Joy To You!

It's almost release time over at DRS Designs! The next batch of Christmas stamps will be available for purchase very soon. This release has inspired me to get a head start on my Christmas cards this year. Only 5 more weeks and the big day will be here! Are you ready? At this point I'm definitely not, but it's a relief to know that I do have things underway! 

 

Here's one of the cards I recently made to show off the new Joy To You Christmas Circle (640G), which I'm really beginning to love! There's something I love about circular stamps like this and with it being stamped in red, I love how it really stands out! It's nice that this stamp has a Christmas feel without saying the word "Christmas" too.  I think the line "in big ways and small ways" would make this a nice holiday thank you card as well. 

 

 

I stamped the Triple Holly (1004F) repeatedly on the card front to create my own background paper.  Once colored, it seemed to have come to life and it is really festive!  I'm considering making more as I get into full swing, card-making mode to mass produce a bunch of backgrounds for the cards I send to all my stamping friends. The background is definitely what brings this card all together.  A few brads, some embossed cardstock and some gorgeous red glitter ribbon made this card complete! 

 

 I hope you like it and I appreciate you stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Autumn Happiness!

Finally, sometime to myself to stamp and blog! Things have been so hectic here--we now have my 4 year old son into ice skating lessons, we are often fighting the temper tantrums of both boys, my Husbands crazy work schedule leaves me with all the house-hold chores more often than I'd like to count, and I'm already feeling the pressure of the holidays that has me shopping more now than I normally do.  Did I mention how much homework a preschooler brings home?!?!?  Makes me wonder what his homework load will be like in a few years!! Craziness!

 

At any rate, DH and I have really been making an honest effort to get both boys ready for bed around 7pm so they can hopefully be sleeping by 8pm.  I know that probably sounds pretty routine for most families with little ones, but it's really a struggle for us, since we a just sitting down for dinner around 6:30pm.  Thankfully, it's been working and it's allowed for a bit more "me" time, which I've been loving! This Happy Thankful People Greeting (612G) from DRS Designs couldn't be more true! I am thankful for my family and being with them makes me happy, despite the hecticness!

 

 

I created this card for the DRS Designs Blog Challenge from last week, but never got around to blogging about.  The challenge was "Pile It High," using layers on your challenge entry. First I created the card front using light blue cardstock and then I stamped the Tree Limb (568P) vertically on the far right side and then the Autumn Leaf Pile (575F) was stamped in the center at the bottom.  I sponged blue ink above the leaf pile and green ink at the very bottom edge for grass.  Next, I stamped the leaf pile again on white cardstock, colored with Copic Markers, and then cut it out and adhered in place in the scene I created on my card front. The greeting was stamped in the empty space as shown and then I drew a line around the edge of the card front omitting the stamped portions to complete the look.  The card front was matted with a piece of yellow-orange cardstock to match the color scheme before finally adhering it on to a turquoise cardstock base.  I really like the look of this card as it was and decided not to embellish it any further.  Sort of funny how this card has a few layers, yet it's still completely flat!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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In All Things, Give Thanks!

I love the Fall and even more so, I'm really excited that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Despite how hectic the holidays can be, I love all the togetherness! There's nothing more rewarding then lots of time with extended family and to me, that's what the holidays are all about.  

Since I was in a Thanksgiving kind-of mood, I made this Thanksgiving card! for the new challenge on the DRS Designs blog this week, "Fall-ing For You."

 

 

I started by stamping and coloring the Autumn Flower Spray (452L) with Copic Markers. I used a Nestability die to cut it out and  then sponged brown ink around it while it was still in the die. Next, it was matted with brown and yellow card stock cut from Nestability dies. I stamped the *NEW* Give Thanks Bible Verse (585E) on yellow card stock and cut it out with a fishtail die. The green card stock that was used to mat it was cut out the same way. The card stock base was made from brown card stock to form an A2 size card, and the stamped portions were adhered in place as shown. I cut a tab from green card stock and added three yellow pearls to embellish the upper left corner of the matted image and this card was complete!

I hope you like it!

 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend! 

 

Smiles,

Jennifer

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For Two Great Teachers

As another school year comes to a close, it's important to let teachers know how special and appreciated they are, especially after all of the hard work they put into teaching our youth. Today I'm showing off the cards I've made to go with the thank you gifts for my son's teacher and teaching assistant.

