Amy's Creative Pursuits

Have a 'Mice' Day!

2012-01-27T16:45:00.001-08:00

Hello! Today I have a Doodle Pantry card to show you that uses a new image called "Quirky Mouse". This image is available in both outline and pre-colored and comes with digi papers and several different sentiments. To make my card, I used the out-line image and colored it myself with Copic Markers. I then cut it out and pasted it to the sentiment panel. My sketch is by MFT (MFTWSC53). I used the cheese digi paper available in the package, but the rest of the papers are just card stock solids. I embossed the grey papers with my Cuttlebug.

Sorry if I haven't been around much in Blog Land. I've been working constantly getting our store ready for inventory. I have to work 9 days straight, I'm on day 4 now, only 5 more days of work before I have a day off! It seems all my life is right now is work, come home, eat, sleep, and back to work again! Oh well, it will soon be over.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'New Beginnings"

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. Our challenge this week is 'New Beginnings': simply make a card or project that has something to do with a new beginning and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Bugaboo.

I chose to make a Wedding Card for my New Beginning theme. The image is from Bugaboo and is called "Just Married". My sketch is from I Love Sketches and the paper is Bo Bunny 'Crush Collection'. I printed the image twice and popped just the car up on dimensionals. I added Stickles to the bride's veil, hearts, and flowers. If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Sweet Kisses

2012-01-21T07:59:00.001-08:00

Hello! Is it cold enough for all of you that live in cold weather states? It certainly is for me! I've been wearing long winter underwear to work the past couple of days!

Today I have a card to show you that uses an image from The Paper Shelter. What sweet images this company has; all so beautifully drawn! This image is called 'Kisses'. It is available in outline and pre-colored. I used the outline image and colored it myself. My sketch is by I Love Sketches.

The Paper Shelter is having a Design Team Call until the 24th, so if your interested, check it out!

Have a great day! Amy

Hummin' a Happy Tune

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

First of all I'd like to apologize if I haven't been leaving comments on your blogs lately. It seems the past couple of weeks, blogger has been giving everyone troubles. Some blogs I can see, but I can't leave a comment, and other blogs I can't even see at all. Hopefully it'll all work itself out eventually. Now onto today's card!

Today's post uses an image and sentiment from Doodle Pantry called 'Lil Hummer'. I'm in love with birds, and hummingbirds, although they can often scare me half to death when I'm working in my garden, are one of my favorite birds. I love their natural curiosity and how they are so tiny, yet so fearless. This set comes with several different sentiments, digi papers, and is available in both outline and pre-colored images. To make my card, I used the outline image and colored it myself. The sentiment panel and image are both popped up on dimensionals. The sketch is by Verve, and the paper is My Mind's Eye Stella Rose "Mabel".

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Make a Romantic Card'

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge! For this week's challenge I am the hostess and I chose the theme 'Make a Romantic Card'. It could be for Valentine's Day, a Wedding, and Anniversary....anything to do with LOVE. Just be sure to use at least one digital element on your project! Our sponsor this week is MyGrafico and they are giving away 1 digi set and a 20% off discount to their store to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I actually used a 'freebie' on their site called "Love is the Air", designed by Mujka Chic. I printed the image twice and popped both the umbrella and the heart up on dimensionals. The paper is Bo Bunny 'Crazy Love'.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Doodle Pantry 'Love Birdies'

2012-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have the cutest new Doodle Pantry image to show you called 'Love Birdies'. It is available in outline, pre-colored, and with several sentiments and digi papers.

To make my card, I used the outline image, colored it, cut it out, and popped it up on dimensionals. My sketch is by Clean and Simple, and the paper is My Mind's Eye Stella Rose 'Mabel'. Have a Great Day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Punch it Out!'

2012-01-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Digital Tuesday Challenge Blog Holiday Break is finally over! Yeah, it was nice to have a break over the busy holiday season, but I'm happy to back to work too! Here is my first DTC Post for the New Year! Our challenge this week is "Punch it Out!" Simply make a card or project that uses punched shapes on it and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is 'Spech Designer Stamps' and they are giving away three digis to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I used the Spech Designer Stamp 'Kei with Cocoa', designed by Widya. My layout is from MFT (MFTWSC52), and the paper is by Cosmo Cricket. The punches I used were the border punch beneath the image and the snowflake punch. The main image is up on dimensionals, and I also cut the mug out and popped that up on dimensionals as well. I put Liquid Applique on the ear muffs. If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Quick and Easy Anniversary Card

2012-01-07T15:28:00.001-08:00

I needed a quick and easy Anniversary Card for some friends at church so I made this one in about 10 minutes using a pre-made tag and sentiment from 'Me and My Big Ideas' and paper from DCWV 'All Dressed Up'.

I personalized the card by hand writing the couple's names on the tag.

Have a great day! Amy

My 2011 FAVORITES!

2012-01-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hello! Since it's the start of a New Year, I decided to spend some time scrolling through all the blog posts I've made this past year. It brought back a lot of memories: all the design teams I've worked with this past year, and the friends I've made because of them, all the images I've used, probably only once, and have since forgotten about, and even the reasons or occasions of why I made the card in the first place and who I gave them to. It's amazing how much you forget. I suppose that's one reason why we all need to reflect on the past year on New Year's Eve, and look forward to the future. I decided to pick twelve cards that I made this past year (one card for every month of the year) that I really liked. I couldn't believe how hard it was to narrow it down to just 12! There are just so many images I used that I really liked and enjoyed working with. Here they are:

I love this card because of the sketch and the lemon designer paper. The colors are so pretty together and I like the acrylic flower with the felt flower. I really love this card because of the colors/designer paper and the Christmas Message. It's so hard for me to make religious Christmas Cards. I don't know why. But I felt this card really worked.

I love the clean simplicity of this card, the doodled frame, and the colors.

The colors and the coloring of this card is really pretty. I love the snow accents too.

It's so hard to make 'cool cards' for teens, especially teen boys. I think this one would be a hit with just about any teen.

I just love how this one is so clean and simple, yet has so much interesting details at the same time. Great colors too! And I really love the dimension with this image.

I love all things Pure Innocence! It's impossible to make a bad card with one of these images. I love the unique color combination of this one, and the fluff on the hat.

I just like this one cause it's so different. And I actually used my Cricut Expression to make it. Most of the time that $200 + dollar machine just sits and gathers dust. I'm just not a die cut girl!

I love coffee images, and this color combination the sentiment is great too!

This is a project my daughter and I did together as a Christmas Gift for the man in the photograph. I love the frame in the picture, but most of all, I just love the photograph. It's so hard to capture that perfect picture of someone: to grasp their personality in a single shot. Most pictures, especially professional ones, just aren't realistic. They are usually pictures of what people wished they really looked like or who they really wished they were, and not who they really are.

I love the colors in this card, the image, and how I popped the image up against the designer paper.

My last card I just really like the sketch, the colors, the hemp trim, the glazed apples. There's so many pretty little details in this card, yet, it is so simple.

I hope you enjoyed my year in review. I look forward to another great year of blogging with you!

Happy New Year! Amy

Red Hot Ants

2011-12-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have a new Doodle Pantry image to show you called 'Red Hot Ants'. It is available in outline and pre-colored, and comes with several sentiments and two digi papers.

To make my card, I used the outline image and colored it and cut it out. Yes, it was very hard to cut around those tiny little ant legs, but I really wanted to give the image dimension, so I did it! My sketch is by Splitcoaststampers (SC361). The heart is a pre-made felt one purchased at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. The paper is Bo Bunny 'Crazy Love'.
Doodle Pantry is having a 50% off sale today through the 31st, so be sure and go and check it out!

Have a great day! Amy

You Bring the Marshmallows!

2011-12-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas yesterday. Today I am showing you a card that uses images from the set Paper Fashions Set 'Everything on a Stick'. This set includes images of just about anything you'd see at the end of a stick: a Lollipop, a PinWheel, etc. Today I am using the marshmallow image. To make my card, I created my own sentiment and printed just part of it on Natural Ivory Card Stock. I printed, colored, and cut the marshmallow out and popped it up on dimensionals. The sketch is by Taylored Expressions (TESC148) and the paper is Cosmo Cricket 'Joy Ride'. Here is the inside of the card. I created my own sentiment and printed it on the computer. The 'S'more' image is retired Stampin Up!, but you can also get some great 'S'more' sentiments and images from Paper Fashions HERE.

Well, I'm sad to announce that today was my last Paper Fashions Post. I decided to step down because I'm already on two other design teams, and with working Full Time life is just a little too busy. I found I was spending my days off frantically working to meet design team requirements instead of doing what I really needed to do or what I really wanted to do.

Have a great day! Amy

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-24T05:56:00.000-08:00

Hello! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Holiday weekend. We won't be celebrating Christmas until Wednesday, because that is when my daughter and son-in-law will be arriving. So I have the whole weekend to craft!

In honor of Christmas, I held off my Doodle Pantry Post until now. I decided to use this fun image from 'Sledding Ants'. The sketch is by Splitcoaststampers (SC363) and the paper is DCWV 'The Christmas Matstack'. The snowflakes are pre-made from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. The main image panel is up on dimensionals. Ribbon, Martha Stewart Baker's Twine, and a tag were added for embellishment. I hand wrote the 'Wweee!' sentiment on the tag with a white gel pen so that it would fit, but it also comes as part of the set along with three other sentiment.

Have a great Christmas! Amy

Ready...Set....BLOW!

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have another card to show you that uses an image from the Paper Fashions set 'Everything on a Stick'. This set has all these different images of things that come on a stick. Last week I showed you the Lollipop image HERE. This week I'm using the Pinwheel image. I printed the image twice on designer paper, then I cut both images out, and popped the image up twice on dimensionals: First I popped up the pinwheel, then I popped up just the inner layers of the pinwheel.

The sketch is from Clean and Simple and the paper is from Cosmo Cricket 'Togetherness'. I added a black brad in the center to make the pinwheel look more realistic. The sentiment is from MFT and the inside of the card reads 'Hope Your Birthday is the Best!'.

Have a Great Day! Amy

My New Craft Room

2011-12-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

Hello! As promised, here is the long awaited post of My Craft Room! This room has been a dream of mine for over 20 years! I had to wait until the first kid got married, and the last kid went off to college before we could build this room. I've been designing it and dreaming about it for 20 years, and I'm happy to say it is finally done!

It's a very large space that sits under the balcony of my upstairs family room. It is 24 feet long and 16 feet wide. You can see the entrance to it in the second photo above. The fabric separates the room from the sun room, but it also serves to help keep the room heated in winter. On very cold days, I can close the curtains and just heat the craft room and not the entire sun room.

The second picture is what you see when you enter the room. Everything is custom made by my husband. The desk is HUGE! It's 97 1/2 inches long and 49 1/2 inches high. I work primarily in this space so I had my husband build it BIG! I decided to stain the desk a dark walnut and paint the cabinets an antique white.

Although most of you know me as a paper crafter, I do a lot of different crafts and so the room has to function for a variety of different crafts. Below is a picture of a little cart just on the inside wall which holds a lot of tiny fabric pieces for quilting and sewing.

Here's the left side of the room. This would be my 'Paper-Crafting' side. It holds all my supplies for paper crafting in the cupboards and underneath the counter.

This Cricut Stand is the only furniture in the room that was store bought. I purchased it at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. I use it to hold my large 12 x 12 solid color paper. It's also my embossing station.

