Sheetload of Cards October '09 Sneak Peeks

Have you downloaded your FREE copy of the September '09 SheetLoad of Cards yet?! If not, head on over today and see what our artists did with their stamps from JessicaLynnOriginal.

The new issue will be out tomorrow, October 1st, and you can get a sneak peek at the new issue over on the SheetLoad Blog today.

Here are sneak peeks at the creations I have in the upcoming issue.

Paper Maniac Inspirations: Brads and Buttons, Oh my!

This week at Paper Maniac, the DT members are showcasing brads and buttons. Buttons are actually one of my fave embellishments to add to cards. Not only do they add so much dimension, they also add so much texture. My mother-in-law was kind enough to give me a jarful of vintage buttons that she kept in an old Gerber baby food jar (way back when my hubby was still a wee little one).

For my creation today, I followed no particular sketch, but actually came up with this all on my own! I was so proud of myself when this card came together so quickly. Quick is good for me since it takes hours for me to come up with one card - anyone else out there like mwah? I used a stamp from Papertrey Ink (Birds) as my focal point encased in a frame cut out using Spellbinders Labels One. The die cut butterfly is dry embossed with the script embossing folder and adorned with some white vintage buttons. For the antennae, I used some metal wire for some dimension. I used some designer paper from Jillibean Soup (Olive Oil-Minestrone Collection and Thin Zucchini - Minestrone Collection). I layered the Olive Oil Jillibean Soup designer paper using Neenah 80# cardstock. For the scalloped border, I used the following maroon bazzill cardstock for contrast and used the Stampin' Up slit punch for the scallops. I used the crop-a-dile to punch out holes in the scallops. I finished it off with 7/8 inch wide grossgrain cream ribbon found here.








Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Birds)
Paper/Cardstock: The Paper Company (Baby Blue), Neenah (80 # Natural White), Bazzill Multi-packs (Maroon cardstock), Jillibean Soup (Kraft cardstock), Jillibean Soup (Olive Oil, Thin Zucchini- Minestrone Collection)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen), Stampin' Up (Close to Cocoa)
Accessories/Tools: 5/8” Cream Grossgrain Ribbon, Provocraft (Cuttlebug Script Embossing Folder), Vintage Buttons, Spellbinders (Labels 1, Classic Squares, Nested Butterfly), Wire, Crop-a-dile, Small Corner Rounder

Digiments: September Release - It's here!!!

The moment you've been waiting for...Feast your eyes on 5 brand new series for the month of September: Birthday Expressions, Faith, Favorites, Get Well, and About You.

I really hope you got a chance to stop by the Digiments blog every day this past week for some special contests: Stamping for a Cause (download 2 free digiments, enter a card(s) to win), and leaving one comment for each sneak peek post. All winners will be announced today!!! Good luck to all those who participated. I hope you enjoyed seeing all of the DT's fabulous creations along the way.

Just before you go...here are all of my samples:

Stamping for a Cause

Faith

Favorite Aunt

Birthday Love

Well, what are you waiting for??? Head on over to the Digiments blog to check out the entire September release. Remember, for every full set of digiments that is sold, half of the proceeds, $7.50, will go to Tina Fussell's (aka Travelingmama) efforts to help the children of Morocco. Read about her mission here.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

Digiments September Release: Sneak Peek Day 3 - Birthday Love

FS136

TGIF!!! Alas, today marks the last day for sneak peeks...I was on a roll using inspiration from Shannan's gallery that I decided to case another card - cased from the "Quite a Pear" card. I usually like to put more layers on my cards, but I am really loving how clean and simple this is. Changes I made: (1) sticker embellie instead of a stamp; (2) used scraps of patterned paper instead of one whole piece of patterned paper; (3) used string instead of twill ribbon; (4) digital stamp used for sentiment.

The digiment, "Birthday Love", used on the card is part of the Birthday Expressions series. For a 3D effect I popped up the sticker embellie and covered it with Aleene's paper glaze. The bottom of the top layer is finished off using a Fiskars border punch (apron lace).

