Sunday, February 28, 2010

EBTKS Challenge 10

It's Everything but the Kitchen Sink time again, and it's my turn to host. Lately I've been all about sewing and fabric. So when I needed to pick an item I went right to it... fabric. So I realize you may not have a stash of scraps, it's all about using what you have. For example with my card I used a sweater material that had a hole and I needed to get rid of it. Why not utilize it!
Here's what I came up with. I think I've been watching too much Project Runway.

And check out those flowers. This challenge is sponsored by The Cutting Cafe! I used Heart Flower Set. One trick when you are just wanting the shape of an image is print it on the back so there's not chance of the black line showing.

The winner of this challenge will get three sets of their choice from The Cutting Cafe and you'll also have the opportunity to be the next EBTKS guest designer.


So come play along and check out the other girl's creations here.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Etsy Inspired Challenge #77

It's time for another Etsy Inspired Challenge! This is my last week as their guest designer and it has been so fun! Ashley does such a great job picking some great stores for inspiration. This week United Thread is the shop, and it took me no time to know exactly what my card would be. I basically got inspiration from two images:
 Aren't they cool images? Here's what I came up with...



I embossed the dandelion and friend (which is from the end of one of the sentiments in You're Dandy). I stitched around the circle, which I will admit is not the easiest thing to do, but I'm just addicted to sewing right now.

And can I just say how much I love this May Arts twill? It's so nice.


Stamps: You're Dandy (Practicing Creativity Designs)
Paper: Pure Luxury White (Gina K) Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Creamy Coconut Heat Wave (American Crafts)
Ribbon: Teal Twill (May Arts)
Thread: White (Coats & Clark)

And this week there is one awesome prize from Sakura America. Check out more details over at the site


And you won't want to miss these girl's work:
Lisa (Feb Guest)
Shannon

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Three Cute Notes.

I don't know what it is about small cards, but they are just so cute. I'm a sucker for anything mini and I guess that applies to cards as well.


Stamps: On the Desk (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Terra Cotta Grosgrain (Papertrey Ink), Black and Cream Check (May Arts)
Tread: Cream (Coats and Clark)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Buttons: True Black, Terra Cotta (Papertrey Ink)

And although these cards look like they would take seconds to make... sewing on all those buttons really took some time. Well that and I pretty much have, what I refer to as RIBBON WARS. I think the current total looks something like this:

RIBBON - 211
ME - 12
 
So you get the picture. However, I'm determined to win out in the end. Anyone else out there have ribbon wars?

Thanks for all of your feedback with my ATG. If you are in the market for one the most cost efficent place I found to purchase it was here. Also, thanks to all of you that played along in this latest EBTKS challenge! We were really excited to see such a great response!

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On another note I've been meaning to post this card for awhile! Laural-Lee made this awesome card with Key to My Heart! I just love how she stamped the stripes of paper!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Thinking of You ...

This is probably going to shock most of you, but this is really the first Unity stamp I've ever used. I do have a woodgrain background stamp from Unity, but I'm not counting that. I have to say I really loved it, and more pink, go figure.

Stamps: Fresh Beginnings (Unity); Sentiments (American Crafts)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Paper: Cardstock White (Papertrey Ink); Friendly Fern & Lazy Ladybug (American Crafts)
Ribbon: Pink Everyday Ribbon (American Crafts)
Thread: White Heavy Duty (Coats & Clark)
Pen: White Gel (Uni-Ball)
 

Have I mentioned on here that I finally made the plunge and purchased a ATG? So far I'm really liking it. I thought I would hate how big it is, but man I NEVER lose that thing. And the tape really holds which used to be my big issue. So for those of you that have an ATG do you go back to your favorite adhesive for small pieces (like the tie on the above) or have you mastered using your ATG for those small pieces too? 
I'm off to go watch a basketball game. Chase coaches a 5th grad girls team that is in the semi-finals! Hopefully they will win tonight! (I wrote that last night ... they won! Actually by one point in the final seconds)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Embellish Birthdays Color Challenge

Wow here's day two with very little stamping. I think the amount of sewing on this card makes up for the lack of stamping. Here's the image for the challenge:
And here's my card (this card is a weird size it's 6x4... I really wanted an elongated look):
Now do you see the brown with the stitching? I used my sewing machine to make that grid. Here it is before I put the blue piece over it with the die cut:
 Stamps: Big & Bold (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (VersaFine)
Ribbon: Snow White (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up); New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)
Pattern Paper: Raspberry Fizz Bitty Boxes (Papertrey Ink)
White Pen: Uni-Ball White Gel Pen
Buttons: New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)
Thread: White (Coats and Clark)

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Only a few more days left in this EBTKS challenge!

