Serenity in Stamping

GINAKSC123 - I am here for you

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Gina K issued a sketch challenge on her blog a few Fridays ago so I figured I would play-I didn't win but I was sure pleased with the outcome of my card!

As I was reading my frequented blogs, Andrea Walford reminded me of the black magic technique. You stamp a solid image (not usually my favorite) in craft ink on black cardstock and pencil over with metallic pencils. Well, I am not crazy about the colors in that set so I decided to try it with my Koh-i-Noor pencils (more variety) and sure enough I loved the results because you can layer your colors. So I went about stamping a 1/2 sheet of cardstock to make my own dp and went ahead with my card.

Stamps: Comfort & Peace by Gina K Designs
Cardstock: Green Galore, Regal Rose, Basic Black
Ink: Craft White, Palette Noir Black
Accessories: Regal wide grosgrain ribbon, coluzzle, scallop scissors, gold brads, paper piercing tool.

Starting Your Day Right

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:25:00 +0000

From Joyce Meyer's Devotional 'Starting Your Day Right'

Discipline Brings Success

Shout from the Rooftops!!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Y'all who read my blog on a regular basis must know by now how much I love the Doodlefactory Collection © Starving Artistamps, right? Well my announcement is that I am part of their Design Team!!

I was so excited to receive an email from Tracey {owner} who has seen my work since I've been posting to ask if I was interested in a guest designer spot or a steady one. Hello?!?! Is that a trick question? Of course I chose steady because I love the creatures that Irene draws - who happened to visit my blog the other day [name-drop] and there is such a great variety of stamps offered in her store.

So here is the card I had in my head ever since I accepted my position...just had to make the time to execute it. Wonder how I got Yapples the other way? I used a Mirror image stamp-stamped him on it & then stamped on my watercolor paper. But, it came out much lighter because of the texture on the paper so after I colored him, I outlined him in permanent black marker.

For you, my blog readers - check out the discount for any Starving Artistamps purchase you make - you can get 10% off using this code: dbakerdis

How cool is that?! There's free shipping on orders $65 or more and you can choose from mounted or unmounted, as well as purchase your cling mount from the store. There's a TON of images, something for everyone! All images are deeply-etched red rubber which can be used with acrylic blocks.

Stay Tuned...

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:05:00 +0000

It's been quite a week already & it's not even over!!! I have nothing to post this morning except some highlights from the week:

I am 331 posts behind in my Google Reader (so if I haven't commented much on your blog, I will catch up soon!)

John and I renewed a special friendship with some great friends that was a long time coming
{Hi Steph & Thumper!}

My BFF signed a lease on a bigger & better store for her cake business {Hi Lori}

I've had a couple great mail days including a RAK from Christina Fischer a few days ago

There are sneak peeks of Melanie's cute Little Tees set today on a few blogs! It is AWESOME!

Gina K has a release party tonight {I'll be there, but perhaps not for the whole time since I have a ton of stuff to do}

I finally started {and plan to finish} my nephew's birth announcements as he is already 2 months old!

and finally I will have a SPECIAL announcement either tonight or tomorrow right here on my blog (I usually don't like to tease but for this one I need a little more prep time you'll see why) so come back later!

Today's Word - Focus on His Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:02:00 +0000

From Joel & Victoria Osteen - Focus on His Freedom

Prettie Wednesday - Great Challenges!!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:30:00 +0000

For Charlie's challenge issued last week to use one embellishment (yikes) I chose to use my Simply Special set, love this watering can! My inspiration was to use the DCWV Summer Glitter stack-I really liked the bright colors in it! I am going to send this card to Jessie - she is the RAK queen, which is one reason she got a part-time job at the post office in her little town...she was probably there daily & they knew her by name real soon! She's always sprinkling sunshine through comments on her blog, comments at SCS and in personal emails. She is so sweet! Next week's challenger is Jana and she issued an awesom sketch! Won't you play long??

