Love in the 'Burbs Mini Card - Lawnscaping Challenge

Well I am ready for another day! So let's get it started by sharing a little card I created for the challenge going on over at Lawnscaping. The challenge this week is to scraplift a card created by the owner of Lawn Fawn stamps, Kelly Marie Alvarez. 

And of course, you may know from my recent posts that I am smitten with Lawn Fawn's stamps! In fact, you still have time to enter my blog giveaway to win a stamp set of your choice from Lawn Fawn right here.

I chose to create a cute little Valentine's Day card using the dog and cat from "Critters in the 'Burbs" stamp set.

I colored the dog and cat to look just like my own pets. Bailey is my little labradoodle puppy and Murphy is our newest addition tabby kitten. Bailey is our little spoiled princess of the house and Murphy, well, he too is the sweetest cuddle bug! I think the stamp set looks just like them and this card captures how the two of them are becoming close friends.

I used my Spellbinders die cut to create the circles and adhered them together to create the card base. These make the cutest little mini cards. Don't you think? 

I also added an embossed circle to the inside of the card - perfect for adding a little love note!

And here is the card that I chose to scraplift from Kelly Marie herself...

Supplies Used for "Love in the 'Burbs" Card:

Cardstock: (Spring Rain) (Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: Webster's Pages and Pink Paislee

Stamps: (Critters in the 'Burbs) (Sophie's Sentiments) Lawn Fawn

Hearts: Recollections from Michael's

Twine: Papertrey Ink

Markers: Copic

Win a Lawn Fawn Stamp Set Giveaway

Hi everyone! I feel like having a giveaway here at my blog. For one reason, because I truly appreciate all of you who follow my blog, give me sweet comments, and send me emails on a regular basis. This community of blogging is full of the most wonderful, helpful, and friendly bunch of folks and I am happy to be a part of it all. 

Another reason I wanted to have a giveaway is because I am now over 100 followers. Ok, that may not be a lot to most of you, but for me it is because I feel like I started this blog only yesterday! So this is one way of saying thanks for your support.

Now for the real reason I am so excited...

Kelly Marie Alvarez over at Lawn Fawn selected one of my cards to appear in her very first catalog! And the card is currently on display in the Lawn Fawn booth at CHA! I have never tried getting anything published before, so to me, this kind of feels like I was published! You can see the catalog here. It is super adorable! Kelly and her team did an amazing job! 

Here is my card that was selected for the catalog which I created using Lawn Fawn's Sew Lovely stamp set.

So here's the scoop! I want to celebrate by giving away a stamp set from Lawn Fawn. ANY stamp set that you want! I will pay for it and have it shipped to you - where ever you live (excluding the moon because shipping would be too expensive)! Tee hee! 

Here are the deets...

So while you're waiting for the winner to be announced, head on over to the Lawn Fawn and browse the shop for the stamp set you will want to win from me. They are all so adorable! I am positive you'll have a hard time choosing only one!

Sweet Lil' Valentine's Day Card Set

Well hello out there in blogland! Today I am sharing with you a little Valentine's Day Card set I created just for the fun of it. Actually, I will give these to my daughter so she can pass them out to some of her friends. They were super easy to make with the help of some journaling cards from Cosmo Cricket's Chemistry paper line and some October Afternoon - two of my favorite paper companies.

But before I go much further...I wanted to let you all know that I will be having a blog giveaway tomorrow! It's my way to thank all of you who read my blog, take time to give comments, send me sweet emails, and for all of your support during my process of creating. I read each comment and email, and really, you all are just the sweetest! So come back tomorrow to win a little appreciation from me to you!

Now onto the cards...

Aren't these the sweetest? Each one only took a few minutes to make. I was able to whip out a quick set of these cards in under 30 mins (I made a total of 5, but didn't photograph them all). I simply applied my papers and matting to kraft cardstock, added a doily to each, cut out and adhered journaling cards from Cosmo Cricket's Chemistry line and added some punched out hearts, buttons, and jewel stickers. 

Seriously, easy!

Supplies Used for "Valentine's Day Card Set":

Cardstock: (Kraft) Michael's

Patterned Papers: (Chemistry) Cosmo Cricket; (Hometown) October Afternoon

Doilies: Wilton

Buttons: (Holiday Collection) Papertrey Ink

Journal Cards: (Chemistry) Cosmo Cricket

Scraplift Me - Papercraft Star Challenge 30

I thought I'd have a little fun with my blog post title this morning. "Scraplift Me!" Did it get your attention? Today we have a super fun challenge over at Papercraft Star - to "scraplift" any project from any one of our Design Team at Papercraft Star! How fun is that? 

