By LORi Designs Challenge #8!

 

Welcome to another fantastic challenge at By LORi Designs! :) This week's color challenge was actually a lot of fun for me! 

At first when I saw the colors I immediately thought boy but I wanted to use this adorable image called "Happy Birthday Annie"! I then decided to think outside the box and make it feminine. I LOVE the end results!

 

First I made my card. I decided to use Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try for the month of March. It was a really great sketch and I loved the layout of it so I decided to keep my card fairly simple (simple according to my terms at least)! I found some old Stampin' Up! paper as the big background panel and added a wide piece of ribbon as the middle stripe. I then colored my image with my Copics (LOVE THEM) and added some fun little rhinestones to the corner of the image panel. After popping it up on dimensionals I then decided to add a button to the ribbon and paper pierce the top and bottom strips. I wasn't exactly sure what to do for a sentiment so I pulled out this "happy birthday" phrase from my Stampin' Up! set called "All Holidays". I stamped it on the top and bottom of the card and at first, hated the look of it but decided it was too late to go back. However, after looking at the card a BUNCH of times, I have decided that I kind of like the double stamped sentiment!

When I use digital images I tend to print out a bunch of different sizes of the image so I can then decide how big I want the image to be. That being said, I usually end up with a ton of images that never get used which means a lot of wasted cardstock. So for this week's challenge I decided to go one step further and create a little gift as well!  My husband actually received this bucket a few years ago as an Easter basket from my mom (cute huh?) and it's been sitting in my stamp closet waiting to be altered ever since so I decided this was the perfect opportunity! :) After wrapping some ribbon and a piece of designer paper around the tin I colored (with my Copics) and cut out sweet little Annie again and then popped her up on the bucket using my glue dots! I wanted to make sure to include the balloon so I cut it out separately and strung a piece of floss from it to her hand.

So what do you think? Did it turn out alright? Make sure you stop by the By LORi Designs Challenge blog so that you too can participate in this fun challenge AND you won't want to miss what the rest of the team has created! I've already seen their creations so I know they are fabulous! :D

Take care and thanks so much for stopping by!

By LORi Designs Challenge: BLD5

It's time for another By Lori Designs Challenge and I'm running behind! My card has been done for quite some time but I completely forgot to post it to my blog! I guess you can say I've been a little distracted while I've been here in Iowa! I can't even believe how crazy busy Addie and I have been! It's nuts! We've been visiting family and friends non-stop! :)

Now on to today's card! This week's challenge is an AWESOME color combination! I absolutely LOVE it and the image I used is perfect for it! I must admit that this may just be one of my very favorite images from Lori Designs and the reason for that is because it is called "Baby Addy". Now I know the spelling is different but it still holds a dear place in my heart! I mean seriously, how cute is she??? I think she kind of even looks like my baby Addie! :) Anyway, the paper I used is some retired Stampin' Up! designer paper (I can't remember the name of it). The sketch is one of the Viva la Verve sketch challenges from this month and the image was colored with my copics. 

Well thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have time to play in today's challenge! There are some awesome opportunities in store for you! Each week the team will vote on a TOP Lollipop CARD and that designer will receive a digi from the BLD Shop and will have an opportunity to be our guest designer for the following challenge. How awesome is that??? Make sure you stop by the By LORi Designs challenge blog to see what the other lovely ladies have created! Have a fantastic Thursday!

By Lori Designs Challenge #4 Plus An Announcement!

Edited to add: I played around a bit and tried to take a new picture of my card using better lighting. I was able to get a slightly better picture. Hopefully they only continue to improve!

 I have some VERY exciting news! I was asked to be on the By Lori Designs challenge design team! :) I absolutely LOVE By Lori Designs images so of course I was thrilled to be chosen! Lori creates the most adorable images and they are so much fun to color! I am joined by MANY talented women so be sure to stop by the BLD blog to check them out.

Without further ado, here is this week's color challenge!

This week's color challenge was a little bit of a struggle for me. I can't seem to make a card without using designer paper and I found that the Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety paper was almost a perfect match. It just had some yellow thrown into the mix so I went with it!

My image is from the Sugar Sticks line and it is called "Love You Friend". I love how versatile this image is! It can be used on either a masculine or feminine card and for almost any occasion! I colored the image with my Copics and used this month's Sketch For You To Try as my layout! I sponged the edges with some Antique Linen distress ink and embellished the card with some ribbon and buttons! Overall I absolutely love how my card turned out! The only thing I am disappointed in is the fact that my picture didn't turn out that great. I am still trying to figure out why my photos don't look as bright as they used to. Hopefully I can get it figured out soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have time to play with this week's challenge!

