Thoughts of Love

You are all so sweet; can I just tell you that? Thank you so much for *all* of your sweet comments. It is nice to know that there are such nice people out there!

For today's card, I tried to keep it clean and simple. This started out being for yesterday's WT challenge; to use green. I knew I wanted to use Papertrey's Spring Moss paper and ink...I believe that this along with Aqua Mist were the first two colors that PTI came out with and of course they had to be mine! I have been hoarding the paper and ribbon ever since. I did break down and use quite a bit of Aqua Mist cardstock on my cousins bridal shower invitations. That is good for me! LOL! So...I stamped the tree image, which happens to be one of my new faves, with Spring Moss ink onto Vintage Cream cardstock. I stamped the sentiment with Palette Noir ink and then used my black SU! marker and my color spritzer tool to add some black flecks! I didn't even smudge anything this time, I just wanted to use it! LOL! Of course I had to add some buttons somewhere into the design. I ran the Spring Moss cardstock through my cuttlebug using the swiss dot embossing folder. This, too, is one of my faves! I adore it!

It just wouldn't be complete without a little Martha, so I added some Ultrasmooth Vanilla cardstock punched with the doily lace edge to soften the card. I kept the sentiment so that it could work as a get well or a sympathy. I stamped the "Thinking of You...Please know that I care" sentiment on the inside.

I have a hot date with my husband tonight, so I need to get started on tomorrow's SFYTT card! Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies: Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers

Ink: Palette Noir, Spring Moss, SU! marker

Paper: Basic Black, Spring Moss, Vanilla, Vintage Cream

Accessories: Black gingham ribbon, linen thread, buttons, crop-a-dile, doily lace edge punch, foam squares, color spritzer, paper piercer and mat pack, cuttlebug and swiss dot embossing folder

Mojo Cupcakes

Thank you so much for all of your positive response to yesterday's post. I will *definitely* be posting a tutorial! I decided that since it was already Thursday and I haven't even done this week's Mojo Monday Sketch, that I had better get on it! I also combined it with today's WT challenge over at SCS. That one was easy peasy; use stripes! It seems like I always use stripes so it wasn't hard at all! It also worked nicely with the cupcake wrapper on the cupcake image. Also, the cupcake frosting looks like it is floating above the base because of the angle I took the photo. In real life it looks just right! LOL!

I fell in love with this set called "Cupcake Affair" from Verve. As I popped over to get the link, I noticed that they are having a sale! Woohoo! The thing I love about this set is that the cupcakes have line art and bold images, so if you feel like coloring you can, but if not you can just use the solid image! Very cute set! I also really like the sentiment. You can use if for a birthday or just to cheer someone up!

I paired the image with some paper from My Mind's Eye. I thought the colors were perfect for a cupcake card. I also added some Diamond Stickles to the cupcake frosting, flowers and edges of the card. I thought the card needed a little something more, so I added a button duo threaded with linen thread and attached with glue dots! The sentiment was punched using the large oval punch from SU! I sponged all of the edges of the white cardstock with Antique Linen Distress Ink for a soft look. Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Cupcake Affair by Verve Stamps

Ink: Palette Noir, Antique Linen distress ink by Ranger, Copic and Prismacolor markers

Paper: My Mind's Eye, PTI White

Accessories: Linen Thread, Buttons from my stash, nestabilities dies, large oval punch, sponge, diamond stickles, ribbon by offray

Lemon Card and Lemon Curd

First things first....if you have subscribed to my blog, are you getting your email notifications? If you haven't been, but visit here anyway, could you let me know? Thanks!

I had promised a recipe after Christmas and I am finally getting it done. I spied this beautiful "Lemons and Bay Leaf" image on Debbie's blog and knew it was a must have for getting this project done. I quickly headed over to Ellen's store to purchase the stamp and I picked up a few others while I was at it. I am so excited. I made the lemon curd a couple of weeks ago and it has been sitting in my refrigerator waiting to be finished. I made these for some ladies in my neighborhood and I will be delivering them this week. I have included the recipe for you to try. It is delicious on Sour Dough English Muffins, scones, etc. You can even use it as filling on a cake. So if you love all things lemon, this is the recipe for you. I got the recipe from "Christmas Recipes from the Lion House". I think my version was published sometime in the 1980s judging from the cover photo. LOL! I put mine in a water bath for 10 minutes so that the jars would seal and I wouldn't have to worry about it going bad.

