Created by JB

Where did last week go?!?!

This past week went by so fast with school ending, softball games & orientation starting at the college I work at.  Whew!  Sorry for the long absence...I hopefully will get back on track now.

Check this out!!!

Michele at Purple Onion Designs has a limited quantity of grab bags now available. They contain around 25 stamps of different styles & sizes!! $15.00 includes domestic shipping. International orders will run around $22.00. Michele will need your address for the exact total.

The grab bags are all very similar so there would be lots of duplicates if ordering more than one. However, they make great gifts or break them apart to send out as RAKS to friends.

The grab bags are not on the website. If you would like to order them, please:

• Email: michele@purpleoniondesigns.com
• Indicate quantity you would like to order
• Provide full name & shipping address
• Mention method of payment: check, money order or Paypal (please include Paypal email address)

I love grab bags...so fun to see what you may end up with!  I wanted to share with you the gifts I made up for Haley to give to her teachers (and also my "go green" effort)...

I used a ribbon spool to make the apple magnet.  For more details, see "JB's Tip" at the end of this post...

Stamps:  Hero ArtsCL142 Thank You Messages, CL272 All Occasion Messages, CL342 Everyday Sayings LP125 Four Apples; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black; Paper:  Making Memories, Kraft notecard & White Cardstock (WalMart); Buttons:  unknown source; Clear box:  Clear Bags; Black chipboard:  purchased at Reminisce

Another set...

Another ribbon spool magnet.  I also used the Unionbay tag (pictured below) I saved from my dd's shorts...such great inspiration!!

My source of inspiration:

Stamps:  Hero Arts CL142 Thank You Messages CL272 All Occasion Messages; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black; Paper:  Bazzill Basics (yellow swiss dot), Making Memories (green polka-dottie), Little Yellow Bicycle (pink polka-dottie multi-colored polka-dottie) AC White Textured Cardstock; Chipboard; Butterflies:  Cosmo Cricket (Girl Friday); Pink Pearls:  Hero Arts; Ric Rac:  WalMart; C-bug & Scalloped Nestabilities; Clear box: Clear Bags; Martha Stewart Crafts Classic Butterfly Punch; Bling:  Hero Arts

To make a ribbon spool magnet:

Use any size ribbon spool (make sure you keep empty ones around so that you can make up small gifts throughout the year).  Adhere your enlarged image or die-cut to the front once you have embellished it.  Make sure you use strong adhesive such as Aleene's Tacky Glue.  You may want to adhere the image to chipboard first & then cut out (this will make it durable).  Add a coordinating paper strip or length of ribbon to the inside surface.  Adhere magnet, cut to size, on the back (use Aleene's tacky glue).  Allow to dry before hanging on a metal surface.

One more tip:  to ensure a neat presentation for your notecards, use a clear box such as those I purchased from Clear Bags.  I love that they include circular stickers to seal the boxes shut.  Also, stick with a simple design to allow room for an entire set of notecards.  It is best not to add bulk or 3D elements to boxed notecards...save the fun embellies for the card that accompanies the notecards.  :)  The boxed notecards make great last minute gifts, so be sure to keep some extra handy!

Long post, I know.  Thanks for hanging in there!  Catch you later!

No, I Love You More

My 10 y.o. Haley loves to go back & forth with "I Love You More" and I thought it would be great to document it.  I got the "What's the Point" hand stamps from Purple Onion Designs last month and while looking through my photos I remembered this particular shot of Haley pointing at the camera (photographed in January).  How perfect is that & to think it wasn't planned at all!  Here's the layout I did...

And here's a card to match...inside sentiment "I Love You More."

 

Stamps:  POD What's the Point; Ink:  Ranger Distress Ink (Fired Brick & Walnut Stain); Paper:  Making Memories Fa La La Collection & American Crafts White Textured Cardstock; Kraft Notecard:  Michael's Craft Store; Satin Ribbon:  unknown source; Stitched Ribbon:  Taylored Expressions; Chipboard Heart:  Heidi Swapp; Chipboard Vintage Frame:  7Gypsies (?); Title Letters:  Scenic Route Paper's Berkely Alphabet-Red; Button:  Making Memories; String:  unknown source

Use leftover papers from making a layout to make a quick card.  While inking up the pointing hands, I went ahead & stamped an extra one for this card.  Also, try to think of ways to use your stamps beyond just simply stamping...look around for items you can add to them, such as the string I tied around the finger.  Pop up your image with foam tape & add elements for dimension.

