I am so excited! Check this out.

I am not sure which I am more excited about--finding a new sketch site or the HUGE blog candy giveaway they have going on. You better get over there and sign up. I be doing the sketch today and the badge is now on my sidebar so you can play along when you want.

Want this badge?

The giveaway is this....


Why are you still here? You need to get over there to add your name to the giveaway!

Mary Jo

ps. good luck. If I win you can come and play--keeping my fingers crossed.

Blogger's challenge -throwndown--late at night.

How is that for a title. I have three challenges combined on both of these cards, hence my title.

Of course the first is the Blogger's Challenge--it is Friday after all! This week we were given a sketch to work with.


I also decided to use this week's Color Throwdown.



And then of course the Latenight Stamper's Weekly challenge was Christmas in July. I did use Pink Pirouette so they are not 100% current Stampin Up! but it always feels good to use up stash. I did'nt think I liked this combo until I started to play, now I do! What do you think?

Stamps: Scenic Season
Paper: rose Red, Pink Piroette, Bordering Blue
Ink: Rose red, Bordering Blue, versa mark
Other: sizzix scallop oval die, white embossing powder, Markers

The next one uses the new hostess set the More the Merrier



Stamps: the More the Merrier
Paper: Rose Red, Pink Piroette, Bordering Blue
Ink: Rose red, Bordering Blue, Basic Black
Other: markers, circle scissors plus, White gel pen

TGIF! Hope you have a good one.
Mary Jo

Three Clovers Thursday Challenge

Welcome to week number 24 of Kerry's challenges. These have been so fun I hope you are playing along. If you are not what are you waiting for? Get on over to Kerry's blog for more details and more inspiration.

This week we were to make a card with fruit on it. I kind of messed up on my card. But I have no time to re-do it now so I am just hoping that Denise from SUINK does not get too mad at me for using a stamp that won't be released until August 1st--we will be doing a sneak peek blog hop on Monday to show off the new sets. I thought I grabbed one that was not new but now I see it is a new one. Shhhhhhh don't tell on me. Be sure to come on back on Monday to check out the blog hop, you will see so many darling ideas with the new stamps! The DT girls are so talented.

So here is my card.


I had to match this image up with the sentiment from Friendly words wheel, it matched so perfect. You may have to enlarge (by clicking on the picture) to see it.

Stamps: can't tell yet, (shhhhh)
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White and My little shoebox dp
Ink: Basic Black
Other: copics, faux brads, real brads

Hope you have a fabulous day today!
Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Jo

Winner of the Royal Blog Candy and a mini Tutorial too.

I know a bunch of you were wondering why I was giving away two of the same wheel to one person, well I am going to show you what I do with my wheels. Since Stampin Up has come up with these wheels that have so many different sayings on them I always order two of them. I keep one as is and take the rubber off the second one add it to cling foam and cut it apart to create a bunch of individual stamps. This truly makes it much easier to work with, and I love so many of the saying on these so it is fun to use them alone on other items. Here is a mini tutorial on how I do it--remember I said mini, lol.

First find the seal on the wheel and gently pull the rubber from the wheel. It is really easy to do. See the picture below.

Continue to pull the rubber off the wheel

This is what your rubber will look like when you have it completely off the wheel.

Next I added some cling foam mounting to the entire piece of rubber. This is optional you can use the rubber alone or even mount permanently on wood if you want.

Finally use a craft knife to carefully cut around each individual sentiment. And there you will have a whole bunch of individual stamps for just $8.50 talk about a bargain!



And now I bet you are wondering who the lucky winner of the two wheels is..............


It took a bit to find out who said they had subscribed and who did not. But after all that I then had to go back and check for double posts. To make it easier I printed the whole list of comments out then highlighted the ones that said that they subscribed and re-printed them. Added them all to one bucket and had my son pull a name. So the winner is.....

Kathy W said... 101

I became a follower, your stuff rocks- so creative and thinking beyond a card- love it!
kraftinkathy(at) verizon(dot) net

I can not say for sure if you won for commenting or subscribing but you won none the less! Congratulations Kathy, send me your address at yourrep@roadrunner.com and I will get these in the mail for you.

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderfully sweet comments. You all made me smile.

Mary Jo

Oh Happy Day!

It is a happy day, I have been able to do the SCS challenges three days in a row! It has been a while since I had time but I am thinking I may even be able to make it 7 days in a row, maybe. Anyway, Wednesday is the sketch challenge and I chose this adorable turtle image from Whimsy Stamps. I think he is just too cute, don't you agree? I had so much fun making the little scene. I used a few stamps from some of my SUINK sets to make the background. Worked out perfect.

