Today's Featured Stamper Challenge on Stampin Connection.

Today's featured stamper on Stampin Connection is Doris Denman's.  She is the creator (at least that is where I seen it) of this adorable acorn made from the ornament punch.  Her card was much much nicer and actually had an elegant feel, but mine is cute and easy.

Stamps: Animal Crackers, Lovely as a Tree, Autumn Harvest
Paper: More Mustard, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip,  Soft Suede
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Other: makers, oval punches, ornament punch, word windo punch, embossing folder

Have a fabulous day, I will be back later with the new sketch challenge for the week!
Mary Jo

 

Crazy fast and easy Halloween Treats!

I don't know about you but so many times I start to make treats for my son's class and then realize they are a lot more complicated than I thought  for making so many.  These won't leave you feeling that way, you could easily make multiples and not even work up a sweat, lol!

The first one is also for the Featured Stamper Challenge on Stampin Connection.  This week we are featuring Linda Creech. What a fun gallery she has.  I was inspired by her tic tac holders.  Although mine look nothing like hers, lol!

I think these ghosts made with the owl punch are just too cute.  The pumpkin is made with the 1 3/8 inch circle punch.  Inside is a pack of orange tic tacs.  The pumpkin face is from the Autumn Harvest set.

This next one is just a quick match book type treat holder.  It has a individual size pack of M&M's.  So easy just wheeled the Haunting jumbo wheel across the front.   I also sponged some extra black ink to fill the opens spaces.

Both of these also fit this week's Latenightstamper's challenge--treat holders.  Come on over and play along.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Mary Jo

Kind of the same but different too!

This is much like the last card I posted for my sketch challenge but different.  I used the same colors and stamps but it is just a different layout and different papers.  This is such a fun set.  I created this card for two challenges.  One being the Latenightstampers challenge which is a fall theme and the other being the featured stamper challenge on Stampin Connection. 

Stamps: A flower for all seasons
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, In Color DP pack
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, ribbon, rub on,

Hope you are having a great week!  We are half way though!
Mary Jo

Featured Stamper on Stampin Connection

This week's Featured stamper on Stampin Connection is Kathy Baffone.  Each week I pick a person and we visit their gallery and CASE a card.  It is so fun to check out different galleries that you may not normally see.  This group is for US Stampin Up Demos only.  (sorry, but you could join my team and join the fun too, lol).  Anyway here is my card for the challenge.  I loved the colors so I kept them the same.  Just changed the size of the card and the sentiments and embellishments.

It was a fast and simple card done with reverse masking.

Stamps: Autumn Days, Occasional Quotes
Paper: So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink: So Saffron, Rich Razzleberry.
Other ribbon, sponges, copy paper, pearls

Thanks for stopping by today.  See ya later with the new sketch challenge~
Mary Jo

Stampin Connection's Featured Stamper # 22

Well this week we are finally getting around to choosing the Queen of the Brayer!  Yep you guessed it right it is none other than MichelleZindorf.  This is my very first time trying out one of Michelle's techniques.  I can see that these could be really fun and addicting!  My hands are quite the mess and my card does not even come close to having the dimension that her's does, but as I said this was my first time.  I am actually quite pleased with how it turned out and it was really easy too!  Looks so intimidating--that is why I never did it before.  So if you are a US demo please come on over to the Stampin Connection and play along. Click here to see the master list of the Featured Stamper Challenges.  If you are not you can still play by visiting Michelle's blog and then coming back and linking here! 

Anyway let's move on to the card, shall we?

I just love this sentiment!  So beautiful.  I stamped my flower with Cajun Craze and Basic Black.  The sky is and water are sponged and brayered with Tempting Turquoise and Pacific Point.  The grass is done with direct to paper technique using Old Olive, Always Artichoke and Basic Black.  The highlights are done with a white gel pen.  Not bad for a first try, I over did the sky, not enough white left showing.   Here is Michelle's card, I know it is much better but.....

Thanks for the inspiration and tutorials Michelle!  Love them.

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

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

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

Featured Stamper Challenge 18 on Stampin Connection

If you are a US demo why not come on over and play?!  Click here to be brought to the demo only forum.

The whole idea of this challenge is to be inspired by a card in the featured stamper's gallery.  This week we are honoring Wendy Janson.  Here is her card that inspired me.

And here is my card...

Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Creamy Carmel, Razzleberry Lemonade dp
Ink: Basic Black, Creamy Carmel
Other: scallop oval die, bitty buttons, bitty punch pack, ribbon, rubons

Hope you have a fabulous Sunday!  Be a blessing to someone today, it will bless you too!
Mary Jo

Sunday's Featured Stamper challenge on Stampin Connection

Today on Stampin Connections we are honoring Barb Mulikin.  Barb is one of my favorite stampers, I haven't been following her in a bit do to lack of time and not really following anyone but I was pleasantly surprised as I knew I would be when I looked around her gallery and blog.  I chose this project for my inspiration for the week.

Such a fun little gift, especially with the end of the school year coming up.  Thought it would make a great staff gift. So here is my version...

