Today it is all about YOU!

Hi there!

I needed a really quick card today for this special post, 
announcing my blog candy winner!

Supplies:  Sherri Baldy 'Besties' Digital Image

SRM Stickers, Fancy Stickers Sentiments Collection (#55001 Birthday).

Scrap of dotted DP
Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

Spellbinder's Die
Spellbinder's Premium Craft Foil
Colored with Copic Markers
Zig Pen 'doodles'
Perfect Layers Rulers (see sidebar for details)

I'll be entering this in the Besties Challenge #19 "Add something metal or metallic"

And now - the moment you've been waiting for!

The winner is.......

NJ Stamping Queen

CONGRATULATIONS to NJ Stamping Queen!!!

Please email me at:  mamagilliam at gmail dot com so that I can get your information passed along to Cheryl, at Scraptownlady!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Smiles,

Patti J.

Casadia - Here for You

I have something really fun to share with you today!

Have you been following Wida Miller's CASADIA?  

I've been following for quite a while now, and this is one of the best ideas I've seen, and such fun!
What is Casadia, you ask?  

It is a card chain!  Sort of like when we used to play 'telephone'.  

The 1st person in this chain was Laura Bassen, (who had no idea what she'd started!)

who was CASEd by Jennifer Rzasa, 

who was then cased by Wida Miller, who then invited all of us to join in the fun!

And here is the most recent card, by Suzanne Dahlberg, which I was invited to CASE. 

(If you want to Pin any of these cards, please go to each designer's blog, and pin from there!)

To see all of the cards in the chain, pop over to Wida's Casadia Page!

Now, a little about MY card!

This was a great card for me to CASE!  A pretty tough act to follow, but OMG - Case-Heaven!

Suzanne had me at Kraft!  And Kraft with dots? Be still my heart!

The next thing to make me smile was the soft pink ribbon and lacy doily.  I am a card angel for folks undergoing chemotherapy, and I immediately thought of the Amuse Breast Cancer stamp set that I got last October.  That's how this card evolved.

Amuse "Fight Like a Girl" Stamps, Color Box Chalk Inks, Amuse and misc. ribbon scraps, flower from my stash, Baker's Twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon, Kraft CS, Bazzill CS, Perfect Layers Rulers 1/16" and 1/8".

I hope that you will go check out all of the fabulous cards in the chain.  And if you are interested in being a part of CASADIA, contact Wida Miller, and get on the list!

Have a great day,

Patti J.

Winter Collage

Hello!

Happy Saturday :)

If you read my previous post, you know that our family is happy dancing!

I have a couple of tags to share with you today.  

Both are created with the Memory Box Winter Collage stamp.  

Memory Box Winter Collage G-1830, Glossy Tags, We R Memory Keepers DP "Snow Flurries-Winter Frost", Tim Holtz Distress Ink Tumbled Glass, Amuse Pigment Ink Navy, Copic Markers, Colorbok Navy CS, Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, Bell from Hobby Lobby, Tag is Stampin'Up Decorative Label Punch, folded in half, Perfect Layers Tools (see sidebar for details).

One I stamped in navy ink, and slightly colored, and the other was heat embossed, with white embossing powder on a glossy tag, and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink sponged on.

The glossy tag made it difficult to get a good photo, as it wanted to reflect light.  I even resorted to an umbrella...lol.

I'm actually going to enter a challenge today!

Joan's Gardens' challenge for this week is to create a tag.  I'm sending two - what a bargain!

Have a great day!

Patti J.

Stamp of the Week and A WINNER!!!!

Good morning!

Ugh...even as a retired person, I adamantly dislike Mondays.... hope your weekend was wonderful!

Today, I'm sharing the Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week, Bear Banner, with you.

Repeat Impressions "Bear Banner" #2623, Repeat Impressions "Wishing You the Beary..." #1917, DP from an old DCWV Mat Stack, Kraft CS, Quick Kutz Embossing Folder, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Twine from Really Reasonable Ribbon, Martha Stewart Punch, Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury White CS, Perfect Layers Tools, Bear is Paper Pieced with a scrap of Prima DP.

