Thursday, January 30, 2014

Happy Birthday for Seize the Birthday challenge

It's Thursday and time for a new Seize the Birthday challenge.  This week we have a "toppings" option to use "Chevrons" on your birthday project.  Remember it is just an option and you don't have to use chevrons, you can just make it a regular birthday project.
I used the sketch from Viva la Verve Jan. 2014 Week 4 for my card.
My card base and white mats are MFT Smooth White. The DSP is from an American Crafts 6x6 pad. The SU Strawberry Slush panel is embossed with the Cuttlebug Charles EF and I swiped white ink across the raised portion to highlight it.  The balloons (Strawberry Slush & Coastal Cabana) and sentiment are from Verve's Chevron Love stamped in Mememto Tuxedo Black ink. I diecut the sentiment with Verve's Mini Classy Label die and fussy cut the mat.  I fussy cut the balloons and added white baker's twine, then used a white gel pen to add the highlight marks.  I used foam dimensionals to mount the center panel, sentiment panel and the Strawberry Slush balloon.
 
Now hop on over to the Seize the Birthday blog and check out all the great samples by my fellow Design Team members.  I hope we can inspire you to join in the challenge.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

A Little Thank You

This is my card for this week's MFTWSC160.
MFTWSC160
I made a thank you card for a couple so I didn't want it to be too frilly.  The card base is MFT Smooth White, the DSP is SU Parisian Breeze (retired) and the mats are SU Chocolate Chip CS. The sentiment is from MFT LJD-Gift Card Greetings.  I used MFT Pierced Circle dies and Circle Stax dies to cut it out.  The banners are cut with MFT Fishtail Flags Stax and Fishtail Layers Stax dies.  I used MFT Star Stax dies for the stars.  The sentiment panel, banners, and small star are all mounted with foam dimensionals.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Merry Christmas for Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge

I made this card for the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - to have an animal as the main image on your Christmas project.  I used this cute Candy Star Ted from Di's Digi Images. I printed him on X-Press It Blending Card and colored him with Promarkers.  I then cut him out with MFT Pierced Circle Stax Dies and mounted it to a Spellbinder's Lacey Circle cut in Real Red CS.    The DSP is from Recollections Festivities 6x6 pad, matted on Wild Wasabi and then Whisper White.  The card base is Real Red.  The sentiment is from SU Come to Bethlehem mounted on a Spellbinders Grommet Tag.  I used SU 1/8" Real Red ribbon to add it to the card.  Both the sentiment and image panels are mounted with foam dimensionals.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Saturday, January 25, 2014

May Your Spirits Be Bright

This is my second post today. Scroll down for my Dynamic Duos post.  This card is for Merry Monday #92 - Use red, vanilla, kraft and chocolate with ribbon, and Viva la Verve Week 3 sketch challenges.  Here's my card:
The card base is Crumb Cake, a mat of Chocolate Chip and the Very Vanilla panel is embossed with SU Snowburst EF.  The chocolate doily is from SP Vintage Lace Motifs.  The DSP is from SU Be Of Good Cheer (retired) with Cherry Cobbler mats. The sentiment from Verve's Bright Spirits is stamped in Choc. Chip ink on Very Vanilla CS.  The doves from the same set are also stamped in Choc. Chip ink on Very Vanilla.  I sponged some Crumb Cake ink over them, and used my Sakura Clear Glitter pen for some dimension.  I added some faux stitching with my Choc. Chip marker, matted it with Cherry Cobbler and mounted it with foam dimensionals.  I used SU Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon. 
You can see the glitter on the doves a little better in this photo.  It is really pretty IRL.

