Get a HOP on Christmas with InStyle Stamps

It's that time of the month when InStyle Stamps Design Team all hop together to show you a few fabulous designs using the stamps we are featuring that month.  This month ..... Christmas in July!!!

If you came here by way of Angelique's blog, you are on the right track.  If not, why not start at the beginning at InStyle Stamps Blog.  Now.. onto my card...

I used Ornamental Chloe and decided to go with some non-traditional colors for my card.  I used my Copic markers to make Chloe "swing" into Christmas with pinks and teals!  My card is a "swing" design card.  I used my Oval Nestabilities to cut out the front of my card base.  I stamped the corners with a holly image and with a Quickie Glue Pen, added some teal glitter as the berries.  Chloe will swing back and forth amongst the other ornaments behind her as you move the card.  *smile*

On the inside I layered my card stock to coordinate with Chloe.  My "dangling" ornaments are heat embossed with white embossing powder.  My sentiment is towards the bottom so that when the card is closed,  you cannot see it through the oval.  If you place your signature properly, Chloe will hide it.

I didn't want Chloe to look "dark" from the inside... so I sponged on some grey ink so that she looked more shadowed and you could still see some of the Copic color coming through.  Sort of mimicking a real translucent ornament.  If I had another image that I didn't want to appear translucent, I would have used heavier card stock so that my Copics wouldn't show through at all.

I hope you enjoy the hop.  Your next stop is at Taylor Usry's blog.  Remember to stop back at InStyle Stamps blog to vote for your favorite project in the hop and leave a comment, you could be the winner of four digi images!

Have fun hopping!!! *smile*

Wow!

I found this on Brooke Lein's blog today and I WANT to frame this!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!

How beautifully put!  Someday, I WILL go to the Brave Girl Camp... someday!!  Melody Ross is amazing, dontcha think??!!!!  *smile*

InStyle Stamp Soup *smile*

How about another pre-Halloween card???  InStyle Stamps just released some of the cutest Halloween and Winter/Christmas stamps and I just have to share them all on my blog.

My image is the darling, Chloe Soup.  I colored Chloe and her cauldron with my Copic markers.  I couldn't help but snip up some red card stock to but a burning fire under her. Hee Hee.  I found some wonderful orange swirl ribbon and added it to the flames.  I used a skeleton ribbon for the side border and found some left over Halloween DP from last year that I cut a strip of wording from to add to the top.  Isn't she HOT!!  *giggle*

Tomorrow I think I'll bring you a sweet treat.  Until then... have a great day!! *smile*

Treats for Kids & Adults!!

Today I wanted to share with you a card I made to debut the newest InStyle Stamps Halloween images.  The adorable image is called "Trick or Treat".  I just LOVED coloring this and adding some "vinyl" ribbon along with a strip of velvet ribbon to the bottom. 

I used my Copic markers to color my image.  My "Dracula" was barely touched with skin color because I wanted his face to look white.  My son was Dracula for years and years.... it was all he wanted to be and I remember pasting his face with that ucky face paint.  I can't imagine how the kids could stand having that on them. LOL  My little girl reminded me of my daughter when the whole family dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters.  She was just adorable.  In fact... she won first place for costume that year at my son's Cub Scout party. 

When this new image debuted on ISS's Blog, I found it so funny that nearly ALL of the DT members that used this image colored the witch in a purple cape!  NOT that I mind... hee hee.

Now... here's a treat for us adults.  *smile*

While on vacation in the Wisconsin Dells last week I took this photo of the sunset we saw from our deck at our Suite in the resort.  We overlooked the rive and it was just so beautiful EVERY single evening.

Have a great day!! *smile*

Did You Miss Me??? *smile*

Well... we are back.... safe and sound!  We had such a FABULOUS vacation at the Wisconsin Dells.  Don thought we should go back next year and stay for a FULL week!!  The kids and I are all for that!  *smile*

Spent a wonderful afternoon shopping at Gina K Designs and visiting with Jessica and Shelly.  Then... off to lunch with Sharri Seffens and Kay Simmons.  Fun Fun!! 

