What Gives?

Good Day Crafty Friends!

How did your week go?  I hope all is well and you are ready for a nice relaxing weekend.  Maybe get those stamps out and come to join our weekly challenge at Loves Rubberstamps!  This week we have a super fun challenge to CASE a DT member.  So get to looking and come on over.  

The card I have to share today would be a super easy card to CASE.  I used Make It Crafty - Snowelf which is colored with copics.  I added some stickles in the background to give a hint of snow.  I also inked the background a bit with  Iced Spruce - Tim Holtz Distress Ink.  The image is simply cut out and matted with black cardstock.  The background papers are by My Mind's Eye and Simple Stories.  I simply broke the two with a strip of black ribbon.  Then I added a tag which is stamped with background lettering in Brushed Corduroy Tim Holtz Distress Ink.  The sentiment, by Sweet November,  is perfect for this image.  I think being packed in snow would really change your perspective. lol....

Supplies used:

Make It Crafty - Snowelf 

Sweet November - A Little Bit of Magic 

 Copics

Tuxedo Black - Memento Ink

 Iced Spruce - Tim Holtz Distress Ink

Brushed Corduroy - Tim Holtz Distress Ink 

Inkessentials - Blending Tool

Simple Stories - Handmade Holidays 

Don't forget to stop by the Loves Rubberstamps  store to see all the fun stuff!   That is it for me today.  Have a fabulous weekend!

Thank you for stopping by.

Blessings until next time...

Athina

New Year's Resolutions - Loves Rubberstamps Challenge

Good Morning!

Well we have come to the end of yet another year.  Where does time go?  They say as you get older, time flies faster…. I am really beginning to believe that.  Before I get into today's post, I just want to say  a BIG THANK YOU to all my followers for your support this year.  I hope that you have a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2014!

Ok, today I am back with our final challenge for 2013 for Loves Rubberstamps.  We want to see and hear all about "New Year's Resolutions".  So come on over and share your creation with us.

Our fabulous sponsor this week is:

I am not sure what all this year will hold for me and my family, but what I do know it will be a busy year with lots of fun adventure.  So just one of my New Year's Resolutions is to stay organized to cut down on stress.  So I chose to focus on my coupon organization for this challenge.   It does take some time to organize coupons and look at ads, but I can tell you since June I have captured over $4,600 in savings with coupons, rebates and sales (yes, I am tracking everything ;).  Best yet, I have cut our grocery bill in 1/2 and our shelves are reasonably stocked.  Items that are stocked well, I will not buy until I begin to run low again.

Ok, so how does all this gibberish about sales and coupons relate to the challenge you ask?  Well, I shop a few different stores to capture only sale items.  So I made this File Folder Organizer to hold my coupons for each store.  I can just slip this down in my purse as I head out the door and go to the store on my lunch break to save some time.  You can find the tutorial here.  (I did alter it a little bit for my use).

I colored Make It Crafty - Zoe Celebrates with copics.   She is such a fun image to color.  Lots of curls and excitement with this one!   I cut the image out with My Favorite Things DieNamics Rounded Banner Stax Dies and used another to nest a background.  The papers are all My Minds Eye - Lost and Found.  I finished the front off with ribbon, clothes pin, button and a banner.

Copics used:

Hair:  E25, E29, E31, E33, E50

Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E13

Pants:  B91, B95, B97, B99

Shirt/Shoes:  R01, R02, R05, R08

This is the back - Coordinated papers from My Minds Eye.

This is the inside of the file folder.  The papers all coordinating.  I also used some Sizzix dies (Library card & File Folder) to create some extra pockets on the inside.  The folders are stamped with Stampers Anonymous images in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.  I used different sentiments from Sweet November - A Little Bit of Magic to help enforce my goals.  This was just purely a little fun for me.

This is just a picture to show you how it will hold coupons for different stores.  

How to play: 
Just upload a creation that follows this week's challenge to your online blog or gallery. Then leave a link to your project in the linky widget at the bottom of this post. If you upload to online galleries, please also use the tag or keyword LRSBC84. Our challenge is open to everyone, you can use any stamps and products that you would like, and you can enter as many times as you want. 

Deadline:
The linky entry widget will close at 9PM CST on Monday, January 6th so all entries need to be in before then. 

