When I Followed My Heart...

This week's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime124) Bleeding Hearts: "With Valentine's Day just around the corner and fun little projects needing to be made, this theme was selected with Valentines in mind; however, your project need NOT be a Valentine -- whatever you need works. Our Bleeding Hearts challenges calls for us to use the color *RED* and a *HEART* in our project."

I decided to create a Valentine for my love...

What a special sentiment! It's from JustRite's new "Romantic Sentiments Set." It's available for purchase from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store. I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Black Onyx ink...my favorite for sentiments! Versafine is also great for watercoloring, but should not be used with Copic markers.

Take a closeup look at some of the new Ultra Fine Flower Soft! This color is "Strawberry," and adds a marvelous fine texture...it gives almost a flocked look! One of my favorite uses for Flower Soft is for edging, and the new Ultra Fine works wonderfully! The new Ultra Fine Flower Soft will be available February 1st!

The decorator paper used here is Making Memories "Stardust Hearts Red," purchased for me by my Valentine--what a sweetie!

Spellbinders Hearts, Scalloped Hearts, Round and Scalloped Round dies were used for this project. An unknown satin white ribbon ties this design together!

Check out the rest of the Stamp Simply DT designs...I'm wondering what "Bleeding Hearts" we will see today!!!

Sharon
Janine Orchard
Jennifer Buck is taking the night off...
Julie Koerber
AJ Otto
Tammy Hershberger
Barbara Anders
Jenny Gropp
Barb Schram

If you play with us this week, be sure to link your project to Mr. Linky on Sharon's blog! Hope you see you there!

Wassail Cardinal

Good Afternoon! I had the day off today, and decided to pull out some of my new stamps...this is Our Daily Bread design's new February release, "Sing for Joy!" The set features this handsome cardinal image, a pinebough/pinecone image, and two Bible verses: Matthew 6:26 and Psalm 95:1. This new set, as well as three other bird related sets, will be available February 1st.

I began by stamping my image onto a thick white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) then colored it with numerous Copic markers. I used a Spellbinder's Label I die to cut the image panel, adding a May Art twine bow (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) and Basic Gray Wassail button treatment to the corner.

The card base is retired Stampin' Up Cranberry Crisp cardstock (thanks to JoAnn, my Stampin' Up Biddie leader and buddy, for letting me have her last package!!!), one of my favorites! I layered the base with a couple of patterns from the Basic Grey 6 X 6" Wassail paper pad.

I used more of the May Arts twine (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) to stitch up the side of one panel to add some extra out-doorsy interest.

Our Daily Bread designs will be hosting a blog hop on February 1st, complete with prizes! Be sure you check it out at the ODBD blog! Thanks for stopping by!

Blog Candy Winner and Sneak Peek!

To our first order of business: the Random Integer drawing for my birthday blog candy:

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 27 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Ravengirl said...
Happy birthday! I hope this birthday brings you a year full of wonderful events! One of my fondest memories is of a cake that my mother made for me. I don't know how she did it (probably food coloring and frosting), but I had the most fabulous pastel-multicolored cake I had ever seen. Colors just swirled around and into each other. She surrounded that lovely cake with cupcakes frosted with the same gorgeous frosting! I'm sure my Dad just scratched his head, but I loved it. I was probably about 10 or 11 when this happened :)
January 22, 2010 12:14 PM

Congratulations Ravengirl! Please email at the email address on the right, and I will get your prize right out for you!

I so enjoyed reading the sweet and happy birthday memories that were submitted! Thanks so much for participating on my special day!

Now to this evening's post! Here's a sneak peek featuring "You Will Find Refuge" from Our Daily Bread designs! This set, as well as three other bird related sets, will be available February 1st!

Don't you just love this sweet chickadee? It's one of the very few birds that brave the winter with us in the North! This little bit of fluff was one the top of the list to ink up first!

Long and narrow...another of my faves! I wanted a cheerful paper for this go around, and chose some retired Stampin' Up dp from my stash. The crisp black and white really focuses on the image, and makes the berries *POP*!