I had my husband leave some openings in the shelving for decorative reasons, but the decorations still provide storage. I bought dozens of these little baskets at JoAnn's, this one holds buttons. And the silver tins are loaded with Prima Flowers. If your wondering about the greenery, that's only there because it's Christmas, and I decorate every room in my home for Christmas. The decorating theme of the room is birds; since the room is connected to my sun room where my 'live birds' are and there is a view of my garden where the outdoor birds are; so you will see lots of subtle bird images as we move about the room.

The next two photos show my 'Cuttlebug Station'. The Cuttlebug sits permanently on the counter top because I use it everyday. In the cabinetry above are folders of all the Cuttlebug dies and embossing folders I own. I also keep my 'Bind it All' and 'Coluzzle' here along with other miscellaneous things.

I decided not to have any lower cabinetry in my craft room, and I just hung curtains. I wanted to have a space to keep all my rolling paper totes and other large items hidden. This beautiful blue material is 100% silk, and would you believe I purchased it for only $3.00 a yard at JoAnn's? It was one of their red tag home decor fabrics that happened to be 50% off the already reduced clearance price.

This little compartment is one of those little tool chests you can purchase at a hardware store. It's perfect for holding all the little things crafter's use. I keep it right on top of my counter top where everything is in easy reach.

Here is how I store my clear acrylic stamps. They are just in baskets inside a cupboard, sorted by manufacturer.

I store my ink pads in the same basket. Each basket holds a different color group.

I bought all these different sized paper mache bird boxes from JoAnn's. The colors were the inspiration for the colors in the room. Every box holds fabric. I probably have enough fabric to open my own fabric store!

I have about 7 of these little plastic boxes, I keep them underneath the counter on top of the filing cabinet. They hold all my brads. You can find these plastic boxes in the beading department of JoAnn's.

This is how I store I cards after I make them. It's a large CD/DVD plastic tote purchased at JoAnn's. It comes with dividers, but I added more to separate all the cards by theme (like birthday, anniversary, etc.) I keep this box under the counter top too.

This is how I store my 8 1/2 by 11 color card stock. The filing cabinets fit nicely under the counter top.

All my ribbon and trim extra pieces are wrapped on small pieces of chipboard and placed in baskets and sorted by color. This basket contains my white lace. Nothing goes to waste when your a paper-crafter. Most of these items are just leftovers from sewing projects, which will now probably go on a card someday. I'm not a hoarder by nature, except in my craft room. I throw nothing away, because I will never know if I will be able to re-purpose or re-use the item again.

This cupboard contains all my embellishments like trims, Prima Flowers, and dew drops.

Now we are in the center of the room, which starts the 'sewing portion' of the room. Here is my custom built sewing center. The sewing machine sits on a shelf which actually pulls out from the wall so if I ever need to sew something that has a lot of material (like curtains, or a quilt), I can just slide the shelf out, so the material will flow behind the machine. Above the machine I have more decorative boxes which contain fabric, and some cute sewing themed decorations. There are drawers on the lower part of the cabinetry which holds all my sewing notions.

Opposite my sewing station is my desk. This is a close up of my desk, what it looks like everyday. I had my husband build a little wooden wall to cover the front of the desk so you can't see the mess when you walk into the room. I love to have everything I use everyday in easy reach, but I don't want to see the clutter from the sun room.

This is my view when I sit at my desk. I have a plasma T.V. hanging in the corner, and I can also see out into my garden.

There is not one bit of unwasted space in this room! My husband even built shelving underneath the desk for storage. It holds more papers, chipboard, glitters, wooden stamps, etc. Crafter's can never have enough storage!

The right side of the room is mostly for sewing and flower arrangement supplies, although I still have a lot of paper-crafting supplies over there too! This is how I store my ribbon spools. I bought the Ribbon Holders at JoAnn's. They are only available for purchase around Christmas time. Underneath the counter holds more fabric, and unfinished sewing projects and floral supplies.

This is how I store SOME of my Spellbinder's Nestabilities. I still don't like it. I really wish that company would sell their Nestabilities in CD cases to begin with, or provide an effective storage solution for their customers to purchase. The CD cases I have, aren't real CD cases, they are the single computer disc kind, so the Nesites don't fit well inside them. I can't find real emty CD holders that are inexpensive. I tried puting my Nesties inside portable CD holders too, but it gets too thick too fast. So, I just struggle with this system for now, but this still isn't all my Nesties. Alot are in their original packaging in desk drawers.

These are all my cutting mats and rulers which sit next to the sewing station.

Here is a closeup of one of the ribbon spool containers.

Another decorative shelving unit.

Here's how I keep alot of my embellishments. They are all sorted into baskets and put into the upper cupboards.

Embellishment cabinet.

This is the far right side of the craft room wall. I have more display cabinetry. That is one of my scrapbook pages on my shelf. I have a Susan Winget Calendar on the wall that matches all the Susan Winget paper mache bird boxes.

This was one of my Christmas Presents that I bought for myself on Black Friday. It holds a large assortment of Gutterman Thread. I'd love to hang it on the wall, but I don't have any wall space left, so it sits atop an antique sewing machine.

This is what the room looks like if you enter it from the right side.

I display just a small portion of my wood rubber stamps in these antique printer's trays that my husband mounted to the wall for me. The buttons and large scissors were purchased at JoAnn's.

Below is my Cutting and Scoring Station. It sits on top of an old desk that my daughter won't let me throw out because she 'might want it someday'. So I covered it with leftover blue silk to hide it.

I still use the drawers of the desk though! No space goes to waste!

I hope I gave you some ideas for storing your paper crafting things! I know my room is extreme, but I waited a long time for it. Like many of you, I started crafting on my dining room table, and my storage space was what I could squeeze in some little totes and shove in a tiny closet. Then as the years went by, I just kept 'accumulating things', and gradually went from crafting on my dining room table, to crafting in a large walk in closet. I stayed 'in the closet' for about 12 years, and finally was able to have my own room. So for all the young crafter's out there who are frustrated having to work on a dining room table and always having to clean up a mess instead of being able to just leave it and walk away; take heart! I know how you feel! I was there myself! Someday, you too will have your own craft room!

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Winter Wonderland'

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Winter Wonderland': Simply make a card or project that showcases winter and be sure to use at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish.

To make my card, I used the Robyn's Fetish image "Home for the Holidays'. My sketch is by The Skipping Stones (#105) and my paper is My Mind's Eye 'Signature Christmas'. I cut the snowman out and popped him up on dimensionals. The snowflake is from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

This will be my last Digital Tuesday Challenge post for three weeks. The gals are taking a Holiday Break. We will resume the Challenge Post on January 10th, 2012.

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions 'Everything on a Stick'

2011-12-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you that uses an image from a new set called 'Everything on a Stick'. This set comes with many different items that can be put on a stick, like a lollipop, balloons, an umbrella etc. It's such a cute idea!

To make my card, I used the lollipop image and a sketch from I Love Sketches. My paper is DCWV 'The Sweet Stack'. I cut the lollipop out and covered it with glitter and then popped it up on dimensionals. The sentiment is computer generated.

Have a great day! Amy

Simple Christmas Treat Holders

2011-12-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have a couple of very simple Christmas treat holders to show you. I got this idea from someone else's blog last year, but I can't find a link anywhere nor do I remember who's blog it was. So if you recognize this idea as your own, let me know so I can give you credit. These are so simple to make. You just make a square base and add a paper handle.

The snowman is a pre-made felt piece from JoAnn's. I could have made a fancier tag, but kept it simple because it's a busy time of year.

And here's the Penguin felt piece, also purchased at JoAnn's.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Lights"

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Lights'. Simply use candles or some type of light on your card or project and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Fred, She Said.

For my card, I used the Fred, She Said image 'Christmas Poinsettia Lantern Set'. This set is available in black outline and in color, and comes with the beautiful distressed scripture passage you see in the background of my card, plus several sentiments. My sketch is an old Verve sketch. I put Stickles on the flame on the candle and on the flowers. I printed the image twice and the flowers 3 times, and popped everything up on dimensionals. If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Don't Open Until Christmas

2011-12-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

Hi! I've had a rough day. I woke up at 6:15 a.m. to sing at church. After church I went Christmas shopping for one hour before I had to head to work. I worked till 9:00, and although I'm a very good driver, I was in a hurry to get home so I set my cruise for 59 mph even though it was snowing. The roads did not appear slippery at all. Next thing I knew, my car accelerated on a curve and the car went out of control. I couldn't slow it down or get it back in control for anything. I fish tailed numerous times, then I just started spinning in circles, and finally the car just flew off the road and into the air and five feet down an embankment. Miraculously both me and my car came out of without a scratch, but my pocket book is now $200.00 dollars poorer because I had to call a tow truck. I'm so mad at myself. If I hadn't set my cruise, none of this would have happened. It took me two extra hours just to get home. I'd be in bed in right instead of writing this post. Ugh!I know I should be grateful it wasn't worse, but all I can think about is the loss of time and money. But everyone was sure nice and helpful. Two good Samaritans stopped and tried to help me. One even tried to drive my car up out of the ditch, but that was obviously impossible. Two sheriff officers came by and were very sweet, and the tow truck driver was very nice too. No one made me feel stupid, and everyone said there were multiple accidents tonight.

Anyway, onto my card. The Christmas Tree image is from the set 'Wrapped in Love' by Paper Fashions. The sketch is by MFT (MFTWSC46). The paper is My Mind's Eye 'Twelve Days of Christmas'. The sentiment tag is actually a button I purchased from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. I put Stickles on the Star and added a sparkly ribbon and adhesive crystals for embellishment.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Go Green!'

2011-11-29T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Go Green!'. Simply make a card or project with a bit of green on it and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Di's Digi Downloads.

To make my card, I used an older Di's Digital Downloads image called "Memories". My 'bit of green' is simply in the bluish/green color and in the leaves of the flowers. I mounted the main image panel up on dimensionals, and put Stickles on the flowers in the image.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Wrapped in Love

2011-11-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! First of all, thanks for all your sweet comments on my last post. I've been a little absent in blogland lately because my life is so stressful right now, so it's nice to see my blog friends visiting and leaving sweet comments even if I can't visit all of their blogs at the time. I've been working like crazy getting the store ready for Black Friday weekend, then that weekend of course was crazy, now today is my day off, and I will spend the entire day at church decorating it for Chrismas, then I go back to work tomorrow (having to wake up at 3:30 a.m.), work 3 more days, then I have Thursday off, of which I'll spend the entire day at church again finishing the Xmas decorations, then back to work again Friday, Saturday, Sunday, before I have a day off again. Tis the Season!

Anyway, enough of my whining, onto my post. Today's card features an image from Paper Fashions called "Wrapped in Love". This set comes with a tree and present image, and several sentiments too. I used the snowman image. My sketch is by MFT (MFTWSC43). I popped the main image panel up on dimensionals. The ribbon is from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: "Sparkle and Shine!"

2011-11-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is "Sparkle and Shine!". Simply make a card or project that sparkles and shines, and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Saturated Canary.

To make my card, I used the Saturated Canary image 'Christmas Nutcracker'. I started with an MFT sketch, but I ended up changing it so much that I don't think it looks much like the sketch anymore. LOL! The paper is Basic Grey 'Eskimo Kisses'. The sentiment is from K & Company. I'm not much of a Glitter person on cards, so my 'Sparkle & Shine' is just a frame of red glitter glue around the image.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my side bar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Jar of Peppermints

2011-11-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you that uses a couple of images from the set 'Sweet Warm Ups'. This set is full of sweet edible winter images. In a previous post I used the cup of cocoa image that you can see HERE. Today I'm using the Jar of Peppermint image and the the bow image. The sentiment is from the set 'Sweet Warm Ups Sentiments'. My sketch is by Mojo Monday, and the paper is from My Mind's Eye '12 Days of Christmas'. The candy jar is up on dimensionals. Have a great day! Amy

Two Turtle Doves

2011-11-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today I have a Doodle Pantry card to show you that uses an image from the 'Twelve Days' of Christmas set. If you recall I previously made a Christmas Card using the Drum Image from the same set HERE, now I'm using the Turtle Dove image for my card. My sketch is from Verve, and my paper is Cosmo Cricket 'Mitten Weather'. The birds are cut out and popped up on dimensionals.

