Taylored Expressions #152 Loving Cuppies

Hello Friends! I hope everyone is having a great weeekend. I was thrilled to find time to make not one but TWO cards on Friday.. it had been since Christmas day since I had time to craft before. So, today, I finally get a chance to post this card I made for Taylored Expressions sketch challenge #152. I actually used supplies from TE's January Key Ingredients kit! One thing I really love about KI Kits is the ability to quickly grab a kit box and make something special. The other card I made on Friday, which is featured in my previous post, also used the January KI kit exclusively. (Other than the Momento ink, copics and die cuts of course.)

Card Details:

Stamps: TE Love is Sweet

Paper: January KI Kit, Cottonball white,

Crate Paper paper hearts dp

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, copics

Tools/Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, modern label punch

open scallop die, copic airbursh 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today! I hope to have more to share with you again soon! Your visit and your comments really mean the world to me!

I'm BACK! Clean & Simple Paper Piecing CFC39

Hello my friends! It has been entirely TOO LONG since I have been able to craft or even post! Sometimes, life takes priority over hobbies, and that, in a nutshell, is why my little piece of blogland has been SO quiet lately.

But, today, I was finally able to dust off my copic markers, stamps and inks and make a card. I was inspired by the challenge over at CAS-ual Friday's. The challenge is titled "Love Ya To Pieces" ... clean and simple paper piecing! Since paper piecing happens to be my very favorite technique, and CAS is my biggest challenge, I was definately IN. I am also entering this card for PaperTake Weekly's "Anything Goes" challenge.

Card Details:

Stamps: MFT A'la modes Dip Me In Chocolate

Paper: TE January KI Kit, Crate Paper Paper Hearts dp

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Copics

Tools/Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, self-adhesive hearts from TE KI kit

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So, here is a little update on what's been going on with me and my family here in El Paso, TX .... Back in October we became a licensed Foster/Adopt home, and in November, an 8 year old boy came to live with us as an adoptive placement. He is very sweet and gets along very well with our biological 8 year old son. My husband came home from Iraq a few weeks later and now we are a full-on family of 4. Parenting two 8 year old boys is rewarding and challenging, and completely worth it. Recently, we were made aware of a 4 year old little girl who may be needing an adoptive placement in the next couple months, and after some consideration, we converted my craft room from my quiet place to craft and blog to a little girl's room for someone who may or may not have the chance to live with us. In that, I had to move all my crafting supplies down into the garage, basically haulting my ability to "quickly make a card".

My husband may not appreciate the details of copic markers or have an opinion on clear stamps vs rubber stamps but he does so care and support my love of paper crafting. He found a great storage system to house all my craft supplies so I can craft at the kitchen table. It was very important to him that I have the ability to continue with my hobby, one that I had previously thought he found a nusiance. To backtrack a little bit, he proved me wrong when he gave me a copic airbrush system for Christmas ... all by himself!! My BFF, Cassie, didnt even help him with that one! A-MAZING! Yes, Ladies, My husband is amazing!

Next on our family agenda is a month long training in Louisiana for my husband, and then in a couple months after that, he will be heading overseas for combat deployment #6. Yes, you read that right, #6. 

There will be more changes on the way, I just know it. God has many plans for us, and I look to Him to guide the way.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today!  I SO appreciate your visit, and I hope you come back again, and I hope I will have a new post even sooner!

Clear Dollar Stamps January NEW RELEASE Product Parade Day 4

Hello Friends! Welcome to day 4 of Clear Dollar Stamps' Product Parade! I love the product parade, I think it is so stinkin fun so see all the different creations that can be made with one stamp set. Today, we are featuring three

Stamp of the Quarter sets.

Winter Bear

This is such a sweet stamp set, perfect for any time of wintertime occasion. And it can be yours for FREE! Not much of a better price than FREE!

Card Details:

Stamps: Winter Bear SOM

Paper: Echo Park Wintertime, coordinating cs, Choice SnowWhite

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: YR04, C1, C3, C5, R27, R81

Tools/Accessories: Modern Label Punch, cream viva pearl pen,

 corner rounder, coordinating ribbon

Sweetheart

Ok, so If you have been following along the product parade route, you will definately recognize this stamp. I used the main heart image on two cards featured on day one of the product parade! It is a definate "need" for your Valentine's day cards, and it can be yours FREE!

