Stamping Again!

I can't believe that it has been so many months since I have posted to my blog and even harder to believe that I have not done any stamping!

Last November I was hired as a first grade teacher, which has always been a dream of mine, but in order to complete my teaching certification in Florida I have had to take several courses which  consumed much of my free time. Unfortunately,  I have not been hired for this coming school year as the State of Florida is not very supportive of public education and new teachers tend to be the first cut by budget crunches.

The good news is that I now have time to stamp!

 This is a birthday card that I just made for a very good friend of mine. I used the adorable digi stamp "Audrey with a Cupcake" by the wonderful Tracey at The Stamping Boutique.

This is a 6x6 card with several layers that have been distressed and sponged using Ranger Distress Ink in walnut. I used Copics and Prismacolors to color my image. The papers  are from the Sweet Fairy Collection by Prima and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. Ribbon and sentiment are retired Stampin' Up! and the pearls and lace are from JoAnn Fabrics. I also added stickles to Audrey's dress, Crystal Effects to the cupcake and glitter to the flowers for a little extra bling!

All layers have been machine stitched. The interior of my card is also layered and stitched. My layout was inspired by the wonderful artwork on the LOTV's Ideas to inspire blog.

Enjoy your day and thank you for visiting!

Welcome to the Christmas Blog Hop

Did you get here from Adri's  blog? If not you may begin your Christmas Blog Hop from here or you may start at the Crafty Card Blog.

This blog hop is intended to get you in the Christmas spirit...If you have not already finished your cards (or you are like me and have not started them) hopefully you will become inspired by all of the fabulous ideas that you will pick up today.

So...grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy yourself!

                  

 My card features a cute digi called Holly Angel Cake from Heather at Fresh Brewed Designs. I used red and white cardstock for my base and designer paper from my stash. I had forgotten that I had this paper and when I saw the little candy cane with Holly Angel Cake I went on a search for the paper. The image is colored with Copics. I used scalloped oval and oval nestibilities and the scallop trim border from Stampin' Up! The ribbon is from my stash and I added a  bell from Michaels. The little holly berries and wings have been accented with Stickles and I used crystal effects on the candy cane. The corners are highlighted with red dew drops.

Now I have some blog candy for you.

If you sign up as a follower on my blog and leave a comment you will have a chance to win two digital images of your choice from Fresh Brewed Designs and two digital images of your choice from The Stamping Boutique!

I am always so excited to read your comments and I am so inspired by your words.

Your next stop on this blog hop will be JAN'S BLOG.

Jan is so talented and I just love going to her blog to see what she has created.

Thank you so much for playing along today!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Today's card features a digital image from Heather at Fresh Brewed Designs. Her designs are so whimsical and allow you to use your imagination with color and papers. This image is called Tom Turkey. 

I used Prismacolor pencils for this card. The papers are all from Stampin' Up! and the lace and ribbon are from my collection.

Enjoy your day! I will have a new card and exciting news for you tomorrow.

The Stamping Boutique Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stamping Boutique Blog Hop! I am so glad that you decided to play along with us today.

If you arrived here from Aletha's blog you are on the right path. Please remember to leave a comment on each blog and collect the secret letter on each blog. Your last stop will be the Stamping Boutique's blog where you will receive your final directions and be entered in a chance to win free digital images.


Now for my card...

I decided to make a 6X6 card with several raised layers. The base card is textured white and I used retired designer paper and Elegant Eggplant and More Mustard cardstock all by Stampin' Up! This sweet digital image is part of the Thanksgiving collection by the Stamping Boutique and is called AJ the Pilgrim. 


I used Copics and Prismacolor pencils to color AJ and the ribbon is from my stash.

My secret letter is T. Please continue through the remaining blogs leaving your comments and collecting secret letters.

Blog Hop order:
 Collette 

Genevieve  

 Stacie 

Jan 

Jenn

  Melissa

Aletha

                                      Debbie   You Are here! Letter T
  Amanda 
The Stamping Boutique 

Thank you for playing along and remember that my secret letter is T.

 

Operation Write Home Blog Hop

Welcome to the Operation Write Home blog hop! I am so glad that you stopped by.

This wonderful cause is even more important to me as a very good friend of mine lost her son in Afghanistan last week. He was such a dedicated soldier and so young at 22. He has left behind a wife, two young children and family and friends who love him dearly and are so proud of him for his love of this country. Please take time to read about Michael and perhaps leave a message for his family.