And of course I'd be flattered if you "scraplifted" one of my own projects. Tee hee!

For my card, I decided to scraplift a card created by the very talented Tracy MacDonald. It was really tough to choose just one card to scraplift because honestly, Tracy's designs are so amazing! I really love the layouts of her cards, her Copic marker skills, and those gorgeous flowers she makes. 

My card was scraplifted from Tracy's Challenge 29 project at Papercraft Star. I was drawn to the clean lines, the bright colors, and how Tracy used the image as the focal point. For my image, I used another adorable digi stamp from our sponsor at Pink Cat Studio.

Here is Tracy's card that was my inspiration. Isn't it cute? You can read all about Tracy's card on her blog, I Wanna Build a Memory. 

Now it's your turn to play along with us and show us your best twist by scraplifting one of us on the Papercraft Star Design Team. There are so many designs to choose from on our Designer's blogs. Here are the deets...

Scraplift a Papercraft Star Creative Team Member

Scraplift ANY project on ANY of our current Papercraft Star Creative Team Member's blogs. You can see a list of all our Creative Team Member's on my sidebar to the right. Be sure to add a link (or tell us) what Designer and what project you scraplifted in your personal blog post so we can check it out! 

I can't wait to see what you'll create. Happy crafting!

Supplies Used for "You Make Life Sweeter" Card:

Cardstock: (Spring Rain) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Distressed Dots) Papertrey Ink

Digi Stamp: (Itty Bitty Betty Baked a Pie) Pink Cat Studio

Die Cut: Spellbinders

Markers: Copic

Sentiment Stamp: (Cupcake Collection) Papertrey Ink

Be Mine - Inspirational Card Sketches 99

Today kicks off Sketch No. 99 over at Inspirational Card Sketches. Can you believe they have had 99 challenges? That is so amazing to me! When I saw this week's sketch, I knew I wanted to create something Valentiney (yes, I just made up that word). DZ Doodles digi stamps has sponsored this week's challenge and some of the ICS Design Team members have played along using their stamps. When I saw the Tea Rose Blooms digi stamp, I knew it would be the perfect fit for the sketch. 

I used papers from October Afternoon's Cherry Hill line. The paper sheet I used is called Sunday Dishes. Isn't that a cute name? I just love the gray polka-dots. Gray is a color we don't see very often in papercrafts, but I think it's classic. And combined with the red - wow! Definitely a keeper!

I placed a white heart-shaped doily behind a "Be Mine" journal card from Pink Paislee. Very Valentiney (there's that word again!).

Now, it's your turn! I hope you will join us for this week's challenge at Inspirational Card Sketches. Here is the sketch we played along with and what I used to create my card. 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll join me tomorrow for a super exciting challenge we have going on at Papercraft Star. It's one of my favorites! Happy crafting!

Supplies Used for "Be Mine" Card:

Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Kraft) Michael's

Patterned Papers: (Sunday Dishes - Cherry Hill line) October Afternoon

Die Cut Tag: (Cupid Collection) Pink Paislee

Digi Stamp: (Tea Rose Blooms) DZ Doodles

Markers: Copic

Heart Doily: Wilton

Sweet Confections - CR84FN Color Challenge 12

I'm back! I haven't disappeared. And no, I didn't win BIG in Vegas for my birthday either. Ha ha! Life was just really busy this past week. Including welcoming our newest family member into our home. We have adopted a beautiful tabby kitten named "Murphy". He was bottle fed and had no mommy, but because he is used to humans taking care of him, he is a total SWEETHEART. I melt every time I see him and he wants to just sit next to me. Plus, he is the purriest (is that a word?) kitten I have ever heard. In fact, he is sitting at my desk, napping as I type this.

Our Labradoodle sure had fun this week meeting our newest family member. They have been playing all over the house and it's been a blast to see them interact. I just love it! So that's been part of my busy week.

Now that I'm back I wanted to share with you a card I created for Challenge 12 at CR84FN. 

This week's color challenge was to use the colors light pink, lavender, and kraft. Check, check, and check! I just had to use these colors to break out my Waltzingmouse Rescue Remedies stamp set and create a fun Valentine's Day inspired card. I just love these stamps. The font is amazingly gorgeous! 

I lightly inked my stamp label by using a light pink Copic marker to highlight and give my label some pop. Then finished it by adding some lavender colored bling. I love the softness. 

I also stamped the inside of my card and placed a small hand-punched heart on the inside to replicate the outside of my card. Here is the color inspiration for this week's challenge. Ah! Simply gorgeous. Thanks Mona, for another pretty challenge. 

