Oodabug Alley

Gratitude

2012-01-27T10:41:00.000-05:00

It's no secret that I LOVE clean and simple cards. They are, by far, my favorite type of card, so when I see an embossing folder/background stamp coordinating duo like this, I just HAVE to have it! :) This is the Stripes and Frame Stamp & Emboss set from Sizzix for Hero Arts. How simple is this card? All I did was stamp the background (stripes) and line it up in the coordinating embossing folder and it gives it all this wonderful texture! It even makes it look like the sentiment is a layered panel! The sentiment is from the Spiral Bouquet set from Papertrey Ink. This card took all of 10 minutes to make. . .and that's only because I couldn't decide on a ribbon treatment. Now that the card design is decided, I could mass produce this card in no time!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great weekend!

Frosty Fun

2012-01-26T06:43:00.003-05:00

We've been having some wonderful weather here in Pittsburgh. It's been cold and we've had the random snow/ice storm, but the snow and ice quickly melted away with the change in temperature. Don't get me wrong. . .it's still cold, but it's more bearable than what Pittsburgh winter weather is usually like. . .at least for me! :)

Today I have a card that uses the Moka Kristie from Taylored Expressions. I used papers from the Snow Day Collection from Crate Paper. I colored Kristie with Copic markers and then added some Stardust Stickles over top to give her a nice sparkle. I diecut the image using the Take Note Die 3 and then matted that on a piece that was die cut using the Frame It Up 1 die. I used the Lots of Dots Impression Plate on the background and the Winter Wonderland Snowflakes Die Set for the snowflakes on the card.

There's a SALE going on at Taylored Expressions right now!!

What: CHA Clearance Sale
When: Now through Wednesday, February 1st
Where: Taylored Expressions What's the Deal Department
Details: Use coupon code CHASALE2012 for an extra 10% discount on all of the already discounted merchandise in the What's the Deal department. Get over 50% off some of your favorite products!
Once these products are gone they will not be re-stocked so shop early for the best selection.
Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you're enjoying your day!

Mojo Monday In Your Midst

2012-01-24T10:24:00.003-05:00

This week's Mojo Monday Sketch is a bit different for me. I had to really think about the blocked panels. I decided a mix of patterned papers and some 3 dimensional butterflies would work. I started with the Zephaniah 3:17 Plain Jane for the sentiment. I stamped it in Scarlet Jewel on some patterned paper from the Paper Heart Collection from Crate Paper. The blocks of patterned paper are from the same collection.

I used the All Aflutter Plain Jane for the large butterfly and the Twitterpated set for the small butterfly. Both were die cut with the All Aflutter Die Set. Both butterflies were stamped in Frost White craft ink and embossed in white. I added some stitching to the card as well as some heart buttons with twine and some ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you're having a great day!

VLV I Dig You

2012-01-20T13:41:00.004-05:00

It's Friday, and that means a new Viva la Verve Sketch! This week's sketch is brought to us by the fabulous Teresa. I used the Twitterpated set from Verve for my card. The papers are from the Love Struck Collection by We R Memory Keepers. I die cut the heart using the Jotted Heart Die and then embossed it using the Candy Cane Stripe Cuttlebug folder.

The image was stamped in Tuxedo Black and then colored with Copic markers. I added a few pearls to the image with some adhesive pearls from Want2Scrap as well as some pearls made with the Viva Magenta Pearl Pen.

As a finishing touch, I stitched all around the card. Come play along with the Viva la Verve Challenge! There's always a prize involved!! Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Love Lives Here

2012-01-19T09:50:00.005-05:00

Today I have a card that focuses more on embossing than on stamping. I used the Jumbo Heart Border Die from Taylored Expressions and embossed it across the kraft panel. I then took some patterned paper from the Valentine Project Pantry Kit and die cut the top of it with the same die so that the paper would nest perfectly along the embossed border. I also used one of the dies in the Hearts a Plenty Die set and embossed it on the upper part of the card. I then die cut that same die using patterned paper and cardstock from the Valentine Project Pantry and "paper pieced" it on the embossed image. Because it was already embossed into the cardstock, the die cut piece nestle down in so it looks like it's pressed into the cardstock rather than sitting on top. It looks pretty neat in person. :)

As finishing touches I added some ribbon and used a white gel pen for some faux stitching and to fill in the dots in the border. The sentiment is from the Love Shack set.