My image is stamped onto white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored with numerous Copic markers. I die cut the image panel with a Spellbinder's Oval die (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store), angled just so. A touch of glaze on the berries and chickadee's eye added a realistic touch.

Here's a close up of the coloring, glaze and vintage button/grosgrain ribbon treatment.

Look forward to seeing the other three new set sneak peeks, coming soon! Also, there will be a blog hop February 1st, beginning at the Our Daily Bread design's Blog!

Have a wonderful week!

Very Vintage

This week's Stamp Simply Challenge (ssnotime123) is Very Vintage! Yes--vintage is one of my favorite types of design, and I love attempting to create something that looks as if it has a bit of history!

Do you remember the notecards that folded into a self envelopes some years ago? They were my favorite type of stationary, so I decided to recreate them!

I started with K & Company's 12 X 12" ancestry.com designer paper. What a beautiful pad of prints! There is not one pattern in the pad that I do not absolutely love!

As you can see in the above photo, the flap flips up...

...with the body of the letter opening at a score at the bottom, flipping down.

Additional vintage touches are distressing, a bit of light Itty Bitty Background stamping in SU Creamy Caramel (difficult to see in the picture) and a flower created from the new May Arts Wide Crochet Lace from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

I simply threaded a large needle with May Art Ivory thin twine (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store), then threaded it through one edge of the lace, gathering the lace into a flower. After tying off the flower with the long length of twine, I added a button from Michael's (Vintage Findings buttons). I did not trim the length of twine, as it becomes the method of closing the envelope by tying to a brad mounted at the back of the card, securing the flap.

Please take a peek at the rest of the Stamp Simply Design Team creations:

Sharon

Janine Orchard

Jennifer Buck

Julie Koerber

AJ Otto

Tammy Hershberger

Barbara Anders

Jenny Gropp

Barb Schram

If you play along with us this week, be sure to link to Mr. Linky, located at Sharon's blog.

ALSO, don't forget about my birthday blog candy located at the post below this! I will be choosing a winner Sunday night, January 24th at 6 p.m. EST!

Birthday Blog Candy...

I must say a BIG thanks to all of the wonderful birthday wishes-- you all sure know how to make a gal feel good!

I just wanted to share an "oldie, but goodie" along with my blog candy give away! This is a get well design, but could easily be used for a birthday card with a switch in sentiments.

It's a pretty straight forward design using red printed dp (Crafty Secrets Rustic), Real Red and Basic Black for a "country" feel. I stamped the retired Stampin' Up image (Give Thanks) with Adirondack Pitch Black ink, then colored it with numerous Copic markers. Spellbinder circle and scalloped dies were used for the cut.

A Wordsworth sentiment, along with brads, ribbons and bows finish this design.

NOW...for the blog candy!

I have a Spellbinder Die Set, Prima Flowers, ribbon and other goodies to give away to one fortunate person. My only requirement be that you tell me about one of your favorite birthday memories from when you were a child, leaving your story on this post.

I'm looking forward to reading about your special memories! Thanks for stopping by on my special day!

I will choose a winner Sunday, January 24th at 6 p.m. EST. Best Wishes to all!

If you have visited the Our Daily Bread design's blog today, you saw my post, "Time with Deb." If not, well, you can see it here as well! My project today features Our Daily Bread design's new January release: "Confirmation."

The II Corinthians 13:14 Bible Verse is so very suitable for many occasions--what a precious benediction and blessing! I stamped the verse with Versafine Black Onyx ink, then heat embossed it with a clear embossing powder. Spellbinder's Petite Ovals were used to die cut the verse panel.

This design also features some gorgeous new velvet decorator paper from Our Daily Bread designs! The SEI Juliette Printed Velvet Paper is available over at the Our Daily Bread design's store. What a rich, luxurious feel and color!

The card base was created with basic white and black cardstock, layered along with the velvet in simple layers. As my design was progressing, it began to take a very Victorian feel.

I created a die cut flower using Spellbinder's Nestabilities Peony dies, also available at Our Daily Bread designs. A center of Kaiser black jet rhinestones, along with a black silk bow, adds yet more Victorian appeal to the blossom.

