Taylored Expressions #154 * I love a Crafty Cuppie *

Hello and Good Evening Friends! Happy Friday!

So, my very dear DH is out of town for the next few weeks, which as an army wife, eh, that is no big deal. What nags at me is the fact that this is just the begining of a very busy year ahead for me. To simply sum-it-up, he is away for 3 weeks, few days home, away for 2 weeks, then 6 weeks home and then away for 9 months. In the midst of all that, we are foster parents to an 8 year old boy whom we are officially adopting at the end of April and we are being asked to take a (somewhat special needs) sweet 4 year old little girl into our home as a legal-risk foster placement. Good Gravy ..

So, Yes, I am venting, and with this card, I am reminding myself, and am asking all my friends to remind me to "DO SOMETHING CREATIVE EVERYDAY!" Just like good ole' Crafty Cuppy, which happens to be my very first Taylored Expressions stamp, given to me by my very best BFF, Cassie. This card inspired by Taylor's newest sketch over on Taylored Expressions' blog. 

Card Details:

Stamps: TE Crafty Cuppie

Paper: MME Dilly Dally, TE Watermelon, TE Lagoon, Buttercream cs

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Copics

Tools/Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Black self-adhesive pearls

Coordinating TE Kit ribbon

Thank you so very much for your visit and your kind words. Both are cherished so very much!

Sweet Sketch Wednesday # 144

Hello Friends! Despite having terrible headache, I was able to make two cards today! YaY! I chose two of my top favorite challenge blogs and got to work. This one is for Sweet Sketch Wednesday #144. I just love MFT's Pure Innocence collection, they are so adorable and super fun to paper piece, which happens to be my favorite technique. I went ahead and stamped the coordinating sentiment on the inside of the card this time.

Card Details:

Stamps: MFT PI Making a List

Paper: Buttercream cs, MME Lost & Found Rosy dp

TE KI kit cs - Watermelon & Pear

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics

Tools/Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, dimensional tape,

Black self adhesive pearls (KI Kit), black ribbon (KI Kit)

Technique: Paper Piecing

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I very much appreciate your visit and cherish each and every comment!

Sweet Sketch Wednesday # 143, CIC # 47 & TPE 138

Hello Friends! Yesterday, I had the wonderful pleasure of crafting. It used to be I could find time to craft pretty much every day ... but because of some recent and wonderful changes in our family, my crafting time has become unpredictable, sporatic and cherished.

I made three cards for three different challenges yesterday, and (sigh) it was great. This one is for Sweet Sketch Wednesday. A big Thank You goes out to the gals at Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog for reverting back to the old challenge rules. Thank You! This card qualifies for Clear Dollar Stamps' Clearly Inspired Challenge #47, which is one of my fav's : Anything Goes. And also for The Pink Elephant #138, challenge "Lets see those layers" -- at least 3 layers, and at my count, this card has a whopping 7!

I am particually happy with my coloring here, it kind of suprised me how it turned out! I was trying to emulate one of the flowers on the BG Picadilly dp, and even though the colors didnt turn out as I pictured in my mind, I am happy with it all the same.

Card Details:

Stamps: CDS Dahlia

Paper: CDS Bubblegum, BG Dahlia, Buttercream CS

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Copics

Tools/Accessories: Black self-adhesive pearls

 Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today and I so grately appreciate your lovely comments!

Taylored Expressions February Key Ingredients Kit Challenge

Hello Friends! This past weekend I had a lofty goal to make three cards for a few challenges going on now. And believe it or not, I actually got it done! This card is not my favorite of the three from this weekend, and in fact, I went back and forth on whether or not to even post it. But, I wanted to put my name in the hat for the drawing over at Taylored Expressions blog, so here it is.

I took alot of liberty with the concept of casing a card and cased my BFF, Cassie's card.. I am not good at background stamping and I found her card super inspiring. I just hope my card isnt as much of a 'rip off' as I fear it might be...  As I type this, I am still hesitating on posting ... (sigh)

Ok, so the challenge is an awesome one, perfect for someone like me who can use some extra modivation. The challenge is to use our February KI Kit, which is lovely by the way, to create a project following this month's theme, which is "Take Note". I took advantage of the special sale and added the perfectly coordinated stamp set to my KI kit, which is exactly perfect for the challenge.

Card Details:

Stamps: TE Vintage Dreamer

Paper: TE Feb Ki Kit

Ink: CDS Cherry Go Round hybrid ink, Momento Rich Cocoa

Thank you so much for stopping by! If you like my card, please visit my BFF Cassie's blog to give her some love, since that is where I got the idea for my card! Thank you Cassie!  

Taylored Expressions #153 .. New Beginnings .. TPE # 138

Hello Friends! As you know from my previous post, I scavengered some craft time this weekend! WooHoo! As soon as Taylor posted her newest sketch challenge on Taylored Expressions blog, I could not wait to play along. Unfortunately, I had to wait all the way until last night, but happily, I am playing along and enjoyed every minute of this challenge. This card also qualifies for the "Lets See Those Layers" Challenge over at The Pink Elephant. The card needs to have at least 3 layers, and at my count, this one has a good 5. I do love to layer!

Card Details:

Stamps: TE New Beginnings

Paper: TE February KI Kit, Buttercream CS, MME Dilly Dally dp

Ink: CDS hybrid Fresh Papaya, CDS Cherry Go Round,

Momento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Self Adhesive black pearls (feb ki kit)

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! I so cherish your visit and your lovely comments!

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

**********

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!