Welcome to Ink N Scrap Habits!

I've created this blog to share my life & love of paper crafts with others. You will read bits and pieces of what goes on in my world and be able to see my paper craft creations! Please leave me a comment if you see something you like. I'd love to hear from you!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Challenge Announcement...Bleach!

Happy Sunday Everyone! I hope you are all having a Labor-Free weekend. I know I'm loving the time off work! Yeah!


Well, it's challenge announcement time for this weeks Fun Filled Friday Challenge. The challenge...(drum roll please Spike) is to use the Bleach Technique. You can find the instructions here.


This is a new technique for me. I've never tried it before. Hope I come up with something nice!

Oh, I'm sorry, are you unfamiliar with our Fun Filled Friday Challenges? Click over to this post. It explains all the details about how the challenge works.
Won't you play along? Kimmy is offering a chance to win Blog candy to everyone who participates for the month of August. C'mon! It will be fun!


Smiles,
Jennifer






Blog Candy Opportunity Reminder

Do You like Card Sketch Challenges? Read below for details!

Just a reminder...You have until August 31st 11:59pm to try the card sketch challenges that were posted for the month of August to be considered for the August Blog candy giveaway. Click on the links below to see each sketch. If you participate, please post a link to your card on the appropriate post so I can give you credit and enter you in the drawing.

August 27th

August 20th

August 13th

August 6th

July 30th


Thanks for playing and Happy card making!


Smiles,
Jennifer


PS: Make sure to visit my blog again this Wednesday Sept. 3rd to see the first sketch for September!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Fun Filled Friday Vellum Challenge

Yeah! It's Friday!

This week Kimmy challenged me to use vellum. I was a little nervous about this one. It's been a very long time since I've created with it. However, once I started making this card, everything seemed to fall right into place. I know a few week's ago we had a challenge to use heat embossing, but I couldn't resist it on this challenge & just had to use it again. And yes, I used that snowflake background from DRS Designs again as well. I love it!



So, without further adieu, here's my Vellum Christmas card!




The first step in making this card was to create my cardstock base. I had a layout in my head about what I wanted to do with this card, but I just needed to make sure I had enough space on my card to do it. The card base was created from white cardstock and the finished size for this card measures 4.25" x 6." My next step was to cut a piece of red cardstock to create my card front. Then, I stamped the snowflake background on the vellum with embossing ink, sprinkled it with white embossing powder, and then heat set it. Next, I tore the vellum to create the panel that I used on my card front. I attached it using 4 red brads, one in each corner. I then stamped the other side of the card (on the red cardstock) using the snowflake background and embossing ink. I sprinkled it with white embossing powder and heat set it just like I did on the vellum. My next step was to add the sentiment to my card.




I used my Nesties to cut a plain oval, large enough to accommodate the sentiment. I stamped the sentiment with embossing ink on the oval, sprinkled it with red embossing powder & heat set it as well. I thought there was too much white space around the sentiments, so I used the snowflake background to place a single snowflake above the sentiment. I heat embossed this in red too.







To decorate the bottom of the card, I used white grosgrain ribbon and another new ribbon slide by DRS Designs. I heat embossed the ribbon slide in red embossing powder and then cut it out. I slid the ribbon though it, centered it on my card front and then adhered the ribbon in place on the back of the red cardstock. My final step was to adhere the card front to the white cardstock base.






  • Stamps: All images by DRS Designs- Bow Ribbon Slide, Snowflake Background, God's Love sentiment

  • Ink: Rubber Stampede Embossing ink

  • Paper: Smooth White Cardstock from Office Depot, Colored Cardstock from Bazzill, and Paper Reflections, vellum

  • Accessories: Creative Beginnings embossing powder, brads by Making Memories, Bobbi M. Designs white grosgrain ribbon, Oval Nestabilities

Make sure to click here to see Kimmy's challenge card. Wonder if she used vellum like I did or if she used some fancy technique?!?! I guess we'll find out soon enough!


Smiles,
Jennifer

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Lights and Ribbon Slides!

Have you seen the new ribbon slides recently released by DRS Designs? I'm having so much fun with them! They allow you to get so creative beyond the "normal" uses of ribbon. Take a look at this Jolly Holiday card I made the other night! Gotta love a strand of holiday lights!


This card was tons of fun--a little tedious and took some time to create, but I love the finished product!



My first step in making this card was to stamp the single bulb ribbon slide repeatedly on white cardstock. Next, I colored them all with my Bic Markers and then cut them all out--yes, all 10 of them. I actually made 12 of them, but thought that would be too many once I started planning the layout of my card. (I told you this card was a little tedious! LOL!) Then, I cheated a little. I used my Crop-a-Dile to poke holes in the ribbon slide portion, rather then use scissors to cut them out. This worked well for this project because I used embroidery floss rather than ribbon in the slide portion of each image.



