Well Behaved!

Here is the promised sneak peek card with the new Well Behaved set from Skipping Stones Design! Did you see the news that these typo sets are being sold for 9.99?

I wanted to keep it fairly simple with an emphasis on the quote and stamps. I know my friend Brooke (to whom this card is going) will totally identify with the sentiment - "You can never have too many shoes, purses, or good friends!"

These are totally different colors than the softer ones I used yesterday, but I love it! It's just the right amount of "girly-ness" with bright and bold colors! I love how stamps can be so versatile and you can do anything with them!

Oh also, today is a new challenge at Just Buggin! Its my off week, (although I really should have played along, oh well) but make sure you check out the rest of the Design Team and play along! If you are a Just Buggin follower you'll know that Samantha has stepped down, and Robin has stepped up to take over. We're working on ideas to make Just Buggin even better so watch out for that! ;) There's also been a "face lift" and "makeover" to the blog and new blog buttons! Something that has been a great addition to the blog is a Design Team Page! How fun is that?! you can "meet" all the designers and see pictures of us all and get to know a little more about us!

Supplies
CS: Pink Passion, Basic Black - American Crafts DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Stamps: Well Behaved by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: MS Cornice border punch, black satin ribbon

SSD Sketch Tuesday!

Welcome to SSD Sketch Tuesday! This is our last sketch for January, and I have had a blast with these sketches from our January Guest Sketch Artist Amy Sheffer! This week was of course no exception and I decided to use a new set coming out called Well Behaved! I have been wanting a really cute "fashion" set and I love all the fun images! I am so totally in love with the tube of lipstick in it right now! It's so cute! However, the first batch printed had a spelling error, and the little swirl has a bit missing. Soooo....check out the Skipping Stones Blog to see what Heather is doing with those 40 sets!

Here is the sketch for this week:

And here is my take on it:

I took the quote "The only thing that seperates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize" and paired it with some fun accessories! See that tube of lipstick...so in love with it!! (Of course it had to be red!) I stamped all four stamps on one block to make a little patterned paper background, and after that I stamped each individually in a fun color into the circle. The swirl next to the sentiment finished off that long strip at the bottom. Both the sentiment strip and the circle are up on pop dots.

*happy sigh* Can you see why I just love this set?! I'll have another sneak peek of it and one of the other sentiment stamps tomorrow! :)



Be sure to check out the other "Stamp Tramps" and our guest sketch artist to see what they've come up with!


Amanda Sewell
Angela Thomas
Chels VanWyk
Erin Grotegut
Mary Giemza
Michelle Giraud
Peggy Russell

January Guest Sketch Artist Amy Sheffer

Supplies
CS: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White, Real Red
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Real Red
Stamps: Well Behaved by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, Chocolate Chip double stitched grosgrain ribbon, Real Red brads, Creative Memories circle cutter

Earth has no sorrow

I love the butterfly images in Healing Wings! They are beautiful, and the sentiments are perfect for when you don't know what to say to someone who has lost a loved one. Here's a simple card in soft colors that expresses a heartfelt sentiment. The background is from Blocks and Borders - Dots.

There is a butterfly image in this set that I haven't used yet, but when I do, I'll be using my fellow DT member Erin's tutorial on Faux Stained Glass! It uses that butterfly and is so gorgeous looking! Take a look and you'll see what I mean!

Supplies
CS: So Saffron, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant
Ink: So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Lavendar Lace
Stamps: Healing Wings, Blocks and Borders - Dots
Misc: purple grosgrain ribbon, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, corner rounder, dazzling diamonds

Just Buggin #21

Happy Friday! This week at Just Buggin the challenge is monochromatic!

Challenge 21 - Monochromatic Challenge - Use a monochromatic color theme on your Cricut project

I accidentally cheated a bit and used a little gray on my project! Oh well, its still all within that same color as my blue right? ;) (Go with me on this one!)

For my monochrome color I chose Brocade Blue, and everything including the cardstock, patterned paper, ribbon and ink were that color, and then a little gray thrown in. ;) Now I could have used different blues to be going with the monochromatic challenge, but I guess I wasn't thinking! My snowflakes were cut out with the Gypsy Wanderings cartridge, and I tied them up with some silver cord to let them dangle. I added a scalloped border at the top and folded it down just a bit to separate the blues.

Funny story for this card. It snowed in Florida on the 9th (when I actually made this card), so I had to make and send it to my family as a joke! ;) They probably didn't think it was funny, but I sure did! They are always telling me how warm it is, and taunting me that they are out in the pool, etc., etc. So ha-ha!

