ABC DESIGN BLOG

Where to get information...

2012-09-10T17:47:00.001-05:00

If you need information on when I am starting to list on ebay go to... http://abctoysandcrafts.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Cards

2012-07-22T19:00:00.001-05:00

I always have a hard time creating cards for the teens and men in my life. I really would rather work with flowers and ribbons, but now and again I create a male card to use for a birthday.

Here are 2 cards I have created for my son and my nephew for their Birthday's.

My Nephew Jacob just turned 18 and got his Licence so I created this card with a cool Beetle car. I used it from the Hero Arts set Going Cars automobiles CL478, lined paper from Authentique 6x6 Paper Pad Bundle Collection Gathering, and Cuttlebug Embossing Folder A2 Forest Branches 371612

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This next card was a great one for my son who just turned 12. He likes to ride his bike so I created a card using a banana seat bike and It's your Special Day. The paper is from Authentique 6x6 Paper Pad Bundle Collection Celebrate and I used Martha Stewart Crafts Baker's Twine Red.

Well We are 1/2 way through the summer...We are looking for 2-3 new Digital Designers...if you are interested in designing of us click here for more information.

Thanks For stopping By!

ABC Digital Design Team Search

2012-07-09T09:54:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!

Today I am on the search for designers that like to work with digital images. We are starting a new line of digital images exclusively sold at ABC Toys and Crafts and want to get the word out about them. ANYONE can apply, international designers welcome!

ABC Digital Design Team Search

This will be a 3 month commitment. September 4th – December 2, 2012.

ABC Toys and Crafts is looking for a Paper Craft Designer that likes to create with digital images and work independently to create beautiful projects with the Digital Image we sell in the store. You must have an active Blog and be familiar with how a design team works. If you use any of the tools and accessories that are carried in the store that is a plus. If you have some knowledge in blogging and posting on blogs, you may be the person we are looking for.

What you need to know:

What is expected of you as a design Team member?

All members will have free range to create a project with the Digital images of the month and also are encouraged to use any of the images already in the store. Each project must have been created with a digital image from ABC Toys and Crafts Store. Creating with items that are currently being sold in the store is encouraged. The main focus of your project should be the Digital Image.

Each member is assigned a day to post their project once a week and you also must post on your personal Blog. You must include a recipe with links to the products sold in the store.

You must do at least 1 project a week with an image from the store as your main focus.

You may participate in the Month Design Challenge, all projects are submitted to me and I post all the challenges that week on the same post.

You must help promote the DT & Challenge Blog on your personal blog and get people interested in participating in the Challenges going on. You have to display a Blinkie link to the store, an “I design for” Blinkie with a link to the DT Blog and a Challenge Blinkie to the Challenge blog.

ABC Toys and Crafts is open to suggestions and you are welcome to think out of the box, by doing videos, step by Steps, etc. (But not required)

You must join the ABC Design Group on yahoo groups; this is how we communicate with each other.

We also expect team members to comment on others projects and challenge participants’ blogs to boost excitement about their submissions.

Most of all we want you to have FUN!!!

What are some of the benefits?

You will receive 15% discount on the already 10% off prices. Plus if any item is on sale you will also receive your 15% off of that sale price at the time of the sale.

Monthly you will receive all the new Digital images released at no charge and any of the Digital images already in the store as long as you post with them on you blog post or challenge.

You will form Friendships and have Fun with all the Designers on the team.

Who can apply?

Anyone, I will be opening this up to international designers as well.

How to apply:

If you are interested, send me a resume of past design teams you have been on (if any), a link to the Blog you will be posting on and anything you think might help me decide that you are the one we must hire.

Email to: abctoysandcrafts@comcast.net Attn: Digital DT Search

I will be picking the new designers about mid-August.

Thanks, Julie

July/August Challenge Starts Now!

2012-07-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a Sneak Peek

Happy 4th of July!

2012-06-29T23:43:00.000-05:00

I know, it is not quite the 4th of July yet but I have a couple cute and patriotic cards to share with you.

As some of you may know, ABC Toys and Crafts is carrying Digital Image Downloads that where either created by me or my Sister-in-law Amy. I think Amy is a great artist in her own right and I am so glad she has agreed to create some images to sell in the store. In the next couple of weeks I will be posting cards and projects with images that she has created, but right now I am showing off a couple of designs I have created for the 4th of July.

This Card was created by Heidi, a current designer at ABC Toys and Crafts, and I am so grateful that she is coming back for the fall term.

In this card Heidi used the 4th of July Hat from the digital image line.

In this Card Heidi used the Basic Fire Cracker and the Happy 4th of July Digital Image for this card. Also used from the store Spellbinders Label 4.

