**FRIENDS WITH FLAIR**~HIP HOP Sketch Challenge

Hey Bloggers....welcome to FRIENDS WITH FLAIR!!! Today I am featuring a card I made with a wonderful sketch from the HIP HOP SKETCH challenge.

I used some wonderful patterned paper that I received from an {Ippity} gal Emily. She is so nice, I ordered a great {Ippity} set from her and she sent it for free. I figured since we were featuring Friends With Flair...I had to include her.

Here is how I made it...

Cardstock: Sage Shadow, So Saffron, Red Riding Hood (Stampin' Up); Patterned Paper: {Ippity}; Stamps: Wherever You Go, KOM for October 2009 (Unity Stamp Co.); Ink: Rd Riding Hood, So Saffron (Stampin' Up, ) Jet Black (Stazon); Ribbon: Bargin Bin @ Joann's; Stickles: Gold

Check out Unity Stamp Co. Kit of the Month. You get close to 20 stamps a month for a super cheap price. Its not to late to get your April kit, which you can view {HERE}

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your FRIENDS WITH FLAIR tour.

Thanks for stopping by today!! You comments inspire me!!

Have a great day!!

Go-To Sketches Week Challenge at Moxie Fab World

Good morning....Just finishing up some of my challenges for this week at the last minute before going to work.

I ran across this fun little sketch yesterday at Moxie Fab World.

They are promoting a great new magazine that I can't wait to show up in my mailbox, Go-To Sketches. I can't wait to link my card to their site. Please check out Moxie Fab World and play along for the rest of the week, with awesome challenges and sketches.

Here is what I used...

Cardstock: Pacific Point, Yo-Yo Yellow, Whisper White (Stampin' Up); Ink: Pacific Point, Yo-Yo Yellow, Green Galore, Chocolate, Chip, Always Artichoke, Handsome Hunter (Stampin' Up); Stamps: Cheep Talk (Stampin' Up); Stickles: Lime Green, Cinnamon, Holly, & Green; Other: Glossy Accents (Ranger) & Jewels (Jo-Anns)

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!!! Let me know what you think!! Your kudos keep me inspired!!!

Have a great day!

A Couple Unity Challenges In One...

Good morning!!

It never fails that on my days off, the weather is horrible. Even though the sun is shining, we are having random snow showers. That makes is a little cold for any outdoor activity, which sends me right to the basement with a hot cup of coffee, and time for crafting.

For quite a few months, I have been receiving Unity Stamp Co. Kit of the Month. As a matter of fact, I have collected eight months of kits already. Not until just recently have I discovered how much I love these stamps and how versatile they really are. I have gotten involved in their forums at Splitcoast Stampers, where they post a great Simple Sketch Scrapbook Challenge,Color Challenge, and a Hip Hop Sketch Challenge.

I just can't say enough about these products. The also have a "sister" brand of stamps called{Ippity}. The project that I made today was made with {Ippity} Stamps.

This cards is for the Color Challenge Challenge and the Hip Hop Sketch Challenge from last week. Upon further review of the challenge I realized that I forgot the "twist" of the bunched ribbon. Darn it!!

Here is what I used to make it:

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate, Creamy Carmel, & Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up); Stamps: Music of My Heart ({Ippity} Stamps by Unity; Ink: Purely Pomegranate & Creamy Carmel (Stampin' Up); Embossing Folders: Medallions, Frame, & Damask (Sizzix), Organic Flourish Borders (Cuttlebug); Ribbon: Tangerine Tango & Purely Pomegranate (Stampin' Up); Glitter Glue: Burgundy Stickles

Thank you for stopping by!! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of my new card.

You can check out the new April Kit of the Month by Unity Stamp Co {HERE}. It a great deal. You will get so much out of all the stamps you will receive.

Have a great day!!!