Knowing that I wanted to use majority of the bulbs I made, I knew this would have to be a larger card. I created the card base from green cardstock. The finished card size is 5 3/4" x 5 1/2." I thought the bulbs looked best on a lighter background, so I used yellow for the background rather than red or green, even though this was a holiday card. I matted the yellow cardstock with red cardstock as shown, and stamped "Have a Jolly Holiday!" in the center of my yellow cardstock. I placed a pop-dot on the back of each bulb, and then threaded the embroidery floss through the holes in each bulb. I arranged the bulbs around the sentiment, adhering each one in place before I moved on to the next one.

I then wrapped red grosgrain ribbon around the upper left corner of the card front, and the bottom right corner. I tied a bow and attached over the ribbon as shown.

Most holiday light bulbs are glass right? Well, to finish off this card I added Diamond Glaze over each bulb to give it that shiny, glassy look.

I love this card! I think it's so cute! Hope you like it as well!

  • Stamps: All images by DRS Designs- Single Bulb Ribbon Slide, Jolly Holiday Sentiment
  • Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
  • Paper: Smooth White Cardstock from Office Depot, Colored Cardstock from Bazzill, and Paper Reflections
  • Accessories: Bic Markers, Diamond Glaze, DMC Embroidery thread, Crop-a-dile, Pop-dots


Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog today. I appreciate your visit. Won't you leave me a comment to let me know you were here?

Happy Thursday!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Sketch Wednesday #8 Challenge Card!

Earlier today I posted the card Sketch Challenge below. Did you give it a try?

Here's my sketch challenge card! What do you think?




I know, I'm still on my Fall and Halloween kick. I promise the cards I post later this week will be a different theme! Hey, I couldn't help myself. I just participated in a Fall Halloween image swap on the Stamp Shack and this cute image from Penny Black was one that I received. It was begging me to color it up...so I did!


I colored this image with my Prismacolor Pencils and used Gamsol on parts of it, but I also tried out my new colorless blender pencil. I still need practice with that one. It's definitely a different type of blending, I'm just not used to it.


I used my Nesties to cut out the image and mat it a few times. I realized that my matting was going to cause me to make a larger than normal card if I was going to follow the sketch. This finished card measures 6 1/2" x 5 1/2." I added the square brads and then set it aside to work on my card base. The base itself is made from orange cardstock, and I layered black cardstock on top of it to help the patterned paper "pop." I adhered the matted image in the center and then created the side bars using black cardstock matted with yellow cardstock. I set the orange brads in place according to the sketch, and adhered the side bars on either side of the image. For a little extra "pop," I added Stickles to the pumpkin's eyes and mouth.

Stamps: Penny Black
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Charcoal Colorbox Fluid chalk
Paper: Smooth White Cardstock from Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by Paper Reflections and Bazzill, patterned paper by Heidi Grace Designs
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Prismacolor Blender pencil, Gamsol, Nestabilities, Golden Rod Stickles by Ranger, Brads from Making memories and Joann's Scrap Essentials

Ok, Now it's your turn...Let me see what you did with this sketch.

Please leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

Smiles,
Jennifer

PS: Have you subscribed to my blog? Sign up now so you don't miss my Card Sketch Wednesdays!

Sketch Challenge Wednesday #8

Here's the Sketch Challenge details for August 27th! Hope you'll play along!

Sketch Wednesday Challenge Details:
The details are pretty simple--make a card of any theme you choose utilizing the card sketch posted on my blog and then on the sketch challenge announcement post, reply with a comment posting a link to your blog or online gallery so that everyone can view how you utilized the sketch. You have all month to complete each challenge. So there is no confusion, a "month" runs from the first day of the month through the last day of the month--example Aug. 1st-Aug. 31st.


Bonus Opportunity for Participating in Sketch Wednesday Challenges:

Each month, I will assign a number in order from all of the comments/links posted from all qualifying participant weekly sketch challenge cards and draw one lucky winner for a package of blog candy from me! All of the blog candy goodies that I will offer will be craft/card making related--embellishments, ink pads, images, stamps, ribbon, punches etc.


Card Sketch Wednesday #2:

Please reply with links to your challenge cards here on this blog post. You have until August 31st 11:59 pm EDT to post your link to be considered for the August Blog Candy drawing. All entries posted after this time will go towards the September drawing.

Have fun playing with this sketch! I'll be back later today to show you the card I've created. I hope you'll give it a try as well. Make sure to comment here on this post if you do. I can't wait to see your Sketch Wednesday Card!


Smiles,

Jennifer



Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Birthday Quickie!

Do you find Birthday's sneak up on you and you're always in a hurry to get a birthday card mailed out? Well, here's a quick and easy birthday card I made that you can try. I really like it's quickness and it's simplicity!


To make this card, I first took smooth white cardstock and stamped the new ribbon card edger stamp by DRS Designs repeatedly in red ink. In the spaces between each ribbon I stamped "Happy Birthday" in black ink. Next, I trimmed the white cardstock so that it formed a rectangular shape--yes, that means really shortening up that ribbon edger image! I then matted this piece on red cardstock. After that, I matted it again on white cardstock, but this time I left a large white border around the red mat. Then, I matted it again for a third time with red cardstock.


