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!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

DRS Designs Blog Hop Stop #2

Welcome to the DRS Designs Blog Hop!
This is stop #2, if you missed the first post make sure to go back to here to check it out.


For this release, Dustin Pike has teamed up with DRS Designs and many of the newest images are drawn by him! Have you been enjoying all of the sneak peeks the DT has been showing you this week? Aren't these jungle animal stamps just the cutest? I'm having so much fun creating with them.



Here's one I made using Jungle Jim the Elephant and the "Walk on the Wild Side" sentiment.


I colored Jungle Jim with gray Copic Markers and then used a pink Prismacolor Pencil blended with Gamsol to shade his ears.



This card is pretty straight forward, and here's the recipe below. Of course though, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.



Stamps: DRS Designs- Jungle Jim the Elephant, Walk on the Wild Side sentiment
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Copic Markers C1 and C3, Martha Stewart Zig Zag Border Punch, Ribbon unknown from my stash, Brads by Making Memories
Finished Card Size: 7 3/8" x 3 7/8"



This image release is not the only exciting thing going on right now with DRS Designs--there's lots of fun stuff happening! Now that May is practically here there are 2 new Guest Designers on the team. Please welcome Deb Felts and Dawn Barrett to the DT by stopping over at their blogs for a friendly visit!



Also, don't forget that the DT Color Challenge to use Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, and Summer Sun (or the closest matches) on your project. Post a direct link to your creation in the comment section of the color challenge post for a chance at some fun blog candy. Drawing will take place Sunday evening, May 3.



Next stop on the blog hop is our new Guest Designer Dawn Barrett at stop #3! Keep your eyes open...there's a blog candy give away somewhere along the way--a nice bunch of goodies you don't want to miss, but you'll have to follow the hop to the end to find out which of the DT members has it!

Thanks for visiting today.


Hope you enjoy the Hop!


Smiles,
Jennifer

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The Tassel is Worth the Hassel!

Happy Wednesday!

Here's a sketch I played with over the weekend at my stamping retreat. I love this new sentiment--so perfect for this time of year when Graduations and Grad parties are slowly sneaking up on us! It will be available for purchase from DRS Designs this Saturday, May 2nd.

For this card I created my own Graduation cap to go with this sentiment by using 2 squares, and altering one of them to look like it is angled to fit on someone's head. I used a brad for the top and created the tassel from white embroidery thread.

Plain and simple, I just stamped the sentiment with black ink on a panel that follows the sketch.


Graduation ribbon pulls the whole card together nicely and adds a nice finishing touch.




Stamps: DRS Designs- Tassel Worth the Hassel Sentiment (available for purcahse on 5/2/09)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Nesties, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, ribbon by The Paper Studio, DMC Embroidery Floss, Brad by Joann's Scrap Essentials, 3D- Dots
Finished Card Size: 5.25" x 4.5"


Tomorrow is the big day over at DRS Designs. Are you ready for the next blog hop to see all of the images that will be released on Saturday? Make sure to start at the DRS Designs Blog for stop #1 and hop along with us--there's a blog candy reward for your efforts--you just have to find it! :-)


Have a great day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

3 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed...

...one fell off and bumped his head!



Any of you familiar with that kids song?


This card reminds me of it.






Here's another sneak peek for the next release from DRS Designs. This monkey image and this sentiment will be available for purchase this Saturday May 2nd. Don't forget about the Blog Hop on Thursday as well. I'm sure you'll be seeing these cuties again!








Isn't Michelle the Monkey cute?!?!?! I colored the monkeys with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I used my Nesties to cut them out & mat them. I pop dotted them for extra dimension. The sentiment was stamped in brown ink and I added ribbon adhered with staples.



Stamps: DRS Designs- Michelle the Monkey, Walk on the Wild Side Sentiment (both available for purchase on 5/2/09)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Creamy Brown, SU! Blush Blossom
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Ribbon by the paper Studio, Stapler/Staples, EK Success Decorative Corner Punch
Finished Card Size: 7 5/8" x 4 3/4"



Well, now that my long awaited stamping vacation is over, it's back to a hectic work week for me. I'm looking forward to my day off on Thursday to catch up on some sleep. It's so true...I need a vacation from my vacation! :-)



Thanks for visiting today!

