Because I Care.

What a great stamp set this is! I just love it.  So easy to make beautiful cards with it.  This card is loosely based on my sketch challenge for this week.  You can find that HERE.  I would love it if you could play along!  I am also combining it with this week's LNS challenge to use new stamp sets from the up coming catalog.  (or new to you stamp sets if you don't have any from the new catty yet)  Can you believe the new catalog goes live tomorrow.  The time is just flying by so fast.  Sometimes I wish I could stick my foot out and slow it down-- ya know, like we used to on those spinning merry go rounds on playgrounds or the swing. 

Anyway, I know you are busy too so I will get the the card.

Stamps: Because I Care
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Daffidol Delight, Whipser White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Other: H2O brush, rhinestones, white gel pen, scallop edge punch, embossing folder, ribbon, Old Olive marker

Hope you are having a great week--take a moment to enjoy the little things before time is gone!

Mary Jo

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 128

Welcome to week number 128 of my sketch challenges.  I hope you find time this week to play along.  I so enjoy seeing everyone's creations with my sketches!  In an effort to get back on track, I am combining this challenge with the new weekly challenge on Latenightstampers!  This week we are using brand new items from the new catalog.  New colors, papers and stamps--any and all combinations, as long as something is new! So without further jibber jabber here is the sketch...

And of course here is my sample....

Stamps: Fast and Fabulous and Occasional Quotes (both new hostess sets)
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Cherry Cobbler (new color) Whisper White
Ink: Pretty in Pink Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler
Other: tiny punch pack, pearls, circle scissors plus, markers, embossing folder, brayer

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you sample for this challenge below! 

Top Three for sketch 127!

Wow, some fabulous ideas with this sketch this week!  I had a hard time picking my favorites.  But I was able to do it.  Remember that you can click on the little previews of the cards to be brought to the creator's original post with all the details.  I would love if you took a few minutes to leave the winners a comment.  They are so deserving.  (As are all the samples, all the time).

Here are my top three picks for the week....

Ladies, great job this week.  Please feel free to add my top three winner badge to your blogs. Here is the code (I think, I can not figure out how to make is show up as actual HTML)

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3N078M5G9-huSpLKlt3kaZVaDOt23WakDimAMmNxTZfDwbBYrppjjcAjsgjaUrfpZps0Y89XaqfHUUtSw_XVASL9GnC6K-H75oW7vXgOMwquB3HaHRJD50N0XGc061MmeDkIVgZX04dy/s1600/blog+button-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" linkindex="15" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3N078M5G9-huSpLKlt3kaZVaDOt23WakDimAMmNxTZfDwbBYrppjjcAjsgjaUrfpZps0Y89XaqfHUUtSw_XVASL9GnC6K-H75oW7vXgOMwquB3HaHRJD50N0XGc061MmeDkIVgZX04dy/s200/blog+button-001.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>



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Be back with the new sketch soon.
Mary Jo

Featured stamper challenge 21

Today's Featured Stamper on Stampin Connection is Kimberly Van Diepen. What a fun gallery she has. Here the card I chose from her gallery to inspire my creation.....

And here is my sample...

I changed the colors, stamps and size but kept the basic layout.  Thanks for the inspiration Kimberly!

Stamps:  Fast and Fabulous
Paper: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Tropical dp
Ink: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise
Other: ribbon, bitty button, scallop edge punch, markers

Be back later tonight with my new sketch challenge.  There is still time for you to play along.  Click the link at the top of my blog to be brought to the current sketch challenge!

Mary Jo

More teacher gifts.

Know someone who loves to read.  I made a few of these for teacher gifts this year.  Super fast and just adorable.  The little tins are from the clearance rack at Stampin Up.  Of course they are sold out but I know many of you got them.  The inside has cute little book plates and book marks made with large paper clips.  We did these at club last month and the ladies loved them. 

Stamps:  First Day
Paper: Real Red, Kiwi, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: ribbon, paper clips, sticker sheets, circle punches, scallop circle punch, pop up glue dots.markers, misc dp

Happy Saturday!
Mary Jo

Latenightstampin with the Blogger's Challenge crew!

OK, so does anyone else have such a hard time finding time at the end of the school year!  Seems there are way way way too many things to do and way way way too many places to go! For goodness sake it has been months since I have been caught up, lol!  So again, in an effort to catch up I am combining two challenges.  The first one and the one I am way behind on is our weekly challenge on Latengithstampers.  This week we were to make an ATC and then make a card from it.  So both of my samples today are doing just that.  Of course one is 100% current and one is a combination of retired and retiring stuff. 

The first one is using the fairy set in the Summer mini.  I have only had time to use this set once (twice now) so far.  It is not my favorite fairy set but I love fairies and therefore had to buy it.  What do you think???

This is also a preview of the new color Daffodil Delight.  I matched it up with Tangerine Tango.

Stamps: A little bit of magic, Upsy Daisy 
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: ribbon, markers, embossing folder

The next one is also an ATC made into a card, and it is using this week's blogger's challenge--which is a color challenge--Kiwi, Blue and White.  Fun combo.  Since I was using either retired or retiring colors I decided to pull out a retired set that I have not used in a while. Remember this one.  Frolicking Frogs!

