2.28.2009

The Final Challenge of the Day

What a fun day it has been! Thanks to all of you who joined us for the EtsyInspired Blog Hop! The final challenge of the day comes from our sweet and talented team leader Ashley. Check out her blog for the details...here is my card:
For this card I used Unity's Gratitude=Joy set, along with a SU sentiment and paper.

Don't forget to link up your circle embellishments only card to my post HERE by March 3rd for your chance to win Unity's Time for Travel set!

And remember to join us every Saturday for our regular EtsyInspired Challenges! There are always great prizes you can win for participating in those too! :)

An Extra EtsyInspired Blog Hop Surprise

ETA: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED But be sure to check out the post below for your chance to win a Unity stamp set!

Well, in addition to all the wonderful prizes you can win for participating in the EtsyInspired Blog Hop challenges we are also giving out some little prizes throughout the day to those who come chat with us in the EtsyInspired Paper Craft Planet forum. I thought I would give everyone a chance to win a little prize...you don't need to be fast or know the right answer for this one. Want to know what you are playing for???

A cute little garden themed rubber stamp set from Inkadinkado.
So, if you would like to win this set all you have to do is leave me a comment here on this post by 3:45 pm PST...that gives everyone a good half hour to get a comment in and I will randomly draw a winner from all of the comments on this post and announce it in the EtsyInspired PCP Group forum at 3:50pm PST today. Good luck ladies!

Don't forget to check out my challenge in the post below this...you could win a fabulous Unity stamp set!

A Challenge For You

Hello everyone! Are you all enjoying the EtsyInspired Blog Hop?! I'm sure you have already seen some fabulous prizes, fun challenges, and hopefully gotten to know the EtsyInspired team a little better! :) Well, now it is my turn...first, a little bit about me:
I am a SAHM of two wonderful little boys, ages 6 and 14 months. I have lived my whole life in Washington state and I love it here! Prior to having children, I worked as a child and family therapist. Working with children has always been a passion of mine...I also taught preschool for two years and during college I worked in a group home for children with developmental/behavioral disorders. I have always enjoyed the arts and started scrapbooking when my first son was born. About 2 years ago, I was introduced to stamping/card making and I absolutely love it! It is such a nice creative outlet and I have met so many great people in the crafting community.

Now, onto the challenge...my challenge for you is to use circle embellishments only on your card/project, which means absolutely no ribbon (*gasp*), flowers, or other non-circle embellishments. When I first thought of this challenge I thought it would be super easy because I like using brads, eyelets, and buttons but when I started working on my samples I realized that I also REALLY like using ribbon or flowers on a lot of my cards too. So here are some examples of circle embellishments only cards...
For this card I used buttons as my circle embellishments and some fabulous Unity stamps!


For this sweet, pink card Ashley used rhinestones as her circle only embellishment.

Shannon used circle punches to embellish her card.
This is Lindsay's card using buttons...I love her circle paper and paper piercing too.

For my second card, I really wanted to play with circles... so I looked through my Unity stamps and came up with this:
First, I stamped my Unity Distressed Dots background stamp in white. Then I used some more traditional scrapbooking stamps from the Amazing Me set to create the flower (the stem is actually part of a journal box stamp and the polka dot leaves are a parenthesis stamp). To finish off the circle madness going on in this card I added a few brads. I also created this card for Lindsay's cardstock only challenge.

Now that I am finally done with this extremely long post, it is your turn to be inspired by your circle embellishments and if you need a little extra encouragement... how would you like to win this fabulous Unity stamp set (notice all the great circles?! :)
In order to be eligible to win this prize you need to:
- create a card or project with circle embellishments only
- post it somewhere online - your blog, Paper Craft Planet, SCS, etc. (please use Keyword: EICKerry)
- come back here to my blog and leave a comment on this post with a link to your project by Tuesday, March 3rd at midnight PST
- check back on Wednesday, March 4th to see if you are the winner!

I can't wait to see your creations! And don't forget to come chat with us today in the EtsyInspired forum on Paper Craft Planet!

The EtsyInspired Blog Hop Continues

It's 10:00 which means another challenge has been posted...go check out Lee's blog for all the details on this one. Here is the card I created for her challenge:
Don't you just love this pretty pink Love Notes paper by MM?! I used one of my newest Unity sets, Something Within, for this card. Just a quick post for now...my challenge post at 3pm is quite long so I will make up for this short post then. :)

Come join us in the EtsyInspired Paper Craft Planet Group for more chatting and fun!

Are You Ready To PARTY?!!!