At this point, I really liked how this stamped and matted piece looked on a white cardstock base. I cut the base to form a 4" x 6 1/4" sized card. It was simple looking, which I really liked, but it needed something. Then all of a sudden, a light bulb Light Bulb 2 went off in my head and I remembered that the challenge DRS Designs was holding on their blog was paper piercing! That's exactly what this card needed! So I got out my paper piercer and went to town! To start, I pierced a hole in each of the four corners on the wide, white mat. Then in each direction, I pierced another 4 holes, on all 4 sides as shown. I adhered it to the cardstock base & it was finished.

Quick, easy peasy, simple, and cute!


  • Stamps: All images by DRS Designs-Ribbon Card Edger, Happy Birthday Sentiment
  • Ink: Warm Red Fluid Chalk Ink, Versafine Onyx Black
  • Paper: Smooth White Cardstock from Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by Paper Reflections
  • Accessories: Making Memories Paper Piercer

Stay tuned for tomorrow. I have a new Sketch Challenge for you to try!

Have a great day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Monday, August 25, 2008

Blog Love!

I received this award from my friend Patti, from the Stamp Shack.

(Thanks, Patti!) Patti is a very talented stamper and her work has inspired me so many times! Her inspiration gave me the courage to try out for the DRS Design team and I made it!



For fear of losing my Stamper's MoJo (hate it when that happens!) I do a lot of blog hopping and blog surfin' -- there is ton of inspiration out there, as I'm sure you all know! I too, would like to pass this award along to some amazing bloggers.



Here's my list of blogs I love: (In no particular order)

  • Kimmy - For being my Fun Filled Friday Blog Challenge partner, as well as for being a great friend, a fellow enabler, and great craft inspirer! You make crafting together tons more fun!


  • Beth - For a blog with the best tutorials and coloring that will knock your socks off!


  • Kim - For her weekly "Challenge me Thursdays," for giving it a try regardless of what the challenge is & then coming up with something great!


  • Kelly - My most recent Secret Sister, for always putting the goodies I sent her to great use & posting them on her blog for all to see!

  • Stacy- For creating cards with great layouts. I enjoy seeing all of the different variations in her work!

  • Ethel- For creating cards and projects that will brighten anyone's Day!

  • Debbie-For a blog that is inspiring, totally fun, AND entertaining!

Here are the award rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog

2. Link the person you received your award from

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.


Did you all have a great weekend? I was busy with "real work" and working in my studio. I made 6 cards this weekend! Stay tuned for tomorrow and the rest of this week to see them!

Happy Monday! (ugh!)

Smiles,
Jennifer

Sunday, August 24, 2008

A Vellum Challenge!

Well, It's Sunday! Do you have a relaxing Summer day planned today? Not me...I have to work in the morning, but all afternoon I plan on creating a card using vellum. Why? You ask...Well, Kimmy challenged me to use vellum with my card making for this week's Fun Filled Friday Challenge.


Have you ever participated in one of our Fun Filled Friday Challenges? Kimmy and I post the Fun Filled Friday challenge announcement on our blogs every Sunday (like today) and then on Friday we post our finished cards for you all to see. Our readers post links to their finished cards as well. So, get out your vellum & create with me! Let me see what you can do with it!
I know it has been a LONG time since I've used vellum. In the past, I've found vellum to be hard to work with. Maybe it's because the last time I used it was probably in my early stamping and card making days & I didn't have the experience & knowledge about all that can be done with vellum, like I do now. Boy, blog surfing really has it's perks doesn't it? There's tons of inspiration out there!


Well, I hope you'll get a chance to play along. Stay tuned for Friday when I post my vellum card! I wonder what theme I'll use for this challenge?


Have a wonderful Sunday!
Smiles,
Jennifer

Saturday, August 23, 2008

SC190 and New image by DRS Designs


Have you seen the new stamps just released by DRS Designs? Well, I've finally received mine & I'm puttin' them to use! I used the latest sketch from Splitcoast Stampers, SC190, to display this awesome star image from DRS Designs. Yes, it is one of their new releases!







To make this card, my first step was to stamp the star image twice. I used my Bic markers to color both of them. One, I colored different shades of yellow and then on the second one, I only colored the inner star with shades of orange and gold. I cut both stars out and then used pop-dots to adhere the little star to the center of the larger one as shown. I then used my plain circle Nesties to cut the orange circle, and the black scalloped circle behind it, and assembled the star on top of the orange circle, and then adhered the orange circle on top of the black scallop.





To create the background, I used my Versamark ink and the interlocking star background stamp on smooth, dark yellow cardstock. The cardstock base was made from black cardstock cut to form a 5.5" x 5.5" card. I adhered the stamped, yellow cardstock to the base so that it left a thin border of black cardstock showing. I used black and orange ribbon to create the dividing line between the two sections and adhered my matted start piece to the center of the card.




