Snowy Tree Card

I thought I'd pop on this afternoon to post a card I made for Dawn McVey's most recent Raspberry Suite color challenge! I found time to play along this morning during preschool. Here is the inspiration she challenged us with:



Here's my card:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Season of Friendship set; Christmas Tags Hostess set
Ink: Versamark; Chocolate Chip craft ink; Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Baja Breeze Classic inks
Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Sky, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Kraft cardstock; Baja Breeze textured cardstock; Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP
Accessories: Kraft taffeta ribbon, White Signo gel pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Clear embossing powder, Scallop Edge punch, paper piercer, half back pearls from Pretties Kit

It was fun bringing back some old school Stampin' Up! In colors! Hee! The card base is textured Baja Breeze cardstock and I used Soft Sky for the background behind my tree- stamping it with Versamark snowflakes before I added the tree image. I also created some faux stitches around the edge, using my White gel pen and a paper piercer! To add snow to some of the tree branches, I first drew it in with my White gel pen and then added a little glue and some Dazzling Diamonds glitter!

Hope you all enjoy your day! I'm off to cook up a special dessert for tonight's dinner with two little helpers! Hee!

Thanks for looking,

-tessa

Fall Leaves Card

Today is feeling like fall... The leaves are bustling around in the wind, the weather is a little chillier, and I'm drinking my favorite fall flavored creamer- Pumpkin Spice in my coffee! Fall is my favorite season but somehow, I am feeling like I neglected it in my cards! Silly, right? I decided I better make a fall card...



I really loved how this card looked before I added the Crystal Effects to the leaves. Somehow, it just looked better without it! Oh well!

Thanks for stopping by today!!

-tessa

New Goodies...

I spent a lot of time down at my local scrapbook store this past weekend! While I was there I was able to pick out some fun, new papers that I've been eying online. Here is a card I made with some new American Crafts goodies:



I have to tell you I LOVE to shop for scrapbook goodies! It is so hard to tell myself no when there are sooo many companies out there that I adore! And, they are always coming out with new, even cuter lines that I just can't live without! Hee! I've been very good this past year, only buying when I have a plan in mind and will be using the product within the week. I've also been using up my stash of goodies and my scraps! So, for me, a little shopping time is very fun!

I have a lot of cards made but haven't felt like posting lately... My oldest daughter Zoey who is four discovered the internet and all the fun for kids on it... she is constantly asking for her turn at the computer when ever I sit down at it! Then she makes me a deal... she will use the computer and I can go downstairs and make cards! I guess she knows my weekness is quiet time making cards! Hee! Hopefully I can squeak in a few more posts this week!

Have a great day!

-tessa

Bluebird of Happiness Card

Hello!

I have been having fun procrastinating this week on a really big project that is due this weekend... I have dreaded this project and it seems like tomorrow I may actually have to work on it! Hee! Instead, today, I played along with some challenges!

Today's card was inspired by Caardvark's Sketchfest! I've been having fun participating!! Here is my card:



I wonder if I'll ever use up this little pad of Making Memories paper... I've had it since last spring and I'm still going on it! Hee! The colors are so fun and cheerful!

Well, I'll keep this short today since I've got to get cookin' on dinner!

Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

Even More Tree Trimmings...

Good Morning!

I've had this card done for some time now but really wasn't in the mood to blog last week. I used the Tree Trimmings set again and it is part of a card set for an upcoming class. Here is the card:



I used the shimmer paint on the embossed background but it is hard to see in the picture... much sparklier in real life! I can't wait to play with the shimmer paint some more!

Well, hope you all have a great day!! I'm stuck at home waiting for the Sears repair man again... hopefully I'll have a fixed dishwasher after he leaves though!

Thanks again for stopping by!

-tessa

Make Merry Card

Today was a good day! I got to play in my craft area for quite some time and whipped up a bunch of cute cards! Tonight I'm just posting one- it's for a challenge with a deadline! Caardvarks is hosting a sketch marathon this week!! I haven't gotten to play along with any of their challenges yet so I am really excited to find the time today! Here is my card:



I used the new Berry Christmas set from Stampin' Up's mini catalog. I think it is such a versatile set but I hate the greeting that comes with it! Make Merry?? It sounds so bossy... oh well, I used it anyways! Hee!

For this card, everything is pretty straight forward... I added some Crystal Effects to the wreath sort of randomly for a little sparkle and dimension. I also inked around the edges of most of the cardstock pieces to soften it a bit. The stitching is faux, too!

