Another Sketch Challenge

Seems like I have been doing a lot of sketch challenges lately. This one is for the challenge at Bildmalarna Blog. I love Bildmalarna stamps, the characters are absolutely adorable!!! So, here is a picture of the sketch we are using.

Here is my card.

I used this absolutely adorable of image of Mimosa in a bath tub that was part of the Bildmalarna Summer kit. Now, this kit is no longer available, but you can still get the Fall version at Bildmalarana.com. My color palette was inspired by different shades from the Cosmo Cricket background paper that I used. I also used a piece of the new Cosmo Cricket core'dinations cardstock which coordinates with the paper and comes pre-embossed. Mimosa is colored with my copic markers. I tried to grunge the image up a little bit by adding some shadows with my W1 marker so that the colors wouldn't be too bright and would go with the distressed vintage look of the papers. I finished it off with a grungy paper flower. This was made with 8 scalloped circles cut with my cricut. I then sprayed them with water, wadded them up, unfolded them, put a brad through all the layers, and then squeezed it into a flower shape. If this sounds confusing, if you look for paper flowers on youtube, you should be able to find the video.

A Bildmalarna Mother's Day

I hope all the mothers out there had a fantastic mother's day! I know I did. My little piggy made me breakfast, we went shopping, and then out to dinner. It was a very fun day. We are hosting a Mother's Day challenge on Bildmalarna Blog. I decided to use this adorable new stamp of Tossa and a swan that was included in the Summer Kit from Bildmalarna.

The entire kit was adorable and I can't wait to use all of them. If you love Bildmalarna stamps, you do not want to miss out on the kits. Anyway, for my Tossa and swan card, I used Cosmo Cricket designer paper as well as the new Cosmo Cricket core'dinations in neutral. I added some Prima flowers and a sentiment from Just Rite. To top off Tossa's beautiful swan, I added a little bit of stickles. We would love to see what type of mother's day project you can create using Bildmalarna stamps, so stop by and show us what you've done.

Snow Dog

We had a blizzard here on Christmas Eve and my daughter and the dog just couldn't resist getting outside and playing in all the snow.  It turns out Dingo is a real snow dog.  The Just Buggin challenge this week is to make a project that has something to do with pets, so I figured this was a perfect time to actually make a layout using some of the pictures I took of them playing in the snow.  It's been a long time since I actually made a

layout.  I used Coredinations cardstock for my base and cut some Bazzil swiss dots paper for the reddish strip across the top.  The patterned paper I used is Basic Grey and I think it is from the fruitcake collection.  It's either fruitcake or figgy pudding.  I cut the dog from Paper Pups and added a little snow hat from Everyday Paper Dolls and covered her with some polar white flower soft to make her look like Dingo looks in the picture.  She was almost white when she came in from playing.  I cut the Snow Dog title from Don Juan and welded it together.  I substituted paw prints for the o's.  Well, it feels good to make a layout.  Even if it is only one page, picture were printed and put on paper- that's a big first step!!!!

Penguin Challenge

The challenge for the week on the Bitten by the Bug blog is to create a project using the penguin from the Joys of the Season cartridge. I love this blog, but rarely play along. I think I'm intimidated by how good their cards are. Anyway, I decided to give it a try this week. This is my card. I cut 2 penguins from the cartridge and decided to dress them up with some of the cuteoutfits that come with the newly released Snow Friends cartridge. I widened the skirt a little so it would fit on the penguin and then gave her some earmuffs. For the little guy, I used the scarf. The paper used on the skirt, scarf, and ear muffs is from the new Basic Grey line Eskimo Kisses. The background paper is from another Christmas Basic Grey line I think Figgy Pudding. I cut some hills from the Everday Paper Dolls cartridge and embossed them with my cuttlebug.

I used the new Core'dinations white wash paper with a blue core and then sanded the embossing to bring the blue out. To finish the card off, I cut some snowflakes (also from Joys of the Season) and stamped a sentiment on a tag. I colored white embroidery floss with a blue copic marker to make it blend with the rest of the card.