Next card is from Danielle's Color Inspiration (PWC12) for Close to Cocoa, Sage Shadow, Brocade Blue & Very Vanilla. I chose to use my Papertrey Ink Faux Ribbon to recreate the quilt look in the picture. Don't these ladybugs look cute in green & blue? I thought so and the softness of the very vanilla makes it dreamy to me, like the nice big comfy bed in the picture, huh? If you haven't played along with these challenges yet and you have Paper Pretties stamps, what are you waiting for? You could win a prize!!!

Paper Pretties Newsflash!!

How would you like to be Paper Pretties Cutie Pie? All you have to do is make a card using your Paper Pretties stamps and send it to Christie christie@paperpretties.net, and she will choose a winner from the entries. Besides getting to call yourself a Cutie Pie, you will also get all the stamps from the August 1st release for free! You have until July 31st at 8pmCST to get your entries in!

Polly (Squirt) Wants Chocolate-Another Challenge Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:30:00 +0000

Guess what? I found another great challenge blog: Mother's & Daughters Creations. They are on Week 2 of challenges and this time it's a Tool Challenge. To use Nestabilities somewhere on your card. Look at my Doodlefactory animal Squirt is so cute! I thought the saying from Tropics Sentiment Collection 1 went great with it, because squirt is a bird and he's talking thanks to Kim Hughes' Say What set. I also threw in a fun color combo from a swap I got YEARS ago. How many of you collect swaps & never use them? I know I have tons & give away a lot to my customers but there are quite a few that I love this element or that, so every once in a while I will gather them for inspiration. I don't think I ever would have thought to put these 2 colors together but look at them work!!

Stamps: Starving Artistamps Doodlefactory Collection, Tropics Sentiment by Starving Artistamps, Say What from CHF, A*Muse truffle, My Favorite Things How Sweet it is
Cardstock/Inks: Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, Rectangle Nestabilities, 1/2 in circle punch, chocolate brads by Queen & Co, sakura stardust pen

SFYTT - Moki says 'Aloha'

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Here is my card for Jen's Sketch For You to Try 071908 (SFYTT) - I just got my Tropics sentiment collection 1 set from the blog candy I won from Juliana. Well the sweetheart threw in some awesome tropical papers & some stamped images of the Tropics set. Moki is one of them, and how I need me some more Moki now! I was cracking up coloring this image & setting up my card! Look how cool that water paper is by Flair Designs. The 'sand' paper is from the DCWV Summer Glitter stack which I've been coveting for a while now and got on sale 40% off at Joann's on Sat! score!! Also, what about those white metal adhesive buttons? those are so awesome, just $1.00 for 24 of them! I should have gotten more but more was not in my budget, shoot the pkg alone wasn't either but resistance was futile!

Thank you, Juliana! You totally made my day!!

