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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Top 10 Cards for Operation Write Home in 2011

This quest for my top 10 favorite {made by me} OWH cards for 2011 was actually fun and pretty inspiring!  I honestly can't believe that it has been three months since my last post.  Thanks to all of you who have continued to check in on me - cardmaking and blog posting to resume very soon!

Some of my top 10 OWH cards I blogged about but some of them I didn't so if you have any questions about products or techniques used please feel free to leave them in the comment section below - I will do my best to remember what I did. 

These are in no particular order but I would LOVE to hear which are your favorites!















Phew....that was harder than I thought....but lots of fun!  Be sure to post a list of YOUR Top 10, too!

Yolanda B is your next stop - happy stamping and God bless!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - CELEBRATE NATURE

Welcome fellow OWH cardmakers!  This is our 2nd Virtual Cardmaking Party and we are off to a great start!  I absolutely loved the first party and am honored to present this challenge today.

Fall is quickly approaching and in our family it is a time to CELEBRATE NATURE.  As the days become cooler the leaves begin to change, the air smells sweet, and the Michigan apples are ripe for the picking!  One of our favorite traditions is a trip to the apple orchard for fresh cider and warm donuts.  How does your family CELEBRATE NATURE at this time of year?   Show me in a card, then tell me about it in the comment section!

For this challenge we will be creating cards that use some element of nature as the focal point.  This could be leaves, flowers, scenery, or any other image that evokes a fondness for the beauty that surrounds us out of doors.  To get your mojo flowing I have prepared two very different cards. 



Post Script: This second card was totally a CASE from this card by Kate.  Thank you, Kate, for the inspiration and I'm sorry I inadvertently missed giving you credit.


Now it's YOUR turn!  Go create a card for our heroes CELEBRATING NATURE then take a photo and post it here.  I'll stop by your blog and leave you some love and encouragement! 

Happy Stamping!


Oopsie!  Mr Linky is having issues so go to Stars and Stamps and link your cards.-




Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Blog Candy Winner!

Hello all!  Thank you for all of your wonderful comments on my CAS post for the Operation Write Home Blog Skip.  Over the course of 3 days we had over 650 visits to the post and 69 comments!  Lots of wonderful inspiration and exposure for OWH!

I have used random.org to select a winner for my blog candy....the number 40 was chosen and that means Robin of Paper Pizazz Creations by Robin is the winner.  Robin please email me at loliver5667 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address!   

Congratulations Robin!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

OWH Stars & Stamps CAS (Clean and Simple) Blog Skip

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps CAS Blog Skip.  If you have come from Kate's blog "Hello From Kate" then you are in the right place.  If you just happened along and would like to start the skip at the beginning just click here and you will be transported to the Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps blog.

I have been attracted to the Clean and Simple style of card making for a long time and I love to browse through blogs and galleries of CAS cards for inspiration and relaxation as well.  Although I have never been what I call a "fru-fru" stamper I have only just recently embraced the CAS style and am really enjoying the results.


The inspiration for this card came from Heather T. whose card was recently featured on the "Less is More" blog (one of my CAS favorites) and can be viewed here.  The sponged and stamped focal point is totally cased but there was no way I could make it look as nice as Heather's so I ended up cutting the square out and  mounting it on black card stock cut just slightly larger to act as a frame.  The sponging was done on white card stock with Stampin' Up! Not Quite Navy ink and then I stamped 3 of the Pocket Silhouettes stamps in black Stazon ink and the 4th in Old Olive.  The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up! set called Sweet Little Sentiments and is stamped with black Stazon ink.

Of course I can never make just ONE of any card that I really like so I went ahead and made another card adding a little more bling - although I still classify it as CAS.  The sentiment is stamped in Not Quite Navy and is from a sympathy set by Gina K Designs.  The card is basically the same design so I thought I would just share a close up of the sentiment and bling.


Thank you for skipping by my blog - I hope you have been able to find some inspiration and will go out and give the CAS style a try for yourself.  The next stop is at "Handmade by Julie" where I am sure you will want to stick around for awhile!

Oopsie!  I almost forgot BLOG CANDY!  Please leave a comment below and on Monday, August 22, I will select a random winner to receive 6 sponged and stamped squares similar to the ones used on these cards.

Monday, August 8, 2011

My Heart Bee-longs to You - Encore Presentation

Stamps R Us is having an Encore Presentation challenge  - which means we are to re-post (but not back link) one of your favorite cards.  My blog is fairly new (only 9 months old) so it didn't take long to scroll through my old posts.  

