What’s Up?

Hi Kids!


I’m back today with another card for the CARDS Magazine Blog Challenge – Kites.  Isn’t it so fun?!!  It’s totally different than the other one I made yesterday.  I picked up this Fancy Pants Wishful Thinking DP when I was in AZ – I ADORE it!!  The colors are awesome and the patterns are so fun and whimsical, with a little bit of elegance thrown in for good measure.  Right?!  Anyway, I hope that Paige likes it – I live for her challenges, I tell ya.  LOL

I used two different stamp sets for the kite.  I used the Stamps of Life Kites 2 Fly set for the main part of the kite, and October Afternoon’s Kite Tales for the tail.  The cloud also came from the OA set.  The sentiment is from another Stamps of Life set called Hello 2 You.  Super fun sentiments.  I’ve listed the supplies used below.

STAMPS:  Kites 2 Fly and Hello 2 You (Stamps of Life), Kite Tales (October Afternoon)
INK:  Rich Cocoa (Memento)
PAPER:  Kraft CS (PTI), Wishful Thinking DP (Fancy Pants)
ACCESSORIES:  Janome Sew Mini, Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Hibiscus Burst Button (PTI), Green Apple Baker’s Twine (Divine Twine), Zig Zag Edger Punch (EK Success)

That’s it for me today.  I plan to craft and stamp all weekend long – how about you?  Any fun plans? Oh and we're having dinner with friends Saturday night.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

May Your Dreams Take Flight – CARDS Blog Challenge!

Hey!

Hope this Wednesday finds you all enjoying a beautiful summer day.  It’s been gorgeous here in WA lately – you won’t catch me complaining, that’s for sure!

Today I’m sharing a card that I made for the current CARDS Magazine Blog Challenge.  This week, Paige challenged us to use kites in our design.  I was thrilled for the opportunity to finally ink up my Up, Up & Away set from Papertrey Ink.   There are some super sweet images in that set.  I also used the PTI cloud dies and the Sunshine Impression Plate.  Fun stuff, huh?!  I’m also submitting this for the Off the Wall Craftiness Color Challenge #17.

Supplies Used:
STAMPS:  Up, Up & Away (Papertrey Ink), Dreams Take Flight (A Muse)
INK:  Versamark (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Memento), Hawaiian Shores (PTI), Grape Jelly (Memento), Rose Red (Memento)
PAPER:  Sno Cone CS, Blu Raspberry CS (Poptone), White CS (Neenah)
ACCESSORIES:  Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), White Taffeta Ribbon (Stampin’ Up!), Scor-Tape, Clouds Dies (Papertrey Ink), Polka Dots Embossing Folder (QuicKutz), Sunshine Impression Plate, Cuttlebug, Corner Rounder

That’s it for me today, ladies.  I’ve got a couple more fun cards to share with you very soon.  Before I forget, I thought you'd want to know that Julie at ABC Toys & Crafts is giving away some fabulous goodies!  Check out the deets on how you can win right HERE.  Also, the ABC Toys & Crafts Paper Piecing Challenge is still going on - you have until Saturday night to play along with us - we'd love to see what you create!


Thanks so much for stopping by!

Peace OUT!

Hola Chicas!


I’m back today with another submission for a new Moxie Fab World Challenge – Signs of Peace.  This is the first of a couple of projects that I’m planning on making for this challenge.  The photo above was my inspiration.  Isn’t it super fun?!!  Here’s what I came up with:

How fun is that?!  I may have gone a bit overboard, but I really like how it turned out.  The peace signs were cut out using my beloved Pink Slice – I used the Just Chillin’ Teen Design Card.  I cut out the peace sign from each polka dot color in both 1.5” and 2.0”.  Then I ran them through my handy dandy Xyron sticker maker, and arranged them on the main panel.  The rest is pretty self explanatory, don’t you think.  The sentiment is one that my kids say to me all the time – Peace Out!  LOL  I’ve listed the products I used below.

