From Courtney's Closet #49 - an inspiration challenge

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of From Courtney's Closet, where I create a card inspired by something from my daughter's closet, and inspire you to do the same! A few days ago I went on a little trip up to Target. It was innocent enough, I just intended to buy a few storage bins to work on organizing the kids' playroom. But next thing you know the darn shopping cart was dragging me over to the clothes section. To look at the clearance racks, of course. But... there on a regular price rack... practically calling out my name... was HELLO KITTY!!! How on earth can I be expected to resist HELLO KITTY!?!? Well, I didn't resist, and immediately put it on Courtney as soon as we got home so I could snap some photos for this week's post. :-D I have to say I'm lovin' how this card turned out!! The Hello Kitty I used was actually on the tag from the shirt - I just cut it out. For the larger clouds I used a stamp, but the smaller ones were just drawn freehand. I put Stickles on them, because the white clouds on Courtney's shirt are also sparkly. The patterned papers were all from scraps in my polka dot drawer. What, you're surprised I have a drawer dedicated to polka dot paper? Do you even know me AT ALL? ;-) The black ribbon is a super cute velvet scallop ribbon from American Crafts that I love - it's a shame it's nearly all covered up. So... what do you think? Feel like making a card? You know it doesn't have to have Hello Kitty on it, you can find whatever inspiration you'd like from this post. If you do play, be sure to link back here so I can find you. Thanks for stopping by today, happy stamping! (Oh and btw - I still need to share with you some AWESOME STUFF that's happened over the past week - hopefully I'll get to that tomorrow! It's funny, I've been sick with a cold all week and yet this has been one FANTASTIC week for many reasons!!) :-)

• Stamps: Fly Away and Wonderland from The Greeting Farm
• Paper: Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, DP scraps from my stash
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Accessories: Swiss Dots & D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug folders, American Crafts ribbon, Star Dust Stickles, Hello Kitty cut from shopping tag on shirt

From Courtney's Closet #48 - Roundup!

This was last week's From Courtney's Closet inspiration - a SERIOUSLY CUTE photo of sweet little Mattea, daughter of stamping superstar Maria Gurnsey, visiting us for a playdate!Needless to say that photo inspired several stampers to get their creative juices flowing! First of all - I was THRILLED to get a comment from The One And Only Susan Roberts (aka Rainy) saying that she played along. EEEEEEEEEEEK! One of my favorite stampers in the entire universe. So exciting!! And just look what she created - wowsa!! Soooo pretty. But of course. Why wouldn't it be? :-)Caryl knew just what to do to make Maria love her card - look at that gorgeous gingham ribbon!! Love it!Stacey is an absolute expert at adding big, gorgeous flowers to her cards. This is such a beauty!And speaking of big, gorgeous flowers - I love the one Ella added to her card as well! Not to mention that sweet butterfly! So happy to have you back, Ella!Hip hip hooray!! Kim played!!! I've been waiting and waiting. ;-) I just love her card - those birds are too much fun!And holy toledo, Karen is on an absolute ROLL! She played AGAIN! Love the big flower stamps on her card, sooooo pretty & fun!Picking a favorite this week was extremely difficult, every single card is fantastic - but I have to say I did love Sue's the most. Those buttons are just way too pretty, and I love the fun flower background she chose. I'll email you Sue, I think I owe you a few things now... :-)Now go and show these ladies some love on their blogs! Thanks everyone for playing, and thanks again to Maria for sharing such a sweet photo with us!

Twitter's for the birds!

When I looked at this week's color challenge on Splitcoast - earrrrrrly this morning because my darling son woke me up at the absolute crack of dawn and I couldn't fall back asleep - I couldn't help but think the colors would look nice with My Birds. You know, the FCD set that I looooove. (and which is back in stock, btw!) So since I couldn't sleep, I sat down to stamp and actually completed an entire card before I had even had breakfast - unheard of! Not only were the colors pre-arranged for me, I also used this week's Mojo Monday sketch. That has to be a new record of recent times for me - two challenges completed the week they were issued, one on the day OF! Wow. :-) So check out the sentiment on this card - isn't that hilarious!? LOVE IT! I've just recently started twittering or tweeting or twerping or whatever it is the kids call it! But I'm really only on there for the time being to follow all the cyclists from the Tour de France (I'm a fanatic!) :-) But I digress, back to the card... the main image was colored with Copics. One of the things I had suggested to Pamela for this set was to add little leaves & morning glories, so the birdhouse pole could be extended and the plants could be growing up it. I love how it turned out - just as I imagined. Go me! LOL! (ok I suppose Go Pamela! for drawing it so well...) The bird silhouettes were stamped on the gray paper with Versamark. I think that about wraps it up for this card - tune in tomorrow when I tell you which stamping superstar I was lucky enough to rub elbows with this past weekend - yay! :-) Thanks for stopping by today.