Digital image Downloads are very simple to use and are a great way to collect a lot of cool and fun images on your computer to print out.

Here is how it works:

You buy the image (most images are $2.00 - $3.00 each) There is no shipping charges because you download the image right to your computer. (I created a Digital Stamping Folder to keep my images in one place)

After you download the image

go to your wordprocessing program (I use word, but if you don't have one there are plenty of free ones on the internet to download) and open the image in it.

Now you can resize to the desired size.

make as many copies of the same image on the same page and adjust the sizing as needed for each copy.

You can also flip the image if you want too.

Once you have your image the way you want it, you will print the image on your cardstock you would normally stamp your images on.

I usually try to put as much images on a piece of paper as possible with spacing to get the most use out of the sheet of cardstock.

I am really looking forward to sharing more digital images with you!

Happy 4th of July!

It's graduation time...

2012-06-12T20:37:00.001-05:00

Hi there...Lynda here to share with you a few fun projects I made featuring the wonderful graduation themed digital images available in the ABC store.

This card features the digital image "The future belongs" created by Julie.

This tag features the digital image Graduating Owl by Amy.

The pattern paper for both projects is from the Elegant and Shabby School collection by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for My Graphico

Be sure to check out all the fantastic digital downloads in the store here

Oh yeah...and there's a sale going on too...20% off all inks and 25% off wood stamps until June 23rd.

happy crafting...Lynda

Father's Day is just around the corner...

2012-06-07T10:56:00.000-05:00

That's right...Father's day is June 17th this year and I thought I would share a couple cards that I have created for my Father and Father-in-law.

This First card is for my father, He loves the old vintage cars.

My Father-in-Law loves to ride his Motor Cycle, so I thought what a perfect stamp to use on his Father's Day card.

Items Used:

HERO ARTS Clear Stamps Going Cars automobiles CL478

Authentique 6x6 Paper Pad Bundle Collection Celebrate

Authentique 6x6 Paper Pad Bundle Collection Gathering

Martha Stewart Crafts Baker's Twine Brown, Green & Red

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder A2 Stars 37-1911

Bazzill Paper 8.50x11" Cardstock Ebony Classic Texture

Until Next Time!

2012-06-03T01:00:00.000-05:00

JUNE Challenge Starts Now.

Here is a Sneak Peek

And the winner is...

2012-06-01T03:00:00.000-05:00

The winner for this challenge was randomly picked.

The winning number is 5

Congratulations to:

Jacilynn

What a Great entry!

Jacilynn displayed the Challenge blinkie on her Blog, that gives her an extra $5.00 to spend at ABC Toys and Crafts!! Jacilynn's total Shopping Spree is $25.00!!!

Congratulations!!!

I will be contacting you shortly to let you know how to claim your prize.

Even though the Design team is away for the summer I will be having another Challenge starting June 3rd, 2012. So come back and play.

Another Grad Card with Digial images...

2012-05-31T12:09:00.000-05:00

Here is another Card that I created using the Digital images found at ABC Toys and Crafts. These images and saying I personally created.

This card was created on white card stock and has a black background. I just love this Scrapbook paper that I had left over from a Creative Memories pack that I had purchased last year, Achieve, Believe, Success! Isn't that what we want out of our Class of 2012!

The Diploma and Cap were created by me. Very basic yet effective. I used a snap in the center of the hat to give the card a little dimension.

The inside of the card was very simple. I used "The Future Belongs" digital image for the store. I matted on Black Paper and Stamps a Congratulations Stamp underneath the saying.

Hope this gives you some inspiration on doing your Grad cards.

Design Team on Summer Break...

2012-05-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Now that the Design Team is on hiatus, does not mean there is not going to be new post of ideas posted every week.

That's right, Me and some of my friend will be showing our talent throughout the summer.

I am starting off with a card I created with the NEW DIGI's that are in the store right now. I have a Designer friend that agreed to create some images for the store...so these Digis are exclusive to ABC Toys and Crafts.

So I am starting off the Summer with this Digi image that is perfect for a graduation card.

This Graduating Owl could not be any cuter!

Amy Talbot created this owl and it turned out adorable.

Digital images used are Graduating Owl and Class of 2012.

The inner image is also digital and is called The Future Belongs.

Also used to create this card:

Martha Stewart Punch around the page set Rings, Black and White paper by Bazzill, and Spellbinders Label 3

Well I hope you enjoy the summer and thanks for stopping by!

Where Does The Time Go?

2012-05-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

I know my husband will be asking that question as he celebrates another birthday this week. Today I have his card to share with you. But now I am asking myself where the time goes as I am thinking about the fact that it's time for me to share my last card with you before our DT Summer break! Seriously.... where does the time go???