Supplies
CS: Brocade Blue, Going Gray DSP: SU Prints Pack II
Ink: Brocade Blue
Stamp: Snowflakes
Misc: Gypsy Wanderings cartridge, silver cord, Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbon, button, scallop border punch

Live the life of your dreams...

Yay Thursday! I love you because we are one day closer to Friday! ;) Today is also my son Brady's birthday! He is the big number 7!! Holy cow I have no idea where the time went! I love this little man to pieces, literally pieces, as I want to just kiss and gobble him up for hours! He is so sweet and tender and kind, but at the same time ALL boy. Definitely all boy!

Anyway, as you know I'm trying to use each stamp in any new sets I get this year. A little daunting yes, but I am so happy to say I've used every stamp in my Garden Kiss set now! This butterfly and the dots kiss portion were the only ones I hadn't used yet so this card was pretty satisfying! ;)

The sentiment is from Healing Wings. I thought this butterfly in flight represented flying away and "living the life of your dreams" so I loved combining them together. The swirls underneath the butterfly are part of an unreleased set called Well Behaved. Not sure exactly when its being released, but there was a sneak peek on the SSD Blog during the blog hop I believe. I love combining different stamp sets to get just that look I'm going for!

Supplies
CS: Pink Pirouette, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Stamp: Garden Kiss, Healing Wings, Well Behaved by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: scallop border punch, scallop circle punch, 5 petal flower punch, Chocolate Chip corduroy button, linen thread, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon

Borders, borders...

Happy Wednesday! Halfway through the week, yes!

This card is a little different today, just a bit of a warning. ;) I'd set a "goal" for myself that for any new stamp sets I got this year I am to use every stamp in a set at least once on a card or project. You know, just to get more out of the sets! Well, I got some new border stamps from Skipping Stones Design and decided to make a card with a bunch of those borders. Crazy, right?!

Anyway, here was how I started out on this crazy process! I actually took pictures along the way, but deleted them when I was updating our Family Blog and clearing out my memory card. And of course being thorough I emptied the recycle bin as well. Sorry! I'll show you the card and then give you the deets though!

So, I first picked out the borders that I wanted to use and lined them up in the order I liked. Then I picked out my colors, dug out strips from my scrap pile and lined them up. Once I got an order I liked I started stamping. I then added them on starting at the bottom with the chocolate border punch piece and layered up. I had a few overhangs that I trimmed off the sides. The butterflies are from the SU Beautiful Butterflies die, and I used another border stamp to give them some dimension. How cool that the stamp was butterflies...its like I planned it out or something! ;) Then a little ribbon to finish off the top half. I decided to leave a sentiment off the front so that it can be used for whatever I need it to be. A stamp on the inside, or just a personal note would be just fine!

Here are the borders listed in order starting from the top strip and the set they are in:

1 Blocks and Borders - Swirls

2 Blocks and Borders - Dots

3 Blocks and Borders - Swirls

4 -7 Frills

Butterflies - Blocks and Borders - Swirls

These are really all so gorgeous combined together, but I can't wait to use them on individual cards now! I know this is kind of a crazy and totally out there card, but can I tell you I totally dig it?! Such a different card and I'm lovin it!

Supplies

CS: Kraft, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red

Stamps: Blocks and Borders - Swirls, Blocks and Borders - Dots, Frills

Misc: Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Fiskars Apron Lace punch, Beautiful Butterflies die, button, linen thread

SSD Sketch Tuesday!

Yay its Tuesday again! The Skipping Stones Design DT (the Stamp Tramps) along with our January Guest Sketch Artist Amy Sheffer are back with another sketch for you today! This week I actually followed the sketch! ;)

I used the recently released Coffee Vol 1 that was released with our Blog Hop! I definitely worked this set a few weeks ago, but I still had a lot I wanted to do with it! I love how you can take a set and use it in so many ways! I find I do that a lot with my SSD sets! You can see more cards with this coffee set here.

I found this yummy American Crafts ribbon when I was visiting family in Idaho over Christmas. I couldn't believe that in that teeny tiny little town (population under 2k or something like that!) I found this cute ribbon! I was on a kick with browns and pinks whenever I looked at this set so of course, I had to keep it goin! ;) The ribbon worked great to bring in all my colors seamlessly, and a button with some hemp tied it all together.

I also tried out something I'd had an idea to do, but wasn't sure if it would work out right. I was happy to find that it did! I stamped the coffee cup first, and then stamped the sentiment directly over it. Even though my ink is a lighter color, it shows through perfectly on top of the cup and makes the focal point work together with the sentiment! I can't wait to see what other stamps I can do this with!