We rode the Jet Boats and got SOAKED to the bones!!!  We walked the Dells "strip" and shopped to our hearts desire... and WAY past the soreness in my feet could stand, but we trucked on!  We walked thru the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and even did the Wizard Quest.. which I wasn't very good at. LOL

The kids played and got water-logged at Chula Vista Resort and fun was had by all.  Once the kids found out they could have VIRGIN daiquiris, I think they had one of every flavor the bartender could make for them!  They got silly and laughed so hard we told them they were on a sugar high and had to stop and drink a glass of water between each one. HA!  It worked... they slowed down on their drinking. LOL

Our room was fabulous... a beautiful suite which gave us plenty of room AND a balcony with a FABULOUS view over the river.  I promise to post the first night's awesome sunset we captured!! 

The food was amazing and the first night I think Don ate more crab legs than he ever thought was possible. HA HA!!  They had them available at every dinner but I think the first night did him in... he never ate another while we were there. LOL

Emily, Steven and I got gorgeous glittered tattoos and they lasted 5 days on us... even with all the water fun we had.. pretty and fun.

We ended our trip with a visit to Karen Knegten's home and met her wonderful husband and all her precious kitties.  Karen was kind enough to have dinner waiting for us and loads of laughs.  She and CJ were the most gracious hosts we could ask for.  What a beautiful home and lake she has!!  Thank you Karen and CJ for your generosity and friendship.  *HUGS*

I will start with regular posts again tomorrow.  I have ALL my new Gina K stamps that I haven't had a chance to ink up yet.... AND.... some fun new InStyle Stamp images and projects to share as well. 

Back to work on all ends tomorrow.  I'll post a few more pics of our vacation as the week goes on for those that want to see beautiful Wisconsin!!

Until tomorrow.  *smile*

I've recently had to make some tags and I realized how much I LOVE doing them. I got to thinking how perfect just a simple sentiment on top of a tag and some coordinating embellishments make such an encouraging little message or... added with others... words of wisdom to hang here and there.


I used the sentiment single, "Believe" that speaks so deeply to me. I had a hard time for years learning I needed to STILL believe. And, I try very hard to keep my kids in that frame of mind. Positive thoughts about positive things can never hurt.


I used my Cuttlebug folder, "D'Vine Swirl" to give my 2nd layer a bit of texture. My sentiment was stamped on a Circle Nestabilitie and layered over a scalloped circle. I also added a flourish punch to the lower corner and mounted a small butterfly on it. Another to the top left and a few Magnolia roses... one small swirl clip and some added fibers to the top and I am ready to start a banner of encouragement.


I hope you try a few tags and I bet you find all kinds of ways to use them. Have a great day!!! *smile*

SURPRISE!!! Happy Birthday, Virginia!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VIRGINIA!!!!  Were you surprised??? Hee Hee

The InStyle Stamps Design Team and a few past members are joining together today to wish YOU, Virginia, fearless leader of InStyle Stamps, a most wonderful and happy birthday surprise blog hop!!  One thing we are sharing is to tell you one place we'd love to take you if you were to come visit each of us.  If you were in my town, Virginia, I would take you to my favorite restaurant to eat Italian food... Barratta's.  This restaurant is sooooo well hidden in a residential area but there have been some super big celebrities that have found out about it and THEY go eat there.  After that... I'd take you to Cold Water Brewery where they serve the most AWESOME AWESOME chocolate layered treat/cake. OH MY GOSH!!!!   You would offer to clean the kitchen just for one more piece.. is it THAT good!!!!  Then I'd have to take you to Valley Junction where they have an awesome stamping/scrapbook store and we'd definitely buy way more than we needed. THEN, last but not least... I'd take you to MY Studio where we could create, stamp and color to our hearts desire!!!  We would have a BLAST!!!!

My tag was created using Violet!  I especially picked her out because 1) I played the violin for years...  2)  I LOVE purple and .... 3)  If I could play "Happy Birthday" to you, I would definitely do it on a violin! *smile*

I colored Violet using my Copic markers and mounted her on top of a ocean mist colored card stock which I ran through my Cuttlebug using the musical score to emboss it.  I rubbed some Distress Ink over the image to make it a bit more visible.

