Dude, Happy Birthday ~ Monday Montage 44



Welcome back to Monday Montage!!!  We are back with, once again, a fabulous hop!  Make sure you click on the links below so you don't miss any of the creations...you are sure to love them all!

My family had a weekend full of baseball and I loved every single minute of it!  My twins ended their spring season, which makes me kind of sad...they had such a great season and improved SO MUCH!  Proud momma here, that's for sure!  And with a busy summer ahead of us, fall baseball season will be here before we know it!  My hubby also played a little baseball this weekend in the 3rd Annual Battle of the Badge.  It was a great game between our local Fire and Police Departments, even if Fire lost!

Inspired by our baseball-filled weekend, I decided to put together a fun birthday card for one of the twins' friends who has a birthday coming up.  Dude, Happy Birthday!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Night of Navy, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Brights DSP Stack, Birthday Bash DSP

Ink ~ Night of Navy, Real Red

Stamp Sets ~ Something to Say, April 2015 Paper Pumpkin

Other Supplies ~ Circle Framelits, Star Framelits, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits, Whisper White Bakers Twine

 

I can't help but share some of my favorite pictures from the Battle of the Badge game...our family LOVES baseball!

My sweet family

Aidan & Hunter were bat boys

Owen during the National Anthem
 

Next stop on the hop is Cathy...I can't wait to see what she has for us this week! Or if you want to hop backwards, you can hop on back to the amazing Amy...I just love her style!

  Thanks for hopping along with us today!

Happy Stamping!





Today Calls For...

Mint {Macaron} Chocolate Chip ice cream!!!!

 

The countdown continues over at SSINK and I am sharing one of my favorite new In-Colors..Mint Macaron!  This color screams ice cream to me...mint chocolate chip to be exact!  Thanks to the new Sprinkles of Life stamp set and coordinating Tree Builder Punch, creating a yummy looking mint chocolate chip ice cream cone was a piece of cake....er, ice cream!

 

As you check out today's Inkspiration from my page, be sure to check out the rest of the projects by the SSInkspiration Design Team for today!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Silver Glimmer

Ink ~ Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Early Espresso

Stamp Sets ~ Sprinkles of Life, Remembering Your Birthday

Other Supplies ~ Tree Builder Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Star Punch

 

Doesn't this look good enough to eat?!?!  Too bad it doesn't taste as good as it looks...but it's fewer calories ;)

 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you get to enjoy some ice cream of your own today!

 

Happy Stamping!



Sweet {Watermelon} Summer

My older boys still have two weeks of school left, but my youngest graduated from his first year of pre-school last night, so summer has officially started in the home of Craft-somnia!  We are {finally} getting our summer heat, which means it's time for sweet summer watermelon!

Stampin' Up! was spot on with the new Watermelon Wonder In-Color...it's perfect for all of your fun summer stamping!

 

This fun slice of watermelon was inspired by the amazing Artisan Cindy Schuster.  Be sure to check out her awesome watermelon projects in this weeks Artisan Blog Hop!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Watermelon Wonder, Crisp Cucumber, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink ~ Watermelon Wonder, Memento

Stamp Sets ~ Work of Art, Bravo, Skinny Mini Alphabet

Other Supplies ~ Circle Framelits, Itty Bitty {Heart} Punch, Crystal Effects

 

As you check out today's Inkspiration from my page, be sure to check out the rest of the projects by the SSInkspiration Design Team for today!

 

Be sure to follow along over the next few days as we count down to the new catalog over at SSINK!

 

Happy Stamping!

 

Watercolor Wedding Bells

Friday already?!?!  Gotta love a short work week :-)  And you gotta love an all new Friday Mashup Challenge!  Holly has a great sketch...so much room to get creative here!  And if you feel like mashing things up on this fine Friday, add a little watercolor to your creation!

I kept my watercolor really basic today, but I love the softness it added to this pretty card made for a newly engaged friend.

 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Watercolor

Ink ~ Mint Macaron, Versa Mark

Stamp Set ~ Your Perfect Day

Other Supplies ~ White Embossing Powder, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Basic Pearl Jewels

 

Thanks for I hope you have a fabulous Friday and an even better weekend!  We are gearing up for a weekend of warm weather and baseball...hello SUMMER!

