Our Charmed Life

Want to Cuddle?

2012-02-22T20:11:00.001-05:00

Hello friends!

I am finally getting around to posting a card I created for the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge. I used Party Pals, Vogue Abode and Smoocheros to create this little number.

I first stamped the rug from Vogue Abode to create a little spotlight for this adorable hamster that I stamped and trimmed out after coloring the little guy pink with Copics. I stamped the sentiment onto a word bubble sticker that I picked up from Hobby Lobby, and can I just say that word bubbles are like the most fun ever?

The patterned papers are from KI Memories new Valentine's Day collection and I added a few more die cut heart as a finishing touch.

Here is a close up of the focal point.

Below is the inspiration photo for this challenge.

I was definitely inspired by the hearts and the fun and cute style. I also incorporated a bit of pinking edging in my heart patterned paper.

I was also inspired to make this card to give to my hubby. Today is our 11 year wedding anniversary. To celebrate, our 7 year old made dinner (crunchy scrambled eggs and toast, anyone?) and the girls "put on a show" while we dined at the dining room table on breakfast for dinner. I just wanted to say, Happy Anniversary Jason and thank you to my girls for such a lovely evening!

Here are a couple pictures of Jason and me on our wedding day in Florence Italy.

Thanks for indulging me in a bit of family nostalgia and thanks for stopping by! Have a great evening!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #116

2012-02-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello friends and happy Tuesday!

Just popping in today to share a card I created based on this week's sketch at Skipping Stones Design.

Here is my card:

Tweet Birdie Card

I used many of the images from Garden Stamp Kiss (Feb Set of the Month) to create my card. First I stamped the text image repeatedly on a piece of rustic cream cardstock. I then masked off the top 2/3rd of the card and stamped the flowers and polka dots. For the birdie image, I inked the bird in yellow inked and kissed it with the polka dots ink hot pink ink then stamped the kissed image on a doily. The sentiment is from the upcoming Heartsong 2 set.

Lastly I added some more dots and circles in the top corner of the card. A bit of ribbon where the masking took place and a button and bow finish off the stamped panel. I then adhered the completed panel to a piece of patterned paper from the stash and taped the card front to a card base of kraft cardstock.

Here is another look at this week's sketch:

Create a card based on this week's sketch and share it with us at Skipping Stones Design for your chance to win a free stamp set!

Hope you find some inspiration is what I have shared today. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Tuesday Trigger: Chiclectic

2012-02-19T18:25:00.000-05:00

Hello friends-

Found a spare moment this afternoon to create a card for this week's Tuesday Trigger challenge that Cath is hosting over Moxie Fab World.

Here is my card:

I stamped bands on cardstock with various background stamps from the stash. The diamonds and lines and dots are from Papertrey Ink's Bakground Basic Retro and the bottom panel is Harvest Berries stamped in Raspberry Fizz on Orange Zest.

And here is the awesome inspiration photo:

I was inspired by that patterns and colors to create my card. What struck most about the inspiration photo is how all the different patterns and styles (geometric, toile, modern, ornate) all came together effortlessly to create one chic space. I tried to capture the feel of the inspiration photo in my card by combining bands of stamped and patterned cardstock to capture a similar look. As a nod to the framed smooch print on the wall and the ornate bedframe, I stamped a frame and adhered to my card and layered a glittery sticker sentiment over top.

Hope you like my take on this week's trigger- there is still time to play along- just link up your take on the trigger by Sunday night at midnight!

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Fairy Party Invitation

2012-02-15T07:00:00.003-05:00

Hello again friends!

So with a paper-crafting, shutterbug jumkie mama in the roost, birthdays are kind of a big deal at the Gehring household. I start planning months in advance, create elaborate themes and invitations and really try to make the event a special celebration for each birthday princess. In years past, we have tackled themes from Toy Story to Ballet, Teddy Bear Picnics to Kiddie Cruise Ins and many stops in between.

This year, Sophie has requested a fairy party. (Keep in mind that she is only 4 and her birthday is not until September, so this could change....) Fairy party, I like, and moreover, I have the perfect stamp sets already in my stash! Being of the mindset that it is never too early to start planning, I created this little prototype:

The beautiful fairy silhouette is from The Craft's Meow Butterfly Kisses set. I paired it with a dandelion seed stamp from Skipping Stones Dandelion Dreams set. I printed the invitation on white cardstock and stamped the images. I carefully trimmed around the text box and matted the invitation to a piece of green cardstock. The finished invitation size is 5x7 and with the exception of a small gem that I couldn't resist adding to the "i" in Sophie, it's completely flat and totally mail-able.

As for decor and food, I am thinking something along these lines:

via Pinterest

I just love the butterflies and those bright saturated pinks, oranges, yellows and greens.

Then there is also this scrumptious fete:

via Pinterest

That little party goer is certainly enjoying some tasty treat. I an thinking of setting up a table and chairs for Sophie and her little girlfriends outside under our large pin oak tree. The leaves will provide a nice canopy, and the branches are low enough that I can hang lanterns or pom-poms from them.

Of course, this is all months away (as I look out on the 8"+ of snow that blanketed our home this weekend), but in these dreary winter months, it is fun to look forward and plan for celebrations to come!

Have a splendid Wednesday, friends! Thank you for stopping by!

Katie

Introducing Sassy Cats from Skipping Stones Design!

2012-02-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to Sketch Challenge 115 and the release of Sassy Cats 2! If you just came from JoAnn's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design. The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.

Well, due to my recent travel schedule, I do have a card to share showcasing Sassy Cats, but it does not follow the sketch. Sorry Kazan!

Sassy Cats is one of those hilarious sets that Skipping Stones is famous for! I couldn't resist using this kitty image paired with one of the many funny sentiments included in this set. You see, I have always been told by my helpful friends and family that if you have to ask, that's your answer (LOL)!!

I stamped the rear facing kitty on white cardstock with black Memento ink and colored him in with Copics. I then drew a frame with some zig-zags around the image and mounted in to a chartreuse rectangle. I stamped the sentiment on a word bubble sticker from the Paper Studio and adhered it to the card. The arrow is a piece of chipboard that I covered in cardstock and also added a hand drawn border. The patterned paper is from KI Memories.The completed card front was then adhered to a card base on kraft cardstock.

Here's another look:

If you would like to play along with this week's sketch challenge (and who wouldn't love to win some free stamps??), just upload your take on this week's sketch to the Skipping Stones blog. Here is the sketch to use for this week's challenge:

Also, Skipping Stones Tweetheart Sale has been extended another week to accommodate the release of Sassy Cats. Here's how it works. Buy any 3 stamp sets and get Heartsong 2 for FREE. Heartsong 2 won't be available for purchase until April, so this is your opportunity to be one of the very first to get your hands on what is sure to be another best-selling set! Here's a peek:

The sale is being extended for one more week only, so don't delay and order today!

Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs. This month we are welcoming Cyndi Bundy and Barb Turpin to our team as Guest Designers! Kazan Clark will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great day!

Katie

This one is for my girls

2012-02-13T17:31:00.000-05:00

Hello-

I have been having a cozy sort of day getting settled back into everyday life and remembering our recent vacation. I thought I'd share a photo of the girls + Snow White at Cinderella's Royal Table. The girls had just been Bibbidi Bobbidi'ed at the castle boutique, so they are looking a bit like extras from Toddlers and Tiaras. Check out Paige with the fabulous weave! Sophie looks so sweet in her ballerina bun and Tiana dress (which was the least itchy dress in her opinion, ergo the one we purchased). The girls were sprinkled with pixie dust by their fairy godmothers and loved every minute of it. That is what is important, right?

And I have some words of advice that I would like to share with my girls and all the princesses of the world (and their Queen Mums)....

via Pinterest

Have a great evening!

Katie

Pinterest Project- Celebration of the Cityscape

2012-02-13T10:35:00.001-05:00

Hello friends!

I know it's been a little quiet on the blog front, but for good reason. The family and I just returned from a 7 vacation at Walt Disney World in Florida. It was, sigh, magical! I will have some photos to share on the blog soon!

As I have been getting settled in and caught up with some life stuff, I came across a very cool print that I had pinned to Pinterest a few weeks ago and decided that last night was as good as any to create a card based on this inspiration print:

via Pinterest

And using one of my newer sets from The Crafts Meow, I came up with this card:

Celebrate- City Style

On dark gray cardstock, I embossed the cityscape image from the Happy New Year set in Mustard Zing embossing powder and the fireworks in Teal embossing powder. Below the dark gray cardstock, I added a strip of light gray cardstock that I stamped with PTI's Background Basics Circles in yellow ink. I added the sentiment from one of the Fillable Frames sets in black and accented the sentiment with a turquoise gem. I added some ribbon in Hawaiian Shores where the two colors of cardstock meet and adhere the finished panel to a card base made from the light gray cardstock.

I hope you find some inspiration in the card and print I shared today. I will be popping by later in the week with some more fun things to share- like the release of Skipping Stones newest set- Sassy Cats and a sweet party invitation inspired by another image from Pinterest.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Katie

Skipping Stones Sketch #114

2012-02-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hello!

Welcome to the first sketch challenge of February! Here is my card:

I used Heartsong and Timeless Textures to create this little card. The papers are from My Mind's Eye and the felt flower is from Maya Road.

Here is a closer look at the focal image:

What to win a FREE Skipping Stones set? Upload your version of this week's sketch to the Skipping Stones blog for a chance to win!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Katie

Skipping Stones Sketch 113

2012-01-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

Today we start another fabulous sketch challenge at Skipping Stones Design. This month's sketches were designed by Pamela Young. I used Garden Stamp Kiss and Always Here to create my card:

Beautiful Birthday

Using a palette of grays, green blue and rust, I started by stamping the script image from Garden Stamp Kiss multiple times on the background of the large circle. Next, I stamped the large butterfly from Always Here onto light gray cardstock and I cut out the image and adhered it to the circle.

I used dark gray buttons in place of the circle accents on the sketch and the sentiment (also from Always Here) went in the top right corner.

One more look at the entire card.

Here is a look at one the sets I used today:

And here is a look at this week's sketch!

Wanna try this one right away?? Go ahead, get crafty! You have my permission. :o) Be sure to link up your take on the sketch to the Skipping Stones blog by next Monday for your change to win a free stamp set from SSD!

Be sure to visit the our guests, Candice Fields, Emily Leiphart, Julie Day, and Pamela Young for more Skipping Stones inspiration using this sketch1 This is our last week with these ladies (sniff, sniff) and it's been an awesome month! Also, stop by and visit the Skipping Stones DT gals for even more fabulous ideas.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Katie

Skipping Stones Sketch #112

2012-01-24T06:15:00.001-05:00

Hello there!