 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn
 

Thinking of You for the Dynamic Duos

It's Saturday and time for another Dynamic Duos challenge.  This week is "Black Tie" week and the colors are Basic Black and Melon Mambo and the dessert option is "Umbrellas".
I skipped the option this week and just went with the colors.  I used some retired DSP in Melon Mambo and B/W DSP (not sure which pack it is from).  The Melon Mambo flower is made with the 5 Petal Punch and the Boho Blossoms Punch.  I shaped the petals with my fingers, added a pearl to the center and mounted it with a dimensional.  I used a Sizzix die for the black lacey scalloped oval and Little Leaves Sizzlet die for the leaves.  I used the Scallop Trim Border punch on the mat for the B/W DSP.  The little tag is made with a McGill punch and the sentiment is from Verve's Joyful Blooms. I sponged a little Melon Mambo ink around the tag and used some black fibers to tie it around the flower. The Whisper White panel is embossed with the Lacey Brocade EF.
 
Now hop over to the Dynamic Duos blog and check out what my fellow Design Team members have created to inspire you.  I hope you can join us this week.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn
 
 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Happy Birthday

Happy Thursday crafting friends.  My card for today combines two challenges, the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and the color challenge at Just Us Girls.
ETAMy card was winner at Just Us Girls:
 
The card base is Baha Breeze, then a layer of Crumb Cake (kraft), Marina Mist DSP from Beau Chateau DSP (retired).  The banner was hand cut from Crumb Cake and Baha Breeze DSP.  The sentiment is stamped in Marina Mist ink with Fancy Birthday(?) retired on Very Vanilla CS (it matches the paper perfectly but looks a little yellowish in the photo).  I die-cut it with SU Framelits Labels Collection and paper-pierced around the edges with the template from SU Festive Paper Piercing Pack. I mounted it with foam dimensionals on the hand cut Crumb Cake mat.  The flower is from Verve's Grateful Elegance and the single Plain Jane Elegant Flower. They are stamped in Basic Gray ink on Baha Breeze DSP.  I sponged Baha Breeze ink on the edges of the petals, made little slits between the petals and shaped the leaves with my fingers. I added a pearl to the center and mounted it with a dimensional.  The Crumb Cake leaves were punched with the Build A Bird punch.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn
 
 

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Happy Birthday for MFTWSC159

This is my card for this week's MFTWSC159
MFTWSC159 It took me awhile to decide what I wanted to do with the sketch but I like the way it turned out.  I love how Jackie Pedro, The Scalloped Edge, has been doing her plaid flowers so I thought I would give it a try with the MFT Plaid Background Builder stamps.  I used Blu Raspberry and Grape Jelly ink and the Upsy Daisy die-namics.  I layered the daisy with foam dimensionals and added a button from my stash.  I cut the Leaf-Filled Flourish out of Spearmint and cut it apart to layer under the daisy. The large Blu Raspberry tag is stamped in Blu Raspberry ink with the Woodgrain Background.  I used Blueprints 1 for the Smooth White strip and Spearmint scallop border.  Happy is cut from Grape Jelly CS with LLD Accent It-Celebrate die-namics.  Birthday is from Birthday Sentiments and stamped in Blu Raspberry ink and cut with a die from Blueprints 6, and then mounted with foam dimensionals.  The card base is Smooth White CS.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Saturday, January 18, 2014

You Make My Heart Happy

This is my card for this week's Merry Monday Christmas Challenge #91 - use a snowman or snowpeople on your card.  I used the cute MFT Happy Heart Snowman and the sketch is Jen's Deconstructed Sketch #134.
Deconstructed Sketch 134
I did swap out the heart elements for the sentiment.  The snowman is stamped in Mememto Tuxedo Black ink on X-Press It Blending Card and colored with Copics. I used MFT Circle Stax 1 and 2 to cut him out and added the Basic Black mat. I sponged Bashful Blue ink around the edges while still in the die.  I paper-pieced the heart with Real Red CS and mounted the panel with foam dimensionals.  The DSP is from Lawn Fawn's Peace, Love, Joy 6x6 pad, all matted with Basic Black.  The Whisper White panel is embossed with a Cuttlebug Snowflake EF.  The card base is SU Baha Breeze.
 
 
ETA:  My card was a weekly pick on Karen's "Stamps At Play" blog.
http://stampsatplay.blogspot.com/2014/01/weekly-picks_20.html
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Happy Birthday to You for the Dynamic Duos

Happy Saturday friends.  It is time for a new challenge at the Dynamic Duos.  This week is "Subtly Yours" week and the colors are Pool Party and Pink Pirouette, such a pretty combination. 
 
