Copic Box... or not...

Hello there. Today I wanted to share a box I decorated this weekend. I purchased it from Michaels for about (I think) $4.00. It's a super cute box. I had planned (and will for now) to make it for my Copics. I was storing them in green bean cans that I had decorated all purty... but that wasn't cutting it anymore (I was at the point where I needed to eat a can of green beans ;) hee hee. So, I thought up this idea. Ok, here's a look at my finished box:

The first thing I did was paint around the edges and the handle of the box using acrylic paint. Next came the measurements... oh what fun! I decorated it using Cosmo Cricket's Togetherness paper, chipboard stickers, and letter stickers. For the paper, I used Scott's glue to adhere it to the wood. I use this glue on all of my paper & wooden projects (that I use wet glue on) and find that it works great!! It goes a long way and isn't too expensive from Michaels (use those coupons, girls!), but for the chipboard elements, & detailed work, I like to use Glossy Accents. I always feel like I can trust it more. Like, no question whether or not it's gonna stick. I also used pop-up Glue Dots to layer. Here's a few additional pics.

I really like how it came out. I love it in fact! The problem... it ain't gonna work for my Copics! I mean, seriously, look at this crap!! First of all, I cannot buy one. more. Copic! Secondly, it's just NOT practical! HOW am I supposed to see what color I need?? I've purchased them in 2s and 3s so I can blend...and I wont even be able to find them in here! Ok, this is a temporary thing. I'll save up for the Copic holder. I really like the box though. It's super cute... just. not. for. Copics! I'm pretty sure I'm right... But it is one lovely box!

Alivia @ 2 & a 1/2 Mini

Good morning! Hope you had a great weekend! I sure did! Had great family time. On Friday, my mom & I got pedicures. It was really nice. She's been really positive. It's just crazy to me, her strength and courage. She's an amazing woman. It's unreal how God uses experiences like hers to bring people closer. Rebuild relationships. Teaches us compassion, empathy, and love that we didn't REALLY know before. I'm learning a lot from this experience. I know she is as well.

On Saturday, my hubby had something to do, so I took my kiddos to a (County) park. It was great! We fed the ducks, played on their really cool playground, threw rocks into the lake ;). We were there for about 3 hours. It was amazing! It seems like we spent all day Sunday at church, which wasn't a bad thing. Lots of service, which is always good for the spirit. We taught Sunday School in the morning, then helped with & cooked dinner for the kids' youth program (Marines for God). I also watched a few movies (on cable - not out anywhere) with my hubby. I don't know how on earth I got so lucky to have found that man. He is the best guy I know. Awesome husband, dad, son, and uncle. I just love him to pieces.

This was just one of those weekends where you KNOW that you are SO blessed you could burst! Sometimes I feel kinda bad for NOT acknowledging that everyday. It's evident everywhere. All around me. Sometimes I get so busy that I don't thank God enough for it. I should be doing it every day! I hope to be more diligent about that. Have to not get so wrapped up in everything. He deserves that Glory!

Ok, so, I also got my craft on in MAJOR ways this weekend! I've been so busy the past few weeks making things with my Paper Niche kit... I mean, I couldn't stop! There was SO much goodness in this month’s kit. Unbelievable goodness. But since they haven't released the kit yet, I haven't been able to share all those projects with you (hopefully TOMORROW... maybe Wednesday).

Anyway, what I wanted to share with you all today is a mini-book I made for my baby girl. “Alivia @ 2 & a ½”. I used this lovely - super girly - patterned paper (and brads) by My Minds Eye. The chipboard book is Maya Road - love love LOVE this book!! It’s SO fun! She’s such a sweet girl, my little Lulu. And she loves all of our scrapbooks so much, and just adores when she’s in the pictures, so I thought this’d be real fun for her. Got myself into trouble though, because now my niece, Paige (9 ½), & my son, Christian. (5 ½) want one too ;). Ooooof course they do. I have my work cut out for me. Here's a looksie:





Of course, I had to use my coveted Lawn Fawn Stamps on the cover. I just always feel like everything I do needs - NEEDS - a banner. This banner. I used 3 LF Sets, Banneriffic, Jessie's ABCs, and Critters in the Burbs. Sigh. I love them so. Hoping & praying Paper Niche starts carrying Lawn Fawn (begged them to check em out at CHA & my fingers are officially crossed!!). Also, don't mind my wonky pics. I'm desperately in need of a new camera. Either that or I suck @ taking pics of inaniment objects. Whatever! Well that's today's crafty goodness ;). Hope you have a Happy Monday (if there is such a thing hee hee).

Paper Niche February Kit - Sneaky Peeks!

Hi there crafty girls! I’m so super excited to share a few sneaky peeks of what I did with Paper Niche’s February’s kit!! Let me tell you, this kit is truly amazing! There such a wonderful variety of beautiful papers and sooooo many fabulous embellies to play with!!!

Here are my peeks:



Well girlys, that's it for me today!! Don’t forget to go check out Paper Niche’s Blog for the rest of the Design Team’s sneak peeks this entire week! I’m sure they will knock your socks off!! The kit/full page reveals will be on February 1st or 2nd. So exciting! Hope you all have a great day!!

My Exciting News Revealed!!!!

Well hello there my bloggy friends! I'm sure that I'm not alone in saying thank God Monday’s over! Sheesh!! Before I go on, if you're into distressing or would like to get into it (or learn more about it), I saw a FABULOUS video over on sweet Britta's blog . You must go check it out! She was so generous in her technique sharing!!! I so went home and was SO inspired, but realized I was pretty spent after working for 10 hours. Maybe I’ll be better tonight.

Ok, onto my news!!

I am super excited and honored to announce that I have been selected by my LSS, PAPER NICHE to be a member of their Design Team!!!!

When I found their store (about 2 years ago) I absolutely fell in LOVE with them, and to this day, they are my go-to store for just about everything!! About 6 months after I found them, I actually got Internet literate (haha - I’m a dork), so I signed up for their emails and started exploring their website (www.paperniche.com). That, my friends, is how I was opened up to the world of blog hopping (started with their design team members' blogs and went on from there). I had no idea this world even existed!

I really loved it. All that inspiration and the ability to make someone’s day, just by leaving them a little comment on their art. I really wanted to blog my craftiness too but, I guess, I was too scared... of rejection, maybe. Then about a year ago, with the encouragement of the Paper Niche girls, I finally mustered up the courage and excitement to start I start my own blog. I've loved it ever since. I love how we can all stand together, uplift, and encourage one and other. It’s a great thing to be a part of and I feel blessed.

Ok, anyway - SHEESH I’M HYPERVERBAL, I know, I know!

I honestly tried out for this DT (hoping I would, but) thinking there is no way I'd ever make it - I'd imagine there were so many amazingly talented entries (56 in all, I believe) and I feel so thrilled and honored that I was one of the 3 (new) girls picked! I tried out, fighting my negativity against myself. This is bigger than becoming a member of the paper Niche Design Team for me, it’s about trusting myself. Believing in myself. My main goal, what I truly want to take out of this experience is to enjoy the moment, grow in my craft, be more self-confident, and - for God sake - stop second guessing myself. I don't know why I'm always so negative about myself but positive for everyone else. I'm on a journey and I want to enjoy it!

Paper Niche is an AMAZING and beautiful store filled with all sorts of papercrafting goodness.
They also have an online store - where you can order their kits as well as cards/invitations, etc along with anything else you could need/want for your scrapbooking/papercrafting. The owner and the girls who work there are all such sweeties. Always so nice and encouraging! They put together monthly kits that will knock your cute lil socks off!!! They are always JAM PACKED with the newest prettiest goodies (papers, embellies, flowers, ribbons, trinkets, etc...) around!! Let me tell you, this month's kit is no exception!! Fabulous goodies just waiting to be played with, I tell you!!!

