tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4340421450060207762024-02-21T11:36:05.207-05:00bklynstamperMindless meanderings and samples of my stamping (and non-stamping) creationsCarolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-12860419062709825612013-08-25T16:22:00.001-04:002013-08-25T16:22:28.376-04:00Ah, to be so easily entertained…<p>These pictures were taken on a day trip to Essex, CT in July. Lovely little town, and we really lucked out with the weather, since it rained before we got there, and right after we left. There’s a beautiful town green overlooking the Long Island Sound, and Lilia was endlessly fascinated by all the clover growing there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DO2HALv85wM/UhpnfE5WEBI/AAAAAAAACdM/TZ20j0-_bhY/s1600-h/Lilia-EssexGreen%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Lilia-EssexGreen" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="415" alt="Lilia-EssexGreen" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe683jpUgikylAEuBc_qmq4aLEJ1Qci7uBs9v2awMCn_WYCPgar2wDZJAXHUuHA4AEomHjH6IctqAmarZiKGObDRjMMOPZrGR0QcpK3XNkmULW8Efq1CrHYN6UGRvNr9tm7AxROSKCA4/?imgmax=800" width="415" border="0" /></a>Since I started with the whole digital scrapbooking thing (and even before), I have amassed a huge number of kits and collections, some for free, some not (remind me to tell you how deliriously happy it makes me that digital stuff is so cheap). So it drives me a little nuts when I have an idea for a page and I can’t find all the elements in one kit. </p> <p>Such was the case with this page. I was using a template, and had a vision of how I wanted it to look, but I had to use 4 different kits to get what I needed. Which means I can’t post the page in the gallery that was hosting the template challenge, because it uses mostly stuff from other stores. Oh well.</p> <p><em><strong>Credits</strong>: Template by Little Green Frog Designs – Scrap Orchard August Challenge; Papers and butterflies: Live Life Every Day by Lina Dragani (LDrag Designs); flowers from Love Her Forever by Lorilei Murphy (Studio Rosey Posey), and Summer Livin’ collection from Sweet Shoppe Designs; clover from Laugh Lots by Bella Gypsy. </em></p> <p>I have mixed feelings about this layout. I kind of feel like the elements overpower the photos, even though I tried to keep the colors minimal and the patterns unobtrusive. I even removed some of the elements from the template. Again, oh well. It’s another memory preserved, and isn’t that what scrapbooking is about?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PZCaHCrroqo/UhpngU_EJpI/AAAAAAAACdc/onZ5XUi8ygg/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1ElbBiLhcXk/Uhpng-qCQ9I/AAAAAAAACdg/gjhOuJaZDgQ/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-83275904872941023732013-08-11T23:01:00.001-04:002013-08-11T23:29:05.366-04:00It’s not California…<p>Oh, this is gonna be a rough week for me. My baby (OK, she’s in her 30s, but she’s still my baby) is moving out of NYC. The last one of the three to go. I knew it was coming, but was living quite comfortably in the land of denial. And as she keeps reminding me, it’s only Boston, not California.</p> <p><img title="Annisa_fly-web" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="423" alt="Annisa_fly-web" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOIeT2XQIEvk1-Xq2lIBS5qw4_xrRare_JaFEA_gprwHGkyzXKjDZnG02Eni-vGiEdAvS3d3a1gXrEc7BwGBcVrf98hMYwkd5BLyF1IownScKuOiGa8GZW-2IWHC3aZmLHyL7vEw8or0/?imgmax=800" width="423" border="0" />I made this page about a month ago, before the news was official. Now everybody knows, and it can go public. Just a note, this is not a very recent photo of her, but it’s one of my favorites and I think it was taken in an airport, which makes it appropriate. And she really doesn’t look any different now. She’s as vibrant and beautiful as the colors on the page.</p> <p>Oh, this week is gonna be hard. I just have to keep repeating: It’s not California. It’s not California…</p> <p><em>Credits: Template from the Going Solo package by Mye De Leon (Pixels & Co.); Paper from Quilted with Love by Janet Scott Design; Ribbons from Break the Pattern by Lauren Grier; Bird from Touch the Sky by Digilicious Designs. I have searched through every folder to track down where I got the alphabet and flowers from, but I can’t find them. I’ll update this as soon as I do.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GNSCsL2j3_M/UghQAta0nrI/AAAAAAAACcs/g06gMxJCFvs/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QV6-1TCwquc/UghQBKwh7TI/AAAAAAAACc0/NZZrrJpHnKY/CMsignature_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-75010769723890338752013-07-28T16:51:00.001-04:002013-07-28T16:51:40.576-04:00Forty years and counting…<p>I’m back with another digi-page on this cloudy, lazy Sunday. After all, what better way to continue the ongoing project of flattening and broadening my butt than to sit at the computer for a few more hours documenting memories.</p> <p>This past February (wow, was it 5 months ago?!!) my dad and stepmom celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. It is such a blessing to see how much they love each other, how they take care of each other, and just how silly they still are with each other after all these years. Aren’t they adorable?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6futL3V5baQ/UfWEUEgVlcI/AAAAAAAACbo/6VRk6lGaCJQ/s1600-h/40years-web%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="40years-web" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="401" alt="40years-web" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YV8EJP4IgcE/UfWEUjnCeaI/AAAAAAAACbw/3W0ejWLP-oE/40years-web_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" border="0" /></a> <em>Credits: Template from Stand Out template pack by </em><a href="http://shop.scrapmatters.com/meagans-creations/"><em>Meagan’s Creations</em></a><em>; papers & elements from Catching My Breath kit by </em><a href="http://shop.scrapmatters.com/down-this-road-designs/"><em>Down This Road Designs</em></a><em>.</em></p> <p>While we’re at it, I’m not sure I showed you the cake I made for the occasion. It was my first attempt (and probably my last) at brushstroke embroidery on fondant, so please be kind. I don’t even remember what kind of cake or filling it was.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtVFY2Fhl1fOcL71mAI9z-XgKTAomv8yNYwjbgrSkds0n2Ssf04RHTbGxCh4T1dPnJiDPkOWn6LEKl6qB_Gwx3dIVxH2aBwLsU_pQYk2fpZxGj8HSheQV_fWTWXL1gaWRk7zTffxbdXo/s1600-h/IMG_1903%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1903" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="411" alt="IMG_1903" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUo8zg8eYeQ_0UOQGQPHseY0G_Nu0Ysx0z72n3jhqQOe9kz2bxuuTtIwEbEJ3eOVzcECPghi9zGVFcEAeodgMqe7gF_3tG9MT6To6xENnK-s93jbvXlNqjc3I9Wv-pWufk8oskUUydIs/?imgmax=800" width="361" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>OK, I need to get up and move around a little now before my feet fall asleep. Enjoy what’s left of the weekend!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_fL797Ak3FU/UfWEWBZNAFI/AAAAAAAACcI/bWW6XUbis9o/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CXYmNahfePE/UfWEWpculLI/AAAAAAAACcQ/i7uqxFHwGy8/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-42106720835920911312013-07-28T10:40:00.001-04:002013-07-28T10:40:03.678-04:00All 4 of us<p>Just popping in with another digi-page. See, I can scrap something other than my sweet granddaughter! </p> <p>This was taken up at my dad’s house last month. There are precious few times that the four of us siblings are in the same place any more, but this was one of them. Gotta preserve it for history! (Please note for the record that at 5’7”-ish, I am the shortest of the bunch.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nvHhVDvIgjQ/UfUtPJK-dLI/AAAAAAAACbA/jW24UlmlEqI/s1600-h/DAD-4ofUs-web%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DAD-4ofUs-web" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="397" alt="DAD-4ofUs-web" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A90AylrZIrI/UfUtP5h1gMI/AAAAAAAACbI/AGAVXgV6nI0/DAD-4ofUs-web_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" border="0" /></a></p> <p><em>Credits: Template by </em><a href="http://www.scrappingwithliz.com/"><em>Scrapping with Liz</em></a><em>; Papers & elements from Daddy-O kit by </em><a href="http://thepixelgypsy.com"><em>Sherrie Piegdon/Pixel Gypsy</em></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6I97EUdzn3Q/UfUtQIrz1LI/AAAAAAAACbQ/vB5fQVj8Uio/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FlNUn2121LI/UfUtQlHi72I/AAAAAAAACbU/-qdXVM_jAIg/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-55757496428199002142013-07-21T20:35:00.001-04:002013-07-21T20:43:09.039-04:00It’s hard work staying cool!<p>At least that’s how my granddaughter makes it look! She’s always so serious about everything, but I’m sure she was having fun in her little yellow bikini!<img title="at-the-lake-web" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="399" alt="at-the-lake-web" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DYX0nz6t4RE/Uex-OJ_RZyI/AAAAAAAACag/SIuhh-40XM0/at-the-lake-web_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" border="0" /></p> <p>The colors in this layout were inspired by the recent heat wave we experienced here in the northeast. Brutal, I tell ya!</p> <p>Yes, I really do create layouts with subjects besides this cutie. I did one about my youngest daughter last weekend, but I can’t show it to you yet… Soon.</p> <p><strong>Supplies:</strong> Template is a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DigitalScrapbookIngredients/">FB Freebie</a> from Digital Scrapbook Ingredients that coordinates with the <a href="http://www.digital-scrapbook-ingredients.com/beautiful-you-digital-scrapbooking-kit.html"><em>Beautiful You</em></a> kit; Papers and elements are from the <em><a href="http://www.gottapixel.net/store/product.php?productid=10002304&cat=0&page=2">Love Me Some Summer</a></em> collection by <a href="http://mybagofscraps.com/">Mandy King</a>, available at <a href="http://gottapixel.net/">Gotta Pixel.</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DigitalScrapbookIngredients/app_14167664298"><img height="180" src="http://www.digital-scrapbook-ingredients.com/images/fan-freebie-ad-BY-reveal.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="http://www.gottapixel.net/store/product.php?productid=10002304&cat=0&page=2"><img title="" height="179" alt="" src="http://www.gottapixel.net/store/images/cache/scrapbook-a11a37c8ff450780c168688ac28b793e.jpg" width="179" /></a></p> <p>Keep cool!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kr5NMAH296Y/Uex-OsdAnRI/AAAAAAAACao/NGmE-Hnivro/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nydKtKIVazM/Uex-PCFHW0I/AAAAAAAACaw/77VBK_2rooA/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-66180142599000348852013-06-15T18:31:00.001-04:002013-06-15T18:31:21.458-04:00More of my favorite subject<p>My daughter-in-law sent me a couple of totally precious shots of Lilia, so this morning I sat down to digi-scrap them. Only this time, I challenged myself to use only the Stampin’ Up papers and embellishments that came with the My Digital Studio software instead of the tons of stuff I have downloaded from other sources.