February Sketch Challenge {Authentique Paper}

{As seen today on the Authentique Paper blog}


Authentique Paper is back with another sketch challenge!
Generally I play along with the card sketch, but this time I am changing it up a bit and using the layout sketch:


For my layout I combined a 12x12 paper from the new Genuine line and added in a pop of orange from the Free Bird collection (Endless).


I love that the neutral denim/blue color scheme of the Genuine collection allows for adding in any pop of color and will allow the collection to be truly versatile.

Because I am not a scrapper, my only goal was to get a picture on the page to document a little trip my husband and I took to Tahoe.

I added in a seam binding bow and a stick pin to add a little embellishment, but I feel like these papers could have stood on their own.


Be sure to head on over to the Authentique Paper blog to see the coordinating card sketch - and get yourself in on the challenge!

And, if you didn't make it to CHA - check out this quick tour of the Authentique Paper booth...you will get a peek at the four newest lines: Celebrate, Genuine, Loyal, and Delightful.



Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Authentique Paper (Genuine - Perfection); Authentique Paper (Free Bird - Endless);
Ink: Ranger (Distress Stain - Wild Honey);
Embellishments: Maya Road (Mini Tickets - Transparency); Jillibean Soup (Pin - Blue/Orange);
Other: HugSnug (Seam Binding - Chalk White);
Tools: Tim Holtz (Tiny Attacher); Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors);

Friendly Faces at CHA {Anaheim - 2012}

I recently returned home from my first ever crafty convention/tradeshow - and it was a big one...CHA.

I have a lot of pictures to share and although I cannot share all the pictures I took (that would just be too much) I think I will break them down into 3 separate posts: Friendly Faces, New Products, and Beautiful Displays.

Because I am new at this (and was so incredibly star-struck) I am going to start out with the Friendly Faces of CHA.

My first stop as soon as I got into Anaheim (after taking my suitcase to the hotel) was the Market Street Stamps booth. This was the first time for Market Street Stamps as an exhibitor at CHA and it was so exciting to get to come along for the ride (and see the new February releases - including a new fabulous background designed by me!).

{Left to right: Ashley Nguyen Newell, Stephanie Washburn, Angelica Suarez...and Tifany DeGough (me).}

I was sent on a mission from my husband's aunt who had taken a class from Heidi Swapp to get my picture taken with Heidi...and I didn't want to let her down.
{Of course, I love Heidi Swapp's stuff, too, and was thrilled to be able to meet her.}


Obviously one of my favorite spots to stop was at the Authentique Paper booth. It was great to meet Sam and Melodee - I have been working with them for awhile now as DT Coordinator and it was so great to be able to talk with them in person.

{Left to right: Tifany DeGough (me), Sam, and Melodee.}

The Paper Crafts booth event was a popular one, and it was so exciting to be able to get my picture taken with some of the fabulous editors.

{Left to right: Kerri Miller, Tifany DeGough (me), Susan R. Opel, and Jennifer Schaerer.}

Cath and Betsy weren't able to make it to CHA this time around, but I was able to get my picture taken with Flat Cath and Flat Betsy (and Susan, of course).


Again I spotted Ashley Nguyen Newell and we got a picture together.
{We also discovered that we live only about 30 minutes away from each other...scrappy time together coming soon!}


I am sure this superstar crafter needs no introduction...but just incase you are new to the game - this is Teri Anderson. I am excited that she is now one of the members of The Twinery's Design Team - she is a crafty genius!


Another superstar in the crafty world...Tim Holtz.
I was able to get a front-row spot for his demonstration of the new Distress Markers and it was like YouTube in real life. What an experience to see it in person!
{I did take a video or two and will be sharing those soon.}


And now for my favorite moment at CHA - this is where Tim Holtz asked DoBea Alberts to see her phone, walked around the booth, and took a picture with her.
DoBea had it coming since she brought along a very outgoing friend and she was too shy herself to ask Tim for a picture. Truly a very fun moment.
{That's her friend (Jodi) laughing on the far right side of the picture...I wish I could have captured her face in it as well, but I was trying to be quick.}


I also ran into Angela Magnuson (from Unity Stamp Company) in the aisle near the Authentique Paper booth:


Later in the Prima booth I saw my fellow Fiskateer Sylvia and Lead Fiskateer Cheryl.
{I ran into the other 3 Lead Fiskateers earlier in the show and failed to ask for a picture with them...and now I am kicking myself for passing up the opportunity!}


Back again at the Ranger booth I was able to watch Claudine Hellmuth do a demo and was able to get my picture taken with her as well.


