Tuesday, December 8, 2009

2 Sketches 4 You Bonus Sketch

You all are amazing! I can't tell you how much your comments have meant to me concerning my new venture! I really can't wait to show you all my first set. January seems so far away! However, sneak peaks will be coming right after Christmas! Thanks again... you've all made my month! And I'll pick a winner on Thursday.

It's been awhile since I've done a 2 Sketches 4 You sketch, and I knew I wanted to use one of my Hambly Screen Prints overlays. I thought Ashley's bonus sketch would work really nice. Here's her sketch:


And here's what I came up with (and check out all that color):


 
Cardstock: Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink)
Pattered Paper: Aqua Mist Bitty Box Basics (Papertrey Ink); Twigs & Weeds (Hambly Screen Prints)
Stamps: Thanks (American Crafts)
Ink: Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)
Ribbon: Aqua Mist Twill (Papertrey Ink)
Buttons: Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink)
Die Cut: Large Rectangle Nestability (Spellbinders)

I started with my folded 5.5"x4.25" card base, die cut my rectangle with my Nestability (use a craft knife if you don't have a die cut). Then I adhered my overlay to the back and embellished from there.

Just a few other things I wanted to mention about my blog redesign. You can now search my blog. Just type in whatever you are looking for! I've tried several searches and they all worked great!

Also, I've added a contact me button. If you ever have any questions about a project or if your just curious about something ... please don't hesitate to email me!

Monday, December 7, 2009

A blog makeover and a big announcement!

So if you're reading this in your Google reader you're going to have to jump over here and see my little blog's makeover. I started designing the pieces of my new blog months ago, and thanks to the help of Veronica over at VK Design Co. it all became reality today! Not only was she super helpful, she was SUPER fast. I mean SUPER FAST. Did I mention how fast she was?

And... if you glance around my new little blog, you'll see a hint at some super exciting news I need to share. I mean because really... it says 'Store' right up there in my header. At the beginning of January I will be releasing my very own clear stamp line right here on my blog! Every few months I'll be coming out with a new stamp design! And, well while I'm at it, I'll just go ahead and give you a hint ... it has to do with the 14th day of February.

Exciting right? And just to make this post even more fun... leave a comment between now and Thursday December 10th and I'll randomly pick one commenter to send my stamp set to before anyone else gets it! You'll be my one temporary design team member! I'll start a Google group just for us... okay jk!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Happy Birthday Kaylen!

Today we are celebrating my niece's first birthday, and I needed a quick card I could whip up this morning (did I mention I have 30 people coming to my house tonight). If you've read my blog very long you know that when it comes to kids stamps I have none. NONE. I still haven't bought any and for that reason every time I need a kids card it's like my own little challenge. This morning I decided I would make a shaped card and rely on some patterned paper to give it a 'kiddish' effect.

I'm sure this card has been done, but I can't remembering seeing it. I simply took a folded 4.25" x 5.5" card and sketched my '1' on it. Then I cut it out, traced it again on my pattern paper, and you end up with something like this:


Stamps: Life (PTI); Ali Edwards (Technique Tuesday)
Patterned Paper: Sunshine Lollipops (Sassafras Lass)
Ribbon: Pretty in Pink (Stampin Up)

I think I really like it. I'd also like to say the Ali Edwards stamp, stamped so nice. I got this tiny little set at CK Nashville and I'm just now breaking it out.

And here's Kaylen's present. Isn't that monkey so fun? Oh and sorry for the glare... I didn't realize how much sun was coming through my window!


 
 
----------

Don't forget to enter the EBTKS challenge. Only three days left. And let me tell you, people get kind of scared of random objects like toothpicks, so if you want this incredible prize:


Your chances right now are pretty awesome! Just saying! So go check it out

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

I wasn't that impressed with the card I made Thursday night, so I knew I wanted to hit the craft room this morning. Hopefully this time with better results... something more my style. Here was the image from Pottery Barn for the inspiration.

