And off I go...

Well, it's that time of year- Gallery Idol auditions!  Last year was my first year entering, and I am extremely proud to say that I made it to the top 5.  One of my personal papercrafting idols, Cristina, took the crown and she certainly deserved it!

Some of last summer's participants were debating whether or not to enter again this year- it definitely was a stressful journey.  But in the end, I thought "how could I NOT go for this again?"  I made so many wonderful friendships through the experience, and I would be the luckiest person to have the opportunity to do that again.

So that brings us here.....entry # 1 of whoknowshowmany:

I used some fun CSS goodies on this card (see links below) including the new Designer Lines set to make the notebook paper.  The sentiment comes courtesy of my blog (and now real-life) buddy Sarah.  The washi tape was purchased a few weeks ago at the Creating Keepsakes Convention in NH.  Here's a pic of the gang all together:

(Ariana, me, Suzanne, Sarah, Laura)

CSS Cardstock- A Blanc Check

CSS Designer Lines

CSS Critter Sentiments

InLinkz.com

Wishing You

Today I'm sharing a card using my favorite sentiment set from My Thoughts Exactly....Mini Thoughts.

I did a technique I learned from Julie- it gives the effect of inlaid wood when you nest a positive die cut into a negative one:

Pretty cool!  So glad you could stop by :)

SSD-glittery bird

Today there is a new sketch over at Skipping Stones Design!  For some reason I was having trouble saving the sketch image, so you'll have to pop over to the SSD blog to check it out.  Here's my card:

I hope you play along this week....it should be a lot of fun!

CSS Group Project

Hey there...today I am sharing a set of cards for the Group Project day at Clear and Simple Stamps.

All of the products that released on the 5th (see them here) are so versatile, and the DT is showing you how to take one set and use it in both a masculine and a feminine way.

I chose to work with the Lowercase letters die and Hexagon Plus (links at bottom of post).  Here's what I came up with:

My first card was inspired by THIS card (sorry that I linked to a pin..I know that is a faux pas! I was having difficulty accessing her site)

My feminine version doesn't have the cool die cutting at the top, but I used a mix of positive (on the "love") and negative (on "you") die cutting.

Here's a list of the lovely ladies who are also posting today:

Dana
Jaclyn
Kim
Laura
Laurie
Lori
Tracy
Clear and Simple Stamps

CSS Lowercase Die	CSS Hexagons Plus	CSS Cardstock- On the Catwalk Cream	CSS Cardstock- You're Such a Gray-cious Host
CSS Cardstock- A Blanc Check	CSS Coral Necklace Ink	CSS Ink- Orange You Fabulous

InLinkz.com

Lawnscaping! :)

So excited to announce that I am guest designing this month at Lawnscaping!

Today's challenge is all about Clean and Simple....perfect for me, huh?

I chose a really simple layout, and got out some patterned paper scraps in a rainbow of colors.

The challenge is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp, so head over to Lawnscaping to see the samples from the DT and play along!

My Thoughts Exactly new release!

Alyssa at My Thoughts Exactly is giving you the opportunity to pre-order the next release at 15% off!!  Hurry over to get yours before the sale ends!!

CSS May/June Release Day

Today's the day you've been waiting for....release day at Clear and Simple Stamps!

I've got 2 projects to share.  First up is a set of mini notecards:

I die cut a folded piece of cardstock with the largest hexagon die (linked at the end of the post), then used the corresponding outline stamp.  I finished it all off with a sentiment and colorful flowers!

Next is a pincushion I made.  I'm sure you all think I am obsessed with pincushions (proof found here and here).....but I just like that they are quick and easy projects, and they are good to have on hand!  I cut fabrics on the floor- so I like having a set of pins there and another near the sewing machine.

I die cut the hexagons from different colored felt, and hand-sewed them to a circle of felt.  I stuffed it with polyfil, then used a blanket stitch to seal up the edges.  I don't often hand-sew (other than embroidery), so it was kind of fun to try something new!

On these projects I used:
Shapes: Hexagons
All Occasions 1 (flower stamp)
All Occasions 2 (sentiment)

I know you'll love visiting the DT too:
Dana
Denise
Jaclyn
Kim
Laura
Laurie
Lori
Steph
Tracy
Clear and Simple Stamps

Thanks for stopping by!