Now that you have seen all of the wonderful creations from the DT members, make sure to come back tomorrow to get your own set of digiments to play with...who knows you might just win a set!!!!

Digital Stamps: Digiments (Birthday Expressions)

Patterened Paper: Sassafrass Lass Wee Bundle (Sunshine Lollipop)

Cardstock: Unkown (White, Kraft, Dark Brown)

Accessories: String, Aleene's Paper Glaze, Fiskars Apron Lace Punch, Small Corner Rounder

Digiments September Release: Sneak Peek Day 2 - Favorite Aunt

This card is my original design today. The digiment  is part of the Favorites series. I decided to pair the digiment with a swirly butterfly stamped image. I recently won some blog candy from my friend Lauri Ingram (Paperville). I was so surprised when she sent me an email informing me that I had won! Woo Hoo! She sent me 3 different clear stamp sets from Hot off the Press - Silhouettes and Shadows, Flights of Fancy and Mix your Messages. They are totally my style of stamps! Wasn't that so nice of her to offer blog candy from her stash!!! Thanks so much Lauri!

I stamped the swirly butterfly using Palette Ink (Burnt Umber). Then I stamped just the butterfly on kraft cardstock and popped it up to give the illusion of flying and added a little bit of glitter glue on the wing swirls. The patterned papers are from Me and My Big Ideas paper stack. I added some cross-stitching at the top (hand stitched) and added a lace border on the bottom of the card. To give it more of a vintage feel, I sponged Creamy Caramel around the edges of the card. Instead of printing the digiment directly on paper or the card base, I created a tag that hangs from a string and satin ribbon. The tag has also been sponged with Creamy Caramel ink.

This is going to my aunt whose birthday is in October. I will most likely send her a matching set of cards as a birthday gift.

A FEW REMINDERS...

Don't miss the special contests Michelle is hosting on the store blog...so make sure to go back to the Digiments blog for each of the sneak peeks (Day 1 and Day 2) to win some fabulous prizes! All you have to do is leave a comment for each post. Also, don't forget the "Stamping for a Cause" contests from September 21 and 22 where you can download free digiments and enter your card(s) to win. You can find both posts here and here. The winners will be announced on Saturday.

I hope you have been enjoying all of the DT samples so far (make your rounds and leave some lovin'). We have one more day till release day so stay tuned tomorrow for more deliciousness.

Digital Stamp: Digiments (Favorites)
Stamps: Hot Off The Press (Silhouettes and Shadows)
Patterned Paper: Me and My Big Ideas
Cardstock: Kraft, White
Ink: Palette (Burnt Umber), Stampin' Up (Creamy Caramel)
Accessories: Sewing Thread, Martha Stewart Lace Punch, Paper Piercer, Pink Satin Ribbon, String, Small Corner Rounder, Crop-a-Dile

Digiments September Release: Sneak Peek Day 1 - Faith

I have been so on the roll with "casing" that I decided to case one of Jessica Knutsen's fabulous cards. Click here too see Jessica's card. The digiments is part of the Faith series. I didn't use the chipboard pieces she uses on her card, but decided to use just patterned paper for the digiment tag and added a pink crochet fleurette embellished with some bling for added texture. Have you noticed something about the patterned paper I have been using??? I've been using dp from the Sassfrass Lass Wee Bundle (Sunshine Lollipop collection). These papers are double sided so it is so easy to coordinate. Gotta love that!!!

Remember, more sneak peeks to come on Thursday and Friday. Sale for the new digiments begins on Saturday! Stay tuned for more prizes!!!

Visit Digiments today for more sneak peeks from the other DT members!

Digital Stamps: Digiments (Faith)
Patterned Paper: Sassafrass Lass Wee Bundle (Sunshine Lollipop)
Cardstock: Unkown (White, Kraft, Brown)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen)
Accessories: Stampin" Up (Paper Piercer), Pink Crochet Fleurette, Pink Rhinestone Gem

Digiments Gives Back! Stamping for a Cause...

