DIGITAL "CHALKBOARD" TECHNIQUE

The chalkboard technique has been revived--and it's truly a fun one--but I decided to see if I could get "the look" while using Stampin' Up!'s MDS 2 software.  After completing this card, I went back and tweaked a few things (such as the drop shadow on some of the images), but I am relatively pleased with the way this card turned out.  It's such a fun card, don't you think?  I'm not exactly certain, but I believe all of the images (or most of them) were included in the MDS2+ software package that I purchased.  If you haven't tried the MDS2 software, you're just denying yourself an awesome creative experience--and a TON of digital images!

JULIE'S GORGEOUS "FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" PROJECT

It's Julie's turn to inspire us with a Freestyle Fridays project today, and isn't that a gorgeous pinwheel???  I think it's a pinwheel . . . it could be a flower, I suppose.  Julie knows just how to take a photo to keep me in suspense.  I hope you'll hop on over to her blog along with me so we can get all of the details about her project and see what kind of mission she has for me.  You might want to try the mission, too! 

Have a wonderful weekend!  Stamp something!

MY PROJECT IS FEATURED ON CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL TODAY!!!

I'm excited to share the Valentine's ensemble that I designed for Craft Project Central this month!  This ensemble is perfect for a co-worker, friend, neighbor, or someone extra special and is sure to please.  The heart-shaped pocket, filled with a cute little bookmark, and perhaps a gift card, make a great treat to hand-deliver or it can be left in a place to be discovered by the recipient.  Either way, it will brighten someone’s day!  Don’t forget to sign the over sized greeting card, which coordinates perfectly with the ensemble!

The tutorial for the pocket, bookmark, and card was posted today, and your subscription this month will give you access to all of the project tutorials that post this month.  You will not be disappointed!

"TOOL TIME" BIRTHDAY

Today is my husband's birthday and, since cards for men can be challenging, I just couldn't resist purchasing a stamp set recently that had quite a selection of tools.  The stamp set arrived yesterday--just in the nick of time!  The birthday sentiment is one of the single stamps that, for a short while, was offered by Stampin' Up! (from the "Perfectly Penned" stamp set).  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include stitched ribbon, ribbon slide (from the recent Holiday catalog), and Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White, and Daffodil Delight card stock.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" . . . AND A WINNER!

Today's MISM project is a little late getting posted, but better late than never, right?  I am in love with Stampin' Up!'s "Tea for Two" designer paper!!!!  The center strip on this card, featuring the punched and popped up butterfly, is my favorite pattern.  This card was truly a snap to make, and I think it has plenty of visual appeal.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include ribbon from the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Buttons pack (a Sale-a-Bration product), Elegant Butterfly and Bitty Butterfly punches, and "Pretty Petites" stamp set and the coordinating Petite Curly Label punches (also Sale-a-Bration products). 

Once again, I have designed a project that will be posted on Craft Project Central this month and, as a designer, I have a FREE one-month subscription to give away.  I promised that I would draw a winner for the subscription today, and the winner is . . . Jacoline, who wrote:  "Regina I love what you have done with the challenge this week. The chalkboard method is so great and created hand and hand with the glass glitter makes a really lovely card. Thanks you so much for always being so creative you and Julie always inspire me." Congratulations, Jacoline!! I will need to get some information from you so we can get your subscription started, so just shoot me an email. 

Have a wonderful week!

"SERENE SILHOUETTES" PORTFOLIO & CARDS

Make this pretty little portfolio and four coordinating cards!  Each card comes in a different color but you can make each card design with one color if you choose.  Stamp the envelopes to match, and keep the set for yourself or give it away as a gift.  Better yet, make several sets and be sure to keep one for yourself!

This beautiful project was designed by Kris McIntosh, and her tutorial posted today at Craft Project Central.  What a great gift this would be, and it would also be a fun weekend project to sit down with some friends and be able to knock out several gift sets in one day!

