Techno Stamper

Soft and pretty birthday and Short and Sweet!

2012-01-25T20:49:00.002-05:00

Here is a fun card that we did at my last all occasions class. It is using the new SAB set Fresh Vintage. Remember you choose this for free with a $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Fresh Vintage (SAB)
Paper: Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanila and Beau Chateau DP
Ink: Sot Suede
Other: Pleated satin ribbon, word window punch, modern label punch, Designer Frames embossing folder

Have a fabulous rest of the week!
Mary Jo

Old meets new!

2012-01-24T16:46:00.000-05:00

I really love to combine older stamps with the newer ones. This is a fun and quick wedding card. I love these colors together. So pretty!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Tiny Tags, Outlined Occasions (SAB)
Paper: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Confetti White
Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo
Other: jewelry tag punch, brad, ribbon, Tasteful Trim Die, markers, rhinestones

I hope your week is off to a good start!
See ya soon and thanks for stopping by.
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 205 (TSSC205)

2012-01-22T21:35:00.001-05:00

Here we are on week 205 of my sketch challenges. Hope you play along. I actually had a bit of a hard time with it but I am sure you will NOT! After you make your sample be sure to come on back and add it to the blog hop at the end of the post. If you add the code to your blog it will also allow your readers to play along right from your blog! Here is the sketch...

And my sample. I didn't want a square card so I changed it up a bit.

I am not sure how much I like this card, but I really love the colors. This is using a stamp set and a paper pack that will be available for free during Salebration!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage
Paper: Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Everyday Enchantment dp, whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, Poppy Parade
Other: markers, hearts border punch, scallop square punch, ribbon, rub on sentiment

Can't wait to see what you come up with for this sketch....

Thanks for visiting today.

Top three for sketch 204!

2012-01-22T21:35:00.000-05:00

Seems like a long time since I did this. I really enjoyed last weeks sketch and the samples that were made. Here are my favorite three...please consider clicking on each image--it will take you to the original post on the creator's blog where you can leave a comment or get more details.

Fun cards RIGHT?

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

UGG--I missed your birthday!

2012-01-19T08:52:00.000-05:00

The latenightstamper's challenge for this week is shaped cards. So I decided to make a card that represents the biggest craze around me. UGG Boots! Around my area EVERYONE (and believe me I mean EVERYONE) wears winter boots called UGGS. My son says there is only about three girls in his whole school who don't own them, and most own a few pairs (crazy at the price of them). So now that you know the background for my card here is my sample--an UGG--I missed your birthday card!

This was such a fun and quick card. Here is the inside saying...

Isn't that fun! This is the style I would get if I ever got them--I would rather spend that kind of money on stamps though! Call me crazy but that is a LOT of stamps!

Thanks for stopping by today. I have more Apothecary Art samples to share with you tomorrow!
Mary Jo

Same but different!

2012-01-18T16:46:00.002-05:00

I am loving this new stamp set Apothecary Art. It is really easy to work with especially if you have the matching die set. I am enjoying the smaller size image mixed with the butterfly embosslit. I think it is really pretty, don't you? Here are two sample cards with it. The first one also uses today's sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers! Been ages since I hopped on over there to see what was going on. Fun sketch.

As you can probably tell I unfortunately am in need of some sympathy cards. I really love both of these color combos and think the butterflies are great with that framed image.

Card 1
Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, Apothecary Art
Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla Everyday Enchantment DP, Poppy Parade dp for butterfly
Ink: Soft Suede, Poppy Parade
Other: framelits Labels collection, Adorning Accents embossing folder, markers, sponges, pearls, butterfly embosslit

Card 2
Stamps: Apothecary Art
Paper: Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist
Other: markers, butterfly embosslit, embossing folder, framelits Labels collection, ribbon, brad

Happy Hump Day! My favorite day of the week--next to Sunday.
Mary Jo

Mixed Bunch

2012-01-17T18:59:00.000-05:00

I have a couple cards to share with you using this brand new set from the Occasions mini. It also has a matching punch which is what sold me on the set to begin with. I love how different they look.

The first one is a clean and simple sample while the second one is a more vintage looking card. I love them both.

The first one is using the following supplies
Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Very Vanilla and Spice Cake dp
Ink: More Mustard, Soft Suede, Pool Party
Other: Blossom punch, circle punch, brad

The second card is using the following supplies:
Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Hard to Say
Paper: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment DP
Ink: pool Party, Soft Suede
Other: Blossom Punch, Circle Punch, sponges, Labels Framelits, embossing folder, Everyday Enchantment ribbon and brad pack

See ya tomorrow with a couple cards using the new Apothecary stamp set! So pretty.
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 206 (TSSC206)

2012-01-15T21:53:00.003-05:00

Yea, we are finally back on track! I am so happy. I hope you are able to participate this week. I am excited about the new year of sketches. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Remember all of the sketch challenges are also blog hops. That means if you add the code to your blog while in edit HTML mode your readers can participate right from you blog! And you can just hop from one blog to the next to view all the samples. Hope you will consider adding the code to your sample post. Here we go with the first sketch challenge for 2012.....

And my sample....

I so love these colors together--so relaxing feeling don't you think.

Supplies
Stamps: Messages for Mom , Simply Soft
Paper: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pear Pizazz and Pool Party, Very Vanilla and Spice Cake dp
Ink: Basic Black, Pool Party
Other: markers, pool party ribbon, brad, sponges

Can't wait to see your sample--don't forget to post a DIRECT link to you sample and not just a link to the home page of your blog. Thanks and happy stamping!

Mary Jo

Last two from Valentine's Class

2012-01-14T16:40:00.001-05:00

Both of these cards have something retired on them mixed with some of the brand new stuff from the Occasions Mini! The designer paper on the first card and the Dude stamp on the second are both retired. Love the card anyway! First one will be for my Mom and second one is for my son!

Card 1 Supplies:
Stamps: Messages for Mom
Paper: Soft Suede, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, Heart punch, Heart framelits, Edgelite Dies and embossing folder

Card 2 Supplies : retired Dude stamp, PS I Love You, misc sentiments
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Soft Suede
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Other: markers, circle punch, hearts embossing folder, heart framelits, ribbon, white gel pen.

Have a great day!
Mary Jo

Two more Valentines

2012-01-13T19:07:00.000-05:00

It is always so fun to move on from Christmas cards. I love Christmas but I really get tired of seeing the cards after awhile, lol! Fun to move on to Valentines--Love it! Here are the next two cards in the Valentine series. Hope you enjoy!

Card 1 supplies
Stamps: I Love Jumbo Wheel, small heart stamps are from PS I Love You
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Well Worn DP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Other: Hearts Framelits, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit

Card 2 supplies
Stamps: Sweet Centers
Paper: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Other: markers, dots embossing folder, faux brads

TGIF with a three day weekend! Yippee!
Mary Jo

Well, the doctors were not aware of my plans....

2012-01-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

So I know that I said Iwas going to start my sketch challenges again on Monday but no one informed my doctors, lol! They have had me busy with lots of test and such--so I guess we will start the challenges back up on the 16th--Martin Luther King day. I am ready to go but want to give you guys the full week. I do have some cards to share with you today though. I had my all occasions class this month and the main focus was Valentines--so I have six Valentines to share with you. I will post them two at a time over the next three days. Here are your first two...

Both of these cards are using the new PS--I love you stamp set. I am so sad because when making these I lost the p.s. I love you stamp! I think either the dog or the cat may have gotten it. There is still a chance it may show up but I doubt it. I hope you enjoy these first two Valentines. The first one also fits the Latenightstamper's challenge for this week (yea, been a while) to use some type of fruit image on your project.

Card 1 Supplies
Stamps: PS I love you, retired You're sweet sentiment
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Other: markers, chocolate ribbon, hearts embossing folder, circle punches

Card 2 Supplies
Stamps: PS I love you
Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, DP
Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Other: hearts embossing folder, word window punch, heart punch, circle punch, corner punch

Happy Thursday!
Mary Jo

Part two of my favorites from 2011

2012-01-04T10:41:00.000-05:00

Remember if you click on the image you will be brought to the original post with the details. Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.

July

August

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

And finally December...

Happy today! I am off to the doctor to see why I have had chest pains for three months--think it is a combination of a strained muscle and heartburn--hopefully!

Sketch Challenges will begin again next Monday!

2012-01-02T12:35:00.002-05:00

For now I am going to share my favorite post from each month of last year. I will start with Jan-June. Funny how some months were so easy to choose and others were hard--my mojo was working on some month and not so much on others I guess, lol. If you click on any of the projects you will be taken to the original post and more details.

Janurary

Fabruary

March

April

May

June

That was fun, hope you enjoyed it too! Tomorrow we will do the last half of the year.

New mini starts soon!

