I am in LOVE with Fancy Pants stamp sets, Bella Brush & Pollen Dust. Its so perfectly pretty and elegant. The camera did not catch the shimmer and shading on the flourish.

I decided to go with the “Create Art” cause thats how I was feeling. I feel like every card I create is my own little masterpiece! I truly dont even see them as being “cards” LOL! Just my little works of art-

Dont we all feel that way???

I used a combination of the two sets for my card here.

For the flourish of flowers I used MY very own cool technique I call Poppin Acetate (see highlighted words for tutorial).

The flowers are stamped on an acetate sheet, then Pebbles Pearlescent Chalk is dusted over the image while wet. So its very shimmery IRL! The acetate is attached using glue dotes behind the jewels (by K&co.) on the flower centers!

The cardstock is ALL Martha Stewart.

The ribbon is a sheer pink one from Michaels.

Thanks for looking!

I’d LOVE for YOU to try my technique then link it back here!!

So here is what I have been working on! Well, some of it-This was the invitation I made for my SIL Wedding Shower (which is this Saturday). Thanks for all the votes. NOTE: There was a purty little piece of BLING in the flower center that for some reason one of my children decided to pick it off the card, and scrap the glitter off!!!

So, this is a uglier version of the original! I made 75 of these, as well as made ALL the chocolates that are in the boxes (which I also assembled), then stamped a matching tag, and tied with matching ribbon. Thank God thats over.

The stamp sets are (my favorite) Jolies Fleurs, Just so Saying’s by Stampin’Up!, and the thank you sentiment is by The Paper Salon.

Cardstock is Stampin’ Up! Cool Caribbean (SU! is SO STUPID for D/C ing that color-), and ribbon & glitter is of course by Martha Stewart.

Now cross your fingers that the day goes well!

OK Im posting this a day early! I am going to be WAY too busy to post it tomorrow!

Fright Night, Hit the Beach and Falling for you are all being released this week! YEAH!!! So get ready to fill your shopping carts and start prepping for the holiday early!!! That the best part about being a concept designer-you start prepping for holiday way in advance!

You can get these My Favorite Things sets here, All That Scraps, and eP.

Bewitched

How cute is this set?? Im not a big Halloween person but Kim has outdone herself on this one!

Wait till you see all the images. Every item I made with this set was accepted for publication (WAHOOOO!) So, I had to whip up another sample quick.

This card uses my Saturday sketch, slightly tweaked. The black paper is a spider web-by Stampin Up! Their Halloween paper from last year.

The stripped paper is by Three bugs in a rug-Seeing Stars collection. The star was a cuttlebug embossing die called decorative stars. The bkgd was done using Pebbles Pearlescent chalks, which adds a nice shimmer to the “night” sky! LOL!

Hit the Beach is next up-Release date is the 15th.

Itsy Bitsy Bikini

This was a quick card featuring the new summer set.

Patterned paper is by Memory Box-beach collection (how perfect!)

Catch a Wave

Ok Im bummed at how small this is! I overwrote the original-EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!

I used some PP by Flair Designs, and the beach themed one is unknown! The shark is by Flair as well. There are stickles on the wave layers (done with my CM cutter).

Now last but not least-

Falling for you-

This is a pillow box that is truly gorgeous IRL! I used pearl-ex to color it, and punched little leaves that were also done with pearl-ex. Ribbon is by American Crafts, and patterned paper is DCWV Fall Stack.

 Thanks for looking!

I actually have a ton I should be doing to prepare for my SIL wedding shower! Its Saturday. Oh well.

Here is some eye candy for now- WARNING! Super quick post!

 Flourished Thank you

 This card uses the Green Grass sets Flourishing and Card Greetings II. The paper is by Adornit-Friendship Hearts, and cardstock is by Prism in Razzleberry Med. More info here.