Today is the big day...the EtsyInspired blog hop filled with challenges, chatting, and prizes starts NOW! :) Visit Ashley's blog for extra details about all that is going on today and come by our Paper Craft Planet Group to chat and show off your challenge creations! First up this morning is Tiffany...I love this girls' style! You will have to visit her blog for the challenge details but here is the card I created for her challenge...
HERE is the adorable little dress that I was inspired by. When I first got my Basic Grey Offbeat paper pad I wasn't sure I would ever use this bright yellow paper but once I saw that cute little girl dress I knew I had found the perfect inspiration!

I will be back in a little while to post another sample card for another one of todays challenges. And make sure to come visit me at 3 pm PST when I will be posting my challenge for the day along with a picture of the great Unity prize you could win! Hope to see you in the EtsyInspired PCP forum!

2.27.2009

Sweet Baby Boy

One of the challenges yesterday in the Unity forum was to create a card using light blue. So, having two boys of my own I immediately thought of a sweet baby boy card. I used Laura's sketch #20 from 2 Sketches 4 You, some Imaginisce Baby Powder paper, and the words 'happy for you' are from Unity's Flirty Flowers set.
It's a little hard to tell in the picture but the baby circle is popped up on a dimensional and is on top of an acetate scalloped circle that I punched out. I have been playing around with acetate a little this week and I like what it adds to a card but it doesn't show up very well in pictures. I posted my other Unity challenge card yesterday if you want to check it out in the post below this. Also, make sure to stop by Angela's blog to see the Unity specials and a list of all the other great ladies showcasing Unity on their blogs today.

And I will have a lot of Unity eye candy tomorrow during the EtsyInspired Blog Hop along with a fabulous Unity prize to give away to one lucky winner who participates in my challenge! So, make sure to stop back by tomorrow...the EtsyInspired team has a lot of great challenges and prizes in store. The fun starts at 9 a.m. and goes all day long!

2.26.2009

My First CPS Sketch

So, as most of you know, I love a good sketch and there are so many great sketch sites out there. Today is my first time participating in the CPS sketch challenge. HERE is the CPS sketch for this week (#104). I went with a pretty clean and simple card...no patterned paper, ribbon, or bling (can you believe it?!) I used my Unity stamps, some Prima leaves, and used my Cuttlebug branch embossing folder to create this card...
Well, that is it for me today...I have some boys that need my attention now but I will be back tomorrow with another card. And don't forget to stop by Saturday for the EtsyInspired Blog Hop!

2.24.2009

Creating with Kraft

Caardvarks' current challenge is to create a card using Kraft and can you believe I have actually not used kraft before (gasp!). Well, I think I will definitely be using it a lot from now on...I love the earthy/natural feel it gives to a project. So, I played around last night with my new kraft cardstock, MME Penny Lane papers, and Unity stamps and this is what I came up with...
You can click on the card if you want to see a larger image and get a closer look at the details.
The stamps I used are from Unity's Something Within and Flirty Flowers sets. I have had this cute flower punch for awhile but haven't given it much love until last night. :) I used the little kraft flowers it punched out as accents on the ends of the striped paper strips. To give the punched image some color, I just adhered a piece of coordinating green paper to the other side of the card front.

I would love to hear your thoughts on my first kraft card! :) Hope you are having a great day...thanks for stopping by!

2.23.2009

Oh the joy of new paper!

Today I worked on another one of the Verve sketches with a twist. This week's twist was to use acetate. I do not use acetate much at all (in fact I think I have only used it once before) so I took a trip to my LSS this morning to see what they had and fell in love with the new MME Penny Lane line. It's super cute! I think I stood looking at it all for a good 15 minutes before deciding what I wanted to buy. I was soooo good and only got the pieces of paper and designer transparency that I wanted to use for this card.
Thanks for stopping by! I am going to go play some more with my new paper and my new Unity stamps that arrived this afternoon! Hopefully I will have another card to share tomorrow! :)

2.21.2009

Looking for Inspiration?

This week's EtsyInspired shop, Angel Food, has some delicious inspiration for you. My card was inspired by these adorable flower cookies. I just love the pretty spring colors and the little white detailing. So, I grabbed my Paper Salon oh sew fun flower stamps and pastel colors and came up with this card...


For more inspiration make sure to visit the rest of the EtsyInspired Design Team (links to their blogs are in my right sidebar). Then go check out Angel Food's Etsy shop to find your own inspiration! And for those of you who may be new to the EtsyInspired Challenges, here are a few extra details you need to know...
- Visit Angel Food's Etsy shop and find something there that inspires you.
- Use that inspiration to create something (you are not limited to just cards or layouts)
- Upload a picture of your project to your blog, SCS, etc.
- And, most importantly, Leave a comment on Ashley's EtsyInspired#25 post with the link to your project by Friday so that you can have a chance to win this week's prize!

