FWF: Owl ♥ You Always

Here's to another Fun Friday with Friends With Flair!  As if we ever need an excuse to stamp, right?  I'm a caregiver and find it difficult to carve out the time to be creative.  We just need to do it.  Self care needs to be a priority!  I find myself thankful for Unity and their weekly FWF encouragement because it reminds me to get into the creative space and go for it!  Consider this your reminder.
   

    
Paper piecing is one of my favorite techniques, and I just had to make a polka-dotted owl!  Isn't he cute?  The funky paper actually started out as a large tag shape from a very old K&Company tag-pad.  The writing, dots, film, and wavy lime green line on the bottom are all printed on the paper.  Then I found the "Check It Out" acetate banner from a package of BasicGrey embellishments and this card was on its way.

Speaking of reminders, here are two more:

1. Love cards don't have to be red or pink or girly.
2. Love cards don't need a holiday.  Send it whenever you feel it.

Happy Stamping!

---

This project has also been submitted for these challenges:

• Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge:  Anything Goes
• DL.ART July Crafty Challenge:  Anything Goes

FWF: Every Artist

It's Friday once again, everyone, and I have a special Unity card to share with you for today's Friends with Flair.  This one was can be found in print, on page 92 of the current Take Ten Summer 2014 issue.  I submitted this card for a "sage green" call, but the sage projects aren't going to be published until the Summer 2014 issue of The Stampers' Sampler.
    

 
If you have the desire to see your projects in print, set a goal to submit a few.  It's so interesting which ones they choose and which don't make the cut.  You see, the cards that don't get chosen aren't necessarily bad.  It may be that they already have lots of orange cards, for example, but they have a spot on a layout with red cards that needs to be filled.

Most magazines offer you the opportunity to have your project returned to you if they choose not to publish it.  I always let them keep it -- who knows when they'll need my lavender card to fill a spot?   I've had a project published almost two years after I submitted it.  That wouldn't have happened if I had insisted that it get returned to me.
   
It's such a thrill to see your project in print!  In addition to the excitement, there are often other perks, too.  Typically, the publisher sends you a complimentary copy of the issue your project is featured in.  Depending on the products your project features, you might also qualify from some reward swag (typically called "Publication Incentives").  I've been keeping a comprehensive list of paper & stamp companies that offer such incentives and links to their specific guidelines.  It's right here on the blog, up top, labeled "Publication Incentives", or you can click on that phrase here.  I would definitely encourage you to support companies that offer these.
      
I hope you'll take a chance and send in a few of your favorite cards, and I hope to see your project in print someday soon.
   
Happy Stamping!
  

Weekly Challenge #18 - Traditional Mother's Day

Last week, the Green Team featured cards made for Mother's Day with non-traditional colors and themes (i.e. no flowers).   This week, the Orange Team is showing off more traditional Mother's Day cards.  This theme is just perfect for the Bazzill Basics ultra-feminine Vintage Marketplace Line.  The papers are so pretty and shabby-chic!
 

       
On my card, I used the green gingham and roses patterns -- definitely my favorites of the whole pack!   There are also fun polka dots, chevrons, and fun office-style papers in soft Springtime colors.  Coordinating perfectly with the colors on these papers were the Memento dye inks in Bamboo Leaves and Angel Pink.  I used two words stamps and then a portion of the cameo stamp from Paper Smooches' Pretty Momma set.  The crown sticker is also part of the Vintage Marketplace line.
  
Mother's Day is bittersweet for me.   My Mom passed unexpectedly almost 13 years ago, and I still miss her every day.  I spend this day thankful for my own Mom as well as all the other wonderful Moms in my life.  My Mother-in-Law, for example, is an absolute gem.   I love her to pieces!   I always look forward to talking and visiting with her.  We were a great support to each other, sometimes long-distance, during my husband's big open heart & transplant surgeries.  She also taught hubby to cook, clean, and do laundry.  She rocks.
 
