ODBD April Sneak Peek and PGP Fourth Friday Fun Challenge!

I know, I know…I promised a sneak peak for ODBD’s April release but time had gotten the best of me. My stepson was with us for the week (he goes back to his mom’s tonight) and we’ve been trying to make the most of his stay with us special since it’s a rare treat that we get to have him for more than 2 days out of the month. The best thing was that my husband was home every night after work during his stay so it was wonderful to see them bonding :).

He asked for snickerdoodle cookies (his favorite!) and wouldn’t settle for store bought ones so I whipped up a big batch today which took me away from my projects. He probably ate all 4 dozen cookies!

So, without further adieu, here is my card using the soon-to-be-released Mom set from Our Daily Bread designs. I followed the super fun Friday Sketchers #94 layout:

I wanted to mimic the Basic Grey Kioshi paper with the white flower silhouette by doing a resist with my Versamark pad on glossy cardstock and brayering over it with color. As you can tell the white flower silhouette on the Kioshi paper ended being hidden in the layout, but I’m still happy with how it turned out. Aside from all the stitching the card came together pretty quickly.

Only 5 more days until April New Releases from ODBD!

Card Recipe

Stamp: ODBD Mom (April Set)

Ink: Versamark, StazOn black

Paper: Basic Grey Kioshi pad, SU cardstock (Certainly Celery, Marvelous Magenta, So Saffron), glossy cardstock

Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folders (Victoria, Swiss Dots), silk/tulle lavender flowers, white silk ribbon

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Today is also Paper Garden Project’s Fourth Friday Fun Challenge (Birthday Challenge #4) and the last for the month-long anniversary celebration so make sure to get in on this because TWO MO MANNING STAMPS ARE UP FOR GRABS!

The challenge was to use embossing and I did just that, but not with my image since it was digital. The snowdrop image and sentiment is a FREE SPRING BLOOMS DIGI SET from PGP so head on over there to download it! There are actually several digital freebies so it’s a winning deal! My card is based on a beautiful My Grafico sketch (#41), but only used my PGP images:

I dry embossed with my Cuttlebug Victoria folder and then heat embossed it with gold embossing powder. I wanted to give it a “worn look” so I deliberately didn’t try to make the heat embossing perfect.

Please add a link to your card or project over at the PGP Blog under the comment section of the Birthday Challenge #4 post.

If you’ve participated in the other challenges make sure to stop by the PGP blog to find out who the winners are!

Card Recipe

Digital: PGP Spring Blooms

Paper: DCWV Linen Closet stack, SU Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Prism cardstock

Accessories: Crystal Ice Stickles, Prismacolor penciles, mineral spirits, gold embossing powder, Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder, Kaisercraft Aqua rhinestones

Ink: Ranger Vintage Photo distress pad

3rd Challenge from Paper Garden Projects

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Paper Garden Projects March challenges so far! Today’s third challenge is to create a card or project using spring or Easter colors. I made this coaster borrowing the idea from the wonderfully talented Betty Wright and used the super cute Butterfly Bunny from Penny Black. I have the single wood-mounted stamp, but PGP carries the Garden Friends clear stamp set that includes it.

I still need to cover the tile with a sealant like Preserve Your Memories II to prevent the watercolored image from bleeding and add cork paper to the back of the tile so off to Jo-Ann’s and/or Michael’s I go :).

I got a box of 10 Travertine 4x4 tiles from Lowe’s for the incredible price of $2.28! Make sure you select a tile that is relatively smooth so your image will stamp evenly. I plan on stamping a different Easter or spring image on each one and gifting it as a set of 5. Two gift sets for the price of one! I love bargains that turn into a unique gift!

So, get your creative juices flowing and join in on this challenge! You have until midnight, March 29 (Monday) to link your card/project in the comment section of PGP’s current challenge post. The prize is two stamps and you can see what they are over at the PGP blog. Have fun and don’t forget to come back next week for our Fourth Friday Fun Challenge!