2011-12-31T22:29:00.002-05:00

There are so many fabulous products in the new mini that starts on January 4th. Of course I already pre-ordered most of the stuff, just need to get back into the daily creating mode. I was able to make a couple of cards (late challenge cards) with one of the new sets called Send Me Soaring. A cute kite set--I really didn't think I wanted it but had some hostess benefits left and decided to give it a try. Funny that it is the first set I used out of all the new stuff. Here are the two cards...

Isn't fun how different they both look! The first one is also using a new embossing folder, new designer paper and a new edgelit die. One the second card I used the kites to create the patterned paper for the strips and then again to make the focal flower.

Supplies: Card 1,
Stamps: Send Me Soaring,
Paper: Lucky Limade, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Whisper White and a new designer paper that will be available for free during Salebration!,
Ink: Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Basic Black
Other: circle punch, oval punch, textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Edgelits die, markers

Supplies Card 2
Stamps: Send Me Soaring, thinking of you not sure what set, sorry
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Other: jumbo scallop circle punch, circle punch, brad, labels punch

Hope you are enjoying your New Year's celebrations! Here's to 2012! May it be a great year for all of us!
Mary Jo

Wow, what a nice break I had! I made my own digital stamps!

2011-12-29T18:37:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Ours was great, although with all the chaos we never even got a tree up. So on Christmas Eve we put up a Charlie Brown tree in an empty room that we have been doing some work in and that was our tree! Kind of fun actually. My son said it really don't matter about the tree mom--it's important that we are together and celebrating Jesus birthday! How heartwarming that was to hear! I am excited about the upcoming New Year! I know it will be better than this year. Too much sickness and death this year. Here's to a healthy , happy and prosperous 2012!

I have not stamped in weeks and had time today but couldn't even get motivated to do it. Even though I have lots and lots of brand new stamp sets. So I decided to try out my new Bamboo writing tablet and make a few of my own digital stamps. It is not so easy to draw on these. I will need to practice a lot but though I would share the first three images I drew and the cards I was then able to make with them. Nice and simple cards--hard to get back into the swing of things, lol.

I couldn't decide what I wanted to draw so I just started with a Santa! I tried to make him look like he was sorry about the gift he brought. Don't ask why, just thought it would be fun for my first try at drawing on this tablet. Here is the card with the image...

Then I asked my son what I should draw and he said a tiger so this is what I came up with. Pretty silly but kind of cute...

Then finally I decided to try a penquin how hard can that be--ha ha..

I think they are kind of cute especially since it was the first time ever to use a writing tablet and try to draw. I will make a few cards with them and who knows maybe I will get better. My problem is thinking of what to draw--any ideas??

All stamp images are drawn by me--all other supplies are Stampin Up!

Happy today!
It's good to be back!
Mary Jo

Unexpected Break from Blogging

2011-12-18T13:18:00.000-05:00

Sorry guys. I am so thankful to all of you who have sent e-mails to see if I am ok. Yes, I am--just a lot of family and other issues going on. I have spent a lot of time away from a computer due to these issues. I have decided that I will not be posting until after the new year. So my next post will be on New Year's day. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year! Enjoy your family and friends--you never know when you time will be up! Just saying.

Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 203 (TSSC203)

2011-12-05T07:27:00.001-05:00

One more day till root canal day! Not sure if that is good or bad. But it certainly should at the very least help me feel like stampin! Geez pain and stamping (or anything for that matter) don't mix well, lol! Oh well, on to the reason of the post.

Welcome to week number 203 of the sketch challenge. Hope you are inspired to play along this week. Here is the sketch....

And here is the funny thing. As I went to the folder to add the sketch just now, I realized I did the wrong sketch, lol! Go figure! Guess that proves my earlier point! So I will not be adding my sample now, unless you want to see next week's sketch early---naw, guess I will be updating later. What a nit wit I am some times, cracks me up!

Please remember when adding you link to the blog hop below that you should be adding a direct link to the card you are entering and not to you home page of you blog or gallery! Thanks, can't way to see what you (and I) come up with-HA!

Mary Jo (who is lost and confused)

Top three picks for sketch 202!

2011-12-05T07:12:00.001-05:00

Thanks for the great samples this week ladies. I loved each one. All so different yet equally beautiful! After a bit of extra thought I was able to narrow down three--

Please remember that these are just snippets of the full card and if you click on each it will take you to the original post and you will be able to see the whole card with all the details and you can even leave a kind comment for the creator!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 202 (TSSC202)

2011-11-27T22:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome to week number 202 of my sketch challenges. Hope you are ready to create this week. I have an easy and fun sketch for you! Come on and play along.

I have been making nothing but Christmas cards for weeks so I decided to make something different for this sketch.

This is one of those cards that looked a lot better in person. Ever notice that sometime when you take a picture of a card it shows stuff that you didn't see before, like poor coloring, lol! Oh well.

Hope you find time to play along this week! Remember to link up directly to your post and not your whole blog. Happy stampin!

Top three picks for sketch challenge 201!

2011-11-27T22:33:00.000-05:00

Well another week gone by--I hope that those of you in the states enjoyed your Thanksgiving! I know I did. I love Thanksgiving except for the fact that it means that Christmas is VERY near and as usual I have not even begun to shop! Go figure! Anyway, here are my top three picks for this week in no particular order....

Please remember that these are just snippets of the full card and if you click on each it will take you to the original post and you will be able to see the whole card with all the details and you can even leave a kind comment for the creator!

I hope you take a moment to check them out. Thanks to everyone who played along this week!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

Couple of challenges

2011-11-22T08:54:00.001-05:00

I have so many cards that I have not shared on here yet. But I need to post these two today so that I can link them up with the challenges they go for. Do you ever do that. Participate in a challenge and then by the time you post the card you missed the challenge?! I do it all the time. So here are two I am trying not to miss this time. The first is the Create with Connie and Mary sketch...

This is the first time I am using this dove--I just love it. So pretty.
Stamps: Comfort and Joy
Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black
Other: ribbon, snow burst embossing folder

Next up is the 411 sketch for this week...

Stamps: The sounding Joy, Scenic Season
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Other: ribbon, brad, embossing folder, markers, nestability die

Both of these cards also fit the Latenightstamper's challenge to make Christmas cards with non-traditional colors.

Happy Today!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 201 (TSSC201)

2011-11-21T07:12:00.001-05:00

Welcome to a new week of my sketch challenges. It feels like a brand new event now that we are past the 200 mark! I am so surprised that I have been doing this for 201 weeks now. That is really a long time, lol! Anyway, I hope you are inspired to play along this week. Here is the sketch...

And my sample which is as usual combined with the Latenightstamper's challenge for the new week--non-traditional Christmas! This is always one of my favorite challenges. I so love different colors for Christmas. Maybe it is because I make a few hundred cards each year and get tired of the same old think, lol! So here is my non-traditional card...

I'll tell you I have been using the heck out of this new Snow Burst Embossing Folder. So fun! I can't wait to see what you make with the sketch inspiration. Remember to come on back and add you link below--or better yet add the code to your own blog so your readers can play along right from your site!

Hope you have a great week!
Mary Jo

Top three for sketch 200!

2011-11-21T07:02:00.001-05:00

Oh my what beautiful cards last week! I really had a hard time(again)--wanted to put them all on here. There was not one that I didn't love! Thanks so much to all of you who played along! Funny that even with a bribe there was not 25 players, lol! I am going to send a prize to one random winner anyway--just not the choice of what!

Here are my final picks--after many change of hearts....

Please take a moment to click on each and view the entire sample. You will be taken to the creator's blog where you can leave them a comment telling them how wonderful their samples are!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

He was only one dollar!

2011-11-17T06:50:00.001-05:00

Isn't this little guy adorable. Every now and then I see a stamp somewhere that is just too cute. This was in a dollar bin somewhere and I thought he was adorable. And he even stamps well! You all know how some of those cheap stamps don't really work well--you get what you pay for, lol. He has been sitting in my drawer for a few years and has not seen any ink until I was browsing a store the other day and seen these darling sparkly hat stickers and know I had to make a card with them. So this entire card is created around the darling hat! His belly, neck and tail all have flock on them so they are soft and fuzzy! And his nose is done with a red glitter pen! So fun. Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day.

Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 200 (TSSC200)

2011-11-14T06:44:00.001-05:00

Can you imagine?! Two Hundred sketches, that is crazy and this is such a fun one. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with. We have been down a bit in participation but if we get 25 or more players (not counting my two) this week I will be giving away a

$25 Stampin Up! shopping spree

to one lucky RANDOM winner!

total including tax and shipping

can only be ordered from me vie e-mail

I will not contact the winner, you must contact me

Two ways to earn entries!

