No One's Butter Than YOU!

I have a son who LOVES movies! He goes to theatre on average about once every week... totally 50+ movies a year. So as soon as I saw the "Just Poppin" stamp set at The Project Bin, I knew I had to have it. After all, who goes to the movies without having popcorn, right?

Okay, time for a disclaimer... I'm not sure the movie-going son always gets popcorn when he goes to the movies, but he should. LOL! Our other son - Brock - on the other hand, doesn't go to the movies very often... but a trip to the movies for him is ALL ABOUT the POPCORN!

One of the things that is great about this stamp set is the fact that it comes with the coordinating dies.

Here's my card, complete with lots of buttered popcorn:

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Be sure to come back tomorrow... The design team of The Project Bin is doing something special that you'll want to see.

Stamp/Die Set: The Project Bin Just Poppin stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug Inks and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Cream and Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Brads and Tickets from unknown vendors

Puppy Love

Do you ever make something - in my case a card - and think WOW! I really like that! For me, it doesn't happen very often, but when it does, I just have to smile.

This card is one of those times... so please indulge me as I smile from ear-to-ear.

This started with an adorable stamp set. My daughter Brittney loves "puppies" and since I try to mail her cards reasonably often (she lives HUNDREDS of miles away from us) I am always on the search for stamps of puppies. So of course, I immediately fell in love with the My Favorite Things "New Best Friend" stamp set and just had to purchase it.

Now, before I go further, just in case Brittney is reading this blog post... Brittney, I'm sorry! I know you have brown hair, but this time the card just called for a blond. But it's okay, I'll still mail this card to you... and hopefully it will make you smile from ear-to-ear, too.

Now whatever you're making - even if it isn't an ear-to-ear smiling sort of thing, I hope you'll share it with us at Craftaholics R Us this week... because the theme is ANYTHING GOES!

November 29 - December 5

Theme: Anything Goes

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Stamp/Die Set: MFT New Best Friend stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Cream 110# and SU Rose Red CS and DP from AMuse Studio and the Crate Paper Flea Market Paper Pad

Embellishment: American Crafts Ribbon

Try Something New with a Gift Card Holder

The Challenge Your Stash group on SCS has one premise - Use What You Have (no buying allowed for the monthly challenge). Each month one of the members chooses a theme and we create based on that theme. Then on the 28th, we reveal what we've made.

This is the 28th!

Vickie is our hostess this month and she asked us to make a gift card holder. AND... since this is Tuesday and I normally do a "Try Something New" post on Tuesdays, I searched for a type of gift card holder that I've never made before.

Of course, from the front, it looks pretty much like a normal card...

But when you open the card, the gift card sort of pops up! 

How fun is that!?!?!?

I'm sorry you can't really read the sentiment on the card. It says...

Life is about the small stuff, Merry Merry Christmas

There really isn't any good way to get a picture of this kind of card. UGH! It really is a fun technique; it just doesn't photograph well.

But it really is kind of cute and fun! I like this kind of gift card holder and just might make one again some time.









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Stamp Set: Unity Small Stuff Christmas stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers and a Spectrum Noir Sparkle Marker

Papers: Recollections White and SU Real Red and Wild Wasabi CS and DP from the DCWV Year Round Paper Pad

Embellishments: Brads from unknown vendors

Frantic Stamper Let's Dance

This is my last blog post featuring the November release at Frantic Stamper. It's been a love-filled month. You can see the entire release HERE.

The couple on this card would make a perfect focal piece on a wedding card... as they enjoy their "first dance". It also has other potential.

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies Used:

Bride and Groom Silhouette #FRA-DIE-10348

Dance Rock Sing #FRA-DIE-10355

Here's the inside:

This ballerina die is gorgeous... makes me wish I was a ballerina... or at least knew one so I could make lots of cards with her.

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies Used:

Ballerina En Pointe #FRA-DIE-10299

Coved Music Labels #FRA-DIE-10349

Here's the inside:

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Supplies Used on the First Card

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies: Bride and Groom Silhouette #FRA-DIE-10348 and Dance Rock Sing #FRA-DIE-10355

Papers: Recollections Black and Shimmer White and Stampin' UP! Emerald Envy CS and all other papers from my scrap file

Embellishments: Michael's Pearls

Supplies Used on the Second Card

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies: Ballerina En Pointe #FRA-DIE-10299 and Coved Music Labels #FRA-DIE-10349

Papers: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Pale Plum CS and DP from my scrap file

Ink: Ink Spots Metallic

Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

Buttons and Bows

I received a really FUN surprise in the mail a week or so ago... a friend from SCS sent me a few goodies to make a card (a kit containing images, sentiments, papers, and embellishments). I placed it on my crafting desk, thinking I'd use it soon. And soon arrived very quickly.

