SCRS Challenge #32 -- Punch It!

Hello! It's time for an all new Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge! We hope you all enjoyed your holidays and are ready for some new challenges! Each week we will post an all new challenge at this time (9 PM PST on Mondays). For all the details, please visit the SCRS blog. This week's challenge is a punch challenge!

Since I was snowed in and late with my project last week, I never did get to properly thank Amber Hight for being our February guest designer! I'm sure you enjoyed all of Amber's creations as much as we all did! This is our first challenge of the month, so please welcome our March guest designer... Danielle Lounds! If you aren't familiar with Danielle's work, she will knock your socks off!

I used Birthday Josh to make a birthday card for Sabrina's music teacher, Mr. B. I first started with a sheet of music paper from Papertrey Ink's Sweet Symphony and had planned on pairing it with some My Mind's Eye Fine and Dandy True Blue (which is how I chose the colors for my image), but I remembered that I had the Allegro embossing folder, so I opted to skip the second sheet of patterned paper and add some dry embossing instead. For punches, I used the Fiskars Apron Lace border punch and Martha Stewart embossed button punch. I tied some Amazing Aquamarine dream string through my button (available at Pizzazz Aplenty).

For more SCRS inspiration and details, please visit the SCRS blog to see the design team's wonderful creations and their individual blogs for more details:

Danielle Lounds, our fabulous March Guest Designer!

Alice Wertz
Kim Yu

Shaela Odd

Simonne Clay

and Sparkle Smith (Owner)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Birthday Josh (Sparkle Creations), Sentiment from Big Wish (Verve)
Paper: Sweet Symphony, Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink); Frosted Teal (Prism)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Mega Curved Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Double-Ended Banner (Papertrey Ink), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Embossed Button punch (Martha Stewart), Allegro embossing folder (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Amazing Aquamarine dream string (Pizzazz Aplenty), Seam binding, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

JustRite Stampers -- Introducing Hugs to You

This is my second post for this morning. If you are looking for my Mojo Monday card, please click here or scroll down. Thank you!

Edited to add direct links.

Hello! Today, JustRite Stampers is introducing a new ribbed set, JB-09850 Hugs to You Borders & Centers - Interlocking. This oval set has 4 lovely wide borders and 4 sweet sentiments.. the perfect way to let someone know that you are thinking of them.

Here is my sample using the new set:

This card is my attempt at clean and simple (for me). I stamped one of the borders and popped the sentiment Hugs to You in the center. Our extended family has been through some tough times the past month, so I made this for my SIL, Mary.. when I was in MN last week, she gave me some handmade tatted flowers and this is the first time I've had a chance to use one on my cards.. I added a pearl to the center of this one.. I love how dainty and beautiful it is! The rest of my embellishments are pretty much self-explanatory.. :)

For more details, please visit the JustRite Inspiration blog for Kellie's sample and the official introduction of this set. Also, here is a list of my JustRite teammates with projects using Hugs to You that you will not want to miss:

Angela Barkhouse

Becca Feeken
Sharon Harnist
Stephanie Kraft (you are here)

Here's a look at the complete set:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
JustRite Stampers: JB-09850 Hugs to You Borders & Centers - Interlocking, JB-09516 Clear Stamper Oval 2 1/4" x 3 1/16"
Paper: English Rose (Kaisercraft), Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko); Shabby Shutters distress (Ranger)
Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities-LG, die 1, Oval Nestabilities-SM, die 5, Big Scalloped Border Petites Borderabilities (Spellbinders); Seam binding, Tatted flower (Sister Mary), Pearl (Prima), Button, Pink twine (May Arts), Trinket pin (Maya Road), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Mojo 180 -- Make the World Special

Hello! It's time for a new Mojo Monday sketch (#180).. It's Round or Square week.. I hope you will join us!

