Happy Birthday

Time for another Paper Pretties challenge. Ribbon.

I used Return of the Cluck. Decided to use Prismacolor pencils blended with odorless mineral spirits for coloring instead of copics this time around. Did a little out of the box cutting and popped up the balloon some.

Added ribbon that I tied into a bow using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker.




How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC298.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.

       Thanks for stopping by!

                  Amber

Many Thanks

Happy New Year! Well a few days late that is. I feel like I haven’t stamped in ages! But it is time for another challenge from Paper Pretties. This week challenge is Thank You cards.

I used Horsin’ Around for my card. Pulled out my Prismacolored pencils and odorless mineral spirits for blending. Cuttlebugg’d the background with an alphabet folder. Used the Craft-Dee BowZ maker for the bow.

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC291.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.


         Thanks for stopping by!

                   Amber

CCEE–Oh Christmas Tree

I’m late, late, late for a very important date. Oh wait, wrong theme here. So this weeks challenge over at CCEE Stampers is the last one for the year so we can all take time for family during this holiday season.

So your challenge is:

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
In beauty green will always grow
Through summer sun and winter snow.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!

Use the lyrics above for the inspiration of your card for the challenge this week. Your card can include a Christmas tree,pine branches of a Christmas tree or even a tree in a summer or winter setting.

I pulled out an oldie but favorite stamp set for my card…. Lovely As a Tree by Stampin’ UP! Stamped Joy to the World song as my background and embossed the tree over top of it. Sponged the sides and added a bow using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker to make it.

Don’t forget to check out the CCEE Stampers blog to see what the other ladies did and to join in the challenge as we would love to see your creation.

          Thanks for stopping by!

                  Amber

Dec. Craft-Dee BowZ blog hop

Welcome to the last Craft-Dee BowZ blog hop of the year! Our theme is Christmas of course! Hope we inspire you to create something for Christmas. Hopefully you just came from Brenda’s blog, if not you will want to head to the start of the hop over at the Craft-Dee BowZ blog.

I went a completely different route with my project. It is a two in one project really as it can be used two different ways. I started out with a tag in mind using a stocking template. In the end I like the look of it as an ornament!

The top part of the stocking is actually velvet cardstock. Embossed glitter snowflakes (see second picture) on the stocking. Matched the toe and heel to the ribbon and added faux stitching with a white gel pen. Of course I used the Craft-Dee BowZ maker for the bow.



I made the picture dark so you could see the sparkly embossed snowflakes a little better.


Now head on over to Barbra’s blog to see what she has created. Don’t forget to comment along the way for your chance to win a Craft-Dee BowZ maker!

My project is also doing double duty today as it is also for the CCEE Stampers blog where the challenge is to create a card or project the includes a stocking. Make sure you check out the CCEE Stampers to see what the girls have created.


        Thanks for stopping by!

                  Amber

Paper Pretties – Merry Christmas

Happy Hump Day! Can you believe we are half way through our first full week of December? Have you started decorating for Christmas? Started those Christmas cookies? What about those Christmas cards? Finished yet?  I haven’t finished my cards and that is where Paper Pretties challenge comes into play today! This week’s challenge is It’s beginning to Look a LOT like Christmas!

I used Snowy Snuggles for my card. Colored them with copics and cut them out using Spellbinder circle die. Used the Spellbinder scallop circle for layer and added silver gel pen dots. Using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker, I made a loopy bow using some misc. ribbon. Stamped sentiment below and I have one Christmas card done out of 20 million. (well okay, not that many but it sure feels like it when you leave till the last minute!)

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC287.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.

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Just a little FYI…. You might want to stop back by tomorrow (or late tonight) as Craft-Dee BowZ blog hop starts and you could have a chance to win your very own Craft-Dee BowZ maker to make bows just like I did above!

 

          Thanks for stopping by!

                        Amber

Be Thankful

Yesterday I had a post over at Craft-Dee BowZ but didn’t have time to share it here as I had goodies to get ready for my kids Harvest parties at school. So I will share all of it with you today.