There's a new Calendar Challenge going on at Taylored Expressions! It's a great way to create a calendar for yourself or someone else AND have a chance to win a prize package! Click on the link for all of the details! Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day!

Sending Warm Fuzzies

2012-01-17T13:40:00.002-05:00

I am currently taking the Clean & Simple Card Making Class and am REALLY enjoying learning how to make the most of clean and simple cards. My favorite kind of cards to make are clean and simple cards, but sometimes I feel like they look too simple or "boring". . .especially when I see so many gorgeous cards that have lots of layers and lots of embellishments. I love those cards, but my brain works better with the clean and simple! LOL

For this card, I punched the tree using an EK Success punch and mounted some patterned paper on the inside of the card with foam adhesive. I white embossed the Hero Arts sentiment onto dark brown cardstock and adhered it across the bottom of the card. The finishing touches were score lines on the left side and top of the card, and some irridescent bling scattered around the tree.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you're having a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Everyday Sayings (Hero Arts); Ink- Frost White (Colorbox); Paper- Choice Snow White (Taylored Expressions), Holly Jolly Christmas Collection (Echo Park), Dark Chocolate (PTI); Accessories- bling (Hero Arts), white embossing poweder, tree punch (EK Success); Finished card measures 5.5"x 4.25"

Verve After Party Blog Hop

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our January 2012 After Party Hop! Last night we released 3 new stamp sets, 4 Plain Janes and 4 dies! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store! Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take a stroll through the Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Today's card uses the butterfly in the Twitterpated set along with the smaller butterfly die in the All AFlutter Die Set. I stamped the butterflies in gray and then stamped over it again in a pale pink. It gives them a really neat look. Then I added Stardust Stickles on top of all of them. I added a scored border around the card with my Scor-Pal.

*January 14, 2012*

1. Amy	8. Tosha
2. Maureen	9. Laurie
3. Sankari	10. Julee
4. Andrea	11. Janelle
5. Teresa	12. Betty
6. Amber	13. Shannan
7. Charmaine	14. Jackie

Thanks for stopping by all this week! I hope you've enjoyed the peeks! All of these products are now available, so HAPPY SHOPPING!

Verve New Release Spotlight Hop - Day 3

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day 3 of Verve's New Release Spotlight! Today we have another new set, a Plain Jane and 2 die sets to show you! My project features all of them. I used the sentiment and frame from the Twitterpated set for the focal point of my card. I die cut the patterned paper with the Hearts & Swirls Die and then stamped the coordinating frame and sentiment.

I die cut and stamped the butterfly using the All Aflutter Plain Jane and All AFlutter Die set. I also added some Stardust Stickles to the butterfly for some sparkle. The paper is from the Love Me Collection from My Mind's Eye. I added some pearls and ribbon to finish off the card.

Remember, one lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Don't forget that tonight is the Release Party! We hope you'll join us at 9pm Eastern for lots of fun!

*January 13, 2012*

1. Amber	7. Amy
2. Teresa	8. Laurie
3. Charmaine	9. Maureen
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Tosha	11. Sankari
6. Janelle

Taylored Expressions Calendar Challenge - January

2012-01-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

It's a new year, so we're starting off with a NEW challenge at Taylored Expressions! Please play along in the Taylored Expressions Calendar Challenge! What better way to create a calendar for the year. . .or even one to use as a gift for the next year! TE Calendar products are required to play, but TE stamps are NOT required. You can read all of the details on Taylor's blog. What's exciting is everyone who plays in 10 or more of these monthly calendar challenges in 2012, will be entered in a random draw for a TE prize pack valued at over $150!!! The KEYWORD for posting to SCS or other online galleries is TECALCHAL.

For this month, I used the New Beginnings set to create my January calendar page. The calendar products I used are the Desktop Acrylic Base and the Mini Tear-Off Calendar. I stamped the roses from the set in white craft ink and embossed them with white embossing powder. Then I used Fired Brick and Spiced Marmalade Distress inks and rubbed it all over the roses. I cut the roses out and then sprayed them with a Maya mist and mounted them on the page with foam adhesive.

The sentiment was stamped in white craft ink and embossed in white on black cardstock. I die cut that piece using the Take Note Die 2. I used the Heart Border Die as well as the Rosy Posey Dies to embellish the page.

