SSS179 - Hello Friend

What a fun sketch. I don't usually rotate my main panels, I tend to keep everything straight. But I love trying new things and really like how it turned out. I need to do that more often. So here is the sketch:

I love playing with Sweet N Sassy Stamps and I really love sketch challenges. What really made me fall in love with the company's stamps was Rhubarb Bear. I've always loved teddy bears. And I think that Rhubarb Bear the the most adorable teddy bear ever. So here is the adorable Rhubarb Bear holding a pumpkin and ready for fall, just like me. It's my favorite season.  Here is my take on SSS179:

I rotated the sketch 90 degrees counter-clockwise. I used a cloud in place of the circle behind the two rectangle panels. I also used a fall leaf for the sentiment. For the little flower accents in the sketch I used the pumpkins and the little acorn charm hanging off the leaf with the sentiment. The sentiment is from Simple Pleasures. I love the generic sentiments and fonts in that set. I used Spectrum Noir and Copic markers to color Rhubarb's Autumn Day and his fall scene. I saw a tutorial on the Spectrum Noir site for camouflage and thought is would also work to make ground covered in fall leaves. So I just laid down a base coat of GB8 and tapped different marker colors representing fall leaf colors on the base color. I used a dark brown to outline the shadow around Rhubarb's fee and leaves in the image on the ground. Then I colored over the ground with GB8, blending all the colors together. I really like how it turned out.I used BT1 and BT2 to color the sky and then sponged a little Soft Sky from Stampin' Up around the edges. It's kind of hard to see, but I used a large honeycomb embossing folder on the pumpkin paper panel. That pumpkin paper is some very old Stampin' Up paper, at least 8 + years old. Trying to go through my huge stash of paper and use it up. I cut the cloud, pumpkins, leaf and acorn charm using Silhouette Cameo cut files. Love my cameo.

Supplies:
Stamps: Rhubarb's Autumn Day Digi Stamp (also available in the clear stamp set, Rhubarb's Autumn Joys), Simple Pleasures Clear Stamp Set (no longer available) (SNSS)
Paper: Pure Luxury Grass Green, Soft Sky (SU), Georgia Pacific White, Xpress-It White for the Digi Stamp Panel, Pumpkins pattern paper (SU), Fall Words pattern paper (Target $1 bin)
Ink: Copic and Spectrum Noir Markers, Black Soot Distress Ink Pad, Soft Sky and Marigold Morning Ink Pads for sponging
Other: Silhouette Cameo, Mosaic and Honeycomb embossing folders, Sewing Machine and thread

SNSCD68 - SNSS Fall Inspiration Digi Challenge

I know it has been a while since I've blogged. Between all the summer camping trips and a loss of some of my mojo, I've not done much stamping. I also decided to move my craft room back into my master bedroom where it was when I originally moved into my apartment. I have half my stuff moved and somewhat organized. And I decided to sit down and be creative before continuing on with the craft room move.

I was looking over the Sweet n Sassy Stamps Member Company area over at SplitCoastStampers.com and saw the digi challenge this week.

Fall Inspiration! Sigh! I love fall. I love pumpkin spice chai lattes (from Starbucks of course) and cooler days and everything else that goes along with fall. So this seemed like a perfect challenge to take on to get my mojo going again. So here is my card using the adorable Rhubarb Scarecrow. He is just too cute, not sure how any bird would be scared of him. LOL! The sentiment is from the Bear Sentiments digi set.

I pulled out some fall papers I got at Target in the dollar bin a few years ago. And also pulled out my sewing machine to add some stitches.

Playing with my Sweet and Sassy Stamps

I just adore the stamps from Sweet and Sassy. Korin has been releasing some amazing sets these past few months. I had a chance to play around with some sets I bought. Here is what I made so far.

I made this sweet Rhubarb card for boyfriend to tell him how special he is to me. I used the Sweet Stop sketch for this week to make the card. I used Friendship Script Background, Thoughtful Rhubarb, and Seeing Spots stamp sets. The floral pattern paper is from Bo Bunny. I also used my old Stampin Up Sanded background stamp to add age and texture. It is hard to tell in the photo, but I made Rhubarb with several layers of each of his body areas popped up with foam tape.

I made this one using the sketch from the Sweet Stop blog last week. I finally had a chance to upload it. I used the Flowers in Bloom stamp set. All pattern paper is from MME Stella Rose.

