October 3: Happy World Card Making Day!

It's October 3rd today and you know what this day brings - World Card Making Day!!! The papercrafting industry has definitely soared to new heights as traditional stamping combines itself with the digital phenomenon. It's been so out of this world to work with digital stamps. This is exactly what Digiments offers you today...two free downloadable digital images just in time for the upcoming holidays!!!!

So let's us all put our hands together as we celebrate papercrafters from all over the world. Make a quick stop by the Digiments blog for a chance to win the whole series of digiments (all the way from the very beginning!!!). All you have to do is leave a comment to win!

You can find more deets HERE!

I hope you all get a chance to get some stamping fun in today! Have a great stamp-endous weekend!

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

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.

Thank You CD Case and Card

This is a card I made as a thank you for the family who offered to host the high school's varsity baseball banquet last June. It was potluck so they provided part of the main course (we brought the other main dishes) and everyone else brought the rest. Since I took many pictures of the event, I created a CD to give to them. Their son just graduated and I was able to take a lot pics of him with my husband handing him an award and team pictures. I wanted to kill two birds with one stone, so I created a CD case/5.5-inch size card.

To make the CD case/card:

1) Using a 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock - turn cardstock so it's landscape (11 inch edge is facing up), score at 5.5 inches (this will be your fold)

2) For the pockets, turn the cardstock around and score 3 inches.

OPTIONAL: I cut down the pockets diagonally for added interest, but you can leave it as is.


I finally got to use an image from Nina (Crafting from Croatia). She was gracious enough to offer some free downloadable images on her blog. You can find the links on her sidebar. I did not even realize that she is an illustrator for Gina K Designs - how cool is that??? No wonder I was so drawn to her images when she first posted them in the Digital Downloads forum on SCS.

I paired the image with the "Thank You" sentiment from Digiments - Simple Sentiments series. I just love using Michelle's digiments! Unfortunately, sales have been slow so you 'll have to wait until September for a new release. I think it's been slow everywhere with summer vacation. Part of the digital sentiment (although hard to see) was highlighted with Aleene's Paper Glaze. I did not really take a great picture of the front because we were on our way out and I was in a hurry - oh well.

The sketch was based from the Dare U2 Digi Stamp Challenge #17. I missed entering it because it took me long enough to take a picture of it. Oh well!

Digital Stamps: Crafting in Croatia (Blossom for Mom), Digiments (Simple Sentiments)

Patterned Paper: Me and My Big Ideas

Cardstock: Jo-Ann's Value Paper Pack (Brown), Georgia Pacific (White), Unknown (Kraft, Vanilla)

Accessories: Wide Grossgrain Ribbon, String, Martha Stewart Lace Punch, Aleene's Paper Glaze

Coloring: Prismacolor Pencils blended with Baby Oil (Process Red, Pink, Blush Pink, Lime Peel, Apple Green)

Sunday Reminders

Happy Sunday!!!

Just a couple of reminders for today...TODAY is the last day for the following:

1) Leave some lovin for our DT members and win yourself some great digi-stamp sets from Angels Landing. Blog candy will be closed by 10pm MST. Click here to go to Angels Landing Blog Hop post...


2) Digiments Doorbuster Sale for July release -- $10 for 24 Digiments -- Click here to go to Digiments blog for some inspiration and to take advantage of this awesome sale.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Digiments July Release and More Sneak Peaks...

TODAY is release day at the Digiments blog...Make sure to hop on over there to check out the fabulous samples from the DT gals!

Saturday and Sunday only...

Doorbuster Sale on entire July release!!!

Click on thumbnail to link to Digiments Blog

Card Positioning Systems Sketch Challenge : CPS123

This first card is another sample from the Inspirations series - Lord's Prayer. This card is based on the Card Positioning Systems sketch challenge from July 5th: CPS123. While browsing the net for biblical images, I found this wonderful site that houses biblical/Christian coloring pages (you can find it here). I picked this praying angel because it fit the Lord's Prayer perfectly. I printed off the digiment on patterned paper backed with cardstock for some stability and popped up with Scotch mounting tape. Then I colored in the praying angel, cut him/her out, and popped up on a white circle so it wouldn't get lost in the patterned paper I used. I used some glitter glue on the wings and the image is colored with prismacolor pencils blended with baby oil.

