Hand Stamped By Lacey

It's Scrappin' Time!!

I am so excited to say that I have been accepted onto the Scrap and Stamp Saturday Design Team!! Yeah!! I am so excited to be on a scrapbook team.

I was contacted awhile by Regina regarding sponsoring the challenges through my store Stamp and Create. So, I started to play along with the challenges. They were having a Design Team call last month, so I went ahead and submitted some layout...and I was asked on the team this week!!

There are so many new designers that have been added to the team. And everyone has been so sweet in welcoming each other and sharing tips.

Of course I had to get started right away!

The sponsor this week is Unity Stamps. They have provided a Stamp Kit as the Prize for this week's winner.

This challenge this week is a sketch by Pamela...

I had to flip the sketch a little since I had "portrait" pictures that were calling my name and they didn't fit well on top of each other....

I used some My Mind's Eye DP, punched some SU Not Quite Navy CS with a new Martha Stewart punch and sewed the layers together. I used some Ruler Twill Tape, Black Ric Rac, new Eyelet Lace Ribbon, Flower Spacers, Alphabet Chipboard Letters, and High Hopes Mary J Teacher Stamp from my store Stamp and Create.

The journaling is on some lined paper (I don't know who it's from), cut with the SU Top Note Die. I created the "2" by printing out a large 2 on the computer, then using that as a template to cut some Coaster Board. I stamped the letters and 2 with a PTI polka dot stamp from Polka Dot Basics set. And the heart stamp on the A and B are another clear stamp, but I didn't keep the sheet that says who it's from...I know I bought it at JoAnns a few years ago.

The Mary J Teacher image was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I added some stickles to her wings as well as the large prima flower and the outline of the "2nd Grade" mat...

Here's a close up of the pictures....

I sewed directly onto the two side photos. Sorry for the glare on the side photos. One of the tips I have learned from the lovely DT is to use Matte photos on your layout to avoid glare!!

Now it's your turn! Grab some photos that are just sitting there collecting dust...you know your NEED to scrapbook something, right? LOL If you're like me, you have about 7 years worth of children's pictures that haven't been touched!!

Come play along with our challenge this week! To be entered into the drawing the Unity Stamp prize, link your layout to Mr. Linky! The only rule...you MUST use at least 1 stamp on your layout!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #3 - Buttons

Happy Friday everyone! I am so glad the week is almost over...although I have a very busy weekend since my hubby has to work. I also have a sinus infection! Apparently my cold didn't want to leave and is now building a home in my sinus'!!

It's time for another Wags 'n  Whiskers Challenge! Nikki (co-owner of Wags 'n Whiskers) has challenged the team to use BUTTONS on our cards!

The only rule for the challenge is that you must use a Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamp. If you don't have one, go shopping here!!

Now onto my card...

I kept the layout fairly simple. Mainly because I finally found some My Mind's Eye Wonderful Winter Glitter stack of paper at Michaels for 30% off!! Whoo-hoo!! It's official...I have a paper problem...there I said it!! I am addicted to paper packs!! The bigger the better!! Seriously...what am I going to do with all of the paper I buy?!

Anyway, I didn't want to cover up this awesome glittery paper, so I kept the layout simple. I used Sweet Danni and Bella for the image. She's such a doll!

I embossed her in black then watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os...

This photo was taken in direct sunlight. So you can see the shimmer from the Twinkling H2Os and from the black embossing.

I added a prima and snowflake punch (Martha Stewart punch) sprayed with Shimmerz Baby's Breath Spritz (not sure you can see the shimmer in the photo). I used my SU scalloped edge border on the side of the card and the image mat. And added some of the new White Mini Pom Pom Ribbon!! Love that ribbon!! I added a PTI button tied with some Linen Thread.

Now it's your turn! Make a card using a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp, add a button or 2, and link it to Mr. Linky to be entered into a drawing to win a free Wags 'n Whiskers stamp of you choice!!

Don't forget that Wags 'n Whiskers is now on Paper Craft Planet! So if you don't have a blog, you can upload you card to either Paper Craft Planet or Split Coast Stampers and still link it to Mr. Linky!

Don't forget about my Birthday Sale at Stamp and Create...receive 20% off everything in the store using Discount Code: BIRTHDAY. The sale ends on Nov 23rd.

I also have a blog candy going on here if you spread the word about my sale!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #2 - Stitch 'em Up!!

Edited to add the correct photo with the tag...

Happy Friday to you! Let me tell you how happy I am that it is Friday!! I have been so sick all week and it has really been hard to deal with getting everything done all week. But Mom's can't call in sick, right?

Anyway, it is time for the 2nd Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge!! Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our first challenge. It's so great to see the stamps in your hands! I can't wait to see what the rest of you will do with your stamps!

If you need to order some stamps, check them out here.

This week Tina is hosting our challenge. And she has challenged us to Stitch 'em up!! Add some stitching to your projects! It can be machine or hand sewing, real or faux, or just even piercing! The only rule...you must use a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp to be entered into the drawing. Oh yeah...one lucky person who participates in this week's challenge will win a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp of your choice!!

On my project...

Instead of making a card this week, I decided to enter some scrapbook challenges while scrapbooking Ryan's 5th birthday party last month. Plus I am also working on creating a calender for the grandparents for Christmas gifts!

Here is my first layout...

I used Super Ryan for this layout since this was the theme for his birthday party.

This layout is for the Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge, Scrap and Stamp Challenge (A guy challenge), and Scrappy Sunday 11/1/09 layout at Paper Craft Planet. Sorry for the blurry picture. I can't take photos of scrapbook pages to save my life! Especially when it's rainy outside.

Speaking of Paper Craft Planet, Wags 'n Whiskers has our own group forum now!! Come join our group! With each release, we will be hosting prizes and challenges on the forum!

I started my layout as a "progressive page" (starting at 8 1/2 x 11, then adding it to a 12x12 backgroun) since my scanner can only scan 8 1/2 x 11. So, here is what the top of my calender will look like...

After I scanned the 8 1/2 x11 layout, I sewed it to some Kraft and Night Of navy cardstock then added the buttons on the kraft stars (the scan is blurry if there is anything popping off the page).

Here's a close up of Super Ryan (which was actually recycled from Ryan's birthday calender originally posted here)...

For the next layout, I used Scrappy Sunday 11/8/09 layout at Paper Craft Planet. It's also for the ABC Challenge that I am sponsoring this week which is "H is for Hidden".

 

I used the same supplies (the Patterned paper is My Mind's Eye All Boy set, Coaster Board Alphabet and Ric Rac Ribbon from Stamp and Create, some PTI buttons and Natural Twill for the tag).

The sketch only called for 2 photos with 1 little circle. But I had a few more photos I needed to add to document his party. So I added a 3rd photo and a 2nd circle.

Here's a closer view...

And a view of the tag...

So not it's your turn, create a project using a Wags n' Whiskers stamp, add some stitching and link it to Mr. Linky in the challenge post for a chance to win!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge - sewing

I still feel horrible...my head cold is hanging on strong :-( No fever, just massive sinus pressure so I will make this quick...going to bed as soon as I am done posting this.

This is one of the cards I created this weekend. The challenge over at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is "Sewing". I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday this week.

I use one of the new Crissy's Cuties called Ozzie and Harriet available at Stamp and Create. I used some Cosmo Cricket papers, SU Ridinghood red and Crushed Curry CS, SU scalloped edge punch, some Red Satin Ribbon, stickles, and punches snowflakes.