Card Details:

Stamps: SweetHeart

Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, MME Honey Cake

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Real Red

Tools/Accessories: Oval Nestabilities

Mini Verses

The final stamp set of this quarter's Product Parade (sniff sniff) This has been SO FUN! Probably my favorite Product Parade so far! Ok, on to Mini Verses ...

Card Details:

Stamps: Mini Verses

Paper: night & day su dp, Basic black, whisper white

Ink: Real Red

Tools/Accessories: Real Red Ribbon, CDS Tabs & Tags Dies,

Charcoal chalk ink

Ok, that is IT! All these brand new gorgeous stamps are available for purchase NOW! Just click HERE to go directly to Clear Dollar Stamps' store. Thank you so very much for stopping by today, I hope you were able to visit every day during the product parade, and I hope you visit my fellow DT gals' blogs. Just see my sidebar for their blog links! Again, thank you, and Happy Shopping!

Happy New Year! 



Clear Dollar Stamps January NEW RELEASE Product Parade Day 3

Hello Friends! So glad you could join us for day #3 of Clear Dollar Stamps' product parade! Today I have 6 inspirational cards to share with you... so lets get started!

Ark of Faith & God is Love
This is a single stamp selling for $7.99. It is a large stamp with alot of detail, and it is a lot of fun to color! God is Love is another in the fabulous collection of single sentiment stamps CDS has to offer.

Card Details:

Stamps: Ark of Faith, God is Love single stamp

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Echo Park Little Boy dp,

Choice Snow White

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Real Red

Copics: R22, R02, C1, C3, E00, E02, YR30, E31,

E23, E81, E37, G05, BG02, R27, E33, BG05, Y11

Tools/Accessories: Corner Rounder

Psalm 46:10

One of my favorite scriptures .... I used Bold Butterflies die & stamps to set the scripture apart from the card itself. What other thing seems closer to God than the Butterfly itself?



Card Details:

Stamps: Psalm 46:10, Bold Butterflies

Paper: Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze, MME Honey Cake dp

Ink: Baja Breeze, Momento Tuxedo Black

Tools/Accessories: Bold Butterflies dies, Circle Nestabilities

Walk by Faith

This is a set of 3 for only $3.99 .. what a great value, as well as a great message.

Card Details:

Stamps: Walk by Faith

Paper: Real Red, Echo Park For the Record

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: R29, 100

Tools/Accessories: Cream Viva Pearl Pen, Modern Label Punch,

Ticket Corner Punch, dimensionals

Psalm 37:23
Yet another great scripture stamp for this product parade. I really like pairing Cross Messages Additions with these scriptures. Another CAS card so the scripture is the main focus.

Card Details:

Stamps: Psalm 37:23,

Cross Messages Additions

Paper: Day & Night dp, Real Red

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Real Red

Tools/Accessories: CDS Designer Dies

Eternity

This is a great stamp set of 3 for only $4.99. I cant say enough about this set, it is wonderful, so I will just let it speak for itself.

Card Details:

Stamps: Eternity

Paper: October Afternoon Campfire dp, Baja Breeze, Vanilla

Ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze

Tools/Accessories: Labels 14 nestabilities,

Cream Viva Pearl Pen, Sponge Dauber

I am so happy you were able to stop by and enjoy today's product parade. We have one more day coming up tomorrow! Tomorrow, we are featuring all the Stamps of the Quater!

 

Please visit the rest of the Clear Dollar Stamps DT blogs (see sidebar) for more inspiration and fantastic creations! And! Dont forget! You can shop for these stamps NOW!! Click HERE to go directly to Clear Dollar's store!

Clear Dollar Stamps January NEW RELEASE Product Parade Day 2

Hello and welcome to Day #2 of Clear Dollar Stamps' product parade!  Lets get started, shall we ......

You Lift Me Up
This is an adorable stamp set of 6 for only $5.75, a great value for a sweet stamp set. I was thrilled to find this starry night dp from the October Afternoon Campfire collection. This set is perfect for an anytime 'thinking of you' card.

