Mother's Little Helper

Happy 10th Birthday to Taylored Expressions!

Hi, friends! It's been a minute or two since we've last been in touch, hasn't it? I'm kind of bad that way. It's not so much "out-of-sight-out-of-mind," it's more like there's always a fire to put out and my brain is scrambled. You know what I mean, right? Anyway, you may be asking yourself: Self, why is Carole posting after nearly 3 years of radio silence? That graphic above may have already tipped you off, but if you're a tiny bit slow, here's the gist: Taylored Expressions is celebrating it's 10TH BIRTHDAY and there's a Designer Reunion Blog Hop going on - how could I possibly miss it?!

I vividly recall bumping into Taylor at a CHA over a decade ago, and her letting me in on the big news that she was starting her own stamp company. I couldn't wait to see what her images would be like, and I've been a huge fan since her first release when we met that cute little anthropomorphized cupcake, Cuppie.  In 2013, I had the honor of serving on the TE Design Team, which was without a doubt one of the highlights of my stamping "career."

Today, 40 past and present TE designers have joined in the fun to celebrate Taylored Expressions ten fabulous years in business, bringing papercrafters around the globe cute, classy, and innovative products.  Be sure to stop by Taylor's Blog to see who and where all the participating designers are showing off their latest and greatest TE projects.

I'm a September birthday girl myself (shout out to fellow Virgos!), so I've always gotten a kick out of the fact that TE's September releases are all about Birthdays.  Last night was release night (you can see the new goodies here), but for today, I've got some cards to show you featuring the previously released PARTY PALS STAMP & DIE COMBO:

I love this little gang of Birthday Buddies! When I do stamp these days, I do the thing I used to never do when I was a concept designer: I mass produce!  These days, I'm a real estate agent, and handmade cards are one way that I can keep in touch with my clients and stand-out from others in my field.  Thus, I make A LOT of birthday, new home, and home anniversary/birthday cards.  And since we're celebrating TE's 10th Birthday, it only made sense to make a set of 10 cards:

In fact, I have one or two of these hitting the mail today.  I'm also going to submit a couple to TE's awesome SHARE JOY campaign.  Here's a little more about that very special effort:

"At the heart of Taylored Expressions is a mission to share joy through the gift of handmade cards. As part of their 10th birthday TE is continuing that mission with the launch of a special Share Joy campaign focused on providing birthday cards to those in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across the U.S. To make as deep an impact as possible TE is inviting card makers everywhere to join the campaign. Will you join us? Find out how to participate by viewing their Share Joy page here: https://www.tayloredexpressions.com/share-joy-birthday-2018."

Thanks so much for stopping by my dusty little corner of the web today, and thanks to Taylored Expressions for 10 years of great products, designs, and customer service.  I'll try not to be such a stranger!

xoxo - Carole

Study, Study - School's Your Buddy!

I used to say that all the time to Sean (when we were in undergrad and law school together, which seems like both yesterday and a couple of lifetimes ago) and to Truman, when he was in elementary school. Not sure why I quit saying it and/or why I haven't beaten it to a pulp, likewise, with Carter. Maybe he's just lucky.

More likely, because, unlike Truman, Carter is one of those kiddos whom you have to sit down and do homework with, much to my chagrin. Before, I used to think parents did homework with their children (as opposed kids doing it for themselves, by themselves) did so because they were either helicopter parents or they needed to discipline their kids to do it themselves. So judge-y of me; "Not my child!" Famous last words, right?  Left to his own devices, Carter will sit and daydream, and a worksheet that should take 5 minutes will take an hour, with me coming in and out of the room a dozen times, telling him to get back to work. Plus, for lengthier homework assignments, I have to be his scribe because of his fine motor skills issues. It's enough to make me want to drink gin from the dog dish, I tell you.

Why have I gone off on this particular tangent? Because I made an education-themed card for the current YNS Sketch & Color Challenge (#27). I opted for the sketch, which looks like so:

Here's my version:

I wanted to make a quick card because I'm leaving this afternoon (I'm writing this on Thursday) to meet a bunch of girlfriends from my old hometown to see REO Speedwagon at the Tulsa Hard Rock Casino. Fun! So, I looked through my stamp sets for an image I wouldn't have to color or fuss too much with. Large sentiments, like this Einstein quote from YNS's Little Darling Belle stamp set are perfect for such times.