Speaking of the Blog Hop, have you had a chance to make some cards with your new stamp sets you ordered or won?! I know I would LOVE to see what you do with them, and leave you a little love as well! :) On Splitcoast Stampers if you go to the Company Galleries, Skipping Stones Design has its own section! You can see any cards that are tagged with the keyword "Skipping Stones Design"! Is that great or what?! So when you upload, just leave it in the Member Galleries, but use the keyword and it will link up there! You can see a lot of cards from our guest sketch artists, and the rest of the DT. On our Facebook SSD Fan Page you can interact with our DT and other fans of SSD! You can link a card there, and it will go into our Fan Photos album! So link those cards up so we can all see what you've done with these awesome stamp sets!!

Be sure to check out the other "Stamp Tramps" and our guest sketch artist to see what they've come up with!

Amanda Sewell
Angela Thomas
Chels VanWyk
Erin Grotegut
Michelle Giraud
Peggy Russell

January Guest Sketch Artist Amy Sheffer

Supplies
CS: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose
Stamp: Coffee Vol 1
Misc: Swiss Dots CB folder, American Crafts ribbon, button, hemp, Soft Subtles brads, George cartridge (for circles)

Garden Kiss!

I got some new stamps from Skipping Stones Design on Friday, and since Jake was at an overnighter Wrestling tournament this weekend I knew I could play to my hearts content! :)

Isn't that a fun name...Garden Kiss?! I was in love with the set when I saw it, and was so excited for a set that was specificially designed for "Kissing"! It has some gorgeous silhouettes and some really fun textures to play with!

Take a look at the video Heather did here. This shows four different ways to kiss with your stamps! This set isn't just for kissing though! I'll show you two entirely different cards with some of the stamps that are in this set.

This first card has stamp kissing on it and some fun stuff! The script in this set made me think of some Scenic Route patterned paper I had. So I decided to use the stamp and make some flowers like I did on a Create It Green layout here that I created in November, (but didn't post until December).

I stamped the background repeatedly on a scrap of cardstock and got six punched scallop circles from it. That worked perfect! I used five to make the puffy flower, and a single one with a larger cork circle on it. I punched a one inch circle, and a half inch circle to make the centers for my flowers. By using a small hole punch I was able to make a "button" to tie some linen thread through my other flower. I inked everything up and then got to work doing some kissing...stamp kissing with the birds! ;)

I also used the ribbon lace stamp from the Frills set to add a fun strip in the middle. I love the separation this adds without making it extra bulky! I cut the top straight and used a scallop border punch for the bottom.

Next up is my totally different card! I didn't do any stamp kissing on this card because I wanted to show you how versatile this set is for other projects! I used the flower image and the dotted circle to make some fun flowers, and stamped a few random dots all over. The sentiment is from Healing Wings. I thought it fit perfect with this colorful card!

Thanks for stopping by today! :)

Supplies

French Script Birds
CS: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla
DSP: Scenic Route
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Stamp: Garden Kiss by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: scallop border punch, scallop circle punch, 1 in circle, 1/2 in circle, cork, linen thread, brad, corner rounder


Friends
CS: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Real Red, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink
Stamp: Garden Kiss, Healing Wings by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: buttons, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, DMC floss

Create It Green January Sketch

Today is the first official Design Team reveal for Create It Green! Be sure to take a look at the blog and the DT projects for both cards and layouts, and altered items! Every month on the 15th we'll have a large group post, and inbetween you might see some other fab projects using recycled or repurposed items! ;)

The purpose behind CIG is to use the 3 R's - reduce, reuse and recycle (and close the loop! do you remember that jingle from years ago?!) items on your cards, layouts or altered item projects. I thought at first this might be a little hard, but really, inspiration is right at your fingertips if you look for it!

During December when my online purchases were showing up (for two very spoiled kids btw), I was getting a lot of brown paper packaging inside my boxes. I immediately stored that away because I knew it would be perfect for some "boyish" scrapbook pages!

Here's the sketch the layout team was challenged with created by Deanne Burton.

And here is my layout with some detail shots below! As you can see I used that brown paper packaging as my base, but I layered my photo with some cardstock. The cardstock acts as a buffer between the possibly (more than likely) acidic packaging paper and my photo. When in doubt, you can always use a spray adhesive to ensure whatever you're adding to your layout is acid free. Krylon makes a spray called Make It Acid Free.

Now my layout isn't exactly like the sketch, but that's the fun thing about sketches! They are great starting points for cards or layouts and allow you to stretch your creative muscle a little bit. As long as your design still resembles the originial sketch, you're good! ;) At least that's what I tell myself.

