Hand Stamped Sentiments #86 - Halloween

Hello there and Happy Tuesday to you! this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a "spook-tackular" challenge! It's ALL about Halloween, so get your BOO on and play along! :) 

I created my card with two different stamp sets. First, the (embossed) definition stamp is from a retired set called Eat, Drink and Be Scary. I thought the definition worked so well with those little "mustached" pumpkins from the Out on a Limb set. How cute is it that these jack o' lantern's have their own little costume for Halloween? I know some people don't realy like the mustache-"thing", but I think it is stinkin' CUTE! :) 

The Frightful Sight DSP has become very popular for me recently, as I have been making quite a few Halloween cards. I also added the Spiderweb Embossing folder with some sponged ink and some Crystal Effects to the pumpkins for added shine. All of the supplies used are listed below. 

Sure hope you will stop by and visit Hand Stamped Sentiments this week to see what the rest of the Design Team has created AND to join in the fun. Thanks for stopping by today! 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Out on a Limb (Hioliday Mini) and Eat, Drink and Be Scary (ret.) 
Paper:  Frightful Sight DSP, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Basic Black, Basic Gray and Whisper White card stock
Ink: Versa-Mark, Cajun Craze (for coloring the pumpkiins), Basic Black and basic Gray Classic ink
Accessories: 1- 1/4" Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Spiderweb Embossing folder, White Embossing powder,  Crystal Effects, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaling pen, Neutrals Glimmer Brads, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, Silver Elastic cord (ret.), Stampin' Dimensionals and Clips Assortment

Hand Stamped Sentiments #84- Fall Theme

Hello and Happy Tuesday to you! It's time for another fun challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments! This week we have a theme-challenge for you. It's all about FALL! Even though the weather is back in the 100's here in South Texas...a gal can pretend there are cooler temps on the horizon...right? *fingers crossed* 

I also incorporated the design from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge: 

So, in making this card, I realized something. I am definitely NOT a "collage-stamper".This one was really tough for me. After owning the French Foliage set for over  year, I finally decided to bestow some ink upon it, for this card. I have seen so many stampers create such gorgeous collage-style layouts with this set and I tried my best to emulate them. I even added some gold embossing and the Color Spritzer Tool to add some texture and dimension. I also sponged some ink on the edges. I'm not so sure how it came out....

Here is the simple inside, ready for a personalized note. Don't you LOVE that Confetti White card stock? I really like the flecks of soft color embedded in the paper. I need to remember to use it more often! 

Thanks for visiting! Please check out the lovely ladies on the Hand Stamped Sentiments Design Team to see what they have created! We hope you will join us in the Fall FUN, this week, too. The challenge is open until Monday September 19th at Noon (CST)


Have a HAPPY day! :) 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: French Foliage and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Versa-Mark, Soft Suese, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy So Saffron and Cajun Craze Classic ink
Paper: Well Worn DSP, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy and Confetti White card stock
Accessories: Hemp Twine, 3/4" Circle punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Gold Embossing Powder, Square Lattice Embossing folder, Scallop Trim Border punch, Chantilly 1/2" Lace trim, Paper Crimper, Color Spritzer Tool, Soft Suede Strampin' Write Marker, Sponges, Stampion Dimensionals and Antique Brads. 

Hand Stamped Sentiments #83- Clean and Simple

Hello there! It's Tuesday and time for another fun challenge over at

Hand Stamped Sentiments. 

This week, it's all about keeping it simple...Clean and Simple, that is! 

Now, CAS cards are a bit of a struggle for me, as a self-proclaimed "layer queen". So, I turned to Clean and Simple Stamping for some inspiration. As soon as I saw the Fall to Layout #156, I immediately got the idea to break out my favorite stamp set....yup, Button Buddies! This stamp set and I have quite the bond, let me tell you. 

Although, I did something different with the set this time...look Ma, NO buttons! I just love this cherry image and after inking it up, using Stampin' Write Markers, I gave those little guys a big ol' dollop of Crystal Effects. Yes, there are two layers on this card...but for me that is a CAS breakthrough. Lol! At first the white layer was left plain but it just called out for some texture. (I have to compensate for the lack of layering somehow, don't I?) Bring on the Stripes Embossing Folder! . Finally, I added a little pop of bling-y goodness using Red Glimmer Paper and a trio of colored pearls. 