 The card that I have made features AJ the Romantic from the Stamping Boutique. I used Prismacolor pencils and Copic markers to color the image. I used Sahara Sand and Pacific Breeze cardstock from Stampin' Up! and Blueberry Crisp designer paper also from Stampin' Up! The lace is from Michaels. I used small pearls in each corner of the image and stampin' dimensionals for depth of layers. I also used some Crystal Effects on the rose and bow of the candy box.

As a thank you for playing along in our blog hop, I am offering one of you the chance to win 2 free digital images from The Stamping Boutique Shop. You may select any two images that you would like. To enter please become a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post. The winner will be chosen at random and I will announce the winner on Sunday, November 14 at 5:00 PM EST. You will have two days to contact me with your selections.

The Operation Write Home Blog Hop begins here.

After viewing my blog please hop over to Stamping Sister. 
Jackie has a wonderful card for you!

Rainy Cynthia

Happy Saturday everyone! Thank you for joining me.

Today's card is for the Paper Playtime Challenge #18, Listen to the Music of the Falling Rain. As soon as I saw this Fairy Cynthia digi stamp from the Stamping Boutique, I knew that I had to use her for this challenge.

Sometimes I struggle with how I want to use a particular image , colors, embellishments, etc., but this design came to me instantly. I have had this designer paper in my stash for a couple years and it seemed perfect for Cynthia. I used Copic markers to color the image and highlighted Cynthia's crown with Stickles. The flower centers and the puddle are embellished with Crystal Effects and the silk flowers are highlighted with Shimmer paint. 

Here is a closer look. I think that it shows the added accents a little clearer for you.

 

The little hearts are from the Stampin' Up! punch Pinking Hearts Border. You would actually throw these away but they seemed so appropriate for the raindrops. The lace is from Jo Ann Fabrics and the ribbon is retired Stampin' Up!. The cardstock is also Stampin' Up!

See you tomorrow with another Halloween Card.

Put on Your Halloween Shoes!

Happy Monday everyone!

Today's card features a cute digi from the Stamping Boutique's Halloween line. The minute I saw these shoes I knew I had to make a card with them. They just make me smile. 

The card base is Basic Black and the layer is Lovely Lilac (retired) by Stampin' Up! The designer paper is from my stash. I colored the image with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils and machine stitched all layers. I added crystal effects and white gel pen for accents.

I will have another card for you tomorrow.

Thank you for stopping by.

SNR Digi Day Halloween

Hi everyone and Happy Saturday!

Here is my card for the SNR digi day Halloween theme. I am using a wonderful digi stamp from The Stamping Boutique's new Halloween Collection. This is Princess Jennifer Latte the Witch. I just had to work with this incredible image, she just has so much personality!

I used Copics for all my coloring,  added stickles in Star Dust to the stars, and added shimmer paint to Princess Jennifer's dress and hat for a little extra bling! The designer paper and ribbon are retired Stampin Up!, the background punch is Martha Stewart and the corner designs are Cuttlebug. I popped the main image up and then added the punched bats to give extra dimension.

Remember to join us tonight at 7:00 PM CT at the Stamping Boutique's SNR digi day. Go to the Stamping Boutique to get your "Frankie" digi stamp in the Halloween section,for an unbelievable $1 and bring your completed project to digi day to receive a FREE exclusive image for digi day attendees only. Join us for games, chatting and fun!

Thanks so much for visiting!

Candy Land Winter Release from The Stamping Boutique

Here is my entry for today's challenge on Paper Craft Planet. This is a new digital stamp release  from The Stamping Boutique's Candy Cane Winter Game night line called Candy Land Winter Lane. I had a blast working with this stamp! 

This is the actual Stamp:

There are so many possibilities using this digi. I colored the image with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils and used Stickles to highlight the hat and lollipop. The designer paper and ribbon are from Stampin' Up's retired holiday line from last year. The snowflake punch is from Martha Stewart. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the background and Nestibilities Scallop Circle die.

Remember to join us from 2-4 today at the Stampin' Boutique's digi image day on

Paper Craft Planet.

Birthday Bunny!

 

Here is my card for today's  Aud Sentiment's Challenge #10, "Best Wishes."