When I saw this card I just had to smile.    I remember the day I made this card for Operation Write Home.  I was thrilled to have found these cute little bees to go with this sentiment that I had been given by a friend.  The funny thing is I liked this card so much that I haven't used this combo since out of fear that I will be disappointed...how silly is that?  Maybe now that I have admitted it I can get over it and use them again!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Love Cards for Operation Write Home

As many of you know I spend alot of time on the Operation Write Home Facebook fan page and today our fearless leader, Sandy, put out a call for Love and Missing You cards.  I have a large flat rate box 3/4 full of cards and will be sure to focus on these types of cards for the remaining 1/4.  I have already included several cards that fit this theme and thought I would share them with you.


These two cards are admittedly similar but just different enough that I wanted to share them both with you.  You probably recognize the designer paper from Stampin' Up! The sentiment is from a Verve set called Just For You.
 
The solid/dotted circle is a stamp that is included in the same set and fits perfectly with my Nestabilites. While cutting all of the circles and scallops I discovered that I could put the circle die inside the scallop die (on the very vanilla card stock) and cut both with one swipe through the Cuttlebug. Sounds silly but I was thrilled! So, to encourage others to save time and money I quickly took a few shots to share this idea with you and posted them at the bottom of this post. (If this is no big revelation to you as it was to me I give you permisssion to go ahead and roll your eyes. 


This next card origins remain a mystery to me.  I made it a few weeks ago in response to a sketch challenge using a free digital image but unfortunately I can't remember where either one came from.  I apologize for that.  If you recognize either of them please let me know so I can give proper credit.

Edit:  The sentiment is by Ginger at Ginger's House.  Thank you Pat K. for the reminder!
And finally, this last card came about to use up some scraps. The circle sentiment is from Create With TLC. I made two similar cards using two other circle sentiments as well.  It came up with this design on my own.  The black strip is actually satin ribbon although it is hard to tell from this photo.  The patterned paper was left over from another project and was purchase from JAS on clearance for ten cents.


If you have any questions on any of these cards just leave it in the comment section and I will answer as quickly as possible. Thanks for stopping by...I hope to have given you some inspiration to make some "love" cards for YOUR next OWH box!




Here is the mini pictoral:




Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Dog Gone It Anyway...

This card came together today exactly as I had envisioned it - and that doesn't happen very often, let me tell ya!  I was able to spend some time surfing my favorite challenges today and actually went to the designing table (aka dinningroom table) with a plan!  Love it when that happens!


The image and sentiment are from Bugaboo Stamps - I was fortunate enough to have snagged it when it was a weekly freebie and he has just been hanging out waiting to be set free.  I printed him with MS Word and set it up so I could print 4 on a page.  I colored him with Stampin' Up! markers in Bliss Blue, Blush Blossom, and Creamy Caramel.  The frame outline I drew by hand just using a ruler and a black gel pen.

This little guy will be included in my next box for Operation Write Home and can be used for so many "occassions" such as belated birthday, miss you, sorry, or any other events that our hero may have wished he/she could have been home for.  He was made specifically for the MWT at the Stars & Stamps blog where we making cards featuring the wonderful canine in honor of our very own mascot Pvt. Ciara.  Congrats Ciara!

So glad you could stop in for a visit!  Happy stamping!

Challenges:
S & S Midweek Throwdown: Canines
SCS Clean And Simple: Belated Birthday

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Keep Your Chin Up Friend

Hello Friends!  This little cutie is a from a pre-colored set called Turtle Trio at Doodle Pantry.   One of the things I love about Doodle Pantry is that their pre-colored sets come with matching patterned papers - making it so easy to put together a well coordinated card.


I used Stampin' Up cardstock, Garden Green for the base and Green Galore for the  Cuttlebug embossed center strip.  The brads are faux using white card stock and Glossy Accents.  I cut out the image and scallop using my Cuttlebug and Nesties and lightly sponged Garden Green around the image to soften the edges.

This card will be included with my next Operation Write Home box but was made for two challenges that The Doodle Pantry is sponsoring this week - Craft Your Passion and Stamping Sisters in Christ.  The Doodle Pantry will have some new releases on August 5th and wouldn't it be fun to win a gift certificate (or two) just in time for the new release?  It would make my day for sure!

Thanks for stopping by....please leave me some love if you have a minute :)



Sunday, July 31, 2011

Hope it's a hoot!