Play along with my sketch challenge this week and link up via the linky tool at the end of the post.
Encourage others to play along so we are able to get 25 participants this week (minimum). Spread the word and you will get a second entry for the prize! Email me with a link to where you helped spread the word and you will get a second entry!

And now onto the real reason of this post! The sketch challenge--welcome to my 200 sketch I hope you play along!

I am starting you off with two samples. I was having fun playing with this sketch and hope to use it again during the week. My first sample is combined with the new Latenightstaper's challenge for the week--Snow Fun--create a project that has anything to do with snow.

I love pink snow cards--not sure why. And since I was on a PINK kick thought I would continue it with this fun card using Button Buddies!

Now sure why I had such a hard time getting a good picture of this one. I am such a bold brights girl and I was so sad when they retired so many of the fun colors. This is certainly working for Bold and Bright though. Melon Mambo and Lucky Limeade! Fun!
They are both pretty self explanatory--I think, but if you have questions please do not hesitate to ask. I am skipping the ingredients list since the post is pretty long already.

Can't wait to see what you come up with for the sketch--remember to get others to play along too so we can have a lucky winner do a shopping spree!
Mary Jo

Top Three for Sketch 199!

2011-11-14T06:39:00.001-05:00

So many great cards again this week! Thanks to everyone who played along. I love all of them this week! Really I did. But I had to pick only three for the top three--obviously, lol. So here they are in no particular order.

Please take a moment to click on each and view the entire sample. You will be taken to the creator's blog where you can leave them a comment telling them how wonderful their samples are!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

One more in under the wire!

2011-11-13T18:39:00.000-05:00

Geez, I have had the ugliest stomach bug and it has really stripped me of my energy and my mojo! Till today! I finally had a second to create today and I had so much fun with this card. I used the new 411 sketch challenge and combined it with this week's Latenightstamper's challenge to Let it Shine. Bring on the Bling--you get the idea. So I began by coloring my rhinestones with a marker so they would be red. The rest evolved from there. Not really sure how much it looks like what I had in mind but I kind of like it any way. Different. And the sentiment seemed to fit perfect! Here is the sketch...

And my card.....

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Scenic Season, Contempo Christmas

Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, and scrap dp

Ink: Always Artichoke, Basic Black

Other: rhinestones, markers

Hope you had a great week--stay healthy--don't catch that stomach bug!

Trust me it is HORRIBLE!

Mary Jo

Latenightstampers in 411 style

2011-11-08T06:46:00.000-05:00

I actually made this card on Saturday, but you had to wait till today to see it. When I first looked at the sketch on the 411 blog I was a bit stumped but I really think the card turned out cute. We will be making this on Saturday at my first Christmas Card Class of the year. Hope they like it. It has some added bling on the flakes so it also fits the Latenightstamper's challenge on the week to Let It SHINE!

This is another retired snowman. Can't forget about the old guys, lol. The image is from the Snow Much Fun set. He fit perfect and I just think he is the cutest!

Stamps: Snow Much Fun, Petite Pairs
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze
Other: felt snowflakes, ribbon, rhinestone, word window punch, markers

Thanks so much for stopping by to view my creations today!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 199 (TSSC199)

2011-11-06T22:03:00.000-05:00

Wow, we are moving right along. I am so excited to see the samples for this sketch. I think it is a bit hard at first glance but after thinking about it a bit I came up with quite a few ideas. Here is the sketch...

I have my first Christmas card class next weekend so you will be seeing many Christmas cards in the next few weeks as I try to decide on designs. For this one I chose to go a with classic stamp set. This is retired but has always been one of my favorites! I love cards that show the true meaning of Christmas. Yes I make lots of cute cards and lots of fun Christmas cards but my favorites are the Christian ones and this one not only focuses on Jesus but it also focuses on love! How perfect is that for a Christmas card!? I also combined it with this week's Latenightstamper's challenge to Let It Shine--use glitter or bling on your samples. Hope you like it....

The colors look a bit off--of course that could have been me--I am a bit off tonight, lol!

Stamps: Miracle of Christmas

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Paisley Petals DP

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso (inside)

Other: ribbon, rhinestones, Modern Label Punch, Decorative Label Punch

Hope you find time to play along this week. If you do be sure to come back and leave a link below so we can all see!

Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful work with me and my readers each week!

Mary Jo

Top Three Picks for Challenge 198!

2011-11-06T22:00:00.000-05:00

What fun fun cards this week! I love when the sketch stretches us a bit. Usually the harder ones get less players but awesome cards! This is one of those time. With each entry I was like "now isn't that the cutest idea for this sketch!" Thanks so much for those of you who took the challenge. Here are my top three favorites of the week. Fabulous cards ladies.....

Don't you agree that those were fabulous samples. Remember that this is just a snipit of the full card--you need to click on the sample to be taking the designers blog and as long as you are there why not leave a nice comment for them.

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 198 (TSSC198)

2011-10-31T09:00:00.000-04:00

Here we go again. Happy Halloween to you all. We did a trunk or treat at our church this year so I thought I would share our picture for that--it was so fun...

We had so much fun--even though it was FREEZING out!
Hope you have a fun and safe Halloween.

Now to get the the real point of this post--this week's sketch challenge! Here is the sketch...

And my sample...

Hope you can play along this week. Be sure to add your sample below on the linky blog hop. If you wish to add the code to your blog others can play right from your page!

Have a great week!Mary Jo

Top Three for sketch challenge 197

2011-10-31T06:18:00.003-04:00

Wow, lots of fabulous Christmas cards this week. This really was a great sketch for Christmas. Here are my favorites for the week......

Hard choice this week they really were ALL fabulous.

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

More Leftovers

2011-10-26T19:52:00.000-04:00

Still working on left over pieces from class. Here is the original card.

And my leftovers... one is quite really close...

Which is your favorite? I think I like the original best.

Hope your week is going well, think I have a bit of a bug--been feeling pretty yucky for two days now.

Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 197

2011-10-24T07:34:00.000-04:00

I am finding it hard to believe I am coming up on 200 weeks of posting these sketches! That is just crazy. But it really is so fun. I hope you enjoy them too. I also hope you will chose to play along this week. I love the sketch and think it is going to have so stunning samples. Here is the sketch...

And here is my sample...

As usual my sample is also using the Latenightstampers challenge for the week. This week we are making cards, decor, scrapbook pages anything that has leaves or trees on it! I have made this card to match with the little box I made a few posts ago and will be posting some more parts to go along with it next week since it will fit the Latenightstampers challenge for next week. I will end the posts with a group shot of all of the pieces. Here is the box in case you missed it .. BOX for table favors.

I used my favorite stamps set right now, Gently Falling and the Beautiful Spice Cake Designer Papers. The colors are Soft Suede, More Mustard and Pool Party! I also used an embossing folder for the top section. Hope you like the sketch and find time to play along. Be sure to add you link to the list below and if you want to add the code to your blog all of the sample will show on your blog and your readers can play along right from you blog!

Happy Monday--hope you have a great week!
Mary Jo

Top three picks for sketch 196

2011-10-24T07:21:00.003-04:00

Fun cards this week! I changed my mind on the top three a few times. But here they are...

Be sure to click on each image to see the full card and visit the creator's blog. While there it would be so nice if you left them a nice comment!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

Leftovers anyone?

2011-10-21T08:57:00.000-04:00

For those of you who know me you know I HATE to make the same card more than once. It actually take less time for me to create a brand new design than to re-make a card I already made! So weird. So I have a bunch of left overs from my last all occasions class and thought I would just play around and use the pieces for different cards--I do this a lot. Here is the original card that I was using the pieces from....

And here are the three cards I made from stuff sitting around me on my table and the pieces from this card...The second card uses the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary.

Now this I find fun! Not just re-making them over and over! Which do you like best? I am not sure myself--keep changing my mind.

Happy Friday!
Mary Jo

411 and Latenightstamper's combo!

2011-10-18T07:18:00.000-04:00

For today's card I combined the 411 sketch challenge with the Latenightstamper's 1-2-3 challenge. The one, two, three challenge is to create a card with one stamp set, two embellishments and three colors! (neutrals don't count unless they are one of your three colors)

As you see I used that favorite color combo again, I really find this combo so soothing. The ribbon is colored with my stamp pad and the flower is cut from the designer paper.

Here is the 411 sketch...

Supplies used on card:

Stamps: All Holidays

Paper: Early Espresso, Pool Party, More Mustard, dp

Ink: Early Espresso, Pool Party

Other: ribbon, brad

Happy today!

Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 196 (TSSC196)

2011-10-16T22:32:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a brand new week and a brand new sketch! I hope you find time during your busy week to play along. I really like the sketch this week. Although I am not sure how much I like my samples, lol. I combined my cards with the Latenightstamper's challenge for the week which we are calling the 1-2-3 challenge. Use one stamp set, two embellishments and three colors (neutrals don't count unless they are one of the chosen colors).

