My Last ATS Preview... and a Goodbye

Hello, and Happy Tuesday! I have one last All That Scraps preview for you. Christine has created two more adorable Swiss Pixies this month! This is Nora on a Swing (the other is Birgitta on a Tree Stump). The sentiment is from Beach Sentiments by AmyR Stamps. I colored the image with Copics and added some Stickles to the butterflies. You can't really tell from the photo, but I paper pieced her legs so they would have just a bit of dimension. The paper is Green at Heart by BasicGrey.

When I told you that I have one last All That Scraps preview, I meant it really is my last All That Scraps preview. A couple weeks ago I made the very difficult decision to step down from the ATS Design Team. I had put off emailing Christine as long as I could, but I knew it was time. Life as of late has been taking time away from stamping, and something had to come off my plate. I'll be "retiring" from ATS after this month.

Nearly three years ago, Christine and Amy took a chance on this unknown stamper when they put together the first ATS Design Team. It was my first DT spot, and I will forever be grateful. It's truly unbelievable how my life has changed since then! I will SO miss my ATS teammates -- they are some of the kindest, most supportive, and most talented women in the business! I'm honored to have worked with them! Love you, girls! :)

I will still find time to stamp with the ATS images I've come to love so much -- those Sugarplums and Swiss Pixies will definitely be part of my "fun" stamping, so you will still see them here! :)

Now, back to business! Be sure to stop by the ATS Blog for more previews of these Swiss Pixies, and see how you can win your own stamps! Don't forget that all of the ATS releases will be available tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 10 pm!

I'll be back tomorrow with the last day of MFTeasers -- I hope you'll stop back! Thanks so much for the visit today!

Wishing YOU a sunshiney day! :)
Christina

Birthday Princess

*Scroll down if you're looking for my ATS preview!*

Hi there! I'm back with my second post of the day! It's today's MFTeaser, and it's new Pure Innocence! :) My niece is celebrating her first birthday next week, so Birthday Princess was exactly what I needed to make her card! I colored the image with Copics and paper pieced her dress. The paper is from the Ducks in a Row collection by October Afternoon.

I used Glitzy Glitter on her crown and on the cake icing. The satin ribbon is from the Birthday Blast Ribbons. I also added a trio of Glittered Garnishes.

I finished the inside of the card, and I used the "1" from Bling 'Bers. I put more Glitzy Glitter in each of the dots.


Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for the list of everyone who has MFTeasers today! I can't wait to see all the cuteness! :) All of the new sets will be released Wednesday night at 10:00 pm -- all the details of the Release Party can be found HERE.


That's all for today! I'll be back with more tomorrow!


Thanks so much for visiting -- have a great day!


Christina

The Previews Continue!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend and a wonderful Easter! I'm back with more previews today -- it's another day with two posts! My first post is an ATS preview of the new sets by AmyR Stamps, Big Words and Handy Additions. These two sets are so perfect together, and there are many, many possibilities for combining the sentiments! This is a birthday card for my sister-in-law.

Go over to the ATS Blog to see more samples of this set and find out how you can win one of your own! All of the new sets will be released Wednesday, April 7 at 10:00 pm at All That Scraps!

I'll be back in a bit with my MFTeaser for today! Thanks so much for visiting!

Christina

Stamps: Big Words, Handy Additions (AmyR Stamps) Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry (SU!) Cardstock: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink (SU!), Whip Cream (MFT) Paper: Sweet Celebrations (Bella Blvd) Other: Cuttlebug, flower dies, Birthday embossing folder (Provo Craft), border punch, Rich Razzleberry ribbon, dimensionals (SU!), button (BasicGrey), twine (PTI) Card Size: 5.50" x 4.25"

Easter Previews, Part 2

This is my second post today! Scroll down for the ATS preview! :)

Hello again! I'm back with today's MFTeaser! Today we're previewing two NEW characters, and I know you're going to love them! Meet Fred Bear. The set is called Fred Bear in Flight. Isn't he adorable?

I was thrilled that I had some of this Cosmo Cricket Lil' Man paper to use with him. The airplanes were just perfect! I took a strip of October Afternoon Night Light paper and pleated it, then I stitched over it. I colored the image with Copics, and I paper pieced his scarf.

Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for a list of the designers who have previews today! Don't forget about the MFT Release Party Wednesday night! Also, you can be the next MFT Guest Designer -- go HERE to see how! :)

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope your Easter is happy and blessed!

Christina

Easter Previews, Part 1

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope you have something wonderful planned for your day! I have TWO posts scheduled for today -- I told you it was a busy preview week! My first preview is of a new image by Sweet November Stamps. It will be released Wednesday at All That Scraps. This is Darby -- she and her caterpillar friend Chenille are illustrated by Amy Young. The sentiment is from the set Handy Additions by AmyR Stamps, also being released Wednesday.

I colored the image with Copics, and I used a Prismacolor pencil on her cheeks. The paper is from the Hometown collection by October Afternoon.

Be sure to stop by the ATS Blog to see more samples and to find out how you can win a set of your own! I'll be back in a bit with today's MFTeaser! Thanks so much for visiting!

Until later,
Christina

Let the Previews Begin!

Hello! Happy Saturday! Buckle up, everyone -- I have previews every day from now until Wednesday! Get ready for lots of cuteness! Today I have a MFTeaser of the set A Bunch of Bots. I love the adorable robot images and fun sentiments in this set!

This card is 4.25" x 4.25". I thought this paper from The Boyfriend Mini Deck (Cosmo Cricket) was perfect for a robot card! I colored with Copics, and I made one of my Glitzy Gears for the corner.

If I could, I would enter this card in the MFT April Guest Designer Challenge. The theme is M&M -- Masculine and Metallic! Get all the details on the MFT Member Company Forum HERE. The winner will be announced during the Release Party Wednesday night!

Be sure to stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for a list of designers who have MFTeasers today! You won't want to miss them! :)

I'll be back with another preview tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful day!
Christina

Patchwork Flopsey

Hi, everyone! Have you seen today's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club (WSC)? The theme is A Patchwork Easter. You can find all the details HERE. I made this card this morning before I went to volunteer in Caroline's Kindergarten classroom. Guess what I helped them with? Their Easter egg hunt! Flopsey would have fit right in! It is a GORGEOUS spring day here today, perfect for their egg hunt outside. The kids were SO cute! :)

Anyway... I used some October Afternoon Ducks in a Row paper to create the patchwork on the front of the card, then I did some zig zag stitching between the squares. I colored with Copics and used Prismacolor pencils on the ears, cheeks, and ground line. I gave the basket a woven appearance by drawing lines with my Copic Colorless Blender.

I finished the inside of the card as well.

The kids will be home from school soon, then I'm planning to spend some time outside! I hope you're having a great day -- thanks so much for stopping by!

Christina

Not-So-Simple Sympathy Card

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was very good. Of course, we watched plenty of NCAA basketball (heartbreaking losses for both XU and UK!). Megan was in a school performance of Godspell yesterday, and it was a great way to prepare for Easter!

Anyway, on to my card! I needed to make a sympathy card, and I had wanted to keep it Clean and Simple. Well, it took on a life of its own, and it wasn't so simple in the end. I ended up with layers, sewing, sponging, and embellishments -- I just couldn't help myself!

I was totally inspired by this beautiful BasicGrey Kioshi paper (FYI: It coordinates beautifully with Stampin' Up! Soft Subtles inks!). I'm happy with how well everything coordinates -- it was just one of those happy stamping moments! :)

I'm finishing up samples this week -- Previews begin Saturday! Both All That Scraps and My Favorite Things are releasing sets on Wednesday, April 7! I'm a little biased, but I think these sets are some of the cutest yet!! Kim has already posted the first Freeze Frames over on the MFT Blog so be sure to check 'em out! :)

That's all for today! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Silhouette Blooms I (Cornish Heritage Farms) Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Pale Plum, Chocolate Chip (SU!) Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White (SU!), Hot Fudge (MFT) Paper: Kioshi 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), corner rounder, border punch, sponge, dimensionals (SU!), ribbon, braddies (MFT), sewing machine Card Size: 5.50" x 4.25"

Sunday Supper: Tortilla Soup

Hi there! It's been way too long since I've posted a Sunday Supper, I know! I found this recipe in my recipe box and realized I hadn't made it in a while. It's an easy crock pot soup, perfect for these busy days!

Tortilla Soup

2 lbs. ground chuck, browned
1 can kidney beans (do not drain)
1 can hominy, drained
1 can pinto beans (do not drain)
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can rotel
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup water
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix

Mix all ingredients together. Cook in crock pot on high for 4 hours. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.


