Halloween Can Be Creepy

Yikes!! The latest challenge from DRS Designs has snuck up on me!! This challenge is an inspiration by color challenge using the colors in this photo on your challenge card. 

Best part about this challenge is that the colors are perfect for Halloween and I have some new Halloween stamps to play with!!! I'm sneak peekin' DRS Designs new Bump Into Me Halloween Greeting (149G). I split it up to fit my layout and sponged green ink around it while it was still in a Nestie die.  

I used the Large Original Plaid (641P), stamped in different colors, to create the pattern paper panel that I used to hide the seam where I split up the stamped text.  I thought the purple and green "Boo" brads were the perfect embellishment!

Well, I'm not sure which is creepier right now...this Halloween card or the fact that Halloween is only 9 weeks away!!!  

Have a great day!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Out Of This World Birthday

The little boy next door just turned 8 and he's always climbing the trees in his backyard.  He doesn't have a tree house like what is shown on this card, but if he did I know he'd be in it constantly!  I created this card to go with his birthday gift and for this weeks DRS Designs birthday card challenge. 

I started with a 5" x 5" card stock base. The yellow card front was stamped with the Polka Dot background (688P) and then I distressed the edges. I added a light blue decorative panel that was layered with embossed green card stock and embellished with 3 brown brads. The Tree House (087K) was stamped, colored with Copic Markers, and then matted with brown card stock. I adhered it to the left side of the card front as shown. Finally, the Out Of This World Greeting (267F) was split onto 2 banner tags, distressed and then adhered into place to fit the layout.  

I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Jack!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Happy Thoughts This Christmas

Oh Man, it seems like forever since I've had a chance to stamp, and because of that my blog has been very slow lately.  So sorry about that, but life with 2 little boys under 3 has become hectic! But, just look at them! It's hard to resist these adorable, loving faces when they need me! Anthony is 3 and Alex is a shocking 6 months old in this picture. (He actually just turned 7 months earlier this week.)  We also went on a mini-vacation to visit family up North for a wedding a few weeks ago and I finally unpacked the last bag just the other day.  Things are slowly getting back to normal now and I was able to stamp for this week's DRS Designs Blog challenge!

                                   

The challenge this week features the hot trend using chevrons and arrows.  I used one of DRS Designs newest Christmas stamps, the Christmas Village Post Office (114D) and 3 other stamps from their catalog to create my challenge card: 

Double Chevron Card Edger (904P)

Peace Heart and Home Christmas Greeting (986F)

One Line Happy Thoughts (951D)

I used the Chevron card edger to decorate my red card base before adding any other elements to it.  Then the white layer was stamped with the last 2 lines of the Peace Heart and Home Greeting and then it was embossed with the Swiss Dots folder for some texture.  Next I stamped the Happy Thoughts greeting on beige card stock, trimmed it with blue card stock, and then added red ribbon before adhering it in place.  The final step was to stamp the Post Office image, color it with Copics, and then mat it on a blue oval.  A bit of fine glitter was added to the snowy areas of the roof top and the ground.  That little bit of glimmer really pops on this card! 

Well, that's it for me today.  I hope to be able to stamp and blog more often in the coming days and weeks--and I have every good intention of doing so, but if things are quiet here for a while, you know why.  No worries though, I'll be back soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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From Our House to Yours

Hi Stampers!

Here's a card I made for my Sister. She recently moved into her own condo after living with a friend for many years. The newest Bee-themed stamps from DRS Designs were perfect for her "new home" card:

Our House to Yours Greeting (1150D)

Honeycomb Design (019C)

Beehive (1143L)

Bee Trail (1147B)

and the Bitsy Bumble Bee (1020A) is an older image that is still available in the current catalog.

