Happy Monday y’all!

I hope your weekend was fun, and relaxing!  I’m just popping in to share this week’s 2 Sketches 4 You sketch and card. This week’s sketch is sponsored by Sassy Studio Designs and Sakura of America. I used the Baby It’s Cold Outside stamp from the Sassy Holiday Collection as the focal image on my card. Here’s Laura’s awesome sketch (I love it!):

As soon as I saw the sketch, those presentation folders with the clear acetate covers came to mind.  I have a small obsession with office supplies, so just play along with my train of thought here, lol! Anyway, I initially planned to do some stitching, but when fumbling around I knocked over a bowl of some lace scraps, and that’s how I ended up with this design.  

I also wanted to incorporate the current Embellish Color Challenge into this card. I didn’t really think about it until I started coloring my image, and after that it all just came together so easily. The snowflakes were the perfect touch – great inspiration Ashley!

I used a bit of masking to get the snowflakes stamped just right all over the girly’s sweater & cap. I like how it turned out. I kind of flubbed the sentiment, but nothing handmade is perfect, so I’m ok with it. The sentiment is from the Cup of Cocoa stamp set by Clear and Simple Stamps.

Here’s the Embellish Color Challenge info:

You have until Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST to play along! Also, don’t forget to upload your creations to the Embellish Magazine Flickr group.

To play along with 2 Sketches 4 You, add your link to the blog, here, by Saturday, December 19th at Midnight MDT. This week’s prizes include 4 stamps of your choice from Sassy Studios, as well as a pack of neon pens and a glue pen, both from Sakura!

Enjoy the fun this week! Hopefully you’re wrapping up your holiday shopping! The crazy people like me will just be getting started… LOL!

Hi again!

I don’t usually squeeze in multiple posts in one day, but I couldn’t let the day go by without reminding you about the latest Embellish Color Challenge! Aren’t those colors so lush and pretty?!

You still have plenty of time to play along! The challenge ends tonight, December 10, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. That’s a solid 12 hours left!

Here are some cards I made using the inspiration above…

I wanted to push myself and make a Christmas card, even though the colors were screaming fall… I had a fun time using these wonderful images from the Perfectly Pretty shop. They’re so warm and cheerful! I used Turning a New Leaf (PTI) and did some tone-on-tone background stamping.

Moving back into the fall theme, but sticking with the background stamping, I came up with this… 

This card features one of my favorite sets by Clear and Simple Stamps, Fall Studio.  I love it! This was a super quick card to make, but I think it has enough pizzazz to really make a statement the recipient.

So what do ya say? Are you gonna give it a whirl? I think you should!

When you are ready to submit, add your link to the Embellish Color Challenge post, then upload your card to the Embellish Flickr Gallery. Don’t forget, the challenge ends tonight, December 10, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST.

*Hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Card 1: Card Stock (Papertrey Ink: Dark Chocolate ,Vintage Cream & Terracotta Tile) | Focal Image Card (Perfectly Pretty) | Stamps (Papertrey Ink: Turning a New Leaf) | Ink (Colorbox: Dark Chocolate) | Ribbon (Perfectly Pretty: Cream Crochet Ribbon &  Green Velvet Corduroy Ribbon) | Buttons (Papertrey Ink: Terracotta Tile). Card 2: Card Stock (Papertrey Ink: Ripe Avocado & Vintage Cream) | Stamps (CSS: Fall Studio) | Ink (Colorbox: Dark Chocolate, VersaMagic: green, Papertrey Ink: Terracotta Tile) | Ribbon (Papertrey Ink: Terracotta Tile Twill) | Button (Making Memories) | Twine (Perfectly Pretty: Cream Burlap String) | Pearls (Recollections)

The HOW TO: Card 1: Trim brown card stock to A2 sized card and distress edges. Stamp background pattern using dark brown ink. Trim focal image and mat onto cream and then rust card stock. Distress edges of bottom layer of mat. Add lace and ribbon trim to card, then adhere focal image on top. Flank focal image with buttons and twine. Card 2: Trim green card stock to A2 sized card. Stamp background pattern onto card base using brown and green inks. Tie bow using rust ribbon, then add button, twine and pearl. Stamp sentiment on strip of cream card stock, distress edges, then adhere to card below ribbon. Accent leaf centers on card base with small pearls.

