Pieces of Joy

Monday, November 7, 2011

Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week - Christmas Mouse

This week Wendy at Repeat Impression has chosen the stamp Christmas Mouse as the Stamp of the Week. You can pick up this stamp for 50% off. Just go to her blog here and get the special code and enter it in on the order form.

I loved the image so much that I made two cards and will be making a few more.

Check out these great examples designed by some of the "Rock Stars"

Lynette Neus
Joy Hadden - you are here
Dawn Bennett
Vicki Dutcher
Darsie Bruno

Now pop over to Wendy's blog and get your 50% discount! Thanks and have a HAPPY stamping day!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

CR84FN Color Challenge 42

Don't you just love CR84FN challenges? This week's challenge was perfect for a card I needed to make for a friend's daughter who is getting married next month. Here is CR84FN's colors for this week

My card really is pale pink - not sure why the color looks like bright pink. I'm thinking it may be the lights I've had to substitute in my light tent. I accidentally broke one and have had to substitute what I could find.

The sketch came from Dawn McVey. The die cuts are Papertrey Ink and the sentiment is also Papertrey Ink. The card stock is Gina K Designs called innocent pink, black onyx and white. The dp is Making Memories.

Thanks for looking at my card. Have a HAPPY stamping day!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Repeat Impression's Sketch

Wendy at Repeat Impressions has a great sketch for us - this maybe one of my last Fall cards -- I have to start thinking about Christmas - YIKES! So for this week here is Wendy's sketch.

and here is my card:

I used the sentiment "Let Us Give Thanks". Wendy has some of the neatest Thanksgiving stamps I've seen around. Take a look at all she has and you will find several you can't do without.

We would like to see what you can do with this sketch. Wendy is going to randomly pick one project to receive a gift certificate from Repeat Impressions. All you need to do is go to her site The House That Stamps Built.

Link your card on her page - your card will inspire and encourage us!

Here is a bit of inspiration for you from the Design Team! Good luck -- we will be looking for your project.

Blessings! Have a Happy Stamping Day!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Creative Belli Challenge Design Team Call

CREATIVE BELLI CHALLENGE DESIGN TEAM CALL!

We are looking to add some talented stampers to join our team for the first 2012 term, which runs January 1-June 30, 2012. ANY stamper, scrapbooker or papercrafter is welcome to apply!

Requirements:
~ You must be able to follow instructions on time and work well with others.
~ Check out the participants blogs and comment please.
~ Post your work with the weekly code to other Forums you are participating in and comment in those areas too.
~ You may "miss" 3 challenges out of the 6 month commitment.
~ Participate in each Bi-weekly Challenge and upload your project to the Belli blog no later than the Sunday evening before the Challenge Week.
~ Post a permanent DT banner on your blog
~ Join the DT Yahoo Group (our sole means of communication)
~ You MUST have a blog and be posting regularly.

To Apply:
Please create a card for your favorite challenge in your best work and send it (100kb or less each) to dbruno@stny.rr.com by December 15th. Please use BELLI DT CALL as your subject line. You may use any stamps and supplies you have. Be sure to include your full name, address, email address, and a link to your blog.

PLEASE NOTE: previous DT experience is not necessary.

We will not be able to respond to each submission. If you are chosen, you will hear from us by December 16. We will post the NEW members of the Design Team on December 20th.

If you have any questions please email me at dbruno@stny.rr.com with BELLI DT CALL Question in the subject line. I will do my best to get back to you within a day or two.

Don't forget to play along with our current Belli challenge! Good luck!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Suzanne Dean's Book Club Challenge

Suzanne Dean, creator of Color Me Creative Classroom has a GREAT book club. We read a book then she challenges us to make a card related to the current book selection. At the end of the month we have an on line chat and post projects we have made related to the book. It's a great way to read wonderful books and meet some new friends. Why don't you check it out. This month we read

The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue

The book is very intriguing and is about relationships. Great read!
Here is my card:

I used the Stamp Sets You are Not Alone and Elegant Elements by Gina K Designs. I colored the medallion with copic markers. The paper is from Stella Rose by My Mind's Eye.

Check out the Book Club and other challenges by Suzanne.

