Welcome to New Jersey

Happy Birthday Catie Bug

My baby girls birthday was on Saturday and I wanted to share a picture with you from her birthday party. We had it at a local putt-putt fun center and the birthday girl gets to go into the money maching to try to win extra coins. Catie had a great time but just couldn't seem to put her hands on the floating papers. Happy 7th Birthday Catie.

TCP and the CPS

Do you ever sometimes feel like you are always speaking in acronymns? That's how I feel with technology lately, even when I write this blog or when sending an email I feel like just writing u for you and ttyl for talk to you later. Sorry for the tangent, just one of my random thoughts. On to todays post. I started thinking that I was going to combine a few challenges but sometimes I think that just limits you in your creative juices so then I went at it again and this product I am pretty happy with.

This is for the TCP Tuesday card at The Cat's Pajamas and the CPS blog sketch. So I did combine a few challenges just not what I was originally shooting for. Here is the sketch for the challenge. The color challenge from Toni at the Cat's Pajamas was to use Navy, Green and White. The DP is from Scenic Route, the other solid color papers are from my stash. The flowers are from Prima and the bling is from my stash.

Challenge Cards

Well I'm back again. I really need to get better about blogging. I have been doing a few cards I just haven't posted them. This card is for a couple of challenges, for this weeks TCP Tuesday Challenge was to use this picture.

Here is what I came up with. The paper is from My Minds Eye, the Penny Lane collection. The buttons are from TCP, a great new product they are offering. The colored paper is from Coredinations. The images are all from The Cat's Pajamas. This is also the sketch from this week's challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.

It's feeling a little like spring!

Today we had a beautiful spring like day, the sun was shining, although, it was just a little breezy. My friend Leigh let me know that Starving Artist Stamps is sponsoring a sketch over on this blog, http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/, so she invited me to come over and play. I borrowed her stamp from Starving Artist and made this adorable card. I just bought these pads from DCWV and they are just so bright and springy. I love them. If you enter a card you have a chance to win this set, which I would love to have since I don't own it. Also, they have a 20% coupon for Starving Artist Stamps on their site.

Ingredients: Starving Artist stamps, DCWV Citrus stack and Citrus Matt stack, Copics.

Another Treat

This is the valentine present I made for my youngest. I always call her my little bug. These are Starbucks frappucino bottles and the box. I just wrapped the box in designer paper (DP) then gave it a backing with paper from Michaels. I stuffed one side full of goodies from the dollar isle at Target and the bottles I filled with M&M's and smarties for my little one, because she loves them. I put little stickers on top of the bottles. I added ribbons from American Crafts, Walmart and Fresh Paint. The stamp is from Hampton Art and I colored with Spica glitter pens. Designer paper is from K&Company.

Valentine Treats

I have a few Valentine treats to show you. I made these for my husband and my daughter. My daughter loves these Saranac Shirley Temples and my DH loves Orange Crush. I got the original idea from my friend Leigh and to see Leigh's work go here. Leigh is my inspiration for all things crafting and card making. When I grow up I want to be able to make cards like Leigh. To see more of her work go to http://sunflowerstudio.typepad.com/.

I stamped these images using Stampin' Up images for the letters. I also used Justrite Stampers for the #9 and the I've got a on you parts. I stamped using Chalk inks then glittered with Martha Stewart glitters. I popped everything up and I used American Crafts designer paper and K and Company papers. I used Stampin Up cardstock. I though seriously of breaking out my soldering iron but instead decided to make a frame using the glass frames from Inkssentials and them red line tape to put it together and added some bling from Michaels. I used American Crafts ribbons and ribbon from and unknown source.

Papertrey Friends Challenge

I am loving all the new stuff Papertrey is coming out with their new stuff is going to be fabulous and I can't wait to order. Although I can't wait to order I can't order until March because I am on the debt diet with my friend and it is really hard, you don't realize what little stuff you pick up all the time. Today's challenge at Papertrey is to make a card for your best friend. Well I have lots of really great friends and I don't want to single anyone out so this card is for all you special people out their that are my bestest friends in the whole world. If you are saying I wonder if she is talking about me, yes I am.

I made this card with one of my great friends Leigh who is teaching me alot about card making and stamping. This set is from Starving Artist stamps and I love it. I went for the unrealistic colors on the monkey because he is for Valentines's Day. I used papers from Basic Grey, Copics.

