Sunday, March 29, 2009

iPICKS, Week 20

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 20 ...

Cindy Lawrence's Sweet Candy Favor (the creative closet).

Beth's Walk In The Park Card (Big Sky Paper and Design).

LeAnne Pugliese's Diva Card (Wee Inklings).

Lynn Put's Great Friend Swaps and Wonderful Friend Door Prize Project and Thanks A Bunch Apple Purses (The Queen's Scene).

Carrie Gaskin's Oh Knit Card (Artistic Avenger).

Chat's For You Card (Me, My Stamps and I).

Jen Tapler's Wishing You Card (JenTapler Designs). See how your hand stamped cards can help Alzheimer's Association!

Sankari's Season's Greetings Card (Sankari's Sunshine Corner).

Tara's Rolodex Birthdays Project (Stampalicious).

Christine's Ruffled and Inspired Tulips Card and a Spring Bouquet Card (ChristineCreations).

Karen Giron's Wonderful Mother Card (the sweetest thing).

crystalkbk's Thinking Of You Pears Card (crystalkbk on SCS).

Emily Weems' Thoughts & Prayers Birthday Card (Stamping Expressions).

Makeesha Byl's Good Friend Card (Inkspirations).

Mary Jo Albright's Pop-Up Card (beauty lies within).

Amy Fleming's KWerner Color Challenge Card (Me & Mi Stamps).

Kelly Lunceford's True Friend Card and Carte Postal Card (Flutter by Atomicbutterfly).

i heart CAMEO CORAL!

Tuesday, March 31 is the last day to earn FREE Stampin' Up! products with your Stampin' Up! purchases through Sale-A-Bration (earn free stamp sets, designer paper, and/or ribbon with each $50 purchase ... no limit!). I'll be placing one more order before 3/31. Contact me to have your order included! nrileycm@cox.net

Wednesday, April 1 starts the new Occasions Mini Catalog. This card uses a couple of new products from it ... Walk In The Park Designer Paper featuring the colors of Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze, and So Saffron AND Baja Breeze Corduroy Buttons/Brads (they also come in Basic Gray!). I was thrilled to see a designer paper pack featuring the wonderful and almost forgotten color of Cameo Coral! I've used the wonderful Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #11 for my card. The butterfly image from Simple Friendship was stamped twice in Cameo Coral. One butterfly image was cut out and glued down the center with Tombo Mono Adhesive, allowing the wings to slightly bend up for depth.
RECIPE
Stamps: Simple Friendship
Paper: Walk In The Park DP, Basic Gray, Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Cameo Coral and Basic Gray
Embellishments: Baja Breeze Corduroy Buttons, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombo Mono Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back this evening with iPICKS! It's been another week full of fantastic stamping projects online!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Happy Weekend everybody! Last night while Allie was at a Christian concert downtown, Drew was off camping at Lake Pleasant with his bible study group, and John was into some TV shows that didn't interest me, I had a chance to tackle Kristina Werner's Color Challenge #47 of Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron and Whisper White, combined with Taylor VanBruggen's Cupcake Sketch Challenge #61.

I'm not a bird fan but this little bird image is just the cutest! I did some masking to make his legs so short. His eye is simply a 1/4" Circle Punched Chocolate Chip cardstock, and his Tangerine Tango wing is cut out and popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.
RECIPE
Stamps: Good Friend
Paper: Hawaii Papaya DP (retired), Flock Together DP, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango
Embellishments: Chocolate Chip Corduroy Brad, Chocolate Chip 5/16" Jumbo Brads
Tools: 1/4" Circle Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

Thursday, March 26, 2009

BASIC GRAY GREAT GRADS

Boy, have I been struggling with my mojo this week! You might have thought that I had forgotten how to stamp! Last night, it all came back to me when I went to work with this week's Sketch Challenge #221 on SCS. My daughter Allie graduates from high school in May so I need to get busy with graduation cards for her friends. This is the first graduation card of many.

