Kendra's Card Company

GRS...The Weekly Recipe

2012-02-01T03:00:00.001-05:00

Hello Peeps! Is your week going well? I've had a nice quiet one ~ lots of scrapbooking, reading, and some odd jobs around the house. Feels great!!!

Yesterday, I was playing with one of my older Lizzie Anne sets called L'Amour and thought I'd try my hand at this week's GRS Weekly Recipe Sketch Challenge.

And here's my project for the sketch ~ it's a little different, but I used the sketch as the starting point. I just felt like it needed another flutterby ~ LOL!

Have a great week ~ I'm hoping to share my scrapbook pages with you in the next few days.

Hats off to you...

2012-01-30T08:42:00.000-05:00

WOW! What a weekend and now it's Monday already! It was a crazy morning too ~ up and out early and the roads were icy. Anyway, I thought I'd share a card today using the new Diners Club set from Gourmet Rubber Stamps called Abracadabra.

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps (Abracadabra)
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Pattern Paper ~ Echo Park
Ribbon/Trim/Twine ~ May Arts
Ink ~ Palette

OCL Challenge #102... Heart"felt" Creations

2012-01-27T03:00:00.006-05:00

TOTALLY T.G.I.F. !!!

Do you have a fun weekend planned? Hmmm...mine is going to be BIZZYYYY!!! My son has district Science Fair {so NOT my favorite thing}, both kids have the Indiana State Music Association Solo & Ensemble competition, and then we have a high school basketball game tomorrow night ~ Megan is in the pep band. Should make for an action packed day... oh and poor hubby will be on a plane to China so he'll miss all the fun. Oh, that reminds me, I'd better get my camera ready to go so he doesn't miss anything.

So yesterday I mentioned that I would either have a project for the weekly challenge or something else I've been working on. Well I'm not ready to show my other project so I quickly whipped up something for the really fun challenge.

For this challenge, I decided to use some pre-made hearts I bought last year from the Martha Stewart Crafts collection at Michael's. I added a background XOXO stamp from the retiring Hearts & Hugs set & the sentiments are from I Lava You and Bug Hugs.

YIPEEE! Now I have the kids Valentine tags done! OK ~ your turn to play along!

Well that's it for me this week. I have to say, now that I've decided to make some changes on my blog and on my designing, I'm having a lot more fun! I can't wait to share the scrapbook that I've been working on ~ too fun!

ETA: This is your last chance as we bid farewell to some of our great old sets. All of the sets in the RETIRING SETS section of our website are being pulled from our site as of February 1st. The Retiring sets have already been marked down 40% off & now through Tuesday, January 31st you can get another 10% off these sets ~ along with everything else you purchase from our website.

* Required Coupon Code: RETIRE10

* we will not be able to give refunds if coupon code is not used.
* Sale Dates: Friday, January 27 to Tuesday, January 31, 2012

* Only applies to merchandise that is in stock - no backorders. If items sell out before we are able to pull them from the website, we will contact you to substitute another item.
* Does not apply to wholesale orders.
Get them while supplies last!

Time for a class...

2012-01-26T03:00:00.023-05:00

A Thursday Morning Hello to you!

I trust your week is moving along well. I can't believe how quickly it's going ~ Thursday already! Well earlier this week I mentioned that I was teaching a stamp class at the local scrapbook store. I had my class Tuesday night and we had so much fun. A big shout out to my sweet girls at More Memories in New Paris ~ I love spending time with all of you. Candy...we missed you ~ I hope your week slows down. So anyway... here are the projects we made at this month's class.

First up ~ I used the Spilling Over single from Our Craft Lounge with the sentiment from Notes of Love. Actually, I put a bunch of sentiments in the work bucket so they could choose. We added a little bit of Very Cherry Sparkly Fluff on the big heart.

Next up we used the Every Heartbeat set to make the perfect guy card. The sentiment is from the Say it Big set. This card was fun because they could turn it the other direction and add a bigger sentiment.

And finally, we used the Love in the Air stamp set to make this adorable Valentine tag for the treat bag. I wasn't sure if they would want to do this project, but I think it was the hit of the night! We colored in the clouds with white Smooch and the chevron pattern on the balloon with red Smooch. Note: the cute heart jelly bean candies are called Cherry Lovers by Gimbal's Fine Candies & they are so pretty, but they taste kind of nasty {IMO}.

The final card we did is one I've shown on my blog before using the Every Heartbeat set. The girls loved learning new ways to use this great set.

I'll be back tomorrow with either the OCL Challenge card for this week, or maybe a fun project I've been working on ...I haven't decided just yet ~ LOL!

Whatever you do with your day...enjoy it.

Diners Club Preview ...let's take a peek!

2012-01-25T06:00:00.004-05:00

Hey there peeps ~ having a good week? I'm getting lots of fun things crossed off my To Do list this week and have even managed to clean out a few drawers in my craft area. Hubby says that in February he'll go buy and put together my new furniture. It's not originally what I would have pictured for my area, but it's got a clean, sleek look to it. I'm eager to get going. Anyway... on with my project for today.

I just love preview days for Gourmet Rubber Stamps and today we get to show you the new Diners Club set for February. The set is called Abracadabra and it's really cool because it has a little something for everyone. Half of the set has a very vintage feel and the other half is super cute! Today I have two very vintage looking cards to share.

My first card uses a chess piece and the sentiment from the set. I stamped the sentiment on the My Minds Eye pattern paper in the journaling window ~ cool huh? Then I stamped the chess piece on there as well and then popped one up for a bit of texture.

My second card uses the vintage poster image and I stamped it directly on the pattern paper (Echo Park For the Record). Then I also stamped some tickets from the set and added them as an embellishment. Super quick and fun card.

Now I know you'll want to check out what the other girls have come up with for the preview. You can start on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog and then hop along...

Thanks for stopping by today ~ enjoy your week!

Happy Monday to you...

2012-01-23T03:00:00.016-05:00

Hello Peeps! I hope your weekend was terrific!

Well I took the weekend off ~ can you believe it? I've been doing a lot of thinking about my crafting goals, and I've decided to make some changes.

First off, after 5+ years of blogging every single day, I've decided it's ok to let that go a bit. No worries, I'm still going to blog; however, I'm just not going to worry about getting a post up each and every day. Who knows, maybe I'll just have more interesting things to say and show you now...
I also left one of my design teams ~ the online store i{heart}papers . I enjoyed being on the team, but felt like it was time to move on to new things.
I'm going to concentrate a little bit more on my scrapbooks too! It's my first true crafty-love & I miss not spending time with my pictures and memories. I have TONS of pictures and vacation albums that are just dying for attention!
And... another project I'm working on is that I'm cleaning out my craft area A LOT and I'm going to get some new furniture and storage units. I feel like the enormous amount of STUFF I've accumulated is distracting me & I'm ready to downsize. I'm really excited about this!

So that's what going on in my little corner of the world! I hope you'll enjoy the new and fun things I'm planning.

Well this weekend, in between cleaning out pattern paper and old stamp sets, I spent some time finishing up a project for my local hair salon. At Christmas time, I made a cute little tag for my daughters stocking to go get a pedicure. When we went to the salon, I had the tag with me & showed the salon owner. She loved it and asked me if I would make some gift card envelopes for her. So this is what we decided on and I even decorated a little storage box for her so she would have a place to keep them....

The name of the salon is called Absolutely Fabulous ~ so I asked Debbie Corbari to make a custom sentiment just for them! Isn't it PERFECT?

I used the stamp set from Our Craft Lounge called Pretty & Pampered for the champagne colored bubbles in the corners of the envelope (and also on the envelope flap ~ not pictured).

So that's one paying job I had this week. WOOHOOO! Now to get ready for the next paying gig ~ teaching a class at the local scrapbook store Tuesday night. I'll share my projects with you for that later this week.

Thanks for buzzing by today & enjoy your Monday!

OCL Challenge #101 ... Loving Chevron!

2012-01-20T03:00:00.001-05:00

It's CHALLENGE DAY!!!! I love OCL Challenge Fridays ~ so fun! Today I am especially happy because we are having fun zigging and zagging all over the place with Chevron patterns. Maybe you have the fun new set called from OCL called Every Heartbeat, some pattern paper with that pattern or even some Ric Rac laying around that you can use ~ lots of fun options today. So here's the fun inspiration photo that we found on Google Images...

