So Hoppy Together

Only 4 more sleeps until these hoppy little frogs can join your stamp collection!

That's right...It's almost Sale-a-Bration time and these cute little guys can be yours with a $50 purchase from the Annual Catalog and/or 2019 Occasions catalog!  And isn't the new Dot to Dot TIEF perfect for these froggies?!?  This can be found in the Occasions Catalog, which also goes live on January 3rd.

This cute little guy stole my heart with his adorable little glasses!

And this little prince just makes me "hoppy"!

And this brave guy is the perfect way to send a little note of encouragement!  My dad found my boys a used unicycle and has big plans to teach them how to ride it.  I'm guessing this means he's also going to try riding it too...you can do ANYTHING, right?!?!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Granny Apple Green, Real Red, Gingham Gala DSP

Ink ~ VersaMark, Real Red, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Smoky Slate, Basic Black

Stamp Sets ~ So Hoppy Together, Thoughtful Banners

Other Supplies ~ Rectangle Stitched Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Dot to Dot TIEF, White Embossing Powder, Heart Epoxy Droplets

I can't wait to share these little guys with my stamp club next week!  My customers are going to  LOVE this stamp set and I hope you do too!

Are you doing anything fun to wrap up the last few moments of 2018?  I'm hoping to sneak in a bit more stamp time and enjoying time with my family!

Happy Stamping!

#tgifc192 Product Spotlight ~ Glossy Card Stock

Can you believe this is the last TGIF Challenges for 2018?!?!?  Where has the year gone?  I am grateful for a year full of fun adventures, many of which were with my stamping and TGIF friends.  I hope 2019 is full of many more adventures and memories!

For our final challenge, we are putting Glossy Card Stock in the spotlight.  Do you use this paper very often?

Not only is today our last challenge of 2018, it is also my dads very last day of work!  Later this afternoon he will officially be retired and I couldn't be more happy for him!  The Glossy Card Stock was perfect in creating a "splashy" background for the amazing new Best Catch stamp set in the 2019 Occasions Catalog.  Check out a little tutorial below to see how I created this fun background.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Mossy Meadow, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Glossy

Ink ~ Balmy Blue, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Mossy Meadow, Pool Party, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake

Stamp Set ~ Best Catch, Itty Bitty Greetings

Other Supplies ~ Catch of the Day Thinlits, Linen Thread, Spritzer

To create the background on the Glossy Card Stock, I used a silicon mat, stamp pads and spritzer.

I inked up the silicon mat, randomly smearing the 3 different ink colors around, then spritzed it generously with my spritzer.  I then placed the inked side on top of the Glossy Card Stock and gently "smooshed" it around.

When you remove the silicon mat, you are left with a fun "splashy" background!

This is such a fun technique and one that isn't too messy to try in class.  It's always fun to see all of the different patterns and shades that are created by your customers!

Thank you for stopping by today!  I can't wait to see how all of you use the Glossy Paper too!

Happy Stamping!

Merry Christmas

All the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Merry Christmas stamping friends!  

My boys are all snug in their beds while I wrap up the last of the Christmas morning details.  I'm hopeful that they will all sleep in, but I'm guessing it will be an early morning of excitement...just as Christmas morning should be!

I finished up my Christmas creating with this card for my hubby.  I love the Wood Grain DSP with the red and black Buffalo Check!  My husband is on shift for Christmas Eve this year, which means Christmas morning will happen a little bit later for us.  As long as he comes home safely, we don't mind him coming home late!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Real Red, Wood Gain DSP

Ink ~ Memento, VersaMark

Stamp Set ~ Farmhouse Christmas

Other Supplies ~ Dashing Deer Thinlits, Sprig Punch, Farmhouse Elements, Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Metallic Pearls

Wishing you and your family all a very Merry Christmas!  I hope you day is filled with many memories, laughter and fun!

Happy Stamping!

Yay, Free Cake!

