12 Kits of Occasions - July with Tracey!

I'm on vacation and you'll have to forgive my brief blog post, but today is the last day of the month, and time to share the cards I made with This month's 12 Kits of Occasions goodies! All from Tracey McNeely, our hostess this month! Tracey worked very hard combining beautiful patterned papers, stamps, dies and sentiments that made me wish it was closer to Christmas already.

This is a picture of this month's ingredients:

Photo by Kara 

Here's what I made:

As you can see, I had lots of fun with this kit giving me a head start on my Christmas cards for 2014. As always, please check out the other cards made by the members of the 12 Kits of Occasions on our blog and Facebook.

Thank you Tracey for a great kit and hours of fun using it!

The Twinery & Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop (Prizes Too)

**You should have arrived here from the fabulous blog of Melania Deasy, but if not, a complete list of Blog Hop participants is listed below.**

As an alumnus of Serendipity Stamps Design Team, I was lucky enough to be asked to participate in a very special 3-day event sponsored by both The Twinery and Serendipity Stamps.  What could be more fun than using beautiful Serendipity stamps and colorful twine from The Twinery to create something twice as spectacular?  I own lots of great Serendipity Stamps and The Twinery was generous enough to supply a package full of all kinds of twine.  All those choices made it extra difficult to decide what stamps and twines I wanted to work with, so I ended up making two cards for todays hop.
First up, a card using my all-time favorite image from Serendipity Stamps.

I love that sweet cow jumping over the moon (Serendipity Stamps Cow).  It makes the cutest baby card for either a boy or a girl depending on the colors.  I wanted my card to be for either sex, so after I hand cut the half moon, I stamped Serendipity Stamps Baby Boy Small and Baby Girl Small over it to create my own patterned paper.  I punched a few circles and ran them through my xyron machine so they would be good and sticky.  I wound some colorful lilac/white twine from The Twinery (Lilac Stripe) around each circle, popping them up to form soft, fluffy clouds.  I also stitched around the outside edge of my card with more Twinery twine (Marigold Stripe).  I used a big, fat needle and the twine really adds great dimension.

My second card uses one of Serendipity Stamps dies (Ladybug Die) and more beautiful twine from The Twinery (Maraschino Stripe) to make a fun black/red/cream ladybug card. I added tape to the holes in the ladybug and rolled black/white twine from the Twinery (Charcoal Stripe) around each circle.   I stamped my background with butterflies using one of Serendipity Stamps background stamps (Butterfly Background).  I cut notches in the four cream panels with a circle punch and tied Maraschino Stripe Twine around them to add a punch of color.  The sweet Serendipity Stamp sentiment (Ladybug Hugs) perfectly fits a butterfly and ladybug themed card.

There are prices up for grabs from both Serendipity Stamps and the Twinery...Here's the details:  

The Twinery is having a giveaway...just check out the details on their blog.

Serendipity Stamps is offering one lucky person a $25 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps.  All you have to do is visits the Serendipity Stamps Facebook page, like the page and leave a comment.  You must do both to be eligible for the gift certificate.

Time for you to hop along to the next designer on the hop...Suzanna Lee!

Here is a list of the other designers playing along today with The Twinery & Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop:
                                                     Serendipity Stamps 
                                                     The Twinery

                                                     Tifany DeGough 

                                                     Anya Schrier           

                                                     Rebecca VanDeMark 

                                                     Vickie Zimmer

                                                      Stacey Schafer 

                                                      Julie Warner 

                                                      Melyssa Connolly 

                                                      Karen Amidon

                                                      Melania Deasy

                                                      Suzanna Lee

http://www.serendipitystamps.com/product/740A.html	http://www.serendipitystamps.com/product/738A.html	http://www.serendipitystamps.com/product/216G.html	http://www.serendipitystamps.com/product/017GDCL.html	http://www.serendipitystamps.com/product/231E.html	http://shop.thetwinery.com/product/maraschino-stripe-mini-bundle-15-yards
http://shop.thetwinery.com/product/marigold-stripe-mini-bundle-15-yards	http://shop.thetwinery.com/product/charcoal-stripe-mini-bundle-15-yards	http://shop.thetwinery.com/product/lilac-stripe-mini-bundle-15-yards

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Top Dog Dies New Release Preview: It's 5 o'clock somewhere!