There's a few details I wanted to point out on this fairly simple layout. First is the journaling. In the sketch I noticed a spiraled edge that I thought would look so cute sponged and inked, with the spiral a little ruffled. I also used a stamp to create the lines. The journaling reads:

Tee Ball 2008

Brady - I {heart} this picture of you! It shows your focus and determination, and your "tough" face. Keep it up B!

Instead of buttons on the side, I used some corduroy brads to keep with the brown feel. I love this accent on the sketch and was happy with how it turned out!

Next is a little stitching detail at the bottom right of the page. When trying to decide what picture(s) to use with this sketch I noticed the stitch marks right away and thought of the stack of tee ball pics I still have of Brady to scrapbook. The brown paper packaging worked perfectly to give a grungy look to my layout, and I love the addition of the mini stitches to mimic a baseball!

The top right corner also has a few stitches in it. I folded my ribbon over and secured with glue dots first. Then I went back and added my three mini stitches. And look at that cute (ahem tough) face! ;) I can't even begin to tell you how much this kid cracks me up and melts my heart. He has the funniest/cutest faces and says the funniest/cutest things.



Here's a closer shot of the stitches. On both the top and bottom of the ribbon I secured it with staples. I love how such a small detail makes this even more a "boy" layout.

I hope this has inspired you to make a "Green" layout of your own! If you want to play along with this sketch, post it to your blog and then leave a comment on the CIG page so we can all take a look!

ETA: Deanne is offering a prize pack! See the CIG blog for more deets! Link up your project to the blog for any of the three challenges and you'll be entered to win!

Supplies
GREEN Item: brown paper packaging
CS: Chocolate Chip, Kraft
DSP: DCWV
Stamp: Journaling Lines (SU)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Misc: Ek Success Embossed Curve border punch, Chocolate Chip corduroy brads, staples, Chocolate Chip double stitched grosgrain ribbon, dmc floss, spiral punch, Opposites Attract cartridge,

If you obey all the rules....

...You miss all the fun!

Everyone please, don't tell my daughter that until she's at least 21! I've done enough rule breaking for the two of us I think! My Dad once told me that only the good die young so to keep on being bad! I'm pretty sure I've done a great job of that! ;)

This is another fun sentiment in Chic Martini that I hadn't used yet, and I wanted to! And also being a rule breaker I made my martini unusual colors, but I love it! The yellow transparency print is from Hambly Screen Prints, and I love the transparency with the sentiment stamped right on it. By using Staz-On it went on great and stayed there!


For the background, I used the star, swirl and olive pick to make a custom embossed background. One of the things I love about clear stamps is you can arrange everything on your block, and stamp a few times and be done. I've been there and done that with single wood mount stamps and had to stamp a gazillion times to get the look I was going for. This makes quick work of that background!

Can you believe there are still a few sentiments in Chic Martini that I haven't used yet? One of my "goals" (I'm saying goals veeerryyy loosely here) this year is to use every individual stamp in a set on a card or project. That way I'll feel like I'm getting the most use out of any new sets I get this year. I feel like I may have just dug my own grave with that "goal", but we'll see! ;)

Supplies
CS: Basic Black, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Hambly Screen Print
Ink: Staz On, Basic Black, Versamark
Stamp: Chic Martini
Misc: satin ribbon, button, silver cord, scallop border punch, clear ep, Copic Y13, B29

Gettin Old Birthday Cake

I love this cake that's included in the You Know You're Gettin Old stamp set from Skipping Stones Design!

This cake could be colored in so many different ways to make it for just about anyone! Little boys, little girls, or even an "over the hill" cake in black and gray! Wouldn't that be hilarious! Ok, think I need to make that one for my Grandpa! ;)

This card started out as my SSD sketch card for the week, but the sketch was more square so this is similiar, but not quite what the sketch called for.

I love adding stamps to patterned paper to give it that extra little somthing! I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment from this set in Real Red randomly (alliteration I love you, ha!). The cake was colored in with a pink Copic and then with SU colored pencils and a blender pen. I added a few gemstones to the cake for fun. My sisters birthday is coming up in a few months (yes the more ahead of time I am the better!) and I think she'd love this yummy looking birthday card!

Supplies
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Real Red
DSP: SU Prints Pack I
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red
Stamp: You Know You're Gettin Old
Misc: EK Success Curved emboss border punch, Real Red polka dot grosgrain ribbon, gemstones, SU colored pencils, blender pen, Copic RV11

SSD Sketch Tuesday!

