What's Up

I just love this "Friend Request" set and "Smartphone" die set combination from MFT!!  I find it to be absolutely perfect for guys (of any age) and even some females, too.  I made this card for a young man at our church.  He just turned 17, so definitely not into some cutesier stuff that younger boys might be okay with.  

Pretty clean and simple, and I even got to use up some of the patterned paper I've been working on!  I cut the phone face out of white and then again in black to get the "home" button and the details at the top, then I cut the "case" out of a dark gray.  I'm not sure what this guys phone looks like, but I think his dad's is very similar to this and in any case, it seemed like a good masculine color combo.  I stamped a bit of splatter on the background to give some interest without having to load the card down with fussy bits.

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT "Friend Request"; YNS "Large Splatter"
Dies: MFT "Smartphone'

Challenges:
Creative Fingers #127--anything goes
Cardz TV #6--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #276--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes
Addicted To Stamps #235--inspiration photo (I was inspired by the splatter)

Sugar Pea Designs--3rd Anniversary Birthday
Incy Wincy Designs--Happy Birthday
CAS-ology #242--text

Bear Tag

Happy April!!  The start of a new month means the start of a new challenge from Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.  As always, we are an Anything Goes (Christmas-related) challenge and our fabulous sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps.

I used one of my favorite Bugaboo images: Polar Bear.  Unfortunately, I think it has been retired, but I still love him, he's so cute!

I created a tag and then decided to add it to a card, as I need more Christmas cards than actual tags.  I stamped a snowflake background stamp I got at Michael's on clearance over a year ago.  I think this is the first time I've inked it up, and it is a beauty!  I hope you will play along with us this month; it's never too early to get started on those Christmas cards!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Bugaboo Stamps "Polar Bear"; Verve "Peace On Earth" sentiment; snowflake background stamp (unknown)
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" tag die

Challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas #310--anything goes
Hiding In My Craft Room--any holiday
Tag You're It #68--CASE the tag

Creative Inspirations #271--anything goes
Cutie Pie Challenge #109--dies & digis
Fab N Funky Challenge #344--Christmas
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes
Crafty Gals #116--anything goes
Crafty Creations #336--anything goes
Crafty Catz #365--anything goes with the optional twist of "add metal" I used a metal eyelet on the tag)
Winter Wonderland--Christmas animals or birds

Spring Bicycle

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge and our sponsors for this week are Little Blue Button Stamps and The Cutting Cafe. 

A while ago, I won this cute little image from Little Blue Button Stamps and thought it was the perfect spring image to pull out for this challenge:

I don't know about you, but I am definitely ready for spring!  It looked like it was arriving back in February, and then it got cold and snowed and hasn't warmed up as much as it usually does in March.  Let's say that this year March came in like a lion and is going out like a lion!

I really wanted to highlight the purple in the image, but since I don't have any pretty purple patterned papers, I stamped my own.  I just love doing that!  You can make it in any color combo your heart desires.

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date and the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge and prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until April 6th by 6:00PM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of April 8th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create.

Supplies:

Stamps: Little Blue Button Stamps "Miss Lilly on the Bicycle 1"; PTI "Guide Lines 2" background stamps

Dies: Spellbinders "Labels 8" and "Blooming Collection"

Challenges:

Hanna & Friends #270--Life is Colorful

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 #109--sketch

Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog #125--anything goes

Crafty Creations #338--anything goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--anything goes

Crafty Gals #116--anything goes

Penny's Challenge #322--anything goes

Little Miss Muffet #158--anything goes

The Cutie Pie Challenge #109--dies & digis

Creative Craft Cottage #87--for the girls

Come And Get It--springtime

Die Cuttin' Divas #310--anything goes

{Pin}spirational Challenge #187--inspiration photo

Coffee Time

I don't drink coffee (gasp!  I know!), but I have plenty of friends who do.  I decided to play along with both the Spring Coffee Lover's Hop and Verve's challenge to use some fabulous free digis that Julee created for this occasion.  As part of my quest to use up some of my scraps, I created this fun and colorful card that is going to a friend that is recovering from surgery.  And she IS a coffee drinker!

