CAS Christmas Bling

I've been busy playing with DRS Designs new Fall stamps, and many of those projects are still in progress.  I should have them ready to show you very soon. 

It's been awhile since I've used any of DRS Designs Ribbon Slides and since this Poinsettia slide (936D) is new to me, it was time that I finally put it to use!

I created this Clean and Simple card to show it off, and I've used a few other DRS stamps as well. On the kraft cardstock I stamped the Lines O'Plenty background (366H) with white Staz On ink. I used the white Staz On to ink the edges as well to create a snowy look.

I adhered green cardstock to the bottom of the kraft cardstock and added the Wonderful Christmas Sentiment (971F) stamped in black ink. Next I stamped and colored the Poinsettia Ribbon Slide (936D) with Copic Markers and cut out the 2 center pieces. I threaded red polka dot ribbon thru those openings and adhered the ribbon slide onto a small white piece of cardstock that was cut out using a scallop circle Nestability. I then used the ribbon to cover up the seam between the Kraft and Green cardstock panels.

The next step was a bit time consuming but it really dressed this CAS card right up! I individually adhered clear rhinestones to create a border just above the ribbon. Yep, you read that right, "clear" rhinestones. I purchase a bulk bag of the clear ones and color them with Copic Markers to match whatever project I use them on. I know I've save quite a few pennies doing it this way! It's so much cheaper than buying them in packages of assorted colors!

Finally, I adhered the card front to a red cardstock base and then used my favorite Xmas Red Stickles to dress up the poinsettia. I love its simple sparkle!

Thanks for visiting today! I appreciate it!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Autumn Scarecrow

A little late, but I've completed another Sewing Saturday card!  The layout I used for this card is from this weeks Stamp Something Blog Challenge.  DRS Designs is the sponsor and they are giving away another $20 store voucher!  Here's the sketch you have to play with to be eligible:

I change it up a bit and created an A2 size card instead of square and used an oval instead of a circle for my image. The image is DRS Designs new Large Screcrow (426L).  It is part of the new Fall release, and you can see the rest of these great stamps HERE.

The scarecrow was colored with Copic Markers, and I used the Out-Of-The-Box technique to cut him out using a Nestability die.   

I've paired him up with the Small Autumn Greetings sentiment (422B).  Other details for this card include red and yellow thread, yellow and brown self adhesive buttons, and the edge of the image and the yellow card front were both distressed with Vintage Photo distressing ink.

Thanks for stopping by to see my sewing Saturday card.  Make sure to check out the new DRS stamps and check back often in the next week, as I plan on stamping the weekend away so I'll have lots of new stuff for you in the next week!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Happy Harvest!

This is such a wonderful time of year! I love taking walks in the cool Fall air, where your face is warmed by the sun and kicking up leaves that will soon blow away. I love all the smells of Fall too, like the smell of fallin' leaves, and the yummy smells of making homemade goodies like applesauce and pumpkin muffins! Plus, with Thanksgiving right around the corner what's there not to love!?!? I can't wait to spend that day with family!

DRS Designs just came out with some wonderful stamps to complement the Fall season. I've used 2 of them on the card I made for this weeks bonus Midnight Madness sketch Challenge-MMSC78. The focal image I used is the Autumn Flower Spray (452L).

I colored it with Copic Markers, masked it, and sponged light brown ink around it while it was still in a Nestie die. The Shine On Harvest Moon greeting (470D) is also new. It is all one stamp, but I split it up to use better with this sketch. The edges of the yellow panel were distressed with Vintage Photo Distressing ink. Finally, this card was elegantly embellished with a matching red-orange bow and 3 clear rhinestones that I colored brown with a Copic Marker.

Make sure to run over to the New Release page over at DRS Designs to check out all of their new stamps now available for purchase.

Also, one more reminder, don't forget to nominate your favorite blogs and online galleries for DRS Designs new "By Invitation Only" contest! They could be picked to win FREE stamps! Please read all the contest rules HERE.