Enjoy! Thanks so much for stopping by today. I'll have something stampy to share with you tomorrow! Have a great day -- don't forget to spend some time around the supper table! :)

Christina

Glitzy Stars

Hello! Happy Thursday! Yesterday Kim posted this week's challenge for the MFT Wednesday Stamp Club (WSC). It's all about using Glitzy Glitter! You might remember the Glitzy Gear I made a few weeks ago; I was happy for a reason to get out the glitter again! This time I created a clean and simple card, drawing inspiration from the sentiment (part of the MFT set Clearly Sentimental about Emerson).

I had a pack of foam stars (purchased for next to nothing at Michaels), and I applied silver Glitzy Glitter to three of them. What a quick and easy way to jazz up those embellishments!

I hope you have a chance to play along with Kim's glitzy challenge! I'd love to see your creations!

Thanks so much for the visit today -- have a fantastic day!

Christina

Spring Flowers and Good Wishes

Hi there! Have you seen this month's Project Parade over at Verve Stamps? You can find the details on THIS post on the Verve Blog. The theme this month is Fun with Flowers, and I wanted to play along! I chose this image and sentiment from Beautiful You. I really thought this winter would last forever, and I've never been so glad to see spring arrive!

I hope you're not tired of seeing this Beloved paper, because I still have a little bit left! ;) I used Cuttlebug dies to make the paper flowers. I inked all the edges and did lots of machine stitching. The half pearls and ribbon are from SU!.

This card will be going to Susan and Eric Liles. Eric has just been diagnosed with cancer -- you can read about it on Susan's blog HERE. I know they'd appreciate everyone's prayers and good wishes.

Thanks so much for stopping by on this spring day. I hope you're having a good one!

Christina

Thanks a Bunch

Happy Saturday! We've had some gorgeous spring weather here -- sunny, blue skies, and temps near 70 degrees! My mind has been wandering outside during the day, but I did get a chance to make this card last night. I saw on Blogabella that the Bellarific Friday challenge for next week is a sketch, so I got an early jump on it!

I guess I had spring flowers on my mind, because I paired Daisybella with my new BasicGrey Green at Heart paper (I *love* this paper!). I paper pieced the flower and added a MFT Glittered Garnish to the center. I was able to curve the sentiment before attaching it to the acrylic block, and I cut a curved mat for it. I finished the card with some SU! ribbon and machine stitching.

Well, we have two birthday parties and a soccer game today -- I'm planning to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather! I hope you have something great in the works for your day, too! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!
Christina

Plenty of Piercing

Hello! Happy Thursday! When I saw this week's TCP Tuesday challenge at The Cat's Pajamas, I knew I wanted to play. The challenge, hosted by Amy, is to use your paper piercing tool. I used to use mine all the time, but now those pierced holes are replaced by machine stitching on most of my projects! I had a lot of fun with this card, and I really like the retro look of it! I did a lot of piercing -- it's a great stress reliever! ;)

That's all for today -- one more day 'til the weekend! The days are just a blur lately! I hope you're having a great one -- thanks for stopping by!

Christina

Stamps: It's a Mod, Mod World (TCP) Ink: True Thyme, Riding Hood Red (SU! retired), Vintage Touch Chai (PTI) Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, True Thyme (SU! retired), Whip Cream (MFT) Paper: The Boyfriend Mini Deck (Cosmo Cricket) Other: paper piercing tool, twill, MFT Braddies, dimensionals Card Size: 5.50" x 4.25"

Baby Bump VIP!

Hi there! It's time for the MFT VIP Blog Hop! If you didn't start at Kim's Blog, be sure to go back so you don't miss anything! What's MFT VIP, you ask? Well, it's a chance to get your hands on the newest Who's That Girl? image for one day only, three weeks before the release! Here's what you'll receive in this month's VIP Package:

Baby Bump VIP $32.50
Baby Bump stamp set 15.95
Baby Bump Ribbons 5.95
Baby Bump “Diaper Pins” 4.95
10 pack fossil (Kraft) scalloped note card set (A2) with envelopes 5.50
Baby Bump additions FREE ($9 value)

Oh my goodness -- could this set be any cuter? I think not! I only wish I looked this chic when I was pregnant! :) I paper pieced her top and the bags, and I colored the rest with Copics. The ribbon and buttons are available at My Favorite Things.