Thanks and have a happy stamping day!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Stamp TV Alumni Sketch Blog Hop

This week Melissa Stamp TV has challenged us with a sketch -- Her sketches are always interesting and fun to work with. If you have just come from Karen Knegten's blog, you are at the right spot. The start of the hop is at Stamp TV -- that way you don't miss one bit of inspiration and make sure to leave a comment as you hop along because on Tuesday morning (November 1), we will randomly choose one of the comments from all the blogs who will get a stamp set of their choice valued up to $24.95!

Here is Melissa's sketch

and here is my card:

I used the stamp set Festive Labels - which has lots of wonderful labels and the sentiment is from Vogue Vases. The cardstock is Pure Luxury White, Green Apple and a few pieces of scrap. The little brads are from one of Gina K's Stamp TV Kits. I like the size of them and the color seems to go with so many of my cards.

Now hop on to Deb Felts blog and see what she has to inspire you.

Thanks for looking at my card and leaving a comment! Have a HAPPY stamping day!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Repeat Impression's Designer Case Challenge - Recipe

Lynette, one of the Repeat Impression's Design Team Members challenged the rest of the team to make a "RECIPE CARD". Here is the recipe she gave us:

1 image
1 sentiment
2 die cuts (can be Spellbinders, etc)
3 embellishments

Here is my card:

1 image = Duckling
1 sentiment = Welcome Little One
2 die cuts = Spellbinders Oval and Oval scallop
3 embellishments = lace, Spica Glitter Pens for flower in hat and bow tie

Need some inspiration? Here is the Design Team -- check out their projects:

Now it's your turn - join us in making a Recipe card then post it on Wendy's blog and you could win your choice of stamps!

Thanks for stopping by, have a HAPPY stamping day.

Creative Belli Challenge - 1 2 3 4

Time for a Creative Belli Challenge! The challenge for this week is 1 2 3 4 - isn't that cool? For example you could decide to do 1 dp, 2, die cuts, 3, colors and 4 sentiments like I did -- or pick your own 1 2 3 4. Make it your own -- We want to see what you come up with -- this will be a fun challenge. While you are doing this challenge, remember we want you to use things that you already have. No need to buy something new for this challenge.

Here's mine:

1 - dp
2 - die cuts (spider web and arrow)
3 - colors (orange, black, green)
4 - sentiments ( Trick or Treat, Boo, and two sentiment strips)

Here are projects the other design team members created. Check them out for inspiration then upload yours to the Creative Belli blog. We want to see what you do!

Have a HAPPY stamping day!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Repeat Impression's STOW - Tall Pumpkin

Are you in the mood for Halloween? I live pretty far out in the country, so we don't get any Trick or Treaters, but I send my grandchildren special little packages. This card will go into one of those packages.

Wendy from Repeat Impressions choose Tall Pumpkin for the Stamp of the Week (STOW). Here is a card that I made:

I love the expressions! Besides several sizes of pumpkins, Wendy has several different faces you can stamp on the pumpkins and several "Happy Halloween" fonts. Be sure to check out all her Halloween stamps - she has quite a collection.

Check out these great examples designed by some of the "Rock Stars"

Lynette Neus
Joy Hadden - you are here
Dawn Bennett
Vicki Dutcher
Darsie Bruno

Thanks and have a HAPPY stamping day!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Repeat Impressions Sketch for October 19

Oh, my -- October is rolling by so fast! I've been making Fall and Halloween cards for about 4 weeks now and wanted to do something else! So I used the image Fairy Kiss from the Garden Fairies series. These are such delicate fairies with beautiful wings, that my first thought went to gold cardstock.

So here is the sketch for this week

We would love to see what you can do with this sketch. You do not have to use Repeat Impressions stamps, but if you do, we would love to see them. Make a card using the sketch and post it to Wendy's blog at The House That Stamps Built.

You might be the one that gets randomly drawn and be the winner of a $25.00 gift certificate. Save it until a Stamp of the Week comes along and even make that go further!

Here are the Design Team Members that have some inspiration for you.

What a great team! Thanks for looking at my card and have a HAPPY stamping day!