Happy November to you! Have a wonderful day!!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Autumn Greetings

Oh my! Can you believe it's November already! The big, jolly man in the red suit will be here before we know it, if you know what I mean! But, before we start thinking about all that we must focus on what's right here in front of us, rather than what's around the corner--Thanksgiving!

That being said, make sure to run over to the New Release page at DRS Designs. They've just released a bunch of adorable Fall and Thanksgiving stamps that I'm sure you will love. I just received my package and will play today, so hopefully I'll have a card tomorrow to show one or two of them off!

Today's card I made awhile ago and I'm glad it's the appropriate season to finally share it with you! I've used DRS Designs Cornucopia (L566) image along with the small Autumn Greetings sentiment (B422). I colored the image with Copic Markers and used Vintage Photo Distressing ink to antique the edges.

One thing I've done on this card that I rarely do is crumple up my cardstock--if you look closely at the green layer, you'll see that it's crinkled, torn, and faded a bit. I love the look and I learned that the paper you use to do this will shrink a bit, so make sure to cut it a tad larger than the space you need it for!

Well, thanks for taking the time today to stop by and visit. I hope you enjoyed your stay and hope to see you soon! Please leave me a comment so I know that you were here!

Have a great day!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Witching You A Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Today I have another opportunity for you to win from DRS Designs!

Run over to the DRS Designs Blog and see my post today for all the details. 

Have a very Happy and Safe Halloween!

Smiles,
Jennifer

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The Spirit of Masking!

I am well on my way with my new Sewing Saturday feature, and I'm glad to report that I've stayed on top of my goal! Here's my second Sewing Saturday card for ya!

All of the stamps used here are by DRS Designs. I went on a Masking Spree to create this card! I used Spencer the Not So Spooky Ghost (408D) and the Small Ghost (191C). I created a bit of depth by adding gray shadows to them, and I highlighted their mouths with Copic Markers.

Before I added ghosts to the right side of the scene, I framed off a small area for the second half of the "Get In The Spirit" greeting using a Nestability die. I sponged charcoal ink around the edges and colored in the word "Spirit" with an orange Copic Marker. I then covered it with a mask and finished adding the ghosts around it. I then used a black Copic marker to fill in the spaces between all the ghosts.

I added a black and silver decorative border, and black and white ribbon to the top of my card front as shown. Sewing came into play by adding small orange zig-zag stitches to the top and bottom of the ribbon to complement the orange in the word "Spirit". My card front was then adhered to a black cardstock base.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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My Favorite Vegetable...

...is Candy Corn, especially this time of year!

I know I'm a week late, but here's my take on last weeks sketch challenge SC303 from Spiltcoast Stampers.  I flipped the sketch upside down and changed the center oval to accomodate the sentiment better.

The sentiment, the background and the cute Candy Corn Buzz Bee (378C) are all from DRS Designs. I used the Favorite Veggie sentiment (126E) as my focal point. As you can see the bee and the Candy Corn Background (633H) complement this saying very well! Both were colored with Copic Markers.

If you look close at the Candy Corn background, you see that I stamped it in orange ink.  The center stripe is a solid part of the stamp, so when it's stamped on white paper, all you have to do is color the bottom portion yellow and you have a quick and easy background all ready to go! I added a touch of Stickles to the bees' wings giving this card just the right touch!

Well, I'll be buying a lot of candy today for all of the little trick or treaters who will soon be stopping by. I'll pick up some of my favorite vegetable to enjoy for myself as well *wink!*

Hope you're all having a great Halloween week!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Halloween Spirits!

Are you as shocked as I am that it's Halloween week already?!?!?  I just can't get over how quickly time flies!  I have a cute Halloween card to share with you today. 

In order to see this card in its entirety, you'll have to run over to the DRS Designs blog, since it's my day to post there.  Thanks so much, I appreciate it!

Hope you all have a very safe and Happy Halloween!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Two Loving Hearts

Hubby and I went to a wedding this weekend. I recently went to Hallmark to find a card for the Bride and Groom and quickly decided that was not such a good idea! The cheapest/most decent card I could find was over $5! So, as a means of watching our pennies, I planned ahead and decided to make a card for them. Besides it's what I do on a practically everyday basis anyway, right?  Still not sure what made me go to Hallmark in the first place!