 This card was done using a $1 stamp I found at AC Moore. I also got the cool patterned paper there-no clue who makes it. I thought a blocking would be cool. For my Guy sentiment is by Lizzie Anne Designs-All Guy set. Ribbon is American Crafts.

 The next 3 Im re-posting a quick version cause for some reason with the SCS crash it got deleted! That sucks!

OK So card one I entered in a contest here. The challenge was use patterned paper from THREE DIFFERENT Companies.

Polka dots-Fancy Pants Birdie collection, Flower layer- Crossed Paths Friendship collection- Coral pattern  is KI Memories.

Stamp is from the $1 spot at AC Moore. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the flowers.

Card 2 & 3 use stamps by CactusPink called ? WildFlower. Not sure. Christine from All That Scraps will be ordering some I believe! Cross your fingers.

Im off. Alexa has Chemo ALL day tomorrow! Pray for her to not feel sick after. Its her spinal tap chemo and it hits her hard each time.

Enjoy your day!

AND thanks for reading. Dont miss your chance at MYTIME MAIL! Im lovin the funny stories you all have

It is a miracle! Not only do I now have my blog back (when SCS goes down my blog does too!) But I have FINALLY figured out how to make a Sketch in my Paint program! GO, LAUREN, GO, LAUREN….GO! GO! GO! GO! LMBO!

So I know this is late but its not my fault, here is the sketch!

OK so its not a fabulous job on it- but time was ticking. I have a ton to do over the next few days. All the info I had ready to go,got deleted, as did my SCS Pm’s so if you need something please re-contact me. That being said I had to re-do many things and dont have too much time.

I was SOOOO bombarded with emails from people DYING to know when my blog was going to be back up-I feel truly loved! LOL!

So here is my card for my sketch.

I didn‘t use an OLD sketch so figured we’d start a new! I do have another card to upload in a couple of days using this sketch as well, with a NEW Release set from My Favorite Things Stamps-so stay tuned. The 13th is its release date, so thats when I will post my sketch inspired creation. She actually has 2 sets ready to go that day, then another on the 15th! WAHOOOOO!

OK so the card-

I found some SUPER cute $1 stamps at Michaels that were irresistible! The Preggo Girl was one of them. Isnt she cute. This will be going to a friend of mine who I was meaning to send a YEAH! You did it-literally! LOL!

I stamper her on Blush Blossom and colored with Prismacolor Markers.

The Patterend Paper is from my LSS and I ahve NO CLUE who makes it-sorry!

So I used the cuttlebug mini embossing folders, on vellum cardstock for the accent WAHOO!!!

New Primas and brads for a little extra. Hope she likes it. Looks just like my friend!

I loved these new stamps SO much I decided to use my 3 faves as MYTIME MAIL!

All you have to do to enter is reply with a memorable story from either your pregnancy, birth, a baby moment-whatever!

If you dont have kids then you can respond with a funny story about YOU as a kid or a kid you know!

I will randomly select a winner on the 15th!

I would like to share a FAVORITE quote I heard recently that I think ANY mom can relate to

“I was a much better mother before I became one”

Isnt that hilarious! I think we can all relate! I would love to hear about things you said you’d never do BEFORE kids, that you have done!

Here are my stories-

Baby Story-

I was in Walmart, and a Greeter (old woman) complimented on how gorgeous Amber was. She added the slap to the face when she said ” What a gorgeous baby. Too bad you are covering her beautiful face with the disgusting sucker in her mouth (aka her binki). Im sure she’ll be oh so thankful for her buck teeth when she has braces in her teens”

I went postal on the woman. I was like “Hey who the H&#L asked your for your ____ing opinion. Do you even have children? and I went on to say many things about the woman that I am unable to type here. WOW! Totally hormonal moment.

I was a better mother before story-

I swore I would never feed my kids fast food, like McDonalds. Now I bribe them with it! LOL!

There are many things on that list let me tell you.

Ok now its your turn.