Its time for another SSD Sketch Tuesday! Our very talented January Guest Sketch Artist Amy Sheffer gave us this great sketch to work with this week! I (of course) had to flip it, haha! Why can't I ever follow the rules or instructions? ;)

I used one of my other favorite sets You Know You're Gettin Old! I hadn't used the little car yet so I thought this was the perfect time to! I paper pieced the car, and my son told me it was the coolest little car he'd ever seen, so I think that's good enough for me! ;) I also embossed the patterned paper square as well as the little tab on the side. It just adds another dimension to your project!

I stamped the sentiment both above and below the car. By stamping it below the car, it grounds it so the car isn't "floating" on the white. Don't you just love this cute little car?! I'm actually super excited to use this set to make cards for my parents and my in-laws for birthdays this year! They always love getting a handmade card, and if they get a good laugh out of it as well, then its going to be fun this year for sure! ;)

Be sure to check out the other "Stamp Tramps" and our guest sketch artist to see what they've come up with!

Amanda Sewell
Angela Thomas
Chels VanWyk
Erin Grotegut
Michelle Giraud
Peggy Russell

January Guest Sketch Artist Amy Sheffer

Supplies
CS: Certainly Celery, Only Orange, Bashful Blue
DSP: Summer Picnic and Prints Pack I
Ink: Certainly Celery, Only Orange, Basic Black
Stamp: You Know You're Gettin Old
Misc: Tab punch, scallop border punch, Designer button, Bashful Blue striped grosgrain ribbon, dmc floss, Spots and Dots CB folder

Margarita Birthday!

I love this funny saying in Margarita Birthday!


Every birthday should be taken with a grain of salt...
...especially when the salt accompanies a drink and good friends!

And since yesterday was my friend Theron's birthday, I had to use this set to make him a birthday card! Now, I know guys don't usually appreciate a bow on their card, but I thought he wouldn't mind. ;) I did however, leave the margarita "naked" and didn't add any extra color or glitter on the salt rim. The more subdued the better for guys right? I used some Basic Grey paper and stamped the little salt shakers randomly over my square and then added the sentiment. I used the reverse side for my scallop border on both the outside and inside of the card.

The inside was finished off with both the little shot glass and salt shaker below the sentiment. I love adding a little message inside, and this set has great building sentiments to do that!

Supplies
CS: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa
DSP: Basic Grey
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Summer Sun
Stamp: Margarita Birthday
Misc: Scallop border punch, satin ribbon

Blog Hop Blog Candy Winner!!

Ok ladies! The winners were posted for the four sets on SSD, so here is my winner of this yummo blog candy!! (Sorry this is a little later than planned...I got totally sucked into a book tonight and finished it in one sitting, which I usually do so that's not out of the norm. Good thing Gwynie was at a sleepover, Brady was already in bed, and Jake was at a wrestling tournament! HA!)

I love this set, so sad to part with it! ;)

Random.Org selected #45 which was...

connie said...
love your cards! my favorite so far is the cupcake set.
January 5, 2010 7:00 PM

Congrats Connie!! Please email me (kandipants21 [at] gmail [dot] com) your address so I can get this fab set out to you! Thanks to everyone for hopping with us! I really do wish you could all win! ;) But, did you see the announcement on the blog?!

Good until Sunday night at midnight-Quantities are limited….I will post when they are all gone!
Buy 3 stamp sets and get this hilarious pre-release set For FREE!

How exciting is that?! So if you were holding out, you might not want to miss out on this deal! You get a pre-released stamp set for free!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Just Buggin #19 - Stamping!

It's time for another Just Buggin Challenge! This week we're stamping! Last week was my off week, but here I am for this week!

Challenge #19 - Stamping Fun - Stamp on your project!

I love to get my inks out and dress up my die cuts with a little shading, etc., but this week I decided I'd actually stamp a decorative swirl on my die cut!

My tip on the blog: Try using patterned or decorative stamps to give your die cuts a whole new look and texture!

Here's my card with a little stamping on the leaf cut outs! I used my brand new Gypsy and the Gypsy Wanderings cartridge for the leaves, and my Big Shot for the bird. It was a really quick card to put together, and I love the swirls on the leaves! (I promise all those greens actually do match in real life!)

Hope you'll play with us this week at Just Buggin!

Supplies
CS: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery DSP: SU (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery
Stamp: Priceless, Sincere Salutations
Misc: Gypsy Wanderings cartridge, MS Cornice border punch, Birds and Blooms sizzlet die, cork, satin ribbon

Cupcakes....again!

Another little cupcake card, yes again! ;) I love this Cupcake Cutie set from Skipping Stones Design! I used the colors from Dawn's color challenge this week since its been ages since I've played along!