Complete SU! retiring list

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Retiring Accessories List

Item Number Product Description Availability*
*25% off while supplies last.
109200 Accents & Elements Build A Flower
110718 Accents & Elements Lucky Star
110719 Accents & Elements Messenger
103158 Acrylic Graph & Grid
108638 Card Stock 12 X 12 In Color
108642 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Blue Bayou
108643 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Groovy Guava
108637 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 In Color
108640 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 River Rock
108639 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Soft Sky
108641 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Wild Wasabi
108644 Card Stock 8-1/2 X 11 Purely Pomegranate
103975 Card Stock Brushed Copper
108694 Card Stock Textured 12 X 12 In Color
107312 Cards & Envelopes Gift Whisper White
107292 Cards & Envelopes Greeting Whisper White
109116 Notes & Envelopes Long Notes
109118 Notes & Envelopes Love Notes
109117 Notes & Envelopes Pocket Notes*
110729 Notes & Envelopes Scallop Notes
109119 Notes & Envelopes Gift Notes
109018 Classic Stampin' Ink Blue Bayou
109019 Classic Stampin' Ink Groovy Guava
109017 Classic Stampin' Ink Purely Pomegranate
109016 Classic Stampin' Ink River Rock
109015 Classic Stampin' Ink Soft Sky
109020 Classic Stampin' Ink Wild Wasabi
109013 Classic Stampin' Pad Blue Bayou
109012 Classic Stampin' Pad Groovy Guava
109011 Classic Stampin' Pad Purely Pomegranate
109010 Classic Stampin' Pad River Rock
109009 Classic Stampin' Pad Soft Sky
109014 Classic Stampin' Pad Wild Wasabi
110751 Designer Series Paper Azure*
110696 Designer Series Paper Bali Breeze
110749 Designer Series Paper Berry Bliss
109154 Designer Series Paper Cutie Pie
110699 Designer Series Paper East Coast Prep*
109160 Designer Series Paper Fall Flowers
109159 Designer Series Paper Flowers For You*
110697 Designer Series Paper Ginger Blossom
110479 Designer Series Paper Jersey Shore*
109151 Designer Series Paper Le Jardin
110748 Designer Series Paper Notebook*
110750 Designer Series Paper Olive Press
109153 Designer Series Paper Porcelain Prints*
109175 Designer Series Paper Prints Almost Amethyst*
109177 Designer Series Paper Prints Always Artichoke
109173 Designer Series Paper Prints Blue Bayou
109174 Designer Series Paper Prints Brilliant Blue
109178 Designer Series Paper Prints Certainly Celery
109169 Designer Series Paper Prints Close to Cocoa*
109168 Designer Series Paper Prints Groovy Guava*
109171 Designer Series Paper Prints Lovely Lilac
109172 Designer Series Paper Prints More Mustard
109176 Designer Series Paper Prints Old Olive
109170 Designer Series Paper Prints Pumpkin Pie
109164 Designer Series Paper Prints River Rock*
109167 Designer Series Paper Prints Rose Red
109166 Designer Series Paper Prints So Saffron
109165 Designer Series Paper Prints Soft Sky
109163 Designer Series Paper Prints Tempting Turquoise
110698 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Break
110273 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Fling*
110271 Designer Series Paper Prints Spring Silhouettes
110272 Designer Series Paper Prints Western Sky
107299 Envelope Confetti Cream Medium
105320 Eyelets Basic
100375 Eyelets Bold Brights
100381 Eyelets Earth Elements
107233 Eyelets Fresh Favorites I
107234 Eyelets Fresh Favorites II
105316 Eyelets Rich Regals
100378 Eyelets Soft Subtles
105515 Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter Not Available
105531 Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass
105532 Hodgepodge Hardware Aged Copper
101120 Metallic Art Pencils
107307 On Board Accents
109181 On Board Blossoms & Basic
109179 On Board Ginormous Pieces
107306 On Board Simon Lower
102678 Paper Mulberry White
109227 Punch Box Three For You
102686 Punch Handheld Rectangle
100271 Pure Color Pencils
109060 Ribbon Double-Stitched Blue Bayou Not Available
109063 Ribbon Double-Stitched Groovy Guava
109061 Ribbon Double-Stitched Purely Pomegranate Not Available
109062 Ribbon Double-Stitched River Rock*
109059 Ribbon Double-Stitched Soft Sky
109058 Ribbon Double-Stitched Wild Wasabi
109189 Ribbon Originals Beachfront*
109187 Ribbon Originals District*
109188 Ribbon Originals Fairy Tale
109185 Ribbon Originals Jersey*
109184 Ribbon Originals Sherbert
109186 Ribbon Originals Theater
110716 Ribbon Striped Grosgrain Wild Wasabi*
110281 Rub-Ons Cherished Memories*
110284 Rub-Ons Eastern Elegance*
110285 Rub-Ons Urban West*
110557 Simply Scrappin' Boho Blend
109610 Simply Scrappin' Confetti
110572 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Boy
110567 Simply Scrappin' Crew Kids Girl
109597 Simply Scrappin' Home Again
110562 Simply Scrappin' Rose Cottage
109648 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Boy
109627 Simply Scrappin' Special Delivery Girl
110587 Simply Scrappin' Summer Days
110577 Simply Scrappin' Tie The Knot
111184 Simply Sent Friendly Notes
109228 Simply Sent Simple Delights Not Available
109229 Simply Sent Three Thoughts Not Available
106662 Stampin'Around Wheel Daisy Field
107561 Stampin'Around Wheel Garden Annuals
109681 Stampin'Around Wheel Good Dog
109678 Stampin'Around Wheel Kisses
107482 Stampin'Around Wheel Lily Pad
109680 Stampin'Around Wheel Meow
109677 Stampin'Around Wheel Mistletoe
106610 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Basics Outline
107467 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Birthday
109571 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Baby
109570 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Friends
109569 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Dilly Dally Party
108423 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Leaves A La Carte
107468 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Nature Hike
108980 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Petals
107464 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Rough Texture
111261 Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel Spunky Spots
109554 Stampin' Color Index Labels
109553 Stampin' Color Index Labels (French)
106694 Stampin' Kids Markers
101399 Stipple Brushes
102673 Zig Painty