To finish the card, I used my black gel pen to doodle dots along the edge of the yellow and orange cardstock.



  • Stamps: All images by DRS Designs-Double Swirl Star, interlocking star background stamp
  • Ink: Versamark watermark ink, Versafine Onyx black.
  • Paper: Bazzill cardstock, smooth yellow (Dark Mari-gold) cardstock by ColorMates
  • Accessories: Black Gelly Roll Pen, Bic Markers, Plain Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, May Arts Ribbon

I thought this card sort of reminded me of a Sheriff's Badge. Not sure why, but when I look at this card, that's what I see--maybe it's the colors...maybe it's the star...maybe it's that ribbon making the division line AND the colors! Who Knows!?!?


Thanks for stopping by and visiting today! Leave me a comment-I'd love to hear from you!
I'm off to get inky! My new stamps want to play!


Until tomorrow...


Smiles,


Jennifer

Friday, August 22, 2008

Fun Filled Friday: Polka Dots

Well, it's fun filled Friday again...Yeah! TGIF! I hope you don't mind, but I have another Fall card for you...Halloween actually. I just can't get enough of them. Fall is my favorite time of year, so I promise this won't be the last! LOL!

For this week's Fun Filled Friday challenge, I challenged Kimmy to use Polka Dots!

My challenge card displays polka dots on both kinds of patterned paper and I added black polka dots around my image to help accent it. I had fun with this sketch. Have you ever seen the card sketches on Pagemaps.com? Go check them out. There's lots of inspiration there!


To make this card, I first colored my image with my Prismacolor pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I, then trimmed down the white cardstock and inked the edges around the image in orange. I added the black polka dots around my image using a black Gel pen. I thought the empty space above the witch was a little plain, so I stamped the sentiment "Spooky Greetings" there to fill in the space. Next, I matted the image first with black cardstock and then again with orange cardstock.

I searched though the card layouts from Pagemaps and created this card using a map from April 2005. I created my card base from orange cardstock, so that the folded card measures 6 3/8" x 4 1/4." I trimmed the black polka dot paper to fit on the card base, leaving a slight orange border around it. Next, I cut the orange Halloween paper so that it fit across the length of the card. I cut it as shown, leaving a gap approx. 3/8" and adhered it to the black patterned paper.

Next, I used my Crop-a-Dile to punch 4 holes on each side of the gap and then set black eyelets in each one. While setting the eyelets for this card, I actually broke my Crop-a-dile! Can you believe it?!?! I was so bummed, and to top it off, it broke setting the second one--I had 6 more to go!

Luckily my Dear Husband was at work, so I was able to get out that awful hammer and start pounding away. I forgot how much effort that actually took and how loud it really was! After about a half hour, I had them all set in place. (note: Kudos to We-R-Memory Keepers! I emailed them about it breaking and they are actually going to send me a replacement part, with instructions, to fix my Crop-a-dile! Gotta love great customer service!)

Just like a shoe, I then, laced the eyelets with orange paper yarn and tied it in a bow. Then, I adhered the matted image to the left of the "show string," and voila! My polka dot card was complete!

Don't forget to run over to Kimmy's blog. I know you are just as curious as me to see what she come up with for this polka dot challenge.

  • Stamps: Rubbernecker's Stamp Oasis Little Lovin's Flyin' Witch, Spooky Greetings sentiment by Rubbernecker
  • Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
  • Paper: Smooth White cardstock from Office Depot, pattern paper from Heidi Grace Designs, Bazzill cardstock
  • Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Eyelets by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Paper yarn by Twistart, Black Gelly Roll pen

Stay tuned for Sunday when I announce next week's Fun Filled Friday Challenge.

Have a wonderful Weekend!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Ladybug!

I received this cute little lady bug saying from DRS Designs and I just had to pair it up the their lady bug image when I used it.
I also created this card using the DRS Designs bi-weekly challenge in mind as well--this week is paper piercing!
Make sure to check out the DRS Designs Blog for all of the challenge details.

So, what do you think?
To create this card, I first stamped the lady bug in the upper right corner with black ink. Then, I used Versamark to stamp her repeatedly all over other areas of the red cardstock.
Next, I used my new Bic Markers to colored in various areas of the first ladybug I stamped.

To create the sentiment square, I first, cut my white cardstock using the square Nestabilitites
set. I stamped the sentiment using black ink and then used the square die as a stencil with my sponge daubers to create the red shading you see around the sentiment. Next, I matted the
sentiment with red cardstock and used my paper piercer to create the dotted border on the red cardstock. I then matted the entire piece on a scalloped square (also made with my Nesties) and added a black brad to each corner to finish it off.


I adhered the sentiment square as shown, so that you could still see the ladybug stamped in black very well. Finally, I then stamped "Happy Birthday" repeatedly at the top of the red cardstock, and then again, just once, at the bottom right corner of the red cardstock.
The entire card front was adhered to a black cardstock base, measuring A2 size.