All pieces are cute using the Silhouette Cameo.  I just added some striped and gingham ribbon and used dimensional tape between each layer. The sentiment is from Summertime Rhubarb.

PMS May Flowers Blog Hop

This week we are doing a May Flowers hop with the regular and digi design teams.

I used Moody for Flowers and a flower Digi Word Art. All pieces except the ovals were cut with my Silhouette Cameo. Love that machine.

You have two different chances to win free digis. As you travel along the hop, leave a comment on each blog for a chance to win some digi stamps. Also play along with our May Flowers theme using your favorite digi stamps for a chance to win. You can get all the details about how to play along at the PMS blog.

Here are the links for all of the participants of this blog hop. So grab a cup of your favorite drink, sit back and prepared to be inspired.
Katie Cotton
Michelle Van Patten
Tangii Crain
Anne Temple
Lisa McKinney
Britt Bass
Jackie Rakoski
Eret
Melissa Shultz {you are here}

Also, don't forget that Paper Makeup Stamps is changing over to selling all Digi Stamps. There is still some rubber stamps available for 75% in the store.

PMS Digi Makeover Challenge #33

This week we are creating cards for the most popular annual celebration.

I decided to browse the Silhouette image store and found a cute box with flowers and the words Happy Birthday along the top edge. I used a sentiment from the set, Celebration Sentiments, on two of the sides of the box. I used the Birthday Cake Fairy image for the other two sides. They are all mounted on some other fun Silhouette tag cut files. This box would be great to fill with some candy, a small plant or any other gift for a friend or family member.

Now go grab your birthday digi stamps and play along. You can enter the challenge for a chance to win some FREE digi stamps. Get all the details here.

PMS Digi Makeover Challenge #31

The PMS Digi Makeover Challenge for this week is one of my favorites. Using bright colors! I love using bright colors.

I could not think of a better image than the Moody for Rock image to use for this challenge. She can rock out the bright color look with the best of them. Flash back to the 80's with these neon looking bright colors.

I used the black mats and card base to really make the bright colors pop against each other. And I added a little green and white zebra ribbon from my stash to make it even wilder.

Now go grab your digi stamps and make a bright colored card to join us in this fun challenge. You even have a chance to win some free digi stamps. Get all the details over at the challenge block, here.

PMS Digi Makeover Challenge #28

This week we have an Inspiration Challenge for you.

Here is the Inspiration Photo.

I was really drawn to the yellow flowers in the picture. So that is what I used as my inspiration.

I used one of the flowers from the Color it Summer Digi set and the sentiment is from the Little Moments Digi set. I love this sentiment set because it has so many great generic sentiments to cover any occasion. And since it is a digital set, I can resize it to meet my needs. The pattern paper is from my stash of older papers. I went through about 75% of my stash this weekend and reorganized it. I found some papers I didn't realize I had. I am sure I am not alone. LOL! The card base is Wasau White. The scallop edge is Grass Green {GKD} and I added some fun ribbons and trims from my stash.

I also used Card Patterns Sketch #157 for my card.

Now grab some digital stamps and be inspired the the gorgeous photo of spring wild flowers. You could win some free PMS Digi Stamps. Read about the details here on the PMS blog.

Digi Makeover Challenge 19

Sorry this post is a little late. This week we are using a fairy on our card.

The Melissa Fairy is the first rubber stamp I purchased from PMS. I was just so excited to find a stamp with my name. So I just had to use the Melissa Fairy Digi Stamp for this challenge. I don't do a lot of reading, but I do wear glasses. So she is sort of like me. LOL! Here is my card for the challenge.

I used some of my favorite colors for the challenge. I love blue greens and oranges and chocolate brown.

Now it is your turn to join the challenge. Use a Fairy Digital Stamp to make a card or other handmade project this week. You get all the challenge details over on the PMS Blog.

Digi Makeover Challenge #18

This week we are making Get Well cards or gifts.

This seems very appropriate, since I've been battling a cold for the past week and a half. And I know others that have been sick too. This crazy weather won't stay cold enough to kill all the germs. But I will get off my sickness soap box. Here is my Feel Better Soon card.

I used the new Fairy Jane image from the release. And I used word art, Feel Better Soon, to make the text frame. Paper is from a My Minds Eye 6x6 pad (not sure which one).

