A Walk in the Garden with CropStop - Grand Opening all Weekend

Good morning everyone! I hope everyone survived Halloween. I've got some cuuute pictures for the boys that I will share later. I was very pleased with the way the costumes turned out - especially Nate and Will's. Part of their "cuteness" just lies in the fact that there are 2 of them. People (myself included) just can't help it. Anyway, on to crafty business...

Today is the beginning of CropStop's Grand Opening Celebration called A Walk in the Garden. CropStop is a great online store that offers quite the variety of products, from paper kits, all sorts of Die Cut machines, to embellishments. Check out the store, but make sure you don't spend too much time shopping because this is your chance to win lots of great prizes all weekend long.

One thing that you will have to do if you haven't already is register on the CropStop message board and the gallery. This will direct you to the where's, why's, and how's to go about increasing your chances of winning.

Today is the First Bouquet Blog Hop! If you are looking at my blog right now, you have either already visited the necessary blogs before me and are looking for your last "collection" or you are visiting and realized that something fun is going on. If I'm the last stop, then head back to CropStop for even more fun and if you are the latter, then head straight over to CropStop anyway to get all the directions and details as to how to start your collection.

So without further ado, my item to complete your crafty bouquet are BUTTONS! Who doesn't love buttons? To celebrate how fun buttons are I made a little card just because. I was lucky enough to pick up a whole bunch of Daisy D's matching buttons, flowers, and ribbon at my local scrapbooking store - Treasury of Memories. Each container was only $2 each. The paper, and sentiment are Close to my Heart products.

Thanks so much for hopping on by! I will have another segment of the fun and games to be had for the Grand Opening here tomorrow. Hint - its a challenge - but easy :).



{Recipe}
Cardstock: White, Garden Green (CTMH)
DP: Blue Ribbon Level 2 (CTMH)
Ink: Black (CTMH)
Stamps: Treasure Life (Stamp of the Month - CTMH)
Other: Daisy D's Ribbon, Buttons, Flowers

Clear Dollar Stamps Sneak Peak #4 - Lamppost Expressions

Happy Halloween for those of you into the Halloween thing! I am hoping to have some really cute pictures of the boys to share later. Their costumes were finished in a timely fashion (yeah for me). I was very pleased that I wasn't up till the wee hours last night sewing.

Today is also my last set of cards to share with you from Clear Dollar Stamps. Today's stamp set is called Lamppost Expressions and as soon as I saw it I loved it. It has an old time, kind of romantic, maybe a Charles Dickens look to it.

The main image was stamped on glossy paper, colored in with Copics, sanded with sand paper, and finally inked with some dye ink. I then distressed the heck out of the background paper and my mat. Black and brown is one of my favorite color combos too.
{Recipe} Cardstock: Kraft (PTI), Black, Desert Sand, Glossy Cardstock (CTMH) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics Stamps: Lamppost Expressions (CDstamps) Other: Sanding paper, Edge distressor (CTMH), Black Ribbon, Brads



My next card card has a more holiday feel to it, but with the variety of sentiments in this set, your options are definitely not limited. Isn't that kitty the cutest? I didn't take a close up, but I fun flocked the white sections of the stocking and it turned out so cute.

{Recipe} Cardstock: Ponderosa Pine, Cranberry, Desert Sand, Colonial White (CTMH) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Cranberry (CTMH) Stamps: Lamppost Expressions (CDstamps) Other: Brads, Nesties

And finally, my last card combines Lamppost Expressions with an individual set you can purchase - TOMORROW :) Its called Iron Fence :)

I stamped the fence with Versamark ink and then embossed it with black embossing powder and then cut it all out :) I also embossed the lamppost on glossy cardstock as well as the edges of the cardstock. Other than that the rest of it is pretty simple. Another favorite color combo - red and black.

{Recipe}
Cardstock: Black, Cranberry, Glossy (CTMH)
Ink: Versamark, Black (CTMH)
Stamps: Lamppost Expressions, (CDstamps)
Other: Black Embossing Powder, Ribbon, Nesties, Bitty Brads

That's it for sneak peaks - remember that all new stamps and items to the store will be available to purchase tomorrow, November 1st! Ack!!! Did I just write November!!! This is a crazy busy month for us.

I wanted to show you one more little thing. For my 1st sneak peek I chose to use the Card Categories set. I wanted to share a picture of how I have my own personal card stash organized. I like to have a ton of dividers so there are a couple that I added myself, but out of all those categories, I only created 3 of my own. The basket I purchased at Michaels and it fits 3 rows of standard A2 cards perfectly. Call me crazy, but I'm making another set to organize my odd shaped cards and smaller cards too. I LOVE this set.