The image was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

Don't forget about my blog candy here!

Sorry for the short post...just need to get to bed!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Two Challenges/Two cards

I have 2 cards to share today for a few different challenges. Like I said earlier...I was busy this weekend!

The first card is for the Whiff of Joy Challenge (a sketch) and Our Creative Corner (a photo inspiration). I also used Camilla's Vintage tutorial on the Whiff of Joy Inspiration blog when creating this card. Here's the inspriation photo...

The image is from Whiff of Joy Fall kit called Fall Willow holding Baby Turkey...

I flipped the sketch. I used SU Soft Suede as my card base with a Creamy Caramel mat. I don't remember who made the DP (I bought it on the single sheet section at Michaels).

For the script background, I stamped one of the sentiments from the kit randomly. It says "The season of friendship last forever". I crumbled the paper, added ink to distress it, then sewed it onto my card. I added the Fall Corner from the fall kit in the corner under the primas.

The tag, ribbon, charm, and spacers are available in my store Stamp and Create. Although I do not have this Whiff of Joy image, I do have the new Gnomes on pre-order.

Willow is embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. If you haven't seen Katharina's tutorial on coloring with H2O's, check it out!!...it's basically the same way I color (although not in fast forward like her video hehe).

For my 2nd card today, I have another "Simply Vintage" card inspired by the Simple Card Tutorial by Kristine on the Wags 'n Whiskers blog and by Camilla's Vintage tutorial again. It's also for the color challenge on SCS this week CC244 (Very, Bravo, Kraft). I don't have the exact colors...but similar...

 

Once again, I embossed the image (Zoe and Gemma's Snow Fun by Wags 'n Whiskers) in silver without coloring...diecut with SU Top Note die. I used Basic Grey Wassail DP, a doily, a punched snowflake, star flower spacer, a brad, and inked/distressed edges. This card took me about 10 minutes to make!

Here's another angle (with less glare on the silver embossing)...

And a close up of the image...

Here's my other simply vintage card I made without coloring if you missed it yesterday.

I seriously love how quick this card was to make!! And I love the look so much! If I end up running out of time to make the rest of my Christmas cards, I think this is going to be my "quick and simple" design to finish them up!

Whew...I am tired from all of that!! I hope you liked my designs. Let me know what you think!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Simply vintage

I don't know where to start today. Let's see...Sunday I woke up feeling ucky! I think all of the germs going around my family finally caught me! I swear Ansley's had a runny nose since school started! Ryan is a little sniffly and sneezy as well. But I have to admit, for a child who still sticks EVERYTHING in his mouth (includes an occassional shoe), he barely gets sick. And when he's sick, it doesn't seem to affect him...maybe a little nap...but most of the time he is still in fast-forward mode all the time.

But I felt horrible on Sunday. I didn't have any energy so I stayed in my PJs. Scott took the kids to the mall to get them out of the house. So I got a little quiet time in my studio! I ended up making 4 cards yesterday and 2 cards this morning!! However, one of them I can not share. It uses one of the Wags 'n Whiskers images that will be in the next release (yay) AND I used it for a submission to Paper Crafts Magazine. I don't expect it to get published, but I will never get published if I don't ever submit, right?

Then this afternoon, I had to take both kids to the cardiologist. Ansley has a small hole in her heart called VSD (Ventricual Septal Defect) which she's had since birth. But at our last well visit for Ryan, we were told that he had a heart murmur (or a heart "mermaid" as he calls it LOL!! After being there for almost 3 hours, Ryan's murmur is "innocent", so no cause for alarm or even no follow up needed. Unfortunately Ansley's VSD is still there, but still very tiny. She will have to go back in 2 years for a followup again. At this point, he said if it hasn't closed yet, it probably won't close. Again, no major worries. He says it will probably never cause her any issues and she can play sports. But a LONG appointment when you are not feeling well is not very fun! I am so glad that Ryan was very well behaved...that makes for a little easier time.

Anyway, I was inspired this weekend by 2 tutorials. Wags 'n Whiskers Design Diva Kristine created this tutorial on quick and easy cards. And Camilla did this awesome tutorial on Vintage cards on the Whiff of Joy Inspiration Blog.

So I combined the ideas together to create this card to send to a blogging friend...

I really love how it turned out. However, it was hard to photograph! I embossed Angel Whispers by Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps in silver onto Pearlized Metallic paper from DCWV The Luxury Stack. It's awesome and shimmery!! It's hard to tell in the photo, but the layer that the image is stamped on has a faint pink design and is diecut with the SU Top Note die. The background layer is actually a tan damask design. I added a small lace doily, a bunch of primas, some rhinestones and rhinestone brads, a hat pin (SU Pretties Kit), and some lace. The card base is 5.25" square Chocolate Chip.

Here's a close up of the image...

And another angle....

Here's another slightly different angle of the card...

Again, it really is prettier in real life.

I think this image is great just as it is..no coloring needed! And even with all of those embellishments, it took me longer to write this post than it did to create the card!! I would love to hear what you think!

I have another quick card to share with you later. Since I was at the doctor's all day, I didn't get to take pictures of all of the cards I made yesterday.

Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #52 - a sketch by ME!!!

Yeah!! It's my very first sketch!! I had so much fun this summer learning how to use photoshop, that I thought I would attempt to create a sketch! I love using sketches for challenges, so why not attempt to create one?!

So for today's High Hopes Challenge, come play along with my sketch...

 

Here is my card...

 
 
I have seen so many beautiful antique-looking cards lately. So I went with that for my inspiration...although it's not as detailed as some of them out there. I guess it's also a mono-chromatic card...but it just ended up that way with the papers and image I used.

I used some SU designer paper (I think from the mini catalog). I matted it with SU Soft Suede in color with a Kraft card base. I created a bow out of Soft Suede ribbon and added a PTI button. The sentiment is from PTI Signature Christmas. I added some eyelets with Linen Thread and some matching brads. Last, I stamped some Autumn Leaves swirls (got it on clearance at Walmart this summer).

I embossed the image on watercolor paper and watercolored using Twinkling H2Os...

I think I now have about 8 Christmas cards done...only about 100 to go!! LOL No seriously...I have a ton to go! Good thing I still have a few weeks!

Now it's your turn to play along with my sketch. If you don't have a High Hopes image...come visit my store here.

Make sure to link your card to the challenge post to be entered into the drawing for some free stamps! And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC52.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Family

Wow it has been a crazy few days! It's amazing how far behind you can get with you "play" for a few days instead of work! As I posted earlier, my mom and stepfather were in town from wednesday through sunday. We did so many fun things. While she was here, I had 3 large orders arrive so I have been trying to organize them in my "store" area.

I did get a birthday card made for my niece today, but I just finished it so I have to wait until tomorrow to take a photo in natural light.

So I am glad I had this project already made. I originally made it for the Scrap and Stamp Scrapbook Challenge last week (Thankful For...), but didn't get a photo taken until today. So I am glad it fits this week's challenge, too! This week's challenge is "Open"! Anything will work this week! Yeah!

I used some of my Basic Grey Scrapbook kit (which I just realized I never loaded into the store...doh...it's now been loaded)! I was going to have the stamping piece be my title...then I stamped it crooked so I had to cover it up! I printed it on the computer instead.