STAMPS:  Fresh Alphabet (Papertrey Ink)
INK:  Versamark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  White CS (Neenah), Licorice CS (French Poptone), Bitty Dot DP (Papertrey Ink)
ACCESSORIES:  Xyron Sticker Maker, Hawaiian Shores Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Aqua Embossing Powder (ZING/American Crafts), Corner Rounder, Pink Slice (Making Memories), Just Chillin’ Teen Design Card (Making Memories)

I’ll also be entering this into the Fun & Cute CARD Style Challenge – Moxie Fab deets can be found HERE.

That’s it for me today, kids.  I get to babysit Brecken today, so know that I’ll be loving on that little boy all day long.  Have a great day!

Sew What’s New? – ABC Toys & Crafts Challenge!

Happy Monday, Peeps!


Today, I’m sharing a card that I made for the Paper Piecing Challenge that’s going on right now over at the ABC Toys & Craft Design Blog.  I LOVE to paper piece – it’s so fun to make your every day item into something that just pops when you add designer paper to an open image.  Hero Arts is fabulous at making those types of stamps.

These images came from a new Hero Arts set called “Sew Artsy”.  Such a cute and fun set!!  I’m somewhat obsessed with a few items on this card – first, the stitching.  Loves me some stitching.  Next, the sewing images – so fun and trendy right now.  Lastly, the baker’s twine that I wrapped around each of the focal images.  I’m actually coordinating a baker’s twine share right now, so be forewarned – you WILL be seeing baker’s twine on my projects pretty regularly from now on!  LOL  I’ll also be submitting this for the City Crafter Challenge, Week 14.  It’s a sketch challenge, and can be found HERE.  I think I’m getting it in just under the wire.  Phew!  I'll also be submitting this for the Fun & Cute CARD Style Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World Blog.  All deets can be found HERE.

Supplies Used:
STAMPS:  Sew Artsy (Hero Arts), Victorian Diamond Panel (Rubbernecker Stamps)
INK:  Rich Cocoa (Memento), Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
PAPER:  Thrift Shop and Fly A Kite DP (October Afternoon), Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream and Pure Poppy CS (Papertrey Ink)
ACCESSORIES:  Xyron Sticker Maker, 3D-Dots (EK Success), Scoring Board (Martha Stewart Crafts), Copic Markers (Copic) Baker’s Twine (Farmer’s Market), Zig Zag Stitch Edger Punch (EK Success), Janome Sew Mini, Straight Pins

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The ABC Toys & Crafts DT would be thrilled to pieces if you’d play along with our “Paper Piecing” challenge (get it?  Thrilled to pieces, paper piecing?  LOL  I crack myself up!)  All you have to do is create a project featuring some paper piecing.  Easy sleezy, right?  The winner (picked by Random.org) will receive a $20 credit to the ABC Toys & Crafts store.  Wowza!!  You have until Saturday, July 31st at midnight (CST) to play!  The other DT members have created some fabulous projects to provide you with some inspiration.  You can see their creations HERE.

Lastly, before I go, Julie has some super fun new products in the store lately.  I noticed when I was browsing around the other night that she has several colors of Liquid Applique in stock (think about those Christmas projects coming up!), and some of the brand new Halloween Martha Stewart punches.  All new products can be found HERE.  Also:

15% Off All Martha Stewart Punches (limited time)– no code needed!
FREE SHIPPING on all clear stamps!
20% OFF any order over $50 with discount code 201050!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I’ll be back tomorrow with another crafty share.  Have a great day!

I’m Baaaaack – Moxie Fab Challenges!

Hi Peeps!

I got back from AZ on Tuesday night, and I’ve been catching up on my life ever since.  Wednesday evening, we went to the Seattle Mariners v. Chicago Whitesox game – the weather was perfect, the baseball was great, and I got to snuggle with my grandson the entire time.  Heaven on earth.  Yesterday was spent running errands, so today is the first day I’ve had a chance to play with my beloved and neglected stamps. Boy did it feel good to get back in my craft room after two weeks.