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Extras you need to know about!

*** Limelight Papercrafts has our Sketch and Product Challenge going on right now. Click -->HERE<-- for all the details. You have until Sunday to play along!

*** CropStop is a great store that has tons and tons of great die cuts and other great scrapbooking products available. Haylie-Jo is continuously adding to her inventory. This weekend, November 1 -2 is the official "Grand Opening" of the store and there will be TONS of fun challenges and games for your chance to win TONS of incredible prizes. Make sure to stop by and visit the store message board this weekend.

Clear Dollar Stamps - Sneak Peek #3

This is my 2nd post today so make sure that you scroll down for the Limelight Papercraft's Sketch and Product Challenge.

Get ready for another set of awesome stamps. Today's samples were made from a set called Deer Season. You'll be able to purchase this set on November 1st at Clear Dollar Stamps.

This would make a great "guy" or "nature" set to include in your collection. I have hunters in my family and of course some friends too so I try to make cards with this theme for them when I can. But, what I really like about this set is that it is very versatile. It isn't just a "hunting" themed set.

My first card does focus on the "hunting" aspect and of course I love the sentiments that come with this. I random stamped my background with the deer image and of course used some nice woodsy colors. To get the shadow on my image I just stamped again off to the side immediately after stamping my original image. I love that affect and so easy to do.

I basically did that same technique for my second card. I love this tree because it didn't need masking to make it appear 3 dimensional especially when stamping twice with full ink and then partial ink coverage. I did a bit of tearing and inking to give it some "rustic" flair. Then just pop dotted the smaller deer image. A real simple and easily put together card.

Thanks for coming by and visiting and sharing in my excitement for all the new stamps being released! Make sure you visit all the other Clear Dollar Stamps design team members for some absolutely fabulous creations and inspiration. All names are listed on the side bar.



{Recipe for Card #1}
Cardstock: Ponderosa Pine, Desert Sand (Close to my Heart)
DP: Everlasting (Close to my Heart)
Ink: Desert Sand, Cocoa (Close to my Heart)
Stamps: Deer Season (CDstamps)
Other: Nestabilities, Paper Piercer

{Recipe for Card #2}
Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey ink), Outdoor Denim, Ponderosa Pine, Colonial White (Close to my Heart)
Ink: Ponderosa Pine, Cocoa (Close to my Heart)
Stamps: Deer Season (CDstamps)

Limelight Ladies Thursday Sketch and Product Challenge

Its that time again Stampers! Can you feel it? Christmas is coming! Step into any major store and you'll be amazed by the holiday lights, colors, and decorations. Limelight Papercrafts is no different! Check out the gorgeous papers, stamps, and embellishments that are just perfect for holiday cards! Here's Brandi's sketch - another great one too.

Here are the rules:

• Sketch and Product Challenge focusing on (Christmas etc) holiday colors, papers, embellishments - whatever holiday you celebrate
  
• If you happen to have Limelight goods - Awesome! But IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. Geesh we all have a lot, so just use what ya got, join the fun, and play along.
  
• The winning participant will receive the Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Magic Sticker Tablet.
  
• Entries are submitted by posting a comment and a link to the card or online gallery on Mandy's blog.
  
• All entries must be submitted by Sunday,November 2nd by midnight.
  
• Uploads to SCS should have the keyword: LLPC007

Here is my example of the sketch. You might not remember, but I did a Halloween card using the same lime green tissue paper. This tissue paper is the tissue paper that Mandy always wraps your precious goodies up in.

Lime green is actually a very versatile color. It worked great for a Halloween card, but works just as great as a fun Christmas card. This particular tissue came in a package that I received yesterday and one of the other items in there was a great stamp sent from Unity called Christmas tags. I chose this set, because it has so many cute images.

For my text, I thought it would be cute to print out one of the versus from the Christmas carol "O' Christmas Tree" Then I stamped my tree image again and colored in the star with my gold Spica Glitter Pen. Here's a close up of the tissue paper and the Spica Glitter Pen.

For more inspiration and a chance to peek at some wonderful blogs check out the other Limelight 6 chicks:

Mandy
Jen Marie
Becky
Brandi
Ryann
Lisa
Jessica

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a chance to play along with us.