Card Details:

Stamps: You Lift Me Up

Paper: Neenah Solar White, October Afternoon Camfire dp

coordinating cardstock

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: R46, R81, Colorless blender, E31, E33, C1

Tools/Accessories: cream viva pearl pen, labels one nestabilities,

cream ric rak ribbon

Cute as a Button

This is another one of Clear Dollar Stamps' versatile single stamps. I guess it is kind of obvious where I got my inspiration for this card. I just love how this one turned out .. reminds me of a warm spring day.

Card Details:

Stamps: Cute as a Button single stamp

Paper: Echo Park Country Drive dp, Real Red

Ink: Real Red, Tombow marker #245

Tools/Accessories: Real Red Ribbon, Dimensionals, misc buttons,

mft dienamics fresh cut grass die

Dahlia

It is no secret how much I love flower stamps... I especially love to color them and this stamp set of 6 is only $7.99. A great value for a stamp you can use all year long. Ok, yes, I do love how this card turned out. It is a 4.5" square card to allow the dahlia to dominate the card.

Card Details:

Stamps: Dahlia

Paper: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White,

Choice SnowWhite

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: V20, V25, YG23

Tools/Accessories: Dimensionsals

Josephine Clemantis

This stamp set is amazing! Yet another gorgeous flower stamp set from the talented illustrators at CDS. This one is a stamp set of 3 for only $9.99. A perfect addition to any stampers collection. Once again, I made this one a 4.5" square so the flower could dominate! And I got to use Clear Dollar Stamps' gorgeous cardstock and coordinating copics markers.



Card Details:

Stamps: Josephine Clemantis

Paper: CDS Orange Whip, CDS Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White,

Choice SnowWhite

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: YR04 (cds orange whip), YR07(cds tangelo smoothy),

YG23 (cds kiwi kiss), YG03

Tools/Accessories: CDS Orange Whip ribbon, dimensionals

Well that is the gorgous lineup for day #2. Thank you so much for stopping by! Please remember to check out the rest of the design team's (see my sidebar) inspirations for more fantastic examples of these great stamp sets. And also, remember you can shop NOW! Click HERE to go directly to Clear Dollar Stamps' store!

We are only half way thru our January Product Parade! I hope to see you tomorrow for more great stamp sets!








Clear Dollar Stamps January NEW RELEASE Product Parade Day 1

Hello Friends! Welcome to 2012! Wow! I am always amazed how quickly time seems to pass these days ... ANYHOO ... I am thrilled to announce that TODAY is the first day of CLEAR DOLLAR STAMPS' New Release Product Parade! Our chance to showcase all the fantastic New Releases for this first quarter of 2012. And the best part ... ALL of the featured stamps set are available for purchase N O W !! Yes, no more waiting to shop! Over the next 4 days, the design team and I will be sharing inspirations from each of our new release stamp sets! Be sure to check out everyone on the design team for fantastic inspirations! (see links on my sidebar...) Ok, lets get started with day 1!

Today, we have some wonderful Valentine's day / Love Scripture stamp sets.

Toucans of Love & Toucan Pray Better Than One

Toucans of Love is a set of 2 adorable stamps for only $4.99, I have paired it with the single stamp sentiment "toucan pray better than one" along with another stamp you will learn about later on in the product parade. I paper pieced these two sweet Toucans and sponged the background.

Card Details:

Stamps: Toucans of Love, Tou-can pray better than one

Paper: MME Happier DP, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Real Red, Momento Tuxedo Black, CDS Fresh Papaya

Copics: YG23 (kiwi kiss), YR04 (orange whip), E23, BG02

Tools/Accessories: Sponge dauber, dimensionals

Valentine John 3:16

This is a single stamp selling for only $3.99. A perfect addition for your  Valentine collection. I have paired it with a stamp you will learn about later on during the product parade.

Card Details:

Stamps: Valentine John 3:16, SweetHeart

Paper: Basic Grey, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Basic Grey

Tools/Accessories: Labels 14 & Oval Nestabilities, Real Red & Basic Grey Ribbon, D'vine Swirls embossing folder

Psalm 116:1

These next few stamps are single scripture stamps which are always a great value.

