Gina K Sneak Peek- day 2

Welcome to the second day of peeks for Gina K's December release!

Today I have two more Sneak Peeks from Gina K’s newest release.  Be sure to catch all the other samples from the Design Team tonight – and be sure to join us at the Release Party Thursday night over at StampTV! 

First up is a scalloped circle card using the new set Nesting by Asela Hopkins.  (The sentiment is from the set below!)  The butterfly is stamped, cut out, and popped up on foam squares.  I layered Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles onto each other and finished it off with a Standard Circles LG. 

Next up is a card using the new set The Giving Tree by Theresa Momber.  Since fall seem to skip us by and go straight into winter, I made my card fall themed.  I didn't get to use my fall color palette as much as I would have liked to this year!  This set has tons of options though for creating year round cards!  The die is Spellbinders Lacey Squares. 

Make sure to check out the others previewing tonight as well!!

• AJ Otto     <----- you are here
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Valerie Stangle
• Vicki Dutcher

 enjoy~

Gina K Sneak Peek day 1

Happy Sneak peek time!  I am so excited for my first Gina K release to be here finally!

Today I have two Sneak Peeks from Gina K’s newest release.  Be sure to catch all the other samples from the Design Team tonight – and be sure to join us at the Release Party Thursday night over at StampTV! 

My first card is from Block Greetings by Tami Mayberry  This set has tons of great sentiments- I love that!  I stamped the red block onto a Spellbinders™ Classic Squares SM and it fits beautifully!  I then adhered it to a Classic Scalloped Square in black.  

Second up is the new set Mugs and Kisses by Melanie Muenchinger.   This is a fin little set filled to the brim with cute sentiments to match the mugs.  Started each day with a smile- not happening unless that cup is FILLED with JAVA Folks!! ;)

Please check out all the other Design Team member samples tonight!  And be sure to join us for the Release Party over at StampTV on Thursday, 7pm CST!

 

• AJ Otto     <----- you are here
• Asela Hopkins
• Carolina Buchting
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Colleen Schaan
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Gina K
• Giovana Smith
• Janice Whiting
• Jennie Harper
• Lee Murphy
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Tami Mayberry
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Valerie Stangle
• Vicki Dutcher

 enjoy!

guest blogging-

***to see my Stamp simply and FWF post- click HERE***

Hey all!!

I am guest blogging over at  http://tiffguam.com/

Stop on over for a chance to win $100 GC to 2peas and to see the rest of this....

enjoy!

It's ALL worth it!

Happy BLACK Friday!!!!!!

Well- I am heading out to shop- I love it, it's a festive way to kick off the holidays- I have very little expectations other than my Starbucks in hand!  I don't stand in LONG lines or wait hours to get into a store, but if I find something- I will buy! ;)

Today's stamp simply challenge is Black Friday!

My card uses the Melody Ross Stamps- (available at the Unity site) I added a little black- I love that pop black adds to most cards, so this wasn't too hard of a challenge for me! ;) The die is Spellbinders, and the gems are Kaiser.


For this uploading to SCS, please use keyword ssnotime167

Check out the fab samples for today’s challenge on the blogs of the Stamp Simply Challenge DT:

Claudia Rosa: Pretty Pressings - November Guest Designer
Deb Neerman:  Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps 
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat 
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty 
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden   <---- you are here
Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color
Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover

enjoy!

Hip Hop a DAY early!

 Happy almost Thanksgiving!

today Hip Hop is a day early to share our Black Wednesday Ad and newest Co Brand...

Bella BLVD

I made a set of tags using the Bella Fiori flowers

the whole set

birthday wishes sentiment from July '10 KOM Happily Ever After

best of luck, sentiment from Bevy of Butterflies

for you, sentiment from totally happy by ippity.

and then a mini gift bag and tag in a different color theme- I love these little bags- they are the perfect party favor size!  All dies are Spellbinders Labels sixteen, and paper is MME.

And for every order, Unity is donating fifty cents to the local foodshelf!

Make sure to head yourself on over to Shemaine's blog next!

