My Favorite Sketches....

This week, MFT celebrates it's 2nd birthday! Here are some sweet cards to celebrate!

This first one uses some Hello Sunshine Cosmo paper! So bright & cheery! The sketch is from Cindy's MFT Sketch Challenge in the SCS forum.
Recipe:
Stamps: Here's the Scoop
Paper: real red, whisper white, hello sunshine dp (Cosmo)
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: stickles, 3/4" circle punch, corner rounder, sewing machine, gem, ribbon (offray), black brads, liquid applique




This next one uses this week's Sketch For You To Try.
Recipe:
Stamps: Here's the Scoop
Ink: memento rich cocoa
Paper: October afternoon dp, kraft, very vanilla
Accessories: ribbon (American craft), nestabilities, cutter kit, rhinestone flowers (kaiser), copics, liquid applique





Finally, here is a MFT card for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. I added some red microi beads before heat drying the liquid applique. It looks like sprinkles!! Yum!
Recipe:
Stamps: What's up Cupcake
Ink: memento tuxedo black, real red
Paper: My Mind's Eye dp, gable green, vanilla textured
Accessories: sewing machine, slit punch, rhinestone stickers, red micro beads, liquid applique, scallop punch, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" circle punches, ribbon (offray), copics

Just Because.....

I hope that you all had a great weekend. We were in over 100 degree heat watching my eldest play soccer! It feels good to be home and have a coat of aloe on my burn! :-) My hubby is out of town till Wednesday and then we are all off for a long weekend of camping. So I am prepping for another busy summer week!
Here is a real quick card for Mojo Monday Week 43. I just love this floral whimsy set. It is paired with a sentiment from fluttering by and then mounted on some yummy K&I Memories paper. More to come after the boys are in bed..........
Recipe:
Stamps: floral whimsy, fluttering by (Verve)
Paper: bloom dp (K&I), very vanilla, basic black
Ink: memento
Accessories: nestabilities, word window, slit punch, twill, copics

Craving Chocolate

Doesn't it sound good? As I was making this card, I was overcome with a feeling of gratitude. I am so grateful for all the support that you, my blogging friends, provide and the opportunity to create, grow and learn with you. Simultaneously, I was craving some dark chocolate!! :-) Friends and chocolate! Perfection!
This card was inspired by the Unity Friday Inspiration Challenge. I added brads to the tree to fit today's Limited Supplies Challenge on SCS until I realized that you couldn't use ribbon!! So this one turned into a More Is More card too!
I happily reached for my Fleuriste dp by Cosmo Cricket for this one! I am so excited to among the 12 finalists. The other great and talented gals HERE.

More is definitely MORE!
Recipe:
Stamps: tiny trinity
Ink: memento,
Paper: ruby red, fleuriste dp (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories: ruby red marker, brads, chocolate ribbon, cosmo cricket ribbon

More Unity

So here are the other 3 cards for the Unity release! I know it isn't quite morning but the summer days seem to fill up so fast. First swimming, then gymnastics, then soccer....it doesn't really end.
I hope these were worth the wait!! Aren't the penguins adorable??
Recipe:
Stamps: Little Jolly Winter
Paper: basic black, bali breeze dp, GCD Studios dp
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: ribbon, silver cord, sewing machine, copics, liquid applique


This next one uses the Eco Chic kit. I played around a bit with the sewing machine...so much fun!
Recipe:
Stamps: eco chic
Paper: river rock, october afternoon dp, chatter box dp, whisper white
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: ribbon (offray), corner rounder

This is another image from the Birds of a Feather kit. I love that there are birds for every season in the kit!
Recipe:
Stamps: Birds of a Feather
Paper: October Afternoon, old olive, whisper white, taken with teal
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: ribbon (offray), copics

Unity Release & NEWS!

