Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge

HI Friends!

Well, we’re getting a major ice storm in Indianapolis. It started earlier than predicted, and it’s going strong.  We’re planning on hunkering down and staying in. Those of you who must go out, please be safe.  It’s bad and worsening. There are already power outages and traffic accidents.

Onto a lighter topic… recently, I bought my first set of stamps from Skipping Stones Design. I’ve been trying to buy less stamps because I have SO many that I do not use (Some that have never seen ink which is wrong on many levels).  When I saw this set, I had to get it though (for a variety of reasons)

I mean really, how cute is this set of stamps??? I got it in the mail and was wanting to ink it up and found that Skipping Stones Design has a sketch challenge.  How perfect to inaugurate the stamps with a challenge?

Here was the sketch:

And here is what I did with the sketch:

I have a very sweet friend whose birthday is coming up, and this card is for her.  I think she’ll really like it (she’s a fellow card maker and appreciates getting the custom made cards).  You cannot tell in the photo (and I tried to catch in some other shots but didn’t do too well), but I put Stampin’ Up Crystal effects on the purse to give it a patent leather look to it. In real life, it’s a nice effect.

Question for you all… Stampin’ Up’s Crystal Effects really gets gummed up despite my best efforts to prevent it from occurring.  For those of you who use the other brand, Glossy Accents, I think? Does it also get all gooped up? 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.  For those of you in Snowmageddon or Icemagedden, be safe out there.

Hugs and blessings.

Nette

Perfect Pear

Hi Friends

I am so excited that I’ve gotten to play in some challenges lately. I love challenges to help get the creative juices flowing. One of the things I struggle most with are layouts, so sketch challenges are a favorite of mine. I always need the help.

I decided to play in this week’s Cardpatterns challenge.  Here’s the sketch

I love the versatility and options available with this layout, so I am sure to use it again. For the challenge, here’s what I came up with

I used Lawn Fawn’s My Silly Valentine for this card.  (getting a lot of mileage out of this set during this time of year.) It “pears” so nicely with the Cosmo Cricket De Lovely paper. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and blessings

Nette

Thanks!

Hi Friends!

How is your week going?  I hope you’re having a wonderful week.  

Today’s card is one I made using some stamps that were a birthday present from my sweet and awesome friend Kelley.  It’s Practicing Creativity’s Look Up Additions. It’s super cute and has some fun sentiments to go with it. This set is just awesome for paper piecing which I did on this card. I used some Bella Boulevard paper that seemed to fit the theme of the balloons.

Have a wonderful day friends, thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and blessings!

Nette

Cake Congrats

Hi Friends

How is your week going? 

Today’s card is another bright and cheery one. I made this for a sweet friend from church who just got a new job at a bakery. She is an amazingly talented cook, especially baking. Her creations are beautiful works of art AND delicious.  When she told me that she got a new job at a bakery, I couldn’t have been happier for her. 

That’s why I made this congrats card with a cake on it.  The patterned paper is from Doodlebug and has all sorts of cute cooking stuff on it, just perfect for this card.

I hope you like, and most of all I hope she likes it.

Have a blessed day friends

Hugs and blessings

Nette

I’d Pick You

Hi Friends,

I hope you had a great weekend.  It’s been bitter cold in Indiana which makes it nice to stay in and craft.  I was able to make today’s card that fills two challenges, the Off the Wall Craftiness Challenge, and the Cardabilities sketch challenge. 

I just loved the colors from the Off the Wall Craftiness challenge, so I am so glad that I was able to get some time to join in on the challenge.

The Cardabilities sketch looked like this:

And here’s my take on the two challenges

I used Lawn Fawn’s Hello Friend set. I just love these sentiments. And it’s so nice when the sentiment can be the focus of your card.

Thanks for checking in.

Hugs and Blessings

Lynnette

Supplies:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn Hello Friend, Sew Lovely

Paper:  Papertrey Ink, Stampin’ Up!, Neenah

Patterned Paper:  TPC studios

Ink:  Stampin’ Up!; Versamark

Other: Ribbon(Stampin’ Up!); Punch (EK Success);  Die (Stampabilities Nestabilities); Buttons (Papertrey Ink); Gems (Hero Arts); Signo pen

Smile

Hi Friends

Happy Snowy Thursday. More snow in the forecast here in Indy. How is the weather where you are? 

