Peace*Love*Joy-Send A Smile 4 Kids

 

Hello, and happy December! I cannot believe we are just a few short weeks away from Christmas. This year has just zipped on past. This month we are creating Winter cards for kids at Send A Smile 4 Kids. This adorable card was so easy to create and think it would be fun to mass produce. I started by wrapping some pretty red tinsel ribbon that I picked up last year in the dollar bin at Target around a panel of crumbcake cardstock from Stampin' UP. I popped the panel up off of my white A2 card base using 3M foam tape. I stamped the adorable reindeer image from Sweet 'N Sassy Stamps Christmas Blocks stamp set onto some white alcohol-friendly cardstock. I colored the images with my Copic markers and cut the image out right on the stamped border. I edged it with my dual tip Memento black marker and adhered it directly to the focal panel. To finish off my card I added some white gel pen detail to the deer image, added faux stitching lines around the focal panel, and some red gems from Recollections. Such an easy and simple card to create! Now, be sure to pop by the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog and see how the rest of the design team was inspired this month. 

Gnome Happy Birthday

 

Today's card was created for the latest Color Throwdown card challenge. I created this card by stamping and coloring the gnome from Inkadinkado's Garden Gnome stamp set onto white alcohol marker-friendly cardstock. I colored him with my Copic markers and fussy cut him out. I then stategically stamped the mushrooms from the stamp set onto a cream cardstock panel and colored them to match the gnome. I diecut a few leaves in the same dark peach cardstock using an etched leaf die from Jillian Vance Designs. I wrapped some light peach jute twine from American Crafts onto the top of the focal panel and adhered the leaves using a glue dot. I created a hillside using some light blue cardstock from Hobby Lobby and a Paper Smooches stiched hillside die. I adhered that to the bottom of the focal panel under the mushrooms. I adhered my little gnome down onto the panel using Stampin' UP foam dimensionals. I stamped the sentiment from Winnie & Walter's The Big The Bold & The Happy stamp set using Versafine onyx black ink. I finished this adorable little gnome card up by added some gems from Honey Bee Stamps Harvest Fesitval crystal gem sticker mix and some white gel details. 

A Merry, Merry, Oh So Very Merry Christmas-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

 

Hello! This month Deb and I decided to use this pretty photo as our inspiration for this month's Coffee and Cards collaboration. Coincidentally, we are both using the same stamp and die set. We are both using the Close To My Heart Comfort & Joy stamp and die set. I created my card by layering some pretty patterned papers from the My Mind's Eye Oh What Fun! 6x6 paper pad onto my white A2 cardbase. I started with a piece of brushed textured green cardstock that I layered onto my card. I then tore pieces of the patterned paper and layered them together with some Stampin' UP's crumb cake cardstock. I layered all of the torn pieces of paper together and then adhered them to my green panel. I cut a few fishtail banners from more of the patterned paper and attached them to the right upper corner. I die cut a piece of crumb cake cardstock using a Spellbinders nesting circle die and adhered a smaller white circle on top. I stamped the tree image from the CTMH stamp set onto more green cardstock using Versamark ink and heat embossed the image using Ranger detail white and liquid platinum embossing powders. I die cut the image using the coordinating die. I added some faux black stitched lines to the card panel and the white circle panel. I popped the tree up off of the focal panel using Stampin' UP's foam dimensionals. This card was simple and easy to create. I can't wait to see what Deb created with it! 

For my coffee I chose a hot pumpkin spice latte from McDonald's. I have to get out and blow leaves, and thought this might hit the spot before I tackle that chore. Now, be sure to pop over to Debra's blog and leave some love on her post! 

