FS108: Kelly_H

Wooohooo! It's that time of the week! FEATURED STAMPER TIME! This week is going to be especially fun because I am not only featuring an awesome stamper, Kelly H!, but I am also using the stamp set from H&M from MY REAL LIVE BFF, DEBBIE!

WOOHOOO!
Here is Kelly's Card {What was I thinking?}
Changes: Stamp Set, colors, used dry pressure embossing and brads.

I used lovely lilac on the top of the card, then some DCWV designer paper on the bottom. It is really cute paper with these adorable birds on it in pastel colors. I used a strip of pretty in pink, but used the swiss dots folder on it. The stamps {Eggstra Special} from Doodle Designs/H&M stamps is Debbie's first stamp set! I used the chick in the egg. I stamped the egg on pink, then again on lilac. I trimmed both out and mounted the stripe on the pink, then put it on the card. The chick is colored with copics. Brads are ivory from Starlitstudio.

What do you think? Cute chick?

So go check out Kelly's gallery! Make a card....then rush over to see Debbie's new set at H&M!

Hanna Sneak Peek - Rock Star Hanna!

I made this card for my BFF Debbie! She is now an official Rock Star! Not because we jam together every weekend playing Rock Band on the Wii. It's because she is now a SUPAH-star in the Stamping world. She is now stepping up to designing stamps! Her releases are coming out soon and I cannot WAIT to play with them! Woohoo Debbie! I always knew you were a rock star! This card is perfect for Debbie becuase when we were at CHA we got matching Heartbreaker rock star t-shirts to wear when we play Rock Band together.

This card is made with guava (dry pressure embossed with the swirls folder). I used some fun patterned paper from my stash - and the sentiment is printed on the computer, punched with the SU! large oval punch. Sentiment mounted on navy (scalloped oval nestabilities) on dimensionals.

Mayarts ribbon (striped) across the middle of the card, cut with a v cut on the end! Sakura stardust on the guitar and boots!

What do you think?


stamps: Rock Star Hanna!
paper: guava, navy, wasabi, SU! patterned paper, white
ink: ranger black, copics
misc: ribbon, nesties, oval punch, scalloped edge punch, sakura stardust, dimensionals

HSFC58, WT207: Sneak Peek Hanna {wee hanna}

I call this card "I hope you dance!"

It reminds me of that awesome song by Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance!

It's what I hope my kids strive for - to never take ANYTHING for granted! Isn't that what we are supposed to do as a parent!?!?!

I digress - This card uses ribbon (recycled from a gift for the WT207 Challenge on SCS) -- which I threaded through the buttons (Buttons are so hot right now -- I am so glad I have them in my stash!)...

Wee Hanna is a fun set - with this little lady (Lily) who you can dress up in a variety of costumes. I put the ballet outfit on her -- I sparkled her tu tu with some stickles!

The designer paper is from Stampin' Up! It is retired, but my motto is -- if it is cute and in my stash - it's still in style! I used the stylized flowers embossing folder from Epap for the main card -- it's pretty in pink -- then a strip of chocolate chip paper on the bottom! The SU! scalloped edge punch on the bottom of the designer paper allows the chocolate paper to peek through.

Wee Hanna is colored with copics - I stamped her - then I stamped the ballet outfit. The ballet outfit is trimmed, then adhered right to Wee Hanna! Sentiment printed on the computer - then punched out with the word window punch and mounted to card with dimensionals!

What do you think?



Stamps: Wee Hanna! {Hanna Stamps} - available March 2
paper: pretty in pink, chocolate chip, designer paper (SU!), white
ink: black (ranger)
misc: ribbon (american crafts and recycled ribbon), CB (stylized flowers), buttons (SU!), nestabilities, copics, stickles (for tutu), SU scalloped edge punch, dimensionals (under sentiment), word window punch (for sentiment)

Years in the making....

This week is our Almost March Madness school basketball tournament. It has been in the works for a LONG time and since I am an integral part of the planning committee, I will gone most of the week. I will periodically check for graphic design (watermark/blog banner) orders and try and respond as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience!

