Swappin'

Hello- I just wanted to share with you, real quick, a card I made for the Unity Swap we just finished. I made ten of these babies!! They are 4.5X4.5 square cards. I used the Unity KOTM for August, called: Remember Happiness. (Unfortunately, it is now retired) If you are interested in the Kit of the Month, which, gets better each and every month, please check out the Kit Club link on the Unity website! Ok, back to the card, I used PTI (PaperTreyInk) paper: White, Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush and American Crafts DSP. I used copics to color in the image, dew drops and rhinestones for some bling, and PTI Swiss Dots ribbon in Perfect Plum. The Remember Happiness quote is stamped in regal rose in and sponged around the edges with the same color. The butterflies are popped up on dimensionals. This was a really great swap to be a part of, and hosted by the lovely Jess Russel. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY STAMPING!

Where there is Great Love....there is a HIP HOP challenge!!!

Its HIP HOP Challenge day peeps, and Im so excited to share this card with you, because it uses Unity's Kit of the Month for September, called: Friendship.Love.Miracles. This kit is available until September 30th, and then it is gone forever....so, if you are interested, click on the link above, read about it and join the kit club fun. The kit club is phenomenal, and the kits get better and better each month. Ok, back to our HIP HOP challenge for you today. The challenge was picked by Sherry this week, and she suggested paper-piecing. Sherry gives an awesome tutorial on paper-piecing on her blog as well. This is such a fun technique and adds lots of dimension to your cards. Basically, you stamp your image on white cardstock first, and then another time, or multiple times on different desinger papers. I used the tree trio stamp from this set and stamped it on white, then 3 more times on Basic Grey's Mellow DSP, to give each tree their own appeal. LOL. You then cut very closely around the edges of the DSP stamped images, and then glue them down (or use dimensionals) onto your white cardstock image. Color and finish your image. Here I used copics to color the tree trunks, and I sponged around the white cardstock with saffron ink. I added sunflower dew drops to the four corners of the image. I also paper pieced the sentiment, which, I normally just use different colored markers to create the same effect. This was so much fun though, so I thought I would try piecing the words as well. I stamped the sentiment in Pumpkin Pie and Always Artichoke inks on white cardstock. I cut the larger words from the pumpkin pie sentiment and attached them to the Artichoke sentiment. I finished the sentiment by sponging the edges with saffron ink. HIP HOP Thursday is going to be loads of FUN tomorrow. There is going to be 3 new sets released and 4 new singles!! WOW, not to mention all the other fun specials, chatter, challenges and prizes!! Stop by the Unity forum on SCS tomorrow. The fun begins at 10am Central time and goes well into the night!! Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY STAMPING!!

Recipe: Paper: PTI White, Lemon Tart. SU Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke. Basic grey Mellow DSP. Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie and Always Artichoke. Stamps: Unity KOTM September 08: Friendship.Love.Miracles. Accessories: Dew Drops (Sunflower), May Arts ribbons, and sponging.

Creatively Yours Sketch 16

Here is the card I desinged for Creatively Yours, for sketch 16. Noella keeps giving out awesome sketches each week! If your looking for a new twist on things, check out her fun site! I just loved this sketch and all the circles and elements it combined, and for the fact that is was a tall card! My card is 3.5" X 7" Supplies: Paper: American Crafts Black, PTI White, Lemon Tart, American Crafts DSP, and SU Old Olive. Ink: Black Versafine, and Copics for coloring. Stamps: Verve: Abundant Blessings, and Beautiful You. Accessories: PTI Swiss Dots Ribbon Lemon Tart, Rhinestones, and Sponging. The quote on this card is one of my favorites, it reads: "If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus one day so I NEVER have to live without you." Thanks for stopping by, be sure to check out Creatively Yours for some awesome sketches! HAPPY STAMPING!!

NEW BLOGGIE!!

YAY! My blog has been revamped by the ever-so-talented Veronica (of VK Designs)! She is so awesome. I basically told her a few things I liked, and colors I like, which my fav's are purple and teal, and she came up with this beautiful design. THANK YOU so much Veronica.
If you are looking to spruce up your blog, check out her website and then email her. All of the blogs she has done are listed on the right side of of her site, if you want to see what she has done, click on them. Truly AMAZING work. one TALENTED lady!!

Here's a HIP HOP Challenge 4 You!!