**This is today’s second post… Please scroll down for some more fun!**

Hey there folks!

Guess what today is?! It’s Release Day over at Clear and Simple Stamps! This month we’re releasing a deluge of super fun stamps (NINE total sets!) and some free downloadable templates as well! And on top of all of that, CSS has a brand spankin’ new website that is so incredibly fab! You have got to hop on over and check it out! The gallery is amazing, the graphics are so fresh, and the navigation is just top of the line!

But before you go, I thought I’d share another little fun card using one of the sets in the Well Wishes Collection, Cup of Cocoa.

I just love the endless possibilities that this set provides! There are sentiments galore! Check out another one of my projects using Cup of Cocoa, here.

The ribbon on this card comes from the one and only Perfectly Pretty. Love that shop!

Well I hope you get a chance to browse the new CSS Website - you won’t be disappointed! When you’re done there, check out Papercraft Planet’s 12 Days of Christmas Challenge – CSS is the sponsor for Day 10, and there is a great scavenger hunt going on (and of course there is a fab CSS prize for the winner!)! I’d love for you to play along with us!

Here are the sets of the Well Wishes Collection (click to see images):

• Cup of Cocoa
• Get Well Darling
• Get Well Gent
• Beary Well
• Love
• Believe in Words IV
• Bubble Talk
• Month to Month I
• Month to Month II

And here are the 2 free downloadable templates available for you:

• SOTM Template: Cup of Cocoa  <– See my project here!
• Calendar of Cards Template <– Works really well with the Month to Month stamp sets!

Lastly, take a browse around and see what fab creations the rest of the CSS DT is sharing for this release:

• Beth (http://nevertoooldtocolor.blogspot.com/)
• Jen  (http://jentapler.blogspot.com/)
• Kim (http://basementstamper.blogspot.com/)
• Lori  (http://inkingaloud.blogspot.com/)
• Maria  (http://riacreations.blogspot.com/)
• Neva (http://scrappinbelle.blogspot.com)
• Robyn (http://www.herebygrace.typepad.com)
• Sue (http://berkerblog.blogspot.com/)
• Simone (http://fashionablecards.blogspot.com/)

*Hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Card Stock (Papertrey Ink: Vintage Cream, Bazzill: Black) | Stamps (CSS: Cup of Cocoa) | Ink (SU!: Basic Black, VersaMagic: red & brown) | Ribbon (Perfectly Pretty: Black Ivory Check) | Rhinestones (Recollections) | Dies (Spellbinders: Labels 4 Nesties) | Punch (Corner Chomper)

The HOW TO: Trim cream card stock to 4.25″x5″  card. Punch top corners with corner rounder. Stamp strip if repeated sentiment in black ink. Tie bow using wide ribbon. Add a row of rhinestones above stamped sentiment. Stamp and color focal image on cream card stock, then cut out using label die and die cutting machine. Cut a mat for the focal image in black card stock. Adhere image to card directly over bow. Add berries for embellishment.

Hey y’all!

Just wanted to pop in and share a Christmas tag I made using a Hambly Screen Print, some Bo Bunny, and some PTI stamps… This was SO fun to make! I wanna make more…LOTS more!

Have you been making tags this Christmas? I MAY do it for gifts for my extended family and friends… but not for my kids. I’m sorry, they tear things up like there’s no tomorrow. LOL! It’s not even worth the time.

I’d love to see some links to your tags! Leave me a link in the comments so I (and others) can browse and be inspired.

Have a fantastic week!

*Hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Acetate (Hambly Screen Print) | Stamps (Papertrey Ink: Turning a New Leaf, Signature Christmas) | Ink (StazOn: White, VersaMagic) | Patterned Paper (Bo Bunny: tis the Season) | Card Stock (Papertrey Ink: Spring Rain) | Ribbon (Papertrey Ink: New Leaf Swiss Dots) | Bell (Hobby Lobby) | Twine (Papertrey Ink: Rustic Cream) | Dies (Spellbinders Labels 4) | Button (Papertrey Ink: Spring Rain)

The HOW TO: Cut a label using Hambly acetate and Labels 4 die cut. Stamp floral image on edges of acetate. Punch hole in top of label and add ribbon, twine, button and bell. Stamp sentiment on card stock, trim to size, and mat on patterned paper. Add sentiment block to center of the label using foam adhesive.