This is one of 'those' cards!  You know the type.  You have a darling image, and a darling sentiment, and a great idea for your card design, but when it's all put together and you see it on the big screen, you go "ewwww".  Lol...  I'm pretty sure you know just what I'm talking about!  My Perfect Layers Tools were used to get my nice straight mats!

Be sure to head over to the RI Blog, The House That Stamps Built to check out details on how to get this Bear Banner stamp for 50% off!!!  

Now, it's time to check out what my fellow Rockstars have created with "Bear Banner".

Cheri     Geri     Karen

Now!  My winner for the Creations by AR Blog Hop is:

Amante del Papel

Amante, thank you so much for hopping with us, and Congratulations!

 Please email Adela, at Creationsbyar.sbcglobal.net

Thanks everyone for stopping by - have a great week!

Patti J.

Cute as a Button...

Good morning!

Hopefully, you are all enjoying a Monday of rest :)  Well, it's definitely Monday, and that means a new Stamp of the Week at Repeat Impressions!  Today's SOTW is "Cute as a Button".

Repeat Impressions 'Cute as a Button (4126-W), Tag (lg) (5216-W), New Arrival (4116-W), Pink Tombow Marker, Amuse Dots Cardstock, Ribbon from my stash, Dimensional Foam, Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink, Colorbox Pink Pastel Chalk Ink

I wanted to keep this as simple as possible, so that the stamp would be in the spotlight.  If you have any questions, let me know. I've listed the supplies under the photo - feel free to let me know if you need additional info.

My fellow Rockstars have some delightful projects to share today, as well!  Hop over to see their beautiful creations!

Cheri     Geri     Karen

Remember, there is still time for joining in challenges at the Repeat Impressions blog, The House That Stamps Built - check out the blog for details!

Have a great week,
Patti J.

P.S. Thanks so much to those of you who have so graciously sent cards and/or packages to our DD and to our SIL in Afghanistan.  If anyone would like to send anything else, the shipping/mailing deadline is October 1st.  With good luck, these men and women will be back in the USA by mid December.  I have a list of needed items, so feel free to contact me.  Thanks again to some very amazing and wonderful ladies out there, for being so thoughtful the past 7 months!

Creations by AR July New Release

Adela has done it again!  

Today, we are here to share the July New Releases for Creations by AR. 

We have two new releases today, the Folder Organizer for your embossing folders, and the Scallop Card and Bag set.  

Grab that cup of coffee, get settled in, and enjoy the hop!

The Folder Organiser, complete with embossing folders

The Folder Organizer with embossing folders removed - three individual holders

Side View

The Scallop Bag with binder clip.

Bag, envelopes, cards, and clip

Envelopes - each slightly different

Cards and envelopes

As always, each blog will have a winner!  

Be sure to comment at each stop!  

Winners will be announced on Saturday, so check back to see if you have won!

Have a great day, and happy hopping!!!

Adela     Julia     Lisa     Lori     Lyn     Magdalena     Patti J.     Sue

The Folder Organizer features a designer paper pad from Hobby Lobby - GCD Studios, Ella Blue. You can't tell from the photo, but the DP is a linen weave and feels like soft velvety fabric.  The bling is Want2Scrap, from Flourishes.  Ribbon from my stash.

The Scallop Card and Bag set is made from Kraft Cardstock. The beautiful orange CS, is the Venetian Pattern from Aumse Studio.  The white ribbon is Really Reasonable Ribbon, and the cute checked ribbon is from my friend Shirley - thank you, Shirley!!!  Butterflies are Cheery Lynn Designs Dies.

Patti J.

Happy Birthday Raccoon

Good morning!

Hope this finds you all well!
It's a new Designer's Choice Challenge today, at Repeat Impressions!