Smiles,
Jennifer



Monday, April 27, 2009

It's a Jungle Out There!

Just playing a little catch up since I've been gone, here's my second post for today!
The DRS DT has been hinting over the last few days about the new stamps that DRS Designs will have available for purchase on May 2nd, and finally, we can share our sneak peeks with you!


The jungle animal images you will see are drawn by Dustin Pike. He has teamed up with DRS Designs & will have 6 new rubber images available. He also has many Digi images for sale. Here's a card I made using his "Jimbo and the Gang" image.




I colored the Lion, the Giraffe, and the Monkey with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I colored the Elephant with Copics and used a pink Prismacolor Pencils to shade his ears. I inked the edges of the image with yellow ink and stamped the sentiment below it. This is a pretty simple card--I didn't want to embellish it too much because I didn't want to take away from the cuteness of the animals.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Jungle Out There Sentiment, Jimbo and the Gang
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Yellow Orchre
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Copic Markers C1 and C3, Brad unknown from my stash, Ribbon by Michael's Dashes Dots and Checks
Finished Card Size: 5" x 5"



Aren't these animals absolutely adorable!?!?! Good news...each of these animals are available separately as well. Stay tuned over the next week to see what I did with them individually and make sure to see all the other sneak peeks from the rest of the DT members. You can find their blog links on my side bar.

DRS Designs has a lot going on this week, not only the sneak peeks, but also a few blog candy opportunities as well. There's still time to enter the color challenge on the DRS Designs blog. Use the colors Pink Passion, Summer Sun, and Chocolate Chip on a project & post a link here to enter yourself in the challenge.

This Thursday, April 30th, DRS Designs will hold another Blog Hop with a blog candy opportunity somewhere along the hop. Make sure to hop along with us to find it and win!

Until then, make sure to check back here to see more sneak peeks!
Hope you have a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by today!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Circular Embossing and a New Challenge!

Sorry my Fun Filled Friday challenge card is late...I was so bummed that forgot to take my USB cord for my camera with me on my stamping trip and could not upload this on time on Friday, but as they say...better late then never, right!?!?!?



I challenged Kimmy to a unique technique (hey, that rhymes!) for this week's Fun Filled Friday challenge! We used the Circular Embossing Technique with the Cuttlebug. Not sure what I mean? Check out this card by Becca.

Here's my Circular Embossed Challenge card:


I created the embossed circle by following Becca's tutorial on her blog and then chalked the embossed areas. I colored the Hibiscus image with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, and then cut it out. I added ribbon across the embossed piece, and then adhered the image in the center. I put dark pink eyelets in all four corners of the mat as well and tied a knot to the lower right corner and adhered the embossed piece to the center of it. I cute a 6" x 6" cardstock base to finish the card.




I really like this technique, but I think overall, it makes for too big of a card. If I try it again some day I may try to make it a bit smaller if possible. But, I really like the uniqueness of the embossing.

Make sure to check out Kimmy's challenge card to see her version.



Stamps: Rubbernecker
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Cardstock by Office Depot, The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Fancy Corners Embossing Folder, Eyelets from Joann's Scrap Essentials, Ribbon unknown from my stash, Chalk by Inkadinkado
Finished Card Size: 6" x 6"




For this week's Fun Filled Friday challenge, Kimmy has challenged us to use coasters. This should be very interesting for me--I have yet to use coasters or chipboard on any of my projects. I guess it's just one aspect of the papercrafting field I just haven't gotten into--until now! Make sure to check back this Friday, May 1st, when I post my finished project for you all to see. Feel free to participate in this challenge as well. Just make sure to leave me a link so I can check it out if you do!


Stay tuned for sneak peeks of the latest stamp release from DRS Designs going on here all week. I'll be sharing one with you later today. These new images are just too cute! You'll love 'em!

Smiles,
Jennifer


Sunday, April 26, 2009

All Good Things Must come to an End


Well, our stamping retreat has ended and I am now back home. Did you miss me? Our stamping girls weekend was at the Potawatomi Inn in Angola, Indiana, and we had a blast! Twenty two of us have been stamping, chatting, eating & inspiring each other together since Thursday. I have to admit, I am glad to be back home, but I am so bummed it's over--already! Time flies when you're having fun & this weekend surely flew by!



Here are a few pics outside the Inn where we stayed.