Now I must be going. I have an adorable little kitten who is purring away. How can I resist him any longer? 

Supplies Used for "Sweet Confections" Card:

Cardstock: Kraft (Sweet Blush) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle

Ribbon: MemrieMare

Label Stamp: (Rescue Remedies) Waltzingmouse Stamps

Button & Twine: Papertrey Ink

Inside Stamp: (Love Bird's) Papertrey Ink

Boy's Birthday Card - Papercraft Star Challenge 29

Today, begins Challenge 29 over at Papercraft Star. I am so excited about this challenge because I was able to play along by creating a birthday card for my son, which is later this month! He will be turning eight years old and this card and color combination fits his personality. I can't believe how fast he is growing! It's true...times flies!

I created this card using "Rex Loves Cake" digi stamp sponsored from Pink Cat Studio. And again, I am loving their fun images! I colored this little guy using Photoshop. I was able to match my colors to my patterned paper from My Mind's Eye by visiting their website and cloning the colors of the papers to fill the colors of the little dinosaur digi stamp. It's really a great way to match your image to your papers when you don't have the correct colors in your stash of markers. 

Use some or all of the colors below to create your project and include at least two of the following elements: Ribbon, Stamped Image, Embossing, and/or a Die Cut.

I hope you will join us at Papercraft Star for the challenge this week! You have until January 22 to submit your entry. The winner will receive a Gift Certificate from our Challenge Sponsor, The Scrapbooking Cottage. I've purchased items from their store and they have excellent customer service, fast shipping, and a good supplies of products to choose from. You'll love them!

Can't wait to see you creations! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used to Create "For the Birthday Boy" Card:

Cardstock: (Summer Sunrise) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Fine and Dandy) My Mind's Eye

Digi Stamp: (Rex Loves Cake) Pink Cat Studio

Sentiment: (Tiny Type) Cosmo Cricket

Die Cut: (Circle) Spellbinders

For the Birthday Girl - Inspirational Card Sketches 98

Today brings a fun and exciting challenge over at Inspirational Card Sketches. This week we have been sponsored by Sassy Studio Designs. For my card, I decided to create a birthday card fit for a princess using Sassy Studio's Princess Ariel digi stamp.

I colored the digi stamp using Photoshop and cut out the image with an oval Spellbinders die cut. My sentiment was created using Lawn Fawn's Bannerific and Sophie's Sentiments. I hope you will join us this week at Inspirational Card Sketches. Here is the sketch we are playing along with...

 

Thanks for stopping by! Have an amazing day!

Supplies Used for "Ariel Happy Birthday" Card:

Cardstock: (Spring Moss) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (So Sophie) My Mind's Eye

Digi Stamp: (Princess Ariel) Sassy Studios

Stamps: (Bannerific) (Sophie's Sentiments) Lawn Fawn

Flowers: (Recollections) Michael's

Happy Valentine's Day

Well, I am so excited for this weekend. This Monday is my birthday and also happens to be a holiday. That means we are hitting the road and heading out to Vegas to have a fun weekend away. Now, I am not about to tell you what birthday this is for me, but let's just say I will be another year older nonetheless. Before I hit the road, I wanted to share with you another Valentine's Day card I created and this one, I just LOVE!

I am loving the stamps over at Papertrey Ink (but who doesn't, right?).They have my favorite's and I love using them over and over in different ways. I had a fun time using a masking technique to stamp the tree branches and using different layers of color. Combined with staining the edges of this card, I really love the vintage look.

And don't you just love the crinkle ribbon? It's from Marilyn over at MemrieMare. I love her shop and the quality of her ribbon! Isn't it pretty?

Well, I have to cut this post short today. I still have to pack! Eek! Have a wonderful weekend everyone. I hope I hit the jackpot!

Supplies Used for "Happy Valentine's Day" Card:

Cardstock: (Fine Linen) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Lost & Found) My Mind's Eye

Stamps: (Love Birds) (Out On A Limb) Papertrey Ink

Distress Ink: (Vintage Photo) Tim Holtz by Ranger

Ribbon and Button: MemrieMare

Twine: (Rustic Cream) Papertrey Ink

Tissue Paper Flower Tutorial

Today at Papercraft Star I have another easy-to-make flower tutorial to share! Last week, there was an awesome response from readers at PCS and on my blog. It made my day to visit your blogs and see the flowers you created using my tutorial for scalloped flowers. I spotted the flowers created here on Kristina's blog, on Denise's blog, and Sue's blog - each did an awesome job and all were so unique.

Based on your response, I'm sharing another one of my favorite flower tutorials just for you. This is just about the easiest flower you can make, uses no glue, and can be done in minutes!