The "A to B" part of the quote reminded me that there was a cute and colorful alphabet pattern in my recently purchased "Teacher's Pet" by Echo Park 6"x6" paper pad. Added some cork for texture, a bit of ruler washi tape (that I first put on white card stock, then trimmed; it kind of goes against the simplicity of slapping on some washi tape, but I prefer the washi tape to retain its color. It's so sheer that if you put it on colored card stock or patterned paper, it looks messed up, in my opinion) adhered at a tilt, and a fun little paper clip to play up the school theme. 

Other YNS products used: Stitched Square Die Set.

Something like this would be good for inclusion in a gift pack of cards to one of my educator friends or one of Carter's teachers. It could also work as a graduation card, of which I am always in need.

Visit the YNS Blog to see what the other participating YNS designers have put together for your inspiration. There, you'll also find graphics for the color challenge, as well as info about how you can play along and possibly win FORTUNE & FAME (up to $20 in YNS moola and/or be selected as the YNS Top Pick. Top Pick-ers get featured on the YNS Blog and a nifty badge to wear on their blog, proclaiming them as a winner of this major award).

Okay, gang. Gotta go ROLL WITH THE CHANGES. Fortunately, the weather is clear so I won't have to be RIDIN' THE STORM OUT. Thanks for stopping by to see me. And remember, I'm gonna KEEP ON LOVING YOU.

(I'll stop with the REO puns now.)

 

YNS November New Release Blog Hop

Are you ready are you ready are you ready?! Lots of fun/new stamps, dies and Gumdrops are now available from Your Next Stamp! If you haven't finished shopping or can't decide what you want, never fear: we have a blog hop to show off all the new wares and to persuade you that you really need it ALL. :) 

If you've been hopping in order, you've stopped by via sweet SUE.  If you just happened to visit me, be sure to start at the beginning with the oh-so-awesome ANITA. Remember, if you want to win a $25 YNS Gift Certificate, your best odds come by leaving comments at every blog. None of us know which lucky designer is "it" -- only the POWERS THAT BE (I'm thinking mainly Karen) know from whose blog the winner will be randomly selected. I always think/hope I'm "it" and that one of my readers/commenters will be the lucky one. Let's think about that together and make it so, mmm-kay? Power of attraction, and all that jazz...

Enough jibber-jabber. On with the show!

My first project combines two of my life's great loves: dogs and wine! For me, it just doesn't get any better than the new SIT STAY DRINK stamp set and dies. Take a look at this here wine tag, and you'll see what I mean:

Because she's so distinctive with her brown eye-patch, I tend to make every dog stamp I encounter these days look like my sweet rescue girlie, Daisy. If only Daisy was so talented as to balance a glass of wine on her head, I'd never need to get up from the couch again!

Here's a close up of the wine-tag, where hopefully you can tell that I've heat embossed the clever sentiment:

I'm truly thinking I need to mass-produce about a dozen of these to hang on wine bottles for the holiday season ahead. You can never have too many wine tags when you need a quick-and-easy host/hostess gift.

Next up, I used the new SPRINKLES - KNIT HAPPENS stamps and dies to create an homage to that object of holiday humor: the ugly Christmas sweater. Take a look-see:

I actually kind of love this and I'm thinking I made need to get an album-sized shadow box and make a permanent Christmas decoration featuring dozens of variations on the Ugly Christmas Sweater. What do you think? The images on these sweaters were fussy cut from patterned paper in Doodlebug Designs' Santa Express 6"x 6" paper pad. I especially love the one that looks like Mark Darcy (from Bridget Jones' Diary)'s reindeer sweater. Makes me giggle!

I'd chatter more, but I know you're anxious to get along to the next stop on our hop -- our marvelous guest designer MARTHA. Don't forget to leave a comment here and everywhere for a chance to win the $25 YNS Gift Certificate. And, as always, Karen has generously extended an awesome discount for those who are ready to shop NOW (my kind of people!).

 

Winter Joys (YNS Sneak Peek)

Winter joys, you ask? Didn't it just turn fall, like, last week? Yes, especially when you live in my part of the world, where it's still warm enough that no jacket is required (shout out to Phil Collins!). Still, we papercrafters have to be ahead of the actual calendar so that we can that we can show fellow enthusiasts what they NEED in time to create their seasonal projects. In real life, though, I'm still firmly in early November. Case in point: last week, I stood in line behind a woman who was telling the clerk that she had already completed her Christmas shopping. I was very restrained. I did not say a word, and I fought the impulse to stab her in the neck with the stylus attached to the credit card reader. I took a deep breath and told myself, "Self. You have plenty of time left to shop. You are a good person, even if there are gifts in your closet that you still haven't delivered from last Christmas. The holidays have not beat you. Yet."