See what the rest of the Baker's Dozen has created for today's challenge! I hope you'll play along!

Sankari
Melissa
Wanda
Jodi
Melody
Taylor

Verve New Release Spotlight Hop - Day 2

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back for Day 2 of Verve's New Release Spotlights! Today we are spotlighting 1 new set and coordinating die and a Plain Jane! My project today features the Wings of Love set along with the Wavy Hearts Die Set.

I just LOVE the heart with wings image. I also love this particular sentiment paired with it. :) I used papers from the Paper Heart Collection from Crate Paper. I die cut and then stamped the heart and mounted it with foam adhesive over a stamped heart with wings. The wings are covered in Stardust Stickles so they're nice and sparkly. The background was embossed with a heart embossing folder from Darice.

*January 12, 2012*

1. Janelle	7. Teresa
2. Julee	8. Andrea
3. Laurie	9. Sankari
4. Tosha	10. Maureen
5. Charmaine	11. Amy
6. Amber

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again tomorrow!

Verve New Release Spotlight Hop - Day 1

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our January 2012 Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

Today we're spotlighting 1 new set and coordinating die set as well as two Plain Janes! The project I have for you uses the Lucky You set along with the coordinating Shamrock Die Set. I went pretty plain and simple for my card, adding sparkle. I lined the embossed piece of cardstock with gold glitter glue to match the glitter on the shamrocks. I just love this set because I don't have anything like it in my collection! :)

To see more of today's spotlight's, visit the rest of the Divas! Hope to see you again tomorrow for more!

*January 11, 2012*

1. Amy	7. Charmaine
2. Maureen	8. Tosha
3. Sankari	9. Laurie
4. Andrea	10. Julee
5. Teresa	11. Janelle
6. Amber

Crazy About You

2012-01-09T06:22:00.002-05:00

The Viva la Verve Challenges are back! I don't know about you, but I sure did miss them! For the latest sketch, by Amber, I used a set that I just LOVE but haven't used in a while. . .Love Monkey. I just love this adorable little monkey. He makes me smile. :)

I colored the monkey with Copics and then cut him out. The papers are from the Lovestruck Collection from We R Memory Keepers and the Christmas Wishes Collection from Bella Blvd. I used an embossing folder from Darice on the background. The sentiment is embossed in white.

Come play along in the Viva la Verve Challenge! You could win some Verve!! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Love Monkey (Verve Stamps); Ink- Walnut Stain Distress Ink (Ranger), Frost White Craft Ink (Colorbox); Paper- Lovestruck Collection (We R Memory Keepers), Christmas Wishes Collection (Bella Blvd.), Sweet Blush (PTI); Accessories- Plain Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), embossing folder (Darice), Copic markers; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Taylored Expressions RELEASE DAY!!

2012-01-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

You can now purchase all of the new products the Baker's Dozen has been featuring these past few days! I have one more project for you today. It uses the adorable Love Monsters set! I also used the Love Struck Paper Pad by We R Memory Keepers on this card.

I stamped the cute little monster, colored him with Copic markers and cut him out. I added those "polka dots" on him with a Copic colorless blender. I die cut two doilies using the Layering Doily Die - Large and the Layering Doily Die - Medium. I also used the Medium Scallop Border Die on the top of the card. The hearts were created using the Hearts a Plenty Dies.

For more eye candy using the new products, please visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen! We hope you've enjoyed the sneak peeks this week and HAPPY SHOPPING!

TE Release Day!

All of the new products are now available for purchase! Check out the Fresh Out of the Oven Department to see everything in one place!
More projects from the Baker's Dozen to inspire you. Just follow the link list below.
Did you win one of the Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaways? Find the list of winners on Taylor's Blog.
Buy one Animals in Love A la Carte and get one free/Select calendar products 50% off/Layered Doily Dies Special - get all the details on our January Release Specials by clicking here.

Jami Sibley

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks - Day 3

2012-01-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day 3 of sneak peeks at Taylored Expressions! Today we have peeks of 2 new full size sets plus 3 new A la Carte stamps!

The first set I'm featuring is called Love Monsters. Love Monsters was designed and illustrated by Emily Burger for the Embracing Grace line. It is a full size set including 19 images/sentiments and is absolutely ADORABLE!! For my project, I used Love Monsters along with papers from the Love Struck Collection from We R Memory Keepers. I used the Heart Favor Box Die to create the box and the Layering Doilys Die - Small for the sentiment tab.

