Color Throwdown Challenge

DRS Designs is sponsoring the color challenge this week on the Color Throwdown Blog. The challenge is to use the colors Garden Green, So Saffron and Lavendar Lace. Here's the card I came up with for the challenge.

The Make a Wish image by DRS Designs was colored with markers. I created the 4 background panels by stamping the Open Plaid background stamp in Lavender Lace and So Saffron, and then cut them out & matted them using cardstock cut with Nesties. I also added some fun yellow ribbon.

I inked the edges around the image before I matted it and then added yellow Stickles to the candle flames.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Make a Wish
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink, SU!
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Bic Markers, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Yellow Stickles
Finished Card Size: 6.25" x 5.25"

Run over to the Color Throwdown Blog to see what kind of goodies DRS Designs is giving away to one lucky participant. If you're loving their new releases then your gonna wanna play in this one!
Hope you have a wonderful day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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It's Time "For the Birds!"

Welcome to the 2nd Sunflowers & Dragonflies blog challenge!

This week’s challenge is "For the Birds." Use bird images-ducks, geese, owls etc, anything with feathers and wings! Anyone can play along in the challenge and we hope you will! There are no limits on time or supplies. Of course we’d prefer that you use images by Sunflowers and Dragonflies, but feel free to use other images. Your participation will enter you in a drawing to win a Nestability set for free! Please post a direct link to your challenge project on the Sunflowers and Dragonflies Challenge #2 Post from either your blog or an online gallery so we can view it. If you upload to an online gallery, please use the keyword S&D2. You have until next Friday, at noon, to get your challenge finished and linked on the S&D Challenge #2 Blog Post. Good luck!


I completed this week's challenge using the Owl image from Sunflowers and Dragonflies.

I colored this Beauty with Primacolor pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. Then I cut it out using my Nestie Die & sponged light blue ink around it while it was still in the die.

Fun layout don't you think?!?!?! Well, I've recently discovered Sheet Loads & I used the July layout for this sketch. If you participate in card swaps or make several cards with the same design, you'll definitely want to check them out. Each month they give you the layout recipe to reproduce 8+ cards while maximizing your materials & speed the making progress. I am in awe, and wish I found them sooner!

The flowers I used on this card are Prima flowers that are also for sale from Sunflowers and Dragonflies. I layered them and fixed them in place with a brad & adhered leaf accents to the back before adhering them on the card front.

Stamps: Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs- Owl
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Bashful Blue
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, American Crafts, Pattern Paper by DCWV
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Prima Flowers, EK Success Leaf Paper Punch and border punch, brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials
Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

I've used this owl image to made 2 other cards in the past. You can see them HERE and HERE.

Make sure to check out the paper piecing projects from the other S&D DT members:

Beth N.

Beth U.

Kim H.

*****All bird stamps are 20% off until next Saturday. See the S&D Challenge #2 Blog post for more details.

I look forward to seeing your "bird" project. Good Luck on winning the Nestability set!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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New Stamps from DRS Designs Now Available!

The new stamps from DRS Designs are now available for purchase. Please see their New Releases page to get project ideas and to place your order.

Here are some of the cards I've made this week using the new images:

Enjoy and Happy Shopping!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Two Peas in a Pod!

Tomorrow is the big release day over at DRS Designs. Are you ready? Have you made your list?

I have been busy playing with these great stamps all week and here's another sneak peek for you!

Wouldn't this be perfect to give to someone who just had Twins? Perfect too, cause of the shades of greens used here it wouldn't matter if they were girls, boys, or one of each!

This could also be used for gardening friends. A few of my friends are "Master Gardeners," and they're always getting their hands in the dirt!

This was a pretty simple card to make. It's decorated more with layering and background stamping than anything else. I colored the Two Peas in a Pod image with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. The Garden Peas in the background were stamped on light green cardstock with Garden Green ink--how appropriate!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Peas in a Pod (G1056), Garden Peas (G1055) both to be released on 7/18/09
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Garden Green Ink
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, White Brads by Spare Parts, Green Brads by All My memories, Ribbon unknown, EK Success Decorative Corner Punch
Finished Card Size: 6.5" x 5"

Well, stay tuned to the DRS Designs New Releases Web page to have access to all of these new stamps as soon as they become available.

And, if your up for a challenge to win some of these new stamps for free, make sure to visit Vicki's blog and the Color Throwdown blog.

Have a great weekend!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Oval Nestabilities up for grabs!