I know this kind of looks like a kid's card, lol, but I just couldn't wait for a child's birthday to use this adorable stamp ;-) It's from the Inkadinkado set Kid Quotes "Friendly Advice" which has some of the cutest sentiments- all quotes kids have actually said. This one was from Shane O'Donnell, age 4. The kids' names are also on the stamps, but I chose to leave it off this time as it fit better on the Spellbinder's classic and scalloped oval dies that I used. Some of the other adorable quotes are : "You make me smile all over my face" -Ian Hobson, age 5 and "All you need in life is a friend who has chocolate" -Sophie Diehl, age 11 and how about this one: "Getting married means sharing your toys" -child at wedding. How cute is that?!

Anyway, I think my husband will get a kick out of the card. I made sure to use his favorite color, blue. The paper is from the Authentique 6x6 bundle collection "Genuine". The background pattern looks like denim; it's really cool. I embossed it using the Cuttlebug Perfectly Paisley embossing folder and sponged some navy blue ink over it. The balloons are punched out using more paper from the same paper stack. I just added some twine to them and found an old button from my stash.

Before we take our Summer break, I hope you will enter our May Challenge! After that, I wish you a wonderful Summer filled with many blessings~
Sarah

Little Birdie...

2012-05-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

Today's my last official post and I would like to Thank Julie for giving me the opportunity to design for ABC Toys and Crafts for the last two terms!! I have LOVED every minute!! I would also like to say goodbye to my teammates Heidi, Lynda, & Sarah...I've had so much FUN getting to know you and being INSPIRED by your fabulous creations!!

For today's card features the Hugs and Kisses Birds set by Hero Arts. I love that this set can be used for more than just Valentine inspired projects. The card base was created with the Sizzix Bigz Circle Scallop die. I then used Classic Circle Nestabilities to create all the layers. The little birdie is paper pieced.

Recipe:

Paper: Whisper White Card Stock (SU!), Pure Poppy Card Stock (PTI), Thrift Shop Papers (October Afternoon); Stamps: Hugs and Kisses Birds (Hero Arts), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics; Sizzix: Bigz Circle Scallop Die; Nestabilities: Classic Circle (Spellbinders); Punches: Pinking Scallop Border (Martha Stewart); Other: Paper Piercer, Pearls, Foam Tape

Sale Ends May 26

Play along with our current challenge...
Create a Graduation or Wedding card!!

Happy Stamping!!

hello friend

2012-05-22T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hello...Lynda here to share with you another fun card I made using one of the wonderful clear stamp sets from Hero Arts that you can find in the store. For my card I first stamped my image onto white cardstock using Memento Black Tuxedo Ink. I then used Copic markers to color in my image. I then trimmed close to it and then stacked some scraps of pink cardstock onto yellow cardstock. I used the Swiss dots embossing folder to create the pattern on my card base; love that you can send your entire card through the machine with the folder to get this look!

Be sure to check out the amazing sale Julie has going on right now....

also don't forget there is still a little time to get in on our challenge this month:

The designers get the summer off here at ABC...so I'll be back in the fall on a regular basis to share more projects with you...I wish you a wonderful summer full of fun an memories!!

Happy crafting...Lynda

Out with a BANG!

2012-05-21T03:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to another Monday! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Today I am excited and saddened because this will be my last post until the fall- we will be taking a "summer break!". LOL- I wish my real life job would give us a summer break too. :) I thought I would end with a bang, a firework for the summer. Here is wishing you all a wonderful and safe summer and hoping to see you back in the fall!

Now don't forget to enter our May Challenge for a chance to win some prizes.

Recipe: Inkadinkado, Momento Tuxedo, Copics, Stickles, Authentique, MS punch

Best Friends

2012-05-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

I am often reminded of just how blessed I am to have so many wonderful friends in my life. But there are friends, and then there are those really, really good friends that are among our best friends! Today I have a card to share with you that I made to send to one of those special people.

I love the patterned paper I used. It's from the Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Pastel collection. It is absolutely my favorite paper right now. This paper pad has really become my "go-to" paper; I just can't seem to stop using it, lol. To add a little more interest, I embossed it with the 5x7 Cuttlebug Kassie's Brocade embossing folder. I love that this folder is a 5x7 size! And even though I turned it sideways, the pattern worked fine anyway. The design is super pretty- it's a great embossing folder!

The cute sentiment is from the Hero Arts "Good Friends" clear stamp set. I used one of the awesome tag dies from Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two die set to stamp it on. With pearls, and a few vintage buttons I got from my stash, and some vintage lace trim, my card was soon finished and ready to send to a special friend.

