Featured on the CSS App today!

I have a project being featured on the CSS App today!  Click the image below to be taken to the full version!

Also, today is the last day of life for Google Reader!  Be sure to follow me on Blog Lovin'!  The link is in the left side bar! :)  

Have a great day!

Revisiting the Rag Dolls! {Clear and Simple Stamps}

Hey there!!  Today, the CSS Team is revisiting the Collection 7 Rag Doll release!  You can see all of the Collection 7 goodies here.

Today, my project features the new sitting rag doll, Willa: Enjoy, along with Rag Doll Scenes 2. I just can't get enough of these adorable little dolls.  They are so fun to play with!

Summer is the season of vacations, and this card and coordinating travel journal will be a perfect little going away gift for someone.  I got the journal in the Target Dollar Spot, and with a little dressing up using the Favor Flags dies, and some Red/White/Blue twine, it looks so much nicer!  

I just love the suitcase image from Scenes 2!  It is perfect for so many occasions and can be used with our without a Rag Doll.  I happen to think that Willa looks adorable perched on top :)

I hope you enjoyed my project today!  Be sure to hop around and check out more adorable Rag Doll projects with:

Lori

Elena

CSS

Also, today is the last day for Google Reader.  Be sure to follow me with Blog Lovin!  The link is in my left side bar!  Thanks for stopping by.... have a great day! :)

Pinspired Challenge #12

**If you are looking for my post with CSS or my Papertrey Ink Blog Hop post, please scroll down**

It's time for another Pinspired Challenge!  The inspiration photo this week is so pretty... an unusual color combination of red, bright green and aqua.  Not a combo that I would immediately think to put together, but I love it!!

This week, our sponsor is SP & Company!

I made this card for a very special little friend of mine who happened to be away at Girl Scout Camp (Hi Elizabeth!!).  Mail call is a pretty big deal from what I'm told, so I wanted to be sure that I send some her way.  She loves turtles, and one of my very favorite turtle stamps is from the Paper Smooches Party Posse.  The sentiment is from the Good Gab stamp set.

Be sure to check the blog to see lots more inspiration and play along with us for a chance to win a great prize! :)

Be sure to follow me on BlogLovin!  The link is in the left side bar.  Only a few days left of Google Reader!!

Thanks for stopping by... hope you have a great day! :)

Papertrey Ink June Blog Hop ~ A Touch of Gold

**If you are looking for my post with CSS, please scroll down**

This month's challenge is "A Touch of Gold".

At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to play long with this month's blog hop challenge over at Papertrey Ink... I don't have any gold embossing powder... do you believe it?!  But I was sitting in my craft room last night and out of the corner of my eye, I spied a package of gold sequins!  I had forgotten about them.  So I was inspired to play along!

Here is my card:

I used Tremendous Treats Birthday, the Fabulous Frames polaroid die and the pinked square from the Button Card die set.

I can't wait to hop along and see what everyone else created! :)

Supplies (all PTI unless noted):

Stamps: PTI Tremendous Treats Birthday

Paper: SS White, Hibiscus Burst Pattern Pack, MME 6x6 pad

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tea Dye Duo

Dies: Tremendous Treats Birthday, Fabulous Frames, Button Card, Double Ended Banner

Other: Hibiscus Burst Button, Twinery Twine, Gold Sequins (Michaels), Sakura Stardust Pen

More Critter Pals! {Clear and Simple Stamps}

Hey there!!  Happy Tuesday! Today I am back to share some more CSS Collection 7 Critter Pals with you!  I just love these additions to the Critters series, and the elephant is one of my favorites! 

This particular ellie ensemble is a fancy one...  A posh elephant, right Nicki? *wink*

And even a posh elephant needs peanuts...  All dressed up in their Party Favor 10 fry box, who knew bright orange (gross) candy peanuts could look so fancy?!  

This coordinating card uses an adorable sentiment from the Critter Pals Sentiments stamp set, and that little diecut heart (LOVE!!) is from the Build a Critter Pal Basic die set.   I will be using it A LOT.

For lots more Critter Pal inspiration, be sure to visit

Lori

Elena

CSS

That's all for now!  Hope you have a great day! :)

More Foodie Fun! {Clear and Simple Stamps}

I am back today with more Foodie Fun using Clear and Simple Stamps Collection 7 release!  This week, the design team will share even more inspiration with you using all of the new goodies that were just released in the store.  You can see all of them, available for purchase NOW, here.