I used these scroll elements from a clear set from Inkadinkado called Bold Damask instead. I bought it on clearance at Walmart over the summer. I stamped it in Kiwi Kiss ink onto the Basic Grey paper.

The Basic Grey paper, Red Satin Ribbon, Christmas Tree charm, and Poinsettas are all part of the scrapbook kit available at Stamp and Create.

Here is a closer shot of the picture. This was taken almost 2 years ago and I am finally just adding it to a layout now! Man, am I behind! Well, I say that, but I have to confess that I have maybe 1 layout done from when the kids were infants...I am REALLY behind in my scrapbooking!!

The Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps will be shipping by the end of the week!! Yeah!! If you haven't already pre-ordered your stamps, you can still order them.

Don't forget that I offer free shipping for orders over $55.00 now! So this is huge savings if you want the "I want it all package" (I can only ship Wags 'n Whiskers to the US and Canada, but anything else in my store can be shipped anywhere)!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Upsy Daisy - High Hopes Challenge time

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge!! This week is brought to us by the very talented, very funny...Miss Sweet Daisy aka Anna Wight!! Her challenge is called Upsy Daisy...use some Daisys in your card.

For my card, I wanted to use one of the new images...

This is Andrea's Kitties...isn't she so adorable? (I say that for every High Hopes Stamps, don't I?!) The sentiment is actually from Whiff of Joy. Did you know the owner of Whiff of Joy, Katharina, is a High Hopes Design Diva?!

The DP is a K&Company Small Wonders - Girl pack that I've had for ages (I bought 2 packs when I was making the Baby Scrapbook for my husband's coworker). I added some Daisy primas with some SU Cordouroy Brads, and the charm is from JoAnns.

I embossed Andrea in Black and watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os...

Look how sweet she is!! I just want to pinch her cheaks :-)

The sketch is from Amy R Amyrs71 (haven't done one of hers in a long time...

 

I carried the papers and part of the layout to the inside...

However I realized after taking this picture that I forgot to add the white Oval for writing....I will fix that before I give it to someone. I was late getting this card finished. As we were working on the house yesterday, we got a call from the Realtor asking to show the house to two people...which required us to leave for 2 1/2 hours!! That wasn't in my stamping plans!!! Now, let me explain...we didn't sell the house in time to close on our new house so we had to accept the Corporate Buy-Out option that was included in my husband's relocation package. We are soooo grateful to have that option because houses are not moving in our neighborhood. It is full of Military families so many of our neighbors have been transferred to new bases so we have a TON of houses on the market right now. But getting back to our house...as far as we are concerned, the house is no longer ours...it belongs to his company. We still have to show the house if they want until we move. But what a major inconvenience when we have so much to do before the move!! Not much longer now...we are planning to move the week of July 20th...that's a week from tomorrow!!!

Back to the card...I received the personlized stamp that I ordered from Bunny Zoe's Crafts so I used it on the back of my card...

I think it's crooked! Anyway, I really think it's cute. I used to use a clear label on the backs of my cards with my phone number and blog address, so I am happy that I have something that can be stamped instead.

Oh, if you missed my post yesterday, you may have missed the announcement that the High Hopes release is now on the website!!! Yeah!! What do you think of all of the new images? Are you ready to get started on your Christmas cards yet?

High Hopes will be making an announcement in the coming weeks...so stay tuned for that along with a Blog Hop with Blog Candy that I mentioned before!!! I just may have some blog candy before that...I am fast approaching 100,000 hits!!

Anyway, speaking of free stamps...if you would like to play along with the challenge this week...create a card using a High Hopes image, add some daisys somewhere on the card, and upload it to the challenge post to be entered into the drawing to win the stamps Anna used on her card!

And if you upload your card to SCS, use keyword HHC39.

Thanks for stopping by today!!  Happy Sunday...and Happy Stamping!!

~Lacey

Whassup?

I am scheduling the next few posts because we are heading down to South Florida on Thursday to close on our new house!! My husband is a little busy at work right now, so he can't actually take time off from work to move! So, we have a little time before we have to leave our North Florida home. Plus we also want to install wood floors in the new home since the carpets need to be replaced upstairs...the tile downstairs is in good condition so we are only doing upstairs. Therefore, we are going down to close on the house, but we won't be moving in for a few more weeks.

Anyway, I made this set of cards for my neighborhood Bunco group (it's a dice game that we play each month...lots of fun). Each month we bring an item to put in the themed basket. The last person who gets "Bunco" wins the basket. This past month, the theme was "Beach"...actually "Jimmy Buffet", but any beach item would work.

I took this picture right before leaving for Bunco so I didn't have time to take them out and get a better photo. There were 8 cards in the set...all with the same design.

I stamped the surf board from SU Just Surfing stamp set 1 time in Bermuda Bay, then I masked it off, and stamped it a second time in Melon Mambo (both new in-colors from SU available July 1st). I tore some Creamy Caramel CS to create sand dunes, inked up the edges wtih Chocolate Chip, and layered them onto the cards. I sewed around the edges, inked up the background with Baja Breeze to create a "sky", then attached everything to a Crushed Curry card base (another new in-color).

I was so glad to be able to use this stamp set! I bought it back in May to use for Scott's surprise "Luau 40th Birthday party", but I got so busy I ended up just sending an email invite!! Gasp!! How embarrasing for a "card maker" to send an email invitation!! Oh well. However, I believe these would make awesome beach party or pool party invitations.

The sentiment is from Stamping Bella but I though it fit this design perfectly. I wanted these cards to be used for any occassion.

Here's a side view of the box...

The box is from  PTI and it easily holds 8 cards and envelopes (without many embellishments). I love these boxes, they are great for an easy gift. After I took the picture, I wrapped it in some Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon with a bow on the front. I think they were a huge hit.

This set only took me about an hour to make all of them...including the sewing.

By the time this posts, I should be on my way to South Florida. However, I have the start of a headcold with a sore throat and a runny nose. My breaks are squeeking, so I had to get those checked out in the morning. So I may end up having to rent a car since I don't have time to wait around all day for my car to be worked on! I am so excited (*insert sarcasm*) that I get to pack, get my car looked at, and drive to South Florida with 2 kids by MYSELF!! Scott is already down there! Oh well...ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right?!

I do have a favor to ask, though. Scott's brother is in the hospital in South Carolina with Multiple Pulmonary Embolisms (blood clots in the lungs) and he has a deep vein blood clot in his leg that they are worried about. He is on blood thinners and is being closly monitored, but they expect him to be in the hospital for at least a week. Please keep him and is family in your prayers. They are in the process of moving from Texas and have been separated as a family (because of the move) since Christmas! This is a very stressful time for him and his family.

Thank you so much for your prayers!! And thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Challenge #35 - Paper Piecing

I love the challenge this week over at the Whiff of Joy blog! Paper Piecing! I don't know why, but I don't do this often, so I was happy to be able to participate this week.

I wanted to use one of the new Womens Delight stamps, but honestly...I only have a handful of friends who are pregnant and no one who is getting married (I am "too old" to have friends that still need to get married)!!

So, instead of a card, I made a scrapbook layout using some pictures of my 6 year old when she was only 6 months old. My mom took these pictures...

Click on the pictures for a larger view...