I rarely use purple, yet it is one of my favorite colors. I decided to pull the purple from my patterned paper as I thought it would make a nice contrast with the aqua. The lovely sentiment and flower are from Verve's Feel the Sun. I stamped and colored the large flower as my main image. I added some seam binding, a Prima sculpture flower (love these!) and some amethyst rhinestones from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Here's this week's sketch (square or round):

I hope you will play along with us this week! Please visit the Mojo Monday blog for all the details and to see the wonderful creations by the Mojo Makers! You can also visit their individual blogs for more details (see my sidebar for links to each).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Springtime (Echo Park), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Square and Long Rectangle Nestabilities, Floral Doily Accent Shapeabilities (Spellbinders); Circle punch (EK Success), Markers (Copic), Amethyst rhinestones (Pizzazz Aplenty), Seam binding, Sculpture flower (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

CR84FN17 -- It's Your Day!

Hello! It's time for another CR84FN Challenge! Thank you to all who joined us last week.. it was fun viewing all of your fabulous creations! For this week's challenge (CR84FN17), our color palette is Light Pink, Bright Pink and Chartreuse. The lovely photos in the graphic above are courtesy of Leslie at A Creative Mint.

I broke out some of my PTI goodies to create this birthday card. I used the Mat Stack 4 collection (stamps and die) for my label. The birthday hat and sentiment is from 2011 Birthday Tags. I added a strip of seam binding and tied off a couple of bows with some Cotton Candy dream string from Pizzazz Aplenty.

For all the challenge details, please be sure to visit the CR84FN blog HERE. I hope you will join us this week.. I can't wait to see what you create! For more inspiration, please visit my fellow design teammates:

Stella Schenkel, February Guest Designer
Andrea Matthews

Deborah Frings

Heather Jensen

Lisa Somerville

Meredith MacRitchie

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Suzanne Czosek

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: 2011 Birthday Tags, Mat Stack 4 Collection (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Olivia (Basic Grey), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Pear Tart (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Mat Stack 4 die (Papertrey Ink), Circle punch (EK Success), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Markers (Copic), Seam binding, Cotton Candy dream string, Shiny silver pearl (Pizzazz Aplenty); Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

JustRite Stampers -- Introducing Song in My Heart

Edited to add direct links below.

Hello! Today, JustRite Stampers is introducing a new ribbed set, JB-09865 3 1/4" Song in My Heart Borders & Centers - Interlocking. This oval set has 4 lovely sentiments in a very pretty scripty font that you can use alone or with one of the 4 beautiful borders. I didn't use the borders because I wanted to show you that you don't always have to cut out your sentiment in an oval shape.

Here is my sample using the new set:

I stamped one of the sentiments and cut it out using a JB-S4290 Labels Fourteen die. This is layered on a larger die of the same shape. For embellishments, I added some seam binding, a Prima sculpted flower and some handmade vintage lace that my sister-in-law, Mary, gave me last year. I think it may have been crocheted by her grandma? She gave me quite a bit of it, and I finally decided to use a little on a card. I added a little stitching around and my card was finished!

For more details, please visit the JustRite Inspiration blog for the official introduction of this set. Also, here is a complete list of links with projects using Song in My Heart that you will not want to miss:

Angela Barkhouse
Kazan Clark

Sharon Harnist
Michele Kovack
Kathy Jones
Stephanie Kraft (you are here)
Barb Schram
Sankari Wegman

Here's a look at the complete set:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
JustRite Stampers: JB-09865 3 1/4" Song in My Heart Borders & Centers - Interlocking, JB-09516 Clear Stamper Oval 2 1/4" x 3 1/16"
Paper: Botanical (Prima), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Scarlett Jewel (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: JB-S4290 Labels Fourteen Nestabilities - dies 3, 5 (Spellbinders), Sculpture flower (Prima), Seam binding, Handmade lace, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Viva la Verve -- With Gratitude

Hello! Today I have a card using the Viva la Verve February Week 4 sketch. You can find all the details in the Verve forum on Splitcoast.