Yesterday I had the worst migraine ever. I finally started feeling better around 7:30 last night so I thought I'd try to make a quickie card before turning in early for bed.

The colors for the challenge are light yellow, aqua, chocolate, and cream. I've been wanting to do a cupcake with a "buttercream" frosting so this was the perfect reason to do it! I stamped the "Sweet" sentiment in Saffron onto Barely Banana cardstock for my background, and did the same for my cupcake frosting. To pull more of the aqua color (which I used last years Baja Breeze since I didn't have an aqua) into my card other than just the border, I used a little button from my stash. The scallop circle was cut out with the Storybook cartridge, and I used a small hole punch on each scallop. I raised it up on foam dots after.

Oh also, I wanted to let you gals know about the Spiltcoast page for Skipping Stones Design, as well as the Facebook fan page! If you purchased some sets during our blog hop, or if you plan on getting some later, make sure to share those cards with us!! I know I would LOVE to see what you do with them, and leave you a little love as well! :) On Splitcoast Stampers if you go to the Company Galleries, Skipping Stones Design has its own section! You can see any cards that are tagged with the keyword "Skipping Stones Design"! Is that great or what?! So when you upload, just leave it in the Member Galleries, but use the keyword and it will link up there! You can see a lot of cards from our guest sketch artists, and the rest of the DT.

On our Facebook SSD Fan Page you can interact with our DT and other fans of SSD! You can link a card there, and it will go into our Fan Photos album!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies
CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Barely Banana
Ink: So Saffron, Barely Banana, Chocolate Chip
Stamp: Cupcake Cutie
Misc: Embossed Curve Border Punch, So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Storybook cartridge, 1/16 in hole punch, button, hemp

Coffee Vol. 1

Yay! I was so excited this set was being released with the blog hop yesterday! I hope you had a fun time hopping, I know I did! ;) I wanted to let you all know how much your sweet comments mean to me! Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments, and I wish all of you could win!

I'm also so glad you are all as excited about these stamps from SSD as I am, and I was super excited to hear some of you ordered your favorite sets yesterday! Don't forget, you still have today to get 25% off on your order. Enter 25off at checkout, but it only lasts through today!

Ok, onto this stamp set now - Seriously, I love coffee. I'm not a huge addict like some friends I know, but I do love my White Chocolate Mochas from Starbucks. Totally the cure for an irritated, angry, somber, or even morose Kandi! ;) Nothing perks me up like one of those babies! I'd been looking the last few months for a really good coffee set - something that had a couple images as well as some cute and clever sayings. So when I saw this set, I knew I'd found just what I'd been looking for!

Coffee Vol. 1 is pretty much the perfect coffee set I think! You have your coffee "ring", coffee cup, and the coffee to-go cup. Which, um yeah, reminds me of how much I want a Starbucks right now! Also, see the little star with the buck in front of it?! Get it?! Hehehe clever right?! Then you have the funny sayings and the crazy haired lady in her robe and slippers. Cute right?!

Ok, enough talk, you want the cards, that's what you came here for right? ;)

This first card, I just love these coffee cups! I had an idea to stack up the cups, so I cut them all out, and then started stacking until they looked right. I wanted to keep it feeling warm so I used Caramel with my Rose and Blue colors. Isn't this sentiment too fun?! I'm always so bad at mailing cards on time to my family that they might all just get cards with this saying on it!

This next card uses the cute to-go cup that I am head over heels for! There are still so many things I want to do with this cup on a card! ;) I decided to stamp the cups as a background, but then to also stamp onto patterned paper for my focal point. Using the cute "star buck" as my label was such a snap to line up! I wanted the center to look like the bands you get around your to-go cup, so I stamped the sentiment and then the little star inbetween. Doesn't it remind you of the "caution hot" things? HA!

So while I was playing around with this to-go cup I thought I'd do a couple more just to show how fun it can be!

I did a little paper piecing on this card with both the patterned paper and cardstock. I also embossed the little coffee rings so they really pop!

For this card, I wanted to keep it really simple, and use a crimped band like some of the belly bands you get on coffee cups. I also clear embossed the coffee rings on this one, but I also sponged around the rings for a fun look!





Last, I thought I'd used that cute coffee ring as a background for two mini cards, since you know I can't seem to put it down! ;) These would be so perfect tied to a little coffee mug, or a can of instant coffee!

By keeping both cards the same size, and using coordinating elements, it was a snap to put these together!

Well, do you just love Coffee Vol 1?! I know I am in love, and can't wait to play with this set more. Can I please have more time in the day just to make cards and play with my stamps?! Puuulease!