Starting today on the blog the sneaky peeks will begin! I can't wait to see what the other girls have come up with and can wait to share my peeks on Thursday!!! The full kit (design team’s pages) reveal will be on February 1st. You. Will. Not. Want. To. Miss. It.

Thanks for reading my blog. I truly appreciate your sweet comments and encouragement along my little journey. Hope you have an amazing day!

The hubbys Valentine's Day Card 2011!

Good Monday crafty gals. I know I was MIA all last week. I have just been so busy with something super exciting and, so, while I was getting my craft on in major ways... I just can't share about it yet (psssst... come back on Thursday!!!!).

This weekend, amidst all the crafty chaos, I did take the time to work on my hubby's Valentine's Day card. I've had the idea floating around in my head for so long and was super excited to get it onto {pretty} paper.

OK, I was blog hopping one day and happened upon a blog (don't remember where - sorry) where the lady said she bought her hubby a card in a vintage store that had a library card on it and said “I’ve been checking you out all day”. Isn’t that the cutest (tee hee hee)!! So, a few months ago when I saw that Papertrey Ink has a library card stamp, I had to scoop it up ;).

Here’s a look at the card.
I started with a (Neenah) card stock base and covered it in Lawn Fawn’s Teeny Tiny Backdrops (hearts) stamp in Hero Arts’ “Punch” Ink. Then I got out my “Valentines Stash” and choose Fancy Pants “Vintage Valentine" as the patterned paper to work with. Next, I made a library pocket and stamped the Library Card stamp onto pink (Fancy Pants) paper using Hero Arts’ Latte Ink, and chalked all of the edges of the card and library card pocket with Colorbox (Red) Chalk. Then I used my new Studio Calico Stamp (the heart & “bathroom people”) and finished it off with Lawn Fawn’s fabulous Jessie’s ABCs to write out my sentiment “Sal, I’ve been Checkin’ you out all day {heart} Heather”. The inside of the card is stamped with the “(That’s what she said)” stamp that also comes in the Studio Calico set and “Happy Valentines Day” from Lawn Fawn’s Silly Valentine set.

I really adore how it came out. I think it's as good as my half-hearted “vision” - better, actually. I’m sure Sal will love it too because it’s a clever little phrase. Time will tell. I think I'll give it a go, and enter this into this week's WEE memories challenge - which is Free your Creativity - Anything Goes! Wish me luck!

I hope you have an awesome day!!! Back later this week (THURSDAY!!) With a buncha sneaky peeks of what’s to come.

Wee Memroies challenge - #38...Twine-ariffic!!

Good Friday morning to you! I usually don't post on Fridays, but I got really backed up yesterday, so, here I am ;).

Did you know about the Wee Memories Challenge #38? It's theme is "Designing With Twine". EEK!!! Super exciting, because I love twine of all sorts. About a year ago I started "investing" in some of my faves. I purchase them online from Layer Cake Shop , which I found out about blog-surfing one day. They sell twine from "The Twinery" and "Divine Twine". I love both, and so far, my collection consists of rustic-twiney twine, pink/white, grey/white, black/white, turquoise/white, yellow/white, and of course, red/white. I am still longing for their purple/white & orange/white, but those will be waiting for a little bit. Everything in moderation, you know. Okay... you get the picture, I {heart} twine.

I found out about this challenge from the sweet and SO creative Laurel - who made this card for the challenge. Isn't it adorable!!! I've never seen the sweet Lawn Fawn (Critters in the Burbs) tire swing look so cute! It was just a GREAT idea to use the rustic twine that way.