Today we are revisiting the Foodie Fun series, and what better way than with real food!  I've already shared my hamburger cookies with you, but how about some french fries?

Using yellow candy melts (I got that at Michaels), I dipped mini pretzel rods and then sprinkled them with yellow sugar sprinkles.  They are the perfect size, and fit so well in the new Party Favor 10, the Fry Box!  I decorated the box using the french fry image from Foodie Fun, some red and white twine, and cute star serving papers that I found at Target.

To go along with my candy coated pretzels, I made a mini card using my favorite sentiment from the Foodie Fun Sentiments set, stamped onto a Squares Combo diecut.  The chevron pattern stamp is from Background Basics 1.

For more Foodie Fun inspiration, be sure to visit

Elena

Jennifer

Lori

Jean Martin (Guest)

CSS

See you back here tomorrow with more Collection 7 projects! :)

More Rag Dolls to LOVE! {Clear and Simple Stamps}

Good morning to you!  Happy Saturday!  If you have visited my blog this week, you already know that Clear and Simple Stamps is in the middle of their Collection 7 release.  Well, today is the day that I have been waiting for.  The little ladies and gentleman that started my love affair with CSS are back and with a fun new pose!  Along with their new sitting pose, comes Scenes 2 and Scenes 3, with all kinds of fun places for them to sit!  And you've seen the new Ragdoll Tea Party sets already, but there is a fun new Spa set too!  So much cuteness!!  

Today, my project uses the new Ragdoll Carlie: Wish stamp set along with Scenes 2 to create this festive little birthday ensemble!

Like the rag dolls before them, each comes with their own coordinating die.  Here you can see how I used the present from Scenes 2 along with adorable little Carlie.  Those balloons... I pretty much love them.

And another favorite from this release is the Party Favor 13, the mini takeout box.  I think this die is going to get a serious workout in my craft room.  I just love it!  The little cupcake that I used to decorate the box is from the Sweet Tooth stamp set (I also used the coordinating dies).  This little box is  the perfect size for a mini cupcake!

I hope you enjoyed my post today!  Be sure to visit the design team for more Rag Doll cuteness!  

Elena

Jennifer

Steph

CSS

Be sure to follow me on BlogLovin too!  The link is in the left sidebar.  Google Reader is almost a goner!

Have a great weekend!  Hope to see you back here on Monday for even more CSS Collection 7 fun! :)

Intoducing Critter Pals! {Clear and Simple Stamps}

Hey there!!  I am back again today to share some more adorable goodies from Clear and Simple Stamps Collection 7 release.  Today, it's all about the Critters!  CSS has decided to add to their line of adorable critter friends, and there is a whole slew of super cute animals coming with Collection 7!

 

My project today puts the monkey in the spotlight!

 

In my ensemble, I used the new Build a Critter Pal Basic, Build a Critter Pal #1, Critter Pals 3, and the Critter Pals dies.

 

 

I just love dressing up inexpensive gift bags to make occasions more special.  The tail on the Build a Critter Monkey is just perfect to wrap around a gift bag handle!!  Along with the new Critters, I used a sentiment from the original Little Critters Too stamp set and the Eyelet border die.  See that little present he is holding?  You will hear more about that on Saturday! ;)

 

 

And to coordinate with the gift bag, I used the smaller version of this cute little guy (or girl) along with the coordinating dies to make a fun birthday card.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my project today!  Be sure to hop along and check out some more adorable Critter inspiration!!

 

Lori

CSS

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great day! :)

 



Introducing Foodie Fun! {Clear and Simple Stamps}

Oh boy, am I excited for today's post!  The time has finally come to kick off Clear and Simple Stamps Collection 7 release!  This release is jam packed with  SO MANY awesome new products!  I don't think I can possibly pick a favorite!

 

Today, the team is showcasing a new series called Foodie Fun, and it sure is FUN!

 

 

 

For my project, I chose to work with a super awesome new favor die, Party Favor 13 - a mini take out box.  It can be embellished with ribbon of any color for a custom look every time. I decided I wanted to make hamburger cookies to put in my takeout box.  They are super easy, and quick to make.  You will need the following:

 

-Nilla Wafer Cookies

-Keebler Grasshopper Cookies

-Shredded Coconut

-Green food coloring

-Tube icing in white, red and yellow (non-gel icing works best)

 

I set my Nilla Wafers out assembly line style, then squirted a dab of white icing on the flat side of each "bun". (Good luck trying to find perfect cookies in the box... it looks like a little mouse was nibbling on my hamburger buns!).  You need the white icing to keep all of the other pieces stuck together.  Then you stack on your burger patty (the Grasshopper cookies), followed by zipzags of red and yellow icing to add your ketchup and mustard.  After adding a few drops of green food coloring to your coconut shred, sprinkle it on top of the red and yellow icing and top it with another white iced Nilla Wafer.  After let them set a bit, they stay stuck together. Easy and CUTE!!

