CMCC#5 Lollydoodle Layout

I am really excited to share this next layout with you. It showcases some new product as well as tons of Cricut cuts and hand-stitching. Recently, I found another challenge blog on Pinterest. It's called Colour Me...!

Recipe:
Paper: Lollydoodle, Desert Sand CS, Hollyhock CS, Sunset CS, White Daisy CS
Stamps: Classmate Alphabet (retired), Wild About Love (CTMH)
Inks: Desert Sand, Hollyhock, Sunset (CTMH)
Tools: Cricut Art Philosophy, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Foam Tape, Antique Copper Brad (retired), White Marquee Enamel Shape, Smoothie Flower (retired), White Daisy Embroidery Floss (retired), Sunset Baker's Twine (CTMH)

I was inspired by a layout that was previously featured in the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book, Page 95. When I started creating this, it was intended to be used in a baby book, but as I continued to work on it, I began looking back through Valentine's Day photos from last year. I really only got one good shot. It provided the perfect opportunity to combine a pretty sketch with my new Wild About Love stamp set.

Have a great day!

Casandra

DD#87 Friend Card

I decided to make another quick card today. There are just too many cute challenges out this week, and I don't want to miss out on playing along.

Recipe:
Paper: For Always (retired), White Daisy CS, Smoothie CS (CTMH)
Stamps: A Bowwow, Doodle Signs, Inspiration Flourishes (CTMH)
Inks: Slate, Hollyhock (CTMH)
Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Micro-Tip Scissors, Paper-Piercer (CTMH)
Other: Clear Sparkles, Smoothie Baker's Twine, Foam Tape (CTMH), Pink Embroidery Floss (DMC)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1. Retro Sketches RS#99 Challenge
2. Dynamic Duos DD#87 Challenge
3. Muse Challenge #52

Retro Sketches created an awesome sketch this week. This card went together really fast. I really like the Muse Challenge card, too. The flourishes, sparkles, and chevrons made my heart happy. I even stamped the inside of this card in juniper ink with the sentiment "You inspire me". 

So, I hope I have inspired you today. Have a wonderful day!

Casandra

MFTWSC160 Clementine In The Spotlight

Good morning. I needed something to do to take my mind off the snowy, windy weather outside. What better way to do this, then to go to my "happy place"...my craft room. We won't mention the current condition of my craft room; I carefully advert my eyes from piles of stamps and papers. 

Today's card was inspired by the current sketch over at My Favorite Things website. 

Recipe:
Paper: Clementine (retired), Colonial White CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)
Stamps: Casual Expressions, Petite Perks (CTMH)
Inks: Twilight, Chocolate
Tools: Honey Alcohol Marker Set, Chocolate Marker (retired), Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH), Circle Stax Die (MFT), Modern Wallpaper Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
Other: Twilight Brads (retired) (CTMH)

This week's current challenge at H2H is "In The Spotlight". I had another idea in mind when I first saw this challenge, but when I was in the midst of creating this card, I remembered I had a brand new, unopened alcohol marker set sitting on a shelf above my head. I have hesitated to use them for various reasons, but mostly due to worrying I'd mess up a perfectly good stamped image. But since I was using tiny scraps and an even tinier stamp image, I figured no time like the present to give them a try. I...LOVE...THEM! 

I didn't bother with any fancy pigment, archival or staz-on ink to stamp with, just lightly colored in next to the stamped lines. There is no streaking, just smooth color that looks like it could have been stamped on. I will definitely be adding another set of alcohol markers to my next order. 

Until next time, my friends, stay crafty!

Casandra

STS#12 Baby Card

A dear friend of mine recently had a baby. He is adorable and a true miracle to his family. Since I knew she loves the new Jubilee pack and the Babycakes Workshop On The Go, I decided to combine the two to create a unique baby card for her. I found this sketch over at Seize the Sketch blog.