So grab your favorite digi stamps and make a get well card or gift for someone you may know that is under the weather. You could win some free digi stamps. Get the details here.

Digi Makeover Challenge #16

This week we have a color challenge.

The colors are definitely Christmas colors, but I chose to not make a Christmas card for this challenge.

I used my second favorite image from PMS, Moody for Coffee. I used mostly the two shades of green. Then added in some red and a touch of silver with a gel pen and some silver adhesive pearls.

I hope you will have some time in between all of your Christmas celebrations to play along with our challenge. The only requirements are that you use a Digital Stamp and the colors shown above.  You can get all of the challenge details here.  Also, don't forget about the closeout sale of rubber stamps over at Paper Makeup Stamps. Word is that Katie is marking everything down to 60% off.

Digi Makeover Challenge #13

This week for the Paper Makeup Stamps Digi Makeover Challenge we have a sketch for you to use with your digital stamps.

This is a fun sketch and I found it easy to pull together this wintry card.

I used the NEW Hayden Fairy Digital Stamp. So beautiful and elegant with her whisper of fun snowflakes. The sentiment is also included with this Digital Stamp.

Now grab your favorite Digital Stamps and play along for a chance to win some FREE Digital Stamps. Get all the details of the challenge here.

Also check out the closeout sale of rubber stamps from Paper Makeup Stamps. Details are on the main page of the store site.

Wrapped in Red, Green and White

I made thee card I am sharing today for a couple of challenges.
I used the colors Red, Green, and White for JUGS Color Challenge.
I included a sentiment and followed the Gift Wrapped theme for the Outlawz Greeting Challenge.

I love the Color Kids images from Paper Makeup Stamps. They are just so cute. Isn't this little girl wrapping presents so adorable. The name of the stamp is Gift Wrapped. I used the digital version, but you can also purchase her as a rubber stamp. It is hard to tell in the photo, but I used a Sakura glitter pen on the barrettes, shoes and tie on her shirt and the heart in the sentiment.

Digi Makeover Challenge #12

This week we have a color challenge for the Paper Makeup Stamps Digi Makeover Challenge. The color combination is not one I would have come up with on my own, but I do like how my card turned out. They were fun soft colors to play with.

I used the NEW Color Kids Digital Stamp, Gift Wrapped, that is part of a Christmas release. I used the colors to make this a birthday card for a young girl. I used Card Patterns Sketch #142 from this week. It was perfect for the colors and image I chose to use. :-)

Now go grab a digital stamp of your choice and use the colors you have in your stash that match  the sample above and get creating. One lucky person can win some FREE Digi Images. You can read all of the details about the challenge over at the PMS Digi Makeover Challenge Blog.
Stamps: Color Kids Gift Wrapped
Paper: Barely Banana, Cameo Coral, Almost Amethyst, and Pale Plum card stock
Ink: laser printer, Copic markers
Other: Birthday embossing folder, purple ribbon, baker's twine and buttons



Digi Makeover Challenge #11

Today, for the PMS Digi Makeover Challenge, we are showing you another fun way to use those digital images.

You can design your own background paper to coordinate with your main image. Isn't that cool?

I used the snowflake from the NEW Color It Winter Tags set. I made all different sized snowflakes and put them all over a letter size sheet of paper using Serifs Publisher program (you can get their basic version for free). I also changed the color of the snowflakes to chocolate brown and printed them on pink card stock. Then I cut the printed sheet into 4 pieces. I took on of the pieces and ran it through my plaid embossing folder to give it some texture. Then for the main image I used the absolutely adorable NEW Pete the Penguin. I cut him out with a square Spellbinder's die. Then I printed another image after first cropping his body. I wanted to get the scarf so I could paper piece it to him. I love how the scarf hangs outside the square. After looking at this card, I guess I turned Pete into Petunia. LOL! Since he is wearing pink.

Now go boot up your computer and use some of your favorite digital images to create some fun background paper. I can't wait to see what you come up with. You can all the details of this challenge over at the PMS Digi Makover Blog.