Here we are, all of us, in front of the fireplace in the Inn lobby!


These pictures show our crop space in the conference room.


At one point a man peeked in wondering what we were doing asked if we were having a Rummage Sale! LOL!


And here's Kimmy and I hiding behind our luggage! By looking at this picture, you'd think we brought our entire craft rooms with us!




So, now that I'm home I'm trying to catch up on my daily blog reading, and I found out that if you are like most paper crafters/stampers who like Copics, Nesties, Martha Stewart border punches, Stamps, Paper, Flowers, Buttons and ribbons, then you don't want to miss the blog candy being given away here.


Hope you had a fabulous weekend!

Smiles,
Jennifer


PS: Stay tuned to see my late Fun Filled Friday Project!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Stamping in La La Land!

Kimmy and I and 20 other stampers from the Stamp Shack are having a blast at our yearly stamping Retreat weekend! Unfortunately, I forgot the USB cord to my computer and am unable to upload any pics, so my Fun Filled Friday card has been postponed until I get home on Sunday. To be honest I haven't even been on the computer much at all--so unlike me!


We are living the life here, stamping & papercrafting all day & night long! It's amazing how quickly time flies by! I love seening what other people's projects in progress and I'm learning all kinds of new things from them. I have a ton of new ideas, I just hope I remember all of them when I get back home! I've tried to take pictures of the things that are inspiring me. So far I have ideas for Christmas cards! (I know it's still way to early to even be thinking about that!) I've also learned how to tie pretty knots (Thanks Traci!) and I have been playing with lots of glitter! Stay tuned to see all of my new projects soon!

I'll be sure to post an update Sunday evening when I return home.
Hope you're having a great weekend!


Smiles,
Jennifer

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Tis the Season for Golf!

The weather here in Michigan is finally turning around! I think the official golf season started here this past Saturday with our warmest day of 2009 this far at 73 degrees, and better yet, tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer than that! I know my Dad and Uncles are eager to pull out their clubs and hit the course!

Here's a Golfer's Birthday card I made with them in mind. I'll probably make this card again in August for my Uncle's Birthday.

Both the image & the sentiment are by DRS Designs. I colored the golf bag image with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I sponged light brown ink around the golf bag to tone down the whiteness of the cardstock.






Stamps: DRS Designs- Golf Clubs, Back Nine Birthday Greeting
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Creamy Brown
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Spots and Dots Embossing Folder, brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, SU! Photo Corner Punch, Ribbon by Bobbie M. Designs
Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 5.75"



Well, today is the big day--I'm off to my girls stamping weekend, Shackapolooza!

I'll be stamping & papercrafting the weekend away!

Until next time...


Smiles,
Jennifer

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Blue Flower Sympathy

Hooray it's Wednesday! Here's a quick and easy sketch for you to create with.

And here's my quick and easy sketch challenge card, or should I say note card because of it's dimensions. It's a tiny one compared to the ones I've been making lately.


Both the image and sentiment are from DRS Designs. I colored the flowers with markers and stamped the sentiment with blue ink. I followed the sketch and added some ribbon and brads.


Here's the recipe with all the details:
Stamps: DRS Designs- Lily Corner, Script S with Sympathy sentiment
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Brilliant Blue
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Bic Markers, Brads and Ribbon by Making Memories
Finished Card Size: 4.75" x 3 5/8"


Well, my packing has begun and after today's 8 hours of work I will be on vacation! The Shackapolooza weekend is here! There are about 25 of us traveling to Indiana to stay at the Potawatomi Inn and crop the weekend away! I plan on learning new techniques, playing with my Rubbernecker stamps that have been begging for my attention, and creating all kinds of projects to share with you. Don't worry, I have a few blog posts already scheduled while I'm away & I plan on doing a little "live" blogging while I'm there too. I'm so excited! I can't wait to show you pictures, and I haven't even left yet! :-)


Hope you have a great Thursday & please make sure to share your projects with me if you get a chance to play with this sketch!

Ta Ta for now...

Smiles,
Jennifer

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

CPS 112-Marty the Marshmellow!


I received this adorable Marshmellow poem and this cute Marty the Marshmellow stamp in my bag of goodies from DRS Designs last week. I've been on cardmaking over load for the last several days since I'm going out of town later this week. I felt a need to complete this weeks CPS challenge early.