What a week...

It's been a week, that's for sure. I don't really want to go into a lot of detail but I will just sum up by saying that we have had a death in our community, my family came to visit, and we are in the process of buying a house. I will give more details on the house later. Anyway, I say all this so that you know I didn't forget about you. I was just busy.

Today's card is for this week's Your Next Stamp challenge which was to make a shaped card. I love my top note die so it was perfect for this challenge! I pulled out Windswept Fhiona and paired her with some new Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg paper. So what do you think? It's the only card I have been able to create in over a week. Sad, huh?

Well, tomorrow is my birthday and I hope to have some more eye candy for you as well as some yummy blog candy! :D Stay tuned for that!


Here is an inside shot of today's card too.

#1 Teacher!

Isn't this set adorable? It was one of my very first sets from Your Next Stamp! I just couldn't pass her up! :D If only I could look that cute when I taught! Haha! Anyway, this set is called Teacher Fhiona and she comes with a lot of other cute little sentiments and images too! I colored her with my Copic markers and paired her with some fun Cosmo Cricket Early Bird dp! Now all I have to do is give this card to it's intended owner and hope that she likes it! :) Thanks for stopping by tonight! No more school this week (or Monday) due to the H1N1 flu so I guess it looks like a 5 day weekend for me! Yippee! :D

FINALLY! It's time for Your Next Stamp's first blog hop!

You should be arriving here from Maureen's blog, if you aren't, make sure you start at Karen's blog! There will be lots of candy given away during this hop so take the time to comment on EVERY BLOG! Anyway, I am so excited for today because I get to show you three of the new releases from Your Next Stamp! The artists have really outdone themselves with these new images and I think you will agree once you see them!

First up: Skating Fun! Fhiona

Oh my word! Isn't she adorable??? I fell in love with this image as soon as I saw it! To start off my card I stamped Fhiona and colored her in with my Copics. I paired her up with some fabulous paper and ribbon to create a very non-traditional Christmas card! I think it's pretty cute myself! :) I also used some fun baubles to embellish up my card!

Next on the list: Snowman

Ack! This little guy is definitely one of the cutest snowman stamps I have ever seen! He's the perfect size AND he's cheap! :) For this card I decided to use Mercy's Tuesday Sketch as my layout. I paired up my image with some old SU! paper and colored my snowman in with more of my Copic markers! I then added some ribbon and snowflakes! After punching out and attaching my snowflakes I also added some fun pearls to the centers!

Last but not least: Scarecrow

Isn't he so fun? This little guy is PERFECT for Thanksgiving! Again I colored him in with my Copic markers and paired him up with some fabulous designer paper. I put the card together and then embellished it with some ribbon, pearls, and a button/flower combination! This is also a sketch from the new blog called Crazy 4 Challenges!

So what do you think? Are you convinced that you need to check out Your Next Stamp yet? There are so many fabulous stamps to choose from and once you buy them you will be HOOKED! Also, for all of you fans out there, we have created a fun and exciting YNS Fan Club that you can join and participate in! Check it out!

Now before I send you off to your next stop I want to let you know that Karen has generously decided to give FREE SHIPPING on all orders placed between now and tomorrow (9-24) at midnight! Make sure you take advantage of this great offer!

So do you want to know where to go next? How about you stop by the new Your Next Stamp Challenge blog! It's your last stop and you won't want to miss it! Remember, leave a comment on EVERY blog so that you have a chance to win some fabulous blog candy! Not only is Karen giving away $50 in free stamps but there is also a mystery blogger who will be giving away a free stamp set as well!

Ok, are you all sick of me yet? Thanks for sticking with me today! It's another COLD day today. The weather man said that more snow is likely to start falling sometime today! For all of you with warm weather still, enjoy it for me! :D

My First YNS Card PLUS A Sneak Peak!

Good morning and happy Wednesday! :) It is supposed to storm part of the day here in the mountains and I can't wait! Our wet season is a little late this year but I am totally loving it! It gets so hot in the school and the storms have been cooling it off in the late afternoons. It has been a relief not only for me but for the kiddos too! We have been having some fantastic lightning storms the past few days and they have been magnificent to watch!