Happy Saturday stampers!  I am officially on winter break for the next two weeks and I could not be more thrilled!  This past week has felt SOOOO long and exhausting.  I have felt wiped out all day today, but still mustered up the energy to get a few last minute Christmas preparations taken care of. And more importantly, I got in some stamping too!  

I'm playing along with this weeks Freshly Made Sketches  challenge using the Free Cake stamp set again. 

As I said earlier in the week, I am trying to get my birthday card supply built back up and this stamp set is so great for that!  You can make a birthday card for anyone with this stamp set!  I used the Stampin' Blends to color the cake, then fussy cut it out and added a few of the Candle Embellishments to top it off. 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Pool Party, Whisper White, Brights DSP

Ink ~ Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party

Stamp Set ~ Free Cake

Other Supplies ~ Detailed Trio Punch, Silver Metallic Thread, Candle Embellishments, Twinkle Adhesive-Backed Sequins, Polka Dot Basics Embossing Folder

I'm not sure that I have ever embossed my card base before...how crazy is that?!?!  I love the fun polka dots!  

It's time for our annual viewing of the Polar Express.  We all look forward to this movie every year!  One of these years I am going to take my boys on the Polar Express through Mt Hood...it's a must do before they are all grown up!

Have a great weekend!

Happy Stamping!

It's a Holy Roar Kind of Birthday

Today is kind of a big day in our house...my twins are 13 today!!!  I'm still trying to figure out how this is possible!  (Especially since I'm still only 29!  LOL!)  I thought I would dread the teenage years, but these boys have amazed me with their love for life and Jesus.  And what better way to celebrate the beginning of their teenage years than going to an amazing concert!!  They have been putting little bugs in my ears about wanting to go to the Chris Tomlin Holy Roar tour, which will be in our area in March.  Since this momma is a big concern fan, I knew this would be the perfect gift for them.  (And I can't complain that I get to go with them too!)

Each year, I always make the boys similar cards, but never identical. This year was no different.  

The first card was for Hunter.  His jaw dropped when he saw the front of the card and his smiled couldn't have gotten bigger when he saw the concert tickets inside!

The second card was for Aidan.  All he could say was "no freaking way!".  I'm pretty sure they are both happy with their gift this year and will keep these cards to add to their collection!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Basic Black, Smoky Slate

Ink ~ Gorgeous Grape, Pacific Point, Lemon Lime Twist

Stamp Set ~ Free Cake

Other Supplies ~ Large Letter Framelits, Twinkle Adhesive Backed Sequins

I'm looking forward to a fun afternoon with my boys.  I'll be picking them up from school and taking them out to their favorite coffee shop for an after school treat.  We're meeting up with family for dinner and then I'll join them at youth group.  

Happy 13th Birthday Aidan and Hunter!

How Sweet a Retro Birthday Is

Hi stampers!  I hope you have all had a fantastic Monday!  I can't believe we are now just a week away from Christmas.  I'm just about ready...I think.  I do know that I am almost done with my Christmas crafting, with the exception of a card for my husband.  Be watching for that later this week.

In an effort to not always be making birthday cards at the last minute, I'm trying to get a good supply on hand, staring with this fun card using the Free Cake stamp set.  I've been eyeing this for a few months and finally decided to get it, mainly for some birthday cards for my twins.  Be sure to check back on Wednesday to see those!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Coastal Cabana, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, How Sweet It Is DSP

Ink ~ Coastal Cabana, Gorgeous Grape, Mango Melody, Smoky Slate, Melon Mambo

Stamp Set ~ Free Cake

Other Supplies ~ Starburst Punch, Silver Metallic Thread, Twinkle Adhesive-Backed Sequins

Isn't this DSP so much fun?!?  I'm giving you a little sneak peek of the super CUTE How Sweet It Is suite in the 2019 Occasions Catalog.  Everything in this suite is absolutely adorable, but the DSP is my favorite!

I'm off to do a little bit of Christmas baking before I turn in to a pumpkin for the night.  Maybe a little sugar high will give me the little boost of energy I need to get my hubby's card made!

Happy Stamping!

