And the Winner Is...

The random winner was picked using a "random integer generator". Mary Beth Scrivner is the winner of the Craft Project Central subscription. Woohoo! Please email me to claim it! Congrats!!

Creating Pretty Cards Challenge

Can't believe this is the last day of April.  I should be making a graduation card since my youngest son is graduating from college this weekend! I opted for one of those cards that moves and plays music. Shame on me, I know!
Instead,  I created a birthday card for the Creating Pretty Cards Challenge at Craft Project Central (CPC34). I never seem to have enough birthday cards.

CPC34

There is a lot going on in this sketch. I thought it might be too busy with the use of Birthday Basics DSP, but I was happy with the final result. The stamp set is Sketched Birthday.

Card Dimensions:
Card Base- 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Crisp Cantaloupe piece - 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Birthday Basic DSP- candles - 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" 
Very Vanilla piece2 3/4" x 3 1/3"
Crisp Cantaloupe piece - 2 3/8" x 3 1/2"
Birthday Basic DSP - balloons - 3/4" x 5 1/2" 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed today's project. I always appreciate your comments; if you have a moment please leave one.

Today is the last day to leave a comment on my project at Craft Project Central. Tomorrow I will randomly choose a winner from the comments. The winner receives all the project instructions for April from Craft Project Central!


Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Hello Spring Art Gift Set

This is the last project for April at Craft Project Central. I've enjoyed being a guest desinger and hope you have enjoyed the projects. If you would like a chance to win this month's project instructions, leave a comment on my project here at the Craft Project Central site.  I will be choosing a random winner May 1.

Today's project was created by Amanda Corbet. Welcome in spring and add some bright colorful flowers to your décor with this lovely art piece. Or give someone else some spring sunshine and flowers with the matching card!

God Bless,

Craft Project Central: Camera Scrapbook Set

Two more projects left for April. Today's Craft Project Central project was created by Judi Sparks.

Spring time brings to mind warmer weather, end of school and vacations. Why not get your vacation scrapbook ready now? I have designed this little scrapbook to look like a camera and it will hold your 4” x 6” photos or postcards. While on vacation, pick up a post card or two each day and mail it home with a little note of your highlights for the day. When you get home add them to your book and voila…you are done! Bonus, you have a box for gifting or keeping it safe with room for extra pictures.

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Gingham Garden Gift Set

Today's Craft Project Central  project is by yours truly...me! I hope you enjoy it.  

Nothing says "Thank You" or "Thinking of You", to me, more than fresh baked bread. Even better... fresh baked bread beautifully wrapped! This week I will show you how to dress up your favorite mini loaf of bread with a beautiful bread box, oval punch bow and matching card using Stampin'Up! Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper. Perfect for spring, perfect anytime!

I get to give away a FREE month's subscription to Craft Project Central! To enter in the random drawing visit my project on the CPC site and leave me a comment by April 30th. The random winner will be picked on May 1. Make sure to leave your email in your comment and I will contact the winner.

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Elegant Gift Box & Greeting Card

Today's project from Craft Project Central was created by Monika Davis. The color combination and delicate butterflies make this a beautiful project to make.

Make this elegant gift box to for any occasion. It can hold a gift card, jewelry, or candy. It also looks great on a desk holding office supplies. It is very easy to make and you don’t need a lot of craft supplies. You can leave it simple or add different embellishments to suit your style. Great for a stamp camp, or as a class project.

My project will post this Wednesday. Please stop back. Craft Project Central has given me a FREE month of membership to be given away randomly, so stop back on Wednesday to see how you can win it!

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Graduation Cards & Treats!

Just in time for my youngest son's graduation! Today's Craft Project Central projects are by Yapha Mason.

Get ready for graduation season with your choice of gift card holder, money (or check) holder, and fun fold graduation cap card. Includes two graduation themed treat holders as well.

For project details, visit Craft Project Central.

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Minion Birthday Party!

I love these guys! They just make me smile. Today's Craft Project Central projects are by Buffy Coopper.

These little cuties are a fun addition to any party. With the Big Shot, Fringe scissors, card stock, and a few other tools, you can easily create your own army of Minion party-goers! For project details, please visit Craft Project Central. 

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Always Kiss Me Goodnight Gift Set

Today's projects for Craft Project Central are by Julie Beltramo at Just Julie B's Stampin Space.

This Framed Shadow Box Gift Set would make a great gift for newlyweds or how about an anniversary gift for that couple who needs this reminder?! The simple tea light holder and gift box will make a nice addition to include with the coordinating card.

For project details visit Craft Project Central.

