Celebrate a Crafting Retreat

Time to celebrate our 7th Retreat at Over the River and Threw the Woods Retreat with a fun addition to the pillow gifts this time:

I found these bottles at a local craft store and then decided to fill them with Salt Water Taffy. Then, I realized that the straws didn't fit anymore, so I cut a paper straw for my flag. I snuck the real straw inside the goody bag. 

The Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper was perfect and I just played with the Triple Banner Punch, the Cherry on Top Washi Tape was perfect for the top of the bottle. The Stars were from the new Star Punch and the old Itty Bitty Accents Punch for the little stars.

I wasn't sure what my theme for these would be until the As You See It Challenge was released last week. Guess what the theme was? CELEBRATE! So, that made me realize that I wanted that at the theme for my milk bottles!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Cottage Greetings Birthday, My Way

As I wrote before, kits are great for convenience, but I like to play with them. Here is my latest creation:

I started by trying to make a circle frame with the wood. I punched a 2 1/2" Circle and tried to hand cut the frame. DISASTER! I then had the inner circle on the table and realized it fit exactly inside the wreath piece.  I then added a 2" Circle of the Mint Macroon with the silver dots. I next added this to the Crush Curry Striped Background. I needed a sentiment, so I used the Cottage Greetings Stamp Set to make this into a birthday card!

Such fun! 

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Happy Stamping!

Sara

Wonderful Watermelon Cucumber Bay Cards

I did it! I finished an active challenge at As You See It Challenge Blog! Thanks to those demonstrators who sent me in color inks and papers this week!

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My second card is above. I wanted to show more colors. Since I can't emboss yet, I inked up the Elegant Dots Embossing Folder with Bermuda Bay and slide my Gumball Green inside. I rubbed like crazy and got a light impression of the dots. You can barely see it in the picture, but it makes the Gumball Green look speckled. I used an aquapainter with Bermuda Bay ink to color the vases and I inked the image with Bermuda Bay. I used markers to color the flowers and stems. The Watermelon Wonder Blossom Accent added some dimension.

This was my first card and, although, I liked it, I wasn't sure it was challenge worthy. Plus, I tired Gumball Green on the loopy flower, but I didn't like it. 

You still have a few hours to join the challenge, or play along anytime. 

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Happy Stamping!

Sara

Weekly Deals 8/11/2015

Each Tuesday, Stampin' Up! posts new weekly deals. Here they are for this week!

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I love a deal. You can click on a picture to order or go my store at www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Cottage Greetings Thank-you

The beauty of a kit, to me, is that the pieces are all cut, the parts are color coordinated, and the embellishments are cute! I'm not good at following the kit directions. I like to go my own way. Sunday, I used the Cottage Greetings Kit (bought as bundle by a friend and sent to me) to create this beauty:

Lovely, huh? I used the As You See It Sketch Challenge 97. I'm trying to catch up on my summer goal of doing all the summer ones! Plus, it fit this kit so well!

The wood pieces in the kit cut with a scissors or banner punch splendidly. The kit uses them as a matte, but I didn't want to cover up the wood. I guess that's the naturalist in me.

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Happy Stamping!

Sara

I'm Back!

Due to the generosity of others, a great table find at a local store, and my husband giving me space to play, I am BACK.

Here is my first card Post-fire. 

Guess whom it is for? 

I used the As You See It Challenge #98 that I missed last week. I can't do this week's because I don't own anything in any of  those colors, yet. However, I do have the good ol' Neutrals and could have some fun today. I also got to use the very first stamp set I ever bought, Lovely as a Tree. So awesome to have great stampin' friends.

I love these sketches because they get me focused. Otherwise, I have too many ideas running around in my head to be focus. Either I've developed ADHD as an adult or it's contagious from teaching middle school for 16 years. Either way, I need structure to focus. 

Ahhh. That felt good. Well, I have no time to chat, I must STAMP MORE! 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy Stamping!

Sara