Image created by Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Digiments: Kids Bible Songs Series

Mojo Monday 7.6.09: MOJO94

This second card is another sample I made for the Kids Bible Songs series. I couldn't get this song out of my head. This card is based on the Mojo Monday sketch challenge from July 6th: MOJO94. I missed the contest since I couldn't post this card until now. While browsing through the net yet again, I found this great image from Elizabeth O. Dulemba. She writes childrens' books and is gracious enough to offer images to use for cardmaking and scrapbooking. You can find her blog here and images here. If you sign-up for her newsletter, she will send you an update when she's added a new image to her library of freebies called Coloring Page Tuesdays. Again, the image fits the song verse so perfectly. I had such a hard time finding an appropriate image and was ecstatic when I found this on Elizabeth's blog. I also topped off the card with another ribbon flower. The flowers are so much to make! Again, I used an old music sheet for the background along with other vintage-y elements.

NOTE TO ADD: Before downloading images/coloring pages on the net, make sure to respect the artist's copyrights on their images - there are many that are copyright free. A simple email to the artist with your intentions is appreciated. Since Elizabeth's images have gained popularity among crafters, she has outlined the requirements when posting artwork using her images that you can find here.

Digiments Sneak Peak Day Two - Inspirations

Digiments - Inspirations Series

Day Two of Sneak Peaks...

This is my sample from the Inspirations series. I just love this encouraging quote. I've been into making 3D butterflies lately and it is such a serene and peaceful thing that using it as an embellie fit this quote perfectly. I layered two butterflies on top of each other covered with patterned paper. I used my crop-a-dile to create the holes for the string - thought that added a nice touch to the butterflies. Then I printed off the digiment on vellum (I have been favoring vellum lately). Then I finished off the card with the clear mini decorative accents called skittles or dew drops. Not much to this card, but packs a lot punch with just the digiment, don't ya think???

More to come and release day is TOMORROW! YAY! Come back now, ya hear???


Digital Stamps: Digiments (Inspirations)
Patterned Paper: Jo-Ann's Value Pack
Cardstock: Unkown (Kraft, Vanilla), Vellum
Other: Clear Mini Decorative Accents, String, Crop-A-Dile

Digiments July Release - Kids Bible Songs

I am so excited to feature a new series of digiments for the month of July called Kids Bible Songs. Ever since Papercraft magazines featured an article called The Silhouette Movement in the June/July 2008 issue, I've always wanted to create a silhouette card. And you can't use a silhouette image without going vintage and vintage is definitely my style. I have been working with a lot of bright colors lately (which out of the norm for me since I love working with earth tone colors) so I chose to notch it down a bit and use some more muted colors for this card with a pop of red. I found this great site, Karen's Whimsy, that houses many great clipart as well as coloring pages and of course, several silhouette images. I chose this Pied Piper of Hamlin silhouette image because it fits the digiment perfectly with kids singing in the background. I used the Arabesque template from Mel Stampz and printed the image on vanilla cardstock, heat set, and inked it up with Tim Holtz distressing ink Antique Linen. Then I printed the Arabesque template and digiment on vellum. The embellie on the side is actually an actual old music sheet I cut down and folded in accordian style and topped it off with staples. To finish off the card, I created a ribbon flower by threading the top edge and pulling it until the ribbon looked like a flower and sewed it together at the ends. I covered up the hole in the middle with a button. This was the first time I've tried using a ribbon flower on one of my cards. It was fun to make and easy too! This card is based on the Sheetload of Cards July sketch.

Make sure to stop by the other DT's blogs to check out their fab creations until the release. I'll be posting more samples so stay tuned!

Click on the thumbnail to link to the Digiments blog

JULY 18 is release day... Michelle will be offering a Door Buster Sale of the new digiments for only $10 for 24 Digiments (each digiment is normally $1 each), Saturday and Sunday only - that's a steal of a deal! Also, the contest using the summer digiments you can download on the blog ends on July 18 (download them here). Two people will be chosen to win the entire July release.

