What's cookin'?!

The GRS team is playing a fun color challenge today!  Our inspiration came from this gorgeous retro kitchen photo, which was so much fun to work from!

I chose to take the challenge "literally" and make a card with an apron on it...the "?!" pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about the elimination diet I'm on right now. It's like an extreme limited supply challenge for every meal!  The sentiment inside is "what's cookin'?" which has become the ongoing mantra in our household lately!

Notes:

heart apron and what's cookin' sentiment stamps

My Mind's Eye Unforgettable designer paper

Memento Rich Cocoa ink

Spectrum Noir turquoises and reds marker sets

Spring Bloom 1 hemp twine

button

Thickers

sewing machine and thread

Be sure to visit the GRS blog and my team mates' blogs to see all the adorable designs they've created!

• Gourmet Rubber Stamps
• Jeni Allen
• Jennifer Ingle
• Kelli Palmer
• Kendra Wietstock
• Stephanie Lee
• Taylor Usry
• Melissa Cash

i {heart} papers design team challenge!

It's challenge time for our i {heart} papers team.  This month, we're featuring Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers and our 12 x 12 collection packs.

Unfortunately, it's been Plan B (or C or D...) week for me!  I literally "popped" a muscle in my right calf last Monday, so I have been stuck in my favorite cushy chair with my leg iced and elevated all week long.  I haven't been brave enough to try to venture upstairs to my little stamp haven but once or twice, and even then only for a short time since I can't allow my leg to dangle for long.  Let me tell ya, hobbling around, having to depend on loved ones for every little thing, and being unable to drive really makes one appreciate the everyday little things and value one's independence!

All that being said, I'm sure you can tell that this project didn't make it much farther than the framework...all of the stamping, coloring, and embellishing are yet to be done!  This little pocket album is made using two 12 x 12 sheets of card stock, contrasting card stock for the pocket inserts, and lots of lovely designer paper.  I am hoping to finish it with some beautiful Lacy Layers stamps, matching dies, and some pretty floral images inside and out.

Here's how it was made:

• Trim 1 inch from one edge of one sheet of card stock, then cut the sheet into three 4 x 11 inch strips.  
• Score each strip 1/2 inch from each long edge and then at the 5, 5 1/2 and 6 inch marks.  Round the corners with a corner punch.
• From the second sheet, cut a strip of cardstock approximately 2 7/8 x 10 inches.
• Score at 4 1/2, 5, and 5 1/2 inches.
• Adhere the scored flaps to the long edges of the flat strip to make one long pocket, but leave the center "spine" portion and ends free.  Repeat for remaining pockets.  Once firmly set, fold each pocket along the center score line with the pockets facing each other.  
• Punch holes in the spine using a small hand-held punch.
• Stack the three layers together, and lace some ribbon through the holes from front to back, then around the spine back to the front.  Tie into a bow.
• Cut pocket inserts, ~2 3/4 x 5 inches.  Round corners and add pull tabs if desired.
• Stamp and embellish!

Be sure to visit my team mates and our guest, beloved, gorgeous Sankari!  Here are the links to their blogs!

• February's guest designer, Sankari Wegman
• Carole
• Gretchen
• Judy
• Lori
• Taylor
• Tracy
• Kate

New GRS Appetizers!

Two new appetizers are being released today by Gourmet Rubber Stamps!  My card (Mojo Sketch 280) is made with Queen Bee!  This is an adorable set with fabulous sentiments for Mother's Day! 

Notes:

GRS Queen Bee

Basic Grey Clippings designer paper

Memento ink

Copic markers

Cuttlebug/dots embossing folder

ruffle trim

Be sure to visit my design team mates, the GRS blog and the gallery to see what fabulous creations our team has come up with for this appetizers release!  

• Gourmet Rubber Stamps
• Jeni Allen
• Jennifer Ingle
• Kelli Palmer
• Kendra Wietstock
• Stephanie Lee
• Taylor Usry
• Melissa Cash

GRS Sketch Challenge

It's time for the February sketch challenge for the Gourmet Rubber Stamps design team.  I'm still inking up some of the new Truffles...don't you think New Beginnings is just the sweetest ever?!

Visit the GRS blog to see what my design team mates made for today's sketch!

Hinge Card

Hello friends!  It's been a while!  There have been lots of "behind the scenes" things happening here that have been keeping me from stamping and blogging, but they seem to be settling down now, so I'm looking forward to getting back to a more creative routine.  :)

The BIG thing is that my mom finally was able to get all of her testing done in Lafayette, and the doctor said everything is as it should be!  Whew!  We were very relieved to hear that!  Thank you for all your prayers.

I'm sharing a card today that I blogged over on Paper Craft Planet last week...my friend, Wendy, showed me a hinged card that she had made, which had a decorative border with clever matching corners. She even used that pretty border to cover up the mechanics of the card.  Hers inspired me to make a much more basic version, using three coordinating prints from one pack of patterned paper.  The mechanics of mine are hidden in the more traditional layers.   

Notes:

The Stamps of Life pinwheels2stamp

Stephanie's Colorbox inks, Set 2

Authentique designer paper

SU tab punch

ribbon and button from the stash (? i think from Hobby Lobby)