I’m so blessed that I can work at home when the weather is bad. I don’t live that far from work, but people tend to drive irresponsibly. 

Onto today’s card…

I used Lawn Fawn’s Fly Free set, I just love these cute little birds. I paired it with Cosmo Cricket’s Togetherness paper.

Hope you like, have a blessed day!
Nette

Cookies

Hi Friends

Thought I’d pop in and show you another gift set I made for a co-worker. 

Around the office I’m known for bringing in home-baked cookies.  I love cookies, LOVE. THEM. SO. MUCH. For birthdays, you can usually count on me bringing in some sort of cookie. Before Christmas, we had an office party, and I brought in goodies. One of my co-workers made a very pronounced point of telling us her birthday was January 3rd, hint hint hint. It was pretty cute. (She is a big fan of my cookies). 

So, how could I not bring in something for her?? Answer, I couldn’t neglect her.  Since it was for her birthday, I decided to do a little gift ensemble. Here’s what I came up with:

The cookies are oatmeal with chunks of Hershey bars in them. SO YUMMY, one of my favs.  (I think she was quite happy too which is the most important thing). 

Here’s the recipe for the cookies in case you’re intersted in giving them a try:

1 cup butter (no substitutes, I mean it), softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups oats

2 (8 oz) Hershey bars chopped into chunks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Cream butter, add sugars one at a time and thoroughly mix. Add in vanilla and eggs.

Mix flour, soda, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture. Mix in oats and then add the Hershey bar chunks

Use parchment paper on cookie sheets (really this is the best)

Drop cookies onto cookie sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes (I like my cookies soft, so I tend to undercook them a bit)

ENJOY!!! MMMmmmmm cookies!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and blessings

Nette

Happy Birthday with bling

Hi Friends,

How has your week started? Is everyone around getting a bug? I feel like I’ve been battling something, and many of my co-workers are in the same boat. I just feel totally drained but not completely sick.  It’s a nagging feeling of lethargy.  I’m trying to get lots of sleep. 

Anyway, enough of that!  Here’s a card I made while I was off for Christmas.

 

Obviously, I let the blinged flowers do most of the work on this card… very little stamping, other than the sentiment.  I broke out the Cosmo Cricket “DeLovely” Paper that I just love. The colors worked perfectly with the bling!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a blessed day!

Lynnette

Supplies:

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn

Paper:  Stampin’ Up!, Neenah

Patterned Paper:  Cosmo Cricket

Other: Ribbon, Stampin’ Up!, Scallop punch:  EK Success; Button: Cosmo Cricket, Corner Rounder:  We R Memory Keepers

Lawnscaping Challenge 2

Hi All,

It’s time for our second Lawnscaping Challenge!  We were so excited by the response to the first challenge, and we hope that you will enjoy this one just as much.  This was a really fun one for me.  The challenge was to CASE something of Kelly Marie’s.

This is the card I chose to CASE:

And here is my take on it:

I really love that the sentiment from Lawn Fawn’s Hello Friend fits so well into this punch (EK success).  Personally, I really enjoy CASEing when I am in a rut and need to get the creative juices flowing.  So, I hope you enjoy this challenge. Kelly has tons of great cards to be inspired by.

Be sure to check out the Lawnscaping blog for inspiration and info on this challenge’s prize.

Have a blessed day

Lynnette

Winter friend.

Hi Friends,

How are you surviving winter? I know a lot of us have been hit by snow. Here in Indy, we got a decent snow yesterday. I’ve not yet been outside today, but it seems really cold. I can hear the wind blowing which is never a good sign.

Since I’m getting ready to go to work, this is a quick post. I’m sharing another wintery card. I just love this patterned paper and was on a roll using it! I paired it with Lawn Fawn’s “Fly Free,” and “Hello Friend.”

Also, if you’ve not done so yet, today is the last day to join in on the Lawnscaping Challenge. The winner gets a set from Lawn Fawn! I hope you decide to play along.

Have a great day.