Made a Fall card using a leaf die cut, scallop border punch, white gel pen, some ribbon and of course the Craft-Dee BowZ maker. Also used some Helmar Scrap Dots when attaching the leaves and squares.

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So as I was saying, the kids Harvest parties were yesterday at school and I, of course, had treat duty. After scouring Pinterest and seeing a few things on Facebook, I had my ideas.

For second grade I made cupcakes and decorated them to look like turkeys. I love their little faces.

For fifth grade my son decided he wanted cake balls so I made some cake ball turkeys. I decided not to make them into cake pops as most are shown on Pinterest. Used white chocolate chips for their eyes and cut up Swedish Fish for the their wattle.

Since I couldn’t forget the teachers and I had some gingersnap cookies….. I decided to make some Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles (again, the right way as the first time I made them I had left out the melted chocolate in the filling. Either way is really good.), thanks to The Galley Gourmet (who I just noticed has Pumpkin Pie Fudge on her blog! Guess what I’ll be making next?!!)  for the recipe! They were a big hit with everyone that got to try them.



And with that, I shall leave you (I have more Pumpkin Truffles to go dip for tomorrow!).

        Thanks for stopping by!

                 Amber

Ribbon and Lace–CCEE 1345

So the challenge over at CCEE Stampers this week is to use ribbon and lace. Well I have a little problem, I couldn’t find any lace in all my ribbon! I knew what I wanted and couldn’t find it so we are going to pretend I have lace on my card as I really wanted to get a card up for the challenge and not be the slacker on the team.

I used Snowy Snuggles from Paper Pretties for my card. Colored with copics, added some silver stickles, some sliver liquid pearls for buttons and some Flower Soft for snow.

Used the Craft-Dee BowZ maker to make my double loop bow and added some snowflake brads. As for my lace…. the snowflake punched border looks “lacey” enough so I am calling that my lace.




Please join us and link your card up using the Inlinkz tool over at the CCEE Stampers Blog.  If you upload to another site such as Splitcoaststampers, please add CCEE1345 to your keywords.


       Thanks for stopping by!

                     Amber

Everyday is

Time another Paper Pretties challenge. This time the challenge is

                        EAT, DRINK and BE MERRY!
                                EAT, PRAY, LOVE
                                           or 
                   ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE

.

I used for my card. Colored it with copics, paper pieced the cloth and added crystal effects to the glasses and bottle top. Added some big scallops to the bottom and a ribbon tying it all together. Bow was made with the Craft-Dee BowZ maker.

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC281.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.


           Thanks for stopping by!

                     Amber

Trick or Treat

It is my turn to post over at Craft-Dee BowZ but I had to share it here with you too. Donna gave us a theme of Halloween and a non card at that!

I know you have seen a few Halloween cards from me but really we don’t do Halloween. Yes, our kids do dress up but for a Harvest party and they are not allowed to dress up as anything scary so you see a lot of princesses, army guys, puppy dogs, cotton candy (my middle went as last year), paper doll (my youngest last year). Any ways I digress….Back to this challenge Donna gave us.

Halloween… non card…. what to do? I like to send goodies to work for hubby’s coworkers so why not decorate a container that he could put on his desk with some kind of treat in it for them?

Took some of the ribbon Donna sent us and made a triple loop bow by doubling up my ribbons. Instead of just laying the ends of the ribbon around the container, I decided to twist the two ribbons together.

  Using a spider web die, I cut out the spider web and attached it just by the corner. If you look closely you will see a small little spider (sticker) on the web. Printed out a pumpkin digi image from Paper Pretties that I colored and added in the corner. Attached the little sign to the container so everyone would know they could have a treat.

Now what to fill the treat container with? How about Pumpkin Oreo Muddy Buddies? Oh my gosh! I didn't think I was gonna have any left to put in the mini baggies as this stuff is just that good! Tied each baggie up with some ribbon that I had (keeping with the black/orange color theme).

Close up of the Pumpkin Oreo Muddy Buddies.

But what you are really saying is “Amber!! Stop teasing us and give us the recipe!!” I can’t take credit for the recipe as I got it from Something Swanky blog which I found via Pinterest.