I started with some lovely paper from My Mind's Eye (love the Stella and Rose lines!). Next, I combined a couple of Verve stamp sets here. First off, the oval Fleur de Lis frame (and lightly stamped Fleur de Lis in the center of it) are from Kindred Spirits. "With Gratitude" is from Thankful Accents. I added a little seam binding and tied off a button with some Simply Sage Baker's Luster Twine from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Here's a look at the sketch by Andrea Ewen:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Kindred Spirits, Thankful Accents (Verve)
Paper: Stella and Rose - Mabel (My Mind's Eye), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Bundled Sage distress (Ranger)
Accessories: Oval and Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Fleur de Lis embossing folder (Provo Craft), Simply Sage Baker's Luster Twine (Pizzazz Aplenty), Button, Seam binding, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

SCRS Challenge #31 -- Cowabunga

Hello! I'm sorry that I am a few days late with my Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge card this week. Our family had to go to MN over the weekend, and we got caught in a snow storm, so we were delayed coming home for a couple of days. I had this card all layed out before I left, figuring that I would have plenty of time to finish it on Monday. For all the details, please visit the SCRS blog. This week's challenge is boy's rule!

We're also sponsoring Card Positioning Systems this week, so we have combined sketch #206 with our challenge this week.  Play along for a chance to win Charlotte with a Rose and Cocktail Emily!

Here's my card with Surfing Oliver.. Sentiment is from Verve's Dude (it reads "Cowabunga"). Not much chit chat from me today as I am still physically and emotionally exhausted.. I just want to get back into a semi-routine this week and hopefully be back to crafting and visiting blogs over the weekend.

Here's a look at the CPS sketch:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Surfing Oliver (Sparkle Creations), Sentiment from Dude (Verve)
Paper: Good Day Sunshine Boy (Echo Park), Vellum, Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Terracotta Tile (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Markers (Copic), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Mojo 179 -- Happy Birthday

Hello! It's time for a new Mojo Monday sketch (#179).. I had a lot of fun with the sketch this week.. I hope you will join us!

My main image is a flower from Verve's Dream Big. I stamped it twice, cut one out and popped it on top of the other. I stamped the circle around it (from Waltzingmouse's Vintage Circles, Small) before cutting out the circle. The sentiment is from Big Wish. I tied some Yummy Yellow Dream string through a button and added it to the center of my flower.

Here's this week's fabulous sketch:

I hope you will play along with us this week! Please visit the Mojo Monday blog for all the details and to see the wonderful creations by the Mojo Makers! You can also visit their individual blogs for more details (see my sidebar for links to each).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Big Wish, Dream Big (Verve); Vintage Circles, Small (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Stella & Rose - Gertie (My Mind's Eye), Intense Teal (Prism), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah)
Ink: Memento Dandelion, Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle, Scalloped Circle and Square Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), Border punch (Martha Stewart), Double-ended Banner die, Button (Papertrey Ink); Dream string, Glitter rhinestones (Pizzazz Apenty); Seam binding, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

CR84FN16 -- Birthday Wishes

Hello! It's time for another CR84FN Challenge! Thank you to all who joined us last week.. it was fun viewing all of your fabulous creations! For this week's challenge (CR84FN16), our color palette is Light Pink, Medium Violet and Gray. The lovely photos in the graphic above are courtesy of Leslie at A Creative Mint.

I'm adding to my birthday card stash for the teachers at Sabrina's school. For this one I used Verve's Big Wish for the sentiment. I added stitching all around, some seam binding and a Prima rose.

Here's the sketch by Teresa Kline:

For all the challenge details, please be sure to visit the CR84FN blog HERE. I hope you will join us this week.. I can't wait to see what you create! For more inspiration, please visit my fellow design teammates:

Stella Schenkel, February Guest Designer
Andrea Matthews

Deborah Frings

Heather Jensen

Lisa Somerville

Meredith MacRitchie

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Suzanne Czosek

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Big Wish (Verve)
Paper: Be Mine (Echo Park), Gray (Bazzill), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Medium Razzleberry (Prism)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Big Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Script Texture embossing folder (Provo Craft), Rose (Prima), Seam binding, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Viva la Verve -- Hang in There

Hello! Today I have a card using the Viva la Verve February Week 2 sketch. You can find all the details in the Verve forum on Splitcoast.

