Precious Remembrance Autumn Treat Box

Today, I'm sharing an autumn treat box idea over at Precious Remembrance that you'll want to check out! I love giving little gifts to teachers and close friends and this little box is so simple to make!  Be sure and check it out!

Joining the Precious Remembrance Team!

I have some very exciting news to share with you today!  I have been asked to join the Precious Remembrance design team!  Beginning today, I will be sharing card ideas over on the blog on Tuesdays!

This week, I'm sharing a clean & simple card design using the brand new Fall Colors set, so be sure and go take a peek!

I also want to give you a heads up on an upcoming Blog Hop with Precious Remembrance and Tombow USA that will begin this Friday, September 5, and continue through Sunday, September 7!  Be sure and mark your calendars because it will include three days of fun, inspiration and prizes!!!  You're not going to want to miss it!

Isn't it crazy just how soon fall will be arriving?  Changing the calendar over to September made it hit home even more yesterday!  I'm ready.  I think...

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Precious Remembrance New Release Blog Hop & Giveaway!

I'm excited to be guest designing today for Precious Remembrance as they release a beautiful new fall stamp set! Just take a look!  Introducing the brand new Fall Colors set:

I don't know about you, but I'm beginning to feel motivated to dig into autumn themed things and this set only made that feeling stronger!  I inked it up and this is what I created:

I used watercolors to created the background and then stamped the trio of leaves in brown ink.  I added three tiny, brown gems as embellishments and stamped the sentiment in brown ink also.  Very simple, but I love the browns and orange together!

There's a blog hop & giveaway going on along with this new release!  It starts over on the Precious Remembrance blog, so you'll want to head on over for the details and to join in the fun!  From there, you can follow this list:

Precious Remembrance Shop

Rosemary Dennis

Lisa Elton

Sue Lelli

Kim Bell

Melissa Chipperfield (Guest Designer) - you're here!

Geri Freeman

Andrea Budjack

So what do you need to do to put yourself in the running for the prize?  Here's a quick list:

• Subscribe in Precious Remembrance Shop Blog.

• Follow/Like Precious Remembrance on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram.

• Share the new stamp release news with your crafty friends through: Facebook, Blog, Instagram, etc.

• Hop along and leave a comment on each blog and show us some love!  :)

• One lucky winner of the stamp set will be randomly chosen.

Giveaway ends on Sunday August 23,2014.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday: Hanging On

Hello, Pumpkin!

I've been digging through my autumn decorations lately and found a jack-o-lantern to set out on the front porch.  I purchased a real pumpkin in town and plan to carve that with the boys in the next week or so for Halloween.  Then, I happened upon some cute sparkly pumpkins for the fireplace mantel.  Pumpkins are just a part of autumn!

This week at CASology pumpkin is the cue word and it's perfect for this particular month!  Creative ideas seemed to elude me this time, however.  The pumpkin stamp images that I own were not inspiring me at all, so I ended up focusing on the color orange and using a sentiment that I've always found rather cute.

I nabbed my sons' sponge daubers and created a polka dotted card.  I simply stamped the sentiment over one of the dots and then added three star sequins.  As I added the stars I realized I was thinking about Cinderella and her pumpkin carriage!  Too bad I don't have any Disney themed princess stamps!  With DD in the house I suppose it will only be a matter of time.

What does the word PUMPKIN make you think of?  We'd love to find out!  Be sure and visit the rest of the design team members' blogs for more inspiration this week!  Then, don't forget to link up your own creation on the challenge blog by Sunday at 4:00 p.m. (CST)!

Ardyth
Gillian 

 Jen

Judy 

Kimberly 

Maureen 

Meghan 

Melissa 

(you're here!)

Rosemary 

Tracey

Busy days around here and, thus, the lack of posting.  We've got a landscaping project going and overnight guests arrived last night!  We're hoppin' around here and I keep looking for those lazy autumn days people talk about!  Not happening!

 Have a terrific Tuesday!

My Favorite Day

"What day is it,?" asked Pooh.

"It's today," squeaked Piglet.

"My favorite day," said Pooh.

It's Monday and, yes, I have to say it's one of my favorite days!  Not sure how that happened exactly.

After a weekend full of grandparent love and exciting progress on a couple house projects, we're blasting off into another week!  Before that happens, though, I wanted to share another autumn card that I created for the inspiration challenge on the Clean and Simple thread at Splitcoast Stampers!

Simple, one layer goodness.  I used autumn colors and stamped one image multiple times before adding the sentiment.

Dear father and mother-in-love head for home today around the noon hour.  DH has the morning off from work to keep going on a project that was started over the weekend.  I'll share photos once I get some time to sit down and gather a few together to post!  Mother-in-love insists I take some time this morning to enjoy some time alone in town, so I best be going!