I needed to make a card with buttons and bows for a design team requirement and that kit just kind of smiled at me... because it had BUTTONS and ribbons in it. Yep, I had a plan.

So... this is my card for the International Art & Soul Buttons and Bows Challenge made mostly with items from Debby. THANK YOU, Debby! The only thing of my own that I used was some CS (Recollections Kraft and SU Cherry Cobbler) and some Target Baker's Twine. Debby had included some gorgeous cord in her kit, but it was heavier cording and my fat fingers just could seem to get a bow to look right with it.

I hope you'll participate in the 

International Art & Soul Buttons and Bows Challenge!

November 26 - December 9

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My Favorite Christmas Color Combo

Do you have a favorite color scheme when making Christmas cards? I'm not sure I do... and if I do, I am CERTAIN it changes often. But for now - TODAY - I think my favorite is turquoise and pink.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it (well, at least for today).

Why all the concern about my favorite Christmas color combination? Because that's the theme for the new challenge at Sweet Stampin' of course.

I hope you'll participate!

Theme: Your Favorite Christmas Color Combination

November 26 - December 1

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Supplies Used

Stamp: CC Designs Miss Claus stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and White and SU Emerald Envy CS and DP from he Recollections Fa La La La Paper Pad

Embellishments: Making Memories Ribbon and Snowflake Brads from an unknown vendor

Weddings Should Be Joyful

This week has gone by way too quickly. Of course that was partly because the first part of it I was out-of-state visiting my parents and sister... and then yesterday was Thanksgiving. I enjoyed the day, but for the first time in years I didn't go out Black Friday shopping. (I'm fighting allergies and my head feels the size of a basketball so I didn't think it would like the noise/chaos in the stores.) I did manage to do some Christmas shopping online though.

Even with all that, I managed to make 14 cards this week. WOW! I am shocked.

This card was inspired by chapter 47 of the little book 50 Truths Worth Knowing.

We can Surmount Tragedy 

with Love

Erik is an ordained minister in NYC. He says he's honored to be asked to officiate in weddings of friends, like his former college pal Peter and his bride-to-be Siobhan. Their wedding was to be a "stylish, elaborate, spare-no-expense affair" since Peter liked to live lavishly. What none of them knew, though, was that two weeks prior to the wedding date terrorists would fly commercial planes into the city's two tallest buildings.

9-11 changed more than the NYC skyline; it changed the world in ways we are still defining. And it changed Erik. He struggled with what to say at the wedding of his friend. He knew the wedding was not the time to dwell on the horrors his city had encountered, but he also knew they couldn't just go on as if nothing had happened. Blissful ignorance was not an option. So Erik called Peter and asked him and Siobhan to meet him for dinner.

At dinner the three talked about the upcoming wedding. Erik looked compassionately at Siobhan and told her he knew she'd spent a great amount of money and time preparing for the perfect wedding.  Then he asked the important question - in light of what has happened, how had things changed for her in regards to her dream wedding.

"Now," she said, "it doesn't really matter what color the napkins are."

Siobhan got it. She knew that while she'd planned all the details with precision, none of that was as important as family and friends... those who would gather to witness her marriage to Peter.

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Supplies Used

Stamp: Stampin' UP! stamped with Gina K Black Onyx Ink

Papers: Recollections Black and SU Emerald Envy CS and Paper Pizzaz Green Salt and Recollections Summer Flower DP

Embellishments: SU Ribbon and a Button from an unknown vendor

I'm Thankful for Christmas CraZy

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and yours are having a great day of feasting, gathering, chatting, and more! Oh, and did I mention feasting? Make the most of this day when we focus on giving thanks!

And before you go, let me also say... Merry! Merry Christmas, that is.

I have hosted the Christmas CraZy swap on SCS this year. Every other month we I randomly select pairs of swappers to share an image/papers with each other. This is the last round, as I've decided not to do this again in 2018. But it has been a GREAT year.

This round Lynn was my partner and what an amazing partner she is. She sent me the most incredible deer (and a die cut Merry Christmas plus gorgeous papers). THANK YOU, Lynn!

 Just look at the deer! It is inked in layers to give it that realistic look. Let me tell you, Lynn must have better eyesight than I do because I don't think I'd ever be able to get the layers lined up like that.