A single Kaiser black jet rhinestone, along with some dimensional tape, anchors the verse to the base.

Thanks so very much for stopping by to visit today!

Supplies: Our Daily Bread design's Confirmation; paper: SEI Juliette Printed Velvet, black and white; ink: Versafine Black Onyx; May Art Gingham Ribbon, Petite Oval and Scallop Oval Dies, Kaiser Jet Black rhinestones, all from the Stamp Simply Ribbon Store.

New Stamps from Flower Soft!!!

My Flower Soft sneak peek this week features new stamps!!! Yes, adorable new stamps will be available February 1st from Flower Soft! Take a look at this sweet scene-- it's called "Moments In Time Purr-fect!" Also featured is the new Ultra Fine Flower Soft, here in "Raspberry Fizz."



My card base is pure white cardstock, layered with Pebbles Inc. "My Baby Girl Flower" decorator paper. I used a corner rounder punch on a couple of corners for added interest, and layered in some May Arts Gingham ribbon (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) as well.

The scene was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored with numerous Copic markers. After die cutting the image with Spellbinder's Petite oval and scalloped ovals, I added the Flower Soft Ultra Fine Raspberry Fizz to the ribbon and flowers in the scene.

More May Art ribbon, along with a Bow Easy (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) finishes this design with a definite girly girl touch!

Check out these Flower Soft Design Team creations:

Jennifer Buck
Jeanne Streiff
Barb Schram

Be sure to get your new Flower Soft products February 1st at the Flower Soft site!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my MIL: Elnore. Yes, my MIL and I share a birthday, upcoming this week (50 for me...argh....!). My husband has NO excuse to miss either of our birthdays...LOL! Actually, he is VERY good at remembering!

I wanted to create a spring-like design in keeping with this week's Stamp Simply Challenge 122: A general floral theme with pretty Spring colors.

I started my Springtime design with gorgeous SEI Juliette decorator paper. It's a double sided paper with subtle glimmer, along with this beautiful coral color. My layout is quite simple, decidedly so, to allow the dp's pattern to shine.

I stamped my bee (Cornish Heritage Farm's Rummage Bin Sweet Bee) with Versafine Black Onyx ink onto a lighter part of the Juliette paper, then carefully colored it with a Copic marker. I typically do NOT use Versafine with Copics, as it can smear. A coating of Crystal Stickles on the bee's wings helps draw in the glimmer from the decorator paper. Spellbinder's Circle and Scalloped Circle dies were used to shape the image.

A birthday sentiment (Our Daily Bread design's Happy Birthday set), along with a May Art sheer ribbon bow (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) finishes this quick, yet pretty, card.

Please hop over to the rest of the Stamp Simply DT creations:

Sharon
Janine Orchard
Jennifer Buck
Julie Koerber
AJ Otto
Tammy Hershberger
Barbara Anders
Jenny Gropp
Barb Schram

and Michelle Woerner

If you play along with us this week, please add your design to Mr. Linky, on Sharon's blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I will be posting the beginning of next week, but be sure to come by on Thursday to see what a sweet celebration blog candy treat that I have for you!

New Flower Soft Product Sneak Peek!

Here's a sneak peek from something new from Flower Soft! New Ultra Fine Flower Soft! This new FS will be released for sale February 1st! What a great new addition to the Flower Soft line-up! Take a look:

I began this card by stamping Flower Soft's stamp: Wheelbarrow with Versafine Black Onyx ink (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) onto watercolor paper. Yes, Flower Soft has stamps--check them out here. The wheelbarrow set is so fun as it has three different images that you can load the wheelbarrow with: the flowers shown, a harvest bumper crop, and an autumn scene.

I watercolored my scene and flowers with Lyra Watercolor Crayons, then die cut and embossed the wheelbarrow image with a Spellbinder's Square die (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store). I hand trimmed the floral piece, then used dimensionals to apply it to the wheelbarrow image. It gave a sort of "out of the box" feel.

