{Sending Love and A Challenge or Two}

                     

         Good Afternoon! Today I am happy to show you one of the newest releases from YNS, "Small Postcard Stamp set with matching die's. This set is SO cute!

And to celebrate the new releases at YNS Karen is offering 15% off your entire order!!!  Online Code is YNSFEB2012

      In addition to the Post Card set I used the Papertrey Ink set "Heart Print Backgrounds". Today I am playing along with the PTI 5th Anniversary Day #7 contest which was to create a card with a heart. I used the heart background set! I finished off my card with a super cute felt puffy heart (A'la Susan Opel) from Pebbles, and Offray twill and a wooden button from Oriental Trading, I love this cute little card and I thank you for visiting my blog today!

I am also playing along with these challenges:

Moxie Fab World Cool Tools Die Cutting Challenge

Card Patterns Sketch #152

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Love Is In The Air







 

{I {heart} Jane Austen}

Hello! Today I am posting a card for this weeks CAS-ual Friday Challenge using this sketch:

I can't resist a sketch challenge, although I wish I had more time to play along with challenges. My days have been going by so fast! Onto business. =0) I have a new favorite stamp set "Simply Jane" by PTI. I am a huge Jane Austen fan and this stamp set is right up my alley! To create my card I cut out a simple heart shape, and using the heart "negative" as a stencil I sponged the heart shape onto my card base using Cherry, and Shell pigment ink from A Muse Studio. The ink is very wet and smudges VERY easily but it looks so pretty. I used three of the Simply Jane die cuts on my card, the large frame, Mr. Darcey, and Elizabeth. Aren't they cute! I cut out a scroll frame for the sentiment, embossed it and finished off my card with stitching, ruffly ribbon and a button. This card is not my usual style, but I did enjoy making it and that's the most important thing, right?  I hope that you have a wonderful week and as always thank you for visiting my blog!

{For Cath (sans CHA) with Love Blog Hop}

      Hello friends! Today I have the pleasure of  joining along on a Blog Hop for the queen of all things Moxie Fab, Cath Edvalson. Cath is unable to attend CHA because of a painful injury.  So Lorena Canto and Virginia Lu had the wonderful idea to have a blog hop to cheer up Cath. So lets get this party started!

    My card features two brand new PTI sets Mat Stack 5 Collection, and the "Thank You" stamp set that PTI so generously included free of charge with my order last week! I stamped the Mat Stack label using Turquoise Gem by Versamagic. Such a beautiful color! The scrolls, and sentiment were stamped in Fresh Ink's - Chocolate pigment ink. (love) The ultra textured background is Core'dinations card stock. Every time I use this on a card I always think to myself, "I need to use this more often." I love Cor'dinations and they have some new kraft Core'dinations coming out that I am so adding to my paper stash! I distressed the wood grain with my SU sanding block,  cut the panel into 3 layers and added machine stitching around all of the edges. I assembled and fussy cut a few pieces, and finally finished the card off with button and white taffeta ribbon from SU.  I tell ya it was nice making a card for fun, and for a great cause.

Cath, thank YOU for all you do to inspire us, and I hope and pray that your shoulder and arm start feeling better ASAP. Hugs!

                                                                         

{I'd Cross An Ocean For You!}

  Good Morning friends! Today I am here to show you a card that was published in this months issue of Paper Crafts Magazine! My card was picked for the "Cure For The Winter Blues" section of this months issue.  I am extremely excited to report that I have cards in the next 4 issues as well!!!  When I first started stamping my dream was to be published and be on a stamp companies design team some day, and so far both have come true. I truly can't believe how much I have accomplished in the world of Paper crafting. I seriously want to thank you for believing in me and for your support as I continue my paper crafting journey. I know that sounds kind of corny, but I mean it!  Anyways, enough of that, lol.  To create this card I used DSP from Stampin Up's Brights Stack, and PTI's "Whale Wishes" stamp set.  A very simple, cute card!  I hope you have a wonderful Monday!!

                                                           

{A Smile is the Key}



This is such a sweet sentiment, and so very true. It really is amazing what a simple smile can do. Today the main inspiration for my card comes from this weeks challenge at CAS-ual Friday Challenge #34 which was to create a CAS card using chipboard.