I colored the adorable little monster using Copic markers. The hearts on the top of the box and on the sentiment panel were created with the Hearts a Plenty Dies. The little box is filled with red Skittles, perfect for a Valentine treat!

My second project today uses the Turtles A la Carte from the Animals in Love Collection. There are 3 new animals that are being added to this collection during this release! Visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen to see what they are! :)

For my card, I used papers from the Love Struck Collection from We R Memory Keepers again. I colored the turtles with Copic markers and used the Hearts a Plenty Dies for the hearts above the turtles. I added some pearl dots with the Magenta Pearl Pen. I just LOVE these pearl pens for adding that little something extra!

For more sneak peeks, please visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen!

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek - Day 2

2012-01-03T11:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to Day 2 of sneak peeks! Today we have peeks of 3 new stamp sets - 1 Mini and 2 Petite! The set I'm featuring today is the new petite, Moka Cherie. Moka Cherie is the newest in the Moka Collection, designed and illustrated by Nancy McKinney. It contains 6 images/sentiments in a "cute" pink rubber. Moka Cherie has an optional beret to add a French twist!

As you may remember from last month, Taylored Expressions now has Petite Storage Cases available that fit 6 of these 3" x 5"petite sets! Another exciting thing that will be available during this release is a free download available on Thursday - The Hair Skin Coloring Chart created by Jen. This is an awesome tool for those of you who like to color your Mokas with Copics! I used the Valentine Key Ingredients for my card, Copics and an Ice White Pearl Pen.

Please visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen to see the other sets being featured today!

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peeks - Day 1

2012-01-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

It's time for sneak peeks of NEW products coming to Taylored Expressions!! Today we have peeks of 2 new stamp sets, 2 new A la Carte stamps, 7 new dies and die sets, plus a brand new Project Pantry.

For my project today, I used the 1 Corinthians 13:13 A la Carte. It is a beautiful Bible verse perfect for Valentine's Day or any time during the year. It is part of the Lasting Impressions line. I used some of the new dies along with the Valentine Key Ingredients kit to create a Love Garland. I created the boxes using the new Heart Favor Box Die. I die cut all of the boxes, embellished and assembled them and then punched holes in the sides of them to string them on the ribbon. If this was a Valentine gift, you could add little gifts inside each box!

I used the new Hearts a Plenty Dies to embellish the ribbon. The sentiment panel was created using the new Layering Doilys-Large Die along with the Frame It Up 1 Die. The hearts on the sentiment panel are the cut outs from the Heart Favor Box Die as well as a smaller heart from the Hearts a Plenty Dies.

We're offering our Project Pantry Basic Recipe Kit along with additional Spice It Up Ingredients that you can pick and choose from to build the kit just the way you want it!

Valentine Basic Recipe Project Pantry Kit includes:
20 sheets of double sided patterned paper (American Crafts With Love Collection)
12 sheets of 8.5 x 11 solid cardstock
6 yards of ribbon (2 yards each of 3 different styles)

To see more of what is being released this Thursday, January 5th, please visit the rest of the Baker's Dozen and tune in tomorrow for more sneak peeks!

Danielle Lounds
Jami Sibley
Jen Shults
Jodi Collins
Karen Giron
Melissa Sauls
Melody Rupple
Regina Mangum
Sankari Wegman
Taylor VanBruggen
Tori Wild
Wanda Guess

January Release At a Glance

We have sneak peeks to share Monday through Wednesday. All of the new products will be available for purchase on Thursday, January 5th at 8 am PST. You'll find it all in the Fresh out of the Oven Department at the Taylored Expressions Store.
Join us as a fan on Facebook for an early peek at the stamp sets, as well as a SPECIAL Facebook GIVEAWAY, on Wednesday night beginning at approximately 6 pm PST.
Mystery Baker's Dozen Blog Giveaway: Each day, one lucky blog commenter will be chosen by random draw to win a $10 TE Gift Certificate. Winners will be chosen from a different Baker's Dozen blog each day and will be announced on Taylor's blog on Release Day! Be sure to hop around to see all the sneak peeks and leave comments on each and every blog for more chances to win. Limit one comment per blog per day, please. Comments close Wednesday 1/4 at 7pm PST for the drawings.