  • Stamps: All images by DRS Designs, Speckles the Ladybug, Ladybug Birthday Greeting, Happy Birthday sentiment.
  • Ink: Versafine Black Onyx, Versamark
  • Paper: Cardstock by Paper Reflections
  • Accessories: Black brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Spounge Daubers, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink-Warm Red, Making Memories Paper Piercer.

Have a great Thursday...It's almost Friday!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Wednesday Sketch Challenge #7

Oh my! It's Wednesday already. Here's the sketch Challenge for this week. Hope you'll play along! The details are listed below.

Sketch Wednesday Challenge Details:
The details are pretty simple--make a card of any theme you choose utilizing the card sketch posted on my blog and then on the sketch challenge announcement post, reply with a comment posting a link to your blog or online gallery so that everyone can view how you utilized the sketch. You have all month to complete each challenge. So there is no confusion, a "month" runs from the first day of the month through the last day of the month--example Aug. 1st-Aug. 31st.

Bonus Opportunity for Participating in Sketch Wednesday Challenges:

Each month, I will assign a number in order from all of the comments/links posted from all qualifying participant weekly sketch challenge cards and draw one lucky winner for a package of blog candy from me! All of the blog candy goodies that I will offer will be craft/card making related--embellishments, ink pads, images, stamps, ribbon, punches etc.


August 20, 2008-Card Sketch Wednesday #7:
Please reply with links to your challenge cards here on this blog post.


Here's my take on this sketch!

To make this card I first colored the image and matted it first with light olive green cardstock, and then again with red cardstock.

Next, I cut my cardstock base which measures 5.5" x 5" from dark olive green cardstock. I trimmed the patterned paper to fit on the right hand side of the card base and matted it with orange cardstock. I placed 3 leaf shaped brads, off center to the right, at the bottom as shown, and then adhered the entire piece to my card base.


I, then placed my matted image in the center of the cardstock base, according to the sketch as shown.


To finish this card, I played with my new Nestabilities! (Yeah!) I cut the light green cardstock using the plain circles, and (of course) cut the orange cardstock with the scalloped circles. "Fall Frolic" was created by using rubs-ons by Reminisce. Then, I adhered the light olive green circles onto the scallops and adhered them to my card as seen on the sketch.




  • Stamps: Rubbernecker's Stamp Oasis Little Lovin's Scarecrow


  • Ink: Versafine Onyx Black


  • Paper: Smooth White cardstock from Office Depot, pattern paper from The Paper Studio, Bazzill cardstock


  • Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Leaf Brads by Oriental Trading Company, Rub-ons by Reminisce, Nestabilities



  • PS: Don't forget you can still try the sketch challenges that were posted for the last 2 weeks as well, and still be considered for the August Blog candy. Click on the links below:


    August 13th


    August 6th


    July 30th


    Happy card making!


    Smiles,

    Jennifer

    Sunday, August 17, 2008

    Buzzing Bees Happy Birthday!

    DRS Designs has posted their second challenge today on their blog. It's all about paper piercing!



    With this challenge in mind, I created this Happy Birthday card. First I stamped the bee image twice, and then the flower ribbon slide. I colored all three of them with my new Bic Markers, and then I cut them out.










    I created my card base from yellow cardstock so that it measured A2 size. Next, I took my black cardstock & ran it through my Cuttlebug with my Swiss Dots embossing floder.





    Then I trimmed the light blue cardstock so that it fit on top of the black cardstock, leaving a thin border on 3 sides and about an inch on the far right side. Before adhering it to the black cardstock, I put it on a foam cushion so that I could pierce the paper to create the flying trail for each bee, and to add the decor in the upper and lower left corners. Next, I used a black gel pen to doodle dashes along the edge of the blue cardstock.


    I adhered the blue cardstock to the black cardstock and then slid the flower ribbon slide through the yellow ribbon and adhered it to the underside of the black cardstock. I positioned each bee in place with Pop-Dots and added Stickles to their wings.



    While the stickles were drying, I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment on yellow cardstock. I trimmed the cardstock around it and adhered it to black cardstock, so it left a black border around the sentiment. I adhered this to the open space between both bees.


    The DRS Designs Team would love for you to play along with us in this challenge and/or our previous one (inchies). There is no time limit...just post a direct link to your project in the appropriate challenge post so we can come take a look at it. If you upload to SCS please use keyword: DRSC2.
    • Stamps: All stamps by DRS DEsigns-Happy Bee, Happy Birthday, Single Flower Ribbon Slide
    • Ink: Versafine Black Onyx
    • Paper: Smooth cardstock by Paper Reflections.
    • Accessories: Bic Markers, Making Memories Paper piercer, Cuttlebug, Cuttle bug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Crystal Stickles by Ranger, Black Gelly Roll Pen, Pop-Dots

    Smiles,

    Jennifer

    Polka Dots!

    Hope you all are having a wonderful, relaxing Sunday! Well, it's my turn to pick this weeks Fun Filled Friday challenge...how about Polka Dots?