Here's a closeup of the image and sentiment. I used a Prismacolor pencil to add some shading to her top.

That's it for my stop! Next you'll be visiting Cindy Haffner -- I'm sure she has some eye candy for you! :)

Thanks so much for hopping by!

Christina

Friends Furever

Happy Saturday, everyone! Today's card is one I made for a sad occasion. My sister-in-law's family just had to euthanize their dog, as he had been suffering from cancer. I wanted to let them know we're thinking of them. This set, MFT's Friends Furever, immediately came to mind. I altered the ear on the dog by omitting the ones on the image when I was inking it, then drawing in the new ear. Now it looks more like their beloved Lab, Alby.

The sketch is Mojo Monday 129. It's different, but it was fun to work with! The paper is from Cosmo Cricket's Garden Variety Mini Deck. I inked all the edges and machine stitched around all the panels.

I hope this card brings them smiles and good memories. Alby will defininely be missed!

Thanks so much for the visit today -- I hope you're having a great weekend!

Christina

Mercy's Sketch

Hello! TGIF! Here's a card I made with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch #64. I did some machine stitching, and I inked all the edges of the cardstock and paper. The stamp is from the Plain Jane collection at Verve Stamps. I'm still using up my Be Loved paper -- this sentiment seemed to go with it perfectly! :)

That's it for today! I hope your weekend is off to a good start! Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

Have a fantastic Friday!
Christina

Stamps: Psalm 37:4 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko), Vintage Touch Chai (PTI) Cardstock: Kraft, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla (SU!) Paper: Be Loved (My Mind's Eye) Other: Labels One Nestabilities, chipboard heart, twine, brads, border punch, dimensionals, sewing machine Card Size: 4.25" x 4.25"

I Stamped!

Hi there! Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for hanging in there with me during my little "break"! My mojo was lacking, and there were things I needed to take care of at home, but I think things are returning to normal!

This week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club was just what I needed to get the creative juices flowing again. You can see all the details HERE. The challenge is to use a MFT Template and a Pure Innocence image -- and here's my card:

The image is Boy & Dog - Dog Gone Cute, and the template is Kathy Daume's Dog Bone template. I distressed and inked the edges of the cardstock, and I used a Creamy Caramel marker to create some faux stitching. The boy's clothes are paper pieced with Origins 6x6 paper. I used Copics and Prismacolor pencils to color the images and to add shading to the paper piecing.

I'm hoping to get back downstairs for more stamping later on! Thanks so much for visiting today! :)

Have a fantastic day!

Christina

Lookin' for My Mojo...

Hi, everyone! Happy Saturday! I'm feeling a little mojo-less these last few days. Last week was a whirlwind of samples, blog hops, and releases, and it's left me lacking in the creative department. Does that ever happen to you -- please tell me yes!?!

Anyway, this weekend my husband and son are in Chicago having some much-needed "bonding time," and I'm home with my girls. I'm enjoying watching movies, reading, and just chillin' with my little ones. I'm sure this down time will restart my mojo, and I'll be back soon with something stampy to share!

Thanks so much for stopping by today -- have a wonderful weekend!

Christina

It's Time to Shop and Hop!

Hi there! It's time to Shop and Hop with My Favorite Things! All the new releases are available right HERE, right now! :) If you arrived here from Michele's Blog, welcome! If not, you'll want to go back to Kim's Blog and start from there so you don't miss a thing!

I'm thrilled to be sharing Tweeny Teen - Rock On with you! Think of her as the big sis' of those adorable Pure Innocence cuties! I have teenagers, so I can definitely relate to this set! I found in my stash some retired papers that looked teenager-y to me, and I created this CD holder. My kids are always making CDs for the car or to give to friends. I thought this would be a fun way for my daughter to give a CD to a friend!

I paper pieced the image in several layers, and I also pieced the iPod. I used Prismacolor pencils to add some subtle depth and dimension to the chair and to her pants. The rest of the image was colored with Copics, and I sponged around the image circle.

When the bow is untied, the CD is revealed inside. I added another sentiment inside the flap!

You're finished at my stop -- now you're off to visit the fantastically talented Sherrie Siemens! I can't wait to see what she has created! :)

Thanks so much for hopping by! Have a great night!

