Sticker and die cut challenge

 It's my turn to choose the challenge theme at Cut It Up and I chose "Stuck on You"; you must include a sticker on your project.  Don't forget the die cut too!  I used rectangle stitched dies and Spellbinders dies on my cards.

And another girly version using Echo Park "Victoria Gardens":

I made two different design cards, one girly and the other masculine.  My girly grad card was inspired by a sketch I saw on Pinterest; I believe credit goes to Cindy Lee Bee for the sketch.

Both of my cards include SRM Stickers.  You can find the "Happy Graduation!" sentiment and grad cap stickers here.  The circle sentiment sticker (below) can be found here.

 Now it's your turn to play with your stickers and create something pretty.

You have until July 8th to link your project at Cut It Up for a chance to win.

Happy Friday!

For the Boys challenge

I know Father's Day has passed, but I saw the "For the Boys" challenge at Shopping Our Stash and I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  Now I am really early for next year  : )

The little screw snaps have been in my stash for years.  I have almost used them up!  The sentiment is an old wood block Stampin' Up stamp that experienced paper crafters will recognize.  And the diamond plate embossing folder is also an oldie-but-goody.  Shopping Our Stash inspires me because I can pull out my dustiest supplies and bring them new life.  The Spellbinders label shape is also old, as is the navy linen card stock.  Only the large rectangle-stitched die is relatively new.

Happy Tuesday!

Sketch Challenge

What do you get when you combine

a great paper and sticker collection + a terrific sketch?

= a ten minute card!

I was inspired by these tea cups in the new Echo Park "My Little Girl" mini collection.  I added some papers from the same collection to follow Leslie's lovely monthly sketch (aka The Crooked Stamper):

Happy Friday!

Summer Bookmarks - Teacher Gifts

June is such a busy month…much like Thanksgiving through Christmas.  So much family fun and celebrations; my twin girls are officially teenagers (13yo!), my dad turned 70, and today is the last day of school.

Before my twin girls were born, I taught math in secondary school.  My students were so sweet and gave me many gifts at Christmas and at the end of the school year.  One of the gifts that I treasure most is a book mark from a student named Ian.  The bookmark was given to me in 1996 and it is my go-to bookmark whenever I put down my Kindle and I pick up a book.  And I think of Ian, which makes me smile.  Ian's bookmark was in a vinyl sleeve and purchased at Barnes and Noble.

I need 22 teacher gifts, so purchasing 22 bookmarks at a Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million is not in my budget.  I perused the internet and found these wonderful bookmark sleeves from www.clearbags.com.  I combined stamps from both Simon Says Stamp and Technique Tuesday, and Echo Park "Paradise Beach" papers. 

I am joining in the Flip Flops challenge at Curtain Call.  (The bookmarks on the far right used flip flop patterned paper.)

On the back (not pictured), I stamped "Thank you for being so awesome" and signed it from the Houck family.  I hope the teachers enjoy them and bring them a smile when they think of my two sweet girls.

Happy Tuesday!

Stars and Stripes die cut challenge

It's time to Cut It Up again and our theme this fortnight is Stars and Stripes.  I used a Simon Says Stamp die cut (stitched hearts).  The papers are by BoBunny.  The grey heart looks like it has stars, but they didn't show up well, so I added wood veneer stars to make sure my card fit the challenge.  My sentiment is by Lawn Fawn.

Enter for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to As Cute as a Button.

I hope you like my interpretation of the Stars and Stripes theme.  I hope to see your die cut creation over at Cut It Up.  You have until June 24th to enter your Stars and Stripes die cut creation.

Happy Friday!

HI! The Card Concept DT Call

The Card Concept challenge blog is having a design team call.  They are looking for a variety of card-making styles.  My style is "simply elegant."  There are openings for the following categories:

Clean and Simple (1)

Clean and Graphic (1)

Freestyle Collage (1)

Classy & Elegant (1)

Mixed Media (1)

Shabby Chic (1)

I decided to apply for the "Clean and Graphic" since that is what I have been having fun creating lately.  I am not quite "Clean and Simple" since I usually like to have layers.  "Clean and Graphic" seems to be the best fit for what I have fun doing.  And crafting and challenge blogs are all about having fun, right?  The DT call is open until noon PST on June 10th.  I hope to see you link up too :)

My card was inspired by the "Thinking Of You" challenge #30.

The elegance of these roses inspired me to choose an elegant paper

(and I am currently in love with MME "On Trend" collection.)

The white pitcher inspired me to use a white-on-white design.

Happy Friday!