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Quatrefancy Card Organizer

Today's projects for Craft Project Central are by Laurie Zoellmer at StampingNut

This pretty Card Organizer is a perfect addition to any desk, and designed to organize your greeting cards. The dividers make it easy to stay organized and you can customize the dividers to whatever sentiments you like!  This project makes a nice gift or great class idea!

For project details, visit Craft Project Central.

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Creating With the Envelope Punch Board

Craft Project Central has some great projects for today's post created by Regina Andari of WorkinOutTheInks.  I'm looking forward to creating some of these myself!

The Envelope Punch Board is no longer a new tool, but there are plenty of new ways to create with it.  Learn to make a fun camera-shaped gift card holder, two treat holders—one of which is shaped like a purse, a clasp envelope, a candy wrapper box, and a really easy card with a coordinating envelope.  These are just a few of the fun things that can be created with the Envelope Punch Board!

For project details, visit Craft Project Central.

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Easter Bouquet Gift Set

Wendy Cranford at luvinstampin.com created today's projects for Craft Project Central.

Everyone loves a beautiful floral bouquet.  Here’s one you can make that will last AND brighten someone's day!  Make the matching card and give as a beautiful Easter gift.  Makes for a fun class project, too!

Visit Craft Project Central for project details.

Till Next Time,

Craft Project Central: Floral Lattice Box Card Set

For the month of April, I will be participating with Craft Project Central.  This group showcases Stampin'Up! products in a variety of mediums giving you loads of ideas for classes, workshops and your personal use, . This month there will be 10 projects which I will post here. My contribution will be closer to the end of the month. I hope you enjoy  these ideas! For more details on Craft Project Central and these projects visit their website.

CreateWithChristy

Today's project is by Christy Fulk at Create With Christy. This colorful, feminine-looking card set definitely makes you think of Spring and Summer!  The card set includes two card designs with coordinating envelopes, three of each design.  They all fit inside the pretty floral lattice box.  Make one as a gift, or make one to keep for yourself.  The set would also make a great class project.

Stop back on Friday for the second April project from Craft Project Central!

Till Next Time,

Stamp Review Crew: Fabulous Florets Edition

This week the Stamp Review Crew is "reviewing" the Stampin'Up! set Fabulous Florets. This is a great floral set with both outline and silhouette images. It has been out for a while, so what new ideas can the "Crew" come up with?

I took my color inspiration from this chair in my newest Pier 1 Imports catalog. I love the colors. Not normal ones I would put together.  Both cards were done using Summer Starfruit, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate and Whisper White colors.

 The first card was created by stamping the outline images on whisper white, cutting them out, adhering them to a piece of Summer Starfruit card stock and then embossing the piece with the Square Lattice Embossing folder. I added a little texture to the flowers by drawing some lines on each petal with my Blender Pen and Smoky Slate ink. The sentiment is from Stampin'Up! Create a Cupcake stamp set.

Card Dimensions:
Card Base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" 
Basic Gray piece: 2"x 4"
Summer Starfruit piece: 3"x 4"

I love the silhouette image of this second card.  The flowers fit perfectly on the stems. Summer Starfruit has really grown on me over the past two years and I will be sad to see it go this summer! The Candy Dots are from the Regals Collection, Crushed Curry.  The sentiment is from Stampin'Up! Blooming With Kindness set.

Card Dimensions:
Card Base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Summer Starfuit piece:  4" x 5 1/4"
Top Layer: 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"

Stampin'Up!s Paper Snips were essential for cutting the flowers in these projects. They are perfect for any and all intricate cutting you need to make.  I love these so much, I have 3 pairs!

That is it for me! I hope you enjoyed the projects. If you have a moment, before you go, I would love to hear your comments. I truly appreciate your feedback.

And now, more great ideas await you over at Tidd Bits From Dawn!

Tidd Bits From Dawn

And if you would like to go back to Nancy Smith's blog:

IguanaStamp

Till Next Time!

Complete Blog Roll

1. Heidi Baks  runningwscissorsstamper.blogspot.com
2. Cindy Beach stampspaperandink.typepad.com/
3. Tanya Boser   tinkerin-in-ink.blogspot.com
4. Debra Burgin  heartfeltinkspiration.com/
5. Deb Currier  artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com/ 
6. Yapha Mason   yaphamason.com
7. Mary Rindal   maryrindal.com/ 
8. Nancy Smith  iguanastamp.wordpress.com
9. Martha Stewart  seasonsofstamping.com/ 
10. Dawn Tidd   tiddbitsfromdawn.typepad.com
11. Betty Traciak kittystamps.blogspot.com
12. Lisa Young   addinkandstamp.blogspot.com/ 
13. Kerry Willard Bray  kerrywillardbray.com
14. Paula Wright  paulastamps.blogspot.com/
15. Rita Wright  ritascreations.blogspot.com/
16. Jill Coleman  jillstamps.com/

All materials Stampin'Up!