Merry Christmas-Caffeinated Christmas

 

Hello, and welcome to the November Caffeinated Christmas card challenge. This month we are featuring projects with coffee and holly. One lucky participant will be chosen to win a $15 gift card to one of the list of participating sponsors, so be sure to link up a project! I was so sad to hear that Ellen Hutson was closing her shop, but was tickled to pick up the adorable Cozy Cuppa stamp set on clearance before they closed shop. And it came in just in time for this month's challenge! It's like it was meant to be!  I created this adorable card by stamping out all of the images onto Copic-friendly cardstock and coloring them with my alcohol markers. I fussy cut them out leaving a small white border around the edges. I created the background by stamping the Recollections Christmas small wood block background stamp onto some watercolor paper using Versamark ink. I heat embossed the background using Ranger's detail white embossing powder. I then inked the background with spun sugar and saltwater taffy distress inks. I added splatter for additional interest. Using the small Spellbinders nestabilities deckled edge dies I die cut a focal panel. I adhered the panel directly to my white A2 card base and stamped the sentiment from the Crate Paper Snow and Cocoa mini stamp set at the bottom using Versafine onyx black ink. I adhered all of my images together the way I wanted them and then popped them up off of the focal panel using 3M foam tape. For a finishing touch, I added white gel pen detail to the images. Thank you for stopping by my blog today. And thank you to Caffeinated Christmas card challenge for letting me guest design this month! 

Winter Wishes-2023 Fall Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

I have been hopping along all week on this amazing Coffee Lover's Blog Hop and just couldn't resist submitting a fun card for the challenge. To create my card, I stamped the adorable girl image from Photoplay's Say It With Stamps I Love Fall stamp set onto white Copic-friendly cardstock. I colored her with my alcohol markers and fussy cut her out. I masked off a small area on my white A2 card base and then inked up the Tim Holtz Holiday Knit stencil using Stampin' UP bashful blue ink. I stamped a few snowflakes on top of the stenciling using the same ink and a snowflake stamp from Crate Paper's Snow and Cocoa stamp set. I die cut a white rectangle panel using Paper Rose nesting stitched rectangle dies and carefully created a snow bank using a Paper Smooches stitched hillside die. I stamped the sentiment to the bottom left of the panel using Versafine onyx black ink and a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp's Hand Lettered Winter Wishes stamp set. I popped the focal panel up off of the card using 3M foam tape and adhered the girl to the right of the sentiment using glue and more foam tape. I added some clay polymer candy apple hearts around the sentiment and on the background for a fun pop of color. I finished the card off using some white gel detail. Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I hope you are well caffeinated and having fun on this amazing hop!

 

Winter Greetings-SAS4Kids November

Hello, and happy November! This month at Send A Smile 4 Kids we are creating cards for the holidays. I created this adorable little snowman card by stamping the snowmen from Close To My Heart's Snow Friends onto a strip of white Copic-friendly cardstock. I colored the images with my alcohol markers, including the sky. I then stamped the greeting from the Stampendous Snowy Short Stacks stamp set onto the snow drift. I cut the panel down and edged it with some cherry cobbler cardstock from Stampin' UP that I created a fun scallop with using a Fiskars punch. I layered all of that onto some fun glittery cardstock that I've had in my stash for so long I'm not even sure who makes it anymore. To finish the card off I added some Stickles in frosted lace to parts of the snowmen, their hats, and all of the snowballs to match the shimmer and shine in the cardstock. I love how adorably cute this card turned out. Now be sure to head on over to the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog and see what the other team members have created this month and join in on the fun! 

 

Let's Celebrate!

 

Today's card was created for the latest Color Throwdown card challenge. I layered some rust-colored cardstock that I had my stash onto my A2 white card base. I then stamped, colored, and fussy cut the adorable gnome, butterfly, and mushroom from the Inkadinkado Garden Gnome stamp set onto white Copic-friendly cardstock. I created a focal panel using white cardstock, pink ink from Gina K Designs, and the mini cloud stencil from My Favorite Things. I attached a piece of green cardstock from my stash with snail adhesive, and die cut the panel using a stitched stacking rectangle die from Paper Rose. I stamped the sentiment from the Momenta Birthday wooden block stamp set at the bottom of the panel. I popped the panel up off of the card for a little dimension. I finished the card off by adding some white gel pen details the images. Thank you for visiting my blog today! 