Anyways, I'm in the middle of the House premier so I better get back! It started out pretty interesting!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great evening!!

-tessa

Dew Drop Fun!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I did... I cropped down at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg on Saturday and had lots of fun chatting the night away with my scrappin' buddies!! Here is a card I made while I was there... they just got these fun tear drops in...



They make great Christmas tree lights, don't they? Hee!

Hope you all have a great day! I've got to get Zoey off to school so I'll keep it short today!

Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

More Wings of Friendship...

I made this card over the weekend and love how it turned out!



All products are by Stampin' Up!

The colors were inspired by a challenge issued by Embellish, new magazine hitting the web in early December. Right now they are looking for projects using a color challenge (Red, Brown, Kraft, Turquoise or Light Blue- incorporated with twine) as their first issue's inspiration. Submissions are easy- just check out their website and click on the Submit tab for more information! Hee! I can't wait to see how the first issue turns out! Submissions are due on September 27th...

For this card, I stamped the bird and the flowers with Versamark and heat embossed them with clear embossing powder. I love how they shine, especially against the kraft! What a pretty combo!

Hope you all enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

A Fall Friendship Card

Are you all sick of my using the Season of Friendship stamp set yet? I just love it! Today I'm sharing a card made with it using a new color combo I found in the craft store... in yarn! Hee! Don't you love it when inspiration hits in funny places! I used Pumpkin Pie, Real Rust, Creamy Caramel, Elegant Eggplant, Pale Plum, So Saffron, and Soft Suede. Here is my card:



All products are by Stampin' Up!

I woke up this morning ready to head into Washington, DC for some fun! My husband called to remind me I couldn't go- dishwasher repairman is on his way and I've got to stay home and wait! I hate that- especially when you wait all day and they show up at the last possible minute... Instead of going into town, I'm hoping to get lots of crafting done today for a few looming deadlines I have. I guess I probably should have been planning that anyways but it is such a pretty day outside! No fair!

Thanks for popping in to take a peek today!

-tessa

Pretty, Sparkly Ornaments!

OK. I decided that I absolutely LOVE the new Shimmer Paint from the Stampin' Up! mini catalog! It is so fun to paint on things! Here, you can see it painted onto cardstock. I stamped the ornaments over it using the matching color inks. Aren't they pretty? It just looks like I stamped on shimmery cardstock! Hee! Here is the card:



All products are by Stampin' Up!

I am keeping this short today- lots to do before going to a fun birthday party!! Hope you are all enjoying the day!

-tessa

More Tree Trimmings...

My next Collector's Club class will be featuring the Tree Trimmings set in the current Stampin' Up! catalog. I've been having fun playing around with it and finding different ways to use it. Here is a card I made for the class:



I can't wait to show the ladies in my class how to make their own patterned paper with the set! I'm hoping they won't get too tired of using the Stamp-a-ma-jig though! One other thing- don't you love how the turquoise glitter looks here? I was surprised by how close the color matched to Bermuda Bay! All products for this card are by Stampin' Up!

Thanks for looking today and hope you all have a great weekend!

-tessa

Silly Mushrooms Card

Over the weekend, I got together with my friends Dawnette and Brenda who have been doing some shopping around town! Brenda picked up these cute Mushroom embossing templates and I just had to play... Here is what I made:



Aren't they silly? Hee! I had fun with them! I used some of my scraps from a paper pack I bought last spring. Lots of patterns going on!

OK! Keeping it short because I've got lots to do today!! Zoey's first day of preschool is today and I get to go pick her up in a little bit and hear all about her day! I can't wait to see her smiling face!

-tessa

Embrace Life.

One of my favorite sets ever from Stampin' Up! is this Embrace Life set. It is so versatile and pretty! You can use it for backgrounds and focal points. It is all around a great set and I frequently give it away as a gift. With all that said, I had to borrow it from my friend Dawnette to use it because I don't actually own it! Crazy, right? Here is my card:



I stamped the flowers onto vellum paper with Versamark and heat embossed them with white embossing powder. I adhered two of them straight to the card but I wanted the top one to pop a little more... I added some bright pink chalk pastels to the back of it! Once they were all adhered to the card, I added a little glitter to them. I love how it turned out. Hopefully my swap buddy will, too! Hee!

Hope you are enjoying your day! Thanks for stopping by!