I started off having a completely different color scheme in mind. I wanted to go with Lavendar and Yellow because that was the fabric I had chosen to use for the tops. However, as I dug through my newest stash of pattern paper, I spied these beauties from Scenic Route that I hadn't used yet. From there I was set. It also matched the dishtowels that I photographed the lemons and jars on! LOL! It really makes for a much more cohesive blog post, don't you think? LOL!

I began my card design by cutting an oval and accompanying scallop with my cuttlebug and nestabilities. To find the right size, I simply chose the die and placed it over my stamp to see which would be the best fit. After that was done, I sponged the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. You know my sponges have been sad as well as my glitter the last few days. Everything has been so clean and crisp. I stamped the image with Palette Noir ink and colored with an assortment of Copic and Prismacolor markers. I added some crystal effects to the lightest part of the lemon for a fun sheen, but it doesn't show up in the photo. I was inspired to do that from the photos of real lemons I took while making up the curd. I loved the water dripping from the lemons and the shine. I used my swiss dots embossing folder for the saffron layer and sponged all of the edges. I glittered the eges and tied some ribbon; finished off with some buttons and stitching and called it good.

I repeated the first steps for the label on the jar, only I used a smaller scallop and didn't color with as much detail. I applied it to the jar with foam squares. Hopefully it will stay!















I love making gift ensembles. It is one of the reasons I began stamping in the first place. I think when a project is pulled together it lets the recipient know how much they are loved and thought of. Thanks for fluttering by!


Stamps: Lemons and Bay Leaves from Lockhart Stamps, Mixed Messages from Papertrey Ink
Ink: Palette Noir, Vintage Photo Distress Ink by Ranger, Copic and Prismacolor markers
Paper: So Saffron, PTI Vintage Cream, Scenic Route Pattern Paper
Accessories: Satin Ribbon from Offray, Buttons from the Local Quilting Shop, Linen Thread, Fabric by Moda, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Thinner satin ribbon by Club Wed, sponge, sewing machine and thread, liquid glue, crystal coarse glitter by Martha Stewart

Stamping 180

This is a total 180 degree turn from yesterday's card. I didn't sponge or distress. Everything is clean and straight!LOL! I have used the Candy Lane DSP in another post, but not combined with the 3 heart punch and Love You Much Stamp Set from SU! I sat down last night and mounted it and another set that have been sitting there untouched. This week on the Card Positioning Systems Blog, you could choose any layout you wanted for the challenge. I chose #96. I like the long panels paired with the short square on the side. I thought it lended itself well to use an assortment of pattern paper. That is what today's WT challenge is over at SCS...so this is a double challenge. The WT challenge was to use Pattern Paper, but add a little something to it. I decided to add a little Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the center of the flowers and little on the punched heart.

I used the scallop edge punch and the cropadile for the embossed circles in the scallops. I threaded the flower buton from the Button Bouquet assortment with linen thread. I sewed a zig-zag stitch along the bottom. This card is 100% SU! if you are looking for a workshop card or idea.

*Gasp* As I am looking at the photo to my left, I am realizing this card doesn't have any ribbon! I think I may go add some to the little library clip! LOL! Thanks for fluttering by! ETA: If you would like to see the revised version you can check it out here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1203264?limit=last1


Stamps: Love You Much
Ink: Basic Brown, Whisper White Craft Ink,
Riding Hood Red
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Vanilla
Candy Lane DSP
Accessories: Embossing Buddy, 2 Way Glue,
Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Mini Library Clip
Sewing Machine and Thread, 3 heart punch,
Linen Thread, Button Bouquet, Scallop Edge
Punch, Crop-a-dile, dimensionals

Confessions and Questions

I have a confession to make. I, Kelly Lunceford, have *NEVER* ever used Pacific Point in a finished card until today. I have never even opened it until last week when I made a super ugly card that I threw away. This is the first time a piece of Pacific Point cardstock has ever been cut into at my house. I bought Muirfield DSP because it had Pacific Point in it and thought that would inspire me to use it. No...it didn't. I have used it quite a bit, but have only stamped the other colors in it. What is it about Pacific Point that makes me shy? I don't know. I also have never used Tangerine Tango on a finished card either. It has only been used on one other ugly card, too!I guess one of my New Year's goals should be to use both of these colors more. Like I mentioned before, I needed two more thank you cards. This is the last design that I need and I decided to incorporate the star theme from today's WT challenge on this card also. I even stamped them in pacific point! Yay for me!