Flowering Desert Hello

Hello stampin' friends and happy Saturday!  I am happy to announce that I survived my twins friends birthday party, which included a sleep over!  My boys run with a pretty great circle of friends, so when ever they come over, its just like adding a few more of my own kids...I love them all!

I took a little break from my holiday creating to play along with this weeks Freshly Made Sketches sketch with my favorite stamp set from the upcoming Occasions Catalog.

When I first saw Flowering Desert, I knew that would be the first thing I would pre-order.  I can't wait to make more with this set!  And did you notice the Stitched Rectangles?!?!  AMAZING!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Shaded Spruce

Ink ~ Shaded Spruce, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo

Stamp Set ~ Flowering Desert

Other Supplies ~ Stitched Rectangle Framelits

The flowers remind me of my Christmas cactus, which has just started blooming again for the season.  So even though this isn't a Christmas card, I'm still kind of getting an Arizona Christmas vibe!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!  I'm off to deliver kids back to their homes and have a visit with Santa before I dive in to wrapping gifts!

Happy Stamping!

#tgifc190 Sketch Challenge ~ All Wrapped Up

Welcome to Friday and an all new TGIF Challenges!

I am wrapping up my Christmas creations and this week's sketch is perfect for a fun Christmas card!

I combined Alpine Adventure with Festive Farmhouse DSP for some wintery fun Christmas Greetings!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Gray Granite, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Festive Farmhouse DSP

Ink ~ VersaMark

Stamp Set ~ Alpine Adventure

Other Supplies ~ Alpine Sports Thinlits, Cherry Cobbler Double-Stitched Ribbon

I am loving all of the plaid options in our DSP this holiday season!  I've been using up every last piece that I possibly can!

I am hoping to get all of my Christmas wrapping done this weekend...wish me luck!  I will have a house full of kids tonight for my boys' birthday, so a nap may be necessary before wrapping any gifts!

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Happy Stamping!

Jingle All The Way Through the Alpine's

Happy Tuesday stampers!  

I'm still making Christmas cards, but have yet to send any out.  That is on my never-ending-to-do list for this week.  I know I am not alone in this battle, right?!?

I couldn't let the Christmas season go by without playing with the Alpine Adventure stamps set and coordinating Alpine Sports Thinlits a bit more.  This set is just too much fun!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Coastal Cabana

Ink ~ Smoky Slate, Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green

Stamp Set ~ Alpine Adventure

Other Supplies ~ Softly Falling EF, Alpine Sports Thinlits

I love using bright, non-traditional Christmas colors on my cards!  Do you ever venture outside of traditional colors for your Christmas creations?

Keeping this short and sweet today so I can get back to my to-do list!  I'll be back later this week with a couple more cards to share with you though.

Happy Stamping!

Let It Snow, Snowman!

Happy Sunday stampers!  It's a chilly 24 degrees here this morning...BRRRRR!  I've decided if it's going to be this cold, it needs to snow!  Sadly, it looks like we are just going to have cold though with a little bit of rain throughout the next week.  If we can't have snow on the ground, the next best thing is snow in my craft room in the form of another cute Spirited Snowmen card.

This jolly little guy was the perfect replacement for the letter "O" in SNOW.  I added part of a sentiment from Alpine Adventure to create the perfect Let It Snow...I love combining stamp sets!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White

Ink ~ Pool Party, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Smoky Slate, Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Sets ~ Spirited Snowmen, Alpine Adventure

Other Supplies ~ Softly Falling Embossing Folder, Iridescent Sequins, Large Letters Framelits

All of the cute snowmen in this stamp set make me SO happy!  They are all so cheerful and jolly!  I've had so much creating with them this week.  What stamp set should I play with next?!?  I'm off to my craft room to see what inspires me next!

Happy Stamping!

Spirited Winter Cheer

Hello stampers!  It's another cold, frosty and foggy day here!  I kept warm in my craft room this morning and created another Spirited Snowmen card with the latest Freshly Made Sketches sketch.

