Taking a Little Break

So, if you hadn't noticed, I'm taking a little time off. I'm really busy with a new job and taking care of some family responsibilities. I'm hoping I'll be back stamping and sharing with you by February 1. Thanks so much for hanging in with me. Hugs to you all.

Stamp Simply x 4

I can't believe it's my last week guest designing with Sharon's Stamp Simply team. It's been such a blast, with some really great challenges. Thank you Sharon! And today's challenge may be my favorite of them all. Create a card that is SUPER easy to mass produce. And here's my happy, cheery thank you card (times four).

No coloring, no cutting out little pieces, just punching, gluing, and little bit of stamping. And since the accesories are minimal, it's a pretty cheap card to mass produce too.
If you'd like to recreate this card (maybe using your choice of papers to suit your theme), here are my measurements. I cut everything out first, then quickly assembled.

Blue polka dots: 1.75 x 4.25 inches (x2)
Solid blue: 2 x 4.25 inches
orange strips: .25 x 4.25 inches (x2)
striped strips: 3/8 x 4.25 inches (x2)

This is all layered on a solid white base. I also cut/punched all of my butterflies, flowers and circles at one time as well.

What's In It?
Stamps: Circle Sentiments (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: white, celery (SU), sea salt (Bazzill), Ooh La La (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: turquoise (SU)
Other: classic butterfly punch (Martha Stewart), corner rounder, circle nestie, Cuttlebug flower die, Prima flowers, gold Stickles, dimensional adhesive

Please use keyword ssnotime115 when uploading your challenge card(s) to online galleries. And now check out the fab Stamp Simply team:

Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb
Jennifer

Pssst...

Be sure to stop over at Lizzie Anne Designs in the next few days for some GREAT deals!

See you in the morning with a Stamp Simply project. Happy shopping. I hope you're enjoying your day.

All Wrapped Up

It's another Stamp Simply challenge with Sharon Johnson. Today, your challenge is to "Wrap It Up". Wrap anything for any occassion. I chose to do one of these gift card holders (ie., gift card "wrappers") that I have been seeing around. I kept thinking they were so cute. And now I don't know why I waited so long to try it. This was SUCH a quick and easy project. I did a little searching and found this easy-to-follow tutorial.

I used one double-sided piece of patterened paper to speed things along, and topped it with this darling crossroads sign for winter, from Lizzie Anne. I randomly stamped the matching snowflakes on the inside as well. I added May Arts ribbon and a few snowflake crystals from Michael's. Paper is from Basic Grey.

See what the rest of the girls are "wrapping up" this week:

Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb
Jennifer

I hope you'll play along with us. If you do, please use keyword ssnotime114 when uploading to online galleries. Thanks!

Jbelle Inspiration

I'm running a little late today, but I do have a Jbelle challenge card to share with you. The challenge is to choose one of the darling little girl dresses shown on this website, and use it to inspire your creation. Goodness there were so many cute choices, but I finally settled on this one, because the red trim reminded me of some great May Arts ribbon I have. I also used the seams and snowflake to come up with my layout.

And here's my card:
The ribbon is from May Arts, as I mentioned. The snowflake is a Sizzix die cut, which I dressed up using a Prima Say it in Studs center. I ran my three panels thru my cuttlebug with an embossing folder, finishing off the edges with a gold paint pen. And lots of dimensionals tossed in for good measure.

Here are the links to the rest of the players. Hopefully you'll find time and inspiration to join us. Use keyword JBE080 when uploading.

Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

Matchbook Penguin

I'm excited to be joining Sharon and her team of talented stampers again this week for another Stamp Simply challenge. I love this one. I think non-typical folds are so fun and interesting to work with, and today's challenge is to make a matchbook fold card. That means it has an extra little flap to tuck your card front into, like a matchbook.
I started with a 4-1/4" x 11" piece of white card stock. I punched one edge, which left me with 4-1/4" x 10-3/4". Starting from the punched edge, I scored at 1" and 6-1/8". So when my card is all folded up, it measures 5-1/8" x 4-1/4".
I used some red line tape to adhere my flap at the crease. That way it leaves enough room to tuck in the card front, and also be tight enough to keep the card closed.

