Quick Color Challenge Post

This week Little Paper Shop is having a color challenge - Brown, Red and Kraft. What a great color combo! Of course I still have hearts on my mind and I put together this quick little card. No stamping, but lots of embossing and sewing. My weekend has been a little crazy - our furnace decided to go on the fritz last night. Murphy's law, of course, all the HVAC parts stores were closed last night and today so we have to wait until tomorrow (here is hoping the part is in stock). Sigh, just a little problem, I know that years ago not everyone had heat in every room of their house (my MIL told me :>) ). We decided to just stick it out at home and we are getting by with space heaters, but I do miss hot running water LOL!
May you all have a toasty warm night,
Julie
Details: CS - SU Chocolate Chip, Red and Kraft, Ink - SU Close to Cocoa, Embossing folders - swiss dots and argyle, Die - Labels 1.

Card Patterns #49

*** THIS IS MY SECOND POST FOR TODAY - BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN ***

I am beyond excited that I was chosen as this week's guest designer for Card Patterns. I love challenges and especially sketch challenges, so a big thank you to all the gals at Card Patterns.
Here is the sketch so you can play along too: And here is my take: I have to admit that I rotated the sketch because I could not get the image of an award out of my head. The other thought I had was jungle vines hanging down with monkeys everywhere :>). In the end I went with my fave, hot air balloons. My other fave of late is hearts, so why not combine the 2? All the balloons are popped up on dimensionals and I added embroidery floss to the large balloon.
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to create your project from today's sketch...link it up HERE.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Sets - PTI Everyday Button Bits and Verve Up Up and Away (large balloon's basket), Dies - Cuttlekids Hearts, PP - SU Welcome Neighbor DSP, CS - SU Whisper White and PTI Aqua Mist, Ink - Chocolate Chip, embroidery floss, Embossing - CB Swirls, and PTI Buttons.

Sketch Girl 11 - It's a Challenge!

When I created this sketch, I had in mind vines coming out of each corner. I did not intend to stump everyone. I guess that this one is definitely earning the title of a sketch challenge!!! :>)

I kept my card clean and simple.Be sure to visit all the other Sketch Girls' blogs to get their take on each sketch and leave them some lovin'!

Our Guest Designer Laurel
Annie
Alyssa
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

Once you have visited everyone create your own project using the sketch, then link it up for the chance to win a template from Perfect Presentation!!

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - PTI Everyday Button Bits, CS - SU Very Vanilla, PP - Cosmo Cricket The Boyfriend, Ink - SU Blue Bayou, embroidery floss and stash buttons.

Early Bird Explosion

Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper is one of my faves and I pulled in a few different patterns on today's card.

The layout is from Card Patterns sketch #48.Once again I stayed true to the sketch! Plus, I even stitched the circle - it's the first circle I have sewn besides my daughter's Girl Scout patches - it was really easy to do, so be sure to give it a try. Hold the paper in place in the center of the circle loosely with one hand and the machine's feeder does the rest of the work.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - SU Best Blossoms, DP - Cosmo Cricket Early Bird, CS SU, Ink - SU Blue Bayou and Garden Green, Ribbon - stash and PTI buttons and twine.

Katie's Color Challenge

Recently my fellow Sketch Girl, Katie, wrote that she has an aversion to the color purple. Well after reading that, I realized that I rarely use the color purple and hence it became a challenge color for me! I created my own background paper using Verve's Thankful Accents set. Then added some rhinestones to the band and finished off the button with rhinestones too. This loooonnng card is based on CPS's sketch #151. Well, I will keep this short and sweet to offset the length of my card!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Verve Thankful Accents, CS - SU Whisper White and stash purple (maybe SU Eggplant?), Ink - SU Eggplant Envy and White, Ribbon and button - stash.

Scrappin' Sunday

Today I am sharing a layout...The Cosmo Cricket flower paper in the small boxes inspired me to hand draw the matching large flowers on the yellow paper. I distressed the paper a bit and added some sewing. Quite a simple layout, but I am always happy when I can fit in a bunch of pics without making it too busy! This one is of my daughter's trip to PA with my In Laws last year and will be added to their calendar (5 pages down, 7 to go).
I found a blogger today whose layouts are adorable, be sure to check out "Do More With Less"!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: PP - Cosmo Cricket Earth Love, CS - SU and PTI, Buttons - PTI, Twine - PTI, Marker - Black Copic, and Title is computer generated.

I Heart Sketch Challenges

I still have Valentines on my mind, so the colors on today’s cards should be no surprise – even though neither is a Valentine! I plan on adding “Happy Anniversary” to the inside of each and then I will be all set for my SIL’s anniversary next month (which just happens to fall on V-day) and my Mom and Dad’s anniversary. (If you are reading this at least there will be a little surprise since you do not know which card you are getting!)It is based on Card Pattern’s sketch challenge #47.

Amazingly, I stayed true to the sketch, even though at first, I had no idea how to use the 2 tabs on the left. I finally went with the ribbon because it is subtle. I created the 3-D heart flowers using Lauren Meader’s technique that I was addicted to in the fall.