So here is this week's sketch.....

And here are my two samples...

The first card uses the following:
Stamps: Warmest of Wishes
Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Grey along with Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Other: ribbon, button, owl punch

The second card uses the following:
Stamps Warmest of Wishes
Paper Always Artichoke, Pumpkin pie, More Mustard along with Whisper White
Ink Always Artichoke, Pumpkin Pie,
Other ribbon colored with markers, scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, embossing folder, button.

I hope you enjoy-and please consider playing along! If you do find time to play along don't forget to come back and link up below. And if you add the code to your blog your readers can play along too right from your blog--it's a blog hop!

Thanks for visiting,
Mary Jo

Top Three Picks for Sketch Challege 195

2011-10-16T22:24:00.000-04:00

What a rainy and cold day we have here in Buffalo--and the Bills lost too so that makes it even worse, lol! Anyway, I want to thank everyone who played along with my sketch challenge last week! There were some fabulous samples--be sure to check them out if you have not already! Below you will find snippets of my top three picks for the week. Be sure to click on each image to see the full card and visit the creator's blog. While there it would be so nice if you left them a nice comment!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

Wouldn't this look cute on your Thanksgiving table?

2011-10-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

Isn't this just the cutest little box. I can't believe I held off so long before buying the Box #2 die! What a fun and easy box. Can't wait to try out all the other ideas I have had for it. But this one is just a simple one. Thought it would be really cute on the Thanksgiving table filled with chocolates or mints? What do you think?

I know it is weird to use Pool Party with leaves but it is so pretty! I think this is such a soothing color combo! May be my favorite at the moment--we all know how long my attention span is though I am sure I will be on to something else before you know it, lol!

Stamps: Gently Falling
Paper: More Mustard, Whisper White, Spice Cake DP
Other: brad, in color ribbon. marker, Box #2 Sizzix Die

Mary Jo

Another card for the Latenightstamper's color challenge this week!!

2011-10-12T06:30:00.000-04:00

That's right still using the same color combo--River Rock, Night of Navy and Cajun Craze!

I worked in another masculine card with it too--seems like good masculine colors. I am so happy that this stamp set did not retire after the last mini--you do know that don't you--you can still buy it if you don't own it! I love it. And notice it is another card that will need no extra postage!

Stamps: Open Sea
Paper: Night of Navy, River Rock, Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy, Cajun Craze
Other: marker, owl punch for the circles (used the eyes)

Happy Hump Day!
Mary Jo

Playing with my friends Connie and Mary

2011-10-11T06:12:00.000-04:00

I have been so busy with regular life stuff lately that I have not been doing anywhere near the amount of challenges I used to. So I am always glad to play along with my friends when I can. And of course it is a sketch challenge which is my favorite!

Create with Connie and Mary

Isn't this a fun sketch?! I have been trying to stick with standard size cards lately since I am making them for customers who don't want to pay the extra postage for square or over bulky cards so that of course adds to the challenge. Here is my sample....

I think it is one of the first times I have used this beautiful bird and actually liked the way it turned out. Not sure what I usually don't like about it--may have to look back and see. But I am happy with this one. And no extra postage!

Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Chocolate Chip
Other: Lace Ribbon Border punch, chocolate chip marker, silver brad, ribbon.

Happy today!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 195 (TSSC195)

2011-10-09T22:36:00.000-04:00

Hello all you fabulous people! I am so glad you stopped by today and I hope you will play along with my sketch challenge this week! We are on week number 195 and I have a really easy yet fun sketch for you. Here it is....

I needed a few masculine cards so I thought I would use this sketch with the new Latenightstampers challenge for the week--which is a color challenge (night of navy, river rock, cajun craze). So this is what I came up with.

I couldn't get that button to work so I left it off! That is the fun of creating--there is never a right or wrong it is all what YOU like or feel works.

Stamps:Totally Tool
Paper: Cajun Craze, Night of Navy, River Rock, Whisper White, Well Worn DP
Ink: Basic Black
Other: brads, markers, square lattice embossing folder

Can't wait to see what you come up with. I may use this a few more times this week--if I find time, it is so nice outside the last few days! If you do find time to play along don't forget to come back and link up below. And if you add the code to your blog your readers can play along too right from your blog--it's a blog hop!

Thanks for visiting,
Mary Jo

Top Three for sketch 194!

2011-10-09T22:20:00.002-04:00

I hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend. I know that everyone does not get the holiday off but still--my son does and that makes me happy!

Here are my top three picks for last week's sketch... remember all of the winning samples are just small snippets of the full card and you need to click on the picture to see the full card. That will bring you to the creator's blog where you can leave comment for them.

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

No tricks just treats!

2011-10-06T20:11:00.000-04:00

I am not really a big Halloween person. And as I was looking for some current stamps to make some samples for the Latenightstamper's challenge this week I realized I have NONE! Not one current Halloween stamp set! Go figure, lol! So I had to make do with what I had. This is the best I could come up with in half an hour with no Halloween stamps! The good news is that they are both really simple and I would be able to make a bunch of either really fast for my son's class. That is the only Halloween stuff I make. Which do you like better?

Boo to You--used the owl punch for the ghost and the top note for the topper base

This one just uses strips of paper that are sponged.

I am so excited that tomorrow is Friday--except for that I have a funeral at church. A sweet lady--who was ready to go but it is still sad. I run the funeral luncheons so I will be doing that in the early afternoon, but then on to the long weekend! Yippee!

Mary Jo

God Bless You!

2011-10-05T19:58:00.000-04:00

I just love this stamp set. So pretty and the font on the sentiments is beautiful. I finally had a few minutes to make a card for my sketch challenge this week! I thought I would keep it simple -- not too overdone so it could be used for either a male or female. Also I have four customers I have to make cards for four different customers that don't like the super bulky type--don't want to pay extra postage--not that I blame them! So you will be sing quite a few of those times in the near future. Anyway on to the card--again, it is for my sketch challenge for this week which you can view and play along with by clicking HERE!

Stamps: Crosses of Hope
Paper: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Pool Party DP
Ink: Soft Suede
Other : Soft Suede ribbon, silver brad, rhinestone, embossing folder

Hope you are having a wonderful week!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch challenge 194 (TSSC194)

2011-10-03T06:40:00.000-04:00

Here we go again, for the 194th week in a row, lol! Today's sketch challenge is a great one and I can't wait to see your samples. Unfortunately I was away all weekend at a fabulous woman's retreat with the ladies from my church and I was totally focused on them and God and didn't think of you guys at all, sorry just being honest! (I do love you all though--it was just ONE weekend) So I will edit this post to show my sample later when I get it done, lol! At least you can begin to work on your sample--if you are not mad at me for this weekend (smile).

So anyway, here is this week's sketch....

Remember to add your sample to the linky below--(which I heard was being a bit temperamental again last week--sorry) and if you add the code you will get all the samples on your blog and others can join right from your blog. Thanks for playing along week to week! I really appreciate it.

Mary Jo

Top Three Picks for sketch 193

2011-10-03T06:31:00.002-04:00

Running a bit behind again. Had a fabulous weekend away with the ladies from our church. We had our first annual weekend Woman's retreat. So fun and uplifting.

Here are my top three picks for last week's sketch... remember you can view the whole card by clicking on the clippings below.

Remember all of the winning samples are just small snippets of the full card and you need to click on the picture to see the full card. That will bring you to the creator's blog where you can leave comment for them.

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

I just love fall colors!

2011-09-29T09:00:00.003-04:00

This is the color combo of the season. I am loving it aren't you? The layout for this card is from this week's 411 sketch challenge. I changed it a bit to not be a square but otherwise pretty much the same. It also fits our Latenightstamper's challenge to create fall themed cards!

Stamps: Gently Falling,
Paper: More Mustard, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: More Mustard, Pool Party, Early Espresso
Other: ribbon, twine, nestabilities die

Love the white showing, don't see enough of that on my cards, lol! Hope you have a fabulous day! I am counting down to our Woman's retreat this weekend! Can't wait!
Mary Jo

Falling for my sketch challenge!

2011-09-27T20:24:00.000-04:00

One more card for both my sketch challenge this week and also the Latenightstampers challenge to create a card with a Fall theme. Kept it pretty simple.

Stamps: Gently Falling, Perfect Words
Paper: Early Espresso, Well Worn DP, River Rock, Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Cajun Craze
Other: brad, ribbon, markers, Modern Label punch

Come on and play along. You can view the original post with the sketch HERE

Happy Tuesday!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 193 (TSSC193)

2011-09-26T06:41:00.000-04:00

Time for a new sketch! This one was pretty fun. I hope you find time to play along. Be sure to link up. ( I heard that many were having issues with the link tool last week? If you do just let me know and I will help you out.) Here is this week's sketch...