I chose some Lizzie Anne Designs paper (Winter Wonderland) to go with my penguin (from the Way Up North set), and accented with a few glittered snowflakes.

I hope you get a chance to play along. If so, use keyword ssnotime113 when uploading to online galleries. And here are links to the talented Stamp Simply team samples:

Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Vintage Winter

Hello Stampers! Today's card has some vintage charm. I stamped the skates (from Christmas in the City) in chocolate chip ink on bashful blue card stock. Then I used a water brush and some more ink to color a few parts. The skate blades are colored with a glitter pen. And I added a brad to "hang" the skates on.

I layered some snowflake die cuts and punches for an embellishment and tied on a sentiment tag.

What's In It?

Stamps: Christmas in the City (LAD)
Paper: bashful blue, creamy caramel (SU), vintage cream (PTI), Mistletoe and Co. (Pink Paislee)
Ink: chocolate chip, close to cocoa (SU)
Other: rectangle and scalloped rectangle and tag die cuts (Spellbinders), distress Stickles (Ranger), snowflake dies (Sizzix), snowflake punch (Martha Stewart), snowflake gemstone (Michael's), twine (PTI), dimensionals, vintage brad (SU), water brush, sponge

Bags, Tags, and Gifts, oh my!

Today's Jbelle Challenge is something for gift giving, like a bag, tag, or the gift itself. I made a bag using a 6 x 12 inch piece of My Mind's Eye paper (from the Ooh La La for Her kit). The finished bag measures 3.25 x 2.5 inches x 4.25 inches tall.

The top half inch of decorative paper is the reverse side of the paper, folded down. Then I added a scalloped border and decorated the front. The flowers and tag (on which you can write the recipient's name) are pieces from the same My Mind's Eye pack. I used a green piece of paper from the kit to freehand some stems and leaves. Some finishing touches include the Me and My Big Ideas gemstones and May Arts ribbon for the handle.

Check out more rock star inspiration:

Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

And then play along with us! Use keyword JBE079 when uploading to online galleries, like SCS or PCP.

I'm Stamping Simply

Yep, this whole month I'll be joining Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply challenges as a guest designer. I am SO excited! Without further ado, here's this week's challenge:

ssnotime112 - "Let's Be Thrifty": Use brown postal wrap or a brown grocery bag in your project.

I chose to do a gift wrapping project. I started with a brown grocery bag, cutting just the front, since I knew that would be plenty of paper to wrap my box. Just for good measure, I ironed it flat on both sides so I'd have a nice stamping surface. I love mixing rougher, natural textures with elegant stamps and finishing touches, so I started randomly stamping three swirl stamps (from Fanciful Flourishes) randomly all over the paper.

Until it was all full. Just keep your swirls pretty closely spaced.
Then I wrapped my box, adding some pink organdy ribbon and a matching tag. The snowflakes are a Sizzix die and a Martha Stewart punch. The pearlized paper gives it a little extra pizzazz.
Now, here are more great samples from the design team:
Janine
Julie
AJ
Tammy
Deb
Barbara
Jenny
Barb

Well, my supplies are all packed up and ready to go to Stamping Around Philly. Now I just have to pack my suitcase. Yippee!!!!

It's Another Jbelle Tuesday!

And today's challenge is a sketch challenge. I really liked this sketch and my card came together pretty quickly. I started with the Basic Grey June Bug 6 x 6 paper pad and picked out a matching embellishment from the June Bug Pops, the heart. I layered the heart on kiwi kiss card stock and cut a thin border so it would have a little contrast against the patterned papers. The sentiment is from Lizzie Anne's Monthly Mix, There's Something to Crow About. I stamped the "thanks" in multiple colors and cut out the blocks to mix and match. Then I added a few Daisy D rhinestones to dress it up even more.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm off to Stamping Around Philly this Friday and Saturday. I can't wait to meet some new stampers and have a busy couple of stamping days. I'm sure I'll have pictures for you next week. Hopefully I'll be able to pop in with some eye candy for you between now and then, as well.