Today's challenge, from Makiko, is to use an outdoor/wildlife theme.
I chose to use the Racoon and some wild violets.

Repeat Impressions 4219-W Racoon,  1706-W Wild Violets, Marianne Tree Dies, Perfect Layers Tools, Simple Stories DP, Bazzill CS, White CS, Dimensional Squares, Copic Markers, Post it Note, Button from stash, Baker's Twine from Really Reasonable Ribbon

The main image, Racoon (#4219-J), was stamped in the middle of the panel, and stamped again on a post-it note, which I cut out, creating a mask.  I applied the masked racoon directly over the stamped image, and stamped Wild Violets (#1706-I) on the left and right of the racoon.  I removed the mask and colored the scene with Copic Markers.  The sky and grass were created by stippling on blue and green distress inks.

The card base is 6 x 6 Bazzill Basics, topped with a 5.75 x 5.75 piece of Simple Stories DP.  

Two trees were cut from green scraps using my Marianne Tree Die, and adhered to the DP.  

The main focal image was matted in green, then a scrap of brown Amuse CS, 

and adhered with dimensional foam.  

The sentiment is from the Simple Stories DP pad, the button is from my stash, and the Baker's 

Twine is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  

All of my wonderfully straight borders were cut using a craft knife and my Perfect Layers Tools.  You can use any rotary cutter or craft knife with Perfect Layers Tools, and you can watch a video tutorial on their website!

Thanks for stopping by today!  

Hope you'll stop by my fellow Rockstar's blogs to see what they have created using Makiko's challenge!

Cheri     Dawn     Joy     Karen     Kecia     Lynette     Makiko

Full challenge details can be found on the RI blog, The House That Stamps Built.

Have a great week!

Patti J.

Fun with Greens and Purples...

Good morning!  

I wish you all a Happy 4th! 

As you celebrate the birth of our nation, Independence Day, I hope you will take a moment

to remember the troops that are fighting to preserve our freedom, and to keep war 

away from our beloved United States.

Today is a new Designer's Choice Challenge for Repeat Impressions!  Lynette is our challenge hostess, and she has challenged us to create with a color palette of greens and purples.  Well...when I saw green,

I immediately thought of these darling frogs!

Repeat Impressions 7120-W Underpants Frogs, 7007-W May the Light..., Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Ribbon from my stash, Baker's Twine from Really Reasonable Ribbon, Copic Markers, Colorbok Cardstock, Spellbinders Dies.

We would love to see you create a card for this challenge!  Drag out those fun greens and purples, and head over to the Repeat Impressions Blog, The House that Stamps Built, and link up!  You might be

the lucky winner!  You don't have to use RI stamps, but if you do, you will be entered in the

random drawing twice!

Check out the fun creations that my fellow Rockstars have created...

Cheri     Kecia     Lynette     Karen     Joy     Makiko     Dawn

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs and blessings galore...

Patti J.

Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!
Samuel F. Smith

Soaring by...

Hi there!  Welcome to our 'What-If Wednesday' Repeat Impressions' Sketch Challenge.  Today's sketch just HAD to be flipped.  I've tried to behave myself lately, and not be a 'sketch flipper', but you know how it is...sometimes the temptation is just too great! 

Repeat Impressions 9112 I - Airplane, Amuse Blue CS & Cloud CS, Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Black CS, Copic Markers, Glossy Accents

Repeat Impressions Sentiment: 9104-G Soaring By to Say Hi, Martha Stewart Loop Border Stamp, Baker's Twine, Blue Amuse CS, Black CS, White CS

 As I look at the blank inside page on the screen, I'm thinking I will ink up the airplane stamp, stamp it off on a scrap, then stamp it onto the panel so that it's fairly transparent....this just looks too unfinished...

The Repeat Impression's Sketch J2712

I hope that you will head over to the Repeat Impressions' Blog, The House That Stamps Built, for all of the challenge details, and that you will check out my fellow Rockstars' blogs to see their beautiful creations!  We would love to see you participate in the challenge!  Someone will win some great RI goodness!!!