Design Team Favorite Picks:
The Design Team members will also each choose their favorite card from this challenge and the winner's will be able to proudly display a special blog badge on their blog. The Design Team favorite's from Challenge 84 - will be announced before the posting of Challenge 85. ** These Winners will receive a $5.00 gift voucher for use on an order $25.00 or more ** 

** Be sure to Play Along in our - Weekly Blog Candy Giveaway! Just hop along with our Design Team in a Mini Blog Hop for the chance to win the hidden prize! Start the hop here on ourSensational Sunday Inspirations post **

Ok, so I have shared just one of my New Year's Resolutions, what is yours?  Come on over and show us with your creations at Loves Rubberstamps Challenge Blog!

Thank you for stopping by today!  Have a safe New Year's Eve and a blessed 2014.

Blessings until next time….

Athina

So Special - Loves Rubberstamps Blog Hop!

Good Morning Friends -

Welcome to the Loves Rubberstamps weekly Sensational Sunday Blog Hop! The Design Team has created some gorgeous projects for your Inspiration. Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, each stop will have a full list of links. One of the Design Team posts is the hop's Sensational Sunday Sweet Spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to be in a monthly drawing for a $20 Loves Rubberstamps Gift Voucher!  We will draw the winner of the Voucher the 1st Sunday of each month! Remember, you have until 8:00 pm CST Saturday to leave your comments!

You should have arrived here from Dangina's blog!

Did you have a nice Christmas?  We sure did, but we aren't quite done celebrating just yet.  We have another family celebration today and one more next Sunday.  It has been wonderful seeing all of our family and spending some extra time with them this season.  So what crafty supplies did you get?  We decided to cut back on gifts this year, but I was fortunate enough to get a gift card to Michaels and a gift certificate to Loves Rubberstamps!  I will be shopping in the very near future for some more goodies!!!

Since we took a break last week, we have the entire team participating in the Hop today!  That means extra goodness for you!!!  I found this cute little Make It Crafty, Gnomey Peter added to the store.  Isn't he funny?  Even though he has a hat, I think he can be used anytime as he has the pirate feel.  I colored him with copics on cryogen paper.  I just ripped that paper and used Tim Holtz Distress ink in Brushed Corduroy.  The background papers are by Simple Stories, Aweso{me}.  The sentiment is by Amy R, Be Happy, stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink.

Copics used:

Hat/Pants: YG93, YG95, YG97

Jacket/Boots:  E44, E47, E49

Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E13

Hair:  E41, E43, E44, E47

So here is the remainder of the hop!  

Laura - Loves Rubberstamps Inspiration Blog
Dangina

Athina (you are here)

Shanna 

Marcy

Joni

Nina
Laura

Holly

Olivia

Ceal

Indah - A video tutorial!

Don't forget our special Holiday Blitz that ends Monday, December 30th! Lots of prizes up for grabs and the challenge is Anything Goes, so come on over and share your beautiful creations with us!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the other lovely ladies have created today.  

Blessings until next time...
Athina

Naughty or Nice? Loves Rubberstamps Blog Hop

Good Morning Friends -

Welcome to the Loves Rubberstamps weekly Sensational Sunday Blog Hop! The Design Team has created some gorgeous projects for your Inspiration. Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, each stop will have a full list of links. One of the Design Team posts is the hop's Sensational Sunday Sweet Spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to be in a monthly drawing for a $20 Loves Rubberstamps Gift Voucher!  We will draw the winner of the Voucher the 1st Sunday of each month! Remember, you have until 8:00 pm CST Saturday to leave your comments!

You should have arrived here from Dangina's blog!

So how is your Chistmas shopping coming along?  I picked up a few more things yesterday, so I am down to one little thing and I should be complete.  I like getting things out of the way early so that I can enjoy the holidays, instead of rushing around.  Anyhow, the reason you are here…

I have always loved this image and Laura now has it in the store (Make it Crafty - Christmas Eve Countdown).  I decided to bite the bullet and try to color him up.  He is not actually as hard as you might think.  This fun little santa is illustrated very well.  After I colored him up, I thought it would be fun to put him on an Upright Z fold style card.  

Here is the inside top portion.  

Inside middle portion.

Card 'unhooked'

A closer look at the tinsel & coloring.

Copics used:

Skin:  E000, E00, E11

Hair:  W1, W3

Shoes: W1, W3, W5, W7

Pants/Shirt:  E40, E42, E44, E49

Jacket/Hat:  R27, R29, R59
Bag:  G20, G24, G94, G99
Sky:  BV23, BV25, BV29
Bricks:  I forgot to write down the colors. Sorry

Supplies used:
Make it Crafty - Christmas Eve Countdown
Copics
Tuxedo Black - Memento Ink
My Minds Eye - Lost & Found Christmas

Cosmo Cricket
American Crafts Tinsel
Ribbon

So here is the remainder of the hop!  

