Tuesday, July 31, 2012

July SFYTT


Eeeks!!  I almost forgot about the July SFYTT.  July has been a busy month.

Another great sketch and I combined it with a stamp I was lucky enough to win from Inky Antics, Puppy & Kitty Love!!! 

Okay, how cute is that hug???

jul2012sketchNot too much time left to play along, but here is the SFYTT sketch if you are a speedy crafter.
Plus, this one is also for the Paper Players tic tac toe challenge - I went with the top row (circles, Birthday, and my favorite color - aqua!)

Smiles,
Julie

Friday, July 27, 2012

CSAYL- Photo Inspiration


It is time for another Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge and this week the challenge is to create something inspired by this photo

This week we are sponsored by Meljen's Designs and for playing along you may get to join the CSAYL crew and be a guest designer in September.


I was fortunate enough to get to play with the image Cocoa Christmas Fairy.  I decided to turn her into a tea fairy!


I created a tri-fold card using Nichole Heady's directions found HERE.
Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's fab creations! Then play along - wouldn't it be great to get a head start on your Christmas crafting???!!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Image - Meljen's Designs (Cocoa Christmas Fairy), CS PTI, PP - MME,  Ribbon - PTI, copics.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

My Favorite Kind of Challenge

It is time for the 8th Your Next Stamp Challenge!

This week's challenge is a sketch - don'tcha know, those are my favorite type of challenge!   YNS' stamps are not required to play along AND one random participant will win a $10.00 gift certificate to the YNS store.

I turned Rock Star Fhiona into a sweetie using Peggy's fab sketch!

Head on over to the YNS blog to check out the sketch and link up your own project based on the sketch by next Wednesday, August 1, 2012. (eeeks, the summer is flying along!) 

You are also welcome to link your project to our SCS Forum and into the SCS gallery using the keyword YNSC8. If you use a YNS product then add the keywords YNS and yournextstamp.

PLUS if you use YNS stamps on your project you may just be choosen as our monthly Rockin' YNS Guest Designer. Wouldn't you love to see you name in the spotlight and win a YNS prize pack???!!! Check out all the details in the SCS forum HERE!!!

The other challenge design team members and I can't wait to see what you create!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  All the papers on my card are from the Artful Delight July Card kit - I was lucky enough to win this fab kit filled with goodies!, the ribbon is from PTI and the lace is from my stash.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Christmas and a Sketch

This week's Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge is to use a sketch from one of your favorite sketch blogs. 
We are sponsered by Limited Runs Digis!

This Week's Sketch (#274)Check out Snowman #1 from Limited Runs Digis.  He is the focus on my card using this week's sketch from CPS (#174)!  I flipped the sketch and came up with this...


I printed the image, colored it and then embossed - love the look!

Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's fab creations! Then play along...I see a sketch in your future!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Image - Limited Run Digis (Snowman #1), CS, Button and Ribbon - PTI, Ink - SU and snowflakes - PTI.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Anything Goes Challenge with Your Next Stamp

It is time for the 7th Your Next Stamp Challenge!

Take a break from the sun (heat!) and get inky with us. This week's challenge is ANYTHING GOES!!!  No excuses for not playing along...link up the next thing you create.  YNS' stamps are not required to play along AND one random participant will win a $10.00 gift certificate to the YNS store.


I used the stamp Dress Up Ellie  and created a mat for her using the Tags Galore 2 Die at the top (pssst - that die is now 40% off in the YNS bargain bin!).  Ellie is so cute and with sparkles and shine, just perfect for a 5 year old's Birthday.  My card is also for Divas by Design - Anything Goes and The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes!

Head on over to the YNS blog and link up your own project by next Wednesday, July 25, 2012.

You are also welcome to link your project to our SCS Forum and into the SCS gallery using the keyword YNSC7. If you use a YNS product then add the keywords YNS and yournextstamp.

PLUS if you use YNS stamps on your project you may just be choosen as our monthly Rockin' YNS Guest Designer. Wouldn't you love to see you name in the spotlight and win a YNS prize pack???!!! Check out all the details in the SCS forum HERE!!!

The other challenge design team members and I can't wait to see what you create!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Doodlelicious Blog Hop

Today some of the Whimsie Doodles' Doodlelicious design team members have decided to get together and host a Thank You Hop in honor of Melyssa Connolly.  Melyssa is the owner extraordinaire of Whimsie Doodles and she creates all those adorable images that you can find in the Whimsie Doodle store.  Our design team term officially ended on June 30th.  We have contemplated a sit in (errr, stamp in) and we all agree the time went by too fast!  Each month Melyssa shared so many fun images with us and we wanted to take the time to say "thanks" and share with you our favorite Whimsie Doodles creation.