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

 



Simple Single Layer Thank You

Simple layer cards...they seem so easy, but they are so hard for me!  I just want to keep adding a layer here and a layer there...it's so hard to resist! 

I have found it easier for myself to create single layer cards when I use the Note Cards and a bigger stamp...take a look and see what you think of these simple single layer thank you's!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Note Cards & Envelopes

Ink ~ Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, Island Indigo

Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum, Black Berry Bliss

Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy

Watermelon Wonder, Crushed Curry, Cucumber Crush, Bermuda Bay

 

 

 A helpful tip when creating an ombre effect...start with your lightest color ink and end with your darkest, using a sponge to gently blend each color together and avoid a visible line between each color.

 

Be sure to head on over to SSINK to check out tons of great single layer card ideas!

 

Thanks for coming by today! 

 

Happy Stamping!



Happy Memorial Day ~ Masculine Monday

Happy Memorial Day stampin' friends!  I hope you have all had a fabulous weekend...I know we have!  This was the first weekend in a long time that we didn't have a weekend full of things that we HAD to do and it was awesome!  My hubby had to work all weekend, but my boys and I made the best of it and had a fun, adventurous weekend.  And the good news is...we still have today to play AND my hubby has today off!

My boys and I were discussing the meaning of Memorial Day yesterday, so I thought it was only appropriate to use For Your Country for today's Masculine Monday creation over at SSINK.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Smoky Slate, Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow, Pool Party, Whisper White

Ink ~ Smoky Slate, Mossy Meadow, VersaMark

Stamp Sets ~ For Your Country, By the Sea

Other Supplies ~ Chalk Talk Framelits, Neutrals Candy Dots, Staples, Whisper White Embossing Powder, Pool Party Bakers Twine

I'm not going to lie...I got a little teary while I was creating these cards...thinking about the men and woman who have lost their lives serving our country, and for those who continue to do so.  While so many of us enjoy an extra day off this weekend, don't forget to take a moment to remember why we have this day off and thank our members of the military.

 

Happy Memorial Day and Happy Stamping!

 

Lacy Butterflies

TGIF stamin' friends!!!  It's time for a long weekend...time to catch up on life...which, for me, means cleaning house, yard work AND stamping!  We're kicking off the weekend with an all new Friday Mashup challenge.  This week we are mashing things up with beautiful butterflies and lace!

I chose Kinda Eclectic, one of my favorite butterfly sets and added in a little Venetian Crochet Trim for the lace...

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Blackberry Bliss, Very Vanilla, Bohemian DSP

Ink ~ Blackberry Bliss, Bermuda Bay, Delightful Dijon

Stamp Set ~ Kinda Eclectic

Other Supplies ~ Circle Framelits, Starburst Framelits, Blackberry Bliss Satin Ribbon, Venetian Crochet Trim, Pearl Basic Jewels, Butterfly Punches

 

Be sure to head on over to Friday Mashup to see the rest of our design team creations and be sure to join in the fun!

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Happy Stamping!



Pinspired Feathers

Today over at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration we are sharing our creations inspired by Pinterst.  I will admit....this card didn't quite turn out how I had hoped it would, but it's still kind of fun... in it's own unique way!

This is the picture that inspired me..I loved the pink and green with the black and white, as well as the feathers, so that's what I set off to create.

I tried to incorporate some of the other pretty colors in, but it didn't turn out as I hoped, so I just rolled with what did work!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Cucumber Crush, Back to Black DSP, Cherry on Top DSP

Ink ~ Memento, Melon Mambo, Cucumber Crush, Night of Navy, Pool Party

Stamp Set ~ Four Feathers

Other Supplies ~ Arrows Embossing Folder, Basic Black Bakers Twine, Feathers Framelits, Stacked with Love Washi Tape

 

The best thing about this card...almost all of the pieces were scraps I had laying on my desk, so part of my desk is now cleaned off...WIN!