Christina

MFTeasers - Last Day!

Happy Wednesday! I'm back with my last MFTeaser before tonight's release! Today we're previewing the sets Who's That Birthday Girl?, Invitation Only, and Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays. I used two of the sets on this card. The layout is the sketch for this week's Wednesday Stamp Club.

I used some of my Nook and Pantry 6x6 paper, and I paper pieced the birthday cake from Who's That Birthday Girl?. I stamped the candles on top and colored them with Prismacolor pencils. I stamped the sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays directly over the cake. The Glittered Garnishes and ribbon are from MFT.

Be sure to stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for the links to all of today's MFTeasers!

Tonight is the Release Party! Get all the deets HERE! Join us for fun from 8-10 pm, then get ready to Shop and Hop when the sets go live at 10:00!

That's all for now! I'll see you back here tonight for the Hop! Thanks so much for visiting!

Have a great day!
Christina

CC Designs Spring Sugarplums Blog Hop!

Hi there! Welcome to the CC Designs Spring Sugarplums Blog Hop! There are so many images in the Spring Sugarplums release, so the DT is doing a Hop to show you all the fantastic ways you can use them! If you just happened upon my post, be sure to start at the beginning by going to Ria's Blog! You can also find a master list of all the participating DT members by going to the ATS Blog.

I chose this sweet Trevor image for my card. He reminds me of my son when he was little -- how I wish he'd bring me flowers now! I kept the design simple and boyish, with some distressing, twine, and a button. The paper is by October Afternoon.

I'm your last stop on the Blog Hop -- I hope you like all the samples you've seen! These adorable Sugarplums and all the new March stamps will be available tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10:00 pm at All That Scraps!

Have a great day, everyone -- thanks so much for hopping by! :)

Christina

MFTeaser: Pure Innocence!

Hi there! I'm back with my second post of the day! This time, I have MFTeasers! All of today's previews are of Tweeny Teen, Boy & His Dog, and Pure Innocence. I have a couple PI cuties to share with you: Sunshiney Day and 4 Leaf Clover.

For the Sunshiney Day card, I used October Afternoon Hometown paper and one of the Peony Nestabilities to create a sunny card. I inked the edges of the paper and cardstock with Summer Sun ink, and I popped up the little butterfly. The yellow Glittered Garnishes are also from MFT.

I finished the inside of the card, and I stamped just the butterfly above the corner of the sentiment.

On the 4 Leaf Clover card, I used a heart punch to create the leaves of this large 4 leaf clover. I scored the centers and inked the edges, then I placed the PI image on dimensionals in the center. The paper is Garden Variety by Cosmo Cricket.

Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am to see the list of designers who have teasers today! Don't forget the release Wednesday night at 10:00 pm! Also, there's still some time to enter the MFT March Guest Designer Contest -- you can find all the details HERE!

The previews continue tomorrow -- I hope you'll be back!

Have a great day! :)

Christina

Easter Pixie!

Happy Monday! It's a busy day -- this is my first of two previews today! I'll be back with my MFTeaser a little bit later, but now I have an adorable new Swiss Pixie to share with you! This is one of two CC Designs Easter Swiss Pixies, and I used her to make this tag.

I colored with Copics, then I created the glow and ground line with Prismacolor pencils. I sponged around the edges with SU! Pretty in Pink ink, and I applied some white Fun Flock to the bunny's tail.

Stop by the ATS Blog to see more samples and to find out how you could win your own set! Tomorrow the ATS team is having a Blog Hop featuring the Sugarplums Spring Kit, and on Wednesday night all the new stamps will be released at 10:00 pm! Don't miss it! :)

I'll be back with my second post in a bit -- thanks for stopping by!

Christina

Stamps: Swiss Pixies Easter (CC Designs) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Pretty in Pink (SU!) Accessories: Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copics, Prismacolor Pencils, Prima flowers, button, twine, Perfect Plaid ribbon (MFT)

Goin' on a Joy Ride!

Happy Sunday, everyone! Today I have my first MFTeaser for you! This set is called Joy Ride, and it's illustrated by Amanda Baird. I used my new October Afternoon Hometown paper -- love it!! I colored with a combination of Copics and Spica pens. I used the Spica pens on her helmet, gloves, shoes, and also on the headlight, but the photo didn't pick it up very well. I cut her scarf "out of the box" to give it a little movement.

