PenPattern Pals

 When I made the cards that I'm sharing with you today, I envisioned these being a part of a set.  Same layout, same type of card stock, just different colors.  These were so much fun to create.

Stampendous PenPattern Moose,                    Stampendous PenPattern         Spoonful of Snow                                           Snowman, Spoonful of Snow

Both of these images were colored with Spectrum Noir markers.  For complete supply lists and directions visit the Stampendous website. Moose card and Snowman card.

Thanks for stopping by today, take time to get inky!

We Can Build a Snowman

"In the meadow, we can build a snowman"

Well, now you can build a snowman on a card also, thanks to Stampendous!  With this ingenious Build a Snowman stamp set you can create cute little snowy scenes for your cards or scrapbook pages.  The interchangeable heads, bodies and arms mean you can create a ton of frosty snowmen to celebrate Christmas or Winter!  It is such a fun stamp set to work with and the possibilities are really endless!  I think I'll be reaching for this set often this winter!  

Since this was a birthday card for my friend, Kathy, I tried to stay away from traditional "Christmas colors".  I love this snowflake paper by DCWV.  I find myself using it on a lot of my winter cards.  I inked up the snowflakes with purple ink to add to my stamped panel.  Who says you can't have purple snowflakes (just stay away from the yellow ones!)

For the perfect finishing touch, I reached for my Stampendous Crystal Embossing Powder.  

Thanks for stopping by today - don't forget to stop by the Stampendous blog to see the snowman creations the other girls on the design team have to share with you.  

Take time to get inky!

In the Meadow

Brrrr!!!   I don't know what the weather is like in your corner of the world, but here in the Chicago area it is COLD!!!!  Our windchill is currently making it feel like our temperature is 40° BELOW zero!  That's just wrong!  We were supposed to head back to school this week after Winter Break, but schools have remained closed due to extreme temperatures.  The boys and I are all getting a little stir-crazy and ready to get back into a daily routine which include school and work!

So, the card that I'm sharing with you today is perfect!  This week is "Snowman" week for the Stampendous design teams!  Be sure to check the Stampendous blog to see what all the other girls have to share!

My card features this super adorable Stampendous Snowman Banners clear stamp set.  It's such a cute set, and I just love the look on this little guys face.  He looks so content to be hanging out with his bird friends.  I colored the image with Copics and then added some Stampendous Crystal Embossing Powder for the snowy area.  The papers are from the DCWV holiday stack. 

Well friends, thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to stop by on Friday when I'll have another snowman card to share with you.  Until then, stay warm!

Take time to get inky today!

Winter Fun!

What a fun week this has been, but I have to say I am exhausted!  My two boys have been running on pure adrenaline since school let out for Winter Break last Friday.  It's about time for them to crash - just in time for a quiet New Year!  Here in the Chicago area, we had a beautiful white Christmas which had me thinking "snowflakes".  That inspired me to make this card using the Stampendous Cling Jumbo Snowflake Trio.

I first applied Ranger Distress Ink in Dusty Concord to a panel of white card stock.  Then I stamped the two smallest snowflakes using VersaMark ink and heat set Detail Silver Embossing Powder by Stampendous.  I made my own silver card stock to mat the panel by just applying VersaMark around the outer edges of a panel of card stock, sprinkling on Detail Silver Embossing Powder and heat setting it.  Wrapped around and tied a length of sheer silver ribbon and my card was done.  My niece loves purple and she is a December baby, so this card was perfect for her birthday last week.

Well friends, it's time for me to get busy.  Our house is a disaster zone - it looks like the North Pole exploded in our family room. 

Thanks for stopping by, take time to get inky today!

Hoppin' with Stampendous and Clearsnap

What a fun week this has been!  I have LOVED using Clearsnap products!  I have fallen head over heels for the Color Box Petal Point Fluid Chalk Inkpads.  They include a beautiful palette of colors and are so easy to use.  On the card that I'm sharing today, I used the inks to color my image using a water brush.   This adorable Stampendous image is Cling Jumbo Penguin Snow.  Aren't they cute????  And I love these snowflakes!  So fun!