And then here is my sample....

Hope you find time to play along this week. Can't wait to see your creations. Be sure to add you sample to the link below. Remember you can add the code to your blog while in the edit HTML mode and the hop will show up on your blog too! Then your friends can play along right from your blog!
Mary Jo

Top three for sketch 192!

2011-09-26T06:24:00.002-04:00

Not too many entries last week? But the ones that were added were great! I actually had a hard time picking my three top picks! But here they are.....

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

Not my normal style!

2011-09-22T09:33:00.003-04:00

So this card was just a bit out of my comfort zone. Not really sure if I like it or not??? What do you think?


The inside--I know I don't show this often but I almost like the inside more than the outside, lol! Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes,Elements of Style, Occasional Quotes Paper: Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Blue Chateau dp Ink: Soft Suede, Other: embossing folder, butterfly die, pearls, sponge daubers What do you think? Yea or Nah? Happy Thursday Mary Jo

Another baby card.

2011-09-20T20:24:00.000-04:00

I am still working with the baby cards. Thought this one was a fun one. I am loving this button buddies stamp set--well this is the only image I have used so far but I love it and know I will love the rest too! This is another sample for the Latenightstamper's challenge this week!

Stamps: Button Buddies
Paper: Daffidol Delight, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, Whisper White Big Top Birthday DP
Ink: Lucky Limeade
Other: markers, sizzix alpa die set, button, ribbon, circle punch,

Short and sweet post today!
Have a great day!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 192 (TSSC192)

2011-09-19T07:23:00.000-04:00

Here we go again. Welcome to another week of my sketch challenge. We are on week number 192! I hope you are inspired to play along! Here is this week's sketch....

And my sample. I think it looks much better in real life. Could not get the colors to look right in the photo? They match much better in real life, lol!

Stamps: Every Little Bit,It's a wrap holidays, Curvy Verses
Paper: Marina Mist, Pear Pizazz, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: ribbon, brads, markers, simply scored board, dots embossing folder, scallop edge border punch.

I combined this withe the Latenightstampers challenge for the week--baby theme!

Hope you find time to play along this week. Can't wait to see your creations. Be sure to add you sample to the link below. Remember you can add the code to your blog while in the edit HTML mode and the hop will show up on your blog too! Then your friends can play along right from your blog!
Mary Jo

Top Three Picks for sketch 191!

2011-09-19T07:11:00.001-04:00

Some really beautiful cards this week. Lots of Christmas inspiration too! Thanks so much to all of you who played along. Here are my top three picks for this week--in no particular order.

Remember all of the winning samples are just small snippets of the full card and you need to click on the picture to see the full card. That will bring you to the creator's blog where you can leave comment for them.

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

Another "IN" card!

2011-09-17T21:13:00.003-04:00

In colors that is. This week's challenge on Latenightstampers is to make projects with the in colors. You can use either of the color families. I love all the in colors so this is a really easy challenge for me. I used my Field Flowers stamp set again.

Stamps: Field Flowers
Paper: Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, In color dp pack
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush
Other: houndstooth embossing folder, butterfly embosslet

Hope you are having a great weekend! I got a lot done so far and it is only Saturday! Yippee, it has been a while since I was able to say that. Feels good.

Mary Jo

Latenightstampers are "in"!

2011-09-15T06:53:00.000-04:00

This week on Latenightstampers we are focusing our projects on the new in color families. I have a really simple yet pretty card to share with you today. It uses two new in colors--Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral.

I love these colors together, so pretty.

Stamps: Field Flowers

Paper: Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade

Other: hounds tooth embossing folder, rhinestones

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 191! (TSSC191)

2011-09-12T06:57:00.000-04:00

Here we go again. Another week of fun with my weekly sketch challenge. I am really loving this sketch, hope you do too. Here it is....

I needed a baby card for two reasons, my nephew and his beautiful wife just had their fist baby and she is the CUTEST evah! And then I had a challenge to create a baby card on another group. So I made two of this one. I love the bright colors. And this is the first time I am using the Button Buddy set--how fun.

don't you think it turned out just adorable! I love the colors.

Stamps: Button Budies, retired Congrats
Paper: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White and the dp from the hostess section.
Ink: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade
Other: dot embossing folder, button non stampin up, nestabilities die, word window punch, ribbon markers.

Hope you find time to play along this week. Can't wait to see your creations. Be sure to add you sample to the link below. Remember you can add the code to your blog while in the edit HTML mode and the hop will show up on your blog too! Then your friends can play along right from your blog!

Top three picks for sketch challlenge 190 and 189!

2011-09-12T06:36:00.000-04:00

Well just when you think you can catch up something else happens. Now my sister who lives in Texas just had a stroke. I am so sad especially since I can not just go visit her while she is recovering. I really wish she wasn't so far away. It make you feel useless when there are emergencies. We would really appreciate if you would pray for her speedy recovery. So scary.

So as I said, I am still behind. I am picking my top three for both the current sketch 190 and then also for last week sketch 189, I couldn't get the links to work last week and then just never got back to it. Sorry guys.

Remember all of the winning samples are just small snippets of the full card and you need to click on the picture to see the full card. That will bring you to the creator's blog where you can leave comment for them.

Here are the top three for sketch 190 in no particular order...

And the top three picks from sketch 189..

Wow how awesome were those six samples!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

Be right back with the new sketch!

Mary Jo

“Hopping Just for the Fun of it”

2011-09-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

Thank you for hopping today with us, “Hopping Just for the Fun of it”. Today’s theme is ALL HOLIDAYS! My absolute favorite holiday is Christmas! I mean what's not to love about Christmas? The day our Lord is Born, Friends, Family, presents need I say more! And of course Christmas is filled with lots of memory making and we all want to finds ways to remember so I have created a flip out scrapbook just for that purpose. This is created with the brand new Simply Scrapping Kit from the Holiday Mini. It is called Christmas Lane. I hope you enjoy my samples! Be sure to check at the bottom of this post for the links to the blogs that are before and after me. You won't want to miss any of the wonderful creations.

Here is my project for you. I will have a tutorial up at the beginning of next week so be sure to watch for it. Thanks again for hopping with us.

I'd love to hear what you think of my mini book? And after you leave a comment be sure to check out the rest of the hop. You can get to the blog before and after my by clicking the links below!

Happy Hopping! Mary Jo

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Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 190 (TSSC190)

2011-09-05T10:28:00.000-04:00

Well I be dipped! That is what my mom used to say when she wanted to swear! I can not get my linky tools to work, can't comment, can't view --hopefully that will be fixed soon. I am so far behind again. We said goodbye to a dear friend on Saturday--more of a see ya later as she has gone home to Jesus and we WILL see her again someday. But still such a sad sad week.

I hope that everyone has a fabulous Labor day today. If you have a job be thankful and enjoy your time off. If you are looking for work, I pray that things will turn around for you and that you find the job that is right for you. But in any case--I hope you enjoy your day.

So with the problems with linky tools I was not able to get the top three posted, will try again later. But I can post the new sketch! Not sure I can get the link working at the end but at least you get get a jump on creating. Be sure to come back and link up when the links are working.

Here is this weeks sketch...

And my sample....

Not a color combo I would normally use but I like it. How about you? Lucky Limeade, Rose Red, Bashful Blue and Whisper White.

Stamps: My Friend
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Rose Red, Bashful Blue and Whisper White. and DP I can not remember what pack
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Rose Red
Other: roses, butterfly embosslit, scallop border punch, Square Lattice embossing folder.

Hope your day is filled with fun, relaxation and lots of stamping!
Mary Jo

Ladies and Gentlemen

2011-09-01T07:14:00.001-04:00

I participated in a challenge on VC-Rocks to create a feminine and a masculine card with the same set. So to make it even harder I chose the new Need for Speed set since that one seems like such a masculine set so I thought it would be fun to make a girly card with it. I actually won second place with the samples. What do you think of them?

First up the masculine card...

And now the feminine card....

I figure us women like HOT card too! Especially in pink, lol! It was such a fun challenge. Here are the details of what was used on each card.

Masculine:
Stamps: Need for Speed, Bring on the Cake
Paper: Cajun Craze, River Rock, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White and Well Worn DP
Ink: Basic Black, Cajun Craze
Other: brads, markers, word window punch

Feminine:
Stamps: Need for Speed, Tiny Tags, Bring on the Cake
Paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red
Other: markers, ribbon, tiny tag punch, word window punch, Modern Label punch, rose

So would you have made a feminine card with this set? Do you think it works. I created the street and sidewalk part by hand as my husband didn't like the last card I made with this set because the card seem to look "weird with out something under it". So now he is happy--kinda-he didn't like the pink, lol. Go figure!