I guess I never realized how big Marty the Marshmellow really was until I started playing with this sketch. He only measures about 1" x 1.5." I doesn't seem that big until you try to line 3 of them up diagonally! This card turned out HUGE! It measures 7.75" x 5 5/8." I think this is the largest card I've ever made! So, as you see there was no way I could have lined up 3 Marty the Marshmellows-I had to down scale the middle circle and use a decorative brad instead.




Not too much coloring on this card, but I did use a Cool Gray Copic Marker (C1) to outline the marshmellow images and used Versamark to stamp him repeatedly on the gray cardstock.



Here's close up of the poem. Isn't it cute!



Stamps: DRS Designs- Marty the Marshmellow, Marshmellow Greeting, Flower/Zig Zag Card Edger
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Fiskars Treading Water Border Punch, Nesties, Copic Marker C1, Brad by Joann's Scrap Essentials
Finished Card Size: 7.75" x 5 5/8"


Thanks for visiting here today. Sorry to cut things a little short--with the hectic-ness of leaving on Thursday morning and still having to pack, finish up some last minute projects and putting in a full day of work at my real job today & tomorrow, I gotta run!

Have a great day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Monday, April 20, 2009

DRS Designs Color Challenge!

Today starts another bi-weekly challenge on the DRS Designs Blog...This time the DT was challenged to make a card with the following colors...

Chocolate Chip
Pink Passion
Summer Sun


(or the closest matches)

We would love for you to participate in our color challenge...DRS images or not! Post a direct link to your creation in the comment section of the Color Challenge post on the DRS Designs Blog and if you upload to a public gallery use the keyword DRSC19. Once again, we're offering some fun blog candy to a lucky participant...so dig out your brights for chance to find some happy mail in your mailbox!!! Drawing will take place Sunday evening, May 3.

Here's my "Make a Wish" Challenge Card!





I colored this image with marker and then created this card following the layout for the latest Splitcoast Stampers Sketch challenge, SCS224. I matted the image several times with coordinating colors, and then wrapped the bottom of the image with pink and yellow ribbon and then matted the image again.





I ran the 2 Summer Sun panels and the brown mat through my Cuttlebug with the Textile Texture Embossing Folder. I also used a decorative corner punch on all 4 corners of the brown mat and applied pink passion rhinestones for some extra color & bling!


Stamps: DRS Designs- Birthday Candle Burst
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Pink Passion
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Bic Markers, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Textile Texture Embossing Folder, yellow ribbon by Michael's Dashes, Dots and Checks and pink ribbon unknown from my stash, Adhesive Rhinestones by Hero Arts, EK Success Decorative Corner Punch.
Finished Card Size: 5 1/8" x 5 5/8"




I hope you'll join us in this challenge. I'll be browsing the comments on the Challenge post looking for your challenge card! You can be sure to get a comment from me! :-)


Make sure to check out the other inspiring projects from the rest of the DRS Design Team:



Thanks for visiting my blog today. Hope you have a wonderful Monday!


Smiles,
Jennifer

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Circular Embossing with the Cuttlebug

Happy Sunday!


I hope you are finding this weekend enjoyable & relaxing! Unfortunately or should I say fortunately, I am working this weekend (Yuck, yet I'm thankful I have a job!) so, I'll be doing my relaxing tomorrow since I'm off. I'm sure I'll be in my studio most of the day working with the new rubber I received last week and working on this week's Fun Filled Friday challenge.

I challenged Kimmy to something a little out of the ordinary for this week's Fun Filled Friday challenge. How involved are you, or can you be, with your Cuttlebug? Take a look at what Becca did to make this card. This is the technique Kimmy and I will be attempting for this week's challenge. I only hope my card will turn out as pretty and unique as Becca's!


Unsure what Fun Filled Friday is? Kimmy, one of my best friends, and I host card making challenges on our blogs every week called Fun Filled Fridays (FFF). We take turns every other week giving a challenge. These challenges are announced every Sunday, and we display our finished cards for that challenge the following Friday. Kimmy and I keep the details to ourselves regarding these challenge cards, so until her challenge post Friday, I have no idea what she is planning on making until I see it, just like you, and vice versa. I think it is so much fun to see how different or similar our cards turn out. Won't you play along with us & give this week's challenge a try? We'd love to see your project as well. Just make sure to leave a link to your project if you do, so we can check it out!



