Hoppy Leap Year!

It's Wednesday ... (and the 29th of February, Leap Year) that means it is Inky Impression focus day. Today I wanted to feature Christopher's Catch. How stinkin cute is he? This is one of my favorite Inky Impression stamps. He reminds me of my youngest because they both love to be in the water, ALWAYS! If there is a puddle, TJ will find it and track it in the house!

Don't forget that there is also an Inky Impression Challenge going on this week too. We want you to make Good Luck cards. Zva Creative is once again our sponsor so your fabulous card could win prizes or make you our Top 3!!

Challenges:
Aud Sentiment Challenge Blog: Use the Word Happy
For Fun Challenges: Make a Leap Year Birthday

Supplies:
Stamps: Inky Impressions: Christopher's Catch, Phrase: SU
Frog brad, copics, sewing

Sew Smart Cards

Today I wanted to talk to you about sewing. It's not just for fabric anymore! Yesterday was my birthday, and my hubby gave me a new sewing machine! Yay! But I wanted to show you some things that you can do with a sewing machine that maybe you hadn't thought about.

This is the planning stage of making my card. I chose to use a sketch I had seen on one of my MANY laundry avoidance blurfing trips.

After I plan my layers, it's time to sew.
I just wanna say that this ---->
is NOT my new machine. I'm writing this post early and darned if he won't let me HAVE the new machine early. Rats.

A few tips for sewing:

1) You do NOT have to be an expert sewer! I am sooo not and it still looks GREAT.

My dog feels the need to lie between me and my sewing pedal so my stitches are OFTEN crooked. It doesn't matter.

2) Paper is tough on needles. I use a specific heavy duty needle and then ONLY use that needle for paper. I just switch it out when I sew on fabric.

3) I like to use adhesive to secure my paper to the backing. This way I only need to worry about making sure my seams are straight rather than worry about keeping the two papers straight.

4) I put a small piece of tape on the back to secure the stitching. I also cut out the backing. Since I like to layer, it makes it less heavy to mail and saves on paper costs. What can I say ... I'm thrifty.

My last bit of advice to you is not to worry about mistakes in your stitching. I made an oopie on one of my layers and just put a strategic button to hide it. :-)

Sew there you have it ... the low down on sewing. I want to encourage you to get out there and try it!

And before we go, I give you one more card to inspire. The stitches are slightly crooked (the dog bumped me, REALLY!!) but it is STILL cute!



Challenges: Moving Along With The Times: Lots of Layers

Inky Impressions Challenge 47 "Use bright colors: Yellow, Pink and Green"

It's Wednesday (AND MY BIRTHDAY! Yay!) and it's once again time for another Inky Impression Challenge. This week we are to use bright colors: Yellow, Pink and Green. Since yellow is not my favorite color, I decided to use it as an accent. And I had to keep the pink to a minimum because I wanted to use Nicholas ... he IS a boy after all. It's all in the interpretation, right?!!

One Stop Craft Challenge encouraged us to create our own background this week. No designer paper allowed. I used CB plates, ink and dies to create Nicholas' background pool. I think it turned out kinda cool.

We would LOVE for you to join in the inky fun on the Inky Impressions Challenge blog. Please use the keyword IIC47 when you upload so that everyone will be able to enjoy your fantastic creation. The wonderful Zva Creations is once again our sponsor for prizes. This could be YOUR week to be selected as a Winner or even Top 3.

Mojo Monday #229

I got a chance to talk to my sister-in-law yesterday (who is easily one of my favorite people on the planet) and she filled me in on the events in her life. A few weeks ago my darling SIL was getting ready for her class to do a project, slicing tissue paper on the paper cutter and she (educators, turn away now) cut off the tip of her thumb. GAH! That is a HUGE fear of mine each time I operate a cutter! Soooo, I wanted to create a "thinking of you" card to give to her.

I really liked Mojo Monday's sketch this week so I decided to go with it. I'll get lots of craft time this week since I'll have heater installation "experts" bringing in the new unit. It's frustrating having to put money into a house that we have already decided to sell. Bleah.

Have a great week.

Supplies:
Stamps: Mo Manning
Accessories: ribbon, copics

Inky Impressions Challenge 46 "Use dies or punches"

It's Wednesday (geez, where is this week going?!!) and that means it's time for another Inky Impressions challenge. This week we are to dig out our dies and punches and use them. I've gotta admit that this wasn't much of a challenge for me (Yay ... I love easy challenges!) I love, love LOVE all things related to easy cutting: dies, punches, decorative scissors ... you name it. Can't get enough of them ... so really, there was no hunting for MY dies!

This week I'm using Angelica's Daydream. She is happily dreaming about her beloved. Such a great stamp.

As always, we would be thrilled if you played along with us this week and beyond ecstatic if we saw you use an Inky image as well! Be sure to use the keyword IIC46 and link your creation on the Inky Impression site so everyone can all enjoy your work as well. Who knows, you may even be selected as a winner or one of our weekly Top 3!

Don't forget, there are PRIZES to be won! This week the fabulous ZVA CREATIVE is sponsoring Inky Impressions Challenge!

Challenges: The Crazy Challenge (CCH#105 Valentines)

Inky Impressions Challenge 45 "Use 2 Different Ribbon or trims"

Happy Wednesday and that means it's time for another Inky Impressions Challenge. This week we are to use two kinds of ribbon or trim on our cards. I'm an over-achiever and so you will note that I have 3 (yep, that's THREE) kinds of ribbon on MY card! Tee Hee!

I'm entering this card in Pixie Dust Studio's "Girlie Girl " challenge.

Weekly Christmas Challenge - Humor

This week Susanne challenged us to make a humorous Christmas card. Even though I have a billion funny stamps, that didn't stop me from making my way over to Bugaboo Stamps and buying another. I love Stella.

I decided to use the sketch from Inspirational Card Sketches this week.

I colored Santa's sleigh teal to match the card better and then struggled with my inner child's voice which kept repeating "but Santa has a RED sleigh." So to shut her up, I just gonna say that this is Santa's SPARE sleigh which he uses to take the Mrs. out for ice cream. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Supplies:
Stamps: Bugaboo
Accessories: Nesties, MS snowflake punch, bling, copics,

Freedom

Today ... it's gloomy and getting ready to snow, so I gave myself a bit of freedom in my crafting. No sketches to follow, colors or stamps to use, nothing but me, me, ME!

I wanted to use this yummy paper that I got from my Secret Sister. She also gave me another Pure Innocence stamp to use but I liked the paper so much that I wanted to paper piece. Her image was darling but had no opportunities to piece.

This month, I need 4 birthday cards, and two more Valentine's day cards which is why I chose to make a get well soon card. What?? I know, but it was all about me today!

Hope your day is all about YOU.

Supplies:
Stamps: Pure Innocence by LORi Designs
Accessories: MS punch, nesties, copics.

Inky Impressions "Bling and Pearls" Challenge 44

Yay, it's Wednesday so that means it's time for another Inky Impressions Challenge! This week we want you to use bling or pearls or heck ... maybe both like I did.

This week I used Angelica's Snowman. I think Angelica is my current favorite.

This week I used Taylor's sketch. I shifted the brads to curl around the circle. My colors were inspired by my buddy Lena. She challenged the group to use both a snowman and the color purple. Check and CHECK!

So hurry over to the Inky Impressions Challenge blog and upload your card. Please use the keyword IIC44, so that everyone will be able to enjoy your fantastic creation. This might be YOUR week to be selected as a Top 3 or a winner!