I love these pictures! My mom went through 3 ROLLS of film...yes, this is before digital cameras had taken over. I am so glad that my step father had these developed on disk as well so that I could edit, crop, and print the pictures to my hearts content.

I used a layout from the the June edition of Creating Keepsakes magazine (page 24 "A Father's Love" by Suzy Plantamura") as the starting point for the layout. I didn't follow it exactly, but did like the basic layout and the stiching around the circle.

The Whiff of Joy image is Willow with Toddler from the Women's Delight release. I paper pieced some SU Bella Birds DP for her dress. The pink/brown DP for the page is also from Bella Birds. The brown piece behind the pictures at the bottom is SU Bella Rose DP.

Here's a close up of Willow...

 
The title was created using SU chipboard that I ran through the Big Shot using Sizzix Serif Essentials and Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale alphabet dies. The first letters were altered with DP and the other letters were left plain with just a little ink for a distressed look.

I used the same layout on the other side, but flipped the location of the circle...

I kept the embellishments simple since I wanted so to include so many pictures.

The journalling was done on the computer and cut out with the SU Top Note die.

It says...

Since you were a little one,

you loved to hear me sing this song at bed time.

Ansley, you are my little baby girl...

no matter how big you get!

My little Princess. My little Angel.

A gift from Heaven above!

"Rest you head close to my heart...

Never to part...Baby of Mine".

This song is from Disney's Dumbo in the scene where Dumbo gets to visit his mother and she swings him in her trunk. It was on a Disney lullaby CD that I used to play Ansley at bedtime when she was an infant. I learned the lyrics and still sing this song (along with Jesus Love Me) to the kids every night at bedtime.

The tag by the top picture says "Ansley 6 months old - March 2003". It was also printed on the computer and die cut with the 2nd smallest Nestability Label 1 die.

Here are some other pictures of the photos...

This was fun to create. I really love making scrapbook pages...I don't know why I don't do it more often.

Anyway, we are off to a "goodbye play date" for the kids. Another family in our neighborhood is also moving, so our friend is hosting a playdate for the kids to say goodbye! We will still be here for another few weeks, but we will be back and forth, so we won't get to see much of anyone before we move.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~lacey

Wings of Friendship-SU Sneak Peek 2

Here's a quick card made with one of the new Stampin' Up Level 2 Hostess sets caleed Wings of Friendship. This was super easy to make...

I heat embossed the image in black directly to some of the new Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper, added another layer puched with the scallop edge, added some awesome Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon, and sewed it to the Melon Mambo card base. I had a little bit of a problem with the sewing, though...word of advice, don't try to stand up and sew!! My sewing machine has been put away while our house is on the market. So I pulled it out and placed on the dresser in the spare bedroom. I had to stand up to sew it and I accidentally started sewing before I was ready when I turned the corner on the bottom right!! Opps!! Oh well!

The DP, card stock, and ribbon will be available starting on July 1st!! The stamp set is a Level 1 Hostess set, so you will need to either host a workshop to earn this set.

We had a busy day today. We went to swimming lessons again today...no, Ryan didn't participate again...but he DID swim on the steps...I am hoping to go early tomorrow, let him play on the steps, and when his lesson time comes, let the instructor try to coax him to swim to her. Maybe if we get there early he will think that he missed his lesson and that she just wants to "play". We'll see if it works.

Anyway, we came home for lunch (and baths) and had a friend come over to play for a little while. Then we headed out for our last gymnastics class. They have "Ribbon Day" on monday, but then we will be done with gynmastics. When we move we will get the kids signed up for something else. Ansley wants to try dance and possibly karate for Ryan....we'll see.

I have to put the kids to bed, then I plan on making another Whiff of Joy card from the upcoming Women's Delight release. Hopefully I will be able to photograph it and post it tomorrow morning.

In the mean time, make sure to check out the rest of the DT cards (links on my sidebar). And don't forget about my blog candy here. It will end at midnight EST on Thursday. I will start the blog candy with the Whiff of Joy stamp on friday morning.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

High Hopes Challenge #34 - Sketch Challenge

Before I get started, I wanted to mention that Ansley (my 6 year old daughter) finally has a card posted on her blog! We have been so busy lately, I haven't been able to help her upload it. She also made a card for the Crafty Monkey's Challenge this week. So hopefully I will be able to get that posted this week.

Onto this week's High Hopes Challenge...it is a wonderful sketch designed by the ubber talented Nikki aka Bunny-Zoes blog. By the way, did you hear she was opening her own on-line store?

Anyway, here is her sketch...

Here is my card...

I used Crissy's Snuggle Bear from the lastest High Hopes release. Isn't she so adorable?! And she was so much fun to color. That teddy bear is just so cute!

I also used some new stuff on this card. The card base is Mango Mamba...one of the new In-Colors from Stampin' Up!! Isn't it awesome? And the Designer Paper is also a SU Sneak Peek called Razzleberry Lemonade!!! :-) *big smile*!! I just love the color combo in this fun DP.

The swirls around the image are from the Wings of Friendship SU set that I peeked the other day. I really love how it works well to frame out an image. Here's the inside of the card with better views of the new DP...

I am not going to tell you how long this card took to make. Mainly because I kept getting interrupted. But mostly because I wasn't sure which new in-color I was going to use as the card base!! I also had some issues with the sewing...the bobbin thread ran out half way through!! I hate when that happens. I've had my sewing machine put away with the house on the market so I didn't think to check it before I started this card.

Back to the challenge...if you would like to play along, link your card to the challenge post to be entered into the drawing for some free stamps! And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC34.

Don't forget to check out all of the other awesome DT cards!! Links are in my sidebar.

AND...don't forget about my candy here.

I'll leave you with a closer view of Crissy...

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Laugh

I bet you already knew that May was National Scrapbooking Month! So, why is it that it's May 28th and I am making my FIRST layout of the month?! Its because I have been sooo busy with end of school year stuff, looking for a house (which we found and have a contract on), keeping this house spic and span in case a realtor wants to show it, and dealing with full time kid duty when my husband is away!

But I had to make sure I did at least one layout before the end of the month. AND I wanted to participate with another Stampin' Out Alzheimers Challenge! This one is a sketch sponsored by Sweet Shoppe Designs (a digital scrapbooking store). Unfortunately, I am not digi get, so I had to rely on good 'ol ink and paper! They did say we could use it as a sketch for a paper layout.

Click on the pictures for a larger view

Let me tell how much I LOVE this layout! Too bad I can't photograph a 12x12 page well!! Maybe I should get a scanner...any suggestions anyone? I guess that is the bonus for digi scrapbooking, right?!

Anyway, I fell in love with the sketch (you need to be registered to see it, though). So I knew I wanted to play along.  However, I was a little intimidated since I have only made one other scrapbook page using only 1 picture!! But this picture says enough on it's own!

I used mostly all Stampin' Up products except a sewing machine, the Large Retro Flower Punch (from EK Success that I got at JoAnns), the black buttons and black ribbon are from PTI, White Ric Rac ribbon from JoAnns and white embroadery thread.

Here is a closer view of the details...

I used Sweet Slumber Specialty Card Stock by SU for the papers. I used the Large Scallop Circle Sizzix die cut and Scalloped Border Punch from SU. The white flowers and hat pink are from the Pretties Kit . And the title is alphabet chipboard (3 different fonts from the On Board Lots of Letters set). I roughly stamped the chipboard with Black Stazon Ink directly with the ink pad...I wanted it to be a distressed look and I really like how it turned out.