Well, I have my work cut out for me this week, so unfortunately I don't have any projects completed at this time to show you. I'm going out of town on Thursday for a stamping weekend with the girls from the Stamp Shack, so I need to pack still and plan my blog projects ahead of time for the end of this week--there's no time for slacking! We're all headed to the Potawatomi Inn in Angola, Indiana for "Shackapolooza!" We have one of their conference rooms rented out for the weekend & we are going to crop, eat & chat the weekend away! Several of us went last year & it was a blast! Plus, the Inn is a beautiful, great place to stay. Check out the site and see for yourself! I'm so excited! I'll be home Sunday afternoon & you can plan to hear all about it in Monday's blog post, complete with pictures too!



Well, gotta run...I have several cards to finish up & I need to start packing!



Stay tuned for another DRS Designs Blog challenge announced tomorrow.




Smiles,
Jennifer

Saturday, April 18, 2009

For My Friend!

Finally, I've finished a challenge from Magnolia Vs Stampavie! I've been meaning to participate in them for a while, but I've gotten behind & forgotten about them in my haste.



This week's challenge was a sketch challenge--my favorite! The image, the designer paper and the paper flowers I used on this card are all available from Sunflowers and Dragonflies.




This image is "My Little Friend" from Rachelle Anne Miller. Isn't she precious?!?!?! I colored her with pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I tried to color her appropriately so that she matched the Basic Gray designer paper I picked for this card. The sheet I used on this card is from the Euphoria set.




I used a 'ton' of flowers from the Lucid Prima Flowers Collection to decorate this card, along with some purple Primas from my stash. I love all the different flower shapes available, especially when they are layered. Pinning them together with a coordinating brad really sets them off & brings the entire project together.



Stamps: Rachelle Anne Miller-My Little Friend
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Designer paper is from the Euphoria Set by Basic Gray, Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company & American Crafts
Accessories: Prima Flowers-Lucid, Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Copic Cool Gray marker C1, eyelets & brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Ribbon unknown from my stash

Finished Card Size: 5 5/8" x 6"





Stay tuned for tomorrow's new Fun Filled Friday Challenge Announcement!
Thanks for visiting today! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Friday, April 17, 2009

For the Grill Master!

Yeah, It's Friday! Even though I have to work this weekend I'm so excited because the weather is supposed to be sunny & beautiful! I'll get out of work early enough on Saturday & Sunday to enjoy it!!




It's almost that time of year, time for BBQ's and outdoor parties! I created this card for my Fun Filled Friday Challenge with Kimmy to use our Score-Pal this week. It's a little difficult to see, but I created a vertical scored panel on either side of the image on the red cardstock. This card would be perfect for all those Masculine June, July, and August birthday's you may have!





I colored the grill with marker and then sponged green ink for the grass and blue ink for the sky. I used a green Zig marker to draw in the grass around the grill stand. I created the striped paper myself using the Open Plaid Background image from DRS Designs. I also used Diamond Glaze on the red part of the grill, making it look like shiny red metal!





Stamps: DRS Designs- Grill Master Birthday Sentiment, Brush BBQ Grill, Open Plaid Background
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in French Blue and Green, SU! Real Red
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, Bazzill
Accessories: Bic Markers, Score-Pal, Sponge Daubers, Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Diamond Glaze, Green Zig Marker, Creative Impressions Spiral Clip, White & Black Swiss Dots Ribbon by Reasonable Ribbon
Finished Card Size: 4 3/4" x 5 7/8"



Have you played along with us in this week's Score Pal challenge? Make sure to leave a link to your project so I can see it if you did. Don't forget to check out Kimmy's Score Pal card and make sure to check back on Sunday to see what we'll be doing next week!


Hope your weather this weekend will be as beautiful as what we're expecting here!

Enjoy!



Smiles,
Jennifer

Thursday, April 16, 2009

"Beer is Proof that Gods loves Us!"

In my new package of rubber from DRS Designs the other day, I received this fun quote from Ben Franklin. "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." I can see myself using this quote over & over for all of the masculine cards I need to make over the next year!




Here's my first one, using this week's CPS Sketch 111 for the layout. What guy wouldn't love getting a card like this for his birthday?


