Stilla Favorite...."Girlfriends"

Girlfriends

Girlfriends was one of the first stamp sets I ever purchased... it is not one I use often but it is my favorite for little girl birthday cards. In catching up with some recent swaps etc. The swap theme was an older set with a new look... hopefully this card achieves a new look for the Girl Friends set.

I am very anxiously awaiting the retired sets list from Stampin' Up! I lost so many sets last year, I am curious to see what will be retiring this year. Is anyone else dieing to see what will retire this year? Do you have sets you hope will or won't retire?

Card Details

Stamps: Doodle This, Girlfriends, Warm Words

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pink Passion

Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel

Other: Large Oval Punch, 1/4" Punch (brad mats), Crafter's Tool Kit (paper piercing), White Gel Pen, Black Polka-Dot Ribbon (may arts)

Website Updates: I wanted to thank last week's blog candy winners for their patience as I completed my projects for the Artisian Award submissions. All of the blog candies from last week have been mailed... and should be arriving in the next couple of days. For Canadian candy winners, please allow 7-10 business days for your package arrivals.

This Week's Blog Candy Winners: I will be announcing these today, I wanted to allow plenty of time for the subscribers to participate in the "linking" candy. I have visited many of your blogs, you ladies have some amazing project ideas.

Blog RAK Sundays!! *New*

I have a large upcoming deadline with lots of projects to complete.... I will be doing a large portion of my stamping on the weekends. In hopes of having something to share with you each week... I will be selecting 2-3 blog RAK's to share on Sundays! Please be sure to include information about the products used to create your projects, and please include your email address and blog site information... I will be contacting you for your copyright watermarks etc as needed for posting. If you are interested in participating, you can obtain my mailing information by contact me at kylamaestas@msn.com.

She's Back!!

Howdy everyone... I am so excited to announce that I am finally done with my projects for this deadline... I have been stamping my little fingers to the bone trying to get everything done and ready to send off. And today I can say that I am finally finished!! I need to spend a few minutes cleaning my office (all this stamping has created a huge mess LOL), and I have to take these projects to the post office to be mailed and then I am coming home to play!

I was reading on SCS this morning and I cannot believe that the last 2 weeks have just flown by, I haven't played with any of the card sketches, technique and colors challenges etc... I am looking forward to some fun stamping time without the worries and stress of deadlines etc. Be sure to check back later today for some fun and finally some stamping!!

So what have I been working on...... I have been completing my project submissions for the Artisian Award from Stampin' Up! I am unfortunately unable to share my projects, but I am hopeful that Stampin' Up! will be sharing some of the projects... I would love to see the projects everyone created, I am sure they will be absolutely amazing!!

Just a reminder....Blog Sweets: be sure you have signed up for the blog candy this week. I cannot believe how many new subscribers there are and was absolutely amazed to discover how many of you are linking here. Remember, if you haven't done so already, be sure to get yourself in the drawing for this week's candy! I have enjoyed visiting all of your blogs, you are all so amazingly talented... I plan to check back in with each of your blogs as often as I can. There were several of you that forgot to list a link to your blog (please remember I must be able to find your site and verify the link for you to be considered for this week's drawing). I also visited a few of your sites and was unable to see the links, to keep this week's drawing as fair as possible please know I must be able to see the links in your blog rolls for your site to count for this week's drawing. Best of luck to you all!!

Are you a Subscriber? Do you Link Here? More Blog Candy!

With the chaos and excitement of all my deadlines and projects I am going to be making a few changes to my blog (be on the lookout for new banners and other exciting changes). While the stamping may be in short supply over the next week or two.... the candy certainly will not. You don't want to miss a moment of the excitement, if you haven't already.. be sure to join the subscribers list. By subscribing, you will receive updates from this site directly to your inbox.

Blog Candy~ For Subscribers Only!! With all the stamping I have done in the last few months I have run into an excess of card samples... I will be drawing 5 names from the subscribers list on Wednesday March 28th, winners will be receiving cards from me! If you haven't already subscribed, it is not too late... on the right hand side of the site there is an orange colored box, click there and follow the instructions to subscribe, you will receive a confirmation email that you must follow instructions for as well to complete your subscription. (please do not email me with your requests to join the site, if you are having trouble please post to this thread and I will do what I can to help)

Do you Link Here? I am absolutely amazed at the size of the quickly growing blog community for rubber stamping... it is so exciting to see all of the amazing blogs. I will be adding links to my favorite blogs and hope that you will post and let me know if you are linking here.