Another Unity Simple Sketch Challenge

Good evening Blogging Friends! Again, I have finished the Simple Sketch Challenge from Unity. This page is also the kick off to my Hawaii album (YEAH!) I didn't get much of an opportunity to use to much Unity on my page, but the small sentiment in the right corner is from the Unity Stamp Co. Kit of the Month from December, Delightful Moments.

Here is what I used:

Cardstock: Metallic (Wausau); Patterned Paper: Island Paperie, Stamps: December Kit of the Month (Unity Stamp Co.), Plumaria & Palm Tree Stamps ( Island Paperie), Dotted Lines Jumbo Roller Stamp (Stampin' Up); Ink: Hydrangea Big & Juicy (Ranger); Border:Hawaiian Buri Tie RikRak (Island Paperie); Die Cuts: Plumaria's (Island Paperie).

I will also be sending this page to Island Paperie. They have asked to email them all the projects that you use their products on that they make right there in their wonderful store on Maui.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of my page.

Have a great evening.

Unity Stamp Co. Simple Scrapbooking Sketch Challenge...

Good afternoon Bloggers....

I am so excited about the Unity Stamp DT putting up scrapbooking challenges weekly. The great thing is they post them on either Monday night or Tuesday, right in time for my days off. This is the second scrapbook page I have finish in one week You can see the sketch HERE!Thanks UNITY!!!!

Here are a few tidbits about my page...

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Brocade Blue, Whisper White (Stampin' Up); Ink: Brilliant Blue (Stampin' Up); Stamps: Simply Magical, Delightful Moments, Savor the Journey & Rockin It (All Kits of the Month, Unity Stamp Co.); Punch: Eyelet Border (Stampin' Up); Font: Thickers (American Crafts); Jewels: Joanns Fabric, White Embossing Powder, Baby Blue Stickles, and Uniball White Gel Pen.

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a look today. Please join the Unity Simple Scrapbooking Sketch Challenge if you have a chance.

Have a super day!!!!

Technique Junkies~Depth of Field

I have been wanting to try this technique for quite sometime.

I have been a member of the Technique Junkies for over a year and I maybe have tried one or two techniques. The cool thing, is with a membership, you get online access to all the techniques from 2004 until present, and you get a newsletter every other month with ALL new techniques.

This technique is call Depth of Field. With this technique, you can use one stamp and get great dimension from it.

I have also entered this card in a contest at Island Paperie. The stamps that I used for this card is an Island Paperie original.

Here are the products that I used:

Cardstock: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Brushed Silver, Whisper White (Stampin' Up); Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Going Gray (Stampin' Up); Stamps: Whimsical Words, Tiny Tags (Stampin' Up); Die Cuts: Lables Four (Spellbinders), tag punch (Stampin' Up), Plumaria (Island Paperie);

Ribbon: Satin Whisper White (Stampin' Up); Adhesive Pearls (Reflections)

Thank you for stopping by today!!

A Scrapbook Page

Happy Tuesday to you all....Last week I said that I was going to start my Hawaii vacation album, BUT I went ahead and did something that I have to do...My mom's birthday gift. She has been asking for some photo's of all of us for a long time, so I wanted to make her this page. I used a couple techniques here. Mono Die Technique from the Technique Junkies, and I also did some "foiling". I pretty sure that is what it is called. I stenciled the butterfly in the right corner with black Dreamweaver Embossing Paste, and after it dries, you put Versamark or any glue pad and pat it all over the image. You them lay this super thin metallicy foil on the top and let it dry. When dry, you carefully pull the foil away and you have left a beautiful shimmery effect. The butterfly is much more pretty in person, but at least you can see the shimmer.

I am entering this page in the Unity Stamp Company Simply Scrapbooking Challenge. You should check it out.