So COOL-

I made these a little while ago. Haven’t had any MYTIME in a few days. Bridal Shower obligations. So thought it would be a perfect time to share these.

Anyway, I love these funky designs. They are from the Holy Tomoli set.

I also LOVE the CM Wavy paper cutter. It is a must have for me.

I made the “waves” on the You’re Cool card using it. They were then touched with some stickles. I used this image as a little Jelly Fish. I love it. I love the simplicity of it too. Great KID card.

The paper is by Memory Box Beach collection. I got it at a stamp expo and NEED more!

 Hi-

I was playing around with the mouse and cheese image. While creating this, in my head popped the “How you doin” (Joey from friends voice). And that was what I thought that little mouse was thinking when it saw the cheese! LOL! Is that “cheesy” OK Enough I know! LOL!

Anyway……….Just havin fun with these designs. I had the clear tag from JoAnn’s $1 spot FOREVER and decided to use it. The mouse has some bling on the nose.

Paper is also Memory Box the Sugar (?) colletcion which it paper to DIE for! LOVE it!

So I hope these hold you over till later or tomorrow. I have some fun things I hope to share with you all.

Thanks for checkin in-

La Fleur De Leis

This is as french as its gets (my title that is)! Heck it may not even be spelled right! LOL!

Colors-Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Burgundy, Mello Moss and copper tones.

I love this set by Lizzie Anne called Jolies Fleur. I know you are probably thinking how many cards can you possibly make? Well ALOT! Isnt that the point. We buy stamps to get our mileage out of them. I plan on inking this OLD! LOL!

As you’ve noticed I cant put this particular set down. This card started with this paper by American Crafts in Rosemary from their Ala Mose Collection. SO AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS.

It is actually a pink patterned paper, with the pattern in brown. I took my Prismacolor markers and colored the paper! NOW, Its like a whole new patterned paper!

After it was colored I pulled out my Jolies Fleur. I stamped it in a versamagic ink injumbo java. Then with the same Prismacolor markers, colored in the bloom. I then used my Making Memories tag maker, for the copper tag.

I had to add some glitter so, with my Martha Stewart glue pen (superior to the SU one for sure) I traced the places I wanted my bling-then sprinkled my dazzling diamonds-which I actually prefer to the Martha Stewart crystal type glitter.

 Sentiment is stamped in copper ink and is from the Simply Sentiments set. The Hodge podge hardware was dipped in copper ink. The brad was colored with a sharpie marker!

Ribbon is by May Arts.

I promise new samples with other sets! LOL!

Like this one-

Shore do Wish

I think this is the BOMB! Sorry, I just do!

Colors-Choc. Chip, Certain Celery, Blush Blossom

 Stamp set is called Shore Thoughts. I LOVE this set. SO whimsical and elegant all at the same time.

I love the colors. How the brown makes the rest just POP! I also LOVE all the sparkle this card has.

This was yet another reject. That means yeah I get to keep it!

Again, I made my own tag. Colored star fish with versamagic ink and fantastix brush.

Added some glitter from Martha Stewart, on star fish, and along bottom. Not to mention some much needed bling.

The ribbon is from Michaels. Ive had it FOREVER!

Hope you like the eye candy.

See you tomorrow!

I absolutely love this Trio of cards I’m posting today! Brown and pale blues are a favrotie combo of mine. When I first saw Bordering Blue I thought EW! BORING! But the more I worked with it I grew to LOVE it.

Flutterflower

This was the first card that I did when I realized the Paisley from Jolies Fleur was indeed a GORGEOUS butterfly. SADLY this card was a submission reject! What is wrong with these people? LOL!

I stamped the butterfly with my Glue pad. Sprinkled my Martha Stewart Blue Topaz glitter. Adhered a jewel in the flower center.

I then made the flutter trial by using an Onare  piercing template. Obviously I LOVE this tool. I can’t NOT use it. I’m bad at free handing anything. Seriously I can’t even doodle a descent WHIMSICAL border! THAT people is why I stamp! I have no creative abilities if it involves ME being the artist.

