Sweet Day

Well, unfortunately, my day didn't start off sweet. But I did make this card yesterday for the weekly challenge by Our Craft Lounge. I was honored to be a guest designer last year.  It was during the fall/winter, so my OCL collection are mainly winter/christmas or fall. But, do have "Tree-rific Trees" that is bright and sunny.

I used some fun papers for my sun shaped card cutting file by The Cutting Cafe.

So..here's to wishing that the rest of the day is sweeter for me...and for you!

The end of a year...

and the end of a term as guest designer for Our Craft Lounge!  I have really enjoyed using the various sets that OCL carries. In case you didn't know, they care both rubber and clear stamps!  (I know some of you have preferences!!)  Stamps are packaged well on laminated cards...which can easily be stored in binders!

This week, we want to see your Frosty Fun cards based on this photo inspiration!!

I know that "Tweet Winter Wishes" is one that I am going to be pulling out often during our snowy months this year!  If you are in the market for some new stamps/images...be sure to check out OCL. And, through in a few of that fantastic Sparkly Fluff for added texture and interest on your cards!

Challenges: OCL98, Mojo221

Sketch Time

Yes, today is sketch time with Our Craft Lounge!

I used Assorted Card Folds from The Cutting Cafe along with this image from "Sing with Joy" from OCL.  The sentiment comes from their "Merry & Bright" set.  Remember to save your Christmas money for a fun Valentine order with OCL.  Didn't you just LOVE the Valentine Release??  I think my favorite was the Mola-Cutie!

Ladybug Kindness

Whenever one of my kids do not want to try something new, we start chanting Yo-gabba-gabba's "Try it, you'll like it!" slogan.

So...today's thing to try...

A TRI-FOLD CARD

(Try it, you'll like it!! Try it, you'll like it!)

There are many ways to tri-fold a card. In my example, I've used a cutting file from the Cutting Cafe! Easy peasy! If your stockings are hung by the fire...let's see how you make a tri-fold card! Hey...then link up over at Splitcoaststampers' F4A96 challenge.  Love the sentiment from Our Craft Lounge. It's from a winter set...but boy does it go well with this summery ladybug!

Got a booboo?

My mother disliked the word "booboo." So we had to say "owie" instead!  Whatever your ailment is, a cheery box of tissues and note card (and probably chix noodle soup and chocoate) will bring a smile to your face!

Our Craft Lounge has released a dear panda...perfect for ailing friends.  (And we all know that with winter come more illneses!)

Each side is decorated...OUCH!

While my kids are not sick right now, the two who saw this box are vying to claim it for their own!  haha.  Don't catch the sniffles as you wander through today's Valentine Release Hop brought to you by Our Craft Lounge!  Leave a message for each of our designers...and your name is in the prize pot!!

OCL Blog Kendra Wietstock Lori Tecler Tammie Edgerton Broni Holcombe Debbie Fisher Carolyn King Lori Barnett Debbie Corbari Lisa Eisner Stephanie Serrano Amber Hillman Meredith Winston Joy Stagg Michelle Pearson Dawn Barrett Melissa Cash Latrice Murphy Deb Felts

Hey...and remember to try your hand an this week's OCL challenge:




Link up to the OCL blog so we can excitedly admire your handmade holiday items!!

Along with snowflakes...

Love is in the air!

(Scroll up for Mark's Finest Paper's Blog hop!)

Welcome to Our Craft Lounge's Valentine's Blog hop!  There are so many darling sets and singles.  You better fill out that wishlist so Santa brings you a stocking filled with delight new images from OCL! Here is an example using "Spilling Over," an OCL single.

I think Adrienne will appreciate this paper pieced pretty!  And the spring and bling will cheer anyone's day!

So, float along the valentine blog hop and post your thoughts on the designers' cards.  Then you'll be in the drawing for some prizes!! What are they?  Four amazing prize sets...1 full set and 1 single image!  Ooh lala! The contest is open until Friday, December 16th at 12am Pacific/3am Eastern.  Happy Sailing!!

OCL Blog
Kendra Wietstock
Lori Tecler 
Tammie Edgerton
Broni Holcombe 
Debbie Fisher 
Carolyn King
Lori Barnett 
Debbie Corbari 
Lisa Eisner 
Stephanie Serrano
Amber Hillman 
Meredith Winston
Joy Stagg 
Michelle Pearson
Dawn Barrett 
Melissa Cash 
Latrice MurphyDeb Felts

Keep it CAS

With Christmas coming, keep your crafting CAS...

Especially if you and yours have been as sick as me and mine!

Here, I started off with a pre-printed note card from a dollar section at the store.  The gifts are from "Holiday Cruiser."  (If you don't have that set yet, you are really missing out!!)  And rhinestones really make every card...especially during the holidays!