                 Cheri          Dawn          Joy          Karen          Kecia          Lynette          Makiko

Edited:  Please, please send up some good thoughts, and prayers for those in the 'line of fire' in Colorado Springs.  As of 2:00 this morning, there were 32,000+ evacuated, many left knowing they have nothing to come home to.  Our friend, Lee Murphy's daughter is one that was evacuated...so please pray for her! 
This photo was taken yesterday afternoon, from our daughter's apartment complex. 
If you look to the left, you can see the front of the apartment buildings.  
The fire is actually 1.5-2 miles away, and at least for now, she is safe, but it is very frightening.
Certainly makes our tree in the photo below look silly.  We appreciate your thoughts and prayers. 

Here's the excitement at our house on the hill yesterday.  I was chatting with DD yesterday evening, and heard a horrendous cracking, sounded like gunshots. The dogs began barking wildly, and would not settle down.  I walked to the sunporch doors to see what was making them so crazy, and found this:

The limb actually broke off and fell at an angle, missing the corner of the house by a mere inch, thank goodness!  Also grateful that the man that mows for us was not mowing under the tree at the time - Yikes!

Sigh...another Honey-Do for DH.  Poor guy!

Thanks so much for stopping by - love having you visit!

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

What If?

Good morning, and happy Wednesday!

Today is What-If Wednesday at Repeat Impressions.  Time for a new sketch challenge!  When I first saw this sketch, it scared me.  I hit a brick wall...so I put it away for several days.  When I brought it out again, my first thought was the new 9200 series flowers!  Oh yeah....

Repeat Impressions 9203-P Daisies & Butterfly, 9206-H Beautiful Days, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Kaiser Craft Pearls, Copic Markers, Baker's Twine-Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I stamped the 9203-P, Daisies & Butterfly, three times.  Then I made a clear template of the triangles, and cut out each of the three, being careful to let a different part of the image show in each one.  Color (I edged the sides of the triangles with Copic Marker, as well), adhere, add some pearls and a sentiment, and voila!  A CAS card!

Please visit the Repeat Impressions blog, The House that Stamps Built for all of the challenge details.  We would love to see your take on the challenge!  Be sure to check out my fellow Rockstars to see what great creations they have for you today!  Their links are on my sidebar!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Patti J.

Happy Summer...

Good morning!

It's time for a new Stamp of the Week, at Repeat Impressions!  Today's stamp is called Beaver (#4211-K). This adorable stamp is available exclusively to our blog readers at 50% off for a short time.  Please check out the Repeat Impressions Blog, The House That Stamps Built, for all of the details!

Supplies: Brown CS ?, Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury Layering Weight CS, Kraft CS, Repeat Impressions Beaver Stamp (#4211-K), and Happy Summer Stamp (#9003-E), Scor Tape, Perfect Layers Tools, Button from my Stash, Baker's Twine, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Dimensional Square

I stamped and colored only the leaves on the Kraft background, making my own DP :)  The Beaver, leaves, and water are colored with Copic Markers, and the sky is sponged with Stormy Sky Distress Ink by Tim Holtz.  Perfect Layers Tools were used for the great layers!

A quick and easy card with a very simple sentiment (Repeat Impressions #9003-E, Happy Summer) to just let that someone special know you are thinking of them!

Please stop by my uber-talented teamies' blogs today, to see their wonderful creations!  It never ceases to amaze me how four of us can use the same stamp, and it looks so different!  Gotta love it!

Cheri     Karen     Makiko    

Hugs,
Patti J.

Dream, Inspire, Hope

Happy Monday - to read my Memorial Day post, please scroll down.

As it's Monday, it's time for a new Stamp of the Week at Repeat Impressions!  Today's SOTW is 'Dream, Inspire, Hope' (     ). 