So true...isn't it?  I'm coming to you here from vacation in Montana and I know I can't wait to sit back and relax with a nice cocktail out on the back deck.  There's a beautiful view with deer and turkeys milling about, but...until a little later in the day, here's a couple of cards I made for the brand new release at Top Dog Dies which starts tomorrow, July 29th!  You are not going to want to miss this release...there are six new die sets (which you can view at the end of my post) as well as a contest to win the entire set of new dies!  Today I am sharing some cards made with Top Dog Dies Party Drink Die Set.

This looks like a fun party!  Look at all the dies that come with this new die set...two glasses, an umbrella, a straw and a cute citrus slice.  You can color them as I did here to suit your favorite cocktail, (mine's a margarita and my husband loves a tequila sunrise) or you can use them die cut in patterned paper as I did on my next card.

No coloring at all on this card...the margarita glass outline looks so cute done in patterned paper!  With Summer being in full swing now...I am sure you could use a great die set of party glasses and accessories perfect for those relaxing summertime cards.

Now...for the contest where you can win the entire July release:  Get all the details over at Top Dog Dies!
 Here's a peek of the other wafer-thin Top Dog Dies being released tomorrow.

Top Dog Dies Banner #1 Dies

Top Dog Dies Corset Die

Top Dog Dies Dog Days #1 Die Set

Top Dog Dies Flower Lace A2 Mat Die

Top Dog Dies Vintage Frame Die

Top Dog Dies Party Drink Die Set

Top Dog Dies July Release Preview: Corset Die

Finally, the day that all of the Top Dog Die Designers have been waiting for is finally here...in just a few short days (Tuesday, July 29th) Top Dog Dies will be releasing six new die sets.  I am lucky enough to have had a chance to work with the new dies and today I finally get to begin sharing them with you!  Even better...you have a chance to win ALL of the new dies!  Every, single, one!

The details about how to win all of these great new dies are at the end of my post...but first off, here's the card I made using 3 of the new dies:

The brand new Top Dog Dies Corset Die is gorgeous with beautiful intricate details, just perfect for an elegant...or, possibly slightly naughty card for any woman.  Since this card is for my daughter...I went the elegant route and made her a card to celebrate what a beautiful, young woman she has grown up to be.  I cut three of the new Top Dog Dies Corset Dies in pink, white and black, layering the pieces for contrast and embellishing the edges with pearls.  For the skirt, I used part of another of Top Dog Dies new release dies...Top Dog Dies Flower Lace A2 Mat Die.  I cut one of the lace dies using plain old, thin, white copy paper and cut off a 2" strip.  Oh, does this make a beautiful lacy pattern!  I cut a second 2" strip of pink card stock and used my Xyron to adhere the lace strip to the top of the pink strip...making sure that just a bit overlapped on the edges.  I then accordion folded the strip and fanned it into the shape of a flared skirt.  I also used the Top Dog Dies Flower Lace A2 Mat Die to create the frame around my pretty dress by just cutting a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 sheet of black card stock, taping the Top Dog Dies Flower Lace A2 Mat over it, securing it with washi tape and die cutting.  You end up with not only a beautiful, perfect A2 frame...but also have a Flower Lace mat all ready for another project! (I will be sharing my project with you in a few weeks).  The sentiments are stamped onto another of the new release dies...the Top Dog Dies Banners #1 Die Set which includes 3 cute banners.

I've done a lot of talking...can you tell I am excited about this new release?  I'm sure you want to see what else Top Dog Dies is releasing next Tuesday, July 29th!  Here's a peek of the new dies:  

Top Dog Dies Corset Die

Top Dog Dies Party Drink Die Set

Top Dog Dies Flower Lace A2 Mat

Top Dog Dies Vintage Frame Die

Top Dog Dies Banners #1 Die Set

Top Dog Dies Dog Days #1 Die Set


**Stay tuned for more information later today about the contest and how to win all of the new release dies and remember Release Day is July 29th!**

Top Dog Dies: Totally Worth the Wait

I have another Top Dog Dies card to share.   Don't you love it when you find a die set that has the absolute perfect image for a card you want to make?  That happened for me today when I brought out my new Top Dog Dies Baby on Board Die Set and saw the cute, trendy mom-to-be image.  My pregnant daughter-in-law is feeling quite miserable these days, I believe she described herself as "a whale" the last time I saw her.  She looks fabulous, but for someone who is used to weighing 100 lbs, I guess I can see why she might feel that way at 107 lbs!  I wanted to make her a card as a little encouragement...just something to remind her that it will all be worth it in just a few short months when her sweet baby boy arrives.  Here is what I made:

I used the stitched circle die from Top Dog Dies Diaper Card Finishers Die Set and cut three circles filled with a heart image from the same set.  I added a die cut button from Top Dog Dies Onesie Card Finishers Die Set to each heart.  I die cut a heart border with a die from Top Dog Dies Baby on Board Die Set  and scattered a few of the left over hearts around as embellishments.  See that heart on the mom's chest...just another little bit of love for her baby to be!  The sentiments are from MFT (Magical Memories).  This card has already been delivered to Katie and rests on her nightstand as a little reminder that all the discomfort she might be feeling will be "Totally Worth the Wait!"

Top Dog Dies Baby on Board Die Set

Top Dog Dies Onesie Finishers Die Set

Top Dog Dies Diaper Card Finishers Die Set

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Top Dog Dies: Nautical Diaper Card

In the next few months it will become very clear to everyone who reads my blog that we have a little grandson on the way...so, baby boy cards will be popping up all the time.  Pink girlie cards?  Not so much!  I do have to say that my daughter-in-law is quite the girly-girl and loves bling, so even though I won't dress our baby in rhinestones...his mother's cards will still sparkle!

Today's card was such fun to make and also very easy using Top Dog Dies Diaper Card A2 Die and Diaper Card Finishers Die Set.

I used WPlus9 Dockside Background stamps to create a nautical pattern onto the basic diaper die cut.  Super easy...and I used coordinating card stock for the back and sides of the diaper.  Those cute safety pins are also from Top Dog Dies (Top Dog Dies Onesie Card Finishers Dies).  I cut them from white card stock and used a copic marker to add the red trim.  I also added some glossy accents to the red to make them dimensional and more realistic.  I used Waltzingmouse  Stamps Tying the Knot stamps for the rope border and spray painted some metallic anchors red and added them as safety pin embellishments.  Lastly, the bling I added for my daughter-in-law...just because she loves it!

Wouldn't this card make an adorable baby shower invitation for a nautical themed shower?  I am quite sure I will be making a lot more of these as the time gets closer for my grandson to be born.

Top Dog Dies Diaper Card (A2) Die

Top Dog Dies Diaper Card Finishers Die Set

Top Dog Dies Onesie Finishers Die Set

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Top Dog Dies Blog Tutorial Peek

Todays my day to share a tutorial on the Top Dog Dies blog...can you guess what this is?

Please hop over to the Top Dog Dies blog to see the full project.  

Birthday giveaway

Stacey's Stamping Stage

Just stopping by today to wish my talented friend Stacey Shafer a very Happy Birthday!  She's having a little birthday celebration over on her blog with a great giveaway...please stop by and send her some birthday wishes!  It's a great giveaway!

Card Concept Challenge #14: Colors

Hope everyone in the United States had a great 4th of July holiday and have been enjoying the beautiful warm weather.  Card Concept #14 has a fun challenge for you today...a color challenge.

I have a feeling this is going to one of our most popular challenges so far...just look at those bright, summery colors!  In addition to the colors, I picked up on the cute feathered comforter in the inspiration photo.

Here at the Card Concept challenge, I represent the Freestyle Collage style of cardmaking which includes:

                                                        Unrelated elements in a collection
                                                        Can be done in any style

I used a Blueprints Die set from My Favorite Things Stamps (Blueprints #15) and had a blast arranging and rearranging all the elements until I had just the right look.  I used Waltzingmouse Stamps Funky Feathers to stamp the bright blue pattern and an Impression Obsession Distressed Dots Cover a Card stamp for the red polka dots.  Don't those feathers look just like the ones in the inspiration photo?

If you've never played along with Card Concept challenges, all you have to do is be inspired by the photograph and create a card using one of the following six card making styles.

             Clean and Simple 
               Clean and Layered 

                                                        Clean and Graphic

                                                        Freestyle Collage

                                                        Shabby Chic

                                                        Classy and Elegant

You have two weeks to link up your card over on the Card Concept blog.  The challenge ends on Monday, July 21st at noon PST.