The flourish is Baroque Motifs stamped in Black Stazon. I inked up the edges of all of the DP layers with Chocolate Chip ink (including the punched flowers). Not much other stamping on this layout...oh, the month was stamped from Full Calender and I wrote in the year.

I really wish you could see it in real life! The one good thing about paper scrapbooking is all of the texture and layers you get! I like to touch and feel things. Although, I am sure one day I will jump on the digi bandwagon!! I was late on getting a Digital Camera, too!! LOl

Since we are talking about scrapbooking, Stampin Up is currently having a sale on Designer Paper packs to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month. You can get more details on my SU Website (as well as place an order- US only).

But, in summary, you get 1 FREE pack of Designer Paper when you order 3!

There is no limit, so you can buy 9 packs and get 3 packs for free!!

If you want to place an order through my website, just make sure you order the most expensive one last to be your free item!! For instance, if you want 3 of the $9.95 packs and 1 of the $11.95 packs, make the $11.95 pack your free one! If it doesn't work on-line, let me know and I can place the order for you.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #28 - Think outside the Card

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge! This time I have the insider information....because.....I have been asked back on the team FULL TIME!!!! Yeah!! You have no idea how hard it has been for me to keep this a secret!!! I am beyond excited! I have been in love with the adorable High Hopes images for close to 2 years now. So to be on the team full time is truely a dream come true!!

Thank you Kimmie, Tina, Bethany, Crissy, and the whole gang of Divas!!!

Now on to this week's challenge. Amy is the host this week. And her challenge it to "Think outside of the Card"...alter something, make a box, and in my case...make a scrapbook page!!

Click on the pictures for a larger view. However, the colors are "off" since I took this picture late in the day. I am hoping to take better pictures after church and edit this post later.

Edited to add:

I have uploaded a new picture. Amazing what the right natural lighting can do! The first picture was taken this afternoon. The 2nd picture was taken last night (taken around 6:00pm - still a little light outside)...

When I saw the plates for this release, I was estatic!! So many adorable girls...and bugs...oh my!! But when I saw this image, it was PERFECT! I recently allowed Ansley to have some sleep overs. The first one was at her friend Ashleigh. I have posted about Ashleigh here before...her mother is Ryan's assistant preschool teacher...and is in my stamp club. So, obviously, I know her mother well. Her 2nd sleepover, and 1st at our house, was also with Ashleigh (and Ashleigh's sister Amelia). So I was so excited to have Girl Talk to use on a scrapbook page. I was struggling to get this finished this week since we spent so much time getting the house on the market...so I only have half of the layout to show today...I have more pictures from this sleep over so I will make another page at some point. I prefer to do 2-page layouts.

Anyway, I embossed the image in black onto SU Whisper White and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os.

I sewed each of the pictures onto the layout and added a TON of primas and brads with spacers...

I got the spacer and pearl brads from Hobby House. The wonderful Bev gave me a great hint...smash the flower spacers with a hammer to get them flat!! It only took a little hit and they were perfect!! Thanks, Bev!!

The DP is My Mind's Eye Magnolia collection along with some SU Tempting Torquoise CS. Some tools I used were a Martha Steward border punch, Curvy Cutter (circle), and Nestablility Labels One die (finally got that in!!).

For the journalling, I printed on the computer onto Kraft CS...

The chipboard was left bare...with only a little chocolate chip inked up the edges. The swirl is from Bazzill and the letters are some assorted SU letter sets.

So, do you want to play along this week? Make sure to link your card to the High Hopes Challenge post to be eligable for some FREE stamps!! And if you link your project on SCS, use keyword HHC28.

Thanks for stopping by today!! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #27 - FINALLY a card!!

Oh my goodness!! I have been sooooo busy with house stuff. Our Realtor came over on Saturday to list our house. She told us that the photographer was going to come by on monday to take pictures for the virtal tour (these will be 360 degrees...meaning it looks like you are in a room and can turn around in a complete circle to see the whole room). That meant that EVERY room needed to be cleaned and de-cluttered...no more throwing things in the spare bedroom to get it out of sight (since that room was going to be photographed as well)!! That also meant that I had to tackle my office/stamp room/play room. Our front room is about 14'x15' and holds our family desk (with computer, where we pay bills, etc), my stamp desk with 2 bookshelves to hold my stuff, a big cabinet that holds the TV, AND the kid's playroom (more like toy storage room since the usually come in, grab a toy or game, then take it to the family room to play).

Let's just say it took us ALL day on Sunday to work on landscaping pulling weeds (why are weeds the first thing to come back in the spring?), laying new mulch, and hanging potted plants and clearing out the spare bedroom (our "dump" room). Then it took ALL day on Monday for me to tackle Ryan's room and the office/playroom/stamp room while my husband did the Master bedroom and bathroom! THEN I had stamp club monday night (rescheduled from last week) so I had to clean up again after everyone left!!

So yesterday I finally tried to make a card. And I will not tell you how long this card took to make!! Let's just say that it was dark outside when I finally finished it so I had to wait for today to take a picture with natural light!

I wanted to use the SCS sketch 224 from last week before the new one was posted today...oh well!

The HH challenge was Distress to De-stress...unfortunately this card did NOT help me de-stress since I had way too many interrruptions while trying to make it!

The papers are a new My Mind's Eye Blossoms "Grow" kit (which includes a die-cut accessory sheet) from Bev at Precious Scraps. I used two of the die-cut strips that I sewed onto the main layer. I added some primas and some new spacers and pearl brads from The Hobby House!! I have seen these spacers and brads on Bev's cards for months and have been trying to get my hands on them!! Finally I found them!!!

They pop out a little, so I would probably add something to help cushion the card if I mail this out.

For the image, I used Lynne Angel form High Hopes. I got this one a little while ago, but haven't had the chance to use it yet. I embossed her in black, then watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os (I just got my order in...so if you ordered some after they announced that they are closing, they are now starting to ship out).

I added stickles to her wings.

Well, that's it for now. I have to leave in a few minutes to pick Ansley up from school and take the kiddos to gymnastics.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

A few Challenges

It felt good to be able to make a card! It seems like forever (or maybe over a week) since I was able to make a card from start to finish. The last card I made (for the High Hopes Challenge) was mostly completed before my vacation). And my scrapbook page posted yesterday didn't have any watercoloring.

So, I decided to combine some challenges.

1. Whiff of Joy Challenge #25: a sketch by Katharina.

2. SCS Color Challenge #213: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, and Close to Cocoa

3. Creatively Cute Blogger Challlenge #4 (find inspiration from Williams-Sonoma Home website)...I used this as my inspiration for the DP and the soft colors.

4. And it also works with the Color Create Challenge #11: Chocolate, Coffee, and Cream. Which is my first time playing along!

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I used Musing Melinda from the lastest Whiff of Joy release embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. The DP is from SU Parisian Breeze Specialty CS which I distressed with ink and attached by sewing. I used my newest (new to me, but old to the crafting world) Martha Stewart border punch.

I added a splash of color with a little blue and yellow primas, chocolate primas, and some SU Chocolate Chip Cordouroy Brads. Of course the circles for the image and mat were done with Nestabilities.

Lastly I added some crystal ice stickles...I love how the frosted ice just adds shimmer to the design instead of adding color like "crystal" stickles (although I love that one as well and use it most of the time).