Hi there!  Well, I finally broke out the Stampin' Up! Owl punch and am so glad I did.  I bought this punch several months ago but after I received it I couldn't for the life of me remember why I thought I "needed" it.  So, I headed over to Split Coast Stampers and did some research...and found some inspiration.  Yeah!  If you have never been over there it is well worth the time.  Here is a link to their gallery page.  But WAIT!!!  Please read the rest of my post before you head over there because if you don't you'll never make it back.  LOL


The colors are very fall, which is great for the Operation Write Home schedule right now, and I think the card turned out to be pretty gender neutral and can actually span a pretty broad age spectrum too.  Gotta love that!  The card stock is Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, and Summer Sun.  I ran the RR through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder and used my Nesties for the circle and scallop.  The patterned paper is from a stash of paper that was gifted to me by a Facebook friend.

The sentiment is from a Gina K Design set called Owl Always Love You which I have had for a few years but never use because I would have to color it (don't roll your eyes, I'm trying to get over my coloring phobia, I really am!)

Thanks for stopping by today!  I'd love if you would leave me some love below :)

Challenges:
Stampin' Sisters in Christ: Use any creature, great or small
Blogger's Challenge:  Embossing

Saturday, July 30, 2011

S & S Midweek Throwdown - Water

This week's theme over at the S & S Midweek Throwdown is water.  I knew right away the exact stamp set to use - I had just received this set and I was ready to ink it up! 


This set is called Holy Carp and is made by Skipping Stones Design. I love this set and am certain you will be seeing more of it in the future!  That said, how did I do on the coloring?  I used Stampin' Up! water color pencils and a blender pen.  When I grow up I want to color with Copics.

Happy Stamping!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Because of You


This is my creation inspired by this week's Sketch Challenge #79 at the Stars and Stamps blog.  For such a straight forward sketch I sure seemed to struggle with it.  I think my problem was trying to force the use of patterned paper  that was just too harsh with this delicate embossing.  I like the look of the ribbon but wish it was wider.  At any rate it has turned out as a unisex design and that's always a good thing. 

It is difficult to tell from this photo but the card stock is Very Vanilla by Stampin' Up! layered with Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip.  The ribbon is also Chocolate Chip.  The sentiment is from a Verve set called Just For You.

Glad you stopped by today...happy stamping!

Challenges:
Stars and Stamps Blog:  Sketch #79

Monday, July 25, 2011

Cheryl's Unbelievable Blog Candy!

Have you seen the blog candy Cheryl is offering over at She Stamps?  It is unbelievably awesome!  The contest is good through July 31st so hurry on over and sign yourself up!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Dustin Pike and S&S Midweek Throwdown - Cards 4 Kids


It's been a few days, sorry, but I am determined to complete my Dustin Pike Week - and I saved my favorite for last.  I am tickled that this card fits right in with the Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown - Cards 4 Kids.  Is this not the perfect sentiment for this theme?  It' another wonderful FREEBIE from Create with TLC!  The image is also another FREEBIE from the Dustin Pike Blog.

Happy Stamping!

Challenges:
OWH Stars & Stamps: Cards 4 Kids

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Dustin Pike - Cupcake Monkey


Welcome to Day #4 of my "Dustin Pike Week."  I have to say....I LOVE this image!  And the Glossy Accents added to his eyes and the cupcake sprinkles make it even more adorable to me!  This image is pre-colored and FREE on Dustin's blog - it also comes in black/white.  The sentiment is also FREE at Create with TLC.  The papers are Stampin' Up! as are the matching brads - sorry to say I think the paper is retired.  I used my Cuttlebug for the embossing and circle/scallop cutting.

This card will be sent to Operation Write Home, a wonderful non-profit organization that provides blank handmade cards for our deployed U.S. troops stationed all over the world.

Happy Stamping!

Challenges:
Clear It Out: Anything Goes
Critter Challenge: Birthday Cards to Yourself
Make It Monday: Anything Goes

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Dustin Pike - A Piece of Cake


Hi there!  Today is Day 3 of my "Dustin Pike Week."  This piece of cake is FREE on Dustin Pike's blog and comes either precolored (my fav) or black/white for you Copic lovers out there.  The sentiment is also FREE from Paulette over at Create with TLC blog.  The polka dots are printed on acetate and came in a clearance paper pack from Stampin' Up! It doesn't show up in the photo but the acetate is really cool.