Anyway, last night while listening to the storm boom outside (with my windows cracked open slightly to let in the fresh smells) I sat down and played with my AWESOME new Your Next Stamp sets! :D I am not kidding when I say that these stamps are some of the cutest I have ever seen! I just can't get over it! I used my new Cupcake Cutie Fhiona set and colored her with my Copic markers. I pulled the colors from the SU! paper and then added some stickles to my image. To embellish the card I added some ribbon and dew drops. The sketch is from Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try too!

Make sure that you check out the YNS blog if you haven't! There are lots of exciting things coming up! First of all, on September 23rd there will be a FUN blog hop between the YNS Design Team girls and we will be showing you the new releases! Do you want to hear the best part? There will be PRIZES involved! :D I will be sharing some sneak peeks here on my blog starting TODAY! We have also started a fun YNS Challenge blog and the challenges will start on October 1st! Until then, help us spread the word by adding the blinkie to your blog! You can grab it from the challenge blog. Ok, stay tuned for more!

So how about a sneak peek???? Would you like that??? Well here you go! Today I am giving you a peek at one of the upcoming Fhionas and let me tell you, she is FABULOUS! Can you guess what she might be???

Well that's it for today! I will share some more creations with you later this week! Enjoy your Wednesday!

Hang On While I Scream....

So, do you remember THIS post? I discovered this fantastic new line of stamps called "Your Next Stamp" and completely fell in love with their images! They are just fabulous! Anyway, after ALL of the submissions for their new DT I had decided that I probably wouldn't be chosen because there were so many wonderful entries. However, yesterday after I had gotten home from school, I received an email from the owner (Karen) and was told that I had been picked to join the team! Apparently the announcement was posted on the blog early and since I couldn't check it at school, I was unaware! Talk about a jump and scream moment! My husband thought I had lost it! Haha! Well, I guess that means I will be doing my best to showcase their stamps now! :D I can't even begin to tell you how excited that makes me! We have already gotten to see what's coming and I am just THRILLED! Ok, that's enough of my rambling! Check out the store if you haven't! You will love it!

Introducing Kacey!

Isn't she cute? This is one of the newest releases that Nina has designed and her name is Kacey. You can pick her up in digital form over on the "There's Magic In The Air" blog! Trust me, you will want and NEED her! :D Don't forget that there is also a challenge that you can participate in! This week's challenge is a really fun sketch. All you have to do is create a card using the sketch Nina has created and include Kacey and you will be entered into a random drawing to win an not yet released digital image! Head over to the blog to see what the other designers have done as well! I will post more about this card a little later. A couple of friends are on their way to stamp with me this morning so I need to get ready for them first! Thanks for stopping by!

Yippee!

Yup! It's true! :D My new stamping friend Nina has recently emailed me and asked me to join her as she starts a new chapter in her life. She is a talented artist who has decided to throw her fabulous designs into the stamping world! I must warn you though, you are going to love these images! They are so fun and whimsical! :D

There are some fantastic people joining me on this new adventure too!

Here are some details on what is to come! You can read more about this new stamp line as well as the designers on the "There's Magic In The Air" blog! Go check it out!

- Free weekly limited original digital stamp

- All images are original by Nina May @ There is Magic in the Air and can't be found anywhere else.

-"Magical Monday" This is the day that the free image and challenge will be released .

for the week. Also, the DT & GD's work will be revealed for inspiration.

- Weekly random drawing for a small free giveaway for participants posting in the challenges.

- Stay tuned for future digital stamps for sale as well as photo polymer stamps.

- Free blog candy give away for July 27th and August 27th.

Lots going on at Jacksonbelle Embellishments! :)

I have so much to share with you today! Jacksonbelle Embellishments has a ton of exciting things taking place in the store this week!

1. First of all there is a HUGE sale on ALL Cosmo Cricket supplies!

2. The store also has a ton of the new Basic Grey supplies in stock! You can find the new Lemonade and June paper pads, brads, buttons, stamps, and 3D stickers in the store now!

3. You can also start preordering the brand new Martha Stewart punches that haven't even been released yet! Seriously, go check them out because they stinkin' rock!

4. Another exciting announcement, and one that I am just THRILLED about, is that Lindsey has the new Stampavie Sarah Kay stamps on the way right now! You can see the peeks here! They will be in the store shortly and you will not want to miss them! They are SUPER adorable!