This card will soon be headed to my friend, Carol.  She's one of the teachers at the preschool with me and she just so happens to teach the Penguin Class!  So, I know she'll love this card!

Now it's time for you to see what other Stampendous and Clearsnap inspiration we have to share with you today.  Here's a list of  blog stops...

want to just keep this window/tab open and hop in another tab it might be easiest. Thanks for your patience, as always you have until Sunday night to complete your hopping/commenting before we will choose our three winners on Monday.

Rhea Weigand

Tobi Crawford

Kristine Reynolds

Jennifer Dove

Asia King

Suzanne Czosek

Jamie Martin

Tenia Nelson

Lea Kimmel

Janelle Stollfus

Krissy Fossmeyer

Clearsnap Blog

Thanks again for hopping along with us! Do be sure to share our posts on your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and wherever else you share!

Take time to get inky!

Clearsnap and Stampendous Fun!

This week the Stampendous Design Team is collaborating with Clearsnap to share some great products and ideas with you.  

All of the sudden I realized this afternoon that Christmas is 2 weeks away.  I am NOT ready!  Tomorrow I'm going out to try to finish most of my shopping and I'm hoping to get the rest of our decorations out.  Next week I'll worry about getting started on my baking. 

In the meantime, I thought I would make my gift tags.  I have always loved the look of red on kraft, and this Cling Sweater Square stamp by Stampendous was begging to be made into a gift tag!  This was so fast and easy to make - I had a pile of them ready to go in no time!  The Color Box Petal Point Fluid Chalk Ink has a beautiful palette, has great coverage on kraft card stock and is easy to use.

To finish the tag, I added a length of red grosgrain ribbon  that is tied off with a piece of hemp cord.  Quick and easy!  My kind of project!

Stop by the Stampendous blog to see who else has inspiration to share with you today and be sure to visit again tomorrow when I'll have another project to share with you.

Take time to get inky today!

Sleigh Ride

I'm back again today with another card using the super-duper cute Penguin Sleigh stamp set by Stampendous.  This set is available at Michaels and you really don't want to pass up a chance to get it!  It's so cute and will be perfect for cards all winter long!  For the snow and the pom-poms, I added a bit of Crystal Embossing Powder.  

It's fun to see how different today's card and yesterday's card look - just by changing the color scheme.  Although, I really like today's card, I think I have to say the I LOVE yesterday's card.  The non-traditional color scheme was a lot of fun to work with.  But, really, with a stamp this stinkin' cute, how can you go wrong???  (you can't!)

Time to me to scoot, my friends.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll visit again tomorrow when I'll have a great project for quick and easy Christmas gifts.  I have a card that is SO EASY to mass produce...it would be perfect for Christmas cards or thank you notes.  

Take time to get inky today!

Happy Snow Day!

Brrr....I don't know what the weather is like in your area, but here near Chicago it is COLD!!!!  Today we're supposed to get about an inch of snow. So, this card seems perfect for today!  These little penguins all lined up in their sleigh are just so cute!  This stamp is appropriately named Penguin Sleigh by Stampendous.  It is one of the fun new stamps available at Michaels this season.  For the snow I used Shaved Ice - this stuff is "glitter to the max"! The fun snowflake paper is by DCWV from the Holiday Stack. 

Be sure to stop by the Stampendous Blog this week for more inspiration.  Our theme for this week is "Scenic Christmas", so you're sure to be inspired.  In the meantime, run out to Michaels and get this stamp set before it's gone.  It could be used all winter long, not just at Christmas.  I think I'll use it for a couple of birthday cards in January and February. 

Thanks for stopping by today - be sure to come back again tomorrow when I'll share another card made with this stamp. 

Take time to get inky today! 

Stampendous Sneakin' A Peek

IT'S SNEAK PEEK WEEK!!!!

(Did I get your attention?)