Coaster Recipe

Stamp: Garden Friends

Ink: StazOn Black

Accessories: ceramic tile, watercolor markers, sealant, cork paper, ribbon

It’s sketch time for PGP's next challenge!

We’re continuing the birthday festivities for Paper Garden Projects’ 2nd year in business with a sketch challenge for you to try! It’s pretty simple so we hope many of you will participate and there is a prize so read on! Here’s the sketch:

And here’s my clean and simple card using the adorable Teacher Anya stamp by The Greeting Farm:

You have until midnight Monday, March 22, to submit your entry for a chance to win this fantastic set called Dressy Miss Anya:

Submit your entry over at the Paper Garden Projects blog by leaving a link to your creation in the comment section.

There will be another challenge posted on March 19 so get ready!

Card Recipe

Stamp: The Greeting Farm Teacher Anya

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety pad, Prism cardstocks, watercolor paper

Accessories: felt coaster, SU Crystal Effects, black embossing powder, Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes embossing folder, Bow Easy, red satin ribbon, watercolor markers

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I would also like to introduce to you the newest member of our family, Eli!

8 weeks:

10 weeks:

He’s the sweetest German Shepherd puppy and may I add, also very intelligent! He’s only 10 weeks old and is 99% housebroken (after 2 weeks of consistent bathroom breaks which meant 1:30 am and 4:00 am outings!). I’ve also taught him to sit, down, stay, turn and speak within that time frame…pretty proud to see hard work pay off! He almost has fetch. He’ll be catching a Frisbee in no time :).

Paper Garden Projects Turns 2 and DT Search!

Come join the celebration every Friday for the month of March where there will be challenges and prizes! There is also a store sale going on now through March 18 so make sure to stop by and wish Paper Garden Projects a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and do a little shopping as well! Check out THIS post to get details on how to get a free digital download…it’s a real beauty!

Cathy is also looking to expand her design team!! If you’re interested, please visit THIS POST to get the scoop on what you need to do to be considered! Don't miss out on a fabulous opportunity!

For the first birthday challenge it is only fitting to make, what else…a birthday card! Easy peasy so everyone can join in! Here’s my birthday card using the Rock the Farm set by The Greeting Farm and following this week’s MMSC43 and Cute Card Thursday Challenge 102 (Lucky Green):

I love the papers from the Cosmo Cricket paper pad called Garden Variety! They are totally whimsical and totally perfect for the Rock the Farm set!

I love the sizes of the images because they lend themselves wonderfully to be popped! Check out the rest of The Greeting Farm stamps and sets that Paper Garden Projects carries!

We hope you join us every Friday in March as there will be new prizes and challenges each time!

Card Recipe

Stamp: Rock the Farm, SU Full of Life

Ink: Versamark, Ranger Antique Linen distress pad

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety pad, Prism cardstock, watercolor paper

Accessories: Kaiser Craft Red Rhinestones, Martha Stewart Pond Frond punch, Spellbinders (Classic Ovals Large, Classic Scalloped Ovals Large), Fiskars Effervescence border punch, SU Crystal Effects, watercolor markers, black superfine embossing powder

It’s a triple play!

I have been a busy bee today just so I can make up for some lost time. I’ve got a card using one of Our Daily Bread designs’ February sets, a Paper Garden Project 4th Friday Fun Challenge and a McMahon Five Designs March sneak peek!

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Today happens to be PGP’s 4th Friday Challenge! What is it, you ask? Our challenge to you is to create a “Farewell to Winter” card. You can make either a winter or spring card just as long as it signifies the end of winter for you :). I know winter is over when the flowers start to bloom so here’s my take on the challenge using designer paper, cardstock, Dew Droplets and buttons from the Hearts Bloom Paper Kit and following the current SFYTT sketch:

I was inspired by Angella’s card for my button flowers and loved the look! It was perfect for a “springy” card :). Make sure to stop by the rest of the Paper Gardeners’ blogs to see their cards! Links to them are on my sidebar. Head on over to the PGP Blog to find out what you can win if you participate!