Just a reminder that the Sunflowers and Dragonflies blog challenge this week is to create a card or project with paper piecing. You could win an oval Nestability set for your efforts! Post a link to your entry on the challenge post for your chance to win. Hurry--drawing is tomorrow Friday July 17th!

Here's what I did for the challenge.

Also, this cute fella is available for purchase at 20% off, this week only. You can find the details regarding this sale on the challenge post link I list above.

Good Luck!


Smiles,
Jennifer

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Cutie Pie Kids Beach Baby!

Are you enjoying all of the new images the DRS Designs DT has been showing off this week? Do you have a list of "must haves" started? The Sneak Peeks are still going strong this week as the DRS Designs DT is previewing all of the new designs that will be released this Saturday!

For all of you in love with the Cutie Pie Kids, here's another one to add to your stamp collection! This Beach Baby is ready for a day at the beach or a swim in the pool!

For this card I created my own pattern paper by stamping the sun image from the new 4 in 1 beach background stamp on yellow cardstock. For the other half of the card I used a wave border punch along the top border of light blue cardstock and then ran it through my Cuttlebug. I covered the seam with some fun blue toned ribbon, added some blue brads to match and adhered it to a blue cardstock base.

Well, there's not too much to this bare belly Cutie--She was simply colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, layered with cardstock cut with Nesties, and then matted on my cardstock base as described above. I did add Diamond Glaze to all of the water droplets around her and on the puddle she was standing in. Too bad that stuff can be hard to photograph sometimes, I *heart* the look!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Beach Baby, 4 in 1 Beach Background-Both to be released on 7/18/09
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink, SU!
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Divine Swirls Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Brads by making Memories, Ribbon By Maya Road, Fiskars Boundary Waters Border Punch, Diamond Glaze
Finished Card Size: 4.5" x 4.5"

How would you like to win this Beach Baby and her Brother?

Vicki, one of the other DRS Designs DT members is giving away some blog candy on her blog Stamped Smiles, that includes both of the soon to be released Cutie Pie Kids along with some other fun stuff. All you have to do to be entered in the drawing is to pick any DRS challenge and play along to enter...that's it!
You have until Sunday, July 26th to enter and the winner will be announced that evening at 8:00 PM (CST).

Good Luck!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Go Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams

Here's another sneak peek of one of the new stamps DRS Designs will be releasing this Saturday. I got creative with my Alcohol Inks to create a scene for this Silhouette Hiker image.

The sky was created in blues and silver while the ground was done with greens and gold. I used Staz On ink and my Stamp-a-ma-jig to strategically place the Hiker image along the line where the 2 sets of colors met. I wanted it to look like he was over looking a mountain.

I know this sentiment is often used with graduation cards, but I thought it complimented this Hiker image as well. This design could be used for someone who is starting a new job or for when an uplifting card is needed when someone has to make a difficult decision and their about to take a new path in their life.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Silhouette Hiker (G1026), Go Confidently Sentiment (H965)
Ink: Staz On Jet Black
Paper: Glossy White cardstock unknown, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Nesties, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Ribbon By Bobbie M. Designs, Alcohol Inks by Ranger in Bottle, lettuce, Gold, Denim, & Silver
Finished Card Size: 4.75" x 5.75"

Just like all of the other silhouette images DRS Designs has available, I'm sure you'll see some great projects made with this one!

Stay tuned to my blog and the rest of the DRS Designs DT as the sneak peeks will continue tomorrow and through out the week.

Have a great day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Let the Previews Begin!

Hurray! It's Preview Week for all of the new DRS Designs stamps that will be released to the public this Saturday July 18th! Make sure to have some paper and a pen near your computer this week as you check out all of the new designs from the DRS Designs DT. You're going to want to have that list ready to order on Saturday when they become available. This release is full of everything that is "Fun in the Sun," and these new stamps are so cute, I'm sure they'll sell out fast!

Today, I'm showing off 2 new stamps, "Splash" the Dolphin and the sun, which is 1 of 4 stamps available on 1 piece of rubber.

I colored "Splash" with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. The Sun was colored with a yellow Bic Marker.

I used a scalloped punchie and sponged around it with light blue ink to create the clouds in the sky.

