iPICKS DELAY

Hi everyone! I'm unable to post my iPICKS this Sunday evening. We had Allie's graduation party last night, and have family in from out-of-town. I'll try my best to get them posted tomorrow (Mon. 6/01). Sorry for the delay.

STAMPIN' OUT ALZHEIMER'S with SWEET SUNDAY SKETCH

This card uses Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch. This week, she's hosting her weekly sketch challenge for the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's event (see my previous post). If you haven't contributed to this worthwhile cause yet, there's still time! You can also play along with the Sweet Sunday Sketch for a chance to win some goodies on the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's website!

My design is heavily inspired by Vicki's Cheep Talk Sweet Sunday Sketch card (see second photo in post). I just couldn't resist using the same images in the white space of this sketch!
RECIPE
Stamps: Cheep Talk
Paper: Good Morning Sunshine DP, Summer Sun and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Sun, and Summer Sun
Embellishments: Kiwi Kiss Button, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon
Tools: Blender Pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

STAMP OUT ALZHEIMER'S

My good friend and fellow stamper Jen Tapler, along with a group of generous sponsors and challenge hostesses, have teamed up to create a temporary online community where members can take part in a variety of challenges, contests, classes and workshops, and download several free products (a special digital kit, a printable 3-d template, tutorials, etc) in different papercrafting categories (stamping, cardmaking, paperscrapbooking, digi scrapping, hybrid, etc). All this for a suggested donation of $5. 100% of these funds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association to help with their efforts to provide and enhance care and support for all those affected by this heartbreaking disease. Simply make your donation through Paypal using the "give" link on the top of my sidebar ... or by going directly to the SOA website.

This worthwhile cause is near and dear to Jen's heart, as her father is currently suffering from Alzheimer's at the young age 58. I too know first-hand the heartbreak this disease causes families ... my grandfather suffered from Alzheimer's for several years, and it eventually took his life.

Alzheimer's Disease is currently the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. It is a fatal, progressive disease that slowly robs a person of their precious memories. We are involved in the memory preservation hobbies - what better cause for the papercrafting community to join together to support?

I hope you'll join us May 25-31 to Stamp Out Alzheimer's!

My Grandpa Milt and my Grandma Irene with my children Allie and Drew.

SIMPLE FRIENDSHIP MOJO

I know ... you're shocked ... cards ... two days in a row! I'm doing major spring cleaning around the house in preparation for my daughter's graduation party next weekend, and stamping is providing a much needed break from all of it. Today, I participated in the Mojo Monday #88 Sketch Challenge, using the stamp set Simple Friendship with Walk In The Park Designer Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I must have taken 100 photos of this card with different lighting and backgrounds. No matter what I did, I couldn't get the Cameo Coral and Baja Breeze to appear more vibrant. This shot will have to do.

The sentiment is from the stamp set Simple Friendship, and it reads "A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart." All materials are Stampin' Up! except for the Martha Stewart white pearl sticker in the flower center.
RECIPE
Stamps: Simple Friendship
Paper: Walk in the Park DP, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze, and Basic Gray
Embellishments: Whisper White 5/16" Jumbo Brads, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, White Pearl Stickers (Martha Stewart)
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY !!!! Thanks for stopping by!

iPICKS, Week 28

Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 28 ...

Monique's Tee-rific Day Card & Gift (Self Expressions).

Michelle Yungbauer's Butterflies Card (Stamp and Smile).

Mary Fish's Seeing Pink Elephants Card (Stampin' Pretty).

Brandi Wiggins-Côté's Annabel's Recipe Box (The Squareheadedstamper).

Jill Hilliard's Club Member Gifts and Designer Paper Doin' The Work Card (Jill's Card Creations).

Diane's Framed Americana Art ( Diane's Designs).

Krystie Lee's Great Friend Tag Card (Cupcake Martini).

Rose's Distressed Flowers Card (Rose's World).

Tessa's Little Birds In A Row Card and Early 4th of July Card (Crafty Girl Designs).

Karen's Golf Card (Luv To Stamp).

Kendra's Diva Color Challenge Card (The Dot Ate My Stamps).

Julie Davison's Say It With Scallops Card (Julie's Stamping Spot).

CASEing MERCY'S TRENDY TREES

Today's Featured Stamper #120 on SCS is my online stamping friend Mercy Kerin! I ADORE Mercy's designs! ... lots of layers and fantastic use of designer papers, colors, and patterns! Not only is she a super talented stamper, she has a fantastic sense of humor, and is always crackin' me up!

HERE is Mercy's Trendy Trees card I chose to CASE. The only things I changed were the colors and designer papers (using Rockability Specialty).

Mercy's blog, Lord Have Mercy!
Mercy's SCS gallery, mkstampin74
RECIPE
Stamps: Trendy Trees
Paper: Rockability Specialty DP, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Riding Hood Red, and Kiwi Kiss
Embellishments: Riding Hood Red 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Buttons
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

FAUX NURSERY NECESSITIES SAILBOAT

SURPRISE!!! I made time to design a card last night! I needed a baby boy card for a baby shower next weekend ... do you think I have a single baby boy card in my stash? I have several baby girl cards, but those baby boy cards sure get used up quickly!

I originally intended to CASE THIS CARD by Mary Fish but was out of the striped Slumber Party designer paper. I love the faux sailboat that resembles the sailboat image from the stamp set Nursery Necessities, and have used this little trick once in the past (see HERE). Although I didn't completely CASE Mary's card, my design ended up heavily inspired by it.