Have a marvelous Monday!

I {Heart} Fall

I love fall.  The golden hues.  The colorful leaves.  The laughter of children as they jump into the leaf piles that their parents have just finished raking.  The comfort food that appears on the table.  The warm drinks that soothe cold hands.  The sweatshirts and fuzzy socks that feel like extra hugs.

I whipped up a handful of clean and simple cards Tuesday afternoon, so I will actually have some things to share here on the blog!  I had fall in my head and ended up making all the cards with kraft cardstock!  I go through phases like that where I'll make a whole bunch of cards using one kind of product, image, etc.  One week it's kraft cardstock, another week it's a certain size card and so on.  Do you find yourself doing that too?

This little acorn and sentiment from Lawn Fawn caught my attention and I thought it was the perfect little image to welcome the season!

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn

This is a quick, one layer design that would be so easy to mass produce!  Both the acorn and sentiment were stamped in dark brown ink and then a little red heart was stamped over the heart outline.  The lower corners of the card were rounded last.  I'm going to link this up with CASology's AUTUMN challenge!

I've been in the mood for something pumpkin the last week or so may try to make some of our favorite pumpkin bars today!

Have a great Thursday!

Autumn Greetings

This week looks like it is to be one filled with the hustle and bustle of a new school year starting and, with it, my first official thoughts of autumn!  I've noticed some oh-so-subtle signs of the upcoming season stealthily popping into the landscape.  I even saw a flock of geese fly overhead yesterday, headed south!

I found myself looking through the fall colors in my creative stash for this week's Clean & Simple Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers!  We are to use paint or watercolors instead of ink on everything but the sentiment!

I used some Tim Holtz acrylic paint daubers to add fall colors to the tree image before stamping it.  I then stamped the sentiment on a separate strip of cardstock before popping it up with foam dots for dimension.  I added some matching gemstones for some interest.

DH and the two oldest are off to school orientations this morning.  DS3 is still sleeping after an evening of birthday activities and DD is snuggled against me, snoozing like new little ones do.  This last day of summer break looks like a beauty!  I have high hopes of giving DS3 a quick haircut and then attempting to get a sibling photo of the four munchkins!  Wonder how that's going to play out?!

Have a marvelous Monday!

A Grateful Heart

It's the beginning of another new week and I'm sharing a card I started last week. Card making was trumped by family fun (as it should be)! We took off for an overnight stay at a motel with a waterpark (Thank you, Priceline)! We'd originally planned to take the boys to a zoo that is south of us, but with the temperatures dipping lower than originally forecasted, we opted to do something indoors! The boys had a blast and we really enjoyed some time away from home! We ended the weekend with trick-or-treating back in our old stomping grounds. DH and I were accompanied by two skeletons and Tigger. Oh, what fun!

I'm still in leaf jumping mode, but with the temperatures delivering white frost for breakfast in the mornings, I think my mindset will soon be shifting to other things!  I fully intended to play along with Unity's Friends with Flair on Friday, but didn't get around to it with all the fun things we had going on!  

Stamps:  Unity

I used stamps from the 2012 August and October Kits of the Month.  The leaves I inked up with SU's Daffodil Delight and then lightly tapped the stamp onto More Mustard to achieve a two-tone look.  The sentiment is not placed exactly where I wanted it because I didn't leave quite enough room under the leaves on the banner strip.  Ah well.  So is the life of a stamper.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  Have yourself a marvelous Monday!

Autumn Greetings

Yesterday was truly an autumn day!  It was so blustery and leaves were drifting through the air.  I found myself reaching for an afternoon cup of coffee (something that is not usual for me these days) and a sweet treat.  Is it any wonder we find ourselves with a little extra padding here and there by spring?!  I think I naturally eat the heavier, calorie-ridden foods in the colder months!  Do you?

I'm also feeling a huge surge of crafting energy!  After a couple weeks of waning mojo, I'm excited to feel this way!  Give me some coffee and a little of that stuff called chocolate and I'm going to be happily stamping away this fall!  I'm so ready, but am still blocking out the thought of the cold, white precipitation that follows!

I made another autumn themed card for today.  I've been slacking off playing along with the Clean & Simple Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers the last couple of weeks and it's time I get back into my usual routine!  I usually like to play along the day it starts, but that won't be the case this week.  I'm just three days late.

Stamps:  Verve

We were given an inspirational photo this week and this is what it inspired me to create.  I stamped three little leaves in different colors (SU's Always Artichoke, More Mustard and Cherry Cobbler) onto a piece of kraft cardstock and then added a touch of SU's Early Espresso.  For embellisments, I used a piece of linen thread and three orangish-brown gemstones.  After rounding two of the card corners & mounting the main panel using foam dots, I was finished.