Laura - Loves Rubberstamps Inspiration Blog
Dangina

Athina (you are here)

Shanna 

Marcy

Joni

Nina
Laura

Loves Rubberstamps is looking for a few new design team members.  I have been with the team for almost a year now.  Everyone is so warm and friendly and the store is continuing to grown giving you many options for your projects.  Check out the details of the DT call here.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the other lovely ladies have created today.  

Blessings until next time...
Athina

Floppy - Loves Rubberstamps Blog Hop!

Good Morning Friends -

Welcome to the Loves Rubberstamps weekly Sensational Sunday Blog Hop! The Design Team has created some gorgeous projects for your Inspiration. Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, each stop will have a full list of links. One of the Design Team posts is the hop's Sensational Sunday Sweet Spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to be in a monthly drawing for a $20 Loves Rubberstamps Gift Voucher!  We will draw the winner of the Voucher the 1st Sunday of each month! Remember, you have until 8:00 pm CST Saturday to leave your comments!

You should have arrived here from Dangina's blog!

 I was so excited to see Laura added Make It Crafty images to the store.  They have always been some of my favorites, just a little off the wall, but lots of fun!  I colored Floppy here, isn't he sweet?  I am very pleased with how he turned out, but I almost had an issue on my hands.  As I was coloring the red jacket, I dropped my marker right under his bell.  Oh no!!!  So I had to be creative with this image and just cover it up with some ribbon to make him look like he is wrapped as a package.  

Copics used:

Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E21

Hair:  C3, C5, C7, C9, 110

Shoes:  E44, E47, E49

Pants:  E41, E43, E44

Jacket/Hat:  RV99, R14, R46, R59 (My new favorite red!!)

Shirt/Hat:  G20, G24, G94, G99

Supplies used:
Make it Crafty - Floppy
Magnolia- Merry Christmas Postage Stamp
Printworks - I can Explain
Copics
Tuxedo Black - Memento Ink
My Minds Eye - Lost & Found Christmas

Spellbinders - Labels 1 

Ribbon
Twine
Button

So here is the remainder of the hop!  

Laura - Loves Rubberstamps Inspiration Blog
Dangina

Athina (you are here)

Shanna 

Marcy

Joni

Nina
Laura

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the other lovely ladies have created today.  Laura has also added a lot of new images to the store this week (more Magnolia, Al People & Little Darlings),  be sure to check them out!

Also this weekend Laura at Loves Rubberstamps is running a Black Friday Weekend Special.  Save 25% of any size order, expires 12-2-13 at Midnight CST.  Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY

Blessings until next time...
Athina

Rock On - Loves Rubberstamps Blog Hop

Good Morning Friends -

Welcome to the Loves Rubberstamps weekly Sensational Sunday Blog Hop! The Design Team has created some gorgeous projects for your Inspiration. Check out each link and leave a comment. If you get lost along the way, each stop will have a full list of links. One of the Design Team posts is the hop's Sensational Sunday Sweet Spot and a name will be drawn from that list of comments to be in a monthly drawing for a $20 Loves Rubberstamps Gift Voucher!  We will draw the winner of the Voucher the 1st Sunday of each month! Remember, you have until 8:00 pm CST Saturday to leave your comments!

I stepped out of my element a bit today and had fun with it!  This image, Drummer Dude, by Make it Crafty, is not my typical cutsie image.  But I love some of the Make it Crafty images and this one happened to be perfect for my college student's birthday.  She is a big fan of a local band, Tricky Dick & the Cover Ups.  They are a cover band that plays locally.  I found their logo and added it to the drum, but blurred it out incase for this post incase there are any copy right issues.  He is colored with copics.  I used my air brush to add a spot light around him and that purple haze that you typically see at a concert.  

There is a tag sticking out of the top of the card, adorned with ribbons.  You will see the perfect sentiment below =).

Copics used:
Skin:  E50, E51, E21, E25
Hair:  E50, E53, E57, E59
Shirt/Band:  YR15, YR21, YR27, YR68
Jeans:  B91, B95, B99
Symbols:  YR21, YR24, YR27
Stands/Drums:  BV20, BV23, BV25
Haze:  Y11, BV17, RV95


Since many of us will be signing this card to wish her a Happy Birthday, I made it a tri-fold card and left lots of white space.    Did you catch the zebra print tie?  That tie is on many of the bands shirts along with their logo.  So I added it as a personal touch.  She will understand.

Here is the tag that peaks out of the top.  I have always loved the sentiment and it fits perfect with the Drummer Dude.