Blog Candy For Those Who Link Here.... Post a reply to this thread with your blog address, I will be picking 5 lucky winners to receive the Sassy Stems card featured earlier this month. Drawing to be held on Wednesday March 28th. ~Happy Blogging!!

Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Punch ... And the Winner Is....

As you all know I have been very busy with deadlines.... and my plate just got one more helping. I am very excited but unable to share the details at this time. Thank you for continuing to visit despite the slowness.... I have some very exciting stuff to share with you in April and hope to be back to stamping in the mid part of next week. Now for this weeks blog candy... the Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Giga Punch.

Congratulations to Nancy!!

Here is what Nancy said about her favorite cards:
I like all your cards. That's why I visit often. If I have to choose just one it would be "A New Little Someone" too. I think the design is so pleasing and very original. I love it.

~Nancy, please email your mailing information to kylamaestas@msn.com so I can get your punch packaged and ready to send out on Monday.

Finally.... a Doodle This!!

Doodle This... Sparkle!

I have wanted this set so badly but I keep putting it off for other sets, I finally have it. It finally arrived and I haven't had much of a chance to play with all my deadlines, but I thought a little "play" this morning might help "work" this afternoon.... I am hoping to complete a good portion of my deadline projects today and this creation has definitely got my stamping mojo going.

Card Details

Stamp Set: Doodle This, Warm Words

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Cool Caribbean

Ink: Whisper White Craft, Basic Black Classic

Other: White Gel Pen, Black Brads, and gems

Technique: Paper Piercing

Polka Dots and Sun Flowers

Polka Dots and Sun Flowers

This is another sample for tomorrow's class... in playing with the designer paper I decided to start altering it again and added some black to the flower centers, the little flowers on this designer paper remind me of little sunflowers. Don't forget, if you haven't already be sure to enter for a chance to win this week's blog candy... you could win one of these scalloped circle punches... click here for details.

Card Details

Stamps: Polka Dots and Paisley, Warm Words

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White and So Saffron

Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron, Old Olive

Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon

Color Makes a Difference

Color Adjustments

In finishing my preparations for tomorrow's Spring Fever class I discovered the amazing difference a little color change can make. This is not exactly a light bulb moment because we have all experienced this before... I was very unhappy with the soft tones in the first attempt with this card and discovered by going with a darker tone I was feeling much better.

Card Details

Stamp Set: Polka Dot and Paisley

Ink: So Saffron, Old Olive, and Taken with Teal

Cardstock: Polka Dots and Paisleys Designer Paper, So Saffron, Old Olive and Taken with Teal

Other: Cream Grosgrain Ribbon, Ivory Organdy Ribbon, Old Olive Brads

Other Details

I used the 1/4" hole punch for the brad mats and the word window punch for the sentiment. In the first sample the flowers were colored using So Saffron, in the second they were colored with Taken with Teal.

Polka Dots and Paisley... Circle Craze

Circle Craze!

Today is a very busy Saturday... I have a lots of projects to finish but wanted to start the day by finishing the designs for my Spring Fever class on Monday. The girls attending this class purchased the promotional bundle and are bringing their stamp sets and wheels to class to create 4 projects using their new products. I am planning 3 very simple cards and this WOW project for the class. Today's color combination... well it's St. Patricks Day.. have to have a little green and of course I am a pink lovin' girls so naturally a little of that too!

Don't You Just Love It? I received a watermark RAK yesterday from Cindy Keery, she does such an amazing job with these watermarks.... Hugs and Many thanks Cindy, I absolutely love it!

I hope you enjoy... and don't forget to sign up for my blog candy... these Marvy Uchida Scalloped punches are hard to find... Best of Luck!

Card Details
Stamps: Polka Dots and Paisley, Polka Dots and Petals, Petals Jumbo Wheel
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Gable Green
Ink: Whisper White Craft, Pretty in Pink and Gable Green
Other: Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Pretty in Pink Brads

Circle Craze
I was in the mood for circles today so I thought I would play around with the Coluzzle, I used it for the Gable Green circle behind the main image.. I added some faux paper piercing using the white gel pen for accents. I created the smaller circle in the bottom corner using the 1 3/8" circle punch, it has the same faux paper piercing. I used the key tag punch for the sentiment and the 1/4" punch for the brad mats.