Supplies: Kraft CS, Madison Window Small Memory Box Die, Dream, Inspire, Hope (3101 W), Butterfly, Small (9009 W), Memento Rich Cocoa Dye Ink, We R Memory Keepers Ribbon, Wooden Button from stash, Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Stampin' Up Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Basic Grey Magnet.

This SOTW will be available exclusively to Repeat Impressions blog readers at 50% off, with the special discount code from Monday, May 28th, through Sunday evening, June 3rd.  To get thediscount code, and more information about thie Stamp of the Week, please go to the Repeat Impressions Blog, The House That Stamps Built.

This makes such an easy card for a graduation, encouragement, thinking of you type of greeting.  I'm planning to make some more cards using this image today...

Please take a few moments today to think about, thank, and pray for our military; past, present, and future.

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

For You...

Good evening,

To read my Memorial Day post, please scroll down.

I had certainly not planned on a second post today. However, I realized that I'd never posted my card for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge, and it's down to the 22 hour countdown!  Beate was the hostess for this challenge, and she asked that we use flowers on our projects.

I had a lot going on this week, so this card is very clean and simple. And...self-explanatory! If you would like any info, let me know.  Otherwise, I will see you back here tomorrow with a Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week!

Have a great evening,

Patti J.

Get Hoppy

Hello!

Hoppy Thursday, and welcome to the "Get Hoppy" Mini Hop with Creations by AR ladies.

Adela has done it again!  Wait until you see this adorable Bunny Box!  

I don't have any electronic cutting machines, so I created my Bunny Box using the PDF files.  The template was printed directly to the cardstock.  A little cutting with scissors, a little adhesive, and voila!  A Bunny Box!

Supplies: Creations by AR Bunny Box Template, a*muse Bubblegum Gingham Check Cardstock, Twine from Really Reasonable Ribbon, Marvy Matchables Bubble Gum Pink Dy Ink, Copic RV21 Marker, Cotton Ball, Googly Eyes, Stampin'Up! Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Be sure to hop on to the rest of the blogs.  Each of the team members will be randomly drawing to give away a free template to one lucky commenter, so be sure to leave comments as you hop!  We will each announce our winner on our blogs on Saturday, March 31st.  Good luck!!!

Hop to:

Adela Rossol

Julia Moss

Lisa Somerville

Magdalena Cortez

Me

Sue Kment

Thanks for hopping with us!  I'll be back Saturday with a winner!

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

Just Sittin' Here

Good morning!

I'm enjoying this beautiful day, and hope that you are, as well.  On a little hike around the yard with the dogs today, I realized that nearly overnight, our Bradford Pear trees are all beginning to flower.  They are so pretty!  I'll share a photo tomorrow or Thursday after a few more blooms appear.

Today's share is a fun card.  The day is so bright and cheerful, that this card had to be cheerful too.  Hope little Heidi gives you a smile.  This is for a brand new challenge, "Sweet Stamping Pixies".  The theme is "Spring", and you must use a Pixie, Sprite, or Fairy on your card. 

Supplies: DCWV CS., Echo Park Country Drive CS,  Really Reasonable Ribbon's Baker's Twine, Kaiser Craft Pearls, Wal-Mart Nail Heads, C.C. Designs "Heidi Among the Flowers", C.C. Designs "Leafy Branch" Die, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Pink Sharpie Marker, Copic Markers, Amy R. Stamps "Wish You Were Here" Sentiment, Recollections Dimensional Squares, White Vision Pen, Diamond Stickles

Inisde of Card

So, hurry into your stash, and find a sprite, fairy, or pixie, and get creative!  You have lots of time to get into the very first challenge at Sweet Stamping Pixies!

I will also be entering this card in the following challenges:

My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges - Spring
Little Darlings Challenges - Pearls
The Pixie Cottage - Things with Wings
Totally Stampalicious - Flowers
Totally Papercrafts - My Favorite Things (Patterned Papers!)
Crazy 4 Challenges - Spring is in the Air
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - Anything Goes

Have a great day - hugs!