I was a bit unsure as to how this was going to turn out as I don't have very many wedding themed stamps or paper. Since I had the time, I was up for the challenge and I tried really hard to use what I had. It would have defeated the purpose of planning ahead to make one otherwise. I'm glad to report that this was a lot easier than I thought it would be once I actually sat down to do it. I'm really, really happy with how this turned out! There's just something about it's simple elegance that is really pretty to me.

I apologize as this photo doesn't do this card any justice! I used shimmer cardstock and it was hard to photograph and capture something similar to how it looks in real life!  If anyone has some tips and trick to photographing shimmer cardstock, please do share!

Best part about this card is that it was really quick and easy! I created the card front by first, using the EK Success decorative heart border punch on the bottom edge of the shimmer ivory cardstock. Next, I stamped DRS Designs Silhouette Love Heart (213D) twice, side-by-side and slightly over lapping with SU! Rose Red craft ink. I heat set the ink and then embossed the card front with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder, leaving about 1 inch from the top edge. Then I added 2 horizontal embossed lines using my Score-Pal. In the space between these 2 lines I adhered beautiful white and silver ribbon with a bow in the center. I adhered the card front on to a Gray shimmer cardstock base.

I even decorated the inside to match!  I stamped off the silhouette heart and added "Congratulations" from SU! I used the heart border punch on a small strip of shimmer gray cardstock, adhered it to the top and my card was complete.

I'm pretty sure they'll like it, don't you?

Smiles,

Jennifer

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No More Excuses--Sewing Saturday!

After all the fun I had making this card awhile ago, I swore that I would do more sewing on my cards.   Ever since then, the machine has been out and ready to go--the whole purpose of leaving it out was so that I would use it more often! For some reason, even though I see it every time I sit down at my craft table, my little Janome sewing maching seems to overwhelm me and I hardly ever use it. Definitely, not my original intention that justified the purchase when I bought it.  But, when I do use it I'm reminded of how easy and fun it is!  So, now...that's it, no more excuses!   I MUST use it and WILL!

With that being said, I welcome you to my first installment of Sewing Saturday! Every Saturday I'm challenging myself to share something with you that has sewing on it! If you see a card during the other days of the week with sewing on it, then that's just a bonus! ;-)

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, here's my first Sewing Saturday card.

I stamped DRS Designs Cancer Is...Greeting (L113) as the focal point on my card.  I stamped it in black ink and then masked off the edges with Post-It Notes and sponged pink ink over the wording.  After I removed the Post It Notes I had a nice white frame around it.  I used some Photo Corner punches to decorate around the saying a touch of pink ribbon and a single pink brad made it complete!

Thanks for stopping by!
 So now that I've told you all about my Sewing Saturdays, you must hold me to it! Feel free to scold me in your comments, when you don't see a Sewing Saturday card, ok?

Smiles,

Jennifer

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S'more Goodness!

Not too long ago I posted a s'more card using the S'more Greeting (376K) seen below and the Smooshed S'more image (382E), both by DRS Designs.  Love s'mores and want more?  Well, how about adding this Smiling S'more image (390H) from DRS Designs to your collection as well?  I think he's adorable too!

My first step in making this card was to stamp, color, and cut out the s'more image.  While it was still in my square Nestability die, I sponged charcoal ink around the upper portion of it to create the frame and shading around it.  I matted it with brown cardstock and set it aside while I worked on the rest of my card.

I created the base from brown cardstock as well.  The S'more Greeting (376K) was stamped in brown ink on gray cardstock.  I used a border punch to create the decorative edge and added some fun brown ribbon, and adhered the image next to the greeting.  Once the card front was adhered to the base, I added 5 clear rhinestones below the image.  I colored them with a brown Copic Marker to make them match perfectly!

So, do I have you craving this yummy, ooey, gooey sticky treat yet?

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Stamp, Play With Midnight Madness, and Win From DRS Designs!

Stamp, play, win! That's all you have to do to be the next winner of a DRS Designs $20 Voucher!  Read on for all the details...

