Lily Pad Cards Blog Hop

Posted on April 1, 2012 in Blog Hop, Cards

Today I am happy-as-a-clam to be a part of the Lily Pad Cards’ First Birthday blog hop. Lily Pad is a great site for card making ideas and is brought to us by the awesome folks of InLinkz. (That is the service that does those fun supply list thumbnails at the end of blog posts.) I adore them, so I am happy to help them celebrate!

To celebrate, there are three prize packages with a total retail value of over $300. These prizes will be randomly given. To be eligible, just “like” Lily Pad on Facebook. If you would like to better your chances or don’t have a Facebook account, you can also leave comments on the blogs participating in this hop (including Lily Pad). For each comment, you get your name entered again (but only one comment per blog, please).

So, how about a birthday card idea to celebrate Lily Pad’s 1st birthday? Here is mine…

I used a fun mask, some white heat embossing, Distress Markers and a pearlized water mist to create this. Stay tuned – I will have a video here very soon explaining how this is done. I love how well Distress Markers blend with water. (Distress Inks and Stains would work here, too.) And that button? Love that button. It is from Close To My Heart.

Supplies are listed below.

Be sure to head over to Deborah Nolan’s blog next. If you hit a bad link, you can always go back to Lily Pad to view the master list of blog links.

Happy Sunday!


 

Posted in Blog Hop, Cards | 310 Comments

Creative Chemistry online class video + quick share

Posted on March 30, 2012 in Cards, Classes, Studio Calico

Hello folks.

I bet most of you saw this video that Tim Holtz posted on his blog today… but I thought I would share here just in case. It shows a peek into his Creative Chemistry 101 online class. A lot of people were asking – It isn’t too late to sign up. If you sign up before the 9th, you can ask questions of Tim in the forum, share in the student gallery and use shopping discounts. After the 9th, you can still sign up, but just won’t have those live aspects I just mentioned. Regardless, you will have lifetime access to content. To sign up, go HERE.

Yes, you read it right. Over 5 hours of video with Tim. As my friend would say, “isn’t that every girl’s dream?” Hahaha.

Also, for those of you who are subscribers to the Online Card Classes newsletter, you should have received today information on signing up for the our next class. We will announce it to everyone soon!

Next up? A card share. I did this one awhile back. But I don’t *think* I have shared it here yet. So here it is…

Used lots of Studio Calico chipboard butterflies here… wrapping thin string around them several times and tying in a knot at the top for antennae. After finishing it, I felt it was too much brown, so I added one small Glossy Accent covered heart.

See you tomorrow.

 

Posted in Cards, Classes, Studio Calico | 42 Comments

Sketchbook Four Class Giveaway + Links

Posted on March 28, 2012 in Classes, Cool links, Giveaways

How about a giveaway? My dear friend Kelly has a new online class coming up that I am honored to be a part of…

“Join Kelly Purkey in another installment of her popular Sketchbook class! Sketchbook 4 is a four week class filled with fresh sketches, easy instructions, beautiful examples, and lots of fun. This class is designed to be used at any time and over + over again when you need inspiration.

Sketchbook is different from any other sketch class out there because Kelly and the contributors offer design tips and detailed explanation of what makes a page work. It’s more than sketches – they’ll deliver valuable pointers for creating great layouts.

By the end of the class, you’ll have a complete sketchbook of 12 original sketches, 38 layouts, and an ADDITIONAL 38 sketches based on those creative pages. All the examples are brand new layouts, exclusive to this class… you won’t see them anywhere else! You will be receiving an example layout from Kelly for each of the sketches, along with two example layouts from a Studio Calico Design Team member and some of your favorite SC Guest Designers.”

Hope to see you there. Interested in winning a spot? Just leave a comment here by Thursday night for your chance.


Here are a few things I have found that you may want to check out…

See you soon.

Posted in Classes, Cool links, Giveaways | 193 Comments

Go To Gals Product Challenge Blog Hop – Bazzill

Posted on March 28, 2012 in Blog Hop, Hero Arts, Paper Crafts

Welcome!

Today I am part of a Go To Gals Product Challenge Blog Hop and we will all be using goodies from Bazzill.

