Be Happy Card

Sharing a card I did for a Hope You Can Cling To Challenge over at Split Coast Stampers.  You were to make a card based on a fairy tale.  I immediately thought of one of my favorites which was Thumbelina.  I got excited when I realized I had a stamp that would help me make it a reality.  :)  The image and sentiment are by Magenta.  I decided to go with a purple and white color theme (because you know purple is a fairy's favorite color.)  :)  I also dug out my sparkle fibers by Clearsnap because they look "fairy-ish"...yep, that is a word I just made up.  :)  I had some new white lace which had a scalloped edge so I mixed it with a large scalloped edge diecut by Sizzix.  I embossed the scalloped borders with a polka dot embossing folder by Sizzix cause fairies love polka dots.  Wink.  :)  Thanks for stopping by.  Hope your Wednesday is a good one.  I'm happy to report my back is getting better....a little each day.  I can practically walk again!  Yea!  :)  In a few more days, I might just be able to kick up my heels!!!!  :)

Floral "Thinking of You" Card

I hurt my back Sunday afternoon and have been walking like Tim Conway used to on the Carol Burnett show.  (For those of you too young to know what I am talking about, let's just say SLOW.)  :)  It has been hard to do anything but sit with a heating pad on my back since then.  I have been joining in the fun at Split Coast Stampers and creating cards for their Hope You Can Cling To during the month of October.  I have not missed one of the challenges so was determined to keep up...even with my "hurt back."  So here's my card I created for today's challenge called "Sending Flowers."  I heated embossed the flower images in the top right and bottom left.  All of the stamp images are by Gina K Designs.  The patterned paper and flower are by Prima Marketing.  I added some jewels, gems and baker's twine to finish up my fast and easy card.
Hope you are having a good day and thanks for stopping by.  I guess I'll be taking it easy for several more days but it's not all bad (except when I move...wink), I'm getting caught on my favorite shows plus reading....which as busy as I stay is a treat.  :)

Dancing Boots Card

Sharing a card I did for the Hope You Can Cling To challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers today.  You were to have boots or shoes on your creation.  I immediately thought of some new stamps by Unity Stamp Company that came in the mail a few days ago.  How's that for perfect timing?  :)  I used papers from The Denim Stack by Diecuts With A View.  Did basic stamping with an ink pad by Clearsnap (ColorBox in Nautical) and got out my glitter finish Mod Podge to coat a chipboard key that I had rubbed red ink on (by Mod Podge as well).  The corrugated "life" word is new by Jillibean Soup (lightly rubbed red ink on it and just a little glitter Mod Podge).  The diecut shape is by Sizzix (one of their new framelits....which I LOVE).
The flowers are by Prima Marketing and the brad is by Crate Paper.  After I finished the card, I felt it still needed a little something when the "lightbulb" in my brain went off (amazing I know).  :)  I got out my fringe scissors by Martha Stewart and "fringed" some denim looking cardstock.  I adhered it around all four edges and was happy with the results.  Hope you have happy plans for the weekend.  Tonight is one of those bittersweet ones for me.  My youngest daughter will perform her last "home" game with the band tonight as she is a senior.  It's also "senior" night and parents are in a little pre-game activity.  You'll recognize me as I will be the one with the "tears" in her eyes ( or possibly just down right boo-hooing).  ha-ha  I tell ya, this "mom" stuff is hard.  Wink.  :)

My Favorite Hope You Can Cling To Cards

It's October so you know what that means.  It is time for Split Coast Stampers annual Hope You Can Cling To event.  I look forward to this each year as the challenges are so much fun and what better cause to create cards for.  :)  There is a different challenge everyday and so far I have not missed one.  Posting "my" favorites I've created so far.  One of them was picked a "favorite" at Split Coast too which "made my day."  :)  It is the Spread Your Wings card below (both butterflies "move" either up or down to reveal hidden message which was the challenge that day).