Card Details:

Stamps: Psalm 116:1 scripture single stamp, Bold Butterflies

Paper: Pink Flamingo dp, Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Tools/Accessories: Bold Butterflies dies

John 15:12

You might notice that this scripture stamp is paired with that 'mystery' stamp that you will learn more about later on during the product parade... you can see just how versatile this 'mystery' stamp is!

Card Details:

Stamps: This is my Commandment scripture single stamp, Sweet Heart

Paper: SU pink flamingo dp, tempting turquoise, whisper white

Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, CDS Fresh Papaya

Tools/Accessories: Real Red Ribbon, Oval Nestabilities

Romans 5:8

Yet another wonderful scripture stamp! This one is paired with a previously released stamp set, Cross Messages additions, and the royal color, Purple. A clean & simple design that really packs a punch...



Card Details:

Stamps: Romans 5:8 single stamp

Cross Messages Additions

Paper: unknown dp, Whisper White

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Tools/Accessories: Cream Viva Pearl Pen, CDS Designer dies

Luke 12:34



Card Details:

Stamps: Luke 12:34 scripture

Paper: Urban Oasis dp, Whisper White

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Charcoal chalk ink

Deuteronomy 6:5

So my last card for today's product parade looks pretty much exactly like one a couple back, but I just loved the simplicity of this layout, using the dp as the actual card base. I think it is so important to feature the scripture and not let it get lost in my 'normal' busy cards.

Card Details:

Stamps: Deuteronomy 6:5, Cross Messages Additions

Paper: Unknown dp, Whisper white

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Tools/Accessories: CDS Deslgner Dies, Viva Pearl Pen-cream

Well, that is all I have to share with you today! Please be sure to visit my fellow Clear Dollar Stamps' DT members' blogs to be further inspired by their wonderful creations! Remember, you can shop for all these wonderful stamp sets NOW! Click HERE to go directly to Clear Dollar Stamps store! And please come back tomorrow for, what just might be, my favorites of this quarter's product parade! Thanks so much for stopping by today!













Clear Dollar Stamps DECEMBER Blog Hop .." White as Snow "

Hello Friends! It is time once again for Clear Dollar Stamps' monthly blog hop! You should have arrived here from Sarah's lovely blog. If not, go ahead and hop on back to Lori's blog, where the hop starts.

This month, our wonderful hostess, Linda, has given us the perfect theme ... " White As Snow"

We are given free reign to interpret the theme however we see fit, and when it inspired me to make an all white card, featuring one of my most favorite CDS stamps, Snow Friends.

Christmas is NEXT WEEK, can you believe it? I hope everyone is done with all the 'Christmas work' and can simply enjoy this week before Christmas. I think this is my favorite week of the year, the tree is boutiful with gifts, lights and decorations .. everyone is happy and the kids are at their best behavior in anticipation of "santa's" arrival... 

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog as well as joining in on this month's HOP! Your next stop on this lovely day is our hostess, Linda's beautiful blog. Enjoy!

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Card Details:

Stamps: Snow Friends

Paper: Whisper White, Choice Snowwhite, Real Red 

Ink: Momento Rich Cocoa, Momento Tuxedo Black, Real Red

Copics: E43, BG10, C1, R29, YR07

Tools/Accessories: spots & dots embossing folder,

 Circle & Lacey circle nestabilities, real red & whisper white ribbons

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Blog Hop Details:

There are prizes to be won just for hoping around and leaving comments! Every comment you leave for the DT increases your chances of winning!

This month's prize is definately worth joining in on the hop..We are changing up the prizes a little bit .. ONE lucky winners will recieve a $25 gift certificate to the Clear Dollar Stamps digi store!

 **Winner will be randomly chosen from comments received on two DT member blogs. Winners will be announced on the CDS blog        **

Ok, your next stop on the hop is the inspiring    s blog. Thank you so much for joining in the fun of this month's hop! Did you leave lots of love for everyone? Remember, the more you comment, the more chances you have to WIN!


Good Luck and Happy Hopping!!