if there's anything on this list you want, I suggest you don't wait too long to get it. Contact me if you have any questions!

Page Plans Sketches: A Cowgirl and Precious Girl

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:00:00 +0000

There is a special suprise at Page Plans this week: all the DT uploaded a card AND a layout sketch! So here are my two. I truly love this tall card, but usually shy away from them because of all the open space that tends to happen. Well because of all the great elements in the sketch, I was able to fill it all up and probably wouldn't have thought about all the ways by myself. I added cuttlebug embossing for more texture on the bottom portions. This card showcases the Paper Pretties Stamp of the Month for August (you can get it early if you sign up for the club) called Howdy Girlfriend. I just realized I didn't put a sentiment anywhere. Guess sometimes you fill up the whole card and it's forgotten. I can always add something to the inside and let the front image & details speak for themselves.

I believe I should start utilizing the layout sketches out there more so I can actually get some of my scrapbooking done. This was great because now I have a cute page to send my sister of her precious little girl learning to drink from the water hose. In the first picture you can see she is helping to water the flowers with her Nina Andrea & Nino Micky and was getting all wet! Then, he decided to show her how to drink from it and boy can you see the excitement!?!? The Joys of being a kid, finding delight in the little things. How do we lose that over the years as we grow up? I always want to find joy in the little things. She is a joy to me for sure. Just hearing her little voice yell, "love youuuu" on the phone makes me smile on the inside and outside!! I remember there was a time she just listened to me on the phone and now she is talking to me. It's priceless. I used my inspiration for this card from Week #1 Color Throwdown blog.

Card Details
Stamps: Paper Pretties Howdy Girlfriend
Cardstock/Inks: Palette Burnt Umber, Really Rust, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Hemp twine, Large pewter eyelets, fire circle rhinestones, cb embossing folders, small star punch, brads, metallic rub on paste
Scrapbook page details:
Stamps: Fresh Cut Notes,
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Sage Shadow, Creamy Caramel, Basic Grey Infuse
Accessories: Primas, Thickers, Pink Taffeta ribbon & brad, clear rhinestones

OCCC-Sweet Ride!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Here is my card for OCCC blog - Dry Embossing Challenge. The other day I realized my 1" small Doodlefactory Creatures could fit inside my Loads of Love truck so I had to make a card to show you! Again, I was smiling & laughing as I was putting this card together. Yapples is so proud of his 'Sweet Ride', huh? That sentiment is from the blog candy I won from Juliana, I got it in the mail yesterday-it's Tropics Sentiments. She was even so sweet to stamp a few images from the Tropics set for me to play with and let me just tell you, I NEED that set, but no extra $ in my budget right now so it's going to have to wait *boo-hoo*

Stamps: Doodlefactory Creatures & Tropics Sentiments, Loads of Love, Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock: Real Red, Green Galore, Basic Black, White
ink: Palette Noir, Green Galore, Real Red, PTI Summer Sunrise & Lemon Tart
Accessories: Traffic Jam CB Embossing folder, bold brights brads, copic, prismacolor pencils, baby oil, sponges, cloud stencil

SU! Retiring Accessories DISCOUNT

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:58:00 +0000

for the first time EVER SU! is discounting some of their retiring accessories - 25% off! This is only a partial list, check back on Monday for a full one. Just this past week, they completely sold out of the Purely Pomegranate & Blue Bayou double stitch ribbon, so I'm anticipating some of these selling out quickly too. So I haver bumped my last order from this catalog to Tuesday, July 22nd. Act now if there is anything on this list you would like!!

Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion
Dates: July 21-August 10 (or while supplies last)

Item # Pg. # Description 25% Off Price
109117 167 Pocket Notes assortment $7.46
110479 168 Jersey Shore Designer Series paper $7.46
110699 168 East Coast Prep Designer Series paper $7.46
109159 169 Flowers For You Designer Series paper $7.46
110273 169 Spring Fling Designer Series paper $7.46
110748 170 Notebook Designer Series paper $7.46
109153 170 Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper $7.46
110751 171 Azure Designer Series paper $7.46
109164 171 River Rock Prints Designer Series paper $7.46
109175 171 Almost Amethyst Prints Designer Series paper $7.46
109168 171 Groovy Guava Prints Designer Series paper $7.46
109169 171 Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series paper $7.46
110284 182 Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons $8.21
110285 182 Urban West Rub-Ons $8.21
110281 182 Cherished Memories Rub-Ons $8.21
109185 190 Jersey Ribbon Originals $9.71
109187 190 District Ribbon Originals $9.71
109189 190 Beachfront Ribbon Originals $9.71
110716 191 Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon $5.96
109062 191 River Rock double-stitched grosgrain ribbon $6.71

CPS73: Yellow Daisies

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:04:00 +0000

This week's CPS73 sketch is sponsored by Kitchen Sink Stamps, I thought I would bring them out of hiding (I hadn't used them in a while) and I remembered how fun it is to do one sheet wonders. In this case, I just did 1/2 sheet so I could make 2 cards instead of one. Makes the layered stamping more worth it in my opinion. I wanted to do a little something different with my take on the center of the sketch. Since clear stamps can be manipulated, I arched it on my acrylic block on the card on the right & that became my faux layer! I really like how it turned out. The one on the left is a more straight-forward interpretation but I wanted to add a little interest with the ribbon so I tied it like you would a man's tie.

Stamps: 3-Step Daisy
Cardstock: Lemon Tart & Summer Sunrise by PTI
Inks: Lemon Tart & Summer Sunrise, Pumpkin Pie & Palette Burnt Umber
Accessories: Lemon Tart twill & Summer Sunrise grosgrain, sponges

TECC25 Happy Cupcake Friday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:01:00 +0000

I'm sure I am not alone when I say that I LOVE Fridays (and have mentioned it lots of times before)!!! Well, this one is even MORE special to me!! I was thrilled to pieces to get a personal email from Taylor early Monday morning telling me she absolutely LOVED my card I submitted last weekend for her Cupcake Challenge 24 with the monkey chomping on cupcakes & asked me if I would like to be featured in this week's challenge on her blog!!

Umm...YESS of course I would! I was so excited because you should have seen/heard me as I was making that card (similar to this week's too) I was smiling & laughing at the creatures because I love to bring them to life on my cards!! I was hoping to myself that last week's card would be 'THE ONE' to really catch her eye & make me her Featured Sampler! Eureka! I loved this week's sketch just as much if not more than all the others she usually has because I LOVE circles! I knew the perfect color combination (thanks to Dawn Easton) to use for it too!! Then, I rifled through my stamps because I wanted to see if Yapples could pull the wagon from Favorite Teddy Bear full of cupcakes (PERFECT) and then the thought for them to be FREE came (have to thank my DH for this idea I was going to go with something else but I liked this better, thanks, Honey) I LOVE how this turned out!

Thanks for the cupcake honors Taylor!

Stamps: Doodlefactory Creatures-Starving Artistamps, SU! Favorite Teddy Bear & Cupcakes by Lockhart Stamps
Cardstock/Inks: Watercolor, Cameo Coral, Barely Banana, Cool Caribbean, Basic Black
Accessories: Spiral punch, circle punches, liquid pearls, sakura stardust pen, sprinkle brads

Tagged! Random Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:59:00 +0000

I was tagged a while back by Marilyn - Stamp with Marilyn and now by Valita - Valita's Designs & Fresh Folds so I want to acknowledge them. Thanks, ladies!