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rCUq--nObTs/UbzrKrnUr3I/AAAAAAAACY0/MdmdtzYxcSs/s1600-h/smell%252520the%252520flowers-001%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="smell the flowers-001" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="406" alt="smell the flowers-001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--yu71FcLfhM/UbzrMYR59mI/AAAAAAAACY8/jZLemB7zOI0/smell%252520the%252520flowers-001_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" border="0" /></a>In all fairness, I pretty much completely “scraplifted” the layout from <a href="http://debbiehodge.com/2013/01/ideas-for-using-vellum-on-scrapbook-pages/">Debbie Hodge</a>.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IEJ3BWNyaco/UbzrNFkoDjI/AAAAAAAACZE/hB28oU7Lw80/s1600-h/hello%252520sunshine-001%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="hello sunshine-001" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="404" alt="hello sunshine-001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSGRwPAFDJvXFn0mN-_WiX8luA26w7KaYZ806t0ZFHFQKfyyCwgdf6hh-hWT_ZENylPWplvURtiEQ2ic59YTZsO1P8IOOqzuaHKRQVQT1B4W-vdB-bJF35N_kVXhReZMQbaxoCvvpiFg/?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a>This one was <strong>heavily</strong> inspired by a page by <a href="http://www.simplescrapper.com/2012/09/telling-the-story-with-the-single-photo-layout/">Jean Manis</a>. I loved how she changed the photo to b&w, and used bright colors on the page to tell the story.</p> <p>I’m having too much fun with this! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hq7ixSoTB4c/UbzrNxQ_TzI/AAAAAAAACZQ/qjQHzDk2Fb4/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kZZYNY93g-E/UbzrOOrUSnI/AAAAAAAACZY/R0YtcZMSvRk/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-15118303913561704162013-06-08T18:13:00.001-04:002013-06-08T18:13:55.010-04:00Hard to believe it was a year ago…<p>My little munchkin granddaughter has grown so fast! This digi-page uses a picture taken of her at 6 months. Papers and elements from the Happy Dance collection by Mandy King, available at <a href="http://www.gottapixel.net/store/home.php">Gotta Pixel</a>. Based on a <a href="http://qualitydigiscrapfreebies.blogspot.com/2013/06/template-freebie-from-scrapping-with-liz.html">template by Elizabeth Albers</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FWJ0JzxcO6Y/UbOsmWSpbYI/AAAAAAAACXs/3WRNJeZrkFY/s1600-h/Lilia-6mos-button%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="Lilia-6mos-button" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="386" alt="Lilia-6mos-button" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XC8ryIV0SwQ/UbOsm3HNvuI/AAAAAAAACX0/dRkjvGZL-vE/Lilia-6mos-button_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This next one was taken last week at a beach on Long Island. You can’t see her face, but it was such a great picture that I had to use it in a layout. I took the opportunity to try my hand a clipping mask, using a freebie from <a href="http://jillyball.blogspot.com">Jillybean Designs</a>. Paper and elements from the Sea Glass collection by <a href="http://litabells.blogspot.com">Litabells</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IFvAKsfvHMU/UbOsnS_smPI/AAAAAAAACX8/2TIwMeyLwGk/s1600-h/Lilia-Beach-001%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="Lilia-Beach-001" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="387" alt="Lilia-Beach-001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jk0Z3pVTfNE/UbOsn-1yLcI/AAAAAAAACYE/F4pTIirxHiY/Lilia-Beach-001_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I really should step away from the computer now. ‘Til next time…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--6BePDDGJEA/UbOsoHA-8-I/AAAAAAAACYM/751-mirI7wY/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-69lW-xaxr3E/UbOsoSkLTAI/AAAAAAAACYU/YQ3aZDsm-qA/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-57903918903623650652013-05-05T17:50:00.001-04:002013-05-05T17:50:17.928-04:00More digi-scrapping…<p>You might say I’m a little behind in my scrapbooking, since the beautiful couple below has just celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary. I don’t look at myself as behind, since I never intended to keep up anyway. I don’t even consider myself a scrapbooker, for that matter.</p> <p>Nevertheless, today I spent the better part of the day working on this layout.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VzInUGejBuI/UYbUC9NO8-I/AAAAAAAACWM/pdQChl86iWY/s1600-h/LR-engaged%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="LR-engaged" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="402" alt="LR-engaged" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUeJP-Ru32BN_qwzjWGNlqodJrRdRVFgAcqL8VMHIV3lDvVtAmDi9igERKY3IXpc7gzq9IzFzu_C8TZRDFTgbOUlDFY4UsazKfh9wDDKjdrcVeHB6v58Ms-RlypROGiroA59jF0LZgt0/?imgmax=800" width="402" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I found it in a sketch challenge on <a href="http://mysketchworld.blogspot.ca/2013/05/may-1st-layout-sketch.html">My Sketch World</a>. I was captivated by the hexagons, and went search of a great photo to use it with. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLu_cLK2g7W6Jabb-tnvmxvFWGQtaWsZ9RkV4scZaHdISEtOw7Kzi-4vSVtCZdc-ePopco5N20hKBqn42BHXW7cdjKPHKYJmj15LKVLBtW_-FSyVNflVIGIE2PnI3Yd0biJYCT9L5sSM/s1600-h/Maylayout2013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Maylayout2013" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Maylayout2013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nCOgHQNjw_Q/UYbUEEHjbUI/AAAAAAAACWk/TqhwyJsPaC4/Maylayout2013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I used MDS to create the page (the digital papers came from there too), but I was delighted to find that not only was I able to use some freebie downloaded embellishments from who-remembers-where, but the program makes it very easy to change the colors of them to suit whatever I’m working with. I have tried digi-scrapping with Photoshop CS and Photoshop Elements, and MDS is by far the easiest and least stressful to deal with. I’ll keep using Photoshop for my image editing, but for scrapping, MDS is IT!</p> <p>After I saved the page above as a .jpg file, I noticed I had created a page several years ago with a photo from the same engagement shoot. I don’t even really remember doing it. <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--hd4mrlm_zk/UYbUEm8uLhI/AAAAAAAACWs/hd6ME28E09Q/s1600-h/Laila_Roy-kiss%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Laila_Roy-kiss" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="402" alt="Laila_Roy-kiss" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQesMX2MwPFAnZ59pm68osGG8A5id8XjWSJXQJXQyhV2FIoaTubXlPkoMv7ZEldFs5WAXQ0Wgpd8_xJH4znFtERwAgAZmt7hyphenhyphendkYRAlS0RuJy536H6pEAbyWpiJzSYcKPUZwP8J988XYM/?imgmax=800" width="402" border="0" /></a> </p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4mUhf02yJMDsLVydvZQWadARrFPtYP9JK_QthvM8aKggYBH1nOlb9lauxRoDL4y0_bDIK1ExnSYbcrqVG4jeTgHut-sVpcOMij-fPUiNEpodEbnbqkrSVC9xLLe_6FVDm-Lz7dyIni4/s1600-h/Maylayout2013%25255B2%25255D.jpg"></a> <p>Anyhow, that’s it for now. I have duly fulfilled my National Scrapbooking Day (weekend) responsibilities. </p> <p>Later!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eOWXi9naF0g/UYbUF4x4iAI/AAAAAAAACXA/PJqH7HbYRA4/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6hA_th--Jes/UYbUGVua4dI/AAAAAAAACXI/Kgjb7MrJE78/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-46575899902201687702013-05-04T15:52:00.001-04:002013-05-04T15:52:00.931-04:00Happy National Scrapbooking Day!<p>In honor of the occasion, I decided to once again try my hand at digital scrapbooking using some freebie mini-kits I downloaded this morning from <a href="http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/">Sweet Shoppe Designs</a>. And of course, using my favorite subject, my adorable granddaughter, Lilia. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OTsq71oKC8E/UYVm2-s_2xI/AAAAAAAACVk/e2wCQBK1xzU/s1600-h/Lilia-create%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Lilia-create" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="402" alt="Lilia-create" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Htf0D_6IwDE/UYVm3QUi1sI/AAAAAAAACVs/L_vNNN7q-Q4/Lilia-create_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I used Stampin’ Up!’s MDS2+ program to make the page, and that digital “create” stamp is from there. The layout, however, was taken from Sketch Challenge #78 on <a href="http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/sketchie-free-for-all.html">Papertake</a>. I think it was supposed to be a card sketch, but it worked great for a scrapbook page!</p> <p>I’m happy to say that this digi-scrapping thing is really growing on me, and I’m getting less anxious every time I attempt a page. Yeah, new technology makes me nervous!</p> <p>Now I think I’ll go out and enjoy some of this beautiful spring weather before I lose the whole day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mLkeEyBdxKE/UYVm3g-UhiI/AAAAAAAACV0/xQWDK_UefSA/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BoJi3xYxsNE/UYVm4K1HzZI/AAAAAAAACV8/n4Y_3AfZ2i4/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-32948239613203092812013-03-17T17:24:00.001-04:002013-03-17T17:24:32.311-04:00On Creativity<p><em>(Be forewarned, this is wordy – but I promise to have some crafty goodness at the end.)</em></p> <p>I’ve been thinking a lot about creativity lately. Specifically, what sparks my own creative muse? What does it take to not only inspire me, but to actually move me to create? In this case, I’m talking about cardmaking, but I suppose it applies to all other aspects of my creative life. And maybe yours.</p> <p>I tried to remember exactly when I felt the most inspired, the most creative, and I realized that back in the very beginning of my papercrafting era, when I was a Stampin’ Up demo about 10 years ago, I used to wake up in the wee hours of the morning with an idea that I wanted to jump out of bed to create. I guess the newness was a part of it then. </p> <p>I remember looking through magazines and finding cards I loved, and then trying to recreate them using the SU stamps and supplies that I had. There is something to be said for limited supplies and creativity. I got into a nice creative groove, coming up with designs that I could use in workshops and classes.</p> <p>After a while, when I was no longer affiliated with SU, came design team work, which was exciting and fulfilling, and sometimes nerve-wracking. Being forced to produce on deadline brings about its own form of creativity. The blogosphere had exploded with papercrafting talent, and there was no shortage of inspiration out there. And don’t get me wrong, the demands were not heavy at all. But I felt myself slipping away from creating for the sheer pleasure of it.</p> <p>And now that I am no longer on a design team, I need to find my way back to creating for the sheer pleasure of it. I confess it’s been a little rough, but I’m working through it, still looking through the 200+ stamping blogs in my Google Reader (don’t get me started on that) and the magazines that I still occasionally buy (I only subscribe to one now). </p> <p>Today while I was eating my lunch, I flipped through a recent PaperCrafts issue called Stamp It! 3 Ways. I came across a beautiful birthday card on page 27, made by Laura Williams, that used a stamp set I didn’t have, but I suddenly felt the need to try to create it with what I had. It would make a perfect card for my boss’s birthday this week. </p> <p>And so I’m pleased to present my version of the card, made with a few different PTI sets instead of the Gina K set used by Laura. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ql5zhAGI0m8/UUY0i3vU92I/AAAAAAAACU0/xAvdHb9xXsA/s1600-h/ESbirthday13%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="ESbirthday13" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="490" alt="ESbirthday13" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4kWcXxXM3aU/UUY0jR-8jrI/AAAAAAAACU8/O_rOUKUMPLE/ESbirthday13_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Hmmmm. Maybe I’m ready to hit a few sketch challenges next. Well, maybe we’ll just start with one...</p> <p>Have you had any challenges to your creativity that you’d like to share? Any suggestions on overcoming them? I’d love to hear from you.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uVc9jrLmeQc/UUY0jv0j3CI/AAAAAAAACVE/zST-zxhdmAs/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E4Dx_j9wl_A/UUY0j4vrUZI/AAAAAAAACVM/8VgNQ_repqQ/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-21289323309493851782013-01-27T12:33:00.001-05:002013-01-27T12:33:28.525-05:00Stamp therapy<p>This weekend I’m using stamping as a means to take my mind off my mouth. Since I had 7 teeth extracted on Thursday, and am now trying to adjust to a mouthful of plastic (interim partial dentures), eating, drinking and talking are not very pleasant activities at the moment. Not so much painful, as very uncomfortable as my tongue tries to figure out where it’s supposed to go without bumping into and rubbing against the foreign objects in my mouth. OK, maybe that was TMI.</p> <p>Anyhow, stamping doesn’t use my mouth. Hence, the stamping therapy. I made this last night, but couldn’t photograph it until I could get some sunlight today. This week’s <a href="http://deconstructingjen.com/deconstructed-sketch-no-86/">Deconstructed Sketch Challenge</a> #86 looked like fun, but I’m not big on square cards, so here’s my take on it:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W9j6E6hTArs/UQVk4gJ_M7I/AAAAAAAACUA/luYbkEQxXxA/s1600-h/party-bear%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="party-bear" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="477" alt="party-bear" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ayu8zel6smk/UQVk5MwWt5I/AAAAAAAACUI/-Oo02v8bdrQ/party-bear_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" border="0" /></a> The patterned paper is from an older My Mind’s Eye pad called True Blue from their Fine & Dandy line (or maybe it’s the other way around). The stamps are from 2 different Lawn Fawn sets – the bear is from Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum (yes, it’s supposed to be a Christmas set, but I’ve used it for everything but that since I’ve had it). I added the party hat with a Copic Multiliner pen and colored it with Copic Markers. The words are from another Lawn Fawn set called Just My Type, Too. </p> <p>We’ll see what today brings. Maybe more stamping, maybe just curling up on the sofa in front of the TV. </p> <p>Have a great Sunday!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iCHV6d7gres/UQVk5T_vd_I/AAAAAAAACUM/TxH3u5o7SgA/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eYf-l7jf2Sg/UQVk5_64gSI/AAAAAAAACUY/9tmSBA0C28A/CMsignature_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-35181640105289714352013-01-26T15:51:00.001-05:002013-01-26T15:51:09.385-05:00Love is in the air…<p>I’m terrible about remembering anniversaries, and even worse about sending cards for them, but there’s an anniversary coming up that I can’t let go by without acknowledging it – my dad and stepmother will be married 40 years next month! They are the cutest couple, always teasing each other and looking out for each other. She takes such incredibly good care of him, and for that I am most grateful.</p> <p>Anyhow, I wanted to have a card ready to go, no excuses. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tI0bc9cRqho/UQRBswGPATI/AAAAAAAACS8/kE_PsE8UWbs/s1600-h/love-owls%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="love-owls" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="525" alt="love-owls" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RbVA3xI8PAk/UQRBtV-cipI/AAAAAAAACTE/bunc6gTdCsU/love-owls_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" border="0" /></a> They are both nature lovers, so the stamp I used was the Owls stamp from the Taylored Expressions Animals in Love series of stamps a la carte, cutting it out and mounting it on a plain white circle. The patterned paper is from the Hopscotch 6x6 pad by Fancy Pants Designs. I ran the dark brown piece of cardstock through my Big Shot with the Woodgrain impression plate from <a href="http://www.papertreyink.com/index.html" target="_blank">PTI</a> to mimic the tree.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9slDXxKexl0/UQRBuC7tBwI/AAAAAAAACTM/9SAZ-nkVs0s/s1600-h/SSSC176%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="SSSC176" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="195" alt="SSSC176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cwYHhH9Qs9k/UQRBupp63yI/AAAAAAAACTU/ypYdOYO2_fk/SSSC176_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="140" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I used last week’s Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #176 for the  layout. I meant to post this earlier in the week, but extensive dental surgery kinda got in the way. At least I got it photographed and posted before the next Sunday sketch goes up!</p> <p>Have a great weekend, all!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nocVvnG-CRQ/UQRBu7EuKAI/AAAAAAAACTc/Uz_AvDLqMzE/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n_IOp6x_d_w/UQRBvFec1jI/AAAAAAAACTk/V2eucSGUN80/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-1605636779558823752013-01-15T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-15T06:00:03.771-05:00IHP DT January Challenge: Sweetened Tones<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jRRcottfIQM/UPOUENZDdoI/AAAAAAAACSA/OycG4rFmJKc/s1600-h/IHPjan13DT%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IHPjan13DT" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="465" alt="IHPjan13DT" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eQ8YCW6u92w/UPOUEx9qL1I/AAAAAAAACSI/dLORrV9iDNk/IHPjan13DT_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" border="0" /></a>This month our challenge coordinator, Deb, gave us a yummy color inspiration (below) to work with. As you can see above, I took that frosting quite literally. I didn’t get all the colors exactly, and my photography skills don’t quite capture them correctly anyway – in real life the colors are softer. But I’m a sucker for a sweet cupcake, so I couldn’t resist using this <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3802&category_id=391">Cupcake stamp from Gourmet Rubber Stamps</a>. The cupcake and greeting are all on one stamp, so there’s no fussy aligning to do.</p> <p><a href="http://design-seeds.com/index.php/home/entry/sweetened-tones3"><img title="SweetenedTones" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="192" alt="SweetenedTones" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GUQ5Xv92WBw/UPOUFmxhMUI/AAAAAAAACSQ/0ZGNz-BUhlk/SweetenedTones%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="171" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I colored it with my <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic markers</a> and went over the sprinkles with various colored <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=215" target="_blank">Stickles</a>. The image, and the dot-embossed strip, are cut with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=101" target="_blank">Nestabilities</a> dies. The image circle is popped up on <a href="ahttp://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2824&page=2">foam dots</a>. And just to carry the dot theme a little further, I made dots of the same <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=215" target="_blank">Stickles</a> along the left side of the card. </p> <p></p> <p>I can’t wait to see what the rest of the Design Team did with this sweet inspiration. Why don’t you hop along with me and check them out?</p> <ul> <li>January's guest designer, <a href="http://natureofcraftythings.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Kasia</a> </li> <li><a href="http://bklynstamper.blogspot.com/search/label/IHP" target="blank">Carolyn</a> (you are here)</li> <li><a href="http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Deb</a> </li> <li><a href="http://happinessisus.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Gretchen</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Judy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://inkingaloud.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Lori</a> </li> <li><a href="http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20heart%20papers" target="blank">Taylor</a> </li> <li><a href="http://whoistracy.com/myhead/index.php?/categories/19-i-heart-papers" target="blank">Tracy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.blog.iheartpapers.com/" target="blank">Kate</a> </li> </ul> <p>Have a sweet day!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--5-mQbEyBzw/UPOUF2nr09I/AAAAAAAACSY/NDU3voRVR7s/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g7KucnOj3q0/UPOUGQ3xENI/AAAAAAAACSg/SAJC4gotTcA/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-14248915926303199202012-12-18T06:00:00.000-05:002012-12-18T06:00:03.062-05:00IHP Design Team December Challenge: Food, Glorious Food!<p>Since so much about the holidays revolves around food, our challenge this month was to make a food related project. Not so much of a challenge for me. This time of year, food is never far from my thoughts. Or my mouth.</p> <p>I like to give homemade foodie gifts to the people at work. It’s fun, it’s cheap (usually), and it’s always appreciated. This year I decided to make little jars of <strong>dulce de leche</strong> (pronounced dool-seh duh laycheh), a devastatingly delicious, thick, caramelized sweetened milk. It can be spread on toast or heated a little and drizzled on pancakes and waffles. You can add it to your coffee or ice cream, or you can fill cookies with it. Or you can eat it with a spoon. Just saying.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYouZ-BVYZsrmQhyphenhyphensMXImKBdgQGyYGyAv6a5Q6W78pWhOI3e7ja2H5CSOGBiVXoUWUF9tjdX0McnWxztOEhhv-dTmW1qpZi61RtTbV-WZn5RN_fx847zLKTfLCiYsjPIZ8wrUwON-A38/s1600-h/dulce_de_leche-group%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="dulce_de_leche-group" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="317" alt="dulce_de_leche-group" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltdz8DfjCKuWOVfeUWGJYT1BU_BgnWHCKDa7Txu84atyPO3siVZK7TGs-LnSdoDzi2gQSY5xlpYqtOI_7tC1wX55zZ8HxHl-Yc9P-MJW4Af2g38BU86Kul_I5DQMXhzQTwY7-SwkMP6o/?imgmax=800" width="413" border="0" /></a> I used half-pint canning jars, decorated simply but beautifully with a tag that rests on the lid and opens for more information.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--3MfrqfuJF4/UM_EPrk83rI/AAAAAAAACQ4/E_7H9NDxWX4/s1600-h/dulce_de_leche-tops%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="dulce_de_leche-tops" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="207" alt="dulce_de_leche-tops" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8_2g__0uqpE/UM_EQBzYorI/AAAAAAAACRA/QX5ZHeg4G04/dulce_de_leche-tops_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" border="0" /></a> To make the tags, I started by cutting a scored and folded piece of cream cardstock with a circle <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=101" target="_blank">Nestabilities</a> die, leaving the folded edge just inside the die so it wouldn’t cut completely. The inside with the information was computer generated and cut with the same circle die, trimming one edge just a bit to fit inside the fold, and glued in place.