 

Now head on over and see what PINspired our design team today!!

 

Happy Stamping!

 



Always Here for You ~ HSSSC211

Tuesday already...made it through Monday...yippee!!!  And what makes it an even better Tuesday?  How about an all new Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge?!?  Elizabeth has a fabulous sketch for us this month!

I tried, but I just can't tear myself away from the new 2015-2017 In Colors or the fabulous new Cotton Paper....LOVE!!!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Black Berry Bliss, Whisper White, Cherry on Top DSP, Cotton Paper

Ink ~ Cucumber Crush, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Watermelon Wonder, Blackberry Bliss (thanks Allison of Nice People Stamp for the awesome combo)

Stamp Set ~ Friendly Wishes

Other Supplies ~ Circle Framelits, Crushed Curry Bakers Twine, Petite Petals Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch, Rhinestone Basics, Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim, Arrows Embossing Folder

 

That cotton paper makes the BEST flowers...their so FLUFFY!!!  I really hope we see more of this in other colors!

 

Now it's your turn to create!  Head on over and check out all of the fabulous design team creations and play along!

 

Happy Stamping!

 



Amazingly Amazing Bohemian ~ Monday Montage



Welcome back to Monday Montage!!!  We are back with, once again, a fabulous hop!  Make sure you click on the links below so you don't miss any of the creations...you are sure to love them all!

I am sad the weekend has already come to an end...they are never long enough, especially now that I only see my hubby for what seems like a few hours a week.  We are in for a long, busy summer, but we are learning to adjust and make the most of our time together as family when he is home.  The only bonus of him being gone so much is that I don't feel as guilty staying up late to stamp :-)

I finally tore myself away from the adorable Cherry on Top DSP stack and dove into the Bohemian DSP today and it is A-mazing!!!  I love all of the rich, bold colors!  The chevron patterned I used for today's card is my favorite!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, Velum, Bohemian DSP

Ink ~ VersaMark

Stamp Set ~ Painted Petals

Other Supplies ~ Gold Bakers Twine, Gold and Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim

 

I can't wait to get my hands on the new Metallic Thread coming in the new catalog...June 2nd can't get here soon enough!  With as fast as time seems to be going for me, it will be here before I know it and I will have a craft room full of new stampin' stuff!

 

Next stop on the hop is Cathy...I can't wait to see what she has for us this week! Or if you want to hop backwards, you can hop on back to the amazing Amy...I just love her style!

  Thanks for hopping along with us today!

Happy Stamping!





Congrats Grad...BYOP! ~ FMU209

We are celebrating with some dashing colors this week over at Friday Mashup!  Our mashup theme is Celebrate and our colors are Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy and Crushed Curry.

With school ending in just a few weeks, I decided to go with a graduation gift card holder made from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits.

Today's card also fits in nicely with the TGIF Challenges theme challenge this week...Graduation!  I love all of the talented designers on this team and am happy to be playing along for the first time with them!

The treat bag is just the right size to stick in a little card that you can attach a gift card too..hence the BYOP - Buy Your Own Present :-)  That's my kind of gift giving! 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Crushed Curry, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Birthday Bash DSP

Ink ~ Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay

Stamp Set ~ BYOP

Other Supplies ~ Mini Treat Bag Thinlits, Bow Builder Punch, Clothespin, Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim, Crushed Curry Bakers Twine, Decorative Label Punch

 

Quick, simple and perfect for any graduate!

 

Be sure to head on over to see the rest of the design team creations and don't forget to play along!

 

Happy Stamping!



Spring Has Sprung ~ SSINK May Blog Hop

Hello stampers and welcome to this month's Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop!  We are so happy to have you hopping along and don't want you to miss out on any of the fabulous Spring inspired projects!

As you hop along, please be sure to comment and show some love on every blog! We are always excited to hear from our followers! You should have just left stop number 4 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop - Jennifer of Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life. If so, you are in the right spot. If a link doesn't work or you get off track, you will find the full blog hop lineup below.