This card measures 6 x 3.5 when finished.  I simply stamped 3 trees and watercolored the background.  The garlands were filled in using gold and red sakura pens for some true christmas sparkle!  A simple banner makes a cheery statement!

Link up your holiday CAS project to Our Craft Lounge's blog so we can see your simply sweet style!

Tag...You're it!!

Since two of the design teams I am on are requesting tags this week...I figured why not make a Free 4 All game out of it!  F4A93 on Splitcoast is to make a tag with a cyber stamping buddy in mind...and then tag her to play along in the challenge!!

With this OCL tag, I'm tagging Deb...aka debdeb on SCS!

So...make a tag...tag a friend...but either way...Link up to Our Craft Lounge! Use OCL94 for your keyword.

Challenges: F4A93, OCL94

Cute Critters

It's time to show off those cute critter stamps!!

And then...Link up with Our Craft Lounge so we can all delight in the cuteness!!

Grateful Greetings...

This is my wintry thank you card!  I'm not sure if it literally has to say THANK YOU on the front, so I stamped the "Thank You" on the inside!  Don't you just love these little chickies from Tweet Winter Wishes!  Super tweet! Be sure to link up to the OCL blog!

Giving Thanks with Viva Decor!

Yes...Viva Decor is sponsering Party Time Tuesdays for the entire month of November!  Oooh...I just love this stuff!  Here are the details for this week's challenge...#42.  Follow this sketch and make it a THANK YOU CARD.  Link up to PTT and you just might be the lucky crafter to receive some Viva Decor products!

I used "Tweet Winter Wishes" from Our Craft Lounge for my card.  I love how you can curve clear stamps to create unique sentiments that fit your nesties!

Can you spy the Viva Decor?  I created a template for the wonky square background and used Copper Embossing Creme to create a faux panel that has both texture and shimmer!  The copper paper comes from Mark's Finest Papers.  Coupled with the copper cording, this paper repeats the copper tones from the Viva Decor Creme.  I used black Glitter Liner to re-create black coal "rhinestones" along the side of the frost panel.  What great products!  (Just be sure that you use it on stiffer paper.  My decorative paper was very thin and it soaked in the moisture and warped a bit. But..as you can see...a bit of adhesive...and it's all good!

A little more about our sponsers:

Our Sponsors this week are:

VIVA DECOR

Viva Decor world headquarters and production facilities are located in Bad Salzuflen, which is situated in the eastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Here new ideas are born, new products are developed, tried and tested and delivered to the international market. Our wide product range includes colors and modeling materials for home decoration, for product design, and accessories for all types of craft projects. Viva Decor is managed by Ingrid Pott and Andreas Franken. For them creativity and innovation build the basis of the company. They have built Viva's reputation on product quality and reliability, combined with ongoing development and improvement. All viva products are crafted with the customer’s needs in mind. Viva Decor products can be found at craft and art supply retailers throughout the world. All America Supply DBA Viva US is the exclusive US distributor for all Viva products. Viva US provides the Viva Decor product line with domestic US Inventory, shipping, and packaging from our large climate controlled PA warehouse. Viva US provides customer service, support and product education nationwide from our Philadelphia location. Prize: 2 pearl pens, 2 glitter pens, and 2 embossing creams

GILLI STAMPS

anaRydesign is a design house of scrapbooking and craft products. It is also the home of the ‘Gilli’ line of deep-etched rubber stamps. ‘Gilli’ is a collection of rubber stamps for you to make your own. Endless creativity is in your hands! Bring Gilli with you on your journey into the imaginative and artistic world of paper crafts and let her join in on the fun! Prize: Gilli Goodie Bag

STITCHY THE BEAR

Hi my name is Stitchy and I am Co-Owner of Stitchy Bear Stamps...we started this store April 1st, No Fooling haha..I live in upstate New York with my husband and two TEENAGE adults haha, I do say that loosely as they think they run the show here, NOT...

I been creating stamps for a little less than a year now and I am totally addicted to the craft..I started about 4 years ago making digital scraps and I knew there was much more out there, so a friend of mine introduced me to digital stamps...and the rest they say is history...I look forward to seeing all the beautiful creations come through...good luck everyone..stitchy xoxox" Prize:

 

Stamps can be magical!

What a novel challenge for my stamp collection!

Here I used Our Craft Lounge's scarecrow to recreate Oz!  The sentiment comes from Tree-rific Trees and you can see them peeking out behind the greenery. I wasn't sure if the heart idea would work since the Tin-man was the character seeking a heart. But my buddy, Deb, said that it could be that the Scarecrow is giving this card to his friend the Tin-man!  Oh...what a fun idea.  I think my favorite part of the card are the "poppies."  E* and I watched that scene on youtube. I couldn't remember what color they were in the movie. And since it was technicolor...haha...I went with several warm colors.  

Be sure to link up your magical creations to OCL's blog!!

Stress...

Being Stressed and Distressed is only good on a card!