Just walking the aisles I was able to see so many familiar faces - it was truly an incredible experience...and that is just the PEOPLE.
Stay tuned for the posts where I will share some of the exciting new products and the beautiful booth displays.

Thanks for coming along with me!

Paint The Town Challenge {Market Street Stamps}

It's time for another Paint the Town challenge at Market Street Stamps!


Now...let me just say that color challenges are always a struggle for me...but I almost always love how they turn out! This is a color palette I don't think I ever would have put together on my own...but it works so well!


If you have trouble with color challenges I thought I would share my process with you:
First, I go through my patterned paper scraps and 6x6 pads to find some patterns that will go with the color scheme (and work well together).
Next, I head to my cardstocks and find a nice cardstock base within the palette.
I usually have a light-colored cardstock reserved for stamping...but don't be afraid to stamp on light patterned papers as I've done here.
Finally, I pick a few embellishments that will coordinate with or support the color palette and add them into the mix and assemble the card.


Be sure to head on over to the Market Street Stamps blog today to see inspiration from the Design Team and get in on the challenge!


Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (Ash);
Patterned Paper: Lily Bee (This & That - 6x6); My Minds's Eye (Stella & Rose: Gertie - 6x6);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Comforting Florals);
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black);
Ribbon: Hug Snug (Seam Binding - Chalk White);
Other: (Ribbon Slide);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Time to PARTY! {Market Street Stamps}

The NEW January release stamp sets are now available for purchase from Market Street Stamps!
{And even more exciting...they are debuting at 15-25% off!}

The shipping is super speedy...but while you wait - be sure to join in on the Block Party!
{Be sure to head on over to the Market Street Stamps blog to get all the details about how you can join in on the Block Party...where you can win some fabulous free stamps and have a shot at being a Guest Designer for Market Street Stamps!}


You can create ANYTHING for this challenge...no color requirements, no specific project types...just follow your heart. :o)

Thanks for stopping by today - and if you are headed to CHA, be sure to stop by the Market Street Stamps booth (#2611).
See you there!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White); Bazzill (Pink);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Vintage Wallpaper, Follow Your Heart);
Ink: Ranger (Mustard Seed); Tsukineko (Thatched Straw);
Mist: Ranger (Perfect Pearl);
Ribbon: (Yellow Sheer);
Dies: Spellbinders (Labels Eight);
Other: Maya Road (Flower Trinket Pin - White);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Birds of a Feather - SNEAK PEEK! {Market Street Stamps}

Today marks a VERY exciting day in my crafting "career".

Yes, every sneak peek from Market Street Stamps is exciting for me to share...but this one is particularly special for me.


I am SO THRILLED to have some images (hand drawn by me!) in a new stamp set called "Birds of a Feather".


I created this simple card using the chick image and a sweet sentiment (pun intended).

To top it off I added a bit of twine and a button. I tried to keep a simple design and color scheme to keep the focus on that little cutie.


Be sure to stop by the Market Street Stamps blog for more sneak peeks of the "Birds of a Feather" set - and continue to stop by all week long for more sneak peeks of the other new sets with images from Samantha Casey!

The entire January release will be available for purchase this Thursday.
You will be able to purchase individual sets for 15% off or grab the whole bundle for 25% off!

Thanks for stopping by and celebrating with me!


Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White);
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket (Upcycle 6x6);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Birds of a Feather);
Ink: Tsukineko (Pink Grapefruit, Thatched Straw);
Twine: The Twinery (Buttercream);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Happy Birthday, Angelica!

Today is a very special day...it is Angelica's birthday!
I have the pleasure of working for Angelica and her company - Market Street Stamps (as a design team member and now also as a stamp illustrator)...and I also have the pleasure of being on The Twinery's Design Team again with Angelica for 2012.

A few of us who have crafty ties with Angelica wanted to give her a special birthday gift, so we are showering her with handmade cards via a blog hop.
{If you didn't start at the beginning, you can start at Kathy's blog.}


I created this card for Angelica using the new Grace background stamp from Market Street Stamps along with the sentiment (from the Enjoy Today stamp set from Market Street Stamps). I used the color palette from the current Paint the Town challenge on the Market Street Stamps blog as inspiration (adjusting the sherbet color to more of a buttery shade...)

Angelica - wishing you a very happy birthday! Hope you get smothered with hugs and kisses from your precious family and are able to enjoy the sweet times together. (And maybe a little alone time, too...)


Head on over to Samantha Casey's blog next to see what she's created for Angelica.

And please...stop back by on Monday when I finally get to give a sneak peek of the first set of images I designed for a Market Street Stamps stamp set - SO very exciting!