Clearly Inspired Challenge #42 *** Birthday ***

Hello Friends! It has happened again, time has flown by and I find it is once again time for the Clearly Inspired Challenge over at ClearlyiStamp! This time, our hostess and my BFF, Cassie, has challenged us to make Birthday cards! Seeing how we are about to celebrate Jesus' birthday, it is a perfect and timely theme! Great Job, Cassie!

I chose these two adorable single stamps to create a Christmas-ish birthday card. I have a few friends who have December birthdays, so I thought it would be fun to make a birthday card with Christmas undertones, and this MME 12 days of Christmas made a perfect backdrop! And I love these colors together!

Card Details:

Stamps: Birthday Cake Swirls & Happy Birthday

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Choice Snowwhite, MME 12 days dp

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: BG01, BG02, BG05, G05, Y38, YR07, R27, C1

Tools/Accessories: Circle & Lacey Circle Nestabilities

Here are the details of the Clearly Inspired Challenge:

-Challenges are on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, and you'll have 2 weeks to finish each challenge.

 -Challenges can use any stamps or digis from any company

 -Only one entry per person per challenge and please no back posting
-Prizes will be given away after both challenges for the month. The number of prizes is determined by the number of participants for the month. For every 20 entries there will be a $10 gift certificate for stamps or digis up for grabs with a maximum of 3. (For example if over the entire month there were a total of 60 participants in both challenges, there will be 3 $10 gift certificates and 3 of the featured digital images to give away. . .that's a total of 6 winners in that example.)

Ok, lets see what you all come up with!! Get to work! :o)



Clearly Inspired Challenge #41 *** Christmas ***

Hello Friends! Welcome to December and the Holiday Season! This year has really flown by, and with us living in the desert southwest, the holidays really sneak up on me because it stays so warm here so late into the year... I am a native Washingtonian, and even though it has been 12+ years since I have lived there, these southern "winters" still trip me out. Hahaha

Well, not only is it the begining of December, the begining of the holiday season, my birthday in two days eek!, it is time once again for Clear Dollar Stamps' Clearly Inspired Challenge! This time, our talented and inspiring challenge hostess, Cassie, has challenged us to make Christmas cards. And, since we are all making Christmas cards, it is a perfect and timely challenge. Thank you Cassie!

Card Details:

Stamps: CDS Little Bethlehem

Paper: Brocade Blue, Cottonball White, Bo Bunny Blitzen dp

Ink: Craft Whisper White, Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics: B95, G05, YG03, YR30, C1, C3, BG70, E43, E31,

 E37, E33, E57, E08, E81

Tools/Accessories: Whisper White ribbon,

Sterling Silver embossing powder, paper studio pearls, dimensionals

Here are the details on the Clearly Inspired Challenge:

-Challenges are on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, and you'll have 2 weeks to finish each challenge.

-Challenges can use any stamps or digis from any company

-Only one entry per person per challenge and please no back posting

 -Prizes will be given away after both challenges for the month. The number of prizes is determined by the number of participants for the month. For every 20 entries there will be a $10 gift certificate for stamps or digis up for grabs with a maximum of 3. (For example if over the entire month there were a total of 60 participants in both challenges, there will be 3 $10 gift certificates and 3 of the featured digital images to give away. . .that's a total of 6 winners in that example.)

 Ok, lets see what you all come up with!! Get to work! :o)

A Sweet Sketch Color Throwdown Thanksgiving

Hello Friends! Happy Thanksgiving! I haven't played along with a color challenge in a long time, although they always intrigue me .. and tonight, I absolutely could not resist this week's Color Throwdown... the colors are probably one of my most favorite combos .. Real Red, Taken with Teal, Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip. nice, right?  I just thought it went perfectly with this week's Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge, which happens to be one of my favorite weekly challenges. Top it off with this adorable, brand-new stamp set from Paper Smooches and I am one happy crafter! Paper Smooches always inspire me to 'think outside the box' and that is why my little gnome has such a unique beard. This card just makes me smile, I hope it does you, too.

Card Details:

Stamps: Paper Smooches Forest Whimsey

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Taken with Teal, Baja Breeze,

 Echo Park spots & stripes dp, Cottonball white

Ink: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Momento Tuxedo Black, Taken with Teal

Tools/Accessories: Coordinating Ribbon

Thank you so much for visiting my blog today, I do hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!