</p> <p>The top of the tag also starts with another cream circle, but it’s decked out for the holidays. The red scalloped ring was made by cutting a scalloped circle the same size as the label, and then using a slightly smaller circle die in the center. Once I adhered that to the cream circle, I stamped the wreath and greeting, which is all on one stamp from the Flourishes <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4398&category_id=398">Trimmed With Love</a> set, with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2267&category_id=52">Memento</a> Tuxedo Black ink. The inside left also uses stamps from that same set. The wreath is colored with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic markers</a>, glammed up with some red <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=215" target="_blank">Stickles</a> on the berries, and then that circle is glued onto the top of the folded label. Why use a separate circle for the top instead of just stamping the front of the folded piece? Because the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic markers</a> are likely to bleed through. If you’re using cardstock that won’t allow that to happen, by all means save yourself a layer and just dress up the folded piece. Once it was all glued together, I just attached it to the jar lid with a couple of mini glue dots. </p> <p><strong>Wanna make your own dulce de leche?</strong> The most common way is to boil an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk, completely submerged, for several hours. That seems a little scary to me. I found an awesome blog post by Monica at <a href="http://www.theyummylife.com/dulce_de_leche"><strong>The Yummy Life</strong></a> with 2 different ways to make it: one in the oven, and one in a slow cooker. I tried both, and I liked the results in the slow cooker much better (although in all fairness, I used a different brand of milk when I did it in the oven, so that might have had something to do with it). She gives wonderfully illustrated step-by-step instructions, and she even has labels you can print out for gift-giving. I didn’t use her labels, but I did borrow her wording. Thanks, Monica!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vTOTwLCVn2I/UM_EQ2MO04I/AAAAAAAACRI/PXur_Op-Aak/s1600-h/12daysdecember%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="12daysdecember" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="12daysdecember" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ydFPEyHfsHA/UM_ERiMkhSI/AAAAAAAACRQ/sGg0q3tWctM/12daysdecember_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="87" align="left" border="0" /></a> Before I send you hopping off to see the rest of the yummy projects from the team, I just wanted to remind you about the <strong><font color="#ff0000">12 Days of Christmas Sale</font></strong> that Kate has been having. Each day a new sale item is posted at a steal of a price. Sale items are valid until sold out or until Christmas Day, whichever comes first! (Sorry, no restocks or rainchecks!) Inventory is low on some items but be sure to join us each day for the IHP 12 Days of Christmas! </p> <p><strong>Today’s special is all Washi Tape 35% off!</strong></p> <p>Here’s what we’ve had so far! <br />12/13 – Stickles/Liquid Pearls $1 <br />12/14 – Scor-Tape 1/8” - $2 <br />12/15 – Spellbinders 35% off <br />12/16 – BoBunny Flexi-ruler $9 <br />12/17 – Scor-Bug tool $5 <br />12/18 – Washi Tape 35% off</p> <p>OK, so go shopping. Or go hopping. Or both! Here’s the rest of the gang:</p> <ul> <li>December's guest designer, <a href="http://soapboxcreations.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Laurie Willison</a> </li> <li><a href="http://bklynstamper.blogspot.com/search/label/IHP" target="blank">Carolyn</a> (me!)</li> <li><a href="http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Deb</a> </li> <li><a href="http://happinessisus.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Gretchen</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Judy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://inkingaloud.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20%7Bheart%7D%20papers" target="blank">Lori</a> </li> <li><a href="http://sweetstephcardcreations.blogspot.com/search/label/IHP" target="blank">Stephanie</a> </li> <li><a href="http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/search/label/i%20heart%20papers" target="blank">Taylor</a> </li> <li><a href="http://whoistracy.com/myhead/index.php?/categories/19-i-heart-papers" target="blank">Tracy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.blog.iheartpapers.com/" target="blank">Kate</a> </li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Happy Holidays!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UChvI8XKEDQ/UM_ESBGCrSI/AAAAAAAACRY/m1Ey9jqfAEU/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xx3ShpnW8A0/UM_ESn775AI/AAAAAAAACRg/8DpsW2pKfCc/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-53921121942308388442012-12-15T20:45:00.001-05:002012-12-15T21:00:15.608-05:00A couple of holiday cards<p>Really, I haven’t disappeared off the face of the earth. So many things going on, and I’ve just been physically and otherwise drained by the time I get home from work every day. Weekends are spent catching up and trying to prepare for the holidays. </p> <p>But I have been doing some card making. Here are a couple (although not the one I’m planning to send out, assuming I actually buy the stamps and get them addressed in time). These are all made with goodies from <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com">i {heart} papers</a>, although some may no longer be available by now.</p> <p>I’ve also been waiting for a sunny day when I could photograph these things. I hate winter hours, and we’ve had more cloudy, rainy days than not lately.</p> <p><img title="naughty-nice" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="487" alt="naughty-nice" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLyokJ6ke-60GaWH2UW-yMArLDWhDrSF_9XBTk4rXsyap_seEy7XoTOYJrD3-RNKLWfOfYIPqs4hGnh3n0PN6F7yXLC-Ha99WkNTjsZcVqFDnHwIcPeh_gkFCDVUeWJNkGpcBnnIpr5Q/?imgmax=800" width="394" border="0" /></p> <p>I made this one a couple of weeks ago (I think), using a sketch challenge that’s probably not current any more. I don’t even remember which one it is, but I liked it. This card uses the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=398">Flourishes</a> set Dear Santa, and paper from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?manufacturer_id=118">Carta Bella</a> pad Winter Fun. There’s a strip of pearls, too, because pearls dress everything up for the holidays. The focal circle is stamped with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2267&category_id=52">Memento</a> Rich Cocoa ink and airbrushed with a <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=301">Copic marker</a> to coordinate with the paper.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fgvxKnRr5fo/UM0nr_Vsy_I/AAAAAAAACPQ/qtujjdF3c5c/s1600-h/holiday_door-closed%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="holiday_door-closed" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="491" alt="holiday_door-closed" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hj14EbEda_4/UM0nsQJwL6I/AAAAAAAACPY/D6uUFpOCZos/holiday_door-closed_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" border="0" /></a> This idea has been kicking around in my head for months, and I finally got around to trying it. The door is cut with the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3869&category_id=390">Grand Madison Door die</a> by Memory Box. The wreath was made by cutting a base with two nested <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=101" target="_blank">Nestabilities</a> circle dies, and gluing on punched out branches made with a Martha Stewart punch. Red <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=215" target="_blank">Stickles</a> finish it off. </p> <p>And here’s what’s behind the door:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CQz5j4CK7dg/UM0nsi0u2cI/AAAAAAAACPg/saF_bUnvOlA/s1600-h/holiday_door-open%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="holiday_door-open" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="548" alt="holiday_door-open" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9uBealbhLPM/UM0ntrlc3HI/AAAAAAAACPo/ToO5Te2-4IE/holiday_door-open_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" border="0" /></a> The stamp is from an old <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=360&page=g">Hero Arts</a> set. I suppose I could have dress up the front of the card more, but I kinda like the stark simplicity of it. If I had given myself enough time, it might have been fun to mass-produce these. But I didn’t.</p> <p>I did want to call your attention to an awesome sale that Kate is having – it’s a 12 Days of Christmas Sale, and there’s a new special every day. You really need to go check it out! The daily special will be listed at the top of the <a href="https://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?sale=1">Sale</a> page.<a href="https://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?sale=1"><img title="12daysdecember" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="412" alt="12daysdecember" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IirIvrRC_KI/UM0rLnvYElI/AAAAAAAACQQ/n-aNbNz5UQE/12daysdecember%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Anyhow, my tree is up now, and I have TONS of cleaning, shopping, baking and other preparations to do in the next week. Oh, and an IHP Design Team challenge to get done this weekend too! Better get crackin’!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A4DN5PNw3Bs/UM0ntxKR3xI/AAAAAAAACPw/VVTjAZEKC-M/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tsszj3Sm-7I/UM0nuvb8LeI/AAAAAAAACP4/5C5cAvYOApk/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-89657393121557798882012-11-20T06:00:00.000-05:002012-11-20T06:00:02.354-05:00IHP Design Team November Challenge: Technique Tuesday<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1YcAVyae-Lo/UKsBHqxfC1I/AAAAAAAACNs/2BgeBz0s9Cs/s1600-h/coffeebreak1-outside%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="coffeebreak1-outside" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="470" alt="coffeebreak1-outside" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pNQjtZifvp0/UKsBIYJLrxI/AAAAAAAACN0/dWMIpkJVNbQ/coffeebreak1-outside_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" border="0" /></a>Welcome to <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/">i heart papers'</a> November design team challenge! This month, we're teaming up with some of the girls from the <a href="http://www.techniquetuesday.com/">Technique Tuesday</a> team for a combined hop featuring Technique Tuesday's stamps and i {heart} papers' products. You can browse the Technique Tuesday category of the ihp store <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=374">here</a>. </p> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center"><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLko8gB_WU5V-PF300Szslvl0O4I0OTc6zhEEva8eGzkNfYlfQyTIPkDn53ZEzqist_u3YAB4jHKFVsYVR666_vFfrp4qloLkq8za0ydbO3IXqwDPkVfeUzAJP4b1FeMmBhXP84l2CKb8/s1600/TTBlueDottedOvalLogoDS.gif" imageanchor="1"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLko8gB_WU5V-PF300Szslvl0O4I0OTc6zhEEva8eGzkNfYlfQyTIPkDn53ZEzqist_u3YAB4jHKFVsYVR666_vFfrp4qloLkq8za0ydbO3IXqwDPkVfeUzAJP4b1FeMmBhXP84l2CKb8/s1600/TTBlueDottedOvalLogoDS.gif" border="0" /></a></div> <div> <br />Technique Tuesday is committed to offering the most beautiful, high-quality, affordable clear stamps and paper crafting products and to sharing the art of stamping and our enthusiasm for paper crafting. Whether you prefer a simple style or an embellished look, are a beginner or have been crafting for years, our made-in-the-USA products will help you create beautiful scrapbook pages, personalized handmade cards, unique gifts, and one-of-a-kind home décor items.