Paper Smooches SPARKS- Nov. Designer Drafts {post1}

Hello, friends:}

**After 9am EST--Please click HERE or scroll up for my Mama Elephant post. 

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! The second week of the month is always a DESIGNER DRAFT challenge. 

This week we are inspired by the following sketches: 

Now before I share my creation...WARNING: I did NOT follow the sketch as I had planned! I tried--I really did! I promise to share another creation later this week that looks like this sketch:) 

Like always---I wanted to interpret the vertical sketch in a different way. Here's how: 

• the scallops became an arrow
• the two background panel sizes were changed (one is way larger)
• the sentiment is at the bottom and not sideways
• I added A LOT of stamping and layers to the center panel

I used some of my new Simple Stories SNAP! Color Vibe  and Life papers {available HERE from the Ribbon Carousel} for my card. I also inked up several Paper Smooches stamp sets {Chubby Chum Pals, Spookalicious, Giddy Bugs, Chit Chat, He Said She Said, and Teen Routine}!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE how this card turned out--even though it doesn't look like the sketch! 

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs {this is the NEW team's first creation/challenge!!!} and leave them some love. 

Jessica Bavier

Lisa Arana

Lynn Mangan

Vera Wirianta Yates

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends November 18th. I cannot wait to see what you make!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Mama Elephant- No Peeking

Hello, friends:} 

Today the Mama Elephant design team is taking a closer look at the No Peeking stamp set. Be sure to stop by the ME blog for more details inspiration!!! 

I didn't create a card today! Instead I created a Christmas gift box:) I used some of My Little Shoebox papers with some Whisker Graphics red divine twine {available HERE from the RC}. The tag was created using several different stamps from the ME No Peeking set. I love that little fox peeking out from the edge of the pocket!!!! 

That's it for me today. Be sure to stop by all of the ME DTs' blogs and the ME blog for more inspiration and details. **New ME Stamps will be available on 11/15 at 9pm EST!!! 

Alice

Cheiron

JJ Bolton

Mariana 

Pearl
Teri Anderson- GDT

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Mama Elephant sneak peeks

Hello, friends:}

I know my post title says "sneak peeks"....but I can't share mine yet!!! You have to stop by the Mama Elephant blog for the peeks! You are going to love this month's stamp sets!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE each one:)

Be sure to stop by HERE to check it out! And stop by the ME Facebook page and become a fan!!

That's it for me today. I'll be back starting tomorrow with a new ME creation for four days!!! Can't wait to show you!!! **New ME Stamps will be available on 11/15 at 9pm EST!!! 

Thanks for stopping by! Be blessed:}

ps...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Trav!!! I cannot believe 6 years have passed since our vows--feels like yesterday! I think back on events-- how I moved to FL without knowing a soul....began singing at church....was sent to help out our "sister-church"....met you....began to date you....and finally our wedding and new life together-- and with all of these thoughts, the only thing that comes to mind is that GOD ORCHESTRATED IT ALL!!!! Praise the Lord!!! I love you! THANKS for loving me and for making the past 6 years AMAZING! Here's to 100+ more years of wedded bliss:} Ecc. 4:12b

Whisker Graphics Thank You Gift Bags (using spray paint)

Hello, friends:}

Today I'm sharing my Whisker Graphics creation that is featured on the WG blog-- you can also read about this creation over on the WG blog HERE.

I absolutely LOOOOOOOOOVE the Whisker Graphics bitty bags. **NOTE:: This probably isn't "news" to you because I say this all the time!! I used some of the white and glassine bags for this project.

My project is a "thank you" gift bag for our Pastors; October is Pastor Appreciation Month. OK....I'm a bit behind! But November is a month of "thanksgiving" so I thought this project would be perfect to share! And it's perfect for the typography Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge. 

I tried a new technique with my WG bitty bags--- spray painting them! It worked out PERFECTLY! I love how the neon yellow looks with both bags (esp. that white!!!). I used several Paper Smooches stamps {Word Salad, Chit Chat, Hope} for decoration.