I made this card for a friend of mine who is having a bit of a tough time.. I am hoping this will cheer her up. I used Verve's Always on My Mind for the hanging hearts and sentiment. The bright pink is actually PTI's Raspberry Fizz (but it never photographs well for me). I added some ribbon, stitching and shiny silver pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Here's a look at the sketch by Amy Sheffer:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Always on My Mind (Verve)
Paper: Be Mine (Echo Park), Gray (Bazzill), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Jotted Heart die (Verve), Rectangle Nestabilities, Butterfly die (Spellbinders); Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Silver pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty), Ribbon, Felt (Papertrey Ink); Brad, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

I Adore Everything About You

Hello! Today I had a chance to play along in the My Mind's Eye Challenge #20! There are two challenges this month, a card and layout challenge. I ran out of time last month to make a layout, so this month, I decided to make my first project be the layout.. I have to say that I really miss scrapbooking.. I am trying to do more of it whenever I have some time to play..

It was time for school pictures again and this photo was taken last month. I usually have low expectations, but when we got Sabrina's pictures back on Monday, I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, this is probably one of the best photos of her ever! She likes to always make funny faces whenever I take pictures, so it is rare to get her natural smile. I think the photographer did a great job capturing her sweet smile. And, gosh, doesn't she look grown up?! It's hard to believe she is only 7!

For my layout, I used various products from the My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose, Gertie collection. I started with a sheet of "Girly" Lace paper for my base. Next, I took a sheet of "Girly" Diamonds paper, traced a circle with a mixing bowl and cut it out. I thought that it was a little too plain, so I randomly stamped one of the doily images from the Gertie "Girly" stamp set using Versmark Watermark. It wasn't showing up as well as I liked, so I poured some clear embossing powder all over my circle and heat set it.

Along with the sketch, the theme is Love Everything About ___________. I added a sticker (that reads I Adore Everything About You) from the You & Me layered sticker pack. For my journaling, I wrote out a few of the things that I love about Sabrina, including the last one "that you are.. My Girl". The sticker that reads My Girl is part of the "Girly" Sticker tags. I adhered it to a piece of cardstock to make it sturdier, trimmed around it and punched the corners with a scalloped corner rounder, punched a hole and tied it with twine to my ribbon as a tag.

I laid the Gertie "Little One" transparency frame over my photo and stitched it on. The trio of buttons are part of the "Little One" sub-collection. I also stitched around the large circle. Here's a detail shot:

Here's a look at the sketch by Anam Stubbington:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
(all My Mind's Eye (MME) products listed below are the Stella and Rose - Gertie collection)
Stamps: "Girly" (My Mind's Eye)
Paper: "Girly" Lace, Diamonds (MME), Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Versamark Watermark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: "Little One" transparency frame, buttons, "Girly" stickers, stamps, "You & Me" layered stickers (MME); Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Scalloped corner punch (Marvy), Double ended banner die (Papertrey Ink), Clear embossing powder, Pearls, Pearl flourish (Zva Creative), Seam binding, Rose (Prima), Trinket pins (Maya Road), Thread, Sewing machine.

SCRS Challenge #30 -- Birthday Wishes

Speaking of SCRS, it's time for an all new Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge! Each week we will post an all new challenge at this time (9 PM PST on Mondays). For all the details, please visit the SCRS blog. This week's challenge is paper piecing!

I had looked all over for the Making Memories Je t'Adore collection and just got it recently. I didn't get a chance to make any Valentine's with the paper, but I decided that some of the patterns could still be used year-round. I chose to use Charlotte with a Rose today. I stamped and colored the sweet image and did some paper piecing with the light pink polka dot paper to soften her a bit. I fussy cut her out and popped her on top of all of my layers. I used the February Sketch For You To Try for my layout.