Next Saturday instead of our regular EtsyInspired Challenge we are going to PARTY! We have a fabulous day planned for you all full of challenges, prizes, a blog hop, and chatting in the EtsyInspired Group on Paper Craft Planet. I would love to send all of you who visit me a personal invitation...so, if you leave me a comment with your email (I have comment moderation so I will not post your email) or your Paper Craft Planet member name I will be sure to get an invite out to you. And if you are wondering about the prizes, go check out Ashley's blog to see a list of some of the wonderful companies who have donated goodies for us to give out.

Thanks for visiting today...enjoy your weekend!

2.20.2009

Do you love candy???

I know you do...especially some fabulous blog candy! So, I wanted to share with you a few generous ladies who are giving away some great crafting goodies and while you are visiting them be sure to check out their wonderful cards and projects too! :)

Steph is giving away a huge amount of SU products.

Bev has all sorts of goodies including some beautiful crocheted flowers and Whiff of Joy stamps.

Loretta is giving away 3 great clear stamp sets.

And of course I just have to mention Ashley's blog candy again because I am so excited about the blog hop we are having on the 28th...it is going to be a ton of fun! Hope you can join us!

Clean and Simple

I am working on my Clean and Simple style...less is more sometimes, right?! And faster too! :) Yesterday I created this card for one of Unity's Hip Hop Challenges.
I used the branches from one of Unity's Giggle Grove trees and a sentiment from the Simply Said set. I don't have much to say today...guess I am keeping it pretty simple with my post too. :) But make sure to check out Angela's blog for the list of all the other fabulous ladies posting Unity on their blogs today and stop by the Unity forum...I am sure you will find some of us chatting the day away! :)

2.16.2009

Beaming with Happiness

Although I am hard at work on a project for my LSS (which I will share with you all soon), I took some time last night to work on one of the Verve Sketches with a twist (to use embossing on your card). So, I pulled out my Cuttlebug and Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie paper pad and came up with this...
I thought this would be a nice card to give to a girlfriend in celebration of some special occasion like an engagement, pregnancy, new job, etc. The sentiment is from Verve's Starlight Starbright set.

So have you all checked out Paper Craft Planet? I just signed up and am figuring out how it all works...my username is Kerry A and would love to add you all as friends if you are already a member too. Also, make sure to come join the EtsyInspired Group so that you can participate in all the fun we are going to have on February 28th! We will be chatting the day away along with posting a challenge every hour which of course means the chance to win some great prizes! :) And be sure to check out Ashley's post for details on how you can win some blog candy even before the blog hop on the 28th!

Thanks for visiting today! I will post again soon! :)

2.15.2009

Looking for a Good Sketch?

As many of you know, I love a good sketch challenge and I am excited to announce that I am now a part of Deanne Burton's Design Team! She has a blog called Just My Sketches where she debuts several card and layout sketches each month. My cards using her sketches will be posted on the 15th of each month beginning in March. Here is a card I created using one of her February sketches.
I had to use up more of my Basic Grey Bittersweet papers...love them! I lightly sponged some pretty in pink ink over my embossed panel and there is very fine glitter covering the love die cut. I found this pretty sheer and scalloped ribbon at Michaels (Offray brand).

So, if you are in need of a good sketch stop on by Deanne's blog and link up your creations for a chance to win a little RAK from her too! Thanks for visiting me today...hope you had a nice Valentine's Day with your loved ones!

2.14.2009

EtsyInspired #24

This is my first week participating in an EtsyInspired Challenge as a Design Team member and I am so excited! This week's featured Etsy shop is JennyBunny. She has lots of wonderful handmade jewelry. My card was inspired by these pretty earrings from her sold section. She actually titled them Sweet Pea and when I first saw them my mind was already screaming 'Baby Card.'


So here is what I came up with:
I thought this pocket card would be great for tucking a little gift card into...new parents can always use a gift card to Target or Babies R Us, right?! For the pocket I just took a 4x11 piece of cardstock, scored it, folded it in half, covered it with pp and then used eyelets on the edges to keep it closed.

The tag is from K&Company's Baby Boy Tag Pad and the sentiment is actually from a pack of Baby Vellum phrases that I got at Joann's. I just trimmed it to fit right into the journal lines on the tag. For the tag sentiment and the sweet pea circle (since it is also vellum) I used Glue Dots Vellum adhesive. This stuff is fabulous for vellum...does not show through at all! To finish it all off I used a piece of twill (that I recycled from a Pottery Barn kids package) and tied it through the tag into a big bow.

I can't wait to see what you all are inspired by in the JennyBunny shop. If you upload to SCS make sure to use the Keyword: EIC24 and be sure to link up your creations on Ashley's post for a chance to win this week's prize. Now, take some time to check out all of the other wonderful DT members creations, I have all their names/links to their blogs listed to the right, and then go do a little creating of your own! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2.13.2009

Unity HHH Friday

I absolutely cannot get enough of Unity...the stamps, the people, all the fun in the SCS forum! Although I didn't get to hip hop as much as I would have liked yesterday (still have a sick little guy who needs lots of Mommy's love) I did get to chat a bit and since hubby was home I was able to get a little time to work on some cards too. Of all of the great Unity stamps that I have, my first set gratitude=joy is one I constantly reach for. For this card I paired it with one of the sentiments from the Simply Said set.
I just love Stampin' Up's Naturals Ivory cardstock...such a great neutral and thicker than their white cs. For this card I paired it with SU's sage shadow (I absolutely love this color!) and a few of Taylor's Tiny Twinkles. Super simple!