Patti J.

Stately Flowers 2 with Tutorial

Good morning fellow crafters!

I'm not sure who stole the month of January out from under us, but it's nearly gone!  I've had such fun creating with Melanie Muenchingers stamp set, Stately Flowers 2.  This is my last post as Melanie's guest designer, but I will be using this set often!

Along with a card using the Goldenrod images, I have a photo tutorial for you, sharing the process used for the card.  I haven't done too many tutorials, so please feel free to contact me if you have questions about anything shown below.  

Start with white panel and Brushed Cordoury Distress Ink.

Using foam dauber, and a circular motion, sponge entire panel with ink.  I always work on my craft mat.  Start your cirular motion OFF the page, bringing it in toward the center for better results.

Next, use the same technique with Rusty Hinge ink, but keep the sponging toward the outside edge of the panel.

Choose the smallest Goldenrod image from Stately Flowers 2.

Begin stamping with Rusty Hinge, around all four edges of your panel.

Next, choose your sentiment and the largest Goldenrod image from Stately Flowers.  Place them on your block where desired, and stamp them on the plastic sheet using a guide.  I love the Stamp-a-ma-jig for this.  Once stamped on the plastic, it is easy to align your Stamp-a-ma-jig for stamping on your panel.

Once stamping is completed, mat your panel onto your choice of cardstock.  I chose black.

Next choose another panel for background.  I chose a black and white tiny gingham check.  Cut a piece or ribbon long enough to secure on the back of your background piece, and adhere.

It will look like this.  Once ribbon is secure, adhere this panel to card front.

Turn focal panel over, and adhere dimensional foam.

Add focal panel to card.  Tie a knot in a scrap of ribbon, and adhere to panel with glue dot.

Supplies: Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury White CS, Stately Flowers 2 stamps, Gingham & Black CS, A muse Studios, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black, Dimensional Foam (Michael's), Sor-Tape

I have one more card to show, using the single flower Missouri Hawthorne stamp.  Let me know you need any information on how it was created.  I think it's probably pretty self-explanatory.

Supplies: GKD Pure Luxury White CS, Pink Bazzill CS, Scor-Pal, Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pen (for dots on score lines), Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Martha Stewart Border Punch (inside of card).

Have a wonderful day!

Patti J.

A Child is Born...

Hooray for Friday!  

Even an old retiree like me looks forward to the weekends!  

lol...(get to see my handsome man a bit more :)

I have the sweetest card to share today.  I tried very hard to keep this one clean and simple, as I have OODLES of deadlines to meet between now and Monday...

Today's image is a C.C. Designs Swiss Pixie digi image from their October 2011 release.  It's called, "Baby Jesus & Angel" from All That Scraps.  

Supplies: C.C. Designs Digi Image (All That Scraps), Kraft Cardstock, Bo Bunny Snowfall Collection DP, Stampin'Up Seam Binding (thanks Amanda!), Gold Stickles, Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Copic Markers

 * * *

The minute I saw this sweet little angel, I knew I'd be buying her!  And how fitting it is that I'm posting this card today, as it is "set up the Nativity Scene on the fireplace mantel" day at our humble abode!  The Nativity is always the first Christmas decoration to go up, followed by the tree, and then 'everything else'.

I've entered very few challenges in the past few months, SO...
I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Just For Fun: Winter

Scrapbook Sisters: Christmas
Craft Your Passion: Tis the Season
The Kraft Journal: Christmas Card
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge: Anything Christmas
Scrappy Frogs Challenge: Use Kraft
Craft Your Days Away: Bows

I hope that you are enjoying your day, and that you have a wonderful weekend planned.  Tomorrow is the Christmas Open House at the Farmington Pet Adoption Center, so I have a few dozen cookies to bake today. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs and smiles galore,

Patti J.

Food for thought:
Isn't it funny that we spend our health getting wealth;
then gladly pay all we have earned to get our health back???