The bottom two were done with some DCWV patterned paper plus stamped sentiments but I like the way they turned out.  I thought they were happy cards.  :)


If you are playing along at Split Coast Stampers currently, you are missing out on a lot of fun plus a great cause.  You can read all about it here.  Hope you are having a fabulous Sunday and enjoying this beautiful fall weather.  I'm hoping I can make it out to the front porch later to read a good book and enjoy the birds singing.  :)

The {Stamps} of Life October Release Set

Wow, this year is going by fast!  I can't believe it is October already but I'm ready for cooler weather, leaves, pumpkins and all that good "fall stuff."  :)  It's also time for another Stamps of Life stamp release.
This month's club set is tickets2stamp which is a lot of FUN!  Check out my card below plus see other
samples done with it in the Stamps of Life gallery.  Gonna run, that first cup of coffee is loudly calling my name.

Blessed Card

School started back yesterday so I am finding the house quiet and a "little" more time to create.  :)  I did today's card for three different challenge blogs.  First, the Casual Friday Challenge is a color one with the following colors: green, aqua and orange.  Stampin' For The Weekend  has a butterfly challenge.  Last
Pile It On's challenge is no designer paper.  The sentiment is a stamp by Hampton Art.  I used cardstocks by Diecuts With A View and a metal aqua label by We R Memory Keepers.  The butterfly is from a new punch by Martha Stewart Crafts.  This one punches a smaller butterfly plus two tiny butterflies (it will go perfect with all my other butterfly punches).  :)  The little orange rhinestones are by Doodlebug Design.  Just a quick and easy card but lots of fun to make.  :)  I hope your Tuesday was a good one.  Celebrated a wedding anniversary at my house (36 years today and yes I was a "toddler" bride....wink!)  :)  We went to a "meet the team" event at the football field also since we have a game coming up next week.  Had to go and see our senior girl play in the band.  :)   Stop by again soon.

Clearsnap and The {Stamps} of Life Blog Hop

Welcome to The Clearsnap & {The Stamps} of Life by Stephanie Barnard Blog Hop! All today it's about stamping and inking, creating and sharing. Be sure to visit everyone on the hop and leave a comment to be entered to win a fabulous prize of Stephanie Barnard’s line of ColorBox inkpads, Stephanie Barnard Sprays!, and Stephanie’s new SCREENS!

I love the Clearsnap Stephanie Barnard Colorbox ink pads.  They come in such pretty colors and always just make your images "pop."  :)  I did a quick and easy card using one of my favorite ink colors in these ink pads....Grape (it even sounds good.)  ;)  I chose The {Stamps} of Life clear stamp set called banners2cut for this card.  I also used a Sizzix Textured Impressions Chevrons embossing folder.  The cardstock is by Diecuts With A View (in light orchid and violet colors).  The butterfly was done with a Martha Stewart punch (probably the punch I use more than any other).  :)  So the next time you are stamping and want pretty colors and crisp images, reach for Clearsnap's Stephanie Barnard Colorbox Dye ink pads.  :)



Be sure to visit all the stops on the hop for lots of inspiration and the chance for some great prizes too!
HOP LIST:
Clearsnap Blog: http://blog.clearsnap.com
Jeanne Streiff http://inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Tami Sanders http://tamisanders.com/
Lorie Souther http://www.thinkinspot.com/
Suzanne Austin http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com
Kim Howard http://basementstamper.blogspot.com/
Judy Rozema http://jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/
Becki Adams http://beckiadams.com
Beverly Sizemore http://bevscreativepath.blogspot.com/  (You are here).
Emily Niehaus http://emmielouwho.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Priest http://hydrangeahippo.com/blog
Laura Williams http://www.lauralooloo.blogspot.com/
Steph Ackerman http://stephaniescraps.blogspot.com/
Anna Wight http://sweetmissdaisy.typepad.com/
Kelli Hull http://stampingwithadream.blogspot.com/
Adrienne Ford http://bry-and-i.blogspot.com/
Tiffany Johnson http://iheartartblog.com/
Lydia Fiedler http://www.understandblue.blogspot.com/
Meihsia Liu http://meihsia.blogspot.com