What's In It?

Stamps: Something to Crow About (Lizzie Anne Monthly Mix)

Paper: real red, kiwi kiss, pirouette pink (SU), June Bug (Basic Grey)

Ink: real red, kiwi kiss (SU), onyx black (VersaFine)

Other: embossed curve punch (EK Success), rhinestones (Daisy D), June Bug pop (BG), ribbon (SU), dimensionals

Check out the rest of the Jbelle Rock Stars for more inspiration:

Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

And then you can play along, here!

abc, 123, baby, you and me!

Are you singing with me?

Today's Jacksonbelle challenge is to make a 1, 2, 3 card. That means:

1 stamp
2 embellishments
3 (or less) layers

So I used one stamp (Lizzie Anne Designs' Get Well Soon), two embellishments (crystal swirls and flower from Prima) and three layers (including this Mistletoe and Co. patterned paper from Pink Paislee).

I hope you'll play along with us this week. Here's a link to the challenge on the Jbelle blog. And here are all of the rock stars with more samples for you:

Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

Just a note, Lizzie Anne Designs is holding their first GUEST ROCKSTAR STAMPER search. Get the details and throw your hat in the ring, here. The deadline is October 31.

Vellum Snowman

If you don't get the Lizzie Anne Designs newsletter (you can sign up here), then you missed this card, including the tutorial on making a vellum snowman. So I just thought I'd share really quickly here as well. Have a great day!

What's In It?
Stamps: Christmas in the City (LAD)
Paper: blue bayou, bashful blue, heavy vellum (SU), pearlized white (Paper Accents)
Ink: brocade blue, bashful blue, choc chip, pumpkin (SU), tuxedo black (Memento)
Other: ribbon (Cosmo Cricket), tag die (Spellbinders), sponge, stylus, glitter, glue pen, white gel pen, scissors

Fall is in the Air

It has been downright chilly hear lately! Today is actually a heat wave at 64 degrees. Josh and I have been missing some of our morning walks, because it has been 32 ! That's freezing! Literally! Regardless, the air is crisp, the leaves are floating to the ground, and the sky is blue as can be. Yep, fall is most definitely in the air. Therefore, my fall inspired card for today's Jbelle Tuesday challenge.

The challenge today is a sketch challenge. And I knew exactly which papers I wanted to use. These gorgeous, totally autumnal Captivating papers by Pink Paislee. Love 'em. I colored my image (PTI) with SU markers and a water color brush. Made a sentiment flag and accented it with this gorgeous Prima Say It In Studs piece. I use my photo corner punch to make the little flag ends.

Thanks for stopping by, and check out the rest of the team:

Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Lynda Benden
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

I hope you can play along with us here.

What's In It?
Stamps: Autumn Abundance (PTI)
Paper: Lovely and Beloved from Captivating (Pink Paislee), banana, bashful blue, pumpkin (SU), watercolor (Strathmore), white card base
Ink: onyx black (VersaFine), chocolate chip and various markers for coloring (SU)
Other: circle nesties (Spellbinders), Say It In Studs (Prima), watercolor brush, photo corner punch

Vellum Challenge

Today's Jacksonbelle challenge is to use vellum.

Hmmmm. I had to think about this one for a little while. Then I decided to stamp my image (from Stampavie) directly on the vellum. By coloring with markers on the back of the stamped image, then you get this nice soft look on the front. And you don't have to worry about your ink smearing, because you're coloring on the back side. I also dry embossed all of her fur trim to make it nice and white, as well as dimensional. Cute, huh? I also edged the vellum in glitter and added brads to my Ooh La La paper.