This set is loaded with all the images from the Twelve Days of Christmas Song, sentiments, and digi paper. You can make so many different cards with this set! I really love it!

Have a great day! Amy

2011 Xmas Walk -- Part Two

2011-11-16T14:48:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to Part Two of my 2011 Christmas Walk. If you missed Part One, you might want to scroll down. It's in that Post that I describe what the Christmas Walk is and give a little history of my home.

This is the outside of my house. It is built on a hill and has a field stone foundation and covered in red brick. If you look to the far left of the picture where a Christmas Tree is lit up, that's the addition that was built about 6 years ago which doubled the square footage of the house. To advertise the Christmas Walk, the local newspaper takes a picture of the home and writes a story about it for the local paper. I was so pleasantly surprised to read that the author described my home as a 'Christmas Village Home'. I never thought of it that way before, but after I looked at the picture in the paper, I could see why she came to that conclusion. She wrote " One cannot go shopping and see Christmas Village Homes on display not get in the Christmas Spirit. The same is true of the Johnson home First of all, as one approaches this house what one is looking at is a life-sized replica of a Christmas Village Home all decorated for the holidays."

This is the front door. It leads into the dining room. I don't decorate much outside because I hate the cold. My husband put white lights on the small cherry tree outside the front door and he hung Icicle Lights from the top of the porch. I put garland around all the doorways, the porch railings, and more lights.

I did this winter flower arrangement with fake flowers. Normally this is the spot where I put my annuals in the spring. It's located on a wall next to the front door.

This is the side porch. The door opens to the entry way of the sun room addition balcony. The church gave us a free live tree to use for the event, and since I have a wood stove, I decided to put it outside. I flocked it, then added pine cones and some cheap snowflake and icicle ornaments from Walmart. The presents underneath the tree are 'fake'. They are just empty boxes wrapped in pretty paper and tied with white bows. I have a winter snowman pillow on the rocking chair with a pair of ice skates slung over the chair back.

In my last post I described that I took 20 yards of red satin and swagged it across my sun room window, but I don't have a picture of that. I will have to take one and post it later. By the time I get home from work it is dark, so it will have to wait till I have a day off. It was one of those ideas that came to me as I lay in bed one night brainstorming about other ways I could decorate the house with a big 'wow' factor. I've always struggled decorating my Sun room for the holidays, because in most rooms I just add 'greenery'. Well, this room doesn't need more greenery with all the plants already in it. So then I thought, what about fabric? But then I was worried about the expense, and I found this red sparkly costume satin on sale at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts for only $1.99 a yard! 10 yards comes on one bolt, so all I had to do was sew the two ends together and wa-la I had my 'wow' factor I was looking for! I added a big green bow made with the same type of fabric on each garden hanger, and then finished it off with gigantic bells that you can also find at JoAnn's. Here's a close up for you:

There are 10 windows in the sun room, and in each window on a suction cup hangs a little wreath. Here is a close up of one of them. They are all decorated the same. I love birds, so I have a 'bird theme' going on with my Christmas Decorations, and in my Craft Room.

This is a view of the sun room as you descend the staircase.

Now for some detail shots of my kitchen. My kitchen is very small, but for most visitors, one of their favorite rooms in the house for it's very 'cute'. It's decorated in blue and white, and I have loads and loads of blue and white china given to me by loving friends all on display in the room.

One of my all time favorite ways to decorate is with books. I love attractive book covers and love to display books on easels or lay them down to prop up pictures and nic nacs. The next two pictures show how I used 'Christmas Cookie' Books as decorations, simply by propping them up on an easel:

This is my cooking area, my husband built the hutch surrounding the stove. On top I put a Christmas Village, and inside each nook is something 'xmasy': Christmas plates, Christmas wood words, berries, candles, etc.

This is an area above my sink. I put garland right above the sink, and filled my nooks with blue and silver Christmas berries. The yellow pitcher vase is filled with glittered white hydrangeas. And if your wondering about the teapot on the left and the silverware on the right, those are wind chimes. In the spring/summer when the window is open and the wind comes through, it moves the chimes ever so gently creating such a lovely sound.

My downstairs bathroom is impossible to photograph because it is so small. There's just room for the tiniest of sinks and a toilet. In fact, I don't think a very large could even fit in this bathroom. Anyhow, this is a bookshelf above the toilet. The room is decorated with angels year round, so all I have to do for Christmas is add some glittered flowers. The angels already make it Christmasy.

This is the small sink. I simply added a scented candle and some Christmas towels for the season.

This is what the dining room looks like from the kitchen. The living room is in the right background, and the office is in the left background.

A view of the living room from my dining room. I've redecorated this room three times since purchasing the house. This is my favorite design so far. I love the color combo of blue and brown.

Well I hope you enjoyed hearing about my Christmas Walk. I will post pics yet of those sun room windows so you can see the window treatment, and I still plan on posting more detailed pictures and descriptions of my new Craft Room next week sometime. I know all you crafters out there are really interested in that! I just got my THIRD thank you card today for allowing my home to be showed on the Christmas Walk, and the lady who wrote it said 'All the women were envious of your craft room'. That seemed to be the highlight of the day! Every woman seems to want her own space to create. I know I did, and I couldn't be happier with the way mine turned out. Thanks to my husband.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Christmas Time!'

2011-11-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Christmas Time!' Simply make a card or project that has something to do with Christmas and be sure to use at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is MyGrafico.

To make my card, I used a Paper Fashions image from the set "Sweet Warm Ups" and the sentiment is from 'Sweet Warm Ups Sentiments'. My sketch is by the Deconstructed Sketch (Sketch 21-8521). The paper is the new DCWV 'The Christmas Matstack'. Lots of cute papers in this stack! I popped the main image up on dimensionals as usual. Christmas ribbon from JoAnn's and a button and linen thread were added for embellishment.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

2011 Christmas Walk--Part One

2011-11-09T16:48:00.000-08:00

Hello! As promised, here are some pictures of the 2011 Christmas Walk. In the community where I live, every year 3 homes are chosen to be featured on the Christmas Walk. The owner of the home basically decorates their entire house for Christmas from top to bottom, inside and out, and then opens the doors to the public to come and see. It was a ton of work. I started preparing for it in early October. I took one room of the house at a time, scrubbed and cleaned it from top to bottom, and then decorated it for Christmas. I don't want to get into too much detail about my house, because I did a long series about my home and talked about every single room and how it was constructed HERE if your interested. Today, and later in the week, I'll just show a few pictures of each room in the house and talk about my eventful day.

This is me outside our home. Each home was marked with this special sign so the guests could easily find it. The Methodist Church, which sponsored the walk, gave me this beautiful corsage to wear for the day so people would know that I was the owner of the home. O.k. all crafter's can start drooling now. This is my newly constructed CRAFT ROOM which was just finished about 2 weeks ago....just in time for the walk. I've been working in the space for over a year now, but the upper cabinetry was just installed and painted 2 weeks ago. Since I know most of my readers are crafter's, I will have a separate post next week sometime with more photographs just to talk about this room and all it's special features. I have to say, this room was one of the hits of the day. Every woman that saw it said they were jealous and wanted this room. And my husband is now considered the most wanted man in Modena by all the women, because they want to be married to someone who could build them a room like this. His head has really swelled over all the female attention he received on Saturday. LOL! One lady said to him 'Now where do I go where I can find a man to build me something like this?'. His response was 'Well, if you go to bars, you will meet a guy who likes to hang out in bars, if you go to church, you'll meet a good guy that wants to please his wife.'. Wise words.

This is our sun room. It's the room our daughter was married in, you can see pictures and read all about that HERE. On a regular basis it's where I hang out with my two birds and all my plants, and where we have large dinner parties. There are 10 windows, and I hung a wreath in each window. Then I have one big wreath on the wall, a beautiful table setting, and some garland on top of the shelves and furniture. I also swagged 20 yards of red silky fabric across the windows and added big green fabric bows and bells to each upper plant holder. You'll see more of that view later this week.

Here is my Table Setting. The center floral arrangement was provided as a gift from the church, I surrounded it with candles and covered a gold tablecloth with sparkly green tulle. I had gold chargers, white dishes with a gold edge (leftover from my daughter's wedding), sparkly satin green napkins from Pier One Imports, and floral picks as napkin rings.

This is our office, where I write my posts. It's cut off in the picture, but on top of the left bookcase are two Christmas Houses. One is a replica of a JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts store where I work, and the other is a replica of a Menard's Store for where my husband works.

This is the doorway leading out of the office, existing the original part of the house and walking into the new addition (sun room).

This is my dining room with a view of the kitchen. My tree doesn't fit in the small living room of the old house, so I put it in the dining room.

Another view of the dining room.

This is my small living room. We have a large family room in the new addition and use that space when the kids are all home for a visit. I'll post pictures of that room another day.

This is the 3rd floor upstairs staircase looking down into the Living Room.

This is the upstairs bathroom.

Upstairs Hallway.

My son's room. Both my children have their own 'little trees' which are decorated with all the ornaments they collected growing up.

The view looking into my son's room.

The master bedroom.

My daughter's room.

All in all, it was an exhausting, but wonderful day. We had somewhere between 500 to 700 visitors. Everyone seemed so happy to see all the Christmas Decorations and they had so many questions about the construction of the house, and decorating questions, that my hubby and I stayed very busy. It was a joy to read the guest book after everyone had left. I was just expecting to read names, but to my delight a lot of people wrote comments like 'Wow!', 'Beautiful Home', 'Thanks, I needed this!', etc. Our biggest joy was meeting several elderly woman who grew up in the home as children and hearing their stories. In the 1940's our home was used as the Town's Telephone Office and so many of the visitors that day had stories to share about coming to our house to make a phone call. So many people seemed so happy to just be able to come into the house and recall their special memories. It made all the hard work so worthwhile, and I felt so blessed by God to be able to use the home He gave me to bless others. I'm still hearing comments every time I go to town, and I just received a thank you card in the mail today from someone who visited the house thanking us for opening our house and being a blessing to so many people. Our house has been a 12 year labour of love, and after watching our daughter get married in it a year ago, and the beautiful day we had on Saturday, and all the memories we have, it was well worth every single second of hard work.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Anything Goes!'

2011-11-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Anything Goes'. Simply make anything you want, just be sure to use at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Bugaboo and they are very generously giving away 7 digital images to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I used a Paper Fashions image and sentiment. The image is from the set "Wrapped Up in Cheer" and the sentiment is from the set 'Christmas Blessings'. My layout is this week's Splitcoaststampers Sketch (SC357) and the paper is My Mind's Eye ''12 days of Christmas' If you'd like to play along with us this week, just click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

12 Days of Xmas Blog Hop

2011-11-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I'm showing you a Christmas Card that uses the drum image from the New Doodle Pantry set '12 Days of Christmas'. This set has all the images from the 'Twelve Days of Christmas" song and the lyrics to each image and several different sentiments. I picked the drum image because my son is a drummer. Doodle Pantry is having a Blog Hop for the next few days so be sure to visit all the design team members blogs to get lots and lots of ideas of all the different things you can create with just one set!