• Stamps: A Little Bird Told Me from FireCracker Designs by Pamela
• Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Lavender Lace, white, DP from The Paper Studio
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Copic markers for coloring
• Accessories: Janome Sew Mini & gray thread, slit punch, Swiss Dots cuttlebug, AMuse rhinestones, gray taffeta ribbon

Sweet Little One

I was looking through the file of card photos on my computer and realized I never posted this one!! At least, I don't think I did?? (I'll feel VERY foolish if I did!) I made this card for my sister, who's due to have her first baby girl in October. If you're keeping track, it's the second card I've made for her. So far. :-) This time I colored a super sweet Elzybells UK (ie BIG!) image which the mega talented, kind & generous Carole sent to me right after Courtney was born. Yup, that's right - I've had it in my stash for quite a while! A little ribbon, a few buttons, some stitching - there ya go, a sweet baby card! And I sure hope you haven't seen it before. :-) Thanks for stopping by today!

• Stamps: Baby Moon from Elzybells, sentiment from Stampin' Up
• Paper: Regal Rose, Bo Bunny DP
• Ink: Copic markers for coloring, Sakure Stardust gel pen on the stars (I think??)
• Accessories: Janome Sew Mini & white thread, American Crafts ribbon, SU ribbon, buttons, embroidery floss

FCD Design Team Call!!

So I bet those of you who've never been on a design team are under the false impression that the greatest thing about it is the free stamps. I suppose I can see how you'd think that. But I'm here to tell you... if you play your cards** right... you can get oh so much *more* out of it! Here my friends, I present to you, the greatest perk I've ever seen from being on a design team... SECRET GERMAN SPICES!! I've made many a batch of cucumbers with sour cream in my day, but never ever have they turned out so incredibly scrumptious as when I had Secret German Spices to add to the bowl. And this wonderful dinner happened to me all because I got brave enough to submit my application to be on the FireCracker Designs by Pamela design team last summer! Now I'm not here to mislead you... if you join Pamela's team, chances are you'll *only* get the free stamps. She can't give spices to EVERYONE, then they wouldn't be so secret anymore, now would they!? But, if you feel lucky, I urge you to visit Pamela's blog post, read all the rules and requirements, carefully consider whether you are able to make the commitment, and get your application submitted ASAP! You will not regret it, I promise you! Oh. And there's the fact that Pamela happens to be one of the nicest ladies on the planet. And that her stamps are fabulous. But all of that simply PALES in comparison to just the slightest possibility of receiving Secret German Spices. Now go... create... submit... join a design team! I know you can do it! :-)

** pun intended! :-)

Christmas in July!

I'm melting! I'm melting!! Ugh, 105 degrees in central Texas today, with a heat advisory in effect. It's so hot my 3 year old son refused to go to the *POOL* this morning because he didn't want to leave the house! What's a girl to do on a day like today? Why, make a snowman card, of course!! :-D And the timing was perfect since Pamela is having a "Christmas in July" sale over at FireCracker Designs by Pamela! You can read about the sale deets on her blog but basically it's buy 2 Christmas sets, get the 3rd free! WOOHOO! I just loooooove this snowman image, it's one of my all-time favorite FCD sets, Love Never Melts (along with his snowladyfriend in Gifts of Love!). :-) A snowman warming his backside on the fire, what is cuter than that?!? I used Pamela's latest sketch for this card as well, and it worked out quite nicely! I added a little liquid applique to the fuzzy part of his hat, fun! I was almost finished with the card and saw the rhinestone flourish hanging above my desk and thought "A-HA, what fun smoke that would make!" and once I went with some bling, I couldn't resist glitterfying the entire snowman with some Stickles!! The fun, vibrant colors are this week's Color Throwdown - Real Red, Tempting Turquoise & Kiwi Kiss. It was also last week's Stamp Something challenge, sponsored by Pamela, to make a Christmas in July card, but as usual I'm a day late and dollar short on that!! Well I don't know about you but I am feeling cooler already. :-) Thanks for stopping by today!