 The hive image was colored with Copic Markers and cut out with a Nestie die. Then I cut a Post-It Note mask and sponged blue ink around the edges while it was still in the die. It was matted on a black scallop.  The black card base was cut and folded to make an A2 size card.  I stamped a yellow piece of cardstock for the card front with the Honeycomb design using yellow ink and then split the "Our House To Yours" greeting and stamped it as shown so it would fit around the image. Black grosgrain ribbon was tied across the lower portion of the card front and then the matted image was placed in the center. Next I stamped, colored, and fussy cut the Bitsy Bee and adhered it to the upper portion of the hive image using dimensional tape.  The final stap was to stamp the Bee Trail to make it look like the bee had just flown into place on the card front.  For the most part, this card was pretty simple to create. 

My Sister really liked this card and has it displaying on her mantle.  I hope you like it too!

Have a great day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Christmas Church

Hi Everyone! 
I hope you're all enjoying the new Christmas in July release from DRS Designs.  I'm really enjoying these new stamps and the adorable Christmas scenes that can be created with them.  However, for today's post I've taken a different approach by using the new Christmas Village Church (107D) image alone for the focal point on my card, rather than pairing it with the other village stamps that are available. 

 I used kraft cardstock to create the base for an A2 size card.  I added some texture to the card front by matting the dark brown panel with white and red cardstock and then embossing it with the Swiss Dots embossing folder.  This was placed vertically on the left hand side of the card front as shown.  For the scene I created here, I used the Christmas Village Four in One Accessories stamp (119D) to add the pine trees to either side of the church.  The image was then colored with Copic markers and fine glitter was added to the snowy areas for a realistic look. It was matted with dark brown cardstock and then again with a red scallop. Then it was adhered it to the center of the card. I split up the Richly Blessed Christmas Greeting (865G) to accommodate my layout and highlighted the word "Christmas" by stamping it on a banner and matting it. The look was completed by adding a red brad to either side of "Christmas" and then adhering it in place just below the image as shown.

Like what you see? Make sure to run over to the DRS Designs site and check out all of the new Christmas Village stamps that are now available for purchase! I promise you won't be disappointed and while you're there, enjoy all of the great scene cards create by the DRS Designs DT.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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From Our House At Christmas

Whoo hoo! New stamps are available from DRS Designs! They are celebrating Christmas in July with adorable stamps that can be made into cute, little village scenes. This is exactly what I did for today's card.  The new challenge on the DRS Designs Blog this week is a color challenge that I used to drive my thoughts for the Christmas Village scene I created.  The challenge colors are "strawberries and cream."  

I started by stamping the Christmas Village House 1 (117C) repeatedly and then I used the Christmas Village Four In One Accessories (119D) to add the snowmen and pine trees in between the houses. I used Copic Markers to color the scene and then I added fine glitter to all of the snowy areas. I matted the image as shown and layered it on top of a red card stock base that was embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The Christmas From Our House Greeting (120C) was stamped and matted and then adhered onto the lower portion the image.  This turned out to be a CAS card, but the glitter for the snow really makes it glisten! It gives me that serene Christmas feel. What about you?

Check out all the details for DRS Designs "Strawberries and Cream" challenge HERE to see how you can win a $10 voucher to DRS Designs online store. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Hot Diggity Dog!

Some of my favorite cards to stamp are birthday cards. I usually have quite a few to choose from when a birthday card is needed. However, last week when I went to write out a card for a friend of mine, I noticed my stash was gone!! The good thing about this is that it actually worked out to my advantage! She is a dog lover and I was able to stamp this cute doggie birthday card just for her.  It was a win, win situation for us both!

I started by coloring the Doggie Dilemma Dog With Fence (254H) with Copic Markers. After matting it I put it to the side to work on the card front. I stamped the Dog Bone (080A) on white card stock to create a border around the card front. I colored them lightly with Copic Markers and then distressed the edges with brown ink.  Next, the card front was matted with blue card stock. I created an A2 dark brown card base and adhered the card front to it. The matted dog image was adhered to the upper center area and the Hot Diggity Dog Birthday Greeting (732E) was stamped below it as shown.  I didn't add any bulky embellishments to it since it was going to be mailed.  It was a nice change keeping my card front clean and simple! Hope you've enjoyed my post today. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Christmas in July

Hi Friends! Hope your day is going well. Glad you were able to pop in today. I'm excited for today's post! 