More Details
The card size is 6 1/2" x 3 1/4". I started by wheeling over the back layer (pretty in pink cardstock and ink) using the Petals jumbo wheel... (I like the look of Petals wheel when it is wheeled on the diagonal as apposed to wheeling it straight). I stamped the petals over top in whisper white craft ink. On the white panel I stamped 2 different images from Polka Dots and Petals in a random pattern. For the ribbon I decided to play with the frayed ribbon technique again (are you sick of this yet LOL, I'm not even close).. for this card I tied the two strands of ribbon around the card and then cut and frayed just the ends... I love this look.

~*Bunny Bank*~

Bunny Banks

I wanted to create a few simple Easter Gifts for my kids that they could keep after the chocolate was gone, they absolutely love Tootsie Rolls so I picked up a few of the Tootsie Roll Coin Banks at Wal-Mart and added some Bunny Hugs for a fun Easter Gift!

Project Details

Stamp Set: Bunny Hugs

Ink: Basic Black, Pretty In Pink

Cardstock: Whisper White, Polka Dots and Paisleys Designer Paper

Other: Tootsie Roll Bank, Sticky Strip, Celery and Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon

Technique: Frayed Ribbon

Other Details

I cut the designer paper 5 5/8" x 12" and applied sticky strip to the ends and about every 3" to ensure a secure hold. The Bunny Tag measures 3"x 1 1/2", I used the tag corner punch. I used 3 strands of ribbon to tie around, I love using multiple strands of ribbon, very seldom do I ever use just one (I am totally addicted to ribbon). With the Pink Grosgrain Ribbon I used the frayed ribbon technique, when doing it this way you have to be very careful with the strands after they are extracted to ensure they do not get tangled up or fray anymore, over handling them can create that cotton look.

Other News

Just an FYI... The posts will be scattered for the next week, I am hoping to work ahead this weekend to have a post for everyday or every other day but wanted to let you know that there may be a few quiet days. I have a few stamping deadlines coming up very soon and my daughter also has dance competitions the last 2 weekends in March. This is why I have selected to include another blog candy... take a few minutes to review some of the older posts from my blog.

New Blog Candy..... Giga Scalloped Circle Punch

Blog Candy....Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Giga Punch!!

I ordered a set of the 3 scalloped punches through a website, they were out of stock like everyone else and happened to come across a set of 3 on eBay so I purchased them and my punches arrived yesterday. I decided to go with the Scalloped Circle Giga Punch instead of the square for the blog candy because they are used so much more than the square ones.

How do you win? Post a reply to this thread and mention your favorite card in my blog. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 23 @ 4:00 PM MST.

And the Winner Is..... and More Blog Candy!!

As you already know tonight is the deadline for my blog candy!! The winner will be receiving this week's Sassy Stems card and a package of the new 12x12 Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper.

And the winner is........ Carmen!!

Congratulations!!

Carmen said...
Can I say everything?? I guess it would be the fact that it is brown - I LOVE brown... and the little photocorner doodads are mightly cute too!

**Carmen... please email me your mailing information and I will get your candy shipped out right away!! I wanted to thank everyone for all of your comments, I read every one of them!

More Blog Candy?? Check back tomorrow for the latest and greatest blog candy... I have a Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Giga Punch to give away!!

Bunny Gifts!!

Easter Goodies!!

Things are starting to get a little crazy here with all the projects I am currently working on so I thought I would get a head start on Easter Gifts for the kid's school teachers. This is what I came up with, the basket has some fizzy bath eggs (found them at Wal-Mart, they smell great) and lots of chocolate. I got the little Easter Basket at Wal-Mart as well (only $1).

Basket Details

Stamp Set: Bunny Hugs

Cardstock: Polka Dots and Paisleys Designer Series Paper and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

More Details for the Basket: I cut a 1 1/4" strip of the designer series paper and a strip of whisper white cardstock... adhere them together with Sticky Strip, then adhered them to the basket.

Easter Wishes!

Card Details

Stamp Set: Bunny Hugs

Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

Cardstock: Polka Dots and Paisley Designer Series Paper, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White

More Card Details: I started by layering the designer series paper to the pretty in pink. I punched out 2 circles using the 1 3/8" circle punch and adhered them to the strip of designer paper. I used the paper piercing template and pretty in pink marker to create the faux piercing around the circles and at the top and bottom of the white card front. I stamped the Easter Wishes greeting and punched it out with the large oval punch. I used the small oval punch to add a little dimension under the bunny. I used the frayed ribbon technique for the bunnies tail!