And here's my super fun card using the Every Heartbeat set along with Notes of Love for the sentiment. Can you see the cool XOXO pattern the borders make when you line them up just right ~ PRETTY SWEET HUH?

So now it's your turn to play along ~ I can't wait to see what you come up with!

What to post today?????

2012-01-19T06:00:00.004-05:00

I really had no idea what I was going to post today and then I found this card in my "unblogged" folder on my computer. It's cute, so why not AND...it's in the OCL Colors!! I used the stamp set Live, Laugh, Lounge from Our Craft Lounge.

Have a great day & thanks for stopping by!

Love you ...

2012-01-18T03:00:00.001-05:00

Want to make some fun 5 minute cards? Well grab one of the Echo Park 12x12 kits, some coordinating cardstock, ribbon, twine and brads & sit down and have some fun! Here's one card I made in no time at all using the Yours Truly kit.

Thanks for buzzing by...

Bingo ... win a kiss...

2012-01-17T03:00:00.002-05:00

{MWAH}... big kisses to you. My project today features one of the super cute bingo cards from Jenni Bowlin paired up with my favorite swirly heart by Gourmet Rubber Stamps from the Sealed with a Kiss set. This is also the weekly challenge sketch on the GRS blog ~ take a LOOK HERE.

I think I may just give this card to my sweetie for Valentine's Day...

Gift Card Pocket

2012-01-16T03:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! What a great weekend we had and it's still going because the kids are off school today. We had great dinner time laughs, watched football games, and saw a movie together. It's nice to have one more day to sleep in before we start another busy week.

My project today is a fun gift card holder I made for a magazine submission. Unfortunately, it didn't get picked up, but at least now I have another blog post. I used the December Diners Club set called Let's Celebrate from Gourmet Rubber Stamps and paired it up with some great October Afternoon pattern paper and accessories from the sidewalk collection.

And here is the little pocket pullout that I can attach a gift card to or just add a little note.

Thanks for buzzing by and have a great Monday!

Gourmet Rubber Stamps DT Challenge ...Hugs and Kisses

2012-01-15T06:00:00.006-05:00

Hello Lovely Peeps ~ Yes it's Sunday and I have an actual project to show you today! Well that's because today is the Design Team Challenge for the Gourmet Rubber Stamps girls. Today's challenge was to make some fun Valentine Tags ~ yipeee! I love Valentine's projects!!! I used the new Diners Club set called Sealed with a Kiss and made two different tags with it.

Now I know you'll want to see what the other designers have been up to for this fun challenge so take a look, so start on the GRS Blog and then continue on with the rest of the girls ~

Deb Felts
Jeni Allen
Joy Stagg
Kelli Palmer
Kendra Wietstock
Pam Hornschu
Rose Ann Reynolds
Taylor Usry

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps (Sealed with a Kiss, Heart to Heart)
Ribbon ~ Basic Grey
Ink ~ Palette
Pattern Paper ~ Martha Stewart Valentine Collection
Stick Pins ~ Fancy Pants

Happy Saturday...

2012-01-14T08:25:00.000-05:00

just a quick clean and simple card today...have a great weekend!

Every Heartbeat stamp set by Our Craft Lounge

OCL Challenge #100!!!! They are adding up!

2012-01-13T03:00:00.003-05:00

TGIF & Happy Friday the 13th too!!! Today is a happy day because it is the 100th weekly challenge on the OCL Blog. WOOHOOO!

So I did a few little projects for my numbers project. I did decoration on my fun little decorative bottle and I did a mini card. For the decorative bottle, I used the Love Potion stamp set and added my number on the tag ~ Love Potion #9! For the mini gift card, I used the Love in the Air stamp set and used a portion of the Cloud 9 sentiment. The sentiment actually reads, "I'm on Cloud 9 when I'm with you"; however, it was too large for the card. Therefore, I covered the portion of the words I didn't want to use with tape, inked it, removed the tape and then stamped the sentiment. Now it's the perfect size!

Now it's your turn to play along! Head on over to the OCL Blog to add your link once you have your project done and you may win a gift certificate to OCL ~ Friday the 13th could be your lucky day!

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Love Potion, Love in the Air)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Rockstar Red
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Ink ~ Palette, Copics
Pattern Paper ~ Echo Park (Yours Truly)
Nestabilities

Some cards for the guys...

2012-01-12T03:00:00.003-05:00

I have a few guys in my family with birthdays coming up. Soooo....it was time to get out the fun Times & Seasons paper pack from Echo Park ~ perfect for the men!

Here's a card for Grandpa ~ or G-Pa as we all call him... {outside view & inside view}

Next up a card for my brother-in-law...

All of the stickers and papers are in the kit. The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the set called Vintage Birthday ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps.

Valentine for a Friend...

2012-01-11T03:00:00.002-05:00

Valentine cards aren't just for your sweetie or for your kids. Why not make some special cards for your cherished friends this year? I made this sweet card using the Gourmet Rubber Stamps single called A Friend Accepts and the heart is from the newest Diners Club Set called Sealed with a Kiss.

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps ~ A Friend Accepts , Sealed with a Kiss
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Ink ~ Palette
Pattern Paper ~ My Minds Eye (Love Me)
Gems ~ Zva
Seam Binding ~ SU
Trim ~ Hobby Lobby
Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Chevron & Hearts...

2012-01-10T03:00:00.001-05:00

I'm totally in LOVE with the new Valentine sets by Our Craft Lounge called Love in the Air & the new Single called Spilling Over ~ they are just so fun!!! I love the balloons & I love the sentiments too ~ so fun! I used some of the pretty Very Cherry Red Sparkly Fluff on the balloon.

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Love in the Air, Spilling Over)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge (Very Cherry Red)
Ink ~ Palette
Copic Markers (R81, R83, R85, R89)
Twine ~ The Twinery
Nestabilities ~ Large Scallop Oval
Embossing Folder ~ Lifestyle Crafts

Let's Go For A Ride...

2012-01-09T03:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday! We've had a wonderful two weeks of family fun, but today the kids went back to school and the early mornings and crazy schedules resume. However, I also get my nice quiet days back ~ which are so much more productive!

My project for today uses a fun image from the new Gourmet Rubber Stamps Diners Club set called Sealed with a Kiss ~ it is such a fun set! I also used the fun Valentine paper from My Minds Eye called Love Me ~ one of my favorites this year!

OK ~ off to get my To Do list done while the house is quiet! Enjoy your Monday!

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps (Sealed with a Kiss)
Pattern Paper ~ My Minds Eye (Love Me)
Ink ~ Palette
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Edge Punch ~ EK Success

just because {24}...

2012-01-08T03:00:00.002-05:00

great is thy faithfulness...

this is what greeted me one morning this week...

Chevron Patterns

2012-01-07T03:00:00.002-05:00

Here's a quick and simple card that's perfect for any birthday you might have coming up. I used the Every Heartbeat stamps set for the chevron pattern and stamped the same image in both green and teal ink to make this cool pattern. Then I used the Say It Big stamp set for the sentiment. EASY PEASY!!!

Have a great weekend!

OCL Challenge #99 & Lily Pad Cards!

2012-01-06T03:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to FRIDAY! It's a new year and time for another OCL Challenge! Today OCL is teaming up with Lily Pad Cards for the color challenge.

Super fun huh? And you'll have two chances to win too! Once on the OCL Blog for our normal monthly challenge drawing and once on the Lily Pad Cards Blog ~ so make sure you link up in both spots!

Here's my challenge card this week using the new OCL sets called Love in the Air and Every Heartbeat. I also added some pretty Nearly Navy Sparkly Fluff to the balloon for the perfect POP!

GUESS WHAT? All of the new Valentine sets are now available on the OCL website ~ check out the Valentine Release tab & purchase the sets directly from OCL!

OK ~ it's your turn...go create & add your link to BOTH blogs.

Skipping A Beat...

2012-01-05T03:00:00.000-05:00

My hearts just going pitter patter for this new Chevron stamp set by Our Craft Lounge called Every Heartbeat! I LOVE IT!

Have you seen the list of trends for this year ~ well Chevron is HOT, HOT, HOT! I think this set is a MUST HAVE!!!

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Every Heart Beat)
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Ink ~ Palette
Misc ~ Cardboard

Cuckoo for YOU!