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

 

With Halloween right around the corner, Deb and I decided to use this fun Halloween photo as our inspiration for our Coffee and Card collaboration this month. I started with an A2 card base and layered on some mats of orange and black cardstock from my stash. I layered some fun polka patterned paper from the American Crafts Haunted 6x6 paper pad on top. I then die cut a rectangle panel using the Gina Marie Designs wonky stitched stacking rectangle dies. I stamped the sentiment from Essentials by Ellen Boos Inside stamp set using versafine onyx black ink at the top right side of the focal panel. I then stamped the stars from Pebbles/American Crafts Midnight Haunting stamp set onto the panel around the sentiment and at the bottom right. I stamped all of the fun Halloween mugs from the same Ellen Hutson stamp set onto white Copic-friendly cardstock, and colored the images using my alcohol markers. I then fussy cut the images, darkened the eyes and mouths of the images using my Sakura black glaze pen. I popped the images up using Stampin' UP foam dimensionals, and adhered them around the focal panel. I finished the card by adding some Nuvo glitter drops in white blizzard to the stars. I love how adorable this card is!

 

I had the opportunity to visit London this month, and had a wonderful Turkish meal complete with Turkish coffee. I absolutely adored the texture and richness of the coffee! Now, be sure to pop over to Deb's blog and see what fun she created using our inspiration photo! 

Happy Halloween

Hello, happy Thursday! I recently won the Picket Fence Studios Triple Trouble stamp and die set and could not resist using it for this challenge. I created this card by stamping the pumpkins, the witch hat, and the sentiment onto white Copic-friendly cardstock, coloring them with alcohol markers, and die cutting the images with the coordinating dies. I cut a frame using Paper Roses stitched stacking rectangle dies and pretty patterned paper from Recollections Midnight Magic Halloween 6x6 paper pad. I popped the frame up using foam tape. I traced along the frame onto the card base, and inked the interior with villenous potion and wilted violet distress inks from Tim Holtz. I sprized the panel with some water for a little distressed interest, and then stamped the bats from the stamp set onto the background. I popped the images and the sentiment up with foam tape and then adhered them to the frame. I mounted the whole thing to my card base. I finished off the card by adding white gel pen to all of the elements. Thank you for stopping by my blog today. I appreciate you! 

 

Autumn Greetings-Send A Smile 4 Kids

 

Hello! Welcome to the October Send A Smile 4 Kids card challenge. This month we are creating holiday/celebration cards for kids. I recently picked up Say It With Stamps I Love Fall stamp set from Photoplay, and just had to use it right away. I pretty much used the inspiration photo on the stamp package to create my card. I started by layering some cocoa brown cardstock from Hobby Lobby onto my white A2 card base. I then stamped the text pattern onto some light beige cardstock from Hobby Lobby using Gina K Designs cocoa brown ink and Unity Stamp Company's Small Details background stamp. I die cut the panel by doing selective die cutting using a circle die from My Favorite Things and a stitched rectangle die from Paper Rose. I trimmed down a small strip of the darker brown paper and stamped the sentiment from the stamp set and cut the strip down using the same rectangle die. I adhered it to the bottom of the focal panel to help ground my adorable images, which I stamped from the same stamp set and colored using my alcohol markers. I popped the images up using foam dimensionals from Stampin' UP. I popped the focal panel up off of the card using 3M foam tape. I finished the card off by adding white gel pen detail to the images, and some brown 6mm sequins from The Ton around the sentiment. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. Be sure to head over to the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog to see what everyone created this month. 