Step 1: Create a card with this sketch. Of course we'd love it if you use DRS Designs stamps on your entry. *Please leave me a link here on this post if you do so I can personally check it out!

Step 2: Run over to the Midnight Madness blog and upload your card to be entered to win!

Step 3: Patiently wait until the contest ends and cross your fingers that you are randomly selected to win the prize--a FREE $20 shopping spree to DRS Designs!

Here's my take on the first sketch using DRS Designs new Witchy Frog Brew (386H) stamp. I colored this adorable image with Copic Markers and masked it to ink the grass and blue sky around it.

The background was created using the Eeeek Background (402H) and I added some Flowers and flourish dots as seen according to the sketch.  Some hand doodle dots and the Small Halloween Greeting (042A) made this card complete!

I hope you enjoyed it and I look forward to seeing what you do with this sketch!

Good Luck!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Go Batty!

Well, if your schedule right now is as crazy as mine then, I think you'd "Go Batty" too! Sorry for not posting over the last few days, but things have been very hectic. Glad to say that hopefully things have finally quieted down a bit and I can blog and stamp more often now.

I find it so ironic that this is the card I have for you today. It's so fitting! This "Go Batty!" Sentiment (090D) and the Goofy Bat (381D) image are both by DRS Designs. I used the bat to stamp my own pattern paper with Versafine Onxy black and SU! Elegant Eggplant ink. The sentiment was heat embossed with bright orange embossing powder and I used orange ribbon as an accent.

That bat makes for such a cute card, doesn't he? Just look at that goofy grin!

I certainly hope that things are running smoothly in your neck of the woods, but if not, remember tis the season to "Go Batty!"

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Have A "Fang"tastic Halloween!

Hi Card Makers!

Here's a little something different for you today! I'm getting bored making standard cards.  So, I'm trying to spice things up a bit and make a unique card once a week.  By unique, I mean something other than your standard A2 or 5" x 5" square cards. 

 Here's my first unique card thus far.  I used the Free Standing Pop-Up Card tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers and decorated it with DRS Designs new stamps for this "Fang"tastic Halloween card.

The tag was created by simply matting the orange cardstock with black and inking the edges with Charcoal chalk ink to give it a smoky look.  I stamped the "Fang"tastic Halloween Greeting (391F) with black ink and adhered cut-outs of the Goofy Bat (381D) around it.  The "pully" was created by folding a scallop circle in half and added a spiral clip with ribbon attached to to it. 

I colored the Precious Pumpkin (380F) with Copic Markers and cut it out as well to decorate the front edge of the base with it.  Some fun, black and orange ribbon finished this Pop-Up Card nicely.

I'll be checking for more unique cards on Splitcoast Stampers, but if you see a unique card in a card gallery or a tutorial some where out there in blog land, please leave me a link.  From all the links I receive, I'll draw a winner for a fun little prize from me!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

 to all my Canadian Friends and Followers!

I hope this Thanksgiving is simply delicious!

Whether you celebrate your Thanksgiving today, or 6 weeks from now, I hope it's blessed with good food, family and friends! Have a very happy, and safe Thanksgiving!

Smiles,

Jennifer

The sentiment and image I've used on this card are by DRS Designs.  The Bountiful Basket (791L) was colored with Copic Markers and the Simply Delicious Thanksgiving Greeting (855G) was stamped with black Versafine ink. 

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Embossed Leaves

We are having a beautiful Autumn day here in Michigan today.  The sun is out shining brightly and the temperature is warm and so unlike the cool Fall that it normally is.  I think this is this what they call an Indian Summer. The best part is that we're having this weather on weekend days so everyone is out to enjoy it!

I thought this card was appropriate for today. Fun, Fall-like, and colorful just like the trees around us.  All of the stamps seen on this card are by DRS Designs.  I created my own pattern paper by stamping the Small Silhouette Leaf (C691), the Tiny Leaf (A1074), and the Small Autumn Greetings Sentiment (B422) repeatedly on white cardstock with Versamark ink.  I then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I used a Brayers to add several colors of ink over the embossed images and then I sprayed it with Gold Glimmer Mist to make it shimmer.  I stamped the Changing Leaves sentiment (1122G) with brown ink.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're having beautiful Fall weather where you are as well!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Get In The Halloween Spirit!