You know me & my Diamond Glaze--where ever there is water I have to add it to give it that shiny water look!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Splash The Dolphin (H1031), and 4 in 1 Beach Background (D1099) Both to be released on 7/18/09
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Bashful Blue
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company, American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Nesties, Diamond Glaze, Brads by Making Memories, EK Success Decorative Corner Punch, Fiskars Boundary Waters Border Punch, Sponge Daubers
Finished Card Size: 5 5/8" x 5 7/8"

Make sure to stay tuned to my blog & the rest of the DRS Designs DT this week to see all of the new designs.

Thanks for visiting today!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Season's Greetings Genie Bag Challenge

Today begins the 25th challenge over at the DRS Designs DT blog. Today's challenge is to make a genie bag. It's a quick and inexpensive way to package just about anything. Any size bag will do...you can find the tutorial HERE on SCS.

We would love for you to play along with us. Just post a direct link to your creation in the comment section of the challenge #25 post on the DRS Designs Blog so we can come check it out. If you upload to public gallery, please use the keyword DRSC25.

Is it too early to think of the winter Holidays and Season's Greetings? Once the holidays roll around I always wish I had more gift bags--it so much quicker & easier to "wrap" gifts this way rather then using regular wrapping paper--no scissors or tape, and no wrestling with the long roll! I thought I'd start rounding up a gift bag collection now so I'll be all set when the Holidays get here. I created this holiday Genie Bag for my challenge project to add to it.

I started this project with a white lunch bag and layered it with blue cardstock. I stamped the easy Snowflake Background stamp repeatedly with blue ink on white cardstock and adhered it on top of the blue cardstock. I colored the main image with Prismacolor Pencils and blended them with Gamsol. I spiced it up by adding Stickles to each part of the image.




I stamped the sentiment with black ink and cut it out using my square Nesties and sponged light blue ink around it while it was still in the Nesties die. I arranged the image and the sentiment on a light blue panel of cardstock and added ribbon and the snowflake ribbon slide before adhering it onto the bag.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Four Seasons (M270), All Seasons Sentiment (H296), Snowflake Ribbon Slide (D932), Snowflake Background (H187)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU! Bashful Blue, Brillant Blue
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Red, Yellow, Golden Rod, Orange, Pink and Clear Stickles, Ribbon by Michael's Holiday Bow-tique, SU! Word Window Punch, EK Success Snowflake Border Punch
Finished Bag Size: 7 7/8" x 5 1/4"

Today I'd also like to send a big Thanks to my friend Beth who nominated me for this blogger award. Please visit her blog at Nana's Memories and More to see all of her great projects. I love how she uses different techniques often & creates a look and style all of her own! I'm sure you'll enjoy her blog as well!

Here are seven things about myself that you might find interesting:

1. My dad and I share the same birth date-February 6th
2. My favorite movies are: Top Gun, Pretty Woman, and Steel Magnolias
3. I'm addicted to my computer!
4. I love coffee!
5. My favorite house hold chore (if there could be one!) is laundry!
6. I'm NOT a morning person!
7. I'm afraid of Thunderstorms

Well, that's it for today, but stay tuned...Sneak Peeks of DRS Designs next release starts tomorrow! Whooo Hoo!

Thanks for visiting today! Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Sunflowers and Dragonflies Saturday Blog Hop!

Welcome to the first Sunflowers and Dragonflies Saturday Blog Hop!

The S&D Design Team will be holding a Hop every Saturday to display our challenge projects. This week's challenge theme is Paper Piecing!

Of course we'd love for you to participate in our challenges using stamps from Sunflowers and Dragonflies, but if you're still waiting for your order to come in the mail free free to use other stamps for now.

So, you're probably wondering what's in it for you if you participate right? Well, how about a Nestability set. That right, a Nestability set! Beth, the owner of Sunflowers and Dragonflies is giving away a set of Nestabilities to one lucky challenge participant every week!
All you have to do is participate in the challenge and leave a link to your project. For an extra entry, make sure to use a Sunflowers and Dragonflies image on your project!

Here's my paper piecing challenge card.

I used the Canada Beaver stamp for this project. Isn't he cute? I just love the jolly look on his face!

I colored him with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I paper pieced his jersey shirt with paper from DCVW.

Stamps: Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs- Canada Beaver
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company & American Crafts, Plaid Paper by DCWV The Stack 5
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Copic Marker C1 & C3, Nesties, Offray Ribbon, Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials,
Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 5.5"

Thought you might enjoy seeing the other card I made with this cute little fella. You can see it here.


Make sure to check out the paper piecing projects from the other S&D DT members:

Beth N.

Beth U.

Kim H.