Supplies

Happy Birthday (a little latte)
CS: Creamy Caramel, Whisper White DSP: SU Prints Pack II
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Brocade Blue, Regal Rose
Stamp: Coffee Vol 1 by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: Brocade Blue grosgrain ribbon, button, scallop border

Espresso My Gratitude
CS: Kraft, Chocolate Chip DSP: MME
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Stamp: Coffee Vol 1 by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: hemp

Good to the Last Drop
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Kraft DSP: SU Prints
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Stamp: Coffee Vol 1 by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: clear ep, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, George cartridge for tag, hemp, embossed curve border punch

Tall Espresso
CS: Kraft, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark, Old Olive
Stamp: Coffee Vol 1 by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: Olive grosgrain ribbon, crimper, clear ep

Some things...
CS: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Stamp: Coffee Vol 1 by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: button, dmc floss, real red grosgrain ribbon, MS cornice border punch

Caffeine Problem
CS: Kraft, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Close to Cocoa
Stamp: Coffee Vol 1 by Skipping Stones Design
Misc: buttons, dmc floss, very vanilla grosgrain ribbon, MS cornice border punch

SSD Sketch Tuesday and Blog Hop!

Hi everyone! I'm so excited you've come for a visit via the Skipping Stones Designs Blog Hop today! I'm so looking forward to working with all of these super talented ladies you're hopping to and from! Today the newest members of the Design Team were officially announced, so needless to say I'm all sorts of happy! ;) You'll meet all of the "Stamp Tramps" on the hop, as well as see some Splitcoast Stampers Dirty Dozen and DD Alumni along the way!

If you've just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Skipping Stones Design. You should have arrived here from Belinda Chang's blog!


Along the way, the Skipping Stones Design Team (aka the Stamp Tramps) will have blog candy for you to enter. As an added bonus, there will also be 4 stamp sets (new stamp sets not yet released) hidden along the hop, but we’re not telling you where so be sure to leave some love as you hop!!! Make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! The winners will be announced on Friday, January 8th at Skipping Stones Design.


For the blog hop today the Stamp Tramps are using the Tuesday sketch created by our January Sketch artist Amy Sheffer! If you haven't been by her blog you must! She is immensely talented and creates such breathtaking cards! Here is our sketch for today!

I decided for my first ever SSD sketch to use my favorite stamp set Cupcake Cutie! There are so many ways to use this set that I never tire of using it! You can see three different cards and three different ways to use this set from a post I did last week. For this card I decided to show yet another way you can use these cupcakes! ;) Seriously so versatile and super fun to mix and match! Instead of stamping the frosting base with embossing glitter, this time I added glitter to the frosting outline after I'd stamped it. Such a fun look, right?!

You'll notice I flipped the sketch, and that my circle is a little bigger than that square. I'm cool with it if you are. ;) I loved that cupcake paper so much I had to make sure a bit more of it showed! The yellowish square is the reverse of the cupcake paper. I love getting more mileage out of my paper when I can use the reverse side! I added a little scalloped border to the long piece, and tied on a ribbon to dress it up. The sentiment was embossed with white ep to keep with the soft feel of the card.

Here's another card with this sketch using Chic Martini! Seriously, I LOVE this set and I just couldn't stop at one card! ;) I made a few cards with this set last week as well, and I just can't seem to stop using it! I also paired it with the sentiment from Margarita Birthday, and accented the saying with stars from Chic Martini.

I flipped the sketch on its side too, and although I "lost" half a circle at the bottom, I love how bright and funky it turned out! The rainbow dot paper jumped out at me, and just screamed to be used with this set! So I added in a few pinks, brads, bling, and some crystal effects! I angled the glasses to look like they were "clinking" together for a cheers! :)

While we are on the subject of cheers - My husband Jake and his "man friend" or his "hetero life mate" Nick, (seriously what do you call a guys bff?!) are serious Sopranos lovers, so everytime we all do a cheers we say "Salute" which is Italian for "Cheers". Anyone else have a fun way or tradition to cheers your drinks instead of a normal "cheers"? Just curious!

So do you have a favorite stamp set already as you've hopped from the last few blogs?! I hope you get to see some more of these stamps in action as they are all super cute and so hilarious! The next stop on this fun blog hop is to Deb Felts so head on over! But first, make sure to leave a comment here to win some blog candy! I do have a stamp set to give away, but I'm keeping it a secret just because I can, hehe! ;) You will be so happy with it though, I know! I'm wishing I could keep it, haha! Good luck!