I was so inspired by this week’s Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge that I just couldn’t help myself.  This is the first card that I created (WARNING:  I have a couple more ideas in my head for this one, so please bear with me – LOL).  I realize that  it’s pretty literal, but I love the dimension of the hanging lanterns, I love all the white space, I love the clean and graphic feel of it all, and I am IN LOVE with that twine.  I thought this would be a perfect dinner invitation, so it’ll be going in the mail to some very sweet friends just as soon as I get organized enough to have them over for dinner.

I’m on a creative roll, so I want to make this quick.  I think I’ll also submit this for the Clean & Graphic Challenge that Cath has going on over at her blog, as well – all in celebration of the new Card Style issue.  Have you seen it yet?  OMGosh – this issue is a TOTAL homerun!!  No joke!!  You really must get your hands on one pronto – you’ll be blown away by how inspiring it is.  Cath (Moxie Fab World) has challenged us to submit cards that represent our style.  I’m pretty sure that I’m a clean and graphic girl, but sometimes I’m a fun and cute girl, too.  You can find the details of the Card Style challenge HERE.

Okay, I’m off to do some more stamping.  I may be back tonight, but I’ll most certainly be back some time this weekend.  Thanks for stopping by!!

Friends Forever!

Hey Gal Pals!

Sorry I’ve been MIA – I’m spending my last few hours in the unbelievably hot weather here in Arizona.  I fly back to WA tonight, and will be happy to be in the cooler temperatures.

It’s time, once again, for another ABC Toys & Crafts card share!  Because I leave for the airport soon,  I need to make this a quick post.  This week, the DT is showcasing the Stampavie Sarah Kay images.  And they are Sa-WEET!!


My card features an image called “Picnic Time.”  Isn’t she adorable?  I stamped her on Vintage Cream cardstock and colored her with my Copic Markers.  Then I cut her out.  She’s mounted on a panel that I cut using my Pink Slice and a brand spankin’ new Slice Design Card called Remember This.  I cut two of these shapes – one out of Vintage Cream cardstock and one out of some Quite Contrary designer paper.  I then stitched the two panels together with my Janome Sew Mini.  I love how it  turned out, don’t you?  The sketch was inspired by this sketch from Page Maps – my go-to place for sketch inspiration when nothing else works.

STAMPS:  Picnic Time (Stampavie Sarah Kay), Simple Little Things (PTI)
INK:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  Quite Contrary DP (My Mind’s Eye), Vintage Cream CS (PTI)
ACCESSORIES:  Remember This Slice Design Card (Making Memories), Pink Slice, 3D-Dots (EK Success), Spring Moss Satin Ribbon (PTI), Hibiscus Burst Buttons (PTI), Rustic Button Twine (PTI), Copic Markers, Pearl Flourish (Zva Creative), Janome Sew Mini, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots

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 NO DISCOUNT CODE NEEDED!
CLICK HERE!

For more amazing Stampavie/Sarah Kay inspiration, check out the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Blog every day this week.  I’m off to the airport, so I want to thank you all for stopping by.  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.  Have a great day!

Every Good & Perfect Gift . . .

Hey Stamping Friends!

I have a quick post before I head out to the airport this morning.  I’m on my way to AZ for a few days to get some much needed sunshine and to check on a few things at our house there.  I know you’ll forgive me if my posts are a bit more sporadic over the next couple of weeks as my supplies in AZ are somewhat limited.  I’ll share when I can.

I created this sweet little card for the CARDS Blog Challenge, which is to create a monochromatic card.  I haven’t had much luck lately with the CARDS blog challenges, so I’m hoping that Paige likes this one.  A girl can only take so much rejection before she starts second guessing herself!  Hehehe  Seriously, I love Paige’s challenges – they always make me think hard and outside my usual box.  You all should try them, too – good stuff, I tell ya!  I'll also be submitting this for the Wee Memories Challenge #13, which is a "free for all" challenge. I also think I'll enter it in the Moxie Fab World Classy & Elegant card challenge.