I finished the inside of the card and paper pieced one of the luggage images from the set.

Tip: use a marker or pencils to give your paper pieced images depth and dimension.

Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am for a list of the designers who have MFTeasers today! All of the new stamps will be available Wednesday, March 3 at 10:00 pm at My Favorite Things!

That's all for today! Thanks so much for the visit! :)

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Joy Ride (MFT) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Cool Caribbean, Basic Black (SU!), Whip Cream (MFT) Paper: Hometown: County Library, Depot Park, Woolworths (October Afternoon) Other: Copics, Spica pens, Arched Lattice punch (Martha Stewart), Old Olive striped grosgrain (SU!), button, twine (PTI), dimensionals, sewing machine Card Size: 5.25" x 5.25"

Baby Buds

Hello, and Happy Saturday! Today I have a preview of the set Baby Buds, which will be released on Wednesday, March 3 at All That Scraps. It's a set of eight curly-headed images, and I used two of them on this card. The sentiment is from Congrats Sentiments by AmyR Stamps.

Head over to the ATS Blog to see more samples of this set, and find out how you could win one! The previews continue tomorrow -- I hope you'll stop back! Thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: Baby Buds, Congrats Sentiments (ATS) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Origins 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Copics, corner rounder, lg oval punch, border punch, Chocolate Chip stitched ribbon, dimensionals (SU!), button (BasicGrey), twine (PTI), sewing machine Card Size: 4.25" x 5.50"

Bright Future

Well, after a very long week I'm finally posting something! :)

The next few days will be FILLED with previews -- both My Favorite Things and All That Scraps are releasing their March sets on Wednesday, March 3! It's going to be crazy! I'm going to have quite a few posts over the next several days, so I'll be making up for my lack of posting this week! LOL

After making all of my samples for the releases, I wanted to do something clean and simple. I used Bright by Emerson Quillin, available at American Art Stamp. There's not much to explain here, so just ask if you have any questions! AAS is having a big sale right now -- 30% off! Be sure to stop by and do a little shopping!

I'll have my first ATS preview tomorrow, followed by MFTeasers and more ATS previews! I hope you'll stop by to check them out!

Thanks for the visit today -- have a fantastic Friday!

Christina

Stamps: Bright (AAS) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Vintage Touch Chamomile (PTI) Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White (SU!) Other: Copics, Labels One Nestabilities (Spellbinders), button, twine (PTI), dimensionals, sewing machine

A Busy Week!

Hey, everyone! Just checking in here! I've had a busy week with family, and today I'm subbing, so I haven't had a chance to post anything stampy for a couple days. Thanks for hanging in there with me -- I'll have something tomorrow! :)

Here are some other things to inspire you:

The My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club (WSC) is all about Flopsey Unfinished -- check out the details and samples on Kim's Blog HERE.

The All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge Blog is always full of inspiration! Stop by HERE and see what the Challenge Team has been up to!

Thank you for stopping by today! Have a great day! :)

Christina

Like Mother, Like Daughter...

Happy Monday, everyone! I was busy over the weekend with a constuction project at the house and also working on samples for upcoming releases. Very often, while my supplies are sitting unused, my 8-year-old finds a way to show them some love! Here's a card she made for her teacher. She used MFT's Boy & Dog - Snow Adorable. After all, we still have plenty of snow around here (although it IS melting)!

Anna did most of the cutting and folding herself. She stamped the image (and even cleaned the stamp!), then she lovingly colored with my Copics. She even added glitter to the hat pom pom and a rhinestone sticker to the dog's eye! :)

I think she did a great job! Thanks for letting me share her work with you! :)

I'll be back with something from me tomorrow -- thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a great day!

Christina

TCP Challenge Card

Hello! TGIF!! Today's card is for this week's challenge over at The Cat's Pajamas. My sweet friend Joanne is the hostess this week, and she chose a color challenge: olive, light blue, and ivory. You can read all the deets on Joanne's blog HERE. The colors are those found in my beloved October Afternoon paper, so of course I had to play along! :)

The image and sentiment are from Smells Like Cake. I paper pieced the cakes and added some Stickles. I colored the rest of the image with Prismacolor pencils, and I sponged around the oval. It's a pretty simple design, but I do like it!