Please join us this week to create a traditional Mother's Day card or project.  And if your own Mom is no longer with us, you definitely know a Mom who would appreciate a card.  Your sister, an aunt, a neighbor who has kids, that co-worker that works so hard, a lady at church who brings her little ones every week...  there are lots of Moms out there!   I'm not a Mom, so I don't pretend to know how hard they work and how much they worry, but I bet they'd love to be shown appreciation!  To participate, please link your project HERE.
 
Because this week is an ANYTHING GOES week at Paper Smooches Sparks challenge, I'm submitting this card for that, too! 
         
Happy (early) Mother's Day and Happy Stamping!
   

2014 Cuttin' & Stampin' DT Blog Hop

 

     
Can you believe Cuttin' and Stampin' Challenge Blog has been going for over a year now? It has gone by so fast and we have had so much fun creating and sharing projects with you.  Starting the first of the year we decided to make a few changes.  These changes include bringing you different types of projects, and to do that we needed increase the number of members on the team.  We also decided to split the team in to two.
   
Today's hop features the Orange Team.
   
Be sure to stop by each of them and welcome them to our 2014 Design Team.  We will have a drawing for each day of the hop.  Just leave a comment below and at each stop along the way.  We will announce blog hop winners on Friday along with our regular weekly challenge winners.
      
For my project today, I'm celebrating both C&S and the 3rd Anniversary of Paper Smooches!   If you've been to my blog before, you know that Kim Hughes is my favorite stamp designer.  I'm so excited that she makes stamps and dies for all of us to enjoy!

This card uses the butterflies from the Flap Happy set and the Butterflies 1 die set, and the sentiment comes from the Many Thanks stamp set.   I chose three butterflies to signify the third anniversary.  The cute patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye and the cardstock is a smoothie from Bazzill Basics.  Happy Third Anniversary, Paper Smooches!!
    

             
ORANGE TEAM Line Up
Madge - http://thescrappinlounge.com
Karen - http://karey2005.blogspot.com
JoAnn - http://joboogie.typepad.com
Lynda - http://positive-force.blogspot.com/
Courtney - http://cshorrcreations.blogspot.com/
Cathy - http://cathyplus5.blogspot.com
Kim - http://kimross.blogspot.com  --- you are here ---
Melissa - http://CreatedbySunshineHoneyBee.blogspot.com/
Michelle Kinder - http://michellekinder.blogpost.com
  
If you're doing the full hop, you should have arrived here from Cathy's blog.   If you haven't started but would like to, please start today's hop with Madge.   Remember to leave comments, because there will be a prize drawing among commenters.   Next up is Melissa.
 
Thanks so much for hopping with us and Happy Stamping!
  

Weekly Challenge #52 - Anything Goes Using Something New

#52

Challenge: Anything Goes Using Something New
  

December 31st - January 6th, 2014

     

Last week was "Something Old" and, since this week holds the promise of the new year, we're doing "Something New".   I'm excited because I am in love with cupcakes, but haven't used one of my Paper Smooches cupcakes yet.  How did that happen?

 

 

This card includes a paper-pieced cupcake from the Sugar Rush stamp set.  (I've used this set quite a bit -- especially the ice cream cone -- but never this adorable cupcake!)  I double-mounted it with scalloped circles cut from various Bazzill Basics Smoothies pinks.  I cut out a banner from one of those pinks and embossed Happy Birthday with clear EP.  The sentiment was from the Digits stamp set. 

    
So how about it?  Please join us in celebrating the NEW YEAR by using something new to you!  It's a fun challenge -- use a new stamp, new paper, new tool, new technique -- and share it with us!

    

Please link your projects HERE.

    

Happy Stamping & Happy New Year!

  

Weekly Challenge #51 - Anything Goes Using Leftovers

#51

Challenge: Anything goes using your Leftovers

December 24th - 30th, 2013

'Tis the season of leftovers, am I right?  Leftover stuffing, leftover turkey, leftover everything, it seems!  This year, I made my very first post-Thanksgiving turkey casserole.  I'm pretty excited by how it turned out.  I used two different recipes and used what I liked from each one.  We had some of the fresh sage & thyme leftover from making the gravy also, so I was able to add those to the casserole, too.