This card uses two stamp sets - Great Grads and Congrats (Sale-a-bration '09). The designer paper is from Urban Oasis and Patterns DP Pack II (Level One Hostess). The "grad" is stamped in Basic Gray ... the cap is stamped in Jet Black Staz-On, cut out, and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.
RECIPE
Stamps: Great Grads, Congrats (SAB '09)
Paper: Basic Gray Patterns DP, Urban Oasis DP, Basic Black and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Gray Classic and Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: 5/16" Silver Jumbo Brads, Silver Cord (retired)
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

KWERNER COLOR CHALLENGE #46 TOP TEN

THIS CARD of mine made Kristina Werner's TOP TEN Round-Up for Color Challenge #46! (Top Ten out of 150 entries!) I was thrilled to discover this news after a long day at my day job! I'll be back in a little while with a new card design ... finally!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A RAK and A TAG

This cute pocket card and awesome chenille rick rack came in the mail the other day from my friend Sandy Braddock, doublesmom on SCS. Sandy recently moved out of state, was one of my best Stampin' Up! customers and class participants ... and of course, good friend. My Stampin' Up! business misses her terribly, and I think she misses my classes terribly! Can you believe this beautiful chenille rick rack? I guess she got it at a quilting store! Hmmm ... I wonder what I'll create with it?!The other day I was tagged by Kendra at The Dot Ate My Stamps. The rules are as follows ...
•Open your photo folder on your computer
•Open the 6th folder of photos
•Select the 6th picture
•Post the picture on your blog with a description
•Invite six friends to join the challenge
•Link your six friends to your blog post
My sixth photo in my sixth folder was this one taken about a year ago of my daughter Allie and her friend Kellie. Kellie, her mom Robbie, and I had lunch at the Italian restaurant that Allie works at. Allie was our Server that day.

Honestly, I'm too tired to tag six more people ... feel free to consider yourself tagged! Goodnight!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

iPICKS, Week Nineteen

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 Nineteen ...

Renee's Thanks So Much Card and Cheep Talk Card (Stamping for Sanity).

Jenny's Pumpkin Flower Card (Pinch of Paisley Designs).

Deb Rymer's Pretty In Pink Spring Card (My Muse).

Carrie Gaskin's Graduation Card (Artistic Avenger).

Beate's Kiwi/Baja Butterfly Card (Fresh & Fun).

Silke Ledlow's May God Bless You Card (My Life).

Wendy Bond's Enjoy Card (Bond Girl Bliss).

Charmaine's Happy Birthday Julie Card (Oodabug Alley).



Michelle Yungbauer's Polka Dot Punches Card (Stamp and Smile).

cvansluys Sunny Easter Wishes Card (cvansluys on SCS).

MJ Albright's Woven Easter Basket (Beauty Lies Within).

Mary Ann's Spring Is In The Air Card (The Joy of Stamping).

Chat's So Kind Card (Me, My Stamps and I).

Vicki's Because I Care Card and Sunflower Card (It's A Stamp Thing).

Mary Elliott's Sympathy Card (Everyday Elliott).

Fran Sabad's Playful Petals Scrapbook Layout and Card and Punch Bunny Egg Holder (Stampersblog).

Barbara Welch's Dimensional Blooms Card (Creative Stampin' Spot).

GARDEN GREETINGS SFYTT & RASPBERRY SUITE COLOR CHALLENGE

I was excited to see that Dawn McVey started hosting a color challenge on her blog, My Favorite Things. She always has the best color combos in her designs, and if Week 1 is a taste of things to come, her color challenges are sure to be very popular among the stamping community! I used Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try with Dawn's Week 1 Raspberry Suite Color Challenge of Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Pink Passion, and Whisper White. I tried to make my design as close to the sketch as possible but struggled with the top panel/star, and ended up tying the ribbon across the width of the card.
RECIPE
Stamps: Garden Greetings
Paper: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, and So Saffron
Embellishments: Chocolate Chip 5/16" Jumbo Brads, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1/2" and 3/4" Circle Punches

Thursday, March 19, 2009

enjoy .... SPRING BREAK !!!!