 

Two of these little cookies fit perfectly in the Party Favor 13 box.

 

 

To decorate my box, I used the raindrop image from the Flower Garden set to mimic poppy seeds.  I colored and cut out a bunch of burgers from the Foodie Fun stamp set, and then, on a Favor Flag diecut, added the word "Cookies" from the Foodie Fun Sentiments stamp set.

 

My coordinating mini card uses the same stamp sets and a bit of fun gingham patterned paper.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed my post today!  I will be back again tomorrow sharing another fun project.  In the meantime, be sure to hop along to check out some more Foodie Fun inspiration:

Elena Roussakis

Lori

Amber

CSS

 

Don't forget to follow me on Blog Lovin.  You can simply click the link on the left sidebar to follow.  Google Reader will be gone on July 1st!!

 

Have a great day!  See you back here bright and early tomorrow! :)



Hey Mister! {Clear and Simple Stamps}

Hey there!!  It's group post day with Clear and Simple Stamps!  Today's challenge was to create a masculine card using misting in some way.  Beings that I don't have any mists, it was a bit of a challenge for me.  Using a mini-mister filled with water and some drops of reinker, I made my own spray mist.

 

I decided to make a Father's Day card for my husband, from the boys.  On the weekends, when he's not working and at home relaxing, he enjoys his ice cold beverages. *wink*  CSS' By the Glass Too and coordinating dies were just what I was looking for!

 

The misting is subtle, but it adds something fun to the card front.  It is sort of the same color as spilled beer, LOL!!  The fun chevrons are from one of my favorite sets, Background Basics 1 and the sentiment, from Cart Pals: Occasions, is stamped on a Comic Burst diecut.

 

 

Here you can see a close up of the bottle image.  I coated the entire thing with Glossy Accents.  It turned out so cool!!

 

 

Be sure to visit these girls for more masculine, misting, inspiration:

• Kim Duran
• Audrey Tokach - you are here!
• Jennifer Rzasa
• Elena Roussakis
• CSS

But wait, there's  more!!  Today, I have a project featured on the CSS App!  Click on the preview below to be taken to the full version:

 

That's all for now!!  Lot's going on next week with CSS!  Collection 7 is finally here and you are going to LOVE it!  I know I do!! :)

 

 

 

 



Pinspired Challenge #11

Hello there!!  So sorry that things have been so quiet on my blog in the last little while.  I have been busy creating and I have a TON of fun things to share with you in the coming weeks!!

 

 

It's time for another Pinspired Challenge!  This challenge photo is just amazing!  So bright and bold and fun!

 

 

This challenge is sponsored by SP & Company!

 

And here is my take on the inspiration photo:

 

 

I just love purple and yellow together, don't you?  I don't often reach for purple when I craft, and I don't know why, because I always love the results!!

 

I hope that you will join us for this challenge and play along for your chance to win an awesome prize!!  You can find all of the details and link list on the Pinspired Blog.

 

Also, be sure to follow me on Blog Lovin! Just click the link on the left sidebar.  Google Reader is on its way out, and I want you to stick around! *wink*

 

Have a great day! :)

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn Flutter By

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI White, Royal Velvet, Royal Velvet Pattern Pack, Lawn Fawn Pink Lemonade 6x6 pad

Dies: PTI Limitless Layers Squares, Double Ended Banner die

Other: Copic Markers, PTI Royal Velvet Satin Ribbon & button, Sequins (Michaels), Stick Pins (Walmart)



 



Super Exciting News! I'm a Lawnscaper!

Wowee!  I am still pinching myself in disbelief.  I got an email last week from Laurel asking me to join the Lawnscaping Challenge team!  It's no secret that I love my Lawn Fawn Stamps and I am just thrilled to be part of such an amazing group of ladies!!

 

 

I will  be joining them, along with 2 other new team members, for my first challenge on July 1st.  You can read all about it here.

 

There's still time to play along with the current challenge - #59 - Coloring!  Entries are due by midnight tomorrow 6/12.

 

Yay, yay, yay!!  *happy dance*