FS136

Sorry I am posting this a little late...better late than never, right???

Have you missed Digiments lately??? The DT took a little break this summer and we are back in full crafting mode to show you fabulous samples for the new release on Saturday, September 26.

Michelle is hosting a special challenge this week called "Stamping for a Cause". A few weeks back, she found out about a special program that one of our very own, Tina Fussell (aka TravelingMama) put together for the children of Morrocco - read more about Tina's mission here. Michelle was so moved by Tina's individual efforts that she decided to make a charitable donation - for each set of digiments sold, 50% of the profits from the sale will go directly towards Tina's cause. Wouldn't it make you feel good to donate to such a special cause?

Download the free digiments and enter a card to win a fab prize, click here and here ... You have until Friday to enter your card. The winner will be announced on Saturday.

I created a card using the "Featured Stamper" challenge on SCS: FS136 (Shannan Steubner). I chose to case this card. Things I changed: (1) used a digital stamp instead of a regular stamp; (2) I replaced her quilted rectangles with just simple rectangles hand sewn in the middle, and (3) I used just a regular rectangle as a layer piece instead of a scalloped layer. Shannan's sample turned out so beautiful compared to my measley card, but her gallery gives me so much inspiration. She is a very talented crafter!

Make sure to stop by the next couple of days to take a sneak peek at the wonderful DT creations we have in store for you. Plus more prizes to win!!!

Come back now, ya hear???






Digital Stamps: Digiments (Stamps for a Cause Freebie Challenge)
Patterned Paper: Sassafrass Lass Wee Bundle (Sunshine Lollipop)
Cardstock: Unkown (White, Black)
Accessories: Offray Ribbon (Pink Satin), Crop-a-Dile, Prima Flower, Button, Crochet Thread, Stampin' Up (Paper Piercer), Sewing Thread

Paper Maniac Weekly Theme: Happy Halloween - What's Brewin'?

The weekly theme at Paper Maniac this week is all about Halloween! I have to admit this is the first Halloween card I've ever made. Since having kids, we do celebrate Halloween a little bit more, but it is not one of our favorite holidays of the year. However, we do look forward to seeing all of the neighborhood kids in their ghoulish or not-so-ghoulish costumes. Then after all the candy is gone, we head on over the school to do more Halloween celebration. The school hosts a best costume contest for all of the ages and alot of kids' games where the kids can win little prizes. The kids have a blast seeing all of their friends in one place.

Sheetload of Cards September Sketch

Now onto my witchy creation ... I created a card using the sketch from Sheetload of Cards (September issue). I used coordinated papers from the Jillibean Soup paper collection (Half and Half & Shitake - Cream of Mushroom Collection) layered on top of Bazzill black cardstock. Since I don't own any kind of Halloween stamps, I found several images online and chose to use this darling witch digital image. I printed the image twice and popping it up with dimensionals. I also adorned the card with Petaloo jeweled florettes and polkadot ribbon I bought from Wal-mart. The base cardstock is from the Jillibean Soup collection of kraft cards and envelopes set.

Before you go, just a couple of reminders:

- Check out the some the new products that just came in the store (Cosmo Cricket, Spellbinder dies, sold out Unity stamps now back in stock, Prima Pearl and Crystal Bling)

- 12% off all patterned paper and all Autumn paper featured in the newsletter is 20% off (sale ends September 22 - no coupon code needed)

- All in stock Serendipity stamps are 20% off (coupon code available in newsletter)...you must register at the store to receive newsletter-only sales!

Make sure to hop on over the Paper Maniac store blog to see what the other DT gals have in store for you for Halloween inspiration! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Digital Stamps: Free Coloring Pages (Little Girl Witch)

Paper/Cardstock: Bazzill (Black Orange Peel), Jillibean Soup (Kraft cardstock), Jillibean Soup (Shitake – Cream of Mushroom Collection, Half and Half – Cream of Mushroom Collection)
Accessories/Tools: Petaloo (Jeweled Florettes), Offray Ribbon (Black Polkadot)
Coloring: Prismacolor Pencils blended with baby oil

Have you miss Digiments??? September Release Coming Soon!!!