Back to my crafty non-real-life... Tomorrow YOUR NEXT STAMP is coming out with its November release. Huzzah! As it is YNS Release Day Eve, I've got a sneak peek for you of an ADORABLE (<--- when I all-cap, you know I mean what I say) new stamp and die set, ICE SKATING PHOEBE.  Phoebe is the latest recurring character from YNS's original flagship illustrator, the fabulous Fhiona. Everything Fhiona draws is darling, and Ice Skating Phoebe is no exception.  Check her out:

Ain't she sweet, as she glides along her amazingly symmetrical, tree-lined frozen pond? Here's a fun-fact for you to know and tell: see that silvery-blue cardstock I used to create Pheobe's pond (die-cutting it with good ol' Nestabilites Labels 14, which are now offically 'vintage' as I don't think you can buy them but from a third-party seller these days)? I scored it from the packaging of a set of Sonicare toothbrushes I bought at Costco last week. It was a big, 12"x12" sheet; so pretty and shiney - I couldn't let it go to waste.

As always, Ice Skating Phoebe has a coordinating die set. Here's a look at the complete stamp set.  I love the font selected for all the sentiments, don't you?

Here's a close-up of Sweet Miss Phoebe (she wanted me to let you know that those little brown 'hairs' are low-lights):

YNS is releasing two new collections of sparkly Gumdrops tomorrow. Here, I've used the new ICE ICE BABY Gumdrops. (Saying that makes me smile. It's all I can do not to type "Stop. Collaborate and listen...") Other YNS products used on this card include Banner - Piercing Holes Die Set; it's what gives the sentiment layer that marquee look.

For those of you interested in card-making details: I used the Ice Skating Phoebe die set to cut out Phoebe and her trees with Copic X-Press cardstock. I stamped the images onto the die-cuts with Momento Tuxedo Black ink, using my handy-dandy MISTI. Next, I outlined the snowcovered branches and colored the tree trunks with Copics, before tracing the snow outlines with Stardust Stickles. I set those aside to dry, then got to coloring Phoebe. The background patterned paper is from Doodlebug Designs' Frosty Friends 6"x6" paper.  The sentiment and cardbase are made with MFT's Smooth White cardstock, and the sentiment is stamped in SU!'s Brilliant Blue ink.  Various layers and images are popped up for depth and dimension using Jody Boosters.

Okay, friendlies. That's it for me today. Be sure to check out all the other sneak peeks the YNS designers have created for your viewing pleasure. A link-list of participating designers is on the YNS Blog.  I'll be back tomorrow with more to share.  Thanks for stopping by to visit me!

Fall Rainbows

It's fall, friends, and it's the 22nd of the month.  Because it's the 22nd of October, in the year 2015 of our Lord, it's also my friend Charla's 50th birthday. That may not mean much to most of you, but she's kind of a big deal in these parts. I'm writing this late on the evening of the 21st, so by the time the majority of you read this, me and mine will be well on our way and/or there in Cambridge, MA, home to Harvard College (which I've learned over the past few months is what one calls undergraduate school at Harvard; Harvard University is the collective title of both the undergraduate and graduate schools. Thus, I totally showed what an ignorant non-Ivy I am when I created Truman's graduation announcements stating he would be "attending Harvard University in the fall." Color me hayseed).

Know what else the 22nd of the month means? It's Your Next Stamp's Feature Day, the day when members of the YNS Design Team shows creations around a given theme, and this month's theme: FALL.  Now, y'all know I'm basically Skittles in human form, meaning I like to create/taste the Rainbow. I tried to do so with my YNS Feature Challenge card using YNS's Rainbow Fun Die Set. My thought was to do so in a way that speaks to the season. Thus I used "earthier" colors, as opposed to the bold brights I typically use. See what I mean?

From this vantage point, it still looks pretty bright, I know. But hear/see me out. Instead of Real Red, I went with Purely Pomegranate. Instead of Daffodil, I chose Summer Sunset. I elected for a dark teal instead of a bold blue.  Rather than Garden Green, I selected Old Olive.  Simply Suede substituted for whatever shade of violet, and my background was an autumnal kraft. The sentiment (from YNS's new Waddles - Sweetie Pie Stamp Set) was heat embossed in Wine embossing powder (which I've had forever from Powder Keg/PK Glitz, but as of now, I can't find retail existence of; too bad, because their stuff is/was awesome). Even the clouds are earthier - being die-cut out of Neenah Ivory card-stock, rather than solar white.