Sluggish Birthday Card

Sharing a card I did with new Stamps of Life August releases.  This one coordinates with the snails4mail but is called insides4snails.  Be sure to check out the gallery for more ideas for these cute snails.  :)  My card is a fast and easy one.  Just create yourself a "round window" and let one of the snail heads "peek" to create a "slug."  I'm always forgetting to send birthday cards on time so this will be a good one to have on hand.  :)

Owl Friends Card

I was in the mood for a paper crafts challenge today.  Papertake Weekly had a new sketch challenge up on their blog so decided to try it.  :)  I used some newly released stamps by Magenta for my image and sentiment.  I heat embossed them with brown embossing powder (Truffle by Clearsnap in their Mix'd Media Inx Embossing Powders line).  The cardstock and patterned papers are by Diecuts With A View.  I used an oval Sizzix Framelit to make the oval shape.  Finished it off with some "owl" printed twill by The Paper Studio and brown hemp by American Crafts.  Quick and simple....just right for a busy afternoon getting things ready for a visit from my oldest daughter who lives in Dallas.  Can't wait to see her!  :)  Can't believe tomorrow is the last day of July.  This summer has flown by...my youngest will be back in school before you know it.  It's time for back to school shopping (not as much fun as rubber stamp and crafts shopping either). Wink.  :)

Inky Antics July Guest Designer -- Age Is Just A Number Card

Sharing a card I did for Inky Antics as their month long July Guest Designer.  I LOVE to do funny cards (in case you haven't figured this out by now).  Wink.  :)  The Worldly Women stamps at Inky Antics are right up my funny bone alley.  :)  I used the clear stamp set called Ageless Worldly Women on this card.  It is the one being featured at the Inky Antics blog today with step by step photos, instructions and supply list....so go check it out!  :)  Hope you have had a fun and safe 4th of July holiday weekend.  We've had such fun that I'm sad to see it end.  Thanks for stopping by.....hope to see you again soon.  :)

The {Stamps} of Life July Release

Can you believe how fast this summer is going by?  Yep, it's time for new Stamps of Life stamps.  The new release is called award2stamp.  I'm sharing two fast and easy cards I did with it.  Go see the other Stamps of Life design team stamps in the gallery.  :)  Hope you have had a fun and fabulous 4th of July holiday weekend.  We had a wet rainy one but that's OK.  We went to the movies (The Lone Ranger) and stayed in playing games and having relaxing family time.  Happy birthday, America!  :)

MFT Sketch Challenge Get Well Wishes Card

I did a card today for MFT's Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge.  This is my first time to

play in one their challenges but the sketch looked like fun so I gave it a go.  :)  I used Pure Innocence Poppy Set for my image and sentiment.  The patterned paper is by Jillibean Soup (Grandma's Lima Bean Soup Collection).  I used my Sizzix eClips for the circle diecuts and cardstock by Diecuts With A View.  The flowers are by Prima Marketing, and the brad is one by My Min'd Eye.  I used Copic markers to color my image.  I just love the Pure Innocence stamps by My Favorite Things.  Fun to color (I called it coloring for grown-ups!!!)  :)  They also remind me of my sweet daughters when they were growing up (sniff, sniff).  :)  Hope your Monday has been a good one.  I've been busy in my crafty room.  I'm going to be a guest designer in July for a stamp company (more on that later) so I've been working on my creations for that.  It is starting to feel like summer here (HOT and humid) so I'm happy to stay in the air conditioning and craft.  :)  

CFC103 Congratulations Card

Quick card for Casual Friday's Challenge of doing a congratulations card.  The sentiment stamp is by Hampton Art

and is inked with a Fireberry Colorbox Archival Dye ink pad by Clearsnap.  The cardstock and patterned cardstock is by Diecuts With A View.  I created the chevron border with a punch (by Family Treasures which tells you I have had it a LONG time.)  :)   The cranberry colored pearl brads are by My Mind's Eye. Thanks for stopping by.  I'm off shopping to find shorts for my youngest as she goes to band camp soon and NEEDS them.  :)

Wedding and Anniversary Cards

June is here so what better time to do some wedding and anniversary cards! :) These cards are up on the Hampton Art blog today too. They were all created with the new stamp set by Bella Blvd for Hampton Art called Love and Marriage.