For more SCRS inspiration and details, please visit the SCRS blog to see the design team's wonderful creations and their individual blogs for more details:

Amber Hight, our fabulous February Guest Designer!

Alice Wertz
Kim Yu

Shaela Odd

Simonne Clay

and Sparkle Smith (Owner)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Charlotte with a Rose (Sparkle Creations), Sentiment from Big Wish (Verve)
Paper: Je t'Adore (Making Memories), Dark Razzleberry (Prism), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Tags Trio Shapeabilities (Spellbinders), Flower Vine embossing folder (Sizzix), Wrinkled ribbon, Twine (May Arts), Button (Papertrey Ink), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Mojo 178 -- Give Thanks to the Lord

Hello! Did you all have a fun Valentine's weekend? I'm happy to say that I finished making all the Valentine's treat jars! However, last week was so hectic that I didn't get any Valentine's cards mailed.. isn't that sad? I do still plan on mailing a few, though.. better late than never, right?

It's time for a new Mojo Monday sketch (#178)! This week's sketch is super fun and was designed by Maria!

I think this sketch is really flexible and can be used as a horizontal layout (as is), or rotated to accommodate a narrow vertical panel. I chose to use it as is. I broke into some new pretty papers from the My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose - Hazel collection.. For my sentiment, I stamped the passage from Verve's plain jane, 1 Chronicles 16:34.

Here's a look at this week's sketch:

I hope you will play along with us this week! Please visit the Mojo Monday blog for all the details and to see the wonderful creations by the Mojo Makers! You can also visit their individual blogs for more details (see my sidebar for links to each).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: 1 Chronicles 16:34 (Verve)
Paper: Stella & Rose - Hazel 6x6 pad (My Mind's Eye), Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink), Hollyhock (CTMH)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Long Rectangle and Lacey Circles Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Ivory pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty), Rose (Prima), Sheer ribbon (May Arts), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

If you are looking for my CR84FN post, please scroll down or click here.. thank you!

Happy Sunday! I hope you're all having a great weekend.. Sabrina and I spent yesterday making some Valentine treats for her teachers, therapists and para aides.

Last Christmas, I got a great idea on Amy Sheffer's blog and tucked it away for Valentine's Day. In her post here, she made some Comet White Chocolate Crunch and packaged it up as Christmas gifts. This yummy snack is so easy to make! I took her suggestion and made Cupid's White Chocolate Crunch (for Valentine's Day) and packaged them up in the same cracker jars that she used. They make for great packaging and are affordable at $3 per jar (found at both Target and Wal-Mart).

I actually made 2 batches of these and packaged up 15 1-qt jars.. yep, I told you it makes A LOT! This is only the first jar that I finished (my sample for my post).. :) Since I made so many, I tried to keep the decorating to a minimum. Here's a closer look at the top of the lid:

I used a doily as my base. Then I added a handmade yo-yo that I made out of some red marble fabric. I added a button and tied on a tag with some Divine Twine.

To make my tag, I first started by stamping one of the tags from JustRite CL-02080 Fancy Tags Set - Cling. I then cut and embossed using a custom die from JB-09820 Happy Everything Mini Tag Kit - Interlocking (dies are co-branded with Spellbinders). My sentiment is also from Happy Everything, which is full of sentiments that you can use all year long!

Here's a detail shot of the tag:

This is the recipe that I got from Amy's blog:

Cupid's White Chocolate Crunch:

10 ounces pretzels

2 cups peanuts

5 cups Cheerios

5 cups Corn Chex

16-ounce bag of M&M's

2 12-ounce bags of white chocolate chips

3 T vegetable oil

Mix the first five ingredients in a very large bowl (this makes a LOT). Melt the chips and oil in the microwave or in a double-boiler, and pour over the cereal mixture. Stir well and spread onto wax paper. When cool, break into chunks.