FS107: {Isaiah 40:8} Sgtstamper

TEN-HUT! Stampers! Drop and give me 10 - I mean drop everything - it will only take 10 seconds to see that Jami is a FANTASTIC STAMPER! SgtStamper that is! {HERE} is her gallery!

{This card} was the card that I saw and decided to case. I loved the blue and brown colors with the cute stamps! I really liked the ribbon too! I decided to stay with the blue/brown theme. I changed the stamps to Papertrey's Garden of Life. I stamped on shimmery ivory paper. I used the rock & roll technique (bashful with brocade on the edges of the solid image) - then two step with the chocolate chip ink on the detail stamp. I stamped the stem and leaf in chocolate chip, used my marker (fine tip) to detail the edge of the stem.

I decided to play in the BVC09 on Splitcoast (bible verse challenge). It's been something which I have wanted to do over the past year - so I am starting now! I printed the scripture on the same shimmery paper. I love how the scripture came out. I loved it so much that I created one in the blue/brown combo, the brown and the black ink. I placed the files in .png format on the bottom of this post. Please feel free to use the digital wordart for your own personal use, but please credit me {© FreckledANDFun} if you post it on your blog or submit it for publication.





stamps: Garden of Life {Papertrey Ink}
ink: brocade, chocolate chip, bashful blue
paper: chocolate chip, brocade blue, shimmery ivory, designer paper (MME/WA)
misc: scalloped edge punch, dimensionals, ribbon
finished card size 5x5
challenges: BVC09, Fs107

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Here you go - you can (right click) (mac users ctrl+click) on any or all of these .png files for your own personal use. Please just credit me and send me a link to your creation - I want to check it out!

Notebook for Carol.....

I made this notebook for Todd's secretary. It was her birthday this week! I had received a *beautiful* gift this past Christmas from my friend Cindy. She made mine with the most beautiful memory box papers and this amazing sentiment. I *heart* it so much - I thought it would make a great gift for Carol!

Cindy had stamped the front of mine with this sentiment and I recreated it with a .png file which I created in Adobe. "Make each day your masterpiece". I folded the notebook cover using my scor-pal and used some fun Mayarts ribbon to hold the notebook closed. The main image is done with the nestabilities. Martha butterfly punch outlined with a pink sakura stardust pen.

The ribbon threads under the main sentiment courtesy of two small punches on either side of the sentiment (SU! punch) and goes around back (under a piece of white cardstock to give the notebook some additional support.




The top of the notebook is covered in the reverse side of the patterned paper (the same paper was used for the butterflies).

There is a pocket on the left side!

Fun gift! Thank you for the idea Cindy!








paper: Stampin' Up! retired
misc: notebook, Mayarts ribbon, nestabilities, butterfly punch (Martha), small punch (SU!)

CAS02, LSC208: Future!

Wow! I had time to make another card today for the double challenge! I did the CAS02 (Clean & Simple - One button) and LSC208 (Limited Supplies - designer green) challenge again!

Totally different look, huh?

I used the remainder of the scrap of the celery polka dot designer paper from the earlier card (I had used it as a strip across the Much Appreciated card earlier in the day). I sewed the outline of the card with a zig zag stitch. The stamp is from With Sympathy {Papertrey Ink}. I stamped the image on the tempting turquoise with turquoise ink. I stamped the flowers with the same ink on white and trimmed them out - added them with dimensionals. There is a strip of black on the bottom, scalloped edge punched with the SU! punch. Ribbon atop the black layer with one button! I threaded a little ribbon on the button so it wasn't neked!
What do you think? Clean and simple?

I made this for Todd - he needed a pick me up - with the future of the market so uncertain - we have certainly been praying a lot more lately!

So for everyone going through a tough time right now - keep the faith!




stamps: Papertrey Ink {With Sympathy}
paper: SU! designer paper, black, white, tempting turquoise
ink: tempting turquoise
misc: dimensionals, su scalloped edge punch, May arts ribbon, button

CAS02, LSC208: Much Appreciated!