2012-01-04T03:00:00.001-05:00

I'm so cuckoo today....OVER YOU! Aren't these images a total HOOT? They are part of the new Diners Club set by Gourmet Rubber Stamps called Sealed with a Kiss.

I'm not sure why, but I immediately thought of this paper from Crate Paper called Farm House for this cuckoo clock image ~ the colors are just so yummy and the detail of the clock just works with it!

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps (Sealed with a Kiss)
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Pattern Paper ~ Crate Paper (Farm House)
Ink ~ Palette
Copic Markers ~ BG34, BG49, Y21, YR18, R39, E25, E27, E35
Nestabilities

Joy in a Heart

2012-01-03T03:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Tuesday Peeps ~ Today I have a pretty card to share with you to give to the one you LOVE! I used a new single from Gourmet Rubber Stamps called Joy in Heart and the new Coveralls background stamp called Garland Demask. They match up beautifully!

The new Coveralls background stamps are lots of fun and they are HUGE ~ a 5 3/4" square. I love it because they cover an entire card front, but it can be hard to stamp something that large. Well I've got an easy tip for you... use your acrylic plates from your die cutting machine (Cuttlebug, Big Shot, etc). They work GREAT (thanks Taylor). Also, ink your large image by laying your stamp on a flat surface and then holding your ink pad. You'll be able to see the image better and get full coverage.

I stamped my image on printed paper & I love how it turned out.

Thanks for buzzing by today...

Lots of Love...

2012-01-02T03:00:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! I'm back this week with some new projects. First up for the week, I'm featuring one of the new singles from Our Craft Lounge called Spilling Over & it's perfect for paper piecing. I added some Very Cherry Red Sparkly Fluff to the big heart on the balloon for a little extra punch.

See you tomorrow!

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Spilling Over)
Ink ~ Palette
Copic Markers
Pattern Paper ~ My Minds Eye (Love Me)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge
Ribbon ~ May Arts
Cardstock ~ Bazzill

happy new year

2012-01-01T00:00:00.011-05:00

i hope 2012 brings many new adventures

and happiness to you

happy new year!

Happy Birthday TO ME!

2011-12-31T03:00:00.016-05:00

YIPPEEEE SKIPEEEE!
It's my Birthday today!

Here are the last of my calendar pages...

Happy New Year!

OCL Challenge #98...Photo Inspiration

2011-12-30T03:00:00.034-05:00

Friday means it's time for the OCL Weekly Challenge. Look at this STUNNING photo for our inspiration.

I decided to go a different route for the challenge today ~ still use snow as the challenge but not in the elegant way this photo suggests. I used the super cute snowman and snowflakes from the Tweet Winter Wishes stamp set and made these fun little containers of CHILL PILLS! I made the tags on the computer and used containers of white Tic Tac mints. I little bit of Sugar Sparkly Fluff really makes the snowman look CHILLY!

Now it's your turn to play along. Add your link to the OCL Blog post today for a chance to win a gift certificate from Our Craft Lounge.

Calendar Pages ... part 3

2011-12-29T03:00:00.008-05:00

I love scrapbooking. I've taken shortcuts the last few years & decided to make actual pages again. I used a calendar kit from Basic Grey this year.

ok...one more day after this and you'll have seen all the pages.

More Calendar Pages...

2011-12-28T03:00:00.001-05:00

Hope you don't mind seeing a little bit of scrapbooking this week.

Here are more calendar pages from our 2012 Family Calendar.

Gourmet Rubber Stamps ... January Preview Day!

2011-12-27T06:00:00.021-05:00

How's about a peek? Here's a pretty little project using the new Diners Club set for January from Gourmet Rubber Stamps? The background, the LOVE sentiment and the heart are all part of the pretty little set called Sealed with A Kiss.

I know you won't want to miss seeing what the other girls have come up with.

GRS Blog
Deb Felts
Jeni Allen
Joslyn Nielson
Joy Stagg
Kelli Palmer
Kendra Wietstock ~ you're here
Pam Hornschu
Rose Ann Reynolds
Taylor Usry

Calendar Pages for our 2012 Family Calendar...

2011-12-26T03:00:00.002-05:00

I'm taking part of this week off from blogging new creations, but thought I would still share some of the calendar pages I made for our 2012 Family Calendar. I make these each year as gifts for the grandparents & they love them. For this year's calendar, I used pictures from our Alaska trip last summer.

I'll be back tomorrow with a preview of the new Gourmet Rubber Stamps Diners Club set for January ~ you won't want to miss it!

one tiny baby...

2011-12-25T03:00:00.008-05:00

a baby really does change everything...

merry Christmas!

A few more Christmas goodies...

2011-12-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

I found these unblogged cards in my folder the other day & thought I'd share them with you today. I'm totally cracking up because I must have been doing this first card really fast ~ take a look at the sentiment... LOL! I used three of the new singles on this card ~ Mr Frosty, Mrs Frosty & Frosty Flakes.

And here's one I made for some store samples... I used the Merry & Bright and Parka Penguins sets.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas!

OCL Challenge #97...Sketch Time

2011-12-23T03:00:00.001-05:00

Today is gonna be short and sweet because I've got soooooo much to do! But, it's Friday and that means that it's challenge day on the OCL Blog! Today it's a sketch ...

And here's my card for the sketch! I used the Penguin Fun stamp set and added some Rockin' Pink Sparkly Fluff on the penguins hat and ear muffs.

Have a great Friday!!!

Teacher Gifts ...

2011-12-22T03:00:00.001-05:00

So here's how the conversation started...
Matt: "Hey Mom, did you make any teacher gifts this year?"

Me: "Nope! You have too many teachers now."

Matt: "Can you make a few for me?"

Me: "How many?"

Matt: "I just need 4."
Me: "OK"

Fast forward ... 30 minutes later...

Matt: "Actually Mom, could you add 3 more?"
Megan: "How about the band directors at the high school?"
then a call from a friend who needs some help with gift & a small gift for my mail carrier...

Here we are...16 gifts later...LOL!

Here are my Cocoa To Go Cups ~ LOVE THEM! Now before you ask, I found these snowman cups at Target last year & I couldn't find them this year. Thankfully, I had an entire package of 10 cups left over. Inside the cup ~ a Cocoa packet, Hershey Kisses, a bag of marshmellows, and a Curly Cane (Wilton's).

And here is the second design ~ since I needed more cups.

I love how both designs turned out!

more packaging ideas...

2011-12-21T03:00:00.001-05:00

... continued from yesterday. Today's gift idea ~ a pedicure gift certificate! I didn't want to just give the brochure as a gift, so I stamped bubbles around the edges and tied a tag around it using the fun stamp set called Pretty & Pampered by Our Craft Lounge.

Here's another look at the glittery, bubbly tag.

One more to make... I'll share later this week.

New Coveralls!

2011-12-20T03:00:00.002-05:00

Have you ever noticed that as your kids get older, the gifts get smaller and more expensive? The kids in my family love to get gift cards for gifts. However, rather than just stick a gift card under the tree, I like to come up with cool ways to present them. Yesterday as I was wrapping presents, I came up with this cool jean pocket for a gift card to my daughter's favorite clothing store. This new Coveralls background stamp called Back Pocket by Gourmet Rubber Stamps is perfect!

The tag on the pocket & the sentiment inside were both made with the Love & Joy labels stamp set and the Tweens & Teens set. I also stamped the Back Pocket Coveralls image on the blue mat and on the blue scallop inside the card.

OK ~ off to wrap more gifts!

Love is in the Air...

2011-12-19T03:00:00.012-05:00

Happy Monday! I know it's the week before Christmas, but I'm tired of making Christmas cards so here's a sweet little card using a new OCL set called Love in the Air.

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Love in the Air)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge (Sugar & That's Hot! Pink)
Pattern Paper ~ My Minds Eye (Love Me)
Copic Markers
Palette Ink

just because {23}...

2011-12-18T06:46:00.000-05:00

attitude is everything...

More from OCL's Release...

2011-12-17T03:00:00.001-05:00

Brand new from Our Craft Lounge
Every Heartbeat

OCL Sneak Peeks Day #2 & Challenge Day!

2011-12-16T03:00:00.096-05:00

Hello ~ Hello!!!