Just wanted to share a card I made for Skipping Stones Design sketch 112 by Pamela Young.

With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought I would make a card that I could give to my daughters. We have always loved the book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, so I used that book as inspiration for my card. I love that book so much, that it is rare that I make it through a reading without sobbing (at which point my hubby looks at me like I have lost my mind, but I know I can't be the only one, right???).

I used several SSD sets to create this card including Garden Stamp Kiss, Grunge and Pumpkin Seeds. On a rectangle of cream cardstock, I stamped the script image from Garden Stamp Kiss repeatedly to create the background. I thought this could be a tricky proposition, but it was really quite simple. I used a banner topper die cut for grass to "ground" the rectangle. To make the tree, I die cut a scallop oval from the same cream cardstock and stamped the circle image also from Garden Stamp Kiss several times. This was followed up with some sponging of chalk ink to give it a nice green hue. I cut the tree trunk from a piece of brown cardstock and trimmed the top with my pinking shears. I stamped the woodgrain pattern from Grunge on the trunk to make it give it more depth. I adhered the tree top and trunk to the cardstock along with several buttons and a die cut heart.

Here's a close up of the tree:

The strips of color you see below and behind the focal image are paper tape (similar to washi tape) from Martha Stewart. The sentiment (from Pumpkin Seeds) was stamped in Dark Chocolate ink. I added just a few more buttons to finish it off, and because I really like buttons. :o)

Here is this week's sketch:

Link your take on the sketch to the Skipping Stones blog and you could win a Skipping Stones set of your choice.

Don't forget to visit the other Skipping Stones Designs gals and our guests for more great takes on this week's sketch! Our guests this month are Candice Fields, Emily Leiphart and Julie Day. Pamela Young is our amazing sketch artist.

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great week!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #111

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

It's Tuesday and time to introduce a new sketch for Skipping Stones Design! First, here is my card based on the sketch:

I used 2 Skipping Stones sets to create this card. From the Grunge 1 set, I stamped the woodgrain pattern below the ribbon on the balsa wood and the circles are stamped with scalloped pattern also from Grunge 1.

The sentiment is from Sentiment Frames stamped in Dark Chocolate ink. For a finishing touch, I added some metal flowers (Maya Road) with pearls in the center (Queen & Co.).

Here is this week's sketch, by Pamela Young:

Create a card based on this week's sketch and upload it to the Skipping Stones blog for a chance to win a Skipping Stones set of your choice! I would love to see what you do with this week's sketch!

Also, don't forget about Skipping Stone's PMS sale! Details are in the post below.

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great week!

Katie

Skipping Stones- PMS Sale!!

2012-01-15T18:20:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends!

Just popping in to let you know about a fabulous sale that Skipping Stones Design is running through next Sunday, January 22. PMS stands for Purchase More Stamps!!!!

Here is how it works:

Buy 1 set and save 5% Enter PMS1 at checkout
Buy 2 sets and save 10% Enter PMS2 at checkout
Buy 3 sets and save 15% Enter PMS3 at checkout
Buy 4 sets and save 20% Enter PMS4 at checkout
Buy 5 sets and save 25% Enter PMS5 at checkout
Buy 6 sets OR MORE and SAVE 30% on every set you buy-no limit!!!- Enter PMS6 at checkout

All sets are included in this sale including the new and fabby Grunge #2.

Also, a personal favorite, Chic Martini.

Head over right now to the Skipping Stones Store and fill up your cart with all the awesome sets that you have on your wishlist!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy shopping!
Katie

Moxie Fab- Die Cut Challenge

2012-01-14T08:15:00.005-05:00

Hello friends!

I wanted to share a card I made for the Die Cut Challenge that Cath is hosting over at Moxie Fab World.

Our challenge is to incorporate die cuts in an innovative way and well, my entire card is a die cut. Using my Cricut and the Just Because Cards cartridge I cut the sailboat image at 6" from cardstock and patterned paper (Simple Stories- Celebrations). To make the die cut a card, I cut 2 shadow layers and scored the second shadow layer below the flag and adding some super strong adhesive above the flag to hold the layers together.

I stamped some swirls (PTI- Fancy Flourishes), and sentiment (Half Pint Heroes- Waltzingmouse Stamps) on the sails and added the star (another die cut) and some buttons for a little extra embellishment. (And because I really like buttons and twine. They are kinda my go-to embellies.)

This card is going to my sweet nephew Carson who is turning 1 in just a couple weeks along with a whole boat-load (get it??) of bath time toys. Do you think he will like it?

Can't wait to see you ideas for using die cuts! Link up your project by Feb 13 to play along!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a fabulous day!

Katie

Runway Inspired Challenge- Gareth Pugh Spring 2011

2012-01-10T19:11:00.000-05:00

Hello!

If you stopped by today to check out the Skipping Stones Design blog hop, click here or just scroll down.

Have you see the Runway Inspired Challenge blog? It's a challenge blog dedicated to sparking inspiration through cutting edge fashion. I have been wanting to play along the last couple weeks, but alas, it hasn't been in the cards, so to speak. :o) But this is the week, I had a chance to create a card based on this inspiration photo:

Runway Inspired Challenge #3- Gareth Pugh

Here is my card:

I was inspired by the layers and criss-cross stripe action in the coat to cut several strips of striped patterned paper, which I adhered at a diagonal and overlapping. The model is such a striking silhouette that I decided to represent her through a hero arts silhouette stamp. The sentiment stamp is from Waltzingmouse Stamps- Tiny Trees set. I added a little bling including a rock on the lady's necklace. I finished the card with a little satin ribbon tied into a bow.

Want to play along? The deadline is January 13 at 11:59 EST. I am looking forward to checking out what everyone else has done with this amazing inspiration photo.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a great evening!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design- Introducing Grunge 2 and sketch #110

2012-01-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hello friends!

Welcome to Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge #110 and the introduction and release of Skipping Stones newest set- Grunge Two.

If you just came from Karen's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design. The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.

Here is my card for today's hop:

Love You Dude

I took cues from the patterned papers I selected, the Amy Tangerine line from American Crafts, to create the above card. I stamped the speckle image in gray on Fine Lined cardstock, and the zig-zag and fleur image at the bottom in blue. I also stamped the film strip image on striped patterned paper with Lilac Posie ink. The male and female icons were created using a dingbat font on my computer, printed and adhered to the project.

I added a heart die cut to the female image (to show her love for the "dude") and added a few staples. The completed stamped panel was adhered to a card based covered with patterned paper. I stamped the sentiment at an angle and added a button as a finishing touch.

Here is this week's sketch:

Create a card based on this week's sketch and upload it to the Skipping Stones Blog for a chance to win a FREE Skipping Stones set of your choice!

Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs. This month we are welcoming Candice Fields, Emily Leiphart and Julie Day to our team as Guest Designers! Pamela Young will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

That's all for me today. Thanks for stopping by! Head over to Candice's blog for some more Skipping Stones Design inspiration!

Thanks!

Katie

Feature Friday with Skipping Stones Design- Chic Martini!!

2012-01-06T06:00:00.001-05:00

Hello and Happy Friday!

A few months ago, a little set called Chic Martini caught my attention in the Skipping Stones Stamp Store. This is the second stamp set that Skipping Stones released and it wasn't long before, I decided that it just had to come home to live with me. This set is super versatile for lots of different occasions and I wanted to share just a couple ides with you today.

First up is a quick and easy card you can create to show someone how much you care.

Olive My Love

I started with a panel of aqua cardstock and stamped the little star and swirl in aqua ink on the cardstock. Next I created a white rectangle a little bigger than the card base and matted it with red cardstock at the top. I stamped the sentiment in black ink and the olive in green ink (Memento- Pear Tart). I die cut a heart border and added it to the bottom of the white rectangle, then I stamped the martini glass on white cardstock and cut out the image. Some green ink and a gem finished off the martini glass and a added a little more ink to the olives in the martini glass to coordinate.

Here is a close up of the martini glass:

Next project is an idea for a fun party invite- perhaps for next year's New Year's Eve shindig.

Happy New Year Invite!

I cut a piece of cardstock to 5 x 7 and rounded the top corners. On the top portion, I stamped the martini glass and a couple starts and sentiments in red and black ink. Below the martini glass, I adhered strips of different patterned paper and ribbons. These strips were literally scraps leftover from various holiday cards that I created earlier in the month. I even threw in a strip of washi-type tape for good measure.

All the party deets would go on the scalloped square that I cut with a Spellbinder's die. The Chic Martini set is so thoughtful as to contain stamps for Date, Time Place, etc. To save time, I lined them all up on a gridline acrylic block and stamped once- easy peasy! I stamped Happy New Year at the top of the scallop square and attached it to the invite with some totally adorable clothespins. The clothespins and patterned paper are courtesy of our friends at Canvas Corp who helped us all throughout December to send out 2011 with a bang!

Here is a look at the whole set:

There you have it- just two of the endless possibilities using Chic Martini. Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a great day!

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #`109

2012-01-03T05:59:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

Thanks for stopping by for the first Skipping Stones sketch of the year! Our sketch artist this month is Pamela Young and our guest designers are none other than the fabulous Julie Day, Emily Leiphart and Candace Fields- it's gonna be a fun month! Check out the Skipping Stones blog post from yesterday to learn more about these fabulous girls.

Pamela put together a yummy sketch for us to try this week and here is my card:

And a close up of the ribbon button, pin, sentiment treatment.

It's funny how quickly we change gears from Christmas to Valentine's Day! I cut some patterned papers from the Love Me collection (My Mind's Eye) into banner strips. I inked the edges before lining up the strips of patterned paper. The sentiment is from Pumpkin Seed sentiments.

Here is this week's sketch.

Create a card based on this week's sketch and upload it to the Skipping Stones blog. You could win a free set of your choice from Skipping Stones Design!

Thanks for stopping by this morning! Have a great day!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #108

2011-12-27T07:12:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

I hope that you all are having a lovely holiday season! Just popping in today to share a card I created from Skipping Stones sketch 108 by the lovely and talented Jen Del Muro.

After all the trimmings and trappings of the holidays, I decided to go pretty minimal (flat) with this card, but it's totally mailable thereby I can avoid frustrating those good folks down at the Post Office and thanks to the bright pops of color- it still packs plenty of punch!

Here is this week's sketch:

If it gets your mojo going, upload your version to the SSD blog- you could win free stamps- and there would be no better way to kick off the new year than with new stampy goodness from Skipping Stones Design. :o)

Be sure to check out the other SSD gals for more inspiration. Thanks for popping by and have a great week!

