New Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge

 Today is the day...

 A new Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge starts 

December 1st through December 15

 This is how I decided to interpret the inspiration piece.  I loved the filigree look of some of the pieces so I cut a piece using my Art Philosophy Close to My Heart Cricut cartridge. 

I picked up the vase of yellow flowers by stamping this cut flower stamp by Paper Smooches.  If you are familiar with this set of stamps, you will know that the flower comes with a smiley face in the middle. I didn't want my card to be quite that playful, so I but a piece of white paper to go in the middle of the flower and I colored that with Copic markers as well as coloring the flower with the markers.  The leaves are in this set too, I just cut each one out.

Thanks for visiting and be sure to play along for prizes, Linda (lbpost)

CPS and Unscripted cards

First off, I get to share my Card Positioning Systems card for this week. 

 Stamping Bella is our sponsor! I loved this little cutie as soon as I saw her and I knew I wanted to color the flowers in red. 

 I kept the rest of the coloring to the image very simple to let the flowers shine. 

 Now, on to my Unscripted Sketches card for this week. 

 I have been downloading more and more digital papers and elements recently, it is fun to use them for cards.  I use Microsoft Word and insert the elements onto a blank page.  After I added the paper piece and the mug, I placed the mug over the paper so I could print them both at the same time.  This is a set by Cosmo Cricket. There are so many great little elements in this set. The sentiment is a stamp by Paper Smooches. 

 Just a close up of how cute this little mug is. 
And, now for a couple photos...

 It didn't snow, a bomb did not go off!!! We can only blame the two dogs! I had just walked in the door from the grocery store. I dropped a big package of 12 rolls of toilet paper on the floor to take to the bathroom when my hands were free and when I wasn't looking, our older dog dragged the package outside and proceeded to have a ball. I only wish I had a video of the event instead of just the aftermath!

As I was trying to quickly pick up all of the pieces so there wasn't more distruction, the little dog was going for a little more fun.
Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 246 – HAVE A MAGICAL DAY card

Materials:
Stamps courtesy of Stamping Bella
Cardstock – Core’dinations
x-Press Copic paper
Patterned paper – Happy Days/Echo Park
Scallop circles – Spellbinders/Nestabilities
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Copic markers

SKETCH 134 WARM THOUGHTS card

Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Digital Patterned papers and image – Cosmo Cricket
Sentiment stamp – Paper Smooches
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Distress stamp pad - Ranger
Self adhesive rhinestone – Queen & Co.
Corrugated cardboard

Flowers and Rain Drops

For my first card, I wanted to play along with the Lawnscaping Challenge since it was being sponsored by Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooking, because I love Lawn Fawn stamps and I love to use sketches. Do I need anymore reasons!!!

Here is the sketch.

Oh yes, it also let me use my 903 Kreaxions 4-in-1 punch that I love, my new Cricut and my brand new Cindy Loo cartridge!!!

Notice this close up of the punched border on the glitter, green cardstock.  I love these punches because of the different kinds of punched looks you can get out of one punch just by using different plates. 

This view gives you a close up of my flower and stem that was cut with the Cricut Expression and the Cindy Loo cartridge. I cut it three times so I could create the different layers. 

Now for my project using the Unscripted sketch for this week.  I just knew I needed to create a layout with this great sketch.

I took advantage of the space and used three photos. Notice how cute this It's Raining, It's Pouring collection of papers by Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker is with these rain related photos.

This big flourish design is cut with the Cricut Expression (Storybook 5"). I find it amazing at how easy it is to cut any of the designs about any size you want. 

The title letters were also cut with the Cricut Expression  (Stamping 2") and after I had them glued to my page, I coated them with Aleene's Paper Glaze.  

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

 

FRIENDS…FLOWERS card
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned papers – Max and Mollie collection/Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker
Punch – Kreaxions/Just Imagine Crafts Sentiment stamp set – Lawn Fawn
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Cricut cartridge – Cindy Loo (2”, cut three times)
Self adhesive rhinestones – Queen & Co.
Foam tape – 3M
Machine sewing

SKETCH 112 – GOOD TIMES layout
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned papers – It’s Raining/Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker
Cut sentiment – Cricut cartridge/Stamping (2”) and Storybook (5”)
Corner punch – Fiskars
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®

Foam tape – 3M

Cupcake Kind of Day

Now that little sentiment is right down my alley, especially as I sit here with the cute cupcakes I picked up yesterday at Bake You Happy in Valencia, CA!!!!

 This card uses the Card Positioning Systems sketch for this week and the most wonderful part of this weeks post and sketch is that My Favorite Things stamps is our sponsor. If you haven't checked out what the offer, you must. 