MY 2013 BIRTHDAY CALENDAR

The idea for this calendar project began last night, and I just finished it tonight.  All I can say is that Stampin' Up!'s "That's the Ticket" stamp set and coordinating punch were oh, so handy!  This will be a photo-heavy post, and you can click on the individual pictures for a larger view if you'd like.  As you will see, I used the stamped and punched tickets to identify family member birthdays each month, and I used the Labels Collection Framelits dies to cut each of the calendar pages. 

Other stamp sets that I used for this project include:  Googly Ghouls, Loving Thoughts, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Collage Curios, French Foliage, Mixed Bunch, Evergreen, Topsy Turvy Celebration, Countryside, and Confetti.  My calendar also features Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous flower trim, Sycamore Street designer paper, rhinestone jewels (regular and large), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (heart and scallop circle), Sycamore Street button, Stampin' Dimensionals, Soda Pop Top, Word Window punch, and my card stock and ink colors are Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo, Whisper White, and Primrose Petals.

SCRAPBOOK IN A TIN - NEW CPC TUTORIAL

This special scrapbook tin and card are the perfect way to keep photos of those you love and cherish.  The tin takes up only a small amount of space, but can hold a lot of special memories.  There are eight double sides pages inside as well as eight note cards in the pocket of each page.  Add a photo and a note about the photo and keep it all in this special little tin.  It can even double as a gift card holder for eight gift cards!  The matching card makes this a perfect gift to give for any occasion!

Amanda designed this sweet project for Craft Project Central, and her tutorial was posted today.  With your subscription to the site, you'll be ready to make some gift tins!  I'm offering a second chance to win a FREE one-month subscription, and you can enter the drawing by leaving a comment on THIS BLOG POST by Sunday night.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" . . . AND A SECOND CHANCE

Happy first Friday of 2013!!!!  It's my turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and I followed the mission set forth by Julie last week . . . create a black and white project, using silver (or gold) glass glitter if desired.  I was actually kind of excited about the challenge to use glass glitter because I have hardly used it.  In the back of a drawer--the far, far back--I found four bottles of glass glitter . . . one silver, two Champagne, and one Baja Breeze.  I must have had some projects in mind when I purchased it but, when you have the attention span of a gnat, it seems like an eternity between the time a good idea pops in your head and the time the man in brown drops the box on the porch.  Today's card is a technique that's hot, hot, hot at the moment . . . chalkboard . . . and I used Sticky Strip to hold the glitter for the framed border around my faux chalkboard.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Whisper White and Basic Black card stock, "Vintage Verses" stamp set, rhinestone jewel, black satin and gingham ribbons (both retired), VersaMark ink, white embossing powder, Scallop Circle punches.  I don't remember the name of the paper that I used for the scallop circle flower, but it retired last year, I think.  Julie, this was a fun mission, and I look forward to another year of them!  

In this blog post, I announced that I had a FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central to give away.  I had planned to announce the winner today, but (as of this writing) no one entered the drawing.  If you'd like to enter the second drawing, just leave a comment to this post.  I will announce the winner on Monday.  If no one leaves a comment, one of my customers will be the lucky winner.

BIRD CAGE BOX & CARD . . . AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

Make this delicate bird cage box and matching card; perfect for so many occasions.  The box opens on top, giving you access to put small presents or treats inside.  It’s a pretty little box to keep on a shelf and use as a decoration until it’s needed for that special gift!  Great as a favor for small parties, showers or as a fun class project!

Isn't this the prettiest thing????  I love everything about this project, which was designed by Monika Davis.  Her tutorial posted to Craft Project Central today, and now is the perfect time to get your January subscription started!  

****I'M GIVING A FREE ONE-MONTH

SUBSCRIPTION TO CRAFT PROJECT CENTRAL****

If you would like to be entered in the drawing for the Craft Project Central subscription that I am giving away, take two seconds to leave a comment on this blog post.  The winning name will be drawn and announced with my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" blog post on Monday, January 7th.