Be Joyful

Like many papercrafters, I sometimes have a "mental block" when it comes to creating masculine cards. So, I eagerly joined Jacki's challenge at www.thecardcastle.blogspot.com. This stamp set was given to me by a friend and I am in the process of making her a set of notecards using each of the stamps. So, this card will be going to her eventually.

Once I decided on the layout, the card came together quickly since I used a DCWV Mat Stack. Those little stacks make it so easy to coordinate your papers.

recipe: Stamp: Stampin' Up Elegant Inspirations; Ink: Tsukineko Graphite Black; Paper: DCWV Green Stack, La Creme Mat Stack; Creative Memories Circle Cutting System; Mark Richards Metall Nailheads

Happy Day Elephant

I love this card - I think it's so bright and cheerful and can be used for many occasions. I sent this one to my cousin and his wife when their sweet little Haylie was born last year. I copied this card off of the Hero Arts website. Take a few minutes to check out www.heroarts.com when you have a chance, there are so many great ideas and beautiful inspiration.

recipe: Paper: The Paper Co., DCWV Matstack; ink Tsukineko Graphite Black; watercolor pencils & H2O pen; stamps: Hero Arts Playful Animals, Hero Arts Circular Designs, Hero Arts Hello Circles, Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages; ribbon Offray; Marvy Scalloped Circle Punch

More Blog Candy!

Here's another great offer of blog candy. Go to http://abctoysandcrafts.blogspot.com/ to enter your name in the drawing of this very generous candy. They are offering one of 3 sets of Martha Stewart punch sets. Martha makes the best punches and I would be overjoyed to add any of these sets to my collection.

Good luck!

Blog Candy Alert!

Blog Candy Alert! You can win a $25 gift certificate to Two Peas!



All you have to do is go to www.clips-n-cuts.com and then add a link to your blog along with a to your favorite card that you made this month! The hard part is deciding which of your cards is your favorite! I have many favorites!

You have until Friday January 22nd to submit and earn a chance to win!

Good Luck!

Ghirardelli Chocolate Box

This little box was the perfect addition to the chocolate recipe holder I posted earlier. The box holds 4 Ghirardelli chocolate squares (yum!) I included 2 dark and 2 milk (though I'm partial to milk chocolate). It's an easy little box to make, I found the directions on www.splitcoaststampers.com. If you've never checked out that site, take a look. You'll find so much inspiration there and some great tutorials!

recipe: Paper: chocolate chips HOTP; solid The Paper Co.; stamp Hero Arts; Marvy Scalloped Square punch; Tsukineko Cocoa Bean Ink; clear embossing powder

You Make My Tail Wag!

The pup makes me smile! I can just imagine his tail wagging! I entered this one in the Hero Arts January Challenge, keep your fingers crossed for me! I don't own any thought bubble stamps, so I improvised and used a cloud stamp from the Sky's the Limit stamp set. Sometimes you just have to "make do"! I had a hard time choosing a sentiment for this one....my other choice was "I 'ruff' you!" I think the heart bling is the perfect finishing touch!

recipe: Paper: The Paper Co.; stamps Hero Arts Happy Day Animals, Hero Arts Sky's the Limit; ink: Tsukineko Graphite Black, VersaMagic Sea Breeze, Aloe Vera, Pink Petunia; Prismcolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Hero Arts Heart Sparkle Gems; Crystal Stickles

When I saw this card on display at Archiver's last year, I knew I had to make it! I love everything about this card! I grew up playing the piano and have always loved the "look" of musical score. This heart makes me want to sing!

recipe: Paper: dots Hot Off the Press, solid The Paper Co.; Musical Heart stamp Stampendous; Ink: Tsukineko Graphite Black, JoAnn's Red Pigment; Ultra Fine Clear Embossing Powder; ribbon: JoAnn's; pop dots (center heart is raised)

Valentine's Day Lollipop

Last year as I was making treats (see post below "Take Note, Valentine"), my youngest son asked what I was making. I told him they were treats for TJ to give his friends for Valentine's Day. Ben then asked, "Well, what about my friends?" Being 3 years old, and not yet in school I didn't think I had to worry about what he would give for Valentine's Day. So, I asked him "Who are your friends, Buddy?" He replied "All the Mommys and the teachers at TJ's school!". So, because he was so cute about it, I got busy making Valentines for Ben to hand out. I made these lollipops for the kids and the adults. I have to admit, I was glad I did, because Benny was so stinkin' cute and sooooo excited to share. We got to school early that day to pick-up TJ, and there Ben sat with his little bag and waited for all the other Mommys and Daddys to come pick up their kids. As he handed each adult a lollipop he said "Happy Valentine's Day, this is for you!" It was just so sweet. When all the parents had left, and he saw he had treats left, he decided to go to the other classrooms and give treats to the other teachers. He's such a sweet little boy - usually ;-) ! Anyway, enough bragging from this proud Mommy!

The lollipop inside this little wrapper was from Walgreens and is heart shaped. These would be easy to adapt for any holiday or for a birthday goodie bag.

recipe : paper: The Paper Co; Marvy scalloped circle punch; Tsukineko Graphite Black ink; watercolor pencil & H2O pen; ribbon JoAnns; lollipop Walgreens; stamp: Hero Arts

Take Note, Valentine!

I made this little set for my oldest son's Preschool classmates last year for Valentine's Day. On the left is a little matchbook-style notepad and on the right is a pencil that I bought at Target and just added a few scalloped circle to embellish. The little notepad is approximately 3"x3", and so easy to make. Inside is just a small stack of typing paper that I've cut to size. The stamp is by Hero Arts (can't remember the name right now). The heart is colored with a watercolor pencil.

This was a fun little project to make, I may have to make them again this year for his Kindergarten class. What little kid doesn't like a little notebook of their very own? I may even have to make one for myself!

recipe: paper The Paper Co; ink Tsukineko Graphite Black; watercolor pencils and H2O pen; Marvy scalloped circle punches; pencil Target; stamps Hero Arts

I won! Woo-Hoo!

I found out this morning that I am the winner of this month's $100 shopping spree at Hero Arts. Every month these generous folks chose one blog reader to win a spree. All you have to do is sign up for the Hero Club and leave comments on the posts. The more comments you leave, the more chance you have to win. It's as easy as that!

If you've never checked out the Hero Arts website you are in for a treat! They have great products and everyday they post new ideas and techniques on their blog. Each week there is a themed contest you may enter also. It's a fun website...sit down with a cup of coffee and take a look. http://www.heroarts.com

In the meantime, I'll be browsing their on-line catalog making my wish list for my shopping spree. I'm sure in the near future you will see many of these stamps getting good and inky.

Leave a comment on their blog today and you could be next month's winner!

Monkey Valentine

Valentine's Day will be here before you know it. This is a fun card for that special little monkey in your life. On silly cards like this I sometimes like to use the computer to print funny sentiments or puns on the inside of the card. I can think of a few for this card ...."You drive me bananas"...or "Let's hang out!"....or you could even get a little risque and print "Wanna monkey around?" Have fun with the inside of your cards, too.

recipe: paper (lips) Me & My Big Ideas, (dots) unknown, (solids) The Paper Co.; stamps Hero Arts playful animals; ink Tsukineko Cocoa Bean; watercolor pencils; ribbon Offray; Marvy scalloped circle punch; heart embellie Jolee's