So, a huge thank you Melyssa!!!

Now, the hard part, choosing just one creation to reshare! 
I decided to go with one of my first projects using Hoot from the Halloween Hootanannies Set.


To see all the details go to the original post from September found HERE.


Thank you so much for stopping by!  Here is a list of everyone participating, be sure to hop on over to each of their blogs and say hi!

Have fun hopping!
Smiles,
Julie

Friday, July 13, 2012

No Ink???!!!

This week's Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge is "No Inky Yet".  Use a stamp that has seen little or no ink!  Play along and you may just join us as a guest in August!


I pulled out one of the PTI Tag Its sets.  I bought this one last fall and never found time to ink it up!
Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's joyful creations and then play along!!!  You know you have stamps out there that have never seen ink, don't you???
My card is also for the Outlawz Sunday CAS challenge - Christmas in July, do you have the song Holly Jolly Christmas running through your head too??? 

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Stamps - PTI - Tag Its, CS - PTI, Embossing Folder - I made my own by stacking 2x2 squares of paper!, rhinestones from my stash, copics and Momento ink.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

YNS - Flower Challenge

Today is the sixth Your Next Stamp challenge and it is one that I know you can play along with...FLOWERS!  Join us on SCS or link up your creation on the Your Next Stamp blog. You may just win a gift certificate to the YNS store. You can use any stamps you would like - although we would love to see YNS.

You can use an image with flowers, add some flower embellies or even flower paper.  I was inspired to create my own floral patterned paper using the single flower from Seasonal Icons 2
I stamped the flower randomly and then colored it in with copics.  I then stamped it on scrap paper and fussy cut out just the flower to make one of the flowers dimensional.
Be sure to play along and if you use YNSs on your project you may just be choosen as our monthly Rockin' YNS Guest Designer. Wouldn't you love to see you name in the spotlight and win a YNS prize pack???!!! Check out all the details in the SCS forum HERE!!!

My card is based on sketch #198 from Clean & Simple Stamping

Smiles,
Julie

Details: Stamp - YNS Seasonal Icons 2, Sentiment - retired YNS, CS - PTI, Yellow polka dot PP - Basic Grey, copics, bling from my stash, and ink - Momento Tuxedo Black. 

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Party On with Outlawz

Today I am sharing cards for the Outlawz 2,000 member party!

First up, the Twisted Thursday challenge which is to create a card that represents where you are from.  I went with red white and blue for the USA and a retired digi from Little Paper Shop - Ice Cream Tyson.  It is summer here and my kids are always listening for the ice cream truck - not sure they would really share with our dog though!
I went with red, white, and blue.  The hat and shorts are paper pieced with BG pp.
This card is also for:
The Clear Dollar Stamps Clearly Inspired Challenge #55 - Some Like it Hot.  On a hot summer day (which today is!) ice cream is the way to go!
Raise the Bar challenge #108 - Red, White and Blue - just a touch of red on mine on the dog collar.

Next, the Sketch Challenge...I decided to use Connecticut's state animal, the sperm whale - think Moby Dick.  I used stickers - yikes!  I never use stickers, but I could not find the digi I had in mind and I was rearranging my craft area this morning and found this whale sticker.  I layered the stickers and popped one up with dimensionals.  Quick tip - To get rid of the stickiness, dust the back of the sticker with corn starch.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!  I went blueberry picking this morning and hope to make jam tonight.
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  CS - PTI, copics, Embossing folder - Cuttlebug, Button - PTI, banner made with Lil' Inker Designs flag die, sentiments from Lil' Inker Designs.

Seeing Stars

Oh my, I have been on a patriotic color kick lately and loving it.  It all started with the Outlawz 2,000 member party challenges which have been about where you are from, which for me is the USA.  When I saw that this week's CAS challenge on the Outlawz was stars I almost reached for the patriotic colors, but then decided, how about purple???

The stamp set is from Verve and I do not have a star die to match, so I cut out the star using my Cricut - not perfect, but it works!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Stamps - Verve, CS - PTI, Ink - SU, and dimensionals.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Vellum

This week's Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge is to use vellum.  Play along and you may just win some patterned paper!


Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's creative ways to use vellum and then play along!!!  Personally, I would love to see different ways to use vellum - I specifically bought some just for this challenge and I still have some leftover - I need ideas :>)
Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Stamp - Ellie Loves Latte (YNS), CS - PTI, Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug, vellum, ribbon and copics.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Colorful Penguin

Today is the fifth Your Next Stamp challenge and it is a color challenge!  Play along with us on SCS or link up on the Your Next Stamp blogYou may just win a gift certificate to the YNS store. You can use any stamps you would like - although we would love to see YNS. 