{Recipe} Cardstock: Cranberry, Buttercup, Topiary (CTMH) Ink: Ponderosa Pine (CTMH) Stamps: Bitty Christmas Tags (Unity Co) Other: Lime Tissue Paper, Nesties, Computer, Ribbon (CTMH)

Clear Dollar Stamps - Sneak Peek #2

Well, I promised you bling so that's what I have for you today :) Today's stamp set is called Charlie Snowhorse and as always Charlie is uber cute no matter what he is doing or how he is
dressed. Well, this time around he is up to his neck in snow and looking good. You can acquire your very own Charlie Snowhorse at Clear Dollar Stamps this Saturday - November 1st.

For my first example, I used clear stickles to add all the bling. I love my stickles what can I say. I used it to accent the snow background as well as the large round circles on my paper.














I used my Copics to color Charlie in and my nesties to cut and mat him. My designer paper is from Close to my Heart.

{Recipe}
Cardstock:White, Barn Red (CTMH)
DP: (CTMH)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Stamps: Charlie Snowhorse (CDstamps)
Other: Copics, Stickles, Nesties

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My next sample is also from the the Charlie Snowhorse set. This isn't a huge set and will retail for only $4.99, but it has a lot of bang in my opinion. I kept the tree image clean by just stamping it in one color and then accented with that great Swiss Dots embossing folder. I think this is probably my most used folder. I also used my nesties to cut and emboss and then just added a little sheer ribbon.

{Recipe}
Cardstock: White, Cranberry (CTMH)
Ink: Topiary (CTMH)
Stamps: Charlie Snowhorse (CDstamps)
Other: Nesties, Cuttlebug Embossin Folder, Ribbon





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And here is another card using the tree image,adding but with the ornaments added to it. I also added some interest by embossing the cardstock I used for my planter bases.

{Recipe}
Cardstock: Ponderosa Pine, Chocolate, Cranberry White (CTMH)
Ink: Ponderosa Pine (CTMH)
Stamps: Charlie Snowhorse (CDstamps)
Other: Copics, embossing folder










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And finally, my last one. For my last card, I just stamped the ornaments over and over and then colored them in with my Copics and added Liquid Glass to give them dimension.

For the life of me it is harder than a brick wall to get everything to align correctly. I'm sorry if it has gotten you all crazy (lol).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Clear Dollar Stamps - Card Categories - Sneak Peek #1

I'm really excited to share this stamp set with you. It isn't anything spectacular, or shiny, or super amazing, BUT it is one of those basic basics that help you organize and keep things nice and neat. And, it can be used as a way to give the perfect finishing touch on a special gift etc. Plus, some of the words can even be combined with each other or other sentiments you might already have to create that "perfect" phrase.

Anyway, I've now probably totally confused you huh?? This set is just that - a set of words to help you categorize your piles of cards that you probably have in your stash. This set is called Card Categories (a total of 33 words) and will be available for purchase at Clear Dollar Stamps (CDstamps) on November 1st.

For me personally, I make lots of cards which means I have lots of cards. I do have some friends and family that when they get a chance will go through them and pick out the ones they want and its easier for me as well as for them to see what I have.

For today's project though, I decided to make a card carrier as a small gift for somebody. I kept it pretty basic because it wasn't my goal to provide cards for the entire year and every occasion, but to give someone a few to keep in their stash.

I chose to keep it to a birthday theme and made 2 cards for each category. The finishing touch are the tabs with the categories stamped on them for easy organization and visual appeal. I made the case to fit slightly smaller cards (but still mailable) 3 1/2" x 4 7/8". This size is so quick and easy to decorate too. The envelopes are purchasable or you can make them yourself.

Here is a picture of the entire card case. I used one of the long stamps from CDstamps to create my leaf background for my box. The tabs were created by stamping and then using SU!'s word window punch them out.

The letters that spell out CARDS were cut using my Cricut machine, cardstock on top of cereal box to give them some dimension.

I know that it seems kind of mundane, but I love stamps like this one - so usable. Check back here tomorrow for some bling!

I forgot to add pictures of the little cards that I made - All stamped images can be found at Clear Dollar Stamps. Other items used were nesties, embossing folders, punches, cricut expression, cuttlebug dies.




Thanks for stopping by!!



{Recipe}
Cardstock: White, Garden Green, Blush (CTMH)
Ink: Garden Green (CTMH)
Stamps: Card Categories, Leaf Whimsey (CDstamps)
Other: SU! Word Window Punch, Scor-pal, Ribbon, Cricut Expression

Blog Candy Available (not me)

Hi all. Just a second quickie post - a "we interrupt our normal programming" announcement. My card for today is down south :)

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If you didn't know already, Denise Lynn from Stamp Something Challenge Blog is celebrating her blogaversary with some incredible blog candy. Wow, go check out her great blog and enter for your chance to win too.