Here are the products used:

Stamps: Unity Stamp Company Kits of the Month (Nothing But Blue Sky, Rockin' It, Delightful Moments, & Wherever You )

Ink: Stampin' Up (Chocolate Chip and Creamy Carmel)

Stencils & Embossing Pastes (Dreamweaver)

Metal Foil: Palette

Cardstock: Wausau Metallic Cardstock

Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up (Good Morning Sunshine)

Punches: Stampin' Up (Scalloped Trim Border, Corner Border & 1 3/4 circle punch)

Dies: Cricut (Home Accents cartridge), Spellbinders (Pinking Circle dies)

Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug (Checkerboard & Bubbles)

Rub-On's: CTMH
Stickles: Cinnamon & Diamond

Now back to printing off Hawaii pics.

Thanks for stopping by today, please let me know what your thoughts are on my page.

Have a good day!!!!

I finally made it back to my craft table...

Good afternoon fellow bloggers. Oh how I have missed you!!

I know it has been almost two months since I posted, but I have been really busy with a AWESOME vacation, company when I got home, then more travel. It has been crazy.

I went on vacation in Maui, Hawaii. It was amazing. I want to go back to live. I fell in love with that island. It was great. You will soon see some pages for my new Hawaii scrapbook.

Today I want to share some cards I made for my mom. While I was in Hawaii we went to a great scrapbook store called Island Paperie. In the store they had tons of cards made with Dreamweaver Stencils and Dreamweaver embossing pastes. It looks so cool, that we got a book, one of each color of paste, and a few new stencils. I already had some stencils at home, so I was ready to go. We shipped all of our wonderful finds back to the mainland and when it got here, I was in the middle of trying to get back into reality and had company. To make a long story short, TODAY, I finally came down stares and got busy.

Here are the projects that I made...

This Thank You card is made with products that we purchased at Island Paperie.

Stencil: Mahalo (Dreamweaver), Embossing Paste: Metallic Copper (Dreamweaver), Stamps: Island Paperie (Plumaria), Cardstock: Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up), Ribbon: Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up)

The awesome Paper Lace Ribbon tutorial I saw here. Super fun!!!

My next card is also made with some products that I got at Island Paperie.

Stencils: Plumaria & Aloha (Dreamweaver), Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Certainly Celery and So Saffron (Stampin' Up), Embossing Paste: Pearl White (Dreamweaver), Glitter: Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin' Up), Stamps: Baroque Motifs (Stampin' Up).

Using this new stenciling technique is soo fun. I hate that I let these products sit so long. I will probably won't stop until I have used all my stencils at least once.

Thanks for taking a peek today. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

I had a great time playing on my days off....

Hi everyone!! I finally had a couple days off which gave me some time to PLAY!! I was able to complete a few challenges. The top two cards were for challenges. The above card is for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog. We were asked to use a punch!! The inspiration for this card came from the cover of Cardmaker Magazine.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Whisper White, Real Red and Gold

Ink : Stampin' Up Real Red Craft

Stamps: Stampin' Up Grateful Greetings

Punch: Martha Stewart border punch

Glitter: Martha Stewart Garnet glitter

Ranger Gold Stickles

The above card is for the 365 Cards blog challenge. There was a card recipe that we had to use. 4.25x5.5 inch card base, 4x4 piece of patterned paper, 2x2 piece of patterned paper, 3 buttons, 1 ribbon, and sentiment.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Kraft

Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up DSP Urban Oasis

Stamps: Stampin' Up For All You Do

Ribbon: Stampin' Up Basic Black 1.5in. Stripped Grograin Ribbon

I was so impressed with the way that this turned out. This stamp set by Stampin' Up has been around for a while. I have had it probably a year. For those of your that followed my blog when I updated it ALOT, I used to make mention that I will not put away a stamp set until it gets used on a card. In the efforts to try to organize and simplify, I had to use this set. I has been sitting here forever. Well....this is what I got. I love it. It is perfect for a co-workers birthday next month.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Summer Sun, Rose Red, Old Olive

Ink: Stampin' Up Rose Red, Summer Sun, Old Olive and Always Artichoke

Ribbon: Stampin' Up Old Olive 5/8 grograin ribbon

Stamps: Stampin' Up Inspired by Nature & Everyday Expressions (retired)

Dies: Spellbinders (Labels Three) & QuicKutz Maddie Ann Numbers

One More Card....