MR. AND MRS. CARD SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps -- Hampton Art (IC0227 Love and Marriage)
Ink Pad -- Clearsnap, Inc. (Colorbox Dye in
Wicked Black)
Liquid Pears -- Ranger (Silver)
Patterned Papers -- Little Yellow Bicycle
Chipboard -- Little Yellow Bicycle
Diecut Borders -- Sizzix eClips (#657150 Edges)
Paper Roses -- Prima Marketing, Inc. (#565978)
Pearls -- Queen & Co.
White Cardstock -- Diecuts With A View
Marker -- Copic

BEST WISHES BRIDE AND GROOM CARD SUPPLIES:
Stamps -- Hampton Art (IC0227 Love & Marriage by Bella Blvd.)
Ink Pad -- Clearsnap, Inc. (Colorbox Archival in Wicked Black)
Embossing Folder -- Sizzix (#658356 Rose Vine)
Pearls -- Queen & Co.
Cardstock -- Diecuts With A View
Organdy Ribbon -- JoAnns
Stick Pins -- Little Yellow Bicycle
Foam Tape -- Scotch/3M

ANNIVERSARIES START TODAY CARD SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps -- Hampton Art (IC0277 Love and Marriage)
Ink Pad -- Clearsnap, Inc. (Colorbox Archival in Wicked Black)
Cardstock -- Diecuts With A View
Pale Yellow Paper -- Little Yellow Bicycle
Chipboard Letters -- Little Yellow Bicycle
Decorative Lace Tape -- KI Memories (#3589)
Diecuts -- Sizzix eClips (Basic Shapes Cartridge)
Rhinestone -- Little Yellow Bicycle
Marker -- Copic
Foam Tape -- Scotch/3M

Hampton Art Vintage Steampunk Card

PARIS TIME CARD SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps -- Hampton Art (IC0235)
Ink Pad -- Clearsnap, Inc. (Colorbox Archival Wicked Black)
Patterned Cardstock -- Diecuts With A View (Tattered Time)
Industrial Gears -- 7 Gypsies
Light Bulb -- Prima Marketing, Inc.
Alphabet Brads -- The Paper Studio
Diecut -- Sizzix (657182)
Black Chipboard -- Grafix
Glue Gloss -- Clearsnap, Inc.
Badge Sticker -- Basic Grey
Misc. -- Vintage Eiffel Tower Image/Photo

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Trim patterned cardstock for card base. Adhere black
chipboard gear diecut borders down left and right side.
2. Computer generate vintage Eiffel Tower image. Stamp
images and sentiment with black ink as shown on photo.
Attach alphabet brads to spell “time” over stamped
image. Apply foam tape to middle of image and adhere
to base.
3. Secure metal gears, light bulb and badge sticker as shown.

Sharing a card which I did for the Hampton Art blog. This is my "attempt" at doing steampunk. :) So be kind when you check it out. :) Hope your weekend is off to a good start. I'm still tired from my road trip to Dallas last week so planning a laid back relaxing one here. :)

The {Stamps} of Life June Release

I always look forward to June because it means school is out and I can enjoy spending time with my daughters.  :)  Course the first of a month is always exciting too because of a new stamp release from  The {Stamps} of Life.  This month's release is called lemonade2drink and perfect for making some fun summer cards. I'm sharing a couple of cards I made with this set but for more inspiration go check out the lemonade2drink gallery.  :)