Hi Friends!
Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! I've been stamping all week with some of DRS designs new Halloween stamps.  Here's one of my favorite Halloween cards I've made so far. 

Please let me introduce you to Spencer, the Not So Spooky Ghost (408D)!   I stamped him twice on white cardstock, and masked one of them so that I could create the background behind him using the Empty Spider Web (329G).  I used Copics on the second image to give him a bit of shadow and some pink lips and then adhered it on to the first image for added dimension.

I created my own patterned paper for the background panel using the new Eeeeek Background stamp (402H).  On both background panels I distressed the edges using Charcoal chalk ink to create a smoky and spooky look.  What could be paired more perfectly with Spencer than this Spirit of Halloween Greeting (389F)?  This is also one of DRS Designs new stamps.  I used several black petite brads and a black grosgrain bow to embellish this card perfectly. 

So, if Spencer isn't a spooky ghost, I guess that makes him a friendly one, right?  Just look at that face...of course he's friendly! He's just too adorable to be spooky!
Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

PS: Don't forget about DRS Designs new contest?  It's where you win FREE stamps first before you even get entered, but it's "By Invitation Only!" Check out all the details HERE and submit your nomination today!

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Delightful and Frightful Halloween!

Just a quick post today to show you a card I made using the new Spooky Bat Tree (406H) from DRS Designs.  I paper pieced the tree trunk and the moon, and sponged orange ink around the moon to give it a more authentic look.  The background was created using the Double Deal Bats and Stars (653P) Stamp and the Delightful, Frightful Halloween Greeting (215G).

Make sure to check out all of DRS Designs great Halloween stamps, and have you read about the 2 contests they currently have underway?  Hurry, the Operation Write Home contest deadline is October 23rd, and there's also the "By Invitation Only" contest where you can nominate your favorite card makers for a chance to be featured on the DRS Designs Blog!
Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Come Visit For A Spell!

Are you going to have a Halloween party and get all dressed up this year? Well, I invite you to think about using DRS Designs new Halloween Party invite stamp (399M) when making your invitations!

Here's one I made to show it off. I used the Criss Cross Card tutorial on Splitcoast to make it. I decorated the card holder using the Empty Spider Web(329G), the new Eeeeek Background (402H), and the Spooky Eyes Background (647H).

The coolest part about using the Eeeeek Background and Spooky eyes Background together is that they inter lock and you can stamp one right over top of the other and they fit perfectly together. You can see this on the front of my criss cross card and just how well they match since I stamped them in 2 different colors.

The invitation inside was colored with Copic Markers and I used Martha Stewart's Spider Web punch to decorate the edges.

The band was decorated with the new Broomstick Stella (415H) image. I colored her with Copic Markers. The sentiment I added is the small Halloween Greeting (042A).

I really had a lot of fun making this invitation! Now, if only the costume I'm making for the party this year could come out looking just as great, I'll be all set!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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Pumpkin Cutie!

Oh my! Have you noticed all of the goodies being given away for this weeks Splitcoast Sketch Challenge? It's the 300th challenge and many companies have donated generous prizes that will be given out to challenge participants.  DRS Designs is one of them! They are giving away 2-$10 gift certificates.  Make sure to get your card posted in the SC300 gallery to be entered to win any of the prizes.

Here's the sketch you need to play with:

I played along and created this Pumpkin Cutie Halloween card! I used DRS Designs new Precious Pumpkin (380F) as my focal image. I colored him with Copic Markers and sponged light blue ink around him.  Isn't he adorable?!?! I just love that jolly look on his face!

I also used the Empty Spider Web (329G) and the Halloween Arc (043E) to decorate this card.

Hope your having fun making your Halloween cards this year.
 If you haven't started yet, make sure to check out all of DRS Designs Halloween stamps.  I know you'll find something you love!

Smiles,

Jennifer

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