This sketch was pretty easy to work with. I colored the beer mug image with marker and painted the "foam" with Shimmerz. Then I added Diamond Glaze to the mug and handle giving it that real glass look.


Stamps: DRS Designs- Franklin's Wisest Words, Large Beer Mug
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company and Bazzill
Accessories: Bic Markers, Nesties, Diamond Glaze, Opal Shimmerz
Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 6.5"



My Husband doesn't really understand my card making addiction. Regardless, I always show him my cards and ask him what he thinks and I usually get a response like "Oh It's perfect!" with tons of sarcasm. However, when I showed him this card, his face lit up & he said that he "liked this one, now only if you could make it a scratch and sniff!" Little does he know that we can actually make scratch & sniff cards, but how would you create the beer smell? Do they make beer flavored Kool-Aid???


I guess to some, beer and happiness go hand & hand. Maybe Ben Franklin was right, but all I do know is that boys will always be boys!

Smiles,
Jennifer


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

You're On My Mind

Hooray, it's Wednesday!


It's my day off and I just received some new rubber in the mail & today I'm going to play, play, play the day away!


But first, Wednesday also means it's time for my Sketch Wednesday Challenge.


Last night, I had a little time to play & I threw together today's Sketch card. Feel free to play with this sketch as well, if you'd like, but if you do make sure to let me know so I can see your project!

I created this Get Well card, but it could easily be a Sympathy card also since this sentiment from DRS Designs could go either way. I feel like I've been making a lot of Sympathy cards lately and I thought classifying this as a Get Well was a better idea!


I colored this image with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I used my Nesties to create the image mats and then I added Diamond Glaze to the water area, giving it an authentic look.


I used my New Cuttlebug Borders to create the embossed panel and set it off with ribbon. I stamped the sentiment above it in dark brown ink and then adhered the card front to a dark brown cardstock base.


Stamps: DRS Designs- Mind and Prayers Sympathy Greeting, Cattail Bridge
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Chocolate Chip
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Embossing Borders, Diamond Glaze, Chocolate Ribbon by Ribbons and Bows Oh My
Finished Card Size: 7.25" x 4.25"


There just aren't enough hours in my day today for all that I want to get done, so I have to cut the computer time short. Plus, I can here my studio calling my name...time to get my creative juices flowing & put my fingers to work!

I'll be back tomorrow!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Star Light, Star Bright


Now that Easter is over it's time to start thinking Memorial Day right? LOL! I know, not so fast...I don't mean to wish away Spring before it's hardly started, but I'm ready for warmer temperatures. It's still very chilly here in Michigan. Spring is really taking it's time.


So, I'm just going to pretend it 70 degrees outside, and with that in mind I've created this Red, White and Blue with the idea that Summer is just around the corner. The sentiment shown here is one of the latest releases from DRS Designs.


I gave this card a Patriotic theme, but this sentiment could very well be made as welcome baby card too. I stamped the sentiment in SU! Real Red ink and then heat embossed the star background with white embossing powder on red and blue cardstock. Once I had the card assembled I applied Stickles to the some of the stars, to add a little sparkle to this card.



I love the delicate look of the little white satin bows.



Stamps: DRS Designs- Star Light, Star Bright Sentiment, Interlocking Star Background
Ink: Versamark, SU! Real Red
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Creative Beginning White Embossing Powder, Heat gun, Ribbon by Offray, Stickles
Finished Card Size: 6" x 6"


Are you just as ready for Summer as I am? I love the warm weather, but not the humidity or the the wild Summer thunderstorms that we get. I know, patience is a virtue, and it will be here before we know it!

Thanks for stopping by & for all of your sweet comments lately. I appreciate each and every one!

Have a wonderful day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Monday, April 13, 2009

Meet Shelldon the Turtle

Did you get your fill of Easter candy yesterday?


It was a hectic day for us making the rounds to each family, but we had a great time visiting everyone. I'm glad we got back home early enough to do a few things around the house & I even found a little time in my Studio to play with some images that we're just beggin' to get put to use!

How cute is this little guy? From all the latest releases from DRS Designs, I can't believe it has taken me this long to figure out what to do with him! He's been on my desk for 3 weeks now, all colored and ready to go! Guess I just need the push from last week's Splitcoast Sketch challenge to create with him!