I hope you find some time to play along with the Jbelle Rockstars this week and incorporate some vellum into one of your projects. It really can give you lots of cool, unexpected effects. Check out the rest of the team:

Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Lynda Benden
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford

What's In It?
Stamps: Sarah Kay Noel Joy (Stampavie), Damask Design (PTI)
Paper: Ooh La La for Her (My Mind's Eye), pretty in pink, celery, vellum (SU)
Ink: memento black, various SU markers
Other: glue pen, glitter, brads, dimensionals, dry embossing stylus

Just So You Know

I don't have any eye candy for you today. I'm busy cleaning, making appointments, doing laundry, etc, etc, etc. You know how it is. But I wanted to let you know that Lizzie Anne is revealing two more stamp sets today. You can enter to win yesterday's sets, as well as today's. Just stop by the LAD blog and comment on each post. Hope to see you soon, with something pretty to share.

LAD Previews!

The Pilgrim Boy and Girl singles were already released on the first of the month, and now Lizzie Anne Designs is previewing their fall release stamp sets today and tomorrow. I've got a couple of samples for you today, and you can check out lots more on the Lizzie Anne blog, here.

For this first card, I paired the new Fanciful Flourishes with this acorn and leaf image from October's Monthly Mix, A Harvest of Memories. You really must check out the entire set, as there are so many elegant flourishes. I foresee myself reaching for this set A LOT.

And to get ready for winter, how cute is this set, called Way Up North? It has several darling sentiments to work with all of the images, but this particular one reads, "Colder weather brings us together!" Seriously cute! I hate to rattle on and on, but really... I mean, there is a bear making a snowman (or snow bear as the case may be). I just LOVE it.

What's In It?

Acorn Swirl Card:
Stamps: A Harvest of Memories, Fanciful Flourishes (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: kraft, garden green, chocolate chip (SU), Sultry (Basic Grey)
Ink: fresh snow (PTI), chocolate chip (SU), Versamark
Other: clear embossing powder (SU), circle nesties, fake dew drops, organic flourish border (Cuttlebug)

Snow Bear Card:

Stamps: Way Up North (Lizzie Anne Designs)

Paper: chocolate chip, vanilla (SU), flocked snowflakes (Making Memories)

Ink: rich cocoa (Memento)

Other: long rectangle nesties, Copic markers, tafetta ribbon (SU), dimensionals

Black and White +1

Today's Jbelle Challenge is to use black and white plus one other color. I LOVE this concept. I used turquoise as my third color. The felt, flowers and crystal swirls are all from Prima. The polka dotted paper (yum) is October Afternoon, and the bid brad is from Making Memories with a coating of black diamond Stickles.

I hope you get a chance to play along with our challenge. If you do, link up to the Jbelle blog, here. That way we can check out what you came up with. Can't wait to see it.

Oh yeah, and the 25% off EVERYTHING sale continues through Thursday. Use promo code FALL. Seriously, when was the last time you saw a sale this good at an online paper crafting store? How about never?

What's In It?
Stamps: Damask Designs (PTI)
Paper: white (PTI), caribbean, turquoise (SU), Hometown: County Library (October Afternoon)
Ink: onyx black (VersaFine)
Other: black diamond Stickles; Say it in crystals, flowers, die cut felt (Prima); jumbo brad (Making Memories)

And the rest of the rockstars:

Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Lynda Benden
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford

Love You Sew Much

How cute is this sewing machine? I love the little heart shaped button on the bottom right. I'm a sucker for the details. Both this sewing machine and the matching sentiment are part of Lizzie Anne's monthly mix for October. So if you haven't signed up yet, it starts shipping tomorrow!

I colored with Copics and added a little distressing ink (Ranger's tea dye and Papertrey Ink's chamomile) to the circle's edge. The blue flower was originally white, but I colored it with a Copic marker to match.