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Wow guys, I found another link for you with even more blog candy. My new friend and fellow Limelight Papercrafts DT member Ryann is offering some of the yummy stuff herself. Head on over and check out all HER eye candy too!

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And another one!!! Mandy over on her blog is also offering more candy. How about some Chocolate Box Paper??? Go check out her deets -- yum, anything with the word chocolate is all good huh?.

Thanks,

Things to come and a sketch/challenge card

Here is a card that I did last night for Beate's Weekend Sketch (#63) as well as for Stamp Something Challenge blog. The funny thing is that I just kept adding stuff and adding stuff to it. The stamp is an Impression Obsession Clear set that I purchased from Carrie at My Little Stamp Shack, who by the way is having a great clearance sale going on right now, plus free shipping for $40 and over, plus you can still get 40% off a regular priced item, and finally she's just so darn nice :)

My color choice is residue from my Blog Hop card for Papertrey ink. I just love the Kraft and red combo. I embossed the piece of red cardstock with the leaves folder and accented with some paper piercing and those fabulous Kaisercraft Pearls.

Now for the line up of the week. There is a lot going on in blogging land as well as on the home front.

• Tuesday starts the beginning of all the Sneak Peaks for Clear Dollar Stamps New Releases
• Thursday will be Limelight Papercraft's Sketch and Product Challenge
• Saturday is when all new product will be available for purchase at CDstamps
• Saturday and Sunday will also be the "Grand Opening" for Crop Stop - oodles and oodles of challenge and activities for oodles and oodles of super fun prizes. Go check out the site,there's even a message board and gallery to show off all your gorgeous work.

Plus on the home front its Halloween on Friday which means we still have to carve pumpkins and I have to put the finishing touches on all the costumes. And I have 2 clubs that are meeting this weekend as well.

Well, I'm off to go shopping for some Halloween props/accessories/and candy! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!



{Recipe}
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Kraft (PTI), Cranberry (CTMH)
Ink: Chocolate, Cranberry (CTMH)
Stamps: Impression Obsession
Other: Cuttlebug embossing Folder, SU! Tag Punches, Paper Piercer, Nestabilities, Kaisercraft Pearls, PTI Ribbon, Misc Lace

My Little Purse

Good morning! I had this as part of my Papertrey ink's Blog Hop post for yesterday, but as I previously stated, things just didn't go my way yesterday. I was trying to save myself some time since we were taking a quick trip to visit my Mom by writing up my post in Word while I was in the car, but then I copied and pasted and it all went to (you know where).

So, what my point was going to be yesterday was that this little purse was my original project for the Blog Hop until I realized that I got the challenge all wrong in my head. For some reason, I've been the challenge had to do with circles, which it did in a way, but not what I was thinking of as circles.

This little purse was cut using my Cricut Expression on a 12x12 mat using the fit to page feature. I used the Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge and had seen this little purse cut out before, but just hadn't gotten around to cutting it out. There isn't much that is easier than pushing a button and having the machine do all the work. I got left with the fun part of decorating.

I used PTI's Floral Frenzy set as my background and then added a bit of Martha Stewart Doily Table Decoration stuff that I got on clearance at Michaels. Added a bit of ribbon and a tag and it was ready to go. Don't ask me who this is for thought, since I have no idea - just one of those fun projects.

Thanks for visiting and guess what??? Yup, just a couple of more days and I will posting lots of fun cards and projects using Clear Dollar Stamp New Releases. You will love them all!



{Recipe}
Cardstock: CTMH White, PTI Berry Sorbet, Moss Green
Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, Moss Green
Stamps: PTI Floral Frenzy
Other: Nesties, Cuttlebug Die, Martha Stewart, Stickles, Cricut Expression

Papertrey ink Blog Hop - Polka Dots

Here is my Blog Hop card. I don't have much to say this time around because my original post had everything I wanted to say, but I've had a huge amount of problems trying to get this post right, so now I at least have a picture and have wasted a ton of time. I will add details later, just know that I really liked this card.

I used Out on a Limb, Mixed Messages, and Polka Dot Basics.

Thanks for visiting and have fun hopping around.

-Katie

***** Edited to Add

Good morning! I still haven't had a chance to hop around, but I'm sure there are some amazing projects out there in blog land. There isn't really much to add (I told the rest of my story in my current post), but I just have to reiterate that this card was super easy and quick to put together. It was just one of those cards that just came together. I probably used two of my most favorite PTI sets for this card.

