Thursday, July 31, 2014

Paper Sweeties August Inspiration Challenge #22 - Let's Celebrate

Hi and thanks for stopping by!  Can you believe it's August already?  Time flies when you're having fun!  Summer's not over!  There is still time to play - but you better make it count!! A new challenge starts today at Paper Sweeties!  Another beautiful inspiration photo from Debbie, the owner and creator of Paper Sweeties.  I can't wait to see what she made for this one - it's a dreamy birthday party in pastel shades of pink blue and green.    I love playing along with the sketch challenge because I get to catch up with my friends, old and new on the Paper Sweeties Design Team.  It's always  a party with the alumni joining in! 
 I thought I'd try something different this time.  I played around with this one for a while to get if just right.  I stamped some balloons from the "Celebrate" set in soft pastel colors on white card stock.  Next I die cut a few strings of pennants and border cut the edge to let some pattern paper peek through - what an easy way to add some extra color to a stamped design.   Last I decked it out with some Paper Sweeties sequins - have you seen these yet?  They are super shiny and shaped like flowers!! 
 Want to see more here's links to all the designers with projects today!  

  Jeanne Jachna  That's Me!
AND ... introducing our August Guest Designer 
+ newest Design Team contributor:  
Larissa Heskett

AND ... our August Special Guest Designers:


Amy Linkletter 


Lots and lots of inspiration here!  Happy Hopping!!!










Supplies Used: Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps: Paper Sweeties Celebrate, You Make Me Smile
Dies: Poppystamps Simple Banner, Paper Smooches Flag Tags
Twinery Twine Solid Blossom 
Sequins: Paper Sweeties
Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye Happy Day 6x6"
Card Stock: PTI White, Raspberry Fizz SU! Pretty In Pink
Memento Ink, Angel Pink, Summer Sky, Tuxedo Black, Dandelion
Border Punch EK Success Zig Zag Stitch

Fusion - Beach House!

Hi and thanks for stopping by!  I hope you are having a great day.  The weather is crazy here in the Chicago area lately.  Is supposed to be Summer so I'm expecting hot and balmy (humid), but its been really cool - low 70's here.  So no swimming unless I can talk Mr. J into a heater for the swimming pool.  Not likely since we only use is a few months a year in this part of the country.    

Miss Moriko is getting big and I owe you some photos.  She just won't sit still for anything. She's still the very sweet girl she was on the first day we got her and a real delight to have in the house.   She's turning into a little moocher and I have no one to blame for that but me.  I love seeing her trying new foods - everything from watermelon to a potato chip.   I know.. bad mom!! She's barking more at things she finds odd - a branch, an empty box... me.  If we could get the house breaking done then she would be PERFECT.  We're getting there.  No accidents in the house - but we take breaks OFTEN - like every hour or two!!  She makes it all night so I know she can do it!  One day at a time right?  

I'm playing along at Fusion today.  A new two week challenge begins with this inspiration photo called Beach House. You an use the photo or the sketch or combine the two - like I did.  I tried to pick up on lots of elements from the photo - the soft buttery yellow, pale blue.  I thought the stairs might be a nice alternative to the break front, and the flowery wallpaper a nod to the floral china and vase on the table.   No home is complete without a little fur baby so I added a kitty looking up at a cuckoo clock.  (I don't have one, but I grew up with one, and my mother still has it - I used to love when the little bird would pop out of the closed door to announce the time!!


I can't wait to see what you make!  If you are looking for a little more inspiration I know just the place!!   Click on the names of the DT members here to see more.



Have a beautiful day!!











Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse Country Labels 4
Dies:  Poppystamps Elegant Stair Frame, Curious Cat, Evanston Birdhouse, Frozen Border (clock pendulum), MFT Dienamics Fishtail Banner
Twinery Twine Buttercream, Marigold
Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
Pattern Paper My Mind's Eye "Happy Day" 6x6"
Card Stock:  PTI Spring Rain, Lemon Tart, SU! Daffodil Delight
Pearls

CASE Study #202 - Cherries

Hi and thanks for stopping by!  Another busy posting day for me so please look around.  I bet you've been wondering what I've been up to!   Now you know!!  LOL!  I'm feeling better from my dental implant and getting back to normal.  The hint of fall is in the air - or maybe more in my head since the kids are buzzing about what classes to take and school actually starts in August... GASP... that's tomorrow!!!  Time is flying!  Moriko is getting big and turning into a moocher!  


I'm playing at CASE Study today. It's our last challenge this month with our muse Shari Carroll. She's been lots of fun to CASE and I'm going to have to start stalking her blog now. I've been introduced to so many wonderful designers though CASE. So what does Shari have for us this week? Oh.. look at this beautiful red flower on the kraft background. Did you notice the stamping on the background? How about the colored stripes on the flower? The little banner peeking out both sides of he flower? Well now it's time you take it, make it your own, and own it!