</div> <div> <br /></div> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center"><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-bhtYhsUMqhFVHstw0J5V9UmUt3ZuiQZhXpumDpOyUTEG9pLfKAnO471w2VsOIrWcLs93x8wllIFv4z8PCFSWo_-Ut9rBnMjzAUAouj4aIMvz9ZNm_pzGtBcJ_RAEkRw-dbkM5vM2Os/s1600/ihp_logo.gif" imageanchor="1"><img height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-bhtYhsUMqhFVHstw0J5V9UmUt3ZuiQZhXpumDpOyUTEG9pLfKAnO471w2VsOIrWcLs93x8wllIFv4z8PCFSWo_-Ut9rBnMjzAUAouj4aIMvz9ZNm_pzGtBcJ_RAEkRw-dbkM5vM2Os/s320/ihp_logo.gif" width="320" border="0" /></a></div> <div> <div> <br /><a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/">i {heart} papers</a> retails the industry's best paper crafting supplies from your favorite manufacturers while offering stellar customer service and super fast and FREE US shipping with any $60 order. (We also ship internationally.) We offer a 6 month <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3775&category_id=388">Studio AE membership</a> where members receive automatic delivery each month of their AE set, (free in the US, a $4 savings each month) plus a 15% coupon valid for all other IHP store orders during the subscription and occasional gifts or exclusive special offers. We also provide a publication incentive for our three private stamp lines, Mint Motif, The Petal Press and Chicken Girl. Visit our website and follow us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/iheartpapers">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/iheartpapers">Twitter</a> and our <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com/">blog</a> for news, sales, coupons and more! <br /> <br />Celebrate Black Friday at i {heart} papers with a 20% store-wide coupon (excluding gift certificates and Studio AE memberships) using code: black20dt through Cyber Monday 11/26. And of course, always free US shipping with your $60 order! Happy Holidays from all of us at IHP! <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center"><a style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q7gJCAEW4G2G9fbHddhG-1KXiDN4SI3wCtHs-dTXrlKhsd_ypQhvLqu7tHyZ7iCLQKGbYfMthIvk1fqAwLbuA76JrF8c7hF24uS3ST_10tfnsARx83lPbBFv526TgLVZzOS2rN312xw/s1600/bdblackfriday2012.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q7gJCAEW4G2G9fbHddhG-1KXiDN4SI3wCtHs-dTXrlKhsd_ypQhvLqu7tHyZ7iCLQKGbYfMthIvk1fqAwLbuA76JrF8c7hF24uS3ST_10tfnsARx83lPbBFv526TgLVZzOS2rN312xw/s320/bdblackfriday2012.jpg" width="233" border="0" /></a></div> <div> <br />Now let’s talk about the card above. Technique Tuesday kindly sent me the set <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4185&category_id=374">Coffee Break Seal</a> (how did they know?!!) Keeping true to the theme of the card, I decided to stamp the image on an unbleached coffee filter. I cut 2 scalloped circles with my <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=101" target="_blank">Nestabilities</a> and offset them slightly, adhering the top one with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3312&category_id=74">dimensional dots</a> to raise it up a little. Since it’s meant to be a gift card holder, I put a little pocket inside (just adhered a piece of coordinating paper to the bottom of the card). Here’s what it looks like: <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9q-G5FIxFGM/UKsBJXLfNAI/AAAAAAAACN8/MyHsCalP17k/s1600-h/coffeebreak1-inside%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="coffeebreak1-inside" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="coffeebreak1-inside" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uimNc_0b_iY/UKsBJyRKX4I/AAAAAAAACOE/s5096PPGVAg/coffeebreak1-inside_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="193" align="left" border="0" /></a> </div> <div> </div> <div><strong>What I used: <br />Stamps:</strong> <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4185&category_id=374">Coffee Break Seal</a> (Technique Tuesday)</div> <div><strong>Ink:</strong> <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2267&category_id=52">Memento</a> Rich Cocoa</div> <div><strong>Paper:</strong> <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4162&category_id=191">Bluebell (The Sweetest Thing) 6x6 pad</a></div> <div><strong>Other:</strong> Zva <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4242&category_id=57">Self Adhesive Symmetrical Pearl Flourish – white</a> (colored to match paper with a <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=301">Copic marker</a>)</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>After I finished that card, I took another look at the coffee filter and realized that I could use <strong><em>it</em></strong> to create a pocket for the gift card with just a little cutting and folding! So I made another card. </div> <div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W8cz3yV7_fo/UKsBKo8FX5I/AAAAAAAACOM/r6qSoWiGgoo/s1600-h/coffeebreak2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="coffeebreak2" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="481" alt="coffeebreak2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fa8AxOg0uL0/UKsBLdGUCRI/AAAAAAAACOU/0EJErEO6DYk/coffeebreak2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" border="0" /></a> For this one I used the coffee bean stamp that comes with this wonderful little set to create my own patterned paper, again using the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2267&category_id=52">Memento</a> Rich Cocoa ink. I used some yummy satin ribbon as an accent. That middle ribbon is a <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=955&page=2">brown double-faced satin ribbon</a>, and the ones above and below it are actually two sides of the same ribbon: <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=903&page=1">3/8" Satin Reversible antique gold/champagne</a>.  </div> <div> </div> <div>Our designers are sharing lots of inspiration using Technique Tuesday stamps and ihp products! <br /> <br />our Technique Tuesday guests:</div> <ul> <li><a href="http://purplenightowl.blogspot.com/">Kris Chirhart</a> </li> <li><a href="http://tobicrawford.blogspot.com/">Tobi Crawford</a> </li> <li><a href="http://itsallrosie.blogspot.com/">Laura O'Donnell</a> </li> <li><a href="http://sharyntormanen.typepad.com/">Sharyn Tormanen</a> </li> <li><a href="http://danieladobson.blogspot.com/">Daniela Dobson</a> </li> <li><a href="http://Terisplace.wordpress.com/">Teri Anderson</a>  </li> </ul> <div>the ihp design team:</div> </div> <div> <ul> <li>November's guest designer, <a href="http://iheart2stamp.com/">Jen del Muro</a> </li> <li>brand new team member, <a href="http://sweetstephcardcreations.blogspot.com/">Stephanie Washburn</a> </li> <li><a href="http://bklynstamper.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Carolyn</a> (that’s me)</li> <li><a href="http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Deb</a> </li> <li><a href="http://happinessisus.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Gretchen</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Judy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://inkingaloud.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Lori</a> </li> <li><a href="http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Taylor</a> </li> <li><a href="http://whoistracy.com/myhead/" target="blank">Tracy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.blog.iheartpapers.com/" target="blank">Kate</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>So go get hopping, and then <a href="http://iheartpapers.com">GO SHOPPING</a>!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2ba3IrTnAWk/UKsBLpzUOyI/AAAAAAAACOc/0VnsS4BO87k/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B7%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LV8JP3VHmCE/UKsBMCZyaGI/AAAAAAAACOk/3T5a7Ln6-VQ/CMsignature_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-68987610435055047172012-10-16T20:12:00.001-04:002012-10-16T20:12:57.449-04:00How time flies…<p>I’m not quite sure how this happened, but this week my son turned 36. My firstborn. The boy who made me a mommy; the man who made me a grandma. Amazing. It is; he is. </p> <p>And so of course I had to make him a card. Because that’s what I do. I make lots of cards. Unfortunately most of them never see the inside of an envelope. This one did. And it actually got mailed, too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UWd7bnKuvlU/UH339PkYagI/AAAAAAAACMU/ErvqGfWbEP4/s1600-h/yusuf-36%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="yusuf-36" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="341" alt="yusuf-36" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhgp1UDE2TK5h8hwiD9PQCGQSh14-KmGXnsYyzwNRq_kMjzjs0vnpTM_SXDTLA8wjh-dNPzhpWRIbqzeGnkpLjlVx2fFNU8XV212xSul-wS2IVzE_Ql4hFeKU1CwnYkHRYlu-FNqcohM/?imgmax=800" width="412" border="0" /></a>This card made me smile like crazy before it got mailed. I really liked the way it came out, but mostly it made me smile because it’s the first card in a long time that I <em>just made</em>. I didn’t (consciously) CASE anybody’s work, I didn’t follow a sketch challenge, I just <em>made</em> it. And it was good.</p> <p><font size="1"><strong>What I used: <br /></strong>Stamps: Big Birthday Wishes (</font><a href="http://www.papertreyink.com/index.html" target="_blank"><font size="1">PTI</font></a><font size="1">) <br />Paper: Teresa Collins </font><a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3779&category_id=191"><font size="1">Everyday Moments</font></a> <br /><font size="1">Dies: By the Numbers, Hexagon Cover Plate (</font><a href="http://www.papertreyink.com/index.html" target="_blank"><font size="1">PTI</font></a><font size="1">)</font></p> <p>This makes me smile, too: my son as a baby, and my son as a daddy.</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjGn1I6LRhyphenhyphenjotJ0r4mis9WMW3zS5taTSJYzaW4FLQ35zIhUY5zn-hcZzVGRYKJP2OiQBsMi9uC6Gzh1Xuj19-I_e7lfBbz2aQ157IIi6BOdAZ4IQrgzZ-1_Ua3ydCMcHqY4SdTDa1t0/s1600-h/watermouse%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="watermouse" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="watermouse" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Td3H2pJJ8a4/UH33_f295JI/AAAAAAAACMs/jfcOWYsnxWI/watermouse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" border="0" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VGmnKyFjOZ0/UH34AKTF1bI/AAAAAAAACM0/svBEOWVXsS4/s1600-h/reading%252520with%252520daddy%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="reading with daddy" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="reading with daddy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zTF5lYzn81U/UH34Ajqtd8I/AAAAAAAACM8/nAXzJItTLAQ/reading%252520with%252520daddy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" border="0" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p></p> <p>How time flies…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9YA3DMyYJkQ/UH34BAiPWfI/AAAAAAAACNE/rhWPFezloLU/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yr8-KwkzT-M/UH34B-FdePI/AAAAAAAACNM/0JU8RIwgUzw/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-22957782073170502362012-10-16T06:00:00.000-04:002012-10-16T06:00:03.780-04:00IHP October DT Challenge: Birthday Colors<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DwcFFiooRik/UHzYkG5DGEI/AAAAAAAACK4/tsgqE6NZsmg/s1600-h/IHPbday4%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="IHPbday4" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="431" alt="IHPbday4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QetI17Dw6Lk/UHzYkh0MVcI/AAAAAAAACLA/QnyG6NrPZq4/IHPbday4_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" border="0" /></a>While browsing Pinterest, our Challenge Coordinator Deb came upon a <a href="http://blog.hwtm.com/2011/03/sweet-lovely-flower-garden-birthday-party/">fabulous website</a> with all kinds of party treats (see photo below) that just happened to be in the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com">i <font color="#ff80c0">{heart}</font> papers</a> logo colors! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cRFzuETMLbs/UHzYlVMo9bI/AAAAAAAACLI/tNp9TVMGERA/s1600-h/flowergarden_birthdayparty_6%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="flowergarden_birthdayparty_6" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="flowergarden_birthdayparty_6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--9SzZcXLsBY/UHzYmIlCdJI/AAAAAAAACLQ/NNEHAXEm0TM/flowergarden_birthdayparty_6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="176" align="left" border="0" /></a>What better way to celebrate our birthday than with a color challenge inspired by these lovely photos.  </p> <p>Since IHP is turning 4 years old this month, I just had to make some party goodies for the occasion!  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>For the goodie bag, I found some super-cute pastel-colored marshmallows at a local grocery store (they’re made in Guatemala – I know little else about them) and put them into a little zip-lock snack bag (that I bought by accident thinking they were sandwich bags). I made a topper using <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=101" target="_blank">Nestabilities</a> Labels 8 and paper from the gorgeous <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4522">Hopscotch 6x6 pad</a> by Fancy Pants. I used the uber-versatile <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2879&manufacturer_id=92">I’ve Got Your Number</a> stamp set by <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=316">Mint Motif</a>, airbrushed and colored with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic markers</a>, and for the requisite bling, filled in the number “4” with some Icicle <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=215" target="_blank">Stickles</a>. The whole thing is held together with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=258&category_id=56">i {stick} papers</a> redline tape. </p> <p>But what’s a birthday party without some cake? For a little party favor, how about some tiny little birthday cakes using battery-powered tealights (available just about everywhere, but I got mine at Walgreen). I got the idea from Jill George <a href="http://jillstampingwithink.typepad.com/signedwithink/2010/06/sorry-day-latedollar-short-.html">here</a>. The directions are really easy to follow. For this one, I used more paper from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4522">Hopscotch 6x6 pad</a>, and punched the scalloped circles out with an old SU! punch.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdTUQa79OehQthDMyfCslS8mp4V9Tugjx9Sd8tkkC1GP_dqWo78oF0b95sa-dv7lNzsnNQ7azuT1L2CemU-l0_e2fgtdM3sGIbSzT3jEJmYensXcq04I94jjgipyh_uvRVAZxEnqRwfs/s1600-h/IHPbdaycandle%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="IHPbdaycandle" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IHPbdaycandle" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mv9wZw7da1I/UHzYnG3QJTI/AAAAAAAACLg/hqk0paVLGHY/IHPbdaycandle_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Here’s another one I made when I realized that <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=392">washi tape</a> was just about the perfect width to do these! For this one I used <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=101" target="_blank">Nestabilities</a> scalloped circles instead of a punch, and used some <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=1965">glitter paper</a> to decorate the top. The sky really is the limit with these cuties. You can match the colors of any party theme, and they’re cheap and easy!</p> <p>AND NOW FOR SOME EXCITING NEWS:</p> <p><u><a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Uj9WiT1O16o/UHzYnjs2GNI/AAAAAAAACLo/Jiil47TQyic/s1600-h/4bday%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="4bday" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="4bday" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKkNwZVdETZpG4-cawYikGQfjjkihFcOodAoyr8uCgvInJtbmvATT9SLGsrON4GXj-egSbH37414hbNjiIjv3uNVHc92cTBMvd3-A0KsoocAnRtUSgYglsx4pcXmvhRt5BGIO3DiGjpY/?imgmax=800" width="148" align="left" border="0" /></a>i {heart} papers</a></u><b> </b>is thrilled to be celebrating our 4<sup>th</sup> birthday this month! We know there’s no way we could have made it this far without each and every one of our loyal customers sharing their IHP love with their friends or following us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/iheartpapers" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/iheartpapers" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com" target="_blank">our blog</a> or through our newsletter. So, our celebration is really a celebration of YOU and our gift to you is a <strong>25% off coupon</strong> for the whole store, valid 10/16 through 10/20 (valid on in-stock items, not valid on gift certificates or prior orders). Use code: <strong>4bdayDT</strong></p> <strong><em>NOTE: Shop early! Once seasonal items are sold out, they will most likely not be restocked. Also, the store will be closed from Oct 18-25th and there will be no shipping during this time. Orders will resume shipping on 10/26.</em></strong> <p>We will also have a giveaways on the blog and on Twitter during these days (they’ll be linked from Facebook too but since giveaways aren’t technically allowed on Facebook we have to do it on the blog!) so be sure to check in daily to see how to enter.</p> <p>But wait! There’s more! Long time customers know that Kate is a huge dog rescue advocate, volunteering for a local dog rescue, transporting dogs in need and doing rescue work on Facebook. October happens to also be Adopt A Shelter Dog month, as well as the birthday of one of Kate’s dogs and the Gotcha/Adoption day of the other. So, in honor of all of that, IHP will be donating 10% of all sales during the birthday sale to <a href="http://homeforgooddogs.org/">Home For Good Dog Rescue</a>, <a href="http://www.ehrdogs.org/">Eleventh Hour Rescue</a> and <a href="http://pilotsnpaws.org/">Pilots ‘n Paws</a>. And if you make your own donation to any of these organizations, we will send you a <strong>gift certificate to IHP for 50% of your donation amount</strong> (these will be sent at the end of the month). Just email us a copy of your donation receipt and we’ll email you a gift certificate!</p> <p>OK, now it’s time for you to check out what the rest of the Design Team did with this challenge. </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://motherslittlehelper.typepad.com/" target="blank">Carole</a> (October IHP Guest Designer) </li> <li><a href="http://bklynstamper.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Carolyn</a> (you are here)</li> <li><a href="http://withastampandasong.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Deb</a> </li> <li><a href="http://happinessisus.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Gretchen</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Judy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://inkingaloud.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Lori</a> </li> <li><a href="http://taylorusry.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Taylor</a> </li> <li><a href="http://whoistracy.com/myhead/" target="blank">Tracy</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.blog.iheartpapers.com/" target="blank">Kate</a> </li> </ul> <p>If you’d like to play along, just use the keyword <strong>ihp1012</strong> when you post it to the SCS or PCP galleries. And don’t forget to post them to our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/iheartpapers" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page to be entered into our weekly <strong>WOW Wednesday</strong> contest!</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P9gpbmphDv0/UHzYod8S00I/AAAAAAAACL4/kKD4VG3VUws/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ie6O37IXwIw/UHzYougHeMI/AAAAAAAACMA/PteGvy4ccMk/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-30104639429235213882012-10-12T07:01:00.001-04:002012-10-12T07:01:28.583-04:00Put Your {Heart} Into It<p>Happy Friday!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s0d7_O21jI0/UHf4fQ2k39I/AAAAAAAACKE/xdrjyWRsXpE/s1600-h/CAShearts%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="CAShearts" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="473" alt="CAShearts" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BOOP8mo5GN0/UHf4gBh_yKI/AAAAAAAACKM/blzh3N2pMik/CAShearts_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" border="0" /></a></p> <p>This week the <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2012/10/cfc74.html">CAS-ual Fridays challenge</a> is being sponsored by <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com">i {heart} papers</a> as part of our 4th Birthday Celebration, and appropriately, the challenge is to make a clean & simple card with a heart in it. How could I <em>not</em> play along?</p> <p><a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2012/10/cfc74.html"><img title="CAS-ualFridaysNoWords" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="122" alt="CAS-ualFridaysNoWords" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zH7rz8Tj3Xw/UHf4ga-t2FI/AAAAAAAACKU/Vuo723U6aV4/cfc74%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" border="0" /></a></p> <p>My card uses various sizes of hearts cut out with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=101" target="_blank">Nestabilities</a> and mounted with <a href="ahttp://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2824&page=2">foam dots</a> on a dot-embossed layer. The dotted paper is from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4211&category_id=191&manufacturer_id=82">Jillybean Soup Staples 2 collection</a>, and the white heart is stamped with one of the lovely stamps from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4220&manufacturer_id=119">Tag Lines</a> set by Flourishes. </p> <p>Won’t you play along? I hear there may be a coupon on <a href="http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2012/10/cfc74.html">their page</a> that you just might be interested in…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S9or6l0DR8w/UHf4hAnZrzI/AAAAAAAACKc/VAUEAdcsrI4/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R_c5nO8oD8w/UHf4h0q49BI/AAAAAAAACKk/ECKW_jK61GY/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-81105717800493138022012-10-06T17:29:00.001-04:002012-10-06T17:29:45.816-04:00World Card Making Day (Part 3!)