For my card I selected a color combination of Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie. I printed this adorable digi image, Birthday Bunny,  by The Stamping Boutique on white cardstock  and used Prismacolor pencils and Copic markers to color. The icing on the cake is done with Crystal Effects and I used Dazzling Diamond's glitter and dew drops around the image. All layers have been stitched, distressed and mounted with dimensionals. 

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bunny by The Stamping Boutique

Sentiment computer generated

Papers: Solar White. Melon Mambo and Pumpkin Pie from Stampin' Up!

Designer paper is from my collection Stampin' Up! (retired)

Accessories: Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils, Dew drops, Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter by Stampin' Up! Ribbon from my collection

 

Back to School Audrey

I just finished this cute bookmark for my daughter's first day back to school. This is another wonderful digital image from the Stamping Boutique. It is appropriately called Back to School Audrey. The tutorial for this bookmark is on Splitcoaststampers.

I used Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils to color the image and then used crystal effects to highlight Audrey's glasses and the apple on her apron. I embossed the Bashful Blue cardstock and then used designer paper, Bashful Blue ribbon, lace and brads. I cut out Audrey using the Spellbinders scallop die and then inked the edges to give a soft finish.

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Back to School Audrey by The Stamping Boutique

Inks: Basic Black, Bashful Blue by Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Designer paper by Dream Street

Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Scallop border punch, ribbon, brads and crystal effects by Stampin' Up!, lace, Spellbinder's scallop oval die, Cuttlebug Swiss dot embossing folder.

Audrey Goes To School

Happy Friday everyone! Thank you for stopping by.

Today I am showing you a 6X6 card using a wonderful digital image. Her name is "Audrey Sitting" and is available at the Stamping Boutique website.

The designer paper is from my stash and the cardstock is by Stampin' Up! Audrey is colored with Copic Markers and Prismacolor pencils. Just remember to always use your Copics first so the pencil does not damage the Copic brush tip. All layers have been machine stitched and Audrey is pop dotted on notebook paper and sitting on a measuring tape.

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Audrey Sitting by the Stamping Boutique

Inks: Basic Black, tea dye distress ink

Papers: Whisper White textured and Summer Sun smooth (retired) from Stampin' Up!

Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, red button and rhinestones, brass charm, white gel pen by Stampin' Up!, Star Dust Stickles, stampin' dimensionals, measuring tape

 

Pumpkin Emma

 

Hi Everyone! Happy Tuesday!

For today's card I am using a stamp called Pumpkin Emma. I could not resist this stamp as my youngest daughter is named Emma and fall is my favorite season. I stamped Emma in black ink on white cardstock and then colored her in using Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. 

The designer paper is from my collection. It is a glitter paper which cannot really be seen in this photo. All other cardstock is by Stampin' Up!  I attached the layers with stampin' dimensionals and added shimmer paint to the pumpkin. This is a 6 X 6 card. I also added orange dew drops to the corners of my card.

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Pumpkin Emma

Inks: Black, Certainly Celery by Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Certainly Celery and Lovely Lilac (retired) by Stampin' Up!

Accessories: Gingham ribbon, shimmer paint, Dew Drops

Little Girl Bear Hugs

Happy Monday everyone! Thank you for stopping by.

Today's card features a digital stamp by Meljen. I loaded white cardstock into my inkjet printer and then colored the image (isn't she so cute!) with Copics and Prismacolors. Next I cut around the image, mounted it with stampin' dimensionals on whisper white cardstock that had been run through my Big Shot and then sponged with Stampin' Up!'s Bashful Blue classic ink.

All of the layers have been stitched by machine and mounted using stampin' dimensionals.

The flowers have been brushed with shimmer paint and I used Crystal Effects on the flowers in the little girl's hair and also on the bear's nose.

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Digital

Inks: Bashful Blue by Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: Textured Pretty  in Pink and Rose Red and Whisper White smooth cardstock all by Stampin' Up! Designer paper from my collection.

Accessories: Copic Markers, Prismacolors, Big Shot, flowers, Rose Red brads, shimmer paint and word window punch by Stampin' Up!

Happy Anniversary

I just finished this card for my husband's cousins who will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Friday. For this card I used the Loving Bridal Couple stamp. The card base is 6x6 and I used textured Whisper White and Bashful Blue cardstock from Stampin' Up! The layers are adhered with stampin' dimensionals and I sponged the white cardstock with bashful blue ink. The flowers in Tilda's hair and in her hand are highlighted with dazzling diamonds and Crystal Effects both from Stampin' Up!