My favorite product from Bazzill is their Dotted Swiss Cardstock. This cardstock has a subtle raised dot pattern. Unlike do-it-yourself-with-embossing-folders embossed papers, you can stamp on this cardstock. And their pack of Dotted Swiss has three shades for each color – lovely!

Here is a card I created with some of this cardstock, along with a clear embossed background. I just love how well Bazzill cardstock works with clear embossing – makes such a striking image.

I also stamped a Technique Tuesday greeting from Ali Edwards…

Here is another one I did with these Dotted Swiss cardstocks. This time I used white embossing powder with the Hero Arts Newsprint Tulips… (This stamp is a new fave of mine!)

To be able to stamp with black over the white embossing, I used black Staz-On ink. Works well!

So next be sure to check out the other Go To Gal blogs, and the Paper Crafts Connections blog…

Over on the Paper Crafts Connection blog, I am sharing several more card ideas using these products. Be sure to check it out – we are also giving away a set of these cardstocks and the fun stamp. Here’s a peek…

See you soon!


 

Posted in Blog Hop, Hero Arts, Paper Crafts | 85 Comments

A Blog Named Hero + Paying It Forward

Posted on March 26, 2012 in Cool links, Giving Back

Hello, stampy folks.

I am excited to help celebrate the launch of a new website – A Blog Named Hero. This blog honors all things Hero Arts and will have fun challenges, prizes and card shares. This makes me so happy as I feel Hero Arts is one of the best companies in the industry – without a doubt. So this blog? Awesome idea. (BTW… the blog isn’t part of Hero Arts but rather was created by two sweet ladies – Mary Dawn and Linda – who are just fans of the company. Hero Arts is supporting them with prizes and such, though.)

They are kicking off the blog with a celebration week starting today. I am one of the featured folks, and here is a peek at my card…

To see the card in all it’s Distress-Inked-glory, head HERE. And please do head there today because two other ladies created STUNNING cards that are worth checking out. Wow. Oh, and I may or may not have hooked them up with some stamps to giveaway. Hint hint. :)

Be sure to add A Blog Named Hero to your Google Reader or subscribe. They have lots of fun things planned and great prizes.

Enjoy!


I recently found out about a fellow crafter who lost her home in a fire. Her friend, Kelly, is collecting cards and craft goodies to replenish her supplies and bring a smile to her face. If you are interested in helping out, please head HERE. I have my box of stamps ready to ship – I can’t imagine losing so much.

Thanks… see you tomorrow. :)

Posted in Cool links, Giving Back | 35 Comments

Video: Felt Rose How-To

Posted on March 25, 2012 in Cards, Sizzix, Videos

Hope you all had a good weekend. We spent most of it getting ready for the baby. And we now have diapers. That’s all you really need, right? Ha.

I have a video to share with you today – one I did for the kind folks at Simon Says Stamp. I used the Tim Holtz Tattered Pinecone die with felt to create roses. (Gotta love when a die can be used for two completely different things.) I also used the Simon Says Stamp April Card Kit of the Month. There is a great piece of chevron acetate/transparency in the kit and I show how to create a card window pane with it. Simple.

It’s hard to see that see-through window pane on the front of the card. The video shows it better…

Oh, and see those cute leaves? Those are cut from THIS fabric border sticker from Amy Tan. I LOVE THESE. So perfect with any style flower and there are lots in one package. Just cut them apart.

I also mentioned in the video the smaller Fiskars Trimmer for cardmakers. I never really thought I would like it, but it is the perfect size for cardmakers. (Better price, too.) I use this one all the time now. It has that wire guide like the original larger one. Love…

Thanks for stopping by. Time to get to best and give this overly-stretched belly a rest. Night.


 

Posted in Cards, Sizzix, Videos | 43 Comments

Encouragement Card + Paper Crafts Giveaway

Posted on March 24, 2012 in Cards, Giveaways, Lawn Fawn, Paper Crafts

Hello!

A quick share for you – this was in a recent issue of Paper Crafts. I rarely share the cards I have in there, but wanted to share this one. If you are like me, you are in constant need of cards with messages like this one…

A little Glossy Accents goes a long way in adding some dimension and shine to those little hearts.

The greeting was generated on my computer… the band aids were colored with Copics… and the paper is My Mind’s Eye 6×6.