It's a lazy day here at home today.  That's probably a good thing, though, as tomorrow there is no school and this place will more than likely turn into a zoo, monkeys being the main attraction!

Have a super Thursday!

Autumn's Arrival

Fall is in the air!  Days are mild with gentle breezes and evenings are cool enough to warrant wearing a sweatshirt.  I'm enjoying this!  Next week is the official start of autumn, but I think it's already arrived!

For today's Prickley Pear creation, I made an autumn card using brown, orange and ivory.  The image panel is sponged to add a pop of color.  There are lots of new images that will be arriving in the store soon, so stay tuned!  It's hard to believe that a week from today, I'll be posting my last creation as a design team member for Prickley Pear!  How time flies when you're having fun!

Have yourself a marvelous Monday!

Prickley Pear:  Hibiscus 2 clear set (sentiment), Pumpkin Clear Stamps Set 2 (leaf), Pumpkin Die (leaf)

I've been veering off into the land of Pinterest more often the past week or two.  It seems like I go days without visiting that place and then, all of a sudden, I'm visiting daily!  Fall colors are beginning to surface and, I must say, I am loving teal and brown together!  So much so, that I had to use it on today's Prickley Pear creation!  Yes, summer isn't over yet, but I'm beginning to see an occasional brown leaf tumble down around here!  I'm not quite ready to say I'm in the mood for autumn, but I have to say I'm enjoying the cool nights we're having right now!

I embossed the Chocolate Chip cardstock (SU) using a Sizzix embossing folder by Tim Holtz & layered it on Island Indigo cardstock (SU).  I stamped and die cut three leaves and then popped them up with foam dots.  A fairly simple card.

I spent Saturday going through two bookcases full of papers, books and other miscellaneous.  I still need to take photos of the boys' art work, but I'm feeling pretty good about what I accomplished!  Our office/four-seasons room now looks like it should...free of clutter & organized.  Just in time for a new school year to begin!

Have yourself a very happy Monday!  I'll be back tomorrow with CASology's new cue word and corresponding card creation!

A Simple Thanksgiving Card

It's Prickley Pear Monday and since Thanksgiving is this week, I decided to make a Thanksgiving card!  The weekend ended up being a rather eventful one for us, so I made a clean & simple design.  That will be good for making those last minute Thanksgiving cards!

Supplies:

Stamps - Prickley Pear (Oak & Maple Leaf Clear Stamps Set)

Paper - SU Pumpkin Pie, Bazzill white textured CS

Ink - SU Pumpkin Pie

Accessories - orange gemstones, Prickley Pear Oak & Maple Leaf Die, foam dots (popped up main image and square panel behind it)

(Finished card = 5 in. x 5 in.)

Hello, Pumpkin!

I still need to find some pumpkins to set outdoors.  We just got done redoing the landscaping in the front of our house and it's just crying out for pumpkins now!  I have mums, but no pumpkins.  I don't think we're going to make it to a pumpkin patch this fall, so I'll have to remember to pick some pumpkins up next time I'm in town.

I decided to make a pumpkin themed card for today.  This Baby Pumpkin from 2 Cute Rubber Stamps is so adorable with its toothy grin and diaper!  I played along with this month's sketch challenge over at i {heart}2 stamp (see sketch at end of this post).

Supplies:
Stamps - 2 Cute Rubber Stamps (Baby Pumpkin Apple), C.C. Designs (sentiment)
Paper - My Mind's Eye DP (Fly a Kite), kraft CS, SU Pumpkin Pie & Lucky Limeade CS
Ink - SU Basic Black (sentiment)
Accessories - SU button brads, SU word window punch, SU ribbon, foam squares (popped up green polka dot panel, sentiment panel and pumpkin image)
Coloring - Copic markers

Sketch used:

Comfort Food

After making this card, I've started dreaming of Thanksgiving food!  We usually make the pies for the occasion, so it will soon be time to think about what kinds of pies to bake!  My favorite is either cherry of French Silk, but I always buy the French Silk if we choose that one.  I have a feeling we won't be getting that one this year, though, as I think I usually end up eating quite a bit of it myself.  Others tend to go for apple and pumpkin.  Why is it that pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving tradition?  I'm not particularly fond of it!  :)-  One year, we were served cheesecake by my brother and sis-in-love and that was wonderful!  I'd choose cheesecake again in a heartbeat!

