More Fun Working with Patterns

Judith over at Jay Gee's Nook, who carries Practicing Creativity Stamps, asked me to be the guest designer over on their new blog. Of course I would, but when I saw this image I just go so excited. I know you'll want to play along with this challenge. Isn't it beautiful?

Love! I decided to mix several blues along with some cream and brown. Can you tell I'm a little in love with our houndstooth stamp and chevron ribbon? Two days in a row.

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Cut slightly smaller piece of cardstock, stamp lower portion with houndstooth.
3. Punch stripe of cardstock, adhere.
4. Stamp sentiment.
5. Tie bow and adhere to card front.
6. Add buttons.

Stamps: Retro Christmas, Christmas Wonder (Practicing Creativity)
Ink: Soap Powder (Jenni Bowlin); Haystack, Burnt Umber (Palette)
Cardstock: Ivory, Dark Brown (Gina K); Blue Bayou  (Stampin' Up!)
Ribbon: Blue and White Chevron (May Arts)
Punch: Sunburst (Fiskars)


I hope you'll come play along, plus Jay Gee's is giving away The Whole Cycle to the challenge winner!

EBTKS - Challenge #26

Hey friends! It's time for another EBTKS Challenge! My friend Kelly has got a great challenge in store for you, and I think it's one you'll really enjoy!

Here's the challenge: 

And here's my card:

I wanted to really mix patterns on this card, and I really like the way it turned out. And my new obsession is this ribbon. I keep using it to the point that I don't think there's going to be any left in the store.

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Cut 3.5" x 4.25" piece of cardstock, stamp pattern. Adhere.
3. Cut 2.5" x 3.5" piece of cardstock, stamp pattern.
4. Stamp sentiment, adhere.
5. Tie bow.
6. Add buttons with strong adhesive.

Stamps: Fall Fest, Retro Christmas, Chatterbox (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: Basic Gray (Stampin' Up); Hawaiian Shores (Papertrey Ink); Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Craft White, Basic Gray (Stampin' Up), Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Ribbon: Blue and White Chevron Twill (May Arts)

This month's sponsor is Lawn Fawn! I know you won't want to miss your opportunity to win one of their sets! Come play along here.

Fun with Glitzers!

Sometimes it's nice to start with a blank slate. For these two cards that's exactly what I did. I really just started with a white card base. And maybe I've been watching too much Project Runway and Mondo, but I just started combining these different patterned Glitzers. I think this is such a great fast card, and perfect for mailing. And with Valentine's Day not too far off, both of these will work great to start my stash.

Glitz Design "Maya" Glitzer Stickers
Glitz Designs "Distressed Couture" Cardstock Stickers

I really had so much fun arranging these Glitzers I thought I'd try the same effect with the Distress Couture.

Glitz Design "Distressed Couture" Glitzer Stickers
Glitz Designs "Distressed Couture" Cardstock Stickers 

 Thanks for stopping by!

Decorating Update: Master Bathroom

Back in the day when I first started this blog I probably wrote just as much about decorating as I did crafting. I honestly think if I had an unlimited budget it would be very similar today, but alas, I like many of you, do not have an unlimited budget.

And speaking of budgets, you may remember my budget concise/pillow making post from last month. I'm still very much on a vacation saving budget, but for my birthday, Chase agreed to paint the bathroom. After all, paint is not that expensive, and we already had most of it.

Now, what I did not do was take a before picture. I think I was just so excited to get going that I just blanked. I do have a before picture from a previous project (the mirror).

I've debated so many times what I wanted to do in here, and we've still got several things to work on (like those blinds). But we decided to do cream on cream stripes:

If you'd like to know how to create your own stripes, just follow the Young House Love directions. These guys are good, and one of my favorite blog stops. My only addition to their directions is to use Frog Tape. I will never buy the blue stuff again. We never would have got those crisp lines with the normal stuff!

Okay, so what's next on your DIY list? I'm thinking more paint, shhh... don't tell my husband.

Spook!

Hey friends! I've got another Halloween card for you! I think I say this everyday, but isn't it crazy it's the last week in October.

1. Create card from cardstock.
2. Cut pattered paper 3.75" x 4.25" and adhere to card.
3. Spray doily with ink, let dry and adhere to pattered paper.
4. Adhere bingo card to card with foam tape.
5. Tie ribbon around card.