In response to Sherry's question below:  Great question Sherry! Acetate, which is really a thin sheet of clear plastic, has a naturally clingy quality so I didn't see the need to attach it around every edge like I would card stock.  Instead I cut the acetate to the exact size of the card base, attached the image and sentiment, then used my ATG to apply adhesive on the back of the acetate under the image/sentiment then applied it to the card base.  By doing this the acetate is permanently attached but the adhesive is not visible.  I suppose in other applications brads or eyelets would work too.
Happy Stamping!

Challenges:
Cupcake Craftroom: Polka Dots
Inspire Me Fridays: Anything Goes
Fab 'n' Funky: Food

Doodle Pantry Challenge #14



If you are a follower of my blog you are sure to know that my personal preference is pre-colored digis and Doodle Pantry has a very nice selection of them.  However....this isn't one of them!  This is actually  FREEBIE available on their site paired with another sentiment from (where else?) Create with TLC.  I colored this adorable bird with Stampin' Up! markers and added some Glossy Accents to the beak and feet.  This is a square card that is 4.25" so it will still fit into an A2 sized envy.  The patterned paper is from my scrap bin.

As always, this card will be added to my next box for Operation Write Home, a wonderful non-profit organization that provides blank handmade cards for our deployed U.S. Troops to keep in touch with home.


Happy Stamping!
Challenges:
Doodle Pantry Digital Doodles: Use any Doodle Pantry Image
Paper Play Challenges: Things With Wings
By the Cute and Girly: Things With Wings
The Craft Garden: Use a Bird
The Paper Shelter: For the Birds

Monday, July 18, 2011

Dustin Pike - Something to Smile About Tomorrow


Day 2 of "Dustin Pike Week" here at Stamping With a Mission.  This adorable little monster is FREE on Dustin Pike's Blog and you can download it precolored or in black/white to color yourself.  The sentiment is from Create With TLC and is also a FREEBIE.  I really like how versitile this card is - boy or girl, birthday or not, etc.

As always, this card will be added to my next box for Operation Write Home, a wonderful non-profit organization that provides blank handmade cards for our deployed U.S. Troops to keep in touch with home.

Happy Stamping!

Challenges:
Tuesday Throwdown: Fun in the Sun
Ladybugs Crafts Ink Challengeblog: Summer Birthday
Crafty Creations: Boyz to Men
A Gem of a Challenge: Let's Hear it For the Boys

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Dustin Pike - Happy Birthday Giraffe


Hi there!  Thanks for stoping by my blog today.  This week I will be posting  a different card every day using the wonderful FREE images of Dustin Pike.  I love all of Dustin's characters but favor those that have been pre-colored and especially those that are free on his blog.  Dustin's online store is called Doodle Dragon Studios and is loaded with adorable images at great prices.  This particular image is the current FREEBIE at the online store.

As always, this card will be added to my next box for Operation Write Home, a wonderful non-profit organization that provides blank handmade cards for our US Troops to keep in touch with home. 

Happy Stamping!

Challenges:
Birthday Sundaes: Anything Goes
Dustin Pike: Animals Rule
Tiffany Doodles: All Creatures Great and Small
Cardmadfairy's Digital Days: Include an Animal
Wags 'n Whiskers: Birthday
Penny's Paper-Crafty: Happy Birthday

Friday, July 15, 2011

Birthday Sundaes - A Summery Color Challenge


This week's challenge over at Birthday Sundaes is to make a card using orange, green and white - summery colors that I have taken some liberty with and turned them into fall colors for Operation Write Home.  Since we are always a few months ahead of the seasons July is time for fall cards and Christmas is right around the corner, too.  I have to admit, I liked the way this turned out so much I made another half dozen or so.

Happy Stamping!

Challenges:
Birthday Sundaes: A Summary Color Challenge (orange, green, white)
One Stitch at a Time: Anything Goes
Make it Monday: Anything Goes

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Happy Blogaversary Sandy! Post #3


And here is my 3rd post for Sandy's blogaversary challenge.  :) 

I printed this image and sentiment nearly two weeks ago when I was trying to decide what to do for my sample card for my Play on Words challenge during the OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party.  The image is from  PC Crafter  and the sentiment is from Create with TLC.


Challenges:
It's a Coloruful World: Unisex or Masculine
Here Come The Boys: Sport (must be for boys/men)
Dutch Dare: Summer Fun

Happy Blogaversary Sandy! Post #2


And here is my 2nd entry for Sandy's Blogaversary Celebration Challenge!  Does it look familiar?  It is a total CASE of a card that Sandy made last weekend during our OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party!  I hope she will get a kick out of it - and a smile of course!  I will be making another 5 for my next OWH box :)  Thanks for the inspiration Sandy!