On my next card I was inspired by the leaves on my giraffe Valentine from a few days ago, but this time I created dimensional heart leaves using a die. The hearts are all from my daughter’s Cuttlekids Heart dies – and yes, the dies work in my Cuttlebug too! The tree branch was cut out free hand, then inked up and I added some faux texture with a marker. Plus I stitched by hand, thanks to inspiration from Laural (see her post HERE).
My second card is for a sketch challenge too, this one is from Card Positioning Systems.
Plus I am adding in Little Paper Shop's challenge "Button It". I guess either card meets that challenge, but this one uses the LPS digi owl, which you all know I love! I printed the owl once, then flipped it 180 degrees and printed a second time to get a mirror image.

Have a wonderful weekend and I am hoping to find time to create more eye candy for you!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:
Card 1 – Stamp Set – PTI Everyday Button Bits, CS – SU Very Vanilla, PP – SU Candy Lane, Ink – SU Chocolate Chip, Buttons – PTI, Die – Nestabilities Curved Rectangle, and stash ribbon.
Card 2 - Stamp Set – Little Paper Shop Digi Owl and PTI Everyday Button Bits (sentiment), CS – SU Very Vanilla and Close to Cocoa, PP – SU Candy Lane, Ink – SU Baroque Burgundy, Buttons – PTI, Die – Nestabilities Curved Rectangle, and embroidery floss.

Vervalicious Favor Box

Once again, when I make one Perfect Presentation template box I have to make a second. I created this "Favor Box" for one of the Verve release challenges from last week. Red and aqua may just be my new favorite color combo.
Surprisingly, this is my first time using little rhinestones, but it is definitely not the last! I love the way the box opens.
See the little bit of red peeking out from behind the "sweet" center circle? I wanted to mat the "sweet" circle, but did not have a circle to fit, so I cut a red one the same size. I layered the "sweet" circle on the red with dimensionals and even though the circles are the same size, just enough red is shown to provide the contrast I was looking for.
Have a wonderful day! We are so close to the weekend!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Verve Thankful Accents, CS - PTI Red and Aqua Mist, Ink - SU Real Red, Rhinestones, and Perfect Presentation Favor Box Template.

Valentines

Yesterday I mentioned that I started making Valentines. Oh what fun I had creating these little cuties.

I hand drew the branch then stamped the heart leaves.

Cute Card Thursday's challenge this week is to use pink and grey!

My son liked the crocodile the best!

Happily I finished a couple dozen so I have some for my sons to give out and the extra are for St. Jude Hospital. Winter is collecting cards which she will hand deliver, so I am sending off a dozen of these little sweeties.

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp sets - SU Wild About You and Practicing Creativity Key to My Heart (the hearts), CS - SU Very Vanilla plus PTI and SU pink scraps, PP - SU Candy Lane, Ink - SU Certainly Celery, Rose Red, More Mustard, Cranberry Crisp, Rose Romance & Going Grey, Pen - Zig Calligraphy Brown, Die - Nestabilities Scallop Square and dimensionals.

Locked Valentine Favor Box

Hello again - this is my second post for the day! This is a Valentine's Box I made from the Perfect Presentation Favor Box template (purchase it HERE). It is for my husband and I am planning to fill it with one of his favorite sweet treats!
I have to be a goof and write how happy I am with how the key tags came out. It was one of those ideas that I had in my head that seemed so cute, but you never know until it gets to paper how it will turn out. With a few dimensionals underneath, the tag and key are held together by the chain!
I am combining challenges again!
First, I saw the Just Us Girls (JUGS) color challenge this week and loved the combo - Burgundy, Vanilla, Gray and Blush. Only problem is that I used up all my Burgundy paper so I substituted SU Rose Red.
Then I saw the Everything But the Kitchen Sink sketch challenge:Finally, The Cuttlebug Spot's challenge is to create a favor box!
Everything just came together once I pulled out Practicing Creativity's Key to My Heart stamp set. This is Courtney's first set and you can purchase it HERE. I have to say that the acrylic stamps are of the highest quality and took ink well!
I am in Valentine's Day mode and already started making little cards for my sons to pass out. Plus I am making a few extra to send to Winter who is collecting Valentine's cards for St. Jude's - I need to get those in the mail Tuesday. I think my daughter may want to make her own...she received a Cuttlekids for Christmas and we picked up a heart die set today! I promise to share pics of any and all!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Practicing Creativity Key to My Heart, Template - Perfect Presentation Favor Box, CS - SU Going Gray, Very Vanilla, Blush and Rose Red, PP - SU Candy Lane, Embossing - CB Plaid, Brad - SU, and stash keychain.

Beloved LPS Watercoloring

I am combining Little Paper Shop's sketch challenge this week with Joanne B's challenge.
The LPS sketch is a good one, I altered just a bit by leaving off the 1/2 circle sentiment:With Joanne's Beloved challenge you need to do at least one thing on her list. I went with water coloring with inks because she has a great video tutorial. I have used watercolor pencils before, but never ink, so go gently on me :>). Actually, I found this relatively easy to do and I even had watercolor paper in my stash (because a friend gave it to me). Now I just need to practice.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp - LPS Katie Cupcake, CS - SU Very Vanilla & Cranberry Crisp, SU watercolor paper, PP - Cosmo Cricket Early Bird, Ink - SU Blush Blossom, Baroque Burgundy, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery and Blue Bayou, Ribbon - stash, Dies - Nestabilities Scalloped Squares, sewing and dimensionals.