Can you believe? WOW!! Not only did I finish two cards. I am actually posting the second one.

This card is for 365 Cards challenge to make a card for a teenage girl.

On my door step this afternoon was a package from my good friend Tracey. In the package was a new stamp set and a package of vellum. Thanks Tracey for the inspiration!!

Stamps: You Rock (Close To My Heart), French Filigree (SU)

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry and Whisper White (All SU)

Die Cut: Nestabilities ( Spellbinders)

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Basic Black Craft

Black Embossing Powder.

Thanks for taking a look!

I will probably be away for a few days. Look forward to new projects with my NEW DISTRESS INK colors from Tim Holtz. I got a shipping confirmation from him today!!! Yeah!!

A Card for a Few Challenges

Two posts in one week. I may be on to something!

This cards is for the Color Challenge at SCS. We were asked to use Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip and Pretty In Pink, all from Stampin' Up.

I am also using this card as an entry in to the DT call at Simon Says Stamp.

I also used the Kit of the Month for October from Unity.

Thanks for taking a peek and wish me luck on my DT Call!!!!

Yeah!!! I'm A WINNER!!!

First of all, I am so sorry for being MIA throughout all of December. You all know, it is a busy time of year.

Second, the reason for the title. I was browsing Tim Holtz blog last night and he was writing about the new Distress Ink colors coming out, so I left a comment about my excitement about the new colors also. This morning, on his blog, I have won 4 of his new ink colors that he is debuting at the CHA this weekend. Yeah!! I am so excited!! I had to share!

Third....Yesterday I finally got to "dig in" to my birthday present which I was told about last August. It is finally complete, and I got to move it.

My husband is a master carpenter. He does beautiful work and he made me a work station for my craft room. Check out the pics.....

Here are a couple cards I made for some friends. Enjoy Your Journey is made with Stampin' Up DSP, cardstock and inks. I did the wonderful stitching myself and the stamp is Tim Holtz by Stampers Anonymous.

Another card for a friend. This is his birthday card, but I also wanted to make it inspirational, because he has so many great opportunities coming his way in the next few months. I love the plaid background, bacause it is for a guy. The sentiment stamp is Tim Holtz by Stampers Anonymous, and all ink are Tim Holtz. Stampin Up cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!!!

A Few More Tim Tags. Only 3 left....

Good afternoon my blogging friends.

Here is another share of my rendition of Tim Holtz, 12 Tags of Christmas.

Day 9

Day 8

Day 7

Day 5

Day 6

Only three more days to go. These tags are somewhat improvised from what Tim is using. It seemed when this started, I was at the store everyday, now I am just making due with what I have.

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a super day!!!

More Tim Holtz Tags

I am really getting into this 12 Tags of Christmas. WOW! I even went shopping today for supplies, which I haven't done in months!!! Thanks Tim for bringing me back!!!

Here are some photo's. I tried to put as much a

s my own flair into these guys as I could, but I feel my first one is always a copy cat.

Day Three

Day Three

Day Four

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!! Have a great night!!

Welcome to December!!!

Good afternoon!!

Now that December is here, it is a race to the finish to see if we can get all the wonderful things we want to do, done.

I finished up my Christmas Cards yesterday, and the only thing that is holding me back from sending

them off, is my oldest daughters school photo's. I have had the other kids photo's for at least a month now. Weird.

Here are a few posts of the projects I finished yesterday. The first card is a Welcome Home surprise for a friend of mine. I hope it gets to her house before she does. The second card is for an ill employee of mine. He had major surgery, and

need lots of prayers.

From here is where the Christmas fun begins. Three cards to finish all my card giving away. I took is so easy this year. I didn't do one swap, and I didn't sell any either. For whatever reason, that I really can't recall, I couldn't find any time.