Katie

Skipping Stones Sketch #107

2011-12-20T07:46:00.000-05:00

Hello there!

Happy Tuesday! Welcome to another sketchy Tuesday with Skipping Stones Design. Here is my card for this week using Skipping Stones and some fabulous goodies from Canvas Corp:

I was going for an elegant interpretation of that line from Twas the Night Before Christmas- you know they one about the stockings being hung by the chimney with care. Except I hung my stocking by twine on cardstock..... same idea though....

The stocking was die-cut from some Canvas Corp burlap and here's a bit of a tip- after you die cut your shape, and you may need to employ use of some sharp scissors, die-cut the same shape from cardstock and glue the burlap to the die-cut so the burlap doesn't come unwoven. I topped the stocking with a bit of felt as a finishing touch. The pretty damask paper is also from Canvas Corp and pretty much inspired the design.

Want take a minute for yourself this crazy week and give this sketch a whirl?

Upload your take to the SSD blog and you could win a free Skipping Stones set of your choice! Be sure to stop by the blogs of the other DT gals and guests and check out more crafty goodness based on this sketch.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Katie

Card Creations: Get Inspired in the Kitchen Challenge

2011-12-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

Hey all-

I wanted to share a card I created for the Get Inspired in the Kitchen challenge at Moxie Fab World. Cath challenged us to create a card based on this fun photo.

Here is what I came up with:

Ok- so the colors aren't exactly how I remembered them in my head.... whoopsie! :o)

I pulled out a few sets from Papertrey Ink (Background Basics Retro and Dot Spot) and I tried to echo both the mod pattern on the plates and the medallion burst pattern on the glasses. I tied a ribbon around the card where the two patterns met and stamped a hello sentiment in black ink.

That's all I have for today. Tomorrow is a sketchy Tuesday with Skipping Stones and Canvas Corp, so you will want to be sure to come back soon! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Katie

Moxie Fab World Challenge- Get Inspired Potpourri

2011-12-18T19:56:00.000-05:00

Hello-

I picked up a copy of Card Creations Get Inspired magazine a couple weeks ago and I have to say that it is FABULOUS! I adore the Trigger Tuesday challenges that Cath issues weekly at Moxie Fab World and this magazine is page after page of inspiration triggers and cards designed from beautiful everyday objects like clothing, shoes, home decor, and the list goes on. I couldn't resist playing along with the Potpourri Challenge and here is my card:

The couch image is a rubon that I picked up from the dollar section of Michaels and I thought it would echo the lines and feel of those darling little chairs in the inspiration image. The sentiment was stamped in black ink from Papertrey Ink's Chairished stamp set. I also added a bit of doily to the top of the card to tie in the inspiration photo and finished it off with a bow and straight pin.

Here is the inspiration photo.

Thanks for stopping by!! You have until tomorrow at midnight to link up your own take on the inspiration photo. Hope you get a chance to play along!

Katie

Trigger Tuesday- And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

2011-12-18T18:23:00.000-05:00

Hi friends-

I took some time out for Mom last night and created a card for Cath's Trigger Tuesday Challenge over at Moxie Fab World. This week's challenge was to create a card based on the following trigger photo:

Here is my card:

I created a card base of white cardstock and a panel in light grey and embossed the gray cardstock with a canvas impressions plate. I cut a curved piece of white cardstock and topped it with glitter to give the feeling of a glittery snowdrift. I die-cut the tree from gray cardstock and stamped the tree image in Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. I added to glue to the front of the tree and coated it in some tinsel glitter before adhering the tree to the card. I added pearls to the tree and stamped the sentiment before attaching the the completed the panel to the card base.

I was inspired by the trigger in the following ways:

Theme: Christmas
Colors: The lovely grays, creams and tans- who says that you need bright colors to make a striking card?
Embellishments: I added glitter and pearls to mimic the adornment on the bird's breast and wing
The bird: I curved the snowdrift to reflect the curves of the bird and its feathers.
The trigger item itself: The trigger is a pillow, I embossed the gray cardstock with a canvas impression plate to reflect the fabrc and adhered the stamped panel to a card base with some cushy pop dots.

Hope you like my take on the trigger. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Christmas is Love- Skipping Stones Blog Hog

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hello friends and Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to Sketch Challenge #106 and a Blog Hop to feature many of the wonderful Texture Sets from Skipping Stones Designs! If you just came from Kendra's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design. The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.

For my card, I decided to highlight just two of the amazing textures from Pumpkin Seed Sentiments.

Christmas is Love

I stamped one of the images from the set onto a banner tag from Canvas Corp that I flipped upside down to be a Christmas Tree. The scale of this tag is perfect size as a focal point for a card. I then went back over the tag tree with a lighter shade of green ink to add a bit more color. I also used the set to provide the subtle pattern on the circle behind the tree. Here's a close up:

The tiny green clothes pin is also courtesy of Canvas Corp. Who knew that tiny clothespins could be made even more cute by painting them a cheerful shade of green! I glued it to the tree tag with some white glue and it holds the star in place at the top of the tree. A few cheerful buttons as ornaments and a rectangle tree trunk finish off this little tree.

I backed the tree and circle with a doily that I sprayed with some Glimmer Mist (Starfish). The patterned paper if from the Everyone Loves Christmas Collection by Echo Park. I topped off the card by wrapping some fun green polka dot ribbon around the card and finishing it with a bow. The tiny tag was distressed a bit and stamped with Love also from Pumpkin Seeds Sentiments.

Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs. This month we are welcoming Tosha Leyendekker, Kendra Sand and Windy Robinson to our team as Guest Designers! Jen Del Muro will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

Does this sketch get your creative mojo going? If so, stop back at the Skipping Stones blog and link up your version of the sketch. You could win a free stamp sent of your choice from Skipping Stones Design.

Thanks for stopping by today! Head over to Kandi's blog for some more Skipping Stones Design inspiration!

Katie

Waltzingmouse Stamps Tag Challenge

2011-12-12T09:42:00.000-05:00

Hello friends-

I wanted to share a little Christmas Tag that I created for the Tag Challenge that Claire is running over at Waltzingmouse Stamps.

The tag was created from Spellbinder's Label 4- the largest one. I used Oven Fresh Gingerbread Joy and Nordic Winter to create the tag in shades of light pink, rhubarb, green and ginger. I topped the tag with a bit of twine, button and ribbon from the stash.

I must confess, I am not much of a tag maker, but I had so much fun creating this little guy, that I may have to make some more! Stay tuned!

I hope your week is off to a great start! Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Stitches and Swirls

2011-12-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

Hello-

Just popping in with another little card to share. This card features one of Papertrey Ink's newer sets, Stitches and Swirls and the Linen Closet collection from Die Cuts With A View.

Sorry the lighting is not the best.

On a rustic cream panel, I stamped the largest image from S & S with sand-colored ink. I am in love with this set! It is truly one of those amazing sets that doesn't take a lot of effort to make some amazing impact and I am all about impact without effort! :o)

I added pearls to the centers of some of the flowers for a little dimension. The border punch is Martha Stewart and the gingham ribbon is from Stampin' Up. I adhered all the finished pieced to a card base that I covered with a tiny floral print from the Linen Closet stack. The sentiment is from PTI's Mega Mixed Messages set. You could really swap out any sentiment, but for some reason with all the homespun prints and gingham, it just felt like a Mother's Day card to me.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great Sunday!

Katie

Love is in the Cards

2011-12-10T10:58:00.000-05:00

Hi friends-

Just popping in with a quick post today to share a couple Love cards I created for a recent call that were not picked up for publication.

This first card was created with October Afternoon's Sidewalks collection and a stamp from American Art Stamps called Couple in Love. I paper pieced the umbrella and colored in the rest of the image with Copics. The Love sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Tiny Tags stamp set.

This "sweet" card features stickers from Martha Stewart. I punched a small scallop border and treated it as a shelf. The paper is from the Sidewalks collection (October Afternoon). The sentiment is from Skipping Stones Birthday Donuts set.

Hope you are having a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Skipping Stones Sketch 105

2011-12-06T06:03:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

Today the SSD DT gals and our guests are sharing their interpretation of Jen Del Muro's fabulous sketch, SSD #105. Here is my take:

I used Rustic Tiles and Chic Martini to create my card. I added some pops of color using ribbon and gems. Here is a close up of the martini glass and the pleated ribbon.

The cutie black and white polka dot paper is courtesy of our friends at Canvas Corp. Canvas Corp will be playing along with our sketches this month at SSD- so be sure to check out their blog in the designer line up below as well as the other DT gals' blogs for lots of Canvas Corp eye candy.

Here is Jen's sketch:

Wanna play along for a chance to win a FREE stamp set? Head over to the Skipping Stones Blog and upload you take on this week's sketch.

Check out the rest of the DT and our guests for more inspiration on this week's sketch:

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Katie

Skipping Stones Sketch Tuesday

2011-11-29T06:09:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving holiday for those of you in the US. I took a few days off work and my efforts were rewarded by coming down with the worst.cold.ever! Thankfully, it is loosening it's grip and so far, I am the only one in the family stricken by this monstrosity of a virus, so that is definitely a good thing.

I know it's been quiet here on the blog front. We are slowly getting back into the swing of things and it's Tuesday, so it's time to share another Skipping Stones Design Sketch. This is Chan's last sketch with us (sniff, sniff) and it's been wonderful to see what she and the other Guest Designers, Jimmi Mayo, Betsy Veldman and Jessica Griffin have created with the SSD stamps and sketches.

Here is my card based on this week's sketch:

I used Timeless Textures and Chic Martini to create this festive number. This card would be perfect as an invitation to a holiday or New Year celebration.

I stamped the Moroccan tile image on a panel of white cardstock. Then using my Spellbinder Circle dies, I cut a hole in the white cardstock and backed it with a piece of red cardstock on which I stamped the martini glass in Veramark and embossed with white embossing powder.

Here's a close up:

I topped the stir stick with a little clear gem for a little oompf. The rick rack at the bottom of the card is from Creative Impressions.

This is Chan's awesome sketch and if this sketch has you itching to run to your crafty space and get inky, be sure to share your take on the sketch at the Skipping Stones Design blog. There are prizes involved!!!!

Be sure to check out the rest of the DT gals and our guests to see more SSD inspiration using this awesome sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #103

2011-11-22T07:29:00.000-05:00

Hello!

Happy Tuesday! Today we are bringing you some fabulous Skipping Stones inspiration on another of Chan Vuong's wonderful sketches. Here is my take on the sketch:

As you can see from the sketch below, I took a few, let's say, liberties with the sketch- but that's the great thing about sketches- they are just a starting point.