Okay, did any of you make the party?? I (sadly) had to teach a class so I missed the excitement........free handle, kits, and discounts! You can still order the kits HERE. These images are smaller, perfect for us card makers, and so reasonably priced!! So I have 5 Unity projects to share. I will post 2 tonight & 3 in the morning.....must get some sleep! :-)

This card set uses the Tiny Trinity kit. Isn't it just too cute??
Recipe:
Stamps: tiny trinity
Paper: whisper white, kraft, basic black
Ink: memento
Accessories: ribbon (offray), nestabilities, copics

This next project didn't quite evolve into what I envisioned.............but with some dt arm twisting, I decided to post it. I LOVE the Eco Chic kit. Those of you unlucky few who really know me know that this kit is SO me! Yes, I am a crazy, recycling, Prius-driving naturalist! As soon as I saw this set, I thought of recycled art. And why not a beer can?? ;-) A few bandaides later...............
This bouquet of daisies came from my garden. Who knew that beer cans, daisies and paper crafting could work??
Recipe:
Stamps: eco chic
Paper: craft, whisper white
Ink: memento, regal rose
Accessories: wood dowels, metal snips, can, nestabilities, prismacolor pencils, ribbon (0ffray), silver cord






Now......for some AMAZING news GO HERE! You have to scroll down to Tuesday's post. Impossible, right?? Wish me luck!!

Ready For a Party??

The party is TONIGHT over at the SCS Unity forum. It starts at 6 pm PST! Here are a few full cards using some of the new kits.
This first one uses the Birds of a Feather. Isn't it adorable?? Just wait till you see the rest of the kit! The sketch is from today's SCS Sketch Challenge.
Recipe:
Stamps: Birds of a Feather
Paper: october afternoon dp, very vanilla, chocolate chip
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: ribbon (offray), frame, copcis


You might recognize this one from yesterday's peek.
This image is from the the Eco Chic kit. The sentiment is from a new Tiny Trinity set. The tree is mounted on a cloud-shaped chipboard. The card uses Patter's Release Party Sketch. You still have time to play to win a free kit!!
Recipe:
Stamps: Eco Chic, tiny trinity (sentiment)
Paper: making memories dp, soft sky, whisper white
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: offray ribbon, rhinestone stickers, chipboard, copics

Jacksonbelle Tuesday & Unity Peeks.....

Tuesday....time for another JB challenge. Today ANYTHING goes! Of course, I reached for my Dude paper! Isn't that just a fun word to say....DUDE! This little inkadinkado set is so cute.
Recipe:
Stamps: dropping you a line (inkadinkado)
Paper: real red, dude dp (prima), whisper white
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: paper piercer, nestabilities, ribbon (offray), copics

Don't forget to see what everyone else on the design team did for ANYTHING goes. No doubt, they are all fantastic and completely unique!!
Elizebeth
Lila
Dee
Beth
Lynda
Kisa
Erin
Broni
Lindsey
And....don't forget to check out the new store blog: HERE!

This card is for LAST week's JB challenge that I couldn't post. We were showcasing this fabulous Chloe Marie paper. It is so soft & girly....This cute elephant is from the Lizzie Anne Designs Born to Be Wild set.
Recipe:
Stamps: born to be wild
Ink: blue bayou, regal rose
Paper: chloe marie (Daisy D), blue bayou, regal rose, whisper white
Accessories: nestabilities, ribbon (offray), sewing machine






Now are you ready for a peek of what will be released TOMORROW for Unity?? You don't want to miss the party!! I can't show you the entire cards but hopefully they will wet your appetite a bit...
All 11 kits are so unique and equally lovable! Everyone on the Unity team is posting a little something today so be sure to check them all out!

Unity will be giving away prizes during the release party! Plus, a 25% discount for the first 25 orders!!!! Of course, shipping is still only $5.00 on EVERY ORDER! Don't forget the sketch challenge and blog candy at Lauren, Patter, and Jimmi's blog to win a free kit!!

Growing With Unity.....

It is SO good to be home!! Love my parents and all but there is nothing like your own bed and a routine for the kids!
Lots of adventures last week....

• I am now a Copic Certified Designer!!! It was great to see AJ & meet Elizebeth!!

• My "baby" brother is now a high school graduate!

• I did some swapping with my SCS peeps: Pushpa & Sarah

• We went up the Space Needle!