More Bunny Hugs..... Tomorrow!!

Today I finished up a few of my projects (sorry, unable to post at this time). I also spent several hours cleaning up my office... I am in serious need of someone who will clean for stamps LOL. I do have a very fun Easter project to share tomorrow... featuring the Frayed Ribbon Technique and one of my favorite stamp sets... Bunny Hugs! Check back tomorrow for more great project ideas.

Is she MIA... again?

My Little Man! And a Princess too!

I am sorry things have been a little quiet since the last post.... I will hopefully be sharing more projects today or tomorrow. I have been busing stamping projects that I am not currently able to share (hopefully soon).... but hope to wrap these up today so I can get back to stamping!!

In the meantime here is a scrapbook page I recently created. The stamp sets include a buffet of Sellabration sets... I cannot believe Sellabration has come and gone so quickly! These are my two children playing at the lake... they love to make silly faces when I am taking pictures. Enjoy!!

Scrabook Page Details

Stamp Sets: Very Punny, So Very

Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Night of Navy, Whisper White

Other: Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware

Technique: Faux Paper Piercing

Don't Forget!! The blog candy is still available until Thursday 3/15... be sure to post your comments to the Sassy Stems card to be considered for the drawing.

Sassy Stems.... BLOG CANDY.... !!

~ Wonderful.... Sassy Stems~

I have had the Sassy Stems stamp set for about 3 months now and haven't ever used it... I think this could be an indication that I have way too many stamp sets, that is... if there is such a thing. I designed this card for the Featured Stamper Challenge #4 on SCS. You can find more details about this challenge by clicking here. Part of this challenge includes changing 2 or more details from the original design... to see the original design by Kelly (Atomicbutterfly), click here.

Card Details:

Stamp Sets: Sassy Stems, Warm Words, Totally Cool (Photo Corner)

Cardstock: Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper, Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom and Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom and Mellow Moss Stampin' Write Markers

Other: Ivory Organdy Ribbon, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon

More Details: To complete the challenge, I changed the stamp set to Sassy Stems, I replaced the Cool Caribbean with Mellow Moss and I added a splash of color to Stampin' Up!'s ® new Au Chocolat designer series paper (I L-O-V-E this new paper).

I stamped the Sassy Stems image in Basic Black ink, colored in the images using Blush Blossom and Mellow Moss Stampin' Write Markers. I also used these same markers to add color to the Au Chocolat Designer Paper. I used a sponge dauber and Chocolate Chip ink to add the distressed look to both the paper, sentiment, and main image.

Ribbon Tip: As seen in previous posts this week.... I have been playing with the Frayed Ribbon technique. This card uses some of the negative pieces inspired from this technique. I cut off one side of the narrow organdy ribbon.... this ribbon will not fray the way the grosgrain ribbon will... but I loved the look that the small cut portion gives when added in with other strands of ribbon, it has a very wispy whimsical look.

It's Time for Blog Candy!!

The winner will receive a new package of Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper and this card! How do you win.... post what you love most about this card!! Please be sure to include your email address, the winner will be drawn on Thursday 3/15. Good Luck!!

ATC Swaps.... Dry Embossing

Thank You ATC... Back to the Drawing Board?

I have been playing around with several ideas for an upcoming swap on SCS... here is one of my first trading card designs. I only have to create 10 of these so I don't think they will be too bad. I am not real sure about the color combination (got the combo from a Stampin' Up! In Color chart). I may also change the image on the tag to something current... haven't decided (there are no vendor restrictions). What do you think....??I cannot decide if I should go with this design or try something else.

ATC Details

Stamps: Tagger's Dozen, Bodacious Bouquet

Cardstock: Vintage Violet, Bashful Blue, Marigold Morning, True Thyme, Whisper White

Ink: Marigold Morning, Bashful Blue

Other: Stitched Violet Grosgrain Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon, Bodacious Dry Embossing template, White Gel Pen, Bashful Blue Brad

More Details:

I dry embossed using the Bodacious Bouquet Classy Brass Template, I used the white gel pen to accent various areas of the embossed images. I stamped coordinating flowers from Bodacious Bouquet set in Marigold Morning, cut them out and added them to create the background. I did some faux paper piercing along the top and bottom of the true thyme strip. I used horizontal tag punch to create the mini tabs that wrap around the side of the tag.