Supplies:
Stamps: Verve "Rise and Shine" freebies
Dies: MFT "Smartphone" I use it to cut the sentiment panel

Challenges:
Spring Coffee Lover's Hop--spring coffee creation
Verve Freebie challenge--use the Rise and Shine set
Cute Card Thursday #471--warm colours/tones
Creative Knockouts #157--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #276--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
MFT #326--sketch (I turned the diagonal to go the opposite way to fit a piece of patterned paper I had)

Come And Get It Challenge--springtime
Crafty Creations #338--anything goes

Unto You

Happy Wednesday!!  It's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week, Wendy created a sketch for us to follow:

I love sketches, but I have to admit that this one had me stretching my brain for quite a while!  It was those graduated circles that were stumping me.  Then I thought about snowflakes and it all fell together from there.

I did turn the sketch on its side as you can see, but that's the beauty of sketches; they are there to guide not rule your creation.  I hope you will get a chance to play along with us this week; sketches are an awesome way to get your card started!  Hop on over to The House Blog for more inspiration.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "For unto you" and "Pointsettia"
Dies: Sweet n' Sassy Stamps Snowflake dies; Spellbinders "Radiant Rectangles" pierced oval

Challenges:
The Holly & The Ivy Christmas Challenge #2--anything goes: Christmas
Die Cuttin' Divas #310--anything goes
Hiding In My Craft Room #294--any Holiday
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #326--anything goes
Brown Sugar Challenge #243--anything goes
Crimbo Crackers #129--snowflakes
Aud Sentiments #176--any sentiment except birthday
Southern Girls--dieing to see your projects
Creative Inspiration #271--anything goes

Happy Birthday, Wendy!

Good Morning!

Today, we are celebrating a very special lady!

Wendy Wyman, owner of Repeat Impressions Stamps, has a birthday today,

and we all want to wish her a wonderful day...

When Wendy was just 4 years old, she announced that she was going to be an artist when she grew up.  Many years, and many sketchbooks later, she had earned a BFA in Graphic Design. 

The next 11 years found Wendy worked in advertising, freelancing, and running a printing company. 

And then it happened...Wendy's mom became a stamping addict, and the rest was history!  It was Wendy's mom's encouragement that led her to turn her illustrations into fine art rubber stamps.

Wendy's husband Bill, was also looking for a career change, and jumped at the idea of learning a new skill.  And so....in 1996, Wendy and Bill established Repeat Impressions Stamps.  Each stamp is designed by Wendy, and manufactured by Bill in their home workshop!

We hope that you will join us today, as we hop together for Wendy!

A note to Wendy from all of us:

Wendy, you are the sweetest, and most generous person we know.

As a 'boss', rarely do we find ourselves working for someone that is more professional,

or more organized!  You are so understanding of our personal issues, and it's a joy to work with you and your products!

We want to wish you a very Happy Birthday!
We each look up to you, we admire you, and we respect you.

May your day today be filled with love and laughter!

And remember....the more candles you have, the bigger the wish you are allowed!

Here is the card I created for Wendy (it's in the mail, Wendy, sorry!)

Almost two years ago, Wendy asked me to join the Repeat Impressions Design Team and I've enjoyed that time so much!!  Here are a few of my favorite creations using RI stamps from the last two years.

Thank you, Wendy!!

Please hop along to see what my fellow Rock Stars have to share for Wendy!

Deonna
Joy
Patti

Shirley

Heather

Donna

Laurie

Thanks for hopping with us!  If you have a minute, please go to the RI blog, The House that Stamps Built, and leave Wendy a bit of Birthday love!!!

Supplies for Birthday card:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Happy Cling Set" a very, happy and birthday, "Daisy Outline, large", "Leaf Outline, large" and "Leaf Solid, large"
Dies: MFT "filigree corners" and "Formal Flourish"

Challenges:
Mod Squad--Plant kindness (I have used flowers and leaves)
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--use more than one die or punch
Penny's #321--anything goes
The Paper Shelter #286--birthday girl
Fab n Funky #343--flowers
Creative Craft #84--for the girls
Incy Wincy--Happy Birthday
Word Art Wednesday #274--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Stick It Down--sketch

Under the weather

My uncle had a rotator cuff injury from skiing a month or so ago.  He had to have surgery last week to repair it.  I've had this image printed out for a while and thought it would be perfect for a get well card to send to him.

I created my own background using PTI's "Guide Lines 2" set.  I love how it lets you mix and match colors and patterns and create something really eye-catching.  I sponged on some gray clouds in the background to add to the look of a rainy, gloomy day.