1. I LOVE scary, gory movies. They aren't scary enough but I sure found some great gory ones like all the SAW movies.

2. When I was little, I came to the defense of my oldest sister in a fight with our middle sister. I picked up a huge metal rice can (can't remember if it had rice in it at the time) and I hit Deana over the head with it. She had to get stitches - the scar is still there. I hope she forgave me. I don't remember getting in trouble for it either.

3. I used to cut high school ALL the time with my BFFs & told my mom about 5 years after high school was over - one time, Deana caught me. She blackmailed me into taking her and her then boyfriend (now DH) with us to the beach and she wouldn't tell on me. She never did. But my friend got caught because someone from her class called her house & said she missed a group project. She got grounded

4. I love chewy candy like Bit o' Honey, Abba Zabbas, Charleston Chew but I really shouldn't eat them because I have permanent bridges they could mess with. But occasionally eating them won't hurt. So I can still indulge.

5. I wish I was musically talented. I tried playing the violin in 4th grade, it (I) was NOT good. In a concert I followed my best friend's movements to get by.

6. I used to have competitions with the same friend in 2nd grade to see who could make their lips the wettest. I would win because I would accumulate the spit in my mouth & then lick my lips. She would just lick her lips with her tongue. **I just got back in touch via email with this friend THIS WEEK because I googled her name and her email was listed on the web - EUREKA!! I'm SO excited about it because I've missed her. We've known one another for 32 years!! whoa**

7. We surprised our mom with a cruise to Mexico for her birthday one year (can't remember which one). Us girls all paid for it & my oldest sister and I went, along with our Uncle Toby. We had a lot of fun and I even had a little cruise romance with the head waiter. oops - hopefully my sisters are not reading this, not sure if I ever told them.

I'd like to forward this tag to the following ladies if you have time to play & want to - I'd love to hear some 7 random things about you so I can get to know you better *wink* Yes, I intentionally chose all these ladies because of their C and J names!! HA HA

1. Carolina - Carolina's Creative Pad

2. Christi - Story about a Girl

3. Cat - Cathy's Creations

4. Chrissy - cmh Designs

5. Jane - Whoopsie Daisy!

6. Jessie - Can You Say???...Addicted(to stamps)!!!

7. Jodi - Stamping a Latte

2S4Y #4 My Dear Kind & Wonderful Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:02:00 +0000

I looked at Laura's sketch this week & scratched my head a little with the middle scallop hanging off the edge, but hey they aren't called challenges for nothing! I wanted to make my card so it was still deliverable because I will be sending it in the mail so my card base is 4" wide so the scallops are 4 1/4"-mission accomplished. I just received the All Holidays stamp set by SU! for achieving a goal for my sales during sale-a-bration, I lost quite a few sentiment sets last year when the All Year Cheers retired. I really like this set, I had been eyeing all the cards made with it the past year. I am getting real excited about all the new stuff - just about 3 more weeks to go!!

I used 3 of my favorite colors I hadn't used in a while, several years ago I made a card for an upline event using them that won me $50 in free product for best of show card! I really like them together especially with this set.

Stamps: All Holidays, Fresh Cut Notes

Cardstock/Inks: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Basic Black

Accessories: silver brad, paper piercer, slit punch (so happy we are getting a new scallop edge punch!!) celery wide grosgrain ribbon.

SU! New In Colors & Accessories!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:48:00 +0000

In case you need a little something to whet your SU! appetite, here are the new in colors (with current color comparisons that Dawn - DOstamping with Dawn posted on her blog.

Here are some awesome ways to use the new scallop edge punch by Mary Jo - Beauty Lies Within. She's a genius

New Scallop Punch Closure by Cami - Stamp a Little Love, Baby

and my favorite Bella Rosa Designer Paper - by Patty

All this & more await you (local customers/friends) at my Open House on Sat. Aug 16th 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. be sure to RSVP by Tues. Aug 12th and let me know SOON if you want a new catalog reserved for you! You must respond in order to participate with the free make & takes!