#1

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Create a Cupcake

Ink: Smoky Slate, Basic Gray

Paper: Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Summer Starfruit, & Whisper White card stock

Misc: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Boho Blossoms punch, Decorative Label punch, 3/8" Stitched Summer Starfruit Satin Ribbon, Neutrals Candy Dots, Paper Snips, Blender Pen

#2

Stamps: Fabulous Florets, Blooming With Kindness

Ink: Smoky Slate, Summer Starfruit

Paper: Whisper White, Summer Starfruit card stock

Misc: Paper Snips, Regal Collection Candy Dots, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Blender Pen

Stamp Review Crew: Gorgeous Grunge

Good M-o-r-n-i-n-g ... Stampers! It's time for another Stamp Review.  This week the Stamp Review Crew will be reviewing Stampin'Up!s Gorgeous Grunge stamp set. This can be a difficult set to use other than for backgrounds, so I'm looking forward as well to the Crew's ideas! I've paired both of my projects with the Stampin'Up! sentiment set Yippee-Skippee!

Click on the "Next" and "Previous" buttons below to see more projects and you can always visit www.StampReviewCrew.com for a complete list of the "Crew".

My first project was inspired from this Just Add Ink sketch. The color scheme is Crumb Cake, Gumball Green & Primrose Petals (which will be retiring this summer) and  Early Espresso. A couple of things that helped in making this card are  1. Stamp-a-ma-jig. This is one of those ESSENTIAL stamping tools  2. The reverse punch on the Envelope Punch Board makes a perfect corner rounder. 3. masking- you can find instructions at SplitCoast Stampers.  I masked my project so the sentiment could be stamped without having to stamp over back ground images.  Masking is also a great way to give your projects dimension.

This second project was a blast to make. The images in Gorgeous Grunge along with this sentiment from Yippee-Skippee! made me think of the 60's with all the psychedelic colors and patterns. I love this sentiment. "I Freakin' Love You!" It's just fun! This is a birthday card for my youngest son who is away at school. I think he will love it!

To create this card I took a piece of 5 1/2" square Whisper White card stock, marked the center at 2 3/4" and stamped in 6 different colors of ink around the center point. I also used masking here as well to give it a circular look instead of just a bunch of colored dots on paper. The stamping on this card is a bit messy in places, but then so were the 60's! This piece was then trimmed down to 4 1/2" square.  The base of this card is 4 3/4" square black card stock.

The circular coffee filter piece uses the "Frosted Filter" technique. You can also find the instructions here at SplitCoastStampers.

I hope you enjoyed today's projects. If you have a moment before you go, please leave a comment! I always appreciate reading what you have to say.  

And now on to Dawn Tidd"s blog, TiddBitsFromDawn where you will be treated to more great ideas!

If you would like to revisit Mary Rindall's blog click on the "Previous Blog" button to go back.

'Till Next Time,

Materials: All materials are Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted.
Card #1
Stamps- Gorgeous Grunge, Yippee-Skippee!
Ink- Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso
Paper: Gumball Green & Crumb Cake card stock
Misc: In Color Dahlias, Hardware Clips Essentials, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Envelope Punch Board, 

Card #2
Stamps- Gorgeous Grunge, Yippee-Skippee!
Ink- Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi ink pads, markers and re-inkers
Paper: Whisper White and Basic Black card stock
Misc: Coffee Filter, Circles Collection Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

Blog Roll:

1. Heidi Baks  runningwscissorsstamper.blogspot.com
2. Cindy Beach stampspaperandink.typepad.com/
3. Beth Beard   mylittlecraftblog.com/
4. Adriana Benitez  escape2stamp.com
5. Tanya Boser   tinkerin-in-ink.blogspot.com
6. Debra Burgin  heartfeltinkspiration.com/
7. Jill Coleman  jillstamps.com/
8. Deb Currier  artfeltimpressions.blogspot.com/ 
9. Mike Funke    stampin-style.typepad.com/
10. Shana Gaff   stressfreestamping.blogspot.com
11. Holly Krautkremer  rubberredneck.typepad.com
12. Mary Rindal   maryrindal.com
13. Martha Stewart  seasonsofstamping.com/ 
14. Dawn Tidd   tiddbitsfromdawn.typepad.com
15. Lisa Young   addinkandstamp.blogspot.com/ 
16. Kerry Willard Bray  kerrywillardbray.com
17. Paula Wright  paulastamps.blogspot.com/
18. Rita Wright  ritascreations.blogspot.com/
19. Betty Traciak kittystamps.blogspot.com
20. Nancy Smith iguanastamp.wordpress.com