Friday, October 14, 2011

CSS Blog Hop

This weeks Center Spotlight Stage Design Team's Blog Hop is a VERY special one. If you have come from Giovana's blog then you are right on track. You may want to start at the very beginning at Stamp TV. Giovana gave us these guidelines for creating a special card:

Create a fun, uplifting card or cards for one or all the kids listed below (you can click on their names to read more about each of them). The card can be anything cheery, encouraging, supportive, etc. Please DO NOT send sorry, get well or anything like that. Remember, we want to cheer them up. The kids:
- Madison: 2 years old
- Logan: 2 years old. (turning 3 on October 17th!!)
- Tanner: 2 years old (turning 3 on December 25)
- Rebekah: 9 years old
All cards need to have a message in it for the child/family. Please also sign your name and where you are from. On the card envelope, write the name of the child. Please, don't seal the envelope, as the parents might want to read the cards before the kids see them.
Cards must be received by October 31st to be eligible for the drawing.
Mail your card(s) to Giovana along with a piece of paper with your name, address, e-mail address and blog (if you have one). This will help a lot to contact the winner a lot faster!:

The neat thing about this blog hop that while you will put a smile on a child's face, you will get the opportunity to win a SUPER big prize package -- see below:
Awesome companies have donated amazing prizes for you! More than $400.00 in prizes!!

Heartfelt Creations: 8 stamping sets + 1 Coordinated Die Set. Value: $150.00!
Gina K. Designs: 2 StampTV Kits: Value: $70.00 (Gina will send the prize direct to the winner!)
Unity Stamps: 10 Itty Bitty Stamps. Value: $70.00
SP & Company: 3 Stamp Set. Value: $40.00
Lawn Fawn Stamps: 2 Stamp Set: Value: $30.00
Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps: 1 Stamp Set. Value: $11.00
Spellbinders: 2 die sets!! (Not included in the picture yet)
Tombow: 6 packages of markers and adhesives

So make a card for one of the children and mail it to:

Giovana Smith
Card Drive for Kids
181 Perry Way
Yakima, WA 98901 and your name will be included in the drawing

Here is my card

I used the stamp set Spring Mix Stamp TV kit. The little hello is from Stenciled Spring.

Now hop onto Karen's blog and see what she has created for the children. Have a HAPPY stamping day!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Repeat Impression's Designer Case Challenge

Every two week Wendy challenges us to follow the lead of one of the Design Team Members and make a project. This week - it is me!! My challenge was to make a Fall or Halloween project. Here are two cards.

This uses the stamps Foliage Positive(which is the Stamp of the Week and you can get it at 50% off this week. Check it out here. The "Let us give thanks" is one from Wendy's Thanksgiving series.

This one uses Round Pumpkin and the letters were cut out with a very old Nestability.

Now it's your turn - join us in making a Fall or Halloween card then post it on Wendy's blog and you could win your choice of stamps!

Thanks for stopping by, have a HAPPY stamping day.

Creative Belli Challenge - Felt or Glitter

Have you checked out this week's challenge from Creative Belli? - This is one I'll be excited to see what everyone creates. We are asking for you to create something that uses felt or chunky glitter - how great is that!

Remember our goal is for your to use something that you already have. So dust off those tools, embellishments, paper and other goodies that you have in the back of the drawer or cabinet and show us what you got!

I made some 3-D snowflakes from felt, using Nestabilities Snowflake die and coated the edges with chunky glitter. I made four snowflakes, folded them in half, pressed them with an iron, glued 2 back to back, then glued two halfs back to back with a little piece of wire in place to hang them. I got the idea from Dawn McVey's blog.

Here are projects the other design team members created. Check them out for inspiration then upload yours to the Creative Belli blog. We want to see what you do!

Have a HAPPY stamping day!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Repeat Impression's STOW - Foliage Positive

You are really going to enjoy Wendy's choice for Stamp of the Week. Remember each week she gives everyone an opportunity to add to their stamp stash by offering a special stamp for 50% off. This week she chose Foliage Positive. I've enjoyed this stamp so much that I made another card using this stamp and I will post it on Wednesday.

Here is my card:

Can you see the fairy face on the long rectangle piece? I used the Emboss Resist technique on the long rectangle piece. I stamped it with clear Versa Mark, heat embossed and then sponged Memento's Potter's Clay ink on it. The paper is Butterfly Garden by Pink Paislee. I love how this resist technique allows a pattern to show thru.

To get this stamp 50% off go to Wendy's blog - The House That Stamps Built and get the code there, then entered that code when you check out at Repeat Impressions.

Take a look at these members' projects.

Karen Hasheck
Lynette Neus
Joy Hadden - you are here
Dawn Bennett
Vicki Dutcher
Darsie Bruno

Thank you for looking at my card and have a HAPPY stamping day.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

WHAT IF WEDNESDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE

Can you believe it is October? I'm still wondering where July went!! I have a resolution to do Halloween and Thanksgiving cards early, so here is one of my first ones. Here is Wendy's from Repeat Impressions sketch she challenge us to use.