You've got a couple more days to catch the Hero arts and Spellbinders sale- it ends May 19th so hurry on over to the store and stock up! And don't forget about our fun graduation and wedding challenge going on over at the challenge blog, too!

Wishing you blessings~

Sarah

Happy Birthday Cupcake

2012-05-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

Today's card features Hero Arts Clear Design Cupcake Set!! The card base was created with the Lacey Square Nestabilities die. I love being able to use my nesties for more than just layering images. I also used the Perfectly Paisley Embossing Folder to add some texture.

Recipe:

Paper: Brown Bazzill, Pink Pirouette Card Stock (SU!), Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Card Stock; Stamps: Clear Design Cupcake Set (Hero Arts); Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics; Nestabilities: Lacey Square (Spellbinders), Classic Circle (Spellbinders), Classic Scallop Circle (Spellbinders); Embossing Folder: Perfectly Paisley (Cuttlebug); Other: Paper Piercer, Rub-on, Rhinestone, Glitter, Foam Tape

Sale ends 5/19/12

Come join the NEWEST challenge...
Create a Graduation or Wedding card!!

Happy Stamping!!

It's okay to make a scene...

2012-05-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday everyone...Lynda here to show you a fun idea that I like to do. There are times when I look at a stamp set and think that I would like to create an entire scene using the set...so I do. I paint a lot, so I look at my stamps as more than just individual images at times...

For this project I started with this great stamp set from Hero Arts titled Right at Home:

I first stamped the house in the center of my cardstock strip using Memento ink...then added a fence to either side...then another house and repeated the pattern till my paper was full and I had a cute neighborhood. I then stamped clouds along the top...I created a mask using a scrap piece of paper so I could place some of the clouds behind others for some depth to my project:

I then began to add some color to my street scene...using my Copic markers to color in each house, add some shading to the clouds and fences:

I then used some watercolors to add grass and some blue sky to my scene:

I then cut my scene into three pieces, stamped a sentiment onto each one, and added each part to a coordinating card base.

Here is each card individually...as you can see you can create some fun unique card set easily in one sitting:

Be sure to check out all the other amazing Hero Arts images that can be found in the store.

and don't forget our challenge this month is Wedding or Graduation project...

Happy crafting...Lynda

Special Days Ahead!!!

2012-05-14T03:00:00.000-05:00

Here we are- another Monday!!!

We are working our way down to our final weeks here at ABC Toys & Crafts. I thought I would try to get in a few fun items on this weeks card to showcase some of the goodies Julie has over at the store.

This week I am showcasing a Hero Arts set (Friendly Flags) and a couple of the spellbinders, Circle, Inverted Scallop, and Label 4. The paper pack is Authentique Genuine. The star and the flag are cut out of chipboard to make them pop off the page.

Now don't forget the Challenge of Wedding and Graduation going on over at the challenge site either. You could be our lucky winner this month!

SALES

15% off Hero Art

20% Off Spellbinder (till 5/19)

Victorian Friendship Card

2012-05-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello again and happy Thursday! Today I have a friendship card to share with you that has a Victorian feel to it. I love the patterned paper I used as it reminds me of vintage wallpaper. And paired with the beautiful die cut frame, I think it looks kind of like an antique silhouette hanging in a parlor in a beautiful old Victorian mansion ;-)

The paper is from the Crafty Secrets "Classics" collection paper pack. I have used it on so many things and never ever tire of it. It's so beautiful! And that awesome frame is from the Spellbinders Floral Ovals die set. Gorgeous, isn't it? I love all the detail and by adding some tiny pearls it looks so elegant. These and all Spellbinders dies are 20% off now through May 19th in the store! And don't forget that Hero Arts stamps are 15% off- and all the clear sets ship free!

And don't forget about our Graduation/ Wedding Challenge over on the challenge blog! I can't wait to see what you all create!

Blessings,
~Sarah

Engraved Flower

2012-05-09T01:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

Today's card is a Clean & Simple birthday card featuring the Engraved Flower by Hero Arts!! It's part of their Cling Stamp Line. To create the background I stamped the image in gray and then stamped the sentiment in black. The main flower layer was also done this way and then I used the Classic Square Nestabilities to cut it out. The sentiment is from Penny Black's Sweet Wishes set.

Recipe:

Paper: Whisper White Cardstock (SU!), Black Bazzill; Stamps: Engraved Flower (Hero Arts), Sweet Wishes (Penny Black); Ink: Going Grey (SU!), Memento Tuxedo Black; Nestabilities: Classic Square (Spellbinders); Other: Twill, Foam Tape

Sale ends 5/19/12

Come join the NEWEST challenge...
Create a Graduation or Wedding card!!