Nutty For You

 

 

Hello, and happy end of September! Today's card was created for the latest Color Throwdown card challenge. I thought the inspiration photo was so perfect being that we are on the cusp of Autumn and all things fall! I started by stamping the acorns from Paper Smooches Falling For You stamp set onto plain kraft cardstock and inking them up with Tim Holtz walnut stain distress ink. I stamped the leaves separately onto white cardstock and inked them with Tim Holtz mowed lawn distress ink. I fussy cut the images out and adhered the leaves with both liquid glue and foam dimensionals to give them a bit of interest. I created a card base out of linen textured kraft creamy brown cardstock and adhered a panel of gorgeous fall plaid patterned paper from Design Group that I picked up last year at Target in the dollar bin and mounted that onto some early espresso cardstock that I had border cut using a pretty border die from My Favorite Things. I adhered my focal panel onto my card base, attached the acorns using foam dimensionals, added some cream colored twine to the tops of them, and finished the card off with some white gel pen highlights and gorgeous coppery sequins from The Ton. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today!  

But First Coffee-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

Hello, and welcome to the September collaboration of Coffee and Cards with Celeste and Deb. We decided to use this fabulous fall photo as inspiration for our cards this month. After the blistering temperatures we had this summer, I know we are all anticipating cooler Autumn weather! To create my card, I started by layering some beautiful fall patterned paper by Design Group that I picked up in the dollar bin at Target last year. I added a small strip of espresso brown cardstock from Stampin' UP in between the patterned papers to add some interest and break up the busy patterns. I die cut a circle panel using kraft cardstock from Recollections and a circle nesting die from Gina Marie Designs. Using the coffee bean stamp from the Stampabilities Coffee mini stamp set and Versamark ink, I stamped the entire background for a nice tone on tone pattern. It's subtle, but it's there. I then stamped the large mug from Stamplorations Coffee Cup Large stamp set onto white cardstock and then paper pieced the rest of the cup using more patterned paper from the same Design Group paper pad and some simple kraft for the sleeve. I then stamped the sentiment from the Stampabilities Coffee stamp set directly onto the coffee cup's sleeve. I then popped the circle panel and the coffee cup up off the card using 3M foam tape. To finish off this beautiful fall-themed coffee card I added some espresso sequins from the Ton around the focal panel. 

My lovely boyfriend Nathan just flew back from Great Dunmow, England and brought me back this gorgeous mug and some lovely Twinings tea. I had to feature that as my beverage this month, despite this being a coffee card.  I love a nice cup of hot tea in the afternoon. Now, be sure to head over the Deb's bog to see what fun she created this month!

Merry Christmas-Caffeinated Christmas

 

Hello, happy Labor Day weekend! I don't know about the rest of you, but I always get a little excited around this weekend because it marks the beginning of Autumn for me. Today's card was created for the latest Caffeinated Christmas Card challenge. This month's challenge is to create a coffee, cocoa, or tea card with cookies on it. To create my card, I started by layering a piece of patterned paper from the American Crafts Very Merry 6x6 paper pad onto my A2 card base. Then using a stitched scalloped edge rectangle die from Gina Marie Designs, I die cut a forest green panel. I stamped the sentiment from Amy R Stamps at the top using Versamark ink and embossed it using Ranger's detail white embossing powder. Using the Momenta Christmas Mug & Cookie die set (which I picked at Hobby Lobby on clearance a few months ago for a steal) I created the mug, cookies, and all of the elements using more patterned paper from the same Very Merry paper pad and cardstock from my stash. I adhered them together with liquid glue, and then popped them up off of the card using Stampin' UP foam dimensions. For some additional bling, I added Nuvo crystal drops to some of the elements for a nice touch of glitter. I love how adorably cute this card is. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and, if you left a comment, I greatly appreciate it! 