Misc: Mini Halloween Bing Cards (Jenni Bowlin), 4" Doilies (Wilton) Patterned
Paper: Postcards from Twilight (Pink Paislee)
Cardstock: Basic Black (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Silver Foil (Smooch Spritz)
Fibers: Black Satin (May Arts)

So what are you plans for Sunday?

2 Sketches 4 You #65

Hey friends! It's another Monday, and that means there's a new 2 Sketches 4 You challenge to get the week started! This week Laura's got a great one for us!

This week's sponsor is Starving Artiststamps. I'm not sure if you remember the last time they were sponsoring the challengea, but apparently I love their stamps with white ink on kraft!

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Stamp flower on kraft cardstock.
3. Tie bow with twine. 
4. On the back of the piece add adhesive and pleat crate paper to create ruffle.
5. Adhere to card base.
6. Stamp sentiment on stripe of cardstock, cut edges into an angle.
7. Adhere with foam tape.

Stamps: Flowers (Starving Artiststamps)

Ink: White Craft (Stampin' Up)

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Real Red (Stampin' Up!), Kraft (Papertrey Ink)

Twine: Divine Twine

Misc: White Crate Paper

Thanks for stopping by and come play along with us over on 2 Sketches 4 You!

Pumpkin Shaped Card

Yep, there is something about this year and pumpkins. I honestly don't think I've ever made a card with large pumpkins on it, and so far this year I've made two already. I really think what happened was I realized (let me preface by saying this is totally the opposite of genius) I could use my large nested circle to make these. I know... I think my ACT score just dropped a point by admitting that. I think both this card and the Pumpkin Ribbon were fun to make.

1. Create two circles using die cut.
2. Score one circle 1/2" from edge. Run the other circle through die cut machine using embossing folder.
3. Cut 3/4" x 1" strip, angling and distressing top edge and adhere to back of embossed circle. Sew across the bottom of stem.
4. Adhere upper section of scored piece to embossed circle.
5. Stamp sentiment on cardstock. Adhere by sewing onto card.
6. Tie bow around card.

Stamps: Fright Night (My Favorite Things)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive (Stampin' Up!)
Embossing Folder: Houndstooth (Cuttlebug)
Fibers: Black Thread (Coats & Clark), Black Satin (May Arts)
Die Cuts: Large Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great weekend! I'm looking forward to spending my weekend with Chase. It's the first one we've had in awhile that neither of us were traveling for work.

Practicing Creativity Challenge Winner

I just wanted to jump in today to announce the winner of our Practicing Creativity Challenge we had for the last release!

Amy Kolling, Stamp-n-Paradise

Thanks to everyone that played along! I'm hoping to have more of these in the future so that many more of you can join us!

All Hallows Eve

Have you all made cards for Halloween? I honestly usually don't, but I made several last month! I just love Pink Paislee's Twighlight collection. It's a year old, but that doesn't change the fact that it's so super cute.

1. Create card base from cardstock.
2. Cut burlap, adhere the fabric with tape, and sew onto card base.
3. Cut out postcard and sew onto card.
4. Adhere buttons with strong adhesive.
5. Tie ribbon around card.

Cardstock: Kraft (Stampin' Up)
Patterned Paper: Twighlight Postcards (Pink Paislee)
Ribbon: Sheer Orange (May Arts)
Buttons: True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Cloth: Black Burlap
Thread: Black (Coats and Clark)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Winter!

Happy Birthday to my friend Winter! Well, actually her birthday was yesterday, but I was hoping my card would get there before I posted it here.

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Ink up frame.
3. Cut a 2"x2.75" piece of cardstock.
4. Cut grass, adhere. Stamp sentiment.
5. Stamp clouds and hot air balloon.
6. Adhere to frame, adhere to card.

Stamps: You're Dandy, Look Up! (Practicing Creativity), Furnishing Fun (Schlosser Designs)
Ink: Craft White (Stampin' Up), Onyx Black (VersaFine), French Lilac (Palette)
Cardstock: Solar White (Neenah), New Leaf, Sky Blue (Papertrey Ink)
Chipboard: Framed Fonts (Tattered Angels)

Happy Birthday again to Winter!

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Have you checked out the latest Everything but the Kitchen Sink Challenge? Come play along with us!