My inspiration was the earth-tone rainbow graphics of the seventies like this one, that I've saved on a dedicated Pinterest board:

Now do you feel me?

If not, it's okay. But you should still check out what my talented DT-mates have put together for you over at the YNS Blog, all of which I guarantee are more traditionally autumnal. Another reason to visit the blog? If you leave a comment regarding what your favorite card is, you'll be eligible from a random pick to win the YNS stamp set of your choice.  And should you win by stating my concept-rock of a card (I'm like Rush or Yes, I'm thinking...) then I'll even send this card to you!  Let me know.  I'm good for it - I swear! 

I'll be back tomorrow for the YNS Sketch & Color Challenge. Peace out, peeps, and thanks for stopping by to visit me. Stay groovy, and steer clear of any 70's-style key parties.  (<-- word to the wise.  If you don't believe me, watch the movie "The Ice Storm."  No good can come from that!)

Pie, Stretch Pants & Penguins (YNS October New Release Blog Hop)

Are you ready for some cuteness?  Good, because it's time for the...

There are lots of new stamps and dies NOW available for purchase at the YNS online store.  I've got a couple of cards to show you, using the aforementioned new products. First up is a pie-liciously sweet little something, created with the new WADDLES SWEETIE PIE stamp set:

Don't those little pies make you hungry? So cute! And that sentiment just cracks me up -- love it!  Here's a look at all the great images that come in WADDLES SWEETIE PIE:

Next up, I have a 3.5" x 5" (index card sized) card, using the fun new SANTA'S HELPERS stamp set and PEEK-A-BOO WINDOWS die set:

From the look of those little guys in the foreground, something is going on with that bouncy-looking penguin in the window.  What could it be?

He/she really is Santa's helper! Looks like Santa needs to cut down on the milk and cookies, no? 

Make sure you visit and comment on all the participating designers via the linky list below.  As you are probably familiar, the more you comment, the greater your chances of winning the "hidden" $25 YNS store gift certificate.  The winner will be announced on the YNS Blog on October 18th.  And, as always, Karen has provided a very generous discount for those smart peeps who order within the next few days.

Thanks for hopping by, friends, and be sure to leave a comment. I really want one of my readers to win that $25 in YNS bucks! And of course, visit my wonderful YNS design teammates via the linky list to see all the lovelies they've created for your viewing pleasure.  Happy fall hopping!

 

Snuggly Squirrels (YNS October Sneak Peek)

One of my favorite picture books as a child was "Miss Suzy" by Miriam Young, and illustrated by the awesome Arnold Lobel. 

If you're a big fan of children's books, as I am, you'll remember Arnold Lobel from books like Frog and Toad, The Ice Cream Cone Coot and Other Rare Birds, and the Caldecott Award winning Fables. All great stuff. But there is something particularly winning about Miss Suzy. Lobel's little squirrely girl is a fastidious housekeeper. She sweeps with her little twig broom, and has the cutest little acorn coffee cups. I'd go so far as to say that Suzy is the rodent version of Martha Stewart.

Thus, when I saw Your Next Stamp's delightful new SANDY AUTUMN GREETINGS stamp set, I couldn't help but think of sweet Miss Suzy.

How adorable is that image?! I just love it. And for those of you (like me) who like coordinating die sets that free you from the work of fussy cutting, you're in luck. This stamp set has a coordinating set of dies, too. Even if you think squirrels are just fluffy rats, you can't help but be charmed by these sweet illustrations:

So cute and cuddly!

In addition to the to-be-released-tomorrow SANDY AUTUMN GREETINGS stamps and coordinating dies, I also used YNS's Stitched Rectangle Dies and Love Me Some Latte Gumdrops. The patterned papers are from Doodlebug Designs' Fall Friends and Friendly Forest 6"x6" paper pads.
Visit the Your Next Stamp Blog for links to all of the other YNS designers previewing goodies from the October Release, then come back and visit me tomorrow for the YNS New Release Blog Hop. Thanks for stopping by! :)

And just in case you have a few extra minutes and want to hang out with Miss Suzy a little longer...