The card base was done using Martha Stewart’s cardstock in like a pale green. The gorgeous inspiration came from the K&co Amy Butler designer paper, and Fabric brads. I thought the brads balanced the design, and made the butterfly look like it were going towards them.

The sentiment is from Au Naturale. Stamped with the versamagic Aegean Blue ink. PERFECT match!

The ribbon is also Martha Stewart. I think I have about every color in this type of ribbon now-

 I swear Im going to email her! I have so much money invested in her products! I got a project accepted for publication using them and when its published in December I’m hoping to get a kickback! LOL!

Now we come to out next design

Popped Pearlescent Fleur

I absolutely love my Pebbles Shimmer Pearlescent Chalk. I LOVE making colors POP on a dark color. I found you achieve the best results doing POPPIN PASTELS if you use WHITE craft ink or WHITE StazOn (rather than versamark) cause it gives the color something to hold onto.

I was reminded of this technique when I saw the tutorial on SCS (listed above).

Since purchasing both sets of the pearlescent chalks I haven’t touched my regular SU! ones. I LOVE shimmer-if you read this blog or check my work at all I think its MORE than obvious! LOL!

So I stamped my flowers from Jolies Fleur, along the right side, and POPPED them with my pearlescent chalks. SO PRETTY! The outter petals are done in a darker shade then the smaller petals (more apparent IRL). Of course the bling by K & co finishes it off. This is a very simple ALL OCCASION card.

I tied on the same MS ribbon, then made the focal image pop on the white layer. The layer is my bordering blue cardstock by SU!

 Pattern of inspiration-

I got this paper at a LSS. It was what inspired my card JUST above it. Isn’t it fabulous! Unfortunately I have NO CLUE who makes it, as there was only the one sheet.

Pretty much the same idea as above. Flower is popped with my pearlescent chalks.

The twill ribbon is-you guessed it Martha Stewart.

I hope you enjoyed my trio.

I  want to know what technique you LOVE but NEGLECT to do as often as you use to. I’d like to randomly select one and feature a card using YOUR favorite technique.

So please REPLY!

Have a great Sunday. We are off to do something with the kids.

Well its that time again!!!

I adore this Motorcycle image from the All Guy set by Lizzie Anne Designs, and the sentiment is Simply Sentiments. Its an AWESOME guy set. I made this card for Jason’s friend. He was turning 29!

I have used this set a while ago as well so here is a link to the cards from then. I hope it gives you more ideas.

 The technique I used on this is called the “Donna”. Its when you stamp an image, then without re-inking keep stamping it closely together. I barely move the stamp and do it rather quickly. This makes the motor cycle seem to be in motion.

The bike was stamped (using Pallette ink in black), colored (with my Prismacolor markers), cut and layers 3 times. Each time cutting a different section for a more realisitc look.

I made the cloud coming out the back by using my 3/4 hole punch, and making a mask! Cool huh? Then just sponged some Saharah sand ink.

The patterned paper is by Imaginisce the Black Tie Optional collection.

I stitched ribbon is from www.ribbonsandbowsohmy.com 

My card is 6 x 4 1/2. I hope you try the sketch and love it! I thought this card was REALLY cool, as did all the guys at the party. You know you have a winner when a group of men OOGLE a handmade card! ;D

WAHOOOOO! Hot Stuff is NOW FOR SALE!!! This is a mini set by My Favorite Things Stamps. It retails for only $9.00!! Now that is cool.

You can buy it from Kim @ MFT (above), or All That Scraps, and eP.

So ready to get enabled?

Here we go!

On the Run- This is my Latte set To Go! Not an original idea, but I am proud that I made this cart all my my lonesome! I created my very own template, as I went along. Pretty cute eh?

I used my cardboard from the back of a 12 x 12 paper pack! Scored, cut and I was off. I then just covered it with my SEI Granny’s Kitchen  patterned paper.