Happy Monday!…

…and Happy 2S4Y day! I tell ya, I have always, always dreaded Mondays… that is until I started playing with 2S4Y! Every Monday is so exciting for me, and for the rest of the team I’m sure, because we love to see each other’s creations, and we love to see how all of you wonderful crafters out there will interpret the new sketch. It’s definitely a far cry from what my Mondays used to be like!

This week we got to play with the awesome Christmas Sleigh line by g.c.d. Studios! The color scheme of this Christmas line is so rich and fun! I have never seen a pack of paper with so much variety! You have glittered paper, acetate sheets, flocked, foiled and double-sided patterned paper! Super cool! And of course this card is based on another fab sketch by Kazan:

And just for kicks… how about another card using this fab g.c.d. Christmas Sleigh line? This one is a freebie, and not based on the sketch.

I love how the snowflakes just shine! That’s thanks to the foiled patterned paper by g.c.d. Studios! Seriously, I’m loving this stuff! Lol… and check out the layered brads! Aren’t they pretty? You guessed it! g.c.d., too! Lol…

Well, I sure hope you’ve enjoyed your visit today! I love reading your feedback! What are your thoughts of the sketch? Are you gonna join us and play? I sure hope so! When you do, don’t forget to link your creation up to the 2S4Y blog so we can all see! You will also get a chance to win some of your very own g.c.d. Studios goodies to play with!

Enjoy your week!

*Warm hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Card 1: Patterned Paper, Chipboard Shape, Tag & Buttons (g.c.d. Studios: Christma Sleigh) | Twine & Stamp (Papertrey Ink ) | Berries (Michael’s) | Ribbon (Michael’s) | Glitter (Martha Stewart) | Die (Spellbinders Labels 4). Card 2: Patterned Paper & Brads (g.c.d. Studios: Christmas Sleigh) | Card Stock (Papertrey Ink) | Velvet Ribbon & Pearls (Michael’s) | Cream Trim & Red Sequins (Scarlet Lime kit) | Punches (Martha Stewart: Snowflake; Fiskars: Threading Water Border)

Hi everyone!

Just popping in to share one of the layouts I made for my local scrapbook store, Scrapbook & Co. I *heart* that place and everyone associated with it! Seriously, the sweetest people ever! They just expanded into a bigger store, and I’m so, so excited and proud of them! If you’re ever in Louisiana, you’ve GOT to swing by, say hi to Denise, and check out her fab store!

I have been looking forward to the day I can make some of my favorite cookies ever! These are the softest, chunkiest cookies you’ll ever eat. I made them from scratch and posted about it here, and I use a recipe that I found here. I think these will be the perfect cookies for Santa this year, don’t you? Yup, Mommy and Daddy Santa will thoroughly enjoy these on Christmas Eve!

All of the product you see (with the exception of the base card stock & stamps) comes from the Little Yellow Bicycle, 25 Days of Christmas line…. LOVE this line of product! It’s full of elegance and charm- perfect for your Christmas projects! Check out the glittered brads, too! Yum!

The layout of my page was inspired by a project made by one of my all-time favorite scrappers, Piradee. You can see Piradee’s awesome page here.

Well I hope you’ve been enjoying your first week of December! I have one more final tomorrow, then I’m all yours! Lol… Well, you’ll have to get in line behind my precious family – I look forward to the quality time I get to spend with them this Holiday season.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for an EXTRA special 2 Sketches 4 You post!

*Hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Card Stock (DCWV- Metallic Stack) | Patterned Paper (Little Yellow Bicycle: 25 Days of Christmas) | Brads (LYB: 25 Days of Christmas) | Stamps (Studio G: Alphabet) | Ink (Papertrey Ink: Scarlet Jewel) | Punches (Martha Stewart: Loop Edge, EK Success: 1″ & 1.5″ Circle) | Lots of Pop Dots

Hey there y’all!

First of all… WOW!!! You all completely blew me away with your sweet, sweet comments yesterday! I am constantly taken back at the amount of love you all constantly send my way… seriously, it keeps me going when the goin’ gets tough.