With the drum image I made the card below. I picked the circular sentiment because I thought the image fit perfectly inside a round sentiment. The set comes pre-colored and with designer digital papers. I used the out-line image, colored it myself, cut it out, and popped it up on dimensionals. The holly berry digital paper is on the first panel in the background. My sketch is from MFT. The sentiment on the bottom, is also included in the set.If you haven't already visited the Doodle Pantry Blog, be sure to go there and leave a comment so you can be entered to win a $10.00 prize. There may also be more winners hidden on other design team blogs, so be sure to visit all the other design team members blogs to increase your chances of winning and to see their fabulous creations.

Here's the Blog Hop List:

1. Startout Blog: Doodle Pantry Blog

2. Dawn

3. Lorie A.

4. Sarah T.

5. Kristine

6. Karen

7. Patti P.

8. Elizabeth

9. Kathy

10. Lori Z.

11. Jan

12. Donna

13. Pat D.

14. Amy

15. Vicki D.

16. Glenda

17. Sharon

18. Sarah N.

Enjoy the Hop, and Have a Great Day! Amy

Hee Haw!

2011-11-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a new Doodle Pantry release to show you called 'Quirky Donkey'. This is a very versatile image that comes in outline, pre-colored, with digi papers, and sentiments. You can also purchase a wreath image separately to use for Xmas Cards and layouts or I can see this image even used at Easter time. I decided to use this image for a masculine birthday card. It says 'It's Your Birthday!' inside the card. My layout is from SCS (SCS355), and I used one designer paper from the set. I doodled around the edges of the card with a brown marker. I added hemp ric rac and a wooden button for embellishment.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Cute & Cuddly'

2011-11-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Cute & Cuddly'. Simply make a card or project that is 'Cute & Cuddly' and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Spesch Stamps.

For my card I decided to use this adorable image from Angel's Landing. I thought, nothing looks more cute and cuddly than these little critters. The image is cut out and popped up on dimensionals. The paper is from Prima 'So Cute!'. The sentiment is computer generated, and I used the 'Branches' Cuttlebug Embossing Folder for the background behind the animals. If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions Simple Fall Card

2011-10-30T21:12:00.001-07:00

I have a very simple Paper Fashions Fall Card to show you today. I'm super busy getting my home ready for the Annual Xmas Walk this weekend, so I don't have a lot of time to make cards right now, but I still have all my design team responsibilities to full fill, so I used a sketch from the Clean and Simple Blog to help me make a quick card. The images are from two separate sets: the milk can is from the ' All About Containers' and the sunflowers came from the set "Filler Up!". The sentiment is from the set 'Thoughts of You'.

I cut the milk can and sunflowers out and popped them up on dimensionals. The paper is Debbie Mum 'Harvest and Holiday'. I used dew drops for embellishment.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge "Buttons & Twine"

2011-10-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Buttons & Twine': simply make a card or project with a button and/or twine on it, and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is 'Stretch N' Bubbles Digital Stamps'.

To make my card, I used another one of those fun ant images from the Doodle Pantry set 'Holiday Ants'. My sketch is from Taylored Expressions, designed by Sankari Wegman. I used adhesive crystals, a button, twine, and ric rac for embellishment. The paper is Prima 'North Country Collection'. If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

It is Good to Give Thanks

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have the sweetest Paper Fashions Thanksgiving image to show you. It's from the set "Thanksgiving Blessings". To make my card, I printed the image, colored it, then cut it out and popped it up dimensionals. The sentiment is from the set "Thanksgiving Blessings", and the paper is Debbie Mum 'Harvest and Holiday', sold at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Happy Halloween'

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Happy Halloween'. Simply make a card or project that celebrates Halloween and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry.

To make my card I used the Doodle Pantry image 'Quirky Bat'. The bat paper is digital paper from the set, and the sentiment, along with several others, is also included. My sketch by The Sweet Stop. I printed the bat 3 times and popped the body up once, and then just the head the last time. I added ribbon and adhesive crystals for embellishment.
Here's a close up for you so you can see the dimension and coloring better:

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

A Basket of Sweet Wishes

2011-10-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions set to show you called "Sweet Wishes". It comes with this adorable Apple Basket and one Sentiment. I printed the image twice and cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals twice. The whole image is up on dimensionals for the first layer, and then just the basket and the front two apples for the second layer. My sketch is by 'The Sweet Stop' and the paper is DCWV 'Amber Autumn'. I used hemp trim, seam binding which I dyed myself, felt flowers/buttons, linen thread and dew drops for embellishment. Here is a close up so you can get an idea of the dimension:

Have a great day! Amy

Not a Creature was Stirring....

2011-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Doodle Pantry Christmas Card to show you. The image is from the 'Holiday Ants' set. This set includes two different images and several sentiments. It is also available pre-colored and with coodinating digi papers. I chose to color the image myself, but I used the red digi paper on my card. My layout is from JUGS104. I used a Cuttlebug Snowflake Folder for the white background panel, and two different punches from E.K. Success. My embellishments are a felt snowflake from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts, Crystal Domes, and Ribbon.
Because the sentiment was a two-part one, I decorated the inside of my card as well.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Fall Colors'

2011-10-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. Our challenge this week is 'Fall Colors'; simply make a card or project using the colors you see in the Fall. It doesn't have to be fall-themed, you only need to use Fall Colors and one digital element. Our sponsor this week is 'Wee Stamps'.

To make my card, I used the Wee Stamps image "Sweet Blossom" and a sketch I Love Sketches. I focused on all the plum and red colors you see this time of year. My paper is Basic Grey 'Indian Summer'. I used felt buttons from JoAnn's, ribbon from Stampin Up!, hemp, and dew drops for embellishment. I put Stickles on all the flowers in the main image.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Give Thanks

2011-10-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions Fall/Thanksgiving Card that uses three different sets. The basket is from the 'All About Containers' set, the gourds are from the 'Thanksgiving Blessings' set, and the sentiment is from the 'Thanksgiving Blessings Sentiments' set.

To make my card, I used fall paper from Papertrey Ink. I cut out the gourds and the basket, and I popped the basket only up on dimensionals, but glued the gourds to the sentiment panel. For embellishment I used a felt button flower from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts, ribbon, a fabric button brad from Stampin Up! and dew drops. I'm making some progress on my house for the Christmas Walk. I got the upstairs bedrooms and hallway cleaned and decorated, the kitchen cleaned and about 3/4 decorated, one tree completely assembled and up, one tree assembled but has yet to be decorated, and I'm about 3/4 of the way done with the family room. So I only have about 7 rooms left plus the outside, and about 4 weeks left till the walk. Wish me luck! LOL! Have a great day! Amy

The Only Bean I Really Like

2011-10-06T07:13:00.001-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions Card to show you that uses images from the set 'The Perfect Blend'. The sentiment is from the set 'Brewing Some Trouble'. My sketch is by Amy Sheffer (SSD95), and the papers are My Mind's Eye Stella Rose "Hattie". I cut out the coffee bean bag image and put it up on dimensionals, and I also cut all the little beans out and pasted those on the main image panel as well. I love this sentiment, it's so cute! However, it's not true for me. I love beans and they are a big part of my diet! If you don't see me around in blog land too much for the next month, it's because I'm very busy right now. I received a phone call from our local Methodist Church which sponsors the 'Christmas Walk' charity event in our community. They asked if my home could be featured on the walk this year. Of course I said 'yes!', it was such an honor to be asked, but now I'm in over my head. I have to decorate my home from top to bottom inside and out and I have less than 4 weeks to complete the task. And I work full-time. I did ask for some paid time off at work, and they were able to give me a few days, so that should help. But because of this huge event, I have to cut back somewhere, and less time spent on the computer will have to be one of them. Wish me luck!

Have a great day! Amy

Doodle Pantry's 'Snow Birdie'

2011-10-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Even though it was a beautiful 80 degree day in Northwestern Wisconsin today, I have a winter card to show you! The image is from Doodle Pantry and is called 'Snow Birdie'. This image is available in out-line and in color, and it also comes with several sentiments and digital papers. I used the outline image and my own designer papers from my stash. I put Flower Soft on the ground for snow, and Flocking on the hats. Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: 'We Like to Party!'

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is called 'We Like to Party!': simply make a card or project with a party theme and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is MyGrafico.

To make my card, I used the Lindsay's Stamp Stuff 'Halloween Doodles Stamps' to make a Fall Card for all those Fall Parties going on right now. My sketch is by My Favorite Things (MFTWSC36) and my paper is DCWV 'Amber Autumn Fall Stack Collection'. I used felt flowers and hemp ric rac for embellishment. The main image panel and the scarecrow are up on dimensionals.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

You're a Classic!

2011-09-30T07:16:00.001-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Doodle Pantry card to show you that uses images from the set 'Vintage Auto' and papers from the set "Vintage Auto Digi Paper Pack". I absolutely love this set, because it's not only 'vintage' which is a style I always love, but it's a masculine set that isn't hunting or sports related, which is so rare to find. I don't know about you, but I have lots of men in my life who like neither hunting nor sports, and they are the hardest men to make cards for because there just aren't a lot of masculine images out there. Well, Doodle Pantry to the rescue! This set comes not only with this great car image, but also with several different sentiments and digital papers. It's also available pre-colored!

To make my card, I used the Splitcoaststampers Sketch (SC350) and two of the digital papers in the set. I colored the image myself, cut it out, and popped it up on dimensionals. The sentiment 'You're a Classic' comes with the set, but I actually typed mine out on the computer because I wanted it straight across in one sentence to fit my layout better. I put the main image panel up on dimensionals also, and then added ribbon and brads for embellishment.

Have a great day! Amy

Oh That Daily Grind!

2011-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you. I'm still working with the same set 'The Perfect Blend'; it's amazing how many different images are in one set and all the different cards you can create with it! For today's card, I used the Coffee Grinder image from the set, and the sentiment is from "Brewing Some Trouble.' My sketch is by Amy Sheffer (SSD92). The paper is My Mind's Eye Stella Rose "Hattie". I cut the main image out and popped it up on dimensionals. Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'A Color Challenge'

2011-09-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is a Color Challenge: Simply make a card or project with the colors Blue and White. Our sponsor this week is Di's Digital Downloads and they are giving away 5 digis of the winners choice, or 3 stamps of choice.

To make my card, I used the Di's Digital Image 'My Turn'. I thought it would go perfect with a Blue and White Color Challenge, although my card is probably more blue/green than a true blue. My layout is by Sweet Sunday Sketches (SSSC114). My paper is Cosmo Cricket, and the sentiment is from Crafty Secrets. I put Stickles on the falling snowflakes, Flowersoft on the snow on the ground, and White Flocking on the bears hat. The snowflake is felt and is from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

September Christmas Cards

2011-09-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have Christmas Cards to show you! Christmas is only 3 months away! As most of you already know, I participate in the Splitcoaststampers Christmas Card Challenges. I make Four Christmas Cards a month, so I'll have about fifty cards by November. I already posted one of cards HERE, and below are the rest of my cards. All the cards use retired Stampin Up! images.

The first card is my favorite, I used a Sweet Sunday Sketch (SSSC126), I put the main image panel up on dimensionals, and used Flower Soft for the snow on the tree. The images are from 'Wish for Peace' My second card uses an image from 'Christmas Carolers'. I put the frame up on dimensionals. The paper is very glittery in real life.

And my final card I cased from the Stampin Up! catalog. I really don't like it at all. I'll probably send it to someone who doesn't have an artistic bone in his or her body, and doesn't even realize it's a bad card. LOL! Don't worry, it won't be any of you! All my readers are very artistic!