 

 

These pocket cards were started by cutting scalloped squares using large Nestability dies. I adhered the right, left, and bottom edges of two of them together to form the pocket. I decorated the fronts of each one by stamping the Interlocking Star Background (819H) with Versa Mark and the Starry Background (124H) with dark purple ink.  

 

 

On one of them, I used the Teacher Tools (792G) image to embellish the front. I colored it with Copic markers. Then, I stamped "Thank You" from the Box of Chocolates Greeting (967F) and cut it out with a fishtail banner to put below the image.  

 

 

On the other, I stamped the Brush Thank You (1095H).

 

The inside message was computer generated and the tops of the message cards were embellished with a paper bow.  A matching, layered flower embellished with a pearl in the center decorated each bow.

 

 

Once I had my ideas drawn up on paper and started to create these, everything seemed to fall right into place.  I really had a lot of fun making these and I hope his teachers really enjoy them!

 

Of course, I hope you do too!

 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

 

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Teacher's Chalkboard Thank You

It's a perfect time for the Chalkboard technique challenge on the DRS Designs Blog this week. I attend a "Mommy and Me" class once a week with my 2 year old son. Now when school ends in 3 weeks, I already have my Thank You card ready to go. Anyone who can teach 5 classes of 2 year old's all year long deserves a big Thank you in my book. I can hardly handle the one I've got and she sees 60 of them every week! I plan on papercrafting a gift to go with this card, but I'll have to show that off at a later date.

Both the Teacher Touch A Heart Greeting (475G) and the Teacher Tools image (792G) are by DRS Designs. They were heat embossed with white embossing powder on black cardstock. Then, white ink was sponged around the embossed areas to make it resemble a chalkboard. It's such an easy technique with cool results! The white layer here was embossed with a small hearts embossing folder, but it's difficult to see. The finished card size is 4.25" x 5.5".

Won't you join us in this challenge? Give it a try and link your card HERE for a chance to win a prize from DRS Designs.

Good Luck and thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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So Sweet Strawberries

What could be better than eating, drinking, and being merry? Well that's what the new challenge on the DRS Designs Blog this week is all about!  To enter the challenge, your project needs to have foods or drinks on them.

I stamped up and colored these yummy Strawberries (291K) for the focal point of this "sweet" card. They are perfect tor this time of year! Best part about this card is the brainstorm idea I had to use the Raindrop Background (1012H) upside down to look like strawberry seeds! I love this idea and am certain it's one I'll use again! The "You're So Sweet" sentiment (546D) was popped up to add some dimension to the card front.

DRS Designs is giving away a $10 store voucher for this challenge. Link your card HERE to enter for a chance to win.
Good Luck!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Thank You!

A few months ago I traveled 3 hours away and met up with some of DRS Designs team members at the rubber stamp show just outside Cleveland Ohio. We demoed a two-step stamping process using the Argyle background stamp (438P) and the Argyle Diamond (441A).

Here's a picture of all of us. Left to right is Shelia, Karin, Me and Sue.

Saturday evening after the show we went back to Karin's house where she treated us to pizza, salad, and snacks and then we stamped the night away,literally. I think Shelia and I stayed until about Midnight! Of course it was only appropriate of me to hand-stamp Karin a Thank You card for all of her hospitality. I created 2 different versions of the same card, because its always good to have an extra Thank You card on hand.

As you can see I used the Argyle and solid diamond stamps to create the backgrounds. I also used the Material Maker Square (583L) in the backgrounds as well. The Brush Thank You (1095H) was used as the focal point for both cards. Click on either one of these cards to see a larger view.

Here's the inside of the card I made for Karin. I used a left over scrap from the Argyle Background and matted it with dark green cardstock to embellish the bottom of the inside panel.

Have you thought about making Thank You cards got some of the special Christmas gifts you get this year? These would be perfect and you could even stamp the argyle and solid diamond using red and green ink for the occasion!

That's it for today. Please stop by again soon!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Thank You!

Hi Everyone! 

Hope you all had a great Easter.  We enjoyed spending the weekend with our family and celebrated with lots of good food.  It was definitely something to give big Thanks for!  So, as promised, I'm showing off one of the cards I made recently made.  

This Thank You card uses the Brush Thank You (1095H) stamp from DRS Designs current release.  I stamped it in the center of the Triple Teardrop 3" Giga Circle (045L) using my stamp positioner so that it fit perfectly. I matted this stamped circle with a scalloped circle cut with a Nestability die and added a black dot to each scallop with a permanent marker.  I love how this highlights the sentiment! The white panel in the background was punched with a border punch and then embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  A yellow bow and 2 black brads were the only decorative embellishments used on this card.