Digiments is back in session! The DT took a little break over the summer and Michelle is back to work on some new digital sentiments for the month of September. The DT has been hard at work to show you some fabulous samples to feast your eyes on.

The sneak peeks will begin on September 23-25

Mark your calendars for September 26 - RELEASE DAY!!!

In the meantime, make sure to stop by the Digiments blog to be one of the first ones to watch a 3 part video that one of our ever so talented DT gals, Morgaine, put together. Each of the videos contain information on changing Digiments colors, using gradients, and backgrounds. The first video is "live" on the site right now. The other two will be uploaded separately on Saturday and Sunday. So, if you have ever been afraid of working with digital stamps, this is your chance to watch and learn.

Digiments Lesson 1: Changing Digiment's Color

Also, Michelle has something special in store for all ya'll...On Monday and Tuesday (September 21 and 22), Digiments is hosting another contest! Another freebie to play with??? Well, make sure to see what it is and play along.

Angels Landing September Blog Hop

Welcome to Angels Landing September Blog Hop. If you are coming here from Jennifer Scull's blog, then you are on the right path. If you missed the beginning of the hop, head on over to Judi's blog and follow the links. I was so thrilled when Judi had asked me to join in the fun this month. Just in time...since I was already having Angels Landing withdrawal - LOL! Thanks Judi!

Today, the Design Team is introducing two new digital image sets for September, Autumn Tweetings and  Ho Ho Hollydays - just in time for the upcoming holidays!

I created two samples today...a gift card stocking and christmas tag. Both projects uses images from Ho Ho Hollydays.

The first project is a Christmas stocking gift card holder. I used a stocking template provided by Papercrafts Magazine Nov-Dec 2008 issue (you can find the link here - Argyle Gift Card Stocking - scroll all the way down the page).

In the PC Magazine sample, they used an argly patterned paper and I was lucky enough to find some in my stash. I printed all of the template pieces twice and traced them on patterned paper twice as well. The other side is decorated the same as well. The top piece of the stocking is cut out of felt for some texture. The doggy image was so cute that I decided to use him on the front as an embellishment. The heel and toe pieces have been sewn with crochet thread. I used very thin tacky tape to adhere the front and back together to make sure it doesn't come apart. Leave the top part open to be able to insert the gift card.

Wouldn't this be a cute way to present a gift card? All the recipient has to do is pull on the attached ribbon to access the gift card. I love making two-in-one gifts ... the recipient can also hang this as an ornament on their Christmas tree.

My second sample is a little birdy Christmas tag. I've been seeing all of these cute Christmas tags made with the Stampin Up labels die cut. I just purchased the Spellbinders Labels Eight nesties and thought it would be fun to create a Christmas tag. I printed off the "Ho Ho Ho" sentiment from Ho Ho Hollydays several times on cardstock. I used my prismacolor pencils blended with baby oil to color in all of the "Ho's" and hollies. The "To: and From:" sentiments are computer generated. I used the cute birdy as my main image - printed twice and popped up with dimensionals. I stamped a snowflake in the background.

I can't believe Autumn is soon upon us and Christmas is just around the corner. The funny thing is in my parts, we are suddenly feeling the wrath of summer weather when it was only down to 50 degrees the other week! I guess that is Minnesota weather for yah, eh?

I am your LAST stop on the blog hop. Head on back to the ** Angels Landing blog ** to make sure you didn't miss anyone's blog. Make sure to leave some lovin' cuz you might just win some sets for yourself to play with.

Before you go, the party continues ... make your way to the Angels Landing SNR Group release party to do some chatting with  Judi, the DT members and even more chances to win random prizes. See you there! More deets here...

Thanks for coming by the Angels Landing bloggity hop!