Card Recipe

Stamp: SU Brighter Tomorrow

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Hearts Bloom Paper Kit

Accessories: Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder, Spellbinders (Classic Circles Small, Petite Scallop Circles Small), Martha Stewart Pond Frond punch, red silk ribbon

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McMahon Five Designs will be releasing brand new digis this coming Monday, March 1 and I’ve got a little sneaky peeky for you! I love me some butterflies so here’s a card using the upcoming Swallow Tail with the MMSC42 sketch:

When I first heard of wood paper I was like “really?”. Then I got hold of some and I was blown away by how much texture and interest it added to any card or project! McMahon Five Designs carries several different wood papers so grab up a few of your favorites or grab one of each! Visit McMahon Five Designs March 1 to get your new digis!

Card Recipe

Digi: McMahon Five Designs Swallow Tail

Paper: Cherry Wood paper, K & Company Portabello Road pad, SU cardstock (Bordering Blue, Regal Rose)

Accessories: Prima Mini Flowers, light blue ruffled organza ribbon, white pearls

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Our Daily Bread designs will be releasing brand new sets March 1!! Have you marked your calendars yet? If not, do that now because you won’t want to miss out on getting them!

Until then, here’s a little something I made using the Nest set for this week’s Cuttlebug Be Inspired #72 and One Stop Craft Challenge 68:

I colored in the flowers using Smooch Siren. Gotta love any opportunity to add a little iridescent shimmer and I took full advantage of that! Having done so, I realize I NEED to have ALL the Smooch colors now! Uh-oh! LOL!

I know I promised a March sneak peek for ODBD, but I will have that posted tomorrow (Friday). Thank you all for being so patient while I play catch-up!

Card Recipe

Stamp: ODBD Nest

Ink: Versamark, Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress pad

Paper: Jenni Bowlin Vintage Red Line mini papers, SU Rose Red cardstock

Accessories: Smooch Siren, Basic Grey Opaline pearls, Ranger Antique Linen Distress embossing powder, Spellbinders (Classic Circles Small, Scalloped Circles Small), black embossing powder

Teacher Gifts for Valentine’s Day

Ahhh, love is in the air! Well, love mixed in with some rain. How does that one song go…”It never rains in Southern California”…WRONG! But, hey, we need it so we’ll take it whenever we can. I know I promised Valentine cards last week, but I’m currently suffering from a really bad intestinal infection and haven’t been well enough to create until now. My apologies! I hope my projects will make up for that :).

Another big holiday, which means gift giving time! I decided to make really simple gifts for both my sons’ teachers, but each unique in their own way :).

My first ensemble is an easel card (FTTC53) using this week’s MMSC40 and Penny Black’s Every Which Way set that is available over at Paper Garden Projects. I made little monogrammed binder clips that you can see a close-up of on the other ensemble I created.

Gosh, I’ve forgotten how cute all the little Penny Black hedgies were! I braided three colors of ribbon together and tied three knots to add some interest. Make sure to swing by the PGP Store to see what’s currently on sale.

Hedgehog Gift Ensemble Recipe

Stamp: Every Which Way set

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Hearts Bloom Paper Kit, SU Basic Brown, watercolor paper

Accessories: chipboard clipboard, black binder clips, computer generated sentiment, ribbons-buttons-Dew Drops(from Hearts Bloom Paper Kit), Crystal Stickles, black embossing powder, paper floss, Prima Flowers, Spellbinders

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This next ensemble is for my other son’s teacher. As you can see, I tried to make both unique in their own way. For this one I used the colors from the CC257 challenge over at Splitcoast and MOJO125 for the sketch:

I love digi’s that don’t require any coloring on my part, especially if I want to pull something together really quick and the Valentine Heart from McMahon Five Designs. It's red, but I changed it to a rust color for the SCS color challenge on my Photoshop Elements program. I just printed the heart three times and cut them using my Spellbinders to add dimension.