Supplies:
Stamps: Eureka Stamps "2006" and "2007" digis; PTI "Guide Lines 2" all background stamps
Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle die (background layer) and "Labels STAX"; Paper Smooches "Cute Clouds";

Challenges:
Aud Sentiments #176--any sentiment except birthday
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps #373--things with wings
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--more than one die or punch
Penny's Challenge #321--anything goes
Crafting By Designs--thinking of you
Creative Inspirations #271--anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown #385--add dimension (some of the clouds and the sentiment panel are popped up with foam tape)
Tuesday Morning Sketches #395--sketch

Simon Says Stamp Monday--Layer it up
Alphabet Challenge--A is for anything with wings
Word Art Wednesday #274--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Cutie Pie Challenge #109--dies and digis
Divas That Cut--for the love of animals/pets

Special Birthday

My oldest daughter is turning 11 on Saturday!  How is this happening???  Here is the card I created for her using the adorable "Magical Dragons" from MFT.  LOVE that set!!

And here is the inside:

Supplies:
Stamps: MFT "Magical Dragons"; PTI "Big Birthday Wishes"; and Sweet N Sassy Stamps "Anniversary Milestones"
Dies: Paper Smooches "Cute Clouds" and Spellbinders "Say, What?"

Challenges:
Pattie's Creations--image with wings
Alphabet Challenge--A is for anything with wings
Come And Get It Challenge--anything goes
Incy Wincy--Happy Birthday
Tuesday Throwdown #335--add dimension (some of my clouds are popped up with foam tape)
Creative Craft Cottage #84--for the girls
Creative Inspiration #271--anything goes
The Paper Shelter #286--birthday girl
MFT #325--sketch

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday--more than one die or punch
Kraftin Kimmie Stamps #313--things with wings
Little Miss Muffet #159--anything goes
As You Like it--favorite coloring medium (my favorite is Spectrum Noir markers as I love how they are able to blend and with a slightly lower price tag than some of the other sets out there, but as I don't have a lot of them, I also have to use regular kids, art markers)

Cupcakes

Phew, here it is Wednesday again!  That means it's time for another challenge from The House That Stamps Built.  This week we have an Anything Goes challenge for you.  And boy, am I glad.  I was tied up all weekend with a family emergency and had to throw this together Monday afternoon in time to get it to post.

Luckily, I already had the image all set to go from a creation that just didn't work several weeks ago.  Plus, I already had the patterned papers picked out to go with the image (once again, some of the scraps I'm trying to use up).   So, pretty much all I had to do was make the card base, adhere everything and stamp the sentiment!
Now, hop on over to The House blog, to see what the rest of the team has created.

Supplies:
Stamps: Repeat Impressions "Happy Birthday" and "Cupcakes"

Challenges:
Creative Craft Cottage #84--for the girls
Incy Wincy Designs--Happy Birthday
Come And Get It--anything goes
Creative Fingers #126--anything goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #90--anything goes
Crafty Catz #162--a touch of pink
Brown Sugar #242--anything goes
Cute Card #469--celebrations (birthday)
Inspiration Destination #124--anything goes
Crafting with an Attitude--anything goes

Use Those Scraps

Today is my day to share a Project of the Week for The House That Stamps Built.  Do any of you have a pile of scraps that look like this?

 Well, I do,  so my project focuses on using up some of those scraps.  I start by cutting pairs of 1/2 inch strips, making sure I have at least two of each pattern.  I cut a base of scrap cardstock a little bit bigger than an A2 size panel.  As you can see, it doesn't even have to be a full square.  Then I butt two strips together and adhere them on the backside with a strip of tape, so they stay together.

 I use spray adhesive on my base panel, but you could probably use your favorite adhesive.  The hardest part is lining up the center piece, but once you've got that the rest is really easy.  I just lay the next two coordinating pieces right in the "v" (or around the "v" when doing the lower portion).

 After I have filled up the base card with strips, I use a stitched rectangle die to trim it down to fit on an A2 card.

 And here's what it looks like:

 I like to make tags using the small strips.  I just line them up horizontally instead of in the "v" pattern.  I use the same process as the card; I cut my tag shape first, apply spray adhesive and layer the paper strips.  Then I trim the ends off with my scissors to match the shape of the tag.

 And this is what my scrap pile looks like afterwards.  The pile in the lower right are scraps even I will consider too small to save.  The upper right will probably be made into another tag eventually, and then I have some larger scraps to keep working on.

