fall inspiration and a giveaway *now closed*.

I have some fun news that I've been excited about for awhile now and can finally share - I am a cover girl! I was shocked when I received an email letting me know my version was going to be on the cover. The fall issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today just came out today, and you can view it online here. Such a great issue - full of inspiration!

As you can see, I used many of my Papertrey Ink products, including some gorgeous fall cardstock colors: Classic Kraft, Canyon Clay, Harvest Gold, Lemon Tart, Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate for the title and Pure Poppy. I cut some felt leaves from the Autumn Acorns dies by Papertrey Ink, and the title is cut with the Script Alphabet die. The saying at the top was stamped with Gratitude Journal. I wanted to create a sort of ombre effect, but fall-ish in style, and thought the stripes would mimic her cute outfit.

 
I have two extra hard copies to give away! I love making fall pages, so tell me... what are your favorite fall products right now for crafting?

SCT summer issue is here!

Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine has a new issue out right now, and it's free - stop over to get your copy of the current issue! I was asked to participate in the "3 Designer challenge" on page 16. We were all sent the same supplies...American Crafts papers, Ormolu flair buttons, Maya Road butterfly flags, Bazzill cardstock, Queen and Company goosebump gems, a Stampin' Up! butterfly punch and some fun Bella Blvd stickers!

I went crazy with the stickers and created a list of some of the things we love about summer in a rainbow pattern with the colors.

Because the left side of the layout was so busy, I kept the right side of the page to a minimum...journaling and a picture of my daughter Taylor with her friend from our neighborhood. They had just gotten out of the pool that day (a few years ago) and I quick took a snapshot!

I do have an extra hard copy of the magazine to give away, so leave me a note if you are interested, and I'll choose a random winner soon. :)

ONE more fun thing to share with you today...

Lily Bee Designs has a brand new look! Check out their new blog here: www.lilybee.typepad.com. And join us all this week for inspiration, sneak peeks and giveaways.

December countdown with SCT...

Hi everyone! How is the shopping coming along? I have been without a car, so I've done the majority of my shopping online this year, but I still have to get stocking stuffers, etc. Waiting for everything to arrive, so I can get my family's packages mailed out! We are putting up the Christmas tree this weekend.

I have a quick and simple stamped card to share with you today. Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine is hosting a December Countdown on their site this year running from Dec. 1 - 24th. There will be a new card or project featured each day. Today they are featuring a card by ..... me!

You can view complete instructions at the link above.

Basically, it's a VERY simple card. I stamped the Background Basics: Houndstooth in gray, then the Stylish Sentiments: Holiday saying in black, and last filled in some of the empty spaces with the stars from Stylish Sentiments in red ink. I tied on a piece of Scrap Pantry twine and attached the finished front to a white card base. That's it!

A doable card for the holidays, right?

beach inspired...

Today I have more to share with you made with the new Nantucket line by Pink Paislee. Catherine from Scrapbook and Cards Today asked me to put a little something together for their blog this week. Stay tuned over there for a Nantucket giveaway!

My first card was inspired by a blue and white beachy pillow I found on-line. The Nantucket die cuts were perfect! I layered a few of these along with Nantucket ribbon, punched butterflies from the 6x6 paper pad and a Vintage Vogue wooden spool, also by Pink Paislee.

To create the card, I cut a long piece of white cardstock about and folded the 2 long ends in towards each other, overlapped them in the front and adhered, then stitched along the edges. I punched a hole at the top with a 2" circle punch for inserting money or a gift card for the sweet birthday girl. I added a stamped sentiment by Papertrey Ink from the Mega Mixed Messages stamp set. (I seem to use that one a lot lately.)
The next card was inspired by these frames I saw online. Loved the little weathered strips, so I decided to cut my 6x6 Nantucket papers into strips and randomly sew them together. I didn't want them to be straight. I think it adds to the casual "beachy" feel. Two Nantucket die cuts were added over the top and two wooden pieces from the Nantucket Wood Shapes!

Just because a paper line has a "theme" to it, doesn't mean you can't use it to create cards! I think the Make Waves card would be a fun card for a high school graduate just leaving for college, with the world (or the big sea) ahead of him/her. :)

Thank you for viewing today. I hope you are inspired to try something new on a card?