<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vMFB5RN25JI/UHCiwi2ZCvI/AAAAAAAACJY/Ve56bnpDwTo/s1600-h/IHPbutterflylWCMD%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IHPbutterflylWCMD" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="520" alt="IHPbutterflylWCMD" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CXhZfk50sNI/UHCixLE_WpI/AAAAAAAACJg/3AzBZbdQ2XY/IHPbutterflylWCMD_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" border="0" /></a>Wow, I’m on a roll! Nothing like a good excuse to stay in and play with paper all day!</p> <p>This is another take on the IHP Color Challenge in honor of today’s holiday. Check out all the details on the <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com/2012/10/world-card-making-day-2012-challenges.html">IHP blog</a>. </p> <p>For this one I went with more of a light blue than an aqua color. And because I wanted to use the Tessatina border die, I needed to make it larger than a standard A2 size – this one is A6 (roughly 4 1/2” x 6 1/2”). This was NOT a quick card to make because of what I wanted to do with that die. I had to cut out the space in the kraft layer so the design would show through – that was the easy part. In order to get the inside lattice part to adhere, I ran my ATG adhesive down it a couple of times on the back, and then once it was adhered, I had to go over the whole thing with a gum eraser to pick up all the adhesive that was showing through. Tedious at best. I need to find a better way to do that if I want to try this again. Or maybe pick up the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4072&category_id=390">Piestra Tile die</a>, which will not give me the same issues.</p> <p>Anyhow. I used the Memory Box <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3721&category_id=390">Vivienne butterfly die</a> twice, once in kraft and once in brown, and adhered them together only down the middle so I could pull the top wings up. The body is cut in brown and glued on top. The sentiment, from the Hero Arts set <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3894&manufacturer_id=45">Good Friends</a>, is stamped in <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2267&category_id=52">Memento</a> Rich Cocoa ink.</p> <p>OK, now I really need to get dressed so I can at least go down and check the mail – I think there’s a goodie package from IHP waiting for me!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vmYvY_oaTFw/UHCixp9SkAI/AAAAAAAACJo/D9jI-jHWDA4/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="display: inline" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kj84P3X5Y0M/UHCiyOOU83I/AAAAAAAACJw/xy0h_gP6EPQ/CMsignature_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-91819975209729067412012-10-06T14:08:00.001-04:002012-10-06T14:08:07.316-04:00World Card Making Day (Part 2)<p>I’m back again with my take on the Color Challenge part of the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com">i <font color="#ff80c0">{heart}</font> papers</a> WCMD festivities. For my Sketch Challenge card, you can scroll down or click <a href="http://bklynstamper.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-world-card-making-day.html">here</a>. And make sure you check out the <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com/2012/10/world-card-making-day-2012-challenges.html">IHP Blog</a> for all the details on the challenges (which can win you a gift certificate!) and the SALE!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RDNaixUY01M/UHBzesGiq6I/AAAAAAAACIc/EHpsp_ixnLc/s1600-h/WCMD12-color%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="WCMD12-color" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="325" alt="WCMD12-color" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9S9QuJgPSR4/UHBzfKWeNkI/AAAAAAAACIk/y5wISNLo9zA/WCMD12-color_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" border="0" /></a> I love making holiday cards in non-traditional colors, and when I won this <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4396&category_id=398">Peace & Joy</a> set from Flourishes, my first thought was how awesome it would look embossed in gold. So I figured I would use today’s color challenge to make a lovely, beachy-colored card suitable for the holidays. This is the color inspiration that our fearless Challenge Coordinator, Deb, came up with: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSlHZs8tyjTLjfzOmMW4-zMmOUBDqCCS9RS2fS499DFT9bmA8UbD87qBDAUzeZe1MM0V-dY3qzpJPV7rb1Ph2Qdx7R_Ik0xgtWV9Q1gl7h2yMY_OelspmeaKa36j-hkiuTMFG5qO57g0/s1600-h/ShellTones%25255B2%25255D.png"><img title="ShellTones" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="ShellTones" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DsJ6PG96By8/UHBzgsbvXEI/AAAAAAAACI0/mag6dZTpVPA/ShellTones_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="213" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>As I said, I gold-embossed the stamp on cream cardstock, and then I randomly colored the letters with blotches of E31, W4, and BG02 <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic markers</a>. I used BG93 for the leaves. I mounted it onto a piece of aqua cardstock that I had embossed with one of the folders from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3606&category_id=257">Whimsy</a> set from Lifestyle Crafts. I mounted it all onto a kraft card base, and wrapped some of this gorgeous <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=903&category_id=58">satin reversible ribbon</a> around it. Then I made a bow with my <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=1695&category_id=56">Bow Easy</a> (seriously, the only way I can make a bow any more) and stuck it on. </p> <p>The stamps, ribbon, embossing folder, and more, are all available at <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com">i <font color="#ff80c0">{heart}</font> papers</a>, and for <strong>20% OFF</strong> right now if you use the code <strong>WCMD2012IHP</strong> through Tuesday, 10/9.</p> <p>I suppose I should get dressed and enjoy what might be one of the last warm days of the year (almost 80 degrees!) instead of staying inside and playing. We’ll see…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V1AQNIjLpTg/UHBzg2UDmLI/AAAAAAAACI8/sRzaIFzV-I0/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="display: inline" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YPWOy26M5pE/UHBzhX1YkHI/AAAAAAAACJE/m5-rUoMm-iE/CMsignature_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-7302852622984829652012-10-06T08:38:00.001-04:002012-10-06T08:49:17.154-04:00Happy World Card Making Day!<p>Isn’t it nice that we paper crafters get our own holiday?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-diD0F2FMrXw/UHAmTsDaqYI/AAAAAAAACHM/gLUeEycy_1g/s1600-h/IHPCHD-WCMD-2012%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IHPCHD-WCMD-2012" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="337" alt="IHPCHD-WCMD-2012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QtHuwcu3ifI/UHAmUAiuvOI/AAAAAAAACHU/r5Rc6hHnlLM/IHPCHD-WCMD-2012_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com" target="_blank">i <font color="#ff80c0">{heart}</font> papers</a> is celebrating <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com/2012/10/world-card-making-day-2012-challenges.html" target="_blank">World Card Making Day 2012</a> with 2 chances to win a gift certificate and a 20% off storewide coupon code. Use code WCMD2012DT through Tuesday 10/9 for 20% off EVERYTHING in the store. And, yes, you still qualify for free US shipping with your order of $60 or more.</p> <p><a href="http://iheartpapers.com"><img title="wcmd20%[4]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="200" alt="wcmd20%[4]" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N0UpqnWt6SY/UHAoHm3wlrI/AAAAAAAACIM/asA8DyEN5f8/wcmd20%252525%25255B4%25255D%25255B4%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="385" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Participate in our challenges - one sketch and one color - for your chance to win! A $10 gift certificate will be awarded for each category. Upload your projects to our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/iheartpapers" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page or add them to the <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com/2012/10/world-card-making-day-2012-challenges.html" target="_blank">Mr. Linky on the IHP blog</a>. You can play along with one or both and can enter as many times as you'd like!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mOSYsQdsrlI/UHAmU6cf8aI/AAAAAAAACHc/ecVPABMePlo/s1600-h/WCMDsketch%25255B3%25255D.gif"><img title="WCMDsketch" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="240" alt="WCMDsketch" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2XJkWYgQXls/UHAmVXhamMI/AAAAAAAACHk/ZG3I4goXs6o/WCMDsketch_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="185" align="left" border="0" /></a>The card above uses the Sketch Challenge layout, except I rotated it counterclockwise to have a horizontal orientation. That’s one of the things I love about sketches – they give you a starting point to let your own creativity take flight. </p> <p>The focal point of the card is this adorable stamp from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=1893&category_id=255" target="_blank">Happy Halloween</a> set by <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=255">Chicken Girl Design</a>. It’s stamped with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2267&category_id=52">Memento</a> Tuxedo Black ink and colored with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic markers</a>. After I mounted it on black cardstock and put the whole card together, the white background just looked a little too plain, so I took my <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=365&category_id=118&manufacturer_id=61" target="_blank">Copic Multiliner</a> and doodled some dots and lines around the edge. The patterned paper is from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4327&manufacturer_id=114" target="_blank">Doodlebug Haunted Manor</a> collection.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Won’t you play along to win? The deadline to enter is Sunday 10/7 9PM EST. The winners will be announced on Tuesday! And, as a bonus, WCMD projects will also be counted as entries for our WOW Wednesday! Every Wednesday we pick someone who has shared a project on our Facebook page during the week that uses supplies purchased from IHP. Share your project and be entered to win a $5 gift certificate!</p> <p>I’m going to attempt the Color Challenge in a little while, so I’ll probably be back later today. Maybe even more than once, since I fully intend to celebrate this day to the max!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JYrKiK8Twmo/UHAmVzEziNI/AAAAAAAACHs/hAdBMK6nxQ8/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kz58NsAIPzQ/UHAmWXQ2C5I/AAAAAAAACH0/3EFfHkmGvFE/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-38628836133689499982012-09-18T06:00:00.000-04:002012-09-18T07:50:44.175-04:00Bring on the Bling!<p><img title="IHP9-12-zva" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: block; border-left-width: 0px; float: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-right-width: 0px" height="494" alt="IHP9-12-zva" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8eRtpmqfMxDatpTGc-JbG2o3tlckjLfBm3O5Gwe9Wwd1q5YvdXgEQCeB2hGzC0dBqxlc5IUy60KgYMtOxozewTtsI-NC4x4m13mll44WbuOt0LNds4gbayfAcrlGV03cwemzG8-u6Z8/?imgmax=800" width="407" border="0" />Do you LOVE bling? So do we! This month the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/">i {heart} papers</a> design team and the team from <a href="http://zvacreative.com/index.html">Zva Creative</a> are celebrating the love of beautiful bling! Since each of our teams have designers who are also <a href="http://www.papercraftplanet.com/">Paper Craft Planet</a> Super Novas, we asked the PCP team to host some special challenges throughout the week. There will be lots of beautiful, blingy inspiration! <br /></p> <p>You should have arrived from <a href="http://robinshakoor.