I also used the Distress ink to add some color to my white flower.  My "t" was glittered... looovee that bling! *smile*  I found some awesome fibers to use at the top of my tag and threw a yellow flower brad to the hole to bring out Violet's hair.


Since this is a Birthday Blog Hop, we can't leave you without a chance at a party prize! So here are the rules.

1. Start at the beginning of the blog hop with the letter H.
2. Comment on each Design Team's blog because they need a little love and increase your chances at the party prize.
3. Go to PaperYumness and wish Virginia a Happy Birthday.

The deadline to win a digital image is Sunday, July 18th at 8:00pm Pacific Time.

That's all you need to do! The prize???? Not one, but two! You might win either one by commenting on a blog. Good luck and hope you have fun all along the way!

Virginia... your next letter is "H".  Good luck on your special surprise birthday hop!!! *HUGS*

Shoes for EVERY Ocassion!!

Oooohhhhh and my FAVORITE color shoes too!!!  Hee Hee  Aren't these the most wonderful shoes you'd ever own ..... if you were a witch?? Well... I know a place where YOU can get these... InStyle Stamps, of course!!!  "Witchy Shoes" will be available for purchase tomorrow night, Friday, July 16th in the store.  Just what we all need to get us on schedule and keep us on track so we aren't rushed at those hectic times during the year. 

AND... if you have time... InStyle Stamps will be having a release party on Friday over on Paper Craft Planet... be sure to be there and see all the latest holiday images available from ISS. 

My image was colored with my Copic markers.  I used a couple different striped DP's to coordinate with her lovely striped socks. Hee hee

Though I couldn't get a clear picture of my paper, the black DP actually has spider webs printed in a darker black on it. 

I used a few swatches of striped ribbon as well to the corners and then found this wonderful fiber that went with it perfectly. 

I decided my image would be a wonderful "invitation" for a costume party.  *smile*

I hope you stop by Paper Craft Planet and give the ISS design team with your presence.  We would love to have you!!

Have a great day!!

Ohhh Vacation is soooo Near!!!!

I can hardly stand to do the things I HAVE to do before I go!!!!  So... I grabbed my InStyle Stamps, "Beach Bunny" image and put her right where our vacation will start.... by the water's edge!!! 

I colored her in with my Copic markers and sponged on the bright sunshine sky and the sandy beach.  I took my Sea Scape Impressibilities and sponged the top of my card base with white ink to mimic seashell shaped clouds and then used Memento Desert Tan for the bottom. 

I grabbed a Tim Holtz Grungeboard Flourish and sponged on some alcohol ink and Distress Ink pads as well for a "wave" affect.  *smile*  Glued down some tiny sea shells and added a stamped umbrella to the top.

On the inside I just added some DP and a few flourish punches and a small sentiment.

I hope you have a good night and aren't near as restless as I am (waiting for that first vacation day.. hee hee).  *smile*

Bad Dreams???

I had a weird weekend!! I mean REALLY weird!!! Not so much by day... but definitely by night! I think between Friday night and Saturday night, I had about 12 nightmares!!! TWELVE!!!

My card today was inspired by something my grandma told me long ago. She said if you have bad dreams, you should sleep with a Bible under your pillow. Well... I haven't done this, but... just thinking about that made me think about how we are ALWAYS "safe in the arms of Jesus". I LOVE this set from Creative Clear Stamps called, "Arms of Jesus". Just makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. *smile*

I did multiple layers of card stock here but it's kinda hard in the photo to tell the difference between the bright blue color I used and the deep purple. I was inspired by the new ribbon I received on the card and just went "wild" with my card stock colors. I love it!

I colored my image with my Copic markers and mounted it onto the many layers.

My inside is very simple and colorful as well. I just added a few buttons to accents and of course wonderful colorful DP for the background.


Have a super day and if you have bad dreams... know you are safe in His arms. *smile*

Classy Hearts

Today I want to share a "mistake" with you.  Yes, a mistake.  Ok... to be honest... I was confused.  But does that REALLY surprise you??? Hee Hee  About two weeks ago Tami Mayberry asked me to help her promote her stamp set, "Happy Hearts" for the Color Challenge Throwdown.  I was, of course, thrilled she asked! 