Welcome to day #2 of our OCL Valentine Release Blog Hop! We sure loved hearing all of your lovely comments yesterday. I can tell you REALLY liked the sets and samples we shared with you yesterday. Well you're in for more treats today!

First up ~ I want to share my OCL weekly challenge project with you. I managed to make a Christmas project with the new Every Heartbeat set. I also used the Merry Wishes stamp set for my package too.

The challenge this week is Holiday Gift Giving ~ check out BOTH posts today on the OCL Blog for all the details (we have the regular Friday Challenge post & the Blog Hop post).

Now on to more blog hop fun!

Today I have two more projects to show you for the Blog Hop! My next project uses a fun set called Smooth Sailing. I paired up this great new set with some fun Valentine paper from My Minds Eye called Love Me. (Supply list below)

And finally, a fun Gramps project using the new #1 Sports Fan single from this release. Don't you love his fuzzy {Sparkly Fluff'd} slippers? I think we need to get a foam finger for Granny too ~ LOL! (Supply list below)

OCL Blog
Kendra Wietstock ~ You're here
Lori Tecler
Tammie Edgerton
Broni Holcombe
Debbie Fisher
Carolyn King
Lori Barnett
Debbie Corbari
Lisa Eisner
Stephanie Serrano
Amber Hillman
Meredith Winston
Joy Stagg
Michelle Pearson
Dawn Barrett
Melissa Cash
Latrice Murphy
Deb Felts

Have fun Hopping today ~ I know you'll FALL IN LOVE with our new Valentine release!

Supply List from i{heart}papers

You Float My Boat
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Smooth Sailing)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge (Very Cherry Red)
Pattern Paper ~ My Minds Eye (Love Me)
Ink ~ Palette (Noir)
Copic Markers ~ R81, R83, R85, R39, B91, B93, T1, T3, T5
Nestabilities

#1 Sports Fan
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (#1 Sports Fan)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge (Hair: Platinum, Slippers: mix of Appletini Green & Brown Sugar)
Ink ~ Palette (Noir)
Copic Markers ~ E31, E33, E35, E23, E17, E47, E25, E27, E50, E51, E00, T1, T3, YG91, YG93, YG95
Nestabilities

Gourmet Rubber Stamps DT Challenge

2011-12-15T09:00:00.006-05:00

When the 15th of the month comes around, it's time for the DT Challenge for Gourmet Rubber Stamps. Today's challenge uses this very yummy picture as a color challenge ~ don't you just love it?

For my challenge card, I used the December Diners Club set called Let's Celebrate and made this sweet little card with the nesting doll image and matching sentiment.

OCL Sneak Peek Time!

2011-12-15T03:00:00.110-05:00

WOOHOOO! It's sneak peek time for Our Craft Lounge and this time we have some HEART~STOPPING sets to show you for Valentine's Day {or any other LOVE-ly occasion}. We have 4 new Crafty Clear sets and 6 new Crafty Cling Rubber Singles to share this time. Today we are going to show you half of them. You can see the full sets over on the OCL Blog.

My first sample today uses two of the new sets ~ Love in the Air and Every Heartbeat. I've been wanting a hot air balloon set for the longest time & Debbie Corbari hit it out of the park with this one! LOVE IT!

My next sample uses the great new border set called Every Heartbeat. I LOVE THIS SET!!!! You can do so many cool things with this set. On this card I stamped the chevron border in six different colors for this great pattern paper. So easy! And the cool Thank You sentiment comes with the set too!

I used the Every Heartbeat set on this card too ~ look at the cool border you can do with it. I just stamped the same image in two different colors. Then I added the coordinating heart and sentiment from the set to finish off the card. So easy and super fun! This set is totally going to surprise you!

So that's it for my samples today... but come on back tomorrow for more fun stuff. Now it's time to check out what the rest of the girls have come up with on their blogs. Make sure you leave some love on of our DT blogs {below} as well as on the OCL Blog & Facebook page because we have some great blog candy to give away. Comments end tomorrow night (Friday, December 16th at midnight Pacific time).

OCL Blog
Kendra Wietstock ~ You're here
Lori Tecler
Tammie Edgerton
Broni Holcombe
Debbie Fisher
Carolyn King
Lori Barnett
Debbie Corbari
Lisa Eisner
Stephanie Serrano
Amber Hillman
Meredith Winston
Joy Stagg
Michelle Pearson
Dawn Barrett
Melissa Cash
Latrice Murphy
Deb Felts

Have fun Hopping today ~ I know you'll FALL IN LOVE with our new Valentine release!

Season's Greetings...

2011-12-14T03:00:00.004-05:00

I'm getting ready for all kinds of fun stuff tomorrow, so this morning I wanted to sit down and make a super quick card using my Season's Greetings 12x12 paper pack by Echo Park.

I love EP's 12x12 kits because you can do so many things with the pre-made embellishments (stickers, alphabets and journaling cards). I also used two different Lifestyle Crafts embossing folders for some great texture ~ Polka Dots & the Whimsy 2-pack. I framed the sticker with a great Nestability die and I added a bit of ribbon, a button and some Twine to finish the look.

Check in tomorrow for our month Gourmet Rubber Stamps Challenge and SNEAK PEEKS from Our Craft Lounge!

Merry Christmas from The Wietstock Family

2011-12-13T03:00:00.003-05:00

Whew! I'm finally finished with my Christmas cards for this year ~ all 80 of them! This year's card was pretty simple & easy to put together, but I really like how it came out.

As I was saving the photo of my card, I found our family card from the last 4 years and thought I'd share them again. First is our card from last year ~ 2010.

Probably my favorite Christmas card that I've ever done was in 2009. I took individual photos of each of us (including our pets) and put them on the inside panel so you could see it inside and out. I may have to revisit this idea again!

2008 ~ Here's one with some non-traditional Christmas colors {which I love}.
I really like snowflakes I guess!

2007 ~ a photo from our last trip to Alaska.

I hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane ~ Merry Christmas to you.

Sending Warm Wishes...

2011-12-12T06:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday ~ wow what a weekend! I spent the entire weekend doing things for Christmas and celebrating my daughter's 16th birthday. Whew...It was BUSY! I was so glad I found this card in my stash this morning because I totally forgot to get a blog post ready!

Here we a card we did from my last Stamp-A-Stack class I did at the LSS. The Our Craft Lounge sets I used were Mr. Frosty along with Frosty Flakes and a sentiment from Tweet Winter Wishes.

OK ... off to finish my Christmas cards! I'll share them soon!

just because {22}...

2011-12-11T03:00:00.000-05:00

fyi...

Sew Happy ...

2011-12-10T08:22:00.002-05:00

Today I used the Years Gone By stamp set by Our Craft Lounge along with a journaling box and paper from the Echo Park Times & Seasons scrapbooking kit. I just stamped my sewing machine in black Palette ink and added some trim from May Arts. Another quick and easy card.

OCL Challenge #95...CAS Holiday

2011-12-09T03:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Friday & the weekly OCL Challenge! Today it's all about making simple Holiday cards. We can all use a little bit of simple in our lives ~ am I right?

My card uses the Winter Wishes stamp set & let me tell you, it doesn't get much easier than this set. When you think about making a super quick card ~ this is the set you want! I simply stamped the image and sentiment in blue ink, trimmed it, added a scallop mat & plopped it on the card base. Then I added some Stickles to the trees and snowflakes so they would shimmer.

Now it's your turn to play along! You might just win a gift certificate to OCL if you do ~ check out the OCL Blog for the details.

Clean and Simple ... Easy Peasy...

2011-12-08T03:00:00.003-05:00

Hey Peeps ~ I have a super easy peasy card to show you today. And...it was fun to make too. Everything on the card (except the button) is from the Times & Season's kit by Echo Park. Super cute huh?

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Pattern Paper & Stickers ~ Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Nestabilities
Linen Thread ~ May Arts

6 Reasons Why...

2011-12-07T03:00:00.005-05:00

Happy December 7th!

I have so many reasons to be thankful today ...
here are my top six!

Every now and then I ask myself...
what would have happened if I hadn't gotten a mammogram 6 years ago?
what would have happened if my tumor wasn't found?
what if I had ignored it or delayed going in?
would I still be here, six years later?

It's ok if I don't know the answers to those questions because the point is, I did have a mammogram, I did find the tumor, I didn't delay treatment & I am here {with my family}six years later!