In addition to saving food leftovers, I save a lot of crafty leftovers.  Even things that started out as food containers or junk mail are crafty leftovers for me.  I've used chipboard from cereal boxes, plastic from product lids, etc.  I've got a project to show you today that I made from paper leftovers.   

The three adorable patterns I used were Christmas paper from the Bazzill Basics "Nordic Pines" collection, and the two solids are from Bazzill Basics, too.  I think I might keep working on this card and add some leftover ribbon and leftover buttons, too.

   

So here's your challenge: create something made from leftovers.   Anything goes, so it could be leftover fabric, leftover paper, leftover embellishments... whatever you find.
  

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.  

You can link your projects HERE.

  
Winners will be announced on January 3, 2014.  Thanks for playing along!
 
I wish you all Happy Stamping and Happy Holidays!  :)
 
  

Weekly Challenge #48 - Red, White, Kraft and Black

#48

Challenge:  Color Challenge
Red, White, Kraft and Black

December 3rd - 9th, 2013

We've got a great color challenge cooked up for you today:  red, white, kraft, and black.
    

My project uses three of these patterned papers and one of the cute journaling cards.  The adorable snowman from the Winter Groves set from Paper Smooches has been paper-pieced to add a plaid scarf.  The sentiment from the Sentiment Sampler set didn't quite fit horizontally on the journaling card, so I stamped the two words separately on different lines.
   

  

We'd love to get your take on this color scheme!  Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.   You can go HERE to link your projects.

    

Also -- Because this week is an ANYTHING GOES week at Paper Smooches Sparks challenge, I'm submitting this card for that, too!

  
Do you have any crafting plans this week?  I've signed up for a two-day crop this weekend.  Hope I'll be able to stay the whole time!

Happy Stamping!

Cuttin’ and Stampin’ DT call 2014

This post is my application to join the Cuttin' and Stampin' Design Team for 2014 as a Challenge Post Design Team Member. I have greatly enjoyed working with the team in 2013 and hope to get the chance to do so again.

I live in a suburb of Boise, Idaho, with my husband, Chris.   We're owned by two senior cats, Digit and Dusty.  I started stamping 10 years ago when Chris fell ill and I needed a quiet hobby to fill my time when I wasn't caring for him.

I like to travel, and have gotten to stop at lots of wonderful stamping stores and stamping events (and, of course, meet lots of terrific stampers) along the way.  It was on one of my trips that I got a chance to meet Tammy and we were like old friends the very first time we met -- and that's how I learned about Cuttin' and Stampin'.

My gallery is at SplitCoastStampers, where I also participate in the forums as "StampingSpud".  My crafting résumé includes information on published projects, past design team work, and stamping television appearances.

Here are a few projects that I think best represent my stamping style:

 

  

  

Thanks so much for your time and your consideration of this application.

Weekly Challenge #46 - Anything Goes with Numbers

#46

Challenge:  Anything Goes with Numbers

November 19th - 25th, 2013

We are celebrating Numbers this week. All of our design team members will be creating projects using the Bazzill Basic Paper Countdown to Christmas collection and the Paper Smooches Digits stamp set.  

 

My Christmas card uses the Digits stamp set from Paper Smooches, in addition to the Alphadot stamp set.  I created the green part of the tree using the Paper Smooches Clouds die set, and the brown trunk using the Trees 1 die set.  After cutting the three green cloud shapes, I inked the edges to create depth, assembled the tree, and embellished with gems. 

Another trick I used on this card is embossing the sentiment.  Because the cardstock was textured, it was difficult to get a nice, solid black stamped image.  However, with the embossing powder, it leveled off as it melted, creating a much more solid and impactful image.

So let's see what you can do with numbers, folks!  Bring out number stamps, number dies, or whatever works for you.   We can't wait to see your cards, scrapbook pages, or even a 3D project with a lot of numbers like an Advent calendar!