I wanted to do something really different with her stamps that I hadn't seen before.  Well.. one thing I hadn't seen a lot of was the hearts used in a mostly black and white and a "classy" design.  I was just so thrilled to think of this and I set down to do it.  Well... duhhh... I had to follow the COLOR challenge. LOL  Ummmm black and white was NOT in the scheme of things. HA!

So... I decided... why not send the card to Tami as a "thank you" for allowing me to help her promote her set!

I stamped the small hearts with flourishes in black on Gina K's Pure Luxury Layering Weight Ivory Card Stock.  I used my scalloped heart Nestabilities and airbrushed some red along the edges before removing the Nestie border.  I also punched a few red hearts and lined them along the edges only of each black flourished stamped heart. 

I took one of those and added button holes to it and attached it to the blow as a "fake" button.

I love how this card turned out and I hope Tami liked receiving it as well.  It was definitely a fun challenge but sometimes I get an idea and get ahead of myself. Hee Hee

Have a great day!! *smile*

ISS Color Challenge Time!!

It's that time of week again!!!  InStyle Stamps is having their Color Challenge on the InStyle Stamps Blog.  It was an easy one to do since I LOVE the greens and pinks together!!!

My image today was cute little Laney.  There's just something so sweet about a little girl with a big ol' lollipop don't you think???  I colored Laney with my Copic markers and cut her out and mounted her with pop dots.  I used  one of my Nestabilitie labels to mount my sentiment and added a few little roses and a double bow to the corner.  A few strips of lace and a pink grosgrain ribbon to layer with my dotted DP and I can't think of anything more that says "girlie" to me. *smile*

I hope you give the challenge a try.  Make sure you stop over at the InStyle Stamps Blog and see all the other wonderful creations that the DT has to inspire you. 

Have a great day!! *smile*

CSS Alumni Blog Hop

Hi everyone!!! Today the Stamp TV Center Stage Alumni are joining together to share a color challenge that Carolina Buchting presented us with. We have decided to get together now and then and just challenge ourselves to our own little hops to continue sharing ideas and designs as we go. If you arrived here by way of Shannon Bracken's blog, you are on the right path.  If not... skip back and start from the beginning.  I'm sure you don't want to miss a single creation from our team! *smile*

Carolina's first challenge to us was to use, Kraft or Tan Leather, Green (Creme de Menthe, Grass Green, Fresh Asparagus, or Green Apple) and White.

For my card I used Gina K's, Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight, Creme de Menthe for my base.  I next layered on top a piece of Kraft card stock.  I began with Gina's  "Botanicals" wording stamp for my background.  I stamped it in Vivid Ink, "Tuscan Tan" and hen stamped my flower image in Versamark and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then sponged around the image with some Memento, "New Sprout" ink and around the edges with Memento "Desert Sand".

Next I colored the butterfly from the Stamp TV Kit, "Enjoy the Sunshine" and colored it with my Copic markers.  My sentiment came from the same Stamp TV Kit.

I used my oval Nestabilities to put my butterfly on and shaved off the edges to place it on the corner. 

Next... head on over to StampTV to complete your hop.  Thanks for joining us tonight!!

Stay tuned for more Hop Challenges from the Stamp TV Center Stage Alumni!!

*smile*

Head to the Orient with ISS

Don't I wish!!! LOL  I just LOVE this Anime image from InStyle Stamps!  Her name is Mykai, and I could hardly wait to use her.  So much so that I am not quite arranged and organized in my new studio, but I HAD to go ahead and use her.  I have, somewhere, some great papers to use with an oriental look and, of course, I can't find them NOW... but never fear... they will turn up somewhere! 

I began by coloring Mykai using my Copic markers.  I cut her out and placed her on top of my pendent Nestabilitie which I used Gina K's Pure Luxury Metallic card stock, Silver Lining.  My pendant is mounted on top of a piece of black card stock which I scored diagonally using my Scor-Pal, making diamond shapes.  Instead of using it as most would with the scores being embossed... I turned the piece over and the scores are now raised on my paper.  LOVE how this looks. 