Well, I am only popping in briefly to share some more fantastic new with you guys! Who here does NOT know how much I LOVE ribbon?….Hmmm?…. I’m waiting…… Lol! I’m sure it’s not many of you! Well with that in mind, you can just imagine my sheer excitement when the incredibly talented Carly asked me to join the design team for her FANTASTIC Etsy Shop,  Perfectly Pretty.

If you have never been to Carly’s shop, you are MISSING OUT! It’s FULL of GOBS of pretty ribbon! I can’t get over how pretty her shop is!….  Must-have burlap twine, lush velvet ribbon, gorgeous wide satin ribbon, beautiful acrylic stamps, and oh yes… amazing Melissa Frances embellishments, and more!

Please take a moment and visit the Perfectly Pretty shop, click around, and maybe treat yourself to some early Christmas gifts.

I’ll be back later this week with some yummies to share with you… in the mean time… pray for me! I’m smack in the midst of finals, and I need all the grace and favor I can get!

Have a great week!

*Hugs & Love!*

Hey y’all! I have awesome news for you!

I have the pleasure of joining the wonderful team at Clear and Simple Stamps! I’m so excited to be a part of this group of talented ladies, and to represent such a wonderful stamp company. I SO look forward to embarking upon what I know will be one of the biggest adventures of my “stamping” life! There are so many great things that we have for you all in the near future, and I’m so excited to help reveal them to you! Eeek! So much great stuff!

Well, every month Clear and Simple Stamps releases a Stamp of the Month (SOTM) and some great deals to go along with it! 

Today I have for you the December SOTM, Cup of Cocoa, along with a coordinating Cup of Cocoa mug template! 

This was such a warm and cheery set to play with! I knew I wanted to pair it with some fun colors as soon as I saw it. Can you imagine the endless list of people whom this gift would be perfect for?… This set is a staple item if you ask me.

I just love the sentiment I used on this card. Wouldn’t your best friend smile WIDE when you give her this?

If you are new to using templates, or just don’t have much experience with them, you’ll LOVE this mug! It is such a breeze to make, and even easier to embellish! I had tons of fun playing with it.

Well, I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t share all of the awesome deals that CSS has for you this month… Check them out:

• Stamps of the Month: Cup of Cocoa – $15
• Coordinating Copic Marker Trio: Earth 6 (E71, E74, E79) - $15
• Coordinating Template: Cup of Cocoa Mug - Free!
• SOTM BUNDLE: Stamp set + Copics Trio + Coordinating Template: $26!

Want even more of a discount???:

• DT Blog $1 Discount off of the SOTM Stamp Set!  (Now you get all 3 items for only $25!)

HELLO! You just can’t beat that!  BLOG DISCOUNT CODE: DTBlog1209

We have a lot more going on this month, and a great way to keep up with it all is by following Clear and Simple Stamps on Twitter –> Here!

Thanks so much, again, for your super sweet support of me already! I’m looking forward to the next few months with CSS, and to sharing it all with you guys!

Pop back by tomorrow for some more *fun* news! Have a great week!

*Hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Stamps (Clear and Simple Stamps: Cup of Cocoa) | Ink (Colorbox, VersaMagic) | Water Color pencils (SU!) | Water color pencil (SU!) | Card Stock (Papertrey Ink: Pure Poppy, White) | Patterned Paper (Bo Bunny: Tis the Season) | Ink (Colorbox, Versamagic & Papertrey Ink) | Ribbon (Papertrey Ink: Pure Poppy Saddle Stitch) | Pearls (Recollections) | Velvet Ribbon (Michael’s) | Dies (Spellbinders: Labels 4) | Snowflake Punches (Martha Stewart, EK Success) | Silver Christmas Decor (Dollar General)

The HOW TO: Card: Trim red card stock to A2 size card. Trim block of patterned paper and adhere to card front. Add strips of velvet ribbon to top and bottom edges of patterned paper. Cut label from white card stock using die cutting machine, then stamp sentiment on it. On a separate piece of white card stock stamp and color your image. After letting it dry, cut out image and adhere to label. Tie bow with ribbon and add two punched snowflakes to bow. Add silver pearl to snowflakes. Adhere label to card front over ribbon. Template: Cut pieces of template from red card stock and assemble. Use red sticky tape for best results. Trim strip of patterned paper and adhere around center of entire mug. Add velvet ribbon to edges of patterned paper. Tie ribbon around handle of mug, and add two punched snowflakes. Add rhinestone to snowflakes, and additional silver accents. Repeat steps for label and stamped focal image, adhere both to mug. Fill mug with your favorite treats and accent decor.