Supplies:

• Scalloped punch or circle punch (any size)
• Tissue paper of any color or pages from a book (I used both types for this tutorial)
• Small brad or staple 
• (Optional) Glimmer Mist

Step 1. Punch out approximately 10 layers of tissue paper. To save time, you can fold the tissue paper first into several layers and punch once. Insert a brad in the center to keep all the layers together. (You can also use a staple because this piece won't be visible after the flower is complete.)

Step 2. Using your fingers, crinkle one layer at a time up towards the center. This is the fun part because it does not have to be perfect. The messier, the better!

Keep at it until all the layers are crinkled into a small cluster, like so...

Step 3. Using your fingers, carefully peel open the layers until the flower blossom is open to the size you want.

Step 4. (Optional) Spray your flower blossom with Glimmer Mist for some sparkle and color. I love how the Glimmer Mist adds a gradient to the petals!

The end result will give you big beautiful blossoms with lots of layers. Perfect for embellishments on your cards, layouts, or crafty projects!

 Just add a spot of glue or foam tape, adhere to your project, and viola! You're pretty flower just saved you a pretty penny because you created it yourself for a fraction of the cost!

I hope you all get a chance to create one of your own Tissue Paper Flowers. If so, let me know here in the comments section - I'd love to stop by your blog's to see how they turned out!

While your at it, there is still time to enter your project for Challenge 28 at Papercraft Star. The winner of the challenge will receive an awesome prize from our sponsor, Pink Cat Studio. Super cute digi stamps I know you'll love. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used to Create "Congrats on New Little Bundle" Card:

Cardstock: (Spring Rain) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (So Sophie) My Mind's Eye

Stamps: (Signature Greetings) (Mat Stack Collection 1) Papertrey Ink

Glimmer Mist: (S.W.A.K.) Tattered Angels

Die Cut: (Mat Stack 1) Papertrey Ink

Get Well Card - Papercraft Star Challenge 28

Today kicks off Challenge 28 over at Papercraft Star and I am super excited about this one! Today, the Design Team has created cards based on a sketch from Liz Chidester. Again, Pink Cat Studio has sponsored the Design Team and I am loving the adorable images and quality of their digi stamps!

I decided to use the "Bunny Holding Flower" digi stamp to create this Get Well card. I colored the image using Photoshop to match the image with my purple papers and beige cardstock. Now if only I could color this good, I'd be set! Hee hee!

I used a Spellbinders die to cut out the image and embossed the edges. The "Get Well Soon" stamp is Sophie's Sentiments from Lawn Fawn. I thought the pretty font went perfect with this card.

For my last detail, I used a one inch circle punch to create the scalloped border below my ribbon. I used a double-layered flourish stamp to give it some detail and make it pop. Last, I tied it with some crinkle ribbon and placed two pretty pins. 

I hope you all get a chance to play along with us this week at Papercraft Star. The sketch was so fun and easy to play along with. And I can just imagine so many pretty styles that can be created from the sketch. Can't wait to see what you all come up with! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used for "Get Well Soon" Card:

Cardstock: (Fine Linen) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye

Digi Stamp: (Bunny Holding Flower) Pink Cat Studio

Other Stamps: (Sophie's Sentiment) Lawn Fawn; (Spiral Bouquet) Papertrey Ink

Die Cut: (Labels One) Spellbinders

Ribbon: MemrieMare

Pins: Jenni Bowlin

Masculine Card - Inspirational Card Sketches 97

Hi everyone! Today begins sketch 97 over at Inspirational Card Sketches. Our images this week have been sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digi Stamps from I Did It Creations. I decided to use "Dad's Fishing Hole" to create a masculine card. Combined with papers from October Afternoon, I think this card turned out fun considering I don't create many masculine cards.

Here is the sketch we are playing along with...

I hope you'll join us over at ICSketches this week. The winner of this challenge will receive 5 digi stamps of their choice or 4 digi stamps and 1 digital paper pack from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps. Thanks for stopping by!

Supplied Used for "It's a Good Life" Card:

Cardstock: (Spring Moss) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Skipping Rocks - Campfire Line) (South Forty - Farm Fresh Line) October Afternoon

Banner Element: (Cherry Hill - Shapes) October Afternoon

Button: Jenni Bowlin

Cloud: Jolie's Boutique

Markers: Copic

Image: (Dad's Fishing Hole) Robyn's Fetish Digi Stamps

L-O-V-E

"L. Is for the way you look at me.