 Here are the card panel and the two tags.

 And here they are all finished up.  Gorgeous, huh?

 I raided my bits and pieces stash for almost all of the additional pieces.  The floral oval and two of the blue flowers where in the stash; I did have to stamp a third to finish it off.

 The ribbon, vellum oval, die cut sentiment, flower and leaf sprig were all in the stash.

 The ribbon, circle, flower and leaf were all in the stash.  So not only did I use up some paper scraps, I also used up a bunch of items that had been made for previous projects and just didn't get used.

Supplies:

Card: 

Stamps: Repeat Impressions: "Daisy Solid, sm" and "Happy Birthday"

Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" stitched rectangle; Spellbinders "Floral Ovals"

Tag 1: 

Stamps: Repeat Impressions: "Daisy Solid, sm"

Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" tag; Spellbinders "Classic Ovals, large"; Verve "Sprightly Sprigs"; MFT "Smartphone" hello

Tag 2: 

Stamps: Repeat Impressions: "Daisy Solid, sm", "Leaf Outline, lg" and "Happy Birthday"

Dies: MFT "Blueprints 13" tag; Spellbinders "Classic Circles, large"

As I was getting ready to create these projects, I had some help.  This is my big, stripey boy, and he is helping die cut.

 And this one is my baby, she's trying to blend in with my supplies.  My third cat was sleeping upstairs; he's too old to "help" any more.

Challenges:
Pixie's #273 & 274--anything goes with snippets
Come And Get It--anything goes
Hiding In My Craft Room #293-- 3x designer paper
CardzTV #5--anything goes
Creative Fingers #126--anything goes
Just Add Ink #351--Just add "L" (I used leftovers)
A Bit More Time To Craft #40--anything goes
Crafty Catz #162--a touch of pink
Brown Sugar Challenge #242--anything goes
Cute Card Thursday #469--celebrations (birthday)
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes
Inspiration Destination #124--anything goes
Crafty Creations #337--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #274--anything goes with uplifting sentiment
Penny's Challenges #320--anything goes
Tag You're It #67--inspiration tag

CAS-ual Fridays #169--off the edge (my flowers are hanging off the edge)
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper--anything goes with patterned paper
Crop Stop Blog #26--anything goes (I've used products from Spellbinders, MFT and Spectrum Noir)

Just because

Happy Friday!!  It's time for another challenge from Jo's Scrap Shack.  As always, we are now an Anything Goes challenge and our sponsor this week is Digital Delights.  

A couple months ago, I won some images from Digital Delights and chose this adorable image, mostly because of the sweet little wolf!!  As soon as I saw they were the sponsor of this challenge I knew I was going to use this cute little pair.  But that's where the easy part stopped!  I tell you, this is the card that just DID NOT want to be made.  It looks simple enough, but it must have taken me at least two hours and I already had the images colored.  I tried so many things and nothing worked!  My daughter was trying to help, and my husband was even trying to make suggestions and it was just not doing it for me!  But, I persevered and finally came up with something that I was happy with!

What do you need to do to enter?

Challenge Rules

1. Please post a direct link to your blog post that includes your challenge entry project, using the linky tool on Jo's blog. 

2. Be sure to include a link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering your project into

3. THREE entries per person are allowed for each challenge and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. For all entries -NO BACK LINKS ACCEPTED- 

The date on your blog post should be dated between the start date & the end date for the challenge you are entering, in order to be eligible for the challenge & prizes

5. You may link up to other challenges but be sure to link back to Jo's Scrap Shack and to the challenge post you are entering 

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

WILL NOT be eligible for the top 3, any sponsor wins or any random wins by Jo

All random wins will only be mailed within the US and Canada only.

You have until March 23rd by 6:00PM (eastern, USA) time to link up.

All winners will be announced during the week of  March 27th.

Have fun and we look forward to seeing what you create!

Supplies:

Stamps: Digital Delights by Louby Lou "Red Riding Hood Set" digi: Verve "Take Note" sentiments

Dies: PTI "Filigree Delights" border die

Challenges:

Creative Knockouts #185--border time
Mod Squad--Pop It Out (I popped up the little wolf and the sentiment banner)
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday--anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #274--anything goes with uplifted sentiment
Fab n' Funky Challenge #342--children
Penny's Challenge #320--anything goes
Crafty Creations #337--anything goes
Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog #124--anything goes