Well, that's it for the Jacksonbelle Embellishment news! Make sure you stop by tomorrow to check out the challenge for this week! You won't want to miss it! :)

Psst...I've been hiding a secret! :)

Last week I decided to take a chance and try out for the Jacksonbelle Embellishment design team. To be honest, I didn't think I stood a chance. There are so many women out there who are far more talented than me! Well guess what, within 24 hours I received an email saying that they would love to have me! Oh my word was I stoked! I literally screamed and called my husband (who, of course, couldn't pick up at the time), and then my mom! Haha! I felt like a little school girl but, to be honest, I didn't care!

Here are the girls who are joining me on this fabulous quest!

Kristine Breach ~ Ink Something

Tobi Crawford ~ Tobi’s Place

Dawn Easton ~ Treasure Oiler Designz

Mitzi Koons ~ Stamps Jubilee

Loretta Lock ~ Love to Create

Jimmi Mayo ~ Stamping & Shopping

Bethany Paull ~ It’s Not All Black & White

Michelle Phillipi ~ Inside My Own Private Idaho

Carly Robertson ~ Paper in Bloom

Shemaine Smith ~ Scraptastic

And we will be joining these fabulous ladies:

Lynda Benden: Stamp Act

Melissa Bove: Keepsakes By Melissa

Jennifer Buck: The Buck Stamps Here

Jill Dunn: Ink Genious

AJ Otto: The Willow Garden

Heather Lee-Reppen: Ink on my Ear

Anyway, I just wanted to share this fabulous news with all of you! I am SUPER excited and can't wait to share my creations with you! If you tried out for the team, and didn't make it, trust me, I've been there. But, I want to tell you not to give up! I have been denied MANY times and decided on a whim to try it again. Obviously the results were worth the risk! The same will happen to you someday! I guarantee it.

What a sad day.

Good evening everyone. I just want you all to know that I will probably be MIA the rest of the week. Nick received a phone call this morning saying that his grandma had died suddenly. She did not have any huge health problems at all, her heart just stopped working properly. Anyway, we are headed home to Iowa for the funeral tomorrow and if you could just say a prayer for Nick and his family that would be great. He is taking it really hard and I know his mom is struggling with it a lot as well. His grandma was an amazing woman. She bore 17 children (only 2 of which were twins) and has been taking care of her husband who is battling Alzheimers.

Anyway, I made this card over the weekend not realizing how soon I would need it. This card will be going to Nick's mom.

As far as details on the card, I made it for this week's featured stamper on SCS. This week was Judy aka StampingQueenJar. She is fabulously talented! I choose to case this card of hers. For my version I used my "Here For You" set from There She Goes along with my BasicGrey Porcelein paper. I embossed the bird and cut him out with my nestabilities. I added some ribbon behind the main panel and popped up some pretty little flowers. The whole card was also given a distressed look with my Tim Holtz distress inks and sponge daubers. My last and final touch was to paper pierce around the corners of the card.

Well, I hope that you like this card. Again, I apologize if I am not able to post much this week. We will see how things turn out. Take care and enjoy your evening!

TSG Sneak Peek: Nature of Friendship & Holidays Galore

Well, as much as I really love this new There She Goes stamp set called "Nature of Friendship" (it's actually my favorite), I actually do not like my card at all! Anyway, I tried and am giving up. Both Nick and I are sick tonight and we need some serious together time so I am just posting it as is. I hope you all feel differently about it than me! Haha! As far as the Happy Birthday portion of my card, that sentiment is also from a soon to be releases mini set called "Holidays Galore!" The sketch that I used is from the new Stamps and Smiles blog. I used my gorgeous BasicGrey Porcelein dp as the background and some Kaiser Craft pearls. Anyway, if you want some amazing inspiration (which I am sorry I can't really provide) check out the rest of the dt blogs because I know they have showcased this gorgeous set better than I have! :) Make sure you leave a comment on all of their blogs again today for a chance to win a free stamp set! Once you have done that, stop by Jessica's blog and leave your name on Mr. Linky!

Jessica (owner) http://jessica-thereshegoes.blogspot.com/
Angela http://aninkandasmile.blogspot.com/
Becky http://www.lakeshorestamper.com/
Bev http://bevithia.blogspot.com/
Christi http://cici510.blogspot.com/
Denise http://thepaperlandscaper.blogspot.com/
Faith http://stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/
Holly http://toyzhaven.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Jessie http://canyousayaddictedtostamps.blogspot.com/
Joanne http://inkyoceangazer.blogspot.com/
Jodi http://stampingalatte.blogspot.com/
Julie http://stampsandtaxes.blogspot.com/
Maki http://makinkstudio.blogspot.com/
Silke http://silkeledlow.blogspot.com/
Wendy http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/