Here's a few tips for spray painting and stamping on these bags:

Spray Painting

• Be sure to mask off the sections well
• Be sure there are no bubbles in the masking tape--press hard!
• If you use some of the white bitty bags--try to "unstick" the painters tape a bit before putting it on the bags (it rips the bags if it's a fresh piece of tape). **I put the tape on my arms and legs to "unstick" it.
• Let paint dry completely before applying second coat

Stamping (mostly for the glassine bags)

• Inks--I tried several inks, but my Memories Dye ink worked best!
• Try to not move the stamps--glassine bags are slippery and when the stamps move it causes a second image or smeared sentiment (like mine!!! I had to make 4 of these bags! It was so hard to have a steady hand! LOL!).
• Let ink dry or spray images/bag with Workable Fixatif to set the ink and prevent further smudging! 

Here's one of the bags filled with mints--the sentiment inside the card says "Thanks for your commit-'mint'!!!" 

That's it for me today! You can see more of my creations using WG products HERE, HERE, and HERE!! And be sure to stop by the Whisker Graphics blog for more inspiration. And stop by their shop too!! 

Thanks for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Paper Smooches Sparks Nov. Trend Watch challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! The first week of the month is always a TRENDS WATCH challenge. 

This week we are inspired by the following photo:

I have to admit **NOTE:: I've been really honest lately! LOL!** that I have a hard time with typography creations. I feel like most of the time they are CAS style and that isn't easy for me. Or they are one layered stamping cards--also not my style. HOWEVER.....I think I've risen above these issues and created some SUPER fun cards/projects!! I love what I'm about to show you!!

For my first creation, I pulled out some old and new Paper Smooches stamps {Cyber Cafe, Hot Concoctions, Hope, and Vegtastic} to make a fun "thank you" card. The typography comes in to play with the words on the side. I know that the fonts are not different, but typography could be just one font or one word over and over. I love that neon yellow--I spray painted some white Bazzill cardstock {available HERE from the Ribbon Carousel}. 

My second creation will be shared tomorrow on my blog---I will give you a couple of hints: 1) I've used more neon yellow spray paint and 2) I've used some Whisker Graphics bitty bags!!! I cannot CANNNNNNOT wait to show you!!!

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs {this is the NEW team's first creation/challenge!!!} and leave them some love. 

Ashley Marcu

Jessica Davis

Lori Tecler

Nina Yang

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends November 11th. I cannot wait to see what you make--I just LOOOOOVE my Paper Smooches stamps (I got four new sets to play with last week)!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Caring Hearts Card Drive blog hop-- GIVEAWAY

Hello, friends:}

**GIVEAWAY details below:)

I'm so excited to share that I was asked to join in the fun for Vera's Caring Hearts Card Drive blog hop! I love that the cards created are being shared with elderly in the nursing homes--what a great cause and treat for these recipients!!! Please click HERE to read more about this drive and how to get involved! 

If you came from JJ Bolton's blog, you are in the right place-- if you would like to start from the beginning of the hop, please click HERE or go to the Vera's blog.

Our assignment was to create a Christmas or Holiday card. I used some of my FAV stamps by Paper Smooches {Christmas Sampler, Teen Routine, and Eco Friendly} for my card. I looooooooove how this turned out! The paper is actually vellum. **I have to be honest-- this is the 9th time I created it! Vellum is SUPER hard to work with! 

GIVEAWAY details!!!! 
Several companies have offered prizes for this hop, including: Bella Blvd, Hero Arts, Lawn Fawn, Avocado Arts, May Arts, Two Peas in A Bucket, and Jennifer McGuire offering 2 online classes!!!! Winners will be picked randomly from comments left on participants' blogs. **The MORE you comment, the better your chances of winning! Comments will close on Monday 11/5/12 midnight CST. 

That's it for me today. Next up--hop on over to Karen Baker's blog! **Click HERE for the complete list of blogs and to start from the beginning!!! Be sure to leave some love along the way for your chance to win!!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Another Paper Smooches SPARKS Oct. Picture Perfect card

Hello, friends:}

I'm sharing another Paper Smooches SPARKS October Picture Perfect challenge creation.  

This week we are inspired by the following picture {left}. Click HERE to see my first card. For my second card, I used the colors as my inspiration. I wanted to make a simple masculine card that Trav could send out to one of his friends. 

I used some My Mind's Eye A Mother's Love paper for the background, along with some Bazzill Basics cardstock {available HERE from the RC}. I masked and stamped images from my Paper Smooches Green Acres, Word Salad, Hot Concoctions, and He Said She Said stamp sets. 

That's it for me today. Don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details. This challenge ends November 4th!!! I just got three new Paper Smooches stamp sets in the mail the other day--I cannot wait to ink them up:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}