One project I am trying to follow along with are the Tim Holtz, 12 Days of Christmas tags. His are so GREAT! Please check out him projects on his blog.

Day One

Day Two

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to take a look at my blog! If it was worth your time, please leave me a comment. I love to read them!!

Have a great day!!!

Here is what I have been up tooo....

Hello long lost friends!! I wanted to post a few pics of some of the cards I have been making. I think the top one is my favorite!!!

Thank you for taking a look!!!

Have a great day!!!

Two Days In A Row...

As some of you know, my husband is out of town for a few days, so that leaves me with lots of crafting time. You can probably tell from the two post in one week.

I sell Stampin' Up. I am my own best customer. I have a personal rule that after I put my new stamp set together, I DO NOT put them away until I have used the set at least once. So, last week when our kids went back to school, I started chipping away at the pile. I can't remember how many sets were sitting there, or for how long, but going into yesterday I had eight sets. Today I am down to six.

The first project is not a card. This started out as a gift for a friend, but in the end, I liked it so much I am keeping it for myself!

This is a 6x6 piece of chipboard, turned into a wall plaque. Products used:

Patterned paper: Candy Lane DSP (Stampin' Up); Glossy Paper: Stampin' Up; Stamps: Key To My Heart (CTMH), Refuge and Strength (Stampin' Up); Ink: Olive Green Stazon, Timber Brown Stazon Scattered Straw and Walnut Stain (Distress Ink); Embellishments: Pretties Kit (Stampin' Up), Blooms (Prima), Metal Flowers (Tim Holtz Idealogy), Beaded Trim (ebay), Cinnamon (Stickles), Walnut Stain, Antique Linen (Distress Stickles)

Here are a couple cards I made. I used the same set for two cards, due to the fun I was having watercoloring the flowers.

Products Used:

Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Glossy Cardstock (Stampin' Up); Patterned Paper: Raspberry Lemonade (Stampin' Up); Ink: Bermdua Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry (Stampin' Up); Stamps: Great Friend, Fifth Ave. Floral (Stampin' Up); Dies: Little Leaves (Stampin' Up); Border Punch: Eyelet Punch (Stampin' Up)

Next... this card was also made with 100% Stampin' Up

Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede, Whisper White; Ink: Dusty Durango; Stamps: Fifth Ave. Floral, Holiday Best; Embossing Folder: Fifth Ave. Floral

Once again, thank you so much for looking, and come back often!!!!

Have a super day!!

A few new ones...

Good morning! I hope everyone had a super Labor Day weekend!!! I had the weekend off, but actually had to work on Labor Day.

I would like to share some cards I made last week! One I made for an old friends birthday and the other is one that I was just itching to use the stamp set. Here goes.....

This card was really fun to make. I used a sketch from an AMAZING book called "Wishes", which I got from my AWESOME Close To My Heart demonstrator Tracey! This book is full of great sketchs and ideas.

Products used:

Cardstock: SU Very Vanilla, Patterned Paper: SU Cottage Wall, Glitter Paper (manufactuer unknown), Velvet Paper (The Paper Company)Ribbon: Taffeta Sage Shadow, Brad: Close To My Heart, Stamp Set: SU Chic Boutique, Ink: Stazon Timber Brown, Tim Holtz Distress Walnut Stain, Punch: SU 5 Petal Flower, Tim Ideaology Metal Flower Elements.

I had to mail this card off right way to my friend because I was running late for her birthday.

I have been itching to use this new Stampin' Up stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. This card is just for fun and will probably get donated!

Products used:

Cardstock: SU Old Olive, **NEW**In Color Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White; Ink: SU Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry; Stamps: Pendant Park, Chic Boutique

All SU products used. That is pretty hard for me to do with all the cool toys out here.

Thank you for taking the time to peek into ny blog.

Come back soon, and visit often! Have a good day!