• Hit the dentist, thanks DAD! :-)

• Saw KungFu Panda

I have a TON of blogging to catch up on too!
Here are a couple cards in honor of the up & coming Unity release!! 11 stamps....yep, that is right....11 new kits!! You are gonna love them. I can't quite share those with you yet BUT there are a few fellow designers (see side bar....) that are showing some samples today AND offering up a bit of blog candy in the name of NEW kits!! You will have to search & find those..... Be sure to enter the Release Party Sketch Challenge to win one of the releases!! Tuesday there will be sneak peeks EVERYWHERE....including HERE!!
Some important details:
The party starts on the SCS Unity forum at
9-11 p.m. Eastern
8-10 p.m. Central
7-9 p.m. Mountain
6-8 p.m. Pacific

Here is a card for Beate's Weekend Sketch that uses the Flirty Flowers Unity kit.
Recipe:
Stamps: flirty flowers
Paper: real red, whisper white, dill blossom dp (SEI)
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: ribbon (offray), scallop & 1 3/8" circle punch, rhinestone flowers (Kaiser), rhinestone stickers (K&Company), copics




This was my swap card from Saturday. Aren't those numbers great?? They are from the Amazing Me! kit. The party hat comes from Cornish Heritage Farms U R A Hoot set.
Love this American Craft Kids line!!
Recipe:
Stamps: U R A Hoot (CHF), Amazing Me
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Paper: old olive, Kids dp (American Craft)
Accessories: river rock ribbon, rhinestone stickers (K&Company), copics, spica pen

Jacksonbelle Tuesday!

Time for another Jacksonbelle Tuesday challenge!! This week we are all featuring the New Daisy D, Chloe Marie paper! It is SO YUMMY! I am currently out of town and can't figure out how to upload my card using my parent's computer! I am here for the entire week so hopeful I will figure out something soon!!!
Until then, be sure to check out all the fabulous design team creations......

Lynda
Kisa
Beth
Lila
Erin
Dee
Broni
Amber
Elizebeth
Lindsey

Inspired Promise

I can't believe it is Friday! It has been a crazy week around here and I am up for an even crazier weekend. I made this card earlier this morning and finally had time to post it! It was for the Friday Inspirational Challenge in the Unity forum on SCS. I used my June Unity Kit of the Month. I have been enjoying the white space lately! I wanted this one to be really simple since that ribbon is SO much! :-)
Recipe:
Stamps: bliss & a birdie
Paper: whisper white, boho blend simply scrappin dp
Ink: brocade blue, so saffron, old olive
Accessories: rhinestone stickers, ribbon, corner rounder


Angela has taken inventory of Unity's first month in business and wants to THANK EVERYONE for making it such a huge success! There are some sad little stamps in the Unity House that are really begging to be inked up and feeling pretty ignored.
So in celebration of Random Special #3 - you can choose 3 kits of the 6 listed below.
Doo Dads
Best of Friends
Little Labels 1
Big Shiny Flowers
Circle of Thanks
Amazing Me
The BEST PART you ask? The DEAL!!!! Brace yourself....
3 sets of your CHOICE from the list above for only $40.00 plus shipping - or ALL 6 for $80.00 plus shipping! Either way shipping is ONCE AGAIN only $5 in the US and CANADA - $8

HOW TO ORDER:

1. Email Angela: info@unitystampco.com
2. Subject: RANDOM SPECIAL #3
3. Let her know which 3 sets you would like
4. She will send you a PAYPAL Invoice ASAP.

BONUS!!!! First 20 orders gets a FREE Single - Move Mountains
This offer will end on Saturday midnight central time!

Time to Play with Unity

Not much stamping time last night or this morning so I went for a REAL quick version of today's SCS sketch before the kidos were up.
Recipe:
Stamps: wish, sentiments o' simple (unity)
Paper: azure dp, brilliant blue, whisper white
Ink: brilliant blue, memento tuxedo black
Accessories: ribbon (offray), rhinestone stickers

Last night, I finally inked up my Simply Be Merry kit. Love it!! Is it too early for Christmas?? ;-)
Recipe:
Stamps: Simply Be Merry (Unity)
Paper: very vanilla, sage shadow, real red, always artichoke, dashing dp
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: cuttlebug folder, rhinestone stickers, nestabilities, artichoke ribbon

Catch Up

Amazingly, it is Tuesday.....time for another Jacksonbelle Embellishments Designer Challenge! This week was a sketch challenge. Please feel free to play along, we love seeing everyone's creations! I doubled up with the color challenge over at SCS. It was the perfect match with some honey pie dp! The sentiment is a rub-on from the honey pie line and that gorgeous flower image is a Lizzie Anne Design stamp. Of course, all of this can be found at the Jacksonbelle Embellishments store!

Recipe:
Stamps: Le Jardin (LAD)
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Paper: whisper white, honey pie dp (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories: regal ribbon, nestabilities, honey pie rub-ons, copics

Please be sure to check out the other DT gals:
Erin
Amber
Linda
Kisa
Lindsey
Elizebeth
Broni


Here is the card I made for a shower on Sunday. My fabulous friend is expecting twin girls!