Enjoy!

Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin' Day Two

Welcome to the second day of the Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Holiday Hoppin’ Blog Hop!  Spellbinders, along with Spellbinders Cross Promotional Parnters are showcasing their newest products just in time for your Holiday crafting and gift giving.  

Lots of creative ideas are in store, as well as prizes galore!  Each participating company has generously donated towards the prize package listed on the Spellbinders Blog.  A total of two identical prize packages, one for each day, November 18 and 19 will be given away!  To enter, just leave a comment on a participating blog!  Comments in the first 48 hours of the post are eligible.  One commenter each day will be randomly selected as the winner.  Winners will be announced on November 22, on the Spellbinders Blog!

Be sure to see all of yesterday’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs for inspiring projects and another chance to win!

Mona Pendleton

Gina Hanson

Deborah Young

Becca Feeken

Julie Overby

Kimberly Crawford

AJ Otto  <--- you are here

Margie Higuchi

Beth Pingry

Jennifer Holmes

Kerry Urbatch

Shona Erlenborn

Tammy Inman

Jessica Turner

Brenda Hurd

Julie Koerber

Rae Barthel

Rachel O’Crowley

Kellie Fortin

Kristen Cohen

Joy Dickson

Candy Rosenberg 

Laura Craigie

Stephanie Hester

Leesa Crutcher

Nina Brackett

Today I am using Spellbinders™ LF-126 Grand Squares die template to create a gift box.  I cut out and embossed five of the smallest of the Grand Squares die templates and adhered them into a gift box shape. 

This set comes with a total of 7 (SEVEN!) dies that you can cut, emboss, and stencil with making them about $7 each.  And for the GRAND size they are-you can create mini books, layouts, altered items, etc; making these dies a GRAND value with all they have to offer! 

Here are the sizes, from smallest to largest:
1: 4";  2: 4½";  3: 5";  4: 5½";  5: 6";  6: 6½"; 7: 7"

 I used Cosmo Cricket's Mitten Weather paper, and Gina K Designs stamps in today's project.  Inside the box is a bag of yummy mint chocolate covered cookies tied off with some tinsel and flower pieces.  I added a bit of May Arts ribbon, and a small mitten die cut from the same patterned paper as the front label.

 Here's a close up of the front side.  I cut a frame out of the main panel using the S4-126 Classic Squares LG.  I stamped the sentiment onto a S4-112 Classic Ovals SM, and then popped it onto a S4-233 Labels Nine, finishing it off with the same small mitten from the S4-285 Nested Mittens set.

  

Simply leave a comment on my blog to be eligible to win the Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin’ Prize Package   One winner will be chosen from all the comments on all the blogs participating today.  Comments made in the first 48 hours of this post will be eligible to win.  Winner’s names will be published on the Spellbinders Blog on November 22, and they will have 48 hours to reply to Spellbinders to claim the prizes.

Thank you!


Deets:

Spellbinders LF-126 Grand Squares
Spellbinders S4-126 Classic Squares LG
Spellbinders S4-233 Labels Nine
Spellbinders S4-112 Classic Ovals SM
Spellbinders S4-285 Nested Mittens
Stamps-  Winter Mittens- Gina K Designs
Patterned Paper- Mitten Weather- Cosmo Cricket
Pearls- Creative Impressions
Red Ribbon, twine- May Arts
Gold tinsel- JoAnn's
Buttons- Craft Supply
Glue Dots
treat sacks- Target

Stamps stamps every where!

Have you heard the news?!?

All Unity Stamps Co Brands are NOW AVAILABLE on their site!!

LOTS of pictures, very few words!

Here are a few of my faves using the co brands from the past few months....

 

 Retro Road Trip

Retro Road Trip

 Retro Road Trip

Girly Dots

Fall Splendor

Fall Splendor and Fall Family Memories

Build a Damask

Greetings of Christmas

 

 Fall Family Memories

 You are loved

She did It Anyway

She Sprouted Wings

She Sprouted Wings

Purely Entwined

Embrace you

Material Girl

Material Girl

That's all from me today!