I haven't gotten the amount of stamping done over my spring break like I had hoped but will hopefully do some catching up over the next couple of days ... cross your fingers! I about jumped for joy when I saw Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #46 today! What a fantastic color combination -- BASIC BLACK, RIDING HOOD RED, REGAL ROSE, PRETTY IN PINK, and BASHFUL BLUE. I was completely inspired by the patterns in the inspiration fabric. I used the stamp set, Enjoy Every Moment and paired it up with this week's SCS Sketch Challenge #220.RECIPE
Stamps:
Enjoy Every Moment

Paper:
Regal Rose Patterns DP, Pretty In Pink and Bashful Blue Prints DP, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White CS

Ink:
Jet Black Staz-On

Embellishments:
Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pretty In Pink and Bashful Blue Brads

Tools:
Trio Flower Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch

Supplies:
Stampin' Dimensionals

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

SO NOT MY STYLE ....

When I saw today's Color Challenge #210 of Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, Kraft, and Basic Black on SCS I immediately thought of this stamp set, Rustic Rooster (Level Two Hostess). I'm not quite sure why I even own this stamp set ... it is so not my style! I appreciate country style and decor ... I'm just not good at creating it. This is my lame attempt at country, combined with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #09.
RECIPE
Stamps: Rustic Rooster
Paper: Washington Apple DP, Good Morning Sunshine DP, Kraft, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On
Embellishments: Black Buttons, Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Circle Cutter, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Monday, March 16, 2009

MARCH STAMP CLASS

Tonight was my first stamp class in a very long time. With adjusting to full time employment and recovering from foot surgery behind me, I thought my Spring Break would be a great opportunity for a comeback class! Some of my most loyal SU customers and friends were here, along with some new local friends who frequent iSTAMP!

Here are the five projects we made, all of which are CASEd with minor changes.

CASEd from Deb, ARTfelt Impressions ...
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Sweet Little Sentiments (Level One Hostess)
Paper: Urban Oasis DP, Kraft, Baja Breeze, Basic Black, and Whisper White CS

Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, and Basic Black
Embellishments: Black Button, 1/4” Grosgrain Ribbon

Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals


CASEd from LeAnne Pugliese, Wee Inklings ...
Stamps: A Little Somethin' (Level Two Hostess)
Paper: Raspberry Tart DP, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, and Rose Red CS

Ink:
Rose Red and Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink Pad

Embellishments: Clear Rhinestone Brad, Kiwi Kiss Satin Ribbon
Tools: 1 3/4” Circle Punch, other circle cutter for 2” circle, 1 3/8” Square Punch, Trio Flower Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

CASEd from Lisa Henke, My Little Creative Escape ...Stamps: Good Friend, Darling Dots (Level One Hostess)
Paper: Good Morning Sunshine DP, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue and Whisper White CS
Ink: Pacific Point, Chocolate Chip, and Tangerine Tango Classic Pads, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker
Embellishments: Bashful Blue 1/2” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: 1” and 1 1/4” Circle Punches, Priceless Classy Brass Template, Horizontal Slot Punch, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (non-SU), Paper Piercer & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

CASEd from
Lorri Heiling, Confessions of a Stamping Addict ...Stamps: Delicate Dots (SAB '09), Basic Gray and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Gray Classic and White Craft
Embellishments: 5/8” Certainly Celery Poly-Twill Ribbon (SAB '09)
Tools: Full Heart Punch
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Inside: Happy Anniversary” from Hugs & Wishes stamp set, Whisper White and Certainly Celery CS, Basic Gray and Certainly Celery Classic Ink Pads

CASEd from Gretchen Clark, This 'n That ...Stamps: A Good Egg
Paper: Delicate Dots DP (SAB), So Saffron, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White CS