And here's my card:


Stamps: Merry and Bright (PTI)
Pattern Paper: Eskimo Kisses 6x6 paper pack and Thin Ice (Basic Grey)
Card Stock: Stampers Select (PTI)
Ribbon: Fresh Snow (PTI)
Ink: VersaFine
Pearl: Denim (Kaiser)
Thread: Double Duty


------------

In other non-crafting news. I think I've finished the dining room with some framed music sheets! I bought them from etsy, had them blown up at Wolfe (I wish I would have gone a little bigger but I still like it). And I just love the fun unexpected art.




What do you think? Cool or weird?  Also, please continue to ignore my curtains. I still have not ironed, and I'm so not looking forward to it!


Thursday, December 3, 2009

Inspired By Challenge

Today has been crazy. Seriously crazy. I had three food related get together today. The first one was our work Christmas party, and I was in charge of bringing a mac and cheese casserole. Then, for Community Group it was our turn to provide dinner, and at the same time I had my book club Christmas Party that I needed to provide all the drinks for. Is anyone seeing a problem here? I originally decided to divide and conquer, however Chase had an awful migraine and nothing went as planned. Thankfully he is feeling better, but by about 8:30 tonight I decided I needed to just go in my room. Isn't creating something so relaxing?

I decide since my brain was fried that maybe taking on the Paper Crafts Inspiration Challenge would help. I started looking through some of my older editions. And came across a card from Kalyn Kepner on page 21 of the March/April 2009 issue. Does anyone else get surprised when you run across names in the cardmaking world you don't know? I know I shouldn't ... there are so many talented people out there, but I do. Well I loved her card. And here's what I came up based on it:


To be honest I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it. All the color... it's just not normally my thing.

Stamps: Sentiments, Thanks, Gless (American Crafts)
Card Stock: Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink); Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up!)
Pattern Paper: Happy-Go-Lucky Blue Skies (American Crafts); Bitty Box Basics (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: VersaMark, Craft White (Stampin' Up)
Thread: 3713 (DMC)

----------

Also, for those of you that watched my most recent video and left a comment, I've drawn a random winner to receive a few flowers from me:


And random.org gave me number 6.

Blogger Julie Campbell said...Another fantastic tutorial!!! Thank you so much! I love the fabric version too!

Julie ... I'll email you to get your address.

-------------

Also, have you all checked out the EBTKS entries so far. I'm not even kidding ... they are FANTASTIC. So creative!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Embellish Leaves, Acorns, & Pine Cones Color Challenge

Just a simple card tonight. Well, I say simple, but it was a work out. This little leaf punch is a tough one. Why is it the smallest punches are the hardest? Here was the challenge Ashley issued this time around:



I actually have zero stamps that apply to the above, and that's when I go digging through old supplies. And here's what I came up with:



Kind of fun right? Basically I just drew a heart and used my little leaf punches to create a border. Super simple, but fun too.

Stamps: Ashley's Blossom
Card Stock: Chocolate Chip, Real Rust, Old Olive (SU); White (PTI)
Ribbon: Lemon Grass (Offray)
Ink: Chestnut Roan (ColorBox)

------------

Don't forget there is a new Everything But The Kitchen Sink Challenge up with a killer prize. I hope you'll come join us. Obviously we know it's outside the box, but we hope because of that you'll take the challenge and come be inspired! I can't wait to see what you make.

-----------

Christmas 2008 - Last year I made several Christmas decor items. Just thought I'd post links to those again:

Project 2 - Bannister Decor
Project 3 - Cardboard Wreath

Bead Board Project

Chase and I (um... more me) decided to add some bead board to our recently painted dining room. Here was our dining room before we ever started changing things:


And here is the current:



I'm pretty excited about it. Just in time for all the parties we will be hosting this year. If you are curious about the process, and how big of a mess we made doing this, you can watch our little video we made.


----

Hey December Daily girls... are you ready? Today's the big day - Dec. 1!