One thing I do know ~ if I had delayed going in, my journey would have been much different {and not for the better}.

On this day, I am so thankful...what about you?

i{heart}papers & Market Street Blog Hop!

2011-12-06T06:00:00.006-05:00

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FUN???

Welcome to the i{heart}papers and Market Street Stamps design team blog hop! We're so excited to have you join us today ~ you're in for some AMAZING EYE CANDY!

You should have arrived here from Julie Day's blog. If not, no worries... just head over to the i{heart}papers blog to start from the beginning. You'll go from there to the blogs of our designers and finish up at the Market Street Stamps blog. If you get lost, both company blogs have the complete list of links.

Here's a little bit about i{heart}papers:
i {heart} papers is proud that we recently celebrated our 3rd anniversary in October. We’ve grown by leaps and bounds and have not strayed from our core principle of stellar customer service with FAST and FREE shipping options. You ALWAYS receive free shipping with your $50 US order/$150 CAN order with no restrictions and orders are almost always shipped within 24 business hours.

The IHP team is thrilled to be hopping along with the MSS team today and to be carrying the MSS line of stamps. If you’ve never ordered from us before, please mention that you learned about us on this hop for a free gift with your first order! Please visit us at http://www.iheartpapers.com, “like” us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/iheartpapers, where you'll find over 1900 other IHP fans!) and follow us on Twitter (@iheartpapers). If you order by Wednesday midnight EST, all MSS sets are 15% off! Leave comments along the hop to be entered in a drawing to win one free MSS set. The more you comment, the more chances to win! You have until Wednesday night...winners will be announced on the ihp blog on Friday! Enjoy the hop!

about Market Street Stamps:
Market Street Stamps, LLC, was founded in January 2010 by Angelica and Jorge Suarez, a husband and wife team who create unique stamps made from peach-tinted photopolymer, the best available on the market today! Market Street Stamps' goal is to produce durable, high quality designs that you'll turn to again and again! We are thrilled to be hopping with i {heart} papers and their incredibly talented design team today! Be sure to "like" us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MarketStreetStamps) for the latest releases and project ideas from our Design Team!

Today's Project ~

For my fun project today, I made a scrapbook page. When I received my new Honeycomb background stamp from Market Street Stamps, I immediately thought of bees. So I started looking through my stash of paper and found these adorable bee stickers in the Echo Park Country Drive scrapbook kit. That lead to the title of my page and photos of my BEE-uitiful daughter. I stamped the Honeycomb background on the corners of my scrapbook page at the top and bottom with Palette Ink. Then I stamped it on the yellow scallop borders as well. I added a few bits of pattern paper, the page title and the cute flower and bee stickers all from the Echo Park kit. Some buttons for the flowers and Stickles on the wings of each bee completed the page. Too fun!

Here's a close up of my cute little title and bees ~ I wish you could see how the wings sparkle.

I had a few scraps of paper left that were already stamped with the Honeycomb Background, so I trimmed them up into this fun shape. Then I added some coordinating pattern paper from the Echo Park kit, a sticker for the sentiment, and a big ol' button to complete this easy peasy 5 minute card!

From here, you're headed to Loretta Lock's blog. Enjoy the hop and make sure to leave some love along the way! Don't forget that if you order your MSS from i{heart}papers before Wednesday, you'll get a 15% discount!

OCL Challenge #94...Tag, You're It!

2011-12-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

I'm late, I'm late for a very important...CHALLENGE! Yes, I almost ALWAYS post my OCL challenges on Friday, but I couldn't last week and then decided to wait until today. Even though we have all week to do the challenges, I feel like I'm late!

This week the challenge is to make Christmas or Holiday tags ~ so fun!!!

I pulled out one of my older Christmas sets called Happy Holly-Days. Then I used some of the journaling blocks from the Echo Park in the Season's Greetings paper pack collection. I also added some 24-Kt Gold Sparkly Fluff to the center of each flower.

Now it's your turn to play along. You have until Thursday (12/8) to post your project link on the OCL Blog.

just because {21}...

2011-12-04T03:00:00.001-05:00

my goal in life ...

is to be as good of a person
that my dog already thinks i am...
author unknown

jazz ~ october 2005

A Frosty Saturday...

2011-12-03T07:49:00.000-05:00

Mrs. Frosty by Our Craft Lounge

GRS...Weekly Recipe

2011-12-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday! Today it's my turn to host the Weekly Recipe Sketch Challenge on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog. Along with the sketch, another little twist is to use 2 coordinating pattern papers on your project.

I gave a little peek on the GRS Blog ~ but here is my whole card. I used the December Diners Club set called Let's Celebrate and paper pieced the coffee pot with pattern paper ~ LOVE IT!

OK ~ now it's your turn to play along! Make your card and leave a link on the GRS Facebook page so we can see what you came up with!

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps (Let's Celebrate)
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Pattern Paper ~ October Afternoon (Modern Homemaker)
Ribbon ~ May Arts
Ink ~ Palette & Copics (R27)
Twine ~ The Twinery
Nestabilities

Pretty Package Tags

2011-12-01T03:00:00.002-05:00

Time for some tags ~ pretty, sparkly Christmas tags for my i{heart}papers! I was having fun with my new Echo Park 12x12 Winter Park paper pack and they have a full sheet of journaling blocks. I love cutting them apart and using them on cards or for tags.

For my first tag, I trimmed the journaling block to fit inside the scalloped rectangle. Then I used the cocoa mug stamp from a cute Hero Arts set called Cozy Moments. I paper pieced the mug and added the "warm cocoa" stickers from the Echo Park kit. A few snips of ribbon, some Stickles, a button & VOILA ~ DONE!

For my second tag, I stamped the snowflake tree from the Hero Arts Tree-Mendous stamp set using the Prussian Blue ink pad by Palette. I added some stickers for the sentiment and some Stickles on the snowflakes.

Ring, Ring...Ring, Ring...

2011-11-30T03:00:00.003-05:00

I know we aren't even to Christmas yet ~ heck it's not even December; however, today I have a New Year's card to share. I really like how this one turned out using my December Diners Club set by Gourmet Rubber Stamps called Let's Celebrate!

The card pocket is 4" x 5". I embossed the front with an numbered embossing folder to represent the New Year's Eve Countdown! For the stamped silver bells, I stamped them in silver pigment ink on dark blue cardstock and heat embossed using silver embossing powder to make them pop. I cut them out and popped them up with foam dots. Then I added some fun white glittery bells as a fun little touch on the lace bow and on the tag. I just tied them on using bakers twine ~ easy peasy. The tag just slides inside the pocket and has the same slanted look as the pocket.

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Gourmet Rubber Stamps (December Diners Club set Let's Celebrate)
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Pattern Paper ~ Echo Park
Lace Trim ~ May Arts
Ink ~ Encore Silver
Embossing Folder ~ Cuttlebug
Twine ~ The Twinery
Jingle Bells ~ Michael's
Edge Punch ~ EK Success

Silly Little Snowman

2011-11-29T03:00:00.002-05:00

I have to say, the little snowdudes in this Paper Smoochies set called Swanky Snowdudes totally crack me up! When I saw the little mustache in the stamp set & the mustache paper in the Echo Park Time & Seasons Collection ~ I knew I had to make a card using both! Just too funny!

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps ~ Paper Smoochies (Swanky Snowdudes)
Pattern Paper ~ Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Ink ~ Palette
Copic Markers ~ W7, E30, 31, 33, YG18
Spica Glitter Pen ~ Sand
Sparkly Fluff ~ Sugar (Our Craft Lounge)
Trim ~ May Arts Black Lace, Maya Roads Trim
Nestabilites
Twine ~ May Arts
Gems ~ Kaiser

Loads of presents...

2011-11-28T03:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Cyber Monday! Did you get lots of fun shopping done this weekend for Black Friday? We went out in the madness on Friday and had some fun. It looks like this little Stick Chick from Gourmet Rubber Stamps had some fun too with all the sales.

just because {20}...

2011-11-27T03:00:00.001-05:00

everything happens for a reason...

even if...

it was meant to teach us a lesson.

OCL Challenge #93...Cute & Cuddly Critters

2011-11-26T07:24:00.001-05:00

Good Saturday Morning! I missed out on posting my OCL weekly challenge yesterday, but I've got something for you today. The challenge today is to use one of OCL's cute little animal images.