Lynnette

Stylish Blogger award

Hi There,

Happy Monday!  I made it back from a great weekend visiting Demaree (outside Chicago).  We got to spend some quality time together and then her sister’s baby shower was yesterday.  Such a nice weekend, and boy, was I tired last night when I got home!  I am glad I decided to take today off to recover. 

Recently, the sweet and talented Jinny Newlin  gave me the Stylish Blogger award! 

This is such a fun award because you get to learn more about your blogging buddies. Here’s the scoop, on what the recipients need to do:

1. Link and thank the person who gave this to you
2. Share 8 things about yourself
3. Pass along to 8 fellow bloggers

Here are 8 things about me

1. I love the Lord Jesus Christ.  I’m grateful for the salvation He’s given me.  I am a sinner, saved by grace.
2. My husband, Carlin, and I met through a Christian on-line dating site.  I had about given up on getting married but gave it one more try.  So glad I did.
3. Mexican food (or maybe more Tex-Mex) is my absolute favorite. I always get nachos. If I get something different, I will wish I had nachos.
4. I love old movies.  Ben Hur is my all-time favorite movie. Old Hitchcock movies are just awesome. They do not make them like they used to. 
5. I work at a Pharmaceutical company (Eli Lilly) managing clinical research studies.  I work on drugs in very early development (first time being dose in humans). It’s an interesting and demanding job.
6. Most of you know I am a huge Colts fan.  The Colts are my team, but I am a fan of football overall!  I love and know the game.  I understand the plays and the calls. I played in a fantasy football league for several years and won it on different occasions.
7. I have a passion for pets, dogs and cats, mostly. We have several (2 dogs and 4 cats---we merged animal families when we got married).  I tell Carlin that he saved me from being the crazy old lady with a household of pets (I can’t say crazy cat lady because I’d have both dogs and cats)
8. I am not a neat and tidy person.  I have a messy desk at work and at home. It’s something I need to improve upon, but I have a long way to go.

In no particular order, the people I’m passing along to (If you’ve tagged before or do not have time to join in, no worries):

• Kelly Marie Alvarez:  Ms. Lawn Fawn herself. Thank you girl for giving me the chance to be on your design team. It’s such a blessing to be part of such an outstanding company
• Laurel Beard:  Founder of the Lawnscaping challenge blog and someone I’ve been having so much fun getting to know
• Jaclyn Miller:  A fellow blogger from Indianapolis. I am very excited to say that she and I have decided to meet in person!  How fun is that???!!
• Courtney Baker: One of my first blogging friends and the founder of Practicing Creativity Designs
• Kelley Eubanks:  A sweet dear blogging friend who I hope to meet in 2011
• Christiana who is embarking on the Lawnscaping journey. Love her creations
• Karen Baker:  I’m so grateful for all the supportive and encouraging comments that Karen has left me.
• Ann Cox  A fellow Everything but the Kitchen Sink alum and current Moxie Fab spotlighted designer! 

Of course, please play along if you’d like. Don’t wait to be called out on a blog! 

Hugs and blessings

Nette

Let’s Celebrate (Winter style)

Happy Friday Girls!

So what plans do you have in store for the weekend? Any time allocated to your craft room? If you haven’t already, you might want to try out the Lawnscaping challenge. The winner will receive your choice of a set of Lawn Fawn stamps! Too much fun!

As I mentioned, I’m off to Chicagoland. (Geneva, actually, which is a suburb that is about 1 hour from the city). I did want to share a card today.

I have a bunch of leftover Christmas paper, but I thought this patterned paper would work well just for winter fun. (Maybe a winter birthday?)

Thanks for stopping by today, and enjoy your weekend!

Hugs and blessings!

Lynnette

Supplies:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn (Sophie’s Sentiments)

Ink: Memento

Paper: Stampin’ Up!, Neenah

Patterned Paper: Collage Press (Joyride)

Other: Die cut (Stampabilities), Ribbon (Celebrate it---Michaels), Buttons (Studio Calico), gemstones (Hero Arts)

Gift set

Hi Friends

How are you? We’ve almost survived our first week of the year. Is it just me, or is January the longest month?