By the way, those band aids are from THIS Lawn Fawn set. The stamp actually has the smile on it. But for the first two band aids, I just left it uninked and stamped in the heart instead. Another way to get more from your stamps…

Cute set, eh?


I have a fun giveaway today – the new Paper Crafts Party Ensembles book! This book is a lot of fun – has over 140 party ensembles with over 1000 projects. I have a few in there and here is a peek at one. It is to celebrate Uncle Mike Day – something our family does every year. (There is a holiday for every other person in the family – why not fab Uncles?) To see the whole thing, check out page 114 of the book…

For your chance to win a copy of the Paper Crafts Party Ensembles book, just leave a comment here by Wednesday at 11:59pmEST. Good luck.

The winners of the May Arts ribbon bundles include: Jodi A, Jennifer Snyder and Jennifer Harris. I emailed you.


 

Posted in Cards, Giveaways, Lawn Fawn, Paper Crafts | 171 Comments

Video: Folded Ribbon with May Arts + Giveaways

Posted on March 21, 2012 in Cards, Giveaways, Videos

Hello.

I wanted to share a video I did for the kind folks over at May Arts. I have been a fan of their ribbons for years, and some of their recent releases are just plain awesome. In this video, I show my favorite folded/pleated ribbon technique with my new favorite chevron twill…

Yummy yummy ribbon…

I am sure you are probably wondering about that lovely chevron ribbon, huh? You can find it HERE.

All the supplies are listed below in the thumbnails under the giveaway.


So there two ways to win some May Arts goodies. First, you could go to the May Arts blog and comment for a chance to win three spoils of your choice.

Next, you can leave a comment here for a chance to win a bunch of some of my favorite May Arts ribbons. I put together three bundles for three lucky winners. Just be sure to leave your comment by Friday at 11:59pmEST. Look how lovely they are…

Good luck.


Posted in Cards, Giveaways, Videos | 440 Comments

Card share and birthday wishes…

Posted on March 18, 2012 in Hero Arts, My Life

Hello.

Just have a simple card to share using a Hero Arts stamp and die along with some Hero Arts acetate…

This went together so fast. (Gotta love that.) I layered and adhered all the papers that would end up on the front of the card together. I then temporarily stuck them to the front of the card and ran them through my die cut machine with the Edge label die. (Adore this die – I used it HERE, too, without the stamps. So versatile.) Next I stamped the owl label image with White Staz-On Ink on a piece of acetate. Once it dried, I sandwiched the image between the die cut layered piece and the die cut card. The perfect window with a “floating” white image.

I added some paper to the inside to show through, too. Finally, I jazzed up the acetate with a few “floating” pearls.

BTW, this is the label die I used. It matches up with this owl stamp along with several other Hero Arts stamps. But I like to use it alone, too. I like that is has a little more interest on the tips of the label than most label dies do.

All the supplies are listed below in the thumbnails.


I usually don’t share a lot of personal/boring/non-crafting life stuff here. But I just had to say this – Happy 6th birthday, little man. Thanks for making this life of ours so amazing.

Have a great day!


 

Posted in Hero Arts, My Life | 78 Comments

Quick post

Posted on March 15, 2012 in Enabling, Giveaways

Hey there. Under the weather here, so I have a quick post for today. Sorry about that!


We have some winners! The winner of Creative Chemistry 101 with Tim Holtz is Pat C and the winner of the Silhouette class with Kerri Bradford is Diana Waite. Yay!


One question I have been asked more than any other lately: “When will the new Studio Calico + Hero Arts stamps be available?” Well… now is the time! It is in stores. If you are looking for the stamps, go HERE. My favorites? Lattice and chevron!

 

There are also a few new 6×6 Studio Calico paper pads, which you can get HERE… including the 6×6 Abroad, Classic Calico and Take Note.

      

Happy shopping. :)


I also saw that the sweet folks at Paper Smooches have a new set out called Little Lady. Sweet, isn’t it? Love. And be sure to check their blog tomorrow for a few chances to win the set and for other surprises…

Enjoy! I will be back soon with something more to share. Gotta get some rest.

Posted in Enabling, Giveaways | 49 Comments

  • My Online Classes

  • Invited Sponsors

    SSS Card Kit Subscription

  • More About Me