Enjoy!!!

Just for you

Today's stamp simply challenge is to be well preserved!

Nov. 19 - ssnotime166 - Well Preserved! -- Sharon's words: Is anyone out there still canning, or freezing or drying your summer harvest?  Or is anyone preparing those previously preserved goodies for Thanksgiving or Christmas gifts?  Today is all about preserving our fruits of the harvest.  Take this food related theme wherever it brings you -- use food type stamps, papers or embellishments on a card, decorate a jar of canned goods, or even wrap and decorate a chocolate bar -- we're easy!  Let's just see some lovely fruits, veggies or any type of edible in today's creations!!!

 And I went with a good ol fashioned jar of home made salsa.  I love salsa fresh all year round, so I am making up a few big batches to have on hand.  I decided on a simple tag and twine trim. 

Sometimes- the simple look is just the ticket for what you are working on.  (Especially if you have already made a jar of something from scratch! ;)

I added a tag cut from Spellbinders S4-110 Classic Oval LG and stamped the sentiment from Lovely Labels 2 from Gina K Designs.  I wrapped some yellow twine around and threaded a button through to attach the twine too.  

For this uploading to SCS, please use keyword ssnotime166

Check out the fab samples for today’s challenge on the blogs of the Stamp Simply Challenge DT:

Claudia Rosa: Pretty Pressings - November Guest Designer
Deb Neerman:  Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps 
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat 
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty 
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden   <---- you are here
Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color
Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover

enjoy!

Hip Hop-Samantha Walker ornament

Hip Hop Happy Holidays!  

We are doing kids and Ornaments today...

I opted for ornaments, but love the kid ideas shared today!!

(Actually going to steal Jimmi's idea for Lauren's friends!)

Here is my ornament- and yes, that is our tree. ;) Jeff is being helpful getting it up early this year.  I want to be officially ready for Christmas when my dad starts his radiation treatments.

I stamped the deer on the Spellbinders S4-114 Standard cirlces LG,  and then stamped him again, cut it out and mounted with foam tape.  I then mounted the circle onto a S4-115 Petite scallop circles LG, and then to another of the standard circles with foam tape again.

So, I love the little party cones I made for Halloween a while back, and thought I would give one of these awesome ornaments a try!  It's the same idea just a WHOLE lot more!  

I made about 13 of them, rolled them into cone shape, and then I adhered them all to a circle on the backside first with scor-tape.  I then adhered the dies on the front with a TON more scor-tape! 
Since they aren't perfect cone shape, I had to trim the middles to fit in the center, which is hidden anyways.

The stamps are Greetings of Christmas by Samantha Walker, and the paper is the from Samantha Walker line for Creative Imaginations.

I stamped this on the flip side as well, just in case it ever twirled around.  The scallop layers are adhered to each other with foam tape.

  I applied stickles around each cone edge, and around each plain circle for extra glitz!

 I hope you enjoy!!!!

Make sure to head yourself on over to Shemaine's blog next!

Enjoy!

Hot Cocoa weather

Monday!

Fun exciting news going on around here today...

A while back Gina K asked if would be interested in joining her fabulous team, and how could I say no!  She is quite amazing I must say and I have had the pleasure of working with her through Spellbinders and publications prior to this!

Check out the rest of her new team in the post here.

And I even managed to whip up a good ol' fashioned CAS card!  
I love the nested mittens from Spellbinders and was so excited to see Gina K's Winter mittens set when she released it.  That fun font and adorable matching mittens are too cute!

I have HUGE plans today of cleaning up after the birthday week celebration we had all last week!  Sheesh, aqua sand is messy! ;)

enjoy!

Stampin' Store kit time

Hola!

Happy Saturday!  We are busy with soccer and gearing up for a 7 yo birthday party tomorrow!!

Here's a few quick cards for you with the Store KOM!

This first one uses the Happy Mother's day sentiment - I love having these new mom's day sentiments!

I embossed the kraft envelope with a Spellbinders™ impressabilities.