Challenges:
It's a Coloruful World: Unisex or Masculine
The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenge:  Get Punchy
Inspire Me Fridays: Anyting Goes
Art Impressions Stamps: Use Something From Your Stash
Forever Friends: Stripes (& must include and animal)
Paper Crafting Journey: For Him

Friday, July 8, 2011

Happy Blogaversary Sandy!


This weekend marks the 4th Blogaversary for Sandy, the President and Founder of Operation Write Home, at It's a Colorful World.  Congratulations Sandy - your blog is an inspiration to many of us and one I personally check it out nearly every day. 

To celebrate Sandy is throwing a virtual party on her blog with an invitation to post unisex or masculine cards - and there's CANDY!  Yippee!  And not just any candy....but  a whole box (medium flat rate no less!) fillllled with goodies!  I can only image what that will contain so of course I am ALL over it!  She will be picking a random winner from all of the participants who link up before the end of the weekend.  However....I noticed that she didn't set a limit to the number of entries (hee hee hee!)

So, here is my first entry Sandy!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - Easy as 1,2,3



OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party Challenge #9 was hosted by Patricia at Thinking of Inking.  The name of the challenge is "Easy as 1, 2, 3" and I loved the way she presented it.  She made a great point that some challenges can be intimidating so she wanted to keep her challenge simple - use 1 piece of designer paper, 2 images, and have 3 or more words in your sentiment.  I chose to use these two images from Designed 2 Delight and the sentiment is from Create with TLC.

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - Foody or Fruity Fourth


OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party challenge #12 was hosted by Sarah over at Sarah's Stamping and Stuff to make a card highlighting food or fruit as your focal image.  I chose to use this wonderful free digi from Paula S. (thanks Paula!)that has been in my "to do" pile for a few months now.  I actually like this one so much that I have it hanging in my office.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - Color Me Crazy


The OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party continues with challenge #14 by Tammy at My Craft Central called Color Me Crazy to create a card using nontraditional colors in your focal image.  I chose to stamp my image onto colored card stock and then cut it out.  The dp is Stampin' Up! and the stamps are from Gina K Designs.

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - All About Animals


I'm back!  I was out of town for the Fourth but am back today and continuing to "work" my way through the OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party challenges -  although not in order.  This card is what I lovingly call a "twofer" meaning that it meets two different challenges at the same time. 

The VCP challenge #16 was given by Trish at Mouse Print Creations to make a card using an animal image.  I already had this image in mind for the S & S Midweek Throwdown Challenge - Autumn/Fall so I put the two challenges together and am happy with the result.


Sunday, July 3, 2011

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - PLAY ON WORDS



Welcome fellow OWH card makers!  I am very honored and excited to host this challenge today.  My husband is the King of Puns and after 25 years together I find myself coming up with quite a few puns of my own and I thought it would be fun to see the funny side of our card making community.

To play along with this challenge create a card using a "sentiment" that uses ordinary words in an extraordinary way.  For example, "be" can be changed to "bee" and used with a bee image. Or maybe you can substitute a word with another word that has a completely different meaning when used in another context.  If you don't have any stamps that fit into this category I suggest you check out Paulette's blog - Create With TLC -where you will find tons of FREE digital sentiments (aka Word Art.)  Be sure to leave Paulette some words of gratitude if you find something you can use.



The sentiment was FREE from Create With TLC (of course!) The cow was also FREE from PC Crafter.

There were actually several phrases that I considered using with this image (anything with a reference to "back" or "hips"  or "udder" were all great candidates to me) but I settled on this one because I really didn't want to bring any more attention to the cow's hind quarters (doesn't she have the sweetest eyes?)

So, now it's YOUR turn!  Go get your funny on...and link your creation using the linky tool below.  When you do you will automatically be entered in the contest with OWH for a very special prize. 

Have fun....and go with whatever Play on Words that "mooooves" you!


OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - What Does Freedom Mean to You?


This card is for Carol's challenge over at Our Little Inspirations to make a card that represents FREEDOM to you.  I chose this beautiful eagle clip art that I found online (just by googling eagle images.)  I colored his eye and beak (very lightly) with SU watercolor pencil and then highlighted the eye with Glossy Accents.

The photo is too washed out (sorry) to show the layer of gold card stock behind the eagle but it really does dress up the card - and I just noticed that it makes the card ARMY colors :)

I have covered two challenges with this card because I used this week's Sketch Challenge #76!