**Oh and, did you notice that Coffee Vol. 1 is being released today as well?! I will have some cards tomorrow with this set, so don't forget to come back! ;) Also, today and tomorrow ALL stamps are 25% OFF! The code is 25OFF at checkout so make sure to add that in with your order!

Supplies

Cupcake Cutie
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
DSP: Kaisercraft - Sugar Sugar (Buttercream)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Versamark
Stamp: Cupcake Cutie from Skipping Stones Design
Misc: Embossed Curve border punch (EK Success), decorative stick pins (Fancy Pants), designer button (SU), dmc floss, white ep, satin ribbon, Creative Memories circle cutter, dazzling diamonds


Cheers!
CS: Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Whisper White
DSP: We R Memory Keepers - Tiffany's (Farrow)
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion
Stamp: Margarita Birthday and Chic Martini from Skipping Stones Design
Misc: Copic YG03, gemstones, silver brads, crystal effects

Just a Teaser!

Thanks to the fabulous Erin, here is a little teaser for tomorrow! ;)

10 Minute Scrap Pile Challenge

If you've ever visited the talented Jess Witty's blog, then you know what the 10 Minute Scrap Pile Challenge is. Each week she'll use the scraps in her pile (hence the name, ha!) to make a card in 10 minutes. (hence...) So this weekend I thought I might just have a go at her challenge. Now, I had a lot of scraps in my little basket from loooonnnng ago. Some I actually threw away because I knew I was never going to do anything with it for one reason or another. It was actually kind of fun going through my old things and trying to remember just why I'd stamped that image, or when I'd cut out that shape on my Cricut. Some I rememered, most I didn't!

Anyway, here is what I was leftover with after I'd rummaged through my basket. (I'd been to a crop that day so my regular crafty stuff was a little in disarray as I'd decided to unpack/craft at the same time. FYI - never a good idea!)

I had patterned papers, a scalloped border, some embellishments, cut outs, stamped images, and even embossed cardstock in that basket. The brown card with ribbon was in there too...still trying to figure out where I was going with that one when I chucked it in the basket! I must have gone in a totally different direction with colors I guess!

I also had a little help from my kitty Roxy. ;) Usually she sits on my lap (seriously difficult to craft when she does that!), but I guess she thought that made a good as spot as any to take a nap.

Roxy: Please, get that camera out of my face! Can't you tell I'm trying to nap here?

Ok so 10ish minutes later I had a card done! I say "ish" because I kept having to reach for a few things that were still packed, like adhesive! Anyway, am I happy with this card? Meh, kinda, haha, its definitely interesting and something out of my box I guess. Am I glad I tried it though and used up pieces in my scrap basket? Oh ya! Everything from the card base (with the already tied on ribbon!), the cut out leaves and tag, and even the threaded button were in that basket. I didn't even have to cut the patterened paper. I just used it as was and called it good! The only thing I added was the swirls to the leaves, so all in all it was a super quick card! I just loved the sense of throw it on and don't pull anything else out!

Also, don't forget tomorrow is the big FIRST EVER Skipping Stones Design blog hop! You'll want to make sure you go to the Skipping Stones home page for the first blog, and then hop from blog to blog! Leave comments on every blog too for a chance to win some stamp sets! There will be over $300 worth of sets given away, and you can get 25% off Tuesday and Wednesday!! How cool is that?! See you tomorrow for the blog hop and my first ever SSD Sketch Tuesday!

Supplies
CS: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, misc. dsp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Stamp: Priceless, Pocket Silhouettes
Misc: Gypsy Wanderings cartridge (leaves), George cartridge (tag), So Saffron ribbon, linen thread, button

Guest Designer Today!

Today is the day! I have a tutorial posted on the Die Cuts R Us Blog! Make sure you pop on over to take a look! I used products from the Die Cuts R Us Store and had a blast playing around with them! If you like what you see below, I have links for each thing on my tutorial. So hop on over! ;)

There are a few other tutorials going on this week so make sure you check them out as well for some inspiration.

Here's a sneak peek of my project, but you'll have to take a look on the blog for the full thing! ;)

Happy New Year!

Well I don't know about all of you, but I had a blast last night! My friends helped me celebrate my birthday and we partied it up for New Years! I snapped this pic as it flashed 2010 on the TV, and although its not that great of a picture, I thought it kind of fit for today!

Since its the 1st, I can share a card that was published in the December CARDS magazine with you!

Also, on the CARDS Magazine blog today I have two cards up! Thanks Paige! ;) There was a challenge for New Years cards, and you can also get a peek at one of the cards I have in the January issue.

Hope this is a great start to a wonderful new year for you all!