Today's limited supply challenge on SCS (LSC208) is designer green (using any shade of green with bonus points for using designer paper).

This week's clean and simple challenge (CAS02) is One Button Will Do. That means - limit your clean/simple card to have ONE button only!

Yay! I was able to combine both challenges!

I woke up today with the colors raspberry and green on - green polka dot pj bottoms that is....I knew that I had to make a card with these colors (or similar). I had this designer paper pack on my desk from Stampin' Up! and decided to put it to use.

I started with a white 5x5 base - then added the pomegranate designer paper. I added a strip of the celery polkadot paper and distressed the edge of the celery.

This morning's tip from Pine on how to stamp with acrylic solid image stamps really helped me with today's solid image stamp. I grabbed a piece of fun foam (Thanks Pine) and was able to get an amazingly perfect image! YAY! I stamped over the solid image with archival black, carefully trimmed the flower and mounted it on the celery strip with a dimensional. I used a celery button (yay!) with some mayarts sheer ribbon (it was TOO hard to thread the pomegranate stitched ribbon through the holes - they were just *too* small) -- so I used the non matching sheer polkadot -- I guess it is okay...) - then I attached the button to the center of the flower.

Finally I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white cardstock with the pomegranate ink. I trimmed the end in a V cut and tucked the other end under the flower.

Clean & Simple? What do you think?

stamps: Garden of Life {Papertrey Ink}
paper: Stampin' Up! designer paper, whisper white
ink: pomegranate (SU!), black (archival)
misc: button, ribbon, dimensional

CAS01: Life's simple pleasures

There is a new challenge over at Splitcoast called CAS (Clean and Simple). I am starting out with the CAS01 challenge: Inspired by flannel.

The flannel I was inspired by was THIS ONE. I pulled out Shapes by design by Alli Miles {Papertrey Ink}. I was blog hopping and saw an Uberkewl layout by Dawn McVey {here} and thought that it would render a nice Clean and Simple card. I loved the white exposed area at the top of her card and the torn layer atop that white base. I used my white base - followed by a strip of apricot at the bottom. I stamped with the fresh snow ink on the apricot and then stamped the circle image with the flowers inside on the black cardstock. Tore the bottom to reveal the apriot cardstock strip. I used a strip of ribbon on the top (Mayarts/Starlitstudio) and adhered some brads on the side. I colored the brads with copics. I used a ribbon flower (it was in a bag of buttons I had in my stash) - and added a folded over piece of apricot ribbon underneath. I actually had to sew the ribbons on -- which I was able to accomplish without any major injuries! The sentiment is stamped on apricot cardstock with true black ink. I punched it with my SU! circle punch. I layered the apricot atop a scalloped circle punched piece of white cardstock.
Clean & simple? What do you think?



paper: white, black, apricot
ink: fresh snow, true black (papertrey ink)
misc: ribbon, brads, ribbon flower, circle punch, scalloped circle punch

Name Frames: Sean & Evan

I had *promised* name frames for Todd's business partner's wife for their twin boys soon after they were born. Thankfully, I got them done before the boys turned one year old. I knew what I needed to do, but sometimes finding the time between monthly projects and design work is impossible.

I was able to stamp the letters one day and let them dry. The letters are stamped in craft ink - so it is really important to heat set them or let them dry thoroughly! I guess 3 months drying time is good! {wink!}

I use craft ink so that the color does not fade over time (at least that is what Shelli tells me!).

I used the elephant (per request) from Wild about you! and the letters from Letterpress Alphabet {Stampin' Up!}.

The elephant is stamped in celery ink (craft) then the first letter of the name was stamped in Artichoke craft ink. I trimmed the first letter of the name & the elephant out and mounted it on a 2 inch high piece of white cardstock. Each letter is carefully trimmed and mounted on a 2 1/4 inch high piece of artichoke cardstock.

The first layer of the frame is celery cardstock, dry pressure embossed with the Traffic embossing folder {EclecticPaperie}. I use a strip of Night of Navy cardstock, then a layer of Stampin' Up! designer paper (retired). A piece of celery striped mayarts (Starlitstudio) ribbon goes across the frame, just under the letters. The letters are mounted on dimensionals.