Before I go, I want to let you know that my friend Tracy is selling off a boatload of stamps -- stop by her Blog and give some of them a good home! :)

That's it for today! Thank you so much for visiting!

Have a fantastic Friday!
Christina

Stamps: Smells Like Cake (TCP) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Soft Sky (SU!) Cardstock: Whip Cream (MFT), Kiwi Kiss (SU!) Paper: Cherry Hill, Ducks in a Row (October Afternoon) Other: Prismacolor pencils, Stickles (Ranger), Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Old Olive striped grosgrain, border punch, Dimensionals (SU!), button (BasicGrey), twine (PTI), white gel pen, sewing machine Card Size: 5.50" x 4.25"

My Favorite Things VIP Hop!

Hello! You've made it to my stop on the MFT VIP Blog Hop! If you came by way of Megan's Blog, welcome! If not, you'll want to start at Kim's Blog so you don't miss anything! :)

I am LOVING this month's Who's That Girl? set, Who's That Birthday Girl?. You can get her as part of the VIP package TODAY only -- that's two weeks before the March 3rd release!

Here's what you'll get with your Who’s That VIP Birthday Girl? Package ($32.75):
Who’s That Birthday Girl?
FREE Invitation Only MINI set ($9 value)
Birthday Button Mix
Birthday Baby Braddies Mix
Birthday Ribbons
Sparkly Fluff in Cotton Candy (pink)

I used Who's That Birthday Girl? and Invitation Only to create this invitation and gift box. The paper is from the Cherry Hill collection by October Afternoon, and the ribbon and Braddies are from MFT!

I did a lot of distressing and sewing on this project! I paper pieced WTG's party dress and the birthday cake.

The pocket card pulls out to reveal the invitation to a surprise party! The words stamped in Old Olive ink are from MFT's Make the Date -- I love how well all these sets work together! :)

I altered a paperboard box to coordinate with the invitation. The tag was cut with one of the Labels Four Nestabilities and embossed with my Cuttlebug and Victoria embossing folder. I swiped Vanilla craft ink over the embossing to help it coordinate with the paper!

Tag closeup...

Okay, as if all this VIP goodness isn't enough, there is an additional release today -- a new set and digi papers by Stephanie Fizer! The set is called What's Crackin'?, and it's SO cute! I used October Afternoon Ducks in a Row paper on this card, and I did lots of sponging and more machine stitching and paper piecing!

Here's a closeup of the paper piecing and sponging. I used white Fun Flock on the tail!

Can you tell I'm excited about these sets?!? Thanks for reading my looong post! You can find the VIP package right HERE, right now!

Your next stop on the Hop is the fabulous Cindy Haffner! Get ready for some eye candy! :)

Thanks for hopping by!

Christina

Nobody Need Wait

Happy Monday, everyone! I have a quick post today -- it's another snow day here in northern Kentucky! We'll have about nine more inches by the end of the day! I'm sure I'll have four restless kids home with me all day, so we'll see if I get any stamping done! ;)

Here's a card featuring Nobody Need Wait, one of the Zenspirations images from American Art Stamp. This is a pretty simple card, but I really like the way it came together. I used October Afternoon paper, some punches, a few embellishments, and a little sponging around the image. I added some color to the image with Prismacolor Pencils.

That's all for today! I'm going to grab my mug of coffee and watch the snow fall! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!

Christina

Meet April

Happy Saturday! Today I have another preview of a set being released Monday at All That Scraps! This is April, by Sweet November Stamps -- she and her friend Peter are so sweet, and they're definitely ready for spring!

I paper pieced her dress and colored with Copics. I punched two scalloped circles from the paper, crumpled them, and layered them to form the flower. The sentiment is from Friends Sentiments by AmyR Stamps.

You can stop by the ATS Blog to see samples of April and Peter and also of Baby Bunnies, the other set being previewed today! All of the new sets will be available Monday, February 15!

Did any of you watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony last night? I thought it was fantastic! Our Canadian friends are so warm and welcoming, and their country is so beautiful! I'm an Olympics junkie -- I just love it that our crazy world can come together to celebrate our athletes in a spirit of unity and respect! We have a common purpose, if only for two weeks...

Anyway, I'm so very glad you stopped by today! Thanks, as always, for your visits and comments!