As an added bonus, the Canada Beaver stamp can be purchased at 20% off until next Saturday from Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs. Simply put SD Challenge 1 in the comment section at check out time. The discount of 20% for the stamp will appear when you are billed for actual shipping cost of your order.

Thanks for visiting today!

Hope you having a great weekend!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Challenge Opportunity!

Unfortunately, I don't have a project to share with you again today. I received some new rubber recently and I've been working diligently creating new cards with them so I can't show them to you just yet. However, when the sneak peeks start peeking, watch out! I'll have a lot to show you!

I wanted to share a challenge opportunity with you today where you have a chance to win some free stamps by DRS Designs!

Over at the Charisma Cardz Blog, DRS Designs is sponsoring this week's challenge to create an altered item. You have until 9pm on Wednesday (GMT) to come up with your entry.

Good Luck and have a wonderful day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Friends ATC

I decided to take the plunge into the world of ATC's! I thought I'd never get into them! The cards I tend to make are always large--I have a hard enough time trying to stay within the limits of an A2 size (4.25" x 5.5") that I never thought I'd ever have interest in 2.5" x 3.5"!

Boy, how quickly things change! LOL!

The one I have to show you today is for a swap titled "Memories of Shackapolooza." Shackapolooza is a get together we do with members of the Stamp Shack every year in April.

I decided to go with the "Friends" theme for my ATC. I thought that was perfect because we are friends, online friends, that we talk to everyday, but only see each other once a year or so if that. (Lucky for me I have a few Shack friends who live close to me that I see quite often!)

Stamps: Brush Daffodil image by DRS Designs, Sentiment by Rubbernecker
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Yellow Ochre
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Brads by All My Memories
Finished ATC Size: 2.5" x 3.5"

I've recently joined several ATC Swaps--Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere, Sunny Sunflowers, Wacky Witch, and Candy Corn! You can bet you'll be seeing more of them from me in the near future.

Have you joined the ATC craze?

Smiles,
Jennifer

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4th of July Blog Hop Blog Candy Winner!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Scrapbook News and Review's 4th of July Blog Hop!

The winner of the 4th of July Cake stamp from Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs is...

Drawn from Random.org

Comment # 63
Ali Darling

Congratulations!

Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Stay tuned to see my latest ATC project coming soon!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Oh Say Can You See 4th of July Blog Hop

Hello and

Happy 4th of July!

Today we're celebrating the American Independence Day!

This warm Summer holiday is usually spent outdoors with a get together of family and friends and a picnic, or barbecue, or even a pool party, and often there's a fireworks display when the sun goes down! However since we can't do these things in blogland, we have to celebrate differently, and to do that, I've joined Scrapbook News and Review's Card Universe in a blog hop!

Welcome to the Scrapbook News and Review/Card Universe

Oh Say Can You See 4th of July Blog Hop

If you stopped here at my blog first, make sure to go back to the beginning of the hop & follow it along the way. There are 95 blogs in all to browse during this hop, and I'll be hopping right along with you!

If you're already hopping along, I'm sure you've noticed that all of the projects being featured today are patriotic or they were created with the colors Red, White, and Blue to celebrate the 4th of July!

I'm happy to say that I have 2 Red, White, and Blue projects to share with you today! Surprise, Surprise, I know! Rarely do I ever do that! It's amazing what you can do when you have plenty of time to plan ahead!

The first project is a card I made using one of the Cutie Pie images from DRS Designs. The stars alone on her dress tell me that she's ready for the 4th of July!!



I think this card is pretty simple in nature as far as how I created it, but just to clairify some things...This Cutie was colored with Prismacolor Pencils and blended with Gamsol, Stickles were added to the balloon and the stars on her dress, and the star background was stamped with Versamark.

And if you think she's cute, head over to DRS Designs and see the rest of her friends. The Cutie Pie Collection are some of my favorite stamps!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Cutie Pie Kids Here For The Party (K670), Interlocking Star background (H819)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark, SU! Real Red
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Xmas Red Stickles, Icicle Stickles, Hero Arts Rhinestones, SU! Photo Corner Punch, Brads by American Crafts, Ribbon by Bobbie M. Designs, Spiral Clip by The Paper Studio, Sponge Daubers
Finished Card Size: 4.5" x 6"

This next card features an image from the new company, Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs. This company is owned by Beth, and she is from Sarnia, Canada. She is the artist behind many of the images from this company, and she has something for everyone, especially Canadians, as many of her stamps have a Canadian flair! From Moose and Beavers to hockey and soccer as well as Architecture and East Coast Themes. If it's Canadian you'll see a stamp for it from this new company. She also features some Red Hat ladies and other products like Basic Grey, Prima Flowers, and stamps from Rachel Anne Miller & Sarah Kay!

