New digis released at McMahon Five Designs

If you haven’t already stopped by the McMahon Five Designs store recently then you should because there are some really yummy florals that were just released along with new embellishments!

My card today features the new Perfect Peony digital stamp that I colored in with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits. This was my second attempt because I ruined the first one by adding Inkssentials Crackle Accents which made my printer ink bleed. Live and learn! LOL! I added highlights to the peony with a white gel pen. I also followed this week’s SC272 sketch:

From peonies to orchids to wild roses…you can create your own floral fantasies with McMahon Five Designs brand new digis! While you’re there, be sure to check out the Prima Say It In Pearls and Lace…they are gorgeous!!

Card Recipe

Digital Stamp: M5D Perfect Peony, SU Happy Harmony (sentiment)

Paper: K & Company Brenda Walton Madeline, SU cardstock (Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss)

Accessories: Spellbinders (Classic Circles Small, Petite Ovals Large), Martha Stewart punches (Monarch Butterfly, 3-in-1 Butterfly), Prima Sunflower Pearls and Crystals

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 :).

Oh, Spring! Hurry up and get here!

Apparently the little groundhog saw its shadow which means six more weeks of winter. I say I'm ready for spring. My card today practically screams out warm sunshine, blooming flowers and tweeting birdies!

Following the CCEE1004 sketch and Cute Card Thursday's flower challenge I made this card using the Tweets digi from McMahon Five Designs:

You can make an organza flower using my lace flower video tutorial which you can find HERE.

Be sure to sign up for the McMahon Five Designs newsletter to stay up-to-date on the store’s happenings!

Card Recipe

Digi: McMahon Five Designs Tweet

Paper: Basic Grey Lemonade, SU cs(Brocade Blue, Positively Pink)

Accessories: cloud template, Stickles, black embossing powder, watercolor markers, Gesso, circle punch, blue organza ribbon, heart pin, SU Flower Trio punch, jewelry beads, hatpin

ODBD Blog Hop to kick off BRAND NEW February Releases and an announcement!!

IT’S BLOG HOP TIME! I, for one, am happy that January is over (along with the rain, wind and tornado warnings in CA!). Another reason why I’m happy? It’s February and we finally get to introduce to you FOUR BRAND NEW SETS from Our Daily Bread designs:

I love all things nature…birds, flowers, etc., so these sets were a real treat!! Keep reading to get all the details of our blog hop and grab up my secret words!

If you came from Angella Crockett’s blog then you’ve come to the right place. If not, please start your hop at the ODBD Blog. For my card I used the cardinal from the Sing For Joy set:

What is the reward for joining the hop? Well, Kelley has generously offered to give 3 prizes!! Three randomly selected participants who does the following will win a $15.00 Gift Certificate for Stamps from the ODBD Store:

1) Leave a comment on EACH DT members blogs AND collect their secret words.

2) Return to the Our Daily Bread designs Blog and leave a comment that you completed the hop and left comments for each designer.

3) Send Grace an e-mail giving her the correct words in order

4) You have until Thurs. Feb 4th at 8:00PM EST to complete the requirements to be eligible to win

BONUS: For an extra chance to win, send her another email telling her the Scripture reference where the verse can be found.

My SECRET WORDS are: the Son

Your next stop is at Julie Warner’s blog. If you come across any broken links just return to the ODBD Blog because the list of DT blogs can be found there in the correct order. Have fun doing the hop and we hope you get inspired along the way!

Card Recipe

Stamp: ODBD Sing for Joy

Ink: ODBD Crimson, Versamark

Paper: K & Company Portabello Road pad, SU cs (Basic Brown, Green Galore, Rose Red), Prism Bronze Metallic cs

Accessories: Cuttlebug Brocade Window embossing plus folder, olive green organza ribbon, gold cording, Basic Grey Opaline pearls, Spellbinders Labels Four, brown brad, foam adhesive

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I would also like to share some awesome news!! I told Sue of McMahon Five designs if she were to ever put together a design team I’d love to be a part of it and lo and behold she e-mailed me and asked if I was serious about it…LOL! So, Sue has announced her new design team and I am one of the lucky girls, along with:

Bonnie O’Clair

Carolyn Miller

Kristine Beach

Michelle Armijo

Here’s a card using a super cute digi called Sweet Skater by Jessica Grundy and this week’s MMSC38. I actually heat-embossed the image after printing it out on my ink jet. You can find a quick tutorial over at Mel’s blog on how to do it:

Card Recipe

Digi Stamp: Sweet Skater

Paper: DCWV Rustic Stack, SU cs (Basic Brown, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Prima Pearls & Crystals, Prima Flowers, Gesso, watercolor markers, Flower Soft Ivory, Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist, Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder

Play along with ODBD Stamping in Time challenges!

Betty Wright started a new bi-monthly challenge called Stamping in Time over at the ODBD blog and it revolves around using past ODBD sets. I missed the very first challenge, but I was glad to be able to participate in this week’s latest. The assignment is to use the Sing to the Lord set and the challenge is to add dimension and texture.