Again I mounted the entire piece on top of another piece of the Silver Lining card stock.  I used my CLEAR rhinestones and colored them with my Copics to get just the right shade of red I wanted.   A simple knotted piece of silver string and my card is done!

On the inside I kept it clean and simple.  Using a piece of DP and more Silver Lining card stock.  I wasn't sure what sentiment I wanted on this card so I just left it blank to use as a note card or just a personal message.  I used my EK Success Wave Flourish punch on both a piece of red and black and mixed them together for a simple but fun corner embellishment.

Did you know that if you go to InStyle Stamps Blog, and click on the "Shop Now" button on the left, you can get a 5% discount on your order with InStyle Stamps???  AND... if you buy digi images, which is what my card is made from today.. that is a really big discount as most digi images are under $5!!!!

You really should check out all the adorable images over at InStyle Stamps.  And if you're a fan of Anime drawings, Virginia has some very very cute ones available as well. 

Have a great day!! *smile*

Color Throwdown Celebrates 100!!!

Today the 100th color challenge from Color Throwdown. That means a chance to win LOTS of great prizes. One of the prizes being given away is from Tami Mayberry.
Here is a peek at what you can win:

The prize pack is valued at nearly $100 and includes the following:
Gina K Designs stamps by Tami Mayberry-Happy Hearts and In Stitches
CardMakers Sketchbooks-Original, Christmas and Birthday editions

To celebrate Tami and a few friends are sharing their creations using the Happy Hearts set combined with the Color Throwdown 100th color combo.

Here is the combo for the challenge:

Here are my projects.

The first card I created took in all the colors as a whole big canvas.  I used several layers of Tami's hearts to stack on top of each other as my focal image.  The regal rose piece I embossed with my Swiss Dot Cuttlebug folder to mimic Tami's dots on the heart and the reverse dots on the green stamped hearts.  My perfectly colored DP was my Baja Breeze coloring and matched perfectly.  Nothing but a big red satin bow to finish it off.

On the inside I used more of the hearts from Tami's set and pieced together my own sentiment from the many many words included!!

I have one more card to share.... a clean and simple design.

For my last card I used a simple white card base of Gina K's Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White card stock and stamped the hearts in each of the colors required for the throw down.  I added one heart to my bow to gift it a bit of a "lift". *smile*

Inside... I again kept it very clean and simple and decided to go with a "wonky" location of my sentiment.  I kinda like it there... hee hee.  Once again... a coordination of colors in the DP for the challenge.

For even more ideas using this set be sure and visit the rest of the designers participating:


Tami Mayberry
Lea Lawson
Maren Benedict
Jeanne Strieff
Tina Gilliland
Jennie Harper

Then when you are finished hop on over to the Color Throwdown blog for details on how you can enter to win this prize as well as many others.

Have a great day and good luck!! *smile*

Tiny Beliefs...

I'm feeling cheery today and happy and realizing that as always... I have to always believe.  You see, I just got back to a REGULAR office again!!!  My studio was being remodeled and made larger and for the last three months... I have been in a make-shift area of the building and I must say... it has been NO JOY RIDE!!!

But now... I'm almost settled into my new space and I am so happy.  I think this awesome sentiment from Creative Clear Stamps entitled, "Family Blessings" clearly said what I should have known while complaining and hating the situation I was in!!  But... it is all behind me now and I am thrilled to be able to CREATE again!!!

On the inside.... I used the sentiment single, "Believe".  When I met my husband 12 years ago he always drilled into me... "You gotta always believe."... and still some times I find it hard to do.  But I admit... I have become better at it then I eve was!!!

I hope this inspires someone to always think positive and know that things will get better.  They always have a way of working out.  *smile*

My Christmas Style

I REALLY do not want to think about Christmas this early.... BUT.... since StampTV is putting of Christmas Challenges every week, I can't think of a better way to get prepared early for card giving than to get a head start on it and be relaxed and unrushed doing  so!!!

Giovana's challenge last week was for us to show her our "style".  I'm not sure I have a certain STYLE, but I do one thing very clearly... every year... and without reservation or wonder of what card I am making.  I NEVER fail to make sure I include our Lord Jesus Christ into  my family's Christmas.  Far too I think it is forgotten what the real meaning of Christmas is and I refuse to let that die in MY family.