For my card, I used the adorable Circus, Circus stamp set. I just love this set! You can play along too and leave your link on your card.

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Circus Circus)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge (That's Hot Pink)
Ink ~ Palette
Copic Markers
Lifestyle Crafts Embossing Folders
Nestabilities

December Diners Club Set... Take a peek!

2011-11-25T06:00:00.005-05:00

Happy Black Friday! Have you been out shopping already or are you crafting today? Welcome to the sneak peek of the new December Diners Club set for Gourmet Rubber Stamps! You'll want to hop around today and see what all the girls came up with. If you want to order this great set or sign up for the Diners Club, you can find all the information HERE.

So my card today used the cool Birthday seal along with one of the two images that stamps inside the seal. I just love how this gate-fold card came out! Here's the outside of the card.

And here is a picture of the card opened up.

Want to know how I made this card? How about a tutorial? Well here are the step by step photos of how I made this (sorry for the yucky pictures ~ I didn't notice that my camera settings changed until I was almost done & by that time I was too far along in the process.

And that's how ya do it! Super easy, despite the number of steps.

Now take a peek at what the other designers came up with today...

GRS Blog
Deb Felts
Jeni Allen
Joslyn Nielson
Joy Stagg
Kelli Palmer
Kendra Wietstock ~ you're here
Pam Hornschu
Rose Ann Reynolds
Taylor Usry

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T03:00:00.001-05:00

Just a super quick post today to share with you one of the 2012 calendar pages I made. Each year I make calendars for the grandparents and this year I used the new Basic Grey calendar kit. It is EASY PEASY! The most difficult part is figure out which pictures to use and to make sure they are going the right direction.

This is the November page I made & I thought it would be appropriate to show today for Thanksgiving. I'll have more pages to share over the next few weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

OCL Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale

2011-11-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

OCL is getting in on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday action with our FIRST EVER Black Friday Sale!

** 25% off STORE WIDE

** Sale dates - today at Noon (EST) through Monday, November 28th, 2011.

Coupon Code Required: OCLBLK25

Applies to items in stock only - No Backorders for this sale.

** Does NOT apply to Gift Certificates

Shop for yourself or put together an online Wishlist and send it to your family!

Please Note: Due to the holiday weekend, shipping for this sale will begin Monday, November 28th.

IHP Black Friday Announcement

2011-11-23T07:43:00.000-05:00

Kate is having a BIG sale this weekend!

- Black Friday sale valid Wednesday 11/23-Sunday 11/27.
- 25% off EVERYTHING storewide (in stock items only, not valid on gift certificates) using code (min. order $35): black25dt
- 10% gift certificate bonus. IHP will add an additional 10% of the value of the gift certificate during this sale. (25% discount does not apply to Gift Certificates.)

Good Day...

2011-11-22T03:00:00.000-05:00

Isn't this Mr. Frosty a flurt? LOL! Today my project is a store sample using the Mr Frosty, Mrs Frosty & Frosty Flakes singles by Our Craft Lounge. Super Cute!

Up, Up and AWAY...

2011-11-21T03:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome back to Monday! Wow ~ the weekend went so fast & it was so fabulous! Hubby made it home from China/S. Korea; spent lots of time with my family; sang in church on Sunday morning and had a great service last night too! Oh, and my husband and I celebrated the 30th anniversary of our very first date! WOW ~ we've been together FOREVER huh?

Anyway, I'll stop rambling on and on and get to my project! This fun little single stamp from Gourmet Rubber Stamps and the Steam Punk collection. I also used a sentiment from the Vintage Birthday set. I really love how this card turned out.

Have a great Monday!

just because {19}...

2011-11-20T06:58:00.000-05:00

whatever you choose... 

that's what it is.

Blue Christmas...Stick Chick Style

2011-11-19T08:52:00.000-05:00

Gourmet Rubber Stamps ~ Stick Chicks (Tiny Snowman)

OCL Challenge #92...Thankful for YOU!

2011-11-18T03:00:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday!!!! YIPEEEE the weekend is almost here! Today is the OCL weekly challenge and this week we are being THANKFUL ~ it is that time of year, after all!

So for my card today, I know you might be expecting something fall looking, but I really wanted to use the Winter Wishes set and the "Thank You" sentiment included in that set. This card will be perfect to use for Christmas gifts after the holidays. I also used some of the new Echo Park Winter Park paper ~ LOVE IT!

Now it's your turn to play along ~ go check out the challenge and leave your link on the OCL Blog for a chance to win a gift certificate.

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Winter Wishes)
Pattern Paper ~ Echo Park (Winter Park)
Ink ~ Palette
Gems ~ Kaiser

Zooming by ...

2011-11-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

Today I thought I'd share another class card we did last weekend at my Stamp-A-Stack. I decided I really wanted to use an all-occasion set for a Christmas card so I pulled the super cute Out for a Spin stamp set. Then I used the packages and the star from Merry Moose and the sentiment from Holiday Cruiser. They all worked so well together & the ladies in the class loved the card.

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge
Cardstock ~ Bazzill
Ink ~ Palette & Copics
Pattern Paper ~ Imaginisce
Embossing Folder ~ Cuttlebug
Edge Punch ~ EK Success

a single moment...

2011-11-16T03:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a busy day on the blog so I kept it clean and simple today. My card from Gourmet Rubber Stamps uses one of the singles in the Zenspirations line called Nobody Need Wait ~ a very touching quote from Anne Frank. I used some cool pattern paper from Lily Bee Designs and some miscellaneous trims to finish it off.

IHP Challenge Day by Day...

2011-11-15T06:00:00.004-05:00

It's DOUBLE CHALLENGE day for me here on the blog! Gotta love it!

Today for the i{heart}papers challenge, the team was challenged to use these great SRM Calendar Stickers.

The great thing about these stickers is that you can use them in so many ways. They would be fun to use on birthday or holiday cards to highlight the date; use them for a flip calendar on your desk, or on scrapbook pages. LOTS of options! For my creation today, I made a wall calendar because I like have a quick at-a-glance calendar at my work desk. Then once the year is finished, I'm going to use it as a title page for my 2012 scrapbook ~ DOUBLE DUTY!

Now it's time to see what all the other ladies have been up to with their calendar stickers ~

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Calendar Stickers ~ SRM Stickers (Standard Sticker Sheet)
Pattern Paper ~ October Afternoon (Sidewalks, Modern Home Maker)
Nestibilities ~ Square Scallop
Stamps ~ Hero Arts (Indie Butterflies & Wildflowers)
Gems ~ Kaiser
Ink ~ Palette (Toile Pink)

Gourmet Rubber Stamps DT Challenge

2011-11-15T03:00:00.001-05:00

It's CHALLENGE DAY at Gourmet Rubber Stamps! Gotta love the DT challenge day! Today we have a color challenge and there is a really nice palette of colors to choose from on this one! We were also asked to use a Thank You sentiment on our project.

Here is the card I came up with for our challenge today using my absolute favorite Lizzie Anne Designs set called Garden Inspirations.

Now you'll want to check out the wonderful creations from the other girls, so start on the GRS Blog and then continue on with the rest of the girls ~

Meridith Ethington
Deb Felts
Jeni Allen
Joslyn Nielson
Joy Stagg
Kelli Palmer
Kendra Wietstock
Tricia Ulberg
Pam Hornschu
Rose Ann Reynolds
Taylor Usry

Simply Spectacular Snowman...

2011-11-14T03:00:00.002-05:00

I adore snowmen ~ but this simple little guy is one of my favorites! This great image is part of the November Diner's Club set by Gourmet Rubber Stamps called Season's Greetings.

I also love this pattern paper from Echo Park (also called Season's Greetings) ~ you'll be seeing more of this stuff FOR SURE!

I'll be back with all kinds of fun for tomorrow with TWO design team challenges!

just because {18}...

2011-11-13T07:03:00.000-05:00

happiness is...
whatever you choose

choose to be happy.

too many people choose not to be.

life it too short for that... find your happy place

Stamp-A-Stack Card...

2011-11-12T03:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Peeps ~ Hope you have a fun weekend planned. I'll be teaching a Stamp-A-Stack today at my local scrapbook store in New Paris, IN. Each class participant will make a total of 16 cards (4 designs). Here is one of the four cards we'll be making using the Winter Wishes stamp set.