CPS Challenge 102

As you can see I really love this set by Papertrey Ink. The set is called Warm Happiness and if you are interested in purchasing it can be found here. This is for the Challenge at Card Positioning System and here the sketch you should use.

For this card I stamped the image on Papertrey's white cardstock in Stampin Up's Real Red in and then stamped the outline in Ranger's Epresson ink. I then used the little dot that came with the set to stamp little circle all round using inks from Stampin Up. I then used Papertrey's papers to add layers to the image. I used a Martha Stewart punch to make the doiley scallop border at the bottom. I just typed my sentiment on the computer and sent my paper through. I added a heart to the image with ribbon from Joanne's and I added some white marks with my Inkssentials white opaque pen. I am trying to stage my cards a little, how do you like it?

Papertrey Ink Sketch Challenge

I'm back, yes I told you I was going to try and keep posting. This is for the another one of Nichole's Challenges for the 2 year anniversary of Papertrey Ink. This challenge was a connect the dots challenge to figure out today's sketch challenge. I'm so excited that they are going to introduce a line of polka dots in their papers, don't you just love polka dots. If you want details on the challenge, go here http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c64e753ef01053715a809970b-pi.

I used papers from Papetrey Ink, first fruits stamps set, my cuttlebug embossing folder and Stampin' Up inks.

Papertrey Challenge

TODAY...I finally did some stamping, although I have been doing some I just haven't posted it. But I am going to try to start getting in a rhythm. My friend Leigh and I have decided we are going to get together a few days a week and stamp. Her craft room is ideally suited for me to go and play too. PAPERTREY INK is celebrating their two year anniversary with lots of amazingly creative things and some challenges thrown in. And there are FABULOUS prizes to be had. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try and win something! Today they featured a color challenge. The details are over here:

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c64e753ef0105371108b1970b-popup

I've been collecting stamp sets and paper and ribbon from PTI since last year and I just love their stuff. But I haven't had the best success in my efforts with them. I drool all over the new releases each month but as soon as I get them in my hot little hands I can't figure out what to do with them and I just look at other people stuff and say I can do that but I just havent gotten quite right yet. But today I dug them out while Leigh and I were crafting and it really turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself. My card uses the gorgeous Warm Happiness set.

I wanted to make something from this great set and so I started out by taking a hot cocoa packet and then a piece of kraft cardstock and folding the paper over the cocoa packet. I went back and forth for a while on how I wanted to colors to look on the page, but finally decided on squares then I stamped the image on white PTI card stock and propped them up on foam tape. I then took a little wire and a heart punch and hooked them into the back on the mug and moved them around a little. On the front I stamped the sentiment from the Warm Happiness set and backed in cardstock and finished off with a poppy ribbon.

Halloween Bookmarks

I made the cute Halloween bookmarks after I read this Steph's Stampin Stuff blog. She made these for her class and I thought they were just the cutest. So made some for my daughter Caties's class for Halloween and I also made some to send to my sister-in-law to sell at her hair salon in Columbia, SC. I think that they are adorable. The stamps are from Taylored Expressions.http://tayloredexpressions.com/. I used my friend Leigh's puches from Stampin' Up to cut out the circles. I colored all my images with my Copic Markers and added sparkle with my Spica at You Glitter pens.

I'm back!

I know, I know you are asking where the heck has Holly been? Well I've been here, but just not motivated. I'm sure that we all have been there at one point or another but I am fighting my back and trying to put on a happy face. I have been doing alot of different crafting projects but I might not have time to publish them all today so keep coming back next week to see more.

The first thing I'm putting up today is a few of my lollipops. I'm sure you have been asking yourself, "Why does Holly's blog say Holly's Lollies?" Well because I am wanting to start a small business selling lollipop bouquets and treats. All the lollipop are hand poured and homemade. I am going to be posting more of my creations in the coming weeks so keep checking back. I also realized something when I was taking my pictures yesterday. I need to take a few pictures before I put the wrapping on them, because you really can't see how pretty they are from the pictures. If you are interested in purchasing the lollipops please contact me at this blog.