Now for the question. How do I get my blog posts to get emailed out on the day that I post them? I went to feedblitz and had it check every hour for new posts, but it still is sending them the next day. I am super frustrated, but I am crossing my fingers that there is an easy fix. If you know, please leave me a comment in simple terms that a non-computer girl could understand! Thank you!

Funny story...well not funny for my finger. So...I bought a photo tent ages ago and I *NEVER* use it...I just can't get my photos to look right. Anyway...I decided to try it again today because I am tired of it collecting dust. It worked pretty good. I used it on the card above. While I was photographing my card, I noticed a speck of dirt that I brushed away. I then went to adjust my card, then I noticed an annoying red speck which I went to brush away. All of a sudden as I am noticing all of the red I am smudging all over the inside of my photo tent do I realize my finger is stinging pretty badly. I look down and see blood oozing out of my finger so now I have it all over the inside of my photo tent. Ughhh....the little black speck was a shard of metal that slivered it's way into my finger! So...now I have an Elmo band-aid on my finger as I am typing! LOL! And...I had to throw the liner to my photo tent into the washing machine. Hopefully it is machine washable and the blood comes out! Oh the adventures of a paper crafter! Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies:

Bugs and Kisses Stamp Set

Ink: {Pacific Point}, baja breeze, kiwi kiss

Paper: PTI White, Muirfield DSP, {pacific point}, kiwi kiss

Accessories: star punch (large and small), baja breeze ribbon, vintage brads, foam squares and dimensionals, sewing machine and thread

Happy New Year!

I Hope all of you had a fabulous and *SAFE* New Year's Eve! My poor daughter ended up throwing up on the doorstep of the party we were attending. We ate dinner, played Guitar Hero World Tour and she kept saying she felt sick...I should have listened and gotten her home sooner. Thank goodness I got her coat on and out the door before it happened! Ugh! What a way for her to start 2009. At least she is 5 and probably wont remember! On to happier thoughts....

I headed home with her and left my DH and son at the party, so I decided to do a little New Years stamping. I decided to use on of my favorite stamp sets, Baroque Motifs. Sometimes I *over do* it with a stamp set and then it gets neglected. This happens to be one of those sets. While I was attempting to organize my stamps, it ended up on top of one of the stacks, so I decided to use it. I thought I would stamp it in the colors that are in the Raspberry Tart DSP. My goal for 2009 is to actually use up paper while it is still current. I think that has been my goal for a few years, but maybe this year it will actually happen! LOL! I added a few clear gem stickers to the flower centers to give it some sparkle. I also used some of my scrumptious silk ribbon that I got from Cindy Lyle's store. I *think* this is the link http://www.starlitstudios.net/ . She has some *amazing* stuff in her store. I purchased some stuff earlier this month and I am ready to put in another order to get more!!!

I sponged all of the edges with Vintage Photo distress ink to give it an aged look. I punched the sentiment using my small oval punch and then matting it with the other oval punch. I attached it to the silk ribbon with some silver elastic cord from SU!

Again, Happy New Year and thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies:
Baroque Motifs Stamp Set
Ink: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Vintage Photo Distress Inkpad by Ranger
Paper: PTI White, Kiwi Kiss, Raspberry Tart DSP
Accessories: 1 inch white silk ribbon by Creative Impressions, Silver Elastic cord by SU!, Clear Gem Stickers by Martha Stewart Crafts, Foam Squares ($ store find), sponge

Super Quick Anyone Gift

Like the title? Today's WT challenge over at SCS was to make a super quick gift that you could make in a jiffy! I would say that this qualifies! LOL! I purchased the buckets at Super Target in the Dollar Spot *love that place*! I quickly made a tag using the "Holiday Traditions" DSP and the "Old Saint Nick" rubons. I followed the same basic design elements that I had been using in my cards, so it was easy to pull together.