 

Something Incredible

Hi, friends. It's been a couple of weeks since I checked in. Carter had a great session at EuroPeds. He and I had a fun couple of weeks, hanging out with each other and doing our own little things. It's good to get away, one-on-one with your kiddo if you can, because you really get to know each other in a different way than you do at home. Carter and I have had many of these opportunities between various therapeutic programs, surgeries, recoveries, etc., so I know of what I speak. All in all, the conclusion that I repeatedly come to is: he's a sweet, funny, awesome little-but-quickly-getting-bigger guy, and I'm luckier-than-all-get-out to be his mom. :)

Now that we're back home, I've rediscovered my stamping cave, and I'm back with another Mojo Monday card.  Here's the lovely sentiment I focused on, in all it's emboss-y glory:

Heat embossing is still and will forever remain magical to me.  This sentiment is from Reverse Confetti's Shine From Within stamp set, and was heat embossed with Ranger Fine Detail Black embossing powder on to patterned paper from Echo Park's Teacher's Pet 6"x6" pad.  Here's this week's Mojo Monday sketch:

Here's my scholastic sample:

Dies used include these from Your Next Stamp: Circles, Stitching Marks Circles, Stitched Squares, and File Tab Die.  I also used MFT's Fishtail Flag STAX Die-Namics.

Head on over to Mojo Monday Blog to see how you can participate in this weeks challenge, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers for inspiration:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Thank you for stopping by to visit me. I appreciate each and every one of you who spends a moment of your day with me. Have a great week, and I'll be back in a couple of days with brand new stamps and dies to show you from YNS.

Perk Up!

Hello from beautiful and temperate Pontiac, Michigan! The weather has been insanely glorious since we arrived on Sunday. Lows in the high 50's/highs in the mid-70's, sunny and clear. Perfect! I've been taking advantage of it while Carter's in therapy by taking long walks and getting lots of steps logged with my FitBit. Afterwards, I head back to the room, take a shower and get ready, then walk back over to the EuroPeds clinic. I sit and read for a few minutes, then Carter and his physical therapist come out and tell me what they've been up to over the past few hours. We head back to our room, grab a little lunch, do some homework, and then head out for the day's adventure. Not a bad way to spend a couple of weeks!

We're both excited for tomorrow (which is today, by the time you read this) -- a few months ago I bought tickets for us to see MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE; can't believe the time has already arrived!  (Why does that same time seem to be dragging with regards to the house we're remodeling?! More on that in a different post...)

Anyway, I created today's card before I left Oklahoma. It's for the current Your Next Stamp Challenge (#23); YNS Challenges always have a sketch or color component, and if you're feeling really ambitious, you can incorporate both. This time, I went with the color challenge, which is:

Very autumnal, no?

I broke out the new PERK UP stamp set, which I had yet to use.

I like a cup o' joe in the a.m., usually, but if I don't get one, it's not a big deal to me. I'm definitely not one of those coffee fanatics that lose their minds this time of year because Starbuck's Pumpking Spice Lattes are back on the menu. Still, I couldn't resist this cute, kawaii caffeinated stamp set. Have you ever seen such a happy little coffee bean grinder or french press? I think my favorite is the standard coffee maker. I watercolored backgrounds for each image panel -- on trend and SO easy!  Win-win.

My card was inspired by this sweet card by my wonderful friend, Wanda. One of the things I like best about Wanda's card is how it features lots of images from a single set.

YNS products used include: Perk Up stamp set, Stitched Rectangles die set, Stitched Squares die set, Spellbound Gumdrops, and Silver Tinsel Gumdrops.

Go to the YNS Blog and see what the other participating designers made with YNS Sketch/Color challenge #23. There, you'll also find graphics for the sketch, as well as info about how you can play along and possibly win FORTUNE & FAME (up to $20 in YNS moola and/or be selected as the YNS Top Pick. Top Pick-ers get featured on the YNS Blog and a nifty badge to wear on their blog, proclaiming them as a winner of this major award).

Thanks for stopping by today, friends! Have a fabulous first weekend of Fall.

 

Michigan Mojo

Carter and I have been traveling all weekend, driving a total of 18 hours to get from Durant, OK, to Pontiac, Michigan. We're back for another two-week stint at Euro-Peds Center for Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy. This is, I believe, our fifth time to come to EuroPeds, and Carter makes wonderful gains in strength, balance, and mobility every time we're here. It's a good thing, so let's celebrate with donuts!