So, onto my card...
I started off with plain white (Bazzil) cardstock, corner chomped the bottom two corners, then chalked around it in purple Colorbox chalk. The patterned paper I chose to use here is from Bo Bunny's Peacock Lane collection. I really love the fun, bright colors in this line. I started by making a background (sky). Then I went to town with my Fiscars' Apron Lace border stamp to make the "grass". Then I kinda "worked" the "grass" so that it was all distressy. I had been really wanting to try this technique for a while. So fun, and adds alot of fun texture! Next, I stamped/paper pieced the sweet little birdies from Lawn Fawn's Bannerific Stamp Set and used some Grey Twine (from Divine Twine, I believe) as the power lines. I finished the card off by stamping "Thinking of you" and adding those two little "splashes" from Lawn Fawn's Sophie's Sentiments Stamp Set and some turquoise bling for added pretty.

I made this card a month or so ago and haven't shared it anywhere yet. I was a little self-conscience about it. I thought it was a little too busy (with all the cute, but crazy patterns on the paper birdies). Maybe that's why I'm just now sharing it here on my blog.

I thought of the concept on my way home one night from work. I couldn't get those sweet lil birdies out of my head... so after I got the kiddies into bed, I worked on it for almost 2 hours (that paper piecing sure takes some time - but is ALWAYS worth it in the end). While I still think it's a little "busy", I think it'll make someone special smile... That's the important part, right. Whoever gets it won't be saying "sheesh, these patterns are a little 'too busy', what was Heather thinking?!?". They'll say "dang, it was sweet of her to think of me today". That's my interpretation of the mental conversation, anyway ;).

So, that's what I'll be entering into the Wee Memories Challenge. Don't you want to play along? You know you do... I'd love to see what you make. Check out their gallery and the other entries into the challenge. They're amazing and SO inspiring!

I hope you have a very blessed weekend!!

A few Cards

Good morning. I have a few cards that I wanted to share with you today.
For both of these cards, I started off with Kraft (Neenah paper) cardstock as the cards' bases. Next I used the Studio Calico Stamps (boy/girl/heart) that I was talking about yesterday (you can get them included in the SC "Mary Jane" add-on kit here) and stamped them onto the cardbase with Momento Ink. Then I used a post-it (stamp them image onto the top of a post-it and cut it out...then stick it on top of your image) to make a mask. Next, I stamped the entire card base with Lawn Fawn's Teeny Tiny Backdrops (hearts) background stamp in Hero Arts "Punch" chalk ink.

In the first card, which is a standard size card (5 and 1/2 by 4 and 1/4). I used some alpha stickers from my stash (I don't exactly know from what co., sorry) and then masked the stamps using Glimmer Mist (in Santa Baby). After the mist dried, I pulled the letter stickers off and was left with this result.

For the second card, I did it the same way (as far as the stamp/masking technique - but, with no mist) and then used Lawn Fawn's Jessie's ABCs and stamped "How you doin?" (one of my fave Friends phrases) and finished it off with some twine from The Twinery. I tied the bow and it's on the inside of the card. Both cards are stamped "Happy valentines Day" (from Lawn Fawn's Silly Valentine) on the inside as well.

To me, these came out super cute. One of my goals this year is to really branch out, creatively. Try new (for me) techniques. To grow my creative style. Misting is so fun to me, but I don't do it often at all (and I've invested in quite a little bit of mist!). I need to get on that!! I really want/plan to challenge myself this year. I have exciting news to share and it's KILLING me that I can't shout it from the roof tops just yet!! Soon, I hope ;). But I know it'll help me with my goal of growing/challenging myself creatively. I'm excited. Anyway, enough about me. I hope you have an awesome day!! God bless...back tomorrow with one more share for the week ;).

I am here to live out loud!! - a page using Studio Calico - "Mary Jane" Add On Kit

Hello again!