Release Day and Digi Makeover Challenge #10

Today is Release Day for Paper Makeup Stamps. Katie has some wonderful new Rubber Stamps which are also available as Digital Stamps to release tonight. And they are perfect to use for all of your Christmas and Winter gifts. Since it is Monday, we are combining the Release Hop with the weekly Digi Makeover Challenge. The challenge for this week is "Don't Be A Square". I made a round card using some fun new paper I found by My Mind's Eye and isn't that new Fairy image just the cutest? And the fun thing about Digital Images is that you can make them any size you want. I made the fairy bigger to fit this 6 inch circle card. You will want to play along with our challenge this week. One lucky participant will win the entire release in digital format. You can read about all the details at the PMS blog.

I hope you enjoyed the project I shared with you today. Please take some time to check out all of the other release day projects. You won't be disappointed. If you are following the hop in order you can now click on over to Velta's blog.

1. Paper Makeup Stamps Company Blog
2. Lisa Kind
3. Ginger Schwerin
4. Randee Elsing
5. Jenn Cochran
6. Tangii Crain
7. Michelle Van Patten
8. Andrea Vernagus
9. Lisa McKinney
10. Janette Garcia
11. Kristie Wilson
12. Katie Cotton
13. Anita Hovey
14. Tina Hale
15. Jackie Rakoski
16. Dawn Mercedes
17. Jami Bova
18. Anne Temple
19. Britt Bass
20. Danni Bindel
21. Ivette Aviles
22. Jenn Schull
23. Melissa Shultz <--you are here
24. Velta Wesson

PMS Digi Makeover Challenge #9

This week we have a fun sketch for you to try with your favorite Digi Image. Please join us by creating something with this sketch and adding a link over at the PMS Digi Makeover Challenge blog post for this week. You could win some FREE digi images from PMS.

Here is the card I made with the sketch.

I used the Moody for Fall image. I also pulled out some new K&Co. DP I bought recently from Michael's. I love the little matte stacks. perfect for creating cards.

PMS Digi Makeover Challenge #7

For the challenge this week, we are using the Spotlight Technique. Stamp or in this case print your image in one color and then print a portion of that same image again and add color.

For my card I used the cute Aurora Fairy with the doll and added the spotlight around her doll.

My card is a split panel card. I scored it so each side folds into meet each other. I love this card fold and don't do it enough.

No go print your favorite digi image and try out this fun technique. Make sure to share it over at the PMS Digi Makeover Blog for your chance to win some FREE Digital Images.

Unscripted Sketch #126

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I adore snow. I pulled out a cute image I printed a while back with a cute Pure Innocence girl with a snowman. I used the Unscripted Sketch for this week.

I used the Rock and Roll Technique on the letters to get a darker edge. You ink up your sold image stamp with a lighter shade and then roll the edges of the same stamp in a darker shade of the same color. It looks very cool.

Stamps: Pure Innocence Digi Image {purchased from the artist's site}, Retro Alpha Lower {Stampin' Up, Retired}
Paper: Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi and Soft Sky {Stampin Up}, Snowflake DP {Unknown}
Ink: Laser Printer, Copic markers, Memento Pear Tart and Bamboo Leaves
Other: Pink Lace {Hobby Lobby}, Baker's Twine, Snowflakes Embossing Folder {Sizzix}, Grand Circle Die {Spellbinders}

PMS Digi Makeover Challenge #5

This week we have a color challenge for you. This one was tough for me. That made it a great challenge.

I used the Digital Image, Moody for Reading. For the colors I used Elegant Eggplant, Soft Sky and some Kraft card stock. You can use whatever colors you have that match the closest to the image above.

Now pull out your favorite Digital Image and play along with us this week. You could win some FREE Digital Images from Paper Makeup Stamps. Check out the details here.

Stamps: Moody for Reading Digi Image {PMS}
Ink: Laser Printer, Copic Markers, Distress Inks
Paper: Soft Sky & Elegant Eggplant {Stampin Up}, Kraft {Gina K}, White {X-Press It}
Other: Striped Ribbon, Edge Punch from

Feelin' Groovy

I found another company with adorable digital images. The Paper Shelter has the cutest images. I added a few to my shopping cart yesterday. I made this groovy card using sketch #4 from Freshly Made Sketches. I hope it is "clean" enough for the challenge.

Stamps: Hippie Girl Digital Image {The Paper Shelter}, sentiment from Groovy Girl {MFT}
Paper: Always Artichoke & Sahara Sand {Stampin Up}, Life of the Party 6x6 pad {Basic Grey}
Ink: Vivid Chocolate, Copic Markers, Laser Printer
Other: ribbon & lace, peace sign charm