I used Christmas Song to stamp a focal image and sentiment. In place of the squares, I used some patterned paper from Echo Park's Christmas line. I thought the paper had a grid like quality to it, like the sketch.

So, do you want to give this sketch a whirl? Upload your take to the Skipping Stones Design blog and you could win a free stamp set!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to visit the other DT gals and guests to see more eye candy using this sketch!

Have a great day and a Happy Thanksgiving!

Katie

Waltzingmouse Stamps November Blog Waltz

2011-11-17T03:01:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

I am so excited to be participating in my very first Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz! The theme for this waltz is Christmas projects. Using the new Nordic Winter, I came up with this:

Nordic Christmas

I stamped images from Nordic Winter in Riding Hood Red and the sentiment in Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!). I matted the stamped panel on dark brown cardstock that I punched with a scallop border punch. Before adhering to the card base, I tied a bit of brown twill ribbon around the matted panel and topped it with a cream button threaded with twine that I tied it into a bow.

This card seriously only took like 20 minutes to put together start to finish which is always a good thing when the days are getting shorter and shorter and daylight is a precious commodity! Hope you enjoy my waltz card! Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #102

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge #102 featuring Rustic Tiles! Rustic Tiles is an amazing and versatile set and I have been having so.much.fun playing with this set this month. As an added bonus- Rustic Tiles is on sale this month at the Stamp Store for only $12.49.

If you just came from Jessica's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design. The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.

Without further ado, here is my card using Rustic Tiles, Heartsong and this week's sketch by Chan Vuong.

Celebrate the Season

I used what I call the "snowflake tile" in the top right corner to represent the cluster of flowers. I topped each "snowflake" with a clear snowflake accent from the stash. The bottom left corner features the birdie from Heartsong- love that little guy and a sentiment from Christmas Song.

I tried to get a little fancy on the bird image with a little rock-n-roll technique. I also sponged in some pale pink ink on his chest before stamping the sentiment in darker brown ink. You can't really see it in the picture, but once I was done stamping, I sprayed the cardstock with some shimmer spray from Amuse Studios.

The paper is from a stack of My Mind's Eye that I picked up a few months ago from Hobby Lobby. The finishing touch on the card is a bit of sheer ribbon from our friends at Creative Impressions coupled with a pink button tied with some twine.

Wanna win a free stamp set??? Just upload your take on this week's sketch to the Skipping Stones blog for a chance to win. I can't wait to see what everyone creates with this sketch.

Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs. This month we are welcoming Jimmi Mayo, Betsy Veldman and Jessica Griffin to our team as Guest Designers! Chan Vuong is providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

Head over to Shannon's blog for some more Skipping Stones Design inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Christmas Greetings

2011-11-14T11:30:00.000-05:00

Hello!

I wanted to share a little Christmas Card I created for a couple challenges over the weekend.

I stamped the "mod pine tree" from WMS's Tiny Trees set in Pear Tart Ink and followed up with the stary garland with Raspberry Fizz ink. To anchor the tree on the long rectangle, I tore a piece of white cardstock and drew a thin line of glue with my glue pen and followed it with a dusting of glitter to give it that meadow of snow look. The sentiment, also stamped in Raspberry Fizz, is from Tiny Trees too.

For a finishing touch, I added a little tag that I stamped with the reverse polka dot pattern from Gingham and Co and adhered a small heart die cut. I topped the tag with a button tied with a bit of Rustic Cream button twine.

Here is a closer look at the tag and glittery snow:

This card is based on sketch 73 for the Waltzingmouse Stamps Weekly Sketch challenge.

I am also linking it to the Casual Fridays Challenge #28- Tag You're It!

Hope you find some inspiration in my take on the sketch and challenge. There is still time for you to play along. As always, thanks for stopping by! Your visits and kind thoughts mean so much to me!!!

Katie

Happily Ever After

2011-11-13T17:15:00.000-05:00

Hello!

Hope you are having a great weekend! I wanted to post today as I am waiting for Sunday dinner to finish cooking and share another card that I had submitted for the World Card Making Day contest.

The card below was created for the Love category and I used two of my favorite newer sets- Big Day Additions from Waltzing Mouse Stamps and Harvest Berries from Papertrey Ink.

Happily Ever After Card

I stamped the ginko leaves and sentiment on a piece of shimmer cardstock with black Verafine ink. I matted the stamped panel on black cardstock and attached it to a card base made from Aqua Mist Cardstock. I added some clear rhinestones for berries for a finishing touch.

Super simple, but elegant for weddings and the like. You could also change the color of the card base to coordinate with the wedding colors.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great evening!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #101

2011-11-08T08:47:00.000-05:00

Hi-ya friends-

It's Tuesday sketch day with Skipping Stones Design! This week's sketch is brought to us by Chan Vuong. Here is my take on the sketch:

I pieced together different patterned papers from October Afternoon's Sidewalk collection before adhering a strip of rustic cream cardstock stamped with 4 tile images from the Rustic Tiles set- which just happens to be on sale this month!

This ribbon is by Creative Impressions- who was so generous to send us a giant envelope of goodies to embellish our cards this month. I am so sad that this week and last week's cards used up the last morsels of that dreamy pink polka dot ribbon, but there are more goodies where that came from- for sure!

If you have a moment this week since many of us got that extra hour back- try the sketch for yourself and link up your card to the SSD blog- you could win a free stamp set!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Hello, Friend

2011-11-06T06:57:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Happy end of Daylight Savings Time day- for those of you in time zones that observe this phenomenon! This is the day, the I feel like my internal clock is put back into normal mode- don't get me wrong, I love the extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, but it can be tough to get up some mornings!

First of all, I wanted to say THANK YOU for all your support in the World Card Making Day Honorable Mention contest. In case you haven't popped over the the Paper Crafts blog recently, they announced on Friday that I won! I couldn't believe it. The other cards were so amazing and creative. I am truly humbled and I appreciate all your support.

I thought over the next couple weeks that I would share with you some of my other, uhm, 12 entries, that I submitted for the World Card Making Day contest. So, without further ado, meet today's card:

This card was for the Hello/Thinking of You category. The patterned paper was from Jillibean Soup and Crate Paper. I seem to be on an orange kick recently- I think it is the season. The retro phone is a stamp from American Crafts that I picked up at Hobby Lobby and the sentiment is one of the Think Big Favorites- number 3 I think from Papertrey Ink. The flowers are die cut from adhesive cork and finished off with a little bling in the center.

Hope you have some fun plans for that extra hour in your weekend- even if it is just catching up on some much needed sleep... I am spending it crafting with some of my girlfriends at an inn in Amish Country. I will be back with more posts later this week- more Skipping Stones and maybe some of my other WCMD entries to share.

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #100

2011-11-01T07:14:00.000-04:00

Hello!

Happy November! This is going to be a great month for all you sketch lovers because our sketch artist is none other than the fablulous Chan Vuong AND there are 5 Tuesdays in November which means we will be working with 5 of Chan's fabulous sketches this month!!

We are also joined this month by some amazing guest designers including Jimmi Mayo, Betsy Veldman and our honorary DT gal is Jessica Griffin.

Without further ado, here is the sketch:

And here is my take on the sketch:

I used Cupcake Cutie to create some yummy looking cupcakes complete with sprinkles. The sentiment is from Birthday Donuts, but I thought it worked well with the cupcakes. The patterned papers are from October Afternoon- the Sidewalks collection.

We are fortunate this month to also be using some amazing embellishments from Creative Impressions. See that darling pink ribbon- yep that's Creative Impressions.

If this sketch gets your mojo going, don't forget to enter the sketch contest at the SSD blog, there's a prize involved!

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

World Card Making Day Honorable Mention (and shameless pandering for votes...)

2011-10-31T19:06:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!

I just found out that one of my cards is an honorable mention for the Holiday category in Paper Crafts magazine World Card Making Day contest.

This is the card:

Paper Crafts is running a little contest for a pretty sweet package and allowing folks to vote for their favorite card. So...... if you have a few minutes in the next day to vote, and you vote was for me, I would surely appreciate your support!!

Voting is easy peasy.

Visit the voting site.
You will have to create a user name and password and then they email a confirmation to you. No additional spam I promise.
Click the Vote tab to see all four cards in the running- mine is card 3 (wink).
Once you select your favorite card from the gallery, click "Save Vote."

All votes must be received by Wednesday at noon MST.

Thank you so much for stopping by and for your support!

Katie

I'm a Cover Girl!!!

2011-10-30T09:04:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

So, a few months back, I started submitting some projects to Cricut magazine. I have been a Cricut owner for many, many years, but like so many, it can go under utilized for weeks or months at a time. Well, enter Cricut Magazine, published monthly by Northridge Publishing. I picked up the March 2011 issue and was blown away by all the cool stuff that some very talented ladies were doing with their Cricuts. It was just the inspiration I needed to dust off my bug and get to creating. I will admit that it was a bit strange creating for fall and winter holidays in the spring time, but I created some little treat bags using my Mini Monsters cartridge, took a photo, emailed them off to the magazine for consideration. I was beyond thrilled that they were picked up for the October issue.

So, several months pass, the weather turned cooler and one Saturday afternoon I am running my marathon errands and stop into Hobby Lobby. I saw the October issue of Cricut magazine and was surprised to see my monster treat bags gracing the cover.

The projects were pretty simple to put together- using the Mini Monsters cartridge, I cut the treat bags and layers from some Papertrey Ink cardstock. I embossed the layers for some added dimension.

I am looking forward to receiving my issues of this magazine- this one will have to get a place of honor in the craft cave!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Katie

Feature Friday with Skipping Stones Design!!

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Friday!

Welcome to another Feature Friday with Skipping Stones Design! This month, you have seen a lot of Christmas cards using our newest set, Christmas Song and some older sets including Christmas Swirls and Wise Men. (Both of these sets are on sale through the end of the month if you act fast!)

For a little twist today, I decided to make a Holiday card using a few sets that are not specifically geared towards that special time of year.... enter Sentiment Frames and Timeless Textures.... and here's what I came up with:

Using the Moroccan tile image from Timeless Textures, I stamped it repeatedly on a piece of white cardstock. This stamp fits together like a puzzle and you can pretty quickly fill an entire panel. I mounted the stamped panel on black cardstock then wrapped a ribbon around the panel and tied it in a bow. I added a wee little button tied with a little baker's twine to the bow.