I carried the sketch design onto the inside as well...

I really like this soft color combo. I hope to use it again.

Thanks for stopping by today! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #26 - Pierce it!

This is my 2nd post today. So make sure to scroll down to see some cute pictures of my kiddos on Easter morning!

Anyway, It's time for another High Hopes Challenge! This week's challenge is to add paper piercing to your card and is brought to us by the one and only Crissy Armstrong! Crissy is the super talented artist who draws the images that get turned into High Hopes Stamps!!

I am so glad I was able to play along this week. Since I no longer know the challenges in advance, it's a little harder for me to upload the challenge on Sundays! But I was lucky enough to have this card half way finished before my vacation. All I did was add a little piercing and put it together!

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I used SU Tango Tangerine for the 5 1/4" square card base. The DP is from WRMK. I matted the image with Chocolate Chip. The image is Bunny with gift which was embossed in black onto SU Whisper White and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I added some Liquid Applique to his chest and tail.

Here is a close up of Bunny...

If you want to play along with the challenge, make sure to upload your card to the High Hopes Challenge post for a chance to win the free stamps. And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use Keyword HHC26.

I will leave you with a wonderful Easter RAK I received from Michelle Ueligtone aka Mushi's Creative Inspirations...

Thank you so much Michelle! It was such a wonderful surprise to come home to after our vacation!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Baby on Board

My Bunco group had a combo baby shower a few weeks ago for two of our ladies. I needed a baby shower card, so I went through my stash and decided to create this card.

I used Kanga and Joey by High Hope Rubber Stamps. The image is embossed in black onto Whisper White CS and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is Baby on Board.

This is a standard A2 card using SU Sage Shadow CS. I sewed a few layers of DP (I am sorry, these are scraps and I can't remember where they are from).

I added some more DP on the inside of the card before sewing so that the inside also had the fun stiched border.

I stamped some baby feet that I got from Michaels a long time ago (sorry for the blurry picture. I was in a hurry when I took these pictures before I gave it to them).

I carried the layout on the other side...

The sentiments on the inside are 2 different ones from SU.

Here is a close up of the image...

As a reminder, we are on vacation this week so this post was scheduled in advance. I hope you are having a wonderful Spring Break for those that are also on vacation!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Creatively Cute Blogger Challenge #3

Well, I have to say I have been a little bit of a slacker lately! First, I didn't participate in the last Creatively Cute Blooger Challenge (which was to "organize something"...something I REALLY need to do)! And now I was supposed to host the next challenge that started LAST thursday!! OMG!!

So, I quickly thought of a fun challenge and got to work!

The Creatively Cute Blogger Challenge #3 (hosted by yours truely) is a combo challenge...

Create an (1) Easter themed card or project and (2) add texture!

This can be a Christian based card or a cutesy bunny/chick (whatever Eastery) card. Then add some texture: Fun Flock, Liquid Applique, Felt or 3-D type ribbon, glitter or embossed paper, fibers, etc...

Here is link to the challenge gallery on SCS...

CCB03 Gallery


The deadline for the challenge is going to be Wednesday, April 8th. I will pick a random number to get the winner. The winner will be announced on Thurday, April 9th and will receive some stamped images from High Hopes and Whiff of Joy along with some primas, ribbon, and designer paper!

So get stamping and upload your card to the gallery!!

Here is my card using SCS Sketch Challenge CC221...

Click on the picture for a larger view.

I embossed Busy Mama from High Hopes (texture #1...heat embossing really added dimension to your images), then watercolored using Twinkling H2Os. I paper pieced her dress. I cut out the image and added to a piece of We R Memory Keepers DP I got at Michaels. I just love the spring colors in the White Out Collection.

The pink rectangle is actually Felt Card Stock (texture #2) then run through a cuttlebug folder. This layer was sewn (texture #3) onto the plaid DP. The card base is PTI Berry Sorbet.

I added some Felt Ribbon from Making Memories Passport line (Texture #4).

I added some primas with some stickles (texture #5)...

Lastly, I added Liquid Applique to the tuff of hair on the bunnies...

So, now it's your turn! Make an Easter card with Texture and upload it to the challenge gallery linked above!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

 

March PTI Blog Hop...Backgrounds

It's time for another Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. This month's challenge is to create backgrounds. Here is the info from the website...

March Blog Hop

Background building sets have rapidly become one of Papertrey's signature traits.  For this month's Blog Hop, we want to see all of your very best backgrounds.  They can be multi-colored or monochromatic.  Simple or elegantly detailed.  They can be created with a set originated for that purpose or a reinvention of images that were not.  Be sure to include a separate photo of your completed background BEFORE you add it to your project so we can see it in all its glory!  

For my project, I used the same concept that I did with my basket for last month's blog hop.

Click on the pictures for a larger view...

I used PTI's Friends 'Til the End set. I just LOVE this set!! I didn't take pictures, because only a little part is covered.

Here is another card with the same concept, except I left a litte "white" in the middle...

Here is the basket I made for last month's blog hop...but it has the same design...

Last month I mentioned that I was going to create a tutorial for this basket. In case any of you are only here for the blog hop, here is the basket I made for the tutorial...

And here is a link to the tutorial if you are interested.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Friday Sketcher CD holder for a friend

One of my friends from my neighborhood is moving away. We live in an area full of Military (mostly Navy) so every 3 years or so, everyone moves on. Crystal was in my stamp club when I first started with Stampin' Up so I know she appreciates a hand-made card.

So, I decided to use the sketch from Friday Sketchers #44 this week for the layout...

Here is my card...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I didn't have much time to work on the card since I made her a set of cards, too (which I will post later). I had this image (Melinda Hugging Heart) already colored...which helped a lot with the time it took to make this card.

I made the background/designer paper using the Stampin' Up set Fifth Avenue Floral (here's a card I made with the same idea but different colors).

The inside is a CD Holder...

The sentiment if from Papertrey Ink Friends 'til the end. The top of the mat is not sewn to hold the CD...

 This is another one of my CD's that I had burned earlier when I made some for other friends using High Hopes Candi Tooth Fairy stamped in Black Stazon directly onto the CD. If I had the time to burn another CD, I would have used the same stamp as the card...but I was rushed for time so I used the angel that I already had.

On the inside of the card front, is the playlist (a list of some of my favorite Contemporary Praise and Worship songs...

Wow! While putting the categories on this post, it occured to me that I used 4 different stamp companies on this card (Whiff of Joy, High Hopes Rubber Stamps, Stampin' Up, and Papertrey Ink)...but I think they really worked together well!! That just show how versatile stamping can be!

Anyway, this was a fun sketch that I will probably use again later.

Twelve ladies went out last night for a going away dinner for Crystal at The Melting Pot. I had everyone sign the card. I think she like it!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #23 - Buttons Galore

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge. This week is brought to us by the wonderful and very talented Niki Estes. Her challenge...buttons galore!!

When I see High Hopes stamps, I think "scrapbook pages"! Their images are so adorable and fit so many occassions that I want to incorporate into a scrapbook page for my kids. I just don't always have the time to scrapbook (bad Mommy)! So, I thought it was time to FINALLY scrapbook Easter photos from 2 years ago!

You will probably need to click on the picture for a larger view. And I am sorry for the blurry picture of the photos on the page. I have a hard time photographing scrapbook pages. I wish I had a flat scanner...maybe that would work!