Finally, here's a closer look at the JustRite products that I used:

CL-02080 Fancy Tags Set - Cling:

and JB-09820 Happy Everything Mini Tag Kit - Interlocking:

I have 14 more jars to decorate, so that's all for me for today! I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
JustRite Stampers: CL-02080 Fancy Tags Set - Cling, JB-09820 Happy Everything Mini Tag Kit - Interlocking
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: JB-09820 Happy Everything Mini Tag Kit - Interlocking, Button, Divine Twine, Doily, Fabric, Handmade yo-yo.

CR84FN15 -- Happy Happy Birthday

Hello! It's time for another CR84FN Challenge! Thank you to all who joined us last week.. it was fun viewing all of your fabulous creations! For this week's challenge (CR84FN15), our color palette is Teal, Green and Yellow. The photos in the graphic above are courtesy of Leslie at A Creative Mint.

I quickly went through my stash and couldn't find any patterned papers that I liked well enough to use, so I made my own background paper by randomly stamping some doilies using My Mind's Eye Gertie "Girly" stamps. I was fortunate enough to win a collection of my choice from MME, and I chose the Stella & Rose - Gertie collection.. LOVE it! I didn't want to cover up the doilies, so I only added a strip of green vellum. I created my tags using Papertrey Ink stamps and die from Fillable Frames #1. I used my Copic Y17 marker to color some seam binding ribbon.

For all the challenge details, please be sure to visit the CR84FN blog HERE. I hope you will join us this week.. I can't wait to see what you create! For more inspiration, please visit my fellow design teammates:

Stella Schenkel, February Guest Designer
Andrea Matthews

Deborah Frings

Heather Jensen

Lisa Somerville

Meredith MacRitchie

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Suzanne Czosek

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Gertie "Girly" (My Mind's Eye), Fillable Frames #1 (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Celebrate "Dad and Me" Brocade / Blue (My Mind's Eye), Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink), Green vellum
Ink: Memento Bahama Blue, Memento Dandelion, Memento Pear Tart, Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Fillable Frames #1 die (Papertrey Ink), Seam binding ribbon, Y17 marker (Copic), Crystal stick pin (Pizzazz Aplenty), Rose (Prima), Twine (May Arts), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Sparkle Creations February Release - Introducing Sweet Treats Emily

Hello and Welcome to the final day of previews and the February release for Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps! Sparkle is releasing 2 new images -- they are available in the store now.. Today we are previewing the final image, Sweet Treats Emily!

I paired Emily with some sweet paper from Melissa Frances' Kitschy Kitchen collection. That plate of yummy chocolate chip cookies is making my mouth water (at least in my mind that is what they are)! I better not show this to Dan (my DH) or Sabrina (my DD) -- they will both want me to make a batch right away.. LOL!

Be sure to visit the rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Sweet Treats Emily. Sparkle will be giving away a Sweet Treats Emily to one lucky person! For a chance to win, you need to comment on all of the designer's blogs (list below). Then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Emily post. You have until midnight EST each day to comment. The lucky winner will be announced the following day!

Amber Hight, February Guest Designer

Alice Wertz

Kim Yu
Peggy Toole, Sponsorship Coordinator

Shaela Odd

Simonne Clay

Sparkle Smith, Owner

Stephanie Kraft (you are here)

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Not only are the new releases available now, but Sparkle is having a Valentine's Day weekend sale from the 12th through the 14th.  The code is LOVE15 to get 15% off your entire order!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Sweet Treats Emily (Sparkle Creations), Sentiment from Love Notes (Verve)
Paper: Kitschy Kitchen (Melissa Frances), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Pink (Prism)Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Mega Large Oval and Mega Large Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Seam binding ribbon, Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Rose (Prima), Rhinestone flourish, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Sparkle Creations February Preview -- Chef Oliver

Hello and Welcome to the first day of previews for the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps January release! Sparkle is releasing 2 new images at midnight EST this Saturday, February 12 .. Today we are previewing Chef Oliver (and a new sentiment)!