You're Boo-Tastic-Send A Smile 4 Kids

 

This month at Send A Smile 4 Kids we are celebrating all things Fall/Halloween. I thought it would be fun to create an adorable Halloween card since I have two granddaughters I usually send cards to for that holiday. I created this card by stamping the adorable witch from the Mama Elephant Bootastic stamp set onto white Copic-friendly cardstock. I colored the image using my alcohol markers and fussy cut the image out. I then inked a background using Stampin' UP's perfect plum ink and added water to it for a nice distressed look. I cut down a white focal panel using white cardstock and my Fiskars wire trimmer and created a window in the panel. I stamped the sentiment under the window opening, adhered the witch to the opening, and popped the whole panel up using 3M foam tape. I finished the card off by added some black gems from Paper Rose. Love how adorably this card turned out. Now, be sure to head over the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog and see how everyone else was inspired by this month's challenge. 

Happy Dust-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

This month with Deb and I are celebrating all things glittery and sparkly! I created my card by adhering some textured pink cardstock from Hobby Lobby onto my white A2 card base. I then layered some pretty floral-patterned paper from the Simple Stories 6x8 Summer Lovin' paper pad on top. I stamped the Unity Stamp Company Planner Gal Be A Beauty stamp onto some white Copic-friendly cardstock. I then stamped the sentiment from Unity Stamp Company's Happy Dust stamp set next to it and cut that down into a small panel that I matted on more pink cardstock. I colored the image and sentiment with my alcohol markers, and then adhered the panel down to the card at an angle using 3M foam tape for some added dimension. I then stamped the butterflies from Unity Stamp Company's Go Get It Girl, colored them using my alcohol markers, fussy cut them out, and adhered them around the focal panel. I finished the card off by adding some clear rhinestones from The Paper Studios around the focal panel, and then added some gorgeous shimmer and shine to the images and sentiment by added lots of Nuvo Glitter drops in white blizzard. Love how beautifully this card turned out.

This month I opted for an iced coffee from Chick-Fila. With our temps registering over 100 degrees every day this week it really hit the spot. Now be sure to head over to Deb's blog and see how she was inspired by our challenge this month! 

 

Handpicked For You

 

Hello! Thank you for visiting my blog today. I am guest designing for the latest Color Throwdown card challenge. For my card I started by layering some olive green cardstock onto my white A2 card base. I then layered some olive green gingham patterned paper from Paper Studios on top. I die cut a scalloped edge rectangle panel using a Gina Marie Designs die, and stamped the sentiment from Stampendous True Friens on the lower right corner using Versafine onyx black ink. I then stamped the sunflower image and some leaves from Honey Bee Stamp's Sweet Sunflowers stamp set using Memento tuxedo black ink and some white Copic-friendly cardstock. I colored the images using greens, oranges, and browns from my alcohol markers. I then fussy cut the images out and mounted them onto the card panel to frame the sentiment. I popped the whole panel up off of the card using 3M foam tape. My granddaughter absolutely loves sunflowers, so I suspect this will go to her for her upcoming birthday in September.

Happy Birthday-Send A Smile 4 Kids

This month at Send A Smile 4 Kids we are celebrating birthdays! I had purchased the MFT Green Pastures and The Whole Herd stamp sets during the Memorial Day sales and had not had a chance to use them yet. I have a birthday party I'll be attending in two weeks for a little girl and thought this set would be perfect for her card. To create my card I started by layering some fun bandana patterned paper from the American Crafts Heartland Farm 6x6 paper pad onto my white A2 cardbase. Using real red cardstock from Stampin' UP, I cut down some small slivers and attached them to the top and bottom of the cardstock to break up the patterned paper from the white cardbase. I stamped the sentiment from the Whole Herd stamp set using Gina K Designs black ink. I then die cut a stitched circle using a Gina Marie Designs stitched circle nesting die, inked the background in bashful blue ink from Stampin' UP, splattered some water on the background and dried it for some visual interest. I diecut a piece of olive green cardstock from Stampin' UP using an MFT border grass die and cut it to fit the circle panel. I adhered the two pieces together and popped it up off of the card using 3M foam tape. I stamped the little girl from Green Pastures, and colored her using my Copic markers. I stamped her shirt in more patterned paper from the same American Crafts Heartland Farms paper pad and paper pieced that onto the little girl, and used the coordinating diecut to cut her out. I stamped the pig and chickens from the Whole Herd stamp set, colored them with my alcohol markers, and fussy cut them out since I don't have the coordinating dies. I adhered them to my focal panel. I popped the little girl up using Stampin' UP foam dimensionals. To finish off my card I added some fun little clouds in the sky using a Fiskars mini cloud punch and added some white gel details to all of my critters. Thank you for stopping by my blog today, and if you left a comment I just want you to know how much I appreciate you! Be sure to stop off at the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog and see how everyone else was inspired by this month's theme. 