Prettie Wednesday - Trash to Treasure

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:40:00 +0000

I don't participate in enough challenges (yea, right) so I decided to join the Prettie Girls in their Wednesday challenges on the DT. This week's challenge from Julie is to turn your trash into treasure. WHAT? Dig through my trash? I had no idea what to do with this. Then as I was making lunch one morning last week, I saw my Laughing Cow Cheese container. It's like a soft cardboard. So here it is re-purposed with Howdy Girlfriend, the Stamp of the Month. Can you tell I love this Cutie Cowgirl? I had leftover dp from my card last week and I love to use up my scraps so I used them. You can use this little box for embellishments or anything small you need to keep together.

Since I made this cutie a redhead, guess what? It's going to be sent to Charmaine (sorry the green, blue & white dew drops are not included-those were a gift) ok maybe I'll send a few.

Check out what the other Prettie girls did with this challenge (they are on the right on my blog). Be sure to check out Paper Pretties for the SALE this month and if you haven't joined the SOTM club yet so you can get Howdy Girlfriend a month before the general public, mosey on over & y'all* don't forget to tell Christie Donna sent ya.

*I actually do say y'all after all I've lived in Texas for 11 years, but I swore up & down I would not ever say it! Within the year it started to slip! Doh

SFYTT - Thank You

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:35:00 +0000

Here's the card I made for Jen's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) this past weekend - combined with the first Color Throwdown Challenge. No frills, pretty straight forward.

Stamps: Embrace Life, Fresh Cuts

Cardstock: Kraft, Sage Shadow, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Prints Pack dp
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Pink Taffeta, rhinestones, designer label, circle & large oval punches, circle nestabilities.

OCCC - Apricot Appeal Inspiration & sweet photos

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:37:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered how SU! comes up with the names of their inks? It's funny, one of the first things I noticed when I was first introduced to them 5 1/2 years ago. I just got my 5 year pin {with diamond} as a demo the other day with a nice letter of acknowledgement. However I won't be going to convention in a few weeks to march across the stage in celebration. I'm o.k. with that though. I went to 2 or 3 of them and they were fun but my family comes first and my oldest sister Val has managed to have her babies a few months before convention 2 years apart and vacation/money is spent there instead and I'd have it no other way. **See bottom of post for updates on them**

Anyhow - here is my card for Our Creative Corner Challenge (Inspiration) from Sat. I used Toile Blossoms a retired oldie but goodie I had to stamp with for one last time before I mailed it off because I sold it. It had not been used in about 2 1/2 years and I need to make room for more stamps I intend to use.

Card Details:
Stamps: Toile Blossoms, Fresh Cuts, Canvas BGCardstock: PTI White, Apricot Appeal, Palette Prints DP, Watercolor
Ink: Palette Burnt Umber, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Old Olive
Accessories: Nestabilities Circles, Chocolate, Ivory Taffeta Ribbon, faux dew drops, horizontal punch, sponges

**Personal Stuff: I miss my niece & nephew!

They went on their first trip to Disneyland this past weekend, I saw the photos they took there and Gabby is getting so tall! She is to the middle of my sister's belly and her hair is getting long! My nephew is getting big too - filling out for sure. He has the chubby legs & arms (Deana says she calls him the Michelin man) HA. Check out his crochet Dallas Cowboys boots - they came from my DMIL (Gramma Donna) doesn't he have the cutest smile?

Inspired by Jane - Cutie Cowgirl Sophia

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:00:00 +0000

As I was reading blogs the other day, I came across the cutest card by Jane {Whoopsie Daisy!} that she made-it's not that often I make a card inspired by another person. It doesn't mean I don't want to, it's just that there are so many challenges out there right now it becomes overload and occasionally I need to come up with a design all my own (those are becoming few & far between though). However, when I saw this card, we exchanged emails & asked her if I could case it. She was so sweet when she said, "I'm blushing that you think my card is CASE worthy. The windows are, I guess, something I started way back with my "pigs" card. It's in my gallery at SCS. YOU're the one I am always looking to for ideas! lol! But thank you for the compliment... for making my day." Well, Jane- Thank You for your great idea!! What do you think??