This week's Mojo Monday Sketch (#416) was the perfect opportunity to break out My Favorite Things' tasty LLD Donuts & Sprinkles stamp set and coordinating dies.  Take a look at the sketch, and you'll see what I mean:

Circles galore! Because I wanted to use the long sentiment above the donuts (perfect to send to my college freshman, who I'll have you know is actually going to his mailbox to retrieve my cards/packages! Of course, I have to text him that it's probably there, and I always add a little present to sweeten the pot) I had to figure out that element in the lower right hand corner. I came up with adding a tiny trio of donuts, and threaded baker's twine through two of them before tying up a bow.

Other card facts:

• The sentiment was heat embossed in white detail embossing powder on a Blu Raspberry scalloped die cut, made using Blueprints 23 Die-Namics.
• The background was created by stamping MFT's Pin Stripe Background stamp in Daffodil Premium Dye Ink on Smooth White card stock.
• This card also fulfills the current MFT Color Challenge:

And now?  I'm a bit tuckered out after driving all those hours, unloading the car, and unpacking/nesting in our abode, aka a 2 bedroom unit at The Residence Inn.  Oooh -- want to hear something fabulous (at least, to us)? Get this: we always stay at this particular Residence Inn when we come to EuroPeds. Previously, the clinic was located in a hospital near downtown Pontiac, about 20 minutes away from our hotel.  Within the last few months, EuroPeds relocated to a new, stand-alone building. That building is DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET from our hotel!

I'm going to wrap this up before I head off on another tangent.  (I think I'm getting a little punchy from fatigue...) Head on over to Mojo Monday Blog to see how you can participate in this weeks challenge, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers for inspiration:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Thanks for visiting me today, and wish Mr. Carter good luck on his therapeutic journey, if you would. I'll be back later on in the week and fill you in on his progress and our adventures. :)

Boots, Class, & a Little Sass

It's Monday again, friends. How do you feel about that? I'm on the fence. On the one hand, it's my favorite month -- temps are getting cooler, fall is on it's way -- and we're edging ever closer to my birthday, which is Friday. Yay! On the other hand, why I am I excited about having another birthday/turning older?  (Answer: it does beat the alternative...)

Other things on my mind: Carter and I leave on Saturday for another two-week stint at the EuroPeds Pediatric Intensive Physical Therapy clinic in Pontiac, Michigan. We always enjoy our weird little vacations there, and have lots of traditions we've created and haunts we frequent when we're in that part of the world. Plus, Carter always makes incredible gains in his gross-motor skills while we are there. All great things. But in the meantime: I've got a ton of work to do to get organized, packed, etc. And y'all know I'm a tiny bit lazy...

Once we get there (after an 18 hour drive that we'll break up over a couple of days), all will be well. And for now, I'm going to quit dreading and pretend that I like packing, etc. Wish me luck!

But enough about me. Let's distract ourselves with a little stamping therapy, shall we?  Here's my sample for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge:

Fun stuff, right? Taylored Expressions (one of my favorite stamp/paper craft companies) has just started a new weekly challenge and challenge blog, the Share Joy Challenge. I have a ton of wonderful TE product that I received when I used to design for them, but never got around to using. Darnell has a new NBUS (Never Before Used Schtuff) Challenge, so this created the perfect storm for a three-fer:

I've been wanting to use the cute-cute SADDLE UP stamp and coordinating die set for a long time, now. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I was inspired by the color scheme of the Share Joy Inspiration photo. I would totally wear these boots, wouldn't you?

I created a trendy little watercolored background for the boots and then adhered my images on top of it with Jody Boosters. Want to see the sentiment?  It's on the tag, which the recipient can pull up and then put back when she's done looking at it. (Tag created using TE''s TAG STACKLETS ONE die set.)

Well, cowpokes, I have miles to go before I sleep, so I'd best head yonder.

Now, however, you should giddy-up over to the Mojo Monday blog for all the cotton-pickin' details re: how you can play along in this week's challenge. Then, you must high-tail it to these gifted gauchos' blogs for even more inspiration:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

TE Saddle Up Stamp & Die set	TE - Tag Stacklets One die set	Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock	MFT Smooth White Card Stock
Doodlebug Designs - Hello, Sunshine 6"x6" pad	MFT Card Stock	Memento Tuxedo Black	MFT Hybrid Ink - Blu Raspberry
Copic Sketch Markers	Uni-ball Impact Gel Pen, White	Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors - 36	Crop-a-Dile
Vagabond Die Cutting Machine	Jody's Foam Boosters	MISTI

InLinkz.com

Some-of-a-bunny

It's Labor Day in the U.S., and if you're here in the land of the free and the home of the brave, I hope that you're having a restful, relaxing day off from work. I have a Mojo Monday sample for you, and even though it's the unofficial beginning of fall, I've created something with a bit of a spring vibe to it. Check it out:

I was looking through my yet-to-be inked stamps for something fun that would work well with the current Mojo Monday Sketch (#414), when to my utter HORROR, I discovered that I had never inked up the ADORABLE "Somebunny" stamp set from My Favorite Things! Can you believe it?! I know -- I've had it since February (I think), but neither it nor its coordinating dies have ever seen the light of day.  I vowed to give this sweet little bunny gal some oxygen & ink, pronto.