I am excited to say that I’m leaving tomorrow morning to go visit my friend Demaree for the weekend. Her sister’s baby shower is this weekend, and it gives me an excuse to visit.  I’m so excited.  You may remember the invitations and thank yous I made for the shower, so now is the time for the party!  Tonight I am making the shower card for her sister.  I am looking forward to spending some time in the craft room.

I thought I’d share a gift box and card I made for a dear friend of mine’s birthday. 

You can see that I  let the paper and embellishments do the work here.  (The patterned paper is Basic Gray’s Max and Whisker’s collection—love it).  I gave her a pair of earrings that I made for her which I neglected to photograph, bad me.  She seemed to like the gift, so all in all, it was a hit.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and blessings

Nette

You’re So Cool

Hi Friends!

Happy Wednesday!  We’ve made it to the halfway point in our week!  I hope your week is going well.  Mine has been busy which is good. It’s helped me jump back into things and get moving.  The drawback is that I’ve been dragging at night! 

I’ve not had much energy to craft this week, but I did a lot of crafting while on holiday break, so I do have stuff stored up to share with you.

Today I’m sharing a Lawn Fawn card. I just love the Critters in the Snow stamp set.

This card would qualify for the current Lawnscaping challenge…. “All About Snow”.  Have you entered yet? The winner gets a Lawn Fawn set of choice!  I hope you decide to participate. 

Also, remember Winter’s card drive. Check it out here for information. It’s for a great cause, I hope you join in. She’s going to have some fabby prizes too.

Hugs and blessings

Nette

PDCC+My Silly Valentine=Fun

Hi Friends,

How has your week started? Wow, I don’t know about you, but it was tough going to work yesterday.  I was so exhausted by the time I got home.  It was nice to see my co-worker friends, and I am extremely blessed to have a good job.  (It does seem that no matter how long the breaks are, they are never long enough, if you know what I mean!)

Onto today’s card. I got a chance over the weekend to make something for the current Play Date Café Color Challenge.  This is one of my favorite challenge blogs, so I love it when I can play along.  Here’s the beautiful inspiration photo

I love these colors, and I mean LOVE.  I had to make time to play along.  This is what I came up with.

I had been wanting to play with my Lawn Fawn “My Silly Valentine” set, so this seemed like a good opportunity to do that. 

Speaking of Valentine’s.  The uber sweet and talented Winter is organizing a card drive for St. Jude hospital for kids.  I would really encourage you to play along.  Check out her blog for details.  It’s for a great cause, and there are prizes to boot.  It’s a win-win!!  (Personally, I think the Lawn Fawn, “My Silly Valentine set” is perfect for this… I’ve already started my cards for the drive).

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Hugs and blessings

Lynnette

Supplies:

Stamps:  Lawn Fawn (My Silly Valentine), Papertrey Ink Polka dot basics

Ink: Memento black, Versamark

Paper:  Stamping Up, Papertrey Ink, Neenah

Other: Punches: EK success,  Markers: Copic, Ribbon and button:  Papertrey Ink

Introducing Lawnscaping

Hi Friends

Happy New Year. I cannot believe that it’s 2011, and I’m back to work. 

On a very happy note, I’m so excited today to share with you a new challenge blog called, “Lawnscaping.”  It is all about Lawn Fawn. There will be two challenges per month (the first and third Mondays of the month) featuring unique ideas for creativity (and using Lawn Fawn stuff).  There will be prizes too!! 

Laurel Beard is the founder of the challenge, and she’s rounded up several Lawn Fawn lovers to be on her design team.  Check out the blog here to find all the details. I’m sure you’re going to love it!

The first challenge is all about snow!! Since it’s winter, and there’s been a fair amount of snow so far this season, it seems fitting.

Here’s my take on the challenge:

As you can see, I used the Lawn Fawn “Critters in the Snow”, and “Frosties” sets.  They were too perfect for this challenge.

I used Liquid Applique on the bottom to create the “snow”.  The snow flakes are embossed with white embossing powder.  And of course, I colored with my dear Copic markers. (happy sigh).

I hope you are excited about this new challenge. The first prize is a Lawn Fawn set of stamps of the winner’s choice.  It’s worth it to play along!  Be sure to go to the Lawnscaping blog to see the design team’s work and get all the details on this fun new challenge!

Hugs and blessings

Lynnette