Paper Maniac Product Focus: Patterned Paper

This week's product focus at Paper Maniac is patterned paper. Patti has stocked the virtual shelves with lots of yummy-licious papers. Just a little history tidbit- it was Patti's love for papers that started the birth of the Paper Maniac store!

HERE is a direct link to all of the patterned paper available at the store! Make sure to register yourself while you're there to take advantage of newsletter-only sales available to Paper Maniac registered customers!

For my sample today, I created a Christmas card from the Make it Your Own Bright Christmas kit. The card uses Jen Del Muro's SFYTT dated August 29. It was the perfect sketch to showcase the versatility of the patterned papers. With the Bright Christmas kit, each of the patterned papers are double sided (patterned paper used is from imaginisce Polar Expressions collection) so you can easily coordinate your cards. The only patterned paper not from the kit is the circle behind the snowman image - the patterned paper is from the Jillibean Soup Thin Zucchini - Minestrone Soup collection, but I thought it worked perfectly with the color pallette I was using.

SFYTT 8.29.09

The main image is from Stamp N' Around stamped twice and popped up for some dimension. This is actually the first snowman set I've ever owned. I colored his scarf and hat with prismacolor pencils blended with baby oil and topped it off with some glitter glue for some sparkle. The sentiment "Let it Snow" is computer generated and punched out using the window punch from Stampin' Up. I used black bazzill cardstock to highlight the patterned papers and added a border using the Fiskars apron lace punch. I finished it off with a 5/8 inch red grossgrain ribbon you can find here.

A couple of reminders:

- All ribbon is on a 20% discount this week until September 14 (no coupon code needed)

- All Northwoods stamps, use coupon code from newsletter to get 20% discount (sale ends September 14). You must be a registered customer to be eligible to use the coupon.

- Wishlist blog candy ends September 15 (click here for more deets)

Thanks for visiting and make sure you check out the other DT creations today at the Paper Maniac store blog.

Stamps: Stamp N’Around (Snowman)
Paper/Cardstock: Neenah (80# Natural White),Bazzill (Black Orange Peel), imaginisce (Polar Expressions), Jillibean Soup (Thin Zucchini - Minestrone Collection)
Accessories/Tools: Glitter Glue, Spellbinders (Labels 4, Classic Circles), Fiskars (Apron Lace), 5/8” Solid Red Grossgrain Ribbon
Coloring: Prismacolor Pencils blended with baby oil

Did someone say Uggs???

Do you love Uggs? I DO! Ugg boots are such a rave right now!!! I was fortunate enough to get a pair from my Mom this past Christmas. And boy, they are one of the warmest boots you'll ever wear - keeps your feet toasty warm! For those of you who live in Minnesota, you know you'd need a pair of these babies because of the harsh winters! Would love to win another pair! 

Click HERE to find out more deets on how to enter for a drawing!!!
Happy Ugg-ing!

Ribbon, Ribbon ON SALE NOW at Paper Maniac and More...

Hear ye, hear ye...Paper Maniac Newsletter

coming soon to a computer near you!!!

Would you like to be the first one to know about new products, special sales, events, and even learn about different techniques??? Pop on over to the Paper Maniac store to become a registered customer and shop while you're there - lots of things to drool over. The product focus this week is R-I-B-B-O-N...and all ribbon is marked down 20% off (NO coupon code needed) so make sure to get some while you can.

All those who are registered customers will receive a weekly newsletter via email with an extra incentive just for becoming a reader. What's in store for our special customers in this week's newsletter??? For all of you Northwoods fans out there ... A coupon code to get a 20% discount on all Northwoods stamps.

All sales are good through September 14

So, what are you waiting for???!!!! Go on and do some major shopping!!! Remember to register so you won't miss out on any newsletter only specials in the future.