    Make a card displaying some sort of polka dots--polka dot patterned paper, polka dot images, polka dot ribbon, polka dot metal embellishment etc. The possibilities are endless!


    I'll post my polka dot card this Friday, August 22nd. Will you play along with me? If you make a polka dot themed card & post it to my blog (either on this post, or on my challenge post this Friday) I'll have Kimmy add you to her monthly blog candy giveaway for all of the challenge cards posted for August. Everyone loves a little candy and I know you like to make cards, so why don't you participate in this challenge?


    C'mon! Give it a try! I'd love to see what you can do with polka dots!


    Have a great day!


    Smiles,
    Jennifer

    Saturday, August 16, 2008

    DRS Designs-Newly Released Stamps!

    Quick! RunnerRun over to the DRS Designs website. A great set of stamps have just been released, just in time for you to start your holiday projects! You can see them here.


    They have also recently updated their online card gallery. Need a little inspiration? Make sure to take a peek and view their Designer Galleries.


    Stay tuned...I will have more DRS projects for you very soon. I'm thrilled to be able to put these new releases to work!


    Hope your having a fabulous weekend!
    Teethy
    Smiles,
    Jennifer





    Friday, August 15, 2008

    Fun Filled Friday...Gettin' ready for the Holidays!

    Kimmy decided this week's Fun Filled Friday Challenge required us to use heat embossing on our cards. Well, I recently received some fun stamps from DRS Designs and had a craving for a holiday card.


    Hey, I don't know about you, but our nights here in Michigan are really starting to cool down! Driving in my car at night I actually have put the heat on! We all know the holidays aren't too far off anyways...less than 150 days actually. Yikes! I think this ticker makes it sound better!



    So, why not thoughts of cooler temperatures, snow and snowmen, the the hustle & bustle of the holidays?

    With that in mind, here's my card for this weeks heat embossed Fun Filled Friday Challenge!



      • Stamps: All Stamps by DRS Designs-Golfing Snow Ball Man K448, Have a Jolly Holiday! D480, Pine Bough K467, and Snowflake Easy Background K187
      • Ink: Rubber Stampede Embossing Ink
      • Paper: White Bazzill cardstock, dark blue smooth cardstock by Paper Reflections
      • Accessories: Heat gun, Creative Beginnings white embossing powder, silver ribbon from my stash (brand unknown), Icicle Stickles by Ranger





      The entire card was created by using 4 stamps by DRS Designs that were all heat embossed in white. I added some Icicle Stickles to the pine branches and some silver ribbon for a more elegant effect. I made this card larger than usual, 6" x 6", so that I had more room to create the snow scene without all of the images being so cramped in a smaller space.











      Of course it wasn't as simple as it sounds. First, I stamped and embossed the snowman. Next, was the sentiment, and the pine branches followed. Embossing all of those wasn't too bad. The snowflakes were a little more difficult to accomplish! I had to do a little masking to get them strategically placed. However, I am very happy with the final result!







      Don't forget to check out Kimmy's Heat embossed Challenge card.


      Now...I challenge you to participate with us! Kimmy has a blog candy drawing for everyone who participates in our fun filled challenge Fridays. Just post a link to your finished card on her blog. Just make sure you create your cards using the same themes as we post every Sunday.

      Have a great weekend!


      Smiles,
      Jennifer

      Thursday, August 14, 2008

      One in a Million!

      I'm still playing with my starter kit of images DRS Designs sent me. I challenged myself to make a no layer card, and this is what I came up with!

      The only paper or cardstock I used was for the cardstock base.







      To make this card, I first stamped the Happy Bee image with my black Versafine ink. Underneath the bee I stamped the sentiment "You're One in a Million! and put "Thank you!" underneath that. Then, I stamped the Bee image again repeatedly around what I had already stamped in black, but with Versamark ink instead. I used my Bic Markers to colors in the black bee image, and used Stickles on it's wings. By coloring only 1 bee, I thought this helped play on the sentiment "One in a million."



      *******Want some exciting news?********
      I have just received word that DRS Designs will be releasing some new images very soon!
      Make sure to check back here and their blog to see when these images will become available & to see some great cards and other projects made with them by the Design Team!


      Hope your day is Bee-utiful! :-)
      Smiles,
      Jennifer

      Wednesday, August 13, 2008

      Card Sketch Wednesday #6

      Are you ready for Card Sketch Wednesday #6? Hope you'll play along! The details are listed below.

      Sketch Wednesday Challenge Details:
      The details are pretty simple--make a card of any theme you choose utilizing the card sketch posted on my blog and then on the sketch challenge announcement post, reply with a comment posting a link to your blog or online gallery so that everyone can view how you utilized the sketch. You have all month to complete each challenge. So there is no confusion, a "month" runs from the first day of the month through the last day of the month--example Aug 1st-Aug 31st.