Have a great day! Amy

Doodle Pantry 'Quirky Kangaroo'

2011-09-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have another cute Doodle Pantry image to show you called 'Quirky Kangaroo'. Like the 'Quirky Ostrich' card I showed you a week ago, I decided to keep this card clean and simple too since the Coordinating Digital Paper and Image were already so busy. This image comes pre-colored, and in out-line form, and also has several sentiments and digital papers to go with it. I used only one of the three papers because I just wanted my kangaroo to look like I paper pieced him, which I didn't. I simply colored him to look like the paper. I then cut him out and popped him up on dimensionals, and just added a simple purple bow for embellishment.

Have a great day! Or should I say, 'Have an Aussie Day!' Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge "People Images"

2011-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'People Images'. Simply use images of people on your card or project and be sure to use at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Guylou Inimitability.

To make my card, I used the Guylou Inimitability image "Autumn Cowboy". My sentiment is from a retired Stampin Up! set 'Happy Fall, Y'All!'. The paper is DCWV 'Aber Autumn Fall Stack Collection. I added leaf brads and hep ric rac for embellishment. The pumpkins were printed twice and popped up on dimensionals.
If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions 'Got Coffee?'

2011-09-19T05:50:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have another Paper Fashions Coffee image to show you! I just love these images because I love Coffee! This card I tried to keep more on the masculine side in case I wanted to send it to a male coffee lover. I printed the image twice, and cut out and popped up just the coffee warmer part up on dimensionals. The main image panel is also popped up. I used cord, dew drops, buttons, and twine for embellishment. The paper is My Mind's Eye Stella Rose "Hattie".

The image is from 'The Perfect Blend' set, and the sentiments are from 'Brewing Some Trouble'.

Have a great day! Amy

Doodle Pantry 'Quirky Ostrich'

2011-09-15T08:30:00.001-07:00

Hello, today I have a clean and simple card to show you. The image is called 'Quirky Ostrich' and is available at Doodle Pantry. It comes in both outline image and pre-colored, and it also includes digital design papers and several different sentiments. This is actually the second card I made using this image. The first card I made I decided not to post. I used all the digi papers on my first card, and I just felt it was way too busy and that it took the attention away from the main image. So then I went back to my desk and kept playing with the image, and finally decided that this image is so great that it could just stand on it's own with nothing but a clean, white background. I colored the image myself, then cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals. I doodled around the edge of the white card stock with a silver glitter pen. Then I added some simple pink pearls for embellishment and some 'Blushing Bride' and 'Basic Grey' Stampin Up! Card stock for an accent color.

Sorry for the dark photo, but it's hard to be home at just the right time of day to photograph when I work full-time and the days are shorter.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Celebrate the Season'

2011-09-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Celebrate the Season'. Simply make a card or project that celebrates any season of the year or your life. Be sure to include at least one Digital element. Our sponsor this week is Spesch Stamps.

To make my card, I used an image by Sylvia of Spesch Stamps called 'Winter Birdie'. My sketch is by Silke Ledlow (CAC80). The main image panel and the little girl are up on dimensionals. I used Flower Soft and Stickles for the snow. I put Liquid Applique on her hat. The snowflakes are buttons from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. The paper is by Cosmo Cricket.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Another Paper Fashions Coffee Card

2011-09-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have another Paper Fashions Coffee Card to show you. I just love this new set, because I love coffee. I especially love coffee filled with lots and lots of flavored creamers, so I find this sentiment very amusing. Now that it's fall, all the 'Pumpkin Spice' flavors are in the market right now....yum mm, that's certainly one of my favorites!

To make my card I used the same paper I used in my previous coffee card; it's from My Minds Eye and is called Stella Rose 'Hattie'. My sketch is from MFT (MFTWSC34). The main image panel, and the two panels underneath the image are all up on dimensionals. The bow is made with seam binding which I dyed to match my card. The main image is from 'The Perfect Blend', and the sentiment is from "Brewing Some Trouble".

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions "The Perfect Blend"

2011-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a new Paper Fashions Set to introduce to you. It's called 'The Perfect Blend' and is filled with the cutest coffee images. I love coffee, especially loaded with my favorite flavored creamers, so this set is right up my alley! To make my card I used a sketch from MFT (MFTWSC33) and papers from My Mind's Eye Stella Rose 'Hattie'. The cup and main image panel are up on dimensionals. The sentiment is from "Coffee with Friends".

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: 'Fairy Wishes'

2011-09-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is called 'Fairy Wishes'; simply make a card or project that is 'fairy themed' and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Mo Manning.

To make my card, I used The Stamping Boutique image 'The Fairies Frolic'. I printed the image 3 times. The flowers and mushroom was popped up once, and the fairy was popped up twice. I put Stickles on the flowers, and all the fairy wings and wands. The heart is a button from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. The paper is Prima 'Sweet Fairy'. Here is a close up so you can see the dimension and sparkle better.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Doodle Pantry 'Cowboy Birdie'

2011-09-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I'm excited to announce that I've been asked to be on the Doodle Pantry Creative Team for the September 2011 to February 2012 term. Some of you might remember that I was a Guest Designer for them back in May. I so enjoyed my time with them, that when Laurie asked me to join their team in the Fall, I couldn't refuse. I just love Doodle Pantry images! They are so much my style. Especially the little bird images, one of which I am showing you today.

Today's card uses the new image 'Cowboy Birdie'. It comes with one digi paper (the yellow one on the bottom of the card) and many sentiments. It is also available pre-colored. I used the outline version on my card. The other digital papers are also available by Doodle Pantry and are called 'Western Papers'. I put the image and sentiment up on dimensionals. Ribbon, a button, and brads were added for embellishment. Have a great day! And, Happy Labor Day! Amy

The Late Summer Garden 'Black Eyed Susans, Phlox, and Goldenrod'

2011-09-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! As most of my readers already know, I've been posting pictures of my garden as it changes through the garden season. Here are previous posts of pictures of my garden in Midsummer, Early Summer, Late Spring, Mid Spring, and Early Spring. Today's post is all about the Late Summer Garden: Summer's Last Hurrah. This is always such a sad time of year for me as I reflect on the ever so short summer season, and start dreading the cold, winter months ahead. I try so hard not to get depressed about it, but I always do. I just detest winter and anything associated with it. It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so darn long, but here in Wisconsin we barely have 3 months of warmth, and then we have 9 months of cold. Ugh! Anyway, enough depressing talk, onto the beauty of the Late Summer Garden.

My husband was replacing the third story windows of our house, so I jumped at the opportunity of getting an Aeriel view of our yard without a pane of glass interfering. Here is a shot of of my yard from my bedroom window. What a view to wake up to every morning!

As you can see, Yellow is the color most predominant this time of year. That is from all the Black Eyed Susans taking over the show and the Golden Rod. The white is a large Hydrangea Bush, and the purple is what is left of the Phlox, which actually peaked a few weeks ago.

This is a view of my yard from the road. The ornamental grass is also in full peak right now. It's a must have for the Late Summer/Early Fall Garden.

Here's a close up of the Black Eyed Susans. If you don't have this flower already in your garden, you better run to your garden center and pick some up. Nothing beats this plant in long-bloom time, hardiness, and it's ability to grow fast and spread without becoming too invasive.

Here's a close up of my garden shed. You can see the Sedum Autumn Joy in front just beginning to bloom. It'll be in full bloom in a few weeks.

A side view of my main garden.

Another side view taken as the sun was just starting to set.

Here's a close up of another one of my favorite Late Summer Bloomers: Goldenrod! It reseeds everywhere in my garden and I let it! It's considered a weed by some, but a beautiful flower to me!

And finally, I debated showing you this photo since I couldn't get a good picture of it, but this is a very tall perennial, over 6 feet tall. It's a must have in a large garden. It's just hard to photograph since it is so tall. The blooms last forever, and it looks great in the winter too. The blooms start pink, and then turn eventually to rust for fall. It also looks great in dried arrangements as well.

I hope you enjoyed seeing pictures of my Late Summer Garden. Such a sad, sad time of year for me, yet it's nice seeing my garden go out with a bang!

Have a great day! Amy

August Christmas Cards

2011-08-31T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hello! I stayed up late last night (well, 10:00 p.m. but that's late for me since I'm usually in bed by 8:00 or 9:00 to get up at 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. for work) to work on my August Christmas Cards. I had to get them done by today to meet my deadline for the Splitcoaststampers Christmas Card Challenge. As most of you already know, I make 4 Christmas Cards a month so that I'll have about 50 Christmas Cards at the end of the year. It's tough to do, but I'm always so happy in November to have all my Christmas cards done already.

For this month, I used all retired Stampin Up! sets. My first card using the Charles Dickens set 'Keep Christmas'. I used a clean and simple sketch, and tried to re-create the old world feel with the papers, coloring, and button/twine treatment. The sentiment is stamped on vellum so you can still see the image underneath. My next three cards all use images from the same Stampin Up! set called 'Big on Christmas'. My sketch is from Card Patterns (Sketch 128). These were such quick and easy Christmas cards yet full of details. The snowflake is a felt snowflake from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

The poinsettias are from Prima. I used a gold gel pen on the star on the tree and the ornament on the card below.

Here is a group shot:

Have you started on your Christmas Cards yet? The holiday is only 4 months away! Yikes!

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: 'Going Buggy!'

2011-08-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is called 'Going Buggy!'. Simply make a card or project that has bugs on your design, and be sure to use at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry!

To make my card, I used the Doodle Pantry image 'Ant Masquerade'. My paper is My Mind's Eye 'Lime Twist'. I put Stickles on the insects wings, and added flowers, ribbon, and dew drops for embellishment.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions 'Soups On!"

2011-08-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you that uses the image "Soups On!" and a sentiment from 'Kitchen Clatter Sentiments'. My sketch is by Sankari Wegman of Taylored Expressions. The paper is Cosmo Cricket "Garden Variety'. I added a paper doily behind the main image for a little added 'home-made touch'. I inked it with distress inks to age it a bit. The buttons are felt buttons purchased at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

Have a great day! Amy

Connected

2011-08-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello. Today I have a card to show you that would be perfect for the teen or young adult male in your life. Monday will be my 'baby's' 20th birthday. I'm posting his birthday card here early because on Monday's I have to post for Paper Fashions, and he never reads my blog anyway, so there's no chance of him seeing it before his birthday. Anyhow, Jordan is a huge music fan so when I saw this Phindy image I immediately thought of him. I don't think I've ever seen Jordan awake when he DOESN'T have headphones in his ears. LOL! The image is called "Connected Boy". My sketch is from I Love Sketches. The paper is DCWV 'The RockStar Matstack'. Have a great day! Amy

A Fun-Filled Day!

2011-08-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have my very last McMahon Five Designs Card and Post to share with you. This fall I accepted a new Design Team position with another company, so I felt I had to step down from M5D or I'd have too much on my plate. It's been my joy and pleasure to work with them, but it's time to move on to new adventures!

The card I'm sharing with you today uses an image from Solocosmo called 'Samantha'. It's a beach set that comes with the image of a little girl ('Samantha'), a sandcastle, crab, and a pail. I decided to just use the image of the sandcastle and crab so that my card could be sent to a male or female. I cut the crab image out and popped him up on dimensionals. The main image panel is also popped up. The sail boat is a button from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. The layout is by Mojo Monday and the paper is DCWV 'Cafe Mediterranean'. Be sure to check out the McMahon Five Designs Blog to see the rest of this week's new releases.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Cute and Girly'

2011-08-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Cute and Girly'. Simply make a card or project that is 'cute and girly' and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Phindy's Place.