Wishing You All the Best

2011-12-31T15:17:00.002-05:00

I can't believe it's New Year's Eve! 2011 is coming to an end and I can't believe it went by so fast. I was able play along with the latest Mojo Monday Sketch. I used the Kind Words set from Verve. I thought this sentiment was appropriate for the coming New Year!

I stamped both the sentiment and the flower image in Frost White craft ink, but I brushed gold Perfect Pearls over the flowers and some green chalk on the stems to give them some color on the dark cardstock. Just a reminder that the Verve Good Buy SALE ends tonight, so if you're looking for a deal, head on over!

Wishing you all the best in the New Year! Have a wonderful and SAFE New Year celebration!!

More Packaged Gifts

2011-12-30T12:17:00.004-05:00

It has been REALLY busy around here, so I haven't been able to post anything new. I did have these projects that I created for teacher gifts and class treats.

Remember that Homemade Peppermint Bark we made? Well, I packaged more of it up in these ADORABLE little Santa Boxes! The Santa Box was created using the Cover-All Template from My Time Made Easy. I packaged up the Peppermint Bark in cello bags and tied it with a ribbon. Then, I put some filler in the box and then the cello bag. I used the Wonderful Words: Holiday Die Collection from Papertrey Ink for the "Merry". These packages were a big hit. . .and really not that hard to put together!

The second project I have to show you are just little treats bags I created for my daughters' classes. It was just a piece of cardstock folded over the little bag of Holiday Skittles, stapled and a snowflake embellishment added. I punch circles using a 2 1/2" circle punch and then die cut them using the Let It Snowflake Dienamic from My Favorite Things. I used the "negative" cut from the die and added glue to the center with some glitter. The sentiment is from the Sending You a Little Christmas Pure Innocence stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by today and if you don't hear from me over the weekend. . .have a safe and Happy New Year!

Happy Days

2011-12-26T12:55:00.001-05:00

There hasn't been very much stamping going on in the last few days, but we've really enjoyed our Christmas!! I hope you enjoyed your Christmas too! Now that things have calmed down a bit, I need to start making some Christmas thank yous. I'm hoping to get started on those in the next day or so, but for now I was able to stamp a cute card for everyday.

I used the Sky's the Limit plus coordinating dies set from Taylored Expressions. I stamped the balloon twice. Once on white cardstock and I die cut that balloon. The second was stamped on patterned paper and trimmed to paper piece. I added some shading on the balloon with Copic markers. The clouds were created using different cloud dies. The smallest clouds are the ones that come with the coordinating dies, across the top was created using the Cloud Border Die, and the two larger clouds at the bottom were created with the Cloud Duo Die. All of the clouds were covered with Stardust Stickles to add some sparkle. The sentiment panel was created with one of my new favorite dies to use as a sentiment panel (even though it wasn't meant for that), Fly Your Flag 2 plus coordinating die.

The papers are from my December Key Ingredients Kit, which includes papers from the Christmas Wishes Collection from Bella Blvd.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're enjoying your day!!

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a VERY Merry Christmas!!

Gift Packaging

2011-12-23T09:59:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite things to do for those little, last minute gifts at this time of year is package up cards that I've made throughout the year. I do use cards I've made to send through the mail, but unfortunately I don't send out as many cards as I make. Although, I guess the people who receive a set of cards might not think that's so unfortunate! LOL (at least I hope so) A great way for me to use up my "stash" is to package them up as gifts for teachers, friends or even family members that I don't buy for, but want them to know I'm thinking of them.

There are many different ways to package up a card set, but one of my favorites is with a clear acrylic box. When I don't have time to stamp or embellish a cardstock box of some sort, I find that these acrylic boxes are PERFECT! The card on the inside provides the "decorating". Adding a ribbon and tag makes it complete. For this package, I used the Holiday Button Bits set from Papertrey Ink to create my tag and along with the Mat Stack 3 Die. Being able to add buttons really helps to embellish the package even more. Thanks for stopping by today and have a great day!

Sweet Delight

2011-12-21T06:50:00.001-05:00

This week, I decided to do something a little different for teacher gifts. Every year, I usually send in a card set or some similar homemade crafty item for teacher gifts. This year, after my one sister gave me the simplest recipe EVER, I decide to make some homemade Peppermint Bark and package that up!