If you've been following my blog this week, you will see that I am a bit addicted to the new Cotton Paper, available June 2nd.  I LOVE this stuff...it's so much fun making pretty flowers!  And you'll notice a fun new stamp too...this is from the new Friendly Wishes stamp set.  It's so cute!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Pool Party, Crushed Curry, Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Cherry on Top DSP Stack, Cotton Paper

Ink ~ VersaMark

Stamp Set ~ Friendly Wishes

Other Supplies ~ 2015-2017 In-Color Blossom Accents, Bermuda Bay Bakers Twine, Crushed Curry Bakers Twine, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Ornate Tag Topper, Petite Petals Punch, Fun Flower Punch, Note Tag Punch, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Chevron Tag a Bag Gift Bags, Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to hop on to the next blog and see what Kim at Stamping with Kim has to INKspire you today!

Blog Hop Participant List:

Melissa at Stamp Doc

Jennifer G. at Jenny G Paper Crafts

Cynthia at Ink-A-Doodle Creations

Jennifer C. at Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life

Bree at Craft-Somnia Momma

Kim at Stamping with Kim

Donna at Organized Chaos

Heidi at Stuck on Stampin'



Happy Birthday with a Cherry on Top

I love seeing all of the fun sneak peeks of some of the new stuff coming out in the 2015-2016 Stampin' Up! catalog.  But what do I love even more?!?!  Playing with my own new stuff...yay!!!  I love, love, LOVE the new Cherry on Top DSP stack...the bright colors are yummy and perfect for summer birthday cards!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush, Cherry on Top DSP Stack

Ink ~ Tip Top Taupe, Cucumber Crush, Crushed Curry

Stamp Set ~ Build a Birthday

Other Supplies ~ Circle Framelits, Mini Treat Bag Thinlits, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Bermuda Bay Bakers Twine, Cherry on Top Washi Tape, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder

 

So much fun wrapped up into one card....love it!

 

Happy Tuesday and Happy Stamping!



Do More of What Makes You Happy

I spent my day yesterday doing all the things that make me happy...running, watching my boys play baseball, digging in the dirt and, of course, STAMPING!  It was a perfect Mother's Day and I went to bed with a full heart and a happy smile on my face.  I hope YOU got to do what makes you happy too!

It's time for an all new sketch challenge over at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration and I play with more new stuffs!  I said it once and I'll say it again...I LOVE the new 2015-2017 In Colors!!!  Take a look at our fun sketch and be sure to play along.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Tip Top Taupe, Cucumber Crush, Bermuda Bay, Cherry on Top DSP Stack, Cotton Paper Assortment

Ink ~ VersaMark

Stamp Sets ~ Hello Life

Other Supplies ~ On Film Framelits, Fun Flower Punch, 7/8" Scallop Circle, White Embossing Powder, 2015-2017 In Color Blossom Accents, Cherry On Top Washi

 

The new Cotton Paper is awesome...I see lots of fun flowers in my crafty future!! 

 

Make a point today to do something that makes you happy...like stamping!  Don't forget to play along with us at SSINK!

 

Happy Stamping!



Nobody Loves Like My Momma

Happy Mother's Day to all of my favorite stampin' friends...I hope your day is as amazing as you are!!!

I got my sneak peek order in on Friday and couldn't wait to dive in and play!  The first thing I wanted to play with was the new 2015-2017 In Colors and let me tell you...they are YUMMY!!!  I have a little sampling of them today on the card I made for my own momma :-) 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Tip Top Taupe, Watercolor Paper

Ink ~ Cucumber Crush, Delightful Dijon, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, Watermelon Wonder, Memento, VersaMark, White

Stamp Sets ~ Snuggles and Smooches, Build a Bouquet, Mother's Love

Other Supplies ~ White Embossing Powder

 

The colors are bit muted since I watercolored with them...I love how all 5 colors work so well together!

 

Wising my momma a very Happy Mother's Day...love you to the moon and back!

 

Happy Stamping!



One Classy Chick{en}

It's Friday...woohoo!!!  And that means it's time for an all new Friday Mashup... how about another woohoo!!

Amy has a fun Upcycled/Recycled Mother's Day Mashup for us today...