 The little girl holding the cupcake and the sentiment are from a stamp set at MFT's and that flower is created with one of the dies that they offer. As I created the flower, I could see that I also need the smaller flower dies that they have.  The little cherry on top has a glossy finish because of the Aleene's Paper Glaze.  Just takes a second to apply it and it adds to much to the finished look.  LOVE all of this with this paper by My Mind's Eye, I used both sides.  The diamond shape is a die from Spellbinders.  I often want to cut that shape and it is so hard to figure out on my own, now I have a set of diamond dies!

And, drum roll please!!!

 One of the newest collections from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker. I love school related papers so I am really gonig to love this set. 

This set includes collection kits, punch-outs, 6 different alpha stickers on one sheet of stickers as well as a sheet of stickers that are all just elements that coordinate with the collection.  Check out Nikki's blog to see some other glimpses of this collection.

And for a couple photos...

 Our zoo has a new baby! This is the first time that we were abe to see him. Talk about darling!!!

I loved this easy way to see the difference in their sizes.

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 222 – IT’S A CUPCAKE KIND OF DAY card

Materials:
Stamp courtesy of My Favorite Things – Hello Cupcake
Flower die – My Favorite Things
Cardstock – Core’dinations
X-Press Blending Card – Copic Markers
Patterned paper – Stella and Rose/My Mind’s Eye (both sides) and We R Memory Keepers
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder - Stampendous
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®
Copic markers
Pearl brad – American Crafts
Corner rounder punch – Fiskars
Foam tape- 3M

Lucky Me and Hugs

First off, I want to share my Card Positioning Systems card for this week. 

 Lawn Fawn is the sponsor.  I have adored their stamps for awhile now but just never had the opportunity to play with any. I picked this wonderful sentiment set for my card.  I love sentiment stamps, rub-ons, stickers, anyway I can get them.  Most often they are one line, simple sentiments like Happy Birthday or Thinking of You.  Sometimes it is fun to have a larger sentiment that becomes the focus of your card and these fit that bill. 

 I used a Spellbinders Nestabilities label to show off the stamped sentiment, the edges were rubbed with stamp pads to help show them off.  I love this patterned paper by Graphic 45, I used both sides of one piece. 

 For my next card, I wanted to play in the "Chevron" challenge at Moxie Fab.  The above sample gives you an idea of what they are meaning when they say "Chevron". 

 I took one piece of patterned paper by Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker and cut it apart.  I thought that by cutting along the design and staggering layers of it, gave a look similar to the "Chevron" example. 

 Here you can see where I left the layers 3 dimensional by not gluing it all down.  The letters for HUG are Thickers.  They were actually white but I rubbed them with a yellow stamp pad and then coated them with Aleene's Paper Glaze. 

And now for a few photos...

 It is Baseball season around here and we have two grandsons playing.  I caught this adorable glance from this one as he was walking out on the field to take his place. 

 This one is running somewhere, not sure if it was running the bases or not. 

And, this one is just taking it easy watching one of the others run around.  No cares!!!

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 218 – I’M LUCKY… card

Materials:
Stamp set – Hello Friend Courtesy of Lawn Fawn stamps
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – Bohemian Floral/Le Cirque collection/Graphic 45
Stamp pads - Clearsnap
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Spellbinders Nestabilities
Circle cutter – Kreaxions
Jewels - Recollections
Foam tape- 3M

HUGS

Materials:
Cardstock – Core’dinations
Patterned paper – We are Family collection/Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker
Thicker letters – American Crafts
Two birds sticker die cuts – Be Mine Valentine collection/We R Memory Keepers
Aleene’s Paper Glaze

Check out these Paper Smooches goodies

First off, I have a card that is featured on the CardMaker Magazine web site.  It is a card that is in the newest issue.  Be sure to take a peek.

Next a couple cards using one of the newest sets of stamps by Paper Smooches. 

 First off, Paper Smooches is the sponsor for this entire week at Card Positioning Systems sketch blog and so I want to show off the card I created with the PERKY PLANTS set.  I colored everything with Copic markers.

 That green background print is a digital paper from a set at JessicaSprague.com.  The set includes the woodgrain design in several colors. I want to use them all!!! And, I printed it on white Core'dinations cardstock so that it has a great slight texture. 

I created a little curled piece from black cardstock so my little bee looked like it was flying around the flowers. 

 I wanted to use this particular stamp set for more then one card so I used the Play Date Cafe color challenge. 

The photo that was used to show the colors includes a little bouquet of poppies and I just love how paper thin and delicate they are.  I used a piece of vellum type paper to look like the white flower.  I embossed it with a Sizzix embossing folder and then cut it in a circle shape with the Kreaxions circle cutter.  That was matted with another color of that same digital woodgrain paper. 