Today I wanted to share a scrapbook page I created using this Studio Calico add-on kit. I don’t usually order their kits. I LOOOOOOVE what I see made with them - always, but I rather get a kit from my LSS, Paper Niche, because I can go in and check out the goodies before I buy ;), but I have ordered one of Studio's add-on kits before, and it was because I couldn’t live without (dramatic sigh...sorry, but I LOVE that stamp!!) the Polaroid pic. stamp in October’s (I believe) add-on kit. Anyway, I love Studio Calico and always check out their design team gallery for inspiration/products and when I saw the this month's projects (and noticed the add-on kit's contents), I just knew I’d “need” this stamp set too. SO CUTE! I love The Office. Love it. It makes me laugh, cry and everything in between. So, the little “bathroom people” (as my son calls them, hee-hee) along with the “That’s what she said” stamp is near & dear to my heart... I had to get it!

Anyway, so here is a look at the scrapbook page I made using the kit. Here's a closer/detailed looksie: Ok, so, I have a TON of pics to scrap. I’ve just been too into other projects that I’m making a picture collection at this point. Ain’t that the way it goes! While I was parusing my box of pictures, I came across this picture of my sweet (usually quiet) Alivia. This was almost a year ago, yea, I’m not behind or anything! I just thought it’s be a cute fit with the colors and that sweet girl stamp in the kit. That brown ribbon is just...swoon!

I started off by using Glimmer Mist (in Santa Baby - not in the kit, but I wanted a hint of red) all over this pink polka dot paper. I then glued down the lush brown pleated ribbon that came with the kit (swoon!!) And added (and pleated) this beautiful red/heart ribbon from my stash. Then I stamped a bunch of the cute girl stamp with Staz-On ink, and finished it off with the pretty American Crafts Thickers (letters), Sassafras flowers, and brown pearls (all included in the add-on kit). I like how the page came out. I really like that the focal point is this sweet/sassy little girl ;). She’s a keeper, I tell ya!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Valentiney (you like my word huh?) Gifts

Hello there! Happy (um. ok.) Monday. I got majorly crafty this weekend! I will have several posts this week :D.

but first... so, I was walking my dog last night and thinking of all of the cool stuff I made this weekend, I felt really happy and proud of myself, until... I started feeling... guilty. I said (to myself, of course) "sheesh, if you made so much stuff, you must have really neglected your family a lot this weekend, lady!" But then I stopped myself right then and there. I realized that I am WAY to hard on myself! I'm so totally not fair to myself. Yes, I did a lot of craftiness. But I also had a VERY productive weekend with my family.

On Friday I took my mom for Radiation (yep, they found a 1.5 cm tumor on her brain two weeks ago :( very scary. But she's amazing! She's been really positive. While she has been feeling really tired - and her new Chemo is making her pretty sick - she's doing really good). She took me around the VA (she served in the Air Force for 5 yrs and is being covered by VA benefits since she lost her health insurance when my dad died 3 years ago - thank God!!!) and I met all of her nurses and saw the ins and outs of the VA. Honestly, it made me pretty sad. Anyway, we went to lunch afterward and basically spent the entire morning and half of the day together. It was really nice to be together. Now, I am really valuing the quality time together - that I took for granted just 6 months ago.

Then I spent Friday evening with my hubby & kids - made a great dinner. Saturday, I crafted while my daughter napped and my son stamped along side me. When she woke up, I took the kiddies to a new (for us) park for a few hours. I even taught my son to do the monkey bars - which he was estatic about!!!. Then I and made a new recipe for dinner - which was awesome! Sunday, I taught Sunday School and then after church we let the kids play on the (church's) park for an hour or so while we chatted with friends. We went home, ate lunch, Alivia napped, I crafted again while my son & hubby set up the Wii (gifted from my mom for Christmas) and played. Then I made today's dinner (in the afternoon)... and yesterday's dinner (in the evening)... and when the kiddies went to bed I crafted some more. Throughout the whole weekend, I also had plenty of (parent only) time with my man. We also got in some nice conversation. IT WAS A GREAT FAMILY ORIENTED WEEKEND!! So, I feel guilty because I also have a lot - craft wise - to show for it??? I have GOT to stop doing this to myself!