Happy Stamping!!

Let's Play!!

2012-05-08T01:00:00.000-05:00

Almost two years ago we added a puppy to our family....her name is Bayley and she is just such a sweet funny girl. I knew immediately when I saw this stamp set from Hero Arts titled I Love my DOG that I would use this set over and over again...

So....this week I am sharing with you a Bayley inspired card... she LOVES to play ball...so this card is dedicated to her:

Bayley LOVES to play ball...so for my card I decided to stamp the puppy feet around the edge of the card to create a border. I then stamped the sentiment and dog image onto white cardstock. I used Tuxedo Black Memento ink for all my stamping. I colored the dog image using my COPIC markers. I thought it would be fun to put a ball on my card...so to give it some depth I used a red hole punch and punched about 8 red circles. I then stacked them all on top of one another and then added my "ball" to the card.

You can find the stamp set I used and a ton more Hero Arts sets in the store...and you can find them on sale right now for 15% off!!! Sale thru 5/19/12!!!

Our challenge this month is to create a Graduation or Wedding card....so be sure to link up a creation to our Challenge blog!!

Happy crafting....Lynda

Thank a Teacher!

2012-05-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday Everyone! Glad that you came back to visit us! If you are not already aware, we have a fun challenge going on over at the challenge site to make Wedding or Graduation cards. I do hope you will join us this month by clicking on the link below!

Today's card is showcasing Hero Arts Write Your Own and the beautiful Authentique paper pack Loyal. The little apple was cut with Cricut Cartridge. I love that you can add any sentiment to this stamp and I thought this card would be a great end of school year card for a teacher!

That is all for me today- come join us for the May challenge, since you are already working on those wedding and graduation cards, why not enter to win!

Julie has 15% off Hero Arts Clear Stamps!

Graduation or Wedding Challenge...

2012-05-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone!

It is Time to Change things up a bit. I have decided that for this month's Challenge I am going to use random.org to choose the winner. The reason for the change is simple. because we are having "2" themes in the challenge this month...that is right...I figured I would give you a choice this month to pick from, and it would be totally hard to pick a winner based on these 2 themes. So without further Ado...

This month's challenge is:
"Graduation" or "Wedding"
CARD

That is right, you may pick one or the other...if you are feeling creative make one of each.
Please note these must be cards.

Here are some Rules

You can enter our challenge as many times as you like. Your Blog entry must be dated in the month of May to qualify. You will have 3 weeks to enter.
You must enter the challenge using the inLinkz above. Make sure you link back to the challenge as well.
This challenge ends on Saturday, May 26th, 2012, at Midnight CST.
The Winner will be announced on Friday, June 1st, 2012
The winner will receive $20.00 Store Credit at www.abctoysandcrafts.net
Earn an extra $5.00 by simply DISPLAYING our CHALLENGE BLINKIE (you will find the HTML code for our Blinkie on the side bar on the challenge blog. Must link back to challenge to qualify.) that's a total of $25.00
Our challenge is JUDGED by the ABC Design Team and myself, This month I am drawing the winner, but still be Creative and show your BEST WORK.

As always I had the ABC DT create ideas for each theme, here's the Design Teams interpretations.

"Graduation"

Created By Lynda

Lynda used Penny Black Rubber Stamps Mimi & Friend to create this card.

Created By Sheri

The "Hooray!" is from the Penny Black Clear Stamps Sweet Wishes

"WEDDING"

Created By Sarah

Sarah used Spellbinders Nestabilities Die Cuts Labels 6

Created By Heidi

Heidi used Martha Stewart Edge Punch Double Scallop

Some sales going on right now!

May Flowers

2012-05-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Well I hope it's true that all those April showers we had will indeed bring May flowers. I am so ready for lots of sunshine and blossoms! So today I am sharing a floral card I created using the wonderful Penny Black clear stamp set "Illumination Flowers".

I started out with a plain white card stock base and ever so lightly dry embossed it with a faint pattern. Then I added a doily. Over that I put some die cut leaves and then used my Spellbinders classic and scalloped ovals dies for my image. Instead of stamping in ink, I decided to color the flower and butterfly stamps with markers. I love the water colored effect that gives. A few little pearls were added as an accent. More Spellbinders dies were used for the sentiment stamp (also from this beautiful set) and my new favorite flowers- Prima's Caboodles- adorn the corners. And, as I so often do, I used lots of EK Success 3 D dots for "pop"! :-)

I'm wishing you a very happy month of May filled with sunshine, flowers and blessings~
Sarah