Stamps: Frolicking Frogs
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers

Visit the Latenightstampers group and play along with the ATC challenge HERE
Visit the Blogger's Challenge Players and see what they did with the color challenge HERE

Whew, sorry for the wordy post!  How to be back on track or close to it, lol!

Have a great weekend!
Mary Jo

Finally! My sample for this week's sketch.

Wow, I found 10 minutes to get a card done. Not much time but I was able to get this simple card done for my sketch challenge this week. You can find the original post with the sketch HERE. I would love for you to play along too!

Stamps: Fast a fabulous (new hostess set) and One of a Kind (retiring set)
Paper: Daffodil Delight (new color), Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
Other: ribbon, embossing folder

Quick and cute.  At least I have a post!
See ya soon--if all works well--today is the first day of Summer Vacation for my son!  Yippee!!!
Mary Jo

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 127!

As per my last post, I have had a crazy week, so I do not have a sample for the sketch yet but I will later today--I HOPE!  But here is the sketch challenge for this week.  I would love to have you play along.

Remember to come on back and leave your link below so we can all check out your sample. 

Happy Creating!
Mary Jo

Technostamper Best of the Best for sketch 126

Wow, what a week!  Not necessarily bad just busy and fun of lots and lots of unexpected things.  I have not been in my studio all week!  That is just crazy.  As you can tell I have not even updated my blog all week.  Well what are you gonna do--it is a new week and we have a new sketch challenge coming up in a few minutes. First I want to highlight my three favorites from last weeks sketch.  Remember you can visit the creators blog and original post by clicking on the sneak peek sample!  Trust me it is worth the time!  Thanks to everyone who played along.  And now the this weeks Best of the Best....

Thanks so much for playing!  The new sketch is coming up in a moment.  For the winners please feel free to add this code to your blogs so that you will have the winner's badge!

If you need instructions you can find them HERE.

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 126

Welcome to week number 126 of my sketch challenges.  This week is a super simple one.  I have been really into Clean and Simple cards lately.  Weird how I jump around from one thing to the next, do you do that too?  Anyway, my sample for this sketch took about 5-7 minutes.  This is one of the sets that will be available in the new catalog due out July 1st.  It is not only beautiful but so easy to use.

Here is the sketch....

And my sample......

Stamps: Fast and Fabulous, FYI
Paper: Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Melon Mambo dp
Ink: Basic Black Melon Mambo
Other: word window punch, ribbon, black marker


I would love to have you play along.  Remember to come on back and leave your link below so we can all check out your sample. 

Happy Creating!

Top Three for sketch 125!

I am happy to announce the top three for sketch challenge 125--some fabulous samples again ladies.  Congratulations to my three favorites, please take a moment to click on each and see the entire project and leave a comment for the creator.  And winners, feel free to add my Top Three blinkie to your blogs. 

Thanks to everyone who played along, you make my day!

Be right back with sketch 126!

Featured Stamper Challenge #20 from the Stampin Connection

I love this challenge, I get to pick one of the talented stamper's that are American Demos and post on the Stampin Connection site, and then we all honor them by CASING a card they did.  I have so much fun searching the Stamper's Showcase for people to honor.  This week we are celebrating Dana Newsom.  What a fun gallery she has, you can find it here (if you are a member of SC) or her blog is here.

Her sample is the small one, so pretty, I really loved the colors that is what grabbed me at the beginning.  I used the Bright Blessings wheel on mine and kept it simple.  It is a 4 1/4 inch square card with matching envelope.  The tutorial to make the envelopes can be found at my earlier post  HERE.

Stamps: Bright Blessings Wheel, Because I Card
Paper: Sage Shadow, Sahara Sand
Ink: Sage Shadow, Basic Black
Other: scallop lace border punch, black marker

Hope you have a great Sunday, I will be back later with my top three picks and the new sketch!
Blessing to you and yours.
Mary Jo

Staring Father--It's that time of year again.

Both of these cards are using the same papers and the same stamps but they really look different don't you think?  I am trying to used retired and retiring stuff I have soooooo much.  And with Father's Day this close I thought I might as well focus on that. 

This first card is using the 411 sketch for today

Stamps: Staring You, Teeny Tiny Wishes and a SUINK stamp set for the Dad's Rule
Paper: Barely Banana, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Blue Bayou
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Other: circle punch, scallop circle punch, scallop edge punch, marker

This second one is a super simple one but I think it is perfect for a Father--just their style, not too much "stuff"

Stamps: Staring You, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Barely Banana, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Blue Bayou
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Other: circle punches, embossing folder, color spritzer

Hope you have a wonderful day! 
Mary Jo

Bloggers Challenge --Father's Day

This week we are focusing on Father's Day with the Blogger's Challenge group!  I needed a card to my hubby from me so this is what I came up with.  Easy, masculine colors and to the point--just like my hubby likes, lol.