I colored this 4th of July Cake with the Prismacolor Pencils and gamsol technique as well. To add some pizazz to this card I used yellow Stickles on all of the stars and between each cake layer, and the yellow cardstock in the background is Bazzil Bling!!! Just like fireworks, every 4th of July project should have some sparkle!

Stamps: Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs-4th of July cake
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Yellow Ochre
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts, Bazzil Bling
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, EK Success decorative Corner Punch, Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Hero Arts Rhinestones, Ribbon by Michael's and Bobbie M. Designs, Yellow Stickles
Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 5"

BLOG CANDY!

Along every great Blog Hop there are always goodies to be won, and I too have some goodies to give away! In honor of the blog hop and the 4th of July celebrations, I will be giving away the 4th of July cake stamp (seen above) from Sunflowers and Dragonflies as blog candy. The winner of this stamp will also receive a custom "made by" stamp for the back of their cards and projects courtesy of Beth, the owner of Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs. I will select a winner from all of the comments left on this post on Monday July 6th 10 am EST.

How cool is that! Two prizes in one--the 4th of July Cake stamp and a custom "made by" stamp!

Be sure to visit Scrapbook News and Review and the Card Universe for tons of inspiration, as well as DRS Designs and Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs for all of your stamp shopping needs!!

Next stop on the "Oh Say Can You See" 4th of July Blog Hop is Anessa Shively (aka AlienAnessa). In case you have problems with the link, copy and paste this link in your browser address bar: http://alienanessa.wordpress.com/2009/07/04/snrs-oh-say-can-you-see-4th-of-july-blog-hop/

Good Luck with all of the goodies along the way!

Enjoy the hop stops & have a great 4th of July!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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For the Birthday Party!

Two of my friends had birthday's earlier this week and I needed a card for each of them. I had some down time at work the week before, so I was able to color up 2 Swirly Birthday cake images from DRS Designs ahead of time to make their cards. I decided on using a pretty simple layout since I was making the same card twice.

Of course I colored it with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol. The dark "chocolate" lines you see on the cake were done with marker. I used sponge daubers to fill in some blue shading around the candles while it was still in my Nestie die.



I added Stickles to the candle flames, the big yellow flower and the flower garnishes which helped to dress up the simple layout. I love the fun colors on this card! The light blue & purple go so well together & the chocolate brown just makes everything pop!


Stamps: DRS Designs- Girly Swirly Cake (M454), Sweet Birthday Sentiment (E161)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink French Blue
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Copic Markers C2 & C3, Nesties, Spiral Clip & Ribbon by the Paper Studio, Yellow Stickles, Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, EK Success Decorative Corner Punch
Finished Card Size: 4 5/8" x 5 1/4"

Stay tuned for tomorrow...I'm participating in the Scrapbook News & Reviews 4th of July Blog Hop & I have 2 (yes, 2!) Red, White, and Blue Projects to share with you and some free goodies too!

Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Thanks for visiting today!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Pink Elephant Challenge With Pink Pigs!

DRS Designs is sponsoring the challenge this week on the Pink Elephant Challenge Blog to make a card with your favorite colors. One of my favorite color combos is pink & brown, so I decided to use the DRS Designs Leonard's Bath Time Buddies stamp for my challenge card.

The layout I used followed last weeks Splitcoast Sketch challenge #234. I stamped the cute little piggies in brown and colored them with pink marker. Then I cut them out with my rectangle Nesties and sponged brown ink all around them while they were still in the die. I layered them as shown & used plaid ribbon to decorate the corners. I painted them with Shimmerz to give them a little shine!



I created the side panels using the DRS Designs Lots Of Lines Background stamp on white cardstock with pink ink. I sponged it with brown ink and used my Nesties to cut out & layer 2 panels to place on either side of the focal image as seen in the sketch. I decorated those panels with some brown brads and arranged then on pink cardstock to create my card front.