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Loving Bridal Couple

Cardstock: Whisper White textured and Bashful Blue by Stampin' Up!

Inks: Bashful Blue

Accessories: Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Big Shot with embossing folder, heart border punch, stampin' dimensionals, pearls, ribbon, dazzling diamonds and crystal effects all by Stampin' Up!

Stylish Tilda

Today's card uses Stylish Tilda in shades pink and brown. Tilda is colored using Copics, cut out with detail paper snips and attached with stampin' dimensionals. It takes a while but the effect is so nice. I used a retired designer paper from Stampin' Up! and stitched the perimeter with white thread. The base card is 6x6 Rose Red cardstock with alternating layers of designer paper, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White cardstock all by Stampin' Up! I used the circle dies for the Big Shot and the circle scallop Nestabilities. The Whisper White circle is dry embossed using an embossing folder and sponged with Pretty in Pink ink. The sentiment is a retired Stampin' Up! stamp. Over the years I have kept all of my retired Stampin' Up! sentiments as they are so beautiful and I never seem to have enough.I added color to the flowers using Pretty in Pink re-inkers and added dazzling diamonds stampin' glitter. I also added stampin' glitter to Tilda's wings for that little extra sparkle.

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Stylish Tilda, retired Stampin' Up! sentiment

Cardstock: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White by Stampin' Up!, designer paper retired Stampin' Up!

Accessories: Flowers from Stampin' Up! Pretties Kit , pearls,dazzling diamonds stampin' glitter, two-way glue, stampin' dimensionals and Big Shot dies, and designer buttons all available through Stampin' Up!, retired ribbon, Nestabilities scallop circle.

Strawberry Sparkle!

Hello everyone! Thank you for stopping by today. 

Today I am sharing a card that I had so much fun making.

I used a combination of Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils and then used Stampin' Up!'s Shimmer paint on the strawberry. I also highlighted some areas with Crystal Effects by Stampin' Up! This card has several layers and the edges of the Whisper White cardstock have been sponged with Melon Mambo ink. Here is another Cocoa Mouse downloaded from Sweet 'n Sassy. I recently found these wonderful digital images online and I just can't resist them. Check out the Sweet 'n Sassy site. I wish that the photo could show you the true sparkle of this card.

Here is the recipe:

Stamp: digital image Sweet 'n Sassy

Papers: Whisper White and Melon Mambo by Stampin' Up!, Patterned paper from my personal collection

Inks: Melon Mambo by Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Shimmer paint, dew drops, ribbon and Crystal Effects by Stampin' Up!, Scallop trim border punch by Stampin' Up!,  Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils

The Stars and Stripes

I am back! I know it has been such a long time since I have posted. In fact, it has been a long time since I have stamped or done any paper crafting. Over the past year I became certified as a K-6 teacher in Florida and I was so fortunate to have a full time position as an Art teacher. The experience was incredible and being at the same school as my children was such a blessing! 

I found this little Sweet 'n Sassy Patriotic mouse and just could not resist creating a Fourth of July card. Better late than never!

Here is the recipe for this card:

Stamp: Downloaded from Sweet 'n Sassy

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Brilliant Blue (retired), Shimmery White and Real Red

Accessories: White gel pen, photo corners punch, frost white shimmer paint, Stampin' Dimensionals and Crystal Effects all from Stampin' Up!

 

Happy Friday everyone! I started this card three days ago and planned on entering it in a Stamper's challenge but as I worked on the card my original idea changed and before I knew it I no longer was adhering to the rules of the challenge. Oh well... I hope you like how it turned out. The stamp I used is Tilda holding Marguerettes and the paper is from Stampin' Up! I used Copic markers and colored pencils with Gamsol to color the image . The ribbon came from my collection.

Sleepy Time Riley

This is Sleepy Time Riley. I had so much fun making this card! I colored Riley with colored pencils using Gamsol and paper stumps. It is a wonderful technique in which you can really control the amount of color that you apply. I wanted this card to have a very "soft" look. The layers of this card are are adhered with stampin' dimensionals.

Here is the recipe:

Stamp: Sleepy Time Riley

Cardstock: Textured White , Chocolate Chip and Whisper White from Stampin' Up! Riley is stamped on Cougar Opaque Cardstock

Ink: Black

Technique: Color Pencils and Gamsol

Accessories: Dew Drops, Photo Corners punch and ribbon from Stampin' Up!