Monday, February 22, 2010

American Crafts Abode

So here's a different card for me. It is certainly my style, but there is zero stamping on it!

I did want to share a technique I used on my house chipboard. I had never done this before, but I really thought it was fun. 
Step 1: Spray chipboard with ink (I used a brown and then the Tattered Angel's Diamond)
Step 2: Use an embossing folder to add texture

It is important to to spray the ink first. And have I mentioned how much I love the Abode collection? There is something about eating utensils that is so fun! 

Rub On: Farm Fresh (October Afternoon)
Chipboard: House (Maya Road)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Cobbler Cove Abode (American Crafts)
Ribbon: Aqua Mist Twill (Papertrey Ink)
Embossing Folder: Houndstooth (Cuttlebug)
Ink: Walnut Ink (Tsukineko), Dazzling Diamonds (Tattered Angels)
Tread: White (Coats and Clark)
Hope you all have a great Monday!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Etsy Inspired Challenge #76

It is time for another Etsy Inspired challenge. This week's inspiration is from the Enchanted Beehive shop. I have no idea how they create these works of art with soap, but they are pretty cool. Here's my favorite which I also used for my inspiration:

It was a perfect time to break out my Hambly overlays again for this awesome owl rub-on.
I love that owl, and honestly I'm not really an owl person. This one is just extra cute!


Patterned Paper: Viola Botanique (American Crafts)
Rub-on: Out on a Limb (Hambly Studios)
Ribbon: Brown Satin, Twine (May Arts)
Letters: Subway Thickers (American Crafts)


You'll have to check out the rest of her shop for even more inspiration. And this week's sponsor is Doodle Palace! The Enchanted Beehive will also be giving away an item from their shop to one winner. 

And check out these super talented girls for even more inspiration:

Lisa (Feb Guest)
Shannon

Head over to the Etsy Inspired blog for more details!

Friday, February 19, 2010

And I'm back...

So apparently there are a few others out there that don't love pink. I have been warned that things might change if I ever have a daughter one day. We shall see! In the mean time, I'm back with what I would consider more my 'go-to' style.
And obviously I can't get enough of my little Maya Road pins. It's the first one's I've had and I LOVE them. I'm still not sure how I'm suppose to save my card receipt's fingers.

Overlay: Hambly Couture
Stamps: Sentiments (American Crafts)
Rub-Ons: Sewing (Hambly)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Red and Cream (May Arts)
Pin: Clear (Maya Road)


I'm 100% in love with Hambly products right now. I just love their images! 

Thursday, February 18, 2010

You're Dandy

Just a quick update, You're Dandy is currently sold out. However I will have more in-stock later next week. Please email me at CourtneyMBaker@gmail.com if you would like to be added to my waiting list. And thank you all for supporting my first stamp sets!

If you are local you can always pick it up at The Scrap Room in Lebanon and The Sassy Scrapper in Murfreesboro. 

Who made this card?

Well, it was me, but I still can't believe it. Even when Chase looked at it he couldn't believe I had made it. I like it, it's just not me... it's so pastel. And I don't know if you all know this, but I don't even really like pink! So not sure how I ended up with this card.

I used the 2 Sketches 4 You sketch:
And can I just say I was super excited to see some of my friends being added to the 2 Sketches 4 You design team! Way to go girls!
And here it is:
I do really like the way the little Hero Arts butterflies turned out! 

Stamps: Sentiments (American Craft); Stencil Art (Hero Arts)
Pattern Paper: Opal Botanique (American Crafts)
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink)
Misc.: Diamond Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels); Labels 4 Nestability (Spellbinders); Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)


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Don't forget about the EBTKS challenge going on now!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

You're Dandy + Buttons

When I originally started this card, I was planning for it to be my card for our current EBTKS challenge card. However, it turned into something completely different! Do you ever do that? I have to say I'm loving the way it turned out.

To make this card I started with a 5x5 card base. Then I stamped the large and small rays from You're Dandy. I matched up my colors with the massive amounts of buttons I own and now I have button rays. I topped it all off with my labels 1 nestability.
Speaking of EBTKS, check out the latest challenge!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Skipping Stones Blog Hop – Hop(e) for Haiti

Welcome to Skipping Stones Design’s Blog Hop(e) for Haiti. If you are just visiting my blog today, you can start at the begging of the Hop(e) at Skipping Stones Design.  If you are hopping, you should have come from Wendy’s blog. 