It's Christmas in July and DRS Designs is celebrating with a bunch of new Christmas stamps that will be released very soon! Today's card was created, not only to show off some of these new images, but also to cool off a bit with their new blog challenge, "The Big Chill!"

I've used 2 of the new images on this card. The Christmas Village Pond With Bridge (105H) was colored with Copic Markers and I used Diamond Glaze to make the frozen pond look like real ice! The Christmas Village Four In One Accessories (119D) stamp was used with the masking technique to add the ice skater to the pond and the snowman to the far right. I paired these stamps with the In The Meadow Greeting (229F) from DRS Designs current catalog. 

Head on over to the DRS Designs Blog to see more sneak peeks of these new holiday images and while you're there check out this latest challenge. One lucky winner will receive 3 DRS Designs stamps FREE just for cooling off and playing along with us. Will it be you?

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer 

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Your Birthday Popped Up!

Hi Everyone! 
I hope all of my American readers are enjoying the long weekend for the Fourth of July holiday! Unfortunately I will be spending it working. But I hope to be able to find some time for myself to stamp. Today I'm sharing the card I made for the latest DRS Designs blog challenge.  The theme is Banners, Flags and Pennants. 

 I had fun using the Splatter Background (855H) to create my own pattern paper. I stamped it in green and pink inks to match my color scheme.  I colored Leonard Pig Blowing Bubbles (078K) with Copic markers. To follow the challenge theme, I used my banner dies to create the embellishment cluster I added to the upper left hand corner of my card front. A button and a twine bow completed the look. I like this image paired with the Popped Up Birthday Greeting (924H). The word "popped" was also colored with Copics.  

The final touch I added was Diamond Glaze to the bubbles for a realistic look.  In the right light they really look wet!

Hope you enjoyed my post today.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Not Some Junk!

Hi Everyone! Hope you're doing well and that you're enjoying Summer!!  
This week's challenge on the DRS Designs Blog is "It's New!"  This challenge wants you to use something that is new-to-you on your project.  It can be a new stamp, new ink, new embellishment, new die etc. Enter your challenge card by clicking on the link above and from all of the entries received, one lucky winner will be chosen to receive a $10 store voucher to DRS Designs!

I created this note card using a new-to-me greeting stamp, the Not Some Junk Greeting (937F) and a new button embellishment.  I created the plaid paper you see here, by myself, using the Large Original Plaid stamp (641P).  Of course, if you received a hand-made creation like this, you'd never throw it away, right?

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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New Home Welcome

After serveral years of poor economic growth, the housing market seems to finally making a turn for the better in my area.  There's quite a few houses up for sale in my neighborhood and both my parents and my In-Laws are looking to relocate as well.  There's been a surge in the real estate business, now that the weather is finally nice, and it looks like I'll have some new neighbors soon! I've created a little note card to welcome my new neighbors whoever they my be!  

DRS Designs latest release included this adorable Mushroom House (091C) that I've paired with the One Line Welcome Greeting (737B).  I stamped the Mushroom House on ivory cardstock and colored it with Copic Markers.  I matted it with kraft cardstock and then again with dark brown cardstock that was cut with a decorative die.  The card front was made from a piece of kraft cardstock that was embossed with the Swiss Dots folder for texture and then matted in dark brown.  Two dark brown brads were added to fill in the space in the lower right corner.  I stamped the Welcome Greeting on a fish tail banner and adhered it to the top of the card front as shown. The last step was to adhere the card front to an ivory cardstock base that measures 3" x 5.5." Hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Sandcastles and Sunshine

  Hi Everyone!  In honor of the first day of Summer today, this Sandcastle and Sunshine card was created for the new color challenge on the DRS Designs blog using sand and sea colors, and the Splitcoast Ways To Use It Challenge, "Sand." It seems like forever since I've created a card for 2 different challenges, but since they both involved using sand, it turned out to be pretty easy!

I'm loving this new Sandcastle image (090G) that DRS Designs just released.  It's perfect for this time of year and paired perfectly with the Sending you Sunshine Greeting (094D). Together they make a cheerful card.  Wouldn't you agree?