Its time for another HIP HOP Challenge to get us ready for tomorrow's HIP HOP Thursday, in the Unity Forums on SCS. Today's challenge was picked by Jeanne (also a new Unity DT member! Congrats Jeanne!!). The challenge this week is a color challenge- use black and pink on your card. Easy enough, right??? For this card, I used a 5X5 black scallop circle base, then layered it with a 4.5" pink layer, a 4" DSP layer and then a 3.5" pink layer. I lined the card with Martha Stewart rhinestones and white opaque dots, to coordinate with my DSP, which has lots of cirlces and dots on it. I used the HUGE cupcake stamp from the Unity set Confetti Birthday, and the "Party" stamp is also from Unity, from the Cupcakes a'la Yummy set. I paper pieced the cupcake wrap from the same DSP I used on the layers. I glittered the flame on the candle as well as the yummy icing. Light pink paper flowers line the bottom of the card. I apologize if the photo looks a bit "off." I tried to "soft focus" so that the scallops could be seen better. (Note to self: use the white background next time. lol.) Check out the other Unity Hip Hop Challenge Girls' blogs, located on the left side of my blog for some awesome inspiration, and upload your challenge cards in the Unity gallery on SCS. Tomorrow's HIP HOP celebration is sure to be lots of fun... as always, lots of chatter, challenges, prizes and FUN!! Check it out, starting at 10am Central time. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY STAMPING!!

SC193, and HAPPY HIP HOP DAY!!!

Here is a card I made for Splitcoast Sketch Challenge 193 (SC193). When I fist saw this sketch, I thought, FUN! It looked like a card where you could add a lot of little details! Ok, maybe I went a little crazy on the details for this card?? I used the following: Paper: PTI White, Lemon Tart and Berry Sorbet, (and I just now realized there is no DSP on this card....how did that happen?) Stamps: Unity- Whimsy Flowers. Ink: SU Chocolate Chip. Accessoires: PTI Ribbons, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Dew Drops, Glitter, Copics for coloring, Circle punches, and sponging. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY STAMPING. and....HAPPY HIP HOP too! Dont forget to join us in the Unity forums on SCS today for lots of fun, chatter and giveaways!!

It's Hip Hop Challenge Day Peeps!!

It's WEDNESDAY, and that means its time for another Unity Hip Hop Challenge to get us geared up and ready for tomorrow's Hip Hop par-tay! Rumour has it that there may even be a new Unity stamp set released during the HIP HOP THURSDAY celebrations. Dont' miss a minute of the fun in the Unity forums on SCS. (If you are lost and wondering what the heck HIP HOP THURSDAY is, check out this thread.) Ok, onto our challenge for today. Latisha picked the challenge, which was to create a square card with scallops on it. We even have a sketch for your inspiration, which will be posted in the forum. Link up your creation in the Unity forum so we can see everyone's work.
Unity has a bunch of wonderful quote stamps, which are pretty big and will stand out perfectly on a card front. I have always loved this bible verse and it's one I can relate to pretty well. After my father passed away in 1997, for the longest time thereafter, I struggled with my faith. I went to church, I prayed, and it just didnt feel the same. I couldn't understand why my father was taken from us so early in his life and I carried a lot of anger. It was one Sunday at mass that I heard this verse, and honestly, this may have been the only part of the reading that I "heard." But, for me, this verse says, have faith, even the smallest amount, because, with God, all things are possible. Thank you so much for stopping by, and thank you for reading my personal story. (I usually don't do that.....) HAPPY STAMPING.
Card Recipe: Paper: SU Artichoke, Marigold Morning, PTI White, Basic Grey Sugared DSP. Ink: I used SU Markers: Mustard and Artichoke on the stamp. Stamps: Unity single Move Mountains. Accessories: Pearl Dew Drops, Threading Water Border Punch.

Verve OSW Challenge!!

Verve Visual is having a new release party tonight (starting at 9pm Central time) in the Verve forum on SCS. Julee Tillman, of Verve, has given out another spectacular and FUN challenge for this release party. The challenge is to create a set of four cards using one sheet of double-sided 6X6 designer paper. (Of course you would use coordinating colors for layers and such.) Sounds fun right? It was nice and easy too, and I have to say, this is probably the first time I was ever able to whip out four cards in one night! Whooo-hooo! I'm psyched. SO, to get started, you can find the sketches and cutting template here. There is a PDF you can print, that has all the sketches and the template on one page! Come on and join the fun!

My cards use the following products:

Paper: PTI White, SU Artichoke, Celery, Pumpkin Pie, River Rocks, Bliss Blue and Basic Grey Archaic DSP. Ink: SU Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie, and Bliss Blue. Stamps on all cards are Verve Visual. Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing folders (for texture), Dew Drops, Rhinestones, Sponging.

Thanks so much for stopping by and HAPPY STAMPING!!

Creatively Yours

Here is a card that I designed for Creatively Yours. Check out Noella's Card sketch for this week, it's pretty neat. When I first looked at the sketch, I had a lot of trouble deciding what I was going to do for this card, and I went back and forth many times. I finally settled on this design. I put my August Kit of the Month (Remember Happiness) from Unity to work for this card. Card Recipe: Paper: PTI White, American Crafts DSP. Stamps: Unity KOTM August: Remember Happiness. Ink: SU Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip and Rose Red. Accessories: Rhinestones, dimensionals, Copics for coloring and sponging. Thanks for stopping by, don't forget to check out Creatively Yours for some awesome, fun and different Sketches. HAPPY STAMPING Peeps!!