I colored him with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I stamped the sentiment in green ink and then assembled the image and sentiment according to the sketch. I created the vertical panel using the easy Dot background stamp with green and pink ink and them matting it with pink cardstock that was decorated using the Treading Water border Punch. I added ribbon to dress it up a little as well.




Stamps: DRS Designs- Shelldon the Turtle, Dot Easy Background Stamp, One Day at a Time Sentiment
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink, SU! Green Galore
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Fiskars Treading Water Border Punch, Ribbon by Target's Club Wedd and Hobby Lobby's Ribbon Fx, SU! Horizontal Slot Punch, Sponge Daubers
Finished Card Size: 4.5" x 5.75"


Don't forget, the current blog challenge on the DRS Designs Blog going on until NEXT Sunday April 19th, is birthday creations. Participate for your chance to win some blog candy!!!!

Wishing you all a very Happy Monday & a wonderful week!

Thanks for visiting today!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter!


Hippity, Hoppity the Bunny's Here!

Did you go on an Easter Egg hunt this morning?


No kids in my household, so no eggs and no bunnies here, except for this Easter Bunny from DRS Designs.

Such a sweet image! I colored this one with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I used a post-It Note to mask the bunny, sign and grass so I could sponge blue ink all around him.


This is a pretty simple card, as with all of the festivities today time is limited this weekend. But, to spice it up a notch, I used Opal Shimmerz on the bunny to give this card a little glitz and glamor!



Stamps: DRS Designs- Leaning Happy Easter Bunny
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in French Blue
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Fiskars Treading Water Border Punch, Ribbon by The Paper Studio, Opal Shimmerz
Finished Card Size: 4 7/8" x 4 3/8"

Since it's Sunday that means it's time to announce this week's Fun Filled Friday Announcement. Kimmy's challenged us to put our Score Pal to use. So, get out those Score-Pals and scoring blades & lets see what you can do with them! Feel free to partipate in our weekly challenges and if you do, make sure to leave us a link so we know to visit your project & leave some love! :-) Kimmy and I will post our challenge projects on each of our blogs this upcoming Friday.

Well, I gotta run. Time to get ready to go to Easter Brunch with my family.


Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter filled with family, good times, & excellent food!


Smiles,
Jennifer


PS: Here's some exciting news!
I just found out from Heather,one of the other DRS DT members that Dustin Pike is going to be releasing his first ever rubber stamps and even better, Dustin's stamps are being released by DRS Designs!!!!!! To see a sneak peak of the images check out Dustin's blog HERE. I just peeked myself & they look like a lot of fun--if you like to color (like me!) you'll love these too! You will be able to see sneak peaks on the DRS blog in the coming weeks.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

My Version of Egg Decorating!

Are you all set for the Easter Bunny's big visit?
Well, no kids in my household (not yet anyways) and the family parties are being held else where, so DH and I won't be decorating eggs this year. As close as I get to egg decorating is what I've done on this card--stamped them!


I stamped them all on coordinating cardstock colors that matched the ink I was using. I cut them all out & arranged them around the border of the sentiment I stamped. I matted it a few times, added some brads and 2 kinds of ribbon with a big puffy bow & viola! my Easter eggs were done! LOL!


Here's a close up--aren't they pretty?


Stamps: DRS Designs- 4 in 1 Egg Background, Easter the Promise of God's Love Sentiment, Easter Greetings with Cross
Ink: SU! Orchid Opulence, Pixie Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral, Summer Sun
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Smooth Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, Textured colored cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Sheer Ribbon by Bobbie M. Designs, Pink Ribbon by Target Club Wedd
Finished Card Size: 5.25" x 4.5"


Sorry for such a quick post today. I'm already running behind today & I have to take my Great Aunt to a Doctor appointment, so I gotta run. Since it is Easter Eve you can expect to see the Bunny here tomorrow (and the next Fun Filled Friday theme announcement too). Stay tuned!

Hope you have a wonderful Saturday!

Smiles,
Jennifer

Friday, April 10, 2009

Easter Greetings

Signs of nicer weather can only mean a couple things--Spring and Easter--that is of course if Mother Nature can keep the snow away! She's showered us with flakes several times this last week!


Well, can you believe Easter is this Weekend already?