A Spooky Halloween Card

In my mind Summer is over and I've moved on to fall. The kids here have been in school for 3 weeks already. So, I have decided to get a head start on Halloween projects. Since it is my weekend to make a design team project for Stamping Scrapping, I decided this was the perfect time.
I just got this adorable vampire Edwin stamp and I had to use him on something. I took my Cuttlebug embossing folder of the haunted house and inked up the raised side of the folder with black ink and a brayer, then I put my white cardstock on top of that with 2 shims and both the B plates. I did not fold the folder over, I left it open if that makes any sense at all. Then I colored in the uninked spots with my copic markers. Edwin is colored with copics as well. To decorate the side of the card, I used the Martha Stewart drippy goo punch. This punch is awesome for Halloween projects and so much more. If you want one, go here ASAP. Cindy has already sold out of this punch once, she now only has 8 left from this order so jump on it! I also used one of the new Cuttlebug border folders for the diamond embossed strip. This was done with the black magic core'dinations paper with a green core to add to the spooky feel of the card. I finished it off with the trick or treat sentiment from the Scent my Cards Best Witches set available on stampingscrapping.com and trimmed the mat with the drippy goo punch also. All that's left is to make it smell as much like Halloween as it looks, so I added some black licorice scent my cards and it is ready to go!

Glitter Lace Tutorial

I learned this glitter lace technique at the Heirloom Stamp Show in Grapevine. It is really quick and simple and makes a big impact on your project. To start this technique, you will need some sticky labels, any size will work
k. I prefer to use the full sheet labels so that I can cut them to any size I want them to be. I die cut this label with a nestabilitie so that it would be in a fun shape for my card. Next, you will need 2 contrasting colors of glitter. I chose black and orange. Now for the fun part, pick your lace. I have this lace with a spider web pattern that is perfect for a Halloween project. While at the convention, we also got some lace with tiger stripes, swirls, flowers, and skulls and crossbones (of course).
If you lace has any shiny parts to it like the webs in this lace, stick your label to the other side. Lay you label with the sticky side on the lace and rub it in really good. Pay special attention to the edges.
Then, flip the lace over and cover with your first color of glitter. I used the black first.
Shake off the excess glitter and remove the label. This is what you will have. the majority of the label will be colored with the black glitter but the solid parts, in this case the webs, will be exposed and still sticky.
Dump the second color of glitter on and shake the excess off.
This will be your final result. Very sparkly, very cool, and very simple. Then you can take your label, apply adhesive and use it on your project.


I chose to use this piece on a Halloween card with an adorable Halloween Tilda stamp. I added some spiders that I cut on my cricut, some core'dinations cardstock embossed with the new Cuttlebug harlequin folder.

Stamping Scrapping New Stamp Set Sneak Peek

Well, it's my turn to post my sneak peek project. I made this card using the snowman image. I actually decided to turn it into a snow woman complete with pink scarf, cap, mittens, and purse.

All of the snow woman's accessories are included in the stamp set along with accessories to make a snow man. I used Kaiser Craft pearls for her coal eyes, the button on her purse, and the knot of her scarf. I cut the sentiment out with my nestabilities and added it to the snowflake circle which was embossed on my Cuttlebug using the Core'dinations white wash paper. I finished the card off with some rhinestone snowflakes for a little extra bling!

Now don't forget to post a comment on EACH BLOG's Sneak Peek Post by midnight of the day it is posted and you could WIN your choice of 1 of the 4 new Stamp Sets

(You must post a comment on ALL Sneak Peak Posts)

3 LUCKY PEOPLE WILL BE CHOSEN!

More cards

I am having a lot of fun playing with these new stamps sets. This is my design team dream come true. This first card comes from the Cheers to You set. I used some cute pink polka dot paper for the card base and made this a 6 x 6 card. I took some of my new favorite core'dinations whitewash paper and embossed it with my cuttlebug then sanded it to show a little of the pink core. I colored the daiquiri with my copics and added the straw and the umbrella that are also included in the set. I paper pieced the umbrella to make it appear more realistic. The sentiment You're the Berry Best is also included in this set. I cut that with nestabilities and mounted it on a larger one. For a finishing touch, I added some strawberries, a gorgeous velvet petaloo flower and some fun zebra fringe ribbon.

Now, here is another coffee card. For this one, I used the How Ya Bean set for the cup, the steam, and the word coffee. The sentiment, it's a latte fun being friends with you is from the Java Happy Day set. A cool thing I used on this card is the Chatterbox Brad Maker. This is a cool little tool that comes with blank brads in 3 sizes and 3 different sized circle punches. I punched a circle out of the paper I was using on the project. I put it on the blank brad with the glue does that come in the set and then covered it with the little plastic dome so the paper is protected. Voila, a perfectly coordinated embellishment.

I have had so much fun playing with these new stamps. I love how they all work together and that I can use the card scents to make them smell as yummy as they look.