A REALLY Cool Inspiration Challenge....

This. By far. Was. THE. COOLEST. Inspiration Challenge. I have ever done! Oh wait....this is my FIRST Inspiration challenge ever! I dont usually do the Inspiration challenges on SCS, and I don't know why, they are really neat. I was totally drawn to this challenge, however and I see myself going back to check out some more. The challenge this week (IC143) was to draw inspiration from an eclectic lifestyle hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark – the Hotel Fox. The hotel’s 61 rooms were designed by 21 different artists from around the globe. Each room is wonderfully unique, and I have never seen anything quite like it!! I picked room #312. It's called Yuma, which is Japanese for dream. I just loved the colors that this room displayed and graphics just called me. I created this card from my inspiration from that room. Card recipe: Paper: PTI White, Aqua Mist, SU Real Red. Ink: SU Basic Black and SU markers. Stamps: Unity: Growing in Unity and Flirty Flowers. Accessories: Rhhinestones, Dew Drops, Cuttlebug Forest Branches Embossing Folder, Copics. Thanks so much for stopping by. If you are looking for a really neat challenge, hop on over to SCS and try out the Inspiration Challenge, they are posted on Saturdays!

Two Challenges Wrapped into One...

This card is a combination of two challenges this week on SCS. The Color Challenge (CC182) was Monochromatics this week. This card also ties in the Sketch Challenge (SC192) this week. Splitcoast posts NEW CHALLENGES every day of the week. So, hop on over if your looking for a fun challenge!! Card recipe: Paper: SU Cameo Coral, PTI White, Sweet Blush and Berry Sorbet, Basic Grey Sultry DSP. Stamps: Unity Eco Chic. Ink: SU Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Martha Stewart Pink Gems, Glossy Accents, Cuttlebug Paisley Embossing Folder, Copics for coloring, white opaque pen. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY STAMPING!!

Featured Stamper Challenge....

I made this card for the Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS (FS82) This week our challenge was to case NikiE's gallery, pick a card and change at least 2 things on it. So for this challenge, I cased this card from Niki's galley. I changed the colors, the layout (to the right side), and the main image. This was another super fun challenge and Niki's gallery is great! There is no shortage of inspiration there ladies!! Card Recipe: Paper: SU Garden Green, Summer Sun, Basic grey DSP Mellow, PTI White. Ink: I used SU Markers for inking the images: Garden green, Summer Sun, and Pumpkin Pie. Stamps: Unity Bouquet of Blessings and Tiny Trinity. Accessories: Dew Drops, Rhinestones, Sponging, Circle punches. One cool trick I used, was to color the image in with the SU markers Summer Sun and Garden Green, then, I outlined the flowers with the Pumpkin Pie marker and that's how I got the two-toned flowers you see here. FUN FUN FUN. Thanks so much for stopping by, and HAPPY STAMPING!!

SO Sketchy....

Alright peeps, here is another project I designed for So Sketchy. Check out the site to see the awesome sketch that Ally sent my way!! Another super fun sketch to work with, thanks girl!! Card Recipe: Paper: SU Cool Caribbean, Lovely Lilac, Certainly Celery, and Basic Hrey Euphoria DSP. Stamps: Verve: Artful Elegance. Ink: SU Lovely Lilac. Accessories: Dew Drops, Photo Corners punch, circle punch, flower punch, silver gel pen, sponging. Thanks for stopping by, Happy Stamping everyone!!

Let's Get the Partay Started Peeps!!

Hello- its Wednesday, and you know what that means. It time to get the Pre Hip Hop partay started!! The Unity Hip Hop Challenge Girls (see right column) are at it again. Here we go with the second installment of Unity Challenge Wednesday. Remember to play along with us each Wednesday, there will be a new challenge posted in the SCS Unity forum, and what's a better way to get pumped for Hip Hop Thursday?? This week's challenge is to use Unity colors (brown and turquoise) plus one other color of your choice, if you want. Special Thanks to Cathy for picking this week's awesome challenge. For all who play along and upload their creations to the Splitcoast gallery, you will be entered to win a Unity Single. You have until Sunday to upload and a winner will be selected on Monday morning. Please use keywords: Unity, USC2 when uploading so that we can find your creations easily!!! Card Recipe: Paper: PTI White, SU Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, American Crafts DSP. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Stamps: Unity: Tiny Trinity. Accessories: Cuttlebug Border Embossing Folder, Glossy Effects, Copics for coloring, Rhinestones, Paper flowers, Oval and Scalloped Oval punches, glitter pen, tab punch, sponging. Thanks so much for stopping by. Don't forget to join in the fun for Hip Hop Thursday, tomorrow in the Unity forum on SCS, starting at 10am CST. The party goes well into the night. FUN FUN FUN! Have a great day and HAPPY STAMPING!