Here’s my card using Sketch 49 from Card Patterns:

Here are the guidelines!

• You must use the assignment stamp set listed! Other stamps allowed, but this needs to be the focus!
• Use keyword code SNTODBD02 when linking to SCS or public gallery.
• Be sure to use the Mr. Linky to be eligible for the gift certificate drawing!
• If you use either your blog link or online gallery, please give an active ODBD Blog link.

• The challenge runs from Thursday 9 am EST bi-weekly til Wednesday at 8 pm EST

So, get out your past ODBD sets and get creative!

Card Recipe

Stamp: ODBD Sing to the Lord

Ink: Versamark

Paper: K & Company Portabello Road pad, SU Baroque Burgundy cs, watercolor paper

Accessories: Crackle Accent, gingham ribbon, polka dot ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Fiskars circle punch, watercolor markers, Zva Creative Pearls, black embossing powder, silver cording

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

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

Not ready for Christmas to be over...

The spirit of Christmas should be felt throughout the year, don't you think? The world would certainly be a much better and PEACEFUL place. Our decorations are staying up until Jan. 6 for Three Kings Day :).

I have just a quick post as I'm sure everyone is still recovering from all the festivities. Here's a really quick card to put together for those who "stamp and run" at the moment. I followed this week's MOJO119 sketch:

To ring in the New Year, ODBD will be hosting a blog hop Jan. 1 so make sure to take part in it! There will be PRIZES and some fabulous new things for ODBD fans to get involved in so STAY TUNED!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD His Gift

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Memory Box Dewfrost, Prismatic packs (Nautical Blue, Spring Willow)

Accessories: Martha Stewart String Lace border punch, Spellbinders Classic Circles, silk ribbons, SU Linen Thread, craft button

Only four more days 'til Christmas!

Only four days left...hard to believe, isn't it? My boys are excited to attend Christmas mass and to spend it with family! I'll be keeping my posts short since I know many of you are also on a time crunch with all your holiday preparation so I'll just get right down to it.

I made this Peace & Joy card following this week's MOJO118:

I heat embossed the snowflakes in white on Prism Metallic Bronze Ore cardstock. And YES! I did a lot of precision cutting on this, but it was sooooo worth it!

I hope you all finished mailing out your handmade Christmas cards! I know I did! WHEW!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Peace & Joy

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Memory Box Dewfrost, SU Bordering Blue cs

Accessories: Ranger Silver ep, Bow-Easy, white ep, Fiskars All-A-Fleur border punch, Silver Rhinestones, light blue satin ribbon, SU silver cording, SU linen thread

Thank you to Sue of McMahon Five Designs!

The wonderful Sue of McMahon Five Designs was so gracious to have given me a few digital images to work with. If you haven't checked out her online store yet then head on over there and take a look around because she has wonderful digis, embellishments and wood papers!

I used one of her pretty flower images, Clematis, for my card which I based on this week's Limelight Papercraft's LLPC029 challenge of using dots and following a sketch:

Card Recipe:

Digi: McMahon Five Designs Clematis

Ink: Walnut Distress

Paper: Memory Box Sprout pack, Peony Dew Drops, Kaisercraft Lilac Rhinestones

Go grab yourself a few digis from Sue and play, play, play!

Three boys does NOT equal cardmaking time

I was only able to combine two challenges on one card today. I have my stepson here for two weeks which makes feeding and entertaining THREE growing boys quite a challenge for me. Cleaning after them is a whole 'nother story!

While my boys were busy wrestling with each other (according to my BIL, "They're boys! That's what boys do!") I was able to finish two cards. For this first card I used Quiet Waters from Our Daily Bread designs and combined the CC223 and SC233 challenges over at SCS: I love the cool feeling of the colors Ruby Red and Baja Breeze over white cardstock and the serene image of the doe and fawn in the forest was a perfect fit.

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Quiet Waters

Ink: SU Baja Breeze, Versamark

Paper: SU cs (Ruby Red, Baja Breeze), TAC white cs, white column cs, Prism Simply Smooth white cs

Accessories: Dew Drops Flame, mini flatback pearls, Ranger Super Fine black detail ep, MS flower trio punch

SWING ON OVER TO THE ODBD STORE BECAUSE IT'S A PUNCH-A-BUNCH FRENZY! ALL PUNCHES ARE 25% OFF, BUT HURRY! SALE ENDS SUNDAY, JUNE 21 AT 12:00 AM EST AND IS LIMITED TO STOCK ON HAND. THERE WILL BE A NEW ITEM ON SPECIAL EVERY SUNDAY SO MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ODBD NEWSLETTER TO STAY IN-THE-KNOW ABOUT SUPER SUNDAY SPECIALS!

25% DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED IN YOUR SHOPPING CART.