It makes me happy to craft. Could I be exercising instead (which, honestly, I SO desperately need to be doing)?? Yes. But would it make me as happy? No. (I don’t think so, anyway) Yes, I fully plan to get healthy, this year. I don’t do "New Year's resolutions", but I am making goals that I intend to keep. Another one of them is to stop apologizing for being me, for doing what makes me happy. Crafting, card making, scrapbooking, and making things for others makes me extremely happy! It’s like a therapy ;). ok, sorry, I guess I had to get THAT out of the way. I'm sure I'm not the only gal out here who feels this way, from time to time.

So, on that note, here’s a look at my first share of this week:

They are Valentines Day treat bags that I made for my kids’ teachers (before/after care included) and for my work peoples ;). I used kraft windowed bags from “It’s in the Bags” found HERE on Etsy, and covered them in Lawn Fawn’s Teeny Tiny Backdrops background stamp(the hearts) using Hero Arts “Punch” Chalk ink. I also broke out my Slice for the first time on this project to make the cute tag (on Fancy Pants paper). I then punched a 1 and a half inch circle, and stamped them with Lawn Fawn’s Silly Valentine Stamps and sentiments. I chalked around the circle/tag with Colorbox chalk, and finished them off with twine from The Twinery. Love.

I’m so happy to have gotten a head start on my Valentine’s Day crafts. I don't feel overwhelmed and am happy with what I've been making. Plus, I’ve always wanted to make our own Valentines Day cards for the kids classes, and I did it! YAY. Also, having the handmade treats/presents are a bonus. Two for two! YAY! YAY!

Hope you have a great evening!! See ya tomorrow with more craftiness!

Valentines

Hi there crafty bloggers.

I wanted to share the Valentines I made this year for both of my kiddies’ classes, for my office, and our families. I got the idea from the most recent Scrapbooks Etc. Magazine (pg.47-49, I believe). Here's a looksie:

Such a lovely idea. Plus, the kids get so much candy all the time (Halloween, Christmas stockings, Easter, etc.) that I thought pencils (and, tey're from the dollar store...score!) would be something different!

Aaaaaaand...what’s the first thing I though of when I saw this idea??? Lawn Fawn’s ‘Silly Valentine’ Stamps!!!! OF COURSE! I’m trying to use up my stashes as far as “holiday” papers, no buying any right now (except Basic Grey's Jovial...I NEEEDED that ;), so I used some K&Company valentine paper that I had in my stash. It’s really a CUTE stack of paper (purchased from Michaels, on clearance, after Valentines day last year or the year before). I used the basic (plainer) papers because I didn’t want all the really cute pages (think... cute frogs, lions, & robots with hearts) to interfere with the real stars of this show....which are CLEARLY the Silly Valentine Stamps. I used Copics to color them and stamped in Momento ink. And if you are interested, the background paper is 4" X 3". I then used EK Success Scallop/Circle punches. I love how they came out so!!

I like this idea, super easy to make and very cutsie! Fun for the kids - my son is really loving them. Honestly, I’m happy I got them (56 of them!!!) finished now, instead of waiting until closer to Valentine’s Day and then stressing. Takes all the fun out of it you know?!? I’m all zen or whatever now ;). Well, that’s probably my last share for the this week, so I hope you all have a blessed weekend full of family & crafty goodness!!

Landscaping Challenge #1 down...23 to go!!

Happy (late) New Year!! I really wanted to post yesterday...made a cute little card over the weekend...but that will have to wait! Because yesterday I made a REALLY cute card (you know, in my opinion)!

Have you heard that Laurel Beard (card making extarordinaress - you like my word making abilities don’t ya!?!) Has started a new challenge blog called - LAWNSCAPING?? It's based on the fabulous Lawn Fawn Stamps!!! What?!? You hadn’t heard? Or maybe you have? Ok, well enough of that! Yes, my friends. She has. They are doing two challenges a month (1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, each running for a week)... and there will be prizes... and you must (should) use Lawn Fawn Stamps for the challenges! Oh yeah, that's my kinda challenge!! I always have so much fun playing with my Lawn Fawn Stamps!!!