The sentiment from Sentiment Frames was stamped in black ink on white cardstock then mounted to a piece of black cardstock that features a little scalloped edge. I then adhered the whole thing to a piece of patterned paper (Echo Park) that I had trimmed and adhered to a standard white card base.

There you have it! A stylin' and festive card using sets that you may not have imagined as "holiday" fare. Take a look at your stash, with the right colors and treatment, almost any set can have a jolly festive feel!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Papertrey Ink- October Blog Hop

2011-10-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

Hello!

This is my second post of the day, so if you are here to see Skipping Stones Design sketch 99, just scroll down. :o)

This month's blog hop challenge was to create a project using the following inspiration photo.

This is what I came up with:

Give Thanks

I guess you could say I was inspired by the theme of the photo to create this super simple autumn card. I used one of the leaf images from Falling Leaves (one of my all time favorite sets) and stamped it 4 times on a rustic cream panel with different colors of ink. (Veramagic-Pumpkin Spice, SU! Always Artichoke, So Saffron and Riding Hood Red). I stamped the sentiment and little acorn with Dark Chocolate ink. I wrapped a piece of twine around the panel and secured it before mounting the card to a kraft card base.

Hope you like my take on this month's inspiration photo. If you would like to play along, check out Nichole Heady's blog for all the deets.

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #99

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hola friends!

Can you believe that it is Tuesday already? If it is Tuesday, that means it's time for another SSD sketch challenge. Sketch 99 was created by Cristina Kowalczyk, as have all of our sketches this past month.

I decided to interpret the sketch on a horizontal layout using Heartsong. It's hard to see in the photo, but I embossed the background with woodgrain before stamping the little birdie and music on rustic cream and mounting him on top of a teal rectangle. Some twine, wrapped around the card several times adds the finishing touch.

You Make My Heart Sing

Be sure to stop by the other DT gals and our guests' blogs for more inspiration using this week's sketch.

Katie Gehring - you are here :o)

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Tuesday Trigger: Finesse the Dress

2011-10-23T10:27:00.000-04:00

Hi there-

I got some crafty time last night and was able to create a little card for this week's Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World. Here is the inspiration photo:

Here is my take on the trigger.

I was inspired by the colors of the dress and the embroidered image on the dress and tried to translate that to paper. On teal cardstock, I stamped a damask image with Versamark and then heat embossed with this really cool embossing powder from Stampendous called Marcasite- like the gemstone. It's charcoal gray with flicks of other colors throughout the powder. I added a gemstone to the center of the damask for kicks. I punched the bottom of the teal cardstock with a scallop punch to mimic the hem detail in the dress and attached the teal to a dark gray card base. The sentiment was stamped on light gray cardstock that I die cut with the double ended banner die.

Here's a close up of the embossed damask.

Hope you like my take on the trigger. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: The Paper Company, Bazzill Basics Paper
Stamps: Damask (Stampabilities) and Mat Stack 2 (PTI)
Ink: Versamark and Verafine Black
Embossing powder: Marcacite (Stampendous)
Die: Double ended border die (PTI)
Edge punch: Fiskars
Gemstone: The Paper Studio

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge 69

2011-10-18T19:32:00.000-04:00

Hi all!

I created a little card to play along with the Waltzingmouse Stamps Sketch Challenge this week. Here is my card:

Happy Halloween Hat

And here is the inspiration sketch:

I created the hat from black cardstock and embossed with a swirly embossing folder. The brim was cut from a strip of black cardstock that I cut with a pinking border die. Cream lace was added above the brim. I stamped the focal image from Gracie at Halloween in black in and colored in with some Copics. I am a bit of a neophyte when it comes to the Copics, so please forgive my coloring. I punched the image with a 1 3/4" circle punch and backed it with an olive pinking circle and adhere it to the lace. This finished hat was adhered to a simple base of kraft, black and orange paper with pop dots.

Hope you like my take on this week's sketch. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #98 featuring Christmas Swirls

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

For today's sketch challenge, the design team members are visiting sets of Christmas past.... Christmas Swirls and Wise Men, both of which, psst, are on sale through the end of the month at the SSD store.

I used Christmas Swirls and came up with this little card:

Joy Card

I took some liberties with the sketch and moved the focal point to the bottom 1/3 of the card. I stamped the ornament on rustic cream cardstock and embossed with Gold EP. If you stopped by last week for the release of Christmas Song, you will see that I am still on a bit of a kick with the Gold EP and despite by tidy tray, I have managed to get it all over my craft room, esp the floor. It's ok though, when I happen to walk barefoot in my crafty room and feel the EP beneath my feet, I just close my eyes and pretend that I am at the beach, a very glittery beach! LOL!

Anyway, back to the card. I punched the embossed ornament out of the cardstock with a 1 3/4" punch. I attached it to the card base- more rustic cream on kraft- with a little dimensional adhesive and attached a length of ribbon so the ornament looks like it is hanging from the top of the card. I finished the ornament with a bow and a pearl. The sentiment was stamped in Dark Chocolate ink.

There you have it- a super simple card that still packs some punch. Be sure to stop by the blogs of the DT members and our guests today for more inspiration.

Katie Gehring - you are here :o)

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Here's the Trick- No Orange

2011-10-17T12:35:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

I am playing along today with the Casual Friday's Challenge #24. This week's challenge was to create a Halloween card without the use of that Halloween staple and go to color- orange.

And here is my card:

Best Witches

I was at Michael's on Friday picking up Paige from a birthday party and I spied the cutest little goblins in the dollar stamp bin and I couldn't resist getting this little witch. A couple of her friends- namely a monster and vampire came home with me too. I will post cards featuring these guys soon- I promise. With the little witch as my focal point, I created a card using blues, greens, grays, and purple- no orange! If you have a minute this week to play along, link up your card to the CAS-ual Fridays blog!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: Black, white, green, teal- Hollos paper
Stamps: Michaels (witch), Amuse Studio (zig-zag stitch) and Papertrey Ink (Sentiment)
Button and twine: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Verafine Black and Memento Grape Jelly

Skipping Stones Christmas Song Release and Sketch 97

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

Welcome to Sketch Challenge #97 and the release of Christmas Song! If you just came from Karen's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design. The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.

Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs. This month we are welcoming Andrea Ewen, Tammy Tutterow and Karen Christensen to our team as Guest Designers!

Cristina Kowalczyk will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

Here is the card I made using Christmas Song and Sketch 97.

I stamped the tree image and sentiment in Versmark and embossed with gold embossing powder. I also added a little ink to the Christmas tree image to achieve a more distressed look. The patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye.

Head over to Shannon's blog for some more Skipping Stones Design inspiration! In case you get lost clicking along, here is your blog hop order....

Katie Gehring - you are here :o)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Katie

It only takes a SPARK to get a fire going...

2011-10-04T22:02:00.000-04:00

Hi all-

I was thrilled to get my new Paper Smooches stamps in the mail yesterday and was inspired to make another card for the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge. (On a side note, I ordered the stamps on Saturday and they were waiting for me when I got home from work on Monday- that is what I cal1 super speedy shipping (and I live in Ohio!)

Anyhoo, in an earlier post, I shared the spark photo and it's so darling that I wanted to share it again, just because, so here you go!

Here is my card. I used the little chick from My Peeps coupled with a sentiment from Chit Chat to create this CAS card.

I stamped the bird and sentiment in Versamark on hot pink cardstock and embossed with white embossing powder. I matted the pink cardstock on green and tied a little black and white gingham ribbon finished off with a pink button in the center. The colored cardstock was then adhered to a white card base.

Here's a close up of the little chick. I added a little gem for the chick's eye.

Hope you like my take on the SPARKS challenge. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #96

2011-10-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hi and Happy Tuesday!

I am back today with another awesome Skipping Stones Design sketch. This month we are welcoming the uber-talented Cristina Kowalczyk as our October Sketch Artist.

Also joining us for this month of fun is Tammy Tutterow, Andrea Ewen and Karen Christensen.

Here is my take on this week's sketch:

Forgive the poor lighting- it has been dark and gloomy in NE Ohio for a few days now....

I used Skipping Stones Design's Dandelion Dreams (click here to shop) on a tag that I punched with my Creative Memories tag maker. I created a little scene by stamping the flora and fauna in the background with a lighter ink and in the foreground with a dark brown ink. I added a little butterfly and finished the tag with a button and bow.

I used a scallop edge punch on my lavender "belly band" and wrapped it with a light yellow ribbon. The sweet sentiment was stamped in brown in in the bottom right corner of the card.

Check out the rest of the DT for more fabulous inspiration!

Jennifer Ingle
Joann Valderama
Karen Baker
Kandi Phillips
Shannon Teubner
Stephanie Mino
Taylor Usry
Wendy Price
Wendy Jordan

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Katie

Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge

2011-10-02T12:39:00.000-04:00

Hi friends-

I'm playing along today with the Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge:

This challenge runs until October 5, 2011, so you still have time to create a project and link it up!

The challenge this round is use Paper Smooches Stamps to make a card/project based on this inspiration photo:

So sweet, right? Well, I decided to go with the baby theme and came up with this little number:

Welcome Baby

I stamped and paper pieced the mama and baby elephant from A Little Lovin' and mounted it to a piece of patterned paper that I had die-cut with PTI's notebook die. The baby elephant was given it's spots courtesy of WMS's Gingham and Co, Mama elephant was stamped on pink cardstock, trimmed and pieced. I stamped the sentiment in brown ink and inked the edges of the die cut.

The card was made from Kraft cardstock and then I adhered a panel of patterned paper from Fancy Pant's Baby Mine collection. Before adhering, I inked the edges of the patterned paper and wrapped the panel with kelly green ribbon, adhered the notebook die cut at an angle with dimensional adhesive and finished it off with two wee clothes pins.

Looking forward to checking out everyone's sweet creations. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft- Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: Baby Mine Collection- Fancy Pants Design
Stamps: A Little Lovin- Paper Smooches; Gingham and Co- Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Berry Sorbet, Vintage Team Dye Duo - Papertrey Ink
Die: Notebook page- Papertrey Ink
Ribbon- American Crafts
Clothes pins- Darice

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #95

2011-09-27T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

It's Tuesday- which means it's time for another Skipping Stones Sketch!! All of our sketches this month are designed by Amy Sheffer. We are also incredibly fortunate to be joined by some very talented guest designers, Cristina Kowalczyk, Amber Daigre, Nicole Mullan, Chan Vuong, and Vanessa Menhorn.