I guess I could have given her a fall wardrobe (after all, on TV, everybody wears sleeveless year round), but I didn't. That's okay. She doesn't mind. She's just happy to be out of that cellophane! She reminds me of "Miffy," the bunny in the Dick Bruna books that I used to read to Truman and Carter when they were little. Did you ever read your kiddos those books? My boys loved them. I think Miffy may have even had an animated series at one time.

With her little boots and scalloped collar, the MFT bunny is more like Miffy's more glamorous older sister. She's Spiffy.

Here's this week's Mojo Monday sketch:

And, since it's the first Monday of the month, it's PRIZE WEEK!  That's right -- for every 50 participants, one will be randomly selected to win a stamp set of his/her choice from VERVE. Head on over to the Mojo Monday Blog for all the pertinent info, then visit my fellow Mojo Monday designers to get even more inspired:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

MFT Somebunny stamp set	MFT Linen Background stamp	MFT Somebunny Die-namics	MFT Blueprints 20 Die-namics
MFT Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX	MFT Black Licorice Hybrid Ink	MFT Grapesicle Hybrid Ink	MFT Limeade Hybrid Ink
VersaMark	MFT Smooth White Card Stock	MFT Grapesicle Card Stock	MFT Grape Jelly Card Stock
MFT Limeade Card Stock	Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock	Copic Sketch Markers	PPP - 6 mm Sparkling Clear Sequins
PPP - 4 mm Trick or Treat Mix sequins	Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder	Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper	Uni-ball Impact Gel Pen White
Jody's Foam Boosters	MISTI

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YNS September New Release Blog Hop

You know, I've always said that Karen Dedman (owner of Your Next Stamp) is the one of the sweetest peopl in the stamping industry. Do you want further proof? She has scheduled this release EXCLUSIVELY to celebrate one Carter Burrage's 11th birthday!  Isn't that awesome of her?  And since I'm his mom, Karen thought I should be the first and only person on this blog hop to wish him a "Happy Birthday!" (She doesn't want any of the other participating designers to steal my thunder and make me look lame in front of my own kid.) So, Happy Birthday, Carter! I love you!

Moving right along... Have you been hopping in order and leaving comments everywhere you go so that you have the best chances of winning the $25 YNS Gift Certificate? Oh, good. That makes everything so much easier. Then I don't have to tell you that the hop starts at the oh-so-crafty KYMONA's blog, and that you should have came this way via the super-talented SUE. I can just go straight to the cards.

 First, I decided to shake it up with the frightfully delightful new TRICKY TONIC stamp set and coordinating dies. Take a look-see:

I don't know what it is about me, but every design team I'm on, I seem to get assigned the stamp sets with adult beverages. Isn't that weird? Do you think I have a reputation of some sort?

(I suppose the martini siggy might have something to do with it.  No matter, I LOVE adult beverage sets, and TRICKY TONIC is one of the most fab I've seen in a long time. Even if I wasn't on the DT, I'd be snapping this one up in a jiffy! If these drinks tasted as good as they look, I'd be on a bender until Halloween, for sure. Good thing they don't, as I have the aforementioned 11 year old. Plus, stamping and drinking don't mix. Everything just gets a little... sloppy. What's not sloppy? These fun images:

 Next up: I have a VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.  Are you paying attention?  Good.  Because you're hearing it here, first.  PICKLES are the new pineapples!  Don't believe me? Just take a look at this savory new stamp set, DILL-IGHTFUL, complete with coordinating dies:

I love this whole family, but I do believe the lil' gherkin is my favorite...

They're so cute, I just want to eat 'em up!

I'll add additional info about my cards and products used after the linky-list so that those of you who are anxious to keep hopping can do so.  Next stop on the hop is that oh-so-amazing and thoughtful gal I was talking about earlier, YNS's founder/owner/fearless leader -- KAREN!