Recipe:
Stamps: green thumb (PTI)
Paper: blush & gypsy dp (basicgrey), certainly celery, very vanilla, chocolate chip
Ink: certainly celery, pretty in pink
Accessories: slit punch, vanilla ribbon, ticket corner punch, rhinestone stickers, sewing machine

Give Hugs!

I am sorry that I haven't posted since Saturday. Sadly, I found out one of my students from last year passed away. He was only 14. He was such a spirited kid, a class clown who loved poking fun at me and pointing out my many mistakes! :-) I spent the day playing with Calvin and counting down the minutes till Jordan and Max came home so I can give them both a HUGE hug. Life is so precious.

Flirty Inspirational Thanks

I tried really hard to make cards last night! I even uploaded 2 to Splitcoast and deleted them after some thought. I didn't like either of them! Ever have one of those nights?

This card is for today's Inspirational challenge on SCS. Not much chatter today, we are off for some portraits and then a soccer game later in the day. Take care!
Recipe:
Stamps: flirty flowers
Paper: sultry dp (basicgrey), whisper white
Ink: memento rich cocoa, gable green
Accessories: sewing machine, regal rose ribbon, rhinestones, white flowers

More News......

And my stamping life gets even better......
I am happy to share that another card got picked up!! YEAH!! It will be in Scrapbook Trends this October. I know.......don't laugh......me in a scrapbooking magazine??!! Don't fret...it was a card!

Now here is the topper.....I have been asked to join the DT of Unity Stamp Company!! Not as a guest...but the REAL DEAL!! WOW!! I am still jumping up and down. Originally, Angela was looking for 1 addition and ended up adding 8!

Look at these ladies who will also be joining the team! What talent!
Jennifer Buck
Patter Cross
Lauren Meader
Heather Brown
Amber Hight
Ana Wohlfahrt
Natalie Dever

Unity Stamp Company is having a special to celebrate the new crazy 8 DT girls!! You can check it out HERE. THIS OFFER INCLUDES 56 Stamps. 17 Unity Cassette Mounted Red Rubber & 39 Un-Mounted Red Rubber Stamps. And the first 10 get a free Giggle Grove kit!! Plus, don't forget you get a flat 5 dollars for shipping!! You have until midnight on Saturday to get in your order. More info is at the SCS Unity Stamp Company Forum. Have fun shopping and I will be back later tonight with some cards!

Here are a few Unity cards that I made this morning to celebrate!!!
This first one uses the bird from the Flirty Flowers kit and Be the Change single.

Recipe:
Stamps: flirty flowers, be the change
Paper: close to cocoa, blue hill dp (Crate), whisper white
Ink: memento
Accessories: ribbon (American Crafts), dew drops

This bright one uses the sentiment from the Flirty Flowers kit and the Wish kit.
Recipe:
Stamps: flirty flowers, wish
Paper: blue bayou, pumpkin textured, cupcake dp (basicgrey)
Ink: memento
Accessories: spica glitter pen, rhinestone stickers, copics, offray ribbon

More Unity.....

I was so excited to get my Unity box yesterday!! This is the flirty flowers set. Angela is offering a flat rate of 5 dollars for shipping!! WOW!!! Isn't that amazing?? I thought this set was the perfect match with some honey pie dp from Cosmo Cricket. You can find it over at Jacksonbelle Embellishments. This is for a fabulous girlfriend of mine who has a special b-day today! We are meeting for lunch to celebrate! :-) This card is also for today's SCS sketch challenge.
Recipe:
Stamps: flirty flowers
Paper: blush blossom, whisper white, chocolate chip, honey pie dp
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: pretties kit, sewing machine, nestabilities, ribbon (american craft), satin ribbon,

We Have a Winner!!

Thank you all for the wonderful comments. It is overwhelming to have so much support and friends all over the world! :-) You all really made my day, week, and month!

So random.org picked..........................
Linda:
"Congrats Maren!! I LOVE the cards. You have such talent, I think you need to share...LOL. This set would make a nice addition to my growing collection. Congratulations again!!!!!"

Congrats to you, Linda! Please drop me an email so I can get your snail mail.
Have a great day!

Hi, Jacksonbelle....