You can enter your creations here.  Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.  Thanks for playing along!  We will be announcing the winners on November 29, 2013.   

Happy Stamping!

Weekly Challenge #44 - Giving Thanks

#44

Challenge:  Giving Thanks

November 5 - 11, 2013

Now that Halloween has passed, we can turn our attention to enjoying the remainder of the fall season and (for Americans) plan for our annual focus on giving thanks.  As papercrafters, we have so much to be thankful for... lots of inspiration, beautiful colors, and a wonderful community of stampers and scrappers to share it all with!

I wanted to share something fairly easy to accomplish and that would be appropriate for either gender to send or receive.  I started with the color scheme from the Bazzill Basics line called "Autumn Harvest".  From that line, I used the plaid paper and the dotted paper is actually from one of their decorated journaling cards.  Then I used the notebook paper die and the thanks word die from Paper Smooches, and finished the sentiment with their Many Thanks stamp set.  To age it a bit, the edges are all inked with Chestnut Roan chalk ink from ClearSnap. 

Even if you can't think of a thank-you card that you need right now, you'll no doubt need one soon.  Why not join us and make one, so you will have one on-hand next time you have someone you need to thank?

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.

Thanks for playing along.  We will be announcing the winners on November 15, 2013.

Please link your projects here.

Happy Stamping!  

Weekly Challenge #40 - Breast Cancer Awareness

#40

Challenge:   Breast Cancer Awareness

October 8 - 14th, 2013

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in many countries around the world, and the pink ribbon is the movement's most visible symbol. We're celebrating this week with projects that feature both the color pink and the awareness ribbon!

My project features the beautiful Hope stamp set and die set from Paper Smooches. (This set was designed by Kim Hughes, who lost her mother to breast cancer.)

Hoping to have the pink really pop, the card is mostly a nice medium gray (Date Swirl from Bazzill Basics) accented with the dotted pink (Slipper). The word "hope" is embossed with a very light pink opaque embossing powder. I used the ribbon stamp to create a pattern on the bottom, and added the "loved" sentiment on top. Last, I used the die set to cut the small ribbon out of Watermelon Sensation.

While we're talking about Breast Cancer Awareness, please be brave and choose to Walk the Walk in addition to Talking the Talk. I have first hand experience with this... I even have friends my age going through breast cancer treatments now... but I was too afraid to get my own mammogram. If you're 40 and over and haven't done a mammogram this year, pick up the phone and make an appointment today. And if you don't want to do it for yourself, please consider doing it for the people who love you.

We hope you'll join us and make a project for Breast Cancer Awareness.  It could be a scrapbook page, card, etc. You can link your project here.

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'. 

Thanks for playing along!  We will be announcing the winners on October 18, 2013.

Weekly Challenge #39 - Halloween

#39

Challenge:   Halloween

October 1 - 7th, 2013

Today is World Card Making Day!  I'll be celebrating by making cards today.  Will you?  Of course, if you choose to join our challenge, it's not necessary to make a card.  A cute Halloween-themed scrapbook page or 3-D item will work just fine.

My project features the Arsenic and Lace patterned papers from Bazzill Basics and the Spookalicious dies and stamps from Paper Smooches.  All of these are available at the Cuttin' and Stampin' Shop at a deep discount as the Weekly Deal!

This card has fancy cutting all over it.  First, the focal images are both paper-pieced.  You'll notice some additional cutting on the ghost's "hand", where I created a slit for the pumpkin so it looks like she's carrying it.  Also fancy cut are the shape that says "eek" which was cut from the Bazzill Basics patterned paper, the bat which was a Paper Smooches die, and the spider web which was cut on the Silhouette.

We hope you'll join us and make a Halloween project -- cute or spooky is up to you!  It could be a scrapbook page, card, etc.  You can link your project here.

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'. 

Thanks for playing along!  We will be announcing the winners on October 11 2013.

Happy Stamping (and Card Making)!

Weekly Challenge #36 - Back to School

#36

Challenge:   Back to School

September 10 - 16th, 2013

It's that time of year again -- teachers, staff, and students of all kinds are headed back to school!  Teachers do a LOT for their students, so here's another thank-you card idea.