Recipe:
Paper: Jubilee, Outdoor Denim CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Babycakes WOTG (retired), Baby Love (retired) (CTMH)
Inks: Honey, Outdoor Denim, Crystal Blue, Indian Corn Blue (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Outdoor Denim Bitty Brads (retired) (CTMH)

Thank you to Sieze the Sketch for inspiring me. 

Casandra

FMS120 Thank You Card

Hello! I am back today with another sneaky peek at a couple of new paper packs that will be available beginning February 1st. 

Recipe: 
Paper: Ariana, Ivy Lane, Outdoor Denim CS, White Daisy CS (CTMH)
Stamp: Cricut Art Philosophy (CTMH)
Inks: Hollyhock, Outdoor Denim (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors (CTMH)
Other: Sky Brads (retired) CTMH)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
1. Freshly Made Sketches FMS120 Challenge
2. Friday Mashup FM144 Challenge
3. Color Dare #78 Challenge

I am really loving the mix and match versatility of the new papers in our Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday, and can find time to get into your craft room. :)

Casandra

LGS January Week 2 Challenge

I found another great scrapbook challenge blog through Pinterest called Let's Get Sketchy.

I began working on this home decor piece yesterday. Shadow boxes are such a fun way to showcase artwork that you would rather not hide in an album. They also make great gifts, which is the true intention of my next project. My Mother-In-Law's birthday is coming up on Sunday. 

Recipe:
Paper: Ariana, Balloon Ride, Jubilee, Paper Fundamentals, Balloon Ride PML, White Daisy CS, Crystal Blue CS (CTMH)
Stamps: Delicate Wings (Petite Perks), My Sunshine (retired), Lifting Spirits (CTMH)
Inks: Buttercup, Creme Brulee, Sorbet, Crystal Blue, Desert Sand (CTMH)
Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Corner Rounder (CTMH), Cloud Die (MFT)
Other: White Daisy Embroidery Floss, Antique Copper Brads, Chocolate Bitty Brads (all retired) (CTMH)

I used a lot of new product for this layout. The base of the layout is from our new Paper Fundamentals pack. Similar to the Dream Pop campaign from last Spring, it has print on one side, and a beautiful embossed texture on the other side. The green paper is from the new Ariana pack. That lacy yellow strip at the bottom of the photos is from the new Jubilee pack. The other papers are from Balloon Ride, which you saw snippets of in my last post. The truly exciting part of this layout is the pretty new Balloon Ride Picture My Life assortment, as you can see from the title, as well as that yellow paper in between the sorbet and crystal blue pieces, plus the photo mats.

This is the very first shadow box frame I've made. I hope Jeannie will like it. Have a great day!

Casandra

Saying Goodbye to Bowwow

Of course, my day wouldn't be complete without a second card post. I am sad to see this stamp set retire. It was definitely a favorite of mine. That little word bubble with Hello, that sweet puppy dog, and then you have the inside sentiment "Wishing You A Doggone Good Day". 

Recipe:

Paper: Skylark, Ivy Lane, White Daisy CS (CTMH), Kraft CS (MFT)

Stamp: A Bowwow (CTMH)

Inks: Chocolate, Sweet Leaf, Lagoon (CTMH)

Tools: Paper-Piercer, Micro-Tip Scissors, Watercolor Pencils (CTMH), Picket Fence Die (MFT)

Other: Bitty Sparkles (CTMH)

I kept looking at my scraps of Skylark and those birds on a wire are actually part of the print. They reminded me of my childhood when I was about my daughter's age. I used to get up every morning quite early and greet the sunshine and the birds in my yard. I remember sitting in a lawn chair watching the sunrise, and listening to the birds on the telephone lines twittering and chirping. I still think that is a lovely sound, even on a Sunday morning as I try to sleep in.

So, about the stamp set...it is retiring on January 31st. If you are at all interested in purchasing this adorable stamp set, you may visit my website here. It's a crazy low price of just $6.95!

Enjoy your Friday!

Casandra