Hi everyone!

I sure hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves – nothing beats spending time with family… other than spending time with family while stuffing ourselves with delicious food!   It was certainly a special day worth remembering in every way.

We also had a bit of a blip on the radar early Friday morning when our little guy spiked a temp at about 4 a.m. It sent him into what doctors called a “febrile seizure” which caused him to jerk and shake a bit. The worst part was that he wouldn’t respond to our voices and focus on our face when we tried to get his attention. It ended after several minutes (that seemed like so much longer), and after that he just kept shivering until we got him to the hospital. His fever was about 103.5* by that time. The good news (thank the Lord!) was that his fever was easily controlled by Motrin and Tylenol. We had him home and resting for the rest of the day. When he awoke he was back to his old self! Of course we were still keeping a close eye on him, but we were certainly relieved to have our old “Superman” back. We have so much to be thankful for after this week’s events, my family being first on that list.

Well, back to the post here! Lol… This week’s 2S4Y sketch is by Laura, and I had SO much fun playing with it! We had the opportunity to use some timeless Christmas stamps from Starving Atristamps. My favorite is the beautiful script background stamp. If you read it, you can see that it’s actually the words of the Christmas carol: “Away in a Manger.” I had no choice but to pair it with the sweet stamp of Baby Jesus in his manger.

Isn’t this sketch just great?! Check out my not-so-awesome coloring skills! Lol… I’m still learning.

I used gold glitter as an accent to the rustic details of the card. The gold leaves are a dollar store find… can’t beat $1! And there is still more left on the decorative piece they came from.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this has given you a bit of inspiration to go along with the fabulous sketch. The rest of the team has prepared some really awesome work to further inspire you, so swing by 2S4Y this week and play– 1) It’s SO much fun! and 2) You could win some fabulous goodies!

Have a marvelous Monday!

*Hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Card Stock (Papertrey Ink: Rustic Cream) | Stamps (Starving Artistamps: O Holy Night, Sentiments Christmas Sentiments) | Ink (Ranger Distress Ink: Vintage Photo & Antique Linen) | Ribbon (Celebrate It!) | Button (Scarlet Lime) | Twine (Papertrey Ink) | Punch (Martha Stewart: Loops Edger) | Leaves (Dollar General) | Glitter Glue (Ranger Stickles: Gold) | Water Color Pencils (SU!) | Dies (Spellbinders: Labels 4)

The HOW TO: Trim card stock to 6″x6″. Distress edges with ink and scissors. Stamp sentiment and trim to size. Distress edges of sentiment block with ink and scissors. Punch strip of card stock and punch with loop edger. Add stickles to loops and let dry. Cut small label from card stock and stamp focal image. Color and let dry. Tie bow with doubled up ribbon. Add button, twine and leaves. Sew punched strip of card stock with stickles to card base. Adhere focal image to scrip background block using foam adhesive, then add that to card base using foam adhesive as well.

Hey y’all!

Just popping in to share one of my favorite My Cute Stamps sets, Ashley’s Blossoms. This is such a pretty set, I was so excited to ink it up and play – I even let Syd join me in putting these cards together! This card set was super fast and easy to put together! Check out the individual cards…

I hope your weekend is going well! I’ll be back in the morning with the next 2S4Y sketch, as well as some fun announcements during the rest of the week! See ya then!

*Hugs & Love!*

The DEETS: Card Stock (Papertrey Ink: White) | Patterned Paper (Martha Stewart: Purple, Sassafras Lass: Melon, Unknown: Red) | Stamps (My Cute Stamps: Ashley’s Blossoms) | Ink (Papertrey Ink: Spring Moss & Berry Sorbet, VersaMagic: Red Magic & Spring Pansy) | Punches (Martha Stewart: Butterfly, Corner Chomper : 1/2″) | Pearls (Recollections)

The HOW TO: Trim card stock to 3.5″x4.25″ card and round corners.  Stamp floral images, followed by the sentiment. Punch three butterflies in an accent color. Adhere butterflies to card front, then add pearls.