All the details:
Stamps: A Harvest of Memories (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: tangerine, brilliant blue (SU), cream (PTI), vintage findings (Making Memories)
Ink: black (Memento), brilliant blue (SU), chamomile (PTI), tea dye (Ranger)
Other: circle nestabilities, flower (Hero Arts), lace from Walmart, vintage findings button (MM), embossed curve punch (EK), paper piercer and template (SU), winter retreat dew drop, dimensionals, rustic jute button twine (PTI)

A JBelle Color Challenge

Lot's of good stuff going on at Jacksonbelle Embellishments this week! Here's the run down:

• A SALE!!! In fact, a BIG SALE. 25% off the entire store with discount code FALL (use all capital letters). And if you order today, you'll probably have new goodies in time for World Card Making Day!
• Still lots of new product in stock and arriving. The latest? Some really yummy My Mind's Eye papers and accessories.
• This week is your last chance to enter the September contest with the Grand Prize of a $50 Gift Certificate to the store, as well as a 2nd and 3rd place prize.

And now for today's Jbelle Challenge! Use all or some of the following colors: green, blue, red and black.
For my card, I used all but the green. The butterflies and flowers are some Basic Grey rub-ons, highlighted with Me and My Big Ideas gemstones. I used lots of the new Making Memories Vintage Findings line (paper, button, and gem pins) and some scrumptious black May Arts ribbon.

What's In It?
Stamps: Fancy Florals Remixed (Verve Stamps)
Paper: vanilla, black (SU), Vintage Findings (Making Memories)
Ink: onyx black (VersaFine), chamomile (PTI)
Other: vintage findings button and gem pins (Making Memories), gemstones (MAMBI), rub-ons (BG), labels 4 dies (Spellbinders), ribbon (May Arts)

Check out what the rest of the JBelle Rockstars are doing:

AJ Otto
Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Lynda Benden
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

Thankful Pear

Here's one that's quick and easy to put together. I used yesterday's sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers. The pear image and sentiment are from Lizzie Anne's October Monthly Mix. It's called A Harvest of Memories and will start shipping early October. I pieced the pear with some great K & Co. paper and added a pink Making Memories snap.

An Owl with Mojo?

Hello! Here's a card I put together last week with Julee's so cool Mojo Monday sketch.
I stamped the trees and owl (from The Great Outdoors, which happens to be on sale this week) on water color paper and colored with markers and a paint brush. The "hi" is from September's Monthly Mix, Something to Crow About. I used my Spellbinders' nestabilities for the circles and EK Success' Parisian Punch for the green strips. Pearl brads are by SEI. I also glued down just the centers of the trees and owl so I could roll up the edges for subtle dimension.

JBelle Something New

This month's contest at Jacksonbelle Embellishments continues. So if you can find time to play along with any of this month's weekly challenges, enter your card to win up to a $50 gift certificate. Details can all be found here! And this week's challenge is to show off what you can do with some of the yummy new Jbelle product that has been coming in fast and furious ever since summer CHA.

I'm using this ca-ute Sarah Kay image from Stampavie, which I colored with quite a variety of Copic markers. I also added a bit of shimmer to the candy with a Spica atyou pen. Patterned paper is by October Afternoon.

More Jbelle inspiration:

AJ Otto
Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Keri Lee Sereika
Lindsey Botkin
Lynda Benden
Michelle Philippi
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

A Shiny Get Well

I haven't been feeling super chatty on the blog front lately. Just not much to say. So I'll leave you with a quick recipe today, and move on. If you ever have any questions, just drop me an email. I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try for this one. Enjoy! Stamps: Bloomin' Doodles and Get Well Soon single (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: bashful blue, saffron, chocolate, olive, regal rose, vanilla (SU)
Ink: rich cocoa (memento)
Other: say it in crystals (Prima), circle nesties (Spellbinders), larger crystals (Mike's), dimensionals, Copic markers (RV42, RV34)

Slow and Steady...

This is how I feel, slow and steady, but with a smile on my face. Anyway, today's card features this cheerful snail from Cute As A Bug. I colored him, and some grass and sky, with Copic markers, and paired him up with some of Basic Grey's June Bug papers. The black dots on the scallops are black diamond Stickles, and the dots with the sentiment were done with a gel pen.