Pumpkin Oreo Muddy Buddies

Ingredients

• 2 cups Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses
• 7 cups Chex Cereal
• 1 cup crumbled Oreos
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  
  Instructions

1. In large microwave safe bowl, heat the Hershey Kisses for 45 seconds or until melted. Stir until smooth. Add the cereal to the bowl, a few cups at a time, stirring gently and coating the cereal as you go.
2. Add the Oreos to the bowl, and stir gently to coat.
3. Place the powdered sugar in a gallon sized zip top bag. Spoon the coated cereal mixture into the bag. Seal the bag, and shake to coat the cereal mixture.
4. Serve immediately or keep sealed in bag, and store for 3-4 days
   
   
   .Don’t say I didn’t warn you on how good this is! 
   
   
           Thanks for stopping by!
   
                      Amber
   
   
   

Embellished Happy Birthday

Time for another Paper Pretties challenge. Today’s is a fun one… Embellish. Use anything you want to embellish your card.

I used Elegant Sentiments for my card which I messy cut. Went a little shabby chic by distressing the paper with inks and a distresser. Added some bling, a bow created using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker, some paper flowers and a hat pin.

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC280.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.


      Thanks for stopping by!

                 Amber

Craft-Dee BowZ Oct. Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to Craft-Dee BowZ Blog Hop! Since it is October, the theme is Halloween.

I pulled out some misc. stamps (that I have set aside for the kiddies to use) to use for my cards. Yes, I said cards. I made two for the blog hop only because the first one I am going to show you, I didn’t think would be “enough” for the “boss” lady. *wink*

I made a double loop bow using of course the Craft-Dee BowZ maker and simply stamped the “sentiment” down at the bottom. Well really I decided to emboss the “sentiment”. How cute is that?



Now do you see why I thought I had better make another card for the hop?

For my second card, I embossed the image (hey, I had the black embossing powder still sitting out, might as well put it to good use!) and then colored in a little with some copics. Cut the sentiment out with Spellbinders circles and popped it up. Used an icicle border punch for my “gooey” border. Added a triple loop bow using some wire ribbon (one of my favorites to use on the bow maker) and of course the Craft-Dee BowZ maker. And dug up my discontinued Halloween design papers for the card.



Before you head over to Brenda’s blog, I want to let you know that Craft-Dee BowZ is having a Design Team call for 2014. You can find all the details about it here if you are interested in trying out for it.

Now for the blog hop… here is the rotation incase you get lost. Don’t forget to leave a comment at each blog to be in the running to win your very own Craft-Dee BowZ maker. Winner will be announced on the Craft-Dee BowZ blog on Sat.

Amber <----- you are here

Brenda

Patti

Barbara

Craft-Dee BowZ (to leave one last comment)

Exciting news

Hello all. Yes, I’m still alive and well. (I know, first post for this week for me!) Just got busy this past week but I’m here today with some exciting news. Well at least I hope you will find it exciting. 

I am now a member of the Wags ‘n Whiskers DT! And today starts a new challenge. Since it is October (already?!! where is the year going?) the theme is PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness.

I used Purrfect Day digi image. Colored it with copics and cut it out using some deckle scissors. Added all shades of pink in coloring and in papers and in bows made using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker.

So head on over to Wags ‘n Whiskers and show us your pink cards! As one lucky participant will win a free Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber stamp! More details at Wags ‘n Whiskers blog.

        Thanks for stopping by!

                       Amber

Happy Fall, Y’All

Well it’s time for my blog post over at Craft-Dee BowZ so I thought I would share it here too.  We were given Fall color ribbon and a Woodland Branch die cut to use.

I used Stampin’ UPs’ bird die cut that I still have laying around and cut a bunch of branches for it to sit on. Popped up the bird and the Spellbinder circle with pop dots. Added the ribbon on the side which I used the Craft-Dee BowZ maker to make them.

Next month is our Blog Hop which you will want to come comment on (only 4 DT’s!) so that you can be in the running for your very own Craft-Dee BowZ maker!

        Thanks for stopping by!