Footnote:
I am honored and tickled that this card has been chosen to win an embroidered Operation Write Home badge - even if is was by random.org!  And I really am excited that it was for two challenges so this week's Sketch Challenge has been promoted again.  :)

Saturday, July 2, 2011

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - Tie a Yellow Ribbon


The third challenge was given by Tanya at Tinkerin In Ink with Tanya - it is actually a color challenge using these colors: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Peach Parfait (of which I had none) and Early Espresso (which I substituted with Chocolate Chip.)  The background paper was on clearance at JoAnn's and the digi was a freebie - sorry I can't remember the origins, if you know tell me and I will update this post and add a link.

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - There's Something Fishy Going On


The second challenge today for the OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party was presented by Sheila over at 2 Paw Prints to make a card that has a fishbowl.  She made a BIG fishbowl with her Cricuit - which I don't have - and mine is tiny in comparison but it works...right?  The stamp is form Stampin' Up set called Lettle Hellos (2003.)  The background paper is actually a printed sheet of vellum (also SU) adhered to white card stock with Glossy Accents - which surprisingly is almost invisible.

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party - Camo Challenge


And we're off...!  The first challange today is CAMO.  I didn't have any camo paper (and have looked, believe me) but I remembered this great digi that I had downloaded a few months ago from Dee Dee's Digis.  Unfortunately Dee Dee is taking a hiatis from her online business and I was unable to procure a link to share.

I colored the digi with Stampin' Up! watercolor pencils and softened the white card stock by sponging on some Creamy Caramel ink - the colors are much stronger in real life than in this photo, but you get the idea. 

Onward to the next challenge - to join in just head over to the Stars and Stamps blog.  There's no time limit to join in on the fun!

Friday, July 1, 2011

OWH Virtual Cardmaking Party! Check it out!



Have you heard?!?  I am sooooo verrrrryyy excited!!! 

"What is it?" you ask.  Well let me tell ya - it the start of something BIG that you are going to love!  It is and INTERACTIVE Bloghop.  For this event we will be creating while we hop!  All day Saturday and all day Sunday new challenges will be posted at designated blogs and rather than just "oohhhing and ahhhing" then leaving some love we will actually be creating our own cards based on the challenge presented and then sharing them right on that same blog.  Oh, and there will be prizes!

I am looking forward to the challenges (16 in total - one right here on MY blog *smile*) to turbo charge my mojo and to seeing all of the creations that come from them.  Not going to be available this weekend?  No worries....the blog links will stay on the Stars and Stamps blog for you to utilize anytime. 

See you there!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

S & S Midweek Throwdown Challenge - Love Cards

This week's theme for the S & S Midweek Throwdown Challenge is Love Cards!  What better way to show some love to our deployed troops than to shower them with Love Cards they can send back home to those they love?!?  And what better way to say I Love You than a card that makes your face AND heart smile?


This card made my "top three" favorite list of all of the Disney cards I made this past week (which was a whopping 50! whoo hoo!) for Operation Write Home.  Although the pic isn't too bad I have to tell you that the colors are fabulous in real life - very eye catching.

Here is a quick rundown:  The Daffy image was cut from a 12 x 12 sheet of paper purchased from JoAnn's (but I hear it is available at Michael's too), the cardstock is Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise, the sentiment is from Hambo Stamps, and the black bling is from Pizzazz Aplenty (THE best online store for bling), and the background paper is from a paper pack by Prima Marketing called "Rock On Bro."

Thanks for stopping by - please leave some love in  my comment section!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Disney Madness - Pink with No Sentiment

For the past several days - ok, nearly a week - I have been making cards using a single sheet of 12 X 12 designer paper purchased from JoAnn's.  Yes, you read that correctly - just ONE sheet of 12 X 12 paper has kept me busy for several days/evenings....it's not that I am a slow creator or even a perfectionist.  I have actually been able to complete over 25 cards from this one sheet - and still have almost as many yet to make. 

How? you ask.  This one piece of paper had fifty 1.75" squares with various Disney characters in each square.  So, once I cut it up I had 50 different focal images to work with and I just had to use one square per card to give each character his rightful moment in the spotlight!

Here is the "Pink with No Sentiment" card I made with Daisy Duck.  I didn't give it a sentiment because I truly felt that her eyes said it all!!


I will be entering this card in Lexi's Creations blog challenge to make a card with no sentiment.  I will also be posting this to the Facebook fan page for Hero Arts because today is National Pink Day!  How fun is that?