Keeping It Simple

 This is me taking a stab at keeping it simple. Just a base of kraft cardstock, a strip of print, some Copic coloring, a little stitching...okay, can't quite call it CAS, but for me this was leaving a lot of "white space". Loving this new image from Lizzie Anne Designs new Spring Mix, "Follow Your Dreams". As usual, this was only one of many great images from this mix, which also includes some great stamps for Mother's Day as well. You definitely need to sign up to receive the Mix sets seasonally...they are a wonderful deal with oodles of ideas that will jump out at you. Plus, you can always receive more inspiration from the Lizzie Anne Designs blog, Sketchbook, and Facebook page. Happy stamping!

Becoming Daffy About Dahlias

 I have a confession to make. In all honesty, I took one look at this new Jumbo Cling Dahlia stamp from Stampendous and thought, "Meh". It just didn't really appeal to me. I love flowers, but this particular one was just...okay. Then I kept seeing this image pop up on creations all over the place. On the Stampendous web site, the Stampendous blog, the Stampendous catalog, Split Coast Stampers, Facebook,YouTube...everywhere! Each creation was amazing. Various colors, techniques, cards, scrap pages, home decor, etc. So, then I thought, "Hmmmm...it is pretty cool. Think maybe I want to play with it after all." So, I did. Obviously. It occurred to me that my favorite little Memento inkpads come in a shape that would perfectly mimic the shape of the flower petals. I picked out a variety of rainbow hues from Rhubarb Stalk to Dandelion and used them direct to paper concentrically over the white cardstock panel. Then I stamped and embossed the Jumbo Cling Dahlia in white over the top. So simple and so stunning. All it needed to finish it off was a simple sentiment from one of my fave Perfectly Clear sentiment sets, "Happy Messages", and some bright happy ribbons. Perfectly sunny and perfect for spring (which explains why I had to photograph it with these gorgeous daffodils).  This is a lesson to be learned. Be inspired by others...you just might see the world in a whole new light!

Stampendous:
Jumbo Cling Dahlia (CRS5007)
Perfectly Clear "Happy Messages" (SSC109)
White Embossing Powder (EP100)
Tsukineko Versamark ink (VM001)

Tsukineko Memento ink: Rhubarb Stalk, Lady Bug, Tangelo, Cantaloupe, Dandelion
Bazzill Sunshine cardstock
Mohawk white cardstock
Creative Impressions ribbon
corner rounder
button, twine

Git Along Little Doggies!

Quickie post for the weekend. This page featuring my son, Bryan, from what seems like eons ago (actually about twenty), was created using images from Lizzie Anne Designs. I used the paisley stamp from "It's Good To Be Queen" and stamped over the star-printed paper to create a bandana look in the background. I used the wood-printed paper from Cosmo Cricket for the bottom panel and paper-pieced the little Cowboy's chaps and vest. Across the "belly" of the page is a strip of faux-suede fringe trim that I bought at JoAnns. The cowboy was colored to mimic my son's outfit. I needed a good title for the page, and I wanted to include the "D" from the new "Follow Your Dreams" set, so I computer generated the rest of the title to work with it. My favorite moo-cows made it on to the page as well. When you have cute pictures like this one, you have to GIT STAMPIN' and SCRAPPIN'!

Lizzie Anne Designs:
"Follow Your Dreams" mix set
"Cowboy" single
"It's Good to Be Queen" mix set

Onyx Versafine
Versamark
white embossing powder (Stampendous)
Cosmo Cricket and Sonburn papers
black and white cardstock
faux suede fringe trim (JoAnns)
star brads
foam tape

WANT TO BE SHOCKED AND APPALLED? NO FOOLIN'!

You didn't really think I'd skip an opportunity for an April Fool's post, did you? If you shock easily, then do NOT scroll down after ooohing and aaaahing over my Lizzie Anne Designs' release post. But if you are feeling just a little bit naughty... ;)

Lizzie Anne Designs New Single Release!

 The first of the month means that it's Simply Singles new releases from Lizzie Anne Designs. There were two images as usual, "Mother Defined", and the one that I chose to feature today, "So Very Sorry". Something about this sentiment just spoke to me so I went with it. Been in a purples and greens mood lately, so I used various shades of both in my card. I also broke out the tulips from the "It's Good to be Queen" mix set once again, and softly stamped on the panel behind the tulips and on the sentiment label lovely swirls from the "Fanciful Flourishes" set. The Nestabilities dies helped to frame the tulips, as well as emphasize the beauty of the sentiment. For added fluff, a soft ribbon bow and tulle were added. For bling, a couple rhinestone stickers were added and tiny dots of sparkly ink were added to the edges of the tulips. No one wants to think they will make a huge mistake that they will need to apologize for, but if it's necessary...do it beautifully! Please visit the team's blogs, as well as the Lizzie Anne Designs website and blog for inspiration and the opportunity to purchase perfect images and sentiments for any occasion.

Lizzie Anne Designs:
"So Very Sorry" Simply Single
"It's Good to be Queen" Mix Set
"Fanciful Flourishes" Little Bits

Memento inks: Grape Jelly, Lulu Lavender, Bamboo Leaves, and New Sprout
Sakura Gelly Roll Star Pen
Bazzill and Coredinations Cardstock
vellum
Creative Impressions ribbon
rhinestone stickers
Nestabilities Jumbo Scalloped Ovals and Labels Four

Happy April Fool's Day!

Those of you who don't know me are shocked and appalled, right? However, those of you who really know me are ROFLYAO. You know you are! The photo is not great of this. I've wanted to post this, and thought April Fool's Day was perfect for this. I created this card at the request of my hubby. He and some friends wanted to pull a joke on a friend who was expecting a baby girl (or I should say, his WIFE was expecting). I was supposed to come up with a card that would be slightly shocking on the outside with a way to hold a bunch of cash on the inside. Hence, the stripper card. I have to admit, I had a blast designing this card. Don't you love how I created the "pasties"? Prima flowers and tassles? LOL. A rhinestone in the belly button! I wrapped tulle around the "G-string" and added ribbon and ruffly trim, and of course, I had to tuck a dollar bill inside. The "diaper" on the inside was stuffed with money for the new addition. Fortunately, the new mom has a wonderful sense of humor. Any of you ever taken your papercrafting skills just a little over to the wild side? Hmmm?

DAMASK, Jim, It's Dream Schemes Thursday!*

Free choice week again for the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Schemes Thursday. This card was created from grabbing out of my "Kibbles & Bits" box...you know the place where you save the bits that didn't work for the project d' jour, but too good to throw away? The bottom panel was an experimentation in weaving cardstock through the Stripes stencil before running it through the Big Shot machine. This created  wider striping which was kind of cool. The focal point was cut from a panel where I sprayed various Memories Mists through the Large Damask stencil. The spray that remained all over the stencil was left to run through my Big Shot with a white panel of cardstock to press the color into the paper, leaving the embossed areas white. I love doing that. It comes out different every time! I added a Class A' Peel sentiment, some appropriate ribbon, and some gorgeous orange and red rhinestones. Now, you need to visit the rest of our group of fabulously talented ladies as listed at right, create your own free choice project, and link it to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog.

Dreamweaver Stencils:
Lg. Damask (LX7001)
Stripes/Plaid (LX7002)
Memories Mists Iridescent Red (MMIR02) and Orange (MMIR05)

Stampendous Class A' Peels "Friendly Greetings" (AC961W)
red, orange, white cardstock
Big Shot machine
rubbing alcohol
ribbon
rhinestone stickers

*apologies to all Trekkies!