Perfect Sentiments with Avocado Arts

I recently discovered Avocado Arts stamps at the Scrapbook Expo in NJ. I love their stamps because you can build scene with them and many have multiple uses. For instance the top of the hot air balloon is also used to create a globe with this set. While checking out the sneaks for the upcoming set on their blog (I'll be adding the new set to my collection as soon as its released) I found a link to a challenge they are sponsoring. The challenge is at Perfect Sentiments and is for anything goes with a double entry if you use Avocado Arts. For this card I used up some really old Basic Grey papers and the Zip N By to Say Hi set from Avocado Arts. An Avocado Arts stamp set is up for grabs so check it out!

Critters in the Sea Bday Card

My photography skills are a little rusty to say the least. Also I haven't found the perfect spot or time to photograph in our new apartment but I wanted to get a picture of this card before I gave it to my cousin for her birthday tomorrow. When she saw the Lawn Fawn Critters of the Sea set she couldn't decide what critter she wanted on her birthday card so in the end she got all of them. I combined her personal challenge to create a Critters in the Sea birthday card with this week's Lawnscaping inspiration photo challenge. I pulled mostly the colors from the photo challenge.

I'm also playing along with Shopping Our Stash challenge with is titled "My Precious" where you are challenged to use something you've been hoarding. Well I have a limited supply of Cosmo Cricket's Salt Air collection so I def hoard it but thought it was perfect for this particular card so I parted with some of it.

A Cosmo Cricket LO to Share

With CHA happening this week I thought it would be fun to share this LO I made using a picture from CHA in 2010. Cosmo Cricket took their fans to CHA by putting their Facebook profile pics on sticks and taking pics all around CHA. I used the Togetherness collection that came out at that year's CHA and some other CC goodies to create the LO. 

Lawnscaping #37

I haven't bothered to post my creations in a long time because I haven't been following challenges or taking the time to take pictures of the cards. Now that the school year is over, I have done a lot of crafting and have some more time on my hands although I am working part time. Anywho I have been playing with my stamps a lot lately and haven't recently acquired new Lawn Fawn and Avacado Arts sets. So I made a simple card for the Lawnscaping challenge to use dimension.

I popped up some hearts to go with the super sweet fox from Critters in the Forest. Lawnscaping is being sponsored by the fab Simon Says Stamp where my mom just got her first Lawn Fawn. It's hard to resist these cute stamps and I'm not always around to borrow from.

Hello Deerie

Even after the holidays I find myself reaching for Punch 312. The snowy season has barely started where I live so why ignore the punch until next Christmas. On this card I punched the corners of a small square piece of paper to create panel for mounting my stamped images on. Combining the punched and stamped snowflakes adds extra interest and as I often do I highlighted the images with a touch of bling. I admit the colors are a little Christmas-y but I know a few people who would enjoy a winter pick me up hello like this.

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas

I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season and wishing you a wonderful new year! As a teacher this season has been especially busy, helping the kids prepare gifts and holiday items to share with their families. Also I've been battling a cold for well over a month. Luckily I have the next week off so hopefully I can rest up and maybe do some crafting. The card above was made with Kreaxions Punch 312 and Basic Grey Nordic Holiday.

Happy Winter

I hope your holiday preparations are going smoothly. I have some shopping done but not much else. I won't be getting my tree until next weekend but one of the most fun parts of the season is pretty much complete. Making Christmas cards! I used 312to create two different borders for the card above. The top border is technically the "trash" left over when you punch the bottom border, but why let such a pretty detail go to waste. I even added the negative from the border as a snowflake embellishment on the picture card. I love that elements created with Kreaxions punches can add detail and intricacy to cards even when they aren't the focus of the design. Remember punches are one sale and at $11.99 Punch 312 would be a great companion for winter card making this year and every year to come.