But I digress.  I used some of my beloved LUSH designer paper from My Mind’s Eye.  I adore this DP, and will be so sad when it’s all gone.  But I’ve seen some sneak peeks of their upcoming designs, and I may just fall in love all over again!  I’m kind of fickle like that!  LOL  Back to the card – the image is from Impression Obsession and was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  The shaped panel behind the image is a shape I cut using my Pink Slice and the Remember This design card.  I sewed around the outside edge with my Janome Sew Mini.

STAMPS:  Baby Shoes (Impression Obsession), Bitty Baby Blessings (Papertrey Ink)
INK:  Versamark (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  Blush Blossom CS (Stampin’ Up!), LUSH designer paper (My Mind’s Eye)
ACCESSORIES:  Champagne self-adhesive pearls (Kaiser Craft), Donut Hole Edger Punch (EK Success), Janone Sew Mini, Pink Slice (Making Memories), Remember This Design Card (Making Memories), Vintage Cream Satin Ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), White Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Corner Rounder (EK Success)

That’s it for me today.  I’ll be back at the latest on Saturday, when I’ll share with you how I store my loose ribbon bits.  Hope you’ll stop by!

Illumination Silhouettes

Happy Tuesday, Chicas!

I’m writing this from sunny Phoenix, AZ – finally got me some sunshine!!  Woohoo!!  Spending lots of time floating on my floatie and reading.  Heaven, I tell ya!


I created today’s ABC Toys & Crafts card before I left, using a brand spankin’ new clear stamp set by Penny Black called Illumination.  I adore silhouette images, especially botanical silhouettes.  I feel like they’re so elegant and free spirited.   KWIM?  My favorite technique for botanical silhouettes is to layer them somewhat on top of each other to give the appearance of a field in bloom.  This is just one way to showcase silhouettes, though.  I hope to have time to create some additional cards showing you other ways to use them, but it might have to wait until I get back to “sunny” Washington.  LOL

STAMPS:  Illumination (Penny Black), Have A Beautiful Day (A Muse)
INK:  Midnight Black Chalk Ink (VersaMagic)
PAPER:  Blu Raspberry and Sno Cone CS (French Poptone), White CS (Neenah)
ACCESSORIES:  Butterfly Craft Punch (Martha Stewart), 3D-Dots (EK Success), Midnight Black Accent Pearls (Hero Arts), Janome Sew Mini, True Black Gingham Ribbon (PTI), Embossed Scallop Punch (EK Success)

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I stamped the botanical silhouettes using Midnight Black chalk ink.  I prefer to use chalk ink when working with clear stamps because you get better coverage and a clearer image, in my opinion.  The main image panels are sewn together with my Janome Sew Mini.  The butterfly was created with a Martha Stewart craft punch.

15% off Penny Black Stamps

Wood Mounted & Clear Stamps

Sale ends July 17th, 2010

That’s it for me today, friends.  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Bye for now!

Ribbon Storage Idea!

Hola Chicas!

As promised, I’m back today to share with you how I organize and store my loose bits of ribbon.  First, I should confess that I am a ribbon slut (I apologize if that offends anyone!).  I adore ribbon, and can’t help myself when I’m in close proximity to it – it will be coming home with me!  LOL  I also must confess that when I find a ribbon that must come home with me, it usually comes home with me in 5 yd. increments and almost always in every single color, because the thought of running out of that beloved ribbon is completely overwhelming for me.  I know, I know . . . I need a ribbon intervention!  LOL  So if you’re like me, you’re going to enjoy this post – or at least I hope you will.