I used the Hogwash Saying for the sentiment, and split it up so part of the sentiment was above & below the image--another bonus of having unmounted stamps--the ease of making them more versatile! It would have been a bit more difficult to do if the sentiment was wood mounted!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Leonard's Bath Time Buddies (K719), Hogwash Saying (E722), Lots of Lines Background (H366)
Ink: Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink Chestnut Roan, SU! Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Bic Markers, Nesties, Ribbon unknown from my stash, brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials, Burgundy Shimmerz, sponges
Finished Card Size: 6" x 5"

So, What are your favorite colors? Make sure to check out the challenge post on the Pink Elephant blog for all the details on how you can win some awesome new rubber from DRS Designs. Hurray, the challenge only runs for one week and will close this Sunday, July 5th at 12 midnight EST!! Winner will be announced on Tuesday Evening.

Good Luck & Have a wonderful day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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DRS Designs Dazzling Diamond Dust Challenge

How's that for a tongue twister title! Today begins the DRS Designs 24th blog challenge which is to use the dazzling diamond dust technique as a focal image. This is such a cool technique and really takes no time at all.

I created this Butterfly Birthday card using a modified version of the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique. I don't own iridescent embossing powder and with money being tight, I can't justify buying it right now--It's always good to have alternative ways of achieving a similar look too, so, here's what I did...

Just like anything that shimmers and shines & is full of glitz and glamor, trying to capture what it looks like in real life can be a challenge. So, enjoy all of the pictures I have for you today!

I recently found the instructions to the White Outline Technique while blog hopping and thought it was perfect to help me achieve my modified Dazzling Diamond Dust appearance. First, I heat embossed the sentiment with clear embossing powder on glossy cardstock. Then, I used alcohol inks to create the background in Carmel, Terra Cotta, and Gold. The gold really gave it that shimmery look. I made sure to ink right over the embossed sentiment as well. Next, I laid a piece of white computer paper over the sentiment and used a clothing iron to re-melt the embossed area, which was absorbed by the paper--no residue got on my iron (Thankfully, as I was a little worried I might ruin my good iron!) I took this technique one step further by spraying it with Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist to add a fine glimmer on top of the gold that was already in the background.

The layout I used is based on CPS Sketch 121 from last week. The flower butterfly was stamped using the Rock N Roll technique--SU! really Rust in the middle and Pumpkin Pie along the edges. I cut it out from white cardstock and matted it as shown using mats cut from my Nesties.

I think the White Outline Technique is unique, especially here, how I've used it for my sentiment . You don't see white sentiments very often! If you click on either of these pictures you can really see the "Diamond Dust" look in and around the sentiment and on the butterfly.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Flower Butterfly (H056), Flitter Flutter Birthday (G604)
Ink: Rubber Stampede Embossing Ink, SU! Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust
Paper: Smooth white cardstock, Glossy White Cardstock, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts, Gold Bazzill Cardstock
Accessories: Nesties, Alcohol Inks, Ribbon by Bobbie M. Designs, Brads by The Paper Studio, Tattered Angles Glimmer Mist in Iridescent Gold
Finished Card Size: 4.75" x 7"

So, do you have what it takes to create a Diamond Dazzling Dust project, or will you have to modify it like me? Either way, the DRS Designs DT would love for you to participate in this challenge. Just post a direct link to your creation in the comment section of the Challenge #24 post on the DRS Designs blog and if you upload to a public gallery, please use the keyword DRSC24.

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One last thing!!! Be sure to stop by The Pink Elephant Challenge blog starting today thru Sunday. DRS Designs will be sponsoring the current challenge - check out the details at The Pink Elephant on how you might be able to win some DRS Designs stamps!!
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Thanks for visiting today! I hope your day is great!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Back to the Jungle!

There's something I just love about the Dustin Pike images from DRS Designs! Maybe it's because they are so cute & fun to color, and just like a little kid, I LOVE to color! Lately, my favorite technique is masking and I've been having fun creating "scenes" and filling in all of the empty space around my stamped image. The Dustin Pike images are great for that too!



I recently made this card with many of my favorites--coloring, masking, and can't forget ribbon!


See that cute little guy in the left corner? I felt I needed something there to fill in the empty space, so I created a tag using the monkey you see in the main image. I cut him out just so with my Nesties and matted him as shown. That little tag was just what this card needed to make it complete!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Jimbo and the Gang (p891)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink, SU! Ballet Blue
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts, Bazzill
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nesties, Spiral Clip by The Paper Studio, Ribbon by Pebbles Inc., Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials
Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 5.75"

Thanks for visiting today! Hope you have a great weekend!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Back To Blogging!