Next up is the card I created for one of the Hip Hop challenges - to create a card with a love theme.
I'm not sure if Unity still carries this stamp. I received it for free in my last order and I really like it...I think it makes a great border! As many of you know, Angela is always so generous in her hip hop specials and I believe they are good through today so go check out her blog for the details! I ordered 3 new sets and I am going to get a few random stamps thrown in for free too!

Thanks for stopping by today...I'll be back tomorrow with my first official EtsyInspired DT project! :)

2.11.2009

Mark Your Calendars...

for Saturday, February 28th. The EtsyInspired Team has a day of fun planned...chatting, challenges, and prizes along with a blog hop to let you get to know us all a little better! Check out Ashley's blog for more details. And you could even win some blog candy from Ashley for spreading the word about the February 28th event!

2.10.2009

Another Clean and Simple Card

Well, I had big intentions of working on several cards/projects last night but I just did not have much energy since my youngest came down with a bad cold yesterday and needed a lot of extra love. But I did take a few minutes to create another clean and simple card using my Unity stamps, some beautiful brown satin ribbon I got from Taylored Expressions, and a few rhinestones.
I just love SU's wild wasabi, especially paired with a dark brown. This card came together very quickly...I just stamped the dream tree image and sentiment in dark brown, tied the ribbon around the bottom of the card, and added some green rhinestones to the tree. I also used decorative scissors to create the scalloped edge at the bottom of the card.

In other news...Scrapbook News and Review is going to be publishing another one of my projects! Yeah! And did you see that they have just announced the launch of a new site for cardmakers called Card Universe. Another fun place to chat and be inspired!

2.09.2009

His Holy Name

This year I am participating in the His Holy Name challenge that Patter Cross facilitates and I am loving it! Patter has such inspirational blog posts that really get you thinking about each of God's attributes. Here are my pages for Sovereign and Protector...

I am keeping these pages fairly simple since I am putting them in a photo album which does not allow for a lot of embellishments. Also, I figure that what is most important is what I am gaining from this process, studying God's word, and having an album that I can look at regularly and share with my children for years to come.

Psalm 71:15-17 really spoke to me during my study on Sovereign. One of the ways that I intend to serve God better is to speak of Him more in my daily interactions. I am so thankful for all He has taught me and I am so grateful He is in my life. For the study on the Lord as my Protector I knew immediately that I wanted to use Proverbs 18:10 because it reminded me of a song I always enjoy singing at church, "The Name of the Lord." I thought Psalm 28:7 was also a perfect verse to include since one of the ways I love to praise God is through song. Thank you for stopping by! I will hopefully be back tomorrow with a card to share with you all.


Blessings,
Kerry


And The Winner Is...

JACQUIE! Congratulations! And thanks again to all of you who visit me so often and leave me love! :)

Jacquie, please leave me a comment with your email and address (I have comment moderation so I will make sure not to publish it) and I will get your box of goodies out to you!

2.07.2009

Papertrey Ink Sketch Challenge

Although I am busy getting ready for my son's 6th birthday party tomorrow, I had to make time for PTI's sketch challenge. Papertrey Ink is celebrating their two year anniversary with amazing giveaways and fun challenges. They are introducing new colors, paper, and ribbon...oh the ribbon! It's so beautiful which is why I had to take time for this challenge...one lucky winner will be receiving PTI's entire ribbon collection! Can you tell I am excited?! So, here is my card...hope it brings me luck! :)
The sketch called for 3 little embellishments in the bottom right hand corner...mine are a little hard to see in the picture but there are 3 tiny pink rhinestones.

Thanks for visiting today! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to finish getting ready for a PARTY!

Etsy Inspired

Happy Saturday everyone! Well as many of you know, I enjoy Ashley's EtsyInspired challenges on Saturdays and now I will be participating in them every week as a DESIGN TEAM MEMBER!!! I am so excited to join the team and while my official duties do not begin until next week...I did whip up this little card last night because I wanted to say...
CONGRATULATIONS to the 3 other new DT members: Shannon, Jackie, and Heather! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone (many of the current DT are continuing on too, Yeah!) and Ashley has some fun things up her sleeve so make sure to pop in every Saturday to see what is happening! :)

So, stop on by Ashley's blog to check out this week's featured Etsy shop and all of the DT's fabulous creations!