Cut cardboard 9 x 12 

Scored at 3-6-9 (short side)

Then again at  3 – 9- 12.

Trim the edges so it folds in like a cardboard box. Sorry no visuals. Wasn’t planning on a tutorial!

Then wrap with paper of choice. I use my Xyron 900.

For the insert (handle)

Measure 3 inches by (however tall you decide). Score 1 inch from the bottom, then cut in half at bottom to fold.

This will allow you to adhere one flap to the left, and one to the right. This keeps it from falling to one side and keeps it stable.

Cover with Paper. Rounder corners at top, and use Key Tag punch for handle.

Its really EASY! I hope you try it.

Here is another view of it empty.

 I used elements from the paper pack, and coordinating ribbon. The flower is by Bazzill.

For the Glasses

I just rinsed out some Starbucks coffee drinks.

Made a wrap for them, and decorated to tops.

The stickers are for the friends initals so you know who’s drink is who. For this one I used

L-for Latte

and C-for Coffee.

You can include a coffee mix packet in the set, or just fill with drink of choice! You can alos fill with candy or whatever else you choose!

Let me know what you think!

On the my FAVORITE card with this set

Krafty Blend

OMW! I love this card! Why? Because its not your typical colors for a coffee set. And I love my ingenious name for it! LOL! I have to say my layout is fabulous! I love it. I love all the elements in this. I’m just bouncin over it.

I used the Birdie Collection by Crate paper. Isnt it AMAZING? Im lovin it. I dont use my Kraft cardstock enough.

The flowers are by Prima, the Bubble Blue collection! LOVE them!

The ribbon is (you guessed it) Martha Stewart!

Now for my next favorite!

Monochromatic Latte

Colors-Blush Blosson, Pretty In Pink, and Bravo Burgundy. HELLO! I love it!

I thought it was a cool combo for this set. I started using MFT stamps Behind The Scenes (sold at all the listed retailers above and a MUST have) for the dotted bkgd (which uses a pink versamagic ink) and the flower design (done in a chocolate versafine ink). I colored the images with my Prismacolor markers. I used my friend Tracey’sidea for the liquid pearls in the centers of my Prima’s and the flower bkgd image!

I used this ribbon by www.ribbonsandbowsohmy.com .

Isn’t it great?

Now for the next one-

 Coffee and Friends

This is like a favorite color combo of mine-regal rose, chocolate chip, certain celery, and white.

My Ribbon is my American Crafts. I was SOOOOO pleased with this layout! I love the coffee cups so much. I also love using circles on my designs. No idea why I just do!

The Girl is pieced onto the celery cardstock.

Announcement inspired-

I was one of the lucky people chosen by Rubber Stamping Fun to be on TEST panel and review their products. Well they recently sent a digital announcement out to everyone for the birth of their new baby girl. Sorry I will not attach it, as I feel it is personal to their family, but that is what inspired my layout for this design! The second I saw it I thought WOW! That could make a cool card!

I had to add the Cuttlebug folder spots & dots to complete the design

So there you have it! I colored my brads with a sharpie so they would be “chocolate” colored! LOL!

The 2 panels (rose-celery) have the circle punched in each 1/2. The Coffee Cup is on a punched out circle piece and on a dimensional. Cool huh?

Got 8 minutes?

Against my better judgement I am sharing this one. I would normally have trashed it! LOL!

BUT to show you that not all things are great I decided to share. Definitely NO saving the best for last with this one! Oh, well. Not even sharing the creative process. Just know it took about 8 minutes, and it was my first of the set. So I guess you could call it a warm up card, or a waste of pretty ribbon and patterned paper! LOL!

Dont get me wrong its OK, it just doesnt do the set justice!

Thanks for looking. Let me know what you think. I hope you get some HOT STUFF!

Stay tuned tomorrow-SKETCH CHALLENGE!