 

Thank You

Today's card was created for the latest Color Throwdown card challenge. To create my card I started by taking a strip of white cardstock and blending Tim Holtz Distress ink in picket fence all over the panel. I added some water droplets to it for a distressed look. I then blended more of the same ink onto a piece of white scrap cardstock and then die cut the sentiment using Paper Rose's Thank You layered die, and die cut the shadow portion from plain white cardstock. I layered the two together and set them aside. I then took a piece of plain kraft cardstock from my stash and die cut a panel using a Paper Rose layered stitched rectangle die. I then die cut the decorative panel using Paper Rose's Gum Leaf Border die. I popped the kraft panel up off of the card using 3M foam tape. I finished my card off using some Paper Studio clear gems that I colored green with a Copic marker. Thank you for stopping by my blog today. 

 

Merry Christmas-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

This month Deb and I decided to do Christmas in July for our theme. I usually send out about 50-60 Christmas cards each year, and July is when I start prepping for that. I was recently gifted a few gently used stamp sets from my buddy Cristina. One of the stamp sets she gave me is the now retired Close To My Heart Snow Friends. The second I saw this set I knew I had to use the adorable little row of snowmen. To create my card I started by layering some gingerbread cardstock from Hobby Lobby onto my white A2 card. I then stamped a white panel with Gina K Designs ocean mist ink using the Recollections Christmas/Noel background stamp. I cut the panel down using a Paper Roses stitched edge rectangle die, and edged the panel with a foam blender and more of the same ink. I adhered that directly to my card panel. I then stamped the row of snowmen onto some white Copic-friendly cardstock, colored them with my alcohol markers, and cut the panel down to a narrow strip. I mounted it onto some crumbcake cardstock from Stampin' UP, and then attached a scalloped border at the bottom using more gingerbread cardstock and a Fiskars scalloped edge punch. I popped that panel up off of my card using 3M foam tape, and finished the card off with some clear Nuvo glitter drops on the snow and the snowflakes for some extra shimmer and shine. I love this adorable little card!

Even though we are celebrating Christmas in July it has been quite hot (rude, one could say) here in the Midwest. So, my coffee choice this month is a Scooter's iced Turtle latte with a double shot of espresso! Now, be sure to head on over to Deb's blog to see what she how she was inspired this month!

 

Naughty Or Nice? Send A Smile 4 Kids

 

This month at Send A Smile 4 Kids we are creating Christmas cards for kids. I recently picked up the Sweet N Sassy Christmas Blocks stamp set on sale and had to use this adorable stamp set for this challenge. I started by stamping the adorable Santa image and sentiment from the stamp set onto some white Copic-friendly cardstock and doing some simple coloring on his hat, beard, and face. I cut the image out using a Spellbinders nesting circle die. I adhered that panel to a scalloped border that I created using a Spellbinders nesting scalloped border die and real red cardstock from Stampin' UP. Then I layered some green cardstock from Hobby Lobby directly onto my white A2 card base. I adhered a piece of striped patterned paper from Doodlebug Design's Home For The Holidays 6x6 paper pad on top. I then cut down a white panel and added a scalloped edge at the top using a Fiskars punch. I layered some more of the green cardstock onto the panel after creating a scalloped border at the bottom. I added more patterned paper from the same Doodlebug Design paper pad on top of the green cardstock, and popped the whole panel up onto the card at an angle. I stamped the other sentiment at the bottom of the panel from the same stamp set, added some white mini brads from my stash to the corners, and adhered the whole panel up off of the card using 3M foam tape. I finished off the card by adhering the Santa panel to the focal panel and adding some fun shimmer and dimension by adding Nuvo glitter drops to the beard, hat, and pom pom. Thank you for visiting my blog today. Be sure to hop over to the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog and see how the other design team members were inspired this month!