I found this really fun paper at Michaels the other. They are from We R Memory Keepers and the papers are from the White Out Collection. I thought the colors and designs screamed "spring". I took the layout and the sewn scalloped idea from a layout from the April edition of Creating Keepsake magazine designed by Susy Plantamura.

I used the cute Bunny With Gift from the lastest High Hopes Release....

I embossed the bunny in black onto Whisper White CS, watercolored with Twinkling H2Os, and created a tag with a SU Jumbo Pewter Brad, ribbon, and additional hardware. I added a butterfly that was die cut form the new SU Butterfly die (I LOVE this die and can't wait to use it more). I added some pearls from the SU pretties kit and paperpierced the butterfly's trail. The journalling was created with the SU Top Note die. The dots were randomly stamped with SU inks using a medium dot from Papertrey Ink's Polka Dot Basics. I think it matches the designer paper perfectly! The stripes were stamped from a Bo Bunny journaling clear stamp set that I got at a local scrapbook store. The date was printed on the computer.

For the "button" aspect of this project....

I found some buttons in my stash that coordinated with the DP and hand sewed them onto the edge of the photo. The mat was created by folding a piece of paper in half and running it through the Top Note die with a little of the edge showing so that it would cut off that part. In this picture you can see how I sewed some of the striped DP attaching the top and bottom DP. I did this by cutting the scallop on the top layer. Then I traced that same scallop onto the bottom layer. Then I placed a piece of the striped paper behind the two other papers leaving a space showing. Then I sewed along the scalloped edges. I hope that make sence.

I carried the sewing, the top note, and the button theme onto the bottom pictures as well...

I have some more pictures from this event so I plan on making another page to match. I just ran out of the DP (I only bought 1 sheet of each design). I also made a card using these papers but I will share that later since I haven't taken a picture yet.

So, if you want to play along with the Button Galore Challenge, make sure to link you card to the High Hopes Challenge Post to be entered into a chance to win some High Hopes stamps! And if you upload your card/project to SCS, use keywork HHC23.

Thanks for shopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #21 - Zigs and Zags

It's Sunday...so that means it's time for another High Hopes Blog Challenge! This week's challenge is brought to us by the VERY talented Anna Wight!

Oooo...zigs and zags...that means sewing to me!! Although I am sure you can use pickering sissors or ric rac ribbon or even faux stitching.

My card is a little "simple" for me. I am still a little tired from this cold that won't go away so I didn't have much energy when I made this card...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

We went to a 40th Birthday party for one of Scott's coworkers last night so I thought Birthday Buzzard was an appropriate stamp to use for his card! The sentiment is Old Buzzard.

I embossed the image onto Whisper White CS and watercolored him using Twinkling H2Os. I don't have a black or dark grey twinkle, so I added some SU black ink to make him the lovely color of grey!! I actually googled a picture to make sure I had him colored correctly. Man these are ugly birds! LOL

I sewed some cloud paper from SU Sweet Slumber DP onto the card with a zig zag stitch. The card base is Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie.

On the inside, I carried the cloud paper and stiching...

The Sentiment is from Swinging Birthday (I cut up the sentiment so I could use Happy Birthday for other cards, but still piece it together if I needed the full sentiment). The balloons are Round Balloon that was released with the Dragons last year (I drew in the lines).

The signature stamp is actually a personalized stamp from SU. I bought it a few years ago to sign our Christmas cards.

If you want to play along, make sure to upload your card to the challenge post to be entered into a chance to win some free stamps! And if you upload your card to SCS, use keyword HHC21.

I hope to have another card and some exciting news soon...so stay tuned!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

 

Let Your Light Shine!

I may have mentioned ealier that I joined Blogger Group 8 on SCS...which is a group of bloggers that use mostly "cutesy" stamps! I am ALL about cute stamps!! We voted on a name so we are now called...Creatively Cute Bloggers!! We also started doing challenges. Every 2 weeks we will have a new challenge that will be posted on our blogs and on SCS.

The first challenge is brought to us by Molly.

Here is what she said about CHALLENGE #1...
Getting To Know You ~ This should be easy - RIGHT??
Post a card that is about you....What colors do you love? What is your style? What is your type of stamp? Favorite Embellishment?
Post one or maybe you have multiple personalities to post!

Well, one of my favorite types of cards to create are Challenge Cards!! I just love following along with challenges and what better for a challenge then another challenge!! So I am using a few challenges for this card....

Creatively Cute Blooger Challenge #1- CCB01 What is your personality

A Spoonful of Sugar - Sketch Challenge #39

SCS Ways to Use it Challenge - WT206 "Stripes"

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

So, this is techinically "plaid"...but it's stripes going in 2 directions...so it's still "stripes"!!

I really loved this sketch and I thought Jenny's Glow Bugs would be perfect for this layout. Isn't she adorable?! She is from the new High Hopes release. I embossed her in black, then watercolored using Twinkling H2Os. The papers are from My Mind's Eye Magnolia line and the card base is SU Tempting Turqouise. I punched the bottom with one of my new Martha Stewart border punches. I left the sentiment off the front because I didn't want to cover all of the papers so I put it on the inside instead.

This sentiment is also from High Hopes.

To add some "shine" to the card, I added stickles to Jenny's bow, heart patch, flower in her pocket, on the firefly wings, and on the top prima flower. Here's an angled shot so you can see the stickles...

So, how does this card describe me...

~ Fun colors

~ Fun Designer Papers

~ Stripes and Polka Dots

~ Stiching/Sewing on cards

~ Embossed cute images (my favorites are High Hopes and Whiff of Joy among others)

~ Watercoloring

~ Primas

~ Glitter

~ Distressed edges

~ Challenge card

~ Nestabilites and border punches

I think that sums up my cardmaking style!! I had a lot of fun with this challenge and I look forward to the next one! Apparently we will be doing this every 2 weeks.

So, what do you think of my card or style?! I would love to hear what you have to say!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

You're one in a Melon

I am hoping to have my blog candy post up later today. I have a few things I have to work on, then go grocery shopping. So hopefully I will have time to take pictures of everything later today.

In the mean time, here is another card using one of the new High Hopes Febuary release....

This stamp is called "Summer Sweetness" with "One in a Melon" sentiment (it would also work with Thanks a Melon sentiment). OMG...can she be any cuter?! I just want to tickle those toes and pinch her cheeks!!

I embossed the image then watercolored using Twinkling H2Os. I inked around the edges with chocolate chip then distressed it with my sissors. I added some stiches around the corners.

Did you hear,Beate Johns has started the Weekend Challenges again!! Yeah!! So I had to play along. I used her sketch WSC68 for the layout...

The DP is SU Bella Rose and I used some scalloped Nesties for the circle elements. I changed the card size to fit my normal 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" because it fits the  SU Medium Square Envelopes.

On the inside, I used watermelon border...

Sorry it looks a little blurry...the red card stock kept making the flash go off on the camera. I used the stiching from the front of the card as a frame.

On the otherside, I added a piece of Whisper White and another piece of Bella Rose DP punched with the SU Scallop Border punch...

The sentiment on the inside is part of one of the new HH sentiments Swingin' Birthday. It is meant to go with  Swinging Shannon Front and Back. But I cut it up so that I could piece it together and use it for other cards.