I was trying to use up the retiring Pink Passion Paper.  the folio is made from one piece of 12 by 12.  There are 8 note cards and envelops inside with a pad and matching pen. 

Stamps Think Happy Thoughts
Paper: Pink Passion, Basic Black, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DP
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion
Other: pearls. Butterfly sizzix die, circle scissor plus, scor pal,  Flower Fusion Felt flowers, large brad, velcro, pen, pad, envelopes

Hope you have a fabulous day, be back later with my Technostamper Sketch Challenge for the week.

Blessing,
Mary Jo

Sunday's Featured Stamper Challenge on Stampin Connection

This week I have chosen Selene Kempton as our Featured Stamper.  If you are a US Stampin Up demo come on over and play along by clicking HERE.  If you are not you can still play by visiting Selene's blog HERE

Here is my card for the challenge...

Stamps: Go Graduate, Star Builder Wheel,
Paper: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Brilliant Blue
Other: markers, ribbon, tiny tag punch

Here is Selene's  I love the contrasting colors but I needed to use these black and blue colors.

Hope you have a great day!  I am off to get ready for church, be back later with the new sketch challenge for the week! 

Featured Stamper Challenge 15 Week of May 9-15th

This week on Stampin Connection we are featuring Debbie Cipolla one of our fellow demonstrators.  The idea of these challenges are that you pick a card she made and re-make it changing at least two things.  I did two this week.  These will be part of my all occasions class this month.

This first card is using two of my favorite colors that will be retiring.  Cameo Coral and Ruby Red.  I also added some Real Red that will not be retiring.  The scallop rectangles are done by taping two scallop squares together.   You can see the card I chose to inspire me on the right.  I changed the size, color, added scallops and texture, changed the position of the ribbon and sentiment, changed the stampers and added the dots. 

Stamps: Of the Earth (hostess) Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Real Red, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Other: embossing folder, scallop circle die, scallop oval die, lg oval die, wide red ribbon, gel pen

The next card is a combo of inspiration taken from the same card above and another card too.  I loved the colors on the card above and the layout of this new card.  Very simple yet so pretty.

I changed a lot on this one.  But I did basically keep the layout the same.

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, Itty Bitty Bits (Summer Mini)
Paper: Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Other: ribbon, markers, pearls ribbon, Bitty Buttons punch

I sure hope that you all have a wonderful Mother's Day today!  I am also sharing a poem that was posted on one of my boards today that I really likes.  Hope you enjoy.

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what

The vacuum just sucked up....

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

And get their answer when a little

Voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth

Is not measured by height or years or grade...

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother........

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn’t know everything!

14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn’t have a clue.

.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom...

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair..

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she

Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

author unknown.

I hope your day is blessed with much love and some time to spend on YOU!

You are special and deserve to be praised today!

Mary Jo

Featured Stamper Challenge from the Stampin Connection.

As you know I host the Featured Stamper Challenge on Stampin Connection and this week we are honoring Lisa Young.  I was not familiar with Lisa's work before looking for this week's featured stamper.  I was very impressed.  Since Stampin Connection is only for demos and many of you can not visit her gallery there I have her blog address for you.  You will love her work.  Let her know I sent you  CLICK HERE

Here are the two cards I made for this challenge.

This first card uses the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp.  I stamped it in Black Stazon and then water colored just around the lines with Certainly Celery re-inker.  So pretty.  They are layered on leaves cut with my Sizzix and the Little Leaves Sizzlit die.  They are all layered on Water color paper that I did a wash of Certainly Celery and Barely Banana re-inker on.  The sentiment is from Strength and Refuge.  And the card base Whisper White.

The Next card using the Upsy Daisy Set.

I used the soon to be retired colors Cameo Coral and Ruby Red.  One of my FAVORITE color combos.  I will certainly miss this one.  The sentiments are rub ons.  Pretty basic design, just a little distressing.  I love how it turned out though.  What do you think?

I am off to church for a Women's Ministry Event.  Have a great night!
Mary Jo

Today's Featured Stamper on Stampin Connection

Today we are honoring Nancy Riley!  She is so creative and has inspired me many times.  I actually made two cards for the challenge.

Stamps: Country Morning, Curvy Verses
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Sweet Pea paper pack, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black

Stamps: Country Morning, Curvy Verses
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Sweet Pea paper pack, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Other: markers, ribbon, rub ons

and my second card....

Stamps: Skateboarder
Paper: Hostess paper Pack, Crushed Curry, Shimmery White, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Night of Navy
Other: brads, circle punch, circle scissors pluss, marker, re-inkers

You can view Nancy's blog HERE and if you are a US demo you can find the challenge HERE.

Be back later with the new sketch challenge for the week.  You still have time to play along.
Mary Jo

I am having sooooo many computer problems today.  This is the third time I am trying to post this and I can not get my program to add the watermark for some silly reason.  I am doing the same thing I do every day of my life but now it won't work---UGGGGG!  Anyway I am able to get this on like this so it will have to do before I do not have a computer any more -- it may end up in the neighbor's yard! 

This card is for today's Featured Stamper Challenge on Stampin Connection-which by the way I can not get on either, lol!  It is also for my ED2 challenge.  Easy and Demonstratable cards. 