Have a great rest of the Memorial Day Weekend everyone!

Catch you later!

Shaping Their Future

There's a new challenge up at Caardvarks!!  This challenge is all about creating a shaped card.  I had my cousin's wedding this past weekend & wanted to incorporate the shape challenge into my card for her & the groom (get it...shaping their future?).  :)  I love this cake stamp from Hero Arts & thought it would be perfect...but it wasn't big enough.  I have a tip for using smaller stamps & making them into a shaped card...see below for my new section:  JB's Tip! This is my take...

 

Stamps:  Hero Arts AR125 Fabulous Birthday (birthday cake blown up with copier) & CL342 Everyday Sayings; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black & ColorBox Queue Ice Blue (for shading); Paper:  American Crafts Cardstock & Making Memories (cake stand); Buttons:  Making Memories; Liquid Pearls:  Ranger; Felt Flower:  Hero Arts

Use a copier to enlarge the stamped cake.  Once enlarged, add a layer to the top prior to adhering to the card base.  Add buttons, or your desired embellishments, to conceal the additional layer.

Come join the fun...to enter, go here and link your "shaped" card with Mr. Linky.  The deadline for this challenge is June 3, midnight (PST).  The sponsor for this challenge is...

and this is the prize:

3 month subscription to SN&R magazine!

Do you like my new section "JB's Tip?"  I'm still checking into the video tutorials...will let you know more later.

Catch you later!

Hello Sunday

Hey you!  I have a card to share that I made up for the Hero Arts "dots" challenge.  I just purchased this fabulous set of stamps:

I couldn't wait to break out the mixer...I've had the idea to add liquid pearls to it ever since I eyed it in the supplement catalog.

 

inside of card...

 

Stamps:  HA CL188 Tea (sentiment), CL333 What's Cooking (spatula) & CL346 What's The Scoop (mixer); Ink:  StazOn Jet Black; Paper:  Making Memories & AC Cardstock; Ribbon:  Taylored Expressions; Ranger Liquid Pearls Silver Stickles

Load the image with a thick layer of liquid pearls.  Use a toothpick or flat surface tool to smooth.  I use my bone folder.  :)

 

Reminder:  The Caardvarks challenge is ending at midnight tonight (PST).  There's still time to enter here!

Catch you later!

As promised...

...I have a card for you.  Emma (3 y.o.) has proclaimed that this card is for her and I need to sign it "Love, Mommy."  *sigh*  Usually my cards get filed away (well, that's my goal anyway) & are ready to be sent off at any moment.  Of course, I am free to make exceptions with my cards, and this request will have to be one of them.  :)  Love this age where everything mommy makes is still cool.  Haley (10 y.o.) isn't quite as impressed anymore.  *sigh*  They are growing up too fast!

Hero Arts is holding a "dots" challenge this week & the first thoughts for my card was to use the wonderful green polka-dottie paper provided by Susan from the HA Flickr group...thanks, Susan!

 

 

Stamps:  HA CL142 Thank You Messages, CL284 Friend, CL290 Printed Flowers & S5215 Clouds; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black, Ranger Distress Ink (Peeled Paint & Walnut Stain) & ColorBox Queue (French Blue); Paper:  Cosmo Cricket; Notecard:  Hero Arts; Bling:  Hero Arts; Ribbon:  WalMart; Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch

Catch you later!

Winner!

#32!!

Jennifer...I will email you to get your addy!!

Awesome giveaway! I love to see anything distressed and any kind of tutorial featuring new techniques.

Posted by: Jennifer| May 10, 2009 at 06:20 PM

Thank you to all who participated...that was fun!!  I loved your suggestions & I plan to take the time to go through them soon...video tutorial seemed to pop up quite a bit, so I'm looking into that.  I will let you know more on that later.  I'm hoping to have a card/LO to post later today.

Catch you later!!

Happy Tuesday!