As an added bonus, I do believe I spy a piece of cat hair adorning the card, too. *sigh* Please pay no attention to that...and NO it does NOT qualify as another layer! ;) 

Please stop by the Hand Stamped Sentiments site to check out the Clean and Simple creations from the rest of the lovely ladies on the Design Team, too. We sure hope you will join us this week and play along. Thanks for stopping by! Have a very HAPPY day today! :)  

*Click HERE to order Stampin' Up! 24/7*

Stampin' up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Button Buddies and Goody Goody Gumdrops (retired set, sentiment)
Paper: Real Red Glimmer paper, Real Red, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stock
Ink: Early Espresso Classic ink 
Accessories: Real Red, Early Espresso and Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Markers, Crystal Effects, Stripes Embossing Folder, Large oval punch, scallop Oval punch, Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (ret.) and Stampin' Dimensionals
Non-SU! Accessories: colored pearls, circle and scallop circle die cuts

Hand Stamped Sentiments #82- Monochromatic Color Challenge

Hello there! I wanted to share my card for the new challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week it's all about keeping it Monochromatic on your projects. Such a fun challenge! The details are listed in the photo below. We sure hope you will join us! :) 

For my card, I went with a color that I never seem to use a lot of, Perfect Plum. Yes, this card also marks the return of the infamous Button Buddies stamp set. Surprise! Looks like I'm back on the kick again...this is truly my most used stamp set from the new SU! catalog, I tell ya.


 My image was stamped in Perfect Plum Craft ink and heat embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. I also dressed up the button with a blinged-out center. I also realize that my gratuitous use of bling comes as no surprise to anyone. *wink, wink* 

I thought the "You're a Gem" sentiment, from the stamp set of the same name, fit perfectly for this pretty purple thank you card. I added one more button to the bow, for fun. 

I hope you like it! Please stop by Hand Stamped Sentiments to see what the rest of the super-fabulous gals on the Design Team whipped up this week for the challenge. Hope you have a chance to join us and link up YOUR creation! The challenge is open until 12:00PM (CST) on Monday September 5th. Thank for stopping by! Have a very HAPPY day today! :) 



Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Button Buddies and You're a Gem
Paper: Perfect Plum Subtles DSP paper pad, Perfect Plum and Whisper White card stock
Ink: Perfect Plum classic ink (for sponging around the edges of the paper) and Perfect Plum Craft ink (for stamping and embossing)
Accessories: 1- 1/4" Square punch, 1- 3/8'" Square punch, 1" Circle punch, 1- 1/4" Circle punch, 2-3/8" Scalloped Circle pnch, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Subtles Assorted Designer Buttons, White Baker's Twine, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones and Stampin' Dimensionals

Hand Stamped Sentiments #81- Banner Bash Challenge

Hi there! Happy Tuesday to you! It's time for a fun challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week we are having a BASH..a "Banner Bash" and are showcasing projects featuring banners and/or pennants. The important thing is to have some FUN and get creative! 

Shockingly, I did NOT use the Button Buddies set for this card. I KNOW...I kind of scared MYSELF with that one. Haha! Instead, the Pennant Parade set and matching Petite Pennants Builder punch were broken out of captivity for this card. I also decided that the Just Add Cake DSP was perfect for the festivities, too. This paper is awesome! I have seriously created 25 cards and 5 boxes...and counting... with ONE pack of paper! 

There is a LOT of pattern and texture going on here, but hopefully it all works together. I wanted to try something a little out of my comfort zone. Of course, when anything feels like it is out of the norm, I just add glitter and bling and it seems to make it a little easier to come to terms with. :) 

Here is the inside of the card, topped off with scraps from the front and a rub-on sentiment: 

Before I go, I realized that I NEVER posted a photo of my little Ozzy after his trip to the "doggie spa" a couple of weeks ago. My dogs are officially turning into little "divos" with all this pampering they get. Sheesh! 

Thanks so much for visiting today! Please join the "Banner Bash" over at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week!  Stop by and see what the rest of the lovely ladies on the Design Team have created, too. Hope you have a great day! :) 



Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Pennant Parade (for scalloped punches and sentiment on front) 
Paper: Just Add Cake DSP, Pretty in Pink Patterns DSP, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron and Whisper White card stock
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic ink...and some Pretty in Pink, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron Classic ink to sponge around the edges of the DSP) 
Accessories: 3/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, Petite Pennants Builder punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Itty BItty Shapes Punch Pack, Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, Basic Rhinestones, 1/2" Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon, Baker's Twine, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Square Lattice Embossing folder, Chit Chat Rub-Ons (ret, inside of card) Stampin Dimensionals and Basic Rhinestones

Hand Stamped Sentiments #80-All Stitched Up Challenge

Hello there and Happy Tuesday to you! This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we are "gettin' stitchy with it"! Can you sew? Or are you like me and fumble with a needle and thread? There are so many ways to add STITCHES to your project, whether it is with a sewing machine, a needle and thread, rub-on's or a gel pen. Get creative and have some fun! We can't wait to see what you create! 