I finished each frame with some buttons. My friend Pine hates neked buttons! I used some hemp to tie up the buttons and give them that finished look!

What do you think?

stamps: Wild about you! & Letterpress Alphabet (Stampin' Up!)
ink: craft artichoke & celery
paper: celery, navy, white, artichoke, designer paper (SU!)
misc: buttons & hemp (SU!), cuttlebug folder (traffic), ribbon (Mayarts)

Watermark Menu:

Here is a new group of watermarks which you can select from! Each watermark will be available for $5. Simply select your choice, then email me with the number of the watermark and your color (white, black, transparent or any specific color). Send me the exact wording (or in the case of monogram watermarks - the letters you would like). Turn around time will be much quicker for these!

You can still get custom watermarks! These are just another quick and easy service from FreckledANDFun!

Happy Stamping!

Allow me a moment to brag!

What a week we had! My husband Todd was named to Barron's Magazine list of the Top 1000 Financial Advisors. (for you stampers - it is like being named to the Paper Crafts elite).

in a press release:
Todd Silaika of the Merrill Lynch Financial Advisory Team, the SIRICA Group, has been recognized by Barron's Magazine as one of the "nation's best financial advisers". He works for the Southern Saratoga office of Merrill Lynch, located in Clifton Park, NY. He is part of the six person SIRICA group. The group helps clients manage expectations and successfully maneuver through major financial transitions and life events.


Barron's Article: Top 1000 Financial Advisers

List of New York Advisers

How cool is that?

Papertrey Ink: Tags For Spring!

Tags for Spring is the first stamp set which I am a part of with Papertrey Ink! I designed one of the stamps in the set, along with the other talented stamp design team members. The set is now available at the Papertrey Ink website. You can also click {here} to go directly to the Stamp Set at the Papertrey Ink site. The set is available alone or in the bundle format. Did you see some of the fun things that the design team showcased this week for the stamp set?

Nichole Heady
Becky Oehlers
Genevieve Cassady
Heather Nichols
Lauren Meader
Lisa Johnson
Michelle Wooderson
Dawn McVey
Niki Estes
Betsy Veldman
Melissa Phillips

Happy Stamping!

FS106: Julie M Lacey!

I saw this card in Julie's gallery and had to case it! It was perfect because I had the Our Craft Lounge giraffe from Treemendous Love and thought it would be a perfect fit! It was!!!! I changed the stamp set, the colors - kept the layout similar - used a button instead of baubles and changed the main image to an oval. My ribbon is wider too!

Black cardstock base - DCWV paper, then pink passion which is dry pressure embossed with the paisley folder. Simple and fun card - for my SWEETIE! Black soot ranger ink - the heart is from the OCL set Treemendous love, as is the sentiment. I stamped the sentiment and then stamped the heart in pink passion ink right over the top. I colored in the giraffe with copics. Main image is on dimensionals.

Martha stewart punch on the black layer just under the main image.

Thanks for looking - HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!



stamps: OCL (Treemendous Love)
paper: black, white, pink passion, DCWV
ink: black soot, pink passion, copics
misc: edge punch (martha), ribbon (mayarts), Cuttlebug (paisley), button (my stash), dimensionals, nestabilities

SC215: Bowling Hanna

I created this card for the SC215 on SCS. I used some paper from the SU! pack (celery, pomegranate designer paper pack). I did some paper piecing and created the bowling ball with layers of embossing powder (clear and irredicent ice).

Hanna was colored with copics! I used sakura stardust on the bag (heart) and her buttons, pin in her hair and earings. This was a fun layout!















Here is a close up on the paper piecing and the bowling ball.

I created some fun "foils" in Hanna's hair! My kids call em "stripes".

The sentiment was stamped in black ink on white paper, then punched with the SU! scalloped circle punch!








stamps: Hanna Bowling
paper: SU! black, white, dp (Stack)
ink: black, copics, versamark
misc: scalloped circle punch, clear ep, irr. ice ep, ribbon (mayarts), dimensionals