I hope my sons’ teachers like them because we truly do appreciate them!

Stop by McMahon Five Designs to find out the current specials!

Valentine Heart Gift Ensemble

Digi: Valentine Heart

Paper: Fancy Pants I’m Yours, SU cardstock (Soft Sky, Really Rust, Close to Cocoa)

Accessories: chipboard clipboard, black binder clips, white flatback pearls, Fiskar’s Effervescence border punch, computer generated monogram and tag, brown grosgrain ribbon, craft button, white paper floss, Dew Drops (Mens), Spellbinders (Scalloped Circles Small, Classic Circles Small

PGP Fourth Friday Challenge – Pulling at Your Heartstrings

It’s actually the fifth Friday and we hope you play along with the Paper Garden Projects Gardeners!

Our challenge to you is to create a Valentine or love themed project that includes ribbon. And if your projects also includes buttons, you will get a double entry!
You have till midnight (EST) of Friday Feb. 5 to add a comment to the current challenge post over at the Paper Garden Projects blog with a link your project. We will draw one random winner for the prize.
The rules are:

• It must be a newly created project for this challenge - but feel free to combine this challenge with any other ones out there.
• We'd love to see all the art you care to share, but each person will only be entered in the random drawing once (well, twice if you have ribbon and buttons).
• The winner will be drawn randomly and announced the following Saturday.

Here’s my card for the challenge featuring Mo Manning’s Soaking up the Joy stamp which I based on this week’s SC265 sketch over at Splitcoast:

Isn’t she the cutest?!? Cathy has 9 different Mo Manning stamps so make sure to check them out over at the Paper Garden Projects store!

The prize will go to one lucky challenge participant and it’s a Hearts Bloom mini kit:

The prize includes:

• 12 - 6"x 6" pieces of Pink Paislee double sided patterned paper from the Cupid Collection. (4 pieces each of Bow and Arrow, Hearts Bloom, and Bullseye)
• 1 sheet of 8.5" x 11" Prism cardstock in Suede Brown Dark
• 1 sheet of 8.5" x 11" Prism cardstock in Frosted Teal
• 1 sheet of 8.5" x 11" Prism cardstock in Baby Pink Light
• 1 sheet of 8.5" x 11" Prism cardstock in Blush Red Dark
• 1 sheet of 8.5" x 11" Prism cardstock in Spring Willow Medium
• 5 yards of different coordinating ribbon including Sheer Pink organza, 2-tone aqua and green woven satin, red grosgrain, brown grosgrain, celadon green grosgrain.
• A packet of coordinating buttons and pearly Champagne Dew Droplets

Don’t forget…you have until 12 Midnight, Feb. 5 to get your entry in!

Card Recipe

Stamp: Mo Manning Soak Up the Joy

Ink: Versamark, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Pad

Paper: Hearts Bloom Paper Kit, SU Basic Brown, watercolor paper

Accessories: brown grosgrain ribbon and button (from Hearts Bloom paper kit), SU Linen Thread, Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder, Fiskars Effervescence border punch, Spellbinders Classic Small Circles

Paper Garden Projects Romantic Garden Walk!

Welcome to the Paper Garden Projects Romantic Garden Walk!

Take a stroll through the blogs of all the Paper Gardeners and enjoy some "heart-felt" inspiration.

While you visit, subscribe or Follow each Gardener's blog and take note of each designer's name and their Romantic Word in their blog post. Once you finish your garden tour, send an E-mail to custserv@papergardenprojects.com with the list of designers and their Romantic Word.


Everyone who sends the correct list of designers and words will be entered in a random drawing to win a sweet Valentine prize. You need to send an e-mail to the address above; please don't leave your list as a comment. You have until midnight (EST) on January 26 to send your list.