The challenge colors...Pink, Lime Green and Aqua...what a summery, bright and happy combination!  I was inspired to pull out Snorkel Fun Penquin and let her take center stage, in the waves of course!

Be sure to play along and if you use YNSs on your project you may just be choosen as our monthly Rockin' YNS Guest Designer. Wouldn't you love to see you name in the spotlight and win a YNS prize pack???!!! Check out all the details in the SCS forum HERE!!!

My card is also for this week's Greetings Challenge on The Outlawz forum - Anything Goes!!!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Stamp - YNS Snorkel Fun Penquin, Sentiment - Lil' Inker Designs, CS - PTI, Die - MFT notebook, copics, and ink - Momento Tuxedo Black.  The waves are an svg freebie that I found HERE.

More Banners

I have more cards to share today.  I am attempting to finish as many of the Outlawz 2,000 member party challenges as I can!  The deadline to enter has been extended until July 7th, so everyone has time to join in the fun.  I am sure many of you in the USA have made patriotic cards this week, why don't you check out the Outlawz forum???  It is free to join and full of inspiration and wonderful crafters (plus prizes :>) )!!!

Remember my banner card from a couple days ago?  I decided to flip it and limit the colors.  Honestly, this is such an easy card to make and since I can get stuck making masculine cards sometimes, I may just have to make more of these so that I have extra cards on hand!

This one is perfect for the Outlawz Paper Ala Mode Challenge - to create a card using your country's colors.

Now, what to do with extra banners?  How about just using a few on a card...

This one is for the Outlawz Color Challenge - Use the colors of where you are from - well, I went with Red, White and Blue for the USA.  I don't even know if my town has it's own colors!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Stamps - sentiment on first card - PTI, Image on second card - MFT, Sentiment on second card - Lil' Inker Designs, PP - Basic Grey (PB&J), CS - PTI and SU, Ink - SU, Die - Banner from Lil' Inker Designs, and copics.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th!

If you are in the US, Happy Independence Day!  


This image is the latest freebie from Whimsie Doodles!  Yes, this cutie is a freebie!  There is also a Canada Day freebie available too!
Want to find out when freebies are being offered?  Be sure to like Whimsie Doodles on Facebook or  follow the blog

My card is for the Outlawz 2,000 member party Greetings Party Challenge - "Your Country".  For me, that means the USA and what better image than one that has sparklers. 
The latest Little Miss Muffet challenge is "Sparkle" - I went with rhinestones and stickles.
My family's celebration will be low key this year as the holiday falls in the middle of the week.  We will be home and hopefully the sun finds it's way out so that the kids can play outside and we can do a few fireworks at night.
 Have a wonderful day!
Smiles, Julie

Details:  Image - Independence Day (Whimsie Doodles), Star stamps - Verve, rhinestones, Stickles - Star Dust, Ink - SU, copics, CS - PTI and SU.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Beach Babe

I live in the United States and the Fourth of July is tomorrow.  We actually already started celebrating by going to see fireworks tonight.  So with that in mind, I decided to pull in some patriotic colors and stars on today's card...Beach Hat Ava put on her star bathing suit, grabbed her striped towel and she is heading to the beach!


My card is based on the final Card Patterns sketch - #172.  I will miss Card Patterns, my Saturday mornings will not be the same without it.  I may not have found time to play along each week, but the sketches were always inspiring and I have been introduced to so many wonderful crafters thru CP.  Fingers crossed that they pass the torch to a new team!

My card is also for the Simon Says Stamp - Sporty and/or Patriotic challenge. 

Plus, the Outlawz 2,000 Member party continues and the deadline to play along has been extended.  The Copic / Promarker challenge is to create something that represents where you are from.  Ava represents the USA and the beach - I live in Connecticut which has one border that is shoreline.  The beach is about 1/2 an hour away!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Image - Whimsie Doodles Beach Hat Ava, CS - PTI and SU, Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug, PP - October Afternoon, Sentiment - SRM Sticker.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

A Banner Day

I am still in love with banners!  Especially sewn ones - which are so fun.  I created my own by cutting out banners using Lil' Inker Designs' Flag Die.  It was really easy to sew together using the long flags and then trimming each after.  CAS and fast!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Little Inker Designs Pennant Die, Basic Grey PB&J PP, PTI CS, Sentiment from Practicing Creativity for the Love of Dots, and SU Ink, plus some help from my sewing machine!