If you look closely at the scene, you can see the difference between the Ultra Fine FS in comparison to the regular FS. I used regular Violet FS on the purple flowers, and Ultra Fine Raspberry Fizz, Toffee, Strawberry, Sage, and Citrus Crush for the rest of the floral and moss touches. The Ultra Fine truly has a finer texture.

I wanted to create a very monochromatic look for today's design, allowing the Flower Soft to shine. Thus, I used texture for interest with a CuttleBug folder (Victoria from Our Daily Bread designs) and scored lines using my Scor-It (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store). I scored my lines across the entire card design...there are scored lines running down the backside of the card, as well as the front (you can just see this in photo one).

I hope that you've enjoyed today's sneak peek...check back next Monday for another new item soon to be released from Flower Soft...you won't want to miss it!

Be sure to check out the Flower Soft Blog, along with some of the other Flower Soft Design Team creations:

Jennifer Buck
Jeanne Streiff
AJ Otto


Recipe:
Stamps: Flower Soft Wheelbarrow
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx, Lyra Watercolor Crayons
Paper: SU retired Baja Blue cardstock, PaperTrey Ink Rustic White
Extras: Regular and Ultra Fine Flower Soft, Victoria Cuttle Bug Folder, Scor-It, SU retired Baja Blue ribbon


Thanks so much for stopping by...have a GREAT week!

January ODBD Challenge!

Welcome to the Our Daily Bread design's January challenge: we were to come up with a design that incorporated the color brown, use of dies or punches, along with the new January release sets! I decided to go with the new "Noah's Ark" set.


The image in "Noah's Ark" is so very fun to color! I used Copic markers for my design today. I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto a rustic white cardstock twice. I colored both images, then cut one out and layered it upon the other for a bit more dimension.

I used a textured brown cardstock for the base and frame in my design. The frame around the image panel is a Spellbinder's Frameabilities die: Polka Dot Frame. What a fun frame...I can see this die showing up in many future projects!

Here's a closeup of the die and Copic coloring. You can just see the embossed polka dots on the textured brown in this picture.

In keeping with the polka dot theme for today, I pulled some coordinating decorator papers from my stash. They give just the right feel for this fun filled baby card!

Well, I met my challenge for today...brown color, die cut, and new release! Hope you like it!

Check out the rest of the Breadsticks designs:

America Kuhn-- Guest Designer
Angella Crockett
Angie Zublionis
Becca Feeken
Chris Olsen
Christine Okken--Guest Designer
Connie McCotter
Dawn Lusk
Debi Southard
Grace Nywening
Julie Warner
Kathy Jones
Lorelie Kim
Sabrina Jackson--Guest Designer
Sandee Shanabrough

Just a little sweetness to encourage you to play with us this month: Two participants who play along will win the prize of a $15.00 gift certificate towards a ODBD stamp set! Check out the entire post at the Our Daily Bread design's Blog to get all of the info!

AND:

To celebrate our new Member company status at Splitcoaststampers.com, we’re giving away a BIG prize!!! If you visit the ODBD Welcome Forum and leave a comment by January 10, you will be entered in a drawing to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate to the ODBD Store! So you have until tomorrow to participate!!

Thanks for stopping by, and best wishes in winning the fabulous prizes!

Welcome Baby!

Time for the weekly Stamp Simply Challenge: ssnotime121 "Love is in the Air - With Valentine's Day as our next major card-giving day on the horizon, let's get something ready to add to our stash. How about a card using a heart, Valentine or lovey-type theme -- no other rules -- let's just add to our stash with some hearts and/or lovey type cards -- and if you need a wedding card, this would be the perfect challenge for that too -- let's just love it up this week!!!"

I'm featuring a Our Daily Bread design's January "Noah's Ark" sentiment, making this a baby card.

I was excited to pull out a Heidi Swapp Ghost Shape...ghost shapes are clear, plastic shapes that you can dress up...I used a chunky glitter for mine today. I began by stamping the heart with the Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad, then used chunky glitter over the entire surface.

Look at this gorgeous new paper available at ODBD! It's SEI Juliette "First Kiss" and "Secret Rendezvous." The striped "Secret Rendezvous" has a lovely sheen, which plays perfectly off of my glittered heart.