This is the first time I've tried one of Mary's tips - using a thin sliver of coordinating cardstock to "thread" buttons! LOVE the look, and will definitely be using it over and over again. I used the 1 3/4" Circle Punch to partially punch Bashful Blue cardstock for the "bottom" of the sailboat. The "congratulations" sentiment is from the stamp set called Congrats, and the designer paper is called Delicate Dots -- both from Sale-a-Bration '09.RECIPE
Stamps: Congrats (SAB '09)
Paper: Delicate Dots DP (SAB '09), So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Sahara Sand Classic
Embellishments: Bashful Blue Brads, So Saffron and Certainly Celery Buttons (+1 retired Ballet Blue button)
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer, 1 3/4" Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

iPICKS, Week 27

Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 27 ...

Heather Summers' Emma's Birthday Invitation and Golf Card (Stamp with Heather).

Cindy Lawrence's Mini Magazine Tote & Cards (Stamping Inspirations with Cindy).

Lorri Heiling's Rockability Meets Tart & Tangy Card (Confessions of a Stamping Addict).

Dacia's Happy Birthday From Us Card (My Creative Days).

Vera's Triple Challenge Card (Vera Stamps).

Mary Jo Price-Williams' Wedding Bliss Card (Techno Stamper).

Silke Ledlow's Spring Solitude Card (1st in Post) and Crazy for Cupcakes (3rd in Post) (My Life).

Christine's First Mommy's Day Scrapbook (ChristineCreations).

FLOWER POT CARD FOR ADA

You must think I've fallen off the edge of the earth, but I'm just trying to get through a VERY busy and exciting month! Allie graduates from high school Tuesday night, Drew's 8th grade promotion is Wednesday night, we've been to many Senior ceremonies and banquets, am wrapping up the end of the year at my job/school, have tested and interviewed for a new position, am planning a graduation party, preparing for out-of-town company, and more! I DO plan to get back to designing in June (and can't WAIT! ... I really really miss it!)

I do have a little project to share with you that I created last Saturday night to give to my mother-in-law Ada for Mother's Day. Ada will be 91 years old in a couple of weeks, and is in ill health with Parkinson's Disease. Our family would greatly appreciate your prayers for her during this difficult time.

This card was inspired by Lorri Heiling's Flower Pot Cards HERE and HERE. You can find a Flower Pot Tutorial by Stephanie Luman HERE.

RECIPE
Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Bella Rose DP, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Embellishments: Pink Pirouette Button, Pink Pirouette 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 5-Petal Flower Punch, Scallop Edge Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

iPICKS, Week 26

Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 26 ...

Laurie Froehlich's Sunflower Basket (Inspired Designs).

Vicki's Live Laugh, Love Card and Thanks So Much Card (It's A Stamp Thing).

Valerie's Mother's Day Card ({stampin' gal val}).

Debbie Pamment's Autumn Birthday Card (Debbie P's Place).

Anthonette's Celebrate Today Star Card (Chavez Designs).

Stampin' Jen's Argyle Scrapbook Layout (Stamped Silly).

Amy Sheffer's I Plede Allegiance Card (Pickled Paper Designs).

Ryemilan's Little Mermaid Party Invitations (Ryemilan's Stamping and Scrapbooking).

Laura's Summer Swap Card (Texas Two Step).

Brooke's B is for Birthday Card (Designs by Brooke).

iPICKS, Week 25

Welcome to iPICKS where I post a selection of my favorite cards and projects found during my week of blurfing and SCS stalking. There's no formal rules or guidelines ... just inspiring projects that catch my eye, clever ideas, and exceptional designs. These are projects that inspire me and I hope they inspire you too! Here's my iPICKS for Week 25 ...

Christina Fisher's Ocean in a Jar (Flowers and Ink).

Kirsten's Wonderful Wet Watercolor Rose Card (Kirsten's Stampin' Korner).

Heather Summers' Look Who's 2 Scrapbook Layout (Stamp with Heather).

Brenda Weaver's Sweet Little Cupcake Baby Gift (Sweet Paper Treats).

Annascreations Mother's Day Card (annascreations on SCS).

Anthonette Chavez' Wishing You Love Card (Chavez Designs).

Monique Hawrelluk's Tea For Two Card (Self Expressions).

Amy Fleming's Cheep Talk Card (Me & Mi Stamps).

Lisa Brown's Forest Friends Birthday Card (Ink and Inspirations).

Renee's Love You Much Card and Birthday Hugs Card (Stamping for Sanity).

Mary Fish's Ahoy! It's A Boy! Card (Stampin' Pretty).

Sankari's Happy Holidays Gingerbread House Card (Sankari's Sunshine Corner).

STAMPIN' UP! MAY PROMOTION - Picture The Possibilities

Stampin' Up! has THREE opportunities for you this month! ...

1. Purchase THREE packs of Designer Series paper (including our Specialty Designer Series paper) or 12" x 12" textured cardstock and GET ONE FREE!2. Purchase a sneak peek stamp set from the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog--Jumble Alphabet (set of 52; double-mounted)--at a 20 percent discount (retail price is $43.95 SALE PRICE IS $35.16!)
3. Purchase a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Kit for only $75 with the limited-time scrapbooking Starter Kit!
Promotion ends May 31, 2009. Contact me to place an order or for more information ... nrileycm@cox.net.