Thank You.... Hockey Style

Thanks Coach!

Tonight is the team party for my son's hockey team and I was asked to design a card that all the kids could sign and give to the coach thanking him for all of his time and efforts this year. This is what I came up with.

Card Details

Stamp Set: Warmest Regards (I think the hockey set is Puck Play?? Not sure)

Cardstock: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White

Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon

More Details

I drew in the scratch marks on the red background strip with a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker. I did a row of paper piercing along the far left side of this strip, and adhered two strips of black grosgrain ribbon. The main image is stamped in basic black, with a few areas colored in with a real red marker. I used the large oval punch for the greeting, the corners of the main image were punched using the tickets punch.

It's a Stamping Day Today!!! (includes tips about Frayed Ribbon Technique)

I wanted to pop in and tell all my morning blog stalkers to check back throughout the day, today is a big stamping day! I am preparing swaps for a down line meeting I am attending on Saturday in UT. I also have a hockey themed card to create for my son's coach.. and if time allows I also have some ATC cards to create for a swap on SCS. Also to come very soon.... more Doodle That!!
Frayed Ribbon Tips: At a class I hosted last night we made a variation of Tuesday's Frayed Ribbon bunny card.... and I found a few tips that may help you in getting the look you want when using this technique. The best visual I can come up with refers back to childhood days of playing with play dough and various other mediums.... when I created the bunny's tail I took the frayed pieces of ribbon and rolled them in my hand as you would if you were going to make a ball with play dough.... continuing this process until I had just the perfect size (I trimmed several times to remove excess stands and kept rolling). To get a tighter ball with lots of density try creating the ball as mentioned in the last step, then take the same ball and pinch it between your thumb and pointer finger and roll it back and forth this way. Using a combination of these two steps will help you in achieving a very flattering bunny tail.

Another fun tip.... try applying chalk to the ribbon to add additional color, this also allows you the ability to create all 48 exclusive Stampin' Up!® colors of grosgrain ribbon.

Frayed Ribbon

Furry Friends

Had a few minutes to play so I thought I would try yesterday's technique challenge from SplitCoastStampers. You can view details about the challenge by clicking here. This was so much fun, I really shouldn't be playing... I have a lot to get done to get ready for tomorrows class. Well back to work... but first...

Card Details

Stamps: Bunny Hugs and Tiny Talk

Cardstock: Whisper White and Pretty in Pink, Polka Dots and Paisleys Designer Paper

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Apricot Appeal (Stampin' Write Markers) and Basic Black

Other: Apricot, White and Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon

The Frayed Ribbon technique was a lot of fun, I used 2 way glue to adhere it to the card. I found that rolling it around in your hand for a bit made it easier to work with for the applications I used. I used the frayed ribbon for the nest in the basket as well as for the bunny's tail.

Doodle That!

Doodle Happiness!!

Card Details
Stamp Set: Doodle That, Warm Words
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Cool Caribbean, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Cool Caribbean, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Other: Certainly Celery Brads, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon, Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon

I stamped the background image using Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink, I love the way these colors look together. I used a white gel pen to fill in the dots on this image as well. I paper pierced along the top and bottom of the Elegant Eggplant strip that runs through the center of the card, this piece is tied with white organdy ribbon and eggplant grosgrain ribbon. I used a 1/4" hole punch for the brad mats. The main images were colored using the puddle method (Elegant Eggplant and Cool Caribbean) and the stems were colored in with a Certainly Celery Stampin' Write Marker.

Catching Up....

This week has been so crazy!! In fact I look back and think where has the time gone. It is hard to believe that I haven't stamped in a few days (I know gasp!! Where are my stalkers and their nudges LOL?) . Just thought I would pop in and let you all know what I am up to! I got an email from Selma Galloway last night about SLC Regionals Workshop Wow's... just thinking about the idea of presenting an idea sounds like fun so I need to come up with a few samples to submit before the deadline for that. I have a class this week on Wednesday and I also have a swaps due for an up-line's meeting (next weekend, have no idea what I am going to make).... so there are definitely going to be some new posts this week. Thanks to all who have taken the time to post their replies (yes, I read them all!!) Have a fabulous weekend everyone!!

~Kyla Maestas

P.S. For those who said they are planning to attend Regionals.... be sure to send me an email, I would love to meet!! kylamaestas@msn.com