Ring Around the Rosie

She grabbed the hands across from her and gripped them tight. They both gave full trust in each other and closed their eyes as they started to move around and around. Slowly at first, then quicker...then fast, faster! "Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down!"

Hmm, I remember one time someone telling me the meaning behind this nursery rhyme, perhaps I subconsciously made it a get welI card! I combined two challenges for the basis of my card. The soft color palette comes from the beautiful inspiration picture at Off the Wall Craftiness and the CAS layout from Artful Delight's Challenge (ASC 2). I love the versatile round designs from Schlosser Design's new stamp set, Circle-A-Thon.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI, (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Circle-A-Thon) Schlosser Designs, (sentiment from Teeny Trees) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (Pretty in Pink Pigment) Stampin' Up!, (Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress) Ranger, (Watermark) Versamark
Embellishments: (Rustic Twine) PTI, (Rhinestones) Michaels
Other: (Honey Dew and Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, (Clear Embossing Powder) Stampin' Up
Tools: (Circle Punch) Creative Memories

Oliver

The story chronicles a boy's life as he finds courage, a family, joy and love. It's a classic and it warms my heart reading this story, about this Oliver Twist.

It's time for another Limelight Papercraft's Sketch Challenge with a twist to focus on your favorite patterned paper! I recently discovered this adorable boy pack available at Limelight, Oliver by Basic Grey (which happens to be on sale at the store!). Yes, a-dorable! I made a few clean and simple, easy to mail thank you cards for a mama-of a baby boy-to be to send out after he's born. (Thanks to the very talented Valerie for reminding me about the cute little safety pins, perfect for baby cards!)

Check out what the other Limelight gals have in store for you-Mandy, Lisa, JenMarie,  and Lynn. Post YOUR creation on Mandy's blog- I'd love to check out what papers strike your fancy right now! Oh, and did I mention that a random winner will receive a sticker prize package from Limelight?!!!

A quick thanks on my part to all those veterans that have served for our country and to make life free for my boys. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: (Monkey and Train Paper from Oliver Collection, Green Paper from Green at Heart, Blue Paper from Kioshi Collection) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Thank You) Heidi Grace, (Fillable Frames #2) PTI
Ink: (Basic Grey Pigment) Stampin' Up!
Embellishments: (Bakers Twine), (Green Rhinestones) Mark Richards, (Gold Safety Pin)
Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbinders

All Bark, No Bite

Sometimes she comes across as a bit harsh. Sometimes she can get a bit grouchy. But my oh my, does she have the most beautiful and loving soul. She would do anything for anyone without a blink of an eye. What's that term called, all bark and no bite? This card is to thank her for all she has done in the past few months for me, without her I'm not sure how I would have gotten through some rough times.

The colors are derived from Wplus9's latest Color Cue Challenge-the deadline is today so I'm quickly fitting this in!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Peacock and Border from Magical Moments) Wplus9, (sentiment from Mega Mixed Messages) PTI
Ink: (Going Gray Pigment) SU, (Versamark)
Embellishments: (Rhinestone Ribbon), (Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels
Tools: (White Embossing Powder) SU, (Black Pen) Pilot

How Many Cards?

How many cards can a cardmaker make...out of one 12x12 sheet of patterned paper?

I'm tickled to stay on another month as a Guest Designer for Limelight Papercrafts! Mandy has issued one doozy of a challenge: Use one piece of 12x12 paper and create a card set with different designs. Oh, yeah, I think that Mandy might not have known my fear of patterned paper. But low and behold, I made six cards using one sheet of patterned paper, Crate Papers Sweet Branch Rubons, six cardstock bases, a scrap of neutral paper, some Kaiser Rhinestones and distress ink!

Here's my recipe, including some leftovers (I was getting tuckered out, but I could have made many more cards...)! I think these would look splendid wrapped together utilizing some of the leftover paper and given as a gift.

Hop on over to the blogs of Mandy, Lisa, JenMarie,  and Lynn -they have fantastic interpretations to share as well!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft, Vintage Cream) PTI, (Cream) The Paper Company
Patterned Paper: (Stripes from Earth Love Collection) Cosmo Cricket
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Sweet Branch Rubons) Crate Paper, (Champagne Rhinestones) Kaiser
Tools: (Scalloped Border Punch) Fiskars, (Circle Punch) Creative Memories
Other: Thread

A Star

Making the cheer squad. An exemplary test score.  An engagement. A promotion. A pregnancy....
She is a Star and Congratulations are in order.

I am smitten with the star from Rejoice! -one of the stamp sets released today from Practicing Creativity Designs- and knew that it would be awesome when used in a completely different setting than the holidays. I studded this card up with everything shiny that I had to create that awestruck feeling-Glimmer Mist, Stickles and Rhinestones! A large sentiment from Chatterbox completes the look. I also just love how the misting makes an everyday, upcycled object, such as the inside of an envelope, look spectacular and oh so different!

(Check out what Amy Duff can do with upcycled items...she is having a challenge as the guest designer on Yvonne's blog!)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Star from Rejoice!, sentiment from Chatterbox) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine
Embellishments: (Rhinestones) Hero Arts, (Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, (Ice Stickles) Ranger
Other: (Envelopes)

Place Setting Cards

Having heard most of my life that I need to wear a name tag to distinguish myself from my identical twin sister, I'm not one to do a lot with projects that identify names. But...the newest set from Practicing Creativity Designs has this awesome panel that was perfect for a place setting card!