Hope you are having a great day, I am just spending the last few days with my son before school starts on Tuesday. So sad that summer is over already.
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 189! (TSSC189)

2011-08-29T07:44:00.000-04:00

Welcome to a new week of my Monday Lunchtime sketches. I am loving this week's sketch. Hope you do too! Here it is...

Of course the heart can be any shape but I chose to leave it as is and thought I would make a wedding card. But alas......I don't have any current wedding stamps. What's a girl to do?? I know use a Christmas stamp--huh! Do you think it works??? I combined it with our Latenightstampers challenge for the week which is to use torn paper on your sample. Remember when that was all the rage--I still love it. Do you still use it? Anyway, here is my wedding sample using a Christmas stamp.....

Stamps: Bells and Boughs, congrats, tiny tags
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, Whisper White and Blue Chateau DP
Ink: Basic Black, Soft Suede
Other: heart punch, heart embosslit, embossing folder, ribbon, markers

So does it work or not? Each time I look at it I have a different opinion. (imagine that!).
Hope you find time to play along. If you do be sure to add you sample to the link below. Remember you can add the code to your blog while in the edit HTML mode and the hop will show up on your blog too! Then your friends can play along right from your blog!

Mary Jo

Top three picks for sketch challlenge 188!

2011-08-29T07:32:00.000-04:00

How fun was last week's sketch. Sorry it took me almost the whole week to get my sample made. Hope everyone is ok with all this crazy weather going on. If you are stuck home and have electricity you might as well stamp, right?! Here are my top three picks from last week's sketch in no particular order......

Lovin the butterflies and of course, Mary is really rockin those ballons! She may make me buy that set yet, lol!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

Finally home!

2011-08-27T19:03:00.000-04:00

I am home--well actually I have been home for a few days but been crazy busy. And unfortunately I had another friend pass away this week. So sad, so young! She will be horribly missed by her two daughters, and loving husband, not to mention all of her friends and family. I pray the family finds some peace during this difficult time.

I finally have a sample for my sketch challenge for this week. I know it is almost over and I am just getting the card posted. Sorry about that. I ended up making a super easy card too--kind of feel like I cheated! Anyway, here it is.

Stamps: Patterned Party
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise and Big Top Birthday DP
Ink: Real Red
Other: colored pearl.
Quick and cute.

Thanks for visiting today
see ya soon
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 188! (TSSC188)

2011-08-22T09:43:00.000-04:00

Sorry, running a bit late. Camping with the scouts and we had no internet/phone service. Fun times with the bears, bugs, lightning storm and bad coffee! Actually we are having fun. We are on our way back home and stopped at Splash Lagoon in Erie PA. Won't be back till Wednesday--hope hubby is taking care of all the animals at home! Anyway, here is the sketch for this week. I don't have a sample yet, sorry......

Can't wait to see your samples. Remember you can add the code to your blog while in the edit HTML mode and the hop will show up on your blog too! Then your friends can play along right from your blog!

Have a great week!
Mary Jo

The CASE of the Latenightstamper!

2011-08-17T09:02:00.000-04:00

This week on the Latenightstamper's group we are to CASE another member's card.
So I just randomly picked a challenge folder on the site and then picked a card from it to CASE. Here is the card I chose--it was created by Lori Mueller...

I was inspired by the layout and colors. So pretty don't you think? Here is my version.

Fun challenge!
Stamps: Simply Soft, Love and Sympathy
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Regal Rose Paisley Petals DP, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Designer Frames embossing folder, wide oval punch, regal rose ribbon, butterfly embosslet.

Hope your week is going well--the weather is just fabulous here-off to spend time at the beach with the kids from church!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 187! (TSSC187)

2011-08-14T22:43:00.000-04:00

I have a fun and easy sketch for you to try this week. And it fits well with the special that Stampin Up is having this month on their beautiful designer papers. If you guy three you get one free. So needless to say I have lots of new papers to show off and this sketch is perfect. Don't miss the deal--talk to your demo--or ask me if I am you demo or if you need a demo! You won't be sorry! Here is the sketch....

And of course my sample...

I have to say, I really liked this card, but I showed my hubby and he thought the car looked silly. He said it needed a road or it should be a different color?! Hmmmm, what do you think?

Stamps: Need for speed, Perfect Words
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, River Rock, Whisper White, Well Worn DP
Ink: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy
Other: Markers

Can't wait to see your samples. Remember you can add the code to your blog while in the edit HTML mode and the hop will show up on your blog too! Then your friends can play along right from your blog!

Have a great week!
Mary Jo

Top three picks for sketch challlenge 186!

2011-08-14T22:31:00.000-04:00

There were some wonderful samples again this week! Fabulous job with this sketch! Thanks so much to all who played along. Here are my top three picks in no particular order. Don't forget if you click on the the images you will be brought to the creators original blog post and you will be able to see the full card and even leave a nice comment!

Those were great, don't you think!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

Darn! I almost made it!

2011-08-10T21:13:00.000-04:00

I was so close! This is the second time I am playing along with the Create with Connie and Mary challenges! I am so proud of myself for remembering. Fun colors for this challenge. Unfortunately--I am too late. I didn't check the date due and even though I made the card yesterday I didn't post it till today and it is too late to link up. Oh well, maybe next time, lol! Here was the challenge

And here is my sample.....

Stamps: Flower Fest and Patterened Party

Paper: Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White, Paisley Petals DP

Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive

Other: markers, rhinestones, embossing folder

Hope you are having a wonderful week.

Thanks for visiting today!

Mary Jo

Latenightstamper's Challenge with the 411 sketch!

2011-08-09T21:29:00.000-04:00

Today I had a bit of time to play so I created a card for the Latenightstampers challenge--Thinking of you--heard you were blue! You are to create a thinking of you card that has blue on it. So I checked out the 411 sketch blog and decided to combine the two challenges into one. Here is my card.

I am still using the Strength and Hope stamp set. I used my markers to make the stripes on the ribbon.
You can view the sketch challenge HERE.

Stamps: Strength and Hope, On the Grow
Paper: Marina Mist, Basic Black, Whisper White and Paisley Petals DP
Ink: Marina Mist, Basic Black
Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch, markers, Marina Mist satin ribbon, resin flower

I am so glad you were able to stop by today--how do you like my new look? I re-did the background and banner using My Digital Studio! Have a great day!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 186! (TSSC186)

2011-08-07T23:02:00.000-04:00

Here we are again! Another Monday and another sketch. I hope you find time to play along. It is a pretty basic one this week.

I seemed to want to keep the butterfly thing going on! Mostly because I really love this Breast Cancer Awareness stamp and it is retiring soon. It is such a fun set to work with! Super easy to make beautiful cards. I still had my Baja Breeze and Certainly Celery on my work space so thought I would use them again. I really like these two colors together.

Can't wait to see your samples. Be sure to add you thumbnail image and link below.
Thanks so much for visiting and playing along!
Mary Jo

Top three for sketch 185!

2011-08-07T22:52:00.000-04:00

Wow, wow, wow--there were really some fabulous samples this week. I struggled more than normal with my choices. If I were you I would check them all out again. Fabulous job with this sketch! Thanks so much to all who played along. Here are my top three picks in no particular order. Don't forget if you click on the the images you will be brought to the creators original blog post and you will be able to see the full card and even leave a nice comment!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

Wow, what a great week!

2011-08-06T21:51:00.000-04:00

Sorry it took me so long to find some time to post this week. Our church did our Vacation Bible School all this week and between that and normal Summer stuff I kept running out of time in my days. I finally got a bit of time to go downstairs and make a few cards. So both are for my sketch challenge for this week. They both also use punches so they fit out Latenightstamper's challenge for the week too. We are focusing on punches. I love how I used the same basic sketch but different colors and stamps and they look so different. I really love the one with the Cherry Cobbler! Awesome color combo. Which do you like better?

The first card is using the following....
Stamps: Cherished Friendship and On the Grow
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, rhinestones, border punch, lace scallop border punch

The second card is using the following
Stamps: Nature Walk, On the Grow
Paper: Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, DP
Other: markers, lace scallop border punch, pearls
Ink: Early Espresso, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist, So Saffron

You can view the sketch and play along by clicking HERE!

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 185! (TSSC185)

2011-08-01T05:46:00.000-04:00

Moving right along! Today is day one of our Vacation Bible School week at church. One of my favorite times of year. We have over 200 children sharing and learning about God! What a privilege it is to be a part of it! Please pray for incredible things to happen during the week--with God's help!

On to my sketch challenge for the week. I am going to be late posting mine. Imagine that! Seems that is happening too often lately. But what can you do, right. I hope to have it up by tonight. But of course I want to to play along when you want so I am getting the sketch up on time. Have fun with it!

Another fun one (IMHO)! Can't wait to see your samples. Be sure to add you thumbnail image and link below.
Thanks so much for visiting and playing along!
Mary Jo

Top three for sketch 184!