This week the Stampendous Design Team is sharing some of our most favorite stamps from the new catalog.  All the images are so great it was really tough to pick a favorite.  I shared a card the other day using the gorgeous Leaf Background stamp and I'll have more to share with you soon.  I had so much fun coloring the other day that I colored a whole pile of images, I just didn't get them all made into cards yet.  Stay tuned...

Today I'm sharing this card using the new Snowman Banners Perfectly Clear Stamp set.  Isn't he adorable?  He looks like he's all decked out for the holidays.  I used Shaved Ice for the snow.  LOVE that stuff!  If you haven't used it yet, you HAVE to add it to your wish list!

All of the new products will be available for purchase through the Stampendous website on July 20th and if you order before the end of July, Stampendous is offering FREE shipping on any order over $50!  The new stamps will be hitting the shelves at your local stores soon.  I know you can't wait to get your inky fingers on them!

OH!  Almost forgot!  Kristine, Rhea and Suzanne also have sneak peeks to share with you today!  Be sure to check out what they've created!  They are all super talented!

OK, time for me to skedaddle.  Lucky this little snowguy isn't here with me today, he wouldn't last very long it's supposed to get up to 95°.  Hope all is well in your corner of the world (and that you're keeping cool!)

Take time to get inky today!

Shhh! It's Laura's Birthday!

Today is a very special day for us Stampendous girls!  Today we are celebrating the birthday of our fabulous Graphics Manager and Design Team Coordinator, Laura Weed!  Laura is an amazingly supportive and patient person, and I'm blessed to call her my friend!  Today a bunch of us have created and posted birthday cards for her, so hop along with us and check out the birthday wishes!  Join us in wishing Laura a Happy Birthday!

The card I have created for Laura uses the super adorable Jumbo Snowfall Pair which is available at Michaels (along with everything I used to make this card).  I chose this image because there is SNOW friend like Laura!  I created the snow by sprinkling on Winter Wonderland Embossing Powder and heating it from the underside to melt the powder.  I love how it looks like snow!

Now it's time for you to hop along and see what my team mates have created for Laura.  Don't forget to leave Laura a little birthday love!

Kristine Reynolds

Wendy Price

Krissy Fossmeyer

Lea Kimmel

Tenia Nelson

Janelle Stollfus

Suzanne Czosek

Cyndi Bundy

Yana Smakula

Mary Dawn Quirindongo

Asia King

Melinda Gleissner

Laura, before I get hopping to see what the girls have created today, I wanted to take a moment to wish you a very Happy Birthday!  You took a chance on me and I can't thank you enough!  You are my very favorite Fairy Stamp Mother!  I hope you have a wonderful day and that the coming year is blessed with good health, hearty laughter, never-ending love and many memory making moments!  

Now it's time for me to hop along.  I hope all is well in your corner of the world, friends.  Take time to get inky today!

Penny Black Snowman

What's this????  Three days in a row that I'm posting?????  AMAZING!  Let's hope it's a habit!

Today I wanted to show you the thank you notes I made for our family's Christmas gifts.  I made a few extra and stamped other greetings so I can use them throughout the winter for birthdays or just "thinking of you" notes.

Not only does this card use one of my favorite snowman images, I also got to use my new Cuttlebug machine!  I've been wanting one for years, and Mom and Dad surprised me with one for Christmas - it was, hands down, my favorite Christmas gift!  I'm sure it will get a good workout on my craft table!  Also, I used Copics for the first time.  I definitely need a lot of work on my Copic skills!  I don't have many yet, but they are fun to use.

recipe:  Penny Black Warm & Cold; Hero Arts Everyday Sayings; Recollections Black and red card stock; DCWV Holiday Stack, Glitter Mat Stack; Copics R20,R24, YG63, YG67; Prismacolor Pencils; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black ink; Recollections silver snowflake brads; Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder; Sizzix Snowflake Die; Crystal Stickles

Ok, friends, time for me to get my day started!  Hope you have a great one and that you take time to get inky today!