Hugs to you! And have a great weekend.

What's In It?
Stamps: cute as a bug (Lizzie Anne Designs)
Paper: summer sun (SU), white (PTI and georgia pacific), June Bug (Basic Grey)
Ink: black (Memento), chamomile (PTI), rose red, summer sun (SU)
Accessories: black gel pen, sponge dauber, black diamond stickles, ribbon, circle and label 4 nesties, copic markers

FYI...

Just dropping a quick post to let you all know that the October Monthly Mix has been revealed for Lizzie Anne Designs. I am so in love with this new program. If you'd like any more details, check it out here.

(samples by Joslyn)

Another Chance to Win

It's another Tuesday challenge at Jacksonbelle Embellishments and another chance to enter this month's contest. Just make a card using Inkadinkado, Basic Grey, Prima or Stampavie stamps, and email it to jacksonbelle.embellishments@gmail.com. Get all of the nitty gritty here.

And this week's challenge is to make a fall or Halloween themed card! What a great excuse to pull out my untouched Earth Love pad from Cosmo Cricket. It seems to be out of stock right now, but just drop Lindsey an email if you'd like her to order more. Look at those yummy fall colors. I also used an Inkadinkado stamp, Primas and distress Stickles in frayed burlap. I applied different colored inks to the owl stamp using VersaMagic dew drops, then colored with Mango Madness and a blender pen around the stamped image. Thanks for stopping by.

What's In It?
Stamps: Birds Galore (Inkadinkado), Heartfelt Phrases (Verve Stamps)
Paper: vanilla, kraft, guava (SU), Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: tea leaves, gingerbread, jumbo java, mango madness (VersMagic), olive (SU)
Other: flowers (prima), ribbon (American Crafts), word window punch, blender pen (SU), frayed burlap distress stickles (Ranger), dimensionals

The rest of the Jbelle Rockstars:
AJ Otto
Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Lindsey Botkin
Lynda Benden
Michelle Philippi
Mitzi Koons
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

P.S. Have you seen the new Prima flowers that just came in? Oh my word!!!

Inching Along

I feel like I'm moving about as fast as this inchworm today. I used a couple of Lizzie Anne's digital paper packs on this card. Specifically, Cute as a Bug and Bloomin' Doodles. And the inchworm is from the matching Cute As A Bug stamp set. His smiling face just brightens my day! And the sketch is Julee's Mojo Monday #103. Have a great weekend!

What's In It?

Stamps: Cute as a Bug (Lizzie Anne Designs)

Paper: Cute as a Bug and Bloomin' Doodles digitals (Lizzie Anne), white (Papertrey Ink and Georgia Pacific), olive and guava (SU)

Ink: tuxedo black (Memento)

Other: Copic markers, rectangle nesties, buttons, thread, dimensionals, wavy border punch (EK), frills embossing border (CB)

My Little Trip

Here are a few pictures I took during our little trip last weekend. Far from professional, but so beautiful that I had to share. This is Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. This is the view as you approach:And here are a couple from a viewing point slightly down the river.

The nearby town and state park (19,052 acres of it!) are called Ohiopyle.

We hiked along all of that to get to this:
Beautiful! And shortly after we arrived, some guy came with his two dogs. They were barking and playing and splashing in the water. It was idyllic.

I didn't take any pictures of the nearby resort where we stayed. But it is definitely worth seeing if you have a minute. We were in the Chateau LaFayette at Nemacolin Woodlands.

And all of this is less than an hour-and-a-half from Pittsburgh. Just about an hour for us. I find that amazing. I'm hoping to drive down just for the day when the leaves change. Can you imagine?

Well, I'm off to the dentist. Boo! But just for a check up. I hope to do a little stamping this afternoon. See ya all soon.