2011-08-01T05:36:00.000-04:00

This week was a really hard one to pick. I love all the clean and simple cards that were added with this sketch. Everyone did such a great job. I went back and forth and finally pick the following three cards. Please take a moment to click on each card and view the creators original post. You will see the full card and all the details and even be able to leave a little love (comment) for them.

If you didn't check out the rest of the entries you may want to do that too. Great samples! Thanks so much to everyone who played along!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

Mini Scrapbook from a Checkbook holder!

2011-07-30T09:35:00.001-04:00

The other day on VC-Rocks my friend Robbie taught a class on how to make this darling brag book. I thought it was so cute so I thought I would make one for my niece-in-law (I know I just made that term up). She is due very soon with their first child and I thought it would be fun for her to carry around in her purse.
It is kind of an accordion fold album with pages on both sides. I used lots of retired stamps and papers. I sure hope she likes it.

It is such a beautiful day here today! Can't wait to get outside and enjoy it! Have a fabulous weekend!

Thanks for taking the time to visit me today!

Mary Jo

I finally remembered!

2011-07-29T07:41:00.000-04:00

I swear I am losing my mind lately--I can not remember what I am doing half way through doing it, lol! It is actually getting a bit scary. None the less, I have been wanting to play along with my friends Connie and Mary and their challenge for like forever! But I keep forgetting. I actually remembered last night so I better get it posted NOW before I forget again! The challenge can be found at Create with Connie and Mary This week is a super fun sketch... And they are looking for new Guest DT members too if you are interested! They have some awesome stuff on their blog and lots of fun stuff you can join too! Check them out.

Here is my card for the sketch...

Isn't this a fun color combo? Poppy Parade, Baha Breeze and Early Espresso. Such a fun layout too!

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Paper: Poppy Parade, Baha Breeze, Early Espresso, Whisper White, dp
Ink: Poppy Parade, Early Espresso
Other: ribbon, markers, embossing folder

TGIF!
Mary Jo

Hope everything is "All White" with you!

2011-07-28T07:23:00.000-04:00

Here is one more card for this week's challenge on Latenightstampers! Our challenge this week is to make cards that are all white with only the sentiment in color. There have been some fabulous samples.

I love how the different embossing folders give all white cards such a fabulous texture. I have three different folders on this one. It is a horrible photo, sorry, the sentiment is actually stamped in Wisteria Wonder--looks pretty dark on this picture. Happy today!
Mary Jo

More Christmas in July

2011-07-27T06:21:00.000-04:00

For this card I used those new colors again. Love these colors for Christmas cards--I always love non-traditional colored Christmas cards. What about you?? Are you traditional or non-traditional?

Stamps Snow Much Fun
Paper: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, embossing folder, ribbon

I love this card. So simple yet so cute. Hope you are having a great week!

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 184! (TSSC184)

2011-07-24T23:17:00.000-04:00

Well, another weekend gone. I am sorry to see this one go--it was a good one. It has been so hectic around here with deaths, sicknesses, camping etc...... It was awesome to have a weekend with nothing that really HAD to be done. Friday was my hubby's birthday so my so we went to dinner and the casino with my mom. Then Saturday another dinner and a movie with my son. And Sunday just stayed home (yep, I skipped church) and spent time together! Perfect weekend and so needed! I even had time today to make 5 cards! Got to love that!

Welcome to week number 184 of my weekly sketch challenges. I hope you will have time to play along. I actually made two cards as samples for you. I combined them with the new Latenightstamper's challenge for the week, as usual. This week we are making cards that are ALL white except for the sentiment! Here is the sketch.....

I am sorry for the poor quality of my photos. I tried a new way of taking pictures but I don't like it--especially with all white cards. I am too darn lazy to take new pictures though--sorry about that too, lol!

The first sample is a Christmas card. I stamped the sentiment in Pool Party

The next one is using a bunch of embossing folders and the butterfly embosslit. Not sure why I waited so long to get this, I love it.

Don't forget that you can add the link to your blogs if you chose and then people can view the new samples and hop right along from blog to blog. You must be in the edit HTML mode when adding the code. Hope you have a wonderful week!

Mary Jo

Top three for sketch 183!

2011-07-24T23:14:00.001-04:00

What a fun week of samples. I loved them all--thanks so much to those of you who played along. I had a real hard time this week picking three. But here they are......Be sure to click on each preview picture to be taken to the creator's blog and original post to see the full card and all the details. And of course to leave a comment telling them how great their cards are!

Weren't those awesome!?. Super Summery too! Got to love it. I so love the Summertime and all that comes with it. Especially having my son home from school! So much fun.

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

Christmas in July!

2011-07-23T22:07:00.000-04:00

My first Christmas card for the year. It is actually a hybrid card--part My Digital Studio and part regular stamping. The main image is done on the My Digital Studio program--so easy to do the mirror technique using this program. The rest of the card, including the coloring of the image, is done the traditional way. It also fits this week's Latenightstamper's challenge to use new products. I used the new in colors again.

Stamps: MDS and small snowflake from older retired SU set?
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party and Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, snowflake embossing folder

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Mary Jo

Showcasing the new set of in colors.

2011-07-20T21:27:00.000-04:00

Isn't this just the cutest card to showcase the new in colors? I love it. So simple too. I used the new stamp set My Friend and the Bring on the Cake, the new sentiment set for Birthdays. Super easy and so cute.

This was created for the Latenightstamper's challenge for this week--show off your new STUFF! Hope you have a great night.

Mary Jo

A super quick post..

2011-07-18T21:25:00.001-04:00

I am posting this super simple and fast card for both my sketch challenge seen in the post before this one and the Latenightstamper's challenge for the week to use those new products. I used the new in color Wisteria. And a new stamp set--Faith in Nature. Hard to get back into the swing of things here. I don't even feel like stamping--imagine that! Hope this don't last too long, lol! Too nice outside and I am just too far behind on EVERYTHING! Anyway, here is the card....

You can view the sketch challenge and play along

by clicking HERE.

Stamps: Faith in Nature
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Scallop Trim border punch, sewing machine, markers, white gel pen, pearl

Happy Monday!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 183! (TSSC183)

2011-07-17T23:07:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in the last post--I stayed a bit longer than I expected at camp and I am way behind on everything--hence--I have not sample for today's sketch. I am hoping to have time to stamp tomorrow night??? Lot of other things to catch up on too. Anyway, I figure that is no reason you can't see the sketch right! So here is it. I sure hope you have time to play along. I so love seeing all the wonderful samples. I will add mine to the blog hop when I get it done. Don't forget to add yours! Here is the sketch.....

This should be a fun one! Can't wait to see what you come up with.....

Mary Jo

Top three for sketch 181 and 182

2011-07-17T23:01:00.000-04:00

Wow what a fun week I had camping with my son. So nice to just hang with him and not worry about anything else. No phone, no internet, no video games, no TV--just us and a lot of fun exploring and learning. Sorry I have not done a think in a week on here (not really but it seems like I should say that, lol!) I am not even going to try to catch up with any of my on line stuff. Just starting from today. So here are my top three picks from the last two sketches. Thanks so much to those of you who played along. All of the cards were fabulous. So impressive!

Sketch 182 Top Three...Be sure to click on each preview picture to be taken to the creator's blog and original post to see the full card and all the details. And of course to leave a comment telling them how great their cards are!

Here are the top three picks for sketch 181...Again be sure to click on each preview picture to be taken to the creator's blog and original post to see the full card and all the details. And of course to leave a comment telling them how great their cards are!

Weren't those fabulous?!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 182! (TSSC182)

2011-07-11T00:07:00.001-04:00

I hope you all had a chance to check out the bog hop from VC_rocks. If not it is the post before this one. The theme was ABC--Anything but a card and there were some awesome ideas. I am out of town and will not be able to do the Top Three post for the week--until maybe Thursday. But I wanted to schedule the new sketch challenge for those who may already have samples ready or those who come looking. I did have a few minutes to get a card sample done with the sketch. Hope you are having a fabulous week! See ya when I get back.

Here is this week's sketch....

And here is my sample....

Stamps: My Friend
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Island Indigo
Other: ribbon, nestabilities, ribbon. white gel pen, sponges

Don't forget to add your link below--if you add the code to your blog while in the edit HTML mode you will have all the samples on your blog too! Then people can hop along and see them all. Thanks for stopping by today.
Mary Jo

VC_Rocks Blog Hop

2011-07-09T08:13:00.001-04:00

This month's blog hop is anything but a card. Should be a super fun one to check out. I am sure you will be amazed at the great projects our talented stampers are going to share with you. Enjoy the tour! If you get lost along the way you can view the entire list of participants on the VC_Rocks blog by clicking the logo below.

The official start time for the hop is

10am Eastern Standard Time.