What did I see? At first I was captivated by that flower - but then how to make it mine?  Would it just look like another flower?  I knew I wanted to keep the red so I went for some cherries!!    I added the double ended banner sentiment, and lots of color with a layered patterned paper background.

Now it's your turn! Or are you looking for a little more inspiration? Check out projects from the design team and our special guesties Amy Tsuruta and Tenia Nelson!
Amy and Silke are on Summer break but the rest of the ladies are ready to wow you!


Chupa - Iwona Palamountain
Tasnim Ahmed
Jill Foster
Gayatri Murali
Anja Curvers
Anna Kossakovskaya
Julia Stainton
Michelle Williams
Annika Lerche

Don't forget that next month marks CASE's 4th Anniversary.  Every Thursday we will be having special blog hops and lots of prizes.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!











Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Flourishes Cherries & Peaches
Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon "Farm Girl"
Card Stock:  PTI White, Aqua Mist, SU! Pretty In Pink
Twinery Twine Caribbean 
Border Punch:  EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace, Cheery Lynn French Pastry, Paper Smooches Flag Tags
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Enamel Dots

12 Kits - The Weather Outside is Frightful!!




The 12 Kits of Occasions is a group of 12 designers with a love for paper crafting. We have a different theme every month, but you can sure that Christmas is going to pop up more than once a year! Each month one of the designers creates a kit full patterned papers, die cuts, stamped images and embellishments for each member of the group. On the last day of the month we all post our creations using the same kit! It is all about having fun!  I'm always amazed at how different (or sometimes similar) our designs look.   You can get a complete list of supplies that Tracy provided at our 12 Kits of Occasions Blog, or like us on Facebook for updates.

Our hostess this month is Tracey McNeely from In My Creative Opinion Blog.  Tracey is our North of the Border, super clean and simple gal - you will know her from the different DT's she's on including CASology, The Card Concept, CASual Fridays, and Top Dog Dies.  She's super sweet and always ready to lend an ear or give advice. 

So what do I have left in my kit this time?  Not a whole lot... the thing that stands out the most is the die cut metallic gold sequins.  I thought they were so cute, but I don't think I used any of the.  I'm anxious to see what the ladies did with them so I have something to CASE!  I've got loads of photos for you - this was a really fun kit to work with - so grab a cuppa and settle in! LOL!! 








Ready for more?  Here's a list of all the ladies with projects for you today!  Oh yes.. and a special guestie too - the one and only Lesley Croghan from Always Playing with Paper!


Kellly Schirmer - Gingham Girl


Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!











Little things I added to the kit... 
GEMS!!!  
Twinery Twine - Solid Maraschino, Natural, Caribbean
Leaf Pin , Mini Lanyard, Buttons 
Ribbon:  5/8" Grosgrain Polka dot Red, 5/8" Iridescent Ivory Taffeta, Twisted Burlap May Arts, Ivory Lace Martha Stewart 
Die Cuts:  Spellbinder Classic Rectangle, Classic Scalloped Rectangle, Avery Elle Dotted Pennant, Lil Inker Pine Branch, MFT DieNamics Fishtail Flags 
Border Punch:  Ek Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace, Dotted Scallop
Copic Markers

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Twinery & Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop! Day 3

Thanks for joining me today!  What a wonderful day for a visit.  Today The Twinery and Serendipity Stamps are having a blog hop.  .  It's a great way to show you the very best of both products and how beautiful they look together.   If you are following along on the hop you should have reached me from either Serendipity Stamps or The Twinery Blogs.   If you would like to start from the beginning and see the prizes up for grabs you can get the details here at Serendipity or The Twinery.  Actually it's the third day of the event so you might want to check the blogs anyway to see what you missed.  There's three days of beautiful projects, and you can find out about other ways to win as well. 
My card today features the Wildflower image.  It was originally released with a canning jar image, but I've been thinking the flowers would look great peeking out of the teapot die.  I did a little layering because the teapot covered up a few of the flowers.  I just stamped the image a second time, colored the flowers with Copic markers, fussy cut and layered them with adhesive foam tape so they would look like they are hanging over the edge of the teapot. 
I embellished my design with Twinery Natural Solid Twine.  I thought the wild flowers had a "home spun" feel and the natural twine complimented my design.  Twinery Twine is the best quality twine I have ever worked with.  I love the soft cotton feel and the wonderful array of colors that are available.
The next stop on the hop is Tobi Crawford!  But before you go I hope you will leave me a comment.  A $25 Serendipity Stamps Gift Certificate will be given to one random winner selected from comments received during the blog.

Sales and other chances to win!
Serendipity Stamps 
**“Like” Serendipity Stamps on Facebook and leave a comment on our page letting us know you came from the blog hop.

For your convenience, here's a list of all the designers with projects today
Jeanne Jachna That's me!


Happy Hopping!!  And GOOD LUCK!
