Do you have a pile of ribbon in your craft room that looks like this?  This particular pile of ribbon is my latest obsession – seam binding. 60 yds. of seam binding.  I was afraid I might run out!  But with a little bit of time and a few amazing products that pile of ribbon can look like this:

Isn’t that great?!!  First of all, I know I didn’t invent this idea.  But I thought I’d share with you how this system works for me.  I like to be able to see my ribbon when I’m making a project.  I also have accumulated quite a bit of ribbon (I know that’s hard to believe – LOL) and needed a system where I could see my ribbon at a glance. KWIM?

So I start out by wrapping the ribbon on the Cropper Hopper 3 x 3 ribbon cards.  ABC Toys & Crafts carries both the 3 x 3 ribbon cards as well as the plastic clips that keep the ribbon from unraveling.  Here’s how I wrap the ribbon:

And this is how it looks once the ribbon is completely wrapped on the ribbon card:

Once all the ribbon is wrapped, I then store them in a clear shoe box that I buy at The Container Store.  The box that works the best is the Men’s & Athletic Clear Shoe Drawer.  I like them because they stack on top of each other really well, the drawers slide out so you can see all the ribbon in each box, and you can fit two rows of the 3 x 3 ribbon cards in each box.  This is what my boxes look like when they’re filled with my beloved ribbon (and lace):

This system has worked really well for me.  I love being organized and I think I craft better when I’m organized.  Is that weird?!!  LOL  So I thought I’d share it with you all in the hopes that it might help you, too!  If you have any questions about what I’ve shown you here, please feel free to email me (garkarlon@msn.com) – I’d be happy to help in any way I can.

That’s it for me today, folks.  I’ll be back on Tuesday.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks for stopping by!

A Kiss For the Sun!

Hey Peeps!

Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July celebration – we had a great time, in spite of the ridiculous rain storm.  I’m beginning to think that we’re never going to get summer here in Washington.  So annoying!
 

Enough complaining from me – let’s get right down to business.  This week, the ABC Toys & Crafts DT are all sharing samples featuring Hero Arts stamps.  My card showcases a new clear set called Kiss for the Sun.  The images in this set are really sweet, and super fun to paper piece like I did here.  I stamped the clothing images onto some new Echo Park DP called A Walk in the Park.  The picket fence was created using the Picket Fence Border Punch by Martha Stewart.  The layout was inspired by a sketch in the Paper Crafts Magazine “Go To Sketches” issue (pg. 46).  This card qualifies for the CAS-Tastic Wednesday Challenge this week, which is to create something using Kraft; and the Wee Memories Challenge #13, which is a "free for all" challenge.  Fun, huh?!

HERO ARTS SALE, ONE WEEK ONLY!
USE Code 15HERO510
Receive 15% off your Hero Arts Purchase.
Go To ABC Toys & Crafts and Start Shopping!
Offer Expires July 10th, 2010

STAMPS:  Kiss for the Sun (Hero Arts)
INK:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  Kraft CS (Papertrey Ink), White CS (Neenah), A Walk In the Park DP (Echo Park)
ACCESSORIES:  Picket Fence Border Punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), Copic Markers, 3D Mini Clothespins, Rustic Button Twine (PTI), Lemon Tart and Orange Fizz Buttons (PTI), Zig Zag Edger Punch (EK Success), Embossed Scallop Edger Punch (EK Success), Xyron Sticker Maker

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I also wanted to let you know that Julie, the owner of ABC Toys & Crafts, has recently started a Clearance section in the store, where many items are marked down as much as 40% off.  You can find some really great bargains HERE.  Check that section often, as she’ll be adding new things on a regular basis to make room for new products.

That’s it for me today, friends.  Thanks so much for stopping by – your kind words mean so much to me.  Know that I really appreciate you.  I hope to have more crafty goodness to share with you very soon!

Happy 4th of July and the Lazy Days of Summer!

Hey Gal Pals!

TGIF!!  I’ve got two cards to share with you today, so let’s get down to business, shall we?!