A "welcome baby" flag is stamped with Versafine Black Onyx ink onto a blush colored cardstock, then anchored to the heart with a Foof-a-La button and May Art's (Stamp Simply Ribbon Store) Ivory colored twine bow.

Make sure you check out the rest of the Stamp Simply DT ideas:


Sharon
Janine Orchard
Jennifer Buck
Julie Koerber
AJ Otto
Tammy Hershberger
Barbara Anders
Jenny Gropp
Barb Schram

and Michelle Woerner




If you decide to play with us this week, please add your design to Mr. Linky at Sharon's blog. If you upload to Splitcoaststampers.com, please use the keyword ssnotime121.


Hope to see your design in the line-up!




Stamps: Our Daily Bread design's Noah's Ark
Paper: SEI Juliette Secret Rendezvous and First Kiss, SU Blush Blossom
Ink: Versafine Black Onyx, Tsunkinko Essential Glue Pad
Extras: Heidi Swap XL Heart Ghost Shape, SU Chunky Glitter, Foof-a-La Hall Pass button, May Art Ivory twine

Flower Soft Hedgerow Friends!

Here's an adorable new topper from Flower Soft: "Hedgerow Friends: With Love."

What a fun way to create a quick and easy card using your Flower Soft! There is no stamping here...just layering and Flower Soft fun! Wouldn't this be a great project for creating Valentines with your children?

My card base is made up of Stampin' Up Summer Sun cardstock, layered with a frame of Moda Daisy D's "Colonial Revival" decorator paper. I cut and embossed the frame with a Spellbinder Square die.

Now for the Flower Soft! I used Flower Soft glue along with Nut Brown and Christmas Green FS sprinkles. Final touch: a grosgrain bow, along with some Foof-a-La "Hall Pass" buttons.

The Hedgerow Friends toppers come in packs of six, with two different scenes per pack. You can see the Valentine Hedgie at the back of this photo...it is also included with the hedge trimmer that I used in this project. The packs from upper left, clockwise are: Hedgerow Friend: Kicking Up Leaves; Hedgerow Friends: With Love; Hedgerow Friends: Picking Flowers; and Hedgerow Friends: Grown with Love.

Now, check out what the rest of the Flower Soft Design Team has to share:

Sharon Johnson

Jennifer Buck

Jeanne Streiff

Barb Schram

AJ Otto

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

Our Daily Bread design's New Year's Release!

Happy New Year's Day 2010!!! I wish a blessed 2010 for all of you!

Thanks so much for your kind comments and visits throughout this past year!

Maybe you've already heard about Our Daily Bread design's BIG news--ODBD has now joined Splitcoaststampers as a member company! Yes, you've heard correctly--ODBD and SCS-- together at last! Be sure to visit the ODBD forum over at Splitcoast for exciting challenges! When you visit, be sure to leave a comment by January 10! If you do, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $50.00 Gift Certificate to the ODBD Store!

Now, down to blog hop business! If you've arrived here from Chris Olsen's blog, you're progressing perfectly! If you're just popping in from blog surfing, please head to the beginning of the hop at Our Daily Bread design's blog--you can read all about the hop details, as well as what YOU can do to be one of three possible prize winners!

My design today is from Our Daily Bread design's new set, "Confirmation." This set has two images, two Bible verses, and one sentiment. It coordinates with the new release, "Baptism & Confirmation Verses."

This is a masculine card, relying upon texture and copper metal brads for decor.

Stampin' Up and Bazzill textured cardstocks were used to create the body of the card. The top gold panel was run through the CuttleBug using the "Floral Screen" embossing folder. Copper brad accents (Recollections from Michael's) frame the image panel, which was die cut with Spellbinder's Petite Ovals.

I stamped the image onto watercolor paper with Versafine Black Onyx ink, then painted it with Lyra Watercolor Crayons.

I added the sentiment, "God bless you on your confirmation" to the inside of this design.

I hope that you have enjoyed the hop so far--now head over to Angella Crockett's blog for your next stop! This hop will continue until Monday evening at 8 p.m. EST.