This is so super easy to do! Stamp the panel image on cardstock and score the top edge, being careful to avoid the raised circle portion. Trim the panel on the two sides and bottom. Trim around the circle portion only and fold. I've added embossing, glitter strips and bling for a bit of shine to match the plates I've had since my college days.

The rest of the gals (Paulina, Courtney and Dana) have some super projects to show you as well from this release, and both sets are available at midnight!

The cobalt color is so fun to work with, as seen by the latest Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World! I knew there was a reason that I liked cobalt blue dishes! (Thanks Brandi!)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Everyday Prints) Practicing Creativity Designs, (Mom from Roses in Bloom) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (Night of Navy, Ballet Blue Pigment) SU, (Onyx Black) Versafine, (Watermark) Versamark
Embellishments: (Snow Glitter) Martha Stewart, (Rhinestone) Prima

You Statements

**This is my second post for today, for the Schlosser Design Blog Hop Release, please click here!**

A note tucked in his brown paper lunch sack. A handwritten message stuck in the zippered pouch of his away bag. A piece of love slipped in between the dollar bills of his wallet. Little pieces of compassion and care can go a long way.

This technique was too intriguing to not try and the big, bold sentiments from the second Practicing Creativity Design's release this month were thee perfect match to compliment the mottled backgrounds. I've got to say, the interactivity of Everyday Prints is boundless! For these sweet little notes, I pulled out the big YOU and brought in different corresponding words to stamp on the background. I finished the look off with some wide ribbon.

Courtney, Dana and Paulina also have some wonderful examples of this set, and please stop back tomorrow for  another peak!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White and Ivory) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Everyday Prints) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Pixie Pink, Only Orange, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise Pigment) SU, (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo) Ranger
Embellishments: (Red & Ivory Striped Ribbon) May Arts (Green and Pink Striped Ribbon) May Arts

Schlosser Design Blog Hop

Erin from Schlosser Designs has come out with another three sets of fabulous stamps! Today I'm featuring a clean and simple card using Circle-A-Thon. I can tell that it will see as much love as Hexagon-A-Thon...so many possibilities!

One stamp, six chalk inks and some stitching to create a sense of movement and intrigue. Wouldn't this be fabulous as a set with blues, greens and oranges and a quick swap of the sentiment?!

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment today! Your next stop is the wonderfully talented Jessica!

Just in case you need it, here's the order of the Hop today. Please be sure to comment on each of the team member's blogs-not only do we love to read your thoughts, one random commenter will will three of the winner's favorite sets!
Schlosser Designs
Laurel
Karen (that's me!)
Jessica
Michele
Tiffany
Tenia
Bonnie Rose
Tina  


Here's some information on the new sets!
Joyeux Noel (a limited edition set): 12 stamps. The tree image in this set measures 1 3/4" x 2 1/2"
Autumn Blessings (a limited edition set): 13 stamps including a make your own argyle. This set also includes some interchangeable sentiments. The stitched border stamp measures 2" x 3"
Circle-A-Thon: 12 stamps. Sentiments fit perfectly inside a 1 3/4" circle punch. The smaller patterned circles fit inside 1" punch.  Great for layering, backgrounds, etc. 
 
Be on the lookout at Schlosser Designs for some specials next week as well!   

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft) SU
Stamps: (Circle-A-Thon, Furnishing Fun) Schlosser Designs
Ink: (Rose Chalk Que) Colorbox, (Onyx Black) Versafine
Other: Thread 

The Manger

I held my swaddled tight and comfy warm newborn in my arms, and as we rocked in the chair, I read to him the Story of Christmas. There's not a better story out there that holds so much symbolism, so much hope for the future, especially during the holiday season.

The stamped scripture verse dictated my design of this clean and simple card, and I went quite symbolic with my embellishment choices. I included a strip of wood to represent the manger, ivory rustic twine to represent the swaddling cloths and the staples to represent the hardship that the three of them faced and will have to face during their lives.

Here's a close up of the lovely verse that is included in the newest release from Practicing Creativity Designs!:

I completed the inside of the card as well, with a beautiful passage from the same set:

Hop on over to the inspirational blogs of Paulina, Dana to see some amazing projects with this same set and you definitely don't want to miss stopping by Courtney's blog! 

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI
Stamps: (Rejoice!) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Patterned Paper: (Pyrus) Basic Grey
Embellishments: (Ivory Twine) May Arts, (Staples), (Wood)
Tools: (Circle Cutting System) Creative Memories

Escape

The horizon was endless. The colors muted and yet refreshing. The crashing waves monotonous. The ocean was not a force to be reckoned with, but a force to enjoy and let the experience of it consume you and relax you.
 
This card started with some paint and distress inks, along with My Beach House and some twine. I loved bringing out the paint again and trying to recreate the ocean and the beach experience with my card.

It's the first of the month, and Practicing Creativity Designs has TWO new stamp sets to debut on the 5th! Dana and Paulina are focusing on a previously released Practicing Creativity Designs stamp set as well and Courtney has a chance to win both new sets on her blog! 

Oh, and are you ready for a sneak peek?

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (My Beach House) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger, (Basic Gray Pigment) SU
Embellishments: (Bakers Twine), (Acrylic Paint)
Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbinders