Clear Dollar Stamps January Release Sneak Preview Day 3!!

Day 3 .... Another great preview day for you!!


Today, we are showing samples of a wonderful baby set called Baby Bundle. This is such an awesome set to celebrate that new bundle of joy in your life or in the life of a friend.



I have been in a brown mood lately ... using a lot of browns on my cards/creations. I chose the brown/blue combination this time because a friend at church recently had a baby boy. :) Baby booties and a onesie ... what could be more perfect?


Shapes on this card were cut using the Cricut and SCAL. The background was embossed with polka dots and sewn for added effect and dimension. Tiny clothes pins were used for embellishment, along with tiny pearls and a little ribbon.




Stamps - Baby Bundle
Paper - brown, blue, white
Ink - blue, pigment white, Memento black
Accessories - duck clothes pins, SCAL, Cricut, Cuttlebug, folder, sewing machine, ribbon, punch, dauber, pearls, pop dots

Baby Bundle will be released tomorrow at Clear Dollar Stamps!! :) Go over to Lori's blog to see more samples!


And tomorrow, join us for a very special event ... Our "Tag! You're It!" blog hop. Wonderful projects and prizes, too! JOIN US FOR THE FUN!! :)


Oh, and Happy New Year!!!!! Be safe if you're out for your celebration tonight.

Have a beautiful Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!




~*Shell*~

Clear Dollar Stamps January Release Sneak Preview Day 2!!

Woohoo!! We've got the ball rolling..... let's keep it going!

Day 2 ... Today, we have We Go Together Like and A Friend in Need (Stamp of the Month) for you. Can't wait to hear what you have to say about these. They are just awesome sets!



How about A Friend in Need first??


This set is simply adorable. I can tell that I'm going to use this a million times. The set has some precious animal images and wonderful sentiments.

Since I'm a Quacker on SCS, the duck is one of my very favorites. I just had to include him on my sample.


And this set is FREE with a qualifying order at CDS after January1!!!




Stamps - A Friend In Need
Paper - Raging River, Fresh Papaya, white
Ink - Memento black, pigment white and Copics (G21, G24, E43, E47, E71, E77, C3, YR04, Y02, Y000)
Accessories/Tools - ribbon, (Turquoise Gem), Cuttlebug, folder, pop dots



And ... We Go Together Like ....


What a precious set! It's great for Valentine's or BFFs and super fun to work with.

I chose a 3D project for this one. The sentiment is "Some things are just better together." What would work better for the milk and cookies' image than a milk carton?! What fun to create this, fill it with goodies (maybe mini cookies), and give it to someone special.




Stamps - We Go Together Like
Paper - yellow, brown, white
Ink - Memento black, brown
Accessories - Cricut, SCAL, flowers, ribbon (Worn Parchment, Toasted Almond), dauber, tacky tape, pop dots, Scor Pal, milk carton svg



So .... whatcha think?! Don't you just love these sets?! I sure do. Go on over to Lori's blog to see the full sets and other samples!


Just wait until tomorrow!

Have an awesome Thursday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!


~*Shell*~

Clear Dollar Stamps January Release Sneak Preview Day 1!!

Day 1 of the January Sneak Peaks for Clear Dollar Stamps!!!! Aren't you excited?!! I sure am. Great, great sets being released on January 1. I hope you like the sets and the samples I have for you today - and the rest of this week.

Today, I'm previewing 2 sets for you - Loving Critters and Heart Hugs. Super precious sets.

First up ... Loving Critters.

Is this not just a precious penguin?! Oh my goodness. I love him. The background on this card was made by running the paper through the Cuttlebug in an inked folder. I love the effect and it's so fun.







Stamps - Loving Critters
Paper - white, black, blue, vellum
Ink - Memento black, blue, white pigment, Copics (C3, C5, C7, Y26, YR07, R46, E57, B34, B21, C1)
Accessories - Designer Labels dies, ribbon, clear dots, cuttlebug, folder, pop dots
Technique - cuttlebug highlights





Next up .... Heart Hugs.

Ooooooh! This bear is just adorable. He's just so perfect for a Valentine's Day card, a paper hug for a friend or family member, alove note note to your hubby or significant other, or a special note to your kids.

The shape of the image layer and it's shadow were cute using the Cricut, but the other cuts are from the fabulous Designer Label dies by Clear Dollar Stamps. What fun those are. So many ways to put them together.









Stamps - Heart Hugs
Paper - Pucker Up, white, black
Ink - ruby, Memento black, Copics (C1, C3, C7, R81, R83, R32, R37
Accessories - Designer Label dies, SCAL, Cricut, Cuttlebug, folder, ribbon, silver cord, red crystals, hand-made flower, button brad, pop dots, dauber



Head over to Lori's blog to see the full sets and the rest of the design team's creations!

Ok ... more previews coming up tomorrow!!

Have a fabulous Wednesday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!!


~*Shell*~

Merry Christmas!!!

I may not be able to post this week because my US Marine son is in town for Christmas!!!! :) Today, I'd just like to share the story of how we surprised my 5 year old daughter with her beloved brother's arrival.

Saturday, December 18 was our monthly 'Family Fun Day.' We rotate who plans the day each time. This month was MINE. :::::insert evil grin:::::::

Saturday morning, we got up and got ready to leave. I altered our plans a little because our TiVo has been fritzing out, and we needed to check on a replacement. We also got gas and bought some tea for our party the next day before going to pick up my mom.

We got to her house, changed her ink cartridges, and printed a picture for her. After that, we went to lunch at Outback. I didn't go directly there - just to confuse, but our next stop was home. Here at home, we decorated cookies, made gingerbread houses, made reindeer food, and decorated foam Christmas trees. All of these (or some of all of them) were to be packed in a box for Jared, my son. I told every one that I had someone meeting me at the airport that would get that box to Jared faster than the post office could do it.

We packed up the box, taped it, addressed it and put it in the truck. Off we went to the airport to meet the guy that would deliver it for us. We texted with 'that guy' several times to arrange the meeting.


While sitting in the drive-thru area of the baggage claim, a guy came and stood by my 5 year old's (Jaydin's) window. Jaydin had no idea - until that moment - that 'the guy' was going to actually BE Jared. He opened the door, said hi to her, and she said - obviously stunned - "Hey. How are you?" I couldn't believe that was all she said!! It was hilarious. But .... needless to say, we're all THRILLED to have him home. And, Jaydin was very surprised. She had NO idea that he was coming home.






And Jared bet me $5 that I couldn't pull it off............. Bwahahahahahahaaaa!! Don't put anything past me.



Our Marine is now home, and we are enjoying every moment of the time with him. His sister has been glued to him for the last 2.5 days. This evening, I hear Jared and his brother wrestling in the den. Perhaps I should go stop them before someone gets hurt .... nope. Not a chance. They are both enjoying it far, far too much. :) I wouldn't trade it for the WORLD.




So, for this week, I will be enjoying the time with all 3 of my children at home. I hope you are enjoying your Christmas with your special people, too. :) Back to blogging next week .... with CDS January Previews!!! :)




Merry Christmas!!!


~*Shell*~

Packaging

Handmade gifts are awesome, aren't they?? This year, I made scarves and hand warmer sets for a few family members. I didn't want to just shove them in a box and wrap it up, so I created some packaging for them.


Each cellophane bag has a topper. I used the printer to put the words on each on, and I stamped the snowmen and snowflakes. Adhesive and staples hold the toppers on the bags and hold the bags closed.















I really like the way the toppers turned out. I think they add a little 'class' to the hand-crafted gifts.














Stamps - Snowman Wishes, Snow Flourishes

Paper - white

Ink - several blues, black

Copics - B21, C3, R81, BV11

Accessories - printer, cello bags, stapler









Have a fantastic Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow. I know that my weekend will be amazing. I will tell you all about it next week. :)




~*Shell*~

Creating Christmas Gifts

Every year, I need some small gifts for Sunday school teachers and such at church and even for some family. Last year, I etched some ornaments and prayer journals, but this year, I etched candle holders. I found some amazing candle holders with flat sides at the Dollar Tree - where everything is $1. Can't beat that price!



This one is etched on all 4 sides. Most of them, I only etched on one side. I think they will make very inexpensive gifts for those for whom I just need 'a little something.'










The only things needed for this project are the candle holder, etching cream, vinyl stencil, and the Cricut. I used the Cricut to cut the stencils. The stencils were placed on the glass and the open areas filled with etching cream. I followed the instructions on the etching cream bottle. I made 12 of these candle holders.




So, if you need a small gift or two for Christmas, check out your local dollar store. Perhaps you can find something like these candle holders that you can alter a little to make a great, inexpensive gift. :)



Have a wonderful Wednesday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!


~*Shell*~

A Card for Comfort

Recently, a member of the Clear Dollar Stamps Design Team asked for cards and prayers for a co-worker of her husband.


Using CDS stamps, I created a pretty quick card to send her way. The sentiment is from the set Christian Sympathy. No, this isn't a 'sympathy' situation, but I thought this sentiment was appropriate for the situation.




















The Asian Plants set is very comforting to me, so I chose that one to start with. The plant was colored with Copics ... of course. I love the shading effects that can be done with them.























The background is embossed with the script folder. The shapes were cut using the Cricut and SCAL.













Recipe:

Stamps - Asian Plants, Christian Sympathy (both CDS)
Paper - ruby, gray, white
Ink - ruby, black
Copics - G21, G24, G94, G99, E08, E09, E33, C3, C5, R81
Accessories/Tools - Cricut, SCAL, Cuttlebug, folder, ribbon, pop dots, sponge dauber




Have a magical Monday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!




*~Shell*~

Bubble Bubble Toil and ..... Decorate? :)

I'm not one for bland. We recently got a 'bubble,' as we call it. It's actually a cargo carrier for the top of my SUV. I know you've seen them as you drive down the expressway ... black or silver bubble/boxes on the top of someone's car ..... pretty much the same thing ... with no personality. I just couldn't bear the thought of throwing that thing on my SUV without my 'special' touch first.


Thanks to my trusty Cricut Expression, SCAL, and Oracle 631 vinyl, my bubble was transformed! We're big Disney fans, and were headed to the House of Mouse for that trip, so I chose a Disney theme for my focus.


I used red and gold vinyl swirls, Mickey heads, stars, and bows (to make Minnies, of course!). The hardest part for me was putting the swirls on evenly on each side. I think I took one side off about 4 times and moved it around!



It was very easy to cut all of the pieces on the bug and easy to stick them on the bubble. If you have something you want to give a bit of personality, go for it!! Take the challenge! Own it!!!!! Have fun with it. You can do it. :)



I'm having internet issues lately, so please bear with me on blog updates. We will hopefully have this resolved very soon. (It better be ... I'm going CRAZY with it!!!!!)




Hope you have had a great Monday and that you have a great, big beautiful tomorrow!!!






~*Shell*~

Clearly Inspired Challenge #20 .... Color Challenge

The Clearly Inspired Challenge for December is up today. Woohoo!! How fun! I love challenges, and this one was particularly fun - a color challenge!

The challenge - 3 Shades of Blue with white or black as a neutral.

Enter on Lori's Blog for your chance to win a great prize!!!



My sample for this challenge incorporates the new Blooming Bouquet dies from Clear Dollar Stamps, as well as Snow Flourishes from the October stamp release.


I stamped the bigger flakes around the larger die cuts to make the edges of the flakes show behind the smaller die cuts. Ink was added to my Cuttlebug folder to give the effect in the background.







A close up to show the shades of blue that I used.











Stamps - Snow Flourishes
Paper - Still Waters, Billowing Clouds, white
Ink - Bordering Blue, black, white
Accessories/Tools - Blooming Bouquet dies, Cuttlebug, folder, pop dots, crystals, snowy ribbon
Technique - Faux Letterpress




Run on over to Lori's blog to get started on this great challenge!!



Have an awesome Friday and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!!!



~*Shell*~