Skipping Stones Designs wanted to do something to give back to the people who have been so devastated by the Haitian Earthquake.  So what better way than to Hop(e).  Each card you see on the blog hop today will be auctioned on E-bay with all proceeds going to the Red Cross in support of the Haitian Relief Effort (please check the Skipping Stones Design Website for the link to the auction).  100% of the proceeds of the Ebay auction and $2.00 from every stamp set purchased from February 16 - 22 will be donated to the Red Cross. We know that we can make a difference. 

For my cards I used the Rustic Tiles set. I thought the stamps would make a great set of cards, and I was right!
Stamps: Rustic Tiles (Skipping Stones Designs)
Cardstock: Black, Moss (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Misc: Rhinestones (Kaiser); Punch Apron Lace (Fiskars)

Thank you for stopping by and your next blog to hop to is Belinda.

Also... there's a prize involved with this hop details from Skipping Stones Designs: 

 How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! There will be a few pre-release sets up for grabs hidden along the blog hop.  The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!!

If you lose your place along the way,  there will be a master list at:

Monday, February 15, 2010

EBTKS Challenge 9

It's time for another EBTKS challenge! Kelly has an awesome sketch for this challenge. It's based on this awesome bed Kelly has:

And here's the sketch:


I love the sketch. I think it's so fun. And here's my card:

Isn't the new Dear Lizzy papers so pretty? I'm totally in love with them.
Cardstock: White (Georgia Pacific)
Pattern Paper: Flowering Fields, Swallowtail Social
Ribbon: White Satin (Papertrey Ink)
Button: Lemon Tart (Papertrey Ink)
Rhinestones: Yellow (Hero Arts)
Misc: White Thread (Coats & Clark); Crystal Effects (Ranger)

For the prize this week, we'll be giving the winner, Key to My Heart and You're Dandy! So head over to EBTKS challenge blog and don't forget to check out these other girl's work!

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Speaking for EBTKS I got to meet the one and only Winter Sims yesterday! She, Kelley Eubanks and I along with our husbands got to eat lunch yesterday. Winter is just as great in person as she is on her blog. And she has the sweetest family ever! Isn't it so fun to meet the friends that you only know via the web?

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Etsy Inspired Challenge #75

It's time for a new Etsy Inspire Challenge. I really loved this challenge. This week's shop is Spin Designs. I really love several of her designs (hint hint Chase). So clean and graphic. Here is the image that really jumped out at me for a card, and my inspiration is very easy to see:

And here's my card:
Cardstock: Basic Black (Stampin' Up)
Paterned Paper: Your Life. Beautiful. (Webster Pages)
Ink: Vintage Cream (PTI)
Stamps: Key To My Heart (Practicing Creativity)
Ribbon: Double Faced Satin (May Arts)

 
You'll have to check out the rest of her shop for even more inspiration. And this week's sponsor is Dustin Pike! And check out these super talented girls for even more inspiration:

Lisa (Feb Guest)
Shannon

Head over to the Etsy Inspired blog for more details!


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You're Dandy is popping up in blog land. Here's another two amazing projects:

Wendy
Karen

Friday, February 12, 2010

Wood Paper

I've already posted a card that I've made with the Creative Imagination's Real Wood paper, but since it's come up a lot around the blog world I thought I'd show you a quick card I made with it. Plus I like this card a lot more than my first attempt.
Courtney Baker_5908
Stamps: On the Desk (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Ribbon: True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: True Black, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink), Real Wood (Creative Imaginations)
Misc: Vintage Ephemera (7gypsies)
 
I love the look of it combined with these vintage pieces. It's a lot of fun to work with. Have you tried out this wood paper yet? Are you interested in it?

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Hey locals... if you are looking for the You're Dandy stamp set, you can find them at The Scrap Room in Lebanon and The Sassy Scrapper in Murfressboro!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

A look back at a card I never posted & an exciting hop(e).

Hey there! Is it cold where you are? It's freezing here. I'm still awaiting the day that Chase and I can go outside and eat dinner outside. Ahhh... okay I need to move on before I get bitter.

This is a card I had originally made for the release of You're Dandy. I wanted to do cream on white rays, but in the end they are really hard to see once photographed. Actually you can't see them at all. On the physical card it has a nice texture, and I still like the card, mainly because of that awesome ribbon from Carly's shop. Also, the stem on the dandelion is super easy to manipulate into the shape you want. Looking back I don't know why I didn't bend it so it would fit perfectly between the Thank and the You. For those of you that have the set... food for thought.