I want to preface this post by mentioning that I really DO own stamp sets OTHER then Button Buddies. Although, you wouldn't know it by how often I have been using that set lately. *sigh* I think it is a REALLY versatile set...and I keep wanting to ink it up. I promise to give it a rest after this post. Then there is that Just Add Cake DSP. Yup, I tend to use that a LOT, too. So far from one pack of DSP, I have created over 21 cards and 5 boxes! There is still a ton of paper left for more projects! Now is a great time to stock up on DSP as Stampin' Up! is having a Buy 3 Get 1 Free promo, too. Check the tab at the top of my blog for more info! 

For my stitching, I simply ran some Baker's Twine through the Dotted Ribbon Scalloped Border Punch. Easy-peasy! If you are like me and CAN'T sew...this technique makes you feel like you can actually master a stitch or two. (Thanks to Ann Schach for the inspiration for this idea!) I was recently commissioned by a friend, to make some "thinking of you" cards for folks she knows...going through some tough times. She wanted fun colors and lots of textures...nothing dreary. I hope this card fits the bill. I will find out later today if she likes it. *crossing my fingers*

Finally, the inside of the card...with a simple sentiment, to brighten someones day: 

I sure hope you will play along this week with your "stitched up" creation. Real stitches or "faux"...we want to see 'em. Please hop on over to the Hand Stamped Sentiments blog to see what the rest of the Design Team has whipped up this week. Thanks for visiting and enjoy your day!! :) 

PS: I also have a beautiful new blog design thanks to my wonderful friend, Lesley! Click her name to visit her blog. Thank you Lesley, you are the BEST!! 

Order Stampin' Up! products 24/7 by CLICKING HERE

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Button Buddies, Teeny Tiny  Wishes (sentiments on front) and Occasional Quotes (inside sentiment)
Ink: Wild Wasabi and Peach Parfait Classic Ink
Paper: Just Add Cake DSP, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Peach Parfait and Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Scallop Edge Border punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Medium Oval punch (ret.), Large Oval punch, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, White Baker's Twine, Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker, Subtles Buttons Assortment pack, Signo Uni-Ball White Gel pen, Basic Rhinestones, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots and Stampin' Dimensionals

Hand Stamped Sentiments #76-Theme Challenge

Hello there! Happy Tuesday to you! It's time for another fun challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments and this week it's ALL about "Summer Fun"! This week, I was given the assignment of a "Bon Voyage" card. Well, LAST WEEK  I made a card for a beach vacation so I wanted to think outside of the box for this one. Because NOT everyone takes a tropical vacation to get away...I dug out a set that hasn't seen much ink in the past few months. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you "Travelling Tote-ally Tess". Could she be headed to Paris, Milan or maybe a SU! Convention?? Hmmm....

Either way, Tess is "packin'" and she is serious about her get-away. Like me, she tends to actually pack MUCH more then she really needs, but she is always prepared for ANY occasion! I went with the premise that one of those stylish totes was filled with shoes...simply because every time we vacation, my husband has something to say about the amount of footwear I pack. Ha ha! 

I used the new Pocketful of Posies DSP and Paisley Petals DSP for this one. I also incorporated one of my *favorite* (not really)  techniques: "fussy cutting". But all the patterns added to the jet-setting-style! I snipped the handles on the totes to make it look like Tess was actually carrying them. She REALLY needs some rolling luggage for her next vacation....don't you think??

I scrunched up some Baja Breeze Seam Binding and added some scalloped layers to the card to compliment Tess' totes. The pearls were the finishing touch. This card could also work for a birthday with a gift card tucked inside. 


Please join us at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week with your take on "summer fun"! Beaches, BBQ's, camping, vacations...we want to see what summer-fun means to YOU! Thanks for popping by. Please check out my blog candy here... and leave a comment on this post to be entered to win! :) Have a HAPPY day today! 


Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps:  Tote-ally Tess, You're a Gem
Ink: Basic Black  and Early Espresso Classic ink
Paper: Pocketful of Posies DSP, Paisley Petals DSP, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Baja Breeze Sam Binding, Scallop Edge Border punch, 1" Circle punch, 1- 1/4" Circle punch, 1- 3/8" Circle punch, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Markers, Basic Pearls, Sticky Strip and Stampin' Dimensionals
Non-SU! Accessories: alcohol-based markers for skin and hair

Hand Stamped Sentiments #74: Buttons!

Hi there! It's Hand Stamped Sentiments Tuesday! This week we are all about projects featuring BUTTONS! Any buttons, any design...we want to see how you can showcase these little gems on YOUR creation! 