I have two Mother's day cards ready to go now! :) This one uses the Big Scalloped Rectangles LG for the card shape.   I stamped the butterfly, cut it out, and popped him up with foam squares.  I added a line of stickles to his trail also...

enjoy!

Make A Wish- Paper Pretties Blog Hop!

Happy Friday!

*For my FWF/Stamp Simply post click here*

 Today I have the honor of joining in the Paper Pretties November release Blog Hop!  Head on over and check them out- there are 7 new sets releasing today.

and in case you haven't heard yet, Paper Pretties has a BRAND NEW owner.  Heather Lee Reppen is now running the show over there-  Now located in Madison, WI, they are so pleased to offer you amazing customer service, faster and cheaper shipping, and a wider variety of stamping "must have" products to go along with all of their new stamps!! Basic Grey, Kaisercraft, Copic and more! All orders are shipped within 24 hours.

I got to use Surprise Sophia for my card.  Such a fun little birthday girl set!  (I also had a birthday girl this week! ;)  Mine doesn't dress like this, so I opted for some full on girlie with pinks and blond hair!  (Mine is into camo, skulls and crossbones, and soccer ;)

I colored parts of her with my copics, and then paper pieced her dress- I love paper piecing clothing as an option of coloring in.

This is definitely a bit more girlie girl than I am used to for sure- The paper and rhinestones are MME, and the ribbon is May Arts, and dies are all from Spellbinders™.

Make sure to head to Frances Byrne's blog next!

heartfelt holiday wishes

Happy Friday- it's FWF and Stamp Simply!

Today's stamp simply challenge is all about NON traditional Christmas colors!

So- my card looks to be red, but that is melon mambo - not red!  I stamped the frame from this months KOM picture perfect onto a labels five shape and then stamped the sentiment in the pear color.  I added a few rhinestones, some MME paper, and more twine over the snowflake embossed pink layer.

Pretty CAS and snazzy at the same time! I am liking how this turned out :)

For this uploading to SCS, please use keyword ssnotime165

Check out the fab samples for today’s challenge on the blogs of the Stamp Simply Challenge DT:
Claudia Rosa: Pretty Pressings - November Guest Designer
Deb Neerman:  Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps  *not playing today*
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat 
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty 
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden   <---- you are here
Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color
Barb Schram: Explore. Dream. Discover

enjoy!

Hip Hop!

 

Happy Hip Hop and more importantly- 

 

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!

Today the Unity gang are all starting on their December Daily's!

And when I said started,  that's right where I am- STARTING point!   ;)

I haven't yet done one of these types of journals, but did sign up for Shimelle's class last year and am looking forward to doing better this year!

 

 

Here is my cover and inside front page- I  cut the cover out of the clear acrylic wrapper my Grand dies™ came in!  I decided to use My Minds Eye's Holly Jolly line, and thought this Santa was the perfect 1st page!

 

The labels five shape is from this months KOM Picture Perfect,  and the "December" sentiment is from the Here's the ticket scrap booking set.

 

 Here is the cover separate from the inside front page- I cut out two of the labels 5 shapes, and placed them in the same place so you wouldn't ever see the backside of either.

 

Here's a few quick photos on how I made the pages- I used my Grand Calibur™ to create the pages!

Left side- base plate of the new Grand Calibur with die cutting edge up.  (This is the Grand Scalloped Square) Right side- cutting plate, layer on top, run through!

*This machine can cut up to a full sheet of card stock making it ideal for making mini books like this!

 

 

When you got to emboss, leave the paper and die in tact, and cover with the embossing pad, then embossing plate.  

 

 

Here's another page I am running through- (I still need to add days/journaling tags to these pages) You can leave excess hanging out if using 12 x 12 paper.

 

And the page is cut out- ready to be decorated!  I think I am going to use my BIA when I have all the pages cut out and ready to assemble together, just debating a side or top opening....

I'll share more when I have a few more pages done!  At the rate I am going, it will be January! ;)

starting is half the battle I think!

Make sure to head yourself on over to Shemaine's blog next!

Enjoy!