A Touch of Nature

This card was in the last Lizzie Anne Newsletter, but for those of you who may have missed it, I'm adding it to the blog here. You can get step-by-step directions here. It uses The Great Outdoors stamp set and some K & Company papers called the Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse Mat Pad.

Speaking of nature, I only took a few pictures of my trip last week, but they're quite pretty. I'll try to get a couple edited to share with you.

Now I'm going to continue the hunt for my mojo. It seems like when I go away even for a little trip, it's hard to get back into the stamping swing of things. Perhaps a sketch challenge is in order. See ya soon.

Sunflower Season

It's another challenge and another chance for you to enter the Jacksonbelle Embellishments contest going on this month. Get all the details here. You could win a store gift certificate! This week is a sketch challenge, and this is my card using Basic Grey's Perhaps paper and an Inkadinkado sunflower stamp. I embossed it onto the yellow/gold patterned paper as well as the green pattern. I cut some of the green petals to use as flowers. The pearls are also from Basic Grey.

By the way, the brand new Basic Grey is in at Jacksonbelle Embellishments too.

What's In It?
Stamps: sunflower (Inkadinkado)
Paper: vanilla, choc chip (SU), Perhaps (Basic Grey)
Ink: versamark
Other: twill, detail black embossing powder, Basic Grey pearls, corner rounder, dimensionals

More from the Jbelle Rockstars!
AJ Otto
Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Lindsey Botkin
Lynda Benden
Michelle Philippi
Mitzi Koons
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer

Wishing You Well

Hello! I've got a quickie for you today. I have to get the house put together and ready to leave in the morning. We're taking a short getaway to a nearby resort in the Laurel Highlands. It's called Nemacolin Woodlands. We'll also be doing some hiking and touring Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. Isn't nature BEAUTIFUL?!? Hopefully I'll be able to snap a few decent pictures. I was going through some odd bits and pieces stashed on my stamping desk when I came across this flower, all colored and cut out. I added the white highlights and tossed together a simple card. I'm really tickled with it. I think it might be the color combo that appeals to me so much. I'll just leave you with the recipe now, since I've rattled on quite a bit already. And it is a very simple card. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

What's In It?
Stamps: Abundant Blessings, Wonderful Wishes (Verve Stamps)
Paper: vanilla (SU), white, spring moss (PTI), sea salt (Bazzill), Girl Friday: Wednesday (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: tuxedo black (Memento)
Other: spring moss grosgrain (PTI), Making Memories brads, Spellbinders double ended tags die, pop dots, glue dots

Ribbon Optional

Hello! Guess what? Lindsey is kicking off the fall season with a really fun month of challenges on the Jacksonbelle Embellishments blog. There will actually be five challenges. One for every Tuesday in September, starting today. And, yep, there are fab prizes involved. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $50.00 Gift Certificate to the store! Second Place, $30.00 and Third Place, $15.00! There will be a goodie package going out to ALL winners!!

You must use stamps or other store product as your main focus, and you must email all five of your cards at the end of the five challenges to jacksonbelle.embellishments@gmail.com no later than Thursday, October 1st at midnight (EST). Please check out the blog for more details, and don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have. We sure hope to have you play along!

And now for challenge number one: A One Layer Card!



Okay, I know this may be tough, but let's see if you can follow me. LOL.

1. Make card base with Basic Grey June Bug paper.
2. Slap on rhinestones and Pops stickers.
3. Stamp sentiment.
4. (and this one's optional) Tie on ribbon.

There was A LOT of discussion among the design team as to what qualifies as a one layer card. I'm pretty sure the final answer was: Your card base (stamped as you please), with as many accessories as you'd like. But no more card stock.

Get more gorgeous inspiration from the whole Jbelle Team!
AJ Otto
Carly Robertson
Heather Lee-Reppen
Jill Dunn
Jimmi Mayo
Lindsey Botkin
Loretta Lock
Lynda Benden
Melissa Bove
Michelle Philippi
Mitzi Koons
Shemaine Smith
Stephanie Hargis
Tobi Crawford
Trudee Sauer