I used the Week 2 sketch from Viva la Verve January Challenge.
I started with a card base of Pool Party, then Pool Party DSP (from the Comfort Café DSP pack) matted with Basic Black.  The Whisper White panel is embossed with SU Square Lattice EF.  The Pink Pirouette DSP is from the Subtles DSP pack.  I stamped the flowers from Verve's Grateful Elegance on the back of the striped DSP with Mememto Tuxedo Black ink, fussy cut them out and layered with foam dimensionals, then added a pearl to the centers.  The Pool Party leaves are punched with the SU Build A Bird Punch.  The sentiment is from Verve's Plain Jane Birthday To You stamped in Mememto Tuxedo Black ink, and cut out with MFT's Pierced Circle Stax dies.  I used Spellbinders Petite Scallop Circles Large dies for the Basic Black mat. I adhered this panel with foam dimensionals.  The Pool Party tab was made with the SU Decorative Label Punch, trimmed down.
 
Now hop on over to the Dynamic Duos blog and check out the wonderful inspiration from my fellow Design Team mates.  I hope you will be inspired to play along.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn
 
 
 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

A True Love Story Never Ends

This is my card for Viva la Verve January Week 1 Sketch and also for the Verve Viva Dare challenge - to use a heart on your card.
Here is the sketch and I also used the colors with the sketch:
Here is the link to the Verve Diva Dare.  If you join in the challenges you will have a chance to win a Verve gift certificate or some Verve stamps.
 
I made this card for a couple at my church who are celebrating their anniversary next week. For my card I used SU Whisper White, Choc. Chip and Baha Breeze CS.  The Baha Breeze panel is embossed with the Cuttlebug Cross My Heart EF. The two hearts from Verve's Chevron Love are stamped in Real Red ink and fussy cut. I also cut out the centers and split the bottom heart so I could link them together.  I thought it would be cute with the sentiment "A True Love Story Never Ends", which is from Verve's Love Story, and also the Happy Anniversary sentiment.  I used MFT's Circle Stax 1 and 2 dies for the main sentiment and the SU Decorative Label Punch for the small sentiment.  I added a SU Real Red 1/4" grossgrain ribbon & bow and my card was done. 
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

HB2U for Seize the Birthday

Good morning everyone.  It is time for another challenge at Seize the Birthday

This time the "Toppings" option is to add "Coloring" to your birthday project. Remember it is just an option and if you prefer not to color, then just make a birthday project. Click the link above and check out all the inspiration by my fellow Design Team members and join in the fun. Here is my card and I chose the coloring option.
I love coloring these sweet PI images from My Favorite Things.  This one is called It's A Sign.  I stamped her on X-Press It Blending Card and colored her with Copics and Promarkers, then cut her out with Spellbinders Label Fourteen die.  I sponged Crumb Cake ink around the edges while still in the die.  The sentiment was stamped with Whisper White Craft ink and embossed with white embossing powder. I paper-pieced the frame around the chalkboard with SU Crumb Cake CS stamped with the Woodgrain background stamp, but it doesn't show up very well in the photo as the frame is so small. I fussy cut the black mat around the image.  The heart button is made with 3 layers of MFT Bubblegum CS using the new MFT Staggered Heart Border die. I punched the two holes and added a bow of white Baker's Twine.  I used MFT Fishtail Flags Stax and Fishtail Flags Layers Stax for the banner.  The paper is from Echo Park Yours Truly pad.  The black mats are MFT Black Licorice CS and the card base is MFT Smooth White CS.
I used the pink, black and white color combo for MFT's new Color Palette Challenge 1
color-palette-banner-animat
And the sketch is from Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challeng 202.  I turned the sketch sideways.
Don't forget to join in the party and link up your birthday creations at
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn
 


Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Happy Birthday for MFT 152

MFTWSC158
I made a masculine, monochromatic card using MFTWSC158, unfortunately, I was in the middle of creating my post and didn't make it for the deadline. :(
For my card I used MFT Smooth White CS for the embossed panel and sentiment, and SU Marina Mist for the card base and DSP.  The sentiment and frame are from MFT's LJD-Vintage Frames.  I used American Crafts white brads and Sizzix Plaid EF.  A quick and simple masculine card.  I like how it turned out.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Friday, January 10, 2014

Merry Christmas for Merry Monday

This is my first Christmas card for 2014.  I am joining in the Merry Monday #90 Christmas Challenge (use ribbon or twine) on their new blog (click on the link and check it out) and also Christmas Cards All Year Long - Anything Goes.  I love these challenges that give me the opportunity to make Christmas cards all year long and not be rushed in December, plus I love making Christmas cards.


 
The card base and image panel are MFT Smooth White CS.  The mat is SU Cherry Cobbler and the DSP is from MME Mistletoe Magic 6x6 pad.  The sentiment and image are from Flourishes' Christmas Candles stamped in Mememto Tuxedo Black ink.  I colored the image with Prismacolor  Pencils and Oderless Mineral Spirits.  The panel is cut with Spellbinders Decorative Labels Eight and mounted with foam tape.  The Christmas Ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.
 
ETA: I am also entering my card in Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for January - Anything Goes.
 

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Happy Birthday for JUGS & Color Me challenges

I combined two challenges for my card today. I used the sketch at Just Us Girls and the colors from the new Color Me Card Challenge - this is their 2nd challenge, I missed the first one.  I used Whisper White, Melon Mambo and Marina Mist CS and the DSP is Marina Mist, and  the Melon Mambo is from the Gingham Garden collection.  I embossed the white panel with SU Snowburst EF.  The flower is made with an EK Success punch and the center is several punches with the Family Treasures Sun punch.  I saw this tutorial somewhere in cyberspace, but can't remember where.  If I find it, I will add the link.  You cut the sun punches on one side to half way and then wrap them around the tip of your tweezers and glue a bunch of them to the center.  The sentiment is from MFT's Vintage Frames set and is cut and matted with MFT's Fishtail Flags and Fishtail Flags Layers dies.
 
Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Have a great day.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Feel Better Very Soon

For my card today I used the sketch from Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #201

and the new color challenge (love this color combo) at My Favorite Things.
color-palette-banner-animat
I used MFT Smooth White, Black Licorice and Pink Lemonade CS, and 3 different 6x6 pads for the DSP.  The pink stripe is from Amercian Crafts Dots and Stripes, the black leopard print is Echo Park Love Story, and the b/w print is from Echo Park Yours Truly. I used MFT Upsy Daisy, Leaf-filled Flourish and Blueprints 6 Die-namics (scalloped circle) and the sentiment is from Vintage Frames.
The flower and sentiment are adhered with foam tape.
 
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Happy 13th Birthday

I made this card for my granddaughter's 13th birthday this week.  I used the sketch from My Favorite Things MFTWSC#157. This is my first all MFT card.  I love their heavy weight CS.
MFTWSC157
The card base is Smooth White, a layer of Black Licorice, and then  a Blu Raspberry panel embossed with a Sizzix EF - Plaid. The next panel is Smooth White stamped with MFT Plaid Background Builder in Blu Raspberry and Grape Jelly inks, to make my own DSP (I loved this color combo when I saw this card by Jackie Pedro ), and is matted with more black.  The sentiment from LJB-On The Line is stamped in Grape Jelly ink.  I did some paper-piercing around the edges, matted with more black CS and adhered to the plaid panel.  The 13 is from Vanity License Plate stamped in Blu Raspberry ink and cut out with a MFT Circle Stax 1 die. The black scallop mat was cut with a Blueprints 6 die.  I added some glitter to the 13, but it doesn't show up in the photo.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Dynamic Duos #85 - You Are In My Thoughts and Prayers