And the prize? The super cute Penny Black clear stamp set called Every Which Way:
For my Valentine inspired card I used the beautiful Garden Heart Two stamp by Impression Obsession:

Don’t you just love the details of this stamp?! I had so much fun coloring it in with my watercolor markers and Smooch!

All the papers, cardstocks and ribbons used on my card are from the Hearts Bloom Paper Kit so it super easy to recreate.

My romantic word you need to collect is SWEET.

Here is the garden tour list…ENJOY YOUR WALK THROUGH OUR ROMANTIC GARDEN!
Cathy
Melissa (Mel)
Tracy
Amber
Lorelie
Tangii
Tricia

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I'm at CHA right now...hard to believe convention time is here again! Oh, and before I go you need to also stop by and participate in a blog hop hosted by the ODBD Challenge Team:

Patter Cross- Triple the Scraps http://triplethescraps.blogspot.com

Natalie Dever- Dougnat Diaries http://www.dougnat.blogspot.com

Fran Gumprecht- Francie’s Fancy http://franciesfancy.blogspot.com

Sabrina Jackson- SJ Butterfly dreams http://sjbutterflydreams.blogspot.com

America Kuhn- Cards by America http://cardsbyamerica.blogspot.com

Christine Okken- ChristineCreations http://christinecreations.blogspot.com

Chris Olsen- Twinkles Glow With Stamps (CT coordinator) http://twinklesglow-glowbug.blogspot.com

Card Recipe

Stamp: Garden Heart Two

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Hearts Bloom Paper Kit (including pink organza ribbon)

Accessories: Kaisercraft Soft Pink Rhinestones, Smooch, Martha Stewart punches (Lattice Border, Lattice Corner), white ribbon

The rain in So Cal calls for a wintry PGP card!

Before I show you my card, I want to give you all a heads up on Paper Garden Projects’ Romantic Garden Walk. Mark your calendars for January 23! Then on January 29 it’s time for our Fourth Friday Challenge (well, in this case it’s actually the fifth Friday).

Mother Nature has been playing tricks on us in our neck of the woods. Several days ago it was sunny and warm (almost 80°!). Yesterday it was pouring rain and today it’s pretty windy! So yes, this is California’s version of winter…LOL! The wonky weather put me in a “wintry” mood so I reached for my fun Eat Cake Graphics set and played along with the Midnight Madness ladies using this week’s MMSC35 and followed the current Color Throwdown #75 (colors were Garden Green, Rich Razzleberry and Mellow Moss):

This little cutie is from the Let’s Go Sledding set and you can find it over at Paper Garden Projects.

Heading back to my craft room to make more cards…going through withdrawal!

Card Recipe

Stamp: Let’s Go Sledding

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Prism Razzleberry pack (Dark), SU cardstock (Mellow Moss, Garden Green), K & Company, watercolor paper

Accessories: Basic Grey Opalines, Flower Soft Polar White, watercolor markers, white linen ribbon, Bow-Easy, Niji Watercolor Brush

Welcome to the Paper Garden Projects
Winter Wonderland Garden Walk!!!

Take a stroll through the blogs of all the Paper Gardeners and enjoy some wonderful wintry inspiration.

While you visit, FOLLOW each Gardener's blog and take note of each designer's name and their Secret Snow Word in their blog post. Once you finish your garden tour, send an E-mail to custserv@papergardenprojects.com with the list of designers and their Secret Snow Word.

Everyone who sends the correct list of designers and words will be entered in a random drawing to win a special frosty prize. You need to send an e-mail to the address above; please don't leave your list as a comment. You have until midnight (EST) on Dec. 21 to sent your snow-y list.

If you followed me from Amber's blog then you're in the right place. If not, please head over to the PGP store blog to start at the beginning.