Hope you had a great week.  I made my first road trip to Dallas, Texas this week which took 10 hours of driving.  My youngest daughter and I were visiting my oldest daughter in her new apartment.  We had a blast but alas the week went by too quickly (here comes a "mom sniff sniff").  :)  Thanks for stopping by....let's kick off the summer with these lemonade2drink cards.  I don't know about you but I'm ready for some homemade lemonade!!!  :)

CAS-ual Friday #100 -- Happy Retirement Card

CAS-ual Fridays challenge blog is celebrating it's second year plus 100th challenge this time around. The challenge is a tic tac toe one which is always fun. I chose the row to use polka dots, kraft and punches or diecuts. The stamps are by Sweet'n Sassy Stamps. I colored the image by using Staedtler watercolor pencils with odorless mineral spirits. I have a new glass water pump bottle that is perfect for storing the mineral spirits. It makes working with them so easy. The patterned paper is by Jillibean Soup (from their Grandma's Lima Bean Soup collection). I used a Clearsnap Colorbox Archival Dye ink pad in Wicked Black. The diecut on my card is a circle made with a Sizzix Framelit. I raised the circle diecut up by using Scotch/3M foam tape. I also used some Royal Brush glitter glue, baker's twine, and small green rhinestones. FUN! :) Looks like rain in my neck of the woods today, so it will be a perfect "get inky" day. :)

The {Stamps} of Life April Release

The first of a new month means new stamps from The {Stamps} of Life. This month's release is called ladybugs2love.

I had fun with the ladybugs2love as I've always had a weakness for ladybug images. Make sure you check out the gallery and see what the other members of the design team did with this fun, fun set. Thanks for stopping by....off to do lots of "unfun" stuff (you know like vacuuming, etc.). Have to do that sort of thing before the "fun" stuff though (like making cards). Wink, wink. :)

The Stamps of Life March Release

The Stamps of Life has a cute, cute, cute (and let me add cute one more time) stamp set this month. It is called bubblegum4me. (You'll also want to watch out for the extra releases later in the month too. Can't say exactly why but trust me. Wink!) :) Hope you like my samples with this set. Off to do a bunch of Monday chores and errands. If I can get them done, I'll have the afternoon to do something fun (like make cards)!!!

Happy Hello Card

Quick post for a card I did for Hampton Art (and is on their blog) which I like to say is a "happy" hello card. I used lots of bright colors. :) Below is the supply list and instructions. Hope you are having a great Friday. Off to do lots of "chores"...my family likes a clean house and hot meals (go figure). :)

Supplies:
Rubber Stamps -- Hampton Art (SC0469 Flower, IC0160 Border And SC0473 Sentiment)
Inks -- Clearsnap, Inc. (Stephanie Barnard Colorbox in Tangerine and Banana plus Colorbox in Jalapeno)
Embossing Folder – Sizzix
Cardstock -- Diecuts With A View
Jewels -- Me & My Big Ideas (Yellow and Orange) -- Kaiser Craft (Kiwi)
Baker’s Twine -- The Twinery
Instructions:
1. Trim black cardstock for card base.
2. Trim white cardstock. Stamp all images as shown.
use scoring tool to create “blocks.”
3. Emboss white cardstock with small flowers. Trim into three
pieces and mount on black cardstock. Adhere.
4. Wrap and tie baker’s twine at top and bottom.
5. Apply rhinestones.

Hampton Art and Core'dinations Blog Hop

I am so excited to be a part of the Hampton Art and Core'dinations blog hop. They have a fantastic five days planned! Stampers LOVE good paper and Core’dinations has a wide array of size, texture, and colors in their product line! Take some time to visit each blog today through Friday and see the many projects and effects that you can create through stamping, embossing, and sanding on these great papers with Hampton Art stamps! Make sure you start out each day this week at the Core'dinations blog and end at the Hampton Art blog.

What blog hop would be complete without a giveaway!? Alright, you know how this goes… Like Hampton Art on Facebook (don’t forget KI Memories) , and leave a little comment on the designer’s blog posts each day (comment registration closes Sunday, February 17th)! We will randomly choose one winner of a super fun mystery prize that will be announced.