Happy Satruday everyone.  It is "Bold & Cheery" week at Dynamic Duos with the colors Summer Starfuit and Garden Green.  You can find all the details over at the Dynamic Duos blog.
Unfortunately, I needed a card for my Sister-in-Law whose mother passed away on Christmas day.  She was 89 and had been in ill health for some time.  Even though it is expected, it still leaves a void in your heart and I wanted to let her know I was thinking of her and keeping her in my prayers.
I used MFT Smooth White CS, SU Basic Black and Garden Green CS, and Summer Starfruit DSP.  The gingham check is stamped with MFT Textile Backgrounds in Garden Green ink. I cut the banner with MFT Fishtail Flags Layers Stax and embossed it with SU Snowburst EF.  The sentiment and flower are from Verve's Wonderfully Made stamped on DSP twice and fussy cut. I sponged the edges of the flowers and leaves and added a dimensional between the flower layers, added a pearl to the center and adhered it with dimensionals. I also used Summer Starfruit dotted ribbon.
My card is based on the Mojo Monday #326 sketch.  I used the flower for the two elements on the banner.
 
Now hop on over to the Dynamic Duos blog and see what my fellow teammates have created for your inspiration.  I hope you can find time to play along.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Just Us Girls Challenge #221 - Time

This is my thrid post today.  Scroll down for my "Seize The Birthday" post.  Sorry to bombard you but I was catching up on some challenges.  It has been a busy month in December, as I am sure you all have been busy also.
This is my take on the JUGS #221 Photo Inspiration challenge.  I used an older Cornish Heritage Farms set "Time To Stamp" for the clock and both sentiments.  I stamped them in Versamark ink on SU Very Vanilla CS and embossed with gold embossing powder.  I cut the clock out with an MFT Circle Stax 1 die and mounted it on a Spellbinders Tear Drop Circle cut from Martha Stewart Golden Woodland paper pad.  All the DSP is from that pad, The mats are the reverse side of the DSP in a goldtone.
 
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn
 

Seize The Birthday

Good Morning and Happy New Year everyone.  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and start of the New Year.  It is time for a new challenge at Seize the Birthday.  This week we have the option of using "numbers". 
Before I get to my card, I would like to give a big shout out and Happy Birthday wishes to one of our fellow Design Team members Sheri who has a birthday this week.
I hope you have a wonderful birthday Sheri!!!
I made my card in honor of your birthday.
I went with the "numbers option" and used a Cuttlebug EF to embossed the Melon Mambo panel and swiped Whisper White Craft Ink over the raised numbers. This panel is matted on Pink Pirouette CS and adhered to the Whisper White card base.  The strip of DSP is from the Gingham Garden pack and is matted with Crumb Cake which is punched with the SU Scallop Border punch.  The sentiment from Apothecary Art was stamped in Melon Mambo ink and I hand cut the flagged ends.  The flower from SU Flower Shop is stamped in Melon Mambo ink and punched with the matching Pansy Punch and mounted with dimensionals.  The Old Olive leaves are cut with the Little Leaves Sizzlet die.
 That's it for my card. 
 
My fellow Design Team members have also created some fabulous samples, to inspire you with, so be sure to stop by Seize the Birthday and check them out. We can’t wait to see what you create!!! GlendaBrenda, Colleen,  Jodene, Macarena, Nancy , Sheri
 
 
   Thanks for stopping by,
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn

Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #200

Karen Giron over at The Sweetest Thing blog is hosting her 200th Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and also has some prizes to offer,  Check it out HERE. This is the sketch.
And this is my card:
The card base, little banner and Spellbinders Scallop Oval mat are SU Crumb Cake.  I used DSP from a retired SU 6x6 pad, matted with Whisper White CS.  The MFT PI Being Cute Is What I Do image is stamped on X-Press It Blending Card, colored with Copics and cut out.  I paper-pieced her top and pants with some of the DSP. I mounted her with dimensionals on a Spellbinders Classic Oval diecut and sponged Crumb Cake ink around the edges while still in the die.  I added a little bit of grass to the bottom of the oval.  This panel is adhered with dimensionals also. The white button and linen thread are from my stash.
 
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy Stamping,
JoAnn