Here is this week's sketch:

And my card:

I took some liberties with the sketch and kept the back panel in one piece. I stamped the music bars from Heartsong to the panel with Cream ink for some visual interest. My focal point is that adorable birdie from Heartsong and the sentiment is also from Heartsong.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team for more fabulous inspiration:
Jennifer Ingle
Joann Valderama
Karen Baker
Kandi Phillips
Shannon Teubner
Stephanie Mino
Taylor Usry
Wendy Price
Wendy Jordan

Hope you enjoy my take on the sketch and get a minute this week to try it out for yourself! Thanks for stopping by!

Take care,
Katie

Sketch for you to try!

2011-09-25T21:28:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends-

This is the last week for you to enter the Sketch for You to Try challenge over at Jen Del Muro's blog. In case you haven't heard- Skipping Stones is sponsoring this months challenge. :o)

Here's the sketch:

And here is my take, using one of my fav SSD sets, Birthday Donuts!

And the inside.....

This set cracks me up!!!!

Hope you find a minute this week to try your hand at the sketch and play along with Jen's challenge. Have a great start to your week!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: Hollos Paper
Patterned paper: Bitty Dot Basics- Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Birthday Donuts- Skipping Stones Designs
Ink: Dark Chocolate- Papertrey Ink
Markers: Copic
Die: Spellbinders
Tool: Corner Rounder- Creative Memories

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #94

2011-09-20T07:36:00.000-04:00

Hi all!

Today, I am sharing my take on SSD #94 by Amy Sheffer. Many members of the Design Team are also highlighting Halloweenie- which just happens to be on sale this month for $12.49.

Here is my card:

There are tons of fabulous images in Happy Halloweenie. Creepy spiders, witches hats, ghosts, and an adorable doggie dressed like a hot dog- hence the name of the set- Happy Halloweenie! I decided to focus on the candy corn image in the set to make a sweet focal point and I coupled it with a sentiment from Birthday Donuts. The patterned paper is from the old stash-a-roo. Heidi Grace circa 2006 to be precise!

Hope you enjoy my version of the sketch and feel so inspired between me and the other designers to make room in your hearts and homes for Halloweenie!

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Blog Hopping with my Rejects!

2011-09-15T21:11:00.000-04:00

Hello blog friends!

Well, no happy mail today for me from the latest Paper Crafts call. 10 cards submitted, but alas, nothing was selected. That said, I am so, so excited for all the designers that received requests for projects, especially the newbies!! I still remember getting my first email from Susan Opel requesting one of my cards- it was St. Patrick's Day 2011 and I felt like it was truly my lucky day.

The silver lining in all this is that I get share some of my beloved rejects with you!! The lovely and talented Amber (of Damask Love fame) is hosting another reject blog hop and I decided to play along. Here are some of my creations by category that will NOT be appearing in an upcoming issue of Paper Crafts magazine. :o)

Spectrum of Color

Twine Friend Card

Dotty Hello

You Rock- Tie Dye Card

(This one was my fave. The kids and I used shaving cream to create this effect and it was a lot of messy fun!)

Silhouettes for Babies and Brides

Princess Baby

First Birthday

Text Style

Lucky Friend

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great rest of the week!

Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #93 and Holiday Cats Release!

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Good morning!

It's a big day here at Skipping Stones Design!! A double header of sorts! Today we are unveiling Sketch 93 by the Amy Sheffer and introducing SSD's newest set, Holiday Cats! If you just came from Shannon's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened along my blog today, start at the beginning of the hop at Skipping Stones Design. The entire hop order is there and you can hop from blog to blog with ease.

Be sure to hop along and leave comments on all the fabulous designers’ blogs. This month we are welcoming Nicole Mullan, Amber Daigre, Cristina Kowalczyk, Vanessa Menhorn and Chan Vuong to our team as Guest Designers! Amy Sheffer will be providing all the fabulous sketch inspiration this month including the sketch we're using in today's hop!

Without further ado, here is this week's sketch:

Holiday Cats is totally cute! This set is "purr-fect" for Halloween, Christmas, Birthday and just because. Putting together this sketch and these stamps, here is my card:

What's Mew With You?

I interpreted the layers on the sketch as Polaroid photos tacked to a bulletin board and finished it off with the oh, so punny "What's Mew" sentiment. The bulletin board is actually made from cork. I picked up a roll of self adhesive cork at JoAnn's in the bulletin board section. It's super easy to work with- note the rounded corners- you can also stamp on it, die cut it, etc...

Head on over to Amber's blog for more inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Skipping Stones Design Sketch #92

2011-09-06T19:23:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

This month Skipping Stones Design is joined by talented sketch artist, Amy Sheffer who will be designing the Skipping Stones sketches for the month. In case you missed it- here's the sketch:

And here is my take on it. I used Cupcake Cutie to create a Sweet Cuppie card for someone special.

I stuck pretty close to the sketch. I paper pieced the cupcake and mounted it to a circle matted with a scallop circle. Hope you have fun trying this sketch on for size. Thanks for stopping by!

Kate

Supplies:

Stamps: Cupcake Cutie- Skipping Stones Designs
Cardstock: Kraft- The Paper Company, Vintage Cream- Papertrey Ink
Patterned paper: My Minds Eye
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI) and Sage Shadow (SU)
Button and Twine: PTI
Ribbon: American Crafts

Felt Challenge

2011-09-05T12:28:00.000-04:00

Hello!

Happy Labor Day- for those of you in the US! I was able to get some quality time in my craft room this long weekend, so I will have lots of projects to share with you in the coming week! One of the challenges I was looking forward to playing with is Cath's Fabulous Felt Challenge at the Moxie Fab World. I have two cards that I created for this challenge.

There is a distinct chill in the air which is a sure sign that summer is giving way to fall. One of my favorite fall activities is picking apples at one of the many local orchards we have near our house, so with that in mind, I came up with the following card:

I die cut and pieced together three apples from pink and yellow felt, brown felt, and green felt. Once I assembled the apples I added a single cross stitch. I stamped the sentiment, adhered the apples and created the rest of the card.

For my second card, I stuck with pink and tried to make something super sweet.

I cut 2 long thin pieces of felt and rolled them together to make a lollypop. For added stability, I glued the felt roll to a 1.5" circle with white glue. I cut the lolly stick from kraft cardstock and tied a tiny tag to the faux stick. A button in the center of the lollypop finished of this sweet confection.

Here's a close up of the lollypop.

The rest of the card features some cutie Doodlebug paper from the stash, yellow cardstock with a decorative border, some polka dot ribbon, and a button with twine.

Hope this challenge inspires you to get warm and fuzzy with some fabulous felt very soon! Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies: (All supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Apple of my Eye Card

Stamps: Fruit Fusion Apple
Cardstock: Lemon Tart, White
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug
Die Cut: Oriental Trading
Border punch: EK Success
Ribbon: Making Memories
Felt: Dark Chocolate, Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz
Floss: Bazzill

Sweet Lollypop Card

Stamps: Sweet as Can Be
Cardstock: Lemon Tart, Kraft
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug
Ink: Dark Chocolate
Patterned Paper: Doodlebug
Border punch: EK Success
Ribbon: Offray
Die: Tiny tags
Felt: Hibiscus Pink, Vintage Cream
Button and Twine: Hibiscus Pink and Vintage Cream

Just had to share....

2011-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hi friends-

Just posting to share that I have been invited to join the awesome ladies on the Skipping Stones Design (SSD) Team!!! I am so, so exited and thrilled to have the opportunity to create with these amazing stamps and be in the company of such talented designers, guest designers and sketch artists!

Below is a little card I recently created with Sentiment Frames and Always Here. Click here to visit the SSD store and check out these awesome sets for yourself!

Butterfly Birthday Card

You will be seeing lots of SSD goodness appearing here in the weeks and months to come, so please be sure to stop back soon!

Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!

Katie

Supplies:

Stamps- Always Here and Sentiment Frames- Skipping Stones Design
Cardstock: Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding, Lemon Tart and Kraft- Papertrey Ink
Embossing Folder- Cuttlebug
Ink: Versafine
Pearls: The Paper Studio

SSD Sketch Challenge #91

2011-08-30T21:05:00.000-04:00

Hi all-

Today, I am playing along with the Skipping Stones Designs Sketch Challenge #91 by the fabulous and talented Teri Anderson. (Click the link for all the deets and to play along.) Here is the sketch:

And here is my take:

I cut three circles from gray, orange and hot pink cardstock and stamped the Moroccan tile print from Timeless Textures onto the cardstock with Verafine embossing ink. I sprinkled the stamped circles with white embossing powder and heated with my heat gun to bring out the stamped image. I drew a frame around the edge of the white cardstock panel with a fine tip black pen- leaving a space for the Happy Birthday sentiment (from Birthday Donuts). I arranged the circles on the cardstock trimmed off the excess, mounted to black cardstock and adhered the finished card front to a white card base.

Hope you find some inspiration in my take on Teri's sketch. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies:

Clear stamps: Timeless Textures and Birthday Donuts- Skipping Stones Design
Cardstock: Orange Zest, Raspberry Fizz- Papertrey Ink; Gray- The Paper Company; White and Black- Hollos Papercraft
Ink: Versafine and Veramark
Embossing Powder: JoAnn Fabric and Craft

Tuesday Trigger: Girly and Gutsy

2011-08-25T19:19:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

(This is my second post for the day- scroll down if you would like to see my contribution to the August Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.)

It's another Tuesday Trigger project based on a lovely photo that Cath found and posted on the Moxie Fab World Blog. (Click the link for details and to play along!)

And here is my card:

I decided to use the leaf motif in the black and white rug as the focal point for my card. I stamped the ginko leaves from PTI's Harvest Berries set in black ink and added some bling in the place of berries- ala the chandelier and wall sconces.

(By the way, can I just say, Harvest Berries....I love this stamp set! You may be seeing it quite a bit in coming posts.)

I also tied in the chartreuse green chairs and pink walls into the card as well through cardstock and ribbon. By the time I added the ribbon and rhinestone buckle to the card, it was feeling pretty formal, so I used a beautiful, scripty congrats sentiment from Waltzingmouse Stamps.

Well, there you have it! I hope you find some inspiration in my take on the trigger. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Take care,
Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! and Papertrey Ink
Clear stamps: Harvest Berries from Papertrey Ink and Big Day Additions from Waltzingmouse Stamps
Rhinestones: The Paper Studio
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento
Border punch: EK Success
Ribbon: Stampin' Up!
Gem ribbon slide: Making Memories
Corner punch: Stampin' Up!

Papertrey Ink- August Blog Hop

2011-08-25T07:54:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone-

I am playing along today with the August Blog Hop for Papertrey Ink.

The challenge this month was to create a card using the following photo as inspiration.