Thanks-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

 

This month's Coffee and Cards collaboration with Deb and I will feature cards using items we "lost" or stored away and recently found again. I have long time been a fan of the bargains I would find at my local Tuesday Morning. Last year I picked up a pack of puffy stickers and washi tapes from Heidi Swapp and recently found them cleaning out my craft closet. When Deb suggested this idea for our collaboration this month I just knew I'd have to use them. I created my card by layering the washi tape strips from Heidi Swapp onto a piece of plain white cardstock and then added the sentiment and puffy hearts from Heidi Swapp's Buzzwords sticker pack above the tape. I die cut the panel down using a stitched stacking rectangle die from Paper Roses and added some black twine from American Crafts at the top of the washi tape. I popped the panel up using 3M foam tape. I added a panel of dusky blue linen cardstock from the K&Company Designer Mat pad of cardstock and added the panel onto the card. I love when I can put a card together with no stamping! 

This month I opted for tea instead of coffee. I chose a lovely and fragrant Earl Gray from Harney & Sons. Now be sure to hop on over to Deb's blog and see what fun she created for us this month! 

Happy Birthday

 

Today's card was created for the latest Color Throwdown challenge.To create my card, I started by stamping a few of the adorable cactus images from Pawsome Stamps Prickly Friend stamp set onto some white Copic-friendly cardstock and colored them using my alcohol markers. I fussy cut them out and set them aside to work on the background. I layered a piece of bright yellow patterned paper from Simple Stories Sunkissed paper pad onto my card base. Using a scalloped edge rectangle die from Gina Marie Designs I cut a smaller white focal panel. I inked it with a bit of squeezed lemonade and mowed lawn distress ink from Tim Holtz, and then attached my cactus images. I stamped the sentiment from the same Pawsome Stamps set using Gina K Designs black ink. I popped the focal panel up off of the card using 3M foam tape and added a few green gems from Honey Bee Stamps around the images and sentiment for a little additional interest. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Hip Hip Hooray-Send A Smile 4 Kids

 

Happy June! This month at Send A Smile 4 Kids we are creating cards for Tweens/Teen kids. I have a lot of friends who have kiddos and am always in need of a kids birthday card. I was recently at my local Tuesday Morning, which is closing for good, and picked up a set of balloon dies from Crafter's Edge. Using the 2nd to smallest of the nesting dies, I die cut 6 balloons using cardstock from my stash of scraps. I adhered some white twine from Stampin' UP to the base of each balloon. I adhered a piece of neutral grid patterned paper from We R Memory Keepers Bewitched 6x6 paper pad to my white A2 card base. I then layered the balloons directly to the card and glued the strings down with liquid glue. I cut the strings at the base of the card and trimmed down any excess cardstock that overhung the edge of the card on the sides and top. I stamped the sentiment from the My Favorite Things Birthday Chalkboard Sentiment stamp set with Versamark ink onto black cardstock and heat embossed it in white. I trimmed down the sentiment strip and popped it up with 3M foam tape and adhered it to the bottom of the card. I love how easy this card was to create. I can't wait to play more with these fun dies. 