Happy Birthday, Laura!!!!

Happy Birthday, Laura!!!!!!!

Today the girls on the Stampendous design teams are all making cards to celebrate the birthday of Laura Weed, the fantabulous Graphics Manager at Stampendous.  She is smart, generous, patient, creative and funny!  Although I've never met her face-to-face, I consider her one of my friends and I hope to meet her someday.

Here's the card I made for Laura....

recipe: Stampendous Snowman Flurry, Party Invite; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black ink, Frost & Sparkle Shimmer Spritz; Recollections Glitter Card stock, sticker pearls; Offray kiwi ribbon; Primacolor pencils, Goo Gone, tortillons; Liquid Applique; Martha Stewart Snowflake punch

(I was inspired by a card I found on Splitcoast Stampers, but now can't remember who the card belonged to - sorry!)

Laura, I hope you have a wonderful day and that the coming year is full of many memory-making moments, hearty laughter, true love and good health.
 

Here's a list of all of the design team members that are sending birthday wishes to Laura today...

Melinda http://mynoteworthycards.blogspot.com/

Janelle http://rainpuddlesdesign.blogspot.com/

Taylor http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/

Wendy P http://paperinkandsmiles.blogspot.com/

Trudee http://trudee.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Jennie http://jenniebstampin.blogspot.com/

Pam http://1pamperedstamper.blogspot.com/

Lynn http://www.stamperosity.com/

Krissy http://www.paperinkspirations.blogspot.com/  <---me!

Stephanie http://blog.artycarty.com/

Kristine  http://stampingandscrapingincalifornia.blogspot.com/

Wendy J http://www.papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com/

Jingle http://www.justjingle.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Dove http://just4funcrafts.blogspot.com/

Rachel http://gingerbreadgallery.blogspot.com/

Cyndi http://www.scrappychickcyndi.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you all have a wonderful day and that you take time to get inky today!
..

Chipboard Challenge

It's Saturday again, and that means the Stampendous team is playing along with our monthly challenge again! This month we are playing with chipboard. There are SO many different ways to use it - paint it, distress it, emboss it, stamp on it, give it some texture......you get the idea!



I used a chipboard snowflake (two, actually) on my card.  I decided to emboss the snowflakes using my favorite Stampendous embossing powders.  The bottom snowflake is heat embossed with Blue Blaze EP and the top snowflake was embossed twice.  The first layer is Winter Wonderland EP and then on top of that I used Stardust EP.  I added a cute little silver snowflake brad to the center of the snowflakes.

recipe: Stampendous  Penguin Wishes, Winter Wonderland EP, Detail White EP, Stardust EP; Martha Stewart Stars Border Punch; Sizzix Snowflake die; Michaels Silver Snowflake Brad; Prismacolor Pencils; Paper Pizzazz DP; Versamarker

Here's a list of the other team members who are playing along with this challenge.  Take a few moments to check out what they've created!

Lynn Mercurio - http://www.stamperosity.com/

Taylor Usry - http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/

Wendy Jordan - http://www.papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Czosek - http://www.suzzstampingspot.blogspot.com/

Pam Hornschu - http://1pamperedstamper.blogspot.com/

Stampendous Blog -- http://stampendousblog.wordpress.com/

OK, after you've taken a look at what everyone else has created using chipboard, then it's your turn!  Our challenge to you this month is to join us in using chipboard on your cards and projects. This month we are giving away a Cling Jumbo Songbird set to a random winner. You don't have to use a Stampendous image or products to play along, but we sure love it when you do! You have until Thursday, December 1 at 11:59 PM EST to add your link to the linky tool on the Stampendous blog, and we'll draw a random winner. You can enter as many times as you'd like.


OOH!  Before I forget...did you know Stampendous is offering FREE shipping on all orders $50 or over (to US/APO/FPO addresses)?! Use the promo code FREESHIP and stock up on some goodies!!  Be sure to check out the Present in a Pail for that special stamper on your holiday shopping list.  At just $29.95, it's a great deal - order 2 and you'll get free shipping with the above code.  WHAT A DEAL!!!!