 I colored the image with Copic Markers and used a wave border on the background layers.  A salmon pink cardstock panel was embossed with the Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder and the seam where it was added near the wave border was covered with grosgrain ribbon tied in a knot. I added 2 dark brown brads to the lower left corner, which completed the look. 

I hope your Summer is off to a fabulous start!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Poppin' In

Need a challenge to inspire you this week? Check out DRS Designs newest challenge "On The Border."  The requirement is to make a border on your card by either stamping a word or phrase all around, use a border image, draw a border, use a border die etc. The possibilities are endless!  I created this Thinking of you card and I hand-drew the black-lined border on the card front.

I used one of DRS Designs newest stamps for the focal point of my card.  I colored Leonard Pig Behind The Bubble (081G) with Copic Markers and then added Diamond Glaze to the bubbles for a realistic look.  

The card front started as just a white piece of cardstock that was made into pattern paper by stamping it with the Woven Plaid Background (613P).  Then on the blue panel, I stamped the Just Poppin In Sentiment (156D). I thought this sentiment went well with the bubbles in the image.  They eventually have to pop right? 

Hope you enjoyed seeing today's card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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A Little Sunshine!

Today I am sharing a little sunshine with this card!  It shows off 2 new stamps recently released from DRS Designs, the Sandcastle (090G) and the Sending You Sunshine Greeting (094D).  I've also used the Polka Dot Background (688P) to create my own pattern paper on the light blue panel.

This Sandcastle image makes me want to just drop everything and run to the beach! Do you get that feeling?  I colored it with Copic Markers and sponged blue ink for the sky while it was in a Nestie die. This creates a nice, white frame around the image that doesn't necessarily need matting.  The layout used here was from the Splitcoast Sketch challenge, SC487. I love this layout! This is actually the second time I've used it and I'm sure I'll put it to use again in the future as well.  The yellow panel in the back was dry embossed and after adding a strip of blue cardstock to the right side, a brown grosgrain ribbon was added to decorate the bottom. A starfish brad embellished the greeting nicely and all of the panels adhered together were placed on a kraft A2 cardstock base. 

I hope there is warmer weather trending where you live and that you're able to enjoy it! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Pet Loss

Today I'm showing off a card I made for DRS Designs Pets R Us challenge. This sympathy card was made using their newest stamps:

Furry Friend Sympathy Greeting (1074G)

Dog Bone (080A)

This is an A2 size card, but I cut down the top layer a bit and decorated it with a border punch. Then the card front was embossed using my, new-to-me, pet print embossing folder.  I stamped the upper portion of the Furry Friend Sympathy Greeting with dark brown ink and then sponged it with light brown ink while it was in a Nestie die.  Then I tied plaid ribbon in a knot at the bottom of it before matting it with a dark brown scalloped rectangle.  As you can see, this was adhered to the center of the card front.  

The inside of the card was layered with ivory cardstock and the lower portion of the Furry Friend Sympathy Greeting was stamped at the bottom and the Dog Bone was stamped on an angle on each side.  I have to Thank my friend Paula for this layout.  I love how the card front is short enough to see the inside message at the bottom of it! 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today! Have a great weekend! 

Smiles,

Jennifer

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A Toast To You!

Hi Everyone! 
Time is just flying by and it's Thursday again! The last Thursday in May to be exact! The new challenge on the DRS Designs Blog is to add holes to your project.  Here's my challenge entry for this Holey Moley Challenge. I used the Splitcoast Sketch challenge #487 for the layout. 

For the center of my card, I used just a portion of the Pour Me...Bottle and Glass (075H) along with the Toast To You Greeting (046D). The wine glass was colored with Copics and then sponged with purple ink while it was in a Nestie die. I used the Bunch of Grapes (061D) to create my own pattern paper for the left side panel.  It's hard to see but I added pierced holes all the way down along the right side of the black strip.  To complete the look, I embellished the greeting banner with a button and twine bow. I love the way the  It coordinates so well with the colors on this card! 

Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by!
I appreciate your visit!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Beach Sympathy

Hi Everybody! 
Hope you all had a nice long holiday weekend!  The last 5 days have been very busy for me and I didn't get a chance to share my card for last week's DRS Blog Challenge until now. 

My goal for completing their challenge to use punches was to come up with a layout to mass produce some sympathy cards. Below is the layout I came up with however it turned out to be more involved than I thought and this was the only one I made.

I really like the focal image used on this card. I heat embossed the Sea Grass (128L) on glossy cardstick and sponged each part of it with the appropriate color ink. Then it was matted with kraft cardstock. The One Line Heartfelt Condolences was stamped on a banner and the edges were inked with yellow ink before matting it with kraft cardstock. The sentiment and image were adhered in placed as shown on a light blue card front that was embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. A decorative corner punch was used in the upper left corner and a yellow brad was added there as well.  The cardfront was then adhered to an A2 cardstock base made from kraft cardstock.  The finishing touch was adding some punched butterflies that were decorated with coordinating rhinestones.  

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all the details for the paper punch challenge HERE.

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Men Are Like a Fine Wine

Hi Everyone! Hope you're all having a great week! 
We had so much rain this past weekend that it was practically a complete wash-out! While I'm eager for nice, Spring weather, I enjoyed staying in and playing with some of DRS Designs newest stamps! I'm happy to share this funny 'Men Are Like Fine Wine' card with you today!  

I created the Bunch of Grapes (061D) panel first, by stamping them repeatedly and coloring them with Copic Markers.  The Men Are Like Wine Greeting (049F) was stamped in purple ink and then light purple ink was sponged over it while it was in a Nestie die. I used the Tiny Bubbles embossing folder for my background. I thought it almost resembled grapes and was a nice complement to the theme of this card. Dark purple cardstock was used to form an A2 size card, which measures 5.5" x 4.25."  

Just a reminder, today is the last day to sign up for DRS Designs "Grad School" blog challenge. One lucky winner will be chosen to receive a $10 store voucher to DRS Designs! Will it be YOU? Check out this post for all the details and to link your card up to enter.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Dream Big

Tis the season for Graduations and to inspire you to make cards for the Graduates in your life, DRS Designs has a "Grad School" challenge on their blog this week. Show off your graduation cards or create a card using your school colors to win! Here's my rather clean and simple challenge entry.

I started with an A2 size blue cardstock base.  I stamped it repeatedly with the Graduation Background (984H) using Versamark ink.  Next, I stamped the Dream Big Graduation Greeting (041F) on white cardstock and masked the edges using a Post-It Note so that after sponging it with blue ink, there was a nice white border around it.  I used black cardstock to mat it and then ties a blue ribbon around it.   Then I stamped the Male Graduate (045G). It was cut out using a circle Nestability die using the Out-Of-The-Box technique so that his hand was extended beyond the edge of the circle.  I added some color to it with Copic Markers and matted this with black cardstock as well.  I arranged the sentiment as shown on the card front and added 3 black rhinestones under the matted sentiment to complete it. 

Curious about what you could win if you play along in DRS Designs Grad School challenge? One lucky winner will be chosen to receive a $10 store voucher to DRS Designs! 
I hope it's YOU!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Dream Big!

DRS Designs recently released new Graduation stamps and I'm having a ball stamping with them!  I created this card for my cousin who graduated this past weekend.  Her school colors are red and white. 

The red card front was dry embossed to add texture to the background layer. Then I stamped the Graduation Background (984H) to create my own pattern paper for the vertical panel.  I colored the mortarboards and the diploma ribbons red to match.  It was matted on black cardstock and a decorative border punch was used to dress it up a bit.  Then the Dream Big Graduation Greeting (041F) and the Female Graduate (042G) were stamped on white cardstock and cut out using Nestability dies.  Since the Female Graduates arm extended beyond the edge of the die, I had to use the Out-Of-The-Box  Technique. I used Copic Markers to add some color to the image, matted the circles with black cardstock, and then I adhered the circles in place as shown. White brads were placed on the sides of the cardfront before adhering it to an A2 size black cardstock base.

Thanks for stopping by today! 
Have a great one!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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