Supplies:
Stamps - The Stamping Boutique (digital), SU (sentiment)
Paper - SU Basic Black CS, Gina K white CS 7 Gypsies DP
Ink -  SU Basic Black
Accessories - SU buttons, SU ribbon, Nestabilities (oval, scalloped oval), SU oval & word window punches
Coloring - Copic markers

Thanksgiving food is comfort food to me.  Maybe it's the warm mashed potatoes, the savory turkey, the green bean casserole, the hot dinner rolls with butter, etc.  My mouth is beginning to water!  Until then, we like this for comfort food:  Macaroni & Cheese with a side of corn.

 

Homemade Mac-n-Cheese

2 - 2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained

16-oz. light cottage cheese

2/3 cup light sour cream

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp. onion powder

Combine all ingredients in a 2-quart casserole dish.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.

More Excitement!

Today, I get to announce that I am now a member of the Prickley Pear 2011-2012 Design Team!  How exciting is that?!  I am so happy to be a part of this team and can not wait to begin working along with all the team talent using these fabulous images and dies!  To celebrate, I created a clean and simple one-layer card and entered it into the Less is More sketch challenge this week!

Supplies:
Stamps - Prickley Pear (Oak & Maple Leaf Clear Stamp Set)
Paper - textured white CS
Ink - SU Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso

Changing of the Season

Today is the beginning of a new challenge over at The Stamping Boutique!  The theme is "Changing of the Season."  Come join the fun!

I made this card for the challenge and could hardly contain my glee putting all those orange gemstones on it!  LOL!  I do love to use bling when the opportunity arises!  And orange, of all colors!

Supplies:
Stamps - The Stamping Boutique (Dramatic Tree, digital)
Paper- Kraft CS, SU Early Espresso CS, Copic Blending Card, Basic Grey DP (Mellow)
Ink - SU Early Espresso
Accessories - orange gemstones, American Crafts ribbon, 1/4-inch circle punch, SU Early Espresso marker, SU scalloped border punch, paper piercer, distressor

Autumn is...

...the earthy smells.

...the crunchy leaves.

...the open-your-windows evenings.

...the rediscovery of favorite sweatshirts.

...the eruption of color in the landscape.

...the return of school routines.

...slowing down to a hum after summer's noisy buzz.

*******

This week, I have the honor of being the Guest Designer for the Clean & Simple Challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers!  How exciting!  The challenge this time around is to use leaves on your card.  I chose to use a leaf embossing folder I discovered in my stash.  I tried to keep the look very clean and neat.  There are so many wonderful autumn colors that it was a bit of a challenge narrowing it down to just a couple for this card!

Supplies:
Stamps - SU (Season by Season)
Paper - SU Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler CS
Ink - SU Cherry Cobbler
Accessories - SU Early Espresso marker, SU ribbon, Quickutz embossing folder, SU oval punch, foam squares (popped up sentiment panel)

Themed Thursdays: Autumn Colors

Supplies:
Stamps - Verve Stamps (Better With You set)
Paper - SU Early Espresso, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla CS
Ink - SU Early Espresso
Accessories - SU heart punch, Jillibean polka dot ribbon, foam squares (popped up main image)

I'm going to start something new here on Thursdays.  I love themed challenges, so thought I'd start one here on my own little blog for anyone who is interested in playing along!  I'm still working out the details in my mind, so bear with me!  To start us off, this week's theme is:

*Fall Colors*

Think deep reds, oranges, yellows, purples, browns, etc!  I made a coffee card in these colors because autumn reminds me of hot drinks and coffee shop conversations!  If you want to play along, link up your creation below and then go leave some comments on other participants' blogs as they bravely add their own links here!  Have fun!  Oh, and ANY creative project is acceptable (stamp, sew, knit, photography, crochet, paint, etc.)!  Just use fall colors and link up below by next Thursday!  :)

*If you are a member of the Splitcoast Stampers Community, tag your creation with the keyword: THT1 so it is easy to find everyone's creations in one place!  Thanks!

I am also playing along with Verve Stamps' Diva Dare - Sending Some Sunshine challenge this week as I just received my very first Verve Stamps order this week and am in love with this company already!  Afterall, coffee is liquid sunshine to me and some others I know!  :

A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Many days, I drive by one of our local pumpkin patches when going to or coming from town. We usually try to go visit them in October when the mornings are beginning to get downright crisp! I love orange pumpkins and they seem to summarize fall for me entirely!
I have a stash of C. C. Designs' new fall/halloween stamps and it's time to dig them out and play!

Supplies:
Stamps: C.C. Designs
Paper: Basic Grey Mellow
Cardstock: SU Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Paper Trey white
Ink: SU Soft Suede, Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories: Prima flowers, vintage brads, SU oval punch, SU Dusty Durango polka dot ribbon, foam squares, sponge
Coloring: Koh-i-noor pencils with Gamsol