• Stamps: Love Never Melts and Gifts of Love from FireCracker Designs by Pamela
• Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, GP White, Making Memories DP
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers for coloring
• Accessories: Swiss Dots & D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug folders, Janome Sew Mini & white thread, liquid applique, Star Dust Stickles, rhinestone flourish from Walmart

From Courtney's Closet #48 - Courtney's Playdate!

Hi everyone! Courtney is soooo excited that it's time for another playdate already! This week her friend Mattea came over to model an adorable outfit for our cardmaking inspiration! And boy oh boy look at this photo of sweet Mattea - did her mama Maria have her totally POSE or what?? I just love it - what an adorable photo of a beautiful little girl! And look at that dress, so cute and colorful!! I'm sure you all know Maria of Scraps by M! She's one of the many stampers I'm so fortunate to have gotten to know thanks to this little challenge. I think of her as my Gingham Girl - gingham is to Maria as polka dots are to me! :-) So of course I couldn't resist adding some gingham ribbon to my card this week! The stamp I used is from Penny Black, and I won it as a door prize from Julie (aka Jag_Bug) at the Dallas shoebox swap. Love it! I added a little Spica glitter pen to the pink flowers and yellow center, but you can't see it in the photo (sad!). I've been in a major stamping slump lately, as I'm sure you can tell from my lack of posting! I went looking through some of my favorite blogs last night to try and find inspiration, and this beauty by Amy Sheffer inspired me to pull out a Top Note diecut for the image, still using my stash that sweet Anita sent to me a while back! Mattea's cute outfit inspired three things about this card - the color palette, the urge to use a flower stamp (although quite different from the outfit!) and the row of pink buttons. Mattea's mommy Maria made a fabulous card inspired by her daughter too! I just love the fun grouping of flowers, the big gorgeous button and of course the Maria-signature gingham going through it! Hop on over to Maria's blog and let her know how much you love her card too!Thanks so much for letting Mattea inspire us this week Maria!! If anyone out there is as inspired by this as I was, go for it! Make a card!! :-) And link back here so Maria and I know you did. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

• Stamps: Burst of Stars from Penny Black, Sentiment from Stampin' Up!
• Paper: Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, K&CO Citronella mat pad, white SU Top Note diecut
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers for coloring, Copic Spica glitter pens
• Accessories: Janome Sew Mini & thread, SU Slit punch, pink buttons, white embroidery floss, gingham ribbon from JoAnn

From Courtney's Closet #47 - Roundup!

Last week's From Courtney's Closet challenge had my sweet Courtney strutting her stuff in our neighborhood 4th of July kiddie parade.Her little red, white & blue outfit inspired several fun cards this week - and it didn't hurt that several other blogs were doing red, white & blue challenges too! LOL! But hey, I'll take it! :-) First up is Vicki, who really piled it on with this gorgeous card! (If you love combining challenges as much as I do, check out Pile It On, her new-ish challenge blog!)Jenn did a wonderful job creating a masculine card with these colors!I love how Sue created a wintery card with these colors! So adorable!!I love Karen's card - that butterfly is fabulous, who'd have guessed it only cost a buck? :-) And she gave me a good idea - I'm going to send my card from this challenge in to Cards for Heroes too! (Not that cards to CFH have to be in patriotic colors, but still, it just seems fitting!)Speaking of patriotic stuff, new-to-me blogger Ella made a gorgeous patriotic creation! (Glad I found you, Ella!) (By the way check out her blog banner, it's GORGEOUS!)And finally, my favorite this week... another one that really piled it on! :-) Even though she wasn't only focused on ME ME ME (or only on MY challenge, anyway!) I can still love her card! LOL! What made me love it is the sentiment she used, it just made me smile from ear to ear! Caryl, if you'd like my "featured" button, let me know!Thanks ladies for playing along this week, you made my day!!