Let's see what distressed techniques you come up with on your cards.  Here, I used my fingernail to distress my layers.  (And yes, I was stressed to discover that my distresser tool was missing....even though I never use it! haha)

Link up your distressed creation with OCL blog and we'll all relax as we check it out!

November Announcements...

Just a bit of fun news...

I'm super pleased to announce that Our Craft Lounge has extended my stay with them...for two months! Yippee!  I'm very happy to be staying on  with this sweet company!


Also...I will be designing for Inky Impressions....

Be sure to click back tomorrow to see what I have in store. But here is a little bit of a sneaky peeky!!

Meanwhile..check out their Inspirational Blog and their Challenge Blog!

OCL Pink Hop

Last week, I started going to Physical Therapy for my ankle. If it's one thing that I've learned...I have to "listen to my body."  I know a lot of women out there are learning the same thing...but in a far more serious situation.  I certainly hope that this card will cheer one of them up.  Who wouldn't want a sporty, pink polka dotted convertable!  All your cares and worries would fade for a few minutes.

I used Our Craft Lounge's Tree-rific Trees for the sentiment and Holiday Cruiser for the car image.  Thinking out of the box can really make your stamps STRETCH into new ideas and new holidays/celebrations and uses!

Today our Designers are having a blog hop and we will be giving away some great OCL products as blog candy ~ how about a Granny's Support Team stamp set and 2 jars of Sparkly Fluff ~ in shades of PINK!!!!   So leave comments along the way today and we will pick a winner tomorrow morning.

Kendra Wietstock - http://kendrawietstock.blogspot.com
Amber Hillman - http://www.ambersantics.blogspot.com
Carolyn King - http://myblogbycammie.blogspot.com/
Deb Felts - http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com
Debbie Fisher - http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/
Lori Tecler - http://inkingaloud.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Serrano - http://stephaniesstampinspot.blogspot.com/
Tammie Edgerton - http://onehappystamper-tammiee.blogspot.com/
Michelle Pearson - http://www.inspirationblooms.blogspot.com/
Dawn Barrett - http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com/
Lori Barnett - http://www.loribarnett.blogspot.com/
Cassie Trask - http://www.cassietrstamping.blogspot.com/

Moon over OCL

This week...it's all about color at Our Craft Lounge.  

Orange

Black

Purple

Green

Put it on a card...and link it up to OCL Blog!

Challenges: OCL#88

Triangle Flap Fold

Another super quick tutorial. Now mind you, here in Michigan, it has been rainy and grey. Like "it's raining cats and dogs" rainy and grey. So my pictures are wanting. But you are all super crafty and talented!!

Cut a 2 x 3 inch template out of a scrap of paper.  Fold in half at 1.5 inches.  

Cut a piece of double sided patterned paper 3 x 12 inches. Fold in half at 6inches.  Then, place your template on the right hand side. With a pencil, make a light dot, right in the center of the crease. Basically, it will be 2 inches from the right side and 1.5 inches from the top. You will do this to the top of the card. Then open the card and repeat to the inside. 

Use a craft knife to make your slices. Tip to remember. Open your card up before cutting. The top side is cut from the center point to the top right edge. (NOT PICTURED...where did that pix go??)  And the inside,  or bottom of the card, is cut from the center mark to the bottom corner.  (Pictured below.)

Then, tuck the folds cuts together!

(Here is a different view on how it slides together!!)

Use your decorating magic!!

Now this fits into a 3 5/8  by 6 1/2 inch (small tall) envie.  You can even add an extra layer to give it more support.  Just be sure you are careful where you add your adhesive. You will need that triange piece to be floppy.

Candy Bar Door Hanger

It's that time of year.  Fairies, elves, treats and sweets! So, fix up one of these candy bar door hangers  

and surprise your kids, grandkids, neighbors or houseguests!

Cardstock: 3x11 inches

Score at: 1 inch, 2 inch, 4 inch, 4.5 inch. Then draw a line lightly at 7 3/8 inch.  

Fold up the score lines.  Then, cut out a slot out of the 2nd section.  I used a key tag punch. But you could use any punch or nestie or an x-acto knife as well.  The back edge is going to be glued to the 

7 3/8 inch mark you made in pencil. Just be sure to erase any bit that peeks out.

Decorate the holder as your wish. then punch out an oval or other shape that will slip on a lever door knob.

Continue to add embellishements...and that chocolate bar!!

Presto Magic...you've got a sweet treat in a darling holder.  I made these for all my kids' doors for Sweetest Day on Saturday!  

Challenges:  TLC347, CCBJ135, PileitOn #42

OCL sketch

This week's OCL challenge is a sketch!  Yeah hurray!!



Although I lengthened mine to be a rectangle b/c that is easier to mail out!  (And yes, I do mail my cards out all the time!)

I am looking forward to your OCL87 entry!

Challenges: OCL87, HYCCT