      Bonus Opportunity for Participating in Sketch Wednesday Challenges:



      Each month, I will assign a number in order from all of the comments/links posted from all qualifying participant weekly sketch challenge cards and draw one lucky winner for a package of blog candy from me! All of the blog candy goodies that I will offer will be craft/card making related--embellishments, ink pads, images, stamps, ribbon, punches etc.




      August 13, 2008-Card Sketch Wednesday #6:



      Please reply with links to your challenge cards here on this blog post.

      Here's my sketch card!


      I down sized this sketch by using it to make an A2 size card. I used my Bic Markers to color the Lady bug image, and then I matted the image a few times with cardstock. I used smooth black cardstock for the card front and added ribbon scraps to the left side as shown in the sketch. Next, I adhered the matted image to the center of the card front. I used embossing ink to stamp "Thank you!" and heat set it, using white embossing powder. To finish the card, I added a white brad to each of the top & bottom right hand corners and then adhered the card front to a white cardstock base.



    • Stamps: Both by DRS Designs- G695 Ladybug Stack, A070 Small Thank You
    • Ink: Versafine Onyx Black,
    • Paper: Smooth White cardstock from Office Depot, Bazzill cardstock
    • Accessories: Bic Markers, American Craft Brads, Coluzzle, misc. ribbon from my stash, Embossing Ink by Rubber Stampede, Embossing powder by Creative Beginnings.


    • Have fun with this sketch! Can't wait to see your cards!



      Smiles,



      Jennifer



      PS: Don't forget you can still try the sketch challenges that were posted for the last 2 weeks as well, and still be considered for the August Blog candy. Click on the links below:



      August 6th



      July 30th

      Tuesday, August 12, 2008

      Just a Note...

      The last few days I have been busy playing with the generous grab bag of stamps I received from DRS Designs. In 2 days I have completed 6 cards! That's quite an accomplishment for me, as I am a slow card maker. I've also received 2 sets of the Spellbinders Nestabilities, so I have been practicing cutting and embossing with them as well.


      Here's one of the cards I recently made.



      To create this card, I used 3 stamps from DRS Designs: D800 Simple Flourish, B244 Just a Note..., and K097 Plant Shelf. I colored the image with my Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I used blue chalk to shade the area behind the plants (sorry it is difficult to see this in my picture). I matted the image a few times using cardstock that matched the colors I used in the image and then stamped the Simple Flourish image above and below the image. To finish it off, I added the Just a Note... stamp just below the image. Voila! Simple & quick, and I love the way the orange & light blue look together.


      Did you know DRS Designs has a blog? You can see it here. The Design Team has been working hard over the last week with the first DRS Challenge-Inchies! We also have a lot in store for you in the upcoming weeks, so make sure to check back often.

      Have a great day!

      Smiles,
      Jennifer

      Sunday, August 10, 2008

      Get out your guns!

      Heat guns that is! For this weeks Fun Filled Friday Challenge, Kimmy has decided that we create our cards using heat embossing. I must admit that I think the technique itself is a little cumbersome, but I love the results! It's been awhile since I used this technique.

      I'm gettin' out my supplies & puttin' my thinking cap on. Hope you'll join us! Kimmy has a blog candy drawing for everyone who participates in our fun filled challenge Fridays. Just post a link to your finished card on her blog. Just make sure you create your cards using the same themes as we post every Sunday.

      So...get out your guns! I wanna see what you can do with your heat gun!

      Smiles,
      Jennifer

      Saturday, August 9, 2008

      "Survivor" Card Making Style

      The Stamp Shack is hosting a Survivor card making game right now. It started just this past Wednesday on August 6th.

      Here's how it works:


      Each participant creates a card as their official game entry--anything you want. It can be plain and simple or it can contain several embellishments and be all dressed up. Each participant then posts their entry card to the Shack Gallery. Once the contest has begun, an 'Elimination Statement' is posted every morning. If your card contains the item listed in the elimination statement for that day, it is removed from the game and from the gallery. An elimination statement might look something like this: 'If your card contains a red brad, you are eliminated from play.' So, all entries containing a red brad(s) will be eliminated from the game. Elimination statements will be released each day until there is just one card remaining in the gallery. The final card is the Shack Survivor and is the winner of the contest and the prize!


      For this round, the prize is a $25 gift certificate to My Favorite Things.


      This is the card I submitted for the game.

      Isn't he cute? I decided to go the simple route with this one. The moon was colored with Prismacolor Pencils, and his eyes were colored with a yellow-green Prismacolor Marker. Then I just layered the image a few times with Bazzill cardstock, used the decorative corner punch & that's it! This card measures 5" x 5".

      • Stamps: Image by Rubbernecker
      • Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
      • Paper: Bazzill cardstock, Smooth white cardstock from Office Depot
      • Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Prismacolor Markers, Decorative Corner punch-EK Success

      Well, I am sad to announce that I was eliminated today. Here are the four elimination statements that I encountered during this round of play:

      Elimination Statement #1: If your card has more than one patterned paper design, you are eliminated.