Sketch Girl 10 - Back in Business

It is the 15th and the Sketch Girl vacation is over. That means it is time for a new sketch (and it is one that I created!).

Leigh Ann asked if any of the Sketch Girl designers would like to send in sketches, so I decided to give it a try. Little did Leigh Ann know that some of my sketches would be based off of the back of a delivery truck and other unconventional inspiration! I had so much fun creating the sketches that I am now helping out with the Sketch Girl blog. That means you may just see the delivery truck sketch in the future :>).

I used today's sketch to create a monochromatic card for this week's StampTV color challenge. I went with blue, my favorite color. It is also PTI release time, so I was inspired by all of Nichole's CAS cards.
I am excited to see what you create with the sketch! Be sure to play along and link up your project on the Sketch Girl blog HERE!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:
Stamp Set - GKD Tropical Flowers, CS - SU Brocade Blue and Very Vanilla, Buttons and Twine - PTI, Ink - SU Brocade Blue and Versamark, and Dies - Nestabilities Labels 1.

Love This Bag Take 2

To recap, yesterday I shared exciting news...Leigh Ann aka "Annie B" has started designing her own templates called "Perfect Presentation" and everyone can grab their own at the Wild Flower Patch Shop! Well, after I made 1 Perfect Presentation "My Little Bag" I wanted to make another! (Scroll down to see the first post on these cute bags!)
Little Paper Shop has a "bright" challenge this week to use Bright Pink, Black and White. This is the perfect opportunity for me to make something to have on hand for one of my daughter's friends (or my daughter if she sees it first!). LPS's Katie Cupcake is such a cutie - I added stickles to her hair bows and the centers of the flowers on the cupcake. The photo is only showing a little sparkle, but there is more IRL. I think my favorite thing is the matching ribbon on the cupcake and handle of the bag :>)
Be sure to check out this template and others that are available by clicking HERE.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Template - Perfect Presentation My Little Bag, CS - SU White, black and Pink, Stamp - LPS Katie Cupcake, Ink - SU Basic Black, Embossing Folder - CB Swirl, Black Copic marker, Ribbon - stash, Star Dust Stickles, and hole punch, plus velcro to hold the flap shut.

Love This Bag

Exciting News...Leigh Ann aka "Annie B" has started designing her own templates called "Perfect Presentation" and everyone can grab their own at the Wild Flower Patch Shop! Here is my version of the "My Little Bag" template. It is super cute and super easy to put together!!I love how the front flap folds open. The template also comes with the pattern for a gift card holder for inside, but I left it off, because I am going to fill it with a sweet surprise instead. This bag is for a friend whose Birthday is next month. My inspiration is from a Swarovski cherry necklace that she has. The button cherries will match the necklace perfectly and she will get a kick out of it.
I first started following Leigh Ann's blog because I loved what she did with other people's templates. To see her designing her own is so exciting. Be sure to check out this template and others that are available by clicking HERE.
Smiles,
Julie
BTW The template uses about 1 and 1/2 sheets of CS. The finished size is 4-3/8 long x 3-3/4 tall x 1 ¾” wide. I tested out how much candy I can fit in the bag...16 mini Hershey candies and I just tossed them in! Probably could fit in more if I was precise.
Details: Template - Perfect Presentation My Little Bag, CS - SU White and Black, Stamp - PTI Everyday Button Bits, Ink - SU Garden Green, Embossing Folder - CB Swiss Dots, Striped paper was made with Copic Red and Black markers, Ribbon - stash, Buttons - PTI and hole punch, plus velcro to hold the flap shut.

Chocolate Hugs and Kisses

Happy New Year! Today we took down our Christmas tree and packed away all the decorations, so now it is on to Valentine's Day!
I am excited to share this scrapbook layout with you, because I just love the pictures and the paper and stickers are great. The paper and stickers are from AdornIt's newest collection Lapreal. I won the collection and it is perfect for Valentine's Day and beyond. So a big thank you to Georgana . If you have not already done so, check out her blog - I have been following it since last Spring and there are always creative projects to be found!
The circle is from Verve's Thankful Accents set and it is the only stamp on the page (great stamp set too).
The pictures are of my children from last February - I did not do a planned photo session for the layout, it just all came together as I went thru the pics for the month. This layout is for the 2010 calendar that I am making for my Mom and Dad. Yes, "making" is the right word...I gave the calendar yesterday and it is officially a WIP (I only finished 3 months :>(, but fortunately have January and February done). Making a calendar for each set of Grandparents is a tradition I started 2 years ago. I love scrapbooking, but had so much fun making cards and creating gifts that I let my calendar scrapbooking slide, now I need to catch up!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp - Verve Thankful Accents, DP and Stickers - AdornIt Lapreal collection, CS - SU Close to Cocoa, Ink - SU Chocolate Chip, and dimensionals.