                     Amber

How Beautiful a day can be

It’s my turn to post over at Craft-Dee BowZ so I thought I would share it here too. Each month we are given a theme and some goodies and this month's theme was a sketch we were all given.

Using two different ribbons, I made two different bows, adding tails only to the red bow. Layered the red bow on top of the striped loop bow.

I stuck with a red/white/black theme for my card, scoring the white papers to give it an embossed look. Adding a sentiment from Paper Pretties and a decorative bottle cap to finish off my card.

         Thanks for stopping by!

                    Amber

One Smart Cookie (Blog hop)

Welcome to the Craft-Dee BowZ blog hop! Hopefully you just came from Patty’s blog. The theme of the blog hop is Back To School. Which is all to soon here as my kids start back next Thursday! So what better theme to get me started on my little gifts that we give the teachers at Open House!

For my project, I decided not to do a card but a tag. How boring you say? Well just keep reading!

But first I needed decorate a lid with design paper and layered it with cardstock. I went with a black and white theme as that is our school colors.


Made up my tag by using different fonts and designing the wording on the computer. Cut it out and layered it with Spellbinders.



And then added the final touch…. a BOW using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker of course.

I used my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe that I found at Apple a Day. (My kids loved this project since they got the leftover cookies!) Layered the cookies in a jar, added the bow, the tag and the lid and this is what I now have for one of the kids to give their teacher at Open House.

Now hop on over to Brenda’s blog to see what she has created. Below is the entire DT list incase you get lost! Don’t forget to leave a comment on each blog and on at Craft-Dee BowZ for a chance to win your very own Craft-Dee BowZ maker!

Patty
Amber <– you are here
Brenda
Vicki <- guest designer
Barbara
Craft-Dee BowZ (to leave one last comment)

Before you go…. This past weekend was Stampaway in Cincinnati, Ohio. Craft-Dee BowZ had a booth and I finally got to met Donna and Barbara! So I thought I would share a few pictures that we managed to snap during the busy day.


Donna and I. (photo credit goes to her husband who was also the cashier)


Barbara demoing the Craft-Dee BowZ maker and of course not knowing I was taking a picture! :) The Boss standing behind her making sure she is doing it right. ;)

It was great to met you gals in person! Can’t wait till the next time!

 

        Thanks for stopping by!

                      Amber

The beach

Today I’m bringing to you a project made using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker along with our theme for this month and some extra goodies from USArtQuest. Our theme this month was the colors blue and tan along with a beach theme. The goodies from USArtQuest included Mica Flakes, Prills, Dicrofibers and Perfect Paper Adhesive. Time to put on the thinking cap!

I decided to make a card as we have never been to the beach so no pictures for a scrapbook page. But I do have beach theme stamps! I pulled out a beach theme saying from Just For Fun Rubber Stamps. Using some burlap ribbon, I made my bow with the Craft-Dee BowZ maker as you can see the close up below.

Time to pull out the "Cottage Garden" Dicofibers and have some fun. "These fine, luminescent fiber threads are both light reflective and light refractive. When pressed between parchment paper with a medium-hot iron they produce a brilliant, flexible fiber sheet that can be used like paper or fabric." (taken from the USArtQuest site)

I used two different colors, lilac and periwinkle, fusing them into fiber sheets. I then ran them through the cuttlebug using a flower die that cut three different sizes. Using the Perfect Paper Adhesive, I attached the Prills to the middle of each flower. Also used the PPA to attach my flowers.

Look closely to the picture above... do you see the gold edging? That is the Mica Flakes. I again used the PPA to attach the flakes to the outer edge of my oval.

Now that you have seen all the snippets of the card..... are you ready to see the finished product? Here you go!  Look how well the Mica Flakes and the Dicofiber/Prill flowers set off the card.

        
            Thanks for stopping by!

                        Amber

Birthday Wishes

This week’s Paper Pretties challenge is to use a Sentiment as the focal point of your project.

I used the set Cursive Greetings II for my card. Used the cuttlebug and some Spellbinder dies. Made my bow using the Craft-Dee BowZ maker.

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC267.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.


        Thanks for stopping by!

                        Amber