{Recipe}
Cardstock: PTI Kraft, CTMH Cranberry
Ink: PTI Chocolate, CTMH Cranberry
Stamps: PTI Out on a Limb, Polka Dot Basics, Mixed Messages
Other: PTI Chocolate Ribbon, Long Rectangles Nestabilities

Needle Lift?

I was told something the other day that has just stuck with me specifically in regards to my wonderful children. A lovely lady I met said something to me that is so true... I had told her about the other night when I just couldn't wait for Kevin to come home so I could... yes leave all by myself. After that particular day, I just needed a break from my children.

This is what she said to me or something similar to this: Days can seem like forever, but years fly by in a wink of an eye. So true.

Anyway, today's card was just a fun card. The porcupine was one of the animals that I hadn't stamped yet from a set called Cute Critters designed by Laurie Wilson for Clear Dollar Stamps. The paper is double sided Heidi Grace from Joann's. I colored my critter in with my Copics and then accented his needles with my Signo Uniball Gel Pen. I loved the affect I got with this and don't you love the sentiment? I matted my image with my oval nesties and stamped my sentiment on anther nestie die cut and just so you know, you can also find nesties at Clear Dollar!!!

Now, I also have a couple of thoughts to share too. There are so many wonderful bloggers and friends and family of bloggers all doing wonderful things. I wish I could do every challenge, sketch, donation etc. But today, I wanted to let you know that Mandy from Limelight Papercrafts has a way that you can help a wonderful friend and cause. Click -->HERE<-- for all the details. There are also so many wonderful businesses out there that I wish I had an endless supply of the green stuff to sprinkle around! So with that said, I do want to remind everyone that Carrie over at My Little Stamp Shack is having a huge liquidation sale on lots and lots of really cute stamps from a variety of companies. And Mandy over at Limelight has all her Halloween stuff for sale too. There is still plenty of time to get some goods and make some fun stuff for that fun and spooky day and night.

Ok, that's it for me. Thanks so much for hanging in with me.



{Recipe}
Cardstock: Kraft, Lavender Moon (Papertrey ink)
DP: Heidi Grace
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Stamps: Cute Critters (Clear Dollar Stamps)
Other: Copics, Nesties, Papertrey ink Ribbon, Kaisercraft pearls, Signo Uniball Gel Pen, Corner Rounder

Not just a Pencil Box Tutorial

Ok, I have been wanting to do this tutorial forever and it has probably taken me forever to get it done (lol). So originally, I made a pencil box for my oldest as a little fun box to have at the beginning of school. You know how kids are, they love anything personalized just for them. I also did it with the intent of using my Justrite Monogram set too. You can see the original version HERE, but for the tutorial I wanted something fun for Halloween. I'll remind you again later, but the Halloween holder is slightly shorter than the pencil box and that the directions are based on the pencil box dimensions.

Materials

Cardstock, Stamps, Ink, Versamark, Coluzzle System, Heat Gun, Embossing Powder, Scor-pal, scissors, bone folder, Double sided tape

Cardstock cut to 8 x 11
Score along 11" side at 2", 3", 5", and 6"
Turn cardstock and score at 1 1/2", 2 1/2", and 10"

Cut out all the squares marked with an X and cut along the dark lines - 2 top edges and bottom left side.

Here you can see the holder after the corners have been cut. It is at this point that you cut the 1/2 circles out that will be your front. I have used a circle punch to do this as well, you just have to have a good eye or mark your area carefully. The coluzzle works great here because you can see exactly what you are doing. So cut the exact same 1/2 circle on both the left and right side.


At this point, you can decorate the outside however you wish. I chose to stamp using my new CTMH stamp set called Creepy Cobwebs. The cobweb stamp is a nice large one and was perfect for this. I chose to stamp just on the front and the lid of my box (top), but remember to figure out which is the right side up when stamping on the lid (if you look closely in the picture, mine looks like its stamped upside down). I also wrote adhesive on all the tabs that I used to stick it together.

Here is a photo of my completed box. NOTE: I cut the bottom of my container in order to have my pixie sticks fit better. It doesn't matter how tall the box is as long as you score 1" in from the bottom.

And here is a close up of the top slightly open.

This was just one of those fun projects. I hope you have fun making one for yourself and if you have any questions give a cyberspace shout out.

Thanks and have a great day!



{Recipe - All Close to my Heart unless noted}

Cardstock: Smokey Plum, Black
Ink: Black, Versamark
Stamps: Creepy Cobwebs
Other: Embossing Powder (other), Heat Gun, Scor-pal, Coluzzle System,