The first card is one that I created for the current CARDS Magazine Blog Challenge – 4th of July Cards/BBQ Invites.  I thought the flower looked a lot like fireworks bursting in the sky.  I stamped the flowers in Versamark, and then heat embossed them with White Embossing Powder.  The rest is pretty self-explanatory.  This card also fits a few other challenges:

OCC Weekly Sketch Challenge No. 22
Raise the Bard Challenge #25 - Colors of Your Flag
Stamp Something - Colors of Your Flag

STAMPS:  Flower 2 (Impression Obsession), July Fourth (Stampin’ Up!)
INK:  Versamark (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Pure Poppy and Enchanted Evening CS (Papertrey Ink), White CS (Neenah)
ACCESSORIES:  Polka Dot Embossing Folder (QuicKutz), Cuttlebug, White Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Enchanted Evening Satin Ribbon (PTI), Self-Adhesive Gems (Icon), Pure Poppy Button (PTI), Baker’s Twine (PTI), Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!), Blue Metallic Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Tags Five Die Cut (Spellbinders)

The second card is being submitted for the Impression Obsession Lazy Days of Summer challenge.  How stinkin’ cute is this polka dot popsicle?!!  When I saw it, I just had to have it (I got a bigger one, too).  If this doesn’t represent the lazy days of summer, then I don’t know what does!  The Fourth of July card also qualifies for the Lazy Days of Summer challenge, too, don’t you think?  Two chances to try and win that $25 Gift Certificate to Impression Obsession!!  BONUS!

This card also fits the Shabby Tea Room Week #16 - Popsicles and Pinwheels challenge.

STAMPS:  Small Dotsicle (Impression Obsession), The Birds and the Bees (WPlus 9 Design)
INK:  Versamark (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Memento)
PAPER:  White CS (Neenah), Blu Raspberry CS (French Poptone), Hibiscus Burst CS (Papertrey Ink), Sweet Summertime DP (Echo Park)
ACCESSORIES:  Janome Sew Mini, Apricot Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Yellow Gingham Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals (Stampin’ Up!)

Can I share another “Toot Toot” with you all today, too?  I spied a sneak peek of my very first card that was published in the July issue of CARDS Magazine.  Here’s the sneak:

My card is the last one in the picture – lower right hand corner.  How awesome is that?!!  I can’t show you the whole picture, but you can see for yourself if you pick up July’s issue of CARDS Magazine!!  What are you waiting for?!!  LOL

That’s it for me today.  We’re spending the Fourth of July at my sister’s house on the lake.  It’s supposed to get up to 70 degrees on Sunday – whoop dee doo!!  What are your plans for the 4th!  Whatever they are, I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Oh My Gravy!!

Hey Chicklets!!

I woke up yesterday morning with a raging headache – not sure why, but it was miserable.  That is . . . until I logged onto my computer and did what I do every morning.  I checked the Moxie Fab World Blog.  And much to my surprise and delight, Ms. Cath Edvalson chose this card as one of the winner’s of the I Want to Ride My Bicycle Challenge!!  Did you hear me?!!  I won again!!  I still haven’t come down off the ceiling – I think I squealed and danced around like an idiot for about an hour.  Can you believe it?!  Needless to say, my headache immediately went away.  LOL

I also wanted to share a little card that I made for my dad’s birthday this past weekend.  My dad’s a boater, through and through.  Not so much a sailor, but a boater.  I recently received this set from Close to My Heart called Bon Voyage, and thought it would make a good masculine card for a true boater.  I love the mosaic look of these images, don’t you?  Dad liked it, I think.

That’s it for me today, kids.  Before I go, though, I wanted to remind you about the Red, White & Blue Color Challenge going on over at ABC Toys & Crafts (you have until July 3rd at midnight (CST) to play along with us), as well as the 20% off Your Entire Order promotion (through July 4th).  Thanks so much for stopping by and for letting me share my good news!