Supplies used:

Copics 
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Make it Crafty - Drummer Dude

Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Black Soot, Clear Embossing, Various other browns, not sure what I used, sorry)

Washi tape
Inkadinkadoo - Sentiment
Ribbon
Printworks - Sentiment

So here is the remainder of the hop!  Rock on!

Laura - Loves Rubberstamps Inspiration Blog

Dangina

Athina (you are here)

Shanna 

Marcy

Nicole

Joni

Nina

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Be sure to check out what the other lovely ladies have created today.  Laura has also added a lot of new images to the store lately, including this one, be sure to check them out!

Blessings until next time...
Athina

Loves Rubberstamps - Sensational Sunday Inspiration 2/24

Hello Friends!

I am sure all of us have a BFF that we share all of our secrets with.  I know I sure do and I don't know what I would do without her in my life.  Today I want to share a fun card for Loves Rubberstamps Sensational Sunday Inspiration post, a tribute to all our BFF's!

I have used an adorable image by Make it Crafty, Girls Secret Swing.  It is stamped with memento ink on cryogen paper.  I actually had the card base made some time ago to use with a different card, but it just didn't work out the way I had planned.  So as I was coloring this image with my copics, I thought this would be a great background for this card.  I ended up making it into an easel card, added some banners, a bow and some cute little butterflies.  I purchased a silhouette machine a few weeks ago, so I have been trying it out.  You will likely see more out of that fun little machine in the future.  I also used a EK success punch to add a border to help the card stand up.  The sentiment is by The Greeting Farm. I also used a spellbinders, elegant post die to make the swing look like it is hanging.

Copics used: 

Skin: E000, E00, E11, E13

Hair:  E21, E25, E27, E29;  E30, E33, E35, E39

Shirt:  RV21, RV23, RV35, RV29

Shorts/Shoes: BG11, BG72, BG75

Dress/Shoes:  Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

Rope:  E41, E44

Swing:  W1, W3, W5

Make sure to stop over to the Loves Rubberstamps Inspiration blog and see what the rest of the amazing design team has created.  Just for leaving a comment, you will be entered to win a voucher for the Loves Rubberstamps store.

 

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:

Pink Gem Challenge - Add a bow

Alphabet Challenge - Wings

Bloggers - Friendship

 Crafting by Designs - Anything goes

Crafting for all seasons - Dies & Punches

Divas by Design - Fancy Fold

ABC challenges - Stitching

Created with Love - Things that Fly 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Blessings until next time...

Athina

Happy Anniversary to my second set of Parents!

Hello Everyone!

Today is my in-laws anniversary!  They are two very special people and I am one lucky girl to have such a wonderful set of second parents!  They have a very special love for each other that is to be admired.  There is never a struggle to large for them.  They always kiss good bye if one leaves the other and always hold hands when out in public.  When I seen this digi stamp, I immediately thought of them.  My FIL can be such a card, but is the sweetest, gentlest man you will ever meet.  My husband would tell you otherwise from his stories growing up.  We now laugh at how he interacts with his grandchildren vs his own children.  My MIL is a very crafty, kind and compassionate lady with several stories of her own.  When we are all together there is always a roar of laughter.

The stamp is a Geeky Love Digi Stamp by Make it Crafty.  I did not size down the image before I printed it so I ended up have a 5x7 card.  Larger than I usually work with.  For some reason I have an aversion to that 5x7 size.  I looked around on the SCS site and found a dutch fold card tutorial.  I converted the sizes to make a 5x7 and I am much happier with the results than a plain old card.  You can find the tutorial here.  The paper is by cosmo cricket.  Lastly the front was dazzled up with a few jewels and a flower airbrushed to match the papers.

Copics:
Skin:  E000, E00, E11, E13, R00, R21
Flowers:  Y02, Y06, V12, V15
Background airbrushed with YR23 in an oval shape

Boy (We will call him Lamar)
Pants:  E30, E31, E35
Sweater: BG11, BG72, BG78
Shirt:  YR20, YR21, YR23, YR24
Shoes:  E32, E25, E29, E50, E53, E55, W1, W3, 0, BG72
Hair:  E50, E53, E57, E55

Girl (We will call her Becky)
Dress:  R20, R21, R22
Shoes:  R20, R21, R22, W1, W3, 0
Socks:  W1, W3, 0
Hair:  E19, YR18, E97

The inside sentiment was printed from the computer.  I found this on a sheet of cosmo cricket strip tease paper.  I thought is was very fitting for this cute stamp.

Happy Anniversary to my in-laws!

Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings until next time!
Athina