Oh My! Where has the time gone? Sorry for my lack of posting over the last few days. I know we all have busy lives, so I will spare you the details about why I've been too busy to even get on the computer lately. For as much as I strive to post daily I've realized that it's just not always going to happen. However, I do find a little craft time everyday--it might just be thinking up some layouts, doing a little coloring, stamping some images that I'd like to use soon or flat out just making a card from start to finish! I'm thankful for the little bit of down time I have at my real job that allows me to color or draw out layouts when things are slow. It helps when I actually get home and get creative in my craft room. I usually have several colored images already to go! Unfortunately though, computer access is limited at work & besides I don't feel comfortable blogging there, so that often gets put on the back burner until there's down time at home.


The card I have to show you today is one that I've had made up a while ago & now have only had time to share it with you. Funny, I just heard something on the radio today about how majority of people consider their pets regular members of their family, as if they are their own children. So, when a pet passes away many people grieve just like they would for a human being and it's often a nice gesture to send a pet sympathy card.

I used the Cat Paw Background to create my own designer paper for this card, but DRS Designs also has a Dog Paw Background for your stamping needs as well.

Just like all of the other great sayings and sentiments DRS Designs has available, you can also find this Pet Sympathy saying in their catalog.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Pet Sympathy (H074), Cat Paw Background (B698)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan, Creamy Brown
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Nesties, Sponge Daubers, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Ribbon by Offray, Dress It Up Tiny Dog Buttons, EK Success Decorative Corner Punch
Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 5"

Well, you can plan on seeing a different type of project from me very soon. I've taken the plunge...the ATC plunge that is! The Stamp Shack is full of ATC swaps and many of my friends there rant & rave about them. I've finally signed up for a few to get a taste of what they tell me I've been missing! You can expect to see them here as I complete each set!

I'll have another post for you tomorrow, Promise!

Have a great day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Happy Father's Day!

I'm pretty sure that all of the people who read my blog are women with interests in stamping and scrapbooking, but in case there are a few dads out there lurking, Happy Father's Day to all of you out there! (and if you are a lurking dad, please leave a comment--I'd love to hear from you!)

Do you have plans to visit dad & family today? We'll be spending time with my dad later tonight for dinner. Here's the card I made for him.

This stamp is new to me. We just had a Hobby Lobby open in our area & all last week the scrapbooking area was 50% off! I couldn't resist a sale like that and had to buy this stamp! I inked it up right away and just knew that it would make a great Father's Day card!

Overall this was a pretty quick and easy card to make. I started by coloring the light house, sand & water with Prismacolor Pencils and blended the colors with Gamsol. I created a Post-It Note mask & sponged blue ink lightly around the light house. I used last weeks CPS Sketch #120 for the layout using my Cuttlebug, brads, ribbon and twine. The ribbon and twine were left over from Christmas gifts we received--I love recycling things like that! The sentiment was 3 separate foam stamps that I had in my stash from a scrapbooking lot I won on eBay a while ago. I can't believe in all of my stamps I don't have a single Father's Day sentiment! Guess I'll have to put that on my wish list, and maybe now that Father's Day s practically passed I'll find one on sale for future use!

I'm very happy with how this card turned out! After my last bout of "lost mojo" which was so severe it was scary, everything about this card fell perfectly in place, just like it was all meant to be. Now, if everything happened like that all of the time, I'd be so much further ahead in creating cards and typing up blog posts ahead of time. But, since it's not, I'm going to continue to strive for it!

Stamps: Stampabilities Beacon of Light, sentiment unknown
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, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Divine Swirls Embossing Folder, ribbon unknown, twine unknown, brads by The Paper Studio
Finished Card Size: 4.5" x 6.5"

Thanks for taking time out today to stop by and see my work. I hope you've enjoyed seeing this card today & that you have a wonderful day with family and friends, or just relaxing at home!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Golf!

Hope your all having a great Saturday! My hubby & I are getting together with friends today for a BBQ--the girls are getting together to stamp, the guys are getting together to, well you know, do the stuff guys do! LOL! I'm so excited!

Today I want to show you this card I made earlier this week that features the new Graphic Golf image from DRS Designs.

Have you noticed the detail in each of the letters in this image? You can click on either of these images if you need a closer view. The "G" is textured with grass patches, the "O" has golf balls on it, the "L" has flags on it, and the "F" has golf tees on it. Cute & clever I must say!