I have two pieces of chipboard on my card, the scalloped heart, and the golden key.  I used two PTI sets to create my card, Background Basics Sheet Music, and Heart Prints Sentiments. I stamped the sheet music stamp using French Roast pigment ink by A Muse Studio, subtle, but pretty. I finished off my card with a machine stitched frame. I hope your day is going well, and thank you for visiting my blog today!

                                                                                

{Moxie Fab World Part 2}

  Hello back again with another card for a different challenge over at the Moxie Fab World. I created this card for the "Get Inspired Week"  Get Inspired By Fashion Challenge.  Here is our inspiration picture:

As you can see I took my inspiration from the houndstooth pattern, and the warm vanilla tones of the card. Seriously, I could use vanilla card stock for every card I make! The patterned paper I used on my card is from October Afternoon. I decided to make a Holiday card using PTI's Holiday Photo Finishers stamps, and matching die set. I think I captured the vintage feel of the picture by using actual antique embroidered lace that I picked up at an estate sale last year.  I finished off my card with a wooden button tied with twine. I am very happy with my little card, and I hope you like it to! Thank you for visiting my blog today and have a wonderful week!


                                                          

{Happy Holidays}

Hello friends, wow, what a week! We are getting nice and settled after our move.  I have been busy putting my craft room back together and I promise to post pics to show my progress.  Today I am excited to post a card I created for this weeks ColorQ Challenge. Here is the color inspiration picture for this weeks challenge:

Such bright festive colors aren't they!?

    To create my card I used PTI's Christmas Poinsettia,Holiday Photo Finishers, and Retro Background Basics. The beautiful shimmery damask card stock is from A Muse Studio.  It feels great to be "back". I hope you have a wonderful week and thank you for visiting my blog today! 

ps- If you have received the current Paper Crafts Magazine issue I have TWO cards in the issue. Yippie!

{Good Tidings}

Hello friends. I am sorry that it has been so long since my last post, we are in the middle of moving 12 miles away and things are pretty hectic around here. I've packed a lot of my craft room but still have enough that has not been packed to make a card or two. hehe.  Today I am playing along with the current CAS-ual Fridays Challenge which features this sketch:

I really enjoyed this sketch! To create my card I used the A Muse Studio background set "Mad For Plaids", and the Papertrey Ink set "In the Meadow". I cut out the beautiful felt poinsettia with the PTI Christmas Poinsettias metal die set. I don't talk about it a lot but I used my Perfect Layers tool to achieve the perfect mats on all of my layers. Recently I was chosen by Perfect Layers to be on their "Brand Ambassadors Team" and because I seriously use my PL tool ALL the time I thought it would be fun to spread the love on one of my most favorite tools. And believe me if I wasn't behind this item 100% I would not be mentioning it on my blog at all. I use this tool practically every time I add layers to a card. If you would like a set of your own, I have a fun discount code for 5% off, (not a huge discount but hey, it might cover taxes.)   *wink*

vzalis5%

 To finish off my card I added 3 little jingle bells to finish off my card. I hope that you like my card! Tomorrow I have some exciting news and I can't wait to share it with you!  As always thank you for visiting my blog and have a wonderful week!
 
 
 

{Papertrey Ink November Blog Hop}

I know I'm a little late getting my card posted but I still wanted to play along with the November Papertrey Ink Blog Hop . Here is our beautiful inspiration picture:

To create my card I used the PTI sets In The Meadow, and Holiday Photo Finishers and matching dies. The pretty background is the "Picotage Print" backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms. I used my brand new EK Success Large edger punch called Patterned Circles (thank you Paper Crafts Magazine!) to create the pretty lace borders on my card. I finished off my card with buttons, twine, and a couple jingle bells.  I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, ours was spent packing and getting our house ready for move in but all is well, my next craft room is HUGE and I am so excited to get everything set up! Have a great weekend and thank you for visiting my blog today!

                                                                 
                                                               

{Thinking of You and a Winner!}

  Hello friends, today I am posting a card I created using the PTI set "Life". It is an oldie, but I still think it is such a pretty set. To create my card I stamped the flowers stems several times in two shades of purple from Martha Stewart crafts, and latte pigment ink by A Muse Studio. I added little dots of white acrylic paint using the berries stamp from Holiday Photo Finishers by PTI. The sentiment is from the Essential Sentiments set by A Muse Studio. I think it is a pretty card, and I apologize for the not so great picture, today is cloudy and dark, not great for picture taking!  Now to announce the winner of my Fresh Pigment ink pad giveaway! TRG picked commenter #18

True Random Number Generator




Min:

Max:

Result:

18

       AubreyLaine you are the lucky winner! Please email me at alwaysctr at yahoo dot com to claim your prize!  If your name wasn't picked don't worry, you will have another chance to win some Fresh ink pads for yourself, I have more to giveaway soon.  I hope you all have a great week, and thank you for visiting my blog and have a great day!

{Modern Poinsettia}

Good Afternoon friends! Today I am posting a card I created with two challenges in mind, this weeks Papertrey Ink MIM Challenge, and the current color challenge at CR84FN Color Challenge, here is the beautiful inspiration picture:

To create my card I used the Papertrey Ink die set Christmas Poinsettia, and the background stamp set Tin Types and Holiday Photo Finishers stamps and dies for the sentiment lable. The pretty background stamping on the poinsettia is from the Cornish Heritage Farms backgrounder stamp "Lace". I am so happy that CHF is about to re-open their store! To follow along with the MIM challenge I used my glue pad, and glitter to add pretty little floral accents to my tin type background.  I have to tell you that I was soooo close to scrapping this card, as in giving up, but I invested so much time in adding the black hand stitched border to the three layers of the poinsettia that I just couldn't give up. lol  I hope that you like my card, and again I want to remind you about my awesome blog candy giveaway of 6 FULL SIZE Fresh Ink Pads, these are identical to the A Muse Studio pigment ink pads so if you have been wanting to give them a try here is your chance to try them for free! Here is the link:

http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.com/2011/11/holiday-lights-and-amazing-giveaway.html

{A Season of Sweetness}

    Like many of you my journey into the world of paper crafting began with Stampin' Up. I was a customer, and a Demo for 5 years. But, as time went by so many wonderful stamp companies were brought to my attention and well, here I am today! So today I thought I would show some of my SU sets some love. To create my card I used the adorable SU set "Merry Crittermas". The animals in this set are SO cute, and so much fun to color. I colored my guy with pro-markers.  The argyle background was created with the Papertrey Ink set "A Little Argyle". If you will look closely you will see that I paper pieced the squirrels sweater with the same stamped argyle pattern. I think he looks adorable, and so festive! The scalloped borders were created with the SU Ribbon Scallop punch. I also added two strips of die cut strips using the PTI Photo Finishers Die set. Finally I finished off the card with ribbon I have been hoarding for 3 years that I picked up from Big Lots. I am down to one roll and will be so sad when I finally run out. The button is from the Cranberry button collection by A Muse Studio.

    I also want to remind you about my awesome blog candy giveaway, 6 FULL size Fresh Ink pads! These are identical to the A Muse Studio pigment ink pads, and believe me you will LOVE them! This ink is pretty much my go to ink these days. Here is a link to my giveaway blog post: 

    http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.com/2011/11/holiday-lights-and-amazing-giveaway.html

                             Thank you for visiting my blog today!

                                           

      

{Holiday Lights and an Amazing Giveaway!}

  Hello and welcome to my blog! I hope you had a good day, mine was spent packing, crafting, and running after my 11 month old that is now walking. I can't believe it!  I was thrilled to have some time to play, and here is the card I created today! My card features a super fun set from Papertrey Ink called "Holiday Lights". I cut out the die cut using the Stampin Up Sizzix "Top Note" die.  I stamped the lights on the light strand in several different colors of Impress Rubber Stamps Fresh Ink, I just love the rich, deep color of their pigment ink. The sentiment is also from "Holiday Light". I added a green background embossed with the Cuttlebug Folder "Seeing Spots". I finished off my card with a small red bow.

    Now you ask what about the giveaway you mentioned in your title post?

     Well, I was given a very generous donation from Impress Rubber Stamps, 6 FULL size Fresh Ink Pigment ink pads. They retail for 5.95 each so this giveaway is valued over $35! One lucky winner will receive six ink pads! To enter my giveaway just follow my blog (if you don't already), and leave a comment on this post! Because of shipping costs this giveaway is for the USA and Canada only. (sorry)  I will use random.org to pick a winner on Sunday November 20th. Thank you for visiting my blog today and have a wonderful day!

 

                                                      

{Pretty Pretty Poinsettia}

 Good Evening friends. Today I created a card using one of my favorite Christmas stamp sets, Papertrey Ink's "Christmas Poinsettia" and the matching die set. I cut out the poinsettia's and stamped them with the coordinating stamp set using A Muse Studio Cranberry pigment ink. The background was stamped in A|S Pebble ink using the SU background stamp "French Script". I added a couple of rows of machine stitching around the stamped background.  The sentiment is the PTI set "Photo Finishers" and matching die set. I stamped two flourishes from the same set. I think it adds the perfect finishing touch to the sentiment! Finally I added a few yellow beads from Making Memories adhered using Crystal effects. I hope you like my card and I thank you for visiting my blog today!

Today I am playing along with the following challenges:

Stampin Royalty Challenge # 97 - Inspiration Picture

                                                       
                                                  

{Something Totally Different - Moxie Fab Style}

           Wow, two days in a row I'm on a roll! Hah! Actually, I just have so much amazing inspiration all around me I just have to create! Today my inspiration comes from the latest Moxie Fab World  Tuesday Trigger:

                                                             Beads and Baubles   

I tried to capture the colors, floral theme, and some of the design elements of this weeks trigger.

                                      
    To create my card is used patterned paper from 3 Sassafras collections, Ellie's Tale, Sweetly Smitten, and Count Me In. I love, LOVE these papers! That beautiful daisy is from the Prima "Daisy Doodles" collection. The glazed brad in the center is from Basic Grey. The cute felt stitched letters are from Making Memories. The background stamping is the PTI set Retro Borders stamped in SU Crumb Cake ink. I am addicted to background stamps and truthfully I have to resist using them on EVERY card I make! I added two die cut/embossed leaves from Marianne Design that I distressed with a sanding block. The green gingham paper is from A Muse Studio. I love that it has a white core, perfect for distressing! To finish off my card I added a few rows of machine stitching with my handy dandy Janome Sew Mini.  I had fun making this card, and thought a bright, sunny card would be just the ticket. I hope you have a great week and always, thank you for visiting my blog today!

Today I am playing along with these challenges:

Create Me Pink Challenge #3 - Flowers


                                                            

{Distressed Holiday Wishes}

Hello friends! Today I am posting a card for this weeks CAS-ual Friday Challenge "Over the Edge".

   To create my card I used patterned paper from My Minds Eye. I love the rustic, distressed look of the paper! I stamped the sentiment on Offray twill ribbon using the PTI set "Photo Finishers". The pretty velvet ribbon is from the Noel Collection by Making Memories. I added a die cut swallow from A Muse Studio and a matching strip of paper underneath my ribbon. To finish off my card I used my corner rounder on all four corners. I love this simple card, and think it is very "Tim Holtze'ish"..lol  Not my usual style but pretty nonetheless.  I hope that you have a great day and thank you for visiting my blog today!
 
  Today I am also playing along with these challenges:

Do You Stack Up Challenge #44 - Teal/Color Inspiration

Our Creative Corner Challenge - Masculine Card/Project

OCL90 - Distressed and Stressed

{Create: Cards Challenge - No Sentiment}

Good Afternoon! You will notice in the next two months that Christmas cards are my favorite kind of card to create! I've had my best luck creating Christmas cards for publication, three cards in the current Holiday Cards and More issue and for this years WCMD win, all Christmas! I will try my best to throw in a few non Holiday cards, but I can't make any guarantees. hehe.  Today I am playing along with this weeks Cards Challenge which was to create a card with no sentiment. I tell ya that was a little harder then I thought it would be, but I'm happy with my end result. To create my card I used a tree die cut that I stamped with the PTI set "Holiday Lights". For my lights I used half back pearls. The patterned paper is from the Paper Studio, and Stampin Up. I used an EK Success edger punch to create the pretty border, and I finished off the card with a wooden button tied with twine and a vanilla satin bow. Thank you for visiting my blog today, and have a great day!