Gotta skedaddle - hope you have a great day and that you'll take time to get inky today!  Thanks for stopping by!



Cocoa Changito

My youngest son wanted to bring his little Preschool friends a little Christmas gift on the last day of school before Winter Break.  This little cocoa packet was what I came up with.  It's hard to see in this photo, but I stamped snowflakes on the glassine bags with White Stazon ink.  Inside the bag is a package of cocoa, a little baggie of marshmallows and a mini candy cane.  It was a quick and easy gift to put together - and ended up being pretty cheap, too, since I found a great sale for the cocoa, marshmallows and the candy canes.  An added bonus was that the glassine bags were given to me by a friend as samples from her work.  Woo-hoo!  I love free samples!

It's no secret that Changito is one of my favorite little buddies.  This image is perfect for the gift of cocoa!  I'll be making more of these next Christmas!  They are great for school goodie bags!

Take time to get inky today!

recipe:  stamps: Stampendous Changito Snow Play, Hero Arts Winter's Butterfly; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black ink, White StazOn ink; Prismacolor Pencils, GooGone, Tortillons; CM Oval Cutting System; The Paper Co.; glassine bags; cocoa, mini marshmallows, mini candy canes; Offray ribbon

The Gift of "George"

Every year for my niece and nephew's birthday, we give them one dollar for every year.  I like to package them creatively and every year try to come up with something new.  Last month, my sweet niece, Alyssa, turned 11 years old (where does the time go?)  So this year, she found her eleven Georges wrapped around Hershey Nuggets.  I made it an even dozen and added a Happy Birthday message to one piece of chocolate.  I then made a box with an acetate window to hold them all.  It was a fun project.  Last year we gave her Cold Hard Cash.  I better start gathering ideas for her 12th birthday!

The funniest thing about when Alyssa opened her birthday gift, was when my sister-in-law saw the money and chocolate she jokingly said "All she's missing now is the diamonds, then she's got all of a girl's best friends!"  What Debbie didn't know at the time, was that her other gift was a pair of tiny little diamond earrings!  What fun to spoil my favorite (and only) niece!

Take time to get inky today!

recipe: paper Bo Bunny; white felt snowflake Menards; misc pink button; Westrim Crafts white snowflake sequin; Hero Arts pink bling; chocolate: Hershey's Nuggets; George:  US Mint

Remember me?????

*knock*   *knock*  *knock*   Is this thing still on?  Is anyone still there?  It's me, Krissy, again.  It's been a long couple of months since I've posted anything.  Hopefully, taking the first step is the hardest, and now that I've done that I will be better about posting more often.  If you're still with me, thanks for hanging in there!

Now, let's see if I remember how to do this!

One of the many "things" that has been going on in our lives has been having to say good-bye to my son's beloved Preschool teacher.  She, after much consideration, decided it was best for her family for her to leave our little preschool and head in a new career path.  Both of my boys were in her "Polar Bear" class, so this card was for her from my oldest son.  He wrote the sweetest note inside telling her how much he loved "being her little polar bear".  He also told her that the 3 bears on the card were him, her and my youngest son.  It was really a touching note from a sweet little 6 year old.

Anyway!  On the the card.  I've told you before that I have had problems combining patterned papers in the past, but this just came together 1,2,3 for me.  I was so happy!  See the white felt snowflake in the corner?  Well, you'll never believe where I got it!  Menards!  Yep, that Menards, the home improvement store.  I found a 15 foot roll of snowflake ribbon before Christmas.  The whole roll was only about $4 - it will last for quite awhile....I just snip off one snowflake at a time.  I love the way it looks with a red button layered on top of it and then a snowflake sequin and a little bling.  All that layering makes you forget that the button is round, doesn't it?

I've never sewn on my cards before, but this card made me want to.  I think it would have been the perfect touch for this one, but I was too lazy to drag out my sewing machine.  Plus - I already have enough piled on my dining room table where I craft.