Ink: Black Staz-On, So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers
Embellishments: 5/8” So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (SAB)
Tools: 1 3/8” Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Scoring Tools
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Small Flat Cello Bags
Template by Nichole Heady

My neighbor Tammy has been away from work on sick leave with a sprained foot. She called last night to ask if she could bring goodies to class ... she was "bored" and looking for something to do. She didn't have to ask me twice! These photos show only a portion of the fabulous food she brought to stamp class! Isn't she awesome?!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

iPICKS, Week Eighteen

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 Eighteen ...

Leslie Miller's Sweet Pea Card (Running With Scissors).

Tessa Wise's Friendly Flowers Cards (Crafty Girl Designs).

Tracey Old's By Land Card (A Stamper's Touch).

Joanne Pullen's Fifth Avenue Floral Card (studiono8).

Kay Kalthoff's Blooming Card (Stamping to Share).

Chat's Garden Greetings Card (Me, My Stamps, and I).

Mary Fish's Branch Out In Black And White Card (Stampin' Pretty).

Kelly Lunceford's Chocolate Bunnies Bag (Flutter by Atomicbutterfly).

Sally Jercha's Urban Oasis Shadow Box (Sally's Stamping Creations).

Anthonette Chavez' Happy Birthday, Herb Card (Chavez Designs).

Connie Collins' Easy Woven Easter Basket (Constantly Stamping).

SFYTT BELLA THOUGHTS and PRAYERS

It's been almost a week since I've posted ... or stamped for that matter. Between the day job, out-of-town company, and preparing for an upcoming class there's been no time for stamping or blogging. I spent most of yesterday cutting paper for Monday's stamp class, and got to stamp a little last night. Boy, was I rusty! It took me forever to get this design to come together!

I used Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try, Thoughts and Prayers and Bella Birds DP. I wonder why they named this designer paper Bella Birds, anyway?! There's not a single bird in the design!

I hope to be stamping and posting again regular
ly after Monday's stamp class, as I am on Spring Break this week! woohoo! I'll also be back tonight with another selection of iPICKS!
RECIPE
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers
Paper: Bella Birds DP, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Bordering Blue
Embellishments: So Saffron Dress Up Ribbon Originals, White Pearl Stickers (non-SU, Martha Stewart)
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Oval Cutter (non-SU)
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

Monday, March 9, 2009

STAMP CLASS for PHOENIX STAMPERS

*** Class has filled as of 3/12, 8:00 a.m. ***

Here's a sneak peek at the five projects I have planned for my upcoming Stamp Class on Monday, March 16 at 6:30. If you are in or around the Phoenix, Arizona metro area and would like to attend, please contact me for details at nrileycm@cox.net. Space is limited.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

iPICKS, Week Seventeen

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 Seventeen ...

Carrie Gaskin's Come Fly with Me Card (Artisitc Avenger).





Michelle Yungbauer's A Good Egg... "Sun" Fun Card (Stamp and Smile).



Kristen's Just Because Card (Sunshine, Smiles & Stamps=Lovin' Life).

Vicki's Trendy Trees Card (It's A Stamp Thing).

Kelly Lunceford's Rockability Pirate Card (Fluttery by Atomicbutterfly).

Mercedes' Yummy Sale-A-Bration Project (Share~Inspire~Create~).

Amy Ward's Trendy Trees Card (Amy's Addiction).

Kendra's 5th Avenue Floral Card (The Dog Ate My Stamps).

Jessica Rone's Limited Florals Card, Here For You Card, and Flowers of Happiness Card (Can you say????? ... Addicted to Stamps?).

Silke Ledlow's Purse and Coordinating Cards and Doodle This Card (My Life).

Dawn's Fifth Avenue Floral Card (Dawn's Stamping Thoughts).