Here is a close up of the image...

Let me know what you think! Thanks for stopping by! 

Edited to add...Ansley updated her blog with her High Hopes Hoppy Easter challenge card.

~Lacey

High Hopes Blog Challange #18

So have you been checking out the awesome sneak peaks with the new release?! This release is absolutely amazing!! You should be able to see the whole release on the High Hopes Website...just type in HOTP for Hot Off The Press in the search browser. This link should take you directly there.

This card is for the High Hopes Blog Challenge #18 which is called...Hoppy Easter! Nikki is the hostess for this challenge. And her blog post says that if you don't have any High Hopes Easter stamps, you can use a "springy" stamp. So you can use any High Hopes "spring" stamps like flowers, gardens, so many of the angels work for "Spring", chickens/chics, sheep/lambs. And, heck, if you don't have any of those, I bet they would accept a frog or a kangaroo since they "hop"!! LOL

Anyway, here is my card...

You can click on the image for a larger view.

 

This adorable bunny is called "Curious Bunny" and is part of the new release along with 4 other cute bunnies.

I embossed him in black and watercolored using Twinkling H2Os and SU inks. I inked up the edges with Baja Breeze for the "sky" and Kiwi Kiss for the "grass", then inked up the whole image with Chocolate Chip to frame it out.

The papers are the new SU Sweet Slumber Specialty Cardstock weight designer paper....LOVE these papers!

I used SCS sketch SC215 again for the layout. I turned the sketch to the right to fit the verticle image.

I tilted panel #3 a little and used ribbon for panel #2. The image is diecut with the SU Top Note die.

I added some sewing, some primas with a jewelry spacer and brad.

This didn't take me long to create since the image is very simple...not a lot of areas to add a lot of colors. This would be a great stamp to mass-produce if you want to make a bunch of Easter cards.

Here's a close up...

On a personal note, I ended up going down to Daytona Beach on friday afternoon to take the kids to one of the races. The kids had a great time (especially Ryan since he thinks he was watching Lighting McQueen's friends race)!! Then we got to spend Saturday at the BEACH!!! It made it up to 80 degrees and the hotel pool was heated! I will post more about it with some pictures soon, but I am currently dealing with a sunburn!

In the mean time, if you want to play along with the challenge, make sure you link your card to the High Hopes Blog Challenge post to be entered into the drawing to win one of the new bunny stamps and sentiment!!! And if you upload your card to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC18.

And, as always, I would love to hear what you think of this card! Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

High Hopes Hullabaloo Day 2

Are you ready for another High Hopes sneak peak?! Have you been enjoying all of the peaks? So do you have a favorite yet?!

I won't keep you waiting any longer...

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Isn't he just adorable?! Of course, they all are! Crissy is the bomb!!

I don't know his name yet (edited to add...he is called Party Donkey) but this guy has some awesome accessories that can be added. He can be holding a huge sandwich, champagne, and a present in addition to the cake. And I bet there are other accessories than can be used...like a huge heart!!. And I just LOVE this sentiment Got Cake!

Added...Party Pig and Party Cow were also designed to hold the accessories as well.

The papers are more of the Stampin' Up Sweet Slumber Specialty I've been saving it for these stamps..their PERFECT together!! Anyway, they are not normal designer paper...they are textured CARDS STOCK!! So heavy and awesome!

I used SCS sketch SC215 for the layout.

Back to Party Donkey...

I embossed the donkey in black, then I embossed the cake right on his hoof...no need to mask...it fits perfectly. I water colored him with Twinkling H2Os (except the blue and the yellow on the cake...those are SU ink since I don't have matching h2Os in those colors).

I added some random zigzag sewing to keep the embellishments simple not to take away from mr donkey!

Here's a closer view...

I think I counted over 45 images with this release!! So go check out some of the Diva blogs to get some more peaks!! And check back tomorrow for another sneak peak.

So, what do you think so far? Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

 

High Hopes Hullabaloo

I am so excited!!! I just got all of the new High Hopes release stamps (along with 10 other older stamps) in the mail yesterday!! So after Ryan finally went to bed, I was able to ink one up!

You can click on the picture for a larger view.

Isn't this stamp adorable?! Crissy Armstrong is the most amazing artist...her images have such character...they're so cute, you just want to pinch their cheeks!! LOL

Since these stamps are not up on the website yet (they will be on Saturday Night/Sunday Morning), we don't know the names of the stamps yet. As soon as they are up, I will go back and edit this post with a link. Anyway, I am going to call this Animal Stack...yes, this is 1 stamp! I did not stack them myself. Wouldn't this make a cute "Farm Themed" birthday party invitation? I will definitely be using this in a scrapbook of one of our MANY petting zoo encounters!

Edited to add..This is called Funny Farm.

I haven't had the chance to cute and mount the sentiments yet...so I didn't put one on this card.

I wanted to use the cloud paper from the new Stampin' Up Sweet Slumber Specialy (another one of the their Card-Stock weight designer paper packs). This is a large stamp, so I decided to cut out the image so that you can still see the clouds, but after it was done, I thought I should have just left on the rectangle piece...but hey, it was 11pm so I wasn't thinking clearly!!

Here's a close up of the image...

I will be posting new cards every day through Sunday so make sure to come back often!

Also, I just passed 50,000 hits on my blog the other day so I will be getting some stuff together to host a Blog Candy soon...so make sure to come back for that, too!!

Now go check out the rest of the Diva's to see who else has some sneak peaks!! A list is on my sidebar.

By the way, Ryan is feeling much better this morning. He woke up hungry and has eaten twice already!! Hopefully this has already passed. But he did have to stay home today since he needs to be symptom-free for 24 hours to go back to school.

Let me know what you think of the new stamps that you have seen so far! Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey

High Hopes Blog Challenge...Sketchy Time

This week's High Hopes Blog Challenge #17 is a sketch challenge. Katharina made this awesome sketch!

First I have to say that I AM IN LOVE!!! With the new heavy weight designer papers from Stampin' UP!! This is called Parisian Breeze Specialty. They call it "cover-weight card stock"! OMG! Not only is is gorgeous, it's textured and it's as heavy as card stock!!

So I couldn't help using it on this card...

You can click on the pictures for a larger view.

I used Baja Breeze CS for the card base and layered 3 designs from Parisian Breeze DP. I distressed the edges and sewed the inside layers onto the card. I added some lace ribbon, some primas, matted the images with Nesties, and added stickles to her wings.

For the image, I used Fairy Princess embossed in Black. Since I didn't have a Twinkling H2O color that would work well Baja Breeze, I decided to try using Stampin Up inks again. It's been awhile since I've used the inks to watercolor and during that time, the High Hopes Divas taught me so much about shading. I am really happy with how I was able to get the shading using the inks, too!

Here is a closer view...

 

On the inside of the card, I carried some of the papers and the eyelet border punch...

If you want to participate with this sketch challenge, make sure to link your card to the High Hopes Challange post for a chance to win some free stamps! And if you link your card to SCS, make sure to use keyword HHC17.

Oh, and I will give you a little hint...High Hopes is release a TON of new stamps on the 15th. You will get a chance to see some sneek peak designs starting on Thursday...I don't know who will be showing the peaks, so make sure to check the High Hopes Blog or do a little blog hopping on the links in my High Hopes Sidebar.

Let me know what you think! Thanks for stopping by!

~Lacey