Thanks for hopping by!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White);
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye (Stella & Rose - Gertie 6x6, Lime Twist - Life of the Party 6x6);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Grace, Enjoy Today);
Ink: Tsukineko (Pink Grapefruit, Pixie Dust);
Twine: The Twinery (Buttercream);
Ribbon: Ribbon Carousel (Seam Binding);
Other: Autumn Leaves (Button - Butter);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Celebrate Everyday {Authentique Paper & Helmar}

Authentique Paper and Helmar are teaming up this week to bring you tons of inspiration using Authentique Paper products and Helmar adhesives!


Today I wanted to share a project with you that I created using Authentique Paper's new Celebrate collection and Helmar adhesives.


I found a shopping list at a craft store for a dollar and thought it would be fun to spice it up a little. Sometimes I get caught up in life so much that I forget to have fun with the "boring" details of life...and Celebrate is the perfect collection to put a little spunk back - even in my grocery shopping.

I started by removing the magnet that was adhered to the back of the notepad and set it aside for later. I then cut a piece of chipboard a bit bigger than the notepad.

Using Helmar's Premium Craft Glue I adhered a piece of "Happy" paper the front of the new chipboard backer and then adhered the back of the original notepad on top.


I took the cardstock sticker from the "Details" sheet that says:
Celebrate Life.
Everyday.
Everywhere!
...and I stuck it in place using black Zapdots.
I thought this was the perfect sentiment to remind me that even in things like grocery shopping...there is a reason to celebrate!


I finished it all of with a few additional embellishments and adhered the magnet to the new chipboard backer - and now this is ready to stick to the fridge!

Now, since I just got the new Celebrate & Genuine collections in my hands, I have been so inspired to create! Since I already had Celebrate out - I decided to create a very quick layout.
{I haven't done THAT in awhile!}


This picture was taken when my husband and I had a little time away with my husband's brothers and their wives...a truly special time since we don't live near each other.

I used a Helmar Quick-Fix Permanent Adhesive Runner to adhere all the papers and some Zapdots to add dimension to the photo.

I had a hard time deciding which papers from the collection to use on this layout, but the flowers from "Enjoyment" were just screaming to be fussy cut and I couldn't keep away from the fun diamond pattern on "Laughter".
The layout is very simple and came together fairly quickly, but for a girl who rarely puts a picture on a page anymore, it was a big accomplishment.
You could even call it a reason to CELEBRATE! :o)


Be sure to stop by the Authentique Paper and Helmar blogs every day this week!
{And don't forget to become a fan on Facebook if you aren't already - there just might be something you don't want to miss!}


Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Authentique Paper (Celebrate collection - Happy, Enjoyment, Laughter);
Stickers: Authentique Paper (Celebrate collection - Details, Elements);
Adhesives: Helmar (Premium Craft Glue, Zapdots - Black, Quick-Fix Permanent Adhesive Runner);
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); Ranger (Distress Stain - Wild Honey);
Twine: The Twinery (Caribbean, Maraschino, Stone);
Other: HugSnug (Seam Binding - White); Dritz (Pins); Chipboard;
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors);

The Twinery's 2012 Design Team Reveal - Part 2

As I may have mentioned yesterday (okay...maybe a little more like "shouted from the rooftops") - the NEW 2012 Design Team for The Twinery is now being revealed!


To round out the list of fabulous designers that were announced yesterday - here is the rest of the team:

Sarah Andreotti
Angi Barrs
Ashley Bores
Jen Carter (Returning as a Second Term Designer)
Jamie Cripps
Katarina Damm-Blomberg
Jessica Fick
Stacy Rodriguez
Shannan Teubner
Karola Witczak

Congratulations to each and every one of you...I can't wait to work with you this year as we cover the world in The Twinery's fabulous twine!

Back for another term in 2012! {The Twinery}

Today is a GREAT day and I have some fun news to share...


I am thrilled to announce that I am coming back as a Second Term Designer for The Twinery!


I am rejoining The Twinery's DT Coordinator (Julie Ranae) and two Senior Designers (Angelica Suarez and Monika Wright) - in addition to all these NEW lovely ladies:

Teri Anderson
Dorangela Bobet
Helen Bird
Lauren Brewer
Natalie Clause
Amy Crockett
Carolyn King
Kathy Skou
Kellie Winnell

...but that's only half of it. Stay tuned to find out the rest of the 2012 Design Team - they will be revealed tomorrow!

Paint The Town Challenge {Market Street Stamps}

It's time for another Paint the Town challenge at Market Street Stamps!


Isn't this a gorgeous color palette?

Be sure to head on over to the Market Street Stamps blog today to see inspiration from the Design Team and get in on the challenge!