Now, on to my project. I made these "Homemade Snowballs" paint cans for my sons' teachers using the very adorable Let's Go Sledding set by Eat Cake Graphics:

I got a pleasant surprise when my son Marcus asked to help! He plopped in all the snowball cookies in the bag and made sure they got good and covered with confectioner's sugar :).

What will the winner get for strolling? Well, here is a picture of the Frosty Prize full of paper crafting goodies.

The prize includes:
*Some crystal snowflakes from our new button collection
*A cling mounted Alfie tasting Snow stamp from the Official Snow Tasters stamp set.
*A jar of crystal glitter
*A collection of frosty embellishments including buttons, white flowers, sequins, and brads
*A Colorbox chalk cat's eye ink pad

So put on your mittens and go for a garden tour (or just stay in you jammies - we won't tell).

Your next stop is over at Tangii's blog, but before you go make sure to write down my Secret Snow Word: WHITE

Just in case you get lost along the way, here is the garden tour guide list:

Cathy
Melissa (Mel)
Tracy
Amber
Lorelie (you are here)
Tangii
Tricia
Debbie

Paint Can Recipe:

Stamps: Let's Go Sledding

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Frosted Winter Paper Kit

Accessories: Stampendous short pail, Crystal Stickles, ribbons from Frosted Winter Paper Kit, Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, silver Dew Drops, Spellbinders (Circles, Petite Scallop Circle, Petite Large Ovals, Petite Scallop Ovals), silver Liquid Pearls, Second Grade font

Making up for lost time...

I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since my last post! I've had to take care of certain obstacles in life and hopefully things will settle down soon. I was going to take the entire month off, but making cards (along with fervent prayers) has always been therapeutic so I hope it will save my sanity.

It was time to say farewell to Susana's Custom Art and Card Designs. I had a wonderful 6 months designing for Susana and working along side her equally wonderful DT!

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I went "challenge crazy" for both of my cards today and it took me most of the day to finish. Maybe a little rusty after not making any cards the last two weeks???

Paper Garden Projects will be hosting another blog hop Dec. 19 so make sure to take part in it to see the DT projects and for a chance at some candy!

PGP just got in new, super adorable winter images from Eat Cake Graphics and I was happy to be able to play with the Let's Go Sledding set. Here's my card using this week's Friday Sketchers Sketch 82, Basic Grey Week 10 Colour Combo 3 (cream, pink and blue) and Whiff of Joy Challenge #58 (Sparkle!):

Check out PGP's All That Glitters Sale (links to sale items are found on the home page to the right).

Card Recipe:

Stamp: Let's Go Sledding (Eat Cake Graphics)

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Frosted Winter Paper Kit (Snow Notes), SU cs (Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink), watercolor paper

Accessories: Crystal Ice Stickles, Zva pearls, Basic Grey Lemonade Pops, Basic Grey Opalines, Polar White Flower Soft, watercolor markers

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I finally got the chance to create with the new Flower Soft Display Globes and I was a little intimidated at first, but once I finished it I wanted to make more! Here's my card using the MOJO117 sketch and OCCC's Holiday Theme challenge (my apologies for the glare from my lamp in the photos):

I love the sentiment from the His Gift set and naturally, I had to use Flower Soft Polar White to make it "snow" in my globe.

Don't you just love the dimension of the globe?! You need to also check out some new Memory Box papers...gorgeous!!

I used my Spellbinders Oval dies to nestle the globe onto to accommodate the size of my card, but ODBD carries the Flower Soft Oval Aperture Cards and Envelopes to help make creating with the display globes quick and painless!

Make sure to become a Follower of the ODBD blog to keep up-to-date on the latest happenings. You won't want to miss a thing!!!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD His Gift

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Memory Box (Spiceberry), SU cs (Always Artichoke, Basic Brown)

Accessories: Flower Soft (Polar White, Display Globes), Spellbinders (Petite Large Oval, Petite Large Scallop Oval), Basic Grey Opalines, Fiskars Effervescence border punch, white ep, white linen ribbon, Bow-Easy