The featured stamper for this week is the wonderfully talented Robin Merriman!  You can see her blog here!

Stamps: Bella's Bloom, Picture This
Paper: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black
Other: Ribbon, markers, embossing plate

Got to run!  Taking my mom to bingo.  I may be a bit late on my new sketch challenge to--why not I have been late on everything else this weekend. 

Mary Jo

Stampin Connection's Featured Stamper for the week of March 21-27

Is none other than ME!  I had such a busy week that I did not have time to really search out a new featured stamper for the week so I figured I have over thee hundred samples in my gallery why not just use myself.  I find it quite easy to CASE myself too!  So after a long day of too many other things I finally had time to stamp a few cards.  The first is for this challenge.

I love these colors--so springy!  I cased this previous card of mine.  I changed the stamp sets and colors.

If you are a US demo come on over and play along



http://www.stampinconnection.com/forum/topics/featured-stamper-number-9march

The supplies used on my NEW card are as follows:

Stamps: A Flower for All Seasons, Well Scripted
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Sweet Pea DP, Old Olive, Specialty Paper
Ink: Basic Black,
Other: markers, brads, Scallop Edge punch

I am about to post the new challenge too so don't go too far!
Mary Jo

Featured Stamper Challenge 8 for the week of March 14th-20th

Cleaning out again! Can you believe my basement flooded AGAIN.  This is really getting old, lol.  Any way I am almost done cleaning up again so I can begin to create again.  Today is the challenge I host on the Stampin Connection Group.  This is a group for US Demo's that Stampin Up has done for us.  Kind of like SCS but ALL Stampin Up!  Each Sunday I host a Featured Stamper and we all find a card or project in her gallery to inspire us--or CASE.  There are a few rules though, you must change at least two things.  If you are a US demo come on over and play. 

This week's Featured Stamper is Wendy Hawkinson.  I actually chose two of  her cards to work with, I loved the colors of the one and the design of the other so I combined them.  Here is my card...

Here are her two cards that I was inspired by...

 
Supplies for my card...

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Whimsical Words
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Pixie Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Other: Scallop Trim Border Punch, SU Sizzlitst , wide oval punch, ribbon, Flower Fusions, brad

Hope you have a fabulous Sunday!
Mary Jo

Abundant Hope--I really love this set!

Today's featured stamper on the Stampin Connection group is Gretchen Barron! Come on over and play along

http://www.stampinconnection.com/forum/topics/featured-stamper-challenge-7

you have to be a US Demo to be a part of the group.  If you are not you can still see Gretchen's beautiful work on her blog HERE.

Here is my card for the challenge...

This really is one of my favorite sets right now.  I love daffodils and can't wait to start seeing them!

Stamps: Abundant Hope
Paper: old olive, so saffron, pretty in pink, whisper white
Ink: basic Black
Other: markers, ribbon, corner and edge punch, wide oval punch

Hope you have a fabulously blessed Sunday!  It has been a long week and I am looking forward to a new one, lol.  Three funerals this week--yuck!

Mary Jo

Sunday's Featured Stamper Challenge on Stampin Connection

If you are a demo in the US you probably know that I am the host of the Featured Stamper challenge on Stampin Connection.  Each Sunday I chose a stamper to honor.  Then we all check out that demos gallery and CASE one of her cards.  Well this week we are featuring one of the Queens of Punch Art--Jackie Topa!  If you are not a US demo you can view her fabulous ideas HERE on her blog. When CASING a sample the rules are you have to change at least two things about the card.  So here is mine.....

 

and then here is her card that I used for inspiration.  I changed the background, the leaves and flowers, colors and I do not own the bird punch she used so I substituted the butterfly for the eyes and the word window for the arms and hands.  I also added chalk to the cheeks and ears. I had so much fun with this card--thanks for your wonderful imagination Jackie, you Rock! 

Details on my card:
Stamps: Season of Friendship
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Kraft
Other: markers, chalks, heart punch, word window punch, tag punch, Horizontal slot punch, jewelry tag punch, small oval punch, Curly Label punch, hand held circle punch, cotton from the tip of a q-tip for hair, sizzlet leave die, daubers.

I will be back later with the new Monday Lunchtime Sketch challenge --see ya then!
Mary Jo

Featured Stamper Challenge for the week of February 21 through 27, 2010

I am really not happy with this card, but it is hard to concentrate today.  My son had a few kids sleep over and it is just crazy here.  They are having a ton of fun but I have a headache!   I was inspired by Jen Dierck;s great card shown below.  What a fun card, I thought it might look really nice in black and white with a splash of color but it just doesn't stamp cleanly enough.  I have never been able to get a solid image with this stamp and I have tried all the tricks.  It looks ok but not how I would like it.  I wasn't even going to post it but than I thought what the heck, you can see my blah cards too!  Here is the beautiful card that inspired me...

If you are a US Stampin Up! Demo, come on over to the Stampin Connection and play along.

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Teen Tiny Wishes
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black
Other: markers, black and white embossing powder, heat gun,

Thanks for stopping by, I will be back later with my new sketch challenge for the week.
Mary Jo