Stamps: You're Dandy (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: Real Red (Stampin' Up), Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Sepia (VersaFine), Cranberry (ColorBox, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Red and Cream Stripe (May Arts)
Jewels: Clear (Prima Marketing)
Thread: White (Coats and Clark)
Punch: Apron Lace (Fiskars)
Miscellaneous: Shipping Tag


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A few weeks ago Kandi asked me to help with the Skipping Stones' Hop(e) for Haiti. I was honored and super excited to be helping with such a great cause. We'd love for you to join us next Tuesday... 


More details from Skipping Stones:
On Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 we will launch a very special blog hop...
During Hop(e) for Haiti we can all work together to help raise money. The money will be donated to the Red Cross to help those still struggling to get basic needs met after surviving the devastating January earthquake in Haiti.
On February 16th we will start our blog hop at Skipping Stones Design and visit the blogs of our Stamp Tramps Design Team and MANY specially invited guest bloggers. You are in for a treat with our special guests!
During the week following Feb 16th you will have a chance at winning fabulous prizes including pre-released stamp sets, as well as bidding on some of your favorite artists' work on our special Ebay auctions. (Links will be provided)
100% of the proceeds of the Ebay auction will go to the Red Cross. Please check back at Skipping Stones Design for updates.


What a great cause! I personally want to applaud Skipping Stones for what they are doing! Be sure to check back Tuesday for the hop(e)!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Check these out!

Just been browsing through blog land and have seen some amazing cards made with Practicing Creativity stamps! It's crazy to look at something you created on someone else's card. I wonder if it will ever stop making my day.

Deanna
Gabriella
Julie
Paulina - here using Key to My Heart and she's already broken out You're Dandy and the results are amazing see it here.
Tiff
Brenda
Brandy 
Chrissy

All such great cards you'll have to check them out!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

2 Sketches 4 You #45

I thought it would be fun to do a 2 Sketches 4 You challenge this week. I really liked the sketch, and thought it would be perfect for some of my new Webster's Pages I got at CHA (if you missed the video about this you can catch it here). These papers are so think I really like them & apparently Maddie does too... she's trying to eat them as I type. Once I finished the card I realized this was perfect for the current Cardvarks Challenge as well! Two days in a row...

Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:
I'm in love with these two sets that I got to ink up for the first time tonight.

Pattern Paper: Your Life. Beautiful. (Webster's Pages)
Stamps: Very Vintage Labels No. 1 (WaltzingMouse), On the Desk (Cornish Heritage Farms), Big and Bold (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Ribbon: Black Linen Thread, Cream Crochet (May Arts)

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Don't forget about this week's Etsy Inspired Challenge! The Traveling Mama's shop is some serious inspiration!

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Charlene has done it again! She's been inking up You're Dandy and you've got to see it. So cute.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Yo Yo Flower Tutorial

Do remember these flowers I saw at the Basic Grey booth at CHA?
I had mentioned that I could show you how to make these... and here you go.



Or you can view it over on YouTube here.

And here's a card I made with the two I made in the video:
That card so does not look like I made it, but I did. I think with all of the You're Dandy spring wishing I'm starting to make nothing but fun spring cards.

The stems for these flowers are from the dandelion stem, which is really easy to move into any angle. The flowers are hand drawn, and they look a little funky because I decided to paper piece them after I originally drew them! Lastly the pink American Crafts paper, is cut so that I could pop up the top layer with foam tape! Fun right? Hope you enjoy the video!

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If you missed the release of You're Dandy this weekend... you can find it here!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Embellish with Ribbon

I've had this idea for a card in my head for awhile (do any of you do that). Between Embellish's challenge and Paige's challenge to use fabric, I was super inspired to make this card a reality. And I realized CPS sketch was very similar in design too! I'm never good at combining challenges, but apparently I did it with this one. Here's Ashley's inspiration photo:

And the sketch:

And here's my card:
For this card I drew a heart on my fabric (there are two layers), pinned them to patterned paper and sewed around. I left just a little hole to stuff some cotton in. It's has tons of dimension!

And since I used burlap (anyone else love the burlap challenge on Project Runway) hopefully the edges will fray even more. Oh and you may not have seen burlap in this color before. I just used some of my spray inks to get the perfect brown!


In other news, thank you to all of you that have been so supportive of my stamp adventure. It truly means so much to me! You can purchase You're Dandy here.

Also, you have to go check out Tiff and Amy's blogs today. These girls are really rocking You're Dandy. Amy even worked in Key to My Heart!