Have a great day!
Christina

Stamps: April (Sweet November), Friends Sentiments (AmyR Stamps) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Kraft, Pumpkin Pie (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (MFT) Paper: Sugar Rush 6x6 pad (BasicGrey) Other: Copics, Rectangle Nestabilities, scallop circle punch, border punch, corner rounder, button, twine, Dew Drops, dimensionals, sewing machine Card Size: 5.50" x 4.25"

ATS Mid-February Release!

Happy Thursday, everyone! On Monday, February 15, All That Scraps is having a mid-month release of four new sets! Here's a look at Hippity Hoppity, from HR Designs.

I cut out the basket and popped it up on dimensionals, and I added some Stickles to the eggs.

Stop by the ATS Blog to see more previews! Thank you so much for visiting today! :)

Have a great day!

Christina

Stamps: Hippity Hoppity (HR Designs) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko) Cardstock: Soft Sky, Kiwi Kiss (SU!) Paper: Girl Friday (Cosmo Cricket) Other: Copics; Icicle Stickles (Ranger); Old Olive striped grosgrain, border punch, corner rounder, dimensionals (SU!); button (BasicGrey); twine (PTI)

Card Size: 5.50" x 4.25"

Anna's Valentines

Hello! Happy Wednesday! My kids have their second snow day today, so we're getting a little stir crazy around here. It was the perfect oppportunity to work on Valentines for Friday's parties.

Anna wanted some Valentines that she could color herself, so I used the Cookie Crumbs Valentine Critters set to make these cards for her! Each one is 3" x 3". I just paired each critter with a sentiment, and I stamped "Happy Valentine's Day" inside. She's busy coloring them as I type this! :)

Today's ATS Wednesday Challenge is Valentine Packaging -- check out the Wednesday Challenge Blog HERE for some great ideas! :)

Well, I'm off to shovel the driveway (again!). Stay safe and warm everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Christina

CASEing Bar!

Happy Monday! This week's Featured Stamper at SCS is my MFT sister Barbara Anders (aka Bar)!! I usually don't get a chance to play in the FS challenges, but I made time yesterday! It's always a joy to take a look at her gallery -- everything she does is beautiful! :)

I CASEd (copied) Bar's card HERE. I changed the accent color, sentiment, and Cuttlebug folder. I took my white craft ink and swiped it against the embossed hearts. There are two scored lines at the bottom, above the sentiment. The ribbon, button, and sentiment are all from My Favorite Things. The sentiment is from Clearly Sentimental about You, the Triple Scoop set of the month.

That's it for today! I'm subbing today -- 8th grade! I think I'll be needing some stamping time this afternoon! ;)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!
Christina

Sunday Supper: Super Bowl Edition

Hello! Happy Sunday! Today's recipes are perfect if you're having a Super Bowl party or any other party! Both are sure to keep a large crowd happy!

The first recipe is an appetizer that received rave reviews at a family Christmas party!

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
2 lb. bacon (slices cut into 3 sections)
3 cans drained water chestnuts

Wrap a piece of bacon (1/3 of a slice) around each water chestnut. Secure with a toothpick, or put fold on the bottom. Bake in 325 degree oven for 45 minutes or until brown. Drain off grease.

Mix:
8 oz. mayonnaise
12 oz. Chili sauce
2 c. brown sugar

Pour mix over chestnuts. Bake again at 325 degrees for 45 munutes. Serve warm.


The next recipe is my chili recipe. I know that people are very particular about the kind of chili they like -- and there are a lot of great recipes out there. This is the recipe that I put together when I was first married, after combining elements of my mother's and my mother-in-law's recipes.

It's thick and meaty, but you can thin it with water. You can serve it "Cincinnati Style" over spaghetti, or you can just enjoy it on its own. Be sure to top it with shredded cheddar or diced onions!

Christina's Chili
2 lbs. ground beef
15 oz. can and 8 oz. can tomato sauce
12 oz. can tomato paste
1 can whole tomatoes, chopped
16 oz. can kidney beans
1 green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 pkg. chili seasoning mix.
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder

In large pot, brown beef. Drain grease. Add remaining ingredients to pot and stir well. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to low and let cook for at least 1-2 hours.


Are you planning to watch the Super Bowl today? I'll tune in mostly for the commercials, since I'll probably be stamping while hubby is watching the game! :)

Have a great day, everyone!
Christina