 

TRICKY TONIC card:

• This card measure 5"x5".
• The shaker was made using YNS's Circle dies, and Halloween Mix sequins from Pretty Pink Posh. 
• The panels behind the drinks were made with the same YNS Circle dies, and the Circles Stitching Marks die set.
• I used Key Lime Translucent Art Glitter to create the "sugared" rim on the martini glass.
• The skeleton mug has a couple of 4 mm Silly Eyes from Pretty Pink Posh. 
• The black gumdrops are from YNS's brand new SPELLBOUND gumdrops.
• Patterned paper is from Doodlebug Design's Halloween Parade 6"x6" pad.

DILL-IGHTFUL card:

• This card measures 3.5" x 4.75" -- not a standard size, but large enough for a short little note. :)
• The image layer was created by using YNS's Stitched Rectangles die set.
• I sponged Tumbled Glass Distress Ink on the part of the background layer, then made a "floor" for the pickles to stand on with a piece of gingham washi tape from Doodlebug Designs.
• The pickles are popped up on foam boosters, as is the image layer.
• The pickles were colored in with Copic Markers, then "dotted" with a colorless blender to give them a bumpy looking texture.  I also highlighted some bumps with a Signo Opaque White pen.

Three Little Pumpkins

Happy Labor Day weekend, for those of you visiting from the U.S.!  I love this weekend for a variety of reasons: 1) it means summer is just about over (and hopefully the heat and humidity that go with it) and fall is around the corner; 2) it's September, which is my birthday month (a.k.a. my favorite month of the year); and last but not least, my boon companion and saving grace, Mr. Carter Burrage (my soon-to-be 11 year old) was born on Labor Day, way back in 2004. Now I have one more reason to celebrate this weekend -- it's new release time for Your Next Stamp. Yay!

I've had so much fun creating for this release, I have to tell you.  Longtime readers know I'm a fan of cute, kawaii and cartoon-y, and this release has all that and more. Plus it's chock-full of Halloween goodness, and what kid-at-heart doesn't love Halloween?

Ready for a sneak peek?  Of course you are!  Here's a look at YNS's new HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS stamp set and coordinating dies:

My card was inspired by this cute little poem I found while searching my stash of Halloween paper pads. It's from We R Memory Keeper's "Spookville" collection from a few years ago.

From there, I die cut the three different shaped pumpkins from Pumpkin Pie card stock, then stamped the pumpkin images on the card stock with VersaMark ink.  Same story for the leaf stems, using Old Olive card stock. The jack-o-lantern faces were cut from black card stock and adhered onto the stamped die cut pumpkins.

Other YNS products used include the Fence, Spring Grass, Stitched Squares, and Bookmark/Tags - Large die sets.

I'm sure you're anxious to see more previews from this fabulous release, so head on over to the YNS Blog where you'll find a linky-list to all of the design team members and guest designers who have created lovely projects for your viewing pleasure.  Thanks so much for stopping by today, and be sure to come see me tomorrow for the YNS September Release Blog Hop.

Sympathetic Pineapples

As a longtime lover and semi-collector of all things pineapple, the current pineapple trend makes me slap-happy.

I received an order from Lil Inker Designs last week; I know I said I'd ink up all of my LID stamp sets that I had before placing another order, but I couldn't resist the new Pineapple Panache stamp set, and LID was having a birthday sale. What's a girl to do? She's to order the pineapple set and coordinating die, as well as a few of the other sets/dies she's been wanting (because: 20% off!). And that's how you go broke saving money.

Anyway, I was itching to play with aforementioned Pineapple Panache, I needed to make my sample for Mojo Monday, and a close friend's grandmother passed away last week.  Those parameters were not enough: I also wanted to participate in the current Color Throwdown challenge (#357). Thus, I determined to make a pineapple-themed sympathy card with this sketch and color scheme:

And here's what I came up with, turning the sketch on it's side:

The card measures 3.5" by 5.5". I used LID's Circles & Diamonds Stitched Background Die to give the white background a little texture.  The sentiment came from LID's Really Rosemaling stamp set, and was heat embossed with white detail embossing powder.

My ink colors are Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!) and Blush (Close To My Heart), both of which seem to be retired.

Ready to play in this week's Mojo Monday challenge? Then head over to the Mojo Monday blog where you'll find all of the details, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Monday design team members for lots of lovely inspiration:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

LID Pineapple Panache stamp set	LID Pineapple Panache die	LID Really Rosemaling stamp set	LID Circles & Diamonds Stitched Pattern die
MFT Card Stock	VersaMark	Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder	Jody's Foam Boosters
MISTI

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