To make my card, I used a Heather Ellis digital image. My sketch is by MFT (MFTWSC30), and my paper is My Mind's Eye 'Lime Twist'. The crocheted flower is from Martha Stewart. I printed the image twice and cut out and popped up the cupcake on dimensionals.
Here is a close up for you:

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

A Homemade Meal

2011-08-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you that uses a single image called 'A Homemade Meal'. The sentiment is from "Kitchen Clatter Sentiments'. I picked up the vintage paper from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

Have a great day! Amy

Sweet Pea

2011-08-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a new McMahon Five Designs card to show you that uses a Studio 313 image called "Peas and Thank You". This is just the cutest set! It comes with several pea images and adorable sentiments. I chose the three peas in the pod image to use on my card. My sketch is by Mojo Monday, and the paper is Cosmo Cricket. Be sure to check out the McMahon Five Designs Blog to see the rest of this week's new releases!

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'On The Farm'

2011-08-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's Challenge is called 'On the Farm': Simply make a card or project that has something to do with Farms. Our sponsor this week is Whimsy Stamps and they are giving away 5 digis to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card I used the Whimsy Stamps image "Piggy Bath" by Meljen's Designs. I did borrow a sketch from somewhere, but the creator of the sketch didn't write their name on it, so I don't remember where I got it from. My paper is Bo Bunny 'Crazy Love'. I printed the image twice and popped just the head up on dimensionals. The heart is a button from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. I put Stickles on the hearts in the image. The sentiments are from MFT.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

God Still Walks a Garden

2011-08-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Don't you just love that sentiment 'God Still Walks a Garden..."? Perhaps it's the gardener in me, but I can just picture God strolling through a beautiful garden. I know that's where I feel closest to Him.

Anyhow, today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you that uses an image from the set "Birds and Bees" and a sentiment from the set "Planting Playful Words". My sketch is from Mojo Monday and my paper is My Mind's Eye Stella Rose 'Mabel'.

I popped the main image up on dimensionals, and added buttons and ribbon for embellishment.

Have a great day! Amy

Hotspot Challenge #7 'Pantone Fall Color Trend Report'

2011-08-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Hotspot Challenge Card to show you. The Hotspot is a Challenge Blog that 'Scopes out what is hot, trendy, popular, or in style at the moment...and challenges you to use that as an inspiration'. This month the Challenge is a Color Challenge based on the Pantone top color trends for the Fall and Winter of 2011. I have a picture of the popular colors below my card. You can choose only one color (like I did) or as many as you want to feature on your card. I chose the Honeysuckle Color, since I thought it would be perfect for an anniversary card and I desperately needed one! My image is from Studio 313 and is called "Three Cakes".

The main image is up on dimensionals, I used that red double sided adhesive tape to hold down my pleated ribbon, and the felt hearts are from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

Here are the new popular color trends: Aren't they pretty! I love them all!

Please join us this month at the Hotspot Challenge Blog. You have all month to play, and you could possibly win $25.00 worth of digis at McMahon Five Designs.

Have a great day! Amy

When Life Gives You Lemons....

2011-08-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have the cutest image and digital papers to show you from McMahon Five Designs. They are by Studio 313 and called 'When Life Gives You Lemons'. I absolutely love, love, love when digital images come with coordinating digital papers. It makes it so much easier for me to create a card. I don't have to 'hunt' through thousands of sheets of designer paper for that perfect match; it's already been provided for me.

My sketch is by MFT (MFTWSC31). I put the main image up on dimensionals and added ribbon, an acrylic flower, and a felt flower for embellishment.

Be sure to check out the McMahon Five Designs Blog to see the rest of this week's new releases. And check out my fellow Design Team Members Blogs as well; their links are in my sidebar.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: "I Love the Sea!"

2011-08-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'I Love the Sea!'. Simply make a card or project that is sea themed and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is 2 Cute Rubber Stamps and they are giving away 2 cling cushion rubber stamps or 3 digis to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I used a 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Digital Image 'Stingray Kids'. My sketch is from "I Love Sketches', and the little panel of designer paper that I used is from DCWV 'All About Boys' Stack. I added a button, ribbon, and water droplets gel stickers from White Cloud for embellishment. The sentiment is computer generated.

Here's a close up for you! I just love the cute expressions on all the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps images.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions Kitchen Clatter

2011-08-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have some fun new images to show you from Paper Fashions! They just came out with a whole new line of kitchen/cooking images that include recipe cards, food images, fun cooking sentiments, a vintage stove, cooking tags, etc., etc., etc., There are so many cute new images, I had a hard time narrowing down to just a few things to use for my post today.

So first up is a card I made using the Vintage Stove image and a sentiment from 'Kitchen Clatter Sentiments'. My paper is actually Xmas paper from a DCWV stack, but I thought the vintage look worked great with my card. The apples are buttons. The stove was printed on Kraft paper, colored with Copic Markers, cut out and popped up on dimensionals. I then used my sewing machine to do some stitching on the card and added hemp for embellishment.

Well what's a cooking card without some delicious food to go with it? So I wrapped some blueberry muffins in cellophane and then printed out a couple of tags from the same 'Kitchen Clatter Sentiments' Set. I printed the tags on Kraft paper, and just did a minimum of coloring, then added a ribbon that matched the card and some raffia. And walla! I have a quick and easy homemade gift!

Here's a couple of close ups for you: don't get hungry now!

Have a great day! Amy

A Couple of Cuties

2011-08-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a card to show you that I made for my daughter and son-in-law for their very first wedding anniversary! Ashley and Jason love to dance together, so this image from Crafty Secrets was the perfect image to use. It's called 'A Couple of Cuties'; which Ashley and Jason definitely are! I even colored their hair color the same as their own! The sketch is by Sankari Wegman, and the paper is 'Flea Market' by Colorbok. Have a great day! Amy

Celebrate!

2011-08-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I am featuring new designer paper from Fusion Fashion Flair. It's a new line of product by Studio 313 and McMahon Five. The Digital Designer Paper that I used in my card is called "Fall Color Collage", and the sentiment is from 'Peony Sentiments'.

Originally I planned on making a one layer card. I just wanted the beautiful paper to be the focus. But no matter what I did, it just looked too plain for my taste. I just love layers! So I decided to create different layers, using the same designer paper and just layer them on top of each other. I simply printed the paper twice, then cut out the small panel on the right and mounted in up on dimensionals. I then hand cut the butterfly in the top right corner and mounted that up also. I love the way it turned out! Ribbon and pearls were added for embellishment, and wa-la, my card was done! I thought it was the perfect solution to making a single designer paper more interesting and also to show off the pretty paper!

Be sure to check out my fellow designers posts; they are listed in my sidebar. You can see the rest of this week's new releases at the McMahon Five Designs Blog.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: 'Doilies!'

2011-08-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is hosted by ME and I picked 'Doilies' as our challenge. If you haven't already noticed, Doilies are all the rage right now in card making. Crafter's usually just put the real paper Doilies on thier cards (as I did on my card below), but now all the Paper Crafter Companies are making very intricate dies so crafter's can make their own doilies any color or design they want. So your challenge this week is to make a card or project using a doily and at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is MyGrafico and they are giving away one digital stamp set and a 20% off in-store certicificate.

To make my card, I used this adorable bunny image from Doodle Pantry called 'Bunny Wabbit'. I thought he was so sweet and would look perfect with a doily. I did get my sketch from somewhere, but don't remember where. Sorry. The paper is My Mind's Eye 'Lime Twist'. The inside of the card reads 'Somebunny is thinking of you'. Isn't that cute? Both of the sentiments came with the image. Here's a close up for you. He was such a joy to color with my Copic Markers.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Since I used a Doodle Pantry image for my card this week, I will also be entering it in another challenge:

Craft Your Passion

On a personal note, I just found out yesterday that I was chosen as THE FEATURED STAMPER on Splitcoaststampers! I was so excited! What an honor. However, I don't know if it's because of the busy summer season, or people don't like my cards, but so far I don't have many players. So if you have some time this week, please have pity on me and play along! LOL!

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions: 'Beach Scapes"

2011-08-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you that uses an image from the new set "Beach Scapes". This set is available for purchase as a bundle (where all the sentiments are included with the images), or sold separately. To make my card I used a sketch from Splitcoaststampers (SC341) paper from My Mind's Eye 'Stella Rose Mabel'. The flowered panel is up on dimensionals. I used chalk and a stencil to create the sky, the rest of the image is colored with Copic Markers.

Have a great day! Amy

The Midsummer Garden: Daylilies, Phlox, and Purple Coneflower

2011-07-30T06:51:00.001-07:00

Hello! As most of my regular readers already know, I have been posting pictures of my garden as it changes through the gardening season. I have already posted pictures and stories of my Early Spring Garden, Mid-Spring Garden, Late Spring Garden, and Early Summer Garden. Today I am posting pictures of what my garden looks like in the Middle of the Summer when it is in Full Peak and probably the most beautiful of all. Here's a view of what my yard looks like from the road above. That is my garden shed below.

This is a Hydrangea Bush. I couldn't believe how huge the blossoms were! I wish I could have had some one's hand or head in the picture to show you the scale; but I was alone at the time of photographing. The angel statue is quite large, if that helps give you some perspective on how big those blooms are.

A close up of my garden shed. The Black Eye'd Susans are just beginning to bloom, they last for about a month.

Here's a side view of that same garden.

This is my favorite Hosta Bed.

And this is my favorite Hosta. I love the Chartreuse color of the leaves.

The Purple Coneflower is in full bloom now.

A close up of the Purple Liatrus.

These are common orange daylilies grown in mass on my septic mound.

Daylilies are one of my favorite perennials. They are so low maintenance, they multiply beautifully, and the range of color is amazing. I have so many different varieties in my yard, it would be impossible to show them all to you, but here are some close ups of my favorites:

I hope you enjoyed seeing pictures of my Mid-Summer Garden. It's sad to think were at the peak of the garden season now, and soon everything will be coming to an end. Our summers in Wisconsin are way too short.

Have a great day! Amy

DTC: "Gardens with Things with Wings"

2011-07-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Gardens with Things with Wings'. Simply make a card or projects that is garden themed and has something with wings on it (like butterflies, birds, etc.). Be sure to include at least digital element as well! Our sponsor this week is Glitterbabe Digis and they are giving away 2 digis to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I used a Heather Ellis Digital image and a sketch by MFT (MFTWSC29). My paper is by My Mind's Eye.

The daisy and leaves are just pre-cut felt shapes I found in the Dollar Bins at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. I put Stickles on the Butterfly, and added a button and brads for embellishment. The main image panel and the polka dotted panel are mounted up on dimensionals.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Happy Birthday, Cowboy!

2011-07-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Paper Fashions card to show you that uses images from the set "Feeling Like a Cowboy Stamps" and sentiments from "Feeling Like a Cowboy Sentiments". They are available for purchase separately, or as a bundle. To make my card I used a sketch from the Clean and Simple Blog and some unknown vintage cowboy paper. I sponged the Chocolate Chip paper to give it more interest. The cowboy boots are up on dimensionals. And here is the inside of the card with another image from the set, the cowboy hat.

It's finally cooled down here in Wisconsin a bit. So life is more enjoyable again! I heard our heat wave is now out East. Sorry guys!