Digital Stamps: Digiments (Kids Bible Songs), Mel Stampz (Arabesque), Karen’s Whimsy (Silhouette)
Patterned Paper: Memory Block (Inspirations)
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen)
Cardstock: Unkown (Vanilla, Black), Georgia Pacific (White)
Die Cut: Spellbinders (Classic Circles)
Ribbon: Red Wide Grossgrain Ribbon
Other: Staples, Music Sheet, Vintage Buttons

Celebrate Summer Digiments Style

Summer is in full swing and Michelle has some goodness brewin' for you with another series of Digiments. And with a new release comes another "Celebrate Summer" contest. Go on over to the Digiments blog to download 3 (yes, I said 3) free digiments, make a card and enter as many times as you want. You have until this Saturday (10 PM MST) to turn in your card(s). Two winners will be chosen for the release!

Don't fret if you don't get picked because Michelle will be offering another great sale during the release - $10 for 24 Digiments! Now that is a steal of a deal!

The DT members will start showcasing the new digiments starting on Wednesday so make sure you come back and give us some lovin', ya hear?

DIGIMENTS RELEASE AND CONTEST INFO

My Friend, My World - Digiments Release Day Sneak Peak

Now onto my card for the Digiments release day sneak peek...

This card uses the digiment from the About Friendship series...I chose to print the digiment multiple times on kraft cardstock. I applied a little bit of Aleene's paper glaze and highlighted the word "friend". I paired the digiment with digi-stamps from Sketching Stamper Digi-Stamps called Open Rose and Rosebuds from the Lots of Flowers image set - the images went perfectly with the digiment. The roses were carefully cut out. Though it hard to see in the picture, the roses were watercolored in a dark pinkish color and paired with dp colors in chocolate, and orange polka dot and kraft. I am just learning to combine several different nestability shapes together and used labels 1 with an embossed classic circle layered on top of it. This is going to one of my best friends who I met through work awhile back. We are pretty much the only two who have managed to keep in touch over the years. The scalloped border was punched using the Martha Stewart lace punch.

Digital Images: Digiments (About Friendship), Sketching Stamper (Open Rose, Rosebuds)
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up (Chocolate Chip), Unkown (Vanilla, Kraft)
Patterned Paper: Me and My Big Ideas
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Antique Linen), Stampin’ Up (Positively Pink, Rose Red, Old Olive)
Die Cut: Nestabilities (Labels One, Classic Circle)
Ribbon: Wal-Mart (Brown Grossgrain Ribbon)
Punch: Martha Stewart (Lace)
String: Unkown

NEW Digiments NOW AVAILABLE!

Lots of fun things happening right now...Here's the list:

1) The June digiments are NOW available for purchase on the Digiments blog! Yay! Michelle came up with some really cool ones this month. I have no particular favorite because they are all so fun to use.

2) TWO people will be chosen today to win the entire June release! What a wonderful way to own an assortment of sentiments to use for basically anything!

and now on to the secret I have been holding out on for two days...

** SPECIAL SALE FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ONLY **

If you place an order this weekend, you will get a chance to purchase the digiments for HALF PRICE! An even better deal is to purchase the bundle package of ALL of the digiments for only $10 - normal sale price is $20 for 30 digiments. This is the kind of deal you don't want to miss!!!

Click on the Digiments banner above OR blinkie in the

sidebar to take advantage of this deal!

Happy Father's Day Cards

With Father's Day coming soon I needed to get some cards completed and sent out. Since I had to make multiples, I had to create a simple design that was easy to duplicate. Just like when Mother's Day rolled around, I ended up making 5 of these (one for hubby, my dad, my father-in-law, and the great grandpas). We are all very grateful to have these special men in our lives especially the great grandpas who are still very healthy and active. I ended up with 3 creations using the same concept. It's nice working for Sheetload of Cards because I was able to use the June sketch as inspiration to create a lot of of my cards I've created for this month. So you can see a wide variety of cards made from one sketch. Cool, huh?