SWINGIN’ HELLO CARD SUPPLY LIST:
Cardstock -- Core'dinations (Color Core/Pastels GX-3000-07)
Stamps -- Hampton Art (PS0320 Bird Cage Love and SC0399 Home Tweet Home)
Ink Pad -- Clearsnap, Inc. (Colorbox Stephanie Barnard in Pumpkin)
Embossing Folder -- Sizzix (#657577)
Diecuts -- Sizzix Framelits (#657568)
Patterned Glitter Cardstock -- Diecuts With A View
Flowers -- Prima Marketing, Inc.
Brads -- The Paper Studio
Baker’s Twine -- The Twinery
Corner Rounder -- Martha Stewart Crafts
Foam Tape -- Scotch/3M

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Trim patterned glitter polka dot cardstock for card base and round corners.
2. Trim Core'dinations pastel coral cardstock and emboss with bird cage images.
Lightly sand to enhance embossing and round corners. Adhere to center of
base.
3. Stamp birdcage and sentiment images with pumpkin ink pad on Coordinations
coral cardstock. Trim into rounded shapes using Sizzix Framelit dies. Adhere
strip of glittered polka dot cardstock at bottom of both images. Punch holes
at top of each and string baker’s twine. Adhere each with foam tape as shown.
Adhere tiny baker’s twine bows at tops.
4. Secure three polka dot flowers with button brads in lower left corner. Secure
another flower to top right corner.

Don't forget to leave some love at each designer's blog each day for a chance to win some great prizes. :)
Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to finish cleaning and straightening up my craft room. I've only
been doing it for eleven days! :) Yep, it was a mess and I've gone through everything purging, cleaning
and reorganizing. AND famous last words...I'm not going to let it get messy ever again (wink, wink). :)

Happy Birthday Card

I have a fun birthday card to share with you which is also on the Hampton Art blog today.
I stamped the fish and balloon images with a Clearsnap Archival Dye (Wicked Black) ink pad and colored them with Copic markers. I framed the fish with a black diecut frame done with my Sizzix eClips. Add some googley eys, baker's twine and rhinestones and you have a fairly fast and easy birthday card. :)

I have not been blogging much lately and I apologize but somehow January forgot the memo to "slow down." :) I'm hoping February will be better but I started it off with a hard job. I decided to purge, clean and reorganize my craft room. What I thought would be a two or three day job has turned into eight days (with another two to go). :) When my craft room gets so messy and piled I can't stand it any longer (which is usually every 2 1/2 years), I get to work on it. It is a job I always dread but when it is done I'm happier and more productive. :) Before I started, I looked at craft rooms trying to get organization ideas. One problem I've had is keeping my ink pads where I could find colors easily. (I have a lot of Clearsnap ink pads!) I read where you could use vintage Napa Valley cassette holders to organize your ink pads. I found a couple on Ebay and one of them came in today. (I got one which has 100 slots and one that has 64 (because of a space issue). I've been using a basket where pads were stacked on top of each other. This meant hunting and searching for a color and it took way too much time. I'm already in love with my new "old" ink pad holder. How did I live without it? :)Another thing I did to save space plus make work easier was to remove my Sizzix eClips design cartridges from their plastic cases. I have all of them in a single plastic organizer (one of those with 21 slots...like you store brads, etc.) I've placed it next to my eClips so no more hunting for a cartridge. It also opened up nearly a whole shelf in one my storage units. :) I did a little shopping this weekend and found some wonderful tapered totes and leather organizers at Lowe's on clearence for 1/2 off. Major score there! :) My work desktop computer moniter bit the dust last week so I decided to take my little flat screen tv in my craft room and turn it into a moniter. I splurged and ordered a 32 inch "smart" TV for the craft room and it came in today too. Don't have it out of the box yet but pretty excited about getting it set up. I left a whole shelf empty just for it! Wink! :) And famous last words....I'm not going to let my craft room get messy again (said the last two times I redid it)....but this time I mean it. :)