My card features the Smarty Pants stamp set from Paper Smooches, along with the "School Days" line of patterned papers and stickers from Bazzill Basics.   These are all on special this week only, so check out the Weekly Deal at Cuttin' and Stampin'!   As you can see on the yellow panel, I stamped the crayon right onto the end of the R in teacher so it looks like the crayon was used to write the words.

This close-up shows a little bit of the detail.  I edged all of the papers & sticker with Charcoal chalk ink from ClearSnap.  Then, instead of just sticking the A+ sticker onto the card, I used dimensional adhesive so it would pop.  And on the top left-hand corner of the sticker, you'll notice a cool black office supply clip from my stash.

We hope you'll join us and make a back-to-school project!  It could be a scrapbook page, card, tag, or even a covered notebook.  You can link your project here.  Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.  
 

Thanks for playing along!  We will be announcing the winners on September 20, 2013.

Happy Stamping!

End of Summer Labor Day Blog Hop

End of Summer Blog Hop

September 1st and 2nd, 2013

Cuttin' and Stampin' is celebrating

There is SO MUCH going on this weekend!  We have five new Design Team Members to introduce to you.  There's also a new Cuttin' and Stampin' Weekly Special starting this weekend.  From this point forward, you will be able to purchase the items the design team is using for the weekly challenge at a very special price.  This week, each of us has used the Bazzill Basic Paper collection called Lucy's Crab Shack.

Blog hop participants should have arrived here from Teresa K.'s blog.   If you did not not, you can start the hop at Cuttin' and Stampin' and work your way through our 13 talented Design Team members.

So now on to my project...  

I was feeling rather tropical, and why wouldn't I with places like Malibu, Key Largo, and Daytona Beach mentioned in the paper's pattern?  Both patterns and the pre-sewn banner are part of the Lucy's Crab Shack line.  The "warm thoughts" phrase is from the Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler set.  I chose the hibiscus flower specifically for its tropical origins, and it's from Making Memories.  The solid cardstock is Bazzill, also, and I wanted to call your attention to the blue.  It's a brand new cardstock called "denim".  My card has the dark denim, and here's a combo shot showing the light denim, too.

I love the versatility of having denim-like cardstock!  You know how you can wear just about any blouse, t-shirt, jacket or sweater with jeans?  The same goes for papers!  It really seems to go with everything.

Next up on our hop is Theresa R.'s blog.  And at the very end of our hop, you can enter to win a great blog candy gift pack on the Cuttin' and Stampin' Challenge blog.  Winners will be announced on September 6, 2013.  

If you get lost along the way, here's a complete line up:

1. Cuttin' and Stampin' - http://cuttinandstampin.blogspot.com
2. Tammy S. - http://lifeupdownandsideways.blogspot.com
3. Janet - http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com
4. Robin L. - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com
5. Pam - http://www.scrappletree.com
6. Denise - http://www.craftconfectionery.com
7. Doris -  http://momsbeenscrappin.blogspot.com
8. Cheryl - http://thearbofamily.blogspot.com/
9. Vickie - http://stuffbyvickie.blogspot.com
10. Robin S. - www.scrapandchat.blogspot.com
11. Teresa K. - www.createenjoyshare.blogspot.com
12. Kim ----you are here----
13. Teresa R. - http://freshandrenewed.blogspot.com
14. Lynda - http://positive-force.blogspot.com
15. Cuttin' and Stampin' Challenges - http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.com/2013/09/labor-day-blog-hop.html  

Hope you enjoyed hopping with us!  Happy Stamping!

Weekly Challenge #33 - Monochromatic

#33

Challenge:   Monochromatic 

August 20 - 26th, 2013

Here's an example of a monochromatic card for you... this time in Turquoise!  I live in Idaho where there are fires running rampant and the temperature continues to hover around 100° F, so I opted for a theme of cold weather that I just can't wait for!

I used four different Paper Smooches sets on this card.  I think that might be a record for me!  Can you guess them all? 