My post was all fun and games. Don't you just love that! I truly do love to craft, pretty much any type of craft--the one craft that I want to do but really can not is sewing so I decided to give it a try with the fabric I purchased from the Holiday Mini. It has been just sitting here calling my name. I was able to get three projects for one piece--then I spent a little time making a game for my son and I to play at restaurants and such. That is at the end of the post. I hope you enjoy my projects today. Let's get started.

First up is a checkbook cover with a matching note pad for my purse. Be kind on me--I know my stitching is not the straightest--it took me forever to just get the machine threaded, lol! And I was making up the patterns as I went along. I am actually pretty happy with the results.

Here is the checkbook cover open...

And the note pad open...

Then I had a small strip left so I made myself a necklace!!!

Isn't that fun! I sewed a strip of material then added small light wooden balls (would have used Styrofoam but only had these). I added the balls one at a time and tied a knot next to each one. It was not long enough to reach the back so I had to add some wire wrappings and some chain to the back. Pretty neat looking in real life. It don't really match the shirt I have on in the picture but you get the idea--don't you??

All three of the projects were made from one piece of our material. I also used my flower folds die, a button, ribbon, wooden beads.

Next is a super fun game for my son and I to do when we are bored at restaurants. It is just like Tic Tac Toe but it is called Cats and Dogs--friends fur ever!

Here is the tin open...

And a close up of the game pieces. I used bottle caps with magnets on them. We have been having fun with it already!

Well that is all from me today! I hope you enjoyed my Anything but a card projects. Click on the images below to be taking to the next blog or you can even go back to the previous one if you need to. See you soon and enjoy the hop!
Mary Jo

My Friend!

2011-07-06T22:18:00.000-04:00

Here is a quick card for both the 411 sketch challenge and the Latenightstamper's weekly challenge--new beginnings, new job, new baby, new home, new spouse etc....

I thought this was a pretty fun sketch. I not only used the brand new set My Friend but I also used brand new in-colors for this year. Pool Party and Island Indigo. Here is the sketch...you can click on the sketch to see what others made with it.

And here is my card...

Stamps: My Friend,
Paper: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party
Other: white gel pen, pearls, Tasteful Trim die, butterfly embosslet

Hope you are having a great week.
Mary Jo

A swap card.

2011-07-05T07:05:00.000-04:00

I don't participate in many swap since I really dislike making more than one of any card. But I did do one a while ago on the VC-Rocks group and thought I would share it now. Had to wait to everyone got it and then forgot to post.

It was a pretty simple card, but I loved how it turned out. I embossed the bottom part of the card and scored a line above the embossing. Stamped the image three times using the masking technique. Colored them in and added a rhinestone on the center of each. The kraft piece is attached to a piece of Early Espresso.

Just a quick post for today--lots of catching up to do. And I have my whole kitchen torn apart since I was painting my cupboards?@ I always start projects like this in the middle of other chaos??? No clue what possesses me!
Happy Today!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 181! (TSSC181)

2011-07-04T00:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Fourth of July to those of you in the states. I hope you are enjoying your long weekend! I know I sure needed it. Been a really long week.

Thanks for stopping by today--it is Monday so that means a new sketch challenge. I hope you will find time to play along. Here is the sketch...

I am loving this simple sketch. Been a long time since I used torn paper. I kept my sample pretty simple and combined it with this week's challenge on Latenightstampers. This week we are focusing on New Beginnings. That could be a new baby, new job, new house, new spouse--you get the idea. Here is my sample--It was my first time using Lucky Limeade and Pool Party-two brand new in-colors for this years catalog. Love them.

Stamps: Every Moment
Paper: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, ribbon, embossing folder, nestabilities dies

Can't wait to see your creation using this sketch. Be sure to link up below. You can add the code to your post to be part of the blog hop!

Mary Jo

Top Three For Sketch 180!

2011-07-04T00:18:00.000-04:00

Well, we are done with all the funeral stuff for my sister in law. Feeling a bit empty after it all. Still don't seem real. Thanks so much to everyone who sent cards and prayers. They are so appreciated.

Here are my top three picks. Be sure to click on each preview picture to be taken to the creator's blog and original post to see the full card and all the details. And of course to leave a comment telling them how great their cards are!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

On the grow!

2011-06-30T06:34:00.000-04:00

I am so far behind on my posts, I don't remember what I have posted and what I have not. I made this card a while ago but see I have not posted it yet. So today is it's lucky day!

I was playing with my Copic air gun. Such an easy card. I really like it though. The green paper that I used for the grass is an old retired SAB kit. Such a fun kit that I think I had about 20 of them. Still have pieces floating around.

Stamps: On the Grow, Friends Jumbo Wheel
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, retired dsp from SAB kit
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Copics, air gun, cutting tool, cloud punch (non stampin up), black marker.

Hope you are having a super week.
Mary Jo

CAS-Color challenge

2011-06-29T13:14:00.000-04:00

This card is for a few challenges. First the VC_Rocks challenge for the week to make a CAS (clean and simple) card using Poppy Parade, Concord Crush and Peach Parfait and also having either a flower,person or animal on it. I chose to combine that with the 411 sketch challenge. It was a great simple sketch this week. You can view the sketch HERE. Here is my card combining the challenges...

The colors look a bit dark in the picture. The base of the card is Concord Crush followed by Whisper White. Then the three panels are all from the in color paper pad. The flower is stamped on Whisper White, colored in with the Peach Parfait marker and highlighted with the Poppy Parade markers. It is cut out by hand and layered on a jumbo scallop punch of Concord Crush. The flower is from the Flower Fest stamp set. The sentiment is from the Friends Jumbo Wheel. I colored the words in with the markers and then punched them out using the Modern Label punch. To finish it off I added a pearl to the center of the flower.

You can also view the inside of the card. The sentiment on the inside is from the Occasional Quotes set. Hope you have a great day.
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 180! (TSSC180)

2011-06-26T21:55:00.000-04:00

Welcome to week number 180 of my sketch challenges. Wow only twenty more till we hit 200! Who would have thought. Hope you are able to play along this week. It is a simple sketch. Here it is...

And of course my sample.....

I combined it with this week's Latenightstamper's challenge to use the colors Red White and Blue on your card. Thought those were fun colors for this fun summer set.

Stamps: Sunny Fun and Apple Blossoms
Paper: Real Red, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Pacific Point, Basic Black
Other: markers, ribbon, scallop border punch, sponges, white gel pen

Can't wait to see what you create using this sketch as your inspiration. Remember you can add the code to your post--while in the edit HTML mode and it will show all the samples on your blog too!

Have fun with the new sketch...

Mary Jo

Top Three For Sketch 179!

2011-06-26T21:46:00.000-04:00

It has not been the best of weeks around here. My sister in law passed away yesterday and we are just so sad. She was only 50 years old we will miss her dearly. But the good news is that here suffering is over--so hard to watch someone you love (anyone for that matter) be in pain.

Here are my top three picks for this week from the participants from last week. Check them out if you have not already! Here are my top three picks. Be sure to click on each preview picture to be taken to the creator's blog and original post to see the full card and all the details. And of course to leave a comment telling them how great their cards are!

Winners, feel free to add my badge to your blogs!

Here is the HTML code.

I hope you will find time to play along with the new sketch that will be posted right after this.
Be right back with the new sketch!
Mary Jo

Couple of challenge samples for VC_Rocks

2011-06-25T12:38:00.000-04:00

I actually have been so busy that even if I find time to stamp I have NOT been able to find time to post. Sorry about that but stuff happens, right?!

Here are two samples for this week's challenge on VC_rocks. We were to used the one of the in color collections or the brights collection and make a birthday project. I used the brights for the scrapbook page and the brand new not released yet-in colors from the new catalog on the card. I also used a set that will be in the new catalog. Hope you enjoy. I don't have all the details in front of me so if you have questions please feel free to leave it in the comments section. Add your e-mail so I can reply--blogger does not give me e-mails to reply to comments. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Enjoy your weekend! Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 179! (TSSC179)

2011-06-20T07:11:00.000-04:00

Moving right along with our challenges! Here is week number 179! Another circle sketch. Hope you have fun with it.

My sample is using a brand new set that will be in the new catalog. Only the duck image is part of the set. The words are from a different non Stampin Up! set. I had to keep it pretty simple since I only had five minutes this morning, lol! I tried out my copic air brush system that I have had for over a year and only used once. I didn't like it but found out this weekend that I had it hooked up wrong--go figure, lol! So here is my fast and super simple--yet kind of cute sample!

Don't forget that we are now doing a blog hop with the sketch challenge. That means if you add the code to the Edit HTML section of your post all of the samples will also show up on your blog. Thanks so much for stopping by and can't wait to see what you come up with for this sketch.
Mary Jo