So... that is my style when it comes to Christmas cards and to how I look at Christmas as a whole.

I admit at times with all the cute, fun, adorable stamps out there, it is hard to always to resist them... but... I think even with a cute mouse wearing an all to big Santa hat... we can still include the Lord

For my card, I used Gina K's Pure Luxury Metallic Silver Lining for my card base.  I stamped Nina Brackett's, "Vintage Borders" and Melanie Muenchinger's, "Festive Fame" for my sentiment which I LOVE!!

I use the snowflake Nestabilitie embossing folder for my background and on the ribbon, I also use Theresa Momber's, "A Very Merry Christmas" to stamp the Hallelujah on top. 

Whatever your style is, I hope you always remember Christmas was our Lord's birthday and the most joyous day of the year.  *smile*

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy Fourth everyone!!!

Today has such bittersweet memories for me. I lost my dear dear friend, Bette, two years ago to cancer and though we go on with our lives, we still find time to remember our loved ones and those who have not only lost their lives fighting for our freedom, but also those who fought their own personal battles.

To our military men and women... thank you for keeping this a free country where our dreams can come true.

And on that note.... I have been away for a couple days, did you miss me???

I have been organizing my NEW STUDIO!!!! I am so excited!! I decided to take a few pictures for you to see the progress and "construction", as it were, going on. My dear friend, Kathy, came by today and spent all morning helping me to decide on this and that. So... without further ado, here's where I am.... so far. :-)

We took this photos this morning... and already things have changed!!! LOL

Remember... we are ORGANIZING... it's not done by a long shot!

Notice the TWO Starbuck cups... BOTH mine! LOL  We started early!!!

My friend was going crazy with these dots.  They are Dry Erase self adhesive dots that can be put and removed.  She had them here... then there... then here... LOL  I think they moved again! LOL

I LOVE these cute hangers I found at Hobby Lobby!!

More to come when we are further organized.  There was so much to go thru and refile and rearrange and CLEAN!!  I can't believe the amount of dust I had on things from being in that make-shift office.  Ugh!!

There are even TWO more walls to do something with!!  AND more tables to buy and bring in!  Actually.... now that I think about it... THREE more walls to do!

I wish you could ALL come visit!!!

Hope you have a great day!!! *smile*

InStyle Stamps Sketch Challenge

Its the beginning of the month and that means Sketch Challenge time at InStyle Stamps!!! Above is the sketch we were to follow. And, this month, the design team is ringing in he holidays with a Halloween and/or Christmas card assortment for you to get your juices flowing!  How awesome would it be to have holiday cards done ready to go in the mail by August???  Cool, huh?  So... on to my card.  All images used in the sketch challenge by the DT will be in the store by July 16th!!

My card today was with the Candy Corn Family from InStyle Stamps.  How SWEET are they???!!! PUN intended!! Hee Hee 

I admit, this sketch was a bit of a challenge for me.  I could NOT for the life of me decide on anything!! Mostly, I think, it was my last night in my "make-shift" studio before they moved me to my newly remodeled one and I was HOT, tired and certainly scattered everywhere!!!

I used my Copics to color my images and dabbed a bit of Vivid London Fog ink around the edges of my Deckled Rectangle Nestabilitie.  I added a Scalloped Circle Nestie to the left side and felt it was a bit plain so I added HALF of a silk flower and some self-adhesive nail heads to the center.  I also sponged some of the Vivid London Fog ink onto the flower.  When I added the buttons I wanted to do them the same color as my Candy Corn Family and instead of doing THREE layers of buttons, I decided the yellow card stock was my initial color so I added just the orange and white button.  

On the inside I really really wanted to do some type of "spider web" stamped design and like I said... my studio was a disaster and I couldn't find anything I really wanted... so I just punched a few swirls and added them to my card stock border.

Be sure and stop over at InStyle Stamps Blog and add your card to Mr. Linky.  You could be a winner of four digi images!!  Deadline to link is August 1st so hurry on over and add your fabulous work and play along!!