If you have visited my blog before you may have heard about my fear, ok, that was a bit dramatic...how about my weirdness about "naked buttons". If given the chance, I always seem to want to thread some string, cord, floss...etc. through these little buggers. Well, I decided to use the Bitty Buttons today, backed with card stock from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Funny, when you add a card stock backing to these tiny buttons, threading them is a complete and utter nightmare. I spent TOO much time trying to force Baker's Twine through them before finally accepting defeat. My bitty buttons are "au naturel" and I am proud of them! I think...

My color combo is from the INFAMOUS SU! Color Coach...Daffodil Delight, *new* Lucky Limeade, *new* Island Indigo...with a splash of Real Red thrown in for fun. (That was my creative effort!) This card was also my attempt at a somewhat clean and simple (CAS) creation. I have been envious of all of the designers that can use "white space" perfectly, every time. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! :) I tried a "less is more" approach on this one. I don't know if it was effective, but I tried! 

Finally, here is the inside, ready to compose a hand-written note:

So, bust out your buttons ("naked" or "dressed up") this week and play along with us at Hand Stamped Sentiments! Please stop by and check out what the rest of the Design Team has cooked up, too. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend out there and thank you so much for visiting today. :) 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Short and Sweet
Ink: Real Red Classic ink
Paper: Real Red, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White card stock
Embellishments: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Baker's Twine, Small Heart punch, Small Oval (ret) punch, Large Oval punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, 1/2" Circle punch, 3/4" Circle punch, Bitty Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals, 

Hand Stamped Sentiments #73: So Charming

Happy Tuesday to you! 

This week over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, we have a very "charming" challenge. 

For my project I made a gift set. I decorated a Pomegranate Lemonade 4oz. filled candle from Bath & Body Works and made a coordinating 3x3 gift card. I decided to use my Trinket Crown charms and from there my project morphed into a very "royal" theme. 

As I dressed up my candle with the new Flirtatious DSP, I couldn't help but want to give the candle lid the "royal treatment", too. I used the Eyelet Border punch to dress the lid up in sparkly style. The lid can actually be used to set the candle on while it burns, too. (*Note: I used Sticky Strip to adhere everything to the candle to give it some extra hold with the heat of the candle,)

For the coordinating gift card, I just repeated a lot of the same elements that I used on the candle. I used the "Enjoy" sentiment because this can be a fun gift for a friend's birthday, a congratulations gift, or simply a gift to tell your friend how truly wonderful they really are. Throw it all together in a pretty pink gift bag and you have a treat fit for a queen...or at least a "Queen for a Day"! 

We sure hope you will join us this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments with YOUR charming creations! Don't have any Stampin' Up! charms? Not to worry. We welcome you to use any brand of charms you have...we just want you to have some FUN! Thanks for stopping by and visiting! 

Have a HAPPY day today! :)


Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: You're a Gem
Paper :  Flirtatious DSP, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White card stock
Ink: Melon Mambo Classic ink
Accessories: Eyelet Border punch, 1" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 5/8" x 7/8" Oval punch, Scalloped Oval punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Melon Mambo Pom Pom trim (ret.), Silver Elastic Cord (ret.), Trinket Crown charms, Basic Rhinestones, Sticky Strip and Stampin' Dimensionals
Non-SU! Accessories: Bath & Body Works 4 oz Pomegranate Lemonade filled candle

Hand Stamped Sentiments #72: Stars and Stripes

Hello and Happy Tuesday to you! I'm excited to share the new, weekly challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. After taking a week off, I am really excited to be back. This week we are celebrating the "Stars & Stripes",  to get ready for the upcoming July 4th holiday. We hope you will join us! 

I don't typically make cards for July 4th, but I ALWAYS need cards for our military friends. I used the Land of the Free stamp from the SU! Summer Mini catalog for this one. I wanted to keep it simple and still showcase the theme. I stamped the main image and the star accents (from the NEW Pennant Parade stamp set) in Versamark ink and heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. 


I used Brushed Gold card stock to compliment the embossing. For the panel behind the main image, I made some "stripes" using my score board and a bone folder, every 1/4 inch. Initially, I used a Paper Crimper, but liked this result better. 

Finally, here is a quick shot of the inside of the card. I will add a sentiment when the occasion presents itself (although, I am hoping that it will be used for a well-deserved promotion that will be announced later this week): 

We hope you will play along this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments. Please hop on over to the site and see what the rest of the lovely ladies on the DT have created for your inspiration. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Enjoy your day today! :) 

**Click HERE to shop for Stampin' Up! products 24/7**

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Land of the Free (Summer Mini catty)  and Pennant Parade (New 2011-2012 catty)
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold and Whisper White card stock
Ink: Versamark ink
Accessories: Gold Embossing powder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Ittty Bitty Punch pack, 3/4" Circle punch, Star punch, 1" Circle punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Heat Tool, Bone Folder and Stampin' Dimensionals
Non SU! accessories: scoring board