I've entered this card into the Crafty Ribbons challenge to use Black & White with one other color.  Wish me luck! They have a great bag of Spring ribbon up for grabs, and I know, you can never have too much! ;- )

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Smiles, 

Jennifer

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Teacher Thanks

Woo Hoo! Schools out for Summer!

Did you thank your teachers?

The card I'm sharing with you today is a teacher's thank you card I made for a friend of mine.

Both the Teacher's Tools image (792G) and the Teacher Touches a Heart Sentiment (475G) are by DRS Designs. I colored the image with Copic Markers and paper pieced the hearts in the sentiment. I applied Diamond Glaze to the apple, and the hearts to enhance the card front.

Do you have big plans for the Summer? We're still waiting on the birth of our first baby and then I'm looking forward to getting to know my baby and enjoying the entire Summer off of work!

I hope your Summer is off to a great start!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Baby Shower Thank Yous

Last month when I went on the stamping weekend with the girls from the Stamp Shack, they all threw me a surprise baby shower. I was very, very surprised and shocked to learn that they had been planning it since January!  With all that has been going on, it's only taken me a month to finally make and write out their Thank you cards!

One of the girls gave me a cute set of Inkadinkado clear stamps called "Baby Love" and I thought the little swaddled bunny was perfect for their cards! I made 13 of them and had to mail them so I didn't want to add any extra embellishments. I colored the image with Copic Markers and then paper pieced the blanket after I ran it thru the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder to match the pattern I used on the background panel.  The "Thanks" sentiment I used on the bottom is by Serendipity Stamps.

To all of you Shackapalooza girls who follow my blog, thank you again for the surprise shower and for all the goodies you all so generously gave me! I greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Sunflower Basket

Thanks for all your patience with my scanty posting lately.  Hubby is still home from work on vacation, and we've been busy going here, there, and everywhere! I'm actually enjoying him being home, but it leaves me with very little stamping and blogging time.  We're also preparing for a family vacation that we'll be going on soon, so that is taking up some of my free time as well.

Today I actually had a bit of time to myself and wanted to share my sunflower basket cards with you.  I received several of these stamped images from my friend Nancy--Thanks, Nancy! This sunflower basket stamp is by Impression Obsession and I used Copic Markers to color it. 

I originally made the Thanks card first and loved the way it turned out, so that when I needed a birthday card recently I decided to create the same card and change the sentiment.

Here is a picture of both versions. 

Here's a close up of the Thanks card.  The Thanks sentiment is by Serendipity Stamps.

The sentiment on the birthday card is the Birthday Wishes Come True Greeting (E508) by DRS Designs.

I dressed up the birthday card a bit by adding my favorite Yellow Stickles to the sunflower petals.  It really brightened this card up!

Thanks for patiently waiting for me to post.  A DRS Designs new release is just around the corner, so I'll be posting more frequently very soon!

Thanks for stopping by, I greatly appreciate your visit and your comments!

Until next time...

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Doggie Dilemma Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone!

Today I'm showing off another challenge card for the DRS Sketch Challenge.  As you can see from the sketch, I changed it up a bit to accomodate my focal image by just switching the purple and gray panels on the sketch.

Isn't this Doggie Dilemma stamp (H254) adorable!?!?!?!  This poor little guy definitely needs some support to get through that fence! LOL!  That's why I thought the Thank You For Your Support Greeting (E335) went well with this stamp.  Both of these stamps are new releases.

 

I colored the image with Copic Markers and masked it so that I could sponge blue ink around the image.  Of course, the Thank You For Your Support greeting is all one stamp, but I chose to split it up in order to make it work for the layout on this card.

We'd love for you to play along as we look forward to seeing your version of the sketch.  Here's a reminder of the 2 prize packages that DRS Designs is giving away to 2 lucky participants! The 2 winners who are randomly chosen will get their choice of either package! Each package contains 6 stamps that you could get for FREE!

Beach Package

-OR-

Golf Package

Hurry as time is quickly running out!  Make sure to link up your challenge card on this post using the Inlinkz feature to be considered for one of these great prizes by 11:59pm on July 26th!  (Hurry, that is only 4 days away!)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Thank You!

Going on vacation is always something I look forward too, but I there's nothing like being at home and sleeping in your own bed! My DH and I spent last week in Gatlinburg Tennessee with his family. We had a ton of fun, ate tons of good food and had many great laughs, but I'm glad to be home--a week can go by so fast yet feel so long all at the same time.