-tessa

Ornamental Snowflake Card

Good Morning!

I finally got some new Christmas goodies delivered on Friday and have had a great weekend playing with them! I started on my Collector's Club: Tree Trimming Series card samples- here is the first one:



I have wanted to make this card ever since my inspiration for it, Carolyn, posted this great card on her blog, Ryn Scraps. I loved how she used the ornament to create a snowflake! So cool, right? Anyways, I knew I'd have to show this to all the girls in my class! They will love the idea!

Thanks Carolyn for the inspiration!!

Hope you all have a fantastic day!

-tessa

Snow Love Card

I made this card last week for the Moxie Fab World Holiday card challenges but still don't know what category it should go in...



I used non traditional holiday colors found in the Cosmo Cricket patterned paper- kind of fun, right? I also used some new Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint- with glitter added to it- for the snowflakes. It is really pretty in person!

So, I know this may seem weird to all of you readers who aren't Stampin' Up! demos but with the new online presence rules at SU! I am not allowed to give name brands of other companies in my blog posts any more. For this reason, I will not be adding my Goodie list to any posts- including Stampin' Up! (my own little rebellious side). I still haven't signed the new IDA so I will continue using name brands until I do. Sorry if you enjoy this part of my blog but if I sign something, I'm gonna follow the rules...

Hope you are all enjoying your Monday!

-tessa

A Fun Challenge

My friend Andrea added a challenge to her blog Twilight Sparrow this week! She challenged her readers to create something with this children's book cover in mind:



and here is what I made:



Goodies:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes by Stampin' Up!; Invitation Builder set from Paper Salon
Ink: Jet Black Staz On
Paper: Whisper White cardstock by Stampin' Up!; textured cardstock by Bazzill Basics; patterned paper by Paper Salon
Accessories: Crystal Effects, paper piercer, Dimensionals, and White Signo gel pen by Stampin' Up!

I was using up some scrap paper with this card... I loved the bright colors paired with black and white- I was trying for a somewhat graphic look, like the cover!

I had fun with your first challenge Andrea! I can't wait to see what you come up with next!!

-tessa

Bring back some oldies...

Today, I am waiting for Mr. Brown to deliver all my goodies from the new Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini!! I can't wait! I am a little excited because it is a pretty big order with class supplies for the holiday season! I love creating for the holidays!

My friend Andrea and I decided to enter into the Moxie Fab World contests that started last week. I brought out one of my old favorite dry embossing templates and some rubons I've had since the Recollection days... Here is what I made:



Goodies:

Paper: Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla cardstock by Stampin' Up!; patterned paper by Kaiser Crafts, October Afternoon, and Lasting Impressions
Accessories: ribbon and embossing template by Lasting Impressions; Rubons by Daisy Ds for Recollections; 1/2" circle punch, paper piercer, and Fire Circle Rhinestone brads by Stampin' Up!; scallop edge punch by Fiskars; White Signo gel pen

I think I'll enter it into the Shabby Chic category... I did distress the edges of my focal point! Hee! Making these Christmas cards really got me in the mood for the holiday!

I also wanted to let you all know of something new and exciting on the internet! My friend Ashley had a great idea- she created a new online magazine called Embellish that will feature challenges and peoples take on them. Her first issue is coming out in December and she is currently looking for submissions for the first color challenge! Check it out! She's going to choose her favorite and publish it on the cover of the magazine! Guess what else they win... a new Apple Ipod Touch!! Holy Cow, right? I can't wait to see the first issue!!

Thanks for peeking and if you get a chance, check out the great contests at Moxie Fab World! You still have a couple of days to work on it!

-tessa

Thank You Deer Card

Hello!
Today's card was inspired by a card I found yesterday on a favorite blog of mine, Stamp-In-Style. Amanda Reddcliffe's designs are really cute and fun! I just loved here card with the little deer on it so last night, I made my own version of her design! Here it is:



Goodies:
All products by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Forest Friends set, Thank You Kindly set
Ink: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay classic inks
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White cardstock; Dusty Durango textured cardstock; Thoroughly Modern DSP
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Soft Suede polka-dot grosgrain ribbon, paper piercer, White Signo gel pen

I think I am in love with the Soft Suede polka-dot ribbon... I ordered one spool and split it with two of my friends but I think I am going to need one just for me! Hee!

Thanks Amanda for the inspiration!!

-tessa