I simply measured my acetate, applied my rub-on, frosted the edges with Cotton White StazOn and adhered it to the tag base with brads! Add a touch of ribbon and the bucket is done! All you need now is a bit of candy, lotion, etc. and you have a super quick and easy gift!!!! Love it! I have another style of bucket that I will be decorating later today, but I am off to my daughter's Christmas Party in Kindergarten, so stay tuned! Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies:

Old Saint Nick Rub-Ons

Pink Pirouette Card stock, Holiday Traditions DSP

Cotton White StazOnVintage Brads, Martha Stewart snowflake punch and gem sticker, foam squares, Riding Hood Red Striped Ribbon

On another note...I got my Christmas cards written and sent! I included a few photos of my kids inside the cards. I thought I would share one with you also. Can you tell I love my kids? LOL!

Dream A Little

When I got home from Volunteering in my daughter's class, Mr. Brown (actually it is a Mrs. Brown who has been coming lately) had paid me a visit. I had some new goodies waiting for me from Stampin' Up! For those of you who are not demos, this will be a sneak peek for you. I used one of the new hostess sets called "Dream a Little". I absolutely love this paper, too. This will be one of the new DSP papers in the Spring/Summer catalog called "Raspberry Tart". Isn't it yummy? I was so excited to use my new stuff, I just whipped this out, so hopefully I can take a little more time tomorrow or later tonight and play some more.

Before beginning, I did hop over to SCS to check out the WT challenge for today. It was to incorporate envelopes into our project. I pulled out my {beloved} envelope templates I got from Martha By Mail (back in 2001 when it was still around) and made a coordinating envelope with the Raspberry Tart DSP. These are the times when I am especially glad that the paper is double sided. It comes with any easy template to make liners, but with double sided paper, no liner is necessary. Thanks for fluttering by!

Supplies:

Stamps: dream a little

Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Whisper White, Basic Gray

Paper: PTI White, Rose Red, Raspberry Tart DSP

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Diamond Stickles, Kiwi Kiss double sided satin ribbon, vintage brads, foam squares, scallop punch

One of a kind Friend

Todays' Ways to Use it Challenge was to incorporate pearls into our designs. I have had these darling self-adhesive pearls in my stash for some time and have only used them once, so I thought today would be the perfect day. I still had all of my supplies out from yesterday's card, so I decided to use them again. This "Parisian Summer" DSP from SU! lends itself for a design using pearls. Can I just tell you how much I love this paper? It is beautiful! Anyway, I used my "One of a Kind' stamp set from SU! that I love as well. I have used it quite a bit since it came out. The thing I love about it, is that it has a matching punch so it is easy to make a lot of flowers in a short amount of time and with minimal effort. I sponged all of the edges for a vintage look. Thanks for fluttering by!

STamps: One of a Kind, Fundamental Phrases

Paper: PTI white, SU! ultrasmooth white, bravo burgundy, Parisian Summer

Ink: Pink Pirouette, Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron, Antique Linen by Ranger

Accessories: Boho Blossom punch, foam squares and dimensionals, self-adhesive pearls by Kaiser, Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon, crop-a-dile, ticket and tag punch

Always Iridescent

Another day, another challenge! Today's Ways to Use it Challenge over at splitcoast was to use embossing powder. I was just thinking yesterday how much I enjoy using embossing powder, but rarely take the time to use it. I was glad I was able to play today. My daughter is feeling much better today so we may head over to the mall to redeem my gymboree gymbucks, go to the postoffice and grocery store. I'm hoping the outing will do us all some good. We haven't gone anywhere ALL week...yes...I am going stir crazy!!!!

Anyway, back to the card. I just got this set in the mail yesterday as you can see from my previous post, and I was itching to use it. I thought that it would look great embossed with iridescent ice embossing powder. I was right. I love how the bird turned out! Thanks for fluttering by!

Stamps: Always

Cardstock and Paper: Spring Fling DS paper, pretty in pink, celery, whisper white and papertrey white

Ink: Pretty in pink craft, certainly celery, basic gray

Accessories: Pink Taffeta ribbon, mini-library clips, iridescent ice ep, heat tool, 1 1/4 inch circle punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, dimensionals, stamp-a-majig, 1/2 inch circle punch, silver brads