And here is my card:

On the message board, there's been talk of seller's regret as in when you sell PTI goodies to another forum member and then scheme up a project for which the sold set or die would work perfectly. This photo made me sad that I recently sold my Friendship Jar and die set- twice. Yep- sold it, re purchased it and sold it again.... Never used, nope, not sure what my problem is....

Anyway, I needed to take another approach to this photo, so I decided to focus on the colors and patterns. I stamped the top 2/3 of the card with a text stamp and the bottom third with gingham- a nod to the pretty dress the picnic-er is wearing in the background. I added foliage to the card using the leaves and berries from the new Harvest Berries set. The sentiment is also from Harvest Berries stamped on Mat Stack 1 and inked with the Tea Dye duo.

Check out Nichole Heady's blog for all the deets and to add your own project to the hop. Looking forward to seeing everyone's beautiful creations.

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Blogs for Boobies- Last Day to Bid!

2011-08-22T06:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the last day of the Blog for Boobies Blog Hop! There is still time to help in two ways.

#1 There is still time to bid on my project: Here is another look at what I have up for auction.

Scroll down to my post from August 16 to see the details of each card!

The auction will end at 8:00 p.m. Mountain time August 23rd.

The highest bid is currently $25.00! (Wow! You guys rock!!!) To win this simply bid more than $25.00 in the comment section of THIS post. YOU MUST INCLUDE your EMAIL ADDRESS with your $bid. (This way we can get in contact with the winning bidder.)

Remember 100% of what you bid will go to the Komen foundation!!! If you are the top bidder you will receive a paypal invoice for the amount that you bid.

#2 There is still time to shop!!! Through midnight on the 23rd of August Skipping Stones Design is still donating $2 (to the Komen Foundation) for every stamp set sold.

Thank you so, so much for stopping by!! Together we can make a difference!!!

Katie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC15

2011-08-17T20:59:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

Ok, so it's technically not Friday. It's been a busy week with the kiddos getting ready to go back to school and back to preschool, so I am just getting around to posting my card for last Friday's challenge on the CAS-ual Friday blog.

This week's challenge is to create a card based on the sketch pictured above and here is what I created:

Birthday Clown Card

The patterned papers are from Pretty Little Studio- an online shop that features sweet vintage images and coordinating patterned paper. I fussy cut around a clown image and stamped my sentiment in the star. To reinforce the star motif, I die cut stars from white cardstock and adhered it to the card base. A red button tied with orange baker's twine is the finishing touch.

Hope it inspires! Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: Hollos and Papertrey Ink
Patterned paper and vintage image: Pretty Little Studio
Ink: Verafine
Stamps: Verve
Button: Papertrey Ink
Baker's Twine: The Twinery
Dies: Amuse Studios (stars) and Papertrey Ink (circle border)

Blogs for Boobies Blog Hop- Day 2

2011-08-16T08:55:00.000-04:00

It's Time to Stamp Out Cancer!

This is day 2 of a 3 day blog bounce(hop) where EVERY CARD OR PROJECT is up for auction!

Welcome to the second annual Blog 4 Boobies fundraiser! Last year with your help Skipping Stones Design raised and donated $1108.99 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It is our goal to raise $1500 this year and WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

There are 3 ways you can join in on the fun(draising):

1.You can help by Going shopping!

For every stamp set that you purchase during August 15th through the 23rd SSD will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Stamping and shopping that you can feel good about ! Click Here to laugh at some of our funniest stamps Click Here to be inspired or Click here to see everything we've got!

Here are two of my all time favorite sets:

Heartsong:

Birthday Purses

2. You can help by *Biding!

Another way you can help us raise money for the Komen Foundation is to *bid on a project or card along the blog bounce(hop). YES! EVERY Single card/project along the blogs for boobies bounce is up for auction. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Your *Bid not only includes the card or project but shipping to your home as well. * See how to place a bid for more detailed instructions. If you are the highest bidder August 23rd 8:00 p.m. mountain time then you WIN the card/project that you bid on.

3. You can help by Telling Your Friends~

Help us spread the word about "blogs 4 boobies" the more people that know, the more money we can raise!!! If you have a blog feel free to copy and paste part or all of our Blogs 4 Boobies posts.

My project- Up for grabs to the highest bidder is a set of 4 cards I created especially for this event. This set was made using Birthday Purses- pictured above. The cards are 5.25" square. The card packaging was designed to look like a purse and the 4 cards plus envelopes nestle perfectly inside making this a great gift to give to a special friend.

Birthday Purses Gift Set

Here are some close ups of the individual cards in the set:

How to place a bid on a card/project:

Find the comment section of the blog that shows the "Blogs 4 Boobies" card or project that you want to buy. *Please note you may only bid on the card/project shown in the specific "blogs 4 boobies" post. *Any bids not placed on the correct post will be considered invalid.

Once you are in the "blogs 4 boobies" comment section fill in the dollar and cents amount of what you are willing to pay for the card/project. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Remember your bid includes shipping as well as the card/or project. 100% of the money your bid will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation

Next to your $ bid please type in your email address. During a silent auction bidders sign their name next to their bid. Typing your email address is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid. Also it will help the blogger contact you if you are the highest bidder.

Watch and wait. Once you have entered your bid/comment sit back and wait. If someone out bids you then you may bid again. Bidding will continue until 8:00 p.m. Mountain time August 23rd

* Please note that the participating stampers/bloggers will probably re-post their Blogs 4 Boobies card/project on the 23rdof August. When the blogger re-post their project then the bidding will continue on the NEWEST post and that comment section.

What do I do once I place a bid?

Watch and Wait- The "Winner of the Auction" Will be the highest bid (that includes an email address)in the comment section of the MOST RECENT blogs 4 boobies post at the end of the silent auction. Please note that ALL cards/projects WILL BE REPOSTED on the 23rd of August. The silent auction will end at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time on August 23rd .

Things to keep in mind:

Near the end of the bidding you may not see bids as they come in. Many blogs have a comment feature where the blogger must approve comments before they are published. So bid high. You might have the highest bid that is published, but someone might have outbid you in an unpublished comment/bid.
The blogger/designer will declare who has won the silent auction. Skipping Stones Design will send you an invoice for your donation/bid amount. Please pay that invoice as soon as possible, so the designer can get your card/project in the mail to you.
Remember 100% of your bid will be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Have fun bouncing from blog to blog. Enjoy all the designs, and make a bid or two! This is a rare opportunity to take home a card(s)/project from your favorite designer, and fight the war against breast cancer!!!

Here is the list of today's participants: make sure to come back the tomorrow and check out our other amazing designers,cards, and projects.

Day #2:

Teri Anderson http://terisplace.wordpress.com/

Ashley Cannon Newell http://ashleynewell.com/blog/

Karen Christensen  http://busybusyhoneybee.wordpress.com/

Jodi Collins  http://stampingalatte.blogspot.com/

Kimberly Crawford  http://kimberly-crawford.blogspot.com/

Jen Del Muro  http://iheart2stamp.com/

You are here- Katie Gehring  http://katiegehring.blogspot.com/

Vanessa Menhorn  http://wingsofabutterfly-vanessa.blogspot.com/

Kryssi Ng  http://sugar-buffet.blogspot.com/

Taylor Usry  http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/

Sankari Wegman  http://sunnysankari.blogspot.com/

Together we can make a difference!!!

If you missed the first day of the hop, here is a list of participants from yesterday:

Day #1:

PaperCrafts Connections Blog (Renae Curtz): http://www.papercraftsconnection.com/

Deb Felts: http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/

Michelle Giraud: http://twisted-chick.blogspot.com/

Michelle Gross: http://studiomsg.blogspot.com/

Wendy Jordan: http://papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com/

Sarah Martina Parker: http://sarahmartina.com/blog/

Becky Olsen: http://lifeasathreeleggeddog.blogspot.com/

Brab Turpin: http://barbsboys123.blogspot.com/

Taylor Usry:http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/

Brenda Weaver: http://sweetpapertreats.wordpress.com/

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the hop!

Katie

Trigger Tuesday: Luminous Layers

2011-08-14T20:02:00.000-04:00

Hello!

Happy Sunday! I hope you have had a lovely Sunday. It's been raining here all day, which I don't mind, as I can sometimes squeeze in a little extra crafty time. The hardest part of rainy days is trying to keep the kiddos busy so they (a) don't kill each other and (b) don't destroy the house. Good times. Good times.

I wanted to share a little card I created for the Trigger Tuesday Challenge currently posted on Moxie Fab World. Here is the trigger photo:

And here is my interpretation:

Layered Birthday Card

I hope you like my take on this week's trigger. Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to check out everyone else's amazing projects!

Until next time, take care!
Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: Hollo's Paper
Patterned Paper: Indie Bloom by Basic Grey
Tools: Circle Punches- Creative Memories and EK Success; Fillable Frame 2 die- Papertrey Ink; Paisley Embossing Folder
Clear Stamps: Fillable Frame #2, Birthday Bash Sentiments
Ink: Black Versafine

Blogs for Boobies Coming Soon!

2011-08-14T10:31:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

Every year Skipping Stones Designs does a Blogs 4 Boobies Bounce (Blog Hop) to raise money for research. Last year a total of $1,108.99 was raised and this year SSD has a goal of $1,500.

YOU can help in 3 ways:

FIRST.........You can help by purchasing any SSD stamp set starting August 15th through August 23rd and $2.00 will be donated for EACH set purchased.

SECOND..........You can BID ON CARDS from your favorite designers during the 3 day blog bounce where EACH and EVERY card or set will be auctioned off from August 15th to August 23rd and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Komen Foundation!!! There will be instructions on how to use the comment section to place bids on the Skipping Stones Blog.

THIRD.........You can help by TALKING ABOUT IT! Please tell other crafters/stampers about the fundraiser and get them to join in on the fun(draising). Post on your blog! Talk about it with your cropping buddies! If you have your own blog.........feel free to copy and paste part or all of this post so you can help get the word out, too!

I am honored to participate this year by making a set of cards to be auctioned off, right here on the old blog-a-rooni. I made a set of 4 cards using Birthday Purses and a cutie card holder which will be sent to the winning bidder. I will be posting my cards right here on August 16, so be sure to stop back and take a look and tell your friends.

I am sure that we all know someone who has been impacted by this terrible disease. Every dollar we raise puts us one step closer to a cure. Please help me spread the word!

Thanks in advance for your support!

Katie

Moxie Fab World- Squares to Cherish

2011-08-07T20:18:00.000-04:00

Hello-

Did you see this cozy inspiration photo for the Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World?