Hello-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

Hello! I cannot believe we are almost to the end of May. We are almost officially halfway done with this year. It just goes by too quickly for me these days. Debra and I decided to just let our creative juices flow and do an "anything goes" theme for this month's coffee and cards collaboration. To create my card I started by layering a strip of basic black cardstock from Stampin' UP onto my white A2 card base. I then stamped the flowers from Stampin' UP's Flower Shop stamp set onto yellow cardstock from my stash, and punched them out using the coordinating punch. I then layered some patterned papers from Authentique's Essential's 6x6 paper pad onto some dark grey cardstock from Hobby Lobby and created a fun layout with them. On the upper layer I stamped the sentiment from Bo Bunny's Just My Type stamp set. I added some Doodlebug Designs yellow baker's twine to the far left of the focal panel and adhered all of the panels to the card using 3M foam tape. To finish off my card I added the flowers to the focal panel, popped the center one up using Stampin' UP's foam dimensionals for a little added dimension and interest. 

For my coffee, I had a lovely and creamy Cordato in the Bahamas this week while on vacation. I opted for almond milk in mine and it was so creamy and good! Now, be sure to head on over to Debra's blog and see what loveliness she's created for our anything goes challenge this month. 

 

Happiest Of Birthdays-Send A Smile 4 Kids

This month at Send A Smile 4 Kids were are celebrating dads/special guys. I was browsing through my local Tuesday Morning and stumbled upon some really amazing deals on Simple Stories 6x8 paper pads. One of the ones I picked up was the Vintage Seas paper pack. It's full of beautiful vintage nautical-themed papers. My father is a sailor and lives near the sea, so I thought this paper pack would be perfect to create cards with him in mind. The pack comes with several sheets of cut-aparts that create a beautiful scene. So, this card was created with that single paper pad with the exception of some Stampin' UP cherry cobbler cardstock and the sentiment, which is from Papertrey Inks Celebrations stamp set that I stamped in Gina K Designs navy ink and trimmed into a sentiment strip and adhered to the card. To finish the card off, I added some ephemera from the Nautical bits collection and added a few Harvest Festival gem stickers from Honey Bee. I love when I can put a card together with very few supplies and for next to nothing in the way of cost! Now, be sure to stop by the Send A Smile 4 Kids blog and see how the rest of the design team was inspired this month.  

 

Celebrate-Coffee And Cards With Celeste And Deb

 

Hello, and welcome to the April Cards and Coffee collaboration between Deb and myself. This month we are using washi tape as our inspiration. I'm sure I'm not alone in the crafting community when I say that I have way more of this stuff than I could ever possibly use. So, given that we thought it would be fun and a clever way to use up some of the stuff we have in our stash. To create my card I started with a small 2"x4" cardstock panel. Using a vertical orientation, I laid my collection of American Crafts washi tapes right up next to each other in a pleasing color arrangement. I then used a stitched rectangle die from Paper Rose Studios to give it some additional detail. I then cut down a white cardstock panel using Simon Says Stamp's Drifting Stitches Border die and the same rectangle border die. I then stamped the sentiment from Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler stamp set and Versafine onyx black ink. I then stamped the flower from Stampin' UP's Flower Shop stamp set using Gina K Designs Sweet Mango ink and punch the image out using the coordinating punch. I adhered the washi tape panel directly to my white A2 card base. Then I popped up the main focal panel with the sentiment using 3M foam tape. I popped the flower up off of the card using Stampin' Up's foam dimensionals. I adhered it to the left of the sentiment and finished it off with some fun enamel dots from Simple Stories. 

I attended a fun caffeinated event in my town this weekend that consists of a walking tour of our downtown, visiting vendors who serve all things chocolate or caffeinated. On one of my stops, I tried a Vietnamese salted cheese coffee. Now, I know what you're thinking...salted cheese in a coffee? But trust me when I say, this coffee was rich and delicious! I only wish I'd gotten the larger size. I recommend it if you have the opportunity to try it. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Now, be sure to head over to Deb's blog and see how she was inspired by our washi tape challenge this month.