Stamps: Whimsy Turtle, Some bunny special and Look what I caught (SUINK)

Paper: Pacific Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Good Morning Sunshine DP (all retired) along with Basic Black and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Copics, rub ons

See ya bright and early in the morning with the Three Clover's Thursday challenge.

Mary Jo

Whachadoin' Wednesday? Challenge 50

This week's challenge is a inspiration challenge. What is an inspiration challenge you ask? Simply put--we post a picture and you create a card/project using the posted item as the inspiration or jumping off point. You can be inspired by the theme, the colors, textures, shapes, it is your call! What ever inspires you there is no right or wrong when it comes to inspiration! We hope you will play along. Here is this week's picture
I chose to make a 12 by 12 scrapbook page of my parents wedding picture. I love the old wedding pictures, they are so pretty and formal. I was very inspired by the colors and the flowers. Hope you are inspired too!


Stamps: Goin to the Chapel (SUINK)
Paper: core-dinations, un know dp from stash (no name on it)
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Flowers, buttons, ribbons all from SUINK. (embellishments are on sale NOW) Metal Tag and Gazelle for cutting the words Mom & Dad.

Come on over and play along.

Happy Wednesday!
Mary Jo

Royal Blog Tour

Oh the things that you can do with our Jumbo Stampin Around Wheels. I am excited to be able to share with you a few items I have made to showcase one of our brand new Jumbo Wheels called Bright Blessings this can be found at the bottom of page 27 in our brand new catalog. If you need a catalog please let me know by sending me an e-mail to technostamper@roadrunner.com and I will be happy to get one out to you! All of the following items were made with just a handful of supplies. And I am now ready to decorate my table and home for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

Here is the short list of what was used to create ALL of the projects.

Stamps: Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel
Ink: Dusty Durango
Paper: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry And Razzelberry Designer Paper
Other: Brads, chocolate chip re-inker, Crushed Curry polka dot ribbon, twill, distressing tool, Hodgepodge hardware, wooden napkin ring, plate, cloth napkin, dollar store frame, planter box from Jo Ann's $3 find in clearance section, candle, Mini picture frames from dollar store.

Here are pictures of the individual items. First the card. I had so much fun with this card, all the distressing was so fun. That is one of my favorite things about fall all the fabulous textures!

Next up is the candle. I love to make wraps for candles they are so easy to do and add so much to the candle. Just don't burn the candle with the paper wrap on it, lol!



Next is a place setting for my holiday table. The plate is first.


The napkin ring.


With the matching napkin too!



And you always need a little favor for people to take home so I altered this tiny little picture frame with one of my favorite verses ever.


Then to help decorate the rest of the dining room to match the table I altered this planter I found for three dollars at JoAnn's. There are mints in the middle one!


Here is a close up view of the planter box.


And of course no room is complete without pictures of my son! And he indeed transforms common days into Thanksgivings! What a fabulous quote!


So as you can see there are many possibilities with our jumbo wheels. Be sure subscribe or follow my blog because after the tour is over I will show you how to easily use all of the individual images on the jumbo wheel and get more for your money! Adding your name to my followers or subscribing will also get you in on my blog candy! See below.

Blog Candy Give Away!

Before you head off to enjoy the rest of your blog tour please be sure to leave a comment on this post to be eligible to win two of these Jumbo Wheels!

That's right I am giving away two wheels to one lucky winner.

There are two simple ways to be entered in the blog candy drawing.

1. get one entry for leaving a comment on this post!
(be sure to leave an e-mail on your comment)

2. get another entry if you subscribe or follow my blog. Be sure to let me know if you do this or if you are already a subscriber or follower that will count too!

I will post the winner of the blog candy tonight 7/29 by 9pm.

I am not home now and need to be on my own computer.

Thanks.

More with this week's sketch

One more with this week's sketch, I really am enjoying this one. Sometimes I do good, lol. Hope you will play along. You can see the original post HERE

This is also for today's color challenge on SCS.
Certainly Celery
Pixie Pink
Apricot Appeal
Neutrals of choice

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Thoughts and Prayers

Paper: Certainly Celery,Pixie Pink, Apricot Appeal , Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Certainly Celery,Pixie Pink, Apricot Appeal , Basic Black

Accessories: ribbon, pearls, embossing folder SU, Circle Scissors Plus

Techniques: Rock and Roll

Have a fabulous day! The sun is shinning here, yippee!
Mary Jo

Another Triple Challenge Card

I have been missing so many challenges that I love lately so I decided to try to get back on track and I was able to combine three in one on this card. Be kind this is my very first time quilling. It was fun but not sure about the outcome. I obviously need a bit of practice, lol.

The three challenges are

The first on is from the Color Throwdown Blog
The second challenge was a sketch challenge from CPS Card Sketches.



And the third challenge was the Technique Lovers Challenge #231 to use quilling on your card.