The first card I made using this sketch is:

I used the sentiment stamp called Treasure the love..

I used the stamps: Round Pumpkin. This is a great stamp because you choose what kind of face you want on the pumpkin - Wendy has created different face stamps to go with the pumpkins. She has also created several different kinds of pumpkins. Check them out here.

Why don't you join us. We want to see what you will do with this sketch. Wendy will do a random drawing for a gift certificate from Repeat Impressions. Just go to her blog The House That Stamps Built and link your card there. Here are members of the Design Team that have made cards to inspire you.

Looking forward to see your creations! Have a HAPPY stamping day.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Repeat Impression's STOW - Scarecrow

You will love the Stamp of the Week from Repeat Impressions! It is sooooo cute! It is called Scarecrow and friend. Here is my card:

You can find Scarecrow and Friend here. He is a wonderful fall image - not just for Halloween, but for all of fall and Thanksgiving also.

Remember that you can get this stamp at 50% off! Just go to The House that Stamps Built blog and get the special code there. Put that code in when you order and Wendy will get it right out to you, so you can get started on those fall cards.

Here are the designers that have made projects to inspire you.

Thanks for looking at my card and have a HAPPY stamping day!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Designers Choice Challenge from Robin

Today Robin was the featured Designer who challenged us to do a card with animals! Since my husband is a veterinarian -- this was easy -- and sorta hard. Repeat Impressions has so many animal stamps it was hard to decide which to use. I used a cat stamp called "Fourty Winks". I like this stamp because I like coloring like my cat --- who is usually napping. I also used the sentiment "Take Time to Chill Out". This series has some wonderful stamps and sentiments. Take a minute to check them out.

Here is m card:

Here is the list of Designers who made projects to inspire you.

Now we’d love for you to play along with us!
Here are all the details…
1. Create any card that includes an animal. Remember, your card does not have to be made with Repeat Impressions stamps, but if you would like to include their designs we would reeeally love to see them!

Plus, there’s an added bonus… you will get an additional entry in our random.org drawing for using their stamps in your submissions!
2. Post your DCC card on your blog or online gallery. Then link it with the inlinkz widget at Repeat Impressions blog. (Please provide a direct link to your post, not the entire blog.)

Thanks for looking at my card - have a happy stamping day!

Creative Belli Challenge - Paper Piecing

This week the Creative Belli Challenge is to use paper piecing. So here is my card:

The cut out leaves and the sentiment are from A Year of Leaves by Melanie Muenchinger. I've used scraps from my big pile. It is difficult to see, but the leaves are stamped on glitter paper and cut out.

Here is a list of the Designers who made projects to inspire you.

Would you like to join with us in this challenge? It is eazy-peazy! Remember our goal is to inspire you to use products you already have on hand. Make a project using paper piecing, remembering that the spirit of the Belli Challenges is to get you to use the old, forgotten or little used embellishments or components.
Link your project to the Creative Belli Challenge link found at the bottom of their post. - Hey, why don't you challenge a friend to join you?

Thanks and have a happy Stamping day!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Stamp of the Week - Fox

Happy Monday! Each week Wendy gives you the opportunity to purchase a stamp for 50% off. This is a great way to add to your stamp collection at a bargain! Be sure to check out her blog so that you can get the discount. This week it is call Fox. This is one of the images in the series called Woodland Animals. There are so many great stamps in this collection. Be sure to take time to look thru this series!

Here is my card:

The sentiment is Wishing you.... and the little trees are actually one stamp called Small Pine Tree. He is called Red Fox, but I made him a grey fox for a friend that is having a birthday (and his hair is grey!)

Some of the members of the Design Team have made cards with this cute image -- Here they are

Karen Hasheck
Lynette Neus
Joy Hadden - you are here
Dawn Bennett
Michelle Greenwood
Darsie Bruno

Have a HAPPY STAMPING day!!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Stamp TV Shaker Card Hop

This week Carolina one of the Designer Team Members at Gina K Designs challenged the Alumni to make a shaker card. If you came here from Karen Knegten's blog, you are right on track. I love the colors she puts together. If you did not, the best place to start is at Stamp TV . That way you will not miss one single designer's inspirational project. Here is my card.