I gave the watering can a coat of Aleene's Paper Glaze for a glass-like look.

And for a couple photos...

 These are in my garden this week! Both were just planted earlier this year so it is excited to see flowers on them already. 

Fuchias are one of my most favorite plants to have in my yard, I have three new plants that I am watching. 

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 217 – GROW GIGGLES card

Materials:
Stamp set – Perky Plants Courtesy of Paper Smooches
Cardstock –Core Impressions/Core’dinations
Digital Patterned paper – Knotty Girl Paper Pack/Jessica Sprague.com/
Copic markers
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Foam tape- 3M
Sand It Gadget – Core’dinations

YOU’RE SPECIAL card
Materials:
Stamp set – Perky Plants Courtesy of Paper Smooches
Cardstock –Core Impressions/Core’dinations
Vellum
Digital Patterned paper – Knotty Girl Paper Pack/Jessica Sprague.com/
Circle cutter – Kreaxions
Spellbinders Nestabilities
Copic markers
Black Versafine stamp pad
Clear embossing powder – Stampendous
Ribbon – BoBunny
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®
Foam tape- 3M
Sand It Gadget – Core’dinations

Celebrating Mother's Day

Once again it is Mother's Day and that brings to mind thoughts of my mom.  She has been gone for several years now.  She passed away very quickly and unexpectedly and I realized just after she was gone that she left a hole unlike any other, after all she is the one person who had been in my life longer then any other, besides my dad.  My memories of her bring a smile to my face though and that is good.  Then my thoughts go to my own children and the wonder of having them and now my grandkids in my life.  That leads me to wanting to share a couple Mother's Day cards with you.

 This first one was created with all Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker papers.  I love this collection of "Something for Everyone" papers, the soft blues have such a feminine look to them. 

 The flourish was cut out of one of the patterned papers and then added to the card with foam tape, which gives it some added dimension.  I also coated parts of the flourish with Aleene's Paper Glaze, I love the epoxy look that it gives.

 Next is the card I created for the Just Imagine Crafts/Kreaxions blog for this last week.  The papers are by BoBunny and yes, they were designed more for Valentines Day but I thought the red and pinks were great for a Mother's Day theme. 

The butterfly is a great die that Kreaxions offers and the little scallop border was created with one of their 4-in-1 punches. 

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

MOTHER card
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core Foundations/Canvas/Core’dinations
Patterned paper and mini alphabet stickers - Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®
Foam tape – 3M
Self adhesive pearls- Recollections
Sand It Gadget - Core'dinations

REDEEM FOR LOVE card
Materials list:
Cardstock – Core Impressions/Core’dinations
Patterned paper- BoBunny
Butterfly die – Kreaxions
4-in-1 punch 303 - Kreaxions
Self adhesive pearls- Queen & Co.
Sand It Gadget - Core'dinations

Butterflies, Buttons and Easter Eggs

First off, I want to share my Card Positioning Systems sketch card for this week, this is where the butterflies come in. 

What made this card particularily fun was mixing these Cosmo Cricket papers and stickers together. 

Notice I gave both of the butterflies on the patterned papers a coat of Aleene's Paper Glaze. It gave them just the right amount of added accent. 

Do you love those corners!!! I used a Martha Stewart order punch to make my card fit the CPS sketch.

I also want to share a super quick and easy card. All I did was pull out some of my new Echo Park papers and stickers.  The row of buttons are a sticker!

And for some Easter photos...

This is how he was dressed for church on Easter morning.  We did a little photo shoot when we returned home.

Yes, you are seeing this correctly! A dressy shirt, tie and vest and DIRT!!! We could hardly keep him out of it while we finished taking pics!

Now for the annual egg hunt.  We hide plastic eggs all over the yard and they have MONEY in them! Yes, they are both going for the same egg but actually the shorter one spied the egg on the banch of the tree and the taller one is helping reach it!

This was his first year to really get the "hunting" part of the day.  Everything in his life right now is about dinosaurs, thus the cute shirt!

Thanks for visiting, Linda (lbpost)

SKETCH 215 – ONCE UPON A TIME card

Materials:
Cardstock –Core Essentials/Core’dinations
Patterned papers and stickers – Togetherness Collection/Cosmo Cricket
Corner punch – Martha Stewart
Clear Paper Glaze – Aleene’s®
Machine sewing
Sand It Gadget – Core’dinations

HONK! HONK!

Materials:
Cardstock – Core Impressions/Core’dinations
Patterned paper and die cut stickers – Sailboats/Echo Park
Divine Twine
Sanding block – Core’dinations