I love sketches like this! There are endless possibilities for creativity! I created a festive Granny Apple Green background with the Buffalo Check background stamp, then added a bit of texture with the Corrugated Dynamic TIEF. The cheerful little snowman just begged to be fussy cut!  Popped up with a few snowflakes behind him makes it look like he's frolicking in a fresh snowfall!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Real Red, Whisper White

Ink ~ Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Smoky Slate, Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Sets ~ Spirited Snowmen, Buffalo Check

Other Supplies ~ Corrugated Dynamic TIEF, Seasonal Layers Thinlits, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

I've been playing along with Freshly Made Sketches for a few years now, so I've decided to throw my name in the hat for their Design Team Call.  I love their creative team and would love to have the opportunity to create with them every week!  We'll see what happens!

Happy Stamping!

Love Never Melts ~ HSSSC#304

Wow!  Yesterday sure did fly by for a Monday!  Here we are at Tuesday already and an all new Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge.  We have a great sketch for you to play along with today.

As promised, I have another card with the adorable Spirited Snowmen.  This cute little couple just melts my heart! 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White

Ink ~ VersaMark, Bermuda Bay, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Basic Black, Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate

Stamp Set ~ Spirited Snowmen

Other Supplies ~ Whisper White Embossing Powder, Polka Dot Basics Textured Embossing Folder

See those little splatters of ink around the snowmen?  That was kind of a happy little stamping accident.  When adding adhesive to the back of the snowmen, I wasn't paying attention to the fact that my freshly stamped Bermuda Bay snowflakes were underneath, leaving some snow-flakey smudges around my snowmen.  Rather than redo it, I rolled with it and added a few more smudges to complete the look!  It's kind of fun when accidents like that happen!

There is a good chance I may have one more Spirited Snowmen creation to share this week.  Be sure to keep any eye out for it!

Happy Stamping!

Heartwarming Friendship ~ Monday Montage

Welcome back to Monday Montage!!!  We are back once again another fabulous hop for you to enjoy!  Make sure you click on the links below so you don't miss any of the creations...we promise you will love them all!

How can it possibly be December already?!?  Wasn't it just the middle of summer?!?  The weather certainly doesn't feel like summer though.  It's starting to get downright cold...brrrr!  We don't have snow in town yet, but it's starting to pile up in our mountains.  We joined our fire family for the annual Christmas tree hunting party and had so much fun playing in the snow.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day!  It had snowed all night, but the sun came out just as we got to the top of the mountain, leaving us with the perfect day!  

Even though we spent all day playing in the snow, not one snowman was built.  It's a good thing I have a super cute snowman to stamp!  And the sentiment couldn't be more perfect for expressing how I feel about the friendships that have bloomed in our fire family. 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade, Whisper White

Ink ~ Pool Party, Versa Mark, Memento, Stampin' Blends:  Pool Party, Soft Suede, Smoky Slate, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade

Stamp Set ~ Spirited Snowmen

Other Supplies ~ Whisper White Embossing Powder

Isn't he just the HAPPIEST snowman you've ever seen?!?!  He makes me smile!  Be sure to check back in a couple days for another cute creation with this stamp set!

Next stop on the hop is my friend Cathy...I always love all of her awesome creations! Or if you want to hop backwards, you can hop on backwards to the amazingly talented Amy...her stamping style is amazing!  I can't wait to see all of my Monday Montage friends at OnStage in just a little over a week!

Thanks you for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!

We've added links to all of our home pages as well so you can hop along in any order you'd like!

Amy O'Neill - Amy's Paper Crafts

Breelin Renwick - Craft-somnia Momma * You are HERE

Cathy Casey - Sugar Shack Designs

Dani Dziama - Dani's Thoughtful Corner

Elizabeth Price - Seeinginkspots 

Julie Warnick - Julie Warnick Stampin' Up! Blog

Kaitlyn Zumbach - Create with Kaitlyn (taking today off)

Melissa Stout - The Stamp Doc
Wendy Weixler - Wickedly Wonderful Creations