Well, there I've done it!  I'm back to blogging again.  Phew!  Thanks again for hanging in there.  I'll be back soon!   I promise!

Take time to get inky today!

recipe:  paper: HOTP Blue Snowflakes and Swirls, DCWV Holiday Stack; stamp: Stampendous Polar Ride;  ink: Tsukineko Tuxedo Black; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo Gone, Tortillons; Felt Snowflake: Menards; Red misc button; Westrim Snowflake sequin; Me & My Big Ideas red bling; Crystal Stickles

Winter is Warmer with Snowmen

8/10/10 - Edited to Add-  Just found out that this card was one of the winners for this week's challenge!  Woo-hoo!

I am so excited with the way this card turned out!  Don't you just love when a plan comes together?  I had this idea in my head, but wasn't sure it was actually going to work until I started playing with the design.  It was really a fun card to work on!  I think I might make a few more of these.  It would be fun to add the right number of snowmen to correspond to the number of people in the family you are sending this card to.  Know what I mean?  Did that make any sense?  Like this card, would be great for a family with 4 kids and a mom & dad. 

This is my final entry for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  This has been such a fun week to participate, it has really made me jump-start my Christmas card production.  Now if I can just keep working on them every week, I might actually get cards mailed this year!

Well, friends, I have to be going.  I need to get a few things done around here before my little guy wakes up from his nap.  I hope you're having a wonderful day and that you will take time to get inky today.

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Winter Warm, Snowplace; The Paper Co.; Tsukinko Tuxedo Black ink, White Staz-On; Frosted Lace Stickles; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Liquid Applique

Santa Snow Globe

This card makes me smile!  How cute is this little Santa?  When I saw this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge, I knew I wanted to make make a snow globe card.  This is such a fun card to make, I found the instructions on Splitcoast Stampers.  There are a bunch of great instructions for some beautiful projects in the Resources section at SPS, take a look when you get a chance. 

Are you tired of seeing my submissions for Stampendous yet?  I hope not, because I still have one more to show you.   Stay tuned......

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Elf Wishes, Changito Snowplay; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, White Staz-On; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons;  DCWV Holiday Stack, The Paper Co.; Liquid Applique; Acetate Sheet; JoAnn's ribbon

Snowy Day Changito

Another one of my submissions for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  I thought I'd try to use Rainy Day Changito but make him Snowy Day Changito.  Don't they look like they are cuddling under that umbrella trying to stay warm?  I added Liquid Applique to the tops of their boots to make them look more wintery.

Still more to show you....don't change that channel!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Rainy Day Changito, Snow Place, Winter Warm;  Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black, Aegean Blue, Gingerbread, Watermark; Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder; Diamond Glaze; Liquid Applique

Krafty Elf Wishes

I've been busy today making cards for this week's Stampendous Saturday Sketch Challenge.  There's actually no sketch to work with this week, the only guideline is to make a Christmas card.  How fun!  I had so many ideas running through my head, and couldn't decide on just one, so I made 4 or 5 cards this week.  I was on a roll!  My creativity was flowing!

This little elf makes me smile!  Isn't he cute?  It may be hard to see in the photo, but I added Red Stickles to the tips of his little elfin shoes and Liquid Applique for the "fur" trim on his jacket.  They both add a fun texture to cards.  To add a little more texture, I used my Scor-it to score evenly spaced lines on the green strip.  Until I get a Cuttlebug, this is an easy way to add texture to paper.  I had a lot of fun working with kraft paper, I'll have to do it again soon!

I've got more to show you.....stay tuned.  In the meantime, take time to get inky!

recipe:  stamps:  Stampendous Elf Wishes, Warm Winter; Tsukineko Tuxedo Black; JoAnn's Red Pigment Ink; Prismacolor Pencils, Goo-Gone, Tortillons; Red Stickles; The Paper Co.; Scor-It; Liquid Applique; CM Gold Pen