      Elimination Statement #2: Your card must have at least two different solid colored cardstock layers (patterned paper is excluded). If not, you are eliminated.

      Elimination Statement #3: If your card has checkered or polka dotted ribbon (any color or width) you are eliminated.

      Elimination Statement #4: Your card must have at least one embellishment (ribbon, brad, eyelet, charm, clip, etc). If not, you are eliminated.

      That last one is the one that did it for me! I thought my lack of embellishments would help me on this one-Apparently not!

      Oh well...it has been fun so far. Wishing the best of luck to all the remaining Shackies on the Survivor Island!

      Have a great day!

      Smiles,

      Jennifer

      Friday, August 8, 2008

      Pink and Green = Frog with Flowers!

      For this weeks Fun Filled Friday Challenge, I challenged Kimmy to make a card that is pink and green!

      What could be better for this challenge than this Rubbernecker image of a Frog holding pink flowers?


      To make this card I first stamped the image and colored it with pencils and blended the colors using Gamsol. I used a decorative corner punch on all 4 corners of the image, and then inked the edges of the images using pink chalk ink. Next, I matted the image with green cardstock, and then matted the image again using light green patterned paper.

      I used a photo corner punch to cut the pink photo corners for each corner of the matted image, and then used the smaller photo corner to add dimension to the upper right corner as shown. I added 3 green bling stickers to this photo corner.



      Next, I used the slit punch to add an opening to tie the ribbon around. I adhered the matted image piece to a A2 size cardstock base. I finished the card by adding a pink bling sticker to the space between the 2 photo corners at the top & bottom of the image.

      • Stamps: Image by Rubbernecker
      • Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
      • Paper: Bazzill cardstock, DCWV The Stack 5
      • Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Notched Corner Punch by Marvy Uchida, Ribbon by Offray, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink, pink pastel, Bling-Me & My Big Ideas Icons Stickers, SU! Slit punch, SU! Photo Corner Punch.

      Have a great weekend, and stay tuned for Monday when DRS Designs announces their first Blog Challenge!

      Smiles,

      Jennifer

      Wednesday, August 6, 2008

      Card Sketch Wednesday #5

      Hope everyone is enjoying my Sketch Challenges! Are you ready for Card Sketch Wednesday #5? Here are the details...

      Sketch Wednesday Challenge Details:
      The details are pretty simple--make a card of any theme you choose utilizing the card sketch posted on my blog and then on the sketch challenge announcement post, reply with a comment posting a link to your blog or online gallery so that everyone can view how you utilized the sketch. You have all month to complete each challenge. So there is no confusion, a "month" runs from the first day of the month through the last day of the month--example Aug 1st-Aug 31st.


      Bonus Opportunity for Participating in Sketch Wednesday Challenges:

      Each month, I will assign a number in order from all of the comments/links posted from all qualifying participant weekly sketch challenge cards and draw one lucky winner for a package of blog candy from me! All of the blog candy goodies that I will offer will be craft/card making related--embellishments, ink pads, images, stamps, ribbon, punches etc.

      August 6, 2008-Card Sketch Wednesday #5:
      Please reply with links to your challenge cards here on this blog post.


      Here's my version-a chocolate cake Birthday card!




      To make this card, I first stamped the cake image and colored it with pencils. I trimmed the white cardstock around it, and then used my corner rounder on each of the corners. I matted it with brown cardstock and again used my corner rounders on all 4 corners. Next, I added a copper brad to each of the upper corners. I used my Cricut and my circle Coluzzle to create the yellow and brown circles. (I know, I need those Nesties...Still working on it!) I adhered the yellow circle on top of the brown one, and then adhered the matted image to the center of it.




      I added red Stickles to the center of the flame and then added 2 different color yellow Stickles to the top portion of the flame to create a "firey" look. While the Stickles were drying, I created the cardstock base.


      This finished card size measures 5" x 5." I created the cardstock base from yellow Bazzill cardstock. I used brown and yellow patterned paper matted onto brown cardstock, and added a copper brad in each of the 4 corners. I then, adhered it to the front of my card base. I added yellow ribbon as seen in the sketch to the front of my card. To finish it, I added "Celebrate!" to the lower right corner.










      Here's the sentiment I stamped on the inside. Doesn't it fit perfectly? I just love the mental picture I get when I actually think about what it says. It makes me laugh every time!





      Hope you've enjoyed this! This card was really fun to make!


    • Stamps: Cake-Magenta, Celebrate Sentiment by Inkadinkado, inside Sentiment-American Art Stamps

    • Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

    • Paper: Smooth White cardstock from Office Depot, DCWV Scrapbook Kit in a Stack, Bazzill cardstock

    • Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Stickles by Ranger in Xmas Red, Gold, Golden Rod, EK Success Corner Rounder, Brads-Joann's Scrap Essentials, Cricut, Circle Coluzzle, Ribbon-Dashes, Dots & Checks by Michaels.
    • Smiles,

      Jennifer

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