I spent majority of Sunday working in my Stamp room working on some ATC's & coloring images, which you'll get to see here on my blog very soon. I also created this Thank you card.

This card was made for DH's Aunt, who surprisingly bought me a pair of shoes that I didn't want to by for myself while we were on vacation. She claimed that it was because she had yet to buy me a birthday present this year--my birthday was in February! She's so sweet! Over the course of the week we spent some time talking about my papercrafting hobby and I wanted to create a card for her so she can see just what I do. I thought sending her a handmade Thank you card was just the way to do it! I can't wait for her to get it--I know she'll be surprised!

The layout I used for this card is from last week's SCS Sketch challenge #241. I colored the image with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol, and used chalk to shade the background. I spiced it up a bit by adding Yellow Stickles to each petal. Have I ever told you how much I love Yellow Stickles? I think it really helps to make Yellow flowers "pop!"

Stamps: Sunflower image by Kodomo Inc., Thank You sentiment by Lockhart Stamp Co.
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Ribbon by Pebbles Inc, SU! Word Window Punch, SU! Ticket Corner Punch, Yellow Stickles, Chalk by Inkadinkado
Finished Card Size: 4.25" x 5.5"

Well, thanks for stopping by today & hanging in there while I was gone all last week. The stress and wedding festivities prevented me from preparing some projects and blog posts that I wanted to post while I was gone, so sorry for that. But, I'm home now & eager to play with my paper & ink, so you can look forward to seeing more projects from me this week.

I hope you have a good week!

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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Ladybug Thanks and Resolution Day 1

A few of the cool things I really like about DRS Designs is that their images are fun to color & create with, and they have neat background stamps that you can use to make your own designer paper.

This ladybug card features both of these aspects.

I colored the ladybugs with pencils and added black Stickles to their spots. I tried to be creative with the new decorative border shaped stamps and used the Mega Dot Square Stamp to create the border around my sentiment. I colored the larger dots with a black marker & then added Stickles to them as well.

As you can see I used the Interlocking Circle background with red & black ink to create the designer paper column. I'm so happy with the way this coordinates so well with this card.

I accessorized this card using my black & white Gel pens to create dotted borders around the ladybug image, and on the scallop around my sentiment. I also added a black bow to the bottom of the vertical column and then a few black brads, and Viola! This card turned out too cute!

Stamps: DRS Designs- Lady Bug Stack, Small Thank You, Interlocking Circle Background, Mega Dot Square
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Lipstick Red
Paper: Smooth white cardstock by Office Depot, Colored Cardstock by American Crafts
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Bic Markers, Nesties, Black Diamond Stickles, White and Black Gelly Roll Pens, Ribbon by Bobbie M. Designs, Black Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials
Finished Card Size: 4.75" x 5.75"

So, how are you doing with your New Year's Resolutions? Mine are to go to the gym, Monday through Friday, and get ahead with my DT responsibilities & blogging. I got up early yesterday & ran/walked 3 miles at the gym before I went to work. I felt good knowing that I accomplished day 1. Then, after work I had big plans to work on some cards in my Studio, but from getting up early, I was just too pooped out to do anything. My brain could not think!

So, for all of you regular exercise people out there, how do you balance sleep, crafting, a regular job, a blog, and all the regular duties like housework etc? We don't even have children yet! I can only imagine what they will do to this mix when the time comes! I always hear that working out is supposed to give you more energy, and I feel it does just the opposite. (FYI, This opinion is not made just on yesterday's gym/workout accomplishment. I've noticed this with a majority of my other workout attempts as well.) Does it eventually get easier? DH thinks I need to take some diet pills or other energizing supplements to help me. I refuse to even consider those options!

I'd love to hear how you balance it all-- have any advice that could help me? I hate to think that I've set my goals to high, but I'm afraid that if I make them easier then I won't stick to them long enough to make them routine. I just joined Sparkpeople yesterday & I'm still learning my way around it, but I've heard many good things about it. I'm hoping that once I start to plug in my stats that it will keep me focused on the exercise portion of my resolutions. Are any of you Spark People members?

Well, I'm off to start Day 2--wish me luck!

Until we meet again tomorrow, have a great day!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Wishing you all...

... a very Merry Christmas & a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Thank You to all of you for visiting my blog everyday & for all of the wonderful comments I've received from you. I'm truely thankful!