...I also had a special request to make a Mother's Day card with a chicken on it.  This was the most challenging card I have ever created and I'm not totally happy with it, but the individual who requested the card was thrilled with it, so I'm happy :-)

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Garden Green, Whisper White, Painted Blooms DSP

Ink ~ Garden Green, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry

Stamp Sets ~ Teeny Tiny Wishes, Four Feathers, Countryside (MDS)

Other Supplies ~ Deco Labels Framelits, Oval Framelits, Feather Framelits, Linen Thread, Burlap Ribbon, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon

*Recycled cardboard for my upcycled/recycled item

 

Again, this was by the far the hardest card I have ever had to come up with, but knowing that the recipient of the card will love it makes me totally happy!

 

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Stamping!!



Playground Appreciation

I'll admit, I still haven't fully gotten on board with documenting family events with Project Life, but I do LOVE all of the pocket cards!  And they help in making quick and CUTE cards...just like these!

These two cards are for my youngest son's pre-school teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week...and the Playground pocket cards and embellishments were perfect!!

 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Garden Green, Strawberry Slush, Crushed Curry, Crumb Cake, Silver Foil, Project Life Playground Pocket Cards

Ink ~ Island Indogo

Stamp Set ~ Lots of Thanks

Other Supplies ~ Spiral Boarder Punch, Banner Punch, Strawberry Slush Bakers Twine, Project Life Playground Embellishments

 

This has been, by far, my favorite set of PL cards and I have used them for a TON of teacher projects.

 

Don't forget to thank all of the teachers in your life this week!

 

Happy Stamping!



Mother's Day in Paris

As I anxiously await the arrival of my new pre-order goodies from the upcoming 2015-2016 Stampin' Up! Catalog, I can't help but go through all of the retiring sets I own and play with them one last time. 

 

Postage Due has been a favorite and another that I am sad to see go away. 

It just happened to be the perfect stamp set for a French inspired Mother's Day card a friend asked me to make for her mother-in-law. 

 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Typeset DSP

Ink ~ Memento

Stamp Set ~ Postage Due, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Other Supplies ~ Postage Stamp Punch

 

I love how striking a black and white/very vanilla card is!

 

Be sure to head on over to Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration for some other fabulous Mother's Day creations today too!

 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

 

Happy Stamping!

Rock Star Teacher

Happy Tuesday and Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!!!

It's time for an all new color challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments and I thought these colors were perfect for a teacher card!

I am still frantically trying to finish up the actual teacher gifts this morning before my boys head out the door, but I do have one of the cards to share with you today.  Be watching later this week for a couple of the other cards! 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Hello Honey, Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Silver Foil, Birthday Bash DSP, Confetti Celebration DSP, Playground Project Life Card Collection

Ink ~ Night of Navy, Hello Honey

Stamp Sets ~ Be the Star, Calling All Heros

Other Supplies ~ Star Framelits, Handpicked Framelits, Spiral Boarder Punch, Strawberry Slush Tick Bakers Twine

 

These cute little pencils were a cinch to whip up with the Handpicked Framelits...I love how they turned out! 

 

Be sure to thank any teachers you know this week for all of their hard work!  They are amazing people who are doing their best to help our kiddos be the smarty pants we know them for :-)

 

Now it's time to head on over and see the rest of the design team creations and be sure to join in the fun!

 

Happy Stamping!



May The 4th Be With You

Every once in a while, what little nerd I have in me comes out and today is one of those days!

May the 4th Be With You...Happy Star Wars Day!!!

Supplies Usd:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Brushed Silver

Ink ~ NONE

Stamp Sets ~ None

Other Supplies ~ Lucky Stars Embossing Folder, Stars Framelits, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Owl Builder Punch, Epoxy Stickers, Basic Black Bakers Twine

 

While my nerdiness isn't great, I do love me some Star Wars and had to make a card to celebrate today!  And I need the Force to be with me over these next few months!!!  My hubby starts his training today to be a helicopter medic and the next 4 months are going to be rough for all of us!  So...May the 4th (Force) be with us!  And all of you too :-)

 

Happy Stamping!