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-heart-papers-and-zva-creative-joint.html">Robin Shakoor</a>’s blog...if you missed the beginning, head straight to <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com/2012/09/dt-challenge-zva-bling.html">Kate's blog</a> so you won't miss a single gorgeous project! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C8tzPo9fUUA/UFdLHt9riTI/AAAAAAAACFo/FOJ8CyTiBfs/s1600-h/ihp_logo%25255B3%25255D.gif"><img title="ihp_logo" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="59" alt="ihp_logo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TBPR6jNdXPA/UFdLH18lIaI/AAAAAAAACFw/eNsKlCFXmEI/ihp_logo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="240" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/">i {heart} papers</a> retails the industry's best paper crafting supplies from your favorite manufacturers while offering stellar customer service and super fast and FREE US shipping with any $60 order. (We also ship internationally.) We are proud to offer our exclusive <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=258&category_id=74">i {stick} papers</a> redline tape, which is manufactured just for us in long-lasting 60 yard rolls, at an amazing price! We also provide a publication incentive for our three private stamp lines, Mint Motif, The Petal Press and Chicken Girl. Visit our website and follow us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/iheartpapers">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/iheartpapers">Twitter</a> and our <a href="http://blog.iheartpapers.com/">blog</a> for news, sales, coupons and more! <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XTBELv3seVs/UFdLIZGWERI/AAAAAAAACF4/eSsW51WKOSE/s1600-h/logoZvaCreative%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="logoZvaCreative" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="94" alt="logoZvaCreative" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HYK_Ao40OrQ/UFdLInTu3LI/AAAAAAAACGA/HUf6-wutyCY/logoZvaCreative_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="136" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://zvacreative.com/index.html">Zva Creative</a> produces many beautiful color groupings of high quality pearls, flowers and crystal embellishments that can be used on scrapbooking, card making and mixed media projects. Visit Zva’s <a href="http://zvacreative.com/gallery/index.html">gallery</a> or <a href="http://www.zvacreative.com/wordpress/">blog</a> for great project ideas and to find a list of stores and online retailers that sell Zva click <a href="http://www.zvacreative.com/retaillocator.html">HERE</a>. <br /> <br /><a href="http://zvacreative.com/index.html"><strong>Zva Creative</strong></a><strong> will be selecting one lucky winner</strong> who comments along the blog hop to win a Zva prize package worth $30. All comments must be received by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, September 19th. Winners will be announced on <a href="http://www.zvacreative.com/wordpress/">Zva’s blog</a> on Thursday, September 20th. <br /> <br />My card above reflects the definite feel of autumn in the air these days. I used the gorgeous <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4222&manufacturer_id=119">Garden Picks</a> set from Flourishes, and paired it up with some fall-colored paper from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4301&category_id=191">Harvest Lane 6x6 pad</a> (Simple Stories). The image, of course, is colored with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic Markers</a>, and for a little extra oomph on the Queen Anne’s Lace flower, I dotted it with a bit of white <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=256&category_id=57" target="_blank">Liquid Pearls</a>. The Zva bling I used, the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4242&manufacturer_id=77">pearl flourish</a>, was originally white, but to tie it in with the colors of the card, I gently swiped over the tops of the pearls with my E55 <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=301">Copic marker</a>. I love that – you can always have just the right color of bling!</p> <p>For the layout of my card, I used this week’s <a href="http://papercraftplanet.net/2012/09/14/sketch-challenge-091412/">Sketch Challenge</a> over at Paper Craft Planet. </p> <p>From here, you're visiting <a href="http://www.ewenstyle.com/2012/09/i-heart-papers-and-zva-creative-joint.html">Andrea Ewen</a>. Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the hop! We hope to see you and your creations this week on Paper Craft Planet! <br /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GU_C77YWPUA/UFdLJNNdzkI/AAAAAAAACGI/NZ4RpRxDnaw/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J0-A3eA1hKE/UFdLJSapgLI/AAAAAAAACGQ/WXhCMMbudpU/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-3804626419462358502012-09-17T12:34:00.001-04:002012-09-17T12:34:33.953-04:00Boo!<p>It’s only the middle of September, but already the stores are full of Halloween stuff. I just got some new goodies from <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com">i {heart} papers</a>, and among them were some fun Halloween papers and embellishments, so I couldn’t help getting into the spirit of things! LOL – spirit – get it?</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0gBDHBL54lMacIOgpMh2Ypj1TMUVdLyhWp4yJCh1JcIuzsQYy90bjrTi8CFan_9HVt7O_4Vcyn1fCB7d1HuQ6cCYDPV7SloXVLoeRPV5quFa_C4dsu8_P-keMcWsbtZ56SDEYmhHwfA/s1600-h/bootiful-day2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="bootiful-day2" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="491" alt="bootiful-day2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKJv8zg2r1Sbn_JTO3uLeQb3nCJwME6CVGE7uku8CCS7kEelf6sjmTvJVW53wGyvOte7WSV-p8d9X6Etibo2j1WXrCmhLzsU4btxr3SSWg6tWXwsLBx__ffD_4mOLWe54Ll9YeqZsj7c/?imgmax=800" width="395" border="0" /></a></p> <p>This is a re-take on <a href="http://bklynstamper.blogspot.com/2012/05/playing-catch-up-again.html">another card</a> I made back in the spring. Yeah, I totally CASEd myself – not sure if that counts as inspiration or laziness.</p> <p>Anyhow, this card uses paper from the totally adorable Doodlebug <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4326&manufacturer_id=114">Haunted Manor</a> pad, and one of the cute little <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4329&manufacturer_id=114">Mini Doodlepops – Ghosties</a> stickers. The window was cut with the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3863&category_id=390">Small Madison Window die</a> and popped up on <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=3312&category_id=74">Dimensional Dots</a>. I sponged a little white ink in the corner for moonlight. The sentiment is from the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=255">Chicken Girl Design</a> set <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=1626&category_id=255">Silly Monsters</a>. </p> <p>In case you’re wondering, the card base is black. I cut away the orange paper so it would show through the window. And you can’t really see it with my inferior photography and photo editing skills, but the chair rail is scored twice on the <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2945&manufacturer_id=93">Scor-Pal</a> to give it a bit of dimension. And yes, the orange paper is a bit “distressed” because I had to pull it off after I mis-aligned it when I was adhering it the first time. And the second time. Let’s just say it adds a little character. </p> <p>I am thoroughly enjoying my Monday off (and will also enjoy my Tuesday off tomorrow) by indulging in a little extra crafting time. Hope you find something fun to do today, too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PWsm6WwMeQ0/UFdRGMBZJ4I/AAAAAAAACGw/qGw6wtC2w28/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ZSUixTFrwA/UFdRGSEyN0I/AAAAAAAACG4/j6p22Iy0--k/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434042145006020776.post-27017338434313359102012-09-09T15:04:00.001-04:002012-09-09T15:04:43.411-04:00Summer Strawberries<p>I know, two posts in one day – go figure. I should have my blogging license revoked, because I sure don’t follow the rules! It seems it’s either feast or famine with me. </p> <p>Today we’re feasting -- on strawberries. Speaking of which, I will share an embarrassing little secret: There was a summer day, very long ago when my kids were small, that I dropped them all off with a friend so I could indulge in a basket of strawberries <em>all by myself</em>, no sharing! Shameful, huh?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hkPcu6ZOfqE/UEzoRGugw_I/AAAAAAAACE4/cg-EJyu_Zys/s1600-h/flourishes-strawberries1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="flourishes-strawberries1" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="446" alt="flourishes-strawberries1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O_KIXfW_J7A/UEzoRosyypI/AAAAAAAACFA/eaCcdS0jJzw/flourishes-strawberries1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" border="0" /></a>When I saw the <a href="http://flourishes.org/2012/09/the-any-which-way-challenge/">Flourishes Any Which Way Sketch Challenge</a> this week, I couldn't wait to pull out my <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=4405&manufacturer_id=119">Strawberries</a> set and get to work on it. Technically, it is still summer, and I’m not letting go of it too easily. There are still strawberries at the fruit store. OK, with today’s global shipping they’re there all year, but still…  </p> <p>The image is colored with <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=303" target="_blank">Copic markers</a> (duh), matted on Garden Green cardstock, and popped up on <a href="ahttp://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2824&page=2">foam dots</a>. I punched a hole on the left side to thread some <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/item.php?item_id=2220&page=2">red herringbone twill ribbon</a> through and tied a bow (haven’t done that in a while!). The card base is covered with red gingham paper from the Simple Stories Summer Fresh pad, and a strip of blue calico print paper (from the same pad) finishes it off. Very summer-in-the-country looking, huh? </p> <p>I love me some <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com/category.php?category_id=398">Flourishes</a> stamps when I feel like coloring (which is almost all the time), and I’m so glad that Kate is now carrying them at <a href="http://www.iheartpapers.com">i {heart} papers</a>. </p> <p>And I think I’m gonna head out to the fruit store right now!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zdmYrQvh1Qk/UEzoSM3cMEI/AAAAAAAACFI/FTiaUjXOlLU/s1600-h/CMsignature%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="CMsignature" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="43" alt="CMsignature" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TkWVgBI58t4/UEzoSqf1WkI/AAAAAAAACFQ/NRTNRZXTXIM/CMsignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="102" border="0" /></a></p> Carolyn Mustopahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17316082513169969802noreply@blogger.com4