Have a great day! Amy

Christmas in July

2011-07-20T05:33:00.001-07:00

'We're having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave': are you all tired of singing that song yet? I know most of us are in the middle of a heat wave here in the U.S. I live in a house that's over 100 years old and without air conditioning so I have never been happier to have to go to work everyday as I am now. Sunday and Monday were my days off this week. On Sunday I felt fine, but on Monday I didn't feel 'hot', I just felt very sick and lethargic. All I wanted to do was lay down and sleep. Then I got frustrated with myself because I always have so much I want to do on my days off, and all my body wanted was to do sleep. It was not cooperating! Heat doesn't usually bother me, I'm usually freezing, even on warm days I'm cold, but I think the duration of the heat wave is starting to bother me. Yesterday my shift ended at 3:00 and I usually 'rush home to get things done', instead I decided to go to the mall where it was 'cool' and do some much needed shopping. I recently lost 30lbs and I am in desperate need of new clothes. All my old clothes are just falling off me (or as my husband teases 'I now wear clown pants') but I didn't want to take the time to go shopping so I've just been pinning them with safety pins. I look ridiculous I know, but I'm not a clothes person and consider them such a waste of money. Anyway, I wasn't even sure what size I was and even though I'm smaller now I still feel large so I kept grabbing larger sizes like a size 8 since I knew I wore size 10 before I lost weight. I had to keep going back on to the sales floor to grab smaller and smaller sizes and finally ended up with a size 4 in pants/skirt and a size small for a top. Wow! No wonder my old clothes didn't fit. But I also think sizes have gotten bigger. I use to be a size 8 in high school and no one I knew was a double 00. That size didn't even exist. I think a size 8 is now the new size 4 and a double 00 is probably a size 4. LOL! Gosh, what merchants have to do to make us overweight consumers feel better about ourselves so that we buy more clothes!

Anyway, enough rambling, I said all that just to set you up for some Christmas Cards because I think we could all use some cooling off right now and thinking of Christmas will surely help. As most of you already know, I play the Christmas Card Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I make four Christmas Cards a month, so that by the end of the year I'll have about 48 Christmas Cards and I won't have to drive myself crazy trying to get them done in November/December.

Here is my first card. My image is a digital image from Heather Ellis. My sketch is from Penny Black, and my papers are Basic Grey 'Eskimo Kisses'. I put Liquid Applique on her hat and boots and Stickles on the tree lights. My next card uses a digital image from Dustin Pike. It's an old one, so I don't think it's available anymore. I put Liquid Applique on the cat's hat and the stocking. The paper is from Papertrey Ink, and the sketch is unknown.

Here's a close up of this sweet little kitty for you:

This card uses an digital image from Blackleaf Studios called 'Traditional Christmas Stamps'. The paper is from Papertrey Ink and the sketch is by MFT (MFTWSC9). The ornament is popped up on dimensionals and there is a crystal in the center.

And finally, for my last card I used a sketch by Verve and paper from DCWV 'The Winter MatStack'. The snowflake was cut with a Sizzix die and covered with glitter. The image is from the Dollar Bins at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts.

Stay cool and Have a Great Day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'A Sketch Challenge'

2011-07-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is a Sketch Challenge. Simply make a card or scrapbook page using the sketch pictured below and be sure to include at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Spesch Designer Stamps and they are giving away 3 digis to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card I used the image 'Moon Baby' from Spesch Designer Stamps, designed by Sylvia. I printed the image 3 times and mounted the moon up once on dimensionals, and the girl three times. My paper is 'Sweet Fairy' by Prima. I cut my stars with a Cuttlebug Die and covered them with glitter. Three of the stars in the image are also popped up on dimensionals and covered in glitter. The brads are glitter brads also.

Here is a close up so you can see all the dimension.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instruction.

Have a great day! Amy

When you're too old to BBQ....

2011-07-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have a simple, but fun masculine card to share with you today. My images and sentiments are from Paper Fashions "BBQ Digital Stamps' and 'BBQ Sentiments'. These images and sentiments are available for purchase separately or as a bundle. I used paper from DCWV 'The Guy Stack'. I had a hard time to photographing this card. The color is much richer in real life. The male figure is cut out and popped up on dimensionals. Here is the inside of the card. I'm sure any guy I send it too will get a chuckle over it. I think these images are perfect for any guy who isn't into hunting or sports (yes, there are guys like that!); after all, every guy eats! LOL!

Have a great day! Amy

Best Wishes

2011-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have some church friends with an anniversary coming up, so I finally had the chance to use a stamp set that I purchased but never used: Crafty Secrets 'A Couple of Cuties'. I love this set, but one of the unfortunate things about being a design team member for other companies is that I'm so busy making things for my 'commitments' that I don't have time to make things I actually want to or really need; so, my beloved set sat neglected for quite some time.

The sketch is by Mojo Monday and the paper is also by Crafty Secrets. I FINALLY got a hold of some seam binding. It's been all the rage on the Internet for months now, but no one ever said where they got it until Becca from 'Amazing Grace' said she used 'Hug Snug' which she purchased at Amazon. Thank you Becca! I couldn't believe how cheap this stuff was. 100 yards for about $7.00. That's amazing. I just bought one spool of white and one of cream. I died the seam binding myself with Melon Mambo re-inker from Stampin Up!. I don't think I was too successful with that, but not bad for my first attempt. I tell you though, just buying white seam binding and dieing it the color you need is a lot more cost effective than buying tons of different colors and spools of ribbon. I don't think I have the knack of tying the stuff the way I've seen other designers do; but then I'm not sure I like the trendy look of a big, wrinkled bow anyway. I like to keep things simple. Have a great day! Amy

Coco Loco

2011-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a fun image by Studio 313 called 'Coco Loco' It is sold at McMahon Five Designs. I kept my layout really simple; I thought the clean, pure colors were more 'beachy'. My layout is by Splitcoaststampers (SC340). The cover sentiment comes with the image, but the inside sentiment are stamps from my stash.

Here is the inside of the card. I just cut the image out and adhered it to the inside of the card.

Be sure to check out the McMahon Five Designs Blog to see the rest of this week's new releases, and while your at it, visit my fellow design teams members blogs as well. They are listed in my sidebar.

Have a great day! Amy

Penny Black 'Flower Power'

2011-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a card for the July Penny Black Allsorts Challenge 'Flower Power'. It was a really simple challenge this month. All you have to do is make a card with flowers on it and be sure to use at least one Penny Black image.

I chose an image from 'Garden Friends'. My sketch is by Verve. I stamped the image twice and popped just the flowers up on dimensionals so the little hedgehog really looks like he is popping his head out of a bed of flowers. I used an MFT Rolled Flower Die to make my own flower. The paper is by My Minds Eye Stella Rose 'Gertie'. I put Stickles on all the flowers and the bee in the image, and a pearl in the inside of the handmade flower. I also decorated the inside of the card by using up some scraps and stamping a second image from the set.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Spellbound!'

2011-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Spellbound!'. Simply make a card or project that uses one or more dies and includes at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Bonibleaux Designs and they are giving away a $10.00 gift certificate to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card I used a digital image by Heather Ellis. My sketch is from My Favorite Things (MFTWSC26). The sentiment is computer generated. I used three different dies to create my card: they are all Nestabilities from Spellbinders. The main image circle, the scalloped circle, and the sentiment tag were all cut with dies. The paper is My Minds Eye Stella Rose 'Gertie'.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions 'Gone Fishin'

2011-07-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Do you have any fishermen in your life? Well, living in Northwestern Wisconsin I certainly do! So today I have a masculine birthday card to show you that uses the Paper Fashions Digital Set 'Gone Fishin'. Paper Fashions also has a great sentiment set that you can buy separately or as a bundle with the fishing images.

To make my card, I used some outdoorsy paper that I bought at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. I added a panel of embossed chocolate paper using the Cuttlebug Branches Folder. The 'mesh' you see is actually twill tape unraveled. I picked that tip up from Laurie Schmidlin's Blog. As I was making my card I thought "I wish I had something that looked like a fishing net to use as an embellishment'; and then I remembered Debbie had accidentally discovered that if you pull on a thread of twill tape, the whole thing unravels (yet miraculously stays together) to look like this:

Isn't that amazing? The log house embellie is actually a button from JoAn's. And here is the inside of the card using one of Paper Fashions 'Gone Fishin Sentiments':

Have a great day!

Amy

The Early-Summer Garden: Lilies and Bee Balm

2011-07-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hello! As promised, I am posting photographs as my garden changes through the seasons. I've posted the Early Spring Garden, the Mid-Spring Garden, and the Late Spring Garden. Today I'm showing you pictures of what my garden looks like in Early Summer.

First of all the lilies are in bloom now. I love lilies and they multiple like crazy in my yard; I'm constantly digging them up and dividing them. I already missed taking pictures of some early-blooming lilies, but here is white beauty for you to admire: This is a far away shot of those same white lilies above:

This is a yellow primrose. I love this plant because it grows like a weed, yet is not invasive. It will grow in full sun or in full shade. This is full shade pictured below. And it has beautiful red fall foliage.

This is a wheel barrow full of annuals that my husband made for me. This is my main garden looking west. I just bought and planted that pink hydrangea bush, that's why it's so small. In a couple of years it will probably be 5 feet tall and wide. Things grow big and fast in my yard!

This is a clematis that grows over a trellis in my main garden. You can see the trellis pictured in the back ground in the picture above.

I have the best version of Bee Balm I know. It grows so strong and tall and is mildew resistant. Sorry, but I can't remember the name of it anymore. I use to know every name of every single plant in my yard, but as the years go on, the less names I remember. LOL! That blue spruce pine tree was probably only 12 inches tall when I planted it just a few years ago. Now its about 5 or 6 feet tall. I just love the color!

A far away picture of my yard with my garden shed in the background and yellow and orange lilies in the fore ground.

This is the first day lily to bloom every year. It's a beautiful pale yellow.

I'm not a fan of rose bushes because they are too high maintenance. I love the flowers; just not the thorns or the work associated with their upkeep. However, I do have about 5 hardy shrub roses on my property. I love them because they require no maintenance whatsoever; I don't even have to cover them in the winter! This is a light pink shrub rose.

In previous posts, I've showed you many views of my garden from the viewpoint of my front porch; well here is the opposite viewpoint: what it looks like as you walk the path to my front porch. When I first bought the house, I always bought annuals that were red, yellow, purple, or white cause I thought those colors went best with my brick house. But when my daughter Ashley got married last year, she wanted all the annuals to be pink or coral (the colors of her wedding) and I ended up really liking those colors against the colors of my house, so I planted them again this year. I don't have any annuals in my big perennial garden beds in my yard. That would be way too expensive. I only plant annuals in the walk way up to the house and in pots and baskets so that I have color all summer long where visitors see the most. I still spend an average of $1000 in annual flowers a year. It cost that much to fill all that space plus my 4 porches and 14 hanging baskets.

Here is a close up of my yellow lilies.

And here is a close up of the orange lilies. These are the most prolific lilies in my garden.

A purple Campula.

The Hollyhock are just beginning to bloom. They will peak in Mid-summer and will continue blooming through late summer.

I hope you enjoyed the Early Summer Tour of My Garden. I will have more pictures in Mid-Summer to show you!

Have a great day! Amy

Doodle Pantry 'Plush Panda'

2011-07-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hello! Due to the Holiday, I had an extra day off this week so I had some time to play in my craft room 'just for fun'. I decided to play the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge. All you have to do is use a Doodle Pantry Image and link up your card to the site and you get a free "Peacock Birdie' digital image just for playing! And, there is still one winner chosen from all the participants who will receive a $15.00 Doodle Pantry Gift Coupon. Sounds like too good of deal for me to pass up? How about you?