I'll share the other three cards in the upcoming days. Have a fun weekend!

OCL Challenge #91...Once Upon a Time

2011-11-11T00:00:00.005-05:00

Once upon a time...there was a stamp company named Our Craft Lounge and they had challenges each and every Friday on the OCL Blog! LOL! Guess what our challenge is this week? We are being inspired by fairy tales and fables...

The story I was inspired by is a Christmas Classic that comes on TV every year ~ "Frosty the Snowman" & I used our Mr Frosty and Frosty Flakes stamp sets!

This card started out as a possible sample for a class I'm doing this weekend, but it quickly became too complicated so I added some extra embellishments and here we are!

Now it's your turn ~ can you think of a fable or fairy tale that would inspire a card? OCL has TONS of great sets that will inspire you ~ anything from the Tooth Fairy (Tooth Fairy Fun) and Tinkerbell (Fairy Dust is a Must) to Hansel and Gretel (Sweet Holiday) and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Reindeer Kisses or Reindeer Games). The options are ENDLESS ~ can't wait to see what you come up with.

Swanky Snowdudes...

2011-11-10T00:00:00.009-05:00

Hi Peeps ~ I was just having some fun with a new Paper Smooches set yesterday called Swanky Snowdudes. Such a cute little set and very fun to paper piece!

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps ~ Paper Smooches (Swanky Snowdudes)
Pattern Paper ~ LilyBee Designs (Jingle)
Copic Markers ~ YR09, W7, R27, YG95
Ink ~ Palette (Burnt Umber)
Crochet Trim ~ May Arts

Merry & Bright

2011-11-09T03:00:00.002-05:00

Today's creation is another sample I made for store display boards. I used the set called Merry & Bright along with the snowflakes from Parka Penguins.

I added some Rockstar Red & Cotton Candy Sparkly Fluff on the trees for some extra sparkle!

Krafty Christmas...

2011-11-08T03:00:00.001-05:00

I was playing with some fun stamps from the newest Diners Club set (Season's Greetings) yesterday by Gourmet Rubber Stamps. It was fun doing a little more paper piecing with the ornament stamp this time. I paired up this set with the fantastic paper paper from Echo Park & this embossing folder from Quickuts. Added in is also a little multi-colored twine from Divine Twine.

Have a great Tuesday!

Supplies from i{heart}paper & GRS:
Stamps ~ Diners Club set (Season's Greetings) (Gourmet Rubber Stamps)
Pattern paper: Echo Park

Embossing Folder: Quickuts

Twine: Divine Twine
Ink: Palette
Gems: Kaiser

Snowman Ornament

2011-11-07T03:00:00.001-05:00

Monday, Monday! I love the fresh beginning of a new week. Today's project is a fun little ornament I made for some store samples. I used the new singles from Our Craft Lounge called Mr Frosty and Frosty Flakes (both are now available directly from the OCL Website). I also used some Sugar Sparkly Fluff on Mr Frosty too. I really love how this turned out ~ I may have to make one for my Christmas Tree.

I'll have a few more coordinating samples to share in the upcoming weeks.

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Mr Frosty and Frosty Flakes )
Sparkly Fluff ~ Sugar Sparkly Fluff
Ink ~ Palette
Copic Markers
Nestabilities
Pattern Paper ~ Basic Grey
Cardstock & Button ~ Bazzill
Ribbon & Twine ~ May Arts

A Closer Look...

2011-11-06T00:00:00.005-04:00

I didn't get a chance to upload photos of the State Finals last weekend, so I wanted to get some up here today. Marching Band is a HUGE deal here in Indiana! There are four classes that are based on the population of the school district. Concord High School (in North Central Indiana) is in Class B ~ one of the most competitive of the four. So here we go...

The Jumbo-tron at Lucas Oil Stadium (where the Indianapolis Colts play)
photo by Kendra Wietstock

Megan with her flute buddies before the competition.
photo by Darrell Yoder

Megan holds pinkies with Makayla (so sweet)
photo by Darrell Yoder

The 208 member Marching Minutemen enter the stadium ~ my heart was POUNDING
photo by Tim Wietstock

Ready, Set, GO...(this is their opening formation)
photo by Kendra Wietstock

COOL SHOT taken by the band's photographer, Darrell Yoder

Megan is right in the middle lunging forward.
photo by Tim Wietstock

Megan is second from the left.
photo by Tim Wietstock

I was amazed how many times we actually found her!
photo by Tim Wietstock

Their closing stance. WOW ~ what a show!
photo by Kendra Wietstock

Getting ready for awards ~ the four drum majors
photo by Tim Wietstock

Anxiously waiting for the results...
photo by Tim Wietstock

REALIZING THEY WON! Tears of joy and smiles all around ~ Megan is on the far left.
photo by Darrell Yoder

Winners Drink MILK! The four drum majors with our fabulous Band Director.

photo by Kendra Wietstock

Me and my beautiful champion!
photo by Tim Wietstock

Megan and her best friend Ben back at Concord ~ pure joy even after the 4 hour bus ride home.
photo by Brian Davis

They arrived at back to town with a police and fire truck escort (with lights and sirens), fireworks, a news crew, and hundreds of parents and supporters.

CONGRATS TO OUR WONDERFUL
CLASS B STATE CHAMPIONS!

Brrrr.....it's cold outside

2011-11-05T06:36:00.000-04:00

Parka Penguins Stamp Set by Our Craft Lounge

OCL Challenge #90 ... Stressed OUT!

2011-11-04T03:00:00.001-04:00

The week has just flown by and once again Friday is here with another OCL Challenge! This week it's all about making things look distressed and vintage looking.

So this isn't really my style, so I made a vintage card and just aged the edge of the image and card. I used the Vintage Traveler set (one of my favorite vintage sets) along with some great paper from Echo Park.

Now lets see what you come up with! Add your link to the OCL Blog.

Forgotten Class Cards...

2011-11-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

I was looking through my cards yesterday and realized I hadn't posted these from my class a few weeks ago. This Fall Sunflower is such a pretty set ~ I love it! I paired it up with some pretty paper from Jillibean Soup.

The second card and tag both use the Big Birthday Wishes sentiment set. I stamped right on the pattern paper for these quick and easy projects. This is a great way to use up scraps and get lots of cards done SUPER FAST!

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Sunflower Card:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (Fall Sunflower)
Pattern Paper ~ Jillibean Soup
Ink ~ Palette (Burnt Umber)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge (Coffee Bean Brown)
Copic Markers
Ribbon ~ May Arts

Birthday Card & Tag:
Stamps ~ Big Birthday Wishes
Ink ~ Palette (Burnt Umber)
Pattern Paper ~ Fancy Pants
Ribbon ~ May Arts
Gems ~ Kaiser

A bit more fun with Happy Days...

2011-11-02T00:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I pulled out my Echo Park Happy Days paper back and my Paper Smooches Perpetual Bliss stamp set. These two products couldn't be more perfect together! I used the journaling blocks that were part of the paper pack. Then I stamped the images in Palette ink and colored them with my Copic Markers.

In addition, I used some of my Quickuts embossing folders on the 5x4 black card bases. Then as a final touch, I added Glossy Accents to accent some of the images.

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps: Paper Smooches Perpetual Bliss
Pattern Paper: Echo Park Happy Days
Ink: Palette
Copic Markers: C1, C3, C5, R24, R27, BG10, BG72
Quickuts embossing folders
Glossy Accents

Now shipping...

2011-11-01T03:00:00.005-04:00

NOVEMBER? REALLY???? I don't know how it got here so fast! Well the start of a new month means that the new Diners Club set called Season's Greetings is now shipping from Gourmet Rubber Stamps.

For my card today, I stamped the cute Christmas Tree from the set 3 times on Kraft cardstock and then again on coordinating pattern paper and trimmed them. I love how they turned out! Hmmm....this might be my Christmas card this year...

If you haven't signed up for the Diners Club ~ take a look ~ It's a great deal!

By the way ~ you still have time to sign up for my Trick or Treat Blog Candy.

Trick or TREATS!

2011-10-31T08:00:00.021-04:00

Happy Halloween!

Today Gourmet Rubber Stamps is having a Trick or Treat Blog hop and of course, there will be treats! YIPPPEEEEEE! Each and every blog on the hop has some fun Halloween Treats to give away.