So this is my combined effort.

Stamps: None

Paper: Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, dp

Ink: none

Accessories: embossing folder, white gel pen, rub ons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PS be sure to check out the Royal Blog tour for you chance to win lots of Blog candy and a Big Shot Sizzix Machine too. Click HERE for more details. See ya later, Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 80

Can't believe we are ready to begin another week already. Geez this entire month has just vanished before my eyes. Time goes so stinkin fast! The good news is that it is time for a new sketch challenge. I hope you will play along. I liked this one so much I already have three samples for you! Here is the sketch.

My first card is using the new hostess set Country Morning and a strange color combo. I really like it though. Wish you cold see the details on the bottles, that have a glossy finish on them looks cool.


Stamps: Country Morning and the Bright Blessing Wheel
Paper: Crushed Curry, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White and Razzleberry Lemonade dp
Ink: Going Grey, Basic Black
Other: white gel pen, tag corner punch, circle scissors plus, markers, ink pads and water brush

The next two samples are also part of the new week's challenge on Latenight Stampers. This week Connie and I are the hosts and we chose to do a Christmas in July theme. I can not tell you how happy I was when I seen that this set made the new catalog. I love it.

Stamps: Cardnial Christmas
Paper: Real Red, Whipser White, Merry Moments dp
Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive
Other: markers, white gel pen, wide striped old olive ribbon

And now I had to try the sketch on the side. I used the new set Scenic Season for this one. I love these trees.


Stamps: Scenic Season, Cardnial Christmas
Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Merry Messages dp
Ink: Old Olive, Basic Black
Other: gel pen, ink pad with water brush, scallop edge punch, markers, circle scissors plus, ribbon, brad.

And in case that was not enough inspiration for you here is a card made by Kim where she used the sketch upside down! Be sure to check out her whole post at Kim's Basement Stamping.
So I know you are itching to get stamping now! So hurry up and get your samples made and then rush back over here to add you name to Mister Linky below. You can use the keywords TSSC80 when posting on line. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Mary Jo

PS be sure to check out the Royal Blog tour for you chance to win lots of Blog candy and a Big Shot Sizzix Machine too. Click HERE for more details.

Sketch 79 players.

Only a few this week. Everyone must be busy with convention and summer! The ones that played did a fabulous job though but sure to click on the links above the samples to see their post.

Mary Jo

clipped from lisabohler.blogspot.com clipped from www.lisasomerville.com clipped from inkingaloud.blogspot.com clipped from whatdoyouink.blogspot.com

One more pink and black.

Remember the challenge for this week on Latenight Stamper's was to use pink and black. I love this new Melon Mambo! Such a fun color. I paired it up with the Nursery Necessity set and Animal Stories. Isn't this giraffe adorable in pink?


Come on over and play along. The link is above.

Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Animal Stories
Paper: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Melon Mambo
Other: Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon, black gingham ribbon, Finial Embossing Plate

Don't forget to check out the Royal Blog Tour. Click HERE to see my post and get in on the blog candy. We are giving away lots of stuff including a Big Shot machine! Don't miss it. Click HERE.

Happy Saturday!
Mary Jo

Don't forget the Royal Blog Tour starts tomorrow!

GO TO THE ROYAL BLOG TOUR HOME PAGE ON SUNDAY, JULY 26TH TO START THE ROYAL BLOG TOUR AND ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A BIG SHOT DIE CUT MACHINE!

The Royal Blog Tour is three days long, and you'll be happy it is! There are four tours - a total of 80 fabulous blogs!

But wait - there's more!

Blog Candy, Blog Candy, and more Blog Candy. Over 50% of the blogs on this tour are offering Blog Candy.

Check the Princess list on launch day. Every name with an asterisk next to it is offering

blog candy.

That's not all! The Royal Blog Tour Home Page is offering their own Blog Candy. And it is -- a Big Shot Die Cut Machine!!!! Honestly - you don't want to miss this tour!

This drawing is open to all countries represented by Princesses in this tour, including Canada and Australia!

There are lots of other giveaways too so be sure to check them all out! I can't wait.

Mary Jo

Blogger's Challenge Gazelle Style!

It's Friday and that means it's time for another Blogger's Challenge. I missed last week, but I am glad to say I am back to play along this week. The challenge this week was Christmas in July! I love Christmas and all that it has to offer. The birth of our Lord, the decorations, the jolly attitudes, the giving, the parties, all of it!

My project was made with my Gazelle cutter. I got the template from Scrap Savy. It is so cute. I have filled it with kisses! So fun and so easy. Don't forget to see what the others have come up with by clicking on the logo on my sidebar!


Stamps: None
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Basic Black
InkL real red
Other: ribbon, circle punches, pom pom

See ya later, hope your have a blessed Friday!
Mary Jo