O. Is for the only one I see.

V. Is very, very, extraordinary.

E. Is even more than anyone that you adore."

~ Nat King Cole

I just love that song and especially when Nat King Cole is singing it! I will be busy this month creating Valentine's Day cards. My daughter wants to send some to her friends at school and I have a few fun ideas in mind. This is one card I created so far. And yes, it's definitely pink! Okay, I won't be making the rest of the cards this "pink" but this one is for a little girl I know who loves this color. It's perfect for her. 

Now I need to get moving. It was my daughter's 13th birthday on Friday. She had a slumber party with her friends that evening and I didn't get to see her much that evening - she is growing so fast. So today, for her belated birthday, she wants to go roller skating. Yikes! I haven't done that in years. Let's hope I don't break my leg. Wish me luck!

Supplies Used for "I Love You So Much" Card:

Cardstock: (Sweet Blush) Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: (Quite Contrary) My Mind's Eye

Frame: Tattered Angels

Flowers: (Recollections) Michael's

Stamp: (Signature Series) Papertrey Ink

Ink: (Raspberry Fizz) Papertrey Ink

Stylish Blogger Award

Hello everyone! I just received this award from Jean Martin from Stampin Scrapper. I have been following Jean's blog for some time now and was so surprised when she started following mine, plus gave me this award. Jean, you're too sweet and I just love your cards and style!

I also received this award from Tarynne who just happens to live in the city next to mine. Who knew I'd find such a close neighbor while traveling through the blog land. She has a super fun style that always make me feel happy. Thanks, Tarynne for the award. It made my day and I am so happy to have found a blogger and crafter in my neck of the woods.

Rules that accompany this award: 

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Pay if forward to bloggers that you have recently discovered.

8 Things About Myself:

1. I have lived in the same town my entire life. That sounds boring, but I love California and the perfect weather year-round.
2. When I was little, I wanted to become either a store merchandiser or a photographer for store catalogs. I still love browsing them to this day and look for new trends and styles. 
3. I secretly wish to act/sing in a theatrical play (not that I have the talent for this). Darn, now it's not a secret!
4. My favorite food is chips and salsa with guacamole. 
5. I was once an antiques dealer who sold vintage toys. 
6. Even though I am only 30 something, I love big band music and bluegrass (but I love every type of music).
7. I wish I could wear my favorite sandals and jeans to work everyday.
8. If I ordered a coffee at Starbucks, it would be a Venti White Chocolate Mocha with an added shot. At Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, it would be a large 3 shot Caramel Latte. 

Wonderful Bloggers I've Recently Discovered (in no particular order):

1. Viola - she has the "creme de la creme" shabby chic style. Her cards have layers of details that I always try to take all in whenever I visit her blog. I love all the vintage details she adds, the staining and distressing, and the textures of her creations. 
2. Chan - I found Chan in Papercrafts Magazine and was really drawn to her cards. I found her blog and was immediately impressed at her clean and simple style. And she can trim and cut around any detail on any stamp! I don't know how she does it so perfect! 
3. Lindsay - she has such a great eye for placement of embellishments. I really love all the bright colors she uses on her cards and how each card she creates is different from the last. I wish I knew how she thinks of all these gorgeous designs. 

Scalloped Flower Tutorial

Hi everyone! I hope everything finds you well this evening. Tonight, I want to share a super easy tutorial I created and posted over at the Papercraft Star blog. These scalloped shaped flowers can be whipped up in just a few minutes and can easily be added to almost any project from cards, to layouts, even on little gift boxes! I really love how you can add any sort of embellishment to dress them up or keep them simple.

Here's how:

Supplies: 

• Your favorite paper (double-sided is best)
• Glue (I used Elmer's Glue because it showed best for my photo but worked like a charm.)
• Scalloped Circle Punch (or any circle punch would do just fine)

Step 1. Punch out nine circles using a scalloped shaped circle punch.

Step 2. Set aside one of the scalloped circles. Fold each of the remaining eight circles in half, three times each. Each piece will look like a small triangle wedge.

Step 3. Apply a generous amount of glue to the scalloped circle that you had set aside in step 2.

Step 4. Adhere each folded piece to the glue, starting in the center and working your way around the edge. It should come together and look similar to a sliced piece of pie. Let it dry.

Step 5. Once the glue has dried, you can add buttons, brads, small flowers, or any other embellishments you want. Just have fun and get creative!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I'd love for you to try making these flowers and tell me what you think. You'll enjoy creating them - no muss, no fuss!

And don't forget, there is still time to enter your New Year's Resolution project with us at Papercraft Star. The winner will receive a fabulous prize from our sponsor, Catherine Pooler and all entries will have a chance to win our Grand Prize sponsored by Pink Cat Studio. 

That's all I have for tonight, but I will be back tomorrow. Have a great evening!