. I would also like to welcome Tracy Viston to the team. Please give her a warm welcome and leave her some love on her blog.

Lindsay Weirich (Owner & Stamp Designer)
Cheryl Gorka (DT Coordinator)
Cindi Hooks
Diane Bove
Jennifer Bliss
Karin Martin
Leanne Garner
Lisa Jurecek
Margie Visnick
Melissa Craig
Micki Harper
Rebekah Doak
Rhonda Walker
Shannon Neparko
Tamara Bennett
Tracy Vinson


Challenges for this card:

• Clearly Inpsired challenge - Birthday
• Crafty Catz - Let's go Digital
• Everybody Art Challenge - Birthdays
• OWH Stars & Stripes - Make something tasty
• Paper Sundaes - Birthdays
• Papertake Weekly - In Stitches
• Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes birthday
• Rosie D's - Summer Birthday
• Simon Says Stamp - CHECK it out
• Stamp with Fun - Birthday
• The Sweet Stop - SSS62 Sketch

Supplies:

• Images: Sweet Treats 2 by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on Mygrafico
• Papers & CS - Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip, Georgia Pacific CS, October Afternoon Thrift Shop & Farm Fresh
• Inks: None
• Tools: MFT Large Scallop border die, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Big Shot, paper piercer
• Embellishments: MFT Earth Girl button, CTMH natural twine, SU Crystal Effects, misc. beads, Zig Writter Chocolate marker, Prisma color & Copic markers
• Techniques: Faux stitching, sentiment computer generated