This sweet image reminded me of the brief time when I worked as a prep cook. At one time I had planned on going to culinary school to become a professional chef.. things didn't work out as I had realized my passion for cooking later in life and soon realized that restaurant hours wouldn't work well with a family.. Anyway, I remember we used to wear these not so flattering blue striped pants and white coats (and the white coats always got really dirty and stained). The sous chef always wore these bright colored pants and chef coats, so I colored Oliver to look like him.

It's hard to tell, but the strips of Melissa Frances patterned paper have chickens and eggs on them and a tiny print that says, "Farm Fresh Eggs". See that sweet sentiment, "whatcha got cookin'?"? It's an all new Sparkle Creations sentiment that is included when you buy Chef Oliver! All the while I was making this, all I had going through my head was the song.. Hey good lookin' , what you got cookin'?...

Be sure to visit the rest of the SCRS designers for more peeks of Chef Oliver. Sparkle will be giving away a Chef Oliver to one lucky person! For a chance to win, you need to comment on all of the designer's blogs (list below). Then head on over to the SCRS blog and comment on the Oliver post. You have until midnight EST each day to comment. The lucky winner will be announced the following day!

Amber Hight, February Guest Designer

Alice Wertz

Kim Yu
Peggy Toole, Sponsorship Coordinator

Shaela Odd

Simonne Clay

Sparkle Smith, Owner

Stephanie Kraft (you are here)

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Tomorrow I will be back with the entire SCRS team to preview the final image... and it's also RELEASE DAY!

Thanks so much for stopping by!Supplies ~
Stamps: Chef Oliver (Sparkle Creations)
Paper: Kitschy Kitchen (Melissa Frances), Classis Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Harvest Gold, Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Double-Ended Banner die (Papertrey Ink), Markers (Copic), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

SCRS Challenge #29 -- Be Mine

Hello! It's time for an all new Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenge! We hope you all enjoyed your holidays and are ready for some new challenges! Each week we will post an all new challenge at this time (9 PM PST on Mondays). For all the details, please visit the SCRS blog. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge.. yea! I love sketch challenges! The lovely sketch was designed by my fellow DT-mate, Kim!

I went clean & simple (for me) with my Cupid Emily card today. I colored her with Copic markers and added some lace a Strawberry Red Luster Twine from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Here's a full-sized version of the sketch:

For more SCRS inspiration and details, please visit the SCRS blog to see the design team's wonderful creations and their individual blogs for more details:

Amber Hight, our fabulous February Guest Designer!

Alice Wertz
Kim Yu

Shaela Odd

Simonne Clay

and Sparkle Smith (Owner)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Cupid Emily (Sparkle Creations), Sentiment from Love Notes (Verve)
Paper: Crazy Love (Bo Bunny), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Markers (Copic), Star Dust Stickles (Ranger), Strawberry Red Luster Twine, Red pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty); Lace (Offray), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Mojo 177 -- Love You

Hello! It's time for a new Mojo Monday sketch (#177).. this week the sketch is super fun.. it's also contest week!

When I first saw the tall, narrow panel on the sketch, it made me want to use one of the sweet animals from To the Moon. I chose Emery, the sweet elephant, who is trying his best to keep his balance on the stack of hearts. I stamped and colored him twice, cut one of his image out and popped it on top of the other. Then I randomly stamped a few of the hearts from Text Objects. The sentiment is from Love Notes. (Note: Two of these sets are currently on sale in the Verve store as part of the February Sweet Savings Sale!). For my embellies, I added a lacey flower rosette and some ivory pearls from Pizzazz Aplenty.

Here's this week's fabulous sketch:

I hope you will play along with us this week! Please visit the Mojo Monday blog for all the details and to see the wonderful creations by the Mojo Makers! You can also visit their individual blogs for more details (see my sidebar for links to each).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Love Notes, Text Objects, To the Moon (Verve)
Paper: KP Valentine (K & Company), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Lavender Moon (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Double-Ended Banner die (Papertrey Ink), Embossing folder (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Lacey flower rosette, Pearls (Pizzazz Aplenty); Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

CR84FN14 -- Celebrate

Hello! It's time for another CR84FN (Create For Fun) Challenge! Thank you to all who joined us last week.. it was fun viewing all of your fabulous creations! For this week's challenge (CR84FN14), our color palette is Light Pink, Bright Pink and Chocolate. This is one of my favorite color combinations.. I hope you like it too and will come play with us!