Ok, so go read *this* post for the 411,which will share this challenge’s theme...SNOW...

So at first, I was thinking, “ok, I can’t think of anything to do for this, so I wont be participating in the first challenge :(, but that’s ok, I guess”. I mean, I’ve seen snow once in the past 20 yrs, and I don’t even have the Frosties Stamps set - (that set is ideal for this challenge if you ask me - it’s the BEST snowflake stamp set I've ever seen!!!!). Buuuut then I got home and was determined to at least come up with SOMETHING. Even if it wasn't that great, I was determined to try. This is what I came up with: Here's a better picture (where you can the the Kaleidoscope in all it's sparkley, snowy splendor): Ok, so, yesterday, my daughter Alivia came home with a little craft she made in preschool. It was a giant foam heart with two (also foam) mittens on it that had her little hand prints finger painted onto them. On it, it said "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" - and AAAAHHHHH...inspiration struck!!! I knew I'd have to used Critters in the Burbs with the sentiment "Cold Paws...Warm Hearts" - perfect.

But I still had no idea what exactly I wanted to do for the card. Initially, I was thinking snowy hills of some sort... to me that seemed "right". But, I wanted to push myself a little, I guess. I recently got (at Michaels 50% off - yay)!! the Hero Arts Dots & Flowers Background stamp and have been dying to use it. I figured if I heat embossed that with Kaleidoscope embossing powder it'd look all sparkly & "snowy" right?!? I love the result!! I kept toying with the idea of hills/snow, but in the end, I decided that I'd use this background as the snowy sky and made grass with my new Martha Stewart "fringe" scissors (thank you Santa). All of the patterned (non-white) paper is Basic Grey's Oliver paper - which I'm officially in love with. I've had it forever (ok, a few months) and haven't touched it!

At first, I had planned to Copic color the critters (I planned to used the cat & dog from the set).... then I thought they should be "patterned", so I was going to go with Basic Grey's Max & Whiskars paper (for the warmer colors)... In the end, I decided it's totally cool (and perfectly cute!) to have blue plaid, checkered, and spotty critters!! I used Kelly Marie's trick (first time) and ran my black Copic marker around the paper pieced image - and WOW it really pops!!! Then I stamped my (perfectly selected) sentiment onto Oliver paper that I punched out using the fabulous EK Success "Real Estate" sign, used Colorbox (black) chalk ink to give it some "pop", and finished it off with Twine from The Twinery attached to the card with the Tiny Attacher. I'm really happy with this card - like, super happy. I'm giving it to my Grandma for her birthday (Jan. 11 - perfect!). She lives in Upstate New York & I think it's perfect for her!

I used 3 Lawn Fawn Sets to make it: Critters in the Burbs, Jessie's ABCs, and the heart in the sentiment is from Just my Type II. I'm really proud of it because I really was at a loss here. I had no clue what to do. Then when I got my idea and was running with it, the card just wouldn't come together to my liking. Instead of giving up, I added the 2 bunnies and stamped the sentiment onto this tag (as opposed to a banner). Then I added the twine and VOILA!

So, it really was a challenge and I think I "brought it" ;). I hope you all have a happy stampy day. Go join the challenge! It's fun!! There's a Lawn Fawn Stamp Set of your choice up for grabs if you win - that's motivations enough for me!!!!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Neenah
Patterned paper: Basic Grey - Oliver
Punch: EK Success - Real Estate Sign
Scissors: Martha Stewart "fringe" scissors
Ink: Momento (for images/sentiment) & Versamark (for embossing) & Versamagic (for Red Heart)
Stamps:
Background: Hero Arts - Dots & Flowers
Critters/alphas/heart: Lawn Fawn - Critters in the Burbs, Jessie's ABCs, and Just My Type IITwine: The Twinery
Staples: Tim Holtz, Tiny Attacher
Embossing Powder: Stampedous, Kaleidoscope
Glue Dots