I started with what to package it in. I used the Clear Top Hinged Tin that you can find at Taylored Expressions. It holds a nice amount of the bark, and enables you to "see" it through the lid, so I thought it would work perfectly. I packaged the bark in a cello bag and sealed it, then placed it in the tin.

I used the Season's Sweetings set along with papers from the Holly Jolly Collection from Echo Park. The image was colored with Copic markers. I used the Medium Scallop Border Die and a strip of patterned paper to create the belly band. The focal piece was created using the Totally Tags Dies, and the sentiment panel was created using the Fly Your Flag 2 Die. I scored the ends of the "banner" to give it some dimension and the look of it flowing.

This project was really very simple and the kids LOVED helping to make it! Now I've got some packaged gifts to give away! For those of you wondering about this SIMPLE recipe, here it is:

Homemade Peppermint Bark
3 - 4oz. bars bittersweet or milk chocolate bars
3 - 4oz. white chocolate bars
Toppings of choice

Line a 17x12 inch cookie sheet with parchment paper. Break each bar into squares or rectangles. Arrange in a checkerboard pattern on pan. Pieces will touch.

Bake at 225 degrees for 5 minutes or just until chocolate is melted. Remove pan to a wire rack. Swirl chocolate into a marble pattern using a toothpick. Sprinkle with crushed pretzels and candy canes.

Chill 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.
Hope you've enjoyed today's project and I hope you enjoy the bark even more! :)

Winter's Wonders

2011-12-18T11:08:00.000-05:00

I have a card today that uses some different colors for a Christmas card. I used the Snowflake Splendor set from Verve and created a background paper using different stamps in the set. The sketch is this month's Dirty Dozen Sketch Challenge, and the colors I used are from the Inspiration Challenge this month.

I haven't been around too much this last month due to regular holiday to-dos, but also because of THIS EXCITING NEWS!!! I am beyond thrilled to join the Splitcoast Dirty Dozen!! My "roomie" is my sweet friend and fellow DT member, Jen Shults! If you get a chance, stop over to say hello and congratulate her! If you're a Fan Club Member, you can view the newest gallery HERE. If you're not a member, you can sign up. . .and I know you won't be disappointed! The Dirty Dozen Gallery has always been an amazing source of inspiration for me. I big, huge THANK YOU to those of you who have stopped by to say hello and say congrats. . .I really, really appreciate it! You've made this even more special for me!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Snowflake Splendor (Verve Stamps); Ink- Rhubarb Stalk, Bamboo Leaves, Cantaloupe, New Sprout (Memento); Paper- Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, True Black (PTI); Accessories- Curvy Bookplate Die (Verve Stamps), Stardust Stickles; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

Just Because Mojo

2011-12-14T11:31:00.000-05:00

I've been making so many Christmas cards lately that I decided to create something not so wintery! :) I started with the latest Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and used the Fluttering By set from Verve. (by the way, Fluttering By is the Stamp of the Month at Verve and is 40% off through December 31st while supplies last!) I used papers from the Country Drive Collection from Echo Park.

I paper pieced the butterfly's wings and added some bling. I die cut the focal circle and scallop circle using Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities. Come play along with this week's Mojo Monday Challenge! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Fluttering By (Verve Stamps); Ink- Early Espresso (SU); Paper- Country Drive Collection (Echo Park), Bazzill; Accessories- bling (Want2Scrap), Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

You're Dino-mite

2011-12-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend I needed a birthday card for one of my daughter's classmates. I don't always have boy cards on hand, so I created this one using the Kid at Heart set from Taylored Expressions. I used an older Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge sketch for the layout.

I stamped the dinosaur and then added Viva Red Pearl Pen to the hearts and Black Pearl Pen for the eyes. The pearls pens give a fun bit of dimension. . .especially on a kids card! The papers are from the Finally Fall Collection from Bella Blvd.

Hopefully my daughter's friend will like the card! Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful Sunday! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Kid at Heart (Taylored Expressions); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Ripe Avocado (PTI); Paper- Finally Fall Collection (Bella Blvd.), Kraft; Accessories- Red and Black Pearl Pens (Viva), ribbon, border punch (Martha Stewart); Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"