Here's my challenge card for this week's Easter Fun Filled Friday challenge. I thought it was appropriate to share this one on Good Friday, and I have other more-traditional Easter cards that I'll share over the weekend.


Both the image and the sentiment are by DRS Designs stamped in brown ink. I colored the cross with Prismacolor pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I used the SU! Notched Corner punch and matted it on brown cardstock. I added yellow rhinestones in the corners to add a bit more color to the image. I stamped the Earth's Saddest Day sentiment as shown on yellow cardstock and added a big, brown, satin bow above it.


Did you get a chance to participate in our Fun Filled Friday challenge this week by making an Easter card or two of your own? I'd love to see it if you did. Don't forget to leave me a link so I can comment on your card too!


You can see Kimmy's Challenge card here. Wonder if she used a fluffy bunny on her card?????


So, are your Easter plans underway? I think this is the first Easter DH and I will spend together in the 7.5 years we've been together. We'll be "family hopping" just like we did for Christmas. Unfortunately no bunnies hiding eggs here...not yet anyways!


Stamps: DRS Designs- Easter Greetings With Cross, Earth's Saddest Day
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Creamy Brown, SU! Close to Cocoa
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company and American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Midori Double Faced Satin Ribbon in Velvet Brown, K & Company Brenda Walton Adhesive Rhinestones, SU! Notched Corner Punch
Finished Card Size: 6" x 4 1/8"


Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you'll stop by again tomorrow. I'll have another Easter project to share with you as well. Stay tuned for Sunday to see what next week's Fun Filled Friday theme is.


Have a wonderful weekend!




I hope the Bunny is good to you!



Smiles,
Jennifer

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Flitter, Flutter, Glide...

...a Butterfly at Play!


Have you noticed how popular butterflies are right now in the paper crafting world? I'm seeing butterflies everywhere-blogs, card galleries, scrapbook pages, altered items etc.! Perhaps we all have Spring fever!


Well, I've joined the butterfly bandwagon and put this new sentiment from DRS Designs and their Butterfly ribbon slide image to use.



Instead of using the ribbon slide as a ribbon slide, I added 3 black brads where the ribbon would "slide" through the paper. I like the look of the brads, as it gives a sense of them having an actual body! Plus, by bending up the paper, held in place by the brad "wings" it actually looks like the butterflies have landed strategically on this card.


Stamps: DRS Designs- Flitter, Flutter Butterfly Greeting, Butterfly Ribbon Slide
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Rose Red
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Martha Stewart Zig Zag border Punch, Ribbon by The Paper Studio
Finished Card Size: 5" x 5.75"



Have you joined the butterfly bandwagon?

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday (just try to forget about the full moon!)

Smiles,
Jennifer

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Take It Slow, One Day at a Time!

Happy Wednesday!
Half the work week is already over...are you excited about that like I am? I'm looking forward to having this weekend off!
Here's another sketch for you to play with if you have time this week or over the weekend.

Here's my version of it.

How cute is this little snail? Her name is Sally! What could be more appropriate to complement her other than this sentiment? Isn't it perfect? Both this image and the sentiment were just released last Friday by DRS Designs. Have you seen all of their new stamps yet?

I made this card several weeks ago preparing for the new releases to be released, but I'm planning on making another one for my Grandma. She has had trouble with her back for such a long time & finally got the courage to have surgery on it in an attempt to make things better for herself. Her surgery was about 10 days ago & she's recovering well, but she has to take it easy. She is in therapy and can only stay in a sitting position for 30 minutes a day! But, she can do all the walking she wants with a walker. Kind of weird huh? She gets a kick out of my hand-made cards & I know she'll love this one. It represents her recovery to a tee, as her doctor said it will be at least 2 years before she can be 100% free to do what she wants & be released from his care.



I colored this image with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. The sentiment was stamped in SU! Close to Cocoa ink. There's lots of decorating on this card using my SU! Photo Corner punch, and it wouldn't be complete without adding ribbon--2 kinds on this card--the blue and white plaid and the brown satin on top!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Sally the Snail, One Day at a Time Sentiment
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in French Blue, SU! Ink in Close To Cocoa
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Finished Card Size: 6" x 3.5"



Hope you enjoyed meeting Sally the Snail today.

Please leave me a link if you get a chance to play with this sketch. I'd love to see your work!

Thanks for visiting today!


Smiles,
Jennifer

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