From Courtney's Closet #47 - Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July and welcome to this week's late edition of From Courtney's Closet, where I make a card inspired by one of my little girl's outfits. I feel I can say a general Happy 4th of July on here, because even if you are reading this from outside the USA, you can still enjoy your July 4th. :-D But in honor of our American Independence Day celebration, I felt the need to make this week's card red, white & blue! This week's photo of Courtney was taken this morning in our neighborhood July 4th kiddie parade through the neighborhood. We left the house with both kids sitting in their wagon, which Grammy decorated so nice with festive streamers and pinwheels and flags! But as soon as the parade started, Carter wanted to get out and walk. And *of course* if big brother was walking, Courtney wanted to walk as well! Unfortunately though, despite the appearance of strutting her stuff in this photo, a seventeen-month-old is not what you'd call a speed walker, and we were soon the very tail end of the parade with the sag wagon following right behind. Courtney also realized she did NOT wear sensible walking shoes for the parade, and sat down several times in the middle of the street, trying to remove the offending footwear from her tootsies. Big brother did go back and take her hand, trying to urge her along. In the end Daddy got to carry her the last bit of the route. Fun times! :-) So for my card this week - while I did want to use Courtney's July 4th outfit, I didn't want to go all out with an Independence Day theme, because I wanted to be able to use this card for something else! Courtney's shirt has a cute little butterfly on it - but rather than using a butterfly stamp, I chose this sweet little uninked baby fairy from my stash, which is from Two Scoops Rice Designs. As is often the case, I went a little nutty with the polka dots. But how can I help it?? Cute image calls for cute polka dots, in my card-making book!! So what do you think? Feel like playing along? Got it in you to make a red, white and/or blue card on or AFTER July 4th? I sure hope you do!! If you make a card, make sure to link back here and let me know about it! Thanks for stopping by today - now I'm off to clean up the kitchen a bit before starting our holiday dinner of BBQ'ed ribs, potato salad and watermelon! And tonight we're going to take Carter and Courtney to see their first fireworks - keep your fingers crossed that it goes well!! I hope you are enjoying your weekend too.

• Stamps: Garden Fairies Set 1 from Two Scoops Rice, sentiment from Hero Arts
• Paper: PTI white, SU Real Red, Making Memories DP
• Ink: Palette Noir, Copic markers for coloring
• Accessories: Star Dust Stickles, Marvy punches, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, Making Memories ribbon, red ric-rac ribbon

From Courtney's Closet #46 - Roundup!

Well I've done it again - went an entire week without anything new on the ol' blog, and let Thursday blow by without a summary of last week's From Courtney's Closet challenge, or a new card! *sigh* But you know how it goes in the summer, right? We've had my mom visiting from Michigan, Carter finishing up his preschool year, Joel traveling, etc etc etc - makes me spend less time in the stamp room and more time doing other stuff. Hopefully I can get back into the stamping groove this week!! I have a new card to show you in a minute, but first I wanted to post the summary from last week. Three wonderful ladies took my challenge to make a card inspired by this outfit Courtney has on. Turns out that top was tougher than I realized!! It looks so cute on her, I didn't think about it perhaps being a challenging color combo or pattern. :-) But as I said, three brave souls did make cards, and all three are FABULOUS!! First up - sweet Sue, who has been working her heiny off in cherry land, but still managed to find the energy to squeeze some punches and make this beautiful card! Thanks so much for playing Sue, I know how it is to be too tired to stamp and I'm honored you took the time to make a card for my challenge!!Next is Caryl - first I just have to tell you, I love her profile pic! She looks like such a fun person with that big laugh on her face!! And her card is so cute, I love the teapot and cups. She was going from memory of the outfit when she made this, and thought she remembered purple in the shirt - which really isn't a stretch at all since I *love* purple!! Anyway her card turned out fabulous, and the flower background is such a great fit for the outfit, even with the purple! :-)And finally - my favorite for the week - Kathryn!! Kathryn went on a challenge-playing spurt in this post, and I'm so thrilled that mine was one she made a card for! And her card is so pretty - I just love the background paper she chose, and that big flower is gorgeous, plus the sentiment - so lovely! Her card is a perfect match to Courtney's shirt. Nice job, Kathryn!! Let me know if you want the little featured button for your sidebar. :-)Thanks ladies for playing along, I soooooo appreciate it!!!