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I've been having so much playing along with the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenges and the girls over there are just the sweetest! I even won an award for last week's sketch (see side bar)!

For the MMSC6 sketch I wanted to use Belle from the Victoria Case Hearts & Hugs Collection for SCACD. Belle was perfect to dimensionalize and I did so by popping out her tutu and bending her arms to add more movement. Notice the Impressabilities debossing on the white panel? They're my new fave at the moment!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Belle, SU So Many Scallops (sentiment)

Ink: Versamark, SU Regal Rose

Paper: Basic Grey Lily Kate pad, K & Company Hannah pad, DCWV Sweet Stack, Prismatic Pink Pack, SU Soft Sky, Impressabilities Butterfly

Accessories: Sparkly Fluff Cotton Candy, white opal Liquid Pearls, Dress It Up Color Me Pink button, white Scrapper's Floss, Ornare corner template, Kaisercraft Rhinestones Soft Pink

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Peggy and Carolyn were so sweet to give me this beautiful Friendship Blog Award:

This is what the award is about:

These blogs are exceedingly charming.

These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.

They are not interested in self-aggrandizement.

Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

Deliver this award to 5-10 bloggers who must choose at least 5-10 more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I would like to share this award with the following:
Jane
Angella
Kathy
Judy
Chris
Angel
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I'll be randomly selecting a winner for my blog candy in 5 days so enter, enter, enter if you haven't already!

Here a challenge, there a challenge, everywhere a challenge!

I have been in Challenge Mode OVERDRIVE! I'm sure you know how that is...when your creative juices are flowing you CAN'T STOP THE FLOW! LOL! You'll notice my use of Primas on all the cards. I'm an ADDICT and Our Daily Bread designs is carrying gorgeous Prima fabric and paper flowers!!

On to the challenges...

This first card is based on the current OCCC sketch:

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Scripture Collection 2

Ink: Versamark, Antique Linen distress pad

Paper: K & Company Madeline (Brenda Walton) pad, SU cs (Marvelous Magenta, Certainly Celery)

Supplies: Prima Windsor Roses (Hampton), Wizard, Spellbinders (Oval, Oval Scallop and Doodle Parts dies), Cuttlebug ef, Hero Arts Pearls (Medium Accent), Marth Stewart fence border punch, Ranger black ep

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I made this for the Midnight Madness sketch challenge (MMSC1):Card Recipe:

Stamp: SU Touch of Nature

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Basic Grey Wisteria, SU cs (Very Vanilla, Bordering Blue)

Supplies: Prima Daisy Dreams (Taffy), Ranger Crackle Accents, Copics, SU photo corners punch, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, Spellbinders (Small Circle and Scallop Circle dies), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots ef

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Here's one from Splitcoast, SC228: Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD On Eagles' Wings

Ink: Versamark

Paper: SEI Jolie Chocolat pad, SU Basic Brown cs

Supplies: Prima Daisy Dreams (Quartz), Martha Stewart monarch butterfly punch, Hero Arts Pearls, Fiskars Apron Lace border punch, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, pink ep

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Here's another one from Splitcoast, this time it was a color challenge (CC218) requiring the SU colors of Only Orange, Summer Sun and Kiwi Kiss (or Old Olive): Card Recipe:

Stamp: SU Happy Harmony

Ink: Archival Black

Paper: SEI (Mimosa and Chartreuse), SU cs (Only Orange, Old Olive)

Supplies: Prima Windsor Roses (Chelsea), Spellbinders Label 4 die, Martha Stewart zig-zag border punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots ef

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Don't forget to enter for a chance to win my Blogiversary Candy!! It's posted at the very top!

Decked out in PURPLE for this week's SFYTT!

Okay, I USUALLY don't post on the weekends because hubby has the rule of "I'm only home on the weekends...so that means NO CRAFTING". Well, he's napping and snoring (quite loudly!), so I got to play. To him I say...NEENER NEENER NEEEEEENER!! LOL!

I played along with i{heart}2stamp's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT):
I reached for my Basic Grey Wisteria pad that I got from Our Daily Bread designs and pulled out the purples. I added some splashes of SU Bashful Blue and came up with this little ditty: The flower was originally white and I spritzed it with Deep Plum Glimmer Mist. I also added the purple rhinestone in the center.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: ODBD Cross of Christ (cross) and Footprints in the Sand (scripture)

Ink: SU Eggplant Envy and Bashful Blue

Paper: Basic Grey Wisteria pad, Prism Simply Smooth white cs, SU Bashful Blue, Eggplant Envy and Pale Plum cs

Supplies: Deep Plum Glimmer Mist, Kaiser Scrapbook Lilac rhinestones, Victoria Lynn flower favor, white satin ribbon, Inkssentials white pen, SU photo corners punch, Tim Holtz Design Ruler, Pop-Its square adhesive

I finished this post just in time...hubby woke up and gave me the "look" so I'm signing off! Thanks for stopping by!