Please join me in welcoming our February Guest Designer... Stella!

I made this card for my niece, Evie.. it was her birthday a couple of days ago, and yes, it will be a little late getting to her, but we did get to chat for a little bit on her actual bday.. Happy, Happy Birthday, Evie! We love and miss you!

To get started, I pulled out some yummy My Mind's Eye paper (from the Lost & Found Madison Avenue collection) and some My Favorite Things goodies, and this is what I came up with. I am addicted to just love these sweet Pure Innocence stamps. This one is called Birthday Princess. I added a little lace and tied my tag on with some variegated Chocolate Latte Dream String.

My layout is based upon the latest MFT Wednesday sketch:

For all the challenge details, please be sure to visit the CR84FN blog HERE. I hope you will join us this week.. I can't wait to see what you create! For more inspiration, please visit my fellow design teammates:

Andrea Matthews

Deborah Frings

Heather Jensen

Lisa Somerville

Meredith MacRitchie

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Suzanne Czosek

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Birthday Princess (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Madison Avenue (My Mind's Eye), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah), Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Petite Oval and Labels Ten Nestabilities, Tags Trio (Spellbinders); Die-namics Scalloped and Scalloped Scallop (My Favorite Things), Chocolate Latte Dream String, Pink rhinestones (Pizzazz Apenty); Lace (Kaisercraft), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

JustRite Friday Challenge 048

Hello! It's JustRite Friday Challenge time again! This week's challenge, JRC_048, is a sketch challenge -- I love sketches and I know a lot of you do, too.. I hope you will join us!

I combined a couple of JustRite stamps for my card today. The frame is from CL-02070 Fancy Frames - Cling, which I stamped twice, once for the background frame and cut out with JR-08950 Nested Frames die and a second time using Labels Fourteen to cut out the sentiment layer. "Happy Birthday to You!" is from the ribbed set, JB-08117 3 1/4" Birthday Celebrations - Interlocked. My embellishment is a handmade yo-yo topped with a Prima rose.

Here's Sharon's wonderful sketch:

Be sure to visit the JustRite Inspiration blog for more details on this week's challenge and some lovely samples by my JR teammates:

Angela Barkhouse

Becca Feeken

Michele Kovack

Sharon Harnist

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: CL-02070 Fancy Frames - Cling, JB-08117 3 1/4" Birthday Celebrations - Interlocked (JustRite Stampers)
Paper: Julianne (K & Company), Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento London Fog, Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: JR-08950 Nested Frames (Spellbinders co-branded), Labels Fourteen Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Ribbon (May Arts), Yo-yo, Moda fabric, Rose (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Viva la Verve -- How Sweet of You

Hello! I hope you're having a great week so far! I made this card using the first Viva la Verve sketch for February! You can find all details here in the Verve Splitcoast forum.

I started by pulling out some coordinating patterned paper from the My Mind's Eye Fine & Dandy Tickled Pink collection, layered and stitched them together. I used Verve's Happy Hello (currently on sale!) to stamp the circle frame and sentiment, then I used a circle punch. I popped this little frame on top of a round yo-yo that I made out of some Moda fabric. I finished it off simply with a few pink rhinestones and some yummy Always Aqua baker's twine from Pizzazz Aplenty.

My layout is based on Amber's fabulous sketch:

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Happy Hello (Verve)
Paper: Fine & Dandy Tickled Pink (My Mind's Eye), Pink (Prism), Classic Crest Classic Natural White (Neenah)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle punch (EK Success), Modern Garland border punch (Martha Stewart), Rhinestones, Always Aqua Baker's Twine (Pizzazz Aplenty); Fabric, Yo-Yo maker, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.