For the main image, I used a Penny Black stamp called Majestic Buck inked in Tim Holtz Distress Ink called Tea Dye (first time I've ever used it) on some grid paper and lined it with cardstock for stability since grid paper is very very thin. After cutting the images with the Labels 1 nestie, gluing the grid paper and cardstock together, I sponged the edges for a little distressing. I added a medallion using kraft cardstock on the top right corner using a Father's day sentiment from Digiments and cut out a circle using the Nestabilities classic circles. The digiment is printed in size 1.25 x 1.59 inches to fit perfectly in the circle. Normally, what I do to insure that the sentiment fits in the circle, I measure the cutting side of the nestie from one side to the other and size my image or sentiment a little smaller. I print off my image/sentiment on scrap paper first so that I am not wasting any cardstock. Place my shape over the image/sentiment then cut out shape. Easy peasey! As an added embellie, I just used string in place for ribbon since this is a masculine card.

Remember, Digiments is releasing some new digital sentiments on Saturday so make sure to stop by and take advantage of some really great digiments! Instant gratification and you get to play with them right away.

For My Sister Sneak Peak

It's that time again for sneak peaks from Digiments... Michelle has outdone herself again for another series of fabulous digiments for the month of June!

For this card, I created a sample using the My Sister, My Friend series...using the digiment as inspiration I chose to use some patterned paper with different kinds of flowers on it. I used some vellum cut with the nesties labels one to show off the pretty flower paper background. I used the Martha Stewart lace punch to for my scalloped border and found some ribbon in my stash that I bought from a few years back. I printed the digiment on red cardstock so that it wouldn't get lost in the flower patterned paper. This card is based on the Sheetload of Cards June sketch. My sister's birthday is coming up in September so why not get an early start, right??? I am planning on making her a matching full-sized clipboard as a birthday gift (this will be a much later post - LOL).

The new digiments will be available for purchase on Saturday, June 13! Make sure to stop by the Digiments store because Michelle has something very special in store for the weekend...sorry I am sworn to secrecy until then! LOL

Digital Images: Digiments (My Sister, My Friend)
Cardstock: Joann’s Value Pack (Kraft), Unkown (Peach)
Patterned Paper: Me and My Big Ideas
Ink: Inkjet Printer
Die Cut: Nestabilities (Labels One)
Ribbon: SEI (Aunt Gurt’s Garden)
Punch: Martha Stewart (Lace)
Decorative Accents: Micheal’s (Clear Mini Decorative Accents)

Digiments - Challenge #4

This is the last week to participate in the Digiments challenge. Visit the Digiments blog to download the free digiment, make a card, and for a chance to win the entire June digiments line! TWO winners will be picked this month so you won't want to miss one!

Make sure to mark your calendars for sneak peaks starting on June 10 that will lead to the release and digiments ready for purchase on June 13th.

Remember this is your last chance to participate!!!

DIGIMENTS CHALLENGE #4

Digiments Challenge #3

The new weekly challenge starts today at the Digiments blog. You can download the free digiment to make a card to enter yourself to win the entire June release. Remember there will be two winners chosen this time!

The June digiments will be released on June 13 with sneak peaks from the DT members starting on June 10th.

So make sure to participate in as many as you can to increase your chances of winning the whopper of a prize!

I'll be posting a sample soon of this week's digiment challenge so stay tuned!

DIGIMENTS CHALLENGE #3

More Grad Cards...

"No more school, No more books, no more teachers, dirty looks..."

(remember kids singing this verse in movies when they get out of school???)

Today, marks the beginning of summer vacation...

I have 2 more grad cards to show you...the last two! Boy, oh, boy...I have never been this busy making cards the last few months. I feel like a cardmaking factory. Spring time is a busy time for me with Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, teacher gifts, and graduation going on at what seems like all at the same time! And having all of these DT duties have been pushing my "arse" to get these cards done. But all of the effort is worth it since all of the cards and gifts are going to some very special people.

Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge MMSC2

My hubby is the varsity baseball coach and some of the graduating seniors are on his team. So I thought it would be appropriate to use GinaK Designs Just So Sporty stamp set for a grad card. I really did not want to go the traditional route (like you've seen with the other two I made for the first Digiments release).