Stamps:  Animal Crackers, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Autumn Harvest
Paper: Crumb Cake, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Other: embossing folder, markers, ribbon, wide oval punch, water color pencils.

Short and sweet, I have tons to get done today.  Hope you have a great day--TGIF!
Mary Jo

Problems posting again.!

What is up with that, seems the busier I am the more Blogger gives me a hard time, lol! Anyway, I have lots to share but will stick to one fast card for now since as I said above I have limited time. This is my second card with the sneak peak set Because I Care--this is a new level one hostess set starting in July. Book your workshops fast you will love the new catalog!

This is just an easy set to work with, easy to create beautiful cards.

Stamps: Because I Care and Butterfly
Paper: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink
Other: ribbon, markers

Hope you have a fabulous day. see ya soon.
Mary Jo

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 125

Welcome to a brand new week and a brand new sketch!  I sure hope you have time to play along.  I really had fun with this one, nice and easy.  Both of my samples are using the Top Note Die cut in a new way (to me) I love how it turned out.  But before we get too far here is the sketch...

And here are my two samples...

This first sample is a sneak peek of a brand new level one hostess set that will be in the new catalog coming out on July 1st!  I truly love this flower--looks great in so many colors.  I was using up retiring stuff here so the colors are Blush Blossom and Creamy Carmel--both retiring at the end of June.

Stamps: Because I Care, Close as a Memory
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, Whisper White
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom
Other: markers, water color pencils, top note die, sponges

This next card is a new set that is available now in the summer mini!  This card is a sneak peek of the challenge for this week on Latenightstampers--use your brayer.

I love these colors.  So bright and fun.  The background is brayered with Old Olive and Bashful Blue

Stamps: Tropical Party
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Island Oasis dp
Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue
Other: rub ons, top note die, scallop oval frame die, brayer

I hope that my samples have inspired you to play along.. Remember to add you link below, can't wait to see what you guys come up with for this one.  You always amaze me.

Thanks for stopping by and playing along!
Mary Jo

Top Three for sketch 124!

Here we go again, the week's just go faster and faster.  Only a few more weeks of school and so much to do.  So many end of year things--does it ever stop!  Anyway I am excited to announce the top three from last week's sketch.  Great cards, it was hard to choose.  Remember you can click on each card to see the original post on the creator's blog and of course leave them a comment. 

Here are the top three for sketch 124..

 

 

Congratulations ladies, fabulous, outstanding cards.  Feel free to add the Top Three logo to your blogs!

Thanks to everyone who played along, be right back with the new sketch.

Mary Jo

Featured Stamper Challenge 19 on Stampin Connection

It is Sunday and that means I get to post a new featured stamper on the Stampin Connection site.  I love this challenge as it is such a great way to let others know that you appreciate their work and that they inspire us.  We all share pretty freely and it is nice to know that people are other they viewing and enjoying.  So this week we are featuring another stamper who I am not familiar with (I know she is a member of LNS but I have not had the time to visit her blog or gallery)-- I am happy I did though!  If you are not a US demo you can visit her blog HERE.  If you are you can play along by clicking HERE.

Featured Stamper Number 18 is Sharon Field

I really was not inspired by any one card but all the beautiful black and white cards she has in her gallery.  I knew I needed a wedding card so this is what evolved from visiting her gallery.

 

Stamps:  Together Forever (retiring July 1st) and Friend 24/7

Paper: Basic Black and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Other: Ribbon, heart border punch, black marker, scallop circle punch

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday!  I woke up late and missed church?! 

See ya later with the my new sketch challenge for the week.

Mary Jo

Think Happy Thoughts

Another card using my sketch challenge for this week and the color challenge on Latenightstampers.

I would love to have you play along with my weekly sketch challenge.  You can find this week's sketch and the samples HERE.

I used the bouncing brayer technique for the sky background.

Stamps: Uppsy Daisy, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink:  Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, So Saffron,
Other: embossing folder, tiny tag punch, ribbon

Thanks for visiting me today--have a fabulous day!
Mary Jo

Combining challenges.

I have two cards to share with you today. They both fit this week's Latenightstamper's Challenge to us the colors Bordering Blue, Night of Navy and So Saffron. The first card is also for this week's sketch challenge number 283 on SCS, this week's ED (easy and demonstratable challenge on Latenightstampers to use a cut out image on your card, and also my challenge to myself to use retiring sets. I will be sorry to see Bloomin Beautiful go--since it truly is Bloomin Beautiful, lol!

Stamps: Bloomin Beautiful, Teeny Tiny Tags
Paper: Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Night of Navy DP, So Saffron DP, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, ribbon, tag punch

And here is the other card for today, same colors.  I had my hubby in mind when I was making this card, I think he secretly wishes for a motorcycle but it has not ever worked out -- YET.

Stamps: Motorcycle, Defining Life
Paper: Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White, Night of Navy DP
Ink: Night of Navy
Other: rub ons, brads, ribbon

That is it for today, need to go work the book fair at school!  Hope you have a great day!
Mary Jo