Digital Stamps at Paper Maniac: Time Flies

Paper Maniac LLC has been open for the last 5 days...I hope you enjoyed seeing all of the DT samples so far in addition to doing a little shopping at the Paper Maniac store - hopefully you were able to take advantage of the fabulous grand opening special of getting 15% off your total purchase. If you missed it, you still have a chance to win some things on your wishlist (up to $35 value). Click here for more deets on the Wishlist Blog Candy...

Today, I wanted to showcase my love for digital stamps...Have you been to the Digital Designs section yet at Paper Maniac? Ann Vento aka Raindrop Echo Designs, one of Paper Maniac's talented digital word artists, created some fabulous digital-stamp sets. You know me...I can't seem to get my hands away from working with digital images. They are so versatile and I love the fact that you can resize them to your card/project needs. Let me tell yah, it took awhile to get used to stamping with regular stamps again - LOL! But I am very fortunate I still get to work with digital stamps alongside my other favorite love - patterned paper and Paper Maniac definitely has some yummy-licious paper lines to choose from.

Take a look what this digital-stamp set has to offer...Click here to go directly to the product page. All of the digital-stamp sets are reasonably priced starting at $2.00 per set. What a steal of a deal!!! Sheesh...I sound like a used a car salesman - LOL!!!!

CPS131

For this sample, I created a card using the newest digital-stamp set release called Time Sentiments. As soon as I saw this set, I knew what I needed to do with it. I used the Card Positioning Systems sketch: CPS131. I hadn't had a chance to participate in any of their challenges lately so the sketch was the inspiration for my card. It all came together pretty quickly. Except I had bit of a trouble working with glossy paper. I used bindakote glossy paper in pearl (for the base layer) and red (for the wings). Because I was dealing with printer ink, I knew I had to emboss the image so it wouldn't smear. Using your heat gun to dry the ink isn't going to work - you'd be sitting there for days and the ink would still be wet. The next best thing is heat embossing with black embossing powder (something that I haven't touched in ages). Now, I've never really been good or successful at heat embossing but I had to give it a try since I was working with some really cool paper and the image just went so perfectly with the Time sentiments. First off, my first try was a total flop. I remembered I bought an embossing buddy awhile back at Micheal's (that tiny pillow looking thing that has some powder in it that you swipe over your cardstock before stamping - this ensures that you won't have any static cling on the cardstock and that your embossing powder adheres to your stamped image). This method definitely worked wonders. Although there were a few tiny powders still on the paper when I heat embossed the image using my heat gun, the tiny speckles gave the wings a little dimension (as if they were meant to be there). Don't you just love it when things like this happens???

I used some scrap patterned paper that I had been hoarding for the last 3 years from Bo Bunny. I used my rectangle nesties to frame the sentiment - I added some faux stitching for the border around the sentiment. I printed the clock on white cardstock, distressed with Antique Linen ink and topped off with a Kaisercraft brad. I finished it off with a 7/8" black grossgrain ribbon.

I kind of went a little out of my element and created a funky vintage card...hope you enjoyed my blabber today! But before you go...

Take a looksie at the other digital-stamp sets available at Paper Maniac - Digital Designs. (Exclusively found at Paper Maniac).

Thanks for visiting! Happy Digi-stamping!

Digital Stamps: Raindrop Echo Designs (Time Sentiments), Owl Whimsy (Angel Wings)
Paper/Cardstock: Bindakote (Pearl, Red), Unkown (Black), Bo Bunny
Ink/Embossing Powders: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen), Stampin Up (Basic Black), InkXpressions Embossing Powder (Black)
Accessories/Tools: Making Memories (Paper Piercer), Kaisercraft (Brads), 7/8” Wide Black Grossgrain Ribbon, Spellbinders (Classic Rectangles)

September '09 Sheetload of Cards: Show Us Your Sheetload "FALL THEMED" Challenge

It is time for the monthly Show Us Your SheetLoad challenge over at SheetLoad of Cards!! To be entered to win, all you have to do is create a single, Fall-themed, card that utilizes the sketch from the latest issue.

Head on over there today and find out how you can win one of two gift certificates from the September sponsor - JessicaLynnOriginal!