Prairie Paper & Ink

Sneak Peek - CC Designs Sugarplum Snowmen

In all the hustle and bustle of the end of the month, the "official" beginning of the holiday season and everything else we all have going on some of y'all may have missed the fact that CC Designs is having another release!! On the 1st 3 new stamp sets and 2 singles are being released - sneak peeks started on the ATS blog and I have one here to show as well :o)

I have barely done any stamping for days now - and I just sat down this evening to make this card. I struggled with it but in the end I am really liking how it turned out!!

These stamps are from the soon-to-be-released Sugarplum Snowmen set - it is SO cute - I had a hard time deciding on which images to use - then went with this one.

I stamped her onto white cardstock then cut her out with a rectangle nestabilities die. I colored her in with my Copic markers then leaving the die on the CS I airbrushed the pink with another Copic.

I scored 1/2" in from the fold of the card and punched 2 holes with my Crop-a-dile to thread the ribbon through.

The piercing was done with my Ornare template (a gift from Lauren that I love and haven't used in way too long!) and a paper piercer.

I used my Quickie Glue Pen to add glitter to her ear muffs and skates, and my Ranger white gel pen for the polka-dots.

The snowflakes were made with my Martha Stewart punch, the rhinestone centers are actually for blinging up a cell phone - I've had them for forever!! They were the perfect color though!!

I used my SU! Scallop Edge punch and adhered the CS so that it hung off the edge of the card a little - really like the look of that too!

Now I'm off to bed. We're taking the girls to the city tomorrow for a movie and shopping - Josie's birthday is on Monday and they are beyond excited to go see a movie and get popcorn and snacks (in fact it's way past their bedtime and they're still not settling down). We're planning on seeing Bolt - it looks really cute! It's super-fitting too b/c Josie's "meow" (she's had that instead of a blankie since she was only a few months old - it's all raggedy and missing an eye but of course she loves the thing and takes it with her everywhere) - looks just like the cat (Mittens) in the movie. It's so cute LOL!!

Friday Sketch! #39

Alrighty here's this week's Friday Sketch!!

I pulled out my new Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments set (that are on sale for TODAY only - along with a bunch of other things at All That Scraps) and stamped the two shoe images onto white cardstock and then paper pieced them with paper from Basic Grey's Euphoria paper pack.

I colored in parts of the shoes with Copic markers and created shadows with my C1 Copic marker.

I punched out the wedge shoe with a 1 1/4" circle punch and the Mary Jane with a 1 3/8" circle punch.

The squares of patterned paper were punched out with a 1 3/8" square punch.

I stamped the sentiment (a personal motto of mine LOL so I had to make it into a stamp! *wink*) using black ink,

then attached the main images with dimensionals, and some Prima flowers with Basic Grey brads. I added a BG glazed brad in there too.

I finished off the inside of the card by lining it with white cardstock, adding a couple strips of the patterned paper used on the front, and another circle with the wedge shoe image paper pieced and that was it!!

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Here's the sketch:

- keyword to use when uploading to public galleries is AMYRS48

- link directly to your creation when posting a link to your card - why you ask? Check out this link for more info.

-you are welcome to save this sketch to your computer (right click then save to your computer) and upload it to your blog post along with a direct link to this post with credit given to me for the sketch :o)

- have your card done and linked before next Thursday at 11pm EST in order to have it included with the participants links - other than that there is no time limits - this is all for fun!

- ANYONE can participate - you can use whatever products/stamps/embellies you want - sky's the limit :)

- I WILL remove any links I deem inappropriate and/or not post them with next Friday's sketch (self-promotional, spam, card not following sketch in any way etc etc etc) - so far I've been lucky and all those that have played along have been fabulous - but I'd rather say it now and just have that out there.

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Links to the participants in Friday Sketch! #38:

Marianne's Card

Ginny's Card

Cyndi's Card

Tracy's Card

Kelley's Card

Colleen's Card

MacKenzie's Card

Robbie's Card

Gretchen's Card

Snow's Card

Karine's Card

Hot Linking

I'm getting my Friday Sketch post typed up - but before I post it I wanted to link to these posts about Hot Linking.

Let me first say tho that I am in no way computer literate - I bumble around on here and figure things out by sheer accident. I do know that I have never hot-linked though - if I share images for inspiration at any time I first save the image onto my computer (right click, save to my computer, then upload along with a link to the original creator (and at all times if possible getting permission BEFORE I post!!) to credit them). I didn't even really know what hot-linking was until I read these bloggers accounts - and I'm sharing them here as I found them SO useful and they said it much better than I ever could.

Julie's Just Say "No" post (part 1 of 3)

Julie's More on Hot Linking post (part 2 of 3)

Julie's Paper Trufflez: Just Say "No" Part III (part 3 of 3)

Kristina's On Hot-linking and Stealing Images post (part 1 of 2)

Kristina's Hot-linking - more info & answering questions post (part 2 of 2)

If you read these in the order I've posted them you should be able to "get" what this is all about (I know I learned a lot through them!).

Does that mean that I don't want people taking images off my blog? YES. The ONLY exception to this is my Friday Sketch posts - the actual sketch (not the card) that I make for everyone is totally fine with me to save it on to your computer then upload it onto YOUR blog post with your creation and a link back to my post with credit. That I am happy with! Anything other than that I would prefer that you e-mail me to ask for permission.

I have had images and more stolen from my blog in the past (and used for personal gain) and it really sucks to be honest. I put a LOT of work into posting on here - making my cards/projects, taking the pictures, editing, posting, upkeep with this blog (which isn't free - I pay quite a bit to keep this blog going!!) and I do it because I love it. I love sharing my creations with all of you and love hearing from you. I read all the comments and appreciate every one (and try to answer all the questions as I have time as well!!).

So far I haven't really come across any instances of people hot-linking my images from here - but I wanted to post this just so that other's can be aware - b/c if you're anything like me stuff like this doesn't always make a lot of sense!! I'm just glad that Julie stood up and posted about this issue and Kristina did an excellent job of explaining more of what hot-linking IS and how to NOT do it.

OK I'm done blabbing about this :o) I'm going to get my Friday Sketch posted ASAP!! :)

Sidetracked...

I know I said I'd have a card to share today - I ended up making a bunch of these instead:

I recently got a white Christmas tree from one of my mom's friends for cheap - and my goal is to decorate it with pink ornaments! Tim thinks I'm nuts (just a little *wink*) but I can't wait - and I know the girls will love it too!

I picked up several packs of clear glass ornaments at Michaels last week (on sale for 50% off of course) and a big container of Martha Stewart glitter (with a 50% off coupon) and got to work on them today. The darker pink ones were done with Stampin' Up! Classic Pixie Pink re-inker, and the smaller ones with SU! Pretty in Pink re-inker.

When I get the tree all decorated I'll post a picture - I'm still in the middle of making these ornaments (and making a glorious mess - even with wearing gloves I have ink and glitter everywhere), plus I have some other ornaments in the works.

In case you're wondering my tutorial on how to make these yourself can be seen here:

How to Make a Glitter & Re-inker Ornament

Just a Quick Post...

I just got back from the city - I was in all day finishing up my pedicure course (passed with flying colors - YAY!!) then ran around doing a little Christmas shopping. I just finished putting the girls to bed and I think I will be headed to my own ASAP - I am EXHAUSTED!!

I should have a sample or two to share using my new stamp sets tomorrow!! Have a great night and Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers!

They're Up! Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments

You can buy them now HERE at All That Scraps. We've got them listed individually or you can get the set of two and save a few dollars :o)

Don't forget to check out the original Amy's Boutique and Boutique Sentiments - which also come in a set of two, and my holiday release as well.

Thank you everyone for all the sweet comments and encouragement. I read every single comment and it really means a lot to me to hear everyone's thoughts on my stamp ventures!! ((((hugs))))

Have a great night!

WINNER of Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments Sets!!!

OK Random.org spit out:

Which means the winner is:

Michelle B. aka JustPaintingAround!!!!

CONGRATS Michelle!! Please e-mail me at amyrysavy AT hotmail DOT com with your mailing address so that I can get the sets sent out to you ASAP!!

Now I'm headed to the ATS forum for the release party - I'd love to see y'all there!! :)

Sneak Peek - Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments - Baby Girl Card

OK I HAD to make another baby card with my new stamps (they'll be available TONIGHT at 10pm est!! I'll be chatting it up in the ATS forum starting at 8pm est) and the Urban Prairie papers - but this time making it a girly card instead.

I stamped the onesie from the Wardrobe stamp set onto the three different papers then cut them out and used a Copic marker on the neck and bottoms.

I stamped the wire hanger image in a row, then attached some Urban Prairie brads as "pegs" before attaching the onesies with dimensionals.

I couldn't resist adding little vellum butterflies (via a new Martha Stewart punch from Michaels) to each onesie - it turned out so cute!!

I finished off the card with the "Welcome Little One" sentiment from Wardrobe Sentiments and some Urban Prairie buttons and grosgrain from my stash.

I finished off the inside of the card with bits of the leftover papers used on the front, and the two larger vellum butterflies I punched out to get the smaller ones (the punch is one larger butterfly and two tiny ones - LOVE it!).

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You can check out some more adorable Design Team samples using the sets here.

I'll be back in less than a couple of hours (8pm est) to post the winner of the Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments sets, and to party on the ATS forum till the sets are released at 10pm est!!

Sneak Peek 2 - AmyR Stamps Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments

Yay!! I got another card done!! Tim really helped me out with the girls and let me have a nice long nap which took care of my tension headache (too bad I couldn't just take a nap every time I felt one coming on!) and after we got the girls in bed one of his friends showed up so right now the boys are playing MarioKart Wii and I made this card:

Here's the stamp that gave the set it's name (thanks to Christine - I was going to just name it Amy's Boutique II or something blah - she suggested calling it Wardrobe and then Wardrobe Sentiments).

This stamp is BIG - it's about 4 1/4" high by about 2 3/4" wide - this is a standard A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2) card so you can get a better idea of the actual size. I made it substantial so that it will "go well" with all the other images in the Wardrobe set and Amy's Boutique stamp set.

So I stamped the wardrobe onto this patterned paper in the Granola BG paper pack (is it not the coolest pattern for something like this??) with white pigment ink that I heat set before cutting the image out.

I used my Tonic Craft Knife (love this thing - I have way more control using it than I ever did with regular craft knives - and the fact that it retracts is a big bonus as I tend to be pretty clumsy...) to cut the slits so that the doors open:

I lined the "inside" of the wardrobe with one of the more solid papers from the Granola pack, then stamped the wire hanger (also in the Wardrobe set) onto the paper with black ink.

The t-shirt image is from the Wardrobe set - I stamped it onto the paper, then used the "Hey Dude" stamp from Wardrobe Sentiments then used my Acrylic Stamp Positioner to line it up (as this sentiment is on one line and I wanted it on two to fit in the shirt) and stamp it on the shirt.

I then cut out the shirt and adhered it over the hanger.

For all the knobs on the wardrobe I used brads from the BG Granola brad pack - I love how that turned out!!

I used other papers from the Granola pack to finish off the front of the card, along with some May Arts twill and darker brads from the same brad pack.

The inside of the card was finished off with bits of leftover papers that I used on the front, and the stamps "I didn't forget I'm just fashionably late" and "Happy Belated Birthday" from my Wardrobe Sentiments set.

Typing it all up like this makes it sound (to me anyway) like it was a much more labor-intensive card than it really was - it ended up only taking me about half and hour to make (not including me messing around with different papers and inks and whatnot - that added another 1/2 an hour or so!).

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If you haven't already make sure you check out my first Sneak Peek post for these sets HERE b/c if you leave a comment on that post you'll be entered in to win both sets!! They're being released tomorrow (Monday November 24th) at 10pm est at All That Scraps!!

Quick Post

I've been battling a headache all day today (stayed up pretty late last night - we went to Tim's work Christmas Party - it was SO much fun) so I haven't made any more sneak peeks (yet) using my new sets that are being released tomorrow - BUT:

You HAVE to check out THIS card by Julie.

And THESE cards by Cathy (check out her creative use of my Build A Holiday set on the second card!! LOVE it!).

And THESE two cards by Jeanette.

Sneak Peek - AmyR Stamps Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments - AND BLOG CANDY!

Here's a little sneaky peeky of the two sets I'm releasing on Monday - Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments :o) If you loved Amy's Boutique and Boutique Sentiments then you're gonna LOVE these next two sets!!

I pulled out my Urban Prairie 6x6 pack for this card - I just love the colors and patterns in this pack - and isn't that little bee just adorable??

I stamped the onesie from the new Wardrobe set onto the 3 different papers (with the bee one I made sure it was stamped so that the bee was more centered) and cut them out. I used a Copic marker to color in the neck and bottom.

I included a wire hanger image with this set - which I stamped three times then added red BG brads to make it look like each hanger was hanging from the brads. I then attached the onesies with dimensionals.

I used my Making Memories Ribbon Slot punch to make a hole for the May Arts ribbon.

The sentiment is from Wardrobe Sentiments - I stamped it onto a scrap of cardstock, trimmed it then used a circle punch to round one end before attaching it to the card. I then added an Urban Prairie button with some black embroidery floss.

I kept the inside simple - just attached some white cardstock, then a strip of the same patterned paper I used on the front (effectively using up that 6x6 sheet that would have otherwise been tossed in the garbage) and then I added a tiny strip of red Basic Grey paper that I had sitting out on my desk from another paper pack and another project.

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Now for the BLOG CANDY!! I have one each of Wardrobe and Wardrobe Sentiments to give away to one lucky commenter on this post. Leave a comment (only one per person please!) and on Monday night at 8pm EST I will use Random.org to pick the winner!!

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My new sets will be released at 10pm EST Monday November 24th over on All That Scraps.

I have more info about my stamps here (recommending different acrylic blocks to use and whatnot) and here (picture of how they come and what best tools to use to cut them out plus a few answers to questions).

Also don't forget to check out the ATS blog today as there are more samples made by the Design Team using my new sets!!

Friday Sketch! #38

I've been in a really blah mood today. I'm thinking that a cold is coming on and just the thought of that is making me not want to do anything. I had a REALLY long day yesterday - the pedi course is going good (I am really enjoying it - and as an extra bonus I got a PINK pedicure tub *grin*), but the weather was rotten (lots of snow and icy roads) yesterday and I got in a minor car accident. No one was hurt and both vehicles were barely damaged but my insurance deductable is $700 - THAT's prolly the real reason for me feeling cruddy. Having a bill like that to pay (right before Christmas no less!) makes me just sick.

On a much happier note tho - I'll be releasing two more stamp sets on Monday :o) I am reallyreallyreally hoping that my copies get here tomorrow as the sneak peeks are to start Saturday on the ATS blog (and on here if I get my stamps in time!). I've seen a couple of samples from the ATS Design Team and can't wait to show you all!! If you liked my first sets I think you'll love the two newest ones *wink*.

OK onto the card - I haven't stamped since sometime last week but didn't want to leave y'all hanging and especially not have a sketch to share - so I sat down and whipped up this card - I kept it simple and really it only took maybe half an hour to make:

I used the Santa image from CC Designs North Pole set - stamped it onto white cardstock then colored him in with my Copic markers.

I added Liquid Pearls to his beard - swirling it around as I applied it - love the look of that!

It's hard to tell in the pictures but I added a Heidi Swapp Ghost Snowflake and a punched out (Martha Stewart) snowflake with a DoodleBug Sugar Coated brad.

I finished off the card with a stamped sentiment from my Christmas Sentiments set, some ric rac, and Bazzill brads.

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Here's the sketch and the info:

- keyword to use when uploading to public galleries is AMYRS47

- link directly to your creation when posting a link to your card - why you ask? Check out this link for more info.

- have your card done and linked before next Thursday at 11pm EST in order to have it included with the participants links - other than that there is no time limits - this is all for fun!

- ANYONE can participate - you can use whatever products/stamps/embellies you want - sky's the limit :)

- I WILL remove any links I deem inappropriate and/or not post them with next Friday's sketch (self-promotional, spam, card not following sketch in any way etc etc etc) - so far I've been lucky and all those that have played along have been fabulous - but I'd rather say it now and just have that out there.

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I will be back a little later today to add the links to last week's participants!! :o)

Participants in Friday Sketch! #37:

Adriane's Card

Chelle's Card

Kelley's Card

Gretchen's Card

Catherine's Card

Kelly's Card

Tina's Card

Snow's Card

Robbie's Card

Lisa's Card

Mary's Card

Arielle's Card

Angela's Card

Crazy Week and 2 Baby Cards

OY - it's only Tuesday but it feels like a LONG week. This is going to be a crazy week for me - I have a lot of work to do, tomorrow I'm traveling to the city to begin a pedicure course (finally! I've been trying for months now to get in to take it and am finally able to start this week), Tim's work's Christmas party is this weekend (I am SO looking forward to a night out and getting to dress up! Yeah!), Veronica's first parent teacher interview is this week, Josie's 3rd Birthday is coming up fast so I need to start preparing for that and I think I'm forgetting everything else!! Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze some stamping time in as it's already been too long since the last time I stamped!

But I do have a couple of cards to share - I made these at the retreat a couple of weeks ago:

Both cards use the stork image from Kim Hughes Baby Love set - I LOVE her stamps - I have several of her sets and want all the rest!!

I stamped the stork onto white cardstock and used my Copics to color them in.

Of course I had to add a bit of bling via Crystal Stickles on the wing, tail and eyelids *grin*

I kept both cards quick and simple using the Swiss Dot CuttleBug folder on the main layer, adding some brads and a strip of black CS and ribbon and that was it!

OK I'm off and running! Have a happy Tuesday everyone!

Peace and Joy Cards

Sorry this post is a lot later than I planned - I was going to have it typed up and ready to go last night but ended up helping out my mom at her coffee shop downtown last night for over 4 hours. It was midnight madness so all the businesses were open late and tons of people were out and boy were we busy!! And of course me not thinking I wore cute shoes instead of practical shoes and after we closed up I was limping to my vehicle!

I had fun though - I'm getting the hang of all the different drinks (kind of hard not to - I spent 3 hours straight just using the espresso machine and steaming all the different drinks!) - my favorite one to make right now is the peppermint mochaccino - YUMMY. Needless to say even though I was exhausted and achy last night I was buzzed on all the caffeine (I had to try out some of the new drinks - can't tell a customer how good it is if you don't KNOW *wink*) so I didn't actually fall asleep till about 2 this morning! I am beat!

SO - here are the two cards I alluded to in yesterday's Friday Sketch post - I made them at the same time as the simple sketch ones but with these I played around (a LOT) more:

I used Stampin' Up!s Snowflake (retired) set and my Christmas Sentiments and Christmas Card Verses.

I inked up the snowflakes with various blue inks, stamped them onto the white cardstock then sponged the edges.

The word "Peace" from my Christmas Sentiments set was stamped onto Navy cardstock with VersaMark and embossed with silver embossing powder. I trimmed the CS to 1" then used my SU Key Tag punch to round the one edge.

I used my Martha Stewart Snowflake punch on light blue CS, attached it with a silver brad then covered it with Star Dust Stickles (nope not Crystal Stickles this time! Star Dust has more blue toned glitter in it whereas Crystal has more green toned - so this card looked better with Star Dust). I also added dots of stickles here and there to the snowflakes.

I pulled out my CuttleBug Snowflakes embossing folder and embossed the white CS before matting it and adding the wide May Arts ribbon.

I finished off the inside of the card with a strip of stamped CS (I was originally planning on making 2 of this card but I messed up on the other stamped piece - so instead of tossing it I trimmed off the "bad" spot and used it to finish off the inside of this card), and the verse from Christmas Card Verses stamped on the navy and embossed with Silver EP.

Of course I had to make another card with the pink inks - I also still have a nearly full pack of SU's brushed copper carstock that was retired long ago that was perfect for this card!

I flipped the layout for this card and used the word "Joy" from Christmas Sentiments and embossed it with Copper EP.

I used Fruit Punch Stickles on the punched out snowflake and dabbed here and there on the stamped snowflakes - it went perfectly with this color scheme.

I also pulled out my never-been-used CuttleBug Snow Dots embossing folder and ran the pink cardstock through with it.

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OK that's it for today! Have a great weekend everyone!! :o)

Friday Sketch! #37

OK honestly the sketch for today is super simple - I've been running around like a crazy person trying to get things done (and finishing up images for new stamp sets to be released in the near future!) and barely stamped at all this week. When I finally did sit down to stamp I started messing around and fiddling and cluttered up my desk (it looks like a tornado ripped through my stamp room!) and came out with 4 cards - 2 of them are almost the same and I'm sharing them here today and the other 2 I'll post later.

Here's the cards:

I pulled out my old Stampin' Up! Snowflakes set that retired however long ago (and refuse to get rid of b/c I LOVE it), and my Christmas Sentiments and Christmas Card Verses sets and made these 2 super simple cards!

I used SU shimmery white cardstock for both - in real life it is the most fabulous cardstock - SUPER heavy weight and the prettiest shimmer to it. I have I don't know how many packs of it and always forget to pull it out and USE it!

I stamped the snowflakes in various blue inks, let them sit for a bit then stamped the word "Peace" from my Christmas Sentiments set in versamark and embossed it with silver embossing powder.

That's it - for the outside.

On the inside of the card I stamped the snowflake in blue, then stamped this sentiment from my Christmas Card Verses set again in versamark and embossed that as well with Silver EP.

THEN I did it all again - but this time using pinky, reddy, burgandy inks and stamping the word "Joy" from Christmas Sentiments and embossing it with Copper EP.

Yeah I'm definitely loving the pink.....

Same thing - stamped the snowflake in pink on the inside then the verse from Christmas Card Verses in Versamark and embossed it with Copper EP.

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Now onto the sketch:

Basically for this sketch the challenge is to just create a single layer card with the main image on the lower right and sentiment on the bottom right. Have fun with it!!

And as always:

- keyword to use when uploading to public galleries is AMYRS46

- link directly to your creation when posting a link to your card - why you ask? Check out this link for more info.

- have your card done and linked before next Thursday at 11pm EST in order to have it included with the participants links - other than that there is no time limits - this is all for fun!

- ANYONE can participate - you can use whatever products/stamps/embellies you want - sky's the limit :)

- I WILL remove any links I deem inappropriate and/or not post them with next Friday's sketch (self-promotional, spam, card not following sketch in any way etc etc etc) - so far I've been lucky and all those that have played along have been fabulous - but I'd rather say it now and just have that out there.

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Links to the participants in Friday Sketch! #36:

Adriane's Card

Stef's Card

Laurel's Card

Tina's Card

Tracy's Card

Lacey's Card

Kelley's Card

Gretchen's Card

Erica's Card

Marcie's Card

Rachel's Card <---definitely my favorite - she used my Build A Holiday set and I didn't even recognize it till I read her post!!! You HAVE to check it out!!

Rachel B's Card

Snow's Card

Michelle's Card

Lisa's Card

Fafuna's Card