I've been looking for an excuse to use the Just So Sporty stamp set by Melanie Muenchinger from GinaK Designs and this was the inspiration I was looking for. This was also the first time I've used a CTMH set called Baseball. I've never owned a CTMH clear set until now but have always admired their stamp sets. I embossed kraft cardstock with the numbers collage embossing folder. I added a strip of summer sun on top of it. I added two strips of bordering blue cardstock and punched them with Fiskars apron lace (hope that doesn't make the card too girly). I layered a piece of ruby red cardstock and stamped the white layer with Cornish Heritage Farms Lined Paper background stamp - love love this stamp...it goes so great with school/office related projects. After using the spiral punch, I distressed the layer stamped with Lined Paper on the edges to make it look like it was just ripped out of a notebook. I added some string as an embellie on the bottom part. I stamped the t-shirt on kraft cardstock and sponged on some ruby red ink to give it some color. I stamped "All Star" with Palette New Canvas ink. I also used my white gel pen to highlight the collar as well as the stripes on the sleeves. To finish it off, I used my classic circle nesties to create the sentiment using the CTMH Baseball stamp set. To get two colors on the ball, I used SU markers and spritzed it with water before stamping which gave me a more distressed watercolored look. Then I stamped the "class of" and "09" from the Just So Sporty set on top of the baseball image. To make the baseball look like it was rolling around in dirt a little, I sponged a little bit of more mustard around the edges of the circle.

The card came together quickly using the sketch challenge, MMSC2, on the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge blog. The card uses the school colors: maroon and yellow (more mustard color). It took me a long time to figure out exactly what layout I was going to use. But, after browsing though the SCS gallery for inspiration, Priscilla, who started the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Blog, left a comment on one of my girl grad cards in my gallery and invited me to check out her new challenge blog and participate (thanks Priscilla!). I think I had until this past Tuesday to send a link to my card to enter her contest to win a whopping prize, but it tool me so long to get a pic of it. Oh well, will have to participate next time! Once I created the first card, it was a cinch to get the other 6 cards done in no time.

Stamps: GinaK Designs (Just So Sporty), CTMH (Baseball), Cornish Heritage Farms (Lined Paper)
Patterned Paper: None used
Cardstock: Stampin’ Up (Bashful Blue, Ruby Red), Unkown (White, Kraft)
Ink: Stampin’ Up (More Mustard, Ruby Red), Palette (Burnt Umber)
Die Cut: Nestabilities (Classic Circles), Cuttlebug (Number Collage)
Punch: Fiskars (Apron Lace)
Fiber: String

Jen Del Muro's SFYTT 5.23.09

This card was created following Jen Del Muro's sketch on 5.23.09. I just love participating in her sketch challenges. She posts new sketches every Saturday so make sure to sign-up for her newsletter so you can play along every week. I needed another girlie grad card and I hadn't used this grad digiment yet. This card showcases a simple but very powerful message. Again, I used the arabesque digi-stamp from Mel Stampz since I don't have the nesties label that looks like this one (not yet at least - LOL). But, seriously, Mel is so great at sharing! LOVE HER!

I love the papers I used on this card - just screams summer vacation and what better way to utilize it than on a grad card. I used the paper pleating method on the 2nd patterned paper layer. I had seen this technique on one of the Papercrafting Magazines last year and just now experimenting. I love the pleated look. My sewing machine is having a tantrum again so I had to improvise on how to adhere the pleats together and I just love the stitched look. Anyway, I ended up using double stick tape underneath and it held together quite well. I had to put some kind of stitching on there so I created two cross stitches using black crochet thread. I marked where I wanted the stitches first with a pencil and then used my paper piercer to poke the holes and used a mega thick needle to get through the paper. I think it turned out ok looking. I felt it needed something else so I added a circle behind the digiment to make it stand out a bit more. I used my nesties classic circle and lined it with some graph paper. I used my slit punch to create the scallops on the side of the card. Voila! Done...

Digital Images: Digiments (Graduation Day), Mel Stampz (Arabesque)
Patterned Paper: Vibrant Paper Pad, Unkown (Graph Paper)
Cardstock: Unkown
Ink: Stampin’ Up (Summer Sun)
Die Cut: Nestabilities (Classic Circles)
Punch: Stampin’ Up (Slit)
Ribbon: Wal-mart (Satin Green)
Stitching: Black Crochet Thread