Princess Cupcake

I just bought this stamp set from Taylored Expressions and I just thought this was the cutest. Taylor also has a sketch challenge every Friday on her blog and this card is based on that sketch. I did turn one portion to the side to accomodate the image, but I think overall it turned out pretty cute. Taylor mentioned that you could use the images for things other than Halloween so my goal was to make the witch look like a princess. I masked over the witches broom and added a star brad from Making Memories. I colored my image using my copics. Taylor's other images all have a cherry at the top of the cupcake so I added a rhinestone brad from Stampin' Up to the top and the other brads are from SU!. My star wasn't glittery so I added glue from my glue pen then added glitter to the top of the brad. I did add a little on my own to the image, but it still looks great.

Ingredients:

Paper: Designs by Reminisce, Stampin Up

Ink: Palette Noir Hybrid

Other: Nestabilities, Dynamo Label Maker

Gone Fishin'

This card turned out the be a 3fer. I got to use three challenges and I'm loving it. Although it doesn't have a lot of my white gel pen, it does have some and it gives it just the right accent of color. The sewing was for the Watcha Doin' Wednesday challenge at Storage Units Ink and More and the sketch was for the Wednesday Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. I just broke out my sewing machine and I have to say, I'm lovin' it. Plus, my machine does lots of cool stitches so I know that you will be seeing lots of sewing on my cards in the future.

Ingredients:

Stamps: Storage Units Ink and More

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: BasicGrey, Stampin' Up

Accessories: Copic Markers, Archival Sepia, sponges, Inkssentials white gel pen, sewing machine

Summer Fun

I know, I know, summer is almost over and here in Maryland this week it actually is starting to feel like fall, but I made these for the Cat's Pajamas Tuesday Challenge. The inspiration was to use the image above to create something. Well, I didn't think that I could do a card justice with the stamps I have and these colors, but what did inspire me was that this just screamed sipping a margarita by the pool. Jen at http://i{heart}2stamp.com lives in Texas and for those of you who know me, know I lived in Texas too, and I just loved sitting by my pool or the neighborhood pool and having a few drinks with my friends. So, I decided to make these slip-ons for straws, I needed a holder so I went to www.splitcoaststampers.com and looked through the tutorials and found this tutorial for a hanging treat box by Christina Fischer.

Ingredients:

Stamps: The Cat's Pajamas

Ink: Palette Noir Hybrid

Accessories: Inkssentials Glossy Accents, cuttlebug, nestabilities die, copics,

Back to School

This card was made using the colors from the Splitcoast Color Challenge for this week. The colors that you need to use are Red Riding, Going Gray and Green Galore. I didn't have most of these papers but I found colors that matched pretty close. This image is from Storage Units Ink and More and I think they are just so cute. This reminds me of my daughter, because she is always asking me to fix her hair in "pigtails braided." As usual I got a little help with the finishing touches but and it turned out great.

Ingredients:

Stamps: Storage Units Ink and More

Ink: Palette Noir Hybrid

Paper: Papertrey Ink and Stampin' Up and other paper

Other: SU punch, ribbon, copics, inkssentials opaque pen

Rock the Vote

This card was made using Leigh's sketch for the TCP Tuesday Sketch Challenge. I was seeking inspiration from my paper and my stamps and this is what I came up with. I am still thinking about my vote for this year's election but I did get myself registered so that I can vote in my new home state. So if you aren't registered go on over to www.rockthevote.com and get registered now!
Ingredients:
Stamp: The Cat's Pajamas
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: Creative Imaginations, Papertrey Ink, DCWV summer matte stack
Other: Spica at You Glitter pens, nestabilities, dew drops

Yummy Treats!

I made this card using the Taylored Expressions sketch challenge. This stamp is such a cute image and I really enjoyed coloring it. I think my friend Leigh would say to add one more layer and I probably would agree but I was running out of space.

Ingredients:

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Stamps: Storage Units Ink and More

Paper: Papertrey Ink

Other: Buttons from Michaels, Gellyroll Glaze pen, Inkssentials Opaque Pen, ribbon from Target, Copics, Nestabilites

Baby Card!

This weeks TCP Tuesday Challenge #22 was to use this image on a card. I do have a few friends that are still in the baby stages but not many, but this image is really so cute. I also used this weeks sketch challenge from Splitcoast stampers for this too. My friend mentioned that Anna Wight takes little of paper and threads them through the button so I decided to try it and it turned out great, so thanks Leigh and Anna. I used Copic markers to color the image the designer paper is from a DCWV stack and my button were from a bag bought at Michaels many moons ago. I also added a little of the white souffle pen to make the lamb to make stand out.