Here is my take on the inspiration photo:

You Warm My Heart

For my card, I pulled colors from the crocheted quilt. My choice of stamp set was also inspired by the photo and the cozy feeling it invokes. I also added some homey touches like the button and twine to the card as finishing touches.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my interpretation of this week's trigger!

Katie

Supplies: (All Supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock: Rustic Cream, Ocean Tides, Simply Chartreuse
Stamps: Warm Happiness
Dies: Warm Hsppiness
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Plum Pudding
Buttons: Plum Pudding
Twine: Rustic Cream
Embossing Folger: Cuttlebug
Embossing Machine: Cuttlebug

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC14

2011-08-07T20:00:00.000-04:00

Hi Friends-

I am playing along today with this week's challenge posted on the CAS-ual Friday's blog. This weeks challenge is to add glitz and glitter to a project using Glue Dots or Glue Strips. I decided to use Glue strips to make the following card:

Rainbow Color Card

I applied Glue Strips to a piece of white cardstock and added red glitter to the line. A tip to keep the glitter in check is to wipe the card with a piece of flannel or felt after applying each color to keep the sparkle in its place. I repeated to process for the other rainbow colors, stamped the sentiment in black ink and added buttons in a rainbow of colors for a little extra dimension. I adhered the card front to a black card base. My craft room looks like it has been to Mardi Gras, but I am pretty pleased with the end result.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my sparkly card! Have a great week!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock- Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Happy Trails- Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento
Buttons and Twine: Papertrey Ink
Glitter: Martha Stewart
Other: Glue Strips

Moxie Fab World Challenge- Fanatical about Botanical

2011-08-06T09:42:00.000-04:00

Hello!

Today I am playing along with the Fanatical About Botanical challenge in the Moxie Fab World. Click the link for deets...

I am going to be honest folks, this challenge was a toughie for me. I typically gravitate toward the clean and simple and fun and cute style, but I also have a *thing* for Basic Grey. It was when I was digging through my stash that I found some die cuts and papers from the Curio collection and decided to give this challenge a whirl. So, here's my take:

Botanical Birthday

I trimmed and framed (K and Co) some of the die cut tags and pieces of patterned paper. On a piece of rustic cream cardstock, I stamped sheet music background in tea dye ink. Unfortunately, that element doesn't show up too well in the photo. The sentiment is from Botanical Silhouettes, Papertrey Ink's 2010 Anniversary set. I inked all the edges, punched a scallop border, tied a ribbon, added the pins and mounted the rustic cream cardstock to a natural card base. Then I loaded the framed images with lots of adhesive (warning- these frames are heavy!) and adhered them to the card to make their own little gallery of botanical goodness.

Hope you enjoyed my take on botanical style. There is still time to play along and add your link to the Moxie Fab World blog. You have until August 8 to post your projects.

Thank you so, so much for stopping by. Have a fabulous day!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: Hollos and Papertrey Ink
Stamps: Background Basics Sheet Music and Botanical Silhouettes (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper and Die Cuts- Basic Grey
Ink: Dark Chocolate Hybrid, Vintage Cream, and Tea Dye Duo (Papertrey Ink)
Metal Frames- K and Company
Ribbon: Stampin' Up!
Punch- Stampin' Up!
Pins: Craft Supply

Paper Crafts Color Inspiration Challenge #7

2011-07-31T18:50:00.000-04:00

Hi all-

I had the gift of productive crafting time Saturday night and made, not one, but TWO cards for the Paper Crafts Color Inspiration Challenge #7 currently being featured on the Paper Crafts Connection blog.

This color combination was taken from the pages of Color Inspiration of Card Makers. The Bazzill equivalents are Caribbean Breeze, Petty Cash shimmer, Mango and Candlelight:

Below is my first card using Maile Belles new Background Basics Vines set from Papertrey Ink. I stamped the vines in Hawaiian Shores, Mango and Aloe Vera on white cardstock. The simple sentiment was stamped in Verafine Black. I rounded one corner and mounted the stamped panel using pop dots on a piece of Candleglow cardstock. (My LSS did not have any Candlelight, so I had to improvise.) I finished off the card with a yellow button tied with twine.

Hello Friend

The second card is in honor of my friend and coworker who is having her first baby- a little boy- in about a month. I was making decorations for her shower when I discovered this little star die cut in my stash of goodies. The star just so happened to feature the petty cash, mango and candlelight colors. I die cut a onesie, trimmed with more petty cash, added some eyelets for the snaps and stamped the sentiment (Bitty Baby Blessings additions). Don't you just love it when projects come together super easy like that?

A Star is Born

There is still time to play along with this challenge if you are so inspired! You have until Aug 2 at midnight, MDT to upload your project. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC13

2011-07-31T11:55:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

Today I am playing along with the CAS-ual Friday blog. This week's challenge is to create a Clean and Simple 4" x 9" card.

I used a new Papertrey Ink set, Sweet as Can Be, to create a card that is both simple and long on extra scoops of sweetness.

Hope you enjoy my take on this week's challenge! Looking forward to seeing all that everyone else has dream up this week. Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies: (All Supplies are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock- Hollos Papers
Stamps- Sweet as Can Be
Ink- Dark Chocolate, Old Paper- Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
Dies- Sweet as Can Be
Patterned Paper- Happy Spots
Other: Sweet Blush Button and Rustic Cream twine

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC12

2011-07-26T18:23:00.000-04:00

Hello friends-

I am playing along today with the weekly challenge on the CAS-ual Fridays Blog. The challenge as always is to create a Clean and Simple card using the inspiration element. The inspiration element this week is rub ons- how fun!

Below is the little card I came up with. I had a pack of rub-ons from American Crafts that just happened to coordinate with a pack of American Crafts Paper- I love product that just go together. They make CAS cards almost effortless!

Congratulations Card

Hope you like! Looking forward to seeing all that everyone else has dreamed up for this week's challenge! Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink
Patterned Paper: American Crafts
Rub-on: American Crafts
Ribbon- Making Memories
Button and Twine: Papertrey Ink
Die: Spellbinders

Papertrey Ink: July Blog Hop

2011-07-25T21:28:00.000-04:00

Hello friends-

Today is the monthly Papertrey Ink blog hop. Our challenge this month is to create a card based on the following image:

Doesn't this photo just say "summer" to you? I found inspiration in the colors, textures and patterns of this charming window seat and came up with the following card.

I cut a window from a piece of Ocean Tides cardstock, embossed it with the woodgrain impression plate, and mounted it with foam tape to a piece of craft cardstock that I stamped with a morrocan tile. The focal point of the card was created from Mat Stack 3 and Butterfly Dreams in Melon Berry and Ocean Tides. I finished the card with a couple small melon berry buttons and a piece of green twine to tie in the fabric from the seat cushion in the photo.

Check out Nichole Heady's blog for all the deets and to hop along. I am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful creations that everyone else has created. Thanks for popping by to visit!

Katie

Supplies: (All supplies are from PTI unless otherwise noted)

Cardstock: Ocean Tides, Kraft, Rustic Cream
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Melon Berry, Vintage Cream, Ocean Tides and Tea Dye Duo
Dies: Mat Stack 3
Impression Plate: Woodgrain
Stamps: Mat Stack 3, Butterfly Dreams, Timeless Textures (Skipping Stones Design)
Buttons: Melon Berry
Other: Twine

Trigger Tuesday: Perty and Flirty

2011-07-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

Hi friends!

Did you see the Trigger Tuesday inspiration pic on Cath's Moxie Fab World? I don't think this coat could be any cuter. Totally dreamy!

Our challenge was to create a card that pays homage to this lovely inspiration photo, and here is what I dreamed up.

You're Lovely

I echoed the yellow coat through the yellow flirty bloomers on the dress form. I also selected a soft pink background to represent the floral background in the photo. The buttons on the coat translated into the touches of black and of course the button in the center of the newsprint flower- see close up below.

I incorporated prints like the houndstooth and polka dot that you would find in clothing because the inspiration was fashion and finally, the florals, glitter, scallops, and ruffles just up the feminine ante just enough, I hope to capture the essence of this beautiful trigger.

There is still plenty of time to play along (deadline Sunday, July 24), and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

Supplies

Cardstock: The Paper Company
Stamps: You're Lovely from Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: Verafine
Patterned Paper: Websters Pages
Ribbon: Offray
Button and twine: Papertrey Ink
Glitter: Martha Stewart
Dies: Papertrey Ink
Border Punch: EK Success
Other: Bookprint

It's a Good Day and Thank You!

2011-07-16T09:41:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday!

First of all, thank you SO much for all the congrats on the Trigger Target and Beautiful Border wins this week! Your kind comments are truly appreciated!! I am so humbled to be among the company of so many amazing paper artists. I get so much joy and inspiration from this community and I hope through my postings, in some small way, I am returning the favor.

This weekend is crazy! We are having a ballerina birthday party for our newly minted seven year old later today. Lots of details go into planning a kid's party, so I am currently somewhere between bone tired and brain dead.

Before I get back to prepping the veggie tray and the white chocolate chex mix, I have a simple card I wanted to share.

It's a Good Day

I thought the sentiment was appropriate for today, because despite all the details and challenges that go into life, it's a good day and a good life for that matter!

Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Katie

Supplies

Cardstock: PTI
Stamps: Unity Stamp Company
Ink: Stampin Up and Verafine
Ribbon: Bazzill Basics
Button and Twine: PTI
Other: Adhesive Cork- The Board Dudes- purchased at JoAnn's

Moxie Fab- Stamp It Cards Challenge

2011-07-12T20:37:00.000-04:00

Hello friends!

Before I post my card, I just wanted to share Birthday Wishes for my little pumpkin, Paige. She is seven years old today. She is a wonderful girl! She (and her little sister, aka partner in crime) definitely keep me busy, and I am so blessed to be her mama.

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

The other reason for my post today is to share the card I created for the Stamp It Cards Challenge on the Moxie Fab World blog. (Follow the link for more details and to play along. You have until 7/13 to post your project.)

Well the name of the challenge is Stamp It, so below is a little card I stamped using a cutie set from Amuse Studio.

Home Tweet Home

I used one of my favorite color combos of gray, yellow, black and white. It's a relatively clean and simple design with lots of white space and just a touch of scallop, ribbon and flower.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Katie

Supplies:

Cardstock: White (PTI), Yellow (Stampin' Up), Gray (Bazzill)
Stamps: Amuse Studio
Ink: Black (Versafine), Yellow (So Saffron- Stampin' Up)
Punch: Corner and scallop- EK Success
Ribbon: Bazzill
Paper flower: Creative Memories
Bling: The Paper Studio
Finished card size is 4.75" square