Today I used this fun little Stick Chick stamp called Witch with Broom & Cat. For the sentiment, I used the Lizzie Anne Designs set called Hallows Eve.

I have two singles to give away as blog candy for this trick or treat hop. Just leave comment here (and on all the other blogs) until November 2nd at midnight (ET) and we will pick winners from each blog. Now on to the Hop where I know you'll find lots of great treats...

GRS Blog
Meridith Ethington
Deb Felts
Jeni Allen
Joslyn Nielson
Joy Stagg
Kelli Palmer
Kendra Wietstock
Tricia Ulberg
Pam Hornschu
Rose Ann Reynolds
Taylor Usry

THEY DID IT!!!!

2011-10-30T08:43:00.000-04:00

Our FABULOUS kids did it! Yesterday was such an exciting day for the Concord community. The Concord Marching Minutemen finished up their amazing season with an overwhelming victory to take the CLASS B STATE FINALS CHAMPIONSHIP!

The 2011 Marching Minutemen Band with 208 members!

As a Band Mom this year, I've spent countless hours with the band ~ I'm in AWE of each and every one of you and so proud to have been with you along this journey!

I'll share lots more pictures later on today after I wake up!

Best Witches...

2011-10-29T03:00:00.004-04:00

A Little Witchy by Our Craft Lounge

OCL Challenge #89...Still GOING PINK!

2011-10-28T03:00:00.004-04:00

YIPEEEE for Friday. At OCL we've been Going Pink all week for Breast Cancer Awareness & will conclude the week with our normal weekly challenge ~ but we're still GOING PINK!

My project today was inspired by this great mug I found at the Family Christian Bookstore. I thought it was perfect to use for this week. I stamped the flowers from the Pretty Petals set and added a scalloped edge to the top of the card to mimic the top of the mug.

Now it's your turn to play along ~ are you ready? Just add your link to the OCL Blog when you've posted it.

Another Going Pink card...

2011-10-27T03:00:00.001-04:00

It's still GOING PINK week over on the OCL Blog and here's another card I made for the festivities! I used the Vintage Swirls set and stamped the flourishes on my die cut flowers and leaves for an easy peasy accent on my card. Then I stamped the sentiment from the Garden Thoughts set. This was a super simple card, but I love how it turned out.

Going Pink...

2011-10-26T03:00:00.001-04:00

We're Still in PINK Week at OCL and this pretty butterfly is the subject for my card today. I used the butterfly from the In Flight stamp set. I stamped the butterfly in bright pink pigment ink and embossed it to make it pop. Then I added a little bit of pink shades with my Copics and some sparkly Stickles on the inside of the butterfly. Isn't she pretty?

Take a look on the OCL Blog today and the rest of the week as OCL is GOING PINK this week.

GRS ...November Diners Club Preview

2011-10-25T03:00:00.002-04:00

It's time for a preview of the new Diners Club set by Gourmet Rubber Stamps ~ FUN, FUN, FUN! The images in this new set called Season's Greetings are just beautiful!

For my project today, I used the angel from the set. I embossed her with brown pigment ink and spayed the paper with Spun Sugar Smooch Spray so it would have some shimmer. I also used the Damask Stamp set for the background on the card.

Now go take a look at the GRS Blog to see what the rest of the girls on the team have come up with today. I know you'll see AMAZING projects!

I'll be back tomorrow with more GOING PINK projects!

OCL Goes PINK!

2011-10-24T03:00:00.002-04:00

This week is a special week at OCL because we are going PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness. Today our wonderful designers are celebrating the survivors, remembering those we've lost and bringing awareness to everyone with some very special projects. I hope you enjoy the blog hop!

My project today is actually a box of chocolates a friend of mine gave me. I thought it was such a cool slider box design and I knew I wanted to do something really cool with it. I decided to make something to encourage someone to go schedule a mammogram & after they go, they can have a treat of chocolate! So this is the front of the box.

Then when you pull the ribbon tab, the box slides open to reveal a new picture.

And here it is all the way open with the little chocolates revealed.

I used the Granny's Support Team stamp set along with a sentiment from the Sweet on You stamp set (which is on the retired list).

OCL will be giving away some great products as blog candy ~ the Granny's Support Team stamp set and 2 jars of Sparkly Fluff ~ in shades of PINK!!!! So leave comments along the hop today and we will pick a winner tomorrow morning.

Here is our list of PINK Hoppers today ~ leave some love here and on all of these blogs for your chance to win the blog candy:

Me
Amber Hillman - http://www.ambersantics.blogspot.com
Carolyn King - http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/
Deb Felts - http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com
Debbie Fisher - http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/
Lori Tecler - http://inkingaloud.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Serrano - http://stephaniesstampinspot.blogspot.com/
Tammie Edgerton - http://onehappystamper-tammiee.blogspot.com/
Michelle Pearson - http://www.inspirationblooms.blogspot.com/
Dawn Barrett - http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com/
Lori Barnett - http://www.loribarnett.blogspot.com/
Cassie Trask - http://www.cassietrstamping.blogspot.com/

We'll be back each day this week to share some special projects, personal stories, and websites that you might find useful.

Thanks for joining!

just because {17}...

2011-10-23T06:00:00.005-04:00

make a wish...

{found on Facebook}

Find joy...

2011-10-22T06:12:00.000-04:00

Joy in the Little Things by Our Craft Lounge

Kendra's Card Company

GRS...The Weekly Recipe

Hats off to you...

OCL Challenge #102... Heart"felt" Creations

Time for a class...

Diners Club Preview ...let's take a peek!

Happy Monday to you...

OCL Challenge #101 ... Loving Chevron!

What to post today?????

Love you ...

Bingo ... win a kiss...

Gift Card Pocket

Gourmet Rubber Stamps DT Challenge ...Hugs and Kisses

Happy Saturday...

OCL Challenge #100!!!! They are adding up!

Some cards for the guys...

Valentine for a Friend...

Chevron & Hearts...

Let's Go For A Ride...

just because {24}...

Chevron Patterns

OCL Challenge #99 & Lily Pad Cards!

Skipping A Beat...

Cuckoo for YOU!

Joy in a Heart

Lots of Love...

happy new year

Happy Birthday TO ME!

OCL Challenge #98...Photo Inspiration

Calendar Pages ... part 3

More Calendar Pages...

Gourmet Rubber Stamps ... January Preview Day!

Calendar Pages for our 2012 Family Calendar...

one tiny baby...

A few more Christmas goodies...

OCL Challenge #97...Sketch Time

Teacher Gifts ...

more packaging ideas...

New Coveralls!

Love is in the Air...

just because {23}...

More from OCL's Release...

OCL Sneak Peeks Day #2 & Challenge Day!

Gourmet Rubber Stamps DT Challenge

OCL Sneak Peek Time!

Season's Greetings...

Merry Christmas from The Wietstock Family

Sending Warm Wishes...

just because {22}...

Sew Happy ...

OCL Challenge #95...CAS Holiday

Clean and Simple ... Easy Peasy...

6 Reasons Why...

i{heart}papers & Market Street Blog Hop!

OCL Challenge #94...Tag, You're It!

just because {21}...

A Frosty Saturday...

GRS...Weekly Recipe

Pretty Package Tags

Ring, Ring...Ring, Ring...

Silly Little Snowman

Loads of presents...

just because {20}...

OCL Challenge #93...Cute & Cuddly Critters

December Diners Club Set... Take a peek!

Happy Thanksgiving!

OCL Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale

OCL is getting in on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday action with our FIRST EVER Black Friday Sale!

** 25% off STORE WIDE

** Sale dates - today at Noon (EST) through Monday, November 28th, 2011.

** Coupon Code Required: OCLBLK25** Applies to items in stock only - No Backorders for this sale.

** Does NOT apply to Gift CertificatesShop for yourself or put together an online Wishlist and send it to your family!

Please Note: Due to the holiday weekend, shipping for this sale will begin Monday, November 28th.

IHP Black Friday Announcement

Good Day...

Up, Up and AWAY...

just because {19}...

Blue Christmas...Stick Chick Style

OCL Challenge #92...Thankful for YOU!

Zooming by ...

Coupon Code Required: OCLBLK25

Applies to items in stock only - No Backorders for this sale.

** Does NOT apply to Gift Certificates

Shop for yourself or put together an online Wishlist and send it to your family!