I thought it was PERFECT for my Cutie Cowgirl Sophia & with Kristina Werner's color inspiration #15 I had the PERFECT card to share today! So - in case you can't resist this Cutie Cowgirl Sophia any longer - head on over to Paper Pretties & sign up for the Stamp of The Month Club so you can get her in August (a month before she's released to the general public) and if you do...don't forget to tell Christie I made you do it!) HA and while you're there check out the sale on ribbon slides & ric rack!

Stamps: Paper Pretties SOTM Howdy Girlfriend, SU! Stars wheel

Cardstock: Really Rust, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Really Rust, Palette Noir

Accessories: stars, squares & word window punches, celery & chocolate grosgrain ribbon, sakura stardust pen, brads, distressor

Page Plans Sketch #13

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:16:00 +0000

Here is my card for Page Plans Sketch#13 by Renee Morris-Dezember {It is What it is} Not much to say, other than I love these colors together! I embossed the flower outline with Chocolate Chip craft ink & clear embossing powder. Go check out the blog for the other DT's sketches (there's even a great scrapbook sketch there!)

Stamps: Always by SU!
Cardstock: White, Cool Caribbean, Really Rust
Ink: Cool Caribbean, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip craft
Accessories: Aquapainter, Bazzill flower, Basic Grey button, really rust marker, color spritzer tool, chocolate twill ribbon, spiral paper clip, pumpkin striped grosgrain ribbon

TECC24: Numnum {heart} Cupcake!

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Here is my card (yes, using a creature again) Numnum is his name and sweets are his game. The stamp has him eating cookies from a cookie jar but since Taylor's challenge on Fridays is all about the ever loving cupcake - I substituted his sweets with cupcakes by MFT. I also added this week's SCS color challenge CC174 to the mix. Doesn't he look ravenous for cupcakes? That's how I feel sometimes too because they are delicious. Did you notice? All the creatures come with their names printed on the rubber so that's how I was able to incorporate his name on the circle.

EDITED TO ADD: WOOHOO! My card was chosen by Taylor to be her Featured Cupcake Sampler this Friday for her next Challenge! Be sure to check back Friday to see what I came up with!

Stamps: Doodlefactory Creatures, What's Up Cupcake
Cardstock: Kraft, Barely Banana, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Groovy Guava, Palette Burnt Umber, Chocolate chip craft
Accesories: Chocolate twill, rhinestones, koh-i-noor & prismacolor pencils, baby oil, stumps, dots cb embossing folder, clear embossing powder.

CPS72 So Thoughtful

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:58:00 +0000

I usually manage to let CPS sketches slip by me but not this time, it was so out of my norm I had to do it. But I changed it to a standard size card instead of a tall one. I like the look of panels but I usually don't think of making them. I chose to use DP for the panels instead of stamping to keep it simple & uncluttered.

Stamps: Embrace Life, Absolutely Fabulous
Cardstock: River Rock, Groovy Guava, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Ginger Blossom DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red
Accessories: brads (purchased at Hobby Lobby), river rock double stitch ribbon

Happy Mail Time

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:02:00 +0000

Want to share some fabulous RAKS I received on Friday. The first is my Barb {Explore.Dream.Discover} - I love this Zebra card! The card opens in the front (Zebra) and in the traditional way so you can put 2 greetings!! Barb sent this to congratulate me on my recent dt positions, isn't that the sweetest?!

Oh and I have to tell you she also sent me this awesome gift {Clear Button Bracelets} for me to give my niece Gabby! That is so over the top thoughtful which brought me to tears. I am so blessed; because not only has she (and Linsey) never met Gabby...they've never even met me and they are showering her with gifts!! Barb said, "You know the whole time I was making these, I thought of your touching stories of Gabby!" I bet Gabby is going to ADORE them!! Thank you again Barb.

This other great thank you RAK is from Jessie & her sister Mary for me sending a card & a little gift for Jared after he was born. Isn't this card adorable? Also, Jessie sent me & John this anniversary card she made as Jen's Guest Designer last weekend. How sweet is she??

Thank you again, Jessie - you are so thoughtful.