I'll be taking the Holiday week off from blogging as I will be busy spending time with my family. Please make sure to check back after the New Year when things quiet down from the Holidays. I'm eager to find that relaxing time again where I spend a little part of each day creating greeting cards and projects to share with you!

May you find your Holiday filled with Joy and wrapped in Love!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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Boyds Bear Thanks

At the Stamp Shack a few weeks ago, someone started a thread, "what is your favorite tea?" As the discussion progressed, I realized how many different flavors are out there that I'd really like to try. I say try because I can't tell you how many times I have bought different flavored tea or flavored coffees and then really disliked them. Then, I'm stuck with a whole box of tea or coffee grounds that I don't know what to do with. Have you ever been in this position?

So, I decided to create a stamping swap where we would swap different flavors of individually wrapped tea. Participants had to create some type of decorative tea bag holder that has stamping on it or send in tea related stamped images to be eligible for the swap. I was surprised at how quickly the swap filled up--15 participants in all and had I opened the swap to more I'm sure they would have filled as well.

Some of the tea flavors that are being sent in are:

Bigelow Pomegrante Pizzazz
Bigelow Vanilla Caramel

Chai tea

Apricot Tea
Tazo's Awake Tea

Stash Ginger peach green tea

Harney & Sons Organic Citron Green

Twinings "Earl Grey Tea"

Taz passion

Twining's of London Herbal Unwind-Citrus, Cinnamon, & Soothing Spices

Stash decaf Creme carmel tea
Stash Decaf Chocolate HAzelnut Tea

Trader Joe Chocolate decaf tea

Chamoile

Have you tried any of these tea flavors?

So, anyways, on to my card for today...

In one of the swap packages, I received a cute little Boyds Bears stamp set from my friend Ethel. I needed a few Thank You cards so I put this kit to use right away!

Since these bears are also sharing "tea," I'm adding this image to my tea packet of stamped images for the swap. So, if you're a particpant, you can look forward to receiveing some of these images as well!

Stamps: Uptown Rubber Stamps
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan
Paper: Colored Cardstock by The Paper Company and DCWV, Pattern paper by Chatterbox
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Ribbon by K & Company, Square Brads by Joann's Scrap Essentials
Finished Card Size: 5.5" x 4.25"

So, what's your favorite tea flavor? or If your a coffee drinker, what is your favorite flavor coffee?

Thanks for visiting!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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TGIF and FFF Birds!

Happy TGIF Everyone! I'm so glad the weekend is here! Well, since it's Friday, Kimmy and I are posting our Bird theme Fun Filled Friday cards today.


To be honest, I was a bit worried with this one--AND I picked the theme! How does that happen? Anyways, I just wasn't feeling very "birdy" this week and was having a hard time getting a layout that I liked. Slowly, but surely, this one turned out much better than expected, and I actually like its simplicity!







First, I colored the bird image with my Prismacolor Pencils. I matted it with light blue cardstock and then again with dark blue cardstock. I used Post-It notes to block off the white area around the image, and then used blue ink & my sponge daubers to create the airbrushed look around the image. Once I removed the Post-it notes, I was in awe as the blue ink sort of resembled the sky--perfect for this bird in a tree image!



I created the card base from light blue cardstock, measuring for an A2 size envelope (4.25" x 5.5"). I used my Score-Pal to add score lines over the upper portion of my card. I matted the patterned paper with dark blue cardstock and added a dark blue brad to each lower corner. I then, adhered the entire piece to the lower portion of the card front. I threaded ribbon through the holes in the image, and I attached the ribbon on the left side of the image with a dark blue brad, and I tied the right side in a knot and adhered it to the base.

To finalize the card, I stamped "Thank You" just below the image.

• Stamps: Image-Inkadinakado, Sentiment-Hero Arts
  
• Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, SU Ballet Blue


• Paper: Bazzill Cardstock, Patterned Paper DCVW Scrapbook in a Stack
  
• Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Score-Pal, Maya Road Ribbon, Brads from Joann's Scrap Essentials, SU! Sponge Daubers, SU! Horizontal Slot Punch
  

Don't forget to check out Kimmy's Bird card!

Have you been participating in our FFF challenges? Kimmy is giving Blog Candy away to anyone who participated in our challenges during the month of July. You have until July 31st to complete any of our July challenges.

On Sunday I will post my Reader FFF Challenge that Kimmy picked for me. Some one's going to win blog candy! Stay tuned to see who!

Have an awesome weekend!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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