I colored this image with both Prismacolor Pencils and markers. I also used the SU! Photo Corner punch to add some color and the Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder to make the background look like the texture of a golf ball.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Graphic Golf
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Cuttlebug and Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder, SU! Photo Corner Punch and Ticket Corner Punch, Ribbon-Unknown, Brads by Making Memories
Finished Card Size: 5 3/4" x 4 3/8"

Well, sorry for the quick post today, but I don't want to spend a lot of time on the computer today. I have to get ready for the BBQ & finish getting ready for Father's Day too! I'll be making my Father's Day card later today--nothing like waiting til the last minute! I hope to be able to show you it tomorrow. I already have an idea in mind, I just need to sit down & create it!

I hope you have a wonderful Summer Saturday filled with your favorite things!

Thanks for visiting today!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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In Print!

I received my subscription copy of the Summer 2009 issue of Just Cards Magazine in Friday's mail. Much to my surprise while browsing it page by page I found 2 of my own cards were published! Of course after seeing each one I had to do a little happy dance!

I submitted these cards about 9 months ago in a package of about 7 cards and only 2 have been published thus far. Maybe there will be a few more in the upcoming issue??!?!?!?! I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I love seeing my work in print!

There are a ton of great cards in this magazine and I always find a ton of inspiring ideas every time I look through one of the issues. There are many talented card makers and stampers out there, but I know I don't have to tell you that!

I'd also like to congratulate all of my friends at the Stamp Shack & fellow DT members who also have cards published in this issue. I see quite a few names I recognize!

So for those of you who have the magazine already or for those of you who are planning on running out to get it, you can find my cards on pages 48 & 86. Pretty cool huh?

Enjoy!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Repeated Thanks!

Hello & Happy Friday to you all!

I'm still playing with new stamps from DRS Designs that just came out last week, and as a matter of fact, this is the first time I've played with this background stamp too even though I've had it about a year now! It's amazing what you find when you clean up your crafting area--I found all kinds of goodies, from some of my cling mounted DRS Designs stamps, all kinds of ribbon, embellies, and my favorite pair of scissors that I lost a long time ago! Plus, on top of all that now I actually have room to work, as the clutter began to take over!

Anyways, back to today's project...

Have you ever been extremely grateful for something someone else has done for you? Why not thank them with a card made from this repeating Thanks and Thank You stamp? I used it as the main focal image on this project, but it could easily be used as a background stamp as well. I love all the fonts in this stamp. It really drives the "thank you" point home doesn't it?

This Thank You Multi greeting image is one of DRS Designs newest releases. I stamped it and the Easy Square background stamp with green ink. The background was trimmed with green plaid ribbon and I pop-dotted the Multi Greeting layer for some dimension. I trimmed it with a green spiral clip & satin ribbon.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Easy Square Background (H629), Thank You Multi Greeting (H789)
Ink: SU! Handsome Hunter
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Nesties, Plaid Ribbon & Spiral Clip by The Paper Studio, White Satin Ribbon by Offray, EK Success Decorative Corner Punch, foam tape

Well, did I tell you that we're finally getting our landscaping done? If the weather can cooperate for the rest of the weekend, we should have our sod laid pretty soon. I can't wait to show you pictures! Stay tuned!

Hope you have a great Friday & a wonderful weekend!

Thanks for stopping by today!


Smiles,
Jennifer

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Best Wishes on Your Retirement

Did you order stamps from DRS Designs latest release? If not, or if you haven't seen the new stamps click here to see them. I created this card using the new Best Wishes Retirement Greeting. The Summer is just beginning and it's that time of year when people start retiring in order to enjoy the nice weather. Do you know any one retiring this year?

I used DRS Designs Brush Daffodil image along with this sentiment. I thought it was perfect because I find it to be a very peaceful image when softly colored like I've done here with pencils and Gamsol.

I used Beeswax Shimmerz on the Daffodil flower petals. A little difficult to see but it helped to really give this card the subtle elegance I was looking for.

Stamps: DRS Designs- Brush Daffodil (H846 ), Best Wishes Retirement Greeting (D942)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Yellow Orchre
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Georgia Pacific, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Shimmerz, Green Ribbon by The Paper Studio, Yellow Satin Ribbon by Offray, Brads by Making Memories, EK Success Border Punch

I love how this card design and layout are simple enough to give it quite a bit of versatility. Just change up the sentiment and you have a completely different card. It could be a Birthday, Get Well, or even "Just a Note" card.

I hope you've enjoyed this design today. Don't forget to check out all of DRS Designs new images!

See you again tomorrow, right here at Ink N Scrap Habits!


Smiles,
Jennifer

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