WildflowersEnjoy!Teapot Die




Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"

Stamps: Serendipity Stamps  Enjoy!  I206B,  Wildflowers 1306F
Twinery Natural Twine
Dies:  Serendipity Stamps Teapot, Cheery Lynn L7 Oval Classic DL 252 Horizon Oval Boutique  YES!  Serendipity does sell Cheery Lynn Dies!
Pattern Paper:  October Afternoon Farmhouse Collection 8x8"
Card Stock:  SU!  Pink Pirouette, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, PTI Spring Rain
Button, Pin Dritz
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers 

Monday, July 28, 2014

The Challenge #11 - You Make Life Beautiful!

Did you have a good weekend?  I was mostly a couch potato taking it easy all weekend.  I had some dental work done and my jaw is still a little sore.     I have two posts today - a blog hop with CardMaker Magazine and The Stamps of Life, and this post for The Challenge.   So if you have time I hope you will look around.  There are a few prizes up for grabs - all you need to do is leave a few comments.

Today begins a new 2 week challenge at The Challenge!!  (try saying that three times!).  The Challenge is another wonderful creation by Lesley Croghan and is hosted on her blog  Always Playing with Paper.  Lesley is the creator of Fusion, Dynamic Duos, Seize the Birthday, Seize the Sketch, Card Concept, and Merry Monday.  This time is double the fun because there is a color challenge, and a sketch challenge.  You can use either one that inspires you, or you can incorporate them both together like I did.  I didn't have all the Stampin' Up! Papers / Inks so I improvised with colors that were similar.
The dark orange pattern paper is purchased, the flower print I stamped myself (why thank you very much!)   It was a simple and easy way to sneak in all the colors - the light and dark orange for the flowers, the green on the foliage.

Check out what the rest of the DT made for this challenge.


 Lesley Croghan (Creator)

Now it's your turn!  I can't wait to see what you make and I hope you will link it up here at The Challenge!












Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.25 x 5.5"
Stamps:  Avery Elle Love Notes
Dies:  Cheery Lynn M4 Circles, Mandy Doily, Paper Smooches flag Tags
Wood Butterfly:  Jillibean Soup
Ribbon:  1/4" White Ric Rac May Arts
Ink:  Impress Fresh Ink Chocolate, Memento Tangelo, Rich Cocoa, Morocco, Bamboo Leaves
Card Stock:  PTI White, Terracotta Tile, SU! Early Espresso
Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey "What's Up!" 6x6"
Punch: EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace 

CardMaker & The Stamps of Life Blog Hop

What a great day to stop by!  CardMaker Magazine and The Stamps of Life are having a joint blog hop!  If you are hopping along  you should have reached me from Frances Byrne's blog.  If you'd like to start at the beginning you can get the hop list and details here, at the CardMaker blog
The Stamps of Life has lots of neat stamp sets with coordinating dies from Sizzix.  I used two sets on my project today : Tickets2Stamp and Spinners2Stamp.  I try to be inspired by what I see, and can you guess what I've been doing this summer?  Yes - living in the Midwest means there are lots and lots of festivals and carnivals!!  
I couldn't resist  this easy to stamp spinner.  The set comes with a large circle stamp complete with dividers, little sentiments to stamp in the different sections and even a solid triangle stamp so you can color up each section.   I love the "Open My Present First" sentiment!
I stamped a bunch of little tickets from the Tickets2Stamp set to stick inside my card.    Who wouldn't want a whole roll of these to collect on?  They were really easy to stamp - and again the set included a solid stamp so you can easily add some color onto each ticket. 
Here's a peek at the inside of the card - just one section from what I'm calling the "Birthday Wheel" with the winning sentiment! 

Ready to see some more?  Here's a list of all the designers posting projects today.  The next stop on your hop is Vanessa Buzard.  But before you go - please leave me a comment.  The Stamps of Life will be giving away THREE Stamp Sets ($12.95 value or less) to one winner!  You can get all the details here on the Stamps of Life Website. 

Here's a complete list of all the designers with projects today! 


Hop List
Jeanne Jachna  That's Me!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Hopping and the Best of Luck to You!!















Supplies Used:  Finished Size 4.5 x 6.25"
Stamps:  The Stamps of Life Tickets2Stamp, Spinners2Stamp
Dies:  The Stamps of Life Tickets2Stamp, Spinners2Stamp, Spellbinder Classic Circles, Classic Scalloped Circles
Card Stock:  October Afternoon Cake Walk Collection 8x8"
Card Stock:  PTI True Black, Vintage cream, White, W+9 Lake House
Sequins, Brad, Pin:Dritz
Border Punch:  EK Success Double Embossed Dotted Lace
Ribbon:  1/2" Raspberry Ric Rac May Arts
Twinery Twine:  Solid Blossom
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Summer Sky, New Sprout, Angel Pink, Cantaloupe, Dandelion, LuLu Lavender