Friday, March 6, 2009

A GENTLE REMINDER

It's been a busy week - the reason for my lack of original artwork. Next week looks to be much of the same with out-of-town guests and stamp class preparation, but hope to get a little creative time this weekend.

I do however find it necessary to provide a gentle reminder to my readers. Ya' all know how much I love to stamp, and how much I love to share my creations with you. I am extremely flattered when my original artwork is CASEd (Copy And Steal/Share Everything). Lately, I've been coming across my artwork CASEd on other blogs without any mention of the original artist.

Please respect my time and creativity by clarifying that it is a CASE, mentioning my name along with a link to my blog. I encourage you to CASE my creations and post them on your blog or SCS (for personal use). All I ask is that you mention me as the original artist, along with a link to iSTAMP - it is proper stamping/blogging etiquette.

I'm off to bed ... I get to sleep in tomorrow! woohoo!

Monday, March 2, 2009

A LITTLE PARISIAN BREEZE

I finally got around to playing with some of the new Stampin' Up! Specialty Designer Papers! I love these cover-weight, textured papers! This card uses Parisian Breeze and the Level Two Hostess stamp set A Little Somethin' with Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #7.
RECIPE
Stamps: A Little Somethin' (Level Two Hostess)
Paper: Parisian Breeze Specialty DP, Whisper White and Baja Breeze CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze
Embellishments: Flower Fusion Too, White Pearl Stickers (non-SU)
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Circle Cutter for larger Baja Breeze circle
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Card Size: 4 1/4" x 4 1/4"

Sunday, March 1, 2009

iPICKS, Week Sixteen

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 16 ...



Lynn Put's Sunflower Get Well Card (The Queen's Scene).

Renee's Cheep Talk Congrats Card (Stamping for Sanity).

Vicki's Grungy Sketch Card (It's a Stamp Thing).

Mary Fish's Criss Cross Recipe Card (Stampin' Pretty).

Amy Rohl's Birthday Hugs for Mom Card (Ink About Me).

Lynn Weiss' Cheep Talk Card (LW Designs).

Jan Tink's Sweet Slumber Sailboat Card (Stamps, Paper, Scissors).

Kirsten DuBosque's Getting There Is Half The Fun Card (Confessions of a Naptime Stamper).

Angie Tieman's Scallop Envelope Treat Holder (schwooo!).

Silke Ledlow's Thinking Of You Card (My Life).

Mary Ann's Criss Cross Box (The Joy of Stamping).



Tessa Wise's Cute Little Love Birds Card (Crafty Girl Designs).

Julee Tilman's Viva la Buttons Card (Poetic Artistry).

Megan's Note Card Holder (Well Dunn Ideas).

Michelle Yungbauer's
Thoughts and Prayers Card and Thinking of You Card (Stamp and Smile).


Wendy Janson's
Mojo 75 Card (It's All About Stamping!).

Mothermark's Pink Poodle Card (This is My Story).

Jackie Pedro's Simple Friendship Card (The Scalloped Edge).

Gretchen Barron's Tart & Tangy Rockability Card (Inspiration In Action).

EASTER TEA PARTY

I've had this design in my head since I first saw Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday Sketch #75 earlier this week. This is my kind of sketch with all the fun and interesting layers, the row of brads, and scallop border! I couldn't WAIT to create it! Now that it's completed, I'm quite pleased (you don't hear me say THAT very often, do you?!). I combined the stamp set, A Good Egg with the new Tea Party Designer Paper.
RECIPE
Stamps: A Good Egg
Paper: Tea Party DP, Whisper White, So Saffron, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, and Almost Amethyst CS
Ink: Basic Black
Embellishments: Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon, So Saffron Brads
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, 1/4", 3/4", 1", 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Word Window Punch, Priceless Classy Brass Template, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Card Details:
* 1/4" Certainly Celery CS circles back each So Saffron Brad
* The paper piercing on the Certainly Celery 1 1/4" Circle behind the sentiment was created with the Priceless Classy Brass Template.