The four PS sets I used are:  Winter Groves, Geo-Graphic, He Said She Said, and Hang Ups.  This card also includes Bazzill Basics cardstock, VersaMark & Memento Bahama Blue inks, Washi Tape from WeRMK, Nestabilities, Copic Markers, and a gem from TPC Studio. 

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.

Please play along and join in the fun!  We will be announcing the winners on August 30, 2013.  You can link your project Here. 

Happy Stamping!

Weekly Challenge #32 - Square Cards

#32

Challenge:  Square Card Challenge 3x3 or 4x4

August 13 - 19th, 2013

Happy Friday, everyone!  TGIF!  I hope your plans this weekend include making a small, square card for our challenge.  I had a bit of a hard time changing from the standard rectangular card, but that's what challenge is all about! 

 

For this project, I started out with Bazzill Basics "Two Scoops" textured cardstock in Black Cow for the base and the Smoothies cardstock in Coconut Swirl for the white panel.  The patterned papers and border stickers are all from the "Mac" line from Bazzill Basics.  And the adorable stamps?   They're from Paper Smooches sets called "Fruitastic" and "Sentiment Sampler".  Love those!   The ribbon is beautiful hand-dyed silk from The Thread Gatherer, and the wood button was from my stash.

I know everyone loves Fridays.  Here's my favorite quote about this awesome day of the week:

Make each day of the week like Friday and your life will take on new enthusiasm.  - Byron Pulsifer

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.  You can link your project Here.

Thanks for playing along.  We will be announcing the winners on August 23, 2013.

Happy Stamping!

Clean & Simple Cards Challenge - Week 30

#30

Challenge:  Clean and Simple Cards

July 30 - August 5, 2013

It's Tuesday, and time for another great challenge from Cuttin' and Stampin'!  This time, the theme is "Clean and Simple Cards".  I think that the Clean & Simple idea can be summed up this way:  Less Is More.  It features color and design, and does away with most layers and embellishments. 

For my card, I chose images and the sentiment from the adorable Surf and Turf set from Paper Smooches.  I stamped the images with the Copic-friendly Memento inks from Tsukineko and then colored in the fish with Copics.  Then I mounted the white cardstock panel onto a coordinating turquoise card.

Yes, the explanation of the card sounds simple.  Believe me, there was a lot of hemming and hawing over colors and placement.  Then some "should I add ______?" conundrums.  In the end, it didn't need glitter or buttons or patterned paper.  The fish and the sentiment can stand alone.

So let's see your Clean and Simple cards!   Don't be afraid to let the white space show!

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.  You can link your project HERE.

Thanks for playing along!  We will be announcing the winners on August 9, 2013.

Happy Stamping!

Christmas In July Challenge - Week 28

#28

Challenge:  Christmas in July

July 16 - 22, 2013

Another week means another fun challenge with Cuttin' and Stampin'!  This week, it's "Christmas in July".  It's a perfect challenge for me, because it lets me leave these 100º+ days behind (at least in my mind) and focus on the crisp winter weather ahead.

My project features two sets from Paper Smooches:  Winter Groves (tree, gift, penguin) and Alphadots (letters & line of dots).  After stamping the foreground images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, I drew a horizon line so the images weren't just floating in space.  The tree trunk and gift were colored with Copic markers and the patterned tree is paper pieced.  Cardstock is from Bazzill Basics.

I may go back and add some color to the penguin's feet and beak.  When I was stamping with my friends, we had the great penguin debate:  are the feet/beak colored, are they yellow, are they orange, are they black?   It turns out that it depends on the species!  The Macaroni penguin even has pink feet!

So are you ready to start feeling some Christmas spirit?  It's never too early to start making your Christmas cards, you know, because the holidays always seem to sneak up on us!  

Please make sure your creation post has a link back to Cuttin' and Stampin'.

Projects are due on July 22nd.  Thanks for playing along!  We will be announcing the winners on July 26, 2013.

You can link your project HERE. 

Happy Stamping!