Here's a close-up of the deer:

Here's the inside:

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The items Lynn sent:

Gina Marie Designs Deer stamped with PaperTrey Ink Fine Linen, Classic Kraft and Dark Chocolate, SU Creamy Caramel, and Versafine Onyx Black Inks

Basic Grey Designer Paper

Sizzix Home for the Holidays die (SU Cherry Cobbler and Tempting Turquoise)


I also used the following from my stash to make the card:

Recollections Ivory and SU Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso CS

Buttons and Twine from unknown vendors

A Chickie Christmas Tree

The Creative Card group members received a fun kit of Christmas-themed goodies this month from Maggie. THANK YOU, Maggie!

This is Maggie's description of the contents:

The Christmas tree is from Stamplistic. It is a layered card so I sent you 4 pieces stamped on green. The idea is to cut out the images graduated so you can layer each one on one of the white cards so the tree stands out. I've included some embellishments that you can use to decorate your tree. It's up to you.

The other images are from SU Santa Paws set with sentiments. I also included a sentiment from SU Watercolor Christmas and a chipboard JOY from Melissa Francis.

The tree brads are from my stash. The Metallic thread and green and burgundy ribbons are from my stash. The cardstock is SU Real Red and Garden Green. The designer paper is from SU also, but I neglected to write down which paper collection they were from. Have fun!

The only thing of my own that I used to make this card was some CS - Recollections Green, Ivory, and Red - and some Stickles Glitter Glue. I colored the image with Copic markers.

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Try Something New with Stamps and Wood

Sometimes we just need to branch out and try something other than paper, right? So I purchased so disks of birch wood and decided to try to make a snowman ornament with two of them.

Pretty simple to make and didn't turn out too bad either.

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Supplies Used

Birch Disks: from Michael's

Paint: Master's Touch White Acrylic

Stamp Set: Peachy Keen Snow Bitty Faces stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Faber Casteel Big Brush Markers

Embellishments: Dress It Up Top Hat Button, Foof-a-La Black Buttons and Ribbon from my scrap bin

Frantic Stamper Musical Instruments

I think there is something majestic about a grand piano so you can be sure I love this die from the November release at Frantic Stamper. You can see the entire release HERE.

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies Used:

Baby Grand Piano #FRA-DIE-10293

Here's the inside:

I also made this card...

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies Used:

Heart Clef #FRA-DIE-10350

Nested Diamonds #FRA-DIE-10328

Quartet Musical Instruments #FRA-DIE-10296

Frantic Stamper Background Stamp Used:

Hearts All Over #FRA-CLG-B036

Here's a closeup of the instruments:

Here's the inside:

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Supplies Used on the First Card

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies: Baby Grand Piano  #FRA-DIE-10292

Papers: Recollections Black and White and Stampin' UP! Metallic Silver and Rose Red CS and DCWV Black & White Music Notes DP

Embellishments: Craft Smart Ribbon and Heart-Shaped Brad from an unknown vendor

Supplies Used on the Second Card

Frantic Stamper Precision Dies: Heart Clef #FRA-DIE-10350, Nested Diamonds #FRA-DIE-10328, and Quartet Musical Instruments #FRA-DIE-10296 

Frantic Stamper Background Stamp: Hearts All over #FRA-CLG-B036

Papers: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Rose Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Note-Shaped Brads from an unknown vendor

Mysterious Christmas

I can hardly believe it - this is the 42nd round of the Mystery Image swap group on SCS. I started the group - years ago. We've dwindled down to 10 members, but we still enjoy creating with the same image as the others every round. It's such a delight to see what the others create.

This round I am the hostess, and I chose the CC Designs "Henry Claus" image. Of course my mailbox has been the recipient of some pretty amazing cards... this is a talented group of ladies. My card looks kind of simple by comparison. But I did enjoy making it... and especially enjoyed coloring "Henry".

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Supplies Used

Stamps: CC Designs Henry Claus and Funny Christmas (sentiment) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black, Red and White CS

Embellishments: Stickles Glitter Glue and Washi Tape from an unknown vendor

Sweet Stampin' Birthday Celebration

This is a special week... it's birthday week for Sweet Stampin' Challenges. That means everyone is included in the celebration - so both groups of the design team created birthday cards to share.

AND... we're really REALLY hoping YOU will participate by making a birthday card, too, and linking it to the challenge... HERE.

Be sure to play along at...

November 18 - 24

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Supplies Used

Stamp/Die Set: My Favorite Thinks Sweet Birthday Wishes stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and White and SU Pretty in Pink CS and DP from my scrap file

Embellishments: Recollections Enamel Dots