It is Tuesday, time for another Jacksonbelle Embellishments DT challenge! This week, Kisa posted a color challenge: green, orange, and brown (or black). Some were a bit scared by the orange and green, especially when there was mention of gable green!! :-) But boy, did they knock this one out of the park! Be sure to check out their creations at the links below.

Here is mine. It did take some serious thinking! I used my hobby knife to add some curves to the dp and then sewed it to the chocolate chip at the top and bottom. I also used the sewing machine to MAKE my own stitched ribbon. I just folded it in half and ran it through my machine. So fun!! All Jacksonbelle Embellishments products are highlighted RED.

Recipe:
Stamps: birthday cupcake (inkadinkado)
Paper: textured pumpkin pie, chocolate chip, stella ruby dp (basicgrey)
Ink: memento rich cocoa
Accessories: extra large eyelets (WeRMemeory Keepers), painterly petals (prima), copper eyelets & tag (American Crafts), sewing machine, hobby blade, jersey ribbon originals

Here are the other gals.......
Kisa
Lindsey
Lynda
Elizebeth
Beth
Broni
Erin
Amber
Lila
Dee

Got Color, AGAIN??

Today's color challenge on SCS is real red, blue bayou, and soft sky. Fun, huh?! Well, I seemed to remember doing this combo with my A Little Birdie Told Me set some time ago. Craziest thing, it was for a color challenge using the EXACT same combo!! :-) So, I challenged myself to make a completely different card with those same colors and the same set.
Here is my new one.....
I played a bit with my spritzer. Boy, did it need a good dusting first!! I also used my crop-a-dile to dry emboss on the blue bayou. This fabulous Cosmo paper can be found at Jacksonbelle Embellishments!
Recipe:
Stamps: A Little Birdie Told Me
Paper: blue bayou, soft sky, whisper white, get happy dp (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: basic black, memento tuxedo black
Accessories: crop-a-dile, copics, jersey ribbon, corner rounder, spritzer


Here is my original one from back in January:
The recipe and info is found HERE.

Simple Monday

Just a quick and simple card for the start of the week. This one is for a little guy who is having a monkey themed birthday party!! So fun! This adorable Born to Be Wild set and Cupcake dp can be found at Jacksonbelle Embellishments.

Recipe:
Stamps: Born To Be Wild, Fancy Florals Remixed
Paper: kraft, real red, whisper white, cupcake dp (basicgrey)
Ink: memento rich cocoa
Accessories: scallop punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, white brads, vanilla ribbon


Don't forget to post a comment in my Happy Sunday post to win a Unity set (Butterfly Beauty!!)

Unity Simple Scrapbook Challenge

Scrapping is not very natural for me so I am happy to participate in the Unity Simple Scrapbook Challenges. There is some serious talent out there that I can learn loads from!
This one was so much fun. I played around with different shapes and my gratitude=joy set. The paper and journal tape are from last month's Cupcake Scrapshop kit.
Recipe:
Stamps: Gratitude=joy
Paper: scenic route dp, basic black, whisper white
Ink: memento tuxedo black
Accessories: thickers, copics, journaing tape (collage press), ribbon (american crafts), oval punch, 1/2" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch








Do you want to WIN a BUTTERFLY BEAUTY SET from UNITY??? JUST MAKE A COMMENT in my HAPPY SUNDAY post.

HAPPY SUNDAY & Some BLOG CANDY!

I think I need to pinch myself......today is such a wonderful day!!
First off....
Can you believe this?? Click Here I am so honored to be chosen as the featured stamper on SCS. Such a shock!! I am still floored!
And just when I thought that it couldn't be topped.........
Check out THIS and THIS!! I just LOVE Unity Stamps and am so thrilled to be the guest designer this month! SUPER exciting!!
Here are some more creations made with UNITY!! Aren't the images & sentiments amazing?? I am gonna have a FUN month! :-)

Recipe:
Stamps: giggle grove
Paper: whisper white, regal rose, american craft dp
Ink: memento rich cocoa
Accessories: slit punch, maya road chipboard, copics, sewing machine, regal ribbon, rhinestone stickers






Recipe:
Stamps: butterfly beauty
Paper: kraft, whisper white, cupcake dp (basicgrey)
Ink: memento rich cocoa
Accessories: oval punch, rhinestone stickers, chocolate chip taffeta ribbon, sewing machine

Up for some blog candy?? Win This BUTTERFLY BEAUTY set from Unity by posting a comment HERE before midnight on Monday!