Just wanted to do a quick post with a card I did up for my friend, Kari, for Mother's Day.  I used the Asian Dolls set & changed up the one doll's hair to depict Kari.  Isn't she cute?!?!  Love you Kari!  :)

 

Stamps:  Hero Arts LP146 Asian Dolls; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black & Ranger Distress Ink (Walnut Stain); Paper:  Kraft notecard, Cosmo Cricket; Bling:  Hero Arts; Butterfly Punch:  Martha Stewart Crafts; Cuttlebug & Swiss Dot Folder

If you haven't had a chance to enter for the giveaway...go here!  Comments close after midnight tonight (CST)!

Catch you later!

Happy Mom's Day + Giveaway!

I wanted to wish all the mothers who visit my blog a "Happy Mother's Day!"  You are special & I hope that you can find something fun to do today...just for you!  I have a giveaway to announce, but first I wanted to share another butterfly card inspired again by Catherine's card here.  You can also visit Catherine's blog The Dancing Pear.  I thought this would be the perfect card for my MIL for Mother's Day...she loves butterflies!  :)

Stamps:  HA F5158 Heart Winged Butterfly, S5215 Clouds, C4732 Spiral Butterfly & CL331 Birthday; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black, ColorBox Queue (French Blue); Notecard:  Hero Arts; Paper:  Bazzill Basics; Black Pearls:  Hero Arts; Ribbon:  Taylored Expressions

Now for my giveaway!  I want to celebrate the 20,000+ hits & say "thank you" to those of you who visit often & leave such nice comments.  I appreciate it & hope that I have inspired all of you!  I would like to open this up to everyone...international visitors welcome!  Here's a shot of the goodies:

 

and...

One lucky winner will receive:

• Hero Arts 2009 catalog
• Bag of miscellaneous pink embellies (chipboard, felt & buttons)
• Simple Scrapbooks mini "ten things I love about my dad" album
• All My Memories 12 panel accordion mini album
• Chatterbox Scrapbook Nails (lavendar)
• Colorbok vacation diecuts
• Hero Arts Spring Tags
• Hero Arts E4696 Designer Blossom woodblock stamp
• Hero Arts C1217 Sparkle Clear Stamps & Gems "Sweet Moments"
• I might throw in some blank & ready to use "Created by JB" cards too!

Please leave a comment by Tuesday, May 12, 12:00 midnight (CST) with possible suggestions of what you'd like to see featured on my blog (i.e. card suggestions, scrapbook pages or techniques...whatever you want) and I will pick a random winner on Wednesday, May 13.

Catch you later!

I'm thinking...

...it's time for a giveaway.  My handy dandy little counter on the lower left is over 20,000!  I have a collection of goodies I've been saving up just for this moment & will announce my giveaway in the next few days.  Be on the lookout for it!

I am inspired again...this time Catherine's beautiful butterfly card drew me in.  Check out the card here & her lovely blog is The Dancing Pear.  You should check out her work...amazing!  Here is my take...

Stamps:  Hero Arts F5158 Heart Winged Butterfly, K5107 Screen Shadow, S5215 Clouds & CL142 Thank You Messages; Ink:  StazOn Jet Black, Hero Arts Shadow Ink (soft stone); Notecard:  Hero Arts; Bling:  Hero Arts; Ribbon:  Taylored Expressions

Catch you later!

Inspired by Lucy

I love the challenge going on at Hero Arts this week...to create a card inspired by the 2500+ entries for the Win a Day on the Blog.  You can see the new challenge & details here.  I met Lucy through the HA Flickr group & could tell immediately that she is very creative & a super sweetheart.  I love Lucy's creations...you can check out the card that inspired me here & her blog Lucy's Cards.  Lucy just found out on Monday that she & Jennifer McGuire will be doing a day on the blog together...check it out here!  Lucy & I also just recently joined the Caardvarks Crew together...she is one talented woman!  My take on Lucy's card...

 

 

Stamps:  HA S5204 To Be So Nice, S5213 Dots & Flowers, S5215 Clouds, CL337 Birds & Branches; Paper:  Bazzill Basics & Little Yellow Bicycle; Googly eye:  Provided by Lucy (thanks sweetie!); Bling:  Hero Arts; Butterfly punch:  Martha Stewart Crafts

Catch you later!