I chose the Doodle Pantry Image and Digital Papers 'Plush Panda' for my card. I colored the image myself with Copic Markers, although he is available pre-colored too. My sketch is 'I Love Sketches'. Isn't he just the cutest thing? Just love this set!

Have a great day! Amy

Sunset Surfer

2011-07-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a new Studio 313 release to show you called 'Sunset Surfer'. It comes in both black and white or color: I chose the colorized version because I didn't think I could possibly color this image that well. My layout is by I Love Sketches, and all the paper is from DCWV 'The Summer Stack'. The sentiment is actually cut out from a sheet of that paper also. Be sure to check out the McMahon Five Designs Blog to see the rest of this week's new releases. And while your at it, check out my fellow Design Team Members Blogs as well. They are listed in my sidebar.

Have a great day! Amy

Simple Sports Cards

2011-07-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone that knows me well knows I hate sports, and anything associated with sports, however, I have a lot of men (and little men) in my life who love sports, so every now and then I have to 'suffer' and create sports cards. Here are my three sports cards:

The first one is for a little boy who loves to play soccer (what little boy doesn't?) This card actually has a bit of sparkle in real life because after I stamped it I went over everything with a black Spica pen. I bought these stamps on clearance at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. They are by 'The Paper Co. Studio'. I decorated the inside of the card too: What a quick and easy card; no coloring involved and no embellishments!

My second card uses images from Stampin Up! "Just Football' and 'Sporting' and paper from DCWV 'The Guy Stack'. The sketch is by Midnight Madness (MMSC101).

And my last card uses paper from the same DCWV stack, but the images are from The Paper Co. Studio and the sketch is from Splitcoaststampers. All the sports images in the card above and below were stamped, cut out, and mounted on dimensionals.

I hope I was able to give you some quick and easy ideas for making sports cards for those men in your life.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: 'Bling it Up!'

2011-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Bling it Up!'. Simply make a card or project that has some 'bling on it' and be sure to include at least one digital element. We have a new sponsor to our challenge, but they are not new to me since I'm on their very first design team. Our sponsor this week is Paper Fashions!

Paper Fashions gave the design team some 'Button Cards' to play with. I decided to make a Friendship card using the 'Button Card' as my base. I added a stamped image (the spool) and another stamped sentiment on the bottom of the card. The stamped images are from the TPC Studio set 'Sewing' sold at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. I stamped the spool image on Kraft paper, cut it out, wrapped pink floss around it, then popped it up on dimensionals. My 'bling' is the heart pin & beads, and all the pretty buttons. If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

God Bless America!

2011-07-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

It seems really dead in 'Blog Land', I think everyone is busy celebrating the holiday! Good for you! I have to actually work on the 4th of July, but I had Saturday and Sunday off, plus I get an extra paid 'third' day off this week, and I get time and half tomorrow, so I'm not complaining!

In honor of the holiday, I decided to use the Paper Fashions set 'July 4th set' to make my card. This set comes with many fun patriotic images and sentiments. I used a sketch from Mojo Monday, and the some star lace paper I found on clearance at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. The main image is colored with Copic Markers and popped up on dimensionals. The stars were also purchased at JoAnn's. One is a felt piece, and the other is a button.

Have a fun and safe holiday! Enjoy the fireworks tonight!

Have a great day! Amy

Hotspot Challenge 6: 'Time for a Vacation!'

2011-07-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a vacation. I've been working non-stop full time for over a year, I haven't even taken a sick day, so I'm exhausted. Plus I've just completed a killer work week; my schedule was so difficult. It was one of those 'close the store at 9:30 p.m., go home and go to sleep for 6 or 7 hours if your lucky, then get back up early in the morning and open the store' work weeks. Those are hard! Well, I can't take a vacation just yet, I requested a vacation for the first week of August. My daughter, son, and son-in-law are all coming home for a 2 week visit. We don't plan on going anywhere far. Just hanging out at home, having friends over we haven't seen for awhile, visiting friends, and maybe we'll go to a water park or pool or something. I really don't care. I'll just be so happy to rest, relax, and have my kids home again.

So, I tell you all that because when The Hotspot Challenge came up with the theme "Time for a Vacation!', I could certainly not agree more! I was more than thrilled to do this challenge. The challenge is to use the top three vacation spots in the United States as your inspiration. There are some photos of them on the top of my post. They are: Florida, California, and Las Vegas! Well to make my card, I picked Florida! I love the beach, so I used McMahon Five Designs 'The Beach Scene'. My papers are from DCWV 'The Summer Stack', and the sentiment is a DCWV Chipboard Accent. The felt flowers are from JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. The main image is colored with Copic Markers and is popped up on dimensionals.

This month if you play the challenge, you get a free digi of a really cute palm tree just for linking your card to the Challenge Blog. And, as usual, one lucky randomly chosen winner will receive $25.00 worth of FREE digis from the McMahon Five Designs Store.

Have a great day! Amy

McMahon Vintage Digitals 'Tennis Anyone?"

2011-06-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a very simple masculine card to show you. I always keep my male cards 'simple' because I know that's what men prefer. Sorry for the bad photograph. I had to take the picture very early in the morning so the light was 'very blue', and that along with a 'very blue' card, resulted in a bad photo. The image is a new release from McMahon Vintage Digitals 'Tennis Anyone?'. The sketch is by Taylored Expressions. The paper is retired Stampin Up! 'Bella Birds'. The sentiment is from Crafty Secrets. Be sure to check out the McMahon Five Designs Blog to see the rest of this week's new releases. And while your at it, check out my fellow Design Team Members Blogs as well. They are listed in my sidebar.

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge: "Flower Power"

2011-06-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is called 'Flower Power'; simply make a card or projects with lots of flowers on it and be sure to use at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is Karen's Doodles and they are giving away 3 digis to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

To make my card, I used the Karen's Doodles image Butterfly Baby Girl. Isn't she adorable? I'm wasn't familiar with Karen's images before this challenge, but after viewing her beautiful artwork, I think I've become a big fan! I just love her style! My sketch is by 'I Heart Sketches', the paper is My Mind's Eye 'Stella Rose'; which I think is becoming my favorite new paper pad of all time. The prints and colors are just gorgeous! The main image is up on dimensionals, and I put Stickles on the butterflies and flowers. The flower embellie next to the sentiment is by Martha Stewart. The quote is from Paper Fashions 'Planting Playful Words' sentiment set.

Here is a close up for you:
If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the challenge site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy

Paper Fashions 'Birds & Bees'

2011-06-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have another Paper Fashions card to show you. This one uses a bee image from the set 'Birds and Bees'. The outside and inside sentiments are from the sentiment set 'Planting Playful Words'. My layout is by Mojo Monday, and all my paper is from a Blackleaf Studio Digi Paper set called "Busy Bee Papers".

And here is the inside of the card: Isn't that the 'sweetest' sentiment you ever heard?

Have a great day! Amy

Penny Black 'Your My Favorite'

2011-06-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a Penny Black card to show you for the Penny Black Allsorts Challenge Blog. The challenge was to 'Use Your Favorite Penny Black image and make anything you want'. That sounds simple enough, eh? Well, in all honestly, I don't have a favorite Penny Black image, because I love them all. So I just chose to use this cute teddy bear image from 'Teddy & Co'. The sketch is from The Sweet Shop, and the paper is 'My Mind's Eye' by Stella Rose. I stamped the flowers twice, cut the second bouquet out, and popped them up on dimensionals. Then I added a few Stickles to the flower centers.

Have a great day! Amy

June Christmas Cards

2011-06-24T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well it's been so cold here in West Central Wisconsin that I was in the perfect mood to make Christmas Cards. Just kidding. I was not in the mood at all, I just participate in the Splitcoaststampers Christmas Card Challenge and I make four Christmas Cards a month so I don't have to make them at all during the busy holiday season. But it is cold here, it is so depressing. I think we've had three warm days since the season began. Oh, how I just long for warmer weather when I can wear nothing but cut off shorts, a tank top, and flip flops and be warm. I guess I better just move to Florida. Well, enough of weather complaints, onto my cards:

The first one uses an image from Papertrey Ink. The sketch is from Clean and Simple. Paper is Cosmo Cricket. I put Liquid Applique on the hat and would you believe I had to make the button from felt because I did not have one single large white button in my stash! I could not believe it! I must have a thousand buttons, I love buttons so I 'collect' them and have drawers and containers filled with them! White must be too boring for me, that's why I probably didn't have one. LOL! The three little dots below the sentiment are these cute sparkly, adhesive snow domes I found at a local scrap booking store. They are perfect for Christmas Cards. My second card using an image from Dustin Pike. The sketch is SSD71. The paper is Jolly by Golly also by Cosmo Cricket. I put Liquid Applique on Santa's hat too. He is also up on dimensionals.

My third card uses an image and paper from Doodle Pantry. It's a pre-colored image. I didn't dare try to color an image of Baby Jesus on my own! He needed that 'glow' to look holy. It's hard for me to create a 'glow' with my markers. The layout is from Taylored Expressions 'Blast from the Past' blog hop, the snowflake is an adhesive sparkly foam piece from JoAnn's. I used more of those adhesive snow dome things by the sentiment, and the brads have a really neat soft fuzzy texture.

My last card uses an image called 'Warm Winter Wishes' by Crissy's Digis. The sketch is by The Sweet Shop. I put Liquid Applique (are you beginning to think I really like this stuff? I do!) on all the Penguins clothes and Flower Soft on the ground. The snowflake is from JoAnn's.

Thats it! Have a great day! Amy

McMahon Vintage Digitals 'Picking the Lilac'

2011-06-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! Today I have a new McMahon Vintage Digital to show you called 'Picking the Lilac'. I 'oohed' out loud when I first saw this image. I think it is so beautiful. My sketch is an old Midnight Madness one (MMSC99), and the paper is Prima 'Annalee'. The lace butterfly is from Martha Stewart. The main image is colored with Copics and mounted up on dimensionals. I made the 'fan' using a rosette die from MFT. Be sure to check out the McMahon Five Designs Blog to see the rest of this week's new releases, and while your at it, check out my fellow Design Team Members Blogs as well; they are listed in my sidebar.

Have a great day! Amy

Another Mojo Sketch

2011-06-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

I really liked the Mojo Monday Sketch a few weeks ago so much, that I decided to make another card. Here was the first card I made with this sketch. Pictured below is my second card. I used a Bentley Bear image from the free 'With Love' set that I got when I purchased a paper crafting magazine. I love it when a magazine gives me something free. Magazines in general are so expensive, but if I get a free stamp set with it, it makes the cost worth it. The paper is Bo Bunny 'Crazy Love'. Here's a close up of this cute image for you:

Have a great day! Amy

Digital Tuesday Challenge 'Ice Cream Combos'

2011-06-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to another Digital Tuesday Challenge. This week's challenge is 'Ice Cream Combos'; simply make a card or project that uses the colors of your favorite ice cream combinations along with at least one digital element. Our sponsor this week is MyGrafico and they are giving away 1 digi set and 20% off an in-store purchase to one lucky randomly chosen winner.

Well my favorite ice cream in the world is Chocolate Almond Fudge, and I really don't like it combined with anything else, but since that was the challenge, I added pink and red to my card because I love vanilla ice cream with either Strawberries or Raspberries on it. To make my card I used a Heather Ellis digital image and I created my own sentiment. The sketch is an old MFT one (MFTWSC13), the paper is Bo Bunny 'Crazy Love'.

If you'd like to play along with us this week, simply click on the Digital Tuesday Challenge Blinkie in my sidebar and it will take you directly to the Challenge Site with further instructions.

Have a great day! Amy