I used Melanie Muenchinger's wonderful set called A Year of Leaves. This is one of my "favorite-est" sets. There are 10 sentiments and 8 images! That is an incredible set! Check it out here. The cardstock is Gina K Designs, Ivory, Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice and Sweet Corn. I also used Gina K's ribbon called Pumpkin Mango Stripe. In my Ranger Memory Capsule is a leaf and some clear micro-beads.

Now hop on over to Deb Felts's blog and see what she has created. She is a wonderful friend I got to spend a little time with at CHA in July. You will love her card!

Don't forget that Gina K will have a random drawing from all the comments made on the blogs. She will be giving away a FREE stamp set. That person will get a stamp set of their choice valued up to $24.99 -- WHOOP!!

Thanks for taking time to look at my card - have a HAPPY stamping day.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Repeat Impressions Sketch for September 21

What a wonderful day - Beginning of a wonderful week. Today Wendy from Repeat Impressions challenged us with this sketch

And here are two cards I made:

Stamp is "You Brighten my Day" from the Quartet Compliment series and the paper is from Echo Park.

I used the stamp Rocking Horse and a sentiment from the Quartet Compliments. I stamped the Rocking Horse in Versa Mark shaded a little with pink on the sentiment.

One of the fun things we get to do is look at what you create. Why don't you join us in this challenge?
Wendy will do a random drawing for a gift certificate from Repeat Impressions. Just go to her blog The House That Stamps Built and link your card there. Here are members of the Design Team that have made cards to inspire you.

Looking forward to see your creations! Have a HAPPY stamping day.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Designers Choice Challenge Harriett

What a wonderful day this is! I'm in Maine for few weeks but have schedule my posts -- here's hoping they all go live at the right time. This week Harriett on the the Design Team members challenged us to make a "one layer card CAS card". Remember CAS can stand for "Clean and Simple." I started with a pack of note cards I found at Paper Source in their mark down shelves. I needed some quick thank you cards and this was going to work just fine.

Here is the little pack I found:

And here is what I made:

I stamped the image with Vase of Tulips and the sentiment is Thanks So Much from the Quartet Compliments series, colored the tulips and greenery with Copic markers. I had 10 thank you notes -- super super quick.

Here is the list of Designers who made projects to inspire you.

Now we’d love for you to play along with us!
Here are all the details…
1. Create any card that is a one layer card and CAS (clean and simple). Remember, your card does not have to be made with Repeat Impressions stamps, but if you would like to include their designs we would reeeally love to see them!

Creative Belli Challenge String

Hey, guys! Time for a new Creative Belli Challenge. This week we have been challenged to use string in our project! Whether it is on a layout, a card or a 3-D project. We would love to see what you make! Remember the goal of the Creative Belli Challenge is to use something that you already have, something that perhaps you haven't used in a while. Here is my card:

This string art is called Spirelli - it is just one of MANY patterns in the string art. Here is a tutorial on it. It is so easy and this will probably be the Christmas cards that I will mail out. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder and a Nestabilities die with the greeting from Repeat Impressions.

Here is a list of the Designers who made projects to inspire you.

Would you like to join with us in this challenge? It is eazy-peazy!
Make a project using, remembering that the spirit of the Belli Challenges is to get you to use the old, forgotten or little used embellishments or components.
Link your project to the Creative Belli Challenge link found at the bottom of their post. - Hey, why don't you challenge a friend to join you?

Thanks and have a happy Stamping day!

Monday, September 12, 2011

STOW Humpback Whale

One of the exciting things we do when we go to Maine is to go on a Whale Watching ship. Usually we go out of Boothbay Harbor or Bar Harbor. If you ever get the opportunity - go! It usually takes 4-5 hours because the boat has to go pretty far out. We have always seen whales when we go! Amazing creatures God created.

This week the Stamp of the Week is the Humpback Whale, so I was excited to work with this one. Here is my card:

So you remember that you can get this stamp for 50% off for this week only. Just go to Wendy's blog and get the special code she has listed there. Then go to Repeat Impressions and add that code in the Coupon Code section of the online order form. Some of the members of the Design Team have made cards with this wonderful image -- Here they are

Lynette Neus

Joy Hadden - you are here

Dawn Bennett

Michelle Greenwood

Darsie Bruno

Thank you for looking at my card. Have a HAPPY stamping day!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Never Forget 9-11

Today is a sad anniversary for some. Please remember those who were killed, injured and still suffer from that horrific day. God Bless America and those who gave and give their lives!!